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Chris King Announces Mix-n-Match Headsets

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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.

Keepers of the Flame: Shop Visit and Interview With Smith Levi of RatKing Frames

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Keepers of the Flame: Shop Visit and Interview With Smith Levi of RatKing Frames

Smith Levi, of RatKing Frames, has been dedicated to making frames and bicycle cargo accessories that merge fun and function for a decade. After getting started in Oakland, California in 2013, RatKing has since migrated north to Seattle, Washington and is a founding member of the creative collective Stunt Doubles. Andrew Johns recently had a chance to stop in the space for a chat with Smith and, below, shares a conversation that spans from the idea behind Stunt Doubles, to RatKing’s design inspiration and obsession with process, and Smith’s current offerings.

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

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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!

Who’s Got Next? A Framebuilding Summit at Caletti Cycles

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Who’s Got Next? A Framebuilding Summit at Caletti Cycles

Last week, John Caletti of Caletti Cycles hosted five up-and-coming bicycle framebuilders at his shop in Santa Cruz, California. An event that had been on John’s to-do list for the past few years, his first Framebuilding Summit was intended to be an educational meeting of the minds–a time dedicated to sharing knowledge with a group of young bike builders.

REMINDER: TODAY! (11/30) is Your Last Chance to Sign Up for Your Chance to Win Paul Klampers for November’s Group Ride Giveaway!

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REMINDER: TODAY! (11/30) is Your Last Chance to Sign Up for Your Chance to Win Paul Klampers for November’s Group Ride Giveaway!

Join our Group Ride subscription plan by TODAY and be entered for a chance to win a complete PAUL Component Engineering Klamper disc brake set! This is open to Group Ride members, worldwide!

We’re stoked to offer up some of the best disc brakes in the world for our Group Ride subscribers. Our good friends at PAUL have offered up any set of Klampers, in any available finish, plus a set of brake levers. Add some bling to your current flat bar (or drop bar) bike or build a new bike around these lovely brakes.

Check this post out for all the information on how to join Group Ride for $6.66/month or $69.69/year.
SIGN UP HERE.

October’s Group Ride Giveaway–from ORNOT–was Owen from Duluth! Congrats, Owen!

Back in Stock: Shred Lightly Golden Sunrise Bottles!

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Back in Stock: Shred Lightly Golden Sunrise Bottles!

Everyone’s favorite water bottles are back in stock. Our Shred Lightly Golden Sunrise bottles feature the Greater Road Runner (Geococcyx californianus) and the Spanish Bayonet Yucca bloom (Hesperoyucca whipplei) . Many thanks to Steve Bretson and Cari Carmean for their typography work on these products. These 26oz bottles are a golden yellow, with two-color text.

• Purist 26oz bottle with MoFlo cap
• 100% BPA free
• Printed with non toxic ink

Sold as a pair: 1 order = 2 bottles. Pick up a set at The Radavist Webshop.

Please note we are unable to accept returns for water bottles, so please choose your quantity carefully, thanks!

Properly Tall: Bags By Bird Right Height Bag Review

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Properly Tall: Bags By Bird Right Height Bag Review

Jay Ritchey of Bags By Bird (BXB) recently started offering custom bags not only for fabric choice and all the usual options but also specifically tailored to the height of your bars and your desired width. For riders with a lot of front-end real estate or those with a minimal amount, this can be an amazing way to maximize your gear space. In true BXB fashion, the bag looks incredible and functions equally beautifully.

In Stock Now: Radavist and Cedaero Portage Bag – Black and Burgundy

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In Stock Now: Radavist and Cedaero Portage Bag – Black and Burgundy

When Josh posted up his Alumalith, with a custom Portage bag he collaborated on with Cedaero, it caused a rukkus! Karl from Cedaero got flooded with requests for these throwback MTB bags from the 1980s and 90s, so we decided to make a run for our readership!

We made two colors; waxed canvas burgundy ($134.95) like Josh specced and all-black cordura ($124.95). These bags are bike geometry/size specific and Karl made them to fit the Alumalith but they will fit any bike but you’ve gotta be mindful with the sizing! Read on below for more information on how to size this for your bike…

22.2 Ain’t Dead! A Look at the Paul Component Engineering 22.2 Boxcar 6-Bolt Face Stem

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22.2 Ain’t Dead! A Look at the Paul Component Engineering 22.2 Boxcar 6-Bolt Face Stem

⌀22.2mm or 7/8″ bars were all they had back during the genesis of the almighty MOUNTAINBIKE. Riders would take the entire cockpit off their dirtbikes and flat track racers: Magura L363.20 bars, Magura brake/clutch levers, and even Magura grips, mounting them to SR or Cinelli quill stems. A lot has changed since the late 1970s but one thing remains: people love these small-diameter clamp bars for their mountain cruisers, klunkers, hardtails, and rigid MTBs. You know, the bikes that get ridden super hard!

