Bicycles

In pictures: The 2014 North American Handmade Bicycle Show

In pictures: The 2014 North American Handmade Bicycle Show
NAHBS 2014 featured over 150 exhibitors from around the world
NAHBS 2014 featured over 150 exhibitors from around the world
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A wide view of the trade show floor – or some of it, at least
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A wide view of the trade show floor – or some of it, at least
This Rymer cyclocross bike from Concinnity Cycleworks features a dovetailed six-pack-carrying box, made from reclaimed walnut and cherry wood
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This Rymer cyclocross bike from Concinnity Cycleworks features a dovetailed six-pack-carrying box, made from reclaimed walnut and cherry wood
This frame from Backwoods Engineering sports stainless steel seagulls at the front, which look pretty but also add strength
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This frame from Backwoods Engineering sports stainless steel seagulls at the front, which look pretty but also add strength
Green Pea Bikes was showcasing this prototype electric-assist bike, that can reportedly travel around 25-30 miles (40-48 km) per charge at about 25 mph
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Green Pea Bikes was showcasing this prototype electric-assist bike, that can reportedly travel around 25-30 miles (40-48 km) per charge at about 25 mph
A closer look at the Green Pea e-bike's two-stage reduction drive train
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A closer look at the Green Pea e-bike's two-stage reduction drive train
The Mobius criterium racing bike from Airtight Cycles features offset seat stays, which are said to keep the frame rigid by minimizing rear-end flexing
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The Mobius criterium racing bike from Airtight Cycles features offset seat stays, which are said to keep the frame rigid by minimizing rear-end flexing
The vent in the bottom bracket of this Zukas Cycles bike lets water drain out of the frame, but a screen keeps road debris from getting inside
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The vent in the bottom bracket of this Zukas Cycles bike lets water drain out of the frame, but a screen keeps road debris from getting inside
Peacock Groove was showcasing this awesomely-painted cargo bike
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Peacock Groove was showcasing this awesomely-painted cargo bike
This black walnut beauty, made by Sojourner Cyclery, is one of the world's few wooden tandems
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This black walnut beauty, made by Sojourner Cyclery, is one of the world's few wooden tandems
Due to its hollow construction, the whole bike weighs just 39 lb (17.7 kg)
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Due to its hollow construction, the whole bike weighs just 39 lb (17.7 kg)
The wood is treated with gun stock oil, so scratches can be covered by just applying more oil – although that also means the whole frame must be periodically re-oiled
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The wood is treated with gun stock oil, so scratches can be covered by just applying more oil – although that also means the whole frame must be periodically re-oiled
This wooden cruiser from Renaissance Bicycles is made from a mix of maple (lighter wood) and padauk
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This wooden cruiser from Renaissance Bicycles is made from a mix of maple (lighter wood) and padauk
It's the second wooden bike that builder Paul Huddleston has ever made
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It's the second wooden bike that builder Paul Huddleston has ever made
The Renaissance bike has a hollow monocoque frame, like this one
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The Renaissance bike has a hollow monocoque frame, like this one
This carbon fiber track bike from Velo Zephyr was made using a combination of 3D-printed molds, and 3D-printed positives that were used to create fiberglass molds
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This carbon fiber track bike from Velo Zephyr was made using a combination of 3D-printed molds, and 3D-printed positives that were used to create fiberglass molds
One of Velo Zephyr's 3D-printed molds
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One of Velo Zephyr's 3D-printed molds
It might look normal at first, but this University of Iowa tandem has crazy-huge 36-inch unicycle wheels
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It might look normal at first, but this University of Iowa tandem has crazy-huge 36-inch unicycle wheels
BME Design is now taking pre-orders for the stealthy-looking carbon-composite B-9 Nighthawk, which is priced at €4,800 (US$6,600)
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BME Design is now taking pre-orders for the stealthy-looking carbon-composite B-9 Nighthawk, which is priced at €4,800 (US$6,600)
We previously covered the prototype version of this bike, the frame of which featured an aramid honeycomb core covered with a carbon fiber skin
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We previously covered the prototype version of this bike, the frame of which featured an aramid honeycomb core covered with a carbon fiber skin
Designer Braňo Mereš decided that the aramid construction didn't offer enough advantages to make it into the production version
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Designer Braňo Mereš decided that the aramid construction didn't offer enough advantages to make it into the production version
Although it's designed to be a commuter, mounting a light (or anything else) on the bars might be difficult
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Although it's designed to be a commuter, mounting a light (or anything else) on the bars might be difficult
Mereš even designed its custom saddle
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Mereš even designed its custom saddle
Mereš also makes frames from LamBoo, which consists of thin layers of bamboo that have been laminated together
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Mereš also makes frames from LamBoo, which consists of thin layers of bamboo that have been laminated together
This gorgeous $20,000(!) fixie commuter from Japan's Sunrise Cycles was definitely one of the crowd favorites
