Friday News And Views

Image courtesy of Whaleroad

Fourteen Sprockets:

Almost ten years ago now I posted concerning the stir a story caused back then about a patent drawing for a 14 speed Shimano cassette. I wrote about that HERE. It was something Shimano had in its back pocket for years already by that time. So, I knew it was only a matter of time till we saw this in reality. 

But to see it first from a Chinese company called Whaleroad? I did not have this on my 2026 bingo card, as the saying goes. And how about the name of the company? Gotta hand it to the Chinese. When they try to hit on an English language name for a company it doesn't always make sense. It makes for some interesting reactions. 

Anyway - the point Guitar Ted? Ah! Yes...... The point being that I wonder how Whaleroad can pull this off without Shimano having some sort of legal reaction to it. Then my second thought is concerning the "why do this?" question which I am sure many of you are thinking about as well.  

The cassette is an 11T - 46T. The cassette is part of the R7 road group. My feeling is Whaleroad is trying to reduce the differential in tooth count between cogs and to allow a 1X road drivetrain to be competitive with a 2X set up with a similar range of gearing. It is wireless, of course, with the rear derailleur having a removable battery. (SRAM nay have something to say about this as well.) The cassette fits on a standard HG free hub body (Shimano). 

Comments: This may be pointless now, because you probably cannot easily get this stuff, and taking a chance on a new drive train with little track record of success can seem like a bad decision now. And maybe you cannot fathom ever wanting or needing 14 speed cassettes. I get that. We thought 10 speed was crazy in 2010 too.  

But this is coming. Someday new bicycles will have 14 speed cassettes and it will be commonplace. Where it goes from there? I do not know, and maybe more importantly, I do not care. I'm still using 11 speed cassettes and I see no reason to get more than 11 sprockets back there. In fact, two of my bicycles are 9 speed. Think about this - It's 2026 and you can still buy good quality 9 speed components. So, I guess the bottom line here is don't let 14 speed stuff upset your apple cart. You do not have to buy into it. 

Podcast Update:

Just a reminder that the "Guitar Ted Podcast" has been pumping out a new episode about every two weeks. In case you haven't checked out this content, the two latest episodes can be accessed HERE and HERE (Spotify), or from any podcast outlet. 

N.Y. Roll has the new SILCA tires in reserve for his upcoming Twin Six 3X2 32"er build. We talk about our opinions on the Gravel Cycling Hall of Fame, cycling in general, and on other subjects as well. We've gotten some great feedback on the episodes so far this year, and we thank you listeners for the encouragement. 

The next and newest episode is one where we talk about the lack of marketing focus on fun and community by cycling brands.I also share my wheel building thoughts.  

It's almost October already! That means we will be coming up on our traditional December mini-break soon. I suspect we will have about 5-6 more episodes before we call it an end to Season #4. If you have any suggestions for content you'd like to hear us speak on, please let me know either in the comments or at g.ted.productions@gmail.com. We listen to any and all feedback and would welcome any suggestions or comments you may have. 

We're having a banner year so far with as many episodes in the can already as we had all of last year. Thanks for the support, and if you are a new listener, Welcome!

Image courtesy of Tailfin

Tailfin Acquired By MVC Group:

It was announced Thursday on several online outlets that the bike packing rack company, Tailfin, had been acquired by the MVC group, a family owned business out of Italy. 

The MVC Group, according to its Linkedin profile, also owns Sportful, Karpos, Castelli and the triathlon brand Zoot. The MVC Group - according to its own press release, is backed by the private equity fund, Equinox.

Comments: I normally do not report on business transactions in the world of cycling, but I was made aware recently that there are some of you folks out there who really do not like "private equity" getting involved in companies you support. or used to support. 

It also dawned on me that the entire thought of private equity funds being involved in a bike packing company acquisition is kind of weird. Bike packing might be the ultimate expression in these times of an independent, self-governed life style. Private equity is seen by some to be one of the things that is wrong with business today and a thing that sucks the life out of brands which were started as family businesses. 

To be fair, the MVC Group is a family business, and maybe this acquisition is a good thing. I do not know. I only point this out since I have found there is a subset of people who find private equity distasteful. At the very least, this high-level business decision seems like an uncomfortable bedfellow with bike packing.

Image courtesy of Teravail 

QBP Brands To Be Sold On Amazon:

Earlier this week news spread across the internet regarding a letter sent to QBP (Quality Bicycle Products) dealers which detailed a strategy QBP would be implementing on the Amazon platform. 

In the communication QBP stated it would become an seller of record and would be offering proprietary brands on Amazon for sale to consumers. A list of those brands included Teravail and 45NRTH amongst others. 

Comments: This should not be a surprise. Independent bicycle shops are becoming scarcer and consumers buying habits have changed dramatically. Amazon is open 24-7, 365. Your local bike shop is not. It is the way it is and this move is, I think, due in part to this new reality. 

By the way, Teravail is blowing out tires at about half price right now on their site. If you are in need of some tires this might be a good time to shop. 

 That's it for this week! Have a great weekend and get out and ride those bicycles!

Friday News And Views

Image courtesy of Salsa Cycles

32" Fargo Live Now:

Salsa Cycles announced on Tuesday of this week that 32" Fargo frame sets were available from them now. Steel for now, titanium is yet to come this Fall. 

Comments: A drop bar specific 32" adventure bike? Yes. The Fargo is now available in the largest wheels you can get from Salsa Cycles. This follows the trend of brands getting whatever they can out in 32" wheels as fast as possible ahead of the Big Four brands. 

Although Salsa isn't necessarily a small brand. So this does hit a little differently. We will have to monitor how well this version of the Fargo does, as it may be an indication for the overall impact of 32" wheels on the market. 

