Friday News And Views

Ridley Kanzo Fast 2,0 (Image courtesy of Belgium Cycling Factory)

Ridley Redesigns Kanzo fast For Cutting Edge Racing On Gravel:

Ridley announced yesterday a newly redesigned version of their gravel racing bike. The Kanzo Fast 2.0 has every new trend and technology for cutting edge racers onboarded with this new release. 

Stating the Kanzo Fast has tire clearance for a 700 x 58mm tire front and rear, this 1X only bike has more than enough room for most any tire choice for gravel racing currently available. 

Ridley then went to work on the aerodynamics to optimize the usage of those big tires and they managed to reduce drag in their testing over the outgoing Kanzo Fast 1.0 which was limited to 38mm tires. In fact, their numbers show a reduction of 13 watts with a rider onboard in the wind tunnel results published in the Ridley press release. 

Comments: Amazing technology and design, to be sure. However; the actual benefits of this sort of bicycle is going to be lost on most gravel riders. Ridley is designing for Pro level racers who tune their physiques and minds for racing as fast as possible. Of course, your genetics play a big part in all of this as well. Say you are built like a - you know - regular human? Yeah....this does not seem like a good idea for most of us out there. 

This image from Ridley above was specifically chosen by me to illustrate how this bicycle is supposed to be ridden. Now, I do not know you, dear reader, but I am willing to bet most of you are not the less than 1% of gravel riders who would even want to hold that position over miles of gravel. 

Which (finally) brings me to my point: All the online media went whole-hog covering this release. Why are they focusing so much on the "pointy end" of gravel bicycles and ignoring what the vast majority wants/needs in a gravel bike? No shade on Ridley or their fine take on a gravel racing bike. It's just that this is such a niche bicycle and wrong for most people. 

750D (L) and 700c tires. Image provided by Mark Slate

Wait.....It's Not Dead?

Recently while doing research watching Bikepacking.com videos, I saw a segment from the MADE Show featuring Neuhaus Metal Works and a bicycle they had at the show sporting 750D wheels.  

Also known in some circles as 30.5", the 750D wheel was developed by WTB sometime around 2022/2023 as an alternative to 700c wheels. The wheel was paired with WTB's Nano tread in a 40mm casing which was claimed to be an overall diameter of 30". WTB had thought this wheel size would, ideally, fit into some 29"er hard tail frames seamlessly and turn those into a sort of gravel biking option. 

But some builders, like Nuehaus, saw potential in this size to be a larger wheeled bicycle much more adept at fitting folks under 6 feet tall without compromising geometry. The hope Nuehaus has is that the tire selection would become more varied and include wider casings to make gravel and bike packing bikes attractive and be in a size which would fit more people than the now trendy 32"er wheels.  

Chart courtesy of ICAN

However; 750D failed to create any traction within the bicycle industry. So, it was assumed, by myself and many others, to be a "dead wheel size". Especially with the advent of 32" wheels in 2025. So, it came as a complete surprise to me that any company would be making a bicycle to fit 750D in 2026. Moreover; Nuehaus seems to have a small cache of Nano tires in 750D and seem to be advocates for  the industry to begin exploring this wheel size more. 

This may not go anywhere, but then again..... Who knows? The main point is 750D, while not 'dead', is hanging on by a thread thanks to at least one enthusiastic builder.  

Image courtesy of Velo Orange

Velo Orange Shows Upcoming New Products:

Fresh off the MADE Show, Velo Orange shared some news with its mailing list this week concerning some interesting new products in the pipeline. 

My favorite is what Velo Orange is calling the "Gravel Crankset". It is a square taper interface, silver crank which can be set up 1X/single speed or as a double chain ring crank. It utilizes the 110/74 BCD five bolt standard, so many chain rings will fit this crank. Plus Velo Orange will also be offering chain rings as well. 

Lengths for the Gravel Crankset will be 165mm, 170mm, and 175mm. The crank set will be sold "ala carte" style so you can configure the crank set any way you'd like. Velo Orange is estimating the in-stock date for this product will be this Fall. (UPDATE: Velo Orange has informed us that a 160mm option will also be available)

For details on this and the other cool upcoming stuff from Velo Orange click HERE. 

Image courtesy of Wilde Bicycle Co. 

Wilde Bicycle Co. Offering A Take On Classic Mountain Bike Design:

One of the reported hits from the MADE Show floor was Wilde Bicycle Co's take on Joe Breeze's "Breezer" Series 1 mountain bike. Widely regarded as the first production mountain bike, Joe Breeze made a handful of these for various local Marin mountain bikers in the late 1970's. 

Wilde's take on Breeze's design is one which cuts a very convincing profile but has all the modern touches you'd expect from a MTB in 2026. Things like disc brakes, Boost spaced hubs, a 1X drive train, through-axles, and electronic shifting. 

Wilde didn't just make this as a one-off. You can order your own "Pleezer", as Wilde calls the model. They say the Pleezer is not a tribute to the Breezer Series 1, but its own thing. A frame, fork, and bull-moose style handle bar can be had for $5,800.00. For more details see Wilde Bicycle Co's page for the Pleezer HERE.  

That's it for this week! Thank you for reading Guitar Ted Productions. Now get out there and pedal a bicycle around! 

Friday News And Views

Trek joins the fat bike full suspension bike category with the Farley EX line.

 FN&V- The Sea Weasel Edition

New Trek Fat Bikes:

Trek dropped a bunch of new fat bike info for dealers to chew on which will represent the bikes you will see this Fall in dealer showrooms. Don't go lookin' for these just yet!

The bikes, highlighted by a new, full suspension line up dubbed Farley EX, are pretty cool and heavily laden with 27.5" fat bike wheels. There will be new Barbegazzi 27.5 X 4.5" wheels on some, while many others will get the 27.5 X 3.8" wheels. Trek will also still do some hard tails in the 26 X 4.7" wheel format, but from what we are seeing, it sure looks like they are pushing the 27.5" stuff hard. My guess is that the 26"er stuff will go away at some point. Or maybe Trek will see that as the WSD version of a Farley's wheel size? Hard to say, but it is obvious that Trek is going big on the 27.5 format.

