Radar Roundup: Shovel Research Rod Steward, Hope Cyclery x Leker Leks Albacore Bar, San Util Nameless Magnetic Half Frame Bag, SOMA Wolverine in Orange, Life and Long Rides, and Mind Mapping

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

Shovel Research Rod Steward Bag Support $100

If you have a Fab’s Chest and are looking for a more secure way of running the bag when it’s loaded down, then check out the Rod Steward by Shovel Research. The “rod steward” is a bag support designed around the Ron’s Bikes fab’s chest. The 11” crossbar fits a small chest and the 14” crossbar fits a large. These are made by me in Portland, Oregon from 6061-T6 aluminum (3/8” rod), and weigh approximately 220g including hardware.

You’ll receive a cnc machined and engraved bent rod, a crossbar, two mounting clips, and all the hardware you need to attach them to your bike and bag. Read on to determine if your bike is compatible.

Roll on over to Shovel Research to see more!

Leker Leks X Hope Cyclery Albacore Handlebar $130

Leker Leks Handlebars are handmade in Philadelphia using only the finest ingredients. I hand bend each and every bar out of locally sourced and seasonal 4130 Chromoly and 304 Stainless steel alloys. My chromoly bars are then sous vide to perfection in a phosphate conversion bath to achieve a deep charcoal coloring and to enhance corrosion resistance. A family recipe of oils and waxes are then applied, inside and out, to further resist the inevitable oxidation.

As Neil says, “Rust never sleeps.” That said, surface rust will appear eventually, but will not degrade the handlebars for years. If the natural beauty of iron oxide is not your thing an additional coating of lacquer is advised. Leker Leks handlebars have a natural clamp diameter of 7/8” 22.2mm. They crave the comfort and strength of a BMX stem, if you wish to use your favorite filet brazed Nitto face plate quill stem in the modern 31.8mm variety you will need to purchase a shim.

Specs:

785mm wide
37mm forward sweep
25mm rise
50° backsweep
150 mm grip/controls area
110mm clamp area

See more at Hope Cyclery.

San Util Nameless Magnetic Frame Bag $125

Zippers can be a real pain sometimes. Especially in sandy, dusty landscapes. The desert in particular eats zippers alive, so San Util decided to make an option for those looking for a zipper-less experience with their half frame bag dubbed the “Nameless Magnetic Frame Bag.”

Enjoy easy access to the bag via a fidlock magnet closure. There is some internal organization on the back wall of the bag as well. The Nameless is a great option for people who prioritize clean lines and simple storage solutions.

See more at San Util.

SOMA Wolverine Type A Returns in Pumpkin Orange $999.99

The original inspiration for the Wolverine was “monster cross”, but it is seriously so much more. Its geometry is stable enough for off road touring, but sporty enough for all-around adventure and gravel riding. With its sliding dropouts, you can run single-speed, derailleur gearing or hub gearing.

2023 brings our version 4.1 A-Type that adopts flat mount brakes on the frame and optional fork.

The A-Type is a little more “modern” than the B-Type. It adopts 142mm rear thru-axle and a 44mm headtube that will fit 1-1/8 straight steerer or tapered steerer with the proper headset type (better compatibility with third party carbon fiber gravel forks)

There is NO frame break for Belt-Drive like the B-Type has. Cable routing does not have the old school downtube shifter bosses. (See chart in photo gallery for other differences between A and B)

Specs:

Tange Prestige heat-treated double butted CrMo tube set
Clearance for 700x45c tires w/ fenders
Rear hub spacing/type: 142 x12mm Thru-Axle
IRD Broski sliding dropouts allow for geared or single-speed builds (brake mount on current stock is ISO)
Optional Matching Fork Unicrown CrMo straight blade 15mm thru-axle fork with cage bosses, 50mm rake, with flat mount disc
Braze-ons for rear rack and fenders (disc brake-compatible racks only)
Three sets of water bottle bosses
44mm headtube (Use ZS44/28.6-ZS44/30 headset for 1-1/8” steerers) (Use ZS44/28.6 -EC44/40 headsets for 1-1/8”-1-1/2” steerers)
Sizes: 46, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58. 60, 62 and 66cm (We recommend 650b tires on the 46cm)
4.89 lbs (frame)
Paint: Pumpkin Orange

See more at SOMA.

Life and Long Rides

Howard Grotts is a unicorn—extremely fast, yet very humble. Growing up in Durango, Colorado, Howard was raised in a booming cycling community that’s home to a legendary youth development program, Durango Devo. Howard quickly became one of the fastest riders in the world, but eventually, he burned out as a racer and needed to step back to find the real reason he loves bikes…to ride for his entire life. His passion for riding is demonstrated in a 243-mile ride around Colorado’s largest wilderness area, the Weminuche.

Solo Bikepacking Around the World | MIND MAPPING pt1

In August of 2022 Boru McCullagh decided to leave London, his job as Head Coach at Herne Hill Velodrome, friends and family and the security all of that brings to embark on a ride around the world. The route will see him pass through Europe, India and South East Asia, Australasia, South America, North Africa and Europe again.

In his late teens, Boru was diagnosed with a major depressive disorder which continued into a downward spiral of mental illness and hospital admissions. Without anything working to bring him out of that, Boru attempted to pick up the bike again, setting a goal of one ride a month.

Two years after that decision, he now sets out to ride around the world to prove to himself that he can support himself where for so long he was unable to do that, raising money for UK charity ‘Mind’ in the process.

Videographer Finley Newmark documented the lead up to embarking on this year-long journey, the experiences of life on the road through Europe, before joining Boru in Turkey.