Wheels, Bars, And Fur!

Well, as many of you readers know, I have a snow/fat bike I dubbed "The Snow Dog". What many of you don't know is that I had some trouble already with it. Here's the deal...

I got the thing together and rode it to work the first time just over a week ago. It was making noises, and that isn't to be wondered at, since things were new, used, and just assembled together for the first time. I figured there would be a few hiccups. No big deal.

I dialed things in and did another ride a week ago Saturday. Whoa! Things were snappin' and a cracklin' that shouldn't had ought to be. I determined that something was amiss in the drive train. I got home and pulled the rear hub apart, and yep!  There it was. Bad pawl that caused a torn up drive ring. The situation didn't look good, but I wanted to ride it on my birthday, so I popped it back together, and Sunday a week ago went for a final ride before I would send in the wheel to Phil Wood & Co. for repair. I wasn't going to have a wheel for possibly up to two weeks, maybe more.

As you can imagine, I was pretty bummed out. It was like giving candy to a baby, and letting them taste it, and taking it away. Well.....except that I didn't bawl and throw a huge fit! Let me tell ya, I felt like it!

I just tried to let it go, but when I told Ben Witt about it, he hatched up a plan. My buddy Captain Bob was to pick up his new Spearfish from Ben's shop on Friday, so Ben sent his own fat bike Phil Wood hubbed rear wheel back with Captain Bob so I could ride for awhile. Awesome!

So, there it is, all blue with a rim strip that is all furry like the interior of a 70's Chevy van conversion! Thanks Ben! I totally appreciate the kindness!

I'll update what the ol' Phil Wood & Co. do with regards to the first hub later, but for now, I'm rollin' fatties again. Wait.......uh........that didn't sound right. Awww.. whatever!

Next, I got ahold of the new Gary Bar II from Origin 8. Remember the old Gary Bar? Yeah......well this one is totally different!

The first Gary Bar  was loosely based off the On One Midge bar. The overall dimensions were very similar, but the "slope" of the drops was more severe. Here is a link of a comparo I did between the original Gary Bar and the On One Midge Bar.

I'll also be doing the "big comparo" again with the newer version, but for now I can say that the Gary Bar II is waaay different than a Midge Bar, or any other off road drop bar. The new bar also uses 6000 series aluminum and has a nicer overall finish and feel than the older Gary Bar did. The "flare" or "slope" was radical on the first Gary, and on this one, it is very subtle. Less than the Midge for sure. It has more drop, and the extensions are even longer than the first Gary Bar's were. It also sports a bit more reach to the drops as well. It is 5cm narrower than before and looks much closer to a road bar than an off road bar. Less sweep to the drop section too. In fact, if I didn't know any better, I'd say it was a closer knock off to a Nitto bar than anything else.

The new Gary Bar II is also bar end compatible and retails for about $40.00. I bought my own, so I could compare it to the Midge, (which was graciously submitted to me for use by Captain Bob. Thanks man!) As I said, look for more soon, and another contender or two will also be added to the mix. Stay tuned...

Wheels, Bars, And Fur!

Well, as many of you readers know, I have a snow/fat bike I dubbed "The Snow Dog". What many of you don't know is that I had some trouble already with it. Here's the deal...

I got the thing together and rode it to work the first time just over a week ago. It was making noises, and that isn't to be wondered at, since things were new, used, and just assembled together for the first time. I figured there would be a few hiccups. No big deal.

I dialed things in and did another ride a week ago Saturday. Whoa! Things were snappin' and a cracklin' that shouldn't had ought to be. I determined that something was amiss in the drive train. I got home and pulled the rear hub apart, and yep!  There it was. Bad pawl that caused a torn up drive ring. The situation didn't look good, but I wanted to ride it on my birthday, so I popped it back together, and Sunday a week ago went for a final ride before I would send in the wheel to Phil Wood & Co. for repair. I wasn't going to have a wheel for possibly up to two weeks, maybe more.

As you can imagine, I was pretty bummed out. It was like giving candy to a baby, and letting them taste it, and taking it away. Well.....except that I didn't bawl and throw a huge fit! Let me tell ya, I felt like it!

I just tried to let it go, but when I told Ben Witt about it, he hatched up a plan. My buddy Captain Bob was to pick up his new Spearfish from Ben's shop on Friday, so Ben sent his own fat bike Phil Wood hubbed rear wheel back with Captain Bob so I could ride for awhile. Awesome!

