Minus Ten Review 2009-5

Using the bottom bracket taps doesn't happen as much as it used to.

Ten years ago on the blog I was wrapping up the Ritchey Design survey concerning which tire size each Trans Iowa v5 rider was planning on using. It was an interesting survey, as I've said before, and pointed out that tire sizing, back then, was maybe more a function of limited availability than it was what people wanted to see.

Then I had the opportunity to start working directly with more companies regarding reviewing items. Previous to 2009, I mostly was getting things directed to me via whomever was in charge of the website I wrote for at the time. A little more of the actual communications were directed my way during 2008, but 2009 I had the reins of the 29"er website, and one of my first, 100% controlled by me interactions with an outside company came via Misfit Psycles.

They sent me a frame and fork to test, which honestly, was a great little rig. It rode very nicely, despite its being aluminum, and the rigid fork it came with was actually pleasant to ride. This was at about the end of what I would call the "Single Speed Era" when it comes to 29"ers. The bigger wheel size not only was responsible for the revival of the hard tail mountain bike, but it extended the single speed craze for about ten years longer than it should have lasted.

29"er single speeds, arguably, were the single biggest "ambassador" of the big wheels. More accessible than front suspended or full suspended 29"ers, and cheaper to buy in to than either of those types, the single speed 29"er was the single most influential type of bike in modern times. It turned more people on to big wheels than anything the companies, marketing, or media could hope to do. Especially from 2005 (Fisher Rig) to 2009. After this point design and economies of scale made 29'ers cheaper, plus Pro riders were switching over in droves by this point, further influencing riders and companies. So, after 2009, the ubiquitous 29'er single speed hard tail fell off the radar as the bike everyone got their feet wet on with big wheels.

Anyway, the Misfit was a perfect example of the genre at the time. It was a fun bike, but things sure have changed a ton in the ten years since that point.

Minus Ten Review 2009-5

Using the bottom bracket taps doesn't happen as much as it used to.

Ten years ago on the blog I was wrapping up the Ritchey Design survey concerning which tire size each Trans Iowa v5 rider was planning on using. It was an interesting survey, as I've said before, and pointed out that tire sizing, back then, was maybe more a function of limited availability than it was what people wanted to see.

Then I had the opportunity to start working directly with more companies regarding reviewing items. Previous to 2009, I mostly was getting things directed to me via whomever was in charge of the website I wrote for at the time. A little more of the actual communications were directed my way during 2008, but 2009 I had the reins of the 29"er website, and one of my first, 100% controlled by me interactions with an outside company came via Misfit Psycles.

They sent me a frame and fork to test, which honestly, was a great little rig. It rode very nicely, despite its being aluminum, and the rigid fork it came with was actually pleasant to ride. This was at about the end of what I would call the "Single Speed Era" when it comes to 29"ers. The bigger wheel size not only was responsible for the revival of the hard tail mountain bike, but it extended the single speed craze for about ten years longer than it should have lasted.

29"er single speeds, arguably, were the single biggest "ambassador" of the big wheels. More accessible than front suspended or full suspended 29"ers, and cheaper to buy in to than either of those types, the single speed 29"er was the single most influential type of bike in modern times. It turned more people on to big wheels than anything the companies, marketing, or media could hope to do. Especially from 2005 (Fisher Rig) to 2009. After this point design and economies of scale made 29'ers cheaper, plus Pro riders were switching over in droves by this point, further influencing riders and companies. So, after 2009, the ubiquitous 29'er single speed hard tail fell off the radar as the bike everyone got their feet wet on with big wheels.

Anyway, the Misfit was a perfect example of the genre at the time. It was a fun bike, but things sure have changed a ton in the ten years since that point.

Weekend Links

If you have time between bicycle rides this weekend, here is some recovery time linkage to check out.

Captain Bob's Review Gets Props: Captain Bob decided that the writing gig wasn't for him and let me know recently he wanted to bow out. I asked if he could do one last piece on the Misfit Psycles diSSent. So he did it and you can check that out here. Then the Emperor of All Misfit Bicycle Toys declared from his Digital Scroll that Captain Bob "nailed it" when describing the Misfit as being a ferrous impersonator. Now The Emperor has another Misfit that is supposedly a beer can impersonator in steel clothing. Maybe we could write about that one for The Empire too. We'll see.........

