Friday News And Views

Guitar Ted To Speak At The Iowa Bicycle Summit:

Recently I received a request to speak and give a presentation on gravel routes, how gravel events benefit communities, and more at the upcoming Iowa Bicycle Summit in Des Moines, Iowa January 25th.

It is an honor to have been asked to do this and I am excited to share what I know about the gravel scene with city planners, county officials, and city and county engineers.

This summit is on a Friday and precedes the Iowa Bicycle Expo the next day. I may stay overnight.....maybe not. It depends on how Friday late afternoon/evening goes. I speak between 1:45pm and 2;45pm, so I think I will plan on seeing some folks while I am down there. Weather could factor into things as well, so who knows at this point. I may not even get down there if we have some crazy storm.

Stay tuned.......

Just another example of another new event for 2019.

And The Hits Just Keep On Coming:

My "State Of The Gravel Scene" posts were talking about several things, but the last one, about events, is getting the most run. Lots and lots of views on that post.

It's no wonder too. I think that 2019 is going to be a banner year for first time events. Cracking the record, perhaps, from last year. It's crazy. I still find it hard to believe that so many new events are still being planned, produced, and happening. But as I said, the smaller communities are really grabbing a hold of the gravel cycling scene and they are not letting go.

Kansas, Nebraska, and Iowa seem to be the main instigators of late. No wonder- That's where most of these small towns and villages are that could use a boost and they have tons of gravel roads surrounding them. But certainly, there are more places doing gravel than just the Mid-West. Oddly enough, Florida is another hot spot for gravel. I think I've mentioned Mississippi, and their Gravel Cup Series, and that is a burgeoning scene. I expect to see more coming out of the Deep South in the years to come.

Texas is another hot spot for gravel. The Spinistry, a local to Dallas/Fort Worth club, is the big promoter down there. Those guys keep doing new stuff from time to time also. You may have heard about the SBT GRVL event, a first time event in Colorado which has been a big state for gravel events in the past as well. I'm sure I am missing many events, but the point is, there is still a LOT of expansion of events in the gravel scene, and there seems to be no plateau to it yet.

Wolf Tooth's new through axle offering.

 Wolf Tooth Debuts New Rear Through Axles:

Those guys and gals in Minneapolis are up to something again. This time it is through axles. Wolf Tooth is now offering 9 different lengths of rear through axles, all 12mm, in various thread pitches. What's more, because of their design, they have a cap, so they thought, "Hey! Why not anodize those?" So they have. Pretty rad.

The really cool thing is that they also are doing "Trainer Caps" which pop into each end of the through-bolt and allow you to stick your through axle bike on a trainer, or smart trainer. (Why? I don't know. Just ride outside! But yeah.....I get it. )

Anyway, these are available now, which is good, because a lot of you use trainers about right now. Now these are actually through-bolts. That means you need a tool to insert and remove them in a bicycle. In this case, a 6mm hex key does that job. Another cool feature is the stainless steel washer which will help you get the axle properly tightened and help to not mar your frame.

No front axles as of now, but you can guess why. First, rolling out front axles requires far more parts to be made since there are 12mm and 15mm through bolts with many different thread pitches, in 100mm, 110mm, and 150mm. Plus, you don't need a special doohickey on a front axle to use a trainer, and this is trainer season. So, makes sense to me why the rear axles are out with no front offerings. I bet fronts come later. But that's just me guessing. I don't know.

Harley-Davidson concept "e-bike". Image courtesy of Gear Junkie

 The Evolution Continues:

The Consumer Electronics Show, or "CES" for short, is going on now and quite a stir was caused when this "e-bike", so-called, was shown by Harley Davidson as a concept to attract future young customers. The concept appeared on-line on the "Gear Junkie" site here.

The article is also saying: "Harley designed these new electric bike concepts to attract a younger, more urban audience to the brand. The brand also designed them to be super easy to ride, with no clutch, no shifting, and no license required."

Now, a couple of points. First, on-line criticism from many in the bike community focused on the wording used, especially the use of the term "e-bike', saying that since "it doesn't have pedals, it cannot be an e-bike". I think the criticism is misplaced. The reason being is that what should be focused on, and changed by all of us in the cycling community, is how the vehicle is powered. Saying "e-bike" doesn't work anymore, and this is a perfect example.

When automobile manufacturers started combining different types of power in four wheeled vehicles the term used was "hybrid". This is the exact term we should adopt as cycling becomes "hybrid powered- or "human/electric" vehicles, if you will. What Harley is showing is, in fact, an "e-bike'. It is an electric powered ("e") motorbike (bike). They aren't wrong in the description. That's why the focus has to be on the power plant, be that a dual source, or "hybrid", or single source, as in the case with the Harley shown. Non-bike people don't know "e-bike" and it's "classes". That's geek talk and it flies right over most folks heads. Say "hybrid powered bicycle" though, and then we're getting some where with better understanding.

Harley also showed this electric scooter concept. Image courtesy of Gear Junkie.

Now the other point I wanted to bring up is that I have said all along that the so-called "e-bike" was a stepping stone toward an all electric powered motorcycle concept. Add scooters now to this idea I have. It is happening. Here is the proof.

I also have said that bigger companies- non-cycling companies, would get a hold of this idea and walk right past what cycling companies are doing with better performing, better looking products. Harley Davidson have done this. It's here. It is happening. Cycling companies spent far to long trying to keep "e-bikes" looking like bicycles, and now these more cutting edge designs are going to take over. Volkswagon, Ford, and GM, amongst others, are already making new designs to fit this demographic and category. I predict the "heyday" of bicycle companies in "e-bike" categories is coming to an end.

But, time will tell. Maybe I have a dim view of humanity, but in my experience, humans always take the easier way out, and not pedaling, versus pedaling, is the easier way. Pedals, as they did on gas powered, "hybrid" bicycles of the early 20th Century, will become like useless appendages and eventually disappear altogether. It's simply evolution.

That's all for this week. Have a great weekend and thanks for reading the blog!

Friday News And Views

Guitar Ted To Speak At The Iowa Bicycle Summit:

Recently I received a request to speak and give a presentation on gravel routes, how gravel events benefit communities, and more at the upcoming Iowa Bicycle Summit in Des Moines, Iowa January 25th.

