Friday News And Views

Image courtesy of the Polk County Health Department

E-Bike/Scooter/Moto Issues Reach Fever Peak In Iowa:

I realize this is a nationwide issue, but my focus here is on Iowa as it relates to the debate and concerns over electrified two and three wheeled devices. 

Reports of crashes, injuries, and damage are on the uptick. I saw a recent post by an ED professional (Emergency Department = ED) who was stating a case for helmet usage and proper education of children and adults concerning electrified vehicles. Stating a strong uptick in ED visits due to usage of these devices, the individual was pleading with parents, especially, to educate themselves and their children on the proper usage of these devices. 

Many municipalities in Iowa are also posting on social media concerning either education, laws currently on books, or about impending city ordinances which are being considered to regulate this surge of electric vehicle usage on streets and trails. 

Comments: The issues facing many cities are beyond the scope of control, in most cases, in my opinion. In view of how people are using these vehicles, it is my opinion that there are three basic user groups. One: Youth who are looking for easy transportation, thrills, and freedom from having to beg rides from parents or older siblings. Two: Low income people, either coming out of the legal system, or from other countries, who either cannot afford a car/truck, or cannot legally operate a car/truck, or both. Three: recreational cyclists who use e-bikes as a way to exercise and enjoy the outdoors who would not otherwise be doing so without an assisted bicycle or tricycle. 

Most concerns I see being voiced are over misuse or ignorance (or both) and point at the underage crowd on these vehicles as being a menace to society. I do not see much concern over low income/disadvantaged folks using even the vehicles which are prohibited by law to be ridden without a license and insurance. That said, there are probably a few instances where these folks are causing problems. Most assuredly most of this segment is on these electrified vehicles because they cannot get, or afford insurance and/or a license. The third crowd, the e-bikers with assisted pedaling platforms, are generally no big deal to anyone. 

What will likely happen? Smaller communities with limited resources will likely ban them all. Most of these cities and villages don't even have police. They just won't have any other way to enforce or apply any laws/ordinances. (Unless they lump the e-motor vehicles in with side-by-sides) At the very least, the laws and ordinances will keep the city/village governments out of liability in case of crashes, injuries, or deaths. Bigger cities may try separating the assisted vehicles from the non-assisted ones, but again, enforcement will be limited due to limited resources. Police are already spread thin, and asking them to separate goats from sheep is not going to be efficient. Maybe states will get involved, like New Jersey did, but I think this will be hit or miss based upon the specific cases each state is seeing rise through their judiciary systems. 

My gut tells me the issue will become solved, mostly, when either states, or the Federal government steps in at the behest of insurers to make all electric assist and e-motor equipped two and three wheeled vehicles illegal unless they are licensed and insured. Essentially following the New Jersey example, if it is a successfully implemented law there. 

Time will tell, but I think it will have to be solved sooner than later. 

Substack Story:

Some of you here may already have noted my Substack account, maybe you follow it, but if not, I just wanted to point it out. 

I don't post there a lot, but when I do it usually is something I don't publish anywhere else. Recently I wrote a bit more personal story about BRAN and why I went on the trip. If you want to check it out, Click Here.  

If this sort of thing intrigues you and you like my writing, please consider subscribing to my Substack. It's free, and there is no obligation.  

Update On Chris King Hub/Wheel Build:

A slow news week here folks! So, I am going through the archives and making sure nothing gets left behind. I did come across the Chris king hub story from back in April. (Here) 

The hang up is in regard to rims and what I want to spend. Carbon is nice, it builds a strong, lightweight wheel, and is my preference. However; they are expensive for anything with a reputation for quality and durability. 

For instance, I can buy two Velocity Blunt SS aluminum rims for a little bit more than I can buy one decent carbon rim in a few cases, and for less than many single carbon rims in the size and spoke count I need.  

So, seeing as how money has been tight, or allocated elsewhere of late (BRAN), I haven't made any decisions for those hubs yet. I probably will not make a decision on rims for quite some time yet. 

Update On Ergon Review:

Another thing I need to get back on is the review of the Ergon SR AllRoad Pro Saddle and the BT OrthoCell Handlebar Tape.  Those items are on the Honeman Flyer and I switched out to ride the bikes I was considering for BRAN shortly after the review kicked off. 

Now it is time to switch over to these products n the Honeman Flyer to conclude the review. I have another item coming in I cannot speak about yet which will help push these reviews up my "to do" list. 

Interestingly, I have used the Honeman Flyer as a training bike for BRAN and since I've returned several times. I just haven't done any longer rides out in the country. I do have a bit of feedback, even from ny shorter rides, so it hasn't been as though I don't have any time on these products. I just don't have the gravel time I like to get before I write up anything. 

So, stay tuned for updates on both products here from Ergon very soon.  

And That's A Wrap! 

