The Radavist

If you’ve been to the Crust Bikes website over the past few days, you probably noticed a message that reads:

“Thanks for the six years of support, it has been a ride. Closed until further notice.”

Now, this set the internet into a frenzy. How could the bike company that has been seemingly killing it for those past six years suddenly fold? Well, they didn’t fold. I was waiting on a returned text message from Matt all weekend before I posted anything and my suspicions turned out to be true.

This website helped launch Crust Bikes. I met Matt in Austin back in 2015 and shot his personal prototype 26+ Evasion. At that time, I was really blown away at how thoughtful everything about the OG Evasion was. I knew Matt was onto something. The brand launched right when the adventure/gravel/touring stuff took off. As expected, Crust Bikes did blow up! Everyone at Crust has been moving so fast that they haven’t had time to figure out what sustainable growth looked like.

Then Covid hit and international supply chains were halted. Fast forward to today, Crust’s stock of frames is low, and thus, Matt’s emails have gone through the roof. While they’re waiting on new frames to be delivered in 2021, Matt and Cheech, and the entire team are using this downtime to restructure their business, rebuild their website, and figure out how to grow and operate more sustainably.

It sucks to suddenly see their site with that message but please just know, they’re not going anywhere. They all just need some time off and some space. Please respect this moment in time and don’t reach out to them. Let them work and recover in peace. If you want to pour out some emotion in the comments here and just let them know how much Crust Bikes means to you, you’re totally free to do that, just don’t send Matt another email. ;-)

xo

Tumbleweed Bicycle Co, makers of those slick Prospector Rohloff touring bikes (with 27.5×3.8” clearance), as well as those slick unobtainable rear racks, and super-wide Persuader bars, is having a pre-order today for all the above, starting at 9am PST, so be sure you tune in to put an order down…

Our friends at Swift Industries just announced this awesome contest where you can win a complete bicycle touring kit, including a $300 credit to the Swift Store. Here are the details:

“We’ve teamed up with our friends for a special giveaway to get you excited for wet weather cycling. The prize package, valued at $2,399, will have you cycling in all conditions with head-to-toe waterproof-breathable bike apparel, a new bike with all the bells and whistles for year-round riding, a new set of bike bags, and a front and rear rack. With no excuses to stop you, you’ll be rolling in style straight through to Spring. Hit the link to enter to win, and hurry, contest ends October 28th at 11:59 PM PST.”

Head to Showers Pass to enter!

Bicycle Nomad, that handsome cyclist from the California Golde project and beyond, has teamed up with Blackburn to become a brand ambassador. As someone who has played a small role in Blackburn’s bicycle touring lineup, this makes me excited. Erick Cedeño (Bicycle Nomad) is a beautiful human and I’m personally looking forward to seeing where this goes. I think Erick’s quote sums up the importance of this partnership:

“The cycling industry needs to have more representation in its marketing, so adults and, more importantly, children, can see themselves on a bike exploring their city, their country and their world,”

If you’re interested, the full press-release is below…

The Faran 2.0 is the latest from the UK builders Fairlight. It’s a multi-purpose tourer, built with custom-specified Reynolds tubing, like a Reynolds 631 DZB downtube, and 631 front triangle, with a 37mm 4130 head tube and stays, with 68mm of chainstay clearance which will fit either a 700 or 27.5 wheel. That’s big enough to fit a 27.5 x 2.4” Continental X-King Tyre on Hope XC rims. These bikes have all the fixins to make them an ally on randonneuring events, S24O, or even a full-on tour. Fairlight has pulled together an extensive product catalog on the features of the Faran MKII, which I highly suggest checking out. It’s not often a bicycle manufacturer goes to these lengths describing their new product.

A £500.00 lands you a deposit (£899 frameset retail) for a Faran MKII and the queue is open for business, with the first batch shipping in September/October, with the colors to be announced shortly so head to Fairlight if you like what you see!

