This is a great little video on the importance of US made products, featuring New Balance and Firefly Bicycles. America is for the makers!
-B
Author Archives: Brian
Made in America: New Balance & Firefly Bicycles
FASTHEFACTORY: Stone Free JHT Mountain Bike
In the spirit of the earlier post today, here’s an awesome rigid carbon 29er straight outta Modena, Italy. Valerio sent me these photos of the Stone Free JHT 29er by FASTHEFACTORY and of course, I had to share. This bike is rad. No, it’s not just another carbon bike…it’s actually constructed of proprietary carbon honeycomb tubing that’s 30% lighter than standard cRabon and also 30% stiffer. You’d normally only see this type of carbon in Formula 1 cars, but the folks at FASTHEFACTORY were lucky enough to come in contact with a former F1 engineer who has since started producing honeycomb carbon tubes for bicycles.
As you begin to digest this bike, you’ll see that it’s also equipped with a tapered headtube going from 1 1/8″ to 1 1/2″ for added stiffness and also features a strip of kevlar along the downtube for added protection from anything your front tire may kick up. Oh yeah, this frame is only 859 grams too. Check it out in further detail below.
-B
Sh(r)edding the Stress
I’ve really been in the mood shred mountain bikes lately. Unlike previous years, we haven’t had much of a mud season this spring – allowing for earlier access to all my favorite trails. However, I’ve been working overtime for months now and haven’t been able to ride as much as I’d like. It sucks. But the good news is that summertime is right around the corner and I anticipate my workload plateauing – at least I really hope it does. A PMA is the only thing that’s been getting me by. Well…that and skateboarding, of course.
All work and no play is no good at all; this is a fact. As mentioned, I’ve been skating a bunch which helps offset my stress levels, but what I really need is a lung burning climb on the ‘ole mtb or a long dirt road ride to really clear my mental slate. Skating is great ’cause it’s usually a stress-free and social environment, often accompanied by beer drinking and great friends; all things that help to de-stress after a long day. Sure, cycling can also work wonders for my mental well-being, but I prefer to ride first thing in the morning before the day’s had it’s way with me. I find that I’m more inclined to explore and am better at torturing myself, especially if I haven’t already been doing so at a desk all day.
Anyway, expect to see a bit more skate content making its way onto these pages in the weeks to come in addition to the top-quality cycling content you’ve come to expect from Culture Cycles. This shot above was taken by my good friend Tommy DeLitto at a spot here in Burlington – first try with this hurricane too!
-B
Cycles d’Autremont: Freshly Painted
Hubert just got a couple frames back from paint down at Circle A including a lugged ‘cross frame and a beautifully brazed blurple ridgid mtb frame. I’m really loving the looks of these! And man, seeing the segmented fork reminds me that I gotta make some headway on my latest project: a 1991 Fat City Monster Fat that I picked up at a recent swap here for a killer deal. All I need is a segmented d’Autremont fork, a King 2NUT headset, and a few other choice US-made bits to finish her off. On that note, does anyone want to buy a fat bike?
-B
Motorcycle Roadtrip from PDX to ATX
photos: Jason Finn
Jason Finn, along with his buddy Chester Blacksmith of Wethepeople bmx, have been on quite the epic motorcycle journey this past week as they’re heading from Portland, OR to Austin, TX with camping gear and bmx bikes.
This right here is what I need in my life right now…maybe it’s time to plan a northeast bike / concrete skatepark tour? Who’s with me? August would a great month for such a journey…
Check out more photos of the trip so far on their Tumblr page. Happy Monday.
-B
Urban Cycling Hall of Fame Launch
Today is the official launch of the Urban Cycling Hall of Fame in conjunction with Chrome Industries. The purpose of the UCHOF is to highlight the vibrant culture and history of urban riding. Be sure to check out the official press release below which will give you a full scope on this new organization. To follow along with the latest UCHOF happenings, follow them on Instagram at @UrbanCyclingHOF.
-B… Continue Reading
Tommasini Sintesi by Mobius Cycle
photos: Niki Hurley
You can always count on Niki at Mobius Cycle for building/resorting some of the finest vintage steel bicycles. His attention to detail in not only restoring but also photographing these bicycles is borderline excessive; and that’s a good thing. There’s nothing like giving new life to a bicycle and this Tommasini Sintesi is the perfect example of doing just that: a classic steel frame constructed of Columbus Neuron tubing and dressed in some 11 speed Campy Athena.
I just found out last week that I’ll be heading to Seattle in early June for a week, so hopefully I’ll be able to stop by the Mobius Cycle Studio. Get into the details of this beauty below and have a happy Tuesday.
