Randomonium: Catching Up

A look at my desk which is typically messy like this.

NOTE: Okay folks, if you haven't been around long enough here to know what a "Randomonium" post is, then here is the deal. I ramble, rant, and randomly moan about all things cycling in one, incohesive, bizarre post. "Randomonium", okay?

And: This particular version of the Randomonium is dedicated to catching you all up on what has been going on around here in the last ten days or so. The "End of Year" madness kind of takes over, and day-to-day stuff gets shuffled aside for that. Okay? Here we go... 

First, an update on my health. I finally overcame that nasty head cold by December 21st, I'd estimate, which was the first day I felt as though I had no further symptoms of whatever I had. So, good to go on that front for Christmas and beyond.

Of course, the big news was the pre-Christmas Winter storm we had.It's been awhile since we've experienced sub-zero temperatures for up to 48 hours, near blizzard conditions for three days, and a basic shut-down of things due to Winter's blast. But the old memories of hunkering down for a storm like this kept me hopeful for coming out of this one as well. Then we whip lashed into this. This mess above freezing and all that beautiful fat bike-able snow is junk already. Bah!

 

Pirate Cycling League's New Event:

A new Winter event was announced by the PCL/Gravel Worlds folks late in December which they billed as a "return to the grassroots" of events which they were known for once upon a time. 

The event will feature a metric century or a half-distance cycling course on gravel roads and a 10K running event as well. Registration is open now and the event is set to take place on February 18th, 2023 in Lincoln, NE. 

The event will use a small town as a checkpoint where you will be required to purchase a Nebraska Lottery ticket to prove that you had been there. This reflects how Gravel Worlds was run in its early days. 

Comments: Fun! My initial reaction is that this is the sort of madness the cycling world needs at this time when events are seemingly going toward more rules, bigger crowds, and the chase for a career in gravel means that those of us that are not capable or desiring of that are left behind. In my view, the "Winter Endurance" event reflects how we were thinking when we set up gravel road cycling challenges back in the day. 

The fact that the promoters say the following, " We’re going back to our roots on this one!", would indicate that they had left their roots at some point, for whatever reasons. I'm not going to read anymore into that than to say, "I agree with that". It's hard to stick to your roots, I get that, but some have managed to stay the course all along since those "good ol' days" of yore. There ya go.....

Snip showing Bixby State Preserve and how the North-South road is truncated.

Feedback On The GTDRI Route Redux: 

Last year I posted the GTDRI Stories bit on the 4rth route, a route I stated was one of those GTDRI's I would consider riding again. It is a spectacular route in terms of visuals and in its toughness. 

So, near the end of last week I floated the possibility that this route might be modified and then recorded with notes for a small fee making it available for anyone to ride. I didn't hear much about it on the blog, but after I posted the idea to Instagram, the response was quite noticeable. 

So, here's the deal: I have to do some mods to the route and verify them. There are a few places where things have changed and in one instance, a significant change will require a major rerouting. It isn't an easy decision to make either, as choices for other roads are scant to none. 

Specifically the problem lies in the fact that the former road through Bixby State Preserve is now truncated. Honestly, that's actually a good thing. The Northern section of that road was heinous. I mean, really steep, filled with ruts, it had huge embedded rocks sticking up out of the road, and it was a challenge even on a mountain bike. When we last used that road in 2015 I don't think you could even drive a car or 4X4 down it safely anymore. 

Now, no big deal if we were "on the grid", but this area is far from being on the grid and road choices are few. I also have the task of preserving the feel of the original route, not adding too much mileage, giving chances for a resupply in Edgewood, and keeping pavement miles to a bare minimum. And that's just that problem with this route. 

New Unit:

The Sigma ROX 4.0 GPS computer test is still ongoing. The last time I wrote about this, I mentioned that the navigation function was wonky and that I was to get another head unit to test since my contact felt that the one I had was dysfunctional for some reason.  I was assured that typically Sigma ROX units were pretty bomber. So, I waited....

Then about a day or two after Christmas I got a box with a new ROX 4.0 GPS computer in it. I quickly got it synced with my phone and updated, and this went rather well, so I am hopeful that when I get the weather to try a route I have in the Ride app, I will be able to tell you all if it works as advertised. 

Stay tuned.... 

(L-R) Mrs GT, Vince Goterra, and GT: Image courtesy of St. John;s Lutheran Church

Gigging:

Christmas Eve saw myself and Mrs. Guitar Ted doing a gig at St. John's Lutheran Church in Cedar Falls, Iowa. It was a two set affair and we had a great time. It was a heck of a lot better than sitting in our house and wistfully looking out the window at negative 30+ degree winds and snow. 

I played my new Sully Conspiracy Series Stardust. I have bonded with that guitar pretty quickly, to be honest. It's really kind of odd when you consider that most every guitar is CNC'ed to exacting specifications, made from similar tone woods, and set up with quality hardware, in this case, identical hardware to my other Sully. However; I like the Stardust's feel and play-ability over that of my other one by a large margin. Weird.

