The Radavist

MinneCycle 2017: Peacock Groove Polka Dot Cargo Bike
Photos and words by Jarrod Bunk

Cargo bikes aren’t something you see every day. Polka dotted bikes aren’t something you see every day.  Peacock Groove threw out those notions, because the Liberace of bikes builds anything you’d like, just with even more style, and deep custom.

The deep custom approach is found everywhere on this bike, from the headset to the rear rack, Erik Noren, made it all.  Erik is an artist, and you can see that in every bicycle that he manufacturers.

To think that something like this can come out of his mind and be formed out of steel is incredible.  Where others see a zany cargo bike, I see a masterpiece, from one of the most skilled craftsmen I’ve ever met.  I only got a small taste of his operation while in Minneapolis, but as a long-time fan of his work, I hope to make it back to be able to document his shop. I can’t get enough of his deep custom bikes.

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MinneCycle 2017: Wyganowski Frames Minnesota Made Mixtie
Photos and words by Jarrod Bunk

Paul Wyganowksi has a pretty unique build process, one that was passed down four generations of frame builders to him.  From the exterior of this commuter, it doesn’t seem that wild, until you look closer, the use of vents to open up the tubes and inhibit rust, the reverse “top eyes” used for the mid stays, the thinnest dropouts I’ve ever seen.

Finding all of the details on this bike was an enjoyable experience.  Extra attachment points, three sets of waterbottle bosses, fender and rack mounts, this mixtie can handle daily transit and then put on some gear for a weekend of touring.  The sedate lines and beautiful fillets, make for one special Mixtie that was built in Minnesota to last a lifetime.

Paul actually teaches a frame building class as well, continuing in the footsteps of the builders that passed the torch to him. For more information check out Wyganoksi Frames.

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MinneCycle 2017: Northern Frameworks All Road with Dura Ace
Photos and words by Jarrod Bunk

I first heard of Northern Frameworks when it was just a whisper. Josh from Angry Catfish and Alex from A-Train Cycles decided to team up for a new custom frame brand to be sold in-house at the shop. The first time I saw one in person I was stoked: custom made steel bikes that keep the Twin Cities proud.

Northern Frameworks produces a bike with clean lines, tailored fit, and brilliant paint. The build on this bike is just as good as the aesthetic though, sporting Dura Ace 9100 series components, painted to match fenders, pewter Chris King headset and an ENVE cockpit. Those Derby rims laced to White Industries CLD hubs, hand built by Haute Bacon, tie it all together. The internally routed hydraulic line is extremely clean and the T47 BB keeps this bike somewhat future proof should the owner choose to build it differently down the road.

A bike like this screams versatility (with an inside voice), as it’s not overbearing in any way, but can tackle several different types of riding pretty well. I can’t wait to get back to Minneapolis to see more from these guys.  For more info check out Northern Frameworks.

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MinneCycle 2017 : Vincent Dominguez Cycles Not So Mellow, Yellow Disc Road
Photos and words by Jarrod Bunk

After I hopped off the plane and a short ride to MinneCycle 5, Minnesota’s handmade bicycle show, I waited out the harsh light and 90 degree temps outside by checking out the show inside.  One of the first bikes was this Dominguez. I wasn’t super familiar with Dominguez, but soon after observing this bike I wanted to be.

There is nothing mellow about this yellow bike, especially when you look closely, which I did!  The fully lined, internal cable routing, with some beautiful entry points into the frame, is what drew me in closer. Once I was there, I noticed things like the logo-less DT Swiss hubs, Campagnolo Chorus build – but most of all the frame details.

The mixture of fillet brazing and lugs to me was just the right amount of both. The way they integrate into the frame elegantly so as to not take away from each other really caught my eye. Scalloped seatstays and the slightly offset front brake housing – so as to not rub the headtube – were the final nails in this killer build. Check out Dominguez Cycles for more.

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People often ask what I love most about my job. After the obvious – riding bikes – comes watching projects like this unfold. Paul Price lives in Chico and is the man behind Paul Component Engineering. He’s been in this game for a while and has been to NAHBS countless times over the years. In that time, he’s watched a lot of new names pop up in the framebuilding circuit, most notably Sean from Oddity Cycles. Sean’s creations are whacky, fun and offer very unique riding characteristics. For one, they’re titanium, which at smaller diameters, can be flexy. Not in a bad way, just in a unique way. Next up, Sean bends the shit out of the tubes, making them swoopy and thus increasing the wow factor.