Seattle Bike Expo 2013

March in Seattle means Bike Expo, the annual pilgrimage to stare at all things bike and kick off the season.  Attended solo this year, no other family members seemed too interested today.  I was also scheduled to assist the Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance booth for a two hour shift, to yap about the Student League to anyone interested.

Left the house a bit late, only allowing a quick run through of the show before my 4:00 - 6:00 PM booth duty - the end of the expo day.  Spent most of my quick tour in the classic bike show area...

Pretty good supply of vintage bikes to gawk at.  Classic Bike Show sign to help the confused, wandering around lost searching for carbon fiber and electronic shifting.

Old school wheel covers.

Lots of purty painted metal tubing, down tube shifters and toe clips.

No nonsense looking '81 Albert Eisentraut.  Very nice.

Old school Masi.

Eddy Merckx in Team 7-11 colors.  I always wanted one of these.

This company, Drillium Revival, redoing the drill out everything craze from years ago.

Stepped outside to take in the amazing weather and incredible view.  Seattle rocks.

333fab make some sweet looking bikes.  If I was in the market for custom, they would be on my list of contenders.

Crazy cool electric assist utility rig.  This would be a fun replacement for the second car.

On One had a booth, displaying their direct order bikes, available via Internet.  Here, carbon 26er with decent build for $1700 or so.  Killer deal.

And their carbon 29er, ready to roll for $1800 or so.  Wow.

Nice sunset on the way out.

Smart dude heading home.  I drove instead, not quite the same.

Quick post 'n' pics from the day.  I had good time manning the booth with folks from Evergreen and talking with people about the student league. Cool program to get more kids on bikes.  And that's always a good thing.  With that, I'm signing off...

Seattle Bike Expo 2012

Spring in the air, despite temps in the 30s and plenty of rain lately.  The annual Seattle Bike Expo is proof of impending warmer weather and more time spent on two wheels.  Full family outing last Sunday to partake in the expo festivities.  Even non bike crazy wife Lori and daughter Amy appeared to have a good time.

This expo is allegedly one of the larger events in the US, presented by the Cascade Bicycle Club, which is allegedly the largest club in the US.  With the number of booths, bikes, events, and people milling about for two days - probably true.  I've hit this gig for many years now, not a bad way to spend a few hours.  It also allows the opportunity to run into people I know from the local bike scene, and that's always cool.

A few Pics 'N' Words to commemorate the day...

Racer Boy Ian volunteered to hand out catalogs and assist at the Redline booth, one of his team sponsors.  The junior racers pulling various shifts for the two days.  Despite his far away camera look, Ian mentioned his two hour gig was fun.  I think it's also a good experience for a 12 year old, no?

CBS, that's short for Cascade Bicycle Studio, brought out some high end toys to gawk over, including this sweet Seven.  CBS is run by Zac Daab and Terry Buchanan, who are also very involved with the local cyclocross scene, promoting the super successful MFG series. 

Racer Boy Ian has two full MFG series under his belt, and I've dabbled (painfully) in a few races myself.  Believe me when I say they're cool events, we've been to quite a few.

Many vendor booths to cruise through, including Schwalbe, the maker of fine tires.  I've never ridden Schwalbe tires, just posted this 'cause I like the picture...

Dirt Rag Magazine has sported a booth for a few expos now.  I've been a subscriber for 20+ years; my favorite bike magazine and always puts a smile on my face when it hits the mailbox.  If you ride mountain bikes and don't read Dirt Rag - well, frankly - I feel sorry for you...

Soma San Marcos built up real world style.  This frame was designed by Grant Petersen of Rivendell fame, so I'm sure it rides great and now available at lower price point.  Corporate types call this a win win situation.  Very cool, but not really my style; though lately I've had the jones to build up a Soma Smoothie frame.  A little more race oriented, but room for fenders and affordably priced.  It also appeals to old school steel me.

Speaking of old school steel, here's a modern twist on that.  The Colnago Master. Yes please, I'll take one.  Oh yeah, I can't afford it.  I'll weep silently, in Italian.

Paul Component Engineering at the expo this year.  Table full of very trick, handmade in the USA goodness to lust after.  Very nice stuff.  Daddy like.  Please send money.

