#constantdownhill (page 124)
In the world of cross bikes, there's something just inherently honest about a single speed race machine. It's gotta be the big, knobby tires, cantilever brakes, unicrown fork and no-nonsense utilitarianism, right? Wrong. It's pink and it's a Vicious Cycles! This bike in particular is over 10 years old and it has been raced extensively over that time period. It's been wrecked, loved, hated, spit on, puked on (maybe?) and it's still alive, begging for more. When I was at the Bicycle Sport Shop Six Shooter, this was one of the first bikes that caught my eye. See more in…
I shot photos of this bike back at Crossvegas but first, Ryan wasn't pumped on the build and I wasn't that stoked on my photos. So last weekend at SoCalCross, I stole it yet again to shot more photos. This time around, I think we're both stoked. Paul Mini Motos, Thomson, Chris King and that bright orange-red frame make this Stoemper one of my favorite SSCX bikes I've shot this year! And Ryan is living the (team) dream. That is, until he fell and lost a bar plug during the race. At any rate, see more of this beauty in…
Explore Circles Japan's 11608 photos on Flickr!
older US model, if you know these hubs, you can imagine how they sound on an oversized aluminium bike! :)
beer and mud, mostly.
Lucas' Orange Camo Cannonball Stoemper SSCX Photos by Kyle Kelley and words by John Watson Lucas works the paint gun at Stoemper and if this bike looks familiar, it's because the predecessor to this particular frame was featured here on the site two years ago. Back then, Lucas' SSCX was zebra striped and it demanded visual dominance by the contrast of the patterning. This round, Lucas has a new SSCX bike. One with a thru-axle front, XT hydro disc brakes, wider bars and a bright, orange camo paint job. A month ago, Lucas was in town to soak in some…
Explore Blue Lug's 131619 photos on Flickr!
The Nature Boy first launched in 2010 as a singlespeed 'cross machine. Its popularity grew quickly due to it being All-City's first off-road bike. This was pre-Macho King, pre-Spacehorse, and way before the Electric Queen. Back then, in 2010, All-City was primarily in the game of making urban bikes. This year marked a big change for the Nature Boy, launching the A.C.E. model with a few updates. We've featured a lot of Kyle from Golden Saddle's bikes over the years here on the Radavist. He always finds a way to take a stock frameset and make a build that inspires.…
As I'm pedaling away from Mellow Johnny's on Ben's bike to photograph it, I couldn't help but try to think of some clever way to describe it or at least the back-story. These days, custom paint is divided into a few categories with the most prominent being either high-concept or merely aesthetic. Truthfully, I'm not sure where this one sits on that spectrum. When I look at this orange, yellow and black steed, it reminds me of some menagerie. It was painted by Dustin at Violet Crown Finishing in Austin, Texas. Close my eyes. Open them. I see a koi…
Single speed cross in SoCal is big, with 30-40 racers in the A field each weekend. A lot of the elite-class racers have found a new love for the single speed A's, which is where Gareth races his US-built Ritte Blue Ribbon Steel CX belt drive. Belt drive cross bikes are still in their infancy, but this one looked great getting in the SoCal mud (yes, mud exists in SoCal). Before the race, I gave this beauty some lens love...
Second up in the Distict Bicycles crews' personal rides is Crystal's Scissortail single speed 'cross bike. This build came together at the absolute last minute before she raced the Dirty Kanza. Crystal didn't have any time left to paint the frame before building it up for the race. What are ya gonna do? Even if you paint a bike, racing the DK will leave it chipped, with paint damage from all the dirt and gravel pinging off the frame, so Crystal built it raw, raced it and liked the way the patina looked, so her and Bobby got it clear…
Just because 'cross is over, doesn't mean you can't ride a cross bike year round. Blue Lug's latest build from Massachusettes-based Geekhouse Bikes is easy on the eyes, and on maintenance. Check out more photos at the Blue Lug Flickr.
Good steel frames never die, they just get repaired. Mary got this Humble Frameworks years ago. She raced it and eventually, the frame developed a few stress risers and cracks. It took a while, but she eventually took the frameset back to Michael at Humble and he repaired the bike. Liking the way the repair marks looked, Mary clear coated the reparis and turned this 'cross bike into a single speed dirt road bike. She now rides it at races, including the Land Run 100, where I was able to document this unique race machine. UPDATE: Mary got third in…
I don't know if you know this but camouflage is "in" right now and so is cyclocross. A few months ago, Kyle from Tracko got his ENVE fork painted by Death Spray Custom, for a new bike coming in time for cross season. When Ty didn't have a fork for Cross Vegas, Kyle let him borrow it. Enough of a backstory? The fork looks great on the black Nature Boy Zona, especially with the Easton camo tape. Let's just say Ty is living the dream...
I've decided I need a new bike. I have a stack of parts that are begging to be hurled at a do it all winter warrior. I need something for the commute ...
People look great on pink bikes. They're not as ostentatious as red bikes and evoke a certain "fun" energy, especially when they're pedaled by Ty from Golden Saddle Cyclery. Riding with that dude is always rad and it doesn't hurt when you get to check out this steed from all angles (including launching into the air). The Seven Mudhoney is a no-nonsense cross machine. Built from Seven's Origin™ butted steel, it's light, responsive and best of all, can be thrashed with ease. Just add some bike control... Check out more photos in the Gallery!
In the spirit of Veteran's Day, I thought I'd share with you one of my favorite bikes from yesterday's Cross Crusade here in Portland. Tom is a close friend of the Vanilla / Speedvagen family. He puts on the Kiddie Kross races at the 'Crusade series and races in the singlespeed category on his lovely 2008 Speedvagen Cross Machine. Opting for the more eccentric "Surprise Me" paint job, his metal steed is covered in a red, white and blue livery, all brought together by a line of stars. It's really something else! See for yourself in the Gallery.
Cyclofunk Single Speed Rock Lobster Cyclocross Photos by Kyle Kelley, words by John Watson Single speeds are by far the most elegant 'cross bikes in my opinion and this Cyclofunk rig has tons of character built in. Jake's got style for days when it comes to his Rock Lobster SSCX bike. For starters, orange is the fastest color, especially when it matches the Giants' livery. Then, the Campy Record and Chorus SS drivetrain and brake levers adds a bit of Italian componentry flair where it's noticeable and finally, the PAUL "party" mullet brake combination of a Touring Canti with a…
