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Reviewed: A Flight of North American-Made Pedals from Blackspire, North Shore Billet, Tectonic, Tenet, Wolf Tooth, and Yoshimura

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Reviewed: A Flight of North American-Made Pedals from Blackspire, North Shore Billet, Tectonic, Tenet, Wolf Tooth, and Yoshimura

Reviewing a group of high-end, North-American-made pedals is, perhaps, best compared to reviewing a group of gourmet cheeseburgers: They are all going to be delicious, and you’ll need a pretty distinguished pallet to pull a lot of the finer details out—is that a Wisconsin smoked cheddar or Vermont? Ok, maybe I’m getting a bit off the rails here with the comparison, but the reality is: Just like two people may have differing opinions on what makes the best burger, each pair of these pedals has its own slightly distinctive flavor that may satisfy one rider more than another, or, even the same rider on different trails, bikes, or conditions.

Continue reading for Ryan LaBar’s roundup of six North American-made flat pedals including Blackspire, North Shore Billet, Tectonic, Tenet, Wolf Tooth, and Yoshimura

Probably Overkill But So Nice: Austere Manufacturing 1″ Pin Ladder Lock Review

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Probably Overkill But So Nice: Austere Manufacturing 1″ Pin Ladder Lock Review

We love the products Austere Manufacturing is producing in Northwest Washington state. Uriel Eisen’s clever designs have taken a critical look at items you can buy from hardware stores and injected real engineering into the design process, resulting in more robust, longer-lasting products that operate as well as they look.

We’ve been using the Cam straps for a while now on our bike tours and even in our 4×4 buildouts, but today, we’re checking out Uriel’s latest creation: a 1″ Pin Ladder Lock buckle (stainless pins $16.95 / ti pins $19.85). These are meant to replace the plastic ladder buckles found on your bags and packs that can break out in the backcountry.

John took delivery of some early production 1″ Pin Ladder Lock buckles and put them to work on his trusty Realm Crossbody Pack. Let’s check out the process below!

AhHa Toaster Portable Indoor/Outdoor Bike Rack Review

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AhHa Toaster Portable Indoor/Outdoor Bike Rack Review

Keeping your bikes organized in your home, apartment, office, or while on the road usually requires many different solutions. Wall hooks, ceiling-suspended racks, and cheap stands from eBay or Amazon certainly do the trick, but I’ve never seen something as well designed as the AhHa Toaster for all the above bike storage solutions.

This unique bike rack folds from flat into a sturdy, secure 5-bike rack, designed to fit up to 2.6″ tires, and still fold down to be tucked away under a bed, behind a desk, or even in the trunk of your car, your van, or road-trip mobile.

Last week I took delivery of the AhHa Toaster and immediately put it to use in my home office where I stash my vintage bikes, so let’s check it out in detail below.

A Simple Solution for a Simple Problem: A Shovel Research Rod Steward Review

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A Simple Solution for a Simple Problem: A Shovel Research Rod Steward Review

Does it get much better than small makers addressing niche demands within a niche sector of the bike industry? I don’t think so. One of my favorite parts about running this website is showcasing and highlighting cottage industry bike businesses. Shovel Research is a small machine and fabrication shop that makes well-designed products that address a niche demand. One of which is its Rod Steward, a bag support designed for the Fab’s Chest by Ron’s Bikes, but as I found out on my Rivendell Bombadil, it works well with a Rivendell Sackville BagBoy bag.

Let’s check out a quick review below…

Deadfall, Cow Sh*t, and Monsoons: A Well Used Revelate Nano Panniers Review

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Deadfall, Cow Sh*t, and Monsoons: A Well Used Revelate Nano Panniers Review

In a world where traditional bicycle touring setups are seemingly overtaking strap-on bikepacking bags, micro or mini panniers make a lot of sense. If you have a rear or front rack, why not run a pannier over a lashed, structureless bag? Panniers are great for many reasons, mainly their ease of loading and stability. They don’t flop all over or rub your tires on smaller frames like bikepacking bags tend to, and if they’re packed and mounted right, they stay out of your way during the inevitable hike-a-bike. Plus, depending on how you load your rear rack, you can still use a dropper post. 

John recently took the new Revelate Nano Panniers ($250/pair) out on the Northern New Mexico CDT for four days of navigating deadfall, battling cow shit, and being trounced by Southwestern Monsoons, i.e., the true test of a pannier’s reliability!

Read on for his well-used review!

In Stock For Now: The Radavist Summer ’23 Merch Drop

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In Stock For Now: The Radavist Summer ’23 Merch Drop

We just stocked our full Summer 2023 drop over at The Radavist Webshop, featuring new sock designs, including our Rangefinder in obsidian or cobalt, Mycelium in obsidian and natural, and Tecopa in tufa designs, a 32oz Radavist Expedition Bottle, and a new Caninae Jersey in both short and long sleeves in olive or lavender, perfect for year-round riding.

The full drop is in stock and shipping today from The Radavist Webshop.

We want to take this moment to thank you for your support. Your merchandise purchases go directly to this website’s annual budget. The profits pay our contributors a premium rate for their hard work, large-format media projects, and salaries. This website only generates money from our display ads and merch sales. Your support keeps the stoke high over here; we’re forever grateful!

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!  

