North American Handmade Bicycle Show 2018

Feb 17, 2018
by Richard Cunningham  




The North American Handmade Bicycle Show is a gathering place for a subculture of people who painstakingly hand-craft bicycles and items that most cyclists can purchase ready made on Amazon. Measured by Wall Street's scale of corporate indifference, there is no justifiable reason to TIG-weld a steel hardtail in the solitude of a 900 square foot shop crammed with second-hand machinery, and then sell it for what amounts to an average day-job wage. We have largely become consumers, dependent upon pre-made goods and instant satisfaction. We upgrade our phones, lease our cars, and arrange for work to be done. We freak out if packages take more than 24 hours to arrive. Time equals money.

What can't be measured is the sense of empowerment that comes from making things - from doing it ourselves. If you can weld up a bike, you could make a motorcycle without much trouble; if you can lay up a carbon front triangle, it wouldn't be a stretch to mold a prosthetic leg. The self-confidence generated by turning an idea into a physical, useful object with your own hands far exceeds the value of the creation. The North American Handmade Bicycle Show is packed with people who get that. Some of them have been making bicycles for decades, while others are celebrating their first frames, and how awesome it feels to join the club. It's an inspiration.
NAHBS 2018 Welcome to Geekland
NAHBS 2018: Welcome to Geekland.



NAHBS 2018 Altruiste s chromoly trail bike is the brand s first offering with rider-forward geometry.
Altruiste's chromoly trail bike is the brand's first offering with rider-forward geometry.

Altruiste Bicycle Company

Altruiste's founder and builder Gabriel Lang Is from New Brunswick, in eastern Canada, where he mainly builds with chromoly, but is experimenting with titanium. The ex-downhiller worked for some prominent Canadian builders as a welder before founding his own brand. He's pretty much a one-man show.

Lang believes that plush suspension is more efficient in the long run, even at the expense of pedal bobbing, which is why both his dirt-jump and trail bike designs use a concentric bottom bracket pivot location for their swingarms. I liked his asymmetric shock and seat tube arrangement. It is a simple solution that should be lighter weight and stronger than the more common work-arounds.

NAHBS 2018 Altruiste s 160mm travel dual-suspension bike has a concentric swingarm pivot.
Altruiste's 160mm travel dual-suspension bike has a concentric swingarm pivot.
NAHBS 2018 The as-yet unnamed trail bike uses an offset seat tube and shock to save weight and complexity.
The as-yet unnamed trail bike uses an offset seat tube and shock to save weight and complexity.

NAHBS 2018 Altruiste Founder and builder Gabriel Lang poses with his chromoly Zyteco dirt jump bike. Weather delays had Lang and many others scrambling to assemble bikes on opening day.
Altruiste Founder and builder Gabriel Lang poses with his chromoly Zyteco dirt jump bike. Weather delays had Lang and many others scrambling to assemble bikes on opening day.
NAHBS 2018 Alruiste Zyteco dirt jump bike detail
Alruiste Zyteco dirt jump bike detail



Ascari Bicycles

NAHBS 2018 Ascari town bike
Ascari town bike

NAHBS 2018 Ascari bicycle details
Ascari custom brake levers with jewels, gold filigree and leather.

NAHBS 2018 Ascari bicycle details
Leather and gold plating for the fork. Wood rims.
NAHBS 2018 Helio Ascari
Brazilian born Helio Ascari's studio is in Brooklyn, New York.

NAHBS 2018 Ascari stem detail
Stem details - more gold.

NAHBS 2018 Ascari bicycle details
Aascari gold plated spokes, custom wing nuts, and generator hub.

NAHBS 2018 Ascari bicycle details
Handlebar details.



How to Make a King Titanium Bottle Cage

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Merlyn Mechanics

NAHBS 2018 Merlyn Mechanics wheel build
Merlyn Townley has been building wheels most of his life...
NAHBS 2018 Merlyn Mechanics wheel build
...He says the floating Campagnolo chainring stabilizes the spoke tension and allowed him to make the fat bike wheel perfectly round.



Santana Cycles

NAHBS 2018 Santana foldable titanium tandem
Santana's titanium tandem dissembles for transport, but you'd have to look very closely to discover that.

NAHBS 2018 Santana flush tube connectors
The flush tube connector is secured with an Allen screw from below.
NAHBS 2018 Santana flush tube connectors
Santana machines the titanium fittings in-house. They interlock on two planes.



Fat Bike Skis

NAHBS 2018 Fat Bike Skis
Fat Bike Ski adapts to any suspension fork and will retail around $800 USD. The ski is custom shaped to initiate corners much like a wheel does.
NAHBS 2018 Two captured elastomers press the front of the ski into the snow when steering into a corner.
Two captured elastomers press the front of the ski into the snow when steering into a corner.

