It’s hard to gather massive data about how careful or careless our industry is with waste. A lot of manufacturers take transparent sustainability pledges, but a lot more don’t. Bike shops, on the other hand, have open doors. So, Travis surveyed several dozen bike shop recycling programs (and got a few dozen responses) about how their waste is managed. Answers ranged from recycling to donations to landfills to something involving art projects and Burning Man.
“2024 Made Bike Show”
Search Term – Change
Reportage
2024 Liv Pique 29 Advanced MTB Review: The Women’s-Specific PR Seeker
Brooke’s preference for mountain bikes leans towards longer and slacker varieties. However, when the opportunity arose to test the all-new Liv Pique 29 Advanced, she couldn’t resist. There’s something to be said about a race-bred bike, no matter the terrain it’s intended for. The review of this cross-country race machine coincided with Brooke’s own training and participation in the Downieville Classic All-Mountain Championships, where light and lean Liv Pique proved to offer an edge.
And special thanks to Ryan Cleek for the stunning photoset!
Reportage
From Beretta to Bicycles: Tom Ritchey on Investment Casting and 1990 Eisentraut Mountain Bike
We’re in a seemingly new era of bicycle framebuilding with the proliferation of 3D-printed components. While this movement might feel “unprecedented,” a similar thing happened with framebuilders in the mid-1980s and into the 1990s with technology borrowed from the Beretta gun manufacturer in Italy.
In what has to be one of our most intriguing Vintage Bicycles articles to date, John hops on a phone call with Tom Ritchey to discuss a rare 1990 Eisentraut mountain bike that Tom had recently acquired and the technology that made it possible.
Reportage
Morocco’s Highest Peaks By Bike: A Bikepacking Traverse Through the Atlas Mountains
After crossing Spain and climbing the highest mountains in the Al-Ándalus area, the Toubkal mountain presented itself as a challenge but also as an excuse to explore a country in which Sonia and Eloi had not cycled before. They knew that the next step was to change continents, and Morocco’s Highest Peaks were just on the other side of the harbor. What they didn’t know was that they were about to cross a land that would surprise them to an extent that, at the time, they couldn’t even imagine…
Radar
2024 North South Colorado Recap – A Long, Solo Win
The North South Colorado Bikepacking Race, a 610-mile adventure from Fort Collins to Trinidad, Colorado, is known for its challenging and scenic route over some of Colorado’s iconic (and lesser-known) passes. This year’s event saw around 60 riders toe the line, ready to tackle the diabolical journey. The course, notorious for its demanding 50,000 feet of elevation gain, offers a diverse mix of terrain, including smooth and blown-out gravel roads, trails, and even an abandoned train trestle precariously perched on the side of a mountain.
After a scratch on Day 2 of last year’s race Zack Allison returned this year with renewed confidence and a well-thought-out strategy. Zack, who spends most of his time racing gravel bikes and co-promoting the FoCo Fondo with his wife Whitney, provides a thorough recap of his North South Colorado win. His account delves into the highs and [mostly] the solitary lows of his journey to take the win at one of the toughest bikepacking races in the USA.
Reportage
More Kids on Bikes: How NICA is Changing the Culture of Youth Sports
Stacked on a foundation of building strong minds, bodies, characters, and communities, The National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA) has been getting more kids on bikes through mountain bike racing, adventure riding, trail building, community outreach, and scholarship programs since being officially established in 2009.
Katie Sox spills the beans on her experience photographing for the Oregon League and how NICA continues to expand its offerings while cultivating a healthier and more equitable approach to youth sports.
Reportage
Fine Bikes, Charles Thomas, and My Enamel Road Bike
Over the past few years, Mitchell Connell has fallen in love with road riding with his friends – but he never felt at home on his Scott Addict road bike. He turned to Charles Thompson of Fine Bikes to design a dedicated road bike from the perspective of a fellow commuter, bike mechanic, and racer. Read more about their design process, visiting Charles’ shop, and how his bike turned out.