It is an honor to have been asked to do this and I am excited to share what I know about the gravel scene with city planners, county officials, and city and county engineers.

This summit is on a Friday and precedes the Iowa Bicycle Expo the next day. I may stay overnight.....maybe not. It depends on how Friday late afternoon/evening goes. I speak between 1:45pm and 2;45pm, so I think I will plan on seeing some folks while I am down there. Weather could factor into things as well, so who knows at this point. I may not even get down there if we have some crazy storm.

Stay tuned.......

Just another example of another new event for 2019.

And The Hits Just Keep On Coming:

My "State Of The Gravel Scene" posts were talking about several things, but the last one, about events, is getting the most run. Lots and lots of views on that post.

It's no wonder too. I think that 2019 is going to be a banner year for first time events. Cracking the record, perhaps, from last year. It's crazy. I still find it hard to believe that so many new events are still being planned, produced, and happening. But as I said, the smaller communities are really grabbing a hold of the gravel cycling scene and they are not letting go.

Kansas, Nebraska, and Iowa seem to be the main instigators of late. No wonder- That's where most of these small towns and villages are that could use a boost and they have tons of gravel roads surrounding them. But certainly, there are more places doing gravel than just the Mid-West. Oddly enough, Florida is another hot spot for gravel. I think I've mentioned Mississippi, and their Gravel Cup Series, and that is a burgeoning scene. I expect to see more coming out of the Deep South in the years to come.

Texas is another hot spot for gravel. The Spinistry, a local to Dallas/Fort Worth club, is the big promoter down there. Those guys keep doing new stuff from time to time also. You may have heard about the SBT GRVL event, a first time event in Colorado which has been a big state for gravel events in the past as well. I'm sure I am missing many events, but the point is, there is still a LOT of expansion of events in the gravel scene, and there seems to be no plateau to it yet.

Wolf Tooth's new through axle offering.

 Wolf Tooth Debuts New Rear Through Axles:

Those guys and gals in Minneapolis are up to something again. This time it is through axles. Wolf Tooth is now offering 9 different lengths of rear through axles, all 12mm, in various thread pitches. What's more, because of their design, they have a cap, so they thought, "Hey! Why not anodize those?" So they have. Pretty rad.

The really cool thing is that they also are doing "Trainer Caps" which pop into each end of the through-bolt and allow you to stick your through axle bike on a trainer, or smart trainer. (Why? I don't know. Just ride outside! But yeah.....I get it. )

Anyway, these are available now, which is good, because a lot of you use trainers about right now. Now these are actually through-bolts. That means you need a tool to insert and remove them in a bicycle. In this case, a 6mm hex key does that job. Another cool feature is the stainless steel washer which will help you get the axle properly tightened and help to not mar your frame.

No front axles as of now, but you can guess why. First, rolling out front axles requires far more parts to be made since there are 12mm and 15mm through bolts with many different thread pitches, in 100mm, 110mm, and 150mm. Plus, you don't need a special doohickey on a front axle to use a trainer, and this is trainer season. So, makes sense to me why the rear axles are out with no front offerings. I bet fronts come later. But that's just me guessing. I don't know.

Harley-Davidson concept "e-bike". Image courtesy of Gear Junkie

 The Evolution Continues:

The Consumer Electronics Show, or "CES" for short, is going on now and quite a stir was caused when this "e-bike", so-called, was shown by Harley Davidson as a concept to attract future young customers. The concept appeared on-line on the "Gear Junkie" site here.

The article is also saying: "Harley designed these new electric bike concepts to attract a younger, more urban audience to the brand. The brand also designed them to be super easy to ride, with no clutch, no shifting, and no license required."

Now, a couple of points. First, on-line criticism from many in the bike community focused on the wording used, especially the use of the term "e-bike', saying that since "it doesn't have pedals, it cannot be an e-bike". I think the criticism is misplaced. The reason being is that what should be focused on, and changed by all of us in the cycling community, is how the vehicle is powered. Saying "e-bike" doesn't work anymore, and this is a perfect example.

When automobile manufacturers started combining different types of power in four wheeled vehicles the term used was "hybrid". This is the exact term we should adopt as cycling becomes "hybrid powered- or "human/electric" vehicles, if you will. What Harley is showing is, in fact, an "e-bike'. It is an electric powered ("e") motorbike (bike). They aren't wrong in the description. That's why the focus has to be on the power plant, be that a dual source, or "hybrid", or single source, as in the case with the Harley shown. Non-bike people don't know "e-bike" and it's "classes". That's geek talk and it flies right over most folks heads. Say "hybrid powered bicycle" though, and then we're getting some where with better understanding.

Harley also showed this electric scooter concept. Image courtesy of Gear Junkie.

Now the other point I wanted to bring up is that I have said all along that the so-called "e-bike" was a stepping stone toward an all electric powered motorcycle concept. Add scooters now to this idea I have. It is happening. Here is the proof.

I also have said that bigger companies- non-cycling companies, would get a hold of this idea and walk right past what cycling companies are doing with better performing, better looking products. Harley Davidson have done this. It's here. It is happening. Cycling companies spent far to long trying to keep "e-bikes" looking like bicycles, and now these more cutting edge designs are going to take over. Volkswagon, Ford, and GM, amongst others, are already making new designs to fit this demographic and category. I predict the "heyday" of bicycle companies in "e-bike" categories is coming to an end.

But, time will tell. Maybe I have a dim view of humanity, but in my experience, humans always take the easier way out, and not pedaling, versus pedaling, is the easier way. Pedals, as they did on gas powered, "hybrid" bicycles of the early 20th Century, will become like useless appendages and eventually disappear altogether. It's simply evolution.

That's all for this week. Have a great weekend and thanks for reading the blog!

Euro Snooze

More electronics are set to invade your "bicycle", if the Industry has its way.

Eurobike just happened, but did anyone notice? You may have seen a few oddball press releases and a couple of stories that looked mildly interesting, but for the most part, "traditional" cycling news was pretty scant. Want to know why?

Because Europe is mad for electronics in their bicycles. Specifically anything with two wheels and a motor masquerading as a bicycle is making huge inroads to the market share in places like Germany, where it is estimated that next year the e-bike sales will account for 65%-75% of the cycling marketplace. That should be about 700,000 plus units alone for 2018. For comparison, the latest statistics I could find for the US e-bike market claimed about 140,000-150,000 units were sold in 2016.