NAHBS 2018 Fat Bike Skis will retail upwards of 800 USD.
Fat Bike Skis' Brooke Scatchard says it took eight years to perfect his ski adapter.



Thomson Bike Products

NAHBS 2018 Thomson Titanium handlebar
Thomson extended their titanium handlebar to a full 800mm. The weight is slightly more than an aluminum DH bar (estimated, 350 grams) with greater strength and a good feel.
NAHBS 2018 Thomson Titanium handlebar
The titanium bar has a 15mm rise, an 8-degree back-sweep and a 4-degree up-sweep. The clamp is 31.8mm.



Juliet Designs

bigquotesI named the carbon bike "Ella" after my wife, Raffaella, who put up with the workshop, including the kitchen, the bathroom and and the dining room of our home.Ryan Cargo: Builder, Juliet Designs


NAHBS 2018 Juliet wood carbon road frame
Juliet Designs's laminated wood and carbon single-speed road frame was his first project.
NAHBS 2018 Brian Cargo Juliette Designs hails from San Francisco. Ella is molded carbon fiber and it is the second design from the startup builder.
Ryan Cargo and Juliette Designs hail from San Francisco area. "Ella" is molded carbon fiber and it is the second design from the startup builder.



NAHBS 2018 Judging road bikes
Judging road bikes: Throughout the show, builders submit their work in a number of categories for judged competitions. Awards are given at a stage presentation on the final day of the NAHBS.

NAHBS 2018 There was a line all morning of rides waiting to crank the Pinion gearbox through the gears.
There was a continuous line of riders waiting to crank the Pinion transmission through its gears.



Squid Bikes

NAHBS 2018 Squid Bikes are made in Sacramento California. Sherwin Gibson Ventana Cycles builds the frames from aluminum which are designed by Chris Namba. Squid frames are painted with rattle cans and range from mild to wild.
Squid Bikes' frames are made in Sacramento, California. The frames are designed by Squid founder Chris Namba, and constructed from aluminum by Sherwood Gibson at Ventana Mountain Bikes. Finishing, painting and assembly are done at Squid.

NAHBS 2018 Squid Cycles Rider Anthony Clark Partner Emily Kachorek and Designer Chris Namba
Squid Bikes rider Anthony Clark, partner Emily Kachorek, and designer Chris Namba
NAHBS 2018 Squid bikes
Squid frames are painted with rattle cans and range from mild to wild.



NAHBS 2018
Want to make your own? Alex Meade is a bike maker and engineer who sells a simple and accurate building fixture for $810 USD. The stations hold the tubes and important bits in alignment. You provide the flat surface and the frame drawings.

NAHBS 2018 One of many stunning cargo racks that I saw here arr NAHBS.
One of many beautifully crafted cargo racks a the show.



Tomo Ichikawa

NAHBS 2018 Tomo Ichikawa the man who invented the Clever chain-breaker tire levers. was showing his new carbon fiber chainrings. They are laid up pre-preg material which is molded and then machined to ensure the teeth are strong an durable
Tomo Ichikawa, the man who invented the "Clever" chain-breaker tire levers, was showing his new carbon fiber chainrings. They are laid up radially with layers of pre-preg material, and then pressure molded and machined to ensure the teeth are strong and durable.

NAHBS 2018 Carbon chainring teeth are molded with a metallic powder that reportedly makes them wear longer.
The tooth profile area is molded with a metallic powder that reportedly makes the sprocket wear longer. Rings fit SRAM, Shimano, and Race Face crank interfaces. Mountain bike chainrings run $130 and road bike sizes are $150 USD.
NAHBS 2018 Tomo Ichikawa
Tomo Ichikawa



University of Kansas

NAHBS 2018 Not every bike at the show was a showpiece. This example from the University of Kansas was purposefully low tech.
Not every bike at the show was a showpiece. This example from the University of Kansas was purposefully low tech. How would you make a bicycle with four hand tools and re-purposed junk in an undeveloped location?

NAHBS 2018 Stainless steel wires clamp bamboo tubes over specially machined plastic internal sockets
Stainless steel wires clamp bamboo tubes over internal sockets. These are machined plastic, but a rusty piece of 12-gauge steel could suffice.
NAHBS 2018 University of Kansas s Cyclolab project notes...
University of Kansas's Cyclolab project notes...






Author Info:
RichardCunningham avatar

Member since Mar 23, 2011
974 articles

159 Comments
  • 135 3
 I look at these bikes the same way people stare at art in the Louvre. I’m often confused and have no idea what I’m looking at, but damn, it’s beautiful.
  • 25 1
 That bamboo bike looks sketch af tho. I’d still hit it.

