We're Off To See The NAHBS

If you apply Maslow’s Heirarchy of Needs to the bike industry, there is no doubt that a handbuilt bike would reside somewhere near the top of the pyramid. So it is with no hesitation that the NYC Velo crew is scaring up a convoy (ok, a couple of station wagons) and making a pilgrimage of sorts to Richmond, VA, home of this year’s North American Handmade Bike Show.

We’re excited to see what the world’s best builders have come up with for 2010, so we’ve asked a few of the devout to tell us the first 5 booths they are going to check out:

Andrew:

Blacksheep – Phenomenal Ti work, I have no idea how well they ride ’cause I can’t afford one, but certainly lust-worthy.

Independent Fabrication – Our Somerville, MA pals rocked NAHBS 2009 with the best work of any “big” builder, and their stainless steel frames are top notch.

Ted Wojcik – An old-school (relatively speaking) New England builder – we haven’t seen much from him the last few years but are really excited to see what he’s been up to lately.

geekhouse – We just received a single-speed cross frame from these boys, and we love it! We can’t wait to see which of their unique frames made the cut for their booth this year.

Curtis Inglis/Retrotec – Inglis is from the heyday of Cali bike builders whose work deftly combines “clunker” styling with true North American hand built artistry.

* #6, wishlist: Rick Hunter probably won’t be at the show, but he has been injecting CA style into the hand built bike market for 15 years, and I’d love to see a Hunter hanging in my bike room someday (have you seen his chainstays?!)

Justin:

Tonic Fabrications – This is one company I would love to see at NAHBS 2010. Out of Portland Oregon since 2004 these guys were at NAHBS 2008. I’m a big fan of their bikes and of Billy Spaceman.

Kelly Bedford – A Yoda of sorts, Kelly has been the man behind the brazed lugs at Serotta for years and is now crafting his own beautiful frames. I worked for Kelly while I was at Serotta… he’s an amazing guy.

Cicli Pegoretti – Always great… always wanted one !

Independent Fabrications – They have a way of blending performance with artistry – their bikes always stand out !

Sweetpea (wishlist) – Hell yes! Lets see more women like Natalie building beautiful bikes. I don’t think that she’ll be at the 2010 show – but she should be. I saw more of her bikes when I was living in San Francisco, but not too many in NYC. Come on NY – buy some more custom bikes!

Brett:

Independent Fabrication – Now the proud owner of two IF bikes, I look
forward to anything and everything by this lot. They always come up with a show stopper (or 2)!

Rapha – Rumor has it a pink stowaway lurks in the spring/summer line.
Hopefully my kit will have arrived prior to the show. Be sure to stop and
ask if I’m wearing it underneath my clothes.

Richard Sachs – I’ve had the pleasure of exchanging some lovely emails
with this exquisite frame builder. To meet him in person will be nothing
short of magical.

Vanilla – Sam & Laurel have sweet bikes from this PDXer. I’m going to take
notes for when I launch my competitor brand, Chocolate. Yes, I might be
taking a cue from Mark Gonzales here.

Kent Eriksen – My teammate Rich Bravo suggested an Eriksen seatpost to me as a lightweight alternative to carbon. A mechanic then pointed out the tender care required when using a Ti post in a steel frame. Final vote when I see it in person.

Feel free to send us your favorites, or something you want us to check out for you.