Recently on Cyclingnews.com
|
Bayern Rundfahrt Photo ©: Schaaf
|
|
|
North American Hand Made Bicycle Show -
Portland, Oregon, USA, February 8 - 10, 2008
Photography
Part 6 - March 2-4: For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here
Images by
James Huang/Cyclingnews.com
-
Kirk Pacenti probably didn't expect the speed
at which the 650B wheel size he championed last year would take hold.
-
Ventana jumps into the 650B market
with a full-suspension model.
-
Perhaps Ventana left a 26" bike and a 29" bike
in a room together and ended up with this afterwards?
-
The modular design of White Brothers' forks
easily lend themselves to quick adaptation for 650B.
-
Ventana looks to have developed
their own way to fit a standard front wheel axle in this 20mm TA fork.
-
Cane Creek manufactured a handful of 650B prototypes
but don't hold your breath for a production version any time soon.
-
Arizona framebuilder Steve Garro
has jumped on the 650B bandwagon as well based on this mountain bike that he built for his wife.
-
Garro's favored construction method
is fillet brazing.
-
Fillet brazing yields a cleanly radiused joint.
-
Coconino frames are proudly built
in Flagstaff, Arizona.
-
Coconino also showed off this clean-looking 29er.
-
Colorado-based builder Yipsan
showed off its own 650B singlespeed model at NAHBS.
-
Sliding dropouts ruled at NAHBS and for good reason
; for disc brake-equipped singlespeeds and Rohloff-fitted bikes it's far easier to live with than horizontal dropouts and sliding mounts.
-
Yipsan's 650B singlespeed used a Fox 29" fork…
-
…who fork tips sported a new shape
than most of the Fox forks we've spotted before.
-
Yipsan even made up a custom freehub spacer.
-
Why use headset spacers
when you build the stack right into the stem?
-
Yipsan also showed off this fixie…
-
…whose celebratory graphics
called attention to the Chinese New Year.
-
White Brothers has been a key figure
in the wheel size wars as the modular design of its forks makes for relatively easy changes.
-
White Brothers is advocating its new Q-loQ
20mm thru-axle system which works with existing hubs.
-
The Q-loQ standard requires just a simple flip
of the QR lever and a twist of the knob to release the axle.
-
The non-driveside end of the axle
is secured by a bayonet-style attachment.
-
Also from White Brothers
is its 120mm OLD-wide 20mm thru-axle hub which produces a dishless wheel for better wheel strength.
-
Is this a sign of things to come?
Even White Brothers is now toying with the idea of using post mount-style brake mounts.
-
Engin Cycles returned to NAHBS
with a show-special 29er.
-
A Reynolds 953 stainless steel front triangle
was mated to a Columbus Life rear triangle and a True Temper fork.
-
Also on hand was this military-inspired
29er from Engin Cycles.
-
Sure, why not use a fork crown
for the seat stays, too? Internal routing for hydraulic brake lines was a popular option at this year's NAHBS.
-
A custom rack is fitted to the rear end.
-
Hand-wrapped shift levers
offer a unique look.
-
Engin also displayed this good-looking road bike.
-
Engin's seatpost head can also be fitted
with a carbon mast.
-
Just in time for Valentine's Day!
-
Engin Cycles will offer its seatpost head
in raw form, leaving builders to get as elaborate as they'd like.
-
Soulcraft came to NAHBS with a fine 29er…
-
…that was equipped with clever pivoting dropouts.
-
Shimano's new 29er wheels made several appearances
at NAHBS.
-
Nick Crumpton is best known
for his lightweight road bikes but came to NAHBS with a prototype 29er.
-
Will we see this from Crumpton Composites
in the near future?
-
Wolfhound Cycles made another appearance
with its distinctive 29er.
-
The split seat tube looks cool
but also allows for shorter chain stays.
-
Igleheart keeps the 29er torch burning.
-
Even with no label
you can still tell this bike was made by Christoper Igleheart.
-
Hunter Cycles was one of only a few builders
to show of a 26"-wheeled mountain bike.
-
The unified rear triangle has been done before…
-
…but the concentric bottom bracket pivot
might give it new legs.
-
Bilenky Cycle Works does MTB!
-
Yup, more sliding dropouts.
-
A cleanly brazed gusset
reinforces the front end.
-
Nothing terribly fancy going on here
but it looks good nonetheless.
-
Framebuilding living legend Richard Sachs
brought a fleet of bikes all wrapped in his distinctive and easily recognizable paint scheme.
-
Sachs is deeply involved
with his local 'cross racing scene in terms of sponsorship but also races himself.
-
Classic lines adorn Sachs' machines.
-
Even for 'cross
, Sachs prefers steel forks.
-
This older Sachs frame
may bear a lot of visual resemblance to newer models but the underlying materials have been thoroughly updated.
-
Darrell McCulloch made the journey from Australia
to show off his Llewellyn frames.
-
Sure, carbon is newer
but wow, it sure doesn't look like this.
-
With workmanship like this
it's easy to see why McCulloch's frames are widely regarded as some of the finest steel frames currently available.
-
It's easy to fall in love
with McCulloch's Llewellyn frames!
-
There's nothing cookie-cutter about these.
-
McCulloch equipped one of his Llewellyn frames
with yet another variant of Engin Cycles' seatpost head.
-
Llewellyn also does track frames
and McCulloch has lots of experience working with the Australian national team.
-
It's a subtle detail
but one that many can't be bothered to do.
-
Yum!
-
A number of Llewellyn lugs
await their new home.
-
Brett Horton of The Horton Collection and Darrell McCulloch
catch up on lost time at NAHBS.
-
Llewellyn also produces its own wind trainers
that are used by the many riders trackside.
-
Dario Pegoretti is apparently doing well
after being diagnosed with cancer last year and has been busy building frames.
-
Pegoretti's stainless steel Responsorium model
made another appearance this year.
-
Beefy dropouts keep the back end in check
but sizeable cutouts still keep the weight down.
-
Pegoretti also does lugged frames.
-
Pegoretti is a big fan of extended head tubes
in certain size ranges.
-
Why put the model name on the top tube
when you can integrate it right into the lug?
-
Well wishes from Dario!
-
The Luigino is a rather versatile Pegoretti model.
-
The lugged Luigino model
can also be fitted with horizontal dropouts.
-
Show organizer Don Walker is an accomplished framebuilder
in his own right.
-
Walker specializes in track bikes.
-
Walker's oldest daughter apparently expressed
to her dad that she wanted to be a track racer.
-
Naturally, Walker wasted little time
in building her a bike of her own!
-
Classic chromed track bars
are fitted to the front end.
-
Walker also does road bikes
but this one still only has one gear!
-
Walker does ornate-looking lugs, too.
-
The new 'face' of Don Walker Cycles.
-
Walker's track tandem makes another appearance
at this year's NAHBS.
-
Now this is just wrong.
-
Walker shows off a gift from Brett Horton.
-
Mark Nobilette has been in the business a long time…
-
…and his work shows it.
-
Check out the detail on this one!
-
Nobilette is adept at a wide variety of construction methods
but his lugged bikes are arguably his prettiest.
-
Brian Baylis is a fixture in the framebuilding scene…
-
…as both a builder and a painter.
-
Oregon-based builder John Slawta displayed this Land Shark fixie…
-
…which was fitted with decidedly unconventional seat stays!
-
Slawta offers a wide variety of bicycle types…
-
…and is well known for elaborate paint jobs.
-
Curtis Inglis' Retrotec bikes are always striking
and this one was no exception.
-
S&S couplings on the twin top tube
and down tube, though, make this one especially handy, though.
-
The drilled out eccentric shaves some weight.
-
Sure, why not?
-
Inglis carries the Retrotec design theme
to another level with this one.
-
How many top tubes do you need?
-
The keyhole dropout can be split open
for use with a Carbon Drive Systems belt drive.
-
Just slightly nicer than my personal townie bike…
-
This thing is as much art as machine.
-
Ok, so it's not a 'normal' road or mountain bike
, but we still didn't want to pass it over, either.
-
This Grognard fixie was one of the more heavily stylized
examples on the showroom floor.
-
These bars might not be the most practical shape
but they sure do look cool.
-
Care to build a try your hand
at a set of these, Zack?
-
This Waterford looked almost specifically built
for the needs of the local Portland crowd.
-
Stainless lugs include a bit of an extension
for a slightly more upright riding position.
-
Wood fenders look like they won't offer much protection
but apparently work quite well.
-
J.P. Weigle is perhaps best known for his Frame Saver
but he's an accomplished builder as well.
-
California-based Rebolledo Cycles
showed off this beautiful randonneur bike.
-
Sheila Moon continues to cater specifically
to the women's crowd.
