I love the authenticity of MADE—the “Meet Art, Design & Engineering” successor to NAHBS, the defunct North American Handmade Bicycle Show. I’ve been going to bike trade shows since the mid-1990s, so I had a good idea of what to expect when I went to MADE for the first time this past August. But with most industry trade shows either dead or a shell of what they used to be, I think the industry is taking note of why this third edition of MADE was so successful.
Sadly, I missed attending Interbike when it was at its peak, a circus of over-the-top corporate pageantry surrounded by edgy urban hipsters. Especially when it was in the most gluttonous, debaucherous place on earth, Las Vegas. But MADE is very different. It seems to have the right balance, the ideal city, Portland, Oregon, and for now a very cool venue, Zidell Yards.
Zidell Yards is a deserted barge building on an abandoned 33-acre shipyard with enormous machinery from decades past. A quick internet search will tell you it’s the last undeveloped waterfront property in Portland. That same search also reveals it’s likely to become a Major League Baseball park—and the ballpark renderings actually look pretty cool! Either way, I hope show director Billy Sinkford and his team can chain themselves to the building before it’s razed and keep the show there indefinitely.
The builder had to be present. My mission was set, and away I went sweating in Portland’s classic 100-degree heat.
Balance and authenticity. Portland is an obvious choice: big city, bike friendly and extra weird. Sinkford and Co. sure seem like they know what they’re doing. With their industry experience, passion and connections, they can vet and curate MADE’s atmosphere. The stars of the show are obviously the custom frame builders. And what a variety there is! There’re kids showing bikes welded in the back of their parents’ garage. Weird bikes that don’t make sense. Walk to the next booth and you can find a one-off, 3D-printed titanium masterpiece that should come with armed security. It’s truly an experience.
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