There were a number of "standard" offerings at the show--predominantly of the 29er variety. This was one beautifully sculpted Moots wagon wheeler, for example.

Along with the "normal" bikes on display at the show, there were the one off specialty items, including this Surly endomorph tire equipped Form bike with the Lefty front fork; this bike is designed for riding in snow and sand.

Custom clamp for the lefty on this ride.

The massive tires require a 100mm wide BB shell in order to attain proper clearance and BB stiffness.

The rear is laced up much like a trials bike, but the front is laced asymmetrically to provide the appropriate clearance for the Lefty fork.

Form was also sporting this ti frame utilizing an aluminum Ventana rear swing arm for 100mm of travel.

One of the show highlights was this 1888 replica of a Whippet, welded up by Paul Brodie. It's pretty damn amazing seeing the primordial soup that full suspension mountain biking emerged from, especially when so exactingly executed by as legendary a frame builder as Paul Brodie, even down to the solid rubber tires.

Everything on this bike was period perfect, including this block chain and crank.

A sprung saddle was just one suspension element on this bike. The seven point suspension frame was originally designed to take the edge off the unforgiving nature of cobble stone roads meeting up with the solid rubber tires.

Another linkage in the design originally engineered by C.M. Linley and J. Biggs of London, England. The key to the design was the rigid front triangle that allowed the bike's suspension to move independently of the rider.

Another linkage.

There was no front brake on this replica bike--just a yabba dabba do style of friction brake for the rear tire. Evidently it doesn't stop so well in the wet...

Radial lacing on the rear hub.

Bicycle Fabrications made the short hop to Sacramento from their San Francisco shop to show off their DH bike.

Much more interesting, however, was their single pivot steel 4X/DS/Dirt Jump ride. Featuring--yup, you guessed it--a Unified Rear Triangle. I believe this is the "Candyman" model.

The bike features horizontal drops for either gears or SS drive train.

As a single pivot (and a URT at that). the bike has a pivot point optimized for a typical middle ring.

Shock gusset on the Candyman.

The bikes come with ISCG tabs for a chain guide.

A quick peek at the SS option.

Coming soon to a party near you... Along with the practical bikes, there were a number of fun bikes, including this keg transportation number from My Dutch Bike.

This Evil Dead tribute bike from Peacock Groove out of Minnesota was absolutely amazing. The wheel graphics were air brushed on free hand.

Details included blood splatters and a "chainsaw" chain for a bike chain.

There were "axe wounds" to the head tube and head badge.

Another view of the chainsaw chain.

It wasn't all bikes and bike frames. Component makers were on hand, too. Among them was LH Thomson with a bit of different look to their venerable stems. And yes, rumors are true: they are working on both handlebars and a dropper post for 2013.

Gates was also at NAHBS with their belt drive tech on display.

The 1888 replica was not the only nod to heritage at the show, either; these wooden wheels are still manufactured in the Ghisallo Pass in Northern Italy.

It's not all about freaky bikes or bling components at NAHBS. A number of companies that offer everything the boutique builder or aspiring builders might need were on hand showing their wares.

Anvil Bike Works with a ti welding rig on display.

Miller Electric also had welding rigs on display at NAHBS.

Chris King was on hand with not only their bling components, but a 29er hard tail from Chris' Cielo line of boutique bikes.

Check out the trick white Chris King headset on this Cielo.

Long time boutique builder Independent Fabrications showed off this gorgeously decked out ride with the Enve carbon bling everywhere.

Custom paint was the name of the game on this ride.

I have never seen a better t-shirt in my life.

Vibe had this sweet winter "Sleigh Ride" on display.

No water bottle cage on the Sleigh Ride, but rather a flask cage.

Stinner frame works had this hard tail on display. Note the rear thru axle?

Detail of the pinch bolt retainer for the rear thru axle and rear derailleur.

There were also some genuine head scratcher bikes at the NAHBS, like this wooden bike from Bekes.

You gotta like the stash hatch, though...

Groovy Cycle works rocking a genuine leopard print pink bike.

Rear brake caliper mount on the Groovy Pink Bike.

There were a number of bamboo bikes on hand at the show, including this one with the henna ink inspired graphics.

Another bamboo bike on display from Boo bikes.

Calfee, renowned for Bamboo bikes, was rocking this Carbon Fiber tandem mountain bike.

Bike packing seems to be taking root with more boutique builders. I'm not sure if this concept will really take off enough to become a mainstream manufacturing offering, but it's nice to know that this niche has options available for the masses from manufactures such as Blackcat. This hardtail allows a dedicated bike packer enough carrying capacity to get to the zone, establish a base camp, and then ride for a 3-4 days with a fair degree of comfort. Or do an off road tour in a place like the Black Canyon in Arizona.

Another bike packing whip offered by Hunter Bikes with a nod to Johnny T's racing style back in the day ala the drop bars.

On display at the FSA booth. You'll have to contact ti cycles about the licensing of the design, but it was done above board and with Santa Cruz's consent.

Evidently there was a trade involved with the head frame designer at Santa Cruz for a custom rig...I guess it pays to know people.

Another Enve clad bike. You may not like road bikes or hipster fixie type rides, but you can't deny the lines and innovation of this one sided English bike. Note the lack of left hand fork leg and stays?

The belt system uses the split belt to stay on track.

Hub design on the one sided English bike.

Brake mount detail...

Ahh, Risse Racing. A headscratcher for me... I do not have a large enough cranium to be able to successfully tweak this bike for my own riding needs. EVERYTHING on this machine is adjustable for a full custom ride. Is it practical? I have no idea. But it seems fairly logical that if you send them your geometry, utilizing this frame, they can mimic your angles and better determine a custom shock for your whip.

Need a longer/shorter wheelbase?

Note the puzzle joint holding the stay together.

Another puzzle joint.

And puzzling joints.

An aluminum/steel bonded joint on the Risse bike.

Speaking of interesting suspension... Funk had this titanium pivotless design bike on hand.

The ti chainstay is designed to flex, offering 4 inches of travel.

Funk also had a newly designed head-badge for their bike.

Priority was on hand with a hand laid up carbon framed belt driven gear box design bike to be piloted by Jerry Vanderpool at Sea Otter.

This was quite literally laid up by hand--no mold for this prototype! (Although I was assured that the production model would be--ahem--tidier).

The business side of the bike--the left side--is where you find the belt. And you no doubt already noted that the brake is on the right hand side?

Belts tend to run better when tight. Actually, they like to be tighter than a chain driven option to prevent slipping. This one appears to be mighty slack, so I'm guessing that as one settles into sag that the belt tightens up?

X-Fusion and Manitou were handling suspension duties on the Priority.

And back to the brakes. Not sure if that's a particularly safe place for a brake caliper, but it is a lot smaller than a rear derailleur.