-
Sheila Moon expands on its line
of Dri-Release Wool Fleece clothing with this women's hoodie.
-
The new hoodie is high on style
but also on function with two rear pockets and one additional pocket on the sleeve.
-
Riding knickers have seemingly grown in popularity.
-
Sheila Moon's Dri-Release material
is also found in a new vest.
-
A single rear pocket is found back here.
-
Selle Italia showed off a handful of new styles
that will debut in the coming months.
-
A new Selle Italia Lady Gel Flow saddle
will join the lineup in the near future.
-
Another look at the new Hayes Stroker Gram.
The master cylinder is aggressively machined for maximum weight savings.
-
The caliper features alloy-backed pads
and titanium bridge bolts.
-
fi'zi:k showed off its design talent again
with a wall full of Andy Warhol-like posters.
-
Ritchey debuted a new line of lighter
unidirectionally finished carbon fiber handlebars.
-
Sutherland's offered wheelbuilders
a new means of accurately measuring actual effective rim diameter (ERD).
-
The new Sutherland's system
is easier to use than the old rim rods and claimed to be more accurate, too.
-
The SRAM robots made yet another trip…
-
…but all of that travel is taking its toll.
This arm is supposed to be attached to the body!
Part 5 - March 2-4: For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here
Images by
James Huang/Cyclingnews.com
-
Sacha White offered upthe usual array
of showstopping bikes including this randonneur model.
-
How far did you say you had to go
, and how much stuff did you have to carry?
-
The rack is functional
but the detailing is beautiful in its own right.
-
If you want some of this Vanilla
you'll unfortunately have to get in a very, very long line.
-
There's a lot going on here.
-
Fixies were as prevalent as ever
and White certainly had one on hand at his Vanilla Bicycles booth.
-
White's signature dropout
shows the mark of a steady paintbrush.
-
Yikes, that's tight!
-
A stainless steel top tube protector
has got you covered if you inadvertantly let the bars swing around.
-
White's oldest daughter, Cybelle
, gets to ride this mixte to school every day.
-
The mixte frame
is a nod to classic frame designs and looks great to boot.
-
Comfortably bent bars
are covered in Brooks leather tape.
-
Cybelle certainly does use this everyday
as these panniers were full of papers when we stopped by the workshop one night.
-
White has also began to delve into the world
of prints.
-
These frames hanging up high
didn't garner too much attention but the leather chain stay guard caught our eye nonetheless.
-
White launched his Speedvagen line
of race bikes last year and added a road model for 2008.
-
The Speedvagen bikes are still breathtaking to look at
but their intent is all business.
-
Deeply arced stays
get the job done.
-
White's own interpretation of the prancing horse.
-
Speedvagen bikes are fitted
with a unique take on the integrated seatpost. Does that seatpost top look familiar?
-
Stainless plates are secured
to the underlying dropout with tiny screws. Edge Composites is also making some for White in carbon fiber.
-
A custom-painted saddle perhaps isn't the most practical
but damn, does it look good.
-
Even the cable stops
display an unyielding attention to detail.
-
Speedvagen 'cross bikes have been raced
throughout the U.S. and abroad by sponsored riders such as Molly Cameron.
-
Speedvagen frames are built in cooperation
with another heralded Portland builder, Mike DeSalvo.
-
This dropout design was striking enough…
-
…but wow, this one is even better.
-
Brake lines run directly through the seat tube
for a straight shot.
-
Speedvagen 'cross posts
are fastened a little more securely.
-
White also had some new wool jerseys on hand
in his booth, recently introduced by another Portlander, Harth Huffman.
-
Huffman is a long-time wool jersey user
and created his line to embody everything he's ever looked for (but apparently couldn't find) in existing offerings at the time. We'll keep an eye on this one but the quality looks superb to us so far.
-
The Vanilla Bicycles workshop
sits in an unobtrusive building in Portland.
-
Frames start out as this…
-
…and eventually end up like this.
-
White spends a lot of his time shaping metal
with cutting and hand files.
-
How many files are on your bench?
-
Maybe this is the inspiration for White's work.
-
A dedicated alignment table sits at the back of the room.
-
Wooden stairs lead up to a fitting studio
and 'professional' area.
-
Portland is rife with top notch builders
and Joseph Ahearne is another one that has forged a well-earned reputation for himself.
-
Ahearne's personal townie bike
includes a split top tube that fits his U-lock perfectly.
