Velocity "Blunt" Rims For 29"ers!

Here are the new Velocity "Blunt" rims built up onto XT disc hubs and laced with DT Swiss spokes that I was sent by Velocity to test and review for Twenty Nine Inches.

Pretty "racey" looking wheelset!









The rims were laced by Velocity. They do sell some complete wheel builds for several different road or mountain bike applications. Each build is signed and numbered by the builder.











Outer rim dimension is listed as 28". I'd say that's pretty close to right on there!

The inner cavity measurement. That's wider than the Velocity Deep V outer measurement!

I'm not much of a tubeless maven, but that rim cavity doesn't look too tubeless friendly too me.



I'll be mounting these up and test riding them soon. Look for an update soon!

Velocity "Blunt" Rims For 29"ers!

Here are the new Velocity "Blunt" rims built up onto XT disc hubs and laced with DT Swiss spokes that I was sent by Velocity to test and review for Twenty Nine Inches.

Pretty "racey" looking wheelset!









The rims were laced by Velocity. They do sell some complete wheel builds for several different road or mountain bike applications. Each build is signed and numbered by the builder.











Outer rim dimension is listed as 28". I'd say that's pretty close to right on there!

The inner cavity measurement. That's wider than the Velocity Deep V outer measurement!

I'm not much of a tubeless maven, but that rim cavity doesn't look too tubeless friendly too me.



I'll be mounting these up and test riding them soon. Look for an update soon!

Friday News and Veiws

I just recieved another cool wheel set for testing............but I can't say anything yet! Part of the way things will be this year. I have to wait for the company to send me a couple product details and then I can post the story on Twenty Nine Inches first. That site is going to take priority on the 29 inch news more and more this year. I'll still be posting 29 inch stuff here, but not until after I post it there. That's a paying gig............this one isn't!

Anyway, look for more on the wheels very soon on this site. Probably later today or tomorrow.

Ergon grips have been written about on this site before, but I will be sending in a story for Blue Collar Mountain Bike real soon, so look for that. It's on the magnesium bar ended grips. Let me just say this here: I love them! Even better than the original ones I tried, which I mated to a set of standard bar ends to mimic what these newer ones do. Also......the Ergon backpack. I've said it before and I'll say it again. This is going to revolutionize hydration packs. You won't believe you used to use the "old" style pack after you try one of these Ergon back packs. Yes.........they are all that and a bag of chips! Now if I could only get my mitts on one........................

I'm happy to announce that I'm back to riding again! The effects of the illness still linger a bit: stuffy nose/head, and gravelly voice; but I'm riding, and I actually feel better on the bike than off it. Seems like the deeper breathing helps clear out the cobwebs a bit. Last weekend was the worst, so to be on the bike today is awesome! Funny how you miss riding so much when you can't do it. It almost makes you unbearable to live with. Just ask Mrs. G-Ted!

Hearing that the Titec H-Bar is finally available. 25.4mm clamp diameter too. Wahoo! I thought they were only going to be that 31.8mm clamp diameter, which I dislike. Hopefully these will be showing up here for me to check out soon. I'm not flush enough for the Jeff Jones titanium real deal ones, so hopefully I'll like the Titec model.

That's it for today, have a great weekend and ride your bikes!

Friday News and Veiws

I just recieved another cool wheel set for testing............but I can't say anything yet! Part of the way things will be this year. I have to wait for the company to send me a couple product details and then I can post the story on Twenty Nine Inches first. That site is going to take priority on the 29 inch news more and more this year. I'll still be posting 29 inch stuff here, but not until after I post it there. That's a paying gig............this one isn't!

Anyway, look for more on the wheels very soon on this site. Probably later today or tomorrow.

Ergon grips have been written about on this site before, but I will be sending in a story for Blue Collar Mountain Bike real soon, so look for that. It's on the magnesium bar ended grips. Let me just say this here: I love them! Even better than the original ones I tried, which I mated to a set of standard bar ends to mimic what these newer ones do. Also......the Ergon backpack. I've said it before and I'll say it again. This is going to revolutionize hydration packs. You won't believe you used to use the "old" style pack after you try one of these Ergon back packs. Yes.........they are all that and a bag of chips! Now if I could only get my mitts on one........................

