The shifting seasons are definitely making themselves felt at the moment, so while that’s a relief for riders in the northern hemisphere, who’ve been enduring a grueling winter, those of us in the southern hemisphere are now starting to dig out our cold weather kit. Eric Estlund of Winter Bicycles has had a successful season, winning the award for Best Finish at this years NAHBS and this is one of his first builds since: a crisp track bike which epitomizes his brand qualities.

Fresh, clean and enduring is how Eric describes the ethos behind Winter Bicycles. This is the Tenga Track—Tenga means ‘classic’ or ‘elegant’ in Japanese, an adjective often used to portray traditional dance. It’s a True Temper tube mix, met with cast lugs and drop outs with an internally lugged fork crown. Keith Anderson, responsible for Eric’s recent award, finished the frame; Eric built it up with Curtis Odom hubs laced to Velocity rims and a vintage Fujita saddle recovered by Recovered Saddle.

Big thanks to Anthony Bareno for the photos. See more on the Winter Bicycles website.

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Last Saturday, the 30th of March 2013, was the date for the sixth edition of the Red Hook Criterium, an unsanctioned night race series that has seen a meteoric growth in popularity since it was first held in 2008. It began as a birthday party and has now expanded into a track bike race and running event with corporate sponsorship, associate art shows and stages held in Italy and Spain.

In 2008, David Trimble decided to celebrate his 26th birthday by hosting a track bike race around the streets of Brooklyn’s Red Hook neighborhood. A few dozen cyclists entered and the rules were simple: track bikes with drop bars only, no brakes. The next year, attendance tripled and there was a strong interest from media, photographers and filmmakers.

Skipping ahead to 2013 and the Red Hook Criterium is now presented by Rockstar Games and sponsored primarily by brands like Giro, Cinelli, Castelli, Timbuk2 and Selle San Marco. The event expanded into Europe with a race in Milan in 2010. This year in August, there will be a round in Barcelona before a Milanese ‘World Champion’ stage in early October.

The Trimble name is synonymous with innovative bicycle design. David’s father and uncle created some of the earliest carbon road and MTB frames like the Kestrel 4000, MX-Z and the GT superbikes raced by the US Olympic team in 1996 and 2000. Go-karts were David’s first love, driving them and working as a mechanic on the race car circuit before landing a job at his uncle’s architecture firm.

After a lull, the Trimble name has reappeared on a muscular and organic carbon track frame which was, ironically, raced by Alexander Barouh on Saturday. Alex has enjoyed the view from the podium a few times, not only in the Red Hook Criterium but at various pro races around the US East Coast. Alex elaborates on the Trimble frame:

“The bike has essentially everything I’m looking for in a RHC bike. Incredibly responsive front end, a high bottom bracket, reducing the chance of pedal strike and a rear triangle that is super stiff yet still feels smooth and planted. For me, the biggest advantage is that it gives me a ton of confidence going into tight/highspeed turns. Add its aerodynamic properties and you’ve got a complete package.”

The crit consists of 24 laps, a total distance of 30km. It’s hot, fast and intense, requiring a specific bike. David Trimble described the bike thus: “Aerodynamics: the bike is extremely narrow. Stiffness: the bike has an asymmetrical chain-stay design. This is rumored to be the only bike Marty Nothstein could never break. Bottom bracket clearance: less chance of pedal strike. More stability in the corners.”

Brian Vernor, one of the hottest bike photographers in the US, managed to snare Al’s Trimble bike on the eve of the RHC, as the stage was being set up. The detail photos show off it’s muscles, particularly around the head tube and the drive-side chainstay. For more angles, head to Brian’s flickr stream. Very special thanks to Brian for the photos and Alex and David for their words, and time.

Cycle EXIF supplies a daily dose of commuter bicycles, custom bicycles and classic bicycles.

The French brand of LOOK has to be one of the most iconic in the world of cycling. Their sculptural use of carbon fiber at an early stage, their product development and affiliation with the La Vie Claire established them at the leading edge of both the peloton and the marketplace. This LOOK KG 396 dates from the 2000 Sydney Olympics and hails from Erik in Sweden.

“The early LOOK carbon monocoque frames have always fascinated me. When I got the opportunity to pick up this KG 396 Sydney, the decision to purchase it was easy. It was formerly used by a French national rider and has grabbed a couple of precious medals. The 396 is the same frame that Tournant still holds the altitude Kilo world record on and the frame that today’s track frames are based on.

“This frame has seen some fierce use over time but it’s still strong and sound, doing great in the velodrome. To the mandatory question,”Do you ride this on the street?!” the answer is no. I ride it on the track and occasionally for TT training on an old airstrip nearby.

