Our 2025 Made Bike Show coverage was a heroic lift by everyone over here. What a week it’s been! While it’s fun to look at and read about all of the Beautiful Bicycles from the showcase, it’s really all about the people who make the show so vibrant and diverse. Read on for a stunning gallery of folks by Jade Elhardt, with some shots peppered in from Spencer and John as well. We had a blast attending the show this year, and a huge thanks to everyone who stopped by our humble little booth!

The Radavist thanks Shimano for sponsoring our 2025 Made Bike Show coverage and our independent Reportage!

There’s a magic, almost alchemical recipe when it comes to a successful bike show. The components of the equation consist of:

• People – the showcase ought to feel welcoming to all walks of life
• Location – the city ought to be a bike-friendly one
• Time of year – summer is when everyone’s out riding anyway
• Venue – convention centers or corporate backdrops can be stagnant and stale

When everything in the above list is balanced, you’re bound to have a good time.

The 2025 Made Bike Show carried the momentum from the same vibes felt at Sea Otter and Bespoked showcases – ATMO. While the larger global picture is frustratingly helpless, focusing on the immediate support found within small communities feels hopeful. Similar to the boro concept explored in that San Francisco post, handmade shows and the people who attend them understand both the significance and the beauty of small makers.

One of the themes I felt at the show was the never-ending parade of smiling people, just stoked to be immersed in a microcosm of makers. We had a table again this year, where Tay and Cari promoted The Radavist Membership and sold select merchandise items – including Cari’s hand-dyed Camp Hats. Our little table brought in a lovely, big crowd.

Any time Spencer and I got too hot outside, we’d land in a camp chair and people would come by to say hello, compliment our team’s hard work, freak out how adorable Tay and Cari were, and comment on how shelled Spencer and I looked. Most importantly, people were just excited to be at the show. Considering we were by one of the entrances, we had a lot of conversations throughout the weekend.

While running around photographing bikes outside, I saw vignettes of interestingness. Someone’s outfit, the person who brings a cat every year, a veritable bike industry who’s who on parade – is that Anna Schwinn talking to Gary Fisher? – and Jade was seemingly always there shooting a photo, capturing it all.

The smiling faces here in this gallery aren’t faked for the funk of the curated social media experience. They’re from the heart. The city of Portland blossoms with cyclists from all over the globe this weekend. It takes hands from all over to make the Made Bike Show America’s polished gem.

The draw factor, of course, is the abundance and diversity of bikes. These pieces of usable art are visually engaging. The construction can be puzzling. And the tech can feel intimidating. It doesn’t matter what you’re looking for, it’ll be in this hall. And damn, there’s a lot of eye candy to be had.

The people watching, however, is more impressive than any of the bicycles on display.

Like these custom bicycles we cherish over here, the people who attend this showcase are what make it so wonderful. It’s like being in a snow globe with the alt cycling internet, shaken up and allowed to fall back to earth. And even with the outside temps roasting at 100º in the shade, the attendees looked effortlessly cool.

To everyone who rolled through, said hey, complimented us, and appreciated us, we feel seen. To all the talented builders, you entered the arena with your best foot forward. And to everyone working behind the scenes to make the show run smoothly, we thank you. Damn, Taylor, you kept me so well caffeinated!

Made, like the bike industry, is by no means a one-trick pony. It is what you make of it. If you like shiny, it’s there. If you want community, you’ll find it. Bike commodities and components, as well as accessories, are aplenty.

But if you want to know how successful the show is, look no further than the smiling faces…

Thanks for everything, everyone!

Thank you, Made Bike Show.

The Radavist thanks Shimano for sponsoring our 2025 Made Bike Show coverage and our independent Reportage!