NAHBS Newsletter 2011#07

2011 Show: Austin, Texas, Feb. 25-27

Introduction to NAHBS
NAHBS showcases the talents of individuals around the world whose art form is the bicycle. It aims to be a meeting point for both frame builders and consumers looking for handmade custom bicycles, for the sharing of ideas, and the promotion of a special industry with a rich history dating back to 1819. One of the key features of NAHBS is bringing the frame builders together at social events outside show hours. This has been a feature of the show since its first year in 2005. Entering its seventh iteration, NAHBS has grown from a show with 23 exhibitors and 700 attendees in ’05, to 160 exhibitors and 7200 attendees.

NAHBS 2010 Show Video
For those unable to make it to the show, or if you just can’t get enough of all that exotic hardware, we have the 2010 NAHBS video, which will go on sale very soon (we’ll keep you posted). Put together by Justin Unger, the video documents the show weekend, and it features handmade industry leaders talking about their bikes and the biz in general, and of course there are bikes, bikes, and more bikes.  View the 4-minute trailer.

Save $4-8 by purchasing your tickets in advance

Visit www.handmadebicycleshow.com and get your tickets now!

Here are the prices:

1 day: $18 advance (includes $1 transaction fee),     $22 at the door

2 days: $32 advance (includes $1 transaction fee),   $40 at the door

3 days: $51 advance (includes $1 transaction fee),   $58 at the door

And don’t forget to check out the renowned NAHBS seminars!

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Carbon Fiber, Ti, and other building materials for Strong Frames

Bozeman, Montana, builder Carl Strong is now turning his skills to carbon fiber technology and producing a line of road and cyclo-cross frames. He tells us why he likes to build complete bikes rather than send out a frame on its own, and he’s recently found something very encouraging about titanium. Added to all that, he has a story that should give any aspiring frame builder out there all the encouragement they will need.

Click here to read about it in Carl’s blog

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NAHBS Social Calendar Filling up!

When you come to the show, be ready to party and be ready to ride. Plans are not final yet, but stay tuned and we will keep you posted. This is what we have so far:

Thursday: Film night at Mellow Johnny’s

Friday Morning: Earlybird ride

Friday Night: NAHBS Exhibitors and VIP party

Saturday Morning: Earlybird ride

Saturday Night: Bicycle Sport Shop BBQ, then pub crawl

Sunday Morning: Off-Road Ride

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NAHBS Clothing (valuable first editions)

A jersey by Giordana and Socks by DeFeet. Who could ask for more? If you have not yet seen or pre-ordered these limited edition sets of cycling essentials, click here. We will soon be adding a T-shirt to this list, although we’re not taking pre-orders for those.

NAHBS Proust Questionnaire: Ira Ryan of Ira Ryan Cycles

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

Watching the sun rise from the seat of a bicycle, having some espresso and then building some bicycles to give someone else the chance to have the same experience.

What is your greatest fear?

To not do something as best I can.

Which historical figure do you most identify with?

Alex Singer.

Which living person do you most admire?

Yvon Chouinard.

What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?

Being unable to focus on one thing for more than 30 minutes.

What is the trait you most deplore in others?

People who are disingenuous and dishonest.

What is your greatest extravagance?

Espresso!

On what occasion do you lie?

I’ll be done with work in 10 minutes. I promise.

What do you dislike most about your appearance?

I never look as beautiful as my girlfriend.

When and where were you happiest?

Riding with Rachel in Italy last year. Wake up, drink espresso, ride for hours, eat amazing food and drink great red wine.

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

Have more confidence that I am good at what I do and continue to make it better every day.

If you could change one thing about  your family, what would it be?

My family is great and supportive but very stubborn.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

It is yet to come!

If you died and came back as a person or thing, what do you think it would be?

Either a giant oak tree or a rusty tool box belonging to a retired mechanic.

What is your most treasured possession?

The first bicycle I built.

What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?

Being chained to a desk with the sun shining outside.

Who are your heroes in real life?

Adventurers, explorers, builders, artists, poets and thinkers.

What is it you most dislike?

Cheating.

How would you like to die?

Toss up between blaze of glory or fading away as an old man.

What is your motto?

My grandpa always said “No matter what you do in life, be sure to do it the best you can.”

Read Ira Ryan’s blog

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Smokin’ Out at Velocipedesalon.com

For those who don’t know about this yet, the most thorough review of the business practices of handmade bicycle builders is found in the Smoked Out section of Velocipedesalon.com. Highly recommended.

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The Most Popular Page on the NAHBS Website

As befits the world’s leading handmade custom bicycle show, the NAHBS website is in global demand. Since October people from 121 countries have visited the NAHBS website to read about handmade bikes, and in the past month alone we’ve hit almost 21,000 unique visitors, with viewers spending almost four minutes reading the site. Click to see the most popular page. Did you guess it?

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Photos courtesy of urbanvelo.org, o2sm.com, strongframes.com, iraryancycles.com, velocipedesalon.com, Dave LaMay,