Reviews

category

First Ride Review: Veolo Bike Trailer

Radar

First Ride Review: Veolo Bike Trailer

After a successful Kickstarter campaign at the end of 2023, the Veolo bike trailer is moving to production—available for pre-order now with an expected arrival time of May 2024. Hailey Moore has been looking for an analog system for carrying more commuting cargo by bike and was intrigued by the Veolo’s lightweight build, modest storage footprint, and hefty carrying capacity.

Read on for her first-ride review of this German-made bike trailer…

Artificial Selection: A Revel Bikes Tirade 29er Hardtail Review

Reportage

Artificial Selection: A Revel Bikes Tirade 29er Hardtail Review

Announced today, the Revel Bikes Tirade is a 29er, 140-millimeter travel titanium hardtail, unlike anything the brand has offered in the past. With generous tire clearance, beautiful cable routing, and more, it’s clear Revel has used merged its own design prowess, learned through making phenomenal full-suspension bikes, and the re-labeling of its titanium brand, Why Cycles, to force an evolution of the almighty hardtail. Read on for John’s nerdy science talk intertwined with commentary on how hardtails are still having a moment in 2024 below!

A First Look at the Bedrock Sandals Cairn 3D Evo

Radar

A First Look at the Bedrock Sandals Cairn 3D Evo

Bedrock Sandals have become a mainstay in the cycling world since the brand released the now-famous Cairn sandal line. Launching today, Bedrock expands its growing footwear lineup with the Cairn Evo sandals. Sporting a refined sole with a truer-to-size footbed, there are a variety of small changes amounting to making one of our favorite adventure sandals even better. Spencer Harding recently got his toes in a pair of the Cairn Evos and, below, shares a first look at the 3D Evo and other new releases from Bedrock Sandals…

Obscura: A Fuji GW690ii Camera Review

Reportage

Obscura: A Fuji GW690ii Camera Review

As much as The Radavist is about bikes, it is also intrinsically linked to cameras and film photography. There is even a whole category of strictly film galleries called Recent Roll that dates back to 2010! We take pride in our photography so it makes sense for us to feature some of our favorite cameras in a series we’re calling Obscura.

This is a reference to the first-ever photographic device, the camera obscura.

Kicking off this series is Kyle Klain, who has a review of his Fuji GW690ii. Fans of film photography will know of this quirky system, so read on to hear Kyle’s take on what makes the Fuji so unique and so maddening at the same time…

UPDATED 2024 Hardtails Under and Around $2000

Radar

UPDATED 2024 Hardtails Under and Around $2000

We’ll continue to update this list for 2024

Hardtails make the world go round. Especially here at The Radavist. We’ve been long-time supporters of these capable yet simple mountain bikes and as people decide on the “next bike” after reaching the limitations on their gravel bikes, we thought it’d be nice to compile a list of current hardtail models we dig, all under or around $2,000 so let’s get to it!

Testing Grounds: An Instant Coffee Round Up

Radar

Testing Grounds: An Instant Coffee Round Up

When it comes to creature comforts, it’s hard to skimp on coffee, especially with so many instant coffee offerings popping up. While we love to savor freshly ground beans and an Aeropress on a bike tour, in the interest of space and weight savings, it’s hard to beat a solid instant brew.

We asked some of our editors–Hailey, Spencer, Josh, and John–to bring some of their favs on a recent Radavist Retreat in Tempe, Arizona and after a morning ride, we sampled them. After our tasting party, we have some thoughts to share with y’all. Check out a quick instant coffee roundup below!

First Ride Review: Introducing the Updated 2024 Pivot Switchblade

Radar

First Ride Review: Introducing the Updated 2024 Pivot Switchblade

The Switchblade has been one of the best-selling bikes in Arizona-based Pivot Cycles‘ lineup since the first version dropped nearly eight years ago. Utilizing a DW-Link platform, it was one of the first full-suspension bikes to incorporate Super Boost rear spacing with either 27.5+ or 29″ wheels. Its last major overhaul was back in 2020 – which saw the bike grow bigger, longer, and lighter – and today Pivot introduces the next iteration of the Switchblade with geometry and kinematic advancements they claim “sets a new bar for how a 140-150 mm travel Trail/Enduro bike should ride.” This launch also celebrates the 35th anniversary of the first bike built by Pivot’s founder/CEO Chris Cocalis back in 1989: the Sun Eagle Talon.

Josh Weinberg, who lives just up the road from Pivot HQ in Phoenix, AZ, recently spent a couple of days getting to know the new Switchblade on some of his favorite trails and, below, shares a first look at the new model and some initial ride impressions…

Shredding With the Stone Eaters: Knolly Tyaughton Steel 29er Hardtail Review

Reportage

Shredding With the Stone Eaters: Knolly Tyaughton Steel 29er Hardtail Review

On a recent Radavist Retreat, John and Hailey left their wintery homes to ride the various trails and gravelly terrain down in Phoenix with Josh. While there, John rode the Knolly Tyaughton Steel he’d procured from the brand earlier this winter and spent time riding amongst the Stone Eaters of South Mountain Park. Find out what he thought about this wild hardtail 29er with an even wilder price point ($2,449 complete) below!

Designed For The Dirt: Curve Cycling Carbon Dirt Hoop Wheelset Review

Radar

Designed For The Dirt: Curve Cycling Carbon Dirt Hoop Wheelset Review

Since its launch in 2013, Melbourne-based Curve Cycling has developed an impressive and unique stable of adventure-focused titanium and steel bikes. Perhaps you caught Sam Rice or Pat Valade’s review of their GMX+ or watched Abdullah Zeinab scoop first place at the Rhino Run last year? But before they made race-winning adventure bikes, carbon wheels were their bread and butter. 

After spending time with the alloy rims that came on his GMX+, Sam Rice switched over to carbon Dirt Hoops from Curve and has since put considerable mileage on them. Below, he offers an overview of the wheelset along with an in-depth review…

Wearing the Pants: Dovetail Is Making Workwear for Women, By Women

Radar

Wearing the Pants: Dovetail Is Making Workwear for Women, By Women

Started in 2018 by the two owners of a landscaping business in Oregon, Dovetail Workwear aim to make “top-to-toe, all-season, all-reason” utility apparel for women. Hailey Moore stumbled upon their work pants at her local hardware store and wanted to know more. Read on for her review of Dovetail’s workwear and thoughts on how the brand’s mission is having an impact beyond the retail space.