If this doesn’t get you stoked for this weekend’s Nationals race, then you should check your pulse! CX Hairs delivers!
#cross-bike
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Reportage
Jonathan’s Singlespeed Rock Lobster Cross Bike
Purging bikes isn’t fun, unless you can sell it to a friend, or in this case, a co-worker. One of the higher ups at Mellow Johnny’s recently decided to part with his Rock Lobster singlespeed cross. It was practically new and just so happened to fit Jonathan like a glove. Best of all, Jonathan finally found a place for all those turquoise Chris King bits he had been saving.
Singlespeed builds are ridiculously beautiful, especially when they have a color combination like walnut brown and turquoise. Relying on the ever-so-stoppy, Paul Mini Motos and Pacenti SL23 hoops with Tubeless WTB Cross Boss tires, this thing will be good to go next season…
But as we all know, cross bikes are much more diverse than that. We’ll be seeing more of this beauty in the coming months, I’m sure of it.
Radar
The Radavist 2015 Calendar: January
This is the first layout of the Radavist 2015 Calendar, entitled “Roost it Out”. The camera and location are noted on the bottom left of the document.
Just because cross season is almost over, doesn’t mean you have to hang it up on the wall, or put road tires on it. Take that thing out on 1-track or 2-track and remember, #RubberSideUp
For a high-res JPG, suitable for print and desktop wallpaper*, right click and save link as – The Radavist 2015 Calendar – January. Please, this photo is for personal use only!
(*set background to white and center for optimal coverage)
Reportage
2015 Cyclocross Nationals Race Course Preview
It’s not every year that the USA Cycling Cyclocross Nationals land in your backyard. Over the past few days, the crews here in Austin have been mapping out the course, staking turns and building lots of the additions to the otherwise rough and rocky limestone outcroppings.
There are a number of places where you’ll be able to gain momentum, until it ends abruptly with sharp turns and muddy corners. The course is soaking wet today, but it’s not supposed to rain anymore until Saturday. Right now, it looks like it’ll be a blast, especially going down the main hill before the uphill barriers.
I swung by today after a ride and shot a few quick photos, after pre-riding most of the course (which isn’t allowed apparently). I’m damn impressed with how well things are shaping up.
Check out some preview photos in the Gallery.
Reportage
The Radavist’s 2014 Year in Review
This year was a whirlwind. I think I traveled somewhere around 220 days, jumping the pond a few times and yes, spending lots of time in California. But what was the pinnacle of the year was the rebrand from PiNP to the Radavist. The pinnacle because it meant more contributors, more photos and ultimately, more, good content.
Without the contributors to this site, it wouldn’t have been such a successful year. Those guys really killed it.
Before we get ahead of ourselves, let’s start from Day 01…
Radar
No 22 Bicycles: Broken Arrow Disc Complete ‘Cross Bike
No 22 Bicycles have been field testing their new cyclocross bike, the Broken Arrow, all season and are finally ready to sell them – remember what I said about good things coming to those who wait. Remember, a cross bike – especially a disc bike – is incredibly versatile.
These bikes are made from 3Al-2.5V CWSR titanium in the good ol’ USA, by men and women who have been making titanium frames for decades. Each frame is warranted for 10 years and comes built, stacked with high-end components, yet barely tipping the scales at 17.3 lbs for a size 56cm. Remember, titanium isn’t a material you chose for excessive weight savings, it’s all about the ride quality.
These bikes look outstanding and are available as a frame, or complete from No 22 Bicycles, with a five-week lead time. See more below and Happy Holidays guys!
Reportage
My Team Mudfoot Stinner ‘Cross Bike with SRAM CX1
You know the saying “good things come to those who wait?”, well, the original saying, which was shortened for public consumption was written by a cyclocross racer in Belgium back in the 1850’s. His text, which was later transcribed on his tombstone said “good things come to those who wait all ‘cross season…”
Here we are, at the end of the 2014 season, with all but two races left for the year, States and Nationals. Most of us are at our peak fitness, or maybe we’re already packing on the winter weight, but for whatever reason, suddenly I feel a lot stronger. Those parts that have been waiting for months suddenly have a home and my bike rack in the house, with that empty hook, finally has a mate. This is the peaceful twin, to the black metal steed, my Geekhouse Mudville.
When this project was first announced, I was honored to have Luis and Geoff from Mudfoot think of me to be involved. I can’t help but think Aaron Stinner may have had something to do with it as well. After a few email correspondences, Aaron agreed to ditch the “production geo” and go full custom. He asked which geometry I preferred and to be honest, I was completely satisfied with my Geekhouse, so we stuck to that for the most part, save for a half a º steeper head tube.