Even weirder was playing out at a different venue. I haven't done that in a while. It was good to have that opportunity though. Oh! And I have a new amplifier too. Gotta get that up here on the blog soon.... 

Brief Fat Bike Blast:

I just mentioned the cold blast and snowy Christmas Eve we had, but it sure did not last long. We got another 3" of fluffy white snow on Monday and then it started getting warmer, and warmer, and warmer....

By Wednesday morning the snow was junk. It was around 30°F and was headed to the 40's. So.......so much for that!

I did get in a few short rides in bitterly cold temperatures, but busting drifted in snow and battling wind chills in the negative 20+ range was not a lot of fun. So, those fat bike rides were short. Really short! 

And now? Who knows when, if ever, we will get any fat bike-able snow.  Chances are we'll make it through most of January without that happening, and then, if history is any indication, February will see a return to snow and cold enough to warrant fat tires again. 

And that's all I have to catch you all up on.

Randomonium: Catching Up

A look at my desk which is typically messy like this.

NOTE: Okay folks, if you haven't been around long enough here to know what a "Randomonium" post is, then here is the deal. I ramble, rant, and randomly moan about all things cycling in one, incohesive, bizarre post. "Randomonium", okay?

And: This particular version of the Randomonium is dedicated to catching you all up on what has been going on around here in the last ten days or so. The "End of Year" madness kind of takes over, and day-to-day stuff gets shuffled aside for that. Okay? Here we go... 

First, an update on my health. I finally overcame that nasty head cold by December 21st, I'd estimate, which was the first day I felt as though I had no further symptoms of whatever I had. So, good to go on that front for Christmas and beyond.

Of course, the big news was the pre-Christmas Winter storm we had.It's been awhile since we've experienced sub-zero temperatures for up to 48 hours, near blizzard conditions for three days, and a basic shut-down of things due to Winter's blast. But the old memories of hunkering down for a storm like this kept me hopeful for coming out of this one as well. Then we whip lashed into this. This mess above freezing and all that beautiful fat bike-able snow is junk already. Bah!

 

Pirate Cycling League's New Event:

A new Winter event was announced by the PCL/Gravel Worlds folks late in December which they billed as a "return to the grassroots" of events which they were known for once upon a time. 

The event will feature a metric century or a half-distance cycling course on gravel roads and a 10K running event as well. Registration is open now and the event is set to take place on February 18th, 2023 in Lincoln, NE. 

The event will use a small town as a checkpoint where you will be required to purchase a Nebraska Lottery ticket to prove that you had been there. This reflects how Gravel Worlds was run in its early days. 

Comments: Fun! My initial reaction is that this is the sort of madness the cycling world needs at this time when events are seemingly going toward more rules, bigger crowds, and the chase for a career in gravel means that those of us that are not capable or desiring of that are left behind. In my view, the "Winter Endurance" event reflects how we were thinking when we set up gravel road cycling challenges back in the day. 

The fact that the promoters say the following, " We’re going back to our roots on this one!", would indicate that they had left their roots at some point, for whatever reasons. I'm not going to read anymore into that than to say, "I agree with that". It's hard to stick to your roots, I get that, but some have managed to stay the course all along since those "good ol' days" of yore. There ya go.....

Snip showing Bixby State Preserve and how the North-South road is truncated.

Feedback On The GTDRI Route Redux: 

Last year I posted the GTDRI Stories bit on the 4rth route, a route I stated was one of those GTDRI's I would consider riding again. It is a spectacular route in terms of visuals and in its toughness. 

So, near the end of last week I floated the possibility that this route might be modified and then recorded with notes for a small fee making it available for anyone to ride. I didn't hear much about it on the blog, but after I posted the idea to Instagram, the response was quite noticeable. 

So, here's the deal: I have to do some mods to the route and verify them. There are a few places where things have changed and in one instance, a significant change will require a major rerouting. It isn't an easy decision to make either, as choices for other roads are scant to none. 

Specifically the problem lies in the fact that the former road through Bixby State Preserve is now truncated. Honestly, that's actually a good thing. The Northern section of that road was heinous. I mean, really steep, filled with ruts, it had huge embedded rocks sticking up out of the road, and it was a challenge even on a mountain bike. When we last used that road in 2015 I don't think you could even drive a car or 4X4 down it safely anymore. 

Now, no big deal if we were "on the grid", but this area is far from being on the grid and road choices are few. I also have the task of preserving the feel of the original route, not adding too much mileage, giving chances for a resupply in Edgewood, and keeping pavement miles to a bare minimum. And that's just that problem with this route. 

New Unit:

The Sigma ROX 4.0 GPS computer test is still ongoing. The last time I wrote about this, I mentioned that the navigation function was wonky and that I was to get another head unit to test since my contact felt that the one I had was dysfunctional for some reason.  I was assured that typically Sigma ROX units were pretty bomber. So, I waited....

