Tag Archives: tarck

Bridgestone Anchor Carbon Track Bike – FAPCPT

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Is a carbon bike “vintage” if it’s old enough to buy beer?  This Bridgestone Anchor track bike was born in 1999 (making it technically “Gen Z”) and represents their first foray into monocoque carbon frames.  “FAPCPT” is a convoluted and unfortunate model name, evocative of onanistic internet slang.  It’s all relative I suppose, considering the brand name is “Anchor,” a word that doesn’t convey a sense of lightness or speed (or even motion itself).  Both the brand, and this bike in particular were created for the Japanese market and not with an English-speaking audience in mind.  Silly names aside, this bike is a work of art, with clean, sculptured lines and a svelte profile.  Read on to learn more about this rare early carbon track bike.

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Sparton fixed gear bike

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Sparton is a Chilean brand that was briefly imported into the USA from 2007-2010.  They were initially sold via eBay for under $200 for a frame and fork.  At first a handmade, lugged steel track frame at such a low price made a big splash in the fixed gear scene, but then a number of negative reviews came out.  Most of the issues were concerned with the fit and finish, unsurprising considering the low price and 3rd world origin.  They operated a retail store in South Carolina briefly, but now the store, website, and owner have all disappeared.

This particular example was bought used (frame & fork) from a girl who had been riding it for the last three years.  It was marked 53×53 (the size of the frame) on the bottom bracket, and had the Sparton logo cast into the seat stay end caps.

It was notably heavier than other track frames I’ve seen, leading me to believe it was made from cheap hi-tensile steel as opposed to lighter and stronger cromoly steel.  The only issue I noticed was that the seat stay bridge had been placed too low, preventing the rear wheel from being mounted all the way into the rear fork-ends.  An amateurish but not serious mistake by the builder.

I built it up with a set of Alex wheels, a Sugino ALPS 144BCD crank which I think is identical to a Suntour Cyclone, stock WTB saddle from my Surly Long Haul Trucker, and the original Bridgestone tires that had come on my RB-1.  It was purchased by a young art student from Paris.

Picture gallery after the jump…

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59cm IRO Mark V

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Another IRO Mark V rebuild / repaint project.  I love building up and selling these bikes, as they are one of the most solid, no-nonsense urban single-speed / fixed gear bikes out there.  They have the perfect geometry for city streets, and use high-quality steel in the frame construction.  For a fixed-gear under $500, it beats all challengers.

I got this frame as part of a trade, and I overhauled and refinished it.  Dismantled, cleaned out, and re-packed the headset and bottom bracket, added some shiny new silver deep-V’s, a Fuji Feather saddle, and a new cockpit with front & rear brakes with nifty pink housing.  Crankset is a Sugino RD 170mm with a 48-tooth Rocket chain ring, 16 tooth Dura Ace cog, KMC K710 chain, and MKS Stream track pedals.

More pics after the jump…

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53cm Blue IRO track bike

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RS_iro_DS

Here’s a new build I just threw together from some spare parts I had and a very nice frame.  It’s a blue IRO Mk.V track bike, sized 51cm.  Originally from the BikeForums group buy two years ago, it’s got a custom color scheme and is in fantastic shape.  It’s rolling on Suzue hubs I recently overhauled, laced to Araya rims – a very smooth and classy wheelset, completed with a Dura Ace cog and lockring.  Truvative Touro cranks, Wellgo track pedals, a Cane Creek front brake & cross lever set, Selle Italia Laser saddle, and some sweet risers finish off this build in style.

More pics after the jump…

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56cm Black 2-Speed Snow Bike

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Black2spd_DS1

This is my latest build, a 57cm touring frame converted into a tough snow bike with 700c x 32mm mountain bike tires and a rare Sachs Torpedo 2-speed coaster hub.  The hub has an automatic transmission!  When pedaling 0-10mph, it sits in a low gear.  When you break 10mph, it automatically (and very smoothly) switches into a higher gear.  No need for a shifter!  These hubs were made in the 50’s – 70’s and a relatively rare.  I had it overhauled at B’s Bikes in Greenpoint, and the mechanic wanted to buy it from me.

The frame is an un-branded lugged steel touring frame with lots of clearance for big tires.  Interestingly, it has an oil-port in the bottom bracket shell.  I added a pair of SR cranks with a 42T chainring and a brake up front for extra control.  Risers with BMX grips and Brooklyn Machine Works caps finish it off in style.  This bike handles great in any weather but is perfect for all the snow and ice we’ve been having.

More pictures after the jump…

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SPD Shoe 2010 buyer’s guide Pt. 2 – Sneakers

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spd_sneaks

Here is the second installment of my clipless / SPD shoe round-up.  This bunch are all sneaker-style shoes, typically aimed at BMX riders.  None of them are quite as cool as the Nike SB Dunks, but they do offer a better shoe than my home-made SPD Dunks and are probably a little cheaper.  I hope more companies (hint hint Nike) offer SPD sneakers this year!

So if you’re not ready to whip up your own SPD Dunks or Adidas Shelltoes, check out my round-up after the jump: Continue reading →

Kilo TT OS – retro fixed on a budget

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I just saw this new “experimental” frame from the folks at Bikesdirect / Bikeisland.  They added a second top tube to their popular Kilo TT bike frame, and widened the front fork and rear triangle to accept 700×38 wheels.  It’s based on the vintage designs of the early 20th century, sometimes referred to as “scorchers.”

Looks like a lot of fun to ride offroad, in the snow, etc.  Or perhaps re-paint it and make a modern-retro townie to match your tweed jackets.  It should be available for sale by the end of this week, a limited run of full bikes at Bikesdirect for $450 and framesets for $250 at BikeIsland. Sizes available are Small – 53c C-T, Medium – 56c C-T, and Large – 59c C-T.