October 2008 Archives

From Taiwan: Mini Velo bikes in Asia

IMG_3995.jpg I’m in Asia on vacation, and one of my amusements is finding interesting mini velo and folding bikes. Here’s my current object of obsession, the Gios Panto. I saw one parked outside a bike shop while in Taiwan.

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Wraith Bike

Late this afternoon, right as the sun is setting, Bettie and I will emerge from the Hugga HQ garage draped in black and riding like a bat of out hell, hell-bent on scaring the Underoos off the neighborhood children. The spooky plan includes scary sounds played on an iPod connected to a speaker and a basket full of candy to give away, after the children realize it’s just that guy in the ‘hood who’s really into bikes …

wraith_bike.jpg

Readers,

What do you have planned for your bike and Halloween?

Huggacast 70: Easy Racers

I’ve seen Easy Racers a few times and caught up with the bike and cyclist while riding with Pam and her new Pink Bike.

Whether or not a commuter will ever pin a number on, turn a pedal in anger, or race their bike, they’re as competitive as anyone and this bike is built to be an “ultimate commuter.” Dude is reducing his commute time being low and all aero. In the video, we’re clipping right along. On the hills, I think he’d go like 4 mph and 64 on the descent.

Note: we rode next to the West Seattle Freeway, a noisy road.

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Velocouture 1895

Knickers (manpris), flat cap, sport coat, safety bike …

velocouture-oldtime.jpg

Shuffling the Fleet

Shuffle

I don’t keep old bikes. It’s become a bit of a problem really, but every year about this time I get involved in “the shuffle”. I sell my race bike in order to buy a new one for the next season. This year I sold my Trek Portland rain bike making way for my new Baron. My wife is convinced it all makes for a very complex money drain, but somehow it all seems to work out.

Rollin Lightnin' in SF

Potential Saddle for Pink Bike

In white for Pam’s Pink Bike. Women are so picky about their saddles, don’t know if that’d work, but it looks nice. Also in black.

Uploaded by Hugger Industries | more from the Bike Hugger Photostream.

Pretty in Pink and folding

Continuing our Pink theme, just spotted this pink and turquoise Brompton.

Uploaded by Soggy Semolina | more from the Bike Hugger Photostream.

Huggacast 69: Monterey Bike Paths

Best known for its aquarium, Jazz festival, Steinbeck, and Cannery Row, Monterey also has an impressive bike path that’s a central tourist activity. We rode it on Saturday to the Lighthouse and back. For tourism, it’s high on the list, but just for riding, Santa Barbara still has the best we’ve ridden.

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Introducing Barney Big Dummy

Since the summer of 2006 Byron has integrated an Xtracycle longtail cargo bike into his family’s life and blogged about it here on bikehugger. The affectionately named “Bettie,” has seen several iterations. Bettie 1.0 was a Karate Monkey equipped with an Xtracycle Free Radical. Most recently, Bettie 2.5 has emerged as a Surly Big Dummy with custom mounted Stoke Monkey electric assist. No matter where we go, the sport utility bike turns heads. When we’re spinning up bike blended smoothies at a crit race, or just out with the kids at soccer practice, everyone wants to know more about Bettie. We’ve become such fans of Xtracycle cargo bikes, that we’ve doubled down. I’m pleased to unveil “Barney” Big Dummy. Mark V, recently completed the build of Barney at Elliot Bay Bikes. You can check out photos of Barney step’in out with a down low glow on his first trip to “Full Throttle Bottles,” Beer store in Georgetown. We look forward to comparing Barney’s Rohloff drive train performance to Bettie’s Nuvinci after I get a chance to put some rubble under Barney’s tires.

Uploaded by Dapper Lad Cycles | more from the Bike Hugger Photostream.

I recently got a chance to try out the Yuba Mundo – one of a crop of integrated frame long tail cargo bikes that have been making their way to market in the last year or so. The Mundo falls at the low end of the price spectrum, and promises: cargo hauling capabilities ready to take on the challenges around the world.

