Canadians are very proud of their outdoor lifestyle and their sense of adventure, it’s always good to hear from the riders and their rides. Paul Keodprom is a wrench at a Toronto bike shop, Blacksmith Cycle, who recently built up his dream steel road frame, handmade by Colorado’s Alchemy Bikes. Read More
2013, so far, has been a year of great contrasts, and it’s no different here on Cycle EXIF. One day you’re seeing an obscure Spanish brand of road racer favored by Miguel Indurain and the next you’ll see the latest carbon fiber 29er MTB from Bianchi. Sure, the frame was built in the Far East but when it comes to a custom build, there’s none more exacting than a champion marathon mountainbiker. Read More
When Miguel ‘Big Mig’ Indurain won the first of his five consecutive Tour de France victories, in 1991, he was riding a bike considered by many to be one of the finest Spain had to offer. It was a Razesa, a small but prolific workshop in the Basque country that built frames for the Zeus concern. Read More
Many artists achieve greatness after they die, but Barry Sheene was revered for his legend status well before he was taken, sadly, by cancer, in 2003. His antics on, and off, the track are still fondly thought of by those of us who remember them and if he were still alive, he’d definitely have a chuckle at a certain bike in the New Builder’s Room at the 2013 Bespoked Bristol show. Read More
This week will see the release of Rapha’s 2013 Spring / Summer range, including a capsule collection that makes a grand départ from their usual understated style. The Rapha & Ræburn series features limited edition jeans, a similarly exclusive Henley merino shirt and a highly individual and visible jacket created in collaboration with UK designer, Christopher Ræburn. Read More
Human beings, and especially cyclists, are an adaptive bunch. It’s interesting to see Shimano’s electronic shifting systems, such as the Di2 group, being reworked by enthusiasts to suit bikes that won’t conform to the standard market genres. Here’s a good example, the sculptural time trial frame by English Cycles that won the 2013 NAHBS Best in Show award, no less. Read More
The 96th edition of the Giro d’Italia begins today in Naples, one of the racing calendar’s most scenic and grueling events. A suitable day to remember Eddy Merckx, who won this Grand Tour an astonishing five times. Merckx’ unparallelled racing career has elevated the man, and the bikes branded with his name, to a level of cult status—especially his premium racing model: the MX Leader. Read More
