Review Of Parts Past: Gun Kote (Cerakote)

 Today we are going to take a look at something you cannot get anymore. (Note: Well- actually, in this case, you can. You can still get Gun Kote, but there is a new coating called Cerakote which is what this post will refer to)  Parts and pieces that graced our rides in days past that were noted for some special characteristic, either good or bad, will be featured in this recurring theme from time to time here. I call it "Review Of Parts Past".

In this particular post the theme won't be about a part, but a frame and parts treatment called Gun Kote and a new treatment which s called Cerakote.  

My old 2007 Salsa Cycles El Mariachi in a "Gun Kote" finish. (Image courtesy of Ben's Cycles of Milwaukee.)

There is a bit of a buzz going round these days concerning a new treatment for parts and frames on bicycles called "Cerakote". You may have seen that SILCA is using this on water bottle cages and tools, for instance. But this story in "Bicycle Retailer and Industry News"is what caught my eye. Apparently, there is an effort to diversify uses for Cerakote by the company that provides it to manufacturers. 

After reading about Cerakote, it became quite obvious to me that this was very similar to a surface treatment I had tested back in 2009 on an old Salsa Cycles El Mariachi frame set I once owned. Back in those days the newest 'gun' related treatment was called "Gun Kote".  Now the new kid on the block is "Cerakote". Gun Kote and Cerakote are doing similar jobs with a bit different chemical make-up. That said, I thought a review of it might come in handy for anyone who is seeing Cerakote for the first time. 

Gun Kote/Cerakote is so thin that you can see the tooling marks in this EBB of my old frame.

These coatings are not paint. They are a coating which have the benefits of being very tough, long-lasting, and they can be applied so thinly that you can actually realize a weight savings over a wet-painted frame or a powder coated frame. These coatings are also fairly impervious to heat, are flexible so they don't chip or crack due to flexing, and they can be had in several colors. 

Downsides are that- currently- Gun Kote is best applied to metal surfaces since it has to be cured at a high temperature which carbon fiber would be ruined by. Cerakote is a little more forgiving, but it still hasn't been widely used on carbon fiber. Although experimentation with a different curing process for carbon is showing a little promise.

So, why isn't Cerakote or Gun Kote on all aluminum, steel, and titanium frames now? That's a great question. I've lived with, and I've seen the long-term results of Gun Kote performance. My old El Mariachi was sold to a local rider, and I've seen it as recently as a couple of years ago in a shop where I used to work, so I've kept up on how this finish holds up after a dozen years of riding.

First of all, the "showroom appeal" of this finish isn't nearly as nice as wet paint or powder coating. Cerakote and Gun Kote looks dull and dead in comparison to the more flashy, sparkly finishes you see on bicycles today. This would line up with what one builder of bikes said in the "BRaIN" article regarding how they liked the matte finishes over the gloss in Cerakote. 

Color choices are also fairly slim in comparison as well, so what you can get is limited. The frame I got was supposedly "Purple" and in intense light, you see that, but I would liken that El Mariachi color to "eggplant" more in normal lighting. It looked like a powder coated finish that had lost its sheen when this Gun Kote was fresh. So, the appeal on new bikes would be far less than with the finishes used typically. And I'm pretty sure you cannot get metallic finishes in Cerakote, further limiting its appeal and this contributes to its 'flat' look.

The Gun Kote finished El Mariachi in natural light.

So, let's say you don't mind the muted tones of Cerakote and you are still thinking that this might be a rad finish for your metal framed bike. Well, there are a few concerns to keep in mind. One being that this coating is super-thin, so it can be worn through more easily than a thicker powder coated finish can be. I'd be concerned maybe if I were riding with strapped on bags a lot, for instance.

Also, I wouldn't look at this myself for a gravel bike. The constant biffing of smaller stones and larger rocks would maybe take the Cerakote right off the lower portion of a down tube, the back of a seat tube, and on the chain stays in fairly short order. I had this happen with the Gun Kote-ed El Mariachi. The back of the seat tube on that bike is peppered with tiny pockmarks where sand knocked off the coating and allowed bare steel to show. Now, the frame, being ChroMoly tubed, doesn't rust as badly as you'd expect, and it is hard to notice these imperfections with this "eggplant' color, but on a lighter color it would show up badly. 

As I've said, I've seen this bike off and on since I sold it, and the Gun Kote is a bit duller than when new, which I would completely expect, but since it started off being "not very shiny", it looks pretty dull. Add in the fact that there is no "depth" to the color of this finish, no metallic sparkle, and no sheen, you have to have a certain taste and affection for muted tones to get on with it. Cerakote looks similar in the examples I have seen online. So, the similarities to Gun Kote would make Cerakote appear to be another muted choice in gloss.  Or maybe go with a matte Cerakote finish then.

Conclusions: Cerakote is a pretty cool option for metal, and maybe carbon, but it doesn't hold a candle to wet paint or powder coated finishes when it comes to "eye appeal". Yes- it has attractive physical properties- light weight, resistance to cracking, rust prevention (If it doesn't get rubbed or nicked off)- but the looks are where it is at for many of us. IF you can get by the aesthetics of Cerakote, or if you don't mind a mate finish, then it cold be a great finish for you.

