In the past few years, Portland has become a destination for bicycle enthusiasts. We’ve earned the title of “Bike City USA,” thanks to effective urban planning that has resulted in a city with the highest proportion of bicycle commuters in the country. As Portland’s reputation as the Mecca of cycling has grown, so has the number of local bike-related businesses that choose to set up shop here. Portlanders make a living providing all manner of bike-related accessories and services, from sewing custom messenger bags to creating metal cages designed to hold flasks (a Portland take on water-bottle holders).
We built this city on gears and chains
In the past few years, Portland has become a destination for bicycle enthusiasts. We’ve earned the title of “Bike City USA,” thanks to effective urban planning that has resulted in a city with the highest proportion of bicycle commuters in the country.
As Portland’s reputation as the Mecca of cycling has grown, so has the number of local bike-related businesses that choose to set up shop here. Portlanders make a living providing all manner of bike-related accessories and services, from sewing custom messenger bags to creating metal cages designed to hold flasks (a Portland take on water-bottle holders).
On Oct. 10 and 11, the Oregon Manifest Handmade Bike Show will showcase several people who make their living building bicycle frames. Bikes are built based on its owner’s needs, riding style, individual measurements and aesthetic preferences.
These bicycles range from tricycles to high-end road bikes. In the world of custom bicycles, design and functionality merge to create one-of-a-kind pieces of art. Portland builders, 17 of whom will be exhibiting, are increasingly being recognized for their achievements.
The Portland frame builders are a diverse bunch. Sweetpea Bicycles’ Natalie Ramsfeld builds bikes designed for women. Renovo’s frames are made from hollow hardwood. Jeff Jones focuses on hardtail mountain bikes. Vertigo Cycles makes exclusively titanium bikes.
Many of these builders are beginning to enjoy recognition from outside the cycling world. While most cyclists would agree that frame building–a synthesis of design and functionality–is an art form, custom bicycles are just now receiving attention from designers and art curators. A bicycle built by Sacha White, of Portland’s Vanilla Bicycles, was recently featured in the San Francisco Museum of Craft and Design as an example of outstanding contemporary design concepts.
Iconic Portland advertising agency Wieden + Kennedy is partnering with Oregon Manifest for this event to exhibit frame builders’ personal bikes. The focus of the event, which will be held at W+K headquarters on Friday night, is on the story of each frame and how it suits its builder’s needs. Cyclocross bikes are a major focus of the show. These rugged bikes are built to race on trails of varying terrain, and take a lot of abuse in the process. Their all-weather handling skills and durability have made them sought-after commuter bikes in Portland.
The bikes are also popular because of the strong cyclocross racing presence in the Portland area. River City Bicycles sponsors a series of cyclocross races called the “Cross Crusades.” The races are held throughout Oregon, and draw hundreds of participants and spectators. On Sunday, Oregon Manifest will relocate to Wilsonville, the site of this weekend’s Cross Crusade race. Frame builders will participate in an exhibition lap, riding the same bikes that were on display Friday at the Wieden + Kennedy multimedia exhibition.
The uniquely Portland synthesis of art and function embodied by this event is impressive to be sure, and shows the wonderful end result of a community willing to dedicate itself whole heartedly to smart, alternative transportation.
Oregon Manifest Handmade Bike ShowWiden + Kennedy Offices224 N.W. 13th Ave.$10
