Best bike brand: A-train Cycles

Most forms of artwork wouldn't hold up well to someone jumping on for a ride, but an A-train Cycle made by Alex Cook will send you down the road in high style. His handbuilt frames have drawn praise everywhere from Sweden to the North American Handmade Bicycle Show. From his Minneapolis shop, Cook builds road, cyclocross, touring/city and mountain bike frames. The custom-made frames are pricier than a factory-built bike, but a worthy investment for serious riders. It's a sample of what's available in a crazy-talented local build scene that also includes Anderson Custom Bicycles, Appleman, Bob Brown, Curt Goodrich, Chris Kvale, Peacock Groove, Prairie Crow, Speedhound and Wyganowski. atraincycles.com

Best of Minnesota 2016

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