NAHBS breaks exhibitor record in Austin

While bicycling continues to ride a wave of popularity across the USA, the bicycle-friendly city of Austin will see the largest assembly of handmade bicycle manufacturers in the modern history of the bicycle, February 25-27, at the seventh annual North American Handmade Bicycle Show, in the Austin Convention Center.

Widely acknowledged as the world’s most significant handmade bicycle event, NAHBS is a showcase for artisans who practice the craft of bicycle design and precision manufacturing, which they combine at the level of a functional art form.

The founder and director of the roving annual bicycle show, Don Walker, said, “After all the hard work over the years it is rewarding to see the show continue to hit new highs. And Being a former resident of Texas, I am deeply pleased to bring the show back here, to the state where it began. Six years later, there is not a bicycle show on the planet that matches NAHBS for sheer quality, and precious few shows of any type present such a smooth interface between art and engineering. This is the largest presentation of the best in the custom bicycles industry anywhere, period. In the cycling world, it’s worldwide news. In Austin, we see great potential for this show to bring together the sporting, artistic, health, transport, and engineering communities.”

A total of 150 exhibitors from more than 20 US states and four continents have signed up for a booth at this year’s convention, and still more are expected. International exhibitors are traveling mainly from Italy, Japan, and the United Kingdom.

The finest examples of manufacture, design and style in the bicycle world, will attract an expected 7,000 members of the public and 100+ journalists, who will have an opportunity to talk face to face with the builders.

The previous show record was set in Portland, Oregon, with 150 exhibitors and 7200 attendees. This year more than 160 exhibitors are expected.

All kinds of bicycle will be on display, from racing and touring machines, to cargo and commuter bicycles, many of which are in the price range $2,000-$15,000. NAHBS has become a ‘must attend’ event for the nation’s cycling society and style leaders.

“So many people come from outlying regions for the show, it just makes good sense to conduct related business during the weekend that the show takes place, and we will do what we can to encourage any such gatherings,” said Walker.

The array of fabrication materials is almost as wide as the range of bicycle types. While steel remains the most popular all-round choice of frame material, other materials include carbon fiber, aluminum, bamboo, and wood.

Exhibitors are not restricted to bicycles. Manufacturers of wheels, components, accessories, tools, clothing, shoes, cycling magazines and even beverages are displaying at the convention.

A range of seminars and workshops add to the feast of bicycles, components, services, accessories and literature available at the show. Three days of talks address subjects as diverse as bike fit, materials technology, lug filing, and marketing. Presenting these seminars and panel discussions is an array of the world’s leading experts.

While the exhibitors at NAHBS must pass a rigorous test to ensure professional standards are met, each year new builders are allowed to exhibit at a table. In this way the show upholds high professional standards as well as encouraging new talent.

NAHBS started out six years ago, 2005, in Houston, Texas, when Don Walker-a practising frame builder-decided to organize a convention for the nation’s frame builders. That year, 23 exhibitors displayed their bicycles and a total of 700 people attended.

Each year NAHBS moves to a new location in the USA, with the intention of exposing the handmade bicycles industry to as much of the nation as possible.

The mission of the event has not changed since its outset. Then as now, NAHBS was intended to serve as a showcase of North America’s finest builders and as a forum for builders to meet and share ideas with each other and members of the public.

Such is the excitement that NAHBS generates among the cycling communities of its host cities, it has become the norm to organize parties and rides around the event.

The official NAHBS party this year is sponsored by Mellow Johnny’s bicycle store, and will be held on Friday night, 25th February, at La Zona Rosa.

The grand finale of NAHBS each year is the show awards, in which exhibitors and the public vote on the best bicycles in 17 different categories, the most coveted of which is the “best of show” award. At the conclusion of the awards, in a final flourish, Don Walker announces the venue for the following year’s show.

Who: The top bicycle frame builders from across the world
What: North American Handmade Bicycle Show (NAHBS) – the world’s number one custom bicycle show
Why: Annual convention, open to the public
Where: Austin Convention Center, Austin, Texas
When: February 25-27, 2011
How: Tickets cost $22 at the door or $18 online in advance at www.handmadebicycleshow.com.