The Philly Bike Expo is a hand made bike show in Philadelphia, USA, that’s known for being more than just a display of shiny things. It’s got a history of being progressive, maybe political even, with workshops and scholarships aimed at helping frame builders beyond just ‘selling more stuff’. It’s been an inspiration for Josh and Petor of Bespoked, which is coming to Manchester in June this year. To whet your appetite for hand made and creative things, here’s a gallery of some bikes that caught our eye in the folders of photos that came from Philadelphia.
Bina Bilenky’s Bike
Bina Bilenky is the show’s director, and this is her new bike, made by her father Stephen Bilenky. Anodised spokes with matching hubs on Industry Nine wheels, and matching bottle cages… a classy choice perhaps? You could achieve the same, or go full rainbow.
Basica
Basica is based in Mexico, but we don’t know anything much beyond that thanks to not speaking enough Spanish. From their instagram account it looks like a vibrant shop that’s turning out a variety of different bespoke bikes. Nice. Use your eyes and check out the finish on this hardtail.
Chapman
No, not a mountain bike. But let’s take a moment for some lug appreciation thanks to Chapman Cycles.
Latest Singletrack Merch
Buying and wearing our sustainable merch is another great way to support Singletrack
Memento
This cute gravel bike from Montreal based Memento won the People’s Choice Award at Philly this year.
Glittery pink heart rack fabulousness.
Appleman Modular Cranks
The sharp eyed among you will have spotted these Appleman 2XR cranks. Prices start at $485 and there’s quite the array of colours to be choosing from. Where’s Tom Howard when you need him? These aren’t really about the colours though: they’re about the fit. Designed to be modular, you can even have a different length on each side. Their designer Matt Appleman is a crank length nerd, and if you are too you will probably enjoy all the things he has to say about choosing crank lengths on his website.
Hope Cranks
While we’re on cranks, here the new Hope carbon cranks, being waved about in Philly by some bloke from Lancashire, who is not a crank. He might be a nerd though. Gotta love a bit of nerding.
Which reminds us, our Hope Factory Tour is much more entertaining than the official corporate one. You should watch it!
Fine Bikes
Made in Raleigh, North Carolina, this singlespeed is from Fine Bikes. Might we guess at the topography of Raleigh from the gearing? And the climate from the tyres?
Significant Other
Made in Colorado, this hardtail is by Significant Other. Totally digging the coloursheme, it’s like a Neon Tetra. And there’s those Appleman cranks again, and a subtle flash of coloured Industry Nine spokes.
Rivendell
From the sublime colour scheme to a sort of sludge coloured bike with a name reminiscent of a Roald Dahl bad guy. This Wolbis Slugstone from Rivendell is classic Rivendell Bikes stuff – quite reminiscent of a Geoff Apps too. I would totally ride this Wolbis Slugstone through the woods while looking for Roly Poly Birds and Hornswogglers before cholomping down on a tasty sandwich and riddle-raddling between the trees as fast as my pig-wigglers will carry me.
If all this has given you a taste for doing a spot of eye-noodling and drool-mongering for yourself, we’re told Bespoked Manchester early-bird tickets will be going on sale at the end of next week (Good Friday-ish). It’s going to be held at the very cool Victoria Baths venue, should be a great weekend out: 28th – 30th June 2024. See you there!
MEMBERs’ Features
all the Members only
online features →
