Cyclo Cross Is Coming! (Or It Is Gone)

Cannondale cyclo cross bike. (Image courtesy of Cannondale)

 Fall is nearly upon us. You might remember a time when this meant cyclo cross season was about to take over the consciousness of the cycling community. 

Well, as you may have also noted, this seems not to be such a big deal anymore. Sure.....there are obvious hotspots of cyclo cross action. The Pacific Northwest, New England to a degree, maybe a few other smaller scenes. But I don't think there is any argument to be made if I state that cyclo cross ain't what it used to be in the USA. Not in 2026. 

I thought about this for a while and wondered why this decline in cyclo cross happened over the past several years. In my opinion, cyclo cross was still fairly popular and in many cyclist's mindsets up until COVID. Then after that it seemed to never really regain its former status and has not seen growth since those days. 

Image courtesy of Quality Bicycle Products

What Happened?

Obviously it doesn't take much of a leap to think gravel cycling has carved out a big section of what used to be cyclo cross events on the calendar. In fact, you don't have to look hard to find some events which were long-standing cyclo cross or 'monster-cross' events which have turned their marketing jargon to describe themselves as "gravel events" now. 

But I feel these examples are reactions to what really was motivating change in the bicycle industry. First - and in my opinion foremost - is that cyclo cross was too strict in its rules and "traditions". 

Limited tire sizes, gear which was not really friendly for anything but a cyclo cross course, and the entire culture of cyclo cross changed. It used to be loose, fun, and in many ways, "punk" to be at a cyclo cross race, or to engage in a cyclo cross event. But let's be honest here - USAC and the UCI pretty much stamped out the culture of chaos at cyclo cross events. One can argue this culture was out of control, and that it needed to be reined in, but the cost of doing so helped kill attendance at events. 

I would also argue that cyclo cross forgot its roots. In the beginnings of the sport, cyclo cross was more of an adventure race. Held on true cross country rural courses, these events would pit participants not only against each other, but against the difficult terrain. Often times in difficult conditions as well. These old events were not very spectator friendly though, and there was no "venue", so making money at such events was difficult. But back then, this wasn't the point. 

Sound familiar? 

Gravel Cycling Followed Its Own Path 

I feel many of the same restrictions have occurred in gravel events at the pointy-end of the sport. The saving grace here is that governmental sanctioning bodies, (UCI, and to a lesser extent, USAC), never got their mitts on the formative years of gravel. So, the sanctioning bodies of cycling sport here in the USA haven't had the stranglehold on the sport as it has had in cyclo cross or other disciplines of cycling. You can still do a gravel event any ol' way you want to and see a fair turnout with the focus on the experience, not on making money. And even the events which do need to turn a profit can still have complete event production control without a pesky "sanctioning body" looking over their shoulders making sure your tires aren't too wide or that your socks are not too long. 

Gravel cycling chose its own adventure path

Limited Access:

I mentioned how early cyclo cross events were cross country and in rural areas. But eventually the sport was pigeon-holed into holding their events at manicured, almost 100% created courses. This limitation to venues created a paucity of opportunities for anyone to use their cyclo cross bikes on actual cyclo cross courses. Because, well, cyclo cross courses were a specifically defined thing. You couldn't just go across ravines, stalk up steeps, or use the muddiest farm roads for a cyclo cross event. This wasn't "proper" cyclo cross anymore! 

So marketers tried the ruse that one could buy a cyclo cross bike and enjoy its "versatility" as a commuter, an urban errand bike, or even a part time roadie bike. When gravel became popular the marketers latched on to that idea trying to say cyclo cross bikes were "perfect for gravel" and "no one really needs a gravel specific bike". Taking a look back at the 2010's from a 2026 perspective, it is so obvious how preposterous this notion was then. 

In fact, the irony does not stop there. Look at any new "endurance road bike" which is being introduced now and the stated tire clearances are 38mm -40mm in many cases. That is a full five to seven millimeters wider than a standard cyclo cross bike is limited to in competition. 

Does any of this make any sense? 

In my opinion, it is no wonder cyclo cross has fallen on hard times. 

