Change Of Pace

Long time readers of the blog here probably will recall my "pilgrimage" to the Green Belt every Fall. The ride I generally do to see Fall colors and celebrate my beginnings in cycling in the Cedar Valley. I wasn't always a "gravel guy"!

Sometimes I do this ride on a fat bike, sometimes on a mountain bike. This year I pulled The OS Bikes Blackbuck off the peg, aired up the tires, and went seeking leaf-peeping opportunities on a Summer-like day in mid-October. 

So, before I get on with the story, I probably should explain this OS Bikes thing. Every time I post a picture of this bike I get questions about it, so please bear with me if you already are aware of the history. 

OS (Of Spirit) Bikes was a side project of WTB's Mark Slate. Around 2007 he designed a single speed 29"er frame and fork, had 500 units made at Maxway in Taiwan, and bought some components to sell completes and some frame sets. These became available late in 2007. I bought mine in January of 2008. 

Unfortunately for Mark, he spec'ed original Rock Shox Rebas on the completes, which by 2008 were superseded by Fox's new 51mm offset 29"er fork. It also coincided with a less favorable view of single speed 29"ers and an uptick in geared offerings. Finally, the Blackbuck was only available in a single size. The OS Bikes Blackbuck subsequently wasn't in high demand. 

Mark made a second version of the Blackbuck, made at a different factory, with three sizes available, in 2010. These are easily identified by their white "darts" paint job, where the original Blackbuck was almost all black save for a silver colored dart on each seat stay and chain stay. I've no idea how many v2 Blackbucks were made. And no....you cannot buy one new. Unless there are some NOS ones around, which I am unaware of. 

So, there ya go..... 

The OS Bikes Blackbuck as it sits now in 2025.

Now on with the ride....

I decided to head out after lunch for a quick look at the meadow where I usually go to see the Fall colors. I started from the house and took the alleys and side streets over to the dog park and then went up and over the dike to enter the Green Belt. N.Y. Roll reported the Green Belt had received its annual Fall mowing, so I knew it would be fairly clean with little debris to deal with. 

The Fall colors are a bit behind this year. Usually by the 17th we are either done, or right at peak Fall color.. With the extension of Summer into early October, I think the colors were put off until around the latter part of last week. Then I noted a big change in the neighborhood, which was the prompt for me to go check the Green Belt. 

However; once I got out there, it was pretty obvious we are not quite at the zenith of Fall colors. I'd guess it will be next weekend when we reach the peak of leaf peeping here. Barring any stupidly windy days which may strip the trees before the colors come in.

Hopefully this will coincide with the C.O.G. 40. That would be awesome to have a bit of that Fall color happening for the ride, but it would be quite late in the season for the peak. Maybe.... We'll see.

I was scheduled to meet with N.Y. Roll around 3:30pm, so I didn't have a ton of time to explore the Green Belt for more color, but the meadow did not disappoint, despite it being on the early side for colors. I stayed a while in the meadow and contemplated a few things before I set off to come back home again. 

I've had these old Kenda XC tires on this bike for ages now. They are big, voluminous, and have fast tread. They don't work great in anything other than hardpack, which is what I generally encounter if and when I ride off-road. However, with recent rains the Green Belt had some greasy spots and standing water which made the bike a bit tail happy. I could definitely feel the tires slipping a bit in some corners! 

 It was a short, but good Fall ride. It wasn't peak color, but it was a great balance of the greens of Summer with splashes of Fall color. The trails had some leaves, but it wasn't swimming in them. All in all, it was a great change of pace from the gravel I normally am out on. 

Creatures Of Gravel 40: Update

NOTE: Make sure to familiarize yourself with the announcement post which you can read HERE. 

The route file indicates three and 3/4's miles of Level B road which all occur within the first quarter of the course. With weather being the proverbial "wild card", N.Y. Roll was concerned there may be trouble. Trouble if it rains, that is. 

Looking at the State DOT maps, we have a "wet weather" option which will eliminate the dirt roads. This wiill add no extra miles, but it would take us through the village of Lincoln, Iowa, and it would add a bit of extra pavement. 

This route would only go into effect if we get any significant rain the day before or during the ride. This will be only on my written cues, and it will not be on the "official route gps file", so please note this and be aware you will have to rely on my cues for navigation. That is, IF we have to use the wet weather route. 

Right now, this doesn't look like it will be a worry, but we are far enough out the forecasts could change. Please keep an eye on the weather and monitor the blog here for updates. 

One never knows how many folks might show up to this sort of a ride. If the weather cooperates, there will be more people showing up. If it looks, or if it is, sketchy, hardly anyone will show up. With this in mind, I have a few things to share. 

One: Parking on Broad Street - If we get a ton of interest we will start to ask people to move their cars to a park located on the Southwest corner of Reinbeck just off  Park Street near the Reinbeck Aquatic Center. There are baseball diamonds adjacent to this parking lot as well. We do not want to overtake downtown Reinbeck. I do not expect this will be an issue, but......just in case. Bonus: This park is adjacent to where the gps file starts and stops the route. 

Two: N.Y. Roll is facilitating the rest stop pierogies feed. He wouldn't mind a companion/helper. So, if you are coming along, but decide last minute not to ride, or if you weren't going to ride, but are coming with someone who is, please let me know. I can hook you up and get you with N.Y. Roll to help out with things and hang with him. Not necessary for our success, but this is an idea for anyone who may not be in it for the riding part.

Three: I have no idea how many folks will be there. I have heard from a couple of folks about their intentions, but as with anything like this, last minute decisions typically are what determines attendance. (Based on weather, for one thing, no doubt!) But if you would be so kind, it would be nice for Mr. Roll if we had a rough idea of who is coming. Leave a comment here or email me at g.ted.productions@gtmail.com. Thanks! 

Four: Geared bikes are welcome! Yes, the theme of the ride is single speed, but we do not want this to be a barrier to participation. Please come if you want to with your geared bike. Just make sure it is in good condition, capable on gravel, and have repair items along with you in case of a flat tire. That is all you need.  