But beyond speculation, we can now put some numbers on this Fargo 32"er. The frame, with carbon fork, cost $1,799.00 USD. That is surprising, to a degree, to me. I was speculating this would cost 2K. I was wrong about that. 

Then we see what Salsa estimates the weight of this Fargo with carbon fork is going to be. They are claiming an 8lb 9oz weight, which is only 10 ounces heavier than the steel frame/carbon fork Fargo in the 29"er guise. Not bad for a frame with longer stays. Although, I was a little taken aback by the weight of the frame and fork at first glance. That said, the Fargo never pretended to be a lightweight platform. 

It's an interesting offering, and that Pearl Orchid color is quite nice, if I do say so myself.  

Michael Kolakowski

BRAN Announces New President Of Bicycle Ride Across Nebraska Inc.:

When I was on BRAN earlier this Summer I was made aware the ride is 100% run by volunteers. Their president was also on his last BRAN as the leader of the organization. So this ride was going to be looking for a new President and Vice President for the coming years. 

Having been an event organizer for as many years as I was, and knowing volunteers are the heart and soul of any event, I was concerned about how a new President and Vice President would affect this cool event. Well, my fears were allayed recently concerning this when I received the email sent to past BRAN riders which heralded the news of BRAN's new officers. 

The new President is Michael Kolakowski, and the new Vice President is his wife, Jackie Kolakowski. I rode with Michael all week long at BRAN, and I got to know him well enough to be of the opinion he is the perfect person to lead this ride into the future. 

Michael is an avid cyclist, being a commuter in Omaha and loving his country rides in a way I could relate to easily. He is a BRAN veteran, having been on many past BRAN rides and he knows all the ins and outs of BRAN as a rider and as a volunteer on the team for several years. 

Of course, I do not know Jackie, but I have no doubt she is as capable as Michael is, and by his own admission, a very smart and capable individual in her own right. So I feel she will also be a compliment to BRAN and its future.

Congratulations Michael and Jackie!

Guitar Ted Podcast Update:

I haven't been promoting the podcast here as much as I probably should be. So, let me take a bit of space here to do this.....

We're putting out shows at around one every two weeks or so. The latest ones, "Episodes 112, 113, and 114 are all pretty new. If you haven't listened for a while, you can catch up with us on those episodes. 

We  are hoping to get a few interviews done before we take our traditional break in December. Look for those to be sprinkled throughout the coming months. 

Finally, a big 'Thank You" to all who have expressed their feelings about the podcast to me of late. It appears several of you listen faithfully whenever we post a new episode.  N.Y. Roll and I are always amazed by any responses we get. So, again - Thanks!! 

I think we are going to get about 15 more episodes in before the end of 2026 which would make this year the record for episodes released. Year four isn't quite over with yet, but we are looking forward to Year 5 with anticipation.  

Embark: Good Stuff!

About four years ago, N.Y. Roll brought back a nutritional product for cycling, (and more), by a Wisconsin based company called Embark. I tried it out and it worked so well I actually bought some and tested it out for the site HERE. 

Oddly enough, I don't do enough events anymore that I think about on the bike nutrition, but the Ride For Jacob got me thinking about this again. Actually, you could say this started percolating in my mind during BRAN. 

Anyway, I landed on Embark in my research on the site here. I actually had a spare packet of the stuff and used it up this Spring, but at that time I did not place another order for it. 

Well, this past week I went ahead and got some more. They are currently running a sale on their Embark Maple Energy packets if you are curious. I highly recommend the stuff. 

By the way, I am not affiliated with Embark in any way, so I don't get anything out of it if you decide to check them out. It's just really good, natural energy which tastes great and can be used straight, in water bottles, or in cooking. 

That is a wrap on this week! Thanks for reading Guitar Ted Productions. Now get out there and ride those bicycles.  

Two Things

The latest Guitar Ted Podcast episode is out now and it is quite the rambling affair. Some definite nonsense was expressed, but we covered a lot of ground. We even were interrupted by N.Y. Roll's neighbor who detained him for several minutes so she could tell him the latest neighborhood gossip. 

Meanwhile I driveled on and on concerning the new 32"er from Twin Six which is not available yet. However; when it is N.Y. Roll says he's getting it. 

We shall see!

But along those lines, I submitted that we'd see a 32"er get raced at Unbound this coming weekend. Well, low and behold, Scott Bicycles put out there that they are putting a 32' wheeled version of their Addict gravel bike underneath Cameron Jones. 

Gotta say - I called it. Ha!

One of the other things we briefly touched upon is Jim Cummins finally getting his due as he is being inducted into the Gravel Cycling Hall of Fame today. Congratulations, Jim! 

As many of you long time readers know, I have said that the omission of Jim from the GCHoF all these years was a travesty of major proportions, when it comes to the mission of the GCHoF, that is. But now that things are being put to rights in regard to Jim Cummins and this hall of fame, I am at peace with the situation. 

It should be interesting to hear Jim's speech, which I hope will be on social media or the GCHoF site. I do wish I could have been there this evening, but I already have this big Nebraska trip coming up soon and it is eating up a lot of resources here. Speaking of which....

Going Camping 

My tent, sleeping pad, travel pillow, electrolyte, some computer accessories, and the laptop this is being published with were all extra expenses I incurred to be able to go on this trip. That all wasn't cheap, or of little significance, by the way. 

Heading to Emporia on top of all of that? Not in my deck of cards.  

I  did get everything set up and I actually took a nap in the tent using all the stuff I will be taking on the trip. It has been  quite a long time since I've been tent camping, but I should get into the groove of being an amateur homeless  person fairly easily. 

