Portland is considered the best cycling city in the nation. It’s inhabitants flip out for bikes. When the North American Handmade Bike Show was held at the Oregon Convention Center in early February, the turnout was so big that we had to chain our bikes to the last available tree and sneak in as the Fire Marshall enacted a ‘one in for one’ out rule. Inside beer was served, Lance Armstrong was hanging tough with the fans, and of course there were many finely crafted bicycles from builders who came from all over the country. The detail in the bikes was so meticulous that I wanted to weep in disbelief—they were definitely not your average mass-produced bikes.

After speaking with a few of the friendly builders we learned that the process for building these frames takes extreme dedication. Many of them had been through rigorous apprenticeships and had spent countless hours under the guidance of a more experienced builder to get their craft perfect. There were also numerous examples of innovation in the engineering of the frames and components. One manufacturer showcased bikes with a rubber belt, similar to what you would see in a car engine, in place of the traditional chain, a feature they claimed was superior. There was also a frame constructed out of bamboo, which was displayed on a scale to show off its lightweight. Other bikes at the show were of more traditional construction and there were many stunning examples of road, mountain, touring, city, and track bikes to drool over. Handmade bikes are a beautiful example of design and craftsmanship in which form and function are considered all the way down to the last screw.
– Brendan Miller
www.handmadebicycleshow.com