NAHBS 2008 Indicates Increasing Activity and Interest In Handmade Market

SPEEDWAY, Indiana – The North American Handmade Bicycle Show (NAHBS), scheduled for February 8-10, 2008 in Portland, Oregon, is not only the world’s largest trade/consumer show for custom-built bicycles, but now it is setting new records for exhibitor participation, and is attracting the finest names from the great tradition of Italian frame builders. In response to the strong interest, NAHBS is producing two 2008 commemorative calendars: one exclusively for track bikes and single speeds, the other for general bicycles.

“I’m really excited about the show this year,” says NAHBS show director Don Walker. “Last year we had 103 exhibitors, we’re already at 113 and registration remains open until December 15, so we still have two weeks to go.”

A notable increase in interest comes from Italy. In 2007 three Italian names were represented at the show. This year, Columbus is back, Passoni, Dedaccai, Zullo Tiziano will exhibit, and quite possibly Pegoretti will return for a second year. “For us, this is an important step up. Ultimately we would like this to be seen as an international show, and given the size of the US market, I have faith that this will happen. I understand that the De Rosa family is sending a representative to assess the feasibility of exhibiting in 2009,” said Walker.

“A lot of people don’t know this, but many of the great Italian names now outsource their frame building to East Asia, and therefore would not be eligible to exhibit at NAHBS. All the frame builders at our show build in-house. These are the people who actually make your bike, and that’s the whole point of the show: Would-be purchasers can walk around the booths see which styles and materials they like, they can talk directly to the builder, see which builders suit them best, and start a relationship that often lasts for decades,” explained Don Walker.

With so much interest in a show that many Americans are unable to attend for geographic reasons, commemorative calendars are available that showcase some of the most alluring pictures of the beautiful bicycles on display at the NAHBS show. “We have a track bike calendar, since recently there has been such a strong interest in this most pure of bicycles, and then we have a general calendar that presents the enormous range of designs and materials on display at the show. Yup, there’s some carbon fiber in both calendars,” says Walker. Retailers may contact Don Walker with enquiries, and individuals may visit www.handmadebicycleshow.com to purchase their online copies, competitively priced at $14.95.

About The North American Handmade Bicycle Show, and list of exhibitors.
The North American Handmade Bicycle Show held in 2008 at the Oregon Convention Center, Portland, February 8-10, 2008, is dedicated to showcasing the talents of individuals around the world whose art form is the bicycle. It aims to be a gathering point – online and in person – for frame builders and consumers looking for custom-made bikes, for the sharing of ideas and promotion of this special industry which has such a rich history. After three years of growing by leaps and bounds, NAHBS 2008 will feature still more exhibitors, consumers and a wealth of seminars. For more information, see http://www.handmadebicycleshow.com.