Come June, Trek will also offer a Bontrager branded dropper seat post in three travel lengths and, for now, only in a 31.6mm diameter size. The post is a cable actuated, hydraulic, infinitely adjustable post that can be internally routed.

The last tidbit I have is that we, (at the shop I work at), have it on good authority that a Manitou fat bike fork is coming that will "blow the Bluto out of the water", so look for news on that later in the year. There also should be some news on aftermarket availability of the tires, rims, and possibly the fork as well.

We were digging this version of the new Farley hardtails which will feature the Barbegazzi 27.5 X 4.5" tires.

Salsa Redpoint: You know, I don't think I saw the word "enduro" in the entire description!

Salsa Redpoint- Long Travel FS:

It's not a Pony Rustker, and it is not a Horsetheif. Nope- it's a Redpoint. It is a slack angled, long travel 27.5"er bike which can also fit 26Plus.  How much travel? Well, 150mm out back, and that's a heck of a lot. Salsa bills it as the " ...150mm travel trail bike for tackling the roughest and most remote all-mountain terrain." So, yeah.........probably not the bike to have in the Mid-West, but it is a cool option for sure. I may be mistaken, but it is the first dedicated "small wheel" sized full suspension bike since the demise of the El Kaboing about six or seven years ago. (The Pony Rustler doesn't count because it is not a 27.5 specific design.)

You have to hand it to Salsa Cycles. For a smaller brand, they have a really diverse full suspension line up. From the XC-ish Spearfish, the wheel morphing Pony Rustler and Horsethief models, to full suspension fat bikes, and now this long travel, back country brawler.

Electronic XT: Much, much more affordable.

  Shimano Deore XT Di2:

Of course, it was a no-brainer after we saw XTR, but the cost to gain entry to Di2 XTR a was a huge barrier. Not that the new Di2 XT is "cheap", by any means, but it is much less expensive. Definitely a "do-able" price for many folks. There are the eleven speeds, and the single or double front crank sets. This, in my opinion, is the group that kills SRAM Eagle. Unless you have issues with rear tire/front derailleur/chain clearances, (ie: Fat bikes, Plus bikes, and some FS 29"ers), then Di2 XT takes your front derailleur fears and kills them. Oh! But you say that SRAM only requires one shifter? So does Di2 mtb stuff. It can actually shift the front derailleur for you at the most appropriate moment. So, I just do not buy all of this, "I dropped a chain once so front derailleurs are bad." talk anymore. Unless it is a clearance issue, the smaller jumps between gears on XT Di2 and the front derailleur giving you a wide range of gears simply trumps the huge gearing jumps on the low end of the cassette on Eagle, or XX-1, for that matter.

Yes, it is great we have workable 1X stuff from SRAM, because many designs would not be possible on fat bikes, Plus Bikes, and FS 29"ers without that stuff, but for everything else, this new Shimano stuff pretty much does everything better.

2017 Raleigh Stuntman. Image pinched from Grannygear of Twenty Nine Inches

 Don't Call Them "Gravel Bikes" Anymore!

The blog here is littered with posts that I have written which say that "gravel grinder bike" or "gravel bikes" probably is not the best idea for a name for this newer genre of road-ish, fat tired, go anywhere machines. I even did a post which got 40-50 comments suggesting new names for this sort of bike several years ago.

Well, the industry finally figured out that, quite frankly, "gravel" as a term pisses people off. So, what to call these bikes? Well, the newest, (ahem! Salsa Cycles circa 2008 anyone?), buzzword is "adventure bikes" and I am noticing a lot of companies are pushing that term now. Raleigh, Breezer, and Marin were all pushing new concepts out at Sea Otter yesterday for 2017 releases that are being pigeon holed into this "new" category.

Probably the "poster child" for this sort of bike right now is Cannondale's Slate, but what I am seeing coming along now is more akin to Raleigh's preview of the '17 "Stuntman" bike. You could say "monster cross", and you wouldn't be wrong. Two inch wide tires, a 1X drive train, and a dropper post! This bike is, for all intents and purposes, also a look at the '17 Tamland, which will feature less width on the tires, but will also have this carbon fork, integrated head set, and will likely have the exact same frame. It's not a stretch to say that, because I can slot in 2" wide tires on my current, 2014 model Tamland, albeit just barely. It wouldn't take much to get to a place where there was a bit more clearance, Clarence.

Okay, that's a wrap for this week! Have a great weekend and stay safe!

Friday News And Views

Trek joins the fat bike full suspension bike category with the Farley EX line.

 FN&V- The Sea Weasel Edition

New Trek Fat Bikes:

Trek dropped a bunch of new fat bike info for dealers to chew on which will represent the bikes you will see this Fall in dealer showrooms. Don't go lookin' for these just yet!

The bikes, highlighted by a new, full suspension line up dubbed Farley EX, are pretty cool and heavily laden with 27.5" fat bike wheels. There will be new Barbegazzi 27.5 X 4.5" wheels on some, while many others will get the 27.5 X 3.8" wheels. Trek will also still do some hard tails in the 26 X 4.7" wheel format, but from what we are seeing, it sure looks like they are pushing the 27.5" stuff hard. My guess is that the 26"er stuff will go away at some point. Or maybe Trek will see that as the WSD version of a Farley's wheel size? Hard to say, but it is obvious that Trek is going big on the 27.5 format.

Come June, Trek will also offer a Bontrager branded dropper seat post in three travel lengths and, for now, only in a 31.6mm diameter size. The post is a cable actuated, hydraulic, infinitely adjustable post that can be internally routed.

The last tidbit I have is that we, (at the shop I work at), have it on good authority that a Manitou fat bike fork is coming that will "blow the Bluto out of the water", so look for news on that later in the year. There also should be some news on aftermarket availability of the tires, rims, and possibly the fork as well.

We were digging this version of the new Farley hardtails which will feature the Barbegazzi 27.5 X 4.5" tires.

Salsa Redpoint: You know, I don't think I saw the word "enduro" in the entire description!

Salsa Redpoint- Long Travel FS:

It's not a Pony Rustker, and it is not a Horsetheif. Nope- it's a Redpoint. It is a slack angled, long travel 27.5"er bike which can also fit 26Plus.  How much travel? Well, 150mm out back, and that's a heck of a lot. Salsa bills it as the " ...150mm travel trail bike for tackling the roughest and most remote all-mountain terrain." So, yeah.........probably not the bike to have in the Mid-West, but it is a cool option for sure. I may be mistaken, but it is the first dedicated "small wheel" sized full suspension bike since the demise of the El Kaboing about six or seven years ago. (The Pony Rustler doesn't count because it is not a 27.5 specific design.)

