FARM TACTICS

Handmade in an edition of 150 pieces from 1940’s dead stock Filson tin cloth and 1950’s military webbing, the very cool looking Scout bag from Farm Tactics has style and a story behind it. Also check out their rendition of a field backpack, constructed from 1940's military bag and 1940s gas mask bag.

Sculptural, Skeletal, Industrial

link.

If Normann Copenhagen was a bicycle!

'Normann Copenhagen is one of the most well known brands with a wide range of design objects including lighting, furniture even kitchenware. But what if Normann Copenhagen was a bicycle? What would it look like?'

text by Pascal Panagiotidis for Yatzer.

The Outlier 60/30

'The Outlier hunt for better fabrics is relentless. The 60/30 Khakis emerged from a simple premise, that there had to be a better fabric to make chinos in. Something with that classic cotton twill handfeel but with the durability of a hiking parka and the unconstrained movement of an Outlier cloth.

The jumppoint was the fabric that Sierra Designs used in their famed 70's era parkas, 60/40 cloth. Back in 1968 George Marks and Bob Swanson picked a 58% cotton, 42% nylon blend as the ideal balance of handfeel, durability, water resistance and breathability. They rounded those numbers to 60/40 for marketing purposes and an iconic jacket was born.

Using a little more cotton (64%), a handful less nylon (29%) and wrapping both around an elastane (7%) core, Outlier honed in on a superior cloth. Well suited for the rain, grit and repetitive motion of real life yet still good looking, breathable and gifted with a true freedom of movement. A "self-cleaning" nanosphere treatment increases the water, dirt and grease resistance. The numbers were rounded off for marketing purposes and the 60/30 Khaki Cloth evolved.

Simple, clean and incredibly comfortable, the 60/30 Khakis are exactly the sort of pant Outlier loves to make. Available now in Tan and Olive from the Outlier webshop. Made in New York City with Swiss fabric.'

one day in July

illustration by Richard Mitchelson for Issue 18 of Rouleur mag.

old news fresh perspective....

WHAT’S WITH THE CORK HANGING ON YOUR SADDLE?
Saturday, August 29, 2009
“In days of old, when bike riders were bold,
and a fixed gear was all they’d need,
with lots of torque they attached a cork,
and rode away with speed.”

“Corks in cycling vernacular date back at least to the 1920’s, probably originating at the steeply banked wood track indoor 6-Day Bike Races. During the halcyon years of cycling in the tens, twenties, and thirties, trackside at the 6-Day race was one of the places where the social set went to be seen. Sitting next to the action at their infield tables, it was chic for the “swells” to sip champagne and sine while giving the track stewards money for sprint laps to liven up the sensuous aroma of the various rub down lotions had more than a few femme fatales asking about and turning an eye or ankle to the studly - er - sturdy bike racers.

Soon the jargon evolved. When a cork was popped, power was released, bubbles escaped, the elixir went flat, no more oomph or energy. So, dropping your cork of having no more cork means you’re out of it, flat, dead, pooped, no more stuff. Ergo, the racers would hang a cork on their bikes so they’d never be “out” of cork. There would always be one more effort left for a “jam” or sprint. Conversely, if a rider said he “uncorked” a sprint, well, he “jumped”, “wound” it up, and took off. Or, if he pulled their corks, he went so hard the opposition got “dropped”, “shook” off, and had no cork left. They were decimated. HAH! Great Fun!

Commercially, bar plugs were not yet in standard production. In spills, riders could easily get gouged by the edges of the handlebar and stem tubes. Ouch! Instead of just taping over the openings, our friendly cork came to the rescue! Corks were filed and/or sanded, inserted into the openings, and often painted to match the rider’s bike of team colors. The corks were also used to plug the bottom of the fork crown. Dirt and moisture were kept out. Light, inexpensive and effective.

Now you know why Ted has one on each of his bikes, road and track. A subtle reminder that no matter how tired you think you are, you’ve always got a little cork left!

In the drops, it’s the low down from Ted.”

-Ted Ernst via velocult

Poster Cabaret's 2010 Bicycle Print Set

celebrating National Bike Month in May-
order yours here.

skin deep

via killer-lipstick

Barefoot Ted's Adventures..

link.

