ClankWorks will be joining in the market with a few fenders. We will also bring some hats from Octopus Caps for sale as well. Hope to see you there!

We are pleased to announce our second leisurely, themed ride to be held in the glorious city of Pittsburgh. In following with the relaxed style of the Tweed Ride earlier this spring, but with apparel adjustments more in tune with a hot August afternoon, we present the Second Sunday Seersucker Saunter Spectacular.

The ride will be just short of 10 miles, and shall prevail at a slow enough pace so as to never break into a full sweat. The saunter will start in Schenley Park, at the top of the upper field near the turn around in Overlook Drive, and progress through the Park, Southside, Downtown and a brief stint in the Northside before retiring to the courtyard of the Priory Hotel, where light refreshments will be served. The entire experience will begin at 9:30 AM on Sunday the 8th of August, 2010, which coincides quite nicely with Bike-PGH‘s BikeFest celebration. There is a Facebook Event that you can join, if you would like as well.

Additionally, we have secured some bells from Velo-Orange which we will sell for only $5 at the beginning of the route. Drew and I will be there as early as 8:45-9 AM, so feel free to pick up some additional swag for your bike to help you alert those along the route!

Please joins us in our joy of riding and appreciating the bicycle’s heritage on the 8th. Whether head-to-toe garb, or simply in the mindset to enjoy a relaxed ride with good company, it should be a great time. Feel free to download either the Poster or Map by click on the image to retrieve a PDF format file.

]]> http://clankworks.com/news/second-sunday-seersucker-saunter-spectacular/feed/ 6 http://clankworks.com/news/clank-plank-reflect/ http://clankworks.com/news/clank-plank-reflect/#comments Wed, 16 Jun 2010 13:19:50 +0000 benjamin http://clankworks.com/?p=463

Left to Right: Steel City Diamonds, Gears and Chevrons

A new option we  have been working on for the Plank Fender is finally complete. Using retroreflective vinyl, the same stuff that is used for road signs for high visibility at night, we have created a few custom decals for the Plank Fenders. The vinyl is added in between oiling steps, insuring it is equally protected against the elements as your beautiful fender (and rear end!). Available immediately in the gears, chevron and steel city diamonds for $39.00.

Rumors that this prototype was discovered attached to a bicycle outside of a beer garden in the bay area are clearly exaggerated, as we are based in Pittsburgh and there is no way that could happen. However, any staff member that may have been responsible will be dealt with swiftly.

While we will still refute that such a product exists, if it were to be released, it would be some time this summer, would perhaps be at a price-point of $79, and would be exclusive to AT&T, with the possibility of a Verizon model.

Please direct any future questions regarding such products to the comment system, or the contact page, so our public relations department can better assist you.

**Incase this makes no sense to you, read this over first.

Li Jin stays high and dry with her Amphibious Bicycle.

Four sets of floats, made from standard office water cooler style bottles, keep the bike high and dry. Additionally, it looks as though they can be added and removed rather easily, making it true to the name of an amphibious bicycle, rather than water based alone.

Attaching the floats.

While I doubt it would be overly advantageous in a city with so many bridges like Pittsburgh, the recreation aspect would provide hours of fun on our three large waterways. I would be curious how deep the draft is, and what the performance is like on smaller streams; particularly going against the current.

Check out the rest of the pictures from ReflectionOf.Me.

The interest in past objects as things of value is never mentioned in the latest eco-blog or Portland-based zine. The reclamation, appreciation and preservation of these antiques is arguably one of the most sustainable practices one can partake in. In reality, this is a hobby, or profession, which does not garner enough attention or praise. Worse yet, will the niche market even exist in a decade? Gone in a century?

With today’s throw-away culture, perhaps in different industries worldwide, there is little motivation to keep an object beyond its built-in lifespan. Certain industries have escaped this grim fate, such as the automobile. Here, the cream of the crop is still retained, pride remains in the premium or rare products. Will there still be appreciation for a 1992 Chrysler LeBaron in fifty years? WIll one even exist? The same can be said of incredibly popular, but less “innovative” products, such as the fourth generation iPod,  the handheld Dyson vacuum cleaner, or any of the hundreds of new models of Nike shoes.

The blame should not be place on culture, nor on any one catalyst. Instead the point should be taken under consideration both by producers and consumers alike. It is arguable that the age of plastics killed the antique. Thousands of injection molded artifacts would be hard pressed to hold value as well as a hand crafted chair from the 19th century. It is just as easy to argue that the digital age ushered in the destruction of this type of appreciation, as knowledge is now freely traded. Objects are used only to access this knowledge, why would they themselves hold value? Under this mantra, even the Gutenberg Bible has little value compared to the revision trackable, alternative comparable web 2.0 versions flooding the web.

A carpenter or furniture wright earned a higher wage the more solidly constructed the table he built was, as it would last longer and suit it’s purpose more appropriately. In many industries today, however, the faster an Industrial Designer shames “last year’s” design, the fatter his paycheck.

These are of course all generalizations, many out of context to underline the point. Further research could, and should, be done on the subject before any statements are made. The core thought and interjection still remains, what happened to the appreciation of antiques, and will such an art exist in 50 years?