Friday News And Views

Less expensive, 1 X 12, will be seen everywhere

New Bike Season: It is that time of year when new stuff for the new bike year, (2018 in this case), starts to trickle out. We've seen a few things already, like the new Ultegra and Niner's new SIR 9 model. Another recent intro that I haven't mentioned is SRAM's new, more wallet friendly version of 1 X 12 Eagle in the GX level. Said to be a direct competitor to XT, GX Eagle will be seen on a ton of new 2018 bicycles.

SRAM made sure you'll know it is GX Eagle because the new GX crank arms are flat and wide. Perfect for a huge "GX" logo. One of the other GX Eagle components is a grip shifter. I know that seems odd ball to many of you, but to my mind, a grip shift 1X 12 is a perfect fat bike set up. Think gloved hands, cold air, and keeping your digits warm by ganging them together in an overmitt, or under a pogie. Triggers can be a bit much in those situations whereas a grip shifter is much easier to operate under those circumstances.

Of course, the big expense in the flagship Eagle component group is the (almost) one piece, carved out of a block of steel, cassette. GX gets a pinned together set of 12 cogs. I've used a similar 11 speed cassette on my fat bike and it worked fine. So, it isn't marvelously light, but it certainly isn't heavy by any stretch of the imagination.

An entire Eagle GX groupset can be had for under $500.00, so it isn't a bad upgrade for anyone running an 11 speed SRAM 1X group. Again, I'm not necessarily a fan on all fronts. I totally get 1X for fat bikes, due to the nature of how a front derailleur ends up becoming a focal point for muck collection. (I use a fat bike for wet, muddy, slushy excursions.) I don't necessarily agree with 1X from the standpoint of chain efficiency. I still think there are times when a 2X is a better choice. I like Shimano's thinking in this regard.

The Otso Cycles, Lithic brand, "Hiili" model carbon gravel bike fork.

More Clearance:

The move to make a gravel bike, (read "fat road bike") your "One Bike to Rule Them All" bike, lately has spawned all sorts of oddball stuff that no one was dreaming of 5 years ago. In fact, had anyone introduced a 400mm axle to crown fork that fit a 29" X 2.1" tire, they would have been considered nuts. At least there would have been a lot of "WTF" going on.

But then again, maybe there still is a lot of that thought going on! 

Anyway, there it is. Otso Cycles has this very fork. It can be stuffed with all sorts of fat tired, different diameter wheels, and it could be just the thing for cyclo crossers looking for the maximum mud clearing front wheel holding device. That said, I would think a strut would be better then. Probably would look too weird, eh? But then again, there is the Lauf fork......... Who knows?!! 

Okay, so I am older, I like classic parts, and so this fork doesn't bother me so much since that huge arch looks more like a sloping investment cast crown than a uni-crown fork. Uni-crown forks are obviously a very structurally sound way to make a fork out of metal, but carbon is supposed to be able to be formed into certain shapes and retain strength. Why not approximate a sloping crown steel fork in carbon? Now that would keep some folks hair raised, I am sure, but how cool would that be?

Anyway..... My main beef with carbon forks is that they typically are brutal to ride. I sure hope this fork is not one of those forks, if ya know what I mean. Hopefully more like the TRP CX fork I got to try, or the 3T fork I heard was nice. But that isn't all Otso had to tell of......

They now are a component brand to the consumer and industry. They will be selling this fork and a handle bar, and wheels, and fat bike rims under the "Lithic"brand label.

Fatty hasn't been the same since.......

 Guitar Ted Death Ride Invitational News:

I have been pretty quiet about this so far this year, but now it is getting closer and I've got plans to share. The next GTDRI happens on July 29th. (YES, I know that is the last day of RAGBRAI. That's on purpose....) That Saturday we will be going on a "tour of dirt roads" Iowa style in Tama County.

The inspiration for this route is from my friends in the Pirate Cycling League who do their own "Tour Of Dirt Roads". I thought it might be fun to try that up here.

