I am in Vegas at the Connect Marketplace convention. ( http://connectmarketplace.com/ )
I have 42 meetings over the course of 2 days. Its like speed dating for meeting planners.
I made several good connections today and look forward to booking the NAHBS location for 2011.
Just a few of the folks I met today were representatives from Providence, Milwaukee, Chattanooga and even San Diego.
Tonight, we have a dinner meeting with the wonderful folks from our next location, Richmond, Va.
I will keep you updated with our next day of meetings.
DW
Friday, August 28, 2009
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Midwest NAHBS "Best Yet"
Trends, Innovations, and Comments
INDIANAPOLIS - 115 exhibitors and 6,428 attendees attended a highly successful fifth annual North American Handmade Bicycle Show, at the Indiana Convention Center, Indianapolis, February 27 - March 1, 2009, and many exhibitors called this the best show to date.
"I am delighted with the way NAHBS went this year. When I first announced Indianapolis as the location, a lot of people were unhappy about it. But I have always been confident there is a good market here in the Midwest for handmade bicycles, it's just under-served. I think 6,428 people proved my hunch was good," said the show's founder and director, Don Walker.
Media attendance at the show was approximately 100, the same number as at Portland in 2008, and the overall attendance figure is almost 1,000 less, but still well above the San Jose figure of 4,000 in 2007. The growth trend for NAHBS continues despite the economic woes.
With literally hundreds of customers among the builders of lugged bicycles, Mark Norstad of Paragon Machine Works, who supplies a range of hardware accessories to the industry, has a fair overview of industry trends.
"Business for me has been down a little on 2008, but 2008 was a record year. A lot of orders were taken after last year's show. Many people who made those orders may not be willing to jeopardize their deposit even if they're in financial difficulty now. We'll know a lot more a year from now. I'm not seeing any frame builders quitting to get a day job," said Norstad.
Another thing Norstad said, which was echoed by other voices at the show, is there is an increase in the number of carbon fiber handmade frames being made. One example of this is Independent Fabrication, who won the Best Carbon Fiber Bicycle award for their prototype.
Drew Guldalian, of Engin Cycles, pointed to other standards being taken up in the industry. One of these is the spread of the BB30 bottom bracket - one of the benefits of which is it enables use of the outstanding Zipp Vumaquad crankset. Another product Guldalian mentioned is the new internal head tube from Chris King. Some 15 builders received these before the show.
One of these builders was Carl Strong, who incorporated it into his Best TIG Welded award-winning bike of 2009. Strong reported that this oversize tube gave a lot more surface area to attach other tubes to, as well as having a lower stack height which, in his view, improved the aesthetic.
Many of the builders ended the show feeling very good about the whole experience. Below is a digest of their remarks - in random order.
Richard Sachs - Richard Sachs Cycles: "I never thought the Midwest had to vindicate itself. There was criticism of the weather and travel concerns, which I thought was misplaced. The weather was good, but it really wasn't a factor, and the number of people who traveled here from afar shows that travel was not an issue.
"I would willingly come back here next year. "There was no downside to any aspect of the show. This was a perfect place. It was better, overwhelmingly better, on every level than anywhere we've been yet. The venue, the city, the hotel was a really great price for what you got, from the moment we got off the Interstate I got a good feeling about this city. It's like a gift.
"The number of people, the quality of the people - they asked good questions, they asked a lot about the history of frame building. And I did better business than ever before at NAHBS."
Doriano DeRosa - DeRosa Cycles : "It was nice to see a lot of young people at the show very interested in bikes. I hope to get a good feedback from the show, and think positive for next year."
Drew Guldalian - Engin Cycles : "I thought it was a phenomenal crowd. They really are great people here. I'd love to come back to Indianapolis, but not next year. In San Jose we learned you can't go to the same place two years running. A lot of people travelled a long way to be here, I just don't see them making the same long trip next year. A few years from now, definitely. But not next year. "The show was great. Very well organized."
Carl Strong - Strong Frames : "Probably the best NAHBS yet. The people that came are really specifically interested in custom handbuilts. The city itself is very friendly, the layout of the downtown, the hotel the walkway to the convention center, that was very easy. The volunteers at this show were great, it was very well organized, and the decorators were very easy to work with."
Steve Bilenky - Bilenky Cycles : "It was great, great. A very friendly crowd, we had a lot of interest. It's a pleasant town, and a pleasant venue."
Sheila Moon - Sheila Moon Athletic Apparel : "Excellent - as usual! It was very similar to Portland for us, dollar-wise maybe not quite as high as last year. It's cool to be in a new market, there's lots of new exposure. People drove five or six hours to get here, some flew."
Mark Nobilette - Nobilette Cycles : "The best show yet. Best customers."
Nick Crumpton - Crumpton Cycles : "The best NAHBS yet. These customers had some history with handmade bikes."
Carl Schlemowitz - Vicious Cycles : "Busy, very busy. The level of questions was much more sophisticated than last year."
Joe Marchionno - Villin Cycles : "It was really good. I went to the show last year. It was not better or more than other years, just a different crowd."
Eric Noren - Peacock Groove Bicycles : "This show was as good for me as the past two years combined. I saw more flash bulbs go off around my booth than anywhere else! It was great for me. More people liked the paintwork on my bike than were offended by it!"
Rick Hunter - Hunter Cycles : "It went really well. I'm very pleased with the attendance and the venue.
Yesterday was the busiest we've seen it at NAHBS. We did well with our soft goods, so it was definitely worthwhile."
Dwan Shepard - Co-Motion Cycles : "A stunningly successful weekend. I had a great time at the show, and I was really impressed at the quantity and quality of show attendees. One of the highlights was the abundance of very helpful and friendly volunteers. "I loved Indianapolis- what a great town. Having NAHBS revisit would be great, but I'd rather see that in a few years rather than next year. I think one of the great strengths of NAHBS is exposing a new audience every year. Whatever you decide, we won't miss it."
Noah Rosen - Velocolour : "Suzanne Carlsen (Headbadges) and I are already talking about next year. The venue was great and the people were friendly. We both have already recieved a ton of e-mails as a result of doing the show which shows the power of community and good organization."
Chuck Schlesinger - Sadilah Cycles : "It was fantastic in every way."
Craig Calfee - Calfee Design : "Nice job with NAHBS this year. I think it's great that the show moves around the country. People read about it and wish they could go - so when it comes to their area, they make sure to go. I think that's why you had such a good turnout in Indy."
About NAHBS : The North American Handmade Bicycle Show moves from city to city each year and is usually scheduled close to the last week of February. The show is dedicated to showcasing the talents of established builders of custom bicycles. It aims to be a meeting point - online and in person - for frame builders and consumers looking for custom-made bikes, for the sharing of ideas, and the promotion of a special industry with a rich history. Since its first year in 2005, NAHBS has grown from a show with 23 exhibitors and 200 attendees to a show with 150 exhibitors and 7,000 attendees.
INDIANAPOLIS - 115 exhibitors and 6,428 attendees attended a highly successful fifth annual North American Handmade Bicycle Show, at the Indiana Convention Center, Indianapolis, February 27 - March 1, 2009, and many exhibitors called this the best show to date.
"I am delighted with the way NAHBS went this year. When I first announced Indianapolis as the location, a lot of people were unhappy about it. But I have always been confident there is a good market here in the Midwest for handmade bicycles, it's just under-served. I think 6,428 people proved my hunch was good," said the show's founder and director, Don Walker.Media attendance at the show was approximately 100, the same number as at Portland in 2008, and the overall attendance figure is almost 1,000 less, but still well above the San Jose figure of 4,000 in 2007. The growth trend for NAHBS continues despite the economic woes.
With literally hundreds of customers among the builders of lugged bicycles, Mark Norstad of Paragon Machine Works, who supplies a range of hardware accessories to the industry, has a fair overview of industry trends."Business for me has been down a little on 2008, but 2008 was a record year. A lot of orders were taken after last year's show. Many people who made those orders may not be willing to jeopardize their deposit even if they're in financial difficulty now. We'll know a lot more a year from now. I'm not seeing any frame builders quitting to get a day job," said Norstad.
Another thing Norstad said, which was echoed by other voices at the show, is there is an increase in the number of carbon fiber handmade frames being made. One example of this is Independent Fabrication, who won the Best Carbon Fiber Bicycle award for their prototype.
Drew Guldalian, of Engin Cycles, pointed to other standards being taken up in the industry. One of these is the spread of the BB30 bottom bracket - one of the benefits of which is it enables use of the outstanding Zipp Vumaquad crankset. Another product Guldalian mentioned is the new internal head tube from Chris King. Some 15 builders received these before the show.
One of these builders was Carl Strong, who incorporated it into his Best TIG Welded award-winning bike of 2009. Strong reported that this oversize tube gave a lot more surface area to attach other tubes to, as well as having a lower stack height which, in his view, improved the aesthetic.Many of the builders ended the show feeling very good about the whole experience. Below is a digest of their remarks - in random order.
Richard Sachs - Richard Sachs Cycles: "I never thought the Midwest had to vindicate itself. There was criticism of the weather and travel concerns, which I thought was misplaced. The weather was good, but it really wasn't a factor, and the number of people who traveled here from afar shows that travel was not an issue.
"I would willingly come back here next year. "There was no downside to any aspect of the show. This was a perfect place. It was better, overwhelmingly better, on every level than anywhere we've been yet. The venue, the city, the hotel was a really great price for what you got, from the moment we got off the Interstate I got a good feeling about this city. It's like a gift.
"The number of people, the quality of the people - they asked good questions, they asked a lot about the history of frame building. And I did better business than ever before at NAHBS."
Doriano DeRosa - DeRosa Cycles : "It was nice to see a lot of young people at the show very interested in bikes. I hope to get a good feedback from the show, and think positive for next year."Drew Guldalian - Engin Cycles : "I thought it was a phenomenal crowd. They really are great people here. I'd love to come back to Indianapolis, but not next year. In San Jose we learned you can't go to the same place two years running. A lot of people travelled a long way to be here, I just don't see them making the same long trip next year. A few years from now, definitely. But not next year. "The show was great. Very well organized."
Carl Strong - Strong Frames : "Probably the best NAHBS yet. The people that came are really specifically interested in custom handbuilts. The city itself is very friendly, the layout of the downtown, the hotel the walkway to the convention center, that was very easy. The volunteers at this show were great, it was very well organized, and the decorators were very easy to work with."
Steve Bilenky - Bilenky Cycles : "It was great, great. A very friendly crowd, we had a lot of interest. It's a pleasant town, and a pleasant venue."Sheila Moon - Sheila Moon Athletic Apparel : "Excellent - as usual! It was very similar to Portland for us, dollar-wise maybe not quite as high as last year. It's cool to be in a new market, there's lots of new exposure. People drove five or six hours to get here, some flew."
Mark Nobilette - Nobilette Cycles : "The best show yet. Best customers."
Nick Crumpton - Crumpton Cycles : "The best NAHBS yet. These customers had some history with handmade bikes."
Carl Schlemowitz - Vicious Cycles : "Busy, very busy. The level of questions was much more sophisticated than last year."
Joe Marchionno - Villin Cycles : "It was really good. I went to the show last year. It was not better or more than other years, just a different crowd."
Eric Noren - Peacock Groove Bicycles : "This show was as good for me as the past two years combined. I saw more flash bulbs go off around my booth than anywhere else! It was great for me. More people liked the paintwork on my bike than were offended by it!"
Rick Hunter - Hunter Cycles : "It went really well. I'm very pleased with the attendance and the venue.Yesterday was the busiest we've seen it at NAHBS. We did well with our soft goods, so it was definitely worthwhile."
Dwan Shepard - Co-Motion Cycles : "A stunningly successful weekend. I had a great time at the show, and I was really impressed at the quantity and quality of show attendees. One of the highlights was the abundance of very helpful and friendly volunteers. "I loved Indianapolis- what a great town. Having NAHBS revisit would be great, but I'd rather see that in a few years rather than next year. I think one of the great strengths of NAHBS is exposing a new audience every year. Whatever you decide, we won't miss it."
Noah Rosen - Velocolour : "Suzanne Carlsen (Headbadges) and I are already talking about next year. The venue was great and the people were friendly. We both have already recieved a ton of e-mails as a result of doing the show which shows the power of community and good organization."
Chuck Schlesinger - Sadilah Cycles : "It was fantastic in every way."Craig Calfee - Calfee Design : "Nice job with NAHBS this year. I think it's great that the show moves around the country. People read about it and wish they could go - so when it comes to their area, they make sure to go. I think that's why you had such a good turnout in Indy."
