We were out at our local freeride spot recently shooting disco-clad shredder and Bikeskills  coach Mikey Haderer last weekend getting his steez on. Check it out, and a funny new edit that hit the web on our new side project Bermstyle. What? Yep. New website. More on that later.

-via Bermstyle.com

No related posts.

Last year upon relocating to the Bay Area, I consolidated my all mountain and down hill bikes, selling them both off. In their place I built up a Santa Cruz Nomad, going with the popular “one” bike approach familiar with those trying to get the monkey known as “Visa” off their back. With a second DH specific wheelset I reasoned, I had my bases covered, and for the occasional DH riding the Nomad with coil suspension worked well.

There was a drawback to my plan though. I don’t live in the northwest, or Vancouver, BC.

The Bay Area is a bit lacking when it comes to technical trails littered with features- especially jumps. When you have a bike that is forced to do it all, you end up with a bike that does a lot of things pretty dang well, but I’ve found that the Nomad is either too heavy, or too light for what I’m riding around here. Or specifically, who I’m riding with. The Nomad is a ride that wants to attack trails full of technical awesome, and is always going to be my number one choice for traveling to ride new spots to seek out that sort of awesome. That is, unless I’m riding dedicated gravity parks- just because it covers most of the bases. However, I have been really wanting a light version of the Nomad, or that is to say, a dedicated XC bike with Nomad handling, which Santa Cruz recently created in the form of the Blur TRc. For the typical trails here, that’s the bike to have. Light enough to keep up with team spandex and challenge their Strava times, but with all mountain handling so I can focus on crushing the downhills as well.

First ride on the Driver 8

Yep, my next bike was going to be a lightweight trail whip. However, it didn’t quite work out like that. Instead, I’ve built up a bike solidly in the other direction. The newest addition to the quiver features 8″ of rear wheel travel, and is much more suited to bike parks like Whistler and North Star than our local single track. How the hell did this happen? In this case it came down to timing. Turns out the Driver 8 has been discontinued. I’ve been keeping a close eye on this bike for some time, as it is one of the few DH capable bikes on the market that has a pedal friendly seat angle. Most DH bikes have a limited amount of seat height adjust ability, which is just as well, since typical seat angles are so slack that if you raise the seat to pedaling height you’ll be sitting somewhere above the rear axle.

Since they aren’t planning to make more of this frame, deals can currently be had, and since the plastic tubs in my closet contained enough parts to build the frame up into a complete bike, I somehow managed to justify the frame price.  After about a week of deliberation and driving the girlfriend crazy with my bike talk, I finally bit the bullet and clicked the buy button.

A while later, a large box showed up, and my quiver became even more heavily biased towards gravity riding. I’m 5’10, and typically run a size medium across the board for most manufacturers. In the Santa Cruz gravity line-up, the reach of the mediums is a bit shorter than the offerings from other manufacturers, which puts me in the slot between medium and large on their sizing chart. It also just happens to be the way I like it when it comes to big-hit, jump friendly bikes.

Building her up

First ride in the mid-penn on the Driver 8.

Since I already had most of the parts, the build went fairly easy. The only thing holding me back were brakes and cranks. Sadly, my favorite crank of choice, the Saint by Shimano was a 68/73 mm bb shell model. Fortunately our friend Bobby of Ride Blind Racing/ WTB had a set of Raceface DH cranks in an 83mm version that would fit the bike as well as a Gamut Guide to boot, paired with a SRAM X9 nine speed drive train.

I ended up going with Saint brakes as well, stealing my favorite brake of all time off my Nomad, which could be lightened up now that it wasn’t required to act as a downhill bike in addition to its trail duties.

Fork-wise, I decided to run with my Rockshox Totem fork. The Totem is a burly fork that works great in bike parks as well as on the trail. Since I’ll be pedaling the bike a lot, I wouldn’t have minded a 180″mm Fox 36 model for lighter weight, or the long travel Lyrik, but the Totem is a great fork- not to mention it has been sitting in the back of my closet for over a season. I also had the Cane Creek Headset I originally used on my Nomad; however, I’ll likely swap it out for the greater customization that their Angleset model provides. According to Santa Cruz, the stock head angle comes in at around 66ª, which is a bit more steep than I’d prefer for high speed riding.

Breaking in a new bike is always exciting stuff. 1st ride on the Driver 8.

