Two Things

Image courtesy of Rene Herse Cycles

 New Rene Herse 32" Tires And Thoughts On 32" Gravel:

 News this week broke on several new 32" tires, but the one new entry into 32" which I found intriguing is the one from Rene Herse Cycles. They announced a 32" Indiana Pass tire which is a semi-slick central treaded tire meant for bike packing and all-road usage. 

My take on Rene Herse tires are you either really like them or you just do not like them at all. They can be problematic for some folks and the negatives are all over the internet for anyone to find if you look for those comments. Others rave about these tires and love them. I'm not in either camp, and yes - I do have a set. 

None of this matters to me, but what I do find interesting is the fact that Rene Herse is doing a 32"er at all. I think it is pretty well known that Panaracer makes Rene Herse tires, so first off, you have to think that a Gravel King 32" tire is coming at some point.  

But I also find it interesting that Rene Herse is not known as an OEM type of business. Rene Herse is almost exclusively an aftermarket brand. So, if Rene Herse finds 32" a thing they need to address, they must feel the demand is going to be there in the aftermarket for their tire. 

But it also probably points to Panaracer having an OE order and that some company (or companies) are going to have a 32" Panaracer tire spec on 32" bikes. My guess its a Gravel King, because why not? Panaracer has made the Gravel King name its Golden Goose for over a decade now. No reason to stop using that name. Well....unless they think up something 'better'. 

Personally I am still on the fence concerning a 32"er. But I do have something in mind which I feel a 32"er would be great at. So....maybe. We'll see.... 

Charles City, Iowa social media post

Electric Bikes, Scooters Ordinance Example

Readers may know and perhaps remember me bringing up how many Iowa communities were wrestling with the issue of electrified bicycles, scooters, and other electric powered vehicles with two wheels. 

Some of these communities are now placing ordinances into effect to regulate these devices and I have an example from one such community here to share today. This is from the town I was born and raised in, Charles City, Iowa. 

Note: You can click on the image to emlarge it a bit. 

Key highlights are that Charles City calls scooters and the like "PTV" vehicles. Interesting... 

Then there are the speed limits. 8mph on sidewalks, (where permitted), and 15mph on trails. Plus, all things not a bicycle are prohibited on streets with a speed limit of 30mph or above. 

Helmets for younger riders and age restrictions on Class 3 e-bikes. Otherwise the "bicycle" part is largely left alone. Obviously, this ordinance is focused on scooters and e-moto devices. (PTV's)

One thing to keep in mind is that Charles City, Iowa is a small community. The population is 7,396 as of 2020. So, their regulation needs are perhaps quite different than say, a big urban area. That said, I think this ordinance will be easier for the authorities to enforce since it primarily focuses on the scooter issues.