Old school

Came across a cool post of some old BMX photos over here. It brings back fond memories of rolling around my old home town with mates. My BMX got me everywhere, and then some.

I was also reminded of a link a friend sent me ages ago so I thought I'd throw it on here as well. The Eurobike Show happened a while ago and there are a whole bunch of photos to look at here.

A cheeky post

A few things cuaght my attention this week in cycling, whilst surfing through ffffound.com I came across these custom frames by Momentum:



They have a few more worth checking out here.

Trackosaurus had a cheeky image to inspire your assualt on the Tour de France hill climbs as well so I thought I'd share, enjoy ;)

Montague Street Roadworks

Bike boy's path to Port Melbourne is currently being screwed over by road works on the Montague Street intersection. I inderstand upgrades are needed but the way they've constantly moved the path (and narrowed it) and run it into a zebra crossing that no car in Melbourne would actually stop for has been a constant nightmare. All of that aside they've now closed that side of the path completely but the good news is they've managed to keep a shared path open away from the traffic on the opposite side. It'll save me having to do a suicide run along Montague Street to City Road every morning for the next month and isn't really that big a hassle after all.

Check out the map below for any other Cyclists out there that use the Port Melbourne paths. The map had text on the flip-side and the bit relating to cyclists is as follows:

• The footpath currently open on the West side of montague Street will close and a new footpath on the East side will open.
• The footpath on the West side of Montague Street will reopen in December 2009.
• Eventually Montague Street will have a 3m wide shared path (both directions), as well as a 1.2m wide on-road cycle lane.

What would you say?

Bicycle Victoria are currently running a survey on the health benefits of riding to work. I knew I was better riding than not doing anything at all but this made me think about it a little more. One of the questions asked if you had to convinve someone (in 25 words or less) that riding to work was better for them what would you say? I would say something like "You save money and you may even lose some weight all while avoiding traffic jams and over-crowded trains. Do it for your self-esteem!"

I do love that quote.

Trio Bike

Trio Bike out of the UK make some really sweet cargo bikes. They differ from the rest in that the cargo section up front can be removed and converted solely into a trolley/pusher for the kids and the bike can then be returned to a traditional 2 wheeled bicycle.

The Bumble Bee colour scheme is cool although not my first choice.


The custom graphic on this one is great! I have seen something similar on a cargo bike cruising around Melbourne somewhere although I could be mistaken.

2010 Giant Range

Giant have released their 2010 bicycle line-up for Australia and Bike Boy is very interested in a couple of the new models. Here are the highlights (or lowlights) as I see them.

Giant XTC 29-1



Starting at the mountain bike end is the new 29 inch. Bike Boy has a soft spot for 29er's as they provide the most versatility when combining an MTB with a commuter. Hints from my LBS are that it will be around $2K. Decent components (Avid brakes, Fi'zi:k saddle and Shimano deralieurs) help round out what has been a great bike in the 26 inch category so definitely something to consider if you're looking for a 29er.

We then move into some of the new urban/commuter options Giant are introducing this year.

Giant Seek S


The seek models seem to be "café racers" built for the weekend ride and occasional commute. The Seek S (S for single-speed) caught my eye in the no fuss daily commuter category. Cable discs, no deraileurs, posts for full mud guards and a rack etc. I'll be doing some more research on this model over the next couple of weeks, that's for certain.

Of a similar style to the Seek, although this time with an internal geared hub, is the City Speed. It looks like a new concept commuter with a stem and bars all in one piece along with hidden cable routing inside the frame and integrated lights fitted to the bike. Certainly some nice options on this one if you were after a dedicated commuter.

Giant City Speed CS


City Speed Features


Last is the Bowery, the one up there ^^

This year I think Giant are going after a different demographic. The 2009 Bowery range had 4 models and were all decent looking rides. They all still had the Aluminium frame but different paint jobs and set ups with a flat bar and or drops. The Australia only model was a gloss black but essentially the same as Bike Boy's 08 model. For 2010 Giant have 2 models for Australia, a white with red drop bar model and an absolutely hideous green and pink flat-bar option.



Possibly the most disgusting paint job I've ever seen, and my LBS tells me they've used time-trial style brake levers to increase the "poser" cred. At least you know no-one in their right mind would ever consider stealing such an abomination!

I'll take two

Surfing through the links over at The Vine today I came across this:




It's a V12 Quad bike! Pretty ridiculous so I thought I'd share. There are a heap of them around, supercharged Hyabusa's, Smart Cars with motorcycle engines in them, and more I'm certain but this takes the cake for now.