Co-Motion has been quietly making really nice bikes down in Oregon for many years.  This model, the Nor'Wester, very nice steel road bike - with room for fenders.  Oddly enough, I've always wanted one of their aluminum Ristretto models, a no nonsense race bike.

One of the many scheduled talks included Geoff Drake, author of the recent Team 7-11 book, along with Ron Hayman, former member of Team 7-11.  Cool, eh?

Unrelated fun fact:  I used to work for the company that made those speakers flanking the stage.  BFD, I know.

Mountain bike technology marches on with this Norco Revolver as proof.  Lightweight 29er with full suspension.  Pretty trick.  Something like this is right up my XC alley, and a reminder how far things have progressed since I started mountain biking in 1984.  I'm fully digging my 29er hardtail, curious to sample some full suspension models.

Behind the Norco, notice the downhill type Trek in the Bicycles West booth.  Bicycles West is a chain of shops in the Seattle area, run by two guys I know - Kurt and Jim - who took over the operation about a year ago.  Great folks, check 'em out for service and/or a new bike. Kurt was the long time local Trek rep, before diving into retail himself.  Kurt and Jim really know bikes, they won't steer you wrong.

Oh yeah, Jim also used to work for the company producing the speakers mentioned above.  See, this was all somehow connected.

Federal law dictates all bike expos must include a BMX show.  We are now in compliance thanks to the Ride and Glide Extreme Sports Stunt Team.  Say that three times fast.

The Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance does plenty of goodness to keep mountain biking alive and legal in the Seattle area.  I stopped by and plunked down some dough for a family membership, been awhile since I've done that.  During the early the mid '90s, I was pretty involved with the club, then known as the BBTC (Backcountry Bicycles Trail Club).  Cool to see how its grown and run by a whole new generation of riders.

Nice titanium 'cross bike from Davidson Bicycles.  That's Bill Davidson himself peering through the spokes.  Davidson has been turning out custom frames from the back of Elliott Bay Bicycles for many years now, and if you're in the market for a handmade frame, they should be on your list.  I recently had 'em tweak my beloved Hakkalugi frame back into shape.

Super sweet steel road bike from 333fab, a local Seattle builder.  That's Maxwell Kullaway peering at his own work of art, since he's one of the brains behind 333fab.  I chatted with Max at the show and once before during a MFG 'cross race.  Nice guy and nice bikes.

Another bike from 333fab and my favorite of the show.  Insanely spiffy titanium 'cross bike.  Oversized headtube, Breezer style dropouts, simple graphics and serious race look.  Man, I really dig this.  Expensive as hell, but potentially your do everything and last forever rig.

Expo featured a classic bike show with all kinds of history represented.  Back in my day, this Schwinn "Orange Krate" was the cool ride.  Well, until BMX took over and rendered these bikes into the garage, hibernating to fetch loopy prices on eBay - back to old dudes who wish they kept theirs - rendering the crazy circle complete.

Old school Merckx looking perfect in orange.  All hail Eddy as he beams from the head tube.

Classic Masi and Gios keep each other company.

Schwinn Paramount track bike.  Fixie hipsters unite.

Old school travel frame. In Campy we trust.

Daughter Amy plays the name the bike parts game.  One of the kid zone features.  Racer Boy Ian looks on as big brother.  Unknown kid in blue sweatshirt stares at folding chair.

Kids attack the riding course, while green shirted Cascade volunteers block the exits.  There is no escape.

Pics out of order, we'll conclude with a classic Cinelli.  Bask in the chrome and Campy shift levers.

That's all from Seattle Bike Expo 2012.  A full afternoon of bike gawking and bike chatting.  Catalog collecting and picture snapping.  People watching and hamburger eating.  Yup, a full day.  We'll be back in 2013 to repeat the process.  Until then...

Seattle Bike Expo 2011

The bike expo rolled into town this weekend. I don't remember how long this event has been taking place, but except for a few skipped years, I've attended most of 'em. Attendance and number of vendor booths seemed a little down from previous years, but still a decent crowd and plenty to gawk at. The Seattle area is a bike mecca hotspot, so plenty of pedal powered two wheeled types arrive to check out the show - me included. This year, the full family elected to participate; wife Lori and daughter Amy, as well my two wheel sidekick, son Ian.

