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These are some of the people who helped bring you Urban Velo #21. Check out their websites and let them know you like their work.
Ed Glazar – www.tedwardglazarphotography.com
Brad Quartuccio – www.randomprecisionphoto.com
Jeff Guerrero – flickr.com/urbanjeff
David Hoffman – www.marinbike.org
Lenny Maiorani – www.lennym.com
Eric Matthies – www.emp23.com
Chikara ‘Riki’ Taniuchi – flickr.com/rikitko
Jennifer Nordhem – twitter.com/mshurricane
John Prolly – www.prollyisnotprobably.com
Martec – www.NNTF.mx
Roger Lootine – www.residuecomics.com
Andy Singer – www.andysinger.com
The CogNation Commute Tee shirt features art by Ft. Collins artist Bryan Collins. It retails for $15 and is available from www.cognationclothing.com.
Contents include: Do It By Bike In Denver, Fixed Freestyle Evolution, Countywide, I Love Riding in the City, From Cradle to Pave: Planning Your Bicycle Network, Gallery: Torneo de Bici Polo Tapatío, Residue, NYFC, Brake Lever Compatibility, Quick Release History, Maximize Solvent Use, No Exit.
Download it for free, or order a printed copy online.
As seen on the streets of New York City, the Beyonce Knowles bike. Chalk this one up to the “I wish I had thought of that” department, a repaint of a Bianchi Pista with the correct font and everything. This ain’t a shoulder with a chip or an ego… let me upgrade you.
The Bianchi Pista Concept has been a desirable frameset for some time, even more so since it became hard to find and was eventually discontinued a year or two back. I picked up the pictured 2006 version brand new in mid 2007 and have put a couple of thousand miles on it since, using it primarily as a longer distance road bike but also around town and in some alleycat races at home and beyond. For 2010 Bianchi has replaced it with the $750 Super Pista frameset, for all intents and purposes an update on a successful design maintaining the exact same geometry. The bike is definitely meant for the track first with steep geometry and a stiff aluminum frame that doesn’t have bottle bosses, a rear brake mount or clearance for big tires. For people that could not get their hands on a Pista Concept or are just curious as to the difference between the models, here they are, head to head with some comments and more images of the changes after the break.
Continue reading ‘Bianchi Super Pista and Pista Concept Compared’
On a jaunt for coffee what did I stumble upon but Rapha Cycle Club NYC, a temporary storefront that opened in May of this year and is scheduled to close down towards the end of September. Not only that, but the very same day on August 26th they held a competition to determine the fastest mechanic in New York City, pitting four elite local wrenches against identical bare Independent Fabrications frames, a pile of parts and the clock. Pictured above is the eventual winner of the pink pipe wrench trophy, Jose from Sid’s Bikes. Other competitors were Mark from iFixByx, Jon from Signature Cycles, and David in the blue and white striped shirt from NYC Velo. Impressive performances all around, with Jose stealing the show with a ~35 minute time for a properly assembled road racing bike, and the $100 first bar wrap preme from Austin Horse, courier and Premium Rush stunt double. I’d certainly trust any of the participating mechanics to work on my bike any day of the week, and I’d imagine the other hundred or so folks in attendance would agree. While the competition is over the Rapha store and coffee shop still has a few weeks left in it before packing up and reappearing in some other to be determined city, totally worth checking out both for the clothing selection and the impressive cycling ephemera on display.
Taking more than just a cue from the most highly respected foot strap manufacturer, Pryme entered the market with a comparable, more budget-friendly version.
Though a lot of independent bag makers are producing foot straps, not all are created equal. Compared to the ones I had been using, the Pryme straps feature considerably stiffer construction, and thus they stay “open” better. This makes them easier to get into. Assuming you ride in the same (or very similar) shoes all the time, after a short break-in period, the foot straps require no additional adjustment.
Pryme Foot Straps retail for $30. Visit www.prymegear.com for more info.
In an unbelievably sad story from the LA Times, two men accosted a 15 year old boy and 11 year old girl, demanding the boy’s bike. Although he complied, he suffered gunshot wounds to the chest and died. The girl is in stable condition.
Apparently the attackers have not been caught. Anyone with information is asked to contact LAPD’s Hollenbeck Homicide detectives at 323-342-8957.
Via Biking in LA.
The Louis Garneau Hi Viz Vest certainly isn’t the hippest piece of urban cycling apparel, but there is a time and a place for everything. If you’re of the mindset to wear one, this one seems like the Cadillac of high visibility vests. Made from 100% polyester, it features breathable mesh sides, adjustable Velcro closures and reflective tape on the front and rear.
The Hi Vis Vest reatails for $30. Visit www.louisgarneau.com for more info.
Get your race on in Fort Lauderdale. South Florida Fixed is throwing another alleycat, this time the River Rat II on September 11th.
Stefanie Moser doesn’t limit herself to the two hoops her bicycle rolls on—she carries a couple extra. Her home-made collapsible hula hoops allow her to ride just about anywhere and do a whole different kind of spinning. Check out the Steel City Hoop Union’s Facebook page for more info.
Cycle Dog makes collars and leashes from recycled bicycle tubes. Though certainly not the first company to re-purpose the ubiquitous inner tube, it’s always good to see another environmentally friendly product. And like all good bicycle accessories, the collar doubles as a bottle opener.
Visit www.cycledog.com for more info.
As we reported a couple of weeks ago, Chrome Bags just opened a NYC retail location at 238 Mulberry St in Manhattan. While the Grand Opening for the general public is tomorrow August 28th, the VIP party took place last night. With some 500+ people on the guest list it was a jam packed event with much of the local scene turning out. I just so happened to be in NYC and stopped on by myself to check out the store and meet up with old and new friends. The store is similar to the San Francisco location I managed to visit last year, with the ever expanding line-up of bags, shoes and clothing available to first-hand inspection. Unlike the last time I attended a party at Chrome I managed to not attract the attention of any undercover alcohol control officers out on permit inspection duty, and for that I was thankful.
Chrome just released another shoe model, dubbed the Dresden. Like the Arnhem, they feature suede leather uppers, but the Dresden are low-top, have three eyelets and retail for $80.
Visit www.chromebagsstore.com for more info.
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