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Christina Panteliodis Bmorefixed FXD Nostra Berlin WEST JAM 2 Lisbon ECMC Edinburgh TRU FIX RIGA Red Bull Minidrome
I was dreaming of California since a long time. So when we came up with a plan to make a road trip through California with Simon Gomok and Jason Sellers I to go. After a long, long flight we arrived in San Francisco. Our stay was just about long enough to see some hi were we heading for San José. Northern California is THE place to be for FGFS .There are spots all over the plac many riders living there. During our visit The Grime team recommended a place to crash: the Traphouse. Best At Traphouse we bumped into Oscar Khan who was also staying there. 4 Euro’s in town !During the sessions I h tricks: the cleanest barspins in the world by Devon Lawson, some nice lines by Matt Montoya and a ton of othe Blanco and Anthony Combs... After some days we rented a car to go to Long Beach and meet up with the guys Cali is very different but it’s really cool to see the city that inhabits some of the craziest riders in the world. Rig from Antonyo, Congo and Santos. But also chilled with all the guys. Hanging out at night and riding skateparks Dinh and Chris! That was so cool! The second week was more of a chill week. We visited San Francisco. Went to with all the homies from SJ and rode the hills!!!
California I love you. Big up to everybody who helped us during this trip! Traphouse and Fixiefactory are the be Rider: Matt Montoya Photo: Thomas http://www.soundtrack-paris.com STOKED ON FIXED BIKES
was so excited ills, because we ce and there are so place to stay in SJ! have seen so many crazy er tricks from Gomok, Alex s from Fixiefactory. Southern ght there I saw some nice tricks s in the dark with my homies Mike o a baseball game. Partied in the city
est places in Cali for sure!! I’ll be back soon!
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Pedrojosé Oliveira (El Muchacho Mascarado) wallride WESTFIXED 2
Photo: LUÍS SILVÉRIO http://www.luisslvr.500px.com STOKED ON FIXED BIKES
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CONTENTS SOFB ONLINE MAG 9
FEATURES 14 48h DAM Rotterdam 20 FXD NOSTRA Berlin 26 Rider Profile Maciek Kowalski 34 TRU FIX Riga 44 MINIDROME Riga 52 CREW Riga 56 RIDING IN Lisbon 64 WESTJAM 2 Lisbon 78 ECMC Edinburgh Day 1 86 MINIDROME Edinburgh 94 ECMC Edinburgh Day 2
REGULARS 8 10 30 42 55 102
IN STRAPS.. Real Power RIDER INTERVIEW Christina SHOP Fitzrovia Bicycles London BIKE CHECK Hold Fast HOT DATES Get ready for action TEST Stuff
108 CREW Tru Fix Riga 112 OTHER SIDE OF LENS Jason Sellers
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COVER info_ João Carmo weeping good, Lisbon I hang out with Jotta and his family for couple days before WestJam 2 comp. He is on and off fixed bike. I need to say that he is big bike fanatic riding just all type of bikes from MTB, BMX and Fixed. Im sure you will se more 24’ fixed action from him. Cover in SOFB , I think so Woo Woo Swag!!
CONTENTS info_Arturs Pavlo Edinburgh I hang out with Arturs one of the members of Tru Fix Kru. What I can say: I have nothing on me everything already in the air! More in the crew section page .. (rain that night I will never forget!)
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IN STRAPS..
Chasing the Sun, did you catch it?! I did and I hope you too. That was so frustrating for me the worst May in my life weather wise! Ok, Where I’m going? This time last year I shoot for GumBall 3000 and this year my visa stuff didn’t workout and I decided to do my own GF 7000 around Europe. Just pack my camera bag and catch next ferry to Hook of Holland.. From there that was all downhill and sun in my face.. Ok, not in Edinburgh! Whats more important You can see some of the events and places in this Issue enjoy! Thanks to all friends along my route! Ride on! Greg Falski
STOKED ON FIXED BIKES ONLINE MAGAZINE EDITOR - PHOTOGRAPHER DESIGNER - WRITER
Greg Falski REDACTION TEAM Aymee Clark Anto But Ricardo Lino Saskia Haex Sol Smith CONTRIBUTORS Thomas
http://www.soundtrack-paris.com
Luís Slverio
http://www.luisslvr.500px.com
Szymon Nieborak
www.delayedpleasure.com www.flickr.com/photos/skyhistoire
Stefan Kaz Alex Polakowski Michał Zachwieja Raivis Pelšs Jason Sellers Arturs Pavlovs
Dougie Cunningham Andrejs Strokins Red Bull Content Pool
ILLUSTRATIONS Jacob Knill
JACOBKNILL.TUMBLR.COM
Online - ISSUU.com Print - magcloude.com SOFB Online Mag part of FOREACH PRODUCTIONS http://foreachproductions.wordpress.com/
www.sofbonlinemag.com For contributions, advertising and other enquiries, please contact
gregfalski@gmail.com Thanks to Family and friends, all crews and riders, organisers and advertisers.. will be not possible without all of you!
