Features

GREG CURNOE AND HIS MARIPOSAS
GREG CURNOE AND HIS MARIPOSAS
It was in 1974 that the celebrated artist from London, Ontario, Greg Curnoe came to our store, Bicyclesport in downtown Toronto. He was obviously very interested in cycling and very... Read more...
In Search Of Perfection
In Search Of Perfection
By Dan Bereskin. Winning Magazine  The following article was published in Winning Magazine in the early ‘80’s. It is a conversation on bicycles, art and design between Mike Brown, Mike... Read more...
Mariposa Road Integrated with SRAM Red
Mariposa Road Integrated with SRAM Red
We recently built this custom Mariposa Road Integrated bicycle with a mix of Kaisei and Columbus tubing, a Columbus Trefoil Integrated fork, Sram Red 2 x 12 speed groupset, Zipp... Read more...
Mariposa Allroad Bicycle with SRAM Force XPLR 1 x 13
Mariposa Allroad Bicycle with SRAM Force XPLR 1 x 13
We recently built this custom Mariposa Allroad / Gravel bicycle with Kaisei and Columbus tubing, a Ritchey Gravel Fork, Sram Force XPLR 1 x 13 speed groupset, handbuilt wheels with HED Rims and DTSwiss Hubs. It is... Read more...
Integrated Mariposa Road Bike outfitted with SRAM and Enve
Integrated Mariposa Road Bike outfitted with SRAM and Enve
This Mariposa was built to climb through the Pyrenees or cruise over smooth gravel roads. The round steel tubing has a simple elegance to it and current framebuilding materials allow... Read more...
Snow Ride
Snow Ride
My math homework half completed and Bob Dylan on the turntable, I looked out the window as snow began to fall. First a few scattered flakes spotted the sky but,... Read more...
1980s Bianchi ‘Adventure’ Mountain Bike Conversion / Restoration
1980s Bianchi ‘Adventure’ Mountain Bike Conversion / Restoration
Vintage mountain bikes can become great gravel bikes as the frame geometry is suitable, the tire clearances ample enough for large tires and mudguards and the frames resilient, comfortable and... Read more...
City Bike Restoration
City Bike Restoration
Over the years we've collected many used parts and old frames in need of restoration. Much of the old vintage equipment is ideal for building up nice city bikes as... Read more...
Mariposa City Bicycle
Mariposa City Bicycle
A custom Mariposa city bicycle with integrated lighting SPECIFCIATIONS Frame and Fork: The frame and fork were built with Columbus tubing.  The frame was built to integrate the Rene Herse... Read more...
The beauty and the practicality of a well designed city bicycle
The beauty and the practicality of a well designed city bicycle
By Michael Barry Old bikes often come in the shop, built from the 1930’s to the 70’s, for small repairs or complete restorations. From use they have developed a patina... Read more...
Mariposa Allroad Bicycle with SRAM Red XPLR 1 x 13 speed
Mariposa Allroad Bicycle with SRAM Red XPLR 1 x 13 speed
Allroad Mariposa built with Columbus and Kaisei tubing, a No. 22 carbon fork and Paragon Machine Works UDH dropouts and built up with a SRAM Red XPLR 1 x 13... Read more...
Ritchey Forks: The Unsung Hero of Bike Building
Ritchey Forks: The Unsung Hero of Bike Building
To the untrained eye, the fork is more than just the front end of the bike. For the craftspeople who design and build bikes, forks are a crucial ingredient in... Read more...
Pinarello x Mariposa
Pinarello x Mariposa
In the early 1970’s, few bike shops in Canada were importing proper European racing bicycles and equipment. When my father, who was a passionate cyclist from England, arrived in Canada,... Read more...
In The News
In The News
Physical activity improves cognitive and mental health in all sorts of ways. Here’s why, and how to reap the benefits. How Exercise Strengthens your Brain>> Ashlin Barry had a strong... Read more...
Mariposa Bicycles: The Essence of What We Do
Mariposa Bicycles: The Essence of What We Do
Cinematographer, Luke McCutcheon, Jacq Antrade and team beautifully capture the essence of what we do at Mariposa Bicycles in this short film. https://youtu.be/LigpR_oUbQU Read more...
In The News
In The News
A collection of stories, news and information that we thought you might find interesting and relevant. Trek, one of the world’s biggest bicycle brands, recently released its sustainability report for... Read more...
In The News
In The News
A collection of stories, news and information that we thought you might find interesting and relevant. There is a hot new fitness trend among Olympians in Tokyo: Blood flow restriction... Read more...
In The News
In The News
A collection of stories, news and information that we thought you might find interesting and relevant. Physical activity can promote a sense of purpose in life, creating a virtuous cycle... Read more...
