Lugged Steel

Dawes

2010-08-26T09:54:00.000-07:00

I was going to buy this bike but a friend beat me to it by just a few minutes. At least she let my photograph the head tube badge.

Bicycle Portraits

2010-08-25T18:08:00.000-07:00

A friend sent me this link. Some nice bike photos and stories HERE

El Paso, 1972

2010-06-20T08:15:00.000-07:00

Photograph by Danny Lyon

The Prisoner

2010-05-31T09:45:00.001-07:00

The Prisoner by Rudi Nadler

Chemainus, BC

2010-05-14T21:03:00.000-07:00

High City

2010-05-10T09:01:00.000-07:00

Painting by Marc Simonetti

531 Trek

2010-03-12T11:00:00.000-08:00

I picked up this Trek 610 from the local recycling centre for a cool $5. Lugged Reynolds 531 tubing plus a Shimano 600 gruppo made it a good score. The frame's too small for me but I couldn't resist building it up as a fixed gear so I pulled the wheels, chain, seatpost and saddle off the Motobecane and put it together quick and dirty. I've got the Brooks way back on the post and a 120mm stem out front so the cockpit is OK. They threw in some oddball Manubri Cosmos handlebars with a track shape but road drop and since they fit the stem, on they went. Running 50x20 with the stock crank and a Surly cog out back. Think I'll ride it for a while and then maybe sell it.

Note: I added a new link today > Classic Vintage Bikes

Pedal Power

2010-02-02T19:22:00.001-08:00

A fixed gear bike + a generator = Carbon-free kilowatts. Read about it here

Toulouse Lautrec

2010-01-24T08:47:00.000-08:00

Olmo Pista

2010-01-23T17:18:00.001-08:00

A beautiful Italian track bike seen recently on eBay

Bianchi's 125th Anniversary

2010-01-19T18:40:00.000-08:00

Read all about it here

Quote

2010-01-15T18:46:00.000-08:00

I have ignored this blog for too long. Hopefully, I'll be posting more often. I photographed my rear wheel in some nice light this afternoon and found a good quote to go with it.

"Transportation by bike means you are riding IN, not driving THROUGH like a car. You are life-EXPERIENCING, not sight-SEEING. You are in it and of it, and the beauty goes so deeply inside you that you could weep, and you just never want to get off the bike again"

From NO IMPACT MAN by Colin Beavan

Original photograph by Victor Anthony, copyright 2010. No unauthorized reproduction please.

Vintage Fuji

2009-07-03T18:57:00.000-07:00

I worked on a friend's old Fuji touring bike today and couldn't resist grabbing a photo of the vintage headbadge. Too bad most companies have gone to decals.

Celo

2009-07-02T12:12:00.000-07:00

Can't remember where I found this photo but it sure makes a nice desktop. It reminds me of the Masi catalogue image I posted about this time last year.

Summer-Weight Motobecane

2009-06-29T09:04:00.000-07:00

I removed the brake, bell and bottle cage for a total of 1.8 pounds which is enough to notice. I'm not a gram counter kinda guy but the bike definitely feels livelier. And I enjoy riding brakeless which I did a lot last year on the Apollo. Of course the bike looks much better stripped down too.

Fixed Gear Family

2009-06-28T09:02:00.001-07:00

Questions

2009-06-27T08:38:00.000-07:00

I snapped this photo on Hawthorne Street in Portland. Fixed gear bikes are everywhere in that city but this one caught my eye for a couple of reasons and I'm wondering if any of you have any thoughts on...

1. What do you think about track bars on a road bike conversion?

2. Check the stem (looks like maybe a 130mm) and the height of the seat post. Obviously, this frame is a tad small for it's rider but he/she has made it work by stretching the cockpit. Have any of you taller riders had experience with making a smaller frame fit OK?

I keep looking for a lugged steel track bike or frame in my size (61-62) but I don't find many for sale. Anybody have any suggestions? I can't really afford a custom-built frame and besides I prefer the look of an older bike with some battle scars and patina.

1964 Frejus

2009-06-26T09:05:00.000-07:00

This beautiful machine belongs to a lucky fellow named Dan and was posted to the Fixed Gear Gallery today. More photos here

2010 Bianchi Pista Via Brera

2009-06-19T10:40:00.000-07:00

Not lugged steel but not bad. I'm looking forward to seeing this bike in person. It's a crying shame Bianchi didn't go all the way and spec it with a nice flat crown fork. The unicrown fork pictured is a glaring eyesore on an otherwise very attractive machine. Imagine it with drop bars (Nitto 123s) and a chrome Soma fork...

Summer's Almost Here

2009-05-26T12:46:00.001-07:00

This might be taking the whole fixed gear thing a little too far. On the other hand, it beats walking.

