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Year after year, the Philly Bike Expo brings in the good times, beautiful bicycles, and cycling personalities all under one roof. We’ll be bringing you coverage next week but if you’re in the Philadelphia area, see it for yourself. Check out all the details at the PBE Facebook!
2017 Philly Bike Expo: Stanridge Speed
Photos by Jarrod Bunk, Intro by John Watson and Words by Adam from Stanridge Speed
When modern builders utilize NOS tubing from the late 80’s, the results are more often than not, mind-blowing. Take this Stanridge Speed road bike from this year’s Philly Bike Expo. As soon as I saw it, I knew Adam had selected Gilco tubing (or is it?), yet there’s much more to the story, of which I’ll let Adam do the talking.
Adam, can you tell me about the Philly Bike Expo road bike? I’m suspecting there’s more than meets the eye here…
“I built the bike in conjunction with 7th and Park in Brownsville. It’s part of a larger project consisting of six available tubesets we’re making into frames. Three track and Three road. All the sets are NOS from the tail end of the golden era of steel in 1986. Most of the tubes are date coded. Columbus etched the iconic Dove and born on dates in the tubes in an effort to reduce false advertising by unscrupulous builders during this era. The story goes, builders in the 1980’s masked the imprinted doves on the tubing only to reveal the mark after the painting process.
One half of the Fabrica framebuilding team in Milano is a self-admitted nerd when it comes to NOS componentry including tubing. He scored the motherload of these NOS tubes a few years back. I met the guys at Fabrica through the RHC 5 years ago.. which ultimately led to the remaining tubing cache on the shelf within arms reach. What you see with the Columbus SLX tubing modified by Silva was an attempt to increase rigidity by adding surface area while remaining braze-able into a lug.
It was nice to work with the team at FSA to build a frame around their wireless WE group. Visually revisiting the smaller diameters feels refreshing in contrast to the current double oversize shaped modern steel offerings. It’s the Juxtaposition. These tubes remind me of how steel has constantly been Johnny Hustle over the years – the hardest worker – in this case – to stay competitive against aluminum in the eyes of a broad consumer base.
I like underdogs and I’ve never waivered from Steel.
How does this tubeset feel? Do you think it ever had the slightest idea these components would be hung from its bones… Ha. Too much time alone at the workbench I guess.”
Now that’s a story!
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2017 Philly Bike Expo: Engin Cycles Ti Mountain Hardtail
Photos by Jarrod Bunk, words by John Watson
Drew from Engin is a framebuilding prodigy, a master of the chainstay yoke and arguably, the maker of the finest mountain bikes in the USA, perhaps the world. His advances in mountain bike design have spiked the well of the industry, pushing the envelope of geometry and detailing. All of this is ATMO, of course, but having been a longtime dan of Drew’s work, it’s amazing to see how flawlessly he’s adapted to the changing and sometimes harsh ecosystem of the cycling industry.
Drew designs, prototypes and machines his own yokes and dropouts from titanium. He then welds them together for a beautiful frame with a unique bottom bracket cluster that allows for the use of a standard q-factor crank. It’s easy to overlook these details, even on such a simple frame, yet as we’ve all heard before “God is in the details…”
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2017 Philly Bike Expo: Gallus Cycles Rando Bike
Words and photos by Jarrod Bunk
Jeremy from Gallus Cycles brought his personal randonneur bike painted in vintage Ford Playboy Pink, by Black Magic Paint. It features some fresh details, including a front rack with detachable low riders and a quick release decaleur, all made by Jeremy. A SON connector-less dyanamo hub provides power to both front and rear lights via internal wire routing.
Built with a mix of NOS Suntour XC Sport Components, Paul Component Racer Brakes, and a René Herse cranks this S&S Coupled masterpiece can go anywhere and have fun while you’re there. Jeremy built this bike up leading into Philly Bike Expo this year and was even able to get some quality time on it before the show.
