cycles.

13 November 2012 // cycles

Kinfolk Bicycles – NC Blue 2012

As some of you may know, I was recently hit by a car while riding my bike. Some young thing, late for an exam, just whipped across my lane. It was all slow motion from there. First of all I want to mention that I had just gotten a new Bern helmet (red, of course, to match my red saddle) and it saved my noggin. Didn’t even crack. Anyway, my poor little single speed, which I pieced together myself, is in a bad way. I might get money to replace it. Sadly, this will only be the value of my bike. I’m aiming high so why not blog about one of Kinfolk‘s awesome custom track bikes. They custom design everything from fixed to commuters. I’m currently crushing on the NC Blue 2012. Shake it…and don’t forget your helmet!

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3 October 2012 // cycles

Sketchbook Packs and Panniers

Amber Jensen has created a line of bespoke wool, waxed canvas and leather knapsacks. Every Sketchbook pack is handmade with fine attention to detail using quality materials. Inspired from 1800′s and early 1900′s mountaineering gear, her packs are designed with performance, durability and style in mind. She uses waxed canvas, leather, soft wool, rubber backed wool, and lines with water resistant cotton duck cloth, they are perfect for even the most rainy days. Shake it Amber.

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4 September 2012 // cycles

Magnetic LED Bike Light – Kickstarter

The Magnetic Bike Light is a new product designed by Goodmorning Technology for Copenhagen Parts. They have a Kickstarter going with 16 days left, and only $6000 left to reach their goal. With an expected retail price of $40, the magnetic LED simply attaches to any steel framed part of your bike, automatically switching on for your bike ride and then off again when you remove it. How cool is that!? If you want to buy one and back their project at the same time, visit their kickstarter page here. Shake it.

via Huh.

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21 August 2012 // cycles

Bike Love – Urban Cycles Porteur

I usually swoon over sleek road bikes, but lately I have seen some porteur commuter bikes that might make me change my tune. This black porteur from Sweden’s Urban Cycles is my current crush. They take old, forgotten frames and recondition them into single speed and fixed gear bicycles. This one was stripped, painted and then dressed up with fancy components, a Brooks saddle and a Gamoh King Carrier. Shake it Urban Cycles.

via cycle exif

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21 June 2012 // cycles

Mercy Leather Works

Mercy Leather Works is brilliant little etsy shop owned by Rusty Zylstra of Grand Rapids, Michigan. He says “My goal with designing bags is to make something that is built to last. I enjoy making practical items for people to use in there daily lives” Reading about all that goes into each bag is a joy—waterproofed, padded adjustable straps, tons of extra pockets and care. Rusty can also make anything else you can think of custom, from toe straps to lock sleeves. Shake it Rusty.

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13 June 2012 // cycles

Bike Love – Biascagne Cicli x Rik Guasco

I saw this gorgeous bike over on Cycle Exif yesterday and let out a *gasp*. I’m in love. Each year the Italian custom bicycle house Biascagne Cicli creates a special bicycle, offers it for sale and the proceeds are given to a charity. This year a guest is collaborating, the talented artist and designer Riccardo Guasco.

This one-off work of velo-art is for sale for €1,222. All of the proceeds will go to the Città della Speranza (the City of Hope), an institute dedicated to finding a cure for childhood leukemia and caring for those suffering from the disease. Shake it.

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6 June 2012 // cycles

Freitag – From Truck To Bag

In 1993, two design students in Switzerland constructed a weatherproof messenger bag out of used truck tarps, used car seat belts and used inner tubing of bicycle tires. Pleased with the result, they turned this idea into a business (Freitag which means Friday) and are now selling their bags all over the world. They come in a never ending wealth of colors and patterns, as they are all cut by hand from different truck tarps—hence each bag is one of a kind. Shake it Freitag!

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22 May 2012 // cycles

BOOKMAN Bike Lights

One of my favorite Portland shops Machus carries these super cool bike lights. The BOOKMAN Light is designed to meet the modern demands of material and energy efficiency, but most importantly to look fabulous on your bike. BOOKMAN says— “inspired by the bustling bike life of the European metropolis, the focus is the urban bicyclist, for whom style is as important as function. Our design aesthetic is simple but expressive, minimalistic but playful.” I say shake it.

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26 April 2012 // cycles

White Cycling Pack – Nanamica

I have been coveting this pack from Nanamica and have decided it’s just has to be my next big purchase. I love my messenger bag, but It’s time to move up in the world. The off-white pack by Nanamica is constructed of tear and scuff resistant Cordua 1000 nylon, which makes it tougher than it looks. It has all kinds of adjustable bells and whistles and is well… just straight dope. Shake it.

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15 April 2012 // cycles

Rob’s Woodwork Alien

Rob Pollock has been perfecting the art of faux woodgraining for 40 years. Traditionally used in the restoration of classic cars and vintage hot rods, Rob now applies the technique to custom bike frames; this one is an Alien frame. He paints each frame by hand and finishes it with a two pot epoxy resin to give a hard finish…

He spent the majority of his career in the automotive industry, a panel beater by trade (I had to google that one, it’s an auto body guy) he carried on the family business RJ Pollock & Sons, from his father. They were one of the premier panel and paint repair companies in New Zealand. How cool is it that he now works on these top of the line cycle frames?! Love it. Shake it Rob.