Friday News And Views

Scope is a company from the Netherlands who make this air pressure adjusting hub.

 On-Bike Air Pressure Adjusting Hub To Debut In Paris-Roubaix:

The Dutch company, Scope, has a new hub accessory for bicycles which can adjust air pressure on the bike and give real-time read-out via Bluetooth on a computer head. 

Dubbed the "Atmoz", the system is "hub mounted" and does not alter a wheel system. A hose attached to a spoke runs from the device to a tubeless valve stem. Sensors monitor air pressure and relay the information to the rider who can adjust- up or down- the air pressure via two buttons electronically connected by wireless to the device. Apparently, it is reported that there are no moving parts, compressors, or the like in this design. Just how it works seems to be a closely guarded secret, as of now. 

That may change as a prominent Pro Road team is reportedly using the Atmoz in this weekend's Paris-Roubaix road race.Want it for your bike? Cough up $4,340.95 US and it is yours. (Not clear if that is per wheel or for both)

Comments: Correct me if I am wrong, but I could swear I've seen this idea on a fat bike somewhere before. That said, this is something that would be a prime candidate for SRAM to grab up and file under their AXS umbrella of electronic components. If that happens, don't be surprised! 

Paris-Roubaix has perennially been an event where future-tech for bicycles debuts. Think about road bike suspension like the new FOX AX StepCast fork. Or think about electronically shifted derailleurs. Those ideas appeared in Paris-Roubaix in the 90's. So, while it may not happen right away, if this idea works, I would not at all be surprised to see an add-on device for fat bikes, mountain bikes, and gravel bikes in the future.

SEIDO Spade tire

SEIDO Components And Accessory Brand Debuts:

Bombtrack Bikes, the Germanic company who are best known for adventure style bikes, are announcing a component/accessory brand for their range of bikes and available separately dubbed SEIDO. 

The range will cover everything from hardware like crank sets, wheels, and handle bars all the way to items like tires, bar tape, and saddles. 

Their debut product will be a carbon fork and they plan on releasing more things as the year progresses. 

Comments: After a quick perusal of the site I think it is fair to say that what Bombtrack is doing here is officially releasing their "in-house" component brand into the wild. Typically you don't see much of that from the cycling industry where the big exceptions to that rule are Bontrager (Trek) and Roval (Specialized). Normally those more basic, yeoman parts are only found on whatever brand of bikes they support. 

And typically a 'deeper dive' will reveal that these sorts of components and accessories are what is known in the cycling industry as 'catalog parts'. Meaning that Far East Asia companies who contract out to the cycling brands have a literal catalog of accessories and parts that any brand can have private labeled, manufactured, and installed on bikes made overseas. Those parts are then not typically made for individual sales outside of those brands. (However e-Bay, Alibaba and Amazon will net you access to such companies here) 

I'm not castigating Bombtrack, SEIDO, or the idea of this in any negative way, but I'm probably not far off the mark here. And, these parts look nice enough, honestly. But pricing is not known and no one has anything to really weigh in on quality levels, performance, and the like yet. So, this bears watching. It could be a good deal, or it might be just another 'no-big-deal' thing.

Planet Bike's Dual Blaze light.

Planet Bike Debuts New Dual Blaze Light:

LED light technology is amazing. It is a constantly changing thing, and what you could get for lights, even five years ago, is out of date today- unless you spent the big bucks on something really premium. But that's the thing- you don't have to spend the big bucks.....

Case in point: The new Planet Bike Dual Blaze light with 1500 lumen of Samsung lithium battery powered, Nichia NVSW319BT high powered LED brightness. 

Now, when I shop LED lights, I don't shop for the high-powered beam settings. Nope. I look at what 'medium' settings offer and what their run times are. 1-2 hours of blinding light is cool sounding, and maybe 'just right' for a mountain bike ride, but if I am doing a gravel ride at night, we are talking 2+ hours and most high beams are going to deplete my battery life at those ride times. So, a great lumen output at medium, with a lot of run-time 'headroom', if you will, is what I want in a light. 

And checking out the specs here on the Dual Blaze, I see it has a claimed run time of 6 hours at 800 lumen. That'll do it! But check out that claimed run time on high- 2.5 hours?! That's pretty crazy! 1500 lumen for 2 and a half hours is nuts. I cannot even think of a light that was out five years ago that would do that for $100.00. Yes- you read that right. A hundred bucks!

Now this may not have a fancy-pants interface, or the kind of run time indicators some lights have. Nor does it have the feature of being able to be controlled from a computer head, or app. But hey! For a hundy, that seems like quite a good value on a light that would likely be too bright on high for many gravel travelers. 800 lumen is plenty! 