I had a set of Easton Havoc Wheels lying around from a review I wrote from Mountain Bike Action a few seasons back. These wheels have been awesome for the most part, and have held up well with the exception of the rear hub that developed a bit of play that won’t go away. (It appears the alloy cone is a bit ovalized and will need to be replaced in order to adjust properly.) Other than that, the wheels have stood the test of time: they spin well, and are for the most part, straight and ding free.

My favorite DH/ FR saddle, the Formula MT, has been brought back into the game as well. However, although the Driver 8 has some seat height adjustability, it doesn’t quite have as much as I hoped. The first ride was on a SDG post that was cut a bit short too boot. After the first ride I installed a Gravity Dropper that looks to be the solution. We’re ready for the lifts to open!

Related posts:

1. Santa Cruz Session
2. Fresh gear: Santa Cruz Nomad Carbon
3. Bike check with the Santa Cruz Syndicate carbon V10

DZR is a small SF-Based shoe company known for their uber-hip SPD compatible sneakers. If you were to imagine the classic profile of Chuck Taylors, re-visited in leather and herringbone, then add SPD-compatibility, you’d end up with the best looking riding shoes available. You also would have nailed the look of their Ovis and Strasse shoes. I tested a pair of the Ovis shoes a while back, and I’m still rocking them. They’re ideal for clipping in to your urban machine for trips around the city and light excursions onto dirt as well.

DZR is back with some fresh new releases, and this time they set their mark on the all-mountain/ enduro crowd. This just happens to describe my favorite type of riding to a T, so I was super stoked to receive a pair of the new Mamba X midtops. With the Mamba, DZR again took a few styling cues from some classic shoes of the past. The blue hue of the upper reminds me of my favorite shoes from my skateboarding years- Vision Street Wear Blue Suede Hightops. (The profile actually is built more similarly to a Vans shoe though.) Unlike the canvas sneakers they’ve made in the past, the Mamba is considerably stiffer, and offers a lot more support. The high-top design provides some ankle protection as well.

DZR Mamba X Trail Shoes

Like the other models in the DZR line up, the Mamba is designed with comfort off the bike in mind as well as on the bike. The cleat is recessed enough that it barely contacts the ground while walking. However, the type of pedal you run will need to be taken into account. Engagement with Shimano PD-540 pedals was excellent, and I took advantage of it on an urban lunch ride in San Francisco, hitting up the Mount Sutro trails on my rigid single speed. I wore the shoes in to work, and threw my riding shorts on at lunch. The addition of the metal shank and the stiffer upper makes the shoes much more trail worthy over the stylish Ovis model. I had no problem pushing my 32-18t gearing up the hill, whereas I would be feeling the flex in the canvas upper in the Ovis. The Mamba is designed with performance in mind over the other offerings in the line, and the shoe delivered.

Running the shoes with the integrated cage of my PD-M530 pedal didn’t quite work as well. I was able to clip in, but the engagement didn’t feel as clean. This issue could likely be remedied with the addition of a few spacers under the cleat. (I’m not sure I want to give up the walk factor though- the clearance is nice to have) On the subject of cleat installation, there is ample room—  with other shoe we’ve run in the past, the exacto knife has been put into play in order to get a proper fit for cleat placement. No issues here. I readjusted the cleat a few times in order to have enough clearance for the top strap, as it protrudes slightly to the inside, and was rubbing on my crank arm. Once I dialed in my cleat placement, I didn’t have any further issues.

The Mamba shoe is available in black and white and the blue X version seen here. White shoes taken into the dirt don’t stay white long, but as pictured above, the blue X version looks great covered in a layer of dust. Did I mention I freakin’ love blue? I wish the shoes had a pull-on tab at the rear to assist in pulling them on, but overall, I’m super into the Mamba. Size-wise I generally wear a 42-43 depending on the manufacturer, and I find the 42 comfortable on my foot without feeling too snug.

We’ll report back with how these shoes hold up in the long term. Check them out: DZR Shoes

Related posts:

1. Review: DZR Ovis SPD compatible cycling shoes
2. Fresh Gear: Teva Links MTB Freeride Shoes
3. Fresh gear – 5.10 Karver shoes

Just came across this sweet video edit put together by Connor Rickey of his buddies Alex Chamberlin and Chris Jones shredding the trails in our backyard here in the East Bay. I’ve been thinking about filming a similar edit myself- there is something even more rad about shredding on a trail bike with an XC lid- I don’t know if it is the lack of armor/ pads that stokes me out, or if its simply that they managed to document exactly what it is I’m after every time I go out to ride trails. Thanks guys for the morning stoke – the weekend can’t come too soon.

