Friday News And Views

US Patent Office image of SRAM UBM

SRAM Universal Brake Mount:

SRAM, who promoted the UDH derailleur mount, which is being widely adopted now, has patented a new MTB brake mount called Universal Brake Mount. 

The patent was granted last year, and the idea was discussed a bit in certain circles of the bike industry, but now it is seemingly gaining some traction in mentions of a near future adoption by the industry. 

The mount centers the brake mount from the axle, and everything references off this point instead of being a jig for each frame, or a different set of parameters to be used. This does make the mount dependent on an attachment point on the seat stay. 

Obviously, this idea would be a bit more difficult if we were still in a quick release world. However; since through axles are ubiquitous on MTB, road, and gravel bikes now, this idea makes sense. Obviously, this is a post mount brake standard, but perhaps a flat mount standard could be developed as well. 

I can see how the design would require extra beef on seat stays and how it might limit some full suspension designs, or designs which employ seat stays as flexing members for comfort. So, I do not believe this is a "universal" solution for everyone, but I also see how manufacturing frames would be easier and more streamlined by using this standard. Saving factories and brands more money will be the motivation for adopting this. 

Image courtesy of Zirbel Bike social media

Zirbel Bike Offers "Electronic Grip Shift" Type Shifters

Grip Shift - Remember that? It was largely forgotten after SRAM moved off of doing mechanical flat bar shifters with the introduction of AXS. 

But a company called Zirbel Bike  has adapted a wireless twist ring style shifter reminiscent of Grip Shift to operate a SRAM AXS/Transmission rear derailleur.  

They also make a trigger style ring which has minimal mass and takes up little handlebar space. The trigger can be easily operated by a thumb.  

Some riders preferred a twist style shifter due to hand issues which make using triggers painful or difficult. This Zirbel product could be a solution then for such individuals. 

Prices look to be reasonable and the shifters can be purchased as a unit complete with flat bar and stem for a mountain bike.  

Comments: Now that I've seen this, it seems odd SRAM did not attempt to go in a similar direction with AXS for MTB/flat bars. The product Zirbel offers takes up little space which is a big deal now with MTB cockpits having dropper levers and shock lockouts competing with brake levers and shifters for space on handlebars.  

Image courtesy of Jay Petervary's social media.

IDITAROD Trail Race Sunday:

One of the older ultra-distance bicycle events in North America is set to occur this Sunday. The IDITAROD Trail Invitational will send off its riders on Sunday. 

I grabbed this image of Jay Petervary's fat bike set up from his social media to show just how far things have come in bicycle design for this event. It seems a longer wheel base, slacker front end, and different width rims are the hot set-up in 2026. 

Obviously a credit to materials technology and its application to fat bike components has to be recognized here. Without carbon rims, carbon components, and lighter weight, titanium tubing a machine like this would have weighed a silly amount 20 years ago. 

I would also think recent developments in tire set ups are making machines like this even more capable. I asked Jay about the wheels here. The tires are the same but the rims are different. I find it interesting that Jay is using differing rim sizes. The rear is 105mm wide and the front is a whopping 128mm wide. This gives the tires a truly different shape and, I would imagine, a different type of performance on snowy trails.  I don't know what the thinking he has is on this is, but I would be interested to hear is take on this idea. 

What do you think of Jay's bike set-up? Let me know in the comments. 

Image courtesy of fizik

The Arione Is Back!

Almost 20 years ago fizik introduced a very long, flat, kind of tear-dropped shaped saddle which was so different you could identify the model from a distance easily. It was the fizik Arione, a saddle which pushed the limits of UCI regulations, and which many riders grew to love for its allowance for several comfortable positions across its length. 

Now the Arione is back, and it has some features which are unique. The length has been trimmed back from the original's nearly aircraft carrier deck length to a more modern length. Not surprising there. However; the flat profile remains, as does the "boat-tail" rear extension. 

Of course, there are 3D printed covers, (shown) and there are more traditional covers available as well. The range features  rail choices, from carbon to fizik's "Kium" hollow alloy rails, and the S-Alloy rails. . Top range models get the Adaptive padding while there are EVA and PU foam padded models when you move down the range, which is reflected in the price. 

Image courtesy of fizik

Interestingly, fizik addresses how many racers want there saddles positioned as forward as possible in relation to the bottom bracket by attaching the rear of the rails to the saddle base in a unique way. This allows for a very forward saddle placement which is not available in any other saddle model I am aware of currently. 

Times have certainly changed! I recall a day when we could not get our saddles far enough back on a seat post. So, this is an interesting development in saddles and rider fit. 

