First European Handmade Bicycle Expo To Take Place in 2009

SCHWAEBISCH GMUEND, Germany – Following the successful North American Handmade Bicycle Show being held last year for the fourth time, some people in Europe are working on a concept for the first European Handmade Bicycle Exhibition (EHBE).

The first EHBE is scheduled from 8 to 10 May 2009. The initiators and organizers are related to the German niche brand 2SoulCycles based in Schwaebisch Gmuend. Show location will be the Congress-Centrum Stadtgarten in Schwaebisch Gmuend.

“We are strongly inspired by the growing success and popularity of the North American Handmade Bicycle Show,” says Ingo Brandl, founder and GM of 2SoulCycles. 2SoulCycles itself is not producing frames but is into R&D: “Our frames are made by a nearby local frame builder.” The company only uses steel frames.

Brandl’s colleague Indra Sakar is the woman to talk to when asking for EHBE info. “When we checked out our show idea for the first time we got a very positive response. But frankly said at the present time we have only a few bookings. But there are talks and negotiations taking place with other interested parties.”

Sakar claims that at least 30 exhibitors are needed for the first EHBE to take place: “We are mainly looking for local frame builders but also tooling and tubing companies.” Space wise the show location is flexible. Sakar and her team target to get 30 to 50 exhibitors.