Friday News And Views

32" wheel of a SE Racing cruiser (Image courtesy of SE Racing)

MADE Show Features 32"ers:

The MADE Show, which happened last weekend in Portalnd, Oregon, finished up with not much news other than the buzz surrounding a few 32 inch wheeled custom bikes which were on display.

The stories online were kind of interesting for the narratives which were being pushed. "Will this be the Next Big Thing?" is basically what was being asked coming out of this show.

Comments: This has been the cycling industry's question since the "Bike Boom" of the early to mid 1970's. What will drive sales in the future? The "next big thing" after the Bike Boom was MTB's, then it was 29"ers. Then the internet came along and pretty much flooded people's eyeballs with every sort of contraption known to mankind. This was when "The Next Big Thing" was pretty much killed. Fat bikes made a stab at it, but faded quickly. Gravel? This is more difficult in that there ended up being a bike for it, but Gravel, as a thing, predated the bike for it by several years. So I would be hesitant to point at a gravel bike and say it was the "last Next Big Thing". In my opinion, Gravel would have kept growing with or without a specific bicycle for the activity.

Now electric two wheeled contraptions have taken off, but this has been mostly outside of the traditional bicycle industry 'food chain'. (In the USA, at any rate)  So, the 32"er comes along and people are seemingly thinking (in certain circles) that this will be the "Next Big Thing" like 29"ers were. Bzzzzt! I'm sorry, but this is incorrect. Next!

Why is this wrong? Look at most 32"ers and if you are paying attention you can see the ways these bikes are being designed to fit. Small to Medium folks? Not a chance this is a thing for you. Large? You are on the fringes. There just are not enough people who might benefit from this large a wheel. I think there will be a small, niche market for them, but like fat bikes, once those who benefit most from 32"ers have them, the market will nosedive significantly. I just don't see this as a sustainable market. 

And searching for the "Next Big Thing" in terms of a type of bicycle in cycling is the wrong thing to pursue anyway. 

Comments On 2025 Gravel Worlds:

Gravel Worlds happened last weekend, and while I was not there, I couldn't help but notice a few things. Mostly because of all the social media posts they put up. An odious amount of them, by the way.

First, there was some grousing about the muddy MMR road from the viewpoint of the Pro's and some media covering the event. I was pointed to a video on Instagram by N.Y. Roll concerning the woman's event. Yeah.... So here is a brief thought concerning this, which I have expressed here before.

Gravel events (The BIG ones getting all the media coverage now) used to be about Adventure, Challenge, Competition, and Camaraderie.  The Pro/Monetary element, introduced to gravel events in a big way since COVID, has reduced some of these events to just being about Competition. So, there is no room for something as integral to gravel events as muddy conditions, or Challenges, or Adventure, not to mention Camaraderie. It's about Results, Money, and Competition at these events now. 

So, they are not really "gravel events" anymore. They are merely Pro roadie events on a different surface. And that is my stance on this faction of so-called "Pro Gravel" categories. .(I'm not commentating on the other categories, which probably are not as affected)

Then there is all the coverage. Gah! You may have heard the theory which states that you should always leave people wanting more, yes? Well, I could not wait for my feed to clear out all the glut of Gravel Worlds coverage. Another interesting note was looking at the likes each post was getting, and in many cases it was less than 200, and in more than a few, less than 100. Maybe it's just me, but my money is on "less is more". And this goes for Mid-South and Unbound as well.   

Wahoo BOLT 1 (Image courtesy of Wahoo Sports)

Remember Y2K?

Maybe you are not old enough,to remember, but this recent story concerning original Wahoo ELEMNT ROAM, and BOLT GPS devices reminded me of those Y2K times. Apparently, a "limited ten bit clock" in those original Wahoo GPS devices ran out on time in mid-August, reverting the internal clocks to 2015. This caused the devices to fail in function, becoming essentially useless.

Fortunately, Wahoo has been able to update firmware for these old GPS devices and if you happen to own one of them, you can access the fix HERE. NOTE: This page only had firmware updates for the original ROAM and BOLT devices. They state they are still working on a firmware update for the ELEMNT at the time of this writing.