Arione R 5 (Image courtesy of fziik)

The Arione is available in available in five models. The top of the range features the Arione R1 Adaptive with carbon rails. The Arione Adaptive R1 Light has EVA padding instead of a 3D printed cover. This model also features an ergonomic cutaway central channel for pressure relief. Next we have the Arione R3 Adaptive which has the same 3D printed cover as the R1 but has Kium alloy hollow rails. 

Then we move to the Arione R3 and R5 models which have the PU foam padding and differ mostly in the rail choice with the R3 having the hollow Kium alloy and the R5 having the S-Alloy rail. 

Prices range from $399.00 for the range topping Arione R1 Adaptive to $99.99 for the Arione R5. All saddles come in two widths - 145mm or a narrower 135mm. 

For more details see fizik's site HERE

Life Time Announces Wildcard Rosters

Last year the Life Time Grand prix announced a "wildcard" category which allowed racers who qualified to enter into the opener for the series, and any man or woman in the top three placings for either category would get on the Wildcard chance at Unbound to possibly race their way into the Grand Prix series. In fact, the Grand Prix Men's overall winner, Cameron Jones, came out of the Wildcard category. 

A press release received Thursday here at Guitar Ted Productions lines out the rosters for possible Wildcard entrants. There are 27 women on that side of the roster. Notably in this roster I see Haley Smith, former Canadian Olympian and Grand Prix rider. 

On the Men's side there are 59 individuals listed with several notable names in the running. Russel Finsterwald, Dylan Johnson, and Adam Roberge being but a few of the names listed . 

My reading of the press release may be off, but as I understand this, the rosters listed must race Sea Otter where the top three in Men's and Women's categories from the WildCard rosters can then compete in Unbound and then whomever is the best of the three in each category there will be added to the Grand Prix riders. 

Again- apologies if I have this wrong but the press release wasn't 100% clear to me on these points. 

So, the bigger question is, does any of this matter to you? (I already know what N.Y. Roll will say!)

Image courtesy of Surly Bikes

 

 Disc Trucker Update:

Surly released an updated Disc Trucker complete and frame set available now through your Surly dealer. As before, smaller sizes are available in 26" wheels and 56cm and up is 700c. 

The Disc Trucker is an amalgamation of old touring bikes and new technology/components. You've got that steel frame, a spoke holder, rack mounts galore, fender mounts, and good ol' touring bike geometry. 

Modernization come in the form of tubeless ready tires, disc brakes, and through axles. Honestly, all good things. 

Gotta give a shout out to the externally routed cables and dynamo routed fork. There is a nice, upright seated position here also, which is great for long, all-day riding. 

Touring nerds will probably sniff at the 2X crank set with 46T/30T gearing. Not that it doesn't provide a low enough gear with a 39T low gear in the cassette, but because you don't get that nice "transition" range with, say a 36T middle ring. Ah! ..............But triples are too confusing. Hmm..... Okay. I believe cycling is a skill set. This stuff can be learned. But I digress.... 

And did you notice you could put a set of down tube shifters on this frame? Now that is old school right there! Ha ha! Also of note: 36 spoke wheels. Nice! 

That is going to wrap things up for this week here at Guitar Ted Productions. Thank you for reading here and please, get outside and ride a bicycle this weekend!

Esker Debuts Hayduke LVS

Be Like J.P.: The Esker Hayduke LVS (Image Courtesy of Esker)

Many of you dear readers have no doubt seen and heard about Jay Petervary's tragic ending to his Great Divide Unearthed ride aboard a prototype long wheelbased bike packing bike from Esker Cycles. Well, good news on two fronts: JP is aggressively attacking rehab, as you'd expect, and making progress. Secondly, Esker Cycles has released the Hayduke LVS for your consideration as a bikepacking/touring platform. 

The frame is made out of titanium with cold-formed tubing. It features the same front triangle as Esker's Hayduke hard tail bike. So, it can handle up to a 120mm travel suspension fork. Tire clearance is up to 29" X 2.8" tires. 

The frame also features 24 accessory mounting points for bolt on frame bags, or water bottle cages. The frame has 6mm rack mounting points and Esker also has created the "MOLLE Rackwald" (Ha!) rack which utilizes the MOLLE accessory/pack mounting standard. The rack is available separately at $300.00. The Hayduke LVS is also compatible with Salsa, Old Man Mountain, and other rear racks.

The Hayduke LVE shown with the MOLLE Rackwald and Cedaero frame bags.

Frame bag companies already set up for making Hayduke LVS bags are as follows: Cedaero, Rogue Panda, and JPacks. I would assume others will follow if this bike goes as well as planned. 

