Scarab Serena Wins MADE Builder's Award, Proving Road Bikes Are Still Alive
The Scarab Serena, a custom steel climbing road bike, won the 2026 MADE Builder's Award, demonstrating that dedicated road bikes remain relevant in the handmade market. The bike features custom-drawn Columbus Spirit tubes, a two-piece machined head tube, and 3D-printed stainless steel dropouts. Priced at $4,850 for the base frameset, the first 25 units of the 'First Series' will include a permanent identifier on the chainstay. The award highlights the continued appeal of lightweight, understated steel road bikes despite the popularity of gravel and all-road models.
Key points
- The Scarab Serena won the 2026 MADE Builder's Award, a recognition for handmade bicycles.
- The bike is designed as a dedicated climbing road bike, featuring custom-drawn Columbus Spirit tubes.
- Technical details include a custom-machined two-piece head tube, 3D-printed stainless steel UDH-compatible dropouts, and a 68mm T47 bottom bracket.
- The base frameset is priced at $4,850, including the frame, fork, seat clamp, axles, and headset.
- Only 25 units will be produced for the 'First Series,' each with a permanent identifier on the chainstay.
- The award counters the trend of gravel and all-road bikes dominating the handmade space, showing that classic road bikes still have a dedicated audience.
Background
The 2026 MADE Show, held at Zidell Yards on the Willamette River, featured a mix of handbuilt and production bikes, including cargo concepts and 32-inch hardtails. While gravel and all-road bikes have been popular in recent years, the Scarab Serena's award indicates that dedicated road bikes still have a place in the handmade market. The show also featured other road bikes that won Builder's Awards, such as those from English Cycles and Rare Earth Cycle, further supporting the idea that road bikes are not dead.
Why it matters
The Scarab Serena's award highlights the enduring appeal of dedicated road bikes in the handmade market, despite the popularity of gravel and all-road models. The bike's technical details, such as custom-drawn Columbus Spirit tubes and 3D-printed dropouts, showcase the craftsmanship and innovation in the handmade space. The limited production run of 25 units for the 'First Series' adds to the exclusivity and value of the bike. This award also counters the narrative that road bikes are obsolete, showing that there is still a dedicated audience for lightweight, understated steel road bikes.
What to watch
The first 25 units of the Scarab Serena 'First Series' will be available for purchase, each with a permanent identifier on the chainstay. The bike's base frameset is priced at $4,850, and interested buyers can visit scarabcycles.com to place an order. The success of the Serena may lead to further developments in the handmade road bike market, with other builders potentially following suit with dedicated road bike designs.
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