Salute
  • 14 2
 @maxlombardy: does it give you wood?
  • 9 0
 @maxlombardy: I'd hit it too, but I can't find the carb on it!
  • 11 0
 @maxlombardy: Come across a big ass panda while out on that and you'll be walking home :-)
  • 63 1
 I wish someone would make a bar that is heavier than aluminium and also a lot more expensive.
  • 9 0
 No kidding. The Thomson Ti riser handlebar is $389.95.
  • 64 6
 @jaame - One day I’ll buy that Ti Thomson. Only to be able to think to myself “peasant” when I see a dude with Enve.
  • 4 0
 @WAKIdesigns: Don't get me wrong, I would like one, but I find it hard to believe there is a market for such a product. I do remember those distant times when titanium was the bee's knees.
  • 4 1
 @jaame: Undecided between over-expensive alloy and not light enough carbon bar. Buys titanium version.
  • 5 0
 @WAKIdesigns: One day I'll buy that Ascari and then I can ride around and tell everyone how my brake lever is more expensive than your whole Ti Thompson kitted "servant" bike. Then I will congratulate you on being one class higher than a peasant. #Makingfriends
  • 5 2
 @jaame: I’ll never forget one of my first rides on my Antidote meeting two dudes on fresh bronsons. Their pink and yellow frames were probably visible from space with naked eye. They were unpacking the bikes from a vito, looking proud and feeling cool, talking serious stuff. I just stood there, half ass on the saddle, one foot on pedal, the other on the ground, elbow on the thigh , feelin as cool as ever, getting out of my way to get cocky, enjoying vanity to the fullest... thinking to myself: fkng multicolor Enve decals on your Bronson CC, you peasant... I try to be humble for most of the time, but sometimes... I just let myself go Big Grin
  • 5 2
 @Boardlife69: pfff and what will you do with that Ascari? grab a single origin dry washed soy latte? Or will you go attend some Gran fondo drinking organic ipa from micorbrewery in Portland that also bakes bread and grows their own cocoa? Drinking it from a Ti bottle, from company that made bottles for sir Bonnington for expedition to climb West face of Everest? All in your top customer reserved, kashmir edition Rapha

I'll pop a wheelie in your face, ripping off your fake mustache with my Minion DHF! Big Grin
  • 1 0
 Kingdom (from the Kingdom Vendetta titanium hardtail) do have a titanium handlebar. I do believe it would improve the feel though I'd be very interested how it does compare to a Spank handlebar with vibrocore (aluminium with foam core).
  • 3 1
 @WAKIdesigns: Pfft, lates and IPA's. A bike like this is for coke, and lots of it. And no one gives AF if its organic or fair trade. We value "hands". I.e My coke is one hand away from Pablo himself. Single Hand Coke. For my (sniff,sniff) Ascari, bitches.
  • 2 0
 Oooh, bragging! Completely missed that. Can I join?

By the time my frame is finished, whoever sees my bike and has spent more on theirs will realize they've been all wrong. But I'll be friendly and forgive them. They can still join me on a ride if they feel like.
  • 1 0
 @vinay: whnever someone tells me about the "feel" I want to punch them in the face for trying to shag me bum. Whatever makes you feel better about the product you sell/buy mate...
  • 1 0
 @WAKIdesigns: You mean about the handlebars? No need to get upset, there isn't much behind it. I haven't ridden these either but reviews on the Spank handlebars haven been good. I like if the material dampens the vibrations. If the titanium handlebars do the same then that's nice too plus it gives me more peace of mind that they are still good after a crash. Aluminium and carbon don't give you that. If someone would make good steel handlebars I'd prefer those over aluminium and titanium too as I'm not necessarily after saving weight on my bike. As it is now though, I'll just stick with the aluminium bars I have now.
  • 2 0
 @vinay: sorry I wasn't talking as if it was directed at yu personally, I was writing in a way if someone tells me that and how would I react to it. It just feels like people who say: try this method of meditation. BTW if after 2 weeks - 5 months you get a rash, it's the toxins leaving your body Big Grin I rode different bars over the years and I seriously doubt there's much difference. Some do feel harsh but it can have a lot to do with other factors. The only one that stood out for me was Renthal Fatbar. That is not a gentle bar. As to spank mhm... I hope they learned something after those 777 bars that were bending like hell. I like most of their products but foam... it make some sense but... still smells of snake oil Wink
  • 1 0
 @WAKIdesigns: Yeah, the handlebar will eventually be one of the few things I'm not going to change when going from my current frame to the next. I thought the concept is interesting if it works because my hands are getting sore when riding. But I recently realized that the transition to very thin grips (Renthal) wasn't a good choice for me (probably going to thick Ergons next) and shifting forwards on my pedals (when going to Catalysts a when they came out) just put more load on my hands too. Vibrocore may be an interesting experiment when all else fails. But all else already includes a longer frame, going tubeless and thicker grips (and probably more Jeff Mah in my life) so chances are I'll be good anyway.
  • 1 0
 @jaame: they wouldn't have sold out of them if there wasn't a market
  • 1 0
 @Bertleman: I guess not hey.

I'm on my third Vibrocore bar now (sold two on previous bikes). I fancy trying a Fatbar Lite 35 but the only 35mm diameter stem i like is that all mountain style one that has a hideous price. I love Spank Spike stems.

What I would love to buy actually is that one piece Syncros bar and stem. It seems a little steep too though at $300 american. There are a lot of other things i could buy for that that would be more useful. A bar and stem at the end of the day are just a bar and stem. Once you have ones you like there is no point changing.
  • 1 0
 @Boardlife69: That Ascari bike should be handed over to @wibmerfabio and ride like that granny bike Smile
  • 30 0
 Bong hit built bike show
  • 9 0
 DangleBong bike show
  • 24 0
 Some details regarding the CARBON CHAINRING. (I’m helping Tomo introduce these & his other items to the US Market).

The carbon rings are stiffer & on average 25% lighter than aluminum. They aren’t officially available yet, since we’re still finalizing some details to the product. Obviously we’re striving for aluminum longevity standards, but obviously realize they are full carbon... so we’ll see how close they get. They’ve been on the machine at the MFG testing for well ove a month w/o any issues, however that is not real world abuse. Thankfully now is where the fun begins! Before you ask, no I don’t need anyone to test... you’d be the 200th person in line! Haha ...seriously though. EVERYONE here at the show has asked.

We’re shooting to have them available (common tooth sizes and attachment type - bcd, direct mount etc) and possibly have them for sale at Sea Otter, where we’re planning to launch them.

Remember, it’s a carbon chainring, it’s not necessarily intended to be a every day use for the amatuer hucker. I hope it’s something that you can use all year long without any worry, but it’s likely going to be marketed to the high performance / racing athlete who’s looking for the added stiffness and weight savings.

To be continued... Smile
  • 4 0
 They are certainly a talking point I can see these being an option for roadie bikes ,not sure the mtb crowd is ready for carbon rings yet ,what kind of weight saving are we talking about ? Can you see a future when we run carbon chainrings and also a carbon cassette ? Best of luck to Tomo with this venture
  • 3 1
 I just like the idea of a chainring I don't have to spend 10 minutes cleaning out all the little nooks crannies.
  • 4 0
 I hate it when chainrings lack stiffness!
  • 1 0
 I am curious about the ''PM'' teeth... you claim it's long lasting versus the standard billet/machined teeth ? Also is the metallic powder just added to the resin, if so it's not sintered ? My mind boggles.... Thanks !
  • 1 0
 @konacyril: about 25% weight savings on average compared to standard aluminum. As mentioned, we still don't have the numbers back from any real world testing, but i'm anxious to know how it will hold. It's not meant to be a full time replacement of your standard chainring at this point (we'll see how it develops), however for someone looking to use it for races, etc, it could be a great option on the MTB

who knows what the future will hold in regards to carbon cassette bodies. we have no plans to produce them, or shiftable chainrings. it's a pain & looooads of engineering to get it right
  • 1 0
 @Brakesnotincluded: it's long lasting vs other carbon rings currently on the market by the way it's cut. other carbon ring MFG's essentially cut all "4 sides" around the tooth to give it it's profile. Since we mold it as a narrow wide & then only cut "between the teeth", it leaves the carbon fiber layers full length to the tip of the tooth. by tightly compressing this area, and with the coating we apply, it not only helps the strength and durability of the tooth, but allows us keep the lifespan of the chain by not to deteriorating the integrity of the chain (i don't know how it's applied, sorry... i only learned the info over the weekend - didn't expect to see them at the show! haah)
hope that made sense... it's been a long weekend, long travel home & my mind is fried. We'll hav some more info at Sea Otter & hopefully our website up soon that will further explain and answer your questions.
I'm not an engineer... i'm just the pretty face behind the brand here in the US! haha j/k
  • 2 0
 Please tell Tomo hello for me!! I met him many years ago at Interbike when he was walking around getting his hustle on! He gave me some spacers and I am always excited to see him doing more cool stuff!! www.pinkbike.com/photo/5692170
  • 25 3
 The urban lumberjack metrosexual bike exhibit
  • 9 0
 I do like NAHMBS. There's some very cool stuff... and some horror shows. Thanks for some photos and I hope there are more coming of the beautiful bikes. I may not DJ any longer, but I remember perpetual bruises and blood blisters on my inner knees and thighs. The last thing I'd want on a DJ bike is a fat shock and bolts etc in what should be a snag-free zone.
  • 7 0
 Yeah, some really cool creations at NAHMBS. But what I like the best is the double ended adjustable wrench on Don Andrew's table.
  • 4 2
 @kwapik: why would you want a double ended nut f*cker? to f*ck twice as many nuts in half the time?
  • 2 0
 @inked-up-metalhead: Twice the nut-f*ing chooch for your doll-hairs !!
  • 12 3
 @RichardCunningham
Does the floating ring in the fat tire wheel build add to rotational weight since it is not touching anything? Could he have done it with just a round piece of metal with holes drilled into it? I know fat tire bikes are not really concerned with such things, but that dude must be brilliant to have figured that out! THAT is out of the box thinking.

