Friday News And Views

Image posted by an account "John_Doe" on X social media.

 Rumored Cannondale CAAD14:

Rumors and images have been swirling across the internet of late showing what is purportedly the next CAAD road bike. Cannondale is notable for perpetuating aluminum frame racing bikes, despite everyone else's fascination with carbon fiber, (which Cannondale also does, admittedly).  

Interesting features being discussed online are the return to traditional seat stays, rumored 32mm tire clearances, and fully integrated cabling.  

Comments: I'm not a roadie, far from it. I don't typically show road bikes in this space. However; I found this interesting as it is an example of some classic design cues being seen as "refreshing" in comparison to what is seen on offer from many other brands.  

Are riders being drawn toward classic looks while also desiring modern touches? Perhaps this is what has been missed by other brands who are chasing aero and showing sloping top tube frame design as being what is "cutting edge". Perhaps people are missing bicycles that look like.....bicycles? The only thing missing here is silver componentry. 

What do you think of this?  

Calvin Jones. Image courtesy of Park Tool

Director of Education At Park Tool, Calvin Jones To Retire:

Perhaps you've seen this man's face before. No wonder, as Calvin Jones has become "the face" of Park Tool over the past couple of decades. 

Jone's videos have become a staple resource for home mechanics, bike shop employees, and others interested in knowing how bicycles work over his 28 year tenure as Park Tools' Director of Education. Known for his clear, concise explanations of typical repairs, his video legacy will live on bearing witness to his valuable contributions. 

Jones will still be involved in some Park Tool videos and educational efforts, but he says in Park Tools announcement he plans of doing more riding and will be a contributor to local cycling efforts. 

Comments: Congratulations, Mr. Jones! What a career and your contributions to cycling will always be treasured. In some ways, Calvin Jones is the video equivalent to Sheldon Brown, who if he had lived long enough, would have surely been a staple of You Tube as well. Between those two icons of bicycle mechanics, you should be able to accomplish most any typical bicycle repair. 

Image courtesy of Sam Alison/Singular Cycles

The 32"er Watch: Singular Cycles Albatross:

 Sam Alison of Singular Cycles dropped a few images of the new 32"er bicycle he is testing and planning on releasing later this year in a limited drop. Dubbed the "Albatross" for now, this bike is a 32 inch wheeled MTB design. 

 In the comments on the post seen on Facebook, Sam had a few interesting things to say about the bike's performance and ideal rider size. 

 "The most obvious and immediately noticeable thing is just how well they roll and carry speed. The momentum over rough ground is really quite incredible. 

Climbing traction is also pretty insane..... The long stays, low BB and long contact patch combine to get up just about anything. 

 Of course, it's a big old bike and they are some huge wheels, so you do definitely notice the gyroscopic effect - turn initiation is definitely slower. Practically speaking I think riders will need to be > 6'/183cm for these to make sense."

Sam stated he would have rolling chassis available "soon" for pre-order with delivery hopefully this Spring. Look for details on Singular Cycles site, or reported here soon. 

Image courtesy of SRAM 

SRAM Files Patents For Gear Box E-Bike Drive Train Sans Derailleurs:

Some patent images have been making the rounds on the internet of late showing a drive train system utilizing a gear box. This has been met with interest and with some saying "derailleurs are dead!" Well......maybe for electrified bikes. Which, when you consider the slow evolution of these toward becoming electric motorcycles, makes all the sense in the world.  

By the way, in another, separate filing by SRAM, they have revealed they are playing around with wireless -sans hoses and cables - type brakes. 

Yeah....no.  

Comments: Of course, you might guess this will be all integrated into SRAM's AXS protocol for electronics with a likely addition of automatic shifting. I'd say that is quite likely. 

With weight being less an issue with this type of bicycle, (ahem!), if we can call this a bicycle anymore, you will also probably see automatically adjustable suspension as well. Simply plug in your weight, riding style, and  the bike will self-adjust. Then, to activate your "ride", simply start pedaling at whatever cadence and power you want, and the bike will self-adjust to this input with gearing and power assist adjustments. All you have to do is hang on, guide the bike down the correct course, and be able to use brakes. 

Or you could just play video games. Your choice. 

Honestly, this development isn't surprising, or even shocking. But it probably will be expensive. Yeah.....I'm pretty sure about it. 

Image courtesy of Brembo

Motorsports Brake Giant, Brembo, To Enter DH Bicycle Competition:

Brembo, a name more familiar to F1 and NASCAR aficionados, has released news concerning their partnership with Specialized Bicycles in their DH racing program. 

Brembo will supply braking systems with prototype designs exclusively for the team for now. There was no indication the company will begin production of OE or aftermarket brake systems, but one might assume this is in the cards for the future. 

Featuring 18mm pistons with thermal insulators for heat management, the calipers and levers are both DH specific. Braided steel lines connect the two components in the system. Interestingly, Brembo runs their rotor spokes in the opposite orientation than every other bicycle rotor for disc brakes. Their claim is this is how motorcycle rotors are oriented and causes the rotors to work under tension instead of compression. 

Comments: Interesting development. My take is this is Brembo's dress rehearsal for entering the electric bicycle market. I could be wrong, but this makes more sense than a general entry onto bicycle disc brake systems, since DH is a very demanding category on par with demands for electrified bikes which are heavier and need more powerful brakes. 

So, while it is not out of the realm of possibilities, I do not foresee gravel bikes getting Brembo brakes anytime soon. Perhaps I will be proven wrong, but at any rate, it is an interesting development.  

Thanks for reading Guitar Ted Productions! Get outside and ride those bicycles!