Bike Burrito

2009-05-08T18:35:00.000-07:00

I'd been looking for a trad seat bag for a while and hadn't found anything that really did it for me until I came across the Bike Burrito. They are handmade in Long Beach, CA by a woman named Jayme. She was a pleasure to deal with every step of the way and the bag exceeds my expectations. Prompt replies to emails, quick shipping, if this had been an eBay deal I'd be saying "A+ seller, perfect transaction". It's minimalist to be sure so maybe not for you gearheads and Be Prepared Boy Scouts but it rolls up nicely around a minipump, spare tube, tire levers and a mini-tool which is all I care to lug around. It's attached under your saddle with the provided leather strap and even ships with a surprise miniature sample bottle of Tabasco sauce. You don't get that from corporate America folks! So if you're in the market for this sort of bag and if, like me, you try to support cottage industries, I highly recommend the Bike Burrito. Check 'em out here

Motobecane Update

2009-05-05T21:55:00.000-07:00

Here's my 1974 Motobecane Grand Touring fixed gear conversion. It went up on the Fixed Gear Gallery this week so I thought I'd better do a post with the build details for anyone who might be interested. I got the bike from my buddy Tommy in trade for some guitar lessons. Definitely a win-win situation. Aside from the frame and fork, the only original parts are the bottom bracket and headset. Here's the breakdown

Frame and fork: 1974 Motobecane lugged steel Grand Touring
Paint: Rustoleum rattlecan
Bottom bracket: OEM
Crankset: vintage Sugino w/ 52T chainring
Pedals: generic
Chain: generic
Rear rim: Mavic Open Pro
Hub: Formula, 32h
Cog: Surly 20T
Front rim: Mavic SUP
Hub: Shimano RSX, 32h
Tires: Continental Gatorskins, 700x23 foldable
Tubes: Continental 76g
Headset: OEM
Stem: Nitto Technomic Deluxe
Handlebars: Cinelli 66-44
Bar ends: wine corks
Bar tape: cloth
Bell: Velo Orange
Brake: Gran Compe
Brake lever: Dia-Compe
Bottle cage: generic stainless steel
Seatpost: generic
Saddle: Brooks B-17

Most of the stuff came off my Apollo as I've decided I like the ride of the Motobecane better. So I put all my best goodies on this frame. The trickiest part of the build was the cockpit. I spent an hour or so enlarging the stem clamp from the stock dimension of 26.0 out to 26.4 (with sandpaper) in order to mount the Cinelli bars which I find to be the most comfortable and best-looking road bars I've ever used. Sadly, they're out of production, at least the ones without brake cable grooves. Tried to buy a deep-drop road bar lately? I couldn't find one anywhere. All the new ones are 140mm drop which isn't deep at all. The 66-44s are 160mm deep which looks great and feels nice when you get down there. I then took the stem to a neighbour of mine who is a machinist and had him mill the quill down to 22.0 (22.2 was the stock dimension) in order to fit into the French steerer. It all came together nicely. I plan to add a layer of clearcoat to the paint and shellac the handlebar tape but other than those two things, I think she's done. The longer wheelbase of a touring frame combined with the size (approx 61) and the weight of the non-exotic tubing all add up to a very comfortable and stable machine. Thanks for looking.

Retro Brakes

2009-04-28T22:07:00.000-07:00

I've redone my '74 Motobecane and will do a full feature post on it very soon but for now, here are the brakes photographed TTV style.

The Framebuilders Collective

2009-03-03T19:27:00.000-08:00

And speaking of handmade bicycles, you'll want to check these guys out

The Framebuilders' Collective

5th Annual NAHBS

2009-03-02T19:03:00.000-08:00

The North American Handmade Bicycle Show is THE event of the year for folks like us. Here's the official website link along with some photo coverage here. You can see more pictures at the Fixed Gear Gallery or just start Googling. Eyecandy abounds.

What It's All About

2009-02-26T14:36:00.000-08:00

This is from Marisa Baz' Cyclist Project (click on the image to enlarge for easier reading) and it pretty much sums up how I feel about my wheels. You too probably. Yes?

That's Amore

2009-02-20T08:55:00.000-08:00

I don't own one (yet) but I love lugged steel track bikes, especially those of Italian heritage. Here are a few nice ones from my web travels.

WTF???

2009-02-19T19:27:00.000-08:00

I'll be the first to admit that I don't follow cycling news religiously so I was not hip to Shimano's latest silliness, electronic shifting, til my mother-in-law sent me this article from the NY Times. Well low and behold, electronic shifting is now a reality and it will add around $1250 to the cost of a bike. So, let me get this straight...there are actually people out there who are willing to part with over a grand for the privilege of not being able to shift when their battery runs out? What I want to know is who buys this s***?? Yeah, I ride a fixed gear conversion, don't own any lycra or cycling shoes and maybe I might have Luddite tendencies but putting stuff normal people don't need on the market just fuels the whole consumerist thing and doesn't do a damn bit of good for cycling in general. End of rant.

Loaded Touring

2009-02-10T09:11:00.001-08:00

Photo courtesy of Rat Rod Bikes

Odd Duck

2009-02-04T21:03:00.000-08:00

This isn't lugged steel. And I wouldn't ride it. But I'm glad it exists. If something like this were to be mass produced and it got more people out of cars and pedaling to their destination, I'd be all for it. You can read more about it here. What do you think about this beast?