Related posts:

1. Chromag Presents Curtis Keene shredding some trail
2. Beaten Tracks: UK Trail Riding Edit
3. Technical Trail riding with Lars

Sometimes I forget that it is wintertime at the moment. Although our rainy season (and therefore trail building season- I’m actually looking forward to it this year) is supposedly still on its way, in other places riders are riding in the wet stuff. I can’t say I miss doing my laundry or all the required bike maintenance after each ride, but I do miss a lot of the trails in the northwest after watching this video link shot over to me from some dudes in the UK.

We’re big fans of Santa Cruz bikes and the VPP platform, so the fact the whole posse is rolling SC-style is just a bonus. I’m a fan already, simply because this is the kind of riding I like to do best: trail rides with the bro-ham crew, where we’re all dicing our way down the trail. I love that everyone is just rolling with the half shell sans knee pads or any other layers on a slick trail with some fun looking features and flow. My knees get cold just watching.

Related posts:

1. Technical Trail riding with Lars
2. Midpeninsula Session Edit
3. A day riding the Auburn, CA Trails

Just about everyone has posted links to the latest edit from Transition Bikes, but it contains so much awesome it would be wrong not share it here as well. Lately I’ve been a bit obsessed with cranking faster lap times at the local spots, but that isn’t what riding is supposed to be about. Burly trail riding is my favorite pastime, and this just speaks to exactly what kinds of stuff we’ve been about from day one. (Plus our buddy and snowboard photog maestro Tim Zim is featured doing his thing) Don’t get me wrong, downhill bikes are rad, but riding super gnar trail with just a skid lid and some knee pads? That’s all mountain style — Sign me up.

While on the video subject, this video, “Shit Mountain Bikers Say” is getting around fast too. ‘Cause its damn funny. If you watch it, it will make you laugh.

Related posts:

1. Beaten Tracks: UK Trail Riding Edit
2. Shredding on Trail Bikes
3. Video: the Flying Dutchman DH Trail in Knappa, OR

When the new iPhone was finally released after a long wait, I finally pulled the trigger and upgraded from my 3g model. Other than a small crack in the plastic backing, it has held up well. Much of its longevity can be attributed to the number of different protective cases on it during its 3+ year life span. With a significant investment in a fancy new smart phone, investing in a case can be a good idea. Provided they can do the job.

The different cases I ran on my iPhone 3g helped keep my phone functional, but when it came to the cosmetic side of things, they didn’t do as well.   While they protected the phone during the inevitable drops to the ground, every model I’ve used collects dirt and dust. In addition, when removing the cases I found the plastic backing covered in scratches. Eventually just stopped using a case altogether, preferring to run it bare in my pocket. The irony is that it didn’t get any more beat up, provided I kept keys and change away from it. The dirt didn’t build up either, since I wiped it down regularly.

My 3G held up so well, that I was unable to justify the expense of upgrading to a newer model until recently. The 4S was too much of a temptation though, and so I finally succumbed. Having a new phone, I of course wanted to protect it from the eventual “oh shit” moment. But I wasn’t about to run any old case on my favorite piece of hardware. You can imagine I was beyond stoked when Rob from Echos Communications shot over a sample case from Element Case. The model we received, the Vapor Pro isn’t just any old case – I’m almost hesitant to say it, but as someone that appreciates craftsmanship, it is a piece of art. Like many of our favorite bike parts, the protective frame is CNC machined from a solid block of aluminum.  This alone wouldn’t prevent scratches and dirt, but it is just one component of the case. A lot of thought clearly has gone into every detail of this product, from the stick-on suede backing to the polymer segment of the case that prevents signal loss.

the Vapor Pro Black Ops Element Case

This isn’t a typical phone protector. Clearly, a lot of thought has gone into every detail of this product- from the alloy casing itself, to the comfortable suede backing. Also included:

• Clear screen protector (2x)
• Padded zipper case
• Sunglass-style wipe
• Custom tool for the case hardware that includes extra hardware

Installation

Installation was easy enough. I started with the clear plastic screen cover. Having added these to my previous phones, I took extra care installing it. Although two are included, experience with similar protectors meant rushing and doing a sloppy job would leave me with air bubbles that I’d have to stare at for each time I used the phone. The thin membrane is noticeable in the light when using the phone during the day, but knowing the screen is a bit more protected is not just reassuring, but in limited light isn’t noticeable at all. I prefer using the phone with the uncovered screen, but when I do end up using the phone to watch Netflix or other similar apps, it tends to be in lower light anyway. The black suede backing also has an adesive backing, and I took equal care in applying it to the phone. It has a nice tactile feel to it, and in contrast to the alloy case, really adds to the experience of using the phone. As a bonus, because it sticks on, I’m unconcerned about dirt getting underneath it and causing scratches like other phone protectors I’ve used.

