Affinity 212: My "Casual" Road Bike

I have been itching for a new roadbike ever since I saw the Affinity 212 at Interbike last year. My goal was to put something together that was clean and classic yet simple, a go anywhere roadie. I have had some goodies stockpiled away, so while it may seem a bit chaotic, it is all very intentional. Here it is...

Drop Bars, Classic Regal saddle (Ti Rails), MKS pedals/clips/straps (atacs for longer rides)

The drivetrain is where it gets weird (awesome). Suntour XC Expert rear derailleur, 8 speed 11-30 cassette with a Campagnolo Centaur UT compact crankset. A nice versatile widerange double.

And yes, downtube friction shifters! Dia Compe/Rivendell with nice wratcheting action. Got the Velo-Orange Grand Cru sealed bearing chrome headset, very smooth.

Cockpit is Nitto Noodle bar, Cinelli stem and SRAM levers.

The sparkle in the paint is amazing in the sunlight. Nice work on this one Jason.

Looking forward to 70f weather tomorrow and a nice spin, who knows where I will end up, really doesnt matter. See you there.

Special Limited Time Offer On A BRevs/Affinity Metropolitan!

We are working on a very special project, it is time to take the shop to the next level! But we are going to need some CA$H to make it happen. So, from now (Saturday October 16th) until November 1st Save 10% on a COMPLETE bike build with the BRevs/Affinity Metropolitan frameset and I will build it for FREE (no labor charge). This is a very special offer to help us meet our goal and you get a SWEET limited edition custom bike.

So just to ReCap:

Buy a BRevs/Affinity Metrolpolitan Frameset

Buy all of the parts from us

Get 10% off of the entire purchase

And I build it for you, for FREE! (Saving $120 just in labor)

*Must be paid in full upfront, I did mention we need the CA$H asap...
-Frame is $500 available in 4 sizes 47, 52, 55, 57

Now available with a threaded steerer tube!

After a little creative steerer tube threading, it is as it should be. Many thanks to Hozan for making a lovely cutting tool. Will do some more finished pics of it soon, but this was too exciting to wait.

More about my Metropolitan build

Just posted a bunch more pictures and stories about my Metropolitan build over on the AFFINITY CYCLES blog, go check it out. And more pics added to the FLICKR SET.

I Love It When A Plan Comes Together!

This project began with an introduction and a handshake in Vegas last September. Seems so long ago, but here it is in living steel!

Jason from Affinity Cycles told me about this very special collaboration project and I was sold.

The Metropolitan was a new model for Affinity, inspired by the traditional keirin geometry with original Affinity frame designs, and proven on the streets.

We have been given the opportunity to add our personality and flavor to this modern classic and are very proud to introduce it to you.

This unique collaboration between two kindred spirits is now available only at your favorite bicycle shop on 4th street in philadelphia. I invite you to come visit the shop and check out my build and talk about making one uniquely yours.

I am absolutely loving this bike and was able to get it out for a nice 40 mile ramble this weekend, taking full advantage of the holiday and the 90+ degree weather.

Each frame includes a custom badge in either silver or bronze, lovingly crafted by Jennifer Green at Revolution Cycle Jewelry.

There are four sizes 47, 52, 55 and 57 available in the BRevs green on green colorway for $500.

I will be building more of these as the days go by and you should check them out HERE!

Very Special Thanks To Adam Nordmeyer For His Photography Services!!!

Another teaser, photo shoot scheduled for Monday...

It is now in the states! Should be in the shop on Tuesday!

New Affinity Cycles Website and Blog are Live!

And guess who was asked to contribute, ME! Go check it out, looking good. I met Jason back in September at the Interbike trade show and we really hit it off. Not only are we putting out a BRevs-Affinity collaboration frameset, which I promise you will get more info soon, but he invited me to contribute to their blog.

So I made my first post, and I made a conscious effort to take some nice photos for it. I am going to be posting more about my life, cycling culture and the philly scene there. I hope you enjoy it.

My Affinity LoPro V-4.5...

So I might not have time to build my new All-City Dropout just yet. But I swapped some stuff around on my LoPro yesterday just to try something "different".

All of my bikes have become fixed gear cruisers of some sort, my "Old Man Bike" collection has become quite extensive. After riding my Cinelli a couple of weeks ago I was inspired to make my LoPro "Go Fast".

I pulled the wheels off of my Obey, they are much lighter than the 48h B-43's I had on here originally. The Velocity Aero rim is so light, very quick to accelerate, yet solid and predictable. I Installed a pair of Hutchinson Intensive 700x25 tires, durable yet light and fast.

Finished it off with some Syntace Bullhorn handlebars that I had yet to like on any of my bikes so far. Oh yeah, a new set of Eastern pedals with some Lockdown Straps because I am loving them so. I think this is my favorite version of this bike so far.

I might be old, but I will always be young at heart. I really enjoy ripping through the streets, especially when I am all alone. It reminds me of the old days, young and dumb and fast as hell.

Bicycle Revolutions Frame Badges!

We commissioned some bike jewelry for our upcoming collaboration with Affinity that I have been alluding to for a little while now. We had local jewelry maker Jen Green do some badges to make these special frames even more special. And our friend Jackson was kind enough to pick them up for us today.

So if you are one of the people who are anticipating these frames as much as I am, here is one more thing to make you drool.

Monster Track, Philly Crew Representing!

As usual the events never start on time. There was a lot of time to gather outside of Affinity and socialize while waiting for the start. There had to be almost 300 people out on Grand St. and Philly was well represented in the crowd.

Everyone was pretty laid back as they probably hadn't been to sleep since the night before. I don't know how people who live in NYC do it, 4am is really late to still be drinking and partying.

Mike, seen her sporting his BRevs cap, was seriously ready to race. I ended up hanging out at the Battery Place checkpoint after the start and can tell you that when Mike came through he was racing.

Noe was chilling and having a great time always a smile on that face.

James wins on style points alone, and that bike looked damn good too!

There had to be over a dozen heads from Philly in there. Sometimes I forget how close we are to New York. I use to hop on the Chinatown Bus on friday night to visit Heather when she was still living there. It has been a really long time since I rode around the big city, and it is really nice to do that with friends.

Monster Track XI, Here I come!

I made a couple of modifications and additions to my Lo Pro for Monster Track. I needed the risers on it because, well I'm too damn old for racing around NYC with drop bars. And put on some WTB Pathway 700x32 tires I have been wanting to try, they are pretty rugged.

And I moved my camera mount from my Surly so I could catch some of the chaos of Monster Track and NYC traffic. And I will be topping off the flask with Ol' Grandad just to make sure I stay warm...
If all goes well I will have some nice video and photos for posting next week, assuming I am still alive.

First Piece Of The Puzzle...

Making preparations for my next personal project. These hubs are the foundation on which it will be built. The frame is part of a unique collaboration we are doing with Affinity from Brooklyn, more on that later...
I have certainly developed a tendency to build some very over the top bikes, especially for myself. But this one is going to be very simple and traditional, I can't wait.