Velodromo Comunale

2009-01-08T20:41:00.000-08:00

Can't remember where I found this but it's a nice poster. Happy new year everybody.

Apollo Update

2008-12-04T17:36:00.000-08:00

Here's a photo of the $6 fix updated with some new components

Nitto stem and Nitto Model 185 handlebars (thanks David!) wrapped in cloth tape and finished off with 3 coats of amber Bullseye shellac

Gran Compe front brake with Gipiemme (Modello) lever

New rear wheel: Formula hub, Mavic Open Pro rim, 14/15/14 spokes - thanks to the guys at Fairfield Bicycle in Victoria, BC!

Continental UltraGatorskin 700x23 foldable tires and Continental 76g tubes

Black Planet Bike fenders

She's like a new bicycle. I lost a pound of rotating weight by going to 700c wheels and lightweight tires and the difference is unbelievable. Also, switched out the 18 tooth cog for a 20 which makes hills just a tad easier. I'm going to leave her rusty for the winter but come spring, she'll get primed and painted.

The Bicyclist

2008-11-24T11:32:00.001-08:00

Photo by Floriana Barbu

Burnaby Velodrome

2008-10-21T08:50:00.000-07:00

One of three indoor velodromes in North America, located in Burnaby (Vancouver),BC Canada. Check it out here

Database

2008-10-20T07:53:00.000-07:00

VeloBase is a great database/resource for researching your restoration projects. They have photo libraries organized by subject matter. My Apollo didn't have a headbadge when I got it but now at least I know what one looks like. Anybody know where I might find one?

Classic Lugs

2008-10-19T09:05:00.000-07:00

Dave Wages over at Ellis Cycles was doing some repair work on a 1972 Schwinn Paramount when he took this picture of it's gorgeous Nervex lugs. His original was in colour but I tweaked it and converted it to monochrome (thanks Dave!). You'll find a nice little article about the history of Nervex lugs here.

Fitness Firsts

2008-10-18T08:27:00.000-07:00

A year ago I was 55 years old, had just quit smoking and had just left a 6-days-a-week job that afforded me very little time or energy for biking. I had just discovered the wonder of riding fixed but my saddle time was limited. All of which is to say I was in pretty lousy shape. The doctor said I was doing great, nothing wrong, blah blah blah but I knew I could and should be more fit than I was.

What a difference 13 months makes. I have ridden one of my two fixed conversions almost every day for the last year. The ratios are 73 and 78 gear inches respectively so I ain't pulling no granny gear. And it's hilly around here. I'm not training for anything and I don't have a computer on either bike to log the miles or the speeds. I'm just riding. For the fun of it and also for errands and occasionally to and from work. Often, I invent a reason to ride. The more I do it, the more I feel like a 12 year-old with a spanking new Schwinn and somewhere important to be. And the more I feel my body responding, which brings me to yesterday.

There are a couple of hills in my neck of the woods that have always forced a dismount, no way to conquer them in 52x18. But yesterday afternoon, I rode up not one but both of 'em. My legs and my lungs had what it took and I stayed on the bike all the way to the top. There was no one around to cheer me on, nobody snapping photos like they do at the big races in Europe, nobody to notice at all. But I didn't give a rat's rear end about the lack of attention. I knew what I'd done and what it meant and that was all that mattered.

Next spring I'll turn 57, just three years shy of 60. An age I once considered "old". But I believe I'll be in perhaps the best shape of my life when the big six-0 arrives. Of course I know there'll come a time when my knees will give out and I'll have to rehang a derailleur on one of these road bikes and go back to shifting but til then, I will test my mettle on a daily basis with a direct drive bicycle and a smile on my face.

A note about the picture: I don't remember where I found it but would like to acknowledge the photographer who is obviously very talented. So if you know who's responsible for this image, please drop me a line so I can give credit where credit is due. Cheers.

Seat Post Rainbow

2008-10-17T09:52:00.001-07:00

Beautiful, handcrafted seat posts from Engin Cycles

Dave Moulton

2008-10-16T08:00:00.000-07:00

I know Bike Snob NYC has a lot of fans but for my money, Dave Moulton's is the best bicycle blog on the web. Thanks Dave!

Guy's Atala

2008-10-15T11:40:00.000-07:00

Artist: Taliah Lempert
Title: Guy's Atala, 2005
Medium: Oil on panel, 12" x 16"

The artist's website is here

Tall Bike

2008-10-15T08:36:00.000-07:00

Do you think he really needs those fenders?

In The News

2008-10-14T08:13:00.000-07:00

The Chicago Tribune ran an article recently on the no brakes urban hipster thing. You can read it and watch the video here. I'm neither urban nor hip but I ran my Apollo fixed gear conversion sans brakes for most of this year (just added a front brake recently) and did not feel that I was a menace to society in any way. But then I wasn't doing any trick riding nor was I cruising with a pack. To each his own I guess. I'm just happy to see young people on bicycles for whatever reason. Trends and fads come and go but once the bike bug bites, one tends to stay bit.

