Our local NYC fixed forum Admin Sashae just got his Nagasawa back today after having the stays rot out from rust a few months back. Thing looks SO NICE now!
The Badthoughness before:
And the GREATHOUGHNESS after:
He basically went nuts when he worked on the frame. - replaced both chainstays, chainstay bridge - replaced track ends - replaced top tube - replaced head tube, head lugs - replaced fork crown, reraked fork - replaced brake bridge - added cable guides - added downtube/fork gussets for use with a brake
So yeah, he basically got a whole new frame, hehe. That and it was def like watching a strip tease the way he was uploading only a couple of photos at a time..
He rides that bitch in the streets a lot so I don't want to hear any BS about the set-up not being all NJS or some shit!
A new production model 3 Speed internal fixed hub by Sturmey Archer called the S3x!!
I've always wanted to try out one of the vintage models but knew it really wasn't worth the money and hassle of locating an original. Then I heard about people modifying regular 3 speed internal hubs to fixed but again, also seemed like a huge hassle..
I first read about the original ones via Sheldon Brown's site. I'm sure if he was still around he'd be the first one to sport one of these on some crazy bike he built himself..
So I've been spending time with this lovely young lady and she tells me that when it rains, she actually rides her bike with an umbrella. Naturally the thought of that makes me laugh not only from a safety/comfort standpoint but also because I can't help but conjure this image in my mind:
I was telling her about that photo but keep forgetting to send it to her. It's raining today and she mentioned carrying the umbrella again. I of course went on the hunt again when I accidentally found this handy dandy little device called the Drybike:
Granted I wouldn't be caught dead using one of these (or wearing a puffy jacket) outside of Holland but they're kind of amazing! Just think, this could be you and your lady friend:
That would be a some sight now wouldn't it?! The only thing you'd be missing is the matching plaids and a bunch of your guys friends laughing at you behind your back..
Reality: One of the more complicated builds we've ever done. Started with a BMX size bike, welded in a steel plate, a Subaru Impreza spring, a second plate, and the modified rear from another bike. Added a fixed pivot point (fork ends and a wheel hub) to prevent side-to-side movement. Added another bottom bracket for a bit more realistic pedal position (for an adult, that is). The front end, using 2 more springs, was a total nightmare but came out alright.
Name origin: Painted and decalled to resemble what I would imagine a mid-1980s downhill bike to look like - flashy magentas and baby blues to compliment a radical frame design. Name is based off the equally flamboyant 1980s-style duo of Dennis and Charlie from 'Always Sunny'.
Difficulty to ride: Not bad, just a little pedal bob.
..what the correlation is between a company called Field and Stream aaaaand urban fixed gear bikes..? ..because I am fucking CLUELESS!
mmmmMAN that is some ugly shit right there!
I have to say though, I LOVE it when people send me marketing shit thinking that I'm going to endorse their promotion or something. I'm sure if they spent any real time doing a little research they'd reconsider. That or at least offer me a bribe or something- SERIOUSLY! If I'm going to sell out it better be for something good..
If she didn't do things to me that I can't describe here in eBay, trust me, it would be a new wife that I would be looking for instead of selling this bike!
Very well put man- Aaahahaha!
I love how chicks dig Mini's cause they're cute but miss the point about them being completely useless when carry objects larger than a purse..
I'm officially caught up with Mad Men BTW if you can't already tell..
Thanks Jason! It's always nice starting my workday with a larf :)
p.s. - the link to the hi-res images does not include ones of the wifey
Okay so it's 4am, I just got finished processing all the photos and have been watching Mad Men for the past 5 hours. Suffice it to say my brain is fried and I could reeeeeaaallly use a hummer from my secretary right about now..
In any case, here's some photos from yet another great day nerding out on bike stuff:
NJS bike pile:
Which as you can see here is something that hot chicks can appreciate as well..
I was expecting to see a lot more familiar faces but I think the Century ride sucked up a lot of people. Though I don't understand why- ride a 100 miles or buy, sell and bullshit about nerdy bike stuff with fellow bike nerds. Where are your priorities people?! ;)
Once again, my thanks to Harry and all the vendors for another great day! Great seeing all of you again and meeting a bunch of new people as well. Looking forward to the next one fellas!
Would've posted this sooner but the computers at my office block youtube etc. So I'll see that there's something worth watching but then forget to check it out when I get home..