Given the choice, I'd rather discover a new minimum maintenance road, see what's over the next gravelly hill, and stop to take in the views  rather than go around in circles, jumping on and off my bike, and blowing a gasket for an hour and then going home. 

I'm not saying cyclo cross is going away, but I don't think it can ever quite be what it was at its peak here in the USA again either. There are just too many unrestricted, easy to get to places to ride all-roads than there are places to ride a manicured cyclo-cross course. 

The Guitar Ted Lube-Off: Super-Secret 2.0 Update

 NOTICE:  The Guitar Ted 'Lube-Off' is a comparison of different lubrication products for bicycle chains that is undertaken in 'real world' conditions in a set way. Then I compare and contrast the results with past 'Lube-Off' products to see "which one is best for me". This is done for entertainment purposes and the reader should apply their own reasoning and discernment while reading my 'Lube-Off' entries. What works for me may not work for you at all.

SILCA updated their awesome Super-Secret drip wax lubricant recently. This lube in its original form is the current top-of-the-heap lubricant in my tests. I really am impressed with its performance. Super-Secret has long life, great lubricity keeping the shifting good, and it is clean. Really clean. 

SILCA claims it has enhanced all these properties of their drip wax lube in the 2.0 release of Super-Secret. My expectations are high. In this update, I'll give you my thoughts on this lubricant so far. 

The previous update can be seen HERE. In that article I give the application process and why I had to back up and start all over again after running into an issue with a degreasing product. 

This article will look at where I am at after a couple hundred miles of usage with this lube. Most notably, I used this on the recent Ride For Jacob, but I have done other gravel rides with it on the chain. This and local rides over varied surfaces should give a pretty clear picture as to what to expect from Super-Secret 2.0. 

I'll give you my traditional close-up shot of the drive train and from the "Touch-Test" which will help us see what is and is not being drawn out of the chain rollers. This helps determine lubricity and cleanliness of each lube I test. Okay, on with the 'evidence' gathered. 

After the image I'll have some commentary. 
 

Two-in one image: Touch-Test results and drive train close-up.

Comments:

This lubricant is doing really well. Shifting is great. No complaints there. The lubricity is excellent. The chain feels slick and I'm not seeing a bunch of gunk build-up anywhere. The Touch-Test reveals a little side-plate dirt, which I also got from the Stan's Polar Drip Wax, (reviewed yesterday).  

I'd like to address the very minor amount of residue I'm seeing off the side plates on this lube and the Stan's product. My hunch is this is left-over results from using the Stan's BioBased Drivetrain Cleaner. I tried my best to flush out this product using Finishline's excellent (but most likely NOT environmentally friendly) Speed Degreaser. However; without removing the chain I don't think I was able to completely eliminate any influence from the Stan's product. 

Now I wish I'd never used the stuff, but here we are. At least the results are consistent across the two drip wax lubricants so far. Again, this side-plate residue does not concern me much, but it does seem to be more residue than I saw last year using Super-Secret 1.0. At this time, I'm going to run out the tests with what I've got going here and take into consideration that the Stan's and SILCA products are on level playing fields and that the performance where it matters seems unaffected by the Stan's degreaser.  

 However; if I had to do it over again, obviously I would steer clear of the Stan's BioBased Drivetrain Cleaner. Not that it does not work, (it does, and does so well) but specifically to my needs, it isn't a product I would use again. 

Nuff said....

I like Super-Secret 2.0 a lot and I believe it will be the winner, (again) in the Lube-Off, but if Stan's Polar Drip Wax keeps pace, it will be a definite contender. So far, it seems it will keep pace with SILCA's newest lube.  

More riding will be done before any conclusions are made. Stay tuned....

Guitar Ted Lube-Off: Stan's Polar Drip Wax Lubricant

  NOTICE:  The Guitar Ted 'Lube-Off' is a comparison of different lubrication products for bicycle chains that is undertaken in 'real world' conditions in a set way. Then I compare and contrast the results with past 'Lube-Off' products to see "which one is best for me". This is done for entertainment purposes and the reader should apply their own reasoning and discernment while reading my 'Lube-Off' entries. What works for me may not work for you at all.