Photo by Brett Reed, bike by Nagasawa

Chopper

2008-10-13T09:24:00.000-07:00

Click here to see some interesting art bikes

Beautiful Lugwork

2008-10-10T11:04:00.001-07:00

Sacramento Delivery

2008-09-12T12:24:00.000-07:00

What I'd call a girlie messenger bike

More Bikes, Fewer Cars

2008-09-10T09:09:00.001-07:00

It's all about infrastructure. Here's an interesting article from TerraPass

London Calling

2008-09-08T19:38:00.000-07:00

A classic from the Cycle London Flickr group Dig that sprung Brooks!

Wire Wheels

2008-08-21T07:51:00.000-07:00

I found this little sculpture hanging from the rearview mirror of a beautifully restored late forties Chevrolet pickup truck.

Morning Commute

2008-08-20T08:57:00.000-07:00

Here is a beautiful image by a Turkish photographer who goes by the handle monoblog, taken while on business in Shanghai

Down By The River

2008-08-18T07:25:00.000-07:00

Here's a nice watercolour sketch by artist and Rivendell Quickbeam owner Mike Thomas

Overton Gallery & Tea Room

2008-08-17T08:08:00.000-07:00

A working bike from across the pond. I do believe that's a Brooks saddle. Photo by Mike

BRC

2008-08-16T15:59:00.000-07:00

Sorry I haven't posted much lately. I've been working, traveling and riding my bike but not hanging out online too much. So...I'm involved with a Green Bikes project in my community and someone donated a lugged steel mixte bike with this headbadge. Haven't been able to find out much about the marque though I did turn up a full custom one at the BMX Museum. Anybody out there know anything about this brand?

A Photo From The Future?

2008-07-17T09:24:00.000-07:00

Nope. It was taken recently in Erlangen, Germany but this is what the whole world will look like when the oil runs out. Actually, much of Europe already looks like this, North America is just way behind.

The First Seven Days

2008-07-11T10:29:00.000-07:00

Today, I've asked my wife to guest blog. Well, actually, she told me she was going to guest blog, and I said, "yes dear!"

My preferred ride until...I saw the light!

For years my husband talked about building himself a fixie. When he finally did, I thought he was nuts. I mean, who wants to pedal all the time? I wasn’t the only one who thought he was crazy either. In the town we used to live in, the old man running a repair shop just shook his head in wonder, and in our new town, the owner of the LBS pretty much kicked him out when he asked questions about streamlining his fixie.

All summer I have been without a bike. My old 1970s Schwinn, which is too small for my long legs, was fine in the flatlands, but here in hilly country I only rode it once before I said, “Let’s sell it.” Now summer is not the time to be without a bike, but without funds, I was stuck. After much debating and measuring, my husband decided to fix up one of his many, many bikes for me. By fixing it up, I mean changing out the handlebars to upright ones, with God forbid, a brake (which apparently, based on his reaction, is some sort of sacrilege).

Imagine his horror when I declined the use of his spare bruise-inducing Brooks saddle that feels like it’s made of cold hard steel. I know, I know…plenty of y’all use them and they form to your butt and all that, but I still chose the softer, lower-end Brooks that he picked up for fifty cents at the recycle centre, much to his chagrin. Just wait until I make him add the basket, light, fenders, and rack so I can carry groceries! He won’t want to be seen with me. And don’t even get him started on the helmet issue.

But I digress. This guest blog is supposed to be about my first week as a fixie rider, and yes, might I add convert. It’s true. I now see the beauty of the fixie. It was remarkably easy to catch on to the no brakes thing and every time we come home after a ride, I say, “I didn’t use the brakes at all” or “I only had to use them on that one hill.” I find that I’ve ridden around 2-5 miles per day, every day, and that I, like my husband, seem to be fabricating reasons to ride to the Village, just to get one more ride in before dark.

I have only sustained one injury this week, a pretty nasty whack to the back of my right calf, but considering I’ve suffered the same injury on a regular bike (pedal bashing into me as I dismounted in a sort of dicey situation due to road repair and pavement bumps), I am not blaming this on the fact that my cool new bike is a fixie.

The only downside that I can see to riding this bike is that when we go out for an evening ride, it’s hard to stay together because my bike is in a much lower (thank God!) gear than my husband’s. Also, he has no brakes, which is why this was his injury. Oh, wait, it didn’t have anything to do with brakes. He was trying to take a picture while riding. I can honestly say that while he has made me a fixie lover, I highly doubt you will see any photos that I’ve taken while riding because I am way too much into the zen of pedaling (all the time!) to be bothered with photos.

Marriage is about compromise (yes, I actually do like the upright handlebars and I don't think they look geeky!), but it’s also about making your spouse happy when you can. My husband has made me happy with this bike, and the day we rode into the Village on our his-and-her fixies, the pride shone in his eyes. Not to mention when a tourist checked me out and he was looking not in the usual place, but at my very cool fixed gear bike, I thought my husband’s smile would split his face.