“It’s not equipped with the fanciest of stuff, but definitely fast enough for me. Zipp 900 in the rear and a no-name five spoke carbon in the front with Continental Tempo tires. Dura-Ace drive train and pedals, Zen chainring. LOOK carbon drops with a custom stem: CNC’d from a block of aluminum. This is the way most of these frames were equipped when used by heavy sprinters—the Ergostem was replaced by stiffer aluminum blocks.

“There are not too many good images of these bikes on the web but they are so wicked I thought it would deserve some attention. Cold Swedish regards, Erik.” Cold regards indeed, but what a hot bike. Thanks for the story and photos, Erik.

Cycle EXIF supplies a daily dose of commuter bicycles, custom bicycles and classic bicycles.

Andy Hampsten’s Team 7-Eleven livery is one of the most iconic in American cycling. Indeed, the team’s victories and Andy’s numerous triumphs were responsible for an overall increase in interest in bike racing in the US. Hampsten Cycles continue to inspire; this 7-Eleven Tribute track bike was featured at the recent 2013 NAHBS.

The 7-Eleven Tribute was created with a specific velodrome in mind, being the 250 meter loop in Erie, Colorado. The frame is constructed from Columbus’ SPIRIT for lugs, joined to Richard Sachs’ ‘Richie-issimo Series‘ lugs. The fabrication is by Martin Tweedy for Hampsten Cycles. Martin is a graduate of the UBI Framebuilding Course and has been building frames with Steve since 1999.

The complete bike is currently being shown at University Bicycles in Boulder, with a price tag of about $4000. If you’re a fan of American racing, or classic racing in general, pick up a poster of Andy’s superhuman climb over the Gavia. Special thanks to Matthew J. Clark for the photography.

Cycle EXIF supplies a daily dose of commuter bicycles, custom bicycles and classic bicycles.

Hopefully by now you’ll have encountered Cinelli’s book, The Art and Design of the Bicycle, a concise history of the colorful and innovative Italian marque. You should definitely recognize the bike on the cover, rolling on two disc wheels painted by Keith Haring: a Cinelli Laser TT, one of the most iconic bicycles of the 20th Century. Here’s an exceptional example, as original as you can get.

The Laser came in a variety of configurations and was recently re-interpretated in carbon by the original designers: Pesenti, Colombo and Erzegovesi. Michael Furman, a seriously accomplished automotive photographer from Philadelphia, bought this one from Cinelli’s booth at the NY Bike Show in the early 80s. He was told it was a back-up bike for the obscure hour record setter, Ole Ritter.

Michael’s Laser is somewhat of an enigma. It features curved seat and top tubes and the rare fin under the bottom bracket. The handlebars and saddle are upholstered in buffalo hide by Cinelli, with their proprietary clip-in pedals. Maybe Cinelli aficionados would like to comment on the bike’s history; apparently Antonio Colombo is even interested on learning more about it.

If you love fine four-wheeled photography as well as two-wheeled, do yourself a favor and head to Michael’s websites: Coachbuilt Press and Michale Furman Photography.

Cycle EXIF supplies a daily dose of commuter bicycles, custom bicycles and classic bicycles.

Britons maintain a great pride in their domestic industry, despite a significant chunk of it migrating off shore — a plight experienced by many first world nations. Thankfully, Enigma Cycles, based in rural Sussex, are dedicated to continuing the esteemed British bicycle building tradition.

Tokyo Fixed, London’s premier bike boutique, contributed a set of Richard Sachs Newvex lugs to this build by Enigma, an ‘Edge’ track frame sets. It premiered at Bespoked Bristol last year — the UK Handmade Bicycle Show. True to their heritage, Enigma fittingly completed the frame in Reynolds 853.

It’s a show-stopper, not just because of the ornate lug work. The paint is striking also, executed by London’s Spray Shack. The colors were inspired, according to Tokyo Fixed, by Japanese brands such as Everest and Tohei. Head to Tokyo Fixed for information on how to purchase an Edge frame set.

Cycle EXIF supplies a daily dose of commuter bicycles, custom bicycles and classic bicycles.

Receiving an email from John Buellens, one of the founding members of Kinfolk Bicycles, always brightens up my inbox. It’s always guaranteed to contain superb photos of their gorgeous frames, hand crafted by Master Bulder Shiuchi Kusaka in Kansai, Japan. This track bike is no different, a pure track bike assembled with old-school components.

Kinfolk is more than a bike company, it’s the collective consciousness of numerous creative minds spanning the cities of Brooklyn and Tokyo. The Kinfolk Studios in Brooklyn features a rotating selection of DJ’s, art exhibitions and music, while the Kinfolk Lounge in Tokyo is “is a mecca for international travelers, design aficionados, neighborhood regulars, and drinkers with biking problems.”

