Oh my...No words for this Cat....




This guy is a NUT JOB! I love it...





This DROP IS INSANE!

The Moulton Bicycle is the original full suspension, separable, small wheeled, high performance bicycle. World renowned for speed, efficiency, durability and comfort.
Expertly engineered for over 50 years and handcrafted in England, these bicycles are the world's most efficient form of transport - designed for universal use, real performance and comfort.



That copy is straight off of their website, now let's get down to some REAL DESIGN DISCUSSION! Umm..hmmm...I really do not have a whole lot to say about these bikes. As the famous (to some infamous) Rush Limbaugh would say, "I mean, this is what it is!" Or an old street hustler from the 1970s would put it like this "Hey young blood, it TIZ what it T...I...Z...!" I am 6'5, 230lbs. so I would look like a Circus Clown on one of their miniature bicycles during the circus acts in the middle ring!



You will not see me riding one of these, but I have to give BIG PROPS to the Moulton Bicycle Company on their vision and direction to stick to making the bikes that make them stand out from any other company on this planet. This company has been around for more than 50 years and they must be disciplined to stay within this niche market for so long.



In conclusion, I like their vision and I love that they just focus on being the best in the world at building these types of bikes. Yes...Moulton stuck to their dream and refused to sell out like most others in the name of a QUICK BUCK! That is called INTEGRITY,

YouTube has spawned many sudden sensations. Take scraper bikes, for example. A music video about the tricked-out bicycles posted to the site by some teenagers in Oakland, Calif., has attracted a cult following, with nearly 3 million views.

The video spawned what is becoming a worldwide movement, even as it changed the lives of the young men who customized the bikes and made the video.

"Actually, scraper bikes saved my life," says Tyrone Stevenson Jr., who prefers the title "Scraper Bike King."

"Because I was at a young age, getting into a lot of serious trouble, selling drugs and on the verge of going to jail. So my mom told me this is a way to channel anger and frustration, just focusing on something that's creative, something that's me, and the bikes is me."

Oakland is a town where hip-hop is king and cars known as "scrapers" are huge. They're large, bright and have rims so big that they scrape the inside of the wheel well. Stevenson and his friends took those aesthetics and applied them to bicycles, fitting large wheels on small frames.

Stevenson, 19, started making scraper bikes a few years ago. He couldn't afford a car, so he made do with a bike. But not just any bike.

"The idea from the scraper bikes, it basically came from the cars that ride in Oakland — we call them scrapers — basically it's an old model car, such as a Buick, that's painted a custom color to match the rims. I wanted to take that and put a bike onto it."

To do that, he put the few resources he had to work. He added colorful foil food wrappers — from Oreos or Skittles — to the spokes, so when they roll they flash with color. Then he spray-painted the frames to match.

But scraper bikes didn't really catch on until he and some friends recorded a music video about them and posted it on YouTube. And now…

"Oakland has been taken over by scraper bikes," says Stevenson. "On the Internet, it is worldwide. There's people from literally across the world making these bikes, from Portland, Oregon, to Japan to Australia to Jamaica."

Stevenson says he's already making a living scraperizing bikes, but he's got big plans for the future: trademarks, patents and, someday soon, a scraper bike shop.

"The true meaning of a scraper bike is basically, I want to give back something positive to the community," Stevenson said.

"Because there's so much going on. Drugs and killing and stuff, this is a way of giving the kids a way to a positive future, but being creative at the same time."

Jacob Fenston reports from member station KQED.

"This was so true-WE LOVED US SOME Donkey Kong & Pac-Man"
Since I bought a home in a suburb of Denver, Colorado, I often look out
but the window and have been very disturbed at the lack children playing outside on warm days. There was a time when that is what we did, we played outside, made up games to play, and usually, especially in summer, outside from sun up to sun down. Those days are long gone I guess. When dealing with our youth today, I found one of the reasons why. VIDEO GAMES! If you are 30 or over, you may remember your 1st experience with video games. They were typically in stores, laundry mats, or small arcades. 3 of my favorites were Bezerker, Frogger, and Donkey Kong. I still remember the music that played on Donkey Kong, it was funky! In the late 1980's. Superstar Will Smith came out with a Rap called 'Donkey Kong' and the music was that of the video game.