It's a huge risk, because if it rains it will be a re-route fest and it could become a wild, weird day of wandering instead of cruising cool dirt roads, but whatever happens happens. I'm going for it.

So, as of now I am planning on the following for the route:

• Distance- At least 100 miles, but not more than 120.
• Starting Point- Traer Iowa. We will loop back to here to end the ride as well.
• Pass Through Towns. (Subject to change) Toledo, Garwin, Reinbeck
• Ride happens rain or shine with or without anyone showing up.
• This is a free to attend ride. Anyone that thinks they can hack it can show up. 

More soon...... Stay tuned.

Have a great weekend! Ride your bicycles and stay safe!

Friday News And Views

Less expensive, 1 X 12, will be seen everywhere

New Bike Season: It is that time of year when new stuff for the new bike year, (2018 in this case), starts to trickle out. We've seen a few things already, like the new Ultegra and Niner's new SIR 9 model. Another recent intro that I haven't mentioned is SRAM's new, more wallet friendly version of 1 X 12 Eagle in the GX level. Said to be a direct competitor to XT, GX Eagle will be seen on a ton of new 2018 bicycles.

SRAM made sure you'll know it is GX Eagle because the new GX crank arms are flat and wide. Perfect for a huge "GX" logo. One of the other GX Eagle components is a grip shifter. I know that seems odd ball to many of you, but to my mind, a grip shift 1X 12 is a perfect fat bike set up. Think gloved hands, cold air, and keeping your digits warm by ganging them together in an overmitt, or under a pogie. Triggers can be a bit much in those situations whereas a grip shifter is much easier to operate under those circumstances.

Of course, the big expense in the flagship Eagle component group is the (almost) one piece, carved out of a block of steel, cassette. GX gets a pinned together set of 12 cogs. I've used a similar 11 speed cassette on my fat bike and it worked fine. So, it isn't marvelously light, but it certainly isn't heavy by any stretch of the imagination.

An entire Eagle GX groupset can be had for under $500.00, so it isn't a bad upgrade for anyone running an 11 speed SRAM 1X group. Again, I'm not necessarily a fan on all fronts. I totally get 1X for fat bikes, due to the nature of how a front derailleur ends up becoming a focal point for muck collection. (I use a fat bike for wet, muddy, slushy excursions.) I don't necessarily agree with 1X from the standpoint of chain efficiency. I still think there are times when a 2X is a better choice. I like Shimano's thinking in this regard.

The Otso Cycles, Lithic brand, "Hiili" model carbon gravel bike fork.

More Clearance:

The move to make a gravel bike, (read "fat road bike") your "One Bike to Rule Them All" bike, lately has spawned all sorts of oddball stuff that no one was dreaming of 5 years ago. In fact, had anyone introduced a 400mm axle to crown fork that fit a 29" X 2.1" tire, they would have been considered nuts. At least there would have been a lot of "WTF" going on.

But then again, maybe there still is a lot of that thought going on! 

Anyway, there it is. Otso Cycles has this very fork. It can be stuffed with all sorts of fat tired, different diameter wheels, and it could be just the thing for cyclo crossers looking for the maximum mud clearing front wheel holding device. That said, I would think a strut would be better then. Probably would look too weird, eh? But then again, there is the Lauf fork......... Who knows?!! 

Okay, so I am older, I like classic parts, and so this fork doesn't bother me so much since that huge arch looks more like a sloping investment cast crown than a uni-crown fork. Uni-crown forks are obviously a very structurally sound way to make a fork out of metal, but carbon is supposed to be able to be formed into certain shapes and retain strength. Why not approximate a sloping crown steel fork in carbon? Now that would keep some folks hair raised, I am sure, but how cool would that be?

Anyway..... My main beef with carbon forks is that they typically are brutal to ride. I sure hope this fork is not one of those forks, if ya know what I mean. Hopefully more like the TRP CX fork I got to try, or the 3T fork I heard was nice. But that isn't all Otso had to tell of......