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Huggacast 68: Pink Bike Action Shots

Out riding with Pam on her Pink Bike …

Note that’s an HD video at 16 x 9; not sure why YouTube further letterboxed it. Regardless, enjoy. More on the Pink Bike

Huggacast 67: Pam's Pink Bike

Pam’s got a new rain bike and it’s pink … really pink.

The pink bike — aka “Mary Kay”— was made by Davidson Handbuilt Bicycles and painted with matching fenders.

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The next big idea in bikes?

Post travel, zombie-like, getting caught up on the news and noticed that “ideas and technology” were trending today. I guess on that topic, people are looking for the next big idea to grow their business and their career in this economy.

Reading the articles and writing one myself about Intel’s SciFi, I wondered what the next big idea is in cycling? I think 08 was cargo in the States.

Readers,

What about 09? Is it bikes and technology or back to simplicity? Electric? Robots? Washing machines?

washing_machine_bike.jpg

From MayaPedal.

HED wheels can be mini too

Hed%20rear%202.jpg

So we were rolling down the rover path in Taipei when we came upon a Birdy bicycle at a rest stop. Half the bikes out there were mini-wheeled folders, but this one had tiny HED aero wheels on it.

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Asahi Beer Cruiser Bike

If I won this — it was a frequent diner prize — I’d name it the “beer bomber.”

Uploaded by Hugger Industries | more from the Bike Hugger Photostream.

I see your bus bike racks...

…and I’ll raise you taxicab mounted bike racks.taxi%20bike%20racks.jpg

Seattle’s buses all have bicycle racks mounted on them, but I have never heard of nor seen racks on taxis before seeing this one in Taipei.

On one hand, it seems like an excuse to burn petrol in order to transport an emissions-less vehicle. On the other, I can state from personal experience that there are times that putting a bike on a taxi can be really handy. The only other time I’ve been to Taipei, I got absolutely lost. I had to go to a police kiosk and ask for help back like a moron. They called a taxi to take me back to the hotel, since I was miles from there.

Cycling on a Taipei billboard

pursuit%20advert.jpg Walking around Taipei at night, Iris and I saw this billboard for some sort of HD product.

Taipei Blogger Party Video

We talked Taipei, technology, and bikes at the Taipei Blogger Party.

Taipei Bike Parking

Here’s an idea: get some Thule roof racks, bolt them to the ground, and you’ve got bike parking!

We walk by this rack each day outside of the Taipei Convention Center. They’re not locked because of the guards nearby. I presume the bikes are convention center employees.

Uploaded by Hugger Industries | more from the Bike Hugger Photostream.

CopenCycle: SmartBiking

Well timed with our trip to the Intel Developer Forum Taipei, a reader tipped us to a new MIT Research project in Denmark called CopenCycle that features SmartBiking

a novel self-organizing smart-tag system that will allow the city’s residents to exchange basic information and share their relative positioning with each other.

copencycle.jpg

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Taipei Mixer

mid_blogger.jpg The Taipei mix was in effect at an eclectic blogger party last night. Attendees included a local celebrity, conductor, bike maker, teachers, students, photogs, authors, and us. We talked blogs, social media, politics, and checked out Intel-powered MIDs prototypes that Pankaj Kedia, Director Global Ecosystems Programs, brought. We also gave out scwhag from Crumpler, Versus, and SXSW.

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Bright Pockets Fit

Honda is about to launch the FIT in Taiwan and setup this street demo. You stand between the F & T, a sensor detects you, lights up, plays some weird music, and then you take a picture to later upload it to their blog.

bright_pockets_fit.jpg

I thought it made for a good way to demonstrate the Bright Pockets (and heels) of Cordarounds Bike to Work Pants. I also noted that it was an engaging use of Social Media. For some reason, I also wanted to salute my colleagues when standing on the platform.

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Flickr Blog: NYC Bikes

Flickr’s Blog spots NYC bikes like this photo shot with a pinhole camera.

Uploaded by akulis2 | more from the Bike Hugger Photostream.

Huggacast 66: Taipei Bike Boom

We’re in Taipei and Dahon’s Matt Davis talks to us about the Taipei Bike Boom.

Taipei Fixed

We saw lots of bikes yesterday in all shape and sizes, but no fixed. We’re watching for that today. Our next project is fixed btw …

Uploaded by nabiis | more from the Bike Hugger Photostream.

Georg Jensen Bikes

Hunting for some computer supplies on Saturday morning, I ran into these urban single speed commuters branded by the high-end metalware maker Georg Jensen. They’re beautiful in person, but utterly impractical.

Georg Jensen Bikes

Georg Jensen Bikes

Hanging with Dahon

mount%20up.jpg Yesterday Byron and I stopped by Dahon’s HQ office in Taipei. As the world’s foremost manufacturer of folding bikes, Dahon keeps a tidy space with a few rows of desks, a meeting room, and a prominent showroom of innovative bikes. After being greeted by some of their staff, we all grabbed some bikes and hit the river bike path.

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Taipei Bike Boom

During Interbike, we talked at length with Dahon about Taipei’s Bike Boom and saw it today. A year ago, when we rode the the river bike paths, we saw handful of cyclist, including us. Today, there were bike traffic jams, bike pit stops, and a steady stream of bikes in both directions. Sometimes crazy bikes; often fully-kitted-out, euro-style cyclists on folding bikes; all of them having a good time. We saw more Dahons that I could count, KHS, Giant, Birdy, one Brompton, and some unknown brands. The adage “build it and they will come” applies in Taipei and the bike boom is directly attributed to the City spending millions of bike paths and infrastructure.

taipei_family.jpg

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TrioBike Spotted

Don’t know how we’ve not seen this bike before, but spotted it a Taipei fashion store. Considering there’s a Taipei bike boom, that made sense and after much discussion, we decided it was “Neo Dutch Cargo” and it’s fantastic. Possibly hydro-formed aluminum with thick shapes, big headset, Nexus, disc brakes, and more. The bike switches between a bike, a cargo bike, and cargo carrier with no tools; as the video shows. It was designed by DesignAgenda.

Also noticed by

A Dog In a Hat

dog_in_a_hat.jpg Dog in a Hat, a book about an American racing in Belgium, reads like the racer — Joe Parkin — was just telling you these epic stories on a ride, up a climb, or at a coffee shop. I guess that Joe’s friends convinced him to write this book after years of hearing his stories, laughing, embellishing them, and imagining themselves what it’s like to race the Hell of the North. Joe did that and more. I expect when you get dropped by Joe, the grumbles are, “yeah drop me on this local hammerhead ride, but he got dropped all over Liege-Bastogne-Liege, whatever … .”

And that’s the beauty of this book and story. It’s not a hero’s journey, but instead a racer’s tale, including drugs, betrayal, crazy stuff. A story about getting flat-ass dropped and waking up in a whorehouse to race again. Think about the determination it takes us to finish our local Tuesday night world championship and here’s Joe: a stranger in a strangeland, racing with some crazy-ass mofos.

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Rapha Cyclocross Roller Races

These photos and recap of the Oregon Manifest Roller Races are brought to you by bike hugging Flickr contributor, David Schloss:

Oregon Manifest (the excellent hand-built bicycle/Oregon cultural experience we attended this weekend) isn’t just about the semi-serious world of beautiful custom frames, it’s also about the hard-core, no- nonsense competitive world of ‘Cross racing.

Take, for example the Rapha Cross Rollers Race held on Saturday. Take four fixed gears mounted to rollers, connect them to a big cycle computer showing the distances for all four bikes, and have waves of riders compete for the top spot. Pretty standard right? That’s why the Rapha guys threw in not only copious amounts of beer, but a ‘cross portion that required racers to dismount after they completed 500 meters of on-bike sprinting and pick up a kids bike from a pile, which they then had to portage around the indoor course.

