Bespoked Dresden opens the doors of its second annual show on October 18 for a three-day expo of the finest and most exciting designs in custom-designed bicycle frames, and the best in components, accessories and apparel to go with them.

Most likely you already knew all or most of that. What may come as news is the uptick in international participation of European companies at the 2024 show. Exhibitors will have traveled from 19 countries, with 58 from Germany, 12 from the UK, eight from France, Czech seven, Netherlands, Poland and USA six, Italy five, Spain three, and the remainder are one or two each. This indicates an international diversity of exhibitors at a custom bike show that according to HBG records is unprecedented. NAHBS never had exhibitors from more than 15 countries.

As of three days before the doors open to the public, a total of 133 exhibitors includes 83 frame builders and 37 components, accessories and apparel manufacturers. The remainder are in related industries (see table below)

What we are seeing at Bespoked is signs of significant growth or regrowth in the European custom builder market, which is great news for cyclists everywhere.

If that weren’t exciting enough, the press preview information suggests we’ll see signs of design progress that’s actually improving on existing standards, and a flood of product reveals. Our reporter, Rory Hitchens, a 30+ year industry veteran with product design experience, will be sending photos and videos for daily updates.

Cycling impressario Dave Hemming with the mezzanines and Bespoked logo in the background

Shaping up as a world-leading show, Bespoked has a venue that maybe surpasses even the Philly Bike Expo. The Dresden Airport mezzanines are bathed in an abundance of natural light, and offer a setting of unmistakable distinction—one that befits the cutting-edge products and their creators. Following a triumphant inaugural year on the lofty upper mezzanine, this year's event expands onto the balcony below, which too is elevated in both stature and ambiance. The decision to stay high ensures not only better lighting but also a setting that mirrors the soaring ambitions and superior work of those soon to be gathered there.

We can’t wait!

Update 2024-10-19: Thanks to comprehensive photo coverage by our on-site reporter, Rory Hitchens, we're seeing a lot of brands and booths that weren't included in pre-expo exhibitor lists. It's reasonable to assume those lists were incomplete and there are in fact considerably more brands represented than the above figures indicate. At one point shortly before the expo we were told 127 stands and 150 exhibitors, although other public information did not support this. Confused? So are we, but it's likely the figure of 127/150 is closer than reported elsewhere in this article.

All photos: Rory Hitchens