From the Supporter, to the Rookie, the Urbanite, the Racer and the Dandy, Rapha has put together a series of holiday gift guides on their site. I love the illustrations!
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Café du Cycliste
I know it’s hard to look at photos of a product online and determine its craft, or quality and thus, its worth or value. Especially with everyone and their mum doing outerwear these days. I’ve heard a lot about this brand, Café du Cycliste, but like you, I’d never seen it in person.
During my last trip to Melbourne, Malachi from Northside Wheelers had some pieces from the line in stock and it looked great. So here I am, saying that yes, indeed I believe the merino line is indeed worth the asking price.
See the full Café du Cycliste line here!
Radar
Introducing ACRE: Mission Workshop’s MTB Clothing and Portage Line
Photos by Dan Barham
Over the past few months, you’ve seen some of my work with Mission Workshop on their new ACRE line. What began as a ride through China on cross bikes, picked up serious momentum as we plunged downhill in Germany and Switzerland on Santa Cruz mountain bikes. In a lot of ways, Mission Workshop’s progression into the ACRE products reflects what cycling has become for many of us: a lifelong commitment to experimenting with bikes. Period.
The Hauser Hydration Pack in 10L and 14L Sizes
When Mission first started, there was a void that needed to be filled in urban cycling portage but few people know that Mission Workshop’s founders were mountain bikers long before they ever touched a track bike.
Over the past few years, they began to take on the immense project of designing MTB gear and bags, all while maintaining the DNA of MW: made in the USA, minimally-branded and tough as shit!
Presenting ACRE: some of the best damn looking MTB apparel and bags on the market. All made in the USA. I’ve used and abused these products and they live up to the same MW standard.
Reportage
Mission Workshop
A lot has changed for Mission Workshop since I first visited their retail space and design offices over three years ago. In that time, their bag range has doubled and their technical apparel line is growing just as fast. All of Mission Workshop’s bags are and have always been made in the USA, something few companies can claim these days. Most of their apparel is made in California, with a select number of jackets are made in Vancouver.
Balancing this growth isn’t always easy but it’s working. What began as a small nook off an alleyway in the Mission has quickly expanded to a lego-like composition of shipping containers and there’s no sign of the crew slowing down with the addition of their Acre clothing line on the horizon. Check out some narrated photos in the Gallery.
Radar
Search and State’s New Jersey and Bibs Look Great
There has been a huge push in American-manufactured cycling wear over the past few months and I’m very excited to see Search & State leading the charge. I wear the shit out of the Riding Jacket, especially while traveling and now they’ve just added Riding Shorts to their line. Also, don’t miss the new OD green jersey!
It’s going to be a green spring this year…
Reportage
Northside Wheelers
When FYXO moved out of the “hub”, Northside Wheelers moved in. Now nestled behind Shifter Bikes, Mal’s shop has expanded to almost three times the size of the old shop. He’s still stocking a lot of the same brands and even some new ones. In a shop like this, you spend a lot of time asking yourself “what’s for sale and what’s for show?” but that’s part of the charm. Check out some more selects in the Gallery!
Radar
Giro: New Road in Northern California
Cycling apparel is one thing, when its on a model, in a catalog, but when its out in the real world, on real riders, that’s when you can see its true merits. When I was first contacted by Giro to be a part of the New Road in Northern California weekend, I couldn’t see myself as a “cycling model”.
After arriving at the ranch, I realized that the people who were involved are cyclists and a good representation of who would wear the apparel. For me, that’s credible just like Giro’s products. We’re all just regular riders. Except for Ty, he’s a real model. Check out some photos and bios of the people who were in NorCal for tis video here at Giro.
Reportage
Berkeley Supply Co
Nestled in between Pearl Velo and Avery County Cycles is Berkeley Supply Co. Having opened last December, Eli has focused entirely on made in the USA clothing and accessories. For someone like me, who usually buys clothing when I travel (not a whole lot of options in Austin believe it or not), I was very impressed with the shop and environment Eli has created. Many of the brands he carries I’ve been wearing for the past few years and have had the best of luck with them. A lot of these clothes are what I would consider an investment, as Berkeley Supply Co’s slogan states “outfitter of things that last”.
