September 2009 Archives

CX concept 02.jpg Some people have New Year’s Day resolutions; I have pre-Interbike resolutions to stop buying stuff. These resolutions usually fail too, because after Interbike I always come away with a wish list of acquisitions. Number one on the list is a Bianchi Cross Concept Carbon frameset.

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Let's Bike Taiwan: Yangmingshan

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The Let’s Bike Taiwan tour continues through Yanmingshan National Park. Cyclelicious shot the video with a bikecam and represented in a Hugga Jersey.


More Taiwan

Best Day Evar: with bikes!

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In what maybe considered the best day ever for a cyclist like Eric Steele, he rode with us down the Vegas strip in the Mobile Social Interbike

Bike Hugger Mobile Social Interbike 2009

and then won a Novara Fusion

Eric Steele Wins a Fusion

Photo: Byron on Eric’s Camera.

Eric provides a variety of marketing services for the outdoor and hospitality industries at Steele Media and is based in Idaho Springs, CO.

He gets his Fusion next week and will upload the photos. REI is giving away more Fusions online via Facebook.

Taiwan 2009: pt 2

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Taiwan Day Three:

Start of Joyful Bike Ride.jpg (photo by Kate LaCroix) We woke up at the Hotel del Lago in Shuishe, at northeast corner of Sun Moon Lake. This was the day of the bike “Joyful Bike Tour”, sponsored by Giant Bicycles and China Airlines. Despite the wet weather, at least a couple hundred riders gathered in lime coloured jerseys and rain capes round a stage for the opening ceremonies, including a dance and song performance from Sun Moon Lake’s Thao tribe. Under a large canopy, representatives of the sponsors said some words (though since everything was in Mandarin, I have no idea what those words were), but there were some unexpected aspects of the presentation.

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Saddle Du Jour

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Cruel

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Puffy

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Plaid

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More from the Bike Works NYC Saddle archive. Carbon saddle from Roues Artisanales.

Now that we’ve all gotten back into the groove from Interbike we wanted to reach out and give a thanks for the great Mobile Social event, and provide a bit of our thoughts about thank REI, Globe, and Dahon).

It’s hard to believe that this was just the third year that Bike Hugger was at Interbike, the response we got to the Mobile Social was fantastic. Within days of announcing the logistics for the event we had 100 people pre-registered for the event. We gave out all 250 wristbands we brought, and had more people come through our tent to watch the crit and hang out, including Gary Fisher, who had a few beers and chatted with our attendees.

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Hot Stepper

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From the what’s old is new department and odd, comes this Stepper seen on Hong Kong Fixed.

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Every year another type of stepper will get invented, we saw them at Interbike and of course in the gym.

Another Bicycle v. (insert vehicle name here) went down and, as our readers would expect, the bike wins! This time it was a helicopter in Sao Paulo.


What we’d love to see is a semi trailer v. cargo bike. A UPS run for the day? Each holiday UPS delivers with bikes. We’ve had

Puma fixie 01.jpg Interbike is a place where dreamers sell their dreams, where corporations present consumer traps, where marketing people gamble their skills. Not everyone can be a winner, but sometimes you just have to call out the losers…when the product is just shamelessly rubbish. For my inaugural “Poop on Wheels” Award, I present to you Puma’s 2010 fixed gear.

Fixed gears are HOT…all the kids are doing it, right? Puma just needed to make a bike the same way they make all those “limited edition” shoes…by using this year’s hot colour ways to cover up a complete lack of engineering and craftmanship.

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Taiwan 2009: Taroko National Park

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We were in Taroko National Park, descending from the marble-walled gorge to the Pacific Ocean, when we pulled off to visit the Eternal Spring Shrine, built to commemorate the workers who died building the Central Cross-Island Highway. Unfortunately, recent fallen rock (probably due to typhoon swelled rainfall) closed the access to the shrine. We weren’t the only ones disappointed, as there were several tour buses of Taiwanese school children who were also denied entrance. Well, they might have just been there for the restroom access before the walkway to the shrine. The kids freaked out when they saw us crazy Westerners on bikes. After a lot of hand gestures, I coaxed them into posing with my Davidson BMX bike. Toroko descent.jpg

Chictopia Bikes

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A resource for the chic plain clothes women (and 2 guys) are wearing on their bikes is Chictopia’s Topshop Bicycle Club from this Summer.

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During the contest, entrants uploaded photos of themselves with bikes and the 5 chicest ones won a new bike. If not for the clothes, the contest is a study in urban bikes, like Erin’s basket bike.

Also a good example of the bike market that exists outside of the bike industry/bike shop silo. Do you think Erin would go into a bike shop or would prefer to get her new cruiser with a matching outfit at Top Shop? While some dissed Urban Outfitters for selling fixies, we saw it as a sign of sales to come.

Eventually all these urban bikes the industry is making will have to find a channel that isn’t a bike shop, it’s a boutique.

Taiwan 2009: pt 1

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The Prelude: Leaving Las Vegas….the hard way

This past Interbike experience now ranks as my worst. Never have I been more under the gun to cover the show and get business done. Thursday night I was just barely staying ahead of the cresting wave….working hard on last minute tasks for the mobile social. And then somebody suggested that I take drink some Jack Daniels straight from the bottle. After that, the night crashed…there wasn’t even a spiral, the plane just dove straight into the ground. Total blackout. Horrible. Sun Moon Lake temple guardian.jpg

Day One: Getting to Taiwan

If I drink a lot the night before, I cannot sleep in. While this is normally something of a curse, this trait totally saved my ass this time. I woke up at 6am and switched into full panic mode to find my bike and pack it along with everything else in the hotel room so I could fly to LAX for the beginning of the Taiwan Cycling & Cultural Tour, sponsored by China Airlines.

Surprises were waiting for me at the Vegas airport, for when I had rebooked my Interbike flights over the phone, Expedia had somehow put me on a 9:35 PM to LAX, rather than AM. I nearly threw up (again!) when the American Airlines ticket agent explained the problem, but somehow she tapped a couple buttons and got me on a 9:20AM to LAX as a standby. I got to the gate with just enough time to buy some water from a shop at the terminal. As my trembling hand dropped the bills into the palm of a surprisingly cute cashier, I described my Vegas experience in three simple words: “Worst. Trip. Ever.” She giggled; I dragged my ass onto an airplane.

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Slate Olson from Rapha shows us his bespoke suit.

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Watch now on YouTube or download and sync to iTunes, your iPod, iPhone. Subscribe to the Huggacast Feed for more episodes.

iPhone

iPhone users can download and watch now and access our Huggacasts via the iTunes Store on a Wi-Fi or cellular network.

Fellow Taiwan 2009 attendee Saam Gabbay pulled this still from a AVI video of us descending Yamingshan Mountain outside of Taipei. Bike Huggers at speed! Note that I’m descending on my nutty Davidson BMX bike. That was one STEEP road climb.

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10km past the summit we checked into the Tien Lai hot springs resort. And then another decadent Chinese dinner, followed by hot springs. Too tired to describe the experience properly…this hotel is freaking sweet. Check back later for a longer description….maybe with the video of this still.

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David Byrne Bicycle Diaries

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A bike romantic, David Byrne talked about his travels with the bike and how unfriendly most American cities are to cyclists. He was on the Seattle stop of a tour for his new book: the Bicycle Diaries. Unlike the usual book tour, David focused the event on advocacy with a civic leader, an urban theorist, a bicycle advocate, and himself each giving 10 minute presentations.

After the talks, the audience interacted with questions. In the hallways of the venue, various agencies represented their cause and there were more bike-related books for sale.