You have to hand it to Salsa Cycles. For a smaller brand, they have a really diverse full suspension line up. From the XC-ish Spearfish, the wheel morphing Pony Rustler and Horsethief models, to full suspension fat bikes, and now this long travel, back country brawler.

Electronic XT: Much, much more affordable.

  Shimano Deore XT Di2:

Of course, it was a no-brainer after we saw XTR, but the cost to gain entry to Di2 XTR a was a huge barrier. Not that the new Di2 XT is "cheap", by any means, but it is much less expensive. Definitely a "do-able" price for many folks. There are the eleven speeds, and the single or double front crank sets. This, in my opinion, is the group that kills SRAM Eagle. Unless you have issues with rear tire/front derailleur/chain clearances, (ie: Fat bikes, Plus bikes, and some FS 29"ers), then Di2 XT takes your front derailleur fears and kills them. Oh! But you say that SRAM only requires one shifter? So does Di2 mtb stuff. It can actually shift the front derailleur for you at the most appropriate moment. So, I just do not buy all of this, "I dropped a chain once so front derailleurs are bad." talk anymore. Unless it is a clearance issue, the smaller jumps between gears on XT Di2 and the front derailleur giving you a wide range of gears simply trumps the huge gearing jumps on the low end of the cassette on Eagle, or XX-1, for that matter.

Yes, it is great we have workable 1X stuff from SRAM, because many designs would not be possible on fat bikes, Plus Bikes, and FS 29"ers without that stuff, but for everything else, this new Shimano stuff pretty much does everything better.

2017 Raleigh Stuntman. Image pinched from Grannygear of Twenty Nine Inches

 Don't Call Them "Gravel Bikes" Anymore!

The blog here is littered with posts that I have written which say that "gravel grinder bike" or "gravel bikes" probably is not the best idea for a name for this newer genre of road-ish, fat tired, go anywhere machines. I even did a post which got 40-50 comments suggesting new names for this sort of bike several years ago.

Well, the industry finally figured out that, quite frankly, "gravel" as a term pisses people off. So, what to call these bikes? Well, the newest, (ahem! Salsa Cycles circa 2008 anyone?), buzzword is "adventure bikes" and I am noticing a lot of companies are pushing that term now. Raleigh, Breezer, and Marin were all pushing new concepts out at Sea Otter yesterday for 2017 releases that are being pigeon holed into this "new" category.

Probably the "poster child" for this sort of bike right now is Cannondale's Slate, but what I am seeing coming along now is more akin to Raleigh's preview of the '17 "Stuntman" bike. You could say "monster cross", and you wouldn't be wrong. Two inch wide tires, a 1X drive train, and a dropper post! This bike is, for all intents and purposes, also a look at the '17 Tamland, which will feature less width on the tires, but will also have this carbon fork, integrated head set, and will likely have the exact same frame. It's not a stretch to say that, because I can slot in 2" wide tires on my current, 2014 model Tamland, albeit just barely. It wouldn't take much to get to a place where there was a bit more clearance, Clarence.

Okay, that's a wrap for this week! Have a great weekend and stay safe!

Still Trying To Figure It Out

My latest trip to Northfield, Minnesota, (which I talked about in the post previous to this one), was an interesting reminder about wheels for off road bicycles. Mike of Mike's Bikes up there was right at the epicenter of the Marin developments as he wrenched at another Mike's Bikes out in Marin County. Mike has some great stories about what went down with the riders and the scene back in the day, right down to some personal nitty-gritty stuff, that would be best left to lie, but is definitely interesting to hear.

It coulda been you....

But leaving the personal tidbits aside, (which may or may not be true anyway), it always comes out in the conversations I have with Mike about the early days of mtb that nothing was "sacred" as far as "standards" as we learned them for mountain biking. What it was about, and this is paramount, was what would work best.

As an example, I give you this anecdote from my latest conversation with Mike. Now Mike isn't one to hang out on internet forums and whatnot. (Which is something I think we all could do less of so we could ride more.) So, I knew he probably hadn't heard that one of the 10 original Breezer bikes, the first purpose built for off road, batch produced bike series, had come up for sale recently. Mike was astounded. He was familiar with the first series, and had seen them back in the day.

Mike wanted to know if it had aluminum rims on it, or the originally spec'ed Schwinn S-2 steel rims. See, the S-2 rims were horrid for braking, since the chrome plated finish was so slippery. When aluminum rims became readily available, all the original Breezer owners had their wheels re-laced to them in what Mike referred to as a "wheel building frenzy". Oddly enough, all the rims that came in were of one anodized color, which wasn't the case later on. Ukai and a few others did several different anodized hues. So anyway, all the rims were a gold ano color on the re-laced set ups for all the Breezer bikes of the day. But what did that matter? The thing was, the aluminum rims worked better. Much better.

And the whole rim deal came down to the tires necessary to do "proper off roading" with, which were all 26" kids ballooner tires from Schwinn cruiser bikes. If those tires had been, say 650B- well then we'd be talking about a whole 'nuther story now. They could have been 700c based as well. Just like the wheels from the late 19th Century were.

But they weren't, and now, with all the available choices, we're still trying to figure out what is best for mountain bikes. In fact, if you think about it, we are still trying to figure out what a mountain bike is in the first place. Whatever it is, I don't think it will ever be as simple as it was in 1977, nor as technologically deficient as it was then. Obviously, a mountain bike is going to have multiple definitions depending upon who you talk to these days.

Maybe we'll never really figure it out!

Still Trying To Figure It Out

My latest trip to Northfield, Minnesota, (which I talked about in the post previous to this one), was an interesting reminder about wheels for off road bicycles. Mike of Mike's Bikes up there was right at the epicenter of the Marin developments as he wrenched at another Mike's Bikes out in Marin County. Mike has some great stories about what went down with the riders and the scene back in the day, right down to some personal nitty-gritty stuff, that would be best left to lie, but is definitely interesting to hear.

It coulda been you....