I just spotted this on the NYC fixed board and figured I'd share:
Here's the story. I was having brunch on first ave and first street with a a couple of friends including Alfred .It was a pretty sunny day and a good there was a good amount of pedestrian traffic .Nothing unusual. Alfred went out to make a call and spotted someone looking over his bike. Nothing unusual ,he got a hot ass cannondale with hot ass wheels.the guy was average looking,had a helmet and a bag.looked like your average joe casual biker.Suddenly this dude gets on his knees and pulls out a drill.At first Alfred thought he wanted to steal his wheels,until he saw the drill.Is this what it has come out to?!people stealing bike with drills?Anyways as he was getting ready to drill the ulock,Alfred comes in the restaurant and yells,!yooooo someones trying to steal my bike,lets go get him.and let me tell you this ass hole tried stealing the wrong bike.first it was a bike messengers bike and second it was Alfred's bike and the motherFkr got a temper sometimes.so we roll out to this dude and start pounding him.my first instinct was to get my U lock and bang on him,but my bike was already locked up so , we bumbrushed this dude and started pounding him.Everybody is watching and wondering why this dude is being plumeted ,but at that point we don't give a fuck.we had to make sure this asshole dosen't do it again.me personal i have had 2 bikes stolen,in like a month apart.fuck that shit.he did't even look like a bike thief!so while pounding him i reach out to put my phone in my pocket and realized i had a camera on my wait.i pulled it out and captured the second half of the beating!
Tools of his trade:
While I'm sure a lot of people might think that posting this is a bad idea I don't agree. Unlike the U-lock INjustice video a lot of us were super bummed to see, this video just depicts THE EXACT same action YOU and YOUR FRIENDS would take in an attempt to educate a future ex-bike thief..
This is just one of many situations you might occasionally fantasize about being lucky enough to find yourself in the middle of. Not only did these guys do a good job of scaring the shit out of the thief, but most importantly: they didn't take it too far. ON TOP OF ALL THAT THEY FUCKING SHOT VIDEO SO WE COULD ALL VICARIOUSLY SHARE THE EXPERIENCE!!!
Good fucking job guys! My only criticism being a lack of proper punctuation. Though something tells me I would've made a similar hack job in huried anticipation of posting the vid as well, hehe. In any case, next weekend brunch is on me ;-)
No, seriously.. Name a time and date and I'll totally pick up the bill.. Post bike jumble perhaps..?
UPDATE: Alas, the video is now gone. For those of you who were lucky enough to enjoy it, consider yourself blessed. Hopefully it'll turn up again one day..
An interesting and cheesy 90's doc I spotted on Hulu..
I then did a search for 'bicycle' just to see what else would come up. Turns out that there's four pages worth of vids. Which are mostly boring BUT.. I was reminded of the raddest episode of Firsthand ever with Chet Childress. He basically has the life any skateboarder would want. The fact that he's so Norcal is what really makes it! One of the best scenes has to be when he's carving the big bowl at Klamath Falls:
Check it out when you get a chance. If you're not totally ready to hit Oregon after watching it there's something very, very wrong with you..
Karl-Friedrich Drais: The Bicycle AND Chet Childress!
Yep, rode the tall bike to work today. As if commuting wasn't nerve racking enough at times! Though most of my trepidations lie in the fact that I hadn't ridden it since I loaned it out to Morgan during his stay here. I half expected it to turn to dust like in the cartoons, hehe. He put something like a 150 miles on it I think. Today's journey shouldn't be more than 25 or so..
Lyle put it best that when he said that riding a tall bike is like a parade of one. So true. You get a lot more attention than you're comfortable with along with the more commonly heard questions like: "How's the weather up there?" and "How do you get up/down from that thing?" Although today I got: "You ever get nose bleeds?" Not to mention people honking at as they drive past you. Certainly the only time I've ever had a huge fire truck sound his horn for any other reason than wanting me to get fuck out of his way.
What I really noticed most about my first tall build is how clanky-janky it is compared to the Mutandem. It's friction shifting lacks the smooth and precise clicks that the Shimano XT/XTR/Ultegra mix the Mutandem is outfitted with. Not to mention having 18 speeds to choose from as opposed to a measly 6. Though the one major drawback to the Mutandem is it's scale toppling 47.8lb weight. Going down hills is amazing but even the slightest of inclines presents a challenge..
Which begs the question: Can a tall bike have a modern group for speed and climbing, look bad ass and be light, AAANNND most importantly: Still be predominantly constructed of other bikes?
Lyle's tall bike is all those things to a certain degree but that doesn't mean the envelope can't be pushed farther. I'm pretty sure his weighed in at just under 28lbs and had an 8 speed DT friction shifter. He's comfortable going hella fast on it but admitted that having to depend on only one large ring up front made climbing tough on steeper hills..
So begins a new Quest in tall bike innovation!
Though the closest I'll get to pulling a sword from a stone would be placing the good oooollld thinking cap utop my brow as begin this new journey.. Wish me luck!