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That big-ass wheel we spotted in Hed’s booth? They’re bringing it to market for downhillers that want more aero

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Watch now on YouTube or download and sync to iTunes, your iPod, iPhone. Subscribe to the Huggacast Feed for more episodes.

iPhone

iPhone users can download and watch now and access our Huggacasts via the iTunes Store on a Wi-Fi or cellular network.

Stewardesses on bikes 01.jpgThe Let’s Ride Taiwan 2009 event at Sun Moon Lake was sponsored by China Airlines, who thoughtfully provided company in the form of stewardesses (or if you must, “flight attendants”). Considering that it was raining and the sheer number of people on the ride, these women were quite competent riders on the bikes, provided by Giant. The route was only a short portion of the Round the Lake Road, as the sections on the far side would be challenging to the casual enthusiast and those not on performance bikes.

Besides, we needed to get to the Lalu Hotel so the organizers could bury us under a decadent Chinese style banquet. And if you’ve never experienced a Chinese banquet, then you’re missing out on life.

The weather here has been a bit damp, as there is a typhoon ravaging the Phillipines not too far away, but otherwise the the conditions here are really nice. If I had the opportunity to stay here a week or so during the depths of the Pac NW winter…just to relax and get fit, that would be AWESOME. The food here is really great too. Price-wise, it would be inaccurate to say that it is dirt cheap, but it is certainly reasonable, and much less expensive than Japan.

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A civic leader, urban theorist, bicycle advocate, and David Byrne will each speak for about 10 minutes followed by a Q&A with audience tonight at Town Hall Seattle.

The event is sold out. We’ll live blog it from the audience.

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Photo: richardmasoner

Related Posts

Flax Bike Mix

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Product managers and designers take note of what the Belgians are doing with flax and carbon. The time I’m spending on a Flax Fixed is most enjoyable because of the smooth ride. The bike glides like a Barry White sample in a chill out, lounge mix.

More on the carbon/flax mix from Cozy Beehive.

Uploaded by Hugger Industries | more from the Bike Hugger Photostream.

“We live in the city of dreams, We drive on the highway of fire.”

A MetaFilter post on David Byrne’s Bicycle Diaries, starts a community discussion on what to wear on the bike for work.

“When I wore a backpack with my work shoes and purse, I ended up with a huge sweaty patch on my back.”

“Do male cyclists whose jobs require suits and ties wear said outfit while biking … or do they don their business suits over a sweaty body.”

and so on. What to wear on the bike, plain-clothes cycling, is a current topic and one we’re discussing with our partners. Cycling lacks technical commuter wear. By that I mean, gear you can wear on the bike and right into a meeting in the office. Outlier has some high-end Merlino tailored gear and Slate shows us his bespoke Rapha suit in this video.


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For 2010, MonkeyLectric has a programmable pro version and more.

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Watch now on YouTube or download and sync to iTunes, your iPod, iPhone. Subscribe to the Huggacast Feed for more episodes.

iPhone

iPhone users can download and watch now and access our Huggacasts via the iTunes Store on a Wi-Fi or cellular network.

James Hu of Giant

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I’m in Taiwan for the Let’s Bike Taiwan 2009, a cycling and cultural tour of the island known as the Republic of China. Today’s ride was a scenic jaunt along the very picturesque Sun Moon Lake. Bikes were provided by Giant, an evermore appropriate name for the Taiwanese bicycle manufacturer. On one of the stops of today’s ride, I shared some tea, grown right here in the Sun Moon Lake area, with the vice president of Giant, James Hu.James Hu.jpg

After being at the forefront of bicycle production, both cutting edge and mundane, the Taiwanese leaders are looking to foster an enthusiasm for riding bikes in Taiwan itself. Has it worked? Actually, cycling has seemingly caught on like wildfire among the people, and bicycle friendly infrastructure in the capitol Taipei is on the rise.

We Heart You Haters

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Spoke cards with hearts on them.

Uploaded by M.J.S. | more from the Bike Hugger Photostream.

180s: iPhone-friendly Gear

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180s Gloves

180s has been around for a few years with their “Metro” ear-warmer/headphone product. They have been continuing to quietly develope some rather cool new options that meet a variety of needs for the tech-savvy athlete. One thing that our iPhone toting folks will like are these gloves that have conductive pads on the thumb and index finger to allow you to control your touch-screen without peeling off your gloves. It’s a pretty clever (it’s patent pending) fix for those us of in the northern reaches where gloves are pretty much required for 6 months of the year.

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IMG_8556.jpgHere are the first shots of the S&S BMX from Davidson Handbuilt Bicycles. This is a titanium frame with chromoly steel fork, S&S couplings, a rear derailleur, and disc brakes. The concept is that a BMX is the most fun way to get around short distances and in the cramped quarters of the urban environment, where cars, pedestrians, and random infrastructure hamper the freedom of a road bike or fixed gear. The only thing about a BMX bike is that once you can get a straight shot at open pavement, you spin out of the low-ish single speed gear. But if you add a derailleur…well, then it’s like adding booster rockets to get you to orbital altitude. And if such a bike would be fun in on the streets that my front opens onto, then they would really be fun when I explore other cities.

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Mark V is in Taiwan with other bloggers and journalists for a cultural tour, including Cyclelicious.

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Mark left for the tour on Friday, the day after Interbike and our Mobile Social.

Performante Classica

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A French fixie from Bertelli Cycles. That’s a Bertelli spec’d Alien.

Uploaded by Bertelli Cycles | more from the Bike Hugger Photostream.

Speedplay SYZR Pedal Prototype

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Last year I spotted Speedplay’s prototype offroad pedal, and now it’s just a bit closer to production. And it has a name: SYZR (pronounced as “scissor”). SYZR pedal 01.jpg

The SYZR will be a complete departure from the Frog, Speedplay’s current mtb pedal. Conceptually, the SYZR takes the features of the highly successful Zero road pedal and applies them to an offroad pedal. The pedal is a resin and stainless steel construction with the spring latch pivoting on the axle in much the same way as a Crank bros. However the front latch surface has a resin wedge on the front that helps the pedal kick over into position, since the the SYZR is a 2-sided pedal as opposed to the Crank Bros Pedal being 4-sided. This year’s prototype seems more polished than last year’s, which also lacked the resin portions.

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We had a fabulous time at the Bike Hugger Mobile Social Interbike 2009. Thanks so much to our partners Novara, REI, Globe and Dahon. We’ll write more about this after we’ve slept a bit and get all the images into the Hugger Flickr stream, but in the meantime, here’s the Flickr group of the images I shot of us riding down the Las Vegas strip and hanging out at our VIP tent course-side at the Crits.

We were thrilled to meet so many of you all (we had more than 250 people attending our booth, including Gary Fisher). We gave away a ton of schwag and raffle prizes, including Hed Wheels, Sun-Ringle wheels and a fantastic Novara bike.

This ride was by far the best part of Interbike for me, so thanks personally to everyone who made this such a great night.

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Because of his flamboyant sense of style, Gary Fisher is one of the most visible people at Interbike. This has been the case for the decade or so I’ve been attending the show. He’d be pretty recognizable even if he weren’t dressed to kill.

But as anyone who has approached him knows, he’s also one of the most grounded and friendly people in the business. Gary is stopped constantly by people asking for a photo with him, and he always obliges.

He was also nice enough to accept our offer to hang out in our VIP tent at the Mobile Social and drink a few beers and watch a bit of the Crit finals, mixing it up with our attendees and posing for yet more photos with us.

Thank you Gary for embodying what the sport of mountain biking was all about when you invented it.