One way to keep the bugs out

I still love failblog, and whilst I don't check it as often as I used to every now and then I come across some bicycle funnies.

Check this guy out:



I'm sure it's only because he couldn't squeeze it into his bag, but still funny.

40 words or less commute

ABC Radio and Ride to Work Day are asking people to share their commute stories in order to go into the draw to win a bike, check the survey here.

Here's what Bike Boy had to say:

Quiet streets to start then dodge the traffic jams. Good bike path, charge! Catch that guy. Smile to myself, cars at a standstill. Cruise the inner city developments and roadworks. Is that car going to stop? Relax, almost there.

The Face-plant Jersey

I reckon the tour needs a "best crash" jersey for the rider who has the most spectacular crash each stage. I'd definitely give it to Jens Voigt after yesterdays effort on Stage 16.

Fixed Gear Gallery

Came across this site today and thought I'd share the link. Fixed Gear Gallery has an amazing amount of bike porn... erm I mean image galleries. More than enough to keep you busy for a weekend, and some helpful links further down the page. That's if a fixie is your style of course. Bike Boy is down with a free-wheel though.

Funny

Reminds me of an embarrassing story that happened to friend of mine once. Surfed some links from over at ffffound, which has just been added to my daily check list, and came across this image. I laughed and so I thought I'd share:

Le Tour

I'm actually a little bit excited about Le Tour this year, mainly because Cadel has a chance at winning again, but also because I enjoyed watching the stages so much last year. I know the idea of watching a field of cyclists ride through Europe for 6 hours a day can seem ridiculously boring to most, but like all endurance sports I enjoy the strategy, and the stacks! I loved the hill climb stages if only to see the descent. One of the younger riders fell off the hill last year and I thought they were going to have to scrape him off the bottom of the valley! He was ok but I can't seem to find any video of it.

SBS are committed to televising most of the stages live on SBS Two so no more trying to stay awake well after midnight. Check out the schedule over at Cycling Central. Whilst I probably won't be glued to the time trial start I look forward to watching the rest of the race.

Stockyards Little River

Bike boy took an off road adventure over the weekend and headed out to the Stockyards for a little ride. It's a really great MTB park with lots of different options catering to riders of all types of skill level. It's a decent drive from the CBD, located off a dirt track off Drysdale Road on the outskirts of Little River. For more info head on over to Geelong Mountain Bike Club's website and check out the park info as well as the downloadable maps.

Broken

Bike Boy has a busted saddle. This morning whilst riding in to work Bike Boy noticed a strange creak on the downstroke of pedalling on his right leg. It was a tiny little creak so he wasn't too worried until he pulled up for his morning coffee and almost lifted the saddle off the bike. Check it out:

Favourite Rides

The Guardian has gotten a few cycling illuminati together to post about their favourite rides. Some fun stuff there and certainly worth the read if not considering for your next holiday.

Bike Boy's favourite ride around Melbourne at the moment would have to be the Brimbank Park loop. Bike Boy usually starts in Newport and the loop takes in parts of the Federation Trail, Western Ring Road Path and Brimbank Park to then return on the Maribyrnong River Trail back through Footscray. The loop has many options for detouring and or stopping along the way for a picnic/coffee, and even calling it an early day and jumping on a train home. It's usually a 60km plus ride so it makes for a testing day with a decent mix of climbs and decents, some really off-road! For more info on cycle paths around Melbourne check out Bicycle Victoria's Where to Ride section.

A Bell

Copenhaginize posted this funny video about the power of a bicycle bell. I'm going to try this walking through the city one day, it's hilarious.

Hottest 100 Of All Time

Triple J are currently taking votes for the second Hottest 100 of all time. This year marks the 20th anniversary since the first hottest 100 of all time, back when Nirvana took it out with Smells Like Teen Spirit. I love the fact that Triple J still run the Hottest 100 and Bike Boy's friends usually put together a party every year to celebrate it (and Australia Day of course). All you need to do is vote for your favourite 10 songs of all time. The J's are only going back to the 60's and since it's mainly a "Youth" network it seems fair although looking over my list I don't think there are many songs from the last 40 years, more like the last 15. Bike Boy has voted for:

Metallica - Enter Sandman
Radiohead - Paranoid Android
Nirvana - Smells Like Teen Spirit
Daft Punk - One More Time
Linkin Park - One Step Closer
Muse - Knights Of Cydonia
Fear Factory - Self Bias Resistor
U2 - Elevation
Gorillaz - Clint Eastwood
Hilltop Hoods - The Nosebleed Section

They all mean something to me, a lot or a little, but if you had to create a mixed tape for me to listen to on a deserted island for the rest of my life these songs would keep me happy. Head on over and vote to get your songs in, Triple J will then play the results over a weekend starting July 7. Can't wait to see what gets number one this time around.

