Welcome to the results of this month’s rummaging around the back room of the internet bike shop, where I try and find cool, shiny or interesting parts to show you, and try desperately not to go bankrupt in the process.
Farr (ST)
Farr is an Australian brand who, as the name suggests, is all about long distance adventures, and gravelly type things. That’s fine, but what I’m more interested in is the Farr-ST sub brand, which is how I like to think Queen Liz says she wants go a little quicker…
First up is their Twin-T frame, which will very much appeal to old school BMXers and MX enthusiasts. Wonder why…
Farr says that this is specifically NOT a trail bike, and that they have been a little conservative with the geometry to keep the bike versatile (they show an MTB spec and a rigid, drop bar gravel spec on the website). It’s made from 4130 cromoly steel, and as such isn’t for the weight weenies at around 3.2kg (or 7lbs, as some will insist on). For MTB they’ve built it with a 120mm suspension fork, giving a 69 degree head angle and 74 degree seat tube angle. Reach numbers are modern, if not super progressive, but that’s not where this is aimed, this is very much an old school mtb, brought up to date, with sliding dropouts, internal dropper routing and boost spacing. Pricing is $895USD (around £720) for the frame, and can be shipped globally.
Here’s another look at that head tube ensemble.
And a drive side shot
Further fans of the old school moto look will also be interested in Farr-ST’s bars and stems, such as the Headspace, which comes in 31.8 and 35mm clamps, 35, 50 and 70mm lengths, and a whopping 85mm wide clamp (check your bars can accommodate this before buying!).
They also come in a few colours, for those who wish to stand out just a little further than the rest of the flock.
Prices are from $70USD to $95USD dependant and colours and finishes.
A bar that definitely will fit that gargantuan clamp size is the very obviously BMX inspired Supa-Riser 820, made of 6061-T6 alu (they also make a 22.2mm 4130 cromo version, for proper BMX feels). It’s a 31.8mm clamp, 50mm rise, 12 degree backsweep and, as the name suggests, 820mm wide. Again not one for the weight weenies at 467g, but positively svelte compared to the 846gram cromo version!
For more info, and lots of other cool stuff, head to www.ridefarr.com or @ridefarrst on Instagram.
Freeze Grips
So, that’s your frame, bar and stem in an old school BMX style, what about grips? Freeze components has you covered. Their clear (well, translucent) grip allows you to stick different radical, turboawesome and other 80’s superlative foils to you bar, and still show them off through the grip (which won’t yellow, as freeze say it’s UV resistant).
The grips themselves are 31mm diameter, 133mm wide (or with an optional twist lock on ring, 143mm) and a 35-40A soft compound. €29 gets you a set with one set of foils, then €5 gets you another one of dozens of choices. €49 gets you the lock-on versions. www.freeze-components.com or @freezecomponents on insta for more info.
Hardlite Components
Hardlite started out as a bike and carbon repair workshop in Florida that found they were also making a lot of their own parts to replace OEM parts that weren’t up to the job. Since then they have given up the repair game to focus on making new shiny parts, such as axles and chainrings, of which there are dozens of patterns for those looking for something a little different, all of which are available in most of the current direct mounting standards, Prices vary on design, but go from $50-100USD
The axles cover most standards, front and rear, and use POM (Polyoxymetheylene) washers so you won’t carve up the paint on your fork or frame whilst getting them to the correct torque. Prices range from $39- $49USD for front and rear axles, and a available in all the above colours
Whilst an axle and (pretty) chainring maker isn’t exactly ground breaking, and Hardlite doesn’t make a huge deal of this save for a bit in the FAQs on their website, www.hardlite-components.com all their products are made in Lviv, Ukraine and whilst it’s not the same as sending food parcels or other aid, it’s something to consider that you are helping businesses keep running amongst challenging times.
And Finally…
This month’s entrant is a man who wanted the moon on a stick, the perfect bike. ‘A bike that was as silent and robust as a BMX, but eat the rough like a DH bike while still being playful and poppy. Oh and to be able to pedal to the top’ Sounds too god to be true, right? This is @rbspecial‘s attempt.
Presenting the bike designed for the average man.
Powerful like a gorilla, yet soft and yielding like a nerf ball!
@rbspecial
With specs reading like a bike website’s comment section wish list, this steel framed, dual crown upsidedown forked, gearbox equipped high pivot and idler setup, put together by @thefreedommachine_fab, appears to be all things to all riders. Named ‘The Homer’ after the car Homer Simpson designs in a classic episode, this is certainly a more realistic proposition. Does it achieve everything it set out to? Keep an eye on Instagram to find out!
Peace out.