Friday News And Views

Riding Gravel Jersey Update:

Last week I posted that we at RidingGravel.com were thinking about rebooting the jersey idea and I posted two new designs courtesy of Bike Rags. I then asked you readers, if you cared to, to give me feedback on which one you'd like. I also posted these designs to the Riding Gravel Facebook page for consideration.

So, after all of that..... there was no clear winner! So, I'm not quite sure what to make of those results. Here's the kicker: We are not doing both. So the decision will likely fall on my shoulders to make. I'm going to allow this to carry on through the week next week, and if I do not get anymore feedback, the light blue one (with a slight mod) will be my choice. 

Now.......there is still time to swing things the other way, so let me know now or it will definitely be the lighter blue one. The changes I want to make would be to go with a shade darker orange and add a strip of orange to the top of the rear pockets like the dark blue design has on it.

The orange on the darker jersey is not how dark I would go on the lighter blue jersey, just for reference. The orange on the light blue one just looks a bit too 'creamsicle' for my tastes. And if the deal is left in my hands to make the call, that's what it'll be. 

So, one more week and we will then see how it goes. This isn't a super-high priority deal for RidingGravel.com. We do have our eyes on doing two t-shirts, classic designs we have done in the past that we are bringing back, and maybe a hoodie design. Stay tuned......

There also will be sticker packs and maybe one other kind of goodie as well. I doubt that we will get any of this off the ground for gift giving this holiday season. It will likely be later into the Winter before anything becomes available, unless I get surprised by something. We will see. 

Oh! And just for the record, I don't hate the darker blue design, I just like it less than the lighter blue design. Plus, the lighter blue is more in keeping with our other jersey we put out a few years back. So, the continuity of that appeals to me a bit. Just thought I'd throw that out there. 

The new Japhy from Esker Cycles.

Esker Cycles Debuts The Japhy Hardtail:

I had heard via Esker Cycles' head honcho on Facebook that there would be a new hardtail capable of handling a 29+ tire. Well, it was released Tuesday and it is a steel frame called the Japhy. 

You may be familiar with the Esker Hayduke, which has been around now for a while. This seems to be Esker's 27.5 platform now that the Japhy is out which has been designated the 29"er in the range. The Japhy has all the up-to-date slack/long/low thing going on with its geometry. No real difference from many bikes like it in that regard. But what I see here is a great value in a steel hard tail.

The Japhy frame set, which has a 148 Boost rear through axle, the sliding Portage rear drop out, a seat collar, and a Wolf Tooth head set, is fairly priced at $750.00. Not just in one color either. No, you get to choose from four different colors. That's crazy value, but the frame isn't some gas pipe tube set either. Esker says it is a quad-butted, seamless ChroMoly tube set. It has a dropper route, and with those Portage drop outs, it can be set up to accept various hub widths and supports a rack as well. 

I think it is a fetching bike for the buck. Especially compared to many others in this category. I'd look strongly at getting one if I lived in a place where it would make sense. The thing is, I don't live in a place where this makes sense. 

Image courtesy of Twampa

Wood You? Ride A Wooden Bike, That Is.....

The idea for using wood as a structural element isn't anything newsworthy, but when it comes to something that is like a bicycle? Well, that's a bit more unusual, although not unprecedented. Wood has been used to make bicycles and parts of bicycles for the entirety of the history of bicycles. But you'd have to agree that it isn't something you see everyday now. 

I have seen wooden rims, handle bars, and a complete wooden bicycle before. The last one I recall being pretty noteworthy was the Renovo road bike. I actually worked on one at the shop I was at prior to my gig at Andy's Bike Shop. (Renovo went out of business in 2018) Wood is a very qualified material to use to make a bicycle frame. It has its challenges, but the unique characteristics of wood become immediately familiar when we associate its use in some everyday things we know well. Like tool handles. Many are made from hardwoods like ash because they are strong and absorb shock well. Think about Major League baseball bats. They are made from wood as well for similar reasons. 