 NOTE: Stan's sent over a bottle of their Polar Drip Wax to Guitar Ted Productions at no charge for test and review purposes. Stan's is not bribing or paying Guitar Ted for this review. All opinions are Guitar Ted's.

Image courtesy of Stan's

 Introduction:

Okay folks! If you've been following along with my Lube-Off posts this late Summer/early Fall, you've noted the "super-secret" lube I wasn't able to reveal....until today! Yes - It's Stan's Polar Drip Wax. 

What It Is: Stan's has developed a plant-based, biodegradable chain lubricant which is in the class of chain lubricants which seeks to do the same or similar job as a complete chain wax job without the hassle of removing the chain and dipping it in a pot full of molten wax. 

A waxed chain has proven to be more efficient and thus saves watts over most other forms of lubricating a bicycle chain. Drip wax lubricants seek to eliminate a few steps which wax-potting a chain requires. Stan's now offers this Polar Drip Wax as a way to get waxed chain results without the hassles.

Polar Drip Wax is a 'polar bonding formula', according to Stan's.  'Polar' as in 'polarity', not ultra-cold. This bonding technique is paired with a water based carrier which leads Polar Drip Wax into all the nooks and crannies of your chain. Once the water evaporates, a thin film of wax bonds to the chain both chemically and mechanically to provide smooth chain operation. 

Stan's also recommends pairing this Polar Drip Wax with Stan's BioBased Drivetrain Cleaner ahead of the chain lube. BioBased Drivetrain Cleaner is said to be very good at cleaning the chain, (it is), and that it leaves a thin film behind which is claimed to enhance the properties of Polar Drip Wax. I'll have more to say about this later, but you can read my review of BioBased Drivetrain Cleaner HERE if you'd like more detail. 

Application:

I'm going to share how Stan's recommends this lubricant be applied and then I will discuss why I have done some modification to their recommendations. First, a bullet-point list from Stan's:

• Prime: Stan’s Biobased Drivetrain Cleaner safely strips new chains and leaves a residual polar film, improving penetration and bonding without using harsh solvents
• Apply: drip Polar Drip Wax™onto chain, covering every link. 
• Penetrate: Drip Wax’s aqueous emulsion carries polar wax molecules into the chain’s rollers and pins at ambient temperature.  
• Second Coat: a second coat of Drip Wax can be applied after 5-minuteso 
• Bond: amphiphilic molecules electrostatically attract to steel, anchoring to the chain’s surface rather than just coating it 
• Cure: water evaporates, leaving a dry, matte wax film that resists contaminant pickup

I will note here, in case you missed my review of the BioBased Drivetrain Cleaner, that Stan's recommends BioBased Drivetrain Cleaner be rinsed off with water. I find this problematic as introducing water into the tight spaces of the chain results in a higher chance of corrosion, unless you blow-dry the chain in situ (messy, loud), or take the chain off and dry it using whatever method you choose there, (defeats the purpose of the Polar Drip Wax - you may as well dunk the chain in hot wax at this point).

So, I tried wiping off as much of the degreaser as I could, but it never was really dry, and it fouled the lube, actually.I was seeing wet residue on the chain after rides and this was attracting dirt, dust, and grime. No good!

Ultimately I ended up stripping the chain again and using Finish Line degreaser which left the chain dry and very clean. Then I applied the Stan's Polar Drip Wax as recommended. I did not apply a second coating. 

Following are some other key features and specs behind the Polar Drip Wax:

•  Longevity: 200+ miles / 322+ kilometers
• Weather:  All conditions –Stan’s Drip Wax performs in all weather 
• Size: 120ml / 4ozPackagingBottle made from 100% recycled sea plastic.
• Formula: 100% plant-based, biodegradable ingredients. No petroleum.
• Source: Manufactured in-house in the USA.
• MSRP: $18 / €18/ £18

Impressions:

Appearance of the drive train after several test rides.

Besides the de-greasing fiasco, this lubricant seems to be as advertised so far. I have only ridden in dry conditions on a multitude of surfaces including pavement, decomposed gravel, dirt, and typical loose rock gravel such as we have here in Iowa. 