I want to say the last time I was camping was with my son, Jacob when we went to see the races at Iowa Speedway and ended up at Rock Creek State Park in a raging thunderstorm, 

Good times! Let's hope I don't have to ride out anything similar in Nebraska.  I know weather isn't a very solid bet this far out, but things are not looking too bad at the moment. I'd prefer it not be like "Gravel Worlds" weather though. That heat and humidity combo is not my cuppa tea. 

At any rate, things are coming together for this trip and soon it will be time to go. Waivers need signing and details need attending to, but right now I am on track and ready for anything.  

Friday News And Views

Image courtesy of Stinner Bikes

The 32" Watch: Sinner Refugio 32"er: 

Yeah.....another 32"er! I don't think it is shocking to see another 32" wheeled bicycle anymore. Unless Trek, Specialized, Cannondale, or Giant come out with one, this is now not a head-turning deal these days. (If you are a bike nerd, that is) 

So, I think it is time to start paying attention to how this idea of a huge, wagon-wheeled bicycle is being refined. Especially in terms of geometry. 

Stinner presents the titanium Refugio model as a gravel bike. So we're going to start looking at where drop-bar 32" stuff is heading. I will do a bit of cross-comparison to the new Singular Pterodactyl, a drop bar 32"er I featured last week in the FN&V. 

While Singular is being a bit cagey about the geometry of the Pterodactyl, we know a few things from press releases sent out to various online media. The head tube angle is a steep 71° versus Stinner's Refugio 32"er's which ranges from 68° for the Medium, (What will be the smallest size for most 32'ers, the Fargo 32 notwithstanding), to a steep 71.5° on the XXL size. 

Sam Alison, of Singular Cycles, stated on a podcast interview we did with him, that 32"ers would necessarily have to go far greater with bottom bracket drop than with 29"ers. Bottom bracket drop, in case you are unfamiliar with the term, is the distance below a line drawn though both axles of the wheel, horizontal with the ground, that the center of your crank spindle sits. It determines how stable a bike feels and where in space your center of gravity sits in relationship to the wheels. 

Singular Pterodactyl Image courtesy of Singular Cycles

Sam thought something more than 100mm of drop would eventually be where 32"ers end up, and Stinner seems to agree with their bottom bracket drop on the Refugio 32 being 105mm. 

Chain stay lengths are obviously going to have to be longer, as Sam Alison showed us by saying the 32" wheel is roughly 10% larger in diameter than a 29"er wheel is. Stinner seems to have landed on a 455mm length on the Refugio. Typical gravel bikes range from 420mm to 435mm in 700c format.  This seems a tad bit shorter than what one might expect for a 32' wheel based upon Sam's estimates. So, I would look for a 455mm - 465mm range in a "good" design for 32" wheels. This is assuming we are going to stick with 32" x 2.25" - 2.5" tires for the 32" format. 

Stack height is another difficult thing to tackle with the tall 32" wheels.  Note the size small Fargo shown recently with handle bars above the saddle height as an example. Negative rise stems will likely be a thing with 32"ers, if they catch on, in the future. 

There is a long way to go with 32"ers, but I think we are in the "honing in" stages of geometry already with this format.  

Image courtesy of fizik

fizik Announces New Ergolace 2 Shoe Range:

I've been on the hunt for new shoes for gravel travel lately and I have a couple of things I know I like which I have not seen done in combination before. 

I am looking for a shoe which is not race-focused because those are typically too stiff and make my feet hurt, cramp, or both. 

I am looking for grippy soles for walking on things like sketchy dirt roads and up steeps that I cannot ride up, plus be reasonable to walk in for stops at convenience stores and the like. 

Finally, I wanted something lighter in color after speaking with Jeff Kerkove who told me white shoes on gravel rides keep his feet cooler. And yeah.....price matters as well. 

Image courtesy of fizik

Well, fizik just released the new Ergolace 2 range of shoes which have seemingly everything I want. While the white is really off-white, this might be better for gravel usage. 

I like the lightweight uppers with breathable characteristics. The soles look grippy. The upper has a foot entry which is like a cuff, which would keep stones out better. (And possibly make them a pain in the butt to put on?) 

I don't know much about fizik shoes. They said they made the toe box roomier. I don't need this as my feet are shaped like skis and are narrow, but I've had to put up with shoes which did not fit great most of my life due to this. 

At least the prices look reasonable. So, does anyone have any experience with fizik shoes? I'd be curious to read any comments you'd like to share. Typically I have worn Shimano footwear, so that is where I am coming from. You can see the Ergolace range HERE.

Image courtesy of Life Time Fitness

UNBOUND Gravel Features New Twists For Pro Riders: 

The information for the UNBOUND Gravel 200 course was sent out this week and there is a new twist to things which further separates the Pros from the "age groupers" in this event. 

Now instead of the Pro field being mixed into the same area for resupply as everyone else, there will be separated feed zones for the Pro fields at three different spots on the course. There will be no team vehicles or motos allowed in the Pro feed Areas.  

 The rest of the course looks like a mix of a Southern route and a Northern route. Essentially the route loops South, West, North, and back East to Emporia. One thing I noted which may be an issue is that the course looks to be on the Flint Hills Nature Trail coming out of Council Grove for several miles to the Southeast. Whether the trail will be closed to other users during the event is not known at this time, but if it is open, there is a chance for user conflicts. The Flint Hills Nature Trail is a rail way conversion trail and is at railroad grade with a narrow, pea gravel surface. 

A couple of other notable points on course, one of which is the near pass to Cottonwood Falls.  Riders will come within about a mile of the city. The other interesting bit comes not long after this where the course ends a long Northward push at Mile 137.9 and turns West. If a rider were to turn right here and go one mile they could cut off an almost 40 mile section of the Northern loop, but they would miss going through the third checkpoint at Council Grove. Cheaters exist, so this would be a tempting place to do this. (Note: You'd only have to go 20 miles and when you pass through Americus you could resupply.)

