I was restlessly floating around the internet at 4 am when I came across this conceptual gem. This final university project of Wytze Van Mansum in collaboration with Cannondale and its a true engineering marvel, at least aesthetically speaking. I’m not sure how the drive train works but I like the void in the crankset, as well as the locking handlebars and the rear brake lights. Though I wouldn’t trade in the Affinity for it, I think its testament of where bikes may be going.
I’ve greedily kept this completed gem to myself while uttering “mY PreCioUs” under my breathe. But seeing as I’m feeling rich with christmas spirit I thought I would share. I put it together the day we landed from our 32 hour flight. It’s everything I had hoped for; the true stand out in my regard is the Sugino 75 BB and Crankset combo. Its like pedalling in…um..butter, well you get what I mean. Seriously though it has nothing to do with the standard drive train on my ‘09 Fuj Track. You can feel the responsiveness and BB and the crank set working in unison coupled with the stiff straight fork and the Phil Wood hubs the bike rides better than I could have hoped for. So without further ado I present to you my ride.
I literally dreamed this bike into reality, I had my heart set on building one way and I refused to be swayed any other way. Every part was sourced for specific reason and I owe a big thanks to NJS Exports, Track Super Market, Green St Cycles, Chari and Co., Affinity, and Gear for making it seem so easy.
Part List
Frame: Affinity Lo Pro
BB/Crank Set: Sugino 75/ Blue Sugino 75 49T
Front: Phil Wood Hub / H Plus Son / Blue Rubino Pro
Rear: Phil Wood Hub / Velocity B43 / Blue Rubino Pro
Handlebars: Nitto x Tee19 / Black Nitto RB021
Stem: Thomson
Head Set: FSA
Seat Post: Nitto x Tee19
Saddle: Kashimax Black Ostrich Aero
Cages: BO Gear FRS Straps
Cog: Phil Wood 16T
During my trip back home my aunt Joelle gave me a fantastic gift, my late uncle Peter’s TLR; a Zeiss Ikon Ikoflex 851/16 that dates back to 1936 – 1939. This medium format camera is an amazing piece of photographic hardware. This hearty antiquity is equipped with a Tessar 1-3.5 75mm lens, runs on 120mm film, equipped with a top view finder and sports a lever focus indicative of a pre ‘37 fabrication. This was my first experience with a TLR (twins lens reflex). I scanned over the body and all its knobs and buttons I couldn’t help but be surprised at how complex this 70 year old camera seemed. I started to imagine the lives it had had, and all the different hands it must have passed through to make it to mine. As a movie caliber flashback montage scrolled through my mind I was left with a memory of Peter teaching me to develop film in the darkroom in his home in Montreal. As I look back I realise that my time with him was my initiation into serious photography. Now I have the honour of restoring his old camera.
This is it, the cornerstone of my build, a matte black Affinity Lo Pro frame. I’ve had my heart set on this heat treated 4130 chromo tubed marvel for the last 7 months, in that time I have literally counted Lo Pro’s bunny hopping over me to lull me to sleep. What drew me to this frame in particular was the colour, I love the matte black, its strong without being flashy and it seems to eat up light when the sun hits it. It’s a pursuit frame so the top tube drop about 2 inches providing for a much more aggressive riding stance. I think the lugged 1 inch straight bladed forks look great, I find the the gradual taper gives the frame a complete look as well as providing the a responsive stiff ride. Finally, and this was a deal breaker, the graphics are subtle, aesthetically complimenting, and perfectly positioned, my favourite being the sans serif Brooklyn down the rear of the seat tube. If your interested in learning ore about this frame I’ve included the technical specs below.
So, my trip to New York came to an end and I’m not too proud to admit that I boarded the flight teary eyed and with a heavy heart. I had a wonderful time, I got to see a lot of people I hadn’t connected with in a long time and got to rediscover NYC. Although, I’m quite remorseful that I wasn’t able to spend time with certain people I hold very close to my heart. I hope they don’t take it as my not caring but rather poor prioritizing, and to those people, you know who you are, I’m sorry. Besides that, the trip went better than could be expected; I spent quality time with the family, built my bike, interviewed some of my favourite bike shops (coming soon!), made new friends and reignited my love affair with my city. I tried to fit in as much as I could and it wasn’t even close to as much as I wanted. I guess I wasn’t quick enough like a lazy pigeon crossing a New York Street. So as I sit here homesick, all I can say is I’ll be back and when I do it’ll be to settle in. Good bye New York.
