After months of leaks, spottings, and speculation, SRAM unveiled their newest wireless mountain groupset, Eagle Transmission, along with a collection of Stealth Brakes. This hefty product launch encompasses derailleurs, cranksets, cassettes, shift controllers, and more across XX SL Eagle, XX Eagle, and XO Eagle levels along with power meter and e-bike-specific components. SRAM also released an all-new Stealth lever body for their Level and Code brake lineup. As such there’s a lot to unpack here, which we expect to dive deeper into during the next few months of Transmission-equipped bike reviews. Today, however, let’s take a look at product highlights and some initial thoughts about these new components after a few rides on a Santa Cruz Megatower test bike that SRAM sent us a couple of weeks ago.
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Suspending Everything Except Your Disbelief: Specialized’s New Diverge STR Review
Featuring their innovative Suspend the Rider (STR) rear Future Shock system, Specialized’s Diverge STR has achieved a new echelon of comfort and efficiency in the gravel world. Spencer Harding dives into the nuance of the system and all that it entails and offers. Is the juice worth the squeeze? He thinks so, even if that fruit is pretty pricey.
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Radar Roundup: ILE Mini Messenger and Travel Pack, Sim Works Tiny Bubbly EZY Superior, Wilde Cardinal Bar, SQLab Innerbarends, Solar Gold Five Ten, and Journey to Unbound
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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Readers’ Rides: Andrew’s Freewheelin’ Crust Bikes Florida Man Singlespeed
Say what you will about social media and its adverse effects on society but we’ve been served some stunning bikes through our Instagram Explore page over the years and as a result have connected with some genuinely amazing individuals. So maybe it’s not all that bad? Today’s Readers’ Ride is case in point: Andrew‘s Crust Bikes Florida Man looks like something we’d document in our Philly Bike Expo Reportage. Andrew went to town with this one and boy oh boy is it a looker! Without further adieu…
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The Return of the San Francisco Supermarket Street Sweep
The San Francisco (SF) Supermarket Street Sweep may just be the only “race” in existence where cargo bikes, basketpackers, and panniers are an advantage. After a few-year hiatus thanks to the global pandemic and atmospheric rivers, Erik Mathy covers the return of this grocerycat fundraiser!
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Radar Roundup: Durango Derby, Ritchey Ultra 50th Anniversary, Sight Seeker Sample Sale, Low Pressure Zine, 5Dev Ti Chainrings, and Cracked Earth
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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Bags By Bird Better Half Framebag: Review and Mini Shop Visit
Filling a niche for pre-made frame bags for bikes with non-sloping top tubes, the Bags By Bird Better Half fits where many other bags won’t. The bag comes in two sizes as well as two lengths and is available in a multitude of fabric and color options. Spoiler alert, I think the Better Half is a home run. It is stylish, utilizes an innovative flap closure system, and is made right here in Tucson, AZ.
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Spoke Too Soon: An In-Depth Review of BERD Spokes
Last year John wrote briefly about his early impressions of the BERD spokes while piloting the Sour Bicycles Pasta Party. Due to mixing around bikes and wheels, he ended up handing them over to Kyle Klain to ride and review. After months of riding in and around Santa Fe as well as across southeast Utah during the Aquarius Huts Tour, Kyle has some thoughts to share on this unusual wheel-building option.
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Radar Roundup: Gravel Bikes Galore – Team Amani OSTRO, Canyon Grizl CF SL 7 Throwback, Hudski Doggler EVO, Waveform Colors, Recon ADV, Revel Rodeo, and Tour de France Women
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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Materialism is Dead; Long Live Materialism: A Workshop Visit with Saffron Frameworks
In this shop visit with Saffron Frameworks in London, UK, Sam Rice traces a line from Matthew Sowter’s previous life as a chef to his current trade as one of the most awarded frame builders in the world. Matthew’s skill in transforming basic ingredients into magnificent dishes transfers over into his ability to turn a box of tubes into a frame deserving of the word “perfection.” Materialism may be a concept of the past, but it is very much alive in Matthew Sowter’s craft.
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Radar Roundup: Globe Haul ST, Backcountry MTB/Gravel Apparel, BTCHN Weird Ass Bars, LOOK X-Track Bronze, Ergon GXR Grips, Support Trails Win an Ibis, and Bike Across America 1965
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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Radar Roundup: 7Mesh Spring, Champagne MKS Grip Monarch, Crust Lightening Bolt Canti and Nullabar, Roots Run Deep, SF2LA, and Ronnie Talks Forks
Our Radar Roundup compiles products and videos from the ‘net in an easy-to-digest format. Read on below for today’s findings…
Reportage
Vanquished or Vacation? A Riding Holiday in Argentina
With a Christmas trip to visit family in Argentina on the calendar, Fernando and Mica decided they couldn’t not bring bikes. After getting over the hurdles of traveling to another hemisphere with gear in tow, the couple found more challenges in the riding than they’d expected. In fact many of their highlights of the trip—including being amongst the celebratory crowds that flooded the streets of Rosario when Argentina won the World Cup—came from their time off the bike. So, was it worth hauling their gravel rigs all the way down there? Read on to find out…
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In Stock For Now: The Radavist Edition Ombraz Dolomite Sunnies
In the coming year, we’ll be rolling out quite a few product collaborations we’re proud of, with the first being this Radavist edition Ombraz Dolomite sunnies. For those unfamiliar, Ombraz designs armless sunglasses that are virtually indestructible. Or, perhaps I should say, more robust than standard sunnies. Without arms, these glasses pack down flat, making them easy to store in a pocket, and since they rely on a cord to tighten, can be hung around your neck when not in use with ease. I’ve been wearing Ombraz since the brand’s inception and have been hooked, prompting this collaboration. Let’s check it out below.
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Ass Saver’s Win Wing Review: It’s Mostly A Win
Released last fall, the Win Wing is the newest rear mudguard product from the Swedish company, Ass Savers. After test riding this deceptively simple design through the slush of winter in Colorado, Hailey Moore shares a review of this ultra-light temporary fender solution.
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Radar Roundup: Rapha Film Fund, Alpacka Ready to Ship, Dan Ransom Bow Bag, Steady Totepacks Are Here, Blinder R-150, Philly Bike Expo Moves to Spring, Quiet Headlands, and Longbolts Bike Check
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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Radar Roundup: Swift Redwood Launch, Cinder Phantom Jacket, Cyclehawk x Squarebuilt, BFF Worldwide, Erick Cedeño and The New York Times, A. Homer Hilsen are Coming, and Crust Vol 3
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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All Caps: Testing the ION K-Lite Zip Zippered Knee Pads
For The Radavist’s first ever knee pad review, we had to pick something special. Zippers are pretty new to knee pad design, and Travis Engel’s favorite has been the K-Pact Zip from German brand, ION. But ION recently released the K-Lite Zip, and as the name suggests, it is lighter. But is it better?