The Radavist

In my groggy state at this year’s NAHBS, I met Casey Sussman, the builder of Mars Cycles, a small frame builder out of Oakland. His bright magenta track bike caught my eye but in a world of mail-order “fixies”, I didn’t initially register the bike as a hand made frame.

Once Casey introduced himself, I quickly realized that was no mail-order, made in Taiwan bike. It’s a legitimate, hand made track bike. Clean fillets, racing geometry, non-nonsense details and that tapered head tube. Mars Cycles’ work, at this point, is focusing on crit-ready track bikes and Casey’s bike is a prime example.

Mars Cycles will have a few racers rolling these frames at this weekend’s Red Hook Crit in Brooklyn, so if you see them, make sure to wish them luck!

Leave a comment in the Gallery with any comments or concerns.

In the midst of all the NAHBS madness and in between nearly overdosing on Dayquil, I bumped into Armando Quiros, a frame builder I’ve featured on the site before, way, way back. Armando usually pops up at NAHBS with some insane track build. This time, he didn’t disappoint.

Like most builders, Armando keeps an eye out for vintage, rare tube and lugsets. A few years back, he acquired a set of the uber-scarce Tange Aero lugs, knowing good and well that the lugs aren’t worth anything without the tubes, or the post.

Some time passed and a random search on eBay revealed the tubes and the post, with a note stating: please note, the lugs are not included. He now had all the pieces to the puzzle so to speak.

He got cracking to it, built up a mean track frame and got it powdercoated before the show, building it up in the hotel room the night before. I bumped into him, outside the convention and shot some quick photos, which you can see in the Gallery!

I know when I come to NAHBS, I can always count on Aaron at Six-Eleven to have a track bike on display. In years past, he’s had some of my favorite bikes at the show and out of his entire fleet (the dude brought like 12 bikes, seriously), this one was my favorite.

Built in Virginia, to be raced in Portland, this machine has some pretty jamming details. Personally, I love the color and the Chris King bits, but the seatpost topper and fork crown are next level!

See more in the Gallery!

When I found out Eric Estlund from Winter Cycles wasn’t going to be at NAHBS, I was pretty bummed out. His frames are always so good and he always has a track bike on display. Aaron and I wanted to get one of our limited edition Aamerican chainrings (maybe we should sell those?) on a track bike for the show but with Winter not being there, what would we do?

Fret not. It’s the internet. I can make up my own rules. Presenting a damn hot “Not at 2014 NAHBS” bike… Here’s a background on the project:

“This is the Winter Bicycles “OverKill”, a new iteration in the “Speed Metal” track bike series. Designed as a true blue track sprint frame. Built with a blend of fillet brazed and signature bilam construction from a blend of shaped True Temper, Columbus and Deda tubing. The long point Winter track stem holds customized bars with integrated grip over a Cane Creek headset. Custom Winter sprint wheels driven by a Campagnolo Pista crank and limited edition AARN/ PinP chain ring. This bike was powder coated by Custom Powderworks in Springfield, OR.”

All photos by Anthony Bareno of Velo Cult. See more in the Gallery!

I’m a firm believer that once a track bike leaves the velodrome, steps can be made to make it slightly more practical for street use. First, off with the tubular wheels and the road pedals, then a gearing change. Maybe even a brake gets added, depending on the skill level of the rider. Better safe than sorry, especially when it comes to a beautiful machine like this.

Joseph is an “intern” of sorts at Golden Saddle Cyclery. He’s a third hand in the mechanic’s area and is learning all he can about bicycle maintenance. Though you wouldn’t think it based on their day to day interactions (you gotta keep kids in check!), Joseph got on Kyle’s good side and managed to swoop up this bike for a song. He built up new wheels – since he’s a bigger guy – he felt that deeper rims would be more durable, added a brake and put on SPD pedals.

While it’s not a purist build by any standards, it’s still a gorgeous machine. On my last night in LA, Joseph brought it out for me to shoot some photos. I wish there had been more daylight because this thing is a beaut! If track bikes are a gateway drug into cycling, this bike is heroin. See for yourself in the Gallery.