Velo City: Bicycle Culture and City Life

Arrow Porteur

Arrow Porteur

When I first encountered Andrew Blake’s Arrow frame, it was set up as a fixed gear conversion, which failed to arouse the excitement such a unique frame should have. In its current guise, as a distinguished bike-around-town, the frame and components are so concise and well-suited it actually caused my jaw to drop.

Andrew’s Arrow carries that distinct flavour of its hometown, Melbourne, which is perpetuated by enthusiasts like Sasha Strickland from Pony Bikes and Andy White from Fyxomatosis. Classic, unique road frames, converted to a single speed, usually with a smattering of hand-polished parts, ideal for traversing the tranquil, fashionable and style conscious suburbs.

Brazed by Keith Brown or Kerry Hopkins for Steve Hogg of the Sydney-based Pedal Pushers, the frame consists of Reynolds 753 and Everest lugs which happen to be similar to those used by Yoshi Konno on his 3Rensho frames. This time around, Andrew’s spec sheet is impeccable: a Wald #137 basket & Rivendell Sackville bag, Velo Orange Porteur bars and seatpost, a Brooks B-17 and Sugino Super Mighty cranks, all rolling on Velocity Razor rims and White Industries ENO hubs.

Big thanks to Andrew Blake for the photography, head to his flickr stream for some great shots of the Melbourne cycling scene.

Arrow Porteur
Arrow Porteur
Arrow Porteur
Arrow Porteur
Arrow Porteur
Arrow Porteur
Arrow Porteur
Arrow Porteur