Sea Otter 2022:

While I have not been to Sea Otter since 2009, I have had the pleasure of seeing it through the eyes of my friend from SoCal, Grannygear, many a year since. However; even he stopped going about five years ago, and of course, the last two years it wasn't possible anyway.

So, with the way things are now, the reunion-of-sorts at Sea Otter took place and I- once again- was able to see the festival through Grannygear's eyes. (RidingGravel.com report here)

Grannygear pretty much was taken most by the Turner Bikes Cyclosys titanium frame and I must say, I agree. With a 71° head angle and 73mm bottom bracket drop matched up with a 430mm chain stay length, it seems to be right in my wheel house. And, of course, it is a titanium frame. 

While it only has clearance for up to a claimed 45mm tire, that's plenty for my needs in most cases, and I have other bikes that would go beyond there, so I would be okay with that. $2600.00 sounds about right these days for a quality made, low production number titanium framed bike. While I am sure I could find something similar, we're talking what was at Sea Otter, and I think I'm with Grannygear here- That would be the bike I would have come home with from this year's show.

That's a wrap on this week! Stay warm and Have a Blessed Easter if you observe that day.

Friday News And Views

Scope is a company from the Netherlands who make this air pressure adjusting hub.

 On-Bike Air Pressure Adjusting Hub To Debut In Paris-Roubaix:

The Dutch company, Scope, has a new hub accessory for bicycles which can adjust air pressure on the bike and give real-time read-out via Bluetooth on a computer head. 

Dubbed the "Atmoz", the system is "hub mounted" and does not alter a wheel system. A hose attached to a spoke runs from the device to a tubeless valve stem. Sensors monitor air pressure and relay the information to the rider who can adjust- up or down- the air pressure via two buttons electronically connected by wireless to the device. Apparently, it is reported that there are no moving parts, compressors, or the like in this design. Just how it works seems to be a closely guarded secret, as of now. 

That may change as a prominent Pro Road team is reportedly using the Atmoz in this weekend's Paris-Roubaix road race.Want it for your bike? Cough up $4,340.95 US and it is yours. (Not clear if that is per wheel or for both)

Comments: Correct me if I am wrong, but I could swear I've seen this idea on a fat bike somewhere before. That said, this is something that would be a prime candidate for SRAM to grab up and file under their AXS umbrella of electronic components. If that happens, don't be surprised! 

Paris-Roubaix has perennially been an event where future-tech for bicycles debuts. Think about road bike suspension like the new FOX AX StepCast fork. Or think about electronically shifted derailleurs. Those ideas appeared in Paris-Roubaix in the 90's. So, while it may not happen right away, if this idea works, I would not at all be surprised to see an add-on device for fat bikes, mountain bikes, and gravel bikes in the future.

SEIDO Spade tire

SEIDO Components And Accessory Brand Debuts:

Bombtrack Bikes, the Germanic company who are best known for adventure style bikes, are announcing a component/accessory brand for their range of bikes and available separately dubbed SEIDO. 

The range will cover everything from hardware like crank sets, wheels, and handle bars all the way to items like tires, bar tape, and saddles. 

Their debut product will be a carbon fork and they plan on releasing more things as the year progresses. 

Comments: After a quick perusal of the site I think it is fair to say that what Bombtrack is doing here is officially releasing their "in-house" component brand into the wild. Typically you don't see much of that from the cycling industry where the big exceptions to that rule are Bontrager (Trek) and Roval (Specialized). Normally those more basic, yeoman parts are only found on whatever brand of bikes they support. 

And typically a 'deeper dive' will reveal that these sorts of components and accessories are what is known in the cycling industry as 'catalog parts'. Meaning that Far East Asia companies who contract out to the cycling brands have a literal catalog of accessories and parts that any brand can have private labeled, manufactured, and installed on bikes made overseas. Those parts are then not typically made for individual sales outside of those brands. (However e-Bay, Alibaba and Amazon will net you access to such companies here) 

I'm not castigating Bombtrack, SEIDO, or the idea of this in any negative way, but I'm probably not far off the mark here. And, these parts look nice enough, honestly. But pricing is not known and no one has anything to really weigh in on quality levels, performance, and the like yet. So, this bears watching. It could be a good deal, or it might be just another 'no-big-deal' thing.

Planet Bike's Dual Blaze light.

