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.....

In The Market

My GPS computer met an untimely end at Gravel Worlds this year.

 Okay, so I am looking for a GPS computer. As you can see here from today's image, my former GPS computer met an untimely end when it was crushed under the wheels of a Ford F-150. 

Truck - 1 GPS Computer - 0

And I guess I should have one of these things. Mrs. Guitar Ted likes to keep track of me and many GPS units will allow for that. Also, many routes and events are on GPS, so it might behoove me to make that resource available to me now days. But with that said, I am going to float a few ideas I have and outline what I expect to use from a GPS computer. I'm not looking for a lot, mind you, but if something comes with extras, well I am not going to dismiss a choice out of hand for features I'll never use. But there will be a LOT of features I'll never use, and I know that going in. 

• I need to have a GPS that does turn-by-turn navigation so I can use event routes and routes without availability of cue cards for riders, (although that is something I'll always use).
• All the basic computer functions, but any unit that allows me to customize a screen so all I see is speed, mileage and time is a bonus. 
• Rider tracking (For Mrs. Guitar Ted- not that I want that.) 
• Ability to upload routes to my computer.
• Long battery life.

That's all I need. I do not care about anything else. Workouts, ride data, charts, coaching, connectivity to devices, connectivity to other riders, running your lights, or whatever. I don't care about that stuff, and I know I will never use that stuff, because I never did with my old GPS computer. I never look at data. I never look at old rides/routes that I have saved. (Although I may use that as a reference some day) I don't care about that stuff. But like I said, if the unit advised to me has that.....excuse me....'garbage'- I won't discount it as a choice. 

Now- Andy's Bike Shop just became a Garmin dealer. Do I go with a Garmin or stick with Lezyne, or do I go rogue with something like a Wahoo or other brand? I'm inclined to stick with Lezyne since I am invested in their mounts for bikes and I have an account for their GPS support. Whatever I end up doing, I am in no big rush to get one, so I have time to consider choices. 

Got any advice? I'm all ears.......

In The Market

My GPS computer met an untimely end at Gravel Worlds this year.

 Okay, so I am looking for a GPS computer. As you can see here from today's image, my former GPS computer met an untimely end when it was crushed under the wheels of a Ford F-150. 

Truck - 1 GPS Computer - 0

And I guess I should have one of these things. Mrs. Guitar Ted likes to keep track of me and many GPS units will allow for that. Also, many routes and events are on GPS, so it might behoove me to make that resource available to me now days. But with that said, I am going to float a few ideas I have and outline what I expect to use from a GPS computer. I'm not looking for a lot, mind you, but if something comes with extras, well I am not going to dismiss a choice out of hand for features I'll never use. But there will be a LOT of features I'll never use, and I know that going in. 

• I need to have a GPS that does turn-by-turn navigation so I can use event routes and routes without availability of cue cards for riders, (although that is something I'll always use).
• All the basic computer functions, but any unit that allows me to customize a screen so all I see is speed, mileage and time is a bonus. 
• Rider tracking (For Mrs. Guitar Ted- not that I want that.) 
• Ability to upload routes to my computer.
• Long battery life.

That's all I need. I do not care about anything else. Workouts, ride data, charts, coaching, connectivity to devices, connectivity to other riders, running your lights, or whatever. I don't care about that stuff, and I know I will never use that stuff, because I never did with my old GPS computer. I never look at data. I never look at old rides/routes that I have saved. (Although I may use that as a reference some day) I don't care about that stuff. But like I said, if the unit advised to me has that.....excuse me....'garbage'- I won't discount it as a choice. 

Now- Andy's Bike Shop just became a Garmin dealer. Do I go with a Garmin or stick with Lezyne, or do I go rogue with something like a Wahoo or other brand? I'm inclined to stick with Lezyne since I am invested in their mounts for bikes and I have an account for their GPS support. Whatever I end up doing, I am in no big rush to get one, so I have time to consider choices. 

Got any advice? I'm all ears.......

Dialing In The Set Up: Part 3

Getting the dashboard set up for Gravel Worlds

Monday the course cues for Gravel Worlds were released into the wild. I did what I always do- I printed them, folded them, and covered them in packing tape. This year there are a few more cues, so not as many big, long straight sections.

I set up everything on the bike as I will have it Saturday and took a short cruise to ensure nothing is going to tick me off. I'll also do a short gravel cruise today to test out the stability of everything. Gravel is like a paint shaker. If it isn't attached securely, there will be trouble!

So, here's a good example of why I love the Luxy Bar. I really get annoyed if I have to set up my light off-center. So, the way I have my Bar Yak cue sheet holder set up means the cues have to be offset to the left side of the bar. That means the Lezyne GPS mount has to go on the right side. To allow enough room for the light and the GPS to co-exist, I had to slide the mount over to the right on the bar. Now, notice that my mount for the GPS is a 31.8mm clamp mount. See how far to the right that mount clamps? Try that with a tapered center bar from any brand. Ain't-a-gunna work. The Luxy Bar, with its full 31.8mm diameter from ramp to ramp, makes this a non-issue.