But leaving the personal tidbits aside, (which may or may not be true anyway), it always comes out in the conversations I have with Mike about the early days of mtb that nothing was "sacred" as far as "standards" as we learned them for mountain biking. What it was about, and this is paramount, was what would work best.

As an example, I give you this anecdote from my latest conversation with Mike. Now Mike isn't one to hang out on internet forums and whatnot. (Which is something I think we all could do less of so we could ride more.) So, I knew he probably hadn't heard that one of the 10 original Breezer bikes, the first purpose built for off road, batch produced bike series, had come up for sale recently. Mike was astounded. He was familiar with the first series, and had seen them back in the day.

Mike wanted to know if it had aluminum rims on it, or the originally spec'ed Schwinn S-2 steel rims. See, the S-2 rims were horrid for braking, since the chrome plated finish was so slippery. When aluminum rims became readily available, all the original Breezer owners had their wheels re-laced to them in what Mike referred to as a "wheel building frenzy". Oddly enough, all the rims that came in were of one anodized color, which wasn't the case later on. Ukai and a few others did several different anodized hues. So anyway, all the rims were a gold ano color on the re-laced set ups for all the Breezer bikes of the day. But what did that matter? The thing was, the aluminum rims worked better. Much better.

And the whole rim deal came down to the tires necessary to do "proper off roading" with, which were all 26" kids ballooner tires from Schwinn cruiser bikes. If those tires had been, say 650B- well then we'd be talking about a whole 'nuther story now. They could have been 700c based as well. Just like the wheels from the late 19th Century were.

But they weren't, and now, with all the available choices, we're still trying to figure out what is best for mountain bikes. In fact, if you think about it, we are still trying to figure out what a mountain bike is in the first place. Whatever it is, I don't think it will ever be as simple as it was in 1977, nor as technologically deficient as it was then. Obviously, a mountain bike is going to have multiple definitions depending upon who you talk to these days.

Maybe we'll never really figure it out!

Gettin' Ready For Something

Breezer in The Green Belt

Did I mention that I did another ride this past weekend? No? Well, I did. It was a quick out and back on the entire Green Belt trail. I didn't stop but once at the halfway/turn around, and I pushed it pretty hard.

Why? Well......I keep thinking about December and early January when I was getting ready to do the Triple D event in Dubuque. I was riding extra times, at night, and longer after work. I had a goal in mind. I think I benefited from that and it got me to a better place health and fitness-wise than I had been in.

I purposefully put off doing anything that smacked of "Training" after the Renegade Gents Race in early April due to Trans Iowa. I mean- it isn't like I need to stress myself more at that time! But now I think I need to get a focus on an event, or goal to aim for. Some motivation to do that little bit extra to take it another notch higher. And I think I have just the thing.

I have the Guitar Ted Death Ride Invitational coming up, but that isn't the end goal for me. Nope! Oh.....I do have to do a big focus on riding for the GTDRI though, don't get me wrong. That's going to be a brutal event. Lots of hills. But my idea is for something a bit later than that. An event the GTDRI will happen just ahead of. (And no....it ain't Rag-bree!) You'll find out later.....

Gettin' Ready For Something

Breezer in The Green Belt

Did I mention that I did another ride this past weekend? No? Well, I did. It was a quick out and back on the entire Green Belt trail. I didn't stop but once at the halfway/turn around, and I pushed it pretty hard.

Why? Well......I keep thinking about December and early January when I was getting ready to do the Triple D event in Dubuque. I was riding extra times, at night, and longer after work. I had a goal in mind. I think I benefited from that and it got me to a better place health and fitness-wise than I had been in.

I purposefully put off doing anything that smacked of "Training" after the Renegade Gents Race in early April due to Trans Iowa. I mean- it isn't like I need to stress myself more at that time! But now I think I need to get a focus on an event, or goal to aim for. Some motivation to do that little bit extra to take it another notch higher. And I think I have just the thing.

I have the Guitar Ted Death Ride Invitational coming up, but that isn't the end goal for me. Nope! Oh.....I do have to do a big focus on riding for the GTDRI though, don't get me wrong. That's going to be a brutal event. Lots of hills. But my idea is for something a bit later than that. An event the GTDRI will happen just ahead of. (And no....it ain't Rag-bree!) You'll find out later.....

Lab Work

Spent most of today swapping out wheels and tubeless tires. The testing must go on, and with Mrs. Guitar Ted out to a graduation open house, (tis the season), I used my home time to get 'er duuun!

Not sure about white rims, but....

So let's see now- I pulled the Rubena Kratos tires off the Sawyer and swapped them over to the Breezer. The WTB Bronson folders on the Breezer went on the old Sun-Ringle' Charger Pro wheel set I had sitting there, since the Sun-Ringle' Black Flag wheels the Milwaukee Bicycle Company 29"er had on it were mounted with Geax AKA TNT tires, and they weren't gonna come off. Instead, I refreshed the sealant in them, and then left them alone for now. Finally, the Sawyer got a Geax AKA folder out back with a Bontrager 29-4 Gen I tire up front.

Did ya catch all of that?

Then I had to ride test all three bikes to make sure that the sealant was distributed evenly and that the tires weren't going to blow off on me. Oh yeah, and I mixed my own sealant for all of these tires. (Thanks MG!)

With all the rain on Friday and overnight to Saturday, the off road trails will be a bit too mucky for good test riding. But, hopefully I get in a big gravel ride. I have a bit of a score to settle, and if I am successful, it will be something I have been waiting to "check off my list" for several years now.

Hopefully tomorrow will be out of The Lab, and into the Frying Pan.

Stay tuned.....

Lab Work

Spent most of today swapping out wheels and tubeless tires. The testing must go on, and with Mrs. Guitar Ted out to a graduation open house, (tis the season), I used my home time to get 'er duuun!

Not sure about white rims, but....

So let's see now- I pulled the Rubena Kratos tires off the Sawyer and swapped them over to the Breezer. The WTB Bronson folders on the Breezer went on the old Sun-Ringle' Charger Pro wheel set I had sitting there, since the Sun-Ringle' Black Flag wheels the Milwaukee Bicycle Company 29"er had on it were mounted with Geax AKA TNT tires, and they weren't gonna come off. Instead, I refreshed the sealant in them, and then left them alone for now. Finally, the Sawyer got a Geax AKA folder out back with a Bontrager 29-4 Gen I tire up front.

