Fun and the Future

Going to Dick Lane Velodrome tonight for the No Brakes Keirin Event.

Also This weekend will be the last weekend of "MeatPower!"

As of Monday, I am are turning on the new site: Coasterbreak.com. This blog will still exist otherwise, we are just changing our name, URL and adding lots of cool features to it.

XoXo

-R

Pink is the new Sexxxy mobile

Vintage 80's Murray ladies step-through frame from Sopo.
White and gray splatter-paint bars (also from Sopo)
Mavic wheels donated by Abby
Fuji seat from my personal stash
Vintage Schwinn chain ring from the dumpster
Fresh grease and a little spit shine.

Built by yours truly for the lovely miss Rallison as a "sympathy bike" for the loss of her #1 squeeze "Sweetbike."

Don't let this one out of your site, Rallison.

The $2 Fixed Gear.

Spotted @ Sopo: The zip ties feed through the freewheel cog & pieplate before wrapping through the spokes. Equal parts genius and suicidal.

P.S. I had nothing to do with this.

It's been a month since I posted anything...

4 Days ago I turned 32. Tonight I rode Critical Mass for the first time in months. I loved every minute of it. Now, I'm sore as hell. Time keeps on tickin...

Cub Scout Bike Rodeo

Saturday, March 28, 10 am - 2 pm
6133 Redan Rd, Lithonia, GA 30058 (Parking Deck)
# of Participants: 20-30 boys (ages 6 to 10)
Point of Contact: LaTanya Nickerson (404) 579-0982

No word on if they are going to have a skid comp or tall bike joust. :)

$24,000...

"Record Manufacturing Company -- Giraffe Lamplighter's Bicycle, 1898
The seat height of this unusually tall bicycle is over 7' tall, and this feature directly relates to the bicycle's important function. During the late nineteenth century it was used by lamplighters to light gas street lamps. The inordinately long chain is more than three times the length of a conventional bicycle chain. Currently only one other lamplighter bicycle is know to exist, designed and manufactured by a different maker. This original bicycle features black paint, wood rims, 28" single-tube tires and is correctly restored."

Proof positive that outlaw bike culture is as old as sinister mustaches. Also proof positive that the past is valuable. Buy this awesome pirate ship of a bike for just $24,000 at Sothebys.

Broken Hearts 5, and the future...

So I finally had the chance to get out and ride the new Univega last weekend in the Broken Hearts & Bicycle Parts alley cat race -- which was pretty much the best alley cat I've ever been a part of. More importantly, It was a good chance to re-connect with a bunch of fellow riders I hadn't seen for a season (I've been hibernating).

SO, now that spring is at hand and bikey things are in bloom again, I wanted to make it known that Meatpower! will become something a little more exciting over the next few months.

I've purchased the domain http://www.coasterbreak.com.

My plans are to revamp this blog into something a bit more useful and entertaining. I've decided to finally intermingle my two passions -- music and bicycles -- and create a new media-rich site that showcases the Atlanta bicycle and music scenes. I plan on having weekly podcasts with interviews, music, video, pictures, etc.

It's a bit ambitious to say the least, and it's unlikely that i'll be able to go at it alone -- so if anyone wants to volunteer...

Did I mention...

I'm on tour with the band right now -- so there won't be any Meat Power 'till I get back. So sorry! See ya March 1.

Univega!

So the Bianchi took a spill, forcing me to postpone the build until the frame is stripped and re-finished. In the meantime, I was given a sweet Japanese-made Univega frame. I built her up using the wheels, seat, and bars from the Bianchi project "temporarily." Truth be told, I took her for a spin and fell in love. so, I guess i'll have to order more parts for the Bianchi...

Specs for the Univega.

56 cm frame with horizontal drops
stock BB and headset
Restored Ideale saddle
White Deep-V wheels laced to coasterbrake :P
Aerox crankset converted to single ring
Campy Pedals
Upside-down mustache bars on ambrosio stem
Forte tires + tubes
Bell gold/brown chain
Bar-hopper drink holder.

Not For Sale!

Fatherhood Impending.

Above: My Daughter

So, I haven't told too many people this - because we wanted to make sure our tests were good and what not -- but, I'm going to be a father. Lynn (my baby momma/awesome lady) and I found out today we are having a daughter, which is what we were hoping for. We are due at the end of June and couldn't be happier and/or more excited about the prospects of bringing our own little bastard into the world to poop on everything.

I can tell you with great certainty that I'm totally ready for this new role as "daddy" and look forward to pitting my influence against mommy's, while imparting such necessary knowledge as "Pink Sucks" and posing such philosophical questions as "Who is cooler: Barbie or Optimus Prime?" All joking aside, I plan to be at least as good as my own folks, who were balanced, fair and also allowed me access to unlimited forms of artistic and personal expression.

I know some of you might have opinions about the whole "living in sin" business, but Lynn and I have mutually decided that we want an actual wedding complete with honeymoon, so we are fixin' to hafta wait until little pooper is old enough to spend a week at grandma's. Otherwise, we kind of like the concept of sin. I mean -- where do you think babies come from?

Bad news for the Bianchi

So, the bike took a bad spill while hanging to dry today. the clip snapped and it fell about 4 feet to the pavement. major paint chips and scuffs all over. I've decided to suck it up and start over. completely strip and paint again. BOO.

-R

A few of the goodies I ordered for the Bianchi build...

Above: NOS vintage "5 series" Italian Bottom bracket. I opted for the old-style BB over the sealed BB simply because the million-year-old drive side cup on this bike wont be budged. This way I can get new parts in there, convert to square taper, and have recessed bolt holes in case I want to upgrade to hex-key crank bolts down the line. $10.00 well spent.



FSA Vero single-speed crank set and chain ring. $40.00 from bike island. I did find an NOS campy crank for $20, but I had a tough time finding a 135 BCD ring for less than $60.00. I'm all about the low-dollar good parts, and while I normally recycle stuff, I felt this was a strong purchase and within my overall budget of around $250 for the build.



Above: Here's where all the money went. Non-Machined Deep Vee's laced up coaster brake style. $160 shipped wasnt too bad on the pocket at all, though it did eat up most of my budget. Guess I'll get creative, or raise the budget a bit. heh.

Unfortunately, I've got to about 3 days of paint work ahead of me, and at least 72 hours to let the finished frame "cure" before I can start assembly. More to come.

Vintage Bianchi Build - Day 4 "The Basecoat"

Here she is in white basecoat. This will be the color of all of the lug work. I opted to paint the whole frame -- rather than just the lugs, to add a bit more girth to the prime coat, as there were little dings and crusties that became apparent in the priming process. I have to let this cure for at least 24 hours before taping off the lugs and spraying the tubes peach. I have already chosen a name for this bike: "TRIGGER."

Bicycle Hijinks

New Aerospoke prototype.



I need these.



GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH.



Hipster bike, Circa 1000 B.C.

