issue #002
future meets past
about times and having a good time!
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downtown issue #002
Taking a look at the future: From the historic-european characterized „Bund“ you see the booming and rapid economic growth of China in the form of countless skyscrapers in Pudong (Shanghai).
COVER & INSIDE Inga Beckmann
editorial
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issue #002
. he future is closer than you think. And you don’t need to be a fortune teller to predict it. Instead, you need to look towards where the world powers of tomorrow are located: towards the Far East, towards Asia. That’s where e-mobility is being promoted on a grand scale and where it is already an omnipresent reality. And that’s a good thing: Without “E,” the streets would be even dirtier, the cities even louder and the air even more polluted. In order to have a firsthand look at this, we traveled there. Destination: China. To Shanghai, to have a look at the future in a partially under-developed metropolis. Whether it was exploring on bicycles, overnight stays at a CO2-neutral hotel, or the point of view of the most successful publicity agency in Asia – JWT: Everything was about change, sustainability, and future – which can be guessed by having a glimpse at an only child’s room where Kindle, smartphone, and Facebook prevail. However, even when looking towards the future, we should not forget the past. That’s why you can find out more about modern nostalgia from p. 42. Sometimes we’re indifferent if present, future, or past – some things last forever! Just like the stylistically confident Gentlemen’s Run in Zurich, starting on p. 22. However, the modern age doesn’t even stop here…
Robin Schmitt
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downtown issue #002
content
issue #002
002 EDITORIAL Into the future & back to the roots. 008 S HANGHAI Mystery tour through the Manhattan of the 21st century: looking ahead in between misery, wealth, backwardness, and modernism. 022 G ENTLEMEN’S RUN ZÜRICH 2012 Requirements: extravagance, individuality, and stylistic assurance. For one day of the year, downtown Zurich is embellished by 150 two-wheelers. 030 J WT A visit to Asia’s most significant advertising agency. Communism, the Western world, Hollywood, pornography, and marijuana create the ingredients of an interesting interview. 042 ADVENTUROUS Spending a day off with your buddies? Grab your dusty bikes out of the basement and see where they’ll take you. A fun adventure? Sounds awesome! Said and done…
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downtown issue #002
056 SAVE TIME! Everyone expecting lengthy test reports in this “product and parts section,” we are sorry to let you down. This is where we save time: we focus on the best, the coolest, and the craziest in a very concise manner. 064 CALM DOWN! 15 million people and no refuge of quietness? We simply put up at the URBN Hotel (Shanghai). Sustainable, CO2-neutral, aesthetic…. in a nutshell: we had a good time! 070 R ESSOURCES 074 M ASTHEAD & PREVIEW
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WELCOME TO MANHATTAN 2.0 WHY NOT GO TO ASIA FOR ONCE? PEDALING ON A BIKE THROUGH THE MANHATTAN OF THE 21ST CENTURY AND, AT THE SAME TIME, RISKING A TRIP TO THE PAST? WHY NOT EXPERIENCE MISERY, WEALTH, MODERNITY, AND TRADITION? AND ALL OF THAT - IDEALLY - WITH A GOOD BUDDY? IT DIDN’T TAKE LONG FOR US TO DECIDE: DESTINATION SHANGHAI!
ISSUE 02
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Glasses: ADIDAS ORIGINALS DEHLI BLACK SHINY Bag: BROOKS BARBICAN HARD LEATHER SHOULDER BAG
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Quiet buzzing – an entire host of e-bikes is passing by. I’m thinking “Wow” when my mind continues: “If everyone is electronically mobile over here, it could immensely affect and contribute to the quality of life in the usually noisy cities and…” Loud honking of an trolling e-moped is suddenly interrupting my thoughts. The warning signals seem to apply to us. However, the passing traveler doesn’t show any kind of anger or even any other reaction, as you would expect it in Europe, where you are used to wildly gesturing ‘car-driving-cholerics.’
Well… it almost seems as if honking is used as a preventive action over here. This is actually a good thing, because riding a bike during Shanghai rushhour is anything but relaxing: six-lane streets on which nobody sticks to the lanes in seemingly massive chaos – at least considering western standards – require utmost alertness.
