Brazen Cycleworks

2011-05-23T11:54:00.002-07:00

Amgen Tour of California attracts enthusiastic fans and Barry Bonds?

In an awkward twist of sport viewing this week Barry Bonds took in the final stage of the Amgen Tour of California. As this epic and highest rated international racing in the United States rolled from the frozen Lake Tahoe to Thousand Oaks to the joy of Californians that enjoy a good spectacle and bike racing fans from around the world. Then it happened, as it has time and time again. The DRUGS IN CYCLING stories erupted in the races limelight.

First, Tyler Hamilton published an open letter about his upcoming appearance on 60 minutes where he confesses to the sins of his past. This gold medal winner was giving back his medal and giving up the name that prosecutors have been long looking for, ARMSTRONG. Tyler reported an eerily familiar recounting of events, that seem to match the discounted recollections of Floyd Landis on drug use within Lance Armstrong's teams during his unmatched 7 Tour de France titles.

Here in the moment of celebration of the great sport that is cycling, the harbingers of doom raise their ugly heads once again as to say, "Don't celebrate too soon." As this is playing out, during the week of great racing, more revelations seem to come from the prosecutors, that even the most faithful of Lance Armstrong's lieutenants, George Hincapie has dumped on Lance. George has allegedly revealed how drugs were used to secure Lance's wins and how you can be tested 500 times and still walk away with the best sponsorships/salaries/adulations that being at the top of cycling pantheon provides.

It just puts into perspective how awesome cycling is and how far it has to go. Festina affair was 1998 and too many claimed that this was the cleansing that cycling needed. Then it was the biological passport and tougher testing. But if Tyler and Floyd are to be believed, then even getting caught is not that serious if you can pay off UCI chiefs as has been alleged. If Lance tested positive and worked with the governing body of cycling to make his failure disappear we have to overhaul more than just the attitude of riders.

It is an overhaul of the system itself. More transparent sporting governance with more rider protections and the correct level of punishments from a uncorrupted sporting body. Rider management has to get better and the image of the sport can recover, as rider's can compete fairly, without taking unimaginable risks with their health and future well being. When you look at Tyler and Floyd you can see the promise of pro athletics and how the system failed them as young men. True, they failed themselves by falling to temptation, but they have suffered the type of losses in their personal and professional lives that you would not wish on your enemies. Now they seem to have rid themselves of the burden of lying and freed their souls to begin recovery and a semblance of normality they everyone deserves.

That takes me back to Barry Bonds showing up at a bike race where a drug maker of EPO is the sponsor. A more awkward moment you could not prepare. Was he there because he loves the drama and sporting aspects of cycling that made the tens of thousands of fans line the route? Or was he there and not smiling but smirking. Could he be thinking, "Novitzky scuffed me, but he is going to hammer you." I don't see Barry as a leader for pushing change to remove drugs from sports, but it also seems unlikely that he would go through the effort to attend, just for a Cilo Green FU moment. Let's hope he likes cycling the way us cycling fans do and is ready for the other shoe to fall, so we can finally clean out the closets of deception and get back to racing.

Photo provided by Charles H Brandt, no duplication or re-use allowed without permission, all rights reserved.

2011-05-23T10:10:00.001-07:00

Great Photos from the Amgen Tour of California.

Photos are courtesy of Charles H Brandt and D. Pineda. Photos provided by Charles H Brandt, no duplication or re-use allowed without permission, all rights reserved.

Levi leading and finishing first on top of Mt. Baldy.
Baldies, Levi and Chris, at 1 km to go on their mountain.

My mom, the mascot fan.
My dad, the super fan.
Final Podium Celebration.
BMC taking on the Time Trial.
Final Podium

Ghost Riders in Sacramento. Photographer D. Pineda.

2010-12-14T11:51:00.000-07:00

1.Start a Bucket list

I just finished an item from my bucket list.

1.Start a Bucket list
2. Complete a ride across America

The inspiration is below. I don't have to do the race to check off the item.

2010-11-04T11:17:00.000-07:00

1985 60cm Serotta Nova Special frame and fork

This is a classic American built ride from the origins of Ben Serotta's NY workshop.
60cm c-c, seen in 1986 catalogs. Columbus SLX and SPX tubing.
Brand new silver powder coat for frame and fork
   •Cinelli - Made in Italy, cast BB shell
   •Campagnolo dropouts and fork ends, 126mm rear spacing
   •Sloping crown fork, numbers matching
   •Cable routing is on top of the BB shell

Serial number 51001. 5-1985, 10-October, 001- first bike produced.
I also have an assortment of components to build the bike that are available separately, so contact me if you are interested.

Pics and way to many details available at http://brazencycleworks.blogspot.com/search?q=serotta

Head Tube angle 73.5
Seat Tube angle 73
Top Tube 580mm
Chain Stay 420mm
Fork Rake 45mm
Bottom Bracket Drop 70mm

2010-10-29T12:03:00.000-07:00

Cycling Memories

I have been a lot of places on bicycles and wanted to make a point of recording some of the memorable rides I have taken.

In 2002 I took a 1 day tour, 80k from Empalme to Quepos. It was largely what we would call fire roads, but I got to see half of the country as we finished on the Pacific.

It was about $40 for the organized bus that picked us up at 5am and got us back home around 2am. I don't know the local organizer as this was in 2002. Costa Rica has some stunning forests and vistas, and I have never experienced large rain drops than the ones there.

I rode a borrowed early rigid Specialized Stumpjumper that was one size too small. I even borrowed shorts and used flat pedals and running shoes. The equipment didn't matter, as it was a once in lifetime chance to ride with locals, ticos, and see the real 'Costa Rica'. I headed to work at 6am the next day after 2 hours of rest with the biggest smile on my face and satisfaction in my heart.

2010-10-28T12:12:00.002-07:00

El Tour de Tucson history for me and brother

The results from are available from 1997. I have no idea how to find early 90s finishes.
1997 111 mile route with 156 riders finishing under 5 hours

1998 111 mile route with 151 riders finishing under 5 hours
1999 111 mile route with 204 riders finishing under 5 hours

2000 111 mile route with 127 riders finishing under 5 hours
PLACE NAME SEX AGE TIME MPH CITY, ST
178 ERIC BRANDT M 30 5:12:37 21.3 GILBERT, AZ
488 MARTIN BRANDT M 26 6:01:37 18.4 TUCSON, AZ

2001 113 mile route with 208 riders finishing under 5 hours
249 ERIC XX BRANDT M 31 5:05:08 21.8 GILBERT, AZ

2002 109 mile route with 332 riders finishing under 5 hours
362 MARTIN BRANDT M 28 5:06:43 TUCSON, AZ
728 ERIC BRAZEN BRANDT M 32 5:38:34 GILBERT, AZ

2003 109 mile route with 281 riders finishing under 5 hours
742 MARTIN BRANDT M 28 5:42:09 19.1 TUCSON, AZ

2004 111 mile route with 359 riders finishing under 5 hours
922  MARTIN BRANDT  M 30 05:49:03 19.0 TUCSON, AZ

2005 109 mile route with 420 riders finishing under 5 hours
2006 109 mile route with 383 riders finishing under 5 hours
2007 109 mile route with 453 riders finishing under 5 hours
2008 109 mile route with 438 riders finishing under 5 hours

2009 108 mile route with 423 riders finishing under 5 hours
764 MARTIN BRANDT M 35 05:29:01 19.6 TUCSON, AZ

2010-10-28T10:38:00.004-07:00

I am 40. I am dealing with it. I raced a triathlon in October and got 4th in my Age Group. Honestly, I wanted to race and finish in the top ten overall, I finished 21st. My time was 1:11 and my goal was 1:09. I realize I have some work to do to hold the aging at bay.

When training for the 2006 Arizona Ironman, I was focused, driven and very happy. My body weight was in 180s not the current 200s. I am registered to run the 20+ Ragnar Relay in 2011, but that is it.

Not anymore. I am dedicating my self to super fitness in 2011. An that means chasing a goal I have had for over 18 years. The Tour de Tucson is one of the country's largest century rides and I intend to capture their highest award, the Platnium award.

I first did this ride in 1989. It was on a mountain bike with a group of guys from the Cochise dorm. We were self supported, and riding together took 9:45. The following year I used a road bike and fell in love with the event and road racing. I have finished every time I have toed the starting line, but have never finished under 5 hours and earned the highest award.

I was as close as 5 minute sfrom my goal. In that year course was re-routed an extra 4 miles to a 113 miles. My speed of 21.8 would have yielded a platnium award on any route that was 109 miles. My plan is to use my blog to chart my training to conquer the course. Last year 423 riders of the 3630 entrants in the 109 mile event earned their platnium.

Now, it is my turn.

2010-08-16T14:53:00.001-07:00

Open Letter to all my supporters,

I thank you for your generous contributions this year. It has been about 10 years since I first rode the charity ride, Fat Tire Ride, from Flagstaff to Grand Canyon, and every time is a special time for me. ‘Special’ in that the ride itself was started by accident by friends inviting friends riding and donating extra proceeds from ride to local charity. Then the ride was built into a partnership with local Marines. Over the years the event grew with volunteers gathering, riders fundraising, and organizers creating a one-of-kind event.

I have so many positive memories from participating in this event. Memories like collecting donations for all the worthy causes, riding to complete fatigue, and the anticipation of riding with friends again the next year. This year was no different, and the challenges were large and persistent.

We started early, under overcast skies and heavy anticipation of eventual rain. It wasn’t more than 20 minutes into the ride when the first drops fell. They gathered in strength and we were soon in a downpour. At time the rains seem to lighten, but would quickly return to a solid drenching, until everyone was completely wet, through and through. Distant rumbles, turned to alarming crackles and I witnessed a lightening strike 100 ft from the trail. We followed lightening safety protocol, but soon decided that getting off the high ridge was more prudent. As we passed the struck tree, the smoke and smell from the burned pine filled the air.

Having survived that, it seemed like nothing else would challenge us more that day than Mother Nature, herself. The rain continued and puddles formed, and grew to overtake most of the trail. Meadering paths became treacherous and slippery as mud became the feature du jour, to be overcome. Mud seemed to add a curious element as control on downhills was limited, and progress across flat area dulled, and uphill riding near impossible.
The rain continued and we continued through the trials and tribulations of the muddy forest to finally reach the first pit stop at 26 miles. The marathon had taken it toll with broken bicycles, and near broken riders, many shivering from being cold and wet for hours. Event organizers stopped the riders as the rescue and warm up commenced and it was deemed too risky to attempt the remainder of the ride as conditions continued to deteriorate.

In essence the ride had completed. The donations had been raised, the adventure had played out in dramatic fashion, and the volunteers did their part to make it happen. We only missed the party that normally follows the ride when survival stories are recounted and embellished. The greater good was achieved and we all look forward to making a difference in the years to come.

Your support is what makes this a great event, you have my sincere gratitude and thanks.

Happy Trails,
-Eric

Photos are a courtesy of a very wet photographer, Scott Picquet.

2010-07-19T09:29:00.000-07:00

Travesity sur la porte de Balès

SRAM now dictating use of SRAM Red's Special Edition Yellow components at TdF. After tiring of Andy Schleck's parade in the yellow jersey, SRAM installed a triple front derailleur on Andy's bike without the requisite triple crank. Andy was unaware of the change on Stage 15, until 2km to go on the critical summit of Porte de Balès. Andy drops his chain due to component mis-match and Alberto, who had been seemingly tipped off by the SRAM goon squad, attacked to distance himself from Andy. The effect was Alberto gained back enough time to go ahead of Andy on General Classification and will start stage 16 with SRAM Red's Special Edition Yellow components.

