Launching today, the Hobgob Hip Pack expands the lineup of London-based bag-makers Wizard Works‘ collection of wearables for both on and off the bike. With multiple clever features – including a side-loaded Fidlock Hook buckle, two zippered pockets, wide hip wings, and an optional bottle pocket in both stock and custom configurations – this pack is sure to be popular. Josh and John participated in the prototyping phase of the Hobgob and, below, offer a detailed look and review of the new pack.
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Reportage
Summer Shreddin’ in Winter Park: Inside / Out at San Util Design
Spencer takes us on a trip to Colorado to visit Winter Park’s local bag maker, San Util Design. Started as a one-man project, but ever on the up and up, the makers recently opened a new shop on the mountain town’s main drag and hired a few part-time employees. Boasting a range of products from hip packs all the way up to custom frame bags, San Util has some great handmade gear available. Let’s check it out below!
Reportage
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.
Reportage
Too Small To Stomp Out: Reflections from 2023 “Meet Your Maker” in Napa, CA
Meet Your Maker is an ongoing series of rides hosted by the Northern California bike-making community and finally returned to Skyline Wilderness Park in Napa, CA this past May after a nearly eight-year hiatus. Always excited to document cycling culture, Erik Mathy loaded up his touring bike and headed to the event from his home in the Bay Area with his usual eclectic mix of handmade cameras and lenses in tow. Below, Erik shares reflections on a few aspects of the memorable weekend that resonated with him, in addition to a series of interviews, a gallery of uber-creative analog portraits, and scenes from the event.
Radar
Meet Your Maker Event Returns to Skyline XC in Napa, CA
Skyline Wilderness Park in Napa has a rich history of mountain bike racing, from the Grundig World Cup races of the 1990s to the Single Speed World Championship in 2008. These are classic chunky old-school XC trails that are a perfect match for your favorite hardtail. Come test your abilities in a fun and supportive community!
Meet Your Maker is an ongoing series of rides hosted by the Northern California bike-making community. It all started in 2011 and kinda faded out in 2016, but now it’s back! No stuffy convention halls, no dim fluorescent lighting, just a good time hanging out and talking shop while we partake in the activity that puts a big smile on all of our faces.
Reportage
Cute, Durable, and Ethical Cycling Bags: A Workshop Visit with Wizard Works
London-based Wizard Works makes decidedly cute, sturdy, and durable bags for cyclo-touring and bikepacking. Founders and owners, Harry and Veronica, are committed to producing everything in-house, sourcing materials from within the UK and Europe, and supporting their small staff with livable wages and a positive work environment. They’ve turned what was once a hobby into a robust brand, now with stockists around the globe. Following this year’s Bespoked, Josh got to play tourist and eat biscuits while getting treated to some behind-the-scenes time at Wizard Works’ new workshop in Greenwich. With their cheerful space, happy colors, and employee-first practices, this is some wizardry where you very much want to look behind the curtain. Read on for more from Josh’s shop visit!
Reportage
Wack Packs and 4.5 Star Bathroom Experiences: A Shop Visit to Oveja Negra
Many moons ago I was looking for a place to park my car as a shuttle vehicle in Salida before the beginning of the second DFL the Divide trip when a friend suggested, “See if you can park at Oveja Negra.” A few Instagram messages later and I had secured a parking spot behind their shop in downtown Salida, CO. When we returned at the end of the trip – unkempt and raucous – we were nonetheless treated to showers and a tour by the incomparable Lane. Her tour was full of ghost stories and other fun histories of their historic building. Coming back so many years later to similar open arms is truly a lovely thing.
Reportage
Russ Pope Studio Visit: On Skateboarding, Arting, and Bikes
The artist Russ Pope is a west coaster-turned-New England émigré. Growing up as a skateboarder and an artist, he brought his two passions together at a young age. Creativity has been intertwined with all his outdoor pursuits since, with a portfolio that boasts many skating and cycling collaborations. Hailey Moore recently had the opportunity to sit down with Russ to talk about it all—Read on for a rundown about his life of skating, arting and bikes and to learn more about a Russ Pope drawing giveaway! Thanks Russ!
Reportage
Analog Artisanship in the East Bay: A Shop Visit with Vernacular Sewn Storage
You might recall seeing the half-frame bag from Vernacular Sewn Storage (VRNCLR) on the prototype Super Something gravel bike Adam Sklar had at Ruta del Jefe. VRNCLR is the Oakland, CA – based bag company of maker Tom Gilpatrick. Tom has been working in sew business for some time now, currently focusing on bags for bikes and also Go Fast Campers (GFC). Earlier this summer I was in the Bay Area with filmmaker Justin Balog and we had a slice of time before heading to the airport to catch flights home, so stopped in to visit with Tom and check out his space in the eclectic O2 Artisans Aggregate.
