The search for inexpensive, single-speed simplicity

After an extensive search for a new, fully constructed, inexpensive, single-speed road machine, here was the result:

Obviously there are many brands on the market, and if you're looking for something cheap, I suggest, *gulp*... brace yourself... "Made in Taiwan". After living and riding a bicycle everyday for two years in Taiwan myself, I became well acquainted with the extensive bike industry on the island. Quality built man powered machines, at a fair price.

Recently in California I found a single-speed Giant with a very decent steel frame, for 450 USD. A bit on the heavy side, but still a comfortable ride. Very generic brakes, cheep wheels, etc. but hey, after only 450, you could easily do some future upgrades if you you're on a budget. This was the best deal, money-wise I could find. I test rode this monster, and almost bought the bastard, until I had a chance to lay my hands on a 2006 Specialized Langster...

The Langster runs at 600 USD and is, in my humble opinion, the best quality single speed bike for its price range. The Langster has a very lightweight, aluminum frame. Construction quality surpasses the Giant in every way. Converts easily to a fixed gear by flipping the rear wheel (for all you fixie fanatics out there). Originally I was gearing towards the 2007 model, but if you can find it, check out the sleek matte-black frame exclusive for the 2006! This pretty much sold me. I look forward to upgrading to a carbon fiber seat, new wheels, cranks, etc., as cash flow permits.

While building a single-speed from scratch is probably the most ideal, if you decide to go for a prebuilt, I wisely suggest: LANGSTER.

For you English bastards

As I know you have a desperate shortage of decent shops out there on that cold bleak island, so I figured I would pass on this little gem of a shop I ran across. They aren't too special
but they seem to have a few interesting bars, including a knock off mustache. Prices aren't amazing, but hey, the probably beat Condor.
Oh yea, and they seem to know a fixie from a hole in their head, even got some NJS stuff.

LUST THIS!

also from alex "i notice any flutter in the bicycle industry" zeh, is the newest metal out of the Reynolds Labs: the coveted, the lustrous 953. of surgical quality steel - stainless, and thus needin' no paintin'- and some how super strong and dent resistant, it can be stretched thinner than normal so it weights like high-grade aluminum, is strong like titanium and big like mountain!

SEE THE BEAUTY!

from bike mag :

"Back in 1995, Reynolds revolutionized steel bike frames with 853. The alloy took the market by storm, and remained the frontrunner of lightweight steel until the majority of the market abandoned steel for aluminum, titanium and ultimately fell into temptation with the glossy, black devil, carbon fiber. Although few could argue with 853’s supple yet snappy ride quality, most riders couldn’t stand the extra weight and corrosion.

The new 953, however, addresses both of those drawbacks. According to Peter Thompson from Carpenter Specialty Alloys (Reynolds’ material supplier), the new stainless alloy is twice as strong as titanium with a frame weight comparable to high-end aluminum, and won’t corrode. That’s a big deal. Those same qualities are what make carbon fiber such a standout. But carbon fiber isn’t a “tough” material---one good gouge could ruin a frame---where a steel frame can be ripped from a car by a low-overhang, buckle in two and still be easily rebuilt.

So far, only a couple bicycle frames have been produced with the promising new alloy. Independent Fabrications’ vice president, Tyler Evans welded both of them. “It’s extremely hard to work with,” says Evans. “It’s more difficult to weld than titanium, but the results are fantastic.” "

pictured is one of the two frames that dude made. i love the balance and smooth transition of the seat cluster. just fantastic.

Lust

Who needs a fixed gear when you can have a 9 speed internally geared hub. They even made one out of carbon (though only for InterBike).
Sure it isn't the Rohloff, but then again it doesn't costs a G. Besides the photos on the site feature a hot dutch girl on a bike.

Straight up Wiley Coyote

Holly shit! Thing rocks! Can you think of a funner way to kill your self on a bike!?
If you actually want to read the article its here.

Beer with hidden message

The "Manana Project" the tomorow that rhymes with banana

Hello peeps

This is the "manana project" (Spanish for tomorrow but i couldn't spell so what the fuck). The bike is a Bikerton portable its a British all aluminium folding bike. I think it dates back from the late 70's and was the design inspiration for the Brompton. The bike features oddities such as 14" front and a 16" rear, this odd sturmy archer hub with two cables coming out of it, an all aluminium frame that's bolted together and a 58 tooth front sprocket.