Checking out new bikes and related tomfoolery is always fun, as is bike related pals you run into at the show. We talked to a few people from Ian's race team; Northwest Velo, and my old neighbor Kurt - who used to be the Northwest Trek rep. He's now the owner of Bicycles West, a three shop chain here in the Seattle area. Working with him is an old pal, Jim, who I know from our Mackie Designs days. Very cool and I wish 'em well on the new business venture. Lastly of note, I met Maurice Tierney of Dirt Rag magazine - one of my favorite bike mags of all time. I was sporting my Dirt Rag hooded sweatshirt and he noticed. Fun stuff.

I also stopped by the Washington High School Cycling League booth and chatted with some folks I met at the summit a few weeks ago. This program is already taking off with several teams now formed and the first race scheduled for April 3rd. I knew this deal would ramp right up - a great program for kids.

I managed to click off a few pics during the afternoon. For your amusement.....

Trick looking single speed 'cross bike from the Redline booth. I dig the flat black finish and old school Redline logos.

Raleigh International sporting a steel frame and Dura Ace. The pairing of the old school lugged frame and modern components looks fantastic. Yeah, newer carbon bikes are super nice, but something like this is a little more interesting to look at. During my bike shop days of the early '80s, I assembled many bikes with similar looking frames. Maybe that's why this look still clicks with me.

I've always admired Co-Motion bikes and have chatted with their folks at a few shows. Known for their tandems, they also make some sweet single bikes as well - by hand in Oregon. This Nor'Wester model makes sense for most riders, even if most don't realize it. Quick road bike manners, with room for slightly fatter tires and fenders, constructed from steel with love. Even so, the model I've had the jones over for years, is their aluminum Ristretto model - not at the show today however.

Co-Motion also makes this interesting model, the Pangea, a loaded touring rig. Even if designed to carry bags off the beaten path, I see a little old school John Tomac lurking in the background. Mountain bikes with drop 'bars will do that.

As part of Ian's race team duty, he volunteered to man the Redline booth for two hours, along with other teammates. Redline being one of the team sponsors. Duties included stuffing and handing out bags full of catalogs and info, stamping kids hands for a contest, and keep the raffle boxes in order. The Redline bags are durable and reusable - pretty cool. When a fresh box of bags appeared, the booth would get really crowded. Once the bags were gone, so were the crowds - until another box arrived. Good marketing lesson for Ian, as well the experience itself. I think he learned a few things and did well today.

Other junior racers on Ian's team manned the booth for the main sponsor, JL Velo, riding trainers for an hour at a time. Who can resist kids riding bikes and looking pro? Nice set up and the only booth doing so. Good way to promote bike racing and a great experience for the kids.

Eben Weiss, otherwise known as Bike Snob NYC, was in the house for a few talks. I caught part of one demo, and it was interesting to see the person behind the super popular blog and recent book. If you dig his humor and take on things - and I do - can't help but to be impressed with his writing style.

Witness the Artistic Cycling Show in action. At first I kind of laughed, what is this? Synchronized swimming on bikes? Then was impressed after watching 'em. Yeah, kind of circus like, but what they do on these fixed gear bikes is pretty amazing. Incredible balance and strength. Lots of applause after every show - people enjoyed it.

My favorite bike of the show, not crazy about the color, but still wins. A Steelman, a bike I've lusted after quite some time. I have no idea why it was here, I don't think the builder attended this expo. In any case, was cool to see and wins my vote.

Totally useless photo of a fully faired bicycle "car", as too many people swarming to capture all of it. This would be the ass end of the contraption. I admire people who build this crazy stuff, but highly doubt anything like this ever taking off. Although I did spot something very similar commuting on the Burke Gilman Trail once. I couldn't help but cruise along side and pepper the guy with questions. How could you not? To each his own. Also please note the much coveted Redline bag, bottom left of photo, dude is wearing while checking out the transportation of the future.

With that, I now conclude the official Bike Expo report. Family had a good time at the event. We arrived home with a pile of catalogs, a few free water bottles and hats, a pile of freebie Clif Bars, and I scored a nice pair of Specialized mountain bike shoes for Ian. Let the clipless pedal adventure begin. See you at the expo next year.