Paul Component Engineering offers their normal Boxcar stem in a ⌀22.2mm clamp, but today they announced a 6-bolt faceplate Boxcar Limited stem ($147.50 – $166.50).

John got his hands on one before the drop and has some photos and thoughts below…

Reviewed: A Flight of North American-Made Pedals from Blackspire, North Shore Billet, Tectonic, Tenet, Wolf Tooth, and Yoshimura

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Reviewed: A Flight of North American-Made Pedals from Blackspire, North Shore Billet, Tectonic, Tenet, Wolf Tooth, and Yoshimura

Reviewing a group of high-end, North-American-made pedals is, perhaps, best compared to reviewing a group of gourmet cheeseburgers: They are all going to be delicious, and you’ll need a pretty distinguished pallet to pull a lot of the finer details out—is that a Wisconsin smoked cheddar or Vermont? Ok, maybe I’m getting a bit off the rails here with the comparison, but the reality is: Just like two people may have differing opinions on what makes the best burger, each pair of these pedals has its own slightly distinctive flavor that may satisfy one rider more than another, or, even the same rider on different trails, bikes, or conditions.

Continue reading for Ryan LaBar’s roundup of six North American-made flat pedals including Blackspire, North Shore Billet, Tectonic, Tenet, Wolf Tooth, and Yoshimura

Probably Overkill But So Nice: Austere Manufacturing 1″ Pin Ladder Lock Review

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Probably Overkill But So Nice: Austere Manufacturing 1″ Pin Ladder Lock Review

We love the products Austere Manufacturing is producing in Northwest Washington state. Uriel Eisen’s clever designs have taken a critical look at items you can buy from hardware stores and injected real engineering into the design process, resulting in more robust, longer-lasting products that operate as well as they look.

We’ve been using the Cam straps for a while now on our bike tours and even in our 4×4 buildouts, but today, we’re checking out Uriel’s latest creation: a 1″ Pin Ladder Lock buckle (stainless pins $16.95 / ti pins $19.85). These are meant to replace the plastic ladder buckles found on your bags and packs that can break out in the backcountry.

John took delivery of some early production 1″ Pin Ladder Lock buckles and put them to work on his trusty Realm Crossbody Pack. Let’s check out the process below!

AhHa Toaster Portable Indoor/Outdoor Bike Rack Review

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AhHa Toaster Portable Indoor/Outdoor Bike Rack Review

Keeping your bikes organized in your home, apartment, office, or while on the road usually requires many different solutions. Wall hooks, ceiling-suspended racks, and cheap stands from eBay or Amazon certainly do the trick, but I’ve never seen something as well designed as the AhHa Toaster for all the above bike storage solutions.

This unique bike rack folds from flat into a sturdy, secure 5-bike rack, designed to fit up to 2.6″ tires, and still fold down to be tucked away under a bed, behind a desk, or even in the trunk of your car, your van, or road-trip mobile.

Last week I took delivery of the AhHa Toaster and immediately put it to use in my home office where I stash my vintage bikes, so let’s check it out in detail below.

American Makers Series Part 1: Paragon Machine Works and Their SRAM UDH Dropouts

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American Makers Series Part 1: Paragon Machine Works and Their SRAM UDH Dropouts

Motivated by the renewed interest in American manufacturing following the COVID pandemic, Erik Mathy shares part one in a new series where he will document how American makers of fine bicycle parts make a single part from the very start to the finish. At each stage he will ask the person doing the work two questions and take two portraits: One of the part and one of the worker. In his own words, this is a project to “explore both the processes and the people who make some of the most interesting, purpose-driven and—in their own way beautiful—bicycle parts in the world.” Read on for his first installment with a visit to Paragon Machine Works and an in-depth look at how they are making their new SRAM Universal Derailleur Hangar dropout.

A Simple Solution for a Simple Problem: A Shovel Research Rod Steward Review

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A Simple Solution for a Simple Problem: A Shovel Research Rod Steward Review

Does it get much better than small makers addressing niche demands within a niche sector of the bike industry? I don’t think so. One of my favorite parts about running this website is showcasing and highlighting cottage industry bike businesses. Shovel Research is a small machine and fabrication shop that makes well-designed products that address a niche demand. One of which is its Rod Steward, a bag support designed for the Fab’s Chest by Ron’s Bikes, but as I found out on my Rivendell Bombadil, it works well with a Rivendell Sackville BagBoy bag.

Let’s check out a quick review below…