Category Archives: Bicycles

53cm IRO Mark V Pro

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This is the third IRO I have built and I am always pleased with the results.  These bikes are perfect for urban environments like NYC, which is no surprise since IRO got their start as an New York-based company.  This frame is a IRO Mark V Pro in black that I have re-painted, overhauled, and built up with a mix of new and used parts:

  • Miche Pr1mato hubs laced to Mavic clinchers
  • new Continental road tires 700×19
  • Riser bars with Oury grips
  • new front brake, Cane Creek cross lever
  • new Origin8 track chainring, 48 tooth
  • new Origin8 bottom bracket
  • 48 x16 gearing, perfect for the streets of NYC
  • Shimano 600  tri-color crankset, 175mm
  • KKT track pedals
  • new KMC track chain
  • Size 53cm: seat tube center-center 49cm, top tube ctc 54cm, 30 inch stand-over.

More pictures after the jump: Continue reading →

1983 Colnago Super Pista

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It took about five months to complete, but I have finally finished restoring this gorgeous vintage Colnago Super Pista.  It’s a 57cm in original paint. My research points to it being a 1983 model – this guess is based off of looking at all the Colnago Pistas I could find online, and the one that had the exact matching decal set and paintjob was a 1983.  It has Columbus tubing and the fork is the flat crown model, chromed, with engraved Colnago “C” and clover.

The original story on how I got it is here, but since then I spent a lot of time collecting up the right parts and slowly cleaning and polishing it up.  While fixing up the Campy lockring with my Dremel tool, I got some steel in my eye that required three separate procedures to completely remove.  So there was definitely sweat and tears invested in this project!

Alan Tansey was kind enough to volunteer his awesome photo skills to take a great set of pictures of this beast.  Check out the full photo gallery and specs after the jump…

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Vintage Columbia Sport

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This was a quickie restoration I did over the weekend, of a 1960’s-era Columbia Sport bicycle.  Super relaxed frame geometry for cruising around town, and the trademark “hellenic” seat stays.  Nifty chainring cut outs and original headbadge keep this bike looking old school despite the orange and black fade paint job I gave it.  27″ wheels with a coaster brake keep the ride smooth and simple.  This bike would look great with a tweed jacket!

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 →

SPD Shoe 2010 buyer’s guide Pt. 1 – Casual Shoes

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spd_casual

Following up on my last post, I recognize that not everyone wants to make their own SPD-compatible shoes.  So what are your “off the shelf ” options?  Well, I’ve done a lot of research and here is the first installment of my two-part “2010 buyer’s guide” based on the coolest shoes I have seen that are currently for sale.  My criteria here is to list shoes that would look and feel good at a casual office or social occasion, the kind of shoes you can wear all day, anywhere, without looking like a total bike dork.  This first list is of leather low-profile shoes that have a European style.  Part Two of the buyer’s guide will focus on sneakers that are SPD-compatible.

Check out the rest of the 2010 buyer’s guide after the jump: Continue reading →