I’m at the North American Handmade Bicycle Show (NAHBS) in Portland, Oregon this weekend. This fourth annual show is by far the best so far. A record number of exhibitors are here and the show has become a real media event with coverage in local and national mainstream media.
Almost every imaginable variety of bike made from various materials are on display at the show, including, of course, commuter or utility bikes. Here are some of the bikes that caught my eye during the show.
Moots in Steamboat Springs, Colorado showed off this titanium “Comooter.” This frame will be available in the Moots catalog in 2009, though you can order this as a custom frame now. This built features Honjo fenders, Rohloff 14 speed hub, Schmidt front hub with dynamo, and Busch and Muller lights.
I took several photos of this long tail bicycle built by James Bleakley (Black Sheep Custom Bicycles) of Fort Collins, Colorado. The wheelset on this bike with a Rohloff 14 speed hub on the rear and Schmidt dynamo hub on the front runs $3000; the total bike is $5000. Brooks leather grips and saddle round out the features on this cargo bike made with CroMoly steel.
The front basket is currently integrated into the frame, but James is considering a way to make the basket detachable so the bike can be boxed and shipped more easily.
That big black bag in the middle of the bike is mine — the frame was designed so attaches or bags can be stored there; that space even has hooks to hang grocery bags from.
James says he can cut the price about in half if he uses straight (instead of curved) tubing and much less expensive hubs.
Here’s Drew Guldahalian’s (Engin Cycles) unique take on the commuter bike. A wooden plank is held to the top of the rear rack with hemp ties. Drew wrapped hemp fibers around the shifter levers, lacquered the cork handgrips, and used a front fork crown on the seat stays.
There’s plenty more at the show — I’ll try to have more photos and details on Sunday afternoon.