Two Things

Getting Back To That Wheel Project:

Last Spring I received back my old Chris King hub set. I mentioned then I wanted to build these up into wheels for the Fargo Gen I. Then.....

Crickets.

Why? Well, first off I was a bit paralyzed by prices for carbon rims. I can afford them, that isn't the problem. The problem is if I believe they are what I truly need to be spending money on for that bike. 

I still believe Velocity Blunt SS rims would be just fine and do the job well. I probably will end up getting a set. But I did not back then because BRAN then came along and well, I spent a bunch of money getting ready for that. 

Then Summer came along and I got distracted, as one does, by other things. Now we're going into Fall and my mind is settling into what I need to get done before Winter comes along, besides getting the house ready. 

This wheel set build is on the radar. There is a slight chance I go in a different direction than indicated here, but the Blunt SS is the leader in the clubhouse as of now. Unless I can be persuaded otherwise....

What It Is All About:

Let's see..... Gravel Worlds is coming up. I haven't seen a lot about CORE4 this year (?), and then you have a few, smaller events which are fairly local which I've seen some buzz about. Does anyone know who is winning the UCI Gravel series events or the Gravel Earth events? 

I don't see people yakking about those things much at all, not on social media anyway. barely any coverage on the ol' innergoogles either. So.....does anyone really care about these races? 

I have seen a LOT more stuff about rides, small gravel competitions, and bike packing adventures, all non-sanctioned, by the way, than I have any of the "big-time" events. 

When is the cycling industry going to catch on to this? Will they ever? And maybe it doesn't matter. I will say that our local shops, all two of them, are still not engaging with the scene and haven't for years. This is Iowa. Gravel is literally everywhere, yet these shops seemingly are blind to it. I worked at one of them for many years and all that shop cared about was a twice yearly road time trial series that drew a small smattering of locals. 

But gravel cycling? Nah..... Whatever. 

The thing is, gravel cycling is the meat of cycling activities, not some weirdo thing going on out in the country. Well.....some of us are weirdos, yes. But you know what I am getting at here. Gravel is the meat of what is going on and you cannot, as a business, treat it like cole slaw. If you do, it is at your own risk. 

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.  

Wheels For Gen I: Hubs Here!

Saturday was the day I received the Chris King hubs back I used to own. Kind of an odd feeling while turning those axles and thinking about all the rides I have done on these hubs. 

They feel great, by the way, and they look fine as well. A nick here or there, but what should one expect from a set of hubs that has been kicking around since 2008 or so?

With this set of hubs now in hand, I can start thinking about some rims. There is one big fork in the road to consider. Which way I go will determine price and wheel overall weight in the end. 

I could go carbon or aluminum. If I go aluminum I'll likely roll with some Velocity Blunt SS rims. I like them. They are sturdy, look good,are a nice width, and there are options for colors, polished, or custom anodized rims. But honestly, I'll probably get black anodized ones if I go aluminum. 

Carbon rims are a different story. Most well known name brands are waaaaaaaay expensive. Then you have the carbon rims from China like Nextie or ICAN which have good reputations and perhaps are better known for the rims they make with other brand names on them. 

Like I said, I have to decide which fork in the road to take. Then I will have to buy two rims, probably some spokes, and get busy. 

Stay tuned....

Wheels For Gen I: Update

Post 'mud-year' DK200 overhaul

Monday I posted about wanting to find some hubs to lace up a nice wheel set for the Gen I Fargo. If you've looked at what is out there for quick release hubs it won't be a surprise to you that prices are astronomical for new, high-end hub sets. And there are not many of them available either! 

Well, an odd set of circumstances has led me to a hub set I already owned once before. The timeline for this is crazy. 

In 2007 I received a set of wheels for a build up of a custom bike I was having brazed up for me. I was a member of the Twin Six Racing Team, (Really!) at the time and it was a perk I had gotten for being a Twin Six team member. This wheel set had a set of Chris King hubs. Being it was 2007 they were quick release and six bolt rotor interface models. 

Moving ahead several years I took those hubs out of the original 700c wheel set and relaced them to 650B Velocity rims. (or were they WTB rims? Oh well....) These were shod with the then new WTB Trailblazer 27.5" x 2.8" tires. I ran those on the Fargo Gen 2 I used to own and those were ridden in the 2015 DK200. The infamous "Mud Year" of that event. Then the wheels were moved over to a Trek Sawyer I used to own until I sold the bike with the CK hub/27.5"er wheels to a fellow named Ben. 

Well, Ben read my post on Monday, hit me up to ask if I wanted to buy the hub set from him, which he was not using, and I said "Yes!" So, in a little while I should have those old Chris King hubs back again. Like a bad penny.... Ha! 

They should be good to go. Ben said he barely rode them before he decided to go a different direction with wheels. I had overhauled those wheels post-mud year, and later that same Summer used them for the GTDRI and Odin's Revenge, plus all the rides on the Sawyer and they were great for me. 

So, hubs have been sourced. I'll give them the once over after they arrive. Now it is time to do a bit of rim shopping. Since I saved on the hubs, (Ben shot me a very fair price), I can look at maybe getting some carbon rims. Stay tuned.... 

PSA: Tomorrow there will be a slew of Press Releases connected to what is being shown at Sea Otter. Keep scrolling the page for all the news! 

Friday News And Views

Image courtesy of Wilde Bicycle Co. 

MADE Show This Weekend:

The annual MADE Show, a gathering of custom frame/fork/component makers in Portland, Oregon, is happening this weekend.

Several teasers are out already showing some tantalizing views of things which will be on display to see for attendees. However; Wilde Bicycle Co. has gone a little bit further with its preview on two new models it intends to show this weekend.