About NAHBS : The North American Handmade Bicycle Show moves from city to city each year and is usually scheduled close to the last week of February. The show is dedicated to showcasing the talents of established builders of custom bicycles. It aims to be a meeting point - online and in person - for frame builders and consumers looking for custom-made bikes, for the sharing of ideas, and the promotion of a special industry with a rich history. Since its first year in 2005, NAHBS has grown from a show with 23 exhibitors and 200 attendees to a show with 150 exhibitors and 7,000 attendees.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Wide-Ranging Japanese Bike Culture at NAHBS
Three diverse booths represented the first handmade forays from Japan to NAHBS.
And all three gave the same enthusiastic answer, in translation, about how they discovered the show ...
Yohei's blog! Yohei Morita is a photographer representing the Japanese side of COG, a large-format fixed gear magazine published in the US by Peter DiAntoni of Milwaukee and distributed in Japan by Morito. COG translates portions of both paper and web editions into Japanese. The magazine conducted a studio photo project throughout the 5th NAHBS.
Morita has flown from Japan to attend all five NAHBS shows—and is a ubiquitously sociable photographer and reporter.
The overseas visitors flew home with a "best of" trophy
Cherubim won "Best Track Bicycle" honors. Shin-Ichi Konno is a second-generation builder who also included in his display a road bike with unique stainless steel "mono aero bar" along with a red mini-velo.
Kimori showed their line of Colossus truss-frame bikes, emphasizing full-suspension built around 20-inch wheels, plus adapters and converters for track, fixed and SS bikes.
CCP hosted a large staff for their line of progressive fashion apparel. The owner commissioned three vintage-styled bikes to be built for the show by Ikeda of Rew10Works, who was also in attendance.
In translated interviews, each of the Japanese companies said they thought the trip was well worth their while, adding that their wares were directly available to the US market via the web. They each also mentioned that NAHBS was clearly on the forefront of global independent bike culture.
Additionally, Italian builder Zullo brought along Japanese apprentice Masateru Yasuda as part of their show staff.
Japan had a presence beyond the booths.
Recently retired top-ranked pro keirin racer Koh Annoura, now of Houston, Texas, attended show seminars with a view to learning frame-building and launching his own line of bikes.
Japanese media was also on the scene.
Videographer Teisuke Morimoto represented the new Japanese fixed gear magazine, Pedal Speed.
Takehiro Kikuchi was a freelance writer for the mainstream magazine Cycle Sport, Japan's version of Bicycling.
words & images Jeff Potter, of OutYourBackDoor.com, with translation courtesy of Tim Potter
And all three gave the same enthusiastic answer, in translation, about how they discovered the show ...
Yohei's blog! Yohei Morita is a photographer representing the Japanese side of COG, a large-format fixed gear magazine published in the US by Peter DiAntoni of Milwaukee and distributed in Japan by Morito. COG translates portions of both paper and web editions into Japanese. The magazine conducted a studio photo project throughout the 5th NAHBS.Morita has flown from Japan to attend all five NAHBS shows—and is a ubiquitously sociable photographer and reporter.
The overseas visitors flew home with a "best of" trophy
Cherubim won "Best Track Bicycle" honors. Shin-Ichi Konno is a second-generation builder who also included in his display a road bike with unique stainless steel "mono aero bar" along with a red mini-velo.Kimori showed their line of Colossus truss-frame bikes, emphasizing full-suspension built around 20-inch wheels, plus adapters and converters for track, fixed and SS bikes.
CCP hosted a large staff for their line of progressive fashion apparel. The owner commissioned three vintage-styled bikes to be built for the show by Ikeda of Rew10Works, who was also in attendance.
In translated interviews, each of the Japanese companies said they thought the trip was well worth their while, adding that their wares were directly available to the US market via the web. They each also mentioned that NAHBS was clearly on the forefront of global independent bike culture.
Additionally, Italian builder Zullo brought along Japanese apprentice Masateru Yasuda as part of their show staff.
Japan had a presence beyond the booths.Recently retired top-ranked pro keirin racer Koh Annoura, now of Houston, Texas, attended show seminars with a view to learning frame-building and launching his own line of bikes.
Japanese media was also on the scene.
Videographer Teisuke Morimoto represented the new Japanese fixed gear magazine, Pedal Speed.
Takehiro Kikuchi was a freelance writer for the mainstream magazine Cycle Sport, Japan's version of Bicycling.
words & images Jeff Potter, of OutYourBackDoor.com, with translation courtesy of Tim Potter
Nick Crumpton - Original Six
Nick Crumpton arrived at this year’s NAHBS as one of The Original Six, the cohort of framebuilders who have been represented at every show since its inception. What keeps him coming back? Well, the allure of seeing old friends and colleagues, but most of all an over-riding enthusiasm and joy at being immersed in a life-long love of cycling.
Nick’s first interest in what makes a bicycle frame tick was sparked over twenty years ago when stripping a Schwinn Paramount back to the metal before his first paint job. The revelation of the intricacies of the brazes and lugs fascinated him and led him to suppose that he could do better.
It was in the mid-nineties that he founded Crumpton Bicycles in Austin, Texas. Originally building steel frames, Nick’s search for the perfect material resulted in the development of carbon fiber frames and their associated construction techniques. Nick wielded his brazing torch for the last time over two years ago.
Asked what distinguishes his frames from any other carbon fiber bike builder, he modestly points out that every builder represented at the NAHBS produces great work, but if he were to characterize his own endeavors he would say that it is his passion for the sport and desire to produce the very best bicycle in terms of performance and comfort for his customers.
At the moment, Credit Crunch America seems to be avoiding builders like Crumpton’s and their peers. Nick puts this down to the fact that builders like him have the support of a demographic which still rates quality design and workmanship very highly. This means that Crumpton’s bicycles are still built in America with the international kudos which that promotes and has contributed to Nick now having a European distributor in London, UK.
So, Nick Crumpton’s “selfish enjoyment of riding a bike,” has resulted in the development of one of the most respected businesses in cycling run by one of framebuilding’s most respected personalities.
