It was Jan-Willem Sintnicolaas' passion for riding that eventually led to him designing bicycles. And 20 years ago, starting from scratch in his garage, he began turning his passion into reality; developing Van Nicholas into a universally respected brand.
In time, Jan left the company and moved with his family from Holland to Mallorca for obvious reasons. Over the spring and summer months, and after thousands of kilometres riding solo as well as with new-found friends, Jan’s passion for designing bikes once more consumed him. This time, Jan draws from a deeper well of personal experience. This time he’s designing for riders, like him, who want to search and share deeper experiences. This time it is truly personal. A fact reflected in the name of the company. The name by which the Mallorcans know Jan.
Titanium is strong. Much stronger than aluminium or carbon. Yet it is also light. Considerably lighter than Steel. These two qualities alone have made it the structural material of choice for the Aerospace industry. Titanium does not rust; another plus-point for aircraft manufacturers. But even more important if you’re a watchmaker whose customers need a timekeeping tool they can rely on hundreds of meters under water.
Jan is unwavering in his belief that Titanium is the best material with which to build bikes. It's a commitment that’s as strong as the frames he designs. He will only design with this unique metal. And he will create only one, perfectly-fit-for-purpose bike for each riding style.
A J.Guillem frame is built to provide endless hours of riding pleasure and last a lifetime. Guaranteed by a 100-year warranty against defects in materials and workmanship. And uniquely, each style of frame is named after a place in Mallorca that is special to Jan, its GPS coordinates etched into the frame. So, one day, you too may find the pleasure he found there.
With its ability to accommodate most 700c x 45mm and 27.5" x 2.3" tyres (w/o mudguards), the Atalya Gravel is the frame for riders who want everything. It’s elegant, clean lines are accentuated and strengthened by the addition of pre-cast components, centred around a one-piece bottom bracket-chain stay system. The head tube is also cast and allows for full internal cable routing compatible with both mechanical and di2 cables. And fully-cast, titanium drop outs allow for Flat Mount Disc Brake System, with thru axles. The Atalaya is the state-of-the-art, do-it-all, go anywhere machine with a super versatility that doesn’t look out of place however you use it.
The Atalaya is as beautiful to ride as it is to behold. But it also attracts looks because it is built to do the business. Like its stablemate, you can take it anywhere and do anything with it the big difference being you get more time to admire it, as you need less time to clean it.
The Orient is perfect pragmatist; enabling you to build a bike customised exactly to your riding style, readily adaptable to seasonal conditions and the changing challenges they throw up. With light, strong tubing and geometry designed to bring out the endurance qualities of Titanium, Audax riding is well within its comfort zone. When you add in drop outs for mudguards, and disc brakes, the Orient’s versatility and ruggedness make it ideal for longer commutes, winter training, camping or even relaxed summer evening rides.
The Orient has been designed for the sheer pleasure of riding the open road, certain in the knowledge you have a machine that can cope with whatever demands you make of it. Featuring J. Guillem-trademark stiff, light and durable tubing in more relaxed angles, it’s the basis for a be-anything-you-want-it-to-be-bike. 35mm tyre clearance shift’s this into the ‘all-road’ category enabling you to venture onto the loose gravel tracks or simply provide you with extra comfort on harsh tarmac the UK has to offer.
One glance at this frame tells you it means business. Seeking to create the perfect blend of rigidity, stability, comfort and power, Jan has been uncompromising in both this frame’s design and construction.
The Formentor combines aero-optimised, hydro-formed tubing and an aggressive racing geometry frame set, to produce a no-compromise, race-bred machine that transfers every joule of your energy into lossless kinetic motion. Choose Formentor as the superstructure for your racing bike and power, precision and poise will be at your command.
If you’re looking to build a bike to go fast uphill, downhill, around corners and especially on the straight, base it around the Formentor frame. A triumph of function and form, it is as potent to ride as it is beautiful to look at.