NOTE: See The Standard Disclaimer Page to better understand my relationship and reasons for having been able to use Gun Kote.

Review Of Parts Past: Gun Kote (Cerakote)

 Today we are going to take a look at something you cannot get anymore. (Note: Well- actually, in this case, you can. You can still get Gun Kote, but there is a new coating called Cerakote which is what this post will refer to)  Parts and pieces that graced our rides in days past that were noted for some special characteristic, either good or bad, will be featured in this recurring theme from time to time here. I call it "Review Of Parts Past".

In this particular post the theme won't be about a part, but a frame and parts treatment called Gun Kote and a new treatment which s called Cerakote.  

My old 2007 Salsa Cycles El Mariachi in a "Gun Kote" finish. (Image courtesy of Ben's Cycles of Milwaukee.)

There is a bit of a buzz going round these days concerning a new treatment for parts and frames on bicycles called "Cerakote". You may have seen that SILCA is using this on water bottle cages and tools, for instance. But this story in "Bicycle Retailer and Industry News"is what caught my eye. Apparently, there is an effort to diversify uses for Cerakote by the company that provides it to manufacturers. 

After reading about Cerakote, it became quite obvious to me that this was very similar to a surface treatment I had tested back in 2009 on an old Salsa Cycles El Mariachi frame set I once owned. Back in those days the newest 'gun' related treatment was called "Gun Kote".  Now the new kid on the block is "Cerakote". Gun Kote and Cerakote are doing similar jobs with a bit different chemical make-up. That said, I thought a review of it might come in handy for anyone who is seeing Cerakote for the first time. 

Gun Kote/Cerakote is so thin that you can see the tooling marks in this EBB of my old frame.

These coatings are not paint. They are a coating which have the benefits of being very tough, long-lasting, and they can be applied so thinly that you can actually realize a weight savings over a wet-painted frame or a powder coated frame. These coatings are also fairly impervious to heat, are flexible so they don't chip or crack due to flexing, and they can be had in several colors. 

Downsides are that- currently- Gun Kote is best applied to metal surfaces since it has to be cured at a high temperature which carbon fiber would be ruined by. Cerakote is a little more forgiving, but it still hasn't been widely used on carbon fiber. Although experimentation with a different curing process for carbon is showing a little promise.

So, why isn't Cerakote or Gun Kote on all aluminum, steel, and titanium frames now? That's a great question. I've lived with, and I've seen the long-term results of Gun Kote performance. My old El Mariachi was sold to a local rider, and I've seen it as recently as a couple of years ago in a shop where I used to work, so I've kept up on how this finish holds up after a dozen years of riding.

First of all, the "showroom appeal" of this finish isn't nearly as nice as wet paint or powder coating. Cerakote and Gun Kote looks dull and dead in comparison to the more flashy, sparkly finishes you see on bicycles today. This would line up with what one builder of bikes said in the "BRaIN" article regarding how they liked the matte finishes over the gloss in Cerakote. 

Color choices are also fairly slim in comparison as well, so what you can get is limited. The frame I got was supposedly "Purple" and in intense light, you see that, but I would liken that El Mariachi color to "eggplant" more in normal lighting. It looked like a powder coated finish that had lost its sheen when this Gun Kote was fresh. So, the appeal on new bikes would be far less than with the finishes used typically. And I'm pretty sure you cannot get metallic finishes in Cerakote, further limiting its appeal and this contributes to its 'flat' look.

The Gun Kote finished El Mariachi in natural light.

So, let's say you don't mind the muted tones of Cerakote and you are still thinking that this might be a rad finish for your metal framed bike. Well, there are a few concerns to keep in mind. One being that this coating is super-thin, so it can be worn through more easily than a thicker powder coated finish can be. I'd be concerned maybe if I were riding with strapped on bags a lot, for instance.

Also, I wouldn't look at this myself for a gravel bike. The constant biffing of smaller stones and larger rocks would maybe take the Cerakote right off the lower portion of a down tube, the back of a seat tube, and on the chain stays in fairly short order. I had this happen with the Gun Kote-ed El Mariachi. The back of the seat tube on that bike is peppered with tiny pockmarks where sand knocked off the coating and allowed bare steel to show. Now, the frame, being ChroMoly tubed, doesn't rust as badly as you'd expect, and it is hard to notice these imperfections with this "eggplant' color, but on a lighter color it would show up badly. 

As I've said, I've seen this bike off and on since I sold it, and the Gun Kote is a bit duller than when new, which I would completely expect, but since it started off being "not very shiny", it looks pretty dull. Add in the fact that there is no "depth" to the color of this finish, no metallic sparkle, and no sheen, you have to have a certain taste and affection for muted tones to get on with it. Cerakote looks similar in the examples I have seen online. So, the similarities to Gun Kote would make Cerakote appear to be another muted choice in gloss.  Or maybe go with a matte Cerakote finish then.

Conclusions: Cerakote is a pretty cool option for metal, and maybe carbon, but it doesn't hold a candle to wet paint or powder coated finishes when it comes to "eye appeal". Yes- it has attractive physical properties- light weight, resistance to cracking, rust prevention (If it doesn't get rubbed or nicked off)- but the looks are where it is at for many of us. IF you can get by the aesthetics of Cerakote, or if you don't mind a mate finish, then it cold be a great finish for you.