Traditional, "mechanical" cycling is on the ropes, so says the marketing and industry rags in Europe. The claim is that within the very near future all bicycles will be packed with ECU's running hundreds of codes which, if true, will radically alter cycling as we know it today.

Since the traditional cycling media isn't ready to chase electrified, ECU packed two wheeled vehicle news here, you are not going to see a lot of "news" coming from Eurobike. Not that there isn't anything in the realm of non-electrified news happening. It just isn't deemed the future anymore. To wit- a trade mag from Europe states that Germany's traditional bike market is down 8.5% for 2017, and the forecast is bleak going forward. FYI- Typically Germany is seen as the barometer of cycling for Europe, so keep that in mind.

They are going to have to work a mid drive motor into this logo for "The Future".

Interestingly, Eurobike's own page for the 2017 show has some tidbits which may point to the e-bike shedding is tyrannosaurus-like pedal appendages, which are increasingly looking like the useless short arms on the feared predator of ancient times.

Check out the following:

"The new EX1 components’ ace up the sleeve is their design that relies on one front chain ring and eight rear sprockets. The American components manufacturer uses the space that is saved by this design to invest in a broader chain and gears made of hardened tool steel that can better deal with the forces at work on an e-bike than conventional bike components can."

So, heavier components that can handle higher torque and power, eh? Okay, but there is more. Check out the following, which is a passage about a new e-bike rated suspension fork.

" The result is a suspension fork in an optically unconventional upside-down design that, with its especially robust construction, offers an alternative to the intrinsically higher weight of e-mountain bikes."

Knowing what we have learned over the years about "upside down fork" technology, it can easily be assumed that this new e-bike rated fork is not only "especially robust", but heavier than all get out. It has to be to deal with torsional forces generated by not just mountain biking, but the "intrinsically higher weight" of these electric motorcycles.

Finally, Continental, who are much bigger into automotive electronics than they are tires, has developed a combined motor and gearbox for the e-bike market. You know- like a motorcycle? Yes. Just like a motorcycle, because the efficiencies necessary for human powered movement are secondary to the design. 

I've been saying this all along, but what we are actually witnessing is the bicycle morphing in to a electrified personal transportation unit that will not be primarily human powered or have any means at all to be human powered. Basically this is the same progression of events witnessed in the early 20th Century with the internal combustion engine and bicycles. The result then was motorcycles, which then shed their useless pedals. Who would ever want to, or even could pedal, such heavy machines? So the pedals were shed. The same will happen again with electric motors. What we end up calling this machine doesn't matter, the point is, it is no longer a bicycle. 

And that is the real news out of Eurobike. 

Euro Snooze

More electronics are set to invade your "bicycle", if the Industry has its way.

Eurobike just happened, but did anyone notice? You may have seen a few oddball press releases and a couple of stories that looked mildly interesting, but for the most part, "traditional" cycling news was pretty scant. Want to know why?

Because Europe is mad for electronics in their bicycles. Specifically anything with two wheels and a motor masquerading as a bicycle is making huge inroads to the market share in places like Germany, where it is estimated that next year the e-bike sales will account for 65%-75% of the cycling marketplace. That should be about 700,000 plus units alone for 2018. For comparison, the latest statistics I could find for the US e-bike market claimed about 140,000-150,000 units were sold in 2016.

Traditional, "mechanical" cycling is on the ropes, so says the marketing and industry rags in Europe. The claim is that within the very near future all bicycles will be packed with ECU's running hundreds of codes which, if true, will radically alter cycling as we know it today.

Since the traditional cycling media isn't ready to chase electrified, ECU packed two wheeled vehicle news here, you are not going to see a lot of "news" coming from Eurobike. Not that there isn't anything in the realm of non-electrified news happening. It just isn't deemed the future anymore. To wit- a trade mag from Europe states that Germany's traditional bike market is down 8.5% for 2017, and the forecast is bleak going forward. FYI- Typically Germany is seen as the barometer of cycling for Europe, so keep that in mind.

They are going to have to work a mid drive motor into this logo for "The Future".

Interestingly, Eurobike's own page for the 2017 show has some tidbits which may point to the e-bike shedding is tyrannosaurus-like pedal appendages, which are increasingly looking like the useless short arms on the feared predator of ancient times.

Check out the following:

"The new EX1 components’ ace up the sleeve is their design that relies on one front chain ring and eight rear sprockets. The American components manufacturer uses the space that is saved by this design to invest in a broader chain and gears made of hardened tool steel that can better deal with the forces at work on an e-bike than conventional bike components can."

So, heavier components that can handle higher torque and power, eh? Okay, but there is more. Check out the following, which is a passage about a new e-bike rated suspension fork.

" The result is a suspension fork in an optically unconventional upside-down design that, with its especially robust construction, offers an alternative to the intrinsically higher weight of e-mountain bikes."

Knowing what we have learned over the years about "upside down fork" technology, it can easily be assumed that this new e-bike rated fork is not only "especially robust", but heavier than all get out. It has to be to deal with torsional forces generated by not just mountain biking, but the "intrinsically higher weight" of these electric motorcycles.

Finally, Continental, who are much bigger into automotive electronics than they are tires, has developed a combined motor and gearbox for the e-bike market. You know- like a motorcycle? Yes. Just like a motorcycle, because the efficiencies necessary for human powered movement are secondary to the design. 

I've been saying this all along, but what we are actually witnessing is the bicycle morphing in to a electrified personal transportation unit that will not be primarily human powered or have any means at all to be human powered. Basically this is the same progression of events witnessed in the early 20th Century with the internal combustion engine and bicycles. The result then was motorcycles, which then shed their useless pedals. Who would ever want to, or even could pedal, such heavy machines? So the pedals were shed. The same will happen again with electric motors. What we end up calling this machine doesn't matter, the point is, it is no longer a bicycle. 

And that is the real news out of Eurobike. 

Friday News And Views

Don't say "Clement" anymore. The brand change takes effect immediately.

Donnelly Sports Launches Donnelly Cycling- Stops Licensing For Clement Brand:

One of the first gravel specific tires that came out in March of 2012 was the Clement MSO 40mm tire. Along with that model was the release of the 35mm USH, also a great tire on gravel. It set the stage for what has become a hot niche in the cycling world.

