Veteran's Day Ride

Escape Route: An invitation from N.Y. Roll

Last weekend N.Y. Roll reached out to me and asked if I would want to join him on a 40-ish mile ride North toward Waverly and back again. I accepted his offer, so the plans were put into place to ride on Tuesday morning at 9:00am. 

I decided I'd ride the Peregrine MK4, of course, and since I was finished with the Schwalbe tires I went and did a wheel swap to get the SOMA Cazadero 700 X 50mm tires on the bike. This entailed swapping cassettes and rotors as well, since I wanted to keep the drive train and brakes the same. 

I got this finished up in time, so the evening before I laid out some gear and got to bed early so I would be as rested as possible. The temperatures were to start out in the mid-30's, but with a stiff Southwesterly breeze, it was feeling chillier than that. 

I ended up wearing the Twin Six Thermal Cargo Bibs with the T-6 base layer and a Smart Wool short-sleeved jersey gifted to me by a Trans Iowa rider. Over this I wore my Voler-made Pirate Cycling League thermal jacket. On my feet I had my 12" Sock Guy wool socks, Northwave winter boots, and that was it. On the noggin I wore a buff from another Trans Iowa rider who lives in Germany and gave me this Berlin Cycling Club branded buff to wear. Then my Circuit Wave Cell helmet went over this. On my hands I wore HandUp Winter gloves. 

As it turned out the only thing I would have done differently would be to have an extra pair of gloves to put on at halfway, and I could have used a plastic shopping bag vapor barrier for the feet. I sweat a lot more than I thought I would on this ride! 

The Veteran's Memorial in Downtown Waterloo

I waited outside for N.Y. Roll and he arrived right at 9:00am. So, the plan, as stated, was to ride North, and as we chatted at the beginning of this ride, N.Y. Roll was realizing we'd be heading straight into a headwind if we used his original route. So, not a half a mile in, he "called an audible", and we decided to roll out towards Evansdale, along the Cedar River, hit the CVNT for a bit, and then see what we felt like. 

It was no big deal to me to change up the route on the fly, and I kind of liked the spontaneity of this decision. Plus, we hadn't gone much over a mile and we rode right by the Waterloo Veteran's Memorial display, replete with someones remote PA set up and microphone just sitting there. We did not see anyone around, which I thought was strange because Waterloo folks have "sticky fingers" and anything left out and about without oversight or strong tethers, well...... Let's just say it would be gone. 

We figured it was too cold for ne're-do-wells and we rolled onward.  

And for the record, we rode past three veteran's memorials on this ride. It was meant to be! 

Trail on the North side of the Cedar River going to Evansdale. 

Approach to the CVNT and another crossing of the Cedar River. 

The wind wasn't fun, so we took this into our calculations as we rode to Evansdale, through the city, and onward to the CVNT. We decided to head up Foulk Road, and yes, into the wind, but then turning left onto McKellar Road, we'd get two Level B Roads in series, and then end up in Washburn, Iowa. From there we'd make another decision. 

The Eastern end of McKellar Road

Weiden Road's Level B Section looking toward Washburn, Iowa. 

There were several wet spots we had to pay attention to on both Level B Roads. It was a tiny bit sketchy, but we made it through just fine. The dirt was a nice change of pace from pavement. However; we'd be getting a big dose of pavement yet coming up. 

We decided to head over to the CVNT from where we popped out at in Washburn. This right turn would take us to LaPorte City, then we'd leave town to the Northeast, cross the Cedar River (again!) and head towards some remote Black Hawk County gravel. 

I like N.Y. Roll, but sometimes he's a little bossy!

 

A remote gravel called Miller Creek Road, which doesn't get a lot of riders on it. 

We were heading into flood plain territory. Very flat, so it was very windy! Heading South on Girsch Road was a chore. Turning East on Miller Creek Road was a big relief. This territory is not common for cyclists as it sits in a pocket between Highway 218 and the Cedar River. It isn't easy to access, and there are better through-routes for recreationalists like the CVNT. But we had stuck our little dirt road sections in, and going "out of our way" through Gilbertville on the CVNT was not what we wanted to do. So, here we were. 

I had not been out on these roads since 2020 when I did "The Quest" to ride all the gravel and dirt roads in Black Hawk County, which I ended up getting done. As I stated back then, there were roads I'd likely never ride again, and these roads were some of them! Guess I was wrong!

