The Radavist

I first heard of Strawberry a few years back when I saw my friend Cassandra’s dual 24″ track bike. Ever since that moment, I feel like I see them all the time. My friend Andres has a dual 650c Strawberry roadie with a wishbone seat stay and mind-numbingly gorgeous details. The Velo Cult crew knows their framebuilders and Strawberry falls right in their top 10 favs. Anthony visited Strawberry and took a ton of amazing photos during his Portland trip.

Do yourself a favor and check out his trip photos!

Anthony at Velo Cult shot me a photo teaser from his recent trip to Portland to check out Vanilla and other frame builders. Turns out that his teaser photo is my favorite from the set. How fitting is that? Check out the entire photo-set right here at Velo Cult.

I picked up a variation of this Chuey-brand cap while I was in San Diego last summer and I’m stoked the guys decided to re-issue it with a new colorway. Red, white and blue to show their pride in American framebuilders and the trails that take us all home. Grab one here for $30.

Check out the new hoodies below!

Taj Mihelich (if you don’t know…) has launched his own company under the Odyssey family called Fairdale Bicycles. There are many models in the works but this is the first from the builders. To give us a little introduction on Fairdale’s intent as a brand, Taj breaks it down:

Fairdale is the brand for all my friends who ask me what kind of bike they should get just for riding around town. In the past, I always struggled to find a good answer for them. So many bikes are too focused on racing, extremeness, trends, are dorky looking or just bogged down with too much flakey technology. On the other hand, BMX, with its simple functionality, has taught me that the technology of a bike rarely increases the fun of riding it.

Sounds rad man. I can get down with that. Read up on Fairdale Bicycles here and thanks to Adam 22 of the Come Up for the heads.

The Philadelphia Bike Expo is approaching. From October 30th – 31st, the 23rd Street Armory will be transformed into a plethora of bicycle porn. Filled with frame builders and companies from all over, it’s bound to be a good time! Right now, if you buy a 2-day event pass, you can get a free poster. I just spent my $20. See you there?

Previously:
Philadelphia Bike Expo Update
Philadelphia Bike Exposition

I had a blast and made a grip of cash at the last Brooklyn Bike Jumble. It’s returning this weekend, along with Bike Shorts at the Old Stone House. Check out more information below, along with the bike shorts flier. You don’t wanna miss this!

One of the most sought-after Italian framebuilders is Pogliaghi. The Italcorse track bikes are absolutely stunning examples of pure Italian craft, fetching pretty pennies on eBay and at swaps. Right now, there’s a 57cm red Italcorse track (#9606) on eBay for the reasonable price of $1,450. Remember, these will sometimes fetch twice that! Damn, that’s a pretty bike! If anything, check out the rest of the photos at the listing page.

You won’t see Pogliaghi putting out shitty Taiwanese frames anytime soon!

Here’s an update to the Philadelphia Bike Exposition that’s coming up at the end of October. There will be a fashion show and a swap put on by NY Bike Jumble, along with the bike expo. A lot of great builders will be there and a small group of us are probably going to ride there from NYC. If you’re down, we’ll be posting updates and information for that ride shortly. Oh, it’s on Halloween so it’ll be interesting!

Previously:
Philadelphia Bike Exposition

Brian Baylis is a living legend. In the US-framebuilders circles, the work that Brian produces is synonymous with perfection. To show their appreciation for the master craftsman, Velo Cult recently visited Baylis’ new workshop and because they’re Velo Cult, they brought along their camera.

For a jaw-dropping look into the Brian Baylis Workshop check out Velo Cult‘s blog entry!

So yeah, I know this is out of the normal content but I just gotta say “mad respect” to US companies taking production back to the US. Seriously. This is why I love brands like Outlier and local framebuilders . Matix’s Capital Collection is doing it right.

The Richard Sachs headbadge is hands down one of the best out of all the modern steel builders. I’m not usually one to claim the symmetry bug but man, it works here every time. Check out the details on this frameset at e-Richie’s Flickr.

Hot damn! Marty and the crew at Geekhouse are just killing it with the Woodville bikes. Like Rivendell for the new generation, the Boston-based builders will not stop! Just wait till you see what’s in store for this year’s NAHBS. Hint hint. Check out more photos right here at the Geekhouse Flickr!

This Thursday at the Rapha Cycle Club they guys are celebrating the Rapha Continental. They plan on having a bunch of builders in attendance, along with continental riders and bikes, and a new exhibit in their photo gallery. Don’t miss out! It’ll be a great opportunity to see some awesome bikes and talk with some talented frame builders.

There are very few bicycles that are more beautiful than steel cross bikes. Out of all the northeastern US builders, Indy Fab sure comes close to taking the cake for some of the sexiest-looking cross bikes. Add the German eye to building (care of Crema Cycles) and you’re in for a real treat. Check out the IF Blog for more photos of this beautiful bicycle!

Tracko had the scoop on Kinfolk‘s new project with Coat, Brooks and Kara Ginther. He also had a much nicer image than the original Wallpaper* article. That being said, here’s the PR from Wallpaper*:

Despite the perils of potholes and truckers’ blind spots, team Wallpaper* are committed urban cyclists. So committed that we commissioned a bike that could be broken down, packed in a bespoke bag and loaded on a plane, with no excess baggage charge, and taken with us wherever we went. The project pulled in a wide range of craftsmen collaborators from the US, UK and Japan — frame builders, designers, paint specialists, saddle makers, leather carvers and bag and luggage makers — to ensure that every element of the bike was as beautifully put together as it could be.

Not a bad looking project. I’d build it up proper, that’s for sure.

God is in the details. I’ve said that line many times before and if there’s one thing that separates Independent Fabrications from other builders is their attention to detail. Take these Ti FLW Dropouts. So slick! Follow the IF blog for progress on this project.

Joey Krillz has the inside scoop on the new Grime frameset. Hand built in Brooklyn at the Squarebuilt facilities, out of 4130, these frames will take 26″ or 700c wheels. Here’s what Krillz has to say about them:

The YOMANG! is 26″ specific and fits up to 2.5″ tires. Specifically formulated by Mike Schmitt and Wonka. Designed for optimum response and durability. Stairsets and handrails are this bikes best friend. Videos to come. 2″ downtube, 1.25″ toptube, dutchmaster sized mtb seatstays and philly blunt sized mtb chainstays in the sexiest S bend ever, created by some of Brooklyns best frame builders. CNC’d Hourglass integrated headtube and MID bottom bracket. Built by rippers for rippers in Bedford Stuyvesent NEW YORK. Limited GRIME GREEN colorway. Forks are 420mm and 410mm. 73 HTA 73 STA All frames ship with ANIMAL headsets BC ANIMAL is sick.

Via Smashenger

I told myself I wasn’t going to post anything but BFF-related news and events this week. That was until I saw this little beauty pop up on Bike Jerks. Remember Jeff’s custom Peacock Groove project? Well, it’s done and holy shit, it’s gorgeous! I feel like I’ve been saying that a lot lately. All the US-framebuilders are getting some much-deserved recognition!

Check out more photos at Bike Jerks!

Previously:
Jeff Frane’s Peacock Groove Project