Adding the alloy case itself is unlike installing any other iPhone case I’ve owned to date. It bolts together using small allen keyed bits, and a cool little allen tool.  (included with the case) As with everything else, care was taken at this step to avoid stripping the heads or the case in the installation.

Installing the Vapor Pro iPhone case

In addition to the alloy case and the stick on protectors, a zip up padded case was included for traveling with the phone on more rough and tumble adventures. I haven’t used it much due to the additional size and space it takes up in my pocket, but for trail building, motorcycling, snowboarding or other endevors where I’d want a bit of extra protection it seems like a great addition. The only drawback for me is that since I use it rarely, I have been finding myself misplacing it. While it would provide quite a bit of shock protection for the phone when the phone was inside, it doesn’t appear to be water resistant in any way, so for my uses it has limited value, since it takes a bit to put the phone in and take it out. It is a nice bonus add-on though, that I wouldn’t have expected. I have yet to test how much it damps the phone signal. Since I’ve become fond of documenting my rides via GPS and the Stave app, it could come in very handy. While I haven’t used this way yet, if one wanted to travel light, there is room for stashing an id, credit card and a bit of cash if you wanted to leave the bulk of a wallet behind during an adventure.

Protection

I’ll be straight forward here; I have yet to drop my phone with the case on it. Dropping phones, especially the first time is one of those events I’m planning to avoid as much as I can. I’ve dropped previous models of the iPhone a number of times, and unlike my girlfriend’s phone, mine keep going afterward, with the addition of a ding or scratch or two, thanks to the solid state drive and the lack of moving parts. While this case is all about keeping things classy, I have no doubt it adds to the drop-ability factor of my phone. I imagine the case won’t look as sleek after a solid impact with concrete, so I’ll update this post after the first time this inevitable event occurs.

At $150, this case isn’t cheap, but it is a nicely produced product, and adds a stylish, industrial look and protection for your number one electronic gadget. Many cases don’t compliment the design of the iPhone- the Vapor Pro does. The craftsmanship on it is top notch, and it has a solid feel in the hand. While it took a minute to get used to it, it adds a bit of heft that feels reassuring. In addition, I haven’t felt that the phone’s signal strength has been compromised in anyway.

The Vapor Pro iPhone Case by Element Case

Pluses

• Craftsmanship, design and incredible attention to detail
• Shape easy to hold onto with gloved hands
• Reliable feel
• Includes padded zipper case (I’d even take this motorcycling/ dirt biking/ dirt jumping)

Minuses:

• Some headphones may not fit though the machined holes
• Recessed buttons slightly difficult to press
• Unlikely to be compatible with iPhone docks without disassembly
• Price- quality and good design isn’t cheap, but you get what you pay for. The Vapor Pro will set you back $150.00

Details go all the way to the final presentation and packaging

For more info, check out Element Case.

Related posts:

1. Reviewed: Kuat NV 2 Bike Rack
2. Reviewed: Chrome Roll-top Pack

New Zealand has been popping up quite a bit on the radar lately, and the more I hear, the more I want to figure out a plan for getting down there and checking it out. A few weeks ago I was out with local DH Racer/ Ripper Mikey Haderer and we were putting the New Zealand designed DH frame the Zerode though its paces for a bike check for Vital MTB. Shortly after that I went on a ride with a native New Zealander now living in the bay area. Clearly the universe is telling me I should pack up and move to New Zealand. Or visit and ride their trails.

Their summer runs from December through February, which makes it a highly desirable destination for those that have X-Mas vacation time saved up, especially if you’re a rider based in the northwest that needs a break from the wet and cold. There is a big push in their marketing for cycling tourism with at least two bike parks that I know of, the Woodhill Mountain Bike Park and the Queenstown Bike Park. The Queenstown Bike Park recently opened, and from all the photos that have been popping up online, the scenery looks epic.

