Editor's Statement
To me, the behind the scenes story is at least as interesting as what normally makes the headlines. The “how” and “why” has always had a certain fascination for me. Beyond a better understanding of the mechanics of things, in terms of bikes it’s a look at the passion and history behind the current crop.
Ancient stickers, half assembled concept bikes best left forgotten, beat up test frames. I’ve had the opportunity to see a fair bit of what makes the American bicycle industry work and it’s much the same story from the largest to the smallest operations. For the vast majority of people involved in the design and tech sides of the bike industry it’s as much a job of passion as one strictly for a paycheck.
In this issue we take a look across the world at a very different reality, that of roadside bike repairmen in Beijing. As one of the world’s largest cities Beijing has countless utility cyclists supporting a loose network of several thousand repairmen each staking out a busy corner. Part community gathering place, part anything goes repair stand, the motivations for both mechanic and rider are perhaps more utilitarian and absolutely necessary as compared to our admittedly more recreational outlook. I find the behind the scenes story equally interesting, and can only wonder what parts, tools and further stories are hidden in the carts of Beijing.
Shop cabinets in the Seattle home of Raleigh USA. Photo by Brad Quartuccio