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New for 2016, long-time supporter of US framebuilders, Velo Cult announced their new Custom Program. This initiative launched with two flagship models: a steel Mark Nobilette randonneur and a custom Mosaic frameset. One, inspired by vintage lines and the other a modern day precision machine, crafted from steel or titanium. You could say that there’s something for everyone in there…
See more at Velo Cult and check out some beautiful detail photos below!
I’m here in Portland, Oregon attending the Bike and Beer festival at HopWorks Urban Brewery. While I’ll be documenting many of the frames, I’ll also be capturing the general vibes. For now, let’s just check out some bikes!
The new shop on the block at the Bike and Beer Festival were Norther Cycles, a shop in Portland that is making in-house frames from road to randonneur. With competitive pricing, classic aesthetics and the option to build out the frame from their in-house parts and accessories, Norther Cycles is your new one-stop shop for randonneuring in the Rose City.
Since everyone’s a fan of raw bikes with silver components, I couldn’t help myself from geeking out over this beauty. With 10-speed Dura Ace, TA, Gran Bois, Mafac, Berthoud and Nitto, this bike would easily cause any serious or enthusiastic randonneur rider to salivate. Just don’t drip too much on that frame… don’t want it to rust!
If you’re in Portland, swing by and see the guys at Norther Cycles. Next time I’m in town, I’ll be doing exactly that! Or if you’d like to know more about pricing, head to their pricing list.
After vigorous testing, a full run at PBP and seeking out Japan’s Nitto for production, the Compass Randonneur handlebars are now available. These Extralight bars are light. More light than any of Nitto’s current offerings, yet strong enough to take on fire roads, cobbles or whatever you can throw at them. They are available in widths of 400, 420, 440 mm and are in stock now at Compass.
You don’t necessarily need a custom frame to compete in PBP. In fact, you don’t even need a true randonneuring frame. James started that way, with a Trek touring bike which he converted to a 650b wheel size. After that didn’t work out as planned, he sought out an affordable 650b frameset before finally landing on the Soma GR v1, which he promptly stripped it of its logos and repainted.
Now that he had a frame, he wanted to make the build something unique. You see, he has a penchant for customizing otherwise overlooked details with his bikes. Logos stripped, levers and derailleurs polished. In fact, one of the only logos visible on his bike are the Rene Herse cranks.
This year James competed in PBP and after he landed back stateside, he reassembled his bike and promptly dropped it off at Golden Saddle Cyclery, where the guys fixed an issue with his rear Powertap hub.
My favorite details on this bike happen to be the brake dust swirls on the tires and the dented fenders. This bike has been through the shit, for sure.
For frame builders, randonneuring, or commuter frames can present a bit of a headache with all of the braze-ons and clearance concerns. It certainly takes a bit of planning, fittings and patience. Ian Sutton at Icarus Frames recently published one such project on his blog.
This “commuterando” frame features unique bottom bracket cable routing, a custom stem with internal brake hanger and a bell mount. The classic proportions, round tubing and 650b 38mm tires make it comfortable for bumping around the city or cruising down a dirt path.
Kudos to Ben Falcon for the paint and a cross-Pacific high five goes to the crew at Blue Lug Tokyo for the build. See more detailed photos at the Icarus blog.
Prior to paint, even the finest custom bicycle frames can be riddled with pinholes or inconsistencies hence the saying “every good builder needs a great painter.” Every now and again, I come across a photo that is so exceptional, both in the subject matter and the photo itself that I have to share it. More often than not, it’s from Map Bicycles. Mitch’s latest piece from his Randonneur Project build queue is stunning! Follow along at the Map Flickr.
Love the Ritchey Annapurna-inspired binder detail!
Anyone looking for a do-it-all bike with a Rival 22 build for $2,000 should check out the Twin Six Standard Rando completes that just landed. With clearances for a 43mm tire (spec’d with a Panaracer Pasela 32mm), 160mm rotors, steel fork and a nice geometry, these are surely a contender for an all-rounder. See more at Twin Six.
I can’t help but think it’s coincidence that Mitch from Map Bicycles posted this bike and called it a “Rambonneur” after my Rambo Rando reference last week. My mind is blown here. That bike looks like so much fun! See more at the Map Bicycles Flickr.
