Two Things

 KOM GPS Mount:

So, I was looking for a GPS mount for the Wahoo Elemnt Roam and all of them I have are being used. I wanted to put the Roam on my Gryphon Mk3 for the upcoming Tree In The Road Ride.  Well, since I was unwilling to dismount any of the mounts I have in place now this left me with no other option than to order a new one.

Shopping online led me to KOM Cycling. I've had good performance and experiences with their products such as their tubeless tools, saddle roll, and tube pack. They offer GPS mounts as well, so I decided to roll with one of their Wahoo compatible mounts. The price is very reasonable, and it comes in colors, so this was appealing also.

The mount is made of injection molded plastic. It seems reasonably lightweight, and it has these killer rubber shims for smaller diameter mounting points. They are molded rubber in a cicular shape, and split, so you can slip one over a bar and not have to hold it in place while trying to mount the GPS holder. These are probably the best shims I've ever seen for an accessory.

Which is kind of sad since I didn't need to use either one sent! The GPS mount has an embedded rubber strip for grip if you do not need those impressive shims. The mount uses the ubiquitous single 3mm hex head bolt to clamp down the mount, and with the embedded rubber strip, this clamp feels rock-solid. I expect no movement there. And the Roam fits snugly with no wiggle or chance it would randomly twist out of the mount. So, I am satisfied and I would buy one again if I need to for another bike.

Image from Facebook post.

Trek Full-Sus Gravel Bike Spotted:

Recent ultra-distance events have revealed a Trek branded full-suspension bike which is not in their catalog as of this writing. 

The bike appears to use a linkage driven rear shock tucked up underneath the junction with the top tube and seat tube. The tires look pretty beefy, which is the trend for adventure bikes, and the bike appears to have geometry which would be more mountian-bikish rather than gravel race/riding geometry.

Apparently there is a Reddit thread on this bike where users claim the name of the model is "Checkout".

Comments: Interesting.... My observation is the average bikepacker is looking for less complexity and ease of field repair. While suspension forks are typically used by many bikepackers, a short travel gravel fork seems, well......pointless.No one has convinced me yet that 40mm of travel can do what 100mm of travel does. The reality is 40mm of travel is handcuffing yourself to a compromise which has the same weight, complexity, and maintenance factors as a 100mm fork which, as well all know, actually works. 

I am not against this idea, however, full-suspension hasn't been a hot bikepacking choice, not that I've noted, so acceptance of a model like the Trek shown here doesn't seem a slam dunk. Obviously, we don't know details either, but if the bike has a high bottom bracket and leans into MTB geometry, with its paltry suspension travel, (at least up front), it would seem to be an odd-ball offering.

But I don't know, it could be a big deal. What do you think? 

Friday News And Views

Image Courtesy of Wilde Bicycles

Wilde Announces Dark Star Hardtail, Future Proof Fork:

Wilde Bicycles has released information on their soon-to-be-available Dark Star hardtail and Future Proof steel fork. First, let's look at the Dark Star, which is Wilde's take on an "everyday trail bike".

Wilde founder, Jeffrey Frane says the following about the bike and its his intentions for it:

"It (the Dark Star) bucks the current hardtail design trend of long wheel bases and super slack head tubes. These things make sense to me on my 150mm travel dual suspension bike, but on a 120-130mm travel hardtail I feel they miss the plot. I reach for my hardtail for typically two reasons, one it's the most fun on the tight techy singletrack (which we have a lot of around here) or two because I've got some pedaling to do and I want to do it fast and efficiently. Whether it's a big climb, riding to the trails, a local race, or simply a lot of ground to cover that day 

The Dark Star is built with air-hardened BOSS tubing designed and spec'ed by Wilde Bicycles. The head tube angle is 66° and the bike has sliding rear drop outs for wheelbase adjustability or for single speed set-ups. Recommended fork travel is 120mm - 130mm. The Dark Star is made in Taiwan  by the ORA factory. Dark Star frames start at $1,200.00 and the bike is available as a complete as well. Prices start at $3,600.00 for a Deore equipped bike. Other options are available.

The Future Proof Fork (Image courtesy of Wilde Bicycles)

Future Proof Fork: 

This fork is also made from steel, is Boost spaced, and has a 501mm axle to crown measurement which mimics a sagged 120mm suspension fork. Fork offset is 44mm.

The Future Proof Fork also has rack and fender mounts, the three-bolt accessory pack mounts on each leg, and has a straight, 1 1/8th steer tube so it can be fitted to any hardtail frame.

Tire clearance is for up to a 29" X 2.8" tire as well, so this would be a good fork for the appropriate hardtail in a bikepacking mode. Frane feels this offering is necessary to help keep older hardtails viable for such things as bikepacking, commuting, or for utilitarian purposes. He says in the press release, "We hate the notion that MTB standards change so quickly that in five years your new MTB may be “obsolete” as your trail rig. We don't believe in investing money or resources into anything that won't be useful for decades. This problem is easily solved though." 

The Future Proof Fork might just be the answer to keeping you hardtail viable for years to come. Future Proof Forks go for $250.00 USD. For more on these and other Wilde Bicycle products see Wilde Bicycles site. https://www.wildebikes.com/ 

Image courtesy of PAUL Components

100% Pure Paul Components Crank Arm Sets: 

Paul Components had a daring release on April 1st of their new 100% Crank Arm sets. These are even square taper (!!) which probably will make a lot of younger riders squint and shake their heads. However; square taper cranks work just fine, despite the horror stories you may have heard, as long as you install them correctly. 

