hello NYC bicycle boutique: Adeline Adeline

last month / renovating... not yet open

this month / photo from the NYTimes!

Last month, posters of over sized images of bicycles in a storefront peaked my interest. Then last week while biking in Tribeca along Reade Street's bike path... I was thrilled to find Adeline Adeline was open! FINALLY - NYC's answer to London's Bobbin Bicycle.

Adeline Adeline is "a very nice bicycle shop" indeed! Julie Hirschfeld, store founder and graphic designer, translates her aesthetic and design expertise into the world of bicycles beautifully by creating a cheerful and friendly "bicycle boutique". Located two blocks from the West Side Greenway bike path (perfect for test rides!) the shop is well stocked with a great assortment of city bicycles "that focuses on comfortable, relaxed riding for pleasure"! They also have a full service shop downstairs + stylish selection of accessories from helmets to baskets to bells...

Pashley's Princess Sovereign / Abici's Grandturismo / Bakfiets' Cargo Bike / Biomega's Amsterdam / Linus' DUTCHIE 3

It's well worth a visit!

colour match

In conjunction with Milan Design Week, the Italian bicycle manufacture, Abici launched four new Pantone colours to ride including Turquoise 15-5519 and Mimosa 14-0848. Then for even more colour matching fun... on Design Milk I came across Abici's collaboration with Sweden's Note Design Studio for which they chose four different iconic buildings in Stockholm to inspired a collection of bicycles...

I'm adoring that red-orange...
could it be referencing the K:fem department store designed by Wingårdhs?!

Radley bags + Pashley bikes

Bright + cheerful British fashion accessory company, Radley, launch their S/S 2010 collection with the ever popular bicycle-as-marketing tool... this season's photoshoot (above) and a customized Pashley bike give away (sadly only open to UK residents)...
However, Radely has crossed the pond with a recently launched website for those living in the USofA.

early twentieth century throwbacks

Bowery Lane Bicycles are quite spiffy with their American steel frames handmade in NYC (forged in a factory that derives 30% of its power from solar panels), dual-spring saddles, cork grips, and handcrafted wood crates "perfectly sized for two six packs, shopping bag, or 25 LPs - up to 40lbs". Also note worthy... Bowery Lane Bicycles' factory is located within New York City limits, which means employees can commute via bicycle or public transport. As I am not a fan of coaster brakes -- here's hoping they'll expand their line?!

Those wooden crates reminded of a man (in a suit) I spotted last week riding over the Manhattan Bridge on a vintage cruiser frame equip with a vintage Pepsi wooden crate attached to the rear rack -- much like the above. While I adore wood accessories, Wald's 139-WW Font Basket is a nice (and lighter) compromise made from Ohio White Oak with nice/practical proportions (13" long, 18" wide, 6" deep)...

oh joy's nutty professor

Another impeccable ensemble by oh joy! - this time for the guys.

You can read up on the featured Velorbis' Student Classic - the two-wheeled, utilitarian bicycle, with mudguards or fenders, a rear carrier or rack, relaxed loop frame or geometry, an upright seating position and generally an ‘old-time’ look reminiscent of the early 20th century, enclosed the gears, either freewheel/drum brake hubs which are popular worldwide, or coaster brakes/pedal brake hubs, lugged and brazed hand built frames from the highest quality Chromoly steel - [here]

While I love the leather satchel - Velorbis' also offers their retro/practical powder coated steel front carrier and wood carrier crate...

Republic goes Dutch

The people that partnered with Urban Outfitters & offered the customizable $399 bike have gone Dutch!

Republic is now offering these brand new bikes, also for $399, which Courtnee at Sweet Georgia Brown mentioned yesterday in her post about the burgeoning "toodling style".

What Republic has to say about the "Plato" bike: "Our Dutch bicycle is designed to let you sit upright, chest lifted, head high. It’s a graceful act, and Plato radiates joy with every revolution. So whether you're looking to spread the mirth on your commute or carry home that load in style, hop on, grip those swept-back bars and ride"

With the cycle chic in mind... you select your favorite colour combinations, and the model includes built-in front and rear rack (awesome), a chain guard keeping your pant cuff clean, kickstand, and as Courtnee points out, skirt guards for us ladies! I know these will appeal to friends of mine but just be aware the "Plato", weighs in at about 40 lbs (so you might not be thrilled to climb the stairs to your apartment with this style), comes in one "adjustable" size which they suggest for riders 5'2" - 5'11", and is a coaster bike with a front wheel break.

And, yes, Republic still offers their single speed fixed/free hub bikes...

more... liberty love + Target = bike?!!

The truly sweet blog Sweet Georgia Brown posted these from the pages of O Magazine via Comfort & Luxury!

While I am looking forward to March 14th, when Target's Liberty of London collaboration debuts, I do hope they will offer more styles then just coaster brake cruisers. Just personally couldn't deal without any break pads on NYC streets. And would switch out the handlebars as they appear way to wide for going b/w cars... but do love the fenders, kick stand and chain guard.

dutch meets fold-up II

Last September I posted about Dahon's (inspired) Dutch style' fold-up bikes... but did a double take seeing Citizen's fold-up in a (very) similar style. It's Citizen's Barcelona - a 3 speed cruiser with a step-through frame & upright geometry on their site (on SALE this week at 1/2 the price) for $394, and if you are going for it, add on the basket.

My sister, who is in the market for a lighter and more practical commuter bike to add to her collection, is considering a Citizen... humm, I would go with the Barelona... in Ivory!

all photos via Citizen

vintage (spray paint) inspiration

Love hearing about design inspiration... the Paper Labels project turned to discontinued vintage spray paint for colour schemes to graphics.

Paper Labels is a New England collaborative design project bringing together frame builders Independent Fabrication (Somerville, MA), apparel company Bodega (Boston, MA) and bag makers BaileyWorks (Portsmouth, NH).

Three concept bikes, four courier bags and three graphic t-shirts were created. Only 15 of each bike design will be made, each individually numbered...

photos via Independent Fabrication & Sneaker Freaker