Not content with some apparently sweet downhill tracks, there is also a jump park. For pump track fans they’ve also added a new pump track that’s designed to act as a social hangout for locals and tourists alike near the bottom of the Skyline Gondola. The track is sponsored by the Outside Sports Ride Centre, and to make the track a reality, they brought Pro DH racer Justin Leov on board to design it and get it made.

When planning a pump track, your design doesn't need to be super fancy.

Their planning for the pump track wasn’t terribly complex. Often times you see these computer drafted images that look great, but sometimes just getting a rough plan is all you need. Sometimes these things are way over designed and things that look good on paper don’t always turn out as planned. In the end, regardless of your design, you’ll end up changing things up if you really want to dial it in.

This track was roughed out and ridable within two days of work.

It is great when you have good soil to work with on site. Often times it isn’t the case.

Break in runs.

Watering the track

Once the track was officially open, they celebrated by having a big jam making an edit. Looks pretty fun for a public track!

Photos courtesy of Outside Sports Ride Center.

Related posts:

1. Backyard Spotlight: Izaak’s Pumptrack

I ride my bike around the city a lot more than I get to ride it in the dirt. It is a sad reality of life in the city, but what can you do? Since I’m a big gear head with a fashionista girlfriend, it stands to reason I’d eventually become intrigued with gear that works for casual riding in the urban setting as well as the gear I wear while shredding trail on the weekends.

I’ll admit I don’t wear a helmet on the street that often, since when I’m just cruising around at low speeds I don’t see the need to. Coming from a background riding BMX on the street, I have a skillset that translates to my city bikes as well; hopping up and over curbs and dodging in-attendant drivers simply raises the fun factor for me. That said, most casual cyclists don’t take the time to develop this sort of skillset, and wearing a helmet is never a bad idea. Most helmets have traditionally looked on the lame side though, especially if you’re dressed for a day in the office.

Yakkay Helmets

Yakkay is European company that has taken a novel approach to helmet design. Based out of Denmark, they produce a basic helmet similar to the classic dirt jump/ skate helmet, but offer a number of different covers for them, making your helmet look more like a hat. A very big, oversized hat. However, if you’re rolling through the business district in formal wear already, there is something to be said in having a helmet that matches your suit. Last time I checked, they weren’t available stateside, but it appears they have secured US distribution, and there are even three shops in SF set up as dealers. (none in Portland)

The Paris Black Oilskin helmet by Yakkay Helmets

I’m still waiting for a helmet company to come up with a solution to the helmet hair problem, (not such a problem for me since I base my hairstyle around having messed up helmet hair) but in the meantime, check them out: Yakkay

Rickshaw Bags

SF is known for being the place the popularized messenger bags, and companies like Timbuk2, Chrome and Mission Workshop made their names with their take on the classic shoulder bag. Rickshaw Bags is one of the few manufacturers that still offer a custom made bag to order. You can choose and accessorize your bag on their site and even come watch bags being made at their in-house sew shop.

Friendly faces from Richshaw Bagworks

Check them out: Rickshaw Bags

Speaking of bags... is this a boom box, or a shoulder bag?

On the subject of bags, this shoulder bag disguised as an old school boom box by High Fydelity combines form and function with integrated speakers that connect to your media player. While they’re definitely more of a lifestyle piece, they definitely cause a double-take. Get old school with their stereo bag. High Fydelity

Virtue One City Bike

I’ve never heard of Virtue Bikes before, but this city bike is kind of interesting. It has the clean lines of a fixed gear with no visible brake levers or cables, and has a coaster brake- perfect for the wanna be that has no business whatsoever riding sans brakes. Or for someone that just wants are super basic bike for getting around town. Full Chromoly frame and fork, 700c tires, double wall rims make for a decent spec that ends up keeping a small price tag. I believe they start at $300 or so, which is less than what you’ll generally find a chromoly frame going for, making them a genuine bargain. For that price you could tear it apart and paint it crazy to match your new Yakkay helmet. If I didn’t already have an classic old school lugged frame built up as my grocery bike already, I’d be all over something like this. And yes, the dropouts are slotted, so a quick rear wheel change later, you can go fixed and hang out at the cafe with the other kids in their skinny jeans and shoe lace belts. Check them out: Virtue Bike

