NAHBS 2017: Appleman’s Pink Glazed Gravel Doughnut Bike

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah—The 2017 North American Handmade Bicycle Show (NAHBS) is underway in Utah, and Cyclocross Magazine is once again at the show, covering some of the cyclocross and gravel offerings that caught our photographer's eye. Next up is another sweet hot pink bike fresh out of the fryer.

Matt Appleman's Pink Doughnut gravel bike was built for the show, but all of Appleman's frames are custom, including custom-made carbon tubes for each rider. NAHBS 2017. © C. Fegan-Kim Cyclocross Magazine

One Sweet, Frosted Ride

Matt Appleman is the type of person to let people know what he really likes—and almost everyone knows he loves doughnuts. Appleman gives his local police force some stiff competition when it comes to being first in line for a fresh batch of doughnuts, especially chocolate glazed ones.

“I got pegged as the donut guy so I decided to have some fun," Appleman said. "There are enough serious bikes out there.”

“I got pegged as the donut guy so I decided to have some fun. There are enough serious bikes out there.” Matt Appleman's Pink Doughnut gravel bike. NAHBS 2017. © C. Fegan-Kim Cyclocross Magazine

Appleman went all-out on the doughnut theme in his booth, with an inflatable doughnut, doughnut frosting on his show bike, free doughnuts for visitors in his booth, and "donut" coffee mugs for sale.

Might USA Cycling bring back the donut cyclocross race that was such a hit in Asheville now that there's a dedicated bike for it? We'll have to wait and see for the full schedule for Reno's first of two 2018 National Championships.

Donut worry, ride happy - Matt Appleman even had merchandise to go along with his Pink Doughnut gravel bike. NAHBS 2017. © C. Fegan-Kim Cyclocross Magazine

Even though chocolate glazed doughnuts are his favorite variety, Appleman didn't risk dressing his show bike in a curious brown substance and instead turned to pink glazing. His choice kept with the theme we saw started by Dean Bikes' hot pink cyclocross singlespeed ride we also saw at NAHBS 2017.

If you look closely, he even added sprinkles:

Appleman's #donutbike was a unique aesthetic approach to a high-end gravel bike, and featured custom-made sprinkles and frosting. photo: courtesy

Donut Worry, Be Happy

Spend $6,000 on a custom carbon frame with an Enve fork and headset and Appleman expects you to be happy with his work after your five-month wait, whether it's because of the custom carbon tubes he uses for each build, or the pink epoxy "frosting" and sprinkles he might use for decoration to sweeten your ride.

Matt Appleman's Pink Doughnut gravel bike. Could we call it an apple fritter? NAHBS 2017. © C. Fegan-Kim Cyclocross Magazine

This bike has a decidedly gravel orientation, with a low bottom bracket and clearance for 42mm tires.

To be sure, the #donutbike is a show bike, not a customer's wish, but Appleman builds plenty of more conservative builds. We had a close-up look at an Appleman gravel racer at the 2016 NAHBS, and saw one of his early cyclocross bikes at NAHBS 2012. Both were understated in appearance, while Appleman's participation in our Considering Custom article series in Issue 21 and Issue 22 split the difference, with bold blue and gold graphics, without sprinkles.

Full photo gallery below. See our growing coverage of cyclocross and gravel bikes from the 2017 NAHBS here.

Appleman Donut Gravel Bike Spec Highlights:

Frame: Custom carbon, with custom tubes and tube-to-tube construction
Fork: Enve fork for cantilever brakes
Crankset: Paul Component Engineering Road Single Speed
Levers: ST-R785
RD: Shimano XTR Di2
FD: n/a
Brake calipers: Shimano BR-R785
Handlebar/Stem: ENVE, with Appleman integration
Wheels: HED Jets
Tires: Challenge Strada Bianca open tubulars
More info: applemanbicycles.com

Appleman Bicycles Donut / Gravel Bike Photo Gallery: