If you are familiar with Fairdale bikes or founder Taj Mihelich, you know the name of the game is fun. How can you not love a company that the founder sends you custom artwork for our “Sneak Peak?” Sneakers on mountain tops aside, Fairdale offers a unique take on the world of every day bicycles. Drawing on his experience as a World Champion BMX rider, Taj took his ideas to Odyssey BMX to create a brand that blended BMX durability and fun with bigger wheels and frames to create bikes that met the needs of most riders.
In 2016, the line expands with even more options for riders whether you’re looking for a 26″ BMX or a step through 3 speed city bike…
Clearly the signature model with the Taj label, the 26″ BMX bike is bit different than most 26″ dirt jumpers and uses a geometry meant for fun and pedaling. At $599, it’s also pretty affordable.
The Weekender represents a versatile rig that is somewhere between a cross bike, a beefy commuter, and a light tourer. Available in the Weekender Drop (drop bars, $1249), Weekender Archer (swept back Archer 2 bars, $849), and Weekender MX (BMX bars, first photo with the rabbit, $899), all models feature 700x42c tires to be durable but not bulky, and 1x drivetrains with upper chain guides to provide just enough gearing to get the job done.
With a clear inspiration from vintage 3 speed cruisers, the Daybirds are Fairdale’s take on a classic. Available in standard or step through frames, each includes a Sturmey Archer 3 speed hub, thumb shifter, aluminum fenders and chain guard, and quality touches like a sealed bottom bracket for $559.
Not really a cruiser, and not quite a mountain bike, the Flyer rolls on 26″ wheels and rim brakes for a simple, durable ride that is affordable at $459.
A completely new model for 2016, the Lookfar brings the Fairdale touch to a commuter at just $499. The bike features a 1×7 speed drivetrain, 42mm Continental tires, and a riser bar for comfort or skids.
If you’ve heard of Fairdale, you’re probably familiar with the Goodship. Built with a race inspired geometry, and custom, seamless, Drawnright Japanese Chromoly tubing, the build includes an ENVE carbon fork, SRAM Force 22 groups, and 25mm tires so it’s built to go fast. The 2016 Goodship will retail for $2899.
All Fairdale bikes are distributed in the U.S. by Full Factory Distribution, Ryder BMX in Canada as well as IMG Distribution in the UK. Need a rack to carry your skateboard on your bike? Shops that stock from QBP and J&B can order some of Fairdale’s accessories like their Skaterack. For more details, complete spec, and geometry, check out the Fairdale site.
