Trade shows are a logistical challenge at the best of times, and this year the Toronto International Bicycle Show and the North American Handmade Bicycle Show (NAHBS) were separated by four days and nearly 2,000 miles. The whole No. 22 team was scrambling: from late nights anodizing tube samples, last-minute catalogue production, nerve-wracking customs clearances and coordination with our suppliers to make sure not just the bikes, but all of their parts, were there on time. Throw in a blizzard at home and the result has been one of our more ambitious show schedules to date.
So, was it worth it? Absolutely.
Shows are one of our best opportunities to talk directly to our existing and new customers, to give a hands-on walk through exactly what makes our bikes different and special, and to have a two-way dialogue with riders of all stripes. Over the last two weekends we were lucky to speak with thousands of riders about our bikes, and we'd like to thank everybody who traveled—in some cases for many hours—to meet our team and see our bikes in person. If you weren't able to see us in person, here's a run-through of some show highlights:
Campagnolo Best In Show Award
We were floored and absolutely humbled to win 1st place in the Campagnolo Best In Show category at NAHBS with our Reactor. A stock Reactor save for a special finish by Velocolour extending to the frame, cockpit and seatmast, the Reactor was recognized for its construction quality, execution, and the multitude of unique touches that make every Reactor special.
The Reactor spent as much time outside of our booth with photographers as it did in our booth. Some of our favourite sets are linked below:
The Radavist:
Life is a Beautiful Detail:
Men's Journal:
Launch of Chris King's matte Slate finish
Flying under the radar of many showgoers were the brand new matte slate finish Chris King components on the Great Divide shown at NAHBS. Chris King was kind enough to provide the made in Portland components for our Great Divide show bike as part of the NAHBS launch of its new matte finishes. The headset, hubs and new T47 bottom bracket all looked great in the understated slate finish, which is now a permanent offering from Chris King.
No. 22 bikes around the show floor
Our reach at NAHBS wasn't contained within the bounds of our own booth. Working with some of our key suppliers, No. 22 frames were a part of several major product launches over the NAHBS long weekend.
FSA used a Reactor to demonstrate one of the first public showings of its new K-Force WE wireless electronic drivetrain.
CeramicSpeed had a Great Divide in their booth showing a slate of watt-saving goodies, such as their UFO chain, oversized pulleys and their own headset and bottom bracket.
Enduro used a Drifter to show off their brand new headset built around their legendary bearings, as well as their excellent T47 bottom bracket.
Reynolds featured a Drifter built around the All Terrain Road (ATR) carbon gravel tubeless clinchers, with a custom finished titanium rack ready for a weekend long gravel excursion. We were also proud to take part in Reynolds' charity raffle benefiting the Huntsman Cancer Institute, and we were happy to donate an Aurora frameset to benefit the cause.
