I’m digging the look of these new Tokyo Fixed Gear jerseys. They’ll be available in a few days. Check out more photos here.
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Radar
Dodici’s Got New Digs
Dodici just posted this up on their blog and I had to give it some love. Digging the new storefront guys. Wish I could be at the party! If you’re in the neighborhood, swing through!
Radar
A Few Shots from Benny Gold
I’ve been to SF a few times over the past year and every time, I’ve made it a point to swing through and see what Benny Gold has been up to. Many people don’t know this but Benny designed the Mash insignia and back in the early 2000’s, he traveled around the world with the crew. While Benny Gold isn’t a cycling brand per se, it’s in his blood. This last trip to SF, I rolled through the shop before heading out of town and chatted with him before leaving. It’s always extremely helpful to get business and creative advice from someone who’s done it all before and if there’s one thing Benny’s got plenty of, it’s experience.
One day, I’d love to work with him on a project. We’ve chatted about it a few times already, maybe something will come of it?
At any rate, check out some more shots from the Benny Gold storefront below and don’t forget to swoop up some of his Valencia Collection in store now. A lot of it is hand made in SF!
Radar
Rec Fail Visits Brooklyn Bikes
Matt Lingo recently took his Fuji Obey track bike in to get some wrench love at Brooklyn Bicycles in San Diego (yes confusing) and he took some photos of Richie Ditta’s 3Rensho pista. I’m just guessing that the top photo is the wheel laced up to this 3Rensho, based on the fork end lug. Pretty snazzy. Check out the rest at Rec Fail.
Reportage
King Kog
It’s hard to introduce this shop without talking about how they were one of the first track bike-specific shops in the US. At the time, you could count them on one hand and King Kog‘s been on people’s radar for almost 10 years. In recent years, King Kog went from a tiny space on an industrial block to a large, full-service bike shop, right off Graham avenue in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. While they still cater to track bikes, King Kog also stocks vintage road bikes and cycling apparel. Chances are, if you’ve got a classic build to finish off, King Kog has that stem you’re looking for and maybe the matching jersey.
Click on the above photo to launch the gallery, or here to open in a new tab.
Reportage
Another Round with LOW
It’s crazy to think that it’s been a year since Chas emailed me, asking me to post about Andrew Low‘s work, leading to a full queue for the SF-based frame builder. He’s been steady cranking away this year at frames, sending them worldwide.
In that time, he’s refined his shop, and over the past few weeks, he’s working on some frame refinements. Faced track ends and finished welds are just a few of the things Andrew’s been working on. I tell ya, if I raced at the track, I’d ride one of these bikes.
Click on the above photo to launch the gallery, or here to open in a new tab.
Radar
Blue Lug: Hunter Cycles Complete Cross
I’m way into this build that Blue Lug compiled for their Hunter Cycles cross frame. Check out more details here, at the Blue Lug Flickr!
Radar
One of My Favorite Headsets
Over the past few years, these Serotta track bikes have been floating around NYC due to them being sold at various swaps in the area. Serotta made these frames for the junior track league at T-Town and they came equipped, full Mavic Pista with my favorite headsets. While the tool is notoriously difficult to find, you can’t beat the aesthetic. It’s like a Campagnolo Contax model (Record, Chorus, C-Record) had a bastard lovechild with a Dura Ace 7200.
I’m still going through my photos from my Shop Visit to King Kog, where this was shot. Expect them to be posted shortly!
Reportage
Kicking Around Kinfolk Studios in Brooklyn
Kinfolk Studios is a space that change every time I visit Brooklyn. I remember when Maceo and Ryan ambitiously signed a lease to the space and began the lengthy process of construction. They busted their asses for a year, getting the space ready. With the Kinfolk Studios bar and restaurant open and cracking, the design offices upstairs are bustling with new creative projects.
While most of the space was a bit cluttered with work, the stairwell and Maceo’s Kinfolk track provided more than enough inspiration to get some lens love. I still love that Kinfolk Brooks saddle…
Click the above photo to launch the gallery, or here to open in a new tab.
Radar
Ben’s Cycle in 1940
A lot of people think Ben’s Cycle is some massive mailorder company. They forget that Ben’s was and still is a brick and morter store, dating back to 1940. Hell, I doubt there are a lot of shops still open today that were doing business back then. See more photos at the Ben’s Cycle blog.
Radar
Ktel Talks about Chari & Co
What’s up smiles?! Ktel is one of the raddest people in NYC and he’s sponsored by Chari & Co, one of the raddest shops in town.
Radar
Keep it Neat and Ride the Streets
No explanation needed. It’s gonna be a weekend of bourbon, bikes and bros. Basil Hayden’s is an approved beverage here at PiNP.
Reportage
Back in Brooklyn
I’m back in what I still like to consider my home turf and I’m still amazed that other “bloggers” in NYC have failed to cover this majestic neighborhood. While Williamsburg is the epitome of “hipsterdom” to the rest of the world, to me, it’s my old stomping grounds, filled with great shops, great textures and unique individuals.
Just 10 minutes after I arrived in the neighborhood, I was immersed in an environment like none other. The city changes and yet, it remains tactile and real, at least to me. Affinity Cycles evolves every time I visit New York and King Kog, just a mile away, had some familiar faces hanging out. These photos were real quick, taken in haste. I just wanted you to know I’m still alive. ;-)
Check out the Gallery by clicking the photo above and click here to open in a new tab (does anyone NEED this explanation?!)
Radar
Jeremy Fish for NYC Velo
This is on my list of “must haves” while I’m in NYC. I love it when artists do graphics that aren’t their usual M.O. I wouldn’t have known this was Jeremy Fish unless you told me! Swoop them up at NYC Velo.
Radar
Velo Cult Grand Opening in Portland
Velo Cult left the sunny beaches of San Diego for Portland’s bridges, frame builders and coffee. On March 24th, their new space will be unveiled and knowing what the old shop looked like, the one in Portland is bound to be even better. I’m going to try my best to make it to Portland next month!
For full details, see the flier below.
Radar
Tokyo Fixed Gear: New Workshop
You can’t work on bikes in a messy shop. My goal in the next few weeks is to build a legit workshop. It just makes life easier, as the Tokyo Fixed Gear team has found out. They’ve got a new shop and that means, new pricing and specials. Head to their site to see how they could become your LBS if they aren’t already (in London).
Reportage
Sable & Argent
I was in Sydney for a few weeks before I finally made it down to Sable & Argent on Bourke street. I thought for sure they’d just be another fixed gear boutique. Let’s just say, I wasn’t expecting to find a facade that caters to various forms of urban cycling. As I walked through their front gate, I couldn’t help but notice how carefully curated the interiors were. Each section of the shop was merchandized wonderfully. Rapha, Campagnolo, Catlike, Mission Workshop, DZR and other brands all had shelf space, shared alongside road, cross, track and commuter bikes. You could walk in here and buy a full “kit” for whatever kind of bike you ride. The interiors were well-lit and the overall vibe just exuded cool. See for yourself by clicking the image above.
Reportage
Catching Up with Saint Cloud in Melbourne
Speaking of Saint Cloud, while I was in Melbourne last month, I spent a good amount of time with Nick and the crew. Since my last visit, Nick’s picked up both track racing and road cycling, all while still trying to get in as much time on the FGFS as he can. The space itself has gone through some changes as well, sporting a new, much more open floorplan. I barely missed the 2-year anniversary party too! What a busy year and in that time, Saint Cloud has been pushing forward with such momentum that I wonder if he’ll have to move to a bigger shop soon? From here, it looks like Melbourne’s got a good thing going for it. See for yourself in the gallery.