The 100% Pure Cranks come in anodized purple, *shown), black, silver, and pewter hues. Obviously, the best hue for maximum power output is purple, (IYKYK), so that is the color you should get. Really.... (HA!)

Arms come in lengths from 155mm to 180mm in 5mm increments. Cost is $308.00 and this is just for the arms. You'll have to get a ring and bottom bracket to go with this. Check out these on Paul Components' website here: 100% Pure Cranks 

Comments: I have run various bikes with square taper crank sets for as long as I can remember. If you get into square taper, you can also find bottom brackets to customize your "Q" factor and clearance with frames, things hard to do, or which are impossible with other types of cranksets.

I was feeling these purple arms would look fantastic on the Honeman Flyer.  I'll have to see if I can scrape up some scratch and get a set. If I do I'm going with 170's this time around. 

Floating An Idea: 

Okay, N.Y. Roll and I have been kicking this idea around and it has come to a point where we need to make a plan or another year will go by without this happening.

We have wanted to do a ride to "The Tree In The Road" for a while now. We also wanted to offer an opportunity to ride with N.Y. Roll and I which would be closer to our friends in Nebraska so they could make the trip with less travel time. I suppose Missourians and Kansans might find a bit more ease in coming with this idea as well.

The Tree In The Road is located near Exira, Iowa which is about halfway in between Des Moines and Omaha, Nebraska. Guitar Ted Productions friend, Rob Evans, has provided a nice route of around sixty-ish miles which we will likely use that starts in Atlantic, Iowa, (I think), but I'll have to get that suggested route from him again. I inadvertently deleted it!

That is not a really big deal, but what is a big deal for some of you would be the date for this idea. N.Y. Roll and I are kicking around the date of June 28th, a Saturday. It would be the weekend before the 4th of July. We are not "set in stone" on this date, but if we do not get a lot of push-back, it will likely be on that date.

One other minor note: I don't have a car, so N.Y. Roll would be toting me and my stuff to this and back again. Part of this plan relies on his availability. Without his assistance, I'm not able to do this, or any other out of town rides for the foreseeable future.

With that I will leave you to consider the idea and, if you care at all, to leave a comment in the comment section or email me your thoughts. Thanks!  

Image courtesy of Adidas

New Adidas Eyewear:

Adidas has a new shield-type eye protection device out now called the SPO108. (Very inspiring name there!)

These have a few variants in terms of colors available, but all feature  lenses that have undergone hydrophobic, oleophobic, scratch-proof and dust-proof treatments. The temples are adjustable for a better fit and the tips are grippy to prevent slipping. This style is also adaptable to prescription inserts.

Suggested retail is $160.00 USD although I've seen links with these going for substantial discount prices. So, look around if you are interested in these. 

Image courtesy of KOM Cycling

KOM Cycling Debuts 1000 Lumen Quick Release Light: 

KOM Cycling just announced a new light which is compatible with Garmin and Wahoo type GPS mounts and their own KOM computer mount. Featuring 1000 Lumens with a claimed 2hr run time, the light also has a 30° adjustment feature so you can put the light right where you want it to be. (The end of the light unit swivels downward) 

This would allow you to mount a GPS unit on the top of the light body, position it so you could see the face of the gPS, yet swivel the light head down so it aimed your light correctly, for instance.

The Quick Release Light 1000 also has five other modes, including three flashing modes. Run times for the nighttime modes are as follows:

• Low Steady 300 Lumens @ 7 hrs
• Medium Steady 600 Lumens @ 3.5 hrs
• High Steady 1000 Lumens 2 hrs

This light is also rated at the IPX6 waterproofness rating so it should be able to withstand most weather conditions while in use. Mounting options for top or underneath mounts will also give the rider different ways to configure their set up. Price for the Quick Release 1000 light is $119.99 and you can check it out further HERE.  

That's a wrap on this week. Next week a bunch of Sea Otter news is going to hit, so stay tuned. Until then, ride those bicycles!

Tool Roll Wars: An Introduction

The SILCA Asymmetrico tool roll.

 I mentioned the tool roll thing a while back in a recent "FN&V" post and this post will serve as the next update. Basically, I have three tool rolls to look at now. I know......For a guy that said he wasn't into tool rolls to have three now is pretty ironic. But, one thing led to another and here I am! For a quick recap then.....

The KOM Cycling Tool Roll came in first and when I Instagrammed it, a commenter said it was a 'rip-off' of the SILCA Asymmetrico tool roll. So, I figured, let's just see about that, shall we? I ordered one up. Now two things in comparison are fine, but - well, three is better! So, I thought about it and came across a tool roll from a completely different viewpoint. This third one is from a mountain biker's perspective and it shows. The third tool roll is the Burrito Pack from Topeak.

I've got all three packed and have used them all on rides now. I want to get some more miles in on gravel, but I already have some pretty strong opinions on all three already. And for the record, if the KOM Cycling tool roll is a 'rip-off', it is a better version than the one they supposedly ripped off the design from. Now, do I really think the KOM one is a so-called 'rip-off'? No, I do not. Similar? yes, but if you are ripping off a design, that means to me that you are copying it as closely as possible and selling it for a LOT less money. 

The KOM Cycling Saddle Tool Roll.

