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| Superbloom is September 6th in Glenwood, IA |
Fat Inflation FN&V
The Guitar Ted Podcast Season 3 Starts:
The Guitar Ted Podcast started up last week with the 64th episode. That is cool but the best part was the surprises. We went into the interview with Julie Borer and Rafal Doloto not really knowing exactly what to expect.
So, when Julie described her journey in cycling, (based on a question we ask first-timer guests), I was blown away. She had started out by trying to find a cycling group or club to connect with and did not find what she was looking for. Instead of folding and going in some other direction she decided to create what she wasn't seeing.
That eventually led to a women's only gravel event which held their inaugural event last year. Now the Glenwood Superbloom is looking to grow a little bit and continue to reach more women for gravel racing and community fellowshipping.
I was also blown away by the honesty and transparency of the Loess Hills Enduro event director, Rafal Doloto. His description of the travails involved in being the race director of a grassroots gravel event while trying to balance life responsibilities as a father, husband, and employee were immediately relatable for me.
Check out the season opener for Season 3 HERE.
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| Image courtesy of WTB |
WTB i79 Fat Bike Rim:
Sometimes a product is released with so little fanfare, or none at all, that it slips under the radar. Such is the case with this WTB i79 rim. I did not know of its existence until last week when N.Y. Roll called me and brought it up.
As with all WTB rims the "i79" refers to the rim's internal width, so 79mm in this case. That's perfect for any 3.8" to 4.8" tire.
Last year about this time WTB announced the Bailiff fat bike tires in 27.5" diameter only. So, when I heard about this new rim from N.Y. Roll and he said it came in a 26"er diameter, I was hopeful that WTB was then going to offer a Bailiff in 26" as well. However; this does not seem to be the case.
The weights on these rims seem really competitive and being made in alloy, they are a good deal cheaper than carbon rims. The rim bed is designed in a way that the spoke nipples would be recessed into one of the four channels extruded in the rim design and that leaves a smooth inner rim well, making taping for tubeless a breeze.
I like these rims from what I can see of them online, but I may be getting my hands on a pair to build up for someone soon, so stay tuned for a possible update here.
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| Image courtesy of Clik Valve |
Last July I reported here on these digital pages concerning a new technology for valves called "Clik Valve".
A kit with valves, replacement bases, and a pump head to retrofit a pump is on its way to Guitar Ted Productions for evaluation. Note: I am being provided this opportunity at no cost to me, but all opinions and views will be my own.
I've seen some mechanic feedback on Facebook concerning an early release of this product to certain folks to try out. It seems that tehre is no issue with how it works, but there is some debate about the reasoning for the Clik Valve's existence.
As you can imagine, some feel there is no reason to change from the 'known' and traditional systems. But we've seen push-back like this before from the cycling masses and it is not unexpected to see this in regard to Clik Valve.
However; some feel a Schrader Valve should be developed for all cycling disciplines and then this would be a better solution. It is true that more casual cyclists would prefer to see this across all categories of bicycles. It is also true that maximum airflow for tubeless set ups would be enhanced by going with the ubiquitous Schrader Valve. Wider rims across most cycling disciplines would support a Schrader Valve as well.
I will see what I think of the Clik Valve and if it is truly a step forward and if the applications for it make sense over traditional choices. That should happen soon as the parts are on teh way as of this past Monday. Stay tuned.....
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| Image courtesy of BIKETUBE |
TPU Fat Bike Tubes:
One of the hottest topics for 2024 was TPU tubes for bicycles. My look at WTB's offering last year was one of my Top Ten posts for 2024.
Recently I saw an offer from Biketube for their 26"er TPU fat bike tubes. I decided, based upon my previous experiences with TPU tubes, to purchase some and give them a whirl.
I will be getting one which will be a spare for the Ti Muk 2 which is set up tubeless. However; I also purchased two more. These will be going in the Snow Dog, my blue Salsa Cycles Mukluk fat bike I've had since 2011.
So, look for a review to kick in soon on those tubes. Now I have a chore to accomplish! The Snow Dog isn't quite ready for any riding, so I have my work cut out for me in getting it readied to go once the tubes arrive. This will mostly be focused on the drive train as the current set up was done to test the Archer wireless shifting. Unfortunately that company went out of the business of making that product and this will force my hand to make the bike a mechanical shifting bike again. Stay tuned....
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| Image courtesy of the Urtopia site. |
Urtopia Shows Worlds Lightest, Smallets E-Bike Motor:
At the recently held Consumer and Electronics Show (CES), e-bike brand Urtopia showed a 3-D printed titanium alloy drop bar bike with what Urtopia is claiming to be as the "World's Smallest Motor, Lightest Titanium E-Bike".
The complete bike weighs in at a claimed 23.8lbs. The e-bike has a 300 watt/hr/Kg solid state battery which helps reduce weight and space concerns.
The motor has a claimed weight of 2.6lbs and has a peak torque output of 65nm. No battery life data was shared. The bike was a concept but the motor and battery are going to be offered by Urtopia and to other e-bike brands for use in other bicycles.
Comments: I was passed on my commute home going uphill by a youngster on an e-bike. While it was clear that it was a pedal assisted ride, my mind went to how this type of "bicycle" will be what the future adults in this country will expect when they go "bicycle" shopping in the future. A bike which requires 100% human input to move it will be seen as an antiquity.
I don't think 100% human powered bicycles will ever go away completely, but as long as we have the ability to make things easier, that is going to be the path of least resistance for humans to take. And humans will almost always take the easiest path, even though it may not be the best path. I'm sure at some point riding a 100% human powered bicycle will be seen much as we see people reacting to riding single speed or fixed gear today - as an unnecessarily hard and perhaps even stupid pursuit.
It's okay. I've been laughed at before.....
California Fires: You've probably seen some horrific images coming out of California due to the wind-whipped firs around Los Angeles. This has affected many people and will into the future. My prayers to all those affected.
One bicycle related point here is that the home of long-time bicycle journalist and MTB Hall of Famer, Zapata "Zap" Espinoza, was obliterated in the fire and he and his daughter have lost everything. A GoFundMe has been set up to help assist with their recovery and support. If you feel so led, here is the link. https://www.gofundme.com/f/zapata-zap-espinozas-postfire-recovery-fund
That's all for this week! Get out and ride those bicycles!
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