A quick note on "gravel types": I have found some companies which propose "classes of gravel" to guide folks into making choices in components/bikes for gravel. Some tire testing is defined by "gravel type" as well. 

While it may make sense to classify, (put in a box) gravel conditions by type, I find this to be not true in practice and misleading at best. I can do a short ride and encounter three different "types" of gravel easily. Add in having to ride to and from gravel on pavement and dirt (alleys), and defining "gravel" by type is essentially meaningless. There is a reason "all-roads" is my preferred way to define what we do on these "gravel" bikes. 

Okay, with that out of the way, I was impressed by the Polar Dry Wax product in that it seems to keep my drive train clean, and it is quiet as well. Shifting is great. I have been pleasantly surprised by how Polar Drip Wax has performed so far. Longevity has yet to be tested, but as of now I see no reason not to believe Stan's claims for this lubricant. 

I blame the degreaser for this residue.

Touch-Test:

The Touch-Test is where I run my finger across the inner run of the chain and see what comes off the chain. I also gauge how slick the chain feels. 

Polar Drip Wax feels very slippery yet, but I am getting a bit more residue than the very best chain lubes I have tried.  I will note though that this dirt/dust seems to be mostly on the side plates of the chain, not from the rollers, which is better if I see anything on my finger. 

So Far... 

I'm impressed with the Polar Drip Wax. It certainly ranks right up there with the very best I've used so far. (SILCA Super-Secret v1, Effetto Mariposa Flowerpower Wax) I'm going to monitor this lube closely over Fall riding and I will compare and contrast to my other lubricants in this session of the Lube-Off. 

For now, I would not hesitate to recommend this new Polar Dry Wax with the caveat that I - personally - would not use the Stan's Drivetrain Cleaner as a way to prep the chain. I do like the Drivetrain Cleaner, but since it does not come dry after usage and needs to be rinsed with water, I am relegating its use to when I pull components off my bike for cleaning. 

As for Polar Drip Wax, I feel confident it is going to put my previous best chain lubes on notice. We will see how things end up in a couple of months. Stay tuned..... 

Tomorrow: An update on that other 'Super-Secret' lube.  

Wouldn't Ya Know It

Saturday morning radar

 I was kind of excited to go ride on Saturday. First of all, I rarely get Saturdays off. The Cedar Valley Bicycle Collective is open all Saturday morning and I have to be there. Ever since 2022, Saturdays have been difficult for riding. 

I usually get one, maybe two chances at a Saturday morning ride now. So you probably can feel me when I say it was extremely disappointing when I woke up to see it was going to rain.  

Bah! And lightning was on the table too. Saturday afternoon  was likely out of the question as well because I generally go shopping with Mrs. Guitar Ted on Saturday afternoons. It was raining off and on all day anyway, so it didn't matter. (Although I think N.Y. Roll managed to squeeze in a ride) 

Sunday? Rained again..... No love here. August has been an odd for wet weather instead of the usual dry, hot weather we typically get. 

So, it is a bitter pill to swallow as that will be the last chance I have at riding on a Saturday, most likely, until next year. Of course, Labor Day is coming up, so I'll have a Monday open for a ride. 

Unless it rains. sigh...... 

Programming Note: Tomorrows post will be delayed until 7:00am CST due to an embargo.  

The Six String Side: Sully Guitars Stardust Custom Deluxe 12

 When I started this blog over 20 years ago, I stated that it was a "Bicycle and guitar oriented elixir....". Well, the "guitar" part sort of got pushed out by the bicycle stuff, but I've always been playing. In an Easter post, several years ago, I mentioned playing my '90 Strat, and someone suggested I detail the fleet,which I have done in the past. (Just search "The Six String Side" in the search box in the upper left of the header to find those older posts)  Enjoy! NOTE: All images except the first in today's post are courtesy of Sully Guitars.

My 2022 Conspiracy Series Sully Guitars Stardust

Several years ago now I picked up my second Sully Guitars model. A Stardust from Sully's Conspiracy Series. This series is a batch-made guitar run Jon Sullivan offers from time to time and they are made to Jon's specifications in Korea. This lowers the price significantly and allows more people to get in on Jon's awesome designs. 

