Despite the name, the European Handmade Bicycle Exhibition had a truly international flavour, made all the sweeter with a healthy sprinkling of builders from the USA.
Among the eye candy was the likes of Litespeed, Seven, Independent Fabrication and Merlin.
On display alongside those highly respected brands was another American builder who despite not being as well-known as some of the bigger names, received just as a warm a reception, with his work leaving a lasting impression among show-goers and his fellow framebuilders alike.

Canadian-born, but US domiciled Matt Klucha, the sole framebuilder at MSH1 Bicycle Works of Colchester, Connecticut made the trip to EHBE with wife Agnes, the couple bringing along some fine examples of his work.
Matt has been framebuilding since 1996 by way of a MTB design project as part of his engineering degree; as a hobby during his time as an aerospace engineer; then later as bike shop owner, to finally directing his all his energies into full-time framebuilding in 2007.

This was the first time the work of  MSH1 Bicycle Works has been on show in Europe. Visitors to EHBE could not have failed to be impressed with the quality and workmanship of his frames. Likewise, his fellow framebuilders were equally appreciative of his skills, with plenty expressing their admiration for his work...with perhaps just a hint of envy attached!

On display on the MSH1 booth were three frames aimed at different disciplines of road cycling, but with a common theme running through the collection. For EHBE, Matt built three superbly constructed examples, finished in paint schemes inspired by classic sports cars.

Perhaps the most visually striking of these was the orange and silver Shelby AC Cobra-inspired 'Sportif' model.

This sports a Cobra-Style 'grille' on the head logo, in place of Matt's usual stainless-steel motif.

Other models on show were a dark silver 'Contemporary Vintage ' model, with 'Phantom Cobra' Signature paintwork and an 'MSH1 Bicycle Works Race' model, styled with an Audi R8/Lockheed Blackbird colour scheme.

It's the little touches of individuality which add flair and desirability to the work of a framebuilder; the fine details that lift the best above the rest.
There's plenty of Matt in Matt's work; his love of finely-made handcrafted items a character trait showing through the deep gloss of his Keith Anderson-painted framework.

Getting up close to such fine craftsmanship from a framebuilder who lets his work do the talking was an unexpected bonus.
From his unique, Patent-Pending head tube logo design, to perfectly finished lugs and dropouts, everything about Matt's work tells you this is a builder who leaves nothing to chance; one who pores over every detail to produce frames of the highest pedigree.

It's refreshing to meet a framebuilder who's aspirations aren't rooted in boosting his market profile, but instead concentrates on producing inspirational work of the highest standard.

I'm sure for many who made the trip to EHBE, seeing the work of MSH1 alone was well worth the price of admission.

 
WEBSITE : : :  MSH1 Bicycle Works.