Ay yes! the Porteur. Maybe it’s because I’m secretly french, or maybe it’s because of my early career as a paperboy, but I love the design and asthetics of the Porteur bicycle. For me, its close to being the ideal city bicycle.
Recent finds include this, spotted over at DetailWeb
It’s clean, it’s simple. And, just look at the light set-up. Brilliant.
From the recent Oregon Manifest, Chapman Cycles produced a great looking city/utility bike. It was no suprise that Tony Pereira won again (see post below) but what about making a high-end, but ultimately practical porteur. I’m thinking electronic 11spd hub gear here..
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I’ve posted about Cielo before, I’ve posted about Cyclocross before. But never the two at the same time. Well, in spite of the risk at changing planetary alignment:
Yes, Ladies and Gentlemen, a Cielo Cyclocross bike. Complete with Chris King InSet, this is clearly the bike for the up-coming cyclocross season.
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In the UK bicycle market, Genesis, the home brand of wholesalers Madison, have their finger on the pulse of what the UK market really wants. Believe me, UK bicycle buyers are a whole different kettle of fish to Europe, USA, Asia.
For 2012, Genesis have taken the Alfine 11 speed Shimano hub and integrated it into a Reynolds 853 frame with Avid disk brakes. If you are commuting in the UK all year round, then this is perfect! No mechs to get damaged in the bike racks, mudguard and rack potential, drop bars and a forgiving steel frame.
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Some bicycle shops are able to produce the most utterly outstanding bicycles, time after time. And market them well. One of those is Above Category in Mill Valley, CA. These guys recently posted a shot of this Pegoretti.
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Thinking about bicycle design and functionality often comes in waves. I’ve been struggling with some aspects of my audax bike recently (particularly the technology around the bars/stem) so when I spotted this very functional and great looking Tony Pereira I was amazed!
Clearly there are a few things to change – how about Dura Ace compact to a 12-25 cassette and XTR brakes and pedals. But the hammered mudguards and tan-wall tyres look great. Did I hear you say Di-2 bar end TT shifters too?..
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I have been wanting to try something a little different with my audax bike for a while. It needs a new fork and suitable lights – might be time for a new set to be built, with my rear rim close to its end. However, here is a sneak peak of what I am going to aim to fit this weekend, after the 300km audax..
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North American Hand Built show coverage! Nearly live too..
The detail on the Ira Ryan chainstay is unreal! Plus the treat of the Swift in a magnificent blue hue
This is a classic from the Vanilla range. Full wrap guards, disk brakes, great carrying capacity and style for miles..
Not an old trick this from SpeedVagen Workshop, but delightful nevertheless. Actually makes me want to try and project like this myself..
Also seen – Chris King Stainless headsets, SpeedVagen grenades, and some great colour from Geekhouse.
Keep an eye on prollyisnotprobably and #NAHBS on twitter..
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We’re getting ever closer to NAHBS and I like what I am seeing so far..
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Next up on the hunt list. A Gios Torino Super Record in Blue. I’ve found a frame, but no fork and am reluctant to buy one without the other. Plus it doesn’t come in the box.
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So by now, you’ve all seen them. Technically, in terms of the big wide blogosphere I’m light years behind at posting words about this. Rapha Bicycles. Your favourite clothing brand, Rapha, have teamed up with five frame builders to produce a set of four bicycles.
Ryan/Pereira : Indepedent Fabrication : Beloved : Cinelli
Now I’m not going to shoot them down, but what I’m saying is I’m underwhelmed. Its like 80% is perfect, but the all important 20% isn’t.
The Beloved No Haste, for me, is a more of the bike of choice. And if as a company you are chosing to move outside the box, even just a little, then you have to make it work, and 5 speed Sturmey Archer just doesn’t work.
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Oh how they got me with the use of a unicorn. From Vanilla Workshop and the brazing torch of Sacha White, came the ultimate in well designed, of the moment bicycles. The ‘cross is always one of my favourite, as this one below is no exception
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When a clothing company gets involved in bicycles the result can often be as bad a car companies building a bicycle. However, this Lacoste bicycle is magnificent. Painted in true Lacoste white and kitted with a front porteur rack, a Gates belt drive matched to a Shimano 8 speed Alfine and complete with matching white Brooks saddle, it may not be for the road, rather the gallery (which leads to a whole other debate..)
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Its that time of the year, especially in England, where thoughts of cycling turn to shorter days. With the August Bank Holiday, the summer of evening time trials draws to a close bringing in Hill Climbs and cyclocross. I’ll be posting on both of those over the next few months but for now, with a nice piece of brand design, I’m aiming at a strong lighting set-up for my audax/winter bicycle. Schmidt Dyno-hub with Supernova E3 light.
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FBM can be considered as one of the most influential BMX brands. Premiered by the Bicycle Film Festival in 2009, their motion-picture-based autobiography “I Love My Bicycle” is now online for your viewing pleasure. It takes you through the highs and lows of running a company, and shows who and what can inspire.
Soon enough, that Mat Hoffman film will be out..
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Trek Ticket Signature 2011 Full Bike. Offered as a frameset for 2010, Trek step up and head for the full bike. Get me out on the hills!
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This could be in Design, but it also sits nicely here in Bicycles. I’ve always admired SpeedVagen for what they have achieved and inspired. So here is the 2010-11 season cx model.
The inaugural Cent Cols Challenge Pyrenean for Rapha is also underway. Follow @pdeeker and @raphaCCC for on-the-road updates.
Spurious 