In The News
In The News
A collection of stories, news and information that we thought you might find interesting and relevant. Although we all know that it’s easier to climb on a bike that’s lighter... Read more...
The Quest To Build A Better Wheel
The Quest To Build A Better Wheel
A Conversation With Marty Crotty, Founder Of Princeton Carbonworks We visit with Marty Crotty, Founder of Princeton Carbonworks and learn about PCW's quest to build a better wheel, their background,and... Read more...
In The News
In The News
A collection of stories, news and information that we thought you might find interesting and relevant. Princeton CarbonWorks makes wheels that feature a sinusoidal rim pattern. What does that mean,... Read more...
The Compounding Benefits Of Micro-Commutes
The Compounding Benefits Of Micro-Commutes
As the ​Dutch riders dominated all of the Cyclo Cross World Championships categories​ last weekend, I kept imagining them riding around on their big Dutch city bikes as kids in... Read more...
A Case For Handbuilt Wheels
A Case For Handbuilt Wheels
Bicycle wheels make an enormous difference in the way a bike rides and feels on the road or trail. Aside from your frame fit and set-up, wheels and tires are... Read more...
In the news
In the news
A collection of stories, news and information that we thought you might find interesting and relevant. The link between exercise and mental health seems especially compelling now, as the combined... Read more...
BMX: Escape, Freedom, Relief...
BMX: Escape, Freedom, Relief...
Three dots in the distance, bounced, swayed, and jumped as I pedaled along the bike path, heading home from work. The park, which follows a ravine and a river that... Read more...
In The News
In The News
Antonio Colombo, head of Columbus and Cinelli, is putting the final touches on a gallery exhibit of bicycles and art to celebrate the 100 year anniversary of Columbus tubing. Colombo... Read more...
Collegiate All-Stars Training Camp
Collegiate All-Stars Training Camp
Ahead of the Colorado Classic, the best collegiate women in the United States assembled in Boulder, Colorado for a training camp based out of Skratch Labs with Allen Lim, PhD... Read more...
Winter Rides: Foul Weather Gear and Tips
Winter Rides: Foul Weather Gear and Tips
Winter riding can be a great adventure, a lot of fun and a whole lot better than riding the trainer if you are well prepared, but it can be miserable... Read more...
Canadian Cyclocross Nationals 2018
Canadian Cyclocross Nationals 2018
The Canadian National Cyclocross Championships were held November 10, 2018 in Peterborough, Ontario on a well designed, fun course in Canadian conditions. The riders battled snow, mud and wind. It... Read more...
Davis Phinney Foundation Auctions Mariposa Bicycles
Davis Phinney Foundation Auctions Mariposa Bicycles
By Dede Barry and Celestia Howe. Photography by The Pro's Closet Check out the Mariposa Bike auction: - 2018 Mariposa Cyclocross / Gravel Racing Bike 56cm - 2018 Mariposa All-Road... Read more...
Restoration Feature: A 1971 Mariposa Randonneur
Restoration Feature: A 1971 Mariposa Randonneur
This Mariposa frame and fork was built in 1971 with Nervex lugs and Reynolds 531 tubing. The bike was one of the first out of the shop at 175 King... Read more...
Mariposa Feature: All-Road Dura-Ace Hydraulic bike with shadow fade paint
Mariposa Feature: All-Road Dura-Ace Hydraulic bike with shadow fade paint
An all-road Mariposa frame built to accept a Whisky carbon disc fork with fender mounts and eyelets for Honjo fenders and a rear carrier. With Shimano Dura-Ace mechanical components, this... Read more...
Mariposa Feature: All-Road Ultegra Di2
Mariposa Feature: All-Road Ultegra Di2
Custom graphics Chris King Mango Components     Specifications: Frame: Columbus tubing with long point lugs Fork: Ritchey WCS Carbon Cross Paint: Smokey Blue and Orange Front Derailleur: Shimano Ultegra... Read more...
Vintage Bicycle Feature: c1963 Ideor. Savona, Italy.
Vintage Bicycle Feature: c1963 Ideor. Savona, Italy.
The Ideor bicycle company was one of the most highly respected bike companies in Italy. Established in the early part of the twentieth century in Savona, Ideor produced a complete... Read more...
Vintage Bicycle Feature: Bianchi Campione del Mondo. Italy, 1953
Vintage Bicycle Feature: Bianchi Campione del Mondo. Italy, 1953
When the shop quieted down in the winter months, Mike Barry Sr. worked on custom Mariposa Bicycle orders and restored vintage bicycles.  If he had the time, he would also restore some of the bicycles... Read more...
Mariposa Feature: All-Road Dura-Ace Di2 Hydraulic Bike
Mariposa Feature: All-Road Dura-Ace Di2 Hydraulic Bike
Chris King Threadless Headset Handbuilt wheels with Chris King R45 center lock disc hubs and H Plus Son Hydra Rims Flat mount disc brake Chris King Threadfit 24 Matte Pink... Read more...