They now are a component brand to the consumer and industry. They will be selling this fork and a handle bar, and wheels, and fat bike rims under the "Lithic"brand label.

Fatty hasn't been the same since.......

 Guitar Ted Death Ride Invitational News:

I have been pretty quiet about this so far this year, but now it is getting closer and I've got plans to share. The next GTDRI happens on July 29th. (YES, I know that is the last day of RAGBRAI. That's on purpose....) That Saturday we will be going on a "tour of dirt roads" Iowa style in Tama County.

The inspiration for this route is from my friends in the Pirate Cycling League who do their own "Tour Of Dirt Roads". I thought it might be fun to try that up here.

It's a huge risk, because if it rains it will be a re-route fest and it could become a wild, weird day of wandering instead of cruising cool dirt roads, but whatever happens happens. I'm going for it.

So, as of now I am planning on the following for the route:

• Distance- At least 100 miles, but not more than 120.
• Starting Point- Traer Iowa. We will loop back to here to end the ride as well.
• Pass Through Towns. (Subject to change) Toledo, Garwin, Reinbeck
• Ride happens rain or shine with or without anyone showing up.
• This is a free to attend ride. Anyone that thinks they can hack it can show up. 

More soon...... Stay tuned.

Have a great weekend! Ride your bicycles and stay safe!

Friday News And Views

SRAM marketing strikes with a new 11 spd cassette that is aimed at 1X riders.

SRAM NX 1 X 11 Parts Announced:

If you've been paying attention for the last few years, you know that SRAM has been pushing its 1 X 11 gearing for mountain bikes quite heavily. I've used it, and it is a fascinating idea that ends up being "just okay", in my opinion. (More on that coming up here.) The biggest issue I, and many others have had, with this format is that (a), it requires a specific free hub body and (b), the cost is outrageous for the cassette. Mostly this is due to the outlandish, wasteful carving of a huge block of steel into a single, 10 cog unit, to which a final, aluminum cog is fitted to. The waste in the material and cost to machine the huge chunk of steel forces SRAM to charge exorbitant prices- anywhere from $260-ish to a bit over $400.00 depending upon where you purchase and what level X-Dome cassette you buy. Compare that to $160-ish for an XTR 11 speed cassette from the UK online dealers, and you can see why xx-1 is a bit of a big bite to chew for riders. That's just the cassette too. You still need a special derailleur, shifter, chain ring, and chain.

The obvious solution was for SRAM to find a way to make the 1 X 11 idea cheaper. They tried the GX platform, which still required an XD free hub, which was riveted together and consists of separately made cogs. However; the barrier of the special wheel was still there. Meanwhile, quietly and in typically sedate Shimano style, the Japanese component giant offered an 11 speed, wide ranging cassette that fit on a standard free hub body. Now, SRAM has announced a cassette which also fits on a standard free hub body dubbed "NX" in response. There actually is a whole suite of 1X parts to go with this. Differences to GX are minor, and the NX crank is almost identical to a GX 1X crank, only made with a different aluminum alloy. To wit: SRAM claims both crank sets weigh in the 680 gram range. Functionally they should be identical. The derailleur is a cheaper version of GX probably with lower level materials, as SRAM is wont to do with their groups.

Shimano's XT 11spd, 11-42 cassette- A SRAM 1X alternative

The big deal here is obviously the cassette, and the ability for OEM bikes to be set up 1X in the Far East, shipped here to North America, and hit a retail price point that should be far more palatable to more budget conscious riders. The NX stuff can arguably be said to be "X-5"-ish quality, which means that the materials and construct of the cassette and components will reflect the $75.00-ish dollar asking price for the cassette aftermarket.

