Bryan Dempler : Photography

I recently moved back up to San Francisco, to finish off school, & I moved back in w/ my old roommate, long time friend, & ex-neighbor Bryan Dempler. I knew I brought two bikes w/ me for a reason. We've been going on rides through Golden Gate Park @ the end of everyday. Here's a portrait that he shot of me during the magic hour of lighting.
Photo Credit : Bryan Dempler

Ride+Style 2011 : Bryan Dempler

My long time friend, & Jeff's older brother Bryan Dempler came out to the Red Bull Comp last saturday to take some photos of the action. His photo of Kozo's Backflip on the spine is my favorite one to emerge yet. For those of you who are wondering what happened to Ed, he broke himself off in warm ups trying to tooth over the sketchy rails they had setup. I didn't do a single grind or barspin the entire competition. Instead I focused on trying tricks that most people weren't doing. Nollie xups, tuck no handers, 540's, Footplants, Whips, and steeze. There were plenty of other guys hitting bigger bangers than I was, I just tried to keep it smooth & consistent as I could while going big without breaking myself off.
Photo Credit : Bryan Dempler

Slum : City Livin'

The second day I was up in San Francisco Bryan Dempler, and Chris & Joe from 555 Productions came out to film me ride the Kezar Handrail in Golden Gate Park. Riding on a weak wrist, I was hesitant @ first resulting in me nutted it on one of the first attempts. After that I gave my balls a min to recoup, and hit it more than a dozen times so that Chris could get it from nearly every angle. I don't know why I waste my time writing sometimes. Who honestly cares to read what I have to say?
Photo Credit : Bryan Dempler

Bryan Dempler Photography

Bryan Dempler (Jeff's older brother) has had a passion for photography far longer than I have, and always comes up with some rather compelling shots. I love the vintage haze look of these two photos, and how crisp yet glazed over they look. I used to live SF with Bryan until I moved back home just recently. He has always pushed me to take more photos, and develop them in more interesting ways. If you haven't noticed I've been using a lot of Bryan's photos in my posts. It's nice to see another persons perspective on things. Plus having somebody else who can take photos on our team makes things a lot easier on my end.

555 Productions

Our good friends Chris Marino, and Joe Mesiano from 555 Productions came out to The Wheel Talk Compound yesterday. They brought with them over $100,000 worth of equipment. Some of it digital, but most of it was shot on High Speed Film. Shooting at 75 fps we are going to have some super slow motion shots coming down the pipe for you pretty soon. Just need to get nearly a thousand feet of film digitized and let them work their magic and piece everything together.

For those of you who don't remember, Chris (Top Photo) and Joe (Bottom Photo) shot the Specialized + Wheel Talk Introduction for us a couple months ago. Joe came with us to this years Interbike in Vegas, and has been working on a documentary about Wheel Talk. Can't wait until all of this starts coming together.

Photo Credit : Bryan Dempler

NickiP : I Got This

A few weeks ago NickiP hurt his foot from a fall he took riding @ The Compound (His House). He's been off the bike for a while now, and has too either have his right foot booted, or in a slipper. None the less, he still puts in more work @ The Compound than any one of us. His muddy slippers are proof of that. Weather it's sawing, shoveling, driving the tractor, or flexing boards into place, NickiP has got it covered.

Photo Credit : Bryan Dempler

New Addition : The Velo Berm

After weeks of building, and carful preparation, I give to you, the Velo Berm. The newest addition to The Compound, and my favorite thing we've made yet, the Velo Berm was an obtuse idea brought to life. At first we built a horse shoe berm around a tree to give you speed into the other jumps, but after a little bit of that, we quickly decided we needed to step it up a notch. Hense the double layered 4x8 foot pieces of plywood that were flexed and drilled into place. We braced the back with just enough 2x4's to hold it steady, but still allow for some flex. I wasn't sure how it was going to work at first, but after a few runs at it, it turned out better than I had ever imagined. Now we just need to make a figure 8 course like this and start having Velo races.

Photo Credit : Bryan Dempler

Shots @ The Compound

Bryan Dempler (Jeff's older brother) came out and shot some photos of us riding while, Chris and Joe filmed. I'm totally digging the way these turned out. Man I need to get me some new lenses. The photos above are of Jeff and I were throwing Feeble Barspins up this wedge box we made. We still haven't come up with the money to slap some coping on it yet, but hey with the right amount of candle wax, it works. The final photo is proof that you can't land them all, and that feet belts don't always save lives.

Photo Credit : Bryan Dempler

Breezy Excursion

A few days ago we spent some time with Bryan Dempler, and Joe Mesiano shooting some pictures and video, while they were down here visiting. We took them to the skatepark, as well as a few other local spots. We only rode for maybe 45 minutes to a half hour, but still managed to get some decent shots. Above are some of the photos that Bryan shot.

There is nothing better than riding in the shade, and that is probably why I love overcast weather so much. I didn't notice this until now, but JeffyD and I are both wearing our BREEZY EXCURSIONS attire. Breezy is based out of San Jose CA and have been making big moves as of lately. Be on the look out for their Fall/Winter line, you can check out their web store HERE.
Photo Credit : Bryan Dempler

Game Changer : 9T Cogs & 14mm Axle Hubs

It's not often that a company develops a product that completely revolutionizes the industry as well as the sport as we know it. For the past few months Specialized has been working on developing a hub that runs  a 9T Cog with 14mm axles, both of which are major game changes to Fixed Gear Freestyle. 

Having 14mm axles over 3/8 gives you a setup that is virtually unbendable. Say goodbye to broken axles. These things are so strong that you don't even need solid axles to run pegs. The hollow axle reduces weight, while maintaing strength and structural integrity. 

The 9T cog lets you run that 25 tooth chainring you've always wanted, without making your bike a spinny mess. I'm currently running a 23T chainring with a 9T cog in rear, giving me well over 70 gear inches. The cog isn't threaded on, and doesn't use a lockring, instead it uses 6 mini bolts that connect the cog to the hub. The beautiful thing about running their bolt on system, is that if you take all the bolts out the cog  is free from the hub, turning it back into a freewheel. 

These are just a few of the ways that Specialized is bringing something new to the table. Be on the look out for a video gear guide explaining the hub and frame within the next couple of days .
Photo Credit : Bryan Dempler

The Wheel Talk Compound

On Saturday we spent some time getting rowdy at "The Wheel Talk Compound", doing a little bit of product testing, while filming for a bike check with our good friends Joe and Chris from the 555. Both Joe and Chris are Film Majors at the Academy, and I couldn't ask for any body more perfect for the job. The production value from these guys will blow you away. Expect to see footage from the day within the next couple of  days. It's going to be unlike anything you've ever seen, at least from us that is.

Above are just a few of the photos that Bryan Dempler managed to get while we were riding around filming for the upcoming bike check. You can see more of his photos from that day by clicking HERE.
Photo Credit : Bryan Dempler