So I think it is wonderful that theres so much innovative thinking and fresh talent devoting time and attention to the craft of the bicycle. While there were a couple dozen old school builders at the show (Gordon, Sachs, Baylis, Nobilette, to name a few) the proliferation of new names and new designs tells me the market is ripe for new products and novel approaches to old ones.
Or is there ? And even if there is, maybe that isnt the place where are sport needs to go. Were into vintage bikes here, but bear with me for a moment.
My opinion is that the bike and the industry have so much to contribute to things like reducing congestion, good health, environmental benefits, dependence on foreign oil etc etc and my comment on the NAHBS is that, while an interesting exercise in metal sculpture, most of whats on view there has little to do with addressing any of those market opportunities.
I think the fundamental challenge facing the bicycle industry is to attract more riders new to the sport, getting them on bikes for an exciting and not too strenuous ride, so that they too get the bug and start riding to work, school, or for fun.
Unfortunately the industry in general seems to be focused on the quest for ever lighter carbon fiber components with a racing uber alles approach, and (along with the stuff on view at NAHBS) continuing along this path will in my view just make the industry more irrelevant to the needs of the marketplace. A $7000 city bike with laser-cut dropouts is an exercise in metal sculpture it is not the thing that will bring new riders and customers into the sport.
Mark Petry
Bainbridge Island, Wa US of A