Bicyclecrumbs

It was recently pointed out to me that there is a huge lack of women specific product/posts/art on my feed. Now I can assure you, that is only because I'm a guy, and my content on here is 99% of the time product reviews. I did not mean to exclude anyone. With all of that that said, I still think it is a very good point. So I will take this opportunity to talk about women in cycling, the only way I know how, through product. I'm going to preface this post with this: I'm not talking about Endless Bike Co strictly because the owner is female, I'm talking about Endless because her products are the very best, and she just so happens to be one of the very few female owners in a male dominated industry. @endlessbikegirl Shanna is the sole person behind Endless Bike Co. A mainly single speed mountain bike specific component maker. The Endless Kick Ass Cog, is widely regarded in the single speed community as the best cog in existence. At $50 and around 15g depending on tooth count, the kick ass cog is a premium product. It is one of the rare cases where you get what you pay for. A light, strong, and beautiful product. Available from 14t - 25t and in 10 colors. A particularly interesting fact is Endless parts are machined in house @industry_nine . What this means is, you get the made in America I9 quality and amazing anodized color choices. One reasons I keep Bicyclecrumbs semi anonymous is when I get the chance to meet people they generally have no idea I do this. That means I get a good sense of how they treat everyone. I met Shanna briefly and she was an extremely nice, positive, and rad person. To me it's also a huge bonus to know my money isn't going to some jerk. One thing I'm 100% sure of is Shanna lives her brand and is a huge single speed supporter. I can't think of a better way to celebrate women in cycling then to support the ones producing quality parts at the highest possible level. #endless #endlesskickasscog #endlessbikeco #cog #singlespeed #ssmtb #mtb #mountainbike #bike #bicycle #bikeparts #review #productreview #design #graphic #graphicdesign #illustration #vector #vectorart #pattern #bikeart

My 4rd and 5th bikes were both track bikes. I was fairly new to cycling at the time, but it was at the height of track bike popularity a few years back. I like all people, sometimes get caught up in trends haha. I'm not positive why but I often associate track bikes with @selleitaliausa Flite saddles. I just think they always pair well together. Unfortunately for me they just absolutely don't work with my body. I still love the way they look though. To me they are one of a handful of truly iconic bike parts. At home on vintage or modern bikes they just always look good. If you have a vintage or track bike fan in your life a Flite 1990 would be a great holiday gift. Available for around $70.00 depending on where you look, that is about $40.00 less then when they re released them. Super light, affordable, and they look great, that's a rare combination. It still bums me out I can't ride them. On a related side note, the Selle Italian Turbo re issues are also really cheap now $40-50 these do fit me and I love them. I think it's another case of overestimated demand that has dropped the prices lower and lower. Unfortunately I have zero vintage bikes at the moment. #selleitalia #flite #selleitaliaflite #flite1990 #icon #bike #bicycle #cycling #vintage #vintagebikeparts #bikeparts #bicyclecrumbs #bicyclecrumbsgiftguide #design #graphic #graphicdesign #vector #vectorart #illustration #product #productreview #saddle #bikesaddle

Future post on this coming, but damn do I love some made in the U S of A goodness has arrived at the Bicyclecrumbs offices. Should be some pretty solid upgrades to the SS mountain bike Thanks @endlessbikegirl I'm pumped on this. #endlesscog #endlesskickasscog #kickasscog #ss #singlespeed #ssmtb #mountainbike #musa #bicyclecrumbsgiftguide #bike #bicycle #cycling #mtb #bikeparts #ano #purpleano #endlessbikeco #32x18 #the1ring #bicyclecrumbs

Everyone starts somewhere in cycling. For me it was a a second hand 1989 Huffy Vortex (google it). This is a fact too often forgotten. You see, It seems for some reason after riding a "real" bike for a few years, everyone feels entitled to be elitist about what ever section of cycling they are apart of. People that ONLY ride mountain bikes or road bikes seem to the worst about this. Shaming you for not having Chris King or ENVE everything. Or for not having a bike that is way beyond your skill or pay level. I hate this. I am firmly in the camp of building the bike you want to ride and that makes you happy. No matter what your shop or friends think. Thinking about my vortex I often want to buy a super simple bike like a @fairdalebikes flyer or taj. Something that just looks fun and reminds me of my first bike. It's why I love fairdale so much, they simply want to get people on bikes at any level. I really admire that in an industry so often trying to push overpriced things people might not need. What does this have to do with a @ritcheylogic multi bit torquey? Really not a lot. I just wanted to point out everyone starts somewhere, instead of making fun of people's builds or mistakes, try and be helpful. If you know someone just getting into cycling this could be a perfect small gift, and one of the most important tools in any home garage. $20.00 get you a tool that can really protect you from yourself, especially if you don't know any better. Is anyone out there willing to admit to the first time you hamfisted a part, or broke something because you didn't know what you were doing? #cycling #bike #bicycle #bikeparts #torq #ritchey #biketools #torqkey #product #productreview #review #cyclingreview #design #graphic #graphicdesign #illustration #illustratedreview #bicyclecrumbs #bicyclecrumbsgiftguide #bikeshop #tools #hamfisted

