The Freedom To Roam Free

 The latest "Guitar Ted Podcast" is a typically rambling affair, but towards the end of this episode N.Y. Roll and I got into a discussion concerning being lost, taking chances, and going "off-script" during a ride. 

I have seen a few things lately which made me think about this more. One was Jay Petervary's recent experience at an ultra-distance bike packing event where the event was called off due to weather and maybe some other circumstances. Another was a comment, which I reference in the podcast episode, about a rider wishing to explore a road off the group's GPS route files and the group not wanting to veer off their prescribed course. 

There are a couple of other examples I've seen lately making me feel as though we are losing our will to risk a little bit for adventure, exploration, and to stretch ourselves both mentally and physically. For myself, I find it all disappointing and disheartening. 

Of course, safety is a thing we are all concerned with. Unreasonable risks are to be avoided. However; at what point do we say that tying our ride strictly to a GPS route, (not a race event) with no other options to - you know - have some fun, is a bad thing? Is dealing with adversity in weather, equipment, or mental/physical states to be avoided at all costs, or do we explore the fringes of those areas to stretch ourselves a bit past our "Comfort Zones"?

And questions. What about asking questions? It means you have to "engage your brain" and maybe people are just too lazy to think things through anymore. It seems that way when some folks won't even think to go somewhere to ride without a "route" that has been sanitized and made so popular that there are "heat maps" guiding you to choosing those routes. 

Personally I get excited when I am not quite sure where I am at. I kind of like having to think through my next moves. I don't mind taking a road if it is something I've (a) never been on before or (b) something that looks interesting.  Yes- I've ended up in places which were not ideal, but then you get to solve more puzzles, and afterward I have a great feeling of having been 'alive' and having to work through things mentally and physically is a blessing, in my opinion. 

Following a beeping gps file is about as vanilla as it gets, if you want to know my opinion on gps routes. But I get it. You don't have to think about the next turn. Your waypoints lead you to resupplies without having to consider much. Easy. 

Easy but not very challenging. 

But you do you. This all is just my take on how I like rides to go.   

Three Decades Ago

Advantage Cyclery, October 1996

Thirty years ago I was looking into a Winter of uncertainty. The bicycle shop, where I learned how to be a bicycle mechanic, was obviously going to cease to exist soon. I had only been there since late 1993, and that after being let go from a decade long career in the jewelry business. 

I had been divorced the year before, and I was alone, I had no good leads on a new job, and it wasn't like I could move and get a new bike shop gig, because I was in the midst of buying a house. 

On top of it all, my truck was out of commission with a broken transfer case and my old station wagon wasn't running either. I was borrowing the shop's van to get to work and back at the time, or riding my bike on nicer days. 

The shop's owner was MIA. He felt so bad about things he couldn't face me anymore. I literally spent the last three plus months working there six days a week with no one else to tell me what to do. It was a very dark time in my life and I am thankful I was pulled through it all. 

God is good, and I was leaning on Him hard. I sure do not ever want to experience those kinds of days again. I never felt so badly as I did that Winter. 

Anyway, no apologies for the dark tone of today's post. Just was reminded of this as it has been 30 years now since those times. Things got a lot better after this, but it wasn't easy. Don't forget that there are folks all around us struggling. A smile, a kind word, anything positive could be all it takes to keep someone rolling through the valleys. 

Negativity abounds these days. Be different. Be a human being that cares. 

My fate turned when a former bike shop mechanic came in Advantage Cyclery late in January of 1997 and told me about a job opening at a car repair shop. He didn't have to do that. He barely knew me. But he did it, and that is what mattered. 

 I got the job. I then worked there for five and half years, was able to pay off the house, and I got a good, reliable car within months of working there that was such a screaming deal I couldn't believe it. 

All it takes is one person sometimes to turn a life around. 

Thanks Vance! I'll never forget what you did for me. 