2010-07-08T09:03:00.002-07:00

As has been widely reported, today before stage 5 Alberto Contador delivered Lance a watch as an appreciation gift for his 2009 Tour victory. This is an exclusive picture of the personal note and watch that was delivered. Alberto is a classy guy and learned much from the patron of the peleton.

Lance,
Thanks for your support in my 2009 TdF victory. I got you a watch and have already set it to show your current gap to me. All the Best.
Hasta! Berto

5 days of bicycle commuting in a row

2010-07-02T16:15:00.000-07:00

Not bad at all with very little rain and covered indoor parking. I
even had two people give me a genuine greeting. NICE!

2010-06-30T13:47:00.000-07:00

Testing Results are in ...

The real world testing results for impact/side loads on carbon front wheels has completed. The conclusion is that Zipp's front wheel outerperforms HED in this specific analysis.

2010-04-30T11:02:00.000-07:00

Share the Joy of Cycling!

I would love to win a free bike and you can help me! It is with gratitude I realize cycling has given back to me more than I have invested. Cyclists benefit by getting healthier, finding friends and making memories. My "Share the Joy of Cycling!" campaign is a fundraising effort to share this excitement and hope with as many kids as I can. I want to take what you see in my 3 year old son and multiply it. I can do it, through Toys for Tots and your support matters. Lets make a difference, a positive spark that brings hope to kids that need it.

1 awesome road bike = ~100 kids bikes

Watch the video and rate it so it gets noticed by the editors of Bicycling.

2010-04-26T10:34:00.000-07:00

Panasonic Sport- Mr. Sexy

I haven't converted many bikes in 2009-2010 as they are available everywhere. But I did like the look of this starry black paint on lugged beauty. There is nothing faster than carbon fiber 3M wrap and some powdercoated bling cranks. I sold most of what I had to customize fixed gears at the Tucson swap and eBay, the rest went on this bar hopping build.

2010-04-18T13:41:00.002-07:00

I love the Tucson Bike Swap.

But I fear something is really wrong with my hands and arms.

One of my fixed gear creations walked by but I didn't get a chance to chat with the guy. It was good to see it again, but it was too clean, so I think it had not been ridden much or maybe it was well taken care of and babied. Anyway it looked exactly the same.

2010-04-12T13:47:00.002-07:00

My Modern Road Ride for 2010

I have revealed my fixie, my vintage steel retro-mod, and the 2007 version of my MTB on this blog. With this modern road ride added, this is my stable of four bikes. Largely this is a post for myself. I want to create a library of the bikes I ride and how they change over the years.

My goal for this bike was to have a modern full carbon race bike, with the revised 2010 Shimano components and lots of carbon. Here is the spec list:

2008 BH Connect 59cm used frame and fork
2010 Dura Ace 7900 crankset and BB 53-39
2010 Dura Ace 7900 chain
2010 Ultegra 6700 carbon lever STI
2010 Ultegra 6700 calipers to support the new cable pull of 6700 and 7900 levers
2010 Ultegra 6700 derailleurs
2010 Ultegra 6700 cassette 11-28
2010 105 5600 SPD-SL pedals in black
2008 FSA carbon integrated headset
2008 BH stock carbon seatpost
2009 FSA SL-K carbon monocoque compact bars 44cm
Cervelo bar wrap in white
Velocity Bottle Traps in grey
Custom Wet White Powder Coated 100mm 4 bolt stem 31.8
Selle San Marco ASPide FX titanium railed saddle white
Custom Brazen Cycleworks Wheelset

Custom Wet White Powder Coated Shimano 5600 hubset
SAPIM Laser 14/17/14g spokes custom powder coated Transparent Blue
SAPIM SILS 16mm alloy nipples
Velocity Aerohead and Aerohead OC rims in Grey 32/36
2 cross front and 3 cross rear lacing
Velocity Veloplugs instead of rim strips
Salsa Flip Off skewers in silver

2010-04-09T10:21:00.008-07:00

I got outed for a prank listing on Phx Craigslist when BSNYC included my listing in a Friday Fun quiz.

Here is my Fake POST I placed on Craigslist inspired by BSNYC on Wednesday.

I got this bike shipped to me from my parents, little did they realize I had already bought a folding bike which is much easier to get up the stairs in my apartment.

I assembled it and it is ready to ride fixed speed. Comes with freewheel, but you can install a track cog. Includes brakes, but I doubt you will need them if you have a track cog. Would look cool with Pink Oury grips.

Willing to trade for Calculus or Physics texts that I need for next semester. Whatcha got?

I am also a bit dismayed where fixed gears and ..., gulp, fixed gear culture have gone in the last two years. But that doesn't mean I don't enjoy the hell out of riding mine. I also enjoy the Craigslist-Bicycles culture and getting indignant and revealing responses from CL trollers.

Enjoy the responses from my recent CL post of BSNYC's Mongoose Cachet.

Thats a piece of shit walmart bike.
http://www.walmart.com/ip/700C-Men-s-Mongoose-Cachet-Fixed-Speed-Bike/13398142
I'll give you $50 for it today. -Ken

Hey just letting you know, that this bike can be bought brand new for $150.. So. You're asking of $300, well is a rip-off. What's the lowest you'll take for it? -Mike

Sorry to break your bubble, but you're currently asking twice the price that this bike is worth new. Don't think you'll get any buyers at $300 -Teddy

not sure if you're aware, but that bike retails for just $149.99 brand new~ -Andrew

do you still have the bike? -Ryan

this is that walmart bike right? so its only a single speed? -James

This bike is $150 new. There's been a lot of buzz about this one and I'm curious about it. I'll trade you my physics textbooks for it. I have everything for PHY 101 at ASU including the conceptual fundamentals manual. -Kyle

It isn't the first time I had fun on CL Phoenix. If you enjoyed the Cachet posting you will enjoy this more. Sometimes it is not easy to sell fixed gear conversion frames as you would think.

CL produces characters, need proof?

Leave me a comment or reach me by email.

2010-04-06T13:37:00.000-07:00

Re-Mod the Retro Mod.
I am looking for a new owner for my much loved Club Fuji. This is a retro-mod. It is 61cm with a traditional horizontal top tube at 57.5cm. Classic styled downtube Dura-Ace shifters(7700) with Ultegra Drivetrain(6500) and Brakeset(6500). FD is Dura Ace and RD is Ultegra. If you want a handbuilt premium steel road bike that rides like butter and is uber comfortable for long rides with modern efficiency then this bike is for you.

This is a 1987 Japanese bike, the premium sought after efficient steel riding perfection classed out with modern Japanese components. READ SLEEPER BIKE. Forget riding a modern bike with a huge drop from the top of the saddle to top of the stem, get comfy and ride harder and longer.
See some of the great photos here, click to enlarge.

http://brazencycleworks.blogspot.com/2010/01/my-rides-in-2010-i-have-been-meaning-to.html

The bike has changed from when it was on my blog. More Ultegra 6500 parts were added along with Dura Ace pedals(7700). Super smooth with new Ultegra HG93 chain and Ultegra 6500 cassette. Rear wheel recently rebuilt for years of reliable service. Nitto B115 bar and Nitto stem with Hatta Vesta headset. If you can find a more comfortable and efficient bike for less BUY IT!

2010-04-02T16:15:00.000-07:00

Grass is always greener on the CUSTOM side.

I still build wheels on occasion for friends and previous customers. Sometimes a custom wheel is what is required to meet all the demands of the rider the best way possible. Take this example of demands.

Single Speed specific for disc brakes
29ER front rim
650B rear rim
Look Wicked and be Strong and Light

My response was...

WTB Single Duty and Lite hubs which use a nice single speed specific freehub. Covers Strong and SS specific
Antifreeze Green Blunt rims from Velocity. Covers matching rims in different sizes and looking wicked.
SAPIM CX-Ray spokes with SILS Sapim Integrated Locking System 14mm Alloy nipples. Covers Light and Strong

The wheels are only just laced but here is a sneek peak...

2010-04-01T11:28:00.000-07:00

The awesomeness that is Craigslist Phoenix- Bicycles. So much love to share...

2010-01-26T14:30:00.004-07:00

Color Selected

I picked a classy color for my vintage Serotta. Not unique or wild but rather timeless. It is a Silver Pearl by 1 Off. Inspiration could have been this gem.
Featured at this slideshow. Here is the historical thread about a very unique bike.

2010-01-11T16:48:00.004-07:00

It has got to be 1986 or later

This 1985 set of photos of Serotta Catalog show flat crown forks being used, mine is sloping. Seat stays are different. Hmmm

1986 instead?
These photos seem to confirm 1986> I do wonder why no model is on the top tube, maybe this was a custom bike? I need to measure the dims real carefully to check if it strays from documented stock sizes.

2010-01-10T15:36:00.003-07:00

Columbus SLX and SPX

I pulled the BB and checked the down tube, seat tube and chainstays how Dave Moulton recommended. 6 raised spirals. It is a dirty job but now the tubing has been revealed.

Check out the vintage Serotta decals on the pearlized white and the ornate lug work. Anyone know what the two tapped holes were used for on the drive side Campagnolo drop out?

2010-01-08T14:43:00.003-07:00

Ready to Revive!

Now I have to pick paint. Only two colors came to mind Red or White. But a Red and white replica still is gnawing at me. I would love it if I could pull off a Serotta branded 7-11 replica. Here is a early re-badged Murray version for American Flyers movie. Or a later bike for Bob Roll in 1988, or this True Temper version. I am working on a deciding and getting to work on this. Lucky for me I know somebody that does bike refinishing.

2010-01-07T13:11:00.002-07:00

Columbus Forcella Originale

With the CEL and GINA visible on the old fork sticker the second mystery has been revealed. First we know the frame and fork are original. Secondly, the fork sticker has been decoded.

Will the 27.0 seat post reveal anything about the tubing used in this bike? Sheldon Brown had documented Serotta's to take a 27.2 post, but he only had bikes going back to 1994. This bike is 1986ish. Weird...

According to Dave Moulton it is time for me to check the bottom bracket shell.

Dave Moulton
06-02-07, 07:15 AM
Columbus SLX and SPX came out on the mid 1980s, I can’t remember the exact year. It had six raised spiral reinforcements inside the tubes at the butted end of the main tubes. In other words about 4 or 5 inches each end of the top and down tubes and the bottom end only on the seat tube. The chainstays also had the internal spirals at the end nearest the bottom bracket.If you look inside the BB you can see the raised spirals, or you can feel them with your finger. TSX came out a year or two later. The “T” stands for Total and the spirals ran the full length inside the top and down tubes; the seat tube and chainstays remained the same.Prior to the mid 1980s Columbus always had the spiral reinforcements inside the front fork steerer on their SL and SP tubesets. This confuses some people because they look inside the steering tube, see the spirals at the bottom end and assume they have SLX.

2010-01-07T08:41:00.001-07:00

Numbers Matching Serotta

Serial number match has been confirmed, pulled the fork and viola 51001. Now who can decipher the remnants of the Columbus decal?

2010-01-06T14:47:00.007-07:00

Serotta, serial #51001

This is what I know 60cm Serotta with 58cm top tube.