As a pretty positive person, I have to say I hate when runners wear headphones. It's to the point around here that I stay off most designated bike paths. One thing that helps with this issue is the @spurcycle bell. The only way to describe it is, it's the Chris King of bells. Yes it's a premium product at $49 for the raw and $59 for the black it is pretty pricy. But they are by far the best looking and sounding bell. Only the jerks with their music up full blast won't hear you (still 66% of them.) Seriously if run, try not to do it like a drunk toddler. Anyway these things are great and will look good on any bike. They are also made in the USA. My only complaint is I dont have them on every bike. With it already November, it's also a great time to start thinking about holiday gifts. I would be pumped if I got one of these. #spur #spurcycle #spurcyclebell #bell #bikeparts #bike #bicycle #cycling #bikebell #dingding #design #graphic #graphicdesign #bicyclecrumbs #review #product #productreview #cyclingreview #illustration #vector #vectorart #bikeart #cyclingart #gift #bicyclecrumbsgiftguide

Hey girls and guys, Halloween is this weekend, go out and have some fun. As you know I like to get a little goofy on Fridays. This idea has been in the hopper for a while and with Halloween as inspiration it was the perfect time to put it down on "paper". You see, since the start of this blog, I've always planned to sell something to help fund more product to reviews. My close friends and I have been talking about what the first Bicyclecrumbs product should be. I've been pretty set on a shirt, I just never had an image that was right for it. After drawing this I knew instantly, it was the one. Such a dumb idea that works so perfectly. I don't even have a good caption. @sramroad the world knows where tour ergonomic hoods came from now. Thanks @istone_kc for the dumb, but perfect idea. #sram #sramred #red #hydro #shifters #sramred #easterisland #easterislandhead #design #graphic #graphicdesign #illustration #cycling #bike #bicycle #roadbike #shirt #shirtdesign #graphictee #bicyclecrumbs #sramred22 #red22hydro #reddisc #uglyhoods #halloween #tshirt

Another piece to the puzzle that is my new build has arrived. Look for a full review of the @rideissi trail pedals coming in a few weeks. Really pumped on the price, weight, and look of these. Keep making rad stuff and I'll let you guys and girls know what I think after some long miles. #rideissi #issi #issipedals #trail #bike #bikeparts #pedals #spd #clipless #bicycle #cycling #mailday #allblackeverything #product #productreview #cyclingreview

If you couldn't tell by now I'm constantly drawing and making stuff. One of the longest running doodles of mine is this pattern of crudely drawn pro cyclist portraits. I add a few new faces every couple of months. It's often hard for designers or artist to work in styles that are so far from their normal thing. I think it is mostly because artist don't want viewers think they have a "lack of hand skill". In all honesty it took me around 4 years to even have the confidence to show or post something like this. I really do love it though and have no use for it. Perhaps some more leggings are in order. What do you guys and girls think? Oh here's a fun idea, first person to comment identifying all of them I'll send you some bicyclecrumbs stickers. Tip one person is in there twice. #bike #bicycle #bikeart #bicyclecrumbs #procycling #cycling #cyclingart #pattern #repeatable #alloverprint #print #surfacedesign #design #gravel #graphic #graphicdesign #vector #vectorart #vintagecycling #bicyclecrumbs #art

It's a strange thing, for how much I draw @campagnolosrl vintage parts, I've never owned a modern Campy bike. I just don't feel like they really offer anything for the gravel/dirt/slow roaming style of riding I do. I'm a SRAM guy now, nothing has ever failed me. I should probably point out I learned how to not be attached to bikes, so as soon as one build has lost its luster, I move on to the next build. 2 years is the longest I've had a bike for a while. It's to the point where I'm not even up to date on all things modern campy, it's just not on my radar anymore. I guess I'm starting to feel nostalgic for something different. Are there any campy equipped production gravel or "all road" bikes out right now? I don't even know. What's my point with any of this? There isn't one its just something I realized right at this moment. #campagnolo #campy #record #crecord #campyrecord #sheriffstar #sheriffstarhub #hub #bike #cycling #bicycle #vintagebikes #bikeparts #bikehub #vintagebikeparts #art #design #graphic #graphicdesign #vector #vectorart #bikeart #cyclingart