Did ya catch all of that?

Then I had to ride test all three bikes to make sure that the sealant was distributed evenly and that the tires weren't going to blow off on me. Oh yeah, and I mixed my own sealant for all of these tires. (Thanks MG!)

With all the rain on Friday and overnight to Saturday, the off road trails will be a bit too mucky for good test riding. But, hopefully I get in a big gravel ride. I have a bit of a score to settle, and if I am successful, it will be something I have been waiting to "check off my list" for several years now.

Hopefully tomorrow will be out of The Lab, and into the Frying Pan.

Stay tuned.....

Make Mine Steel

Skinny, Supple, Steel

I'll dispense with the expected cliche' about steel and why it is good for bicycles. . But I do like me some steel frame action. Yessirree.

This Breezer is a good example, but there are others. I own a few steel bikes- The Black Mountain Cycles "Orange Crush, my Singular Cycles Gryphon, the Salsa Cycles Fargo. My classic Of Spirit Blackbuck. Karate Monkey anyone?

So it isn't just a few Twenty Nine Inches test bikes. I have several I've laid out cash for. I like steel bikes and how they ride. Why?

Well, I will say other frame materials can ride as nice or nicer. I've ridden a carbon frame  I liked real well. I've ridden an aluminum frame I liked just fine. I like titanium, but then, it is rather steel-like. (Just a lot more expensive.) However; I've ridden more steel frames that were at least "pretty decent" or better than all the rest, (full suspension bikes excluded).

Nuthin Fancy

What's really kind of weird about all of these steel bikes, (well- most of them, anyway) , is that the technology behind them is.....uh.....ancient? Compared to what else is going on, these steel bikes are rather antiquated. It's funny because people still love the way they ride anyway- regardless of the "latest and greatest".

To be fair, there is a lot going on with steel, you just don't see it much. Like that Breezer above. It has hydro-formed steel, a press-fit 92mm bottom bracket, and some asymmetrical chain stays which help keep the bottom bracket really stiff.

Other builders are doing some really cool stuff with steel too, but for the most part, it is traditional methods of brazing, welding, and lug work that define steel frames. I think the long running use of steel has the techniques and designs refined to the "nth" degree. That said, it's cool to see that steel is being pushed farther. Hopefully it'll improve the breed.

Time will tell. However it all shakes out, I will be keeping the steel steeds around awhile, that's for sure.

Make Mine Steel

Skinny, Supple, Steel

I'll dispense with the expected cliche' about steel and why it is good for bicycles. . But I do like me some steel frame action. Yessirree.

This Breezer is a good example, but there are others. I own a few steel bikes- The Black Mountain Cycles "Orange Crush, my Singular Cycles Gryphon, the Salsa Cycles Fargo. My classic Of Spirit Blackbuck. Karate Monkey anyone?

So it isn't just a few Twenty Nine Inches test bikes. I have several I've laid out cash for. I like steel bikes and how they ride. Why?

Well, I will say other frame materials can ride as nice or nicer. I've ridden a carbon frame  I liked real well. I've ridden an aluminum frame I liked just fine. I like titanium, but then, it is rather steel-like. (Just a lot more expensive.) However; I've ridden more steel frames that were at least "pretty decent" or better than all the rest, (full suspension bikes excluded).

Nuthin Fancy

What's really kind of weird about all of these steel bikes, (well- most of them, anyway) , is that the technology behind them is.....uh.....ancient? Compared to what else is going on, these steel bikes are rather antiquated. It's funny because people still love the way they ride anyway- regardless of the "latest and greatest".

To be fair, there is a lot going on with steel, you just don't see it much. Like that Breezer above. It has hydro-formed steel, a press-fit 92mm bottom bracket, and some asymmetrical chain stays which help keep the bottom bracket really stiff.

Other builders are doing some really cool stuff with steel too, but for the most part, it is traditional methods of brazing, welding, and lug work that define steel frames. I think the long running use of steel has the techniques and designs refined to the "nth" degree. That said, it's cool to see that steel is being pushed farther. Hopefully it'll improve the breed.

Time will tell. However it all shakes out, I will be keeping the steel steeds around awhile, that's for sure.

Is The Joke The Weather?

Yeah......it is that day again folks. Be careful what you read today, because the joke may be on you. Just sayin.....

Jewel green grass, sapphire blue steel.

Heck, the joke today may actually be the weather. 80 plus degrees in April? The first of April at that. It is crazy. See.....the way I figure, this will all flip-flop just in time for Trans Iowa V8, and it will snow, or some other anti late spring early- summer-like weather pattern will emerge that will be most heinous.

Or not, but you know- this is an even numbered year, ya'all! 

If that doesn't happen it will be in the 90's, burning with humidity, and folks will wilt on the dusty gravel roads of Iowa like dried up flowers. Who knows....

Well, I do know that yesterday it was supposed to be sunny, warm, and nice. It was kind of nice, but it wasn't either of the other two things. It was grey, cool, and clammy. Kind of like a spring day might typically be at this time of year, actually. I had fun at any rate.

I went for a two plus hour ride through most every bit of single track in Lower Hartman and Geo Wyth. Fun times on the Breezer scooter, which is well suited to the tight, serpentine single track out there.

And that's the truth!

Is The Joke The Weather?

Yeah......it is that day again folks. Be careful what you read today, because the joke may be on you. Just sayin.....

Jewel green grass, sapphire blue steel.

Heck, the joke today may actually be the weather. 80 plus degrees in April? The first of April at that. It is crazy. See.....the way I figure, this will all flip-flop just in time for Trans Iowa V8, and it will snow, or some other anti late spring early- summer-like weather pattern will emerge that will be most heinous.

Or not, but you know- this is an even numbered year, ya'all! 

If that doesn't happen it will be in the 90's, burning with humidity, and folks will wilt on the dusty gravel roads of Iowa like dried up flowers. Who knows....

Well, I do know that yesterday it was supposed to be sunny, warm, and nice. It was kind of nice, but it wasn't either of the other two things. It was grey, cool, and clammy. Kind of like a spring day might typically be at this time of year, actually. I had fun at any rate.