Day One in the Media Booth

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It's so cool that we get über blogger and MetaFilter proprietor Matt Haughey to help us with Interbike. Just Sayin'.

Matt Haughey in the Media Room

Check out his photos from Interbike on Flickr.

We've all drooled over the wood fenders that make your bike look like a classic Chris Craft. But there's one problem: most wood fenders are flat from side to side. But mud and water spray and bounce in all directions coming off your spinning tires.

Taiwanese innovation to the rescue! Yesterday I checked out some beautiful, light, and stiff bamboo fenders sporting a compound curve--just like fenders in plastic and metal. The prototypes I saw are developed by Sunny Wheel and not in distribution yet.

Sunny Wheels Compound Curve Bamboo Fenders

Outlier Clothing

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We had a quick fashion show with the guys from Outlier yesterday. What they showed us is exactly the kind of stuff I've wanted someone to produce: street clothes that are comfortable in the saddle and utilitarian but don't shout "I rode my bike today!!"

Their cuts are traditional in durable fabrics and super-supple merino wool with well-thought-out features to make them comfortable on a bike.

A few favorites:

Outlier: Merino TStraight-ahead slim cut t-shirt in 17.5 micron merino. No weird "sporty" gussets or flat stitching and no scratchiness.

Outlier: Merino HoodyMerino wool hoody. Hood is large enough to go over a helmet.

Outlier: PantsWorkwear pants in a tough, stretchy cordura nylon, fit like a pair of straight leg jeans.

We've got more photos on our Flickr Interbike set.

Our Day Two coverage of Interbike 2009 is flowing over on the Interbike Hub. Click on over for today’s super-hotness. _DSX3311.jpg

Just out for an everyday ride on a Davidson titanium carbon belt drive travel bike in Vegas.

Uploaded by mathowie | more from the Bike Hugger Photostream.

Hipster Nascar

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Photos from the MASH SF Stage Race at Interbike 2009.

Uploaded by davidjschloss | more from the Bike Hugger Photostream.

Mobile Social Interbike Tonight

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The Mobile Social Interbike presented by REI with Globe Bikes and Dahon is on tonight. We’re riding from the Sands, on the Strip, to a USA Crits VIP Tent at Mandalay Bay.

MASH SF Alleycat race at Interbike 2009

Where to Meet

Outside of the Sands Main Entrance at 6:00 PM - we’ll start to congregate at 5:45. You’ll find us. Were the ones with the bikes. Get a wristband from Mark V.

The Route

The route has changed due to construction and we’re going to turn left out of the Sands, left on the Strip, and onto Mandalay Bay where our VIP tent awaits us with cold beer.

The Rules

To keep peace with the PoPo, all we ask is that you ride with us in one lane and obey the traffic laws. The City of Las Vegas requires lights and Princeton Tec has that covered. They’re giving away lights at the VIP Tent.

Bikes

Globe Bikes has bikes to lend, first come first serve.

Schwag-a-thon and Prizes

We’re giving away schwag and prizes from our partners

Kickstand Mag and New Belgium hooked us up with beer and Substance is a media partner. See you there.

Cross Vegas 2009

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Cross Vegas, the annual cyclocross event that coincides with Interbike, had its third outing last night on a sprawling spectator-friendly course that served up blistering speeds and some surprising performances to a huge crowd.

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Seeing Gary Fisher go by...

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is like seeing a sasquatch. You’re never quite sure your eyes weren’t just playing tricks. _DSX3195.jpg

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Don’t forget, our Interbike show floor coverage beings today. So that we don’t flood the home page with Interbike pieces (for the two of you out there that don’t care at all about Interbike) our coverage is over on Interbike.bikehugger.com. Just click the Interbike Hub link in the navigation bar above to jump over.

One for the Bakers

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Fill that with your bread and make deliveries.

Uploaded by Aldone | more from the Bike Hugger Photostream.

Sidecar Cargo with Beer

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A bicycle cab, sidecar style is used at the San Miguel brewery. Don’t think we see sidecar cargo very often.

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Photo: Reuters Pictures

Drag Race Vegas

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Alley Cat Gentlemen’s Race during Interbike with live blogging from us.

Uploaded by Hugger Industries | more from the Bike Hugger Photostream.

Sydney Messenger

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A messenger delivers packages in traffic-clogged Sydney. Sydney is talking now about their expected population growth and how to deal with the traffic with public transport, including bikes.

Photo: Getty

Cross is quite humbling. It’s a very social yet independent race for most of us. Guys like me are just trying to avoid falling in the technical turns (or just stay on course like Byron).
The humbling bit is seeing the real Pro’s go at it (cool video of the downpour). Pretty amazing. It was dry when I took those corners and I was going WAY slower…and I still crashed 3 times on course.

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As we prepare for Interbike coverage at The Hub, the onslaught of product previews, press releases, and interview requests reaches a crescendo that only stops when you spot something amazing that stands out above the noise.

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Bike Hugger @ Interbike 09

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Our Interbike coverage began earlier today with David moblogging from the Dirt Demo. The rest of us arrive in Vegas over the next few days. You can follow our coverage on the Interbike Hub and

  • Twitter
  • Flickr
  • YouTube
  • Here on the main blog we’ll post daily digests and Huggacasts. Our focus is urban, velocouture, fixed/free, the offbeat, and Cross, like this Felt Single Speed.

    Felt single speed

    Events and Parties

    We’ve got full calendar this year with the iBikeTweetup, Cross Vegas, various parties, and our Mobile Social.

    We’re just hearing about Alleycats too.

    1967 Schwinn

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    In the used-bike economy, worth what? $500.00

    Uploaded by Milwaukee Photographer Corey Hengen | more from the Bike Hugger Photostream.

    David Yap London

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    More fixed photos from Jonathan Winstone. Taken at Aldgate.

    Uploaded by Jonathan Winstone | more from the Bike Hugger Photostream.

    Starcrossed 09

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    I was at a social event with Pam and didn’t attend, but the reports are it was a rainy, great night of Cross racing with Heule taking the win. Andrew raced Single and should have a report up soon. While all us of aren’t racing yet, we are secretly cross training.

    The course lay out featured long grassy straight-aways with riders going in and out of the Marymoor velodrome. As the weather turned for the worse, bike handling took precedence over power as the off-camber turns slickened with rain. Tim Johnson (Cannondale) went down on the first lap and soon an elite field formed: Page, Trebon, Heule, Troy Wells, and Andy Jacques-Maynes (Bissell) and Jeremy Powers.

    More Cross

    Uploaded by MFG Cyclocross | more from the Bike Hugger Photostream.

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    The first wave of Bike Huggers to head to Interbike hits the ground tomorrow (prepping for a hard week with a very nice meal) and already we’re drooling over some of the things we’re anticipating seeing and bringing to you. We’ll be doing live coverage on the site at our Interbike page (which will be linked off the home page Monday) and already has a bunch of new product announcements.

    Until we get to the On Dirt Demo and start photographing, we’re going to keep thinking about how nice it would be to have this Montague fixed gear folder spotted on the site LimitedHype*.

    Secret Cross Training

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    At an undisclosed location in Seattle, we are training for Cross. You’ll just see us later in the season. While everyone else is going fast, we’re just getting going.

    More Cross.

    Museeuw Flax Fixed

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    This Museeuw Flax bike is an orphaned demo bike that Road Bike Action didn’t want anymore and offered to us to test ride. We said "hell yeah" and converted it into a fixed/free with an Eccentric Eno hub.

