201:NAHBS - EMBRO Awards - Part Two

First a little follow up from the day before. Ok, I get it. They are Carbon Tubulars on Zanc's bike there. Sheesh you would think that I insulted the Pope claiming his brother was in a sex prostitution ring or something the way that people react sometimes. Nah, just kidding, it was not that bad. It is just that I sort of mentally put Edge Carbon Clinchers on Zanc's bike. It is what I did with every bike at the show. Except for the ones in Cole booth. Those I left untouched.

You know how some people try to imagine girls naked? Other people do that right? I try to imagine bikes with Carbon Clinchers on them. I try to imagine a world where everyone rides carbon clinchers, all the time, except during cross season. Sometimes it happens, and sometimes you're left with ratty old Dura Ace laced up to ages old Mavic GP-4's, but I guess that is my problem (hyperbole.)

Speaking of COLE wheels. Its time for the second, or first EMBRO Award.

EMBRO Award: Cyclocross Bicycle (Race)
Winner: Richard Sachs Cycles


Cross Racing: Big Confirm.
Ability to Mud: Of Course.
Heritage of Sport: Very, Very High.
Funtimes Factor: Good, very good.

Do not even really know what to say about this one. I will start with "I'm not surprised." And "Fuck yeah!" You put it to the people and they vote and this is what they say and I raise my fist at you in a sort of rock and roll way.

Really though I don't know what to say so I will relate a conversation. Tonight, Steven Hunter and I were talking about Cyclocross and the upcoming season. A little early? Maybe, but it is still applicable here so I am going to just plow on, get it all out. We were talking about this little cross bike that popped up at the show... Rapha Speedvagen Speedvagen Rapha, did you see it? I'm certain you did. It was also in the running for best Cross bike. Had a lot of votes. Not enough, but still a lot.

Well, Steven and I were chatting about the... how should I say this... pleasures of riding on Carbon race bikes and debating going back to something like a steel cross bike (he had a Gunnar and me an Igleheart). My point was Dan Timmerman. Just that, that ended the conversation pretty much, because we both went, yeah - DT - that guy rules and he does it with a big fucking beard and a steel bike. See below.

Well, which ever way you roll there is no denying the heritage of sport that goes along with this one. Clear cut winner for me in that department. I do not know anyone who has more of a passion for this sport. And I will fight anyone with my bare hands that says otherwise. But be warned I will be holding a roll of quarters and shouting the whole time.

I guess it should also come as no surprise that Richard is also a big supporter of what we do over here in EMBRO land. I do indeed have one of his road bikes that much is true. Which, was also at the show. Also true is the fact that if he tried to steel me (yeah, I wrote 'steel' what you gonna do?) from my own team, he could probably do it. He would probably just stand one of his bikes on top of a hill somewhere (or get bearded Timmerman to do it, more biblical) and I would just wander around until I saw his bike shining from a mountain top and that would be it. It could happen you never know?

Ok, now I also have to say that there were some pretty cool cross bikes at the show this time around. When I first went to San Jose there was not a lot of Cross action going around. Seriously, I'll try to dig up some photos, but I remember (evertime that Igleheart would actually come back to the booth and stop chatting with K. Anderson) that I would cruise the isles like some horny teenager on the prowl. And what was a looking for? The sweet scent of, well, mud I guess, cross bikes definitely...

Nope, I just checked, my photo archives don't go back that far. Or at least not on this harddrive. But there are some pretty funny ones from Indy and Portland the year before. Ah how people liked me so much more when I just paid the bill and kept my mouth shut...

Runner Up #1: Igleheart Custom Frames and Forks

I really liked the Cross Bike in Chris Igleheart's booth. Why? Well, for one because I chose the paint scheme and that goes a long way for making me like something. Sorry, I do not mean for that to sound so...self promoting...but I have a couple bikes with the same paint scheme and I really like it. I also like Chris because he is one of the hardest working nice guys I know. And his heritage for the sport goes back as far into the New England scene as anyone else.

