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While any publicity is good publicity, it’s a shame that Volagi is best known for their now-settled dispute with Specialized and not the bikes that they’re putting out there. Unfortunately up until this weekend that was more or less the story I knew as well. Their Liscio road bike made a splash with the full-carbon and road disc brake fans out there, and I expect the same from the pictured Viaje steel bike pictured, as seen at its Sea Otter debut. The geometry is within millimeters of that of their all-day friendly Liscio road bike, but the production Viaje will be able to accept 32 mm tires with full fenders, 42c or so without. The Reynolds steel frame has Volagi’s Longbow stays that upon close inspection are not attached to the seatube, but only to the toptube. In theory this allows to the stays and seattube to flex independently to take some of the sting out of the ride over the all day rides this bike is meant for. Sounds good, can’t wait to ride one. On paper this is more or less my ideal road bike—aggressive geometry with an all day, ride anywhere design sensibility at home on the dirt roads I love to ride. I’d personally prefer the full carbon fork had an aluminum steerer, but I may finally have to admit to holding onto past prejudices too long given what is out there these days. Expect to pay about $1500 for the frame and fork when it becomes available, hopefully in August if all goes well.
Continuum Cycles is located in New York’s East Village, near Tomkins Square Park for those somewhat familiar. They’re known for both their used and refurbished bike sales and service, along with for being a no-nonsense high end shop where you can piece together your dream bike. The shop currently occupies three small storefront spaces, one serving as the service area with the other two being the showroom. A fourth storefront is being built out right now as a bike coffee shop—think movie showings, race gatherings, espresso and classic pieces of bike culture adorning the walls. As it stands Continuum is a top-notch service shop, striking the rare balance between excessive bike knowledge and a love of the finer things in bikes without the attitude that can come with it in so many other places. Harkening back to the old days of shops with house brands, Continuum has their own line of frames of both Asia-sourced aluminum and fully custom, built to order Italian made road, ‘cross and track frames. I first met owner Jeff Underwood (pictured below working on the old Fisher in the last row) at the CMWC in Toronto a few years back, and through a couple of visits to the shop since and countless unsolicited plugs from my NYC friends figured it was appropriate to share some pictures of their shop and extensive collection of vintage parts. Check out that triple triangle Colnago in the window, the old Mafac wrenches, the rarely seen Magic Motorcycle Cannondale cranks, the LD Frejus stem… Worth a visit in person next time you are in New York, or via the web at 
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