This is where I'll be! More information is here, at the T&B blog!

Ring in the New Year with Bangers!

Prolly is Not Probably's Top 10 Doom Albums of 2009

As promised, here's my top 10 Doom Albums of 2009, as a continuation of the Top 10 Metal Albums of 2009 post I made earlier in the week. There were tons of albums to choose from. A lot were weeded out for one reason or another and if your favorite doom album didn't make the list, let me know in the comments!

Get ready! Here they are, the Prolly is Not Probably's Top 10 Doom Albums of 2009.

Here's one more Fixed Gear London x Shop 14 bike check for 2009. You'll recognize Romain from the Shop 14 ad I posted recently.

Previously:
14 Bike Co. Ad
FGL: Gus' Bike Check
That's for Satan: Oscar Kahn Bike Check

I met Funny. from ryo ubota on Vimeo.

Ubota from Starfuckers met one of Osaka's riders named Funny on his recent trip there. Here's a lil edit he threw together to introduce us all to Funny.

I love the Japanese rider's nicknames.

Using the classic silhouette of the Samba, Adidas commissioned a series of Japanese artists to each design their own cycling-inspired sneaker. These particular sneakers were designed by Kalavinka. Unfortunately, the shoes and the matching track bike, got a lot of negative publicity when they were first leaked shortly after the CMWC. I saw them in person and can honestly say that I liked them, and the bike a lot.

Hypbeast has images of the other two shoes from the continuation of Adidas' city-themed releases via Mita.

Previously:
Adidas Originals Five-Two 3 Samba Madsaki
Adidas Originals OT-Tech Collection

Last Tuesday 2009 flat fix from jun iwai on Vimeo.

The Flat Fix crew went out riding on the last Tuesday of 2009. Watching the guys ride in and around those fountains made me think how much it would suck to ride home with wet feet in the freezing cold.

I finally got around to posting a recap of my recent trip to Tokyo with Greg Mishka on the Bloglin. Writing these trip reviews takes a lot of time. I'd really love it if you went over and read it. There are some good bits in there.

Previously:
Greg and Prolly in Osaka

Photo by Matt Lingo

San Diego's own fixed gear blog, Bic Control, has posted up a list of San Diego's Best Of 2009. Matt Lingo made it to the top spot for their best artist section. I totally agree. I've posted so many videos and photos from Matt in 2009. It all started with his book, This City Can't Swallow Me and ended, most recently, with Derek's 180 Toboggan!

Check out a few posts below.

Previously:
Derek Joseph 180 Toboggan
Congo for Death Pedal 2
Emi Brown: Los Angeles to Inland Empire
Fixé 2
Dan Arel
Matt Lingo: Seattle and SF
Emi and Jason
This City Can't Swallow Me

eBay has been revealing some real gems as of late.

Case in point is this gorgeous, early 1960's Cinelli Speciale Corsa pista. The classic headbadge alone is worth a pretty penny. Very rare to find one in such good and original condition. Even the Reynolds 531 decal is soundly in place.

Beauty often comes with a pricetag and this one floats around $3,000 USD. Wow. Check out the full shots and auction listing here.

The guys at Urban Velo are asking you, their readers, What was your favorite feature article of 2009?

I'm honored to have two pieces in the ranks but I didn't vote for either of them. Head over to cast your vote and let the guys know what you thought of their successful year in the comments.

Can't wait to work again next year guys!

Photo by Brenton Salo

I didn't have internet the whole day, just my iPhone, so there's a huge back log of content I wanted to post, including this; one of those classic internet moments. First, Brad from Locked Cog posted a picture of Shigeo's bike and said "It pains me to see this beautiful killed like this. Sorry to whoever rides this but, you suck."

It was one of those moments where I was just kinda like "meh". No need to blast someone for their build, but whatever. I knew Shigeo had other bikes too and this pursuit was clearly a novelty ride.

The drama continues below...

Photo by Zach Hoffner

Zach at Zlog posted up some nice shots from the day Tyler bar-hopped that 6-stair. Even though some people said it "could be cleaner" and claimed the landing was sketchy, he still did it. That's what it takes guys. The first time someone does something on these bikes, it's not always a smooth as the 100th time. Do we really need to go over this anymore?

Check out more photos from that day on Zlog's Flickr.

Previously:
Tyler Johnson

inthecutts Episode-3 Macaframa from InThe Cutts on Vimeo.

You've probably seen this by now but I'm posting it anyway!

While filming Massan for a Leader bikes commercial with Colin and Colby, Inthecutts tagged along with some behind-the-scenes action. Numerous little secrets were alluded at, including the new Macaframa x Mike Giant x Raleigh bikes and details on the scope for Macaframa 2.

Check out the press-release from Inthecutts below!

Photo by Matt Lingo

Damn! That's a gorgeous photo. Matt Lingo upped a nice shot of a new rider named Derek Joseph doing a 180 toboggan on a dirt embankment. Everything about this photo is legit. Lighting, style and composition. You guys are killing it! Photographer and rider!

2009 was a great year for metal. So great that after making the first few top ten lists, I decided to break metal into two categories; metal and doom. As you'll notice, these albums are mostly a mix of death, thrash and black metal. None are really commercial and hardly any were reviewed by major media outlets. Pulling the obscurity card in yearly lists is pretentious as hell, but I really enjoyed these albums throughout 2009 and many will remain in heavy circulation well into 2010.

Without anymore justification, here's Prolly is Not Probably's Top 10 Metal Albums of 2009.

Photo by Dave Beard

Gus is at it again with a slew of shots from a recent session. He's posted them up on Trick Track if you're interested in seeing the rest. Totally feeling this one out of the bunch.

Keep it up man!

Previously:
Fixed Gear Freestyle's Top 10 Photos of 2009
Gus Molina Old Footage

Photo by Jose Martinez - click to enlarge

A key sign as to how far the fixed gear freestyle scene has come in 2 years.

Here's Tom in Philly, on November 25th, 2007, gapping the waterfront ledges. Tom was still on his BMW with 28c tires, narrow bars and had just gotten sponsored by Profile. At the time, we were all blown away that he hit that line. Now just about anyone would be able to do it and few people could probably 180 it.

Ah memories. Here's a little back-story...

I mentioned Rosko earlier today in the Loop magazine entry. At the time I couldn't find a link to Seth's site. He just emailed me with his website's address, which redirects you his Flickr page, where I found a few images of "J's" bike. If this paint job doesn't grab your attention, I don't know what will. Nutty! Check out the build pic below.

This is wicked. As a throwback to obscure and insane saddles from the 1980's, San Marco co-branded a Concor saddle with the Tokyo-based bicycle shop Carnival. Clad in blue snakeskin, this saddle is sure to turn heads. Just one more list of "hot buys" Carnival is offering as of late. They've been busy!

Price ￥16.500

ouch!

Another picture of the full saddle is here, at the Carnival blog.

Previously:
San Marco for 14 Bike Co
Carnival Tool Pouch and Metric Wrench Set
Carnival x T19 Jackets
Tokyo Bike Shop: Carnival

Urban Velo 17 is now online. If you don't have access to a LBS that carries it, you can read the whole magazine here, on their website. It's packed with a ton of content.Be sure to read about Matt Gilman's blind trials riding. Inspiring story. Also catch Chris from Turning Tricks' print ad for Bern helmets. I've posted it below.