A track bike almost makes the ideal messenger rig. The stripped-down rides are light and simple, with almost nothing to maintain: no gears, no cables, no shifters, and no derailleurs. The upshot is a bike that pretty much can’t have a mechanical issue while barreling down narrow urban byways with a message in hand.
Unfortunately, track bikes do have a weakness. The frames just aren’t built to handle potholes, curbs, or weather. On top of that, the lack of a freewheel puts an extra dash of pressure on the structure. That’s why Cyclehawk’s Kevin “Squid” Bolger teamed with Lance Mercado of Squarebuilt to build a track frame designed to handle the wear and tear of intense riding in urban settings.
The Squarebuilt x Cyclehawk frame results from 10 years of partnership and tinkering.
“The last design we came up with together has been my [messenger bike] for the past three years. This is the one, we both agree. We have addressed many issues over the years regarding terrain and use. This frame is our final form,” Bolger told BikeRumor.
The Squarebuilt x Cyclehawk frame has aluminum 6061-T6 alloy shaped-tubing, a carbon fiber fork, an integrated system headset (IS42/IS52), and a 35mm seat clamp with a 27.2mm seat post. The frame comes in small (48cm), medium (53cm), and large (57cm).
As a final touch, the frame will be available in a pair of two-tone options: pearl/raspberry or raspberry/pearl. And peep that sweet squid graphic by artist Keigo.
Bolger and Mercado want to sell 100 of their SB-X-CH frames, and to place their order with their manufacturer, they need to pre-sell. A Squarebuilt x Cyclehawk frame will cost $500, with $200 paid in March and the balance due by May 15. The funding window is from March 1 to March 28, and if the pair don’t raise the $20K order minimum, buyers get a full refund.
Interested? Yeah, me too.