While the KOM  Saddle Tool Roll is about 15 bucks cheaper than the SILCA one, I find that to be about par for the course with SILCA's pricing which is usually at the premium end of the range for anything they sell. For instance, when you compare the KOM Saddle Tool Roll with the Topeak Burrito Pack, they are the same price, or within about a dollar of each other, depending where you look. So, on price, there is no real disparity here. 

Design-wise, the similarity between the SILCA and KOM seems very close, but upon closer inspection, you would see that the KOM's "ATOP" dial works very differently, has a much longer string length, and has a bit better clasp/hook at the end than SILCA's tool roll. Plus, how the two carry a cargo is not even close. Rip-off? I think not. In fact, the KOM Saddle Tool Roll is a better product. But I'll show why that is in my reviews on RidingGravel.com when I get those written. (Hey! I gotta save something for the other site!)

The Topeak Burrito Pack.

The Topeak Burrito Pack actually is a better design in many respects than either of the other two. Being that the Topeak tool roll is designed with MTB in mind, it is slightly larger, and therefore can swallow a tube, (or two!), that is 'gravel tire sized' better than the roadie inspired tool rolls it is up against here. It also has a couple of details which make it more secure, and that is a really big deal when you are relying on that bag to not only stay on the bike, but retain its contents in high-vibration situations like gravel roads or on rough back roads. 

There is also the fact that you can attach the Burrito Pack off a top tube, so it is not relegated to just under the saddle. While the Burrito Pack does not have a fancy-pants rotary loop closure, it is simpler, and you know.....Velcro works well. So, let's say you have a Velcro failure due to wear. Well, you can sew another patch of it on there. A rotary loop closure dial fails and......what? Probably goes in the bin at that point. And those dials do fail. 

So, that's where I am at with the "Tool Roll Wars" deal now. I'll be writing up separate little reviews on these for RidingGravel.com, but I'll be back here at some point with some commentary as well. 

As always- The Standard Disclaimer applies here.

Tool Roll Wars: An Introduction

The SILCA Asymmetrico tool roll.

 I mentioned the tool roll thing a while back in a recent "FN&V" post and this post will serve as the next update. Basically, I have three tool rolls to look at now. I know......For a guy that said he wasn't into tool rolls to have three now is pretty ironic. But, one thing led to another and here I am! For a quick recap then.....

The KOM Cycling Tool Roll came in first and when I Instagrammed it, a commenter said it was a 'rip-off' of the SILCA Asymmetrico tool roll. So, I figured, let's just see about that, shall we? I ordered one up. Now two things in comparison are fine, but - well, three is better! So, I thought about it and came across a tool roll from a completely different viewpoint. This third one is from a mountain biker's perspective and it shows. The third tool roll is the Burrito Pack from Topeak.

I've got all three packed and have used them all on rides now. I want to get some more miles in on gravel, but I already have some pretty strong opinions on all three already. And for the record, if the KOM Cycling tool roll is a 'rip-off', it is a better version than the one they supposedly ripped off the design from. Now, do I really think the KOM one is a so-called 'rip-off'? No, I do not. Similar? yes, but if you are ripping off a design, that means to me that you are copying it as closely as possible and selling it for a LOT less money. 

The KOM Cycling Saddle Tool Roll.

While the KOM  Saddle Tool Roll is about 15 bucks cheaper than the SILCA one, I find that to be about par for the course with SILCA's pricing which is usually at the premium end of the range for anything they sell. For instance, when you compare the KOM Saddle Tool Roll with the Topeak Burrito Pack, they are the same price, or within about a dollar of each other, depending where you look. So, on price, there is no real disparity here. 

Design-wise, the similarity between the SILCA and KOM seems very close, but upon closer inspection, you would see that the KOM's "ATOP" dial works very differently, has a much longer string length, and has a bit better clasp/hook at the end than SILCA's tool roll. Plus, how the two carry a cargo is not even close. Rip-off? I think not. In fact, the KOM Saddle Tool Roll is a better product. But I'll show why that is in my reviews on RidingGravel.com when I get those written. (Hey! I gotta save something for the other site!)

The Topeak Burrito Pack.

The Topeak Burrito Pack actually is a better design in many respects than either of the other two. Being that the Topeak tool roll is designed with MTB in mind, it is slightly larger, and therefore can swallow a tube, (or two!), that is 'gravel tire sized' better than the roadie inspired tool rolls it is up against here. It also has a couple of details which make it more secure, and that is a really big deal when you are relying on that bag to not only stay on the bike, but retain its contents in high-vibration situations like gravel roads or on rough back roads. 

There is also the fact that you can attach the Burrito Pack off a top tube, so it is not relegated to just under the saddle. While the Burrito Pack does not have a fancy-pants rotary loop closure, it is simpler, and you know.....Velcro works well. So, let's say you have a Velcro failure due to wear. Well, you can sew another patch of it on there. A rotary loop closure dial fails and......what? Probably goes in the bin at that point. And those dials do fail. 

So, that's where I am at with the "Tool Roll Wars" deal now. I'll be writing up separate little reviews on these for RidingGravel.com, but I'll be back here at some point with some commentary as well. 

As always- The Standard Disclaimer applies here.

Here We Go! Gravel Worlds Prep On The MCD

Gotta Know Where To Go!