I'm happy to announce that I'm back to riding again! The effects of the illness still linger a bit: stuffy nose/head, and gravelly voice; but I'm riding, and I actually feel better on the bike than off it. Seems like the deeper breathing helps clear out the cobwebs a bit. Last weekend was the worst, so to be on the bike today is awesome! Funny how you miss riding so much when you can't do it. It almost makes you unbearable to live with. Just ask Mrs. G-Ted!

Hearing that the Titec H-Bar is finally available. 25.4mm clamp diameter too. Wahoo! I thought they were only going to be that 31.8mm clamp diameter, which I dislike. Hopefully these will be showing up here for me to check out soon. I'm not flush enough for the Jeff Jones titanium real deal ones, so hopefully I'll like the Titec model.

That's it for today, have a great weekend and ride your bikes!

29"er News: New Bikes Spotted!

Here's something I hadn't been aware of until last night. A company called Vassago Cycles that is making 29"er frames and forks. They have a model,( The Jabberwocky pictured here) that is a singlespeed/geared frame set. Sort of another version of the Karate Monkey/Inbred type of 29"er. The Jabberwocky has track ends and a built in screw type chain tensioner on each dropout. It claims to have a no fuss rear wheel removal with a disc brake set up. The canti bosses are removeable, ala On One's Inbred. The color, as you can see, is an almost de riguer for 29"ers shade of green, but several powder coat options exist for an upgraded price. Speaking of the price, Vassago sells these direct for $379.99 for the frame only. A rigid fork is also listed on their web site. Another model that is geared only, The Bandersnatch, is also offered. The geometry appears to be a bit more towards the "MC/Western" side of things, but it's hard to tell since they didn't list fork info on the site.

Another long awaited bike, the Fisher Ferrous, appears to be available now as examples are popping up on mtbr.com's 29"er forum now. Details include a "fish skeleton" motif head badge and seat tube gusset. Of course, the Ferrous is another one of the "do-it-all" steel hardtails out there with an EBB to make it into a single speed, if you want it that way. I like the low key graphics and that blue color is pretty cool too. I just wish it was available as a frameset, with no cable guides for gears. (I like my single speeds pure ever since I saw the XXIX) But, it's still an awesome looking rig built out of True Temper OX Platinum steel, so it should ride quite nicely.

More cool 29"er stuff should be showing up real soon! Stay tuned!

29"er News: New Bikes Spotted!

Here's something I hadn't been aware of until last night. A company called Vassago Cycles that is making 29"er frames and forks. They have a model,( The Jabberwocky pictured here) that is a singlespeed/geared frame set. Sort of another version of the Karate Monkey/Inbred type of 29"er. The Jabberwocky has track ends and a built in screw type chain tensioner on each dropout. It claims to have a no fuss rear wheel removal with a disc brake set up. The canti bosses are removeable, ala On One's Inbred. The color, as you can see, is an almost de riguer for 29"ers shade of green, but several powder coat options exist for an upgraded price. Speaking of the price, Vassago sells these direct for $379.99 for the frame only. A rigid fork is also listed on their web site. Another model that is geared only, The Bandersnatch, is also offered. The geometry appears to be a bit more towards the "MC/Western" side of things, but it's hard to tell since they didn't list fork info on the site.

Another long awaited bike, the Fisher Ferrous, appears to be available now as examples are popping up on mtbr.com's 29"er forum now. Details include a "fish skeleton" motif head badge and seat tube gusset. Of course, the Ferrous is another one of the "do-it-all" steel hardtails out there with an EBB to make it into a single speed, if you want it that way. I like the low key graphics and that blue color is pretty cool too. I just wish it was available as a frameset, with no cable guides for gears. (I like my single speeds pure ever since I saw the XXIX) But, it's still an awesome looking rig built out of True Temper OX Platinum steel, so it should ride quite nicely.

More cool 29"er stuff should be showing up real soon! Stay tuned!

