 |
| Image courtesy of Whaleroad |
Almost ten years ago now I posted concerning the stir a story caused back then about a patent drawing for a 14 speed Shimano cassette. I wrote about that HERE. It was something Shimano had in its back pocket for years already by that time. So, I knew it was only a matter of time till we saw this in reality.
But to see it first from a Chinese company called Whaleroad? I did not have this on my 2026 bingo card, as the saying goes. And how about the name of the company? Gotta hand it to the Chinese. When they try to hit on an English language name for a company it doesn't always make sense. It makes for some interesting reactions.
Anyway - the point Guitar Ted? Ah! Yes...... The point being that I wonder how Whaleroad can pull this off without Shimano having some sort of legal reaction to it. Then my second thought is concerning the "why do this?" question which I am sure many of you are thinking about as well.
The cassette is an 11T - 46T. The cassette is part of the R7 road group. My feeling is Whaleroad is trying to reduce the differential in tooth count between cogs and to allow a 1X road drivetrain to be competitive with a 2X set up with a similar range of gearing. It is wireless, of course, with the rear derailleur having a removable battery. (SRAM nay have something to say about this as well.) The cassette fits on a standard HG free hub body (Shimano).
Comments: This may be pointless now, because you probably cannot easily get this stuff, and taking a chance on a new drive train with little track record of success can seem like a bad decision now. And maybe you cannot fathom ever wanting or needing 14 speed cassettes. I get that. We thought 10 speed was crazy in 2010 too.
But this is coming. Someday new bicycles will have 14 speed cassettes and it will be commonplace. Where it goes from there? I do not know, and maybe more importantly, I do not care. I'm still using 11 speed cassettes and I see no reason to get more than 11 sprockets back there. In fact, two of my bicycles are 9 speed. Think about this - It's 2026 and you can still buy good quality 9 speed components. So, I guess the bottom line here is don't let 14 speed stuff upset your apple cart. You do not have to buy into it.
Just a reminder that the "Guitar Ted Podcast" has been pumping out a new episode about every two weeks. In case you haven't checked out this content, the two latest episodes can be accessed HERE and HERE (Spotify), or from any podcast outlet.
N.Y. Roll has the new SILCA tires in reserve for his upcoming Twin Six 3X2 32"er build. We talk about our opinions on the Gravel Cycling Hall of Fame, cycling in general, and on other subjects as well. We've gotten some great feedback on the episodes so far this year, and we thank you listeners for the encouragement.
The next and newest episode is one where we talk about the lack of marketing focus on fun and community by cycling brands.I also share my wheel building thoughts.
It's almost October already! That means we will be coming up on our traditional December mini-break soon. I suspect we will have about 5-6 more episodes before we call it an end to Season #4. If you have any suggestions for content you'd like to hear us speak on, please let me know either in the comments or at g.ted.productions@gmail.com. We listen to any and all feedback and would welcome any suggestions or comments you may have.
We're having a banner year so far with as many episodes in the can already as we had all of last year. Thanks for the support, and if you are a new listener, Welcome!
 |
| Image courtesy of Tailfin |
It was announced Thursday on several online outlets that the bike packing rack company, Tailfin, had been acquired by the MVC group, a family owned business out of Italy.
The MVC Group, according to its Linkedin profile, also owns Sportful, Karpos, Castelli and the triathlon brand Zoot. The MVC Group - according to its own press release, is backed by the private equity fund, Equinox.
Comments: I normally do not report on business transactions in the world of cycling, but I was made aware recently that there are some of you folks out there who really do not like "private equity" getting involved in companies you support. or used to support.
It also dawned on me that the entire thought of private equity funds being involved in a bike packing company acquisition is kind of weird. Bike packing might be the ultimate expression in these times of an independent, self-governed life style. Private equity is seen by some to be one of the things that is wrong with business today and a thing that sucks the life out of brands which were started as family businesses.
To be fair, the MVC Group is a family business, and maybe this acquisition is a good thing. I do not know. I only point this out since I have found there is a subset of people who find private equity distasteful. At the very least, this high-level business decision seems like an uncomfortable bedfellow with bike packing.
 |
| Image courtesy of Teravail |
Earlier this week news spread across the internet regarding a letter sent to QBP (Quality Bicycle Products) dealers which detailed a strategy QBP would be implementing on the Amazon platform.
In the communication QBP stated it would become an seller of record and would be offering proprietary brands on Amazon for sale to consumers. A list of those brands included Teravail and 45NRTH amongst others.
Comments: This should not be a surprise. Independent bicycle shops are becoming scarcer and consumers buying habits have changed dramatically. Amazon is open 24-7, 365. Your local bike shop is not. It is the way it is and this move is, I think, due in part to this new reality.
By the way, Teravail is blowing out tires at about half price right now on their site. If you are in need of some tires this might be a good time to shop.
That's it for this week! Have a great weekend and get out and ride those bicycles!
7 comments:
Easier said than done, but I think more cycling companies need to use the Cane Creek model. They are employee owned, so the employee in short gets paid out when they retire/leave the business. I would think it would take 2 -3 generations of businesses doing this, and avoid the public stock tickers.
That's really interesting. The term whale road, or at least the old English equivalent of that term, was used in Beowulf. Actually, it was a metaphorical reference to the sea (the road that whales used). I don't know if that's where the Chinese company got their inspiration from, but it's really interesting to see it go full circle from Old English through this Chinese company and then back into today's post.
Thanks as always for your writing.
@Sam Placette - Thanks! That is really interesting and I did not know this. Thanks for taking the time to educate us here.
I love that the readers here are smarter than I am on many subjects. Learning stuff is good!
@N.Y. Roll - I think the Cane Creek business model makes sense for small to mid-size companies for sure.
The 14-speed Rohloff geared hub has long been available for those who don't mind the weight and price. Personally I'm fine with a 2 x 10 derailleur setup but I don't race.
Well, what a Chinese company makes and then sells through mail order/drop ship platforms is out of the reach of SRAM or Shimano's patent lawyers. Chinese IP theft is just standard business now.
And we're going to have to buy it eventually as every added cog is really a nail in 2x's coffin. 1x is cheaper, just like S/M/L frames are than stocking actual sizes, so we're all going be rocking pie plates whether we want to or not.
@Barry - Thanks for the comment. Respectfully - I disagree that "...we're all going to be rocking pie plates whether we want to or not." Why? Because I have a choice. I choose not to do that. You can as well.
There are plenty of drive train options you can choose from and many are very different than what the brands and the industry thinks you want. Again - You have the authority to choose your own drive train type. There are so many bicycles and so many new parts out there that there is really no reason to accept by default we all will be "rocking pie plates".
Post a Comment