I went for a two plus hour ride through most every bit of single track in Lower Hartman and Geo Wyth. Fun times on the Breezer scooter, which is well suited to the tight, serpentine single track out there.

And that's the truth!

Friday News And Views

Specialized Turbo E-bike (Image courtesy of Specialized Bikes)

E-bikes: 
 If you hadn't heard, Specialized Bikes just launched a Euro only electric bike recently.  The big deal on this was the claim that it goes 28 mph.

Yep. That's the take away that was put out there on this "bike". (And I use that term loosely.) The thing is, it is a poor excuse for a motorbike, and a very poor excuse for a bicycle, (which it isn't, technically.)

I'm not picking on Specialized here, but on electric powered bicycles in particular. These are contraptions based on bicycles with motors. You knew them as "mopeds" back in the day. Same thing now, just that the type of motor has changed is all. They failed back then in the U.S., and they will fail again here today.

Here are a few reasons why that is.

• Weight: As a "bicycle", these are heinously heavy. You wouldn't pedal a bicycle without a motor on it that weighed 40lbs or more, right? Why? Because bicycles can weigh a whole lot less. (I won't even get into the dollars/weight ratio here.)
• Because they are heavy, you'll likely need to have that electric boost, and rely on it most of the time. This pretty much kills the electric "bike" as a bicycle.
• Okay, so if it has a motor, and you use it most of the time because you have to since it is sooo heavy, then is it a good motorcycle. No. It isn't. 

So, why on earth would anyone want one of these here in the U.S.? Good question. And Specialized isn't selling theirs here. Good decision. In Europe, these make sense, because their countries are compact, things are narrower, smaller, and there are shorter distances between the places you want to get to, which all add up to a place where e-bikes make some sense.

In America? Where commutes are measured in hours? Not so much. Even if you do live in an urban area, where would you feel safe riding an e-bike? You can't ride them on "non-motorized" paths, so you are stuck out in the street.

Then you have the price, which is north of 5G. Ummm......you can buy a "real scooter" for half as much. One with turn signals, brake lights, and one that has a lot more range and goes faster than any e-bike. Then you have to wonder, why not just get a motorcycle proper? The "e-bike" is just weird, really.  The mere fact that they focus on motor power in the marketing just devalues these as bicycles in the first place.

And as far as being "green"? Yeah- whatever. Lithium-Ion battery? Gimme a break.

Check it out- A real bicycle!

The steel bicycle frame- it has been around since bicycles started. It is still here, and it isn't going away. Why? Well, maybe you should ride one and find out. Now- I shouldn't say just any ol' steel frame,  but a good one. Ride a nice, quality tubed, well put together steel frame some time. Then you'll see why steel is sticking around as a frame material.

I rode this here Breezer Lightning Pro around a bit yesterday and marveled at how smooth it felt and how springy it was. It isn't for everybody, but I like that it flexes. Yes. A bicycle should flex.

You hear so much about how a frame set is "30% stiffer than our previous model", and so on. Stiffer isn't always better. Not for components, and certainly not for the rider all the time. You see this getting marketed now in the upper echelon of road cycling. Stiffness isn't held up as the pinnacle of design anymore. Not in many cases. Today you'll likely hear about a new road bike from Trek that will address this very thing- rider comfort. Funny. Carbon fiber, the wonder material, now being tuned for rider comfort. Updated: And here it is. The "Domane"

Anyway, that doesn't mean the "everyday" rider needs a carbon fiber road rocket, because steel does the job as well or better and lasts a heck of a lot longer. Just think about it.

Have a great weekend and ride your bicycles!

Friday News And Views

Specialized Turbo E-bike (Image courtesy of Specialized Bikes)

E-bikes: 
 If you hadn't heard, Specialized Bikes just launched a Euro only electric bike recently.  The big deal on this was the claim that it goes 28 mph.

Yep. That's the take away that was put out there on this "bike". (And I use that term loosely.) The thing is, it is a poor excuse for a motorbike, and a very poor excuse for a bicycle, (which it isn't, technically.)

I'm not picking on Specialized here, but on electric powered bicycles in particular. These are contraptions based on bicycles with motors. You knew them as "mopeds" back in the day. Same thing now, just that the type of motor has changed is all. They failed back then in the U.S., and they will fail again here today.

Here are a few reasons why that is.

• Weight: As a "bicycle", these are heinously heavy. You wouldn't pedal a bicycle without a motor on it that weighed 40lbs or more, right? Why? Because bicycles can weigh a whole lot less. (I won't even get into the dollars/weight ratio here.)
• Because they are heavy, you'll likely need to have that electric boost, and rely on it most of the time. This pretty much kills the electric "bike" as a bicycle.
• Okay, so if it has a motor, and you use it most of the time because you have to since it is sooo heavy, then is it a good motorcycle. No. It isn't. 

So, why on earth would anyone want one of these here in the U.S.? Good question. And Specialized isn't selling theirs here. Good decision. In Europe, these make sense, because their countries are compact, things are narrower, smaller, and there are shorter distances between the places you want to get to, which all add up to a place where e-bikes make some sense.

In America? Where commutes are measured in hours? Not so much. Even if you do live in an urban area, where would you feel safe riding an e-bike? You can't ride them on "non-motorized" paths, so you are stuck out in the street.

Then you have the price, which is north of 5G. Ummm......you can buy a "real scooter" for half as much. One with turn signals, brake lights, and one that has a lot more range and goes faster than any e-bike. Then you have to wonder, why not just get a motorcycle proper? The "e-bike" is just weird, really.  The mere fact that they focus on motor power in the marketing just devalues these as bicycles in the first place.

And as far as being "green"? Yeah- whatever. Lithium-Ion battery? Gimme a break.

Check it out- A real bicycle!

The steel bicycle frame- it has been around since bicycles started. It is still here, and it isn't going away. Why? Well, maybe you should ride one and find out. Now- I shouldn't say just any ol' steel frame,  but a good one. Ride a nice, quality tubed, well put together steel frame some time. Then you'll see why steel is sticking around as a frame material.

I rode this here Breezer Lightning Pro around a bit yesterday and marveled at how smooth it felt and how springy it was. It isn't for everybody, but I like that it flexes. Yes. A bicycle should flex.