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2017 Philly Bike Expo: Moots Mooto X RSL
Photos by Jarrod Bunk, words by John Watson
Moots is one of those brands that just oozes brand clout and rightfully so. Their titanium frames are built to the highest standards and are built to last a lifetime. The Mooto X RSL is designed with speed in mind. A true singletrack slayer, the Mooto X RSL has a modern race geometry, with the feel of titanium, designed to tackle any XC course.
At this year’s Philly Bike Expo, Moots brought their catalog build of the newest Mooto X RSL, laced with gold Tune components, matching logos and Shimano XTR Di2, this bike relies on its pedigree, in a sea of flashy show bikes.
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2017 Philly Bike Expo: Peacock Groove Track Bike
Words and photos by Jarrod Bunk
Going into Philly Bike Expo I was looking forward to seeing what Eric Noren of Peacock Groove brought, especially since he brought the peoples choice bike last year. This S&S Coupled track bike, was on display having just been ridden to a second place at Madison Nationals by Tiana Johnson, did not let me down!
This bike featured a HED Jet 9 wheelset, one of Noren’s own Peacock Groove headsets and some of the wildest splatter paint, all finished off with Peacock Groove’s signature dropouts. There’s one thing for sure, the Liberace of bike builders didn’t let me down this year.
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2017 Philly Bike Expo: Winter Bicycles All Weather Commuter
Words and photos by Jarrod Bunk
Eric Estlund, master metal manipulator of Winter Bicycles makes beautiful frames, racks and stems by hand, one-at-a-time in his central Pennsylvania headquarters. Designed around his concept that you should be able to ride all year long, in all weather this commuter bike was built with a matching set of Winter-built-racks front and rear, fillet-brazed stem and a color matched Ruth Works Ultralight Porteur bag.
With durability in mind for daily commuting, Eric built a White Industries/SON wheelset and mounted some fenders. The frame was built with direct mount Paul Racer brakes in mind and finished with some beautiful top eyes, all filed by hand, coming into the Philly Bike Expo. I think this bike is a great example of an everyday workhorse of a bicycle that is both utilitarian and elegant at the same time.
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2017 Philly Bike Expo: Pedalino CNC-Fillet Cross Bike
Words and photos by Jarrod Bunk
Julie Ann Pedalino spent ten years working as a fine artist, making a switch over to building bikes some time ago. From a distance, the Spray-Bike paint job pulls you in and from there, her CNC-fillet lugs (which change with every one of her creations) draw you in closer on the bike. These lugs are wild, with some details that are hand carved further.
It isn’t just a show bike, even with all of the exposed ornate lugs it will be getting raced this year Elizabeth Reinkordt as a tribute bike to her family with 3 generations of cyclists, going back to her grandmother, who was touring by bicycle in the 1940s. While on display at Philly Bike Expo, there was a storyboard with some photos of the tour. The lugs and the colors of the bike draw inspiration from the wildflowers and sunset of her home state, Nebraska. With a mix of SRAM Force 1, Thomson cockpit, and some polished adornments from Paul Component by way of their Set N’ Forget through axles and QR seat collar, you can bet that this bike will be around for seasons of abuse.
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2017 Philly Bike Expo: Richard Sachs Candy Red Road Bike
Words and photos by Jarrod Bunk
I remember this first time I had heard about Richard Sachs and his work. I was 16, flipping through some cycling magazines and a co-worker of mine at the time, Em ( a much older and wiser person with over 30 years experience in the industry) told me to put them down and learn about Richard Sachs, stating that a Richard Sachs would be the only bike she could love.