Friday News And Views

Courtesy of Grasshopper Adventure Series 

Grasshopper Adventure Series Announces 2027 Dates:

Long ago, back when I was trying to gather all the events off-pavement that I could into a "gravel calendar", (the first of its kind anywhere), I was contacted by an ex-patriot Mid-Westerner living in San Francisco about this "adventure series" and how I should think about getting out there to try an event out. 

I am sorry, but the original emails are lost to the digital nethersphere, so I forget the person's name, but I have to say, those events sounded awesome. At any rate, events like Low Gap and King Ridge figured into my early gravel calendar compilations. 

Now going into its 30th season, and still led by Gravel Cycling Hall of Famer, Miguel Crawford, this series will offer five events in all. Miguel, or "Mig" as he is known as, has a great philosophy on events which I find very much aligns with my sensibilities on gravel overall. He is all about the experiences one can gain from participation, and not "the numbers" of events. Meaning it is not about how many people attend, how much money is made, how many hits the Hoppers get on social media. Those numbers. 

I'm sure Mig would be all about the numbers of awesome connections with other humans you have at his events. Those are the numbers that matter. Anyway, if any of this sounds interesting hit up the site for the series HERE. 

Image courtesy of Bianchi Bicycles

Industry Woes Surface While Indicators In Other Areas Point Up:

  News in the cycling world has been mixed of late. Some good, some bad. There seems to be no total recovery from the pandemic bump yet. 

Recent reports are that Bianchi Bicycles is seeking help with financial headwinds. The company is a historically road oriented brand but reports claim the company has delved into too many categories and the results are not sustainable.  

Meanwhile Shimano has posted modest gains in sales as have a few other companies in the industry. However; retail is a mess currently and several commentators are at a loss as to how the business will look going forward. 

If what I see on social media is any indication, and from my experiences with consumers at the Collective seem to bear this out, most folks think bicycles are far too expensive yet. But when you gauge retailers they all say the profit margins are so slim it doesn't seem to make sense to sell new bicycles at all. Meanwhile you are stating to see companies like X-Lab, a Chinese base company, undercut the market on prices. 

It is not by just a little bit either. So, this new disruption coming from Chinese based companies is going to further muddy the waters in retail here. I'm already seeing local retailers pushing X-Lab over their current legacy brands. Especially on social media platforms like Facebook Marketplace which traditional bicycle brands would likely frown upon being represented there.  

Image courtesy of podcast listener "JT"

Hey GT! Check This Out!

On the home page for the "Guitar Ted Podcast" we ask for comments, question, or submissions from our listeners. Well, recently one submission came in which I thought looked too awesome not to share with you all here. 

This is Mosaic's 32"er, the GT-1 i55 32" bike.  That's kind of an odd model name. Almost like a password. Anyway... 

It is a cool 32"er, and I do like this one a lot. However; it is very expensive and far away from my ability to purchase. So, I appreciate the suggestion, but that is certainly a dream bike. It would fit right in with what we were talking about in the latest episode though, so I get it.  

At any rate, nice rig. I'll keep looking.... 

Advertisement in the a recent Bicycle Retailer and Industry News publication

Ironic, Isn't It?

While cities, towns, and villages all across the USA try to decipher what is and what is not a "bicycle" or how to regulate electrified two-wheeled vehicles, a recent ad in a trade publication seems to come off a little tone deaf. 

This advertisement, in the most recent "Bicycle Retailer and Industry News" publication, is for a company in partnership with the San Antonio Spurs NBA team, for what appears to be e-moto bikes. 

The industry publication has, in the past, advocated for strict ordinances and laws to separate e-moto from e-bikes and their editorial tone has always been one of being down on e-moto products. So, seeing this advertisement in their publication was a bit shocking and seems to be dismissive of issues with these devices which abound in American cities recently. Issues causing deaths, injuries, and property damage all leading to great concerns for local governments and bicycle advocacy groups nationwide. 