Five: THIS IS NOT A RACE!!  A local rider here approached N.Y. Roll with a comment to the effect saying he was glad we were putting on the race again. Despite my very clearly saying in the announcement IT IS NOT A RACE, I guess we have to be very vigilant and say it loud and clear that THIS IS NOT A RACE. 

Did you catch that this time? I hope so....  

Stay tuned and don't e shy about asking questions or leaving comments!(And don't be a smarty and ask if this is a race. Okay?) 
 

Friday News And Views

Image courtesy of Mavic

Mavic Introduces New AllRoad Wheelset In Carbon

The news about a carbon rimmed Mavic wheel set for gravel was released last Monday. Called the ALLROAD SL Carbon, this wheel set has a 25mm internal rim width and a 42mm deep rim profile. Featuring 24 aero, double butted spokes with a 2X lacing pattern on aluminum Mavic hubs, this wheel set weighs a claimed 1,550 grams. 

The rims feature a hookless design. They are built to Mavic's UST dimensions. Mavic claims these rims are compatible with tire widths from 30mm - 64mm in width. (64mm is approximately equivalent to a 2.5" wide tire)

The hubs are 100mm/142mm through axle front/rear.. The wheels can be ordered with a SRAM XDR or Shimano HG freehub. The wheel set retails for $1,889.00USD. 

Comments: This is a difficult wheel set to make sense out of for myself. I've no issues with much of the specifications, and Mavic makes a fine product. However; hookless design - as stated here before - seems like an unnecessary feature which has shown risks in usage. Then you have the price. It seems a bit dear when you can pick up similar wheels for less or spend about the same and get lighter wheels. (Based upon research done on offerings by Specialized/Roval and Trek/Bontrager)

Original image courtesy of Gary Fisher

So, What About This 32"er Nonsense?

I've been curious about all the 32" wheel news coming out and I've not seen any real, rational takes on this wheel size until recently. And I was not surprised to find the source for this clear-minded take. It was from Mike Curiak, of course. 

Mike is perhaps the quintessential "thinkerer" when it comes to bicycle tech and especially design and tech outside of current thinking. 32 inch wheels certainly qualifies as such a thing.  Mike, unsurprisingly, has been testing 32" wheels on a Lenz full suspension bike.   

If you have any curiosity for this subject, you might want to head on over to Mike's blog and check it out HERE.  

In other 32"er news, Zinn Cycles is showing a 32" full suspension mountain bike designed for taller folks. Zinn has been in the business of making bicycles and components for taller folks for quite some time, so this comes as no surprise. Many would probably guess that 32"ers would most likely work best for people over 6 foot in height. 

However; it is also interesting to note Mike Curiak is right around six feet, and he rides a Medium sized bike. So, reading what he had to say maybe will change your mind if you are one to think this 32 inch nonsense is only for taller riders. I know I am rethinking this a bit.  

Image courtesy of SILCA

SILCA Offers TPU Tubes:

News came out on Tuesday from SILCA on their newest product. They now offer TPU tubes which feature mechanically connected, threaded aluminum valve stems with a traditional Presta Valve nut to affix the stem to a rim more securely. (Or you can leave the nut off, it is an option.)

SILCA is sourcing these TPU tubes from Germany and they are made from dye-free TPU material. The site for the tubes on SILCA's page does not indicate whether or not the valve core is removable. 

SILCA offers two sizes in these TPU tubes with ranges of 24mm - 43mm. or 44mm - 64mm for tire width. The narrower tubes come in either a 50mm or 70mm length valve stem. The wider TPU tube only comes in a 50mm long valve. Each tube comes with an alcohol wipe and TPU patch. Tubes sell for $39.00 each USD. 

Comments: I like the valve stem design except for the core. SILCA doesn't say if it is removable or no, but looking at their image on the TPU page, I'd guess it is not removable. This isn't a deal-breaker, but as long as you are doing an aluminum valve there seems to be no reason not to offer a removable core. 

These are still kind of pricey, but as a reliable back-up for a tubeless set up, carrying around a tube which weighs far less than 100 grams seems pretty appealing. If you have bought into TPU tubes, this offering seems better than much of what the competition is offering mainly based upon the valve stem design. 

 Image courtesy of Wolf Tooth Components

Wolf Tooth Components Pedals:

Last week this news came out, but it was too late to make the FN&V.  But we did talk about these on the latest "Guitar Ted Podcast". Wolf Tooth has a three pedal range called "CTRL", "ALT", and "DEL", which represent computer keyboard keys. In Wolf Tooth's pedal line, "CTRL" is their trail pedal. "ALT" is their take on a standard SPD pedal. Finally, "DEL" is a stripped back clipless pedal with one side entry and the lightest weight of the range at just a bit over 200 grams a pair. 

All three are machined and assembled in Wolf Tooth's facility in Minnesota. The range also all cost the same at $219.00 USD each. The pedals all can be ordered in black or purple.  Wolf Tooth claims the range provides the rider with a better pedaling platform and a closer shoe-to-pedal interface than the competition.  Finally, the "Q" factor of these pedals is adjustable. 

Comments: N.Y. Roll ordered the ALT (Actually it is the DEL he ordered) model for his girlfriend, Morgan. Hopefully I can get a ride report once she has used them a bit. Of all the various SPD-clone type pedals in existence, the Wolf Tooth offerings do promise a little something different. Now it will all hinge upon whether or not these can have a reasonable lifespan in comparison to Shimano SPD pedals which are nearly bombproof.  

That is a wrap for this week! Thanks for reading Guitar Ted Productions and get out there and ride those bicycles! 

We Need More Stories About Fun On Bicycles

From the Victory Ride in 2024

 I'm going to go out on a limb and say most cycling media outlets are anti-fun. I say this because these outlets keep pushing racing coverage and articles with titles like "The Key to Riding Faster Is Lactate Threshold Training....", or "4 tips to make your indoor training more realistic ".

