I ran across these wheel covers while looking at an event known as Bike Polo. Very interesting activity if I do say so myself and truthfully, I do not care to know the ins and the outs of Bike Polo, but what I do care to know is the ins and the outs of these funky wheel covers. I have a friend who does Spinner Rims for bicycles and I have always believed that these were just a tad to much. It feels like what we call in the neighborhood as 'Frontin'. That is the same thing as someone who can't afford a Gucci Purse to buy a Knock Off!
However, These wheel covers are just flat out NASTY. They could be the high of NASTINESS if they came in other colors than the present black...Remember I told you a few years back on this very blog that I designed something similar to these called Doogies? Well my friends, as they use to tell us in the Marine Corps..."Stand-by to Stand by!" The King of these types of wheel covers is still my man Da Champ of scraper bikes out in the Bay area...STILL Cruisin in HIS SCRAPER BIKE..
As promised, this posting will deal strictly with designs I have come across from a sampling of 67 Bicycle Distributors and Manufacturers. After looking at not less than 1,327 designs, these are the ones I have picked out as the closest thing to what I think ‘Funk’ is. Even though I think these designs are good, I still want to point out that there is a whole other level of design that can be achieved. I do not yet know how these designs fit into my vision of Urban Cycling but I do know they look good to me. Not one that defines great design with the # of gadgets and accessories on a bicycle, but I am designing strictly from an aesthetic standpoint. Remember, it all about the look baby! Let’s get this party started! Criteria for entrance are as follows
Criteria
1) When I see it, do I ask this question: "Why didn't I think of that?"
2) Would I personally pull the bike off the shelf in a store, say 'I gotta have this', and then look at the price (This means it's hot) or would I decide whether to buy it based on how much it costs?
4) Does it look unique and does it appear alot of thought went into it, or can it be grouped into the 99% of all other bikes that basically look the same and the only difference being the company who produced it?
I never thought the day would come when ANY design would take the place of my all-time favorite for the past 23 years, but...as always, records are MADE to be broken! This design is called 'Nuvinci'. I love the name and the design is, well, a FUNK BALL. Not only that, it is now my #1 favorite of all time people. I posted an article some months back which, in my opinion sums up my feelings on this design; MVP!MVP!MVP!
As I have said on numerous occasions, the Pee-Wee Herman is my favorite design of all-time. This is the design that made me fall in love with bicycles! This bicycle 1st appeared in 1985 in the movie by the same name. I made a replica of this as a kid for a little over $75. It was Ghetto Style, but a tribute non-the-less. If there was a hotter bike in the 1980’s, please send me a picture of it and make your case.
Please don’t email me and say “I saw a hotter chopper style bicycle than that Brian!" This bicycle was sold through Wal-Mart (that’s where I 1st saw it around 2003) and stands held and shoulder above anything I have seen in a big box retailer before or since. Keeping my criteria in mind, I am forced to say that this is the hottest, affordable bicycle built in the last 20 years! The only challenge I have with this particular design is I would've made a larger version, maybe limited edition for teenagers and kids at heart. I saw an average size and built 13 year old riding this and it looked super small! I am 6'5 255 pounds and is a bigger version were available, I definitely would purchase it! 
Wow! What is not to like about this bomb freak show of a design?! I found this a few years back during research and this bicycle definitely produces an emotional reaction in me. This was a proto-type design for an annual design competition held in Taiwan in 2005. I am not crazy about the name because I don’t think ‘Wild Buffalo’ is a HOOTTT enough name for such funk as this. There is nowhere in this country where this bicycle will be ridden that won’t take notice and be like ‘Dang, that is’ hoottt’. Since this bicycle isn’t for sale and just a proto-type, I couldn’t get a price on it, so it makes my list even though I have a hunch it would cost more than $300.00. Since I can’t prove that, it makes the list!
I found this design not long ago and it is distributed by a company called ‘Cube’ out of Denmark. I am not able to provide a high resolution picture of this bicycle which is necessary for anyone to appreciate the aesthetic appeal going on here. I am not a fan of Tour Bikes which we used to call ’10 Speeds’ back in the day. Over the last 2 decades I haven’t come across any Tour Bike that stands out from any of the others. That was until I saw this bad mamma jamma! This bicycle screams ‘Ghetto Fabolus’ with pearl colored paint, pearl colored tires and rims and the kicker is, ‘Snake Scales’ are folded into the paint and the seat cover. WATCH THIS- The snake skin look is also folded into the handle bars, the dark gray accents in the fork break up the pearl and snake! As Wayne on Wayne’s World used to say “I’m not worthy-I’m not worthy!” I challenge any of you to send me a Tour Bike more ‘Urban’ and ghetto fabolus than this funk ball.
Although I was unable to find much information on this bicycle, what I know is that this was one of the very 1st Safety Bicycle Designs ever made. It hales from the late 1880’s at a time when the bicycle industry was making the migration from the old ‘High Wheel’ bicycle to the Safety Bicycle whose design basics survive to this day. This bicycle appears to have no suspension system to absorb impact during riding which would put it in what was called the ‘Bone Rattlers’ category of old. However, this rendering demonstrates what I have been telling you all along. Gadgets are great, but simplicity should be the goal. This features a Powder Blue Frame, golden yellow rims (probably wooden), banana style seat with hook nose that sits on a VERY high cross bar! This design is original, creative, aesthetically pleasing and for all of you designers, take note that this design, with modifications, could be viable in today’s market place. That Glam Rock will make it to the Major Taylor Velodrome, yes, I see this..and it is goog.Holla if ya hear me!
