“Custom” is such an enticing way to describe bicycles these days, to the point that what defines “custom” is becoming watered down. Call me a curmudgeon purist, but I always associated “custom” bikes with handcrafted frames not only painted to your individual aesthetic tastes, but also built with measurements spec’ed out solely to your body. I thought a bike built around your biology is what REALLY defined a custom bike.
Enter companies like Villy Customs, who sell you bikes, cruisers to be specific, that are built to your liking by choosing color options on nearly every paintable piece of their bikes. Through a process on their website you are able to pick frame styles, racks, fenders and a couple other options, then also able to pick the colors as well. To the right of your selections you can see your selections by price adding up to a total purchase. Admittedly, there is certainly an element of customization to this process, but I can’t help but feel this paints a grey area between stock and custom. Again, I’m probably just being a self-righteous purist, but I do so in defense of my frame-building buddies.
Let’s be fair though. These are bikes for riders more likely to purchase Dwell magazine than the Rivendell reader.
So, if cruisers are your thing and you’re dying to have every piece of your bike a different color, or the same for that matter, then you have a fun way of designing such a monstrosity through Villy Customs.
Bicycle themed jewelry incorporating repurposed bicycle parts is nothing new, but neither are bicycles themselves. VeloGioielli has been at it since 2009, and has a selection of various affordable items at their Etsy Store.
So far this season we in the northeast USA have been more or less blessed (cursed?) with a mild winter. While there has been some cold weather and snow, it’s not been nearly as persistent as in the past, making winter riding and commuting that much easier for people. For the past two season, when it has gotten cold I’ve pulled on the pictured lined merino wool cycling cap by Pace Sportswear. It is 100% wool, giving it all of the reasons that people are coming back to wool performance garments—it doesn’t hold odors and it remains warm even when wet. It is marked as machine washable, but I’d say it’s a better idea to wash it in a bucket of warm water and light detergent, letting it air dry as I do my other wool garments. The one size fits most cap has a light bit of stretch to it, and is constructed to be reversible, though I’ve never used it other than black side out. Unlike some similar caps I’ve used, the ear flaps on these extend plenty far down to completely cover your ear lobes without constant readjustment. Available for $57 from Pace Sportswear.
Film-maker, Sasha Perry, and registered dietician, Matt Ruscigno, have been creating a series of documentary films on the efforts of vegan athletes, of which the first 3 of 5 videos involve cycling. The series is called Day in the Life and exists to show that if athletes, who have some of the most demanding nutritional needs, can be vegan than anyone can. (Cue irate comment section).
The two just completed a successful Kickstarter campaign to raise money for travel expenses in order to highlight even more athletes around the country. Their most recent video follows an ultra runner completing an 100 mile race while previous videos show training rides with one competitive cyclist and follow another as he wins the Death Valley double century bike race. The current catalog of webisodes can be found here.
Now, before you go all Ted Nugent on us and light up the comment section like Jamaican bike messengers on 4/20, just know these videos aren’t all PETA preachy as can be the case. They simply showcase great athletes and offer sound nutritional advice that is valuable no matter what diet you adhere to.
The True Love Health blog, that hosts these webisodes, also has some pretty awesome ride reports.
From The Village Voice:
Forced by a looming Freedom of Information Law deadline, on Friday the New York Police Department finally told the mother of Mathieu Lefevre what it knows about the cycling death of her son last fall.
The documents released directly contradict the initial version of events put out by police, and suggest an investigation so sloppy that the likelihood of getting justice for Lefevre’s death is scant.
Read more.
From America Bikes:
On Thursday, February 2, the House Transportation Committee will vote on the American Energy and Infrastructure Jobs Act, a bill that eliminates crucial funds for biking and walking.
This long-awaited multi year transportation bill eliminates the two largest programs that fund biking and walking infrastructure—Transportation Enhancements and Safe Routes to School. Without these programs, communities all over the country will lose resources to build the sidewalks, crosswalks, and bikeways that make biking and walking safe and accessible in communities across the country.
Read more.
You asked for it, so here it is. The completely unofficial, absolutely incomplete list of 2012 steel road bikes and frames. Cooler than carbon, better than bamboo, al…al…neater than aluminum, steel is where it’s at for neo-luddites, custom junkies, homeless wanderers and, well, just about any cyclist who craves something simple, timeless and repairable. Please, do some of the footwork for us and add your own suggestions in the comment section.