So, it makes sense that a frame for a gravel bike made from ash might be a worthwhile thing to do, and that's exactly where the company Twampa, from the U.K., is coming from with its new 'GR 1.0' gravel bike. Their unique take on a bicycle uses some cool machine work which features puzzle-piece junctions at major frame member joints and looks like a regular frame with, you know......wood grain.

Image courtesy of Twampa

Now, I looked over the Twampa website and there was no overt reference to pricing, but using the old Renovo bikes as a historical touch point, I cannot imagine these bikes would be inexpensive. A story I saw about the company said a frame is about $3000,00 USD though. Then we in North America know that the Emerald Ash Borer beetle has decimated ash tree populations here and it is expected that ash will no longer be available as a material to work with very soon. You have to wonder if English ash trees are under any similar threat. 

Then you have the suitability for any given bit of timber to be used in a structure like a bicycle frame where a material's characteristics are pushed to their outer limits. Select trees may only produce a finite amount of suitable material. That's probably why you don't see a lot of wooden bicycle frames. Getting a consistency from 'nature' in quantities on demand at fair prices? Good luck with that. That's why prices for such objects generally are quite high. (Thinking about guitars here especially)

But it is an interesting thought- a wooden bike- and I would ride one, given the opportunity. It would have to be spectacularly awesome and loads more comfortable than say, carbon fiber, or steel, for me to even give thought to buying one. Why? because I don't see the value proposition being an advantage over what I can buy for, (likely) a lot less. I mean, if this frame alone, with no fork, mind you, is 3K? Yeah..... That's very difficult to justify unless it is so much better than titanium, carbon, or high end steel. But, you'd have an unusual bike, that's for sure! 

And that's a wrap. REJECT BLACK FRIDAY! Go for a bicycle ride.....or a walk even...instead! have an awesome weekend!

Friday News And Views

Riding Gravel Jersey Update:

Last week I posted that we at RidingGravel.com were thinking about rebooting the jersey idea and I posted two new designs courtesy of Bike Rags. I then asked you readers, if you cared to, to give me feedback on which one you'd like. I also posted these designs to the Riding Gravel Facebook page for consideration.

So, after all of that..... there was no clear winner! So, I'm not quite sure what to make of those results. Here's the kicker: We are not doing both. So the decision will likely fall on my shoulders to make. I'm going to allow this to carry on through the week next week, and if I do not get anymore feedback, the light blue one (with a slight mod) will be my choice. 

Now.......there is still time to swing things the other way, so let me know now or it will definitely be the lighter blue one. The changes I want to make would be to go with a shade darker orange and add a strip of orange to the top of the rear pockets like the dark blue design has on it.

The orange on the darker jersey is not how dark I would go on the lighter blue jersey, just for reference. The orange on the light blue one just looks a bit too 'creamsicle' for my tastes. And if the deal is left in my hands to make the call, that's what it'll be. 

So, one more week and we will then see how it goes. This isn't a super-high priority deal for RidingGravel.com. We do have our eyes on doing two t-shirts, classic designs we have done in the past that we are bringing back, and maybe a hoodie design. Stay tuned......

There also will be sticker packs and maybe one other kind of goodie as well. I doubt that we will get any of this off the ground for gift giving this holiday season. It will likely be later into the Winter before anything becomes available, unless I get surprised by something. We will see. 

Oh! And just for the record, I don't hate the darker blue design, I just like it less than the lighter blue design. Plus, the lighter blue is more in keeping with our other jersey we put out a few years back. So, the continuity of that appeals to me a bit. Just thought I'd throw that out there. 

The new Japhy from Esker Cycles.

Esker Cycles Debuts The Japhy Hardtail:

I had heard via Esker Cycles' head honcho on Facebook that there would be a new hardtail capable of handling a 29+ tire. Well, it was released Tuesday and it is a steel frame called the Japhy. 

You may be familiar with the Esker Hayduke, which has been around now for a while. This seems to be Esker's 27.5 platform now that the Japhy is out which has been designated the 29"er in the range. The Japhy has all the up-to-date slack/long/low thing going on with its geometry. No real difference from many bikes like it in that regard. But what I see here is a great value in a steel hard tail.