Felt Deep Six Cruiser

Felt took a crack at getting into the freeride market last year when they sponsored Cam Zink to ride their bikes, and while their MTB line hasn’t really taken off, they offer a pretty sweet line of rides in nearly every category you can think of.  Their take on the cruiser caught my eye, but they also have a three speed in their Fixie line that has me thinking. Check them out: Felt Bicycles

The Dirt Rag crew

Seems like these cats are everywhere- now that Dirt Rag also publishes a companion magazine covering the Urban Bikescape, Bicycle Times, it was only logical they’d be on the scene in SF. Check it out: Bicycle Times

Related posts:

1. SF Bike Expo: Pedal Savvy Fashion Show
2. SF Bike Expo: Cool stuff from the floor, part one
3. SF Bike Expo: AT’s Showdown

We didn’t make it to Interbike this year, although we had been looking into going until the last minute. My favorite part about the bicycle industry’s biggest trade show is looking at cool new product I haven’t seen before and geeking out on it. With the SF Bike Expo you were able to experience much of this, as the floor was filled with a good number of bike industry vendors. Although there is a big emphasis on urban lifestyle, there was a nice mix of product from other product categories as well.

VP Components VP-69 Pedal

I’ve been in the market for a new set of platforms, so when I saw the VP-69 pedal, it caught my eye. These babies are optimized for sticky rubber shoes with a minimal number of pins- six, if you’re counting. They look pretty solid, but I’ve been looking for something a bit more on the slim side. VP Components had their new slim pedal (to be released in 2012) hiding in someone’s pocket somewhere, and teased us with it in their marketing pamphlets. It looks to have a similar concept and execution to the new Tioga slim pedal, though the rep I spoke with claimed theirs would be much stronger. Called the Pilot, it’s 6.5mm thin. They also had their version of the adjustable headset on display, called the Varial. Check them out: VP Components

Five Ten Cool Hwip Clipless Shoes with sticky rubber

Speaking of sticky rubber, Five Ten was on the scene and had a few of their new models on display. This new clip-in compatible shoe is titled the “Cool Hwip” after one of the best Family Guy clips ever. It is a bit lighter than their previous release the Minnar, which was a bit on the portly side.

SPD+Sticky? Make it light enough for all day, and I want a pair.

They also had a Karver model in blue which looked pretty nice.

Five Ten Karver in Blue

I’m tempted to get one just to match the blue kit I’m putting together to match the site’s colors. They also had their new skate shoe on display, the Dirt Bag. Check them out: Five Ten

Black Market Roam

Carter Holland of Black Market Bikes is that much closers to getting his new all mountain machine, the Roam into production. The build on this thing is much like the current build on my Nomad C, which means it will likely be a sweet all around shredder for the gravity inclined that also likes to pedal all day. Check them out: Black Market Bikes

Wolfhound Cycles

Our buddy Fred Cuthbert from Wolfhound Cycles surprised us by showing up at the Expo Pre-Party at Marin Bikes HQ. He brought a few of his latest all mountain 29er creations with him. His bikes are built one at a time, and they have amazing detail work. They aren’t the lightest out there, but as an owner of a Wolfhound, they are solid, and fun to ride. He also boasts one of the shortest chainstays of a wagon-wheeled bike due to his interrupted seat-tube design.  Check him out: Wolfhound Cycles

Renovo Wood Hardtail

Bamboo has pretty much established itself as an alternative material for bicycle frames. Portland, Oregon woodworkers Renovo want you to consider wood as an option as well. Claiming a fatigue life that rivals carbon, and longer than aluminum or steel, these are certainly gorgeous looking frames. They still use baseball bats made of wood, so it seems logical that you could ride one. Ranging from $2k-$3800, it is unlikely you’ll be seeing one at the local coffee shop. Unless you’re in Mill Valley or down the street in their SE neighborhood. Check them out: Renovo Bicycles

Nemesis Project - although that guy from Wolfhound managed to sneak into the photo...

Next stop on our hand built bike tour was Nemesis Project out of Sacramento. Brad has been building dirt jump frames, bars and stems, and catering to the freestyle crowd for a while, so when fixed gear freestyle came around he was already in the mix. Regardless of whether you think FGFS is awesome or just don’t get it, these builds are burly as get all. Check them out here, and don’t forget to give Brad a bad time about the lack of a proper website already: Nemesis Project

Related posts:

1. In the Bay Area? The SF Bike Expo is this weekend
2. SF Bike Expo Scene: Part 2
3. SF Bike Expo: AT’s Showdown