GRIME Bikes and Apparel

THE GRIME is bikes, tees, and hoodies from two guys in Bedstuy that know the streets of New York City. But these aren't just any bikes, I talked to Joe of GRIME to get the scoop. (All quotes are from him and the first and third photos are from THE GRIME where you can order your own GRIME bike, just be prepared to wait about 60 days as these are in very high demand right now.)

"These are designed for heavy tricks with a fixed gear drivetrain. Handrails and grinds and stuff. Besides just being a fixed-26 there are some key differences between this bike and any other bike in the market."

"We have some of the best riders not only riding for us, but part-owning the company. Ed Wonka and Mike Schmitt really sat down and built their dream bike. It doesn't look like anything else because it isn't like anything else out there right now. Some dirtjumpers are similar, but not quit like this. There isn't a 26" fixed gear bike on the market that I know of. But there will be many copy cats I'm sure."

"All our frames are designed, built, welded, sandblasted and powder coated here in our workshop in Bedstuy, New York. Handmade tigged and fillet brazed on the same floor as our print shop for apparel."

GRIME has distributors in five countries and the frames are arriving in stores right now. One can be yours with an ANIMAL headset and bottom bracket for $750.

BFF at the Bike Film Festival

The Bike Film Festival was today on East 2nd Street in the East Village. There were lots of vendors, a few bike builders, people doing tricks, and more bikes than I think I have ever seen on one city block. It was awesome. For me the highlights were seeing Horse Cycles Thomas Callahan and watching the pros make their bikes fly. Oh, and I think there were some films playing somewhere too... I missed that part. Here are some photos of what I did see:

Sexy, Slick Red Nagasawa For Sale

After a stint with us and on the familiar streets of the East Village and Brooklyn, the Nag is off to greener pastures, faraway lands, or maybe just New Jersey, depending on where you live. What I am trying to say is that this bike is for sale. Yes, a Nagasawa for sale stateside, oh boy!


This one is nakano red, 53.5 seat tube and 55.5 top tube, with new old stock suntour superbe this that and the other, hatta swan headset, pre-NJS nitto stem, selle concor brown suede blah blah blah... You get it. This is a really awesome build!


The frame and fork are from Punch Cycles in Tokyo, the best bike shop in the world.


Email Robin (robin.hiner@gmail.com) if you are interested in more details and/or possibly owning this rare ride.

Top 5 List Of Cute Bike Handlebar Bags

Today I decided to scour the internet for the perfect bike handlebar bag. Here is what I found out: There are a variety of cute bike handlebar bags out there. All of the cute ones are WAY overpriced. None of the cute ones come in all black.

So, I am totally undecided and leaning towards asking for a custom made Jimmy K. Designs bike handlebar bag – cause if you are gonna spend the big bucks, you might as well get what you really want.

However, I don’t want to put my research to waste, so here is my list of the top five cute bike handlebar bags out there, ordered by price:

1. Alexandra Cassaniti makes two options priced at $120 and $96 respectively. They are for sale at Ooga Booga which is a lot of fun to say. I like the prints of these bags but I’m looking for something simple, so they are out.


2. Tokyo Fixed Gear has this bag for sale for 80 Euros (about $102). It is made by Ccp and comes in three muted (boring but not easily matchable) color combos. For just over a bill, I think I’m looking for something more.


3. There’s an Etsy store I like called Death & Texas that has one cute handlebar bag for sale – and by sale I mean the steep designer price of $95. Isn’t Etsy stuff supposed to be cheaper then retail? I also get the feeling that this was just copied from the Alexandra Cassaniti one above.


4. And then there are these three bags that collectively have a 5% chance of actually matching your bike. They are made by Po Campo and are sold at the bargain rate of $92. I’d consider the silver one, but I know I’d regret it later. I’m just a sucker for anything shiny.


5. And finally the most affordable option comes from Acorn Bags. Their small front bag as they call it is only $50. However what you make up for in price you sacrifice in style – this is unfortunately a universal law of fashion. These bags look a little old, no?


So I guess there isn’t a perfect bag out there after all. The search continues…

Horse Cycles Open House

Time to talk about some really awesome bikes!


There was a block party today in Williamsburg on North 3rd Street. After the rain let up and the sun came out we decided to brave the winds and ride our bikes over the Williamsburg Bridge to check it out. There was a band, balloons and streamers, a bunch of jars full of colored water, and enough PBRs to satisfy the crowd. But for me the main attraction was the Horse Cycles open house.

Horse Cycles are custom steel frames built by hand to the exact specifications of the customer. Thomas, the man behind the frames, says that he makes bikes for real people, as in, tall, short, long legged, short torsoed, you name it. And the work he does is impeccable. He started building about two and a half years ago and in that time has made 22 unique bikes.


Tomas had a bunch of bikes on display at the shop's open house. Check out this one with aero tubing, custom "Horse" inscribed track ends, integrated seatpost, and that sweet handlebar stem combo.





Also on display was this stainless steel touring bike. It has a horse on the head tube and a whale on the seat tube. Did I say that these are custom bikes?




And look at this track bike. It is meant for racing and has a 180 pound weight restriction due to the ultra-light weight tubing set. It is also, appropriately, painted red so you'll see it whizzing by. Just to confirm - this is not a city bike, this is a thoroughbred racer.


After everyone had a chance to check out the bikes, Thomas explained how he got started as a bicycle builder and gave a brazing demo.




Don't worry, he handed out sun glasses to the crown before he lit up the torch.



On my way out I noticed this Horse bike that someone rode over. The chainstay says it all, and in beautiful scrip, no less.



For more beautiful frames, look no further.