BP: This bike is outfitted with some very nice componentry. Do you notice a difference in the ride as compared to any ‘ol bike converted to single speed with run of the mill parts?

TR: Absolutely…I have a Schwinn that I’ve been running freewheel for a couple years now. I built it with some middle of the road to lower end components and it’s a world of difference when I switch up bikes. Imagine driving a Ford Escort for most of the time and then hopping into an S4…it’s kind of like that…or at least what I’d imagine that scenario to be like as I have never actually driven an S4…but I did own an Escort not too long ago. Anyway…you get the picture. Essentially a bike is meant to get you from point A to point B, much like a car; it’s simply a matter of how smooth you would “prefer” (‘can afford’ would be the better term here) your ride to be.

BP: Have you raced on this bicycle?

TR: Yep. Raced a couple of the midnight Keirin races on North Winooski Ave last summer. Also raced the Turkey Chase (2^nd edition), ShutterSpeed and Ride Off the Wagon on this bike..."...never won no checkered flag…but never came in last..."

BP: If you built another Track Bike, what would you do differently?

TR: Make sure I buy the right size frame! The Durcus is a great frame…super clean aesthetically speaking and hella light…but it’s too small for me. The price was right as was the sales pitch for me to buy this frame, ”It ain’t pro…but it ain’t ghetto.” So I scooped it up and built around the fact that it was too small. Kind of a mistake on my end as you’ll fully enjoy your ride a lot more if you build a bike that’s truly your fit. Don’t make this mistake with your next potential bike frame…as the folks pitching ExtenZe™ would lead you to believe…size does matter. I may try drop bars on the next build…other than that I’m hyped on everything else on this bike.

BP: Would you sell this bike?

TR: The frame for sure as it is too small for me…but I would most definitely keep everything else on that bike.

BP: In closing...

TR: Big ups to Hernandez, Blotto & Liam for their input and assistance on this build…an encyclopedia’s worth of bike knowledge between the three of them….thanks homies!

Bicycle Type: Track Bike

Owner: Tomas Ruprecht

Primary use for this bike: Transportation…and a local race or two

Frame: Durcus One--Master; Durcus One is the house brand for W-Base (Japan)

Tubing: Aluminum

Headset: AheadSet C4

Crankset: Sugino 75 - 165mm

Chainring: Sugino 75 - 47t

Bottom Bracket: Sugino 75

Cog: Phil Wood Track Cog 17t

Hubs: Phil Wood High Flange 32 Hole

Rims: Velocity Deep V

Lacing Style: Radial (front), 3-cross (rear)

Tires: Vittoria Zaffir, Michelin Dynamic

Stem: Spank Tweet Tweet

Bars: Soma Early Risers

Seat Post: Nitto Jag SP-72

Saddle: San Marco Regal

Pedals: MKS Custom Nuevo…a gift to replace my old Soma pedals…and yes the extra $50 for MKS pedals is very worth it

Toe Straps: MKS Fit Alpha Sports, double-strap

All photos © Tomas Ruprecht 2010

Couple years back Jeffta printed up these shots for the opening of Status. I ran across the file and figured I'd post 'em for a little Japan stoke out. Speaking of Japan, I better email Asa and see how his six-week journey is going...maybe he'll slide some photos over! Blotto

Photos shot to Agfa Scala film with a Yashica T4 by Blotto

My second studio ad shoot in as many weeks brought me to the Salt Factory in Burlington, Vermont to work with Burton Team Rider Gabi Viteri. Once again my favorite art directors Lance and Evan would be on hand to coordinate the proceedings as the shutter button clicked.

Gabi has long been known for her 'flair' while on the snowboard, so we thought it proper for this ad to really push the accessory list over the top! LOTS of plastic jewelry, a clock, a taxidermy duck, head phones, goggles and one item we had a good time creating...the wizard stick.

The photo shoot took close to three hours, but once it was all said and done, we had what we needed in the bag and Gabi was a great sport hanging in there with twenty pounds of flair hanging from her! Blotto

All point and shot photos by Blotto

Snap back to colder times in Colorado...Broc Waring gives us two airs in two days, the camera provides two angles at Copper. Now back to summer...Blotto

Image © Dean Blotto Gray