We returned to the CVNT, stopped briefly for a "nature break", and rolled on through LaPorte City and exited on the Northeast side. This is a hardtop road called Brandon Road, and it is usually very busy. It wasn't bad on Tuesday, but it wasn't slow in terms of traffic. 

(Looking back the way we came here) Crossing the Cedar.....again!

Another criminally under-ridden road. Ashley Road here looking Northwest

We went North on South Canfield Road, (another busy County hardtop road) and skipped Bryan Road for the diagonally placed Ashley Road. This is a remnant of an ancient footpath of the Native Americans and was an original pioneer trail which became part of the Red Ball Route. Parts of the Red Ball Route are still Highway 218 to this day. Ashley Road is an old segment of the Red Ball Route. 

Barns For Jason

 

More Ashley Road

We ended up essentially following the Cedar River and older paths which reflected how Native Americans, and then the pioneers after them, used the land to traverse from one area to another. It was said that the paths the Native Americans took were so often used the grasses wouldn't grow where they walked and these pathways were easily seen by the later Europeans who came and settled the lands around here. 

Coffee stop. Mile 30

Leaving Gilbertville on old Highway 218

Eventually, after a real estate inspection by N.Y. Roll, we made our way into Gilbertville. We decided we would either stop at a Casey's Convenience store, or at a cafe if we came across one. N.Y. Roll actually found the 1854 Cafe in Gilbertville and we stopped and had a cup of coffee. 

This stop was kind of funny. Here we were, all geared up in our cold weather cycling garb, tromping in with our cycling shoes on, making a scene. It was almost as if it really were 1854 and some rogue band of ruffians had walked in amongst some decent citizens. We were getting side-eyed and look-aways like crazy. Too funny. 

The oak trees were spectacular this Fall. More red than usual. 

N.Y. Roll looking for an open restroom. Did not find anything!

We left Gilbertville on old Highway 218 which is really pretty scenic any time of the year. But it was especially so this Fall since this road has a lot of oak trees around it.The oaks were especially red this year. Usually they are a more rusty-brown color. So, that was a good distraction as I was riding along.

Apparently coffee runs right through N.Y. Roll because by the time we reached Elk Run Heights he needed to find a place to relieve himself. Nothing we went by had any open doors. All the recreational sites had locked up for the season. So, he ended up finding a secluded spot in the woods of a local park to, you know...... take a nature break. 

Then it was just slogging into a quartering headwind to get all the way home again. We did 40 plus miles in less than four hours time, including stops, so this was pretty good, I thought. Especially considering the wind factor. All in all, it was a good training day for the upcoming Virtual Turkey Burn Ride Challenge.  

A Good, Solid Bicycle

A 1999 Surly 1X1 Frame & Fork

 Those Facebook memories posts you see when you first open that social media platform up can be jarring. "Was it THAT long ago already!" Ha ha! Sometimes it is a good thing which pops up. Sometimes not so much. Well, on Monday, the 10th of November, this image here popped up. 

I came into work at Europa Cycle and Ski, just like any other Monday, and saw this as you see it in the image. There was a note which told me the frame and fork was now under my care. The former owner, Brian Bottke, used to work for Europa. In fact, everyone who has ever owned this worked there at one time or another. (See THIS post for the story.) 

I could go on about the string of seven guys who have owned the bike, and maybe this would make for an interesting post. However; I also wanted to go to the point of this bicycle being such a practical, versatile piece that seven different people found a reason to make it their bicycle. 

I think this is pretty remarkable when you stop to consider how most bicycles are so niche and specific the string of one or two, maybe three owners a bicycle may have in its lifespan use the bike in the way it was intended to be used. The bike doesn't see a lot of variance from the main idea. However; in the case of the 1X1, it saw use cases which were vastly different during the times it was passed on from one person to another. 

Consider this: The bicycle you see above was a "grown man's BMX bike, a single speed gravel grinder training device, a commuter bike, a cargo bike with the addition of an Xtra-Cycle attachment, a fixed gear bike, and back to a commuter bicycle again.  Of course, 1X1's have been used as MTB's, "plus" bikes, and even fat bikes. Just this one singular model. 

This is amazing to me. 

Surly used to be known for this sort of thing. Many of their early models were bicycles you could bend to your own "use-will", so to speak. This has kind of disappeared in their line of late. I like a good, solid bicycle which can be purposed in several ways. I think the world needs more of just that. Not 50 variations of a 'thing' which can only do one thing. 