But hold on here. SRAM, by ditching most of their proprietary technology like the XD cassette carrier, X-Dome cassette manufacturing technique, and lowering the materials and construction techniques to almost hybrid bike levels, have put themselves into a playing field where Shimano dominates. Check this out.....

A savvy shopper can source an XT 11 speed 11-42 cassette for under $75.00, which is going to have a far better shifting quality and construction than an NX 11 speed cassette will ever have. No.....I haven't seen an NX cassette, but I have seen and handled a GX cassette, and this NX cassette is one level below that. You have a Shimano cassette for about the same asking price as a lower quality SRAM one, and if you have a Shimano Shadow Plus clutch style rear derailleur, it probably can already handle a 42T cog. Want better shifting quality? The replaceable hangar on a Shadow Plus derailleur can be replaced with a Goat Link from Wolf Tooth components and bang on shifting is at your finger tips. While you're at it, you can grab one of Wolf Tooth's chain rings, slap it on your current crankset, and you have a 1X set up as good if not better than XX-1 at a bit more than maybe a NX set up will cost you. Well.....that is if your rig is 11 speed. Of course, you can easily approximate the same deal in 10 speed for similar amounts of cabbage and have a far better quality set up than NX.

So, a great marketing campaign, a good way to get OE spec, but otherwise, not really all that big of a deal in real terms for the performance minded riders that demand durable, great performing parts. I still think Shimano outperforms this stuff, and that 2 X 11 or 2 X 10 is still a better option for riders. Shimano has front derailleurs dialed, and with a two ring crankset, there is absolutely no way that a 1 X 11 covers the same range of gearing for most technical mountain biking with any appreciable elevation changes. Not only that, but your gearing can have closer ratio jumps between gears, helping to maintain momentum, and cadence speeds don't change all that much, making you more efficient.

Will 1X take over the mtb world? I am rather skeptical of that. Especially when wheel technology and the spaces we have to work in for components is what it is. Does 1X look better? Maybe. Does 1X appeal to the mind as being easier to understand? Most definitely. Is it better for "your motor"? Well, there is the real question, no? I will say that a closer ratio gearing is generally preferred by racing folks, and for a good reason. I think average folk can also benefit for similar reasons, and that's why I am not sold on 1X.

Okay, enough ranting for one day! Have a great weekend and hopefully you can hit some cycling up where you live.

Friday News And Views

SRAM marketing strikes with a new 11 spd cassette that is aimed at 1X riders.

SRAM NX 1 X 11 Parts Announced:

If you've been paying attention for the last few years, you know that SRAM has been pushing its 1 X 11 gearing for mountain bikes quite heavily. I've used it, and it is a fascinating idea that ends up being "just okay", in my opinion. (More on that coming up here.) The biggest issue I, and many others have had, with this format is that (a), it requires a specific free hub body and (b), the cost is outrageous for the cassette. Mostly this is due to the outlandish, wasteful carving of a huge block of steel into a single, 10 cog unit, to which a final, aluminum cog is fitted to. The waste in the material and cost to machine the huge chunk of steel forces SRAM to charge exorbitant prices- anywhere from $260-ish to a bit over $400.00 depending upon where you purchase and what level X-Dome cassette you buy. Compare that to $160-ish for an XTR 11 speed cassette from the UK online dealers, and you can see why xx-1 is a bit of a big bite to chew for riders. That's just the cassette too. You still need a special derailleur, shifter, chain ring, and chain.

The obvious solution was for SRAM to find a way to make the 1 X 11 idea cheaper. They tried the GX platform, which still required an XD free hub, which was riveted together and consists of separately made cogs. However; the barrier of the special wheel was still there. Meanwhile, quietly and in typically sedate Shimano style, the Japanese component giant offered an 11 speed, wide ranging cassette that fit on a standard free hub body. Now, SRAM has announced a cassette which also fits on a standard free hub body dubbed "NX" in response. There actually is a whole suite of 1X parts to go with this. Differences to GX are minor, and the NX crank is almost identical to a GX 1X crank, only made with a different aluminum alloy. To wit: SRAM claims both crank sets weigh in the 680 gram range. Functionally they should be identical. The derailleur is a cheaper version of GX probably with lower level materials, as SRAM is wont to do with their groups.

