The small British manufacturer Shand Cycles comes from Scotland - and you can feel this in every detail of the Stramash. The name means something like "riot" or "uproar" in Scottish. Fitting for a bike that deliberately ignores classic gravel boundaries. The Stramash is the latest addition to the Shand portfolio and has been extensively revised for 2026. The centrepiece remains a steel frame handmade in the UK from Columbus Life tubes, combined with a carbon fork and tyre clearance of up to 700 x 50 mm. There are also numerous mounting points for bags, mudguards and anything cages.
Shand Stramash gravel bike in detail
- Application: Gravelbike / Bikepacking
- Tyre clearance: 50 mm
- Frame material: steel
- Complete bike weight: 9-11.5 kg (manufacturer's specification)
- Price: from 5495 GBP
- Special features: compatible with hub gears, singlespeed and belt drive, custom geometry, custom paintwork and light system with dynamo optional, made in UK
British understatement
Even at first glance, it is clear that the Stramash does not see gravel as a racing discipline, but as an adventure platform. The geometry is more relaxed than that of many modern race gravel bikes. The steering angle of 70.5 degrees, 435 millimetre chainstays and a low bottom bracket drop are designed to provide a smooth ride and safety on loose surfaces. The bike wants to show off its strengths on rough gravel tracks in particular. As an everyday gravel bike, the Shand presents itself as a British gentleman: controlled and confident with a touch of charm and understatement. Gravel bikers who want to take things to the extreme can also order the Stramash with individual custom geometry for an extra £500.
In times of ultra-light carbon frames, a hand-built steel bike seems almost rebellious. But that's exactly where the appeal lies. Steel conveys a unique riding sensation: lively, elastic and pleasantly cushioned. On long distances in particular, this creates a level of comfort that many riders find more "natural". It is precisely this characteristic that is regularly discussed in gravel communities. Many riders describe high-quality steel frames as particularly resonant. Shand deliberately favours steel - not out of nostalgia, but because of its durability, repairability and riding comfort. This fits in perfectly with the bike's philosophy. Customers can choose from seven stylish paint options or add 150 pounds for a custom paint job.
Maximum versatility
Technically, the Shand Stramash is exceptionally flexible. The specially developed dropout is particularly exciting: It supports modern UDH rear derailleurs, Gates belt drives and Rohloff Speedhub gear hubs at the same time. The multifunctional bottom bracket area allows both classic T47 bearings and eccentric solutions for singlespeed or belt drives. Even a SON lighting system with hub dynamo and USB-C charging port can be configured. Depending on the set-up, the steel gravel bike from Shand should weigh between nine and eleven and a half kilos.
The wide range of build options makes it clear that the Stramash is not only aimed at classic gravel riders, but also at long-distance adventurers and bikepackers looking for maximum reliability. The price is correspondingly exclusive. Complete bikes start at around £5,500, with customised options pushing the price up significantly. If you tick all the boxes in the online configurator, you end up with just under £8,100. The delivery time is between six and eight weeks.
With its robust and expensive steel frame, the Shand Stramash is not a bike for everyone, despite its great versatility. Anyone looking for a lightweight race gravel bike for fast after-work rides will find cheaper and sportier alternatives. But this is precisely the strength of the Scottish gravel bike: the Stramash does not follow any trends. It is an adventure bike with a strong character for riders who value craftsmanship, durability and versatility. A bike for the long route instead of the shortest route. And perhaps that is precisely what is more radical than ever today.
Conclusion
My family's fleet also includes a gravel bike from Shand. With a steel frame handmade in the UK, it is extremely robust and reliable in my experience. I also like the look of the Scottish company's work. The options of belt drive, singlespeed or hub gears are a real USP. The Shand Stramash should be a charismatic companion for life. - Jan Timmermann, BIKE editor
Jan Timmermann
Editor
