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I fucking love Melbourne. It’s without a doubt, the best city in the world. The people, the bikes, the food. Everything about it is exceptional. Today was the open house at Northside Wheelers and Shifter Bikes. It was great to see old faces and new.
Tomorrow, we leave for a two day, 200 mile, 25,000′ ride over the dividing range on cross bikes, aka an Australian ass-whoopin’, so let these photos get you through the weekend!
Check out some narrated photos in the Gallery!
You can plan your whole day around these events. Come through if you’re in Melbourne. I’ll be at the FYXO Swap early and then at Northside / Shifter all afternoon.
This site has featured Shifter Bikes numerous times in the past and since arriving in Australia, I’ve already picked up on a few changes at Dan’s shop. Here’s a little preview showcasing some new accents that just so happen to be orange and black…
I’ll be setting up my desk at the shop while I’m in Melbourne, so swing through.
Kyle had me playing his private photographer while he was in Texas, directing me to shoot this photo of his new Shifter Bikes tee (that I gave him). These came out great, so hassle Dan on his Twitter to make more!
Photos by Andy White
These hands have graced some of the most pristine bicycles in Melbourne, many of which were brought in by Andy of Fyxomatosis. While Dan from Shifter Bikes supplies the obsessive, compulsive and meticulous workflow, Andy steps back and documents for the world to see. You’ve gotta check out the full photo gallery at Fyxo. It should be inspiring to anyone who finds themselves drawn into the details.
Oh and, see you guys in April!!!!!!
There are a lot of so-called “restoration experts” when it comes to bicycles, but as far as I’m concerned, there’s only one. Andy from FYXO teamed up with Busyman and Shifter to bring you one of the best Colnago Mexico restorations out there. Head over to FYXO to see the full scoop and make sure there’s extra salt.
There are some benefits to dating a “bike blogger” but there are more benefits to being friends with Andy from Fyxomatosis and Dan from Shifter Bikes. When we were in Melbourne, Andy had this beautiful Casati Ellisse road frame hanging up. I took one look at it and knew it had to be Lauren’s. We haggled, arm wrestled and played a few games of hangman over the cost and eventually came to an agreement. What went from a Chorus build turned to a C-Record build and then, to top it off, Dan offered to build it up, prior to shipping it out.
Weeks passed and Lauren’s bike showed up on a Saturday morning. I put it together and made sure it fit. After a quick test ride, she was ecstatic. Tomorrow we’re going to go get her fit for some road shoes and Sunday will be its first ride in Austin. I think it’s safe to say, we’re both thrilled with this bike. How could you not be? Ti Grammo Art stem, C-Record, Ambrosia wheels? Life’s too short to ride shit bikes.
Click on the above photo to launch the gallery, or here to open in a new tab.
Photo by Andy White
When we were in Melbourne, I came across this Casati in Shifter Bikes. It was a perfect fit for Lauren and since she had been looking for a road bike, I had to try to work out a deal with Andy to get it for her. Months later, the beast is built up for the beauty and Andy gave it some lens love before packing it up and shipping it out. Check out more lovely photos here!
When Andy from Fyxomatosis and I both decided to carry our cameras on a ride in the Australian bush, we thought we’d mix it up a bit with a “dueling banjos” photoset exchange. In other words, he’d post my photos and I’d post his, while we each told our side of the story (in two posts, here and here). It worked quite well but to showcase all of my photos, I’ve decided to re-up them, just in time for the weekend. This was the most intense ride I’ve ever been on. Two days, over 220 miles and over 20,000′ of climbing on both sealed and rocky terrain. All self-supported and on cross bikes. Bugga!
Look, I don’t care where you live, going on rides like this can happen (almost) anywhere. Granted, you might not find a Lace Monitor lizard dead in the road, 200 miles outside of your town…
Click on the above photo to launch the gallery, or here to open in a new tab.
All Photos by Andy White
After the first day’s journey into Jamieson, Shifter Dan, Andy and I awoke with empty stomachs and loose legs. A quick breakfast and a chat with some locals, sent us on our way to Licola and then Rosedale. Compared to day 01, day 02 was hell. Each of us broke at some point in the day, which was fine. It’s when everyone breaks at once that you’re screwed.
Within the first 20 miles or so, we were climbing up the Jamieson-Licola road range. Sealed quickly turned to jeep trail and jeep trail disintegrated to seasonal fire roads. You could tell not many people ventured through these parts by bike. In the end, bad decisions on day one, brought about the inevitable. As per the last post, Andy has my photos up with his words at Fyxomatosis.
Check out more below!
All Photos by Andy White
Andy from Fyxomatosis and I did something a little different this time around. He’s posting my photos and dictating over them and I, his. We loosely are calling this the Dueling Banjos. So here’s my side of the saddle:
When I found out I would be returning to Australia, Andy asked if I wanted to go on one of he and Dan from Shifter Bike‘s “epic” rides out through Woods Point. I’ve been following Fyxomatosis, since forever, so I knew what that meant. This was a man’s ride. A no holds-barred, dirt and hurt ride. Since doing my tour, I have stayed in the saddle. I had the base miles underneath me but did I have the ability to keep up with Dan and Andy? Nervously, I accepted the invite and the day before we left, Dan took my Milwaukee Orange One into Shifter Bikes for a cleaning.
We left that morning and met Andy in Lilydale. We rode along the Warburton Rail Trail, through flea markets and eventually stopped in Warburton for breakfast. Canadian pancakes, a long black, fresh juice and some pastries. As we were leaving the cafe, I thanked Dan for cleaning my bike, to which he replied “thank me in 30 minutes”…
Since Andy’s in the future, he got the jump on posting about our “epic” ride down under. These rides are a combination of your nightmares and your fantasies. Many have ventured into the Bush, only to have being chewed up and spitted out. OZ is a magical place but there were no yellow brick roads here. Just fire trails, pinch flats, Canadian stacks and bad decisions (for me anyway). The story awaits you at Fyxomatosis.
These are my photos, which Andy featured as part of our “dueling banjos” entries.
Check back tomorrow for my side of the story but Andy’s diction is going to be hard to beat!
If Andy from Fyxomatosis has taught me anything it’s “you don’t have to post photos right after you take them”. And for that matter, you don’t have to always post your own photos from rides. Next week, we’ll be dueling banjos…
It’s hard for me to watch these videos because I miss these guys so much. Andy from FYXO and Dan from Shifter Bikes were interviewed by Biking Brisbane. Melbourne is the place to be. Looking good fellas!
In all the time I’ve been posting about Firefly‘s work, I’ve never actually ridden one. It took me traveling to Australia to finally get the chance to ride a frame in my size and man, what a rocket. Let’s face it, Tyler and Jamie know what they’re doing. Their stainless and titanium bikes are awe-inspiring and that takes a special mechanic to do the build justice. Luckily, Justin knew where to go: Shifter Bikes.
Where do I begin with this bike? The Rotor Rings, affixed by the polished Hollowgram cranks? Or the entire group, which was polished by none other than Fyxomatosis? Then there’s the EE Cycle Works brakes with their made in America, tech aesthetic. As a complete piece of art, Justin’s Firefly is molten lava. See for yourself below!
Dan from Shifter Bikes is the premiere wheel smith in Australia. His builds come in at the PRO level. His methods are a mix of calculated, loving care and a bit of tough love. I miss these guys already.
As much as I love NAHBS, I get worn out after the long days. Last night, Brad from Urban Velo posted this photo of me shooting Souphorse’s Ritte road bike. Thanks for lightening the mood Brad! Check out all of Urban Velo’s coverage here.