The cues are such that when I get one sheet done I just flip the card over, re-clamp it, and I'm good through the next page, then I can take that page, once front and back cues have been passed, and discard it. The funny thing about the first page is I probably won't even need to use it. I'll just follow the stream of blinky lights. Last year I think I was in the middle of the second page before I figured I probably should start paying attention to the road names. It's not an issue as long as you remember to start your computer at the start line. I forgot to do this in 2017, and it made for some "interesting" calculations out on the course that day.

I had a little bit of a scare Tuesday morning on the commute to work. I had to negotiate the presence of  a couple of construction vehicles on the "island" at the interchange with Greenhill Road and University Avenue. The position of the vehicles was such that I had a strip of ground about two to three feet wide between the curb and traffic and the vehicles. As I passed by, something flipped up and severely smacked my bottom bracket and left crank arm. It was like someone hit the bike with a ball peen hammer. Immediately afterward I felt the rear tire go all squishy. I made it to work, but when I checked the pressure it was around 10psi.

Did I destroy a brand new Schwalbe G - One? I checked the tire over and found no outward visible evidence of sealant leakage. Either I burped the tire or I had an internal failure in the rim strip which healed itself. At any rate, I pumped the tire up at 9:00am to 30psi and its been good since.

Today I go shopping for nutrition and start packing. It's very nearly go time.

Dialing In The Set Up: Part 3

Getting the dashboard set up for Gravel Worlds

Monday the course cues for Gravel Worlds were released into the wild. I did what I always do- I printed them, folded them, and covered them in packing tape. This year there are a few more cues, so not as many big, long straight sections.

I set up everything on the bike as I will have it Saturday and took a short cruise to ensure nothing is going to tick me off. I'll also do a short gravel cruise today to test out the stability of everything. Gravel is like a paint shaker. If it isn't attached securely, there will be trouble!

So, here's a good example of why I love the Luxy Bar. I really get annoyed if I have to set up my light off-center. So, the way I have my Bar Yak cue sheet holder set up means the cues have to be offset to the left side of the bar. That means the Lezyne GPS mount has to go on the right side. To allow enough room for the light and the GPS to co-exist, I had to slide the mount over to the right on the bar. Now, notice that my mount for the GPS is a 31.8mm clamp mount. See how far to the right that mount clamps? Try that with a tapered center bar from any brand. Ain't-a-gunna work. The Luxy Bar, with its full 31.8mm diameter from ramp to ramp, makes this a non-issue.

The cues are such that when I get one sheet done I just flip the card over, re-clamp it, and I'm good through the next page, then I can take that page, once front and back cues have been passed, and discard it. The funny thing about the first page is I probably won't even need to use it. I'll just follow the stream of blinky lights. Last year I think I was in the middle of the second page before I figured I probably should start paying attention to the road names. It's not an issue as long as you remember to start your computer at the start line. I forgot to do this in 2017, and it made for some "interesting" calculations out on the course that day.

I had a little bit of a scare Tuesday morning on the commute to work. I had to negotiate the presence of  a couple of construction vehicles on the "island" at the interchange with Greenhill Road and University Avenue. The position of the vehicles was such that I had a strip of ground about two to three feet wide between the curb and traffic and the vehicles. As I passed by, something flipped up and severely smacked my bottom bracket and left crank arm. It was like someone hit the bike with a ball peen hammer. Immediately afterward I felt the rear tire go all squishy. I made it to work, but when I checked the pressure it was around 10psi.

Did I destroy a brand new Schwalbe G - One? I checked the tire over and found no outward visible evidence of sealant leakage. Either I burped the tire or I had an internal failure in the rim strip which healed itself. At any rate, I pumped the tire up at 9:00am to 30psi and its been good since.

Today I go shopping for nutrition and start packing. It's very nearly go time.

Cycling For The Adventure: Part 2

Can you imagine cycling without one of these?

Yesterday I touched upon how today's version of "adventure" differed from where I came from. But am I just being an "old fart"? Maybe I'm a retrogrouch and I just am out of touch with a better version of cycling that has more people jazzed about getting out there than ever before.

Or, maybe that's just not really what is happening here. Consider that by the very nature of social media, we are, or can be, more aware of who is out there. Think about the Tour Divide, or even better, its predecessor, The Great Divide Race. In the late '90's, John Stamstad rode the route solo. Did anyone follow that dot? Well, of course not. He wasn't wired with a SPOT device. So it was with everyone else that was "out there" previous to SPOT's launch in 2007, social media, Strava, and whatever else you have to "connect" with. In other words, who can really say that folks weren't "out there" in just as big a way then as they are today? What we can say is that in 2017 we are more aware than ever of who is doing this adventuring by bicycle. 