I've been pretty quiet today, this nightmare of a drawing is why. If you are shopping for disc brakes @trpbrakes Spyres mechanical disc brakes are my suggestion, assuming you don't want hydros and are on somewhat of a budget. They work, they work very well. I've had zero complaints in the passed 6 or so months I've been on them. They have a dual piston design meaning more even pad wear and much easier adjusting IMO compared to BB7s. I also feel like they have less annoying squeals and other noises then the bb7 equipped bike I had. Let's be clear these are still mechanical and if you've spent real time on a Hydro bike it will still leave you wanting more power. If you can afford them you might want to bump up to the TRP Hy/Rd. Another thing you should immediately notice is the size. Visibly they are smaller then BB7's which you might think doesn't matter. But if you have ever run into issues mounting a rack on a disc brake bike. This is a feature to pay attention to. Not impressively light at 162g per wheel but that shouldn't surprise anyone. The price is the key here at around $80.00 a wheel including rotors and all mounting hardware it's pretty good performance for your buck. I feel I should point out I rather enjoy the way they look too, much more of a sleek design then other companies. #trp #trpspyre #spyre #discbrake #discbrakes #trpbrakes #bike #bicycle #cycling #cyclingreviews #cyclingproductreviews #bikereview #product #productreview #illustration #illustratedreview #design #graphic #graphicdesign #bikeparts #paul #paulcomponents #skewers #paulskewers #wheel #wheelset #rotor

Keeping your bikes clean is hard. I'm not obsessive about it, but a clean bike generally does function better. One product that makes it a lot easier is @pedrosbikecare Bike Lust. Not a true cleaner, it is more of a finishing coat but will lift some grease and dirt. Simply apply to a clean rag and buff onto you bike, it will bring it back to a "new bike day" shine. Once on it acts as a barrier between water, dirty, and uv rays. Safe on all metal and carbon. Just avoid breaking surfaced and rotors. Pro tip, this stuff works great to clean tires and give your gum walls some new life. Oh I almost forgot, this stuff is made in the USA and is biodegradable. At 18$ a bottle it's not the cheapest, I tend to go through a lot of it too. Anyone use or recommend anything else? #bike #bicycle #cycling #bikeparts #bikecleaner #bikelust #pedros #pedrosbikelust #product #productreview #review #graphic #graphicdesign #design #illustration #illustratedreview #cyclingreviews #cyclingproductreviews

Man I was really avoiding drawing this, but really wanted to talk socks. I finally worked it out and this might be my favorite drawing yet. Too bad it's also a drawing of socks so it's just kinda strange to do anything with. Anyway, @theathletic makes some pretty damn good socks. They are light and breathable as they should be. They also dry quickly, gravel races always seem to have water crossings, what's with that? One of the things I like most about the athletic is their appreciation of sneaker culture and sports history, as well as bikes. I feel like this helps lead them to their fun colors and patterns. You are probably wondering why I didn't draw their iconic PDX sock? Well #crossiscoming and these two socks are my personal favorites. As a designer I still remember the day I saw the @houseindustries re brand of Richard Sachs. It was so perfectly done. If I ever teach design it will for sure make it into the class. Oh I almost forgot, the best part about socks is they are so low cost $15.00. Mixed with plain black kits they are a great way to show some style at a super reasonable price. #socks #sockgame #sneakers #theathletic #pdx #pdxcarpet #houseindustries #richardsachs #cx #cyclocross #cycling #bike #bicycle #bikeparts #review #product #productreview #illustration #illustratedreview #design #graphic #graphicdesign #cyclingreview #cyclingkit #kit

It's the weekend put yo party socks on. Probably my last post til Monday have a good weekend. @theathletic PS the socks might be my first art print. They are just weird enough. #theathletic #pdx #pdxcarpet #pdxcarpetsocks #cycling #cyclingsocks #sockgame #pattern #design #bikes #bicycle #illustration #illustratedreview #graphicdesign #design #sneakers #cyclingkit #kit #wtfkits