The frame has the new version of the Portage dropouts which can allow a single speed, bail-out option. This dropout also is compatible with the UDH hangar and SRAM Transmission rear derailleurs. 

All images in this post are courtesy of Esker Cycles.

Price: $2950.00 USD or a complete bike can be had for $4950.00 USD. See the webpage for the Hayduke LVS HERE. 

Comments: The concept of this bike is intriguing. It draws obvious comparisons to the old Salsa Cycles Blackborow (v2) which was a fat bike with a very similar profile. A bike JP actually used for his successful Iditarod attempt to Nome, Alaska several years ago. 

I've heard nothing but good things about how that Salsa fat bike handles, climbs, and rides. Esker claims that this is a superior ride quality bike packing rig, and with it being made in titanium, I've no doubt that this is the case. JP seemed plenty pleased with his prototype that was sadly destroyed in the crash he suffered at the hands of motor vehicle operator. 

I'm interested in the bike since it can handle 29 X 2.8" tires, which I would want to run on something like this at times. (Most of the time?) I love the frame material. I am intrigued by the frame pack capacity, although this could be like purses and garages: The bigger they are, the more stuff you fill them with. Maybe unnecessary stuff... 

I'm a bit reticent to consider this on the basis of its price, fair as that may be, and maybe more importantly, because the bike is long, probably ungainly to portage, and a chore (on my end) to park it when not in use. But those are my problems, not necessarily your problems, so take that under advisement. 

Overall I think this is a rad idea for gravel, rough-road, and off-road touring. It should be a really sweet riding bike, but of course, I don't know that, I am speculating here. However; if JP has nothing but good things to say, that's a heady endorsement. Expensive, yes, but worth it if it does the tricks it claims it will do. It will be fun to see what people make of this as time goes on.

Thanks to Esker Cycles for the press release and information used in this post.

Friday News And Views

Jay Petervary showed this Esker prototype on Facebook recently.

"THIS is a "Bikepack" bike. ":

So says Jay Petervary on his Facebook page on Thursday where he posted the image shown here. JP has been showing views of this bike for the past week as he ramps up to do his latest ride on the Great Divide Route which he is calling "Great Divide Unearthed". 

 Comments; I'll be honest - I did not think this was anything "new" when I first laid eyes on it. That's because JP had been on the Iditarod several years ago on a Salsa Cycles Blackborow. The "long-tailed" version of that bike, which JP had special bags made for and modified slightly. I assumed at first glance that this was an unmarked Blackborow frame set up with 29"er wheels and tires. But if you look closely at the downtube, you can barely make out the "Esker" name. So, I assumed incorrectly. This appears to be a new Esker prototype. 

The idea may have its genesis in that old Blackborow, but I am sure JP and Esker have tweaked the idea out to be what they feel is the "ultimate" bikepacking bike. I know that the long wheel base may seem weird and undesirable at first, but a route like the Great Divide doesn't call out for a bike that has to have tight cornering traits.  Comfort is king, and longer frame tube members have more inherent "flex" and therefore can absorb and dissipate more vibration energy than a shorter, stiffer frame tube will be capable of absorbing. 

Plus, just look at all that frame bag real estate! And it is all in-line with the bike. Nothing sticking out into the wind, although quartering cross winds may be an issue at times. It will be interesting to see if the bike does what Esker and JP are hoping it will do.  

State Bicycle Co All-Road Disc Calipers (Image courtesy of State Bicycle Co)

State Bicycle Co. Announces New Components & More:

Wednesday State Bicycle Co. announced a round of component and apparel offerings. I won't get into the gist of all of the stuff announced, but two items did jump out at me. 

First up we have the State Bicycle Co. All-Road Disc Calipers. These are hydraulic at the caliper, but actuated by cable. So, your older mechanical group can be used with these for (assumed) greater breaking performance. There have been other offerings similar to this like the TRP HyRd, Yokozuna, and the very similar Juin Tech models. The amazing thing about the State offering is that the All-Road Disc calipers sell for a hundred bucks per set. That's a pretty good deal.
 

The State Cargo Cage (Image courtesy of State Bicycle Co)

State also announced an interesting cargo cage, similar in vein to an Anything Cage, it can mount to those Three-Pack bosses found on many forks these days, or under a down tube, or off a rack like the Old Man Mountain Elkhorn, or similar racks. 

The State Cargo Cage is made from aircraft grade aluminum and it features a desert design which reflects State Bicycle Co's Arizona home base. 

The cage weighs in at 168 grams and can carry up to 25lbs of cargo, according to State. The cage sells for $24.99 USD. 

