Radar

Vintage MTB Restoration Series: Episode 01

For the latest Beautiful Builds video, John introduces his newest project: a 1984 Ritchey Annapurna he got from Bicycle Collective in St. George, Utah. Over a few episodes, he’ll explain what it takes to make these old “barn find” bikes road-worthy again.

From replacing split cable housing and cables to protecting the paint, repacking bearings, and rust-proofing, this episodic Beautiful Builds showcases the work that goes into vintage MTB restoration.

Music: Fellwinter – “The Dawn of Winter” LP

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Ben Frederick and The Small Monsters Project Custom Mosaic MT-1

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Ben Frederick and The Small Monsters Project Custom Mosaic MT-1

Today, we’re sharing the news that Ben Frederick from The Small Monsters Project has partnered with Mosaic Cycles and has a custom-painted MT-1 that matches the new Ornot x Small Monsters Project Trail Shirt. We sat on this one for a little bit to let the Sea Otter buzz die down so let’s check out John’s photos and a press release straight from The Small Monsters Project below!

History of Mountain Bike Evolution Show: Bicycle Taxonomy

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History of Mountain Bike Evolution Show: Bicycle Taxonomy

John spent last weekend in Santa Cruz catching up with friends, riding some tacky dirt and checking out the History of Mountain Bike Evolution Show at Santa Cruz Bicycles, put on by Doug Hatfield, Velo Cosmos with Team Old Soil. The show spanned the evolution of the mountain bike from the 1940s through the Syndicate Racing Team’s World Cup DH machines.

Below, John hones in on the evolution of cruiser bikes to klunkers and the genesis of the Marin County “Mountain Bike” and shares a jam-packed gallery of bikes and hangs…

Monē Bikes SB2 Review: Cruisin’ for a Bruisin’

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Monē Bikes SB2 Review: Cruisin’ for a Bruisin’

We talk a lot about the early klunkers, from Breezers to Cunninghams and Ritcheys, but what about the very first MTBs in the US, the coaster cruisers, aka mountain cruisers? These esoteric singlespeeds rely on a coaster brake hub to control their speed and were adapted from old Schwinn newspaper bikes.

Read on as John reviews his coaster cruiser, a Monē Bikes Small Batch Straight Bar, aka the SB2. These bikes are the simplest mountain bike you can ride: No hand brakes. No gears. Big bars. Balloon tires. This is peak coaster cruiser!

The Search for the Perfect Noodle: An Elephant Bikes National Forest Explorer Review

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The Search for the Perfect Noodle: An Elephant Bikes National Forest Explorer Review

For Morgan Taylor, there’s a magical nexus that happens when a bike has a certain amount of frame flex and low-trail randonneuring geometry. In this long-term review of Elephant Bikes National Forest Explorer, Morgan recounts how past bikes have contributed to this preferred combination and then offers an in-depth look at why the NFE might just be the perfect noodle.

Double Feature Review: Alex and Nikki’s Starling Swoop Steel Full Suspensions

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Double Feature Review: Alex and Nikki’s Starling Swoop Steel Full Suspensions

The Swoop is Starling Cycles‘ versatile single-pivot steel full-suspension bike designed for 27.5 wheels. With its adjustable shock mounts, the Swoop can be set in “Trail” mode with 130 mm of rear travel or “Enduro” with 160 mm. Partners Alex and Nikki each have Swoops in respective enduro and trail modes that they’ve been riding for some time now. Below, they share a review of both iterations of this adaptable built-in-UK platform from one of our favorite bike makers

First Ride Review: Tumbleweed Titanium Mini Pannier Rack

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First Ride Review: Tumbleweed Titanium Mini Pannier Rack

Today, Tumbleweed Bicycle Co launched a revamp to its Mini Pannier and T-Racks.  The CroMo racks (T-Rack $140 Mini Pannier $150) are lighter and stronger than the previous versions and have improved features. Today, we’re discussing the all-new Mini Pannier Titanium. Weighing in at only 258 grams (confirmed), Tumbleweed’s Titanium Mini Pannier Rack ($400) is a new option, now available, for those looking for an ultralight rear carrier option. John got one ahead of its release and has a First-Look Review below…