NOTE: See The Standard Disclaimer Page to better understand my relationship and reasons for having been able to use Gun Kote.

Changing Direction (Completed!)

Last week I wrote about my Salsa El Mariachi that I was reviving with a Salsa Cycles CroMoto Grande fork with the Maxle drop outs. I spent most of my free time Sunday getting it done, and here it is.

It's ready to roll....

All the key parts came together well. The wheel matched up with the fork perfectly. In fact, the tolerances are pretty close to the point that the fork and wheel seem as though they should be really solid feeling.

As you can see, the calipers are white and that means I opted for the Quad branded brakes in white. While they are odd, in that they aren't common, and they may not have all the bells and whistles, they do work well. They also have really easily bled lines and calipers, which is a bonus when you have to do that. The set up with the Ashima rotors works nicely.

The rims obviously dominate the look, and that is because there is a lot of rim there! Those are Velocity P-35's, and they are supporting those massive Ardent 2.4"ers which are set up tubeless. The rims really make the Ardent tread sit down on the trail, since the rims sort of flatten the crown out some. That makes them a really good choice for winter,sloppy, and rough courses. As I recall, I ran this combination way down into the teens for air pressure back a couple years ago.

The white rims are highlighted by the Bontrager saddle and Ergon grips here. The panel on the down tube is cream colored, but it works when the white stuff gets dirty! The panel also features red, which matches an Acros head set I happened to have and a Salsa LipLoc seat collar as well.

Close up of the Maxle

Another red bit is on the wheels, which is represented by the alloy nipples here. So, the highlighted colors work off the darker colors here including the fork, frame, hubs, stem, seat post, and handle bar.

The frame and stem are the same deep, plum-ish purple color. Sometimes in brighter sunlight the purple looks more "purple", but at times it looks like eggplant.

The hubs, (Velocity branded), Salsa 17° bend bar, Bontrager seat post, and the fork are black. They sometimes blend right into the frame, and then when the light is right, you see the purple.

The only silver bits are the 175mm White Industries ENO cranks and the 32 tooth ring on that, with the Ashima rotors, 160mm rear/185mm front. Obviously, those end caps on the front hub are also silver. Finally, the ACS Claws freewheel in 18T count is chrome plated silver. By the way, the chain is a purple number to somewhat match the frame.

Obvious to some out there as well is that this is not a stock Salsa scheme here. It was a 2007 Superior Blue El Mariachi to begin with. I ran it that color for quite awhile, but got this "Gun Koted" in "Plum Crazy" with the cream panel and red logo a few years ago. While I remembered to send the stem along for the re-coating, I forgot the fork, so I never had a matching fork for this afterward. 

So, how does it ride? Well, I literally took these images on the test ride as soon after I got the build done that I could. I suspect that it will be a nice, smooth steel ride, just as I remember it. The fork is the only question mark for me right now.

Thanks for checking out this ride. I'll probably be talking about here down the road at some point.

Changing Direction (Completed!)

Last week I wrote about my Salsa El Mariachi that I was reviving with a Salsa Cycles CroMoto Grande fork with the Maxle drop outs. I spent most of my free time Sunday getting it done, and here it is.

It's ready to roll....

All the key parts came together well. The wheel matched up with the fork perfectly. In fact, the tolerances are pretty close to the point that the fork and wheel seem as though they should be really solid feeling.

As you can see, the calipers are white and that means I opted for the Quad branded brakes in white. While they are odd, in that they aren't common, and they may not have all the bells and whistles, they do work well. They also have really easily bled lines and calipers, which is a bonus when you have to do that. The set up with the Ashima rotors works nicely.

The rims obviously dominate the look, and that is because there is a lot of rim there! Those are Velocity P-35's, and they are supporting those massive Ardent 2.4"ers which are set up tubeless. The rims really make the Ardent tread sit down on the trail, since the rims sort of flatten the crown out some. That makes them a really good choice for winter,sloppy, and rough courses. As I recall, I ran this combination way down into the teens for air pressure back a couple years ago.

The white rims are highlighted by the Bontrager saddle and Ergon grips here. The panel on the down tube is cream colored, but it works when the white stuff gets dirty! The panel also features red, which matches an Acros head set I happened to have and a Salsa LipLoc seat collar as well.

Close up of the Maxle

Another red bit is on the wheels, which is represented by the alloy nipples here. So, the highlighted colors work off the darker colors here including the fork, frame, hubs, stem, seat post, and handle bar.

The frame and stem are the same deep, plum-ish purple color. Sometimes in brighter sunlight the purple looks more "purple", but at times it looks like eggplant.

The hubs, (Velocity branded), Salsa 17° bend bar, Bontrager seat post, and the fork are black. They sometimes blend right into the frame, and then when the light is right, you see the purple.

The only silver bits are the 175mm White Industries ENO cranks and the 32 tooth ring on that, with the Ashima rotors, 160mm rear/185mm front. Obviously, those end caps on the front hub are also silver. Finally, the ACS Claws freewheel in 18T count is chrome plated silver. By the way, the chain is a purple number to somewhat match the frame.

