Wolf Tooth Components and Otso Cycles have been making innovative bicycles and parts for over a decade. Starting in 2013 with aftermarket chainrings and cogs for nascent 1x drivetrains, their offerings have grown considerably to include an expanded catalog of machined aluminum parts, complex tools, dropper posts, and a full-blown sibling bike brand, Otso Cycles. Josh spent a day at Wolf Tooth‘s Minneapolis HQ earlier this year and reports on what he learned about the brand’s history and where they’re headed…
#minnesota
tag
Reportage
The Legend of DAMN: 240 Miles and 24 Hours Across Minnesota
Returning triumphantly after a brief hiatus, DAMN brings 24-hour gravel racing to the North Star State. Renee Hoffmann reports alongside Abigail Wark’s photos from the grassroots event that sees riders rally across the entire state of Minnesota.
Radar
Berd Spokes: The Unsung Hero of Olympic Mountain Biking
Half of the medals for the 2024 Olympic mountain biking events were won on Berd Spokes, which is pretty wild for a small company. From a college apartment idea to a company producing a revolutionary type of bike spoke, Berd has climbed up the ranks. Recently, Renee Hoffman and Nick Noethe visited Berd’s factory in Minnesota and, below, dig into the brand’s Olympic success and how they got started.
Reportage
Making Packs in the USA: Reflections from the Cedaero Workshop
Five years ago, we profiled the workshop of Cedaero, and today, we’re offering up something special to coincide with Hailey’s Fork Lift Pack review. Straight from the horse’s mouth. Read on as Karl from Cedaero muses on producing bags in the USA and why they continue to do so in an era of constant outsourcing.
Reportage
Cedaero’s Slender James Classic Enduro Event: Pool Party Edition
Way up in the north woods of Duluth, Minnesota, a deified cat on a towel hosts the Slender James Classic Enduro. Born out of the hive mind of Cedaero and whichever dimension Slender James came from, it provides a venue for those who embrace absurdity while hurtling their old bike down Duluth’s sketchy trails. For participants, this event serves as a celebration of communal joy amid life’s (sometimes equally absurd) challenges. Read on to get a glimpse of last year’s pool party themed festivities and check out a fully homespun film for an even deeper dive…
Reportage
A Man of Means, By No Means: Bicycle Touring in the Driftless
When the opportunity to farm sit a friend’s land is presented, Carmen Aiken’s response was a quick affirmative, but the getting there would take a little longer. On a loaded up Omnium Cargo Bike, Carmen enjoys the scenic route through the Driftless while sharing local encounters and reflections from the road.
Radar
Announcing The Radavist X Otso Cycles Collaboration Voytek
Otso Cycles and The Radavist have joined forces to share a special new Voytek. This is a bike that blurs the line between mountain bike and fat bike. It handles snowy Minnesota trails just as well as arid New Mexico singletrack with its adjustable geometry, versatile carbon frame design, and agile handling. A small batch of frames and complete bikes are now available in this limited colorway, with a portion of proceeds going to the folks at Protect Our Winters to help ensure snowy trails for generations to come. Check out more on this limited edition drop below!
Radar
Donate For a Chance to Win a One-Of-a-Kind Surly Midnight Special!
Bike supply chain shortages got you bummed out? Love the Midnight Special but can’t get yer grubby mitts on one? Well check out this contest Surly is running with Full Cycle, a non-profit organization that uses bikes as a way to support and feed houseless youth in Surly’s hometown of Minneapolis, MN.
Read about how you can win this bike at Pillsbury United Communities!