I'm converted!

Circumnavigation

2008-07-09T08:35:00.000-07:00

Even before I gave the RB-2 to my wife, the Apollo ($6 Fix) had become my favourite ride despite it's homely appearance. I've got the cockpit dialed in just so and the fit and feel are perfect. But I'm running 52/18 and no brake so I've mostly used it for errands and short pleasure rides. Yesterday I decided to see what it would be like to make the 22 mile trip around the island so I filled a water bottle and off I went. It was a perfect BC summer day, warm but not sweltering and blue sky overhead. About 3/4 of the way round I stopped for a photo op and while I was relaxing a bit, it occurred to me that riding a brakeless fixed gear bicycle with a tall gear in rolling terrain is a lot like marriage: It's all about compromise. A wise man chooses his battles carefully and doesn't sweat the small stuff. The correlation is that there are some hills too steep to climb with a 78 gear-inch drivetrain and others too steep to descend safely without a brake. So I just get off and walk when need be. I only had to do that twice yesterday, once down and once up. You might notice in the photo that I wasn't carrying a tool kit. I did have a multitool in my pocket but since I've never flatted where we live, I don't bother with a spare tube/tire/pump. Believe it or not, there is virtually no road debris. I have seen broken glass on the pavement only once since moving here 10 months ago. Hope I'm not jinxing myself...

Masi Pista

2008-07-08T11:18:00.001-07:00

Scan from an old Masi catalogue

Retro Fix

2008-07-06T08:46:00.000-07:00

Here's a beautiful 1970's Austro-Daimler conversion that belongs to a fellow in the Retrogrouch group on Flickr. Who says you have to have derailleurs to go randonneuring?

City Fix

2008-07-05T16:32:00.000-07:00

We don't live in the city but this is the style of ride my wife Joelle wanted. Since a Batavus Old Dutch wasn't going to happen for us anytime soon, I decided to make some changes to the Bridgestone fixie conversion and give it to her. She's almost as tall as me so I just had to lower the seatpost a couple of inches and install the components of her choosing (padded saddle and upright handlebars). She loves it and I'm tickled pink that my baby has my old bike.

Here's the parts breakdown:

Frame: 62cm Bridgestone RB-2
Bottom Bracket: Shimano (OEM)
Crank: Sugino (OEM)
Chainring: Sugino 46t
Cog: Surly 17t
Chain: 1/8 inch generic
Pedals: MKS Touring
Rims: Ritchey Vantage Comp (OEM)
Tires: Specialized Armadillo
Rear Hub: White Industries ENO
Front Hub: Shimano Exage (OEM)
Seatpost: American Classic
Saddle: Avocet (OEM)
Stem: Nitto Technomic
Handlebars: Nitto North Road
Grips: generic
Brake Lever: Tektro
Brake: Shimano Exage (OEM)
Bottle Cage: King stainless steel

City Bike

2008-07-02T13:07:00.001-07:00

I would love to find something like this for my wife. The Electra Amsterdam is OK but just a little too slick. A Batavus Old Dutch would do nicely...

Which Way?

2008-06-22T10:10:00.000-07:00

Photo by Kathrine Felland

Humber

2008-06-18T22:35:00.000-07:00

Nice scan of a mid-century poster from England

NJS

2008-06-16T11:44:00.000-07:00

One of these days I would like to own and ride a true track bike. All three of my fixies are conversions and while I enjoy each of them, I really appreciate the ultra-clean aesthetics of pista machines like this Nagasawa. Notice the front fork is not drilled for a brake. And the subtle but gorgeous lugwork. It's the little details that all add up to velo eyecandy.

Six Dollar Fix

2008-05-15T11:13:00.000-07:00

I decided I wanted a beater bike, one so homely that no thief would even look twice let alone take it. So I found this rusty blue 10-speed in my size at the recycling center for $6. The decals had already been stripped off so I have no idea about the brand but based on the parts mix and its age, I suspect the country of origin is Japan. I had a fixed wheelset laying around from an upgraded project and added the saddle, bars, pedals, chain and bottle cage from my parts bin. It was an easy build, just took a couple hours and I was sold after the first spin down to the post office. She may be butt ugly but she rides great! Total investment: $6 Canadian

Crunching Some Numbers

2008-05-14T15:48:00.000-07:00

I've been known to rant about the price of gasoline and using a bicycle for everyday transportation (see Zero Emissions and End Of An Era) as well as recreation. Of course I'm not alone. This has been coming for quite a while and many have been waving red flags around the world. But here is some recent data to fuel the end of fossil fuel flames: Gasoline is now at $126 a barrel with some analysts predicting $200 in the not too distant future. Concurrently, bicycle sales are up 14% in Europe and 9% in the US (no numbers available for Canada). So I guess my wife and I aren't the only ones parking our vehicles and biking or walking where we need to go. And if you're as put off by the price of a new bicycle as you are by the numbers at the pump, stay tuned. The next post will be about a set of wheels guaranteed to be within your budget.

