After a very successful début in 2009, the European Handmade Bicycle Expo (EHBE) takes place for the 2nd time on May 21-23, 2010 at the Congress Centrum Stadtgarten in Schwäbisch Gmünd (GD) Germany.

Around 90 exhibitors from 12 nations will be taking their places in an arena that's been enlarged since the 2009 show.  Extra floor space has been made available to the organisers to accommodate the increase in exhibitor numbers this year.
While visitors can look forward to seeing works by established framebuilders like Pegoretti of Italy, Moulton of the UK and  Aarios from Switzerland,  they'll also get the chance to see some of the "discoveries" of EHBE 2009,  such as Ulrich Vogel, vonrafael and JRD.
They'll also see for the first time works by new names  OTM from Italy, Pure Bros Cycles of Germany and Manofacto of Switzerland.

Likewise, next to famous producers of quality components like Brooks, Chris King and  Campagnolo, there will be some highly innovative, but lesser-known companies such as brunn bike parts, Trickstuff and Leonardi Racing,  all worthy of a wider audience.

According to EHBE organisers Ingo Brandtl and Indra Sarkar,

" The revival of interest in custom-built frames by both bike riders and aspiring builders over the last decade has led to unprecedented growth, making the custom bike sector the most promising branch of the bicycle industry.  Thanks to events like EHBE, growth is expected to continue throughout this decade. "

"Custom building is particularly attractive in terms of sustainable production and consumption.  A custom bike developed through close co-operation between customer and framebuilder and made locally will cost around the same as a high-level production bike from a global brand, but the end result will be far more rewarding. The bike will be tailored exactly to the riders' needs, will be fitted to the riders' shape and will offer a level of exclusivity not found in mass-market brands." said Brandtl, founder of custom MTB designers and builders 2Souls Cycles. 

"What makes EHBE the perfect opportunity for those new to the custom scene is the presence of the bike builders themselves, the designers and constructors. Visitors to EHBE will have the rare opportunity to talk to many builders in person and gain an insight into their work, art and  raison d'être." said Sarkar, also part of the 2Souls Cycles team.

As well as exhibits, a number of workshops will be taking place at EHBE.  Zwischen Leichtbau und Leichtsinn (Construction : Between Lightweight and Careless) is a seminar presented by testing and safety expert Ernst Brust of  Velotech and is intended not only for producers and developers but  distributors and dealers also.

There will also be regular demonstrations of the SICI (Serotta International Cycling Institute) approach to sizing a rider,  considered by many as the benchmark among bicycle fitting systems.

Other show highlights include 'Showdown @ Schwäbisch Gmünd', the results of a build-off between Le Cadre Cycles and Julie Racing Design, plus the latest bicycle art installations by Oliver Baur of cycloholic.

Show times and dates :

Friday,  21.05.10    : 12.00 -18.00h

Saturday, 22.05.10 :  9.00 -18.00h

Sunday,  23.05.10   :  9.00 -18.00h

Website :  EHBE