Anyway, I'll be interested to see how these bits and more play out in Kansas soon.  

Image courtesy of Enve Composites

Enve Announces New Wide, Aero Gravel Wheel Set:

Enve, the wheel and component brand from Ogden, Utah announced a new wide gravel wheel set with deep aero profiling called the G SES 6.7 Pro. 

Featuring an internal rim width of 35mm and a deep aero section of 60mm front/67 mm rear, this wheel set promises great aero results with tire from 44mm in width " and larger tires", according to the webpage for this product. (Up to 52mm listed in 'Features')

The wheel set weighs a claimed 1,580 grams. The G SES 6.5 Pro wheels are offered only in 700c and standard 12mm through axle dimensions of 100mm front, 142mm rear. Hubs are Enve's Innerdrive hubs with straight pull spokes. The brake rotor mounting is Center Lock standard.Maximum allowable tire pressure is 50psi. 

The price for a set of G SES 6.5 Pro wheels is $1,400.00 USD.  

Comments: That is a really wide internal rim width! I tested some 30.5mm internal rim width rims in 2021 with a couple of different gravel tires and was not all that impressed. So running what ENVE says will work at 44mm seems a bit dodgy to me.  

My assessment in 2021 was that such a wide width internally would work best on 700 x 50mm tires and wider. However; in 2021 there weren't really many gravel bikes with this sort of clearance. Now?

Well, an aero MTB wheel makes sense now with wider XC MTB tires. Let's be honest, this is what people are really doing. They can call it "gravel", but really? We know what's up here!  

New Guitar Ted Podcast Episode #107

Okay, here is another podcast drop to check out which started out innocently enough as a compare and contrast between two gravel racing bikes. Then....

Well we went off the rails a few times. Then I got into some esoteric changes in the upcoming Unbound 200. (See above) Nobody probably cares but me about those things, but I talked about it all anyway. 

Anywho... If you want to listen to this one, check it out HERE on our Spotify home page, or find the Guitar Ted Podcast on your favorite podcast provider's sites. 

That's a wrap for the week. Get out and ride those bicycles! 

Friday News And Views

Image courtesy of Sklar Bikes

New Bike PPacking Rack From Sklar Bikes:

Sklar Bikes introduced this rack about a week or so ago. Inthe midst of all the Sea Otter madness, it seemed that the news was lost in the haze of 32'ers and all, so I am featuring it here on this FN&V. 

This rack, rated to carry up to 30lbs, weighs in at 1.4lbs including hardware. It is designed as a minimalist rack for light touring or bike packing with mini-panniers. You can also use it to strap on water bottles or just use it for utilitarian errand running around town. 

At $140.00USD it seems like a nicer rack which looks good and should fit a wide range of bikes. 

See Sklar's webpage for this rack HERE.

Comments: One nit about this rack is that the description does not say what it is made out of. Anyway.... I like this rack from the perspective of its design intentions. Minimalist pannier type touring and bike packing uses do not require super-heavy duty racks. Not if you are conscientious and intentional with your loading. And this rack carries up to 30lbs, which, let's be honest, is about the most I'd want to load up with anyway. Especially if you consider what you might be carrying in bags and on racks elsewhere on your bicycle. This might be a little pricey for some folks, and yes -cheaper racks exist, but if you care about how your stuff looks and like this style it is hard to beat it. 

Image courtesy of Q36.5

Q36.5 Offers New Range Of Wind/Rain Gear:

Q36.5 brand is now offering a range of wind and rain jackets and designed to allow cyclists to choose garments specific to their use cases and not have to compromise by a "one size fits all" solution to wind/rain gear.  

The range includes various jackets and vest, with the lightweight "Air" models being the most packable. Q36.5 claims the Air vest will roll up to the size of a gel packet. 

Most of the range called out in the press release doesn't seem to be up on the site yet, but the Air jackets and vests do appear there on their site. You can check those out on the website HERE.  

Comments: I don't know of any other category in cycling which has more wordy press releases and marketing than the apparel side. I mean, look at this jacket. It is rather unremarkable, yes? Yet the site goes on and on about it as if it were some super-tech device. Maybe its just me, but I've reviewed clothing for cyclists for over a decade and this seems to be par for the course across all apparel brands. I find it rather odd.  

Typically most of these apparel press releases are ignored by me, but this one has a feature I think many cyclists would see as being useful in the ultra-packable nature of the Air jacket and vest. I could see this as a great "break-glass-in-case-of-emergency" bail-out when the weather turns on you during a ride. I would imagine the rain wear (which didn't seem up yet on the site) would be similar. 

Image courtesy of Kuat Racks

Picking Up The Rack This Weekend:

Thanks to all who commented on the recent "Rack Me" posts here on the site. I valued each and every comment. I ended up buying a Kuat Piston Pro, and this weekend I am meeting my good friend Ari in St. Donatus, Iowa to pick it up. 

There were many reasons as to why I went with a Kuat, and if you missed the post listing those reasons out, you can go back and read it HERE. 

I will be excited to get this and use it for going to different places to ride. I've been stuck in the local loops for a few years now and it is time to branch out a bit. I've already got a few places in mind to hit up. 

I'll also be excited to visit with Ari again after not seeing him for close to two years now. And visiting St. Donatus will be interesting as well. Look for a report on all of this coming up next week. 

Never fear N.Y. Roll is here!