P.S. It does look pretty sick with the chain ring in there.
  • 9 0
 Yeah, that thing hurts my brain a bit. I'm assuming it would add to the rotational weight since the extra spokes and ring rotate with the wheel are a included in it's mass.
  • 5 0
 @Myfianceemademedoit: you're correct.
  • 6 1
 I was planning to come to the comments to say something snarky, but damn that idea is rad to equalize tension of the 'real' spokes while keeping the wheel true/round/dished wrt the hub.
  • 4 0
 Perhaps the whole idea didn't work, so he had the other guy make a ski to replace it? Kidding aside, all of this stuff is very cool. Bikes are art. And this art is bikes.
  • 3 0
 It would add rotational weight for sure. It is attached at the rim. As a wheel builder myself I’m now thinking how I can do this in my own way. Theoretically besides making the wheel perfectly round, being able to have a second set of spokes could help in reinforcing the other spokes to make a stronger wheel. I may have to experiment with this.
  • 1 0
 @rumblefish255: so dear the 'floating' flange have any benefits or just some where to attach more spokes???
  • 2 1
 ^does^
  • 1 0
 @nojzilla: There would be strength benefits if the floating flange was a third flange on the hub and not floating.
The spokes that do attach to the hubs are still the spokes that do all the work.
  • 1 0
 @thumber-502: Yeah, like a 36 or 48. more spokes to share the load. I'm just wondering what the point of the 'floating' spokes are ?
  • 3 6
 That thing makes me wonder... eagle fixie with spokes laced through 50t chainring...
  • 3 5
 There is no good reason on earth why spokes should go anywhere but from the rim to the hub.
  • 1 2
 @Myfianceemademedoit: remember that energy = mass x the speed of light, squared
  • 2 1
 @rumblefish255: I'm wondering how hard it would be to make these spokes equally tensioned and also keep the ring centered around the hub.
  • 3 0
 That floating spoke flange is a work of genius. I was chatting the other day with another wheelbuilder mate of mine about how low pro fatbike rims with really wide spoke drillings get a wobble on no matter what you do. I truly wish I'd thought of this solution myself. Its beautiful in its simplicity.
  • 5 0
 @jflb: says someone who doesn't build wheels, I presume. This allows for an extra degree of freedom, and a means for controlling roundness that is decoupled from tension of the hub's spokes. It's brilliant.
  • 2 5
 @sspiff: yes of course that’s why race cars, space shuttles, airplanes, and all sort of machinery that’s actually engineered with science uses this technique to ensure roundness and even tension.
Trust a bunch of bike people to think they’re smarter than real science.
  • 5 5
 @jflb: oh for fks sake, do you have it in your bike? Yes? sorry, no? stop moralizing! Get one or shut up...
  • 7 0
 @jflb: I remember that time my space shuttle wheels were laced wrong. Boy was my face red.
  • 2 1
 @jflb: It's a very neat solution to a problem only really found on very wide, very low profile fatbike rims, where the rims twist between the spokes (at least I assume thats why it has been done, this is certainly a problem I have run into myself in the past). Its a design flaw in the rim, fixed in a clever and creative way. It also looks pretty cool. And, just fyi, race cars no longer use spoked wheels. And correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm reasonably confident the space shuttle never did...
  • 1 1
 @Myfianceemademedoit: No because the tension is quantumly equidistant it levitates and weights nothing. It's just some more spokes to pull it into the right place no need for brain hurt.
  • 1 0
 @jflb: Those "bike people" use real science I'm sure they have some measuring equipment to check for trueness. Your an idiot. Trust a pinkbike commenter to think they're smarter than real science. How are wheels or anything for that matter going to get better if there isn't a bit of experimentation. If we always looked to other things that already exist no new inventions would ever be made. If we all thought like you we'd still be living in caves.
  • 1 0
 So it's like cross bracing?? To help stop such a wide rim from distortion??
  • 2 1
 @gabriel-mission9: you crack me up
  • 1 0
 I thought the axial strength and stiffness would be most demanding. Using that radially laced floating ring in the middle actually adds a radial strength and stiffness without affecting any of the other components. So if that is called for (and I was indeed wrong with my thoughts stated in my first sentence) this is a very clever solution. I wouldn't be too concerned about the floating ring not being centered around the hub. You'd have to mess up tremendously with your spoke length to get that wrong. He clearly got it right.
  • 1 2
 a Hub hangs in a rim by the Spokes when the bike is loaded, rendering the floating spoke flange fairly useless when actually riding. Neat as to get it built perfectly round on a trying stand tho
  • 1 0
 @aushred: Nah man if the ring is floating it has the ability to push and pull opposite direction. I don't know if it would make a noticeable real world difference but would probably help in a measured amount.
  • 1 0
 @sspiff: Degrees of freedom. That's a great explanation. I was trying to figure out what this does.
  • 4 0
 NAHBS is always a riot. I love it. Mostly batshit insane, but also insanely cool all at the same time. If I lived in an area where there was a ton of snow that Fat Bike ski would be in my arsenal for sure and that Juliet roadie looks sick. I bet that thing has hardly any drag.
  • 1 0
 I was thinking insane mud clearance on the CX'er
  • 10 3
 I feel like the carbon chainring is a disaster waiting to happen on the trial...
  • 2 0
 yeah, I wouldn't risk the more of my drivetrain with that thing.
  • 1 0
 we shall see. it's not meant to be a permanent replacement to your standard set up. Untill we get our real world numbers back, it's likely going to be marketed towards the weight savings, performance oriented, racer (in any 1x world). I've got a few pro (and hack) MTB, CX/Gravel, & Road riders giving them some real world punishment... sand, grit, mud,.. and even that crap the urban roads will throw at ya. I'm excited to see the results (positive or negative)
  • 7 1
 nahbs, when hipsters make bikes
  • 4 0
 Looking at the PB pictures I am with you. But I am not sure why PB only posted these photos. It is not a fair representation of what was there. These are the new builders relegated in a very small / no traffic area.
Moreover most people at the show were over 50.
  • 2 0
 I've been to two NAHBS and they were both eye-opening. Yes, there are plenty of bikes that seem more artistic than functional, but there are also multiple times where I've seen designs that small builders did here than showed up with large bike companies thereafter.
  • 3 0
 Coolest rides I have seen were the three black sheep employees bikes, all dirty, rusty and modified to the core. Best part of show was the small event hosted by Chris Chance, Ron Andrews and co...
  • 2 0
 Agreed on the Black Sheep Bikes. I tried getting a couple pics.

