Kosuke Masuda Jul 13, 2016 Categories: MASH, MASH Frames, Photo 0 Comment We met Kosuke Masuda – or simply, Ko – in 2006 during an art show in Tokyo. Ko engages in multiple art mediums, from painting, to engraving, to writing. He is a Buddhist monk and his personal philosophy is apparent in his work. Enclosed are a few photographs of his work. The details are mind blowing. We recently sent Ko our Cinelli MASH drop bars and stem. Ko hand engraved them with a dremel and the results are jaw dropping. The bars, stem and top cap were supposed to be it, but a black anodized Campagnolo record pista track crank set and chain ring seemed like a must. Would be nice to build a complete bike with him one day! I highly recommend checking out Ko’s website as well. His intention with his artwork is so advanced. It can be easy to get caught up with the modern busy life, but I could sit with these pieces for hours, continuing to find new hidden details. Honored to have them here on display at our shop. Photos: Martin Bustamante
WESTSIDE INVITE 2016 Jul 11, 2016 Categories: alleycat, Photo 0 Comment Chas and Sean traveled to San Diego for the 2016 West Side Invite. This West Coast Messenger event is a timeless tradition for these guys. We are hyped to see Chas win the main event this year. Matt Lingo shot some really fun images from the weekend. Check in!
NEW IN THE SHOP Jul 6, 2016 Categories: MASH, STORE 0 Comment Summer is here, and our shop is seeing lots of new items coming through our door. Having a shop is an opportunity to curate a shop that we would want to visit, filled with local and rare designs. Enclosed are some new pieces we have at the shop. Trevor sews Zodiac Bags. The first delivery is for his large rolltop bag, and it is, by far, the nicest bag we have seen for working messengers. These bags are numbered, and we have the first dozen. We see so many caps through the shop, and end up with odds and ends so created a mystery cap. These MASH caps traditionally retail for $22.00, so they are 50% off, and include random stickers. Binary sticker packs include 7 pieces, and are printed on clear stock, with black, white, and bright red inks. Cinelli shipped a size run of our Single Speed Cyclocross, and we are offering them at a new lower price. The reviews on this frame have been so positive, a perfect solution for a work frame, race bike, or commuter single speed. U-Lock pins and necklaces are back in stock in silver or black metal finishes. Chas made some of his weapon drawings into patches and pins, and are available in three sharp objects. Not sure how many writers caught the reference on this MARSH reference, but we make things for our friends, and think this shirt is the jam! New pocket T-shirt honoring Jane Jacobs turned out really fresh! Lazy Monk tote bags are sewn in Minnesota by Aya and Ryuta Nakajima. They are painters by trade, and their color choices are some of the best we see. These totes make for great rack bags. Chas drew us a new shop shirt and crewneck, and we love it. We collaborated with San Marco on 2 new saddle shapes including the Aspide wide.
ERIK OTTO FOR MASH Jun 12, 2016 Categories: MASH, MASH Frames, Photo, San Francisco, STORE 0 Comment We are excited to share the work of San Francisco artist Erik Otto. We have known Erik through bikes, and love what he is creating as an artist. Working with Castelli, and Specialized, we have created a cycling kit and bottles with Erik, and love the finished pieces. Enclosed are some thoughts from Erik. I grew up as a very active kid and across from my neighborhood park there was an unfinished construction site that became the secret hangout where local kids would find a way through the fence and ride BMX bikes until someone either got hurt or we chased out by security. Once I was old enough to drive a car, I put off on getting a license and wanted to do everything on bike. After graduating college in 2005, I moved to San Francisco to pursue a career in art, but also became exposed to the fixed gear track bike scene from the MASH team for the first time. Heavily influenced by the strength and creativity from those riders I was inspired to ride the city. Everything was so new and I quickly learned how cycling is the best way to get to know your surroundings all the while having fun doing so. And that’s just it. Biking has always been something I turned to for enjoyment. I would work a full day in the studio and scheduled tasks that required me to break up my day to ride across town to pick up or drop something off. Riding bikes and making art initially were very separate, but over time, the lifestyle from experiencing the world on two wheels became a major influence to the more serious work I began creating. I was making work that captured motion and energy and through the process itself I would find a sense of peace amidst forces that I felt were beyond my control. Similarly, the self-sufficient act of riding a bike became empowering and my continual place of refuge, while my interest in flow increased both in and out of the studio. I would make the work then process it later while on a bike and it didn’t take long to see that the two outlets were becoming one. This still holds true today, and while the themes of my work have evolved, the ability to survive with an alternative career path in an expensive city hasn’t become any easier. It takes an insane amount of dedication and perseverance to overcome the moments where nothing seems to be working. I consciously chose this life of struggle and every day I do my best to keep things moving forward. Meanwhile, every single day I hop on a bike which serves as a reminder to power through the pain and endure the most difficult of times because you never know what’s possible unless you keep on going. We created 22oz Purist Bottles with Erik’s print. We love how these turned out. Waves of Change acrylic and spray paint on canvas 41 x 55 in. 2014 *artwork available for purchase Short Sleeve Jersey shown with Arm Warmers.Arm WarmersWind Stopper Jacket with pass through rear zip. We have a new black bib, with the Castelli Team bib with Kiss Air Pad, as well as new knee and leg warmers. Available now!
Lazy Monk Tote Bags Jun 9, 2016 Categories: MASH Frames, STORE 0 Comment Ryuta and Aya Nakajima sew Lazy Monk Bags. Each summer they leave Minnesota to Japan, but before they go, we like to restock their bags here at the shop. They are painters by trade, and it is clear through the craft and color choices in the bags. We have a nice selection at the shop, and on our site now.
NEW IN THE SHOP Jun 9, 2016 Categories: San Francisco, STORE 0 Comment We are seeing lots of new shirts and crewnecks this week. Enclosed are a few examples of what we have been enjoying. Check HERE for more details! Inspired by MARSH Ink New SF Giants pocket t-sjirt Chas drew us new Shop Artwork, and it is available in a reflective t-shirt, and 2 crewneck colors now. Al created the 2016 Binary collection, and there are several NEW items available now.
EDDY BACH May 31, 2016 Categories: MASH, San Francisco, Video 0 Comment When the first MASH video came out in 2007, Eddy Bach was 9 years old. He was raised here in San Francisco, and we met through shop rides and alleycats. Like many riders today, he discovered bikes through track bikes on the streets. A track bike can be an affordable way to discover cycling, while it holds the danger card that can attract those who speak it’s language. To us, Eddy represents the future of cycling. Today he races Alleycats, Fixed Crits, XC, CX, and is a freshman at SFSU. Enclosed is an example of how raw and fearless his riding style translates to video. Enjoy.
Crit Month May 24, 2016 Categories: Cinelli, criterium, MASH, MASH Frames, Photo, Redhook Crit, San Francisco 0 Comment MISSION CRIT – SAN FRANCISCO, CA RED HOOK CRIT 9 – NEW YORK CITY, NY SHORT LINE CRIT – LONG BEACH, CA -Sean
Shred N Out May 23, 2016 Categories: alleycat, Cyclocross, Group Ride, MASH, Photo 0 Comment Matt Reyes shot some really beautiful moments between heats at the TCB Shred N Out CX elimination race last week. Check his full post HERE!
RACE FACES May 23, 2016 Categories: alleycat, MASH 0 Comment Johnnie Shallow focus portraits are something I have enjoyed for decades, so it has been a running theme in what I see when shooting/sharing. Enclosed are some racers we see at the same alleycats. Cooper Joey Eddy Martin Crihs Riley Sean Hacheon Dee