New Podcast Dropped:

The latest Guitar Ted Podcast episode is HERE.  This episode contains N.Y. Roll's advice on how to be a good event participant. I think it is a good list of things to consider. Too many times we hear about an event in a negative light on social media. It is nice to be reminded to say "Thank you" to event directors, volunteers, and staff when attending events. It is also prudent to air concerns directly with event directors instead of being a coward and running off to social media. Event directors, despite popular opinions, really do care about participants and their event. 

We also gabbed about the 32"er stuff from Sea Otter. I already covered my take on the bigger big wheels HERE, in case you missed it.  

We also covered one other thing, but you'll have to go listen to the episode to find out what this was all about. (Hey! I gotta drive the numbers somehow!) 

We should have another episode posting up soon. So, thanks if you are subscribed to our podcast, or if you have checked it out at some point. We appreciate you folks a lot! 

Image courtesy of Airborne social media

High-Tech Titanium Gravel frame By Airborne Now Available:

Hydroforming and 3D printing are utilized in the manufacturing of Airborne Bicycle Co.\s new Endeavor gravel bike. This frame has other unique features as well. 

Airborne claims this has a 13 position adjustable head set to alter head angle. The titanium material is also double butted for strength and weight reduction. The double-dropped chain stay alignment allows for 700 x 54mm tires. UDH compatible as well. of course. 

The asking price is $3,232.50. You can see and learn more at Airborne's site HERE. 
 

Thank you for checking out Guitar Ted Productions. Now get out there and ride your bicycles! 

Two Things

New Podcast Drop:

This episode features an answer to a listener's question, (Thanks Sam!)) and the audio here kind of goes along with a post I put up here last week. The link to our Spotify home page for this episode is HERE. 

The post I am referring to is found by clicking THIS LINK. 

I guess the bottom line is this: If you are old enough, you have bridged across two important eras of how life is lived. I kind of feel like most of us do not recognize it at all. But the "Analog World" and the "Digital World" eras are so different and completely incompatible with each other that I find it hard to believe this isn't something being studied and dissected by social researchers, historians, and others with an interest in culture change. Maybe you've seen or are aware of such studies. I've got to think it is something smarter folks than I are thinking about. 

Anyway, the contrasts between these two eras affects cycling and how we approach and engage in the activity to a very high degree. At some point, and maybe we are already there, anything cycling without some digital feature attached to it will be seen like we see riding fixed gear all the time is seen now. Yeah, you can do that, but why? 

Of course, I've experienced the other side, and my bias shows badly, but I feel we've been cheated and that we have lost something in the exchange going from one side of the timeline to the other. 

Maybe I'm just old and in the way. 

Give the podcast a listen and let me know what you think. 

New Occupant At Guitar Ted Headquarters:

Last June we lost our cat Felix unexpectedly. He was found dead in the hallway on June 6th. It was a devastating occurrence within the family. (And as you may know, not the only one) 

I kind of figured Izabel and Phyllis would want another cat at some point, but for obvious reasons this kind of was pushed back and well, now is the time, I guess. 

Izabel found this tuxedo cat online at our local animal shelter's website and made the arrangements to go get him. So, please welcome "Haroo". 

He's about 7 months old, and he's had all his shots and has been neutered. He's a bit skittish. He was in hiding for the first ten hours or so of arriving here and is now getting more acclimated to us and his surroundings. 

As for his breed, well I don't know but I'd say he's got some Burmese in him by the shape of his head, ears, and by his loud vocalizations and their variances. He also purrs a lot when being pet, very loudly!

Our other cat, Minka, is very curious about him, but for now we're keeping them mostly separated from each other until we can get them to behave with each other unattended. So far, so good. 

And that is the latest from here. Thank you for reading Guitar Ted Productions.  

Friday News And Views

Image courtesy of Corima

Corima Shows New Gravel Racing Wheel Set:

Spring cycle shows are not limited to Sea Otter. Recently Cycling World Europe showed consumers and media new wares for sale. One of those being a new wheel set from Corima. Perhaps more well known here in the States for track racing, Corima has been involved in carbon fiber wheel construction for quite some time now. Their newest wheel set is for gravel racing and is called the 50G. 

As indicated by the name, this wheel set has a 50mm deep, aero profile with a 27mm inner rim width which Corima advises is best for 35mm to 60mm wide 700c diameter tires. *Why do Euro brands insist on calling these 28" wheels? Weird)

With hookless rim sidewalls the maximum pressure allowed for 35mm tires is 58psi. Wheel weight for the pair is claimed to be 1,550 grams. The price is approximately $1,850.00 USD. 

Comments: Corima claims gravel racing is getting "smoother, faster, and more competitive". So......more like road racing? Got it. 

Look for more aero stuff to be released soon. I feel as though the lack of unpaved routes outside of the USA and particularly in Europe is going to drive design closer to road racing in one sense. Although plenty of bikes seem to have been shown at Cycling World Europe to give one some hope that this is not going to be totally the case there across the pond. 

Image courtesy of social media

The 32" Watch: Taipei Bike Show 2026:

This week the Taipei Bike Show is wrapping up and several sightings of 32" wheeled product were noted. I won't cover everything in detail here, but I will note a few things I was struck by after seeing what was shown and hearing what attendees had to say about 32"ers. 

First of all, 32"ers are not going to be just a flash in the pan. This category is getting the full Original Equipment treatment. This was evident in offerings in suspension forks from the likes of Sun Tour, Xfusion and a few other mid-level and entry level suspension fork companies. 

This would indicate there are big-brand commitments to offer entry level to mid-tier offerings in the XC hardtail marketplace. Bikes like Rockhoppers and Marlins, as an example. I would think there would be a three-stage sizing scheme where some brand, (Trek?) will offer 27.5 as XS and Small sizes, 29"er at Medium and Large, and 32"ers at Large/XL/XXL. 