What's Old Is New

2008-05-03T09:25:00.000-07:00

I haven't posted much in the way of artwork lately so...here's a poster for The Steelwool Bicycle Company by Ottawa artist Aaron Bihari done in the style of the classic turn-of-the-century cycling posters.

MCMLII

2008-05-02T13:22:00.000-07:00

I had a birthday this week. I was born in 1952 (you do the math) and it was certainly a very different world back then. In architecture, Mid-century Modern ruled and people like Richard Neutra and Mies van der Rohe were defining the style. On 26 July of that year, Eva Peron passed away in her native Argentina. Who knew that a girl named Madonna would bring her back to life half a century later? Hank Williams' Jambalaya was Number One on the country charts. The Trans-Canada highway was under construction as was CBS Television City in Hollywood and suburbia all over the planet. Doctors in New York created the first usable artificial kidney. But really, who cares about a plastic kidney? By far the most exciting thing going on in 1952 was Il Campionissimo. That was the year Fausto Coppi won both the Tour de France and the Giro d'Italia!

Vintage 531 Motobecane

2008-04-27T11:47:00.000-07:00

I rarely get excited about bicycles with derailleurs but I ran across this gorgeous 1975 Motobecane Grand Record in a Flickr group and thought maybe some of you might enjoy it too. It's a nice mix of period components and modern touches that look just right on an older bike. This is how it should be done imho. The owner has put up a website with more photos and all the build details here.

Innovate or ?

2008-04-27T10:42:00.000-07:00

I don't know who created this image or for what purpose. But when I saw it, my thoughts went straight to the price of gasoline, global warming and the general ill health of the planet due to poor stewardship on the part of humans. Though there's certainly nothing particularly innovative about using a bicycle for everyday transportation, we could all stand to do just that on a regular basis. Not enough of us do. And I'm not preaching here. Lord knows I'm guilty too. For instance, I have to be somewhere in a couple of hours. It's an easy 10 minute ride but it's chilly and rainy today. Am I going to don the Goretex and ride the Motobecane (with fenders) or am I going to wimp out and just jump in the truck and scoot on over there? Maybe it will stop raining...

Wonderful Wool

2008-04-22T19:44:00.000-07:00

Looking for a nice wool jersey? You can start your quest here. Good luck finding one without logos though!

Bar Tape Canadian Style

2008-04-20T22:39:00.000-07:00

After a couple of too close calls on the Bridgestone fixie, I decided to put the front brake back on which also meant a re-tape job for the handlebars. In an earlier post, I mentioned that the nearest well-stocked roadie-friendly LBS was a long ways away which meant I didn't have any cloth bar tape. But I didn't want to wait for mail order so, what to do? Hockey stick tape. It feels great under the hand, looks right, it's much less expensive than traditional imported cloth tape and most importantly, it's readily available here in BC. Problem solved!

43 Bikes

2008-04-18T08:46:00.000-07:00

I was surfing around this morning and ran across this very cool site run by a bike mechanic from Tuscon named Mookie. Happy clicking.

Nagasawa at Work

2008-04-13T08:36:00.000-07:00

Here's a video of master framebuilder Yoshiaki Nagasawa brazing a headtube lug. Thanks to the original poster!

And I Quote

2008-04-12T07:10:00.000-07:00

"There is scarcely anything in the world that some man cannot make a little worse, and sell a little more cheaply. The person who buys on price alone is this man's lawful prey." John Ruskin

I found this quote on a list serve and it reminded me of my dad's philosophy when it comes to being a consumer of goods. He always bought the very best stuff he could afford and then took good care of it because a quality item deserves it. He's been gone nearly twenty years and I'm still using his tools, almost every day. Nuff said.

Message In A Bottle

2008-04-11T07:32:00.000-07:00

Message In A Bottle is the name of a song written by one of my all-time musical heroes, the late Walter Hyatt. That phrase also sums up my experience trying to get parts for my bike projects. I don't live on a faraway atoll but I do live on an island in the Strait of Georgia off the coast of British Columbia. While I firmly believe in supporting one's LBS, unfortunately I don't have one. Most everyone around here rides a mountain bike which means that the nearest full-service roadie-friendly shop is over 100km away (plus a ferry ride). So I mostly rely on the internet. And since Canada Post is slow, inefficient (parcels get "lost in transit") and ludicrously expensive, I mostly do business with American companies. Which brings us to the question du jour: Why do so many web businesses refuse to answer emails? I mean why even put contact info on your site if you are going to ignore customers who try to contact you? I understand about spam and spam filters. So while it's tempting and somewhat amusing to compose bike-related spam (What is the length and diameter of your Viagra model seatpost?) I always word the subject header very carefully to avoid sounding like a bot. But I am constantly amazed at how few companies actually reply to a legitimate email asking a legitimate question about a product. Recent offenders include Rivendell, Paul's Components, Velo-Orange, Soma Fabrications and Camelback. Four out of five of these are relatively small companies so you'd think that to them, every potential customer would matter. But no. Now, not wanting to end this post on a grumpy note, here are a couple of web-based outfits that have returned my emails consistently and in a timely manner: Harris Cyclery and IRO Cycles. Guess who gets most of my business?

