Urban Velo just posted a real nice post on the Big Block:

From Urban Velo:

The All-CIty Big Block frameset is going to make a splash once it is actually available this November. At the $500 asking price, this is one of the best spec’d framesets out there with some very real thought in it. The geometry is steep and tall with a short offset fork, mirroring the handling attributes of “true track” frames that so many are in search of. In fact, there is no reason for this not to succeed on the track along with the street. Its butted 4130 tubes and tapered stays should ride well, as should the lugged crowned fork. For the city riders, this bike will fit 32mm tires, giving up a bit of top end speed for the much warranted flat resistance that larger tires make. There are brake provisions front and rear if you’re so inclined, and the cast track end featuring the Hennepin Avenue Bridge has integrated chain tensioners to keep your axle in place. Production framesets will be available in a black/white color scheme, with the pictured red/white paint available on complete bike builds. The blue/black paint was a prototype only, destined to a lucky person as a one-off paint sample. Also recently announced is the new fixed freestyle model, the Dropout, with a BMX style fork and the latest touches in street fixed wheel bike design. Interesting things continue to come from Minneapolis.

All City Trick Comp 2009 from BikeJerks on Vimeo.

The dude on the orange bike is Mike Carney and the guy on the red is Jesse Hilliard.  Both will soon be riding the new Dropout frameset. 

I just received these photos of the first round of Dropouts just back from the powdercoaters. 

We will be picking the best of these color schemes for our production frameset.  Since this bike is going to get beatup, it was a no brainer to use powdercoat instead of paint (more durable). 
Since a mulitple color powdercoat is prohibitively expensive (for a frame you’re going to beat the crap out of), the best way to make it interesting is to use a separate color on the frame and fork. We decided to keep it classy and roll with a low contrast color scheme. 

Blue on Blue

Grey on Grey

Green on Green

Cream on Brown

And yes I know that the decal should match the fork color.  We’re working on it. 

Our good buddy the Robeast Trevor Crayton (namesake of the Crayton toe clips) rode his Big Block to wins in both the sprints and the main alleycat at this year’s ACC.

Way to do us proud. 

 I’ll have some better photos of T$, the bike, and his champ bag shortly.

That’s the first of many victories that the Big Block will be racking up.

Up until now I’ve only been able to allude to the fact that we’ve had a freestyle fixed gear in the works for the last year or so.  Today I’m proud to announce its official existance to the world.  
The time for some disclosure is finally upon us, and while I can’t reveal much (it is still in prototype stage) I am happy to share some screen shots and other info.

*Since this is a first gen prototype, AC reserves the right to change anything and everything as we see fit*

Introducing the All-City Dropout freestyle fixed gear frameset

Headtube: 1 1/8 integrated headset
Tubeset:  Full 4130 Double Butted Cromoly
Brakes:  990’s

Fork: 400mm ATC unicrown construction (the fork should be available sooner than the frameset)
Tire Clearance: 40c’s (easy)

Dropouts: All-City signature cast from Cromo instead of stainless. The Cromoly gives greater axle bite and less wheel slippage.
Rear spacing: 120mm

We’re expecting the first proto’s later this month and will begin ride testing immediately.  The AC riders (Sam Miller, Mike Carney, Jesse Hilliard, and myself) will be providing the critical feedback as we beat the heck out of these things to see what’s golden and what needs further refinement.  I’ll have full pics of the frames and builds as they happen, and if you’re going to Interbike stop by the booth for a first hand look. 

Please forgive the lack of geometry and other specs, but due to recent incidents (you know what I’m talking about) we feel that it’s prudent to keep a tight lid on that information until the bike is finished.  Suffice it to say that we will be bringing you some very innovative (at least in our opinion) ideas that will create a stronger, lighter, and better handling frameset.    I think we’ve come up with some great numbers (between headtube angle, top tube length, toe overlap, and barspin toe overlap), and I am unbelievably excited to finally get to ride one after spending so many months worrying about geo’s and such. 

And just in case any of you out there are jumping out of you skin, yelling “Bandwagon!” (the internet has no shortage of pundits) know that from the very beginning it was always our plan that our second bike would be a fixed freestyler.  The reason being: I do stupid tricks on my bike nearly everyday (I have the embarrassing you tube videos to prove it:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HoBe4rKDZdE. C’mon it was 2006, cut me some slack (and I didn’t pick the song)) and the only reason we do anything is because we’re passionate about it and feel that innovation and progression of machine is possible.  I love riding fixed freestyle and believe that the Dropout has alot to offer a rider.

I’ll keep you informed as things happen

the homies at Long Beach Fixed Gear are having a sale on All-City stuff.

They also made this rad flyer from the picture I shot of Carney under the Hennepin bridge

All-City rider Dayle Forness just dropped his new edit

Dayle Forness- A CHUDs 3rd Video from Chud City on Vimeo.

Smooth!

A while back I posted that Velocity sent us some Chukkers for the All-City riders.

Dave over at Handspun  hooked it up and they came out like this:

Before I go I’d like to leave you with the following items:

don’t forget

Hey you guys!!

Every year in Minneapolis I throw the All City Championships Alleycat and Party Weekend!

In case you were wondering. Yes this is the namesake for the very brand who’s blog you’re currently reading.  Anyway this is my chance to give back to the cycling community by putting on a kickass race and party.  This year’s event is shaping up to be the best yet

The schedule looks like this:

Thursday Aug 20th - 10pm
Pre Reg and Trick Comp
-meet at One on One 117 N Washington

Friday Aug 21st - 10pm
Pre Reg Match Sprints and Trackstand
-meet at 4th st n and 5th ave n in warehouse district

Saturday Aug 22nd *Race Day*
All City Championship 2009 Alleycat
Meet at One on One at 7pm. Race at 8pm.
Race cut off 11pm

Race finish, awards and afterparty at One on One

Sunday Aug 23rd
Polo Tourney and BBQ
McRae Park Chicago Ave S, between 46th and 47th St.

$10 registration includes all events

Full info at www.bikejerks.com 

If you have inclination to make it, make sure you do.  It’s going to be a hell of a time.

Last weekend I was in Boston and had the priviledge of checking out Open Bicycle. 

Open is Boston’s premier track boutique and is co-owned by a former Minneapolis dude, Josh Kampa.  Kampa and I both spent time working at Freewheel and have several friends in common.  Although until that trip I don’t think we’d ever really met.  Anyway the important thing that you need to know is that Open is cool as hell, has a ton of cool vintage and modern parts, has an art gallery, and is deep in supporting Boston’s fixed gear scene. 

I present to you some photos from my visit to the shop.  The lighting was tough since it was too dim for sharp photos, and I hate flashes, so pardon the mediocrity of the shots. Did the best I could.  Neveretheless they should give you an idea of the treasures hiding out there.   

Big thanks to the guys at Open for allowing me to hang out and ship my bike there.

Keirin Cycles made a video tour of their store.  Check it out!

Keirin Cycles from keirin cycles on Vimeo.