A story about a polymath man- Spencer Maughan.
It’s 8 a.m., 10 degrees, and the roads are blanketed in snow and ice. Spencer grabs his bag, packed with sketches, photographs, notes, and the spicy curry he prepared the night before. He keeps his trusty 35mm camera on his chest. His commute to work is a solid 26 miles, give or take. As he bikes to work, his curry spills inside his pack, his mustache becomes encrusted with frozen snot, and his socks are soaked through. But none of this slows him down. With Maylene and the Sons of Disaster blasting through his headphones, Spencer keeps up a blistering pace that most of us would struggle to match even on a warm summer day.
He arrives at work just in time for the morning meeting, snow and ice clinging to him like a second skin. As he thaws out, he begins preparing for his day. Spencer is the head of design and engineering at Ari Bikes, a role that suits his rebellious approach to creativity and innovation. Those who know him might call him an outlaw of design, a title he seems to embrace.
Spencer’s artistry doesn’t stop at bike design. He’s also an accomplished photographer, though he usually keeps his work reserved for close friends. Fortunately, he agreed to share some of his favorite shots with us for this article. Choosing just a few photos was no easy task, but Spencer’s passion for the ones he selected is evident.
Spencer has been with Ari Bikes for seven and a half years, dating back to the company’s humble beginnings in the Fezzari barn. His journey from those early days to becoming a cornerstone of the brand’s creative identity is a testament to his dedication, grit, and boundless imagination.
Since 2019, Spencer has shot 135 rolls of film, using a variety of cameras. Among his favorites are the Olympus OM-G, Olympus 35RC, 1937 Kodak 620, and the Olympus OM-1, often experimenting with different lenses and all 35mm film.
Spencer’s go-to bikes are the Shafer and the Delano Peak. In some of the photos displayed, both he and his wife Emily are riding their Shafers. His frame bags are all handmade from recycled fabric that Spencer finds on the road or around the house.
The locations for the photos include Costa Rica, Spain, Morocco, and local trails in Utah.
Spencer shared a story with me that perfectly captures his dedication and ingenuity. Recently, he acquired a Kodak 620 camera, for which film is no longer made. Determined, he found a way to make a different film fit by creating an adapter, which he had 3D printed. The camera worked perfectly, allowing him to capture the final shot featured in this article.
Spencer is not a man who quits; he’s always finding a solution—whether by innovating, creating his own tools, or improving what’s already there. That same ethos defines the team at Ari Bikes. Innovators in every department, they are creators, masters of their craft, and brimming with passion for bikes.
Spencer’s story is a testament to the power of perseverance and artistry. Whether he’s designing the fastest bikes, braving a 26-mile commute through snow and ice, or capturing the world through his camera lens, he approaches life with an unrelenting passion that inspires everyone around him. As Ari Bikes continues to push the boundaries of innovation, Spencer remains at the heart of it all—a true outlaw of design and a creator of unforgettable journeys.