Planet Bike Debuts New Dual Blaze Light:

LED light technology is amazing. It is a constantly changing thing, and what you could get for lights, even five years ago, is out of date today- unless you spent the big bucks on something really premium. But that's the thing- you don't have to spend the big bucks.....

Case in point: The new Planet Bike Dual Blaze light with 1500 lumen of Samsung lithium battery powered, Nichia NVSW319BT high powered LED brightness. 

Now, when I shop LED lights, I don't shop for the high-powered beam settings. Nope. I look at what 'medium' settings offer and what their run times are. 1-2 hours of blinding light is cool sounding, and maybe 'just right' for a mountain bike ride, but if I am doing a gravel ride at night, we are talking 2+ hours and most high beams are going to deplete my battery life at those ride times. So, a great lumen output at medium, with a lot of run-time 'headroom', if you will, is what I want in a light. 

And checking out the specs here on the Dual Blaze, I see it has a claimed run time of 6 hours at 800 lumen. That'll do it! But check out that claimed run time on high- 2.5 hours?! That's pretty crazy! 1500 lumen for 2 and a half hours is nuts. I cannot even think of a light that was out five years ago that would do that for $100.00. Yes- you read that right. A hundred bucks!

Now this may not have a fancy-pants interface, or the kind of run time indicators some lights have. Nor does it have the feature of being able to be controlled from a computer head, or app. But hey! For a hundy, that seems like quite a good value on a light that would likely be too bright on high for many gravel travelers. 800 lumen is plenty! 

Sea Otter 2022:

While I have not been to Sea Otter since 2009, I have had the pleasure of seeing it through the eyes of my friend from SoCal, Grannygear, many a year since. However; even he stopped going about five years ago, and of course, the last two years it wasn't possible anyway.

So, with the way things are now, the reunion-of-sorts at Sea Otter took place and I- once again- was able to see the festival through Grannygear's eyes. (RidingGravel.com report here)

Grannygear pretty much was taken most by the Turner Bikes Cyclosys titanium frame and I must say, I agree. With a 71° head angle and 73mm bottom bracket drop matched up with a 430mm chain stay length, it seems to be right in my wheel house. And, of course, it is a titanium frame. 

While it only has clearance for up to a claimed 45mm tire, that's plenty for my needs in most cases, and I have other bikes that would go beyond there, so I would be okay with that. $2600.00 sounds about right these days for a quality made, low production number titanium framed bike. While I am sure I could find something similar, we're talking what was at Sea Otter, and I think I'm with Grannygear here- That would be the bike I would have come home with from this year's show.

That's a wrap on this week! Stay warm and Have a Blessed Easter if you observe that day.

Night Ride

Yesterday I was pretty busy after work writing up my ideas for the Trans Iowa Master's Program. (If you missed what that's all about, see this) But I was getting so many lines cast out I had to stop and clear my brain out. I needed to go for a ride.

It's been quite awhile since I've been on a night ride. I seem to have given away my old, nice night riding light, or I lost it. Don't know which. But since that happened, I haven't been on a good night ride. Well, that got rectified when a new light my friend was testing for Twenty Nine Inches came my way so I could finish up the review. It's one of those ultra-bright, ultra powerful gizmos that you'd have to see to believe.

The light head has two LED's, and the entire case they are in fits into the palm of your hand easily. The light has a six cell battery pack, which is separate, but that's the size of a point and shoot camera on top of another one. Small. You could wrap your hand around it if you are an average sized adult male.

I mention all of this because this thing has the light out put of a shard of the Sun. It puts out that much heat as well. An incredible amount of energy, really, and all from these two components and some wires that weigh less than a can of good beer. Why, a coworker was shining the beam, on high, at his outstretched hand, and the reflected light was burning my retinas! Light reflected off his hand!

Lumens, candle power, Lux- I have mo good idea what any of that really means. I know one thing- this light is crazy bright. Brighter than an automobile light on high, and waaaay more light than I can see myself needing.

It has five levels. I ran it on the lower two, and couldn't want for more light. It runs at 2.5 hours on high, but no figures were given for lower levels. Heck- I might be able to ride all night on one charge!

But enough about that marvel of technology. I was night riding again! I decided to see what had happened to the Green Belt, since I hadn't been through that way since shortly after Winter. Well, I picked a good time to go. Obviously, from what I saw, the woods have been wracked by high winds over the Spring and Summer, but the City has already mown and cleared the trails in preparation for Winter. You see, those Green Belt trails are XC skiing trails, and around about now is when the City clears out the tall undergrowth and blow downs in preparation for Winter. They've been on this agenda for over 25 years. They've mown this trail and cleared it at this time every year I have been around this area.

