tea Philly Bike Expo is a handmade bicycle show in Philadelphia, USA, that is known for being more than just a show of shiny things. It has a history of being progressive, perhaps even political, with workshops and scholarships aimed at helping frame builders beyond just “selling more stuff.” It was an inspiration for Josh and Petor from Bespoked, who are coming to Manchester in June this year. To whet your appetite for handmade and creative things, here’s a gallery of some bikes that caught our eye in the photo booths coming out of Philadelphia.
Bina Bilenky’s bicycle
Bina Bilenky is the director of the show, and this is her new bike, made by her father Stephen Bilenky. Anodized spokes with matching hubs on the Industry Nine wheels, and matching bottle cages…a classy choice perhaps? You can get the same, or go full rainbow.
Base
Base he is based in Mexico, but we don’t know anything else, thanks to not speaking enough Spanish. From their Instagram account it looks like a vibrant shop that produces a variety of custom bikes. Nice. Use your eyes and check out the finish on this hardtail.
Chapman
No, not a mountain bike. But let’s take a moment for some appreciation thanks to Chapman’s cycles.
Memento
This cute Montreal based gravel bike Memento won the People’s Choice Award in Philly this year.
Rack of sparkling pink hearts fabulousness.
Appleman modular cranks
The sharp eyes among you have spotted these Appleman 2 XR cranks. Prices start at $485 and there is quite a variety of colors to choose from. Where’s Tom Howard when you need him? These aren’t really about colors, though: they’re about shape. Designed to be modular, you can even have a different length on each side. Its designer Matt Appleman is a crank-length nerd, and if you’re one too, you’ll probably like it all the things he has to say about the choice of crank lengths on their website.
Hope Cranks
While we’re at it, here’s the new one hope coal cranks, being cranked in Philly by a fellow from Lancashire, who is not a crank. He might be a nerd though. Gotta love some nerding.
Which reminds us, our Hope Factory Tour is much more fun than that corporate official. You should watch it!
Fine bikes
Made in Raleigh, North Carolina, this singlespeed is from Fine bikes. Can we guess the topography of Raleigh from the gears? And the weather from the tires?
Significant other
Made in Colorado, this hardtail is from Significant other. Completely digging the colors, it’s like a Neon Tetra. And there are those Appleman cranks again, and a subtle flash of colored Industry Nine spokes.
Rivendell
From the sublime color scheme to a kind of mud-colored bike with a name reminiscent of a Roald Dahl villain. This Wolbis Slugstone from Rivendell is classic Rivendell Bikes stuff – quite reminiscent of a Geoff Apps too. I was completely riding this Wolbis Slugstone through the woods looking for Roly Poly Birds and Hornswogglers before jumping into a tasty sandwich and riddle-raddling through the trees as fast as my pig-wigglers would take me.
If all this has given you a taste for making a spot of drooling eyes and drooling for yourself, we are told Bespoke Manchester Primetime Tickets it will be on sale at the end of next week (Good Friday). Held at the very cool venue of Victoria Baths, should be a great weekend out: 28th – 30th June 2024. See you there!
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