Radar
Radar Roundup: Framebagracadabra, Ragley Frames, Ratio 2×12 Upgrade Kit, Apidura Cargo Adapters, GT Gets Rad, Green Mountain, Revel Fam, and Makers in Portland
Our Radar Roundup compiles products and videos from the ‘net in an easy-to-digest format. Read on below for today’s findings…
Radar
Radar Roundup: Jackets Ornot, Wizard Works Musettes, Win a Spoon Customs Cervélo, Cambium Tones, and Bearclaw Forks
Our Radar Roundup compiles products and videos from the ‘net in an easy-to-digest format. Read on below for today’s findings…
Radar
Radar Roundup
Our Radar Roundup is where we take some of the news items to come across our inboxes into an easy-to-digest dump of sorts, culling down the clutter from our homepage and making it easier to stay on top of what’s going on in our little corner of the cycling industry. This will come particularly in handy when it comes to spring/summer product drops from our favorite brands.
Check out our Radar Roundup below with products, videos, and a Radavision entry…
Radar
Chater-Lea Road Clearer Bicycle Whistle
We all love our Spurcycle bells but wayyyy back when, cyclists used to ride with whistles to clear the road. J Hudson & Co. have been making specialist whistles in England for over 150 years. The ACME siren began life as the ‘Cyclists Road Clearer’ in the 1880s.
Chater-Lea is delighted to have joined forces with J Hudson & Co. to create the ‘Chater-Lea Road Clearer’ for £39.00.
This unique whistle combines the peerless ACME siren with a beautifully machined solid brass case designed and manufactured by Chater-Lea here in the UK. The brass case directs the sound and adds character as a unique patina develops over the years!
If you love throwbacks and are looking for an interesting holiday gift for a loved one, then be sure to consider this! See more (including an audio file) at Chater-Lea.
Radar
The Wizard Works Pelagazam is Now Available for Ordering
Earlier this week, we looked at John’s new Pelagazam on his Crust Dreamer touring bike equipped with a Pelago Rasket. The Pelagazam is Wizard Works’ new basket bag, designed to specifically fit the Pelago Rasket. You can now pre-order the Pelagazam at Wizard Works.
Reportage
Peregrinus Equipment, Light Handmade Bikepacking Bags From the State of México
In the mountains of the State of México, about two hours by car to the west of México City, there’s a little town named San Simón el Alto; in this town, there’s a house which would pass as any other house save for the sign that reads “Bebidas exóticas”, exotic drinks, and an outdoor bar, a Biergarten if you will, with chairs in an inviting position. Wandering in the garden, a big turkey makes sure everything is in order and slowly approaches whoever stays idle for too long, be it dog, cat, or person. To the right there’s the house and one of the doors opens up to reveal two sewing machines, rolls of Xpac and Liteskin, and a few half-made bicycle bags. This is Peregrinus Equipment, the bike bag enterprise run by physicist, cyclist, and nature enthusiast Nicolás Legorreta.
Radar
Wooden Bars? Why Not? New Zealand’s Passchier Bamboo Handlebars
If you recall our coverage of the 2021 Handmade Bicycle Show Australia, then you probably noticed those unique bamboo handlebars on some of the unique builds. Here’s a quick video showcasing Passchier Bamboo Handlebars. Would you ride them?
Radar
The Albuquerque Journal Interviews Baphomet Bicycles, Doom Bars, Farewell Bags, Buckhorn Bags, the Radavist and More
New Mexico has been a hot spot for cycling for a while now, with Outside Magazine Magazine ranking some of our local trails in its Best Bike Rides in the World article, and various companies, including BTI calling it home. But what about smaller companies? What is driving them to move to the chile state? Head on over to the Alburquerque Journal to read all about the reasons for this migration of makers. Check out our coverage for these makers in the Related footer…
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Made in Santa Fe: A Pair of Custom O’Leary Built Mountain Bikes with Evergreen Stitchworks Bags
I must say that I’m damn proud to live in New Mexico and I had no idea that such an awesome network of makers are blossoming here. We’ve looked at Moné’s operations down in Silver City, Baphomet Bicycles, checked in with Farewell Bags, looked at the framebag offerings from Buckhorn Bags, and today we’re featuring two local companies, starting with Evergreen Stitchworks and O’Leary Built Bikes, so let’s get to it.