Shimano's XT 11spd, 11-42 cassette- A SRAM 1X alternative

The big deal here is obviously the cassette, and the ability for OEM bikes to be set up 1X in the Far East, shipped here to North America, and hit a retail price point that should be far more palatable to more budget conscious riders. The NX stuff can arguably be said to be "X-5"-ish quality, which means that the materials and construct of the cassette and components will reflect the $75.00-ish dollar asking price for the cassette aftermarket.

But hold on here. SRAM, by ditching most of their proprietary technology like the XD cassette carrier, X-Dome cassette manufacturing technique, and lowering the materials and construction techniques to almost hybrid bike levels, have put themselves into a playing field where Shimano dominates. Check this out.....

A savvy shopper can source an XT 11 speed 11-42 cassette for under $75.00, which is going to have a far better shifting quality and construction than an NX 11 speed cassette will ever have. No.....I haven't seen an NX cassette, but I have seen and handled a GX cassette, and this NX cassette is one level below that. You have a Shimano cassette for about the same asking price as a lower quality SRAM one, and if you have a Shimano Shadow Plus clutch style rear derailleur, it probably can already handle a 42T cog. Want better shifting quality? The replaceable hangar on a Shadow Plus derailleur can be replaced with a Goat Link from Wolf Tooth components and bang on shifting is at your finger tips. While you're at it, you can grab one of Wolf Tooth's chain rings, slap it on your current crankset, and you have a 1X set up as good if not better than XX-1 at a bit more than maybe a NX set up will cost you. Well.....that is if your rig is 11 speed. Of course, you can easily approximate the same deal in 10 speed for similar amounts of cabbage and have a far better quality set up than NX.

So, a great marketing campaign, a good way to get OE spec, but otherwise, not really all that big of a deal in real terms for the performance minded riders that demand durable, great performing parts. I still think Shimano outperforms this stuff, and that 2 X 11 or 2 X 10 is still a better option for riders. Shimano has front derailleurs dialed, and with a two ring crankset, there is absolutely no way that a 1 X 11 covers the same range of gearing for most technical mountain biking with any appreciable elevation changes. Not only that, but your gearing can have closer ratio jumps between gears, helping to maintain momentum, and cadence speeds don't change all that much, making you more efficient.

Will 1X take over the mtb world? I am rather skeptical of that. Especially when wheel technology and the spaces we have to work in for components is what it is. Does 1X look better? Maybe. Does 1X appeal to the mind as being easier to understand? Most definitely. Is it better for "your motor"? Well, there is the real question, no? I will say that a closer ratio gearing is generally preferred by racing folks, and for a good reason. I think average folk can also benefit for similar reasons, and that's why I am not sold on 1X.

Okay, enough ranting for one day! Have a great weekend and hopefully you can hit some cycling up where you live.

Friday News And Views

The new SRAM GX 2X11 group (minus cassette)

If you were cruising the web yesterday you probably saw that SRAM introduced a new suite of mtb components dubbed "GX". The new stuff supplants X-7 and X-9 parts and will fall into a price point similar to what those parts cost at retail.

There are two interesting things about this from my standpoint. Firstly, it brings a 1 X 11 possibility to a much lower price point which is affordable to far more people. This will see tons of spec on 2016 model bikes. But in a brilliant move, SRAM finally made a 2 X 11 option which utilizes the 10-42 cassette and will have a tremendously wide gearing range. Again- all at a price point far below elite level components. This will circumvent Shimano's entry to 11 speed componentry since they only have XTR at present, (unless they unleash an XT and SLX variant on XTR later this year), and will probably push the XD driver standard further down in price point on wheels as well.