Tires: There weren't any big name brand tires dropped but I heard specifically from a video watched that Vittoria's Peyote 32"er is "in development" and "other brands are working on this" size tire. On bike was shown with a 32"er Schwalbe Rick Race XC tire. Forks: With no big name brand forks or tires being introduced/shown, at least publicly, it would indicate to me that IF there are to be Rock Shox/Fox/Marzocchi 32"er forks they would likely be 2027 product and maybe  we'll see some sneak peeks at Sea Otter. 

No talk or sightings of any gravel related product, but..... I think Sea Otter will be interesting. 

Industry chatter from the embedded folks at Taipei Cycle Show seem to indicate a sort of indifference to almost a disappointment in the development of 32"ers. But as I recall, acceptance of the 29"er concept was pretty cool from within the industry as well. Even as far as brands like Specialized, Giant, and Yeti saying 'they would never make a 29"er' and coming up with derogatory terms for the wheel size. Negativity for 32"ers may not be at this level, but we've heard this story before. 

Listener Comments & Questions Episode:

The latest Guitar Ted Podcast just dropped. In this episode we answer a bunch of listener sent questions which cover bike geometry, tires for cornering on gravel, and more.

Give it a listen by finding the Guitar Ted Podcast on your favorite podcast platform or check it out on the Spotify homepage HERE. 

We had a lot of fun fielding these questions and we would like to continue to offer our listeners the chance to ask questions which we will answer in future episodes of "Listener Questions & Comments". 

Just send in any question about cycling, gravel riding, or whatever related cycling question you may have to g.ted.productions@gmail.com. Then listen to the next LQC episode and hear N.Y. Roll and I riff on your questions, comments, or whatever you have on your mind you'd like to hear us chat about.  

Thanks for checking out the podcast! 

The Adventure Monkey Returns:

Years ago a bicycle rider and photographer, Eric Benjamin, was instrumental in popularizing gravel riding.  He started off with his blog and then moved to a proper "dot-com" later on. His site included stories, trip reports, and of course, his stunning imagery from his adventures. 

Eric then had a health scare and kind of dropped out of cycling for several years. But now he is back, and he has jump-started his old site as well. 

You can read about his journey HERE.  It's an open, honest, raw look at what Eric has gone through. Plus you will get a sense of what it was that drew many of us toward riding gravel back in the 2000's. Well worth your time to read. 

I'm linking Eric's Adventure Monkey blog to the right sidebar here so when he posts new material it will show up there. Make sure you check it out and support him as you can.  

Image courtesy of Wolf Tooth Components

Wolf Tooth Components Introduces "Mark0" Component Line:

Wolf Tooth Components has just announced a high-end range of race-oriented, tweaked components which they are calling "Mark0". (MK0 for short) 

Identified by their Shadow Gray anodized surfaces, these components are optimized by Wolf Tooth for the highest performance and lightest weight possible. 

Wolf Tooth's press release says: "Design detail examples include ceramic bearings, DLC-coated titanium hardware, and finely-detailed machine profiles to shave every possible gram in pursuit of speed."

You can check out all the MK0 components HERE.  

 Thanks for reading Guitar Ted Productions! Go ride those bikes today!

Two Things

Image courtesy of Inno Racks

Rack Me:

Okay readers, I am in the market for a two bike hitch rack. I thought I knew what I wanted, then I started looking online. 

Whooo-boy! Are there a lot of zealous One Up rack users! 

Anyway, I gotta admit I am suffering a bit of sticker-shock regarding what these things cost. I get it now though. The prices are the prices. I think I'm settling in on spending something either side of 1K. Preferably under. 

Here are my parameters for purchase:

• Two bike carrier, 2" receiver hitch compatible.
• Lightweight construction. Mrs. Guitar Ted has to be able to wrestle this thing. 
•  I prefer a no-touch rack like a One-Up, or like system. 
• Integrated locking system for security
• It'd be nice if I could put my fat bike on it, but this is not a deal-breaker.  

What I do not care about:

• Ramps
• Heavy duty for e-Bikes ratings
•  Lights
• Add-ons for more than two bikes.
• Made In USA. (Nice but not necessary)
• Where I buy it from

 I've looked at Kuat, One-Up, Quick-R, Inno, Yakima, Thule, and some other brand I cannot recall right now, but they weren't too great anyway! In my looking at online reviews and sites for racks too many focus on stuff I don't care about like hauling e-Bikes, modular benefits, add-ons, and what not. I just need a two-bike rack, and I will buy one before mid-April because I am going on a trip to Kansas, if everything works out. And that will lead me to......

The Guitar Ted Podcast Episode #100:

Oh yeah! We made it to 100 episodes in just over 4 years. My last podcast I was involved with took like a decade to reach that milestone, so I feel pretty good about our work on the GTP show. 

The new episode features Ryan "Uncle Dudley" Dudley. We talked about a lot of stuff, but the main point was his producing an event called The Legends Of Gravel. 

this is a casual gathering planned to be a celebration of some of us old geezers who have been at the forefront of the gravel scene back when this Modern Era of gravel got going in the mid-2000's. 

The show can be accessed on several podcast platforms, but here is the Spotify Link in case you want to give this a listen. 

We also got around to some other stuff after Uncle Dudley signed off. There was some 32"er news, and a few other tidbits. Please check out the episode, and keep in mind we can really use 5 star ratings, and subs to the podcast, or sharing it on your socials. These are the best ways to support N.Y. Roll and I in our efforts. 

Plus, we are asking for listener questions. Just email any questions you may have to g.ted.productions@gmail.com. We'll do our best to answer those in the next episode. 

