October 29, 2022
Understated Excellence: Behind the New No. 22 Aurora
"It's an iteration, an evolution. I think that's the way to think of it," explains No. 22’s co-founder Bryce Gracey during a video call to discuss the brand's all-new Aurora. And on the face of it, he's right. The release even looks like bike business as usual: new season, new things. But in...
October 26, 2022
BOTW: A Red Rocket Pinarello Dogma F
AC's Brennan Wertz may have concluded his gravel season, sealing the year with a fine 7th at Big Sugar Gravel that came only a week after he secured 3rd place in the Quadrupel Crown of Gravel series, but he's already back on the road, building his engine for the big...
Brennan Wertz
October 21, 2022
Bike of the Week: On Safari With a Mosaic GT-1-45
Our latest Bike of the Week is this Mosaic GT-1-45 (Gravel, Titanium 1 that takes up to 45c tires for everyone who wonders what's in a name). This went to a fantastic client in Florida who had never been on a gravel bike before and was looking to get into...
Chad Nordwall
October 17, 2022
Across the Pond: A Visit to Bespoked
Bespoked, a celebration of handmade bicycles and the people that make them popped up in London this past weekend, and AC's Pete was on the ground to visit on our behalf. Naturally, our interest took a sharp turn towards Prova and Mosaic, who were displaying at the show, but there was lots...
September 29, 2022
Catch Me if You Can: Brennan Wertz on His Full Gas Season So Far
Wow, what a year it’s been. I’ve traveled more than ever and ridden my bike more than I thought possible. But with all the travel and time on the trail, it's been a while since I last penned a journal for Above Category. So to remedy that, here's an update...
Brennan Wertz
September 09, 2022
Bike of the Week: Tracy's Custom Sarto Seta
Believe it or not, many Above Category clients find us from afar. And we're not talking about the other side of the US, either. From Europe to the UK, to South Africa, Singapore, Japan and South Korea, we regularly create custom bikes for riders around the world. Often these far-flung cyclists...
September 01, 2022
Tech Talk: The Pinarello Dogma F12 Vs The Dogma F
In 2010 Pinarello changed the face of modern carbon race bikes with the Dogma. The frame used an asymmetric design emphasizing power delivery and reduction in frame flex compared to other race bikes on the market. The Dogma2 (released in 2011) further increased aerodynamics and power transfer and had a...
Ben Jones
August 17, 2022
Introducing Above Category Skincare
Skincare and cycling go together like a saddle and shorts. But when did you last think about what's in your chamois cream? A few years back, we looked at the ingredients in our (then) favorite cream and didn’t like what we found. It turns out there are alcohols, petrochemicals, paragons, artificial...
August 03, 2022
Bike of the Week: A Red Fade Bastion Demon Road
Bastion Cycles out of Melbourne, Australia, have a special partnership with Tom Warmerdam of Demon Frameworks out of Southampton, England. One Bastion/Demon frame will be built per country. And now, thanks to our most recent Bastion client build, you can scratch Mexico off that list (and 28 other countries, for...
Chad Nordwall
July 25, 2022
Above Category Cycling Chamois Cream
Cycling chamois cream. It's ubiquitous. The name itself? A misnomer. Back in "the day" (before 1986, to be precise), the "pad" in a pair of cycling shorts was an actual leather chamois, requiring constant reconditioning and moisturizing to keep it effective at preventing chafing between the skin and saddle. Now,...
July 13, 2022
Launching the Ceramicspeed Cerakote OSPW X System
It's no secret that we love Ceramicspeed. So when the Danish components brand asked us to help them launch their limited-edition Cerakote OSPW X system, we jumped at the chance to get up close with their new off-road pulleys here at AC and out on our favourite trails in Marin. For...