The Japhy frame set, which has a 148 Boost rear through axle, the sliding Portage rear drop out, a seat collar, and a Wolf Tooth head set, is fairly priced at $750.00. Not just in one color either. No, you get to choose from four different colors. That's crazy value, but the frame isn't some gas pipe tube set either. Esker says it is a quad-butted, seamless ChroMoly tube set. It has a dropper route, and with those Portage drop outs, it can be set up to accept various hub widths and supports a rack as well. 

I think it is a fetching bike for the buck. Especially compared to many others in this category. I'd look strongly at getting one if I lived in a place where it would make sense. The thing is, I don't live in a place where this makes sense. 

Image courtesy of Twampa

Wood You? Ride A Wooden Bike, That Is.....

The idea for using wood as a structural element isn't anything newsworthy, but when it comes to something that is like a bicycle? Well, that's a bit more unusual, although not unprecedented. Wood has been used to make bicycles and parts of bicycles for the entirety of the history of bicycles. But you'd have to agree that it isn't something you see everyday now. 

I have seen wooden rims, handle bars, and a complete wooden bicycle before. The last one I recall being pretty noteworthy was the Renovo road bike. I actually worked on one at the shop I was at prior to my gig at Andy's Bike Shop. (Renovo went out of business in 2018) Wood is a very qualified material to use to make a bicycle frame. It has its challenges, but the unique characteristics of wood become immediately familiar when we associate its use in some everyday things we know well. Like tool handles. Many are made from hardwoods like ash because they are strong and absorb shock well. Think about Major League baseball bats. They are made from wood as well for similar reasons. 

So, it makes sense that a frame for a gravel bike made from ash might be a worthwhile thing to do, and that's exactly where the company Twampa, from the U.K., is coming from with its new 'GR 1.0' gravel bike. Their unique take on a bicycle uses some cool machine work which features puzzle-piece junctions at major frame member joints and looks like a regular frame with, you know......wood grain.

Image courtesy of Twampa

Now, I looked over the Twampa website and there was no overt reference to pricing, but using the old Renovo bikes as a historical touch point, I cannot imagine these bikes would be inexpensive. A story I saw about the company said a frame is about $3000,00 USD though. Then we in North America know that the Emerald Ash Borer beetle has decimated ash tree populations here and it is expected that ash will no longer be available as a material to work with very soon. You have to wonder if English ash trees are under any similar threat. 

Then you have the suitability for any given bit of timber to be used in a structure like a bicycle frame where a material's characteristics are pushed to their outer limits. Select trees may only produce a finite amount of suitable material. That's probably why you don't see a lot of wooden bicycle frames. Getting a consistency from 'nature' in quantities on demand at fair prices? Good luck with that. That's why prices for such objects generally are quite high. (Thinking about guitars here especially)

But it is an interesting thought- a wooden bike- and I would ride one, given the opportunity. It would have to be spectacularly awesome and loads more comfortable than say, carbon fiber, or steel, for me to even give thought to buying one. Why? because I don't see the value proposition being an advantage over what I can buy for, (likely) a lot less. I mean, if this frame alone, with no fork, mind you, is 3K? Yeah..... That's very difficult to justify unless it is so much better than titanium, carbon, or high end steel. But, you'd have an unusual bike, that's for sure! 

And that's a wrap. REJECT BLACK FRIDAY! Go for a bicycle ride.....or a walk even...instead! have an awesome weekend!

Friday News And Views

Standard Rando v2 in Turquoise. Image courtesy of Twin Six.

 Twin Six Debuts A Minty-Fresh Standard Rando Color:

Those marketing mavens at Twin Six know that color matters. A clean design with the right color can catch a person like a fly in honey. Such is their aim with the Standard Rando v2, a bike that outwardly appears much as it has since its inception years ago, but gets consistent refreshes in base color from time to time to make the design seem brand new again. 

This time they went with a minty looking color they are calling "Turquoise". I am not a fan, but you know, someone or many will be, and that's the point here. Those same fans of turquoise may have hated the "School Bus Yellow" which I found really cool. 