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rom Jing’an Temple, near the French concession, we are headed east, towards “Bund,” the historycharged riverside promenade with plenty of historical colonial-style buildings reminiscent of early 20th- century Manhattan. This is where crowds of people romp about at night amazed by the colorful boats on the Huangpu River and experience the incredible attractive power of Pudong, the booming but sterile financial and business district on the other side of the river.
„TEMPLE OF SKYS RELIGIO IS COM
Bike: GRACE EASY
ES IN MIDST SCRAPERS. ON IN CHINA MMERCE.“
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SKYLINE BOOM PUDONG
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his is where impressively massive and countless skyscrapers sprout out of the ground. During the day, they appear cool and western. At night, however, they provide the perfect Chinese style with their colorful advertising spaces.
Lights: SUPERNOVA AIRSTREAM | BOOKMAN
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e are riding through some kind of Brooklyn-looking area, a little off from the places where all the rich and western people meet. This is where you actually see in peoples’ faces that poverty and a simple life is more common in Chinese everyday life, rather than the whopping lifestyle made up out of consumption and wealth, as we are led to believe in the tourist metropolises. A serious difference: in China, E-bikes are – in
contrast to Europe – trash and means of transportation of the poor. China is the place where everyone who can shows off their Ferrari or Lamborghini and shops at the expensive stores of the great fashion labels. Astonishingly, the poor majority of the society doesn’t seem to mind the extensive difference in social rank!
When we take a break on a lonely couch near the artists’ quarter close to where we took the exit, my thoughts spin about emobility and “what would be if ”… when suddenly a puzzled little kid stops right in front of us, lifts a finger towards us and mumbles “laowai” (Chinese for foreigner).
Big tires: SCHWALBE FAT FRANK
Cool: ADIDAS ORIGINALS SANTIAGO
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Some things seem be progressing towards improvement: this may be the honking, the seeming chaos on the streets, the mad rush – or simply the fact that they label people as foreigners. If everything was the same everywhere around the globe, there would be no need to travel to Shanghai. Simply put: other countries, other customs. //
OTHER COUNTRIES, OTHER CUSTOMS. AN EQUATION THAT DEFINITELY APPLIES TO CHINA.
BIKE IN SHANGHAI Coolest Hotel: URBN HOTEL. TAKING THE BIKE UP TO THE HOTEL ROOM? NOT A PROBLEM! RELAXING & INFORMAL ATMOSPHERE! Bikes & Beer: „BIKES & FRIENDS“ AT 141 FUXING XI LU. Must Do: HAVE A BITE AT A STREET STALL OFFERING FRESHLY BARBECUED STUFF. Don‘t Do: OVERLOOKING HIGHWAY SIGNS AND ENDING UP ON ONE OF THEM ON A BIKE, LIKE WE DID…
Wi th
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Sh an gh ai
FXX 1973 Specifications
Pinion The P1.18 gear represents 100% German engineering art: 18 gears, extremely fast shifting and extremely low-maintenance, as it is an enclosed system. The low positioning at the bottom bracket offers an ideal distribution of mass.
Price from 2,995 EUR Info at Fxxcycles.com
Center of steering The Ritchey Carbon handlebar is the centerpiece, next to the strong Shimano SLX disc brakes and the new Pinion rotary shifter: 18 gears to be shifted in a trice.
Frame The stylishly designed 1973 in UCI-rainbow-colors, with a DT-Swiss carbon rigid fork and vigorous Schwalbe Kojak tires represent pure urban riding fun! The mounting of suspension forks & MTB wheels is also possible.
Grace Easy Specifications
Carbon Drive The Gates Carbon Drive is a technology with an innovative drive belt derived from motor sports. This replaces the chain and eliminates all previous dirt problems, as it requires no lubrication.
Price from 2,999 EUR Info at Grace.de
BioniX Motor The classic rear motor with integrated 3-gear hub by SRAM offers 4 propulsion and recuperation modes. Available as Pedelec and S-Pedelec (up to 25mp/h).
