The Imprecision of Identification

Back in 2005 when starting the whole Current Classics Gallery, it struck me that three genres of bicycle were underrepresented - "Current" Classics, Cyclocross and Singlespeed bicycles. (Working Bikes came along a little later.)  I figured that Singlespeeds would end up being mountain bikes for the most part and that Classics would be "road" bikes.
Certainly, the definitions have changed since then - there is little in the way of topography and surface that I wouldn't take my "road" bike onto, and more people have begun to appreciate what a simple and appropriate drivetrain can do for their enjoyment of cycling.  Nothing like getting on a bike and just pedaling to remind you of the ease and freedom of that first solo bike ride.

Ritchey Mountain Bikes occupy a certain special place for me.  It is (again) one of those bicycles I've always wanted but never owned.  (Though my Gary Fisher Montare did state that it was "Designed by Tom Ritchey").  But, back when mountain bikes were oddities, I remember crossing paths with my friend Eric.  He was zipping through town on his new Ritchey and the coolness of that bicycle cannot be overstated. Anything from the early days through the P-19's still catch my breath.

Jeromy Hewitt's Ritchey Outback

 Singlespeed Gallery #302

The Outback comes from the initial period of mountain bike design when looooong wheelbases were favored, as the design blueprint grew from the Schwinn Excelsiors and similar models which hurtled down trails in Fairfax, CA (see SeeKay's site for more info on that period).  There's something about these long frames which make them ride exceedingly smoothly and hold their lines in the sketchiest of terrain.

That also makes them one of the more stable and comfortable bikes to ride on road.  It's one of the reasons mtb's caught on so widely in places where there were no mountains.  They were - wait for it - comfortable and fun.  Like bikes are supposed to be.

And so, what we end up with here is a Classic, converted to a Singlespeed, so that it can be used in a Work Bike role...  blurring the lines between each with style.

Updates to the Singlespeed Bicycle Gallery

#301 - Joe Huddleston's Nishiki Royal
#302 - Jeromy Hewitt's Ritchey Outback
#303 - Ted Burnell's Nishiki Prestige
#304 - Michael Gibian's Zebra
#305 - Dan Artley's Surly Steamroller

Working Bikes Gallery Into Gear Again

The Working Bikes Gallery was actually started most recently.  It began when I snapped a quick image of a cycletruck delivery bike up in Oregon, which got me thinking about this mostly invisible segment of the bicycle world.  It's easy to over-glamorize these machines, perhaps.  But, I think it's better to acknowledge how well suited the basic design of a bicycle is for these purposes. 

Even though it's easy to get transfixed by low forward cargo bikes, or specialty haulers, the fact is that a basic, diamond frame bicycle can be an incredible tool.  If you have only perused the Current Classics, Singlespeed or Cyclocross galleries, take a while to see the diversity of design and use that can be found in the Working Bikes Gallery.

Jason's Schwinn Heavy-Duti

Working Bike Gallery #125

Across various airports, ridiculously large warehouses and assembly plants, you can reliably find bikes like these.  They are the mine mules of our time; used interchangeably to get somewhere, get something done, and not have to fuss about it.  They are load-carrying beasts, ready to roll with little preamble. 

What inspires me about this bike is that it seems to have made a break for the daylight and kept running.  Now it gets to roll around on the roads, breath in the fresh air and enjoy the elements.  Because of its tough past, there's little now that can faze it. 

Roll on, Heavy-Duti!

#124 - Eric's Indianapolis Trailer Rig

#125 - Jason's Schwinn Heavy-Duti

#126 - Michael Gibian's Ritchey Aspen Xtracycle