Anyway, Captain Bob went out on top, that's for sure!

Trans Iowa Gets Compared To "Real Races": Trans Iowa isn't usually compared to anything resembling a "real race" since it is ............well, Trans Iowa! That said, we were accused of putting on a "real-ish" event this year since we had actual number plates and had folks sign a waiver. But still, we can't really be considered a "real race" since, well.......the guy that runs it is called Guitar Ted. That and we don't charge the requisite exorbitant race fee that guarantees us stature as an "Event" that gets on website race calendars and therefore we don't attract folks that have matching bikes and race kits. So really..........how could we be considered a "real race"? (I'm okay with that, by the way. In fact- I prefer it this way!)

That said, we got compared to "real" ultra-endurance events on George Vargas' website recently. George rated Trans Iowa on his own personal "toughness scale" (scroll down the page a bit) Pretty interesting number crunching here that shows Trans Iowa to be a tough nut to crack. But then you could probably ask any of the 158 individuals who have ever toed the line at a Trans Iowa and gotten similar responses. (Sans the numbers and science)

Anyway, I am humbled and I thank George for all of the attention he has lavished on this event. In fact, the outpouring of reports and the words contained within have been really appreciated this year. Thank you! (Perhaps things won't be quite so "sunny and warm" next year, if ya catch my drift!)

So, that should keep you occupied for a bit while you catch your breath before you hit the road or trail again this weekend. Stay safe and have a great ride!

Weekend Links

If you have time between bicycle rides this weekend, here is some recovery time linkage to check out.

Captain Bob's Review Gets Props: Captain Bob decided that the writing gig wasn't for him and let me know recently he wanted to bow out. I asked if he could do one last piece on the Misfit Psycles diSSent. So he did it and you can check that out here. Then the Emperor of All Misfit Bicycle Toys declared from his Digital Scroll that Captain Bob "nailed it" when describing the Misfit as being a ferrous impersonator. Now The Emperor has another Misfit that is supposedly a beer can impersonator in steel clothing. Maybe we could write about that one for The Empire too. We'll see.........

Anyway, Captain Bob went out on top, that's for sure!

Trans Iowa Gets Compared To "Real Races": Trans Iowa isn't usually compared to anything resembling a "real race" since it is ............well, Trans Iowa! That said, we were accused of putting on a "real-ish" event this year since we had actual number plates and had folks sign a waiver. But still, we can't really be considered a "real race" since, well.......the guy that runs it is called Guitar Ted. That and we don't charge the requisite exorbitant race fee that guarantees us stature as an "Event" that gets on website race calendars and therefore we don't attract folks that have matching bikes and race kits. So really..........how could we be considered a "real race"? (I'm okay with that, by the way. In fact- I prefer it this way!)

That said, we got compared to "real" ultra-endurance events on George Vargas' website recently. George rated Trans Iowa on his own personal "toughness scale" (scroll down the page a bit) Pretty interesting number crunching here that shows Trans Iowa to be a tough nut to crack. But then you could probably ask any of the 158 individuals who have ever toed the line at a Trans Iowa and gotten similar responses. (Sans the numbers and science)

Anyway, I am humbled and I thank George for all of the attention he has lavished on this event. In fact, the outpouring of reports and the words contained within have been really appreciated this year. Thank you! (Perhaps things won't be quite so "sunny and warm" next year, if ya catch my drift!)

So, that should keep you occupied for a bit while you catch your breath before you hit the road or trail again this weekend. Stay safe and have a great ride!

One Down, One To Go!

<===The Shadowy Conspiracy behind Misfit's "Fe" hard tail stands to the left.