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ISSUE 02
A TWO-WHEELER-EVENT LOOKING FOR ITS PEERS. WE WERE THERE – LIVE – AND HAD A BLAST!
TEXT Patrick Sauter . PHOTO Cyrill Matter
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n the beginning of June, Downtown took the opportunity to experience the second event of the Zurich Gentlemen’s Run. This relaxing tour across downtown Zurich demonstrates that nowadays a bike is more than simply a practi-
cal means of transportation. This tour is rather a celebration displaying a modern and urban lifestyle. The tour is an apolitical event where the participants can share the joy and feeling of noiseless freedom with their peers. Despite the con-
servative appearance of this allocation, all men and women, wearing original, chic, and gallant clothing, contributed to an unforgettable afternoon. The participants gave “Clash of Cultures� a whole new meaning – when a retro Bauer bike
from the early 50s meets e-bikes of the newest generation, you know something interesting is going on. Participating paid off twice for some of the gentlemen (thanks to the organizers of the Run).
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„YOU CANNOT EXPLAIN STYLE, BUT YOU CAN TELL WHEN YOU SEE IT.“ Stylish across downtown Zurich.
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articipants with the best outfits were awarded with extraordinary prizes like the valuable Pilot’s watch by IWC Schaffhausen or outfits by Strellson, which represented only a
few of the rewards. However, everyone had reason to celebrate – with the finest food and a drink of wine at the Park Hyatt Hotel. Or two… Long live the Gentlemen! //
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„FUN AS THE QUINTESSENCE OF A GREAT EVENT.“ François de La Rochefoucauld
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THE CREATIVE WORLD of
TERENCE LEONG TEXT Lisa Gretemeier . PHOTO David/Rimagine.com
Terence Leong is senior creative director at JWT in Shanghai and is one of the most renowned creatives all over Asia. We met the passionate FXX-Cycles’ fan in Shanghai, dipping into a world most
people can only dream of: an interview about breaking the rules, being a child, Asia’s future, the Western world, and communism – totally apolitical (that goes without saying)!
ISSUE 02
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F: Terence, can you tell us a little about yourself and your work? A: I’m from Singapore, as you can tell from my accent. My interest in advertising started when I was a little boy. I have always liked music, and the great designs and artwork on CD covers impressed me. I actually started to choose the music I’d listen to based on how nicely the covers were designed. One day, I realized my way of looking at the world. I started to think about different cultures and their subcultures, and how they interrelate with consumer decisions. I asked myself what advertising is all about. And the answer was: the communication with the world.
so that’s basically where my journey of exploring different cultures began. After I graduated in Australia, I went back to work in Singapore, then to Hong Kong, to Tokyo, and now I’m in China. I try to see as much of the world, and especially Asia, as I can.
Advertising is one of those jobs where we can use all the subcultures and turn them into interesting content to communicate with the consumers and to actually get a better understanding of different countries and their cultures. So for me, I fell in love with advertising when I was like seven or nine. Now I’m 38 … I know I’m an old man… (laughs). But I’m still listening to music, I still look at artwork, I read comics, and I also still play video games. So I haven’t really grown up ever since. I started my career when I went to University of Cambridge in Australia. There is a lot going on in regards to politics, pornography, and pot,
called “New York” twenty years ago, what the Japanese called “Tokyo” in the 1960s; that’s what we are beginning to see here. China`s publishers’ market is flourishing. Lots of businesses are rushing into China right now. The intention and mentality they bring is to earn only like 1ct out of every single person living in China, which are currently 1.3 billion people, and they still make a fortune. The recent Olympics in 2008 and the Expo last year are good publicity as well, as the world is beginning to see China as a very powerful icon. The country’s advancements in terms of technology, fashion, and design also help turn China into a global market.