So, I found cleared trail, lots of newly laid down sand deposits from the frequent floods we had experienced in May and June, and the trail has changed a bit. It always does after a round of flooding. Combine all this with a night ride and I was down to "trundling speed" on my titanium Mukluk. I was all right with that too.

I dipped down into a muddy flat and did a perfect two wheeled drift. Wee! Then I bounced around roots, slithered through the hour glass fine sand, and ducked broken off branches and low hanging clusters of wet leaves. It was humid, like a jungle, with a mist on the fringes of my light that made it seem like a ghastly apparition was lurking just outside of my sight. Only it wasn't. Just a humid, foggy August evening in the woods. There were about a billion flying insects everywhere too.

I made it over to the little lake out there and shut down the lights, grabbed my flask, and had a wee nip under the stars. I spotted a cloud wrack wreathed in lightning off to the West. "Hmmm......Rain is a comin'. I'd better get on home." It was good to be out at night again though. Been far too long a time since I did that.

Night Ride

Yesterday I was pretty busy after work writing up my ideas for the Trans Iowa Master's Program. (If you missed what that's all about, see this) But I was getting so many lines cast out I had to stop and clear my brain out. I needed to go for a ride.

It's been quite awhile since I've been on a night ride. I seem to have given away my old, nice night riding light, or I lost it. Don't know which. But since that happened, I haven't been on a good night ride. Well, that got rectified when a new light my friend was testing for Twenty Nine Inches came my way so I could finish up the review. It's one of those ultra-bright, ultra powerful gizmos that you'd have to see to believe.

The light head has two LED's, and the entire case they are in fits into the palm of your hand easily. The light has a six cell battery pack, which is separate, but that's the size of a point and shoot camera on top of another one. Small. You could wrap your hand around it if you are an average sized adult male.

I mention all of this because this thing has the light out put of a shard of the Sun. It puts out that much heat as well. An incredible amount of energy, really, and all from these two components and some wires that weigh less than a can of good beer. Why, a coworker was shining the beam, on high, at his outstretched hand, and the reflected light was burning my retinas! Light reflected off his hand!

Lumens, candle power, Lux- I have mo good idea what any of that really means. I know one thing- this light is crazy bright. Brighter than an automobile light on high, and waaaay more light than I can see myself needing.

It has five levels. I ran it on the lower two, and couldn't want for more light. It runs at 2.5 hours on high, but no figures were given for lower levels. Heck- I might be able to ride all night on one charge!

But enough about that marvel of technology. I was night riding again! I decided to see what had happened to the Green Belt, since I hadn't been through that way since shortly after Winter. Well, I picked a good time to go. Obviously, from what I saw, the woods have been wracked by high winds over the Spring and Summer, but the City has already mown and cleared the trails in preparation for Winter. You see, those Green Belt trails are XC skiing trails, and around about now is when the City clears out the tall undergrowth and blow downs in preparation for Winter. They've been on this agenda for over 25 years. They've mown this trail and cleared it at this time every year I have been around this area.

So, I found cleared trail, lots of newly laid down sand deposits from the frequent floods we had experienced in May and June, and the trail has changed a bit. It always does after a round of flooding. Combine all this with a night ride and I was down to "trundling speed" on my titanium Mukluk. I was all right with that too.

I dipped down into a muddy flat and did a perfect two wheeled drift. Wee! Then I bounced around roots, slithered through the hour glass fine sand, and ducked broken off branches and low hanging clusters of wet leaves. It was humid, like a jungle, with a mist on the fringes of my light that made it seem like a ghastly apparition was lurking just outside of my sight. Only it wasn't. Just a humid, foggy August evening in the woods. There were about a billion flying insects everywhere too.

I made it over to the little lake out there and shut down the lights, grabbed my flask, and had a wee nip under the stars. I spotted a cloud wrack wreathed in lightning off to the West. "Hmmm......Rain is a comin'. I'd better get on home." It was good to be out at night again though. Been far too long a time since I did that.

Trans Iowa V9: Thoughts On Lighting

Trans Iowa is an event that starts in the dark, and usually you will be riding at least a couple of hours in the darkness, maybe a bit longer than that if the cloud cover is thick. So a good lighting set up is a must for every starter.

Figure in that several riders will also see the nightfall on Saturday evening, and may possibly ride up to 10 hours in darkness, it doesn't take a genius to see that a really good set of lights just might be your friend out there. But what constitutes a "good set" of lights for something like Trans Iowa?