Cinelli - Made in Italy, cast BB shell
Campagnolo dropouts, 126mm spacing
Columbus Tubing, which one? don't know 27.0 seatpost was in seat tube
Sloping crown fork, not sure if it is numbers matching yet
Cable routing is on top of the BB shell
Built with Shimano 600EX -6207 with 6208 shifters and RD, most of which are dated to March 1986 with KC production codes
Specialized Bar and Stem

Since this bike is my size I decided to test ride it and if all goes well, replace my Fuji and do another Retro-Mod , ala Renaissance Bicycles, with possibly with a 7-11 theme. This bike needs paint and decals bad but I saved it and that makes the rebuild even more fun. My inspiration is a great story I found about another Serotta. If you think you can help me ID this model, tubing and history that would be great. More pics to come once I have it cleaned up.

2010-01-06T14:33:00.003-07:00

My Fixie

This bike has been featured before, but this is the 2010 version.
Updates include:

New wheels- White Velocity Fusion rims 28H with Miche Primato rear hub and Edco Racer front hub with SAPIM spokes all around.
Selle San Marco Ponza saddle
1-Off colored bar, stem and 46T Chainring
External Bottom bracket FSA Gossamer
KMC custom assembled chain, leftovers from 09 fixie builds
Miche Primato cog carrier, Miche Cog and Miche Lockring

2010-01-05T11:29:00.005-07:00

My Rides in 2010

I have been meaning to publish a list of my personal rides to mark a moment in time. Since I love building bikes almost as much as riding my bikes change and morph a lot.

So as of this moment. Here is the beginning of a series of what Eric is riding.

1987 Club Fuji Retro Mod classic steel road bike.

61cm frame and fork
Original Components include
Hatta headset, Nitto stem and B115 bar and yellow accented seat post

It looks retro but the drivetrain is mix of modern components.
Dura Ace downtube shifters 9spd
Dura Ace front derailleur
Shimano Ultegra rear derailleur
Wipperman Connex 9spd stainless steel chain
Campagnolo Cenatur external bottom bracket crankset 53/39 in 175mm
Campagnolo Veloce brakeset
Campagnolo Daytona pedals

I modified the rear wheel to keep the 126mm spacing and still use a 9spd cassette, by replacing the rear axle, installing 8/9 speed cassette body and re-dishing the wheel.

But alas this bike may only stay built this way for a short time. I love my steel road bikes, but I just acquired a 1986 Serotta with Columbus tubing that is also in my size. So thoughts of a 7-11 replica bike are dancing in my head.

2009-12-22T19:20:00.002-07:00

Check out this Share the Damn Road website. they have some interesting jerseys used to communicate a message to car drivers.

It is a novel approach. Will it work? Dunno but I like the 3 Feet version.

Which is your fav?

2009-12-17T09:01:00.006-07:00

Do you ever enter a contest, get busy and forget all about it?

Me too. I entered one from PBK, Pro Bike Kit for a simple T-Shirt design. Who knew, I must have been having a good day or got really lucky. Either way I must have struck a cord with other riders, because I got the second highest number of votes. My blog comment was turned into this...

Podium!

Granted I only won a T-shirt, but the feeling was much more valuable. It was like the first time I won back more money than my entry fee at a Cat. 4 criterium. $12 wasn't much, but that day I got paid to ride my bike.

Simple things.

As for PBK, if you haven't shopped with them yet, let me tell you they are great. They are much better than most of the US online retailers. They can tell you what is in stock before you order and have email notifications for when stuff comes back in stock. Right now they have free US shipping. and their prices are great too. I don't gush over online retailers much, but these guys are setting a high bar for others to aspire to.

Feeling lucky this year too?

I have run this blog without advertisers since I started it. Pro Bike Kit.com is one of my new favs and you will see their banners on my blog as I am now an affilate. They are worth the try, as I have used lots of online retailers over the years and these guys get it right and are running one of the best out there.

2009-11-17T10:02:00.004-07:00

Wheel building with Mavic Tubeless Rims

I recently had wheel building request which was new experience for me. I normally do not build UST tubeless rims. All of the wheelbuilding I have done in past were for people that were going to use a Conversion kit, like Stans to ride tubeless. This MTB wheelset was to be a unique blend.

Phil Wood MTB hubs in fresh Red Anno
Sapim Race double butted spokes in black
Sapim 16mm black brass nipples
Mavic 819 UST rims black with machined sidewalls

Make sure you have the tools you need. The Park Tool-SW13 is a must have. This allows you to get the steel eyelets into the rim and hold the nipples in place. I test fit all the eyelets first then backed them out of the rim to apply 242 Loctite. After that I secured them to the rim with the Park tool. A Mavic tool is also available, but don't bother with the plastic version and best of luck finding it.

Now I laced both wheels. The key is having the 16mm nipples that Mavic recommends. This long nipple emerges enough from the eyelet that you can get it threaded on the spoke by hand when you use gravity to allow the nipple fall down into the eyelet, with spoke pointing to the sky. This is the point were it gets interesting. No nipple drivers can help you and you need to get to turning the 60+ spokes either with spoke wrench or by hand until significant tension exists. Fun stuff, that will work your fingers till they are raw.

Finishing the wheel is just as easy as standard wheel. Final product is nice if I do say so myself. Enjoy the new wheels, Steve!

2009-10-21T13:41:00.005-07:00

1982-3 Campagnolo Nuovo Record components

I found that I was not willing to experiment with repairing the small amount of frame damage on the Guerciotti. So if you are looking to restore an 80's bike with Campagnolo, I might be able to help. Email Me at mailto:brazen.cycleworks@gmail.com .

The List:
Rear Derailleur
Rear Hub
Right Crank with rings and Campy ring bolts, 52/42T
Shift levers without pressure washers and screws with yellow pantographed lettering.
Brake Calipers set Front and Rear with yellow pantographed lettering.
Rear skewer

Non Campy parts include:
100mm Cinelli Stem
64-40 Cinelli Criterium bar
Mundaliata leather Italia seat

2009-10-12T08:51:00.008-07:00

1983 Guerciotti -Paolo Guerciotti with Campagnolo Record

This is my newest acquisition. It is 53cm square Columbus SLX tubed race bike from back in the day. It had some a front end collision in its life and I am debating a downtube replacement and restoration. Front wheel is gone, left crank and both pedals gone, friction plates for the shifters gone. This bike had some nice touches you don't see any more. The blue bike had yellow pantographed accents everywhere on the frame and fork. Even the Campagnolo components had the pantographed parts highlighted with yellow to match, that is just too cool.

Now the debate on restoring this bike begins, it is a big job but I do have 80% of what I need.

2009-07-21T13:06:00.002-07:00

Check out my effort to recognize US Servicemen and raise charitable contributions for the Marine League Charities. I could use all the help I can get. It is very worthy cause and only requires me to ride 65 miles off-road in single day, Flagstaff to Grand Canyon.

2009-07-13T09:25:00.004-07:00

Club Fuji - Retro Mod
I am nearly done building this bike for myself. This bike reminded me of a bike that I might have bought used as a first road bike. It is a 1987 Club Fuji and I enjoyed the fit and road feel the first time I rode it. It reminded me of my first "real" road bike which was a Tig welded Specialized Allez. This road bike project goal was to bring the classic look of the Club Fuji with some modern components to make a sweet sleeper of road bike.

Retro Features include:
Downtube shifting
Aero brake levers
Square taper crankset
Original Nitto Quill and B115 Nitto Handlebar
Original Club Fuji Frame and fork, spaced at 126mm, first year Fuji made a TIG welded front triangle
Original Hatta Versa headset
Original Sugino fluted and measured seatpost

Modern Features include:
Campy Mirage Crank with compact gearing 50/34
Miche Primato square taper bottom bracket
Campy Mirage 9 speed drivetrain with stainless Wipperman Connex chain
SRAM 9 speed cassette 11-21
Dura Ace 7700 downtube shifters
8/9 speed freehub body on 126mm spaced rear wheel
Campy Dual Pivot brake calipers
Campy Profit clipless pedals

Sneak Peek photo.

2009-06-26T11:38:00.005-07:00

Vermilion, sometimes spelled vermillion, when found naturally occurring, is an opaque orangish red pigment, used since antiquity, originally derived from the powdered mineral cinnabar. Chemically, the pigment is mercuric sulfide, HgS, and like all mercury compounds it is toxic.

This bike 'Cinnbar' is not toxic, it's a rocket. I worked with Dan, the new owner, on this creation. When he first saw the frame this color he was sold. Dan imagined the all bike details in his mind and I used that vision to create this fixed gear. 1Off took care of the powder coating and with a custom Brazen Cycleworks wheelset the bike was born.

If you have a vision and want my help to make it a reality, hit me on email. I do one project at a time, but that project could be yours.

2009-04-30T13:16:00.002-07:00

Put it together Fool!

This is part three of the three part series on converting your classic road bike into a fixed gear bike.

It goes without saying that you need to have a minimum amount of mechanical skills and bike tools to complete this conversion.
If you really need help understanding the components or assembly then go to the source of all things cycling
The late great Sheldon Brown's website
The illustrated guides provided by Park bicycle tools.

Start with installing your bottom bracket, then your assembled crank and chainring to make sure your chainring is close to the chainstay without running the risk of touching the stay.
Now you need to respace your rear wheel hub, then redish the wheel. Respacing the rear wheel means removing the large one sided spacer on the drive side and replacing it with equal length individual spacers that are approximately equal on both the drive and non drive sides of the axle. Redishing requires spoke adjustments on both the left and right sides. The Right nipples will need to be loosened 2 full turns and the Left nipples will need to be tightened 2 full turns. Don't do this all at once. Do a max of 1/2 turn on each nipple, one side at a time until you get there. If you are not comfortable with this get a wheelbuilder to do this for you. Remember that since the nipples are threaded through the rim, they appear to need be turned the opposite way to tighten them. They are regular threaded but the perspective used when using a spoke wrench is the opposite. Just memorize this easy to remember saying for wheel building, "Lefty Tighty, Rightly Loosely".
Now you can turn on the Track cog and use grease on the threads, then reuse the old Bottom Bracket Lockring to snug the cog to the hub. This is referred to as a suicide hub or faux lockring setup. This is appropriate for a budget fixed gear, but if your girlfriend or boyfriend will not be impressed without you rocking a block long skid, then just buy a rear track wheel and a classic cycling cap from the 80's. Viva La Claire!
Set your chain by starting with the wheel all the way back in the frame. Then line up the chainlinks that will allow the next longest chain. Re-connect the chain with the wheel moved forward, and pull the wheel back to marvel at your new drivetrain with chain tensioned, with only a slight amount of movement.
Get that seat attached to the post, post attached to frame. Bar attached to the stem, hip bone connected to steerer tube and button that ride up. Get your pedals installed and bolts secured for safety, drink a Red Bull and get your wings.

2009-04-22T13:27:00.003-07:00

Fixed Gear Conversion Gear Selection Guide

This is the second part of the three part series on how to convert a bike into a fixed gear. Now you have the bike disassembled and separated with parts you intend to reuse and the parts you can then recycle. Now it comes time to go shopping, you need to buy a couple of things.

Narrower Bottom Bracket
Axle Spacers
Single Chainring bolts
New Track Cog
New Chain that matches the width of Track Cog

Gear selection is a personal choice like clothing. Many combinations will work but well fitting clothes work much better than ill fitting clothes. If you are focused on a budget fixed gear you need to reuse the maximum amount of your existing stash o'parts. Let's start with counting the number of teeth on your current large chainring. Why the large ring? Well in my opinion the larger ring looks better, runs quieter, and feels smoother. You can choose either so I have written the guide to cover both situations.