How do you see the growth of the Asian market? It is a very exciting time to be in China right now, because many Americans, French, or Europeans in general come to China. You actually see something similar going on in Shanghai, where I work. It feels like it is the beginning of something big happening. What the Americans
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„THE WESTERN CREAT SEEM VERY MATURE
TIVES E“
How important do you consider style, design, and aesthetics in Asia? Very important! Style in Europe is seen as an identity and personal expression, which it is even more so in China. Here, style is seen as a status symbol. If we, as Europeans, think of an image of China, it is automatically linked to communism. It’s similar with North Korea: when you think of North Korea, you instantly think of the military. I think Hollywood is to be blamed for this image. When we look at China, we either see Mao Tse Tung, the communist leader, or Bruce Lee or some kung fu movie. Today’s North Korea is probably close to what China used to be like. But that’s all gone over here in China. There has been a cultural revolution and now it’s a different China. Do you think there is a different attitude towards design between Western and Asian people? Yes, I think so. The western creatives seem very mature. Apart from that, I also think that there is a lot more to explore and that there are a lot more opportunities in the western world. They can take advantage of a great inspiration coming from history, fashion, and lifestyle. Chinese designers and artists were brought up quite differently. We don’t really have the same space and opportunity. In Asian education, for example, art and design is usually not the first choice to go with. Parents over here want their child to become an architect, a banker, a lawyer or a doctor, basically something that provides enough money for the family. But back to the status of art:
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Terence rides German technoloy: fxxcycles.com
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over here, art is actually quite limited. Only in the late 80s or 90s did parents start to encourage their children to pick art and design classes so they can become more self-expressive and creative. The Chinese art and design scene is quite young; one is still looking towards the west or to Japan for influences and inspiration. I think graphic designs, architectural designs or photography from the 80s show a lot of mimicking of Japanese, American or European styles. By now, however, the artists have evolved and they are creating something that purely repre-
sents China. In my opinion, it has a great and clear voice and China is only at the beginning of crystalizing what art stands for and how it’s used in design and fashion. I think the difference in the approach of the east and the west, in regards to art, is quite obvious. What does creativity mean to you? To me, creativity means to simply create something and not to copy from anybody. It means being original and stating a clear point of view on what you want to say and what you want to do.
So for you, creativity always has to be something new? What about all the people who have already created something that you create as well? Just not by copying, but simply in a different way. Yeah, you’re right. That’s very tricky, because some people will see it as an evolution of their idea. A lot of good things have already been created before, which you simply cannot prove. When I was younger, I used to copy a certain style. But by now, I have been in the business for over ten years so I try to undo and unlearn what
I see, to break all the rules and to move away from the norms to create something that’s totally new, or at least not seen before. That’s my goal. But yeah, it’s tough! What is the source of your creativity? Life! I have a blog with the name “No life, no ideas”. Ideas are the fuel for creativity. Being a creative in an agency, you work 12-15 hours a day. I think that’s a big problem. We are stuck in these four walls and we don’t see what’s going on out there. We are doing posters that will be put
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up in train stations, but we cannot actually sit on a train to see how people will be influenced. It’s the same with doing TV commercials. If I want to do a commercial, I have to watch TV to find out what people are interested in. I also have to check on the internet what kids like to watch nowadays, what they read, which comics they like, which video games they play. Personally, I think what really inspires is to feel, to experience, and to listen to life and what surrounds you. I have to understand my consumers. So I try to do exactly what they do. If they ride bicycles, catch taxis or they take the train, that’s exactly what I have to do as well. I am not aiming at the extraordinary; I am aiming at normal people. Being on the road every day, smelling the pollution, feeling the dust, and being stuck in traffic jams – that’s life. When waiting for an elevator, or standing in queues building up in front of McDonald’s or Starbucks – that’s life. Life really shows the insights of people, of what they like and what they look forward to, what they aspire to be. All the ideas I have come from my personal life-experience. Do you prefer a certain time of the day when you like to think about new ideas most? Like, for example, when you are riding your bike or when you go for a run?