One wonders if the original developers of the Wahoo GPS devices figured that by now almost all of these platforms would be so out of date, or broken, that no one would care to be using them. Apparently there are more than a few folks still rocking these units.  

Which, in a way, is heartening. I like that people want to extend the usage and lifespan on these as far as possible, and also I like that Wahoo is willing to help those people out with a firmware update. Wahoo did not have to do this. So, kudos to Wajhoo for being nice about this and not killing off these first gen units making them nothing but fodder for the landfill.  

Image courtesy of Esker Cycles

 Esker Shows New Single Speed Specific Frame/Fork:

A dedicated to single speed bicycle is always going to grab my attention. This beauty was released by Esker Cycles on Wednesday this past week. Called the Solitaire, (Perfect name, by the way), this bike is based on their popular Hayduke model. Esker says there will only be 50 made and each will have a numbered Jen Greene headtube badge in brass. 

Prices start at $1,250.00 and go up with options. See the details on Esker Cycles site HERE.  

Comments: This is a cool looking bike with reasonable geometry which would work for a variety of off-road pursuits.  There are plenty of accessory mounts, and the rigid "Fork-Yeah!" steel fork appeals to my sensibilities while the design does allow for a suspension device if so desired. Plus, it has clearance for up to 29" x 3.0" tires. Nice!

Thank You:

I just wanted to take a minute to thank everyone for reading through the GTRFJ posts this week. This ride was important for me, which you probably can understand why this was the case, and for so many folks to have read through the report also was meaningful for me. So, thanks for doing that and for your support of myself and this blog.

As far as this Ride For Jacob thing goes, yes - It will happen again next year in August. Also yes - I am going to invite people along who may wish to join me in this ride to honor my son's memory. So, I will be talking about this next year and I will have details regarding the ride when I feel it is time to start talking about this ride again.

All I know now is a this ride is important to me. I want to share it with others, but I'm going to do it regardless of anyone else's attendance. So, mark it down for next August if you are interested and stay tuned for more on this in the future. 
 

 That is a wrap for this week! Get out there and ride those bicycles! Have a safe and fun Labor Day Weekend if you are in the USA!

Friday News And Views

Image courtesy of Wilde Bicycle Co. 

MADE Show This Weekend:

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

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

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

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

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

Image courtesy of Chris King Precision Components

New Matte Jade Hue From Chris King:

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

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

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

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

Image courtesy of Bike-On

A Power Meter For The Masses?

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

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

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

Check it out HERE.  

Gravel Worlds Weekend:

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

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

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

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

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

MADE Show Highlights And Commentary

Over the past weekend close to seventy frame builders were in attendance at a show in Portalnd, Oregon called the MADE Bicycle Show. In MADE's own words, this show is: "A multi-day trade event with consumer-facing days, as well as industry-only days for media meetings, content creation, and community building."

One would be probably correct in assuming that the show is a way for custom bicycle builders to get the word out about their services and gain new customers in the process. So, given MADE's statement, which is a nice set of thoughts, this show will continue to exist as long as the custom builders see the benefits of real sales coming out of the show. It is a fairly new show, having only been in existence a couple of years, but boasted over 5,000 attendees last year.

Image courtesy of MADE

I've received a few press releases concerning new bikes and products that were shown at this show over the weekend. I'll share those here with more of my own commentary about the show in general as well. 

MADE is a show which takes the space where formerly NAHBS resided. (North American Handbuilt Bicycle Show) That show grew over time and was eventually weighed down, and maybe watered down is a more appropriate term here,  by component makers, and things not really associated with the pure "handmade" frame building aspect of custom bicycles. The organizer eventually bailed out and the show fell into dormancy after 2019. Given that COVID disrupted everything, it makes sense that the first MADE Show did not happen until 2022. 

MADE seems to be focusing on a more simplified, directed approach where the main thing is frame building. Seeing the show as a way for content creators to aggregate content ideas and stories from, MADE embraces that aspect of current media creation and invites content creators to have more access than NAHBS used to provide to these outlets. Otherwise, it seems to be a very similar idea at its core to what NAHBS had envisioned originally. 