Five years down the road, nearly every tire and bicycle manufacturer is pumping out some sort of "adventure/gravel/all roads" product. A lot of that is due to the foresight and passion of Donn Kellog, the head of Donnelly Cycling. He researched the market potential, he spoke with riders that were engaged in gravel riding, and Donn made tires for gravel happen a long time before many companies did.

I've met the man and he is one of the most driven, passionate people I know in the world of cycling. I don't doubt that Donnelly Cycling will become a well known name in the circles of cyclo cross tires and gravel tire users. In fact, Donn owns the designs for such tires as the PDX and MSO, among  others, along with a wheel system which will carry over to the new Donnelly brand.

The reason for the change is due to the licensee, Pirelli Tires, who now have decided to enter the cycling market with tires and more, effectively becoming a competitor to Clement. Read more about this by clicking the link to the "Bicycle Retailer and Industry News" story concerning this.

Pivot's new ten grand retail e-mtb - Now only planned to be sold in Europe.

Eurobike '17: The Hot E-MTB Market Gets Crowded:

If you read all the trade rags and pay attention to marketing you already know that e-mtb bikes- motorized off-road vehicles that just happen to have pedals- are the hottest selling product in bicycle shops across the Continent. Some claim that between 50% and 75% of all bicycles sold will be electric motor equipped vehicles that happen to have pedals within the next few years.

Interestingly, there are several things bubbling underneath the attention grabbing headlines which I find curious. For instance, there is a debate about standards for these motorized bikes in terms of helmets. In the Netherlands, they have already passed legislation for helmets to be used by these electric powered bike riders and they will have to use what amounts to moped rated helmets. Other countries are still debating this.

Component manufacturers are already offering heavy duty, down hill racing rated brakes for the electric powered mountain bikes. The high weight of these machines requires a more powerful braking system. Most e-mtb's weigh in excess of 50lbs. Add in the weight of an average rider, who may be carrying an extra battery to extend his range, and the weight gets up there pretty quickly.  I look for even more electric motor bike specific brakes, tires, and suspension systems to be introduced which will handle the mass generated by adding the battery and motor to these two wheeled  off road machines. Yes.....that will make them even heavier. But to keep weight in check, you have to go to the extremes that Pivot Bikes has and that bike still weighs in at 45lbs. It is claimed to be the lightest in its category.

I also found the following curious. In a story in "Bicycle Retailer and Industry News" recently, the largest seller of electric powered bicycles in the US, Pedego, was said to be selling bikes which can be throttle or pedal assist. This runs counter to what many are saying when they claim that "e-bikes are okay because they are pedal assist only and there are laws regulating the power they can have". Well, that isn't true, not 100%. People are using throttle controlled electric motorcycles with pedals now and they are modifying them for higher outputs. I know because it is happening right here where I live. It isn't going to stop either, just because there are "laws" against it. First off, how will the laws be enforced if these vehicles are not registered and insured? Furthermore; there is evidence from the off road side pointing to a similar end game.

In the interview regarding the Pivot Shuttle with Pivot head honch, Chris Cocalis, on "Pink Bike.com", Cocalis is asked about higher powered, "closed course only" electric powered off road bikes and how Pivot will place itself in the future regarding these bikes. He is quoted as saying, "There are companies that seem to have already entered into a bit of a horsepower race and there are companies working hard on e-motocross bikes."

Boom.

Terrene Tires new Cake Eater fat bike tire

Terrene Tires Debuts A New Fat Bike Tire:

I've said before that product names are getting weirder because so many names are copyrighted and registered trade marks that almost nothing that makes sense is available to name a product these days. Case in point, the new tire from Terrene called "Cake Eater". Maybe it comes from the phrase "You can't have your cake and eat it too", but if so, that's kind of a stretch. Anyway........

I like what Terrene has done here and I think this might be a candidate for my "commute by fat bike" rig. Stud pockets and major siping with a fast rolling tread design make this look far better than the Wazia which I strongly considered last season for the same idea.

I'm not in a huge rush to get a studded fat bike tire because the only reason I'd need that is for Winter road riding. Icy streets on the way to work would be a reason and possibly country riding as well. Studded fat bike tires are either poor rolling beasts or cost an arm and a leg, or both. This tire, with the ability to set the studs on the outer edges while having the siped center knobs is looking like a design I could get on with. Pump it up for faster rolling and let the air out to engage the studs. Plus it is reasonably priced, comes in several versions, and should be available this Fall.

Okay, that's a wrap. Have an awesome Labor Day Weekend!

Friday News And Views

Don't say "Clement" anymore. The brand change takes effect immediately.

Donnelly Sports Launches Donnelly Cycling- Stops Licensing For Clement Brand:

One of the first gravel specific tires that came out in March of 2012 was the Clement MSO 40mm tire. Along with that model was the release of the 35mm USH, also a great tire on gravel. It set the stage for what has become a hot niche in the cycling world.

Five years down the road, nearly every tire and bicycle manufacturer is pumping out some sort of "adventure/gravel/all roads" product. A lot of that is due to the foresight and passion of Donn Kellog, the head of Donnelly Cycling. He researched the market potential, he spoke with riders that were engaged in gravel riding, and Donn made tires for gravel happen a long time before many companies did.

I've met the man and he is one of the most driven, passionate people I know in the world of cycling. I don't doubt that Donnelly Cycling will become a well known name in the circles of cyclo cross tires and gravel tire users. In fact, Donn owns the designs for such tires as the PDX and MSO, among  others, along with a wheel system which will carry over to the new Donnelly brand.

The reason for the change is due to the licensee, Pirelli Tires, who now have decided to enter the cycling market with tires and more, effectively becoming a competitor to Clement. Read more about this by clicking the link to the "Bicycle Retailer and Industry News" story concerning this.

Pivot's new ten grand retail e-mtb - Now only planned to be sold in Europe.

Eurobike '17: The Hot E-MTB Market Gets Crowded:

If you read all the trade rags and pay attention to marketing you already know that e-mtb bikes- motorized off-road vehicles that just happen to have pedals- are the hottest selling product in bicycle shops across the Continent. Some claim that between 50% and 75% of all bicycles sold will be electric motor equipped vehicles that happen to have pedals within the next few years.