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    Why not equipped with SRAM Red and destined for the cobbles? It’ll do that too in the Spring. For the Fall, like other cyclists, we want a fixed/free bike for just riding and spinning the legs. We’ve also been wanting to ride carbon fixed since seeing the District Carbon at Trek World (and before that in Lance’s twitter stream). So we converted a flax/carbon road bike and you can do it too for a few hundred dollars.

    ... Read more »

    Easton EC90 Crankset

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    Easton crank  01.jpgFor the last 9 months I've had been riding the Easton EC90 crankset and ceramic bearing BB.

    Easton leapt into the crankset market with the EC90 road crank after thoroughly testing the competitors' offerings. What they came up with was a hollow structure with a spine down the length of the crankarm. The end result is visually bold, or bulky depending on your point of view. I would say that the EC90 crank looks right on a carbon bike, the left crankarm cupping over the external BB (which is fully compatible with Shimano external bearing cranksets), but the Easton crank looks awkward on slimmer metal framesets, even on my oversize-ti Bianchi.

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    Conversation #1:

    Me: So you broke a spoke on this wheel two months ago during STP, and then you broke a second spoke yesterday, and now you’d like to know if I could have it all fixed for you today?

    guy #1: Yes, I figured I should get it fixed now because I have a big ride this weekend.

    Me: It looks like you actually broke a 3rd spoke.

    guy #1: Really?

    Conversation #2:

    Me: I’m sorry we actually closed 15 min ago.

    guy #2: oh, really? Well, I’ll be real quick. Can I ask you a question?

    Me: Um, ok.

    guy #2: Do you sell tennis balls?

    Me:……………………..um, no.

    In a rather unique offering in the cycling world, Ritchey is rolling out a new customer loyalty program, offering anyone with a Ritchey item to trade it in on credit toward a new item. The program begins October 1, 2009 and applies to any Ritchey saddle, pedal, wheel or carbon fork purchased through a Ritchey dealer.

    Personally I’ve been a loyal Ritchey customer for years, so I’m rather appreciative of the “Ritchey Bucks” idea, it’s a nice way to reward someone for being a Ritchey customer. I’m going to have to start keeping all my manuals as the terms of the deal require that the original items have all their original parts and instructions, but a little space in a drawer is a small price to pay for a new product when one wears out.

    The full press release is below, as it explains the terms of the program.

    ... Read more »

    Digital, Analog, Solar: Sycons

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    3357197655_513852e1f8.jpg The DJs of the Sun will lead the ride from the Sands, mixing up a lounge-like, mellow vibe for the peloton and rocking during the Mobile Social Interbike schwag-fest. They joined us earlier the year in Austin for the MoSo SXSW. They roll with a Voltaic System on Dahon bikes.

    Fixed and Featured

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    Tony Choy Spotted in Explore this morning.

    Uploaded by matty franklin | more from the Bike Hugger Photostream.

    Blue Kronan's End

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    With some many bikes in Amsterdam, some of them get abandoned and rot.

    Uploaded by henry in a’dam | more from the Bike Hugger Photostream.

    Scenes from Philly.

    Uploaded by protofaux | more from the Bike Hugger Photostream.

    Here are the logistical details for our Mobile Social Interbike 2009 Presented by REI with Globe Bikes and a quick FAQ for you:

    What is it?: It’s a laid-back celebration of bikes, bike riding and bike culture. For this event we’ll ride from the Sands Expo Convention Center to the USA Crits finals at Mandalay Bay where we’ll enjoy beers and the view of the race from our VIP Tent.

    Who can come?: Anyone, and you don’t need to ride either. You do however need to show up at the start of the ride at Sands to get your wristband, which you’ll need for admission.

    You should also RSVP on Facebook or Upcoming.org to guarantee a spot.

    Should I bring a bike?: Absolutely if you have one with you.

    What if I don’t have a bike?: 25 lucky people will get to ride brand new Specialized Globe bikes, on a first-come, first served basis. If you don’t score a bike for the event, you’ll certainly be able to hop on the Interbike shuttle to Mandalay Bay, walk, or take a cab from the cab stop right near our meeting place.

    What if I’m faster/slower than the other riders?: This is a nice leisurely, short cruise over to the VIP tent. You can download the route directions from here.

    Are there prizes?: You betcha. Lots of them, including a brand-new Novara bike from REI, HED wheels, IBEX jerseys and more.

    I usually like a nice after party, what do you have for me?”: We’ve got a great after party planned at the Dahon house, thanks to Dahon, Kickstand Magazine and everyone’s favorite bike brew Fat Tire Ale.

    ... Read more »

    You can win a bike and gear at the Mobile Social Interbike. Our partners are bringing the goods with them and giving it all away. That’s the way these MoSos work: we ride, blog, party, and give away product.

    Novara Fusion

    The Fusion is all about commuting and we’re giving one away at the end of the MoSo. Make sure you get a raffle ticket and you’re present when we call your number. We’ll give you a card to take to your local REI.

    Win this Bike: Novara Fusion

    ... Read more »

    Continuing our visit to Specialized HQ, we look at some of their concept bikes, the idea room, and briefly meet the brains behind the operation.

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    Watch now on YouTube or download and sync to iTunes, your iPod, iPhone. Subscribe to the Huggacast Feed for more episodes.

    iPhone

    iPhone users can download and watch now and access our Huggacasts via the iTunes Store on a Wi-Fi or cellular network.

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    The popularity of the iPhone has lead to a flood of cycling-related applications, many of which would perfectly convert the iPhone into a GPS-mapping, route planning powerhouse—if only there were a good way to mount your phone to your bike without exposing it to the elements or worrying about it falling to the pavement and shattering.

    Thanks to Dahon, it’s now possible to mount the world’s most functional phone to any bicycle and keep use it without fear of it dropping or getting soaked. The company’s new BioLogic bike mount for iPhone and iPod touch completely encases the phone in a waterproof shell. Unlike most traditional waterproof enclosures the BioLogic has a welded touch-sensitive membrane for a front panel, which allows the phone to be used even when encased. The mount allows the case to be pivoted 360-degrees for use in either portrait or landscape mode.

    Combined with their new ReeCharge system (formerly FreeCharge), which pulls power from a bike’s generator hub to charge electronic devices, the new BioLogic mount can even work as part of a charging ecosystem. Ride your bike to work while you record your personal best time and have your phone completely juiced up for the rest of the day.

    The case will be available from dealers in January for $59

    Huggacast 126: Specialized HQ

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    Bike Hugger visits Specialized HQ with stops at the testing lab and learning center.

    Mavic Service Course USPro

    Watch now on YouTube or download and sync to iTunes, your iPod, iPhone. Subscribe to the Huggacast Feed for more episodes.

    iPhone

    iPhone users can download and watch now and access our Huggacasts via the iTunes Store on a Wi-Fi or cellular network.

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    Having just come back from a day of behind-the-scenes coverage of Specialized’s HQ in Morgan Hill CA, I’m reflecting on what makes for a successful public image and how much work goes into something that’s just enjoyable on the surface. I thought it might be nice to talk for a second about what goes on behind the scenes at Bike Hugger when we cover something.

    As a long-time photographer and photographic writer I get to spend a lot of time with camera equipment from all of the major manufacturers. Recently our good friends at Nikon loaned us a Nikon D3x and some lenses to evaluate, which complement the pile of high-end bodies and lenses that I use as part of my work with MacCreate.com and the Aperture Users Network. The Nikon D3x is a 24.5 megapixel SLR that represents the culmination of the company’s decades of experience and combined with the lenses and strobe gear (I only took the 50mm f/1.4G and 35-70 f/2.8 as well as the SB 900 strobe on this particular shoot) and the Mac makes a perfect working photojournalist’s kit..

