Our Radar Roundup compiles products and videos from the ‘net in an easy-to-digest format. Read on below for today’s findings…
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Unicorns are Real: The Story of an Elusive 1991 Yeti Tree Frog
There aren’t many modern bicycle brands that have a history quite as rich as Yeti, let alone a diehard cult following of collectors and fans for the early bikes. Coming into a steel F.R.O or Yeti Ultimate is usually enough to be considered a “Holy Grail” find for most. However, there is another bike in the early Yeti lineup that is so rare many will never see one in person and more modern followers of the brand may not know even exists. This is the story of an elusive Yeti Tree Frog…
Radar
Radar Roundup: Sour Bad Granny Limited Run, Gorewear Winter, RiG’d UltraTable, Cane Creek Coil/Air Tigon Shock, Rapha Explore Expanded, Wolf Tooth Morse Cargo Cages Reup, Master Bike Builder Show Interviews, and Downtube Shifters in 2023?!
Our Radar Roundup compiles products and videos from the ‘net in an easy-to-digest format. Read on below for today’s findings…
Radar
First Ride Review: PNW Components Loam Carbon Handlebar
With so many options for handlebars these days, it’s difficult to stand out in a crowded market. With their new Loam Carbon Handlebar, PNW Components claims they have achieved the optimal combination of compliance, comfort, strength, and value. Available today, the Loam Handlebar is offered in either 38mm or 25mm rise, trimmable 800mm width, and 35mm clamp diameter. Josh and Andrea recently installed the Loam bars on her Ibis Ripmo and, below, offer an overview and first ride impressions…
Radar
Group Ride Giveaway: Ornot Handlebar Bag + $250 Gift Card!
Last week, when we announced that we are once again an independent website, we also provided an overview of our Group Ride subscription platform. In addition to supporting the work we do here, there is also a growing list of Group Ride subscriber benefits including the ability to post gear for sale in our Rad Bazaar and automatic entries into giveaways from our favorite brands!
After the outpouring of excitement around Matt’s Ornot 10th Anniversary story and related Decade Collection giveaway, we’re doing another one with Ornot exclusively for Group Ride members.
Read on below for how to enter the Handlebar Bag + $250 Gift Card giveaway!
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Custom Klunker Challenge: The Leafcycles Trail Digger
As a trail worker, cyclist, and product developer at Schwalbe tires, Michael Rudolph knows better than most that heavy, and often sharp and pointy, tools don’t make for the most convenient bike cargo. And, coaster brake klunkers don’t often make the most capable cargo bikes. But, with the announcement of Leafcycles Custom Klunker Challenge, Michael was on a mission to reconcile these incompatibilities. Read on for the backstory and build process for his winning custom klunker submission: the Leafcycles Trail Digger.
Radar
Ornot Decade Collection and 10th Anniversary Celebration Giveaway!
Along with Ornot founder Matt Quann’s retrospective of his ten favorite moments in business as an independent cycling apparel brand during the past ten years, we’re stoked to partner with ORNOT for a giveaway! To celebrate the brand’s 10th anniversary they are releasing a limited-edition Decade Collection inspired by the jersey that started it all. Sign up below for a chance to win a Decade prize pack (limited edition jersey, bottles, and socks) + a one-year subscription to our Group Ride! Feeling lucky, Ornot.
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Ten Years of Making the Logo Bigger, Ornot: Matt Quann Takes Us on a Trip Down Memory Lane
Our friends at Ornot are celebrating their ten-year anniversary as an independent cycling apparel and accessory brand. As part of this milestone, founder Matt Quann penned a retrospective about his experience starting an apparel brand in a San Francisco garage, tracing a path through custom frames, hurdles with domestic manufacturing, and a ride where waffles were promised but not delivered. Continue reading below for more from Matt and keep your eyes peeled for some special giveaways along with this exciting occasion!
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2023 Bespoked Handmade Bicycle Show Part 3: Avalanche, Ballern, Black Sheep, CMG, Fern, Huhn, Rheintritt, Rossman, Repete, and Timba
The 2023 Bespoked Handmade Bicycle Show just wrapped after three action-packed days of talks, parties, and drooling over the heaps of amazing craftsmanship on display. Josh was on the ground at the Dresden, Germany airport where this year’s event took place, and, below, shares his final gallery of bikes and a couple of interesting components. Let’s get right into it!
