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Fixed Gear

RIDING TRACK BIKES WITH JEAN PADILLA IN SAN FRANCISCO


Jean Padilla is the dude. I only had a handful of hours left before I had to hop on a flight home, so I called Jean. We met up downtown in the financial district and made our way into Chinatown. There’s always something happening in Chinatown. A few alleys later and we were back on the street riding through the Broadway tunnel. I’ve never ridden up it that direction, but Jean has a strict “no face, no case” policy, so we just pedaled harder. Once we popped out the other end we headed up and over the hill bombing down Hyde st. Flying down a hill and timing out the lights is the best part about riding fixed gear in San Francisco. Until next time Jean.

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BIKE CHECK – TEO MAZARS’ LOW PURSUIT

Teo Mazars came from France to hang out and ride bikes with us in San Francisco. It’s become such a destination for fixed gear over the years that it’s always been rad to meet people from all over the world without ever having to go anywhere. Teo came by the Chrome Hub one day with Georges so I brought their bikes into the studio and caught some quick pictures. Full parts breakdown below.

FRAME: Low pursuit 2013
HANDLEBAR: Wide riser without brand
FORK: Alpina carbon
STEM: Deda zero 100
HEADSET: Chris King
SADDLE: Old Italia Flite
CRANKS: Sram Omnium with
BB: Sram
PEDALS: MKS
STRAPS: BLB Straps
CAGES: BLB
CHAINRING: Custom Factory Five Latice
COG: 18T Miche
GEAR RATIO: 49/18
CHAIN: Izumi Black Jet
FRONT TIRE: Zaffiro
REAR TIRE: Gatorskin
FRONT WHEEL: Don’t remember maybe velocity or b43
REAR WHEEL: Phil Wood laced to mavic open pro

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CRANKSGIVING 2017

I’m thankful for these two dudes. Every year, Toby, Bryan & I take the train back home for the holidays, and every year we do a little turkey trot around the outskirts of town. It’s never too long. Something quick, under 30, but there’s usually a fence to be hopped or cow paddy to dodge along the way. Midway through the ride we’ll pull off and take a moment to soak in the scenery. Usually that means pulling off at the nearest drainage ditch to catch some quick airs before we continue on our journey. There are a ton of spots like this peppered around town, some of which have transitions that are smoother than most skateparks I’ve been to.

At one point I saw a hawk chowing down on a rattlesnake so I hopped off my bike, dropped down to its level and started shooting photos. I army crawled closer and got within an arm’s length before the hawk started to flex and didn’t want anything to do with me any longer. I always forget how sick Toby’s Wheel Talk kit looks. We’re going to have to make a new one soon. Well, that’s it for this year. Check out more photos below, otherwise look forward to more next year.

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FIXED GEAR PORTLAND – RAMON ANTONIO’S LEADER 721

It’s the final countdown. With only hours left until we rang in the new year, Ramon Antonio III and I grabbed our track bikes and went for a cold jaunt around the neighborhood. After a while of roaming around, we stumbled across this open junk yard stacked full of pallets. We hung out and spent probably 20 minutes there shooting Ramon’s bike. There’s nothing better than exploring new places and riding without a destination.

It’s been awhile since Ramon had a fully functioning track build. We’ve been riding FGFS for so long we almost forgot how easy it is to pedal something with 28c tires and full leg extension. His Leader 721-TR looks hard with the flat black everything. Ninja mode at night. Check out more photos below. (more…)

FIXED GEAR PORTLAND – THE 11th HOUR OF 2017

See ya never 2017. Yesterday the sun came out, the ice melted and the roads dried off. So Devin Tolman, Ramon Antonio & I grabbed our wheels and hit the streets hard. Apparently seeing the sun this time of year is a real rarity. I still don’t believe it yet. In my mind the sun is shining everyday. It’s just hidden beneath a thick layer of clouds is all.

I’ve harshed Portland for not being a real city since we got here. But everyday, little by little, I’m starting to see it. Especially in these photos of us riding around it’s downtown. I’m so used to shooting in direct sunlight, that it’s nice to be somewhere where it both looks and feels brick out.

Check out 20-something more photos below, and keep your eyes peeled for more fixie content coming straight outta Portland. 2018 is less than a day away and it can’t be here soon enough.