Conversely, it is also easier than ever to be found. Think about it: We used to get on our bicycles to "get away from it all", but are we doing that anymore? Most of the time, we are not. Especially if we are carrying a cell phone. At a moment's notice, we can be drawn right back in to the rat race by a text, a notification, or a phone call. That doesn't even count devices like GPS computers for cycling which can push notifications right to your wrist or handlebars. Heck.....they even have a heads-up display for glasses for cycling now! Talk about life being "in your face"!

Of course, all those devices with GPS can be tracked too, so you can have a significant other or (who knows who) tracking your every move out there. Is that what we signed up for when we went in search of adventure?

So, yeah......to be completely honest, I don't buy in to the whole being connected 24-7 thing. If I leave my cell phone at home I kind of kick myself, but more so because it ticks off Mrs. Guitar Ted. Me? I don't care. After a moment of guilt I am really relieved no one can bother me. If something happens when I'm 20 miles from the house on a gravel road traveling by bicycle, what the heck can I do about anything that happens anyway? By definition I am out of the loop at that point, You'll have to carry on without me, or come and find me out there....

Oh, you may say that I should have my cell phone handy in case of an emergency, but really..... If I can't be self-supported/self-sufficient, should I be riding out in the country at all? Then there might be the super rare time I get myself injured, have a bad mechanical, or whatever, but look...... That's a risk I'm willing to take that wasn't a rarity at all previous to 2007 or so. Stop and think about that for a minute. Everyone that rode a bicycle away from a population center before then was likely doing what I do now when I forget my phone at home. It's a risk I'm willing to take anytime now.

But that said, I know I am in an ever shrinking group of like-minded people. I get pressure all the time from folks wanting routes provided to them, to have Trans Iowa have GPS downloadable course maps, to have on-line registration for that event, and on and on. It's hard to keep "on point" when everyone seems to be going whole hog for being connected and have everything handed to them on a silver platter when it comes to adventure stuff. Gravel roads seem to freak folks out, or they are just to lazy to do some simple research and take a small risk to see what is out there. I don't think I am remarkable in that I just go out and ride and see what I can find, but then again, it seems a lot of people are hamstrung by the idea of just winging it. It really isn't that tough, in my opinion.

Plus, the lessons learned make memories and teach you far more than checking off a list from some internet site and downloading a pre-ridden course on your GPS device. I don't know.......

Maybe I've got it all wrong.......

Cycling For The Adventure: Part 2

Can you imagine cycling without one of these?

Yesterday I touched upon how today's version of "adventure" differed from where I came from. But am I just being an "old fart"? Maybe I'm a retrogrouch and I just am out of touch with a better version of cycling that has more people jazzed about getting out there than ever before.

Or, maybe that's just not really what is happening here. Consider that by the very nature of social media, we are, or can be, more aware of who is out there. Think about the Tour Divide, or even better, its predecessor, The Great Divide Race. In the late '90's, John Stamstad rode the route solo. Did anyone follow that dot? Well, of course not. He wasn't wired with a SPOT device. So it was with everyone else that was "out there" previous to SPOT's launch in 2007, social media, Strava, and whatever else you have to "connect" with. In other words, who can really say that folks weren't "out there" in just as big a way then as they are today? What we can say is that in 2017 we are more aware than ever of who is doing this adventuring by bicycle. 

Conversely, it is also easier than ever to be found. Think about it: We used to get on our bicycles to "get away from it all", but are we doing that anymore? Most of the time, we are not. Especially if we are carrying a cell phone. At a moment's notice, we can be drawn right back in to the rat race by a text, a notification, or a phone call. That doesn't even count devices like GPS computers for cycling which can push notifications right to your wrist or handlebars. Heck.....they even have a heads-up display for glasses for cycling now! Talk about life being "in your face"!

Of course, all those devices with GPS can be tracked too, so you can have a significant other or (who knows who) tracking your every move out there. Is that what we signed up for when we went in search of adventure?

So, yeah......to be completely honest, I don't buy in to the whole being connected 24-7 thing. If I leave my cell phone at home I kind of kick myself, but more so because it ticks off Mrs. Guitar Ted. Me? I don't care. After a moment of guilt I am really relieved no one can bother me. If something happens when I'm 20 miles from the house on a gravel road traveling by bicycle, what the heck can I do about anything that happens anyway? By definition I am out of the loop at that point, You'll have to carry on without me, or come and find me out there....

Oh, you may say that I should have my cell phone handy in case of an emergency, but really..... If I can't be self-supported/self-sufficient, should I be riding out in the country at all? Then there might be the super rare time I get myself injured, have a bad mechanical, or whatever, but look...... That's a risk I'm willing to take that wasn't a rarity at all previous to 2007 or so. Stop and think about that for a minute. Everyone that rode a bicycle away from a population center before then was likely doing what I do now when I forget my phone at home. It's a risk I'm willing to take anytime now.