NYC's design museum celebrates the craftsmanship of custom bikes

'Bespoke: The Handbuilt Bicycle displays the designs of six internationally renowned bicycle builders whose work in metal, as well as graphics and artifacts, elucidate this refined, intricate and deeply individual craft. Organized by Michael Maharam, owner of the eponymous textile company and an avid bicycle collector, along with master builder Sacha White of Vanilla Bicycles in Portland, Oregon, this survey is presented as part of the MADProjects exhibition series, which explores emerging trends and innovations in the design world.

The twenty-one handbuilt bicycles exhibited sit squarely at the intersection of design, craft, and art, and include a range of contemporary designs: fixed-gear, road racing, cyclocross, mountain, and commuter bicycles, as well as the stripped-down radonneur, designed exclusively for long-distance racing. The exhibition features bicycles by: Mike Flanigan, Alternative Needs Transportation (A.N.T); Jeff Jones, Jeff Jones Custom Bicycles; Dario Pegoretti, Pegoretti Cicli; Richard Sachs, Richard Sachs Cycles; J. Peter Weigle, J. Peter Weigle Cycles; and Sacha White, Vanilla Bicycles.

Despite the seeming simplicity of their form and mechanics, bicycles offer a unique challenge to their makers. Rider and machine meet at three contact points-saddle, handlebar, and pedal. The custom builder's chief preoccupation is with fit; simply taking a rider's measurements may require more than two hours for a single commission. Every bicycle is a highly refined piece of engineering.

Custom bicycle building involves master metalwork: bending, welding, carving and wrapping steel, titanium, aluminum and carbon. A graphic artist's eye is required in the application of paint and decorative flourishes. The custom models exhibited in Bespoke are the virtuosic productions of individual makers who lavish great attention on detail. The resulting product reflects the builder's sensibility paired with the rider's unique needs, turning the custom bicycle into a work of art.

The exhibition is accompanied by a fully illustrated color catalogue published by Lars Müller Publishers that includes a foreword by the Museum of Arts and Design's director Holly Hotchner; an introduction by the design writer and critic Julie Lasky; a dialogue between the exhibition's curators Michael Maharam and Sacha White; multiple images of work by the builders in the exhibition; images of related artifacts; and biographies of the builders.'

link. Also check out coolhunting.

Have a breezy weekend....

images via thesatorialist.

Democratizing the streets

read the article here.

Vespa Chair

'spanish design studio bel&bel has designed the 'vespa seat' which is made of original pieces upcycled from the famous piaggio scooter. using the front shield of the vespa, they have developed a limited edition rotating chair. the traditional character of the seat is upholstered in leather and has a strong internal structure and hydraulic piston for height regulation.'

via designboom.

COTE et CIEL Messenger Bag | Beluga

available at Beluga..via plussixfive

'Dapper Trackstand'

Chicster vs Hipster

images via cyclechic & steadyrollin

Cranksets

link.

ART AUCTION: Save The Children

via abeautifulmachineevent.

Shiko Matsuda

'Shiko Matsuda, a Tokyo based builder and president of the Keirin Framebuilder’s Association-has been cranking out frames since 1975 and has been an NJS-certified builder since 1980. You have most likely seen some of his bikes that he builds bikes under the name LEVEL.
Known and respected for the quality and craftsmanship that goes into his NJS frames, Mr. Matsuda has an appreciation for the bicycle that goes above and beyond Keirin racing. I would guess that though he enjoys making a handcrafted NJS frame, his creative side may feel a little stifled and so he creates these interesting and novel designs that seem to be a far cry from NJS requirements.
Shiko Matsuda had some of his works in a show in Milan recently. The Wallpaper Handmade exhibition featured works from around the world and included items from furniture to food. Blending craftsmanship and design, the show looked amazing, with exhibitors including Carmody Groarke, Todd Saunders, Amanda Levete, Kostas Murkudis, Stumptown Coffee, Peter Saville, Darren Wall and Kam Tang, among others. You can read more about the Wallpaper Exhibition HERE.'

via gomeansgo

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via ceveritt.

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mothic flights and flutterings...

Postie Bikes

The humble Honda CT110 is one of the most reliable bikes on the planet, which is why Postman use them to deliver the mail down here in Australia. They are affectionately known as 'postie bikes' and have always had a cult following but we haven't seen many customized, until now. A company in Melbourne called Postmodern Motorcycles are turning these air-cooled single cylinders into tasty little customs.

txt & images lifted from pipeburn.

PRAGUE SPRING CARGO CRITICAL MASS and Auto*Mat After Party – Thursday, April 22nd – support cycling in Prague

via prahafixed.