The Radavist

I’ve yet to see many Inglis Cycles in person. Usually, I run across Retrotecs in my travels and it doesn’t matter where I am in the world, there will always be a Retrotec somewhere. Since moving to California, my interactions have doubled, if not tripled. That said, I’ve maybe seen one or two Inglis Cycles in person. So what’s the difference? Well, it should be obvious to the trained eye. Retrotec Cycles feature classic automotive motifs. Checkered badges, colors inspired by classic cars and swoopy, sometimes double top tubes, with bent stays. Retrotecs have been compared to looking like classic cruisers from the Stingray-era Schwinn factory, while Inglis Cycles are more straight forward, less swoopy but still made by Curtis Inglis in Napa.

Here’s where Kobi comes into play. He’s Curtis’ intern. After building a frame for his senior project, Curtis asked him if he wanted to help him out in the day to day operations of Inglis / Retrotec Cycles. Kobi has raced ‘cross on this bike, he’s crashed the bike and ridden it all over California. While Kobi was in town for FYF, I photographed his bike at Golden Saddle, where I gave him directions to ride Mt. Lukens. Let’s hope he got out to climb the highest point in the city of Los Angeles, topping out at over 5,000’.

A Ponderosa Cyclery + Tour Capricorn ‘Cross Bike
Photos by Kyle Kelley, words by John Watson

If it’s a Ponderosa Cyclery + Tour bike, from the shop’s archives anyway, then it’s Vince’s. As Kyle mentioned in his Shop Visit galley, Vince is a collector of rarities, including this Capricorn ‘Cross bike. Bradley Wilson builds under the name Capricorn, out of my home state of North Carolina. His bikes have a constructeur feel, with a clean aesthetic, devoid of ostentation. Instead, Bradley’s bikes have a personality that beckons to be used, just not abused. This build is top notch, with the DA7400 shifters, XT rear mech and original Chris King headset.

Vince from Ponderosa Cyclery has clearly used this bike, with lots of beausage present and knowing bike shop owners, he relishes every pedal stroke.

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MinneCycle 2017: Cecil Behringer Matching Road and Track Bikes
Photos and words by Jarrod Bunk

Cecil Behringer started his love affair with bikes at age 17, racing around the track.  Soon after he had to leave bikes behind to join the war at the time. While in the Navy Cecil learned more and more about metals, so much so that some years later he created a lugged Ti frame using an oven (the first one in the world).

His work has a similar approach to Wyganowski, and that with good reason, he is the first in the lineage of builders that taught the like of Terry Osell and Tim Paterek, who then taught Paul Wyganowski.  This is apparent in the use of open tubesets, again to help with the breathing of the frame, and reduce interal corrosion and rust.

This matching set of bicycles was on loan from the Cycling Museum of Minnesota, with similar details spread between both bikes, like the stamped Behringer “top eyes”, Dura-Ace cranks, and Columbus tubesets.  Thank you to the Cycling Museum of Minnesota for bringing out these two beautiful bicycles.  For more information you can check out the Cycling Museum of Minnesota here.

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MinneCycle 2017: Prairie Crow Bikeworks Shred-Muter
Photos and words by Jarrod Bunk

Prairie Crow Bikeworks makes one beautiful bike.  Based out of Minneapolis,  Alex specializes in custom and limited run bikes, he had this shred-muter at the show.

I love touring style bikes that can handle larger rubber, the Surly Knard/Velocity Cliffhanger combo really makes this bike capable of riding off the beaten path.  From the IGH rear hub to the Dynamo front, Supernova front and rear lights, front rack and swept Metropolis bars, this bike can handle much more than just commuting.

More and more capable bikes are being created every day, this bike covers all the utilitarian needs of getting around Minneapolis, but can handle having some fun along the way.  There are a lot of beautiful touches on this bike, it’s full lugged construction, the asymmetrical cable hanger, and the seat cluster.  The mix of no nonsense parts from the Paul Components canti, MKS Pedals, and Cane Creek 110 headset should keep this bike running for years to come.  Check out more over at Prairie Crow Bikeworks.

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MinneCycle 2017: Clockwork Bikes Custom Tour Divide Bike– Jarrod Bunk
Photos and words by Jarrod Bunk

You’ve probably seen Clockwork’s bikes before: Joel shaped steel for Poppi’s romantical dirt droop 29’r, which was featured here on the Radavist in 2015. While at MinneCycle I was able to check out this rad bike that came together for the Tour Divide with some pretty special extras. Those include internal dynamo wiring, sliding dropouts, and a custom made rack with a unique decaleur and a quick disconnect.

Oddity made a pretty wild bar for multiple hand positions and longer days in the saddle, so naturally, it made its way onto this build. A White Industries rear hub and SON Dynamo front hub should have this bike service-free for the entirety of the trip and then some.

A Box Components drivetrain and Paul Klamper brakeset round out this gorgeous build. The sleeved internal cable routing should keep things tidy while on tour and should something happen, still remain serviceable. All in all this is one hell of a clean bicycle that is full of features to make life easier when you’re out there. Check out more at Clockwork Bikes.

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MinneCycle 2017: Chris Kvale And His Classic Steel Road
Photos and words by Jarrod Bunk

At the start of my trip to MinneCycle, I knew of Chris Kvale. His thin lugs are beautiful. He started racing bicycles at a young age. And these things you can see when you look at the vintage race aesthetic and precision in his builds.

I was able to get a small glimpse into his daily shop life right before he departed for his summer hideaway in Norway. Being that he’s Norwegian he’s extremely humble, and it was fantastic to have a mellow conversation about this beautiful bike. The Law of Jante keeps him reserved, and doesn’t let him romanticize about his process or his craft, but you can see a love he pours into each piece of steel he manipulates.

The way Chris takes extra time with each build – the bottom bracket, the DiNucci fastback seat clamp, his beautiful thinned lugs – Kvale is a true craftsman. He even makes his own tools, which I learned when I toured his studio right before he boarded the plane the next day. His workshop is always clean and extremely orderly and he still uses the same process he started with years ago. It was such a great experience to see his work in person. Check out more over at Chris Kvale Cycles.

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