Ben came to us today with a problem: his bike got run over while locked up on the side walk and he needed a new one. As a bike messenger and Boston Bike Messenger Association Vice President, obviously a bicycle is not only a means of transportation and a friend; it’s a necessity.
“I would borrow my friend’s bikes, but they were all custom, really nice bikes, I couldn’t ride how I normally do,” said Ben.
While Ben’s Budd frame is being repaired, he wanted a solution that was his.
That’s when he saw the Charge Scissor frame.
He was attracted to the frame for a variety of reasons.
“It looks nice, and I wanted something I could ride downtown and really beat on. I can go down stairs without a worry!”
Tom building up the Scissor with a Sugino crankset and Eastern Bikes BMX Pedals.
Ben took it out for a test spin and loved the geometry.
“It’s fast and comfortable, I’m going to have a lot of fun with this!”
For more information on the BBMA click here.
Hey internet, meet Kyle.
Photograph by Addison Post.
Kyle has been a customer and friend of ours for quite some time. He agreed to chat with us for a bit about his bicycle modifications and cycling inspirations.
“I think what inspires me about cycling is seeing people doing cool things on bikes or with bikes. Like kids hopping over hydrants on BMX, or sprinting all out with traffic, or just pictures and videos of the many great Boston area bike builders doing what they do best. I see this stuff, and think, maybe someone somewhere thinks that to some extent about me. It makes me ride happier, and try harder, with tricks or speed or making things or just in general.”
If you live in Boston/Cambridge/Somerville, you’ve probably seen one or both of these bicycles locked up outside of Toscanini’s:
“My love of bikes has basically become my art. I learned to weld decently by making bikes, and since they are already one of the most simple and elegant machines, I welded more on and did ludicrous paint jobs to make them more art then they inherently are. I don’t know…I only ever thought I was an artist until I went to school for engineering. Now I just make things that do stuff, but that look kind of pretty while doing so.”
So, how did you start creating these Frankenbikes?
“Ha frankenbikes…I love and hate that term. I had this synchronicity with my best friend sophomore year of college; he called me up and was like “dude, lets make lowrider bikes”, and I was like “dude, I was just drawing some up”. We used dude alot back then. Maybe it was just initially to get attention, but the feeling of cutting up metal and melting it together into something else was so powerful that I kept doing it every summer. My first was still my best though…it was like a long drawn out chopper motorcycle with this decorative “gas tank” that held two beers and a passenger seat facing back…probably one of my coolest moments at UMass was riding back from a party through campus with this girl I liked holding onto me from the back seat.”
What else does he enjoy about cycling?
“I’ve met some really good people through/on bikes. Like, people I maybe would never know or have run into, that I am happily now friends with (yourself included). Bikes have also been huge in terms of my mental and emotional state…there is something very comforting in knowing that no matter how sad or crappy or mad or whatever little mood is eating at me, I can get on a bike and cruise/sprint/trick around town and feel better. Ha, sometimes I am a moody crab baby.”
Volume just released some info of their new Thrasher Complete bikes. They will be available come March so if you want to pre-order one, let us know! We also have Thrasher frames in stock now, so if you can’t wait we can build one up custom for you. More info from Volume.
We are starting a regular Thursday Night Trick Night. Anyone interested can meet up at Superb at or before 7pm Thursday nights, literally anyone, beginner to advanced, with whatever bike you have. We will roll out to various locations around town to have fun and work on some tricks. Even if you just want to master your track stands or hang out this will be a good way to learn new skills and make new friends.
Last night was our test run and Christian, Craig and I had a great time! Hope to see you next Thursday!
Here are some photos from last nights test run!
Christian Left, Jason Right
Photos by Craig (croth)
The new Volume Thrasher Fixed Gear Freestyle frames are on the way to Superb. Should arrive any day now.
