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Just Send It: Rogue Panda’s New Ripsey and Updated Stem Bags

Radar By: Spencer Harding

Just Send It: Rogue Panda’s New Ripsey and Updated Stem Bags

Rogue Panda has been busy overhauling and updating their entire bag lineup as of late. Spencer got his hands on the updated Bismarck and Happy Jack stem bags as well as their total redesign of the Ripsey seat bag. The Ripsey is a big step forward for bikepacking-style seat bags especially when used on a dropper post and the Happy Jack and Bismarck also have some nice touches that warrant a second look.

The Radavist 2023 Calendar: June

Radar

The Radavist 2023 Calendar: June

“Monsoon” is the sixth layout of the Radavist 2023 Calendar. It was shot with a Sony A9ii and a Sony 24-70 lens in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Photographed by John Watson.

“Monsoons came early this year, covering the skies with dramatic clouds…”

For a high-res JPG, suitable for print and desktop wallpaper*, right-click and save link as – The Radavist 2023 – June. Please, this photo is for personal use only!
(*set background to white and center for optimal coverage)

The mobile background this month is a vertical crop of the above photo. Click here to download April’s Mobile Wallpaper.

Preorders are Open For the RiG’d Supply RambleSwing: Reviewing the First Bike Rack Swingout with 300lb Capacity

Radar By: Josh Weinberg

Preorders are Open For the RiG’d Supply RambleSwing: Reviewing the First Bike Rack Swingout with 300lb Capacity

Known for the Ultraswing spare tire and accessory swing out, in addition to the RambleRack bike rack, Southern California-based RiG’d Supply makes hitch racks that are burly enough for off-road use, yet convenient and intuitive for everything else. Today, RiG’d announced a preorder for their newest product, the RambleSwing, which is the first swingout for bike racks we’ve seen to boast a 300-pound carrying capacity in addition to a list of other clever features. Josh got his hands on a prototype RambleSwing a few weeks ago and, below, offers a look at some highlights and fitment considerations using his F-150 and 1UP USA Super Duty 4-bike rack.

To Switch Infinity and Beyond: A 27.5″ Yeti SB135 with SRAM Transmission Review

Reportage By: john watson

To Switch Infinity and Beyond: A 27.5″ Yeti SB135 with SRAM Transmission Review

Curiosity. It’s a great trait to have as a cycling journalist. An inquisitive nature is what first prompted me to throw a leg around subculture-spawned bikes, like steel full-suspension 29ers and titanium hardtails, years ago. Sometimes, you have to pedal something for an extended period to whet that appetite for the occasional oddity that arises. If you’re lucky, those experiences challenge your preconceptions, too.

Working in bike media, it’s pretty easy to get cynical about all the marketing hype and the constant push for model years by the bigger brands, particularly regarding ever-changing drivetrain technologies, incremental gains, and complex suspension designs. I still value riding a rigid 29er as much as riding a vintage 26″ wheeled steel chariot through compromising terrain: the almighty underbiking ride keeps you honest, allows for honing your skillset, and can be damn fun.

Yet, on the flip side, I am attracted to high-tech, modern carbon bikes in small doses. Hence the allure of this Yeti SB135.

Before testing out the SB135, it had been a while since I’d ridden a carbon full suspension as, in the intervening years, I’ve been enjoying sampling the steel offerings out there from smaller, bespoke builders. Yet, the appeal of the high-tech is palpable—lighter, faster, smoother-shifting sounds fun, right? Mix in Yeti’s 27.5″ platform for the SB135, and my curiosity was piqued. The last 27.5″ wheeled bike I reviewed was the Santa Cruz 5010 and the previous 27.5″ wheeled bike I’d ridden was the Transition Scout that was loaned to me for a Moab trip. It was on that very trip I realized that while I admired the 27.5″ wheel platform, it wasn’t necessarily for me nor for the terrain I enjoy riding.

Yet, the SB135 was just strange enough, foreign enough, new-and-techy enough to have me put my steel sled with cable-actuated shifting aside for a few weeks and spend some time riding Yeti Turq and SRAM T-Type shifting…

Of the British Isles Pt. 2: How Albion Cycling’s Apparel Performs On and Off the Bike

Radar By: Petor Georgallou

Of the British Isles Pt. 2: How Albion Cycling’s Apparel Performs On and Off the Bike

As a companion piece to his workshop visit with Albion Cycling Clothing, Petor Georgallou spent the majority of the past year reviewing multiple pieces across Albion’s range of cycling and cycling-adjacent outerwear product lines. Below, Petor shares his experiences with the Ultralight Insulated Jacket, Zoa Rain Trousers, and Zoa Lightweight Insulated Jacket…

Of the British Isles Pt. 1: A Workshop Visit with Albion Cycling Apparel

Reportage By: Petor Georgallou

Of the British Isles Pt. 1: A Workshop Visit with Albion Cycling Apparel

Founded in 2016, Albion Cycling has dramatically expanded its apparel offerings in the past decade. And while the product line has grown, the UK-based company has stayed true to its fast-paced iterative roots and is now working closely with the technical fabric company, Pertex, in designing remarkably lightweight and packable products, for on and off the bike. Petor Georgallou pays a visit to Albion’s design HQ for a closer look…

Simple Machines: FORGE+BOND’s $50 Recycled Carbon Tire Levers vs. $5.50 Pedro’s

Radar

Simple Machines: FORGE+BOND’s $50 Recycled Carbon Tire Levers vs. $5.50 Pedro’s

By now, you know that the carbon fiber used in rims from Revel, Evil, Chris King, and most recently FORGE+BOND is recyclable. And maybe you know that the first product being made from that recycled material is tire levers. What you probably don’t know is that a pair of those tire levers cost $50. When you consider they’re made in a U.S. factory built to churn out $2,500 wheelsets, that’s almost reasonable. But Travis Engel wanted to see how they stacked up against his go-to levers from Pedro’s, a pair of which only cost $5.50.

Shimano
Tern
Wolftooth
Argonaut
Brooks
State Bicycles
Paul
RiG'd Supply
Mission Workshop
Rivendell
SimWorks
Maxxis