Minnesota Island
Posted on 17. Jan, 2010 by NAHBS News in 2010 News
Minneapolis-St Paul is known across the USA for having a big cycling scene. Yet like many businesses, the custom bicycle builders there are facing tough economic times. So when the call came to stump up the cash for a booth, and start budgeting for the trip to the NAHBS, a group of Minneapolis custom bicycle framebuilders pooled resources and shared costs, making it more affordable for each of them to be there than if they’d made arrangements individually.
The idea was hatched in a conversation between show director Don Walker and Twin Cities Builder Erik Noren, of Peacock Groove Bicycles. Noren said, “Minnesota and the Twin Cities is a serious cycling region, 3.8% of all the commuters in the Twin Cities are cyclists. We’ve got to be tougher than the times, and that means not missing NAHBS. The builders who don’t go to that show, they’re the ones who may not make it through this recession.”
Five custom frame builders and the internationally known wheel maker, HED Cycling, will share the costs of a van to Richmond, Va. Noren expects to drive it himself.
The Minnesota Island will include Capricorn Bicycles, Clockwork Bikes, HED Cycling, Peacock Groove Bicycles, Vincent Dominguez Cycles, and Wyganowski Custom Bicycles. All of these builders exhibited in August’s Minnecycle show.
“Watch out for a very different booth look at the Richmond NAHBS: it will be more inviting, more open than traditional booths. It will represent the community of custom manufacturers here in Minneapolis,” said Noren. www.peacockgroove.com