None of which sound like "fun". Racing is fine, but one site I follow only posts about racing, and almost always about the most niche races no one knows about. Then another site I follow is always posting about techniques to get faster or whatever, and it points out how "you aren't good enough yet, but do this...." I mean, this is their messaging, as I see it. 

Then you have the ever-present tech articles which appeal to the bike-nerds like myself, but to the average cyclist? All this super-spendy tech seems to only force folks into feeling the cycling industry is a rip-off. 

Again, none of this sounds like fun. Maybe this is why most US citizens are looking online and getting their cycling stuff off Amazon or from big-box online and brick and mortar retailers. They don't have to clear gate-keepers, understand technology they've likely never heard of in their daily lives, or deal with uninformed or snooty clerks at bicycle shops. 

Bicycles were supposed to be fun. Freedom, fitness, and adventures were the main reasons to purchase a two-wheeled contraption when I was young. Heck, I never even heard about a racing bike until the Summer of my junior year in high school. I managed to fall in love with cycling despite my ignorance of FTP, carbon fiber, and carbon monoxide rebreathing. 

You mean you can have fun on a bicycle?

Fun needs to be focused on again. Especially if we are to actually grow cycling. We "nerds" in here all understand this bit about fun. We get the health benefits of mind and body which cycling can bring a person. But does any of this get translated by cycling media? 

The barriers to getting into gravel races was a big deal starting with post-COVID gravel events. Socially conscientious event directors began to push for inclusion of minorities and for gender equality. It's sad the cycling industry itself doesn't think in terms of removing barriers. It is painfully obvious this doesn't matter.

Raising the ceiling on prices, posting on the latest tech which costs an arm and a leg, focusing on racing which only pertains to a infinitesimally small portion of cyclists-  All of this alienates the common person who might just want something else. Something like escape from this mad world, a good time, and ease of getting involved. 

Can all the latest Winter cycling garb tests, the banter about aero helmets, and wireless transmissions on 10K+ bicycles. It creates barriers to entry. Maybe focus efforts on cycling infrastructure, how you can enjoy cycling while wearing Chuck Taylors, or make yourself calmer and more healthy by spinning wheels around the blocks in your neighborhood. 

Or, maybe just say cycling is a hoot, and you are missing out on it if you didn't partake in the sport. Put people in ads who look like they are enjoying a ride, and not squinting through pain while sprinting for a finish line. Make cycling fun again. 

Or....just continue to churn out the same tired messaging the industry has trotted out for the past 40+ years. 

I know how that  works. Ha! 

Clik Valves, Cores, and Pump Head: Final Review

 Note: Guitar Ted received a suite of products from Clik Valve for test and review at no charge. Guitar Ted is not being bribed nor paid for this review. All opinions are Guitar Ted's.

Clik Valve, a new valve type for bicycles, was introduced last year. Earlier this year I received a set of valves, valve cores, and accessories to test out. My last update on Clik Valve product in April was quite a while ago, so you may want to go back and click the hyperlink to catch up on things. 

If you are a long-time, regular reader of this blog, you probably have already seen my mentions about the Clik Valve over the course of this year. You might have a good guess as to what I think about the Click Valve overall already. But if you are new to this blog and the review of Clik Valve products, read on. 

Another New "Standard"

Yeah....I know it is wearisome and it seems "The Industry" is out to get you to buy something The "Marketing Machine" cooked up. I see your commentary about other so-called innovations and I know how many of you feel. Why do we need another valve standard? Presta is "good enough", and "I'm not changing everything over just because it is a new thing". 

Yep! I get it. However; believe it or not, this valve system is better. Not by just a little bit either. It exceeds the functionality of previous Presta and Schrader valves and it is exceedingly easier to use. This mostly due to how Clik Valve interfaces with inflation devices equipped with compatible Clik Valve pump heads. 

Long-Term Performance:

I've used this new Clik Valve exclusively on one of my gravel bikes while keeping everything else I own the same. Day-in, day-out, Clik Valve is just so much easier to live with, it is simply no contest. On this basis alone I would swap everything over to Clik Valves. 

Kind of Presta, kind of Schrader, uniquely Clik

But in terms of riding, air retention, and maintenance, this valve system is as good or better than Presta in every way. No wonder, since it really is kind of an evolution of the Presta valve when you get a look at how Clik Valve works. 

Downside:

Like anything new which requires specialized accessories, Clik Valve is still a bit of a drag. You cannot just go buy a Clik Valve pump anywhere, although more brands are offering a Clik Valve compatible option. Gauges are available, but again, you just cannot pick one up anywhere. 

The same goes for parts. Valve cores can be purchased for Presta and Schrader vales almost anywhere. Heck, you can scavenge valve cores from old tubes. Clik Valve is still so new and not as ubiquitous as the other two entrenched valve standards.  

However; if Clik Valve continues the momentum it has garnered since its introduction, I see no reason why Clik Valve wouldn't be the preferred inflation valve for cycling within the next decade. Time will tell if brands will support Clik Valve and if consumers demand it. 

Brands like Wolf Tooth (shown) and Lezyne have started offering Clik Valve

Final Verdict:

Clik Valve is a superior system for the inflation of bicycle inner tubes and tubeless systems. Period. There just is no way anyone can convince me otherwise. I wish all bicycles had Clik Valves and were this easy to maintain air pressure. 

Yes, it will be an uphill grind to displace the current entrenched valve standards. But it would be well worth doing so, especially for new and casual cyclists who are often frustrated by Presta valves.  

If you want to give Clik Valve a go, you can get cores which replace your current Presta valve cores and a pump head from Clik Valve. It probably is the least expensive way to check this system out if you have a pump you can dedicate to the system. Or you could purchase a Lezyne, Wolf Tooth, or SKS pump. Some have said a normal Presta valve pump will also work, but those will not "click" easily on the valve and you may as well just be using a Presta Valve at that point. Half the benefit of Clik Valve is the design itself which makes inflation so much easier. But it is nice to know that in a pinch, a Presta valve pump might bail you out. 