In fact I would like to make it official here. I do not know how this Framebuilders Collective happens to choose its members, but I would like to humbly submit Christopher for some of this action. And while I am asking for things that I will never get, I would like to be on the judging board of the NAHBS next year. What do you think? Vote for me. I'll spice things up a bit. Just sayin. Stranger things have happened.


I also appreciate the fact that Chris (and JimW) are going out of their way to use some alternate components on the bicycles that they bring to the show. SunRace? Honestly, I do not think that I even knew that they had a group available out there. So, it is a refreshing change to the usual Three (yes, there are three now - pay attention). So great f-ing job Jim and Chris for being there time and again and loving the Cross and helping to instill the cross love in me. Readers may remember that Jim is the one who first got me on a Raleigh Cross bike (who cares that it has 135mm rear spacing it was awesome).

Cross bikes cross bikes. We have two winners today people. Both that win just based on the simple fact that they both pour their hearts into each and every bike that they make. I can get behind that action. And I just knew that chasing those dudes around at Nationals was going to come in handy.

200: NAHBS - EMBRO Awards - Part One.

EMBRO Award: Best Road Bicycle (Race)
Winner: Zanconato "Max" Road

above photos by Whit Yost

Road Racing: CONFIRM
Belgie Rating: HIGH
Edge Carbon Clincher Rating: OFF THE CHART


The results are in and now you shall have them (yes I am aware that I skipped Cross -for now). There was a little bit of question (from the higher ups) as to why I was doing this at the show. Why should I put together my own awards show when The Don already has one? Why Not? That is the simplest answer, but the real reason is two-fold.

A: Content - Things to talk about in Embrocation Cycling Journal
B: The People - They want to take your money? Well, then you should have a say with the judging at NAHBS. Hell, I want to take your money, so you should have something to say in ECJ.

I do not know if you know this, but I am always trying to find ways to gather up a little content. No offense to anyone in charge over there, I could rely on what comes out of it, or I could chase it down myself. Chances are that if you hold up these bikes with a different set of lenses that maybe you might see something that you missed otherwise. (Which I would guess is what they are doing with their panel of judges) Also, I have no idea who does their judging but apparently they did not realize that they already had a tandem category when they gave BEST ROAD BIKE to Bilenky Cycles for a Tandem. And it should go without saying that I am a huge fan of the Bilenky family. But really my friends? A tandem? "Pffff" that is what I say to that.

So, that is just one example of — A: Road Bike to talk about (it wasn't a tandem) in the publication. And B: You (the people who voted at the show) chose it, so you had a say in it.

We also did our own awards so that we could talk about the racier end of the family. And I do not just mean that weird uncle who kept trying to play grabass with your cousin Suzy, that was just weird. I mean race bikes.


I thought a lot about just this subject as I threw my leg over the ol trusty steed not once, but twice this past weekend. The weather in this fair state of Oregon was nothing short of magnificent. And when the weather turns in this direction it is without hesitation that I will reach for the "race bike." If I were a professional judger of "race bikes," which I am not I would look at them with a few different things in mind. Categories, if you will. Now, these would not be the most technical ways to look at bicycles, just my own approach so bare with me.

1) Awesomeness - this is mostly the aesthetics department. How does the bicycle look and how would I (being the judge) look astride a machine of this caliber? (obviously we are only judging the highest of caliber here.) Is the paint something that looks like it was gleaned from a mid 90's Alien Drag Race movie? Or does it have the subtle tones and unweilding power of...well, I do not know what... The thing about "awesomeness" is that it also goes miles in the ability to catch ones eye while at a tradeshow, and this, my friends is a not an easy thing to do. With bicycles all but piled from aisle to aisle you need something that is going to jump out and grab your attention.

Example: One company that does this day in and day out is Independent Fabrication. Every time they go to a show they find another way to keep things fresh. Could have something to do with my man Clint putting the finishing touches on them? Could also have to do with the fact that they care about what they're doing over there and that is kind of a big deal.


2) Weightness- We are talking race bicycles here right? Well, then guess what...weight is going to be a factor. And just as it might be tough to drag your own 150 lb frame (and I am using frame here in place of "body") up a mountain...it would most definitely be tougher to push your 150 lb frame and a 25 lb frame (bicycle in this case) up that same mountain. So, I am going to say the lighter, the better. I am also aware of this strange ability for bicycles to "ride light" which I would have to say that my Richard Sachs bicycle does.

