The Park Bike from Brooklyn Machine Works is the bastard wild child of a street bike, a trick bike and a trail bike. Set up as a single speed you’re set for th streets or jumping trails. As a 9-speed you’ve got a comfortable cruiser that also works for slaloms.

Available as a complete bike or piecemeal you can customize to your hearts content.

What this means to you: This writer prefers his vehicles a little edgy and that includes his two-wheeled monsters. And hell, 3 grand for a BMW ain’t half bad. Ha.

Cost: $3,300 (for complete bike) @ Brooklyn Machine Works

There’s craftsmanship then there’s craftsmanship. Then there’s Vanilla Bicycles. With base frames starting at $2150 this is no cheap endeavor but you’re buying far more than just a bicycle.

The wait time for a Vanilla Bicycle as of February 2007 is 4 years. By then you could probably learn the trade of making a bike, but you still wouldn’t have a Vanilla. The dizzying array of custom options alone will have you drooling. Materials such as hand polished Henry James Lugs, silver bonding, Reynolds 531 tubing make up your personalized rolling art, especially the Orange Touring pictured here.

Their custom manufacturing process is done after a preferred meeting in person, fitting and a deposit. From there the art begins. Custom frame building, custom painting, and custom outfitting. This is a bike that will be with you for life.

What this means to you: Absolutely nothing vanilla about a Vanilla Bike. Welcome back craftsmanship.

Cost: $2150+ @ Vanilla Bicycles

Maintaining your body’s core is one of the most important elements in physical training, especially when biking. It also means you should keep it warm on those early morning / late night sessions on your bike. The Clima-fit light vest from Nike is windproof, water-resistant and lightweight that allows you to maintain full movement of your arms while your core stays warm and vented. It’s available in french blue or shock orange. You know where we stand.

The vest features:

• Non-stretch perforated nylon back allows for maximum breathability.
• High visibility reflective trim at front chest and back keeps you safe on the road.
• Draw cord hem and lined high collar for extra comfort provide the perfect functional fit.
• Oragami pocket at the back of neck keeps your items safe and easily accessible.
• Water-resistant microfiber polyester is windproof yet extremely breathable.

What this means to you: Rolling at 25+ mph on a cool morning is cold. Trying to look machismo in your t-shirt is ignorant - put on a vest, train hard, reap the rewards.

Cost: $45 @ Nike

Make cake of your next trail run on the Specialized Stumpjumper. The Ned Overend endorsed and developed bike is equipped top to bottom with some of the most sophisticated suspension workings. Some of which we have yet to understand.

Features:

• FSR M5 Manipulated Alloy Frame
• Specialized AFR Shock with Flow Control Valve
• Fox Talaz 100-140mm Alloy Steerer
• Magura Marta Hydraulic Disc Brakes
• SRAM X.0 9-Speed Rear Deraileur
• Shimano M-860 XT Hollowtech Crank

What this means to you: Wear a helmet because the next time you wipe-out on the “Slickrock” trail in Moab this bike is more likely to survive than you are.

Cost: $3,800 @ Kozy’s Cyclery

Experience true luxury in road cycling with the royal S-Works Roubaix Dura-Ace. Specialized’s amazing S-Works FACT 10r carbon frameset combines awesome speed and unmatched comfort for the best ride of your life. Its Specialized Zertz vibration-damping elastomer inserts make riding incredibly comfortable on any road. Plus, the S-Works carbon crankset is incredibly stiff for unbeatable power transfer, the 20-speed Shimano Dura-Ace drivetrain offers light, telepathic shifting, the Dura-Ace brakes can’t be beat, and the S-Works Fact Carbon stem and bars deliver the ultimate touch of class.

MSRP: $5500.00 @ Gerk’s Alpine Hut

Click thru to see full specifications and additional angles.

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