Over the past few years, the trend of bikepacking has really taken over, and with good reason! Riding on singletrack, fully-loaded is a real treat. You don’t have to worry about cars dusting you out and can truly be isolated if that’s what you’re going for. Yet, I can’t help but feel warm and fuzzy for classic touring bikes as well. I caught my bicycle touring bug on a road bike, then a touring bike, and then bikepacking, yet the lines and functionality of a classic tourer is so timeless. Tout Terrrain, makers of many on and off-road touring bikes, just announced their Blueridge touring models. Pictured here is the GT build spec and it has it all!

Specs:
-Integrated Expedition Rack II with optional EX-Rail system and Ortlieb Quick-Lock3 Mounting Kit
-Rohloff gear hub option for proven reliability
-Derailleur drivetrain option for precise and light shift action
-Thermocrom premium tubing for maximum strength-to-weight ratio
-700c wheelset favours speed and efficiency
-Drop-bar options provide aerodynamics and multiple hand positions
-Gates Carbon Drive belt-compatible frame for a strong, clean and reliable drivetrain

See more at Tout Terrain.

Taiwanese bicycle bag company WOHO just launched its limited-edition bikepacking bag system, in collaboration with Basel’s OPEN CYCLE, using the WI.DE. model to reveal WOHO’s new CYBER-CAMO BLACK special edition.

In addition to this OPEN WI.DE collaboration, WOHO has upgraded its Xtouring Bikepacking Series. The bikepacking product line was redesigned with feedback from riders all over the world and includes refined details that enhance WOHO’s bags.

Only a limited number of the new Cyber Camo Xtouring bags will be bundled with this limited OPEN WI.DE collaboration frame. This project comes in at a retail of $4,186.90 USD for the frameset (XS-XL) and bags. Check out photos of this project below and head to WOHO to order. Yes, they ship to the USA and accept Paypal.

Black Cat Bicycles presents the 2020 edition of the Hello Monsta! The perfect gravel bike scaled up. Designed around 27.5 x 2.4” tires, but fully compatible with 700 x 40mm tires(!) without compromise to chainstay length, bb height, or steering trail dimensions. Let’s get real. Most of these features are ancillary to the fact that this bike just rips. The Hello Monsta! is great for exploring chunky backcountry, touring the world, or rallying your local favs. We shot this bike at NAHBS and it got a lot of attention. It’s finally available for ordering!

The frame and fork set will have the following features and specs:
-Custom sized frame and fork, tailored for you
-110 x 15 and 148 x 12 hub spacing-mtb boost
-1x or 2x drivetrain
-27.5 x 2.4” tires
-73mm British threaded bottom bracket shell
-1 1/8″ threadless unicrown fork for maximum ride quality
-front and rear flat caliper mounts for maximum versatility
-27.2 or 30.9 seatpost, internal dropper port if desired
-S bend seatstays
-Art School dropouts or Swinger single speed dropouts
-Custom blended rugged tubeset for aggressive riding
-Cable or electronic shifting
-Drop or flat handlebar
-Dear Landlord rack available, but not included
-Original paint always available and starts at $1000
-$4600 frame and fork. White Industries custom crankset and headset included.

This read is one hell of a way to kick in the New Year. Got plans to do a bike tour? Don’t monetize it!

“In a race for your life from a belligerent madman, there is no worse getaway vehicle than a recumbent bicycle. Particularly on any sort of climb. At least that’s what Alan* and I discovered as we crept up a desolate stretch of Arizona highway, necks craning behind us to see if the knife-wielding drunkard was gaining any ground.”

Continue reading at Outside Online.

With only 201 models in circulation, this Swift Industries x Kona Rove ST is a very limited edition project. Built for touring, the Rove ST comes with a limited edition headbadge, Tubus Tara Big Apple front Lowrider rack, fenders with mudflaps, limited edition Swift Industries bags, and Shimano’s GRX 600/800 group. If you’re in the Seattle area, you can rent this bike from Swift Adventure Co. Check out more photos below and all the details at Kona.