Hobbs of Barbican: The Strength is in the Spine

The job of a bicycle designer parallels that of a surgeon in many senses: triage what’s wrong, decide what no longer functions, find a way to solve the problem and repair or replace whatever needs fixing. And like any good surgeon knows, if the spine fails, so too does the rest of the body.

Tech Specs: 1947 Hobbs of Barbican Superbe

Hobbs of Barbican Superbe Frame Reynolds 531 Tubing Hand Cut Lugs Rear Derailleur Mount Rear Brake Mount Fender/Rack Mounts Dynamo Mount Cable Guides Hobbs of Barbican Fork Reynolds 531 Tubing Elegant Rake Minimalist Box Crown Front Brake Mount  Fender Mounts Mid-Rise Rack Mounts Brampton Headset (Steel) Reynolds Twin Bolt Stem (Aluminum) GB Handlebar (Aluminum) Williams Crankset…

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Tech Specs: 1967 Jo Routens Randonneur

Jo Routens Frame Reynolds 531 Tubing Lovely Fillet Brazing Reinforcing Gussets Wraparound Seat Stays Front Derailleur Mount Rear Derailleur Mount Inward Cantilever Posts Fender/Rack Mounts Left Chain Stay Light Mount Dynamo Mount Internal Wiring Shift Lever Mounts Cable Guides Pump Pegs Jo Routens Fork Reynolds 531 Tubing Elegant Rake Twin Plate Box Crown Chrome Crown Top Rear Lower…

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Jo Routens: Randonneur de l’Excellence

Joseph “Jo” Routens was one of the greatest makers of randonneur, cyclotouring and cyclosportif bicycles in all of cycling history. The only other name regularly considered alongside his more aged contemporaries, Rene Herse and Alex Singer, Routens was distinct from these seminal influences in his unwavering commitment to the everyday cyclist. Initially through his partnership with…

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Hetchins Bicycles: Meticulously Lugged

Bicycle companies faced a historical deletion around the time World War II hit as the prevalence of automobiles and weight of war became overwhelming. Manufacturers, racers and race organizers found their livelihoods interrupted – and in some unfortunate cases, even ended. It was around this time that several European bicycle companies found themselves struggling through…

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Duralumin History & Use in Bicycle Building

Durable but lightweight materials have appealed to bicycle builders since the beginning of bicycle time. From steel alloys to aluminum alloys to carbon composites, the nexus of these two build qualities is something of a holy grail among materials engineers. That’s because durable and lightweight translate to fast and expensive in most every language worldwide….

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Alvin Drysdale: Mid-Century Mystery

Some people pass through life leaving little trace of themselves, though their work may be significant. In Judaism, there is the legend of the lamed vov, the thirty-six good souls whose mere existence is enough to justify to God the continuation of the world. These are simple persons who are compassionate in the Buddhist sense,…

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Tech Specs: 1963 Cinelli Mod. Super Corsa

Cinelli Model Super Corsa (SC) Frame & Fork Campagnolo & TA Drivetrain Cinelli, Mafac & Brooks Cockpit Campagnolo & Mavic Wheelset Arranged by Spence Wolf of Cupertino Bike Shop

Mario Confente: Passion Personified

Road bike racing likely comes to most people’s minds when they think about sports in Italy. Given this strong association, it’s no wonder the country is birthplace to so many of cycling’s most legendary figures. Mario Confente – in a lifetime shorter than most – gained a prominent place in cycling’s pantheon as both racer…

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