Obvious to some out there as well is that this is not a stock Salsa scheme here. It was a 2007 Superior Blue El Mariachi to begin with. I ran it that color for quite awhile, but got this "Gun Koted" in "Plum Crazy" with the cream panel and red logo a few years ago. While I remembered to send the stem along for the re-coating, I forgot the fork, so I never had a matching fork for this afterward. 

So, how does it ride? Well, I literally took these images on the test ride as soon after I got the build done that I could. I suspect that it will be a nice, smooth steel ride, just as I remember it. The fork is the only question mark for me right now.

Thanks for checking out this ride. I'll probably be talking about here down the road at some point.

Changing Direction (After A Long Delay)

The old build

There was a plan back in 2011: It was to strip down the old 2007 El Mariachi that I had Gun Koted for its head set. Yes- I scrapped an entire rig just to get the head set for my titanium Mukluk!

The rest of the parts were to go on a green 2012 El Mariachi frame set, but I never got around to getting that frame set, so the project basically was forgotten. Since then, many of the parts of the old El Mariachi build have been floating around the Lab unused.

Ironically enough, the resurrection of this frame from the dusty rafters was due to a totally unrelated wheel set. I had an old Velocity P-35 rimmed wheel set from a couple years ago that featured a single speed rear hub and a 20mm through axle hub front. I was using that on a Soul Cycles Dillinger, which had to move on, since it was a bit too rangy for me. That left the wheels from that bike in limbo until I had heard about the Salsa Cro Moto Grande with a through axle drop out.

The CroMoto Grande through axle version was delayed and then it was delayed again. I sort of lost sight of it after a while due to that. The wheels, which were not convertible to another drop out standard,  "disappeared" into the backdrop of clutter in the Lab and the fork was all but forgotten . Besides, at the time, I didn't have a frame in mind for it anyway.

CroMoto Grande Thru-axle fork

Then a job came into the shop that required me to look up a Salsa fork for it. I came across the Maxle CroMoto in the catalog and thoughts began to stir. The Velocity wheels came to mind, but what frame? Well, I would figure that out later, but instead of waffling away more time, I just went ahead and ordered the dang fork. There! At least I was committed.

The fork came in, meanwhile, I cogitated on what frame to use it on. Immediately the OS Bikes Blackbuck came to mind, but I have that set up with a suspension fork at this time, and I kind of am enjoying that. Hmm.....

I don't know why, but that old El Mariachi came into my mind. Heck- I didn't even know where the frame was for certain. It had been a long time since I had even considered the frame at all. I went down and searched for it, and when I found it hanging from a hook, I noted that it still had its bottom bracket installed. The crank, which has been in the way on my bench for like....ever- was right at hand. Well, well! I was on my way to having most everything I needed to get the El Mar back together. Headset-check. Brakes-check. Seat post-check. Handle bars- check. And on and on.

So, the El Mar will reborn and it sure will have a different look this time around. Stay tuned for the unveiling.....

Changing Direction (After A Long Delay)

The old build

There was a plan back in 2011: It was to strip down the old 2007 El Mariachi that I had Gun Koted for its head set. Yes- I scrapped an entire rig just to get the head set for my titanium Mukluk!

The rest of the parts were to go on a green 2012 El Mariachi frame set, but I never got around to getting that frame set, so the project basically was forgotten. Since then, many of the parts of the old El Mariachi build have been floating around the Lab unused.

Ironically enough, the resurrection of this frame from the dusty rafters was due to a totally unrelated wheel set. I had an old Velocity P-35 rimmed wheel set from a couple years ago that featured a single speed rear hub and a 20mm through axle hub front. I was using that on a Soul Cycles Dillinger, which had to move on, since it was a bit too rangy for me. That left the wheels from that bike in limbo until I had heard about the Salsa Cro Moto Grande with a through axle drop out.

The CroMoto Grande through axle version was delayed and then it was delayed again. I sort of lost sight of it after a while due to that. The wheels, which were not convertible to another drop out standard,  "disappeared" into the backdrop of clutter in the Lab and the fork was all but forgotten . Besides, at the time, I didn't have a frame in mind for it anyway.

CroMoto Grande Thru-axle fork

Then a job came into the shop that required me to look up a Salsa fork for it. I came across the Maxle CroMoto in the catalog and thoughts began to stir. The Velocity wheels came to mind, but what frame? Well, I would figure that out later, but instead of waffling away more time, I just went ahead and ordered the dang fork. There! At least I was committed.

The fork came in, meanwhile, I cogitated on what frame to use it on. Immediately the OS Bikes Blackbuck came to mind, but I have that set up with a suspension fork at this time, and I kind of am enjoying that. Hmm.....

I don't know why, but that old El Mariachi came into my mind. Heck- I didn't even know where the frame was for certain. It had been a long time since I had even considered the frame at all. I went down and searched for it, and when I found it hanging from a hook, I noted that it still had its bottom bracket installed. The crank, which has been in the way on my bench for like....ever- was right at hand. Well, well! I was on my way to having most everything I needed to get the El Mar back together. Headset-check. Brakes-check. Seat post-check. Handle bars- check. And on and on.

So, the El Mar will reborn and it sure will have a different look this time around. Stay tuned for the unveiling.....

