Philadelphia is fortunate to have an urban consumer show that, through its exhibitors and extensive seminar program, appeals to a wider cross section of the cycling world than any other show Handbuilt Bicycle News knows of. Within this impressively broad cross section of the cycling world is a pocket closely connected to the touring, bikepacking, and day-ride movements. Last year, 16 ride and bikepacking/touring operators exhibited, among them Jamaica by Bike, Santana Cycling Cruises, Dory Bike Hotel, Endless Mountains, Eagles Mere, Unpaved Pennsylvania and the Keystone State Ride. Not only are visitors excited about bikes and equipment they can purchase, but also about fantastic places to use it.

 Bike ride, anyone? Photo: Bina Bilenky

The expo backs that up with its Go Touring section, which features destinations and operators, and with its own research into how bikepackers and tourists might embark on more adventures in open countryside. Its 2026 bicycle touring survey of 249 attendees showed 92.7% saying they plan a cycling vacation, and that the lines between bikepacking and bike touring are blurry. Word of mouth was the strongest influence on their choice of destination, followed by written content on independent platforms; YouTube videos came roughly third. Expo-goers hoping to hear the latest about bikepacking and touring equipment and opportunities will likely get what they came for.

On the handbuilt side, a principal attraction has long been the touring and brevet bikes from a cluster of northeastern builders: excellently crafted and fully fit for purpose. Much of the bike industry lives by "innovate or die," selling to customers who often don't fully know what they want and are drawn to whatever the latest marketing campaign promotes. These traditionalist builders have succeeded year after year in a corner of cycling where the requirements are long established and well understood by the many expert consumers in this area. The open questions there are practical ones; the latest is whether a 32-inch wheel would be an advantage on the undulating Paris-Brest-Paris course.

Classic randonnee design by Coast. This with 32" wheels?

Another draw is the always-fun, creative stand of event co-founder Bilenky Cycles, which has shown many leading-edge cargo bikes over the years, and which was commissioned to make a bike for the British prime minister not long ago. 

One feature of the expo that city officials have yet to latch on to is the youth element. At any time over the weekend young children are seen learning valuable cycling proficiency skills on the supervised indoor circuit. Parents have not hesitated in taking the opportunity to get their kids pedal-aware. Hopefully those in the city's education and transportation offices will one day recognize the value of this program, which thus far has been provided free of charge to the city. Asked if the kids program was intended to help source the flow of future bike tourers, show director Bina Bilenky, herself a keen bike tourist, said, "Yep!"

 What other show has such a great youth learn-to-ride program? Photo: Philly Bike Expo

Our reporters have attended all the major North American consumer bike shows, and many in Europe going back to the 1980s. One of the world's leading bike tech reporters stayed away from Philly for several years. When he finally came, he wrote to the organizers, "I'm an idiot," having realized he should have been there every year, such is the quality and variety of products on show.

The relatively late announcement of the 2027 show is a consequence of dithering at the convention center management office, and it means we have little to say about exhibitors and seminars at this time. More will follow in due course. Above all, we're delighted that Philly Bike Expo has announced its 2027 dates.