Wednesday, October 31, 2007

Zipp T2 Track Hubs Review...

I first discovered these hubs on Zipp's website and was HOTT for them from the start. You know anything Zipp puts out is going to be quality and FAST as fuck. The best part about them is they don't look like all the other super techy shit they put out (not that there's anything wrong with that). Just straight up chrome with a touch of classic style drilling. I got a set of these a few months ago and was SUPER stoked on them. They're nice, solid and WWWICKED smooth. They're so smooth that when you spin them it's like a skateboard wheel, and they weren't even broken in! Most other hubs I've owned are nowhere near that smooth. I had them built up and I have to say: SICK! It's like rolling on glass. I had them laced to clinchers so I can only imagine how much faster and smoother they'd be with Tubulars. As far as the difference between say Phil Wood hubs, with my current set up, minimal. I think you'd notice a bigger difference with Tubulars. The one major set back to these hubs is the price. Retail is a gut wrenching $460. BUT, if you can get past that hurdle you'll def have NO regrets AT ALL. The other thing is that they used to offer these hubs in a 32 hole as well. But according to the Zipp rep, the guys there said they were a pain in the ass to make in that drilling and my set would be the LAST they would make. According to the site they're offered in a 28 hole only. Hopefully that was an exageration and they'll still be available for custom orders. Lord knows I'd fancy another set!
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I'm sorry but I take no pity on this dumbass kid...


Stupid Kid Runs Into Biker - Watch more free videos

Update: OMG there's a Flickr set too!

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This is how all bikes should be sold...

With cute tatted chicks on display- Bloody destruction!!!


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Fucking SWEET 70's Gios!

This bike looks ssssick!
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Rare vintage Bruce Gordon on ebay...

This is def one of those bikes you'll NEVER see for sale on ebay. More info here...
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Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Guess who had a really great time dumpster diving tonight!

I found all 13 of these in a dumpster outside of a bike shop. Most of them are either shite frames or totally busted up. However, there are a few good ones mixed in there. Not mention all the bits and pieces I can strip off em'. I'll be sure to go through them first chance I get and update this post...
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Eddy's Cycle City of Bayonne NJ visit...

I heard about this place by word of mouth a couple of weeks ago. This random dude I met hanging out at Strictly Cycles told me about it while we were chatting about vintage bikes. He said: "oh man, you have to check out this place in Bayonne, it's FULL of old school Schwinn's. You'd love it" He then proceeded to call his wife for the number and address since they really didn't have anything online. Actually, this is probably the only detailed mention about them on the internet right now. Anyways, he got the info and passed it on to me. I decided that I should go scope them out since they were in my area. This past Saturday was a pretty soggy one so I figured I'd spend the afternoon scoping out bikes since I couldn't really ride...

Once I saw the old school sign out front I knew I was in for a real treat...


As I went to open the door of my car I saw some scurvy lookin dude riding a trike in the mirror coming my way. I grabbed this snap as he rode by. Another good sign. Note his license plate...


During the drive here I was REALLY hoping the place wouldn't be a wash out. As you can see my fears were immediately alleviated once I realized I'd struck nerdy cycling GOLD...


Another view facing the front door...


Close up shots of the wall case...




I TOTALLY wasn't expecting to find such a LARGE collection of restored schwinn bikes. This is defineatly the most I've ever seen in one place. Not to mention THE BEST job you could possibly do. Steve, the owner and his son Paul are awesome! Putting the effort into some of the details of these bikes is reeeedonkulous! One of many examples: A SUPERBELY restored 1954 Jaguar Schwinn Cruiser...


1968 Schwinn Krate bike. All original...


Sweet deluxe Tornado...


SICKEST Schwinn tandem EVER!!! Fully restored...


Killer 1970 Schwinn chrome Paramount. All original...


A pleathura of paramounts! Various years...


Now... This thing FUCKING KILLED ME! A 1910 Iver Johnson track bike in AMAZING condition despite being nearly a HUNDRED years old. This bike is SO SICK. It's crazy to know that this bike was raced at most likely all of the local Velodromes back in the day. I felt all warm and tingly just looking at it. Steve told me that the tubulars even held air in them. Unreal...


Oh those bars!


