Metal bikes. They just hit different. Even those older 1990s metal full suspensions can be repurposed with a bit of love as Harrison exhibits in this week’s Readers’ Rides with his 1996 Specialized Ground Control…
#Specialized
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The Radavist’s Top Ten Beautiful Bicycles of 2024 and Handmade Showcase Awards
For the Top Ten Beautiful Bicycles of 2024 we looked at pageviews, comments, and social media chatter from twelve months of content to determine what bikes best represent a calendar year at The Radavist. Then, to up the ante this year, we’ve included our Handmade Showcase Awards, featuring bikes from the OZ/US MADE Bike Show and UK/DE Bespoked. Let’s get to it!
Radar
The Radavist’s Top Ten Readers’ Rides of 2024
It’s the last Friday of the year, and that means it’s time for our annual Top Ten Readers’ Rides list! Started in 2011, Readers’ Rides showcases the unique bikes owned by the readership of The Radavist. Like our Top Ten Bike Reviews list we posted yesterday, we compiled data from views and comments to distill down ten prime examples. This year’s list has some wild ones, so let’s get to it!
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Specialized Epic 8 Evo Review: “Short” Travel Evolved
With the latest iteration of the Specialized Epic 8 Evo, Specialized pushes their XC bike as far as they are willing to go. The Epic 8 Evo Comp ($5000) features 10 mm more suspension travel than the non-Evo model, a full suite of Fox parts, and a carbon frame with SWAT storage. How does this bike stack up against the rest of the downcountry field? Read on…
Radar
Spencer’s Favorite Products, Rides, and Experiences of 2024
Spencer adds up the short list of his favorite products of 2024 as the year comes to a close. This year, he adds in his favorite ride(s) of the year, what he’s learned, his favorite albums, new and old, and something new for the year. Check out his list below…
Radar
Travis’s Favorite Products, Rides, Experiences, and More from 2024
It’s Travis‘s turn to join the Radavist edit crew in sharing his favorites for 2024. His list includes a few products, a few podcasts, the adoption of a new habit, and the return of an old one.
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Readers’ Rides: Blake’s Specialized Hardrock Basket Bike
This week’s Readers’ Rides comes from our home base of Santa Fe, penned by Ship of Fools Pedal Club and the Santa Fe Fat Tire Society‘s own Blake Hendsch. Below, Blake writes about a fun Specialized Hardrock basket bike build. Let’s check it out!
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Specialized Stumpjumper Comp Alloy: First Ride Review
The new Specialized Stumpjumper didn’t exactly get a refresh. It got a reboot. It now has more in common with the critically acclaimed Stumpjumper Evo than the mild-mannered Stumpy we once knew. And its Genie shock promises unprecedented dimensions of tunability. But at first, the carbon-frame-only update came with an electronic-drivetrain-only twist. That’s why, when Travis heard an aluminum version was coming, he signed up.
Radar
Travis’s Summer 2024 Product Picks
Summer means something different for mountain bikers in Los Angeles. Unless you’re in Malibu, it’s not a great time of year to ride. Travis is not in Malibu, but he’s got ten products that will make the season more palatable.
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Vintage Bicycles: 1983 Steve Potts MTB – What Are Dirt Drops?
Dirt drops are mentioned periodically here on The Radavist, usually in the context of a modern hardtail, rigid mountain bike, or adventure touring bike. But where did this terminology come from, and how are vintage dirt drops wildly different from what we have today? Using his 1983 Steve Potts as a platform for discussion, John unfurled the unique history behind this bike and looked at a proper 1980s dirt drop setup. Let’s check it out.
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Specialized Metal: The Aluminum Chisel DSW and Crux DSW
Specialized‘s last two bike releases have been made of aluminum. Earlier this month, the brand announced its all-new Crux DSW, and today, its XC machine, the Chisel DSW, was also refreshed with an aluminum chassis. Both bikes are lightweight, race-oriented, and metal. Needless to say, we took note…
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Readers’ Rides: Chris’ RockHopper aka the CrockChopper
We must say that one bike model pops up more than any other: the Specialized RockHopper. These readily available bikes are frequently customized, and Chris from Minneapolis shared a great one with us this week! Let’s check it out.
Radar
Roval Traverse SLII Wheelset Review: More Than A Threaded Rim
With its claims of 21% more vertical compliance, a 15-25% stronger profile, pinch-flat eliminating design and an innovative threaded rim and valve stem, the Roval Traverse SLII has a lot to offer. Not to mention, there’s a lifetime warranty. Let’s dive into all of those claims and details today with Spencer’s Roval Traverse SLII wheelset review…
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Saturday Rad Bazaar Finds
Today, we’ve got a fine selection of used (and new) goods from the Rad Bazaar, our Group Ride subscribers‘ selling platform, featuring some unique offerings. Let’s check it all out!
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The Radavist’s Top Ten Readers’ Rides of 2023
Our favorite posts each week come from you, the readers of this website! Back in 2011 we launched our Readers’ Rides feature and every year, we like to look back at twelve months of submissions and see what resonated with people the most. Well, this year we saw a huge uptick in vintage restomods being submitted and it says something that the number one entry on this list was just posted a few weeks ago! Let’s get to it…
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The Radavist’s Top Ten Review Bikes of 2023
If our Top Ten Beautiful Bicycles list serves as an indicator of your interests, our Top Ten Review Bikes speak to the readership’s curiosities and potential next bike buys. This year’s Top Ten Review Bikes ran the gamut from carbon gravel bikes with proprietary passive suspension to actual full suspension bikes and everything in between.
Let’s check out what review bikes pushed the needle for you this year!
Radar
Niche Needs: Specialized Recon ADV Shoes Review
Spencer takes us on a walk and a pedal with a well-used review of Specialized’s Recon ADV shoes. The pursuit of a clip-in and lace-up shoe without all the other newfangled doodads led him to the Recon ADVs. It’s a simple shoe packed with plenty of technology nonetheless.
Radar
Radar Roundup: Horse Cycles All Road Adventure, CDC and Bernot Caps, Laurens ten Dam’s Diverge, Inside Line Equipment Blaze/Forest Bags, 210km Solo MTB, and The Ultra Divide
Our Radar Roundup compiles products and videos from the ‘net in an easy-to-digest format. Read on below for today’s findings…