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NEXT ISSUE OUT ON July 2012
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Christina Panteli STOKED ON FIXED BIKES
iodis
SICK RIDER INTERVIEW
BALTIMORE FIXED
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pop to fake out STOKED ON FIXED BIKES
INTERVIEW with Christina Panteliodis I always see photos of Christina from Bmorefixed over the internet. Finally while on West Jam 2 we have chance to ride and party together. Good times! We chat a lot, thats the highlights..
SOFB - What makes you good at riding fixed? C - Practice helps anybody accomplish anything. This is interesting question though because i think what we view as good is so subjective and constantly changing. But I guess I like ridng fixed gear so much that there is a natural progression that happens when you do anything consistently.
SOFB - Could you tell us about the last two competitions or jams you went to? C - hmmm the last two competitions i went to were Midwest Mayhem (last year) and recently West Jam in Portugal! Both were really great. Midwest was a while ago so its not so fresh in brain! But i remember it being a lot fun! Greg riding as always! Portugal was different because it was the first time i went to a bike competition with out my crew! Competitions are great because i get to ride with really talented riders. Portugal was a really cool space! The ramps were super fun and challenging. It’s always important to ride with new people and in new areas! Portugal was nothing but positive! if i can walk away feeling like i learned something new i feel like any thing is totally worth it!
SOFB - Do you like to ride street or park more? Are you better at one more than the other?
C - i like both equally, both have their pros and cons. Street is always nice because it allows you to utilize the things around you. It pushes you to be creative in a different way than a skatepark would. You tend to look at everything around you a different way. Street riders look at the world differentlypeople see a park to sit in and read, and your thinking damn that is a nice gap or rail. Skateparks on the other hand are simple because everything is laid out in front of you. don’t get my wrong I’ve seen a lot of creative riding in skateparks. currently I’ve riding more park because its just easier going to a place that has everything right there and you don’t have to worry about getting kicked out! but i would rather ride street with my pals
trick, the elements it takes before I try it.
SOFB - I know that some riders get scared of big jumps and obstacles. How do you push yourself to not be afraid?
SOFB - Last question; any shout outs?
C -i definitely have moments where things get scary but that usually because I’m not ready or confident in what I’m doing. I mean there’s always this element of doubt with new tricks but I’m either feeling it or I’m not. i guess i try to understand a
SOFB - You inspire a lots of new female riders, what you will say to them? C - take your time and keep riding!
SOFB - How important is your crew? C- Really important unfortunately its been very difficult to match schedules! every time i ride with anybody i always learn something new!
SOFB - What is the next of your projects? C - Hopefully an edit is on the horizon and more travels to new spots and meeting other riders!
C - Holdfast, Baltimore Bicycle Works,Carol Blackburn, Greg Falski for giving me this opportunity! and Stoked On Fixed Bikes for keeping the fixed community in communication all around the world!
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48H DAM
Photos: Greg Falski Text: Greg Falski and Saskia Haex
While stopping by in Rotterdam I spoke with Saskia about riding in city, thats what she told me: In Rotterdam we ride together with the BMX’ers a lot. In the two big open air skateparks in the city (Westblaak & Skateplaza) or hitting the streets. Because Rotterdam has many spots. And every week it seems like more spots are added. Bit by bit more riders in Rotterdam are choosing for FGFS tricks instead of just riding their pretty fixed builds. STOKED ON FIXED BIKES
Saskia started our riding fixed in 2008 and FGFS a few years later. You can find her at almost every competition because she really enjoys travelling and riding all over Europe.
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John feeble grind
John the Pirate is Rotterdam’s Grind King. He grinds every ledge to bits and also has a killer bunnyhop.
