Bridgestone Build!

     To begin with, i would just like to say that i have the coolest and most understanding wife in the world...She purchased the frame and build kit for me as an early V-day/birthday gift from NJS export.  She bought me a Bridgestone frame 54cm with Hatta Super Swan headset and Sugino 75 bb.  If you buy the frame you can also purchase a "build kit" for the bike for an extra $30: it consists of a Sugino 75 144bcd chain ring, DA cog, DA lockring, super v chain,Nitto bars, Nitto stem, etc. No wheels or cranks though... but a good deal none the less!  I also purchased a Kashimax seat and Nitto seatpost, as well as NJS single straps.  Along with that purchase i bid on and won a set of DA 7600 NJS 36 hole hubs...very pretty!  

Along with those things i have a set of clear champ grips i have had forever, and a set of clean and polished velotech by Mavic bronzed 36 hole rims.  What little i have found on the rims they were made for peugeot and came on some of their mid-range bikes. I like the thin profile they are non machined walled and look the part!  

All that is left is to find some Sugino 75 crank arms and not get burned on the price, and get the wheels built up...This build is costing a pretty penny but i think will be well worth it.  I might do the rear wheel build first as my Aerospoke fits up front and that would be fine till pay day comes around next month and i can finish the rest!  

Here are some pics and hope to update the build as it comes along.

MCD last night!

I am very pleased to say that i saw the Murder City Devils last night...and they kicked ass!  They played the Glasshouse, Pomona, Ca last night.

The night began with some food and drink at Aladdin Jr.'s in Pomona with friends, and then off for some french coffee at a Vietnamese joint, very very good coffee actually.  Then off to the venue.

  The show was good. A nice playlist. Some of my favorites were played too, Bride of the Elephant Man, Bear Away, Johnny Thunders.  The crowd was pretty subdued compared to the last time i saw them, but that was 9 years ago...Spencer was in top form, as was everyone else, Leslie rocks the electric organ!  

I saw a lot of "mini-moody's" too! These are guys that obsess over looking and taking on the persona of Spencer. People who have so little personality of their own that they think street cred is inevitable if you mirror your idol.  Not into it at all.  What do they say about imitation...

On that note i saw way too many flannels (myself included), and tons of caps. Everyone had an L.A. hat on. I don't prescribe to the, "Oh i live in L.A. or Cali, i can only wear a hometown cap."  I have just about every MLB team fitted and in many colorways.  I am a fan of design, logos, and insignia.  So many good ones besides the L.A. logo.  I rocked my Seattle Mariners cap in respect for MCD.  They showed the Inland Empire some love and i am a better person for seeing them...again.  MCD is dead, long live the Murder City Devils!

After-Work Session!

Sorry...I have been neglecting my blogger duties as of late. Bad weather coupled with too-much going on means that i do nothing! Makes sense right.  I have been rolling on my new Velocity 650c front tire for the last few weeks and have nothing bad to say so far. I may have a few complaints though... For one, commuting on this thing is kind of a no-no.  THe steering is twitchy and very tight, might be something i have to get use to.  I also find that i had to raise my stem add a spacer or two, but feel that a new set of higher risers would fix all that. ( I really hate a threadless stem that sits on a dozen spacers...looks so very terrible.) 

Another gripe i have is that finding a decent tire that is readily available for it is kind of a wash.  I went to the only shop in my area (shout of the Jax Bike Shop, Claremont, California!) that had one in stock.  Of course it was some Bontrager race-something-or-other and cost about $50 bucks...boo!  I can order them on-line but i am one that enjoys the response of going into a shop and touching the items and communicating with other human beings...thats just me though!  On a lesser note...why the hell can't i get a 650c tire in colors. Gran Compe ss, Vittoria Rubino and Zaffiro, Michelins, the list goes on and on for the 700c crowd. But i can hear it now, "Stop your whining, and get a 700c tire, 650's are so last year"...) But i have never been one to follow trends, i do what i want, and what i think is cool and it seems to have worked out for me. Carve your own path people its the only way to get to the finish line!

Enough about my bitching and stitching.  THis has been a slow week for everything im into. I did put up some new Etsy stuff last week to tide everyone over till i get to work on my next set of goodies!  I am also in the process of jumping into the sewing world with some top-tube pads and possibly some cycling caps if i can get the stitches right.  I have lots of friends who will R&D and test out for me!  

When it rains it pours, if its coming down then get down indoors!  Here are some pics of the indoor after work session my buddy Ryan and I partook in on Friday! Enjoy!

Down but not Out!

I have been away awhile but not that it matters too much...(except for my two followers!) In any case i have been keeping to my promise of spending more quality time with the wife and the 4 kids (our doggies)!  I have put up some new merch in the etsy...Two new spokecard designs and a new card set.  I am also posting up some new designs i have in the works just not finished yet.  They are part of the Bonafide series!  I have been riding as much as the weather here in Cali will allow. It's raining y'all!  We need it though; and its fun as all sin to skid my fixie in the puddles...There is something pure and childlike about riding my brakeless bike around in the rain and just after not a care in the world except that i have no brakes and i am rocking my ipod.  I feel that somethings are best left to fate, if that was my time to go i would be ok with going out on my bike!  Sounds stupid and romantic doesn't it?  Anyway dont think that's my M.O. either. I own a helmet and i am very aware and cautious too. Now if i could just get the cobwebs off of the thing enough to wear it my wife would be happy too!  I keep meaning to take some pics of bike thurs and fridays and update on my newest tricks, but it would only be benefitting myself so no rush right! Soon though.  Enjoy the new designs and hope to have more very soon...