Okay, I had something cleared up this past weekend which was necessary to know what I was going to be doing at the upcoming Gravel Worlds event in Lincoln, Nebraska. I was going either way, it was just a question of for what purpose. That's all I'm a'gunna say 'bout that. I just mention this because I wasn't going to post about Gravel Worlds prep until I had that hurdle cleared. Now that my purpose is clear, I am going to discuss my rig here for my attempt at finishing this 150 mile beast of a ride. 

First off, you probably inferred by my "Water Carriers" posts that something was up, and this is it. Gravel Worlds! I needed to have the ability to carry enough fluids to get from place to place on the route and not be in a deficit. Well, as you know, that has been addressed. 

So, here we have the 'rest of the story', so to speak. First up is navigation. I already showed off my home made cue sheet holder, and the next order of business from a navigational point of view was to get some way to count down the miles so I could follow cue sheets. Now, yes- Gravel Worlds has downloadable GPS navigation for their courses. But the thing is- I do not own a GPS unit that allows me to follow a course. My Lezyne computer is kind of a dinosaur in that you have to have your phone linked up to it to be able to use turn-by-turn navigation, which I always thought was bogus. So, I never bothered to ever try it out. Heck, sometimes I leave my phone at home. I like it that way. So, having to tether my phone to a navigation device seemed dumb to my way of thinking. 

Anyway, so I needed to go the old school route, and thankfully Gravel Worlds does cues yet. Otherwise, honestly- I probably wouldn't go. Any event that assumes you will have an expensive piece of gear to be able to come to their event is not my kind of event. Nuff said.....  

Okay, so I have this Sigma computer on there, and it is a wireless unit, so we'll see how that goes. As long as it counts mileage, it will make my job easier. That and tell me the time, (which I don't really need now since I wear an Apple watch) - that's all I need. So, I'm good to go there once I get the cues from Gravel Worlds and print them out. Elevation gain? Who really cares? It is what it is. Ya gotta ride the course and whatever hills they put in there. Doesn't really matter now or afterward what the numbers are to me. It'll be hard, I know that!

The KOM Tube Strap

Next up we have a storage solution in the KOM Tube Strap. It is a new product for KOM Cycling which they are having me review for RidingGravel.com. I figured Gravel Worlds might make for a good testing ground. (*Standard disclaimer- I am not being paid for this mention, got the product for free, etc....) The idea came to me to try this for Gravel Worlds when I eschewed the idea of using a seat bag and found my Top Tube Garage Bag was getting a bit crowded. I realized this Tube Strap thing-a-ma jig just might clear up some space, if I could figure out where to put it. I tried the obvious- the seat post- but my thighs grazed it and that is a definite no-go with me! But hanging from the top tube? Hmm... 

I tried that and it was a winner. Now, I may not carry what I have in it now- a tube, tire lever, CO2 cartridge inflation system- but I do need to have a spare tube, the tire levers, and I think I'll be throwing on a Stan's NoTubes DART tool. That should do it there.

I could have gone with one of the three tool rolls I have on review, but for some reason I just do not want to do that for Gravel Worlds. I really wanted to keep anything off the saddle or on the seat post proper. Part of my minimizing scheme. That said, I may change my mind here. Stay tuned..... 

The Redshift Sports ShockStop Seat Post and Ravemen Tail Light.

The one and only time I finished Gravel Worlds was a time a used a shock absorbing seat post. I remember it made the wash-boarded out roads livable and it saved me from a lot of saddle fatigue. Over a 150 miles, these sorts of products pay dividends. 

Well, I have at my disposal a Redshift Sports ShockStop seat post which was reviewed for RidingGravel.com once upon a time recently. (*Insert standard disclaimer here) So, I figured, why not use it? It weighs more than the Whiskey carbon post that was in there, but as I said- this is a looooong ride. Comfort and rider freshness is king. This seat post is dialed and works really well. So, I'm using it. By the way, this bike already was fitted with a Redshift Sports ShockStop stem as well. So, I've got that benefit going for me up front also. 

I'm also going to be using one of the Ravemen tail lights, but likely not the one shown. I have one that mounts on the seat stay which is there, but not shown in the image here. The seat stay mounted one has a longer run time, a better mount, and so it won out for the job at Gravel Worlds. (*Disclaimer: I paid for these lights at a discounted rate for test and review on RidingGravel.com)

A look at things as they sit now.

Okay, so I've gotten things dialed in with a bit finer focus now, but there is still work to do. I need to get my nutrition lined up and do a dry run packing that onto the bike. I'll likely tweak out the tube strap cargo, figure out which of a myriad of multi-tools I want onboard, and maybe a few other odd-ball things here and there. But what you see here, minus the dust, is pretty much what I will be pedaling out of Lincoln Nebraska in a couple of weeks time. 

Oh, and there is one major change yet to be revealed. That would be the race-day wheel and tire set up. These wheels and tires are heavier than what I will be using, and that was planned ahead of time. I may get in a quick ride or two, but pretty soon I'll be swapping over to the other set of wheels to make sure everything is copacetic with that wheel and tire combo. 

Questions, thoughts, concerns? Leave me a comment. Otherwise, stay tuned.....

*Standard Disclaimer Page can be found under the header: To save my having to write out my disclaimer for various items and products I use, I have written a "Standard Disclaimer" and made it a page with its own description/explanation. You can access it under the header where it says "Standard Disclaimer". I will only add in disclaimers now if there is a modification, as with the Ravemen lights which I did purchase with my own money, but at a discounted rate. Thanks!

Here We Go! Gravel Worlds Prep On The MCD

Gotta Know Where To Go!

