Although Dutch brand Blue Blood are primarily known for making denim, this season sees them branching out into Bicycles, motorbikes and accessories. Blue Blood’s Alex Jasper states that “Amsterdam houses more bicycles than people. Riding a bike is a great way to enjoy the city life, as well as the quickest way to get around”.

Take a look at the motorbikes after the jump.

The history and legacy of the Schwinn Paramount is one for the history books. Developed by Belgian frame builder, Emil Wastyn, for Frank W. Schwinn, who was looking to build the ultimate 6 day racer, and spared no expense to achieve this outcome. With the inception of Italian made frames and new technology in the 70’s the Paramount was sidelined due to its build cost. The late, great, Sheldon Brown’s website has more info on the history of the Paramount.

Today, the Paramount is a much sought after frame by collectors and riders alike. Fans of proper lugged frames spare no expense in finding the classic Paramount frames on Craigslist and eBay (good luck finding any vintage of the Paramount under 1000$US these days).

70 years on, Schwinn has re-introduced the Paramount for a new generation.

“The Paramount 70th Anniversary frameset is a marriage of the latest technology, cycling heritage, and artisan craftsmanship. With a full Reynolds 953 stainless steel tube set and painted to match Reynolds UL carbon fork the frame represents the latest in bicycle technology. A full-custom stainless steel lug set, commissioned by Schwinn specifically for this frame, has been hand-crafted to reflect traditional style of the original Paramounts.”

Schwinn has handed the build reigns to  Wisconsin’s Waterford Precision Cycles to bring the Paramount 70th Anniversary addition. Visit the Schwinn Paramount website for much more information on this great frame.

More images of the Schwinn Paramount 70th Anniversary Bicycle after the jump.

Charleston is home to lots of blonde’s, A.W. Shucks Seafood Nachos and Ben Silver. Until January, 2009, the city and it’s great Charleston Museum is also home to a rather amusing exhibition about how the bicycle helped change the way women dressed in the 19th century. We knew we loved bikes here. What we didn’t know was that they helped our lady friends move towards “less restrictive undergarments.” In all seriousness, the exhibition sounds great, and the permanent collections in Charleston are absolutely fantastic.

“The Charleston Museum presents an original mini-exhibition called Bustles, Bicycles and Ballgowns: Beginnings of Change in Late 19th Century Clothing. Bicycles prompted a change in clothing and less restrictive undergarments.  Late 19th century women could go out on their bicycles unchaperoned for the first time because it was deemed acceptable as exercise. The bustle emerged during this era and proved to be more versatile than the hoop skirt.  This freedom of movement was a major factor in the increasing number of women in the workplace.

Bustles, Bicycles and Ballgowns offers a full range of garments, accessories and even equipment from late 19th century Charleston. In addition to women’s undergarments, walking clothing and formal attire, guests will see an 1890s bicycle, typewriter and shorthand machine. The exhibit also features a try-on station complete with a period-appropriate corset, bustle, and drawers.”

A great crossover jacket from one of the best cycling gear companies out of the UK, Rapha. Their Fixed Jacket is an incredibly proper on and off bike piece of gear that will work in just about any situation. Like all Rapha gear, this one is also very technical. “The jacket’s main body is made from Schoeller® 3xDry® fabric which is water resistant and extremely breathable. The front panels have been lined with comfort-rich, brushed polyester for additional windproofing.” Technical and a great look for 430$US – money very well spent for a durable crossover cycle jacket.

More views of the Rapha Fixed Jacket after the jump.

At Selectism we love bicycles. We spend hours riding, talking and (sometimes) buying bicycles. We strive to learn as much as possible about them. A guy who loves bicycles more than us and can certainly help in the quest is Francesco Baroni. He’s a freelance writer, competitive cyclist and author of The Bicycle: The Myth and The Passion. The book is out now from Rizzoli and just leap frogged several volumes to near the top of our must read pile.

From the Publisher —

"This handsomely illustrated volume traces the evolution of the bicycle and spotlights landmarks in its illustrious history. From the first sketches in the 1490s by a student of Leonardo da Vinci to the High Wheel Bicycles that had their heyday in the 1880s, hundreds of archival photographs and illustrations depict the features of these and other early ancestors of the modern bicycle, accompanying a text that vividly recreates the excitement of each new innovation. Documenting the advent of ball bearings and pneumatic tires, the development of high-tech racing bicycles and state-of-the-art all terrain bikes with waffle tread tires and heavier frames, The Bicycle examines the models and components that have been the fulfillment of the dreams of visionary inventors. Through an engaging text and vibrant graphics, readers will meet the key players in the world of cycling and gain a newfound appreciation for the colorful history of the bicycle."

The answer to every cycle commuters worries has arrived. Outlier pants are built out of Schoeller 3xDry and Nanosphere fabrics. They are classically tailored. You are dry. You look good. You can step right off your bike and into a class wine bar to meet your future model wife. Great technical features and great looks combined.

Details of Outliers Performance Tailored Pants after the jump.

Some of you may have heard of David Byrne in association with Talking Heads, others because of his recent conversion of the Battery Maritime Building, a century-old ferry terminal in Manhattan, into a giant instrument.

Now Wallpaper reports about him getting together with the NYC Department of Transportation. The artist got together with the Department to create overall nine bike racks that are installed in Brooklyn and Manhattan.

"Byrne submitted ideas to the DOT of graphic shapes, inspired by specific locations throughout the city: the Ladies Mile (a high heel), the Villager (a dog), the Wall Street (a dollar sign) and so on.

The functioning racks came about when Byrne was chosen to be on the panel for an open competition held by the DOT for people to design novelty bike racks. Byrne himself sent in his series of drawings as examples and the DOT replied saying they’d happily install them. The designs were realised in the same square-shaped piping that the regular NYC bike racks are made from so people would identify them as bike racks rather than public art.

The racks have become minor landmarks in themselves. Up for just a year, they’re then going to be sold through Pace/MacGill Gallery, who represent Byrne’s artistic endeavours."

On your next NYC trip you might want to consider taking a David Byrne bike rack tour!

We just featured the Our Legacy Fall/Winter 2008 collection this morning. Nevertheless we have to come back to the brand and show you their latest fixed gear bike – the Midnight Messenger 2008. 

During the last Capsule Paris show we shows you their first fixed gear bike, which came in all white. The Midnight Messenger comes in dark blue, brown leather seat and details on the front, as well as white detailed on the wheels. A beauty with only very minimalist branding, just like you would have expected from them. The bike comes limited to 30 pieces worldwide.

Shirt maker James Perse jumps into the bicycling upswing thats hitting the sporting world right now. Perse is probably sick of the price of gas like the rest of us. "Combining a vintage style with a modern look, the James Perse Cruiser blends comfort with sleek form. Each James Perse Cruiser is custom built and includes a limited edition serial number.. features include: Hydroform steel frame, billet aluminum stem, hand-aged leather seat and grips, triple-clamp fork, extra large aluminum sprocket." (via aquire)

This is not a mens bicycle but seeing as any device that gets people onto bicycles is good with us, we felt the need to present the Hermes Bicycle. "Hermès collaborated with dutch bicycle manufacturer Batavus and adorned an Old Dutch with meticulously stitched leather accents on saddle, handle bar grips, as well as the frame’s two main down tubes. The 3-speed bike maintains its old original black finish while the leather accents play a significant role in bumping up Batavus’ original $799 price tag." Bump up indeed as this Hermes bicycle retails for 3500$US.

More views of the Hermes Bicycle after the jump.