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Travel Wool: on/off the bike

Technical wool from Ibex, Teko, et al is growing in popularity. I noticed this by what I’m wearing, hearing in the industry, and just spotted racks of wool clothes at REI yesterday; including new offerings from Arc’Teryx and Icebreaker.

travel_wool.jpg

I’m traveling most of October — Italy, Vegas, Taipei, Monterey — and wearing an 09 sample Shak Jersey, wool liners, briefs, beanie, and Teko socks. The Shak travels well because of what wool does; especially on a 12 hour plane ride and “freezing-ass cold” Fall weather in Amsterdam. It performs on and off the bike, across temperatures, and climates. It’s comfortable, breathable, doesn’t smell, and increasingly stylish.

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Team BikeHugger

I’m not usually one to bail on a race for being too sketch, but with 2 laps to go I was one of the 20 or so “survivors” who made it to the end of the race in the lead group, but it just wasn’t worth the skin. I attacked up the straightaway and fizzled quickly. After that it was time to pull the plug and spectate. Turn 1 was CRAZY for crashes.

I did the Pro race as well - at least 20 minutes of it. It was actually a safer race with everything lined out single file, but still way too many guys loosing their front wheel in that first turn. Crashes would happen and gaps would open. Oh well - I was happy to retire to the BikeHugger Mobile Social and watch the colorful blur roll past. What an event!

Taipei Blogger Party

We’re back in Taipei this weekend for blogging, bike riding with Dahon, and attending the Intel Developer Forum. We’re also hosting a party on Sunday and Taipei bloggers are invited.


Details

Sunday October 19, 2008
7:00pm - 9:00pm
In House
No.90. Song Ren Rd
Taipei, Taipei City

Please tell us if you’re coming on Upcoming.

We’re buying the drinks, appetizers, and we’ve got some goodies to give away

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Today's Dose of Velocouture

Today’s Vélocouture is brought to you via, Oregon Manifest 2008.

Uploaded by Dapper Lad Cycles | more from the Bike Hugger Photostream.

Fat Airfoils and HED

IMG_6284.jpg I’m a big Mavic junkie when it comes to wheels. I have 3 sets of Mavic Classics floating amongst my bikes because I like the ceramic rims and the beautiful simplicity of their hubs. So it takes a lot to bump me off my Mavic aerowheel, the Cosmic Carbone. But after playing with Byron’s Hed wheels, looking at Hed’s data, and reviewing old reference materials, I’m convinced that Hed’s are the way to go.

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Cyclists on Holiday Get All Medieval

Day Two

Riding past so many Medieval castles I wondered if it was keeping up with the Joneses back then Medieval style — “yeah, yeah you got that hill; well we got this one PLUS a lookout tower!” It’s really remarkable that the buildings lasted this long, but of course only to serve the tourism industry.

On our second day, we rode North around the Volterra area, starting at Casole d’ Esla. I was fascinated by the dirt. Growing up in Eastern Washington, I’ve seen my share of farms and dirt, but nothing ever so big and clumpy. Click through the photo to see clumps as big as boulders.

tuscan_dirt.jpg

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Thong, fur hat, bike

So I’m in this session, speaking about blogging and social media and found this photo …

Uploaded by faster panda kill kill | more from the Bike Hugger Photostream.

Riding with 88 Keys

Paul Freedman — aka Fossil Fool and Rock the Bike — demonstrates how he built a Piano Bike in this video

Paul was the grand marshall of our Interbike Mobile Social ride and we’ve invited him with us to our next event at SXSW. There’s nothing quite like riding with live music.

Oregon Manifest 2008

Oregon Manifest is now in the books. We had a crisp, sunny, fall weekend to explore Portland’s bike friendly roads and bridges on Yodelicious, the Yahoo mobile blogging bike. Time and again, interested passerbys inquired about Yode. The overwhelming response was “Wait, it’s taking photos and posting them to Flickr? Cool!”
The show itself was more intimate than NAHBs and beautiful work was on display from Map Cycles, Huffnagel, Goodtimes, Ahearne, Scyip and others. I was particularly impressed that the show included more than the frame building community. Local bike artisans had their wares on display like Lemolo Bags, and Rainy Peak Cycles. Aptly named, Teem Beer, ran the beer garden and dressed the part. The Oktoberfest inspired Bike Lederhosen seen here, are hemmed with tubing. Check out our Flickr Set with more photos from the opening night party at Wieden + Kennedy, and the show floor.