From where I sit, I am pleased with this SRAM announcement as it slides perfectly into my schemes that I have in pursuit of my 29+ project. Hopefully we won't have to wait forever to see this stuff become available. At any rate, the derailleur and shifter are all I am really after, and when I get those parts, I will have all I need to complete the drive train. Then it will be on to tires......

Finally, all the media stories mentioned that these parts will be offered in a  Boost 142 compatible version. That tells all of us out here that you can pretty much look for 135mm QR rear hubs to start disappearing for most future mountain bike applications. And really, it's been far too long that the industry has held on to that standard for mtb. Don't worry though. Your old 135OLD disc hubs will work perfectly on new road bikes for quite awhile into the future.

Ira Iowa- T.I.v9 Checkpoint #1

Forgotten Iowa:

Okay, if you are a sucker for historical tidbits about Iowa, then beware of this next link, because it just may suck you in! It is a site about little hamlets, villages, towns, and forgotten places in Iowa. Here's the link. 

I love stuff like this, and I come across places like this all the time in my Trans Iowa wanderings setting up courses. When I peruse maps and see some spot listed that is near to where I want to go, has an interesting name, or a historical connection to someone or something, I'm all over that as a place to go through for Trans Iowa. I don't know that anyone else has caught on to that, or even cares as much as I do, but I love that sort of thing. It goes way back to one of my old self-supported tours I did in the mid-90's where we went through Wood, South Dakota. I just remember thinking that I might be one of only a few people that had ever gone through that village of 62 people on a bicycle. It just struck me as being cool and I have remarked to people bragging about having gone to some far flung places on the globe by saying, "Oh yeah? But have you ever been to Wood, South Dakota?".

I know.......I am sort of an oddball that way. 

In fact, I probably got the bug for old places when I was a kid. My family's homestead on the paternal side is near to another forgotten place- Maple Leaf, Iowa- and I put that on the Trans Iowa Masters Program course last Summer because I thought that was cool. Anyway, if you are in T.I.v11, be prepared to see some more of "Forgotten Iowa" on the course!

Gravel Nonsense:

A couple things that I wanted to clear up that I see are tripping folks up unexpectedly. One has to do with April Fools Day. I'll tell ya- the cycling industry needs to just stop the juvenile false stories on every 4/1 that comes along. It's not clever, funny, or in good taste. It just leads to confusion and makes people stupid. That isn't funny, by the way.

First is the story published by a certain cyclo cross-centric site that stated the UCI was going to start a "gravel road racing series" with rules and also was going to state what was and what wasn't a "gravel road".

It's all FALSE people. Not true at all.

Even if that actually did occur, who really cares what the UCI says? I don't and a lot of other promoters and riders would just carry on- business as usual. That so many folks thought the story was real is sad and the folks that foisted that one on the unsuspecting public should be ashamed. In fact, the site that published that garbage had to publish a retraction the very next day. Hope that was worth all the clicks you got on that one.......

 Next up is another specious story that was originally put up on the web in June of last year, and keeps coming back up again and again in re-posts by the originating site and shares by manufacturers that apparently don't get that this is an "old story" and not at all accurate. It claims to list the "10 Best Gravel Races" around the country. First off, it is so poorly researched that it doesn't include the Almanzo 100, arguably one of the most popular grassroots races ever, and also included an event, which at the time of the original publishing had not ever been held yet.

There are over 230 events that I am aware of, and several of them could be argued to be "best" in several different categories. The criteria for choosing the ones listed on the site that published this goofy piece? Who knows. If you see this link anywhere on the web, just know that it is pretty much "click-bait" and nothing more.

And one more bit of gravel nonsense from yours truly. You can listen to THIS while you are traveling this weekend. 

Road bike suspension for the Spring Classics is nothing new. This Bianchi is from the early 90's

Rigid Road Bikes Might Not Be The Best Idea On Cobbles? 

