MADE 2024 Report

Handmade bicycle frames.

A bike frame that was made specifically for someone, based on the rider’s body build, ride style, and philosophy.

There are so many types of bicycles in the world, but handmade bikes have always been something I was fascinated by, even from when I didn’t know much about bicycles.

I had an opportunity to go to the MADE bike show 2024.

The venue was the same as last year, Zidell Yards in Portland Oregon USA.

Thanks to last year’s event being a huge success, there were twice as the amount of exhibitors as last year.

All the booths were inside the shipyard for last year, but there were more booths outside this year.

We were greeted by the White Industries, Rolf, Astral booth as soon as we got in.

The 12 speed VBC and the Rolf 16H disc wheels were very eye-catching.

In the same booth as White Industries, Enduro (the people who make the bearings for White Industries) was showcasing their bearings in a fish tank.

They even had the bearings inside the fish tank for three days straight. What a unique way of showcasing their bearings.

Ritchey’s booth was one of the booths I was anticipating the most.

They are a big bicycle company now, but the founder of the company, Tom Ritchey who is also one of the inventors of mountain bikes, has his roots in handmade bicycles.

What was really cool is that Tom Ritchey had live welding show of the Bullmoose bars at the event.

What is this cool track bike though…?

It was apparently called the “Garden City”.

I’ve seen some break-away road bikes from them in a single speed build, but I never seen a track frame. A mass-pro company like Ritchey making a track frame could be an NBD.

Tom Ritchey himself wasn’t at the booth throughout the day, but he magically appeared later in the first day.

We brought a brand new Tom Ritchey Bobble Head, just in case if he shows up and here he was.

We had to ask for his autograph, but being a very smart man, I forgot to bring a dang pen. Luckily, Wakako, our boss was able to borrow a pen from Sean Soulcraft. Thanks Sean!

This was the only time I was able to talk with Tom, so it would have been the biggest regret in my life if I wasn’t able to get his autograph. I brought two pens for this specific reason, but of course I forget to bring them to the show. How smart.

At the Paul component booth, they were showcasing the anodized adjusters, which we recently got in stock.

It’s these small, but fun things that makes us love Paul Components.

The Paul crew all had a Ben Davis shirt on, like in every bike show.

A new product they were showing was the Racer Brakes for Brompton.

The Boxcar stem in 22.2mm clamp with 70mm extension was also a new product they were showing.

Pass And Stow, aka the sickest company to make handmade front racks, were showing their new rack legs that suites bikes with slanted head tubes.

The bike that was on display with their rack was the Hunter Bush Master, which is the bike I always admired.

I told that this bike was a huge inspiration and I was super excited to see it in person, AND! he let me ride the bike, which is definitely my highlight of the event.

Frances Cycles had their booth set up right beside Pass and Stow.

I personally thought a track bike from Frances was out of character, but the frame was really nice.

The builder Joshua is a track bike lover like us. I love that his own bike he brought was also a track bike

The seat tube of the track frame was shaped like a fork, which made the tires look like they were popping out from the seat tube. I thought this was an interesting way to make the bike shorter.

Rock Lobster by Paul Sadoff from Santa Cruz.

If you like these kinds of bikes, I know you’ve seen their bikes once.

Their sea foam finish is pretty iconic.

He was supposed to show up at last year’s show, but he was unfortunately injured and could not make it, but I knew he was going to be here this year, so I was super stoked to see him in person.

His booth consisted five bikes on the bike rack and a hand drawn sign.

It’s a common thing for exhibiters to build a fancy booth, but I loved Paul’s simplicity.

This picture is a treasure for me.

As you can tell by my face, I was freaking out when I was taking this picture.

This is Tyler from BTCHN Bikes. I’m pretty sure he is a future legend.

Their booth was packed throughout the event. Their “Geo Shift” hardtail was the center of attention for sure.

A dropper post was installed in the top tube, which can be controlled by the modified Paul Dropper Trigger. This enables the riders to change the height of the saddle and shift the seat angle. Crazy.

The handlebar he has in his hands is a titanium bullmoose bar he made himself.

I knew he has made these in the past, but it was so cool that he made them for this show.

The bikes he brought last year was super creative, but the bikes he brought this year was just on a next level.

Tyler himself was very chill. He would give us high fives whenever we see him in the venue.