But that said, I know I am in an ever shrinking group of like-minded people. I get pressure all the time from folks wanting routes provided to them, to have Trans Iowa have GPS downloadable course maps, to have on-line registration for that event, and on and on. It's hard to keep "on point" when everyone seems to be going whole hog for being connected and have everything handed to them on a silver platter when it comes to adventure stuff. Gravel roads seem to freak folks out, or they are just to lazy to do some simple research and take a small risk to see what is out there. I don't think I am remarkable in that I just go out and ride and see what I can find, but then again, it seems a lot of people are hamstrung by the idea of just winging it. It really isn't that tough, in my opinion.

Plus, the lessons learned make memories and teach you far more than checking off a list from some internet site and downloading a pre-ridden course on your GPS device. I don't know.......

Maybe I've got it all wrong.......

Single Speed Century: The Rig Is Ready

So, now that I have a modicum of a chance to physically do a century again, and now that my rig has proper tires and wheels on it, I am ready to set sail for 100 miles of single speed gravel travel. I thought I would share the details of the rig I am using before I head out on this deal.

The single speed I chose to use is the Pofahl custom bike I had made ten years ago. You long time blog readers need no introduction to this one. It has already been on a century gravel ride before, so I know it will be a comfortable, capable bike for this trip.

I did make a couple of modifications to the usual Pofahl set up here though. The wheels and tires are completely different here. While the wheels are still Industry 9 hubs and spokes, the rims are Bontrager Duster TLR rims. The rear hub is single speed specific one in black ano and a few years newer than the one I have on there usually which is kind of orangey-bronze and was a 2006 model single speed specific hub.

The tires are new Donnelly MSO 50mm with the old Clement hot patch on there. These are tubeless ready versions too, and as such, they are a beefier tire than the Sparwoods or the Cazadero 50mm tires I've tried out. In fact, they weighed a hefty 750 grams each on my Park digital scale of Doom. That's heavy.......or is it? There are "tough" tires and then there are fast, supple tires. You usually do not get both. For instance, the aforementioned Sparwoods are designed to be extra tough, they are heavier, (700-ish grams in 60TPI), and they have a puncture protection belt under the tread (60TPI versions), which makes them ride stiffer too.The Caz's, on the other hand, are light, (530 grams), and paper thin. They do not hold air as well either due to this. Fragile? Yes- likely they are. 

All set and ready to roll now.

I've got a lot more to say about all that, but that's all coming up in a tire review soon, so stay tuned. For now I am just sticking to the changes to the Pofahl. One other change was to add a partial set up of the Bar Yak system on there to hold my cues. I may try turn-by-turn directions with my Lezyne Super GPS if I can figure it out in time. Then there are lights, because, well, Late Fall, that's why!

The Lezyne light and the modified Bar Yak system for cues. I may add an accessory bar.

So, I have this Lezyne light which I mentioned a week ago or so here. It is plenty bright at the middle setting which yields 9-ish hours of light. I won't need that long a run time, but I figure on starting in the dark, at least.

The tail light will just be an ordinary Bontrager cheapo unit. Battery operated. Old school. Out on the gravel it should show up just fine. Again, I doubt that I will be in the dark all that long on this run. Hopefully I also will get done before sundown.

So, that's basically it. It's all set up and all I have to do is to get the map tweaked out to actually be 100 miles. Right now it is a little short. The route will be mostly single speed friendly and I have towns to go get things out there. It won't be the most scenic route, or the toughest, but it will be a gravel century. Hopefully I can get this knocked out yet this month. That's the plan. Then if I am successful I will look at the next century plan, a reprise of the Fat Bike Century.

Single Speed Century: The Rig Is Ready

So, now that I have a modicum of a chance to physically do a century again, and now that my rig has proper tires and wheels on it, I am ready to set sail for 100 miles of single speed gravel travel. I thought I would share the details of the rig I am using before I head out on this deal.

The single speed I chose to use is the Pofahl custom bike I had made ten years ago. You long time blog readers need no introduction to this one. It has already been on a century gravel ride before, so I know it will be a comfortable, capable bike for this trip.

I did make a couple of modifications to the usual Pofahl set up here though. The wheels and tires are completely different here. While the wheels are still Industry 9 hubs and spokes, the rims are Bontrager Duster TLR rims. The rear hub is single speed specific one in black ano and a few years newer than the one I have on there usually which is kind of orangey-bronze and was a 2006 model single speed specific hub.

The tires are new Donnelly MSO 50mm with the old Clement hot patch on there. These are tubeless ready versions too, and as such, they are a beefier tire than the Sparwoods or the Cazadero 50mm tires I've tried out. In fact, they weighed a hefty 750 grams each on my Park digital scale of Doom. That's heavy.......or is it? There are "tough" tires and then there are fast, supple tires. You usually do not get both. For instance, the aforementioned Sparwoods are designed to be extra tough, they are heavier, (700-ish grams in 60TPI), and they have a puncture protection belt under the tread (60TPI versions), which makes them ride stiffer too.The Caz's, on the other hand, are light, (530 grams), and paper thin. They do not hold air as well either due to this. Fragile? Yes- likely they are. 

