NAHBS 2015 - part 1

The North American Handmade Bicycle Show (NAHBS) is an event I have followed via media for the past several years.  Bicycle builders from around the globe attend the event to display their craft in a tradeshow kind of format.  Each year the event is in a different location.  Last year it was in Charlotte, NC, the closest it has been since I began following, and I was very tempted to make the drive.  Previous years the show was out west.

Wow, this is going to be awesome!

At the close of the 2014 show it was announced the 2015 event would be in Lousiville, KY.  Alright, that's a half day drive for me!  For the past year I have been hopeful to attend, and thankfully it worked out.  We made a little three day family trip south to Kentucky.  Friday I attended NAHBS while Katie and the kids went to a science museum just around the corner.

I preregistered online and wrist band was ready to go.

We drove down Friday morning, checked into our downtown hotel, and I was three blocks down the road and walking into the convention hall about noon.  And then the fun began...

Ooooh... look at this welcoming sight!

First stop was the Groovy Cycleworks booth to talk with my buddy Rody.  I'm more accustomed to seeing Rody on a work day at Vulture's Knob, but I was super excited to see him and a couple sweet bikes at the show.  He gave me some advice on how to attack the event and after a short chat I was off, armed with my camera and excitement.

 It's looking Groovy in here.

 Rody's Kuai 6-5-0 that went on to win the Best in Show!

Built for a surfer customer to haul a board.  An impressive paint

job with octopus tentacles.  Wood rims, wood fenders,

wood truss fork and a wood headlight/taillight combo.

Last winter I made the wooden headlight and

taillight housings.  It's very cool to have made a 

minor contribution to this bike.

 A single speed Rody built for his daughter.

 Loving the colors and graphics!

After leaving Rody's booth I set out for a survey lap to have a quick look at the 130+ exhibitors.  The plan was to get an overview and then come back for details.  The plan failed.  I didn't make it two booths before making stops to drool over details.  Oh well, it was my day to have fun!

 Samurai Cycles from Japan.

Comes at you like a fighter.

 I loved this paint, with fades within the color bands.

A favorite at the Henry James booth (material supplier) and

built by Stinner.  I was directed to the Stinner booth

to see more of their work.

As a woodworker, it always seemed I would be more interested

in the wooden frames.  Now, finally seeing this one

from Sojourner Cyclery in person...

... they are amazing and I want to build one! 

 I talked with Jay from Cedarville University for about 20 minutes.

We exchanged information and I plan to be in touch soon.

Not just show, Jay and his family have ridden

these bikes all over the world.  The bikes

can take it while looking good.

 I spent another 15+ minutes at the Stinner Cycleworks booth talking

to a fabricator about their business.  It started as Aaron Stinner

and he has added several guys to the biz, increasing output.

Once again, loving the Stinner paint schemes.

Wow, an hour later and I had not made it very far, but I'd had some great conversations with some friendly people.  I also learned that I was "just some dude".  Turns out many of the show attendees on Friday are media or industry folk.  After being asked "who are you with?" several times I figured this out.  One of the guys at the Stinner booth, upon hearing I was not with any media or company, replied "oh, so your just a dude?  That's cool, glad you're here today."

Some larger companies, such as Shimano, were in attendance.

Their booths were purposely understated to not distract from

the customer builders, and they had custom bikes on display

(this one from Harvey Cycleworks).

I liked the webbed frame and extruded aluminum tray

on this Bilenky cargo bike.  I'd ride it for errands in town!

 I talked to a guy from Zen Biccle fabrication for a few minutes.  This is

a prototype bike for him.  It was interesting to talk geometry

for this bike; slack head tube angle and short stem.

Lots of "gravel", "cross", "all road" bikes at the show.

Not sure of this builder as I missed getting up close.

I would have liked a closer look at the bikepacking setup.

Many more pictures to come.  It's probably going to take a couple more posts to share them all!