Vintage Bianchi Build - Leather Seat Restoration

Above: Crusty leather seat from Ideale was actually in very good shape, considering. The first thing I did was give it a thorough cleaning with a rough sponge and warm soapy water. Below: the cleaned seat sitting on a radiator to dry and warm up. Next to the seat is a tin of Skidmore's Beeswax, which is way cheaper and much better than the Brooks stuff IMHO -- The can works best when warmed up to thin the wax for better penetration. Notice how light and raunchy the leather looks in this photo.



Below: compare and contrast the unfinished section of seat with the nice, glossy & dark section. this is after one coat. I used three coats on the seat in total.



Below: The finished seat looking broken-in, but clean and even-toned. Applying the Skidmore's Waterproofing is so easy -- just rub it in! You can do it in about 30 seconds per coat.



Nice butt!

Vintage Bianchi Build - Day 2&3 "Teardown"

Above: Wheels off and $1 rug down to protect my totally sweet IKEA flooring. Below: Chain & shifter components off. this bike will become a single-speed coasterbrake bike in the end, so the campy stuff will have to wait for something else :)



Below: Brake components removed



Below: Bars off, seat & post off. What's left? just a weird integrated headset with a million tiny loose ball bearings and a cottered crank shaft with a million more loose balls. GUH, nobody likes loose balls, do they?



Below: Frame completelty stripped and sanded. I tried to clean off the rust, but too much of the chrome was eaten up, so I'm going to spray her with a fresh two-tone scheme with a peach frame and white lugs. hell yes.





Above: Dangling from the front porch. Who says you need a paint booth? All I need is a christmas-light hook and a wire hanger. Mommy dearest would be angry. Below: two coats of rust-proof primer. The fork, (not shown) was done after the photos were taken, so you'll have to use your imagination.



The frame now hangs in my closet, drying for a couple of days.

Meatpower Vintage Bianchi Project Pics

Here she is. I'm not quite sure of the year, but it's seems to in the neighborhood of mid 50's - judging by the parts and such. I've been told it could be even OLDER. Unfortunately Bianchi didn't keep good records of their serial numbers, and there really isn't a definitive source for information. This one is serial #200423



Here is the totally hot brass head badge. All other stickers and markings have unfortunately been removed from the bike.



Ambrosio Italian-made quill stem and drops.



Crusty bit o' frame



Vintage Ideale saddle is rather brooks-esque and in good shape, other than needing lots of conditioner.



Bianchi cottered crank and simplex ring



Old-timey brake levers are unbranded



OooOooOOoo Campy bits.



Campy Campy Campy



The Gran Sport Derallieur. This one is closed "C" and "G" making it most likey a mid to late 50's component. Tough to date this stuff!

So, now my intentions:
1.) Strip the bike completely down to base components.
2.) Clean everything, remove rust, etc.
3.) Repack and rebuild headtube
4.) Update bottom bracket without modifying the threads - including new cranks
5.) Remove and store all shifter components and drop bars
6.) Add old-timey moustache bars
7.) Add deep vee coasterbrake wheel set
8.) Garnish with fresh accessories
9.) Rock the F out.

Follow along in the next few weeks and see where it goes!

Broken Hearts And Bicycle Parts Number 5!

Arguably the best alley cat race in Atlanta.

March 6 - 7, 2009

Information is RIGHT HERE.

So...

I haven't bike-blogged in a month and a half. what the hell is wrong with me? Well, for one, it's been cold, and I've retreated in doors to eat comfort food, get fat, and work on music. But I've also managed to completely obliterate my right knee. GUH.

That being said, I've stepped out of the track bike scene entirely and until further notice. I actually sold my noble Pista today -- accepting in partial trade, a very cherry and wicked 50's Bianchi road bike. It's got the old 50' campy grand tour grupo that would be on a bike of this vintage.

So, my plans are, to rehab the knee a little, while putting a few months of hard work into this uber-cool project bike. I believe I will use this site to chronicle the work on the bike, something I've yet to do on MeatPower.

So, let today be day one of the new MeatPower project bike build. I'll post a pic when it's not pitch black and dead-ass cold outside.

xoxo

Swobo Del Norte Wheels 4 Sale...

I have a very low mileage Swobo Del Norte wheel set for sale. The rims and hubs are matched in red powdercoat, which is the factory finish. They are fully built and true. Included is a Kazane 15t fixed gear cog and matching lockring in gold. Also included are two decent Forte tires with red pinstripes. Picture is not of the actual wheels, but of a similar set. -- SOLD!

Santa's Little Messenger Race - 12/13/08

Its happening again this year! This year the race will be based out of Elliot Street Pub! The race will start at Hurt Park at 10 am like last year. However instead of running back and forth to the GSU bookstore, you can catch a brew between runs at Elliot Street. These guys are stoked to host this race. Outback Bikes is also donating a lot of toys again this year and Pete has his mind set on breaking one of you! They will also be providing the prizes: gift certificates.

NOPHE5T!

Be there!

Info & Tickets at http://www.nophest.com

Sopo Turns Three!

Sopo Cogtail Party w/The Shondes, Herman Put Down the Gun, and The Thieves!

October 11th @ Wonderroot

Sorry, I've been AWOL.

New house, new bikes, new music, I haven't had time to blog. Here's some of the sexxxy bikes I built while on staycation.

1. Vintage Peugeot Fixie



1971 UO10, New Alex wheels, Maxxis Detonator Tires, Fuji Stem, Vintage White Selle Turbo Seat, Vintage Sugino (Fuji Branded) Crank set, Chopped & Wrapped Flat Bar, Top K Top Tube Pad. SOLD.

2. DUMPSTER BIKE!



Built at Sopo, entirely from parts no one wanted. SOLD.

3. Vintage Ross Trick Bike:



650 Front, 700 Rear, Vintage Selle Leather Saddle, Chopped Carbon Flat Bar & Heavy-Duty threadless conversion stem, Ourys, Bi-Color Bell Chain. Yay! Barspins 4Ever! SOLD.

4. Vintage Motobecane Single-Speed Commuter:

Deep V wheels (Weinmann front, Vicenza rear.), Single speed only (no-flip flop), New KMC chain in purple, Chopped riser bars, Pave saddle, New Specialized grips, Nice vintage Moto crank set. Geared 52/18 and ready to commute. SOLD.

Well then, there you have it!

Dick Lane Velodrome -- Beginner Program

Tonight, I rode my first laps around the DLV. It was amazing!

I was surprised at how much speed is actually required to stay on the bank. Of course, I was still running my city gear, which sits at 46/15. I plan on installing a 48 before next week. That should give me a bit more boost!

I did manage quite well in the sprint lane & was able to keep up with almost everyone in the class. The pole lane kept tossing me onto the apron though...

Next class is a week from today. I'll try to get some photos up!

(Artist's rendering: Me, on the Dick Lane Velodrome, circa 1902)

NYC Critical Mass: This is what a PIG looks like.

