Products

Reportage By: John Watson

The Radavist Product Awards and Top Ten Articles of 2023

While our favorite stories are always ride and event coverage, people love flocking to The Radavist for our opinion on products. We view ourselves as the bike industry’s press corps, offering nuanced takes on hot items each year, while pushing back ever so slightly on the long arm of the industry’s marketing. This year, we cracked a lot of hard nuts but walked away with some compelling products—some of which deserve extra recognition—all while deciphering the world of bikes we know and love, and penning opinion pieces that garnered lots of eyes throughout the past twelve months.

Let’s check out The Radavist Product Awards and our Top 10 Articles of 2023 below!

Reportage By: Ryan Wilson

Ryan’s Favorite Products of 2023

Over the years I’ve slowly tinkered with my touring setup to really nail down which pieces of kit work best for the type of riding I do and where I’m heading next. I’m always looking for new products that are versatile in terms of the climate and terrain they can be used on, and most importantly I want them to last, as this stuff can be difficult to replace while on the road. Most of the items on this list are things I’ve started to use over the last year or two, but there are also a couple of items that have been a staple of my setup for the last 7 years.

Radar

Chris King Announces Mix-n-Match Headsets

Chris King just announced a custom headset builder called Mix-n-Match for custom colors under the Factory Finds banner. Available in a veritable panoply of colors (actually an assortment of King sunset colors) in NoThreadSet, InSet or Tapered NoThreadSet configuration. Want a NoThreadSet in orange, brown, and gold? Or an InSet to match your custom paint? Now’s your chance! Each Mix-n-Match headset is built to order while supplies last.

Roll on over to Chris King to build your custom Mix-n-Match headset.

Reportage By: Petor Georgallou

Petor’s Favourite Products of 2023

Longtime contributor, product tester, and Bespoked co-owner Petor Georgallou shares his list of Favourite Products of 2023. With an eye for aesthetics, function, and alternative uses, Petor’s top picks run the gamut of what you might expect to find on this site, from boutique bikes to a lowly notebook. Read on to learn how he hacked a Wizard Works bag, made use of a “smiling butt kit,” a look at a couple products he’ll be reviewing next year, and two playlists he recently assembled for Bespoked…

Reportage By: Josh Weinberg

Josh’s Favorite Products of 2023

It’s been a wild year around these parts. In addition to the organizational changes we experienced with this website, I feel fortunate to have met and collaborated with many amazing people in addition to traveling to some truly remarkable places. My list of favorite products ended up being rather eclectic, but I think it reflects the wide range of material we get to cover here. Of course, music was an integral backdrop to my work – on rides, traveling abroad, and with my family at home – so I have joined some of our other contributors in offering a selection of favorite tunes, alongside a handful of products, below.

Reportage By: Morgan Taylor

Morgan’s Favorite Products of 2023

Continuing with our editors’ Favorite Products of 2023, we look at Morgan‘s list, which breaks down into the following categories: carrying stuff, community, self-sufficiency, and pieces of flair. Let’s check out what Morgan enjoyed using this year!

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A First Look at Sim Works’ New Doppo Locust Touring Bike and SimLoaders Bags

We got our first look at the made in Portland, Oregon Sim Works SimLoaders bags during our Chris King Open House Reportage this year and today, the Japanese brand announced the full lineup, coinciding with a completely redesigned Doppo touring bike, now dubbed the Locust and with either 27.5×2.8″ or 29×2.4″ tire clearance!

We first showcased the Doppo when John did a bike tour around Mt. Fuji with the Circles crew back in 2016, so it’s exciting to see the newest permutation of this line. Read on for a complete look at the SimLoaders Bags and the new Doppo Locust below!

Reportage By: Travis Engel

Travis’s Favorite Products of 2023

It’s Travis Engel’s turn to go through the gear that made his year. Somehow, he managed to resist the urge to fill his list with movie podcasts and carbon full-suspension bikes (though there are a couple movie podcasts down in his Playlist). Instead, he’s got an eclectic collection of on- and off-bike goodies. None of them actually came out in 2023, but each played a uniquely pivotal role for him this year.

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Radar Roundup: Kat Litty Panniers, Dispersed 6mm to 14mm Adapter, Jank Beverage Clip, Wolf Tooth Holiday MTB Giveaway, Alpacka Sled?, The Hill Project, and America’s Best Gravel Ride?