Okay, I had something cleared up this past weekend which was necessary to know what I was going to be doing at the upcoming Gravel Worlds event in Lincoln, Nebraska. I was going either way, it was just a question of for what purpose. That's all I'm a'gunna say 'bout that. I just mention this because I wasn't going to post about Gravel Worlds prep until I had that hurdle cleared. Now that my purpose is clear, I am going to discuss my rig here for my attempt at finishing this 150 mile beast of a ride. 

First off, you probably inferred by my "Water Carriers" posts that something was up, and this is it. Gravel Worlds! I needed to have the ability to carry enough fluids to get from place to place on the route and not be in a deficit. Well, as you know, that has been addressed. 

So, here we have the 'rest of the story', so to speak. First up is navigation. I already showed off my home made cue sheet holder, and the next order of business from a navigational point of view was to get some way to count down the miles so I could follow cue sheets. Now, yes- Gravel Worlds has downloadable GPS navigation for their courses. But the thing is- I do not own a GPS unit that allows me to follow a course. My Lezyne computer is kind of a dinosaur in that you have to have your phone linked up to it to be able to use turn-by-turn navigation, which I always thought was bogus. So, I never bothered to ever try it out. Heck, sometimes I leave my phone at home. I like it that way. So, having to tether my phone to a navigation device seemed dumb to my way of thinking. 

Anyway, so I needed to go the old school route, and thankfully Gravel Worlds does cues yet. Otherwise, honestly- I probably wouldn't go. Any event that assumes you will have an expensive piece of gear to be able to come to their event is not my kind of event. Nuff said.....  

Okay, so I have this Sigma computer on there, and it is a wireless unit, so we'll see how that goes. As long as it counts mileage, it will make my job easier. That and tell me the time, (which I don't really need now since I wear an Apple watch) - that's all I need. So, I'm good to go there once I get the cues from Gravel Worlds and print them out. Elevation gain? Who really cares? It is what it is. Ya gotta ride the course and whatever hills they put in there. Doesn't really matter now or afterward what the numbers are to me. It'll be hard, I know that!

The KOM Tube Strap

Next up we have a storage solution in the KOM Tube Strap. It is a new product for KOM Cycling which they are having me review for RidingGravel.com. I figured Gravel Worlds might make for a good testing ground. (*Standard disclaimer- I am not being paid for this mention, got the product for free, etc....) The idea came to me to try this for Gravel Worlds when I eschewed the idea of using a seat bag and found my Top Tube Garage Bag was getting a bit crowded. I realized this Tube Strap thing-a-ma jig just might clear up some space, if I could figure out where to put it. I tried the obvious- the seat post- but my thighs grazed it and that is a definite no-go with me! But hanging from the top tube? Hmm... 

I tried that and it was a winner. Now, I may not carry what I have in it now- a tube, tire lever, CO2 cartridge inflation system- but I do need to have a spare tube, the tire levers, and I think I'll be throwing on a Stan's NoTubes DART tool. That should do it there.

I could have gone with one of the three tool rolls I have on review, but for some reason I just do not want to do that for Gravel Worlds. I really wanted to keep anything off the saddle or on the seat post proper. Part of my minimizing scheme. That said, I may change my mind here. Stay tuned..... 

The Redshift Sports ShockStop Seat Post and Ravemen Tail Light.

The one and only time I finished Gravel Worlds was a time a used a shock absorbing seat post. I remember it made the wash-boarded out roads livable and it saved me from a lot of saddle fatigue. Over a 150 miles, these sorts of products pay dividends. 

Well, I have at my disposal a Redshift Sports ShockStop seat post which was reviewed for RidingGravel.com once upon a time recently. (*Insert standard disclaimer here) So, I figured, why not use it? It weighs more than the Whiskey carbon post that was in there, but as I said- this is a looooong ride. Comfort and rider freshness is king. This seat post is dialed and works really well. So, I'm using it. By the way, this bike already was fitted with a Redshift Sports ShockStop stem as well. So, I've got that benefit going for me up front also. 

I'm also going to be using one of the Ravemen tail lights, but likely not the one shown. I have one that mounts on the seat stay which is there, but not shown in the image here. The seat stay mounted one has a longer run time, a better mount, and so it won out for the job at Gravel Worlds. (*Disclaimer: I paid for these lights at a discounted rate for test and review on RidingGravel.com)

A look at things as they sit now.

Okay, so I've gotten things dialed in with a bit finer focus now, but there is still work to do. I need to get my nutrition lined up and do a dry run packing that onto the bike. I'll likely tweak out the tube strap cargo, figure out which of a myriad of multi-tools I want onboard, and maybe a few other odd-ball things here and there. But what you see here, minus the dust, is pretty much what I will be pedaling out of Lincoln Nebraska in a couple of weeks time. 

Oh, and there is one major change yet to be revealed. That would be the race-day wheel and tire set up. These wheels and tires are heavier than what I will be using, and that was planned ahead of time. I may get in a quick ride or two, but pretty soon I'll be swapping over to the other set of wheels to make sure everything is copacetic with that wheel and tire combo. 

Questions, thoughts, concerns? Leave me a comment. Otherwise, stay tuned.....

*Standard Disclaimer Page can be found under the header: To save my having to write out my disclaimer for various items and products I use, I have written a "Standard Disclaimer" and made it a page with its own description/explanation. You can access it under the header where it says "Standard Disclaimer". I will only add in disclaimers now if there is a modification, as with the Ravemen lights which I did purchase with my own money, but at a discounted rate. Thanks!

