Time to chime in. I was fortunate enough to be working in Austin, so I took a drive out to the show. First off, I would really like to thank Richard Sachs and Brian Baylis for answering the many questions that I had. It really made the trip worth while. Saw the beautiful bikes and frames they had on display, and the various bits and pieces of unfinished frames that they brought along. Learned a bit more about frame building, and might have to cross into that teritory soon.
To me, the most unexpected fascinating display was that of bcdracing and I believe it was Alex Morgan. When I approached his stand, he said something to the effect that he feels very out of place at the show with his display. I had to be honest, and told him I had very little appreciation for the whole Down Hill Mnt Bike racing venue (though I like mnt bikes). After his whole story, I really felt he fit in, as he was truely displaying a hand made, and very original bike. He is a competitive racer at the national level, and races on a bike he built. His father made fiberglass parts, mostly for amusement park rides, and this is how he learned to make carbon fiber structures. He brought along aluminum molds and bladers that he built, which were intersting to see. http://bcdracing.com/
So yes, carbon fibre can be hand built. And though I liked his use of a tennis ball to make an ending for the top tube (stuffed in the end of a 3" diameter carbon top tube), I have to say that the frames of Brian and Richard and the others were far more elegant.
And saw my first copy of Jan Heine's Vintage bike quarterly. Really nice publication, made a great read over dinner, am going to be subscribing for certain.
and for those of you that liked the callipygian bikes, here is a definition from mw:
http://www.m-w.com/
Dan Kasha Salt Lake City
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