Freeman Transport

2009-08-17T18:10:00.002-06:00

New Site Up. www.freemantransport.com

2008-10-03T08:09:00.002-06:00

Operators are standing by.

2008-08-05T10:21:00.001-06:00

Estate LA X Freeman Shoot

2008-07-08T08:05:00.005-06:00

The Merry Tracksters

2008-07-02T09:16:00.002-06:00

Ran into these guys today. They are riding from Portland OR to Portland ME. Sounds like fun. Sent them to the Mo Club for a burger and a beer for a buck and then on their way. Toms Shoes were repped heavy. Travel safely boys.

More Build Shots

2008-06-30T15:19:00.003-06:00

The bikes spent a little time in Minneapolis where Nathan put on the head badges and built up the bikes with Eric from Peacock Groove.

The Bag for your Bike

2008-06-30T11:33:00.003-06:00

Waxed canvas, vinyl lined and leather strapping. Backpack carry with handles as well. Made in America.

Builds

2008-06-30T08:08:00.002-06:00

Finished building the bikes this weekend with the fine help of Eric Noren from Peacock Groove. More pictures to follow.

Gastone Nencini

2008-06-25T10:00:00.000-06:00

Next up on the list of favorite racers of the past is a Mister Gastone Nencini. Born in Tuscany in 1930, he won the Gito d'Italia in 1957 and the Tour de France in 1960. Nicknamed the "Lion of Megello" he was known for being king in the mountains, all while being a chain smoker and amateur painter.

Bicycle Retailers Industry News

2008-06-24T09:03:00.005-06:00

The good folks over at Bicycle Retailer and Industry News mentioned us in an article about alternative retail channels. We are honored to be in this conversation. Thanks Matt.

Paul Strand

2008-06-23T07:46:00.004-06:00

We have a fond affection for images with bikes in them. We also have a fond affection for Paul Strand. In the early 1950's Strand spent six weeks in northern Italy with his friend Valentino Lusetti. This is a picture of Valentino's four brothers and mother in front of their home. Wish we were there.

Brent Humphreys

2008-06-19T09:00:00.001-06:00

Our friend Josh Lutz just told us about his friend Brent Humphreys who shot the 2007 Tour de France. Hopefully he'll be shooting 2008. We can't wait. Here are a few of Brent's shots from last year's Tour.

Stickers

2008-06-18T09:00:00.001-06:00

We love seeing where our stickers end up. This one is outside Jack Spade in Soho on the bike rack. Thanks Michael. If you see them, take a picture and send them our way. If you want some, drop us a line and we'll stock you up.

Look

2008-06-17T09:00:00.005-06:00

Look makes amazing equipment and has a deep history in cycling. It's hard not to love them. Just the other day we stumbled upon this $10,000 frame. Totally outrageous. Thor Hushovd won the 2006 Tour de France prologue on this machine. Too bad it doesn't have couplings.

The Other Molteni Bombini

2008-06-16T09:00:00.004-06:00

My first road bike was a Basso Gap purchased at Conrad's. The Gap was named after the town in France where Mariano Basso barely beat out Merckx in the final sprint to win the 1972 World Championship. The bike pictured is not mine. I wish it was. If you are in New York Conrad's is a must. If it's on a Wednesday Sarah should be working. Tell her we sent you.

Freeman Bros Construction

2008-06-13T09:00:00.006-06:00

We've had lots of questions about Freeman Bros. Construction, so it's time to introduce partner Nathaniel Freeman. Nathan is a Minneapolis-based artist who works primarily in video and

installation. His recent work includes making a video for Montanan Colin Meloy's band The Decemberists.

The Amazing Jig-A Loo

2008-06-12T09:00:00.003-06:00

Somehow we got a can of this stuff. Is this for real? Well, we think so. I thought we didn't use this term anymore. The testimonial on the front page of their website takes them over the top.

“I wish I had known about this product earlier. As soon as I sprayed Jigaloo into the corners of the bed and shook the frame a bit, the squeak was no more. ”

Umm, I guess we'll take it home and try it.

La Bobette

2008-06-11T09:00:00.002-06:00

Somehow we've been sucked into frequent postings as we wait for more product to be finished and for the cold rainy weather to pass in Montana. We thought it'd be nice to profile some of the great riders we've come to know and love. First up is the French man Louis Bobet. Born March 12, 1925 in Brittany France, he was the first rider to win the Tour three times from 1953-1955. He also won the Tour's King of the Mountains in 1950. Besides being a total bad-ass, here are some things we find noteworthy. He was a very emotional guy and was known for crying leading to his nickname "La Bobette." Bobet was also really into clothing and went on to own a clothing store after his cycling career was over. Louis refused to wear his first yellow jersey because it wasn't made out of pure wool. Ahhhh a man after our own heart.