As for myself, I will likely start to transition my fleet to Clik Valve. Especially my Surly Big Dummy, which has a rear tire that is frustrating to inflate with the current Presta valve tubes. I'm betting if you give Clik Valve an honest try, you'll be as impressed as I am.  

Youth In Bicycle Retail Positions Needed

The latest Guitar Ted Podcast show is out and you can find it anywhere you get your podcast feed from. You can also listen to it from our host Spotify page HERE. 

In the latest episode we do not talk about the dearth of youthful owners and workers in bicycle retail, but this was a topic suggested to me by a listener and friend of mine. 

I ran the idea by my friend Ari Andonopoulos who is a bicycle mechanic in a Chicago area suburb. He felt this was a topic worthy of discussion, so we are going to bring Ari in on our next recording to chat about this topic. 

From my viewpoint. I have seen many older owners retire, sell their shops, and in some cases they close up, never to return. In others, a person buys the business. However; there seems to be a lack of young folks being trained up as mechanics by these outgoing folks. This is somewhat concerning as there is a wealth of knowledge which is going to disappear in the coming decade and it won't be passed on to younger mechanics. 

My question to you dear readers is this: Do you see this as being an issue where you reside? Are there examples you can point to where young owners and mechanics are taking over and thriving? I'd be very interested in any thoughts any of you might like to share on this subject. 

Maybe we won't need to have mechanics with "old school knowledge" if the 'device-a-fication' of bicycles gets to a point where bicycles become  expendable objects when they fail. I mean, we already kind of do this on the low end bicycles which are so poorly made with such awful materials they are not worth fixing. 

But there probably will be things which are decades old still getting ridden for decades to come, as long as the parts are available. So, who will know all the little tricks and bits of arcane knowledge which can extend the life cycle of those old bicycles w=once the oldies are gone and the youth haven't been around to learn those things? Maybe make them memorize Sutherland's manuals and read a chapter of St. Sheldon's gospel of bicycles every week? 

Those are my quick thoughts on the matter. Stay tuned for the podcast..... 

Thanks For Checking In

 I wanted to take a bit of space here to address something I feel needs to be addressed. Many of you are aware of what happened in early August when my son, Jacob died unexpectedly. Losing a son for reasons unknown is unusual, I know, and this has been something not only hard on me, obviously, but it has been difficult for many of you. Maybe "uncomfortable" is a better way to put this. At any rate, I have been getting questions about how I am doing, and if there is anything someone can do for a person in a situation as I find myself in. Additionally, I need to acknowledge something which has been happening lately as well. First: how I am doing....

There is really no way to tell you how I am other than to state the facts. I miss Jacob.  I struggle at times. Lately I have been encouraged by having days when I don't cry. Sometimes two in a row, but this is rare. I find I am most prone to being sad and feel deep grief when I am alone. So, I try not to be alone. But this isn't always possible. Ironically, I am fine if I am riding a bicycle alone. Mostly..... 

This leads me to my second, and most important point for me today and that is to acknowledge those of you who have taken on the task of being someone who checks in with me on a somewhat regular basis. There are several of you who have been doing this, and let me tell you - it means a LOT to me that you are doing this. I was contacted by phone or via messages by three different people on Saturday, when my wife and daughter were out of town. These folks did not know I was alone, but I needed those calls and messages. Thank you for those. 

It is but one example of how these people, and others, who are sending messages and calls are so encouraging and timely for myself. But I also need to acknowledge others here. You folks who pray, think about me, or will in the future. I "feel" this as well. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. Yes....it matters. 

Finally, I want to encourage all of you. You may be reading this with a bit of detachment. This maybe seems unreal to you, or so unneeded in your life right now that the significance of a call, text, or prayer are lost on you. Can I encourage you and say you may want to just reach out to someone who has been on your mind?  There is a reason for this, and maybe you will be that person who calls or messages just at the right time. You'll never know unless you take a chance....

And you also never know if you'll be the one, who like me, really needs those encouragements someday. Thank you for reading this. I hope you find some things here to think about and take action on, not for me, necessarily, but for all of us. We need each other. 

Back to more bicycle stuff tomorrow.  

My Bike For The C.O.G. 40 & More

 Thursday I posted the information for the C.O.G. 40, so if you missed the announcement, click teh hyperlink there and go check it all out. 

I teased this event on Facebook as well ahead of the announcement. It was plain to see several folks thought this was going to be a race, because they were posting comments which gave this vibe. However; it is merely a group ride for fun. I said I was done organizing such events, and I meant what I said. 

Plus, I am not doing all the legwork for this either. I'm "promoting it", sure, but N.Y. Roll is the one doing the route, the logistics, etc. I merely am showing up to ride a bicycle and hang with friends. That's all. 

Well, with this said, I am going to also give a shout out to those who live far away who have indicated they are considering coming to this ride. This means a lot to me. I do not take it lightly that several who live multiple hours away from Reinbeck want to share a ride with me.  Your consideration and possible commitment to drive this far for a 40 mile gravel ride with me is amazing, even if you do not show up. I marked your comments, and I am very thankful. 

Now, since this is a single speed event, (but if you don't have a single speed, and want to ride, you can!), I am not riding the Peregrine Mk4. I know several of you would have liked to have seen the bike with your own two eyes, but it is geared, so no.  I'll be riding this bike instead, (of course!)......

The Honeman Flyer. Now with zero offset seat post. (Again!) 

Yes, it is the Honeman Flyer! I will be riding this one and it is all set to go for this little adventure. For the SS gear nerds out there, I am running a 42T/20T set up. This gets me a bit slower gear than many single speed gravel riders use, but it eases the climbing efforts and is fast enough on the flats. At least for my type of riding, it is. 

