Thom Dawley is hard at work welding the Eponym frames that will carry his name and will be available early next year.
Dawley Bikes’ Eponym sports direct metal laser-sintered 3D-printed components that are TIG welded and straight-from-the-torch fillet brazing with ‘Balanced Point Geometry.
Sizes S1-3 will be available, with S1s being the first out of the gate in early 2026.
Dawley Bikes, the independent frame builder renowned for blending craftsmanship with modern engineering, today
announces the upcoming release of the Eponym, a brand-new hardtail mountain bike frame set to debut in early 2026.
Originally created without any intention of becoming a commercial product, the Eponym earned its name by accident.
“I didn’t want it to become a ‘product’ with a model name,” says Thom Dawley, founder, designer and engineer at Dawley Bikes. “The first design was something I built for myself, so when people started asking for it, I just named it after itself. “The Eponym.”
What began as a personal project quickly evolved into a mission: to build the best hardtail mountain bike on the planet. Drawing on a lifetime of riding and modifying bikes, Thom focused on what makes a hardtail truly fast and fun — not smashing through terrain but flowing over and around it.
Balance Point Geometry – A New Approach for 2026
For 2026, the Eponym’s geometry sees a major evolution with the introduction of Balance Point Geometry, a rider-centric approach based around real-world centre-of-gravity data. This creates a more consistent ride feel across sizes and gives riders more freedom to choose a frame based on terrain, style and preference, not just height.
“The geometry chart doesn’t look extreme — and that’s exactly the point,” Thom explains. “Extremes don’t help us. Balance does. I wanted a bike that becomes an extension of the rider.”
The Eponym will launch in three sizes: S1, S2 and S3, with a limited batch of S1 frames due to complete in early 2026, followed by S2 and S3.
Race Pedigree: Proven by 4X National Series Champion Jake Hart
The Eponym may be new, but the engineering behind it is anything but untested. Dawley Bikes’ sponsored rider Jake Hart has already demonstrated the capability of Dawley’s hardtail technology on the biggest domestic stages.
Riding a Dawley hardtail developed from the same fabrication methods, geometry philosophy and design principles as the Eponym, Jake has:
Won the 2024 and 2025 4X Mountain Bike National Series (back-to-back titles)
Been crowned the 2025 4X Mountain Bike National Champion
This race-proven DNA flows directly into the Eponym, giving everyday riders access to the same underlying performance platform trusted by a national champion.
Crafted with Purpose: Hand-Built Meets High-Tech
Every aspect of the Eponym reflects Dawley Bikes’ uncompromising approach to construction. The frame uniquely blends:
- Direct metal laser-sintered 3D-printed components
- Precision TIG welding
- Straight from the Torch fillet brazing, no filling, no sanding as RAW as it gets.
- Each process is chosen purely for function, strength and ride quality — nothing is used “just because.” A new ‘Stealth Raw’ finish will be standard, designed to highlight the craftsmanship instead of hiding it.
- Pricing & Availability Price: £1080 (inc. VAT)
- First Rideable Frames: Early 2026
- Sizes: S1, S2, S3
