Fixpert

Why a mirror rear wheel? What happens when you crash? I don’t know. But this is what a mirror rear wheel looks like. Thanks to Keith for the image!

Check out this custom “ObamaBike” via Animal

Bike description from the site:

The hand-built track cycle was put up for auction on on eBay beginning today, with proceeds benefitting Barack Obama’s victory fund. The fixed gear masterpiece measures 55cm, sports a curved seat tube, custom sublimated graphics on the Geekhouse Custom ‘Rockcity’ frame/fork, and Velocity Deep V wheelset, plus an exclusive ‘Obama Chainring’ logo on the front. It comes race-ready with a nice selection of parts (Thomson Steam and Post, SDG Saddle, Tioga Headset, Sugino Messenger Cranks/Chainring, MKS Sylvan Track Pedals/Clips, Continental tires).

Horry shit this thing is bananas. I think it’s kinda ugly looking at it from far away (sorry dudes)…

…but I really like the detailed pattern work on it, very pretty! Dan Funderburgh is the artist that supplied the patterns. Noice Dan!

Thanks to Bucky at Animal for the head’s up!

37Signals has a post about the history of skateboard deck graphics, including a cool slideshow that they put together.

~ via Drawn!

I’m really glad to see folks in the web design community giving a nod to the influence that skate culture and artwork had on our generation of designers and artists. I know it was hugely influential for me.

Before Track Bikes, There Were Skateboards

The Eighties

Yes, I, too, come from a skateboarding background. In the 80’s, I tooled around in the driveway on my brother’s Powell Peralta Mike McGill board with the iconic skull and snake. We lived in Southern California at the time (which was a departure for my east-coast family) and what a time to be there!

OMG, awesome, right?!

The Nineties

Well, I wasn’t doing much on Bo’s Powell deck other than getting comfortable with tic-tacs. But later in the early 90’s — in the “New School” — I was wanting to skate again and a friend flowed me down a practically unrideable setup, complete with a slick deck (remember those!).

That board was so spongey, the slick was peeling off completely. Two of the seven ply’s were already cracking through. The wheels were so tiny they were hardly more than thin urethane bearing sheaths, with terrible flat spots. Ugh, New School — I definitely don’t miss the teenie tiny wheels.

I must have been 14 or 15 and skating quickly became an addiction, it completely consumed every aspect of my life. I skated every day for hours for the next 5 years. If it was wet outside, I’d find a parking garage. If it was too late to go out, I’d skate in my parent’s basement, god bless ‘em.

The 2000’s

Skateboarding was fading out for me at this point. Sad. My friends all seemed to be moving on. They were getting drunk and/or laid which took priority over skating, sadly. Skating by myself sucked. I eventually found some crap boyfriend and skateboarding vanished from my life completely. Those were dark days, but not too long afterwards, I discovered the joy of cycling!

I’ll Always Love You, Skateboarding

…but I love bikes more now, hehe. First of all, I can get places faster. I don’t have to worry about every tiny little pebble on the ground making me eat shit. And I like to fly under the radar sometimes — girl on a bike doesn’t draw nearly as much attention as a girl on a skateboard. I always hated the feeling that everyone was watching me when I skated. I still have a board, that I look at wistfully sometimes.

Maybe I’ll go push around. Bye!

I saw Beautiful Losers several weeks ago at its San Francisco opening. I must say, ESPO’s appearance in the film, and just his persona was such a thrill, I’m a long-time fan. I seem to remember seeing a lot of ESPO stuff up in Philly in the way-back-whens, maybe even the 90’s! Ooh lala, me’s a gettin’ ol’ here talkin’ bout dem nineties, yessir.

Here’s ESPO

Now go see Beautiful Losers! Here’s some keyword-rich text (wink!) about the film, from the film’s web site:

BEAUTIFUL LOSERS celebrates the spirit behind one of the most influential cultural moments of a generation

In the early 1990’s a loose-knit group of likeminded outsiders found common ground at a little NYC storefront gallery. Rooted in the DIY (do-it-yourself) subcultures of skateboarding, surf, punk, hip hop & graffiti, they made art that reflected the lifestyles they led. Developing their craft with almost no influence from the “establishment” art world, this group, and the subcultures they sprang from, have now become a movement that has been transforming pop culture.

Starring a selection of artists who are considered leaders within this culture, Beautiful Losers focuses on the telling of personal stories. It speaks to themes of what happens when the outside becomes “in” as it explores the creative ethos connecting these artists and today’s youth.

Banksy’s got a show up in the N-Y. It just opened last Thursday, October 9th and it’s his New York City debut! Can you believe it? Seems he’s been around fu-eva, why he drag his feet for?

Details

The Village Pet Store and Charcoal Grill (google map)
89 7th Avenue (between Bleeker and West 4th)
New York, NY

Tons of great photos of the show up on SuperTouch

Thanks Mong via SuperTouch