In one part of the rap Will said "I brake into the arcade, screamin and hollarin anticipating putting $25 dollars in." He went on to say "I was out of control, I didn't bring quarters, I bring $10 dollar bank rolls." Real or not, this same addictive behavior has gotten a grip on many of our children today. They don't have to go to the store or arcade to play anymore, the addictive product is in their homes. I am not hear today to 'Wax Philosophical', but there has to be a connection between the kids today not going outside to play, ride bikes, childhood obesity at an all-time high, and video games. As off base as it may seem, I believe the biggest competition facing the kid and junior bicycle markets is the advent and growth of home video games and gaming systems!



O.k., video games are here to stay, we know that. Nevertheless, I believe that there is an opportunity for the big boys, IE Pacific Cycles (They own the Schwinn and Mongoose brands among others) Huffy and the like to take back some of that market. The video game industry in the U.S. generates anywhere from $3.4 Billion to $11 Billion per year depending on what expert you choose to listen to. The way our culture is today, if parents give most kids a choice between a video gaming system that costs $300 (not including a variety of games) and a $100-200 bicycle, kids are going to choose the video game. MOST HAVE BOTH!



There is a way to take back a fair portion of that market though people! I wrote in an earlier posting that the bicycles today do not line up in style with an Urban audience in fashion, music, hairstyles etc. What if someone could come up with bicycles that line up with this audience's taste in culture. When I say line up, I mean in "Name, imagery, mags and wheels, floss, HISTORY" and the like? Bicycles will never fit in with this audience if when they go to purchase it, the attitude is "Oh, that is a nice bike" as opposed to "Dang, I gotta have that!" What type of product that isn't being currently produced can get that type of reaction? I will let you know in my next posting.

Views: 2,483,069

Yall know I love me some Scraper Bikes! I just checked their site and it seems they had...A CONVENTION OF SORTS! I tell you what, these cats, the Trunk BOIZ love what they re doing and they found a way, despite their circumstances to do something BIG! I admire their grit and their hustle. What is more I am hoping the CEO Da Champ is entering into some big time promotion relationships with other companies! Champ, you and your team GET IT! Their are companies out their spending MILLIONS per year advertising and can't (although they desire to)reach that niche you have in your back pocket MAN!




To my readers, I am going to share something with you that that Da Champ, Trunk BOIZ, and I understand that you may not;

1) Pushing your product in Urban Areas requires you to SPEND LESS big time advertising dollars and 'Get Hood' with it like Scraper does it! Aka- a more 'Viral' approach!

2) To my readers in the industry, IF you really wanna penetrate the Urban Bicycle Market, STOP BUILDING BIKES THAT ARE UGLY! Why do you think Scraper is such a popular movement? It is because they took THE JUNK you built, and turned it in to something kids all over the country are doing. They are in Cali and I am in Denver and their is a youngster up the street 'Cruisin on his Scraper Bike!'

3) Partner with Street Promoters, like Da Champ, Trunk Boiz, and Scraper for your 'Viral Marketing'. Not just to go promote, but to consult on your designs. They know what Urban Youth will like and what they won't.

4) This will sound contrary to everything you think you know, however, celebrities aren't the most effective way to promote your products. The most effective way is to design hot products, consistently, that will sell regardless of endorsements. Take some of that endorsement $$$ and stick it into infastructure.

These are just a few ideas, but ideas are the things that GREAT COMPANIES nd GREAT PRODUCTS are made of, no?

After some angry emails concerning my feelings on Low Rider Bikes, I have to respond. But first, click on the above video and enjoy. In my post I did recognize that Low Rider Bikes was a niche market and some readers to objection to my opinions on these bikes. To them I say "Hey...get mad if you want to but I still think they are OVERDONE!" That is my opinion and I am sticking to it! I love elegance mixed with simplicity in bicycle design.