    ... Read more »

    Reader Julian asks us if Globe Bikes are really for cargo.

    Hey! As some of the few guys to ride Globe bikes more than once, I’m curious to know what you think of the Live and Haul, and your gut check favorite. Wondering how the Live porteur rack handles a front load (like your roll-on suitcase!) in motion and when parked & loading. And curious about the utility of the slightly stretched Haul rack. It’s a gorgeous rack, but without custom larger panniers (how much larger could they be?), it seems that a Live with aftermarket rear rack and panniers might be its cargo equal. I understand the Haul’s welded-on rack can handle much more weight, but realistically how would you carry that weight without freeloaders or other cargo solution? And isn’t the Haul begging for a centerstand (Hebie or other) rather than the chainstay-mounted kickstand? Love to know your thoughts! — Julian

    The answer is light cargo yes, but not a big industrial load no. The bikes are errand-running, grocery-getters and work well for that purpose and a bit heavier loads, but I wouldn’t use them for delivering goods.

    As you can see in the photos, I carried my suitcase from the Airport and rode the Live about 30 miles to Morgan Hill. Once the suitcase was strapped down, the ride was good. The bike was predictably tippy when parked and will fall over unless secured, even with a centerstand. I leaned it against a tree (known as a Treestand) when we stopped at Bicycle Express.

    Coyote Creek Trail

    ... Read more »

    We rode from SJC to Morgan Hill via the Coyote Creek Trail yesterday. The downtown part of the ride was a bit confusing with a trail terminating at a railroad crossing.

    Specialized Globe

    We thought if any locals saw they’d wonder WTF we were doing on that trail and Reeve who works for the RR had to tell me

    Stay off the tracks. Railroads are private property and you are likely trespassing. Always expect a train, any time, any direction. Yeah, you’re smart and prolly won’t get hurt. Its kind of like wearing a helmet while motorcycling. Operation Lifesaver. I work for the rr so I have to say that.

    Word.

    Stopping for Turkish coffee we all marveled at the Starfuckers trick fixie bike. It was outside of Japanese store that sells clothes and fixie gear.

    Ride Mojo

    _DSX2438.jpg I found this toy that became the ride mojo and the mojo was working when a California Condo buzzed us and a turkey made sure we knew who was boss of the trail. We also saw deer and turtles, but not many other cyclists on the trail. They must come out on the weekends with their families.

    Mexican Mini Golf

    Hugga Hole-in-one A few hours later, we arrived and ate lunch at Morgan Hill’s premiere mexican restaurant/minature golf course where I shot a hole-in-one!

    Sushi and True Morgan Hillers

    For dinner, it was sushi and then a bike pile at M&H for drinks where we met true Morgan Hillers.

    Specialized Bike Pile

    Today we’re riding to Specialized HQ for a tour and more time with @globebikes.

    Rapha Gentlemens Race

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    The high point of the race

    The Rapha Gentlemens Race. Those who have heard of it, know it to be a true test of endurance. It’s invite-only: unsanctioned, unmarshalled, but from start to finish a top-notch event. There are follow cars, video and photo cameras, cheese and sausage at check points, and a SERIOUS party at the end. Even the T-shirt was great.

    Plenty more after the jump…

    ... Read more »

    Most Badass BMX cranks. Ever.

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    Reade Redline.jpgLast night I was surfing the web and I found this photo of Shanaze Reade’s Redline BMX for the 2008 Olympics. Reade, the British representative in Beijing, crashed out of the gold medal final. In the photo of her bike, the eyes of most people would be drawn to the Union Jack paint scheme, but I instantly took a bead on the cranks.

    Of course you must realize that those are Shimano DXR BMX cranks….modified for an SRM power meter.

    Wow..just…wow.

    Chromed Trick Fixed Gear

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    Byron sent me these photos of a fixed gear frame designed for trick riding. As the trick riding on fixed gears becomes more demanding, a number of manufacturers are bringing out burlier frames with many trick riding-specific features. For some companies that already offer BMX trick bikes, their response to the emerging market is a natural progression, and the influence of their experience with 20” wheeled bikes if readily apparent. This example here has a fork that has two axle positions: one at about 30-40mm of offset for cruising the streets, and second slot at zero offset for bar spin tricks. I’m not sure about the rationale behind the elevated chainstays, though it does have the nice ability to have the chain removed without a chain tool. Dunno how often that comes into play though….zero offset fork 2.jpg

    ... Read more »

    The Internets are a buzz with the English Cycling Twitter community getting after James Martin. The guy is a vocal anti-cyclist character and has been called out by CyclingWeekly, Bradley Wiggins, and Robbie McEwen that I’ve noticed. His site (which is currently not loading) talked about how he snuck up on a group of cyclists in his electric sports car and caused a bunch of them to crash as he buzzed them.

    You can join a Facebook Group hating this guy. Gotta love the interwebs.

    Here’s the original article that started it all.

    Jerseys and Tees @ uBRDO

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    uBRDO Cycle and Mountain Supply, a full service independent bicycle and outdoor shop in Kirkland, Washington, is now carrying a selection of our race cut Neo Retro Jerseys and Wool Tees.

    You can see them late this afternoon at the Big Finn Hill Park cross race After Party.

    Globe Bikes Morgan Hill

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    @globebikes is meeting us at SJC and we’ll ride the Coyote Creek Trail to Morgan Hill for lunch tacos.

    Later we’re talking bikes with the people from Specialized.

    Poseur

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    There’s a long story behind this decal, if you see it on a bike, ask the owner … .

    Uploaded by Hugger Industries | more from the Bike Hugger Photostream.

    Shattered Carbon

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    Jeremy Honorez hits a bollard and his bike shatters.

    Uploaded by mr.keff | more from the Bike Hugger Photostream.

    Fishtank Bike

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    Spotted at Eurobike by Dan Goldwater from Monkey Electric. We’re not seeing a fish in there, but maybe a Chupacabra or Seamonkey?

    Uploaded by Hugger Industries | more from the Bike Hugger Photostream.

    HUB Taps

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    A HUB beer bike would need taps, of course, and taps made from hubs by Metrofiets.

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    Getting into bike racing often means having to negotiate protocols and procedures set in place by die-hard veteran racers, but cyclocross is generally non-serious and one of the most welcoming types of bike racing, especially for beginners.

    It's almost time for Cyclocross across the country and here in Portland, it's already begun. Portland is often mentioned as the hotbed of cylcocross in the US, with 1200+ racers showing up to every weekend race in the fall. Due to the incredible demand, September is a full-on preseason time to brush up at a skills clinic and maybe even race before the main season begins in October.

    ... Read more »

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    Phones are ringing, teletypes are clattering and reel-to-reel tapes are spinning up as the Bike Hugger gang puts the finishing touches on the plans for the Mobile Social Interbike. We’ve got a great party planned and want you to be a part.

    Here’s the 411-

    We’re going to ride from the Sands Convention Center to the USA Crit finals at Mandalay Bay where we’ll party at the VIP tent formerly used by Bicycling magazine. We’ll watch the race, drink free beer and have a prize giveaway. For those with legs to burn, we’ll do a hot lap on the crit course too.

    Afterwards we’ll head to a super-secret location for our after-party and keep the vibe going until we’re all tuckered out.

    We’ve got some great sponsors and happenings to announce soon on this, but you’ll need to RSVP to be part of this event, as space is limited. You can sign up for the events at either Upcoming or Facebook.

    Hey Good Looking! Lose 8 Pounds

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    Pam sent me this Drop 8 Pounds e-card from Self Magazine to remind me to keep the weight off this Winter.