You hear so much about how a frame set is "30% stiffer than our previous model", and so on. Stiffer isn't always better. Not for components, and certainly not for the rider all the time. You see this getting marketed now in the upper echelon of road cycling. Stiffness isn't held up as the pinnacle of design anymore. Not in many cases. Today you'll likely hear about a new road bike from Trek that will address this very thing- rider comfort. Funny. Carbon fiber, the wonder material, now being tuned for rider comfort. Updated: And here it is. The "Domane"

Anyway, that doesn't mean the "everyday" rider needs a carbon fiber road rocket, because steel does the job as well or better and lasts a heck of a lot longer. Just think about it.

Have a great weekend and ride your bicycles!

In Between Times

Yesterday it was very spring-like. Today? Ahh.......not so much! This is the "in between seasons" time that kind of drives me nuts, but yet it offers a lot of hopefulness as well.

Breezer. Mud. Spring.

I tried to see if I maybe could get a bit of trail riding in yesterday along Black Hawk Creek in the Green Belt. Maybe things would be cleared up and solid? (Hey, one can hope, right?)

Of course, being that it was "in between season" the trails were muddy on top and frozen underneath. Pretty messy, and I didn't stay out all that long.  The WTB Bronson tires seemed to "float" up on the stuff really well, so I didn't do the "pizza cutter" and rolling wasn't all that bad, just a big mess.

And that's the thing when it gets like this. The Green Belt will recover, sure. No big deal there, but the bike goes through a year's worth of abuse in one ride. Chain suck, grinding mud through the pads and chain. Blecch! Then you get to go home and clean it all up. Takes about as long to clean up as it does to ride.

It's the price you pay for muddin'. And of course, you probably just can't go out and do a mud ride in most places. That's as it should be. Here the Green Belt will change and the traces of my ride will be gone , most likely after the next thaw, and certainly by the time the next rain comes. Flood plain and all, ya know.

Gettin' the wheels ready to roll.

So a lot of things are about to get rolling along soon with this change in season. Testing stuff, riding, and going places will all be on the agenda soon.

I've got wheels to set up, tires to get set up tubeless, and swapping of parts to accomplish. Bikes will be readied, chains will be lubed, and riding kit will be sorted.

In the short term, all I can do is prepare and wait for the weather to finally break into drier, spring time patterns. I know this year should be a lot of fun. After the Renegade Gents Race in April I'll be all done with racing for awhile, and "fun" will be on the agenda. I'm looking forward to lots of that.

I know the calendar says February yet, but March is coming, and right around the corner we'll be heading straight into the summer before we know what hit us. Seems like that is the way it goes when you are out having fun on a bicycle.

In Between Times

Yesterday it was very spring-like. Today? Ahh.......not so much! This is the "in between seasons" time that kind of drives me nuts, but yet it offers a lot of hopefulness as well.

Breezer. Mud. Spring.

I tried to see if I maybe could get a bit of trail riding in yesterday along Black Hawk Creek in the Green Belt. Maybe things would be cleared up and solid? (Hey, one can hope, right?)

Of course, being that it was "in between season" the trails were muddy on top and frozen underneath. Pretty messy, and I didn't stay out all that long.  The WTB Bronson tires seemed to "float" up on the stuff really well, so I didn't do the "pizza cutter" and rolling wasn't all that bad, just a big mess.

And that's the thing when it gets like this. The Green Belt will recover, sure. No big deal there, but the bike goes through a year's worth of abuse in one ride. Chain suck, grinding mud through the pads and chain. Blecch! Then you get to go home and clean it all up. Takes about as long to clean up as it does to ride.

It's the price you pay for muddin'. And of course, you probably just can't go out and do a mud ride in most places. That's as it should be. Here the Green Belt will change and the traces of my ride will be gone , most likely after the next thaw, and certainly by the time the next rain comes. Flood plain and all, ya know.

Gettin' the wheels ready to roll.

So a lot of things are about to get rolling along soon with this change in season. Testing stuff, riding, and going places will all be on the agenda soon.

I've got wheels to set up, tires to get set up tubeless, and swapping of parts to accomplish. Bikes will be readied, chains will be lubed, and riding kit will be sorted.

In the short term, all I can do is prepare and wait for the weather to finally break into drier, spring time patterns. I know this year should be a lot of fun. After the Renegade Gents Race in April I'll be all done with racing for awhile, and "fun" will be on the agenda. I'm looking forward to lots of that.

I know the calendar says February yet, but March is coming, and right around the corner we'll be heading straight into the summer before we know what hit us. Seems like that is the way it goes when you are out having fun on a bicycle.

Friday News And Views

Beauty of a Scooter

Breezer Bikes Lightning: Okay, it is mountain bike history time folks. Guess who made.....as in assembled tubes into a frame and assembled components to it......the first purpose built mountain bike of the modern era. (Okay- we're not including the "Buffalo Soldiers" here, former college profs,  or any ol' French gang that happened to be riding a bicycle off pavement. We're talking a purpose built machine for down hill racing off road.

Yup- that'd be Joe Breeze circa 1977.

This rig here is the latest design from the mind of that pioneer of mountain biking that was contemporary with Gary Fisher, Charlie Kelly, and others who formed the basis of what we call mountain biking today. That makes this bike a bit more special in a way. That and it is almost too pretty to get dirty.

Almost.

Joe Breeze was one of those early Marin folks that took to "clunking" on old Schwinn "ballooner" bikes that were fitted with all manner of components in an effort to make the ultimate off road machine from "found" parts. One of his earliest creations was a bike based upon a "Pre-War", (That'd be the Second World War my chillun!) , Schwinn that featured the ubiquitous "dart" paint job. Later on in Joe's mountain bike history, many of his Breezer mountain bikes sported similar livery, thus the traditional dart paint scheme on the Lightning here. The blue positively glows on this rig. It is an amazing looking bike.

Hopefully the review for Twenty Nine Inches will match the amazing level of the look this bike has as well. We'll see.

Project Two-Six- Yet again!

Project Two-Six Update: Yesterday I posted all about the tires on this rig, but I didn't say anything about the bike in particular. Well, I made one major change, which will lead to another. There is a plan to all of this as well.

