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| A scene from "Gravel: A Love Letter". |
If you hadn't heard about it yet, last Saturday a new short film about the gravel scene was released in conjunction with Pearl Izumi called "Gravel: A Love Letter".
The approximately 28 minute film describes what it means to ride gravel and what "gravel" means to those who ride on it. It features members of the Pirate Cycling League, scenes from Gravel Worlds, and the SBT GRVL event amongst other cycling luminaries like Marley Blonsky and Leonard Zinn.
Comments: I watched this last weekend once it had been made available. Short review: I liked it.
Longer Review: It captures the essence of what I think makes the gravel scene so popular. I'm not 100% sure that the premise laid out in the opening of the piece was necessary, but I get the addition of it as being a part for the 'antagonist'. Trouble is that this is not developed further and unless you are reminded of that bit at the front end you probably will forget it. (So, why have it in there, right?) That's my only criticism of the piece as a 'story'.
Otherwise this film should make you smile if you care about gravel from a grassroots perspective. The film focuses on the aspects that veer away from the big-time production feel of the events that sections of the work were filmed at. I thought that was clever. You can watch this and pretty much not know a thing about how the events the piece was filmed at are done and feel like, and you get totally immersed in the parts that these events still have that hearken back to the roots of this modern-day gravel thing. It's - in my opinion - a look at big gravel at a granular level. That the piece talks about how the individual is celebrated, (even solo gravel rides are mentioned), really makes this work something impactful on a personal level.
Well done. You should watch it.
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| Patent drawing for an electronic rear derailleur for Tektro. |
A Tektro Electronic Drivetrain?
Recently, a "Bicycle Retailer and Industry News" article detailed Tektro's recent patent filing 'frenzy' regarding electronically controlled derailleur and shifter designs.
While patent filings do not necessarily mean physical specimens on bicycles, this recent news seems to be indicating an imminent introduction of electronic shifting bits from Tektro.
Comments: In another article in the same "BRAIN" issue, Tektro is also developing a 9 speed cassette for HPC's (ebikes) and concentrating the design to address consumers tendencies to only use the three smallest cogs on cassettes where motor assist is available. (Leading to my assertion all along that these will end up becoming motorcycles at some point, but that's another subject)
So, with that HPC development, and adding in that electrification of bicycles is HUGE in Europe, I wouldn't be surprised if a lot of what Tektro is up to will be electric bike specific. The story I read does not indicate whether or not this would be an 11/12 speed set up, or if it is meant for human powered bicycles, or not.
I think we would be remiss in thinking that Tektro wouldn't address the human powered end of this, but I feel as though the bigger manufacturing numbers are going to be found on the electric bike end, so I'm not super convinced that this would be anything for typical riders of gravel, MTB, and road bikes, but I'm not ruling it out. Whatever happens, it will be a welcome addition to the choices we have now in high-end electronic drive trains.
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| HPC battery concerns in the news |
Recycling Lithium-Ion Batteries And Rising Costs:
Two news items appeared this week which both have to do with the batteries used for electrified bicycles. Concerns over recycling used batteries and costs of raw materials to produce the batteries are the subjects in focus here. First, the recycling news.
Of course, with the proliferation of HPC bikes with their requisite battery packs, we have to start thinking about the end-of-service-life issues that these devices will inevitably have. The disposal of the battery being paramount to that discussion.
Thankfully a voluntary program dubbed Call2Recycle seems to be gaining traction with many brands, both "LBS" brands and consumer direct. The link takes you to their site with all the resources for brands to get involved provided there.
Comments: This is great news. I would suggest that if you are in the market for an electrified bike that you strongly consider the brands on the list there. Notable exceptions to the program are Trek and Cannondale. (Note- Those brands may have there own in-hose recycling efforts, but I still think a "one-stop" solution for consumers carries more chances for success.)
Price Hikes; The second bit of the battery news is that due to huge increases in pressure on supplies for the chemicals and minerals needed to produce Lithium-Ion batteries, you can expect big jumps in the prices for HPC/ebikes in the near future, according to a recent "BRAIN" editorial. Prices for some of the major components for these batteries has skyrocketed. For example, the "BRAIN" editorial stated that lithium carbonate prices are up 712% over the last two years in China. That's where the vast majority of that mineral goes, by the way.
Furthermore; with expected increases in Lithium-Ion battery usage for automobiles, trucks, and Agricultural equipment on the horizon, the bicycle industry, which is but a blip on the screen compared to those behemoths, will only get scraps from the table. I suspect that prices for HPC bikes will be up- way up- and that may have a very negative effect on their popularity, both here and abroad, very soon.