The first is the Dog Star, a retro-inspired MTB bike with all the cues you'd expect from a mountain bike throwing it back to the early 1980's. You've got the distinctive lugged frame construction, the flat fork crown, and cantilever brakes, of course. But this bike has some distinctive features which include double top tubes and a double brake bridge, ala King Fabrications.

The Earth Seed (Image courtesy of Wilde Bicycle Co. )

Probably the most surprising bike I've seen in a while is the new Earth Seed (That name!), which is a mixte' framed gravel bike. I think it is an intriguing bike, and I would rock one if I had the need or chance to. You can see more of these bikes on Wilde Bicycle Co's website. 

Image courtesy of Chris King Precision Components

New Matte Jade Hue From Chris King:

Chris King Precision Components has a new hue out now dubbed "Matte Jade". It will be available now on all Chris King components such as their head sets, bottom brackets, and hubs.

Chris King says of the hue, on the Matte Jade webpage, the following:

"It's green, but it's a lot more than just green. It has a curious depth to it. The finish is matte, but still Jade glows. It has an iridescence, a liveliness, that's hard to pin down, as though every time you look at it, it's slightly different."

Comments: Chris King indicates this is now a permanent choice in their color palette, so it is not a limited edition color. I like green, it is my second most favorite color behind purple, and I can see this becoming a part of a bike build. In fact, I've had something in mind for a long time now which this would work really well with. Maybe someday I'll push "go" on it.....

Image courtesy of Bike-On

A Power Meter For The Masses?

Bike-On, a start-up company soon to be on Kickstarter, is aiming to bring power measurement to a much lower price-point than ever before with their new chain mounted device. 

Claiming accuracy on par with other well known power mewasuring systems, and compatibility with any chain-driven bicycle, the asking price of $`175.00USD seems a bit unbelievable. 

The device, consisting of two roller, jockey-type wheels, a housing, and a tether to your frame, encloses an epoxy-sealed measuring unit which is claimed to be waterproof and weather resistant, even working in cold temperatures.  The device is also easily switched from one bike to another, with no need for re-calibration, in minutes. 

Check it out HERE.  

Gravel Worlds Weekend:

This weekend the Gravel Worlds event out of Lincoln, Nebraska will be taking place with running events and various distances for cyclists to take on. The 'big' event being the traditional 150 mile distance which is the one all the big-time Pro and fast amateurs will be striving to come out on top in.

The 350 mile event, once known as "The Long Voyage" (R.I.P. to the awesome name there)will take in three states, as the route will travel into Iowa, a tiny portion of Missouri, and back again to the start in Nebraska.

Comments: This event was once a "do not miss" event for me, but times have changed. The event is no longer anything like it once was, (I stand by this statement), and it just isn't my cup of tea anymore. 

Having said this, I still will say this event is spectacular in its own right and I hope anyone partaking in it has a wonderful experience. Tail winds to you all who toe the line tomorrow, (and today if you are in the 350!)  

Thanks again for reading Guitar Ted Productions! Have an awesome weekend and ride those bicycles! 

Friday News And Views

From Ingrid Components Instagram account

Ingrid Components Shows Brake/Shift Lever Combo:

At the Bespoke show, which is Europe's biggest handmade bicycle show, Ingrid Components showed this angular, brutalist looking brake/shift lever combination. Seen hooked up to a brake caliper and Ingrid's own rear derailleur, the only clue given by Ingrid in the post was that the brake was produced " with a little help from our friends @rideformula". 

Brake/shift levers for drop bars are a difficult thing to produce without some clever workarounds due to Shimano, Campagnolo, and SRAM patents. It very well could be that Ingrid is using the flat bar shifter internals that they already make. Yes - this is a mechanical lever.

Comments: The comment section under the post had a few references to the Cybertruck and Minecraft aesthetic. Yeah, I get that as well. But you have to hand it to Ingrid for being true to their design language. It is also fairly obvious that the design language is more important than ergonomics. No word on availability, price, or other details yet.

Image courtesy of Life Time Events

Unbound To Offer Prize Money For First Time In 2025:

In an announcement that came out a little over a week ago, it was revealed that Life Time Events will offer a new prize structure for their Grand Prix events in 2025. 

Besides offering equal prize money to the top ten men and women at the end of the series, the following events will also offer prize money for the first time: Unbound Gravel, Leadville 100, and Big Sugar Gravel.

Comments: First of all, I will admit that most riders really do not care what these people get paid. (Are they "employees" of this series?) So, it is kind of weird that anyone thinks this is "news". What difference to anyone, outside of the actual competitors, does this make? I guess it is lost on me. Maybe more money somehow equals "better/more competition"? So, you are saying you can "buy yourself a meaningful race by waving cash around"?  Gotcha.... Again, I don't care. I don't think most people care either. 

But all this aside, my main reaction is that by offering prize money at Unbound the organizers have finally wiped away the last remaining tent pole of meaning which the original founder's had put in place for the event. Not looking for a monetary "prize" meant that riders were finding other "rewards" for choosing to take on the challenge of 200 miles of Flint Hills gravel. Not anymore. At least not for the elite athletes. And really, if you read what the pundits write about Unbound, well you might think that all there are there riding are elite athletes. At least those folks who are not getting the red carpet elite athlete treatment are not getting paid for placing. So there is still meaning there, perhaps. 

Image courtesy of Chris King Precision Components

Chris King Seat Post Collars:

Seat post collars are an important part of a bicycle. It also is a part you would have thought Chris King Presicion Components would have made by now. That wasn't the case until just recently.

Now you can have more Chris King on your bicycle, or maybe look at this as your first Chris King part, seeing as it is reasonably inexpensive relative to all the rest of Chris King's catalog at $48.00 each.