Let me start this by saying, I wasn't the person who got a Zune instead of an IPod. Usually if the product is the best I find it in my research before I buy it and ultimately choose that one. As for tool rolls this wasn't the case. I always avoided the Ramblin Roll by @jonesville and @kylebkelley . It just looked too simple, and they were always impossible to get unless you were ready to buy the second they were released. I also thought they were hyped up a lot by Blogger Bros (no negative connotation). After I tired two other rolls that I didn't like, I finally snagged one of these. I have to admit I was wrong. This is the best roll I have used. It is perfectly sized, super simple and easy to load and mount. Does not come loose or eject your stuff. It makes me wish I didn't try others and just got one of these to start. I didn't know Kyle was going to put out a pre order today when I started this drawing. But hey it works out pretty well, get one while you can from Tracko. Best part is, they are only $35.00 for a hand made in America product. #toolroll #ramblinroll #tracko #saddleroll #flatkit #flattimesatridgemonthigh #cycling #product #productreview #review #illustration #illustratedreview #bike #bicycle #yanco #yancoandtracko #design #graphic #graphicdesign #bikereview #cyclingreview

Tire reviews are going to be almost always in this format. Tires are a nightmare to draw. If you can't tell by now I love @bluelug products. I've been on the @fairweatherbikes Travel 700x28c tires for a week now (algae color if you were curious). I figured I would give you my initial impressions. First off, these are made by Panaracer in Japan and are natural rubber based on the ZSG compound. Normally I run higher volume, lower pressure tires so these were a pretty big switch. Running at 100 psi in the rear and 90 up front, these are unbelievably smooth and able to absorb the cracks and even gravel. These tires have no gimmicky puncture protection belt. I feel that helps the super smooth feeling. I haven't had any flats but I also don't have a ton of miles on them. Mounted up, visually these seem slightly smaller then the Clement Strada. My stradas are on a rider rim. They appear to be really true to size tires. Traction seems to be spot on with no issues so far. I can't speak for how long they last and will likely delete this review and repost once I have more time on them. I can't say these would be great for B roads or super chunky rock, but if your normal thing is road, city and fine gravel these would do the trick. At $40.00 and only 254g a tire these are fairly pricey but are by far the smoothest tire I've been on. Available from fairweather in 4 colors rust, algae, grey and black (all tan wall). I believe some American companies import so you don't have to pay crazy shipping cost. #fairweather #fairweatherbikes #cycling #bike #bicycle #tires #clincher #panaracer #japan #rubber #fortravel #algae #gumwall #tanwall #bikeparts #bikereview #review #product #productreview #illustration #illustratedreview #graphic #graphicdesign #design #bluelug

Blinky lights are not a sexy topic, and in reality anything that can help you be seen is great. I've tried a few over the passed years and always come back to these, keep in mind I'm only talking about for short commutes or grocery getting. The @lezyneusa Femtos are my personal choice. There is just something pleasing about the machined aluminum casing, that puts them a step above other plastic versions. They are plenty bright to be seen and light and super easy to switch between bikes. I have higher powered lights to use in combination with these on back roads and gravel, but around town they will do the trick. $20-$30 is cheap and they make them In a ton of really rich anodized colors to match any bike. My front one goes through batteries much faster then the rear though. Both run on two CR2032 and should last around 60hrs on blink mode. Stay tuned for higher powered lights. #lezyne #lezyneusa #blinky #blinkylights #bikelights #cycling #femtos #led #blinkies #bike #bicycle #bikeparts #product #productreviews #review #illustration #illustratedreview #graphic #graphicdesign #design #bikereview

Here's an unpopular current cycling opinion. CO2 inflators work really well. Yes @silca_velo frame pumps are beautiful, but a lot of us can't afford them (or their new travel hex kit). It bums me out to see such beautiful products be so unattainable for most people. So you know what, I use a $19.00 Co2 inflator @lezyneusa @ridepdw and a number of other people make quality ones. If you want to splurge the silca is $40.00 but I doubt it's much better. In most gravel races I carry two co2s and two tubes. I have spare cartridges with my pit or in my drop bag depending the event. In almost all situations the co2 is faster then any pump. The one exception is extremely cold days, they tend to freeze up if you release the air to fast. There have been a number of events where I have stopped because someone had a terrible mini pump and they were struggling. I just give them a blast of air and move on my way. The used cartridges are steel so they are recyclable. I do realize these are not an option for tours or bike packing trips. Lastly, don't be a dick and toss your tubes or used cartridges on the side of the road. #product #co2 #co2inflator #flattimesatridgemonthigh #pdw #lezyne #productreview #cycling #bike #bicycle #bikeparts #review #illustration #illustratedreview #graphic #graphicdesign #design #bikereview #biketools #cheap