Uploaded by Dapper Lad Cycles | more from the Bike Hugger Photostream.

Riding the Dragon's Back

Tuscany Tour: Day One

The La Strada del Vino climbs steadily up the into the Tuscan hills through various medievel villages, winneries, then back down endless curves and towards the coast. Both of us said, “wow; well that was cool; whoa — best ride ever,” as we carved the turns like we were in a pro race. We dove into the apex, no brakes, and out the other side with a few hard pedal strokes. Later at dinner, I described the descent as “riding a dragon’s back.” The Tuscan dragon has 108 curves in an 8 kilometer descent.

tuscan_-curves.jpg

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Pizza by Bike

While in Portland for Oregon Manifest, the Bike Huggers picked up a slice at Old Town Pizza. If you lived nearby you could have your pie delivered by bakfiet. This photo was taken by the yahoo mobile blogging bike. Follow Yodelicious’s adventures online, after the jump.

Uploaded by Yodelicious | more from the Bike Hugger Photostream.

Yahoo Purple Pedals Bike

Bikehugger took possession of this Yahoo Purple Pedals Bike named Yodelicious, and we’ve been riding it around Seattle. We’re excited to take it down to Oregon Manifest this weekend. If you see us in Portland say Hello, and wave to the camera. You can track us real time while we’re in Portland after the jump.

Uploaded by Dapper Lad Cycles | more from the Bike Hugger Photostream.

Oregon Manifest this Weekend

OR Manifest

I’m not heading South, but I know a few who are. If you’re in Portland, or even close - stop in to ogle the latest in handmade bike pr0n.

Tax Break for Employers of Bike Commuters

The $700 bazillion Wall Street bailout package has just one tiny thing that any cyclist should be pleased about. There is a $20/month tax break for employers for each bike commuter employee as an incentive for companies to reduce petrol consumption and infrastructure demands.

The money is for the employer to reimburse employees “for the purchase of a bicycle and bicycle improvements, repair, and storage, if such bicycle is regularly used for travel between the employee’s residence and place of employment.”

To many people, this tax cut is probably like a delectable chocolate left on a pillow while staying at the Bates Motel… a nice gesture in an otherwise horrific nightmare. Within Senate and House of Representatives, many supporters of this tax break actually voted against the bill while otherwise being favorable to the cyclists’ tax break riding the bill. In the past, the tax break had been riding bills for environmental, transportation, or energy issues that failed.

Glowing Disk Wheel

HED Disc

I’ve already posted about the cool reflective wheel options at Interbike. When I rolled into the HED booth, they had their wheels backlit - this disk cover was like a glowing alien ship. Not sure it serves any purpose for most of our readers, but I want one, and then of course I need to hire someone to ride next to me with a bright light.

Fixed in Rome

Having seen only a handful of bikes, I was surprised when this fixie ride by us near the Coliseum. I barely got the shot and think it was a Nishiki time trial frame.

Uploaded by Hugger Industries | more from the Bike Hugger Photostream.

Dutch for Fast

As Dutch bikes go, this one is a speed racer and on display at Work Cycles. During the ride, Mark, our guide said, “you think it’s easy and flat, but we’ve got the wind, rain, and these little dike hills.”

Bikes as transportation or not, us cyclists are programmed for competition and there are impromptu races going on everyday in Amsterdam. Just like the commuter challenges back home in Seattle. I was clicking through my 3 speeds the entire time; left up and over this bridge; right down this alley, cut back over a bridge; and a fast straightway past coffee shops and retail stores.

Dutch thieves are also fast and each stop requires a rear rim lock and a thick chain through the frame and front wheel. I asked Mark why so many bike thefts and he said, “supply and demand, a constant need for a bike.”

Uploaded by Hugger Industries | more from the Bike Hugger Photostream.