So, there it is, all blue with a rim strip that is all furry like the interior of a 70's Chevy van conversion! Thanks Ben! I totally appreciate the kindness!

I'll update what the ol' Phil Wood & Co. do with regards to the first hub later, but for now, I'm rollin' fatties again. Wait.......uh........that didn't sound right. Awww.. whatever!

Next, I got ahold of the new Gary Bar II from Origin 8. Remember the old Gary Bar? Yeah......well this one is totally different!

The first Gary Bar  was loosely based off the On One Midge bar. The overall dimensions were very similar, but the "slope" of the drops was more severe. Here is a link of a comparo I did between the original Gary Bar and the On One Midge Bar.

I'll also be doing the "big comparo" again with the newer version, but for now I can say that the Gary Bar II is waaay different than a Midge Bar, or any other off road drop bar. The new bar also uses 6000 series aluminum and has a nicer overall finish and feel than the older Gary Bar did. The "flare" or "slope" was radical on the first Gary, and on this one, it is very subtle. Less than the Midge for sure. It has more drop, and the extensions are even longer than the first Gary Bar's were. It also sports a bit more reach to the drops as well. It is 5cm narrower than before and looks much closer to a road bar than an off road bar. Less sweep to the drop section too. In fact, if I didn't know any better, I'd say it was a closer knock off to a Nitto bar than anything else.

The new Gary Bar II is also bar end compatible and retails for about $40.00. I bought my own, so I could compare it to the Midge, (which was graciously submitted to me for use by Captain Bob. Thanks man!) As I said, look for more soon, and another contender or two will also be added to the mix. Stay tuned...

So......Now What?

With Gravel Worlds gone in the rear view mirror, I am now left with some catching up to do. First order of business has already been getting taken care of, and that is writing a bunch of reviews and stuff for "the sites".

The next order of business is to start thrashing on this grey Origin 8 frame off road. That will likely take place today. I've heard that the South Side of The Camp is good to go now, so I may be found up there plunking around if you are looking for me. (Not that anyone will be......just sayin'!)


The next order of business is to re-think my geared gravel grinder-lite set up. I have an idea that uses stuff I already have, so it should happen soon. My regular rig for this- the Fargo- remains a main stay, but I have a hankering to do a more minimalistic, lighter set up. And this will only be temporary. I have heard of a new version of "something" that I think may work even better yet. That's yet to come, and may not happen, depending upon certain preferences I have. Sorry to be so "cagey" about it all, but I am not at liberty to 'splain it  now.

Now I have a hankering to do more gravel riding. I miss it. Plus, it gets me in shape better than anything else I like to do. Being a dang "desk jockey" most nights isn't conducive to a "fine figure", so I will be working out a better plan for myself in those regards. Thanks to Gravel Worlds for making that blatantly clear!

 Oh well. My legs are still "barking" at me every time I ride, so I suppose I shouldn't get too crazy with that idea just yet! A little recovery, then we'll get on it.

So......Now What?

With Gravel Worlds gone in the rear view mirror, I am now left with some catching up to do. First order of business has already been getting taken care of, and that is writing a bunch of reviews and stuff for "the sites".

The next order of business is to start thrashing on this grey Origin 8 frame off road. That will likely take place today. I've heard that the South Side of The Camp is good to go now, so I may be found up there plunking around if you are looking for me. (Not that anyone will be......just sayin'!)


The next order of business is to re-think my geared gravel grinder-lite set up. I have an idea that uses stuff I already have, so it should happen soon. My regular rig for this- the Fargo- remains a main stay, but I have a hankering to do a more minimalistic, lighter set up. And this will only be temporary. I have heard of a new version of "something" that I think may work even better yet. That's yet to come, and may not happen, depending upon certain preferences I have. Sorry to be so "cagey" about it all, but I am not at liberty to 'splain it  now.

Now I have a hankering to do more gravel riding. I miss it. Plus, it gets me in shape better than anything else I like to do. Being a dang "desk jockey" most nights isn't conducive to a "fine figure", so I will be working out a better plan for myself in those regards. Thanks to Gravel Worlds for making that blatantly clear!

 Oh well. My legs are still "barking" at me every time I ride, so I suppose I shouldn't get too crazy with that idea just yet! A little recovery, then we'll get on it.