I rode this same gearing on the Victory Ride last year and that course had some pretty big hills. This course won't be as bad for hills, although it will have a fair amount of rollers. So, I feel pretty confident in my ability to roll this around Tama County for 40 miles. 

My tires are Ritchey SpeedMax 700 x 40's which are 43+ wide on my Velocity Blunt SS wheel set. These are severely underrated tires which I feel more people should be looking into. They are fast, light, comfortable, and grippy. They have performed flawlessly as tubeless tires, holding air quite well, and never weeping sealant. 

The Redshift ShockStop stem is there to take the edge off the stiff Salsa Cycles Waxwing fork. (Purchased post recall, by the way). The newest seat post, of which there have been several in this bike, is the Thompson silver anodized zero offset post. This may last a while until the silver bugs me enough to get a black zero offset post! 

So, that's the rig for the ride on the 26th. If you have any questions or comments about the C.O.G. 40, let me know in the comments section or email me @g.ted.productions@gmail.com. 
 

Two Things

Five years worth of sealant pulled from a 26" x 4" tire.

 Sprucing Up The Ti Mik 2:

This job I had to do had been hanging over my head now for a couple of years. I kept putting it off because it is not a fun job. Last year I just shrugged, put more sealant in, and said to myself, "I'll get around to it next year for sure." 

Actually, I knew I was long overdue to peel off the tires, clean out the sealant, replace valve stems, re-tape the rims, and reinstall everything with new sealant.  

Like I said, it is a big job, and with my having to replace the oil in my Rohloff Speed Hub as well as doing the tires, this became a major deal. Fortunately pulling off the rear wheel was made easier since the cables to run the Rohloff are attached to a metal box which when the shifter is put on "7" allows me to unscrew a thumbscrew, remove the box where the cables enter, and keep the hub indexed. The front has its own difficulties because it is a dynamo hub and I have wires to disconnect via spade connectors. 

Well, as you can see here, the sealant was dried up and came out in almost one pull. I had the rear tire cleaned out in well under 15 minutes. Not as bad as I was expecting it to be! The tape job, installing a brand new valve  stem, and re-installation of the rear  tire went pretty smoothly. I was a bit surprised the Cake Eater tire went on so well after being on the bike for so long. 

Replacing the oil in a Rohloff hub is pretty easy if you've done it once, and by my count, this is the fifth time I've done it. Gotta keep this hub running smoothly and well for many more years! As for the connectors on my dynamo hub, I'd sure like to get some of those fancy co-axial connectors, but I haven't done this as of yet. It would be easier to get the front wheel off, but then again, I do not take this wheel off very often. So, maybe it is a "why bother" situation. 

Image seen on Facebook

In The "Nothing Is New" File:

I follow several bicycle related accounts on Facebook, (it isn't all garbage if you can stay disciplined), and once in a while you end up learning something. In this case, it is an adaptation for a specific niche in cycling which has found its way into gravel events over the years. 

As you can see, this Bianchi cross bike is fitted with a factory installed pair of bosses which were meant to have this sling attached to them. This allowed the rider to portage the bicycle through ravines, across streams, and up or down steeps, back when cyclo-cross was not run on manicured courses with artificial barriers. 

I also noted the geometry of this bike, which is quite a bit unlike today's cyclo cross bikes, is something which looks good for gravel. And why wouldn't it be? Early cross bikes essentially were converted road bikes. The geometry was still fairly slack in the times before the mid-20th Century, and was exactly what would work with a gravel rider.  

But what about "aero" and frame storage and wireless, blah, blah, blah? Well, maybe we don't really need all that stuff. 

Something to think about. 

Friday News And Views

Image courtesy of the UCI. From the 2024 Gravel World Championships

Gravel Season Ending On The Professional Level:

This weekend and next weekend mark the end of the Pro gravel season for the riders of Life Time Grand Prix and for the UCI Gravel World Series. 

Up this weekend we have the UCI event, held in the Netherlands. We will see the women and all age group riders set off on Saturday while the Men's Elite category will tackle 111 miles in 3,5 laps of a loop course. The women and age group riders will do less miles with only 2.5 laps. 

Meanwhile, next  weekend  in Bentonville, Arkansas, the Big Sugar Classic will end the Life Time Grand Prix series with a 100 mile course in the Ozarks. Of course, the Grand Prix isn't all gravel events, but it is seen as one of the bigger gravel series from a Pro perspective regardless, mostly due to the wealth of the prize purse for participation and getting good results.  

Trans Iowa v14 Image by Celeste Mathias

Pro Events Are "Watered Down Gravel":

As I peruse what the UCI, Life Time, and even events like the much vaunted Traka 560 have for courses, I am left wanting. Why? Because most of these events have less than 3/4's of the distances as "gravel" and several are barely over 50% "gravel". And I use the term "gravel" in quotes because what many of these events have to use for courses just do not measure up to the same level as what is on offer in the USA.  

This is why you'll notice several European riders who come to Unbound say it is an amazing, tough course, because it is mostly gravel. I know, for many of you dear readers this seems silly to even think about, but a gravel event, in my opinion, should be at least 80% gravel, or more, to be considered a "true gravel event". 

Maybe you think this is a harsh judgement? Well, what if we had a UCI XC MTB course which was 45% paved? Does this even make sense? Or how about a UCI DH MTB course which was 50% flat? You'd hear about this, and people would say it was a farce. 

Well, I'm pretty much saying the same about these "big time" gravel events which feature LOTS of pavement. You might counter with something like, "Well, they have to put a lot of pavement in to connect the gravel sectors.". Well, that is true. Maybe those places are not all that great for actual gravel events which would challenge Pro riders on courses which were 80% gravel or more. 

Good, Pro-level events deserve the best courses. Not a compromised version of gravel racing. There are places this could be done. You know.....like they do at Gravel Worlds in Nebraska? (And elsewhere) 

Image courtesy of Shimano

 Shimano Offers Limited Edition CUES 10/11 Speed Components:

Shimano released news earlier this week concerning a new hue for CUES components. Silver polish will now be offered for a limited time in their 11 speed and 10 speed  range for CUES. 