First, the eagle-eyed amongst you may see that I swapped out saddles with the help of Captain Bob. (Thanks man!) This is a Brooks Pro of indeterminate vintage. Massive improvement over the Wrights saddle that came off. That said, it still isn't quite right. 

The proper saddle would be a Brooks B-17, but I'm thinking B-67.  Springs. Width. Heavy Duty. It all fits the purposes I have in mind here, which is for this bike to become my "townie", errand bike, grocery-getter. I'd like to put some nicer fenders on it, and maybe, if I can get enough use out of it, I'd put on a nicer wheel set at some point. But the saddle and fenders come first.

Of course, this then begs the question: "Where is the Brooks Pro going?" Right then. Well, my initial thought is to send it on over to my Karate Monkey. The Pro model is meant for a handle bar position somewhat below the saddle, and that's exactly where the handle bar position is on the Monkey. I think it will be a good fit.

Fixation "Accela" Tires: Fixie hipster? Just like colored tires? Need some long wearing, puncture resistant training tires?

Well, Fyxation has a new tire out in folding and wire beads in black or white/black, (as shown), in 700 X 23mm and 700 X 28mm sizes for MSRP of $36.95 (folder), and $25.95 (wire bead).

The press release said that the rubber compound used is a harder, longer lasting one that resists abrading. Could be good as a commuter tire, or for dressing up a bike with the flashy white treaded model. Either way, these are available now from dealers. Check it all out on their site here where you will also find a dealer list.

NOS Ukai Alloy wheel, circa 1980

Mike's Bikes: Tonight is the night I will be hanging out at Mike's Bikes in Northfield, Minnesota. I like going here. I'm a bike geek, and Mike's got bike geek magnets all around his shop.

I never cease to be amazed at the stuff I've unearthed while poking around there. Last year I saw this NOS Ukai wheel, and an early 90's Ritchey P-22 frame set.

What will I see this year? Who knows? It will most likely be very cool, old, and rare. Oh yeah......I'll probably see a bunch of beers and Greek pizza. Maybe not.......but most likely, I will. Let's see- what else will happen? Well, we might go and ride outside this time. It has been a lot milder this winter. Usually we lay down a blue groove right inside Mike's shop.

Whatever happens, I'll likely be off the grid here till Monday. So, Mike's Bikes, Frostbike, and what ever else happens will have to wait until Monday's post. (Most likely)

Have a great weekend ya'all!

Friday News And Views

Beauty of a Scooter

Breezer Bikes Lightning: Okay, it is mountain bike history time folks. Guess who made.....as in assembled tubes into a frame and assembled components to it......the first purpose built mountain bike of the modern era. (Okay- we're not including the "Buffalo Soldiers" here, former college profs,  or any ol' French gang that happened to be riding a bicycle off pavement. We're talking a purpose built machine for down hill racing off road.

Yup- that'd be Joe Breeze circa 1977.

This rig here is the latest design from the mind of that pioneer of mountain biking that was contemporary with Gary Fisher, Charlie Kelly, and others who formed the basis of what we call mountain biking today. That makes this bike a bit more special in a way. That and it is almost too pretty to get dirty.

Almost.

Joe Breeze was one of those early Marin folks that took to "clunking" on old Schwinn "ballooner" bikes that were fitted with all manner of components in an effort to make the ultimate off road machine from "found" parts. One of his earliest creations was a bike based upon a "Pre-War", (That'd be the Second World War my chillun!) , Schwinn that featured the ubiquitous "dart" paint job. Later on in Joe's mountain bike history, many of his Breezer mountain bikes sported similar livery, thus the traditional dart paint scheme on the Lightning here. The blue positively glows on this rig. It is an amazing looking bike.

Hopefully the review for Twenty Nine Inches will match the amazing level of the look this bike has as well. We'll see.

Project Two-Six- Yet again!

Project Two-Six Update: Yesterday I posted all about the tires on this rig, but I didn't say anything about the bike in particular. Well, I made one major change, which will lead to another. There is a plan to all of this as well.

First, the eagle-eyed amongst you may see that I swapped out saddles with the help of Captain Bob. (Thanks man!) This is a Brooks Pro of indeterminate vintage. Massive improvement over the Wrights saddle that came off. That said, it still isn't quite right. 

The proper saddle would be a Brooks B-17, but I'm thinking B-67.  Springs. Width. Heavy Duty. It all fits the purposes I have in mind here, which is for this bike to become my "townie", errand bike, grocery-getter. I'd like to put some nicer fenders on it, and maybe, if I can get enough use out of it, I'd put on a nicer wheel set at some point. But the saddle and fenders come first.

Of course, this then begs the question: "Where is the Brooks Pro going?" Right then. Well, my initial thought is to send it on over to my Karate Monkey. The Pro model is meant for a handle bar position somewhat below the saddle, and that's exactly where the handle bar position is on the Monkey. I think it will be a good fit.

Fixation "Accela" Tires: Fixie hipster? Just like colored tires? Need some long wearing, puncture resistant training tires?

Well, Fyxation has a new tire out in folding and wire beads in black or white/black, (as shown), in 700 X 23mm and 700 X 28mm sizes for MSRP of $36.95 (folder), and $25.95 (wire bead).

The press release said that the rubber compound used is a harder, longer lasting one that resists abrading. Could be good as a commuter tire, or for dressing up a bike with the flashy white treaded model. Either way, these are available now from dealers. Check it all out on their site here where you will also find a dealer list.

NOS Ukai Alloy wheel, circa 1980

Mike's Bikes: Tonight is the night I will be hanging out at Mike's Bikes in Northfield, Minnesota. I like going here. I'm a bike geek, and Mike's got bike geek magnets all around his shop.

I never cease to be amazed at the stuff I've unearthed while poking around there. Last year I saw this NOS Ukai wheel, and an early 90's Ritchey P-22 frame set.

What will I see this year? Who knows? It will most likely be very cool, old, and rare. Oh yeah......I'll probably see a bunch of beers and Greek pizza. Maybe not.......but most likely, I will. Let's see- what else will happen? Well, we might go and ride outside this time. It has been a lot milder this winter. Usually we lay down a blue groove right inside Mike's shop.

Whatever happens, I'll likely be off the grid here till Monday. So, Mike's Bikes, Frostbike, and what ever else happens will have to wait until Monday's post. (Most likely)

Have a great weekend ya'all!