State offers a titanium bolt kit in three colors at an up-charge along with optional rubber straps which can be purchased separately as well. 

It's pretty interesting how what was a fixed gear/urban cycling brand has managed to diversify and stay relevant in the 2020's. (Remember the fixie craze? Woo! That was a while ago now!) So, maybe I shouldn't be all that surprised that State Bicycle Co. has branched out into these accessory and component categories with aggressive price-points and clever designs. But I have to admit, those brake calipers came out of left field for me.  

New episode!

Guitar Ted Podcast Episode #24:

You've read all about the Gravel Worlds history and the UCI vs Gravel Worlds thing this week. If you want more, or if you would rather listen than go back and read it all, hit THIS LINK. 

We also have the Gravel Amplifier which features the Limestone 66.6, Iowa Single Speed Gravel Championships. N.Y. Roll has another event as well. 

We also get into that Jay Petervary rig above, so if you want to know more of our thoughts on that, listen to the latest episode. 

We're hoping to get a post-Gravel Worlds interview with one of their principals when they are ready, maybe Jason Strobehn, who let me know he'd like to be on the podcast at some point. But we'll see who we can rustle up in a few weeks. Stay tuned on that one. Another episode is going to cover CORE4 and N.Y. Roll's experience there at Iowa's largest cycling race. 

Detail Image of a Gorilla Monsoon (Image courtesy of All City Bicycles)

All City Cycles To Be Shuttered By QBP:

Last evening news broke on social media that All City Bicycles, a Quality Bicycle Products brand, is to be phased out over the next few years. The news, apparently rumored for months amongst shop owners, was made official by "The Radavist", who published a dealer email they got a hold of from someone in the cycling industry. 

Comments: I recall first seeing the brand "All City" at Frostbike in the mid-2000's. At that time all the brand amounted to was a few chain rings and accessories for fixed gear riding, which was a phase cycling was going through at the time. (See State Bicycle Co. above)

I didn't think it would last, but to Jeff Frane's credit, the brand rose above merely being a fixed gear bike brand and it made a name for itself amongst the cycling's various niche brands. Bicycles like the Nature Boy, the Macho Man, and the Mr. Pink set the brand apart from a crowded marketplace and were always made from steel. 

They innovated as well, maybe most memorably by developing an elegant disc brake drop out which was designed by Anna Schwinn. 

The brand could be seen as an "upscale Surly" offering, but it had a personality and style which was immediately evident. Mr. Frane eventually left the company several years ago and stated Wilde Bikes, which has carried on some of the flair which marked the AC brand while he was at the helm there. 

Why the brand is being phased out is not entirely clear, but it is no secret that parent company QBP has been laying off employees and contracting its business in response to the over-stock issues within the industry and the lack of consumer demand. QBP claims that no new AC product will be developed after the 2024 model run and that it will be "several years" before the brand is completely phased out. What this means to consumers is that All City is essentially gone, effective immediately. Support for current models will be maintained for a time. 

I've thought that we'd see some contraction of brands in the marketplace and I am confident we will be seeing more before the end of the year. Time will tell if I am correct, but this development with All City will not be unique.

That's it for this week. Thanks for reading Guitar Ted Productions!

Friday News And Views

Jay Petervary showed this Esker prototype on Facebook recently.

"THIS is a "Bikepack" bike. ":

So says Jay Petervary on his Facebook page on Thursday where he posted the image shown here. JP has been showing views of this bike for the past week as he ramps up to do his latest ride on the Great Divide Route which he is calling "Great Divide Unearthed". 

 Comments; I'll be honest - I did not think this was anything "new" when I first laid eyes on it. That's because JP had been on the Iditarod several years ago on a Salsa Cycles Blackborow. The "long-tailed" version of that bike, which JP had special bags made for and modified slightly. I assumed at first glance that this was an unmarked Blackborow frame set up with 29"er wheels and tires. But if you look closely at the downtube, you can barely make out the "Esker" name. So, I assumed incorrectly. This appears to be a new Esker prototype. 

The idea may have its genesis in that old Blackborow, but I am sure JP and Esker have tweaked the idea out to be what they feel is the "ultimate" bikepacking bike. I know that the long wheel base may seem weird and undesirable at first, but a route like the Great Divide doesn't call out for a bike that has to have tight cornering traits.  Comfort is king, and longer frame tube members have more inherent "flex" and therefore can absorb and dissipate more vibration energy than a shorter, stiffer frame tube will be capable of absorbing. 

