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.
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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