Day Two is in the books here at NAHBS and I still haven’t seen everything. The bikes and the crowds have been impressive, and the conversations with friends and builders have been rewarding. Being immersed in NAHBS is a little like traveling the world: the more you see and learn, the more your realize how much remains to be seen and learned.
On that note, travel through the words and photos below for a taste of what I’ve been up to here in Sacramento…
Sam Whittingham of Naked Cycles has made quite a name for himself over the years. His daring designs and flawless execution have earned him major accolades and a place among discriminating bike collectors and celebrities. Perhaps it was the showmanship his bikes have displayed in past years that led him to focus his efforts this year on bikes that are meant to be ridden. In fact, Whittingham and a friend actually rode their show bikes from Vancouver B.C. to Sacramento (and they blogged the journey at The Road to NAHBS). Hence, the sign…
Whittingham’s touring/adventure/city/mountain bike struck me as extremely versatile, beautiful and functional. The swooping stainless steel tubes flow seamlessly from the main triangle to the front and rear racks. This bike doesn’t scream “utilitarian,” but its extra long wheelbase and cargo racks can carry six full-sized panniers (four in the rear, two up front). I like how Whittingham’s racks keep the bags low (which makes for better handling). I also liked the integrated front and rear lights. Awesome.
As close readers of this site might already know, my first major love in the bike world was mountain biking. As such, I have a soft spot for classic mountain bikes that remind me of my 1987 Specialized Stumpjumper. That’s why Jeremy’s bikes caught my eye. He built this one for a customer that owns a bike shop and “already has a million bikes.”
The old-style, wide rubber grips, thumb-shifters, relaxed geometry, old-school fork crown, and many other cues made it clear this bike was inspired by old Ritcheys and Bridgestones. I also loved its versatility. With its 650B wheel size, horizontal dropouts, and tire clearance, this thing can be ridden in the city, in the mountains, or on the wide open road.
Nicely done Mr. Shlachter (and don’t miss the very nice randoneurring bike he built and rode in Paris-Brest-Paris).
Chris Bishop cemented his rockstar builder status with three awards today: Best Steel, Best Lugged, and Best Fillet Brazed bike. His skill is evident to anyone that looks closely at his work…
Tony always has something up his sleeve and this year was no different. In addition to his beautiful bikes — and in true constructeur fashion — Tony brought a few dozen handmade rear bike lights to sell. They are priced at $139 and I saw him ringing a few people up just in the few minutes I snapped these photos….
Jamie and Phillip continue to lead the way in cargo bike design and fabrication. These guys have been quietly refining their bakfiets-style cargo bikes for a few years now and their latest version is turning a lot of heads here in Sacramento. They’ve improved the design, added utility, and have continued their dedication to local collaborations by partnering with Portland bag-makers Blaq Design and local product design firm Art & Industry on the new wooden cargo bin. I’ll share more about this one later, but here are a few photos to whet your appetite…
Got a little one who loves tearing around the dirt? The Sycips do. That’s probably what explains this custom kids mountain bike they showed off in their booth…
Stay tuned… The show wraps up on Sunday, and we’ve still got more to share!
— This is part of BikePortland’s special coverage of NAHBS 2012. Read more stories and browse more images here.