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barspin to fake out
Leela is not always around to ride but when she does, you’ll notice she has some trickin’ talent.
Oli a.k.a. Partial Pixel was one of the first guys to start riding FGFS over here in Rotterdam but he’s been more into to BMX lately. Every now and then he’ll pick up JayJay’s or John’s ride to drop some killer FGFS tricks.
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Saskia and Leela goofing out
Jay Jay’s wheelies seem to be endless. He also has a thing for grinding. You can find him riding in the city almost every day. Apart of his flatland moves JJ have the best stuff!
Kelly mem bmx over
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That was really intense 48h great time! I will totally recommend pork chops and BAR BAR for before party! DJ just trip me out.. If you into Gabba Techno Rotterdam its place for you, they play fast!
y ..she is our newest mber, she use to ride x but now stepped r to fixed
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FXD Nostra Photos: Stefan Kaz Text: Saskia Haex
One Year b-day bash
At the end of April FXD Nostra celebrated their one year anniversary with a weekend of rides, races, relaxing and partying! But it has only been a couple of years since cycling is really a part of Berlin’s city culture. The story has it that people started cycling more in Berlin because of a major public transportation strike in 2008. They got used to cycle to work and continued to do so after the strike was over. At the same time more and more people started riding fixed. There were only two little things everyone forgot…#1: German law is not ok with fixed bikes stating: every bike should have two brakes. And #2: German policemen are still a bit nazi-ish. Result: If you get caught riding brakeless fixed they will confiscate your bike… and you will never get it back. EVER! So nowadays a lot of people have switched to single speed instead or ride fixed with at least one handbrake.
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a
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What kind of events/rides do you organized? M: We felt it was not up to us to start organizing alleycats in Berlin since others had already been doing this for years and years. That’s when we got the idea to organize sprints. We do organize alleycats every now and then though but our main thing is the Sprints/Races. We are also trying to push FGFS in Berlin and hope to organize a FGFS event next year. And last year we even organized a lake jump…as long as it has something to do with bikes and it’s fun, we are down!
New crews With the cycling buzz all over town, it was clear that there were a lot of riders (also outside the messenger community) looking for kindred spirits to ride and race with. That’s when Fahrtwind came about (in 2010) and a bit later the guys and girls from FXD Nostra started organizing races and rides to share their passion of riding. How did FXD Nostra get started? Mark: Actually Fxd Nostra started after drinking a good amount of beers in a local pub. Chris and I found ourselves talking about the possibilities for Fixed Gear in Berlin at that time. The idea to start a crew popped up and just two weeks later the first event took place: our first race at Tempelhofer Park. 40 contestants showed up to race with us. It was great. STOKED ON FIXED BIKES
How many people attend the rides/races you organize? M: It differs. Sometimes it’s 20 people, sometimes it’s 50 plus some spectators. But we are just starting out so we hope to become bigger and bigger and in the end hope to welcome some international guests to our events. Do the two Crews FXD Nostra und Fahrtwind work together? M: The Fahrtwind guys are more or less our opposites…we are way more chaotic and they are more sporty.
We actually complement eachother quite well. We work together on some events. Together you can achieve more. And it is a good thing to respect one another and to push eachother further. For example I went and rode from Berlin to Paris with the Fahrtwind guys last year (Thanks again for the great experience guys!). And last winter we organized a ride with all well-known bike shops and crews in Berlin to collect money for the homeless.
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Any tips for places to ride to when visiting in Berlin? M: First visit Goldsprint for a beer and to check out some bike gear. After finding yourself a good Burgerplace in any part of town take a ride through Kreuzberg, Friedrichshain or Prenzlauerberg to tease your nerves a bit in traffic. Besides that there are the obvious tourist attractions like Checkpoint Charlie, Brandenburger Tor, Potsdamer Platz a.o. Best bike Shop in town? GOLDSPRINT no doubt!!!! Shout outs? Visit Berlin!!!!
