The Radavist

The work of John Slawta is a lifelong pursuit of not only creating wild paint jobs but of bicycle design and engineering. Landshark is one of the most iconic custom framebuilders and even though they have moved away from steel frames, the spirit is still out there. One of the great things about Facebook – yes, I just said that – is the way in which communities come together to show support for others and in this case, appreciation for the work of Landshark. This Facebook group is all about Landsharks and is well worth the click-through to see some truly unique and well-used bicycles.

Mike DeSalvo makes absolutely beautiful steel and titanium frames, with some of the best welds in the business. In fact, his construction is so wonderful that he teaches tig-welding at UBI. While Mike’s frames are gorgeous in terms of construction, he’s admittedly not the most creative in terms of paint designs. His job is to focus on the frame’s engineering, leaving the designs up to the owners. Truthfully, I’d never seen a DeSalvo painted until coming to Japan and seeing the Circles customer’s personal rigs. Titanium is great and all, but sometimes paint really makes the frame pop!

When it comes to pop, if I were to ask you who designs the most outrageous paint jobs for bicycles, you might answer “John Slawta of Landshark.” John’s a living legend and his paint designs have long burned the retinas of their owners and anyone who has feasted their eyes upon these bikes. John and Mike began talking and decided to make six frames with insane paint jobs. This is the first, for Circles Japan and if you’re wondering what the inspiration was, Mike told John to be “very aggressive…” See John’s full design below, which features street art and pop culture references from Warhol, Keith Haring and Banksy, with a balls to the wall spin. If you’re in Nagoya, make sure you swing by Circles to check it out in person!

Photo by Kyle Kelley

Slawta has created some of the most unique and ostentatious frame designs under his moniker Land Shark. Every time I see one of his works of art, I’m completely mesmerized, especially when neon paint is involved. Kyle recently shot this unique triple triangle track and I don’t wanna give too much of it away, so you’ll have to head over to Trackosaurus Rex to see the rest.

Landshark Bicycles will always have a home on PiNP. I just love what Slawta has done in his time as a framebuilder. Now, to celebrate a new website and a partnership with Gnar Lube, Slawta will be building a limited number of hand-built, rigid carbon 29’rs called the Gnar Shark.

I received a FedEX tube today and this print was inside, along with some Gnar Lube. How stoked am I? Pick up one of these prints at Gnar Lube and try out their lube. If you’re a baller, you better scoop one of those bikes and let me photograph it.

This thing is a beast. I just saw it at King Kog yesterday and was amazed at how great the paint job looks in person. Not to mention that head badge is the best, ever. Wilis’ Landshark pursuit has all kinds of little details that will make your mouth water, as much as your back quiver. Check out more at Milk Money!

Chari just posted photos of Wilis’ new Landshark pursuit track bike. When he told me he got this (which matches his tandem), I didn’t think it’d be so over the top. Pretty bad ass huh? Check out more at the Chari blog!

Photo by Mattie Davitt

Mattie is one bad-ass dude. He races at the track, takes photoz and has one fucking sick Landshark! There’s no other word to describe this pairing other than awesome. He posted up this photo of his new Landshark and a Sachs road bike to the NYC boards and my mouth is watering! Wanna see his Landshark alone? Click on below.

While I was at Superb today shooting the shop, I took a few minutes to photograph Jason’s Landshark roadie. I’ve always wanted a Landshark. Slawta’s work has spanned decades of cycling history and his bicycles, although garrish to some, scream personality to me.

Check out a few more photos below.

Here’s another bad-ass illustration by Halfanese. For this photo shoot, he met up with Rambo and Orange 20 lent him their precious Landshark. What a killer reference! I’d love to see what he would do with the Jess Versus and Her Lurker images! Check out more detailed illustrations at Halfanese.

Slawta‘s creations for Landshark enable the owners to build them however the hell they want and they still look absolutely stunning. Michelin pro races in purple? White Spin wheelset? Sure. Why not? One day I’ll own something garish like this!

Today, we’ve got a fine selection of used (and new) goods from the Rad Bazaar, our Group Ride subscribers‘ selling platform, featuring a NAHBS Landshark, vintage Yo Eddy frames, a Mone hardtail, and more. Let’s check it all out!

Our Radar Roundup compiles products and videos from the ‘net in an easy-to-digest format. Read on below for today’s findings…