The 2026 MADE Bike Show, held from August 21 to 23 at Portland’s Zidell Yards, showcased the latest in handmade bicycle craftsmanship, drawing over 6,500 attendees and featuring more than 200 builders and brands. (bikemag.com)
Innovative Steel Frame Designs
This year’s event highlighted a renaissance in steel frame construction, with builders pushing the material’s boundaries:
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Big Block 427: Designed by Dustin Simons, this frame integrates steel, carbon, and 3D-printed titanium, offering complex, cost-effective customization. (cyclingweekly.com)
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Scarab Serena: Emphasizing luxury and high-performance climbing, this bike features custom Columbus Spirit tubing and precision-machined components, weighing around 6.95–7.16 kg. (cyclingweekly.com)
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Rare Earth Rare Berd: Brian Hall’s hand-formed, aerodynamic sculpture challenges aesthetic norms with a steel truss skeleton wrapped in aerodynamic steel skin, designed around 32-inch wheels. (cyclingweekly.com)
Both Rare Earth and Scarab earned Builder’s Choice awards, underscoring steel’s enduring relevance in modern bike design.
Attendee Experiences
Attendees had the opportunity to engage with builders and explore a diverse array of bikes. For instance, BIKEPACKING.com conducted a photoshoot featuring attendee bikes, highlighting the community’s passion and the unique rigs present at the show. (bikepacking.com)
For a visual glimpse into the attendee experience, you can watch the “Rigs of the 2025 Made Bike Show: Attendee Edition” video below:
Rigs of the 2025 Made Bike Show: Attendee Edition