NAHBS 2012 – Vendetta Cycles & Metrofiets

Vendetta Cycles’ builder/owner Conor Buescher loves some elaborate lug work, and this year’s bikes were no exception.

Above was a very dark road bike with a few shiny bits to catch the eye, but the red commuter bike and his green track bike were the real highlights. And if the increasing use of bicycles for commuting in the U.S. continue (as we hope they will, particularly with gas prices likely to average more than $4 per gallon this summer!), you might be seeing more bicycles like Metrofiet’s bakfiets-style cargo bike, all pictured after the break…

Track bike has biovalized tubes for top-, seat- and downtubes.

Seat clamps were widened by adding material to the lugs. The seatstays were then compound mitered to give it more surface contact area at the clamps. Combined, the extra width and contact area makes it stiffer, important for a track bike.

Track frame and fork would be around $4k, as shown here complete would be around $5,200. Vendetta won a 2012 NAHBS award for Best Finish.

Commuter would be close to $12,000 thanks to features like a brushed stainless steel logo, custom rack and chain guard, fillet brazed and hand carved lugs (took two months to carve them) and internal cable routing.

METROFIETS

Metrofiets has been building bikes since 2007 in Portland, OR. Their steel cargo bikes start at $3,800 and go up to $6,200 for what you see here with XTR hydro brakes, Alfine 8-speed hub and Billy Kirk leather tool bag.

Fenders and cranks were painted to match.

The stays flare out before attaching to the dropout lugs. The driveside chainstay unbolts from the lug to let the belt drive into the rear triangle.

The bent lug design is mimicked on the fork. Generator hub powers the lights.

New pallet crate has bamboo sides with aluminum construction. They offer a wooden box with tall sides, too, for the same price.

Frame capacity is generally 400lbs including rider, but they’ve custom built to accommodate up to 700lbs. Front wheel is 24″ to help make it a bit more maneuverable. They’re electric assist compatible, too, and they rent beer bikes for parties! Totally want.