All set and ready to roll now.

I've got a lot more to say about all that, but that's all coming up in a tire review soon, so stay tuned. For now I am just sticking to the changes to the Pofahl. One other change was to add a partial set up of the Bar Yak system on there to hold my cues. I may try turn-by-turn directions with my Lezyne Super GPS if I can figure it out in time. Then there are lights, because, well, Late Fall, that's why!

The Lezyne light and the modified Bar Yak system for cues. I may add an accessory bar.

So, I have this Lezyne light which I mentioned a week ago or so here. It is plenty bright at the middle setting which yields 9-ish hours of light. I won't need that long a run time, but I figure on starting in the dark, at least.

The tail light will just be an ordinary Bontrager cheapo unit. Battery operated. Old school. Out on the gravel it should show up just fine. Again, I doubt that I will be in the dark all that long on this run. Hopefully I also will get done before sundown.

So, that's basically it. It's all set up and all I have to do is to get the map tweaked out to actually be 100 miles. Right now it is a little short. The route will be mostly single speed friendly and I have towns to go get things out there. It won't be the most scenic route, or the toughest, but it will be a gravel century. Hopefully I can get this knocked out yet this month. That's the plan. Then if I am successful I will look at the next century plan, a reprise of the Fat Bike Century.

Shimano Sport Cam CM-2000

The Shimano Sport Cam CM-2000

The march into the 21st Century for me continues. I have a sport action camera now. But first, before I delve in to all of the gizmo-tastic details, I must tell the story of how this happened, because....trust me...I wasn't planning on getting anything like this. I still haven't totally figured out my Olympus TG-3 or my Lezyne Super GPS yet, and adding another gizmo to the mix only sets me deeper into the knowledge gathering rabbit hole.

Anyway, as a mechanic, I am entitled to access the Shimano "S-Tec" site which gives me all the details and technical know-how to work on Shimano's stuff. Okay, so they came out with the new Ultegra 8000 series of components recently and I decided to check that out and see the video presentation Shimano had on S-Tec. There is a quiz you can take afterward which I did and passed. That automatically entered me in to a drawing for the Tour de France promotion which Shimano was doing. They are giving away two prizes daily to mechanics who took the Ultegra 8000 module. Well, on the first day, I won a Sport Cam CM-2000.

Weird.....

Anyway, it showed up last week and I have just gotten around to unboxing it and getting it charged up. The general specs show this camera has some impressive features, if you geek out on such things. First of all, it can record on the command of certain Bluetooth generated parameters like your heart rate, speed, or power out put. This means that, let's say, you have a very steep descent on a mountain bike trail. This might be a section you want recorded, so you can set the camera to start recording at a threshold of a certain speed and above, then shut off after that speed threshold has been gone under again. Or, maybe this raises your heart rate, so you could do the recording by that. Power output could be used to set off the camera recording on a climb, for instance. The theory being that you only get footage of parts that are worth watching.

The display and function buttons are pretty simple.

The cam is certainly outdoors friendly being waterproof and dust proof. There is a lens cover included which has a treated glass which can help shed water which may get splashed up on it for better video results.

The water and dust proofed access door to the battery, SD card slot, and USB connection. Here also is the mount provided.

There are the usual accessory mounting options which are available separately. I may pick up a handlebar and chest mounted one. For now, it'll go on my helmet. I actually already have a mount which this should work on for my Bell Super helmet. So, that is probably where I'll start out with this.

So, here we go down another gizmo rabbit hole..........

Shimano Sport Cam CM-2000

The Shimano Sport Cam CM-2000

The march into the 21st Century for me continues. I have a sport action camera now. But first, before I delve in to all of the gizmo-tastic details, I must tell the story of how this happened, because....trust me...I wasn't planning on getting anything like this. I still haven't totally figured out my Olympus TG-3 or my Lezyne Super GPS yet, and adding another gizmo to the mix only sets me deeper into the knowledge gathering rabbit hole.

Anyway, as a mechanic, I am entitled to access the Shimano "S-Tec" site which gives me all the details and technical know-how to work on Shimano's stuff. Okay, so they came out with the new Ultegra 8000 series of components recently and I decided to check that out and see the video presentation Shimano had on S-Tec. There is a quiz you can take afterward which I did and passed. That automatically entered me in to a drawing for the Tour de France promotion which Shimano was doing. They are giving away two prizes daily to mechanics who took the Ultegra 8000 module. Well, on the first day, I won a Sport Cam CM-2000.

Weird.....

