NAHBS celebrates beautiful bespoke bikes. Huge gallery plus award winners

The North American Handmade Bicycle Show has been celebrating beautiful bespoke bikes for 15 years, with framebuilders from around the world including Australia, Canada, England, Germany, Italy, Ireland, Japan, Russia, and Taiwan displaying some of the finest bikes across a variety of categories from best road bike to best commute bike. 

I've never been to NAHBS before (though I'd dearly love to) but having observed it over the many years from afar, something that has been made much easier since the advent of Twitter and Instagram, it's clear there is no shortage of creativity in the bespoke framebuilding world. This year appears to be no exception, with some gorgeous bikes being displayed. 

The show hands out awards based on riding category but also recognises the best workmanship in different materials. British framebuilders have done well in the past, and this year Hartley Cycles won the prestigious President’s Choice award.

Here then are the award winners plus a large gallery below that of other stunning bikes that were being exhibited. 

Award Winners

OVERALL DESIGN DIVISION

Best in Show- No. 22 Bicycle Company

Best New Builder - Porter Cycles  

President’s Choice - Hartley Cycles and Panasonic Cycle Technology

People’s Choice - Mars Cycles

RIDING DISCIPLINE DIVISION

Fully complete bikes, paint and component choices will factor into the judging (aesthetic impact and correctness of the discipline).

Best Artisan Bike -  Black Sheep Bikes

Best City/Utility Bike - Rex Cycles

Best Cyclocross Bike - McGovern Cycles

Best Experimental Bike - Black Sheep Bikes

Best Gravel Bike - Seven Cycles

Best Mountain Bike - Mosaic Cycles

Best Road Bike - Seven Cycles

Best Tandem Bike - Bingham Built

Best Track Bike - T°RED Bikes

Judges Discretionary Award - Mosaic Cycles  

CONSTRUCTION DIVISION

All bikes presented for the construction categories are presented as bare, non-painted frames to make for easier inspection.

Best TIG Welded Frame- Bingham Built

Best Layup- Pursuit Cycles

Best Finish - Ioklin Frameworks

Best Fillet - Black Cat Bicycle Designs

Best Lugged Frame- DiNucci Cycles

Best of the rest

Those award winners are just the tip of the iceberg, how the judges choose the winners from such a vast array of potential winning bikes is beyond here. Below is a gallery of some of the other outstanding bikes that are worth sharing. Happy viewing!

Next year sees the show relocate to Dallas, Texas at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Centre on March 20-22, 2019. T

“There’s an ever-growing cycling culture in Dallas and we’re extremely excited to bring the show back to Texas,” says Don Walker, Founder and President of NAHBS. “The city hosts some iconic cycling events and has a large variety of cycling clubs and groups. There are loads of hotels and lodging options close to the convention center, with very affordable rates. And like Sacramento, the weather in March is usually warm, which means bring your bikes and ride!”

Thanks to www.nahbs.com for the photos.