One of the coolest things about Sea Otter is the people you meet. I got to chat with Peter Keiller who is the Emperor Of Misfit Toys for awhile about his newest toy that is about to go to all the bad little girls and boys out there- The "Fe" version of his aluminum hard tail single speed. It will be a True Temper OX Platinum rig with the Misfit style sliders done in steel, (of a sort yet to be determined). This frame is made of American sourced steel, welded by hand in Canada, and powder coated in Canada as well. (Kind of sounds like hockey to me). Whatever! This bike is going to be cool and it should be a great addition to the Misfit family of toys. (Not recommended for children under the height of 5' 3")

Oh yeah, and Peter is a cool guy too. I was glad to have met him. It's always nice to see and hear from someone with vision and passion in the cycling industry. Gets me inspired, it does.

<===Under that classic orange paint is a skin of grey!

Another inspiring guy in the industry is Greg Matyas, owner/operator of Speedway Cycles up there in Anchorage, AK. Greg brought yet another titanium Fat Bike with him to Sea Otter. This beauty is now being produced by Lynskey Performance Design in Tennessee. Greg has a highly massaged down tube spec'ed for lateral stiffness and really cool details like a bent top tube for stand over clearance in snow, no offset in the frame, yet a totally usable range of gears, cool rack mounts, and wide tire clearance, of course! Greg has a titanium handle bar to go with this, but he sold the last example to Mike Curiak and is waiting on more to re-stock. The rims are the ever evolving Speedway Cycles rims that are drilled for lighter weight. To top it all off, the hubs are special Phil Wood high flange and custom width to accommodate this design. Trick!

Did I say that topped it all off? No......wait! Greg gifted me a "he-mans" bottle of Midnight Sun Brewery's Meltdown Double IPA. Yes! That did top off the meet up just right!

Another Sea Otter fades into memory........

So another Sea Otter is over. I made it home and I'm back in my familiar environs. But........Trans Iowa V5 lurks in the near future. Out of the frying pan, into the fire!

So, last minute details will be the order of the day. Look for thoughts and concerns to populate the blog posts in the coming days that reflect on my current deteriorating mental state.

One Down, One To Go!

<===The Shadowy Conspiracy behind Misfit's "Fe" hard tail stands to the left.

One of the coolest things about Sea Otter is the people you meet. I got to chat with Peter Keiller who is the Emperor Of Misfit Toys for awhile about his newest toy that is about to go to all the bad little girls and boys out there- The "Fe" version of his aluminum hard tail single speed. It will be a True Temper OX Platinum rig with the Misfit style sliders done in steel, (of a sort yet to be determined). This frame is made of American sourced steel, welded by hand in Canada, and powder coated in Canada as well. (Kind of sounds like hockey to me). Whatever! This bike is going to be cool and it should be a great addition to the Misfit family of toys. (Not recommended for children under the height of 5' 3")

Oh yeah, and Peter is a cool guy too. I was glad to have met him. It's always nice to see and hear from someone with vision and passion in the cycling industry. Gets me inspired, it does.

<===Under that classic orange paint is a skin of grey!

Another inspiring guy in the industry is Greg Matyas, owner/operator of Speedway Cycles up there in Anchorage, AK. Greg brought yet another titanium Fat Bike with him to Sea Otter. This beauty is now being produced by Lynskey Performance Design in Tennessee. Greg has a highly massaged down tube spec'ed for lateral stiffness and really cool details like a bent top tube for stand over clearance in snow, no offset in the frame, yet a totally usable range of gears, cool rack mounts, and wide tire clearance, of course! Greg has a titanium handle bar to go with this, but he sold the last example to Mike Curiak and is waiting on more to re-stock. The rims are the ever evolving Speedway Cycles rims that are drilled for lighter weight. To top it all off, the hubs are special Phil Wood high flange and custom width to accommodate this design. Trick!

Did I say that topped it all off? No......wait! Greg gifted me a "he-mans" bottle of Midnight Sun Brewery's Meltdown Double IPA. Yes! That did top off the meet up just right!

Another Sea Otter fades into memory........

So another Sea Otter is over. I made it home and I'm back in my familiar environs. But........Trans Iowa V5 lurks in the near future. Out of the frying pan, into the fire!

So, last minute details will be the order of the day. Look for thoughts and concerns to populate the blog posts in the coming days that reflect on my current deteriorating mental state.