So if you are using a,

53T-49T chainring start with a 17T cog, average ratio 3.0
48T-45T chainring start with a 16T cog, average ratio 2.9
44T-39T chainring start with a 15T cog, average ratio 2.8

If you have a chainring not listed go for a cog that represents a Ring: Cog Ratio closest to 2.9:1.

The second step is how to customize this guideline to your particular cog size given personal factors. See if any below fit your situation.

Weak Legs-add a tooth
Weak Character- add one
Ride above 20mph average- take away one
Flat Terrain- leave it alone
Moderate Terrain- add one
Demanding Terrain- add two
Running 27" wheels- add one
Running 650c or 26" wheels-take away one

Got your own add one, take away one criteria? Hit me with your comments.

2009-04-22T08:56:00.004-07:00

In celebration of Earth Day, I am writing a 3 part guide on how to save an unused bicycle and convert it into a Fixed Gear that someone will ride.

Find a suitable donor bike, dust is good, rust is bad. Make sure the rear of the bike frame will allow you to reposition the rear wheel forward and back, this frame feature is called horizontal dropouts, check the wheels, they should be generally straight and true with no rim dents and have a freewheel(5-8 speed), not a cassette.
Clean the bike, not a super clean detailing but enough to get 80% of the grime off.
Remove the chain.
Cut gear cables, remove derailleurs and shifters.
Remove wheels then disconnect brake cables and remove brake calipers.
Remove all accessories(seat bags, bar bag, bottle cages, reflectors, kick stands, lights, computers, etc.)
Remove pedals by putting a 15mm wrench on them and spinning cranks forward, then remove the cranks. (special instruction: If you want to do this without bike shop help you need to know your mechanical limits and the limits of your tools. DON'T TAKE APART ANYTHING YOU DON'T HAVE THE TOOLS TO REASSEMBLE.
Select the parts you want to/need to re-use. I recommend those with wanting to recycle the maximum to REUSE ALL PARTS in good condition. Recommendations include recycling the wheels, cranks, chainring, pedals, seat, post, headset, handlebar, stem, front brake caliper and lever.
Note the fit and size of the seat post. Older 80's steel bikes trend around 26.8 but have a high variability compared with the more common 27.2 size for new steel bikes. Make sure the fit is appropriate and that the previous owner did not replace the post with one too small and then overtighten binder bolt.
Remove freewheel from the rear wheel and pie plate spoke protector.
Clean the frame and fork again, now you can reach all the difficult areas and go about removing offensive stickers from the previous owner.
Rinse and Repeat

Here are some pics of a small 50cm Raleigh Technium Tri-Lite. This will make my 4th or 5th Technium conversion. I usually don't do before and after pictures, but here you go. The remaining steps on conversion of classic bike into your own fixed gear will follow in upcoming post.

2009-04-17T13:37:00.002-07:00

Transparent Red is the new white.

I love how the ways color trends seem to wander around bikes. Black and getting your bike completely black was fun. Then, it was white and the ghost bike was born. Then bold colors that were opaque hit. Now it seems transparents and candies will again rule the earth. Here is the latest XL frame to come from 1Off . If you are interesting in building a bike with your own vision, hit me up I am only available one bike at a time, but that one bike might be yours.

2009-04-15T13:46:00.001-07:00

Uniquely Custom Handbuilt FIXED GEAR wheelsets

As a Master Wheelbuilder I have the passion for creating uniquely custom handbuilt fixed gear wheelsets. With 10+ years of wheelbuilding experience the quality and precision of my builds are unmatched. If you are interested in a wheelset that cannot be purchased anywhere, I can help.
Custom features include custom colored Spokes, Rims and Hubs.

Single color $320
Two color $340
Three color $360
Mixed spoke color combinations $380

Hubs available are Formula sealed bearing hubs spaced to either 120mm, 126mm or 130mm.

Rims available are Deep Aero shaped either 25mm with eyelets or 30mm without eyelets.

Spokes available are Sapim Race double butted 14/15/14g with brass nipples(black or silver)

Custom wheels are started with 50% downpayment, with 2 week build window and balance due on delivery.

Individual Components are available
Custom Spokes Qty 65- 282mm $80
Custom Hubset Front and Rear $120
Custom Rimsets Front and Rear $140

Colors offered include the following: white, transparent blue, transparent red(featured in photos), candy lime green, candy pink, jollypop orange, solar rain, black chrome II, and anno red. Click on close-up view.

2009-04-13T08:38:00.002-07:00

Schwinn Traveler III

Sometimes you find a bike you can't bring yourself to paint. Granted I was not sentimental enough to keep this a geared 10 speed. Original features sometimes fit just right and this is my third bike like this one. But nothing comes close to the original paint and graphics on this beauty.

Schwinn S stem and seat binder
Original Le Tour Crank and Seat post
Riser/City bars are not just a recent trend
Brand new Brazen Cycleworks custom wheelset

2009-04-09T06:54:00.002-07:00

Vermillion Splash

Not red and not orange, it's Vermillion, damn it!
The two stage powder coat is courtesy of 1 Off Powder Coating. This lively and quite racy ride is a converted Univega Viva Sport it corners with confidence of a race bike but is quite comfortable just out sprinting anything that rolls. I was experimenting with low gearing, usually not my thing, but it looks like a BMX bike that is ready for a rail slide.

2009-04-02T15:37:00.002-07:00

Antifreeze Ice Cream

It rides as good as it tastes. Candies, Pearls, Translucents, and Dormants are now flowing from 1 Off Powder Coating. The results are amazing in person, photos only capture 50% of the effect.
Classic Schwinn with nice flat crown fork.
Tange Levin HS
Threaded to Threadless Adapter
White Ti seat
Custom Brazen Cycleworks wheelset with classic Shimano high flanged hubs and black Sapim spokes and nipples.

Who is hungry for more?

2009-02-09T11:43:00.002-07:00

How often do you change up your bikes?
If you answered lots, then you are in the same boat as me. Here are some re-worked versions of recent bike builds. One went "politico" on me and is a flip flopping freewheeler the other took a new color direction.

2009-01-31T20:22:00.005-07:00

Matte Black

This bike came to me as a nice red and white Univega. I never have been much on before and after photos, but here you go. Shaved down with brand new Powder Coat from 1 Off.

Campy Drivetrain 53Tx 17T
Miche Primato BB
KMC Track chain
Track wheelset
Continental tires
THE saddle
Double butted lugged steel construction

2009-01-15T15:02:00.005-07:00

Raleigh USA Technium
This is new XL build with some American roots. Technium tech allowed bonding of 6061 Aluminum main tubes to lugged steel frame.
Cranks is JIS square taper in white.
Gearing is low for stop and go city traffic.
KMC 1/8" Track Chain in Red.
Custom handbuilt Deep Dish Track wheelset with Fixed/Fixed configuration. Powdercoated cranks and hubs from 1-Off Powder Coating in Gilbert.

Brazen Cycleworks track wheelset

Deep Dish Aero rims, super stout and very durable with red powder coating
Sapim 14G Leader spokes in silver
Sapim Polyax silver brass nipples
Custom 2 cross lacing on front and 3 cross lacing on rear
Fixed/Free Flip Flop Formula rear hub

2009-01-15T14:33:00.003-07:00

Fix it? Is it broken?
If you have checked my work at Brazen Cycleworks you know that classic rides around these parts are rarely spared from the fixed gear conversion center. Well last week I picked up a bike that stopped me in my conversion tracks. It is a 1987 Club Fuji and it was a 61cm, my size. It is scary original, minus the pedals and toe clips, bar plugs. Even the tires are original. Something about the bike reminded me of my cycling roots and would have been a nice first race bike for me as an up and coming racer. I cleaned it up and set it up with my pedals and took a long ride back in time.
Interesting features of the bike had: Aero brake levers, 32 hole rims, 12 speed drivetrain, oval spokes, 19c tires, Nitto bar and stem, oversized quad butted tig and lugged construction.
Modern bike features not included: 1 1/8" steerer, threadless stem, brifters, Outboard BB bearings, 20 or 22 speed drivetrains, dual pivot brakes, carbon fiber everything, ergo handlebars and channelled seats.

Funny thing is the only thing I really missed while enjoying this bike in it's near original state was a wider brake hoods and softer bar wrap. So am I a now a crummudgeon or old school or just nostalgic?

And yes, it is wicked fast for a 22 year old.

2009-01-03T21:39:00.001-07:00

Ghost White

Extra Large lugged and double butted steel frame with a flat crown steel fork that refuses to blend in. White Sugino model crank with 170mm arms and 52T for getting around fast with 17T rear cog. 1/8" White KMC Track chain with 1/8" cog. Brand New build using Mirror White color of environmentally friendly powder coat from 1-Off Powder Coating of Gilbert(frame, fork, crank, stem).

Old School Miche Competition clincher wheelset with Nista rims

New white walled tires
Re-built, Re-dished, and Re-tensioned

2009-01-01T17:47:00.003-07:00

Winter White

Extra Large Taiwanese double butted and lugged steel frame with flat crown steel fork. White 130 BCD crank with 170mm arms with Shimano 39T Chainring for easy spinning with gearing set at 39x15.

Brazen Cycleworks track wheelset

Deep Dish Aero rims, super stout and very durable with red powder coating
Sapim 14G Leader spokes in silver
Sapim Polyax silver brass nipples
Custom 2 cross lacing on front and 3 cross lacing on rear
Fixed/Free Flip Flop Formula rear hub

2008-12-29T19:32:00.002-07:00

Double Yellow

This is new build from Brazen Cycleworks featuring great riding classic lugged steel road bike converted to a fixed gear.

Classic 80s geometry Taiwanese craftsmanship with brazed lugs.

Campagnolo Campy crankset 170mm cranks and adjustable chainline bottom bracket from Miche.

New Color from 1-Off Powder Coating in Gilbert, Dark Blue metallic flake, awesome in the sun.

Frame cleaned of excess braze-ons by 1-Off Powder Coating, super clean.
52x17 gearing you will get around very fast and looks great.

KMC 1/8" Track Chain in Yellow
Straight bars with OURY grips.

New Continental Ultra Sport tires to match the Track wheelset with Fixed/Free configuration with Track nuts all around.

2008-12-27T21:36:00.002-07:00

All things change but some take you back

Here is my personal ride with a yellow makeover. The color reminded me of my first bike I got for a birthday present as a kid, as well as my first BMX bike. Roots we all have them. 20 inch>BMX>MTB>Triathlon>Road> (Fixed>Single Speed MTB>Road)

2008-12-27T21:24:00.002-07:00

Flat bar road bikes are not my thing. But I try to have an open mind and accept those who do like them. This is a bike I built with a 1-Off Powder Coat on a Schwinn Le Tour III. Enjoy.

2008-12-27T10:37:00.001-07:00

If you are in to keeping tabs on what is happening right now. The check out my Twitter feed- Brazen_Bikes.

2008-12-27T09:22:00.005-07:00

I'm still building Fixed Gear Bikes

Below is my latest collaboration with my brother-in-law at 1-Off Powder Coating. We share a similar vision of getting bikes back on the road. It used to be that I would never change the original paint on bikes I built. The negatives were the environmental impact, time, effort and results that could be acheived with paint. Dale at 1-Off Powder Coating changed all of that. Powder Coating is environmentally friendly, can be done quickly for single color jobs, requires blasting prep but yields a hard and durable finish that looks simply amazing. Check out this gallery of just a small portion of his work.