Previously Shimano had done a limited run of silver anodized GRX components. The CUES signals a less expensive way to get in on some silver components. 

The limited silver edition CUES includes a crank, levers, the rear derailleur, hydraulic flat mount calipers, a front derailleur, and a cassette. (Standard  CUES cassettes are black)

Comments: Is Shimano now going to start offering silver anodized/polished parts more often? This bears watching from a fashion standpoint. I can see older, aging cyclists digging it as it would remind them of bicycles of days gone by. 

But younger folks will drive the market, and from what I have been seeing, younger folks are not showing as much interest in cycling as they once had when silver was common for components. Maybe if Shimano made electric scooter parts in silver..... 

Image courtesy of Ari Bikes

Ari Bikes Shows Off Shafer V3 Gravel Bike:

Ari Bikes (Formerly Fezzari Bikes), the direct-to-consumer brand, has just released their version 3 of the Shafer gravel bike. Boasting revised geometry, room for 29" x 2.2" tires, and in-frame storage, the new Shafer is on-point with regard to today's gravel bike trends. 

The Shafer can be configured in several ways to suit most budgets. There are plenty of accessory mounts and Ari has also boosted the stack height on the Shafer per customer requests. 

The head tube angle is a slack - for garvel bikes - 69° and the bottom bracket drop is a healthy 78mm, which means the Shafer is not a good choice for skinny tires or 650B wheel sets.  Interestingly, the chain stays are size-specific on the Shafer, which you do not see normally, especially in carbon fiber. 

Starting with prices for complete bikes at $2,549.00 and topping out with the Shafer Pro at $8,499.00, there are several ways to get into this bike. You can also purchase a frame set for $ 1,999.00. 

Comments: This trend for fatter tires and slacker angles up front now is getting to the point where we are entering Fargo/Cutthroat territory. In fact, the new Shafer is very much like a Cutthroat. The main difference is the Cutthroat's 8mm higher bottom bracket, lack of in-frame storage, and larger, 2.4" tire clearance. 

And Just Because It Is Beautiful.....

Singular Kite Ti which will be at the Bespoked Dresden Show this weekend. (Image courtesy of Singular(

  Gotta give a shout-out to Sam Alison Singular Cycles for this special Kite Ti which will be at the Brooks booth for the Bespoked Dresden bicycle show this weekend. 

That is a wrap for this week! Thank you for reading Guitar Ted Productions! Get out and do some Fall bicycle rides! 

Announcing The Creatures Of Gravel 40

C.O.G. 40

Reinbeck, Iowa

9;00am Start  Broad Street between HWY 175 and Main Street..

Okay, here are the details for the fun, non-competitive, free  group ride out of Reinbeck, Iowa on Sunday, October 26th. 

What: A casual single speed* gravel ride of 40 miles to celebrate the end of the riding season. NOT a competitive event!!

Why: For fun. To see friends, To get rid of old C.O.G. 100 merch. To eat pierogies.  To ride single speed bicycles on gravel*. 

Where: Out of Reinbeck we will go South, skirt the North side of Lincoln, Iowa, pass by Gladbrook (convenience store at Mile 15) and stop halfway at the Union Grove State Park. Then on back to Reinbeck. Total of 40 miles and three Level B Roads.  

When: Sunday, October 26th because this is the next Sunday I have off from playing in my church's band. I also work on Saturday mornings, so Saturdays are not good for me. Starting at 9:00am because this should get us to our halfway stop in time for a lunch, (I think) of pierogies from N.Y. Roll. (Subject to change) 

Details: READ CAREFULLY! NO COST TO RIDE. No registration. Just show up or do not show up. Ride starts PROMPTLY at 9:00am Park on Broad Street and prepare to ride from the 100 block of Broad Street. In between the start and stop look for rolling hills and gravel. N.Y. Roll prepared THIS ROUTE which you can download into your GPS units.  (NOTE: N.Y. Roll has already changed the route three times so double check the file before you leave to come to this ride. Who knows how many times he'll tweak the route!)

The pace will be CASUAL. No one left behind. This is NOT a competitive event. ALL rules of the road are in effect. This is an OPEN ROUTE TO CARS AND AG TRAFFIC. Riders MUST CREST HILLS ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD!! All traffic signs MUST be obeyed. YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOU! Be prepared with water, food, and gear to fix a flat tire or a minor mechanical. THERE IS NO SAG, NO SUPPORT!! If you show up to ride, you assume all responsibilities, consequences, and outcomes of YOUR DECISIONS OR RANDOM, CHANCE HAPPENINGS. 

N.Y. Roll is planning to have pierogies at the halfway stop where there will be restrooms available, (we think)  

 Merch: Old C.O.G. 100 hats, jerseys, and maybe a few tidbits of other stuff will be offered FOR FREE to anyone who shows up. Must be present to get anything offered and all will be given away, first come first served - NO HOLDS. I have 20 C.O.G 100 hats, maybe a half dozen jerseys, and I will bring down whatever else I need to off-load. ONE HAT PER RIDER, please! 

Merch will be offered at the ride's start.  

Weather: We cannot control the weather and neither can you!  If things look to be too rainy, or stormy, we will cancel this ride and maybe do it next year. If it is cold, windy, or warm and Sunny, be prepared for it, and keep astride of the latest forecasts so you do not get caught out under or over dressed

*Note: We are strongly suggesting single speed bikes, but if you want to ride this route and do not own a single speed you are still welcome to do so.  

WW4M: Twin Six Socks

 This is another "WW4M" post. That means "What Works For Me" and it may not work for you. So, take that with the following words into consideration..... Also, I bought the socks you see in today's post at full retail  Twin Six is not aware of this review and all opinions are my own. 

Socks.... You probably wear them on your bicycle rides, but you maybe do not give much thought to them. Well, good socks can really make a difference. Also: Do you want good looking socks? maybe "looks" don't count in your world? Either way, Twin Six has you covered on all bases. 

