The North American Handmade Bike Show is a must see for the true gear nut. PEZ was on the floor for NAHBS in Richmond this past weekend, and there were a few things that we simply had to bring you. Here we go!
This year's North American Hand Made Bicycle Show featured a cast of usual suspects and a sprinkle of new talent that was very frankly needed. We'll dig right in with the best in hand made hand wrapping...
HandleBra has been a feature on a couple of my custom bikes and I've grown so fond of the grip that nothing else feels right any more... It doesn't matter if it's a stock tester for under 5 k or one of the ubermachines...
It comes now in most popular colors and starts at $79.
And they're adding a finish stitching option that that creates a load more color combinations and is on par in quality with the straps you'll find on watches from Panerai to Patek... And try and get Patek to allow you to spec your strap and stitch color combination for under a hundred bucks...
Maybe a funny way to start the show coverage off, but frankly so much of what we'll show here is so far beyond what most folks can afford that I figured I would ease you in with something that just about anyone can add to their bike.
In fact, the grip is so skin friendly that folks were considering it a pleasurable option for things beyond bikes...
Handlebra shared real estate with lots of folks sprinkled on assorted bikes from one end of NAHBS to the other, but they were partnered in the same space with perhaps the oldest of the newer bike companies K. Bedford Customs
Kelly Bedford has his DNA in thousands of top flight custom frames but just recently took his future in his own hands with his own shop. The skill that Kelly brings to fabrication is top notch and runs the range from Tig Welding race bikes for sponsored athletes...
... to more traditional lug work.
And into my personal favorite...
Folks, not everyone has the balls to pull off the details on a bike like this, because messing up along the way can spell the end of a project and all the work done to that point...
More than a few bikes at NAHBS were a better example of fantastic paint work than skill with metals that allows this type of detail...
Change materials from metal to fiber and nobody has developed into the rock-star persona that is the one and only Nick Crumpton!
Actually Crumpton Cycles the company has pretty much developed exactly as I would expect Crumpton the man would... Conservative, low key, focused and detailed.
The SL is still a staple product with drop dead gorgeous carbon skin detail.
yes Sal... I am jealous that this is your bike and not mine...
And it's the refinement of finish work that really stands out as Nick's developed his skill set.
Nick has also added the new Corsa "M" to the lineup. This comes in raw carbon if you please...
And or finished with any number of paint and clear colored options.
The Corsa also features a different tube set along with a split tail rear versus the solid wishbone of the "SL". And note the box section chain stays.
Nick is also building this with a simple, VERY light carbon sleeve BB made to accept SRAM's press fit BB30 system.
Also in the booth was an example of a contract build that Crumpton are doing. Using a different tube set and featuring ISP, hand laid joints etc. this frame set is the first of its kind and from what I understand, can be found for order exclusively at Svelte Cycles.
Kidding aside, my favorite part about Nick is that the last person on the planet that thinks Nick or his work is special is Nick... In fact, despite winning best carbon again, he couldn't figure out what the fuss was about...
More will be up shortly...
Have Fun,
Charles Manantan
Thanks for looking. We’re happy to bring you lots of large pictures instead of making you click a bunch of extra pages. We would rather make things convenient and entertaining for you than artificially inflate our page views…
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