Comments: Yeah.... I'm not sure why BRAIN would choose to overlook how this comes off to people trying to help promote cycling and keep e-moto usage from impacting access and impacting safety of e-bikers and the people using normal human powered bicycles. I feel it was in poor taste. Maybe I'm over-reacting? Perhaps this is not a big deal? Let me know in the comments. 
 

That's all for this week. Now it is getting cold, but you know what the saying is: "There is no bad weather - just bad clothing choices!" Get out and ride those bicycles!

Review: Redshift Sports SPD SL Mousetrap Pedal Adapter

 Redshift Sports sent over a pair of Mousetrap SPD-SL Pedal Adapters at no charge to Guitar Ted Productions. Guitar Ted was not bribed, nor paid, for this review. All images and opinions are Guitar Ted's unless otherwise noted. 

Earlier this year I reviewed a set of Mousetrap Pedal Adapters for Shimano SPD pedals. (HERE) Redshift Sports promised other adapters for pedals, other than the ubiquitous Shimano SPD, would be produced. Well, today Redshift Sports has released Mousetrap Pedal Adapters for LOOK Keo and Shimano SPD-SL road pedals. 

I have a set of the SPD-SL adapters, and this is what this article will focus on. My set came in around a month ago now and I have been using the SPD-SL Mousetraps for several weeks. 

What They Are: The Mousetrap Pedal Adapter is an accessory which turns your clipless pedals into flat pedals. This allows you to ride any bicycle fitted with either the SPD, SPD-SL, or LOOK Keo pedals without having to wear specific cycling shoes. 

The Mousetrap Pedal Adapter is a Nylon composite device with a magnet which attaches to the interface of your SPD-SL type pedal, giving it a flat platform which you then can safely and comfortably pedal on. 

Measuring a healthy 80mm x 105mm, there is plenty of space for most feet. The surface is textured to provide some grip for street shoes. Stack height is a low 10mm, so they don't add much to the pedal. 

Turn this into...........

 

This! A pedal you can use without special shoes.

Specifications:

Material: Glass-filled Nylon (Composite)

Weight: 170 gm SPD-SL (Tested), 160 gm LOOK Keo,  176 gm SPD (All weights for a pair of Mousetraps)

Dimensions: 80mm x  105mm x 10mm. 

Colors: Black/Grey,  Purple/Black,  Teal/Pink,  Blue/Orange

Compatibility: SPD-SL is compatible with Shimano SPD-SL road pedals and most SPD-SL compatible road pedals including Garmin and Favero. LOOK Keo compatible with LOOK Keo pedals. SPD compatible with Shimano SPD and most SPD compatible pedals. NOTE: Crank Brothers Mousetraps are coming in 2027.  

Retail Pricing*  $59.99 USD | £49.99 GPB | €59.99 EUR | $79.99 CAD | $99.99 AUD

* 25% Off at Launch as part of Redshift’s Early Black Friday Sale

Ride Review: 

Normally I get into a set up/installation portion in a review before I start into the riding bits. I feel the Mousetrap Pedal Adapter is so easy to install it is not really worth time to cover. It takes very little time to snap one into a clipless pedal. It takes very little time to remove the adapter. Easy-peasy. 

So, the riding part.... Well, it is simple, really. The Mousetrap just does the thing and you do not notice it. I will say that I have hours and hours of riding time on the SPD version. I did not stop riding with them when the review came out. I'll get into why that was in a bit. I just wanted to point out that I have a very good idea of what is possible on the Mousetrap Pedal Adapters. 

They are not going to be very good at mountain biking, for instance. They wouldn't likely work great in mud. Snow? Maybe... No, these are really great on paved roads, great for urban riding, casual rides, and commuting. I did do a long gravel ride on these once and....yeah. They were fine. I would just say leave out any aggressive riding and these pedal adapters will most likely do well in drier situations. 

