A month after the autumnal equinox I found myself on a 15-hour drive up the backbone of California to attend the 2019 Chris King Open House. After last year’s event, I wondered if the event would be as splendid as the year prior. I must admit, I was surprised.

Five years ago, there was NAHBS, and now there are a number of “open house” events where US manufacturers open their doors – complete transparency – and welcome frame builders who have supported their in-house efforts to display their creations with a jewel box of new parts.

This website has grown along with the framebuilding scene and as someone who truly loves documenting the bikes men and women all over the world are making in their shops and garages, events like this are a real treat. Not just because of the balleur builds but because of the people I meet and congregate with.

From the companies present to the fans of framebuilding and everything in between, the Chris King Open House brings them all together in a fun, colorful, friendly, and accessible platform. There is no cover charge, no barrier for entry, and best of all, plenty of bike parking.

To celebrate their new colors for 2020, Bourbon and Violet, the halls of CKPC were decked with oodles of shiny distractions as the beer flowed and a small batch of Chris King Bourbon was on hand for sampling.

What a way to spend the weekend! Enjoy this gallery and if you were there at the show and said hello, thank you!

This year’s Chris King Open House chose 18 builders from all over the world to display their new colors for 2020: Bourbon and Violet. Thanks to ENVE, Santa Cruz Reserve, SRAM, Brooks, and Spurcycle. these bikes were built out appropriately for such a showcase.

See the bikes from the Chris King Open House
-Part One: 333fab, Allied, Argonaut, Breadwinner, Caletti, Davidson, DeSalvo, Isen
-Part Two: Mercredi, Mosaic, Northern, Pursuit, Sage, Sklar, Speedvagen, Stinner, Sycip, Victoire