I've used a LOT of socks from many various sock companies. So, I feel I have a good handle on what works and what doesn't. Well, I definitely know what works for me, and there are two sock brands I will actually lay my money down for, and one of them is Twin Six. 

Twin Six has made socks for cycling since the beginning of their run in 2005. I think their first product was socks, if I am not mistaken. At any rate, even though things have changed a bit since then, the socks have always been durable, fashionable, and a joy to wear all through the years I've worn T-6 stuff. 

Generally speaking you have two choices at Twin Six: Wool or a synthetic blend for material, and plain or showy as far as styling. I like all their socks, really, so I have a wide selection of both styles and both types of materials. My latest batch in is a good example of this. I bought four pair. Two wool and two synthetic blend socks. I have the Masher from the Standard Race Series, the "Freedom Machine", and two pair of the Standard in wool. One black and one grey. Performance blend socks are $17.00 USD and the wool ones are $19.00 USD (at the time of this post)

Twin Six cycling socks are perfect for all-weather conditions. I like the Performance socks for warmer weather and the Wool ones for cooler weather and even in Winter. However; I've used the Performance socks in cold weather and the wool socks in warm weather too. I guess you'd have to decide what feels best for you, but Twin Six socks are good anytime. 

I like the sock height. Not too high and not so low gravel dings me in the shin or gets past the collar of the sock into my shoes. And talk about durable! I usually end up passing Twin Six socks on to Goodwill before I wear them out, and I wear cycling socks for everyday socks. 

My favorites are the wool socks though. I use those exclusively from Fall to Spring's end. They aren't very thick, which, in my opinion, is a good thing, but they keep your feet warm anyway. They also wear quite well, but are not as everlasting as the Performance ones are. 

My latest batch of Twin Six socks has already been worn once, and as always, they are perfect for either cycling or church, or anywhere in between. My favorites are the Freedom Machine ones with all the stars. but I like all of them, obviously, or I wouldn't have ordered them.  

Conclusions:

I'm happy to support the Twin Six crew up there in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and I appreciate the fact the socks are made in the USA. But more than this, I like T-6 socks because they have a certain style which speaks to me and they work. 

I know, socks are boring, but they also are essential. A good working sock is the difference between a good ride and an irritation you cannot forget about. Plus, this is a small business which is based here in the USA. They don't have any pretentious sponsored athletes nor do they really care if they get on the latest gravel fast folks legs. (Well.....maybe they don't!) But whatever- I've found this company to be authentic and they care about their product and customers. Plus, as I said, their stuff just works. 

And that's my story and I'm sticking to it! 

Schwalbe G-One Overland Tires 700 x 50mm: Ride Impressions

 Note: Guitar Ted was gifted these tires by a friend for his Singular Peregrine Mk4 bicycle build. Guitar Ted is not being paid, nor bribed for this review. Schwalbe is unaware of this review and have no input in the content here. All opinions are Guitar Ted's. The introductory post can be seen by clicking HERE.

Now with several rides in over various surfaces I have some performance and ride feel impressions to share. The G-One Overland tires at 50mm remind me of another old favorite tire of mine as well, which I will get to in the post later on. 

Air Pressure:

Everyone should be experimenting with air pressures to find what works the best for their riding style, terrain, and loading scenarios. This can vary with weather as well. So, when I talk about air pressure and tires, I purposely try to be somewhat vague because just sitting on a number for your air pressure - while easy - is wrong. At least from the standpoint of squeezing out the maximum amount of performance you can. Just think about any motorsport racing. Those vehicles never use the same air pressures for everything. Now, of course, if this doesn't matter to you, then by all means, set and forget. 

In my testing I vary the air pressure by allowing it to bleed off naturally over time until I like what I am feeling, then I check it.  Note: I tried using the SILCA and Wolf Tooth pressure calculators. SILCA's was.....I don't know. I couldn't get it to work. Wolf Tooth's works great but it has limited input data fields. So, I know people rave about the online pressure calculators, but they are barely a "guide" and by no means are they a "hard and fast" pressure setting which you would want to live by. Tires vary so much, for instance, that this variable alone would make any online guidance merely a starting point. 

Now, I started with 30psi in each tire and I did not add any air, or even check the pressure, until I felt what I wanted to feel out of these tires, which was a great ride quality with very good rolling resistance. Once the tires started behaving in a manner in which I was pleased with the overall riding performance, I checked the air pressures. I have arrived at a general starting point of 25psi as being where these tires work best for myself. This will change with temperatures, terrain, and if I add or subtract weight from my bike. So, I don't have a number, I have a range and again - This is for myself. Your pressures will vary, and that is as it should be. 

These are a lot of words to say the following: The Schwalbe G-One Overlands are a tire I have to run lower pressures in to get what I want out of them than I would with other gravel tires. You may recall my saying these tires had stiff sidewalls? This is probably the main reason for where I ended up on pressures. A tire with only under-the-tread protection, or no protection belting, would have scored differently. In this area the G-One Overlands are very much like the Hutchinson Touareg tires which also had very stiff casings. (I really liked the Hutch's, by the way)

Rolling Resistance:

In my roll-down testing I found the G-One Overlands to be impressive. I ran these tests over a period of a couple of weeks on the same track using the same methods I have since 2022. The G-One Overlands scored Very Good on pavement and Very Good on the gravel/dirt section of the test as well. Remembering these are 50mm wide and not all that light, with a mind to how stiff the sidewalls are, and I have to say Schwalbe has done an excellent job with the rubber compound and casing construction on this tire. 

This showed itself again anytime I coasted on hard packed gravel, dirt, or on pavement. There just was not any feeling of draggy, slower tires holding me back. Quite the contrary. The Shimano GRX wheels are pretty good wheels, but they are not as good a feeling wheels with other tires,  in terms of rolling resistance, as they are with the G-One Overlands. 