Nick’s first interest in what makes a bicycle frame tick was sparked over twenty years ago when stripping a Schwinn Paramount back to the metal before his first paint job. The revelation of the intricacies of the brazes and lugs fascinated him and led him to suppose that he could do better.It was in the mid-nineties that he founded Crumpton Bicycles in Austin, Texas. Originally building steel frames, Nick’s search for the perfect material resulted in the development of carbon fiber frames and their associated construction techniques. Nick wielded his brazing torch for the last time over two years ago.
Asked what distinguishes his frames from any other carbon fiber bike builder, he modestly points out that every builder represented at the NAHBS produces great work, but if he were to characterize his own endeavors he would say that it is his passion for the sport and desire to produce the very best bicycle in terms of performance and comfort for his customers.
At the moment, Credit Crunch America seems to be avoiding builders like Crumpton’s and their peers. Nick puts this down to the fact that builders like him have the support of a demographic which still rates quality design and workmanship very highly. This means that Crumpton’s bicycles are still built in America with the international kudos which that promotes and has contributed to Nick now having a European distributor in London, UK.So, Nick Crumpton’s “selfish enjoyment of riding a bike,” has resulted in the development of one of the most respected businesses in cycling run by one of framebuilding’s most respected personalities.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
PedalPark@NAHBShow
The "Pedal Park" at NAHBS offered valet parking to show-attendees who biked to the event.
Jam-packed racks of hundreds of bikes gave an overview of the kinds of bikes that show enthusiasts ride daily. ... And what an assortment it was!
Patinas of scratches, stickers and mud couldn't hide the handmade bikes that could be seen throughout the racks, revealing a wide range of set-ups for daily riding.
It was a show alongside the Show!
Courteous attendants kept the curious at bay, but it was enjoyable seeing obvious evidence that the kind of work showcased inside was being used outside on the rugged streets of Indianapolis.
words and image Jeff Potter
Jam-packed racks of hundreds of bikes gave an overview of the kinds of bikes that show enthusiasts ride daily. ... And what an assortment it was!Patinas of scratches, stickers and mud couldn't hide the handmade bikes that could be seen throughout the racks, revealing a wide range of set-ups for daily riding.
It was a show alongside the Show!
Courteous attendants kept the curious at bay, but it was enjoyable seeing obvious evidence that the kind of work showcased inside was being used outside on the rugged streets of Indianapolis.
words and image Jeff Potter
One Saturday Morning at the Show
Broakland’s Twin Drive Bike: The whole point of Broakland Bicycle’s twin drive bike is simple: riding it is fun.
The Oakland builders of three years created the bike’s unique crankset as a challenge to themselves and to add an aesthetic component to their riding. With creative input from a group of Bay Area graffiti artists and a breadth of fifteen years welding experience, these builders work to create something unexpected and exhilarating.
In addition to being eye catching, the second chain provides a back up in case riding strapless and fixed snaps one. Two previous NAHBS showings find the guys from Brookline here in Indianapolis to connect with the rest of the hand-built community and visit with old friends.
Renova’s Belt-Driven Crank set: The Italians at Renova have an interesting entry for their first showing in the United States.
Their city ride-ready custom model comes equipped with numerous personal touches, but the stand out has to be the belt-driven crank set. The idea stemmed from wanting an older style of frame to be updated and different than most bikes on the road.
Renova decided one way to accomplish this would be to alter the crank set, have a smaller chain ring attached to the bottom bracket, and switch out standard brake levers for ones from a motorbike. All this creates a quieter and more comfortable riding experience, and eliminates the need to roll up the right leg of your pants.
The Waterford Joust: Innovations in Bike Polo The Schwinn family has a dedicated history of hand-building all ranges of steel bicycle frames full of heart.
Based in Waterford, Wisconsin, they have been a part of the Schwinn Paramount factory since the 1970’s and eventually went on to found Waterford Precision Cycles in 1993. Although well known for their reputation within custom road frame circles, their newest bike polo frame, The Joust, has been drawing a sizable crowd to their booth at this year’s NAHBS.
The Joust was designed specifically for a rider looking for an advantage in the burgeoning sport of bike polo. Tucker Schwinn, a seasoned polo player himself, and Waterford co-founder Marc Muller looked at different frame specs when deciding how to build their Joust. “It definitely has to have quick handling and be incredibly durable,” Schwinn said. “I wanted something with comfortable geometry, like a track bike, but also needed it to be really nimble like a circus bike.” He added, “Another question you have to ask is, ‘What’s going to last the longest on the court?’”
Anna Schwinn commented further on the detailed advancements made on the newest Joust model. “We wanted a 700cc bike with 26in. wheels, but that doesn’t leave any pedal clearance,” she said. To adjust for that, the Joust’s bottom bracket has been brought up to form a nearly horizontal line with a smaller rear triangle, in addition to a longer, reinforced head tube connection to the down tube. A bash guard has also been implemented onto the crank set to keep players moving during the tough beatings the frame and components endure during a typical match.
Since these bikes are part of the Fleet Velo brand, that allows Waterford another great advantage she added: “The private label lets us create a frame for a special community, and that’s a very meaningful part of [the job].”
words & images Doug Fellegy
The Oakland builders of three years created the bike’s unique crankset as a challenge to themselves and to add an aesthetic component to their riding. With creative input from a group of Bay Area graffiti artists and a breadth of fifteen years welding experience, these builders work to create something unexpected and exhilarating.In addition to being eye catching, the second chain provides a back up in case riding strapless and fixed snaps one. Two previous NAHBS showings find the guys from Brookline here in Indianapolis to connect with the rest of the hand-built community and visit with old friends.
Renova’s Belt-Driven Crank set: The Italians at Renova have an interesting entry for their first showing in the United States.
Their city ride-ready custom model comes equipped with numerous personal touches, but the stand out has to be the belt-driven crank set. The idea stemmed from wanting an older style of frame to be updated and different than most bikes on the road.Renova decided one way to accomplish this would be to alter the crank set, have a smaller chain ring attached to the bottom bracket, and switch out standard brake levers for ones from a motorbike. All this creates a quieter and more comfortable riding experience, and eliminates the need to roll up the right leg of your pants.
The Waterford Joust: Innovations in Bike Polo The Schwinn family has a dedicated history of hand-building all ranges of steel bicycle frames full of heart.
