First up we have this blue belt drive beauty from.....Maverick American?! That's what is on the head tube. The poster who put this up on mtbr.com didn't explain, so I have no idea if it is a production idea, or just a frame to show off suspension forks, which is what Maverick American is known for.
Funny how belt drive seems to be the "Hey look at me, I'm different" thing companies think will get our attention and money these days.
Ragley, the brand started by former On One designer Brant Richards, has been toying with the idea of doing a non-suspension corrected titanium race bike. Here is a prototype recently raced at an event in the U.K.
Brant is a bit of an outside the box thinker, which makes whatever he is up to interesting. This bike is no exception. The geometry is pretty different, which you can probably tell by just looking at it.
Peter Keiller is the dude that cranks out all the Misfit Psycles propaganda and some fine bits of mtb fun. Here is his latest idea. He calls this handle bar the "FME" Bar. (Don't ask, it isn't fit for publishing) Anyway, this is a "FuBar/drop bar" love child kinda thing. I've got specs on it over at Twenty Nine Inches, but suffice it to say that this will appeal to those folks wanting to be in the "drop bar club" but not liking the goofy stems nor liking the road lever/shifter idea.
These will be available in October for around $40.00-ish bucks.
I think the idea is pretty cool, given the existence of the Fargo, and other monstercross rigs, this bar should do quite well in certain circles.
Trans Iowa V6: I have contacted Jeff Kerkove about re-doing the Trans Iowa site, and he has agreed. We have a theme, which I think you will all get a kick out of. Anyway, the dates have been dictated by me, (Ha ha!) and will be April 24th-25th, 2010. Mark your calendars today!
From The Way Back Machine: A commenter on yesterday's post alerted me to a find that may make certain vintage handle bar freaks all giddy. Rivendell found a box of 50 NOS DirtDrop handle bars yesterday. Yes......yesterday! Check it out now if you want a chance at one here. $75.00 will score you one of the last new DirtDrop bars on Planet Earth.
My take on it is that the new crop of off road drop bars coming out are much better designed and useful than the ol' DirtDrop for use off road. This old design is a great piece for those into restoring and old Bridgestone, perhaps, but even though these are Nitto made, and darn fine at that, they have been passed by as far as practical bars for mountain biking by the Midge and the new Salsa and Ragley models that will be coming out soon.
Have a great weekend and ride yer bikes!
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