The nucleus, however, are the frames, emblazoned with the ethos, ‘Run With The Hunted’. This fine example was built up by Bartek Kolacz, who wanted a bike built around 80s Japanese track parts. The ensemble marrys a Suntour Superbe drive train and rare, NOS Kyokuto pedals to Superbe hubs and Araya rims. The cockpit and seat mast is all Nitto and it’s all topped with a Kashimax Aero saddle.

Special thanks to John Buellens for the scoop and to Bartek Kolacz for the gorgeous photos.

Cycle EXIF supplies a daily dose of commuter bicycles, custom bicycles and classic bicycles.

Boston’s Superb Bicycle store maintains a healthy stock of beautiful bikes and parts — we’ve previously featured Heidi Davis’ custom Fat Chance Team Comp that found its way onto their floor. Another interesting frame that came their way was this World Championship-winning Mali Pista.

It may look trim, sporting clearances that would be a liability to ride on the street, but it’s been specially beefed up. Check out the reinforced bottom bracket that lent Russia’s Galina Yenyuchina enough of an advantage to win the photo finish in the UCI World Sprint Championship in 1994.

When Galina battled France’s Felicia Ballanger for the rainbow stripes, her Mali was painted with a day-glo orange and yellow fade in the style typical of the era. It since received a much more subtle coat of paint that only emphasizes the sprint-specific reinforcements.

Cycle EXIF supplies a daily dose of commuter bicycles, custom bicycles and classic bicycles.

By all sources, Rotrax Cycles of Southampton was founded in 1945, pipping Mercian Cycles at the post for the title of the oldest framebuilder in the UK still in business. That’s not a bad innings, but Tim Maund, who’s been building Rotrax frames since the mid-80s, isn’t done yet. He still has the workshop’s ledger and was able to date this frame to July 1956.

It’s a beautifully ornate frame, as was the style of the period. Somehow it made its way to the Western Australian capital city of Perth, into the hands of photographer Robert Frith — whose mother, coincidentally, was born in Southampton. It’s a Vel D’Hiv Path model, named after the Parisian Vélodrome d’Hiver, purchased by Robert through the Australian Cycling Forum.

Robert was looking for a pretty but practical bike and freely admits that it’s “not a classic lightweight for the purists”, but the frame arrived with no brake drillings and he didn’t want to compromise it by adding them. “I built the wheels myself,” Robert tells us, “the rear is a modern coaster brake hub with a 110mm OLN dimension, meaning it would fit the frame without re-spacing the forks.”

The frame may be nearly 57 years old, but Robert sympathetically assembled it with parts that guarantee another 50 or so. He built the wheels himself, a pair of HPlusSon TB14s laced to a vintage Harden Bacon Slicer and there’s a Phil Wood bottom bracket hiding between the Stronglight cranks. Tim Maund, for fellow Rotrax fans, can supply decals and headbadges like he did for Robert’s.

Cycle EXIF supplies a daily dose of commuter bicycles, custom bicycles and classic bicycles.

If you’ve had any experience with the printing process you’ll recognize the significance of the letters C, M, Y and K. They stand for Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Key (Black) — the four colors from which every other can be derived. Tom Donhou has just finished a frame for Rebecca Kaye, an illustrator and designer who dedicated the paint scheme of her new bike to the four most important colors in print.

Based in Edinburgh, Becky was presented with her new frame at the Vulpine Cycling Fete in December last year, where she was a featured artist. Becky’s work is very clean and diagrammatic, making witty, cycle-centric statements through the use of color and typography. Needless to say, she was a strong influence on the final layout of her machine.

The matte grey front triangle and forks lead out an abstract formation of pink and blue, perfectly split in half at the rear brake bridge. A shiny splash of polished Reynolds 631 on the chainstay provides a contrast, and the final color in the code will present itself when she installs yellow brake pads in the calipers. Check out more details on the Donhou Bicycles website and more of Becky’s work on hers.

Cycle EXIF supplies a daily dose of commuter bicycles, custom bicycles and classic bicycles.

This is the second installment in the series coordinated by WIT Industries between Dutch marque Koga and street artists from The Netherlands. Each artist is given a Koga Senko frame and wheels to decorate, the final result is a rolling art gallery.

The first project introduced Zenk One, a local graffiti artist and illustrator, the second is a collaboration with Schatzi, also known as Doug Perkul. An American painter / illustrator who now lives in Amsterdam, Doug has shown his art work internationally, having had shows in Vienna, Austria, San Francisco, USA and is currently gearing up for his first show in Amsterdam.