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This gorgeous $20,000(!) fixie commuter from Japan's Sunrise Cycles was definitely one of the crowd favorites
The chromoly tubes on the Sunrise Cycles commuter bike are connected by custom-cut stainless steel plates (and no, it doesn't fold or come apart)
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The chromoly tubes on the Sunrise Cycles commuter bike are connected by custom-cut stainless steel plates (and no, it doesn't fold or come apart)
More of the intricate craftsmanship on the Sunrise Cycles commuter bike
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More of the intricate craftsmanship on the Sunrise Cycles commuter bike
The Sunrise Cycles commuter bike features elaborate cable routing guides
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The Sunrise Cycles commuter bike features elaborate cable routing guides
The Sunrise Cycles commuter bike also has a custom built-in tail light
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The Sunrise Cycles commuter bike also has a custom built-in tail light
Stainless steel headlight detailing on Sunrise Cycles' commuter bike
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Stainless steel headlight detailing on Sunrise Cycles' commuter bike
Amazing paint work around the bottom bracket on Sunrise Cycles' commuter bike
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Amazing paint work around the bottom bracket on Sunrise Cycles' commuter bike
Some of the Dario Pegoretti bikes featured Fizik saddles upholstered in denim ...
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Some of the Dario Pegoretti bikes featured Fizik saddles upholstered in denim ...
... what might or might not have been dyed cow hide ...
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... what might or might not have been dyed cow hide ...
... and snake skin
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... and snake skin
Snazzy carbon fiber lugs on a cyclocross bike made by Independent Fabrication
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Snazzy carbon fiber lugs on a cyclocross bike made by Independent Fabrication
This one-off from Denmark's Cykelmageren has an unusual top tube ...
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This one-off from Denmark's Cykelmageren has an unusual top tube ...
... it's made from two steel tubes joined end-to-end, that have been passed through a series of brass rings
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... it's made from two steel tubes joined end-to-end, that have been passed through a series of brass rings
The Cykelmageren bike also features this wood-bodied rear hub
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The Cykelmageren bike also features this wood-bodied rear hub
The Sinewave Reactor is a USB power port that sits inside the steerer tube, and gets connected to a hub or bottle dynamo
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The Sinewave Reactor is a USB power port that sits inside the steerer tube, and gets connected to a hub or bottle dynamo
This bamboo/carbon fiber rear rack is part of a bike made by Boo Bicycles
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This bamboo/carbon fiber rear rack is part of a bike made by Boo Bicycles
Here's one of Boo's aluminum/bamboo Aluboo fatbikes, specially outfitted as a ski/mountaineering bike
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Here's one of Boo's aluminum/bamboo Aluboo fatbikes, specially outfitted as a ski/mountaineering bike
Boo also had this beautiful carbon/bamboo tandem at the show
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Boo also had this beautiful carbon/bamboo tandem at the show
A closer look at the carbon/bamboo tandem
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A closer look at the carbon/bamboo tandem
This stayer racing bike was made by NAHBS founder Don Walker, of Don Walker Cycles – it's only a couple of years old, but was made to resemble a 1950s bike
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This stayer racing bike was made by NAHBS founder Don Walker, of Don Walker Cycles – it's only a couple of years old, but was made to resemble a 1950s bike
Stayer racing is performed on a velodrome track, with riders tucked in behind motorcycles to reach otherwise-unattainable speeds
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Stayer racing is performed on a velodrome track, with riders tucked in behind motorcycles to reach otherwise-unattainable speeds
The bike's 66-tooth chain ring
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The bike's 66-tooth chain ring
The 24-inch front wheel, and backwards-facing fork
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The 24-inch front wheel, and backwards-facing fork
Because stayer racers spend a lot of time out on the nose of the saddle, a support is added to hold it secure
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Because stayer racers spend a lot of time out on the nose of the saddle, a support is added to hold it secure
The stayer racer's wooden rims
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The stayer racer's wooden rims
This road bike from Razik uses the same IsoTruss frame technology first developed by Delta 7
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This road bike from Razik uses the same IsoTruss frame technology first developed by Delta 7
IsoTruss is claimed to have a very high strength-to-weight ratio
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IsoTruss is claimed to have a very high strength-to-weight ratio
The dual-chain drive train on this Oxide Battleaxe mountain bike is designed to minimize chain slap
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The dual-chain drive train on this Oxide Battleaxe mountain bike is designed to minimize chain slap
The girder fork on this offering from Ti Cycles allows for fine-tuning of ride characteristics, by using different diameters or wall thicknesses in each of the two tubes
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The girder fork on this offering from Ti Cycles allows for fine-tuning of ride characteristics, by using different diameters or wall thicknesses in each of the two tubes
This Calfee Design road bike can have an extra section added to its rear end, converting it into a tandem
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This Calfee Design road bike can have an extra section added to its rear end, converting it into a tandem
Moots had this one-of-a-kind titanium Trail Maintenance Bike on display
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Moots had this one-of-a-kind titanium Trail Maintenance Bike on display