Friday News And Views

 Shimano Announces Re-opening Of Factory:

 After a full month plus of complete shutdown, and two weeks at 60% output, Shimano has reportedly re-opened their Malaysian factory components works. A factory said to be responsible for parts production from 105 road level and below, and SLX MTB level and below. The component manufacturer, already behind demand leading into the shutdown, is now further behind on making these critical components for the majority of what bike shops sell here in the U.S.A. 

The news, published by a couple of industry specific sites, is good, but with all the critical time lost, coupled with shipping and packaging issues worldwide, this situation has gone from bad to worse for consumers. Things like disc brake pads, disc brake rotors, derailleurs, and wheel components, amongst other bits, are nearly impossible to source. 

In the meantime, other manufacturers have been tapped to provide parts for brands seeking to get bicycles into dealer's and consumer's hands. Brands like Microshift, which does complete drive trains, and other lesser known companies, are trying to fill the void where Shimano was once dominant. While some bits seem well up to the task, it is apparent- to this mechanic at least - that many of these components are sub-Shimano quality and likely will not have similar performance or longevity. 

Furthermore; it has been whispered that some brands may even skip 2022 model year bikes altogether due to the paucity of parts and shipping woes. Some even say the bigger brands are pushing out the smaller brands for factory capacity to manufacture bicycles. Whatever the truth may be, it sounds a lot like 2022 will be a continuance of 2021 in regard to bicycles and parts.  

The KOM Cycling Saddle Tool Roll on my Noble Bikes GX5.

Tool Roll Wars:

Recently I was sent a KOM Cycling Saddle Tool Roll for test and review on RidingGravel.com. (Free and at no charge- I'm not being paid for this, yadda,yadda, yadda...) It's a new product for them and for me, it is another 'dreaded tool roll' deal. You see, I haven't been too impressed by this sort of storage idea in the past.

I tried a tool roll once from a company I shall not name, and the thing ended up falling off my bike at unawares after being rock solid on there for over a week and I lost all my good riding tools. Bah! 

These things are for the minimal-packing cyclist, but yet they are not all that much lighter or compact than a small under-saddle mounted bag. I should think almost any under-saddle mounted bag wouldn't just fall off your bike. So.....the whole idea of a 'tool roll' was kind of lost on me. But there is a certain romanticized view of such things coming from the road riding world, as I understand it. 

Anyway, the tool roll..... I am testing another one. This is a bit like a Silca tool roll, and I was rudely reminded of this by a commenter on an Instagram post I made about the KOM Saddle Tool Roll. "It's a rip-off...", and I'm like, am I supposed to do something about that? It may be similar, yes- probably, but 'rip-off'? So, I figured why not? I ordered up the Silca one as well. (Paid for, not asked to test, yadda, yadda, yadda....)We'll see about the similarities and compare and contrast. Fair and square, without any negativeness or name-calling. 

Tool Roll Wars. It's on! Stay tuned......

Sea Otter Australia Postponed:

While to us here in the U.S.A. it may seem as though things are all 'back to normal', the rest of the world is still grappling with the effects of COVID-19. The latest cycling related issue regarding the pandemic is the postponing of the Sea Otter event in Australia to early Fall. 

This news comes as case loads of COVID-19 are on the uptick in the U.S.A. Most agree that the Delta variant of COVID is to blame as it is much more contagious than the original COVID strain. It is not engraved in stone that we here in North America won't ever have to isolate, wear masks, or suffer cancellations of events again. This bears watching going forward and things like what we are seeing now in Australia, Japan, Malaysia, (see first entry in today's "FN&V") and elsewhere in the world remind us that despite vaccines being available, this isn't over just yet. 

Cannondale Topstone 2

Andy's Bike Shop Is Now A Cannondale Dealer!

I've known about this for a while now, but the public statement just went out this past week that Cannondale Bicycles will now be sold through Andy's Bike Shop in Cedar Falls, Iowa. (If you are unaware, I work as a mechanic at Andy's) 

 Now Andy's Bike Shop sells Kona Bikes, Cannondale, and Reid Bikes. We were pretty happy to land a Cannondale account since it is a brand that has been represented in the Cedar Valley for 30+ years now. After the shop I last worked at went out of business at the end of 2019, Cannondale bikes have been missing from this market area. Not anymore. 

Obviously bicycles are hard to come by, but by the end of this month Andy's Bike Shop should know more about exactly when the Cannondales will be rolling in. I don't know exactly what we'll be able to get, but I hope to see some Topstones and maybe.......their new Super Six Evo SE gravel bike. That'd be pretty cool. Stay tuned.........

That's a wrap for this week. have a great weekend and stay cool!

Friday News And Views

 Shimano Announces Re-opening Of Factory:

 After a full month plus of complete shutdown, and two weeks at 60% output, Shimano has reportedly re-opened their Malaysian factory components works. A factory said to be responsible for parts production from 105 road level and below, and SLX MTB level and below. The component manufacturer, already behind demand leading into the shutdown, is now further behind on making these critical components for the majority of what bike shops sell here in the U.S.A. 

The news, published by a couple of industry specific sites, is good, but with all the critical time lost, coupled with shipping and packaging issues worldwide, this situation has gone from bad to worse for consumers. Things like disc brake pads, disc brake rotors, derailleurs, and wheel components, amongst other bits, are nearly impossible to source. 