One Year, One Gear With the weather all on their side the weekend started with a night ride on friday followed by a super chilled out bbq on saturday. But seemed like everyone was saving their energy for Sunday - Race day. Tempelhof park The Main race on sunday was held in the biggest and weirdest park i’ve ever seen. No trees, just flat ground covered with grass only crossed by two of three asphalt lanes each of which was at least 2 km long -The park used to be the runway of the old Tempelhof Airport. Ideal circumstances for some heavy racing & sprinting. No wonder it was also the location for the European Cycle Messenger Championships of 2009. Tempelhof race winners: #1 guy: Max (8bar) #1 lady: Elli Fastest lap: 3,8 km in 6min 21sec Goldsprint Rollerrace winners: #1 guy: Max (8bar) #1 lady: Judith
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Thats another new section where we want to show rider’s taking part in events like Minidrome and fast street craze. In this Issue 9 we have Maciek Kowalski.. The only FGFS rider in Warsaw, Poland. While visiting friends from Burn Dirt Park http://www.burndirtpark.pl/ and Asphal Bikes I hook up with Maciek for riding in the city STOKED ON FIXED BIKES
One man army Photos: Greg Falski and Michał Zachwieja Text: Greg Falski
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Myself and some of you know exactly how hard is to ride on your own. Thats why Maciek was more then happy to take some time off work and show me his spots around Warsaw. Its like one week before Euro 2012 starts and whole capital of Poland its one big building site. On some spots that was on plus. Maciek is really cool guy and we get pumped to ride together.. I jsut ask any good spots here!? He already have spot map activated in his mind! I fallow him but what is good with riding street you always find something new! And yes Warsaw is so crazy, if you ask me! Apart of street there is couple indor skateparks and bike parks like Burn Dirt Park starting to be open for fixed bikes and people want to have a go! Im sure if you will stop by in Asphal Bikes Maciek is always up for chat or a ride!
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Photo: Michał Zachwieja
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Im friends with Fitzrovia since 2007 when I first time steeped trough that door. That time if you want to make your first conversion thats place to go (ask Oscar) Since then not a lot change apart of guys taking absolute control over the shop. Best music and attitude.. get yourself in!
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BIKE SHOP
FITZROVIA BICYCLES Photos: Greg Falski and Alex Polakowski Text: Greg Falski and Tom
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Tell me how was Fitzrovia born & how did you and crew meet, tell us about the store and few brands you like and the mission workshop section etc. We had all worked in the shop for a number of years under the previous name of Cavendish Cycles and when the opportunity arose to take over ownership we jumped at it and that’s when Fitzrovia Bicycles was born. We were never that happy about the direction the previous owner was taking the shop, he didn’t seem to acknowledge the emerging fixed scene and although we were one of the first London shops to stock track and single speed stuff it was always a struggle for us to keep a good stock. That’s all changed now. We’re liking Woodrup Cycles at the moment and have a good relationship with them. They have Kevin Sayles back on there team building some pretty special frames. Right now we have a few frames being built with custom geometry and Fitzrovia Bi-Lam lugs. There are some pics of the lugs on our blog, they’re real nice so looking forward to seeing the finished frames, should be sweet!
Future projects. The shop will be going through some big changes towards the end of this year, more collaborations are on the cards and before long you’ll be seeing are own frames emerging, they’ll be worth the wait so watch this space.
Where do you think fixed gear bike will in a year from now? Meaning classic/modern fix & trick fix freestyle. Who know’s what we’ll be riding in a years time. In a year from now it’s going to be bigger than ever. Classic track bikes will always be around, established and new builders are constantly finding new ways to further their art but it’s the freestyle side of fixed that’s evolving the fastest, who know’s what’ll be ridden in a year’s time.
Any shout outs Shout out to SOFB and everyone that comes in the shop & keeps us doing what we do. And to your Mothers.
You told me last time about competitions and events around shop you organise, help to make it happend. Sponsorship’s important to get events off the ground and keep them running so we will always get involved when possible, London’s calling being one of the events so far this year.
