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Prolly is Not Probably’s Top 10 Beautiful Bicycles of 2013

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Prolly is Not Probably’s Top 10 Beautiful Bicycles of 2013

As I sat down to scroll through all of the Beautiful Bicycles I photographed this year, I quickly realized how diverse PiNP has become. Previous year’s lists never had a MTB, much less two and even though the site has begun to embrace dirt riding more and more, there are still three track bikes in the rankings. Most of these bicycles were made in the USA by small frame builders, but two overseas-manufactured bikes made the cut.

This year for the Top 10 list, I looked at site metrics, social media ‘chatter’ and my own favorites (which were remarkably in-line). All of these bikes got at least 100 Facebook likes and over 20,000 visits within the first week of posting. The latter two requisites were necessary to bring it down to ten bikes, from the dozens of my personal favorites. Also, I omitted my own bikes from this list.

I like to think of PiNP as a showcase for Beautiful Bicycles and how they get put to use. See the full Prolly is Not Probably’s Top 10 Beautiful Bicycles of 2013, in no particular order, in the Gallery!

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!

Massan for Chrome

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Massan for Chrome

Do I even need to write anything here? Two legends getting together for some real radness! Expect the full video soon!

“Chrome Industries announces the live screening of its first short film this Friday, December 13th at noon west coast time. Chrome will temporarily take over its website for the screening from 12:00 to 12:30 pm. The Chrome Crew worked with Portland natives Kamp Grizzly to document Massan Fluker taking his track bike and Chrome’s new Barrage Rolltop to the hills and bridges of Portland. The final 3 minute short includes some of the best riding Portland has to offer including an epic decent of Burnside at +40 mph. Set your phone alarms for noon this Friday to catch the live screening. Spread the word.”

Chrome

Chrome_20: Uphill Sprints

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Chrome_20: Uphill Sprints

Nice vibes in the latest video from Chrome:

“Filmed at the Chrome_20 Uphill Sprints race at the Angels Point climb in ElysianPark, Los Angeles, CA.

Chrome_20 is a Pop Up Hub located next door to our friends at Orange 20 Bikes. Located at 4357 Melrose Ave. LA. Open November 22nd till December 22nd, 2013. Come visit.
Shout out to Edson from O20 and TOLA for all the race production!”

Matt’s Samson Basket Track

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Matt’s Samson Basket Track

If you were around in the mid-2000’s, rode a track bike on the streets and still have that frame, chances are, it might look like this. I love seeing friend’s zippy, fast, track-drop equipped bikes get swapped out for a spinny gear, risers and a Wald basket. When Matt wanted something more lively to ride to work each day, he bought his friend’s old Samson track bike and quickly made the transition to basket track.

Matt is co-owner at Flat Track Coffee, my local shop and every day he rides to work in Vans, with his made in the USA, Austin-based, Helm boots in the basket and a few bags of coffee for customers. This bike is always parked inside the shop and finally I got around to photographing it. Personally, I love this bike so much, as I’m sure Matt does.

See more in the Gallery!

Brooklyn Machine Works Gangsta Track

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Brooklyn Machine Works Gangsta Track

The owner of this Gangsta track has been hanging around Shifter Bikes since he was in his early teens. Now, years later and he’s got an itch to ride his bike out from the city on a big, weekend ride. Before he could do so, he needed Dan to add bottle braze ons to the frame.

Now, the technique Dan used didn’t involve a torch, but it did involve a drill and a device called a Nutsert. More on that later. For now, let’s check out this rad Gangsta Track!