Kevin Harvey of Harvey Cycle Works combined stunning aesthetics with clever engineering touches in this gravel racer. Harvey won Best New Builder at this year's North American Handmade Bicycle Show
Each year, the North American Handmade Bicycle Show showcases new bikes from well-known builders and serves as a launch pad for new builders looking to make a name for themselves. Some of these builders are not new to the craft, merely first time exhibitors at the show, while others have but a few frames under their belts.
Read on below for an overview of the newcomers, and then click through the gallery at right for a detailed look at their creations.
Kevin Harvey knows a thing or two about precision manufacturing and the importance of attention to detail, after all, he’s the head machinist at Andretti Racing.
A pair of 6-volt schmidt headlights on the front of harvey's gravel racer: a pair of 6-volt schmidt headlights on the front of harvey's gravel racer - Josh Patterson/Future Publishing
Harvey has been building frames off and on for two decades. The bike he displayed at NAHBS was a fillet-brazed gravel racer with a custom lighting system.
Mathew Amonson is based in Brooklyn, New York. His fourth frame is this track-inspired singlespeed with geometry tailored to navigating busy city streets.
Mathew amonson is the man behind airtight cycles. this track-inspired city bike is his fouth frame: mathew amonson is the man behind airtight cycles. this track-inspired city bike is his fouth frame - Josh Patterson/Future Publishing
The frame uses bi-laminate construction and features staggered seatstays, the idea being that the drivetrain forces apply more torque to the drive-side of the frame.
The head tube gusset is a flock of birds: the head tube gusset is a flock of birds - Josh Patterson/Future PublishingThe head tube gusset is a flock of birds: the head tube gusset is a flock of birds - Josh Patterson/Future Publishing
Josh Clark of Backwoods Engineering has been building bicycle frames for about 12 years. His frame features a gusset with a flock of birds carved into the stainless steel.
Luke devine of concinnity cycleworks an engineer turned framebuilder : luke devine of concinnity cycleworks an engineer turned framebuilder - Josh Patterson/Future PublishingLuke devine of concinnity cycleworks an engineer turned framebuilder : luke devine of concinnity cycleworks an engineer turned framebuilder - Josh Patterson/Future Publishing
Luke Devine is an engineer turned frame builder. His TIG-welded city bike is ready for jaunts to the liquor store thanks to the wooden six-pack basket, made from reclaimed walnut and cherry.
This particular bike started life as a tree standing on sixth avenue in denver, colorado: this particular bike started life as a tree standing on sixth avenue in denver, colorado - Josh Patterson/Future PublishingThis particular bike started life as a tree standing on sixth avenue in denver, colorado: this particular bike started life as a tree standing on sixth avenue in denver, colorado - Josh Patterson/Future Publishing
This particular bike started life as a tree standing on Sixth Avenue in Denver, Colorado. After it was cut down, Chris Connor, of Connor Wood Bicycles, gave it a second life as a bicycle. This frame, like the tree it was, still resides in Colorado and has even withstood being raced at Leadville. Connor uses monocoque construction for the front triangle and laminate construction, with layers of Kevlar for the chainstays.
Connor's handlebar before being shaped: connor's handlebar before being shaped - Josh Patterson/Future Publishing
He also builds wooden handlebars using a similar method of layering wood plies with Kevlar fabric.
Jeff gerhardt of [fe][c]ycles built this mixte frame to be a low-maintenance commuter: jeff gerhardt of [fe][c]ycles built this mixte frame to be a low-maintenance commuter - Josh Patterson/Future PublishingJeff gerhardt of [fe][c]ycles built this mixte frame to be a low-maintenance commuter: jeff gerhardt of [fe][c]ycles built this mixte frame to be a low-maintenance commuter - Josh Patterson/Future Publishing
Jeff Gerhardt built this mixte frame to be a low-maintenance, belt–driven commuter. The lines of the mixte frame make it well-suited to internal routing. The wiring for the front and rear generator lights, as well as the cable for the internally geared rear hub all run inside the frame tubes.
