Fairdale took a trip to the North American Handmade Bicycle Show to do a little scouting for Fairdale. Now that we are a bicycle producer one of the many things we have to think about and consider is what is an ideal way to display a Fairdale Bike. We went to the show with little interest in the bikes themselves (since you know, we got our own bikes!) and on a search for who we would award the much coveted Fairdale NAHBS Stand award. An award for the best stand at the show.
Here are some photos of some of the competition and some of the standouts.
These plastic bikes stands are about $15. They are an inexpensive way to hold bikes upright, and a relatively efficient design. Still, there is something cheap about them and the plastic just doesn't seem very quality. Not really the kind of stand we would consider appropriate to cradle a Fairdale.
Here is a slightly beefier version of the previous cheapo plastic bike stand. To make sure no one thinks these stands are too cheap two are used at a time. Still Fairdale's deserve a little better.
Upgrading in durability from the above plastic models this steel stand is simple and unobtrusive. It clearly has proven its functionality by dangerously balancing this bike high above the ground on some little wooden boxes.
This stand seems to be custom made to match the tubing of the bicycle it holds. Very classy, but at the tubing size does not match Fairdale's we had to keep looking.
Picture this stand like a kick-stand that waits for you. The flaw in the logic of this design is that wou would have to really plan your route carefully so that there is a stand waiting for you where ever you might stop since you have to bolt this stand to the ground.
The shoelace division of bike stands forgoes the traditional stand entirely. Although the front wheel is propped up on some old pipe the back wheel is simply tied with a shoelace to a pole.
While still utilizing the shoelace style stand on the back wheel the front wheel sees a slight upgrade in support thanks to a nice stable coffee table.
A high finisher is this stand by local Austin company Alchemy. I couldn't seem to figure out how it worked. I have to assume there is some sort of magnetic field emmitted from the metal base of the stand that keeps the bike balanced above it. A little too much magic is involved to really be trustworthy to me.
Using the base of an old microphone stand is a very rock n' roll way to recycle. If we could have substantiated the builder's claim that this stand was made from a 1970's mic stand that was broken by The who during the Tommy world tour it surely would have won best in show.
This Darth Vader's boner stand was as unique as it was inappropriate.
This stand was high in the running until it was learned by the judges that it was actually a device used to keep bicycles from moving while they are pedaled. Its like a prison for bicycles, not a kind way to support them.
Sometimes simplicity goes a long way. Here an old brick is used with perfect Feng Shui to harmoniously do the unintended job of a stand.
Another example of an old brick.
Local company True gets the runner up finish with this fine plywood stand that looks like that one spaceship from Star Wars.
The winner of the NAHBS Fairdale Stand category goes to this fine bench stand. Elevating its bike to an eye pleasing height, letting its plywood material show its true tone and simplicity. Congratulations. Fairdale will be building an improved stand inspired by your fine work in the future.