If you know of any bicycles which would be like the old Surlys, let me, and the rest of the readers, know in the comments.  

Schwalbe G-One Overland Tires 700 x 50mm: Final Verdict

 Note: Guitar Ted was gifted these tires by a friend for his Singular Peregrine Mk4 bicycle build. Guitar Ted is not being paid, nor bribed for this review. Schwalbe is unaware of this review and have no input in the content here. All opinions are Guitar Ted's. The introductory post can be seen by clicking HERE. A follow-up to the introductory post can be read HERE. 

I've been riding these Schwalbe G-One Overland tires on tons of shorter rides on all sorts of surfaces. Most of my previous impressions still stand. I will take this final look at the G-One Overland as an opportunity to add just a couple of notes to my impressions previous to this post.

First. the G-One Overland tires have not stretched one little bit since I measured them after mounting. These tires stubbornly have stuck at just a hair under the claimed 50mm width. I'm not saying this is a negative, but I am saying this is surprising. Most tires stretch a bit for a week or two before settling into what they will be for width. Not so with the G-One Overlands.

 The noted stiff casings of the G-One Overland tires worked better at lowered air pressures for me, but they never "broke in". I was a bit disappointed in the ride quality toward the end of this review because of this. The Hutchinson Touaregs did break in after several rides, a tire very similar to the G-One Overland. 

This was most notable when sharper hits from chunkier gravel were encountered. Also when cracks or broken pavement was encountered. The damping just was too harsh. It hasn't improved, and lowering the air pressure didn't help with this either. So, I went back up a few psi for speed, so at least there was this benefit. 

The wet weather I was hoping to test in? It never materialized at an opportune time, and now this area where I live is headed back to a moderate drought status. So, it is dry. The G-One Overland really does well when it is dry, so this was good. 

Final Verdict: This is a "good" tire overall. It is a great tire if all you care about is going very fast in the dry. I'm not crazy about the ride quality overall, and having all this volume and weight seems a waste if the tire doesn't damp out everything well. The G-One damps out some of the higher frequency stuff, but those sharper hits? No. 

I do appreciate the ability the G-One Overland tires have for air retention, their toughness, and their grip on dry dirt and gravel. These tires are remarkable on pavement as well.  

In the end, I don't think the value is there in the G-One Overland. Sure, it's a fast tire, but in most every other sense it is merely average on gravel. The 50mm WTB Resolutes ride better than these tires do, and the WTB tires have SG2 puncture protection belts in there, so it is more apples to apples than not.  

I'll probably swap my SOMA Cazadero 700 x 50mm tires with TPU tubes into this bike and park the Schwalbe G-One tires for now. If this says anything to you, you might understand what my final verdict on the G-One Overlands means to me. 

Top Ten Recommendos

 Welcome to a top-ten list of cycling items I would heartily recommend for any gravel cycling person out there. This list comprises my choices of the top-ten items I am most impressed with and which I use personally. These represent the things I would tell you to buy if you asked me. 

I should say some of these items were review items which I have continued to use. So, please refer to the Standard Disclaimer for how I view such things.  

I also will be posting a few links to the company websites and in a few cases I will pass along some recent information on discounts and sales I am aware of. You should know II do not have any affiliate links, association with sales/discounts, or any ties whatsoever to promotions these companies are running currently. I have not, and will not ever, monetize Guitar Ted Productions. 

So, let's get into the list. These are listed in no particular order, by the way. I also may have a few extra recommendos along with my choices in certain cases. 

Ergon BT Gravel Handlebar Tape

Handle bar tape is something many of us do not give a lot of thought to beyond color. However; it can enhance your ride to a great degree if you choose your tape carefully. 

I've found from using many different brands of handle bar tape over the past 20 years that Ergon's BT Gravel tape is the best from a ride feel and durability standpoint. 

While it costs a little bit more than some other tapes, this is not a place to 'cheap-out' on since you have your hands here most of your riding time. Why not have the most comfortable tape you can get? At $44.95 USD, it is worth it to protect your hands and get a better ride to boot. 

I will say two negative things about this tape: One- Their color options are limited and will not be everyone's cup of tea. Second - BT Gravel tape is some of the most difficult tape to install I've ever used. So, be sure to have an experienced mechanic put it on for you, or carefully follow Ergon's video instructions if you want to try to install it yourself. 

