May 29, 2024
On the Road Part 2: Julius' V1 Scarab Apuna Complete Build
When it came time to build my Scarab Apuna, I had two versions of the bike in mind. For V1, I wanted to showcase that you can build a beautiful custom bike for under $10K without compromising on parts and ride quality while leaving room for upgrades later down the...
Julius Berith
May 22, 2024
Baum's Greatest Hits
If you caught our recent interview with Darren Baum, you’ll know that Baum bikes are officially back at Above Category, heralded by the brand’s stunning Celaris frame. But, with so many great Baums in the AC back catalog, we thought a dive into the archive might be in order. So we...
May 15, 2024
BOTW: An Experienced RIder's First Ciavete Pegoretti
This client has bought a fair number of bikes from us previously, but never a Ciavete Pegoretti. So, for no other reason than, 'Why not now?', we decided together that the time was right to start a build with the Italian brand's world-renowned Ciavete paint scheme. Building a bike for...
Chad Nordwall
May 10, 2024
Back With a Baum
Darren Baum is an affable, interesting man. Two hours-affable, according to my watch, once we say our final goodbyes, he with an authoritative nod of the head from his desk in Geelong, Australia and me with a wave, wondering how I'm going to render what he said into words. The...
Peter Harrington
May 01, 2024
Recent AC Rides Round-Up
What does one do when they have out-of-town guests coming to visit? Well, if you’re Above Category, you order some baked goods and coffee from Equator, pull out and pour over all of your favorite routes to pick the perfect balance between beautiful and epic, and you make sure your...
May 01, 2024
A Sarto Raso in Fender Daphne Blue
A Stratocaster-playing customer wanted to further his other 'hobby' with the latest from Sarto, the Raso, and we were only too happy to give our happy plucker his heart's desire. In typical Sarto fashion, his bike is custom in every way, from the geometry to the ride feel to the finish....
Peter Harrington
May 01, 2024
Girona: Is it the Upside Down Marin?
We're rolling up the Els Angel climb for the third time during our trip to Girona, and just like every loop of our beloved Seven Sisters back home, we can't imagine this sweet piece of asphalt ever getting old. Els Angel is 11.1km long with an average gradient of 3.9%...
April 25, 2024
On the Road Part 1: Julius' Scarab Apuna Journey
After living in the Bay Area for a few months, I realized I would need a road bike to supplement my gravel bike to take advantage of the beautiful roads and fast-paced group rides we are lucky enough to have at our doorsteps. The bike I chose was a Scarab....
Julius Berith
April 18, 2024
Time and Time Again: An Artist's Prova Integrale
This is the sort of bike you stare at for several minutes, a speed sculpture that makes you shake your head to shift the dream, only for the light to reveal a new complexity to the paint, the shapes it makes, inviting a deeper appreciation for the mesmeric blend of metal,...
Peter Harrington
April 09, 2024
Always Be Prepared: Early Season Gravel Racing and Q36.5 Clothing
We caught a jet plane out of SFO and headed for Dallas/Fort Worth, hoping to get some warm early-season miles and maybe even a decent showing in the first of the year's gravel races. On tap was the inaugural Valley of Tears gravel race in Turkey, Texas, a place we...
April 09, 2024
Carbon Copies: A BOTW Pinarello Dogma Duo
Yes, you are seeing double. When one Dogma F is not enough, why not two? One for our client and one for his nephew - a carbon copy in every detail. Submissions for the coolest uncle in the world are now closed. This brace of BOTWs celebrates the modern classic...
Peter Harrington