Reportage
Off Course Bike Shop: Melbourne’s Commuting, Touring, and Adventure Hub
While John and Cari were down in Melbourne for the Roobaix and MADE Australia, they made sure to roll by Off Course Bike Shop, the city’s dedicated commuting, touring, and adventure hub. What they found inside this industrial space exceeded their expectations of what a modern bike shop could be. Let’s check it out!
Radar
The Above Category Invitational Bike Show on August 31st
If you’re in the Bay Area, make sure to swing through the Above Category Invitational Bike Show on August 31st…
Radar
A List of Drop-Bar 29er Mountain Bikes
Three weeks ago, John laid out a quick look at dirt drops on early mountain bikes by using his 1983 Steve Potts as a vehicle for the discussion and today we’re looking at our favorite modern drop-bar 29er mountain bikes. But first, we’ve got to define what a drop-bar 29er mountain bike is!
Reportage
La Chouette Bike Shop: Adding Color to the City of Lights
For nearly ten years, La Chouette Bike Shop has been serving Paris, France – and an ever-growing online customer base – with a finely curated selection of bikes, components, and products from some of our favorite brands. In a continuation of Reportage from his time visiting Paris earlier this month, Josh checks in with La Chouette owners Pierre, João, and Jacob, who are on a mission to add a bit of international color to the streets of their fine city…
Reportage
2024 LA Invitational at the Cub House: Where Everyone’s Invited
Today, we present a recap of the 2024 LA Invitational put on by all the lovely folks over at The Cub House in Los Angeles, CA. In a slightly different format than our typical event Reportage, the team gathered stories from various participants, who recounted harrowing and ecstatic experiences while out riding the event routes. Then, they conclude with a gallery of drool-worthy two- and four-wheeled machines from the bike and car show portion. Let’s check it out below!
Reportage
A Look at the Crust Bikes Australia Wheelhouse: Stupid Tourist Break-Away Bike, Lugged Lightning Bolt, and More!
John and Cari were in Australia earlier this month, and since they were on the same continent as Matt and Cheech from Crust Bikes, they had to visit them at their home in New South Wales. While there, John documented a selection of bikes from their shed, including some prototypes and soon-to-be-released future cult classics. Let’s check it all out!
Reportage
Eurobike 2024 Part 02: Amapola, Battaglin, Crossworx, Dangerholm, Kocmo, Ortleib, Passoni, Peak Design, Purple Dog, Sayle, Stijn, Zoceli, 2Rads
Our European correspondent Petor Georgallou is back for the second installment of covering Eurobike in his trademark gonzo style. Read on to follow Petor’s tracks into the wonder and weirdness of Europe’s largest cycling trade show.
Reportage
Eurobike 2024 Part 01: Arko Bici, Bonanno, Briefcase Men, Buffalo Bicycle, Drust, Igus, Jacquie Phelan, Milara, Tritao
Our European correspondent, Petor Georgallou, approaches Eurobike 2024 with his trademark gonzo style. Read on to follow Petor’s tracks into the wonder and weirdness of Europe’s largest cycling trade show.
Radar
Bespoked and the Precarious Handmade
John here. I got linked to this quick opinion piece via La Marche Bike Co’s Instagram penned by Clandestine regarding Bespoked…
Reportage
Arcouzan Bikepacking Route in French Pyrénées: Embrace Everything
Arcouzan bikepacking route is a mixed-terrain, circular cycling track around the wild and remote (but surprisingly accessible) Ariège region of the French Pyrénées. Arcouzan is not a race; it’s about finding connection through adventure. It’s designed as an immersive journey for cyclists, a bike-packing route encouraging you to travel slowly and embrace everything you encounter.
Continue reading below as Claire Frecknall and Tomas Montes document their reconnaissance mission on the new Arcouzan bikepacking route…
Reportage
Melburn Roobaix 2024: Bicycle Heaven
John (and Cari) took part in the seventeeth annual Melburn Roobaix last weekend. It is an all-day fun ride that welcomes all types of cyclists. At the event, they began to call the Roobaix “Bicycle Heaven.” Let’s show you why in this stunning gallery!