Project 59 – Cycling Tom’s Heartbeat
Some projects arise from a desire to escape, whilst others are rooted in something deeper.
Tom didn’t take up cycling by chance. In recent years, he has had to cope with cardiac arrhythmias, learn to listen to his body in a different way, to slow down at times, and to doubt himself too. But faced with this, he made a clear choice: not to just put up with it.
For a long time, he has harboured a dream: to cycle round the world.
Not as a means of escape, but as a way of moving forward, of turning a constraint into a driving force, and of showing that obstacles can become stepping stones. Cycling to understand, to rebuild himself, and to inspire those who are weathering their own storms.
Right from the very first exchanges, Tom’s energy was palpable. A calm yet unshakeable determination. Simon sensed it straight away: this project would see it through to the end.
This isn’t Tom’s first trip. Nicaragua, China, Guatemala, India, Europe — he’s already clocked up thousands of kilometres, got to know his needs and refined his choices. He wasn’t looking to experiment. He knew exactly what he wanted: a comfortable, reliable bike, designed in Europe, built to last, and above all, fully customisable.
His attention turned to Zafi after discovering Giorgio’s Wood World Tour. Another adventure, another journey — but the same idea: to set off far away, on a bike that means something.
The custom black walnut frame, designed and built by Simon, is at the heart of this approach.
Walnut is renowned for its ability to dampen vibrations — an essential advantage when the kilometres accumulate day after day.
The build is the result of extensive discussion, with a shared aim: to prioritise European components wherever possible, without ever compromising reliability.
A single-speed advocate, Tom made a considered choice with a Shimano GRX 800 1×11 drivetrain, enhanced with Garbaruk components. 11-46 cassette, long cage, 38-tooth chainring — a setup designed to offer a wide gear range whilst remaining simple and robust. Beyond the technical aspect, these elements bring a strong visual signature, with golden touches throughout the drivetrain, chain, centerlock rings and even in the frame details.
The cockpit was designed with particular attention to comfort. The Use Components Vybe Suspension stem absorbs road irregularities, whilst the Ultimate Escape GR handlebar, with its ergonomic flare and carbon construction, reduces vibration and improves control on long distances. The Posedla saddle completes this quest for bespoke comfort. Manufactured in Europe and designed from a personalised impression, it adapts precisely to the cyclist’s anatomy.
At the front, the Sample fork — a French brand — stands out for its monoblock carbon fibre design. Rigid, precise, capable of accepting tyres up to 47 mm, it offers great adaptability through its multi-offset system, whilst incorporating eyelets capable of supporting load for touring.
Les roues GRX40 de Dandy Horse, fabricant polonais, incarnent parfaitement cette recherche d’équilibre entre performance et durabilité. Leur conception carbone assure légèreté et stabilité, tandis que leur structure reste pensée pour être entretenue et réparée facilement, même loin de tout. Elles sont associées à des pneus GravelKing SK TLR en 40c, choix assumé pour leur polyvalence, leur rendement et leur capacité à encaisser des terrains variés sur de longues journées.
Finally, a Tailfin rack completes the set, ready to accompany Tom on thousands of kilometres.
This bike is not merely a travel machine.
It is a tool for transformation.
It will accompany Tom across continents, but also through something more personal — a path where each pedal stroke is a way of reclaiming control, of moving forward despite uncertainty, and of proving that one can transform fragility into strength.
At Zafi Cycles, some bikes are designed to go the distance.
Tom’s bike was designed to see him through his round-the-world trip and beyond
