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Origins and Activations: How Ronnie Romance Found Inspiration at Blue Lug Bike Shops

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Origins and Activations: How Ronnie Romance Found Inspiration at Blue Lug Bike Shops

This is a long story. It is a story of Blue Lug‘s influence on me, an interview with the co-founder, and hopefully it will lend some inspiration to American bike shops.

The photos you are seeing are of Blue Lug employee bikes that I shot one after another as we visited each location. We thought it would be cool to document the personal bikes of the build artists whose handiwork you see each day on the Blue Lug Instagram softcore porn for bike nerds.

We will begin with the story of my 650b leather and canvas activation as a lead in…

Sim Works Updates the Doppo ATB All-Terrain

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Sim Works Updates the Doppo ATB All-Terrain

The Doppo ATB has been a popular frame for Sim Works since its original release in 2018. Over the years we’ve documented multiple ATB builds (like this, this, and this) highlighting the frame’s versatility. With the updated model that’s available today, Sim Works has made it even more capable by using a lighter tubing spec, changing from quick-release to 100×12 thru-axles, Paragon rear dropouts, and three-pack mounts on fork legs and underside of the downtube.  Continue reading for more details from Sim Works…

Sim Works Bubbly Pedal Ezy Superior Pedals

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Sim Works Bubbly Pedal Ezy Superior Pedals

Sim Works‘ newest product announcement utilizes the MKS Ezy Superior System with its Bubbly Pedal platform. This system allows for these pedals to be quick-release. Why would you want this? In Japan, it became popular for Shinkansen users who have to break their bike down in a Rinko Bag. We did this with Sim Works on our Mt. Fuji bicycle tour a few years ago. Quick-release pedals make this process all the easier. Other uses could be if you have minimal space in your apartment for bikes. Sometimes removing pedals enables bikes to be hung on a wall closer to each other. For whatever reason you might have the Sim Works Bubbly pedals now come in the MKS Ezy system and are available now at Sim Works for $148.

Want to see more from our Japan trip? See lots of stories in our Related Archives.

Blue Lug Makes Da Brim Look Cool

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Blue Lug Makes Da Brim Look Cool

Chances are, you’ve seen Da Brim before. I know you have. Usually, it’s the cyclo-tourists on the Adventure Cycling Bicycle Route 66, or the TransAmerica Trail that wear these kooky devices.

Let’s be real, skin cancer is a very real threat and keeping your nose, ears, and neck protected from the relentless sun is only going to get more important in the coming years.

Our friends at Blue Lug know how to take a product like Da Brim and make it look cool, meshing safety with fashion.

What do you think? Excessive sunblock? Or a kooky (in a good way) sum brim?

Graphic Artist Iancu Designed a Very Special Ginko Firefly for a Japanese Friend

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Graphic Artist Iancu Designed a Very Special Ginko Firefly for a Japanese Friend

As a designer, sometimes you get a commission that really jives with your hobbies. Graphic artist Iancu met a Japanese Cyclist through the Rapha Cycle Club and designed him a dream bike with Firefly Cycles.

“One of the benefits of being part of an international club, the Rapha Cycling Club, is getting to know great people from all over the world. One of them is Haj, who lives in Miami, US, but was born in Tokyo, Japan.

We’ve been talking about our cycling and Japan interests over the years, and he’s always been very kind and appreciative of my work. He really liked the Quirk bike design I had done before, so he asked if I could help design a bike for him as well. The world-renowned Firefly Bicycles team from Boston were building it. This had all the markings of a dream project, so I said yes, of course.”

Head to Iancu’s Portfolio Site to see the full bike.

Sim Works: New MKS Bubbly Pedal

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Sim Works: New MKS Bubbly Pedal

If MKS is known for anything, it’s their ability to design and construct a no-nonsense pedal with zero required maintenance. However, MKS hasn’t seen many advancements in its catalog over the years, so when a brand like Sim Works reaches out with idea, you get the best of both worlds. The Bubbly pedal is the result of a tight collaborative effort between two Japanese companies, fusing the heritage of MKS with the practical, modern designs of Sim Works. These pedals include a triple-sealed bearing housing, a stainless pedal spindle, and the largest platform of any MKS product to date. The Bubbly comes in black, silver, and a limited edition bronze for $98. They’re in stock and ready to ship today at Sim Works’ webshop!

What Do You Do With All Those Cargo Bosses? Runwell Tools Has an Answer

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What Do You Do With All Those Cargo Bosses? Runwell Tools Has an Answer

These days, if you want a bike to go touring or bikepacking on, you end up with a lot of vacant cargo bosses when you’re not loaded up. Japan’s Runwell Tools makes various cycling accouterments, including these punk, metal studs that screw into cargo bosses. Velo Orange is now the US distributor for Runwell Tools, so head over to their webshop to see all the offerings, which vary from NJS chain tools, hammered stem caps, and handlebar grip shifting knobs for autos. Unfortunately, the punk studs are sold out but they’re expecting more in stock soon!