MADE was a blast!

September 24, 2023

The first MADE custom bike show rocked Portland August 24–27th (2023). Wheel Fanatyk exhibited and we drank up the energy and creativity flowing in the aisles at Zidell Yards, a behemoth hall on the Willamette River, where barges were once built.
The venue was a hit, massive and grungy, a perfect setting for hundreds of excellently finished handmade bikes—a poignant backdrop for the chaotic times we're enduring. Exhibitors were living proof that craft and passion can succeed in the face of daunting odds.

So why was MADE such a blast? Much is owed to Portland’s evolved bicycle culture—hundreds of cheerful, patient volunteers attended to every question and need. It also goes without saying that we’ve been spoiled by 15 years of the North American Handmade Bicycle Shows. NAHBS, last held in 2019, was cultural and technical bedrock for the bicycle world. MADE's huge turnout shows it's a chance to restart the celebration.

What was showing?

• Check these awesome galleries at Escape Collective, by Dave Rome and James Huang—Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9.
• The Radavist did some excellent coverage—Part 1, Part 2.
• Video clips abound, try youtuber Path Less Pedalled for outstanding interviews—one, two, and three.

I was especially taken with three exhibitors from Canada:

• Islandix—Ryan Kereliuk, my Show neighbor, demoed his Transistor Truing and Tension system. This is the future of wheel building for the trade—simple visualization of wheel trueness, superimposed on targets, continuous re-sizing for full screen use, and even tutorial-like suggestions for optimal corrections. I was born 40yrs too soon to benefit the way many of you will.
• Project321—Mark Wells showed their wonderful magnetic pawl hubs which they’ve made for Stan’s (M-Pulse). As they gear up in their new location (Bend => Toronto), we’ll be seeing more clever designs.
• Frameworkbicycles—Jonathan Hornell-Kennedy builds exceptionally innovative frames, leveraging expertise in many-axis CNC and filament winding. Clever features abound. Jonathan does some hypnotic IG reels about his processes and ideas. These are something special.
  

What about wheelbuilding at the Show?
The unsung heroes of bike shows are wheel builders. At MADE, every custom bike wore wheels designed and built by one of us. A few of the many builders and wheel people spotted:

• Josh Liberles of HiFi Wheels
  
• Ryan Linville of Sugar Wheelworks
  
• Jason Quade of Abbey Tools unveiled the truing stand of the century
• Wheel Fanatyk's resident fanatic showed the Spoke Cutting & Threading machine, of which nearly 20 reside in Portland.
• Lillie Parsons of Rolf Prima
• Willy Reen of Astral Cycling
• The Chris King clan
• Doug and Alex White of the famous hubs
• Bre Rue, PNW shop rat and all around guru
• Classified, the EU shifting hub sensation
• Wheel goods and wheel builders seemed more prominent than ever.

General Thoughts

• 200+ exhibitors and 5k+ attendees = a huge amount of innovation and hard work. While shows appear to lead with ideas and energy, MADE reflects, not leads, the scene. So what do we see?
• Many makers showed a rebellious vibe, sort of punk-era. Not rejecting cycling aesthetics but certainly denying the advice of veterans who warned “don’t hand make bikes, it’s a path to economic oblivion.” But that’s usually what confronts craftspeople—weavers, carvers, blacksmiths, or musicians. It’s always been this way.
• For a moment, ebikes weren’t dominant. Their explosive growth often drowns out the rest.
• Builders were more diverse than ever, although there’s always room for improvement.
• There was a practical undercurrent—exotic materials and 10,000 man hour creations were less common. Cargo, commute, and trekking solutions were numerous. There was a smart, practical side to many designs.
• Barriers to collaboration seem lower. Think about the recent marriage of White Industries, Astral Rims, and Rolf-Prima—what possibilities are they thinking of?
• Doug Fattic—framebuilding professor and mentor to many, was promoting his Bucha, Ukraine-made building fixture and tireless relief efforts. These are urgent times for many issues. Please consider being involved!
• No framebuilding trophies = a decided reduction in tension. Was the laid-back atmosphere owed to Portland or to the lack of judging and scoriing?
• The bicycle scene benefits from an important emeritus class of mentors. That was more obvious than ever in Portland. Many millenia of experience was present.
• Billy Sinkford—Show director, hits home runs. MADE was outta the park!

Leave a comment

Comments will be approved before showing up.