I know.....The tour is on now. (May as well hand Pogačar the trophy now) But I have almost zero interest in Pro road racing these days, so you are not going to see much coverage of it here. With that, I want to thank you for checking out Guitar Ted Productions today. I hope you all get out for a ride this weekend.  

Long Term Review: Ergon BT Gravel Handle Bar Tape

 NOTE: Ergon had sent over two rolls of BT Gravel Handlebar Tape at no charge, on two separate occasions, for test/review to Riding Gravel. This is a long-term review of those bar tapes, but I also have just purchased another roll at full-retail to replace one of those two rolls I tested. Ergon has not paid, nor bribed me, for this review. All opinions are my own.

Ergon BT Gravel handlebar tape on test during 2023

Handlebar tape for drop bars is another one of those "touch-point" things that can be highly personal. Not only that, but handlebar tape often gets nicked up, dirty, sweat-soaked, and it is not all that cheap. (If you buy quality tape) So, handlebar tape often can need replacement and that might get a bit wearisome if the tape you are buying is $30.00 - $40.00 - or more - per box. Then there is the comfort level, in-hand feel, wet performance, and how it installs. That's a lot of things to consider when you are looking at "just a roll of bar tape". 

By the way, if you don't put much importance in handlebar tape and you are okay with the cheapest roll on the bike shop rack, or on Amazon, then you probably should quit reading here. But if you are curious as to why I feel this handlebar tape is "all that", then read on.....

The other roll of BT tape I tested from late 2022.

What It Is: BT Gravel tape from Ergon is their thickest tape that they offer at 3.2mm thickness. There is the "AllRoad" tape which is slightly thinner at 2.5mm thickness and the "Road" tape at 2mm thickness. 

The BT Gravel tape is made with an EVA foam backing and an "anti-slip" surface texture. Ergon claims reduced vibrations will result for the rider. 

BT Gravel tape comes in two shades of red, black, a swampy green, and metallic blue looking hues. I have had the "Swamp Green" and "Merlot" colors. The Swamp Green is more of an organic, mossy green color and the Merlot has a brownish-red hue which is a muted color. 

Why I Like It: Ergon took forever to come out with a product for drop bars, but when they did, it was apparent that they had done their homework. For starters, there is the installation. I've wrapped hundreds, if not more than a thousand drop bars in my 30+ years as a bicycle mechanic. Thick tape is really difficult to wrap, typically, and I always was dismayed when a customer chose thick tape for me to install. 

It is typically very difficult to get thicker than 2mm tape to lay right and look good after the job is finished. Not that it cannot be done, but thickness makes the job harder. Ergon tape, for its 3.2mm thickness, lays down so much easier than a lot of companies 2.5mm tape does. (Looking at you, Lizard Skins) The end result is pleasing to the eyes, and Ergon's pattern that they used on the tape's surface actually is there to help guide you in wrapping this tape. All in all, a pretty brilliant tape to work with. 

My new roll in Merlot

But none of that matters if the tape is hard on your hands, slippery when wet/perspired on, or if it wears out prematurely. In my experience, Ergon BT Gravel tape has outstanding qualities in all three of those areas. 

BT Gravel tape does help reduce vibrations to the hands. Coupled with a good, vibration reducing handlebar, and maybe a ShockStop stem, you end up with the happiest hands you are going to get on gravel. 

Secondly, I have had various handlebar tapes that get really slick, slimy, or both when perspired upon. Now, maybe it is just me, because I don't wear gloves, typically, on a ride. However; slippery tape is no good on a gravel ride! Ergon's no-slip texture on their tape really works. I have zero fear of perspiration causing me issues on hot Summer rides. While I have not ridden Ergon tape in the rain, I suspect the outcome would be similar. 

Finally, this tape is very durable and long-lasting. While I wouldn't recommend anyone use tape for more than one season on drop bars, (and I would recommend changing tape more often if you are a heavy sweater), the BT Gravel tape holds up well after months and months of sweaty, dust-filled riding. It retains a good look, and it doesn't wilt at the first biff of your bar end on the ground, or when your bike falls in the garage because you didn't park it just right. 

Final Word: Ergon BT Gravel Handlebar Tape is not inexpensive at about forty bucks a pop. However; given its abilities to reduce vibrations so well and for how durable and long-lasting it is, I am what you might call "sold on it". So much so I went and bought another roll. I will say that I am a bit disappointed in the choices for colors. For instance, there is no bright pink, yellows, or greens. There are no straight-up blues or reds either. Ergon went for a weird palette of colors when they made their choices for the BT Ergon  handlebar tapes. I get that the colors are not great for many applications. (Please, Ergon - make this tape in Hot Pink!) 

But besides colors, I am hard pressed to say anything negative about this product. I recommend it. Definitely a keeper.