Ride Performance:

There are some who are trying to "categorize gravel" into neat little boxes so they can fit their findings into those categories. Things like "Category 4" gravel. This means nothing to me. 

On my rides I can easily come across five different "categories" of gravel in the first five miles. So, again, trying to make this easy is doing you, and those who read into these so-called "categories of gravel" a disservice. It is not this easy. It is very complicated. Most places I have ridden have their own, unique to the area, challenges which are not found elsewhere. 

I typically will show you or at least say how loose or not the gravel is in my area and you will have to judge for yourself whether or not this is relevant for you. I also ride in alleyways which typically are gravel here, but the gravel is decayed, and smoother. Less loose. I also ride test tires on dirt, sand, broken up pavement, and on pavement, of course. 

Most tires are okay. Some do well in certain areas. Some are not very notable. Overall, the G-One Overland, a tire I'd expect to be good at varying conditions and surface types, is a tire I've found little to complain about. The casing is a rounded crown type of tire, but it is not overly so. Not quite as crowned as the previously mentioned Hutchinson Touareg. This makes for better loose gravel control and feedback. I liked the stability this provided in looser gravel at higher speeds. 

I had feared the smaller, closely spaced tread blocks may be a cause for concern. Usually I find this sort of pattern type to be one which can grab a hold of smaller rocks and chips and fling them in the air. No such trouble was noted with the Overlands. 

During a sandy minimum maintenance road traverse, where the sand was very loose, fine, and deep, the G-One Overlands were stable and flotation was excellent. I was a bit surprised by this, to be honest. Most tires do not work this well in those conditions.

So Far...

At lower pressures, the G-One comes into its own in terms of ride feel. This usually also means you have a compromise in performance somewhere else. Most of the time this comes with a penalty in rolling resistance. However; this is not the case with the G-One Overlands. 

Now, everything I have tried with these tires so far has been done in very dry conditions. We are supposedly getting rain, cooler temperatures, and with this very different chances for testing. In my next, and final update, I hope to add my impressions of the G-One Overlands in softer dirt, mud, and wetter conditions.   

As of now these tires have been a pleasant surprise and since they are a reminder of the Hutchinson Touaregs, this pleases me. I can no longer get Touaregs here, so the G-One Overlands, being somewhat similar, but better, are a great find for myself. If you want an all-around conditions tire for the dry, these would be an excellent tire to consider. We will see what happens when I can try these in moist, wetter conditions.  

Country Views: Harvest Wrapping Up

Escape Route: More Alleys

 The bathroom is done. Mrs. Guitar Ted is back to work. Life is getting back to a routine. I won't say "normal" because, well...... Nothing seems quite right yet. 

This weather! What the..... Summer keeps right on truckin' along, at least up until this week. 80's during the day and 50's at night. Little wind. Dry air. Like really dry air. The corn and soybeans sure make a difference when they are growing. Now they are all dried out and brown, or....gone, so it is easier for the air to be dry here. 

Friday was the first day I really had any chance of getting out into the country for a couple of weeks now. It was to be near 90°F, nearly record-breaking heat. Plus the winds were supposedly only going to be pleasant breezes. More on this later. 

It may have been the last outing in full Summer kit, so I was happy I grabbed this chance to get out there. I took the new Peregrine Mk4, of course, and my aim was to ride it on the Level B section of Petrie Road, which is South of town. This worked out great, as you will see later. 

"Hey! Just paint the lines straight across here,m Joe, so they line up with the sidewalks." Ah....about that!

 

Shaved and prepped for Spring. Wow!

I knew the harvest was running early this year. This was most likely due to the Summer-like heat which would dry plants out faster then if we had "normal" Fall temperatures in the 50's for highs. Even the roads were dried up badly. Dust was everywhere. You could see it hanging in the air as you looked at the horizon line. 

I wasn't quite prepared to see most fields were harvested already and some were prepped as if it were Spring. Wow! This has been a very unusual Fall so far. But, I am happy I had the chance to enjoy the Summer-like heat on a ride since I missed out on most of September due to circumstances beyond my control. 

The corn is in the bin!

 

Well, most of it is. There were some fields out there waiting to be harvested yet. 

Now let's talk about those "gentle breezes" I was told about on Friday. Yeah. Those were not gentle breezes dear readers. This was a pretty heavy wind with a Southwesterly origin. Going South was a chore, and with my lack of steady, long country rides, I was pretty much starting from zero again. I felt it, but I also decided to spin as much as I could, keep my head down, and grind. 

A stop for a decision.

Looking back from where I had come on Petrie Road. 

I stopped at the "Usual Spot" on Aker Road. I should get a sign made for this place and put "The Usual Stop" on it for fun. Anyway, I reckoned I could keep going onward after a brief time to consider how I was doing. The goal, which was to Ride the Level B, was well within reach. I just had to be patient and smart about riding into this stiff breeze. 

Petrie Road's Level B section is different every time I ride it. Through the years it has gotten more rustic and weird. This time it was pretty blown out in places where sand is prevalent. It didn't faze my Peregrine though. Those Schwalbe 50mm tires just pushed me right on through. 

Some actual harvesting being done here. 

I cannot remember if I have ever noticed this stubby silo before. 

Going back North was super easy. Fast and super easy! Again, I don't believe the weather people when it comes to wind out in the country. But I had fun, and I got hot, and it was so dry I went through almost all of my water. This felt sort of like riding in Kansas in their wind and low humidity. 

I made it home and was quite happy I had taken the chance to ride and also happy I did not try to ride more than I did. It is hard when you feel sort of like a dog off a leash. You just want to go fast and far, but the ol' body maybe is not quite ready for that just yet! If I can get into some kind of a rhythm as far as riding, I will regain my long ride capabilities again. 

I sure hope the weather does not flip-flop too hard. I know it will get cold and windy sooner than later, but I need to ride and find rhythm again. I've had two months of upheaval. I am just waiting for things to calm down a bit for me.