Well this bike is somewhere between Orange Crush and Eddy Merckx Molteni Orange, the power color is called poppy orange.

Large Taiwanese double butted and lugged steel frame and fork
All Aluminum crank, chainring, bar, post and stem
Shimano 130 BCD crank with 170mm arms with Stronglight Chainring
Geared for speed 56x17, equivalent to 49x15 but looks much cooler
Custom Brazen Cycleworks track wheelset

Velocity Aero rims, not as tall as Deep Vs with rounded profile, much lighter still plenty durable
Sapim 14G Leader spokes in black
Sapim Polyax black brass nipples
Custom 2 cross lacing on front and 3 cross lacing on rear
Fixed/Fixed Formula rear hub

2008-08-28T10:25:00.000-07:00

The year was 1984, the site was the Los Angeles Olympics and the rider was Nelson Vails. That was inspiration for a 14 year old who already loved bikes. I wanted to do what I saw. The speed, the brute force, the strategy and the banking all together equaled pure adrealine and excitement.

Here we are in 2008 and I got my chance. I ventured to the steepest, bumpiest track in the US. I spent two hours riding the banking and having a great time thanks to the Alpenrose Velodrome staff that welcome to riders new to the track.

Turn 4

Standing on apron looking to Turn 1 and the 42 degree banking (steepest in the US).

Looking at the banking from a distance.

Blurry from sprinting looking to Turn 3.

Not even the straight aways are flat.

2008-06-19T10:53:00.000-07:00

Busy Bee

Getting a new look and a new life.

Black Sugino Cranks 160mm, so pedal strikes are a thing of the past.

2008-06-17T08:27:00.003-07:00

Be careful out there. Yesterday, my goal of riding to work for the remainder of June and all of July almost came to an unfortunate end. I was in a position I shouldn't have been, I had started to pass slowing traffic and was coming up on a white Nissan X-Terra. I started to slow, he slowed more, then he signaled that he intended to turn right to get some $4 gas. I stood up, grabbed a handful of brake.

'Lets take a quick break from this story to talk about setting up a new bike'

Do use a new cable. Do make sure the lever is secure on the bar. Do make sure the cable and housing allow smooth and easy travel. Do make sure contact of the good condition brake pads hit the rim correctly. And finally do make sure the cable is secured adequately to the brake caliper, then double check it.

Usually find out when you have a brake problem it is too late, because you are trying to squeeze out the maximum performance in a single moment.

Back to the story. My brake cable slips and I ride up now even with the rear wheel of the clueless X-Terra owner. Trying to slow, I am banging my bars on the side of the vehicle and making a sudden right turn with my elbow and shoulder firmly pressed on the X-Terra as we do the dance through his right turn.

I left a black plastic skid mark on the X-Terra, and the driver remarked, "I didn't even see you there". He was not concerned about his car and I was embarrassed about my lack of attentiveness, so we called it even and continued about our own trips. I did however take the extra 20 seconds to tighten my brake cable. Then I checked it again. Ride On.

2008-06-15T16:39:00.002-07:00

I don't just ride fixed. I also ride offroad with my single speed 29er. Say hello to my little friend. A 4 foot Western Diamondback Rattlesnake. Yes, I did ride by within inches of his head.

2008-06-15T16:35:00.000-07:00

Lemon Lime 'Evil Sprite' FG

Time to try some new bars and crank. Mmmm refreshing!

2008-06-10T14:14:00.002-07:00

Making Lemonade

This Fuji has found a new life as a road warrior, fly well my 2 wheeled friend.

4130 Chromoly Double Butted Lugged Frame with new Wet Yellow Powdercoat

Will accept front and rear brakes and single waterbottle, no other braze ons, super clean look

Aggressive Straight Blade Track style fork with no spacers for low track bar position

Track wheelset Flip Flop rear Track hub with track lockring and track nuts

Don't email Eric to buy it, it is gone.

Get to work and build a bike to enjoy before it gets too hot.

2008-06-10T14:08:00.000-07:00

Black and White

It is cut and dried, this is my favorite build. Granted I built it for myself so I did it the way I like it. Most of all I really enjoyed the high contrast look with Tange Prestige Ultralight frame and CF fork ride quality.

2008-03-02T20:59:00.006-07:00

If you have been wondering what is up next for Brazen Cycleworks, check out our new fixed gear component brand, alley candy.

This brand will take fixed gear customization to a colorful level. Friends don't let friends ride stock bianchi pistas. Build your own bike with an unique identity.

2008-02-29T16:17:00.002-07:00

Brazen Cycleworks changes yet again.

Changes have been brewing for a while around here. I wanted more time to ride and even though I love building bikes, I wanted to focus on my own rides and start something brand new. To do make this change happen I did the following.

I donated the remainder of my project bikes(25) to a local co-op builder.
Sold some fixed gear project bikes on Phoenix Craigs List, and raised some hell.
In the process I found a great home for a XL frame and fork.

Ryan is now taking good care of this frame and fork that eventually sold at $4 classic lugged steel ride and you can watch it mature on his blog.

Here is the Craigs List synopsis for your entertainment. Each subsequent post was created from a brutal flagging stream the the post generated.

You must be ----this tall to ride this Fixed gear frame/fork - $220Original Post: $220
Butted and Lugged just like your girlfriend. Willing to come down on price, but I have been advised that higher prices mean more profit so I raised the price to be equivalent to a used Surly. Lighter than a Surly and paint is just as ugly. If you are not over 6 feet tall, then you cannot ride this bike without injuring your bottom bracket or grinding your crank and ball bearings.

If you are short. Do not look at this listing! - $199
Second repost: $199
If you have pants that have a 34" or greater inseam, then good for you. You may also want to build a fixed gear bike as Pants and Bikes go perfectly together. CL Police flagged my overpriced listing so I can now top post with a reduced price that does not violate the secret standards of the watchful and anonymous CL Police. 62cm Schwinn Super Sport with nice flat crown fork. If you were offended by my previous post send me your girlfriend's email an I will apologize to her directly. I am flexible on price as noticed from my reduction from $220 to $199. Keep flagging and see how low I am willing to go.

My sincerest apologies to Phoenix Craigslist - Bicycles - $110

Third repost: $110

Ok, I have been flagged again. So I think an apology could be in order. Except I am not sure who I offended and how. It has to be one of following three reasons. Number One: Offence due to price. If that is the case I have reduced it to half of my earlier listing which I had mentioned I was flexible on. I am not sure what else to do on this cause no one offered me anything, so I don't think this is the reason for flagging. Number Two: Offence due to references to your girlfriend. If that is the case I am sorry. But when you really think about it, I am concerned that you took offence to a generic bike related posting. If you did take offence then maybe your girlfriend resembles the comments I made and I have revealed a grain of truth about your relationship that you had not noticed until now. Either way tell your girlfriend I am sorry for referring to her as double butted and lugged. Number Tree: Offence due to reference to your lack of height. I realize at 6' 4" I look down on most people I meet on a daily basis. The thing is I just got the genes for height, just like you got shafted and need to find a 48cm bike with no toe overlap. You probably got the genes for something else that is good, so if you are not in a experimental medical research study consider yourself lucky and get on with life. If you are in a medical research study my thoughts go out to you and I hope you didn't get the placebo version.

FINE. I'M NOT SORRY! - $55

Fourth repost: $55
You brought this on yourself. I tried to apologize and you said it was 'too late to apologize'. I can be the bigger man, clearly I am already the taller man. So I am reposting and lowering my price as I promised. I do find it interesting that you are willing to flag me but not to email me about why you are flagging me. I tried to understand you, but you left me no choice.

Here we go again...It is a new day on Phoenix Craigslist- Bicycles - $22Fifth repost: $22

Ok it must have been the price, but I lowered the price. It is 90% off the original price. In Furniture Sales lingo this is a LAST CHANCE GOING OUT OF BUSINESS CLEARANCE PRESIDENT'S DAY BLOWOUT NOTHING HELD BACK SALE. Maybe folks thought this listing was for frame and fork only. That is NOT correct. The price also includes a anatomic handlebar, notice I didn't talk about your girlfriend again. It also includes as stem, aero style brake levers, headset, the seatpost is not usuable and needs to be removed from the frame. The bike is still lighter than a Surly and paint is just as ugly, I stand by this 100%. I know someone wants this frame and awesome fork, hopefully the price is right, we are getting close to 24 Pack of longnecks pricing.

XL Fixed Gear Frame and Fork Get it quick! - $11
Sixth repost: $11
This will not be posted for long, due to the further reduced price and due to the fact I am the most hated, most despised, most disrespected, most threatening person to ever use CL PHX. This is my sixth posting and below is an properly censored and edited version of a response from a detractor. YOUR A * *! I'M TALKING ABOUT YOU AND YOUR * YOU * * *! YOUR BIKE IS WORTH * LIKEE THE 1" * YOU * ON! LOOK ME UP I'M NOT HARD FIND! Aaron ebaymember76 ebaymember76@hotmail.com Yeah, "real easy" to find. You are doing a great moderation of a public forum by the way. Kudos to you on revealing your "true self" and your personal "tendancies" that are quite noteworthy. Cheers

Numero Siete- Artes fijos bicicleta - $5

Seventh repost: $5
I am the most hated, most despised, most disrespected, most threatening person to ever use CL PHX. You probably don't want to meet me as I ride by let alone buy anything from me. But in the case you want to take a risk and spend $5 on a XL Conversion Project Fixed gear frame(62cm), then send me your phone number in email.

Broken and Rusted NEXT Mountain Bike - $4Eighth and Final repost: $4
OK. You looked at the pictures below and recognized I am not really selling a broken NEXT Mountain Bike. The real story is below. There are some people out there that are persistently flagging my attempts to sell a white conversion fixed gear frame and fork. I am not a bad person but even posting my listing in Spanish didn't help. If you have suggestions on how I should sell this XL bike, please email me. Thanks.

2008-02-01T20:09:00.000-07:00

A Long Damn Time.

That is what it has been, since I posted bikes I have been working on. Drought, Dry Spell ... well truth be told I really didn't feel like blogging. Until today. I had been injured and not riding from August through November. But riding in December and January got me my MOJO back. Speaking of MOJO, look what Feb 1st brought Jason's 'new' Gitane Professional Fixed Gear.

Reynolds 531c Special butted tubing with lugged construction
Brazen Cycleworks custom Yellow Deep V track wheelset
Octalink Ultegra crank with 52x17 gearing with Milwalkee track cog
Bullhorn bars with Cello bar wrap
San Marco Rolls saddle with Simplex post

Keep rollin offline, -Eric

2007-07-11T08:50:00.000-07:00

64 Green Monster Fixxie

Fixxed. It is the way your great great great grandfather would have ridden. And if was good enhough for him it is damn good enough for you. Where's your bloomers? 64x62 with 52x17 old school 70's steel. Bar spin like Kevin Bacon.

2007-07-11T08:48:00.000-07:00

Domo Arigato! This Kuwahara 53cm fixed gear road bike is ready to ride. Absolutely beautiful deep green metal flake paint and lack of down tube shifter brazen-ons make this slick bike rock.

53cm lugged steel medium grade Japanese tubing with very few braze ons for a super clean look

700c Wolber Alpine rims on Shimano 105 hubs, 32H with stainless steel 14G spokes, brass nipples and eyeletted double wall rim.