Image courtesy of Sage Titanium

Sage Titanium:

Sage Titanium showed their custom Storm King and Storm King GP with Classified/TRP Vistar drive train and shifting. 

This drive train set up uses the new Vistar TRP electronic shift/brake levers and rear derailleur paired up with Classified's 2 speed rear hub mechanism. Shifting is completely wireless and programmable. 

The Storm King is Sage Titanium's non-suspension gravel bike with 3D printed dropouts. The bike features several mounts for water bottles and a bento box on the top tube. The Storm King GP differs in that it is suspension corrected for a gravel suspension fork, such as a Rock Shox Rudy, or the like. 

Comments: An interesting collaboration between TRP and Classified which brings another choice to riders. In my opinion this appeals to the "I want something different" customer. I personally would be more interested in a TRP Vistar only bike as the Classified rear hub gear system is proprietary and probably not as efficient as a 2X traditional front derailleur. I say "probably" because I don't have specific independently tested data, but traditionally hub gearing doesn't have the efficiencies of an external chain derailleur drive train. 

Image courtesy of Wilde Bicycle Co.

Wilde Bicycle Co. Shows Two New Lugged Frame Bikes:

Wilde Bicycle Co., run by former All City head man Jeffrey Frane, has introduced two new lugged frame bicycles. 

First up we have the handsome "Sugarfoot" 650B wheeled rando inspired bike. This bike is limited to a run of 10 to begin with and will feature Columbus tubing, Richard Sachs lugs, a Pacenti fork crown, and Imron paint. 

There  will be rack and fender mounts, water bottle mounts for three bottles, and internal rear brake cable routing. The rim brake only bike will sell for $3,900.00 USD. Delivery is scheduled for March/April 2025. 

Image courtesy of Wilde Bicycle Co.

Next up we have a lugged version of the gravel bike Wilde calls the "Earth Ship Lugged Frameset". This uses a special Chris Bishop designed lugset and a very thin walled Columbus Life tube set. This has required Wilde to put a weight limit of 240lbs on this bike. 

The frame will come with Wilde's own Wayfinder carbon fork with triple boss mounts on each fork leg. The bike will also feature three water bottle mounts, a top-tube bag mount, and fender mounts. 

Tire clearance for the Earth Ship Lugged is set at 45mm in 700c diameter. The price for the frame and fork is set at $3,400.00. 

Comments: These frames are made by a single builder in the USA, so the price isn't completely out of line here. That said, it isn't a choice for the faint of heart in terms of finances. This will also make these bikes rare and if you ever see one out and about it will be a red letter day. 

It is interesting to me to observe the trajectory of Wilde since its beginnings. They came off, at least to me, as a bit higher-end All City-like alternative and now have veered even further into exclusive and expensive upper end niche territory. 

Image courtesy of No. 22

No. 22 Bikes Shows Wild 3D Printed Ti Aero Bike:

Probably one of the most interesting bicycles I've seen in a while is this fully 3D printed titanium aero road bike from No. 22 Bicycle Company. 

Called the Reactor Aero, the bike uses Grade 5 titanium powder which is monolithically 3D printed into this shape that you see here. The only bit that is not titanium is the aero optimized seat tube which is carbon fiber. 

No. 22 Bicycle Company states that final production Reactor Aero frames will be 3D printed in sections and welded together and machined in house to allow for tighter control of tolerances and finishes. 

The press release has a quote from No. 22 Bicycle Company co-founder, Bryce Gacey:

"3D printed titanium has phenomenal structural properties. The ability to print internal support structures anywhere in the frame gives us a level of control over the ride quality that has not been possible before. We are able to add stiffness in high load areas like the bottom bracket, dropouts, and head tube for very little weight, while playing with structure in fine detail throughout the frame to ensure it delivers the ride quality we need”

Comments: Yeah....wow! That's a crazy bike and a really cool process of manufacturing. No. 22 says that they can actually tune the ride quality and strength of the structure?  Pretty dang cool if you ask me. And.....pretty dang expensive, I would imagine. That said, maybe someday we will all be riding steel 3D printed frames and forks. Who knows? 

Image courtesy of Wheels Manufacturing.

