Radar Roundup: Pivot Mach 4 SL, FESTKA Scalatore Ondrash &#038; Kasparek Auction, New Cafe du Cycliste, and Dot Quba Rack

Our Radar Roundup compiles products and videos from the ‘net in an easy-to-digest format. Read on below for today’s findings…

Pivot Mach 4 SL

If you’re a fan of DW-Link™ suspension systems and are looking for a lightweight, nimble XC bike for this summer’s alpine romps, then check out the new Mach 4 SL by Pivot.

Thanks to the continuing evolution of Pivot’s proprietary Hollow Core carbon fiber construction, the new Mach 4SL carves an impressive 280 grams out of the previous generation Mach 4SL. This absence of mass was achieved while improving the DW-Link™ suspension, and without sacrificing strength, frame stiffness or handling integrity.

Specs:

XC-Tuned DW-Link™ Suspension
New XC Adapted Travel-Adjustable Flip-Chip
Efficient Fox Factory Float DPS Shock on World Cup Builds with 95mm or 103mm Adjustable Travel
Versatile Fox Factory or Performance Float Shock Options on XC builds with 106mm or 115mm Adjustable Travel
Lighter, More Durable High-Load Enduro Max bearings
Size-Specific Carbon Layup Across Size Range
Low Standover Fits Riders 4’10” to 6’ 7”
Large Water Bottle Clearance on All Sizes
Pivot’s full carbon frames feature size-specific ride tuning, leading edge carbon fiber materials and Pivot’s proprietary hollow core molding technology to ensure that every rider from 4’10” to 6’7” has a bike that feels perfect and performs at the optimum level for their size.
Injection Molded Rubberized Frame Protection
Full Internal Routing with Pivot Cable Port System
Pivot Dock Tool System Compatible Under Top Tube and BB
Simplified Twistloc Suspension Lockout
100mm & 120mm Fox Fork Options

See the full drop at Pivot.

FESTKA Scalatore Ondrash and Kasparek Auction

It’s not only cyclists who will be captivated by the totally unique painting and bicycle resulting from the collaboration of Festka, the Czech boutique manufacturer of carbon bicycle frames based in Prague, and the design duo Ondrash & Kašpárek, which was presented at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival in 2021 and now goes up for the charity auction. The traditional auction organized by the KODL gallery will take place at the Žofín in Prague. Part of the proceeds will go to the Paraple Centre. The patrons of the auction, which will take place on 28 May at 12 noon, are Zdeněk Svěrák and Jan Kačer.

Festka believes all its bikes are works of art, but some are more deserving of this badge than others. Probably none more so than the FESTKA Scalatore painted by the artists Ondrash & Kasparek in 2021. Their technique is based on creating colourful abstract compositions on the surface of water and transferring them onto canvases and other media. On this occasion, they went 3D for the first time. Although it caused them quite a few headaches the outcome was nothing short of spectacular.

The bicycle took social media by storm, and it was featured in many online and print publications around the world covering not only cycling but also design in general. The lot includes a fully built FESTKA Scalatore and a canvas featuring the same composition. The Scalatore is the company top-of-the-range model – a superlight with an understated classic look and excellent handling. “Now that the bike has been photographed, filmed, reviewed and exhibited, we thought it was time for it to do some good,” says Michael Moureček, Festka’s co-founder. “We got together with Galerie Kodl – a leading Prague auction house – who will include it in their May 28, 2023 event.” The starting price is CZK 500,000 (approx. EUR 21,000) but the most important number is 50 % because that’s how much of the hammer price will go to the Centrum Paraple – a charity which has been helping people post spinal cord injuries for nearly 30 years.

There are ways you can participate in the auction no matter where you are. Here’s how you can do it.

Cafe du Cycliste Lightweight Angeline Jersey for Men and Women $208

Ultralight, race-inspired design with a super-breathable fabric for the hottest ride conditions. Cut for a racing-fit (close to the skin), the Italian-milled fabric is soft and flexible to form to your body.

A full length zip allows for maximum ventilation in and out of the saddle, and a low profile collar keeps things even cooler. The jersey has mesh side panels, a more extreme cut at the front for race-bike positions, and the sleeves are tailored for aerodynamic coverage. The hem uses silicon gripper with Café du Cycliste branding for a snug fit.

The jersey sports big Breton stripes for swashbuckling summer rides, and there are three cargo pockets, plus a low-profile zipped valuables pouch at the rear. Contrast Café du Cycliste branding is printed on the back, and a small reflective tab on the tail of the jersey aids your visibility to other road users.

See more at Cafe du Cycliste.

Days on Tracks Dot Quba Bike Rack $120

We kept getting served the Dot Shovel in our Instagram feed – we’re blaming John’s love of 4x4s for that! – before finally seeing the German company Days on Tracks’ cycling offerings. The Dot Quba Bike Rack attaches to your 3-boss cargo cage mounts on your fork and your fork’s eyelet, making it even easier to convert your gravel road bike into a proper touring bike with a front rack. This unique mounting system has been on our minds for a bit, and we are hoping someone would make a 3-boss cargo cage low-rider rack mount similar to the old Jim Blackburn racks.

With more and more people realizing racks are the way to go, does this mean the era of the floppy bags strapped to carbon gravel bikes might end? Maybe? Maybe not.

Specs: