Bikes Of 2016: Raleigh Tamland

The time of year has come that I will be reviewing the bikes I used the most throughout 2016 and why. The ups, downs, changes, and more will be discussed.

Raleigh Tamland Two:

Again, long time readers of this blog already probably guessed that this bike would be showing up here in my year end review on bicycles I have used most. I've written tons about it and there isn't a whole lot to say further on the rig. There were a couple of changes though, so I will go over that.

First off, I built up a new wheel set last Winter using WTB i25 Frequency rims laced to White Industries hubs. The White Industries hubs are really quite nice, by the way. For a boutique brand hub, made in America, they are a pretty good deal. Plus, you can get them in several anodized colors if you'd like that. I have been impressed enough that I am considering another set for another wheel build. More on that in a moment.....

I tried this bike with 650b wheels and 47mm tires.

I also went with 650B Velocity USA Aileron rims and Velocity hubs for a bit when I tested the WTB Horizon 47mm tires. I wasn't 100% stoked on the conversion at first, so I moved the wheels over to the Twin Six Standard Rando where they felt like they had been designed for that bike.

Looking back, I might give the 650B experiment another go on the Tamland. It could be that a toothier treaded tire is what it needs, or maybe I just bailed out on that set up way too soon on that bike. I am not sure.

So, for the future I think I want to build a special wheel set just for this bike. I really like how the Velocity Ailerons have felt in 650B size, so I figured that maybe I should go and give a 700c sized set a whirl at some point. The wheels I have on it now will eventually end up on my Fargo Gen I bike.

That's about it here. I may still end up swapping saddles as well, but for now, the Tamland is pretty dialed and it is a bike I really like a lot.

Bikes Of 2016: Raleigh Tamland

The time of year has come that I will be reviewing the bikes I used the most throughout 2016 and why. The ups, downs, changes, and more will be discussed.

Raleigh Tamland Two:

Again, long time readers of this blog already probably guessed that this bike would be showing up here in my year end review on bicycles I have used most. I've written tons about it and there isn't a whole lot to say further on the rig. There were a couple of changes though, so I will go over that.

First off, I built up a new wheel set last Winter using WTB i25 Frequency rims laced to White Industries hubs. The White Industries hubs are really quite nice, by the way. For a boutique brand hub, made in America, they are a pretty good deal. Plus, you can get them in several anodized colors if you'd like that. I have been impressed enough that I am considering another set for another wheel build. More on that in a moment.....

I tried this bike with 650b wheels and 47mm tires.

I also went with 650B Velocity USA Aileron rims and Velocity hubs for a bit when I tested the WTB Horizon 47mm tires. I wasn't 100% stoked on the conversion at first, so I moved the wheels over to the Twin Six Standard Rando where they felt like they had been designed for that bike.

Looking back, I might give the 650B experiment another go on the Tamland. It could be that a toothier treaded tire is what it needs, or maybe I just bailed out on that set up way too soon on that bike. I am not sure.

So, for the future I think I want to build a special wheel set just for this bike. I really like how the Velocity Ailerons have felt in 650B size, so I figured that maybe I should go and give a 700c sized set a whirl at some point. The wheels I have on it now will eventually end up on my Fargo Gen I bike.

That's about it here. I may still end up swapping saddles as well, but for now, the Tamland is pretty dialed and it is a bike I really like a lot.

Bikes Of 2016: Twin Six Standard Rando

Used quite a bit this year.....

The time of year has come that I will be reviewing the bikes I used the most throughout 2016 and why. The ups, downs, changes, and more will be discussed. 

 Twin Six Standard Rando: This bike was a review bike for RidingGravel.com last year and I liked it so much I purchased it. I reviewed it in this series last year here. I still really like it, but there were two rather significant changes which made the bike really special this year. 

First was the switch to 650B wheels. I had the opportunity to test the WTB Horizon 47's this year, but I lacked a proper wheel set to do that with. Velocity USA came to the rescue with a set of Aileron rims laced to their own branded hubs.  Once the wheels and tires were set up, I put them on my Raleigh Tamland Two first. However; I switched them over to the Standard Rando after a while. I then discovered that the ride feel with 650B, "Road Plus" rubber was pretty compelling. The Standard Rando got lowered, felt smoother, and spun up ridiculously fast with these wheels and tires. I really had no reason to swap out that tire until a more fully featured 650B, "Road Plus" tire came along, and it did in the form of the Terrene Elwood 650B X 47mm tires. Now I am liking this wheel/tire combo even more with this bike. 

The second thing was the swap to a Brooks Cambium C-17 saddle. I had heard mixed reviews on this newer Brooks model, but my good friend, MG, had five of them, so I knew there was something to the hype. Well, it wasn't love at first ride, by any means. 

The C-17 felt stiff and a bit unforgiving. Even after a couple of gravel outings. I was about to consider how I was going to pawn it off when after the third longer ride it suddenly became super comfortable.  The compliance was 100% better than when new. Even co-workers were surprised when I rode the bike into work and we compared another new C-17 we had in stock with my broken in C-17. Night and day difference. The saddle has been primo ever since then. 

I mentioned last year that the stem, handle bar, and seat post were apt to get changed, and I still mean to get to that. However; other than a swept bar, I cannot see those things really making the bike better. The wheels, tires, and saddle have just been a major improvement. The ride quality has been enhanced, and the only negative is that I have had a few pedal strikes due to the lowered bottom bracket. 

The Aileron rims have been really great so far. I may pick up a 700c sized set and swap the bigger diameter  tires in  from time to time. That would be nice when I need a higher bottom bracket or the characteristics of a 700c set of wheels over that of a 650B, "Road Plus" set up.

Bikes Of 2016: Twin Six Standard Rando

Used quite a bit this year.....

The time of year has come that I will be reviewing the bikes I used the most throughout 2016 and why. The ups, downs, changes, and more will be discussed. 

 Twin Six Standard Rando: This bike was a review bike for RidingGravel.com last year and I liked it so much I purchased it. I reviewed it in this series last year here. I still really like it, but there were two rather significant changes which made the bike really special this year. 

First was the switch to 650B wheels. I had the opportunity to test the WTB Horizon 47's this year, but I lacked a proper wheel set to do that with. Velocity USA came to the rescue with a set of Aileron rims laced to their own branded hubs.  Once the wheels and tires were set up, I put them on my Raleigh Tamland Two first. However; I switched them over to the Standard Rando after a while. I then discovered that the ride feel with 650B, "Road Plus" rubber was pretty compelling. The Standard Rando got lowered, felt smoother, and spun up ridiculously fast with these wheels and tires. I really had no reason to swap out that tire until a more fully featured 650B, "Road Plus" tire came along, and it did in the form of the Terrene Elwood 650B X 47mm tires. Now I am liking this wheel/tire combo even more with this bike. 

The second thing was the swap to a Brooks Cambium C-17 saddle. I had heard mixed reviews on this newer Brooks model, but my good friend, MG, had five of them, so I knew there was something to the hype. Well, it wasn't love at first ride, by any means. 

The C-17 felt stiff and a bit unforgiving. Even after a couple of gravel outings. I was about to consider how I was going to pawn it off when after the third longer ride it suddenly became super comfortable.  The compliance was 100% better than when new. Even co-workers were surprised when I rode the bike into work and we compared another new C-17 we had in stock with my broken in C-17. Night and day difference. The saddle has been primo ever since then. 

I mentioned last year that the stem, handle bar, and seat post were apt to get changed, and I still mean to get to that. However; other than a swept bar, I cannot see those things really making the bike better. The wheels, tires, and saddle have just been a major improvement. The ride quality has been enhanced, and the only negative is that I have had a few pedal strikes due to the lowered bottom bracket. 

The Aileron rims have been really great so far. I may pick up a 700c sized set and swap the bigger diameter  tires in  from time to time. That would be nice when I need a higher bottom bracket or the characteristics of a 700c set of wheels over that of a 650B, "Road Plus" set up.

Coming To Some Conclusions

It was another beautiful Saturday and I got out for a decent ride.

Saturday I swapped over the 650B Velocity Aileron wheel set shod with the WTB Horizon 47 650B tires to the Twin Six Standard Rando frame. I have wanted to do this ever since I got the wheels and tires for a few reasons.

One was that I thought they would look cool on that bike. Something about tan sidewalls. Secondly, I thought maybe that these tires could be wide but in the end actually leave me more frame clearance than 700c X 40+mm tires do on this bike. Success? I'd say pretty much on all counts here.

The tight spot on this bike, ironically, was never the chain stays. It was always the spot just below the monostay in back and right under the fork crown. Twin Six made some concessions to make fenders and 32mm tires have that perfect look, so this is why it is that way. Unfortunately, one has to put up with small stones getting lodged underneath these two places and rolling around on the tire. Eventually the stone comes zipping out of there, but what worries me is that a bigger stone might actually jam the wheel, even momentarily, and cause me grief. So, the Horizon 47mm tires give me that needed girth without the tight spots underneath the fork crown and monostay. And they do look cool on the bike. See for yourself.......

I think these wheels and tires look better on the T-6 than they did on the Raleigh.

Conclusion: Yes, I do like the way this is working out here. But, is the bottom bracket too low? Well.......I've never had so many stones bounce of the fronts of my shoes, if that is any indication. I don't see why it won't work though. The Horizon 47 and these Velocity Ailerons are about as good as it gets for this bike though. Any wider of a rim and I don't think I would feel comfortable running them in this frame. There is barely enough clearance at the chain stays now. The good news is that the Ailerons and the Horizon 47's seem to work really well together. I'd have no reason to switch them out anyway.

The other thing I am ready to say I like a lot is the Brooks Cambium C-17 saddle. It was a gamble when I got it, but so far I see no reason to believe it won't stay on this bike for the long haul. Comfort is very good over rougher gravel, and it doesn't create any pain after three hours of riding. Obviously, the weather proof covering is a benefit, but one may not realize that sweat isn't affecting it either, which it does with leather. Anyway, this one seems to be a winner.

It was still a good ride for flowers, but they are fading quickly now. In a few weeks there will be very few out there.

Chunky goodness!! I got yer chunky goodness right here!!

The last thing I have come to a final conclusion on is that a summer weight merino wool jersey is the bomb. Yep! Put a base layer on underneath it and you have a super comfy climate around your midsection that never clings, feels suffocating, nor feels all wet and saturated with sweat, even on a hot, sweaty day. I definitely was sweating this past weekend too. Just look at my hand in that image above and you can see that I was. Yet, I didn't ever have that clammy, "garbage bag on my skin" feeling you can get with synthetic jerseys. So, I will be looking at getting a couple more of those types of jerseys or riding "T"'s eventually.

Old bridge on Killdeer in Bremer County

Freshly cut hay drying in the Sun

So, that was a pretty productive ride, as far as sorting things out. The weather was really great, and typically hot. The roads? Well..... I ran into several miles of deep, fresh gravel, and in some spots on Ivanhoe Road the road was oiled and laid with some aggregate that I suppose cuts down on dust. Well, that made the road so smooth it was better than pavement. I had everything in between too. Quite the variable conditions out there!

Thanks for reading.....

Coming To Some Conclusions

It was another beautiful Saturday and I got out for a decent ride.

Saturday I swapped over the 650B Velocity Aileron wheel set shod with the WTB Horizon 47 650B tires to the Twin Six Standard Rando frame. I have wanted to do this ever since I got the wheels and tires for a few reasons.

One was that I thought they would look cool on that bike. Something about tan sidewalls. Secondly, I thought maybe that these tires could be wide but in the end actually leave me more frame clearance than 700c X 40+mm tires do on this bike. Success? I'd say pretty much on all counts here.

The tight spot on this bike, ironically, was never the chain stays. It was always the spot just below the monostay in back and right under the fork crown. Twin Six made some concessions to make fenders and 32mm tires have that perfect look, so this is why it is that way. Unfortunately, one has to put up with small stones getting lodged underneath these two places and rolling around on the tire. Eventually the stone comes zipping out of there, but what worries me is that a bigger stone might actually jam the wheel, even momentarily, and cause me grief. So, the Horizon 47mm tires give me that needed girth without the tight spots underneath the fork crown and monostay. And they do look cool on the bike. See for yourself.......

I think these wheels and tires look better on the T-6 than they did on the Raleigh.

Conclusion: Yes, I do like the way this is working out here. But, is the bottom bracket too low? Well.......I've never had so many stones bounce of the fronts of my shoes, if that is any indication. I don't see why it won't work though. The Horizon 47 and these Velocity Ailerons are about as good as it gets for this bike though. Any wider of a rim and I don't think I would feel comfortable running them in this frame. There is barely enough clearance at the chain stays now. The good news is that the Ailerons and the Horizon 47's seem to work really well together. I'd have no reason to switch them out anyway.

The other thing I am ready to say I like a lot is the Brooks Cambium C-17 saddle. It was a gamble when I got it, but so far I see no reason to believe it won't stay on this bike for the long haul. Comfort is very good over rougher gravel, and it doesn't create any pain after three hours of riding. Obviously, the weather proof covering is a benefit, but one may not realize that sweat isn't affecting it either, which it does with leather. Anyway, this one seems to be a winner.

It was still a good ride for flowers, but they are fading quickly now. In a few weeks there will be very few out there.

Chunky goodness!! I got yer chunky goodness right here!!

The last thing I have come to a final conclusion on is that a summer weight merino wool jersey is the bomb. Yep! Put a base layer on underneath it and you have a super comfy climate around your midsection that never clings, feels suffocating, nor feels all wet and saturated with sweat, even on a hot, sweaty day. I definitely was sweating this past weekend too. Just look at my hand in that image above and you can see that I was. Yet, I didn't ever have that clammy, "garbage bag on my skin" feeling you can get with synthetic jerseys. So, I will be looking at getting a couple more of those types of jerseys or riding "T"'s eventually.

Old bridge on Killdeer in Bremer County

Freshly cut hay drying in the Sun

So, that was a pretty productive ride, as far as sorting things out. The weather was really great, and typically hot. The roads? Well..... I ran into several miles of deep, fresh gravel, and in some spots on Ivanhoe Road the road was oiled and laid with some aggregate that I suppose cuts down on dust. Well, that made the road so smooth it was better than pavement. I had everything in between too. Quite the variable conditions out there!

Thanks for reading.....