-
Split chain stays have become
an Ahearne signature feature.
-
This clearly took a long time to make.
-
Ahearne's townie also boasts
a unique seat binder arrangement.
-
Anyone want to go pick up the pizza?
-
Ahearne also displayed another townie
at this year's NAHBS.
-
The rear end is purposeful
yet elegant at the same time.
-
Again, Ahearne's split stays
feature on another machine.
-
The shifter is cleverly integrated
into the stem.
-
The custom-built front rack holds plenty of stuff…
-
…but sometimes maybe just a single flower will do.
-
When standard U.S. coins just won't do.
-
Ahearne doesn't limit himself to just townies, though
, as demonstrated by this randonneur model.
-
Any guesses who built this one?
-
Ahearne also introduced the split concept
on this fork although he wisely wants to test it first before offering it to the public.
-
The front rack is custom sized…
-
…for this bag.
-
The elegant pump holder is neatly fitted
on the non-drive seat stay.
-
Shifters are again cleanly integrated into the stem.
-
Drink, anyone?
-
Ahearne does road, too.
-
Yup, here again.
-
A small scallop in the seat stay
offers extra chain clearance.
-
We'll take one, please.
-
Portland builder Ken Wheeler
showed off his Renovo line of wooden bikes.
-
Each front triangle is built out of a number
of hollowed-out pieces of hardwood.
-
The bottom bracket shell is bonded and bolted
in place.
-
"Air hardened"!
-
Hardwood rings reinforced the head tube.
-
It looks heavy
but is actually quite reasonable.
-
Ira Ryan only started building frames recently
but has quickly forged a name for himself in his Portland community.
-
We saw this bike at last year's show
but the rack has since gained some 'embellishments'. Mmm… cupcakes.
-
We're sure we'll see more of Ira Ryan
in the near future.
-
Have we mentioned that Portland
is a bike-crazy town?
-
Ryan isn't just a framebuilder
; he's also an accomplished racer.
-
Mike DeSalvo showed off a number of bikes and frame
, including this clean-looking singlespeed.
-
Sliding dropouts were everywhere
in the Oregon Convention Center.
-
Almost too pretty to ride.
-
DeSalvo also does titanium.
-
Does this bring back any memories?
-
Dropouts are clean and purposeful.
-
Ah, right, we figured there was a story
to be told here.
-
Newcomer Aaron Hayes of Courage Bicycles
won this year's 'Best New Builder' award.
-
With details like this we can see why.
-
Courage takes advantage of Paul Components' direct mount
post design.
-
The rear brake cable is routed directly
through the seat tube but it's not an integrated seatpost design; the bottom of the post is slotted.
-
The symbol of Courage.
-
The front brake cable is routed through the stem.
-
Local builder Vertigo
showed off the preferred bicycle genre of the region.
-
Vertigo also showed off this nice titanium mountain bike.
-
The most eye-catching Vertigo bike on display
was arguably this road bike.
-
Vertigo builder Sean Chaney
equipped his road bike with a 90mm-wide shell and milled its interior to directly accept the bottom bracket bearings.
-
A small notch makes for chainring clearance
while maximizing room for big tires.
-
Brake lines are run internally.
-
Chaney says he can comfortably fit 28mm-wide tires
in the single-bend stays.
-
UK clothing company Rapha announced
that it would be basing its U.S. operations in Portland.
-
Andy Hampsten fans can pick up this replica jersey
from his Giro d'Italia win…
-
…which comes complete with a pin-on number
if you're so inclined.
-
Co-Motion is best known for its tandems…
-
…but also does singles as well.
-
Portland builder Vendetta Cycles…
-
…came to NAHBS with some clean-looking machines.
-
Signal Cycles does road…
-
…and townie, as well as just about anything else you can think of.
-
Goodtimes is another Portland builder…
-
…and its frames sport some neat-looking dropouts.
-
Hufnagel showed off this mixte bike…
-
…and also sponsors the local road chapter
of Organic Athlete.
-
Marcroft Cycles offers road and mountain bikes.
-
Marcroft is adopting the philosophy
of 'race it on Sunday, sell it on Monday.'
-
These jerseys might be a common sight
in the Portland area.
-
Portland builder Strawberry Cycles
has been around for some time now…
-
…and also offers a range of
superb-looking frame tools.
-
Many builders learned the mechanics of their craft
at United Bicycle Institute.