They come in 10 anodized colors and four sizes to fit most frames. The Chris King Seat Post Collar is made in the uSA and comes with a Lifetime Warranty. See their webpage for more here. 

Comments: I never really thought about this not being a Chris King thing before until now. It makes all the sense in the world that Chris King should offer this, and why they hadn't before now seems almost silly. At least the maximum torque rating is a realistic 6nm instead of what Thomson seat post collars are rated at. (Yes, I have some beef with that component) 

The New Mason Macro: The Missing Link?

Mason Cycles just introduced a new hard tail MTB model they call the Macro. And calling it a mountain bike is probably not what Mason would like here, but it does take a MTB drive train, so....

Mason says it is the most configurable adventure hard tail bicycle you can get. So, you could go with their own design carbon fork or a suspension fork. You can load it up with the many accessory mounts for touring, go with a bagged bikepacking set up, or use it as a fast XC hard tail. 

The frame is aluminum and the Mason fork is carbon, if you want that, or it can be ordered with a suspension fork. There are complete options as well. A basic frame/fork package runs approximately $1,625.00 USD at the time of this writing. (Mason is based in the UK)

Comments: There are not too many high-end hard tail bikes designed for all-around, versatile usage these days. The Macro is such a bike. I think it could work for gravel to all-day mountain riding and everything in between. It strikes me as kind of the modernized equivalent of the once ubiquitous 90's steel hard tail MTB's which were super-versatile and capable bicycles. 

This is kind of a "missing link" bike. A bicycle that isn't a long travel, down hill oriented hard tail, but it also is not a bike that would shy away from a rowdy MTB trail. (with a suspension fork, most likely) Now what I'd like to see is more of this sort of thing at a more entry level price point with decent components made to work everywhere. Maybe even a bike with a (gasp!) multiple ring crank set and front derailleur.

Outrider Components - Tire Pressure Sensor Tech For Bicycles:

Your newer vehicles all have tire pressure sensors which alert you to low air pressures in vehicle tires, or sudden losses of air pressure, in case of a flat tire. Now this type of technology is available from Outrider Components for your bicycle. Or it soon will be. 

The company has launched a Kickstarter campaign to raise funds for their device which promises to alert your Garmin device in case of a puncture, or it can be used to monitor air pressure. 

The device is designed to run for up to two years on replaceable coin style watch batteries. The device attaches to your existing valve stem and sits inside the rim well of the wheel.

Comments: I suppose we all should have guessed this was coming. It does make sense, and while I am not a fan of more lithium type batteries, this system would probably be a big hit if it works in the real world and if it could be used across many different wireless computer brands.

That's a wrap on the last full week of October! Get out and ride those bicycles!

Friday News And Views

Image courtesy of Chris King

 News Of More Speeds And Plastic Tubes Today

Chris King Announces Gen 4 Hubs:

The venerable component company, Chris King, has announced an evolution to their hub range. The new Gen 4 hubs feature the same style drive system but it is now compatible with all current drive types without needing to be completely different for each type. 

The streamlining of the drive and axle systems will reduce costs in manufacturing, and this will be passed down to consumers as a lowering of the retail price. Not only that, but now drive systems can be changed by consumers at a lower cost. For instance, it used to cost $380.00. Now, riders using Gen 4 hubs will pay only $80.00 for a switch to a different drive system. 

For more details see Chris King Precision Components site HERE. 

Comments: This is good news for Chris King fans or anyone that might want to support the brand. As long as the durability and quality control remains at a high level, this should help the brand going forward. 

I like Chris King stuff, but whoo!  They are an expensive brand to get into. Their Ring Drive system is pretty bomber though and I found that the hubs are very worthwhile as an investment into a component that you can maintain and keep going for years and years. That even despite heavy abuse. The press release even stated that the free-coasting resistance has been lowered with the new Gen 4 design, so that's even better news.

Image sourced from Google

Shimano Rumored To Be Introducing 13 Speed Wireless Dura Ace Soon:

It's all over the internet - Shimano's long rumored move to 100% wireless shifting is going to happen and with that will come an extra cog. Thirteen to be exact.

Shimano has often filed patents just ahead of releases of new group sets and with Dura Ace needing a refresh it makes sense that this might happen. Additionally, the Tour de France often sees new groups introduced unofficially, or officially, and so this rumor lines right up with that. 

Comments: As I have oft told the story here, I will not delve into the full details, but I have been aware that Shimano has had working group sets up to and including 14 rear cassette speeds since 2010, (or before that, most likely). That they would periodically march out something new with an extra cog out back is not a surprise to me. 

But at some point you reach a place of diminishing returns and\or a place where no further technical advances can be made within the current parameters. Keeping in mind that 130mm rear spacing,(excepting the road disc specific142mm) has been around since the late 1980's for road bikes and you can probably guess that something will have to change radically for any further additional gears past 14 speeds. 

Can that happen? Will that happen? I would guess that we will know the answer in less than ten years from now. It's a no-brainer that we will see 14 speed cassettes in my opinion. This jump to 13 will last a few years, maybe five, and then you will see the 14's coming out. And what about SRAM? 

Stay tuned next week for more on their offering. 

Gravel Amplifier: Prairie Burn 100 -

Next month, on June 8th, the Prairie Burn 100 and 5K run will occur, starting in Downtown Grinnell, and utilizing the fantastic gravel roads surrounding the area. 

This year the loops are all new. That's right - loops. You will ride approximately 25 mile loops each ending back in Grinnell and if you want to continue, you can, or you could just hang and have some fun with the other activities scheduled for that event in Grinnell. Those include a beer garden, food trucks, a farmer's market, and live music by the Surf Zombies.

To learn more, see their website:  https://www.prairieburn100.com/event-info Registration is $50.00 and you can sign up HERE. 

Note: I have no affiliation with this event and I do not benefit if you use the links from here in any way.

