Cycle Show 2009 - London

Kerry, Owen and me (Ty) hit the Cycle Show in London on Saturday, it was a nice day out, pictures:

cycle show 2009 london wales fixie fixed gear photos
This was just one of the many cutesy, attractive fixies at the show, practically every booth had one of their own, they nearly all sucked in the way that any ready made fixie does. As a first bike they would be ok I suppose but I stand by the conversion route, even though your conversion will be shit and have a terrible paint job and start falling part pretty soon it's still a great way to learn about how your bike works.

cycle show 2009 london wales fixie fixed gear photos
I'd seen this in a picture not so long ago and loved the idea of it, at the mo I'm carrying around a Pedro Trixie which is great and has a lifetime guarantee but it's a bit long and how often do I really need a lockring tool? This new folding adjustable wrench from Knog just looks awesome to carry for the occasional wheel adjustment. As with all of the other Knog stuff it's pretty AND functional, they should be available some time around the end of November.

cycle show 2009 london wales fixie fixed gear photos
Owen gives the BMX inspired PK Ripper the thumbs down, so do I. We aren't into trick bikes.

cycle show 2009 london wales fixie fixed gear photos
Kerry gives this one the thumbs up, it's an SE Lager and was at the nicer end of the 'bike in a box' ones.

cycle show 2009 london wales fixie fixed gear photos
Absolute classic jersey.

cycle show 2009 london wales fixie fixed gear photos
The new Bianchi Pista Via Condottie looked awesome on screen and at first look was pretty snazzy in the flesh too, but after looking past the shiny chrome and Celeste paint job I was left a little bit less impressed.

cycle show 2009 london wales fixie fixed gear photos
Owen giving the international sign of the spaz at one of the few belt drives in the show.

cycle show 2009 london wales fixie fixed gear photos
Just a funny picture of Kerry.

cycle show 2009 london wales fixie fixed gear photos
Kerry got a free tent to wear after signing up for something or other.

cycle show 2009 london wales fixie fixed gear photos
Thumbs down for another belt drive.

cycle show 2009 london wales fixie fixed gear photos
Like, seriously?

cycle show 2009 london wales fixie fixed gear photos
Kerry loving one of the handmade jackets in the Cyclodelic booth.

cycle show 2009 london wales fixie fixed gear photos
Sweet forks on one of the Globe Bikes.

cycle show 2009 london wales fixie fixed gear photos
Kinda nice looking but not all that really.

cycle show 2009 london wales fixie fixed gear photos
Cool customisable headbadge casing on the Globe.

cycle show 2009 london wales fixie fixed gear photos
Owen gobbling up some sweaty crotch.

cycle show 2009 london wales fixie fixed gear photos
There are the shite Urban Outfitters bikes, poop.

cycle show 2009 london wales fixie fixed gear photos
I don't remember what make this is but it's quite snazzy, not sure what the point is though.

cycle show 2009 london wales fixie fixed gear photos
Me rocking the fastest hat in the show.

cycle show 2009 london wales fixie fixed gear photos
There were a few 3-speed fixed gears in the show, the idea is good BUT the whole point of the fixed gear is that it has a single fixed gear is it not? With these you get all the fashion of the fixie with non of the misery of struggling up hills.

cycle show 2009 london wales fixie fixed gear photos
Victoria Pendleton talking about chocolate.

cycle show 2009 london wales fixie fixed gear photos
Vicky Pendleton absolutely LOVING Fixed Gear Wales, she loved it so much she said "this is NOT a sponsorship", I feel obliged to submit to her demands and not claim that she is our newest and most powerful ambassador.

cycle show 2009 london wales fixie fixed gear photos
Kerry in the most redneck, death defying hat of the show.

cycle show 2009 london wales fixie fixed gear photos
We all like to have a laugh at the Specialized Langster, but when we saw the new one with it's chrome forks and classic styling on the internet we were almost prepared to give it a chance. Unfortunately in the flesh it sucked ass, it's gross and cheap looking.

cycle show 2009 london wales fixie fixed gear photos
Me getting as close as possible to Eddy Merckx 24hrs late :'-(

cycle show 2009 london wales fixie fixed gear photos
This is one of the GB Team track bikes, it was IMMENSE! The highlight of the show for me, after all the pretty, shiny price point fixies this industrial, black beast was a breath of fresh air. It looked like a weapon, not a toy. I tried counting the teeth, I'm pretty sure it was 98 gear inches, booyaa!

cycle show 2009 london wales fixie fixed gear photos
Some serious bike porn!

cycle show 2009 london wales fixie fixed gear photos
Me loving it.

cycle show 2009 london wales fixie fixed gear photos
The Cyclodelic fully customised bling machine, nice!

cycle show 2009 london wales fixie fixed gear photos
Kerry giving one of the Demon bikes the thumbs up. We spoke to the frame builder for a bit, he was nice. You can get them fully custom right down to the lugs but they bring a VERY hefty price tag!

cycle show 2009 london wales fixie fixed gear photos
Nitto stem porn.

cycle show 2009 london wales fixie fixed gear photos
Kerry was loving Andy Schleck.

cycle show 2009 london wales fixie fixed gear photos
And this chap who I'm sure I should know but I don't (comment if you know!)

cycle show 2009 london wales fixie fixed gear photos
Trying out one of the Swobo's. She was quite fond of them indeed.

cycle show 2009 london wales fixie fixed gear photos
It's fair to say that Kerry doesn't love Contador, in fact she hates his guts, she still enjoyed stroking his winky.

cycle show 2009 london wales fixie fixed gear photos
She couldn't wait to try out some of the Eddy Merckx brand "energy juice".

cycle show 2009 london wales fixie fixed gear photos
After 6 hours we resorted to coming up with cool hipster outfits.

cycle show 2009 london wales fixie fixed gear photos
I just can't look cool.

cycle show 2009 london wales fixie fixed gear photos
All touched out and tired Kerry resorts to pointing at nuts.

-

And here are a couple of things we missed but Evs and Amy caught the day before...

cycle show 2009 london wales fixie fixed gear photos
Fuck knows how we managed to miss this beast, Bruce Bursford hit 209mph on this thing in 1996, wild!

cycle show 2009 london wales fixie fixed gear photos
The obvious highlight of the show, the one, the only, the legend that is Eddy Merckx! I was fuming that I couldn't get up there on the Friday to meet him, damn you Evs!

The biggest shock of the show was the £25 parking bill at the end of the day, fuck you London, fuck you very much!