Endo Customs

by | Mar 17, 2012 | Uncategorized



Endo Customs is a small shop in Los Angeles specializing in cycling apparel. They use Italian fabrics and make everything right here in Los Angeles. They have an impressive client list ranging from Look to Shimano. Bobby Endo and Vic Nanongkhai graciously showed me around their new digs on Santa Fe Ave. It’s a very nice space with room for work and a small showroom. Samples are on the wall as well as a few very pretty bicycles. I am formulating a plan to have a Velospeak kit made by Endo so that I can fly the Velospeak flag as I ride the City of Angels.



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Rapha City Rain Jacket

by | Mar 16, 2012 | Uncategorized

The Rapha City Rain Jacket is a performer. I’ve been using it for a little over a month now, and I can say with certainty that it accomplishes what it sets out to do and more. As with all Rapha clothing, the jacket fits very well, and has a clean tailored look. I always marvel at a piece of clothing that looks so good and also works so well. On the bike, the jacket has the perfect amount of movement. It keeps the wind at bay and keeps the water out. I’ve ridden in a couple of serious rains, and my core came through it dry. The rest of me, well that was a different story. I had the jacket in temperatures approaching the low 40’s, and it did a very respectable job of keeping me warm with a couple of appropriate Merino layers underneath. I like the small details such as the reversible cuffs with one side being the traditional reflective Rapha pink, and the other side the same discreet color as the rest of the jacket.There is also a zip-away, high-visibility storm tail that can be pulled down to alert drivers to your presence. The jacket also comes with a waterproof storage bag to tuck it away in your bag when not in use; it is meant to keep your things dry if the jacket has been out doing its job. This jacket is an exceptional piece of clothing that serves its intended purposes perfectly and with a great deal of style.



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NYC-Hollywood

by | Mar 16, 2012 | Uncategorized

I am back in Hollywood after my week long visit to NYC. Riding in to work today illustrated the difference between living in a city, and living in suburbia that happens to be a city. Both have their advantages, and truth be told, I’d pick LA if given the choice. But, riding a bike in NYC is the ultimate in fun and exhilaration. My first day commuting to work in NYC, I rode up 8th Avenue on the supposed bike path. The bike path is actually a very convenient place for all the delivery trucks to park, so before I knew it, I was in the middle of the street amongst a sea of Yellow Cabs, all of which were out to topple me. Nothing is quite as exciting as fighting to claim your spot on the street when everyone else is much larger than you are. It’s actually easier then one would think. Drivers in NYC seemed quite aware of their surroundings, and by default, the speeds are much slower than LA due to congestion. Cycling in NYC is also the best way to explore the city and see all it has to offer. New and different places would just appear and make themselves known to me. Besides my work duties, I managed shop visits to NYC Velo, I Fix Byx, Freitag, and Gage and DeSoto. It was a great trip, and I’m looking forward to going back in August when the temperatures are sweltering. Fewer things to pack.



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Rapha Grand Tour Shoes

by | Mar 16, 2012 | Uncategorized

The new Rapha Grand Tour Shoes were announced earlier this morning, and I am very impressed with the outcome. The styling blends old and new in the most perfect way. The partnership between Giro and Rapha was born out of the desire to produce the world’s finest cycling shoe, and the result is the Grand Tour Shoe.



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Gage and DeSoto

by | Mar 13, 2012 | Uncategorized

One of my excursions while in NYC was out to Red Hook, Brooklyn to see the Gage and DeSoto shop. The shop shares space with Dave Trimble of the Red Hook Criterium. Mike Spriggs, the founder, was there to show me around the wonderful collection of books, apparel, and bikes. The bikes ranged from a Bob Jackson to Ritte to the Trimble seen above. This Trimble is a new creation, and will be raced in the upcoming Red Hook Criterium. In the books section, I found a Japanese coffee table book on Alex Singer Cycles. Impossible to understand as I’m not fluent in Japanese, but the photographs are amazing. This is one of many hard to find, or out of print books carried by the shop. It was also my one purchase at the shop, though I easily could have bought enough books to fill a carton or two. I was quite happy to have made the journey out to Red Hook. It’s an interesting neighborhood that has some exceptional spots to check out. As stated on the Gage and DeSoto site, it’s best reached by bicycle, as public transportation is a bit difficult. I also got the story on why it is called Gage and DeSoto, but you’ll have to contact me to find out, and be of a certain age to understand.



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Peugeot DL122

by | Mar 13, 2012 | Uncategorized

Peugeot has released photos of their new concept, the DL122. The bike is an urban commuter with a built in compartment meant for a small laptop case. This compartment is lockable, though a MacBook Pro on a cool looking bicycle would be far too tempting for most bicycle thieves. The bicycle is made from aluminum and wood, and has leather accents. No word on if and when the DL122 will be released. Design Boom has some detail shots that are worth looking at.



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NYC Velo

by | Mar 8, 2012 | Uncategorized

I had the pleasure of hanging out with the crew at NYC Velo for a bit just after closing this evening. We chatted at length about bikes, NAHBS, cycling clothing, and the coffee machine. The coffee machine is stunning, as is the shop. Really good mix of bikes and parts. The clothing selection is also one of the finest I’ve seen. They carry gear from a host of companies such as Swrve, Nau, Chrome, and Mission Workshop to name a few. Really nice people, and a really nice shop to match.



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