tag
I’m all about domestic fabrication. I love the vintage aesthetic of Crane bells, which are made in Japan, but they’re a little too big for mountain or road bars. A bell should disappear, only to make its presence known when you ring it. Maybe that’s why I like Spurcycle‘s design for “the Ringer”. Ok, yes, that name is helllllla cheesy but the design of the Ringer is not.
They have a Kickstarter, which is already at their goal, so just pre-order one there.
Over the years, I’ve found the simpler the collaboration, the better and there’s nothing more simple than a belt. When I met Mark from Topo Designs, we began talking about doing a product together. After I saw the Web Belts in their stock room, I knew exactly what we should produce.
While this might not be for everyone, there are plenty of people who love these bluetooth external speakers, plus, 20% of the money raised goes to the Messenger relief fund. Support the Boombot REX at their Indiegogo page.
The 2013 Red Hook Crit season is underway, with the Navy Yards this weekend and future events worldwide later in the summer. If you can’t make it out to a race, head over to the Gage + DeSoto store to pick up some of the Red Hook Crit merchandise.
Check out the first drop from Cadence’s newest line entitled Turbo. I love a good, small pocket knife and the Coin looks to be just that. Also check out the new graphic tees and tanks.
I can always get behind practical collaborations. Check out these black tire levers, cobranded with Locked Cog and Slurpcult. Scoop here.
The classics never go out of style, they just get a facelift, or in this case, a splash of color. In the years that Denver’s Topo Designs has been in business, they’ve striven for American-made portage that has a modern façade with a classic silhouette. All of their bags are manufactured in a LEED-certified facility at the foothills of the Rockies and while their bags aren’t designed specifically for cycling, they are versatile, durable and innovative.
I had the opportunity to visit Topo’s design and shipping facilities while I was in Denver and was immediately pulling out my card to make some purchases. From a new (out soon) backpack that stuffs into a pocket, padded laptop carriers (out soon), to their classic Klettersack backpack, nesting bags and even their accessories like the Web Belt and Liberty co-branded water bottle, I put a dent in my checking account!
I’ve honestly never purchased them before because I never saw anything Topo made in person. In this case, seeing and feeling was believing. With high-quality, wear-reducing cordura on the bottoms of their bags, you’ll have them for years with no issues.
Check out more photos from my Shop Visit to Topo Designs in the narrated gallery and check your local Topo retailler here.
I know I’ve given Denver, specifically Pearl Velo, a lot of love here on the site this week and it’s not going to end. Not yet anyway. One of the best ways small bike shops can generate income during the slow winter months is through selling merchandise. The problem is, very few shops put time and energy into this, so they miss out on the opportunity.
The Megane are the original Cadence glasses. In fact, the name “megane” means glasses in Japanese. Made in Japan and ready for your prescription. Available in 10 pieces each color now at Cadence.
NAHBS is always overwhelming for me but sometimes I just like to see really useful products mixed in with all the high-end, custom bikes. I’ve put my Feedback Pro Elite stand through the ringer over the years and I really love the simplicity of it but when I saw the Sprint Work Stand, I had to check it out. The front fork mount is compatible with all spacing for front or rear dropouts and the bottom bracket padding slides to accomodate all wheelbases.
See more details at Feedback Sports and a few more shots below.
I wonder where you’ll be able to scoop these up? I’m pretty sure I can fit a mini bottle of bourbon in that or at least a T4…
I was just thinking the other day about how much I missed my Brooks Team Pro saddle. If you can’t tell, I really miss my touring bike. Or maybe I just miss touring and camping. This new video from Brooks just hit my email, featuring their new Land’s End & John O’Groats Travel Panniers and if panniers aren’t on your foreseeable agenda, check out the new saddle, bar tape and grips offerings below.
With blizzards and super storms plaguing the rest of the States, it’s very evident that we’re still in the middle of winter. Keeping your hands warm when you’re out in the elements isn’t something you can leave strictly to gloves and conventional warming packs lose their heat too quickly. Luckily, The Albion’s thinking of you and in just the nick of time with these branded Peacock Handwarmers:
“The Peacock Hand Warmer works by platinum catalysis, which causes neither air pollution nor occurrence of waste. The newly developed re-usable platinum-catalysed glass fibre burner offers quick and sure lighting and gives constant warmth for a full day with just one fill of fuel. The warmer is useable even in extreme cold -40c and produces five times as much heat as disposable warmers. Perfect for those days digging at the trails or out in the city in the freezing cold looking for something to chink. A photographer/videographers new best friend as you’ll be able to keep your hands warm when you’re out working in the cold. Inscribed with the magical Albion trifecta-logo you know you need one of these.”
Pick one up, in three sizes at The Albion.
Peonfx has a ton of new accessories up on the site, including some pendants. I like the Kill Hill design the best. See the rest at Peonfx.
The small details on a frame are what stand out and even if you can’t afford some Phil Wood hubs, these new seat collars are an affordable way to add a nice bit of color (they’ve got a good selection!) to your build:
“Phil Wood & Co. seat post collars are machined out of solid US produced billet aluminum. Each collar is machined in-house to the same high-quality standards as we apply to all of our products. Our collars are available in the same anodized colors and high polished surface as the rest of our products. This allows for a coordinated color match between all of our products.
We are currently running at maxiumum capacity. Becuase of this no other sizes are available and custom orders will not be taken.”
Head on over to Phil Wood for more!
I don’t care what kind of bike you have, a nice saddle and bar tape will classy any bike up. Especially if it’s from the workshop of Mick Peel. It’s been a while since I last posted about Busyman Bicycles but this natural leather set is gorgeous.
Previously: MEL Shop Visit: Busyman Bicycles
I can just hear the word now: leeeverrrs. Rapha Japan’s Facebook page is filled with a ton of great riding photos but the new Rapha-branded tire levers are quite popular at the moment. I wonder when these will go into circulation?
While it’s easy to make a holiday list, it ain’t so easy to point out domestically-manufactured products, especially when it comes to cycling. The following list is not necessarily a cycling gift guide as much as it is a list of some products that I use just about every day and have grown to love.
Personal endorsements aside, there’s something for everyone in there. Some are affordable and some are “investments”. As always, shop locally before clicking the buy it now button and only buy what you need! Or replace a few products with domestically-produced goods… And don’t worry, more holiday lists are coming that look outside the Made in the USA box.
But for now, check out my 2012 Flag Hatchet Holiday List below…
