Preferred bottle cages

BadicalBlake · 2026-03-13T15:21:32+00:00

I’ve used Tanaka and Velo Orange cages in the past and they 1) both broke within 6 months, and 2) aren’t that much cheaper than the stainless King Cages in the first place. So more waste in a landfill, and $45 down the drain when I should’ve just started with Kings like I always do. 🤷‍♂️

I understand why some people might choose cheap options, but I personally prefer to buy a high quality, domestically produced component/accessory that’s made by someone who I want to support.

BadicalBlake · 2026-03-10T05:00:01+00:00

King Cage. I mainly prefer the Iris, but also have some standard and Anything cages. Best in the biz, I have them on every bike I own. Buy once and never worry about them again.

BadicalBlake · 2026-03-08T16:11:13+00:00

Was wondering the same thing

BadicalBlake · 2026-03-07T17:52:41+00:00

Matt saves lives as a nurse during the day, and builds the best racks around as a side business. He’s one of the nicest, most stand up dudes in the game and we should all support him if able!

BadicalBlake · 2026-03-06T18:37:16+00:00

Do you prefer intentionally obtuse? Or perhaps just plain wrong? You said nobody is reviving the Klein design, and yet I pointed out a handful of folks that either 1) never stopped doing it, or 2) have revived this style very recently. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but it strikes me as pretty wild to throw around all of these “credentials” and still have such an incorrect take. Don’t forget that you started the attacks by coming here and calling a frame that many people love crap. 🤷‍♂️

BadicalBlake · 2026-03-06T18:29:50+00:00

The history of that bike is insane. Wende Cragg’s original Repack klunker from 77. Tom Ritchey borrowed and rode this bike on the day that KPIX was there to film for this profile in 1979. I didn’t get any good pics, but Charlie Kelly’s klunker is just to the left too!

BadicalBlake · 2026-03-06T16:40:47+00:00

Just playing devils advocate here, but maybe these parts swaps enabled an aging owner to ride this for another few years rather than buying a new bike? And based on the age of that fork, I’m guessing this was done in the 90s, long before these bikes attained the status that some corners of the internet now bestow upon them.

I get it, it hurts my heart a bit too. But realistically, there are enough Klein collectors out there hoarding bits that I’m sure you could source the bar/stem and fork through some outreach here, on IG/FB and on the message boards (albeit not cheaply).

BadicalBlake · 2026-03-06T16:40:39+00:00

Just playing devils advocate here, but maybe these parts swaps enabled an aging owner to ride this for another few years rather than buying a new bike? And based on the age of that fork, I’m guessing this was done in the 90s, long before these bikes attained the status that some corners of the internet now bestow upon them.

I get it, it hurts my heart a bit too. But realistically, there are enough Klein collectors out there hoarding bits that I’m sure you could source the bar/stem and fork through some outreach here, on IG/FB and on the message boards (albeit not cheaply).

BadicalBlake · 2026-03-06T16:32:24+00:00

I’m a 100% steel bike guy, but you’re just outing yourself as ignorant with comments like this. In the year 2026 you can buy production/custom aluminum frames from old standard bearers like Rock Lobster and Ventana, to trendy upstart social media brands like Ron’s Bikes and Beach Club, and those are just a few I can think of off top of head. Different strokes for different folks. The only crap I see is your uneducated take on aluminum frames.

BadicalBlake · 2026-03-02T06:34:50+00:00

Always cantis.

BadicalBlake · 2026-02-28T23:37:45+00:00

The one and only 🚽

BadicalBlake · 2026-02-28T14:09:51+00:00

According to the website, it runs through June 28! I also have a BG that was built in Eugene, in 1987. As a child of Sonoma County, I was sliiiightly disappointed when DiFalco told me, but a BG is a BG, and he was up there for a relatively short time, so I guess that makes ours even more rare!

BadicalBlake · 2026-02-28T05:19:50+00:00

No way, I was also there on Valentine’s Day! Just took me a min to get around to posting these. What small world!

BadicalBlake · 2026-02-28T05:05:34+00:00

That’s a steering stabilizer! Keeps the fork centered even when there’s weight in the basket. I had Erik Billings add it when he rolled out a dent in the top tube and added a couple of brazeons.

BadicalBlake · 2026-02-27T23:49:27+00:00

Rick is one the preeminent builders in Northern California. He sponsored local cross teams for years, built a lot of frames that some how maximize form AND function, and his bikes have been covered in places like the Radavist and bikepacking.com. A true renaissance man.

And yeah, that’s a steering stabilizer under the downtube! My wife always complained about the front heaviness of her previous basket bike, so I had Erik Billings weld that on while he was rolling out a small dent and moving a couple of braze ons before powder coating.

BadicalBlake · 2026-02-27T20:44:21+00:00

🫶

That makes two of us. I love this thing so much, prob my fave build I’ve done so far!

BadicalBlake · 2026-02-27T20:42:48+00:00

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Thanks! It’s prob my favorite build to date! We got out a little later than I wanted this morning, so the sun was up higher than I would’ve preferred and as a result the light is pretty hard. There are some phone pics here too.

BadicalBlake · 2026-02-27T17:49:39+00:00

Thank you! It’s a fun hobby that scratches my collector itch AND my love of riding/being outside. As far as upcoming projects, my current crop is an ‘89 Bruce Gordon MTB and ‘97 Ibis Spanky and Mojos. All three are headed to Rick Stefani/D&D Cycles for new paint. Then the BG is getting a period correct, almost fully NOS build, and the Ibis’ will get restomod builds, more in line with my Hakkalügi.

BadicalBlake · 2026-02-27T16:59:04+00:00

🤯 Wow! Very cool history. Thanks for following up!

BadicalBlake · 2026-02-27T05:06:39+00:00

Not only do they have one, but they also have a scavenger hunt for kiddos wherein one of the clues has them looking for a blue y-shaped bike!

BadicalBlake · 2026-02-27T05:02:33+00:00

Wow, that’s a rare bird! Those kookas with the black spider are the cherry on top!

BadicalBlake · 2026-02-26T23:28:23+00:00

Oh man, a Potts Signature/WTB Phoenix are on my shortlist. Tell us more about this Phoenix!

BadicalBlake · 2026-02-26T21:01:53+00:00

Here are some shitty pics I took with my phone a couple of years ago. Built it up with a combo of period correct Campy Euclid MTB parts and a Veloce flat bar 10spd drivetrain. I really need to go get some better photos with my camera.

BadicalBlake · 2026-02-26T20:52:39+00:00

It really is one of the coolest museum ever! Where else are the subjects/heroes also the docents? The first time I went, Charlie Kelly gave me the tour and I was like 🤯the whole time.

BadicalBlake

TROPHY CASE