-B… Continue Reading
Chrome Niko Pack Camera Bag Review
We already know Chrome Industries makes some of the best messenger bags, backpacks, outerwear and utility gear for the urban cyclist, but what about their other offerings? Well, the folks at Chrome have expanded their line to include not only messenger bags, but also a variety of purpose built bags including laptop bags, utility bags and even camera bags.
I’ve had my Ranchero Backpack for over 5 ½ years now, putting it through the ringer day in and day out. My other bags from Chrome have held up just as well. So when given the opportunity to try out the Niko Camera Pack, I had some extremely high expectations.
The Niko Pack is the largest of Chrome’s camera bags. If you’re not looking to carry a bunch of gear, the Niko Messenger and Niko Sling are both great options too. However, I tend to carry a lot of gear so the Pack has been working out wonderfully…(much much more below)
Win a Budnitz Bicycles No. 3 Honey Edition
Have you been longing for your own Budnitz Bicycle? Well, here’s your opportunity for a chance to win a brand new No. 3 Honey Edition from Burlington’s own Budnitz Bicycles. My friends at Budnitz have generously donated a bicycle for Lake Champlain Waldorf School’s biggest fundraiser, the Spring Benefit Gala & Auction. The auction has already started and will run through May 18th. Head over to the Lake Champlain Waldorf School online auction and bid away! The auction started off at $500 and is already up to $950, so hurry up and get your bid on!
Newly located in Burlington, Budnitz Bicycles creates the fastest, lightest, and most beautiful city bicycles in the world. All bicycles feature top-end components, the majority developed for bike racing by small boutique fabricators in the USA, Europe & Japan. Budnitz Bicycles Model No.3 Honey Edition is their ultimate all-around city bicycle with an elegant honey-and-creme makeover. Includes a Brooks honey-leather saddle, matching leather grips, and German-made 2-inch creme tires, Budnitz titanium seatpost, badges, and handlebars. LCWS parent Paul Budnitz created Model No.3 as a very fast bicycle ideal for all conditions of urban riding.
In case you missed the link to the auction, here it is: LCWS Auction
Happy bidding!
-B
Brew Review #11: Oakshire Watershed IPA
I just found my new favorite beer. Okay, it might not be my all-time favorite, but the Watershed IPA by Oakshire Brewing really took a hold of me. If you’re not familiar, Oakshire is a brewery based out of Eugene Oregon that started up back in 2006. If you’ve read my previous beer reviews, you’ll know I like my hops; but only if there’s just as much accompanying flavor. This beer is one of those perfectly balanced IPAs: loaded with hops up front and backed by a piney/citrus finish.
If you’ve ever had the Heady Topper, you’ll know what I mean by balancing the beer’s punch with a palatable overall taste. The Watershed IPA does just that. It’s not super bitter like some IPAs that leave much to be desired. If you see a 6er of this at your local vendor of adult beverages, I’d highly suggest giving it a shot. If you’re looking for a geekier review of this beer, I’d point you to Google – there are a ton of beer nerds out there, I just enjoy sharing my favorites. Cheers.
-B
Still Got Some 40 oz Koozies Left
With summer finally here, what better way to enjoy a warm sunny day than with 40 ice cold ounces of the finest malt liquor? Well, the good news is we’ve still got some Mossy Oak camo 40 oz koozies in stock for $10 shipped domestically. Pick one of these up and the days of warm beer and cold hands will be long gone. Not much of a 40 fan? No problem, we’ve still got some stickers left in stock too as well as a few size small jerseys. New tees are on the horizon as well, so stay tuned. In the mean time head over to the Culture Cycles online shop and support your favorite gang of slackers!
-B
ANIMAL BIKES: The Price Is Wrong Trailer
This should be good. Here’s the trailer for “The Price Is Wrong”, the latest video from Animal Bikes featuring parts from Steven Hamilton, Tom White, Jared Washington, and Dave Belcher.
-B
REW10 WORKS Singlespeed Cyclocross
The folks at Blue Lug really pump out some of the nicest and best looking custom complete bikes. Take this singlespeed REW10 Works cyclocross bike for example: a custom lugged ‘cross frame painted by Cook Paint Works and dressed with some choice bits including some DT Swiss 350s hubs laced to HED Belgium rims and wrapped ion Challenge Limus tires. If Mr. Versatility and Ms. Classy had a lovechild, I have a feeling it’d look something like this bicycle. Check out some more shots below as well as the full spec list.
-B
Col de Pailhères by Paul Calver
photo: Paul Calver
Talk about an incredible view…this is what cyclist’s dream of. I’ve yet to ride anything quite as amazing as the switchbacks in Italy, though I have a feeling the Col de Pailhères in France would give ‘em a run for their money. After climbing all day on Sunday, these riders were awarded with not only this view but also a long, fast and technical descent.
via Cycling Tips
-B