The Radavist

Kinfolk Studios is a space that change every time I visit Brooklyn. I remember when Maceo and Ryan ambitiously signed a lease to the space and began the lengthy process of construction. They busted their asses for a year, getting the space ready. With the Kinfolk Studios bar and restaurant open and cracking, the design offices upstairs are bustling with new creative projects.

While most of the space was a bit cluttered with work, the stairwell and Maceo’s Kinfolk track provided more than enough inspiration to get some lens love. I still love that Kinfolk Brooks saddle…

Click the above photo to launch the gallery, or here to open in a new tab.

Back in February, Adam from CycleEXIF and I took a ride from Sydney to Wollongong to see Tarn and Meg at Primate Frames. I met these two back in 2009 at the CMWC in Tokyo, when they were both living in Sydney. Meg was running Candy Cranks and Tarn was building frames and working as an electrician. A few years ago, they moved to Wollongong to enjoy the mountains and get away from the hustle and bustle of city living. Tarn now builds Primate Frames out of their home and their dog Shifter overlooks the operations.

Tarn’s work is unique. Bright colors, big, thick tubesets and yet, elegant when the job calls for it. He’s been a huge Brooklyn Machine Works fan for years and you can tell in his work. His yolks are fat, his swing arms are burly and he works with steel. Unless it’s a custom scooter, then he uses carbon for the deck.

Check out the Gallery by clicking the photo above, or click here to open a new tab.

In the best city in the world, lies the best bike shop in the world. When you’re done riding in the best countryside in the world, you can take your stted into Danny Hale’s house, Shifter Bikes. After our ride into hell, I hung around Shifter and shot the shit (pun) with Dan, Zoe and Andy. The same afternoon I took photos inside the Fyxo Hub, I lingered around and captured some of the new moments in Dan’s shop. Since my first visit to Melbourne, Shifter Bikes has grown into its space and Dan’s enthusiasm is only outweighed by his queue.

Check out more by clicking the photo above or here to open in a new tab.

The guys at Outlier have come a long way from their original workwear pants. Growth, both in a product line and prowess is a sign of a successful business and each time I return to NYC, I’m amazed at how much they’re expanding. They now have an in-house prototyping studio, as well as numerous  new employees, all aiding in their slow and steady conquest of cycling-friendly dresswear. I spent the afternoon with Tyler and Abe last week and shot some simple photos of their well-lit studio in Brooklyn.

Follow @Outlier on Twitter, Instagram and their new Facebook page.

Check out more by clicking the photo above or here to open in a new tab

Finding good coffee and food while traveling is a higher priority of mine than finding a good bike shop. When I flew into Sydney last month, our good friend / tour guide Yogi took us to Robo Cog in Surry Hills. A cafe owned by cyclists? Sure! Count me in. 20 minutes later and we were hooked. The interiors, food and coffee were all top notch.

Check out the Gallery by clicking the photo above or click here to open in a new tab.

I was in Sydney for a few weeks before I finally made it down to Sable & Argent on Bourke street. I thought for sure they’d just be another fixed gear boutique. Let’s just say, I wasn’t expecting to find a facade that caters to various forms of urban cycling. As I walked through their front gate, I couldn’t help but notice how carefully curated the interiors were. Each section of the shop was merchandized wonderfully. Rapha, Campagnolo, Catlike, Mission Workshop, DZR and other brands all had shelf space, shared alongside road, cross, track and commuter bikes. You could walk in here and buy a full “kit” for whatever kind of bike you ride. The interiors were well-lit and the overall vibe just exuded cool. See for yourself by clicking the image above.

Speaking of Saint Cloud, while I was in Melbourne last month, I spent a good amount of time with Nick and the crew. Since my last visit, Nick’s picked up both track racing and road cycling, all while still trying to get in as much time on the FGFS as he can. The space itself has gone through some changes as well, sporting a new, much more open floorplan. I barely missed the 2-year anniversary party too! What a busy year and in that time, Saint Cloud has been pushing forward with such momentum that I wonder if he’ll have to move to a bigger shop soon? From here, it looks like Melbourne’s got a good thing going for it. See for yourself in the gallery.

Gallery

How about a nice change of pace? Let’s leave NAHBS for a second and travel to OZ. Melbourne is a cyclist’s haven for rich, vibrant culture and South Yarra seems to be the epicenter. You’ve got Shifter Bikes, FYXO Hub and Northside Wheelers all in the same area, running completely different businesses and yet, they’re all contributing to the greater good. With big-brand concept stores everywhere, it’s hard to find a shop that shows cycling history and sells part of the insignia that goes along with it.

The golden age of cycling is still alive, but in small circles. Northside Wheelers is a shop that sells cycling apparel and goods. Think of it as a clothing shop for the bike fanatic in your life. From Creux to Rapha, books, magazines, goods and even some vintage apparel, Malachi Moxon over at Northside Wheelers has everything you need to get you styled out for a ride.

Gallery

Let me just preface this by stating that I’ve long respected and admired the work of Andy White, owner of Fyxomatosis and the FYXO Hub. He’s been a huge inspiration to me, well, since forever. When I saw that he had opened a space behind the world’s best bike shop, Shifter Bikes, I knew great things would come from it. While I was Melbourne for a few weeks, I spent a lot of time at the ‘Hub, watching it spin.

So how is it? See for yourself.

Darren Baum’s story is that of some bicycle super hero. He had formal training in aircraft engineering and worked as a stainless steel TIG welder before he even thought about making bicycle frames. In his youth, Darren was an A grade racer and it wasn’t until 1990 that a car accident rendered him unable to race. Soon after, he became obsessed with biomechanics and how it relates to bicycle design.

Before he knew it, Darren was apprenticing under Brian Cross where he began to build with pressed lugs, silver solder and Reynolds 753. Now, 20 years later, Baum Cycles is producing some of the finest frames in the world, from their humble little shop in Geelong, Victoria. Andy White of FYXO used his leverage to get me into their top-secret facilities where I was able to observe these pristine ti and stainless frames being born.

In the years since its inception, the DEUS label has grown from a history rich in motor bikes, to bicycles. With a number of locations, now worldwide, the DEUS Cycleworks shop in Sydney is the only one dedicated to the pushbike.

I’ve spent some time at the shop with the guys, since being in Australia and have enjoyed browsing the walls and shelves of this cycling lifestyle, cross-over boutique. Everything from city bikes, to NJS gems and modern track bikes can be found hanging from the walls and ceiling. And they’ll even build up your dream bike while you wait and have some coffee. Or just pick up some new threads from the Deus label.

As the name implies, Hell on Wheels is a shop that caters to getting rad. Whether it’s a skateboard, a BMX or a fixed freestyle bike, this shop in Newtown has all the parts, accessories, clothing and inspiration you need to get rolling. I met up with Tom yesterday, on his day off to check out the shop and see what he’s been working on for the past six years here in Sydney.

Check out more form my Shop Visit to Hell on Wheels below!

Since its opening last spring, the Golden Saddle Cyclery has become a hub for cyclists of all strokes in the Silverlake area. I’ve been watching their progress from afar, admiring their ambition and articulation for what they truly believe in. Woody, Ty and Kyle have a great spot and while I was in LA, I took some photos of their space.

Check out more below!