And let's not forget that Twin Six is not the only company doing this. All the QBP brands do the same thing to some degree. Surly? When was the last time they significantly changed a model? The Karate Monkey maybe? Otherwise they introduce a model then they just make color changes for years. Salsa Cycles? Pretty much the same thing with a few new models sprinkled in to take the place of outgoing ones. 

Anyway, it's a thing, and maybe this turquoise Standard Rando v2 is for you. Wondering what I think about this bike's ride characteristics? See my post on it here.

Jersey design #1

Riding Gravel Jersey Design Starts:

Several years ago I and my partner at RidingGravel.com, Ben Welnak, set out to get a Riding Gravel jersey and kit made. Well, a lot of time has passed and now we are back at the drawing board again, this time working with Bike Rags, an Iowa based company, to figure out what we want to do for a jersey design.  I've been pretty happy with how our C.O.G. 100 jerseys came out last year and Bike Rags did those as well. So I would expect a similar level of quality at the least.

There were a couple of things I insisted on with this new design. First, it had to be congruent with our current branding, which I have been pretty happy with. Secondly, I preferred that it use the same colors as we have had- sky blue, orange, and white- but it didn't have to be that. Thirdly, I was interested in having a design with an Argyle or similar looking design for the theme. 

  So with those design parameters set I sent off my thoughts to Tony at Bike Rags and let he and his design team get after it. After a few misfires we got on track and he sent me back these two designs which could become the next Riding Gravel jersey offer. Maybe...... I'm just floating this out there for now. 

Jersey design #2

So, why am I showing these? Well, I am trying to get some feedback from others as to which, if any, would you actually be willing to buy? The feedback we get may influence us to (a) actually offer something and (b) choose which design to get made. These should come in at a fairly attractive price point, but that is still to be determined. Think along the lines of "about what other decent jerseys cost, and you'll be on the mark, most likely. 

If this happens we are thinking that we will do pre-orders and that Andy's Bike Shop will also have some on hand to actually look at. Besides this idea we are also looking at doing more stickers, t-shirts, long sleeved t's, and maybe even hoodies. Some or all of this may happen and some or all of that may be available locally at Andy's Bike Shop as well. 

Now back to the jerseys. I know which one I prefer, but both are really good, I think. Let me know in the comments if you like one or the other and we'll go from there.
 

Jones Bikes LWB Space Frame

Two Things About Bikepacking:

I was perusing the innergoogles, ya know.....since I am trying to live the hermit life these days, and I have come across a sentiment which appeared in a 'for sale' post of some pretty fancy-pants bikepacking rigs. The thought being that since we are in a world-wide pandemic, all big world adventures are kind of, you know, not such a great idea. So I see some nice rigs up for sale now. 

I can see the validity in that way of thinking. I mean, who wants to take a chance on bringing a virus to a secluded corner of the world where it may wreak havoc on the local human population? Well, that is.....if you have a shred of humanitarian thought in your brain case. I would think that would be a prudent idea, not to go right now. But what I find curious is the thoughts of, well.......and I am guessing here, obviously, but why not wait instead of bailing out? 

Seems like a good idea to me. Obviously, this isn't going to last forever, and you can have another shot, I mean, it's not over until its over for you, yes? I dunno. Maybe the people need the money, 'cause they lost their jobs due to this pandemic. Like I say.....I am just guessing and observing. It just seems odd.....

Then, as always, whenever I see a bikepacking bike topic I start dreaming about a Jones Ti Space Frame again. It's a sickness. I'll likely have to get a better job or I'll have to take out a loan, because on my current salary this bike is waaaay outta my league, but yeah.... 

A couple thoughts on the bikepacking deal in regard to our times, such as they are. 

And that's a wrap for this week. Hopefully y'all are staying safe, getting exercise, and being nice to other humans. Have a great weekend! 

Friday News And Views

Standard Rando v2 in Turquoise. Image courtesy of Twin Six.

 Twin Six Debuts A Minty-Fresh Standard Rando Color:

Those marketing mavens at Twin Six know that color matters. A clean design with the right color can catch a person like a fly in honey. Such is their aim with the Standard Rando v2, a bike that outwardly appears much as it has since its inception years ago, but gets consistent refreshes in base color from time to time to make the design seem brand new again. 

