#vintage-MTB

tag

Radar

Vintage MTB Restoration Series: Episode 01

For the latest Beautiful Builds video, John introduces his newest project: a 1984 Ritchey Annapurna he got from Bicycle Collective in St. George, Utah. Over a few episodes, he’ll explain what it takes to make these old “barn find” bikes road-worthy again.

From replacing split cable housing and cables to protecting the paint, repacking bearings, and rust-proofing, this episodic Beautiful Builds showcases the work that goes into vintage MTB restoration.

Music: Fellwinter – “The Dawn of Winter” LP

Please, if you enjoy these videos, hit the subscribe button below!

 

 

Like a Fine Wine: Wende Cragg’s Custom 1983 Breezer Series III

Reportage

Like a Fine Wine: Wende Cragg’s Custom 1983 Breezer Series III

Wende Cragg’s contributions to cycling and her documentation of the sport over the years are unquantifiable. And here at The Radavist, we’ve been fortunate to have her sharing snapshots of that history, from her moving piece about the origins of mountain biking, to her return to Crested Butte last year for the Pearl Pass Tour after a forty-two-year hiatus.

Wende is back today to share another special story we think you’ll thoroughly enjoy. This time, Wende pens an ode to her custom 1983 Breezer Series III built for her after multiple ill-fitting predecessors (including one of the ten original Breezer Series I). To top it off, she enlisted Joe Breeze to share a few insights about her one-of-a-kind bike and the general evolution of early Breezers. Let’s get right to it below!

Rolling Back the Years: The 2023 Annual Pearl Pass Tour

Reportage

Rolling Back the Years: The 2023 Annual Pearl Pass Tour

First held in 1976, the annual Pearl Pass Tour continues to take riders on one of the earliest organized mountain bike challenges: riding (and pushing) bikes to the top of Pearl Pass (12,705′) from Crested Butte, Colorado. Inspired to ride new terrain and get to know the burgeoning mountain biking community in Crested Butte, Wende Cragg and a band of Californians loaded up their klunkers and made the trip out to take part in several early editions of the now-iconic event.

Following a forty-two year hiatus, Wende Cragg returned to Crested Butte for this year’s ride. Read on for her tales from Pearl Pass, past and present…

Readers’ Rides: Thomas’ 1995 Kona Cinder Cone Restoration

Radar

Readers’ Rides: Thomas’ 1995 Kona Cinder Cone Restoration

When it comes to vintage mountain bikes of the mid-1990s, it’s hard to not mention the 1995 Kona Cinder Cone. It had one of the most unique stances at the time and the painted to match fork and stem were straight from the playbook of something small time framebuilders were and are still doing today. Thomas sent in his Cinder Cone and the final product included some clever metalwork. Read on to find out and for some of Thomas’ delicious photos!

Unicorns are Real: The Story of an Elusive 1991 Yeti Tree Frog

Reportage

Unicorns are Real: The Story of an Elusive 1991 Yeti Tree Frog

There aren’t many modern bicycle brands that have a history quite as rich as Yeti, let alone a diehard cult following of collectors and fans for the early bikes. Coming into a steel F.R.O or Yeti Ultimate is usually enough to be considered a “Holy Grail” find for most. However, there is another bike in the early Yeti lineup that is so rare many will never see one in person and more modern followers of the brand may not know even exists. This is the story of an elusive Yeti Tree Frog…

In Stock Now: Radavist and Cedaero Portage Bag – Black and Burgundy

Radar

In Stock Now: Radavist and Cedaero Portage Bag – Black and Burgundy

When Josh posted up his Alumalith, with a custom Portage bag he collaborated on with Cedaero, it caused a rukkus! Karl from Cedaero got flooded with requests for these throwback MTB bags from the 1980s and 90s, so we decided to make a run for our readership!

We made two colors; waxed canvas burgundy ($134.95) like Josh specced and all-black cordura ($124.95). These bags are bike geometry/size specific and Karl made them to fit the Alumalith but they will fit any bike but you’ve gotta be mindful with the sizing! Read on below for more information on how to size this for your bike…

Rigid, Vintage, Ready: Lachlan Sillitoe’s Anonymous Beach Bruiser

Reportage

Rigid, Vintage, Ready: Lachlan Sillitoe’s Anonymous Beach Bruiser

You won’t find many fully rigid, bi-plane forked, singlespeed mtbs on the trails of Kamloops—or anywhere else for that matter. But Lachlan Sillitoe, an Aussie transplant in the Loops and owner of the Bicycle Cafe, breaks the mold of the typical British Columbia Interior ride, with style and flow to spare. After hanging on his wheel during a few rides earlier this year, Dylan Sherrard writes about his friend’s unconventional bike choices and eagerness to embrace the entire spectrum of the riding experience—comfort be damned. Read on for Lachy’s thoughts about why easier isn’t always better and for a closer look at his anonymous vintage rigid SS mtb “beach bruiser.”

Vintage Bicycles: Jacquie’s Singlespeed Wilderness Trail Bikes Phoenix

Reportage

Vintage Bicycles: Jacquie’s Singlespeed Wilderness Trail Bikes Phoenix

We’re running with an alternative format for this week’s Vintage Bicycles feature! It’s one we hope you enjoy as it was penned by the original owner of this stunning singlespeed WTB Phoenix, Jacquie Phelan. Jacquie was an early MTB pioneer in the Marin constituency and along with her racing accolades is, perhaps, most known for starting the Women’s Mountain Bike & Tea Society (WOMBATS). In her own words,  she hasn’t retired from racing and still loves to mix it up on two wheels. Read on for her retelling of how this bike faired at the 2008 Napa Single Speed World Championships (SSWC)…