Based in Waterford, Wisconsin, they have been a part of the Schwinn Paramount factory since the 1970’s and eventually went on to found Waterford Precision Cycles in 1993. Although well known for their reputation within custom road frame circles, their newest bike polo frame, The Joust, has been drawing a sizable crowd to their booth at this year’s NAHBS.The Joust was designed specifically for a rider looking for an advantage in the burgeoning sport of bike polo. Tucker Schwinn, a seasoned polo player himself, and Waterford co-founder Marc Muller looked at different frame specs when deciding how to build their Joust. “It definitely has to have quick handling and be incredibly durable,” Schwinn said. “I wanted something with comfortable geometry, like a track bike, but also needed it to be really nimble like a circus bike.” He added, “Another question you have to ask is, ‘What’s going to last the longest on the court?’”
Anna Schwinn commented further on the detailed advancements made on the newest Joust model. “We wanted a 700cc bike with 26in. wheels, but that doesn’t leave any pedal clearance,” she said. To adjust for that, the Joust’s bottom bracket has been brought up to form a nearly horizontal line with a smaller rear triangle, in addition to a longer, reinforced head tube connection to the down tube. A bash guard has also been implemented onto the crank set to keep players moving during the tough beatings the frame and components endure during a typical match.Since these bikes are part of the Fleet Velo brand, that allows Waterford another great advantage she added: “The private label lets us create a frame for a special community, and that’s a very meaningful part of [the job].”
words & images Doug Fellegy
The Show goes on ...
Okay ... the party's over ... but the blog goes on!Over the next few days there will be more reports from the show appearing here. Meanwhile, plans abound for next year's show ...
The images from the show have been pulled together here. Thanks to all contributors. Keep looking back because these are constantly being added to.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Bicycles Built for Two ... at least ...
Just drifting around the NAHBShow, you can't help but be amazed at the variety of bicycles on show, but nothing suggests togetherness more than a tandem. And this show has some beautiful examples of togetherness, even a tandem which will fit into two - admittedly largish - suitcases. Anyway, find images here.
As you might expect, handmade bicycles incorporate design details and craftsman signatures which delight and amaze. I've put together some examples which I just picked out of thin air as I make a hasty circuit of the show. Every single bike should be in this section ... every single one. Find images here.
Clothing from Japan
Having returned from a trip to Japan a few weeks ago, my outlook on everything has been a bit “Japan-centric.” Going through the exhibit hall at NABHS has been no exception. I was immediately drawn to the CCP booth, but certainly, I was not the only one. Their unique line of clothing is practical, stylish, fun, and attracting a lot of attention from the crowd.
I spoke to Aaron Terruli, the company’s translator and sales rep. (He is originally from New York, but has lived in Japan for the past 14 years). CCP (Cycling Clothing Products) is located in Toyko. I met two of their designers – Masayoshi Sato, and Tsutomu Kijima.
Mr. Kijima has been making clothes for 35 years. His goal is to make everyday clothing for riders that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing. One of the main observations I made about cyclists while in Japan is that they are very practical. I saw business women riding to work in their dresses and high heels; grandmothers riding through the city holding an umbrella with two grandchildren on the bike.
CCP’s line of clothes is a refreshing break from the spandex culture I am used to in New Jersey. I bought my self a nice micro-fleece winter shirt with a hood and collar that can cover your mouth and nose. (The guys are referring to it as a ninja suit; I think of it more as a riding burkha). All of CCPs clothes are made in limited editions of 200 per style. They constantly refine their designs. They do most of their sales on line and everything sells out fast.
CCP’s booth also has a few bicycles on display that are made by Hioki Kitajima, of Punch Cycles, a friend and associate of CCP. He made the bikes on spec for CCP for NAHBS. The goal was to come up with a mixed retro/modern look to reflect the lifestyles of the riders in the Company. A really cool accessory hung over one of the bikes was the handmade messenger bag made out of flattened tubulars. Everyone was gawking at that, but unfortunately it is not for sale.
One of the sales reps that I talked to, Junichi Chiba, is a former Keirin racer. I was in awe when I went to watch the races in Kyoto last month. He no longer does Keirin because it is a difficult lifestyle, but now does 50k road races which are gaining in popularity. They are called “mix-up.” These races involve individual riders, no teams, and have anywhere from 100 to 150 people participating.
The Japanese influence at NAHBS seems to be growing each year. It’s a welcome addition.
A personal view by Rita Romeu
I spoke to Aaron Terruli, the company’s translator and sales rep. (He is originally from New York, but has lived in Japan for the past 14 years). CCP (Cycling Clothing Products) is located in Toyko. I met two of their designers – Masayoshi Sato, and Tsutomu Kijima.Mr. Kijima has been making clothes for 35 years. His goal is to make everyday clothing for riders that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing. One of the main observations I made about cyclists while in Japan is that they are very practical. I saw business women riding to work in their dresses and high heels; grandmothers riding through the city holding an umbrella with two grandchildren on the bike.
CCP’s line of clothes is a refreshing break from the spandex culture I am used to in New Jersey. I bought my self a nice micro-fleece winter shirt with a hood and collar that can cover your mouth and nose. (The guys are referring to it as a ninja suit; I think of it more as a riding burkha). All of CCPs clothes are made in limited editions of 200 per style. They constantly refine their designs. They do most of their sales on line and everything sells out fast.
CCP’s booth also has a few bicycles on display that are made by Hioki Kitajima, of Punch Cycles, a friend and associate of CCP. He made the bikes on spec for CCP for NAHBS. The goal was to come up with a mixed retro/modern look to reflect the lifestyles of the riders in the Company. A really cool accessory hung over one of the bikes was the handmade messenger bag made out of flattened tubulars. Everyone was gawking at that, but unfortunately it is not for sale.
One of the sales reps that I talked to, Junichi Chiba, is a former Keirin racer. I was in awe when I went to watch the races in Kyoto last month. He no longer does Keirin because it is a difficult lifestyle, but now does 50k road races which are gaining in popularity. They are called “mix-up.” These races involve individual riders, no teams, and have anywhere from 100 to 150 people participating.The Japanese influence at NAHBS seems to be growing each year. It’s a welcome addition.
A personal view by Rita Romeu
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Saturday, 28 February 2009
A crowd just over 3,000 filled the show halls on day two, as cyclists from all over the USA turned out in droves to the world's finest exhibition of handmade bicycles.