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    That’s a tough one with all the porters and seasonals coming on tap … maybe if I read Carmichael’s new book and ya know all those new carbon bikes offer performance fit with a tall head tube instead of spacer stacks.

    Saturday - 140 miles of pain somewhere in Oregon. I got a slot in the Rapha Gentlemens Race - Full report coming.

    Made You Look

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    bike gawkers.jpgToday’s my day off, so before I prowled the city, I needed some fuel. My picky girlfriend recommended New China in the U for authentic eats, so I got me some orange beef and watched people rubberneck at my new Davidson BMX bike locked up outside. I couldn’t believe the number and diversity of people who stopped and did a double-take. Bike nerds, a guy with a baby sling, construction workers…

    I’ve been thinking about the name for my bike. Now that the bike is all built up and capable of flight, somehow “goblin” doesn’t seem to describe it properly like it did when the bike was merely a oddity on the welding jig. I’m leaning more towards something like the Davidson “Sonic” BMX. I’m also trying to talk Bill Davidson into doing a 10 frame run of these bikes in cromoly without the S&S couplings. Just the vertical dropouts with disc mount, one size (20.5” top tube), one colour powdercoat. We could make them during the winter when the custom bike orders slow. The bike is unbelievably fun, there could actually be a market for it.

    The race caravan, while seemingly chaotic fast, and unnerving, has a certain flow to it and a collegiate spirit. Before the 2009 USPRO Race we talked with Mavic about their setup and then got into the cars with them. Zabriskie attacked early and George won.

    Mavic Service Course USPro

    Watch now on YouTube or download and sync to iTunes, your iPod, iPhone. Subscribe to the Huggacast Feed for more episodes.

    iPhone

    iPhone users can download and watch now and access our Huggacasts via the iTunes Store on a Wi-Fi or cellular network.

    Huggacast 124: Carnivelo

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    Carnivelo is a celebration of bike culture at REI HQ. In this Huggacast, we take a look at some interesting employee bikes, the first Novara Mountain bike, and more. Our favorite was the Golden Beam and we'd never seen an AWD MTB before.

    Carnivelo: DBS

    Watch now on YouTube or download and sync to iTunes, your iPod, iPhone. Subscribe to the Huggacast Feed for more episodes.

    iPhone

    iPhone users can download and watch now and access our Huggacasts via the iTunes Store on a Wi-Fi or cellular network.

    MPLS Minx

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    As she said,

    Do you have any idea at all, you guys, how mother ucking hard it is to straighten seamed stockings by yourself?” Yes, I ride in this. I have before, I will again, many times. The heels are five inches and make my toes lose feeling. The stockings are inexpensive and replaceable.

    We missed Ms Minx when we were in MPLS, but are sure it’s a spectacle when she rides.

    Uploaded by mplsminx | more from the Bike Hugger Photostream.

    DONTSTEALBIKESBRO: The Dance

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    John Prolly has captured Papi the Bike Stealer’s moves from the now Internet Famous Don’t Steal Bikes, Bro video.

    Uploaded by John Prolly | more from the Bike Hugger Photostream.

    Enjoyed a Fall ride with Hed’s new Stinger 6s to Labor Day Cross and a stop at South Park for photos of the Create mural.

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    Quick review

    The Stinger 6s are the best wheelset Hed has made. It’s an evolution of their C2 platform and equivalent to cavemen dropping their stones for spears. They spent 10 days in the wind tunnel with these and I noticed the aero tweaks right away.

    Besides all the wind tunnel numbers, what’s going on is the tire sits in a cradle and not on top of the wheel. That means the wheel/tire interface is minimzed and facing the wind is one large curved shape. No homies it’s not spokes that matter most in the tunnel (or twin-paired spokes), it’s the wheel/tire interface. Decrease that interface and less drag results.

    ... Read more »

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    You've seen them all over this year's Tour de France coverage. Lance wears them. Cavendish wears them. Hincapie's been wearing them since the earliest prototypes.

    It's the new Oakley Jawbone, and I just got my own prescription pair this week. I'm still so-so on the looks of them, but behind the lenses and in the saddle, they're one of the best.

    ... Read more »

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    From the moment my daughter was born a few years ago, I counted the days until I could ride with her. I wanted to show her the world at 15mph. I wanted her to experience the sense of independence and wonder of riding yourself to new places both physical and mental. I wanted her to enjoy cycling as much as I do, but after dragging her in a trailer as an infant and toddler, I figured we wouldn't get to really put in miles together until she was 10 or 12.

    But then I tried a trailer bike.

    ... Read more »

    Don't Steal Bikes, Bro

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    In the tradition of “Don’t Taze me bro!” we now have “Don’t steal bikes, Bro!” in a video that seems to have been shot in NYC during the confrontation that followed a bike theft stopped in progress. (Ah, citizen journalism.)

    Based on the restaurant banner outside the scene of a part of the beat-down this happened on the corner of 1st and Houston in NYC, an area with a good amount of bikes locked to utility poles and street signs during the day.

    Things of interest to me in this video include the super-awkward looking helmet on the would-be thief (and the fact that it absorbed a blow hockey-mask style—who says helmets aren’t safe) and the Ultimate Fighter stance of the guy doing the main ass-kicking.

    As much as I decry violence as a paradigm for localized behavior correction, I’ve had my stuff stolen before and a little teeny bit of me cherishes the can of whoop ass unleashed on the criminal.

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    My friend Glenn and I are really big fans of night-riding we keep going through the winter and we often compete for who can get the most lights on their bikes. While it’s just plain fun to be glowing at night, it’s also just plain safer to be more visible to motorists.

    One of our big topics has been about the possibility of lighting up a bike’s tubes—during long rides we’ve discussed everything from Christmas lights to glow-in-the-dark paint. It looks like we’re not the only ones thinking about great ways to light up the frame of a bike as a company called Bike Glow has introduced a new luminescent light strand powered by two AA batteries and at ten-feet long is able to be wrapped around a bike’s frame for a light, bright solution to cross-visibility.

    The lighting system is available on their site or directly through REI stores and online. For $25 it’s cheaper than many of the bike light systems on the market and considerably lighter as well.

    New Amsterdam Bike Slam

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    Inspired by poetry slams, reality television competitions, and celebrity death matches, the New Amsterdam Bike Slam is a unique battle for the future of New York City transportation.

    Spread over four days, the New Amsterdam Bike Slam is a live design battle, a dance party, a world-class transportation summit, a bridge across the Atlantic, and a path forward.

    The Slam occurs from 9/10 - 13. Working now on getting into this for some live blogging and we suggest they get the Vortex of Terror there too.

    Labor Day Cross: dig deep

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    We rode to the Labor Day Cross race in Seattle where racers were digging deep like this.

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    Accelerate, dismount into a sand pit, a few steps, then run up through the pain.

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    More Cross

    We return to Starcrossed in a couple weeks.

    Bicycle Camel herders

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    Now that’s putting a bike to work: herding camels.

    Uploaded by bthomso | more from the Bike Hugger Photostream.

    A Cargonista @ Eurobike

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    Henry is an influential amongst the Cargonistas who you may not know about yet. He’s likely responsible for the cargo bike your either riding or thinking about riding. Henry left the American corporate world to change the world with bikes and does so from a shop in Amsterdam called WorkCycles.

    Regardless of who was copying who it was all very much about cult audiences, and the few firms involved were busy keeping it all to the extremist elite. I was fascinated by the possibilities and fun of these crude machines and convinced that with better design, quality, service … in short professionalisation the bakfiets would be popular amongst normal families and businesses.