Bicycle Safety

I was reminded recently of one of my favourite web cartoons and thought I'd post one of their more humorous videos on bicycle safety. Check out Strong Bad's solution here.

Ouch!

I'm glad this isn't me but you do have to laugh at a decent face plant. Failblog have posted a video, check it out, it's funny!

A bit harsh

The age has posted a story involving a motorist stopping to help a cyclist and then setting his dog on him. It's seems like such a pretty far-fetched story but who knows what goes on in regional Victortia. It's a bit rough but I'd like to think it's just a drunken tale. I mean honestly, who sets a dog on someone to mug them? At 1 in the morning!

Police Blitz

Reading the news over at the age and they have an article about a Police blitz on cyclists and pedestrians in the CBD. Bike Boy will be on his best behaviour for the rest of the week and would suggest that anyone cycling in and around the CBD do the same. Of course Bike Boy would like to say that he is on his best behaviour most days. He'd like to ;)

The news report highlights some key points and number one is always a debatable issue. Check them out below:

- Cyclists must not ride their bike on the footpath unless aged under 12. The only exception is if the footpath is a designated bike path.

- Cyclists cannot ride their bike across a pedestrian crossing. To cross the road at a pedestrian crossing they must get off their bike and push it across the road.

- Cyclists must stop at red lights.

- If there is a no-through road such as Bourke Street Mall, cyclists are not allowed to enter. To enter the area cyclists are required to get off their bike and push it.

- Cyclists must wear a helmet at all times.

- Cyclists cannot ride their bike on a tram track.

- Cyclists must obey all speed limits.

- Cyclists must have a bell on their bike at all times.

- Cyclists must stop and give way to pedestrians getting on and off a tram.

They will also be targeting j-walkers so to anyone who works in the CBD maybe cross at the lights this week instead of running across the street.

Helmets

Would you wear one if the law said they weren't compulsory? I've been debating this point in my head more recently. I know helmets reduce the risk of severe head injuries but lets face it, if a car (or worse) does clean you up then head injuries will be the least of your worries. There are valid arguements on both sides of the fence and even those that agree with wearing a helmet don't necessarily believe it should be compulsory. I'm actually thinking of researching this proplerly other than just throwing up a few random comments but for now I've asked Bicycle Victoria what their stance is on compulsory helmets.

Would Bike Boy wear a helmet if he didn't have to? In short, not all the time. Bike Boy would probably still wear a helmet on his daily commute. Every motorist on the road in Australia is too busy focussed on themselves and their little insulated world inside of their vehicle to consider any other motorist on the road. As such, it creates too many situations where a vehicle will ignore common sense and courtesy and almost cause an accident, be it ignoring a pedestrian crossing (Montague Street on-ramp) or trying to squeeze into the bicycle lane to turn left (happened this morning, and the boat head had the nerve to toot the cyclist in the cycle lane *shakes head*). Because of these situations it's crazy to not consider wearing as much protection as conditions will allow. On larger group rides such as Around The Bay or any other sponsored event I think it should be a must but even then it's more to do with the speeds reached down hills and the mix of experienced and novice riders.

As a motorcyclist Bike Boy would never consider going for a ride without a helmet and jacket, but then that has everything to do with being able to reach 100km/h in first gear more than protection from other motorists. Your average speed is that much higher when you aren't relying on pedal power and as such it is a lot more likely that you'll come off at higher speeds. Off road it's a different story, and more about protecting yourself from the environment and that's why full-face helmets are so prolific (along with body-armor and then some). No one likes a tree in the teeth no matter who they are or what type of bike they're riding.

In the end I guess it would be a case of common sense, education, and every road user being a little more patient with each other, but then that's why laws are introduced in the first place. Someone once told me that "laws are introduced when a societies ethos has failed." Perhaps that is a starting point, finding out why compulsory helmet laws were introduced in the first place. I'll keep you posted on further developments but please feel free to leave your own comments. For any BV members who want to read more on the discussion head on over to the forums here.