La Moda Italiana

2008-06-10T09:00:00.006-06:00

Growing up we always had a Silca floor pump in the garage and I remember the day I got my first Silca frame pump. Was and still is made in Italy. The only thing cooler would have been a matching paint job with my Basso Gap. Today I received a new Silca pump for a project we are working on. Telescoping at 99 grams with carbon fiber barrel. Silca is the official pump of the Freeman Transport Team, or it would be if we had one.

Flic Your Bic

2008-06-09T09:00:00.002-06:00

We love vintage jerseys. One day while knocking around Soho I scooped these wool gems. Flying A on Spring between Thompson and West Broadway had a great selection. Go hit em up and see if they have what you're looking for.

The Other Track Bike

2008-06-06T09:00:00.001-06:00

Found this over at one of our all time favorite sites Shorpy. Looks like fun. According to Shorpy, this bike was referred to as the Velocipede and was used by track inspectors. This one is from the 30's. Maybe 700c wheels would be a little sportier. And some couplings as well.

Massimo Vignelli

2008-06-05T10:00:00.002-06:00

We try to keep this blog cycling specific but the other day I got such a great treat in the mail so I thought I would share. One of my favorite designers is Massimo Vignelli. I remember while working with Doug Lloyd I tried to keep the book Design: Vignelli as close as possible. When I left NY it was one of the first books I bought. Well about a month ago a friend told me about the limited edition release of the 1972 NYC subway maps designed and signed by Vignelli. So as any New Yorker would, I scooped it. And it arrived.

Morels

2008-06-04T09:00:00.001-06:00

One of the good things that come from forest fires is the abundance of Morels and I'm sure most people know about the forest fires in recent years in Montana. The other day on our ride we struck gold. We sautéd these fugal beauties up with garlic and asparagus in a béchamel over fresh cut pasta. Dean and Deluca, not that we have any in Montana, is selling fresh morels for $45/lbs. for all the city folk.

Billy Kirk

2008-06-03T10:00:00.003-06:00

One of our most favorite leather makers happens to also be into bikes. Brothers Chris and Kirk are making beautiful things all in the States. We love what they are doing. Check them out if you haven't already. We've been talking about some new ideas and future collaborations.

Band of Outsiders

2008-06-03T07:28:00.004-06:00

I'm sure by now this is old news but we wanted to give props to one of our favorite brands Band of Outsiders. They've just scooped up the prestigious CFDA award for emerging talent. We like Scott and we like made in america. Keep it on.

We love Bikes

2008-06-02T09:20:00.000-06:00

When we aren't on the road, we are in the dirt. Two of our favorite frame builders happen to be two of our other rides. Tom rides an Independent Fabrications Planet X Ti. I ride a Sycip Cross Dresser. Both bikes are perfect for the cross riding here in Missoula.

The Horton Collection

2008-05-30T10:00:00.000-06:00

If you find yourself in San Francisco you should definitely get in touch with Brett Horton. He has the most amazing collection of cycling memorabilia. We love his stash.

Here is the human

2008-05-29T07:23:00.000-06:00

One of Jørgen Leth's best.

The Perfect Human X 5

2008-05-28T15:25:00.000-06:00

It's a funny thing. Today on our Freeman Lunch Ride I was thinking about Jørgen Leth. Then I see tonight as part of the Bicycle Film Festival they are showing Impossible Hour. Fanstastic. The best gift I got this year was this movie from my wife. On the same DVD you also get Stars and Watercarriers which is excellent. In honor of both the Bicycle Film Festival and our love for Jørgen Leth and Lars von Trier we thought it would be nice to post the trailer of The Five Obstructions

Royal Hunting

2008-05-28T11:56:00.000-06:00

This one is for our friend Michael at A Continuous Lean. Shot by Richard Kalvar. Call off the dogs!

Estate Heritage

2008-05-22T22:32:00.000-06:00

Just got some samples from Brett at Estate LA. Navy wool and off white artwork. Can't wait for the order to arrive.

