This is the third and final installment of our blog reports covering the MADE BIKE SHOW 2026.
Click here for Vol. 1
Click here for Vol. 2
While we always get excited to see what kind of show bikes will be on display each year, the most meaningful part of coming here is ultimately getting to meet the people who build them. From happy reunions to new encounters, connecting with so many different people this year was truly our biggest takeaway.
John Watson, founder of The Radavist you all know, and Todd from Blackcat.
John is one of those who became so captivated by what Todd creates that he even commissioned a custom build of his own Swami.
John will be visiting Japan for the first time in about 10 years for BESPOKED OSAKA and RIDEALIVE. Don't miss this rare chance to meet him in person.
Two of my absolute favorites: Tom from LA MARCHE and Nick from SKLAR BIKES. I was truly well taken care of by Tom during my stay in Portland and by Nick during my time in San Francisco.
Good people look good in striped shirts (according to Shige’s 2026 research).
We were also very well looked after in San Francisco by Chris McNally and Jess, who came to visit Japan with Adam from SKLAR last autumn. I had the chance to visit Chris’s studio during this San Francisco trip, so I’ll be sure to post an update on that later. Stay tuned.
It’s been over a decade, but it was personally a great joy to reunite with David, one of the early members from when we first started carrying THE ATHLETIC at Circles. He has since moved to the Bay Area and is now doing great work at ENDURO BEARINGS.
The bike he’s riding was made by his old friend Brian of CHAPMAN CYCLES.
While Chapman is strongly associated with rim brakes, this is one of his very early builds and a rare disc-brake model. Even back then, you could catch glimpses of a genius in the making.
By the way, we have a Circle A Cycles track frame displayed at Circles Tailored; believe it or not, this brand was started by Brian before he went independent as CHAPMAN CYCLES. Feel free to stop by and check out his early craftsmanship.
Many of you have likely come across the Instagram account @truemarmalade. This is Erik, who tours with a fully loaded titanium OMNIUM. A pioneer of cargo bike bikepacking, he has been involved with the MADE operations team since the very first year.
His website lists the routes he’s conquered in the past, so definitely check that out here.
Dustin, founder of CADENCE and now a world-renowned cycling YouTuber. He is also now based in Portland and reports on the show each year from his own unique perspective.
Vanessa (left) took over the legacy of THE ATHLETIC and is currently building a new community in Portland as the reborn THE ATHLETIC. The brand is under a new structure, and we’ve started carrying them again at Circles.
Thanks to Adam Sklar’s connections, we were able to meet Elli (left) for the first time, while Taylor (right) of the familiar ROLY-POLY COFFEE came from Bozeman to Portland to help out at the BROOKS booth.
Elli rides a PBJ, and Taylor rides a first-generation Super Something.
Both were fantastic bikes with great vibes.
The bag brand Elli runs, SELDOM SEEN, is absolutely superb; we’re currently in the process of ordering from them, so I’m really looking forward to introducing them to you.
TEAM DREAM's Sean and WE MAJOR's Geo. Team LA.
Ashley of Colorado-based SIGNIFICANT.OTHER.BIKES, whose creative bikes left an impression last year, took 3rd place in the People's Choice awards with a 24-inch full-suspension titanium bike. Since they’ll be having a booth at BESPOKED OSAKA, I’m already looking forward to it.
Charles of North Carolina-based FINE BIKES held his first booth, bringing both his own bike and one he made for his fiancée.
This front rack alone was filled with so much love. With a diverse style ranging from simple TIG welding to fillet brazing and lugged construction, he’s a newcomer I’m personally very excited about.
And his bike won 2nd place in the People's Choice awards. Apparently, they got married right after the show ended and set off on their honeymoon tour immediately. How wonderful. Congratulations, Charles & Adeline!
Curtis from RETROTEC and Daniel of TUMBLEWEED BICYCLES. For this show, Curtis built a special 32" version of the Sunliner touring bike frameset for Tumbleweed, which they unveiled at the show.
Believe it or not, the very first custom frame Daniel ordered before starting TUMBLEWEED was a RETROTEC. These kinds of lateral connections are perhaps unique to MADE.
We asked the duo from GHOOOST—who it’s no exaggeration to say have shaken up the entire U.S.—to create the artwork for us again this year, and the SimWorks booth had a line the whole time. Thank you both so very much.
The items featuring their artwork will be released by SimWorks very soon. Word has it they’ll even be available for pre-sale at BESPOKED OSAKA. Naturally, they’ll have their own booth in Osaka as well.
Phil of KYOOT BIKES and Nao-san of TOMII CYCLES are neighbors in Austin. Phil was a huge help with the SimWorks USA ride this time around.
We are also truly grateful to Nao-san, who flew in from Austin with his show bike to unveil the new sizes of the Faraway Tire at our booth, even though he didn't have his own space.
Due to circumstances, he had to leave a bit early on the final day, so he disassembled and packed his show bike right there at the venue. Watching his meticulous packing technique, ensuring not a single scratch would occur during transport, gave us a glimpse of the excellence in his work.
Joshua and Erika from Sabotenstudio, who created the artwork for RIDEALIVE.
Although they aren't deeply involved in the cycling community, they made the trip to our booth specifically because it was held in their hometown.
Dylan, a long-time friend of Circles and formerly of CHRIS KING. He has since gone independent as a photographer/videographer and runs all over the venue every year as the media representative for MADE.
Speaking of media, Paul, who oversees SimWorks EURO, also worked devotedly for both his own outlet, Slow Spin Society, and for SimWorks. Thanks, Paul. We're counting on you for BESPOKED OSAKA too.
Organizer Billy and Erik, who I mentioned earlier.
Once again, our heartfelt gratitude to them and the entire MADE operations team.
Actually, this was the final time the show will be held at Zidell Yard after four years, and it has been decided that it will move to the Portland Convention Center next year.
There are various reasons for this, but it was striking to see how sentimental Erik was about this being the last year at this venue. It was clear how much passion he had for the location, and it even brought a tear to our eyes.
The last scene on the final day. Billy’s announcement signaled the end of the show, filled with gratitude for the three days.
With the move to the convention center next year, there was some talk of it evoking the old-school atmosphere of the NAHBS days. However, I believe the sense of unity built up over the past four years since overcoming the pandemic won't wane regardless of the venue change—it will only continue to spread. We’re already excited for next year.
A moment of relief after finishing booth teardown and loading everything into the truck. It’s the moment the exhaustion finally hits you, along with the sense of accomplishment (lol).
Zidell Yard, thank you for the last four years.
And with that, our MADE review blog comes to an end.
This weekend, Circles Tokyo will host the "MADE Souvenir POPUP & MADE & Bespoked Debriefing Session". We hope to share things we couldn't fit into the blog, so please come by.
Then, next weekend, BESPOKED OSAKA will finally take place.
It is the first Japanese edition of the European-born handmade bike show.
The flow is a bit different from MADE, but it will bring together local Japanese builders along with several from North America and Europe.
Circles will also be exhibiting as SimWorks. We plan to unveil a "Doppo Wanderer built by NITTO" show bike, which will be its first appearance in Japan, along with other special projects we've been preparing for the show. Please come visit our booth.
Personally, I hope this show becomes an opportunity for people to experience the world of handmade bikes, even just a little. Above all, I believe that visiting the venue in person will lead to new encounters, and we are looking forward to those encounters ourselves.