Then about a day or two after Christmas I got a box with a new ROX 4.0 GPS computer in it. I quickly got it synced with my phone and updated, and this went rather well, so I am hopeful that when I get the weather to try a route I have in the Ride app, I will be able to tell you all if it works as advertised. 

Stay tuned.... 

(L-R) Mrs GT, Vince Goterra, and GT: Image courtesy of St. John;s Lutheran Church

Gigging:

Christmas Eve saw myself and Mrs. Guitar Ted doing a gig at St. John's Lutheran Church in Cedar Falls, Iowa. It was a two set affair and we had a great time. It was a heck of a lot better than sitting in our house and wistfully looking out the window at negative 30+ degree winds and snow. 

I played my new Sully Conspiracy Series Stardust. I have bonded with that guitar pretty quickly, to be honest. It's really kind of odd when you consider that most every guitar is CNC'ed to exacting specifications, made from similar tone woods, and set up with quality hardware, in this case, identical hardware to my other Sully. However; I like the Stardust's feel and play-ability over that of my other one by a large margin. Weird.

Even weirder was playing out at a different venue. I haven't done that in a while. It was good to have that opportunity though. Oh! And I have a new amplifier too. Gotta get that up here on the blog soon.... 

Brief Fat Bike Blast:

I just mentioned the cold blast and snowy Christmas Eve we had, but it sure did not last long. We got another 3" of fluffy white snow on Monday and then it started getting warmer, and warmer, and warmer....

By Wednesday morning the snow was junk. It was around 30°F and was headed to the 40's. So.......so much for that!

I did get in a few short rides in bitterly cold temperatures, but busting drifted in snow and battling wind chills in the negative 20+ range was not a lot of fun. So, those fat bike rides were short. Really short! 

And now? Who knows when, if ever, we will get any fat bike-able snow.  Chances are we'll make it through most of January without that happening, and then, if history is any indication, February will see a return to snow and cold enough to warrant fat tires again. 

And that's all I have to catch you all up on.

A Comparison & Contrast: Sigma GPS Update

Does the Sigma ROX 4.0 hold up under scrutiny?

 It has been a while since I last wrote about the Sigma ROX 4.0 GPS computer. If you've been reading the blog this Fall and early Winter you'll understand why that is. But I knew I needed to get this looked at so I have done what I needed to do to wrap this up recently. Only, it isn't wrapped up. You'll see why soon....

You can see my previous look at this, which is a comparison between this ROX 4.0 with a couple of other GPS units, here. This post on the ROX 4.0 will be a take on how this unit does with its GPS and Bluetooth features. 

I was a bit let down, first off, to learn that the ROX 4.0 is just like my old Lezyne Super GPS which needed to be tethered to a smart phone to give you turn by turn navigation. Secondly, the difference between the Lezyne Super and this Sigma ROX 4.0's data programs is night and day. Lezyne has what they call "GPS Root" and you create an account which then allows you to upload your ride data. This data is then shown in really finely detailed charts. The Sigma Ride App does similar data breakdowns, but it isn't as fine grained as GPS Root is. Sigma Ride isn't bad, it's just that GPS Root looks more impressive and, in my opinion, is a bit more engaging to use. 

Apologies for the out-of-focus shot! 

On the connectivity side, I had many experiences which led me to believe that the Bluetooth function of this GPS computer is suspect. While I was able to pair up sensors for cadence and speed easily, and my smart phone would pair seamlessly with the head unit, I found that the head unit would drop the connection consistently and randomly whenever I used the ROX 4.0.  Also, in one bizarre incident, I actually was getting a cadence read out briefly with no sensor on the bike! How that happened I don't have a clue. 

This Bluetooth dropping problem also extended to the turn by turn navigation. Essentially, that rendered the turn by turn feature useless, as you may not even realize you have dropped the signal from your smart phone and ride past a corner you were to turn at. That said, the head unit does warn you with a message that stays up for several seconds that connectivity has been lost. 

So,  I reached out to my contact for this review to let him know that there were issues, and unless there was some sort of explanation, or unless I was to try another head unit, this wasn't going to turn out as a favorable review. The answer I received was that this seemed to be a case of a suspect head unit. The contact I have told me that in his experience, Sigma GPS was pretty stout. 

So, I am going to be receiving a new ROX 4.0 to see if that doesn't solve the problems I am experiencing.  The one I have now is a great unit if you don't need nav or sensors, but it is supposed to handle that, so we'll see. 

I liked quite a few things about this computer up until the sensor and Bluetooth issues arose. The user interface is pretty simple, and I liked the compass up in the corner, along with altitude tracking. I will also add that this Sigma will mount to Garmin mounts, so if you are invested in those, this will work with a Garmin mount quite nicely.

So, stay tuned..... This ain't over with just yet!

Note: The Sigma ROX 4.0 was provided to me at no charge for test and review. I was not bribed, nor paid, for this review and I always strive to give my honest thoughts and opinions throughout.

A Comparison & Contrast: Sigma GPS Update

Does the Sigma ROX 4.0 hold up under scrutiny?