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MASH PARALLAX – TURNING OF THE TIDE

This doesn’t happen where I’m from. For starters the trees in San Francisco never change colors. They’re green year round. But here in Portland not only do the trees change, but so do the seasons. I’m still scared to see what winter brings, but we’re hopeful and optimistic. Yesterday the combination of light and trees looked so good that I dropped everything, grabbed my camera and shot these quick photos of my track build. It’s a MASH SF Parallax frame, for those who are wondering, but you probably already knew that. I’ll stop talking now, check out more below.

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BIKE CHECK – GEORGES MAHAPROM’S MASH PARALLAX

Georges Mahaprom, better known as “Milk Tea Rider” is one of the many young cats coming up through San Francisco’s fixed gear scene. I’d always run into him in the sunset, at the MASH shop, or somewhere along Market Street. He’s always on this bike. His endless enthusiasm makes him a true pleasure to know and is always somebody I’m excited to see. Keep ripping Georges.

FRAME: MASH Cinelli Parallax Cyanotype
HANDLEBAR: Race Face Riser 750mm
FORK: Columbus
STEM: Easton EA90 130mm
SADDLE: Fizik Antares
CRANKS: Sram Omnium
BB: Stock GXP
PEDALS: MKS
STRAPS: Toshi NJS Double Straps
CAGES: All City
CHAINRING: 49T aarn
COG: 17T All city
GEAR RATIO: 49/17
CHAIN: iZumi
FRONT TIRE: Zaffiro
REAR TIRE: Rando
FRONT WHEEL: Low flange Paul hub laced to mavic open pro
REAR WHEEL: High flange Paul hub laced to mavic open pro

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MASH SF – 10 YEAR PARALLAX IN SAN FRANCISCO

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. If steel is real, then I don’t know what to call this. The fact that this frame is still standing surprises me. I’ve been riding this MASH Parallax frame for more than 2 years now and it has taken every bit of abuse I’ve thrown at it. The photo above is a shot that I’ve been wanting to get for a while. I’d be willing to go as far as to say I’ve had daydreams about it. I spent probably 20 minutes laying on the street shooting up before James Grady & Jake Ricker rolled up. Plenty of people walked passed looking down wondering why in the hell I was laying in the gutter. Completely worth it.

One final thought. People always ask me what’s up with the tennis ball. To be honest, I just found one on the street one day. The Chrome Industries HQ used to be around the corner from the Bay Tennis Club. Leaving the gutters lined with neon green gems all the time. But for the most part I just tell them it’s my spedometer.

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SAN FRANCISCO – JAKE RICKER & JAMES GRADY


Last day in town. I guess it’s true what they say, time flies when you’re having fun. With only hours left I made sure to make the most of it. One of the few things I wanted to do while I was in San Francisco was to stand at the bottom and stare up at the massive Sales Force building they’re working on. It’s a fucking monster. You can see it from every point in the city. It’s been wild to watch the skyline change over the years, but it only adds to the character of the city.

After breaking my neck looking up for a while I met up with San Francisco’s very own James Grady & Jake Ricker. We rolled around the financial district for a while then headed over to Chinatown to check out the usual hustle and bustle. Walking through the alleys at night you can always hear how packed full of voices each building is. I always love riding around with someone who loves to shoot as much as you do. Jake Ricker is great for that. Shout out to James Grady for organizing / hosting the Red Bull Bay Climb that happened the day before.

Last stop before leaving town was swinging by MASH SF to change out my gearing which had stopped being comical 10+ miles ago. I said my goodbyes, packed my bike, had dinner at one of my favorite spots in town, then hopped on a plane back to Portland. Until next time.
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SAN FRANCISCO – THE BOYS ARE BACK IN TOWN

Home is where the heart is, and I left mine in San Francisco. Last week I traveled south and spent some time hanging out with friends / family in The Bay. It felt good to be back in a place where it’s hard to go more than 20 mintutes without running into someone you know. There’s something to be said about knowing people by name in every neighborhood you’re in.

One of the first familiar faces I ran into was my cousin Evian Reyes. We’re not really related, but we like to pretend we are. I don’t think I ever realized what a tall city San Francisco is. Maybe living in Portland has given me that perspective, but damn. There are some serious cloud scrapers starting to pop up in SF. I’ll have more photos to share over the next couple of days, until then enjoy these shots from day one. In the words of EARTHGANG – my partner always said that I’d go far if I stayed from around here.

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