Sometimes bikes take so long to create and deliver that it’s hard to believe New Bike Day will ever come. Exhibit A: Matt’s one of a kind Flaanimal 5.0 Rat Rod. First conceived in late 2019 at Philly Bike Expo, this bike has taken longer than anything else we’ve ever done to build. But we dare to say it out loud: The end result was worth the wait. Matt told us he wanted something that evoked resto modded, rusted out old Fords and the like. Matt wanted real rust, polished chrome, whitewall tires. He wanted a combination of old and new. He wanted almost every part blasted, coated, rusted, and even burnt. It took us 18 months to make his vision real, but if Matt wants a rad rod Flaanimal, Matt gets a rat rod Flaanimal.
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A huge shout goes to @flux.customs for sharing his knowledge and properly rusting the frame for us. Even the logo is done in rust and will evolve over time. (The interior of the frame is still rust protected FYI and the exterior is rusted and treated to keep the rust from going full bore on the frame). Parts like the headset were simply blasted to naked aluminum which will continue to oxidize. Other parts like drivetrain, brakes, and hubs are redone in cream and blue @cerakote. The Easton EC90 crank arms are Cerakoted then laser-discolored with @ridgesupply ‘s #shakethedust slogan. Other parts like the @bikethomson cockpit are left in their polished glory to offset the lovely grime elsewhere. The Rodeo 2.0 650b rims are Cerakote matched to the blue of the limited edition @brooksengland saddle. The @odigrips Vans grips were the obvious choice for the vibe of the rest of the build. Half link chains just look super punk, and they are super strong to boot. We left the Spork 3.0 totally stock to go with Flaanimal 5.0’s integrated carbon tubes. Everything just flows, as all rat rods should.
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We hope it never takes this long to deliver a bike again, but if it does we hope it is as rad as this one!
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#flaanimal
#rodeowheels
#rodeospork
#rideexplorecreate
#newbikeday ...

Despite the snow currently blanketing Denver it is spring outside, and before the white stuff started piling up we were able to get outside and shoot this: @vincicle’s brand new Sunflower Sky Flaanimal 5. Vince first had this build specced with GRX which would have been a fine choice, but having had Campy on a previous bike with great results he did a last minute pivot to Ekar for that 1x13 lightweight goodness. Vince went with the Sunflower color way which is reminiscent of his old Yeti CX bike, and @flux.customs nailed the @cerakote finish as usual. Keep an eye out for this beautiful build at gravel events throughout the year, Vince has been known to throw down at the races and this Flaanimal is ready to trot!
#flaanimal
#rodeospork
#rodeowheels
#rideexplorecreate
#newbikeday
#gravelbike ...

Mmm. Our Ekar bits arrived which means we can deliver some bikes! First up: this tall-boi 61cm TD31 that just oozes carbon err’ting.
This build also went out with a second set of our 2.0 wheels built to (1420g) pavement spec with 24 spoke ultralight hubs, bladed Pillar spokes, and 28mm Gravel King slicks. As shown it is shod with its gravel 2.0 Rodeo carbon wheels rolling on 45mm WTB Riddler tires for that lovely Durango dirt road and trail action.
@campagnolosrl Ekar 1 x 13 drivetrain
@eastoncycling EC70 AX cockpit
@sellerepente Quasar saddle
@ridemagnetic laced 2.0 carbon wheelsets.
Naked carbon finish with dark copper metallic decals.
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Happy New Bike Day Mark!
#traildonkey
#rodeospork
#rodeowheels
#gravelbike
#newbikeday ...