http://www.fitzroviabicycles.com SOFB ONLINE MAG
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RED BULL TRU FIX
Photo: Greg Falski and Andrejs Strokins /Red Bull Content Pool /Jesus Text :Toms Alsbergs
On a sunny Saturday of 26th of May in Riga where Kronvalda park was transformed to a totally new format fixed gear race track, Janis Slics from Latvia proved to be the best out of 70 riders and first ever winner of Red Bull Tru Fix. He registered for the race as the last and with a borrowed bike, but the talent and previous BMX riding experience made its way on the surface and he went home with the main prize – a custom made fixed gear bike frame in yellow, provided by Miit – local event supporters and bicycle service company. SOFB ONLINE MAG
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Best coffie in the city if not whole Litva
Linda STOKED ON FIXED BIKES
Reinis
Sintija
Also the blue Miit frame found its owner in a person of Greg Falski from UK, who participates in a lot of fixed gear events around the globe. The red frame went for the third place and will not be transformed into a new fix bike in the garage of a Latvian rider Reinis Simanovskis. Janis was tired but happy after the race, where he had to do the 1km long track several times - twice for the qualification rounds, where the fastest 32 riders where chosen and then 3 more times in the heats by four, where fastest two moved in the next heat, each time eliminating the slowest two riders. “I arrived so late in the morning for the registration, because I like to sleep, but I guess the talent showed itself. I am riding a fixed gear bike for a round a year, but earlier I trained on a BMX. On everyday basis I am more driving a car than riding a bike because of my job. I don’t even have own a bike now, but as I won the frame today I will definitely build my fixed gear bike.” SOFB ONLINE MAG
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Linda Jakubone was the winner of the female race, the fastest of the four brave Latvian ladies, who participated in the race and had their own final after participating in the common qualification round with the guys. The second place went to Marika Arro and the third to Sintija Ernstreite. All the ladies got some nice prizes from the event supporters Burusports, Gandrs and Bang Bang shop.
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The winner of several Red Bull Mini Drome competitions Toms Alsbergs and his colleagues from the Tru Fix Kru, who made the whole event idea and realization happen, were just very happy about the first ever Red Bull Tru Fix and are ready to come back with more for the next year. Toms said, “Everything worked out great, we achieved what we hoped for and more. Yesterday the track and the obstacles were built and painted by some 40 people till 5 in the morning and today I was so happy for everyone who showed up to enjoy it. I am also really happy for the friends who came from abroad to participate and those who came to watch as spectators. I want to say a lot of thank you to all of you!� As to my own future plans I am ready to come up with more ideas for the next year, but right now I am going to compete myself. The closest event is Red Bull Mini Drome in Edinburgh.
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BIKE CHECK
HOLD FAST 24 Thats something we see allover internet 24 craze.. I try myself and I really like it.. In this Issue Christina from Bmorefixed present here 24 bike!
CRANKS: Profile Cranks No boss BB: Mid Profile SPROCKET: Tree sprocket 33 STRAPS: Holdfast my signature edition! HUBS: Front Shadow Conspiracy Raptor 36h Rear Destroy 36h TYRES: Kenda Kiniptions RIMS: Alienation Runways SEAT POST: Odyssey Pivotal SEAT: Cult Occult Pivotal
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M
Mini track Riga: It was mad (Cycle workshop). It was bui to have fun, get better resu tions, gather fixie riders, m contests. It is a non profit Piens Velo themselves, frien who wants to ride a mini came around when Toms A first Red Bull mini drome race land. During summertime ea Velo is organizing minitrac riders of all ages and gender welcome to e STOKED ON FIXED BIKES
Mini drome Riga
de by Piens Velo ilt with a reason ults at competimake events and table project for nds and anybody track. The idea Alsbergs won his e in Warsaw, Poach month Piens ck races for fixie rs. Everybody is enjoy the track.
Photo: Greg Falski Text: Greg Falski and Toms Alsbergs
Girts Rozentals SOFB ONLINE MAG
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Tru Fix weekend is not over and we have second day of competition.. I was really curious about this track.. I did hear a lot about it and to see it and ride it was good fun. Bit up after race and parting hard whole night I let go racing and focused on taking photos and playing some tunes (for those who like my set you can check my profile at http://soundcloud.com/gfalski ) What strike me with track compering to the on I did have chance to ride already at red Bull events that the track in Riga don’t have the middle flat bits thanks to that helps riders to keep position and speed.. while I’m saying that I did hear about 3 broken frames.. if you fly of you do it hard! Started with qualifications and this time Toms decided to race! Actually there is lots of riders specialising in this type of event! And possible pretenders to brake Toms world domination! That was really good vibe and perfect day out!
Helmuts
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Kristaps
Janis
Toms pushing
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1st Kristaps Alsbergs 2nd Helmuts Jaunzems-Pētersons 3rd Toms Alsbergs Congrats!!
