Looks like the humble fixed gear bike has hit the big time, and I don’t mean these two fucking twats. A chap can be seen doing some kind of fixed gear freestyle twirly wirly thing on the new Apple iPod touch advert. Usually I’d go on about brands jumping on the bandwagon but I’ll be damned if I’m gonna diss Apple, with exceptions being the G4 Cube, Mac Mini, the last Shuffle and the first iPhone. Anyone know who the dude on the bike is?
I have been a very silly boy, when I discovered the DVS Keirin Pack shoes the other week I didn’t look through the whole catalogue, today I found these t-shirts which are bangin’. They have the NJS knockoff logo on the front and the Keirin racer number on the back shoulder and arm. This was actually gonna be the next Foot Down t-shirt range but it looks like I was beaten to it, never mind hey. They’ll be available spring 2011.
Here are the spring 2011 Keo Curry signature colourway (I use that term just because other people use it, I think it’s stoopid) of the Milan CT Mid. Out with the ToeKeo and in with the KeoRock. Not as exciting as the Keirin Pack.
It appears that DVS is sticking by us fixed gear riders well into next year with the super cool Keirin Pack. The Convict SP KRN shoe will be available in 9 colours from spring 2011.
I remember when DVS first came on the scene waaaaaaay back in the 90’s, they caused quite a stir in the skate scene. I first saw them in Radlands and we were all amazed by the elasticated tongue straps cause that meant we could make our shoes extra wide without them falling off all the time, they are on every skate shoe these days and I dunno if the tongue straps were around before DVS but that was the first time us guys had seen them. I love that they’re backing the fixed gear scene now and not just with the odd token bandwagon shoe either but with the Keirin shoe from last year, the great collab with Cadence, the Keo Curry signatures and now this Keirin Pack.
This whole pack is killer, there’s a colour for everyone in here and a nice slim toe perfect for riding, I haven’t seen them in the flesh* yet so I can’t comment on anything else but I’m gonna remedy that asap and will report back. *There’s no flesh in these puppies, they are all canvas, whooooooop! Stay tuned for more news on these…
There are bigger versions of the photos over on The Foot Down Flickr.
Going Going Bike is a new UK based bike auction site that was launched last week. Hopefully it’ll really take off and become a decent place to find parts, after all eBay isn’t what it used to be. My Orlowski track frame is on there as well as a whole bunch of other people’s goodies so it’s well worth a browse even at this early stage.
Listing an item on there is really simple and the layout is very slick and easy to navigate, even your mother could work it. I’m not sure how much commission they take when you sell something but I’d imagine it’s less than those thieving bastards at eBay!
You may have noticed that I’ve not posted much lately, I’d like to say that there has been some huge life changing thing gone on with me but I can’t, I’ve just been falling asleep instead of writing. Here’s some stuff I’ve been up to and a few things that I’m working on…
Interview by Nicole Lee.
I recently answered a few questions for Nicole’s blog, you may know her as Kylee Kross. I’ve not met her yet but she is living in London now and seems lovely. Read about the things in my head here.
Site re-design.
I’m working with my good buddy Stophe on a custom WordPress theme for the site here, something a big more fly and not so ‘free theme!’ looking. If there is anything with the current design that you hate or if you have ideas you’d like to share please post them in the comments…
Logo design competition.
Alongside the re-design I really really really want a logo/typeface, I am thinking about putting together a brief and asking for submissions in return for cold hard cash and product. If you’re a graphic designer and you think you could do a good job then contact me and we can talk.
The Foot Down Alleycat 2010.
Next week I am gonna start working on an alleycat which will be even bigger and better than the last one! I’m pretty sure that it’s gonna take place in Manchester sometime in September and will have a music theme, anyone that can guess it in advance will get a prize.
New T-Shirts coming soon.
Today I paid off Gareth who designed the first tee for us and we are gonna use the money that is left to produce a series of 9 limited edition t-shirt graphics which will kick some serious ass. Gareth has just finished his degree and his work was shown at the New Designers exhibition and I’m sure he will become very rich very soon. Check out his portfolio. We are probably gonna release the ‘Oh God!’ tee in girls sizes, would you ladies prefer vests or tees?
Fixed Gear shop.
All the new t-shirts will be available from the new shop section of the site which will be built properly with the re-design, I want to have more than just clothes on there but my budget is zilch, I am relying 100% on tee sales to enable me to get other stuff up, what kind of stuff would you like to see in the shop? Fixed gear parts like cogs and hubs etc? Bags? Tell me what you’d want and I will make sure that the prices will be good!
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I was in that London over the bank holiday to pick up my new frame (more on that tomorrow) and popped in to 14 Bike Co. to have a look around, if you’ve never been there it’s well worth the trip because as well as all the awesome gear everyone is actually really nice. I’m not sure what has happened but somebody at some time must have told them that you are actually allowed to be friendly if you work in a bike shop and not just grumpy, it’s so refreshing.
John informed me that the ESB will finally be well and truly available to buy in 3 weeks time (estimated date, subject to change) which I’m sure will make many a trickster very happy. It’s gonna be £525, built in the UK and the envy of all your friends.
Also, 14 Bike Co. will have a real website soon, it’s been built and they are currently populating it with content so for those times when you just can’t get to the shop you will be able to see all that they’ve got from the comfort of your settee. Stay tuned for more news on that. Lastly, the hubs below are a Superted prototype, they look awesome and will be released in the fuuuuuuuuuture.
So, big thanks to John and co at 14 for hooking Owen and me up with tees while we were there and for just building quality bikes and supporting the whole fixed gear scene, braaaaaap.
I’m late on this because I keep falling asleep instead of blogging so you’ve probably already seen it a million times elsewhere, sorry. Everything you need to know is on the poster so read that with your eyes then go to the Re-Strap website with your finger.
Levrier Bags came to my attention today, they look very nice, I really like the longer rounded edge type of messenger bag rather than square ones. Levrier is French (I think) for greyhound so I’m pretty sure these courier bags will make you go like the clappers on your bike. Based in Bristol, they are made by Dan Burbridge ‘for cyclists who want their kit to stay safe and dry in the rain’ which is a pretty bloody good thing to focus on if you ask me, which you should.
I’ve got no more info so if you want to know more you should contact Dan through his site.
Brother Cycles frames are now available to buy on their website and from Tokyo Fixed Gear in London town for £299. They are “inspired by classic track frames but designed to be ridden in the city. Tight geometry makes it nimble in traffic but not overly twitchy. You can comfortably ride up to a 28c tyre with minimal toe overlap”.
I’ve got one booked for myself and will be hitting The Smoke next weekend to pick it up and hopefully hook up with Kylee Kross for a burn around. I’ve never ridden in London before and she’s only been in the UK for a couple of weeks so it could end in disaster, I’ll keep you updated…
Full spec including geometry measurements are on their site so go there, read their blog, check out the gallery, read the FAQ, do all that shit.