The Trail Maintenance Bike can carry a chainsaw, fuel, oil ...
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The Trail Maintenance Bike can carry a chainsaw, fuel, oil ...
... a flask, pruning shears, folding saw, gloves ...
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... a flask, pruning shears, folding saw, gloves ...
... and a rogue hoe with a telescoping handle
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... and a rogue hoe with a telescoping handle
This is a reproduction of a 1894 giraffe bike, made by Paul Brodie of the frame-building course at Canada's University of the Fraser Valley
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This is a reproduction of a 1894 giraffe bike, made by Paul Brodie of the frame-building course at Canada's University of the Fraser Valley
Giraffe bikes were made to be tall, so their riders could look over their neighbor's hedges
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Giraffe bikes were made to be tall, so their riders could look over their neighbor's hedges
The bike's block chain, which had to be special-ordered from England
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The bike's block chain, which had to be special-ordered from England
The giraffe bike's spring-suspended saddle
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The giraffe bike's spring-suspended saddle
Calfee Design created this truck-like e-bike for Gates Carbon Drive, to demonstrate its belt drive system
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Calfee Design created this truck-like e-bike for Gates Carbon Drive, to demonstrate its belt drive system
The bike utilizes a Bosch motor
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The bike utilizes a Bosch motor
The seat opens up to reveal a tool box
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The seat opens up to reveal a tool box
The handlebars are made from steel pipe – just to show how burly the bike is
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The handlebars are made from steel pipe – just to show how burly the bike is
This frame from HERObike is made from woven bamboo bonded to an inner carbon fiber sleeve
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This frame from HERObike is made from woven bamboo bonded to an inner carbon fiber sleeve
HERObike also brought along this Semester model, with a frame made from bamboo slats bonded to carbon fiber
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HERObike also brought along this Semester model, with a frame made from bamboo slats bonded to carbon fiber
English Cycles made this hinged parallelogram stem, that can be raised and lowered to accommodate different sizes of riders
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English Cycles made this hinged parallelogram stem, that can be raised and lowered to accommodate different sizes of riders
Legendary Italian motorcycle manufacturer Bimota might start offering bicycles – this prototype was made by Palladio Bikes, and incorporates the same carbon fiber technology used by Bimota
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Legendary Italian motorcycle manufacturer Bimota might start offering bicycles – this prototype was made by Palladio Bikes, and incorporates the same carbon fiber technology used by Bimota
We couldn't resist getting a shot of these colorful carbon fiber wheels, also made by Palladio
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We couldn't resist getting a shot of these colorful carbon fiber wheels, also made by Palladio
This wacky tail light from Speedhound actually works – although the use of an extra, brighter blinky is also advised
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This wacky tail light from Speedhound actually works – although the use of an extra, brighter blinky is also advised
The Darwin Bicycle has a frame that folds forward with the rider, reportedly boosting their performance by allowing them to remain seated while sprinting and climbing
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The Darwin Bicycle has a frame that folds forward with the rider, reportedly boosting their performance by allowing them to remain seated while sprinting and climbing
This Calfee Design road bike features a rear end where the seat stays merge into a single shaft that meets up with a steel spring housed within the frame, offering 12 mm of suspension
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This Calfee Design road bike features a rear end where the seat stays merge into a single shaft that meets up with a steel spring housed within the frame, offering 12 mm of suspension
These steel struts give the Calfee's chainstays some added rigidity in front, while allowing their back ends to still have the flex needed for the suspension
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These steel struts give the Calfee's chainstays some added rigidity in front, while allowing their back ends to still have the flex needed for the suspension
Holland Cycles' ExoGrid system combines titanium and carbon fiber within a single tube
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Holland Cycles' ExoGrid system combines titanium and carbon fiber within a single tube
A cut-away view of the ExoGrid tubing
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A cut-away view of the ExoGrid tubing
The belt-drive Hudsaruso from Syndrome Cycles has wider-than-normal chainstays due to its sliding rear drop-outs, hence this nifty crank-clearance cut-out
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The belt-drive Hudsaruso from Syndrome Cycles has wider-than-normal chainstays due to its sliding rear drop-outs, hence this nifty crank-clearance cut-out
The rear triangle of this DURT mountain bike by Connor Wood Bicycles has layers of Kevlar sandwiched between layers of wood, for added strength
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The rear triangle of this DURT mountain bike by Connor Wood Bicycles has layers of Kevlar sandwiched between layers of wood, for added strength
Although they weren't all handmade, some of the bikes in the parking area also looked pretty nice
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Although they weren't all handmade, some of the bikes in the parking area also looked pretty nice
NAHBS 2014 featured over 150 exhibitors from around the world
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NAHBS 2014 featured over 150 exhibitors from around the world
View gallery - 80 images

