Thursday, October 15, 2009
Rainy Days
I haven't posted anything in a while based primarily on the fact that it hasn't stopped raining. I have yet to go on a ride since I got here and it's starting to get to me. I did see a fixie the other day. It was on a car in front of Mountain High Outfitters. I'm assuming it belonged to one of the employees. It was a nice bike, whoever it belongs to. I don't really know what to write about so until next time. Au revoir
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Q and A with Jeff Frane of All City
1. Name, Age, Occupation?
Jeff Frane, 29, All-City Sales & Marketing
2. Were is All City Based?
Minneapolis
3. When and why was All City started?
All-City was officially launched in spring of 2008, but we've been working on the foundations for a long time. All-City's mission is to make a significant impact on the machinery and culture of urban cycling. What that really means is that I (we) love to ride bikes, fixies in particular. When surveying the bicycle landscape it's hard not to realize that while fixed gear is the hot cool shit now, it won't always be that way. The large companies that are supporting now, won't always be there for us, so we as riders have to take control and help steer (in as much as it is in our power to do so) the industry in a way that positively shapes what's going on. Basically, just like BMX and skateboarding before us, the fixed gear trend will wane. And just like those other two, it's going to be the companies that are by and for riders that stick around and continue to make it happen. If nothing else we're just hoping to create a company that a rider can feel good about supporting. We do this by giving back to the community, participating in events, and riding the shit out of our bikes. You can't front on that.
4. Tell us all about your awesome new frame The Big Block.
I'm super excited about the Big Block. You won't believe me, but the Big Block is the best track bike I have ever thrown a leg over. I own a decent amount of bikes, including two made in North America custom track frames, and the Big Block is my favorite for mashing around town. Our designer Adam, completely blew away all my expectations on the very first try. From proto to production no major changes were done. I'm especially stoked on the bottom bracket height. We designed our bike for racing on our local velodrome, the NSC, which has very high very steep wood banks. Because of the steepness and height a "UCI" legal minimum BB doesn't cut it, you'll hit a pedal and go down. For the NSC you need a higher than standard BB which is rad on the street because I can really lean it over in corners with no fear of clipping a pedal.
Besides the geo, the other big selling point is the custom dropout. It features the Hennepin Bridge (a local MPLS landmark, as does the headbadge), built in chain tensioners, is investment cast from stainless steel and is pretty much the jam. We're building our ground up products with attention to detail in mind, and between the paint, headbadge, and dropout I just don't think there's a nicer track frame on the market for less than $1200. The Big Block comes in at $499 MSRP for the frameset, and is something I am incredibly proud to have been involved designing. Just look at that thing. It's freaking gorgeous.
5. How is riding in Minneapolis? How does the winter months make riding?
No one gives a shit about the Midwest except those of us who live here so it just doesn't have the reputation it deserves. I know that you've probably heard that Minneapolis is a great biking city, but until you get here it's hard to imagine just how good it is. It's not so much the geography as it is just the sheer number of folks who ride. Everytime I travel and come home I'm amazed at how many people you see on bikes here. We have the largest alleycat in the world, Stupor Bowl with over 500 riders, the largest all female alleycat, Babes in Bikeland (140+ riders), the All City Championships (over 150 and four days of events), and the single speed mtb scene (the mtb scene is crazy. go here for some pics http://bikejerks.com/homeyfallfest08/index.html). It's rad, and spectacular, and totally weird that this biking culture exists in a place where the winter months are so crappy. I guess the summer's go off so hard because you know that winter is coming.
While not my favorite, the winter months do have their romantic side. Riding when it's 10 below makes you feel like the hardest, most badass dude in the world. Two years ago when it was -20 during Stupor Bowl, we had so much fun showing the California kids (much love) how it's done and watching them shiver. The winter will make a man (or woman) out of you, that's for sure.
Also there is just nothing tougher looking than a brakeless fixie with knobby tires. Pretty much winter sucks, but if you can hack it you come out on the other side tough as nails.
6. Were is your favorite place to ride. And why?
Everywhere, on any bike. I'm down. No favorites just whatever's going on.
7. There are a ton of really cool beer companies were your from. Tell us what your favorite beverage of choice is.
I'm a whiskey man. Bourbon to be more specific. I enjoy a nice Premium here and there but whiskey has always been a very good friend to me.
