Industry veterans Erik Olson and Dan Powell have launched Portland Design Works (PDW), a new brand of urban bicycle accessories with a focus on simple, beautiful design. They’re starting out with some really cool bamboo, leather and CNC/rubber grips, all of which are very stylish. Cargo racks, tools, mini-pumps and fenders will be available by late spring.
PDW is still finalizing their national distribution lineup, but hopes to have their goods available nationwide by summer. Products will be available direct to bicycle shops in the city of Portland, and Powell and Olson will deliver the orders by bicycle.
See “more” pics of their sweet parts after the break…
“We want to be a part of the community, to have a connection”, says Olson, “plus making deliveries by bike is a great excuse to get out and ride.”
Olson and Powell last collaborated as the general manager and sales/marketing guy, respectively, for Planet Bike. The new venture is a dream come true for the native Midwesterners, who are excited to be living in Portland.
“You’d start a surf company near great waves, or a wind farm on an enormous plain. Likewise, we moved to Portland because its bike-friendly culture allows so many folks to get around easily by bike, says Powell. “We wanted to design and test our gear in that great urban cycling atmosphere.”
PDW is a member of 1% For the Planet, an alliance of businesses that donate at least 1% of their annual revenues to environmental organizations worldwide.
Their leather Dapper Dan Ergo Grips ($50) look suspiciously similar to Ergon’s wares, but in vegetable-dyed leather.  Also available in a lighter shade and non-ergo version ($45), shown below.
They also have these mean lookin’ “Speed Metal” grips ($50) in a range of colors.  But wait, no purple?
They also have a Shiny Object CO2 inflator head that fits both Schrader and Presta valves and has a knob to control flow rate.  $25 for just the head, or $30 for the head and leather cartridge sleeve.
Lastly, they have this pretty cool shirt ($15)…but is that dude smoking?
All items should be available in late February.
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