Photos from Pedal Nation/PDX Bicycle Show

The Pedal Nation/PDX Bicycle Show did not disappoint. If you missed the action today, it’s open from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm tomorrow (Sunday).

Check out the slideshow below for our photos from the day. You can also see updates from the show via Twitter here. Check back Monday for a recap of the show (I’m tired!):

If you went to the show, please share your impressions in the comments below…

Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor)

Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor)

Founder of BikePortland (in 2005). Father of three. North Portlander. Basketball lover. Car driver. If you have questions or feedback about this site or my work, contact me via email at maus.jonathan@gmail.com, or phone/text at 503-706-8804. Also, if you read and appreciate this site, please become a paying subscriber.

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Alan 1.0
Alan 1.0
13 years ago

It was a bit smaller than I expected but I had a blast. All the folks I wanted to talk to were there…NuVinci, Showers Pass, Nutcase, and some of the custom builders. The demo ring was great! Not only got to try the NuVinci hub on a trainer but on the ground, too! Also my first 3 rides on 2-wheel ‘bents, and one was Sprout’s e-assist…COOL! The RideKick e-trailer was nice, too, and I got a great intro to it: didn’t know what it was, hopped on for a spin thinking “ho-hum, another trailer, yeah, fine.” It towed nicely, hardly knew it was there. Back in the pits the rep asked me if I liked the assist…uh, hunh? “Yeah, just push this thumbie…” Whee! Hooks up to most bikes in minutes; very smooth. The BMX riders wowed me as always, as did the trials demo. Had nice chats with Jude at Sugar, Shawn at Ruckus (he’s changing my opinion of carbon), Brompton and several other vendors with cool products. Very nice way to spend the afternoon, glad I went.

spare_wheel
spare_wheel
13 years ago

that all crabon utility bike is pure 1337 geekiness. but then again i just don’t get the neo-luddite steel fetish.

Alan 1.0
Alan 1.0
13 years ago
Reply to  spare_wheel

Not only is it ‘lite-looking but it demonstrates an all-but-invisible repair to serious top-tube damage and installation of upper rack eyelets into the seat stays. Ask Shawn about frame repair kits the size of tube patch kits.

spare_wheel
spare_wheel
13 years ago
Reply to  Alan 1.0

i really, really want his fenders.

borgbike
13 years ago

Alan, I’m glad I read your review. Following your advice I went straight for the bike ring and test road a wide variety of bikes, including a Metrofiet, Joe Bike, tall bike, recumbants and Bike Friday folding bike.

I was surprised by the number of bikes with the NuVinci rear hub. A number of manufacturers are using them now and it seems like it worked really well with a surprisingly wide gear range.

mh
mh
13 years ago

Oh dear, I still want a Renovo with a NuVinci hub, but after a long conversation with Coventry’s Marilyn, I want a recumbent, too. I don’t think Renovo is making wood recumbents yet, but that would combine three fantasies.

I need to get a much better-paying job.

Laura
Laura
13 years ago
Reply to  mh

at one point, Ken mentioned a wood ‘bent was on his “to do list”

k.
k.
13 years ago

Disappointing.

Jonathan "J.R" Reed
13 years ago
Reply to  k.

k. – Why?

K2
K2
13 years ago

“Disappointing.”
I thought so too.
For me it had to do with the overall focus of the setup. Registration included a required information card that wanted (no, not required, but didn’t mention that it wasn’t) income level, email (and land) address, marketing questions… man I get enough spam, don’t want to spend $10 for the luxury of getting more. Real turn off.
Center area was for ? Fashion? For those who are more concerned about winning a popularity contest then equipment ability (guess this is the Facebook generation influence) okay, cool. Was of no interest to me and it took up a very large part of the venue and, well, it was the center.
These two factors heavily influenced my take on the show. Yes there were a few interesting bits but the level of fluff and greed gave it, IMO, a rather desperate and disjointed feel.
Not your father’s Bike Fest (unfortunately). Guess I’m looking forward to the Handmade Bike Show in Bend this year.

Alan 1.0
Alan 1.0
13 years ago
Reply to  K2

I declined filling out the info card.

Mabel Worth
Mabel Worth
13 years ago
Reply to  K2

I’m so glad I wasn’t the only one who thought so. It was weird and not that exciting for $10. I didn’t know the Bike Crafter people were going to be there . . . I wish there had been more of that sort of thing. But after spending $10 to get in, I didn’t really want to spend any more money.
Also they handed me that plastic bag with nothing really in it before I realized what was going on. I ended up giving it back. Just more fodder for the landfill!

Brad
Brad
13 years ago

Other than custom builders, what did you see for $10 that couldn’t be viewed for nothing by visiting a few bike shops?

mh
mh
13 years ago

Well, quite a few of us volunteered and spent nothing to get in.

While I seem to have relationships with bike shops all over at least SE Portland, I’m always there for a specific reason instead of seeing the sights. I kind of hate to take up a shop’s time unless I am actively looking for something. I bought a cone wrench at my LBS this afternoon – that’s what I went in for, that’s what I came out with.

At a show like this, the vendors fully expect most visitors to be gawkers, some of whom may become customers when they/we wouldn’t otherwise.

Mabel Worth
Mabel Worth
13 years ago
Reply to  mh

But I bet you see where the rest of us who didn’t get in for free are coming from right? It didn’t feel very “Portland” for being here.