 It has been a while since I last wrote about the Sigma ROX 4.0 GPS computer. If you've been reading the blog this Fall and early Winter you'll understand why that is. But I knew I needed to get this looked at so I have done what I needed to do to wrap this up recently. Only, it isn't wrapped up. You'll see why soon....

You can see my previous look at this, which is a comparison between this ROX 4.0 with a couple of other GPS units, here. This post on the ROX 4.0 will be a take on how this unit does with its GPS and Bluetooth features. 

I was a bit let down, first off, to learn that the ROX 4.0 is just like my old Lezyne Super GPS which needed to be tethered to a smart phone to give you turn by turn navigation. Secondly, the difference between the Lezyne Super and this Sigma ROX 4.0's data programs is night and day. Lezyne has what they call "GPS Root" and you create an account which then allows you to upload your ride data. This data is then shown in really finely detailed charts. The Sigma Ride App does similar data breakdowns, but it isn't as fine grained as GPS Root is. Sigma Ride isn't bad, it's just that GPS Root looks more impressive and, in my opinion, is a bit more engaging to use. 

Apologies for the out-of-focus shot! 

On the connectivity side, I had many experiences which led me to believe that the Bluetooth function of this GPS computer is suspect. While I was able to pair up sensors for cadence and speed easily, and my smart phone would pair seamlessly with the head unit, I found that the head unit would drop the connection consistently and randomly whenever I used the ROX 4.0.  Also, in one bizarre incident, I actually was getting a cadence read out briefly with no sensor on the bike! How that happened I don't have a clue. 

This Bluetooth dropping problem also extended to the turn by turn navigation. Essentially, that rendered the turn by turn feature useless, as you may not even realize you have dropped the signal from your smart phone and ride past a corner you were to turn at. That said, the head unit does warn you with a message that stays up for several seconds that connectivity has been lost. 

So,  I reached out to my contact for this review to let him know that there were issues, and unless there was some sort of explanation, or unless I was to try another head unit, this wasn't going to turn out as a favorable review. The answer I received was that this seemed to be a case of a suspect head unit. The contact I have told me that in his experience, Sigma GPS was pretty stout. 

So, I am going to be receiving a new ROX 4.0 to see if that doesn't solve the problems I am experiencing.  The one I have now is a great unit if you don't need nav or sensors, but it is supposed to handle that, so we'll see. 

I liked quite a few things about this computer up until the sensor and Bluetooth issues arose. The user interface is pretty simple, and I liked the compass up in the corner, along with altitude tracking. I will also add that this Sigma will mount to Garmin mounts, so if you are invested in those, this will work with a Garmin mount quite nicely.

So, stay tuned..... This ain't over with just yet!

Note: The Sigma ROX 4.0 was provided to me at no charge for test and review. I was not bribed, nor paid, for this review and I always strive to give my honest thoughts and opinions throughout.

A Comparison & Contrast: GPS Computer Experiences

The SIGMA ROX 4.0

 As mentioned yesterday in my weekly "FN&V" post, I received a SIGMA ROX 4.0 GPS cycling computer to test for RidingGravel.com. (Intro review here) In this post I wanted to compare and contrast my experiences with three GPS devices focusing on user interface and how that affected my experiences. 

You'll get marketing from all directions telling you that a device is "intuitive" and "easy to use" all the time. And maybe for some folks, that's the case. But, as I have found, we are all vastly different and a lot the same all wrapped up in one human family. In other words- we are complicated.

So using blanket statements like those mentioned, and others, isn't anywhere near the truth for big chunks of the population. That applies to what I am writing here today.

Keep that in mind as you read on....

My very first GPS unit was a Garmin 600 back around 2006 or so. It was waaaay complicated to get anywhere with that thing. I could see the promise of GPS navigation, it's just that it was so hard to make it work that - to my mind - the hassle was far too great. I gave the unit away to a friend at the time, who understood it far better than I did. 

The next unit was my Lezyne Super GPS. That was a pretty easy to use unit, and I had features at my disposal that were kind of fun, (altitude) and data to look at after a ride, (somewhat enlightening), so I was satisfied with how it worked at first. However; it did not support turn-by-turn navigation native to its unit only. You had to tether a smart phone while you were riding to access the route navigation. That was a big problem since for many of the events I was doing, the phone battery wasn't going to last, and that brought in another hassle with external power, and ....no. I could write cues and just use the Super GPS for a basic computer and the data for later use. 

But as far as user interface and set up? That Lezyne was awesome that way. It had its quirks, but at the time it was a far cheaper solution for my needs and since I don't do anything with a power meter, I did not need a "Garmin" or a Wahoo. That perception started to change over time though, so the next GPS came around....

The Karo 2 was awesome- the few times that it worked, that is.

I started reading up on Hammerhead Karoo 2 GPS computers and I liked what I read. So, Mrs. Guitar Ted bought me one as a holiday/birthday gift last December. 