Our Radar Roundup compiles products and videos from the ‘net in an easy-to-digest format. Read on below for today’s findings…

Reportage By: John Watson

John’s Favorite Products of 2023 (… and Top 10 Albums!)

We’ve had a busy year over here at The Radavist. From the return to being 100% independent, launching our Group Ride subscription service, our Rad Bazaar marketplace, and adjusting to being a small business owner again, my free time has been limited. Yet, I can thank a few products for making my job and life easier this year, along with the albums that became the backdrop for my rides, so let’s check out my Favorite Products of 2023!

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We Have Our Winners of the Mission Workshop Giveaway!

Over the weekend, Mission Workshop randomly selected the winners of our giveaway. Read on below to find out who is walking, or riding, away with some great swag…

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Kona Offers Buy One Get One On Process Bikes

This is normally something we’d include in our Radar Roundup but it’s too good of a deal to wait until tomorrow. Kona is currently offering an N+1 sale. Buy any Process bike and get one free. This is a wild deal and indicative of what the cycling industry is dealing with right now but there’s no reason you shouldn’t be taking advantage of these offerings. Especially from a brand like Kona.

Roll on over to Kona to take advantage of these wild times.

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Radar Roundup: Sour Bicycles Ready to Ship, Vigor Polished Rolf Prima Wheels, Crust Cold Steel Crew Neck, A NOS Aluminum Stigmata?!?!, Gravel Mania, and Drew Dropping the Hammer

Our Radar Roundup compiles products and videos from the ‘net in an easy-to-digest format. Read on below for today’s findings…

Radar By: Petor Georgallou

Cleat Check: HT Components M2 Pedal Review

You might have noticed the M2 clipless pedals from HT Components that Petor Georgallou mentioned in his review of the Twmpa GR1. This new pedal from the Taiwan-based manufacturer is constructed from lightweight CNC aluminum with a hollow Chromoly axle and features adjustable spring tension. Read on below for Petor’s analysis of this alternative pedal option and find out how it stacks up to the competition.

Radar By: Travis Engel

Bike Hacks: How to Never Forget Another Piece of Riding Gear

For those of us who have (or choose) to drive to our rides, there’s always a risk that we’ll leave something important at home. And usually, we don’t realize it until we park the truck, unload the bike, reach over to the passenger seat, and … well, shit. Travis Engel knows this feeling all too well, so he’s got a hack to make sure he always has what he needs, as long as he always has his truck.

Radar

Radar Roundup: Ryan Wilson Prints, Signature and Pinion Cranks, Caletti Cycles New Website, Twisted Spoke CBD Hydromix, Silky Super Accel Curve 21, SAS Signature Jersey, John’s Yo Eddy is in the Rad Bazaar, Messin’ Around, and Festivus

Our Radar Roundup compiles products and videos from the ‘net in an easy-to-digest format. Read on below for today’s findings…

Radar By: Josh Weinberg

Episode IV: A New Hope Tech 4 V4 Hydraulic Disc Brake Review

Earlier this year, UK-based Hope Technology released an updated version of their popular four-piston hydraulic brakes, the Tech 4 V4. The 2023 version is equipped with the same robust CNC-machined aluminum, easy adjustability, and stopping precision that contributed to the success of previous models. But where the Tech 4 V4 seeks to improve on the Tech 3 V4 generation is in its all-new lever design and revised caliper that promises increased power and improved ergonomics.

While it’s no secret we’re big fans of mechanical brakes here at The Radavist, we can also appreciate the confidence-inspiring feel of a solid four-piston hydraulic brake, particularly on full-suspension bikes. Josh Weinberg had years of experience using the preceding Tech 3 V4 on his 150 mm travel Oddity hardtail so, naturally, he wanted to see how the updated version performed over a long-term testing period aboard his Starling Murmur.

Continue reading for his breakdown of Hope’s latest flagship brakes…

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Last Minute Stocking Stuffers: Radavist Decals, Linen Postcard Sets, Deserted Patches, and Woolie Boolie Restock!

The USPS says the last day to ship something to the CUSA is December 14th, so get your orders in ASAP to give us time to pack and ship!

We’ve added some last-minute goods to The Radavist Webshop including new vinyl decals, a Deserted Patch, Linen Postcards, and a restock of our Cactivist and YO Woolie Boolies.

Roll on over and get some last minute gifts in the Webshop!