Philosophy
PHILOSOPHY and METHOD
Real Steel vintage bikes. These vintage bikes and their quality components have proven to be extremely durable. This is why I try to work with original components as much as possible. The original SHIMANO components are often made to a very high standard.
Often replaced parts however are the chain, gears, bottom bracket, handle bar tape. Gear cables.
The inner and outer brake cables as well as the tires are ALWAYS replaced.
What you see is what you get: I try to shoot my bikes in a realistic scenario, no photoshopping and close-ups of all the important features and characteristics. To me, the perfect photo is like latte-art. Is it absolutely necessary? No, but it shows all the steps have been taken, just like latte art in your cappucino.
Step 1
THE HUNT AND RESCUE
The idea is to only acquire GOOD bikes to begin with. Good doesn't mean it needs to be all done and shiny. But it needs to be a Diamond in the rough.
Let's look at this beautiful KOGA MIYATA, a perfeft example of a diamond in the rough as I meant earlier, It had been sitting in a greenhouse in the surroundings of Aalsmeer. Abandoned in a dry and dusty environment for decades.
Step II
BETTER THEN NEW
Disassembly and cleaning. Most of the projects are fully taken apart, examined and put back together with all the necessary replacement parts they need. We're talking: chain, inner and outer tires, brake cables, shifter cables, handlebar tape, cassettes, brake pads, saddles, wheels, bottom brackets...
Step III
SHOWTIME One more final and full detail of the bike and components. The vintage racers are taught how to smile and present themselves. No need to be nervous here, someone will like you for sure.
HOW IT ALL STARTED
From necessity to passion.
I moved to Amsterdam Noord as a student around 10 years ago, which meant i needed a fast bike to get to the other side of the city. I went on the famous (or infamous) platform Marktplaats, and found a seller who happened to sell two bikes in a rather dodgy condition so I refurbished both. To cut a long story short, my first two projects were born and me being me, I got Instantly hooked to the concept of bringing old racers back to life. After years and years of it being my favorite hobby, It's for real now. I've said bye bye to Law and Hello to: do what I love!