Frostbike: Salsa 2014 Preview!

So, I have been lucky enough to be invited to Frostbike in Minnesota for several years now. QBP puts on this event every year to showcase their brands and new products and interact with their dealers in a more intimate setting than you typically find in Las Vegas at the Interbike trade show. There are seminars and product previews and lots of beer drinking. It is very cold and snowy here right now, but what is going on is HOT! 

Salsa just unveiled their 2014 plans for a small group of dealers, after signing non-discloseur agreements, and I have to say that I am impressed. Every year refining what they have and pushing it even further.

They did allow us to leak these photos of their new FULL CARBON Beargrease! When I say full carbon, I mean frame and fork, with through axles front and rear. The complete build with SRAM XX1 is rumored to be 24 lbs, which for a fat bike is totally amazing. 

We got to see this bike in person and it was unbelievable. Surely a sign of bigger and better things to keep coming from Salsa Cycles.

Enjoy these pics, don't drool on your computers too much.

Inside The Box!

So, you may recall a mysterious post a little while ago. Phil Wood finally released their Japan Relief Hubs. A set of super sexy track hubs, doing a small part to help those affected by the earthquake, resulting tsunami and meltdown on March 11 2011. The hubs etched with cherry blossoms, a traditional symbol of the beauty and fragility of our own mortality. Keeping our Japanese friends in our hearts and minds while they deal with massive tragedy.

What's inside?

Yamaguchi Aero Track Fork

Our good friend Matt recently brought in his Yamaguchi Aero track fork to have some threads added and install it with a Chris King headset.

I don't see much of Yamaguchi's work coming through the shop, and have never seen any of his work raw. The shaped tubing and quality of the brazing are exceptional.

I snapped a few pics to share, please enjoy.

If you like what you see, check out the Yamaguchi slideshow HERE.

And to find out more about Yamaguchi go HERE.

Philly Bike Expo Trick Jam: Gary's Pics

Saturday was a ton of fun, so many pics popping up already. Gary Wilpizeski shot some great ones, see the set on his FLICKR HERE.

Tony on the hip.

Jambox hittin' the grindbox!

Carl "white boy wheelie"!

John bustin' up Drew's bike.

Sweathogs keepin' it classy!

Thanks to Gary for the awesome pics.

Stay tunes for more about the expo as I sift through the MANY MANY photos...

Prolly has already posted about two dozen times about the Philly Bike Expo, but I am sure there is still more to show y'all.

When the name Schwinn meant something.

Sometimes I even get a little jealous over stuff that people bring me to build for them. This baby is my precious, 1973 Schwinn Paramount track frame.

And to make it even worse it is a totally sweet color.

In case you haven't guessed I was born in 1973, so I have wanted a Paramount as old as me for a while now. I guess it just feels like the quintessential bike of it's day.

When the customer brought it through the door I just knew what it was, and it made me a little sad. Being so close to it, but so far from having it.

I should be happy for him, I know I have plenty of bikes that make people drool.

Just knowing that one day I can find my very own is a small consolation.

I will post some finished pics, but for now just wanted to share my envy with all of you.