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"Once a cool thing is been done it cannot be undone" - so begins one of the most seminal films in Mountain Biking including Hans "No Way" Rey and Greg "H-Ball" Herbold. Hans has released the full version of the film on his you tube channel, for those whose VHS player is in the loft it is well worth revisiting.

Retrobike has been informed the iconic early 90s tyre the Onza Octopus is being reissued for 2021. For those who don't recall the early 90s the Octopus was the street orientated stable mate of the well regarded Porcupine. Just check eBay for used White Octopus and Porcupine prices. Release date is tbc but expect to see the reissued Octopus available in black, white and butterscotch compounds. Wheel sizes are expected to be 27.5" with both 650c and 700c gravel options. All tyres will be tubeless ready. No 26"option available in the initial offering but as ever watch this space. For reference the original article printed in @mbukmagazine is shown on the right. Expect street price to be a little over the original £14.95 retail.

Bicycle component manufacturer Shimano are celebrating their 100th anniversary. To mark this event the Big S have shared some hi res wallpapers of both cycle and fishing components along with some videos. Check it out here.

We've got the @retrobikehq IG page up and growing fast. If you remember fondly when bikes were particularly pretty/ lairy/ snapped sometimes…. Please have a gawp/ like/ share/ follow here: http://instagram.com/retrobikehq/ If you like old bikes - you know where to look :D

We have been saddened to learn that forum and retro ride regular Dylan Archer (aka DA-EVO) was a victim of the Shoreham air crash. Both Dylan and his friend Richard Smith were cycling on the A27 at the time of the crash. There is a thread on the forum in his memory here. Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Dylan and the other victims during what must be a very difficult time.

Long-time bike journo and photographer Seb Rogers is launching a new mountain bike magazine this spring. Called Cranked, it’ll be published four times a year and, in a move that cheerfully sticks two fingers up at the conventional wisdom that digital is the only place where it’s at, it'll also be available only in ink and paper form. “It’s intentionally different”, says Seb. “High production values, the best paper and printing we could find, and features that are put together with time and thought rather than rushed out to meet a tight deadline. Think of it as a digital detox - two-wheeled, fat tyred vinyl to everyone else’s MP3”. Due out around mid April 2015, you can sign up for email updates - and a chance to win a year’s free...

The word legend is one which is used all to readily, especially in sporting endeavour. For a select few the titled is deserved, the sadly late Jason McRoy was surely one of those. In the days when MTBing was still a relatively young sport and many retrobikers still young men JMC took on the best in the world and in many cases won. His life was tragically cut short but the memory lives on. The McRoy family have been auctioning some of his bikes with proceeds going to charity. This FSR was the last bike Jason raced on and was sold earlier this year for a shade over £5K. The seller has relisted it, once again some proceeds are going to the JMC Foundation. Check the auction out here > JMC Specialized FSR and discuss in the forum here.

We were extremely saddened to learn that forum regular Greenstiles aka Nigel Tillett has passed away following a motorcycle accident on Saturday 19th October There is a thread setup here in Nigel's memory, please post your thoughts there. The funeral is to take place on Friday 8th November, a collection is being made in Nigel's memory for ASPIE, an Asperger's charity in Worcester which was a cause close to Nigel. Details on both are contained here. Our thoughts go out to Nigel's widow Alison and young son Alexander in this difficult time. Greenstiles, wherever you are mate, RIP.

To celebrate 25 years of the magazine MBUK are running a contest to win original mint sauce artwork! Calling all Mint Sauce fans! This is a rare opportunity to own a piece of original Mint Sauce artwork, hand-drawn and painted by Mint creator Jo Burt. He created this extra special double-page edition of Mint Sauce to celebrate MBUK's 25th Anniversary issue, and you can see how he did that in our Making of Mint Sauce video here. Click here to enter. Don't forget to check out the retrobike mint sauce archive.

While Privateer was in California in April and May, exploring the state that gave us mountain biking and continues to lead the conversation, we spent a day at the NorCal High School MTB race at Boggs Mountain. Who should we find there working as the team wrench for the Drakes Pirates team? None other than Joe Breeze of Breezer Bikes and the MTB Hall of Fame. Here's his take on why getting kids into mountain biking at a young age is so important. Joe Breeze: “I’ve been wrenching for the team since my son was a freshman, five years ago – he’s off to college this year. My wife and I have sponsored the team from the start with Breezer. For four years they were state champions. “My dad was a machinist and a mechanic, so it was like...

Cycling giants Campagnolo have recently celebrated their 80th anniversary with typical Italian flair and style. As part of the anniversary celebrations Campagnolo have setup the Campagnolo Virtual Museum. The virtual museum is well worth a look with numerous iconic images of riders, components and events from the past 80 years. One of the most important parts of the virtual museum is the people section, which handily is where we come in. Campagnolo have asked we on retrobike get involved with their 80th Anniversary by sharing our Campagnolo experiences, stories and photos on the site where hopefully it will remain for digital posterity. To get involved go to the Campagnolo Virtual Museum here and start contributing.

Switchback Magazine have an article on retrobike in their upcoming eleventh issue, check the video preview here. The magazine also features articles on Hope and Orange penned and photographed by our very own Augustus. The magazine is available from the switchback website, those in the UK can find it at bigger WH Smiths. Click here to discuss in the forum.

Further to the last post the forum is back up following the software upgrade (as it has been for many many days). Check the upgraded retro bike forum here.

As some may have noticed the forum is down for maintenance, hopefully back up later today, 30th January 2013.

Iconic East Coast framebuilders Fat City are celebrating 30 years by holding a gathering in Vermont this weekend. "We are celebrating all the fun, joy and excitement folks have had riding their Fats all over the world. We’re gathering the last weekend in September in Morrisville, VT, to ride, eat, drink, share our stories and exploits...and more! All are welcome, especially if you have a good story, love Fats or have an old Fat to bring and ride. Share your Fat story with founder Chris Chance. He will love to hear it!" Check the webpage or the post on FatCOGs for more details.

Church End Brewery in North Warwickshire UK have brewed up this fine ale which is available now and for the next three weeks from selected pubs in the region and from the brewery direct. Brewers Karl and Spencer who are Retrobike regulars organised a road ride from the brewery over the weekend, click here for the aftermath, the retrobike beer was of course sampled mid and apres ride. In the name of journalistic integrity your correspondent sampled numerous pints of the ale over the long weekend (here in the UK at least) and is pleased to report the Retrobike ale not only has a fine taste but also has the desired and expected effects. If you can't get hold of any from the brewery you'll have a chance to sample some Retrobike beer at...

To celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the 1987 World Mountain Bike Championships in Villard de Lans,France a festival weekend has been organised. The event is taking place over the weekend of 16th and 17th June 2012 and is once again being held in Villard de Lans. The historic meet is being attended by inaugural World Champion Ned Overend and trials supremo Hans Ray amongst others. Check the thread in the forum for more details.