Kyle’s Tokyo Fixed and Death Spray Custom Ono Track

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Kyle’s Tokyo Fixed and Death Spray Custom Ono Track

When I found out that London’s Tokyo Fixed Gear reached out to Death Spray Custom to design the paint job on one of their new track frames, dubbed the Ono, I couldn’t wait to see what the outcome would be. It wasn’t until seeing Kyle’s built up in person earlier this year that I could finally geek out on all the little details.

This bike slays and not just in the ride, but the overall presentation. The paint just pops! Kyle’s build ain’t too shabby either. The purple Chris King headset and that AARN track ring really set it off for me. Mixed in with the vintage Shimano post and Cinelli Unicanitor…

Kyle says this is his favorite track bike to date and I can see why! See more photos in the Gallery…

Merckx Mondays

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Merckx Mondays

Photos by Giovanni Pirajno

Sorry for the lack of updates today, I was out doing reconnoissance in the Angeles Forest. That and Tracko doesn’t have wifi at his bachelor pad. Speaking of no wifi, I doubt the De Rosa factory has it either.

I can’t get over this De Rosa-built Molteni road. Gahhhhhh. See more at FYXO!

Blue Lug Does Fat

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Blue Lug Does Fat

While I love custom frames and supporting local frame builders, the honest truth is, I also really admire brands like Surly, Raleigh, Fairdale and All-City. Why? It’s obvious. They make bikes that are accessible, fun and that’s what matters most: getting people onto bikes.

Of course, with a frame retail considerably lower than a custom one, you can do some pretty special paint or powder. Blue Lug’s custom Surly builds always pique my interest. Bright, clean and a lot more character than the standard, production bike.

This Krampus and Pugsley have me thinking of stripping and painting my Pugs something! See more radness at the Blue Lug Flickr!

One of Those Golden Saddle Rides

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One of Those Golden Saddle Rides

Photos by Kyle Kelley

Yesterday morning, Ty, Kyle, Sean, Moi and myself went out on a MTB ride. On the agenda: up to the top of Brown and down El Preito. I’d never done the full Brown climb before, the last time my rental bike broke down half way up the climb, so I was ready to see what all the fuss was.

We climbed up around 2,000′ from the trail head, soaked in the views of the Angeles Forest and bombed back down the double track to the El Preito entrance. On the way down, Ty found the elusive fatbike air!

El Preito was a lot of fun, especially on the Tallboy LTC. Tight switchbacks, rocky, technical descents down to stream crossings and lots of areas with “consequence” if you’re not paying attention. Basically, yes, it is an exceptional ride and worth doing if you haven’t!

Even though I’ve barely scratched the surface of all that Los Angeles has to offer on a MTB, I can say that what I’ve seen so far has me wanting more!

Check out a few more of Kyle’s photos below!

Massan for Chrome

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Massan for Chrome

I love watching Massan ride a track bike!

Chrome Industries worked with Kamp Grizzly to document Chrome Familia member Massan Fluker riding his bike and our Barrage in the hills and on the bridges of Portland. The film includes some of the best riding Portland has to offer including a gnarly descent of Burnside at 40+ mph.”

…and he’s a not a bad photographer either. Check out his URRRIE Zines for sale at Tracko!

Firefly: The Bones Project is Live!

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Firefly: The Bones Project is Live!

Ya gotta hand it to Firefly and Eric Bones. This project came out so rad.

“We have designed and built thousands of steel frames in our careers, and we have developed a deep respect for the material and process. The Bones Project is our opportunity to use our knowledge and unique approach to frame building to push the functional and aesthetic boundaries of the most storied material in cycling.

The Bones Project exists at the intersection of manufacturing, art, and performance. It is a collaboration of designers, machinists, frame builders, and artists, most importantly the brilliantly talented local illustrator, designer, and muralist Eric Bones.”

See more detailed photos below and check out Firefly for the full scoop on this unique collaboration!

Black Vanilla Road Frame for Sale

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Black Vanilla Road Frame for Sale

Sometimes frame builders end up with a frame to sell to the public and it just so happens that Vanilla’s got something to offer to the tall people out there:

“Available today, maybe just in time to sneak under the tree, is this 2013 Vanilla road frame. It’s roughly a 60cm, see specs here, and features brushed stainless steel head tube lugs, “V” dropouts and drive side chain stay. This frame also includes internal rear brake cable routing, hand carved and thinned lugs, two pair of bottle bosses and meticulous paint work by Coat Paint Shop.”

Check out more details here.

Chris King at the 2013 SSCXWC in Philly

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Chris King at the 2013 SSCXWC in Philly

Year after year, one race promises a good time and delivers. The SSCXWC is often riddled with controversy and inclement weather, luckily this year, the latter only applied. After a successful qualifier at the Bilenky Junkyard Cross course, the racers took to the main event at another location. This year’s course was part taped, part off-road through hobo trails and singletrack. To top it off, it started snowing at the onset of the chaos. Out came the kegs, the grills and the party hats. When the dust settled, two champions reigned supreme, Adam Craig and Vicki Barclay. That’s two in a row for Craig…

Chris King’s Dylan VanWeelden is quite handy with his camera. From shooting for the Chris King blog and various products, to covering events, Dylan has his lens tuned into the Buzz. Check out a selection of his photos in the Gallery!

Chris Lee at the 2013 SSCXWC in Philly Junkyard Cross

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Chris Lee at the 2013 SSCXWC in Philly Junkyard Cross

Year after year, Bilenky‘s Junkyard Cross brings in a varying crowd of cyclists from the party-racers to the pros. This year however, Steve and the gang played their cards a little differently, embracing the SSCXWC in Philly and throwing Junkyard Cross as the qualifier for the main event. Things got weird for sure…

Photographer Chris Lee was on the scene with his 35mm SLR and DSLR to catch all the action. Check out some selects in the Gallery!

SRAM XX1 Enduro

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SRAM XX1 Enduro

I can’t get over how rad this looks, especially the beginning descent down the glacier. In the latest from SRAM XX1, they follow enduro racers along during the iconic Mega Avalanche in Alpe d’Huez to the final race of the Enduro World Series in Finale Ligure, Italy. Seriously, the shots of the starts are insane!