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| The Ritchey 50th Anniversary Outback (Image courtesy of Ritchey) |
Ritchey Design has been releasing special paint schemes of its bicycles over the course of Ritchey's 50th anniversary. This time they are featuring a special Outback frame and fork.
Ritchey says in its press release: "Possibly Ritchey's best selling model, the Outback is a dedicated off road machine designed to feel at home on long dirt passes. " This frame and fork can utilize 650B X 2.0" tires and wheels or 700c X 44mm wheels and tires. Frame, fork, through-axles, and a head set come in at a reasonable $1699.00 for the special "Half Moon Bay Blue" paint scheme.
Comments: This was a frame and fork I was seriously considering getting at one point. Turns out that a lot of you readers had some passionate thoughts on this one as well, judging from the comments left on my post about this and the Twin Six Standard Rando v2. As you all know, I ended up with the Twin Six.
But the Outback is still a cool design and might make someone a fine bicycle. It just has a couple of quirks that, for myself, take it out of contention for a bike I'd want to have around here. I think in many ways, the Outback, especially with 27.5" tires and wheels (650B), is the modern-day equivalent to the early 90's MTB with drop bars. It truly represents what MTB was at one time: An adventurous way to disconnect from the day-to-day grind and just have some fun. All without setting pressures, clicking rebound dampers, locking out, dropping down, or checking power meters and electronic shifter battery levels.
It's good to see bicycles like this still being made in 2023.
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| Two SILCA Impero Ultimate II frame pumps (Image courtesy of SILCA) |
One of the most feared and ride-ruining things that can happen to a cyclist is experiencing a flat tire. Of course, tubeless tires and sealant have reduced this occurrence, or perhaps has eliminated it to a high degree for many riders. But you still should have a way to inflate a tire/tube anyway. You know....just in case. Any good gravel cyclist should be self-sufficient in that manner, at any rate.
You can always go the mini-pump route, and several are good, but for my money, a frame pump is even better. Less strokes to fill up, and all with less effort. Plus, in a pinch, a frame pump can be used to ward off a dog attack.
I know that mini-pumps often cost less, but most of them are - sorry to say - garbage. There are exceptions, but a well-made frame pump is like having a great floor pump on your bike versus using a mini pump. I mean, given the choice, which would you rather use? Additionally, frame pumps can last a lifetime, and the SILCA example here is built to last.
Not every bicycle can fit a frame pump, I get that, and there is no argument that CO2 carts are faster/easier, but which choice is more environmentally friendly? Unless you are racing, well, do you actually need a CO2 cart? I know many of you will dig you feet in and staunchly defend your CO2 thingies, but there is no denying that a frame pump, built to last a lifetime, is a more Earth-friendly way to go.
My ancient 1990's era Blackburn frame pumps are getting a bit long in the tooth. (Note- those weren't made anywhere near as well as this SILCA option and they still lasted 30+ years.) I may have to pop for one of these.
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| Chris King GRD 23 gravel wheels. |
I guess this came out in early December last year, but if it did, it slipped under my radar. Chris King is making its own wheels with USA made carbon fiber rims now. No - It is not Enve. And yes - They are very expensive. (Now listing at $2915,00 for the set)
So, with that out of the way, what's the deal here? Apparently, Chris King is using a newer carbon fiber manufacturing process called FusionFiber™. It is a new process for bonding carbon layers using nylon instead of epoxy. It's a product of the Utah based company, CSS Composites.
It's a thermoplastic carbon fiber which means that it can be molded with less labor intensive methods and, supposedly, is recyclable since theoretically it can be re-melted and molded again.
It also lays claim to being tougher than typical carbon wheel sets and allows for a bit better ride feel. You can read this CyclingTips review for more of how these wheels perform.
Comments: The cycling world is awash in carbon wheel sets. The choices are dizzying. It is especially hard to choose the Chris King wheels here when you know that wheels are out there that weigh less, are cheaper, and probably ride pretty similarly. But, (in case you did not read that linked review), these are a more responsibly sourced choice with a lifetime warranty. So, I think some people will be attracted to that. That and the Chris King hubs, which are pretty stellar in their own right.
But in the end, paying about a thousand dollar+ premium over similar wheels in this class is a very hard sell. Maybe this is a harbinger of things to come in terms of carbon fiber production. Thermoplastic carbon made more responsibly with the promise of ease of recycling would be cool. Maybe that's what this wheel represents.
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| Diagram showing how a Lalbikes' Supre Drive derailleur works. |
Derailleur drive trains are very efficient and hard to beat in that way. However, those "dangly bits" can get wiped away by trail debris or rocks easily leaving you and your bike stranded.
Lal Bikes has developed a drive train which helps to eliminate this issue for the more extreme MTB type bikes. It's called Supre Drive, and it separates the two functions of a derailleur to achieve its out-of-the-way placement, on proprietary frames, of course.
The diagram I chose to post here, (courtesy of Lal Bikes), shows the pathway of the chain in the highest gear (red line) and lowest gear (blue line). The actual chain shifting bit remains out back, albeit morre "in front of" the cassette. The tensioning part of a derailleur now has a satellite jockey wheel which traces the outer edge of the chain wheel. (shown by the black arrows).Check out the link for a deeper dive.
Comments: I like the direction here for a mountain bike, or say even a fat bike that gets into a lot of underbrush/rocky areas. The proprietary frame bit is going to probably keep this as a niche choice, but you never know. It'll only take one company to buy in and this could take off. Or.....Shimano or SRAM could buy the company out, salt away the patents, and you'll never see this again.
I just thought it was interesting since it is truly a different take on a derailleur drive train for a specific purpose.
Just in case you missed it, we posted another new podcast this week. We actually got a Featured Sponsor again, which is The Spinistry, a group out of Texas that puts on some cool events in Texas and Colorado.
I first ran across The Spinistry back in late 2009 when they announced The Red River Riot gravel race in North Texas. They have expanded their offerings ever since and have several varied types of events and challenges which you could take part in.
The podcast is another fly-over view of what types of things should be "on the radar" for anyone considering a ride on gravel. Give it a listen if you have some time, leave some feedback, and a review if you don't mind. Thanks!
That's a wrap for this week folks! have a great weekend and get in a ride if you can. Spring will be here soon! Thanks for reading Guitar Ted Productions!
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