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| Assos bibs for gravel riding. Image courtesy of Assos. |
What Does "Gravel Specific" Even Mean?
Recently I spied a release from the clothing company, Assos, which was touting their latest "gravel specific" bib shorts, shorts, and jersey. I checked into the products, both the bibs and the jersey, and I left wondering why these things are 'gravel specific', and what that even means.
First off- I have zero concerns that these pieces wouldn't be really nice for cycling. Assos has an impeccable reputation for quality and performance. Also, I know Assos is not the only brand offering 'gravel specific' clothing, so this is not a commentary on Assos, the brand, or their products in a negative light. I just question the reasons why features like mesh pockets and side zippered jersey pockets are related to gravel. Aren't these just features? Aren't these unrelated to any specific form of cycling?
I'd say, yes- these are more of a feature set that, usefulness and utility aside, are there for marketing purposes. I mean, we have three-pocket jerseys which have been developed over the course of almost a century which would probably be considered to be the ultimate evolution of cycling utility in jerseys we're ever going to get.
Weird, fiddly zippered jersey side pockets, to my mind, are less functional. Now, I have to say that the two mesh pockets, and pockets like them on other brand's bibs, down on the legs of bib shorts is kind of a good thing. An evolution towards more functionality. Specifically, a great place to stash those used gel-packs and energy bar wrappers many "serious" gravel racers tend to discard on our pristine rural roads in events. If only we could get those knuckleheads to use them.....
Anyway, the whole 'gravel specific' marketing spiel is getting pretty old. I don't have a lot of patience with it anymore and I think brands need to rethink using that tag for features that really don't do a dang thing for 'just gravel riding'. I mean, there really is no such thing as 'gravel specific' when you get down to it. All-roads? Sure..... General Purpose Riding? (Not sexy or exciting, but what 'gravel' should be) Maybe... "Road" and "Off-Road"? Probably the best...
But gravel specific needs to go away.
That's a wrap for this week. Have a great weekend!
4 comments:
I’m clearly biased, as many of the folks featured in the film are people I consider friends, but it’s a really well done video. They did a good job of encapsulating the feel and camaraderie of gravel riding and racing. Hopefully it’ll inspire a lot of new folks to give it a try, because in terms of accessibility to all, gravel is hard to beat.
If you want to charge more these days you no longer say extreme or epic, you say Gravel.
I like gravel, because I don't like traffic that wants to see how close it can pass you without killing you. I don't like that people may be confusing gravel riding for gravel bikes. One is a thing you do, and the other is marketing. My rando bike with 42mm tires has been just fine on all the gravel roads I ride locally, and nothing wider that I've had seems to matter on the roads that feature loose sand. I've not yet having had the privilege of owning a fat bike.
You don't need any particular gravel geometry do you? Maybe some folks' gravel road riding requires a high bottom bracket. My worst gravel riding has been on my mountain bike, and my best on my $500 randonneuse frame. The former I have and would again use on single track trails and the latter on just about everything else.
@Salargon - Hello! Thanks for that comment.
You asked "You don't need any particular gravel geometry do you?", and then you go on to sort of answer your own question, but I'll lend my thoughts to this discussion.
Short Answer: No- any bicycle in good condition *could* be used on gravel.
Longer Answer: As you began to describe in your last paragraph, 'certain' geometries are better than others. Certain tire sizes work better than others. Certain bits and baubles on your bicycle will make your ride meet your expectations more closely. What "that" is, well......That can be debated, yes.
My position has been, and still is, that five to ten years ago, and beyond that going back several decades, the bicycle industry did not make a bicycle suitable for covering all road surfaces well, comfortably, or efficiently. There were "racing bikes" and "touring bikes", for the most part. (Yes- there were very niche bikes that - like your rando bike, were possibly the bike we all should have had all along- but we didn't, and so....)
Now we have those bikes. They are called "gravel bikes" and there couldn't be a worse name than that, but it is what it is now. These bikes have a fairly narrow range of geometry numbers, and yes- They are better tools for the job than racing bike geometry or touring bikes with heavy gauge tubing meant to carry heavy loads. (Cyclo cross bikes? yes, but completely different purpose, which isn't 'general' purpose, as many would have you believe.Plus- geometry completely wrong for gravel)
So, there you are, the long and the short of it in my opinion.
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