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Ron’s Bikes Aluminus Maximus Gravel Frames

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Ron’s Bikes Aluminus Maximus Gravel Frames

Inspired by the work of Charlie Cunningham and other cult classic aluminum steeds, the Ron’s Bikes Aluminus Maximus gravel bike ($2,000 frameset) is the anti-carbon propaganda demigod we need from small-batch bicycle production. These bikes are made in the USA by Frank the Welder and have been selling like hot cakes over the past several months, so when it came time to list them on RonsBikes.com, Arya and Ronnie only had sizes 51 cm and 60 cm left. So if you have short legs or long legs, they’ve gotcha covered.

We’d like to remind everyone that Arya and Ronnie lost their factory and means of primary income last year and it’s been hard on the brand. So if you have any free money and would like to see Ron’s Bikes grow, check out their in-stock-today items and throw them some love.

2024 Metal Gravel Bikes Under and Around $2000

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2024 Metal Gravel Bikes Under and Around $2000

Finding affordable bikes that cost under and around $2000 can be challenging, so we compiled a list with a twist… We’re big fans of metal over here. Metal gravel bikes can be superior to their carbon cousins in many ways, especially if you’re planning on strapping bags to them and taking them out on longer rides, overnighters, and tours.

We get requests all day long for more affordable bikes, and following up with our 2024 Under and Around $2000 Hardtails article, we present our Metal Gravel Bikes Under and Around $2000 post, so let’s get to it!

Unicorns are Real: The Story of an Elusive 1991 Yeti Tree Frog

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Unicorns are Real: The Story of an Elusive 1991 Yeti Tree Frog

There aren’t many modern bicycle brands that have a history quite as rich as Yeti, let alone a diehard cult following of collectors and fans for the early bikes. Coming into a steel F.R.O or Yeti Ultimate is usually enough to be considered a “Holy Grail” find for most. However, there is another bike in the early Yeti lineup that is so rare many will never see one in person and more modern followers of the brand may not know even exists. This is the story of an elusive Yeti Tree Frog…

What’s Old is New Again: Crust X Ron’s Bikes Alumalith Rigid MTB Review

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What’s Old is New Again: Crust X Ron’s Bikes Alumalith Rigid MTB Review

Unveiled at the 2022 Philly Bike Expo to much fanfare, the Alumalith is a realization of Ronnie Romance‘s dream to incorporate his favorite aspects of vintage mountain bikes into a deciededly modern offering. Featuring a non-suspension corrected Switchblade-style fork, rim brakes, sharp angulation, and 6061 aluminum fabricated by renowned craftsman Frank Wadelton–but with internal dropper routing, clearance for 27.5 x 2.6″ tires, and a contemporary approach to geometry–the Alumalith is nostalgic delight for riders of today. Josh picked up an Alumalith earlier this year and has spent months building it, riding, refining, and riding some more. Continue reading below for his review of this niche yet capable and fun machine…

State Bicycle Co: New Shirts and Undefeated Road Disc in Tie Dye and Pearl

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State Bicycle Co: New Shirts and Undefeated Road Disc in Tie Dye and Pearl

State Bicycle Co offered up a sneak peek at its new Undefeated Road bike with a fancy tie-dye and pearl paint job. These new framesets have been re-engineered with Y9 aluminum which is 6061 aluminum with added titanium, resulting in a new alloy composition that allows for the thinnest possible wall thickness to be used. And yes, while the new bikes look great, we’re really excited to see those new shirts hit the market too! Check out the new Undefeated Road disc road and track bikes and the “It’s Just Bikes” shirts at State.

The BMC URS Aluminum AL One

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The BMC URS Aluminum AL One

The BMC URS AL ONE is the most affordable in the URS line at $2,599, which saves hundreds over the URS ONE carbon chassis model ($2,999). What’s interesting about the two models is the aluminum URS has a slightly different geometry, due to the tubing used and the URS AL ONE has a size XS available. Check out all the details at BMC.

A Desert Coyote Dark Moon All Road with a Fox AX Fork

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A Desert Coyote Dark Moon All Road with a Fox AX Fork

Last Sunday brought about the LA Handmade Bike Show and in attendance was LA’s newest frame builder, Carlos from Dark Moon Fab. Along with a hardtail similar to Jimmy’s, and a few road bikes was this all-road featuring the Fox AX “all road” fork. The aluminum frame’s geometry is tuned to run the AX fork, which will offer more compliance when the going gets rough and eat up some of the stiffness aluminum tubesets provide. Stiffness that might be desirable on a road or track racing machine, but might beat you up a bit on rough and rugged roads.

The paint is in actuality cerakote, a ceramic coating that goes on much like paint, but offers a more durable finish than a matte, flat, or semi-gloss wetpaint. Carlos masked off a desert landscape as well as Dark Moon’s branding in the material, making for one slick bike.

Have you ridden the AX fork? What are your thoughts? Share them in the comments!

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Follow Dark Moon Fab on Instagram.

Foes Racing – Handmade in Pasadena Aluminum MTB Frames

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Foes Racing – Handmade in Pasadena Aluminum MTB Frames

Brent Foes is no stranger to metal fabrication. He began working in the automotive industry, designing trucks and other off-road vehicles for brands like Ford and Nissan before he opened Foes Racing in 1993.

Since then, Brent’s been pursuing the perfection of the long travel system (LTS) mountain bike at his shop in Pasadena, California, where, over the year’s he’s had race machines under some of the fastest pros in the world.

His bikes are no-nonsense trail machines. Most of the work is done on-site and Brent welds each frame himself. At Interbike last year, Foes unveiled a 27.5 XC machine that weighed 23lbs complete. That’s light for a full sus MTB, much less one that’s made in the USA.

Last week, I had the opportunity to tour the Foes facility before picking up a bike to demo, meet Brent briefly and see the man at work. It was an incredible experience and one that I’ll outline in the Gallery!

If you’re in the market for something different, contact FOES for your next build!

Brent Foes at Work

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Brent Foes at Work

Today I went over to Foes Racing USA to pick up a demo bike and to check out their operations. Brent has been making MTB frames from aluminum in Pasadena since the early 90’s, so it was an honor to see him at work. I’m still going through all the photos from today, but expect more shortly!

Right now, I’ll leave you with this portrait of the man himself at work.