We were completely blown away with the range and quality of bikes at this year’s Bespoked, so it was no small challenge for our judges to pick 2023’s Bespoked winners. Fortunately, we had an impressive array of judges from across the cycling industry and media to ensure all the winners were not just to one person’s taste. As exhibitors tucked into pizza and beer (courtesy of Schwalbe) the judges took to the stage to deliver their verdicts, and hand out our Star-Wars themed custom anodized Dynaplug mega-pill trophies!
So read on to see all the winners (and runners up) of this year’s Bespoked awards, accompanied by the stunning studio shots taken by Adam Gasson.
Best In Show - Drust Cycles x Pinion cargo bike
Judged by Petor from BESPOKED – It’s a show bike. So best in show is not necessarily the best bike, it’s just the best bike in a show. However, the bike that I chose for best in show is also a highly sick bike. And if I had any money, because I had like a job or something like that, I would try and buy this bike. It’s so cool. So cool.
Runners Up – Zoceli, Avalanche, Project D, Ballern Cycleworks, Spoon Customs, Manivelle, Black Sheep Cycles
People's Choice & Best MTB - Bordure Cycles - Ti Hardtail MTB
People’s Choice judged by the visitors of BESPOKED & Best MTB judged by Grant from Schwalbe – when I first saw it I just kind of fell in love with it, just thought this was the sort of bike I like to ride.
Best MTB Runners Up – Actofive, Hulsroy
Best New Builder & Mike Burrows Award for Innovation - Project D Cycles
Best Newbuilder judged by Cory from BikeRumor and Mike Burrows Award judged by Alex from the European bike project – So this bike is kind of… completely silly. It’s like, oh well, maybe road bikes are too stiff nowadays […] this one is a really rad solution where big fat tires, stiff stainless steel backbone, stainless steel fork, downtube, and stainless steel. Lots of really wild, cool, nice, so nicely smoothly put together and then these tiny like pinky finger size carbon tubes that make up the top tube, seat-tube and chain stays […] It’s just a really beautiful bike that super embraces the idea that bikes don’t have to be as stiffest bike in your world that you’ve ever ridden, the best bike is probably one that’s a little more flexible and a little more fun and it’s just a beautiful bike! – Cory
Best Newbuilder Runners Up – Suba Cycles, Ballern Cycleworks, Wunderlich Raeder
Mike Burrows Award Runners Up – Ingrid Components, Rheintritt Fahrradmanufaktur, Posedla
Best Cargo Bike - Journeyman Cycles
Judged by Jon from TwoTone Consulting and Bregan from Crank Communcations – Very versatile loading platform, capable of carrying very long cargo. So ultimately, one is for the most utility, you need to carry something super long, long timber, long pipes, stuff like that. Has a cool steering approach, different than just the typical ball joint bearing. And also has extra ways to attach things on the bottom of the bike.
Runners Up – Fahrradbau Stolz, Drust Cycles, Veloheld
Best City / Utility Bike - Yaad Cycles
Judged by David from Fahrstil Magazine – Because when I saw it first, I really wanted to hop on it and speed around this show. And look at the details and the colors, it really, really caught my eye and was good !
Runners Up – Drust, Wunderlich Raeder, Fahrradbau Stolz, Kabuff Cycles
Outstanding Contribution - Sour Bikes
Christoph and the whole team at Sour Bike were the foundation from which we could launch into Dresden this year, we couldn’t have done it without them (AND they donated all the beer for Saturday Night’s Roller Racing Raveathon 🤩)
Community Builder Award - Roman from QVIST
Roman is your go to man for the cycling industry in Dresden, with links across the community, from state government bodies, to individual framebuilders. The Dresden cycling community came out in huge support for BESPOKED, in no part due to Roman’s support – thanks Roman ☺
Absolute Legend - Bennet from Ballern Cycleworks
Bennet went above and beyond to help make BESPOKED happen this year, and always with a smile. Never Not Ballern 😎