Anyway, it showed up last week and I have just gotten around to unboxing it and getting it charged up. The general specs show this camera has some impressive features, if you geek out on such things. First of all, it can record on the command of certain Bluetooth generated parameters like your heart rate, speed, or power out put. This means that, let's say, you have a very steep descent on a mountain bike trail. This might be a section you want recorded, so you can set the camera to start recording at a threshold of a certain speed and above, then shut off after that speed threshold has been gone under again. Or, maybe this raises your heart rate, so you could do the recording by that. Power output could be used to set off the camera recording on a climb, for instance. The theory being that you only get footage of parts that are worth watching.

The display and function buttons are pretty simple.

The cam is certainly outdoors friendly being waterproof and dust proof. There is a lens cover included which has a treated glass which can help shed water which may get splashed up on it for better video results.

The water and dust proofed access door to the battery, SD card slot, and USB connection. Here also is the mount provided.

There are the usual accessory mounting options which are available separately. I may pick up a handlebar and chest mounted one. For now, it'll go on my helmet. I actually already have a mount which this should work on for my Bell Super helmet. So, that is probably where I'll start out with this.

So, here we go down another gizmo rabbit hole..........

Wednesday Blues

The view from the front porch on Wednesday evening.

 Wednesdays.... Lately they have been quite the bummer. For the last three weeks in a row it has been stormy and caused me to miss riding, except for last week when I got caught in the rain.

Well, when it rains and storms, then you cannot bicycle safely in the country. So what do you do? You organize, clean, maintain, write stuff, and start new projects. Well......maybe you don't write, but you get the picture. I did a lot of stuff I would have put off had I not been sequestered by imminent danger of lightning or tornado action.

Let's see.....

• I routed the Guitar Ted Death Ride Invitational as a ride starting and ending at the Broad Street Brewing Company.
• I made a tentative GPS file for the course which will be released pending recon.
• I turned around the Fargo post Kansas thrashing. 
• I updated my Lezyne Super GPS. (YES- a full review is still pending)
• I organized some random tools donated to me because "you're a bicycle guy". 
• I purchased two Bontrager Scandium 24 hole rims for a project I am going to do. (Only a wheel build)
• I took all the random change I found on my dresser and desk, added it to the full piggy bank, and turned it in at the Credit Union. All of $21.15, so not a lot. (The piggy bank was all pennies)

I also cleaned more in the Lab, washed some clothes, answered some e-mails, posted on social media, and surfed the innergoogles because......internet. That's what you do.

Oh.........and I drank a lot of coffee. 

Of course......it barely rained all day. Gah! Dang weathermen and their fear mongering. But then again, there was a lot of severe weather around. Who knows......

All I know is I am about done with Wednesdays like these!

Wednesday Blues

The view from the front porch on Wednesday evening.

 Wednesdays.... Lately they have been quite the bummer. For the last three weeks in a row it has been stormy and caused me to miss riding, except for last week when I got caught in the rain.

Well, when it rains and storms, then you cannot bicycle safely in the country. So what do you do? You organize, clean, maintain, write stuff, and start new projects. Well......maybe you don't write, but you get the picture. I did a lot of stuff I would have put off had I not been sequestered by imminent danger of lightning or tornado action.

Let's see.....

• I routed the Guitar Ted Death Ride Invitational as a ride starting and ending at the Broad Street Brewing Company.
• I made a tentative GPS file for the course which will be released pending recon.
• I turned around the Fargo post Kansas thrashing. 
• I updated my Lezyne Super GPS. (YES- a full review is still pending)
• I organized some random tools donated to me because "you're a bicycle guy". 
• I purchased two Bontrager Scandium 24 hole rims for a project I am going to do. (Only a wheel build)
• I took all the random change I found on my dresser and desk, added it to the full piggy bank, and turned it in at the Credit Union. All of $21.15, so not a lot. (The piggy bank was all pennies)

I also cleaned more in the Lab, washed some clothes, answered some e-mails, posted on social media, and surfed the innergoogles because......internet. That's what you do.

Oh.........and I drank a lot of coffee. 

Of course......it barely rained all day. Gah! Dang weathermen and their fear mongering. But then again, there was a lot of severe weather around. Who knows......

All I know is I am about done with Wednesdays like these!

Gizmo Update

Mounts for the Gizmo

It has been some time since I have spoken about the new GPS gizmo thing-a-matron I have gotten to record my ride data with. Specifically, the device is named a Lezyne Super GPS. Just exactly how "super" it is will be determined later. Right now it seems to be a pretty snazzy little unit to keep track of things with.

So, I took the next step in regard to getting comfortable with this thing and that was to get myself more mounts. Mounts for GPS computers are nothing but special clamps with proprietary key-wayed slotted bases which work off of tension created by a cross member in the base. They aren't anything that awesome, but they cost like they are. Oh well, what are ya gonna do? 3D print yer own? Oh!.......wait.......

Okay, lacking a 3D printer of my own, I went ahead and purchased two more mounts made by Lezyne. So, these are "official" and all. Just to be clear.....