Despite my reservations, I still would highly recommend this tape as being the best you can get. Plus, Ergon's BT OrthoCell pad accessory can make the BT Gravel tape even more comfortable. 
 

Ergon AllRoad SR Core Comp Saddle

Snub-nosed saddles are the fashion in seating for performance cycling these days. The first saddle of this type I ever tried was Ergon's SR AllRoad Core Comp. Ironically, it is the only snub-nosed saddle I still use!

Ergon uses a center channel design to relieve soft tissue issues and the padding is generous without being too soft or unsupported. This particular model, the SR AllRoad Core Comp, has steel rails, but you can get higher end titanium or carbon railed versions if you want. 

The Core saddle line uses BASF Infinergy padding, which is amazing. It really is different. It probably is the main reason, besides the non-irritating fit, that I keep this saddle on my Noble GX5, where it has been since I received it for a review several years ago.  

This saddle comes in two sizes and runs $154.95 from Ergon's site. You might find it cheaper online. 

I like this saddle as it reduces gravel road vibrations well, plus it doesn't irritate me at all. I know..... Saddles are highly personal items. Not every recommendation will suit some people. This is, unfortunately, a truth and you can only discover what works best for you by some trial and error. I'd recommend getting a sit bone measurement, if possible, and this will help guide your choices.   
 

Redshift Sports ShockStop Stem

Image courtesy of Redshift Sports

Anyone who has read this blog for very long knows I am a big fan and user of Redshift Sports ShockStop stems. 

While many are excited by the prospects for telescopic front forks on gravel bikes, I do not subscribe to the hype. Most "all-road" applications should be focused upon vibration reduction, not the absorption of obstacles as in mountain biking. If this seems wise, then it makes zero sense to have a telescopic front fork with its excessive weight, complexity, and frequent maintenance schedules. Especially when a 'suspension stem', like the ShockStop, does the job for less money, zero maintenance, and in a far better, more efficient way. 

Adding in the tune-ability of the spring rate, the ability to mount the ShockStop on almost any gravel bike, and its far less expensive cost versus a telescopic fork, it is a better choice. All of those things make the ShockStop stem a high value-high performance option. An option which more gravel riders would do well to explore.  Especially now since Redshift is running a sale offering riders 25% off regular prices now through November 17th. 

Redshift Sports also has several other products I'd recommend like their ShockStop seat posts and their awesome pedals. But the ShockStop stem is the product I will not ride without. Check it out if you desire a better ride experience.  

 Redshift Sports Kitchen Sink Handlebar

Flared drop bars are a product of early attempts to make mountain biking more comfortable and controlled. When gravel cycling got going in the mid-2000's, the flared drop bar enjoyed a renaissance of sorts, and they became ubiquitous on most every gravel bicycle you see anymore. 

One of my favorite flared drop bars is the Redshift Sports Kitchen Sink handle bar with the extension on the front. (It is also available without the extension)

The Kitchen Sink has a little riser action going on, a decent amount of flare, but not too much, and the extension can hold the excellent Kitchen Sink Handlebar Bag, which is a great accessory. If you are not a fan of that much flare in your handlebars, there is a Low Flare option for this handlebar as well. 

That's a lot of options for one handlebar model. I'd always choose the regular Kitchen Sink with the extension and bag, but it is great to see Redshift offering variations on the theme. You can also see I have the Cruise Control grips on my Kitchen Sink bar, which I love. Plus, these are all on sale as mentioned above until 11/1725. 
 

Twin Six Thermal Cargo Bib Shorts

Image courtesy of Twin Six

It is getting cooler every day, and the Winter cycling gear is getting drug out of drawers and closets all across the world in the Northern Hemisphere now. One piece of kit I have purchased recently which I have found indispensable is the Twin Six Thermal Cargo Bib Shorts. 

I have been quite impressed with how these fit and feel. The brushed inner fabric is warm, but still will work in temperatures into the 50's. The length of these is perfect, allowing tall socks to create a total barrier to the elements, or you can bare the skin for warmer rides. 

Having "pockets" is amazing. They really are not pockets per se', but you will find them great for putting things in like wrappers from nutrition, gloves, and even thin wallets, which you won't lose even when pedaling along. (Well....I haven't lost anything out of them yet!)

They are not cheap. But when you want gear which feels good while riding, doesn't require stupid detailed care, and holds up, and looks great? The money spent is well worth it. I am happy to have spent my hard earned dollars on these bib knickers. 