Interestingly, there are several things bubbling underneath the attention grabbing headlines which I find curious. For instance, there is a debate about standards for these motorized bikes in terms of helmets. In the Netherlands, they have already passed legislation for helmets to be used by these electric powered bike riders and they will have to use what amounts to moped rated helmets. Other countries are still debating this.

Component manufacturers are already offering heavy duty, down hill racing rated brakes for the electric powered mountain bikes. The high weight of these machines requires a more powerful braking system. Most e-mtb's weigh in excess of 50lbs. Add in the weight of an average rider, who may be carrying an extra battery to extend his range, and the weight gets up there pretty quickly.  I look for even more electric motor bike specific brakes, tires, and suspension systems to be introduced which will handle the mass generated by adding the battery and motor to these two wheeled  off road machines. Yes.....that will make them even heavier. But to keep weight in check, you have to go to the extremes that Pivot Bikes has and that bike still weighs in at 45lbs. It is claimed to be the lightest in its category.

I also found the following curious. In a story in "Bicycle Retailer and Industry News" recently, the largest seller of electric powered bicycles in the US, Pedego, was said to be selling bikes which can be throttle or pedal assist. This runs counter to what many are saying when they claim that "e-bikes are okay because they are pedal assist only and there are laws regulating the power they can have". Well, that isn't true, not 100%. People are using throttle controlled electric motorcycles with pedals now and they are modifying them for higher outputs. I know because it is happening right here where I live. It isn't going to stop either, just because there are "laws" against it. First off, how will the laws be enforced if these vehicles are not registered and insured? Furthermore; there is evidence from the off road side pointing to a similar end game.

In the interview regarding the Pivot Shuttle with Pivot head honch, Chris Cocalis, on "Pink Bike.com", Cocalis is asked about higher powered, "closed course only" electric powered off road bikes and how Pivot will place itself in the future regarding these bikes. He is quoted as saying, "There are companies that seem to have already entered into a bit of a horsepower race and there are companies working hard on e-motocross bikes."

Boom.

Terrene Tires new Cake Eater fat bike tire

Terrene Tires Debuts A New Fat Bike Tire:

I've said before that product names are getting weirder because so many names are copyrighted and registered trade marks that almost nothing that makes sense is available to name a product these days. Case in point, the new tire from Terrene called "Cake Eater". Maybe it comes from the phrase "You can't have your cake and eat it too", but if so, that's kind of a stretch. Anyway........

I like what Terrene has done here and I think this might be a candidate for my "commute by fat bike" rig. Stud pockets and major siping with a fast rolling tread design make this look far better than the Wazia which I strongly considered last season for the same idea.

I'm not in a huge rush to get a studded fat bike tire because the only reason I'd need that is for Winter road riding. Icy streets on the way to work would be a reason and possibly country riding as well. Studded fat bike tires are either poor rolling beasts or cost an arm and a leg, or both. This tire, with the ability to set the studs on the outer edges while having the siped center knobs is looking like a design I could get on with. Pump it up for faster rolling and let the air out to engage the studs. Plus it is reasonably priced, comes in several versions, and should be available this Fall.

Okay, that's a wrap. Have an awesome Labor Day Weekend!

Giving "Training With Power" New Meaning

Rendering of a motor bike with a seat tube mounted motor.

Unless you were living under a rock over the weekend, you probably got wind of the "mechanical doping" incident at the Cyclo Cross World Championships. If you want details, see this article on grit.cx's site.

The offense has been confirmed by the UCI, so now this goes from fantasy land stuff to reality, and much like other forms of doping, (technical infractions, if you go by the UCI's terminology), one has to wonder, is this the first time it has happened? 

Uggh....... I don't want to be the one that speculates on that, but this device was found on a bike belonging to an under 23 class rider, and you have to think that some Pro level riders have at least tested this stuff if it has been found in the lower ranks. Anyway....... Consider the following Tweet fron Velo News editor, Caley Fretz:

Caley Fretz ‏@CaleyFretz 23m23 minutes ago

"Last May, Greg LeMond told me it was only a matter of time before we found a motor. He said it with a conviction I should have recognized."

There are a lot of interesting comments about this from the innergoogles, and two of the most prominent ones are, "I wonder how powerful this would be?", and also, "This would make a great e-bike!". I have some thoughts on each of these comments, which, you probably are not too surprised by!

First off, something like this must not be an obvious advantage, or it would be a dead giveaway to something being "not right". So using that criteria, you could argue that the motor assist is not all that powerful. I've seen 100-ish watts as a figure given, and that makes sense. Thinking about how little separates the fast racers from each other, it wouldn't take much of a boost to get a break on the pack, or leaders. Having the boost/motor be controllable, as far as when you get that boost, would also make things a bit more believable. You can see the logic in that by thinking about how it would appear if the boost was used only on a climb, to gain a bit of separation.

You also have to figure that battery life is pretty limited, since it has to be small enough to be concealed and so it won't add a lot of weight. Again, that would lead me to believe that there would be some way to trigger the boost to occur only when you really need it. The rest of the time you might have a minimal output, only enough to overcome internal efficiency losses as you pedal under your own power, but not enough power to give you an advantage.

The second comment is mostly answered above. No- this would make a terrible e-bike. At least in this form factor. Think about how minimal the power and range of this would be. That ought to be enough right there to put this idea in the dust bin. But then you can compare it to contemporary e-bikes, (motorcycles), and you can see how this idea really isn't anything to crow about in a practical sense.

In the end, it becomes another "black eye" in the world of cycling. I'd be fine if we never hear or see of this stuff again in the future.

Giving "Training With Power" New Meaning

Rendering of a motor bike with a seat tube mounted motor.

Unless you were living under a rock over the weekend, you probably got wind of the "mechanical doping" incident at the Cyclo Cross World Championships. If you want details, see this article on grit.cx's site.

The offense has been confirmed by the UCI, so now this goes from fantasy land stuff to reality, and much like other forms of doping, (technical infractions, if you go by the UCI's terminology), one has to wonder, is this the first time it has happened? 

Uggh....... I don't want to be the one that speculates on that, but this device was found on a bike belonging to an under 23 class rider, and you have to think that some Pro level riders have at least tested this stuff if it has been found in the lower ranks. Anyway....... Consider the following Tweet fron Velo News editor, Caley Fretz:

Caley Fretz ‏@CaleyFretz 23m23 minutes ago

"Last May, Greg LeMond told me it was only a matter of time before we found a motor. He said it with a conviction I should have recognized."