Colorado Copper Available From Wheels Manufacturing:

Wheels Manufacturing brought several pieces to MADE done up in what they are calling "Colorado Copper" anodized finish. Several parts can now be ordered from stock with this hue amongst the many other colors of anodization that they offer on their parts. 

Comments: Yeah...brown. Didn't Chris King call this "Mocha"? I am pretty sure that Surly had a "Jim Brown" hub set in this hue as well. (Actually, I have a set of those hubs!) So, nothing really spectaculary new here but just another choice to be aware of. 

Meanwhile, how about those single speed conversion kits for MicroSpline and SRAM XD drivers? No batteries required!

Image courtesy of @william_bender

 Scarab Cycles Announces Composite Damping System:

Scarab Cycles out of Columbia, (the country) , announced a new rando model called the Andes, but what I found most interesting was the Composite Damping System which is available on the Paramo gravel bike, Apuna allroad bike, and Scarab's Santa Rosa road bike, shown above in the stunning "Fractal Fruit" paint scheme. 

Composite Damping System centers around the addition of a carbon fiber seat mast which is inserted through a short section of seat tube where the seat cluster of the frame is at. The cap on the seat mast allows for a modicum of saddle height adjustment, which should be okay since all Scarab bikes are made to measure. 

The CDS mod adds $800.00 to the base price of the frame and fork which for a Paramo gravel bike is $3,400.00 USD.

Image courtesy of Velo Orange

Velo Orange Debuts New Chessie Model:

Velo Orange showed a new model called "Chessie" which is a non-suspension corrected design in aluminum. The bike is said to have "big tire clearances" and sliding drop outs for a single speed set up if desired. The images showed a tapered aluminum head tube, lots of accessory mounting points, and external, full run housings. Probably a 27.2mm seat post there by the looks of it as well. The show bike had Pirelli Cinturato M's mounted in what looked to be the 700 X 45mm wide size. Velo Orange described the Chessie as "...a monster of a gravel bike".

Comments: Not many details were released on Velo Orange's communications, but details are coming soon. Look for more on this bike in a future "FN&V". I like what I see here a lot though, and given that Velo Orange sells frames at pretty reasonable prices, this should prove to be a popular bike.

Thanks to all the companies represented in this post for sending press releases. All images and information in this post was provided by these fine companies.

Friday News And Views

Image courtesy of Colnago

 A Relatively Quiet Week Edition of the FN&V

Colnago Announces Rim Brake C 68 Frameset:

Rim brakes for road bikes have not been an option from many brands now for a few years. Especially on upper end bikes. This has raised some ire amongst road bike fans as the simplicity and - more importantly - lightweight of rim brake design, is still something many riders desire from a new road bike.

Now top-end brand Colnago has announced a US $7,750.00 carbon fiber rim brake frameset. The C-68 Rim Brake model is definitely a throwback to ten years ago when quick release wheels and non-hydraulic brake levers were still being offered in top-range drive train choices from Campagnolo, SRAM and Shimano. 

Comments: Should bikes like this still be considered range-topping bikes, or even bikes that average roadies could buy? The industry seems bent upon making every top-end bike, (and even mid-range bikes) 'feats of electronic technology and proprietary parts' instead of beautifully crafted, simple machines that draw the best out of humans. Bikes that show sustainability versus bikes that use batteries which will take energy and effort to recycle safely. 

Bicycles already have issues with being 'green' without the electronics and hydraulic fluids. Tires need to be recycled on a much larger scale than they are now, including tubes. This is happening, that is not the problem. The problem is that what is happening is a drop in the bucket. Then you have carbon fiber....

Ah! Do we need this Colnago to exist? Probably not. But at least it is an example that can be pointed to for the viability of mechanically operated brakes, at the minimum. 

Image courtesy of Iowa DNR

New Adventure Riding Opportunity In North Central Iowa:

A Facebook friend alerted me to a new opportunity for cycling in a reclaimed wetland wildlife preserve located just off I-35 near Swaledale and South of Thornton, Iowa. It is the Union Hills Wildlife and Waterfowl Production Area. 

