Austin last year.
(Photo © J. Maus/BikePortland)
Tomorrow morning I’ll hop in a car with a friend and drive 600 or so miles to Sacramento for the 2012 North American Handmade Bicycle Show. NAHBS is the annual showcase of America’s budding handmade bike industry. I’m going down to document and support the 18 or so Oregon companies that will exhibit and to get a sense of where handmade bike making is headed.
Joining me as a contributor will be Ryan King (his blog). Ryan works as a mechanic at Weir’s Cyclery in St. Johns by day; and by night he works as a shop assistant with Portland-based builder Ira Ryan. Mr. King and I will be roaming the aisles of the Sacramento Convention Center to bring you images and stories about the people, products and bikes that define the handmade bike business in America.
To get a sense of how I’ve covered NAHBS in the past, browse the 50 or so stories and photos I’ve published over the years.
Last year in Austin I talked with many builders about not just their bikes, but how they approach the business of making bikes. I’ll continue those conversations this year as I try to go behind the shiny paint jobs to bring you a more in-depth sense of this exciting industry. (But don’t worry, I plan on publishing lots of gratuitous bike porn as well!)
On that note, I’m looking forward a panel discussion being hosted by Bicycling Magazine promising “a candid conversation” with “the industry’s top builders, business leaders, and retailers.” I’m always curious how many of the builders are actually making a good living and how many are just hobbyists. And further, what potential does this industry have to spur more high-volume bike manufacturing in the U.S.?
Are there specific things you’d like to know more about the handmade bike biz? What builders are you eager to see/hear about? Let us know and stay tuned for more NAHBS coverage.
— Learn more at the official 2012 NAHBS website.