PHILADELPHIA (BRAIN) — The Philly Bike Expo has moved from its traditional fall dates to spring, but organizers said it will remain a meeting place for handmade builders as well as cycling enthusiasts. At this year's show — and prior to the show — exhibiting framebuilders are being offered an array of B2B purchase offers.
In previous editions, the show's organizers offered early admission to retailers so they could conduct B2B business in a more relaxed setting. Show director Bina Bilinkey said few retailers took advantage of the program so it is no longer offered. She said many retailers still attend during regular hours. "That is what makes our show unique — the opportunity for industry and consumer-facing interaction in one place, at one time," Bilenky said.
Registered media are allowed into the show an hour early (at 9 a.m.), she said.
Framebuilders are being offered a variety of special programs this year. For example:
- Schwalbe is offering a free set of tires to the first 20 builders who sign up for the show; builders have access to OEM pricing at schwalbetires.com/dealer-information.
- Industry 9 is offering discounts on its wheels to builders who include the wheels on their show bikes.
- Ritchey Design is offering free COMP cockpit components for use on show bikes, and 40% off wholesale princing on wheels and forks for show bikes.
- Appleman Bicycles is offering discounts on its 2XR cranks for show bikes, with custom colors and sizing available.
- Merry Cycles is offering 30% off Tange tubing and Long Shen lugs, dropouts and fork crowns for show bikes.
- Titanium Joe is offering a 20% discount on materials (on orders totaling over $1,000 made during February) for companies building bikes for the show.
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Fairing Industrial, aka: Bicycle Frame Depot, will be offering free shipping until the end of March for exhibiting framebuilders.
- Photographer Brad Quartuccio will be on-site doing framebuilder bike portraits, which can be accessed after the show.
Philly Bike Expo also announced an additional sponsor and expansion to its Framebuilder Inclusivity Scholarship program, which started in 2019. Industry Nine has joined founding sponsor SRAM. Paragon Machine Works is supporting the initiative with its framebuilding parts and accessories. Four new builders, three from the USA and one from Mexico, will show bikes at the Expo: Significant Other Bikes, Shovel Research, Studio Basica, and Artefact x NMW.
The Expo is March 16–17; it remains in Hall E in the Pennsylvania Convention Center.ompanies planning to attend are advised to reserve a spot sooner than later.
Exhibitor information is at phillybikeexpo.com/exhibit.
