Bicycle Shows: Big And Not-So-Big (And N+1s…)

By Andrew on February 10, 2024 • ( Leave a comment )

June, it seems, is the month for bike shows, certainly in 2024. In the weekly email from Cycling UK there’s mention of the National Cycle Show in Birmingham from the 15th-16th of June. It will be the place to see all the big names of the cycling world (at least those that haven’t recently stopped trading…). In contrast, I received an email reminding me of an alternative cycle show last week. It will also be taking place in June over the weekend of the 28th to the 30th and this year is taking place in Manchester. It is Bespoked.

I’ve been to both shows in the past and, although much smaller in scale, Bespoked is by far my favourite. It started off in Bristol. I first attended the show way back in 2013. Here’s what I wrote at the time:

Bristol & The Handmade Bicycle Show

It was the first time that I saw this model of a Rohloff hub showing the inner workings of the gear system that I now have on my touring bike:

Anyway, back to the show itself. I think that was the second time the show had been organised. It was subsequently held in London at the Olympic Velodrome and it seems to have gone international in more recent years being hosted in Dusseldorf in 2023. Anyway, it’s back on home soil for 2024 and this is what the organisers have to say about it (and its interesting venue):

After a year on the mainland, BESPOKED has returned to the UK for the Summer of 2024 with an exciting new venue. This year’s show will be held at the iconic Victoria Baths in Manchester, named the “European Capital of Cycling” 2024, from the 28 -30th of June 2024. registration for 2024 Show has now opened.

Unforgettable Highlights and Lasting Impressions

“Victoria Baths is an ideal venue for the show, with its glass roof, neutral palette and ornate interiors. Manchester is ideally situated at the center of the UK geographically, with fantastic transport links and proximity to the Lake District and Peak District, which make up some of the finest riding in the UK ” says BESPOKED’s Peter Georgallou.

The event, which extends over three days, estimates an attendance of thousands of handmade enthusiasts, industry professionals, and members of the cycling community. Attendees will be treated to a feast of design and ingenuity, amidst a warm, familial atmosphere where the maker of each bicycle can tell their own story, as well as fantastic food and drinks.

The weekend coincides with the start of this year’s Tour de France, which will be playing on the big screen in the bar area during the show, offering an incredible atmosphere for sports fans and spectators!

A Year of Preparation and Expectation

After a year away from the UK, the promise of exceptional works from makers who have refined their craft to unprecedented degrees, holds a greater allure than ever for handmade bike fans in the UK. The BESPOKED team is dedicated to providing an even more impactful and inclusive event, promising to be an essential date in the cycling industry’s calendar.

Stay Tuned for the Journey

Enthusiasts and professionals are encouraged to stay connected through the event’s website and social media channels for updates and features leading up to the 2024 UK and EU shows. The journey to the next BESPOKED begins now, and it’s one that the global cycling community is invited to join.

For more information on the event, please visit www.bespoked.cc

If you are interested in the Birmingham bike show, all the details are here. Free tickets are available for Cycling UK members. Follow this link if you are one of them!

I think I’m more likely to head over to Manchester in June to visit Bespoked even though I’m no longer in the market for a new bike. Then again any cyclist worth his or her salt should always have an n+1 in mind…

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