More pics

2008-05-21T11:03:00.000-06:00

2 week dry time is killing us. So is Keith

Frames

2008-05-20T21:15:00.000-06:00

Keith Anderson just sent us some pictures of the painted frames. Nathan is working on the travel bags that will be sold with the frames. We'll get some pics of the bags soon.

le Miroir Des Sports #5

2008-05-14T09:03:00.000-06:00

Hope i can be at the feed zone when my kid starts to race. Maybe with a ball cap, not the beret.

le Miroir Des Sports #4

2008-05-13T07:34:00.001-06:00

That road doesn't look so smooth.

le Miroir Des Sports #3

2008-05-08T09:24:00.000-06:00

There are so many good things going on in this picture especially Dapper Dan in the double breasted suit. He could be our team manager any time.

Le Miroir Des Sports #2

2008-05-07T09:01:00.000-06:00

Wish there were more women in dresses at our races throwing water on us.

Le Miroir Des Sports #1

2008-05-06T10:57:00.000-06:00

On a trip to France years ago we picked up some vintage sports newspapers. This one is from 1934 and is for sure the way we like to lunch on an all day ride.

The Parts

2008-05-02T20:21:00.000-06:00

For the Front

2008-04-30T10:01:00.000-06:00

Nathan keeps banging away on the badges. and they just get better and better. we're bias of course.

Family of Man

2008-04-28T14:50:00.000-06:00

A friend just returned my copy of Family of Man. Just paged through it again and remembered how much i love this shot by Gotthard Schuh, taken some time in the early 1950's. Makes me want to get some hair product and take the wife for a picnic.

Strap your Saddlebags on

2008-04-24T09:34:00.000-06:00

The weather was getting nice here in Montana. Then we received 6 inches of snow last weekend. Had to strap the skis on one more time. Looking forward to the warm weather and some traveling. Really feeling our horse-friends cargo carrying options.

Making the Mold

2008-04-14T09:52:00.000-06:00

Here are some samples of the head badges in wax. Nathan has been working really hard to perfect the mold. Almost ready to cast the high polish steel.

Sew What

2008-04-10T13:23:00.000-06:00

Just got a sew-out from our friends at Estate LA. Kudos to them for keeping things stateside and handmade.

R.E.Load Baggage Turns 10

2008-02-28T21:45:00.000-07:00

We have just two choices for quick, quality city runs. Portland or Seattle. We love them both. We really love R.E.Load Bags in Seattle. Our friend Ellie just dropped a couple bags on us celebrating their 10 year anniversary. They are beauts. Limited edition, black canvas. Logo patch in a silver colorway. Inspired by one of our favorites Demartini. The bags are killer. Hit them up as thy will definitely vanish. Taking pre-orders now. Wonder what a Freeman X R.E.Load bag would look like...hhhmmm

Motto Ouzo

2008-02-22T07:48:00.000-07:00

Our friends at Reynolds were some of the first to sign on with the Freeman project. We really dig their stuff and love their commitment to US manufacturing. We thought we'd take some pics before we send these beauties off to Keith Anderson for painting.

Build Kits

2008-02-21T08:35:00.000-07:00

We've had many a conversation about how to build up these bikes. Finally we came to a conclusion and the parts are starting to come in. Here's a NOS Cinelli saddle. Can't wait to hop on. Let us know if you're looking for that hard to find part. We'll be stocking lots of gems.

Bikes in the works

2008-01-17T08:41:00.000-07:00

we're cranking away here. trying not to ski too much and focus on the bikes. snow is so distracting. this one is going to a friend in california. frames will start to drop in may.

Kids are killing it in Philly

2007-12-05T10:37:00.000-07:00

Mash SF Trailer

2007-12-02T13:55:00.001-07:00

Progress

2007-11-30T20:19:00.001-07:00

Things are coming along. Nathan is casting the head badge. then painting. we'll keep you posted.

Mash in the Mountains

2007-11-29T22:37:00.000-07:00

Our friend Mike Martin was nice enough to share his amazing film. For the past 2 years gabe morford and mike have been chasing riders on track bikes through the streets of san francisco. Premieres so far in San Fran, LA, NY, Tokyo and now Montana. Thursday, Dec 06th at The Crystal Theate. 515 South Higgins Ave. 2 showings. 7 and 9pm. Track stand competition inside the theater at 8pm. Tons of prizes, raffles, french fries and cheap beer. $5.00 at the door. hope to see you there.

Graphic Identity

2007-11-29T22:34:00.001-07:00

We are pleased to say we have finished the identity of our new project Freeman Transport. With the help of Benny Gold we've got our logo.