Love That Brooks

2008-04-10T22:58:00.000-07:00

The other day, just as an experiment, I swapped out my Brooks B17 for an old Selle San Marco Titanio saddle that I used to ride. It weighs half what the B17 does not that I really care too much about weight. The Italian saddle had been my seat of choice for years prior to discovering the Joy of Brooks and I just wanted to revisit it after having "gone English" a while back. Well, I rode about three miles, maybe four and it was all over. Got back home, put the Brooks back on the seatpost, tossed the San Marco back into the parts bin and that was that. My wife didn't get it. It's difficult to explain to the uninitiated how a stiff hard leather saddle can be so much more comfortable than something with gel padding but it is. Not just more comfortable but way more comfortable. Mind you I have no affiliation with Brooks nor any dealer that sells Brooks. But if you haven't tried one, you owe it to yourself to experience the best bicycle saddle known to man. The classic good looks are just icing on the cake.

Weirdo

2008-04-09T12:28:00.000-07:00

I know how Yehuda feels, living in a small community and seeing the same drivers all the time. And they see me. I have to admit that I enjoy my "weirdo" role.

End of an Era?

2008-03-31T22:00:00.000-07:00

I read an interview with a framebuilder the other day who said he believes the era of the automobile is over. I'm not sure I totally agree with that but I do believe that the era of the gasoline-powered automobile is rapidly coming to an end. There simply is not enough fossil fuel left to meet the demands of a thirsty global population. If you are unfamiliar with the notion of "peak oil" and the changes that a diminished supply of petroleum will surely bring, you can start by reading this article by James Kuntsler. Fact: The price of oil (by the barrel) has doubled in the last five years. And if you think it's coming back down, think again. Any way you slice it, the bicycle will make a big comeback, not as a recreational vehicle but as a means of everyday transportation. And the sooner the better.

Messenger Service

2008-03-20T08:20:00.000-07:00

The concept of urban delivery by bicycle has been around for at least 100 years. And it looks like a fixed gear machine has always been the way to go. Saluting bike messengers everywhere!

RB-2 Up and Running

2008-03-18T15:50:00.001-07:00

Just back from the first test ride of the Bridgestone as a fixed gear. Sweet! Obviously, there will be some tweaking but it's a keeper. The White Industries ENO hub made it possible and while it is a finely made component, it's not without it's eccentricities. I have not quite got the chain as tight as I'd like and the learning curve was steeper than you'd expect of such a simple drivetrain but all in all, I am pleased. Big thanks to Ryan at Veloce Bicycles in Portland, OR for building the wheel and tech support. Future additions? Cloth bar tape, black Brooks saddle and a nicer chain are at the top of the list. More soon...

Rogliaghi

2008-03-16T07:44:00.000-07:00

Can't remember where I found this photo but it sure is a nice shot of a beautiful bike. Makes a nice desktop picture.

Cockpit In Motion

2008-03-15T06:43:00.000-07:00

I guess everybody has a folder full of "Look ma, no hands!" photos. Here's one of mine in black and white, taken with a Nikon Coolpix L4 and tweaked in Microsoft PictuteIt.

1971 Bianchi Pista

2008-03-14T11:21:00.000-07:00

Here's the '71 Bianchi track bike that was on eBay recently. It sold for $1900 plus shipping which seems like a heckuva deal to me considering...

a. It's a genuine made-in-Italy lugged steel frame

b. Bianchi's heritage

c. Full Campy Pista gruppo

d. It looked to be in immaculate condition.

e. You can't buy a new bike that nice for anywhere near that money

Anybody have any thoughts on the vintage bike market? Old cars and old guitars have gone through the roof in recent years and have proven to be great investments. Is vintage lugged steel next?

No Brakes!

2008-03-12T08:40:00.000-07:00

Last weekend, my buddy Nathan gifted me a copy of NO BRAKES! by Sandra Sutherland which is an overview of track racing in the United States. It seems to be a self-published book as the editing is slack and the overall layout/presentation is less than stellar. That said, I found it to be a very informative look into the world of the velodrome. Extensive interviews with American champions including Nelson Vails and details on all the velodromes operating in the US as of the publication date (1996). Quite a few photos too. You can read some reviews here before deciding to find a copy for yourself.

Kalavinka Headbadge

2008-03-11T09:45:00.000-07:00

Wow! The bikes are pretty nice too.

Vancouver Fixie Scene

2008-03-10T09:37:00.000-07:00

Here is a short documentary film about the fixed gear scene in Vancouver made by a design student named Tom Briggs.