There is a bit of a learning curve to getting rolling with the Mousetrap Pedal Adapters. Since they 'hang' upside down, you have to flip them to get rolling. Obviously your first pedal stroke is easy. Getting the second foot on the platform is a bit of a trick. I found by dragging my toe at just the right point behind the pedal I was able to flip the adapter upright and I could slide my foot on and pedal away.  

In regard to the SPD-SL Mousetraps, I did notice the adapter platform had a very small bit of "float" in the pedal. I asked Redshift about this and they said they noted it as well in the Keo version. Some of this can be 'dialed out' by increasing the tension on the pedal retention mechanism, but I would not worry about this. It is very minimal and I hardly noticed any movement unless I focused on it intently. The SPD version does not have this 'float', by the way. 

Final Word: 

Here is the thing I find so notable about the Mousetrap Pedal Adapter range- The things are just so darn useful. I use them all the time. Now, when I first looked at the Mousetrap idea I was a little dismissive. "Neat idea, Redshift, but I don't know how useful it is". 

Well, I learned a lot over the past months using the SPD version. I used them a lot while setting up a new component on a bike. Gotta do a test ride? Slap in the Mousetrap and get it done. No need to work on your bike in your clipless shoes. No need to hope you don't slip off your SPD-SL's while wearing your Crocs. Not that I have Crocs..... I don't. Just saying.... 

I can see the value in having the Mousetraps along for a trip to an event. They would allow you to ride your bike to an event expo, registration/packet pickup, a pre-ride meeting, or post ride beers. All without having to clank around in your clipless shoes. Wear your sandals, PF Flyers, cow boy boots.....whatever. 

Personally, I found the most use for the Mousetraps as a commuter/errand device allowing me to ride any bike I have. This worked great since I am an SPD pedal junkie. In fact, I had to borrow the SPD-SL's for this test since I do not own a road bike, and if I did I'd probably put SPD's on it! But regardless, the fact I could enjoy any of my bikes for commuting, bombing around the neighborhood, or whatever, at any time I wanted without having to put on cycling-specific shoes, was liberating. It doesn't matter if you have SPD-SL's, LOOK Keo pedals, or SPDS, the Mousetraps open up your bike for spontaneous uses, purposeful casual rides, or whenever you are not wanting to wear cycling shoes. 

So, why not just put flat pedals on all your bikes. Well.....then you wouldn't have clipless pedals and their advantages. (I'll let you decide what those advantages might be) Meanwhile, get some Mousetrap Pedal Adapters. You won't be sorry you did. 

The Redshift Mousetrap Pedal Adapter range can be seen on Redshift Sports site HERE.  

The Guitar Ted Lube-Off: The Final Word

  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. 

Dusty gravel roads are my absolute favorite riding surface and fortunately for me, we have a lot of miles of that sort of road around here. So, I have been focusing on what sort of gear works best for m those roads. Part of that is my search for the perfect lubricant for my uses. 

So, this all may not be for you. It may make zero sense to you. You can disagree all you want to. But, if you find yourself on similar roads, well then, you might be interested in what I found. 

This year, the contenders were made up of one previous winner, one remake of the previous winner, and two new entrants. The top lube going into 2026 for me was SILCA's Super-Secret v1 formula. This year, SILCA revised that formula, upgraded it, and now offer a v2 of Super-Secret that they claim is longer lasting and just better overall than v1. Two new drip-wax lubes came into this round. Stan's Polar Drip Wax and Triboflux. 

So, which one did I think was the best? 

Winner, winner...something something Door Dash.

If you caught yesterdays post, you probably have already guessed that Triboflux is not the top lube this time around. (Scroll back to the previous post to see that entry) Yes, Triboflux is decent enough, but not "best". Then we have the curious case of the other new entrant, Stan's Polar Drip Wax. I think it is a contender, but it isn't as good as the top lube in this test. 

Obviously this leaves the two versions of Super-Secret. The v2 test is shown above. I saw very similar results with v1. SILCA says v2 will last longer and resists washing off from water exposure better than v1 did. If you take them for their word, then the newer version wins. I cannot separate v1 from v2 at this point. Those two Super-Secret lubes are still neck and neck for me on my roads. 