Continental Tires Gets Into The TPU Tube Game:

Continental announced on Wednesday that they now have a range of TPU tubes for 700c tires and wheels ranging from sizes that will work with 25mm all the way through to 29"er sizes. 

Their TPU material and construction of the tubes is all done in Germany using the highest quality materials and processes. This is reflected in the use of clear TPU which Continental also claims is free from imperfections that can occur when TPU is dyed. You can read the full press release on Conti's website HERE. 

Comments: One thing that surprised me about TPU in general is something I saw on the press release that stated that "TPU tubes must never be used in conjunction with rim brakes. Excessive heat exposure can lead to a sudden loss of air pressure." I don't recall seeing this stressed regarding TPU tubes before and it comes as something of an alarm to me as I run a TPU tube in my Karate Monkey which has rim brakes currently. Something to consider there if you have long hills or will be riding in such an area and you have rim brakes and TPU tubes.

That's a wrap for this week. Have a great weekend and Happy Mother's Day to those who celebrate that.

Friday News And Views

Ze Mango ze Tango!

 Chris King Brings Matte Mango Back:

Despite the dark times of the late 90's/early 2000's, Chris King has been a stalwart against the "Age of Black". Those days when cycling went dark and everybody was trying to make their bikes as black as possible. I never did get on with that ide.

Black........ Boring!

 Well, that is, unless you add in splashes of color, and Chris King was about the only game in town for many years. Then other companies started bringing the color, and well, Chris King had to "innovate", so they started doing odd anodized colors, like Coffee Brown, and then matte finishes in various anodized colors. They were successes, but there was a problem.

Despite CK's experiences in the anodization process, which they fully control and know inside and out, variances in batch colors affected certain runs, especially that Matte Mango color, so CK pulled that from the line about 18 months ago. But now that the process of anodizing Matte Mango has been refined, King felt compelled to bring the color back again and make it a part of their regular line once more. Those hues include Black, Matte Black, Two Tone Black Gold, Midnight, Matte Turquoise, Red, Silver, Gold, and 3D Violet.

The fizik Ergolace GTX shoe (Image courtesy of fizik)

And More Colorful Stuff For Your Viewing Pleasure:

Colors other than black or white, (mostly seen in the roadie side of cycling) were also once rare. But over the past several years components and apparel have taken on more colorful patterns and hues. 

Take for instance the collaboration here between PEdALED and fizik with the brick red and tan Ergolace GTX shoes. That's a bold look, and fizik isn't the only company stepping outside the traditional boundaries of what cycling apparel and components have been. 

My first job in cycling was at a shop in Cedar Falls, Iowa where I worked for a man named Tom Webb who said something to the effect of, "Cycling is a colorful sport. Your stuff should reflect that. It's fun, so why not?" I found that sentiment to have a great impact upon me and I have always remembered the late Mr. Webb's philosophy on cycling apparel and components. 

I know colors are really hard on retailers because then we start getting into fashion and that usually has a shelf-life measured in months. What was 'cool' for anodized bits one season could be next season's pariah. Having a bunch of 3D Violet bits in a case that no one wants makes for bad profit and loss statements. 

Or that's how it used to be, at any rate. Now? Well, it seems color sells and I think more companies are emboldened to stick their necks out with more risky options, like the fizik shoes here. 

Grip Idea:

Recently I have tested out the new evolution of Ergon's GP1, the GP1 Evo, (seen here) and it got me to thinking about those Redshift Sports Cruise Control grips and others like those (seen here). That made me wonder why in the heck haven't I been using those Cruise Control grips lately? 

So, that was one thing. The next part is that I don't think I have ridden my gen I Fargo at all this year. Not even once. Crime committed!

It just so happens that I have a Kitchen Sink bar from Redshift on the Fargo. So..... Those Cruise Control grips are going on there, and I have a few other tweaks in mind for that bike which also will be implemented. That's my next project and I have a goal in mind to make the bike rideable with the new updates. Look for more on that ride idea in tomorrow's post. 

I hope to get all this fixed up and test ridden soon, so stay tuned here for a post detailing the changes and I am really looking forward to riding the Fargo again real soon. I cannot believe I haven't ridden it for so long! 

Big Discounts Expected For Black Friday:

In other Turkey Day related news, the feeling I get from different sources is that this early Holiday season will be marked by some incredible deals on bicycles, components, and accessories. 

I am already getting hit in my inbox with messages from companies telling me to be on the look-out for deals the weekend after Thanksgiving, and especially that day known as "Black Friday"

Pre-holiday discounting is already on the upswing. I have also noted several 25%-30% deals on apparel and other stuff out there. It just continues to point to the fact that the industry is bloated in terms of inventory and will be seeking to offer deals "too good to be true" for the end of 2023. 

So, let's say that all this massive discounting of overstock is successful. Will people be looking to buy during the opening months of 2024? Why would they be, if, as is somewhat hoped for by the business, people have all they need going into the New Year? 

It doesn't bode well, and I suspect that either way, successful sell-off or no, that depressed sales will be the norm and overstock will take a while to trickle out over the next six months to a year. And I would think that current manufacturing orders are down by a lot. Once the glut moves through, you may see another short-supply situation again until the market can finally find its bearings. And who knows how long that will take. 

At any rate, this situation brought on by the crazy daze of the pandemic are going to affect the cycling marketplace for months to come, maybe over a year yet. 

That's it for today! Have a fantastic weekend and thanks for reading Guitar Ted Productions.

Friday News And Views

Limited edition Japhy. Image by Jason Boucher (Courtesy of Esker Cycles)

Limited Edition Japhy Announced By Esker:

This lovely lavender hard tail bike came across my inbox  on Monday from Esker. They have a special coating in this hue and a special component package for a limited run of bikes.

