2024 Bespoked Dresden Part 03: Abes, Actofive, Avalanche, Cicli Bonanno, Cyber Cycles, Garage 66, King Fabrications, Qvist, Raketa, Starfish, SON, and Tim Tas + Rek

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2024 Bespoked Dresden Part 03: Abes, Actofive, Avalanche, Cicli Bonanno, Cyber Cycles, Garage 66, King Fabrications, Qvist, Raketa, Starfish, SON, and Tim Tas + Rek

We still have loads more to share from an uber-busy weekend at the Bespoked artisan framebuilder and maker showcase in Dresden, Germany! Today, our 2024 Bespoked Dresden Part 03 reportage features some stunning bicycles and products from Abes, Actofive, Avalanche, Cicli Bonanno, Cyber Cycles, Garage 66, King Fabrications, Qvist, Raketa, Starfish, SON, and Tim Tas + Rek. Continue reading below for a look at more stunning craftwork…

Bespoked X SRAM Inclusivity Scholarship 2024: King Fabrications

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Bespoked X SRAM Inclusivity Scholarship 2024: King Fabrications

Our European correspondent Petor Georgallou recently visited four North American framebuilders who have been awarded SRAM’s Inclusivity Scholarship to attend Bespoked in Dresden, Germany, on October 18–20. In the fourth chapter of this series, Petor joins Li King of Berkeley, Ca of King Fabrications. Petor chats with Li about their lifetime dream to become a welder and NorCal’s specific style as they prepare to head to Germany.

2023 Bespoked Handmade Bicycle Show Part 3: Avalanche, Ballern, Black Sheep, CMG, Fern, Huhn, Rheintritt, Rossman, Repete, and Timba

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2023 Bespoked Handmade Bicycle Show Part 3: Avalanche, Ballern, Black Sheep, CMG, Fern, Huhn, Rheintritt, Rossman, Repete, and Timba

The 2023 Bespoked Handmade Bicycle Show just wrapped after three action-packed days of talks, parties, and drooling over the heaps of amazing craftsmanship on display. Josh was on the ground at the Dresden, Germany airport where this year’s event took place, and, below, shares his final gallery of bikes and a couple of interesting components. Let’s get right into it!

Clint’s SaltAir Cycles Twentysixie Fixed Gear

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Clint’s SaltAir Cycles Twentysixie Fixed Gear

While the 2023 Enve Grodeo was chock-full of some of the snazziest bespoke all-road bikes from around the world, Spencer Harding’s eye was caught by an eccentric build noticeably absent from the show floor. Fortunately, he was able to get the bike’s owner, Clint, to stop throwing skids long enough to snag a closeup. Pulling influence from some strange corners of the bike world and outfitting the frame with some amazing and unique parts, Clint’s SaltAir stood out for more reasons than its single rear cog. Clint rode this pink dream on all 92 miles of the Enve Grodeo, a feat in itself regardless of it being a fixed gear 26-er. Let’s have a closer look!  

Bikes, Products, and People from Sea Otter Classic 2023: Part One

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Bikes, Products, and People from Sea Otter Classic 2023: Part One

Sea Otter Classic is one of the largest annual cycling festivals in the world. Each April since 1991, cyclists of all persuasions have descended on Laguna Seca Raceway outside of Monterey, CA to cheer on professional and amateur racers, as well as check out the latest and greatest in cycling technology at the massive vendor expo.

And this year, that tech happened to be especially late and great, and there was more to talk about than usual. Maybe it’s because there were more exhibitors in attendance than normal. Maybe it’s the easing of strains on the supply chain. Whatever it was, Josh Weinberg and Travis Engel were on the ground all weekend and, over the next few days, will be sharing their findings and observations from the massive event. So, let’s get into it below!

Mission Crit 7: The Return of the Classic

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Mission Crit 7: The Return of the Classic

Like many events and people in recent times, the Mission Crit came back to life this year after a bit of time off. Call it what you will, a vacation, perhaps. Regardless, for the first time in two years Mission Crit founder/race director James Grady dusted off the bullhorn, timing equipment, cones and barriers to run a race that is currently one of a kind. Since the unfortunate folding of Brooklyn’s Red Hook Criterium in 2019, the Mission Crit has remained as the sole surviving high profile fixed gear criterium race in existence.

That Guy Has Style for Days: Gideon’s Madrean 27.5″ Hardtail

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That Guy Has Style for Days: Gideon’s Madrean 27.5″ Hardtail

Over the past year, I’ve had quite a few people roll through Santa Fe on road trips. Knowing Covid is still running rampant all up and down the Rockies, I usually opt for a meet-up outdoors. Whether that means for a cup of coffee or a bike ride, I like catching up with people but want to err on the side of safety these days. Last March, our good friend Gideon came through town with his new-to-him Madrean 27.5 hardtail. If you recall our Shop Visit with Madrean – and our older Shop Visit from 2013 with Cycles d’Autremont – then you’ll recognize Hubert d’Autremont’s handiwork…

Readers’ Rides: Nick’s Self-Made Fat Front Fixed Gear

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Readers’ Rides: Nick’s Self-Made Fat Front Fixed Gear

Readers’ Rides aren’t meant to be all 26″ wheeled basket bikes and there’s nothing wrong with that. Part of the joy we get from running this segment is the home-made, garage-cooked creations. Take this submission for example. Nick couldn’t fit on any production frames so he built his own frame. Then to up the ante, he put a fat fork on the front for some winter shenanigans… Read on below for more!