Also take the time to check out Twin Six's other gear, like their t-shirts, water bottles, jerseys, and socks, all things I also swear by and use often. 

Mint Socks 

Image courtesy of Mint Socks

Socks are not an item which carries a great deal of importance when it comes to gear reviews or media attention. However; can you imagine a world where all socks were sub-par and you had to wear them? Well, thankfully, that is not the case! Especially when we have Mint Socks to choose from as cyclists. 

Mint is a cyclist-owned, small business whose owner happens to be a female. I like to support such companies, and I can assure you Mint has awesome products as well. 

I don't know how many pairs of Mint socks I have, but I'd be willing to say that Mint has about 1/3rd of my sock drawer filled, and it will continue to rise in "drawer-share" in the future. Why? Because as a cyclist, I can say these socks work really well for on-the-bike and off-the-bike usage. 

Mint changes things up on a fairly regular basis when it comes to colors and models.. They do wool and synthetic blend socks, so you can get socks for year-round use.  They wear like iron, feel great, and launder easily. 

With so many great fashionable choices, high-performance, and small company charm, I cannot recommend these socks highly enough. Check them out next time you need something to cover those bare feet of yours. 

Hand Up Gloves

I  wrote a review on HandUp Gloves which you may have seen recently. But I cannot leave them off this list because I really like their products. 

I mean, ya gotta cover the hands sometimes, and right now the weather pretty much dictates we do this as cyclists. You may as well use a really great glove to do this with. HandUp makes really great gloves for any and all seasons. 

I typically use their Standard (Most days) gloves, but I do also have their cold weather gloves in two weights which I swear by in Winter. 

HandUp gloves come in an array of fashionable colors and patterns, some with goofy sayings on the palms which act as gripper surfaces for your handlebar grips or tape. They are reasonably priced, long-lasting, and come in various styles, some which I did not mention here. So, you are sure to find something which will work for you on their site. 

They also do other apparel, like shirts, shorts, and pants. But I have no experiences with anything else they make, so I cannot speak to those items. I just know the gloves are awesome. Check HandUp out next time you need something to cover those mitts of yours.

 Bike Iowa PogieLites

When the winds howl and the cold creeps in wherever you don't want it, then the pogies come out! No.....they are not little gremlins, but they are like fairings for your hands. They keep the cold winds at bay, and create a little micro-climate inside which keeps your hand warmer. 

The thing is, these can be cumbersome to install, and usually remain on the bike until you get to warmer weather when you take them off. But what about in between weather times when you may see a warm up, or if there is a cold Spring day after you've taken the pogies off for the season?  Or what if it warms up too much for pogies during a ride, or cools off so much you wished you had them?

This is where Iowa-born Pogie Lites come in. They are a non-structured pogie option which does what regular, structured pogies do, but can come off or be put on easily. They are also stashable, because you can roll them up into a size which would fit into a bag, or maybe even jersey pockets.  

Pogie Lites are three-season items you might just find to be worthwhile to have around for better comfort during inclement, or cold spells where your hands might be freezing without them. Also, you may note as well that these pogies still allow you to grip the bars outside of their fabric because the fabric is pliable and compresses under your grip around the handle bar. This comes in handy more than you may think. And yes, you can make them work on some drop bar configurations as well. 

Feedback Sports Workstand

My old Ultimate Repair Stand - Now known as Feedback Sports

Repair stands are indispensable items for anyone who might want to do any sort of maintenance on their bicycle(s). Even if all you do is clean your bicycle or lubricate your chain, it is so much easier done with a repair stand. 

While there are several portable repair stands available for bicycles, the best in class portable repair stand is made by Feedback Sports. 

I purchased my repair stand from this company when they were known as "Ultimate". (You may recall they made stands for Public Address speakers as well.) Now known as Feedback Sports, they offer a wide array of repair stands and other tools and gear for cyclists. 

My repair stand's analog in 2025 would be the Pro Mechanic model. (linked above). While its $425.00 cost may seem prohibitive, my stand is still going after twenty years of service. You should easily be able to squeeze that much out of yours, if you buy one, or more. 

The Pro Mechanic stand has a very well thought out clamp which is easy to use. The stand itself is sturdy, stable, and allows 360° rotation of the bike while you work on it. It is very adjustable for height, making it perfect for family use by adults and children who are old enough to understand how to use the stand and execute good judgement. 

This is an investment into your cycling which will last for literally decades. The fact that a repair stand makes things so much easier makes a choice like this so worth the money spent. 
 

