Velo City: Bicycle Culture and City Life

Trimble Red Hook Crit Bike

Trimble Red Hook Crit Bike

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.

Trimble Red Hook Crit Bike

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.

Trimble Red Hook Crit Bike

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.

Trimble Red Hook Crit Bike

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.

Trimble Red Hook Crit Bike

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.”

Trimble Red Hook Crit Bike

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.”

Trimble Red Hook Crit Bike

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.

Trimble Red Hook Crit Bike
Trimble Red Hook Crit Bike