I approached the MADE Show like a consumer, like a kid in a candy store, looking at everything and wondering how I could fit it in my garage. I’ll repeat myself here, there was too much for one guy to cover.
That being said, let me share one bike maker that was displaying a bike that I could really see myself enjoying. I mean, I really liked this next bicycle.
Bender Bicycles was displaying a bike that caught my eye while wandering the show. It had a simple, useful elegance to it that was very attractive.
I stopped and talked to William Bender, and he was kind enough to remove his bike from the fixed display in his booth at the MADE Show so I could take it outside to snap some shots of it.
Bender Bicycles’ Master of None
Bender states this bicycle is an allrounder that is an “homage to the past, crafted for the present, and ready for your next escapade”. He calls it the Master of None. Now, I didn’t confirm with William, but I’m sure it’s a lighthearted jab at the fact that the bike is adaptable and versatile, you know… like a “jack of all trades and a master of none.”
Moreover, William says the bike has the ability to “shift seamlessly from everyday tasks to exhilarating trailblazing, capturing the essence of early mountain biking while embracing contemporary advancements”.
The Master of None that was at the show had really nice parts from some of my favorite small companies. The spec included goodies from companies like Paul Components, White Industries, and Sim Works.
Bender says the bike will be available as a frameset ($3500). There will also be two build drivetrain options, SRAM GX AXS ($6000) and SRAM XO1 AXS ($8500). The drivetrain on the show model was the SRAM GX AXS option. All prices include a custom two-color paint job.
With what William calls a blending of vintage visuals and contemporary elements, the Master of None, he says, is a “nod to Fort Collins (and the bike style favored by every local).
The Bender Master of None is a bike that looks like it was well-designed. And, with both utility and style, the Master of None is ready to tackle an urban commute to the office or a shreddy single-track session. Either way, with that short stem and slack front end, the bike would be a blast to ride.
Check out the other bicycles offered by Bender Bicycles by hitting the link below.