Foundation Elite Tool Kit 

Image courtesy of Jenson USA

If you get a repair stand, and/or you want to do your own maintenance, you should check out this basic tool kit through Jenson USA from their Foundation series of tools. The Foundation Elite Tool Kit has all the essentials to get you started on doing basic tasks on your bicycle maintenance list. 

I can vouch for how well these tools work since I chose this kit for a remote tool kit at the Cedar Valley Bicycle Collective. It has tools which other company's kits have at one third the price. Yet these tools work as well or better than tools found in those more expensive tool kits. 

We have groups come in to tear down bicycles we are sending in for scrap and to harvest parts from. Those volunteers often use some of the tools in this kit. If those tools can hold up to usage from unskilled, (mostly), ham-fisted folks, then I think I am okay with recommending them to my readers. 

With a sub-100 dollar price, you won't go wrong, and assembling this kit with its own tool box separately would cost well over the asking price. It is a great value for the beginner mechanic or casual maintenance person. 

________________________________________________________________________

And there you have it! My Top-Ten Recommendations for anyone who might ask me what I would do for cycling gear.  Of course, I have more than ten things I'd recommend, but that would not fit the "Top Ten" thing now, would it? No. 

If you found this useful, let me know in the comments. If you would like to see more posts like this, also, let me know in the comments. Thank you for reading Guitar Ted Productions!

Escaping

Was Friday the last 60+ degree day of 2025? 

I sat in the house after lunch thinking about whether or not I should go out for a ride on my new Peregrine. I knew it was windy, but it was about 60°F, and very likely could be the last day of 2025 like this. The leaves on the trees were at their peak of Fall colors and were just starting to come down. It would be a great day to get out!

But I was conflicted. Why? 

I thought about how I had planned out on Thursday to take the new-to-me 4Runner and load up the Peregrine to go out to the edge of town and hit the countryside gravel roads, like I used to when I had my old Toyota truck. But when push came to shove, I couldn't find the motivation to do this and it was paralyzing me. 

See, I have the 4Runner only because it was my son's. Jacob died in August and had he still been with us, I would still not have a vehicle. This was how things were supposed to work out. I'm not supposed to have a vehicle now. 

So, yeah..... It's difficult for me to get over this hurdle. 

I did actually get out for that ride though. I didn't go far and I only rode for an hour, but I got out. I escaped the "prison". For me, right now, that is a victory. 

Two Things

Don't Bring Me Down: 

I received an email newsletter from an Iowa bike retailer recently and was not at all surprised to see deep discounts on leftover bicycles. I also was not at all surprised to see the labor packages being discounted for the off-season. 

I always found discounting of labor in the bicycle industry to be offensive as a mechanic. How can you devalue what a bicycle mechanic does just because it is a slower time of the year? Do auto mechanics have this done to them when times are slower? How about a plumber? I really doubt you'll find many businesses featuring skilled laborers having discounts on labor just because the business is slow for a month or three. If I am wrong, let me know in the comments. 

I do know one thing - When a business discounts something every year, consumers catch on that whatever you are discounting is not worth the original asking price, at least in their minds. Why would they think otherwise? Then think about how this discounting has been going on for labor in bike shops for decades, and maybe it makes more sense when my argument is considered. 

But there is also another issue going on simultaneously. There are mechanics, and then there are hacks. Too many times bicycle shops run through mechanics like water. Young men and women who never were trained properly, if at all, are working and learning "on the job", which doesn't work out well in the end. Obviously, discounting their labor is maybe, on the surface of it,  seemingly more palatable. But business owners shouldn't be allowing poorly trained people to touch wrenches in their shop. So, yeah..... I saw this a lot going through the years as well. 

Anyway, discounting labor in the bicycle repair trade is a bad practice all around. 

Cycling Media And Why I Keep Commenting On It:

I know several of you may grow weary of my seemingly always negative comments on mainstream cycling media. I thought after seeing another poorly researched piece on gravel cycling I might take a stab at explaining why I do this and why it is important. 

It isn't a new problem, but misguided takes and poorly researched statements concerning gravel cycling are very irritating to me. Why? because a lie, or half-truth, told often enough, becomes "truth". Take for instance the Unbound gravel event. There will have been 20 consecutive years of gravel events held out of Emporia Kansas next June when they fire the starting gun for Life Time Events Unbound Gravel.  Whether or not you feel Unbound is/was Dirty Kanza 200 or not, this string of events is remarkable, and currently highlighted by Life Time Events in its lottery registration. 

