Here's a look at four fantastic mountain bikes from NAHBS 2018 - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media
Sklar's signature lines - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media
Adam Sklar starting building frames while still in his teens - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media
The White Industries crankset is one of many US-made components on this build - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media
Details abound on this mountain bike - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media
A tidy seat tube brace - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media
Olivetti's Thunder Pig - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media
Triple mounts on the fork legs for mounting cargo cages - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media
Triple bottle mounts increase the bike's bikepacking potential - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media
Custom bags featured prominently on many show bikes, like this partial frame bag from Porcelain Rocket - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media
Boo blends carbon and bamboo - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media
The Colorado-based builder makes road, cyclocross and mountain bikes - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media
Is that a divot for crank clearance or a panda nibble? - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media
Despite the different materials, Boo manages to make some very clean transitions - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media
Groovy doesn't skimp on color - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media
Industry Nine really knows how to bring a build together - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media
The matching Hot Rod crankset - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media
The Luv Handle handlebar has plenty of sweep - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media
The splatter and fade extends all the way to the MRP fork - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media
We’ve covered some of the best gravel bikes as well as traditional road bikes on display at this year’s North American Handmade Bicycle show. Last but not least, let’s take look at four interesting mountain bikes.
Sklar's signature lines - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media
Adam Sklar starting building frames as a teenager, and although he’s only 24 years old, he already has a strong following.
Based in Bozeman, Montana, Sklar builds mountain, cyclocross, gravel and all-road bikes with his signature arcing top tube. He primarily crafts his bikes from steel, but has recently added titanium to his repertoire.
This particular bike was made for a Kitsbow employee. The TIG-welded steel frame features long and slack geometry, a 150m-travel fork and meaty 29x2.6in tires.
Adam Sklar starting building frames while still in his teens - Josh Patterson / Immediate MediaThe White Industries crankset is one of many US-made components on this build - Josh Patterson / Immediate MediaDetails abound on this mountain bike - Josh Patterson / Immediate MediaA tidy seat tube brace - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media
Olivetti's Thunder Pig - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media
Pete Olivetti is a new builder hailing from Boulder, Colorado. His “Thunder Pig” is constructed from straight-gauge 4130 steel tubing with some artful bends. This rigid singlespeed 29er was designed around 29+ tires.
The Thunder Pig has a bit of a bikepacking theme to it. The segmented fork has plenty of braze-ons for cargo cages. A custom Porcelain Rocket frame bag fits perfectly between the two curved top tubes.
Triple mounts on the fork legs for mounting cargo cages - Josh Patterson / Immediate MediaTriple bottle mounts increase the bike's bikepacking potential - Josh Patterson / Immediate MediaCustom bags featured prominently on many show bikes, like this partial frame bag from Porcelain Rocket - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media
Boo blends carbon and bamboo - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media
Most custom builders work in steel, aluminum or titanium. A handful work in carbon. Boo melds carbon and bamboo.
According to Boo, bamboo has some similar properties to carbon fiber, such as impressive stiffness from the unidirectional fibers of the plant’s vascular system and excellent vibration-damping qualities.
The most striking feature of this 27.5+ singlespeed is how clean the transition from the bamboo tubes to carbon lugs is. It’s virtually seamless.
The Colorado-based builder makes road, cyclocross and mountain bikes - Josh Patterson / Immediate MediaThe Colorado-based builder makes road, cyclocross and mountain bikes - Josh Patterson / Immediate MediaDespite the different materials, Boo manages to make some very clean transitions - Josh Patterson / Immediate MediaIs that a divot for crank clearance or a panda nibble? - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media
Groovy doesn't skimp on color - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media
Rody Walter has been building frames for more than 20 years. The Ohioan does his best to bring fun to all the bikes he creates. Unlike many of this fellow frame builders, Walter also paints his own frames. As if building and painting his frames wasn’t enough, Walter also builds matching stems, “Luv Handle” handlebars and “Hot Rod” crankarms.
This particular 27.5+ hardtail is about as color-coordinated as it gets. Walter’s cranks and stem are pained to match and let's not forget about the MRP Ribbon fork that ties the build together.
The Luv Handle handlebar has plenty of sweep - Josh Patterson / Immediate MediaThe matching Hot Rod crankset - Josh Patterson / Immediate MediaThe splatter and fade extends all the way to the MRP fork - Josh Patterson / Immediate MediaIndustry Nine really knows how to bring a build together - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media
Josh Patterson is a BikeRadar contributor and former technical editor. He has spent most of his career working in the cycling industry as an athlete, mechanic and journalist. He holds a master's degree in journalism and has more than 20 years of experience as a cyclist and 12 years of experience riding and writing for BikeRadar, Cyclingnews, Cycling Weekly, Dirt Rag, RoadBikeReview and Outside Magazine. A native of the Flint Hills of Kansas, Josh was a pioneer in the gravel cycling movement, having raced the first Unbound 200 and many other gravel events around the globe. He considers himself a cycling generalist and enjoys road, gravel and mountain biking in equal measure. When not traveling for work, he can be found exploring the singletrack and lonely gravel roads that surround his home in Fort Collins, Colorado. In addition to his love of cycling, Josh is an enthusiastic supporter of brunch, voting rights and the right to repair movement.