I Don’t Want Anything That’s Fast: The Bikes of Spencer Connell

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I Don’t Want Anything That’s Fast: The Bikes of Spencer Connell

Spencer and I have been riding bikes together for 15 years. Since then, Spencer developed a career building and repairing guitars in Nashville, Tennessee. Back when we were younger, we spent a lot of time hanging around our local bike shop,  Halcyon, and working on our bikes on their community stands. His bikes are deeply practical, very unique, and kind of clapped out. I’m not here to tell anyone what to do, but I wish more people built and rode bikes like Spencer. Recently I went to Nashville, and I took some time to document his bikes and ask him a few questions about his builds. Below, let’s check out what he had to say…

There and Back Again: Inside Line Equipment Travel Pack Review

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There and Back Again: Inside Line Equipment Travel Pack Review

Inside Line Equipment and The Radavist go way, way back. John helped Eric from ILE design the brand’s first camera pack back in 2011, which has gone through many iterations since. He’s also put the Photo Mini Bag through the wringer, which remains one of his favorite pieces of US-made gear. ILE makes solid bags for on and off-the-bike outings, all sewn in the Bay Area.

Today we’re sharing something a little different. Earlier this year, ILE announced the Travel Pack. It’s a bag designed to be the perfect size for a weekend+ trip, to fit in an overhead bin on an airplane or train, and has a lot of smart features. John recently took it overseas and has some thoughts to share, so read on for his full review.

2023 Enve Grodeo and Builder Round-Up Part 2: Sycip, Rock Lobster, Wish One, Moots, Scarab, Quirk, Boredure, Breadwinner, ENVE

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2023 Enve Grodeo and Builder Round-Up Part 2: Sycip, Rock Lobster, Wish One, Moots, Scarab, Quirk, Boredure, Breadwinner, ENVE

Today we are back with part two of Spencer Harding‘s ENVE Grodeo and Builder Round-up coverage. If you missed the builds featured in yesterday’s post, we’d recommend going back and giving them a gander—3D-printed parts (most ti but some steel, too!) seems to be the unofficial theme for the year but there’s plenty to see across the creative spectrum! Today, we finish up with the remaining frame builders in the showcase—with a few more overseas features—then we head out on the weekend’s main event, a 92-mile gravel ride on some of the best dirt in the northern Wasatch Mountains. Let’s dive in!  

Just Send It: Rogue Panda’s New Ripsey and Updated Stem Bags

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Just Send It: Rogue Panda’s New Ripsey and Updated Stem Bags

Rogue Panda has been busy overhauling and updating their entire bag lineup as of late. Spencer got his hands on the updated Bismarck and Happy Jack stem bags as well as their total redesign of the Ripsey seat bag. The Ripsey is a big step forward for bikepacking-style seat bags especially when used on a dropper post and the Happy Jack and Bismarck also have some nice touches that warrant a second look.

Preorders are Open For the RiG’d Supply RambleSwing: Reviewing the First Bike Rack Swingout with 300lb Capacity

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Preorders are Open For the RiG’d Supply RambleSwing: Reviewing the First Bike Rack Swingout with 300lb Capacity

Known for the Ultraswing spare tire and accessory swing out, in addition to the RambleRack bike rack, Southern California-based RiG’d Supply makes hitch racks that are burly enough for off-road use, yet convenient and intuitive for everything else. Today, RiG’d announced a preorder for their newest product, the RambleSwing, which is the first swingout for bike racks we’ve seen to boast a 300-pound carrying capacity in addition to a list of other clever features. Josh got his hands on a prototype RambleSwing a few weeks ago and, below, offers a look at some highlights and fitment considerations using his F-150 and 1UP USA Super Duty 4-bike rack.

In Stock Now: The Radavist “Case Study” Bottles and Socks

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In Stock Now: The Radavist “Case Study” Bottles and Socks

If you’ve been a fan of The Radavist for long enough, you might remember when John was a full-time architect at the beginning of the website’s early days. Years later, that architecture bug has still got him, particularly in mid-century design. That’s where the inspiration for our Case Study bottles and socks came from. We converted a hand-drawn text treatment of “Radavist” into a parti pattern that wraps around these Case Study Socks and Water Bottles with an abstract, geometric flow.

Case Study Sock Specs:

  • Sockguy Turbo Wool, which is thick, soft, and very comfy
  • Unisex fit: S/M fits W6-10 and M5-9; L/XL fits W10-14 and M10-13.
  • Designed by Cari Carmean
  • Made in the USA

Case Study Bottle Specs:

  • Purist 22oz bottle with MoFlo cap
  • 100% BPA free
  • Printed with non-toxic ink
  • Sold as a single bottle: 1 order = 1 bottle

Both are in stock and shipping today from The Radavist Webshop.

Skidaway Special: Building and Racing a ‘54 Schwinn Klunker

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Skidaway Special: Building and Racing a ‘54 Schwinn Klunker

Taylor‘s journey to rediscovering a love for bicycles included building a modern klunker from a 1954 Schwinn Hornet frameset. After plenty of experimentation with parts and modifications, an unlikely entry into a local race would prove fortuitous for Taylor and his vintage rig. Continue reading below for a detailed rundown of Taylor’s build project, racing his klunker at local events, and more from Skidway Island!

Don’t Tell Me You Like It: An Extended Review of The Argonaut GR3 Gravel Bike

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Don’t Tell Me You Like It: An Extended Review of The Argonaut GR3 Gravel Bike

Argonaut’s GR3 gravel bike combines the trademarked GravelFirst geometry with a custom rider-specific carbon layup to create what the Bend, Oregon-based frame and component builder claim to be a “rip-capable gravel bike unlike any other.” So, what does Petor Georgallou‘s time as a high schooler working at a video rental shop have to do with the Argonaut GR3? And, if he tells you he likes the bike, will you even believe him? Read on to find out…