The headbadge is just pure fucking GOLD man...


Even the decal is in amazing condition...


Awesome rear stay and box pinstriping...


Inch pitch drive train...


The saddle was a bit worse for wear since it's leather. Still awesome looking though...


I was really, really stoked about my visit to Eddie's Cycle City. Steve and his son Paul were true bike nerds, super cool and down to earth to talk to. Steve showed me a couple of old schwinn books and filled me in on some of the old local cycling lore. Like how there used to be a Velodrome in Fort Lee (the town over from mine) and how Richard Sachs is actually from Bayonne. A buddy of his being the one who got him (Sachs) into cycling. He also told me about a Cycling museum not too far away that I had no idea about. I plan on checking that place out another day...

If you're interested in learning more about the local track racing history check out this awesome article originally featured in the May 1990 issue of Bicycling Magazine about Pop Brennan and his two son's old bike shop in NJ. I actually enjoyed it enough to go and check out the address of the old shop. The building is still there but the area is now the GNARLIEST ghetto...

For more pictures of Eddy Cycle City be sure to Check out my Flickr set...

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What the fuck...

...is going on with the paint job on this Landshark??
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Saturday, October 27, 2007

Rare Spinergy Rev-X Track COMPLETE wheelset on ebay...

I say these mofo's are going to sell from $425 - $475...
I had a set a while back but wasn't too into them. I ended up traded for a Bianchi Pista 04' Concept frame and fork...

Update: DAMN. They went for only $305. Fucking great deal!
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Friday, October 26, 2007

It's going to rain tomorrow so...

It's REVIEW TIME suckas!!!

On my list so far:

ZIPP T2 Track hubs review...

Easton EC90 Track bars review...

I'm going to hit a couple of local bike shops I've been wanting to visit for a while now. I'll be sure to do it up like I did with my Philly trip...

New Bob Jackson track and road frames JUST IN! Pics coming SOON!!!

Expect me to be blogging like a mother fucker for the next 48 hours...
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I would be SO on top of this bad boy...

...if it wasn't for the 650c front wheel. BUT it's still pretty damn SICK...
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Awesome NOS Izumi colored chains! If you've got money to waste...

These dudes selling some awesome random colored chains. Kinda expensive though...
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bu-bu-bu-bu-BT BITCH! hmm, wait, too good to be true?

Fucking wow man. Sweet frame but I have a feeling this one isn't legit. Though I may just be paranoid. I emailed the seller so I'll keep you posted...

Update: Okay, nevermind. It's already gone...
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While you're not fucking with Slayer...

Be sure and to stay outta this seller's way while you're at it- he's pissed!
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Cinelli bar/stem set up for $200 BIN?!

Something tells me this one's going to go QUICK despite the imperfections. Would've bought them myself if I wasn't still broke from the last set I got...
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WARNING: bike scammer on ebay!!!

There's this guy on ebay right now trying to sell a 76' Rauler track bike. It's the same fraudulent fucker from my original post. He goes by the name loop7531 or loop1357@yahoo.com. His first auction was for a Bob Jackson touring bike that I had sold (not mine) a few months back on ebay and have pictures of on my flickr account. When you read more into it, you can clearly see that he swiped the photos of the BJ and made a fool of himself trying to describe it. I'm sure the same thing is going on with this new auction. I warned the bidder and emailed ebay about the previous auction but unfortunately they did nothing to kill it. Regardless someone needs to nail that guy to a wall like NOW...
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DO NOT fuck with Slayer...


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Thursday, October 25, 2007

AAAAAAAAAHH!! Awesome Yamaguchi Track bike on ebay!!!

This is one sssswwweeeeet machine! KILLER fucking gruppo too! DAMN I wish this fit me...

Update: Damn, someone snatched this puppy up the same day for the BIN price of $1495. Lucky fuck...
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sssssssssSICK Titanium SEVEN Track bike!

This Seven is a Ti dream machine!
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Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Vintage 531?! Now that's what ahm talking about!

I LOVE seeing vintage tube and lug sets like this on ebay. What better way to start off your custom build! I was lucky enough to find not one, but TWO sets of vintage Hetchins lugs. The first set was lugs only and built into a bike (more pics coming soon). The second set includes tubing and is currently laying in wait at Bilenky Cycleworks. I'm still trying to decide what to do next...
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NOS HETCHINS ROADIE!!!