This romanticised bikes in a way for me and I began to appreciate bikes with a bit more panache than the mountain bikes I grew up riding. Fast forward a few years, and I’ve seen many bikes, but this candy red Richard Sachs caught my eye from across the PBE show floor. From the symmetric headtube logo to the dropouts, to one of the most beautiful seat-tube clusters. I am blown away by just how beautiful each detail is up close. The bike as a whole is a work of art and elegance, from a builder that we are lucky enough to experience in this lifetime. ATMO
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2017 Philly Bike Expo: Mars Cycles JRA Approved Track Bike
Words and photos by Jarrod Bunk
David from the Bay Area contacted Casey Sussman over at Mars Cycles (Featured here during NAHBS) for this rad track bike! Built for everyday commuting, from Columbus Zona double OS tubing, and featuring a wrap-around seat stay cluster that morphs into the ISP with a Ritchey topper, this bike is far from ordinary.
The Deluxe 840mm Ti bar stem combo along with 45mm deep carbon Deluxe wheels should make for some fun rips through traffic on this JRA approved track bike. Other details include an ENVE fork and a Columbus tapered headtube with raw, un-filed fillet construction throughout. I’m so stoked on the stance of this bike.
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2017 Philly Bike Expo: Bilenky Cycle Works Wild Cross Bike
Words and photos by Jarrod Bunk
Bilenky builds bikes in Philly from mild to wild in every style you could ever conceive, from steel road bikes to Ti Tandems. This fillet brazed cross bike is one of the many they’ve made over the last 30 years and its seen some abuse this year while Taylor Kuyk-White has been racing for Bilenky Cycle Works/Philly Bike Expo, even stacking some UCI points behind the bars.
The handbuilt wheelset, a no-nonsense White Industries to Pacenti SL25 build, has been proven along with the SRAM Force 1x setup, with stopping power is performed by none other than the impeccable Paul Component Klampers. I really dig all the colors, on this bike, from the paint to the anodized bits this bike pops, so be sure to check it out at the races. Bilenky say’s he loves to braze, and it shows, especially around the bottom bracket of this machine. Growing up in Pennsylvania I’ve been a fan of Bilenky’s work for some time, and hope to be able to visit the shop one day soon.
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2017 Philly Bike Expo: Weaver Cycle Works Jersey Devil Gravel Bike
Words and photos by Jarrod Bunk
Hailing from South of Jersey, Weaver Cycle Works, made their way out to PBE with this Jersey Devil themed bike. The Jersey Devil is a mythical creature that can take down livestock, much in the way that this 47c equipped bike can tackle the varying terrain that it was designed around. The Jen Green head badge pulls the theme together along with the “13” which is for the cursed 13th Leed’s child (the Jersey Devil).
Built with a 1x drivetrain in mind this SRAM Force-equipped bike is propelled forward with a blend of White Industries R30 cranks, CLD hubs, and their new headset, and halted just as quickly by Paul Component Klampers. This is Weaver’s personal bike, and I’ve been told he only rides steel forks, so even though it’s built with a 44mm headtube, there will not be carbon on it anytime soon for him. Much like every Weaver this bike is 100% custom from the geo to the paint, if you’re into it, drop him a line and you to can rip a bike where the devil is in the details.
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2017 Philly Bike Expo: Skwisgaar The Waterford Track Bike
Words and photos by Jarrod Bunk
Some bikes bear their owners names, this is something a little bit different, what started in 2010 covered in a black glove of paint, has changed after it sat over the years lying dormant while it’s owner wasn’t able to ride it (due to contractual obligations) and emerged as something a bit more vibrant, Skwisgaar, born of speed and metal. From the Fleur de Lis stainless lugs brazed by EJ Muller to the beautiful paint from Roger Krueger, both of Waterford Precision Cycles, this is anything but black now.
A mix of polished components including SRAM Omnium cranks, an All-City Pursuit Special chainring, and a Chris King headset tie the lugs together and are sure to provide years of service for this heirloom quality bicycle. Zipp wheels hand painted by Eric Baar of Ground Up Speed Shop, give it, even more, flare. There’s something fast looking about this bike just standing still, which was proven recently as it was raced to a Bronze at Madison Track Nationals in Colorado Springs, under its pilot, Anna Schwinn.