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Kristaps from beggining show some skills 1st place for him 2nd Helmuts
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SNAP SHOT
Tuck no hand Rider: Anthony Combs Photo: Thomas http://www.soundtrack-paris.com STOKED ON FIXED BIKES
ice pick stall Rider: Antonyo Wothe Photo: Thomas http://www.soundtrack-paris.com SOFB ONLINE MAG
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Photos: Greg Falski Text: Greg Falski Oskars, Janis, Edgars, Andis, Davis are taking part in most of the events, They enjoy riding streets, offroad and park. I know Janis and Andis form UK competitions. They show me some of there favrit spots around city. Looking forward to see them at Eurobike competition.
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EVENTS 2012
Updates on comps, jams, race venues and all crazy fixed bikes events happening near you. If you are running kind of events then let SOFB know as soon as possible and we will put it here.
26.07.2012 BFF Helsinki 2-7.08. 2012 Velodrome Olympics London 3-5.08. 2012 CMWC 2012 Chicago 28.08. - 02.09. 2012 Fixed Days Eurobike Friedrichafen Germany 04.10.2012 BFF London
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A week end like this one is more than just a FGFS contest,the best moment of this week end were not on bike, but be with friends from all over europe. That was so cool to meet all the #fixiefamous people from Europe. This is all the time such a pleasure to hang out with the Shred crew from Geneva, with Greg Falsky from London, Saskia from Rotterdam, or Troms from Lille (F) ! This is what FGFS need to be, more than a friends communauty than only a “sport� ! Thomas http://www.soundtrack-paris.com
Woop Woop Swag Lisbon Photos: Greg Falski Text: Greg Falski and Thomas
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Pedrojosé feeble grind
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David
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Pepy 180 broken foot just before
Bastian
Saskia SOFB ONLINE MAG 59
Pepy wallride to pop
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Bastian double peg
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Romain air
Nico tooth hangover STOKED ON FIXED BIKES
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WEST JAM 2 Photos: Greg Falski and Luis Silviero Text: Greg Falski and Ricardo
Ricardo nose dive in to collarbone crack
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WESTJAM 2 an international Fixedgear Freestyle Jam Hector rock presented by Grime in association with CHOOSE and tyre grab 180 Academia dos Patins.
Pedro foot jam SOFB ONLINE MAG 65
Nico tooth hangover
Chris transfer
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For 2012 WestFixed decided to bring something real different to the fixed freestyle world and the whole event was happening in an OLD FACTORY completely build for us, with a party floor, art expositions, bars, street circuit, trade show, etc A skate/bike park was built exclusively for that. The Jam start early. Riders where divided into groups of 3, and each group have a predetermined amount of time to ride the park and blow the judges minds. That was really fun as every one did have some crazy different lines.. and you could see whats on! Really good format and organisation! SOFB ONLINE MAG
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Pedro double peg
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Romain feeble grind
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Christina double peg
Lauren bar transfer
David tyre grab
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David double peg
Chris just slep trough
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Lauren best trick 360 of the platform STOKED ON FIXED BIKES
Pedro feeble grind
Jotta ice pick
David 180 to feeble grind fake out
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2012 West Jam was amazing place people, vibrations.. Congratulations to Jotta, Pedro, David and Laurent for best trick!! Jotta x-up combos STOKED ON FIXED BIKES
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BICYCLEGIRLS.PL
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Last time we show photos from bicyclegirls.pl back in Issue 5. This time we welcome Christin and Monike.. girls are in to riding fixed bikes.. stoked!
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ECMC Edinburghday 1 Photos: Greg Falski Text Greg Falski
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The European Cycle Messenger Championships took place in Scotland. In the year of the 200th birthday of Kirkpatrick MacMillan, the father of the bicycle, Edinburgh has been chosen to host the 17th ECMC, a spectacular urban cycling event which has been gathering force over the last two decades. For the ECMC in Edinburgh we are planning – apart from the Main Package Race – Allecat race, Hill Sprint in Holyrood Park, an evening of Rollapaluza Roller Racing and a fistful of trick and fun events. Friday’s allecat was drenched in heavy rain, which made riding around an unfamiliar city far less fun than it could have been.