Saw An Old Friend

Usually on my day off I am busy doing web related work and riding test bikes and parts. Well, my co-worker, Craig had told me that he wanted to go check out Cedar Bend Park and well.......it was too nice out to work! 

So I rode a bike just for fun!

I decided to give ol' Grimace the call up today, the 2007 Salsa Cycles El Mariachi with the Gun Kote finish and the purple Chris King head set I was gifted by George Wissell. As always, it rode awesome!

Craig and I had a great time riding, and Grimace was behaving well, climbing up all the steeps and handling like a champ. Funny thing about this bike is that it is a medium. Salsa Cycles  did things a wee bit differently back then, and I prefer the old medium over a large. (I'd definitely ride a large now!) It reminds me a bit of how things were sized in the 90's. A bit shorter top tube, a bit longer stem. I slapped on the 47mm offset On One fork on this too. Makes the Salsa come alive, and this bike just rips single track. The Industry 9 single speed wheels are great, and the free hub sounds like a cicada in August. Amazingly buzzy and loud. Someday I may upgrade to a titanium seat post, but this ThudBuster is a great post on this bike. Makes my back happy, it does!

Anyway, Craig and I decided a stop for something to drink afterward was in order. We pulled into the Janesville convenience store and what to my surprise did I see but my old "Dirty Blue Box"! I was floored! Someone decided it was worth fixing up and driving. Cool! It even had all my old cycling related stickers still on the end gate too! A little worse for the wear, perhaps. It was missing the entire rear bumper, and the right front fender was wrinkled, but when the lady who was driving it started it up, she sounded like a champ.

Don't get me wrong! I am waaaay better off with the "Truck Without A Name", but it was cool to see an "old friend" that I had spent tons of hours and thousands of gravel miles in still alive and kicking. 

I spent the rest of my day with Mrs. Guitar Ted, who also had the day off. We had lunch, and then I took her to the jewelry store to look for something special. See, Mrs. Guitar Ted has completed all her course work for her B.S. in Nursing at a local college, so I am going to get her something special to commemorate her graduation, which takes place in August.

Then we swung by the shop where I picked up the Shimano DynaSys 10 speed group. Yep! I'll be a busy bee mounting up some fresh componentry here soon.

Overall, it was about as perfect a day as you can get. So good that it makes you wonder: "When is the other foot gonna fall?" A definite "red letter" day for me! 

I sure hope everyone reading this has a great day today, and if not today, real soon. Get out and ride yer bikes folks. Grab that ride when ya can. You never know when "the other foot is gonna fall", ya know what I mean? Life is too short to not take those chances when ya can.

Saw An Old Friend

Usually on my day off I am busy doing web related work and riding test bikes and parts. Well, my co-worker, Craig had told me that he wanted to go check out Cedar Bend Park and well.......it was too nice out to work! 

So I rode a bike just for fun!

I decided to give ol' Grimace the call up today, the 2007 Salsa Cycles El Mariachi with the Gun Kote finish and the purple Chris King head set I was gifted by George Wissell. As always, it rode awesome!

Craig and I had a great time riding, and Grimace was behaving well, climbing up all the steeps and handling like a champ. Funny thing about this bike is that it is a medium. Salsa Cycles  did things a wee bit differently back then, and I prefer the old medium over a large. (I'd definitely ride a large now!) It reminds me a bit of how things were sized in the 90's. A bit shorter top tube, a bit longer stem. I slapped on the 47mm offset On One fork on this too. Makes the Salsa come alive, and this bike just rips single track. The Industry 9 single speed wheels are great, and the free hub sounds like a cicada in August. Amazingly buzzy and loud. Someday I may upgrade to a titanium seat post, but this ThudBuster is a great post on this bike. Makes my back happy, it does!

Anyway, Craig and I decided a stop for something to drink afterward was in order. We pulled into the Janesville convenience store and what to my surprise did I see but my old "Dirty Blue Box"! I was floored! Someone decided it was worth fixing up and driving. Cool! It even had all my old cycling related stickers still on the end gate too! A little worse for the wear, perhaps. It was missing the entire rear bumper, and the right front fender was wrinkled, but when the lady who was driving it started it up, she sounded like a champ.

Don't get me wrong! I am waaaay better off with the "Truck Without A Name", but it was cool to see an "old friend" that I had spent tons of hours and thousands of gravel miles in still alive and kicking. 

I spent the rest of my day with Mrs. Guitar Ted, who also had the day off. We had lunch, and then I took her to the jewelry store to look for something special. See, Mrs. Guitar Ted has completed all her course work for her B.S. in Nursing at a local college, so I am going to get her something special to commemorate her graduation, which takes place in August.

Then we swung by the shop where I picked up the Shimano DynaSys 10 speed group. Yep! I'll be a busy bee mounting up some fresh componentry here soon.

Overall, it was about as perfect a day as you can get. So good that it makes you wonder: "When is the other foot gonna fall?" A definite "red letter" day for me! 

I sure hope everyone reading this has a great day today, and if not today, real soon. Get out and ride yer bikes folks. Grab that ride when ya can. You never know when "the other foot is gonna fall", ya know what I mean? Life is too short to not take those chances when ya can.

