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
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.
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
MISSION CRIT 2016 Apr 25, 2016 Categories: MASH Frames 0 Comment Trackbike criterium’s are fast becoming the premier race format in urban cycling, eclipsing alleycats as the preferred proving ground for young racers. As racing shifts from unsanctioned street races to well organized and supported criterium’s it is comforting to be a part of San Francisco’s own homegrown race. The Mission Crit just closed out their 3rd successful race in as many years right in the heart of San Francisco’s Mission District. Starting in a parking lot with a handful of die hard racers and fans, the Mission Crit has grown to attract high level racers from across the United States and around the world. Photo: Mike Martin Words: Chas Christiansen
SCVDO RESPUBLICA SUPERIOREM Apr 17, 2016 Categories: MASH Frames 0 Comment Last weekend I had the opportunity to go out and race in the RESPUBLICA SUPERIOREM NON RECOGNOSCENS in Genoa Italy. The guys of SCVDO GENOVA (pronouced “scudo” or shield in Italian) had been planning this ripper of a brakeless alleycat for some time now. They wanted to show racers THEIR Genoa, the streets, the dirt, the climbs and the cuts, the routes that get them stoked. The 58K, 8 checkpoint race with over 1K of climbing took racers through dense traffic, desolate dirt trails and sweeping descents down narrow Italian roads. Racers from all over Europe both messengers and rippers alike gathered last Saturday to shred Genoa on their brakeless track bikes. All photo’s by Francesco Bartoli Avveduti @whoisfrabba 8 checkpoints in order, every checkpoint had a real live person at it! Which from a racers standpoint especially a lost out of towner is amazing!!! The SCVDO boys gave a suggested route, but encouraged any and all shortcuts. There was a lot of discussion at the start about routes as racers from different cities and countries tried to figure out the fastest cut. The race started right on the water in the historic dock area of Genoa, since it was a Saturday racers had to navigate a crush of pedestrians on their way out. Alessandro Bruzza of Cinelli Chrome is a Genoa native and came out to show us a thing or two about his home town streets. The field held together early on as we navigated 3 checkpoints in the urban crush of Genoa. Themis Antoniadis a Greek messenger from Athens braved an airport strike to make it out to the race! Daniele a messenger of Bici Courier and the racing team WEED DELIVERY out of Milan kept it cutty in the streets. Lollo Capella also of Bici Couriers and Team Weed Delivery in Milan missed the skitch Danielle got but caught back up at the next checkpoint. Wilis from Deluxe Cycles in New York came out with me to shred around!! Great to travel with good friends! Turkish Airlines decided to leaved my bike at SFO, luckily I was able to borrow Vito from SVCDO’s new LOW pursuit frame for the race! It had uncut riser bars on it and I had a blast from the past bombing hills on his set-up!! After the dirt section only 3 of us remained in the lead group, Myself, Wilis and Andrea a messenger from Verona Italy. After the climbs came the ripping descents down twisting narrow back roads! Hydration is an important part of any bike race. After the dirt and hills we were back into the heart of Genoa to rip through some traffic before the last climb. While we are all competitors we are first and foremost friends, here is the lead pack as we start up the final ascent. Andrea got caught behind a bus and this allowed Wilis and I to make a move up the climb. Sweeping views of Genoa helped keep our minds off our screaming legs! Matteo of TVRBO GENOA was hot on our tails chasing hard! Andrea never gave up and continued his pursuit, always within sight of us. Themis had got some MOVES and was constantly pushing the limits, especially on the final descent trying to chase up. The DIY ethos was in full effect as many riders ripped the dirt on their track bikes for the first time! The raced ended at the Piazza della Vittoria. Mattia of Genoa celebrates his finish, trying to battle beer with Sprtiz! Wilis took home the Win!! I got 2nd and Andrea got 3rd! Themis and Lollo rounded out the podium with 4th and 5th. Huge thanks to Vito and Stephano of SCVDO for keeping the stoke alive and throwing this amazing race! Look for a short video next week and mark the date for next year!!
OAKLEY MASH 10 YEAR FROGSKIN Jan 20, 2016 Categories: MASH Frames 0 Comment Our final collaboration celebrating 10 years, is with Oakley. Never could I have imagined we could collaborate with these innovators, but here we are. The Oakley MASH Frogskins are an everyday frame, intensely durable, and treated in our colors , lens etch, and micro bag for the occasion. As a photo/videographer, I make an effort to protect my eyes, and feel so lucky to have that protection from legends. Limited to 85 pieces to the public, and going quick.
ZO: L. QUAN + NEW ZINE Nov 19, 2015 Categories: MASH Frames 0 Comment Zo has some new zines out now. The format is very nice, all re-printed polaroids at 100% scale, with several themes. Hit him up, and get some ART MAIL. If you are in SF, check out the Twist show, with the side group show. Tons of friends in there, including Erik. Hoping a 7 SHOTS comes out of that night. Follow THIS LINK to get some back issues for $5.00 each.
MASH IN JAPAN Oct 17, 2015 Categories: MASH Frames 0 Comment Eddy Bach We found ourselves, eight years later, at W-BASE bicycle garage. This was home turf when we visited in 2006 and 2007. At that time, Garrett took photographs of all of the riders’ bikes. With that same spirit, I saw it fitting to document the current riders’ bikes in the same spot. Walton Brush III Chas Christiansen Al Nelson Matt Shapiro Dylan Buffington – Martin Bustamante