Road Rash

2008-03-09T10:16:00.000-07:00

What sets riding a fixed gear apart from other cycling? Well, lots of things really. But right up there at the top of the list is the fact that it demands concentration. There's a saying in Buddhism: When you're washing the dishes, wash the dishes. In other words do one thing at a time and do it fully, do it well. So, when riding fixed, ride fixed. I know that and have known it from my very first spin last summer. I've been on my fixie almost every day since but yesterday, I let my focus get fuzzy. Just for a couple of seconds. And the next thing I knew, I was going down. The good news is I wasn't going very fast and there were no cars in sight. I was lucky, could've been worse for sure. Lesson learned? Obviously, stay committed to the ride, focus. What else? Wear gloves. I always do. Always. But yesterday, I just jumped on the bike and took off without them. Today I have a hole in my left palm to show for it. So from now on those nice padded fingerless gloves I bought myself for Christmas will stay velcro'd to the handlebars so I won't leave home without them. And maybe by this time next week, Joelle will have stopped calling me Bloody Paw.

Zero Emissions Update

2008-03-08T11:27:00.001-08:00

The last time I bought gasoline was seven weeks ago today. And there's still a quarter of a tank left. I think this is probably the longest I've ever gone between fill-ups and I've been driving since 1968! Using a bicycle instead of an automobile really pays off both for the planet and the pocketbook. And then there's the exercise. I still have a long way to go to get in shape but every hill I pull puts me a little closer.

Campy Eyecandy

2008-03-06T10:55:00.000-08:00

Here's a gorgeous Campagnolo Super Record pista crankset from 1971. The bike ('71 Bianchi Pista) is for sale on eBay at the moment if you're interested. Unfortunately, too small (57cm) for me or I'd be seriously tempted to place a bid. Definitely a classic.

The Kickstand Cyclery

2008-03-05T09:46:00.000-08:00

Yehuda Moon is here

Charles Terront @ PBP

2008-03-04T22:00:00.000-08:00

Here we have the winner of the very first Paris-Brest-Paris event which was held in 1891. The bike is obviously a fixed gear with a front wheel brake, a feature that I think was somewhat unusual at that time. Annie Londonderry's high-end Sterling had no brake and her 15 minutes of fame occurred in 1894. He's certainly a dapper looking fellow and you can bet the ranch that jersey is wool!

Headbadges

2008-03-02T11:12:00.000-08:00

A lugged steel bicycle should have a proper headbadge. Decals are OK but seems to me there ought to be some tin on the head tube. Rivendell definitely has a classy badge and they do separate ones for each model too. And here's an elegant modern design in stainless steel by Curt Goodrich. Coincidentally, Curt builds some of the custom Rivendells in his Minneapolis shop. Old school or 21st century, headbadges are works of art.

March 2001

2008-03-01T08:59:00.000-08:00

Here's a scan from the famous Rivendell lugs calendar. Check out the curves on these beauties. Hubba hubba!

Ellis Cycles

2008-02-29T08:36:00.000-08:00

Hope you enjoyed that documentary on the English framebuilders. The uninitiated might get the impression that what those gents do is a dying art but not so. It's true that the big companies have gone to faster and cheaper methods of frame manufacture. But as anyone who followed the coverage of the recent North American Handbuilt Bicycle Show already knows, we are actually in the middle of a new Golden Age of lugged steel bicycles. I have been corresponding with a gentleman who has just hung out the shingle after working for several years at Serotta and Waterford. That's him with the torch in the photo above working on the very first frame that will go out under his own name. He's David Wages and you can pay him a visit at EllisCycles

Cool Hotwheels

2008-02-28T10:10:00.000-08:00

If every kid started out with something this beautiful, there'd be no such thing as ugly bikes.

English Torchmen

2008-02-26T18:31:00.000-08:00

Here's a great old school framebuilding video

More Capello

2008-02-25T08:22:00.000-08:00

Francesco Capello has done a whole series of bicycle paintings. To see them all, just visit his website

Velo Loco

2008-02-24T11:10:00.000-08:00

What's wrong with this picture? Everybody is going to have a different answer to that one. All I know is that I always wear both shoes.

Zero Emissions

2008-02-23T08:32:00.000-08:00

Well, not quite zero emissions but close. The last time I bought gas was five weeks ago today and I still have well over a quarter of a tank. So you don't have to drive a Prius to minimize your carbon footprint. The simple way is to just not drive whatever vehicle you happen to own. We do almost all of our errands and a good bit of our socializing either on foot or by bike. Of course it helps to live in a situation where that's possible but you get the idea. Every mile on a bike means an ever-so-slightly greener planet and it all adds up when you do the math.

Now, about the painting...

Artist: Francesco Capello (Italian, b. 1944)
Title: Bike and Gas Pump, 1996
Medium: Oil on linen, 76 x 100cm

Balance

2008-02-22T09:23:00.000-08:00

This fellow has spent a lot of time on a bicycle!

Those Clever Danes

2008-02-21T08:37:00.000-08:00

I found this on a Copenhagen-based cycling blog. It's a combination bike rack and public tire pump. Very cool idea and flawless Scandinavian design. I read recently that something like 30% of all Danes commute on two wheels making them just about the bikingest people on the planet.