2011 Tour De France

The culmination of the Pro Tour season starts July 2, and I'm sure it will not disappoint. The TTT is back this year after a 1 year absence. It should be exciting to watch especially with the new teams formed this season.

But, the stage I'm most excited about is stage 18. This will be the climax of the race and should decide who will win it all. Stage 18 has 3, yes that's 3, NC (harder than category 1) climbs. That's a game changer of a stage.

Catch all the Tour related news on Cyclingnews or on Versus.

Velo Cult's Hinault LOOK Completed

DEAR. GOD. I blogged about this a couple months back when it was just a frameset, and now it's finished. What a beauty. Almost a complete C-Record gruppo. It's sans rear derailleur and seat post though. But don't knock the hustle, this build is beyond legit. I can't stop staring at this period correct goodness. That frame is pristine. Props to Anthony, owner of this stead, for finding it new old stock.

Images via and read more at Velo Cult's blog.

BIKE CHECK - John

City Grounds | Bike Check: John Maniquis from City Grounds on Vimeo.

The homie John got bike checked. Dude moved to the bay area recently, I heard to Castro (<3 that top tube sticker btw). I haven't seen his bike in a minute so it was nice to see the added road levers. I'm in the process of roadifying my current fixie stead. Ride safe and kill those hills, fixed of course.

Acting all Cagey

In an attempt to make my fixie more roadie I copped some thangs to help me do so. During ALC I used a Camelbak. Convient? Yes. It held more than 2 24oz bottles would and it would house all sorts of gadgets in there. From my digital camera to my tools to spares and etc... Stuntastic? Hardly. It was cumbersome at times. I had to keep adjusting the straps for it to sit right on my back, and refilling it was a process and a half. The worse part is, it covered the back of the HYPE jersey. SACRILEGIOUS!

Enter the Elite universal cage mount. Adding an additional water bottle cage never got easier. Now I can stunt properly with Rapha bottle in hand.

Caginess

Elite VIP Universal Cage Mount

Andrew King Cage SS

Cadence Team Kit

Dope kits from an even fresher company who specializes in clothing for the cycling lifestyle.

Images and cop from hurrr and stay in the know on their blog.

THAT HYPE

Via The Cream (formally known as Hitched).

My fiancée and went to this wedding event at the Ace hotel in Palm Springs earlier this year. You know me, I'll rep Team HYPE all day and so will unknowing attendees. After you're done staring at said gurrrs check the "d" on "Hitched". That's right we have been repped on that incognito tip.

Decals on Decals on Decals

I had some decals made and I put them to work! My fave placement would be that gloss over the matte on the helmet. I'm a huge fan of that subtle detail.

MASH SF x Cinelli from ToC

Via MASH tumblr.

Some lucky dude is going to be the epitome of all the hipster riders in LA. This frame was from a couple years back when the MASH crew rode the ToC course fixed. OH YEAH, that wolf fork is custom too. GG HIPSTER BEASTS.

Team Lope Coupler Build - Thom

Here's the ringleader's newest project in complete form. Keeping it reverse murdered out and right hand brakey. I really hope the Team Lope crew brings their new builds to spin around LA. Good times can only ensue. One more thing, should've named her powdered donut. Just sayin'.

Read more and photos via the Tyre Shoppe.

Team Lope Coupler Build - Blair

A couple of Lopeans did a couple of coupler builds. Here's Team Lope rider Blair's ALMOST finished product. Looking mighty fresh with that color scheme.

Read more and pictures all via the Clubbe.

New Cockpit Day

Been itching to do some bikery things recently. What better way than get a new cockpit. I've been using Deda Pista bars for a minute. A long ride with track drops is not the business because of 2 things. 1, while the reach when riding in track drops makes you more aero it also does a number on your upper back and shoulders for extended periods. 2, limited hand positions make for an uncomfortable ride.

With all that said. I did ride ALC with track drops and didn't find any REAL discomfort. I'm probably just being baby and finding an excuse to drop some bread to make a swag sandwich.

New Cockpit

Deda Newton Bar shallow drop

Crane Creek SR-5 brake lever

Cane Creek stoker hood

Break cable and housing

Deda tape

Adjustable Headset Spacer

Via the Lopery.

Ingenious! 2 pieces to get 5 different heights. Form follows function FA SHO!

Cop hurrr.

Chris King Exhibit

At Rapha Cycle Club - SF. Exhibit runs from today till the 30th. Don't sleep.

Address:

2198 Filbert (x. Fillmore)
San Francisco, CA 94123

Phone:

415.896.4671

Hours:

Monday–Friday: 7am to 7pm
Saturday–Sunday: 7am to 6pm

Everything via Rapha.