Initially it was a bit of a frustrating thing to figure out. The user interface was not all it was cracked up to be, in my opinion. But, once I got it working I found a few things I really liked about it. It was fun, until it wasn't. 

Long story short- Two units later and I was so frustrated with how the unit did not work, that I am at the point that I was really angry. Anything that causes me THAT much frustration has to be eliminated, so no more Karoo 2 for me, ever again! 

The thing was that for that kind of money, it should work flawlessly. It didn't even come close to being "intuitive" and digging for help was a fruitless endeavor. In fact, I got better tips from some of you readers here than I ever did from Hammerhead. 

So, I seriously was considering a return to Lezyne. I had experienced really good things in terms of user interface with their product. I was hopeful that some of the nits I had (slow start up, tethered turn-by-turn nav) had been solved, but I held off because I am still waiting for Lezyne to have true turn-by-turn features, which at this point, I haven't seen that from them. 

Meanwhile I get this SIGMA ROX 4.0. It is very similar to what Lezyne offers in that you aren't going to see a lot of features outside the box of typical cycling computers with the exception of navigation. So, no power data, no connectivity to lights, radar, or that sort of stuff. Frankly, those are features I'd probably never use anyway. Give me a computer with speed data, time data, and turn-by-turn navigation. Add in altitude data for fun. I'm good.

That's pretty much what the ROX 4.0 is about. Lezyne has some interesting computers as well. This Sigma is probably closest to this Lezyne GPS unit. I know the Lezyne interface is a good one, what about this SIGMA unit's interface? 

Well, it's really good. I was able to set things up and ride very quickly. The unit actually works, which seems weird to have to say, but I know that some do not work well. 

So, the interface and the SIGMA Ride App seem pretty good so far. On par with Lezyne's, and that's a good thing - for me anyway. Your mileage may vary.

Now to see if turn-by-turn works without a tethered phone. SIGMA claims this thing wil do that once you've downloaded a route to the app, and then you must sync that with the ROX, which then - they claim - allows you to run turn-by-turn. I'm not 100% sure of that, because the thing always prompts me to turn on the app. So, there is that.... 

But at any rate, even if it doesn't do navigation independently of a phone being on, I think this GPS experience has been a good one. Far better than the last experience, that's for sure! Thinking about that...

The SIGMA ROX 4.0 costs $100.00 or even less if you just get the head unit. ($200.00 with every sensor and the fancier mount)  A Hammerhead Karoo 2 runs $400.00. Sure, the Karoo has far better graphics, but it doesn't actually work. (Two units failed to operate for me. You can take your chances if you want..) I cannot figure out how a company can continue to exist when it puts out products that are very expensive and have poor user experiences when you can buy something for far less money and have a far better experience. (Lezyne, SIGMA). But once again, this has been my personal GPS story. Yours may vary quite a bit. I get that.

I'm not telling you what to buy or not to buy. You be the judge. Maybe I'm GPS-ignorant, maybe I'm just not good with devices, (entirely possible), and maybe I am an example to learn from. Again- you be the judge. 

This is my story, and I'm sticking to it. 

Stay tuned for more.....

A Comparison & Contrast: GPS Computer Experiences

The SIGMA ROX 4.0

 As mentioned yesterday in my weekly "FN&V" post, I received a SIGMA ROX 4.0 GPS cycling computer to test for RidingGravel.com. (Intro review here) In this post I wanted to compare and contrast my experiences with three GPS devices focusing on user interface and how that affected my experiences. 

You'll get marketing from all directions telling you that a device is "intuitive" and "easy to use" all the time. And maybe for some folks, that's the case. But, as I have found, we are all vastly different and a lot the same all wrapped up in one human family. In other words- we are complicated.

So using blanket statements like those mentioned, and others, isn't anywhere near the truth for big chunks of the population. That applies to what I am writing here today.

Keep that in mind as you read on....

My very first GPS unit was a Garmin 600 back around 2006 or so. It was waaaay complicated to get anywhere with that thing. I could see the promise of GPS navigation, it's just that it was so hard to make it work that - to my mind - the hassle was far too great. I gave the unit away to a friend at the time, who understood it far better than I did. 

The next unit was my Lezyne Super GPS. That was a pretty easy to use unit, and I had features at my disposal that were kind of fun, (altitude) and data to look at after a ride, (somewhat enlightening), so I was satisfied with how it worked at first. However; it did not support turn-by-turn navigation native to its unit only. You had to tether a smart phone while you were riding to access the route navigation. That was a big problem since for many of the events I was doing, the phone battery wasn't going to last, and that brought in another hassle with external power, and ....no. I could write cues and just use the Super GPS for a basic computer and the data for later use. 

But as far as user interface and set up? That Lezyne was awesome that way. It had its quirks, but at the time it was a far cheaper solution for my needs and since I don't do anything with a power meter, I did not need a "Garmin" or a Wahoo. That perception started to change over time though, so the next GPS came around....

The Karo 2 was awesome- the few times that it worked, that is.

