Monday, February 25, 2013
French Stamps
A French stamp from 1993, based on a movie.
(L'École des facteurs (School for Postmen)
(L'École des facteurs (School for Postmen)
Saturday, February 23, 2013
Flying bicycles
Bicycles are taking over the world.
Nowadays, bikes can be used for different purposes. An American Defense Department has developed a folding bike that can be attached to a flying man and as soon he reaches the ground it unfolds and it's ready to ride.
Nowadays, bikes can be used for different purposes. An American Defense Department has developed a folding bike that can be attached to a flying man and as soon he reaches the ground it unfolds and it's ready to ride.
Steel
Through the centuries, the bicycle has evoluted a lot and, to its evolution, the technological development has contributed a lot. Designs, models, styles, materials, manufacturing have turned the first unpleasant, unsecure, heavy and uncomfortable bicycles into attractive, safe, comfortable, light and fashionable bicycles.
All these changes tried to please the rider's demands. Today's bicycles are lighter, more comfortable and ergonomic due to the use of new materials.
Considering the frame the support of a bicycle , great improvements have been made in its materials. The first ones were constucted in steel. In 1970 the appearance of alloy steel permitted mechanic welding and the consequent reduction of labor and cost. Next decade aluminium frames appeared and they become very common. However, alunimium cycle of life was too short and it gave place to steel and titanium which are stronger materials.
In 1990s a new impulse was given and new materials emerged. Carbon fiber was then used to frames and they became lighter and stronger. Most of bicycle components (wheels, brakes, chains) are made of stainless steel.
Saddle
A saddle, also called a seat, should be soft, comfortable to support lond rides. Most modern saddles use nylon. or carbon fiber. The outer cover uses basically spandex, vinyl, artificial leather, or leather. The most common materials used in rails are steel, titanium, aluminum, magnesium, or carbon fiber. Rails may be just one piece or have hollows. A saddle must also integrate suspension components to relieve strong impacts from the roadway as well as gel-foam or lining.
Tyres
In 1887 John Boyd Dunlop invented a pneumatic tire.This pmeumatic tire was immediately used by racers as their speed increased a lot.
In 1891 Édouard Michelin presented the detachable tire. It could be separated from the inner tube and replaced whenever necessary.
In 1891 Édouard Michelin presented the detachable tire. It could be separated from the inner tube and replaced whenever necessary.
Airless mountain bike tyres
More recently, a company is developping its efforts in order to create a mountain biking tire with no inner tube. This way, that's the end of punctures. This new tyre, created by the designer Brian Russell, will allow faster riders and the death of puncture as well.
The lightest bicycle in the world
The lightest Bike in the world was created by Günter Mai and it only weighes an incredible 2.7 Kg!
Friday, February 22, 2013
Bicycle Sharing
Bicycle sharing is a service that offers the use of bicycle to those who haven't their own bicycle.
This service has increased since 2008 and it is spread all over the world. In 2011 around 33 countries adopted this service. Italy is one of these countries. The concerns with environment have also supported this service.
List of Bicycle Sharing System
This service has increased since 2008 and it is spread all over the world. In 2011 around 33 countries adopted this service. Italy is one of these countries. The concerns with environment have also supported this service.
List of Bicycle Sharing System
Some Cities with Bicycle Sharing
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| Torino, Italia |
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| Melbourne, Australia |
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London, England |
Saturday, February 16, 2013
Italian Films
Acciaio - 1933
A black and white film directed by Walter Ruttmann. The scene occurs at the steelworks in Terni.
Directed by Walter Ruttmann
Ladri di Biciclette (Bicycle Thieves)- 1948
Ladri di Biciclette, written by Cesare Zavattini and directed by Vittorio DeSica, is a simple story that focuses on social problems caused by World War II. It's a story of a poor father searching for his stolen bicycle, without which he will lose his job and consequently the salvation of his young family.
British Films
The Flying Scotsman - 2007
The Flying Scotsman is a British film directed by Douglas MacKinnon. It's the real story of Graeme Obree, the Champion cyclist. He himself constructed his bicycle from metal he found everywhere including old parts of washing machines.
