Urban Velo http://urbanvelo.org Bicycles in the urban environment. A magazine about urban cycling. Thu, 02 Sep 2010 13:00:40 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 en hourly 1 Issue #21 Co-conspirators http://urbanvelo.org/issue-21-co-conspirators/ http://urbanvelo.org/issue-21-co-conspirators/#comments Thu, 02 Sep 2010 13:00:40 +0000 Urban Jeff http://urbanvelo.org/?p=18105
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
    ]]> http://urbanvelo.org/issue-21-co-conspirators/feed/ 0 CogNation Commute Tee http://urbanvelo.org/cognation-commute-tee/ http://urbanvelo.org/cognation-commute-tee/#comments Thu, 02 Sep 2010 05:01:33 +0000 Urban Jeff http://urbanvelo.org/?p=18061 The CogNation Commute Tee shirt features art by Ft. Collins artist Bryan Collins. It retails for $15 and is available from www.cognationclothing.com.

    ]]>     http://urbanvelo.org/cognation-commute-tee/feed/ 0     Issue #21 – Available Online http://urbanvelo.org/issue-21-available-online/ http://urbanvelo.org/issue-21-available-online/#comments Wed, 01 Sep 2010 12:00:15 +0000 Urban Jeff http://urbanvelo.org/?p=18103 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.

    ]]>     http://urbanvelo.org/issue-21-available-online/feed/ 1     The Beyonce Knowles Bike http://urbanvelo.org/the-beyonce-knowles-bike/ http://urbanvelo.org/the-beyonce-knowles-bike/#comments Wed, 01 Sep 2010 06:07:07 +0000 brad http://urbanvelo.org/?p=18085 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.

    ]]>     http://urbanvelo.org/the-beyonce-knowles-bike/feed/ 4     Bianchi Super Pista and Pista Concept Compared http://urbanvelo.org/bianchi-super-pista-and-pista-concept-compared/ http://urbanvelo.org/bianchi-super-pista-and-pista-concept-compared/#comments Tue, 31 Aug 2010 13:14:46 +0000 brad http://urbanvelo.org/?p=17772 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.

    - The seat tube and clamp are perhaps the most obvious changes, with the seat tube having a deeper teardrop profile to it and the seat clamp having been updated to a removable collar. Integrated clamps on aluminum frames are certainly light, but historically are prone to breaking when overtightened and near impossible to repair once the damage is done. This is a very welcome change.

    - Other tube profiles have also been updated, with the downtube looking slightly different but the seat- and chainstays being noticeably beefed up. The seatstays have a larger weld surface with the seat tube, and the chain stays retain their square profile at the bottom bracket but gain a bridge that should stiffen the bike without reducing tire clearances.

    - The track ends are the same, but the bolts are slightly shorter that hold the steel inserts in place and now sit flush. I had to remove two of the three bolts on my old frame as they interfered with wheel positioning.

    - The fork is not pictured, but it appears to use the same aluminum crown and dropouts and carbon legs as before yet now is drilled for a brake. Great for me, as on the old version I had replaced the fork with a drilled one so I could run a brake for long days in the saddle. The steerer tube itself has a thinner wall thickness than the previous version.

    - Weight. The new frame is heavier than the old one by half a pound, and the fork is lighter by 50g. The 59cm 2006 Pista Concept frame/fork weighs 1520g/610g respectively. The 59cm 2010 Super Pista weighs 1760g/560g.

    - Other changes? The graphics are slightly different (no more stupid “No Brakes!” sticker on the top tube) and the chainstay protector is now clear rather than black, but still equally as useless on a fixed gear frameset.

    ]]>     http://urbanvelo.org/bianchi-super-pista-and-pista-concept-compared/feed/ 2     Rapha Fastest Mechanic in NYC Competition http://urbanvelo.org/rapha-fastest-mechanic-in-nyc-competition/ http://urbanvelo.org/rapha-fastest-mechanic-in-nyc-competition/#comments Tue, 31 Aug 2010 05:41:48 +0000 brad http://urbanvelo.org/?p=18037 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.



    ]]>     http://urbanvelo.org/rapha-fastest-mechanic-in-nyc-competition/feed/ 1     Pryme Foot Straps http://urbanvelo.org/pryme-foot-straps/ http://urbanvelo.org/pryme-foot-straps/#comments Mon, 30 Aug 2010 13:52:09 +0000 Urban Jeff http://urbanvelo.org/?p=17804

    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.

    ]]>     http://urbanvelo.org/pryme-foot-straps/feed/ 6     LA Bikejacking Leaves Boy Dead http://urbanvelo.org/la-bikejacking-leaves-boy-dead/ http://urbanvelo.org/la-bikejacking-leaves-boy-dead/#comments Mon, 30 Aug 2010 12:01:44 +0000 Urban Jeff http://urbanvelo.org/?p=18098 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.

    ]]>     http://urbanvelo.org/la-bikejacking-leaves-boy-dead/feed/ 5     Louis Garneau Hi Viz Vest http://urbanvelo.org/louis-garneau-hi-viz-vest/ http://urbanvelo.org/louis-garneau-hi-viz-vest/#comments Mon, 30 Aug 2010 11:05:15 +0000 Urban Jeff http://urbanvelo.org/?p=17883 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.

    ]]>     http://urbanvelo.org/louis-garneau-hi-viz-vest/feed/ 1     River Rat 2 Alleycat http://urbanvelo.org/river-rat-2-alleycat/ http://urbanvelo.org/river-rat-2-alleycat/#comments Mon, 30 Aug 2010 05:25:23 +0000 brad http://urbanvelo.org/?p=17972 Get your race on in Fort Lauderdale. South Florida Fixed is throwing another alleycat, this time the River Rat II on September 11th.

    ]]>     http://urbanvelo.org/river-rat-2-alleycat/feed/ 0