'20% of people gave me a barf emoji': Three MADE showstoppers push steel into new territory
From mixed materials and 3D printing to aero shaping and 32-inch wheels, bike builders showed just how far steel can still be pushed
Three standout bikes were showcased at the MADE bike show, using steel in innovative ways to push the material into new territory. Big Block, Scarab, and Rare Earth each approached steel from a different angle, demonstrating that there is still much left to explore in the world of steel framebuilding.
Dustin Simons, a Raleigh-based builder, created a show bike that combined steel, carbon, and 3D-printed titanium. Simons, who comes from a CAD background, designed intricate junctions digitally and used 3D printing to simplify fixturing and adapt the design to different rider geometries. This mixed-material approach gave the bike a unique look, with welds that aren't usually expected and an aerofoil-shaped carbon sleeve. The digital work also helped keep the cost of a custom bike relatively affordable at $3,200.
Scarab Cycles, on the other hand, focused on redefining how people perceive steel. Their Serena bike, built with an ultralight family of custom-drawn steel tubes, was paired with a custom-machined head tube, T47 bottom bracket, and 3D-printed stainless-steel dropouts. The bike was designed as more than just a frameset, with complete configurations created in collaboration with climbing-oriented partners.
Scarab's Serena, which retails for $16,167 USD, emphasizes the unique balance of compliance, spring-like return, precision, and durability that steel offers.
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