I don’t really think of new ideas when I’m riding my bike or when I go for a run. I just absorb things like a sponge. I use all my senses. I don’t think, I only observe. For me, the most relaxing thing to do is watching TV. Let’s get to a different topic now: the consumption of ads and magazines. How is the situation in Asia? Are there lots of tablet PCs and digital devices? What do you think the future looks like? Will there be a co-existence of both print and digital media? What is your opinion on this? This is a very interesting question that has been discussed at every advertising and digital convention lately. There has been a great change in advertisement. A brand no longer simply becomes a TV scene or a poster. Nowadays, it becomes a person. With the internet, consumers can talk to the brand. In my opinion, having all these digital channels, it’s like bringing the entire DNA, all the molecules of a brand together. Brands have the possibility to instantly research what their consumers like, which makes it possible for the brand to provide more things to their consumers that are aligned with their tastes. In the future, I think that brands will have even more flexibility to actually be able talk to their con-
„FOR ME, THE MOST RELA TO DO IS WATCHING
sumers. Consumers will also get the chance to use their digital devices to respond to the brand they like – for example, to request something. The communication between brands and consumers will develop and build up something like a friend-status. That is what I am aiming for with one of my customers at the moment, too. I am currently trying to make a specific brand into a good and intimate friend of the consumers, and I am going to use digital media to achieve this. What I think will not change is TV being the most powerful media in China. We are using more and more digital devices to communicate more intimately with our consumers. We have one more question regarding creativity. We noticed that all the rooms here look pretty special. How important do you regard your sur roundings, and how do they influence your creativity? The surroundings are very important. As I spend most of the day working in my office, I have to make sure that I am in a comfortable environment. However, there are differences in creativity-environments. You can have designer furniture and nice wallpaper. That helps to put you in certain moods. But what’s even more important than the decoration and the interior
AXING THING G TV“
design are the people. Even the most creative person only works if he is in the right team. I love to be surrounded by people who are passionate, crazy, fun, and creative, because when we’re sitting together and chatting, that’s when the best ideas come up. Creatives need to enjoy life, stay young, and always be curious. Never sit back and relax, because that’s exactly when you stop being creative. My personal greatest fear is to be outdated. I am no longer creative as soon as I am outdated. This fear motivates me to keep trying, and trying, and trying… //
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GRAB YOUR BES ESCAPE THE DAIL THE DUSTY BIK BASEMENT WHERE THEY’ A FUN ADV
QUARRY HERE WE AN EXPERIEN YOU’D W
ISSUE 02
ST BUDDIES AND LY ROUTINE? GET KES OUT OF THE T AND SEE ’LL TAKE YOU? VENTURE?
Y POND, E COME! NCE JUST LIKE WANT IT!
TEXT Robin Schmitt . PHOTO Christoph Laue
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FLTR: VIKTOR Bike: Pelagro Coco Lores Boots: Antony Morato LISA Bike: Pelagro La Force
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VIKTOR Shorts: MAVI NICHOLAS VANESSA Dress: MAVI JEANS DRESS Sneakers: KEDS CHAMPION CANVAS KLARA Blouse: YERSE Shorts: MAVI TIARA
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y mom always used to say I shouldn’t get myself dirty, I shouldn’t climb up there… and so on and so forth. The prohibitions are still spinning around in my head. But let’s just be honest: we never really followed them any-
way. That’s what usually let us have the greatest experiences ever. Maybe it was the temptation of the prohibited, the adrenaline when daring something, or the risk of getting caught. Well, only recently, I felt like going back to childhood.
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LISA Bike: CREME CYCLES CAFERACER
» I AM HOPING THAT SOMEONE WHO SEES THIS PHOTO REMEMBERS AN EXPERIENCE WITH THEIR FRIENDS JUST LIKE IT – AND DECIDES TO HEAD OUT AGAIN «
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orget all about your worries and head out with friends? Dare a little, risk a little, and if necessary even answer the rhetorical question “Illegal?” with “WHO CARES!?” After all, there are always some who are rather shy, prefer to stay at home in the
evenings, and when a chance presents itself, they let it pass, shrug their shoulders, and sigh: “next time.” Those who actually do what they feel like might even fall down, but they simply get up again. They have fun and are able to inspire themselves – like a kid.