8. What is your opinion on the whole blow up in fixed gear riding and culture?
It's really easy to get down on all these johnny-come-lately types and all these big corporations, and fashion industry etc. etc. And let's be honest, while I'd like to simply content myself with the old "at least they're riding a bike" line it's a very complex set of emotions that become involved anytime something you love and cherish becomes public domain. But then again, I certainly wasn't the first dude to ride a track bike, so what is it that I'm holding onto? At a certain point it's just ego and you need to let that shit go. At the end of the day all I can hope for is that people and events that have blown up with fixed gear culture mean something to someone who otherwise wouldn't have any idea that this whole thing exists. Maybe they'll end up as lifelong cyclists, maybe they'll never ride once they graduate from college, or maybe because they rode a bike that one time they'll be nicer to a cyclist while driving their car. I don't' know, but what I do think is awesome is that the fixie boom has made the history of cycling sexy and romantic and appealing. Eddy Merckx is cool. Tom Simpson is cool. Wool Jersey's are cool. Obscure Italian framebuilders from the 60's and 70's are cool. Who would have ever thought that would happen? It's really pretty great if you just let the world be, keep your head down, and keep riding. I honestly believe that everytime I throw a leg over a bicycle the quality of my life goes up, you have to be a pretty big asshole not to wish that for everyone.
9. What can we expect to see in the future from All City?
More in house products, more high value blue collar parts. We've had a really great first year, and that allows us to lend greater support to the cycling community via event and rider sponsorship, and pays for the design and development of new products. Keep an eye out for our new freestyle bike the Dropout as well as our the New Sheriff hub's. Big thanks to everyone who's supported and made the success of All-City possible. We are nothing without you and we will never forget that.
10. Do you see an increase of fixed gear riders in your city? How are they shaping up?
University just got back in session and it's crazy how many kid's riding a bike there are. fixies are up, cross bikes are up, single speeds are up. It's a great time to ride a bike for everyone. The one really noticeable thing is that you just aren't seeing that many conversions anymore. It's all rear entry proper bikes.
11. Is there anything else that you would like to add?
If you ever get to Minneapolis and want to go for a ride hit me up, you can get a hold of me at All-City or at www.bikejerks.com.
Jeff Frane, 29, All-City Sales & Marketing
2. Were is All City Based?
Minneapolis
3. When and why was All City started?
All-City was officially launched in spring of 2008, but we've been working on the foundations for a long time. All-City's mission is to make a significant impact on the machinery and culture of urban cycling. What that really means is that I (we) love to ride bikes, fixies in particular. When surveying the bicycle landscape it's hard not to realize that while fixed gear is the hot cool shit now, it won't always be that way. The large companies that are supporting now, won't always be there for us, so we as riders have to take control and help steer (in as much as it is in our power to do so) the industry in a way that positively shapes what's going on. Basically, just like BMX and skateboarding before us, the fixed gear trend will wane. And just like those other two, it's going to be the companies that are by and for riders that stick around and continue to make it happen. If nothing else we're just hoping to create a company that a rider can feel good about supporting. We do this by giving back to the community, participating in events, and riding the shit out of our bikes. You can't front on that.
4. Tell us all about your awesome new frame The Big Block.
I'm super excited about the Big Block. You won't believe me, but the Big Block is the best track bike I have ever thrown a leg over. I own a decent amount of bikes, including two made in North America custom track frames, and the Big Block is my favorite for mashing around town. Our designer Adam, completely blew away all my expectations on the very first try. From proto to production no major changes were done. I'm especially stoked on the bottom bracket height. We designed our bike for racing on our local velodrome, the NSC, which has very high very steep wood banks. Because of the steepness and height a "UCI" legal minimum BB doesn't cut it, you'll hit a pedal and go down. For the NSC you need a higher than standard BB which is rad on the street because I can really lean it over in corners with no fear of clipping a pedal.
Besides the geo, the other big selling point is the custom dropout. It features the Hennepin Bridge (a local MPLS landmark, as does the headbadge), built in chain tensioners, is investment cast from stainless steel and is pretty much the jam. We're building our ground up products with attention to detail in mind, and between the paint, headbadge, and dropout I just don't think there's a nicer track frame on the market for less than $1200. The Big Block comes in at $499 MSRP for the frameset, and is something I am incredibly proud to have been involved designing. Just look at that thing. It's freaking gorgeous.
5. How is riding in Minneapolis? How does the winter months make riding?
No one gives a shit about the Midwest except those of us who live here so it just doesn't have the reputation it deserves. I know that you've probably heard that Minneapolis is a great biking city, but until you get here it's hard to imagine just how good it is. It's not so much the geography as it is just the sheer number of folks who ride. Everytime I travel and come home I'm amazed at how many people you see on bikes here. We have the largest alleycat in the world, Stupor Bowl with over 500 riders, the largest all female alleycat, Babes in Bikeland (140+ riders), the All City Championships (over 150 and four days of events), and the single speed mtb scene (the mtb scene is crazy. go here for some pics http://bikejerks.com/homeyfallfest08/index.html). It's rad, and spectacular, and totally weird that this biking culture exists in a place where the winter months are so crappy. I guess the summer's go off so hard because you know that winter is coming.
