Bravo to Don Walker and all those that made the Handbuilt Show such a success in Portland this month. I ran a Wheel Fanatyk booth and showed everyone the incredible wood rims from Ghisallo and the beautiful and smooth operating Morizumi spoke cutter. We had huge numbers of admirers for both items. The Handbuilt Show was a perfect setting for the rims. Everywhere you looked were stellar examples of high craftsmanship and eclectic design.

Dario Pegoretti showed a pair of our rims on a lovely touring bike.

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The Portland event was special and precious. Part of the magic is the unsinkable, irrepressible creativity of life long cycling artists. But part of it is the chance chemistry of a time and place. As someone who has seen special events thrive but then suddenly disappear, I’m particularly distracted. I think the handbuilt scene is more delicate than it seems.

Even big affairs, for example the Coors Classic or SF Grand Prix or Big Bear NORBA events, and many more festivals and gatherings seemed at the time to be great and everlasting. All the necessary elements were in place. So it appeared. Many are now gone. What about the handbuilt scene? What we saw in Portland is healthy but how will it stand huge, regular geographic relocation? Read more →

I hope to see as many of you as possible at the Hand Built Bicycle Show, Feb 8-10 in Portland. The 2008 edition of the unique event will be historic and much larger that last year’s in San Jose.

Wheel Fanatyk will be showing, along with 140+ other exhibitors. You’ll be able to see the beauty and variety of wood rims and wheels at my both, #511.

Keep a look out for wood rims throughout the Show. They’re becoming popular with restorers, retro stylists, and eco urbanites.

I’ll be demonstrating the mighty Morizumi Spoke Machine as well: a tool of immense utility, design cleverness, and beauty.

Full Speed Ahead will also be showing off the latest material and design technologies. From carbon fiber, to ergonomics, to dirt jump authority, to aerodynamics — come see the latest and greatest components with which to dress your next hand built bicycle!

In the unfortunate event you can’t attend, never fear. Journalists from all the cycling media will be in attendance. You can rely on them to file reports and images as fast as their electrons and neurons permit.