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LAURENZ Glasses: PRADA Pair of suspenders: PEDALED Shorts: MAVI SCOTT (DAPHNE TWILL) Shoes: SPERRY TOP-SIDER CLOUD
» PLAYING IN PUDDLES, CLIMBING & EXPLORING LIKE BACK IN THE DAYS – WHY NOT ANYMORE? MOMMY NOT DOING THE WASHING ANYMORE WHEN YOU GET HOME IS NOT AN EXCUSE! «
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In cooperation with: Wulle. The iconic beer from Stuttgart represents sheer nostalgia. After 37 years, Wulle has been reborn in 2008. Whether it is a party or a trip to a quarry pond with friends, the call for the pop-up bottle is unmistakable: “WE WANT WULLE.” Cheers!
W
ell, what shou that’s what w Beer went on bikes, and off to the next The water invites you to r The best weather, the grea mood… except it was hours. So we actually did to avoid unnecessary risk
uld I say? Good idea! So we did! A case of Wulle nto the rack of our fancy t quarry pond we went. relax and try a move. atest friends, and a good outside the operating grow up a little and try ks‌ //
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SAVE
IF YOU EXPECT LONG, EXTENSIVE R PARTS SECTION,” WE ARE SORRY TO THERE
INSTEAD OF READING TEN TESTS W PRODUCTS, YOU CA
ON THE FOLLOWING PAGES YOU WILL TIVE AND FUNKIEST THINGS THAT OFFICE AND OUR HAVE
ISSUE 02
TIME!
REVIEWS IN THIS “PRODUCTS AND DISAPPOINT YOU. BUT WHY SHOULD E BE?
WITH FIVE BORING, UNNECESSARY AN SAVE THAT TIME.
L FIND THE COOLEST, MOST INNOVAT WENT THROUGH OUR EDITORIAL R HEADS LATELY. FUN!
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INNOVATIVE: THE NEW SEV VELICKS VELICKS? SEV ELECTRIC VEHICLES? MOST PEOPLE HAVE PROBABLY NEVER HEARD OF THEM, EVEN THOUGH THE FRENCH PRODUCER OF SEV ELECTRIC VEHICLES WAS THE WINNER OF THE 2012 AUTOMOTIVE BRAND CONTEST WITH THEIR E-BIKE MODEL “VELICKS.” AS IF THIS WOULDN’T HAVE BEEN ENOUGH, THE VELICKS WAS ADDITIONALLY NOMINATED FOR THE 2013 GERMAN DESIGN AWARD.
WHICH IS PAIRED WITH FURTHER TECHNICAL REFINEMENTS – FOR EXAMPLE, ITS BELT DRIVE AND THE VARIABLE HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT FOR PEOPLE WITH A HEIGHT BETWEEN 140CM AND 190CM. THIS NOT ONLY OPENS NEW DOORS FOR RENTING STATIONS, BUT ALSO INVALIDATES EVERY FATHER’S ARGUMENTS FOR NOT BUYING A BIKE FOR THEIR KIDS – “YOU ARE STILL GROWING ANYWAY.”
MODERN MOBILITY TYPICALLY STANDS FOR COMFORT AND SIMPLE HANDLING: TODAY’S CUSTOMERS NOT ONLY DEMAND THAT FOR THEIR CARS, BUT ALSO FOR THEIR URBAN EBIKES. THAT’S WHY THERE IS NO QUESTION ABOUT THE VELICKS FEATURES, SUCH AS THE ERGOMETRIC HANDLEBAR AND AUTOMATIC GEARSHIFT. FURTHERMORE, THE VELICK IMPRESSES WITH ITS EXTRAORDINARY FORM,
EVEN THE “LITTLE ONES” CAN ENJOY AN E-BIKE THIS WAY. THE BEST PART ABOUT IT: THE LITTLE ONES’ PARENTS DON’T NEED TO WORRY ABOUT THE EXPENSIVE BIKE. AFTER ALL, IN GERMANY THE E-BIKE IS SOLD WITH AN OPTIONAL ALLRISKS INSURANCE.
