New York PhotoPlusExpo 2015

[Particular]

Ah the 'safety bicycle'. I recently looked up the NY state traffic code, and there is a definition of what a bicycle is. It is of course rather convoluted, but it mentions that a bicycle has some kind of gearing system or chain for propulsion. So a safety bicycle is a bicycle, but a unicycle or a penny farthing or a velocipede are not.
I'm not sure if that means that these are exempt from traffic rules, or are not allowed on the road at all.

 

[Calzone]

All I know is that I'm a lucky guy. My IBIS Mountain Trials is a Holy Grail, and it seems like "Divine Intervention" is the way I got it.

First I was totally bored at work when I went on EBAY and typed in the most obscure thing I could think of: an over 25 year old bike from a small boutique builder that has't been made in over two decades. I was truely surprised that I found one, none the less an unheard of titanium version. When I lost on the bidding I knew I kinda blew a rare once in a lifetime opportunity, but two days after I lost I got a "Second Chance Offer" because the high bidder did not pay up.

Then the forensics indicate from one source that I have the first ti version ever made; that the ti IBIS is from 1994-1995 because it features a "Hand Job" for a rear cable hangar that was made pre V-brakes (investment cast and made by a jewler for IBIS); and from Scot Nicol the founder of IBIS that his guess is that maybe 1-5 titanium Mountain Trials were ever buit, "but in fact," I might have the only one.

Today the Ti Mojo remains a very highly regarded bike for it's internally butted tubing, it's rear drop out, it's tapered seat and chainstays which kinda established the pinacle of Ti framebuilding. My Ti IBIS Mountain Trials uses the same tubeset as the famed Ti Mojo, but is looking likely a one-off special order for an IBIS dealer.

Phil great to have you back east. Let's do some riding. Already I'm doing a century called the "Gold Coast" with Joe mid July next year. Basically a century I have done before that is rolling hill through Upper Brookville through expensive mansions and huge estates.

In the fall I expect to do something kinda crazy which is do another century using a single speed (not a fixed gear). The Tour of the Hamptons is kinda flat and not very hilly.

The Gold Coast is just to get time in the saddle, but the Tour of the Hamptons is about strength, stamina and threshold of pain. Then mountain bike race season begins...

Cal

 

[kbg32]

Keith,

On our levels of bike, what was created 25 or more years ago can be still regarded as the best today, they were made in the U.S.A., and they were hand built. In a way these retro bikes are still highly regarded and have not been eclipsed, even though there have been other great advances.

The aggressive geometry that Chris Chance developed of short wheelbase, tall bottom bracket and steep steering angle on a strong, but light bike is still hard to beat. I know I would love a purple Wicked Fat Chance.

Similarly Scot Nicol built another breed of aggressive handling bikes. Interesting that both companies had "Gary" factor.

Today a titanium bike from "Seven" is not really that big a jump from an IBIS Ti Mojo made 25 years ago except perhaps in price.

Cal

West coast mountain bikes and east coast mountain bikes were different breeds entirely. East coast mountain bikes were known for their handing of tight technical single track filled with tight turns, roots, ruts, trees, etc.. West coast mountain bikes, California style, were a tad laid back due to less technical single track, and lots of wide open climbing and descending.

While the Wickeds were great bikes, the Yo Eddy took it a step further. The Eddies were built to handle the larger volume 2.2 tires of the day.

There is a rider I used to see on my return route down 9W on the weekends. He had a beautiful purple Chris Chance road bike outfitted with all Campy. Very rare frame. I haven't seen him in over 6 years.

 

[Calzone]

West coast mountain bikes and east coast mountain bikes were different breeds entirely. East coast mountain bikes were known for their handing of tight technical single track filled with tight turns, roots, ruts, trees, etc.. West coast mountain bikes, California style, were a tad laid back due to less technical single track, and lots of wide open climbing and descending.

While the Wickeds were great bikes, the Yo Eddy took it a step further. The Eddies were built to handle the larger volume 2.2 tires of the day.

There is a rider I used to see on my return route down 9W on the weekends. He had a beautiful purple Chris Chance road bike outfitted with all Campy. Very rare frame. I haven't seen him in over 6 years.

Keith,

You are correct that the left coast generally had/has builders that made bikes for less technical terrain than the rocky and rooty twisty singletrack that we love and enjoy. Understand that Scot Nicol was a three times Norba Trials Champion back in the day, and even the Ti Mojo is kinda esteemed as a single track bike that got skittish on downhills. It has been said that the Mountain Trials was his favorite bike and this is coming from a trials champion.

Both my Mountain Trials bikes have only a 39 1/4 inch wheelbase, a tall 12 inch bottom bracket height, 15 1/2 inch chain stays, and are stiffly built with an aggressive 72 degree head tube angle like some Fat City bikes. Originally built for Slickrock you couldn't ask for a more hyper shorter wheelbase mountain bike that was made for technical terrain and log hopping. During the golden age of mountain biking IBIS bikes were pretty far from being relaxed.

Scot Nicol has a cult following for pretty much the same reasons that Fat City bikes are legendary bikes that are kinda optimized for technical single track.

Cal