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New Tee Shirt Sneak Peak
March 30, 2010
We are almost ready to launch our new Tee Shirt designs. Here is a sneak peak...and finally we have a hoodie! Should be available first week of April.
Norco Gets Dirty
March 29, 2010
The Dirt Norco Race Team has been on their new bikes for a few months now and things are rolling quickly. With a preliminary race under the belt and Sea Otter approaching quickly, here is a video to tide you over.
Trail-A-Bike: Get Out And Ride
March 25, 2010
Tee Shirt Design Contest
March 24, 2010
BicycleSmile is looking for original, bicycle inspired, art for our new Spring Tee Shirt collection coming out at the end of April. The winner will get 2 free tee shirts with their design on them, as well as a full feature on BicycleSmile. Art can be submitted via email at BS Tee Shirt Contest If you are submitting a digital file please have it as a .PNG files that is 2400 x 3200px. We are also fine with scans of your art as long as it is of a size to put on a tee shirt. Winner will be announced April 16, 2010
Upcoming Reviews
March 23, 2010
We have been working hard to get all the Spring and Summer reviews in order. Looks to be a good year with lots to share. Here is what you can expect:
Harlot Wear Sophia Jacket
Harlot Wear Annie Short
Harlot Wear Bicicleta Tee
Velo Press The Athlete's Plate book
Velo Press Racing Weight book
Velo PressThe Time Crunched Cyclist book
Velo Press Trizophrenia: Inside the Minds of a Triathlete book
Planet Bike Grasshopper Bamboo Fenders
Planet Bike SuperFlash Stealth
Planet Bike Blaze 2W
Planet Bike Mini Versair
Planet Bike Red Zeppelin
Planet Bike Stainless Cage
Planet Bike Bike Local T-Shirt
Chrome Arnhem Shoe
Chrome T-shirt
Crumpler Hoax Messenger Bag
Schwalbe Marathon Extreme HS 402 in 26x2.0
Schwalbe Durano S HS 376 700x23
Schwalbe Marathon Racer HS 366 700x30
As well as some more stuff from our friends at Axiom, Banjo Brothers, Minnihaha bags and more...
Wow, that is a lot of stuff. Stay tuned.
Armed And Dangerous
March 22, 2010
An American man accused of illegally crossing the border into Canada - allegedly riding a bicycle and carrying guns and an axe - has been arrested in Saskatchewan and faces 14 charges.
The man, whose name has not been released, faces five customs charges and nine weapons charges, RCMP Sgt. Darryl Milo said.
Read more: On CBC
R.I.P. Phil Wood
March 19, 2010
Legendary hub builder Phil Wood passed away earlier this week. He was 84. Phil was truely a innovator in the field, creating the world’s first production sealed bearing bicycle hubs. He will be missed.
2011 SRAM X7 2x10
March 18, 2010
SRAM has made a huge leap foreward for 2010 launching the new X7 group. The new 2x10 set up features a full groupo. Hubs, derailleurs, shifters and cranks. This possibly puts the 2x10 set up in a realistic price point and could spell the end of X9?
Sturmey Archer At the Taipai International Bike Show
March 17, 2010
Straight from the boys at Sturmey Archer "The S2C 2 speed kick shift hub will be available by the beginning of June. Available in six colors (Silver, Black, Red, Gold, Turquoise, and Purple) and 36 hole to start. More info will be up on the Sturmey website soon."
Looks like Sturmey Archer is going back into the vaults and bringing back some classic bike hubs.
Toronto BMX Jam 2010
March 16, 2010
The 2010 BMX Jam took place at the Toronto exhibition grounds earlier this month. Great stuff as usual.
World Naked Bike Ride
March 15, 2010
It is almost that time of year again, time for, World Naked Bike Ride. This June people will once again take to the streets, nude. It seems that this event has been gaining in popularity in recent years. Are you going to join in the fun?
Get ON It
March 12, 2010
Cannondale is once again showing off some design skills with the introduction of the very limited edition ON. With a Lefty fork on the front and only a right side chain stay on the back this bike is unique to say the least. Taking advantage of Case Closed Technology, the enclosed chain case actually provides structural support for the bike. Cannondale has opted for a limited run of 250 (99 units for Europe) individually numbered, so get one while you still can.
Have Cargo, Will Bike
March 11, 2010
It seems to be a whole different ball game for bicycles down in Mexico. A month of so ago I had just finished off a nice lunch and possibly a shot or two of Mezcal when I stumbled upon these cargo bikes. I am loving the small one on the right.
