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Archive for February, 2013

Event Recap: Outside is Free at Pearl Velo

Saturday night was a blur. The anxiety of having a photo show had subsided and as the clocked moved closer to the opening hour, all that was on our minds was “will anyone actually come?”. Forecasts were calling for 10″ of snow and there were tons of other events happening. All the worries subsided when the house was packed at 8pm. Then, Lauren surprised me with an unexpected flight in from Austin. The Outside is Free show was a ton of fun. Thanks to everyone who came out, drank, dodged flying dildos and had to sit through my awkward public announcements.

Many thanks to Avery, Pearl Velo, Berkeley Supply and PBR for making the night a success. I’ll have zines in stock this week, for anyone who wants to pick up a copy. I didn’t shoot nearly as many photos as I wanted to but check out a select few in the Gallery. Also, if anyone has photos, link them up in the comments!

I Went to NAHBS and All I Got Was….

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Hey, it’s been over 10 years since I had a mountain bike and I couldn’t resist… More on this later. For now, I’m having too much fun in the snow.

2013 NAHBS: Bishop Bikes Reverse Bi-Lam Road

It should be no surprise that Chris Bishop won an award at NAHBS with this bike. For the third year in a row, this full time framebuilder and part time bike messenger brought an incredible fleet of absolutely stunning bikes with him from Baltimore. I was able to shoot three out of the four bikes, the first of which being the Drillium Revival track and now, this reverse bi-lam road.

Originally conceived by Ian Sutton of Icarus Frames, the reverse bi-lam head tube was a show stopper. When the client requested the detail from Chris, he called Ian, asking permission to make it, something he didn’t have to do, but Chris is a true Southern gentlemen. The end result is a tri-color jade, emerald and turquoise road bike with a modern Dura Ace group and a custom 1″ quill stem. The stainless rear triangle and Bishop-standard thin lugwork set this apart from the playing field at NAHBS.

Michael from Brooks England is beyond stoked on his new ride and as a fellow Bishop owner, I can say for sure that this bike is a life-long companion. Yes, I am very partial to Chris’ work, so I took a little more time documenting this machine. Go on and let it marinate in the Gallery.

2013 NAHBS: Shamrock Cycles Cross

Indianapolis’ Shamrock Cycles have been favorites of mine since they first debuted their quick-release rack system two years ago in Austin. The prize of their booth was this candy red and chrome cross bike. Clean routing, tight lines and plentiful clearances make this one mean, lean, Irish racing machine. Be on the look out for this bike tearing through the mud next season in Indy’s local cross races. I can’t help but think that it’ll look even better scratched up and covered in mud.

2013 NAHBS: Black Sheep Fat Bike

Fat bikes were out in full force this year at NAHBS but few had the lines and attitudes of Black Sheep. I remember seeing them their first year and asking myself “who would ever want to really ride that thing?”. Turns out, fat bikes have an incredible, cult-like following and people love the creative, sexy lines of the Black Sheep fleet. Even I was amazed at how much fun it was to just ride in circles around the vacant space at the convention center. Titanium, fat and sexy. Who could ask for more?

2013 NAHBS: Hampsten 7-Eleven Tribute Track

Andy Hampsten’s legacy is one that needs no introduction. Hampsten Cycles, however might. Columbus MAX is his first love and for the most part, all Hampstens are made from this legendary tubeset. My favorite piece at his booth was this 7-Eleven tribute track. It’s a beaut!

2013 NAHBS: Groovy Cycleworks Zombie Road

Themed bikes are usually hit or miss but this Groovy Cycleworks, along with the Peacock Groove I just posted were some of my favorites. With the forthcoming zombie apocalypse, it should be no surprise that a zombie bike would rear its ugly head. But this bike is far from ugly. In fact, it probably had one of the most complex finish in the show. It’s not paint, or anodizing, it’s a masked, ceramic finish. First the bike was polished, then masked off and coated with Cerakote (I love that it’s a gun coat on a zombie bike). It’s incredibly complex and there’s practically an episode of the Walking Dead illustrated throughout the bike. The dead, I mean, end result is just groovvvvy!

2013 NAHBS: Peacock Groove’s Voltron Track

I’m alive and well, but as you can tell, this year’s NAHBS coverage is being throttled a little bit. I spent a lot of time just talking to people and shooting the bikes that I truly liked, rather than scrambling around trying to get every single booth. One of those bikes was the Peacock Groove Voltron track.

I really admire Erik Noren. His work has personality and he’s the only builder I like to shoot pictured with his frames. Year after year, Erik’s themed track bikes draw polarizing opinions. You either love it or you hate it but who can hate Voltron? Also, a side note. These photos were taken yesterday, before Denver was covered with a blanket of snow. See more in the Gallery!

#OutsideIsFree is Tonight at Pearl Velo

Tonight after NAHBS, the Outside is Free show is happening at Pearl Velo. We were all there late last night hanging our work, sipping bourbon and trying to stay warm. Dustin from Cadence has a pop up shop and will be selling gear, alongside Poler and Pearl Velo’s own merchandise.

Swing by Pearl Velo from 7-10pm. Attendance is limited to invites as long as it doesn’t get too crowded. Check out some previews in the gallery.

2013 NAHBS: Breadwinner

Ira Ryan and Tony Pereira‘s new framebuilding company, Breadwinner unveiled their full range at the 2013 NAHBS. While Ira and Tony’s own speciality approach to frame building is still present, the branding and choice paint selection unify the brand into one of the most impressive offerings I saw today. Some details from previous projects returned with new life and with a breathe of confidence, the two Portland builders have a very promising future ahead of them.