So, why would anyone writing about "top stories in gravel for 2025" be so lame as to say in a recently published piece"..... the free-wheeling domain of gravel and off-road races, which was born more than a decade ago..."? See, here is where things get murky because someone writing an article did not write clearly. Most people will read this as "gravel racing started a decade ago" and move on. But obviously, this is not true. 

Trivial? Maybe, maybe not. I was speaking with the director of a very well-known populist gravel event the other day who told me he has heard from several younger Pro racers who think gravel racing started around 2018. It is a thing, in my opinion, due to how mainstream cycling media tells the story of gravel. 

The entire populist foundation for Pro gravel, the very groups of people Gravel™ was founded upon, is largely ignored and so the story of "where this came from" is completely ignored in many cases. I'm not advocating for myself here, because I understand I am a very small part of the underpinnings of what Gravel™ is today. But unless some people stand up and point to why these young Pros can bank out on gravel today, no one will know, or have the ability to care about those stories and people. I, for one, do not feel this is right, and I am trying to do something about it, along with a few other folks. (Stay tuned on this front) 

This is why I comment on this subject so much. I'm not going to stop, because I care. If this offends you, well maybe this blog is not for you. 

Thanks for reading.  

Friday News And Views

Image courtesy of Onza Tires

 Onza Tires Brings Full Range Of Gravel Tires To Market:

Onza Tires, better known for mountain bike fare, has just announced a new range of gravel tires called "Alegra X". In an effort to guide riders to a "best tire" choice, these tires are arrayed in a ranking to categorize them from least grippy, best rolling resistance to most grippy, higher rolling resistance. With "1" having the fastest tread all the way to "6", with the most off-road ready" tread, Onza expects riders will better be able to dial in an Alegra X model which best suits their needs. 

All models seem to have 120TPI casings, single compound rubber, and a choice of tan or black wall sidewalls. Most are $59.99 USD. Sizes range from 40mm to 50mm, but not all models are available in all sizes or sidewall styles. 

See Onza's website for more details HERE.  

Comments: The ranking system is similar to how Vittoria Tires is doing things now within their range of gravel tires. Onza is not a big name in the States, so it remains to be seen how this range will be accepted. However; in my opinion this looks like a more budget friendly, high-value, low in features range. Tread designs are right in the current fashion trends for gravel, and you might be reminded of several better known brands and models while perusing the Onza range. 

Everything in the Alegra X range looks "safe" as far as how it will work on gravel, and I suspect these will all be okay for most people. However; I don't see much in the way of innovative design or anything overly inspiring here. Most of these tread designs are derivative, and look to be based off designs known to work just fine. Maybe Onza makes a dent here, but there are a LOT of choices in gravel tires in 2025/26, so the competition for space on rider's wheels is intense. 

Image courtesy of Madrone Cycles

Madrone Cycles Offers "Jab" Rebuildable Rear Mech:

Last year I featured the Madrone Cycles rear mech prototype in an FN&V segment. Now the rear derailleur for 1X systems from Shimano or SRAM is available to purchase. 

With a configurable, rebuildable design, the Jab rear mech promises versatility, longevity, and customization based upon the choice of different anodized colors. The Jab has received decent reviews so far, so the product looks promising. 

Prices will range depending upon configuration, but a standard gravel Jab runs about $298.00 USD. A Jab configured with a purple body and for Shimano 11 speed gravel usage, (shown) would run $327.00 USD. 

You can learn more on the page for the Jab HERE. 

Comments: Rebuildable? Okay......when was the last time you thought, "Hey! Why can't I rebuild my rear mech?" Maybe you've destroyed one in a wreck, or in poor conditions. Okay, maybe then. However, most rear derailleurs I have replaced over the past 30 years of repair work were 50% - 100% destroyed. You'd likely have to purchase a new rear mech anyway, unless Madrone sells all the individual parts for the Jab aftermarket. Sure, they sell most of the parts now, but what if you tweak the linkage parallelogram bits?

Then there is the price of admission. Again, as I stated in 2024, you can buy a brand new Shimano GRX rear mech for quite a bit less money. SRAM as well. Obviously, the Madrone offering looks completely cool and rad, but is it worth that much more? This is really what the piece boils down to. The way you answer this question will determine the part's value to you. There is no "wrong" answer here for a consumer, assuming it does its job. It's just that I'm not seeing what question this piece answers from a technical standpoint.  

