Friday, the 5th of December, Mission Workshop is hosting a housewarming party at their new space located at 541 Valencia Street. Those of you in the area should definitely attend, as Mission Workshop is quite good at hosting a great party. On view will be selected upcoming pieces from both Mission Workshop and Acre. I think I spy a hooded blazer in the mix that might be ideal for a Christmas present for this blogger.
The NYNE Cruiser is a portable Bluetooth speaker that provides a solution for those wanting to have their personal soundtrack follow them wherever they go. Portability is the key, and with the assorted accessories included with the Cruiser, this speaker is set for any adventure. There are mounts for attaching the speaker to your bicycle, exercise cycle, or even a baby stroller. There is also a carabiner for attaching the speaker to a backpack. The speaker easily connects via Bluetooth to any smartphone in a matter of seconds. Pairing the speaker is a breeze, and sound quality is exceptional given its compact size and light weight. Speaker technology has come a long way, and the Cruiser takes full advantage, providing clear and crisp playback. Battery life is quite long, with a ten hour run time on a single charge. At just under $100.00, the NYNE Cruiser is perfect for those who want music on the go. The Cruiser will definitely become a staple of my future camping trips.
The idea of an all day shoe with an SPD compatible sole is not new, but the Quoc Pham Urbanite has found the perfect balance between the two. The trick to designing such a shoe is making it stiff enough to be useful on the bike, but pliable enough to be comfortable for walking. The Urbanite is exactly that. On the bike, the shoe has just the right amount of stiffness for riding efficiently. The cleat is well concealed within the sole, and quite easy to engage and disengage with the pedals. Installation of the cleat is a breeze, and if you prefer running the shoe without a cleat, there is a simple cover to fill in the void. Off the bike, the shoes perform equally well, whether on my feet all day at work, or for a simple stroll to a local restaurant. The functionality of the Quoc Pham shoes is exceptional. Add to this the simple and elegant design, and you have a shoe that can go anywhere, and do most anything. For my testing, I chose the Urbanite mid-rise in brown, and have found them to be a front runner for daily use even when not on the bike. They are that comfortable, and the quality is supreme. Quoc Pham shoes are available in the United States through Mission Workshop, in store, or online.
The bike you see pictured above is one of several created to celebrate Mavic’s 125 year anniversary. This particular model was created by Ritte, and is a definite stunner. A complete SRAM Red gruppo complemented by the Ksyrium 125 Anniversary wheel-tyre system and hand painted by Ritte founder Spencer Canon make this bike one of a kind. Now is the opportunity to own this unique bicycle as it is being made available to the public via an eBay auction hosted by the Pro’s Closet. The proceeds of the sale will go to World Bicycle Relief, an outstanding organization using bicycles to help improve the lives of others.
This post is not about a particular product, but more of a reminder of those in the cycling industry who deserve recognition every once in a while. Thomson has been making seat posts and stems for a long while. The first bicycle components were created in 1994-1996. Patents were obtained, and a new chapter began for L.H. Thomson. Aerospace is still a major part of the business, but the cycling side has created a steady demand for the small, but always increasing catalog of parts. There are only a handful of companies in the cycling industry that have obtained the rock solid reputation that Thomson has gained. The parts are known the world over for being the best in the business. Every bicycle I’ve put together over the years has at least one part from Thomson, and some many more. The recent Calfee build has the stem, the seatpost, and my favorite Thomson handlebars. When using these parts, I feel I have the best available, and something that will last a lifetime. I appreciate the focus of the company, and always look forward to what is coming next. Thomson will always have a top spot on the podium.
Singing the praises of Icebreaker is something I do often. The company makes some of the finest merino wool clothing out there. Every piece I’ve been fortunate enough to try has exceeded expectations. The jackets are incredible, the base layers perfect, and now I can add a button up long sleeve shirt to the list. The Lodge Shirt is a 100% woven merino wool piece billed as a travel shirt. It seems ideal for travel, as the merino wool is a natural regulator of body temperature, and it has the added benefit of being naturally odor resistant. When navigating airports and train stations, this is a must for keeping fresh and tidy. The feel of the lightweight 200 merino wool against the skin is about as comfortable as you’ll ever encounter. This is an all day piece perfect as a first layer. The construction is simple and straightforward with two chest pockets that have button closures. The cut is relaxed, yet slim enough to be considered for a more formal setting. It is available in three different colors, all vibrant and rich. The Lodge Shirt is an exceptional piece, and easily fits within the Icebreaker mold of designing the finest merino clothing available.
Showers Pass is making the entry into base layers, and they have released the new LS Body-Mapped Baselayer for men and women. The piece integrates with their line of excellent jackets, and will provide the right amount of venting to keep you perfectly comfortable. The material is a blend of merino wool, modal, spandex and nylon featuring four way stretch and seamless body construction. This is sure to be an excellent piece. The folks at Showers Pass are upping their game, and are now a featured brand at Nordstrom. Things are looking good for the Portland based company.
A little bit of art from Tim Hawkinson to start your week. More here.
Last month, Vaughn Brown of Parker Dusseau was in town, and I managed a peek at the new fall winter products from the San Francisco company. I was able to see the entire line, much of which is still in the works for a future release. One new piece that is currently live on the website is the Commuter Blazer. This jacket comes in two colors, and there are matching Commuter Chinos to pair with the coat. I was able to try on the blazer and was impressed with the fit. I tried the medium, and it was exactly right. Perfect sleeve length, slim in the body, and perfect shoulders. The material is a robust Italian cotton, nylon, and spandex blend with a DWR finish. It has a wonderful hand, and looks to be perfect for long term wear. This might be the coat to take on any journey whether on, or off the bike. I hope to be able to bring a long term report on the blazer and chinos in the future. For now, head over to Parker Dusseau and have a look at the lookbook.
Mission Workshop has opened its new retail location in San Francisco. It is connected to their previous location on Rondel, so in a way, it is an extension of what was, with a wonderful new storefront and entrance at 541 Valencia. I look forward to my next trip to the Bay Area to visit it in person. It will be great to see all the Mission Workshop line in one place. If you are in the San Francisco area today, stop by, say hello, and grab a cup of coffee from Bicycle Coffee.