In the meantime, other manufacturers have been tapped to provide parts for brands seeking to get bicycles into dealer's and consumer's hands. Brands like Microshift, which does complete drive trains, and other lesser known companies, are trying to fill the void where Shimano was once dominant. While some bits seem well up to the task, it is apparent- to this mechanic at least - that many of these components are sub-Shimano quality and likely will not have similar performance or longevity. 

Furthermore; it has been whispered that some brands may even skip 2022 model year bikes altogether due to the paucity of parts and shipping woes. Some even say the bigger brands are pushing out the smaller brands for factory capacity to manufacture bicycles. Whatever the truth may be, it sounds a lot like 2022 will be a continuance of 2021 in regard to bicycles and parts.  

The KOM Cycling Saddle Tool Roll on my Noble Bikes GX5.

Tool Roll Wars:

Recently I was sent a KOM Cycling Saddle Tool Roll for test and review on RidingGravel.com. (Free and at no charge- I'm not being paid for this, yadda,yadda, yadda...) It's a new product for them and for me, it is another 'dreaded tool roll' deal. You see, I haven't been too impressed by this sort of storage idea in the past.

I tried a tool roll once from a company I shall not name, and the thing ended up falling off my bike at unawares after being rock solid on there for over a week and I lost all my good riding tools. Bah! 

These things are for the minimal-packing cyclist, but yet they are not all that much lighter or compact than a small under-saddle mounted bag. I should think almost any under-saddle mounted bag wouldn't just fall off your bike. So.....the whole idea of a 'tool roll' was kind of lost on me. But there is a certain romanticized view of such things coming from the road riding world, as I understand it. 

Anyway, the tool roll..... I am testing another one. This is a bit like a Silca tool roll, and I was rudely reminded of this by a commenter on an Instagram post I made about the KOM Saddle Tool Roll. "It's a rip-off...", and I'm like, am I supposed to do something about that? It may be similar, yes- probably, but 'rip-off'? So, I figured why not? I ordered up the Silca one as well. (Paid for, not asked to test, yadda, yadda, yadda....)We'll see about the similarities and compare and contrast. Fair and square, without any negativeness or name-calling. 

Tool Roll Wars. It's on! Stay tuned......

Sea Otter Australia Postponed:

While to us here in the U.S.A. it may seem as though things are all 'back to normal', the rest of the world is still grappling with the effects of COVID-19. The latest cycling related issue regarding the pandemic is the postponing of the Sea Otter event in Australia to early Fall. 

This news comes as case loads of COVID-19 are on the uptick in the U.S.A. Most agree that the Delta variant of COVID is to blame as it is much more contagious than the original COVID strain. It is not engraved in stone that we here in North America won't ever have to isolate, wear masks, or suffer cancellations of events again. This bears watching going forward and things like what we are seeing now in Australia, Japan, Malaysia, (see first entry in today's "FN&V") and elsewhere in the world remind us that despite vaccines being available, this isn't over just yet. 

Cannondale Topstone 2

Andy's Bike Shop Is Now A Cannondale Dealer!

I've known about this for a while now, but the public statement just went out this past week that Cannondale Bicycles will now be sold through Andy's Bike Shop in Cedar Falls, Iowa. (If you are unaware, I work as a mechanic at Andy's) 

 Now Andy's Bike Shop sells Kona Bikes, Cannondale, and Reid Bikes. We were pretty happy to land a Cannondale account since it is a brand that has been represented in the Cedar Valley for 30+ years now. After the shop I last worked at went out of business at the end of 2019, Cannondale bikes have been missing from this market area. Not anymore. 

Obviously bicycles are hard to come by, but by the end of this month Andy's Bike Shop should know more about exactly when the Cannondales will be rolling in. I don't know exactly what we'll be able to get, but I hope to see some Topstones and maybe.......their new Super Six Evo SE gravel bike. That'd be pretty cool. Stay tuned.........

That's a wrap for this week. have a great weekend and stay cool!

KOM Sealant Injector Reviewed

KOM Sealant Injector. (Tire levers and core remover are in foreground)

Note: As Mrs. Guitar Ted convalesces, and "other things" transpire, I will be rolling out some reviews and other pieces until I can resume a regular riding and cycling life schedule. For background on what is happening with Mrs. Guitar Ted see this post from Monday, October 14th

Recently I reviewed the KOM Cycling Sealant Injector System on Riding Gravel. This won't be a re-hash of that review, but I am going to give you an "extended viewpoint" since I posted that review and a bit of background. 

Sealant injectors are not anything new and I have used one in one form or another for......maybe ten years? I bet it's been that long. Early tubeless valve cores did not have removable cores in some cases, so sealant injectors weren't always applicable, but now a removable valve core had better be there, or your valve is last century technology. Once those became ubiquitous, I started using a plastic syringe and a piece of surgical tubing to suck sealant into the syringe, then by placing the tubing over the nipple of the syringe and the other end over the open valve, I could seamlessly inject sealant into a tire. Well.....theoretically, I could. 

Some times the sealant would back out of the syringe and dribble. Some times the tubing would pop off the valve or the syringe with the messy result of sealant spray all over the place. Some times none of those two things would happen. However, there might be times when air was trying to get out of the tire, since it was being displaced by sealant, and it would burp sealant back out of the tire once you removed the tubing from over the valve. Messy, messy, messy! 

