There’s no shortage of bag makers out there but it’s rare to find a company bringing some new ideas to the table when it comes to bicycle portage accessories. San Util is doing some fun stuff with an interesting spin. They have a Kickstarter campaign, along with some stock on their website, so head on over and check it out. Our favorites include the Salmon Big Stache Daddy, MTB Hip Pack, and the Mini Beer Tote.
#made-in-the-usa
tag
Reportage
A Look at the New VYNL Bikes: /rd rim – Rim Brake Road Bike and /gr Disc Gravel Bike
Last year marked a sea change for the cycling industry. On one hand, cycling saw a boom with many companies shifting to a work from home model, and employees looking for a new outdoor hobby to spend their free time. On the other, supply chain shortages ran rampant throughout the industry and suddenly the supply couldn’t meet the demand. Depending on who you talk to, parts shortages happened for a number of reasons but the bottom line is if you have the ability to sell bikes, or even frames in 2021, consider yourself lucky.
Before the pandemic, Sabrina and Max Clauson wanted a change of pace from their normal day-to-day lives so they purchased VYNL Bikes. Now they’re running it as a passion project from their home in Boulder, Colorado. While I was in town earlier this year, I swung by their house to take a look at the new VYNL brand and to shoot Max’s /rd Rim brake bike along with Sabrina’s /gr Disc Gravel bike. These no-nonsense machines come in stock geometry, have the option for custom paint, are made in the USA, and are perfect for a rider looking for a straight-up utilitarian bike for pavement or gravel.
Let’s take a look at these two builds below…
Radar
Yoshimura Pedals Review: We Can’t Get Enough of These Yoshimura Chilao MTB Pedals
I’m a collector of goods by nature. When I find a pair of pants, backpack, shorts, or even shoes I love and cannot live without, I tend to buy a “backup” or secondary set to hold onto. Sometimes, this can get expensive, especially when it comes to bike parts but with the uncertainty of the current supply chain shortage brought on by the pandemic, my hoarding has been elevated. Take for instance these Yoshimura Chilao Pedals. When we first posted about them back in 2020, I bought a set for a few reasons…
Radar
Kitsbow’s Rockstacker Merino Tight
Cooler and frigid temps are on the way and Kitsbow has merino tights that are developed for a perfect on-the-bike fit but can be used in any number of situations. Complete with a phone pocket on both legs and available in two ankle-lengths to ensure the optimal fit, the Rockstacker might be the most robust merino tights on the market. These are made to order in North Carolina at Kitsbow and thus carry a premium price of $199 but in this case, you get what you pay for. Check out more at Kitsbow.
Radar
Alchemy’s Argos Made in the USA Titanium 140mm Hardtail
Titanium hardtails offer the best riding experience out of any material, ATMO, and seeing more US companies offering them is always a good thing. Alchemy’s newest offering is its Argos, a 140mm travel hardtail. This frame is made from Alchemy’s own blend of titanium, feature a sculpted rear triangle, and come available as completes with packages from GX to AXS. Head to Alchemy to see more from this beaut!
Radar
Not All Shorts Need To Cover Your Knees: The Ornot Mission Shorts Are Amazing!
Have you tried looking for shorts recently, only to be bummed that they all look like they came from a surf shop in the 90s. Baggy, long, parachute-looking shorts are a bummer. In my attempt to find a MUSA, quick-drying, durable short I found the Ornot Mission Shorts and they quickly replaced my old go-to shorts. Sure, an 8.5″ inseam might not look like modern MTB apparel but I’d argue that’s a good thing. Shorts are short for a reason. Otherwise, they’d be called “Longs”.
Photos by Kyle Klain
These shorts feel great on a road, gravel, or MTB and even off the bike. They’re made in the Bay Area from 95% recycled nylon, feature four pockets, one of which has a zipper for extra security, and are gusseted to withstand wear and tear from the rigors of cycling…
The Ornot Mission Shorts are back in stock at Ornot with a retail of $108.
Radar
Search and State: Merino Long Sleeve Jerseys
Search and State continues to roll out its warm weather gear with these long sleeve merino jerseys. Available in four colors, magenta, green, navy, and black, knit with a synthetic and merino blend for increased durability, and you better believe, they’re selling out fast. Check out all the information and stock at Search and State.
Radar
Use this ikari C Bike Bracket Holder to Carry Your Tenkara Rod (and more) on Your Bicycle
We love supporting cottage industry manufacturers and ikari has been making some really kick ass accessories for you Tenkara anglers out there. These new ikari C Bike Bracket Holders solve a big issue people have with bikefishing: how to carry your Tenkara canister while riding! Now you can drop it in easily under a bottle cage or use it to carry bear spray, a carrot, a summer sausage, etc.
These are made in Brevard, NC to order and retail for $35. See more at ikari.
Radar
Guerilla Gravity’s New Pedalhead 29er
Guerilla Gravity is best known for their made-in Colorado carbon and aluminum full suspension bikes but today the brand announced its updated steel-framed hardtail 120-140mm travel 29er. The Pedalhead got a revamp including bosses for better frame storage of bottles and cargo gear and most impressively, a new modular dropout system that allows riders to transition from gears to singlespeed riding with a twisting of a few bolts.
The Pedalhead comes in a few build configurations starting at $3,495. Head to Guerilla Gravity for more!
Radar
King Cage: New Side Load Cages
King Cage has long been a staple in cycling water bottle cages and it’s been a while since Ron and his team released a new cage. This Side Load cages allow you to install it for easier access in tight frame spacer. Be it a smaller frame or a full-suspension mountain bike. These are in stock now at King Cage and through your local dealer.