Below are a few questions that I feel needed some answering. (Submitted by some of my readers)
Question:You seem to keep changing your mind on what your favorite bike iz, so wut iz it?
Answer: If you have read my posts in chronological order, you will see that in the last 25 years, I have only seen 2 designs that I have called my favorites of all time but several others that I think are hot. To rehash, the Pee-Wee Herman was my all-time favorite design from 1985 to 2008 from 2008 until current...it is the 'Nuvinci' by Ellsworth.
Question: Do you design the whole bicycle or just use other part sources to make what you like?
Answer: Hmmmm? At this stage I think it is a lot of design on my part, some part sourcing but ALWAYS about my vision of the 'Nexus'. The meeting point of fashion, lifestyle, and bicycle design. However, I have been working with a fabricator who kind of got on my case a little just recently. He has seen some of my designs and like I said, referred to me as 'Eccentric', however, what I didn't know is that I showed him nothing he isn't capable of doing! I said to him "I won't short you again concerning your fabrication capabilities." To which he replied "Brian, don't short yourself!" Short story even shorter, I design the frames, tires (you'll love them), logos, themes, but leave the technical stuff (cranks, welds, etc) to the Fabricator of Funk.
Question: I found your blog through research of The Major on wikipedia.com, how did you get a link on his page?
Answer: Know this, wikipedia doesn't really allow people to promote their business on any given page and are very strict about who can link to any page they have. My link is 1 of only 3 that are on Taylor's wiki page because this blog is about, well, Taylor! This was a great (and free) promotional tool for my blog and I thank wiki for allowing me this luxury.
Question: I see other companies that on your favorite links that also are into bikes...the owners of 2 of them are african american. Are there any partnerships between you and the 2 of them?
Answer: Not yet. I have been in email contact with BIKEDUBZ Owner Mr. Culiver and DA Champ's right hand man (Champ is the Scraper Bike Founder) and we all agree that there are opportunities for partnerships, but all of us are really just starting out and trying to find our own footing and make things work in our own respective areas. But if you notice, all 3 of us know 1 thing and that is urban bicycle lovers like to 'Floss' and look good on their bicycles. It isn't about 'Titanium' this or that or 'The latest craze' (fixed gear,etc) but about 'Looking good' while you ride and being seen by everybody. BIKEDUBZ focuses on rims, Scraper focuses on individualizing each bicycle through rims attachments and accessories (and they are GREAT promoters) while I focus on Urban Bicycle design as a whole. We will hook up though as all three recognize the synergies
Question: If you make bikes, how can other company's bikes be your favorite?
Answer: For 2 reasons: 1- I haven't actually produced a bicycle yet. I am in the process of original fabrication right now and one thing a bicycle has to be to be my favorites(s) is be real! Produced! Functional! 2- I, like others am sure and believe that my designs are the hottest on the planet! Now while I may believe that, the fact is that many won't and that makes me bias and delusional. I do not mind being called delusional because when you see my designs come to life, you will think so to, but one thing I do not want to be called is bias.
Question: Who was Mr. S in the Nuvinci posting.I think you made him up!
Answer: So what. I don't really care what you think. I said what I said and that is that.
One of the most well known entertainers of the 20th Century started this. Your boy LIBERACE started this! Oh yeh my dear readers, check it out!
I received several pictures from a fan of this blog. The question was simple: "What do you think of these designs?" Well, not long ago, I received some backlash for a post entitled "News of the weird'. Most of the backlash came from the last picture I posted of a boy and his wood bike. I thought it was stupid and I said so. The angry emails essentially said 'Who are you to say what looks good and what doesn't?' My answer was simple, I GAVE NO ANSWERS OR REPLY! Again, the vision of this particular blog is design and the nexus I believe exists within bicycle design that isn't being addressed. Many designers are so focused on designing something they see as cutting edge that they are missing the infinite possibilities that exist within the simplicity that is design itself.
I ran across a website recently called http://www.blackvoices.com/ and the author of the article was Esther Dixon. The article was titled "Style Spotter Spots Bicycles". She posted some futuristic looking design and in 99% of the comments I read, the readers HATED these designs and one even said the bicycles looked like weed whackers! These are designs that win at the Taiwanese Design Competition every year. Admittedly this is a website by African-Americans for African-Americans, but all the same, WHO I AM is someone who loves funked out bicycle design and I will not waver from that. I recently posted and article entitled MVP! featuring the Ellsworth Design Nuvinci not to mention 'Glam Rock' by Cube, both companies launched by white folks I am sure. Yet, they were able to produce some designs so ignorant (nice) that it made me say to myself "Are you kidding me?"
This is not a racial thing yall! Nice bicycle design is nice bicycle design (all 5 of my favorite designs in the posted in my 'Funk Hall of Fame are by guess who.. white folks!) regardless of who produces it. I think 99.9% of the products Pacific Cycles produce under the various brands they have acquired are CRAPPY! By brand: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'!
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