Well, here are some things to consider when you start putting together your lights for T.I.V9, (or any night based gravel grinder).

• Power: Unlike, say- a 24 hour mountain bike race- gravel roads do not demand high powered lights in terms of lumen output. If you can muster 120-150 Lumens from a system, you will be good for most gravel riding. * (More on this later.)
• Run Times: Obviously, your light run time is a critical figure that you need to consider. How you replenish battery power, (or if you want to avoid having to do that), becomes a major consideration here. 
• Light Placement/Type: Not only will you need a good light, you may want to consider three good lights. One to see by, one down low to reveal ripples, pot holes, etc, and one to aim at signs and read cues by. Of course, lets not forget that all important tail light. 
• Reflective Materials: It also is a wise thing to use reflective tape, Scotchbrite or similar clothing, and  small flashers to make sure you are seen by motorists, especially going through towns and cities.

  

  Night riders with lights and reflective bits.

*NOTE! Any lighting system you consider for use at Trans Iowa V9 should be able to show you objects far up the road, and preferably allow you to read the surface of the gravel well. This is imperative since you will be traveling at speeds of up to and exceeding 35mph many times going down gravel pitches in complete and utter darkness. I can not stress enough how important this is, since almost all of you will certainly not know these roads and speeding down gravel which may be loose and treacherous in the daylight is bad enough. Add in the darkness of rural Iowa and you may find yourself in a pickle you wish you hadn't gotten into with a poor lighting system.

Plus, as if that weren't bad enough, if the gravel the morning of the event's start is wet at all- it will be like thick, gooey peanut butter that will be getting sprayed up into everyone's faces with the exception of the leaders. Add in darkness, bad lights, and well......you could be in big trouble before ten miles go by. 

Finally, Lumen power output is one thing, but you can find lights that will throw a beam far up a road, or flood the road way without spending yourself into the poorhouse. Of course, if you can afford, or if you want, the best, it will get the job done with aces. I'll be revisiting this subject next week on Saturday, so stay tuned for more. In the meantime, add any questions you have in the comments section.

Trans Iowa V9: Thoughts On Lighting

Trans Iowa is an event that starts in the dark, and usually you will be riding at least a couple of hours in the darkness, maybe a bit longer than that if the cloud cover is thick. So a good lighting set up is a must for every starter.

Figure in that several riders will also see the nightfall on Saturday evening, and may possibly ride up to 10 hours in darkness, it doesn't take a genius to see that a really good set of lights just might be your friend out there. But what constitutes a "good set" of lights for something like Trans Iowa?

Well, here are some things to consider when you start putting together your lights for T.I.V9, (or any night based gravel grinder).

• Power: Unlike, say- a 24 hour mountain bike race- gravel roads do not demand high powered lights in terms of lumen output. If you can muster 120-150 Lumens from a system, you will be good for most gravel riding. * (More on this later.)
• Run Times: Obviously, your light run time is a critical figure that you need to consider. How you replenish battery power, (or if you want to avoid having to do that), becomes a major consideration here. 
• Light Placement/Type: Not only will you need a good light, you may want to consider three good lights. One to see by, one down low to reveal ripples, pot holes, etc, and one to aim at signs and read cues by. Of course, lets not forget that all important tail light. 
• Reflective Materials: It also is a wise thing to use reflective tape, Scotchbrite or similar clothing, and  small flashers to make sure you are seen by motorists, especially going through towns and cities.

  

  Night riders with lights and reflective bits.

*NOTE! Any lighting system you consider for use at Trans Iowa V9 should be able to show you objects far up the road, and preferably allow you to read the surface of the gravel well. This is imperative since you will be traveling at speeds of up to and exceeding 35mph many times going down gravel pitches in complete and utter darkness. I can not stress enough how important this is, since almost all of you will certainly not know these roads and speeding down gravel which may be loose and treacherous in the daylight is bad enough. Add in the darkness of rural Iowa and you may find yourself in a pickle you wish you hadn't gotten into with a poor lighting system.

Plus, as if that weren't bad enough, if the gravel the morning of the event's start is wet at all- it will be like thick, gooey peanut butter that will be getting sprayed up into everyone's faces with the exception of the leaders. Add in darkness, bad lights, and well......you could be in big trouble before ten miles go by. 

Finally, Lumen power output is one thing, but you can find lights that will throw a beam far up a road, or flood the road way without spending yourself into the poorhouse. Of course, if you can afford, or if you want, the best, it will get the job done with aces. I'll be revisiting this subject next week on Saturday, so stay tuned for more. In the meantime, add any questions you have in the comments section.

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!