Snow Biking, Tire Death, And The T.I.V6 Waiting List

<===The Maxxis Ardent 2.25 died a long, painful death.

Well, on January 27th, at approximately 9:00am, a Maxxis Ardent 2.25"er bit the dust, (as a tubeless tire) in my kitchen. Cause of death was a weak sidewall that couldn't stop hemorrahging sealant through spontaneaously created perforations.

It will be survived by an Ardent 2.4 inch tire.

The Ardent 2.25, while lauded by many across the land for its attributes, never behaved itself in like manner at my home. In fact, it was a miscreant as a tubeless tire and never more than average as a tubed tire. Society has been relieved of bearing this under producing example that I have as I will be retiring this to the dust bin. Too bad too. It seemed to have so much potential.

Snow Biking: So instead of ripping up some snow packed streets with the Dillinger/Velocity/Ardent package I instead called into duty the Salsa Cycles El Mariachi named "Grimace" outfitted with the porcine WTB Kodiak tires mounted to the wide Gordo hoops. This proved to be a stellar choice. I ended up finding some well travelled snowmobile tracks and the big WTB's floated me right quick down the trail. Now I can finally understand just a bit what it would be like to have a Pugsley or some other fine snow bike.

I only lasted about an hour, but I need to work into things gradually, since I haven't had many outdoor opportunities of late. The single speed and weight of the wheels made for a constant effort that was taxing, but enjoyable. Good riding at any rate. I feel snow riding, at least the style I do, sharpens my handling skills and balance. I was putting out a pretty consistent effort too, so I thought it was a better way to spend an hour than I would have otherwise.

Speaking Of Training: How is the T.I.V6 training going? Are you going to be on that start line in front of Bikes To You in Grinnell on April 24th? No? Then please let me know so I can move some folks off The Waiting List to the roster before Sunday at midnight! That's when The Waiting List turns back into a pumpkin until next time.

Snow Biking, Tire Death, And The T.I.V6 Waiting List

<===The Maxxis Ardent 2.25 died a long, painful death.

Well, on January 27th, at approximately 9:00am, a Maxxis Ardent 2.25"er bit the dust, (as a tubeless tire) in my kitchen. Cause of death was a weak sidewall that couldn't stop hemorrahging sealant through spontaneaously created perforations.

It will be survived by an Ardent 2.4 inch tire.

The Ardent 2.25, while lauded by many across the land for its attributes, never behaved itself in like manner at my home. In fact, it was a miscreant as a tubeless tire and never more than average as a tubed tire. Society has been relieved of bearing this under producing example that I have as I will be retiring this to the dust bin. Too bad too. It seemed to have so much potential.

Snow Biking: So instead of ripping up some snow packed streets with the Dillinger/Velocity/Ardent package I instead called into duty the Salsa Cycles El Mariachi named "Grimace" outfitted with the porcine WTB Kodiak tires mounted to the wide Gordo hoops. This proved to be a stellar choice. I ended up finding some well travelled snowmobile tracks and the big WTB's floated me right quick down the trail. Now I can finally understand just a bit what it would be like to have a Pugsley or some other fine snow bike.

I only lasted about an hour, but I need to work into things gradually, since I haven't had many outdoor opportunities of late. The single speed and weight of the wheels made for a constant effort that was taxing, but enjoyable. Good riding at any rate. I feel snow riding, at least the style I do, sharpens my handling skills and balance. I was putting out a pretty consistent effort too, so I thought it was a better way to spend an hour than I would have otherwise.

Speaking Of Training: How is the T.I.V6 training going? Are you going to be on that start line in front of Bikes To You in Grinnell on April 24th? No? Then please let me know so I can move some folks off The Waiting List to the roster before Sunday at midnight! That's when The Waiting List turns back into a pumpkin until next time.

In Full View

<===The Gun Kote El Mariachi

I put up a teaser shot last week of the head set and stem, but here is the whole enchilada. The El Mariachi started out as a Superior Blue model with a matching blue CroMoto stem. I sent both in to be Gun Koted by Ben's Cycle in Milwaukee.

I gotta say, the finish is awesome! I am very impressed with the way it came out. Long term use will show how well this will stay on the frame, but I am feeling good about it now. The threaded portions didn't get taped off and I didn't need to chase any threads at all. Pretty cool! That and the pre-treatment basically coats the steel tubing inside and out, so I have rust protection that should last for years. Finally, the panel and graphic is Gun Kote, so it should hold up really well, just like the rest of the frame covering.


<===Hideous blue chain will be replaced by a purple one.

Everything you see here weighs just a shade over 23lbs too. I was pretty stoked by that fact. Especially when you look at some of the parts, which could lose some grammage pretty easily. Not that I am too concerned with that, but it is possible to get this really light- for me- and not be stupid light.



And the bike rides really well. especially with the fork and Cane Creek ThudBuster seat post. Man! Talk about smoooooth! Well......as smooth as a rigid bike gets. The rig flys, and I could probably go faster, but my front cog is a 32 here, not my usual 34T. I'll have to rectify that over the winter, but it is fine for now.

