http://2012.handmadebicycleshow.com/2012-news/2012/03/03/desalvo-custom-cycles-2/
I can not be happier than to hop on my bike and ride my mere 6 miles to volunteer for the North American Handmade Bike Show this year in my hometown of Sacramento, California. I say mere because of the fact that some people rode over 450 miles to arrive here in Sactown. That just shows the impact that NAHBS has had, not only on communities in our country, but on other countries like Japan, UK, and Australia to name only a few.
As a volunteer, I was able to get in the show early, make my laps, grab some swag, check out the new bikes and talk shop with a handful of builders. One builder I had a tough time getting a hold of, but grabbed my chance when he was available, was Mike DeSalvo.
Mike DeSalvo isn't a new comer to the scene, but his inspirations and creativity are fresh with every build. Mike is owner of DeSalvo Custom Cycles from Ashland, Oregon. He has been winning NAHBS awards since 2005, and respectively in 2006, 2008, and 2010. When I was talking with Mike about what he wanted to do different this year than from past years, he humbly stated, "to bring a good product".
Mike brought his "good product" in art forms of steel & titanium cross bike, 29er, road, and dirt road bikes. I also came across one of Mike's cruiser bikes five aisles away from his booth. Some of DeSalvo's inspirations were using early 1970 Porsche color swatches as seen on the dirt road bike. With influences seen in the ventana rear end on the beautiful 29er mountain build. The 29er was new to DeSalvo and I think we can look forward to his excitement of building up another for next year.
Unfortunately, as a small builder/business owner, there's much time spent away from the hands-on weld. Being able to manage your time correctly can get you back into the shop where the love happens. DeSalvo's love & joy is being in the shop building bikes. You can bet, he tries hard to swiftly accommodate the paperwork side of the business so he can get back into the building side of the business.
I asked Mike, "What's unique about your design that sets you apart?".
Mike replied, "You mean, why would someone buy my bike?"
I think we can all agree that the unique style of all the builders here at NAHBS set them apart from one-another. However, in DeSalvo's case the value plays a vital role. Custom builds start at $3000 which is a huge attraction in this market.
I ended my conversation with the infamous "What does the future look like?". "There's more of an awareness now. Buying a bike used to be going to a bike shop. But now you can buy a bike from someone in this country who will make it for you, with your input. The more people are aware of the custom builders the better the builders will do."
This 2012 show is one of the largest shows to date and we can only hope that they will continue to grow with new builders and visions. Once again, the NAHBS is showcasing some of the best talent there is and you can feel the excitement here in Sacramento!
(Sac Bee article:)
http://www.sacbee.com/2012/03/03/4307882/enthusiasts-crowd-sacramento-convention.html#storylink=misearch
I can not be happier than to hop on my bike and ride my mere 6 miles to volunteer for the North American Handmade Bike Show this year in my hometown of Sacramento, California. I say mere because of the fact that some people rode over 450 miles to arrive here in Sactown. That just shows the impact that NAHBS has had, not only on communities in our country, but on other countries like Japan, UK, and Australia to name only a few.
As a volunteer, I was able to get in the show early, make my laps, grab some swag, check out the new bikes and talk shop with a handful of builders. One builder I had a tough time getting a hold of, but grabbed my chance when he was available, was Mike DeSalvo.
Mike DeSalvo isn't a new comer to the scene, but his inspirations and creativity are fresh with every build. Mike is owner of DeSalvo Custom Cycles from Ashland, Oregon. He has been winning NAHBS awards since 2005, and respectively in 2006, 2008, and 2010. When I was talking with Mike about what he wanted to do different this year than from past years, he humbly stated, "to bring a good product".
Mike brought his "good product" in art forms of steel & titanium cross bike, 29er, road, and dirt road bikes. I also came across one of Mike's cruiser bikes five aisles away from his booth. Some of DeSalvo's inspirations were using early 1970 Porsche color swatches as seen on the dirt road bike. With influences seen in the ventana rear end on the beautiful 29er mountain build. The 29er was new to DeSalvo and I think we can look forward to his excitement of building up another for next year.
Unfortunately, as a small builder/business owner, there's much time spent away from the hands-on weld. Being able to manage your time correctly can get you back into the shop where the love happens. DeSalvo's love & joy is being in the shop building bikes. You can bet, he tries hard to swiftly accommodate the paperwork side of the business so he can get back into the building side of the business.
I asked Mike, "What's unique about your design that sets you apart?".
Mike replied, "You mean, why would someone buy my bike?"
I think we can all agree that the unique style of all the builders here at NAHBS set them apart from one-another. However, in DeSalvo's case the value plays a vital role. Custom builds start at $3000 which is a huge attraction in this market.
I ended my conversation with the infamous "What does the future look like?". "There's more of an awareness now. Buying a bike used to be going to a bike shop. But now you can buy a bike from someone in this country who will make it for you, with your input. The more people are aware of the custom builders the better the builders will do."
This 2012 show is one of the largest shows to date and we can only hope that they will continue to grow with new builders and visions. Once again, the NAHBS is showcasing some of the best talent there is and you can feel the excitement here in Sacramento!
(Sac Bee article:)
http://www.sacbee.com/2012/03/03/4307882/enthusiasts-crowd-sacramento-convention.html#storylink=misearch