The Common Bike - Part 2

More details have just come through on the age's website so I thought I best update. The Common Bike trial runs for three weeks from today. You can join at commonbike.com or six bike hubs around the city at Rentabike (Federation Square), Abbotsford Cycles and Lentil as Anything (Abbotsford), Crumpler (Fitzroy), Commuter Cycles (Brunswick) and Human Powered Cycles (Thornbury). Apparently you have to be over 18 to register though.
Registration is $5 and members pay $1 per trip, with an additional dollar charged after three hours and every hour thereafter. Bikes come with a lock and helmet and can be returned at any of the hubs. At the end of the trial the bike sharing scheme will be assessed at a forum on June 15 at Docklands.

Around The Bay In A Day

Entries for this years ATB ride are now open to the general public with the 250 and 210km rides from Queenscliff sold out! ATB opens registration early to all Bicycle Victoria members and it looks like they've gotten on board already. Bike Boy is considering the ride again but thinks Team PedalMonkey isn't really interested this year. The ATB site is here.

In your dreams!

A little video is fooling a lot of people over at YouTube about a cyclist out-running police in a highway chase. It's a decent video editing experiment but for most of us it's obviously a hoax. I know some fast cyclists but they certainly couldn't out-run a car at highway speeds. Check it out, it's worth the laugh ;)

The Common Bike - Part 1

Reports this week over at The Age say Melbourne is trialing a public Bike Hire scheme based on a few already set-up in Europe. Both articles raise very valid points about the positive and negative sides of public bicycle hire schemes but in the end I think it's a winner. It will be interesteing to see what the State Government comes up with in its budget announcement later in the week (The Common Bike isn't part of the governments scheme as yet) and if they include a hire scheme similar to Paris'.
However, Australia will have a hassle with helmet laws in that we have compulsory helmet laws in the first place. Our cycling brothers and sisters over in Europe enjoy being able to cycle without a daggy helmet and Copenhagen in particular enjoys the title of safest cycling city in the world without a compulsory helmet law. Actually the more I think about it the more I want to research helmets. I know they can save you from severe head injuries but how safe are they?
Anyway, the public bike hire argument hinges on whether or not people use the bikes (or steal/vandalise them) and how often. If you're discouraged from hiring a bike because you don't want to carry a helmet around (or wear a hired helemt) then it will fall over in Melbourne. I would like to see more people cycling more often but I think there are better ways to encourage the people that already cycle along with getting new people involved. Bike Boy is certainly down with the Italian governments plan.

Ask a Urinal

I stumbled across this website today and thought I'd share, Ask A Urinal has all the answers to life's questions, go check it out.

A.N.T. Bikes

Just reading through CCC's post on bikes for the dapper Euro gent and they mention a U.S. outfit called A.N.T. Bikes. Skimming throught their website and checking out their rides is well worth it, especially the Light Roadster!

Go now!!

Not in a Company Car!

So last week Bike Boy was almost run over by a car, nothing new as daylight savings has finished and the nights are now dark, but this occassion the stupid motorist who went straight through a giveway was in a company vehicle. After yelling at the stupid motorist he gave a rev of the engine and sped off with a look that suggested I was in his way and so after snapping a photo of him at an intersection I thought I'd complain. Once I'd gotten home and cooled off I let it go only to cycle past the same driver the following night. After he drove around the block to drive past me again and taunted me with the same engine rev I thought enough was enough and actually made the phone call.

If any of Bike Boy's cycling friends see a white ISS Security Services Toyota Yaris (or possibly Corolla) with the rego something like TXG 077 (that's not exact either) doing anything other than being the height of courtesy to other road users then I would suggest you call ISS on 1300 734 172 and complain.

Stay tuned as Bike Boy has a message from the manager of ISS Security.

Bike Boy Loves Metallica

That should set the agenda. Whilst I do try and keep this purely cycling, I may stray every now and then if something has caught my attention. With that in mind, I really do love Metallica. They aren't everyone's cup of tea I'll admit, but they have shaped my musical tastes for a long time now (with the exception of a brief dark period in the early 2000's). The Vine have just posted an article about Metallica's recent induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. I thought they'd already been inducted but maybe MTV run a different Hall of Fame, anyway. What caught my attention this time was the fact that Jason Newsted was included in the induction. It's odd that they would include him, especially after the well publicised split between Newsted and Hetfield but there you go, he's back on stage in the band playing the old songs with the new guy Rob Trujillo and the rest of Metallica. What's especially interesting is in the clips the vine link to you can actually hear Jason and Rob's bass so I'm thinking that's what they've been missing all these years. Metallica need 2 bass players just to make up for James' over-the-top guitar.