Part 4 - March 2-4: For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here
Images by
James Huang/Cyclingnews.com
-
Rue Sports is always good for interesting carbon frames
but the Retro Grouch was particularly fitting given its environment.
-
These look like steel lugs to the casual observer…
-
…but it's actually all carbon.
-
Yup, here, too.
-
The dimensions of the seat stays
are more akin to what is usually used in steel frames, not carbon ones.
-
The classic-looking horizontal dropouts
are carbon, too, and even include adjuster screws.
-
Brent Ruegamer fitted the Retro Grouch
with a rare Campagnolo Victory Olimpico group.
-
Yes, kids, this is how people used to shift their bikes.
-
The single pivot brakes still look nearly new.
-
Alloy cogs are lightweight
but won't last long.
-
Ruegamer also built a fixed gear rear end
for the family tandem.
-
Cable stops are built right into the frame
and are slotted for easier maintenance.
-
Sheena Ruegamer is apparently also handy
with a paint brush and there were several of her works on hand as well.
-
Edgar and Luis Chavez have opened up their own carbon shop
in California after spending some quality time working for Craig Calfee.
-
Chavez's Roadrunner Velo frames
can also be fitted with BB30 bottom brackets.
-
The Roadrunner Sprezzatura
sat on the floor with a simple, yet striking, black and white paint job.
-
Even the seatpost was painted to match.
-
The Roadrunner Velo Cañada
looks to be a fast 'cross bike.
-
Cable stops are cleanly integrated
into the head tube.
-
What else would it be? This is NAHBS!
-
Slovakian builder Brano Meres
came to NAHBS with this showstopping C-Thru carbon truss bike.
-
Apparently Delta 7 isn't the only company
to have thought of using a truss structure for a bicycle frame.
-
Wow.
-
Mares integrates the hard points
in an impressively clean-looking fashion.
-
The truss structure might be efficient
but it's also radical looking.
-
How well will this hold up?
If Mares did his homework, then hopefully for a very long time.
-
Cable stops are neatly built in.
-
Mares has also experimented with bamboo
frame tubing…
-
…although his latest creation
uses bamboo cloth instead of carbon fiber.
-
Mares is also dabbling
with carbon fiber fork lowers.
-
Calfee outdid last year's longhorn steer bike
with this one.
-
What the???
-
Calfee used his hemp fiber truss technique
to create the stem.
-
Calfee uses the decidedly unconventional material
for the fork legs, too.
-
More hemp fiber is used for each frame joint.
-
The chainguard is made from hemp fiber composite plate
and is bordered in wood.
-
Yup, even the kickstand is bamboo.
-
One Independent Fabrications employee
is reportedly going to use this 'BMXS' for dirt jumping.
-
This is easily the nicest BMX frame we've ever seen.
-
IF president Matt Bracken
always wanted an over-the-top 29" cruiser…
-
…and lo and behind, he finally built one.
-
The Roadster wears another variation
of IF's down tube logo.
-
Another IF employee built
a Moulton-like road bike…
-
…while another's dream was for a lugged steel track bike.
-
Damn, that looks nice.
Unfortunately, though, IF doesn't currently have plans to offer anything like this to the public.
-
A custom-painted saddle tops it off.
-
This IF bike was fitted with S&S couplings
for easy traveling.
-
The couplings were a popular feature
on many frames at NAHBS.
-
IF track machines were also on display
at the Pedro's booth across the aisle.
-
And yet another custom-painted saddle.
Gotta have heart!
-
IF's stunning XS titanium and carbon road bike
sits at the top of the company range.
-
Subtle grey on grey detailing
makes for a cool look.
-
Jim Zoellner of Roark Titanium
built this killer rig for his daughter.
-
Most of the bike is titanium…
-
…but the wheels are CNC machined from aluminum.
-
Butterflies, anyone?
-
The chainguard is titanium, too.
-
Check out the neat water jet-cut Roark logo
in the dropout.
-
The rear hub encases a SRAM i-Motion internally geared hub.
-
Apparently Zoellner's daughter likes butterflies!
-
A gutted pair of Crank Brothers Candy pedals
gets the job done.
-
Jeff Jones is a local Oregon builder
whose 3D-Spaceframe has earned countless devotees.
-
Supposedly the peculiar arrangment of frame tubes
makes for a particularly comfy ride.
-
Jones' truss fork is now available
in a 'big wheel' version.