Plus, just look at all that frame bag real estate! And it is all in-line with the bike. Nothing sticking out into the wind, although quartering cross winds may be an issue at times. It will be interesting to see if the bike does what Esker and JP are hoping it will do.  

State Bicycle Co All-Road Disc Calipers (Image courtesy of State Bicycle Co)

State Bicycle Co. Announces New Components & More:

Wednesday State Bicycle Co. announced a round of component and apparel offerings. I won't get into the gist of all of the stuff announced, but two items did jump out at me. 

First up we have the State Bicycle Co. All-Road Disc Calipers. These are hydraulic at the caliper, but actuated by cable. So, your older mechanical group can be used with these for (assumed) greater breaking performance. There have been other offerings similar to this like the TRP HyRd, Yokozuna, and the very similar Juin Tech models. The amazing thing about the State offering is that the All-Road Disc calipers sell for a hundred bucks per set. That's a pretty good deal.
 

The State Cargo Cage (Image courtesy of State Bicycle Co)

State also announced an interesting cargo cage, similar in vein to an Anything Cage, it can mount to those Three-Pack bosses found on many forks these days, or under a down tube, or off a rack like the Old Man Mountain Elkhorn, or similar racks. 

The State Cargo Cage is made from aircraft grade aluminum and it features a desert design which reflects State Bicycle Co's Arizona home base. 

The cage weighs in at 168 grams and can carry up to 25lbs of cargo, according to State. The cage sells for $24.99 USD. 

State offers a titanium bolt kit in three colors at an up-charge along with optional rubber straps which can be purchased separately as well. 

It's pretty interesting how what was a fixed gear/urban cycling brand has managed to diversify and stay relevant in the 2020's. (Remember the fixie craze? Woo! That was a while ago now!) So, maybe I shouldn't be all that surprised that State Bicycle Co. has branched out into these accessory and component categories with aggressive price-points and clever designs. But I have to admit, those brake calipers came out of left field for me.  

New episode!

Guitar Ted Podcast Episode #24:

You've read all about the Gravel Worlds history and the UCI vs Gravel Worlds thing this week. If you want more, or if you would rather listen than go back and read it all, hit THIS LINK. 

We also have the Gravel Amplifier which features the Limestone 66.6, Iowa Single Speed Gravel Championships. N.Y. Roll has another event as well. 

We also get into that Jay Petervary rig above, so if you want to know more of our thoughts on that, listen to the latest episode. 

We're hoping to get a post-Gravel Worlds interview with one of their principals when they are ready, maybe Jason Strobehn, who let me know he'd like to be on the podcast at some point. But we'll see who we can rustle up in a few weeks. Stay tuned on that one. Another episode is going to cover CORE4 and N.Y. Roll's experience there at Iowa's largest cycling race. 

Detail Image of a Gorilla Monsoon (Image courtesy of All City Bicycles)

All City Cycles To Be Shuttered By QBP:

Last evening news broke on social media that All City Bicycles, a Quality Bicycle Products brand, is to be phased out over the next few years. The news, apparently rumored for months amongst shop owners, was made official by "The Radavist", who published a dealer email they got a hold of from someone in the cycling industry. 

Comments: I recall first seeing the brand "All City" at Frostbike in the mid-2000's. At that time all the brand amounted to was a few chain rings and accessories for fixed gear riding, which was a phase cycling was going through at the time. (See State Bicycle Co. above)

I didn't think it would last, but to Jeff Frane's credit, the brand rose above merely being a fixed gear bike brand and it made a name for itself amongst the cycling's various niche brands. Bicycles like the Nature Boy, the Macho Man, and the Mr. Pink set the brand apart from a crowded marketplace and were always made from steel. 

They innovated as well, maybe most memorably by developing an elegant disc brake drop out which was designed by Anna Schwinn. 

The brand could be seen as an "upscale Surly" offering, but it had a personality and style which was immediately evident. Mr. Frane eventually left the company several years ago and stated Wilde Bikes, which has carried on some of the flair which marked the AC brand while he was at the helm there. 

Why the brand is being phased out is not entirely clear, but it is no secret that parent company QBP has been laying off employees and contracting its business in response to the over-stock issues within the industry and the lack of consumer demand. QBP claims that no new AC product will be developed after the 2024 model run and that it will be "several years" before the brand is completely phased out. What this means to consumers is that All City is essentially gone, effective immediately. Support for current models will be maintained for a time. 

I've thought that we'd see some contraction of brands in the marketplace and I am confident we will be seeing more before the end of the year. Time will tell if I am correct, but this development with All City will not be unique.

That's it for this week. Thanks for reading Guitar Ted Productions!