More Raleigh Rainier

Rainier

Byron got some pre-Interbike photos of this bike at his local bike shop. I figured it to be a show bike, but apparently it’s the real deal (Frameset $725 according to the signage). I spoke with the guy who got it made. He sort of dreamt up the idea, mocked it up, and approached the marketing guys from Rainier Brewing. After some initial “gotta ask the boss” responses he got nod to go ahead. The finish quality is great and the paint is simple and pure - just like the beer (debatable).

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Huggacast 65: Amsterdam

We daytripped Amsterdam en route to Rome. Amsterdamize was our guide. As you’ll see and hear, it was “cold, wet, sideways rain with lots of coffee; just like Seattle but with 8 hours of jet lag.”

Amsterdam: City of Bikes

We rented our bikes for the day from Mac Bike — friendly, helpful staff — all Amsterdam. We got to talking and I mentioned Bike Hugger, so they have a look at our blog and what’s the first thing they see? Mark’s Knog Porn post — nice! We fit right in here in this town.

Amsterdamize was our informative guide and rode with us around the concentric canal streets stopping for coffee twice, through the Red Light District waving at girls in windows and stoners; and then stopped to check the trippy Tuschinski Art-Deco theater.

Later we meetup with the crew at Work Cycles. Work Cycles is the exporter for Bakfiets in the USA via Clever Cycles. The shop owner was preparing for the shop’s 5th anniversary. They also sell bikes like this and the furniture mover.

CIMG6600.jpg

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Disc brakes and steel trends

conquest%20classic.jpg Pictured here is the Redline Conquest Classic, a drop bar bike easily serving as an all-weather commuter. Ironically, though it is named “Classic”, it is the first the steel frameset in the Conquest lineage. Yes, steel is back, and disc brakes continue to propagate the entry and mid-level road bikes.

UPDATE: from Andrew - Redline contacted BikeHugger to let us know that this bike will be in the ‘09 lineup after some tweaks are made. I’m sure we’ll have more once it’s launched

What many people don’t realize about the resurgence of steel bikes is that the almost complete disappearance of steel wasn’t just bike companies deciding to force consumers on to aluminium frames. The reality is that many of the Taiwanese and Chinese factories just are not capable of steel bike construction. A factory can’t order different tubes one day and switch to steel frame production like you would switch out the milk to make a soy latte. However there have been a number of factories which are now ready to produce steel, working to fill the market demand.

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More Porn from Knog

porn%20patch.jpg I’ve been to enough Interbikes to have an authentic weariness and apathetic air when talking about newly introduced bicycle product, but I still laugh a little each year. What makes me laugh? PORN!

Besides having the most groundbreaking advertising campaign since the introduction of the Marzocchi girls, Knog has some seriously fun products. Check out their new inner tube patch kit with their distinctive and almost-NSFW cartoons printed on the patches. A folding tire lever fits with the patches in the matchbox-sized container.

What would they be called? Porn Patches, naturally.

Personally, I’m holding out for the ribbed version.

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Yodelicious took a picture!

Purple Pedals Bike — named Yodelicious — at Hugga HQ.

Uploaded by Yodelicious | more from the Bike Hugger Photostream.

Goodtimes Bicycles

Last month I found myself in Ashland Oregon with the opportunity to rent a bike and wonder around the quaint southern Oregon town. I knew United Bicycle Institute was nearby and on a lark I stumbled onto the end of UBI’s first annual frame building show. Incredible work was on display from the likes of Ira Ryan, Map Bicycles, DeSalvo, Baylis, Goodtimes and more. The builders on exhibit pitched in and built a frame over the course of the day that was raffled off at the end of the show. I had a blast at the show, and I only regret not having my camera. The following day, JB of Goodtimes Bicycles was kind enough to give me a tour of his shop. The intricate custom dropouts pictured here are indicative of the details incorporated into his work. Take a virtual shop tour, after the jump. We look forward to catching up with JB and checking out even more beautiful custom frames built in Oregon at next weekends Oregon Manifest.

Uploaded by Dapper Lad Cycles | more from the Bike Hugger Photostream.