-
Jones is also well-known for his H-Bar…
-
…but a new one-piece version
lops off almost 150g from the original.
-
Clean workmanship like this
is a Jones trademark but can now also be found on the work he farms out to Merlin.
-
Jones also produces this singlespeed cog.
-
A bit of reinforcement
goes a long way.
-
If you have one of these at your house
, consider yourself seriously lucky.
-
Jones modifies King rear hubs
to yield a dishless wheel.
-
Unfortunately, though, you do have to give up a few cogs.
-
Jones even goes so far as to build
his own fender strut reinforcements.
-
Steel tubing is carefully bent
to provide an end-to-end seal.
-
The front derailleur line
simply arcs around the seat tube.
-
Bruce Gordon confused a few onlookers
with this titanium road frame…
-
…which was intentionally built
to resemble a steel machine.
-
Gordon faithfully reproduced his signature lug shapes
in titanium.
-
The matching stem
was a work of art on its own.
-
Brian Baylis is an accomplished builder in his own right
but also a master painter.
-
This is from Bruce Gordon?
-
Gordon walked away from NAHBS 2007
with a number of awards and did the same this year.
-
Carl Strong blended steel, titanium, and carbon
into his dream machine.
-
Reynolds 953 was used for the down tube
and chain stays.
-
Pseudo-lugged construction holds the seat cluster together.
-
Seat stays are shock absorbing titanium.
-
The logo is cleverly left bare
to let people know what lies beneath.
-
Another fantastic paint job
by Spectrum in Colorado.
-
Colorado builder Black Sheep
offered up its own swoopy titanium design.
-
The matching truss fork
bore at least a mild resemblance to Jeff Jones' design.
-
Burly fork tips
keep the front wheel securely in place.
-
Sliding dropouts
keep the rear disc caliper moving with the wheel.
-
Sweptback handlebars
were awfully popular this year.
-
This Black Sheep head tube badge…
-
…matched up with this one on the seat tube.
-
Black Sheep's full-suspension design…
-
…swapped a conventional main pivot
for a flexstay.
-
Dropouts are likely convertible
for geared or singlespeed use.
-
More swept bars could be found here.
-
Fox Racing Shox is a familiar name in the MTB world
but there weren't many of these to be found at NAHBS.
-
Spectrum Powderworks
is practically a local paintshop for Black Sheep.
-
Chain stays on this Black Sheep are heavily bolstered.
-
Got some errands to run?
Black Sheep apparently does utility bikes, too.
-
A custom-etched Rohloff hub graces the back end.
-
A Rotor crank is an odd spec for this kind of bike
but maybe its unique design helps get that heavy load back home.
-
Moots' snow bike made another appearance.
-
Riders living in the snow belt
would likely kill for one of these.
-
How much traction do you think this thing gets?
-
This massive box-style chain stay yoke
has a lot of tire to go around.
-
More sliding dropouts can be found back here.
-
Moots offered its own take on the townie bike
with the Comooter.
-
Jeez, did anyone have a straight bar here?
-
A generator front hub
powered front and rear lights.
-
Wires were run interally for a clean look.
-
Moots also ran the shifter lines
for the Rohloff hub internally.
-
Sure, why not?
-
Long-time titanium builder Kish Fabrication
has several frames on display including this curved tube titanium model.
-
Excellent finish work by Spectrum
included carefully masked sections of ti.
-
Tom Ritchey doesn't do custom frames anymore
so he refers some customers to Steve Potts.
-
Potts offers Ritchey's excellent BreakAway
system for his custom titanium builds.
-
The system makes for a clean look
that barely belies its travel bike status.
-
Ric Hjertberg of FSA also has a side project
involving wooden rims.
-
Hjertberg explains the benefits of wooden rims
to a showgoer, which reportedly include surprising strength and an unbeatable ride.
-
Hjertberg was also showing off a new Morizumi
spoke cutting and threading machine.
-
The Morizumi machine occupies a very small footprint
yet is impressive in its thorough design, precision results, and ease of use.
-
Spokes are cut here…
-
…and threaded here.
-
Swapping between 14g and 15g
is literally a ten-second operation.
Part 3 - March 2-4: For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here
Images by
James Huang/Cyclingnews.com
-
Alternative Needs Transportation (ANT)
has specialized in utilitarian bikes since the company's creation in 2003.
-
Items like the large front rack
make it far easier to haul stuff…
-
…while the swept handlebars
promote an upright and comfortable position.
