Bespoked this year is quite possibly the single best cycling show I've ever been to.
It's small enough that you can comprehend it all and not get lost, yet the diversity of framebuilders and exhibitors combined with the fine detail on what they're displaying means that even though this is only really one main room, you can easily find it takes 3-4 hours to get around before you want to go and re-visit something you'd seen earlier.
It's open, all bikes are just out... and it gives it the feel of a large personal collection and less the feel of a glitzy cycle show. In fact the absence of Trek, Specialized and the major importers and trade dealers add to the feeling of the shower rather than detract from it. A single stand from the big boys would have dominated a show like this, been shouty and brash when everyone else is being understated and subtle.
If it's possible that there are people who are wondering whether to bother (it is gorgeous out there), I would really say come down. It's awesome.
Last night a whole load of framebuilders whose work I respect and who I think are great guys won rosettes. Robin Mather got best in show for a bike so alike my one that my first response was "You've built a replica, but smaller and in blue". Tom from Demon Frameworks got best track bike (and the dropouts are rather special, but check out his NAHBS winning road bike too). And Rikki of Feather Cycles won best road bike.
They're all nustled together in one corner, but if you're coming down, check the whole show.
Brick Lane Bikes have zoetrope stencils for disc wheels.
14 Bike have a pretty special paint job on a custom bike for Continental Tyes.
Superted has his own stand in which the bike he built for his mother shows that he can do far more than over-engineer bikes for tricks and stunts (his mother's bike has a few details on it that are just incredible touches, such as the mudguard strut supports).
Winter Cycles have a great randonneur hanging in the entry corridor.
Oh, and I liked LMNH's Badger cider too.
Awesome show, if you're able to get here in time to catch it... do.
Bespoked this year is quite possibly the single best cycling show I've ever been to.
It's small enough that you can comprehend it all and not get lost, yet the diversity of framebuilders and exhibitors combined with the fine detail on what they're displaying means that even though this is only really one main room, you can easily find it takes 3-4 hours to get around before you want to go and re-visit something you'd seen earlier.
It's open, all bikes are just out... and it gives it the feel of a large personal collection and less the feel of a glitzy cycle show. In fact the absence of Trek, Specialized and the major importers and trade dealers add to the feeling of the shower rather than detract from it. A single stand from the big boys would have dominated a show like this, been shouty and brash when everyone else is being understated and subtle.
If it's possible that there are people who are wondering whether to bother (it is gorgeous out there), I would really say come down. It's awesome.
Last night a whole load of framebuilders whose work I respect and who I think are great guys won rosettes. Robin Mather got best in show for a bike so alike my one that my first response was "You've built a replica, but smaller and in blue". Tom from Demon Frameworks got best track bike (and the dropouts are rather special, but check out his NAHBS winning road bike too). And Rikki of Feather Cycles won best road bike.
They're all nustled together in one corner, but if you're coming down, check the whole show.
Brick Lane Bikes have zoetrope stencils for disc wheels.
14 Bike have a pretty special paint job on a custom bike for Continental Tyes.
Superted has his own stand in which the bike he built for his mother shows that he can do far more than over-engineer bikes for tricks and stunts (his mother's bike has a few details on it that are just incredible touches, such as the mudguard strut supports).
Winter Cycles have a great randonneur hanging in the entry corridor.
Oh, and I liked LMNH's Badger cider too.
Awesome show, if you're able to get here in time to catch it... do.