Tubemakers’ View
Customers of the framebuilders at this year’s NAHBS will be interested to know that these artisans are customers, too. Just as builders work one on one with individuals to create made to measure bicycles, the companies who supply them with their most basic raw material, the tubes, work closely with individual framebuilders to meet the precise demands of the craft.Fabrizio Aghito, VP of Gruppo, the parent company of Columbus is at his 5th NAHBS. Makers of Spirit, Life, Zona and XCR, the first seemless stainless tubeset, he emphasized Columbus’ ongoing research in materials and tooling as being vital to their flexibility in customer relations. Distributed in the US by Nova Cycle Supply, they also sell direct.
Among Columbus’ most satisfied customers is Richard Sachs, who along with Dario Pegoretti, commissioned a tubeset they call PegoRichie. Made to meet the high standards of these two master craftsmen, Sachs said he and Dario worked for 16 months with Columbus to bring the tubeset to production. Available in three different versions, Sachs uses PegoRichie exclusively.
Another builder with a close relationship with a tube maker is David Kirk of Kirk Frameworks.
He works with Reynolds on custom alloys and tube shapes. His JK Special models use a different Reynolds or True Temper product for each tube area, matching the properties of the tube to the function and effect he wants to achieve for a particular customer. Kirk appreciates these supplier’s responsiveness to his (and therefore, his customer’s) needs, as well as his ability to order in smaller quantities, such as the fifty pairs of chainstays he orders from Reynolds each year.Just as the customer of an NAHBS framebuilder demands the highest quality materials and craftsmanship, along with individual attention, so these builders demand the same from their tube suppliers.
Bike Art by KirkLee
Most of the bikes at the North American Handmade Bicycle Show are works of art, but KirkLee Bicycles’ latest creation was inspired by artwork.When Florida veterinarian and triathlete Rachel Gross contacted the custom bike builder to create for her a new road bike, she decided to take the opportunity to pay tribute to her mother, an artist suffering from Alzheimer’s. When it came time to paint the bike, Gross asked the company to recreate one of her mother’s abstract paintings.
Building the custom carbon-fiber frame took KirkLee co-owner Brad Cason about 60 hours, but painting it was an even more time consuming. To mimic the look of the inspiration artwork, a canvas texture was painted onto the joints, followed by several layers inspired by the original art. All of the paint was applied by hand with a brush.
“When you spray paint on, you can’t get the same texture as you would a painting,” Cason said. “We wanted the texture, chunkiness of the painting to translate to the bike. We used a softer brush to create the brushstrokes, then knocked the top edges off and finished it off with a clear coat.”
In all, it took 200 hours to recreate the inspirational artwork, compared to the typical 8-10 hours.
Cason admitted he was a bit jealous when the paint job began stealing some of the thunder from the bike, but said both he and his client are thrilled with the way the bike turned out.
When it was time to deliver the bike, I told her, "The good news is your bike came out beautiful. The bad news is you’re going to want to keep your old bike," Cason said.
Cason was reluctant to say how much Gross paid for the bike, but estimated a similar bike would cost a new client in excess of $10,000.
Robert Annis
Anderson’s Kool Kid’s Cruiser
Many here at NAHBS fondly remember their first bicycle. Imagine those memories if your first bike was the child-size cruiser displayed in Keith Anderson’s booth. A Lafayette, IN native now in Grant’s Pass, OR, Anderson describes himself as primarily a painter these days. He has painted at least eight bikes at the show, including the remarkable Candy Stripe bike for Peacock Groove, and is presenting a seminar on The Wonderful World of Color Graphics. Once it had come to him, the cruiser idea and grew to be nearly an obsession, something he said he just had to do.The father of three young sons, Anderson said the bike contains elements inspired by each of his boys. The seat tube is a piece of steel aircraft foil, cut out to accommodate a rear wheel tucked in “aero” style. The bike sports disc brakes and painted-to-match rims laced to Phil Woods hubs. The metallic red spoke nipples match the disc brake mechanism, brake lever brackets and headset.
The bike’s most distinctive element is the fantastic pair of wooden fenders Anderson created. Made of padouk and wenge wood and inlayed with paua shell abalone, the curved fenders are fully functional, says Anderson ... “I hate flat wooden fenders, they just don’t work.”
No kid’s cruiser is complete without a spoke card to make a little noise, and Anderson’s is one of a kind. Actually it’s three of a kind; three playing card sized sheets of carbon fiber are permanently mounted under the left chainstay. “They’re tuned for sound,” Anderson said.
In order to keep the peace at home, Anderson hopes to sell the bicycle at the show so the boys won’t have a chance to fight over it. Some lucky kid is going to have fond memories of this bike for many years after he outgrows it.
Mike Marley
A Healthy Mix
To anyone who has ridden in Indianapolis before NAHBS rolled into town, it’s obvious that thousands of people who love bikes have converged on the city. They are everywhere, small packs of cyclists passing through the Indy traffic. And, they are from everywhere.Indianapolis has long been known as the crossroads of the United States, and if evidence is needed, a cross-section of this year’s NAHBS attendees should do the trick. Cyclists have come in from cities all across the United States, even all across the globe. There are people in town from Lansing, Nashville, Chicago, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Detroit, San Francisco, and the list stretches beyond to Toronto, Vancouver, and even Tokyo.
“It was a simple drive,” says one show-goer. “Indy is simple to access by car, and those who would have flown to Portland have still flown to Indy.”
With two-thirds of the United States within one day’s drive, attendance has been record-setting, and positively eclectic. There are cyclists from across the spectrums, from urban single-speeders to pannier-laden commuters to carbon-gazing roadies. And Indy has presented something for all of them, whether the shenanigans of the ArtBike! party, or the simple nightlife and restaurants of downtown. NAHBS this year has truly been all things to all people, and Indy hasn’t just simply welcomed NAHBS, but facilitated it to the point of embracing it.
Christopher Newgent
Picture This ...
The Show image library is ever expanding, and as well as new albums of components, apparel and ... bikes, there is much more added by our show bloggers and photographers here.
Speeds Leads to Organic Design
What do Naked Bikes and RR Cycles have in common?They’re run by three world record cyclists for human powered speed.
Sam Whittingham of Naked Bikes holds the current overall HPV speed record of 82 mph. And he’s this month’s cover-person of “Reader’s Digest,” Canada.
“Fast” Freddy Markham of RR Cycles has held many world speed records—recently, the Hour at 54 miles—and now owns the Masters record of 77 mph.
