NAHBS 2015: Fat bikes abound at handmade show
With a brutally cold and snowy winter pounding the eastern half of the country, demand for fat bikes has skyrocketed. This dramatic rise in interest was evident at the North American Handmade Bike Show with an array of builders showing their latest fat creations. Even the weather in Louisville, Kentucky (locale of NAHBS 2015) was in on the fat bike theme, with a snowstorm hitting the city and shutting down much of downtown on the Thursday before the show. Despite the cold and snow, attendees of all ages still turned out en masse and many flocked to the abundance of fat bikes displayed on nearly every aisle.
Boo Bicycles
Boo Bicycles‘ vibrant blue and white polka dot fat bike with rims painted to match was hard to miss. This Aluboo model was one of the less expensive frame constructions offered by the bamboo bicycle manufacturer. Aluminum lugs and bamboo tubing are epoxied together to create a durable frame for a reasonable price. Starting at $900 (frame only), the Aluboo was one of most affordable bikes at the show this year.
More info: www.boobicycles.com
Price: $900 frame
Availability: Immediately
Eriksen Cycles
This not-so-fat titanium fat bike from Eriksen weighs in at just 23 pounds.
Known for immaculate TIG welds, Eriksen’s precision was evident from top to bottom on this fat bike. Eriksen’s welds were some of the best seen all weekend and the NAHBS judges awarded the company Best TIG Weld for one of its other similarly flawless bikes.
More info: www.kenteriksen.com
Price: $4000 frame
Availability: 8 weeks
Matter Cycles
Builder Collin Schaafsma of Matter Cycles built his BeneFat fat bike so that it can be ridden all year round. The bike was designed with aggressive geometry to help it feel like a trail bike on or off the snow. For powdery snowy days however, the BeneFat that is pictured here with 3.8″ tires can also fit up to 5 inches of rubber while still maintaining a lively feel, says the builder.
More info: www.mattercycles.com
Price: $1850 custom or $1450 stock sizes
Availability: 2-3 months
Continue to page 2 for more NAHBS fat bikes and full photo gallery »
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