For Women
Cycling has also inspired designers to make fashionable cycling clothes for women.
These pieces are part of a collection women can wear to look attractive when they ride their bikes.
These pieces are part of a collection women can wear to look attractive when they ride their bikes.
YMX
YMX inspired in Celtic, Polynesian, Chinese and Japanese styles and created a variety of clothes where there is a full combination of design and body.
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| Tiger Short Sleeve Jersey |
Art of Bicycle Parts
Imagination is the beginning of creation. You imagine what you desire, you will what you imagine and at last you create what you will. George Shaw, 1921
Nothing is lost and nothing is created in the operations of art as those of nature.
Pasteur 1840-1895
Pasteur 1840-1895
Sram, a Chicago based bicycles parts company, proposed over 80 artists to create pieces of art from bicycle components. The company gave each a box of 100 bikes componentes and the challenge to construct the raw materials into pieces of art.
This was the result...
Ai Weiwei
Chinese artist Ai Weiwei used 760 bicycles to create Massive Sculpture. His latest exhibition can be seen till 16th Februarry in San Gimignamo, Italy.
Chinese artist Ai Weiwei used 760 bicycles to create Massive Sculpture. His latest exhibition can be seen till 16th Februarry in San Gimignamo, Italy.
Friday, February 15, 2013
Velocité Cafe
A new place for bicycle's lovers can be found in the center of Lisbon, Duque de Ávila Avenue. The first Portuguese velocité coffee is an establishment where you can go inside with your own bike, so you don't have to park it outside. At this shop you feel in your world as everything is related to bikes.
Velocité Cafe - Lisbon
Go Green
The US Postal Service has released in 2011 a series of new "Go Green" stamps
whose message was that every American can take simple actions
to save energy and improve the environment.
American Stamps
Americam stamp with a design of an ancient bike (penny-farthing).
American stamps to celebrate the "American love of bicycling.
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Magazines
Urban Velo
This magazine is printed twice a month and it includes lots of different articles related to cycling.
It can also be read online.
It can also be read online.
Source: http://urbanvelo.org/download/
Thematic Books
Italian Racing Bicycles - Guido Rubino - 2011
In this book, Guido P. Rubino, an italian writer, gives a broad overview of key Italian manufacturers. The book is divided into different sections and each one starts with the origins and its evolution till today. The section have different lenght and different approaches. There we can see references from the giant names to the small brands. Some of them we are familiar with , such as Moser, Pegoretti.
Great Tours
Road bicycle racing began as an organized sport in 1868. The first world championship was in 1893 and since then, it has never stopped. Cycling is, now, one of the modalities of the Modern Olympic Games.
Giro d'Italia
Le Tour de France
Tour of Spain
Every year the route changes but the race has to obey, at least, at two time trials-the passage through the Pyrenees and the finish in the Spanish capital Madrid. In 2012 La Vuelta a España was won by the Spaniard Alberto Contador.
Giro d'Italia
It occurs every year on the last days of May and beginning of June. It is a race performed by riders from different nationalities.
In 2012 the Canadanian Ryder Hesjedal won the race and it becomes the first Canadian winner in the history of the Giro d'Italia.
In 2012 the Canadanian Ryder Hesjedal won the race and it becomes the first Canadian winner in the history of the Giro d'Italia.
According to tradition, this race occurs in July. As it happens with the spanish tour, the route changes each year and the format has at least two time trials - the passage through the Pyrenees and the Alps, and the finish on the Champs-Élysées, Paris. The tour lasts 23 days. Last year, the race was won by Bradley Wiggins, who was the first British to win in Tour de France.
Source:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_road_bicycle_racing_events#The_Grand_Tours
New Concepts
The temptation to give bicycles a new style have also reached transportation designers. The idea of round corners has come out and new bikes have emerged.
Some super modern concepts are beautiful but also a challende to the rider.
Some super modern concepts are beautiful but also a challende to the rider.
Monday, February 11, 2013
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