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Moots Routt Dirt Drop Expedition Bike

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Moots Routt Dirt Drop Expedition Bike

For 2015, Moots introduces a rather interesting model to their extensive lineup. The Moots Routt is made for expedition-style, ultra-lightweight bikepacking and backcountry touring. With disc brakes, 450mm chainstays and a nice bottom-bracket drop, this bike will sail with ease down fire and frontage roads and rip up singletrack. With clearance for up to a 44mm tire, it’ll take whatever you throw at it on trail and tarmac.

Since the Routt is titanium, it’s bound to offer a smoother ride than other materials and since it’s a Moots, it’s backed by their lifetime warranty. Made in Colorado where they know a thing or two about the wilderness.

See more at Moots and head to your local dealer for ordering.

No 22 Bicycles: Broken Arrow Disc Complete ‘Cross Bike

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No 22 Bicycles: Broken Arrow Disc Complete ‘Cross Bike

No 22 Bicycles have been field testing their new cyclocross bike, the Broken Arrow, all season and are finally ready to sell them – remember what I said about good things coming to those who wait. Remember, a cross bike – especially a disc bike – is incredibly versatile.

These bikes are made from 3Al-2.5V CWSR titanium in the good ol’ USA, by men and women who have been making titanium frames for decades. Each frame is warranted for 10 years and comes built, stacked with high-end components, yet barely tipping the scales at 17.3 lbs for a size 56cm. Remember, titanium isn’t a material you chose for excessive weight savings, it’s all about the ride quality.

These bikes look outstanding and are available as a frame, or complete from No 22 Bicycles, with a five-week lead time. See more below and Happy Holidays guys!

Engin’s All-Road Bicycles

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Engin’s All-Road Bicycles

You know what? I think Drew at Engin’s work is some of the finest in the world and when it comes to mountain frames, his titanium trail rockets are the things dreams are made of, so why wouldn’t he be able to make a sick cross bike, or all-road rig? Look at the body language and stance on that thing!

These bikes look the part and although I’ve never ridden one, I bet they rip just fine.

Check out more at Engin.

Michael’s Serotta Cross Bike

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Michael’s Serotta Cross Bike

There are many seasoned road cyclists here in Austin and a few of them try their hand at cross racing once their season ends. Michael is one of these dudes. He’s got a big motor and is honing his skills in the dirt. This season, he’s made it out to the Beat the Clock Urbocross series and other USAC-sanctioned races.

If you’ve attended any, you can’t miss him. Or this bike. NY-made Serotta Ti frame, State wheels and Dura Ace, lightened and made more efficient with a Wolf Tooth narrow wide ring. Since Michael’s still getting used to the dirt, he’s taken a few spills, but always gets up, ready to rip. Note the missing faceplate on his right shifter.

I love titanium frames, especially on off-road bikes and this one’s a great example of the quality that Serotta produced.

Jeremiah Kille’s Chevron Caletti Ti Road

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Jeremiah Kille’s Chevron Caletti Ti Road

Jeremiah Kille is an artist in Santa Cruz, California and like John Caletti, he creates vibrant pieces of work, relying on geometry and color. This new titanium road was built to Jeremiah’s specifications, utilizing a plethora of chevrons, inspired both by the sunsets of Santa Cruz and classic surf culture of the 70’s.

Photographer Peter Thomsen took his time documenting this one. See a few more below and the full set at Peter’s portfolio site

A Look at Industry and Ti Cycle’s Solid Bike Design Project Concept

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A Look at Industry and Ti Cycle’s Solid Bike Design Project Concept

With the Oregon Manifest’s Bike Design Project going on this week, Industry and Ti Cycle‘s entry is probably the most high-tech in terms of construction technique. All other bikes were brazed by traditional frame building techniques, yet had a design language that spoke of a far more modern assemblage process.

While I was really stoked on the Teague x Sizemore bike, the Ti Cycle’s construction process is truly innovative, boasting a connected, 3-d printed titanium manufacturing method. The parts for the frame that are titanium are printed and then welded together, a process that piqued my interest when I first saw it… Especially with all the integration built right into the frame and cockpit.

The team at Industry sent over their studio shots, as well as other information, but I really just want to focus on the bike itself, because to me, it is the most unique frame in the competition.

There’s still time to vote on your favorite design at the Bike Design Project and see more photos of the process and the bike below.

Firefly Bicycles: Black Metal Steed

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Firefly Bicycles: Black Metal Steed

Oh praise to the Necronomicog. Dear lord of the darkness and campfires, what have you manifested upon my eyes? What is this steed upon which you ride? I cannot get over how rad this bike looks.

Firefly’s bikes keep throwing me a curve ball. Just when I think I know what I want, I see a sinister steed like this. Hell, even a disc version would be killer. Yes, I just said that.

See more at their Flickr.

Jon’s Bad Luck 2013 Mosaic RT-1 Road

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Jon’s Bad Luck 2013 Mosaic RT-1 Road

Last year was a bad year for Jon from Skratch Labs. Not related to the company, which grew exponentially since the last year’s Tour of California. No, 2013 was a bad year for Jon personally.

First, he and his wife were in the Boston Marathon bombing, then he got hit by a car in July coming down Boulder canyon, leaving his MCL torn and surgeries followed, unable to ride for a while. Two life-threatening events that gave him some perspective.

As a “life reward”, post-accident, Jon contacted Kevin at Mosaic to build a custom titanium RT-1 road with ENVE and Ultegra Di2. The inverted 2013 serves as a reminder and motivator to Jon as he pedals his way into recovery.

Right now, this bike is setup to accomodate his injuries. The saddle is slightly tilted back and the steerer remains uncut, to make the riding position a little more upright. Jon’s intentions are to slowly progress back to his normal riding position, but with all things, it will take time.

Time that Jon’s more than happy to spend riding this machine, like to the top of Rock Store during the final stage of the Amgen Tour of California, where I had, literally 5 minutes to shoot this bike!

I wish the best to Jon, his family and Skratch in 2014. Thanks to Mosaic for being so kind to him as well. See you guys in Boulder!

Firefly: Two Frontier Blaster Builds

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Firefly: Two Frontier Blaster Builds

Throw some bigger tires on these beauts and I’d be so into them! I say that like I’m I’m not already into them. Firefly put out two solid looking machines this week, including this Ti disc machine with XTR cranks and this carbon and a Ti / carbon disc with RED. I love how the builds are so different, yet their intended uses are the same.

Side note: I’m trying to use a different word than “adventure” for bikes like this. Any ideas?

Chris’ Serotta Pronto Ti Road

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Chris’ Serotta Pronto Ti Road

It’s a shame when a name like Serotta shuts their doors after years of building steel, titanium and carbon frames in the USA. When the brand collapsed, The Pros Closet on eBay liquidated a ton of frames, which is where Chris scored this Pronto Ti frameset for a killer deal. It took him a little bit to gather all the parts. At the time, Deda Superleggera parts weren’t easy to find, SRAM was in the transition from 10 to 11 speed and he was thrashing the wheels on his cross bike. Once cross season ended, it was time to dial in his road bike.

Chris already has an insane Icarus, but he wanted something new. A new mistress if you will. Being a mechanic at Mellow Johnny’s, he was rather tedious with this build, dialing it into perfection…

See more in the Gallery!