Courtesy of Salsa Cycles social media

Salsa Reveals Another New Drop Bar Model:

The Mega Mid-South happened last weekend and both the men's and women's events were won on a new Salsa Cycles model which has not been released yet. 

The bike was feted in a Salsa Cycles social media post this week and the name of the model was revealed. The new model is going to be known as the "Flyway". 

This bike will, according to Salsa Cycles, be released this coming February. Details are said to become known about the Flyway in January, most likely because this is when dealers will be informed of those details.  

You may recall another teased new model from Salsa Cycles earlier in the Fall. I reported on this in an FN&V HERE. You may note that bike being a full suspension model with drop bars. This is not the same as the Flyway, which obviously is a hard tail, rigid front fork bike in the image shown here. 

Comments: Salsa Cycles has not redesigned, or tweaked the Warbird gravel racing bike for several years. It is long overdue for a refresh. Could the Flyway be a Warbird replacement? My guess is it will be replacing the Warbird, as Salsa's parent company has been sanitizing model names for several years. The Warbird refresh is a perfect time to axe the "militaristic" nomenclature and christen the refresh with a new, unoffensive name. Besides this, Salsa posted on their Facebook page that this bike is their "..... fifth generation gravel racing bike." Note: This is purely speculation on my part, but we've already seen a few re-namings in Salsa's line, so this would track if it is true.  

We can deduce from the images the  Flyway has a suspension corrected fork, larger tire clearances, and accessory fork mounts. The sloping top tube can be seen in this escape collective post, (paywalled if you want to read the entire post), which indicates dropper post compatibility. I'd also assume there is in-frame storage, full-internal routing, and possibly no support for mechanical group-sets, as is the fashion these days.  

We'll be keeping our eyes open for more on this "new" model after the turn of the New Year.  

The 32 Inch Wheel Watch:

More and more it seems apparent the 32 inch MTB wheel is going to be a thing in 2026. Rumors are being passed around saying more choices in tires are on the way, and more people are starting to move in a direction which points to small production runs of frames and forks for the wheel size. 

While I have ridden a 36"er, I haven't ridden one off-road, so I cannot say what a 32"er would be like. Furthermore, I'm not really interested in spending a bunch of money on an off-road bike I'd barely ever use. 

If I were to get into this wheel size, it would be for gravel, and for my sort of riding, a 32"er wheel makes a ton of sense. So, I am interested in what becomes of this sort of idea, and if it ever became possible, and the tires were there which made sense, I'd probably get one of these newer, bigger wagon wheelers for my stable. 

I think the rolling momentum of such a wheel would be primo for the rolling hills of Iowa. The vibration reducing possibilities are tantalizing for a man of my age who is not getting any younger. A drop bar, single speed 32"er makes a lot of sense to me, and if I would have to use 2"-plus wide tires, I'm good with it as long as the geometry is correct. 

So, while I do not need another gravel bike, I might need  a 32"er, especially if it was something which would extend my years as a gravel cyclist. 

 

Gore To Cease Marketing Cycling Wear:

In a surprise announcement via Gorewear's parent company, WL Gore & Associates GmbH, it has been learned the Gore cycling business will cease operations and remaining inventory will be sold out with no further replacements. 

Citing economic hardships in the business, Gore stated in a letter to retailers obtained by a German bicycle industry publication that they saw no good future prospects for success for the brand. You can read more about the closing of Gorewear in this Bike Radar article HERE. 

Comments: Gore was very aggressive in terms of marketing throughout the last 15 years. They were not shy about sending kit to several outlets, including some I have been associated with in the past. However; it never seemed as though Gore could gain a foothold against the Raphas, MAAP's, and other trendy companies. 

Gore did find itself with a hit when they developed the Shake Dry rain jacket, (shown) which had immediate effect in the marketplace, being heralded as a major technology breakthrough in wet weather cycling gear. However; it had to pull the technology off the market due to PFAS concerns and Gore's own commitments to environmentally friendly products. This was something that was a blow to the company as they never really had any answer to the Shake Dry jacket. 

This news comes on the heels of YT Bikes closure in North America, and with a slew of deep-discount sales for "Pre-Black Friday" within the industry. All of this is not very encouraging heading into Winter. 
 

That's a wrap on this week! Thank you for reading Guitar Ted Productions! Now get out and ride a bicycle!