A few months ago I recognised that I was in desperate need of a keychain and quickly I came to realise that finding a good one is quite a challenge. A hanging chain or lanyard was out of the question and I refused to sport anything with a logo. I hoped for an accessory with character and personality. Progressively, I’ve accumulated an assortment of trinkets to embellish my keys that feel right in my pocket. A strip of cloth adorned in the colours of the countries I’ve called home (France, America, and Australia). A presta to shrader valve adapter made of solid brass by Stephen Davis Phillips in the shape of a bullet, that I picked up at Chari & Co. A subtle 8Gb memory stick in the shape of a key made by the reliable hard drive maker, Lacie. And, my personal favourite, an antique pocket compass that I found at the Digby & Iona stall at Pop Up flea market I stumbled across early in my trip.
When I arrived in NYC my first port of call was Chari & Co to get my wheel set built up. For some time now, I’ve had my heart set on a pair of H Plus Son Rims laced to Phil Wood hubs. Though when I got to Chari they informed me that they only had one machined H Plus Son. I must have been obviously disappointed by the news because Ken came out from behind the counter to hand me a Velocity B43. The rim looked great, and near identical to the H Son except for obvious weight discrepancy. I had considered the B43 when planning the build but was scared off by the weight, but when you’re 220 lbs. whats an extra 185 grams, right? Plus I’ve heard that they’re near indestructible. Hopefully the weight I lose by having deeper rims and therefore shorter steel spokes will recoup some added weight. Anyway, I told them to go ahead and build the set, I wanted to get the order in as early in the trip as possible to have them ready by the time we I left. Much to my amazement, I received a call the very next day to inform the wheels had been completed and were waiting for me. This was my first experience with Chari and I can honestly say that I was impressed and they deserve their flawless reputation.
New York is host to innumerable museums, but no museum screams culture and the arts like the MOMA. So when I heard that the Tim Burton exposition coincided perfectly with my stay, I was consumed with twisted pleasure. The expo was a culmination of Burton’s eerie work from adolescent still motion to illustrated poetry to conceptual sketches from his latest films. This unnerving glimpse into his genius was both exhilarating and disturbing. In the lobby I was greeted by an unsettling two story creature covered in stitches, eyeballs and stripes. I had purchased my tickets online which allowed me to bypass the line, a benefit I would definitely recommend. Thats when the delight of the horror show began, the flow of the exhibit ran chronologically starting with basic sketches and silent still motion films. We moved on to observing fundamental line drawings and morbidly hilarious illustrations that left you giggling though leaving you contemplating your own sociopathy. My favorites were the miniature models of Burton’s dejected movies spawned from the darkest recesses of his mind. Though the security guards were vigilant and stern they were none too observant, because as they enforced the no photography mandate with cell phone cameras they missed the clicking of my DSLR lens. So I have the pleasure of presenting to you, though dark, grainy and off center; a sneakily exclusive look at the NYC own MoMA Tim Burton exhibit without having to leave the seat of your chair.
A few months ago when I was planning my build, I had considerable trouble settling on a stem. I knew I didn’t want a quill stem for two reasons; first I don’t find that they suit pursuit frames because of the aggressive look. Secondly, my ideal frame, the Affinity Lo Pro comes with a non threaded fork though, the boys at Affinity are happy to thread it for just $40. When I rocked up to the shop in Brooklyn, the stem was the only part on my list that had a Roger Marris type asterisk next to it. I had loosely planned on going with a matte black Nitto UI-5BX Stem from Chari & Co but it turned out they were sold out, which turned out to be a blessing in disuise. I settled on a Thomson Elite, and couldn’t be happier, I find that the glossy black stem will better compliment the matte black Lo Pro than the matte Nitto. A bonus find, the Nitto stem being out of stock at Chari, I found the perfect finishing detail in a set of blue anodized bolts, giving the Thomson the perfect finishing touch.
With yet another brilliant stroke of timing and luck, I spent an evening exploring the best the NYC creative community has to offer. It seemed like a never ending source of trinket jewelry, original clothing, hand crafted plush toys, and vintage stalls. Here is a glimpse of my favorites, if you’d like to get any of their contact details just send me a mail.