Dear problem page

Our relationship started when our eyes meet on a crowded street and i pulled her out of a skip. I haven't paid her much attention and shes pretty much in the the same shape i found her, i think we have relationship issues, especially seeing that we've been together for six months and i haven't had a ride!

I just don't what to do!

< / PARIS HILTON >

completely vectorized, including a better wheel, and an "in honor of 'cheap mondays's anti-christian stance" upside down cross tattoo. not the final on my end (would like to detail that smoke in there - they do this alot in tattoos, but i havent figured out how to do a similar white-to-whatever-color fade that looks satisfactory)... eyes tired. spent probly to much time tweaking nearly every fucking node on her, to as faithfully as possible recapture the original...

i can't hide my tired eyes,
- your smile is a thin disguise.
i thought by now you'd realize;
there ain't no way to hide my tired eyes.

Just cleaning and rearranging – are you planning on making this vector based in the end? I mean, making the girl vector based before you put the final one together?

Control Power? Power Control? Control + Alt + Delete?

newest e-visions...

Godless Eye Dolls

uh, more toying with pinup + tool + germanica font + slogan fun...

Who Wants A CHAIN WHIPPING!?!?!

i cant help but think how disney this looks! its like, when you go into that gigantic pink castle in disney land, if your lucky, you can find the "hidden chambers" that are just off the kings room - repleat with concessionary stand, various plush dolls, disney branded paraphernalia, et cetera - and yet, things are just a bit askew; whens the last time you saw a happy disney employee dressed in rubber? or weilding a whip?

hrm.... wait a minute...

Heidi - Wanna Ride?

GOD DOMMIT!

more sketches, godless idols theme, matts idea and more sub/dom fun! opinions, people?

Hail Hail Mary

i dig the idle gods motif, and a saintly halo/wheel hovering over mary's knob came to mind... just a fart in the wind.

a rough sketch, but you get the idea... any takers?

Sub or Dom?

riding for elysium

sounds valiant, what? ride for glory? who wouldnt want to ride for glory? i mean, i guess ive seen some kids in NY riding for Domino's pizza, and here and there you see kids riding for various courier companies, but cmon,glory? val hala! elysium! ride with the gods!

Trip down (false)memory lane

I don't know whats the most drool worthy, he has some of every thing, a 1967 Hetchins , but the 1903 Tribune with the shaft drive and front suspention is just beautiful. What's your favorite?

http://collection.rydjor.com/rydcol1.htm

mo jesus crap

dont really know where, or why, just liked the godless idols / idle gods idear, so i went with it.

GODLESS,
our deaths last eternal,
Sinners sanctified;

In death,
only life survives.

GODLESS origins,
deified lives -
evermore sorrowful sin.

Idols destroyed;
opinions left sacred.

Elysium Riding Crew / Elysium Riding Cunts / Entropic Rockers Collective

PlainGermanica + boredom + old ideas = new graphics for fine people!

seriously now... opinions?

Godless Idols? Idle Gods?

an idea for our gang's name

Well, a few ideas... I was chatting with Carlos and we came up with some cheesy ones and some better ones. "the chain gang," "the rusty spokes," "the smut pedalers," and then a fun acronym, "B.U.T.T.S." as in Bikers Urging Tremendous Transport Solutions.

My favorite though, was "the Double Butted Tubes." The DBTs has a fun ring to it and the logo possibilities are endless. We could do a very plump derrier over a bike with two seats, as in the butt is so big it needs two seats... could be funny.

Anyhoo, start submitting some of your own suggestions, dammit! Acronyms are good too. The more double entendres the better! Think about the logos as well...

broken links

???

Jerk Collective

opinions? double-on-tondrah reference to masterbatory activities

NEWS BREAK: SF Bicyclists Unfairly Keep Money From San Francisco Government By Not Driving!

"San Francisco issues 1.9 million parking citations and brings in more than $40 million a year from violators, according to the transportation agency."

- from the nytimes article, San Franciscans Hurl Their Rage.

think about that. 40 million just from tickets. SHO glad i dont drive in sf.