Friday News And Views

Image courtesy of Neuhaus Metalworks

The 32" Watch: Neuhaus Metalworks Nova 32" Rigid MTB:

Another new production 32"er has hit the marketplace in Neuhaus Metalworks Nova 32. The bike is designed as a rigid MTB with a carbon fork. Quad-butted steel alloy is used for the frame tubing. 

The Nova 32 comes in three sizes recommended for Medium/Large to XL folks. The current availability is for frame/fork only, but rolling chassis can be ordered up now as well. Completes are coming soon. 

Comments: We had a nice chat with Sam of Singular Cycles about 32"ers and geometry experimentation is still happening around this wheel size. One thing which isn't completely nailed down is bottom bracket height/drop. 

Sam was of the mind 32"ers should be equivalent in physical height from the ground as a 29"er to help prevent sky-high seating which would inhibit users abilities to ride such bikes to some degree. In his opinion this would result in bottom bracket drops longer than 100mm, and closer to 110mm. I see the Nova 32 is in the 90's for bottom bracket drop. 

Something to consider.... 

New Podcast Episode:

The latest episode of the Guitar Ted Podcast is out now. Our show can be found on most podcast platforms, but here is a link to the latest episode which is on our Spotify home page.  

In this one we yak about some 32"er gearing issues, how road bikes are becoming gravel bikes, and whether or not gravel cycling is in a state of decline. 

There are probably a few other odd bits in there as well. One thing I missed and it relates to the episode's numbering. 

I mistakenly say it is episode number 98 when in reality it was episode #99. This means the next episode is number 100. 

Maybe we should do a special episode with celebration and whatnot. I know we have a special guest coming on, (you'll have to wait and see who it is). There could be some other surprises as well. Or....

Maybe not! We will see. I expect to have this next episode out by the end of next week, so you'd better get on this episode toot-sweet or you'll get behind! (Just kidding) Thanks for checking out the podcast if you do.  

Image courtesy of Teravail

Teravail Offers Gen 2 Gravel Tires:

Teravail has updated versions of their popular gravel tire range available now. Models included are the Cannonball, Rampart, Rutland, and Washburn tread designs. 

These four models are now all built on 120TPI casings. The size ranges have been streamlined as well. 

Rampart - 700c x 35, 40, and 45mm

Washburn - 700c x 40, 45, and 50mm

Cannonball - 700c x 40, 45, 50, and 55mm

Rutland - 700c x 40, 45, and 50mm

 The previous size range was 38mm, 42mm, and 47mm. There is also now a special limited edition Mid-South Updraft tire available as well. Finally, some of the MTB tires are also part of the Gen 2 updates. See all the gravel tires on offer from Teravail HERE. 

Image courtesy of Wolf Tooth Components

Aero Headsets Avaialble From Wolf Tooth:

A new aero headset offering is now available from Wolf Tooth Components. 

Featuring Wolf Tooth's triple seal system and Enduro stainless steel bearings, the aero headset also comes in an array of anodized colors. 

The Semi-internal head set (official name) goes for $179.95 and you can check out the details on them HERE. 

Comments: Internal routing is a curse. I mean, it complicates things, makes changes in your cockpit of your bicycle more expensive, and the head set here is not cheap either. The whole ruse just to gain a watt or two and look "cleaner" is bonkers when it really just doesn't matter in terms of how fast the average person will ride. 

And when you stop to think about this, what is being routed internally anymore? The rear brake. That's all. Everything else runs by wireless or through the front fork. Can we just stop with this sort of internal routing of a rear brake cable? It's just dumb. It is an example of how racing affects the average person negatively. 

Mid-South Weekend:

This weekend is the Mid-South events in Stillwater, Oklahoma. In fact, there are things going on as you read this on Friday, March 13th. 

The expo was yesterday and today there are running events, music, and more. Tomorrow is the big day for the ride for amateurs. There is a free feed to see the Pro field. (Which is happening today) Just check out the Mid-South's website for more on this. 

I attended and rode the 50 mile course in 2024 and it was a lot of fun. The weather looks like it will hold up for this year, so I suspect it will be one good time again for everyone in attendance. Here's a tailwind wish and safe travels to all who are gathered in Stillwater for Mid-South this weekend. 

That should do it for this week here on Guitar Ted Productions. As always, thank you for reading. Now, get out there and ride your bicycles before Winter comes back!

The 32" Watch: Sam Alison Explains

 Excitement For 32"ers Builds:

I was honored on Tuesday of this week to speak with Sam Alison of Singular Cycles. I wanted to get him on the Guitar Ted Podcast since he has spent plenty of time designing bicycles and has a deep background on geometry and how to apply it for certain characteristics which are desirable in a good handling bicycle. 

Sam also has a fair amount of time on the new-ish 32" wheels which are about to hit the cycling world in a big way here in about a month. 

If you'd rather skip the rest of this and head on over to the audio, here is the link on Spotify for the episode.  

 I should mention we had an idea for saving Sam from having to phone in his interview and end up spending an exhorbitant amount on the call. The idea was sound, (no pun intended), but my audio was the side which suffered. It sounding like a digital phone call even though I was working through my PC here with a USB condenser microphone. 

Oh well..... If I continue to have opportunities to speak over the oceans with folks about cycling I probably will have to invest into something like Riverside FM, or another platform instead of trying to get by not spending money on something I don't often do. We will see. But enough about the technical difficulties. 

The Singular Albatross 32" wheeled bicycle. (Image courtesy of Singular Cycles)

 Sam said something I had not heard before about the early development of 32"ers by Trek. Yes......Trek. Apparently Travis Brown was dabbling with these bigger hoops. Sam said something about stitching tires together and rolling up bigger aluminum rims to test this out with. That's a story which I would like to know more about someday. 

Other than that nugget, Sam did a great job of presenting the good and the maybe not-so-good of 32" wheels. He gave us some great insight on the geometry changes from 29"ers to 32"ers, and  he spoke to who might benefit from bigger wheels. 