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Lucas Brunelle
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Despite bad weather for those who decided to take part in that race wait the hardest course you could imagine.. More around 11 stops.. moste of which situated at the highest points of the city. SOFB ONLINE MAG
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ECMC 2012: Jerome (Basel, Switzerland) - alleycat winner
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Jerome on the wheel
Jerome Hill in Bonga club!
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Minidrome Photos: Greg Falski and Dougie Cunningham /Red Bull Content Pool and Arturs Pavlovs Text’ Greg Falski
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Red Bull brings the world’s smallest velodrome to Scotland, daring fixed gear riders from across the UK and Europe to take the Red Bull Mini Drome crown in Edinburgh’s historic College of Art. SOFB ONLINE MAG 87
Qualifications open each day to all riders giving chance messenger to take part in this great event.. atmosphere was electric! STOKED ON FIXED BIKES
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Final took place on Sunday this same time as a ECMC Main race giving favorits easy task! Congratulations to Astrid Narud from Berlin take the crown after a challenging race where she was closely pursued by Anna Glowinski. Big up to guys Toms and Ricky.. Im just curius if someone will break there domination.. maybe one day! STOKED ON FIXED BIKES
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United, artist unknown Warsaw, Poland
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Saturday continued with the torrential rain and all programme following the morning hill-climb race (won by FastDave) was cancelled. Sunday thats when main race took place! STOKED ON FIXED BIKES
ECMC day 2 Edinburgh Photocredit: (c) Justin Kosman/Red Bull Content Pool
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Bombtrack full crmo 28T
2012 Main Race Champions were Anke van Boxtel from the Hague, and Wiesbaden’s Martin Lichtenfels. The weekend’s racing was made more of a challenge for both the riders and organizers by the fact that between Friday and Monday, the local Scottish rainclouds rarely stopped hammering down their unique brand of big, icy rain. Fortunately, warm comfort was at hand in the shape of an outdoor, furnace-fired hot tub which had been specially constructed for the occasion. Open air jacuzzis have been a feature of other courier events in the past, most notably on the shores of Lake Geneva at Lausanne in 2007 for the Swiss Championships. And Lausanne, of course, is hosting CMWC next year. Expect more great racing, and perhaps a little less big rain! http://www.ecmc2012.co.uk/ http://www.facebook.com/groups/296185317062682/ STOKED ON FIXED BIKES
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Martin 142 Almar 123 Ladi 281 Joshi 51 Lukas 3382 Adi 140 Rainier Fuego 194 Anke 788
30’15” 33’40” 34’00” 36’51” 37’30” 38’30” 146 39’30” 39’45” 40’10” *First Girl
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Now for the last couple months I been testing this setup while traveling and competing around Europe. I love it how the bike picking up the speed and how it feels in the air. Many of you did have chance to try it by yourself.. I get lots of positive feedback! To make it works I did need to modify couple of component.. the biggest one was changing dropouts to 14mm.. no problem to do it on Nasty! BOMBTRACK hubs and spline sprocket SCHWALBE tyres HPLUSSON Todestrieb rims W-Base Durcus One Nasty frame BB17 Cobra fork and bars This is also the place for all of you which have some good or bad experience and you want to share it with SOFB readers. Please send us your review at gregfalski@gmail.com ! Please have a look! STOKED ON FIXED BIKES
PRODUCTS REVIEW
TEST SECTION
Photo: Greg Falski Text: Greg Falski
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BOMBTRACK Hubs And Spline Sprocket For this test we use 28t spline sprocket with 10T on the back. Whats is special about this ratio that on 26 wheels you have this kick.. extra power when you need it.. Ok its not so crazy on the start but one you pick up speed feels like descending. Whats more because of size its super stiff I find with big chainring like 44 you can always feel a bit give away. The hart of the every wheel - hub.. I could not wait to build those bad boys. From beginning when I put first spoke in to Bombtrack hub i could notice difference. Super strong flanges massive compering standard ones.. thats right platform for spokes. Ok wight of the rear hub is not impressive but what this can take it is! This helps a lot to stiffen rear end of the frame. Front hub works like a dream! 10/10 recommendation Thanks Traffic for hook up.. looking forward to actually see them on the market!
