The Beauty of Handbuilt

The 2014 North American Handbuilt Bike Show (NAHBS) in Charlotte, NC was like an art show with functional pieces. Builders from all regions and walks of life gathered to show their latest creations to media, enthusiasts and customers in the market for a truly custom bicycle. The experience was one a blend of McGuyver like American engenuity and good intentioned entrepreneurship. After all, the bicycle is a noble product to be pushing as it improves lives.

Trends

Not bound by minimums in Asian factories or market demand, the Handbuilder is a craftsman who can address niches the big brands could never service. One common theme found amongst the builders is the total lack of need for quantity to drive production. And who can discredit the seeds of American innovation? The light bulb, the automobile, the mountain bike, the 29er all came from home grown thinkers who cared little for convention. If the top global brands aren't already cursing the halls of NAHBS their eye is not on the prize.

If the Fat Bike segment is considered tiny, how small is the Fat Bike Alpine Touring market?

Suppliers taking notice

Component, rubber and wheel manufacturers were well represented at the show. There were two factors that played into this level of support by big suppliers for such a small market. First, every major brand has launched house branded parts. Suppliers who's specialty are wheels for example are feeling pinched by the big 5 opting to make their own parts to offset rising costs and maintain a healthy profit margin. Strong handbuilt brands who can offer complete kits with enough volume can help offset the losses suffered by the rise of house brands on complete bikes. Second, there's sex appeal to having your parts on featured bikes like those shown at NAHBS. It makes your parts look exclusive to be shown on these one-off creations and serves as a good brand positioner. One thing is for certain, suppliers are keeping an eye on this market.

An amazing creation for IMBA trail crews, no better way to clear trail in the Spring.

Real Commerce Happening
An interesting part of this show is the consumer interaction with the product and the builders. When one decides they want something hand-crafted, they want to et to know the builder and make a connection with them. They want to feel understood and know that the person who takes on their project has their needs top of mind throughout the process. It's a courtship between the buyer and the maker, deciding on the flavor and the shape. While the first day was spent with supplier-builder interaction, the weekend was about sales. The real reason to show at NAHBS is to connect with your audience and sell bicycles. These brands survive in the absence of specialty retail distribution because there's no room for them in the channel, and they connect with their customers face to face.

Embracing E-Bike solutions means we'll see more elegant integration.

Electrified Options

A really exciting segment for handbuilts are in E-bike. Products can be created with a specific purpose in mind, like delivering goods within cities. Can you imagine if small batches we're built for pizza delivery, with integrated warming bag placement and cash box? No big brand could build like this, it goes back to minimums. If we really want to replace cars with human powered transport E-bike is a huge part of that equation and functional transport is important too. It was awesome to see Gates and Bosch supporting the movement and I'm certain we'll see a lot of ideas sparked in this segment.

An aesthetically pleasing solution for cable stops on a cantilever design.

NAHBS had one last distinction from another popular bike show that is noteworthy; intimacy. The crazy halls of Vegas a convention center are in stark contrast to the experience you'll find at this show. There was time to catch up with friends, real conversations happening and no distraction from what really mattered, the bike. Next stop, Louisville 2015.