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NAHBS 2019: Hunter’s mini-fat folder & Paul stem racks; Black Cat’s winning fillets

hunter cycles folding mini fat bike
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Hunter Cycles’ show collection was led by two rather unique new creations: A mini folding fat bike for getting around town regardless of the conditions, and a replacement front faceplate for Paul Component stems with an integrated rack. The mini-folder may not shrink down as quickly as a Dahon, but it sits far taller, giving you sort of normal bike aesthetics, and likely just a bit crisper performance.

hunter cycles folding mini fat bike

The rear end unbolts to swing down, and the front rack folds up and locks into place. All of which should create more useful space wherever you decide to store it.

hunter cycles front handle bar bicycle racks mount to paul component stems faceplate

For those seeking more useful space on their bike, he’s come up with a few rack designs that let you bolt one directly to a Paul Component stem. They replace the stem’s standard face plate and can hold up to 20-25 pounds. They get Paul’s official blessing, who says they steel bolts used to hold it onto the stem are more than strong enough to handle the load plus rider forces. The racks range from about $200-250 (maybe more depending on features) and can be had with adjustable sections, extra bottle cage mounts, etc.

hunter cycles front handle bar bicycle racks mount to paul component stems faceplate

hunter cycles front handle bar bicycle racks mount to paul component stems faceplate

Whether using it to stabilize a roll bag or just attach more small things, Hunter says they’re really good for smaller frames where you might not have good options for extra bottle cages on the front triangle.

We’d ridden his all-road gravel bikes before but didn’t realize he offers a single pivot mountain bike also.

He was also showing off this simple red disc brake road bike, which gets the simple and elegant tooled thru axle rear dropouts he’s known for.

The unique fork crown is another signature Hunter touch. Check them out at HunterCycles.com for the full range…he makes stems, handlebars, frame racks and more, too.

Black Cat Cycles

Black Cat Cycles also had a red bike, but theirs went full monster-mountain cross size to create a drop bar bike capable of rolling anything.

Black Cat uses a mix of styles to connect the tubes, from legs to welds to brazes.

This disc brake road bike had a killer todo-style paint scheme…

…but it was this mountain bike that took home the ribbon:

They chose a slacked out trail hardtail to showcase their fillet brazing skills and won Best Fillet Frame for their efforts.

Double tubes and lugs, along with curved and shaped tubes on the back half, helped further set the bike apart. Check them out at BlackCatCycles.com.

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DingDang
DingDang
4 years ago

Two of the BEST builders in the business today. Rick and Todd are true craftsmen in every sense of the word.

black cat bikes
black cat bikes
4 years ago
Reply to  DingDang

thanks man. the check is in the mail.

Robin
Robin
4 years ago

The dark blue Black Cat disc road bike is gorgeous.

Collin S
Collin S
4 years ago
Reply to  Robin

Completely agree. I want!

black cat bikes
black cat bikes
4 years ago
Reply to  Collin S

it’s for sale! send me an email for details if you’re into it. it’s a 57cm.

Collin S
Collin S
4 years ago

Ha, I’m a 54cm but if I ever finally pull the trigger on my dream bike (a super commuter big tire road bike, w/ fenders, horizontal TT, with dropouts that will accommodate a bike trailer) I’m heading to you.

Daryl Price
4 years ago
Reply to  Robin

I live in Colorado and have no need for fenders but that Blackcat is HOT!

threeringcircus
threeringcircus
4 years ago

That Black Cat monstercross is fantastic. What’s going on with the head tube? It looks like it has a diagonal split in it, or am I seeing things?

black cat bikes
black cat bikes
4 years ago

good eye. the head tube has been sleeved for a 1 1/8″ to 1 1/4″ tapered steerer, while maintaining a more traditional aesthetic. the down tube and seat tubes both have matching bi-laminate construction for strength to allow for lighter tubes with strength where you need it. the down tube’s bi-lam construction works a gusset, while the seat tube’s collar clamps the post solidly and ends the possibility of cracks propagating from the slot. all three feature a horizontal line as looked at from the side.

the drive train is also full of tricks. 148mm boost spacing, with a custom machined spider to push the road double cranks out to match the chainline. the spider will flip for 1x use, if that’s your jam.

the 27.5 x 2.35-2.4″ tires are the exact diameter as a 700 x 40-45c, so there is no bb height lowering when you want to get radical off road with the fatter tires.

lots of up-front thought and designing to result in fewer compromises for the end user.

jednobiegowiec
jednobiegowiec
4 years ago

@threeringcircus

Yeah, you are seeing things 😀

It is just a lug cut-out.

Cheers!
I.

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