Constructor’s Challenge Gallery

Found this most excellent gallery of black and white shots of the Oregon Manifest Constuctor’s Challenge over at the PDX Cross website.

Matter of fact, if you have some time check out any of the  galleries at the website for some very nice b&w cycling pics.

The Constructor’s Challenge took place outside of Portland back in early October and was an effort to revive the technical trials from 1930’s France with an urban prejudice. The idea was to take the constructor’s bikes and put them to the test on a 77 mile course in an attempt to find the best urban bicycle of the bunch. Ride, pick up a 6 pack, ride some more, pick up some party snacks, hope your bike doesn’t come apart, ride some more to the finish. Great idea. It’s always cool to see what builders come up with and putting them to the test in a real world environment can only be a good thing for urban cyclists and the industry.

Websites of Note: Men of Steel

And now I’d like to bring your attention to the Men of Steel website celebrating the “steel is real” ethic with steel bike race info, the Men of Steel racing club, news, videos, photos, and the 2010 All Steel Racing Team.

From their mission statement:

The mission of Men of Steel Racing is to get as many steel frame bikes of the walls, out of the attics and basements and back on the race course. We’re also a sanctioned USA Cyling Club with the goal of getting more riders of all abilities and ages on the road, and a special emphasis on developing junior racers.
We offer a friendly team environment to gain race experience and benefit from the knowledge
of our members.  We strive to promote great cycling events and lend our support and expertise
to other clubs.  We hope you’ll join us for the ride!

As Seen On The Internets: Velo Cult Gallery.

While killing some time checking out the Rough Riders website I found this link to a gallery of camping photos from San Diego’s Velo Cult bike shop. These guys look like they know how to have fun. Black and white pics of killer gravel roads, steel bikes, wool jerseys, old school cleats, ect.  Such nice goggles too!

The store site has a peck of sweet looking vintage rides for sale also including a Mercian, a couple of Nobilettes, Gitanes, an old Masi and more. Dear Santa…

Click the pic and check it out.

Texas Custom Bicycle Show. This Weekend!

I’m preparing myself for some heavy drooling when I head over to the Austin Convention Center this weekend for the Texas Custom Bicycle Show.

The show’s in conjunction with the Livestrong Challenge and exhibitors will include:

Alchemy, Bilenky Cycle Works, Crumpton Cycles, Daltex Handmade Bicycles, Dominion Bicycle Company, Gallus Cycles, Kirklee, Massengill Cycles,  Southwest Frameworks, True Fabrication, Violet Crown Cycles and Willits Brand Bicycles. Whew, that’s some list!

The schedule is as follows:

Friday, October 23, 9 am – 5 pm, Livestrong Village / Austin Convention Center

Saturday, October 24, 9 am – 1 pm, Livestrong Village / Austin Convention Center

Sunday, October 25, 8:30 am – 5 pm, Livestrong Challenge Finish Line / Dripping Springs, Tx

Be sure and bring a hanky to wipe the drool off your chin!

Luxury Bike Camping

Seems as though the S24O bug has been going around Austin as of late. In case any of you guys or gals want to add a little luxury to your overnights you could always build something like this:

Not sure I’d head into the hills with that thing though…

Texas Custom Bicycle Show. In OCTOBER…

Hey look, the Texas Custom Bicycle Show is coming to Austin… in October. (That better?)

They’re also looking for volunteers to help set up, tear down, and get the word out. Check  their blog to find out the details.

Here’s the schedule and exhibitor list.

Show hours:

Friday, October 23, 9 am – 5 pm, Livestrong Village / Austin Convention Center

Saturday, October 24, 9 am – 1 pm, Livestrong Village / Austin Convention Center

Sunday, October 25, 8:30 am – 5 pm, Livestrong Challenge Finish Line / Dripping Springs, Tx

Exhibitor Links:

• Alchemy
• Bilenky Cycle Works
• Crumpton Cycles
• Daltex Handmade Bicycles
• Dominion Bicycle Company
• Gallus Cycles
• Kirklee
• Massengill Cycles
• Southwest Frameworks
• True Fabrication
• Violet Crown Cycles
• Willits Brand Bicycles

It’s Alive!

The 1983 Specialized Expedition

Well, here it is. The Specialized Expedition touring bike I lusted after at age seventeen. Designed by the legendary frame builder Tim Neenan, currently of Lighthouse Cycles and designer of the Stumpjumper, it was built by Miyata and is considered, by some, to be a sibling to the much coveted Miyata 1000.  I picked up this 68cm beauty as a frame only (except for Mafac cantis and Specialized headset) and had it built up with a mixture of parts I had on hand, a Suntour Cyclone drivetrain, Huret shifters and some VO odd and ends. Not to ignore it’s potential, I plan to eventually trick it out with touring bits and hit the road. Nice bonus features include a chain hanger, chrome chainstay protector and internal wiring. The tubing is Specialized “Special Series Touring”. Whether that’s Specialized’s code for Ishiwata 022, as some claim, remains a mystery to me. (Enter post to view all the pics.)

New Rivendell

Well, now that every other Rivendell loving blog has announced the new Riv bicycle, I’ll do the same.

Announcing the new Rivendell road bike… The Roadeo.

The Roadeo is a sub-20 lb., steel framed, go fast, club oriented, road “racing” bike that will, unsurprisingly, not be made in my size. Unlike any other bike in this category that I know of, it fits up to 35mm tires. (Hello dirt.)

Here’s a short interview with Grant Peterson concerning his new design.

The Rivendell Roadeo

The Bike I Really Wanted… 26 Years Later.

I purchased my first “real” bike in 1983. A Schwinn Voyageur. Nice bike, however, the bike I really wanted, but couldn’t afford, was the Specialized Expedition. A couple of weeks ago I finally, 26 years later, purchased a 1983 Specialized Expedition frame.

Yay!

I’ll post pics of the actual frame soon and attempt to illuminate the slightly murky details of the Specialized Expedition.

Derailleurs Are For… Me

“Derailleurs are for failures.” – unknown source.

Guess what came in the mail this morning…

Fifteen years of single speed only are coming to an end.