STRAIGHTCHAIN

14 July 2009

propaganda

Bei einem Verkehrsunfall in Mitte wurde heute früh ein „Fixie“-Radler schwer verletzt.
Gegen 9 Uhr 20 befuhr der 32-Jährige mit seinem Rad, das lediglich mit einer Vorderradbremse ausgerüstet war, die Friedrichstraße in Fahrtrichtung Unter den Linden. Nach bisherigen Erkenntnissen radelte der Mann mit hoher Geschwindigkeit auf einen Fahrzeugstau zu, der sich an einer Fahrbahnverengung gebildet hatte. Da er offensichtlich nicht rechtzeitig bremsen konnte, wich er zunächst in den Gegenverkehr aus und versuchte über eine Mittelinsel die verkehrsbedingt haltenden Autos zu umfahren. Hierbei löste sich das Vorderrad und der 32-Jährige stürzte mit seinem Rad gegen einen wartenden „Chrysler“ eines 66-jährigen Mannes. Der Fahrradfahrer kam mit schweren Kopfverletzungen zur stationären Behandlung in ein Krankenhaus.
Von der Berliner Polizei wurden wiederholt im Rahmen von Verkehrsüberwachungen sogenannte „Fixie“-Fahrräder in den Innenstadtbezirken festgestellt, die nur unzureichend ausgerüstet sind und üblicherweise über keinerlei Sicherheitsausstattungen verfügen. Der Gebrauch dieser Räder ist daher objektiv hochgradig gefährlich und bedroht trotz etwaiger Übung und Erfahrung der Nutzer auf jeder Fahrt Leib, Leben und Gesundheit anderer Verkehrsteilnehmer und des Fahrers selbst.

link

Translation:
This morning, a "Fixie"-cyclist has been badly injured in a traffic-accident in Berlin Mitte. At 9:20 am, the 32 year old male, who's bike had solely one front-brake mounted along Friedrichstraße, in direction of traffic. (...) at high-speed he cycled towards a traffic-junction (...). Since he obviously wasn't able to slow-down in time, he first switched into the lane of oncoming-traffic, and secondly tried to jump a curb in the middle of the road (...). Here, his front-wheel came lose and the 32 year old crashed with his bike into a standing Chrysler (...). The cyclist sustain major head-injuries (...). The Berlin police repeatedly seizes such "Fixie"-Bicycles (...), because they do not have any sort of security-equipment. The use of such bikes is hence profoundly dangerous, (...) and a danger to body, life and health of the cyclist and other road users.

Maybe I missed that part, but since what point in time do bicycles have security equipment? Sounds like airbags, rollbars and a crush zone? I'd like to see a comparison between accidents involving normal bicycles, and fixed-gear bicycles. Lastly, hope the "32 year old male" will be okay again.

13 July 2009

persistence and beauty

Imho, H+Son might have been hit harder, than they actually deservered for last years single taco-rim incident. I mean, it has been the only rim ever, which failed this way, and as the internet is, it has been very harsh on them for this single incident. Even more so, I know about a lot of gnarly riders from Mash and Macaframa, as well as other people (without their own videos), who are riding a lot on their H+Sons without any problems. Also, H+Son has come up with the F30, a strong and trick-oriented rim, which is much more suited for trick abuse than the road-racing-oriented Formation Face/SL42. Then, H+Son has been dropping news here and there about a new and even deeper rim, the Eero, as well as some weird rumors about a Cannondale track like frameset. Not sure what to think of the frameset, but I sure am curious about the Eero.
So, all in all, I am making this posting because I think H+Son has proved to be positive in their persistence to create beautiful products with a high-quality finish. No I am not getting paid for this! There simply is some good news, and I appreciate their effort. Anyways, the Formation Face, with chromed and/or high-polished finish is available, now? I am not sure about the now, but I found them on their website, today. I have opted for the black anodization, but that chrome finish is almost to good to not get it. link


chrome


high-polished aluminum (I wonder if it has clear-coat on it, because raw aluminum is going to fog up sooner or later. Bet it has the coating, though)

tioga D-spyder


Stumbled upon the Tioga D-spyder, apart from the road-model "spyder" the "d-spyder" is made for BMX, hence more durable and might do a got job on a 700CMX. I like it. link

11 July 2009

i want to go riding, hehe

PREVIEW: MASH Tour of California 2009 from MASH TRANSIT PRODUCTIONS on Vimeo.

fonseca, no cassettes trailer

NO CASSETTES RED BAND TRAILER from FonsecaFilms on Vimeo.


for some reason, i usually do not like the style of chris fonsecas videos... then again, i really enjoyed this one. weird, but good, too!

ciöcc interviewed

Anima D'Acciaio Trailer Ver5 from Cinecycle on Vimeo.


to be seen at the bff. just follow the link to view it. looking good!
via berlin fixed!

05 July 2009

oh my...


I love the shape of these, even though I expect them to be the new hipster-bar, soon. ;)
Does Bluelug handle international orders? My Japanese is not good enough, to find out.

EDIT: Btw, no Bluelug does not ship internationally!