Well, in the "What Comes Around- Goes Around" files, we have a new story about "new road bike technology" for the Spring Classics in Europe. (See the story here) The thing is, it is not new at all. Just another go at it, that's all.

Now don't get me wrong here- I love this stuff. I really do. It is harder with the Pro road bike crowd though, since they are so bound by traditions. Not that the UCI helps that, but traditional road bike style dictates that you just do not suspend anything on a road bike. Which is fine if you want to be a cycling version of an Amish person, but, ya know, there might be a better way to glide over the cobbles and heck, why not use it? Obviously bicycles are so light now that you could afford to add the weight of some suspension to the bike frame in a clever way. Is the Pinarello Dogma the way to do it, or does the Trek Domane do this better, or....? Maybe they just need to bite the bullet and slap on some really fat tubulars. Ya know.....like 35mm ones. 

 I guess the UCI seems to want the companies to provide "spec bikes" but not really say that overtly. Too bad, because I think there should be an "unlimited" category where manufacturers could innovate and produce radical new ideas for these races, which would make Pro Road cycling somewhat interesting again. Of course- there would be some limitations- but give these folks a little rope and let's see some cool new tech. And while we're at it, take away the team cars, and make these bikes live through a whole event self-sufficiently with no back up. That would be good for everyone- racers, the viewers, and for trickle down stuff for recreational cyclists that actually would be worth riding. Because if it lasts an entire event and can be repaired in the field, if necessary, it should be good for the general public. Ya know....not like some of this racing stuff is.

Anyway, that's my take. Have a great weekend and keep the rubber side down!

Friday News And Views

The new SRAM GX 2X11 group (minus cassette)

If you were cruising the web yesterday you probably saw that SRAM introduced a new suite of mtb components dubbed "GX". The new stuff supplants X-7 and X-9 parts and will fall into a price point similar to what those parts cost at retail.

There are two interesting things about this from my standpoint. Firstly, it brings a 1 X 11 possibility to a much lower price point which is affordable to far more people. This will see tons of spec on 2016 model bikes. But in a brilliant move, SRAM finally made a 2 X 11 option which utilizes the 10-42 cassette and will have a tremendously wide gearing range. Again- all at a price point far below elite level components. This will circumvent Shimano's entry to 11 speed componentry since they only have XTR at present, (unless they unleash an XT and SLX variant on XTR later this year), and will probably push the XD driver standard further down in price point on wheels as well.

From where I sit, I am pleased with this SRAM announcement as it slides perfectly into my schemes that I have in pursuit of my 29+ project. Hopefully we won't have to wait forever to see this stuff become available. At any rate, the derailleur and shifter are all I am really after, and when I get those parts, I will have all I need to complete the drive train. Then it will be on to tires......

Finally, all the media stories mentioned that these parts will be offered in a  Boost 142 compatible version. That tells all of us out here that you can pretty much look for 135mm QR rear hubs to start disappearing for most future mountain bike applications. And really, it's been far too long that the industry has held on to that standard for mtb. Don't worry though. Your old 135OLD disc hubs will work perfectly on new road bikes for quite awhile into the future.

Ira Iowa- T.I.v9 Checkpoint #1

Forgotten Iowa:

Okay, if you are a sucker for historical tidbits about Iowa, then beware of this next link, because it just may suck you in! It is a site about little hamlets, villages, towns, and forgotten places in Iowa. Here's the link. 

I love stuff like this, and I come across places like this all the time in my Trans Iowa wanderings setting up courses. When I peruse maps and see some spot listed that is near to where I want to go, has an interesting name, or a historical connection to someone or something, I'm all over that as a place to go through for Trans Iowa. I don't know that anyone else has caught on to that, or even cares as much as I do, but I love that sort of thing. It goes way back to one of my old self-supported tours I did in the mid-90's where we went through Wood, South Dakota. I just remember thinking that I might be one of only a few people that had ever gone through that village of 62 people on a bicycle. It just struck me as being cool and I have remarked to people bragging about having gone to some far flung places on the globe by saying, "Oh yeah? But have you ever been to Wood, South Dakota?".

