NAHBS 2013: Mosaic Cycles

Builder Aaron Barcheck makes a splash in Denver

James Huang/BikeRadar

Published: February 24, 2013 at 10:50 pm

Frame builder Aaron Barcheck had been somewhat of a local secret. Many in his hometown of Boulder, Colorado knew of his skills, but he wasn't quite a household name. But Barcheck put on a big show at this year's NAHBS, with nearly a dozen gorgeous machines in both titanium and steel. Come Monday, we don't anticipate Mosaic Cycles will be much of a secret anymore.

Mosaic's eye-catching head tube badge: mosaic's eye-catching head tube badge - James Huang/BikeRadar

The Mosaic badge

Barcheck is well versed in both TIG-welded and lugged construction and he works in steel and titanium. After seven years at Dean under the tutelage of John Siegrist, though, it's perhaps no surprise that most of Mosaic's display bikes were titanium this year, including road, mountain and even dirt jumper variants.

Mosaic is fast developing some trademark features, too, including integrated seatmasts, ultra-trick masked and selectively media blasted frame finishes, and a characteristic paint layout that could be identified even with the name on the down tube.

With a rare mix of technical skill and artistic creativity, we expect big things from Barcheck moving forward. We've covered Mosaic at previous NAHBS events and recently offered an inside look at the company's Boulder workshop. If you haven't taken a good look at Barcheck's work before, better late than never.

More blasted graphics: more blasted graphics - James Huang/BikeRadar

Mosaic's trademark blasted graphics