Wheels and Trans Iowa News

More On Wheels: In addition to yesterdays post on my new "Chocolate Chip" wheels, (I hope they don't become "potatoe chip" wheels anytime soon!) I have some other things happening in the 29"er wheel department to look forward to. One is a new wheelset featuring a newly released 29"er specific, disc only rim from Velocity, another wheelset that's coming down the pike is a proprietary spoke and hub arrangement in a cool ano color, and finally a wheelset that will help revolutionize the 29"er as we know it in a "legitimate" fashion. Sorry about all the hints, but I'll have the news posted on Twenty Nine Inches as soon as they hit my hands and some pics will show up here and there.

Update on the XXIX+G: I have posted my first ride impressions on the Raleigh XXIX+G over at Twenty Nine Inches. Be sure to check that out. The bike will be a test sled for alot of incoming product over the next few months. I suspect that way I'll get a really good feel for the frame and be able to put the core parts of the bike through the wringer. Look for alot of pics of this black beauty to be showing up over the course of '07.

Trans Iowa Update: Those of you out there that are in this event or are just following along will be interested to know that the cue sheet process is under way. The course has been finalized and it's a doozy! By far the most scenic and challenging one yet. And that's without the weather factor thrown into the mix!

The gravel in Iowa is all frozen solid now and under a bit of snow pack here and there. This will assure us of gooey, messy glop whenever it decides to unfreeze. The ground moisture was at a saturation point when things finally got cold, so that moisture will be just waiting to turn the roads into peanut butter come thaw time. Obviously that should be well before the event, so why bother? Well, it would seem to me that this would require a bit more early season maintenance than before, which might see the course covered in more fresh gravel than in previous years. We'll see.

Jeff and I will probably put out a call about a month prior to the event to see who's in and who's out so we can guage the number of cue sheets we'll need to print off. We don't want a repeat of last year, when I took home over twenty sets of unused cue sheets. That's a lot of wasted work for us that we'd like to avoid if possible. Please, do us a favor if something comes up, or you just decide to not do T.I.V3. Let us know. It's appreciated and would save alot of effort. An e-mail would be great! The link is on the right side bar or on the Trans Iowa website.

Wheels and Trans Iowa News

More On Wheels: In addition to yesterdays post on my new "Chocolate Chip" wheels, (I hope they don't become "potatoe chip" wheels anytime soon!) I have some other things happening in the 29"er wheel department to look forward to. One is a new wheelset featuring a newly released 29"er specific, disc only rim from Velocity, another wheelset that's coming down the pike is a proprietary spoke and hub arrangement in a cool ano color, and finally a wheelset that will help revolutionize the 29"er as we know it in a "legitimate" fashion. Sorry about all the hints, but I'll have the news posted on Twenty Nine Inches as soon as they hit my hands and some pics will show up here and there.

Update on the XXIX+G: I have posted my first ride impressions on the Raleigh XXIX+G over at Twenty Nine Inches. Be sure to check that out. The bike will be a test sled for alot of incoming product over the next few months. I suspect that way I'll get a really good feel for the frame and be able to put the core parts of the bike through the wringer. Look for alot of pics of this black beauty to be showing up over the course of '07.

Trans Iowa Update: Those of you out there that are in this event or are just following along will be interested to know that the cue sheet process is under way. The course has been finalized and it's a doozy! By far the most scenic and challenging one yet. And that's without the weather factor thrown into the mix!

The gravel in Iowa is all frozen solid now and under a bit of snow pack here and there. This will assure us of gooey, messy glop whenever it decides to unfreeze. The ground moisture was at a saturation point when things finally got cold, so that moisture will be just waiting to turn the roads into peanut butter come thaw time. Obviously that should be well before the event, so why bother? Well, it would seem to me that this would require a bit more early season maintenance than before, which might see the course covered in more fresh gravel than in previous years. We'll see.

Jeff and I will probably put out a call about a month prior to the event to see who's in and who's out so we can guage the number of cue sheets we'll need to print off. We don't want a repeat of last year, when I took home over twenty sets of unused cue sheets. That's a lot of wasted work for us that we'd like to avoid if possible. Please, do us a favor if something comes up, or you just decide to not do T.I.V3. Let us know. It's appreciated and would save alot of effort. An e-mail would be great! The link is on the right side bar or on the Trans Iowa website.

Chocolate Chips!

