Like all good curries, this one was stewing for a while.
I was chatting with a fantastic lady at the Sprokettes Mobile Dance Party, confessing that I was woefully lacking in the sass department. This is something I have come to terms with, but every year Pedalpolooza shows me just how high the bar is set. This lady explained that it was all about the outfit - she was wearing a dayglo unitard beneath some baggy mountain bike shorts that she credited for her rockin’ groove. Before, the unitard - pretty tame. After the unitard - a different story. The lesson: You have to trust that its in you, and just walk out the door loaded for bear. Which brings me to the bike.
Based off of the 26″er, this geared cross rig is designed for a couple of different uses. With room for fenders, brazeons for racks, and a triple chainring up front, it behaves as an trusty upstanding commuter. For most of the year it will diligently carry groceries, haul the puppy trailer, and pretty much stay out of trouble. Come the fall, it will lose its racks, fenders and mild mannered ways for Cross Crusade.
But its true purpose is to help me show up with a little somtin extra, because I’m fresh out of unitards.
Created with Admarket’s flickrSLiDR.
Quiet confidence and grace, and a sense of style that I can’t really take full credit for. The woman this bike was built for shares that natural ease and refined aesthetic. A natural rider whose exudes an easy strength.
Ultegra parts, Open Pro Wheelset, totally rad Campy water bottle, reflective decals.
Created with Admarket’s flickrSLiDR.
This bike is amazing. Steel, leather, wood, and canvas all working together, not for good, but for awesome.
A couple of notes about the build: S&S couplers, Campy parts, dual lighting, Brooks saddle, Rivendell Lil Loafer Bag, and Full Wood Fenders. Sweetpea design, frame, fork, and rack.
Oh, and the decals are reflective.
You can see the full build in the slide show below:
Created with Admarket’s flickrSLiDR.
Style and grace are too rarely lavished on small bikes. You might think that a bike built around 24 inch wheels and one of my smallest to date would be distinguished by its constraints. Sure, there is not a huge range of rims or tires to choose from. Handlebars only come so narrow. Only a few premium cranksets come in with crankarms short enough. But when I step back from the fabrication, I see that this bike is a joyous affirmation: Incredible athletes come in all sizes. Individuality always finds room to flourish. And yes, there is a bike out there for everyone.
Created with Admarket’s flickrSLiDR.
We promised a long while ago to open source the S’mitten pattern for all those folks who have the mad skills to knit their own. There’s snow on the ground here in Portland and the radio reports no morning kindergarten, so we figure it’s S’mitten knittin’ time.
So here is the deal. We are open sourcing this because, 1) the world needs more three fingered gloves and 2) because some of you talented knitters out there can make this thing better, stronger, faster, cozier. So if you use this pattern and improve on it, please comment and let us know.
Hand Knitted S’mitten Pattern
Continue reading ‘Open Source: S’mitten Pattern’
I have a confession: I love looking at unpainted bikes.
I used to joke that Natalie got to use the big tools, and that on occasion, I got to use the little tools - and only under adult supervision. But in all honesty, it is really satisfying work to take a file and some emery cloth to an unfinished frame and put all of your focus and attention into making a spot smooth and beautiful. I am sure that some people would find it boring; but for me, when I get the chance to do it, the hours simply melt away.
We keep a lot of our pictures up on Flickr, and so do a lot of other builders. So selfishly, I created a group called Unpainted featuring bikes before the paint goes on. There is a lot of work and a lot of love that goes into these bikes, and I think that it is sometimes easier to see it without the paint. So if you have a shot, add it to the group. If not, just admire the work that it takes to build a bike by hand.
When discussing the design, I only got three words of direction: “Make it sexy.”
Come see the finished product at NAHBS in Portland on February 9th and 10th.
After blowing through a heavy amount of S’mittens after the craft fair, we now have a batch available for those fingers in need of warmth. You can check out what we have available on this Flickr set, and it is first come first serve. For those new to S’mittens, they are three fingered gloves made out of recycled sweaters. Felted down for wind and water resistance, and handy for switching gears and reaching those brakes!
New for this year is what Natalie is calling the Quick Release Mitten:
We also have one last pair of custom arm warmers, so if you want them, let us know!
