#track-bike

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The Mash and Cinelli Work Frames are Now Shipping

Whether you’re into messengering, street fixed gear races or even singlespeed cyclocross, the new Mash Work Frames will fit the bill. Born on the streets and trails of SF, the Work Frame’s versatility is its most shining asset. As Mash’s first steel frame with Cinelli, the Work Frames were born from Chas Christiansen’s idea to have one frame to rule them all. Rather than painting the frames, Mash went with a raw, with a clear powdercoat, which will most definately patina over time with heavy use. These frames are spaced at 100mm and 120mm, with clearances for a 35mm tire and an english threaded bottom bracket.

The Work Frames are in stock now at Mash for $875.

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Hardbreakers Went From Budapest to Istanbul

13 brave souls from Hardbreakers rode 1,640 km across Europe from Budapest to Istanbul on fixed gears with vehicle support. Loaded or not, this is not an easy route, as the video illustrates. Looks like a fun ride guys!

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The Mash Boys on HWY 1

One of the most majestic highways gets visited by Mash…

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A Letter to Los Angeles

Nice one, Ace!

Reportage By: John Watson

Ride in Peace Jacob Smoller: A Tribute Jacobs Track Bike – Kyle Kelley and Billy Sinkford

Ride in Peace Jacob Smoller: A Tribute Jacobs Track Bike
Photos by Kyle Kelley and words by Billy Sinkford

Preface: Jacob Smoller recently passed away in Boston. Coinciding with this unfortunate event, Kyle came across a Jacobs track bike in Los Angeles. To celebrate Jacob’s life and work, we reached out to Billy Sinkford, a good friend of Jacob to write a memorial piece:

Try Harder. That was Jacob Smoller’s motto. His creed. Jacob would have turned thirty a few weeks ago and passed just a few days before his birthday. He was a Boston bike messenger, frame builder, beloved member of the international messenger family, and urban cycling community at large.

Be it music, racing, building bikes or riding them, Jacob was an artist with a strong creative drive. His commitment to the cycling community even stronger. Over the past 10 years Jacob had a hand in organizing countless cycling events and races, all with the emphasis on fun and inclusion, he was happiest bringing folks together.

Jacob loved this community, he loved bikes, and he loved Boston. Try Harder, never settle and give your all. He gave everything to the messenger community, his friends and family and we will miss him all the more for it. As everyone does, Jacob had his demons. It’s important to remember our friend for the light that he shined and not the shadow that he cast. He was a beautiful man who didn’t ask of anyone and stood tall with his decisions.

Jacob and I met over a decade ago during my transition from messenger life in Boston. I had some of the best times of my life with him, late night antics, exploring the country by bike, and candid conversations over the years. He is a friend that I hold close and his loss has rocked my world. I miss him with all my heart, ride safe my friend. I will miss our talks.

____

Follow Kyle on Instagram and Billy on Instagram.

Radar

Bike Jerks: Opening Night at the NSC Velodrome Photos

Photos by Marty Wood

The Bike Jerks blog has some exceptional photos up from their local track’s opening night. Head on over to check out some more photos from the NSC Velodrome’s season kick-off. Seriously Marty, those are some great photos!

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Merckx Mondays

In my opinion, Merckx still holds the hour record in an era before aerodynamics were a main concern. His Colnago-built Molteni track bike was completely laced out with Pino Morroni drillium componentry to reduce weight and nothing protected the hardened cyclist from a potential collision, save for a Cinelli hairnet. In 1972, Merckx was the man of the hour and his legacy still lives to this day. This video showcases other greats from the Hour Record.

Don’t miss this Merckx Mondays from 2009 and the discussion on the original Merckx Hour Record bike…

Great find, Tracko!

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I’m Not Really a Toast Kinda Guy

… but this is damn good!

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Seabase in the Pyrenees

192 miles of the mountains of madness on a track bike. If anyone can do it, it’s Seabase…

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Congratulations to Sir Bradley Wiggins

I wish I could have found this portrait that George Marshall took to post instead, but this photo from Rapha’s MyHour page will suffice. As if anyone was doubting Wiggo, he successfully set a new hour record of 54.526km\h, sending him even more decorated into cycling’s great history books and topping off his career.

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More on Wiggo

You’ll have to excuse the dump of videos and photos for the Hour Record. I’ve been away from the internet for a few days…

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The History of the Hour Record

I’m so bummed to have been traveling from London during Wiggo’s Hour Record. For those who wanted a bit of background on the history of this event, check out the above video and see the rest of the series at Youtube. Part 2, Part 3 and Part 4.

Radar

Jam Handcrafted Bicycles

St Petersburg, Russia’s Jam Handcrafted Bicycles means business…

Reportage By: John Watson

Chas’ Legor Cicli Track Bike

In the world of beausage and bicycles, you’d be hard pressed to find a better catalyst than a street-racing track bike. Or even a bike messenger’s work horse. When you combine the two…

This Legor Cicli track bike was first featured here back in 2011 at NAHBS in Austin. Originally owned by John Taki and was just recently passed down to Chas, it’s seen its share of street wear and tear. Fit with Omnium cranks, a 44RN camo chainring and Essor wheels, it has the mean stance of a race machine, with a lot of that special pista patina we’ve all come to admire.

Chas was in London to do a panel with Oakley at their In Residence space, so in-between his busy schedule, I took this bike outside to document it. There’s something special about a track bike in a city like London… and I love it! Oh and that cup in the spokes? Chas didn’t want to litter when he finished his beer.

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All-City Cycles: New Sheriff SL Track Hubs

All-City Cycles recently took their popular Sheriff track hubs and re-worked them drastically improving the functionality. All while keeping the original design language. They lightened the axles, removed material at the flanges and topped off the re-design with Japanese manufactured 6902 bearings which roll incredibly fast and smooth while retaining excellent seals for all weather, all-day everyday durability.

The result is a hubset that weighs a mere 432g,198 for the front, and 234 for the rear. This makes it one of the lightest track hubsets in the world, a figure even more impressive when you consider All-City didn’t eliminate the usefulness of a fixed / fixed or fixed / free option as most racing hubs do.

The new Sheriff SL track hubs are available in 28 and 32 hole versions, silver or black, front and rear. See more at All-City Cycles and place an order through your local shop.

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Riding Along with Neil Bezdek During the Red Hook Crit

Neil is a best and without a doubt the longest Red Hook Crit participant / bad ass / combatant ever. At least in my opinion anyway…

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TBTW’s RAGNARÖK Race

Like racing brakeless track bikes down mountains? Live around Biella, Italy? Head to the Ragnarok race thrown by the TBTW crew. See more details at the TBTW Facebook.

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All-City Cycles: Made in the USA Pursuit Special Chainrings

It’s great to see a company like All-City bring some production back to the good ol’ US of A. Introducing their Pursuit Special track rings:

“These beauties are cnc’d in the USA and utilize a proprietary tooth profile for smooth and quiet operation. The 49-52’s utilize a solid body design with reliefs in the back for weight savings, while the 46-48’s have full cutouts.

In sticking with the theme of our aluminum track bike, the Thunderdome, we named them after Mad Max’s car, the Pursuit Special.”

Head to your local All-City dealer to order.