Screw you, Officer Bacon.

NEW YORK (AP) ― Police stripped a New York City officer of his badge and gun Monday after a video posted on YouTube showed him body-checking a bicyclist who was part of a Times Square demonstration.

The video was recorded Friday at the Critical Mass ride, a monthly protest of urban reliance on motor vehicles.

The video, posted anonymously, shows the officer standing in the street as bikes whiz past. He moves toward a cyclist and violently knocks him to the ground in front of crowds of people.

The officer in the video was placed on desk duty pending the outcome of a police department investigation, chief police spokesman Paul Browne said. The officer's name wasn't released.

The biker, Christopher Long, of Hoboken, N.J., was arrested because he was obstructing traffic in the heart of Times Square, a criminal complaint said. He was charged with attempted assault, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct.

The complaint said Long, 29, deliberately steered his bicycle into the officer, causing both of them to fall to the ground.

During his arrest, Long squirmed and kicked, saying to the officers, "You are pawns in the game. I'm gonna have your job," the complaint said.

There were no other arrests during the ride.

Long's lawyer, David Rankin, said he hopes the Manhattan district attorney's office will drop the charges. The district attorney's office said it was investigating.

Long's next court date was set for Sept. 5.

UPDATE: Critical Mass Rant.

Riders in the "Seattle mass gone wrong" are now accusing the media of putting a spin on the actual chain of events, which are painted vastly different in this article: http://sweetbike.org/?p=184.

Again, I'm not going to side with anyone. I think everyone involved was retarded. However, the fact that the driver was the instigator would not surprise me. I've ridden in several masses and have been treated quite poorly by motorists during and for the days that follow, therefore I sympathize with the cyclist's lament. however, beating a dude in the head is not always good for our cause.

Also, there is a paragraph or two in the above mentioned article about "corking." Many folks see corking as a blatant violation of traffic laws. However, if we didn't move as a mass, drivers would be forced to wait MUCH longer to get on the road. (google: "Courteous Mass") Consider corking as the same tactic that funeral processions use. We just want to ride, make a statement and then let YOU, the automobile driver go about your business.

Here is an example of a totally unecessary police presence further complicating matters for everyone because they dont like the act of "corking":



I think if a driver was to try to run me off the road for corking or being a part of a mass, my first reaction would be to want to break his window with my U-lock or slash his tires. After all, adrenaline + someone else's ignorance seem to trigger more ignorance. Of course, I haven't had to resort to guerrilla tactics to prove my point about cycling. I merely submit my own car/bike habits...

I own and drive an SUV on $20 a week -- because I only take it out of the Atlanta perimeter or when I need to move crap around. The rest of the time, I try to be a safe, courteous rider. When I want to do tricks, I go to the basket ball court, or a flat, unoccupied piece of parking lot. When I want to "Mash", I roll down Moreland avenue at 5:00 or 6:00pm weekdays. Traffic is stopped, and I can bomb through it to make my "statement." Oh, I Always wear a helmet, No exceptions.

In closing, this is how a critical mass should look:

Damn Critical Mass Hooligans.

SEATTLE (AP) - A mob of bicyclists riding in Seattle with the monthly Critical Mass demonstration injured a motorist after an altercation.

Seattle Police spokesman Mark Jamieson says that on Friday between 100 and 300 bicyclists were riding down a street in the Capitol Hill neighborhood, blocking traffic on both lanes, when a man and a woman in a Subaru station wagon tried to pull out of a parking spot.

But some of the bicyclists blocked them, sat on the car and began banging on the vehicle. Words were exchanged between the male driver and the bicyclists.

The driver feared being assaulted and backed up, but bumped a biker and enraged the group. In response, some of the bikers smashed the windshield and rear window. He tried to drive away but hit another bicyclist.

The car stopped a block down and the bicyclists surrounded the car. One biker punched the driver through an open window and another used a knife to slash the tires.

When the driver got out of the car a male suspect struck him with an unknown object in the back of the head. The driver was later taken to the hospital. His female companion was not injured

Jamieson says two men were arrested and police are looking for the suspect who struck the driver in the back of the head. He added police know the man's identity.

According to the Critical Mass web site, every month, bicyclists ride to promote bicycle use and assert cyclists' right to the road among many reasons.

***
This is kind of a sore story for me. On one hand, we have an impatient driver pushing into a mob of bicycle activists; on the other hand we have a group of rowdy bike-centrics taking their message a little too far. In the end, no one wins. The driver makes the cyclists angrier & the cyclists are left with an elevated sense of hatred and tension towards automobiles. The whole situation gets worse.

NICE WORK, MORONS.

-R

The Dog Daze are HERE!

MeatPower! humbly presents A BITCHIN' RACE FOR A GOOD CAUSE!



Register Early with Paypal. All proceeds from this race will go to the benefit of the Atlanta Bicycle Campaign.

The Best Bike Race Ever!

Every so often I find a great bicycle story on the web. These stories compel me to plagiarize... I simply can't hold back on sharing this information with my blog-friends. So please excuse the following story if you managed to catch it elsewhere, but his may very well be the greatest story ever told.

Cyclists test their legs — and stomachs — at annual Tour de Donut

Staunton event in 20th year
July 12, 2008 - 4:51PM
By AMBER RUSSELL
For The Telegraph

STAUNTON - Bicycling can be a great way to spend a warm, sunny summer day, but throw in dozens upon dozens of doughnuts and you have the Tour de Donut.

The Tour de Donut, a spoof of the Tour de France bicycle race, celebrated its 20th annual race from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at Staunton City Park.

Prizes were awarded to those who finished with the fastest time, the fastest adjusted time (depending on number of doghnuts eaten) and for most doughnuts eaten.

For every donut eaten, five minutes is taken off a cyclist's time. Pit stop volunteers were scrambling to mark those who had eaten doughnuts so cyclists could hop back on their bikes and pedal away.

Almost 1,000 cyclists participated in the tour, many from the St. Louis area.

Many participants were trying to eat as many doughnuts as possible, while others were skittish about eating too many and biking along the hilly trail.

Eduardo Nieuwenhuyzen of St. Louis said he wasn't concerned about the race or the doughnuts.

"I just like wearing tight clothes," Nieuwenhuyzen said, joking about his spandex outfit.

Mike Tillman of Godfrey said his goal was "to finish and not barf."

"This event is very well-organized and all the volunteers have been great," Tillman said.

Staunton residents lined the streets to show support for the cyclists - handing out water and giving encouragement and loud cheers. One little boy had a lemonade stand set out for the racers.

The tour started in Staunton and progressed to Prairietown for the first stop. The first few droves of cyclists rode past the doughnut stop because they were concerned about making good time. But many stayed and chowed down on the doughy baked goods.

