SPEEDWAY, IN (BRAIN)—Leading up to its sixth edition, the North American Handmade Bicycle Show (NAHBS) has seen strong exhibitor registration numbers as frame builders and other exhibitors react positively to Richmond, Virginia as its 2010 venue.
"We had a great show in Indianapolis [in 2009] and next year will be our first time on the East Coast, so I expected that registration would get off to a good start," said NAHBS founder Don Walker. "But the quality of the exhibitors is even better than I expected. I'm really pleased with where we're at."
More than 45 exhibitors have thus far committed to Richmond, including frame builders ranging from perennial favorites like Richard Sachs to newer builders like Signal Cycles. Returning from Japan will be frame builder Cherubim, winner of the Best Track Bicycle and President's Choice awards at NAHBS 2009. Clothing brands like Japan's CCP and component manufacturers like Chris King are also on board.
A frame builder since 1972, Sachs has witnessed firsthand NAHBS' effect on the handmade bicycle community. "NAHBS has reintroduced an excitement around the craft of frame building that's been missing for decades," Sachs said. "I've exhibited every year since the show started and I can't imagine not being there."
Signal Cycles debuted at the 2008 show in Portland and co-founder Matt Cardinal credits NAHBS for much of the company's success. "NAHBS was the perfect venue to launch Signal," he said. "There's nowhere else where we could have received that level of exposure to start building our reputation."
Exhibiting at the North American Handmade Bicycle Show is open to frame builders and other companies whose products are relevant to the show. The minimum requirements for builders are two years experience, a minimum of 50 frames built, and proof of product liability insurance.