www.pinkbike.com/photo/15628607

www.pinkbike.com/photo/15628606
  • 2 0
 If I could put any one of these on my wall it would be the floating-chainring wheel; I like the clockworks aesthetic.

Surprised no one has pointed out that all of these bikes (especially the Ascari) look exactly like a Session.
  • 3 0
 Nice pictures and details but horribly conceived introduction. This show isn't really about empowerment and self confidence. It's more about creativity, intricacy, craftsmanship, and bicycle beauty.
  • 5 3
 That Ascari thing is awful. Over-designed, gaudy monstrosity that ruins the whole handmade frame aspect by layering tat up all over it. I imagine it costs a stupid amount as well. You can tell by looking at him and the way he is sat.
  • 4 0
 if you buy the full-hipster build it comes with a glue on mustache, and ipa from a brewery you've never heard of, and box frame glasses. i'm sold
  • 4 0
 So stoked for Altruiste! Gabo at Altruiste manufactures all of our Partymaster frames, such a talented and dedicated man, so good to see him get this kind of recognition!!!
  • 1 0
 I am super stoked for Gabo too!! What a great guy and so damn fun to mess with!! Give him a slap in the ass for 'heel next time you see him!!
  • 1 0
 Functional art! I love this show, it really presents great ideas with old-school integrated with high-tech and the large talent that shows up with their custom creations showing people how to think outside the "big-box brand" box.
  • 3 3
 I'm sorry the "talent" at that show is minimal (S.Potts, Andrews,and a few more names that escape me).But mostly what I see is a lot of desperation to make something stand out with minimal talent and resources. Mostly poser gear.
  • 2 1
 @chasejj: Yup. No talent at all at the show. WTF are you talking about in terms of talent? These are the people that build bike frames for a living. Building bike frames is probably on of the hardest professions in the industry. If you don't have talent, you will starve.
  • 2 0
 @chasejj: interesting, from what I've personally have seen in the past shows is nothing of the sorts. What do you consider "poser gear" at the show? Have you been to any other bike industry show that combines a better collection of talent?
  • 1 0
 I went to the show and it was really awesome, especially if you are into all kinds of bikes. The Altruiste bikes were incredible. The dirt jumper especially, with the way the swingarm rotates around the BB. Not sure how it would work with a bike you want to pedal up hills, but his all-mountain bike won Best MTB of the show. Also, for those of you wanting a Pinion so bad I wouldn't even consider it on anything except a DH bike. The engagement is a joke, like worse than the old Shimano hubs from the 90's. I can't imagine pedaling through anything that you would need to ratchet through.
  • 1 0
 @Endurahbrah do you know if the Altruiste trail bike has a name? I'm trying to find any info I can and start saving my sheckels, I was at the show too with the famiglia yesterday! The Tred Hedera Ti xc hardtail was also a top top pick for me, though neither exist in production, waaaah take my money please!
  • 1 0
 @oldfartne: I do not know if it has a name. I did get a chance to talk to the owner, he was working the booth too. I asked how the bike rides and he said they just finished putting it together before the show.

