The 2023 Bespoked Handmade Bicycle Show just wrapped after three action-packed days of talks, parties, and drooling over heaps of amazing craftsmanship on display. Josh was on the ground at the Dresden, Germany airport where this year’s event took place, and, below, shares his first gallery of bikes and a couple of very interesting components that will be launching soon. Let’s get right into it!
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Bespoked 2023 Prologue: A Tour-Ready Titanium Randonneur from Wheeldan
I’m in Germany for the 2023 Bespoked Handmade Bicycle Show, which is taking place this weekend, October 13-15 in Dresden. Prior to traveling to Dresden, I was in Berlin with Flo and Tine of Fern/Allygn Bicycles and Gramm Tourpacking where we had an action-packed day visiting various makers around their workshop in the east side of the city. One of our visits was to meet Dan Pleikies of Wheeldan Custom Bicycles. Dan isn’t able to make it to Bespoked, BUT I was able to pull aside a client’s stunning randonneur bike he had on hand to document. Let’s check it out below!
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Creative Exposure Pt 3: A WTF-NB Database of Photographers and Videographers
After often being the only female-identifying photographer/videographer in the proverbial room at cycling events, Natalie Starr began compiling a list of diverse professionals back in 2019. After sharing a follow-up to her initial post, Natalie is back with a third installment of folks to book for your next industry gig (looking at you marketers!). Let’s check it out below!
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Fat Tires in a Skinny Frame: John’s 2012 Bruce Gordon Monster Cross
“It’s just a bike.” The late Bruce Gordon built bicycle frames to enhance his customers’ lives. Through all my interactions over the years, up until his passing in June of 2019, he would take praise for his work, but would always end the conversation with: “It’s just a bike.”
To talk about this bike in particular, you first have to know Bruce. Who he was, his ethos, the mythos, and what he brought to the “g” word: gravel. Bruce was making fat-tire road bikes for a long time. Long before many. He developed tires, toe clips, and helped foster an entire movement of makers in the Petaluma, California area and beyond.
But just like that, he was gone, and he left behind a legacy…
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Where Bintage Hides In The Spectrum Of Fantasy And Reality: A Tael Of Two Brother Cycles Mr Wooden Builds
Petor Georgallou recently built up a Brother Cycles Mr. Wooden alongside his buddy Neil. Below, Petor delves into piles of parts and decides on some unusual choices as the cornerstone of his build. Follow along for his musings on old bike parts, laughing with friends, and maybe even getting two whole bikes running for the price of one.
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Steve Rex and His Rex Cycles FIllet Brazed Hardtail 29er
While he and his wife were on holiday in Santa Fe, John got in a few rides with Steve Rex who brought along his fillet-brazed hardtail. Since Steve wasn’t at the MADE Bike Show, John wanted to give the Sacramento-based builder a spotlight of his own, so read on for the full gallery…
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Readers’ Rides: Whit from Meriwether’s Luddite Softtail
A couple of weeks ago, we shared Mike’s unique Meriwether build for our Readers’ Rides and this week, we have an interesting project from Whit, the owner of Meriwether. Whit wrote up a long-form review of the process behind designing and fabricating his “Luddite Softtail” mountain bike. Without further ado, let’s check it out!