Here is what was sent to me about the area and its cycling opportunities:

 " Just wanted to share an incredible ride that is now open at the Union Hills Wildlife Area south of Mason City and just west of I35. The DNR just mowed trails throughout the area that is one of the few places you get an idea of how North Central Iowa Looked like before settlement with pothole lakes and moraines with Bur Oak groves throughout."

 Area conservation groups and the State DNR have been working for several years to reclaim the area for wildlife and birding. The area boasts a section of native prairie that has never been plowed and many areas where one can "get lost" and feel as though they left civilization behind.

Apparently the trails are most easily ridden on fatter tires. So, a "plus bike" or fat bike might be best so as to not leave ruts and tear up the trails. This is a new opportunity, so don't "eff it up" folks. Keep your pizza-cutter tires on the gravel! Also, this area is heavily hunted during duck season, so please be aware of hunting seasons and maybe avoid this area then. Please be respectful of all the work that has gone into this and be kind to anyone you run across there if you go. If anyone has more information on this area and would like to share, let me know.

Image courtesy of Ritchey Design

Tom Ritchey To Show Off Brazing Skills At MADE Show:

In the beginnings of the modern mountain biking era, Tom Ritchey was single-handedly supplying frames, forks, and his "Bull Moose" handle bars for his customers. Tom hand-brazed each component and frame. Then the demand for his products took off and he was unable to keep pace with all the orders. Subsequently "a few hundred frames" were sold without their proper forks. 

Apparently, according to a recent Ritchey press release, Tom saw folks with his frames trying to source forks. “I've been witnessing this for years — where people don't have the fork or bar that was designed to go with their Ritchey frame, and they're scrounging around for them. I started seeing replacement parts for my frames that were missing details. They were made by others, and they weren’t doing them right. Now, after all these years I’m helping these fans do it right.” — Tom Ritchey

To help rectify this, owners of  original " Mountain Bikes by Ritchey " frames will be able to purchase Bi-Plane forks and Bull Moose bars brazed up by the man himself. Furthermore, Tom will be doing a seminar and lecture at the MADE show. He also can be seen brazing in the Ritchey booth, #358, on Saturday, August 24 at noon.

Ritchey will be doing this work under the moniker "Mountain Bikes by Tom" and a further announcement will be made at the show. For details on the MADE Show go HERE.

PCL Shirt Lands:

Ahoy! The newest PCL t-shirt has just arrived on the scene from Lincoln, Nebraska. This time I have one of the original logos for the Pirate Cycling League featuring a mustachioed skeleton astride a drop bar single speed. 

In case you are newer here the Pirate Cycling League is a loose-knit band of cyclists who identify as gravel riders, (mostly) that typify the original free-spirit and independent nature of gravel cycling. The group grew out of training rides for mountain biking which were typically held on gravel roads around Lincoln. 

These cyclists, who were really thinking about getting in miles for racing on dirt originally, ended up becoming a prototype gravel group who then found themselves putting on semi-formal "events" throughout the year. The group eventually was responsible for Gravel Worlds existence, although the PCL has officially now parted ways with Garmin Gravel Worlds. 

Since the split, the group has been putting out the occasional t-shirt and riding kit as well. If you want to support the PCL and become a "member" of the group, you only have to be cool and buy a shirt or jersey when they put one out. I've been purchasing PCL jerseys and tees for over a decade. You can find the group on Facebook. 

Image courtesy of Tumbleweed Bicycles

Tumbleweed Sunliner:

Tumbleweed Bicycles announced their third model yesterday, a flat bar bikepacking bike with no suspension correction. The bike is called the Sunliner. 

With tire clearance for 29" X 3.0" tires, the Sunliner should appeal to anyone wanting a simple machine with big tire capabilities. That non-sus corrected fork also allowed Tumbleweed to maximize the space in the front triangle for the largest frame bag size. 

There are tons of rack mounts, bottle cage mounts, and fender mounts on the Sunliner. It should work great for carrying about anything you'd want on an off-road tour and with the design intent for a swept back handlebar, it should prove to be a comfortable, all-day riding bike. 

Frame and fork goes for US $1,400.00 with completes starting at $3,775.00.
 

Okay, that's a wrap on this week's news and my views. Keep ridin' those bikes!