1977 Hetchins Reborn

"I've never ridden such fabulous wheels as the Ghisallo wood rimmed wheels you built for me. I glued FMB Paris Roubaix tubulars to them and the ride is phenomenal!"

A bike for the ages.

Rick Mayer in Connecticut took time deciding just how to equip his classic Hetchins. Wood rims are not technically the same era but the aesthetic is totally consistent. I laced Corsa rims on a pair of NOS Campagnolo Record hubs and it's easy to think they were original equipment.

Isn't the gold of the head and seat tube panels a good visual with the warm honey brown of the beech wood rims?

What a nice gift to a favorite ride. Let's hope Rick finds plenty of time to enjoy his "new" machine.

Torchy Peden's Bike

Among Canada's greatest cyclists, none was so flamboyant as Torchy Peden, nicknamed on account of his flaming red hair and tendency to tear off the front.

Just imagine his red hair (and wood rims).

Career highlights:
1928 - Won numerous prestigious races on European cycling circuit
1929 - Five Canadian Amateur Indoor Titles and four records
- Turned professional
- Competed in first six-day bicycle race
1929-1948 - 148 six-day races, 38 victories
1931 - Rode mile at record speed of 73.5 mph

Great news, Casey Botman just finished a stellar restoration of Torchy's bike for the Greater Victoria Sports Hall of Fame. It will go on display soon in Victoria, BC.

How many of you have ridden an authentic Cinelli track stem?

A practically modern stance. Standing still, looking swift.

"Pencil" stays they were called, a hallmark of the era.

Gorgeous rear hub from Jeff Groman (Classic Cycles, Bainbridge Is).

Pista rims by Ghisallo, via Wheel Fanatyk.

Fork crown is a marvel of simplicity, headset reveals Casey with camera!

If any of you needs inspiration to undertake a restoration, we offer this magnificent example of racing heritage, metalworking craftsmanship, elegant lines, and intense beauty. Then, please share the results!

Some Summer 2011 News

Our supply of FSA Tension Gauges is finished. As many of you know, this is actually the Jobst Brandt Tension Gauge that FSA made for a few years. A nice job but it's been discontinued. I want to maintain availability, so we're working on domestic production. Hope I can soon announce restored supply with all the accuracy, convenience, and features that make it so desirable.

Measuring tension.

USA Cycling recently wrote a nice little profile of me (Ric). There are minor miss statements, for example, I worked with FSA for 7 years, not 12. But all in all, it is quite nice and I'm flattered.

Speaking of this organization, it needs our support. Like similar governing bodies, from charities to sports to education, USA Cycling exists to meet important needs that industry, alone, can't address. It benefits all members, the sport at large, and zillions of cyclists who never enter races or meet it face to face. The health of the World Cycling Scene is owed to volunteers, advocates, evangelists, and brave daily riders. USA Cycling is one of those key agencies that develop and defend the scene we enjoy.

On that subject, James Stanfill, Operations Director of USAC, has just announced a Neutral Support Mechanics Program to run from his office. This sort of effort has been maintained, on and off, by numerous industry players (Mavic, Shimano, SRAM, etc.) and regional groups through the years. These programs are contracted to provide mechanical support at events (charity or competition, road, CX, MTB, tri, track, etc.) to all comers. Neutral = without bias.



James has wisely determined that USAC should run a program of its own in connection with USAC Championships and other selected events. So, look for a red, white, and blue mechanical support program coming to an ride near you. Just a sign of progress and growth in the cycling events world.