The Radavist

The Pray For Speed film follows cyclist, Safa Brian, in search of some of the fastest descents in Southern California. See a full-length descent of Mt. San Jacinto now and more coming in March.

We embedded this feature in today’s Reportage but are posting it in our Radar as well…

Cyclist Erik Mathy rides from San Francisco to Tucson along the historic Butterfield Overland Trail. Lugging his large-format camera, handmade ‘dollar bill’ lenses, and shooting on X-Ray film, Erik documents his interactions with a variety of people — from artists and activists to the border patrol — as he explores the subject of migration against the landscape of a politically divided American southwest.

With 120mm rear travel, the Trail 429 isn’t a big bike and because of that, it’s even more versatile. Here’s the launch video from Pivot, with the Puget Sound as the backdrop. See more of the Trail 429 at Pivot.

There’s this website that offers up weight comparisons. For instance, you can put in 270g and it will tell you what weighs about that or by what multitude. For instance, 270g is about three times the weight of a deck of cards. Or, my personal favorite, 270g is about the weight of an adult hamster.

Having light-weight gear is a game we all like to play and having a light helmet might just make you want to wear it even more, which is a good measure when it comes to something that can save your life. The new POC Ventral Light helmet shaves the unnecessary grams without compromising your safety.

It’s the weight of a hamster on your head, with a retail of $275. See more at POC.

The Lost Sierra felt like a second home to this site when we were based in California and that’s due to one thing: the draw of the Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship‘s hard work (Don’t forget the giveaway we posted!) Currently, they are developing a Trails Master Plan for their Connected Communities plan. This extensive planning is aiding in the creation of a vision for a recreation-focused lifestyle. The SBTS are doing this through community investment, shared stewardship, economic opportunity, and important new local jobs, all benefiting economically disadvantaged communities in California’s Plumas, Sierra, Butte, and Lassen Counties…

In case you missed our DUST feature last week and the video embedded within the Reportage from South Africa, we figured we should share the event’s video recap (which has also been updated in higher quality). Enjoy!

Broken and Coastal are psyched to announce the release of their 6th print issue.

In 2020, Broken and Coastal set out to further disrupt the norm by turning their small magazine project into a platform to not only support storytellers, photographers, and designers but to give back to their community by donating the proceeds from each issue to charity.

Proceeds of the sixth edition will benefit Ride for Racial Justice, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that exists to ensure access to resources, education, and community for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) cyclists and to dismantle systemic racism so that EVERYONE can feel safe, free, and empowered to ride a bicycle.

“This is not just a publication you will want to read once. It’s a coffee-table worthy product to look back on for years to come, and a movement you can get behind,” said San Agustin.

Broken and Coastal is a studio focused on creating content that enriches the human experience. The Broken and Coastal journal is an independent print magazine for cyclists with courage — the non-traditionalists and the rule-breakers who dare to live life outdoors. A platform for change, we created this magazine to empower storytellers, inspire creativity, give to charity, support our communities and do our part in making the world a better place.

Head to www.brokenandcoastal.com to pick up Issue 06 today!

The Chisel is an XC hardtail and perhaps it’s this frame’s simplicity that inspired the designers at Specialized to develop a special edition pack, inspired by Earth, Wind, Fire, and Water. The pack is dubbed “Disrupt the Decay”.

Key Features:
-Frames come in as light at 1,400g
-D’Aluisio Smartweld technology from M5 alloy hydroformed tubes, which allows for fine-tuning of the ride qualities
-Progressive XC Geometry
-Internal cable routing
-BSA BB
-12x148mm spacing
-30.9mm Dropper post compatible

Available in June 2021. See more at Specialized.

These days, gravel bike designs can be very redundant, something German manufacturers like Nicolai Bikes are looking to overcome. Their newest design, the Argon GX, is as much a gravel bike as it is a touring bike but look closely for some clever manufacturing detailing.

Through 3D modeling and engineering, Nicolai is able to construct durable and lightweight 7020-T6 frame components. Each of these pieces are made on modern 5-axis CNC machines and allows for the construction of so-called “Hollow Mill” assemblages. The bottom bracket and chainstay yoke in the Argon CX use this technology to both shed weight and set their offerings apart from their competitors.

Other details include the option for a Pinion gear box, fender/rack mounts, flat mount disc calipers, internal routing, and designed geometries to fit just about any body type. Head to Nicolai to see more!

There are a lot of Time pedal fans out there and with good reason. Time’s design allows for easy shedding of mud or snow and has one of the most secure engagement designs on the market. Last week, SRAM acquired the entire range of road and mountain pedals, cleats, and all related patents of TIME Sport from Rossignol Group. The two companies completed the transaction on February 18, 2021. For Time loyalists, the good news is this means better distribution under the SRAM umbrella and SRAM will keep the Time name going.

Customers will continue to contact TIME for product service and support during the transition phase through mid-year 2021.

If GoodYear’s gravel tire offerings are as robust as their mountain offering, then the Connector tires are going to be a great option for gravel riding and racing. The Connector tire comes in 120tpi casing, a fast-rolling tread pattern, an anti-puncture belt beneath the tread, and in sizes 700×35, 700×40, 700×50, and 650b x 50. These tires are available now with two more models on the way in a few months. See more at GoodYear.

For today’s Readers’ Rides, we look at Sepie’s beautiful Breadwinner B-Road. Read on below for words and photos by Sepie!

Yes, you read that right. Jones Bikes now come with e-motors. Find out more at Jones Motorbikes.

Our friends at Paul Component are looking to help out the team at Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship through a wicked giveaway! Check out the press release below…

When we saw the Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship announcement that all events for 2021 were canceled due to Covid, we were crushed. Anybody who’s been to the Downieville Classic, Mountains to Meadows, or Lost and Found knows we LOVE supporting these events with our aid stations, and partying with some of the best bike weirdos in the world, in one of the most beautiful areas in the world.

SBTS rely heavily on these events to help raise funds and awareness for all the amazing trails they build in the Lost Sierra, involving, employing, and assisting the local small communities in the process. It’s truly inspiring to behold the hard and meaningful work they put in, and a cause we will trumpet until we’re out of breath.

What can we do to help? Well, we’ve decided to offer up one of our few remaining Limited 30th Anniversary Box Sets as a prize to one lucky person, chosen at random, who donates to SBTS by March 14.

Consider donating the amount you would normally spend for entry fees and this will help keep the trails and community in good shape for 2022 when we’re all back out there shredding and partying together!

So how do you win?

-Head over to the Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship website and donate any amount you can afford.
-Forward the confirmation email you receive from SBTS to travis@paulcomp.com. That’s it! Paul will choose a winner at random after March 14th in some bizarre way, so stay tuned!

Want to see what the SBTS is all about? Check out our Reportage from over the years in the Related column below.

Wow. The titanium anodizing wizards at Firefly Bicycles just popped this beautiful ti and carbon road bike on their Tumblr and we had to share a glimpse. See much, much, more at the Firefly Tumblr.