Ask someone to list off the world's most innovative bicycles, and chances are that they'll mention some mass-produced bikes made by big-name manufacturers. The fact is, though, it's more often the smaller, independent builders that are doing the real innovating. For the past 10 years, many of them have been showing off their latest builds at the North American Handmade Bicycle Show (NAHBS). We attended this year's event, which took place last weekend in Charlotte, North Carolina. Here's a look at some of the things that really caught our eye.

NAHBS 2014 featured over 150 exhibitors from around the world – although most of them were from North America.

Given our mandate here at Gizmag, we were particularly interested in finding examples of out-of-the-box thinking – bikes that might be a little too "alternative" to sell in huge numbers, but that demonstrate a willingness to experiment with things like new frame materials, geometries, or drive trains.

There were plenty.

We've already covered some of the standout cycling innovations over the past week, but you can take a peek at the rest in this article's photo gallery. Just be warned that doing so may cause extreme bicycle lust.

View gallery - 80 images
4 comments
4 comments
mgb
Lots of interesting bikes but ...not a single recumbent? Or were they banned?
overbyte
The recumbent manufacturers have their own trade show called Recumbent Cycle-Con. http://recumbentcyclecon.blogspot.com/.
Walt Stawicki
thanks for the recumbent link. I am shocked at the overabundance of design, but I guess conspicuous consumption is not foreign to cycling circles. As for engineering, a few highlights kept me plodding thru the pictures. I have more smiles looking thru low rider coverage of the bikes in so cal!
still a diamond flat frame...except those excludable "recumbenteers!
Jeff Potter
Bikes are one. (NAHBS includes dozens of bike (and trike) types. Zero reason to exclude one.)