Anyway, I mounted one on the Tamland, one on the Twin Six Standard Rando, and the original is on the Black Mountain Cycles rig. The "O" ring mount is on the Gen I Fargo.......I think. I'll have to go check on that. It's somewhere anyway. So, I'll have four mounts to swap the GPS head into and out of. This will make the so-called "Super GPS" a bit more, well.........super. I'll be more apt to use it a lot more often.

The next two steps will involve more functions of the unit. One will be turn-by-turn directions, which are supposedly now available with the Super GPS units, and the other is to mount the sensor on one of the bikes to see how the cadence function works. But the latter function will only be used to verify it works. I am definitely not using cadence. 

Stay tuned for an update on this GPS deal sooner than later......

 

Gizmo Update

Mounts for the Gizmo

It has been some time since I have spoken about the new GPS gizmo thing-a-matron I have gotten to record my ride data with. Specifically, the device is named a Lezyne Super GPS. Just exactly how "super" it is will be determined later. Right now it seems to be a pretty snazzy little unit to keep track of things with.

So, I took the next step in regard to getting comfortable with this thing and that was to get myself more mounts. Mounts for GPS computers are nothing but special clamps with proprietary key-wayed slotted bases which work off of tension created by a cross member in the base. They aren't anything that awesome, but they cost like they are. Oh well, what are ya gonna do? 3D print yer own? Oh!.......wait.......

Okay, lacking a 3D printer of my own, I went ahead and purchased two more mounts made by Lezyne. So, these are "official" and all. Just to be clear.....

Anyway, I mounted one on the Tamland, one on the Twin Six Standard Rando, and the original is on the Black Mountain Cycles rig. The "O" ring mount is on the Gen I Fargo.......I think. I'll have to go check on that. It's somewhere anyway. So, I'll have four mounts to swap the GPS head into and out of. This will make the so-called "Super GPS" a bit more, well.........super. I'll be more apt to use it a lot more often.

The next two steps will involve more functions of the unit. One will be turn-by-turn directions, which are supposedly now available with the Super GPS units, and the other is to mount the sensor on one of the bikes to see how the cadence function works. But the latter function will only be used to verify it works. I am definitely not using cadence. 

Stay tuned for an update on this GPS deal sooner than later......

 

Friday News And Views

Wet & Chilly

Waiting For The White Stuff:

Well, by the time you read this, we may already have some. It is in the forecast off and on nearly every day of late. Snow. It is coming sooner than later.

That said, there are 50 degree days forecast as well for the next few days. I'm planning on taking advantage of that for a few reasons. But I am not waiting for "good" weather to ride. Nope. I'm riding whenever I can.

Tuesday I rode in a cold, driving rain from work. Wednesday I rode in a chilly, wet, muddy aftermath of all that rain out on the gravel North of the city. Like the old saw goes: "There is no such thing as bad weather for cycling, just poor clothing choices." To a point, that's my philosophy. I do have my limits though! For instance, I don't ride if it is in the single digits with a double digit below zero wind chill, because, well.......that's stupid. There is no reason to do that since it becomes a huge risk to my health and even my life at that point. Plus, I don't have to ride. There are those poor souls who do tackle that stuff out of necessity. I see them from time to time.

Fall lasted so long that I am still fishing out my cold weather gear and putting summer garb aside. I suspect Winter will progress to a snowy mode sooner than it did last year, so the fat bike will soon be seeing duty.

Salsa Cycles Timberjack 27.5+ rig

Limited Time Engagement?

A certain undercurrent is rising concerning the B+/27.5+ wheels and tires for mountain biking. I've seen it mentioned in reviews and on forums, but I now see a big time media outlet saying it outright. 27.5+ is doomed.

If you pay attention to what folks are saying that have ridden these beasts, you know that tire pressure is a big, big deal. The reason for this is that big, voluminous tires will get squirmy if set too low and bouncy and hard if set too high with air pressure. Big deal, right? All tires will do that, right?

True, but when it comes to these tires, the 650B X 3 inchers, the air pressure changes are critical to getting the performance "right". A change of even 1psi can be drastic and make a wheel feel awesome, or like a marshmallow. Blame sidewall support, or to be more precise, the lack of it, for the issues being reported here. To get stiffer sidewalls, more material would have to be added to a tire's casing. That isn't desirable since it would dramatically increase the weight of the tire.

So, what's the solution? Well, it seems that the industry is wanting to pull back the 650B offerings to 2.5"-2.8" at the max. Basically, not plus sized. So, will the industry get what it wants and will there be riders that drive this? Maybe. I don't know. But it does bear watching.

Danged gizmos!

Sometimes You Get Lucky:

So, I've been dabbling in the gizmotronic side of cycling with this Lezyne Super GPS. It's okay. I'm not wowed or blown away, but it does a job and I can appreciate that. Everything so far has been somewhat trouble free. That is until last Wednesday.

I went for a ride and the Super GPS was working just fine. Speed, data, and time were being recorded. Then I got home. Whoops! Don't forget to turn it off!

