Far Far away, in a land down under, there lived a man, a man known as the disco dictator. The legends told of him healing kangaroos from his bass reverb alone. It was clearer than a diamond in an icestorm that the man had talent. Once he started sprinkling in hi-hats and peppering synths, he would raise roos from the from the dead every time an 1/8th note hit. It is said every cactus in the outback is a remnant of a holy beats past. Seemed like it was only destiny that brought this lord to the fixtape series. His name is Cassian, and he likes to funk.
Glenn Harris directed this video for us in-and-around 3 of the different boroughs of New York City, with the help of Glenn's exceptional Director of Photography Sergio Reynoso, and his hard working production team.
Most of these high-speed shots were captured in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and the Bronx, with the goal to express the charisma and personality of each different borough.
The main idea was to show constant motion during the course of the video. Instead of just looking at a stunning Solé Bicycle, the aim was to portray what it was really like to ride one.
The talent; Marilyn Rondon, is a Brooklyn based artist and tattoo'd major babe. Marilyn was the perfect subject to have a ride-along with, showing not only the pure fun of riding a Solé, but also the ease of transportation and light-weight functionality.
Solé likes to think of bicycles as more than just mere
transportation. Our bicycles are extensions of your life, and we want all our
customers to feel the same. We’ve said it time and again that your bicycle
should define art and functionality. It should be a mobile representation of
who you are, or a mobile canvas. This is why we’re always talking to customers
and helping them decide between a few sweet-ass shit design otions. As all our
bicycles are fairly lightweight, we thought we’d just talk about all the aspects
of choosing your first (or next!) Solé.
Going Lightweight
The lightweight bike is a European concept reintroduced in
the US shortly after the war. It’s been a popular choice since then, whether
for road, mountain, or commuter cycling purposes. With most featuring weight reduced
by up to fifty percent compared to standard models, lightweight bikes are the
easiest to ride. Think about it: you don’t have to use much energy, but you
will go quite the distance on these babies.
All Solé bicycles are lightweight, and you can pick them up
with just two fingers. Whether you choose to ride it as a fixie or
single-speed, we’re proud to say you will get perfection. The construction of
its frame geometry and tires maximizes speed and efficiency, ensuring you’re
ready to cruise anytime.
Incorporating Artistry
Artistry – this is the element we’re most proud of. How many
bicycle manufacturers can say they truly incorporate art into their products? Solé bicycles currently
come in twelve designs, each with a distinct personality, tailor-made for
its rider. From the sleek and opulent Delano to the feisty and powerful el
Tigre, you’ll find something in our collection that will suit your personality
best.
In line with our passion for design, we also make it so that
you can modify the design of your bike. The bold and blank colors are your
canvas, and you can make it as epic as you like. More than visuals, its
construction is also an art, and you can rest assured knowing your Solé is not
just stylish; it’ll get you places, too.
Recently a dude at a party asked us if switching from a multi-gear
bike to single-speed one is a good idea. He has been using the multi-gears and
finds it is super expensive to maintain, so he is thinking of getting one of
ours. We don’t usually like comparing these two types of bikes because their
features and functionalities correspond to different types of lifestyles and personalities.
Nonetheless, we answered the question in the best way we could, and even went
to detail for his benefit. Here’s how we explained it to him:
Shortboards and longboards
Multi-gear and single-speed bikes are like shortboards and longboards.
Multi-gear bikes have gear ratios that offer its users versatility, and ease of
use. It is easier to pedal when going uphill and is much faster as it easily picks
up speed. The latter, on the other hand, is mechanically simpler. Because there
are no derailleurs or other gear systems, single-speed bicycles are lighter,
easier to maintain, and more affordable.
Pure Fun versus Flexibility
Most people will recommend multi-gear bikes because of the
functionality they offer. But not everyone needs this type of mechanism.
Multi-gears require more maintenance, and cost a ton more. They are also suited to avid cyclers, going
on 40+ mile rides. Single-gear bikes, on the other hand, are simpler and quite
honestly much more fun to use. The simplicity of their mechanism also makes it easy
for users to customize them in any way they want. More people actually use the
single speed bike, and the trend will only continue to grow far past the
multi-gear platform.
