The 2013 PiNP Holiday List

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The 2013 PiNP Holiday List

Look, I already feel a bit self-conscious about how much PiNP encourages our consumer habits but it’s a part of life and I’d rather direct you to some legitimate holiday goods, then have you read some bogus list elsewhere. Most of these products on this list are in my personal collection and have become staples in my day to day life.

Some notes: Buy local if you can, your local bike shop probably sells gift certificates, so support them first and foremost. Most of these products are more “lifestyle” than cycling-related but there’s more to life than bike shit, right? Finally, most of these products are made in the USA!

Check out a few choice products you could buy this holiday season below!

Cold Rolled Chapter 01

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Cold Rolled Chapter 01

And to think, here I was stoked on doing a shallow river crossing this morning and finding a dead deer while out on the fatty. I can’t let my Pugsley see this!

“Chapter One of the five-part short film Cold Rolled: Marquette Michigan’s Snow Bike Route, an action documentary from Clear & Cold Cinema, Salsa Cycles and TravelMarquetteMichigan.com that will explore the history and progression of winter cycling culture in the adventure-loving Lake Superior harbor town of Marquette, Michigan.

Marquette’s Noquemanon Trails Network has nearly perfected equipment and techniques used to launch its Snow Bike Route, a 15-mile winter singletrack developed for fat tire bikes. The fast narrow trail features flowy terrain, steep descents and large bermed turns. It’s believed to be the first trail of its kind–but more importantly, it’s pretty fun.

Chapter One features riding along an ungroomed section of trail that is often packed by foot traffic from Marquette’s active population. This section of trail follows the Dead River and passes under a leaky water pipe that forms curtains of ice in the winter months.”

Help Café Roubaix

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Help Café Roubaix

EDIT: Specialized has experienced a bit of foot in mouth since this article was written.

Look, I know this situation with Café Roubaix and Specialized has been on everyone’s social network radars at some point over the weekend. While people have supplied their opinions, I tried to rationalize my take on the whole debacle. You see, I really hate reading about corporate bullies throwing their weight around. How can you even claim that you own the name of a commune in northern France?

I’m banging my head against the wall here. Mostly because I actually respect what some of Specialized does. While it’s not all for me, they’re an American company that has been around for decades, employing people who love to ride bikes and have put out some rather interesting design projects over the years. That said, their corporate assholish attitude really bums me out. Here’s a summary of what they’re doing to Café Roubaix:

“A Canadian veteran of the Afghanistan war who operates a tiny bicycle shop in Cochrane is being forced to change his store’s name after being threatened with a lawsuit by one of the giants of the U.S. bike industry.

Dan Richter, owner of Cafe Roubaix Bicycle Studio, located above the famous Mackay’s Ice Cream in Cochrane, says he received a letter from the lawyers of big bicycle maker Specialized several months ago, demanding he change the store’s name because the company owns the trademark on the word Roubaix, which they use to market a brand of road bike.”

To add insult to injury, this isn’t the first time they’ve done something like this.

So I want to know. What gives, Specialized? Are you like the small-minded bully who walks around beating up nerds? Look, they’re even wearing red.

At any rate, I wanted to address this to not open up a forum on how much Specialized sucks, but to help out Café Roubaix. Check out more on this Indie Go-Go campaign or just buy a shirt!

FBM’s Beat Ass

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FBM’s Beat Ass

This looks so damn good!

“BEAT ASS
A travelogue documentary featuring the third “Lords of Fun” trip… a 3-day, full throttle celebration of bikes, fire, stunts, chihuahas, zip lines and FUN!
Dropping Friday 13th
13.13 EST”

Make Your Bones

Vanhulsteijn for Sotheby’s: The Urushi Bicycle Project

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Vanhulsteijn for Sotheby’s: The Urushi Bicycle Project

People sure do love to meddle with the traditional tube layouts of the bicycle, in the name of form. Personally, I don’t mind and this Vanhulsteijn looks interesting enough. I like the frame treatment more than anything!

Here’s a synapsis:

“Exclusively for Sotheby’s Dutch designer Herman van Hulsteijn created a very special edition of 9 extraordinary Vanhulsteijn bicycles covered in a dazzling coat of Japanese Urushi lacquer and gold leaf.”

See more here.

Moots: Limited Edition Mike Cherney Sterling Silver Headbadges

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Moots: Limited Edition Mike Cherney Sterling Silver Headbadges

Having spent 48 hours with Mike Cherney on a bicycle, during Brovet #03, I can say without a doubt that he is one of the most unique individuals I’ve ever met and I mean that in the best way possible.

Mike is a true craftsman, so much so that Moots recently commissioned him to fabricate eight sterling silver headbadges. Each badge is made from 1 troy ounce of Sterling Silver.

The badges are now for sale at Moots, for $300 USD or you can read up on the process Mike used at the Moots Blog!

Movers and Makers: Christopher Igleheart

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Movers and Makers: Christopher Igleheart

This video from Swobo and Bicycle Times, profiling Igleheart is amazing!

“Christopher Igleheart is probably the nicest guy in the bicycle industry–but don’t hold that against him. He’s been making bikes longer than most folks have been riding them and he does it a deep sense of understanding and a gracious smile.

We got to know him when he relocated to Portland, Oregon about a year ago and started building custom frames in a shared shop space with Joseph Ahearne. His bikes are simple, but they’re beautiful and they’re strong. He should know a thing or two about making tough bikes as he had a big hand in the building of the iconic and coveted Fat Chance mountain bikes in the 80’s.

Sharing a conversation with Chris about bikes is like taking a history lesson from the coolest professor on campus, who also happened to have a hand in the making of the very history they are teaching that semester. He’s wise, he’s insightful, and he’s probably one of the best people to share a post-ride beer with that we’ve ever met.

Igleheart is the inspiration for the entire Movers and Makers Series and we figured it was right to start off Volume 1 with him. Enjoy!”

Well done!