Rob Roberson is an enigma in the handmade bicycle world. Some would consider him “the greatest known unknown bike fabricator” of the American frame building movement. His career, which spans nearly 50 years, puts him among a very small pedigree of builders that have both mass-production experience and have also built custom bikes under their own name without giving up the ghost. Yet, with such a significant trajectory, Rob has remained largely unknown. Over the next few weeks, we’ll be featuring bikes made by Rob and the stories about them. Today, however, Zach Small and Josh Weinberg are honored to introduce you to Rob Roberson.
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Radar Roundup: Camp and Go Slow x What Happened Bags, Paragon Machine Works T-Type Inserts, 1733 Basket Bags, Fizik Vento Ferox, Mystic Wheels MFG Headset Press, Vitus Venon EVO, and the Easiest Crossing in the World
Our Radar Roundup compiles products and videos from the ‘net in an easy-to-digest format. Read on below for today’s findings…
Reportage
Inside / Out at Neuhaus Metalworks and a Look at the Hummingbird Steel Hardtail 29er
For a two-man operation, Nick Neuhaus and Daniel Yang have their systems dialed. Or, maybe the manpower limitations of being a small team have been the motivating force behind the duo’s streamlined Marin-based, framebuilding operation, Neuhaus Metalworks. Hailey Moore and John Watson spent some time talking shop with Nick and Daniel on their innovative 3D printed components and how these parts lead to higher efficiency in their US-made frames. Read on for a closer look at Neuhaus’ exciting approach to making steel and titanium mountain bikes.
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A Love Letter from Berlin: The Rad Race Last Wo/Man Standing Fixie Crit and Custom Framebuilder Highlights from Kolektif
Back in March, as part of the Kolektif Bike Fair in Berlin, the team behind Rad Race put on the 9th annual Last Wo/Man Standing fixed gear race at the winding indoor Mobikart go-kart circuit track. Additionally, the bike fair featured a handful of stunning custom builds on display from an array of framebuilders including Drust, Omnium, Rossman, Morassi, Trout, ten:07, and Vetra. Petor Georgallou was there for it all and shares a full report and massive image gallery below.
Reportage
Bikes, Products, and People from Sea Otter Classic 2023: Part Three and Mega Photo Gallery
Travis and Josh are back today with their third and final report from the 2023 Sea Otter Classic. Continue reading below for another installment of interesting bikes, products, and people from the show, in addition to a mega gallery of images from the three days of sun, fog, rides, and wild times at Laguna Seca Raceway. Did they save the best for last? Read on to find out!
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Radar Roundup: TRP Evo 12 Groupset, Kool Stop AT Pads, Ripton Snap Shirt, Fierce Hazel True Grit Handlebar Bag, 2023 SSCXWC Santa Cruz, Bike Jerks Rough Stuff Rally, and The Engine Inside
Our Radar Roundup compiles products and videos from the ‘net in an easy-to-digest format. Read on below for today’s findings…
Reportage
Bikes, Products, and People from Sea Otter Classic 2023: Part One
Sea Otter Classic is one of the largest annual cycling festivals in the world. Each April since 1991, cyclists of all persuasions have descended on Laguna Seca Raceway outside of Monterey, CA to cheer on professional and amateur racers, as well as check out the latest and greatest in cycling technology at the massive vendor expo.
And this year, that tech happened to be especially late and great, and there was more to talk about than usual. Maybe it’s because there were more exhibitors in attendance than normal. Maybe it’s the easing of strains on the supply chain. Whatever it was, Josh Weinberg and Travis Engel were on the ground all weekend and, over the next few days, will be sharing their findings and observations from the massive event. So, let’s get into it below!
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Seeing in 3D Violet at the 2023 Chris King Guest House
This past week, in the lead-up to the annual Sea Otter Classic event in Monterey, CA, Chris King Components held their second Guest House event across Monterey Bay in Santa Cruz. The festive event showcased a variety of unique builds – all featuring Chris King components – many of which were the recently re-released vibrant 3D Violet color. Below, let’s take a look at this eclectic mix of bikes that spans categories across road, gravel, touring, and MTB!
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Radar Roundup: Chris King Brings Back 3D Violet, Wilde Rambler SL, Helm Works Series, Crust x Casa Varsity Jackets, Calling In Sick 9 Pre-Order, GDMBR, and THE WHEELIE
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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First Look: Wizard Works’ Alakazam Bag for Manivelle Bike Basket
We’re big fans of basket bag biking ’round these parts and are stoked to see our friends at Wizard Works expand their size range of Alakazam Bags to fit perfectly in the Manivelle Basket from French framebuilders Cycles Manivelle. Josh has been pedaling around with the combo recently and, below, provides a breakdown of this magical rack and bag duo…
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First Ride(s) Review: QUOC Lalashan Cycling Footwear Collection – Gran Tourer XC, Escape Off-Road, and Lala Slide
Named for the Lalashan Mountain Range in Northern Taiwan, Quoc‘s new Spring footwear capsule builds on their classic Grand Tourer series while introducing two new additions to the product line. Josh Weinberg and Hailey Moore have already logged some miles in the new models and offer first ride reviews of the UK-based designer-adjacent brand’s new Gran Tourer XC, Escape Off-Road, and the Lala Slide.
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Radar Roundup: Odyssey SS23, Eye Catching ALDR Works, Panaracer Limited GravelKing, Attaquer Out of Office, and Pitchgrind
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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A Father and Son Titanium Operation: A Shop Visit to Sanitas Cycles
Sanitas Cycles is the titanium framebuilding operation co-led by David and John Siegrist. With his father’s work at DEAN Bicycles acting as the backdrop of his childhood in Boulder, Colorado, Dave decided to start working in bikes upon graduating from Fort Lewis College in Durango, convincing his dad to join him in his new titanium label. Read on to learn how John and Dave are merging the classic and the modern in their stock frame offerings and custom builds, and check out a short video from Colt Fetter’s time at the shop!
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A Review of the Cotic Escapade 853: British Steel with Campagnolo Ekar
These past few months have been particularly harsh here in the Southern Rockies. Santa Fe has been hammered with winter weather, leaving even the in-town XC trails in a constant freeze/thaw cycle, rendering them unrideable. We’re lucky to have a network of gravel bike trails and acequia paths that remain open throughout winter, making it a perfect time for mixed-terrain riding.
To get me through this particularly brütal winter, I’ve had a lovely companion from our friends across the pond at Cotic. They sent me their Escapade gravel bike to review and it couldn’t have arrived at a better time. While my mountain bikes remain hung up on the wall, I’ve been putting in slow miles on the Cotic Escapade, pushing this bike to become my ideal all-terrain road bike for the frigid months at 7,000′. How did it stack up? Read on for more…
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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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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: Superstore Wilderness, Wizard Works Fundraiser for NZ Cyclone, Fairlight Faran 2.5, Force AXS Updates, and Ripton Bike Pants
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: Reserve Aluminum, Battaglin Goes Gravel, Supreme x Silca, Vision of the Hawk, Super 7 Sommet, the GDMBR, and An Ode to the Commute
Our Radar Roundup compiles products and videos from the ‘net in an easy-to-digest format. Read on below for today’s findings…