Sam also seems to think that Sea Otter will be where this 32" thing will blow up big time. What gets revealed around mid-April should be pretty exciting. I know about one surprise which is coming out, but there will be several, I am sure, which will knock us all back a step due to the impact of the introduction. 

Sam expressed excitement about all of it. And to be honest, this might be the best thing about 32" wheels. That something is worth anticipation and excitement. We really haven't had that in cycling since this decade started. 

And we all know this industry could use some positive energy now. 

Stay tuned...... 

Friday News And Views

Sour Bikes Pasta Party 32"er (Image courtesy of Sour Bikes)

The 32" Watch: Sour Bikes, TPU Tube News:

The hype and number of bikes surrounding the 32" wheel continues to grow. This week Sour Bikes, a German based company, released news concerning their Pasta Party 32"er. This is a production frame which you can order now. 

Interesting bits on the bike shown on Sour's site include a Manitou fork modified for 32" wheels having a claimed 120mm of travel, Schwalbe Rick Race XC tires, and Reynolds aluminum rims in 32" size. 

Sour claims this bike has only marginally longer chain stays and stack height over the similar Pasta Party 29"er model. They used a very short tapered head tube and a curved seat tube to achieve this result. I think it is very reminiscent of Gary Fisher's early 29"er prototype which also sported a modified Manitou suspension fork, a very short head tube, and a curved seat tube.

Also, a press release was sent out by Tubolito saying they are going to offer TPU tubes for 32" wheels. Tubolito is a German based concern as well. It would seem the Germans are really pushing 32" wheels then as all the companies represented in today's 32" Watch are German based companies. 

Image courtesy of Teravail.

Teravail Launches Component Range:

Teravail is getting into the components game with a range of handle bars in carbon and aluminum, stems in aluminum, and seat posts, including a dropper post. 

News released on Tuesday of this week revealed a few flared drop bars of interest to gravel riders, some MTB flat bars, and  they also dropped news on some grips and handlebar tape as well. 

Comments: The QBP owned brand seems to have a bit of redundancy now considering QBP's Whisky Parts Co. also has similar products. The drop bars look fine, and carbon is good for gravel, so I suspect the products will be good performers. But why double up on product offerings with two different brand names? Curious move.... 

Image courtesy of Castelli

Castelli Announces Unlimited Pro 2 Jersey:

Gravel racing is pushing apparel design into new territory. This Castelli jersey is evidence of a new trend in gravel racing jersey design which combines the function of a jersey with that of a basic hydration pack. 

The jersey is designed for hot weather. Castelli recommends this piece for anything from 64°F - 95°F temperatures. The jersey has a close fitting, race cut. The design features shoulder fabric treatment which is intended to enhance aerodynamic efficiency. The pocket on the upper back of the jersey will hold a 1.5L bladder, (not included) and there is fabric loop to hold the drink hose down across the shoulder and upper chest area. 

The jersey is available in three colors. Paprika, (shown), Elmwood, (a tan hue), or black. Price ius set at $230.00 USD. You can view more details and images of the Unlimited Pro 2 Jersey HERE. 

There is also a matching bib short called the Pro Aero Race S Kit which you can check out HERE. 

Comments: I was offered a chance to test this jersey but since I am built like a linebacker and not a Pro level cyclist I declined the offer. Sizing runs small, by the way. What is shown as 3XL comes out to an American XL, and I'm being generous there, I think.  Suffice it to say that this is a serious bit of kit for anyone who wants to glean every marginal gain they can in competition at unpaved events. 

The price is a bit dear, but if you are attacking the pointy end of the gravel racing scene, you probably already are caught up in the "arms race" and a 230.00 dollar jersey for race day is maybe no big deal. I have it on good authority that Castelli gear is well made and does the job it is intended for well enough that the price seems justified. I'll leave it at that. 

Berd spoke (Image courtesy of Berd)

Berd Offers Light XC MTB Wheels:

Berd Spokes now offers complete wheels for XC racing which tip the scales at barely over 1000 grams. Featuring a carbon, hookless deign for a rim, and Berd branded hubs, these wheels should be some of the lightest wheels out there for XC MTB.

The inner rim width is listed at 30mm, so these are legit MTB racing width rims. The rims are backed by a Lifetime warranty as well. The Berd wheels are dubbed the Hawk30 Gold. A set of the Hawk30 Gold wheels runs $2,395.00 USD and can be purchased direct from Berd HERE. 

Comments: The Berd spokes are picking up steam with racing teams and people looking for the best, lightest, and most comfortable riding spokes. I've been using a set of wheels since 2020 with Berd Spokes and they have been solid wheels with no issues for me. I would imagine these Hawk30 Golds would be fantastic riding wheels, if mine are anything to go by. 

Guitar Ted Podcast Episode #97:

Another podcast dropped this week since N.Y. Roll has made it back from Mexico where he had a little vacation time. 

On this episode we discuss a wide variety of topics beginning with series events and why we like them and don't like them. We also get into the news which came out yesterday concerning those new Conti racing tires and the new Singular Albatross 32"er.  

We also discuss how some event directors are bowing out now who had been producing events for several years. We discuss this within the context of the Raputitsa event, because it has been garnering a lot of attention on Facebook with their recent posts, but this is just a high profile example from what I have noted as being a small exodus of event directors from the gravel scene of late.  

If you'd like to listen to this latest episode, please click THIS LINK to go to the Spotify home page, or find the Guitar Ted Podcast on your favorite podcast platform. Pleas like, subscribe, and leave a review. It sure helps us out on our end if you do. Thanks!

That's a wrap on this week. Get out and ride those bicycles!