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In our little fantasy world, we're bringing back Team 7-Eleven - here's a sneak look at the bikes they'll be riding in the Monte Paschi Eroica:

Zombies are on the rampage, gasoline is unavailable, all bicycles must be fast, rugged, and able to carry needed supplies - and it never hurts to be stylish. Here's how good customer Yash deals with this latest crisis:

Henry loves his bike, here's what he says:

Hi Steve,

I purchased a bike (Tour de Suisse model with custom paint job... a beautiful burgundy) back in early 2005 and had you ship it out to me as I moved during the process to Colorado. I thought I'd give you a little feedback on the bike:

ITS STILL FREAKIN' AWESOME!!!!

I'm not a hammerer, I'm not a hill climber, I just ride the thing in century rides. I belong on a team of mostly racers and have gotten compliments on the bike at every event (even now after almost five years!). I did my first race this year (road race/hill climb) and while I didn't win (22nd of 64), I had a blast and am planning on competing next year (not sure I want to scatch it in the crits though!). Meanwhile, doing the Triple Bypasses and the Ramrods and loving it.

I was just buying a track bike today as I'm liking the velodrome here in Boulder, but even as I was excited about getting the new bike, I seriously doubt it'll give me as much fun as I've had on my Hampsten (well into 20,000 miles on it) and thought I'd just let you know.

Henry

That didn't suck, did it?

Finally, atmo and The Lovely Deb, flying the colors:

New site coming any moment, promise...

Christmas is coming...

... and if you're real good there may be a tee-shirt or print or sumpin'. Art by House.

Big in Japan: HampCo, the Red Kite Prayer Interview

Enough about me, let's talk about you.

What do YOU think of me?

Part One

Part Two

Travelissimo

New web text, page should be up soonish on the site.

Travelissimo

Wherever you go, the Travelissimo can go with you in style. This bicycle fits in a specially-designed rolling Samsonite suitcase with minimal weight increase and incredible convenience when traveling. By utilizing S and S Machineworks™ super-strong torque couplers we’re able to construct a two-piece steel, 953, or titanium frame that doesn't incur airline size surcharges but gives up none of the feel of your favorite bicycle.

Our standard Travelissimo is a short-wheelbase/short-reach caliper sport bike designed to take up to a 29mm tire, typically designed to have a touch more stability than its race-bred Gran Paradiso brethren. Classic or Strada Bianca models may also be built with the coupler option for true go-anywhere/anytime capabilities.

S and S Machineworks site.

Cyclingnews.com reviews Andy’s own Strada Bianca.

Travelissimo - $2700
Welded and painted steel frame by Independent Fabrication using our own Reynolds/True Temper tubing blend, price includes Edge fork.

Travelissimo Ti - $4400
Perfectly fabricated by Kent Eriksen Cycles using 3/2.5 straight-gauge titanium, price includes Edge fork.

Etcetera - $500 Package includes S & S travel case by Sampsonite, cable splitters, compression members, custom tube wraps, wrench, and security bag.

slightly OT: Joy Division

I came across this piece from Metafilter today on the genesis of the cover art from Joy Division's first album, Unknown Pleasures. To the first Fermaguiana reader who can draw a line from this album to Hampsten Cycles, I will send a free poster. In the event of a tie, or for extra points, the first reader who can send me the second connection from HampCo to Metafilter - from the last two weeks - might get some socks.

Use the comments section below for answers, please. Those involved are excluded, etc.

Watch/listen

Tournesol Sportif

More at Velocipede Salon

Tournesol Commuteur

By Martin for Martin; disc-brake loveliness.

IF love

Here's a great photo-essay on our friends at Independent Fabrication by way of the framebuilder's list - thanks, Truls.

“So he’s going to start welding on the other side first. That will pull it or shrink it toward the weld. So they’ll pull it a little way first. Then they’ll check it. They’ll check it a couple of times. Then they’re done.”

dang...

Now on Facebook!

We got us a little Facebook fan club, courtesy of Jenny. Stop on by, look around, share your anecdotes and pictures of bikes and memorable rides. Crack a beer.

We like boars...

Poster update

We have them in stock and have a limited supply of those with a signature - please specify. Posters are 22" X 16" on heavy archival paper suitable for framing. Price is $30 + $5 shipping, please allow 4-6 weeks for me to mail yours. Personal checks preferred:

Hampsten Cycles

4200 NE 105th St

Seattle, WA 98125

Two more...

blogroll additions, that is.

We have great photos from Jordan over at The Blue and Red:

and good writing from Whit at Pave - we like this entry in particular.

New bike thirty

Nice rack!

We've had a couple of requests for more info on the rack pictured, so here goes: It's similar to the racks we do for most of our Tournesol builds, being silver-brazed chrome-moly (4130) steel which is nickel-plated when finished. Each rack is built specific to a particular fork, usually for a particular bag. In this case we wanted the flexibility to use a variety of front carriers: the BaileyWorks bag (shown) for shorts trips, a Berthoud randonnee bag for longer treks, or even a wicker basket for true beer (and food) runs.

We needed this rack to work with the Tektro caliper brakes, thus the asymmetrical mounting tab on the left side of the fork crown. Since we wanted to use a variety of bags and a basket it seemed to make sense to do an adjustable rear loop which can easily be tightened or even removed altogether.

The new owner loves the bike, the rack works great, even the Brooks saddle gets two thumbs up.

Travelissimo

Salient features:

Fits a hardcase that doesn't incur airline up-charges

Ti construction protects against scratching and denting, resists TSA's best efforts

Negligible increase in overall weight with couplers - 1/2 pound, maybe

Use of Edge fork,tweaked brake bridge on rear, and appropriate geometry allows range of 23mm to 29mm tires using short-reach calipers

Is responsive on smooth roads, stable on gravel - a true all-rounder

Steel frame available

Zucchero

This is a new model but could be considered a hybrid of our all-steel Cinghiale Pro model with our ever-popular Strada Bianca. In brief, girlfriend Jenny wanted a stylish commuter-slash-grocery-getter and we thought it might be good to make it compatible with/convertible to dropped bars for longer/faster riding. Thus "Zucchero" - meaning: "sugar", not the Italian pop singer.

Frame and fork were impeccably welded and painted by IndyFab, custom front bag by BaileyWorks, fork by Martin, adjustable rack by Max, pix by Matisse, design and assembly by Steve for HampCo.

(Two more flatbar/shopping bikes in process, both 650B Tournesol - it seems the people have spoken.)

Leather Aliante, redux

Well, a big box of brown saddles arrived from Italy in record time. Unfortunately they're "microtex leather" - which I translate as "not leather" - and the color is... meh. So I have the Last Leather Aliante and I aint sharing, sorry. The brown saddles are returning to their homeland, we love Fizik, and I THINK their black saddles are still real leather. Aliante feels nice and comfy, I could ride o'er life's harsh roads on no other.