Unlike the Made show, Philly Bike Expo isn’t billed primarily as a showcase for custom bikes. However, they’re certainly a big enough part of the show to warrant a second gallery devoted just to bikes before I move on to the ancillary bits.
This round of coverage comprises a more diverse spread than what I presented a couple of days ago: different materials, different methods of construction, different genres, different price points, and very different aesthetics.
Looking for a steel full-suspension trail bike with 3D-printed parts? 44 Bikes has got you covered. Interested in a more budget-friendly “monster grav” frameset that you can DIY at home? Velo Orange might be for you. Love lugs and wild creativity? It was hard to walk past the bikes from Memento Cycles and Bilenky Cycle Works without taking a second look.
All of that – and then some – is on hand this time around.
And just another reminder in case you missed it in part one: these images will look better if you open up this article in a browser window, and you’ll also be able to download individual images in full-resolution if you want to use one for your background, too.
One more round to come!
No.22 Bicycle Company has shown this Reactor Aero prototype before, but it’s still so striking that it’s worth revisiting.
While No.22 normally builds in TIG-welded titanium, the Reactor Aero is fully 3D-printed titanium. No.22 says it still has some development work to do, but even if the finished product looks close to this, be prepared to answer a lot of questions on the group ride.
No.22 isn’t 100% sure if the production Reactor Aero will stick to this style of seat cluster construction.
This slit reminds me of the air curtains on the lower corners of some modern automobiles.
How aero is the Reactor Aero really? Hard to say, but many of the design cues you’d expect to see are alive and present.
Printing the caliper mount eliminates the heat-related warping and alignment issues that can often come with welded construction.
The head tube sports a pseudo-hourglass profile.
The Berk saddle is intended to provide a bit of cushiness on what is expected to be a pretty firm-riding frame.
I love how the wraparound stem plate mimics the shape of the No.22 head tube badge.
The 5Dev titanium crankset is finished to match, too.
Memento Cycles’ hardtail was certainly hard to miss! Photo: Philly Bike Expo/Brad Quartuccio.
Carving the lugs required countless hours of labor. Photo: Philly Bike Expo/Brad Quartuccio.
This look may not be to everyone’s liking, but then again, I don’t think it’s supposed to be. Photo: Philly Bike Expo/Brad Quartuccio.
44 Bikes builder Kristofer Henry has long been contemplating a full-suspension steel frame of his own, and that day has finally come. Even in raw form, this looked pretty sweet.
The swingarm yoke and main pivot are made of 3D-printed steel.
The ends of the seatstays are printed, too.
The flexstay rear suspension design offers 120 mm of travel.
Yep, there’s a lot of welding going on here!
At least Henry doesn’t have to make the derailleur hangers himself.
Mars Cycles builder Casey Sussman brought this amazing steel track bike to this year’s PBE.
The teardrop-shaped rear wishbone stays aren’t something you see everyday.
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