But the Conspiracy Series is not "custom made" by Jon and his team in the Dallas - Fort Worth area. Those cost a lot more and have more options. I've always wanted to get one, especially after my mother died in 2021. I was thinking of a tribute to her, in some way. 

I also had been itching to try a 12 string electric guitar for some time. Sure, you can get those and at relatively inexpensive prices. Danelectro comes to mind here, but there are other brands as well. I just wasn't jazzed on any of those from a design and aesthetic standpoint. 

Rickenbacker Guitars make some classic designs, and they sound good, but I've never been a huge fan of them, and they are expensive! So, I always put off trying a 12 string, until.... 

The body of the 12 string will have a quilt maple top.

One day in August of 2024, Sully put it out there that he was having a sale on custom orders. He had never done this before, so, I thought, "What the heck! I'll ask." 

I figured Jon would say no. I had heard him put down the idea of a 12 string before, saying tuning something like that would drive him nuts. But would he make one for someone? 

I sent in my request, and a few minutes later Jon gave me a thoughtful answer and somewhat begrudgingly said he'd do it. I was surprised!

Well, to be fair,I knew Jon wasn't 100% jazzed about 12's, and he said he'd have to do a bunch of R&D work, because he'd never made a 12 before. So, I was expecting a long build time. I think Jon was a bit overly optimistic in his estimation for finishing the project, and that's okay. 

See, my philosophy is this: If you are wanting someone to actually make you something, and especially if it is unique and something they haven't necessarily got in their wheelhouse, then you must give that person 100% trust and patience. As a mechanic, I learned that having someone put pressure on you to get a difficult job done by their timeline is not fun. It also is unproductive, as - speaking for myself here - it made me not want to do the job. I always did do the job, but usually it was motivated by a desire to get that customer out of my hair. Not to make them happy, or over deliver on the job. 

Lyrics from a Warren Zevon song

So, Jon was free to get this done on his timeline, whatever that would be. He still is, as this guitar is still in progress as of this writing. I'm 100% trusting him and I believe he is doing his best work for me. 

I don't know about you, but this is how I roll. Yes....it has been over two years going on now. Cool. Whatever it takes. I'm sure it will be fine and a great guitar when I get it, and it's the first 12 Jon has ever made. That's awesome. 

Now, Jon likes writing little messages or song lyrics inside the guitars he makes which won't ever be seen again once everything gets assembled. He chose some Warren Zevon lyrics from "Keep Me In Your Heart For Awhile". Considering what has happened in the last year, it means a lot to me now that Jon chose those lyrics. 

I guess this guitar is a tribute to Mom and Jacob now. 

Anyway, things are progressing along, and now that the woodwork is nearly completed, I expect this will be getting completed sooner rather than later. So, what can I tell you about the rest of this guitar? 

Well, it has a quilted maple top, a mahogany back which is chambered. The top will have what Jon has dubbed as the WTF Hole. Ha! It has a bound headstock, fretboard, and Jon's signature Hollow Block inlays. The color? Well, way back when this got started Jon was talking about some burst finish in a traditional color with his special "Glamazon" treatment which is a sparkly coating along the edges of the body. But whatever he chooses I'll be good with it. I haven't seen one of his finished customs I did not like. 

Jon Sullivan and my guitar. He might be just a bit goofy!

 So, there you go. I'm excited and this will be avery special guitar for me. Not only is it a very cool, one of a kind 12 string electric, but the little details which are part of this build make it even better. 

I'll post again when it is finished, paid for, and in my hands. Thanks for reading Guitar Ted Productions.  

The Guitar Ted Lube-Off: Final Word On Stan's Dry Lubricant

   NOTICE:  The Guitar Ted 'Lube-Off' is a comparison of different lubrication products for bicycle chains that is undertaken in 'real world' conditions in a set way. Then I compare and contrast the results with past 'Lube-Off' products to see "which one is best for me". This is done for entertainment purposes and the reader should apply their own reasoning and discernment while reading my 'Lube-Off' entries. What works for me may not work for you at all. 

