Feature Friday: Denver's Dodici Gara

It's been over a month since our friend Denver has gone back to Korea, and this post was supposed to be up right after he boarded the plane (I know, I'm busy. Don't judge me.)

A couple of points why I like this build:

• It's super light
• Great parts
• It's a daily commuter
• Geometry's just right
• That color

Denver actually focused more on function over form. It just happened to look good.

More pictures and details after the jump.

Feature Friday: Jerik Platon's Grime Goat

It has been around 2 months since Jerik let go of his Mistress to get his hands on this FGFS build, and I can personally say that it was worth it. I just get so stoked whenever I think about this build. If only I can trade one of my bikes to have the same build, I would.

If you're wondering if you should get a FGFS build, you can probably ask him after Wednesday Rides and try his bike out. You will never miss the goat because 1) It's fluorescent yellow, 2) It has smaller 26-inch wheels, 3) The tires are SO fat, and 4) Everything just looks so different compared to a regular fixed-gear bike.

More pictures and bike details after the jump.

Araw ng Kagitingan Ride: Makati to Bugarin

I never imagined riding to Bugarin on a fixed-gear. Ever. I hated it when I used to go there on a mountain bike. Though it is one of the go-to places for cyclists training for endurance and one of the steepest climbs in the East, riding it with a fixed gear is insane. The last thing you need on this ride, is a brakeless bike. And a sprinting gear ratio. And no coasting.

And since yesterday was a non-working holiday here in the Philippines, we decided to go ride to Tanay (which is 13kms short of Bugarin). But when we got there everyone was just hyped, we rode the 13 km incline to the best view of Laguna de Bay anyway.

That 130 km ride is still worth the pain, though.

As for the pictures, I only used my phone's camera. I apologize for the quality. And the selfies.

More pictures after the jump.

Feature Friday: Kalki Salvacion's Mr. Pink

I know, I know. It has been 2 weeks since the last entry.  I'm supposed to put this up last week, but I was out of town for the holidays and silly me forgot to bring the material for this post.

I have personally seen how this guy started out with a heavy white fixie almost a year ago, with brakes and all. And now, riding an aggressive Ave Maldea frame with excellent parts, you know it's gotten serious.

I guess you'll really need performance parts if you like riding hard.

And even if it's a week late, it's still a Good Friday.

More pictures and details after the jump.

Feature Friday: Lance Manuel's Equanimity

I have seen a couple frames like this handcrafted by Ave Maldea, and I have seen more all-black bikes in my lifetime. But this build seems to bring something clean, mean, and simple in one package. Old trick, but still fresh.

Still, nothing beats a blacked-out build.

More pictures and details after the jump..

Bike Build: Pam's Mouse

I've built this bike for quite a while now.  I thought it would be a great gift for Pam, aside from the fact that she always hinted on getting one.  It was supposed to be done by Valentine's day, but some of the parts didn't come through from the chromer.  

Check out below for the complete bike check and more photos.

Kalloy risers cut to 41cm, on a 90mm NOS Shimano 600 stem.  DiaCompe Goldfinger lever and Tektro caliper for the front brake.

This frame is made of  hi-tensile, custom made by Ave Maldea.  It is designed to run on 26" wheels, with 49cm Seat Tube and 51cm Top Tube.  I sent it to Versa Powdercoating to have it painted white, only took them a day to finish it.

• Frame: Hi-Ten Frame by Ave Maldea, 49cm x 51cm

• Wheels: 32h NK Japan Coaster Hubs laced to 32mm Mavic Rims, 26x1 Maxxis Detonator

• Crank: Shimano 600, 175mm

• Cockpit:  90mm Shimano 600 quill, 27.2mm Kalloy seatpost, 41cm Kalloy Risers

• Saddle: NOS Cannondale Competition

• Ratio: 39x16