Wintertime, Hibernation, and Survival.
Luminaries passing, riots and disaster in far-flung countries, and biting cold- another week passes in our quiet “post-industrial” metropolis. Here at OPEN, busily bustling away in the basement, we sometimes miss all of the chaos occurring at or above ground level.
In a dizzying turn of events, OPEN will be moving locations next month to become Sherman Cafe’s newest neighbor. We’re excitedly planning a fresh new build-out and cozy little storefront and looking forward to even-easier access to Union Square’s finest coffee and sandwiches. Chorus Gallery is going to be homeless for a bit, but a new benevolent conglomerate has been birthed and we’re looking forward to seeing the staggering variety of projects that will come from it.
Along with all of the exciting new initiatives, we continue to hunt for the finest products for your non-conspicuous cycling-related consumption.
Dana over at Recluse whipped by on his enviable Zunow last week and dropped off some of his newest creations. Seen here are his new updated tool roll with a hand-waxed construction ($25) and a nice assortment of his custom top tube pads ($30). And yes, that is the hotly anticipated re-released Campagnolo “peanut butter” 15mm wrench, all a-bling. $44 and it feels like love.
That blank spot on your wall where your compartmentalized record of 2009 used to hang is the perfect place to put the 2010 Thought You Knew calendar. Benefiting the Chicago Women’s Health Center, these calendars (featuring your choice of gender posed along with their bikes) feature some pro photography and pretty people. They also help you figure out what day it is and prevent the forgetting of loved ones’ birthdays.
We also keep some actual bike parts and accessories around. Popular this winter: Izumi chains, (bushingless techno-wizardry from the Isle of Japan, $26-$90) Chain-L no.5, (winter-proof chain lube in the coolest bottle ever, $12) Seedssewn winter caps, (up-cycled materials and cutting edge style, made in Medford, $30) Vittoria Randonneur tires, (utterly indestructible urban tires with subtle tread and double flat protection, $30) Ironclad Cold Condition Waterproof gloves, (without equal and short money at $40) and the performance-boosting and elegantly “bobo” Phil Wood bearing upgrade for your winter Formula wheels ($8 per cartridge, a decent six-pack for the install).
We’re saving much of the really cool stuff for the new store. Fresh lugged steel from some coastal connects, handmade courier bags, and a slew of bike-lust inducing vintage parts are in the pipeline for our grand (re-)opening. Details to follow, or just pop by and catch up on the gossip.
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Wow. I just checked out the site for the first time. It’s awesome to see the creativity that went into the shop not only extended to the format of the website but also into the expression of the writer’s thoughts.
It’s great to see someone not only truly passionate about their chosen forms of expression [in this case: bicycles, writing, local community involvement, art, biking in general] but also truly fixated on making something thoughtful and special for not only themselves but the people they care about.
I’m not a biker, but a lover of art for sure and I’m also a supporter of any method of trasportation that doesn’t pollute the environment. Besides that, I can admire a really good paint job when I see one
and above there are a few. 
So with that, great luck to you all in your new place next to the lucious Sherman Cafe! It’s already great to see the new activity there when I walk by.