I started reading up on Hammerhead Karoo 2 GPS computers and I liked what I read. So, Mrs. Guitar Ted bought me one as a holiday/birthday gift last December. 

Initially it was a bit of a frustrating thing to figure out. The user interface was not all it was cracked up to be, in my opinion. But, once I got it working I found a few things I really liked about it. It was fun, until it wasn't. 

Long story short- Two units later and I was so frustrated with how the unit did not work, that I am at the point that I was really angry. Anything that causes me THAT much frustration has to be eliminated, so no more Karoo 2 for me, ever again! 

The thing was that for that kind of money, it should work flawlessly. It didn't even come close to being "intuitive" and digging for help was a fruitless endeavor. In fact, I got better tips from some of you readers here than I ever did from Hammerhead. 

So, I seriously was considering a return to Lezyne. I had experienced really good things in terms of user interface with their product. I was hopeful that some of the nits I had (slow start up, tethered turn-by-turn nav) had been solved, but I held off because I am still waiting for Lezyne to have true turn-by-turn features, which at this point, I haven't seen that from them. 

Meanwhile I get this SIGMA ROX 4.0. It is very similar to what Lezyne offers in that you aren't going to see a lot of features outside the box of typical cycling computers with the exception of navigation. So, no power data, no connectivity to lights, radar, or that sort of stuff. Frankly, those are features I'd probably never use anyway. Give me a computer with speed data, time data, and turn-by-turn navigation. Add in altitude data for fun. I'm good.

That's pretty much what the ROX 4.0 is about. Lezyne has some interesting computers as well. This Sigma is probably closest to this Lezyne GPS unit. I know the Lezyne interface is a good one, what about this SIGMA unit's interface? 

Well, it's really good. I was able to set things up and ride very quickly. The unit actually works, which seems weird to have to say, but I know that some do not work well. 

So, the interface and the SIGMA Ride App seem pretty good so far. On par with Lezyne's, and that's a good thing - for me anyway. Your mileage may vary.

Now to see if turn-by-turn works without a tethered phone. SIGMA claims this thing wil do that once you've downloaded a route to the app, and then you must sync that with the ROX, which then - they claim - allows you to run turn-by-turn. I'm not 100% sure of that, because the thing always prompts me to turn on the app. So, there is that.... 

But at any rate, even if it doesn't do navigation independently of a phone being on, I think this GPS experience has been a good one. Far better than the last experience, that's for sure! Thinking about that...

The SIGMA ROX 4.0 costs $100.00 or even less if you just get the head unit. ($200.00 with every sensor and the fancier mount)  A Hammerhead Karoo 2 runs $400.00. Sure, the Karoo has far better graphics, but it doesn't actually work. (Two units failed to operate for me. You can take your chances if you want..) I cannot figure out how a company can continue to exist when it puts out products that are very expensive and have poor user experiences when you can buy something for far less money and have a far better experience. (Lezyne, SIGMA). But once again, this has been my personal GPS story. Yours may vary quite a bit. I get that.

I'm not telling you what to buy or not to buy. You be the judge. Maybe I'm GPS-ignorant, maybe I'm just not good with devices, (entirely possible), and maybe I am an example to learn from. Again- you be the judge. 

This is my story, and I'm sticking to it. 

Stay tuned for more.....

Friday News And Views

The Sigma ROX 4.0 GPS computer

Going "GPS-ing" Again:

Well, lookee here. I got a hold of this GPS computer in an offer to test and review it for RidingGravel.com. Of course, the Standard Disclaimer applies here. With that out of the way...

It's a Sigma product. They are a German based manufacturer of cycling computers that has been around for a long time. You generally don't hear a lot about the company here in the USA, but they've always been around. I've used a Sigma wireless computer recently on a bike here and it worked just fine for me. I know the company has had quality control issues in the past, but honestly, so have most of the cycling computer companies at one time or another. So, par for the course there. 

Anyway, I have this Sigma ROX 4.0 GPS computer to try out. It has a bit bigger screen and is a bit thinner than the old Lezyne Super GPS I used to use, and it is far smaller than that dreadful Karoo 2 I tried. Small is okay if you have big enough graphics and if it actually works. That may seem like a silly thing to have to specify, but - ya know..... (See that Karoo link) 

I'll have more on this one, but I'll tell you this straight away: I already am further down the road using this computer than I ever was with that Karoo.  It seems to be intuitive, simple to use, and guess what? It's got that elevation tracker I was interested in. Stay tuned..........

Douze Cycles partners with Toyota in France Image courtesy of Douze Cycles

Automotive Companies Make Inroads To Cycling Sector:

The news on HPC (Hybrid Powered Cycles) seems to be constantly flowing but a trend I've noted is how automotive companies are pivoting to get into the electrified/motorized cycling market. We've already noted here how Ford, Harley Davidson, and Yamaha are either partnering with electrified cycling companies or are doing their own thing outright. 

