auchencrow

I stopped into the Detroit Auto Show yesterday and happened upon this bike in the Lincoln exhibit.
I don't exactly know what it was doing there, but it does serve to underscore the fact that things ARE still made here in the D, and with great care and pride.

It's not exactly vintage, and normally I'm not that impressed by fixed gear bikes, but anyway, I thought I would offer this up to you as eye candy.
This black steel and copper plate model is called the "Madison Street", and was manufactured by the Detroit Bicycle Company.

The have a website with more models and pics.











Madison Street specs:

• Columbus SL CRO-MO tubing and Nova lugs.
• Cinelli 135 mm pista stem copper plated
• Cinelli no. 14 bars copper plated
• Brooks b 17 copper rail seat
• Campagnolo Record seat post copper plated
• Campagnolo Record head set copper plated
• Campagnolo Record bottom bracket
• Campagnolo super Record pista cranks painted
• blk. base/clear coat
• Campagnolo super Leggari pedals
• Track rims with Vittoria Zaffiro tires

rootboy 

Very pretty. Though I don't understand the whole no brakes thing. Especially in a city. He makes very nice looking frames.

WMcCready

Same Bike displayed @ Ann Arbor Bike Show last year, Classic ! Great work.

auchencrow

I don't understand it either.
- But if these were cheap enough for me (I'm sure they aren't) I'd drill the fork, mount some brakes and single speed it. It would likely be a nice ride given the frame and other components.
- Or who knows, they might even do it for you on special order.

AZORCH

That black and copper look sure is an attractive pairing. I've never had a notion to ride fixed gear myself, but a SS freewheel (and, as already noted, a brake!) could tempt me with this machine.

rootboy 

I'm not sure I like the 1/4 inch clearance in the fork. And that bike deserves something besides Zaffiros. Maybe some Challenge Roubaixs?
Wonder how well copper plating holds up under use?

Oh and, how do you suppose he copper plated those pedal cages, and then got them back together? Or, maybe they're not plated?

pakman

He also had a few other bikes at Ann Arbor that highlighted a mixture of classic parts on new frames.

repechage

That alone would be worth contacting them about. I have some very first generation Campagnolo superleggeri pedals where the black anodizing has seen better days, but otherwise perfect. What makes these interesting compared to almost all others is that the cage is the same stamping as the steel version, there is no extra metal, no internal chamfered area. Hard to place a time on these, maybe 1969?

The copper plating is all show bike, way too difficult to keep up. And copper over aluminum can be done but keep it away from road salt!

auchencrow

I think it's supposed to acquire a "patina" and with it, an air of superannuation ( though I suppose you could polish it if you preferred.)

rootboy 

Taking a second look at those pedals, I think the copper coloration is just reflection. I can't imagine how one could remove the cages and then re-install them. Not enough material to peen over once ground off.

rootboy 

I suppose if the copper plating was extra thick, it might hold up OK. But it's super soft. Not meant for real world use? Show bike? I guess you could wax it and keep it very clean.

Bianchigirll 

That is a beauty! At first I thought it was old 'safety' from early last century.



I don't get it either. Two or so years ago everyone in Philly got all pumped up on passing new bicyle rules and regulations ( I think a cyclist hit a Ped) and they actually wanted to outlaw/prohibit bikes without brakes. I would think the Police had more inportant things to do than look for brakeless bikes.

BTW the new Lincolns look fabulous too bad they don't make a minivan.

seedsbelize 

Somewhat on topic: I was in one of the bike shops this week, and noticed new ss/fg bikes for sale, the first I've seen in this part of the world. They had a front brake.

sailorbenjamin

If you want to plate only part of something (like the pedals) you paint whatever you don't want plated with nail polish. Do your dip and then drop it in some acetone. The nail polish comes off leaving unplated metal behind.

schwinnderella

Ugly !!

auchencrow

I used the contact information on their website and just got a note from the "main man" at the Detroit Bicycle Company.
He said that each bike is completely custom so you can add brakes, freewheel etc.

Chris Chicago

Agree, copper looks awesome.