Handbuilt Bicycle News

Paul Skilbeck

Paul Skilbeck
The founder and publisher of the Handbuilt Bicycle Guide, Paul has long experience worldwide as a cycling journalist and communications consultant at bicycle showcase events such as Sea Otter Classic, North American Handmade Bicycle Show, and more recently the Philly Bike Expo. He has owned and ridden handbuilt custom bicycles since the 1970s. Paul lives in California's northernmost reaches, with five bicycles.
Paul Skilbeck

Shows & Events

February 2025

Philly Bike Expo: A Beacon in Dark Times

Pre-expo ticket sales are up at the USA's preeminent exposition of bicycle culture, cycling knowledge, and great products. The smaller manufacturers in the cycling industry continue to keep their flags flying at the expo and interact with customers, yet the larger companies are conspicuously absent. Despite this, the show flourishes.

Shows & Events

November 2024

Velo Cosmos: A Feast of Bike Culture

Held in Grass Valley, November 14-17, Velo Cosmos celebrated the deep-rooted passion, ingenuity, and hard work that has driven the evolution of bicycles and cycling culture over the past 50 years.

Shows & Events

November 2024

Preview: Calgary Handmade Bike Show

Year Four for the Calgary Handmade Bike Show, November 16, sees a gathering of custom builders from Alberta to the British Columbia coastline at a bikes'n brews event that showcases the fine crafting, innovation and artistry that has long marked this part of the world as a well of frame building talent.

Shows & Events

October 2024

Bespoked Dresden24 - Part 2 of 3

The second in a three-part series: 12 bikes and components in a photo essay bringing you the Bespoked Dresden24 custom bike expo. Manufaktur83, Milara, Milli, Ornus, Pinion, Quokka, Raketa, Qvist, Rohloff, Sour, Stolen Garage, Tim Tas + Rek

Shows & Events

October 2024

Bespoked Dresden24 - Part 1 of 3

The first in a three-part series: 11 bikes and components in a photo essay bringing you the Bespoked Dresden24 custom bike expo: Alugear, Amapola, Arko, Charbon, Dresdner Pulverei, Fernweh, Garage66, Huhn x2, Huettel, Kobel

Shows & Events

October 2024

Bespoked Dresden Preview: Europe Rising

With unprecedented international participation in any custom bike show this century, Year Two for the Bespoked Dresden custom bicycle show, 18-20 October, builds on the success of its first edition in 2023.

Shows & Events

September 2024

Master Bicycle Builders Show 2024

Year Two for the Master Bike Builders Show, in Bentonville, Arkansas went very well. Located in a small park at the head of a well-used cycling trail, a steady stream of cyclists visited this outdoor show throughout the weekend of September 14-15. Exhibitors enjoyed the quality time they got to spend with potential customers, and organizer Sergio Bravo is already making plans for the 2025 event.

Shows & Events

August 2024

Made PDX 2024 Highlights, Part Two

The next wave, new generation, the changing of the guard; call it what you will: A lot of new companies are showing up at the custom bike expos around the world. These new brands might be entirely new to the industry; or new to the country; or they could just be new to exhibit at a bike show. Here's a quick-view mix including the established and the new at Made PDX.