The second stop was at American Legion Post No. 564 in Worden. Hundreds of cyclists stopped there to refresh and refuel before finishing the last 14-mile leg of the race back to Staunton. The race was a total of 32 miles, mimicking the Tour de France.

American Legion Post member David Vers said the post has set up the stop for cyclists since 1988, when the tour first began.

"It is a great thing, and the people really seem to have a good time," Vers said. "It's a healthy activity, even with the doughnuts, because the biking burns off those calories anyway."

Steve Striker of Edwardsville planned to eat at least 24 doughnuts. He was working on 20 doughnuts when he reached the Worden pit stop.

"I don't think I'll make my goal. It's tough to hold it back now," Striker said as he was shoving five doughnuts into his mouth.

First-time participant Blake Stevens of Edwardsville said the ride was fun.

"I got to see some guy puke after eating 25 doughnuts, so that was interesting," Stevens said.

Bill Schmaltz of St. Louis joked about the cyclists from Illinois lagging behind the rest. He said his goal is to eat seven doughnuts and finish the race under one hour and 35 minutes.

"This is fun, in a gluttonous kind of way," Schmaltz said.

At noon, the cyclists were invited to join Staunton residents at their third annual Rib Cook-Off and Block Party in the park.

Jerry and Stephanie Kapp of Edwardsville decided to make it a family event and brought their daughter Laura along for the race.

"There is a really good mixture of people here, with all races of bikes," Jerry Kapp said. "The support from the locals was really great, we had a lot of fun and a lot of laughs out there, too."

Kapp said he almost skipped the race because of the smell of barbecue floating through the air, but he went ahead and completed the tour first.

Tour prizes were first-, second- and third-place medals in each category, two new Trek Bikes and a golden helmet was awarded to the participant who traveled farthest to compete in the race. Cash prizes were given to the men and women who ate the most doughnuts, and attendance prizes were given to all who participated.

Tour de Donut is presented by Boeing Employees Bicycle Club and is held each year in Staunton. For information, visit http://www.bikereg.com/.

Justice is Served?

SOURCE: Eric Leonard/KFI News

Monday, July 7, 2008

A doctor faces felony assault with a deadly weapon charges after he allegedly – intentionally – caused a collision with two bicyclists in Mandeville Canyon.

An emergency room physician faces felony assault with a deadly weapon charges after he allegedly – intentionally – caused a collision with two bicyclists in Mandeville Canyon in Pacific Palisades July 4.

Dr. Christopher Thompson, 58, posted $30,000 bail shortly after his arrest at the scene of the crash and is due in court next month, according to booking records.

“It had to be road rage,” said trainer Ron Peterson, who said he and a friend, Christian Stoehr, were cycling down the canyon when a red Infinity sped past them and the driver yelled something.

“He barely missed me.”

Then, Peterson said the driver pulled in front of them, slammed on his brakes, and with no time to stop, he and Stoehr hit the car at almost 30 miles per hour

“My bike hit the trunk of his car, and that launched me almost through the back window,” Peterson said. Bits of glass had to be removed from his face, and he required dozens of stitches to reattach his nose and close a bleeding wound on his chin.

“This person, who apparently is an E.R. doctor got out of his car, [but] as far as I remember didn’t offer me any medical assistance,” Peterson said in a telephone interview Monday.

Thompson did not immediately return a message left on his private voicemail.

Mandeville Canyon residents and cyclists usually get along, but Peterson and other riders admit there are occasional road-sharing disputes.

7.6.8 No Brakes Anniversary Race

Last night at the shop we checked manifests and made silkscreens.



There were about 40 racers and it looked like a pretty tough race based on the layout and number of checkpoints. An after party was held at the lamplighter in ATL, but I must confess: I was too beat from working on bikes all day and staying late to work the checkpoint. I needed some rest!

I'll follow up later with a list of winners if I can track them down. Also, I'd like to personally congratulate the folks at No brakes on their ONE YEAR anniversary. Keep on trackin'

How I miss the old days...

By today's standards, these tricks might seem a bit weak and unrefined. However -- in the 80's, these guys were heroes. Please take the time to examine the awesome colors and excessive framework of these bikes! The just don't make em like that anymore (maybe that's a good thing?). I'd like to think that we've come along way, but It's hard to imagine anything cooler than 80's BMX bikes.

Courteous Mass

Start: Jul 11 2008 - 6:30pm
End: Jul 11 2008 - 8:00pm

Location: Woodruff Park

Two Fridays after June's critical mass, there will be a "Courteous mass"

• Everyone will ride no more than two abreast, only taking up the rightmost lane of traffic.

• Everyone will also obey all traffic laws (including stop signs!).

• No stopped cars will be passed on the right (unless there is a bike lane).

This ride isn't intended as a protest, or as something to piss off motorists. It's simply an experiment, and of course, another chance to ride bikes!

Pass it on!

"We're on a mission from God"

Another fact:
A good used bicycle costs less than a single tank of gas.

Think about it.

Sopo is now open Wednesdays.

We had a volunteer meeting & a short volley of follow-up emails and response was overwhelmingly positive...

The Result: Sopo is now open Wednesdays from 7-10pm!

Here is the official statement:

"The community has spoken. We're adding Wednesday night shop hours (7 pm - 10 pm) starting next week. Let's try it out for the summer and see where it takes us!

Of course, we can only keep it going if we have enough volunteers. Next Volunteer Orientation is on Monday, June 16, at 7 pm, at the Sopo shop. Remember...we're a teaching shop, so being a volunteer means allowing people to turn a wrench from themselves and treating everyone equally!"

Get your fix on at http://www.sopobikes.org

More Biketacular Things!

This is going to be a very cool workshop in which one can watch and/or participate in the building of a set of bubblegum pink Deep Vees. The skills learned in this workshop should be enough for anyone to start building and truing wheels. I know I could sure use to learn how to true a bit better!

Scenes from the Brownwood Bike Rally

Registration + Information


The Dream Team


Chain Reaction Stunt Team


With Video!


@ the Sopo tent

Brownwood Bike Rally!

Show us how you roll!

June 7, 2008 -- 9 am - 2 pm

Brownwood Park in East Atlanta
602 Brownwood Avenue
Atlanta, GA 30316

Race, Volunteer, or Support
this fun neighborhood event

Rally Events Include:

* Street Bike and Cyclocross-Track Races
for Kids and Adults
* Bike Rodeo for Kids
* Stunt Bike Shows
* Rally Prizes - Cash & Trophies
* Face Painting & Games
* Funky Bike Contest
* Food & Drinks

Free for Kids 5 to15

$10 for Adult Fun Races

$25 for Adult Cyclocross-Track Races

Pre-Register at Active.com

All proceeds benefit the East Atlanta Kids Club

Pay Attention When Operating Your Murdermobile.

Warning: graphic images ahead.

MONTERREY, Mexico (AP) -- A car plowed into a weekend bike race along a highway near the U.S.-Mexico border, killing one and injuring 10 others, police said.



