Rivendell’s serial number database is now up-and-running. If you’re a Riv owner, you can now register your frame using the form linked below. Your serial number is stamped on the underside of your bottom bracket shell.

Rivendell Serial Number Database →

As part of their 10th Anniversary celebration, Soma is hosting a photo contest. Prizes will include handlebars, saddles, tires, racks, and the Soma 10th Anniversary poster. Get all the details at the Soma Blog.

Soma Blog →

Transpo riders may not know this, but long before they went into building fully-outfitted commuters, Breezer got its start making mountain bikes. In fact, Joe Breeze is credited with building the first-ever purpose-built mountain bike clear back in 1977. That bike, dubbed “Breezer #1″, will be on display Saturday, November 5 from 1-3 pm at the Bicycling Hall of Fame Museum in Davis, CA. The Hall of Fame’s new mountain bike exhibit will open tomorrow in conjunction with the U.S. Bicycling Hall Of Fame’s annual induction ceremonies that same evening. Joe Breeze, Gary Fisher, Jacquie Phelan, Steve Potts, Ned Overend, and other mountain bike luminaries will be on hand for the event.

From the press release:

EcoVelo Interview with Joe Breeze →
U.S. Bicycling Hall Of Fame →
Breezer →

Gates Carbon Drive has entered a three-year sponsorship deal with the North American Handmade Bicycle Show. As part of the partnership, Gates is hosting a design contest at NAHBS 2012 in Sacramento, CA. From Gates:

Official Rules →

Photos and info on the new “Disc Trucker” (the disc brake version of the Long Haul Trucker) are now posted on the Surly website.

Disc Trucker →

[via Cycle Jerk]

Selle An-Atomica, makers of my personal favorite saddle, are coming out with a new model for riders over 200 lbs. From S-A:

Prior to the saddles being widely released, S-A is offering a limited number for beta testing. If you’ve ever wondered about these unique saddles, here’s your opportunity to give one a try.

Selle An-Atomica →
Beta Test Application →

A couple of weeks ago, we mentioned Trek’s Cocoa, their new Dutch-inspired city bike. It’s also worth noting that Trek’s Belleville, Soho Deluxe, and Transport city bikes from last year are going to continue to be produced for 2012.

The Belleville is a vintage-inspired 3-speed with a porteur-style front rack, dynamo hub and lights, and internal gear drivetrain. This is a unique bike among their line-up and I hope they sell well next year so that Trek is encouraged to produce more bikes in this vein.

Soho Deluxe

The Soho Deluxe is Trek’s take on what is becoming the standard speedy, belt drive commuter. For 2012 it will continue to be spec’d with an Alfine 8 internal gear hub and Gates belt.

Transport

The Transport is Trek’s version of the longtail cargo bike. It’s being marketed as part of the “Gary Fisher Collection”. I’m encouraged that we have a cargo bike being produced by a large company like Trek.

Trek has other urban bikes in their line-up, but these are the three that catch my eye. My take is that these are important bikes because they (perhaps) have a better chance of ending up in mainstream bike shops than similar transpo bikes from smaller manufacturers. And, of course, the more transpo bikes we have in neighborhood shops, the more likely people are to start thinking about bikes as something more than sporting goods.

Shimano Alfine 11 IGH
BioLogic Joule HG Dyno Hub
Avid Elixir Discs
Ergon BioKork

Tern →

Rivendell’s new website is now live.

Rivendell →

The winners of the Oregon Manifest Constructor’s Design Challenge are now posted to the Oregon Manifest website.

Oregon Manifest →

Soma has a pair of cargo bikes in the works. The “Tradesman” is their modern take on the traditional English baker bike. It takes a 26” wheel in back and a 20” up front. Maximum capacity on the platform is around 50 lbs. It’ll be available as a frameset in mid-November for $600 retail.

The “Pick Up Artist” is a longer, front loader with linkage steering. It has a much higher carrying capacity of up to 150-200 lbs. Like the Tradesman, it takes 26”/20” wheels. Soma has not yet committed to manufacturing this one, but I’d love to see it come to market. If you like the looks of this bike, consider dropping them a note to encourage them to make it available.

Soma Tradesman →
Soma Pick Up Artist →

Breezer’s new website is live and showing their 2012 line-up. Of particular interest is the new “Downtown” line of steel-framed city bikes. The Downtown 8 features a Nexus 8 drivetrain, chainguard, rear rack, and fenders at $829.99. The “Beltway” belt drive model is listed in the main menu, but the page is not yet displayed.

Breezer →

For 2012, Trek is offering the Cocoa, a Dutch-inspired 3-speed city bike. Specs include a Shimano Nexus 3-speed internal gear hub, chain case, skirt guard, fenders, kickstand, retro saddle, and understated graphics. Retail is $609.99.

Trek Cocoa →

The Source Eleven is Specialized’s new top-of-the-line commuter for 2012. Specs include Alfine 11 internal gear hub, Gates CenterTrack belt drive, Alfine hydraulic disc brakes, Supernova Infinity 8 dynamo hub, Infinity E3 front and rear lights, Pletscher kickstand with integrated kickstand plate, alloy fenders, alloy belt guard, Racktime rear rack, and internally routed wiring. Retail is $2750.

Specialized →

Ergon, makers of (arguably) the world’s most comfortable flat-bar handgrips, is introducing their first-ever line of saddles in 2012. The SM3 series is being marketed for mountain biking, but some of the saddles look promising for all-around utility and commuting use.

Ergon SM3 → [2.9mb PDF]