-
A Massachusetts quarter neatly caps
the rear of the stem.
-
Brooks leather bits were everywhere at NAHBS.
-
ANT specializes in utility bikes
but rarely are two of them identical.
-
Tony Pereira predicted that this year's show
would be the year of the city bike and he did his part with this one.
-
Racks were perhaps the most common accessory
again at this year's show.
-
These racks are stock items from Tubus
painted to match, but given their quality we can hardly blame Pereira for using them.
-
This was a commonly seen profile
on bikes at NAHBS this year.
-
Who needs headset spacers?
-
The hydraulic line for the rear brake
is cleanly routed through the top tube and down the seat stay…
-
…eventually exiting down near the dropout.
-
Once again a Brooks saddle tops everything off.
-
Pereira's signature head tube badge
has become a much sought-after object.
-
The Pereira mixte sported a Shimano Alfine component group
for worry-free commuting.
-
What will you put on here?
-
Swept handlebars were a common sight
as were the cork grips.
-
The pointed seat binder
is fast becoming a Pereira signature.
-
Got a long way to go and lots of stuff to carry?
Here's a good way to go.
-
There is nothing production about these custom racks.
-
We can only wonder how long it takes
to make these.
-
The front rack struts are perfectly curved
to clear the front brake cables.
-
Even the stem is a work of art.
-
Pereira now offers a clamp-on version
of the rod-actuated front derailleur that drew so much attention last year.
-
Sycip showed off this wild townie.
-
The front rack is attractive and certainly functional…
-
…but the beer tap shift levers
take the cake.
-
Leave it to the Sycip brothers
to think up something like this.
-
This chainguard is probably only minimally protective
but it looks so good that the owner might not even care.
-
The elegant wheel shroud
should keep your pants from getting caught in the wheel, though.
-
Sliding dropouts were practically a must-have
in the Oregon Convention Center with the plethora of fixed-gear and singlespeed bikes on hand.
-
Speaking of fixies, how about this one?
-
Nope, you're not seeing things.
Yes, that's a hydraulic disc brake mounted around the bottom bracket.
-
Sycip's randonneur bike featured a neat little case out back…
-
…fastened to the seatpost via a single-armed mount.
-
Surprise, surprise, more Brooks stuff.
-
In case you're wondering
, it's pronounced 'SEE-SIP'.
-
Sycip hadn't integrated these new dropouts
into any of the frames on display but keep an eye out for these in the near future.
-
Canadian framebuilder Naked Bicycles and Design
unveiled what was possibly the 'Best of Show' of this year's event.
-
The pierced top tube was perfectly sized
for a U-lock.
-
The custom handlebar was a work of art
on its own.
-
Brazed-on bits made for grippy sections
for your hands.
-
Wooden grips… sure, why not?
-
Lugged stems were still a common sight
at this year's show.
-
More wood can be found in the headset cap.
-
The straight-bladed fork
sported an ultra-long point crown.
-
Front brake housing
is routed internally through the blade.
-
Damn, that's pretty.
-
The graceful seat stays
join in an interesting seat cluster.
-
The eccentric dropouts
are slick in appearance and function.
-
The style says 'old school'
but the integrated post is thoroughly modern.
-
Were you expecting someone else?
-
Wooden rims finish off the package.
-
The Frances Cycle Small Haul Cycletruck
is designed to haul serious loads.
-
It might not be everyone's idea of beautiful…
-
…but how much stuff
did you say you could fit in there again?
-
The unique steering setup is connected…
-
…but cables instead of a solid linkage.
-
Who needs a head tube badge
when you can just put your name on the lug?
-
Dean offered a modern-day titanium townie.
-
The cruiser-style frame
included well-done titanium bullet caps.
-
Tasty.
-
Completing the package
was a custom-made titanium fork…
-
…with titanium dropouts, of course.
-
Vicious Cycles is arguably best known
for its mountain bikes but shows it can do the city bike thing, too.
-
Going somewhere?
-
True Fabrication is a new builder out of Texas.
-
We're not sure how useful this wooden rack is
, but it looks pretty nonetheless.
-
True Fabrication offered up this hardtail as well.
-
Will we be seeing more of this in the future?
Part 2 - March 2-4: For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here
Images by
James Huang/Cyclingnews.com
Part 1 - March 2-4: For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here
Images by
James Huang/Cyclingnews.com
|
|