So many beautiful bikes it was really a great show.
  • 1 0
 @oldfartne: I wouldn't expect a production run, seeing as it is NAHBS after all. But drop the guy a line, maybe?
altruistebikes.com
  • 3 2
 Why do we have to reverence the same old tired designs? That Ascari POS and all the other 90% of the bikes at NAHBS are painstakingly the same year after year: the same lugs, the same old(er) school geometry, the same early Tour de France references. And a price tag to make Gianni Versace blush.

I know I'll get some slaps in the wrist from the "steel is real" crew but come on people, can't anybody think of innovating a little bit? How comes just 10-15 % of every NAHBS post is about out-of-the-box designers?

How comes NAHBS is just a trendy synonym to "vintage"?
  • 1 0
 And the Altruiste bikes? Same old designs right? Have you been to the show?
  • 1 0
 @Endurahbrah: hence the "10-15 % of every NAHBS post is about out-of-the-box designers" part of my previous post. Most of the other stuff is just one more iteration of the same old road bike design from the early 1900s. Wooden rims included.

By the way, his dirt jumper reminds me of Aaron Chase's slopestyle prototype with a Lefty as the top tube.
  • 2 0
 So true! Just a battle of paint jobs.

So many bike with geometry from the 90's, traditional square top tubes, with a million accessories, and some flashy paint.


