The Radavist

Photos and words by Morgan Taylor

OneUp Components‘ EDC Tool System made waves when it launched due to its sleek installation inside mountain bike steerer tubes. Pull your star nut out, tap your fork steerer, install OneUp’s hollow top cap, and the tool system slides in from the top: always there, always ready. If you only ride one bike.

It’s a cool idea, but I switch between a number of bikes, most of which have steel forks, and the EDC system wasn’t going to work with any of those. And I always need a pump anyway. Well, it just so happens OneUp also makes a pump that the tool fits into. So we’re looking at both of those here. 

This is one hell of a throwback. Wade Simmons aka the Godfather of freeride, a custom-built, one-off retro Rocky Mountain “Pipedream” with modern components, and a return to some of the classic Vancouver spots from Wade’s early days as a pioneer of the freeride movement. Creek gaps, stair gaps, roof drops… just watch it!

One common theme you’ll see on traveling bikes ridden by contributors to the site is Porcelain Rocket‘s Mr. Fusion seat pack, and there’s a reason for that. With its 4130 chromoly mini-rack made by Hunter Cycles in Santa Cruz and a removable RF-welded dry bag, Mr. Fusion is the most solid bikepacking seat pack on the market, with literally zero lateral swing, and also the easiest to pack, since you stuff the bag off the bike.

New to the Porcelain Rocket lineup is Mr. Fusion Mini, a smaller version of the same bombproof design we love so much. Mr. Fusion Mini takes up less space between your saddle and rear wheel, has a smaller capacity of 4–9L, and retains all the features of the big Mr. Fusion including the 2:1 Trucker Hitch side straps and Double Back seat post attachment introduced in the most recent update.

Mr. Fusion Mini is in stock and ready to ship at Porcelain Rocket.

Remember Kona’s short film Not Far From Home? Well, today marks exactly a year from the release of that film, and also – not coincidentally – 100 years of Finnish independence.

The sequel, Destination North, is just as gratuitous as the first, with great sound design and narrative parallels drawn from last year’s film. Erkki’s boat gained some sails, his Kona Unit grew some gears, and now he’s Really F*cking Far From Home.

The result is the same: you’ll want to pack up your bike and head out on your own adventure after this one.

Kriss Kyle is a household name in the land of BMX, and if he keeps riding mountain bikes, there will be good things to come!

Photos by Andy White

Mick Peel of Busyman Bicycles does some incredible custom leather work, applying his art to saddles, bar tape, saddle bags, and a whole lot more. Working with Australian builder KUMO Cycles, where Keith Marshall does some incredible work of his own, Mick put together this beauty for himself. See more at FYXO!

What is the Surly Pack Rat? Well that’s a question a lot of people have been asking since a photo was leaked courtesy of Mr. Pubes a few weeks ago. Yes, it’s got rim brakes, and according to Surly, the geometry’s been optimized for riding with a front load and to reduce toe overlap.

That means it’ll ship with 650×42 tires on the larger sizes, and 26×1.5″ on the smaller sizes. With a 44mm fork offset it’s not a low trail bike, but it does have a relatively steep head angle compared to other bikes in those sizes – 74º on the 650b bikes and 72.5º on the 26″ bikes.

This whole conversation is a minefield, so… jump on in! Surly’s got a huge blog post up about it, so head on over there and dig in if you’re into it.

Brendan Leonard of Semi-Rad has done a lot of work in adventure filmmaking, but had never shot and edited a short film all on his own. Chocolate Spokes, featuring Gregory Crichlow and his shop in Denver, CO, is Brendan’s first crack, and it’s damn good. Read the backstory at Semi-Rad.com.

Let go of your imagination and hang on to your hat!

Morgan just sent through some photos of his new Kona Rove LTD. Reynolds 853 tubing, carbon ‘cross fork, WTB KOMs with 47c Horizons, Force 1 hydraulic… this thing looks great. Can’t wait to see what you get up to with it, Morgan!

Following in a long history of cheeky drop bar trials videos, Chris Akrigg threw the Fox AX 40mm suspension fork on his Mongoose Guide and, well, did what Akrigg does.

Max from 333fab has been working on this project for a while now. He’s calling the AirLandSea an “all-road/off-road” bike, with clearance for 27.5×2.25″ tires and fenders and all the details you’d expect from a custom bike. Handmade in Seattle, the AirLandSea features artwork by Kyler Martz on a sweet PNW-inspired three-color paint fade, size-specific tubing, and seven stock sizes to cover almost any rider.

The AirLandSea will be produced in a limited run of 20 bikes this fall, available as either a frame and fork or a complete build with a custom Ozette rando bag from Swift Industries and a rugged looking new decaleur designed by Max. Check out a few more photos below, and all the details at 333fab!