Google Maps now with Bicycle Route Planner
March 10, 2010
Google maps has now added a cycle path planner to it's long list of features. Currently available in 150 cities, the cycle path planner came about after a 50,000 signature petition was given to Google. Aparently the feature will be available for mobile devices in the very near future. Go to Google Maps Biking page and try it out.
Bagaboo Ransel
March 9, 2010
The Ransel is the newest creation from Bagaboo, and with this one I put it through it's paces. Our usual 2-4 week review just doesn't cut it when we are talking about a bag made for the rigors of daily life on the bike, so we took this one through months of abuse. The Ransel is the first 2 shoulder bag that Bagaboo has produced and is a welcome addition to the line up.
Read the full review >>>Point A to Point B...The Easy Way
March 8, 2010
BicycleSmile will be making the move to Vancouver later this Summer, and in an attempt to make the move a lot easier I have been looking up cycling routes in Vancouver. The obvious one, and one that always comes up in searches is TransLink. It certainly is a helpful planner, but requires riding all the routes to really know what will best work with your riding style.
A little more diggin came up with this cycle route planner. This site was developed by the Cycling In Cities team at the University of British Columbia as well as TransLink, The City of Vancouver and The Heart and Stroke Foundation. So what makes this route planner so good? You supply your start point and end point, just like all the others. But now other variables can be entered. Want to ride the route with the least elevation gain, how about the most vegetated route, and the list goes on and on. It seems like possibly one of the best resources I have found for any city I have cycled in. Now I just need to get myself and my bike out there.
Ryan Leech Commuter...
March 5, 2010
I remember seeing Ryan Leech a few years back, doing one of his trials demos. It was amazing. I felt like he was some super human, the way he could move that bike around. I also remember thinking hey had to be one of the nicest guys I had ever met. Looks like he not only does trials, but he rocks the commuter bike as well.
Barrett Russell Custom Frame Builder (Part 2)
March 4, 2010
Today you can check out part 2 of our interview with Barrett
BicycleSmile: From the bikes you have made, any favorites?
Barrett Russell: Hmmm, I made a frame for this beard wearing eccentric last year. By the looks of him you wouldn't think social assistance would afford him much, but we got out the dedacciai zero replica, and he wanted the lugs carved up nice, thin constant dia and curvy seatstays to a nice clean fastback seat cluster junction. That was a fun bike. Carving lugs is fun, doing something different is fun too, sort of human I guess.
BicycleSmile: What makes a Barret Russell frame unique?
Barrett Russell: Hmmm. No need for frame saver because i have such oily hand skin...really nothing. Im concerned with learning and putting out the best i can, it is unique cause i do it i guess, unique to me, but to have it function is my main goal; its function unique. I could probably carve a head badge out of deer hide and embed gemstones for someone if they wanted. I like things that are common, I have no magical process, and id like to think my work aspires to open up the world by way of functionality, which i guess then the uniqueness would be that of the individual who the bike is being built
Barrett Russell Custom Frame Builder (Part 1)
March 3, 2010
With the North American Hand Built Bicycle Show taking place last week We at BicycleSmile thought we should showcase some local talent who has not yet made it to NAHBS. Barrett Russell is a frame builder in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, and we had a chance to talk with him and check out some of his work.
BicycleSmile: How long have you been building bikes?
Barrett Russell: I began working on bicycles in elementary school. At the time it was all about lowriders. By highschool I began a small under the table custom part fab mostly for people south of the boarder as i was in a California based lowrider club (legions bc), but as well some stuff out west and to the Lowlife guys in winnepeg. I began doing paint and gold plating as well during this time. I painted maybe 20 frames during highschool, learning a lot about that side of things, and getting more of a full perspective on fabrication. I abandoned bicycle work just out of highschool and stuck to riding them while attending University for Art.
Warbonnet Edge
March 2, 2010
Over the last year I have changed my cycling habits from simple city and trail riding and started doing a little more touring. This first took the shape of longer highway rides and now has peaked my interest with some planned off road touring this Spring. Some months back I review the Warbonnet Blackbird hammock, which has proven very useful in my adventures. Now I have a great Warbonnet Edge tarp to shield me from the elements.
Read the full review >>>Mini Bike Winter
March 1, 2010
I wish I had been able to go to this, it would have gotten me through the winter. Portland you always steal my heart.
Mini Bike Winter | 2010 from Richie Thomassen on Vimeo.
You can check out more crazy Zoo Bomb as well. And thanks to Ritchie Thomassen for making this great video.
Want to check out our past headlines? Check them out in the archives.