Mariposa Feature: All-Road Thru-Axle Bicycle
Mariposa Feature: All-Road Thru-Axle Bicycle
  Specifications: Frame: Columbus Tubing with long point lugs Fork: ENVE Cross Disc Fork, Thru-Axle Rear Derailleur: SRAM Force 1 Medium Cage Crankset: SRAM Force 1 Chainring: SRAM X-Sync 42T... Read more...
Mariposa Feature: Canti Gravel Bicycle
Mariposa Feature: Canti Gravel Bicycle
Specifications: Frame: Columbus tubing with long point lugs Fork: Whisky No. 7 CX Canti Paint: Green, Celeste and Vanilla Cream Front Derailleur: Shimano Dura-Ace 9100 Rear Derailleur: Shimano Dura-Ace 9100... Read more...
The Commute: Weekly News On Cycling, Bicycles and Commuting May 3, 2018
The Commute: Weekly News On Cycling, Bicycles and Commuting May 3, 2018
Gretchen Reynolds from the The New York Times reported this week that barely 3 percent of the American work force bikes or walks to work with any frequency, despite the... Read more...
Mariposa Feature: Team Mariposa Racer, Jack Ciotlos' Cyclocross Bicycle
Mariposa Feature: Team Mariposa Racer, Jack Ciotlos' Cyclocross Bicycle
A cyclocross 1x11 Shimano Dura-Ace / XTR Di2 hydraulic brake racing bicycle built with a Quarq power meter painted with Team Mariposa racing stripes. Specifications: Frame: Columbus tubing with long... Read more...
Mariposa Feature: Commuter bike
Mariposa Feature: Commuter bike
A city bicycle for all conditions. This bicycle was built with lightweight Columbus tubing, an internal gear hub, hub generated dynamo lighting and fenders. Specifications: Frame: Columbus tubing with long... Read more...
Mariposa Feature: All-Road Bike with Dura-Ace Di2
Mariposa Feature: All-Road Bike with Dura-Ace Di2
All-road bicycle with Dura-Ace Di2 components. Specifications: Frame: Columbus tubing with long point lugs Fork: Ritchey WCS Carbon Cross Fork Colours: Metallic purple, vanilla cream and metallic gold Front Derailleur:... Read more...
Mariposa Feature: Cyclocross / Gravel Racing SRAM eTap Bicycle
Mariposa Feature: Cyclocross / Gravel Racing SRAM eTap Bicycle
A new cyclocross / gravel racing thru-axle bike with SRAM eTap, Zipp 303 wheels and rugged Compass Steilacoom Tires. This bike is built for cyclocross and gravel racing and adventures.... Read more...
Mariposa Feature: All-Road SRAM eTap 650B Fender Bike
Mariposa Feature: All-Road SRAM eTap 650B Fender Bike
A new all-road 650B fender bike with SRAM eTap, Zipp 303 wheels, custom painted Honjo fenders and Compass Tires. This bike is extremely versatile and built for adventures on the... Read more...
Mercier, France. 1975
Mercier, France. 1975
By Mike Barry Sr. Photography by Walter Lai   The Mercier Company was established in St. Etienne, France in the early part of the Twentieth Century. They produced a large... Read more...
Picafort Treader
Picafort Treader
An all-road winter bike that can be used in the summer months for trail riding. It's good for commuting, long distance cycling or thrashing on the trails. Picafort bicycles are... Read more...
Mariposa Feature: All-Road Bicycle with Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 Hydraulic
Mariposa Feature: All-Road Bicycle with Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 Hydraulic
Not only is this All-Road bicycle with Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 Hydraulic lightweight and responsive for smoother gravel roads but it can accommodate larger 42 mm x 700 c tires for... Read more...
Vintage Mariposa Feature: David Harris' 1988 Road Bicycle
Vintage Mariposa Feature: David Harris' 1988 Road Bicycle
This Mariposa was built for David Harris in 1988 and painted for him by an artist friend from Toronto Island. David was a filmmaker and a world class hang-glider (he... Read more...
Restoration Feature: Cyclocross to Commuter Bike Conversion
Restoration Feature: Cyclocross to Commuter Bike Conversion
We took a beat up 1990s Desmarais Cyclocross frame, that was ridden by two time provincial road champ Joe Guilliano, stripped it, sand blasted it, built a new fork (the... Read more...
Mariposa Feature: City Bicycle
Mariposa Feature: City Bicycle
Photography by Walter Lai This city bicycle was built to accommodate 650B x 42mm tires and fenders. A rear handmade Mariposa carrier is integrated into the frame design and it... Read more...