Olaf Wit is the founder of WIT Industrial Design and creator of the Fendor Bendor, whose earlier concepts include the Spyker Aeroblade and the Koga Kimera track bike, which won gold for Marianne Vos at the Beijing Olympics. See more of Schatzi’s work on his portfolio site. Special thanks to Maarten van Houten for the photography.

PS: Ordered your 2013 Cycle EXIF Custom Bicycle Calendar yet?

Cycle EXIF supplies a daily dose of commuter bicycles, custom bicycles and classic bicycles.

The last we heard of Alan Sikirič, he’d completed Koichi Yamaguchi’s Framebuilding School, his class project bearing the master’s unmistakeable influence. Alan’s back with a new project that has taken Yamaguchi’s fluid style and reinterpreted it as a Cycling Weapon of Mass Destruction.

The groundbreaking silhouette of Alan’s Glossy Black Track is actually due to the use of a curly Columbus seat tube for a top tube. This might wind up the purists, but no-one got anywhere by following the herd. The result is a stiffer frame by meeting the seat tube at a higher point.

The seat stays are a combination of four S-bend pipes that Alan had lying around, fed through a bender and sleeved internally. Necessity, as they say, is the mother of invention. This is still a ‘practice’ frame, the first by Alan since his graduation from the course, so excuse the raw finishing at the joins.

Given Alan’s previous portfolio of tandem tall bikes and other Franken-frames, the Glossy Black Track is a next-level development. I’m looking forward to seeing what he comes up with next — like Yamaguchi, the more unconventional, the better. See more on Alan’s blog.

Cycle EXIF supplies a daily dose of commuter bicycles, custom bicycles and classic bicycles.

This may be a brand new track frame by Ken Evans, don of Australian frame building, yet I can’t help visualizing it after 15 or 20 seasons of racing at the local velodrome: nicely weathered, bearing a few nicks and scrapes from weekly exchanges with the boards, but still standing proud and ready to ride.

Ken was a pro racer on the Victorian circuit during the 60s and 70s, turning his hand to building frames in 1976 after learning the craft from another local legend, George McDonald. The Kenevans marque bore numerous racers to victory, eventually earning the right to bear the World Champ’s stripes.

On the first weekend in December this year, in Melbourne, the doors will open on the first Australian Custom Bicycle Show, with Kenevans as one of the exhibitors. Ken is building frames again, such as the classic track frame featured here, photographed by Andy ‘FYXO‘ White.

It’ll be a proud moment for Ken, being part of a celebration of the industry he has played a major role in for over 35 years. For more information, head to the ACBS website. See more detail photos on Andy’s flickr stream.

Cycle EXIF supplies a daily dose of commuter bicycles, custom bicycles and classic bicycles.

Australia will hold its first Custom Bicycle Show in December 2012, which will present a swathe of current builders and their work. They will be the newest in a proud tradition of Australian frame makers, which includes the little-known but highly prolific Rob Kypriotis.

The Kypo marque may not be as recognizable as Kenevans, Bundy, Paconi or their contemporaries, but his output was high, building hundreds of frames during the 80s and 90s. Located at Traralgon, in the Gippsland area, he supplied many local riders with training bikes and their race frames.

This Kypo track frame was recently acquired by a Melbourne cyclist named Marc, an enthusiastic collector of Australian classics. Thankfully, the talented photographer Andy Rogers was on hand to capture it — you can see more details on Andy’s Fame & Spear website and flickr.

Cycle EXIF supplies a daily dose of commuter bicycles, custom bicycles and classic bicycles.

During the Industrial Revolution, Sheffield was synonymous with steel production and the sun rarely shone through the clouds of smog. Today, it’s one of Europe’s greenest cities, with the highest ratio of trees to people of any city in the continent. Field Cycles are intent on brightening up the local handmade bicycle scene also.

Field Cycles may not be the first custom bike builders in Sheffield, but they are the most modern. The team consists of Harry, a machinist who has steel running through his veins, and Tom, the designer and photographer, who successfully makes sure their work is noticed and admired. The eye-catching graphics are painted — without the aid of decals — by Cromaworks, another Sheffield local.

This is their latest build, a fixed gear road trainer. It incorporates one of their custom made 44mm I.D. integral head tubes, CNC-machined from a chunk of Reynolds 531. The stem / bar combo includes an integrated top bearing cover machined out of stainless steel, creating an ultra-clean profile. It’s got a curvy rear end, graced with heavily S-bended seat stays topped with an over-sized seat post.

Winter is encroaching upon the northern hemisphere, but no-one in Sheffield will be suffering from SAD with that dazzling hi-viz paint riding around. See more brilliant work from Field Cycles and updates from the workshop on their website.

Cycle EXIF supplies a daily dose of commuter bicycles, custom bicycles and classic bicycles.