If there was an award for Best Stem at NAHBS, Black Cat Bicycles would certainly be in the running, if not the hands down winner. Sort of a Black Cat calling card, the stem is a modern take on the old one piece Bullmoose bars that still offers a stiffer interface at the bar. Only after a last minute decision, Todd Ingermanson made the long trip to NAHBS with Curtis Inglis and Jeremy Sycip…
Choosing to build most of his bicycles from steel, Todd’s fillet brazing and lug work can be found on anything from mountain to road bikes.
Todd does a lot of his own paint work and tries to keep it interesting with different logos, design work, and well, impressive finishes. You’ll have to check out our Road to NAHBS piece on Black Cat to see some of his other works including an insane grey/graffiti/Chris King Pink creation.
Due to the last minute decision to attend NAHBS, Todd brought along bikes that were already built which he says are representative of the bikes he builds day to day for paying customers. Even with what he calls “subdued, and nothing too flashy,” both bicycles were beautiful. This gravel bike with color matched components was tasty.
Due to the Shimano connection at the show, many of the builders were running the new RX 830 wheelset. Called an Ultegra grade disc wheelset, the rims use a carbon laminate construction with a very thin aluminum wall reinforced with carbon fiber. The 17mm internal width rims are tubeless compatible and only offered in Centerlock and QR for $1499.
