When Steelcase expanded our technology and interaction studio to Portland, OR we knew we had to keep our employees happy and in motion, and what better way to do that then to make some bikes?! So we teamed up with Fyxation and crafted up 4 of their single speed Quivers with a 44 x 17 drivetrain for some easy, city pedaling. I also got the chance to look backwards on Steelcase history and dig-up/refresh/explore some old-skewl logos for the head tube vinyl. Even after all of this, I knew the bikes weren't complete, they needed that little bit of Portland color and flavor. Enter the custom made wool/stainless fenders. Here is the icing on the cake for me. I got the chance to explore, modify and test out one of my favorite materials, 100% wool (with a gorgeous new series of patterns from our friends over at DesignTex in Portland Maine). To extend the life-span and increase the durability, yet keep the asthetic and tactility, I tried everything from impregnating the textile with all sorts of resins to scanning the texture/color/pattern and printing on vinyl. Alas, I figured it all out... fuck it, wool is waterproof, wears beautifully, has tons of character, fits the Oregon scene, and I've never seen wool fenders. So why try to change any of this? Raw is beautiful. So I laser cut, formed, hemmed, tucked, riveted, attached hardware and wha-la, custom fenders were born.
I'll be rolling through the new office in a weel or two and I'll be sure to upload a few pictures of the complete bikes that I never got to see or take a photo of.... hope they look good!