Dubbed "Shredkote", the Cerakote ceramic finish is very thin and super-durable. I've written about Cerakote before. You can learn more there at the link if you care to.

The bike is tied together by a collaboration with MRP on a "Shredkoted" Raven fork. The bike has clearance for 29" X 2.8" tires and features Esker's "Portage" drop outs. There are only 10 that will be made in this hue and spec, so check it out HERE. The proce is listed at $3.450.00.

Comments: The Japhy is the bike Salsa should have made as the El Mariachi v3. But....they didn't. That's okay because Esker has done it and this bike would rank highly as one I'd want to throw a leg over for mountain biking. Bonus for me as far as this presser goes is that my friend Jason Boucher took the images for this special release. Nice! Congrats Jason on the stellar images.

5DEV cranks. (Image courtesy of 5DEV)

5DEV Expands Range Of Titanium Cranksets:

Relatively new player, 5DEV, who CNC machine titanium into beautiful cranksets and stems, has announced an expansion of choices for their wares. 

The cranksets will be available for Enduro, DH, MTB, gravel, fatbikes, and road bikes in the following lengths: 155, 165, 167.5, 170, 172.5 and 157.5 for eCranks.

The prices will range from $1,399.00 - $1,499.00 a set.

5DEV parts are made in San Diego, California. 

Comments: Titanium can be lighter for frames and components, but the appeal to me has always been corrosion resistance and the ease of maintenance in terms of the finish. What immediately pops out for me here is the fatbike/gravel bike uses when the bike doubles as a commuter/road bike in Winter. Corrosion resistance is a sought after trait, in my view, since Winter roads can eat aluminum components and corrode steel like caterpillar on a leafy green plant. Whatever the heck chemical soup the State uses now is pure evil for bikes. Titanium resists that devil and it flees from its presence. (But the State needs to ditch that evil mixture ASAP anyway) 

An example of Cris King's new Splash: (Image courtesy of Chris King )

Chris King Precision Components Announces New "Splash" Colorway:

Chris King announced on Tuesday that they have a new annodization process which allows for a base color and a "splash" of a contrasting color. This has resulted in their new Splash component offerings. 

Using a bronze-like base color the components feature a bright splash of turquoise color. 

Available in all their components, the new Splash components will be a limited release with only 50 of each component being made. The colorway will be released in Chris King pre-built wheels as well. 

Comments: Good thing Chris King keeps finding ways to reinvent anodizing. It practically is the only thing the company has done to stay relevant in the market place. Sure, the components are really good, but somehow the company's products seem to be less desirable. Maybe that's an impression of mine that misses the mark. Let me know....

This new "Splash" thing? For myself it seems to be the analog to 1980's crackle-finish Super-Strat guitars. (Throws the horns and bobs head) 

Image from 2014 Eurobike courtesy of Frank B.

Wheel Size Causes Consternation Amongst Certain Riders:

Wednesday's post on the new 750D gravel wheels was received with some familiar negativity from certain sectors of the cycling cognoscenti. This was very reminiscent of the push-back seen when 29 inch MTB wheels were proposed in 1999. (YES! It's been 24 years now!)

Ironically the same individual and company is responsible for both wheel sizes to be in existence now. That said, like many ideas in bicycling, or overall, for that matter, this bigger wheel has a similar predecessor. I was forwarded an Italian magazine article from 2014 which showed a 750 sized wheel which was proposed as a wheel which one could swap into a 29"er frame and use as a road riding wheel set. It was also implicated as a possible road bike solution for taller riders. (Thanks to reader "Frank B" for that info!)

Note that this happened before "gravel" became a thing worldwide. The image says the overall diameter of the wheel and the tire is 740mm, so this was called "750" by the developers of the idea. I have no further technical data to share, but the wheels were never commercially available. 

It just goes to show you that cycling companies are always thinking of some way that they can entice you to part with your dollars, and hopefully, at the same time, provide riders with a tangible benefit.

That's a wrap for this week. September is on the doorstep! get out and ride while you can!

Friday News And Views

Limited edition Japhy. Image by Jason Boucher (Courtesy of Esker Cycles)

Limited Edition Japhy Announced By Esker:

This lovely lavender hard tail bike came across my inbox  on Monday from Esker. They have a special coating in this hue and a special component package for a limited run of bikes.

Dubbed "Shredkote", the Cerakote ceramic finish is very thin and super-durable. I've written about Cerakote before. You can learn more there at the link if you care to.

The bike is tied together by a collaboration with MRP on a "Shredkoted" Raven fork. The bike has clearance for 29" X 2.8" tires and features Esker's "Portage" drop outs. There are only 10 that will be made in this hue and spec, so check it out HERE. The proce is listed at $3.450.00.

Comments: The Japhy is the bike Salsa should have made as the El Mariachi v3. But....they didn't. That's okay because Esker has done it and this bike would rank highly as one I'd want to throw a leg over for mountain biking. Bonus for me as far as this presser goes is that my friend Jason Boucher took the images for this special release. Nice! Congrats Jason on the stellar images.

5DEV cranks. (Image courtesy of 5DEV)

5DEV Expands Range Of Titanium Cranksets:

Relatively new player, 5DEV, who CNC machine titanium into beautiful cranksets and stems, has announced an expansion of choices for their wares. 

The cranksets will be available for Enduro, DH, MTB, gravel, fatbikes, and road bikes in the following lengths: 155, 165, 167.5, 170, 172.5 and 157.5 for eCranks.

The prices will range from $1,399.00 - $1,499.00 a set.

5DEV parts are made in San Diego, California. 

