You’ve seen the carbon creations, now it’s time for metal. Whether it’s titanium, steel, brazed, lugged, or tigged, bicycles of the metal variety are probably what comes to mind when most people think of NAHBS. The Campagnolo Best Build Bike Contest was a showcase of some extremely impressive bikes, all fitted with lust worthy Campy drivetrains. It was hard not to get a feeling for each builder’s personality through their entries…
True to form, Max Lundbeck’s City bike was on point with beautiful details throughout the entire bike. Internal cable routing through the one piece handlebar/stem, integrated rack and chain guard, wood accents, and beautiful tail lights set the design apart. The bike was also one of the only builds to use bar end TT shifters for a city bike.
Kevin Harvey never disappoints as illustrated by this incredible coupled rando bike. Kevin impressed us last year with his clever integration of the front dynamo hub and lights, so it’s no surprise to see a super clean front rack with the light mount and wiring built in.
The lug work, couplers, and paint by Keith Anderson made this bike easy on the eyes.
The titanium segment of the competition kicks off with Kish Fabrication. This titanium road bike was submitted by Jim Kish and originates from Carrboro, North Carolina.
Even with John Siegrist stepping down from the helm of DEAN Titanium, the company is in good hands with longtime welder and employee Ari Leon. DEAN rolls into the Campy competition with this Ti Road Bike, El Diente.
Not a whole lot needs to be said here. It’s a Steve Potts Classic Road Bike built by Steve Potts. And it’s incredible.
For Moots’ entry into the competition they chose their Vamoots RSL build for the owner of Pedaler’s Fork. The stunning bike features their new Etched finish which will be available on customer’s bikes soon. More details here.
The founder of NAHBS, Don Walker, even got in on the action with this beautiful fillet brazed stieel frame. Raw fillet frames are awesome to see as they highlight the work that goes into each joint.
Aaron Barcheck of Mosaic submitted this fresh RS-1 to the field. The True Temper S3 built beauty had some impressive paint work. Just a really clean, classic road bike.
One of the victims of the weather, Eric Noren’s Peacock Groove Electric Hell was still a sight to see. The rest of the components may not have made it in time, but the paint job from Dirt Design Graphics is certainly worthy of attention.
Then there is the frame itself – and that fork? The paint work extends to the individual components with purple derailleurs and lightning bolts on the brake levers.
For something a bit more subdued, check out Shamrock’s fillet brazed frame for Andy. Tim O’Donnell should get extra points for the Campy competition for using actual Campagnolo dropouts.The paint work from Corby Concepts is flawless as usual.
If you’ve ever met Stephen Bilenky, you know it’s impossible not to like the creative frame builder and host of the annual Junkyard Cross. Which is probably why he got away with non-Campagnolo parts for a Campagnolo best build competition. If anything we think he should get the award for most creative Campagnolo drivetrain with a TA Specialties Carmina crank, SRAM chainrings, and KMC chain mixed into the Campy parts. The bike did have a Campy threaded headset though…
While this was a bike build competition, Della Santa gets extra points for the original Campagnolo repair stand. Supporting the frame under the bottom bracket and clamping onto the downtube, the stand also had arms to keep the front wheel from moving side to side.
The bike is also a pretty impressive example of a Rolland Della Santa complete with Campagnolo Nuovo Record Components. Submitted by Jake Barret.
Shin-Ichi Konno was on hand to represent Cherubim with this immaculate Sticky Premium Edition. Walking away with one of the awards from the competition, it’s not hard to see why…
Julie Ann Pedalino also walked away with an Honorable Mention award for her Sushumna Road bike. The fillet brazed frame includes a number of details brazed to the frame including a heart with the number 3 – signifying the fact that this is just her third frame to date. Quite impressive.
Personally, if I had to choose a winner from the competition this Repete Reborn would be hard to beat. It might not have won the award for best Campy bike, but it did take the award for Best Road Bike overall. The work of Mikolas Voverka and Robin Fišer, the Reborn is constructed from Columbus Spirit triple butted Nobium steel tubing.
The finish really sets this Reborn apart with a unique matte black over chrome that extends throughout the entire bike. Drool.