I know.......I am sort of an oddball that way. 

In fact, I probably got the bug for old places when I was a kid. My family's homestead on the paternal side is near to another forgotten place- Maple Leaf, Iowa- and I put that on the Trans Iowa Masters Program course last Summer because I thought that was cool. Anyway, if you are in T.I.v11, be prepared to see some more of "Forgotten Iowa" on the course!

Gravel Nonsense:

A couple things that I wanted to clear up that I see are tripping folks up unexpectedly. One has to do with April Fools Day. I'll tell ya- the cycling industry needs to just stop the juvenile false stories on every 4/1 that comes along. It's not clever, funny, or in good taste. It just leads to confusion and makes people stupid. That isn't funny, by the way.

First is the story published by a certain cyclo cross-centric site that stated the UCI was going to start a "gravel road racing series" with rules and also was going to state what was and what wasn't a "gravel road".

It's all FALSE people. Not true at all.

Even if that actually did occur, who really cares what the UCI says? I don't and a lot of other promoters and riders would just carry on- business as usual. That so many folks thought the story was real is sad and the folks that foisted that one on the unsuspecting public should be ashamed. In fact, the site that published that garbage had to publish a retraction the very next day. Hope that was worth all the clicks you got on that one.......

 Next up is another specious story that was originally put up on the web in June of last year, and keeps coming back up again and again in re-posts by the originating site and shares by manufacturers that apparently don't get that this is an "old story" and not at all accurate. It claims to list the "10 Best Gravel Races" around the country. First off, it is so poorly researched that it doesn't include the Almanzo 100, arguably one of the most popular grassroots races ever, and also included an event, which at the time of the original publishing had not ever been held yet.

There are over 230 events that I am aware of, and several of them could be argued to be "best" in several different categories. The criteria for choosing the ones listed on the site that published this goofy piece? Who knows. If you see this link anywhere on the web, just know that it is pretty much "click-bait" and nothing more.

And one more bit of gravel nonsense from yours truly. You can listen to THIS while you are traveling this weekend. 

Road bike suspension for the Spring Classics is nothing new. This Bianchi is from the early 90's

Rigid Road Bikes Might Not Be The Best Idea On Cobbles? 

Well, in the "What Comes Around- Goes Around" files, we have a new story about "new road bike technology" for the Spring Classics in Europe. (See the story here) The thing is, it is not new at all. Just another go at it, that's all.

Now don't get me wrong here- I love this stuff. I really do. It is harder with the Pro road bike crowd though, since they are so bound by traditions. Not that the UCI helps that, but traditional road bike style dictates that you just do not suspend anything on a road bike. Which is fine if you want to be a cycling version of an Amish person, but, ya know, there might be a better way to glide over the cobbles and heck, why not use it? Obviously bicycles are so light now that you could afford to add the weight of some suspension to the bike frame in a clever way. Is the Pinarello Dogma the way to do it, or does the Trek Domane do this better, or....? Maybe they just need to bite the bullet and slap on some really fat tubulars. Ya know.....like 35mm ones. 

 I guess the UCI seems to want the companies to provide "spec bikes" but not really say that overtly. Too bad, because I think there should be an "unlimited" category where manufacturers could innovate and produce radical new ideas for these races, which would make Pro Road cycling somewhat interesting again. Of course- there would be some limitations- but give these folks a little rope and let's see some cool new tech. And while we're at it, take away the team cars, and make these bikes live through a whole event self-sufficiently with no back up. That would be good for everyone- racers, the viewers, and for trickle down stuff for recreational cyclists that actually would be worth riding. Because if it lasts an entire event and can be repaired in the field, if necessary, it should be good for the general public. Ya know....not like some of this racing stuff is.

Anyway, that's my take. Have a great weekend and keep the rubber side down!