There are a lot of interesting comments about this from the innergoogles, and two of the most prominent ones are, "I wonder how powerful this would be?", and also, "This would make a great e-bike!". I have some thoughts on each of these comments, which, you probably are not too surprised by!

First off, something like this must not be an obvious advantage, or it would be a dead giveaway to something being "not right". So using that criteria, you could argue that the motor assist is not all that powerful. I've seen 100-ish watts as a figure given, and that makes sense. Thinking about how little separates the fast racers from each other, it wouldn't take much of a boost to get a break on the pack, or leaders. Having the boost/motor be controllable, as far as when you get that boost, would also make things a bit more believable. You can see the logic in that by thinking about how it would appear if the boost was used only on a climb, to gain a bit of separation.

You also have to figure that battery life is pretty limited, since it has to be small enough to be concealed and so it won't add a lot of weight. Again, that would lead me to believe that there would be some way to trigger the boost to occur only when you really need it. The rest of the time you might have a minimal output, only enough to overcome internal efficiency losses as you pedal under your own power, but not enough power to give you an advantage.

The second comment is mostly answered above. No- this would make a terrible e-bike. At least in this form factor. Think about how minimal the power and range of this would be. That ought to be enough right there to put this idea in the dust bin. But then you can compare it to contemporary e-bikes, (motorcycles), and you can see how this idea really isn't anything to crow about in a practical sense.

In the end, it becomes another "black eye" in the world of cycling. I'd be fine if we never hear or see of this stuff again in the future.

Friday News And Views

It's Friday already? Yep! And here is the weekly post of ramblings sprinkled with some newsy bits.

Carbon rims that aren't super expensive.

Interbike is coming next week, and I am not going. That will be the first time I haven't gone in......eight years? I think that's right. Well, more about that later, but here's a few ideas and trends I see being bandied about that will make up the bulk of Interbike news coming soon.

Carbon Rims That Are Less Expensive:

This has been a trend over the last couple of years with companies like Derby, and others who are importing Asian made carbon rims, (and other components), that are bringing pricing down from the stratospheric levels carbon rims started out at.

Now I don't know if these are on the same level as, say an Enve carbon rim, but I've heard stories saying one thing and then another about these imported rims. Let's just say the quality level seems to be all over the map right now. The point is that these components coming out of Asia, either directly or through an importing brand, are driving prices down below the $400.00 a piece range. That's still plenty expensive, but when you figure that many carbon rims were 600-800 bucks a pop not long ago, this is an improvement. Anyway.....expect more of the same coming soon. 

Fat bike this-fat bike that!

 Moar Fat:

Eurobike was a bit of a surprise because of the plethora of fat bikes introduced over there. Now that I've seen this, a lot of these tire introductions make a heck of a lot more sense.

I suspect that Interbike will see some of the same thing. Cannondale's Lefty equipped fat bike might get shown there, and probably a few other fat bike surprises as well. One thing is for certain- fat bikes are a thing and this year will probably be the zenith for new introductions. I just don't see anything but maybe more carbon framed rigs and maybe some technical refinements in rims and tires down the road. A couple more suspension forks? Perhaps. Obviously, a proper fat bike compatible Lefty from the source is coming.

Bad Motor Scooter

E-Bikes: (Motorcycles)

Eurobike was also rife with every sort of electric motored two wheeled contraption you could think of. Guess what? The industry has decided that this is "the next big thing" and is going to jam the airwaves with bad motorcycles for the foreseeable future.

In advance of this onslaught, many concerns have been raised by off roading advocates and lovers of wilderness as to the effects these motorized vehicles might have. On the other hand, manufacturers are quick to point out that these motorcycles don't roost and are only "assisting" the riders on them.

My Take: Most of all, these things need to be called what they truly are- motorcycles. The so called "e-bike" industry would have you forget that term and would rather have you believe that these motorcycles will assist people and make them "real cyclists" someday. This is seriously flawed thinking on so many levels.

But no matter- these things are coming and we'll have to deal with the messy aftermath. Bike paths in municipalities will have to make judgments on what is and isn't acceptable. Trail managers, land owners, and stewards of the outdoors will have to make a line in the sand somewhere on these vehicles worthiness as recreational vehicles.

One thing is for sure, this will fundamentally change mountain biking access and bike trail access in the future. My opinion is that these motorcycles don't belong mixed in with human powered recreational activities that include running, hiking, walking, and cycling. These have mostly been separated activities and should remain so going forward.

Not to mention that if you think these things won't get modified, you're delusional. These things will roost, will go faster than they should, and will cause havoc in the hands of tinkerers. It's human nature, and these vehicles are not going to be regulated by laws, that even if they did exist, would be darn near impossible to enforce. At least within the current infrastructure we employ now.

Okay, have a great weekend folks! Ride those bicycles!!

Friday News And Views

It's Friday already? Yep! And here is the weekly post of ramblings sprinkled with some newsy bits.

Carbon rims that aren't super expensive.

Interbike is coming next week, and I am not going. That will be the first time I haven't gone in......eight years? I think that's right. Well, more about that later, but here's a few ideas and trends I see being bandied about that will make up the bulk of Interbike news coming soon.

Carbon Rims That Are Less Expensive:

This has been a trend over the last couple of years with companies like Derby, and others who are importing Asian made carbon rims, (and other components), that are bringing pricing down from the stratospheric levels carbon rims started out at.

Now I don't know if these are on the same level as, say an Enve carbon rim, but I've heard stories saying one thing and then another about these imported rims. Let's just say the quality level seems to be all over the map right now. The point is that these components coming out of Asia, either directly or through an importing brand, are driving prices down below the $400.00 a piece range. That's still plenty expensive, but when you figure that many carbon rims were 600-800 bucks a pop not long ago, this is an improvement. Anyway.....expect more of the same coming soon. 

Fat bike this-fat bike that!

 Moar Fat:

Eurobike was a bit of a surprise because of the plethora of fat bikes introduced over there. Now that I've seen this, a lot of these tire introductions make a heck of a lot more sense.

