The annual North American Handmade Bicycle Show (NAHBS), billed as the world’s leading handmade bicycle show, took place this year in Salt Lake City, Utah, on 10-12 March 2017. Following the wrap-up of this year’s NAHBS, judges have announced the best custom bicycles built for the 2017 show.
2017 marked a record year for international exhibitors at the Handmade Show, along with over 180 total exhibitors. The awards are broken down by three categories of: riding discipline, construction, and overall design. NAHBS’s next edition will take place on 16-18 February in Hartford, Connecticut.
The NAHBS award winners are as follows.
Riding discipline division
Fully complete bikes, paint and component choices factor into the judging (aesthetic impact and correctness of the discipline)
Best City Bike/ Utility Bike – Shamrock Cycles
Best Road bike – David Kirk
Best Mountain Bike – Skylar
Best Cyclocross Bike – Donhue
Best Gravel Bike – Mosaic Cycles
Best Track Bike – LOW
Best Tandem Bike – Santana
Best Experimental Bike – Rock West Composites
Best Artisan Bike – Black Sheep
Construction division
Construction categories: all bikes presented for the construction categories (lugged, fillet-brazed, TIG-welded and carbon layup) are presented as naked frames. To make the frames easier to inspect, they are presented with a fork, headset and stem. Painted bikes are deemed ineligible.
Best Fillet Frame – David Kirk
Best TIG Frame – Eriksen
Best Carbon Layup – Alchemy
Overall design division
Theme: these are complete bicycles with a description of the theme, concept or heritage the frame builder is portraying. These bicycles are be judged with an eye toward the overall execution of the theme.
Best New Builder – SaltAir
Best Columbus Build – Breadwinner
Campy Award – No. 22
Best Theme – Peacock Groove
Best Finish – Black Magic Paint
People’s Choice – Tallerico
President’s Choice – Enigma Bicycles
Best In Show – Peacock Groove
NAHBS aims to be a meeting point for frame builders and anyone who has a ‘curiosity for rich culture and exquisite attention to detail’. As the show organising team point out… ‘Think of it as a community of bike brands and cycling enthusiasts coming together to swap ideas and showcase their talent. Whether you know the ins and outs of the handmade bike community or you just like to be immersed in sharing of ideas and artwork, NAHBS is truly a one-of-a-kind experience.