While not my favorite, the winter months do have their romantic side. Riding when it's 10 below makes you feel like the hardest, most badass dude in the world. Two years ago when it was -20 during Stupor Bowl, we had so much fun showing the California kids (much love) how it's done and watching them shiver. The winter will make a man (or woman) out of you, that's for sure.
Also there is just nothing tougher looking than a brakeless fixie with knobby tires. Pretty much winter sucks, but if you can hack it you come out on the other side tough as nails.
6. Were is your favorite place to ride. And why?
Everywhere, on any bike. I'm down. No favorites just whatever's going on.
7. There are a ton of really cool beer companies were your from. Tell us what your favorite beverage of choice is.
I'm a whiskey man. Bourbon to be more specific. I enjoy a nice Premium here and there but whiskey has always been a very good friend to me.
8. What is your opinion on the whole blow up in fixed gear riding and culture?
It's really easy to get down on all these johnny-come-lately types and all these big corporations, and fashion industry etc. etc. And let's be honest, while I'd like to simply content myself with the old "at least they're riding a bike" line it's a very complex set of emotions that become involved anytime something you love and cherish becomes public domain. But then again, I certainly wasn't the first dude to ride a track bike, so what is it that I'm holding onto? At a certain point it's just ego and you need to let that shit go. At the end of the day all I can hope for is that people and events that have blown up with fixed gear culture mean something to someone who otherwise wouldn't have any idea that this whole thing exists. Maybe they'll end up as lifelong cyclists, maybe they'll never ride once they graduate from college, or maybe because they rode a bike that one time they'll be nicer to a cyclist while driving their car. I don't' know, but what I do think is awesome is that the fixie boom has made the history of cycling sexy and romantic and appealing. Eddy Merckx is cool. Tom Simpson is cool. Wool Jersey's are cool. Obscure Italian framebuilders from the 60's and 70's are cool. Who would have ever thought that would happen? It's really pretty great if you just let the world be, keep your head down, and keep riding. I honestly believe that everytime I throw a leg over a bicycle the quality of my life goes up, you have to be a pretty big asshole not to wish that for everyone.
9. What can we expect to see in the future from All City?
More in house products, more high value blue collar parts. We've had a really great first year, and that allows us to lend greater support to the cycling community via event and rider sponsorship, and pays for the design and development of new products. Keep an eye out for our new freestyle bike the Dropout as well as our the New Sheriff hub's. Big thanks to everyone who's supported and made the success of All-City possible. We are nothing without you and we will never forget that.
10. Do you see an increase of fixed gear riders in your city? How are they shaping up?
University just got back in session and it's crazy how many kid's riding a bike there are. fixies are up, cross bikes are up, single speeds are up. It's a great time to ride a bike for everyone. The one really noticeable thing is that you just aren't seeing that many conversions anymore. It's all rear entry proper bikes.
11. Is there anything else that you would like to add?
If you ever get to Minneapolis and want to go for a ride hit me up, you can get a hold of me at All-City or at www.bikejerks.com.
Back in the Ham
This being my first post I'll briefly give you a little background. My names Jesse, I'm originally from Birmingham. I moved down to Ft. Lauderdale 3 years ago and about 2 years ago I stumbled apon this "fixie" scene. I immediately became obsessed. I went and bought an old fuji frame for $50 bucks from a local pawn shop. It took me another 8 months to finally finish the bike. I didn't really know a whole lot about bikes at this point so what now takes me a week took me several months to figure out. When I finally finished it I paraded it around town only to find that it was several sizes to small for me. So.... I gave it to my wife and started the search for my own bike. Now 3 years and 7 bikes later Im back in Birmingham.
The whole goal I suppose of this blog is just to find out if there are any fixie riders here in Birmingham and to form a more organized community. There were about 30 to 40 riders in Ft. Lauderdale and one of the guys had a blog for this same purpose and it proved extremely helpful to everyone involved. So, yeah. Thats all I have to say about that. Welcome all fixie (and those curious) riders.
The whole goal I suppose of this blog is just to find out if there are any fixie riders here in Birmingham and to form a more organized community. There were about 30 to 40 riders in Ft. Lauderdale and one of the guys had a blog for this same purpose and it proved extremely helpful to everyone involved. So, yeah. Thats all I have to say about that. Welcome all fixie (and those curious) riders.
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