This stem right here by Map Bicycles is as custom as they get. The bike, built by Bill Stevenson in Olympia, WA, was originally outfitted with a threadless stem and the customer wanted to up the aesthetics a bit. The steerer was threaded, King headset modified for quill compatibility, and a custom 31.8 clamp was fabricated. I especially like the “ears” on this thing (seen in the second photo).
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Photos: Michael Graves
Maybe you’ve heard of Curtis Odom hubs (seen on this Cinelli Supercorsa), but if not you’re in for a treat. There’s not doubt that modern bicycle technology has continued to advance at a rapid rate on all fronts, that’s a fact. But do modern bicycles continue to look as beautiful as their ancestors? That depends.
Curtis Odom creates gorgeous bicycle hubs with an obvious nod to some timeless classics. Take a look at this wheelset built up with Holey & pepper Pot hubs lased & soldered to some wooden Ghisallo rims. Also, get a close-up of the Magneto bearings below and be sure to have a look at the Curtis Odom Flickr – you’ll be there for a while I bet.
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Moment Industries is a new component company out of California specializing in mountain bike rotors, stems, cable guides and shoes (made by DZR). The rotors come in 160, 185, and 203 with the 160 being made with ‘cross bikes in mind. Check out this short video featuring the Storm and Moment rotors.
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I came across Drillium Revival the other day on Flickr and spent a good half-hour, at least, sifting through tons of milled and drilled high-end components. Drillium Revival focuses on a1970′s style milling and drilling process for classic racing components utilizing hand tools, a drill press and a manual milling machine. I highly recommend heading over to the photoset on Flickr with caution; this happens to be one of those “black holes” of the internet, and you will get sucked in. Just don’t say I didn’t warn you.
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Busyman Bicycles is some good stuff. If you’ve been following this blog for a bit, you’ll know I’m a big fan of the custom bicycle saddles. This black perforated saddle sports the Silver Fern of New Zealand.
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Anyone have any experience with the Acros Hydraulic bike shifters / drivetrain? Linear pulll hydraulic shifters and derailleurs. Read more about the tech on the Acros website. What’re your thoughts on innovations like these?
I personally love seeing new tech like this, I mean I posted the Colnago C59 – a road bike with hydraulic disc brakes. But, the fact of the matter is technology as such isn’t always practical. I’ve spent close to 10 years working in bike shops earlier on, and will attest to the fact that the more complicated things get with a bike, the more that they’ll potentially bite you in your ass later on; especially if you’re not mechanically inclined. Bikes have always been relatively simple.
Cables, levers, shifters, clicks, no clicks, indexed or friction…but now mineral oil in the shift lines? I’ll pass, unless someone wants to magically gift me a grouppo. Until then, I’ll keep things simple with my 1×9.
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The new Colnago C59 Disc brake road bike has been stirring up quite the commotion lately. Many are skeptical of hydraulic disc brakes on a road bike, but I love seeing innovation like this. Sure, this is probably causing some old-school curmudgeons to roll over in their graves…but think of the benefits here. You’ll have a perfect excuse to spend way too much money on a new frame and set of wheels…not to mention brakes/shifters.
I can see the argument of the wheels being faster (read:lighter), due to less rotational mass from the lack of a braking surface…although something tells me you’re not going to notice the difference. What do you think of think of this whole concept? I’m still still unsure of the need to make a completely simple machine slightly more complex for minimal gains. I mean I barely used my brakes when I was racing…
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Handmade components are so rad! Jared Souney‘s a lucky guy to have had these custom made brake levers for him by Hufnagel Cycles.
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Busyman Bicycles does it again. This black leather tape with red stitching is the ultimate “icing on the cake” to an already gorgeous Look road bike. Check out more work from Busyman here.
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Always love seeing the saddles from Busyman Bicycles. This custom Fizik Arione was made for the Northside Wheelers and is probably one of my favorites yet after this black leather Arione. See the rest of the latest work from Busyman Bicycles here.
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Ever wondered how some of the best cyclocross tubular tires are made? Head on over to Embrocation Cycling Journal for a full explanation from François Marie, of FMB fame.
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