Bike builder Willy Tan

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DSC06407One of the bikes seen at the North American Handmade Bike Show this year had the name “Willy Tan” carefully labeled on the down tube. This small framed pink touring bike definitely caught my attention, and if fact was one of my favorites of the entire show. What caught my attention even more was that this bike was in the booth of the University of Iowa – the only academic institution at the show. The bikes on display were on par with the quality and workmanship of the rest of the show – many seasoned professionals with years of experience.

The University of Iowa program is lead by Steve McGuire, Professor of Metal Arts and 3D Design and Studio Division Coordinator in the School of Art & Art History. Thanks to the magic of social networking, I was able to get in touch with the builder Willy Tan and ask him some questions about the program, and this fantastic bike. Keep reading →

Touring bikes at NAHBS

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Touring bikes at NAHBS

I absolutely love the classic looks of a touring bike. Especially when punctuated by leather accents and accessories. I honestly am not sure what it is about the touring style that draws my attention so much (even though I can’t seem to get the stuff together to get my own touring bike project off the ground.) And the 2016 edition of the North American Handmade Bicycle Show provided plenty of beautiful examples to fulfill that interest. Keep reading →

Fixed gear style, disc brake safety

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I sure wouldn’t have thought of it. But putting a disc  on the crank of a fixed gear bike is, for the most part, just as good as putting it on the back wheel. At least, that was the idea that SyCip Designs bikes had on display at the North American Handmade Bicycle Show.

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While the astute among you will note that this setup will do nothing if your chain breaks, that is no different than the forces at play on bikes with only a track hub.

According to quotes, “The crank will never turn fast enough under braking to heat the rotor…” This makes sense if you think about the gear ratios involved, and addressed one of my early concerns about this setup.

If nothing else, it is creative thinking. And that is innovation.

 

Lugged Frames

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There is, at least for me, something about lugged frames that evokes all of the classical beauty of the bicycle as art. I don’t mean to diminish from the absolute skill and craftsmanship that goes into non-lugged frames. But every time I see carefully accentuated lugs on a handmade bicycle, it just seems to underscore the attention to detail that is the very embodiment of “handmade.”

This year’s North American Handmade Bicycle Show didn’t disappoint in the area of beautifully detailed lugged frames. Keep reading →

Oddity Cycles with a fat bike for the kids

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Fat bikes have been a common theme at the North American Hand Made Bike Show. And this year continued that tradition, including a fair number of small framed youth models.

Among those showing up with a fat bike for the kids was the Fort Collins, CO builder Oddity Cycles. While their adult bikes were noteworthy, I’ll have to admit that this single speed fat bike for the kids pretty much dominated my attention at their booth.

Oddity Cycles Youth Fat Bike Keep reading →

NAHBS Headtube Badges

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A collection of some of the badges and artwork I found on the headtubes at the 2016 North American Hand Made Bicycle Show.

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Working the show

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IMG_0828One of the great things about doing all this cycling media stuff as a “hobby job” is that it seems like a vacation when I take time to attend an event. The glamor of cheap hotels. Living life with one pannier full of camera gear, and the other full of clothes. Ahh…. it just doesn’t get much better than this, right?

Truth be told I love doing this stuff, and hopefully you get the benefit of seeing things from our perspective – the perspective of Just Another Cyclist. So stay tuned for pictures and stories for the North American Handmade Bicycle Show.

Want instant gratification? Keep your eye on @JAnoherCyclist on twitter, and of course pictures on the Instagram account.