Friday News And Views

Fat: It Isn't Just For Snow Anymore: I have been getting very inspired to ride my Mukluk recently, despite the clack, snap, and pop, of the dreaded hub. I have been dreaming of big adventures as I ride my Snow Dog to work and then back home again, trying to hit all the dirt and gravel bits I can along the way.

In Dirt Or On Snow: Awesome!

I first was getting stoked from this thread on mtbr.com called "Iceland Trip Report". The imagery is off the hook cool, and fat bikes are strewn throughout doing what they do best.

Another place I have been getting fat bike stoke is from GNAT on his blog here, and also now on the Salsa Cycles blog here. The recent trip to ride beaches along Alaskan coastline is another jaw droppingly great look at what fat bikes are capable of and where you can ride them.

First off, after you are done being amazed by the scenes in these trip recounts, I would submit to you that fat bikes are not "snow bikes". Sure, that's what they were originally intended to be, but they are capable all terrain bikes in their own right. I gotta say, I wish I had thought about it that way years ago now when I saw my first Pugsley. If you are holding back on getting one of these because you think, "I'll only use it in winter", you should re-think that position. Especially in light of the evidence. Fat bikes can do it all.

Get Yer 5G Commuter Bike (Yeah right!)

The Fastest Commuter Bike In The World (Really!)

Okay folks, rant mode ON!

You know, and I know that commuting by bicycle  is good stuff for people and the planet. I think anyone that buys this (gulp!) $5500.00 bike, and rides the bejeebees out of it, is awesome and should be cheered on.

But.......five plus G for a commuter bike? This isn't going to be a bike that gets "more butts on bikes" (Sorry QBP, but I'm borrowing that phrase for this post, okay?), but it is going to get some folks a bike that is "cool" and maybe will be added to the other rigs in the stable, or decorate some wealthy persons garage.

I don't know, but these exercises in style are okay, but let's get the folks not on bikes on bikes, ya know? The world doesn't need more "cool, uber-expensive commuter bikes". It needs cheap, reliable, long lasting, utilitarian bikes that will turn people on, not make them wave their hands in disgust at how stupidly expensive commuter bikes are.

Nuff said. Rant mode OFF.....

WTB Pure V Saddle

 Now For Something Good....

I know everyone's butt is different, but I gotta say this WTB Pure V saddle is the best perch for my behind I've yet tried. I could sit and ride on this thing all day long. It is ultra-comfy.

I recommend it for all day, cushy comfort that also doesn't get in the way when you mountain bike. The dropped nose doesn't snag, and the up-turned rear end is great for climbing longer grades. Or, you can skooch up on that padded nose for the steeps. Love Channel action takes the pressure off the nether regions for no numbness. I like feeling things.....uh, sorry! Back to saddles!

WTB also makes my second favorite saddle of all time, the classic SST. This is a better choice for mountain biking when you are in a hurry, or out of the saddle a lot, or both. Shorter rides are great with this one, but I've done all-day gravel grinders on one of my SST's, so they will cover a lot of riding.

As long as we're on the saddle kick, my Number 3 best is a Brooks B-17. Now, you could mountain bike with this, and some folks do, but I like mine on my single speed gravel grinder. Wow! Is it ever a comfortable saddle for long, rough road riding.

All Super-Hero Fabric, Crazy Tech For Yer Hands

Ergon HA-2 Gloves:

Okay, a while back I received these Ergon HA-2 Gloves with the HE-2's I looked at here. I gotta say it: These gloves are weird!

In fact, the gloves were so odd looking, with the shiny "Batman" rubber-like black trim and white rubber-like logo that I just decided I was not going to like these. I mean, they just looked like they would be waaay too hot, and I guess I failed to see how all that rubbery stuff was going to stay put on fabric that was going to stretch every which way from Sunday while I wore them on a bike.

In fact, I figured I'd send them off to my friend in California to try, but they were too small for him. Then the other day, my friend in SoCal and I were chatting about the gloves, and I remembered that I should still have them around. I figured, "Oh well! What the heck! I'll try them."

And you know what? They worked out just fine. Ergon says these are best used with the GA series of grips, and that's just what I used them with. Much of what I said about the HE-2's applies here. Tight, snug fit. Stretches a bit after a couple wearings, very tactile feel, and no nose wiper! What was different?

The wrist closure on this model is waaay better. It doesn't hardly come down onto your wrist, first of all, and the opening is biased so that it mates with the angle of your wrist/hand joint. Impressive and, well........ergonomic!

If you don't mind a "second skin" feeling in regards to gloves, hate bunching up, bad seams, or poor interface with your grips, you should check these out. I'll have to wring them out more before I pass final judgement, but these are interesting mittens, for sure. (Although the "super hero" look is not really growing on me!)

Okay folks! That's it for today. Get out and ride!