Standout in this area would have to be Crumpton Cycles. With again, the IF wrecking ball close behind, but maybe I am a little biased?

3) Lateral Stiffness - Not really, just trying to throw you off with that one.

4) "Work Hard and Be Nice to People." This is actually kind of a big one for me. Because I am thinking about things in the terms of being a customer and the customer experience. For example I like dealing with Richard Sachs because he is a really nice guy - if you have ever stepped up to talk to him you would know this. Chris Igleheart gives me the biggest hug every time I see him - this is an action that makes me want to give him my money. Tyler from IF has slapped me on the ass more than once (I'm not sure exactly what this means). And Dave Kirk and his wife were excited to show me their new logo and paint jobs, this bodes well because I instantly made a connection with them (being a fan of graphics) and I remembered them when I went on to something else.

5) Historical Relavence — What do you know about these builders and where do they come from? And how does this sort of thing relate to you? I like the stories that go behind these builders. How many frames do they build in a given year? How long have they been doing this craft? What sort of riding do they personally do?(Sachs still races cross and Igleheart rides more than anyone I know). And all of these things become a factor in owning what you as a customer would consider the best bicycle EVER...

This is just my way of looking at a show like the NAHBS. Blink judgments and quick assesments are the way to go namely because as a buyer you do not have time at the show to look through everything. I definitely did not get to see everything that I was hoping to see. This might also be because I was trying to work in two booths and take a few photos along the way as well. Whew.

But as this week progresses I will tell you who won each category and then take a little more of an in depth look at who each of these people are. And of course how it all relates back to riding bicycles, embrocating your leggies, and well, I can't think of a third one at the moment.

Does any of that make sense?

198: NAHBS Richmond — Signal Cycles

Here is a little video for you. This is Matt Cardinal of Signal Cycles showing me the Chris King headset on one of their most recent creations to feature at the NAHBS. The first moment that I was taking a look at their booth Matt called this to my attention. Pretty great way to go about things for a few reasons. One of those is because I like interesting things and a great way for me to hang around your booth is for you to point them out to me. (Dave Kirk's wife did the same thing by telling me that the new font they are using is something called Crime Scene -so maybe that says I am easy to please?)


Pretty cool concept for a greasing a headset. Especially when Matt said that Chris King himself stopped by the booth and gave him the full lowdown on the headset. This bike was a creation for Nate Woodman (above to the left of his bicycle) the proprietor of Monkeywrench Cycles in Lincoln, Nebraska - where Nate Meshke - the second half of Signal used to live. I have officially made Monkeywrench go straight to the top of my list of bike shops that I need to see (others include Above Category and Crono Metro). If only for the fact that Nate claims to have not one, but...er...more than one of these amazing headsets. Apparently there was also a pedal and hubset that went with it. The Hubs are actually on the bike.


Both Matt claimed that this was a pretty ideal build for them as Nate (W) basically gave them the headset and asked them to build a bike around it. Silly? Maybe, but you might also be surprised at just how often this sort of thing happens. Stop by at Harris Cyclery and I am quite sure that they could give you more than a few stories along these lines (think Sturmey Archer.) The ease also has something to do with the customer putting trust into what these guys are bringing to the table in terms of their taste. And with a glance around their booth it is easy to see why customers would leave the whole taste debate up to them.

The second bike that I was excited to see in their booth was one that they built for my favorite local bookstore/awesomeshop Ampersand Vintage. The blue bike bares the signature ampersand on the downtube and more than a few shiny bits to spice up the frame. I do not know if this would technically be called a rain bike, light touring, or maybe even the West Hills name that has been kicking around recently, but whatever you choose to call this style also add "Sick" to the front, effectively making it the Sick Light Touring, or the Sick Rain Bike, or even the SICK West Hills Bike...

Days before the show Matt and Nate went in to Ampersand to pick out a few extra little pieces for the bike and came away with this antiquated map of Portland to give it that extra touch. And when it is nestled all nice and snug under the viewing port of the leather accented bag it makes me want to do some light touring. Some leisurely parading, or even, if you must a romp through the forrested hills of Southern Oregon. I am not joking.


