Jake Wilkinson’s Tidbit Archives

Museum-Worthy Pull  – June. 30 , 2025

A couple of weeks ago, I pulled a complete ring of dried orange seal from a customer’s tire. This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime sealant pull—the rarest of the rare.

I believe it could be quite valuable to any dried bicycle tire sealant collector. If you happen to know anyone who collects dried sealant, please let me know. I’m open to selling it for the right price!

Swift Campout!  – June. 23 , 2025

During the Swift Campout last weekend, we encountered a fire warning, meaning absolutely no fires were allowed in the mountains. To still create that signature campfire experience that we’ve all come to love, I improvised! I gathered up everyone’s red blinky taillights, headlights, Matt’s orange Nalgene, and a few stones and sticks. Presto! We had a fake campfire for everyone to enjoy sitting around.

Cayce’s Colorful Return  – June. 16 , 2025

For those of you who remember my previous Tidbits about Cayce’s project to have the most colorful bike in the world, here’s an update: We’ve installed the most colorful crankset I’ve ever seen!

It’s a Cane Creek eeWing Ti crankset with beautiful Ti anodizing by Agave Works, paired with Alugear’s golf ball aero anodized chainring—it really pops! The cranks are spinning smoothly with a Chris King ceramic BB30 in the “Matte Mango” colorway. We’ve also had some conversations about drivetrain upgrades, and as always: fashion over function!

Rainbow bridge national monument  – June. 09 , 2025

Last week I was able to visit Rainbow Bridge national monument. This amazing arch is the largest known natural bridge in the world (standing at 290 ft tall and 275 ft across) 

This is a sacred place for many indigenous tribes in the region. (The Hopi tribe, Kaibab Paiute Tribe, Navajo nation, Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah, San Juan southern Paiute tribe, Pueblo of Zuni and Ute mountain Ute tribe)

This was an amazing to experience this special place. 

Dexter’s Racy Otso Waheela  – June. 02, 2025

Last week I took some glamour shots for my roommate, Dexter, who races on this awesome Otso waheela. He raced the Unbound Xl last weekend and did great! 

Shawn Austin’s Cutthroat – May. 26, 2025

Last week I had the pleasure of working on Shawn’s cutthroat as he was preparing to ride the tour divide in a couple of weeks. Starting in Banff, Canada he will be riding south to the Mexico border. With a wolf tooth tanpan road to mountain conversion we installed a 11 speed mountain derailleur and cassette for those steep hills.
Good luck on your trip Shawn! 

Toby meets Mia – May. 19, 2025

Mia the young puppy being trained to ride around on the front rack of a surly bridge club is bursting with energy meeting Toby. Definitely brought some light to our day. Thanks Mia! 

2022 Tombstone Hustle B-Rolls – May. 12, 2025

This weeks tidbit; we look back at some photos I took during our tombstone hustle over-nighter in 2022. Some Toby and Nate action in the dragoon mountains, the prickly pear emporium and True Marmalade (Erik) and his titanium omnium he rode on the trip. Good times in Cochise stronghold. 

Bike shop operation – May. 5, 2025

Pictured: Nate delicately pulling a splinter from Ellie’s finger using a nail clipper. Very unsanitary but it worked

Tricycle – April. 28, 2025

We had a cool 20″ tricycle come into the shop for service recently, and it got me thinking – could tricycles ever become an interesting option for bikepacking? Here’s Ellie taking a call on the tricycle.

Toby’s mustache – April. 21, 2025

Two weeks ago Toby came into the shop rocking this stache. You mustache him about it next time you see him. 

Lonnie’s last day – April. 14, 2025

I wanted to share that last week was Lonnie (Burger)’s final day with us at Campfire. We celebrated with tacos and burritos from The Little One. We’re all going to miss Lonnie dearly around the shop. During their time here, we spent many breaks daydreaming about cool bike builds and fun bikepacking routes. On their last day, I took some glamour shots of them with their custom 26+ Crust Evasion.

Fun times at Cyclovia – April. 07, 2025

I had a great time at Cyclovia this past weekend in Tucson! It was hosted by Living Streets Alliance, a fantastic local non-profit dedicated to transforming streets into vibrant public spaces that connect people and places.

Many of Tucson’s bike-friendly boulevards are supported by events like this. Each event showcases a particular bike boulevard by closing it to vehicle traffic, which allows cyclists and pedestrians to move around freely and safely.

Ellie and I set up a free repair tent at one of the hubs, and we got many folks back on their bikes that day, as well as met some truly amazing people from our community.