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This weekend, the picturesque town of Schwäbisch Gmünd in Southern Germany plays host to the 2010 European Handmade Bicycle Exhibition.
The expo, which aims to bring together Europe's finest frame and bicycle constructors, has a truly international feel this year, with many of the exhibitors coming from outside Europe.
Naturally, for a German show, the greatest numbers of exhibitors are from Germany with 38, followed by Italy with 15, but the real surprise in this years' event is the number of brands of US origin.
Twelve US brands will appear on the 2010 exhibitor list. Among the high-profile American names making it to the show are brands Seven, Serotta and Independent Fabrication.
Elsewhere at the show, the US presence continues with not-so-global brands such as Carver, Chris King's Cielo and one of last years' critically-acclaimed visitors, MSH1 Bicycle Works of Colchester, Connecticut.
The sole framebuilder at MSH1, Matt Klucha will be making a return visit to the show accompanied by wife Agnes. The Klucha's are returning this year as a result of the warm reception they received at last years' event.
Said Matt:
“Last year’s EHBE was such a phenomenal event, drawing so much talent from so many places worldwide, returning again in 2010 proved to be irresistible.”
“I consider Europe to be the heart of cycling, with an enduring and resilient legacy and lore. The pioneering efforts of previous generations now materialize in current framebuilders making bicycles that are truly made by hand, yet employ contemporary design, modern material technology, and purposefully optimized performance. “
Indra Sarkar, EHBE organiser said :
“We were pleasantly surprised in the increased interest from small-scale framebuilders, clothing manufacturers and components makers from outside Europe.
It shows the message we have tried to convey about the handmade bike scene crossing borders and reaching all parts of the globe is beginning to filter through. We hope this interest from outside Europe will continue and next year and hope the builders in Asia who have expressed an interest in appearing at the show will be able to make it to next years' event.”
The European Handmade Bicycle Expo runs from 21st to 23rd of May. Venue is the Congress Centrum Stadtgarten in Schwabisch Gmund, Southern Germany. Almost 100 exhibitors are due to appear and a full programme of supporting events and seminars will take place during the show weekend.
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