Whilst I'm not suggesting they kick Rob out and bring Jason back, or saying one is better than the other, I just think it's bizarre that 1. James and Jason would play in the same band again. 2. The Hall of Fame includes "past members" in their induction. and 3. Why the hell weren't Jason's levels increased in the original mixes of "...And Justice For All" and "Metallica".

I've gotten over the fact that he left and I've accepted Rob as the new bassist, some argue he brings more to the band anyway but it's odd that they choose to right past wrongs now. I mean we all know what dicks James and Lars were (and possibly still are) to Jason back in the day but I was certain it was over with. I wonder what other bands past members will now be included into the hall or if we will see "re-mastered" versions of Justice and the black album. Why stop at Jason, Dave Mustaine used to play in the band, surely he must've gotten an invite as well?

I'd love to have been a fly on the wall, who knows, we may see "Some Kind Of Monster" part 2.

Cargo Bikes

Reading through some more of Copenhagen Cycle Chic saw a link to these guys. Larry vs. Harry make a range of cargo bikes called the Bullit. They're pretty crazy looking but really cool at the same time, especially if you're looking at hauling a lot of gear! No idea if they'll ever get to Australia but still check 'em out!

As to what Bike Boy has seen, he's knows some people over at BikeFun that use the Surly Big Dummy or the Kona Ute. They're a really neat concept and something Bike Boy has considered. Of course he'd love to cruise the kids around in a Christiana. When Bike Boy does get to having children that is ;)

Charity Rides

Last month Bike Boy was involved in the annual MS Melbourne Summer Cycle, a charity ride benefitting Multiple Sclerosis Australia. Last year they made an impressive total (which I've long since forgotten) but this years total was aimed at $350 000. I'm happy to say they acheived that result, plus a little extra, with the total just in today reaching $442 591.

The ride itself takes in some of Melbourne's CBD and inner west with a nice loop through some of Bike Boy's local digs. You can view the course map here if you're really keen. This year saw us start and finish in Princes Park and whilst we kicked off at stupid o'clock (anything before 10:00 on a Sunday morning is stupid o'clock) it was a decent ride in to Carlton in the wee hours of the morning. Thankfully it was a bit warmer this yeah and the warmers were off well and truly before hitting the start line.

After some completely incoherent announcer trying to talk up the event over the PA we had a guest starter in Melbourne's new Lord Mayor Robert Doyle. I'm sure he said something very positive about encouraging cyclists but the jury is still out on Mr Doyle as I'm unsure as to whether his promise about removing busses from the CBD has actually come to fruition. Once he said his bit we were off down Royal Parade and into the city. It was a smart move by the organisers to run us that way as it spread the groups out while waiting for traffic lights. With the exception of some boat-head on a dually riding everywhere he pleased, and the constant stop starting clip-out clip-in of course.

Once through the city we were out to Port Melbourne and the up and over the Westgate Bridge, truly the highlight of the ride! The MS Ride always cuts a course over the outbound side of the Westgate bridge and while not necessarily the best side for photo opportunities it does make the descent a bunch of fun. Bike Boy wasn't as fast on the way down compared with Around the Bay but 60km/h on the Bowery is plenty fast enough.

It was a trouble free event after that with the group completing the ride before 10.30 in the morning and having time for a stroll around the park afterwards. MS put on a bit of a party at the end of the ride but for the Pedal Monkeys the lure of beer and brunch drove us back out to Kensington. The Quiet Man puts on a mean breakfast for those interested.

This year there were only 3 of us but I'm sure we'll have more join us in future years. A good ride all for charity, and a lot less intimidating if you fancy riding over the Westgate without doing Around the Bay. I'll certainly be signing up next year.

In The News

The Age has an article up about Melbourne's new cycling plan that has been included in the state transport plan. Exciting news for cyclists and one Bicycle Victoria has been pushing for for some time. Bike Boy is happy BV were listened to by the state governemt in shaping Melbourne's future. Major upgrades in Bike Boy's neighbourhood so it's really cool.

The Wheel Saga - Part 2

"Where's the rest of it?" Said the elderly woman as Bike Boy walked off the tram, holding his original busted rim in one hand.
"I'm off to find the rest!" came the snappy reply as Bike Boy hurredly left the tram stop.