See how I’d do this is show up in a full-on Hincapie-designed, Hugga Skinsuit, aero helmet, and lay out across the bars like Lance on his black dragon. I’d also totally cheat in the Le Mans start by having hugga sandbaggers slow everyone else down …

Action-Kenevil.jpg

Next year, it’s on!

I-Cycle Throwdown

Yep, we’re working now on bringing these throwdown goldsprint competitions sponsored by Puma with us to SXSW in March.

The I-Cycle Space @ Vice Gallery was the battle
grounds for the first I-Cycle Throwdown that brought together a mix of
industry leaders, brands and bike messengers in a head-to-head stationary bike race.

Video, art, bikes, culture.

Uploaded by icyclespace | more from the Bike Hugger Photostream.

SRAM Brake Lever?!!@@#$#!!!

SRAM hollow

Cyclocross Magazine did a write up on something I’ve seen more and more of: Hollowing out the assembly on a SRAM shifter to make it a brake lever only. In my opinion the SRAM brake lever has the best feel on the market, and as the owner of a single speed bike I want SRAM levers. It seems I can have this luxury, if I’m willing to cannibalize a $300+ shift/brake lever set. Ok SRAM - I’m begging. Make a single speed brake lever! Cane Creek and Tektro levers are fine - but I want my SRAM! Thanks, love Andrew.

29ers

But aren’t 29er’s bigger than 700cs?

Uploaded by arsbars | more from the Bike Hugger Photostream.

Blogging Rome By Bike

After our day in Amsterdam, we’re riding Rome and then Tuscany.

We’ve got great ride tips from Viva Travels on Tuscany where we’ll tour the coast, inland, and the Sienna. Rome I’ll ride urban.

Readers,

Anyone ridden in Rome? Maybe I’ll see tall bikes like this.

Uploaded by lorenzo cuppini // busy | more from the Bike Hugger Photostream.

Campy Bling Bling

Today’s dose of vélocouture seen at Interbike 2008.

Uploaded by Dapper Lad Cycles | more from the Bike Hugger Photostream.

Pedal Power Shirt

pedal_power_shirt.jpg When we’re in Taipei later this month, I’m looking for this shirt to match this one I got in Shanghai.

Belt Drive Slippage...Bull$hit!

Belt Drive

I stopped in to the Spot booth to take a look at how the Belt drive works. I talked with one of the guys about the rumor that belt drives slip. I think that in some cases it might be true, but not this one. Getting a belt to slip is damn near impossible with the Polycarb teeth mated to the belt. Getting the belt on and off is really the only drawback that I see since it will require a gap in the drive side rear triangle.

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Interbike Favorites

Andrew and Byron have both weighed in on their favorite gear at Interbike 2008, and I’m overdue.

First off, I was excited to see that Xtracycle is releasing a center stand. We’ve blogged extensively about Big Dummy Bettie 2.5 and Val’s custom center stand. We love Val’s stand and it’s rock solid. We’ve used it while blending smoothies, and its great for stabilizing heavy loads. Val’s stand is pricey and out of reach for most xtracyclers, so this seems like a good option that is compatible with your WideLoaders. Retailing at $139 we’d love to see a handlebar mounted lever release integrated into the Xtracycle center stand, but we’re excited this product will soon be available.

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Sqivvy

SQIVVY!

When I saw this I instantly thought - there’s a product I need. For any of you who have gone to a race of any sort and had to go from street clothes to chamois and back - you’ve done any number of back-seat duck and covers. Usually this involves a towel, or a changing kilt, or a T-shirt that’s hopefully long enough to cover your junk. Most of the time you’re staggering your times getting dressed so you don’t accidentally get an eyeful of hairy ass, or worse.

The Sqivvy makes perfect sense - just an easy-up “tent” to hop in, and hop out of. The best part - Retail is $90 and you can buy it directly from these guys. I want…I want!

Blogging Amsterdam by Bike

We’ve got a day to spend in Amsterdam en route to Rome and Tuscany.

Readers,

Tips? You’ve been there?

Uploaded by MorBCN | more from the Bike Hugger Photostream.



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About this Archive

This page is an archive of entries from October 2008 listed from newest to oldest.

September 2008 is the previous archive.

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