HPLUSSON Todestrieb Starting with specification Weight: 600 grams Material: G609 Alloy Height: 23 mm Width: 32 mm Size: 26� 29� Joint: Welded Finally a solid rim on market. Nice one H Plus Son. I was well stoked to pick them up.. This rim is light and strong.. I try to smash it number of times and rims stay untouched. I build them up on my favourite Sapim race spokes.. At the moment Sol test them in size of 29 (more about that in next Issue 10). 10/10 recommendation Thanks BLB for hook up HPLUSSON.COM
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W-Base Nasty + BB17 Fork For this test we use size M frame. Thanks to shorter BB17 fork whole bike get aggressive geometry. Easy to control in traffic and helpful with bunch of tricks. The great thing about this frame it actually whole setup. I will say that bmx components like seat tube and bottom bracket shell was taken from bmx and makes bike stronger and lighter. 4130 Crmo works perfectly with this combo Nasty has just right BB hight.. Im not big fan of new wave of negative bb, I like to ride bike which still feels like bike. Nasty was originally design for 700 (looking forward to try set up like that) At the moment I have 26 on it and feels nice plenty of clearance in tight corners.. I feel like loots of riders look a bit to much to new productions, there is still plenty of nice designs out there, thats defiantly one of them!
We just recived new Moon lights.. I try them already and first word coming to me thats - Power! Thanks to raleigh.co.uk mor aboit it Issue 10 SOFB ONLINE MAG
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Restrap’s top mid secret The North Race… July 20th will see the launch party at the new Restrap headquarters up in Leeds. There’s gonna be a race, film showing, cheap booze and more northerners than you can shake your flat cap at. For more news as soon as it breaks check out the Restrap Facebook Page. STOKED ON FIXED BIKES
Photo: Szymon Nieborak
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CREW
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Photo: Greg Falski Text: Greg Falski and Toms Alsbergs
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We are a bunch of guys who gathered together only because of one reason – the love for pedaling. We knew each other very little until fixed gear arrived in the city of Riga. It brought us all together because of common values. We needed a name to identify ourselves. The name Tru Fix Kru came naturally as we were riding around the city and thinking about us – who we are, what we do, why we do it. We are Tru Fix Kru and our dream comes true.
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Other side of lens Issue 9 with
Jason Sellers Jason works close with Zontrac crew. His photography and design are stunning! We are really happy to have him in this Issue! Please check interview Yo!
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www.fwdbound.com www.jasonsellers.tumblr.com
SOFB - You lives in Wiesbaden, how this influence you and your work? J - Well its not so much the city, but more the people that surround me and Daily life that i get influenced by. Wiesbaden does not have a big Fixed Gear scene or many riders, which forces me in a way to be on the road more often to capture pictures related to this scene. I enjoy traveling a lot though. SOFB - whats your favourite time of day light to shoot in? J - Dusk or Dawn if I have the choice. SOFB - Who is your favourite rider to shoot with? Diogo - Hard to say, I would not point out only one person. I like concentrating on the people and showing who they are, from that perspective everybody is interesting to me. But the more polarizing someone is, the more fun. SOFB - Film or digital? J - Depends on the situation, the look and the feel I am trying to capture. But at the moment I shoot more with Digital. SOFB - You riding yourself, how much dose this affect the way you look at the sport trough your lens? STOKED ON FIXED BIKES
J - Well I think its always good or important to photograph things that you really love and can relate to. It makes things easier and come more natural. I got introduced to Fixed Gear about 2 years ago. Growing up in the 80s and 90s, I was totally into skateboarding. The similarities in the sport, the image and the lifestyle are in my opinion very strong and compatible. It made it easy for me to relate to a lot of things and it instantly felt right to me. In fact I am craving it now and I am exploring a whole new world.
SOFB - Minimal setup?
SOFB - I did see your bag how heavy its?
J - It is hard to say, i don’t think there is a recipe. I would maybe say go at it with passion and try to have as much fun as possible. Be prepared though and it is always good to have some sort of backup plan for that particular situation
J - It’s a backpack. When I am on the road I usually have with me: a digital (Canon 5D) and a analog (Canon Eos5 or Pentax k1000) camera, 2 Flashes with triggers, 2 small tripods, long lens, fisheye, 50mm.
J - One Camera with 50mm lens. SOFB - Dream location for shoot this year? J - Any location is good, the people and the spirit are what make it special. Good example is the “Death of Barcelona” trip last year. SOFB - If you could give younger you advice on his way to the first freelance assignment what would you tell him?
SOFB - Any final thoughts you
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Š sofbonlinemag 2012