Next up in our year-end recaps, Josh shares a list of his favorite products that span an eclectic range from cycling components and apparel to car camping creature comforts and even laundry detergent. He also reflects on a career-defining project, his approach to reigniting creative sparks in response to waning social media interest, and shares some pivotal music and books that inspired him along the way. Read on below for Josh’s favorites…
“Winter Bicycles”
Search Term – Change
Reportage
2024 SSCX Worlds Wisco: Warm Apple Pie Topped With a Slice of Sharp Cheddar Cheese
In early October, a ragtag group of singlespeeding cyclocross racers from around the world descended on Madison, Wisconsin for the Singlespeed Cyclocross World Championships (better known as 2024 SSCX Worlds). Photojournalist Erik Mathy returned to his hometown to document an event that was filled with fall colors, incredible bike infrastructure, and Wisconsin-style cycling shenanigans.
Radar
Portland Design Works: 26″ Vintage MTB Fenders in Stock!
If you have converted a 1980s or 90s vintage MTB to a commuter, basket bike, or tourer, and have been looking for solid, affordable fenders for the winter months, look no further. PDW just announced its All Metal Fenders ($149) in a 26″ wheel diameter. They’ll fit a 26 x 2.2″ tire, maximum, which is about as big as most 1980s MTBs would fit anyway and come pre-assembled to make installation easier. Check out more at Portland Design Works.
Reportage
2024 Bespoked Dresden Part 04: Ergon Showcase With Corrent Components, Kobel, Quokka, Rizzo, Scarab, Significant Other, and Sueess
To help support our Bespoked Dresden coverage, Ergon bike components sponsored a special gallery with builds featuring their products, including some of our favorite saddles, grips, and bar tape. Below, our 2024 Bespoked Dresden Part 04, our final report from the show, features bicycles from Corrent Components, Kobel, Quokka, Rizzo, Scarab, Significant Other, and Sueess. Scroll on down to take it all in!
Reportage
Nitto: Embodying the Spirit and Legacy of Japanese Bicycle Craft
Today, we’re peeling back the curtain on one of the cycling industry’s most experienced, globally recognized, and revered manufacturers of superlative bicycle components that continue to define and stand the test of time. Join the SimWorks crew for a trip inside Nitto for thoughtful insights into their commitment to traditional craft and manufacturing processes, their uniquely Japanese philosophy on quality and dedication to process, and how their past continues to direct their future.
Reportage
Ti Talk with No. 22 Bicycle Company: Demystifying Titanium, the Ultimate Material for Frames
A few weeks back, during our State Bicycle Ti All-Road review, a conversation about titanium unfurled in the comments. The Radavist is uniquely positioned to have this discussion as we’ve amassed more Beautiful Bicycle galleries than anyone else on the web, and a large portion of these feature titanium frames. In the eighteen years of documenting cycling culture, we’ve also amassed a large contact list in the framebuilding world.
In an attempt to demystify the material, we reached out to No. 22 Bicycle Company for a bit of Ti Talk.
Reportage
Prova Cycles: Lean Manufacturing
John and Cari were in Melbourne for a few days following the 2024 MADE Australia showcase, which gave them some free time to visit a couple of shops, one of which was Prova Cycles.
Nestled inside this compact factory, siblings Mark and Kelly Hester build some of the most advanced bikes in the world. This two-person team has optimized production over the past four years, and it’s something to behold…
Radar
Readers’ Rides: François’ Panorama Torngat Ti Fat Bike in Summer Mode
Inspired by Hailey’s review of the Panorama Cycles Torngat Ti in full-fat winter mode, François submitted a full-length Readers’ Rides review of his Torngat Ti in summer mode. Let’s check it out!
Reportage
MADE Bike Show Australia Gallery 01: Baum, Curve, Devlin, Framework, Hungry, Kenevans, Loop Cycles, Lost Workshop, Off Course Builds, and Omnium
While Josh was at Bespoked, John was down in Melbourne at the MADE Bike Show Australia and compiled a few galleries from the event. Let’s check out a bike gallery loaded with heaps of details below!
Reportage
Connecticut is a Rough Refuge: First Hand Experience of Not Riding the Nutmeg Spring Fling
While Arya from Rons Bikes missed being able to ride amongst the flowers of this year’s Nutmeg Spring Fling, that did not keep her from reflecting. Waxing poetic about ancient river ferries, French Randonneur bikes, and East Haddam Land Trust alike, make sure you don’t miss this recap of Nutmeg Spring Fling.
Reportage
Cotic Bikes FlareMAX Gen5 Review: Less is More
From snow to sand, wildflowers, and close encounters with a rattlesnake, John’s been putting the Cotic FlareMAX Gen5 through the wringer for his in-depth review on this made-in-the-UK short(er) travel, metal full-suspension bike. Read on for his full take on how less is more with the FlareMAX’s design below…
Reportage
Ira Ryan Cycles Shop Visit: Constructeur Moderne
After an eleven-year hiatus, Ira Ryan is back building bicycles under his namesake moniker, Ira Ryan Cycles, in Portland, Oregon. While Josh was visiting the City of Roses earlier this year, he stopped by Ira’s to catch up and check out some new projects. Continue reading below to look inside Ira’s workshop and drool over some of his exquisite recently built bicycles.
Reportage
Sea Otter Classic 2024: Bikes We Liked
The Radavist thanks 1-Up USA for sponsoring our Sea Otter Classic 2024 coverage!
Josh and John were at Sea Otter Classic this week, covering people, products, and bikes on display. We’ve pulled together a few über galleries for your enjoyment, and today, we’ve got a selection of bikes we found wandering the aisles of the 2024 event.
Reportage
Tern Orox All Terrain e-Cargo Bike Review: Packing Lots
After about a month of using the Tern Orox in a particularly snowy and cold spring in Santa Fe, John has penned a review of the e-cargo platform, which speaks to the bike’s versatility and aligns it firmly in the “car replacement” category. Let’s check it out!
Radar
A First Look at the Tern Orox All Terrain e-Cargo Bike
Ever interested in e-cargo and mobility options, John got an exclusive first look at the all-new Tern Orox e-cargo bike. While a longer-term review is on the way in a few weeks, let’s check out what Tern cooked up with the Orox below!
Radar
UPDATED 2024 Hardtails Under and Around $2000
We’ll continue to update this list for 2024
Hardtails make the world go round. Especially here at The Radavist. We’ve been long-time supporters of these capable yet simple mountain bikes and as people decide on the “next bike” after reaching the limitations on their gravel bikes, we thought it’d be nice to compile a list of current hardtail models we dig, all under or around $2,000 so let’s get to it!
Reportage
When Labor Turns to Love: Build Your Own Bike With LaFraise Cycles
As part of their European tour this summer, Sam Rice and Bec Norman stopped off in Roubaix, France to spend a few days with Andreas Behrens of LaFraise Cycles. On the dawn of his 200th student, they share a shop visit that draws on Andreas’s mesmerizing past and his present-day mission to share the craft of framebuilding with people around the world.
Reportage
Josh’s Favorite Products of 2023
It’s been a wild year around these parts. In addition to the organizational changes we experienced with this website, I feel fortunate to have met and collaborated with many amazing people in addition to traveling to some truly remarkable places. My list of favorite products ended up being rather eclectic, but I think it reflects the wide range of material we get to cover here. Of course, music was an integral backdrop to my work – on rides, traveling abroad, and with my family at home – so I have joined some of our other contributors in offering a selection of favorite tunes, alongside a handful of products, below.