I read now that Toyota has an agreement in France to place Douze Cycles cargo bikes, which use mid-motor designs from Broze and Shimano, into Toyota dealerships. Furthermore, in the article I read, it states that automotive component companies are looking to pivot into manufacturing bits for electrified bicycles now since ICE vehicles are being outlawed in the EU. Makes perfect sense when you think about it. 

Comments: As if the "wild, wild West" nature of online HPC sales wasn't enough, now the cycling sector may see the automotive sector take over a big chunk of electrified bicycle sales. Think about how the automobile business has the budgets and the R&D horsepower to make that happen. Think about how traditional bicycle companies are more about impractical, extremely expensive, go-fast HPC's and not bikes for the average person. Add in that the very customer the cycling industry hopes to convert to pedaling already haunts the doorways of auto dealerships, and not bicycle shops, and perhaps we can see where this might be going here. 

Auto dealerships are already well on their way to electrified car and truck sales and servicing. Adding in a staff of trained specialist in electric motors and systems for bicycles would be an easy thing here compared to the resistance seen in the cycling service sectors. Plus, the image held by consumers already is that car mechanics have a leg up on electronic systems for cars whereas bicycle technicians are often seen as less than knowledgeable on more technical electronic systems. 

I've said it here before: If the auto industry turns to electrified two-wheeled transportation as a serious product for sales and production, the cycling industry will be left behind. 

First "Post-Pandemic" Gravel Season Winds Down:

I think a lot of us have already forgotten that 2022 was really the first year since March 2020 that we've seen anything "normal" in terms of gravel events. I wanted to take a moment to note this fact and to take stock of 2022's gravelly adventures in the USA and beyond.

Everything kind of kicked off this year as if nothing had happened. No "Protocols" , no special instructions to distance, wear masks, or the like were noted. I'd say, for the most part, it was an unsaid thing right out of the gate in 2022 that events were going to run as they had up to March 2020. Was that the right call? I guess it was. I mean, I didn't ever read or hear about any negative outcomes, although I'm sure an example or two exists.

The UCI got into the gravel game. I figured this to happen in 2021, but I am betting that this was the plan and the pandemic postponed the plan. However that went, what you saw in the news wasn't the entire story on that series and world championships. 

One event was cancelled due to low numbers. Another had a very poor showing. Then you had a participant in the final event, the so-called "worlds", say the following: " I think I would call this the Bike Path World Championships with some gravel". That was a quote from an interview of Nathan Peter-Haas, a rider in the event. So, you won't see this in the mainstream media, but the series and final event was quite a bit less than a smashing success. Meanwhile, US based events were slammed and did quite well with numbers and competitive fields. 

Anyway, now the gravel scene, and cycling in general is seemingly free to evolve naturally once again. It will be interesting to see how 2023 goes. 

Wolf Tooth Resolve dropper post. (Image courtesy of Wolf tooth)

Wolf Tooth Introduces Self-Bleeding Dropper Post:

One of the negatives to running a dropper post is that they can suck air into their systems which can result in unwanted sag when seated and poor performance. Wolf Tooth engineers have been developing an answer to this issue over the past four years and are ready to unveil the new Resolve post. 

Apparently, every time the post is activated during a ride, the internal cartridge system self-bleeds and keeps air out of the inner workings. 

This means less maintenance and less annoying sag. This won't come cheaply though, as the retail price is set at $349.95. The post is available now in 30.9mm and 31.6mm diameters and can handle round or ovalized saddle rails. Travel is at 125mm, 160mm, or 200mm and Wolf Tooth claims the stack height of the post is a minimal 32mm and the insertion depth is shorter which should make this fit more bikes. 

Comments: I don't have many bikes here that could run a dropper post, but this one sounds pretty good. Matched up with a Wolf Tooth dropper lever and I'd think it would make for a great set up. I'd probably use one on my fat bike, because a dropper makes getting going in deep snow a much easier task than with a rigid post. 

The whole "self-bleeding" thing? Well, I don't know about that. If it works, that's great, but that's a steep price to find out when a rigid post is what? Sub-100? Hmm....

That's a wrap for this week! Thanks for reading Guitar ted Productions and have a fantastic weekend.

Friday News And Views

The Sigma ROX 4.0 GPS computer

Going "GPS-ing" Again:

Well, lookee here. I got a hold of this GPS computer in an offer to test and review it for RidingGravel.com. Of course, the Standard Disclaimer applies here. With that out of the way...

It's a Sigma product. They are a German based manufacturer of cycling computers that has been around for a long time. You generally don't hear a lot about the company here in the USA, but they've always been around. I've used a Sigma wireless computer recently on a bike here and it worked just fine for me. I know the company has had quality control issues in the past, but honestly, so have most of the cycling computer companies at one time or another. So, par for the course there. 