Andrea Blasekie, Whittingham’s partner at Naked Bikes, held the women’s overall world speed record of 65 mph until this autumn.Their streamlined record HPV bikes were designed by Georgi Georgiev, who forewent computers in favor of shapes from nature, such as fish.
Whittingham’s handbuilt bikes on display at NAHBS extend this metaphor further, with the bends, curves, branches and leaves of trees—including extensive use of wood.
Markham’s “out of the box” take on road bike design results in “un-lugs” for his carbon frames. He carves lug shapes out of the thick tube wrappings, to create what he says are frames that can take far more abuse than typical carbon frames (and he’s crashed a lot of carbon at extra high speeds).
Jeff Potter
Carl Strong
How many people does it take to build 100 custom bicycles in a year? Well, apparently, just two. With the help of just his wife and the occasional apprentice, Carl Strong annually builds about 100 bikes in his Bozeman, Montana shop. Minus a slight dip in sales around the holiday, Strong is happy to report that the troubled economy has not affected his business.As he explains, if cycling is your sport, then it takes on added importance in times of stress. He’s also happy to report that there seems to be both new and renewed interest in custom bikes, evidenced in part by an influx of new builders.
While that may mean extra competition in what is already a niche market, he feels that it is ultimately great for the industry and his own business. In many way though, he feels that the industry hasn’t changed much over in the 16 years he’s been in business.
In his words, “Bikes are still built to be ridden and enjoyed.”
When asked how he guides his customers through what may seem like intimidating process, Strong explained that over a series of phone calls, be breaks the process down into “manageable” bits.By the time the bike is complete, the customer feels completely comfortable with the decisions Strong has made. No matter the rider’s experience or technical knowledge, Strong stated that he’s able to help the customer understand, find and prioritize their needs and then translate those needs into the bike’s design.
Strong’s work is divided evenly between titanium and steel - including the relatively new Reynolds 953 stainless steel - and between road and mountain.
Strong also has something new up his sleeve, but he’s unfortunately keeping it a secret for the time being. We’ll all just have to stay tuned.
Kate Wicker
Ergon Grips
Endurance mountain bikers were the first to realize the benefits of riding with ergonomically profiled handgrips. The wing extension on the Ergon grips provides additional support for the carpal tunnel area of the wrist, and it doesn’t take long for this to start feeling a lot more comfortable.Weekend recreational mountain bikers and now road riders with flat handlebars are discovering the benefits of these elegant shaped handgrips. Not only are they a lot more comfortable, but they also offer additional control for the exacting demands of the strenuous city rider, for example.
NAHBS Award winner, Drew Guldanian of Engin Cycles, ran Ergon grips on the award-winning bike in 2008. He says, “I am a huge supporter of the product and feel it is a true product and is not a gimmick. Most everyone who gets them loves them, myself included.”
Paul Skilbeck
Bright Friday
Attendance at the show on Friday touched 1,700, well up on last year’s figure at Portland, which had 1,254 attendees.
Vicious Homes in on 650B
Although their top seller is a 29” wheel single speed mountain bike, Vicious is investing in the resurgent 650B wheel standard, made popular by the retrodriven interest in old-style city bikes.“We’re hearing about a lot of interest in this wheel size, and for us it’s exciting to have something in between a 26” and a 29” wheel. It has the acceleration of a smaller wheel, and the smooth rolling of a larger wheel. Also, it gives us a lot more versatility in getting the fit just right,” explained Patrick Giltiam, a machinist for Vicious Cycles.
The 650B standard is popular as well with randonneuring riders and touring cyclists, said Giltiam.
Paul Skilbeck
Wings of Desire
I guess most of these could be designated road bikes crafted from steel, titanium and carbon, and maybe one or two other exotic materials. Most are geared. All are finished, painted and buffed to perfection, exemplars of the bicycle builders art with more than a hint of science and engineering and commitment.Lots of images here.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Bikes of Burden
Whether you're carrying home the six-pack or setting out on a round the world expedition, there is a bike for you at this year's NAHBShow. See images from the show here.
Of Bikes 'n Beer
While wandering through the booths at this year’s NAHBS, you might notice a matching bicycle and six-pack of Small Batch 417 Indiana Pale Ale at Shamrock Cycles. Tim O’Donnell explains, “It happened over beers . . . like most good ideas.”
He and a customer were discussing the paint scheme of the Galway 650B Mountain Bike. O’Donnell suggested that the colors of the Irish flag, but, “(The customer) was telling me he wanted more earthy colors,” considering that it is a mountain bike and riding out on trails. He glanced over at the case of Breckenridge Brewery beer and said that the colors of the packaging were what he was thinking.
O’Donnell packed the six-pack in the box with the frame when he shipped it to the painters and had it matched.
O’Donnell is fond of the Galway, a fillet brazed frame. He says, “It’s a fun bike,” and likes the idea of a 650B wheel because “it’s not too big, it’s not too small . . . it’s the Goldilocks of wheels.” O’Donnell builds the bikes that he likes, ones that are meant for everyday use and is “not interested in making big or sexy bikes.”
“Every frame builder I respect is here . . . it’s overwhelming,” he said.
This is O’Donnell’s first year at NAHBS and he’s excited about the show, even more so because “it’s in my own backyard.” Shamrock Cycles is a local builder and can be found in Broad Ripple, one of the cultural districts here in Indianapolis. He has been building bicycles for five years, with Shamrock Cycles producing between 15 to 25 bikes a year.
When asked about trends in handmade bicycles, he replied, “Handmade bicycles are the trend.” He went on to explain that not that many people cared for handmade frames twenty years ago, but now builders are popping up everywhere and doesn’t see this trend ending soon.
The only thing that could possibly affect this would be the current economic situation, but O’Donnell isn’t overly concerned. He explained that slowing sales are to be expected, and he himself has been affected. One of his customers has recently postponed having a frame built for his wife. However, he’s not worried about how this will affect the industry as a whole, “(Builders) probably won’t be able to do this full-time anymore, but that won’t stop them from building altogether.”
words and image : Naomi Szczesiul
He and a customer were discussing the paint scheme of the Galway 650B Mountain Bike. O’Donnell suggested that the colors of the Irish flag, but, “(The customer) was telling me he wanted more earthy colors,” considering that it is a mountain bike and riding out on trails. He glanced over at the case of Breckenridge Brewery beer and said that the colors of the packaging were what he was thinking.O’Donnell packed the six-pack in the box with the frame when he shipped it to the painters and had it matched.