A Curly Hetchins Scorpion Bonum roadie showed up on ebay a few days ago in NOS condition. I would've posted it sooner but I was hott for it and had to wait to hear back from the seller about the size first. 58.5cm. Too big for yours truly...
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Sweet Vintage Masi Prestige Track

The pictures kinda suck but you'll get the idea...
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Nevermind the Romani Track bike, how much do you want for that couch?!

Damn that shit is ugly, hehe. The bike's cool though...
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Monday, October 22, 2007

BEAUTIFUL fucking 83' Merckx!

Wow man this thing is in SPECTACULAR condition!
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Holy fuck that's one BIG Bob Jackson...

66cm?! Damn man, biggest one I've ever seen...
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HED3 Front Wheel Review...

Alright so here's the deal. This fucking wheel RULES! Okay, so yeah it looks cool and it's hella trendy to put aero type wheels on the front of your track bike but guess what- WHO GIVES A FUCK. This wheel fucking performs! And in my book that takes precedence over anything else. While I would LOVE to get a matching rear, I'm skeptical about that due to gnarly NYC streets I frequent. I just don't like the idea of riding one of these wheels with the brunt of my weight on it. BUT, for a front wheel- it's PERFECT. It does an awesome job slicing though the wind and makes this great whawhawhawhawha noise. It's also a tubular so the lower rolling resistance is key. The difference between riding a standard front and then switching to the HED3 is definitely noticeable. I find myself keeping a steady pace easier and notice the bike is a little faster that before. I ride a 48/17 gear ratio and I tend to feel the onslaught of over spin a lot more than I used to. As for the price, uuuuh yeah, not so nice. New this wheel retails for around $700 but you can of course find some very good used condition ones on ebay for around $3-400 bones. Being the lucky fuck that I am I got a BRAND NEW one for $350 including a preglued tubular. I was at my Boy Nelson's shop (strictly bicycles) and he had it hanging up. I scoped it out for the hell of it and noticed that there was a small indent in one of the blades. Nothing structural of course but enough to turn someone way off from spending top dollar on it. Right away I though: 'oooo, discount!'. He hooked me the fuck up and I walked away happy as a mofo. Filled in the hole with some silicone to keep the moisture out and painted the machined sidewall black to match my bike. I would say that the one and only drawback to this wheel is of course the price. You could easily get a nice new matching SET of wheels for the same or less. Aside from that I def recommend getting one. You won't regret it...until you have to glue another tubular on it, hehe...
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I'm not way into memorabilia or anything but...

...This is REDONKULOUS!!! I've never seen an auction like this before. Unbelievable amount of stuff he's got going there...
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Sunday, October 21, 2007

mmm Benoto 2700 track frame for sale...

I had one of these in my possession last year. Awesome frame! I even found some decals for a repaint since it was so badly scratched and rusted. Not my size though so I let it go. This one is AWESOME and a very rare find...
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Saturday, October 20, 2007

Vivalo loses NJS certification!

I was just cruising bike forums and saw this thread...

Official Japan site


They've lost it. they've been disallowed since mid-September but official revocation came on the 16th.

there was an incident in Shizuoka. fork crown separating from the steerer tube. the NJS commission investigated it and found that they had production problems and voted to revoke their certification because they "could not be expected to meet safety standards". A lot of riders (30%?) use Vivalos and they are sometimes called 'tsukaisute' or one-time use frames. Maybe that is why lots end up on the street. Others in the 2ch I was reading pointed out that the reason Vivalos tunr around is so fast for frames is because they were one of the few builders with in-house paint.

there are a few Japanese sites for people trying to rally them back to certified status. the NJS page has a warning list for all the riders currently using their frames that was up before the ban.

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Another 3Rensho - SUPER SIZED!

Big ass 59cm 3Rensho now on ebay...
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Friday, October 19, 2007

Okay, this thing is juuuuust a bit rediculous...

...rediculously RAD! Vintage ALL CHROME Alex Singer 1972 Randonneur bike with all the trimmings...
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