Devin zoller of l'ecu bicycles has been building carbon frames for one and a half years: devin zoller of l'ecu bicycles has been building carbon frames for one and a half years - Josh Patterson/Future Publishing
Portland, Oregon-based frame builder Devin Zoller has been building custom carbon road bikes for 1.5 years. Zoller uses tube-to-tube construction supplied by a local defense contractor that builds parts for the MQ-1 Predator drone.
Mills Brothers Bicycle Co.
David mills, of mills brothers bicycle co., had this orange track racer on display : david mills, of mills brothers bicycle co., had this orange track racer on display - Josh Patterson/Future Publishing
David Mills had this orange track racer on display.
David johnson is a former aviation welder who has turned to frame building. he gets his inspiration from the lines found on classics cars and vintage aircraft.: david johnson is a former aviation welder who has turned to frame building. he gets his inspiration from the lines found on classics cars and vintage aircraft. - Josh Patterson/Future Publishing
David Johnson is a former aviation welder who has turned to frame building. He gets his inspiration from the lines found on classics cars and vintage aircraft.
While there are always a handful of wooden bikes at nahbs, wooden tandems are quite uncommon: while there are always a handful of wooden bikes at nahbs, wooden tandems are quite uncommon - Josh Patterson/Future PublishingWhile there are always a handful of wooden bikes at nahbs, wooden tandems are quite uncommon: while there are always a handful of wooden bikes at nahbs, wooden tandems are quite uncommon - Josh Patterson/Future Publishing
Jay Kinsinger’s day job is teaching mechanical and biomedical engineering at Cedarville University. In Kinsinger’s spare time he crafts wooden bikes such as this tandem.
Syndrome cycles had this speedy cx-commuter on display: syndrome cycles had this speedy cx-commuter on display - Josh Patterson/Future PublishingSyndrome cycles had this speedy cx-commuter on display: syndrome cycles had this speedy cx-commuter on display - Josh Patterson/Future Publishing
Syndrome Cycles had this speedy CX-commuter on display. It features rack and fender mounts and a Gates Carbon belt-drive to keep maintenance to a minimum.
Nate zukas became a frame builder because his proportions necessitated a custom fit: nate zukas became a frame builder because his proportions necessitated a custom fit - Josh Patterson/Future PublishingNate zukas became a frame builder because his proportions necessitated a custom fit: nate zukas became a frame builder because his proportions necessitated a custom fit - Josh Patterson/Future Publishing
Nate Zukas got involved in frame building out of personal need. The 5ft, 7in Zukas has long legs and arms that required a custom fit. Zukas opted to take matters into his own hands and build his own frames.
Zukas carves a 'z' into his bottom brackets. it functions as a drainhole. the stainless mesh aids in keeping debris out: zukas carves a 'z' into his bottom brackets. it functions as a drainhole. the stainless mesh aids in keeping debris out - Josh Patterson/Future Publishing
This singlespeed road bike features a number of custom touches, including the ‘Z’ shaped drain hole with stainless steel mesh in the bottom bracket.
Josh Patterson is a BikeRadar contributor and former technical editor. He has spent most of his career working in the cycling industry as an athlete, mechanic and journalist. He holds a master's degree in journalism and has more than 20 years of experience as a cyclist and 12 years of experience riding and writing for BikeRadar, Cyclingnews, Cycling Weekly, Dirt Rag, RoadBikeReview and Outside Magazine. A native of the Flint Hills of Kansas, Josh was a pioneer in the gravel cycling movement, having raced the first Unbound 200 and many other gravel events around the globe. He considers himself a cycling generalist and enjoys road, gravel and mountain biking in equal measure. When not traveling for work, he can be found exploring the singletrack and lonely gravel roads that surround his home in Fort Collins, Colorado. In addition to his love of cycling, Josh is an enthusiastic supporter of brunch, voting rights and the right to repair movement.
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