Red highlighted Schwinn saddle

170mm Aero crank with 52T installed with 42T 135BCD ring included

Currently geared 52x15 but can be changed, 42x15 or 52x17 or 42x17

Psuedo lockring included as this is a fixed gear conversion wheelset, not track wheelset

White Bar wrap

2007-07-09T11:58:00.000-07:00

So you are French, no?
Well it is the month of July so everything cycling is about FRANCE! How about including a '86 Peugeot Triathlon FIXXIE. This bike is so rocking clean, not even the hard anodized rim brake surface shows wear. Absolutely beautiful lug work and svelte seat stays makes this bike pop.
- 56cm x 56cm frame built with Super Vitus 980 frame and fork, similar to double butted Columbus SL
- 700c Wolber rims on Shimano 105 hubs
- White Turbo saddle
- 170mm Aero crank with 52T installed with 42T 135BCD ring included
- Currently geared 52x15 but can be changed
- Bar wrap can be white or blue based on your preference

Send me an email if you are interested in this medium sized bike.

2007-06-28T11:17:00.000-07:00

Yeah Me!
Well everyone is bound to have a birthday. Today is mine. And I didn't wrap the gift to myself. My 99% complete Monocog Flight 29er is only without brake lines. I am actually selling a duplicate set of the kick ass set of New Velocity BLUNT 29er disc wheelset. I built one set for myself and one for some lucky rider. Formula hubs, with cassette style rear, disc ready and really stout. Front is 32H and rear is 36H for long term durability, double butted spokes and self locking nipples these are no worry wheels for a low maintenance bike. Other specs on my new beauty are Avid BB7 disc brakes, WTB tires and seat, with carbon in all the right places(headset spacer), Truvativ Stylo 1.1 SS crank with X type BB and 180mm length. This bike is as big as it gets and I love it.

2007-06-12T21:25:00.000-07:00

Trek Mystery.

Well I am posting this to get a little help unravelling a mystery. I am the new owner of a metallic flake blue 25.5 inch(64cm) TREK. Now I have owned many Treks and my second race bike was a red Trek 2000 warranty replacement frame. This bike is old. 1970s old. I think it may be a first year hand built TREK but the pieces are not adding up. I am not planning on keeping the bike for myself as it is just too large. Normally after about a week it would become a fixed gear and be adopted into the Brazen Cycleworks family. But this needs to go to a Trek collector and I need to raise some $$ for Toys for Tots for a benefit ride I am doing in August. So if you can provide the most help I would love to send you a Brazen Cycleworks polo shirt in L or XL, I think that is all I have left. I need to know how to market this bike accurately to get the Trek collectors what they are looking for and raise big bucks. Drop me a line if you think you can help. Here are some details and pictures.

Head tube badge is not screwed on, typical of newer models
Serial number is 5B6B38 size 25.5, model TX200, year 1976, month Feb but these are normally 7 digits, could be 38th frame and that is why missing last digit
Builder stamp H
Tubing Sticker is 022 Ishiwata Cro Mo double butted
Comes from Vern's in Oshkosh, I would expect early Treks to originate from WI
The headtube badge and tubing used are confusing as the 1976 catalog on vintage-trek.com seems to imply it would have been a TX500 with that tube set if it was in fact a 1976 bike
Build kit seems consistent with bike assembled from frame up and does not fit specs on later bikes
I will include a further spec sheet of components when I have more time.

Thanks for your help. -Eric
Trek UPDATE, consensus reveals this TREK is a 1980 414 model. I am selling off the Original 77 Suntour Cyclone components and turning the bike into a giant 63cm fixxie.

2007-05-14T10:42:00.000-07:00

Carbon Neutral Fixxie
Hey you! Yeah you, Mr. Snug driving your holier than thou Prius, well I got something that will blow your mind. No it is not Al Gore's $20,000 electric bill. It is this here bicycle, yeah it's fixed and carbon neutral. No coasting so no energy is wasted, can't say the same for your infinitely adjustable personal chilled air vents. Yeah I ride for fitness, fun, transportation and because I'm better than you. Let's see for $300, you get 100 gallons of gas, at 20 miles to gallon that is... carry the 2...2000 miles, maybe 2 months of driving left while I'll still be zipping by you while stuck in traffic and saving my green for some new hemp riding shorts, enjoy "oil suckers".

2007-05-13T14:04:00.000-07:00

This is why I build bikes. Let's open up the Brazen Mailbag shall we.

Rollin' oh so sweet in El Sugundo Kaliforna... Nuff
respects, the ride is too tough....Thank You..JJ

2007-05-04T13:03:00.000-07:00

$1 Million dollar bike on ebay. Well the Caveman Bianchi auction is over but the joy I got from the questions from the auction were priceless. The listing itself was record setting for me 3356 hits for the seven days. Here is the 19 questions and answers posted during auction.

Question & Answer

Q: OK, here is my take on evolution. A short caveman 1st owned this bike. He slipped one day and took a painful hit on this 63 cm frame. OUCH. No more reproduction for that caveman. End of the line for that guy, CYCLE broken, pardon the pun. What do you think?
A: Wow, you maybe a expert amateur evolutionary biologist/anthropologist. I can't wait for your thesis defense can I get a ticket? I have really enjoyed "selling" this bike, I think I would be disappointed to sell it now. The entertainment value may have exceeded the actual product value, I guess that happens often with modern marketing tactics. -Eric

Q: Would you consider free shipping with but it now? Ok, seriously I'm impressed that a caveman can get more auction hits ( 3000+ ) than a girl in a bikini- not that we've ever seen that on an auction!
A: Yes Buy it Now will qualify for free shipping. I am thinking a BIN will qualify for personal delivery from me. I just have not decided if I will ride the bike or drive it in a car. As for why a Caveman can beat a girl in a bikini, well that is a question for a psychologist with a doctoral degree. Glad to have entertained you. I think the bigger question is how you top a Caveman bike, that is going to be hard. -Eric PS. Why would this auction generate hate mail from user ZATCON? Theories please...Sad over paying over $500 for a brake set, Colnago cap and matching gloves too tight? Hates Cavemen? Afraid of Fixxies? Send me your theories...

Q: Can you tell me if a Caveman could actually ride this? If yes, would they use toe straps or clipless pedals? Was the wheel invented when there was people that lived in caves? Do you have a WSD Cavewomen bike? Would all of the hair that they have hurt them by not being super aero? Being so hairy how do they get their mustaches to not grow right below their nose? Signed...Cavepeople aficionado
A: Is this some sort of slight to Caveman's ability to balance and pedal at the same time? Of course cavemen can ride fixed gear bicycles. Not only that they actually were to the first to invent 29er mountain bikes too, yeah... Gary Fisher is one of them. As a point of fact the wheel was invented after cavemen moved out of caves, and had started building shelters that were free standing. As for a WSD Cavewoman bike, they don't exist, it is a bike, if you can get your leg over it you can ride it. There is even a Madison sling manuver that was invented by a cavewoman, but was later modified to be hand to hand sling instead of hand to hair sling, which was the original. Many of you modern type riders are a bit obsessed with your slim and shaved bodies, lets be clear it is POWER GENERATION that makes you fast not your glistening skin. Remember that next time you are sprinting to club a saber toothed cat. If you generate POWER you eat mastedon, if you don't the power mastedon eats you. Your last question was in regards to the hair growth on the upper lip. Well as you know cavemen have 99% of the same DNA as modern man. However there are small genetic differences that have changed over time, a caveman was more likely to be hairless under his nose to assist in cleanly ripping and tearing into animal flesh to feed himself, and therefore hairless under the nose provided cleaniless and greater survival in the harsh world he lived in. Thanks for your support of a greater understanding of cavemen worldwide and Cavemen Americans right here living with us. -Eric

Q: on the seriuos side how much is the listing price ebay charge you?
A: Yes, let's get serious. Ebay Selling is very serious bidness and you don't list items for sale for $1,000,000.00 USD on a whim. Let me tell you the expected fees for such an endeavor. First you have the listing fee if your start price is over $1000, then you pay $4.80 right there. Next is a Buy It Now feature which is an additional $0.25, Gallery photo $0.35. But wait, there is soo much more. When you sell your item to a rich heiress of the Oh Henry candy bar fortune then you have the "We want a piece of that sweet fixxie action" ebay fees. Well, that gem is going to cost you 5.25% of the first $25, then 3.25% to $1000, and 1.5% on the remainder to $1,000,000. All totaled the selling fees are a whopping $15,018.00. If you love math I think calculating eBay fees would be a great new hobby. The bike has not sold yet, but I will let you in a little secret, I paid only $0.80 to get my bike on eBay for $1,000,000.00, I can't tell you how, because I plan to corner the market with $1,000,000 bikes. Most likely in a year or so I will be ruling the world, not bragging, just stating the facts. -Eric

Q: --- ----!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A: I couldn't agree more. -E

Q: YOU ARE A ----!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A: Most people call me a B-------! Be careful overusing exclamation points, people might think you are unstable. -E

Q: how much for the picture of the caveman only ?
A: Digital pictures of the Caveman Bianchi are downloadable from my website. Right Click on the desired photo and select "save as". Then simply send me $5 each time you look at it or show friends. Showing the photos to your enemies is always free. If you just want to view the photos listed on my listing or my blog, then you qualify for a discount on $1 per photo per view. Excessive blinking or use of the refresh button(F5) can be costly, you have been warned! -Eric "Don't Blink, it 'ill Cost Ya" Brandt

Q: Wait a minuet- Did you mention a Strawberry Shortcake cruiser? We at GEICO are willing to "call it even" if you hand over the "SS" cruiser no questions asked.
A: Now the Gecko is willing to deal. I guess now the shoe is on the other super sticky foot. The more I think about it, with 2000 hits and promotion of the caveman, many people could be saving 15% or more on their car insurance. $1200 bucks a year per customer times 2000 customers, $2,400,000.00 more revenue. Looks like this "free viral marketing campaign" became the best thing in marketing since Adult Swims fake bombs in Boston. I'll take 10% and I'll be keeping the SS Cruiser, and the My Little Pony pull behind horse trailer. I know my rights. Best regards Eric "Huckleberry Pie" Brandt

Q: With the enactment of the Copyright Royalty and Distribution Reform Act of 2004 (P.L. 108-419), you will have to pay 33 percent of profits made by this auction to the GEICO insurance corporation for use of our advertising "mascot". We will make arrangements at auction close for the disbursment of funds. Thankyou and have a nice day.
A: Ahhh Crap. First I get seduced by a talking Gecko now this. Is that mention of the lizard another 33%? Now i'm starting to worry, my Tony the Tiger Fixxie and Strawberry Shortcake Cruiser may have to wait. Let me recheck my math. 33% for use of the Caveman, 33% for mention of Gecko, 10% for Ebay fees, 3% for Paypal processing, 25% spousal hassle fee charged by my wife. That leaves -4% left for me. Sweet. I will make up the difference in volume. -Eric

Q: Has this frame per chance been blessed by the pope? Alternately, can you get Imus to officially designate it a nappy headed caveman bike?
A: I am sorry to report the pope has not blessed this frame. In a matter of fact, I have it good authority that he does not believe in cavemen and is quite frightened of even the mention of such things. As for the "Nappy Headed Caveman Bike" designation I am happy to report Don Imus and Al Sharpton have jointly certified the bike to meet all the standard criteria for such a designation and the bike will be delivered with a certificate to commemorate the designation. Thanks for your question. -Eric

Q: Hi! I am a wealthy prince in Malaysia. If I wire 3,420,350 Ringgits into a Jamaican bank account and then have that money transfered to a US account to be held in escrow, will you have the bike shipped to my castle? Thanks!
A: Well this must be my lucky week, because I won the Australian Lottery too. I'm paying my first set of taxes via Western Union tomorrow. As far as the castle shipping, I would defer to your shipping agent. They are very popular in Nigeria and I have just come to expect this level of service. I am also in the process of transaction the Malwian Oil Minister's family fortune transfer after his untimely death at the hands of a rebel faction, so it might take me a bit longer than normal to call the Jamaican bank, using internet relay, to assist in the money transfer. I hope that will be okay with you. -Eric

Q: I don't have a mil, but have a collection of care bears and star wars figurines...nice bike anyway
A: This is about as tempting as the Ferrari Enzo offer from yesterday. I'm not into Star Wars, but the Care Bears give me pause. Love a Lot? Cheer Bear? Don't even say Tenderheart...is ti Tenderheart? I can't take it, I gotta take my cloud care to my therapist, right now. I'll have to get back to you.

