The Radavist

Michael Sieben and Taj Mihelich have been friends since the early days of T-1. So it only made sense that when their respective companies, Roger Skateboards and Fairdale blossomed, they should do a collaboration. Skateboarding is a great way to get around but by the time you get to the spot or the park, you’re already toast, especially in the Summer heat. So these two businessmen thought, hey, why not make a bike that embodies both of our brands and add some pizzazz to it?

The Fairdale Parser Roger Skateboards edition is just that. A simple commuter, stripped down to the basics and with a little extra bounce for the buck. This limited run of 50 will come in Fairdale sizing of 10 small completes, 30 medium, and 10 large. They’ll be built, as shown, minus the hand brake (production model will have a coaster brake), will feature the new Fairdale Archer Bars, a complete Roger skateboard and the new Fairdale Cargo Skaterack.

This is their final sample, done in-house with spraypaint, so expect a much nicer production paint. Retail is $800 and they can be ordered through Full Factory Distribution via your LBS, late May 2012.

Check out more by clicking the photo above or here to open in a new tab.

I’ve long admired Tyler Evans’ photography. His work at Firefly is a large reason for their success. Social media, photography and a steady flow of both are a must in today’s internet age. That’s the main reason I post so much of their work, of course if their work was shit, I wouldn’t post it…

One of the reader-submitted site improvements are Guest Galleries and we’ll start off the frame builder’s guild with Tyler’s beautiful photos of their recently-complete E.P.U.C. bicycle. That’s Extra-Plus-Ultra-Commuter in case you were wondering!

Check out more by clicking the photo above or here to open in a new tab. Full specs are listed below.

Two names you can’t go wrong with in the style category of cycling is Beloved and Rapha. You’ve most likely heard of the latter but Beloved was a new name to me up until last summer, when I toured the Chris King facilities prior to my tour. Their niche is deeply tied to their slogan “Let Us Chase the Sun” and it’s only fitting that these bikes are born in the Pacific Northwest where chasing the sun is a literal activity. Marketing aside, Beloved makes timeless bicycles with details to match. Most of this bike was made in the USA and that’s a huge plus in my book.

This Rapha Every Day townie bike sits pretty in the Cycle Club SF window, so I took it outside for some lens love and SF sun (i.e. overcast)…

Check out more by clicking the photo above or here to open in a new tab.

The guys at Outlier have come a long way from their original workwear pants. Growth, both in a product line and prowess is a sign of a successful business and each time I return to NYC, I’m amazed at how much they’re expanding. They now have an in-house prototyping studio, as well as numerous  new employees, all aiding in their slow and steady conquest of cycling-friendly dresswear. I spent the afternoon with Tyler and Abe last week and shot some simple photos of their well-lit studio in Brooklyn.

Follow @Outlier on Twitter, Instagram and their new Facebook page.

Check out more by clicking the photo above or here to open in a new tab

Mitch from Map Bicycles‘ work was some of the nicest at the 2012 NAHBS. Every last detail on all of his bikes was well thought out and constructed with care. My favorite was his French-fendered, triple triangle, porteur city bike. I could spend all day with out outdoors, giving it lens love but unfortunately, every time I went by the booth, it was being swarmed with people. Other bikes in the booth included a full-loaded touring bike and a gorgeous road frame, complete with barcons and Mafac-brakes. It was great to finally put a face to a name and a company. Next time I see Mitch, hopefully it’ll be on his home turf. Till then, be sure to check out the gallery.

Gallery

Nate Meschke and Matt Cardinal are Signal Cycles, a framebuilding company, nestled in Portland. Their booth was filled with all kinds of brightly-colored eye candy, right down to their incredible bike stand, holding a shiny red Di2 road bike. Others included a step-through city bike with racks, a fendered road bike and probably my favorite, a commuter with a Edelux lamp and robin’s egg blue paint.

Chatting with and hanging out with Nate and Matt just solidifies their company for me. It’s easy to support a company when it’s backed by two talented, humble people. Check out more from the 2012 NAHBS Signal Cycles booth below.

Gallery

This year, more than any other year at NAHBS, I got to talk face to face with the builders and their assistants. I took more time listening to their process and their pains. It’s not easy building bicycles in the States and sometimes, things get a little rough financially.

Earlier this year, Bruce Gordon put out an SOS (shop on stress) and the framebuilding world responded. Now, I’m not saying their shop is slammed, but business picked up and Bruce has some new products on the way. Cantis, toe clips and even a nice, 700c gum wall touring tire, made by Panaracer in Japan. It looks like Bruce Gordon is doing a lot better. His booth’s pride was a carbon road bike with details for days.

The townie and commuting bike contingency was rather large this year. More and more people are ditching their cars for handlebars and Ahearne Cycles showed off a few recent builds. My favorite was the blue townie, complete with bamboo lock box and rotating child seat. It even has foot pegs. Other goodies included his Sheldon Brown flasks and shirts.

DiNucci Cycles‘ bikes included a raw road frame and a classic road bike with Curtis Odom tri-arm sport cranks. Sharing the same booth was Vendetta Cycles, who returned with their ever-so-popular Columbus MAX track bike. This bright green beast had everyone drooling. I always love seeing how people use MAX on track bikes and this bike’s custom pinstriping just takes it over the top!

See all this in the Gallery.