I suspect that Interbike will see some of the same thing. Cannondale's Lefty equipped fat bike might get shown there, and probably a few other fat bike surprises as well. One thing is for certain- fat bikes are a thing and this year will probably be the zenith for new introductions. I just don't see anything but maybe more carbon framed rigs and maybe some technical refinements in rims and tires down the road. A couple more suspension forks? Perhaps. Obviously, a proper fat bike compatible Lefty from the source is coming.

Bad Motor Scooter

E-Bikes: (Motorcycles)

Eurobike was also rife with every sort of electric motored two wheeled contraption you could think of. Guess what? The industry has decided that this is "the next big thing" and is going to jam the airwaves with bad motorcycles for the foreseeable future.

In advance of this onslaught, many concerns have been raised by off roading advocates and lovers of wilderness as to the effects these motorized vehicles might have. On the other hand, manufacturers are quick to point out that these motorcycles don't roost and are only "assisting" the riders on them.

My Take: Most of all, these things need to be called what they truly are- motorcycles. The so called "e-bike" industry would have you forget that term and would rather have you believe that these motorcycles will assist people and make them "real cyclists" someday. This is seriously flawed thinking on so many levels.

But no matter- these things are coming and we'll have to deal with the messy aftermath. Bike paths in municipalities will have to make judgments on what is and isn't acceptable. Trail managers, land owners, and stewards of the outdoors will have to make a line in the sand somewhere on these vehicles worthiness as recreational vehicles.

One thing is for sure, this will fundamentally change mountain biking access and bike trail access in the future. My opinion is that these motorcycles don't belong mixed in with human powered recreational activities that include running, hiking, walking, and cycling. These have mostly been separated activities and should remain so going forward.

Not to mention that if you think these things won't get modified, you're delusional. These things will roost, will go faster than they should, and will cause havoc in the hands of tinkerers. It's human nature, and these vehicles are not going to be regulated by laws, that even if they did exist, would be darn near impossible to enforce. At least within the current infrastructure we employ now.

Okay, have a great weekend folks! Ride those bicycles!!

Friday News And Views

Check it out! A Motorcycle!

Just Because It Has Pedals....

I know, I know....I go over this again and again here on this blog, but it truly bears repeating: Electric-assist, "e-bikes", electric bikes, or by whatever name you call them, these are really primitive motorcycles.

Motor + Bicycle = Motor-cycle. 

Why is this so hard for people to grasp? I don't know. The whole marketing schtick behind these vehicles with electric motors is that somehow, some way, they are bicycles. I completely reject this idea as being wrong. Bicycles are a human powered machine. (Note: No mention of any "assistance" or motors.)  In fact, I would go as far to say that the electric motor equipped, two wheeled vehicles being foisted upon the public are really just poor excuses for motorcycles and a throwback to turn of the century motorcycles circa 1900. 

Hey Look! A Gas Assisted Bicycle!

 That's right. A bad motorcycle. Check out what the earliest Harley Davidson motorcycle was all about back in 1903. It was mostly based upon bicycle technology, but everyone understood it wasn't a bicycle. Why? Because bicycles are and always have been completely human powered vehicles.

So why on earth would anyone want a motorcycle with a top speed of 20mph that is heavy and cumbersome when we've advanced from that point for over 100 years? Here's why it is a "thing" at all in 2014......

The subversive/rebellious angle is certainly one reason. I've said it before here: Folks that are into this like the fact you don't have to license these, get a license to operate them, and that you can go where other motorized vehicles cannot go. They masquerade as "bicycles" when really, they are anything but a bicycle. I would say they are the antithesis of bicycles on many levels, but that's another post for another day.

The other angle is the "green transportation" thing. Look, even bicycles are not "green". Look at anything they are made from and how those components are made, and you'll have to agree, bicycles are not "green". What is "green" is how they are powered. Add an electric, (or heck, a gas motor), to it, and you've sullied even that part of the "green" equation. So, yeah......

The original Women's MTB skills clinic

Women's Skills Clinics:

Maybe if you give a rip about  history in the bicycle realm, you know that Jacquie Phelan used to do a women's mountain bike skills.......club? Organization? Seminars? Well, she did this "thing" that was supposed to help women out in a male dominated sport to become skilled in off road bicycling. And she did just that for many, it seems. She was the first, to my knowledge, and possibly ahead of her time. Well.....she was ahead of her time. Truly a pioneer there.

I point this out because I got a press release just yesterday about another mountain biking woman doing a set of seminars on skills for women off roaders. Her name is Leigh Donovan, and she pretty much kicked butt going fast on anything pointed downhill. Jacquie kicked butt too, by the way, but she did it more on the XC courses. Anywho.....

Leigh Donovan's venture is called "I Choose Bikes" and she aims to encourage and teach women cyclists in an off road setting. Here's a bit from her site:

 "With more and more bike parks opening around the world, the timing is perfect to start this business. Leigh (along with other extraordinary coaches) will teach women riders how to do it safely and give them the tools they will need to be more confident when riding the trails."

If you are in SoCal, her first big three day deal will be at Mammoth Mountain July 23-26, 2014. So there ya go. Leigh is following in the trail cut by Jacquie, and hopefully this is a successful deal going forward. 

The Never-ending Winter Continues

A Bad Word Or Two About The Weather:

You know, they say that "if you don't like the weather in Iowa, wait five minutes". I feel this needs to be amended to "if you don't like the weather in Iowa, wait five months!"

Okay, it hasn't been frigid for five months, really, but it has been frigid for a longer time than I can remember in recent years.  Maybe since I was a kid. It's been getting to the point now where folks are seriously being affected in a negative way around here.

I knew it was jacked up when I was reading about the Iditarod Trail Invitational and they were complaining of rain and temperatures in the 40's above zero! That's in interior Alaska folks. That's not right! It's been too warm in Alaska all Winter too.

Well, it is what it is, and I've got to get out and start doing stuff regardless. So do a lot of folks getting ready for events like Trans Iowa, the Almanzo events, and others coming up this Spring. Maybe I'll have to start running.....

Well, that's a warp for this week. I hope you all can get out and do something this weekend. Keep the rubber side down!

Friday News And Views

Check it out! A Motorcycle!

Just Because It Has Pedals....

I know, I know....I go over this again and again here on this blog, but it truly bears repeating: Electric-assist, "e-bikes", electric bikes, or by whatever name you call them, these are really primitive motorcycles.