The 28-year-old driver was apparently drunk and fell asleep when he crashed into the race, said police investigator Jose Alfredo Rodriguez.



A photograph taken by a city official showed bicyclists and equipment being hurled high into the air by the collision.



Rodriguez said Juan Campos was charged with killing Alejandro Alvarez, 37, of Monterrey. Authorities said the wreck happened 15 minutes into the 34-kilometer (21 mile) race Sunday along a highway between Playa Bagdad and Matamoros, across from Brownsville, Texas.



Campos said he is an American citizen living in Brownsville. The U.S. Consulate could not immediately confirm that. "We are looking into the incident in terms of whether American citizens were involved," consulate spokesman Todd Huizinga said.

Article Source: AP

Scenes from Wonderkat - May 2008

Our first ever Alley Cat race was a huge success. Thanks to all who helped and participated. We raised money for the Sopo Bicycle Co-op and partied in honor of the grand opening of the WonderRoot Community Arts Center. Below are about 12,000 words.

Above: Rachel's infinitely sweet Soma Rush.
Below: The Wonderkat line-up



And they're off!

30+ riders endured the rigors of a city-wide route. It was amazing to see this many entrants in the race. Roughly 1/3 of them were racing in their first 'cat!

Each stop had an opportunity for riders to gain extra points. The High Museum of Art stop was by far the coolest. The Racers were each asked to paint a bicycle on a black canvas. Here is the result:



After the race, there was a sick grand opening party at WonderRoot in Reynoldstown:



Hand made trophies were issued:





Prizes were doled out:



The crowd was fired up!



Beer, Wine and Rock-n-Roll were on tap.



We drank, smiled and even snuggled a little.

Atlanta is rapidly becoming a very bike-centric city. There is a certain undeniable energy in the scene here. We are getting stronger and more organized and it is showing through our work. Hats off to all!

Upcoming Alley Cat!

Meatpower is co-sponsoring an upcoming Alleycat race with our friends at Wonder Root and Skid Row. The race is Saturday, May 31 at 7:00pm (the day after critical mass and a few hours before the Faster Mustache party.) The race starts at Parkgrounds and ends at the Wonder Root Community Art Center (both in Reynoldstown.) Cost is Five bucks, and all proceeds go to benefit the Sopo Bicycle Co-Op. Below is the flyer: PASS IT ON!

Bicycle Adventures in Savannah

Welcome to Savannah, GA, the city of:



Old Things.



Uppity Coffee house bathrooms.



Puffy-haired Telecaster jams.



Barbecue so good, it has to apologize.



Gigantic religious edifices.



Haunted garden statues.



The death of Lady Liberty.



Ahem... belly dancers with hands full o' fire.



Quaint little downtowns.



The worst bicycle trail ever perpetrated.



No, seriously, look at this crap.



Resty Feets.



Bike porn photo ops.



Just kidding! -- Memorial Day hordes.



More Resty Feets.



Flat tires in the middle of a 20 mile stretch of barren swamplands.
All in all, a great time. More adventures will surely follow.

Outdoor Bike Porn

40 Miles round trip on the Silver Comet Trail = A great sense of accomplishment + A baboon's butt.

Allow me also to point out the must-have accessory of the year: The double under-seat water bottle cage contraption...

Get out and ride, before it gets hot enough to have a heat stroke!

Corkscrew

It's Midnight in Atlanta on a Tuesday. The streets are quiet, the shops are closed. Corkscrew, however, is open. 5 riders climb to the top for a view of the city before plunging down the spiral in a series of controlled skids. Wednesday will be a day for replacing rear tires.

Velodrome.

Atlanta has one: http://dicklanevelodrome.com/

And so it begins.

[AP]
Gas prices knock bicycle sales, repairs into higher gear
Sunday May 11, 1:07 pm ET
By James Macpherson, Associated Press Writer

$4-a-gallon gasoline knocking bicycle sales, repairs into a higher gear, dealers say

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) -- Four-dollar-a-gallon gas is good for business -- if you run a bike shop. Commuters around the country are dusting off their old two-wheelers -- or buying new ones -- to cope with rising fuel prices, bicycle dealers say.

"Everyone that comes in the shop is talking about the gas prices," said Barry Dahl, who opened Barry's Bikes in Bismarck in April. He sold more than 50 bicycles in the first month, double the projections in his business plan.

Teacher Joyce McCusker of Herndon, Va., owns a bicycle for the first time in years. She bought it last month and uses it to make the eight-mile trip home from work. A friend drives her pickup to take McCusker's daughter home from school.

"I'm still using fossil fuel," she said. "In two years, my goal is to ride both ways, every day through the year."

About 18 million bicycles have been sold annually in the U.S. over the past few years, accounting for about $6 billion in annual sales, said Fred Clements, executive director the National Bicycle Dealers Association in Costa Mesa, Calif.

Bicycle shops across the country are reporting strong sales so far this year, and more people are bringing in bikes that have been idled for years, he said.

"People are riding bicycles a lot more often, and it's due to a mixture of things but escalating gas prices is one of them," said Bill Nesper, spokesman for the Washington. D.C.-based League of American Bicyclists.

"We're seeing a spike in the number of calls we're getting from people wanting tips on bicycle commuting," he said.

The League of American Bicyclists is promoting Bike-to-Work Week this week and Bike-to-Work Day on May 16. Nesper said he expects a record number of people will be pedaling this year.

There's almost nowhere for the numbers to go but up: The group says less than one-half of 1 percent of Americans ride a bike to work.

Mark Krenz, 48, is giving it a try. The Bismarck auto-parts store manager recently spent $750 on the 24-speed bike and is building up his mileage to prepare for his hilly commute.

"In this business, everybody is constantly talking about how to save gas," Krenz said. "I bought a bike because I figure it's a good way to save money, get in shape and save wear and tear on my pickup."

Rocky Schell, owner of Val's Cycle in Minot, said this may be one of the best years in the history of the shop, started by his father in 1960.

It's seeing a spike in the number of tuneups and repairs, which had been declining for the past 15 years. Schell said he's also selling lots of bike trailers designed to haul children -- customers are using them for groceries instead.

A big percentage of Schell's customers haven't been on a bike in decades.

"I'm seeing more people my age or older coming in," said Schell, 51. "The college-age kids to 30-year-olds aren't the ones coming in. They still want to drive."

Dahl, the Bismarck bike shop owner, said he's worked several on "dusty and rusty" bicycles that hadn't been ridden in at least 25 years. He said many families have told him that that they intend to go on a bicycle tour this summer instead of driving somewhere for vacation.

"Millions of people have bicycles hanging in the garage and they're getting them down and riding them," said Rebecca Anderson, advocacy director for Trek Bicycle Corp. "People are looking at the bicycle as more than just a toy."

The Waterloo, Wis.-based company last year started a program called One World, Two Wheels to promote bicycles for transportation and recreation. Anderson said that about 40 percent of trips by car are 2 miles or less -- "a habit for some people to get in a car and drive just a few blocks."