To answer the question of switching between these two types
of bicycles, it actually depends on the rider. The feel and function will
obviously be different, but you will eventually get used to it. It all boils
down to your lifestyle and needs. Whichever
type you choose, Solé Bicycles will always be there to provide all the bikes,
parts, and accessories you will ever need.
Back to back Fixtapes comin' at ya! The fine brethren of Classixx just dropped off this gem of a tape as another teaser for their highly anticipated album 'Hanging Gardens'. This fixtape is about as sexy as they come, and compliments our weather here in Venice California quite nicely. The tones are very dreamy and will have you floating rather than pedaling off into the future. Euphoria comes standard.
One of the world’s most universally respected DJ duos, L.A.
natives and childhood best friends Classixx
have headlined everywhere from the famed Paris Social Club to New York’s
Webster Hall, touring constantly since the release of their exuberant 2009 single
“I’ll Get You,” which featured Lady Gaga songwriter Jeppe. Following their
breakout single with acclaimed remixes for Phoenix, Holy Ghost, Mayer
Hawthorne, Groove Armada, Yacht, Major Lazer, Gossip and others, for the last
two years Classixx have been intent on their debut Hanging Gardens, whittling
the LP down from hundreds of sessions to a svelte 12 songs.
At once beaming, breezy and wistful,Hanging
Gardens features a variety of coastal summer anthems, from haunting
collaborations with Active Child and Superhumanoids singer Sarah Chernoff, to
the gleefully catchy Nancy Whang-featuring “All You’re Waiting For,” French
Touch-inspired gem “Holding On” and sublime chords of “Dominoes.” Playing a
wide array of instruments on Hanging
Gardens, Classixx’ full-length debut features impossibly sunny grooves,
blithe melodies bred by the coast, coaxed out by the surf, expertly crafted for
road trips, pool parties and dance clubs.
Hanging Gardens will release on Innovative Leisure May 14, 2013.
Jeff Weins has taken a minimal approach on this beautiful art bike featuring warm contrasting colors and detailed penmanship. It has hand-done written all over it and is sure soak the essence of natural beauty. In this case, less is more.
Born and raised in California,
Jeff Weins thrives on the abstract. With a knack for welding unconventional
hues with vivid graphics, his work is an expression of the oddities and misfits
in life. Influenced by the fast-paced culture of LA, Jeff Weins' whimsical art
mimics the vibrant, off-beat quirks of the city. A boisterous artist with an
impish charm armed with a brush and paint palette. The result? A massive
collision on canvas that creates a larger-than-life animation. Each canvas,
meticulously crafted and one-of-a-kind, skillfully blurs and blends intense
pigments to create a memorable and priceless product. For the eccentric, the disobedient,
and the revolutionary, each work is a lively fit to satisfy every taste and
palate.
The master of composition from a land down under has graced us with curating quite the groovy, movement inspired number. Plastic Plates probably better known as Felix Bloxsom, has a strong foot in the jazz scene and has done percussion for the likes of Empire of the Sun, The Presets, & Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, just to name a few. Long story short, the mans a legend, and he's concocted quite the tale for your bicycle rides as the air becomes crisper and the sun shines brighter. Use this euphoric mixtape with caution, you might wake up doing the backstroke in a pool full of lotion.
Touch Sensitive - Show Me Linus Loves - The Love Body Language - Social Studies (Plastic Plates Remix) Low Motion Disco - Love Love Love (Aeroplane mix) Kris Menace - We Are ft. The Kiki Twins (Italo Brutalo Remix) Marcos Cabral - Latin Box Lonely C and Baby Prince - I Wanna Squeeze You F3 - Deeper Thoughts (Tiger Stripes Remix) South West Seven - Move Back James Welsh - The Way Box Of Wolves and Christa Vi - Boy (Cyclist Remix) Plastic Plates - Things I Didn't Know I Loved
We love the month of March for a buncha reasons -- the weather, the waves, the extra daylight... But the real reason we are especially stoked this March is the fact that we are doubling up on our Fixtapes leading up to the summer months. Yup, you heard it right. Two Fixtape releases a month. I mean, we figure we've gotta keep up with the demand for some radical jams seeing that there's a music festival every weekend these days.
