Handmade custom bicycle manufacturing in the USA is facing its biggest crisis since TIG welding got popular. Henry James Bicycles is taking most of the heat. Company president, Chris Merrill, goes straight down the line.

Paul Sadoff of Rock Lobster is concerned not only for the manufacturers now forced to adapt, but also for the loss of a tremendous industry resource.

The highly regarded North California frame builder, known for his pioneering role in the development of mountain bike design, says True Temper made a great contribution in their time

They've seen it before, and they say it's not good. Builders praise the work of True Temper and talk of the difficulty in filling the gap its departure will leave.

The exit of the USA's largest bicycle tubing manufacturer will force many frame builders to seek alternative sourcing and puts a question mark over the future of exclusive supplier Henry James Bicycles.

Part Two of Anna Schwinn's talk with Matthew Sowter goes into detail about his design and frame building process and methods.

Part One of Anna Schwinn's talk with Matthew Sowter covers his inspiration and motivation, and how he was able to rise so quickly to prominence in the UK frame building world.

Bristol framebuilder Robin Mather explains the purpose of his adjustable-geometry bike, how he made it, and what he hopes to obtain from it. Everybody at the show was highly impressed by one aspect or another of this project, and he was presented with the Steve Worland innovation award.