The Radavist

Factory 5 has refined their F550 frame and debuted the F550S. 1 1/2″ tubing, carbon fork and a slick new paint job are just a few of the upgrades. See more information at Factory 5!

For this year’s SSCXWC, Raleigh designed a limited edition cross frameset, complete with the Tamland dropouts (which look damn fine). Wait, a SSCX bike with vertical dropouts? What’s going on here? Well, as per the details here on this high-tech PDF, Raleigh is actually encouraging you to chop your derailleur hanger into a bottle opener. Which, I might add, is fucking amazing.

The best part is the price: $670! Scoop one up at the SSCXWC Philly’s webstore!

The Cinelli Mash Histogram has been immensely popular over the years but it wasn’t until this year’s model that I’ve personally been stoked on it. Polished aluminum with a graphic overlay always looks amazing. These framesets are now in stock at MASH, so if you’re in need of a new track frame, go check them out!

The guys at Heavy Pedal have creates something so strange and so weird that it just works! Introducing their Zephyr track frameset:

“We decided that we wanted to make a bike within the last year. At a time when everyone seems to be rushing to make the cheapest bike out of the cheapest materials for the wrong reasons— we decided to take a step back and do some research. What we gathered was our deep appreciation for NJS bikes, the Cannondale Track and also bike designers that were driven to stand out, like Landshark (none of which have any affiliation to us). So, when we decided that The Heavy Pedal would make a bike we took all three, great ideas into account. We introduce to you, Zephyr.”

Check out more photos and specs below!

… as a cow and I love it. Even the half-painted stem. Check out more of this insane bike at the Firefly Flickr.

Kinoko Cycles just got in their newest Dart track bike stock. 44mm head tube, oversized tubing and sick paint designed by Will Rei. Look, this is one of the sickest steel track bikes on the market. Don’t fuck around, pick one up at Kinoko Cycles!

Affinity Cycles is putting on a pre-order for their 2014 frames, including this “asphalt” Kissena. Here’s the full scoop:

“Affinity is proud to launch our 2014 line up of World Championship quality track frames. Online now in our storeyou can now pre order our full range including the Lo Pro, Kissena and Metropolitan frame and fork sets.

Check out the limited edition black chrome Lo Pro’s, the new asphalt black Kissena and since black rules, we made a matte black Metro as well. To suite our simple color ways and clean design aesthetic, we’ve decided to come clean off with our graphics except for our A logo which is CNC machined into every new Affinity.”

Head over to Affinity for more information!

Speaking of the Red Hook Crit, Wit Industries and Koga’s latest endeavor stirred up a bit of recognition when Fish won the Red Hook Crit Barcelona on it. Now, Wit has these frames in stock, in a Scandium and 7005 aluminum version. Head over to Wit Industries for more information and pick one up here.

Ohhhh man. I can always post a photo of a Bishop Bikes seat cluster. It’s like Chris’ signature and he didn’t hold back on his latest work. See more of Brian’s track frame at the Bishop Flickr!

I love paint jobs like this, found on the newest custom frame from Colossi, the Bobby Brown road. See more at the Colossi Flickr.

I’m sure it’s maddening as a viewer of this site being constantly bombarded with high-end, custom bikes on a daily basis. Meanwhile, your apprehension and financial situation has you riding something from [insert big brand here]. Not that there is anything wrong with that. The best bike for you is the one you are able to ride.

In the time I’ve been covering frame building, builders and custom bicycles, I’ve dealt with this internal debate: am I being exclusive here? Custom and production frame building is anything but exclusive, it is however something that requires financial planning. I’m here to break it down for you in what I’m so nonchalantly calling “A Guide to Buying Your First Custom Bicycle”.

Check out more below.

Ira and Tony at Breadwinner Cycles just recently announced the production of their Arbor Lodge porteur bike. While a porteur might not be for everyone, you’d have to find a pretty good reason to not want a ride like the Arbor Lodge. The integrated u-lock is such a rad detail. See more information at Breadwinner.

When Mitch from Map Cycles first told me about this project, I was beyond stoked. So many people want to pick up a classy, made in the USA touring bike but can’t completely break the bank. Not saying this project will be cheap by any means, but it’s a pretty good deal. Here’s the deal from Map:

“Collaboration between Steelman Cycles and myself (Steelman & Pryor, hence S&P). Frame, fork, racks and wet paint from $3000. Stock sized, custom fit and finish. We have a 53, 55, and 57 cm left in our first batch and more to come soon.”

Join the email list at mapbicycles.com/ for full details.

FBM has been making their Sword track frames in the USA since day one and now, they’re just posted up a full size run in three colors on their site. See more details at FBM, order one through your local FBM shop or scoop one here.

This just in from the crew at Dosnoventa:

“We proudly present the Barcelona Lugs, our new frame inspired in the japanese keirin competitions. Made of Spirit Columbus steel in black color with all details handpainted in gold.”

Check out more photos and purchasing information at Dosnoventa.

The guys at No 22 have been working hard to get their bike company off the ground. One of their recent customer builds is this Great Divide road with Shimano Ultegra 6800. I really, really love the total package here. Check out more at the No 22 Flickr!

Interested in one? They’re offering this package as a stock build for $4,499 CDN. Email sales@22bicycles.com for details.

I made a comment on Twitter this morning about “cross practice”. To me, bike control is inherently more important than learning mounting and dismounting techniques. If you’re new to cross, riding in the woods will teach you everything you need to know, from cornering, dismounting, run ups and bunnyhopping. Clinics are great and I fully support them but you’ll learn more eating shit on a trail than riding in a grass field.

You can learn other techniques as you go, but bike control is going to win you a race, not saving a fraction of a second on your dismount (especially if you’re a new rider / racer). Get out in the woods and get rad. Ride, have fun and eventually, you will be damn good at it and make it look easy! As exhibited here by Matt Hall on the new Breadwinner Cycles Hole Shot cyclocross bike.

Granted Matt Hall has been racing cross in Portland for over a decade… Check out more lovely detail shots of this rad bike at Breadwinner and apologies for my Monday morning rantings.