Q: Hi, is that the original air in those tires, please? Thanks.
A: I guess when you buy a bicycle for a million dollars you would expect original air. I watch antiques roadshow too, I even cleaned off some of the years of cycling patina(sweat, rust, sports drink, blood). So I guess I should lower the price a bit. I see your point. In my defense the tubes contain Arizona air which is known to be some of the lowest humidity air available in the U.S. I was thinking of a follow-up auction for more of the low humidity cycling inner tube air, but I'm still waffling on a starting price and packaging method. Any suggestions? Thanks for your question. -Eric

Q: You have a very nice bike. Could you verify that there is adequate clearance for a kickstand?
A: Thanks for the compliment. I can verify that there is room for a kickstand. Given the rather high bid required I will include one with the sale. I have two styles, one that attaches to the rear wheel and one that has a more typical mount behind the BB. They are in good condition, but both are used. You didn't intend for me to include a new kickstand for a $1 million dollar bid now did you? If you win the auction and the fame that goes along with buying the worlds most expensive bike ever sold on ebay, I will include an instructional video on how to stand you bike using the pedals and avoid having a kickstand all together. Did that just blow your mind? Good. You had it coming. -Eric

Q: will you trade for a 2006 ferrari enzo?
A: Boy, you are persistent about trading for the car. Hmmm...I'm thinking you don't like your Ferrari or maybe you are trying to go cheap, because you think I can't Google the value of a 2006 Ferrari Enzo...Google says there is no 2006 Enzo but a production run that lasted from 2002-2004 and they are worth about $1 Million at auction. I guess if you throw in another $500,000 then we would have a deal. I am a bit worried though about the below Wiki entry. On February 21, 2006, Stefan Eriksson, a Swedish businessman with ties to organized crime, lost control of an Enzo Ferrari while allegedly intoxicated and driving at high speed along the Pacific Coast Highway in California. The car careened off an embankment outside Malibu and hit a pole at about 199 mph (320.61 km/h). The impact of the crash was so violent, it split the car in half and littered debris and engine parts for hundreds of yards.[11] Despite this, Eriksson walked away with minor injuries. The crash led to an investigation which revealed an increasingly bizarre series of events surrounding Eriksson and the wreck. Can you confirm that you are not offering me Enzo Ferrari with a salvage title from this wreck? Thanks -Eric

Q: Do you take trade for a 2006 ferrari enzo?
A: Thanks for your interest in the Caveman Fixie. Before I commit to your offer I have a couple of questions are the tires new? I ask because the tires on the fixxie are new. Is the car black with white leather interior? That is my favorite. Does it require premium gas, 'cause regular is like $2.96 in my neighborhood, and the way things are going if gas is going to be $6.00 for premium well then I might just rather keep riding the bike. -Eric

Q: What is the name/year of this bianchi frame? Has it been repainted?
A: Dear Mega Fresh B-Boy Style, I got this bike from the original owner. The paint is original from what I can tell. Even the chips in paint on rear triangle show the chrome under the paint. The original owner said he rode the bike in Hawaii triathlons in mid eighties and the decals flaked off over time. I don't know the model name or exact year, but it was made in Japan and was outfitted with Japanese components, some which remain like the Dia-Compe brakes and Sakae bar, SR Apex crank and stem. The serial number is BS18444 in case you are good at such research. Thanks for your interest in the Caveman. Let me know if you have any other questions or special requests that I can do for you. -Mega Brazen Eric

Q: can i put a single speed/freewheel on it?
A: Yes freewheel is easy switch to make it a single speed. If you use the Buy it Now, I will install a freewheel instead of a fixed cog. I can also include the rear brake and an additional front chainring. -Eric

Q: That is the most beautiful bicycle I have ever seen. It is too large for me. Did you create the stickers yourself?
A: I cannot take credit for the pule that is the Geico Caveman. My dad gave me a bumper sticker that I sliced and diced to create that gem. It reminded me a head tube logo from Eddie M. Glad you enjoyed it. Keep those wheels safely rolling. -Eric

2007-05-04T10:51:00.000-07:00

It is always amazing the fun and interesting people you meet through fixed gear bicycles. It is fun to talk to people that just get it.

Well the Caveman Bianchi has been featured on Dennis's Fixed Gear Gallery, which is a must see, especially if you have not visited before.

If you enjoy the spirit of riding fixed, I would say to check out this fun blog. Keep It Street Level. Chris has the fixxed perspective down. Gelato and Roman Holiday are great bike names, keep up the good work Chris.

2007-04-27T16:38:00.000-07:00

Highest Priced Fixed Gear on Ebay Ever!
The Bianchi Caveman has risen to the top. Take that evolutionary ladder.

2007-04-03T14:02:00.000-07:00

This time it is personal.
If you notice the flow of bikes out of the shop slowing, it is due to this beauty. All double butted and no where to ride, this steel steed is the base of my 700er All Mountain Air Single Speed(AMASS). Well it is off to the world of 29 inches. I send you a postcard when I get there. For now, just enjoy the pictures.

2007-03-31T15:30:00.000-07:00

Black is the new black.
"Yo! Yeah you! Oh, you think you are too good to talk to me?" "Just because your replaceable carbon fiber derailleur hanger retails for $300, doesn't mean you are better than me. How about a quick sprint through the park there 'Coasty', what your 20 speed drivetrain and your carbon fiber brake levers too fragile?" "Oh, you don't hop over curbs? What can you do?" "Oh great, wow you are 15.4 lbs. I have rear tires heavier than you." Where is the heart, where is your soul? Well I gotta roll my master is grinning and you know what that means...oh, you don't. Well let me explain it, the only carbon on my rides is the breath of my master, and I will have him gasping in no time."

Black Schwinn World with gold highlighted lugs
Taiwan made 72/72 parallel geometry, 62cm
Simple fun with no attitude, other than the 'Brazen' one

2007-03-29T12:18:00.000-07:00

Cavemen are people too.

It must be the week of giant Bianchi conversions. This blue boy is chromed out and living extra large. Bike is so fun to ride even a caveman could do it. This is nice lugged Japanese created Bianchi, maybe not as nice of steel as the Red Ghost Bianchi, but definately double butted as the frame and fork are pretty light for a bike so huge. This bike won't last long, get it now.

2007-03-28T16:43:00.000-07:00

Red Ghost Bianchi

Well this bike is a last of sorts. Spring has sprung and weather is too good to not be riding, so I'm backing off bike building volume to a trickle. This beauty just snook out of the shop. The original decals had deteriorated so I removed them to reveal a beautiful feature of UV radiation and the Ghost Bianchi was born. This giant bike(63cmX57cm) is a bit of an enigma, imagined in the minds of Italian grandparents, born from Japanese craftsmen, and raised in the United States. I took the bike to a new place and I hope Edoardo would be proud.

Spade cutouts on headtube lugs and seat lugs
Ishiwata double butted tubes, stays and forks. domo ari gato!
Piaggio decals, this noted on the top tube as a 'Special' edition ride
Pantographed flat crown Bianchi fork
New Performance GT tires and commuter friendly tubes
Sakae Post, Bar and Crank with 42T ring
Araya rims with SUZUE 36H hubs
Italian Hertitage with true Japanese build
Shimano front brake with trackie style bar wrap
Don't miss the signature Bianchi dropouts and Bianchi detailed headset

Can you see it? It is there. Or is it?

2007-03-24T14:27:00.000-07:00

Is a well balanced bike a sign of an unbalanced mind?
This is an incredible build from a local rider and bike builder, Constantine. He stopped by to pick up some fixie frames for the Fixed Gear Challenge.
Reminder: Complete your ride by Sunday April 1st(slightly extended) with pictures and short description submitted to brazen.cycleworks@gmail.com

This bike inspired his friends to attach the Mermaid decor to the front wheel when the bike left SF. Check out the suspended "floating hub" and the dual drivetrain. Just don't ask why, just say "cool". This Bianchi Pista is a rocking ride with very trackie bars and electrical tape attitude to spare. Thanks for the inspiring ride, Constantine.

2007-02-23T14:32:00.000-07:00

From the Inbox

Dear Maniac Mechanic,
Why do you do it? Wouldn't an old road bike be more useful in it's original state with coasting and multiple gears? I am no collection snob, but you are taking really cool original bikes for your projects what gives?
Sean in Glenn Oaks, MI

Well, I do get this type of letter often. Honestly, I do not feel guilty as the bikes that I convert in to fixed gear bikes are almost always neglected and unused. If you follow the Golden Rule and apply it to bikes. Treat bikes the way they are meant to be treated. I interpret this to mean that bike are made to be ridden. One thing I can say about my bikes is they get ridden, used and enjoyed. If you have a collectible bicycle and it is vintage and original and pristine, good for you. Enjoy it. But if it has been hanging in the corner of a dusty garage for the last 20 years, that is criminal. Like my friend, Rob Cockerham, always says, "It is better to know how much is inside, than to live in a constant state of wonder." My bikes are fun and interesting to ride and have a purity of spirit about them that gives an energized experience, as bike and rider become one. If you have not tried one, you are missing out on a totally new cycling experience, that needs to be experienced.

Amen Brother

-Eric Brandt
hot_cycling@hotmail.com
Brazen Cycleworks

2007-02-09T10:17:00.000-07:00

You know you have made it when...

"Pat, can I buy an E?"

2007-02-07T13:25:00.000-07:00

Single Speed Mountain Bikes Rock!

2007-01-19T14:48:00.001-07:00

NEW Aluminum Fixed Gear Bike
You have found it, it is an amazing deal on a new fixed gear road bike. Normally I do not do AL bikes, but I had to make an exception for these flexible and fun rides. Because of a commitment I have made I cannot reveal frame manufacturer, but that should not stop you from enjoying a fixed or single speed ride.

Don't forget to bookmark my Fixed Gear blog with other bikes I have converted into fixed gear machines. http://brazencycleworks.blogspot.com/

Complete bike with 54cm 7000 series aluminum frame with road geometry and cantilever brakes

In a similar design of a Matt Chester Utiliman or Surly Crosscheck, this a new Fixed Gear conversion coming from my shop this year.

Based on a light aluminum road frame with cantilever brake mounts, steel mounts are removeable

7000 Series Aluminum ovalized and shaped tubing with down tube gusset

Long forward facing rear dropouts for multiple rear wheel mounting without weird rear brake trouble you get with rear facing track fork ends

Aero 1" steel fork well suited for hammering

Steel quill style stem good for high torque riding, 110mm

Steel road bar with deep drop design, 41cm (o-o), optional ITM steel bar in 42 or 44 available for $15, chopped and flipped TT bars are $10, bullhorn TT style bars are $20

Steel 1" black headset threaded

This is a California designed frame designed to be ultrastable for the long haul but has tendency to turn towards the beach. Will handle light off-road riding as well with wider Cyclocross tires(not included).

