PORTLAND, OR (BRAIN)—Oregon Manifest, the American design and build competition that brings together custom bike builders and design firms to redefine transportation for the everyday lifestyle cyclist, has announced the participants in the 2011 Constructor’s Design Challenge, which takes place in Portland on September 23 and 24.
This year’s diverse line-up features an exciting mix of seasoned frame builders and hopeful up-starts, along with six student teams from design schools and programs.
This year, the bike builders hail from 11 states, from Oregon to Vermont. They include early-generation custom frame builders such as Brian Baylis of Baylis Handmade Cycles, Andy Newlands of Strawberry, Stephen Bilenky of Bilenky Cycle Works, and Cielo by Chris King, plus a number of newer builders, including Ira Ryan Cycles, Hufnagel Cycles, Chapman Cycles and Boxer Bicycles. Also back for 2011 are nine of the 2009 winners, including the 2009 Constructor Design Challenge grand champion Tony Pereira of Pereira Cycles. For a complete list of competitors, visit oregonmanifest.com (click on above link).
"In addition to some of the most skilled and creative independent frame builders in the country, we’re drawing collaborative talent that normally might not be represented at a bike event, such as industrial designers and even a ship builder,” said Shannon Holt, Oregon Manifest board member. “It’s precisely these types of unique, passionate collaborations that can foster innovative and meaningful solutions for the everyday rider. Oregon Manifest is creating the space to do just that, and we're incredibly excited to see the end results.”
This year, thanks to a donation by United Bicycle Institute, the premier frame building school in the nation, the Oregon Manifest Constructor's Design Challenge will feature $5,000 in prize money for the top three winners ($3,000 for first place, $1,200 for 2nd, $800 for third).
“UBI has served as an incubator for custom frame building for more than 20 years, and many of the best craftspeople currently building custom frames first picked up a torch in a UBI class," said John Baxter, administrator of UBI. "Oregon Manifest's mission of driving bike innovation is completely in line with who we are as a school, and so sponsoring the prize—and upping the ante for the winners—is an exciting way for us to support this important event."