FRAME ONLY
Pake C’Mute – $259
Soma Smoothie – $399
Traitor Exile – $699
All-City Mr. Pink – $789
Gunnar CrossHairs OS2 – $900
COMPLETE BIKES
Bianchi Pista – $729
Schwinn Slicker – $770
Masi Strada – $895
Mercier Galaxy – $995
Genesis Flyer – $1082
KHS TR-101 – $1099
Fuji Touring – $1119
Salsa Casseroll – $1199
Surly Long Haul Trucker – $1399
Trek 520 – $1429
Raleigh Clubman – $1471
Motobecane Cafe Noir – $1499
Kona Sutra – $1499
Rivendell SimpleOne – $1900
Felt Road Race – $1965
Jamis Eclipse – $3400
The Full Windsor FoldnFix fender is the more permanent version of the QuickFix. It addresses the concern some people might have about not being able to mount the fender as securely as they wish. With its three zip tie mounting system, this is relatively easy to accomplish, though results may vary from frame to frame.
The downside to the FoldnFix design is that it’s not removable without some form of tool, and the mounting system (zip ties) is not designed to be reusable. For the money, you could buy a fender that’s similarly permanent that performs arguably better. Still, the FoldnFix is unbelievably easy to install and very lightweight, so it’s not out of the question to keep one on hand for emergency use.
The FoldnFix is available in six color choices and retails for about $19 (three zip ties included). Visit www.full-windsor.com for more info.
The Full Windsor QuickFix fender (yes, I know, the British call them mudguards) is a cleverly designed product. Cut from simple .09 mm polyethylene sheeting, the QuickFix is scored and ready to be folded into shape. It features three simple snaps (like you might find on your winter jacket) which hold the fender in place, yet allows it to be quickly and easily removed.
And that’s the point of this product—it’s a temporary fender. For many people, fenders just don’t seem cool, but their value is unmistakable. With the QuickFix, you can literally keep it in your bag for a rainy day. When the opportunity to use it arises, you’ll be glad you had it with you.
At first it takes a tiny bit of “faffing” to get the fender to sit just right, and in some ways it never seems to stay exactly where you would want it to, but that seems to be part and parcel when it comes to removable fenders. In any case, once you’ve used it a few times you’ll be able to slap it on your bike in seconds.
Now to be certain, the QuickFix doesn’t block water nearly as well as full-coverage, bolt-on rigid fenders. Nobody ever said it would. But it is an effective tool for keeping your back and bum a little less wet when riding in the rain. And it’s considerably less cumbersome than rigid fenders.
Perhaps my only real nit to pick with Full Windsor fenders is that they don’t work with cantilever brakes. My initial thought was that I would put a set on one of my cyclocross bikes, since that’s what I reach for when the weather turns foul. Alas, I was foiled. You may also be out of luck if your frame as a wishbone or mono stay design.
The QuickFix is available in six color choices and retails for about $21. Visit www.full-windsor.com for more info.
We reviewed the wired Boombotix portable speaker last summer, with Jeff and I each still using our review copies as extra speakers on our laptops or in the workshop. I very rarely ride with music, perhaps once or twice per year on long, solo trail rides but some people prefer music more often on the bike, and headphones are illegal in many places and arguably not the safest to ride with in the first place. Boombotix just released the $17 handlebar mount kit for their speaker, providing an easy way to securely attach it to most bar setups for legal music beamed right at you while you ride.
I kind of want one of these… I don’t know if I would pay $39 for one, but if one fell into my lap, I would definitely put it on one of my bikes.
Via Blue Lug.
Chicago-based artist Carlos Rolon, aka Dzine, creates stunning and meticulously adorned bicycles that express, in his words, his relation to immigration, consumerism and identity, among other subjects. Most of his work is bold and colorful, but his bikes are jaw-droppingly gorgeous. The publisher, Gestalten, released a book of his work last year and can be purchased here on their site.
Check out this page for a video detailing his ideas and process, plus close-ups of the bikes, of which no portion is left untouched.
Soma recently began distributing singlespeed/BMX chains from the Japanese chain manufacturer D.I.D. (they’re mainly known for their motorcycle chains, but also have made bicycle chains forever).
The copper finish gives them a refined look, and they’ll look great with parts like MKS copper pedals (or the re-issued BM-7 shown here) or Brooks saddles. Soma promises they’ll make any bike look and work better. They retail for $47.99. Check out store.somafab.com.
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