SEXON SPECIAL FRAME by CHERUBIM

(Via: fixed:stockholm)
(Source: Hidden Garments)

Contador Suspended

Alberto Contador has been suspended for two years on doping charges. An appeal is soon to follow as Contador feels the suspension is unfair. There were actually two baseball players from Mexico who got caught taking the same drug and the meat defense worked. Granted they hadn't won the largest bike race in the world, I feel as though even if he didn't do it the consequences were too steep. They've already taken his title away and shamed his name, do they really need to ban him from the Olympics and the Tour de France? He's going to be tested in both and if he's doping he should get caught again. Just let him race so we can watch him lose.

(Source: BBC)

The BOXX on TechTues

Behold, the BOXX. An electric bicycle that tops out at 35mph! Go to the source for more!

(Via: Engadget)

(Source: Boxx)

Monochromatic Monday!

After a busy weekend that took me to LA and back in time for the Super Bowl I haven't had much time to post. So I'll keep this one brief. Still working on those wheels, slowly but surely. It's not difficult so much as I just haven't had time to work on them. The front wheel is super close to being finished and the back wheel is on deck!

Welded Wednesday

Wednesdays will now feature bikes that are welded! No fancy carbon fiber in here. I want this day to more so reflect steel bikes in SB but until I get some pictures of steel bikes being ridden in the 805 I am going for just any steel bike. Here's a DODICI that reminds me of my own bike. 

(SOURCE: The Pedal Room)

(Tech Tuesday) Thanks Germany!

Check it out! Two days in a row with posts! Anyways, do you have brakes? If so here's something new just for you. Some really smart folks over at Saarland University in Germany have created wireless brakes! But Mister J! Wireless breaks seem unreliable, they could fail! Not to worry! Those same really smart people have crunched the numbers and it has a reliability of 99.999999999997 percent! This means that if you hit the brakes one billion times, it'd fail three times. That's not too shabby. Oh, and don't worry about that little delay between when you squeeze and the brakes are applied, it's only 250 milliseconds.

Holger Hermanns

(Credit: Saarland University)

(Source: CNET)

Monochromatic Monday

In an attempt to more regularly post on this thing, I am trying to have a theme for everyday, Monday through Friday. On Mondays, I'm going to try and post something I have written on my own, no pics. So, today I was messing around on the blog scene and came across the Trafik LA blog. The makers of the movie that I have been wanting to see for a long time but have never actually gotten around to seeing. That movie of course, To Live and Ride in LA. A movie about the fixed gear life in the City of Angels. Recently I've had even more of an itch to watch it because I have been missing those busy streets that I used to ride on.  Behold! It is now free to watch! As long as you don't mind watching some commercials, you can now watch this movie for free, and of course legally over at HULU! CLICK HERE to watch the film. Oh ya, and if you have the gift of Netflix, the movie is over there too without commercials! I can't wait to get it started, I'm gonna watch this right now! Enjoy and happy Monochromatic Monday!

"Fixies" at WalMart??!

So I was going through my blogs today and found this posted over at Cranky's. Could not agree more with what they said. This thing is a piece of crap, and in case you think that it's all an elaborate lie here's some links to the bikes! Thruster 700c Men's Fixie Bike and in case you feel like riding the Tour De France everyday: Cycle Force Tour de France Stage One Vintage Blue 51cm Fixed Gear Bicycle.

Building Wheels

 As my Christmas and birthday gifts unite, I have just begun to build my first set of wheels. Building wheels has, for me, always had an intimidation factor to it. I've had no problem working on every other part of a bike but the wheel is my next step. Let me just say that so far I have been pleasantly surprised with how straight forward everything has been but let's see when I start getting to the fine tuning when I get towards the end of truing these wheels!

Right now I'm setting up a pair of Velocity Fusion's to Origin 8 hubs. Both of which were picked up at Cranky's (thanks again Randi). I'll keep you updated on the status of these wheels as they get closer to completion!

SB Bicycle Film Festival Jan 19-21

Swing over to Cranky's site for more details on this years Bicycle Film Festival and check out the film list HERE!

DIY

A while back I received a Park Tool Kit as a gift, one of the greatest gift a cyclist could get (thanks Randi). If you're going to be riding a lot it's a necessity that you learn how work on your own whip. And I suggest picking up some sort of home kit if you're at all serious about riding, not only will it save you money in the long run since you won't be going to shops for maintenance but the skills you learn will save you in an emergency when you're out on the road. Something like this one, which is pictured below, is good for just about anything besides wheel building and is a good start.

New to the game of working on your own bike? Over at Bicycle Magazine there are some really simple tips for how you keep your bike running smoothly and looking good to start out the new year and take advantage of that SB weather. Click the link for more

Ciclovia en Guadalajara

Really cool video of some people taking the initiative in Guadalajara, Mexico to make their city more bike friendly.

Padaro Lane

Anthony and I on Padaro Ln. going over the 101. He's on his Bianchi SuperPista with a DuraAce drive-train, Campy front wheel, Ellipse back, Cinelli stem and Cinelli Pista bars. Good ride today, but I'm getting over that cold so I was just trying to keep up, not to mention that he's just plain faster than me.

No Whip? No Problem.

This is pure genius. I've come across this problem too before I got my own chain whip. I wish I knew this back then.

Billy F****ing Murray

It's not a fixed gear but its definitely worthy of some appreciation. Here's some humor to help get through the week. Bill Murray, need I say more?

Original Photo:Bill Murray.

Why?

You may be asking yourselves, "Why is Mr. J writing this blog?" Well... the answer is because Santa Barbara has so many fixed gear riders and lacks a community where they can meet up online and in real person to ride and talk about riding fixed in SB/Carp/Goleta/IV. My goal for this blog is to become the site where all SB fixed riders go to locate rides, find local shop reviews (because there are a lot of shops in SB), get product reviews, rider interviews and so on. I've been on SBfixed and to be honest I was disappointed with how few people were posting about fixed gear rides and events I wanted to change that. This is the new spot. We, as people who ride fixed gears, need to come together as a community and really get this scene going, I know you're out there SB/Carp/IV/Goleta, lets make it happen!

Chrome Hip Pouch Review

I just received one of these hip pouches for Christmas and although I was a bit apprehensive at first of the prospect of wearing what is essentially a fanny-pack, I really wanted this as an alternative to taking an entire bag or backpack on a ride. This thing is awesome! I can take all the essentials and not have a backpack weighing me down. Today on its first ride I had my emergency tool, tire levers, my phone, 15mm wrench, my lights, a pack of gum and there was still room for some tubes and a couple of compressed air cartridges, for when I break down and actually get those last two. Not only that but it has an area where you can slip in you mini-U lock. It has two pockets inside, both waterproof, which isn't all that necessary in SB but a nice touch. I highly recommend this for anybody who doesn't want the extra baggage on their backs while riding but still wants the essentials. If you want check it out in more detail or get one for yourself, hit up the Chrome website.

 

Photo Credit: Chrome Bags Stock Photo

State and Guiterrez

Saw this guy rolling up State St while I was driving up from the beach just after going under the 101. I didn't get a chance to catch up to him. He's riding an IRO frame and keepin it stock with wheels and components. Brakeless.

Photo Credit: Randi Burley

FIRST POST! My Very Own Pride And Joy

Thought I'd start off this blog with my own bike. Cervelo T1. This was on a night ride I went on with my brother a while back in Carpinteria. If you see me rolling around say what's up and your bike could be featured in my next post! Much more to come!