Myles has mentioned a few times the trip that he took a few years ago out of Portland and down through California on his previous touring bike. Nothing like a new bike to get you motivated to do some riding. I kept thinking about just this thought as I madly roamed the isles of the NAHBS "What is going to be my new bike? I want a new bike." Careful or I will get all Veruca Salt on your ass. Not the band.

The thing that I came back to while I was looking through the photos from the Signal booth, and it did not really hit me until I looked at them for the third time today was Signal's use of Portland throughout their booth. Take a look back through the photos and see what I mean. The Handlebar on the Orange one? Vertigo Cycles. The Hubs and Headsets on all of them except the orange one? Chris King. The Ampersand bicycle being a representation of the store and even the red 29er had "Portland, OR" emblazoned on the top tube. Hell even the handmade Carbon Wheels on Carey's Team Cross bike had one of the new incarnations to the club — Corsa Concepts.

So, I will leave you with that, and that is a good one, especially because it is well known that I am just a little bit obsessed with Carbon Clinchers these days, so I will look forward to hearing how these fare...


We are still waiting to hear a couple things about the Embro Awards. I will let you know the winners just as soon as I got the total tally and we check with the Supreme Court to see if that pesky First Amendment thing went through. Could be quite a bother if it does not because then all my reportage will be for naught. The people need answers.

Full-ish Set on Flickr.

197: NAHBS 2010 — Day1, Spoiler Alert

Tomorrow the door will open and hundreds of thousands of people will quite literally pour through the doors to see what is new in the handmade bicycle world. Richmond is a pretty strange place. Very run down at the moment, and when we asked Chris Distefano, who is originally from Richmond, what happened to here the only thing he could say is "America happened to Richmond." So, take that for what you will.

The day started out as any day at a convention might. With loads to be unpacked and a few large crates placed throughout the hall. I would say that it is a real challenge to stand out in way of display. The real reason, because it takes a lot of effort to put together a booth, to make it something different than just another booth with a few bikes in it. Which is why I added "overall booth design" to the Embro Awards. Oh, wait did I forget to tell you about this?

Hopefully no one takes this as an attack (because I know that things can get sensitive around here) because it is really just my attempt to get some content for the next issue. There are awards that are given out at the show, but after I had so much fun at the end of the year with the Embro Awards I thought that it might be a good idea to carry it over this way.

So, there are two way to participate with this.

1) Show up at the show and fill out on of these cards. Do a little voting and then hand it back in to see who gets the award.

2) If you cannot be at the show. Take a look at the card above. I would send you one, but that might take a little too long. Then, as you are perusing the interwebs and all the photos that will be coming out in the next couple days, send me an email with your choices (jeremyddunn@gmail.com). That way your vote will still be counted. Fair enough?

I am going to do some little photos and profiles of the winners and I am also going to photograph some of the cards, so hopefully we get something interesting back from this. Or we might get kicked out of the show forever and ever again. But, I really hope not.

Also, if you are going to stop by the booth you can also pick up one of these little beauties. Put this guy together to highlight the racing team. On the front is a photo by Chris Milliman that is the inside front cover of Volume5. The back has a great Museeuw quote that Molly and I uncovered at the Flanders museum last year.


Alright, enough about that, actually I think we might be coming back to that a little more throughout the weekend. But I actually got a few sneak peeks for you from the show. I do not really know where to start, so I will just kind of go for it here.

There are some pretty cool things that I am psyched about. And maybe even a few things that I am confused about as well. Things like, where did those shifters come from (they are in the Igleheart Booth) and why do I not do more things with a cordless drill? But the thing that confused me the most this evening was when Nate from Signal Cycles put a spoon in his nose. That was weird.

049: N a h b s: Chris King and Cielo

See, I'm guessing you like it better this way. Spread out the content a little bit, that way you don't have to sift through it all at once. I'll just keep working under this guise for a while.