Bottom line: I am really glad I got this particular frame redone. This ol' El Mariachi is so sweet. Salsa Cycles just nailed this frame when it was in production. There aren't too many things I'd change about it, and what I would are very minor details. I'm thinking I'll have this one around for a long, long time to come.

In Full View

<===The Gun Kote El Mariachi

I put up a teaser shot last week of the head set and stem, but here is the whole enchilada. The El Mariachi started out as a Superior Blue model with a matching blue CroMoto stem. I sent both in to be Gun Koted by Ben's Cycle in Milwaukee.

I gotta say, the finish is awesome! I am very impressed with the way it came out. Long term use will show how well this will stay on the frame, but I am feeling good about it now. The threaded portions didn't get taped off and I didn't need to chase any threads at all. Pretty cool! That and the pre-treatment basically coats the steel tubing inside and out, so I have rust protection that should last for years. Finally, the panel and graphic is Gun Kote, so it should hold up really well, just like the rest of the frame covering.


<===Hideous blue chain will be replaced by a purple one.

Everything you see here weighs just a shade over 23lbs too. I was pretty stoked by that fact. Especially when you look at some of the parts, which could lose some grammage pretty easily. Not that I am too concerned with that, but it is possible to get this really light- for me- and not be stupid light.



And the bike rides really well. especially with the fork and Cane Creek ThudBuster seat post. Man! Talk about smoooooth! Well......as smooth as a rigid bike gets. The rig flys, and I could probably go faster, but my front cog is a 32 here, not my usual 34T. I'll have to rectify that over the winter, but it is fine for now.

Bottom line: I am really glad I got this particular frame redone. This ol' El Mariachi is so sweet. Salsa Cycles just nailed this frame when it was in production. There aren't too many things I'd change about it, and what I would are very minor details. I'm thinking I'll have this one around for a long, long time to come.

The Gun Kote Frame

<=== It's here! (Formerly a Superior Blue El Mariachi)

Well, the Gun Kote frame is here and I am excited to be building up another single speed rig. Now mind you- I am taking one apart to get this one together, so it is a legit "add one, take one away" sort of situation, although the one that is being "taken away" might return again someday!

Enough about that. This turned out really neat. I like it a lot. It has a sort of eggplant color in the natural light, but the camera flash brought out the purple. If it's sunny out tomorrow, there may be some glamour shots taken to see how it looks outside.

<===The Salsa Cycles CrMoto stem got the Gun Kote treatment as well.

If you haven't been schooled up on Gun Kote, check out this post on it. That should get you up to speed on this amazing frame treatment. I hear it is tough, durable, and actually keeps rust out of the frame as well.

I'll be testing the claims, but some of them are apparently true just from looking at this frame.

<===Inside the EBB shell.

One of the verifiable claims is that of the thinness of the coating. It is thin! Check out the inside of that EBB shell and you can see the scoring from the previous installment of the Busnell EBB. You can even make out the tooling marks on the shell from the manufacturing!

By the way, there was white dusty stuff from the packing that is showing on the edge there and looks like bare metal. I assure you- it is not! I just didn't notice it until after I took the pic with the flash on, which showed it up. At any rate, it is easy to see this coating is thin, yet they claim it wears like iron. Tough to believe, but I aim to find out!

<===Check out those threads!

Another claim is that you do not have to chase out threads, again because of the thinness of the coating. Looking at these derailleur drop out threads, I'd have to agree!

It is a cool product that might revolutionize the way we get frames coated someday. My understanding is that the process is still in evolution and new techniques and effects are being pulled off with this Gun Kote all the time.

<===And there will be a build going on soon....

Yes, and I will be kitting this out with some cool stuff. I have a White Industries ENO crank set, and I have a Cane Creek short travel Thudbuster seat post coming to test which will go on this initially. I am going to put a suspension fork on it, but the jury is still out on that one. A decision on that will affect wheel choice, and brakes, so I am waiting for those "dominoes" to fall yet.

I suppose a purple part or two might look at home here. That said, I am gunning for Chris King stuff, and the only known available NOS King headset in purple in the world belongs to an East Coast Evil Genius. Knowing his love for all things purple ano, I won't be seeing a purple King headset anytime soon! Not unless I pry it from his cold, dead fingers, or Chris King starts up the magical Purple anodizing machine again. Neither of which are likely to happen. (I like "G" too much to do any harm to him, ya know?)

So the build will likely head in a red ano direction instead. Stay tuned!

The Gun Kote Frame

<=== It's here! (Formerly a Superior Blue El Mariachi)

Well, the Gun Kote frame is here and I am excited to be building up another single speed rig. Now mind you- I am taking one apart to get this one together, so it is a legit "add one, take one away" sort of situation, although the one that is being "taken away" might return again someday!

Enough about that. This turned out really neat. I like it a lot. It has a sort of eggplant color in the natural light, but the camera flash brought out the purple. If it's sunny out tomorrow, there may be some glamour shots taken to see how it looks outside.

<===The Salsa Cycles CrMoto stem got the Gun Kote treatment as well.

If you haven't been schooled up on Gun Kote, check out this post on it. That should get you up to speed on this amazing frame treatment. I hear it is tough, durable, and actually keeps rust out of the frame as well.

I'll be testing the claims, but some of them are apparently true just from looking at this frame.

<===Inside the EBB shell.