It is geared based on terrain with alloy front chainring(130BCD) and 170mm crank (not the same as demo bike pictured)

New steel track cog with pseudo lock ring(your choice 13,15,16,19T)

KMC narrow 3/32 chain

Kalloy microadjust seatpost 26.8x350mm

Standard channeled road saddle
Dimensions are 54cm seat tube (center to top of seat tube)

Identical length 54.5cm top tube (center to center)

Long chain stays

Track style wheels with bolt on front and rear, Single walled 25mm aero shaped rims in silver

700c stainless 14g spokes and brass nipples, front 100mm OLD, rear 130mm OLD

Front wheel is radially laced, rear is 3 cross, 36 hole

Kenda 700cx23c all black wire bead tires

Black brake housing and faux cork bar wrap (rear brake included but pictured on demo bike).

Pedals pictured but not included.

You will not find a new aluminum fixed gear bike with cantilevers and a clear coated brushed aluminum finish available for purchase in US for less. I only have 54cm size available and availability is limited, I cannot reveal frame manufacturer because of a commitment I have made. Click to enlarge pictures. Please ask as many questions as you would like, I am willing to help you make the right decision on this bike. I am willing to set the bike up as a single speed with a rear freewheel instead of fixed gear cog for the same price.

2007-01-11T21:04:00.000-07:00

TRI-A-FIXIE

Double Butted Seamless Tange 1 tubing with lugged construction
Beautiful Black and Yellow original paint
Shimano 600 Alloy Headset, Crankset, and Brakeset
39T x 16T all new drivetrain
New track style bolt on wheelset with fresh rubber
Franciso Moser Vetta yellow leather

2007-01-10T15:21:00.001-07:00

Help identify this Fixie
Sometimes I run into interesting bikes that have been repainted and have some interesting features that you don't see very often. Check out this beauty I just converted. Nice light lugged frame with a real eceletic mix of parts and unusual seatpost binder. I might be able to even give you one in your size. Early non-aero Shimano Dura Ace brakeset. Drilled out rings on one of the most beautiful Stronglight 47 cranks I have seen. Campy Record wheelset with matching skewers, Campy Headset, even the fork ends and dropouts are Campagnolo. Enjoy the pictures.

2006-12-22T20:59:00.000-07:00

Pretty Purple
This Classic Bianchi is not plum or burgundy it is straight purple. Geoff brought this to the shop today and we finished a quick fixie conversion for this classic Tange steel ride. Nothing looks better with purple than gold anodized rims, nice touch. It is off for another 20 years for this fine fixie. Enjoy the ride Geoff!

2006-12-01T10:52:00.000-07:00

57cm Nishiki Cresta

In a similar design of a Matt Chester Utiliman or Surly Crosscheck, this Nishiki Cresta is the last of some fine fixed gear bicycles coming out of my shop this year.

Based on a Nishiki Cresta touring bike handcrafted by Kawamura with classic lugged construction

Tange Double Butted chrome-moly steel tubing

Suntour dropouts and fork ends

Flat crowned beauty with cantilever brakes

This is a frame designed to be ultrastable for the long haul and has enough BB drop to handle well off-road as well.

It is geared 40x16 with steel front chainring(no high torque flex)

New steel track cog

New chain with quick connector for easy cleaning

Compact crank 165mm(110 BCD)

UN72 cartridge bottom bracket with single chainring bolts

Sella San Marco perforated saddle

Dimensions are 57.5cm seat tube (center to top)

Identical length 57.5cm top tube (center to center)

Long chain stays

Wheels are 27 inch and in great condition

New GT2 27x 1 1/8 rubber

New brake cables and housing and bar wrap

Enjoy the pictures below, click to enlarge.

2006-11-30T11:39:00.000-07:00

Shimano Flight Deck Computer for your fixie.
I was curious to see if I could set up a Flightdeck computer on my commuter fixie. I came up with a great way to make this happen for less than $20. I took the computer off my road bike and reprogrammed it so that large chainring and rear cog were the first gears on the display, and put in random stuff for the other gears. I then took an XTR sensor kit and installed it on my bike. The XTR kit has shifter connection sensors that can be twisted to read your CORRECT gear on the computer. Then it just takes mounting the button pad and hiding the gear sensors under the bar. This approach would work with single speed as well and give you a virtual cadence with single speed drivetrain or true cadence with fixed gear. Cool Huh! I have the sensor wiring kits available for $16.99 which does not include the computer.

2006-11-28T14:41:00.000-07:00

What a great way to save an old bike.
So many of the 70's, 80's and early 90's road bikes are just collecting dust somewhere as they fell out of favor and are destined to the longest waiting queue. Will they find their way to the dump, get donated, sold at garage sale, or restored to live in glory.

Converting an old bike into a fun fixed gear seems like a great way to give these orphans another shot at getting out on the road.

I was wondering what I could do to make this happen. I could continue to build complete bikes, but with three kids and riding aspirations of my own, it is damn near impossible to save all the bikes that I would like to.

What if I developed a fixed gear kit and did the initial setup and let the owner finish the bike with their own flair.

The fixed gear kit includes a redished, recentered rear wheel, with a new cog installed. The chain is included, and single chainring bolts, and crank bolts. The labor included is setting up the rear wheel, and installing the new drivetrain.

I was thinking $120 as an even number. You provide the bike and I provide the Fixed Gear Kit, FGK and all the magic is free.

Of course exceptions will be required, and a matching 700c front wheel would be available for $40 more. This kit would work for all road bikes(with 700c and 27 inch wheels) with horizontal dropouts and a road standard 130 BCD crank.

I was thinking I could include assembly tips and tricks on the blog for free. Fixed Gear Bicycles for the masses. Yee Ha!

Take a look at what I did for Marc with this Nishiki. I could do it for you too.

2006-09-05T16:02:00.000-07:00

Follow your folly.

Mine is creating unique fixed gear bikes.

I think some real joy is found from the pure experience of riding off-road on a comfortable and enjoyable bicycle. I am creating the "new" next thing in mountain biking, after the 29r is worn and tired, Mountain Cruisers will re-inherit the trails and rule again.

Mountain Cruiser is a classic mountain bike simplify the drivetrain even further to get a Mountain Cruiser.

Oh yeah, it is 4130 Chromoly steel and entire bike and fork is chromed.
I rode the bike twice since the conversion and it is now ready for a new owner.

New Belgium Brewery Fat Tire embellishments:
Bottle Cap bar end plugs
headtube sticker
Left and Right handed bottle openers on rear stays
Double Barrel Bottle cages on the down tube

2006-07-12T11:26:00.000-07:00

1987 Schwinn World Tourist Fixed Wheel Single Speed

How can it be a Fixed Wheel and a Single Speed capable of coasting? Hmmm...Thanks to a Shimano Front Freewheeling System(FFS) which was an abandoned technology which put the freewheel mechanism in chainrings up front instead of in the rear wheel. The idea at the time was to allow gear changes even while coasting. This lugged beauty is fully fenderized with curvy city bars and a 46x17 drivetrain. Coasting initiates a loud ratchet from the chainring and integrated chainguard with a weird 'this bike is pedaling itself' type motion.

The 5 speed gear cluster and Positron rear derailleur and shift levers were removed and the bike seemed relieved.

2006-06-30T13:49:00.000-07:00

Letters Home

In Emergency
"The bike is amazing. I got some new pedals for it before I hit the road, and I haven't had this much fun on a bike since I got my first Huffy as a kid. Thank you so much! Jason"

Le Tour III
"Hey Eric, Just thought I'd give you a little update on the Le Tour III. I've been riding it tons. The gearing is just right. It's nice on the strand, but climbs BIG hills nicely when pumping. ... I threw on some color-coordinated old school Oury grips, some new rubber, and some BMX pedals. I've gotten a few streetside compliments. Thanks for pushing me towards riding fixed. I'm digging it. ... -Tom"
photos included

87 Super Sport
Neal in Florida writes. "the best fixed gear ever thanks a million trillion"
Good use of brevity, thanks Neal.

2006-06-29T21:08:00.000-07:00

IN EMERGENCY >>>>Ride This...

The vintage Trek 330 Elance is ready to ride. Reynolds 531 steel frame with chopped and flipped bars. New kevlar folding tires and hand built wheels with Mistral M13 rims, DT spokes, and Shimano 600 hubs. Shimano 600 BB and crank. Selle San Marco perforated leather seat and red and black camo bar wrap. Drivetrain is 44x16 and this beauty is headed to live free in Tucson with Jason.

I am taking a bit of a break from working on the fixies until my son is born. I already have 2 daughters the son to be makes three, AWESOME! Here's to July...

2006-06-06T12:36:00.000-07:00

1987 Schwinn Super Sport.

This may be the nicest condition 20 year old bike I have ever seen. Tons of absolutely original components from the Shimano 600 line. This beauty is Colombus Tenax tubing and the lugs are gorgeous. The Italian influences don't stop there with Cinelli 64-40 bar and 120mm stem. French Rigida rims, SX100, in black heat treated that show almost no brake wear, I love Arizona bikes! This is my tendonitis special for the Jan Ullrich diesel types, geared with a 55X16 if you get these 170mm cranks up to 100 rpm you will be flying. Owner will get to select gearing, alternate chainring is 44T with choice of rear cogs (15,16 or 17). You can really enjoy muscle building workouts with this huge gear, just make sure you have some bags of peas ready in the freezer. The bike is a 58cm c-t of top tube with a 56cm top tube. Non-original components include Tioga brake lever covers, ProLite titanium railed saddle, and new S60-K kevlar tires 700x23. I have a complete Shimano 600 Retro kit for the bike as well, with original derailleurs, shift levers, Bio-pace double chainrings. The new owner of this ride will get a limited edition Brazen Cycleworks polo with purchase, S,L and XL available.

2006-06-06T12:00:00.000-07:00

Super Sport pictures of real Schwinn quality.

2006-06-06T11:59:00.000-07:00

More Super Sport Photos.

2006-05-20T18:23:00.000-07:00

1978 Schwinn Le Townie
This beauty is ready to hit 'the strand' at Redondo Beach this summer. Tom dropped off the Le Tour III and I did the conversion to make this upright rider ready for action. Geared at 40X17 it will be a smooth ride along the beach for this head turner. This ride has the classic circle S logo stem, and Normandy made high flange rear hubs with triangle cut outs. Born in a Japanese Panasonic factory on the 142 day of 1978, this ride is ready for it's second life. Enjoy your new ride Tom!

2006-05-03T14:19:00.000-07:00

Schwinn Paramount
Well this bike is probably close to the pinnacle of our beloved Schwinn. The oversized steel tubing, the precision lug work. This happy bike will be doing uphill sprints with Lyndon, the proud owner, at the helm. Nice Campy components with Phil Wood hubs and classic Mavic hoops. Ambrosio GeoTape wrap on the bars keeping things comfy. Sorry boys this big beast is not for sale. I would challenge anyone to try to buy a new version of this ride with similar construction and quality. It would not surprise me if it cost you $3000 and probably a year of your time. Lyndon sent the bike to me and we converted this primo ride for under $100. The pleasure was all mine.