MADE 2025, part 1

I want to start off by saying thank you to everyone who came out for MADE! It was so fun meeting new people, seeing old friends, pointing at bikes, riding bikes, talking bikes, and squeezing various brake levers. The community around the show is so amazing and supportive and we are truly lucky to be a part of it.

I also wanted to give a shout out to our friend Randy from Company for the amazing space and Orange-themed drinks, DJ Swirving for the immaculate vibes, and Unwind for the spectacular vegan crab cakes! Our party was so much fun and a memory for the ages. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Ok, onwards to the bikes!

The bikes I take photos of tend catch my eye in various ways unbeknownst to me at the time. It's interesting how it happens. In a sea of amazing custom bikes, there can be one little detail from 10+ feet away that draws me in for further analysis. These are my selections of favorites from the event. I wasn't able to talk to every builder simply because of time or if they were slammed talking to attendees (I didn't want to mess with their mojo!). Enjoy and be sure to see the mega gallery at the bottom of the post for all the pics.

Saltair

Single Speed CX

This was one super cool rig. Not only are the proportions just right, but those hellenic stays are so neat and clean. Look at the way the rear brake (mounted inside the seat stays, by the way) cable pierces the seat tube. This was an homage to Routens and other constructeurs of the 40s and 50s. The parallel lines are not easy to get just right, and he nailed it.

The 1" quill stem is custom made, too, with a little roller wheel for the front brake.

Medium-Tired Roadie

This medium-tired roadie was a treat, too. In addition to the lovely paint and a ton of high-zoot prototype carbon bits, check out the fork crown!

This is a 3d printed crown modeled and modified after the old Samson aero fork crowns, but were only offered in 25.4 (1") for NJS track bikes. This is made for 28.6 (1 1/8") and wider clearances. These aero blades are so cool.

The rear is generously clearanced for 32mm tires with nicely tapered and dimpled chainstays. The downtube is an ovalized triangle. Why? Not entirely sure, but I love interesting tube cross sections. 

Look at that seat cluster. So simple and effective. All in all, this unassuming road bike has some trick details to make it easy to live with (opposed to a pure low-clearance 23mm road bike). This fillet-brazed beauty was a favorite of mine.

Neuhaus

The black tuxedo of the show. Clean, simple, and timeless. The fork was the stand-out for me. I'm really liking the idea of 1 1/8" headtubes for endurance road bikes, but there are limited options for a non-tapered steerer, so Neuhaus is in the process of making their own!

It was crazy lightweight, and the rep said the production one will be even lighter. This is the road version, and there will be a wider-tired gravel version in the future. Can't wait to see it.

Buendia

Super sparkly purple, rando bag, lugged, and pinion gears - what isn't there to like??

I mean, the paint grabbed my attention, but the details kept me around. I'm seeing more Pinion gearing (at least at shows) in the US, but it is still a far cry to the numbers in Europe. Not sure why, but it works really well. These new TRP shifters that activate the gear box look really comfy, too. It all seems really complicated for me, but I bet it works well. 

It has our Retro Bottle Cage and Rando Bag as an added benefit.

Right Hook Finishes

This full squish had a crazy cool paint job. So many layers and masking - it must have taken eons to do. I was blown away on how darn perfect it was, too. I'd be nervous to accidentally scratch it hucking it down a trail, but it'd look great doing it!

English

Showing with Ceramic Speed, and this time trial bike looked fast just sitting there. Rob is a master of component integration, simplicity, and efficiency and this one was no exception.

LaMarche

I guess I'm on a bit of a wide-tire road bike kick right now and this one from Tom is really scratching that itch. Outfitted with our Grand Cru Long Reach Brakeset, it's a testament to simplicity and fun. 

I love the externally tapered fork blades and understated yet vibrant paint. He knocked it out of the park.

Donkelope 

I will always have a soft spot for Mixtes. The first bike that I overhauled and rebuilt using components I selected as a city bike was a Miyata 310 mixte. I've had a few more mixtes over the years - they are just such perfect rides for the city and they generally ride really nicely. I think there is something in the narrow, twin stays that has just the right amount of flex. 

This drop bar mixte had it all. The stance, presence, modernity, and paint were all in perfect balance. 

And there was a very cute cat. I'm allergic, but that only adds to the allure.

Jack's Sacks

This frame bag stole the show for me. Wes is in Richmond, VA and got material from a local denim manufacturer. Additionally, the frame is also made in RVA. So it's a very local collaboration. I love the front and rear pockets and button mounting system. Nicely done!

Waterford/Gunnar

Sanitas bought the rights and intellectual property of the Waterford and Gunnar names and are restarting operations in Colorado. I'm really looking forward to seeing what they come up with. It's refreshing to see the classic downtube logo on some more modern styled bikes with classic lines.

As I'm walking by, I literally said out loud, "Ooo shiny". That deep ruby red sparkle bass boat paint sent this one to the stratosphere.

On the other end of the spectrum was this classic and elegant track bike wearing some nice silver paint and our Tall-Stack Stem.

Celilo

Wooden bikes! I feel like there was a spat of wooden bike makers at shows in the mid 2010s and then nothing for a long time. I've ridden a few of them over the years and they are pretty cool. I don't have any long-term data, but Celilo says that their proprietary blend of wood and carbon allows for stiffness and compliance while dampening vibrations - sounds good to me! 

When I was in Denmark, I ran into the owner of Aero Distillery. He owns a wooden bike and has ridden it for tens of thousands of KMs and loves it. I mean, I can't argue with results. 

Rare Earth

This Tour Divide bike is one of those builds that has details everywhere. Every angle has a new little thing that you didn't notice. To me, the paint is exceptionally cool and reminds me of a treasure chest that has just been dredged up from a shipwreck - complete with a baby Kraken (the truss-style fork)

I saw a lot of truss forks this go-around, and while I don't really like the appearance, this one was more subdued and had less bracing, presumably to allow the fork to flex.  

The front rack can be removed and replaced with another harness option.

Custom bags abound with the additional tube in the main triangle and likely specific needs for the rider.

Btchn'

I feel like this one stole the show. It's a chromo/stainless/titanium 32"er with a ton of custom appointments. It's well-proportioned and the finishes are top notch - exactly what they always do. 

I had an opportunity to give it a little spin (sorry for interrupting your lunch!) and the ride was.....pleasantly normal. That might sound bland, but it is honestly a highlight. I was able to point the bike where it wanted to go, there was no wheel flop, it was comfortable, and easy going. That is not an easy feat for a gravel+ bike, especially one with as big of wheels as this.

One thing that was kind of interesting was when you are in the saddle, the wheel visually just keeps on going.

Stay tuned for part 2 later this week!

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The Path Less Pedaled and Bikepacking.com are two organizations we were happy to sponsor for this year's MADE coverage. Their dedication to their craft, genuine interest in the industry, and unique takes on bikes is a fantastic match for us. I had a ton of fun filming with them, eating giant plates of Southern Cuisine, learning about what they have cooking up, and what they have planned for the future. We were honored to be such a big part of it. 

If you want to watch their coverage, click the playlist links below!

Path Less Pedaled

Bikepacking

Bikepacking also has a ton of written content on their website, so be sure to check it all out!