I have a giant bottle of the v1 Super-Secret to get through yet, and I'll happily do so. The v2 can wait. But if you are in the market for a chain lube with a very good performance which doesn't attract gunk or very much dust at all, get Super-Secret v2. I do not think v1 is available anymore, but if it is, you cannot go wrong with it either. 

And with that, the Lube-Off for 2026 comes to a close.  

The Guitar Ted Lube-Off: Triboflux Update & Conclusions

 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. Also, I did not receive this from the company but I did pay for it with my own money. 

I introduced the next contender in this year's Lube-Off, Triboflux, back in September. If you missed that, click HERE. There you will learn all the tech details behind this wax based drip lube.

The first Triboflux update can be seen HERE. The last update on the Stan's and SILCA products can be seen HERE. 

In this final update on the Triboflux lubricant I will discuss my impressions of the lube, show the chain/cassette dust/grunge build up, if any, and then share my take on this drip-wax lubricant. 

The Triboflux made it into that segment of Fall where we had some fine, ultra-dusty days and so I feel I did finally get a good read on how this lubricant would do for me in a complete riding season. 

Essentially Triboflux seems to be a decent contender. I thought the shifting quality while using this lube was very good. In fact, it was quieter than the other drip wax lubes in this session of the Lube-Off. Perhaps the thickness of the lubricant upon application left a slightly thicker layer of wax on side plates which damped noises. This would be my guess. 

I did not feel the need to reapply the lube at any point and I did not get any squeaky chain noises later into this run. So all in all, these things would seem to point to a good choice for dry gravel road usage. 

Just a little bit more dirt/dust accumulation than I'd like to see here. 

 The chain looked pretty good, but there was more residue coming off the rollers than I am comfortable with. This chain is a little dirty, and that is not great. Sure, I could knock off a lot of the dust and dirt with a microfiber cloth, but that stuff coming off the rollers concerns me. I just do not see that with the other contenders in the test round. 

Conclusions: Triboflux is a decent lubricant, don't get it twisted, but it just doesn't measure up to what I see with others in the field in my Lube-Off tests. I can think of a half a dozen lubes I've tried which I would turn to before using Triboflux. At least at this stage of the riding. 

Perhaps a brand new, prepped chain would fare a bit better, but the other lubricants I am using in this round are all on used chains as well, and I see better results. Hard to say now.  But at this point, I am afraid Triboflux is just not as impressive as I was hoping for it to be. Again, Triboflux is good. Just not great. 

A final Lube-Off post will appear here tomorrow.  

Come Join The Party

From IWAR's Facebook page

All things we know on Earth have a beginning and an ending. Such is the case with Iowa Wind and Rock, which will hold its final event this coming April on 300-plus miles of gravel roads. 

I do not need to go into great detail on why this matters to me. However; if you are unaware, I wrote this post in September of this year when IWAR made its announcement that the 2027 event would be its last. 

In terms of gravel events, IWAR, and Trans Iowa before it, were, and are, acquired tastes. I'd liken these events to being the Jagermeister amongst the Southern Comforts of the gravel event world. People say they liked Trans Iowa and IWAR, but mostly they did not. Those who truly do, and did, are the nutjobs of gravel riding. They are very few and far between. 

So, my message to those of you out there who understood these events, and truly were fans, participants, or dreamers who wished they "could have", is that you should show up this one last time. Be that as a rider, volunteer, or just to hang out and share in what will likely be the last time a gravel event of this sort ever happens. I highly doubt anyone will take on this hard and heavy a responsibility in the future. Perhaps I will be proven wrong on this point. I doubt it though. 

So, be that as it may, I am now planning on being there. Probably just to hang out, but you never know. And speaking of riding, you have until the end of this month to decide to do this. Registration is HERE.

It is now or never.....