Bike Portage Strap

People must think I am Dutch because I like to post about bicycles. That is indeed the truth. Yesterday I came across the accessories of Walnut Studiolo. These accessories for the bike are handmade in Portland, Oregon. They have designed some crafty looking stuff to use on your classic bicycles.

One of my favorites is the Bike Portage Strap. I live in Amsterdam and I am used to carrying my fixie up stairs, around road blocks etc. This does not hurt my shoulder, but the strap does make your live easier. In a very stylish way that is. Available on Etsy for $34,-

Bike Spoke Ring

There is no need to always use precious metals for jewelry. The implementation of a recycled wheel spoke is ingeniously inventive. It has a form that is almost immediately recognized and the soldered edges give the ring an industrial look. Available here for $55.

Levi's Track Bike

While browsing around for more pics of the Levi's cycling denim, I came across a special Levi's track bike. It was made with the help of UNIK bikes, Fixerati - both from Belgium - and Brother Cycles from the UK. The blue paintjob is sick, the denim stitching, denim saddle and grip tape are also cool details.

The red parts could be skipped as far as I'm concerned: too visible, compared to a red tab on the jeans. Also the backpocket on the saddle looks nice, but I can't imagine this is comfortable to sit on.The bikes will be given a away as a prize for a Share and Win game on FB for Levi's Europe.

Levi's Cycling Denim

Levi's is introducing specialized cycling denims. As 90% of my body is always covered in denim and as the proud owner of a fixie I wanted to see what this is about. Cycling blog Prolly sat down with the creative team and put some items to the test. The collection will consist of both jeans and a jacket. Levi's has developed a special nanosphere treatment to avoid stains and smells.

The denim looks a bit cheap unfortunately but the details on the jeans are nice. A zipped back pocket, a U-lock holster, fluorescent 3M lining on he cuff, a gusseted crotch - nice - and a higher cut back area. The jacket is a rebuilt version of the trucker jacket. It has a stretching construction around the back, with air vents, 3 pockets, a scooped tail and longer sleeves. Levi's will release some special editions so I am hoping for a jacket in Cone denim with my name on it. Click here for more pics.

Elian Bicycles

We cycle a lot in Holland. "More bicycles than people" is what we tend to say in Amsterdam. You would assume we would be masters at building them. The craftsmanship is actually hard to find if you look at the common Dutch manufacturers.

Elian does it differently. Based in the city of Utrecht in Holland, they build frames with their bare hands. They produce beautifully simple bicycles and there is an option to customize. The frames look rock-solid and have a distinctive look. The rear fork tubes cross the vertical tube to be welded on the horizontal tube. Sounds complicated but take a look at the pics and you will understand.

"Everything is possible as long as it meets our standards." I love this expression of expertise.

(info and pictures via Joachim Baan - www.anothercompany.org)

Hand Brake

A hand brake perforated like Swiss cheese. A bit of oxidation makes it look very nice. It would be amazing to fit it on my fixed gear. Maybe a bit smaller of course. I wonder if it is only for decoration purposes or if this was mounted on a motorcycle for weight reduction. (via Ride the Machine)

Freeman Transport

At the second day of official business we had the pleasure of meeting the mother of Nathaniel Freeman, the co-owner of Freeman Transport. This Montana-based company builds hand made bicycles. She was so excited about our new store that she started talking about her son's company and could visualize one of here son's creations hanging from the ceiling in our shop already.

We have a great love for bikes - and traveling. The guys from Freeman transport are no different. Their bikes are made using Columbus steel tubing and s-an-s coupling, they can be disassembled and packed into a waxed canvas or leather carrying case so you can take them with you on your travels. The cases are made so that they can be checked into airplanes without oversized baggage fee!

The bicycle that we love the most? The one that's inspired on a Colt .45: the Gravel Racer. Who says you can't take a gun with you in an airplane…

Check out their website at Freemantransport.com