WWW.SHOKES.DE
PHOTO SEV Electric Vehicles
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HELMETS ARE USUALLY ANNOYING, UNAESTHETIC, AND BORING. EVEN THOUGH THEY PROTECT THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF THE BODY – OUR HEAD - MOST RIDERS STILL DECIDE NOT TO WEAR ONE. YAKKAY DECIDED TO COME UP WITH AN ELEGANT SOLUTION: “CREATE YOUR OWN.”THIS WAY, A CASUAL HELMET CAN BE EMBELLISHED WITH A SUMMER HAT OR EVEN AN EQUESTRIAN HELMET. OUR CHOICE: TOKYO BLUE STRIPES WWW.YAKKAY.DE
PHOTO Patrick Sauter
ELEGANT AND SMART.
PHOTO Knog
LOUD = BLIND = KNOG BLINDER. IT’S PRETTY NASTY TO BE IN URBAN TRAFFIC, GETTING BLINDED BY THE NEW LED AND HID HEAD LIGHTS. THE NEW KNOG BLINDER IS ALSO EQUIPPED WITH LED LIGHTS, BUT WITH ONLY 44 LUMEN IT WON’T BLIND YOU QUITE LIKE A CAR. ONCE CHARGED VIA USB CONNECTION, THE 39 GRAM LIGHT LASTS FOR AN IMPRESSIVE THREE HOURS. THE ONES WHO ARE NOT HOME BY THEN EITHER LIVE OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE OR ARE BLIND AND HAVE LOST THEIR WAY. FOR ALL OF YOU WHO JUST THOUGHT, “DAMN IT!” WHEN READING THAT LAST SENTENCE, DON’T WORRY! HERE IS SOME GOOD NEWS FOR YOU: IN POWER-SAVING MODE, THE BLINDER CAN SHINE FOR 40 HOURS. WWW.KNOG.COM.AU
PHOTO Inga Beckmann
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LET’S DO IT THE BRITISH WAY. BRITISH TRADITION “MADE IN ITALY.” THE BROOKS BRAND, ORIGINATING IN ENGLAND, IS THE MATERIAL INCARNATION OF THE BRITISH GENTLEMAN. GALLANT, VIRTUOUS, AND STILL UP FOR ANY CHALLENGE: THE HANDLE’S MASSIVE BUCKLES, THE ADDITIONAL INNER COVER, AS WELL AS HIGH ADJUSTABLITY ARE PROOF OF ITS UNIVERSAL USAGE. ADDITIONALLY, HIGH QUALITY WORKMANSHIP WITH THE FINEST MATERIALS FITS ANYONE. THAT IS A STYLE THE BRITS CAN APPRECIATE. WWW.BROOKSENGLAND.COM
REFLECTIVE VESTS AND SUCH ARE OUT, BORING, AND ONLY FOR NERDS? WRONG! BEING SEEN IS THE BEST SAFETY PRECAUTION ON THE STREETS. BESIDES, ANYTHING IS ALLOWED IN FASHION — ESPECIALLY IF IT ORIGINATED IN NEW YORK CITY! ON TOP: THE VESP ECO FLAME IS MADE OF WATER-RESISTANT, 100% RECYCLED MATERIAL WITH STRONG REFLECTING STRAPS. YOU ARE A GUARANTEED EYE CATCHER,WHETHER IT’S IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS ON A RUN, DURING A MIDNIGHT BIKE RIDE, OR FOR THE TIME IN BETWEEN. WWW.VESPERTINENYC.COM
PHOTO Veserptine
SAFETY DRESS.
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LET’S GET COMFORTABLE. SHANGHAI IS ONE OF THE WORLD’S M E T R O P O L I S E S T H AT N E V E R S L E E P S , N E V E R R E S T S , B U T I S A L WAY S N O I S Y . S O M E W O U L D S AY S H A N G H A I G E N E R AT E S S T R E S S A L L D AY L O N G .