The wheel saga continues with testing various wheelsets only to discover that it's not the wheel at all but the frame. Turns out the poor Alias can't handle the beating that Bike Boy has dished out and the frame is flexing, which is the source of the disc rubbing. There isn't a fix for frame flex (W00T alliteration!) so the new plan is to sell the bike and buy a new kick arse hard tail or possibly and dual suspension trail bike. Bike Boy is liking the looks of the Scott Spark 50, the Haro Mary XC 29er or the Scott Genius 50.

Hipsters love fixies

Sorry to steal the title wholesale from the vine but it's true; hipsters do love a fixie! In case you missed the memo, it's trendy to have a fixed gear road bike these days, as the story goes here.
I must admit I've fallen to the trend to a certain extent, especially previous posts about wheels. Velocity make wheels just for this sub-culture with a huge array of colours and options for your fixie rim. But enough about that, Bikeboy rides a Bowery which is a pretty cheap SSFG bike for those looking at getting into the trend and not spending more than $700 on a new bike. It's not perfect but I love it, and after 12 months working out ratios and riding style I finally broke a freehwheel forcing me to try fixed gear riding. The 08 Bowery I have came with 48:18 on the fixed side which is a decent ratio for getting around town, not too hard to take off but not super fast when you do want to get a bit of curry on.
Anyway, this wasn't meant to be a review of my bike so I'll get to the point. After riding around fixed for a week I can't say I enjoyed the experience at all. First and foremost, as long as the bike is moving so are your legs. You can idle a lot but for me nothing beats a good free-wheel down a hill or a rest anywhere you like really. The flip side is you can control your speed a lot easier with back pressure on the pedals but it does exert your knees a lot more than just using brakes. I never worked out skidding and as I ride clipless I never felt confident enough to try. It makes hopping curbs a hassle as well as you have to be mindful of the pedal stroke, and cornering at speed can result in scraping pedals. I never fell off whilst riding fixed but it's such a hassle I can't understand why people flock to it. I think fixeis are a great way to get run over. Give me a free wheel any day!

Ghost bikes

Following my post from here it seems the Melboure cycling community has left it's tribute. I was informed of the Ghost Bike tradition from a friend of mine and whilst I thought it was a really nice idea I'd never seen one until the other night. Whilst out drinking in the city I stumbled across the Ghost Bike left for the cyclist killed in my previous post. Check it out below:

The Wheel Saga - Part 1

So bikeboy has broken a spoke or three on his MTB and decided that enough was enough, time for a new wheel. He took his bike into his LBS and asked them to fit a new wheel. They had suggested a few options but the best one seemed to be a wheelcraft wheel. In the process of getting a quote another staff member suggested a Velocity wheelset they had already built. It worked out that bikeboy would get the front and rear for the same price as the rear only from Wheelcraft so it was decided and the work went ahead. Velocity Aeroheat 32 hole, 14 gauge spokes, 26 inch rims were installed along with new 5 post brake discs.

They seemed fine until bikeboy was riding home and noticed the rear disc rubbing, for anyone that's had disc brakes rub you know how annoying it can be so needless to say the bike went back. After a couple of days of turning up in the morning saying the disc is rubbing and the shop trying a couple of fixes, we'd worked out that it wasn't the disc but the wheel flexing under bikeboy's weight. Bikeboy is a clydesdale folks so his bikes have to be fairly tough, along with replacement components.

From here it was decided that a “stronger” wheel was needed, and the specs are 36 hole, double butted 14 gauge spokes, double walled 26 inch rim. The hubs and discs are decent quality but the main point being the rim wall/spoke combination. Pricing this setup with wheelcraft turns a $200 replacement wheelset into a $400 rear wheel only. Needless to say that was too expensinve even for bikeboy so a cheaper Velocity Cliffhanger option was chosen. Since that was the better option it turns out that this particular item is out of stock with Velocity for 4 weeks! Bikeboy's shop is trying a few options but it looks as though he'll be without his MTB for at least a month!

Stay tuned for the next instlallment.

Do it for your self-esteem

The long weekend saw a few cool things happen, first being the Triple J Hottest 100 countdown and second, the Rockstar BMX Games in Melbourne. The Vine have some really good coverage of the event here.
They have a pretty extensive photo gallery and some interesting videos. What cracked me up though was a report of some of the chants the crowd came up with. I’m using this one: “Do it for your self-esteem!”