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KEY Finds at the 2023 MADE Bike Show: A Bespoke Keychain Roundup
Our friend Paul Kalifatidi went to MADE and all he bought were keychains. Yep, keychains at a bike show. Continue reading below about these special finds and how they all stack up…
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No One Is Going To Do It Except You: A Schön Studio Shop Visit
If you weren’t already familiar with Schön Studio, you may have just seen some of their stellar work in our recent MADE bike show coverage. Tucked into a corner of a quiet neighborhood in Squamish BC, Danielle Schön has been building bikes, teaching classes, and doing a variety of other metalwork and art out of her hand-built, backyard workshop. Read on below for Pat Valade‘s shop visit and in-depth profile…
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What’s Old is New Again: Crust X Ron’s Bikes Alumalith Rigid MTB Review
Unveiled at the 2022 Philly Bike Expo to much fanfare, the Alumalith is a realization of Ronnie Romance‘s dream to incorporate his favorite aspects of vintage mountain bikes into a deciededly modern offering. Featuring a non-suspension corrected Switchblade-style fork, rim brakes, sharp angulation, and 6061 aluminum fabricated by renowned craftsman Frank Wadelton–but with internal dropper routing, clearance for 27.5 x 2.6″ tires, and a contemporary approach to geometry–the Alumalith is nostalgic delight for riders of today. Josh picked up an Alumalith earlier this year and has spent months building it, riding, refining, and riding some more. Continue reading below for his review of this niche yet capable and fun machine…
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The Radavist Not So Serious but Kind of Serious 2023 MADE Bike Show Awards
Best. Best. Best. All the subjectivity, all the time. The era of the NAHBS awards is long gone. No more medals given out to the same four people, year after year. Instead, we’re looking at the most subjective, most obscure, and most ridiculous to dish out a playful, in jest best list from our 2023 MADE Bike Show coverage. Read on below for the best road, best gravel, best mountain, and more…
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Radar Roundup: Phil Wood 50th Anniversary Track Wheels, Easton SHI 12 SPED Gravel 1x Rings, PEdALED Godai, Apidura Expedition Waist Belt, IMBA and Diné, and Wonderwagen Neo
Our Radar Roundup compiles products and videos from the ‘net in an easy-to-digest format. Read on below for today’s findings…
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2023 MADE Bike Show Coverage: Part 7 – Ahearne, Blaze, Jeffrey Bock, MADE Moots, Montenegro Manufacturing, Pine, Simple, and Singular
Well, the time has come. This is our seventh and final 2023 MADE Bike Show gallery. We busted our tails to bring you the best coverage from the show. Josh and John scoured the halls of the show for bikes to document, and this last gallery is full of stunning bikes. Check out our selects below!
Thanks to 1-Up USA for sponsoring our continued 2023 MADE Bike Show coverage!
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2023 MADE Bike Show People and Products
Entering the 2023 MADE show presents an abrupt dichotomy. The Portland, Oregon venue in the Zidell Barge Building is nestled in an old ship manufacturing yard and is evidence of a bygone era. Cranes and mechanical armatures tower overhead and huge steel joists span across the space, with years of dust and grime clinging to each rivet and bolt. Underfoot, the concrete floor is stained from a century of industry and the bright sun barely penetrates the skylights, yellowed from age.
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2023 MADE Bike Show Coverage Part 6: Digit, Framework, Monē, Moots, Page Street, PAUL, Scarab, Scharen, Sycip, and Watts
We’re here in Portland, covering the 2023 MADE Bike Show, looking for bikes that we thought you, the readers of The Radavist would appreciate. Josh and John have been scouring the halls of the show for bikes to document, and we’ve got Part 6 of our coverage for you to enjoy…
Thanks to 1-Up USA for sponsoring our continued 2023 MADE Bike Show coverage!
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2023 MADE Bike Show Coverage: Part 05 – Amigo, Black Magic, Chumba, Coconino, English, Horse, Liberation Fab, Manzanita, Sklar, and Tomii
We’re here in Portland, covering the 2023 MADE Bike Show, looking for bikes that we thought you, the readers of The Radavist would appreciate. Josh and John have been scouring the halls of the show for bikes to document, and we’ve got Part 05 of our coverage for you to enjoy…
Thanks to 1-Up USA for sponsoring our continued 2023 MADE Bike Show coverage!
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2023 MADE Bike Show Coverage: Part 02 – Albatross, Baphomet, BTCHN, Caletti, Frances Cycles, HotSalad, Neuhaus, Schön Studio, Sour Bicycles, and Tonic Fab
We’re here in Portland, covering the 2023 MADE Bike Show, looking for bikes that we thought you, the readers of The Radavist would appreciate. Josh and John have been scouring the halls of the show for bikes to document, and we’ve got Part 02 of our coverage for you to enjoy…
Thanks to 1-Up USA for sponsoring our continued 2023 MADE Bike Show coverage!
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It’s 2023 MADE Bike Show Week + 15% Off Tickets
MADE Bike Show is right around the corner, featuring over 200 bicycle fabricators and brands at Zidell Yards in Portland Oregon. The show will feature builders and makers from all over the world, with an emphasis on community and inclusivity. Read on below for a sneak peek of what’s to come, plus a 15% discount on tickets!