One of the verifiable claims is that of the thinness of the coating. It is thin! Check out the inside of that EBB shell and you can see the scoring from the previous installment of the Busnell EBB. You can even make out the tooling marks on the shell from the manufacturing!

By the way, there was white dusty stuff from the packing that is showing on the edge there and looks like bare metal. I assure you- it is not! I just didn't notice it until after I took the pic with the flash on, which showed it up. At any rate, it is easy to see this coating is thin, yet they claim it wears like iron. Tough to believe, but I aim to find out!

<===Check out those threads!

Another claim is that you do not have to chase out threads, again because of the thinness of the coating. Looking at these derailleur drop out threads, I'd have to agree!

It is a cool product that might revolutionize the way we get frames coated someday. My understanding is that the process is still in evolution and new techniques and effects are being pulled off with this Gun Kote all the time.

<===And there will be a build going on soon....

Yes, and I will be kitting this out with some cool stuff. I have a White Industries ENO crank set, and I have a Cane Creek short travel Thudbuster seat post coming to test which will go on this initially. I am going to put a suspension fork on it, but the jury is still out on that one. A decision on that will affect wheel choice, and brakes, so I am waiting for those "dominoes" to fall yet.

I suppose a purple part or two might look at home here. That said, I am gunning for Chris King stuff, and the only known available NOS King headset in purple in the world belongs to an East Coast Evil Genius. Knowing his love for all things purple ano, I won't be seeing a purple King headset anytime soon! Not unless I pry it from his cold, dead fingers, or Chris King starts up the magical Purple anodizing machine again. Neither of which are likely to happen. (I like "G" too much to do any harm to him, ya know?)

So the build will likely head in a red ano direction instead. Stay tuned!

The Long Lost Frame Set Is Coming Home!

<===I went for a stenciled, stamp kinda look

Back in the summer, or sometime so far back I can not remember, I sent in my El Mariachi frame in to be "Gun Kote" treated. It's a kind of a paint type surface coating that has extraordinary properties which make it an ideal way to cover up that ol' steel El Mariachi.

Well, it is something that Milwaukee Bikes uses and since I had reviewed the Milwaukee Bikes 29"er earlier in the year, I had made a connection with them, and they had suggested the process to me. So off the frame went along with the CroMoto stem I had for it.

<===It is really a dark purple, not black!

So normally you get one color, and pow! You get your bike back in a flash. (Like three weeks or so) But I wanted something a bit more complicated. I wanted a panel with pinstripes, and a decal. Yes, the decal is also Gun Kote. That made things a bit more complex with the process, and also getting me to approve a decal idea. (Sorry! Much of the delay was my fault!)

And just to be clear, Salsa Cycles had nothing to do with this nonsense, so don't be bothering them! This was all my crazy idea, as far as the scheme goes. You may not like it, but that's okay. I'm the one that will be putting up with it. I think it looks pretty cool!

<==The Ol' El Mar just doesn't look the same!

Well, at any rate, I am getting it back real soon. I will now have to choose components, and what not to get it rolling again.

I used to always roll this bike geared, but I may have to make it a single speed this time. What the heck! I mean, I might as well add another single speed to the stable, eh?

Or not. I don't know yet. There is much to be decided, and much to be figured out about this Gun Kote stuff so I can properly tell the whole story. Suffice it to say, I have heard some pretty incredible claims. I am very anxious to check them out for real.

Stay tuned..................

All picture credits to Ben's Cycles. Thanks Guys!

The Long Lost Frame Set Is Coming Home!

<===I went for a stenciled, stamp kinda look

Back in the summer, or sometime so far back I can not remember, I sent in my El Mariachi frame in to be "Gun Kote" treated. It's a kind of a paint type surface coating that has extraordinary properties which make it an ideal way to cover up that ol' steel El Mariachi.

Well, it is something that Milwaukee Bikes uses and since I had reviewed the Milwaukee Bikes 29"er earlier in the year, I had made a connection with them, and they had suggested the process to me. So off the frame went along with the CroMoto stem I had for it.

<===It is really a dark purple, not black!

So normally you get one color, and pow! You get your bike back in a flash. (Like three weeks or so) But I wanted something a bit more complicated. I wanted a panel with pinstripes, and a decal. Yes, the decal is also Gun Kote. That made things a bit more complex with the process, and also getting me to approve a decal idea. (Sorry! Much of the delay was my fault!)

And just to be clear, Salsa Cycles had nothing to do with this nonsense, so don't be bothering them! This was all my crazy idea, as far as the scheme goes. You may not like it, but that's okay. I'm the one that will be putting up with it. I think it looks pretty cool!

<==The Ol' El Mar just doesn't look the same!

Well, at any rate, I am getting it back real soon. I will now have to choose components, and what not to get it rolling again.

I used to always roll this bike geared, but I may have to make it a single speed this time. What the heck! I mean, I might as well add another single speed to the stable, eh?

Or not. I don't know yet. There is much to be decided, and much to be figured out about this Gun Kote stuff so I can properly tell the whole story. Suffice it to say, I have heard some pretty incredible claims. I am very anxious to check them out for real.

Stay tuned..................

All picture credits to Ben's Cycles. Thanks Guys!