Comments: Titanium can be lighter for frames and components, but the appeal to me has always been corrosion resistance and the ease of maintenance in terms of the finish. What immediately pops out for me here is the fatbike/gravel bike uses when the bike doubles as a commuter/road bike in Winter. Corrosion resistance is a sought after trait, in my view, since Winter roads can eat aluminum components and corrode steel like caterpillar on a leafy green plant. Whatever the heck chemical soup the State uses now is pure evil for bikes. Titanium resists that devil and it flees from its presence. (But the State needs to ditch that evil mixture ASAP anyway) 

An example of Cris King's new Splash: (Image courtesy of Chris King )

Chris King Precision Components Announces New "Splash" Colorway:

Chris King announced on Tuesday that they have a new annodization process which allows for a base color and a "splash" of a contrasting color. This has resulted in their new Splash component offerings. 

Using a bronze-like base color the components feature a bright splash of turquoise color. 

Available in all their components, the new Splash components will be a limited release with only 50 of each component being made. The colorway will be released in Chris King pre-built wheels as well. 

Comments: Good thing Chris King keeps finding ways to reinvent anodizing. It practically is the only thing the company has done to stay relevant in the market place. Sure, the components are really good, but somehow the company's products seem to be less desirable. Maybe that's an impression of mine that misses the mark. Let me know....

This new "Splash" thing? For myself it seems to be the analog to 1980's crackle-finish Super-Strat guitars. (Throws the horns and bobs head) 

Image from 2014 Eurobike courtesy of Frank B.

Wheel Size Causes Consternation Amongst Certain Riders:

Wednesday's post on the new 750D gravel wheels was received with some familiar negativity from certain sectors of the cycling cognoscenti. This was very reminiscent of the push-back seen when 29 inch MTB wheels were proposed in 1999. (YES! It's been 24 years now!)

Ironically the same individual and company is responsible for both wheel sizes to be in existence now. That said, like many ideas in bicycling, or overall, for that matter, this bigger wheel has a similar predecessor. I was forwarded an Italian magazine article from 2014 which showed a 750 sized wheel which was proposed as a wheel which one could swap into a 29"er frame and use as a road riding wheel set. It was also implicated as a possible road bike solution for taller riders. (Thanks to reader "Frank B" for that info!)

Note that this happened before "gravel" became a thing worldwide. The image says the overall diameter of the wheel and the tire is 740mm, so this was called "750" by the developers of the idea. I have no further technical data to share, but the wheels were never commercially available. 

It just goes to show you that cycling companies are always thinking of some way that they can entice you to part with your dollars, and hopefully, at the same time, provide riders with a tangible benefit.

That's a wrap for this week. September is on the doorstep! get out and ride while you can!

Friday News And Views (SOE)

 NOTE: Today is Day Two of Sea Otter which is happening at the Laguna Seca Raceway near Monterrey, California. The "FN&V" will feature several news bits from the show as a result. 

State Bicycle Company partners with Taco Bell (Image courtesy of State Bicycle Co.)

State Bicycle Company And Taco Bell Collaborate On Bicycle & Apparel:

Taco Bell - You may have downed a few products from this fast food joint after a ride session or two over the years. I remember Taco Bell as being my mainstay food source as a young mechanic back in the 90's. ("Bean & Green"!) Well, jokes and anecdotes aside, the restaurant chain has a new collaboration out as of yesterday with the State Bicycle Company. They used their "DGAF Klunker" as a canvass to do a livery on reflecting the purple, yellow, white, and pink colors of Taco Bell. The bike will also be available with accessories like the $69.99 tank bag, (shown), and even a bib short and jersey set will be for sale along with the bike. (The kit actually isn't bad looking, by the way)

Comments: No price on the bike. Hmm... Anyway, this probably will sell out. While I no longer am a fan of Taco Bell, due to an unfortunate experience in their Waterloo, Iowa outlet, I suppose the popularity and novelty of this will help sales along just fine. You don't see a lot of collaborations that aren't (a) done on the worst quality bicycles, or (b) that aren't extremely expensive to buy. This is one that actually makes sense and is (kind of) cool. 

WTB Introduces The "Gravelier" Saddle:

You've seen this saddle before. No, really! You've seen it several times here on the blog before its "official" release yesterday. This is the saddle I currently have on my Twin Six Standard Rando v2 since, oh, mid-March, I would guess. 

That aside, the saddle was released to the public yesterday at Sea Otter. I have a review of it already along with some input from MG who also got one of these to ride. That can be found at Riding Gravel. 

Comments:  Well, I resisted the "wide-short" saddle thing for years thinking I had already found what I wanted in WTB's Silverado saddle in the medium width. However; last year I grew to love that new Ergon saddle which is one of these new breeds of saddle and now that I've tried this one, well.... 

It's really quite good. I think that the Ergon saddle edges this one out only because the foam that Ergon uses for padding gives you a bit more comfort than the WTB one does, but had I never ridden that Ergon one, yeah.... It's the bees knees. 

As a side note, WTB sent me the carbon railed version, which is something I'd not tried before. I guess its okay. I mean, it's crazy light! It isn't any stiffer, really, and maybe it does something to attenuate vibrations, but I don't know. I mean, I don't get on it and think, "Wow! These carbon rails are the bomb!", because I simply do not notice them. AND - I hope I never really do, if you know what I mean!

Chris King re-introduces 3D Violet (Image courtesy of Chris King)

It's NOT Purple! Chris King Makes 3D Violet Available Again:

While not technically a Sea Otter release, Chris King has announced that you will now be able to get any of their current component offerings in the famous 3D Violet hue once again. 

This includes the reintroduced 6 bolt disc hub line. So, anyone out there that doesn't like Center Lock, well there you go! 

Comments: Did you know that, according to the press release I was sent, that Chris King made their first 3D Violet parts back in 1988? It was in response to what was going on in the BMX world, where the anodized color was taking off. I did not know that until I received that presser. 