 So, what is different with KOM's set up? Well, a couple of big things, but really simple things. First, they developed a petcock valve that sits in-line with the syringe tubing. This allows you to shut off any chances of back flow from the syringe tubing. Secondly, they developed screw on attachment points instead of friction fittings which can come off at inopportune times. Thirdly they made a smaller diameter tube which screws on to the petcock valve and this inserts into the valve instead of fitting over it. That's an important distinction since it allows for air to escape the tire as sealant is injected into it. Less chances for mess. 

The petcock valve in shut position. You won't drip a drop.

These are seemingly minute details, but maybe I am outside the norm, as I set up and maintenance tubeless tires far more than most. That said, this system sets up as a way to make life easier, less messy, and more successful. Who doesn't want that? I know that the system I had been using for a long time is now gathering dust, and I won't be digging it out anytime soon, that is, unless I need a back-up for some reason, or if I lend that old tool out. 

This KOM Sealant Injector is not going anywhere anytime soon. For more info, see their site.  

A word about that lever/core remover deal: KOM also sent me a lever set and a core remover. The core remover is every bit as effective as the Park Tools one, and it nests into the levers, which snap together themselves.  All in all a not-so-lightweight but effective set up that makes it really hard to misplace the core removal tool. I've seen a lot of nifty core removal tools but 90% of them are so tiny that they get sucked into the Swirling Vortex of Hell (SVoH) that is inside every bag on any bike. I cannot count the times I've emptied top tube bags, bar bags, and seat packs and said, "Oh! That's where that went!", and then proceeded to send that same item into another SVoH inside another bag only to be lost again. At least when three things band together, as with the KOM Cycling lever set, they have a fighting chance to survive. And, you know, the core remover is anodized red aluminum, which is basically Kryptonite for any SVoH situation. So, there is that. 

 NOTE: KOM Cycling sent these items reviewed here for test and review at no charge to Riding Gravel. We were not paid, nor bribed, for this review and we strive to give our honest thoughts and opinions throughout.

KOM Sealant Injector Reviewed

KOM Sealant Injector. (Tire levers and core remover are in foreground)

Note: As Mrs. Guitar Ted convalesces, and "other things" transpire, I will be rolling out some reviews and other pieces until I can resume a regular riding and cycling life schedule. For background on what is happening with Mrs. Guitar Ted see this post from Monday, October 14th

Recently I reviewed the KOM Cycling Sealant Injector System on Riding Gravel. This won't be a re-hash of that review, but I am going to give you an "extended viewpoint" since I posted that review and a bit of background. 

Sealant injectors are not anything new and I have used one in one form or another for......maybe ten years? I bet it's been that long. Early tubeless valve cores did not have removable cores in some cases, so sealant injectors weren't always applicable, but now a removable valve core had better be there, or your valve is last century technology. Once those became ubiquitous, I started using a plastic syringe and a piece of surgical tubing to suck sealant into the syringe, then by placing the tubing over the nipple of the syringe and the other end over the open valve, I could seamlessly inject sealant into a tire. Well.....theoretically, I could. 

Some times the sealant would back out of the syringe and dribble. Some times the tubing would pop off the valve or the syringe with the messy result of sealant spray all over the place. Some times none of those two things would happen. However, there might be times when air was trying to get out of the tire, since it was being displaced by sealant, and it would burp sealant back out of the tire once you removed the tubing from over the valve. Messy, messy, messy! 

 So, what is different with KOM's set up? Well, a couple of big things, but really simple things. First, they developed a petcock valve that sits in-line with the syringe tubing. This allows you to shut off any chances of back flow from the syringe tubing. Secondly, they developed screw on attachment points instead of friction fittings which can come off at inopportune times. Thirdly they made a smaller diameter tube which screws on to the petcock valve and this inserts into the valve instead of fitting over it. That's an important distinction since it allows for air to escape the tire as sealant is injected into it. Less chances for mess. 

The petcock valve in shut position. You won't drip a drop.

These are seemingly minute details, but maybe I am outside the norm, as I set up and maintenance tubeless tires far more than most. That said, this system sets up as a way to make life easier, less messy, and more successful. Who doesn't want that? I know that the system I had been using for a long time is now gathering dust, and I won't be digging it out anytime soon, that is, unless I need a back-up for some reason, or if I lend that old tool out. 

This KOM Sealant Injector is not going anywhere anytime soon. For more info, see their site.  

A word about that lever/core remover deal: KOM also sent me a lever set and a core remover. The core remover is every bit as effective as the Park Tools one, and it nests into the levers, which snap together themselves.  All in all a not-so-lightweight but effective set up that makes it really hard to misplace the core removal tool. I've seen a lot of nifty core removal tools but 90% of them are so tiny that they get sucked into the Swirling Vortex of Hell (SVoH) that is inside every bag on any bike. I cannot count the times I've emptied top tube bags, bar bags, and seat packs and said, "Oh! That's where that went!", and then proceeded to send that same item into another SVoH inside another bag only to be lost again. At least when three things band together, as with the KOM Cycling lever set, they have a fighting chance to survive. And, you know, the core remover is anodized red aluminum, which is basically Kryptonite for any SVoH situation. So, there is that. 

 NOTE: KOM Cycling sent these items reviewed here for test and review at no charge to Riding Gravel. We were not paid, nor bribed, for this review and we strive to give our honest thoughts and opinions throughout.