Clive Greenberg, a salesman at Metro Bicycles in New York City, said spin cycling classes at health clubs, where people use stationary bikes for a workout, also are spurring bicycle sales.

"It's pretty interesting, a good majority of middle-age people involved in that spinning craze at the gym used to come in and buy cycling shoes," he said. "Now they are getting on real bikes."

Engineer Dale Heinert said he's been seeing more fellow bicycle commuters on his daily trek to work in downtown Bismarck.

Heinert, 56, started cycling to work when the price of gas began skyrocketing -- in 1973. But that isn't the only reason for choosing pedal power: "It's a stress-reliever," he said.

Steve Stelton, 47, of Bismarck, was inspired by Greg LeMond's 1986 Tour de France victory and has been commuting year-round ever since. He said he's physically fit because of it and has saved "a ton of money on gas."

Stelton, a printer, doesn't let North Dakota's cold, windy weather slow him down. He said he's ridden to work on snow-covered roads when the wind chill temperature was 40-below zero.

"If you waited for a bluebird day to ride to work in North Dakota," he said, "you'd never do it."

Hipster Dumpster.

I'm particularly proud of this bike. It started off as a long-neglected Miyata cross frame. I stripped, sanded and painted it in mustard yellow and baby blue. The paint came out fantastic.



This one has a 26" Spin carbon wheel and specialized Fat Boy tire in front for bar spins. The headtube guts are stock rebuilt, but I added a threadless adapter to run the Ritchey stem and chopped riser bars. Oury grips, of course :)




Stock rebuilt bottom bracket and "Custom" crank set. Teeny-tiny chain ring with a bell chain in brown and gold. That's mated to a 14t cog which sits on a black Alex 450 wheel. The tire is a grey-wall Bontrager. This bike has bottle bosses on the top AND bottom of the frame. The final build of the bike had Christophe pedals with steel cages.



I eventually replaced that Magna seat with a Trek in brown and gold. All in all this bike rides ridiculously well and is great for flatland tricks or just ghetto cruisin'. SOLD

Rallison's Sexxymobile

Shown above with the ever-awesome (and also sexxy) Rachel of Sopo bike co-op. This bike was assembled as a secret project over the course of a couple weeks.

It's a late 50's "Foremost" (Montgomery Ward) frame in original paint and decal. I spent a whole day detailing the disassembled frame. It had such cool paintwork and patina, I couldnt bring myself to refinish it.

I kept the original headset, bottom bracket, cottered cranks and barefoot pedals, but added the following:

• Weinman DP 18 wheels in blue. The rear has a coaster brake!
• Origin8 mustache bar wrapped in sweet blue Fizik bar tape.
• Brooks B67 Saddle w/ vintage saddle bag
• NOS Gold 1/8" BMX Chain
• Specialized Airtool mounted under the top tube

This is one of my favorite projects yet. It now lives with one of my best friends, Rallison. SOLD!

Yeah, I got one too.

The Ubiquitous Bianchi Pista.

Mine's a 55cm in chrome. Many improvements:

• Miche Track hubs laced to Deep V's
• Bulletproof Crank
• Carbon Seat Post + Cozy Specialized Seat
• FSA Headset
• Redline bars
• Shimano Sora Brake + Cross Lever
• Red Oury Grips
• Red & Blue TT Pad by Top K
• A pair of Green Knog Frogs.

This is -- in fact -- how I roll. SOLD!

Don't mess with the ATL

fdisk003 - Critical Mass Atlanta [April 08] from fdisk on Vimeo.

My Empty Nest.

Well, I had about 7 bikes here last month and now I'm down to just one ridable one -- A Bianchi Pista. I know, everyone has one, and It sort of goes against my DIY / Dumpster bike mentality, but I got an awesome deal on it used and it's just so fast and aggressive. Never fear, bike fans, I've got a beautiful project bike I'm building up to take Bromleigh's place. More to come soon...including pics of the aforementioned Pista. Afterall, what's a bike blog without bike porn?

Ketchup and Mustard.

This is an early 80's Scott Road bike. Originally intended as a 27" multi-speed bike, I decided to make some changes to it. It's now running vintage 26 x 1/38 wheels with a proper single speed conversion. Old school profile crankset and beartrap pedals. Vintage Schwinn saddle & plenty of sweet little touches round out this budget beater.



The upside-down mustache is coming for you. This is my last one, I promise. New BMX stem, MX grips, and track grips on the rest of the bar give you many useful riding positions and cover up the rust!



Reversible top tube pad has "BMX" printed inside of a lightning bolt on the other side. I'm not kidding. check out the spoke protector and old-school everything on this bike. Check the pimpin' aluminum seat clamp and quick release.



Everything on this bike was rebuilt, re-packed and set up correctly. It rides really easily and is in great shape for its age. There is Some rust which could be sanded out by someone with a little more scruples than I. SOLD!

Picnic!

This is the nicest bike I've built up to date. The Picnic is a 52 cm 1987 Schwinn Sprint with very good condition original paint. She sits on a pair of Mavic CXP22 700c fixed gear wheels. She has a specialized (by Sugino) Crank and FSA 48 tooth sprocket mated to a nice 16t cog. New SRAM chain, New Specialized seat. Sweet handmade picnic cloth top tube pad by Top K.



I chopped and flopped the original bars and wrapped em in "pepto pink" Cinelli Bar tape. The front brake caliper is original, but I mated it to a nice two finger lever on the right side.



Dingy bell from target matches the bike perfectly. Basic clip-in pedals work great for skid stops. or just cruising around. All brackets rebuilt and properly greased up. Almost all parts are new or have less than 100 miles on them. She rides like a dream.



A view of the cog and chainline. it's straight and tidy. Note the Subliminator sticker for a frame guard. Heh! SOLD!

I took a spill.

For the first time in 2 years, I bailed. I was riding my fixie in a parking lot and trying to learn how to skid stop with one foot off. I lost balance and went over on my right side. My elbow and knee pounded the pavement. Oof.

It was a great feeling at the time, I laughed it off and got right back up. Unfortunately, now I'm all hurty. However, the thing that REALLY hurts is that my fresh white bar tape got completely shredded. Lucky for me, I had some pink tape left over from the Flying duchess build. Unlucky for me, IT'S PINK! BLAH.



Cornflakes, anyone?

The truth about fixed gear bikes and the people that ride them.

1.) Fixed gear riders aren't all hipsters. I happen to be a big, fat nerd. I am also a tinkerer. It works for me. I will NEVER wear skinny jeans. I will continue listening to classic rock, and I will still dumpster-dive for the illest parts on my bikes.

2.) Fixed gear riders aren't any more pretentious per-capita than any random cross-section of people anywhere in the world. You are either a douchebag or not. Owning a fixed gear bike does not make you a fucktard by default. Mommy, Daddy, and television have more influence on that than what kind of bike you own.