Check out some photos in the Gallery. Find shop hours and info below.
Radar
Levi’s® Commuter Series 2013 Spring Lookbook
Hypebeast has the drop on the new Levi’s Commuter Series spring lookbook for 2013. Head on over to see some familiar faces. Sup brehs?
Radar
Velo Cult: All Weather Hoodies
I have always been a fan of Velo Cult’s shirt and hoody designs and these new All Weather hoodies are a must have! So pumped to see the guys re-up their web shop with apparel.
If you haven’t been to Velo Cult in Portland, you’re missing out! Check out some of my photos below…
Previously:
Shop Visit: Velo Cult
Recent Roll: Velo Cult
Radar
Giro Introduces the New Road Apparel Line
After months upon months of design, development and prototyping, the Giro New Road line is now available at select shops. I’ve had hands on experience with many of these pieces and I’m very impressed with the concept and construction. While they look like casual silhouettes, these jerseys are part of an innovative design that allows you to access pockets on the bib “briefs”. Some of these products are meant to work as a kit and others are to be treated as a normal jersey. It’s hard to describe but the product photos below explain better than I can.
The technical, merino blends fit great and have clean, modern lines but most importantly for me, the New Road line is made in the USA and is still affordable. I have and will commend Giro for developing, designing and manufacturing this product line in the state of California.
There’s more to come but for now, you can see the product shots below.
Reportage
Day 03 of the Giro New Road Photo Shoot
Let me just preface this post by saying I wish I could show you more photos from the Giro New Road photo shoot. Even getting clearance for posting up these took a little bit of eye-batting and begging. But man, am I ever glad I got to share them.
Day 03 began as Ty, Jordan and I took off for the hills adjacent to our ranch. Super steep gravel climbs and windy singletrack was no challenge for Ty and Jordan as the sunlight broke through the trees. They just flowed through the rocky gravel as videographers and photographers tried to capture the essence of New Road. Later on, the afternoon was spent out on HWY 1 at the mouth of the Navarro River. Climbing up and down the hills, before grabbing lunch, and finally dinner.
Some of the photos shown here give you an idea of what Giro is going for in the New Road. But keep in mind, the details that make this line different from any other will be under wraps for now. Till then, enjoy these photos and don’t miss Ty’s crossie wall ride sequence!
Reportage
SWRVE’s Storefront
The last time I visited the Los Angeles-based cycling apparel brand SWRVE‘s shop, they had just relocated and had big plans to expand their floorplan to include a storefront. Last week, before skipping town, I headed over to check out their newly-opened retail space. For a brand like SWRVE, most of their sales are online, so a retail space wasn’t of the highest priority. But they wanted the city of Los Angeles to have a place where customers could come try on the clothing and actually touch the product before committing to buy.
I don’t need to explain any further the merits of buying from a store, versus buying online, so I’ll let the photos do the talking…
Click on the above photo to launch the gallery, or here to open in a new tab.
Reportage
Search and State S1-A Riding Jersey
The amount of minimally-branded, high performance, made in the USA cycling jerseys are on the rise. Companies know that people don’t always want to look like moving billboards when they ride and that black is a good, safe tone for a kit. Since I first talked to the guys at Search and State, I knew their S1-A riding jersey would be a smash hit.
Why? For starters, they’re hand made in NYC from a two-toned quick dry microbial fabric. This material has a nice feel to it, is sleek and is milled in the USA. All that aside, these jerseys are durable and quick drying, two essential qualities for a jersey you’ll want to wear just about every day. I’ve put it through the ringer over the past few months and it’s become a staple, alongside my other jerseys. Add in sun sleeves, a merino wool base layer and you’re good to go, even in warm conditions.
Click on the above photo to launch the gallery, or here to open in a new tab.
Radar
Fixed Gear London and Dickies
Andy from Fixed Gear London and Fixed Mag worked with Dickies on steering their standard work pant into a cycling pant. By adding a simple detail to the drive-side hem, Andy took a simple pant and turned it into a functional piece of cycling apparel.
Reportage
Northside Wheelers
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.