I just remember "violet" (purple) anodizing being a huge deal in the early 1990's MTB scene. Of course, then there were the other colors that followed. Probably the next most famous being turquoise ano, (blue) which dominated for about a year. Ah! Those days were the days, right? You could get anodized bits in all the colors of the rainbow. And now? Well, quietly, colored components have made something of a comeback, and I can't say that this makes me sad.

Limar Air Atlas (Image courtesy of LIMAR)

Limar Introduces Revamped Helmet Line:

Limar helmets have revamped their entire helmet line and there are several enhancements to the new helmets. The most "gravel" of the choices being the "Air Atlas" helmet which is Limar's aero, super-lightweight offering. 

It features their "Fidlock" magnetic buckle, seven front air vents, four NACA vents, six rear vents, and six inner air channels. 

There also is an optional aerodynamic fairing attachment for the rear of this helmet that Limar calls "UFO". It helps with airflow over the helmet and Limar claims that in wind tunnel testing that it can save up to an additional 0.7 watts at 40K/hr over just the bare Air Atlas helmet. 

Price for the Air Atlas is $319.95

Comments: I know that for a lot of you this aero thing seems like nonsense, that you are not going fast enough to benefit from it, and that it is too expensive. You are only right on one point. Aero is a thing and if you ride long distances in the country, this is where you will see a big difference. Hey, you can ignore it all you want to, but the science and physics are right there for anyone to check out.

But yeah, at three hundred, nineteen bucks? Woof! That's a lot for a skid-lid. And a lot of aero stuff is also very spendy. So, I get it. Plus, a general rant here on helmet sizing: Ya know, some of us out here have large noggins. I cannot use a Limar helmet as their size Large only goes up to 62cm and my head is 63cm. No go... I guess big-headed folks are out of luck here. (Hint: Bontrager makes a helmet which goes up to 66cm in their Starvos and their aero Circuit Wavecell goes to 63cm. Both fit me perfectly) 

The Salsa Cycles e-gravel bike, the Confluence

Salsa Cycles Surprises At Sea Otter With Confluence E-gravel Bike:

My friend Grannygear is at Sea Otter again this year. He lives near enough that he can drive a few hours and attend, so he generally agrees to do me a favor and scour the show for gravel stuff. Well, this year he came across a surprise find at Salsa Cycles booth.

The booth featured an e-bike called the Confluence which is an aluminum framed gravel bike with a hub drive motor and GRX components in fkat or drop bar versions. Kind of like a high-end Journeyer idea here. Unfortunately, I don't have any more details at this time about the bikes. 

Comments: Salsa Cycles seems to be making a big move toward e-bike models with this introduction, and no wonder, these electrified bikes are all the rage in Europe where it is said that over half of all bikes sold at retail are electric now. Previous to this, Salsa had no real presence in the e-bike area. My instincts tell me that we are due to see a whole lot more electrification from Salsa going forward. 

The booth was festooned with "Salsa Cycles Electric" banners which tells me that the focus going forward will be electric for Salsa. This was kept under wraps pretty well, as I had no inkling of this release, but it does make a lot of sense for Salsa's Euro dealers and the REI Coop customers that Salsa sells to.

The IWAR Team and I in 2020

Good Luck To The Iowa Wind And Rock Riders & Promoters!

This weekend marks the running of the fifth Iowa Wind And Rock event (IWAR). The forecast for the festivities is looking like a typical late April deal. Chilly at night, decent during the day, and yeah, most probably windy. This is Iowa after all! 

The event is run by Sarah Cooper, Steve Fuller, and Dori Jansma. They will be starting out of  the parking lot of a Fareway Grocery store in Winterset, Iowa at 4:00am. Yes.... That's four in the morning! 

I wanted to extend my best wishes for the event, the riders, and especially for the Race Directors and their Volunteers. This event is obviously a take on Trans Iowa, an extension of it, perhaps, and since that is the case, I understand intimately what it takes to do such an endeavor.

So, here's to all involved! May you all see success and gain something you did not have before you started after it is over. I'll be watching from afar.....

That's it for this week! Have a great weekend and get in a ride!

Friday News And Views (SOE)

 NOTE: Today is Day Two of Sea Otter which is happening at the Laguna Seca Raceway near Monterrey, California. The "FN&V" will feature several news bits from the show as a result. 

State Bicycle Company partners with Taco Bell (Image courtesy of State Bicycle Co.)

State Bicycle Company And Taco Bell Collaborate On Bicycle & Apparel:

Taco Bell - You may have downed a few products from this fast food joint after a ride session or two over the years. I remember Taco Bell as being my mainstay food source as a young mechanic back in the 90's. ("Bean & Green"!) Well, jokes and anecdotes aside, the restaurant chain has a new collaboration out as of yesterday with the State Bicycle Company. They used their "DGAF Klunker" as a canvass to do a livery on reflecting the purple, yellow, white, and pink colors of Taco Bell. The bike will also be available with accessories like the $69.99 tank bag, (shown), and even a bib short and jersey set will be for sale along with the bike. (The kit actually isn't bad looking, by the way)

Comments: No price on the bike. Hmm... Anyway, this probably will sell out. While I no longer am a fan of Taco Bell, due to an unfortunate experience in their Waterloo, Iowa outlet, I suppose the popularity and novelty of this will help sales along just fine. You don't see a lot of collaborations that aren't (a) done on the worst quality bicycles, or (b) that aren't extremely expensive to buy. This is one that actually makes sense and is (kind of) cool. 

WTB Introduces The "Gravelier" Saddle:

You've seen this saddle before. No, really! You've seen it several times here on the blog before its "official" release yesterday. This is the saddle I currently have on my Twin Six Standard Rando v2 since, oh, mid-March, I would guess. 

