Intersection: Yakimono Bike

A guest post by Shane Sellers: artist, educator, Philly Bike Expo ambassador, and Velo Orange collaborator 

**Factotum:** comes from Latin roots meaning "do everything," which might be a fitting description of what I am and what I do. My personal background spans bike racing, part-time bike mechanic work, studying art in college, metal fabrication at Greasecar, earning a master’s degree, bike commuting, teaching college art, and eventually returning to cycling as I became an ambassador for the Philly Bike Expo in 2023.

If there’s one thing about bicycles that truly captivates me, it’s *possibilities*—possibilities for adventure, discovering new places, and traveling quietly. There’s something unique about being focused on a task while enjoying it. Likewise, in teaching art, what captivates me is *potential*—the potential for connections, expression, growth, and exploration. It’s a chance for students to learn without the burden of grades, rigid formats, or rote memorization. Though I’ve long recognized the connection between my two worlds of cycling and art, it wasn’t until last spring that I actively explored this overlap. Before attending the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA) conference, I modified my custom-painted MTB frame inspired by the Philly Bike Expo kit colors, adding Velo Orange Utility Bars and a Rack combo with a custom display box. Thus, the “Yakimono Bike” was born. I took it to the conference, where it got great feedback, including one attendee telling me it was her favorite thing at the event—high praise considering the thousands of artists and pottery pieces showcased. This inspired a more ambitious art-meets-bike project, which I recently completed: *Intersection: Yakimono Bike*.

For this project, I needed a compact, portable bike with a small front wheel and tall head tube, and the Velo Orange Neutrino fit perfectly. Building it, I chose parts for strength, durability, and a bit of flair, starting with VO components for the headset, bottom bracket, stem, and crankset. I got a set of mini velo wheels built by Cutlass Velo with VO hubs and rims. Nineties ATB culture influenced the build, so I included a Shimano XTR 8-speed rear derailleur and a NOS Shimano XT thumb shifter (with the hidden 8th click!). For bars, I customized a set of 22.2 chromoly bars from an ‘80s Schwinn, the perfect material and rise to modify and weld for the logo. Now for the pottery component.

With a background in pottery influenced by studying with master potter Peter Callas and a study-abroad program in Japan, I crafted stoneware elements for the bike. Using atmospheric kilns, I fired a stoneware saddle and grips, patterned and stained with underglaze, then soda-fired to cone 7. Keeping shrinkage and weight in mind, I created modular pieces more expressive than purely functional. The stoneware “water bottle” fit neatly into a modified VO Retro Cage—a favorite of mine. Returning to my metalwork roots, I also made a custom logo welded onto the handlebars. For aesthetics and a pop of color, I added Wolf Tooth anodized parts and a custom frame bag.

The VO Flat Pack Rack supports the display box, stabilized by a custom rod that attaches with a repurposed Shimano granny gear mounted to the fork steerer tube. Inside the box is a collection of wood- and soda-fired stoneware objects, some inspired by bike culture. The box is modular, allowing it to be curated to fit different exhibitions, just like the bike itself.

I had the chance to test the bike at the Canaan Valley Mountain Bike Festival, where I raced it in an alley-cat scavenger hunt. It was a riot riding a mini-velo while others had full-suspension bikes, but the Neutrino proved its capability and took the crashes in stride, even withstanding a few “over-the-bars” moments on West Virginia’s rock-strewn downhill trails.

So why go to all this trouble? Bicycles, in their modularity, are infinitely adaptable, with new experiences unlocked by changing bars, stems, grips, saddles, tires, or color schemes—even on the same bike you’ve ridden for years. You don’t need endless resources; creativity shines through simple touches like colored tape, glitter streamers, or repurposed items. Don’t hesitate to personalize your ride—a bike has possibilities, and your creativity has limitless potential.

Thank you, Velo Orange, for supporting my passions.

To see Shane's bike, along with many other amazing visual arts pieces on display, go to the Fine Arts Building at Frederick Community College during regular business hours Mon-Sat.