Radar
Low Bicycles Cyclocross Mki Frame Pre-Order
This one’s hot off the DFL race in SF last weekend, from Andrew Low himself:
“We’re taking pre- orders now at my website. Production will begin right after the end of the season – after the frame has been adequately tested, when I am satisfied there are no issues with it, and when all my current standing orders are fulfilled (about 4 months from now).
The geometry is a fairly standard with 70mm bb drop, 71.5º head tube, 74º seat tube. We will be offering 1-1/2″ tapered head tube, disk brake, and single speed as options.
In case anybody is wondering why we’re testing it so late in the season it’s because of my broken wrist this summer, I was out of commission for 3 months. Also, we plan to build her up with fancier parts, but this is the best we could do on short notice.”
Pre-order a MKi Frame for $1,550 at Low Bicycles now!
Reportage
Ch Ch Ch Ch Cherry Canyon
On my last day in Los Angeles, Sean from Team Dream and I sat in his living room, listening to the rain dump outside. Normally, a little rain doesn’t bother me, but this was torrential. You’ve heard the expression “raining cats and dogs”, right? Well this was all cats. Their claws hitting the tin awning outside Sean’s guestroom as visibility dropped to inches and the trees swayed in the wind. Dogs wouldn’t cause this much damage. It fell and fell and fell.
Los Angeles needs it.
Radar
Bombtrack: The Hook Disc Cross Bike
Here’s a quick piece from Bombtrack, featuring their new Columbus Chromor disc cross bike with SRAM Rival, the Hook. Weighing in at 22lbs for the complete build in a size medium, the Hook is designed for cross racing, trail riding and gravel rides.
See some product photos below and more information at Bombtrack.
Radar
Velo Orange’s New Dirt Drop Frame Looks Rad!
I’m liking what I see here. Dirt drops, disc brakes, MTB tire clearances and a segmented seatstay… Check out more teasers and information at the Velo Orange blog. Seriously, that bike looks so good.
Radar
Sklar Bikes: Purple ‘Cross with Ultegra 6800
I have a penchant for purple bikes and even though ‘cross is almost done for the year, it doesn’t mean we can’t keep oogling bikes like the latest from Adam Sklar.
This frame is built from OX platinum with a 44mm headtube and 142×12 spacing. This offers a stiff rear end, but an ovalized top tube bent stays offer compliance when needed. Not a lot of cross bikes have internal top tube cable routing, but this one totes it with pride.
To round it out, Adam’s client is running Ultegra 6800 with Shimano mechanicals and a Stans/DT wheelset.
I love it when bikes are built with practicality in mind. See more at Sklar’s Flickr.
Radar
The Radavist Guide to Surviving Austin During Cyclocross Nationals
Where do I eat? What’s the weather going to be like? Where can I ride? Where’s a good bar? What shop can I ship my bike to?
See the full spread below.
Radar
Breadwinner Cycles: Sparkle Pony Holeshot SS CX Bike
That’s a whole lotta bling for your buck. Disc, singlespeed cross bike with internal routing? I know cross season is almost over, but this Breadwinner Holeshot has my interest piqued. See more at the Breadwinner Flickr!
Radar
Walton Brush’s California State Champion Cinelli Cross
Photos by Mike Martin
It helps a lot when your teammate just so happens to be a expert at frame design and painting, especially when you win the 2013 California State ‘Cross Championships. Garrett Chow recently completed and photographed this bike for Mash-teammate, Walton Brush. Even if it did come at the end of the season, it’s still an incredible machine!
Check out some words by Garrett and more photos below!
Radar
Low Bicycles’ Prototype Cross Frame
Andrew Low sent this over, along with some other photos and information, but we’ll wait to share the rest for the time being. However, it seems that he’s developing cyclocross frames for TCB Courier’s team. I know it’s a bit late in the season, but these things take time and now at least the guys will have ample time to make any design changes until next season begins. Eventually, after all the details are dialed in, Andrew will add these bikes to the Low Bicycles catalog.
More information to come, for now, follow Low on Instagram.
Radar
Crash Nationals January 8th During Cross Nationals in Austin
With less than a month to go, I wanted to remind you all of this race on Thursday, January 8th during ‘Cross Nationals in Austin.
“Mark your calendars – get ready – Beat the Clock Cycling and The Radavist will be throwing one hell of an unsanctioned cross race Thursday night before Cross Nationals in Austin. There will be an afterparty, booze and fun times. More information to come.”
If you’re planning on coming to Nationals in Austin, make it a week-long event. I’d bring a beefy set of tires with you for trail riding and night lamps, not blink lights. LAMPS.
Radar
Villarocca
I always love seeing footage from this race in Italy.
