Fairdale Bikes | Cruisers, Weekender, Taj Signature & Hareraiser DJ
Fairdale Bikes: Common Questions
What Fairdale bikes are available at Urban Cycling Apparel?
Urban Cycling Apparel carries the Fairdale complete bike lineup spanning casual cruisers to dirt jump bikes. The Ridgemont 27.5" ($629) is a simple steel 8-speed cruiser with BMX-style bars and 27.5-inch wheels. The Lookfar ($599-629) uses the Weekender geometry with 8-speed SRAM drivetrain, Continental tires, rack and fender mounts, and convenient Schrader valve tubes. The Weekender Archer 27.5" ($999) uses full chromoly construction with disc brakes and Odyssey Slic Kables, compatible with both 27.5 and 700c wheels. The Weekender Nomad MX is the top-of-line Weekender with 100% chromoly, SRAM Apex 1x drivetrain, and Avid disc brakes for extended riding. The Taj 27.5" is Taj Mihelich's signature model — 100% chromoly, single-speed with Odyssey brakes, BMX sensibilities in a sit-down cruiser format. The Hareraiser 26" DJ ($1,099) and Hareraiser FX ($1,399, Manitou Expert 100mm fork) cover dirt jumping.
What is Fairdale and who is Taj Mihelich?
Fairdale Bikes was founded by Taj Mihelich, one of BMX's most respected and creative riders, who built a career defined by technical skill and a deep love of exploration and fun on bikes. Fairdale sits within the Quality Bicycle Products family alongside All-City and Salsa — both of which Urban Cycling Apparel also carries — and shares that family's commitment to thoughtfully designed bikes for real-world riding. Taj's influence on the brand is direct: Fairdale bikes consistently blend BMX sensibilities — tough chromoly construction, BMX-style bars and stems, clean single-speed capability — with practical commuting and adventure features like rack mounts, wide tires, and gearing. The Taj signature model embodies this philosophy most literally, built around his belief that a bike should be fun to ride, made to last, and easy to maintain.
What is a dirt jump bike and how is the Hareraiser different from a regular mountain bike?
A dirt jump bike is purpose-built for hitting shaped dirt jumps, pump tracks, and skate parks — environments where you need to generate and control momentum through a series of takeoffs and landings. The Fairdale Hareraiser uses a 26-inch wheel size, 100% 4130 chromoly frame with ultra-short chainstays for snappy handling, a 3/8-inch axle slot for single-speed setup, integrated chain tensioners, and removable Gyro tabs for brake cable routing through spins. It is designed to bridge the gap between a BMX bike and a mountain bike — aggressive enough to handle big dirt jumps but large enough to ride comfortably with your feet on the pedals. The Hareraiser FX adds a Manitou Expert front suspension fork with 100mm of travel for riders who want more cushioning on larger features and rougher jump lines.
What makes the Fairdale Weekender a good commuter and travel bike?
The Weekender was Fairdale's original design concept — a "light-tourer" that works as a daily commuter and a weekend getaway machine without requiring the rider to be a cycling enthusiast. The geometry puts the rider in a comfortable upright position for long miles. The disc brakes provide consistent stopping power in wet conditions. The Odyssey Slic Kables give the braking feel a clean, precise action. Rack and fender mounts make it easy to set the bike up for carrying cargo or riding in rain without special tools. The Weekender Nomad MX version adds SRAM Apex 1x drivetrain and a chromoly fork for riders who want to push the bike harder on rougher terrain or longer routes. The 700c wheel compatibility on medium and large frames adds versatility for riders who want to swap to faster rolling road tires for paved use.
What is the difference between the Fairdale Lookfar and Ridgemont?
Both are entry-accessible cruiser bikes built on the same Weekender geometry, but they differ in construction and component level. The Lookfar uses the same frame geometry as the Weekender — rack and fender mounts, 8-speed trigger shifting, Continental tires, and Schrader valve tubes for easy inflation at any gas station pump. It is positioned as the accessible everyday cruiser in the Fairdale lineup. The Ridgemont (previously called the Flyer) uses 1020 steel rather than chromoly and positions itself as an even simpler "just go for a ride" bike with BMX-style bars, 8-speed gearing, and 27.5-inch wheels. Both bikes are designed to remind riders that cycling can feel effortless and enjoyable without complex technology, which is central to what Fairdale builds toward across its entire line.
Are Fairdale bikes well suited to riding in Bentonville?
Yes, particularly for the riding Bentonville does differently from most cycling cities. The Weekender and Lookfar are ideal for the Razorback Greenway and the city's network of paved trails connecting neighborhoods — comfortable, geared, practical, and capable of carrying gear for coffee-stop rides or commutes. The Taj single-speed and Ridgemont are excellent for casual riding in Crystal Bridges' grounds, around downtown Bentonville's flat blocks, and on the gentler sections of the multi-use trail network. The Hareraiser DJ is directly at home at Coler Mountain Bike Preserve's pump track and jump lines — the kind of terrain Bentonville has invested heavily in building for exactly this style of riding. Urban Cycling Apparel ships all Fairdale bikes direct across the U.S. from its Webb City, Missouri fulfillment center.