Another reader thinks I have a problem with Mexicans. NO I DON'T! I am a black man, born and raised in the cornfields of Iowa, stopped by police because of that, etc. I just don't like Low Rider Bikes, I just think, as I have said in many posts, they are like a steak that stays on the grill too long, OVERDONE.

You guys and gals can keep giving angry responses by I would encourage you to go to the bottom of this blog and sift through pasts posts. I have said the same things about 'Futuristic' designs, I have said the same things abut expensive performance bikes with too many gadgets on them, and a few more. That is the beauty of a blog folks, one thing they are for is posting your opinion, I gave mine....AND THAT IS THAT!

Oh yeh...that sound system thing...I put one (powered by a motorcycle battery) with a tape deck on my design back in 1985!

It seems as if people are popping up all over the place producing Major Taylor Racing jerseys. What is interesting is that Nike (see pictures in post dated 12/01/2008) is doing sneakers packs and several different organizations are selling and distributing jerseys baring his likeness on them. As Paul Harvey says on the Radio "Now......the rest of the story." I read a book called 'Major' awhile back and the author of that book stated that he received input from Major Taylor's descendants and many big name celebrities have approached them about using Major's name.

"How You Like Them Apples?' YOU WANNA KNOW HOW I LIKE THEM APPLES READERS? 'Wayne and Garth' from Wayne's world get on their knees in front of some rocker....What they say at the end is how I felt after I saw the name of the below bicycle because..."I'M NOT....have to watch the video to finish the rest of the thought!

Click on the link (and watch until the end)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXEGGOjAe7I




MEANWHILE..Back at the Ranch

This article isn't meant to imply that Lance Armstrong either endorses this bicycle I came across this bicycle and although not a fan of this particular genre, yall know by now a Brotha' like me gotta hive props where props are due! This is a design by TREK (or so the article states) and I love the look and the name of this bicycle which is "How You Like Then Apples?" THAT name is pure FUNK!

About Kirk: In the fall of 1983, Kirk Whiteman, while flipping through channels, saw a native New Yorker named Nelson Vails win a gold medal at the Pan American Games in the sport of cycling. Captivated by the speed and power of these sprinters, Kirk, not long after, realized that cycling was his calling. Not knowing anything of the sport, Kirk did hear that Nelson Vails was a former NYC bike messenger turned pro bike racer. Whiteman, like Vails, started off by getting a messenger’s job in Manhattan, linked up with one of the best amateur cycling teams in the east, and he too has risen through the competitive ranks and has become a champion. Since 1990 Kirk has medaled at just about every National Championship he has entered.


In 1996, he won his first National Championship in the Tandem Sprints. A year later, he traded in the Stars and Stripes national jersey for the Rainbow colored jersey of a World Champion in the Individual Match Sprint Event at the Masters World Championship in Manchester, England. In 1998, Kirk successfully defended his individual match sprint world championship, he also set a world record and won a gold medal in the Olympic Sprint Event. Kirk’s reign as world champion has been more monumental than just winning.



In 1997, Kirk was the first African-American to win a world sprint title since Major Marshall Taylor in 1899. In 1998, Kirk became the first two time African-American winner of that title in the hundred plus years of cycling. Apart from a brilliant career in cycling, Kirk has been reaching out to the children and athletes in the community. He finds that there is a definite importance to teaching children that there is freedom in discipline when striving to attain their goals.