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2023 Bespoked Handmade Bicycle Show Part 2: Auguste, Actofive, Bididu, Manivelle, Quirk, Star Fish, Tim Tas+Rek, True Love, Posedla, Gramm, and Allygn
The 2023 Bespoked Handmade Bicycle Show just wrapped after three action-packed days of talks, parties, and drooling over heaps of amazing craftsmanship on display. Josh was on the ground at the Dresden, Germany airport where this year’s event took place, and, below, shares his second gallery of bikes and a couple of interesting components. Let’s get right into it!
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2023 Bespoked Handmade Bicycle Show Part 1: Atelier Pariah, Boucif Custom Bikes, Cicli Bonanno, Dlouhy, Drust, Meerglas, Sour, Ingrid Shifters, and Cyber Cycles Forks
The 2023 Bespoked Handmade Bicycle Show just wrapped after three action-packed days of talks, parties, and drooling over heaps of amazing craftsmanship on display. Josh was on the ground at the Dresden, Germany airport where this year’s event took place, and, below, shares his first gallery of bikes and a couple of very interesting components that will be launching soon. Let’s get right into it!
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Bespoked 2023 Prologue: A Tour-Ready Titanium Randonneur from Wheeldan
I’m in Germany for the 2023 Bespoked Handmade Bicycle Show, which is taking place this weekend, October 13-15 in Dresden. Prior to traveling to Dresden, I was in Berlin with Flo and Tine of Fern/Allygn Bicycles and Gramm Tourpacking where we had an action-packed day visiting various makers around their workshop in the east side of the city. One of our visits was to meet Dan Pleikies of Wheeldan Custom Bicycles. Dan isn’t able to make it to Bespoked, BUT I was able to pull aside a client’s stunning randonneur bike he had on hand to document. Let’s check it out below!
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Once Around the Block: A FYXO Surly e-Big Dummy with CYC Photon Motor Review
If it isn’t clear that I’m a fan of e-bikes for UTE-ility purposes, then check here or here or just Google ‘FYXO Tonka’. Carrying cargo, kids, running errands, dinking your partner on date night, commuting—forget the financial benefit. One benefit that cannot be easily quantified is how much fun and hassle-free they are.
Radar
Creative Exposure Pt 3: A WTF-NB Database of Photographers and Videographers
After often being the only female-identifying photographer/videographer in the proverbial room at cycling events, Natalie Starr began compiling a list of diverse professionals back in 2019. After sharing a follow-up to her initial post, Natalie is back with a third installment of folks to book for your next industry gig (looking at you marketers!). Let’s check it out below!
Radar
Bicycle Crumbs Reviews: Introducing the LeMond Prolog All Road E-Bike
Launching today, the LeMond All-Road Prolog E-Bike is the dropbar sibling of the original super-commuter/hybrid Prolog, which we reviewed last year. Equipped with Shimano GRX di2 and Mahle X35+ rear hub motor, the complete carbon build weighs in at under 30lbs. Richard Pool (aka Bicycle Crumbs) has been putting the Prolog AR through its paces in Portland, OR for the past few weeks and, below, provides a first look at the bike’s tech/design, and proposes which types of riders it’s best suited for…
Radar
Helpful as an English House Elf: Wizard Works Hobgob Hip Pack Review
Launching today, the Hobgob Hip Pack expands the lineup of London-based bag-makers Wizard Works‘ collection of wearables for both on and off the bike. With multiple clever features – including a side-loaded Fidlock Hook buckle, two zippered pockets, wide hip wings, and an optional bottle pocket in both stock and custom configurations – this pack is sure to be popular. Josh and John participated in the prototyping phase of the Hobgob and, below, offer a detailed look and review of the new pack.
Radar
What’s on Kurt Refsnider’s Bike? How to Pack for Self-Reliance in the Backcountry
Members of our editorial team have shared multiple looks into “essential ride kits” this year, including one from John and another by Travis. Today, Kurt Refsnider – ultra-endurance bikepacker and backcountry trail adventurer – takes a different approach to detailing what he carries on big rides where his priority is self-reliance regardless of the scenario. Read on below for a trove of helpful information about one of Kurt’s most requested topics!
Radar
KEY Finds at the 2023 MADE Bike Show: A Bespoke Keychain Roundup
Our friend Paul Kalifatidi went to MADE and all he bought were keychains. Yep, keychains at a bike show. Continue reading below about these special finds and how they all stack up…