    Last week during his annual pilgrimage to Eurobike, Henry takes issue with the latest Handbuilt bike show knockoffs, Amsterdam via China, and mountain bikes apparently built to carry pizzas to skiers. He also blogs what you won’t see in the glossy mags or ad-plastered websites.

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    We visited WorkCycles last year and are planning another visit next month. I’d like to zip around Amsterdam on a one speed with a step through frame while there. It’s Dutch for fast.

    Buy Local Cycling

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    Bike Hugger is a member and sponsor of Buy Local Cycling, an Oregon-based team highlighting local bike products and builders.

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    The team is masters-class cyclocross racers and casual riders. Coming into Cross season, we’ll blog from the Buy Local organized events, including the State Championship.

    Mark V is joining a Taiwan Cycling and Cultural Tour the day after Interbike. In the few years we’ve traveled, ridden, and blogged Taiwan, it has become a bike country.

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    Cycling is the national pastime and they’re working now on promoting the country as a cycling destination. We’re happy to help! The tour itinerary includes:

    1. Sun Moon Lake, Round the Lake Road
    2. Poet’s Aria Taroko
    3. Dongfong Green Green Passage
    4. Guanshan, Taitung County
    5. Taipei Guandu Left Bank of Bali.

    Blogging Taipei by Bike While on the trip, I’ve asked Mark to watch out for dogs in shoes, bring back a crazy small folding bike, and enjoy a Hello Kitty Pie. Also obey the traffic robots and get some Pizza Cut Five shirts.

    Previous Taiwan Coverage

    A ProTour Bike

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    That’s a 14 pound ProTour bike in the photo. It’s owned by Rich Hincapie (George’s Brother) and it’s pretty much what Team Columbia rides. I raced the bike in the South Carolina State Championship Road Race last weekend. My bike got garage-doored the day before and Rich was nice enough to let me ride his bike. We were in town for the Style in Motion, USPro weekend and part of the festivities is racing with the locals.

    ProTour Bike

    Considering how best to review the bike and share my experience, I thought this is what it’s like to blog cars. All day long it’s the mundane Hyundai or Prius this, that, and meh. Then one day you get the keys to a super sports car, like a Ferrari or Lotus. It makes your dayjob worthwhile.

    This bike isn’t for everyone. Nothing is practical; afterall, it weighs 14 pounds and is aptly described as an “effing rocketship” with several, “whoas,” punctuated by a big “wow.”

    ... Read more »

    Bonus points for the fixie and PBR in this new addition to the Pelostaches Group on Flickr.

    Uploaded by danieltiger | more from the Bike Hugger Photostream.

    The IOS XL and FreeCharge is generating considerable blogosphere buzz on bike, gadget, and tech blogs. Dahon just uploaded video of the FreeCharge system charging an iPhone.


    Working now with Dahon to have a mobile charging station at the Mobile Social Interbike.

    She lives at the bottom of Queen Anne, works in downtown Seattle, and loves riding her bike around.

    Uploaded by Hugger Industries | more from the Bike Hugger Photostream.

    We’ve nailed down the details of our Mobile Social Interbike. Mobile Socials are an intersection of bikes, technology, and culture. We ride, talk bikes, blog, party, and fantastic giveaways from our fantastic sponsors. The event offers no douchebaggery or lameness, but is for like-minded cycling fans of all types to get together and talk about bikes.

    This one’s going to be a great event—we’re riding from the Sands Convention Center (where the Interbike show is held) to the USA Crits Finals at Mandalay Bay including a nice tour of the strip and some local roads.

    At the Crit we’ll hang out and have food, refreshments and product giveaways in our own VIP tent. We expect they’ll be an after-party at a nearby watering hole as well for some continued revelry.

    We’ll meet at 6pm at the main entrance for the Sands Convention Center on Sands Av, at the bike lockers. Here’s the Google Maps location.

    To attend this event, RSVP at our Upcoming site or on our Facebook page.

    russellcrowe.jpg.png One of the stories we noticed today is a piece on Australian actor Russell Crowe challenging a gossip writer to a cycling duel. The background: Annette Sharp, gossip columnist for the Daily Telegraph is Sydney ran a piece on Crowe who was seen smoking cigarettes and eating junk food after a mountain bike ride though the city.

    Crowe responded by challenging her to a cycling duel. She accepted.

    This is where my interpretation of events (having watched the video) differ slightly from the sites I’ve seen pick up the story. Most versions include Crowe trouncing the reporter on a spirited ride through the city, with her falling off the bike at one point. While it seems true that he was going a bit faster than her (she being completely out of shape) and that she fell, he seems like he was really nice and friendly in this competition. The video shows him stopping to chat with her several times, and then sitting for coffee at a cafe with her at the end of the ride.

    Personally if someone splashed pictures of me eating tacos and smoking on a ride while calling me out of shape, I’d just totally crush them. But he seems like he’s mostly out for a leisurely ride with a pal. His insistence in the video that having gone on a ride of 15k entitles you to a few cigarettes makes me wince a bit as I’m not sure how much exercise one has to have to actively try to develop cancer and emphysema, but who hasn’t had a bit of junk food and a soda after a ride, as Crowe did in the photos in the gossip section.

    Still, their average speed and distance was laughably short and slow. Do you hear that Mr. Crowe—or should I say Rusty?! I think that you don’t measure up as a cyclist. I think you’re out of shape. Go ahead, challenge me to a bike duel, let’s see who measures up.

    And can I have your autograph

    Moore Momentum Exhibition

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    Images from Matt W. Moore’s Momentum Exhibit at the Chorus Gallery.

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    Matt showed 5 recent series of his artwork: Watercolor Paintings, Cut Paper Collages, Printed Textiles, Vectorfunk Posters, and 5 Hand-Painted Bike Frames.

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    Those are Traitor Cycles frames.

    Steampunk with Horns

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    Delcruiser’s Steampunk bike project. We think all Steampunk bikes need a Van de Graff generator.

    Uploaded by delcruiser | more from the Bike Hugger Photostream.

    After getting dropped 4 inches into the first meter of the Paris Mtn climb last year, I was determined to never let that happen again. Not only was I going backwards on the climb, but Pam (wife) dropped me for George Hincapie. Yep.

    We were in Greenville SC for the Hincapie Style in Motion Weekend and USPro race. On Friday, George rides with Hincapie Sporstwear dealers on the USPro Course, including Paris Mtn. Pam looked back as I struggled, looked ahead to the George group, back again, and accelerated away. I couldn’t blame her really. I was not having a good day.

    Once we confirmed our return to Greenville this year, I started thinking about Paris Mtn.

    Not a Climber

    Where a climber’s ancestors were scurrying up cliffs and into trees, my clan roamed the lowlands, rolling along. Us bigger guys do what we can to survive the climbs and bomb the descents. We rock the circuits, rolleaur style courses, and crits. I usually don’t get too engaged in the climbs, but this one became my nemesis.

    The Climb

    As you can see in the iBike chart below, the climb is a sustained hard effort. Paris Mtn was a season-long focus for me. For two months before the big day, I drank no beer, ate bread just once a day and added hillier races than usual to my calendar.

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    ... Read more »

    The Irondelles

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    Portland’s all-female group of tall bike builders and riders — the Irondelles.

    Uploaded by Kevin Wagoner | more from the Bike Hugger Photostream.