3.) Most fixed gear riders are not exclusive to fixed gear. I am proof of that. I love all types of bikes. I own 5 different set-ups at any given time (all of which are low-buck rides.) These days, I mostly yearn for a dope old-school BMX. However, a more likely scenario is the whole "once you go fixed, you cant go back" thing. Riding a fixed gear is like walking barefoot in the grass, whereas riding a tech-enabled bike is like wearing some comfy shoes that are a bitch to lace up.

4.) Nobody in their right mind would give you shit if you use a front brake and/or helmet when riding fixed. Recently I've seen articles written by non-fixed gear riders who have claimed that helmets and brakes are frowned upon by fixed riders -- that is utter BS. Safety is good! The real issue is idiot writers sensationalizing the "movement" and making fixed riders look like thugs. We may not be the most delicate flowers out there, but we certainly aren't brash, ignorant retards who would break someones balls for wanting to live.

5.) Riding fixed gear makes you a better rider in less time. Much like riding trail or freestyle, fixed riding provides a special connection to advanced riding technique. Seeing BMX tricks work their way into the fixed gear lexicon only bolsters that. Fixed riders pedal more, burn more calories, develop keen senses, and become very in tune with their riding environment very quickly. It's do or die!

Theres plenty more to say on this. I just had to rant a bit after reading some of the trash talk that's been published lately. MEH.

The Flying Duchess

Fans of my blog might remember this bike. She used to be called "The Duchess of Reynoldstown." She has since been transformed into a hipster queen.



Vuelta 700c wheelset, SRAM chain, Shimano Sora brake caliper connected to an old-school MX lever and pink Cinelli bar tape on the chop-n-flopped bars



16t fixed track cog + barefoot pedals = class and comfort, baby.



Old school springy seat and original one-piece cranks. Ghetto checkerboard top-tube pad made from a BMX handlebar pad. Hell yeah, she rocks a chain guard. SOLD!

Broken Hearts and Bicycle Parts!

Broken Hearts and Bicycle Parts
Alley Cat and Benefit Show February 15-17, 2008

Friday, February 15:
Broken Hearts and Bicycle Parts
Benefit Show at Lenny's Bar (21+)

with
Judi Chicago
One Hand Loves the Other
Atlanta Sedition Orchestra and
the Kiwis!

Now featuring the Hot Toddies Flaming Cabaret during the Skids-n-Tricks Competition!

Enjoy Raffle Prizes, our SUV Piñata, Custom Air Brush Merch, and more!

Doors at 9. Skids-n-Tricks around 9:30.

Saturday, February 16:
Alley Cat and After-Party at Sopo (all ages)

It's a PARTNERS scavenger hunt. $12 to enter as a single person, $10 each to enter as a couple.

Register at 6 at 11:11 Teahouse. Ride at 7.

With Awards, Food, Booze, the Bicycle Blender, Dancing, DJ Kellen John Kid Danger, and more!

Sunday, February 17:
11 am - Vegan Brunch and Bike-In Movie at 11:11 Teahouse (all ages)

Brought to you by Lady Shop. Treats by Dulce Vegan, Highland Bakery, and Ria's Bluebird.

Son of the Dump

Here is a peculiar bike. This ride started its life as a vintage Concord City Slicker. It had been rotting under a stairwell for a couple years, and as such was in disarray. The first thing I did was strip all the paint and grind every cable guide and cantilever brake mount clean off. Next, I primed and painted it two-tone aqua and brown with gold pin striping. I then began to dive in my parts bins for interesting bits to finish it out with.



This bike is for big kids. I'm 5' 9" and can ride it, but it definitely feels a bit big. I would suggest a taller dude or dame to take this one off my hands. Yeah, The fork is damn ugly in a good way. It's covered in mod-podge. Of course, the upside-down mustache bar makes an appearance, as do he NOS MX grips and front brake only. Fenders, 26 x 1 3/8 wheels + tires and plenty of used parts round out the bill.



Fixed gear? Check!



Trick accessories? how about a top-tube protector made from white cork bar tape and yellow electrical tape? How about a water bottle cage? Son of the Dump is ready to ride. SOLD!

Fixing the Silver Comet

I took a 23 mile ride on the Silver Comet Trail last Sunday. I wanted to see what it was all about, and also, to test one of my new builds out. I got tons of dirty looks from the Aero-bar set, Including a very intentional buzzing from a prick on a $4000 abomination of discs and computers. All that aside, above you will find a secret iPhone photo of the new low-dolla whip. She's not completely done yet, but I can tell you the following:

1.) $20 frame - 1987 Schwinn Sprint (Giant-made, round badge)

2.) Mavic half-dish wheels lifted from Bromleigh. (Bromleigh has new wheels in the mail...)

3.) $35 Specialized 170mm crank set (actually a Sugino with re-brand if I'm not mistaken.)

4.) Temporary saddle and flat bar. The finished bike will feature the original bars, chopped and flopped, with a proper saddle ($35.)

5.) $30 hand-sewn top tube pad by Keenan (of Outback Bikes)

6.) $20 clip in pedals

7.) $12 1/8" chain

8.) re-used all BB and HT guts, and original front brake with cheap MX lever.

Oh yeah, she's geared 44/16, which has become my calling card for the slightly hilly Atlanta terrain.

The reason I've posted all these prices is that I wanted to show how cheap and easy it is to build up a nice fixie. Many people tend to start with the ever-popular Chrome Pista ($550) and then add to that. I was recently talking to a guy who was into his for $1200! Now, for all intents and purposes, the Pista is a rad little scoot, but I am a huge Mike Watt disciple, and take "Jamming Econo" to heart. I like to do things ON THE CHEAP! The Mavic wheels are a mid-range item ($200) and I also ended up buying a new $35 saddle for this bike. Total cost is ~ $350. If I had gone with Vuelta wheels, I could have built it for $250.

So, the morals of this post are: It can be done cheaply. It can be done effectively, It can be fun, It can be good exercise. To further communicate that point I'm going to be building a $200 custom-painted fixie for auction. I will start the bidding at precisely what I am into it for. You can determine the value of good labor :) One more thing, due to my dumpster-diving luck She will be for a taller rider. Check back soon.

Happy Trails!

-R

Rest In Peace, Sheldon Brown.

Sheldon Brown
cyclist, ambassador, more
(July 14, 1944 - February 3, 2008)

I'm not good with words in times like these. So I'll repost the article from VeloNews:

Bike-tech wizard Sheldon Brown died of a heart attack on Sunday. He was 63.

The longtime webmaster and tech guru for Harris Cyclery in West Newton, Massachusetts, had suffered for some years with a mystery ailment that was finally diagnosed as primary progressive multiple sclerosis, which eventually took him off his two-wheelers and into the saddle of a recumbent trike. In typical fashion, Brown took the upbeat view of his illness, writing on one of his many websites that MS was “not so much a "tragedy" as a Really Major Inconvenience.