Stan's BioBased Dry Lube was a contender in the 2025 Guitar Ted Lube-Off which was never really concluded. So, I wanted to give some closure to this and report on my very long-term  findings! 

The lube lived on the chain running the Black Mountain Cycles MCD drive train and was doing okay. Obviously gravel riding was paused for the Winter of '25-'26, but when things got warmer again, the MCD came out and was put back into use. 

Then BRAN came calling and I decided to take the MCD on the week-long multi-surface ride. BRAN, in case you are unaware, is a ride through Nebraska which hits an overnight town every day for seven days, ala RAGBRAI. You start in Western Nebraska and travel East. Each day has a gravel route option, but you also get a fair amount of paved riding as well. 

I did apply a new coating of the Stan's BioBased Dry Lubricant just before leaving for Nebraska. The image above shows you what the chain and cassette looked like when I returned back to Iowa afterward. You can see a bit of accumulation of dust/dirt on the chain links and a fine coating of dust on the cassette. 

Results of the "Touch Test" after BRAN

The Touch Test is where I run my finger across the chain rollers on the inside run of the chain and observe whatever residue I see on my finger. Depending on the residue, more stuff on my finger usually means a lower rating from me. 

As you can see, there was a fine coating of dust which came off on my finger. In my estimation, we rode nearly 400 miles that week, so this would be what you'd see after that amount of miles with approximately 60% of that total being off-pavement. 

In my opinion, the chain was in definite need of a reapplication of lubricant after BRAN. It felt dry, not very slick, and there may have been a tiny bit of metal on my finger there, which I found a little concerning. 

Final Verdict On Stan's BioBased Dry Lube: 

At the end of the day, Stan's Dry Lubricant is merely "okay". It certainly isn't 'bad', but there are better lubes out there. The BioBased Dry Lubricant is not a dirt magnet, it does the job, for a little while, and it is easy enough to use. 

I wish Stan's Dry Lube had a longer span between applications. 300- 400 miles isn't a lot. Again, not terrible, but I have had other lubricants go longer between necessary reapplications. The amount of dust/dirt which was sticking on the chain and cassette is about the most I would tolerate. The fine coating on everything was a bit thicker than I'd like to see. However; I will say this was Nebraska dirt, not the Iowa dust I normally test in. So, this may have played a part in my end results.  

Good - not great. That is my final word on the Stan's Dry Lubricant. SILCA's Super-Secret and Effetto Mariposa's Flowerpower Wax still are at the top of the heap as of this writing. 

Coming Soon:

I'll have an update on the SILCA Super-Secret v2 lubricant in a little bit. Testing has been going on and I have some thoughts to share on it so far.

Additionally, the 'super-secret', secret lube under embargo until September 1st is also being tested and I have some thoughts on it as well. I think this should prove to be an interesting product. 

Finally, I will have an update when the 'super-secret, secret lube is revealed which has to do with another product I was recommended to use for the test. Stay tuned for that - again, after September 1st. 

Friday News And Views

Ridley Kanzo Fast 2,0 (Image courtesy of Belgium Cycling Factory)

Ridley Redesigns Kanzo fast For Cutting Edge Racing On Gravel:

Ridley announced yesterday a newly redesigned version of their gravel racing bike. The Kanzo Fast 2.0 has every new trend and technology for cutting edge racers onboarded with this new release. 

Stating the Kanzo Fast has tire clearance for a 700 x 58mm tire front and rear, this 1X only bike has more than enough room for most any tire choice for gravel racing currently available. 

Ridley then went to work on the aerodynamics to optimize the usage of those big tires and they managed to reduce drag in their testing over the outgoing Kanzo Fast 1.0 which was limited to 38mm tires. In fact, their numbers show a reduction of 13 watts with a rider onboard in the wind tunnel results published in the Ridley press release. 

Comments: Amazing technology and design, to be sure. However; the actual benefits of this sort of bicycle is going to be lost on most gravel riders. Ridley is designing for Pro level racers who tune their physiques and minds for racing as fast as possible. Of course, your genetics play a big part in all of this as well. Say you are built like a - you know - regular human? Yeah....this does not seem like a good idea for most of us out there. 

