Wayne and all,
What you have said is all true. Perhaps I can put a spin on the bikes at the show that will make a little more (common) sense to out listmembers .
First of all, although the "bling" style of frame is not my personal sty le; if it is being made and sold (which they are) then there is a market for it. We're (the CR types) just not their customers. Not to mention t hat there is some of that or even a lot of it, but there is also a wide variety of other things; some of which probably of interest to you. The new Rene Herse bikes for example are right up there with any other custo m builders who make randonnuer, racing style, and track bikes of the tra ditional type. In case anyone doesn't know this, I personally ordered pr oduction frame #1 from Mike Kone the very day he whispered his "secret" about the acquisition to me at the 2007 Cirque. By the end of the event the cat was out of the bag; but I had already made my move. I spent time with Mike Kone and Mark Nobilette during the show in order to discuss m ore of the details of my bike. I'm so excited I could pee my pants! Wait until you see what they build for me. And then I'm going to order a tra ck bike. Why? Two reasons. I believe in Mike Kone and his passion for bi cycles and Rene Herse in particular and I expect to learn a lot from the m during this process. Secondly, I'm now thoroughly convinced that Mark Nobilette is a genius of a designer and fabricator. There is no question in my mind that Mark is one of the most talented framebuilders in the w orld and by far is the most under rated and under recognized. Remember w here you heard that first, I'm TOTALLY serious.
Anyway, there is plenty for a CR type to appreciate at this show. The bl ing may not blow YOUR dress up; but the fact is that we are entering a p eriod when the quality handmade town or city bike is a status symbol. Ju st like in early post-war Paris where exotic and expensive bicycles were a status symbol and a sign of sophistication. I think it's here again i n a slightly different form; which is what evolution is. I wouldn't make the mistake of dismissing these builders just because it's not your sty le. I'll bet a Rene Herse wouldn't have been your style when they were c urrent either.
This cycle will continue for a while and then receed; only to remerge ag ain someday. Appriciate the bikes for what they are. Bikes.
Brian Baylis
La Mesa, CA
I won't get into the debate about the relevancy of some of the bikes on display at NAHBS. However, personally, I certainly have some level of appreciation for just about everything I saw there. I believe NAHBS is still developing and evolving. And growing. Just like many of the builders, particularly the newer ones. Don deserves tremendous credit for creating an environment that promotes and showcases people and bicycles that are outside what generally is the "norm" in the the bicycle market. We should all hope that this growing bicycle movement/market keeps gaining traction. Yes, a lot of what was on display at the show was over the top. Glitz, glam, bling. Impractical. Maybe it doesn't reflect the reality of bicycles on the street. I don't think that's the point, and those that don't see that are missing something. Of course, that's only my opinion. I see something bigger at play here, something more than another unusual drop out treatment, brazed-wire flourish or shaped tube. It permeated the air in the convention center. It's the vibe that Dale refereed to. I'll fan the flames as hard as I can.
And could there be a better place for NAHBS than Portland? I know it can't stay there, but it's hard to imagine a better place for it. I had never been to Portland, but I've certainly read and heard a lot about it in relation to cycling. I had even talked with Sacha White about it at the Cirque last year. I wanted to know what it was about Portland that made it a hot-bed of cycling culture and frame builders. I'm not just talking about Portland today either. I recently acquired a frame built in Portland in 1976 that's among the best work I've ever seen. Sacha, in his humble way, talked about a place that fostered creativity, a strong "community" feeling, a favorable business environment, and a few other generalizations. Still, I wasn't prepared for Portland. Cycling is everywhere. It's in your face or in your peripheral vision wherever you go. Rain or shine. Cycling culture seemed to ooze out of the pores of the city. That vibe wasn't just in the convention center, it's everywhere. And I didn't even spend that much time seeing Portland, but what I saw left me pretty impressed. Awed might be a better description. I've been in European cities that had a similar feel, but I can't remember another one in the US. Thanks to Sarah for posting the link to pix outside the Convention center and around town. You can get a little of the vibe looking at those pix, with lots of shots of steel, and racks and Brooks saddles. And lots of other cool stuff. Check out a couple bike shops in town and you really start to get it. The Recyclery was really a treat. Never been a shop quite like it. Unfortunately. What a great amalgamation of bikes and bike people. A well-used Ebisu I had also seen near the convention center in the rain. A Geurciotti with Delta brakes and FENDERS (wrap your brain around that!). A group of Schwinn Varsity aficionados, known as the Belligerante, who's motto is "nothing should cost more that $20". I can't make this stuff up, but it's alive and well in Portland. And a lot more too. We should all hope that it's contagious, and spreads like the flu to other cities around the country.
I've always be a proponent of "anything bike is good", and I think everything bike at NAHBS is good. Is it every body's cup-o-tea? Does it all make sense? Will it all last? Who cares. I don't think that's the point.
Long live the Belligerante!
Wayne Bingham
Lovettsville VA USA