This time they went with a minty looking color they are calling "Turquoise". I am not a fan, but you know, someone or many will be, and that's the point here. Those same fans of turquoise may have hated the "School Bus Yellow" which I found really cool. 

And let's not forget that Twin Six is not the only company doing this. All the QBP brands do the same thing to some degree. Surly? When was the last time they significantly changed a model? The Karate Monkey maybe? Otherwise they introduce a model then they just make color changes for years. Salsa Cycles? Pretty much the same thing with a few new models sprinkled in to take the place of outgoing ones. 

Anyway, it's a thing, and maybe this turquoise Standard Rando v2 is for you. Wondering what I think about this bike's ride characteristics? See my post on it here.

Jersey design #1

Riding Gravel Jersey Design Starts:

Several years ago I and my partner at RidingGravel.com, Ben Welnak, set out to get a Riding Gravel jersey and kit made. Well, a lot of time has passed and now we are back at the drawing board again, this time working with Bike Rags, an Iowa based company, to figure out what we want to do for a jersey design.  I've been pretty happy with how our C.O.G. 100 jerseys came out last year and Bike Rags did those as well. So I would expect a similar level of quality at the least.

There were a couple of things I insisted on with this new design. First, it had to be congruent with our current branding, which I have been pretty happy with. Secondly, I preferred that it use the same colors as we have had- sky blue, orange, and white- but it didn't have to be that. Thirdly, I was interested in having a design with an Argyle or similar looking design for the theme. 

  So with those design parameters set I sent off my thoughts to Tony at Bike Rags and let he and his design team get after it. After a few misfires we got on track and he sent me back these two designs which could become the next Riding Gravel jersey offer. Maybe...... I'm just floating this out there for now. 

Jersey design #2

So, why am I showing these? Well, I am trying to get some feedback from others as to which, if any, would you actually be willing to buy? The feedback we get may influence us to (a) actually offer something and (b) choose which design to get made. These should come in at a fairly attractive price point, but that is still to be determined. Think along the lines of "about what other decent jerseys cost, and you'll be on the mark, most likely. 

If this happens we are thinking that we will do pre-orders and that Andy's Bike Shop will also have some on hand to actually look at. Besides this idea we are also looking at doing more stickers, t-shirts, long sleeved t's, and maybe even hoodies. Some or all of this may happen and some or all of that may be available locally at Andy's Bike Shop as well. 

Now back to the jerseys. I know which one I prefer, but both are really good, I think. Let me know in the comments if you like one or the other and we'll go from there.
 

Jones Bikes LWB Space Frame

Two Things About Bikepacking:

I was perusing the innergoogles, ya know.....since I am trying to live the hermit life these days, and I have come across a sentiment which appeared in a 'for sale' post of some pretty fancy-pants bikepacking rigs. The thought being that since we are in a world-wide pandemic, all big world adventures are kind of, you know, not such a great idea. So I see some nice rigs up for sale now. 

I can see the validity in that way of thinking. I mean, who wants to take a chance on bringing a virus to a secluded corner of the world where it may wreak havoc on the local human population? Well, that is.....if you have a shred of humanitarian thought in your brain case. I would think that would be a prudent idea, not to go right now. But what I find curious is the thoughts of, well.......and I am guessing here, obviously, but why not wait instead of bailing out? 

Seems like a good idea to me. Obviously, this isn't going to last forever, and you can have another shot, I mean, it's not over until its over for you, yes? I dunno. Maybe the people need the money, 'cause they lost their jobs due to this pandemic. Like I say.....I am just guessing and observing. It just seems odd.....

Then, as always, whenever I see a bikepacking bike topic I start dreaming about a Jones Ti Space Frame again. It's a sickness. I'll likely have to get a better job or I'll have to take out a loan, because on my current salary this bike is waaaay outta my league, but yeah.... 

A couple thoughts on the bikepacking deal in regard to our times, such as they are. 

And that's a wrap for this week. Hopefully y'all are staying safe, getting exercise, and being nice to other humans. Have a great weekend!