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FEATURES: SAN DIEGO CUSTOM BICYCLE SHOW
Patrick Brady
April 28, 2010
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The San Diego Custom Bicycle Show took place earlier this month at the Town and Country Resort just north of downtown. More than half the booths – some 35 of the 65 booth spaces sold – were occupied by custom builders, a noticeable jump from last year.
According to Dave Ybarrola, one of the show’s organizers, the show sold out its available space and even had additional exhibitors on a waiting list. The show’s success this year will force a move to new digs for next year.
Ybarrola said that while overall attendance remained steady relative to last year, this year’s attendees “were more core. We had a lot more of the enthusiast cycling crowd out.”
Among the show’s high points were a carbon fiber frame that used carbon tubes bonded to titanium lugs built by Bruce Gordon with help from Serotta’s Mike Lopez.
The bike’s lugs were machined from titanium bar stock by Paragon Machine Works to Bruce’s specifications.
In addition to cutting the blank lugs into fancy shapes, Bruce added a cable guide for the cantilever brakes.
No touch was too far for this bike, so it even included a titanium and carbon fiber stem.
Mike helped Bruce make a carbon fiber fork with titanium crown and dropouts.
Paul Sadoff at Rock Lobster showed off this‘cross bike with a killer head tube badge and hand-cut lugs.
There were a number of light-hearted touches to be found at the show.
There were a number of randonnee or light touring bikes on display at the show. This one is from YiPsan.
The crocheted down-tube lever warmers were a very funny touch.
This antique Bates from had beautifully cut lugs and a most unusual fork shape.
Mike DeSalvo of DeSalvo Custom Bicycles talks with a prospective customer.
Winter Bicycles showed off this naked ‘cross bike among many gorgeous bikes.
Keith Anderson had what was easily the funniest bike at the show, this satirical take on a classic Eddy Merckx.
In place of the head-tube photo of Eddy Merckx, Keith used a photo of Fred Mertz from the Lucille Ball show.
Keith also produced this boys’ bike with wood fenders and chain guard.
Builder Greg Townsend showed a number of gorgeous lugged bikes, but this chromed and lugged stem was particularly eye-catching.
Painter Joe Bell showed off this example of his paint on one of Brent Steelman’s bikes. The polished and painted head tube badge was one of the prettiest in the show.
Joe also showed this Rivendell which illustrates why he is the go-to guy for paint in the custom bike world. His detail work in the windows and reinforcing rings is second to none.
The fork crown on the Rivendell was unusually elaborate.
Joe displayed this ultra clean Richard Sachs frame with a head tube badge Sachs cut from tubing.
Richard Bryne of Speedplay pedals showed off a portion of his extensive pedal collection. The collection spans more than 100 years of pedal design.
The VeloCult bike shop showed off this Mark Nobilette randonnee bike featuring 650B wheels. Those big tires give a very plush ride.
The show organizers from left to right: Chuck Schlesinger, Dave Ybarrola and Brian Baylis.
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