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

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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…

Cheap Tricks: Trickstuff Brakes Are Too Expensive, So We Tested Their Brake Pads

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Cheap Tricks: Trickstuff Brakes Are Too Expensive, So We Tested Their Brake Pads

Known for their outstanding power and beautiful finish, Trickstuff brakes are masterpieces. They’re also pricy and hard to find, especially in North America. But it’s not just about what’s on the outside that counts. The pad material Trickstuff developed is also pretty special, and you can get their pads for nearly any brand of brake. So Travis Engel slid some Trickstuff Brake Pads into his Shimano SLX brakes, and started stopping.

Specialized Aethos Review: Shining a Light on Road Riding w/the Aethos Disc Road Bike

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Specialized Aethos Review: Shining a Light on Road Riding w/the Aethos Disc Road Bike

Road bikes. We don’t really talk about them so much over here at the Radavist – anymore. There was a time however where we’d post galleries from road adventures and still to this day, one of my favorite rides I did in California was on all pavement. Still, there have been a few defining reasons for the wane of the road bike’s popularity and it wasn’t until I accepted the offer to review the lightweight Aethos road bike that I began to mull over these reasons. A 16lb road bike is both terrifying (am I going to break this thing?!) and a joy (WOW! this is incredible) to ride but what does the state of road cycling look for me, personally, and how did this review shape my perspective of drop bars after a long hiatus from enjoying the pleasures of road riding? Read on to find out.

The Pursuit Cycles LeadOut AR Prototype and Hand “Painted”

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The Pursuit Cycles LeadOut AR Prototype and Hand “Painted”

During the fabrication of a Pursuit Cycles, Carl Strong’s custom carbon brand, each of the six sections of the MUSA carbon frame come out of the mold and then are printed with some stats. This includes mold number, frame size, layup version, and a number of parts made from that mold, then finally weight is handwritten on. Eventually, when the frame is complete and getting prep for paint these notes are removed. As this bike was one of the firsts Lead Out ARs to be produced this idea hooked me, I loved the process and tracking, I wanted to play into that. Taking some inspiration from recent sneaker trends as well. I decided on a Helvetica style to the point design.

Spaghetti Western: A XCR Tommasini X Fire Disc Road Build

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Spaghetti Western: A XCR Tommasini X Fire Disc Road Build

What do you call a stainless Italian disc road bike, built with Cinelli and Campagnolo, right here in Santa Fe? Spaghetti Western? Sure, why not?

Mellow Velo, purveyors of modern bikes, with a long history of building up classic Italian road racing machines, recently completed this build for a customer back on the East Coast. Adam, the owner of the bike, refinishes mouthpieces for saxophones, so as you can imagine, he has a particular penchant for procuring pristine pedal machines like this one. Luckily for him, David from Mellow Velo has a soft spot for modern Italian-made frames.

Hope Tech: Colored Center-Lock Lockrings

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Hope Tech: Colored Center-Lock Lockrings

Hope is great at many things, the first being their ability to machine some of the nicest parts right in the UK and the second being nailing all the anodizing colors you could want. Their new colored center-lock lockrings offer a splash of color to your disc brake bike. They’re compatible with 15mm thru-axles, weigh 9.5g and are in stock now. Head to Hope to see more.

Hope’s New Road Center Lock 2-Piece Floating Design Rotors

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Hope’s New Road Center Lock 2-Piece Floating Design Rotors

With the growth of disc brakes in the road and gravel market, center-lock rotors have become a standard. So much so that Hope recently launched their own Road CL rotors. Hope took their stylish and strong disc design, complete with floating technology and combined them onto a splined spider.

160mm – RRP £65.00 // €80.00 // $82.50(ex tax)

Key Features
-Round edge braking surface
-The rotor is machined with a radius on the inner and outer edge
-2 piece floating design
-Available in 6 standard colors

The Cervelo Áspero is the Brand’s Dirtiest Bike

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The Cervelo Áspero is the Brand’s Dirtiest Bike

When I say Cervelo, chances are your mind doesn’t jump right to off-road bikes. It’s probably something aero like a time trial bike or an aero road bike. Big graphics, thiccccc downtube, lots of spandex, and other images pop into my mind. I’m sure I’m not alone. While it wasn’t exactly a surprise when the brand launched the Áspero – heck, everyone is putting out gravel bikes – I was taken back by how good the bike looked. The Áspero has a lot going on visually but delivers one hell of a ride. I’ve been putting in miles on one for a few weeks now and am finally ready to discuss what I like and what I don’t like about it so if you’re curious about the dirtiest bike in Cervelo’s catalog, read on…

Nao’s Own Tomii Cycles Chubby Road

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Nao’s Own Tomii Cycles Chubby Road

Yesterday we took a deep dive into the shop of Tomii Cycles. Typically, builders use their own bikes to experiment and explore ideas, concepts, and construction techniques they’ll later use on their client’s bikes. This reasoning is why I always gravitate towards a builder’s own bike when I’m visiting a shop.

All City Cycles: Zig Zag Disc Road

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All City Cycles: Zig Zag Disc Road

All City’s Mr. Pink was their interpretation of what a modern rim brake road bike should be. Now, their newest bike looks at the modern road platform but with disc brakes. Featuring flat-mount brakes, a road-tuned geometry, a tapered head tube, thru-axles, and is built with A.C.E. tubing to deliver the best ride All City is capable of. Head on over to check out the specs for the Zig Zag road and to your local shop to see one in person.

COMPLETE MSRP $3,999  |  FRAMESET MSRP $1,299

Thesis Updates the OB1 with SRAM AXS 1x and 2x Kits

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Thesis Updates the OB1 with SRAM AXS 1x and 2x Kits

To up the ante on their consumer-direct OB1 all road bike, Thesis is now offering two AXS build options. You can now order an OB1 with the “mullet” configuration, an Eagle rear mech and cassette mated with road shifters, or with AXS 2x setup. These bikes ship 90% built and ready to ride, with a variety of build options, direct to your door.

Pricing on the new AXS builds comes in at $4,999 for the AXS 1x or $5,199 for AXS 2x.

See more details at Thesis.

Eddy Merckx Debuts the Corsa Steel Bikes

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Eddy Merckx Debuts the Corsa Steel Bikes

Designed, handmade, hand-painted, and built in Belgium. The new Corsa steel frames from Eddy Merckx embody the legacy that is the MX-L and Corsa models of the 1980’s and 1990’s. Teams like Motorola, Panasonic, and Kelme rode these frames to victory. Icons of the peloton. Steeds of Columbus steel with proprietary tubing and Eddy’s own private geometry. These bikes have a legacy and one that Eddy Merckx is looking to reinvigorate with their road disc, road rim, and all road models. All made from a unique Merckx blend of Columbus Spirit HSS tubing and Columbus Xcr tubing.

We saw a hint at something new from Merckx at this year’s Tour and now we get a deeper look. Unfortunately, the product photos on Merckx’s website don’t give us much detail, which is a shame because they look great and at 3,299 EUR for a frame, I doubt I’ll be seeing one in person any time soon…

Check out the Corsa line at Eddy Merckx.

Standert’s Kreissäge 2nd Cut DISC Road Bike is Made in Italy

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Standert’s Kreissäge 2nd Cut DISC Road Bike is Made in Italy

Stander’s new Kreissäge comes in a rim or disc brake version and is made from high-end Scandium tubing in Italy. With a race-proven geometry, Di2, AXS or 2x compatible, flat mounts, and a no-nonsense kit, it checks a lot of boxes for those looking for a zippy and capable road bike, that’s a little different from the rest of the options out there. Head to Standert to read more.