#Massan

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Massan’s Low – a San Francisco Giant! – Kyle Kelley

Reportage

Massan’s Low – a San Francisco Giant! – Kyle Kelley

Massan’s Low – a San Francisco Giant!
Photos and words by Kyle Kelley

Massan has been around since the beginning of all this track bike shit. His fluid riding, effortlessly controlled hill bombs and huge Sugino Zen chainrings made his name a staple on bike forums and in bike shops long ago and his timeless style have earned him a lasting place in the bike industry as a whole. Unlike many of the early track bike videos, which are easily dated by old fixie tricks or bunny hops, Massan’s videos are only dated by the bike he is on. From the era of his blacked out Bianchi Pista Concept (remember the HUF bike?) to his time with Leader, his videos have always highlighted his effortless style and amazing bike control.

To say that Massan just rides is an understatement though. He never looks like he’s smashing, but he is. He never looks like he’s flying, but trust me, he is. Like many of the skateboarding greats, people have said Massan is boring to watch because he makes this shit look too damn easy. There’s never been a hill he wouldn’t drop or a gap he wouldn’t shoot. Massan’s calm/cool demeanor translates well to the bike, making him one of the most graceful cyclists on a track bike.

Years ago I was visiting San Francisco and made plans to hangout with Massan. Usually we spend our time talking about cassette tapes, hip-hop and b&w photography, but on that day I needed to swing by Andrew Low’s place to say hi and asked Massan if he wanted to come along. Andrew makes exactly the kind of bicycles that Massan likes to ride – oversized aluminum tubes, aggressive geometry and fast as hell! And it doesn’t hurt that they’re made in the city that he came from. The rest, as they say, is history. Andrew and Massan have been working together since that day and this bike is their latest collaboration.

Massan’s new Low is the SS Crit, the first production track bike designed specifically for the track bike criteriums happening these days. The first thing that comes to mind when I see this bike is the San Francisco Giants! I’m not sure if that was Massan’s intention, but what better way to show San Francisco pride than to paint your bike Giant’s orange. This build has Massan written all over it with the massive Sugino Zen chainring, Thomson post and stem, Vittoria rubber, Phil Woods and of course some HED Belgium Blacks!

Massan..I salute you!

____

Follow Kyle on Instagram and Massan on Instagram.

Massan for Chrome

Radar

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

Radar

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: De Haro Windbreaker

Radar

Chrome: De Haro Windbreaker

Photo by Matt Lingo

 

Chrome introduces the De Haro Windbreaker, a lightweight packable jacket that looks great on and off the bike.

“We made the De Haro for bombing hills and crashing parties. On the bike, it provides passive and active venting. Full-length side vents let heat out naturally. The two-way zip allows you to unzip the bottom and increase wind flow. Reflective cuffs also function as cinches. It features a back cargo-pocket that doubles as a stuff sack.”

See more at Chrome.

Chrome Truk

Radar

Chrome Truk

Since their first models dropped two years ago, Chrome has been working on improving them. Introducing the Truk, as modeled here by Massan.

Massan’s MUNI LOW

Reportage

Massan’s MUNI LOW

About a year ago, a man named Andrew Low came onto the track bike scene. Based in SF, Andrew builds handmade aluminum track frames in a small and tidy workshop in the Mission. San Francisco is widely responsible for the aluminum track bike hype and LOW has the made in the USA market cornered. When Massan caught wind of Andrew, he had to support a builder from his home town…

Just recently, Andrew completed a low pro model in a MUNI livery for Massan and I had the chance to photograph it in the Embarcadero on Saturday. With Massan’s recent induction into the Chrome Familia, this bike will be getting a lot of press-love, but for now, here’s my lens-love.

Click on the above photo to launch the gallery, or here to open in a new tab.