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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.