@Endurahbrah
Altruiste is sweet, stoked on him and what he has done. But essentially he make a long-travel Le-Pink and instead of using a tube to puncture the seat tube, he went a-sym. Which is super cool and following his insta, looked like some pretty technically difficult work. Bike is sick, but has a slack seat tube, and looks to be pretty short TT. Would someone choose to buy this over any of the big boys bikes? I think that answer is no.
  • 1 0
 I actually got an Ascari In for service and a wheel true at my workshop last summer, (in Sweden nevertheless) and that bike was really a thing of beauty! Man I shot like a hundred photos of it, there are details in every part of the bike.
  • 2 1
 Rode a Santana titanium tandem with the connecting lugs for traveling. The frame had a lot of flex (compared to aluminum frames without the lugs).
Wonder if the newer design is much better.
  • 1 0
 When did you get to ride the Santana? The new design of the couplers is definitely stiffer, and the move to a wider tubeset in the past few years is noticeably better than the old santanas I've ridden (an older aluminum tandems, plus a triplet)
  • 1 1
 Who needs gold? It’ll just weigh you down! And I find that putting a Fox 36 fork on will make a bike look soooo much better than a bit of gold. No offense, if you weren’t going to ride and hang it on your wall( which is what it probrably is meant for, or just showing off) it would be a good looking wall decoration.
  • 1 1
 Well....This is awkward and to be honest sad as hell, But here goes:
Thanks to the City of Hartford, CT and all the vendors and convention center staff who put in the time, effort and miles to make this year's show happen. Despite being rather close, I couldn't make it, but since *ahem* nobody gave proper credit, I figured I would.
#keepitclassypinkbike
  • 5 2
 Fat bike skis are super fun, I'd love to have one on my bike.
  • 10 2
 Yeah, the only thing better than fat bikes is skis. Or snowboards. Or anything.
  • 2 2
 If you wanna see some great hand made, one off creations from a great builder/rider, check out www.facebook.com/wraithbicycles . Linkage forks, gear boxes, URT's, great stuff.
  • 4 2
 It’s Sherwood Gibson of Ventana Mountain Bikes USA.........not Sherwin Gibson at Ventana Cycles.....sheeesh
  • 5 2
 What a revealing clarification
  • 3 1
 Least he didn't call him Sherwin Williams
  • 3 0
 From personal experience - Fat bike ski from Brooke is amazing!
  • 6 4
 Ascari - for the pretentious a-hole who just can’t get their douche-baggery levels high enough with a mass produced bike.
  • 2 0
 Gets me motivated to have a go at frame building. Just wish I knew where to start!
  • 1 0
 OzMike: I was going to say go to a frame school we have a few in the us but I see your on the other side of the water i don't know anything about your schools or what they cost.I would suggest getting an oxy acetylene torch (fairly cheap easy too use/learn) and try building a lugged brazed frame you won't need a mill just files and saws. And you can order tubes and premade lugs at pre determined angles. That's the easiest way I've seen to give it a go. The torch can be used to weld cut braze solder and heat metal with for other things they are super handy.
  • 1 0
 Carbon chainring? Seems like a good idea. Probably lighter, but I would think the main advantage would be longevity. Wonder how it likes bashing rocks.
  • 1 0
 see my comments above. 25% lighter on average than aluminum, stiffer, etc.
giving it some real world testing now, so hopefully will let you know how they hold up!
  • 2 1
 Reminds me of an early 90's MTB Action Magazine.... Some real, real nice stuff here and there and a lot of meaningless crap..
  • 1 0
 Carbon fibre chainring!, while they may look trick it ain't really gonna save any weight is it?, cut your toenails and shave the same weight difference
  • 1 0
 25% lighter on average than standard aluminum rings
  • 2 0
 Would love to see video of the altruiste chromly trail bike being shagged around whistler
  • 2 0
 Nice ski "front wheel", but I'll stick with the 55€ ghetto one
www.pinkbike.com/photo/15621486
  • 1 0
 Awesome i need to try that!
  • 1 0
 RCs second paragraph says it all-the empowerment derived from doing it yourself exceeds the value of the object created. well done RC
  • 1 0
 i demoed that fat bike ski and it was the tits! i wish i had the cash for it because i wouldnt have to wait for the groomers! So much fun.
  • 1 0
 Well these are interesting and beautifully hand craf....hold on ski on the front of a fat bike?

Welp, lets burn this place to the ground. Hopefully that'll contain it.
  • 3 0
 You guys and your bikes.
  • 3 1
 This was a very strange experience …
  • 3 1
 stoked to see gold on bikes. probly cheaper than carbon too
  • 4 2
 What, SC Nomads are not handmade?!
  • 4 0
 Not in North America!
  • 1 0
 Pink bike you've surprised me. Thanks for posting. Thanks for a bringing a wee bit of class
  • 1 0
 Rear shock for a top tube Is genious!! anyone else? take my moneysssi I want one
  • 1 0
 Aaron Chase did it in the early 00s with his slopestyle prototype. It used a Lefty as the top tube: m.pinkbike.com/news/aaron-chase-softtail-cannondale-bike-check-2008.html
  • 1 0
 University of Kansas for the win! Super project that could have a real impact.
  • 2 0
 Altruiste is awsome because invisible tires are even better than tubeless!
  • 1 0
 I just can’t see how those cantilever brakes are ever going to work on the Ascari’s wooden rims...
  • 2 0
 Hmmm.....
  • 3 0
 Ahhh....
  • 1 0
 Seems like Gabriel Lang isn't the average mountain bike builder....
  • 1 1
 Steepen up that Cycolab seat tube angle a little and they might be on to something...
  • 1 0
 It's like Disneyland for Hipster riders haha!! Some are work of art though
  • 2 0
 Congrats Gabo man!!!
  • 1 0
 Tire clearance on the blue bike with the fancy cargo rack?
  • 1 0
 Need to see that dirtjumper with tires! Please!
  • 1 0
 Bottle cage man i salute you !
  • 1 0
 The Iscara looks like what pee wee Herman would ride if he struck it rich.
  • 1 0
 SO STOKED FOR YOU GABO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  • 1 1
 Mind blown. Didn't think there's more to it than just 2 wheels.
  • 1 0
 titus exogrid is back?
  • 1 1
 Upvote this comment if you hate suspension!!
  • 3 5
 I hope that dudes wife is prettier then the bike named after her.
  • 1 3
 The green DVO fork is the ugliest fork you can put on a bike. period
  • 1 0
 Green Lantern does not approve!
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