That aside, the saddle was released to the public yesterday at Sea Otter. I have a review of it already along with some input from MG who also got one of these to ride. That can be found at Riding Gravel. 

Comments:  Well, I resisted the "wide-short" saddle thing for years thinking I had already found what I wanted in WTB's Silverado saddle in the medium width. However; last year I grew to love that new Ergon saddle which is one of these new breeds of saddle and now that I've tried this one, well.... 

It's really quite good. I think that the Ergon saddle edges this one out only because the foam that Ergon uses for padding gives you a bit more comfort than the WTB one does, but had I never ridden that Ergon one, yeah.... It's the bees knees. 

As a side note, WTB sent me the carbon railed version, which is something I'd not tried before. I guess its okay. I mean, it's crazy light! It isn't any stiffer, really, and maybe it does something to attenuate vibrations, but I don't know. I mean, I don't get on it and think, "Wow! These carbon rails are the bomb!", because I simply do not notice them. AND - I hope I never really do, if you know what I mean!

Chris King re-introduces 3D Violet (Image courtesy of Chris King)

It's NOT Purple! Chris King Makes 3D Violet Available Again:

While not technically a Sea Otter release, Chris King has announced that you will now be able to get any of their current component offerings in the famous 3D Violet hue once again. 

This includes the reintroduced 6 bolt disc hub line. So, anyone out there that doesn't like Center Lock, well there you go! 

Comments: Did you know that, according to the press release I was sent, that Chris King made their first 3D Violet parts back in 1988? It was in response to what was going on in the BMX world, where the anodized color was taking off. I did not know that until I received that presser. 

I just remember "violet" (purple) anodizing being a huge deal in the early 1990's MTB scene. Of course, then there were the other colors that followed. Probably the next most famous being turquoise ano, (blue) which dominated for about a year. Ah! Those days were the days, right? You could get anodized bits in all the colors of the rainbow. And now? Well, quietly, colored components have made something of a comeback, and I can't say that this makes me sad.

Limar Air Atlas (Image courtesy of LIMAR)

Limar Introduces Revamped Helmet Line:

Limar helmets have revamped their entire helmet line and there are several enhancements to the new helmets. The most "gravel" of the choices being the "Air Atlas" helmet which is Limar's aero, super-lightweight offering. 

It features their "Fidlock" magnetic buckle, seven front air vents, four NACA vents, six rear vents, and six inner air channels. 

There also is an optional aerodynamic fairing attachment for the rear of this helmet that Limar calls "UFO". It helps with airflow over the helmet and Limar claims that in wind tunnel testing that it can save up to an additional 0.7 watts at 40K/hr over just the bare Air Atlas helmet. 

Price for the Air Atlas is $319.95

Comments: I know that for a lot of you this aero thing seems like nonsense, that you are not going fast enough to benefit from it, and that it is too expensive. You are only right on one point. Aero is a thing and if you ride long distances in the country, this is where you will see a big difference. Hey, you can ignore it all you want to, but the science and physics are right there for anyone to check out.

But yeah, at three hundred, nineteen bucks? Woof! That's a lot for a skid-lid. And a lot of aero stuff is also very spendy. So, I get it. Plus, a general rant here on helmet sizing: Ya know, some of us out here have large noggins. I cannot use a Limar helmet as their size Large only goes up to 62cm and my head is 63cm. No go... I guess big-headed folks are out of luck here. (Hint: Bontrager makes a helmet which goes up to 66cm in their Starvos and their aero Circuit Wavecell goes to 63cm. Both fit me perfectly) 

The Salsa Cycles e-gravel bike, the Confluence

Salsa Cycles Surprises At Sea Otter With Confluence E-gravel Bike:

My friend Grannygear is at Sea Otter again this year. He lives near enough that he can drive a few hours and attend, so he generally agrees to do me a favor and scour the show for gravel stuff. Well, this year he came across a surprise find at Salsa Cycles booth.

The booth featured an e-bike called the Confluence which is an aluminum framed gravel bike with a hub drive motor and GRX components in fkat or drop bar versions. Kind of like a high-end Journeyer idea here. Unfortunately, I don't have any more details at this time about the bikes. 

Comments: Salsa Cycles seems to be making a big move toward e-bike models with this introduction, and no wonder, these electrified bikes are all the rage in Europe where it is said that over half of all bikes sold at retail are electric now. Previous to this, Salsa had no real presence in the e-bike area. My instincts tell me that we are due to see a whole lot more electrification from Salsa going forward. 

The booth was festooned with "Salsa Cycles Electric" banners which tells me that the focus going forward will be electric for Salsa. This was kept under wraps pretty well, as I had no inkling of this release, but it does make a lot of sense for Salsa's Euro dealers and the REI Coop customers that Salsa sells to.

The IWAR Team and I in 2020

Good Luck To The Iowa Wind And Rock Riders & Promoters!

This weekend marks the running of the fifth Iowa Wind And Rock event (IWAR). The forecast for the festivities is looking like a typical late April deal. Chilly at night, decent during the day, and yeah, most probably windy. This is Iowa after all! 

The event is run by Sarah Cooper, Steve Fuller, and Dori Jansma. They will be starting out of  the parking lot of a Fareway Grocery store in Winterset, Iowa at 4:00am. Yes.... That's four in the morning! 

I wanted to extend my best wishes for the event, the riders, and especially for the Race Directors and their Volunteers. This event is obviously a take on Trans Iowa, an extension of it, perhaps, and since that is the case, I understand intimately what it takes to do such an endeavor.

So, here's to all involved! May you all see success and gain something you did not have before you started after it is over. I'll be watching from afar.....

That's it for this week! Have a great weekend and get in a ride!