The spring Fixtape collection kicks off with L.A. native Le Youth. Ever wondered what it would be like if your daytime, cocktail filled pool party combined forces with a 90's R&B dance party? Well, we wondered the same thing and asked our buddy Le Youth if he would do the honors of making it happen. Think of this fixtape as your first class non-stop bus ticket into the warmer pastures of an endless summer. Shades on, fades on. Oh, and don't forget to flip the cassette tape.
Over the last month lots of y'all have been asking about changing your Solé Bicycle from rugged fixed gear mode, over to our cruiser single speed mode. Solé Family member Ben P has scoured the Venice boardwalk looking for a worthy teacher well versed in the bicycle arts.
Today his journey culminated with an in-depth tutorial presented by none other then the masta blasta "Snake Charmer Solomon" himself.
Step 1
Grab Yer Tools
Tools Needed:
1) Ghetto A** Wrench
2) Crap Sunglasses 3) Rubber Snakes
4) Your Best Buddy!
If Lionel Richie was fueled by propane, sported reebok pumps and night crawled the mean streets of Venice, you'd end up with something that sounded a little bit like, well... let's just say we were lucky enough to capture the radness in this month's Fixtape.
Solé Bicycle Co. is pleased to present this month's Fixtape, from LA's own, Oliver, the electro-funk super group of Oliver Goldstein & Vaughn Oliver. They've been making waves with their deep undertones, infectiously funky riffs, and intergalactic space beats, sure to make your mother shutter. Whether you prowl dark alleys hanging out in various voodoo circles or spend your free time spreading funky mayo on your friend's sandwiches, this Fixtape is for you. Strap on your helmet and chuck the deuce, because you're on the highway to hell.
*Disclaimer: We are not responsible for excessive sweating or booty clapping. If you experience anything lasting more than 5 hours, please contact your physician.
Jimmy Edgar - Sex Drive (Jon Convex Remix) (Slow Edit)
Zombie Nation - Maingame
Miss Kitten - Come Into My House
Prins Thomas - Flau Pappadans 1
Daniel Avery - Water Jump
Grand Corporation - Wonder & Amazement (Deetron Instrumental)
Luna Circus - Once Upon a Time
Supernova - Energizer (Supernova 2013 Mix)
Chicken Lips - He Not In
Gesaffelstein - Video Exposition
Little Dragon - My Step
Paranoid London - Paris Dub 1
Eli Escobar - Work It
Scott Hardkiss - Come On Come On (Morgan Geist Remix)
Djedjotronic - Walk With Me
D.I.M. - Eternal
Eigo - Bring It
Noob - Freak People
Fake Blood - All In The Blink
Toni Toni Lee - Girl I Used To Know (Shazam Remix)
Robots With Rayguns (Feat. Patrick Baker) - Right Through Me
More About This Months Artist:
Oliver have found the beating heart inside the dance machine. Whether moving bodies at the world’s biggest electronic festivals, or hand-crafting digital gems in the studio, the producer / DJ duo of U-Tern and Oligee are responsible for some of the funkiest, toughest, and most diverse dance music today.
After spending years writing, producing, DJing and digging for vinyl, U-Tern and Oligee linked up in LA to forge something groundbreaking. They took their shared ’80s baby tastes – relentlessly groovy R&B, boombox worthy hip-hop, soaring electropop hooks – and mashed them together in remixes for everyone from Chromeo and Foster The People to Breakbot and techno godfather Juan Atkins. Original jams like “All Night” and “Dirty Talk” (supported by dance music luminaries like Alan Braxe and Busy P) took Oliver’s back-to-the-future sound even further, while high-powered collaborations with A-Trak (“Disco Nap”) and Destructo (“LA Funky”) brought the duo to the festival circuit, where they kept hands in the air all summer.
With the release of their Fool’s Gold EP Mechanical, Oliver push their hybrid sound to even funkier new horizons. The stadium worthy opener “MYB” perfectly segues into the moody strut of “Night Is On My Mind,” before shifting gears with the hands-in-the-air ecstasy of “Control” and riding off into the sunset on the title track’s cinematic pulse. With non-stop DJ sets on deck (complete with Oligee’s live keyboard riffs) and even more new music, there’s no telling where the beats will take them next. “Oliver is all over the map,” says U-Tern. “But we’re going to have a good time no matter what.”
