Paul Smith Has A Track Bike. Or Does He Really?

Just found these pics on Blue Lug Blog: 

It seems that Mr. Paul Smith (yes, the man behind that often very stripy mens' fashion brand) is almost riding a track bike, and a Keirin bike no less, in Tokyo. Interesting indeed. 

Well, he did have that bike design collaboration project with Mercian Cycles last year, more about his cycling pedigree here too. The pictures show that he did visit Blue Lug shop but I'm guessing the picture just has him trying out someone else's bike outside of the shop. 

Tom Mosher Is On It

Hutchinson Tire Ad

Obviously, in the near future you're gonna be seeing more and more ads & commercials featuring fixed gear bikes, here's one for yo'all but at least it's plugging bicycle tires, and not sub-prime mortgage loans or some other evil shit like that. 

The ad is maybe a bit meh in the beginning but once it gets going it's actually pretty nice. Also, you don't hear that type of glitch hop or whatever music as the soundtrack in the online cycling videos nowadays. Works fine here anyway. Plus it goes to show that all those advertisement agency dudes are on some otha shit, so to say. 

And one more thing, I know nothin' about dem Hutchinson tires because I'm personally a Continental-man, 'Hand Made In Germany' and all that, Gatorskin Ultras all the way, baby!

(Found it at John Prolly's)

YO!kohama

Fixed gear tricks in Yokohama from ryo ubota on Vimeo.

From Seattle, I Think?

Tyler's day out. from ZLOG on Vimeo.

FixedGearLondon X Vans Collabo

Fixedgearlondon.com and Vans teamed up and this is what results look like
"Fixedgearlondon was founded by Andy and Ted in 2005, riding fixed has since become our lives – and more. This frame is the first that Ted has built from scratch and is Fixedgearlondons’ interpretation of what a Vans fixed gear bike should be like."

Toronto Representing. And Breaking A Frame.

Toronto Track Tricks from Tom Mosher on Vimeo.

Purple Anodized Cinelli R1 Stem.

Purple anodized 95mm Cinelli R1 stem, anyone? 

Street Hawk, Anyone?

Pedals For The Fixed Freestyle & Tricks: Wellgo Mini Platforms

For those who prefer riding your fixed gear bike in sneakers, one of the most popular combinations nowadays seems to be the MKS GR-9 platform-type pedals with clips and (double) straps. The popularity of GR-9 has spread so much that according to recent reports, they're sold out pretty much everywhere in the USA at the moment.

I've used that setup myself and I like it a lot, the only negative points being the fact that since the pedals have practically no gripping surface, they're slippery, especially when it gets wet. Also, since the pedals are not made for double straps, you need to attach the clips with bit longer screws which will hold the front strap in its place. In addition, riding on the underside of the pedals doesn't really work too well at all.

If you're into tricks/freestyle, the last point is important since you want to be able to ride on the undersides too. Lot of people have actually started using big-ass BMX platform pedals, like John Prolly here, and SuperTed here (with Power Straps), for example.

Now, I'm suggesting an better alternative to GR-9s:

Wellgo Mini BMX/DH Platform Pedals, MKS clips & double straps.

Wellgo mini platform pedals are the coolest. They're about one third smaller than normal BMX/DH pedals (still big enough for my US 9.5 size sneakers), not much heavier than GR-9s, MKS clips (attached to the INside of the pedal) and double straps fit nicely and the pedals are good to ride on both sides. Lastly, the pins on the outer edges of the pedals can be screwed off, which should be done on the clip side because it makes it easier to get into the clips. The exact model of the pedals is MG-28, BTW.

Props for coming up with this combo actually go to Konkeli AKA the man with the bloody Pista. Cheers!