The Radavist

If there was ever to be a gilded knight in the Speedvagen guard, it would have to be the Urban Racer. This bike was the most polarizing figure in the small framebuilding community that I can remember. I will say however, over the past few weeks, I’ve seen a number of people take the Urban Racer platform as inspiration to build their own budget versions. When’s the last time you can recall a small side project like the UR have an effect like that?

After the initial release, Sacha and the folks at Speedvagen made this insane gilded Urban Racer for a client and the photos pop like the Vegas skyline.

Sure, this bike isn’t for everyone, but can all appreciate something as insane as this, right? And it’s made by hand in Portland, Oregon. Check out more photos at the Speedvagen Flickr.

Quite simply put:

“The Urban Racer is the latest offering in the Speedvagen line, lightweight with nimble handling and dialed race fit geometry. Designed as a super commuter, getting you around town as fast as possible. Minimal, modern and shred ready, the Urban Racer is the answer for the discerning cyclist who wants to go fast and take chances in the city.”

Great video Field Theory Pictures!

FBM has been working on their Raconteur city bikes for a while now. As a small, independently owned, domestic production bicycle company, it’s hard to front all the money up front for a full size run, so they’re taking pre-orders via a Kickstarter campaign. Pricing is more than fair, at $750 for a frame and completes ranging from $1700 to $2,360 so if you want to place an order, do so now!

Expected delivery is March 2015. These look great guys!

These videos are always simple ways of representing that new bike feeling… Also, dig through the archives and catch the Yamaguchi Experience by the same author.

Photo by Eric Baumann

A porteur bike is a great companion for city riding. Loaded or unloaded, it’s nestled in a sweet spot of trail and will quickly become your favorite all-arounder. I’m sure that’s what Ruth will find out soon enough with her new Royal H Cycles! See more at the Royal H Flickr.

Looking for a touring rig for under $1,300? Check out Fairdale’s new Drop Weekender. Like all of their 2015 bikes, they’ve written up an explanation on the Fairdale Blog. For a play by play of this bike’s bells and whistles (just kidding, it doesn’t come with a bell or a whistle), head over and check it out.

My favorite is still the Goodship!

This year, the Oregon Manifest changed gears into the Bike Design Project. The idea was simple: five cities, five builders and five design offices would propose, construct and test a bicycle that was born from the DNA of their city’s unique demands.

Chicago’s MNML x Method Bicycle is pictured above, see the rest below and head over to the Bike Design Project to cast your vote. Which one do you think is my favorite?

The dudes at Breadwinner are really killing it with their personal steeds. Here’s Tony Pereira’s personal Arbor Lodge. The details on this thing are insane, so you’ll have to go to the Breadwinner Flickr to see them all!

Cafe du Cycliste‘s tailored approach to city riding is at home in the French Riviera as much as it is in your streets.

Kaufmann Mercantile, the New York based online store for carefully selected, long-lasting, and well-designed goods announces the launch of the Horse Cycles x KM City Cruiser. Each City Cruiser is made by hand in Horse Cycles’ Brooklyn shop, features a Brooks saddle, with matching grips and includes a copper head badge, where purchasers may have up to five letters engraved to personalize their rides.

“Working with Thomas of has been an interesting and rewarding process, and we are excited to be launching these simple, beautiful bikes with him” says KM Product Developer, Gavin Logan.

Designed specifically for KM, the City Cruiser is available exclusively at Kaufmann-Mercantile.com.

Since 1994, Rivendell Bicycle Works have been supplying the Unracers of the world with practical, classy and comfortable options for riding. Now in their 20th year of business, the brand has pulled together a freaking incredible catalog, reminiscent of Grant’s days at Bridgestone…

Don’t miss the 20th edition of the Rivendell Bicycle Works catalog!

There are some great details on the latest build from Sizemore and some that I wish were explained a little more (like the custom theft-resistant seat mast). The tri-tube stem and rear derailleur cable routing are pretty boss though! See more at Sizemore.

Now that’s a proper collaboration. Shinola’s TrueTemper 3-Speed Bixby got a little facelift by the hands at Filson. Front and rear racks are accompanied by the timelessly-constructed Filson rack and pannier bags. The frame is painted in the Filson green and the pricepoint sits right at $2,900. See more information at Filson!