The best handbuilt mountain bikes at NAHBS

<source media="(max-width: 320px)" srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/alchemy-1456615884569-t8995xjnb22n-61dde87.jpg?quality=90&resize=160%2C208, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/alchemy-1456615884569-t8995xjnb22n-61dde87.jpg?quality=45&resize=320%2C416 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/alchemy-1456615884569-t8995xjnb22n-61dde87.jpg?quality=45&resize=480%2C624 3x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/alchemy-1456615884569-t8995xjnb22n-61dde87.jpg?quality=45&resize=640%2C832 4x" type="image/jpeg"> <source media="(max-width: 375px)" srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/alchemy-1456615884569-t8995xjnb22n-61dde87.jpg?quality=90&resize=190%2C247, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/alchemy-1456615884569-t8995xjnb22n-61dde87.jpg?quality=45&resize=380%2C494 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/alchemy-1456615884569-t8995xjnb22n-61dde87.jpg?quality=45&resize=570%2C741 3x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/alchemy-1456615884569-t8995xjnb22n-61dde87.jpg?quality=45&resize=706%2C918 4x" type="image/jpeg"> <source media="(max-width: 425px)" srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/alchemy-1456615884569-t8995xjnb22n-61dde87.jpg?quality=90&resize=215%2C279, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/alchemy-1456615884569-t8995xjnb22n-61dde87.jpg?quality=45&resize=430%2C559 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/alchemy-1456615884569-t8995xjnb22n-61dde87.jpg?quality=45&resize=645%2C838 3x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/alchemy-1456615884569-t8995xjnb22n-61dde87.jpg?quality=45&resize=706%2C918 4x" type="image/jpeg"> <source media="(max-width: 768px)" srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/alchemy-1456615884569-t8995xjnb22n-61dde87.jpg?quality=90&resize=295%2C383, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/alchemy-1456615884569-t8995xjnb22n-61dde87.jpg?quality=45&resize=590%2C767 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/alchemy-1456615884569-t8995xjnb22n-61dde87.jpg?quality=45&resize=706%2C918 3x" type="image/jpeg"> <source media="(max-width: 992px)" srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/alchemy-1456615884569-t8995xjnb22n-61dde87.jpg?quality=90&resize=136%2C176, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/alchemy-1456615884569-t8995xjnb22n-61dde87.jpg?quality=45&resize=272%2C353 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/alchemy-1456615884569-t8995xjnb22n-61dde87.jpg?quality=45&resize=408%2C530 3x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/alchemy-1456615884569-t8995xjnb22n-61dde87.jpg?quality=45&resize=544%2C707 4x" type="image/jpeg"> <source media="(min-width: 993px)" srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/alchemy-1456615884569-t8995xjnb22n-61dde87.jpg?quality=90&resize=155%2C201, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/alchemy-1456615884569-t8995xjnb22n-61dde87.jpg?quality=45&resize=310%2C403 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/alchemy-1456615884569-t8995xjnb22n-61dde87.jpg?quality=45&resize=465%2C604 3x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/alchemy-1456615884569-t8995xjnb22n-61dde87.jpg?quality=45&resize=620%2C806 4x" type="image/jpeg"> <img class="wp-image-299139 size-portrait_thumbnail image-handler__image image-handler__image--aspect no-wrap js-gallery-grid-src-image" src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/alchemy-1456615884569-t8995xjnb22n-61dde87.jpg?quality=90&resize=556%2C723" width="556" height="723" data-crop-width="" data-crop-height="" alt="Alchemy's Oros hardtail featured a striking finish from Ethic, Alchemy's in-house paint company" title="alchemy-1456615884569-t8995xjnb22n-61dde87" style="width: auto; height: 100%;"> Alchemy’s Oros hardtail featured a striking finish from Ethic, Alchemy’s in-house paint company Nick Legan

While many may first think of road bikes when considering a custom bike show, the number of stunning mountain bikes on display at the North American Handmade Bicycle Show will help dispel that thought.

The recent widespread adoption of the 27.5+ platform has made hardtail mountain bikes relevant again. This is especially good news for small builders who often lack the resources to engineer and manufacture full suspension mountain bikes. From Moots to Retrotec and many in between, mountain bike builders at NAHBS have taken to the mid-fat wheel and tire combo like hipsters to plaid and craft beer.

<source media="(max-width: 320px)" data-srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/english-1456613405404-o4ws1nn0n8tn-1000-90-38731f6.jpg?webp=true&quality=90&resize=300%2C169, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/english-1456613405404-o4ws1nn0n8tn-1000-90-38731f6.jpg?webp=true&quality=45&resize=600%2C337 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/english-1456613405404-o4ws1nn0n8tn-1000-90-38731f6.jpg?webp=true&quality=45&resize=900%2C506 3x" type="image/webp"><source media="(max-width: 320px)" data-srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/english-1456613405404-o4ws1nn0n8tn-1000-90-38731f6.jpg?quality=90&resize=300%2C169, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/english-1456613405404-o4ws1nn0n8tn-1000-90-38731f6.jpg?quality=45&resize=600%2C337 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/english-1456613405404-o4ws1nn0n8tn-1000-90-38731f6.jpg?quality=45&resize=900%2C506 3x" type="image/jpeg"> Every bike in the english booth was worth a look, but the Notice anything missing from this English Righty?

Bikepacking rigs also made a strong showing at NAHBS in California, as did slacked-out, dropper-post-equipped play bikes. That isn’t to say that there aren’t full-suspension bikes on offer. Eriksen, Matter, Foes and others all showed impressive work for those wanting a custom dualie.

Click through the gallery above for a close look at the best handbuilt mountain bikes at NAHBS.

<source media="(max-width: 320px)" data-srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/retrotec2-1456613405441-iuxvx5mabkne-1000-90-dba25a2.jpg?webp=true&quality=90&resize=300%2C169, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/retrotec2-1456613405441-iuxvx5mabkne-1000-90-dba25a2.jpg?webp=true&quality=45&resize=600%2C337 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/retrotec2-1456613405441-iuxvx5mabkne-1000-90-dba25a2.jpg?webp=true&quality=45&resize=900%2C506 3x" type="image/webp"><source media="(max-width: 320px)" data-srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/retrotec2-1456613405441-iuxvx5mabkne-1000-90-dba25a2.jpg?quality=90&resize=300%2C169, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/retrotec2-1456613405441-iuxvx5mabkne-1000-90-dba25a2.jpg?quality=45&resize=600%2C337 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/retrotec2-1456613405441-iuxvx5mabkne-1000-90-dba25a2.jpg?quality=45&resize=900%2C506 3x" type="image/jpeg"> The retrotec was equipped with special edition 40th anniversary chris king stem, headset, headset spacers, hubs and bottom bracket: the retrotec was equipped with special edition 40th anniversary chris king stem, headset, headset spacers, hubs and bottom bracket