Radar
Mission Workshop: Speedwell 20L VX Packs
Mission Workshop’s backpacks are legendary, with their made in the USA construction, lifetime warranty, repairs, and naturally, innovative designs. Their latest pack uses Dimension Polyant’s iconic, lightweight X-Pac® fabric. This 20L fully weatherproof backpack utilizes the same breathable floating harness system used on the MW hydration packs to provide generous airflow between the pack and your back while offering stability and comfort in the most adverse conditions and features the ASP pocket system for efficient storage and ease of use. The Speedwell retails for $285.
These new packs come in four colors and are shipping today from Mission Workshop.
Radar
Bags X Bird: Better Half Frame Bag
Sometimes you want a framebag and a water bottle cage and that’s ok. The Better Half Frame Bag solves this problem with a new Fidlock magnetic closure system. These bags are designed to fit gravel bikes with about 10º or less of top tube slope. If you’re not sure what your top tube slope is, go to our friends at BIKE INSIGHTS and search for your bike, your top tube slope will be in the geometry info.
The Better Half Frame Bag comes in two sizes, designed to fit various headtube lengths.
Small: likely in the 46cm-58cm frame size range with head tube lengths around 75-170 millimeters. 2.5″ or less of the head tube between the top tube and down tube.
Large: frames in the 58cm-63cm range, with 180-230-ish millimeter head tubes. 3-4.5″ of head tube between the top tube and down tube.
These bags are made in Atlanta, come in a variety of colors, and are shipping today from BagsxBird.
Radar
We Restocked our Camp Hats (Finally!)
First of all, can we just say “THANK YOU” for your patience? A lot of you pre-paid for these hats back in May when they were supposed to be in stock in June. Well, with supply chain shortages at the cotton factory it took four extra months to get our new run of Camp Hats in stock. This season, we went with the popular Caliche (brown), River Rock (cool grey), and Obsidian (black). These are the exact same caps as our last run, with a brass closure, brushed organic cotton fabric, our folk-art inspired Jackal on the front, and The Radavist text logo on the back.
They’re in stock now for $45 at the Radavist Web Shop.
Radar
Kitsbow: Kitsuma Merino Hoodie
Kitsbow’s popular merino hoodie, the Kitsuma, is back and is now being sewn in the USA at their North Carolina facilities. With cooler weather here, it’s always handy to have a merino hoodie in your wardrobe. These hoodies feature moisture-wicking, temperature regulating layering details, as well as abrasion patches on the elbows.
Specs:
-Merino/Tencel® blend for the best Merino has to offer with added durability of Tencel (87% Merino, 13% Tencel)
-Super textured nylon mesh in the hood and pockets for structure and feel
-Security pocket on back
-Reflective piping at the shoulders and hem for safety/visibility
-Schoeller® elbow/arm patches for protection and durability
-Thumb holes for when layering or extra coverage
-Sewn in the USA
See more at Kitsbow.
Radar
Old Man Mountain Launches the Divide, a Bike Rack for Any Bike
The latest from Old Man Mountain is the Divide rack, which is designed to fit on just about any bike in your quiver. It comes in standard, fat bike, and a made in the USA model. The Divide attaches to QR, thru-axle, or eyelets, on the front or rear of any bike. Check out this video for the gist and see more at Old Man Mountain!
Specs:
-The Divide fits up to 3 inch tires, with room for fenders.
-Front or rear mountable.
-Made from 6061 aluminum the racks are lightweight, stiff, and strong.
-The main rack frame is made of 1/2″ (13 mm) diameter tubing for durability, and the pannier rails are 3/8″ (10 mm) diameter to fit all panniers.
-The low pannier rail makes it a breeze to load and unload panniers with gear lashed to the deck.
-The deck measures 3.9″ x 10.5″ (100 mm x 266 mm)
-The deck includes slots for easily lashing gear in place and holes for mounting a light.
-The dropouts are height adjustable to keep the weight loaded low on the bike and fit a wide range of tire sizes.
-The Divide come standard, eyelet mount ready with optional fit kits available for thru axle or QR mounting.
-The Divide has a load capacity of 55lbs when eyelet mounted. For more adventurous endeavors we offer thru axle or -QR Fit Kits, that mount the rack to the axle and increase the load capacity to a whopping 70lbs!
-Powder coated a sleek and refined shade of black
-Stainless Steel mounting hardware
-Lifetime warranty!
Radar
Search and State: High Viz M90 Camo S2-R Jersey
Tomorrow, 9/16 at 11 am EST, Search and State will be stocking this limited edition High Viz M90 Camo S2-R jersey. This jersey pattern is based on M90 camo, with hits of fluro orange, on a pattern Search and State is known for. These jerseys are made in New York City and retail for $195. See more at Search and State.
Radar
Widefoot’s Colored Cargo Cages Are Back
Widefoot’s durable CargoMounts are back in three bright colors: orange, purple, blue, as well as standard silver and black. These durable, lightweight (68g) cages are made in the USA, come with a 15″ or 20″ Voile strap, and are in stock now at Widefoot for $48-$58.
Radar
ORNOT’s New Micro Climate Jacket
In an effort to make the ultimate packable riding jacket, ORNOT might be onto something. This new Micro Climate Jacket features a strong lightweight fabric custom milled especially for ORNOT. Designed for riding in micro-climates, areas where 20º temperature swings are the norm, this stretchy, water-resistant jacket packs into its rear pocket, weighs only 155grams, and will keep you comfortable in 40-67º degree weather.
Specs:
-Reversible rear pocket doubles as a stash bag.
-Water-resistant and quick-drying due to patented thread treatment.
-2-way zipper for venting and pocket access.
-155 grams (size small) – Temp range ; 40 – 67 degrees.
-Sewn by hand in California
Priced at $210 and shipping now from ORNOT.