This image from Ridley above was specifically chosen by me to illustrate how this bicycle is supposed to be ridden. Now, I do not know you, dear reader, but I am willing to bet most of you are not the less than 1% of gravel riders who would even want to hold that position over miles of gravel. 

Which (finally) brings me to my point: All the online media went whole-hog covering this release. Why are they focusing so much on the "pointy end" of gravel bicycles and ignoring what the vast majority wants/needs in a gravel bike? No shade on Ridley or their fine take on a gravel racing bike. It's just that this is such a niche bicycle and wrong for most people. 

750D (L) and 700c tires. Image provided by Mark Slate

Wait.....It's Not Dead?

Recently while doing research watching Bikepacking.com videos, I saw a segment from the MADE Show featuring Neuhaus Metal Works and a bicycle they had at the show sporting 750D wheels.  

Also known in some circles as 30.5", the 750D wheel was developed by WTB sometime around 2022/2023 as an alternative to 700c wheels. The wheel was paired with WTB's Nano tread in a 40mm casing which was claimed to be an overall diameter of 30". WTB had thought this wheel size would, ideally, fit into some 29"er hard tail frames seamlessly and turn those into a sort of gravel biking option. 

But some builders, like Nuehaus, saw potential in this size to be a larger wheeled bicycle much more adept at fitting folks under 6 feet tall without compromising geometry. The hope Nuehaus has is that the tire selection would become more varied and include wider casings to make gravel and bike packing bikes attractive and be in a size which would fit more people than the now trendy 32"er wheels.  

Chart courtesy of ICAN

However; 750D failed to create any traction within the bicycle industry. So, it was assumed, by myself and many others, to be a "dead wheel size". Especially with the advent of 32" wheels in 2025. So, it came as a complete surprise to me that any company would be making a bicycle to fit 750D in 2026. Moreover; Nuehaus seems to have a small cache of Nano tires in 750D and seem to be advocates for  the industry to begin exploring this wheel size more. 

This may not go anywhere, but then again..... Who knows? The main point is 750D, while not 'dead', is hanging on by a thread thanks to at least one enthusiastic builder.  

Image courtesy of Velo Orange

Velo Orange Shows Upcoming New Products:

Fresh off the MADE Show, Velo Orange shared some news with its mailing list this week concerning some interesting new products in the pipeline. 

My favorite is what Velo Orange is calling the "Gravel Crankset". It is a square taper interface, silver crank which can be set up 1X/single speed or as a double chain ring crank. It utilizes the 110/74 BCD five bolt standard, so many chain rings will fit this crank. Plus Velo Orange will also be offering chain rings as well. 

Lengths for the Gravel Crankset will be 165mm, 170mm, and 175mm. The crank set will be sold "ala carte" style so you can configure the crank set any way you'd like. Velo Orange is estimating the in-stock date for this product will be this Fall. (UPDATE: Velo Orange has informed us that a 160mm option will also be available)

For details on this and the other cool upcoming stuff from Velo Orange click HERE. 

Image courtesy of Wilde Bicycle Co. 

Wilde Bicycle Co. Offering A Take On Classic Mountain Bike Design:

One of the reported hits from the MADE Show floor was Wilde Bicycle Co's take on Joe Breeze's "Breezer" Series 1 mountain bike. Widely regarded as the first production mountain bike, Joe Breeze made a handful of these for various local Marin mountain bikers in the late 1970's. 

Wilde's take on Breeze's design is one which cuts a very convincing profile but has all the modern touches you'd expect from a MTB in 2026. Things like disc brakes, Boost spaced hubs, a 1X drive train, through-axles, and electronic shifting. 

Wilde didn't just make this as a one-off. You can order your own "Pleezer", as Wilde calls the model. They say the Pleezer is not a tribute to the Breezer Series 1, but its own thing. A frame, fork, and bull-moose style handle bar can be had for $5,800.00. For more details see Wilde Bicycle Co's page for the Pleezer HERE.  

That's it for this week! Thank you for reading Guitar Ted Productions. Now get out there and pedal a bicycle around!