Eric from Winter Bicycles describes his latest build, the Peregrinator as a “full rando with Di2/ Hydro robot build.” Yes, rando, not Rambo. Although the latter seems fitting with this build kit. Talk about going full-on commando assault steeze… The Peregrinator comes locked and loaded with Nitto components, A23 rims, Compass Tires, White Industries, Schmidt generator hub, internal wiring with Ultegra Di2, Winter racks, a Winter stem and a Ruthworks SF Luggage bag.
Shine, please, shine, Peregrinator. You’re ready for anything. Check out more detail photos below…
Photos by Anthony Bareno
Eric from Winter Bicycles‘ newest bike to roll out from his shop is this gorgeous touring / randonee bike. The Quiscale is an all-rounder, meant for exploration, touring and is perfect for a daily rider. This frameset features thin lugs with accented window cuts and is built from traditional, classic diameter tubing. Accompanied by internally-routed lighting, fenders, custom racks – with removable low-riders – and specially-made RuthWorks bags.
The parts group is nothing short of choice with White Industries, Paul, Cane Creek and Shimano Ultegra, yet one of the cleanest details is the “French point” winter stem with bell mount.
The Quiscale’s class is elevated by Keith Anderson’s impeccable paint. See more at the Winter Flickr.
Yesterday I went down to the LA River Camp Coffee meet-up to drink some coffee and see what this weekly gathering is all about. While I was there, I shot Errin’s Box Dog Pelican rando bike, set up with panniers.
This bike was made by Banjo Bicycles – they’re made by Winter now – in production runs and are sold by Box Dog Bikes in small batches. Errin’s has seen some mileage, which you can follow along on his blog Frontage Roads. I love randonneur bikes that become commuters when they’re not being drug through the shit on a brevet.
See more details in the Gallery and many thanks to Errin for organizing the LA River Camp Coffee meetups, more on that tomorrow!
Mitch Pryer is the man behind Map Bicycles and let me tell you, that man can make some lovely racks. Map is known for their randonneurs, but as you can see, Mitch can tackle just about any client request, including a porteur rack with low-riders.
This is amazing. See more at the Map Flickr.
To Die on the Day of the Dead
Words by Alexei Popov and photos / preface by Cani Sciolti Valtellina
Preface.
It’s truly bizarre, but every time Mr. John Watson asks me to post some stuff on his website it is always something that has to do with failure.
Yes, FAILURE.
Failing is part of our everyday experience (I think I fail every single day, in one way or another) but it’s a term that’s not so well renowned in the cycling blogsphere (and beyond…)
Nevertheless we, as Cani Sciolti Valtellina, have a special attractive relationship with the unknown, which always drives us over and above the boundaries of the “well planned / all into account” philosophy to dive into the aleatory world…
This is an old one, but it’s always good to see Ultra Romance, aka Benedict, aka Poppi’s Pizza, aka Jøtul, doing his thing.
Yoinks! Do you even Rando, bro? JP Weigle has the scoop on this 1950’s R. Ducheron restored randonneur bike at his Flickr. Ever want to own the winner from the best restored bike of the Cirque du Cyclisme in 2007? Well, holler at Peter via his Flickr.
Framebuilder Mitch Pryor teamed up with Brent and Katryn Steelman to join forces on a batch of half tig welded / half brazed randonneur framesets. Over the past few months, I’ve been watching the progress and finally, we’re seeing some of the final frames rolling out of production.
It’s interesting to me seeing the mix of tig and brazed construction. Something you don’t see every day coming from production batches and I for one can say that these bikes are looking superb. See more from the S&P Randonneur Project below and follow along at the Map Flickr.
I love how this one photo got me stoked to see the new Map Bicycles S&P Randonneur Project bikes and it’s only a shot of racks and forks. Follow along at the Map Flickr!
This is phenomenal – it’s like a vignette into a miniature world. I love Australia!
“Earlier this year I worked with cycling club Audax Australia to capture a tilt-shift time-lapse of their event the Alpine Classic. Starting in the town of Bright 2,200 cyclists tackled several different courses of up to 250km which included ascents of Mount Buffalo, Mount Hotham, Falls Creek and Tawonga Gap. In my four days of shooting I covered nearly 2,000km through the Victorian High Country capturing cyclists, landscapes and the local towns.”