Anyway, I have this Sigma ROX 4.0 GPS computer to try out. It has a bit bigger screen and is a bit thinner than the old Lezyne Super GPS I used to use, and it is far smaller than that dreadful Karoo 2 I tried. Small is okay if you have big enough graphics and if it actually works. That may seem like a silly thing to have to specify, but - ya know..... (See that Karoo link) 

I'll have more on this one, but I'll tell you this straight away: I already am further down the road using this computer than I ever was with that Karoo.  It seems to be intuitive, simple to use, and guess what? It's got that elevation tracker I was interested in. Stay tuned..........

Douze Cycles partners with Toyota in France Image courtesy of Douze Cycles

Automotive Companies Make Inroads To Cycling Sector:

The news on HPC (Hybrid Powered Cycles) seems to be constantly flowing but a trend I've noted is how automotive companies are pivoting to get into the electrified/motorized cycling market. We've already noted here how Ford, Harley Davidson, and Yamaha are either partnering with electrified cycling companies or are doing their own thing outright. 

I read now that Toyota has an agreement in France to place Douze Cycles cargo bikes, which use mid-motor designs from Broze and Shimano, into Toyota dealerships. Furthermore, in the article I read, it states that automotive component companies are looking to pivot into manufacturing bits for electrified bicycles now since ICE vehicles are being outlawed in the EU. Makes perfect sense when you think about it. 

Comments: As if the "wild, wild West" nature of online HPC sales wasn't enough, now the cycling sector may see the automotive sector take over a big chunk of electrified bicycle sales. Think about how the automobile business has the budgets and the R&D horsepower to make that happen. Think about how traditional bicycle companies are more about impractical, extremely expensive, go-fast HPC's and not bikes for the average person. Add in that the very customer the cycling industry hopes to convert to pedaling already haunts the doorways of auto dealerships, and not bicycle shops, and perhaps we can see where this might be going here. 

Auto dealerships are already well on their way to electrified car and truck sales and servicing. Adding in a staff of trained specialist in electric motors and systems for bicycles would be an easy thing here compared to the resistance seen in the cycling service sectors. Plus, the image held by consumers already is that car mechanics have a leg up on electronic systems for cars whereas bicycle technicians are often seen as less than knowledgeable on more technical electronic systems. 

I've said it here before: If the auto industry turns to electrified two-wheeled transportation as a serious product for sales and production, the cycling industry will be left behind. 

First "Post-Pandemic" Gravel Season Winds Down:

I think a lot of us have already forgotten that 2022 was really the first year since March 2020 that we've seen anything "normal" in terms of gravel events. I wanted to take a moment to note this fact and to take stock of 2022's gravelly adventures in the USA and beyond.

Everything kind of kicked off this year as if nothing had happened. No "Protocols" , no special instructions to distance, wear masks, or the like were noted. I'd say, for the most part, it was an unsaid thing right out of the gate in 2022 that events were going to run as they had up to March 2020. Was that the right call? I guess it was. I mean, I didn't ever read or hear about any negative outcomes, although I'm sure an example or two exists.

The UCI got into the gravel game. I figured this to happen in 2021, but I am betting that this was the plan and the pandemic postponed the plan. However that went, what you saw in the news wasn't the entire story on that series and world championships. 

One event was cancelled due to low numbers. Another had a very poor showing. Then you had a participant in the final event, the so-called "worlds", say the following: " I think I would call this the Bike Path World Championships with some gravel". That was a quote from an interview of Nathan Peter-Haas, a rider in the event. So, you won't see this in the mainstream media, but the series and final event was quite a bit less than a smashing success. Meanwhile, US based events were slammed and did quite well with numbers and competitive fields. 

Anyway, now the gravel scene, and cycling in general is seemingly free to evolve naturally once again. It will be interesting to see how 2023 goes. 

Wolf Tooth Resolve dropper post. (Image courtesy of Wolf tooth)

Wolf Tooth Introduces Self-Bleeding Dropper Post:

One of the negatives to running a dropper post is that they can suck air into their systems which can result in unwanted sag when seated and poor performance. Wolf Tooth engineers have been developing an answer to this issue over the past four years and are ready to unveil the new Resolve post. 

Apparently, every time the post is activated during a ride, the internal cartridge system self-bleeds and keeps air out of the inner workings. 

This means less maintenance and less annoying sag. This won't come cheaply though, as the retail price is set at $349.95. The post is available now in 30.9mm and 31.6mm diameters and can handle round or ovalized saddle rails. Travel is at 125mm, 160mm, or 200mm and Wolf Tooth claims the stack height of the post is a minimal 32mm and the insertion depth is shorter which should make this fit more bikes. 

Comments: I don't have many bikes here that could run a dropper post, but this one sounds pretty good. Matched up with a Wolf Tooth dropper lever and I'd think it would make for a great set up. I'd probably use one on my fat bike, because a dropper makes getting going in deep snow a much easier task than with a rigid post. 

The whole "self-bleeding" thing? Well, I don't know about that. If it works, that's great, but that's a steep price to find out when a rigid post is what? Sub-100? Hmm....

That's a wrap for this week! Thanks for reading Guitar ted Productions and have a fantastic weekend.