When Fiona Ewing and her partner Gary decided to open Inspiral Cycles, a high-street bicycle shop in Bishop Auckland, they were setting out on an ambitious journey. For Fiona, the leap into business meant scaling back her full-time role in the NHS, while Gary, having nearly completed his MBA with Open University, left his job to fully commit to the business. The two shared a love for cycling—especially mountain biking. Gary, who has ridden and tinkered with bikes since his university days, brought his passion and vast technical knowledge to the business.
Initially, Inspiral Cycles focused on retail, but it soon became evident that their offerings would be more than just transactions. Over time, Inspiral earned a reputation for its knowledgeable, community-centred service. Their shop, located in the heart of County Durham, became a hub where riders could not only buy bicycles and e-bikes but also get expert advice and support. From in-depth repairs to full servicing , the team’s attention to detail set them apart from larger chain stores. Fiona reflects, "The high street might be changing, but service and expertise still hold immense value. People come to us because they trust our advice, and we’re here to provide what they can’t get online."
Pushing the Boundaries of Mountain Biking: Gary’s Mission to Reinvent Mountain Bike Suspension
As the shop flourished, so did Gary’s dream of moving beyond retail. His long-held ambition wasn’t just to sell bikes but to design and build them—specifically, a bike that would introduce an innovative suspension design. “Gary has an encyclopaedic knowledge of mountain bikes,” Fiona shares, “but even I was surprised by the depth of his ideas when he started working on this.” His vision was born from decades of experience with mountain biking, a sport that presents unique mechanical challenges. Specifically, mountain bikes need to handle rugged terrain, balancing speed, braking control, and suspension on rocky paths and steep inclines.
Over the years, Gary had observed that most mountain bike designs involved a compromise between suspension efficiency and braking performance. His aim was to create a suspension system that would allow riders to maintain stability and control without this trade-off, giving them an edge on the trails. Fiona describes it as a system “allowing you to go faster with more control” by enhancing the interplay between braking and suspension.
After months of development, they had built two very different models of fully functional prototypes, an achievement that would allow them to showcase the invention and gather feedback from the cycling community. However, getting from concept to working prototype required more than ambition and technical know-how—it needed funding, expertise, and the right connections.
The Power of Support: Durham Business Growth
Inspiral’s journey towards innovation was supported by the Durham Business Growth Programme. Through the programme, Fiona and Gary received not only initial grant funding but also access to business mentors and workshops to help develop a strategy for their product. It was here that they began to consider questions beyond the technical aspects of the invention. How could they protect their Intellectual Property? Were they looking to license the design? Should they manufacture the bikes themselves? These were complex decisions, requiring expertise and support outside their existing skill set.
Fiona acknowledges the programme’s role in helping them think strategically about these critical next steps. They secured grant funding which they used to bring in experts for legal advice, Computer-Aided Design (CAD) work, high-precision manufacturing, specialist welding and painting, and even web development, establishing an identity for their invention separate from Inspiral Cycles. The brand name they chose, Auckland Cycle Works, paid homage to the area’s industrial heritage; their shop is just a stone’s throw from the original Auckland Cycle Works, a 19th-century bicycle factory that pioneered some of the earliest suspension systems.
For Fiona and Gary, the local aspect of the support made a difference. "Amazingly, one of the best CAD and prototyping experts we found was right here in Bishop Auckland – Celyn Mitchell at Form Product Design," Fiona notes. “Working together with other local businesses adds a special element to this whole journey.” Their experience demonstrates how community-driven support networks can help small businesses take giant steps forward.
Showcasing Innovation at Europe’s Largest Handmade Bicycle Show
With one prototype and two completed bikes in hand, Fiona and Gary set off to Bespoked, Europe’s largest handmade bicycle show. Known for its focus on bespoke craftsmanship and cutting-edge technology, Bespoked was the perfect stage to introduce their ‘Marra’ and ‘Reiver’ models with ‘KOLARP’ Suspension. The event showcased a vast range of unique bicycles, from those pushing the limits of new materials and production methods to traditional handcrafted designs. For Auckland Cycle Works, Bespoked offered not only exposure but also invaluable feedback from industry professionals, journalists, and cycling enthusiasts alike.
The reaction to their bikes was overwhelmingly positive, with Gary and Fiona receiving press interested in covering their story. “To hear experienced riders and makers say they’re impressed was validating,” Fiona says. For Auckland Cycle Works, the show was more than a marketing opportunity; it was a proving ground that reinforced their belief in their product’s potential. Fiona is quick to emphasise the broader significance, too. “We’re just one example of what’s possible with the right support. It’s great to think that our work, supported by Durham Business Growth, might help put our region on the map for innovation in cycling.”
A Race to the Future
With the high quality prototypes ready, Auckland Cycle Works is moving to the next phase: testing and perfecting the performance of their bikes with KOLARP suspension. The goal is to bring on competitive riders to demonstrate the bike’s potential in races, showcasing the advantages of Gary’s suspension design in real-world conditions. “The plan now is to get fast riders on the bikes to prove what they can do,” Fiona explains. “The hope is that our suspension system will give racers an edge, helping them maintain stability and speed on challenging trails.”
Gary’s vision for proving the bike’s worth is threefold. First, by gathering scientific data on the bike’s performance; second, by having it reviewed by experienced cycling journalists; and third, by entering it in competitive races. Through these efforts, Gary aims to build credibility and visibility within the cycling world, paving the way for future success.
The couple has even begun discussions with universities on potential collaboration for testing and assessing the design. Partnerships with research institutions would allow them to add scientific weight to their claims and help provide a shared language in communicating the design’s benefits to larger company engineers. For Fiona and Gary, linking their practical work with academic research is an exciting prospect that could provide a significant boost to their innovation’s credibility.
From Vision to Reality: The Role of Strategic Support for Small Businesses
Reflecting on their journey, Fiona acknowledges that securing the right funding and support can be challenging, especially for small businesses with limited resources. Durham Business Growth provided vital assistance and Fiona is optimistic about the future of their invention and encourages other small businesses to seek similar support, emphasising the importance of persistence and having a clear goal.
Fiona summarises the value of the programme simply: “Business support helps you step back and look at the bigger picture. It’s easy to get lost in the day-to-day tasks, but having someone from outside the business to discuss ideas with, to push us forward, has been crucial.” For Auckland Cycle Works and Inspiral Cycles, the journey is about more than inventing a new product; it’s about demonstrating what small businesses in County Durham can achieve with determination and community support.
Find out more about Durham Business Growth and how it could help you grow your business here or click these links to find out more about Inspiral Cycles and Auckland Cycle Works.