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2017 Philly Bike Expo: Walk the Floor and Meet the Builders
Photos by Brad Quartuccio, words by John Watson
Over the years, the Philly Bike Expo has grown to become the Northeast’s premiere bicycle gathering, bringing together frame builders and independent companies alike. This pairing makes for a weekend that not only draws in foot traffic from the streets of Philadelphia but cycling enthusiasts from all over the United States. Most importantly, the Philly Bike Expo is put on by the great Bilenky family, whose main motivation is to unite the scene in a fun, energetic environment and it shows.
Photographer Brad Quartuccio was hired this year to document the show, the bikes and the builders who make this event truly unique. Brad was kind enough to share this wonderful bounty of images, which I’m very excited to share here on the Radavist. After seeing these portraits on his Instagram, I hoped to be able to display them in high-res.
It’s been a while since I’ve attended the show, which falls during a particularly busy time of year for me but after seeing both Jarrod and Brad’s photos, makes me want to book my flight well in advance.
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For those looking for a stock-sized, titanium, made in the USA frame, check out No 22’s latest offering: complete bikes in two weeks. Since 2014, No 22 have been building ti frames in their Johnstown, NY factory and now, you don’t have to wait months for one of these frames. No 22 is offering up frames where no detail has been spared, no corner has been cut, with the only difference being the 8-10 week waiting period has been shorted to two, and as a complete build.
These completes utilize a No. 22 full carbon fork and aluminum stem, both custom painted by Velocolour, No. 22 titanium seatpost, custom finished to match each frame, Complete Ultegra 8000 groupset with mechanical shifting, Reynolds carbon tubeless wheels and Schwalbe tubeless tires and a high five. I added in that last part. The models available are the Great Divide in raw finish for USD $5,999, Great Divide Disc in raw finish for USD $6,799, or the Drifter in raw finish for $6,799.
If you want your No 22 anodized, they do that in house. For paint, they go to Velocolour. Each of their bikes are available in a choice of raw or two different anodized finishes, with the fork, stem and their new titanium seatpost finished to match.
If you’ve got questions, send them to No 22 or drop them in the comments.
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2017 Philly Bike Expo: 44 Bikes Titanium Marauder SSMTB
Photos by Jarrod Bunk, words by John Watson
We saw earlier this week the announcement of 44 Bikes offering titanium as a new frame material for their catalog. This extends to their Marauder hardtail mountain bike frames. The Marauder can come in various configurations, including superboosted, plus, slack and rowdy builds such as this. To up the ante even more, Kris from 44 Bikes added some anodized bits from Wolf Tooth Components give the build some pop. Titanium is a great material for a mountain bike frame and this bike is sure to make its new owner very happy.
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2017 Philly Bike Expo: People’s Choice Winner – Bishop Bikes Disc Road
Photos by Jarrod Bunk, words by John Watson
The work of Chris Bishop continues to evolve and impress. For this year’s Philly Bike Expo, Chris brought something a bit different. Having teased this frame on his Instagram account prior, from the paint booth of Bryan Myers at Fresh Frame, we knew we were going to see something loud from the Baltimore-based builder. With a Stainless XCR Columbus rear triangle, Paragon Dropouts, a distinguishable Columbus Max fork and Vari-Wal tubing, this modern disc bikes carries many of the classic profile Bishop Bikes has been known for over the years, but the Fresh Frame paint not only coats this bike, it envelops it. The paint compliments the details, such as the stay integration with the Paragon dropouts and the intricate masking on the seat stays.
This has to be Chris’ magnum opus and the attendees of the Philly Bike Expo agree, voting it to a People’s Choice win.
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Nicholas Karwoski recorded Benedict’s “Fred Talk” dubbed “The bicycle, a vehicular philosophy of simplification” that took place at this year’s Philly Bike Expo. Topping in at over 80 minutes, this might be a bit ambitious for you to tackle in one go, but definitely give it a listen. Thanks to Nicholas for pulling this together!
