Budnitz Bicycle Builder
This graphic for the Budnitz Bicycle Builder is incredibly beautiful, hence the posting. The bicycles do not come cheap, but they are pretty to look at. A test ride is definitely in order.
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Sycip
This shot is from Jeremy Sycip’s Facebook page, and I believe it is one of the bikes headed to NAHBS. There are so many great details in this frame, and I only wish I was going to NAHBS to see this in person. Sycip always presents a great selection at the show, and this year looks to be no different. I hope to get more photos soon.
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Swiss Family Cycling
The last two weeks of January we had the pleasure of having a visitor from Switzerland. My wife’s brother stayed for a couple of weeks, and in that time, I was able to tour him around LA on a bicycle. One ride was the regular loop I try to ride each weekend, up to Mulholland, down the backside, and up and over Griffith Park on the closed road. I get such pleasure out of showing LA to people that don’t know it well, and this particular ride was out of the ordinary. One reason was the flawlessly clear skies. From the observatory, Downtown Long Beach was visible, with each and every tall building clearly outlined. San Nicolas Island was also easy to spot, and if you looked far enough south, the hills of Laguna could be seen. The air even smelled fresh, something that doesn’t happen all that often in our city. Another stand out on this particular ride was the wildlife sightings. Starting up the climb from Travel Town, a bobcat meandered across the street directly in front of us. This is only the second time I’ve seen a bobcat, and the first in Griffith Park. Then, on the descent from the Observatory, we spotted a pack of 4 coyotes. My brother-in-law was impressed with how much wildlife we spotted right in the middle of LA. I was happy to be on the bike, because if we had been driving, we would have missed the wildlife, the smells, the views, and quite a lot more. Seeing Los Angeles through other people’s eyes, makes me appreciate what a great city this is. Beaches, mountains, and warm weather all conspire to make this a perfect place to live, and an even better place to ride a bicycle.
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Fi’zi:k Arione 00
The Fi’zi:k Arione 00 is an update on the original, and is constructed from a composite carbon shell with carbon braided rails. The cover is of black Microtex 00 design, and the weight of the saddle is 135 grams. This saddle is gorgeous, and for me, the underside is something I wish could be seen all the time, hence the photo above. The saddle incorporates Fizik’s Wing Flex technology, allowing downward flex where the inner thighs contact the saddle. The idea is to allow full range movement while pedaling. The extended length of the Arione allows multiple riding positions to be achieved with one saddle. The Arione 00 works really well, and is a great choice for those looking for light weight in a comfortable saddle. So far, it’s been great for me, and I’ll report back once it’s broken in.
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Allen Edmonds Cronmok
The Cronmok, by Allen Edmonds, is a casual lace-up wingtip boot that can go almost everywhere. The premium leather is unstructured, lending the boot a worn in look right out of the box. Even better, the boots fit like a glove the very first time you put them on. I still marvel at this, because it seems so unusual to find a boot that doesn’t need breaking in to be comfortable. These are comfortable, and, they are very light, making this a perfect all day shoe. I’ve worn them to work, to dinner, to parties, and just around the house. It’s still a bit wintry out, but I suspect this will also be a great summer boot because it breathes well, providing a bit of cooling to your foot. They can be dressed up or down, depending on the situation, and as is the case for most Allen Edmonds shoes, they can be sent in for recrafting once they reach that stage. The craftsmanship of Allen Edmonds shoes and boots is legendary, and their made in USA pedigree can’t be beat. When I’m not cycling, I’m wearing Allen Edmonds boots.
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Snow Peak Lapel Torch
Snow Peak is adding to their collection of lighting with the Lapel Torch. This is a small light powered by three AAA batteries. The light attaches with a magnetic clip, while the power unit has a belt style clip. It is adjustable, and can be aimed in any direction with relative ease. The unit is tiny, but the beam is a powerful 60 lumens, and has an approximate run time of 55 hours. The designers at Snow Peak put a lot of thought into each and every product they produce, and the Lapel Torch is no exception. I dream of having my Eurovan fully equipped by Snow Peak. It would be the most efficient and beautiful set up possible. The Lapel Torch will go live on the Snow Peak website the 1st week of March. I’ll make sure to come back to this posting and update the link then.
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Looptworks
Looptworks is a company based in Portland, Oregon, that makes products out of excess material from the apparel manufacturing industry. The products range from iPad and laptop sleeves to t-shirts, hoodies and shirts. Most everything produced by Looptworks is a numbered and limited edition product, as once the supply of material runs out, they move on to something else. The products are produced as close as possible to the locale of the materials being used. The Luhu Tablet case for the iPad is one product I’ve had the chance to use. It is beautifully made and very unique. It fits the iPad perfectly, and provides the right amount of protection. The founding principles of Looptworks are a step in the right direction for manufacturing.
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BMC TMR01
While at Bike Effect in Santa Monica, I was able to have a look at the BMC TMR01. This is a seriously beautiful bicycle, one I hope to be able to ride in the future. The integrated brakes are of particular interest, making for an incredibly aerodynamic package. The Dura Ace Di2 equipped bicycle weighs in at 14.99 lbs. BMC produces consistently interesting bicycles, all of which I would be more than happy to ride.
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Effetto Mariposa
Having a carbon fiber bicycle necessitates a bit more care than what is required on a steel or aluminum frame. Carbon is a strong material, but if components are tightened beyond the intended torque, damage can occur. This can, of course, be a serious hazard, one that should be avoided at all costs. A high quality torque wrench is what needs to be included in any home mechanic’s tool kit, and the Effetto Mariposa Giustaforza II 2-16 Pro is a top candidate. The Giustaforza II is a solidly built tool, and employs the click type mechanism for the desired torque. A simple knob at the end is turned to mark the desired setting, with a range of 2-16 Nm. This range covers most of the settings a home mechanic would need, i.e. the stem, seat post, and handlebars. There is a second model with a 10-60 Nm range for the serious mechanics. When using the Giustaforza wrench, the click you hear when achieving the desired torque is quite audible. It would be difficult not to hear the sound, but in addition, the click is also felt through the body of the tool. I’ve been in the process of swapping parts out on two carbon bicycles in the last week, and it is reassuring to know that everything is being torqued to manufacturer’s specifications. It is a pleasure using the Giustaforza II, and the bits included in the Pro edition have covered everything I’ve needed to do on the bicycle. I’ve looked long and hard for a cycling specific torque wrench, and the Effetto Mariposa Giustaforza II 2-16 Pro is my top choice. For those looking to purchase one in the US, they are available from Cantitoe Road.
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Smartwool PhD HyFi Full Zip Hoody
The Smartwool PhD HyFi Full Zip Hoody is a perfect mid layer piece for early morning commutes. The fit allows for full movement on the bike, and its breathability is key in keeping you dry when exerting yourself. The hood is a full coverage affair, leaving no part of your neck exposed to the elements. It is also quite slim, allowing your helmet to easily fit over it. There are thumb holes, a zip chest pocket, and zip hand pockets. It is a great stand alone piece when the temperatures are mild, but perfect for layering when the temperatures drop. I’m looking forward to using this piece when I next go skiing. Layered with the Smartwool NTS Micro 150 Crew and a ski jacket, this should make for a perfect combination. On the bike, it has already won me over.
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