This is Chris Aguirre (Wrath of God) who took the time to walk me through what the fine people over at Chris King have been working on for a while now. Apparently Chris (Aguirre, not King) is a fan of sneakers, just like me. So, we had a lot in common. This guy knows his stuff.

045: N a h b s : Wrap-up. Part One. Of Many.

I realized while looking through the photo and video content that I obtained from the handmade show that I would have to post about three times a day for the next...ok, so I didn't think it through that far. What I'm trying to say is that I've still got good stuff from the land of handmade bicycles. I'll just keep dipping in to it as things get boring.





A video of Sacha White talking about his new Speedvagen Track Bike. Pretty hot stuff. But then again, that is kind of what we all expect from Vanilla right? That's just the way that it goes.

I started a 'channel' on vimeo to put these things.
Check it out.

As I was watching this video I came across this little article by Amy Walker over at Momentum Magazine. They had a very nice booth at the show and took some great photos as well. I think that somewhere they had a booth set up...

The last part of her article she talks about the five things that could be done to enhance the Nahbs experience for next year. I'm a big fan of this. I'm glad that she has opened the dialogue as to keeping these things not only fun and exciting but working to expand the cycling audience.

I'm a big fan of her #4. Thanks Amy.

I would also like to add one on as well.

6. Expand the awards to include a number of other artistic diversions that happen throughout the show. There are all kinds of things happening in the periphery that are easily overlooked each year. Like, as Amy mentions earlier in her article, the lack of women builders.

So, here's what I've got for you.

NAHBS: The Other Awards. And the Other Winners.

Award:
Best Underground Club Formed During the NAHBS
Winner:
The Hot Tub Club.

You thought I was going to say the Framebuilders Collective didn't you? Nope. I don't think this one got the same amount of hype, but who knows where they will be in a year. My guess is that they're going straight to the top.

Letsee...who have we here: I think all the major food groups are represented. Signal Cycles, Villin, Courage, Seven Cycles, Cambridge Bicycle Shop, Chicagoland Racing (Ben Popper), Hufnagel Cycles, and if you look closely even Sachs in the background. (Thanks to Molly for the Photo.)

Award:
Best Guerrilla Marketing Campaign
Winner:
Independent Fabrication

What is guerrilla marketing anyway?

Guerrilla marketing is an unconventional system of promotions that relies on time, energy and imagination rather than a big marketing budget. Typically, guerrilla marketing tactics are unexpected and unconventional; consumers are targeted in unexpected places, which can make the idea that's being marketed memorable, generate buzz, and even spread virally.
- Wikipedia.

Novel concept.

This was their campaign. Taking over bathrooms everywhere.

What I would be really curious to see though. Is photos from bike shops everywhere. Because they gave out these posters at their booth and I'm sure that they have made their way to gracing the walls over more than one fine bicycle purveyor? This might actually make a good photo spread for an upcoming Embrocation: Bike Shop Bathrooms. I could see that.


Award:
Best Sock Puppet.
Winner:
Pucket, the official Artbike Puppet.

Pucket is the one on the left. I believe that she was given out as part of the raffle that Artbike was holding during their Goldsprints event. I don't know why someone would want to give up such a wonderful prize/pet, but who am I to judge. All I know is that she's got a good home now. I don't know what happened to the creepy blue sock puppet.

Award:
Best Nahbs T-shirt
Winner:
Duh.


I used the same image for the intro to the Speedvagen video above. There are still some available. You can get them here.

——

Now, maybe some of these would be considered "joke" awards. I wouldn't consider them in that fashion, but whatever. But I think that it brings up a good point, and that point being that there needs to be more going into the Nahbs awards and award ceremonies. For example and in all seriousness now:

Paint - These guys work their asses off to make sure that all the bikes look good. There could even be individual awards. Best Paint Job, Best Painter, Best Thematic Paint Job?

Booths - I've seen a ton of work go into each and every booth that goes up at these things. Why is there not an award for this? It might also make it interesting to see where they go from year to year. Maybe get a Home Depot to sponsor this award and give out a gift certificate for the winner to use for their booth next year? Just another little idea.

Best Use of An Old Thing in a New Way - I don't know if you saw the Signal wine rack, but that is what I'm talking about.