Build a Better Bicycle

Ziba's big ideas.

By BEN WATERHOUSE

Thirty-one bicycle designers from across the nation will converge on Portland this Friday for the second Oregon Manifest Constructor's Design Challenge. Their goal: To prove they've built the ultimate urban utility bike in a 50-mile field test and win the $3,000 grand prize. The requirements are tough—all designs must incorporate lights, locks, fenders, cargo and some sort of kickstand—and the competition is fierce, with renowned framebuilders Chris King, Joseph Ahearne and Renold Yip in the running. 

In addition to the individual competitors, this year's Challenge will showcase three "Creative Collaborations" between industrial design firms and bicycle builders, including Portland's Signal Cycles and Ziba Design. To kick off the design process, Ziba held a companywide brainstorming session. Here are some ideas that didn't make the final design. To see the ones that did, head to Oregon Manifest this Friday.

 

SEE IT: Bikes entered in the 2011 Oregon Manifest Constructor's Challenge will be on display Friday, Sept. 23, from 7 to 10 pm at Pacific Northwest College of Art, 1241 NW Johnson St. The winning bikes and the Creative Collaboration projects will be displayed Sept. 27 to Oct. 29 at the Museum of Contemporary Craft, 724 NW Davis St. See oregonmanifest.com for details.


Headout Picks

WEDNESDAY SEPT. 21

[MUSIC] BLUE SCHOLARS, BAMBU, THE PHYSICS, SERGE SEVERE
Long before Macklemore blew up, the Blue Scholars were paving the way for Seattle hip-hop to enter the national mainstream. With this year's Cinemetropolis, the Scholars prove they've got a lot more political, electro-tinged boom-bap to go around. Wonder Ballroom, 128 NE Russell, 284-8686. 9 pm. $18. All ages.

FRIDAY SEPT. 23

[COMEDY] MICHAEL IAN BLACK
Between The State, Stella and Wet Hot American Summer, Michael Ian Black has earned more legit comedy stripes than his lesser ventures (VH1? Really?) could ever destroy. His live show is irreverent, dirty and often befuddling. Aladdin Theater, 3017 SE Milwaukie Ave., 234-9694. 8 pm. $18 advance, $20 day of. 21+.

SATURDAY SEPT. 24

[OPERA] PORTLAND OPERA
The company kicks off its season with an opera’s greatest hits concert, featuring music from Aida, Carmen and other warhorses. See the show for free in a simulcast on a colossal screen outside Keller Auditorium. Keller Auditorium, 222 SW Clay St., 241-1802. Street fair at 5 pm, concert and simulcast at 7:30 pm. Free-$250. All ages.
[MUSIC] JACOB FRED JAZZ ODYSSEY
This Tulsa-based quartet has made a rep on the strength of its appealing jammy-jazz improvs and rock covers. But its 21st album, Race Riot Suite, ably follows the example of other ambitious jazz composers like Ellington, Mingus and Marsalis. The Goodfoot, 2845 SE Stark St., 239-9292. 8 pm. $10. 21+.

SUNDAY SEPT. 25

[MUSIC] MASTER MUSICIANS FROM SOUTHERN CHINA
Along with local musicians playing traditional Chinese instruments, this benefit boasts a special treat: the rarely heard music of southern China, performed by three visiting master musicians. Lan Su Chinese Garden, Northwest 3rd Avenue and Everett Street, 228-8131. 7 pm. $22-$25. All ages.
[THEATER] ONE MAN, TWO GUVNORS
The Servant of Two Masters
The Guardian
World Trade Center Theater, 121 SW Salmon St., 235-1101. 1 and 5 pm. $15-$20.
[BOOKS] BANNED BOOKS READING
As part of the ACLU’s Banned Books Week, Powell’s hosts an evening of forbidden readings. Powell’s City of Books, 1005 W Burnside St., 228-4651. 7:30 pm. Free. 

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