O’Donnell is fond of the Galway, a fillet brazed frame. He says, “It’s a fun bike,” and likes the idea of a 650B wheel because “it’s not too big, it’s not too small . . . it’s the Goldilocks of wheels.” O’Donnell builds the bikes that he likes, ones that are meant for everyday use and is “not interested in making big or sexy bikes.”
“Every frame builder I respect is here . . . it’s overwhelming,” he said.
This is O’Donnell’s first year at NAHBS and he’s excited about the show, even more so because “it’s in my own backyard.” Shamrock Cycles is a local builder and can be found in Broad Ripple, one of the cultural districts here in Indianapolis. He has been building bicycles for five years, with Shamrock Cycles producing between 15 to 25 bikes a year.
When asked about trends in handmade bicycles, he replied, “Handmade bicycles are the trend.” He went on to explain that not that many people cared for handmade frames twenty years ago, but now builders are popping up everywhere and doesn’t see this trend ending soon.
The only thing that could possibly affect this would be the current economic situation, but O’Donnell isn’t overly concerned. He explained that slowing sales are to be expected, and he himself has been affected. One of his customers has recently postponed having a frame built for his wife. However, he’s not worried about how this will affect the industry as a whole, “(Builders) probably won’t be able to do this full-time anymore, but that won’t stop them from building altogether.”
words and image : Naomi Szczesiul
Fixies, Single-Speeds ...
... and the occasional hub-gear.Dozens of fixy and single-speed bikes are on show. I don't know if it's consumers harking back to simpler times or just the aesthetic presence and mechanical simplicity of a bike with only one gear. Anyway, here they are.
NAHBShow Live!!!
New Framebuilders’ Collective
An influential new organization has emerged from the ranks of handmade frame builders.
According to a press release issued 26 February, eight frame builders from three countries have spent the last 24 months working together to create an international organization which they hope can strengthen the trade, pay homage to its past, and work towards ensuring that its future is bright and profitable.
The Framebuilders’ Collective includes Curt Goodrich, Sacha White, Nick Crumpton, Dave Kirk, Carl Strong, Dario Pegoretti, Darrell McCulloch and Richard Sachs.
A website www.framebuilders.org provides information about the group’s mission statement and an FAQ list.
The press release adds: “All founding members are enthusiastic about the Collective’s potential and are now looking forward to finally being a public entity after two years of planning. Efforts are underway to expand the names involved so that the Framebuilders’ Collective will be a true representation of the talent and the commitment that is part and parcel of the professional frame-building trade.”
The new collective will build on work started by NAHBS to raise standards in the industry.
Paul Skilbeck and Naomi Szczesiul
According to a press release issued 26 February, eight frame builders from three countries have spent the last 24 months working together to create an international organization which they hope can strengthen the trade, pay homage to its past, and work towards ensuring that its future is bright and profitable.The Framebuilders’ Collective includes Curt Goodrich, Sacha White, Nick Crumpton, Dave Kirk, Carl Strong, Dario Pegoretti, Darrell McCulloch and Richard Sachs.
A website www.framebuilders.org provides information about the group’s mission statement and an FAQ list.
The press release adds: “All founding members are enthusiastic about the Collective’s potential and are now looking forward to finally being a public entity after two years of planning. Efforts are underway to expand the names involved so that the Framebuilders’ Collective will be a true representation of the talent and the commitment that is part and parcel of the professional frame-building trade.”
The new collective will build on work started by NAHBS to raise standards in the industry.
Paul Skilbeck and Naomi Szczesiul
Why Indie?
Logistics, cost and convenience added to a region full of cyclists hungry for a good show in determining how NAHBS chose Indianapolis for its 2009 convention. Don Walker, promoting the show for the 5th year, pointed out that Indy convention executives made the city a reasonable choice.It was Indianapolis’ cycling notable Jeff Gold, now of De Rosa cycles, who said it best. Gold pointed out that, while Portland, Oregon, and many other cities are wonderful places and known as cycling hot spots, Indianapolis is within comfortable driving distance from Chicago, and Detroit . . . Cincinnati and Louisville.
It’s a very accessible town. As well, Gold observed, more and more cycling companies are choosing the Midwestern city because of its central location. Endura, a clothing manufacturer, recently chose Plainfield as its home base — possibly because of its accessibility to Fed Ex and DHS shipping facilities. Endura joins Zipp Speed Weaponry and Speedway Handmade Bicycle Works as cycling suppliers local to the area.
Additionally, it’s entirely appropriate for NAHBS to visit Indianapolis — the city, the home of what Major Taylor Velodrome manager Linda Fink says is one of the nation’s top five velodromes. The velodrome, approximately 5 miles northwest of the convention center at 3800 North Cold Spring Road, has hosted both the USCF Masters and USCF Collegiate Cycling Track Nationals. Once home to the 1987 Pan Am Games, the facility is now home to cycling teams from Indiana University, DePauw University and the national champion Marian College cycling team, among others.
The show fills a gap in a comparatively underserved area. Indiana has long been host to competition, first on the wooden velodromes of Major Taylor’s era, then on the cinder tracks of DePauw and Indiana, and on mountain bike trails throughout the state. As well, enthusiasts who participate in regional events like CIBA’s Hilly Hundred and the NITE Ride and who commute on the area’s Monon Trail certainly merit an event of this magnitude this close to home.
Kim Hunt
Thursday, February 26, 2009
NAHBShow 2009 Eve ...
This is Exhibition Hall D, The Indianapolis Convention Center, IN, this morning, just before the first exhibitors started setting up their displays.I took a walk around trying not to get in the way and took these images ... just to give you a taster.
Vicious Cycles' incredible Thunderwing.
Alternative Needs Transport's Boston Roadster.
It's not all about the bike. Shiela Moon Athletic Apparel.
But lots of it is about the bike. Richard Sachs' cyclo-cross bike.
Retrotec | Inglis Cycles making final adjustments.
Serotta and intriguing brake ...Thanks to all exhibitors for allowing pictures during set up.
The NAHBShow blog will be posting regularly from now on and include links to images direct from the show.
Find out more ... here.
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