    Charge your iPod with your bike

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    BioLogic FreeCharge diagram.jpgThis is freakin’ genius. Dahon will introduce the BioLogic FreeCharge, a device that connects to any dyno hub on the market to charge your iPod, iPhone, GPS unit, or other small electronic item through a USB port. The BioLogic FreeCharge siphons off juice from your generator hub into a high-capacity battery, which in turn supplies steady current to your electro widget. Thus the FreeCharge protects your electronics from the wildly variable output of the dyno hub. The FreeCharge uses a silicon casing to secure the unit to the bike and provide sealing to the charger.

    An iPhone takes about 3hrs to reach full charge, so it’s not like you could fully charge it while on your lunch break, but the BioLogic FreeCharge would allow you to fully use your device all the time while you ride. I could see how the FreeCharge would be the item to have for touring riders next year. And Dahon will include this item standard on two bikes, the Ios XL and the Speed TR. I imagine stepping out of an airport or train station, unfolding my bike and popping my iPhone onto the FreeCharge so I can continuously use the GPS ap without killing the battery.

    The BioLogic FreeCharge will be also be available as a separate unit for about $99 next March.

    ... Read more »

    Ask Bike Hugger: Modal Project

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    Reading with interest your adentures with the Modal project bike, and curious about what you’d think about an adaptation I’ve been wanting to try with a slider dropout bike (should I ever get one.) My most recent frame was built with 132.5 mm dropouts at the builder’s recommendation (Moots) to run 130 or 135mm hubs. In normal derailleur “mode” I run 130s (or Bullseyes with extra spacers to be 132.5 exactly), but I also run a 135mm Rohloff hub without having to force the dropouts apart. Nice. But would this work and be better: build a slider frame with 135mm spacing and run stronger 135mm wheels for touring and general riding. But when road racing or in any other situation where borrowing a spare or panic-bought wheel might happen replace the stock sliders (the sliding aluminum parts) with another pair that have dropouts spaced 130mm (and the derailleur hanger positioned to match). That is, offset sliders. Whaddaya think? Thanks, —Eric

    Dear Eric Your Modal bike concept sounds interesting and in concept seems workable. However, there a few more things you should consider.

    Modal: Single Speed 4

    ... Read more »

    Fast Boy Box Bike

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    fatboy_basket_one.jpg

    When Fast Boy isn’t building bikes like this, he’s teaching cancer to cry.

    fatboy_basket_two.jpg

    Also see the custom bash guard from a post we did last year.

    DAHON IOS XL + Folding Helmet

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    Dahon’s new IOS XL won a gold in the Eurobike Design Awards. The IOS XL features integrated ights, pump, and phone charger. Road.cc previewed the high-tech folder last month. Dahon also won an award for a new folding helmet. I was just commenting on the need for a travel helmet.

    Pango Unfolded Front Side

    ... Read more »

    Never a Bad Time to Ride

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    Wore the Novara Kit on a relaxed downtown Seattle ride yesterday. The caption on the shorts says, “Never a Bad Time to Ride.”

    I was on the Modal in Nexus mode. Without a cyclo-computer and a smooth internally-geared drivetrain, it was just a relaxing ride.

    Uploaded by Hugger Industries | more from the Bike Hugger Photostream.

    Cyclocross 09

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    This Fall, we’re back in the Cross scene. We’ll cover it more with racing and new gear. Also working on our Baryshnikov over the Barriers technique, knowing where the saddle is, and more style.

    Last year with produced a series of videos, like this one. See more of them on our Cross collection page and Cross tag.


    Bicycle Film Festival Seattle

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    The BFF is coming to Seattle on September 11 and 12th.

    bff_seattle.jpg

    yike_bike_small.jpg The early Eurobike buzz is an electric, mini penny farthing. As cool as that sounds, it also causes some concern in the position of the cyclists and in “doing a header,” “endo,” or getting out of the way of a delivery truck.

    The modern bike we ride today is based on an innovation called the safety bike. It had wheels of the same size, double triangles, and so on. Now we don’t want to buzzkill any excitement about an electric bike that folds and all, but hope they’ve done some testing on potholes and bumps.

    yike_bike_truck.jpg

    To their credit, YikeBike’s FAQ address safety, handling, and maneuverability and they claim they started with a blank sheet of paper. The bike has built-in lights and maybe it’s like a folder that rides on rollerblade wheels or the Strida. Cool for going a block to the subway and about human-powered urban mobility, as opposed to a Segway.

    We’re on the lookout for the YikeBike at Interbike and hope it rides as good as it looks. We do wonder why this industry constantly reinvents the old. Imagine if the computer industry was still on 8 bit Ataris, but dressed up in carbon cases.

    Notes: Penny Farthings (aka boneshakers) were called that because one of the wheels was smaller than the other and looked like a penny and a farthing. The YikeBike truck photo was photoshopped for this post.

    Semi Naked Track Racing

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    This may have been shirts and skins racing at the track or possibly a road rash dare. Maybe “show your farmers tan?”

    Uploaded by Brujo))) | more from the Bike Hugger Photostream.

    A Busy Bike Month

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    Just back from Greenville for Style in Motion and USPro, then we’re off to

    Then in October, we’re bike touring Prague. We may return to Taipei as well. That’s being discussed.

    West Seattle Critical Mass

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    While we were in Greenville SC, Critical Mass rode across the West Seattle Bridge. Imagine the busiest, elevated highway in your local area, and Critical Mass rode across that.

    They had a police escort. The action starts at 1:44 in. At the beginning, there’s a bonus roller blader.

    Lots of comments on the West Seattle Blog did not appreciate the mass on a freeway.

    Biking on West Seattle Freeway w Critical Mass is what I mean... on Twitpic JJTweets was on the scene and snapped this photo. Check the Critical Mass tag for our previous coverage.

    Czech Exhibition Poster

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    Mikael Colville-Andersen from Copenhagenize photos are included in a Tyden Mobility exhibition in Pardubice, Czech Republic. The exhibition is part of a larger European Mobility Week that promotes the improvement of city climates.

    Uploaded by [Zakkaliciousness] | more from the Bike Hugger Photostream.

    Cross Clinics

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    Across the US, Cross Clinics are on and cyclists are working on their skills like this Team Beer Style Dismount in Portland. Here in Seattle, there’s a season ending crit this weekend and we’re onto practicing with our bad selves. We’ll work on controlling the bike when running and more.

    Uploaded by Brujo))) | more from the Bike Hugger Photostream.

    Portland's Cycle Track

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    A Cycle Track is a dedicated bike lane common in many European countries and Portland just unveiled one. NYC has one too.

    More on the Cycle Track from an Oregonlive report that claims bicycle commuting contributes $2.6 billion to the Portland local economy every year (even as supporters of bike commuting that seems like bike-voodoo economics).

    Also see

    Video from today’s stage in the Vuelta that has taken out Chris Horner.

    It’s confirmed that Chris Horner has a broken wrist and is now out of the Vuelta. We’ll miss you Chris—please stay strong.

    @TeamAstana. Follow along on Twitter.

    Video was pulled by copyright owner.

    Steal this SXSW Panel

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    We’re already planning our return to SXSW with the Mobile Social 2010 and this year we’ve pitched Steal this Panel

    “Pick this SXSW panel and we’ll get up there and talk about whatever the Twitter tells us to do via @replies and hash tags.”

    If that gets picked, we’ll have lots of fun with it and observe how much game Twitter has changed socially, in cycling, and for business.

    SXSWPanelPicker-lg(2).png We can’t think of a better way to talk at SXSW than with audience participation. Of course, I’ll talk about what we do here at Bike Hugger and more.

    Please give the panel a thumbs up. Voting closes this week on September 4th.

    Advertise here

    About this Archive

    This page is an archive of entries from September 2009 listed from newest to oldest.

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