See, this is the first step backward on these deals. You have to turn it on and off. Do you turn your CatEye Velo 9 on and off? No! You don't even think about that. It does that for you. So, what is the deal, techno freaks? Why should I have to suddenly start turning my device on and off? Weird.

Okay, rant over.... Kind of. See, I went to turn it off and you have to not only push a button, but you have to hold it for a couple of seconds. Again......really? This is better than before? Okay.... Back on track! I inadvertently pushed another button as I squeezed the off button. I heard an abbreviated sound, then......frozen screen! 

So, I have no idea that I had done anything wrong, and now the buttons did nothing! So, I tried hooking it up to the computer, but that resulted in nothing again. So, I was thinking maybe by running the battery down and then plugging it into the computer to recharge it might work, but who knows how long that it might take to drain the battery? I was foooling around with my son, while telling him about it, and I jokingly said, "Maybe I should just push ALL the buttons! Like this!", and I simultaneously pushed all four buttons.

It worked.

The computer turned off, and I could turn it back on again. So, I learned that much about this gizmo!

That's all for this week. Have a great weekend, y'all!

Friday News And Views

Wet & Chilly

Waiting For The White Stuff:

Well, by the time you read this, we may already have some. It is in the forecast off and on nearly every day of late. Snow. It is coming sooner than later.

That said, there are 50 degree days forecast as well for the next few days. I'm planning on taking advantage of that for a few reasons. But I am not waiting for "good" weather to ride. Nope. I'm riding whenever I can.

Tuesday I rode in a cold, driving rain from work. Wednesday I rode in a chilly, wet, muddy aftermath of all that rain out on the gravel North of the city. Like the old saw goes: "There is no such thing as bad weather for cycling, just poor clothing choices." To a point, that's my philosophy. I do have my limits though! For instance, I don't ride if it is in the single digits with a double digit below zero wind chill, because, well.......that's stupid. There is no reason to do that since it becomes a huge risk to my health and even my life at that point. Plus, I don't have to ride. There are those poor souls who do tackle that stuff out of necessity. I see them from time to time.

Fall lasted so long that I am still fishing out my cold weather gear and putting summer garb aside. I suspect Winter will progress to a snowy mode sooner than it did last year, so the fat bike will soon be seeing duty.

Salsa Cycles Timberjack 27.5+ rig

Limited Time Engagement?

A certain undercurrent is rising concerning the B+/27.5+ wheels and tires for mountain biking. I've seen it mentioned in reviews and on forums, but I now see a big time media outlet saying it outright. 27.5+ is doomed.

If you pay attention to what folks are saying that have ridden these beasts, you know that tire pressure is a big, big deal. The reason for this is that big, voluminous tires will get squirmy if set too low and bouncy and hard if set too high with air pressure. Big deal, right? All tires will do that, right?

True, but when it comes to these tires, the 650B X 3 inchers, the air pressure changes are critical to getting the performance "right". A change of even 1psi can be drastic and make a wheel feel awesome, or like a marshmallow. Blame sidewall support, or to be more precise, the lack of it, for the issues being reported here. To get stiffer sidewalls, more material would have to be added to a tire's casing. That isn't desirable since it would dramatically increase the weight of the tire.

So, what's the solution? Well, it seems that the industry is wanting to pull back the 650B offerings to 2.5"-2.8" at the max. Basically, not plus sized. So, will the industry get what it wants and will there be riders that drive this? Maybe. I don't know. But it does bear watching.

Danged gizmos!

Sometimes You Get Lucky:

So, I've been dabbling in the gizmotronic side of cycling with this Lezyne Super GPS. It's okay. I'm not wowed or blown away, but it does a job and I can appreciate that. Everything so far has been somewhat trouble free. That is until last Wednesday.

I went for a ride and the Super GPS was working just fine. Speed, data, and time were being recorded. Then I got home. Whoops! Don't forget to turn it off!

See, this is the first step backward on these deals. You have to turn it on and off. Do you turn your CatEye Velo 9 on and off? No! You don't even think about that. It does that for you. So, what is the deal, techno freaks? Why should I have to suddenly start turning my device on and off? Weird.

Okay, rant over.... Kind of. See, I went to turn it off and you have to not only push a button, but you have to hold it for a couple of seconds. Again......really? This is better than before? Okay.... Back on track! I inadvertently pushed another button as I squeezed the off button. I heard an abbreviated sound, then......frozen screen! 

So, I have no idea that I had done anything wrong, and now the buttons did nothing! So, I tried hooking it up to the computer, but that resulted in nothing again. So, I was thinking maybe by running the battery down and then plugging it into the computer to recharge it might work, but who knows how long that it might take to drain the battery? I was foooling around with my son, while telling him about it, and I jokingly said, "Maybe I should just push ALL the buttons! Like this!", and I simultaneously pushed all four buttons.

It worked.

The computer turned off, and I could turn it back on again. So, I learned that much about this gizmo!

That's all for this week. Have a great weekend, y'all!