ISSUE 02
TEXT Robin Schmitt . PHOTO Inga Beckmann
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B
ut there are always the idealists and places of peace and quiet, like the URBN Hotel, for example. At the edge of the French Quarter, you enter a small wooden door and a different world. Annoying horns honked by cab drivers on the streets, massive amounts of people on every sidewalk, and strange smells seem to have vanished behind these doors. You walk straight into a bamboo-lined courtyard and all you can hear is absolute silence. You are able to find your peace and quiet in the big and famous hotels in Shanghai, but the specialties of the western-managed hotel are especially a sense of style, sustainability, and a feel-at-home atmosphere – besides luxury. The URBN Hotel was built using recycled and local material, works with energy-efficient technologies and techniques, and is involved in the “Million Tree Project.” //
F O R T H O S E W H O C AN : AT T H E URBN HOTEL YOU EXPERIENCE A R E T R O - F U T U R I S T I C AT M O S P H E R E . O L D L E AT H E R S U I T C A S E S F O R M T H E WAL L B E H I N D T H E R E C E P T I O N
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MORE INFO. www
w.urbnhotels.com
AN ADDITIONAL GOAL: N E T W O R K I N G – E V E RY WEEK, SEVERAL EVENTS TAKE PLACE WHERE ONE CAN MEET NEW PEOPLE AND SOCIALIZE – PRETTY CONVENIENT WITH THIS MUCH SERVICE.
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downtown issue #002
ressources
issue #002
ADIDAS www.adidas.de info@adidas.de
GRACE www.grace.de info@grace.de
AEG www.aeg.de info@electrolux.de
KEDS www.keds.com info@keds.eu
BROOKS www.brooksengland.com info@brooksengland.com
KNOG www.knog.com.au peeps@knog.com.au
BOOKMAN www.bookman.se hello@bookman.se
MAVI www.mavi.com info@eu.mavi.com
PELAGRO BIKES www.pelagro.de info@pelagro.de
CREME CYCLES www.sportsnut.de contact@sports-nut.de
NUTCASE www.nutcase-europe.com welcome@nutcase-europe.com
QUOC PHAM www.quocpham.co info@quocpham.c
FXX www.fxxcycles.com info@fxxcycles.com
PEDALED www.pedaled.com sales@pedaled.com
YAKKAY www.yakkay.com info@yakkay.com
S
om com
ISSUE 02
YERSE www.yerse.com info@yerse.com VESPERTINE www.vespertinenyc.com info@vespertinenyc.com WULLE www.wulle-bier.de info@ms-print-lb.de
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SAME VISION. SAME AESTHETIC. SAME FORMAT. AVAILABLE FOR FREE AT WWW.ENDURO-MTB.COM
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downtown issue #002
masthead
issue #002
EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT DOWNTOWN www.downtown-emagazine.com email: info@downtown-emagazine.com PUBLISHER 41 Publishing & Marketing UG Hummelbergweg 12 71229 Leonberg DIRECTORS Max-Philip Schmitt & Robin Schmitt EDITORS Robin Schmitt, Benjamin Christopher Brodbeck, Max Schmitt, Patrick Sauter, Lisa Gretemeier DESIGN Christian Lämmle (www.laemmledesign.com) PHOTOGRAPHERS Inga Beckmann, Patrick Sauter, Rimagine.com, Sebas Romero, Cyrill Matter WEBSITE Daniel Adams (www.bowstreet.de)
ADVERTISING Max-Philip Schmitt mpschmitt@downtown-emagazine.com REVISION Christian Luckscheiter TRANSLATION Lisa Gretemeier, Michaela Jammers SPECIAL THANKS TO Johann Flickinger, Inga Beckmann, Florian Dobner, Manfred Schmitt, Christian Luckscheiter & alle anderen Unterstützern © 2012 BY 41 PUBLISHING & MARKETING UG. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.NO PART OF THIS DOCUMENT OR THE RELATED FILES MAY BE REPRODUCED OR TRANSMITTED IN ANY FORM, BY ANY MEANS (ELECTRONIC, PHOTOCOPYING, RECORDING, OR OTHERWISE) WITHOUT THE PRIOR WRITTEN PERMISSION OF THE PUBLISHER.
PHOTO Sebas Romero
ISSUE 02
LET‘S WAIT AND SEE. IN THE NEXT ISSUE YOU WILL FIND A WELL-BALANCED MIX OF TESTS OF THE MOST EXCITING & BEST E-BIKES, AS WELL AS A DEVELOPMENT-STORY AND NICE TRAVEL DESTINATIONS. STAY TUNED! DOWNTOWN #003 WILL COME OUT IN DECEMBER.
preview
issue #003