Competition Highlights:

2000 (as of August 20, 2000)
Colorado Tandem Invitational, Colorado Springs, Colo., placed first in the Men's Match Sprints
WFMZ Invitational, Trexlertown, Pa., placed first in the Men's Match Sprints
WE Media Tandem Invitational, Trexlertown, Pa., placed first in the Men's Match Sprints
Good Shephards Tandemonium at T-Town, Trexlertown, Pa., placed fourth in the Men's Match Sprints


Elite Track Championships, Frisco, Tex., placed first in the men’s USABA kilometer..made the 2000 Paralympic Cycling Team which will be going to Sydney, Australia, in October of 2000.
ICG/WE Media Track Series #1, Houston, Texas, placed first in the Men's Match Sprints


1999
Masters World Track Championships’, Manchester, England, placed fourth in the 200 meter time trial, fifth in the match sprint, and fifth in the Olympic Sprint
Masters National Track Championships’, Plano, Tex., placed second in the match sprints, and second in the Olympic Sprint


Senior National Track Championships’, Trexlertown, Pa., placed sixth in the 200 meter time trial, placed tenth in the match sprint, placed fourth in the Olympic Sprint, and third in the tandem sprint


New York State Track Championships’, Kissena, NY, won the match sprints, and won the Olympic Sprint

#2 EDS Cup, Plano, Tex., placed sixth in the match sprint, placed ninth in the keirin, and won six in the Olympic Sprint
Floyd Bennet Field Criterium, Brooklyn, NY won sixth place



1998
Masters World Track Championships', Manchester, England, won the match sprints and set a world record and won the Olympic Sprints Masters National Track Championships', Seattle, Wa., won the match sprints and placed second in the Senior National Track Championships’, Plano, Tex., placed tenth in the match sprint and placed sixth in the Olympic Sprint
Eastern Regional Championships’, Trexlertown, Pa., won the match sprints and won the keirin
New York State Track Championships’, Kissena, NY, won the match sprints


1997
Masters World Track Championships’, Manchester England, won the match sprint, won the 200 meter time trial, and placed third in the Olympic Sprint.
Masters National Track Championships’, Houston, Tex., placed second in the match sprint and placed third in the 200 meter time trial
Senior National Track Championships, Colorado Springs, Colo., placed third in the Tandem Sprints, placed sixth in the Olympic Sprint, placed third in the 200 meter time trial, and ninth in the match sprints International Grand Prix, Palesco, Trinidad, placed third in the Olympic Sprints and placed third in the one lap scratch New York State Track Championships', Kissena, NY, won the match sprints


1996
Senior National Tandem Sprint Champion, won Tandem Sprints

Photos & Story Courtesy of http://www.harlemrocks.com/

City Cruisers (and your wood paneled cruisers) Bow Down when Felt comes to your town!

During my worldwide search for that 'Other Level' Urban Bicycle Design I have been ranting and raving about over the past year and a half, I ran across an urban bicycle entrepreneur from Northern California Tyrone Stevenson Jr., aka "Champ". Champ has been a bicycle enthusiast and builder since his teens. He is from the inner-city Bay Area and his love for bikes led to him building them out of any parts and design material he could get his hands on. Champ is a 'Real Hustler' yall in that he started his company with almost nothing and was creative enough to take old bicycle frames and project his personality through his creations.
Another thing that caught my attention was the 'Grass Roots' level guerilla marketing this guy has undertaken. He started in his neighborhood and ventured out from there. He is selling T-Shirts on his website and various other clothing items that will get the word out long before he undertakes any production level bicycle designs. This is creating demand for his product, educating people on his company while at the same time building the 'Ground Swell'. I am sure that there are other key people helping him with this, nevertheless, the vision is what drives the process!
He literally used scraps to build bicycles. To all of you bicycle designers and others who think that you need huge investment $$$ to live your dreams, take a page from this dude's playbook and just look around you at what is already available, use it and go from there. Champ has 'Street Promoters' out there in Cali pushing his concept, believing in the dream and following wherever he leads. Man, I am speechless.

His website is http://www.scraperbikes.net/ and not only am I going to recommend that you visit his site, but also support him through the purchase of some of the T-Shirts and apparel he has for sale there. Today, I am truly humbled and blessed to know that fellas like this are keepin' it real and hustlin' out there to make their bicycle design and funk dreams come true. Champ is truly a Bicycle Design Urban Funkmaster after my own heart and more than anyone or company featured on my blog, he is someone that will be a part of resurrecting the Marshall 'Major' Taylor legacy. Champ, keep hustlin' and making your designs 'Do what they do'!