Motor + Bicycle = Motor-cycle. 

Why is this so hard for people to grasp? I don't know. The whole marketing schtick behind these vehicles with electric motors is that somehow, some way, they are bicycles. I completely reject this idea as being wrong. Bicycles are a human powered machine. (Note: No mention of any "assistance" or motors.)  In fact, I would go as far to say that the electric motor equipped, two wheeled vehicles being foisted upon the public are really just poor excuses for motorcycles and a throwback to turn of the century motorcycles circa 1900. 

Hey Look! A Gas Assisted Bicycle!

 That's right. A bad motorcycle. Check out what the earliest Harley Davidson motorcycle was all about back in 1903. It was mostly based upon bicycle technology, but everyone understood it wasn't a bicycle. Why? Because bicycles are and always have been completely human powered vehicles.

So why on earth would anyone want a motorcycle with a top speed of 20mph that is heavy and cumbersome when we've advanced from that point for over 100 years? Here's why it is a "thing" at all in 2014......

The subversive/rebellious angle is certainly one reason. I've said it before here: Folks that are into this like the fact you don't have to license these, get a license to operate them, and that you can go where other motorized vehicles cannot go. They masquerade as "bicycles" when really, they are anything but a bicycle. I would say they are the antithesis of bicycles on many levels, but that's another post for another day.

The other angle is the "green transportation" thing. Look, even bicycles are not "green". Look at anything they are made from and how those components are made, and you'll have to agree, bicycles are not "green". What is "green" is how they are powered. Add an electric, (or heck, a gas motor), to it, and you've sullied even that part of the "green" equation. So, yeah......

The original Women's MTB skills clinic

Women's Skills Clinics:

Maybe if you give a rip about  history in the bicycle realm, you know that Jacquie Phelan used to do a women's mountain bike skills.......club? Organization? Seminars? Well, she did this "thing" that was supposed to help women out in a male dominated sport to become skilled in off road bicycling. And she did just that for many, it seems. She was the first, to my knowledge, and possibly ahead of her time. Well.....she was ahead of her time. Truly a pioneer there.

I point this out because I got a press release just yesterday about another mountain biking woman doing a set of seminars on skills for women off roaders. Her name is Leigh Donovan, and she pretty much kicked butt going fast on anything pointed downhill. Jacquie kicked butt too, by the way, but she did it more on the XC courses. Anywho.....

Leigh Donovan's venture is called "I Choose Bikes" and she aims to encourage and teach women cyclists in an off road setting. Here's a bit from her site:

 "With more and more bike parks opening around the world, the timing is perfect to start this business. Leigh (along with other extraordinary coaches) will teach women riders how to do it safely and give them the tools they will need to be more confident when riding the trails."

If you are in SoCal, her first big three day deal will be at Mammoth Mountain July 23-26, 2014. So there ya go. Leigh is following in the trail cut by Jacquie, and hopefully this is a successful deal going forward. 

The Never-ending Winter Continues

A Bad Word Or Two About The Weather:

You know, they say that "if you don't like the weather in Iowa, wait five minutes". I feel this needs to be amended to "if you don't like the weather in Iowa, wait five months!"

Okay, it hasn't been frigid for five months, really, but it has been frigid for a longer time than I can remember in recent years.  Maybe since I was a kid. It's been getting to the point now where folks are seriously being affected in a negative way around here.

I knew it was jacked up when I was reading about the Iditarod Trail Invitational and they were complaining of rain and temperatures in the 40's above zero! That's in interior Alaska folks. That's not right! It's been too warm in Alaska all Winter too.

Well, it is what it is, and I've got to get out and start doing stuff regardless. So do a lot of folks getting ready for events like Trans Iowa, the Almanzo events, and others coming up this Spring. Maybe I'll have to start running.....

Well, that's a warp for this week. I hope you all can get out and do something this weekend. Keep the rubber side down!

More Withering- Now With Added Wind & Dust!

Respect

I have to tell you, I have no idea why anyone would want to go out to Bootleg Canyon this time of the year to ride bicycles. Absolutely brutal sun, wind, and dust. It is as if Interbike is making you pay penance for riding rad bikes by making you do it in Vulcan's  blast furnace of solar fire and dust.

And if you manage to be one of those folks that is content to be a wandering observer, you still get the joy of having the moisture sucked from within you by the hot winds which were emanating from a fan set on "high" position located in the desert somewhere. At least, that's my take on it.

Then there are some cool things, of course. The "Ride To Recovery" happened that morning. Seeing some of the machines that were being ridden made me pause and remember that I am a very blessed man and have nothing to complain about. Humbling. Very humbling.

Motor + Bicycle = Motorcycle.

One thing I find baffling about the bicycle industry is the so called "e-bike". The name refers to electric motor equipped two wheeled vehicles that happen to have cranks and pedals emanating from them. The very name is meant to cleverly direct your thoughts towards "technology", and a certain computer company in regards to product appeal.

Somewhere along the line we have forgotten history, once again, and we are paying the price. Look- here's the deal: Back in the early 20th Century some fellas got the hankerin' to put an internal combustion type motor on a bicycle. It was deemed cool. These new contraptions were dubbed "motorcycles" because they took a "motor" and added it to a "bicycle" and the name "motorcycle" was born. It makes perfect sense, no?

So why is there a disconnect these days when some folks get the hankerin' to add an electric motor to a bicycle? It's a motorcycle plain and simple. Remember- motor + bicycle = motorcycle. Every time. Period.

I was reminded how this disconnect is not good. In fact, it is dangerous and likely to cause some major friction, (at the least), and trail closures in a worst case scenario. I was climbing the fire road back into Bootleg Canyon today when a guy went around me going up at at least 20mph on one of these new fangled motorcycles. Not a big deal? Well, my friend was walking up hill, made a slight wobble to one side, and nearly was knocked into by a fellow going uphill as fast as the guy I saw was going. People are already up in arms about trail users going downhill fast, what do you suppose they might think about folks on "e-bikes" going uphill as fast? Do you think they will disbar motorcycles, or all bicycles instead? 

Well, it looks as if we're going to find out, if these electric motor equipped motor cycles start getting popular off road.

Going to head to the Mandaly today for the indoor portion of Interbike. Stay tuned......