Many a cyclist came to know Brown through his technical articles at the Harris Cyclery website (www.harriscyclery.com). He seemed to know at least something about absolutely everything, from servicing English three-speeds to wheel-building to modern single-speed conversions, and generously fielded questions via e-mail and on the Usenet newsgroup rec.bicycles.tech from experts and newbies alike.

After falling ill, he continued to write extensively — about bikes, trikes and the maintenance thereof, MS, films, books and the 2008 presidential campaign, during which his allegiance gradually shifted from Hillary Clinton to Barack Obama, in part because his daughter, Tova, was working for him. She, along with son George and wife Harriet Fell, are among those who survive him.

A pair of Brown’s colleagues — VeloNews technical writer Lennard Zinn and Bicycle Retailer & Industry News tech editor Matt Wiebe — have written short pieces to mark his passing. You can read Zinn’s tribute here and Wiebe’s obituary here.

Two new builds in the works.

1. Got me a cherry Schwinn Sprint frame for $20 while helping out at SoPo. I added a nice specialized single speed crank and a mean set of chopped flat bars. She needs wheels and a chain and I'll have her posted. Was originally gonna build a coaster brake bike out of it, but now I'm considering making her more of a proper track bike, since my other fixies are both built on relaxed touring platforms. She may be up for sale, or may join the arsenal, who knows?

2. Converting a large 80's MTB frame into some kind of fixie or cruiser. Not exactly sure yet. the bike had more accessories and crap on it than any I've ever re-worked. I can't express how difficult it is to grind off cantilever brake stems with a Dremel tool. I painted the frame a rich Aqua today. depending on how it goes, I may trim in gold. It would look pretty badass...

My first real whip

Back in 1985, I had been already saving my allowance and Christmas money for a few years. There were two things I wanted...The first was a really fast R/C car (A Tamya Hornet); The second was a Hutch Pro Raider.



If memory serves, this bike cost about $400 in 1985. That was a huge load of money for an 8 year old boy. I drained my bank account and went down to Miami Lakes to buy it.

I had this bike for a long time. The neighborhood kids were really mean to me for owning it, calling it a "fake" because they simply couldn't believe I had one -- Meh, jealousy does weird things to adolescents.

I sold my Pro Raider as an early teenager. Oddly enough, it came back to me a few years later with white mags. I kept it until I discovered mountain biking. The rest, is history.

Bromleigh grows a mustache

I hadn't ridden in a week. I needed motivation. $20 later I'm in love with riding again. It's funny how putting something new on a bike can rekindle the fire. Mustache bars are just so rad. That's all!

P.S. I ordered a sweet chainring too. More pics when it arrives.

Dammit!

This was my "first" road bike. It is a vintage Lotus road bike I got it as partial trade for a guitar I sold. It came as a box of parts and a poorly painted flat black frame. This current incarnation is probably the 3rd or 4th build I have done on the bike. In all honesty, It's a bit tall for me.

She got new 27" x 1" Sunrims and Panaracer tires. I chopped and flopped the original drop bars and re-wrapped them with some nice white cork. That is a "Nerd Parade" sticker on the head tube.

She also got brand new pedals and toe clips, new gold chain, new Godspeed single speed conversion, and new 20t rear freewheel. The front chain ring is a 52. The paint is all rattle-can, and has 4 or 5 coats of clear on it to make it look quite good. You can turn this bike into a fixie simply by adding a fixed cog to the flip-flop wheel.

This is probably my most solid commuter bike. It rides quite well, has two good brakes, tons of new parts, and has been rebuilt from top to bottom regularly, with lots of love. -- SOLD!

The Dump (A.K.A. The Secret Life Bike)

This bike was once a crappy department-store (Magna) MTB that someone dumped in the street right in front of my house. My goal with this one was to create a bike from only spare parts and invest nothing. I came pretty close. There are three new parts on this bike: the stem, brake caliper, and funky white pedals. Everything else was recycled from my stash of parts, including the paint, which was left-over from the Garelli project.

View of the inverted mustache bars, mod-podge fork (wrapped in old shirt and band flyer clippings). Note the vintage bmx-cross grips, ala 1970's. The seat is from a vintage Murray ladies bike which I am currently planning to do something retarded to.

A better view of the grips and bars. I'm reppin' The Secret Life, an Atlanta electronic band with the fly sticker (you can also kinda see one of my own "R.Garcia" stickers. The new stem came as part of a vintage NOS BMX parts auction on ebay. (most of my bikes will have some of this stuff on them till I run out.)

The wheels and tires are recycled from my Lotus road bike, which is currently evolving into a proper single-speed. The dust cap is purple -- yuck -- but it's there because I used a vintage bottom bracket that has no way of keeping grime out of the bearings.

This bike was all blood, sweat and tears...and gets tons of attention. -- SOLD!

My Darling Rollfast

This is my personal Fixie. I bought this frame and fork on Craigslist for $15. It's probably the only one like it in all of the South. From what I know, these are department-store bikes from the 60's or 70's using the same name as the famous Pre-War Rollfast bikes. Check out the "GT style" geometry on the back end of the frame.



She rides on Mavic half-vee 700c wheels, and features New MX brake levers, chopped aluminum flatbar and NOS ATI BMX grips. Mounting that modern brake caliper took an act of god, and a stepped metal drill-bit.

A view of the used profile chainring, NOS blue anodized BMX pedals and one-piece crank. She also got a fresh new chain. In fact, most of the parts on this bike had to be tracked down seperately, since it was just a frame and fork set when I bought it. The other side of the bottom bracket has a mushroom cap covering it. That's so 80's! Oh, she's geared 42/16, and meant for cruisin'.



Here is her booty. That's a brooks B67 I found used. It still cost me more than twice what the frame did. the seat post is one of the thinnest I've seen. luckily I had a bracket laying around to fit it! SOLD.

Single Speed Garelli

This bike started its life as a frame with corresponding box of junk. It's a 49 or 50cm Garelli which has been converted to single speed. It features custom 2-color rattlecan paint with gold pin striping, new tubes and tires, new 42t chain ring and chain, new MX brake lever, and specialized hybrid grips. Every other part was recycled from the original bike, except the chopped flatbar, which came from a discarded department store mountain bike.

Check out the old-school center-pull brake. This bike probably has the shortest run of brake line I've ever used. The slight rise on the bars makes it a pleasant ride.

Another sweet touch: Old-school butterfly quick-releases for the front wheel.

A view of the original quilted vinyl seat. Note the re-sprayed crank star. It shines like new. Also, check out that gnarly hill-climbing gear ratio! This photo was taken while I waited for my new chain tool to arrive (I eventually made the gear ratio a little peppier.)

I can repeat this process on just about any bike, assuming the parts are all there. Why buy a department store bike? RECYCLE! -- SOLD!