Here they are! My Surly "Jim Brown" annodized hubs laced to a set of Velocity "Deep V" rims powdercoated in Chocolate Brown. The spokes are double butted front, driveside rear and ovalized 15 guage non driveside rear. I used the weird non-drive rear spokes because that's all we had at the shop that would work, and well, why not? Deep V rims are pretty burly, so you can get away with a lighter spoke anyway. Nipples are all alloy by the way.

Now I have a top secrect 29"er project in the works for these. Just into the very beginning phases of it, so no other details can be released as yet. Stay tuned!

You might remember the aside I made a couple days ago about another secret I couldn't really talk about. Again, it's not a 29"er. I saw a photo or two of the project, and let me say that it's awesome, mind blowing, and surreal! When this gets out, it's gonna be crazy! I can't wait to share it with you all.......................but I have to!

For now my Chocolate Chip wheels will have to do.

Hot chocolate, anyone?

Chocolate Chips!

Here they are! My Surly "Jim Brown" annodized hubs laced to a set of Velocity "Deep V" rims powdercoated in Chocolate Brown. The spokes are double butted front, driveside rear and ovalized 15 guage non driveside rear. I used the weird non-drive rear spokes because that's all we had at the shop that would work, and well, why not? Deep V rims are pretty burly, so you can get away with a lighter spoke anyway. Nipples are all alloy by the way.

Now I have a top secrect 29"er project in the works for these. Just into the very beginning phases of it, so no other details can be released as yet. Stay tuned!

You might remember the aside I made a couple days ago about another secret I couldn't really talk about. Again, it's not a 29"er. I saw a photo or two of the project, and let me say that it's awesome, mind blowing, and surreal! When this gets out, it's gonna be crazy! I can't wait to share it with you all.......................but I have to!

For now my Chocolate Chip wheels will have to do.

Hot chocolate, anyone?

Monday News and Tidbits

I got my hands on some of this lube that I have read about on the endurance forums on mtbr.com before. Seems that it is pretty highly recommended, so I thought that I'd give it the once over on a few of my bikes.

It's called Dumonde Tech and they have some pretty interesting claims about their lube. They say it "plates" the metal of the chain and "bonds" itself to it, providing a lubricant that won't wash off. The components of the bike stay cleaner, last longer, and run quieter, or so says the literature. We'll be finding out as I will use these lubes on a couple of the different rigs here at Guitar Ted Labratories. The way I figure, if it works out during a long, wet gravel grinder, then it will have passed the ultimate test.

Another very interesting opportunity has presented itself over the weekend and hopefully, I'll have some news by mid-week over at Twenty Nine Inches. The item in question is a fork that is claiming to have some pretty incredible attributes. Stay tuned!

In health news it looks like I've finally turned the corner. The nasty cold/sinusitus has been subsiding over the past 24 hours and looks to be on the way out. Hooray! Looks like bicycle riding and running will commence sometime again this week. Of course, it snowed four inches last night, so I missed all of the primo weather the first week and a half of '07, but then again.....Snow is pretty fun to ride on, if you take the right precautions and attitude with you.

Lastly I have some rather difficult news.......for me anyway! I had been planning on doing the Dirty Kanza 200 in May, but it looks to be off my calendar now. A friend is getting married that weekend and not only that, the couple wants Mrs. G-Ted and I to weild axes at the ceremony and sing. So while my friends are suffering in the Flint Hills, I'll be pickin' my git-box at a wedding! ah.........crap! Couldn't say no, so that's the way it goes sometimes. Gotta stick by your friends in their important times in life, ya know? I'll just have to find another event to do!

Well.........enough about me!

Monday News and Tidbits

I got my hands on some of this lube that I have read about on the endurance forums on mtbr.com before. Seems that it is pretty highly recommended, so I thought that I'd give it the once over on a few of my bikes.

It's called Dumonde Tech and they have some pretty interesting claims about their lube. They say it "plates" the metal of the chain and "bonds" itself to it, providing a lubricant that won't wash off. The components of the bike stay cleaner, last longer, and run quieter, or so says the literature. We'll be finding out as I will use these lubes on a couple of the different rigs here at Guitar Ted Labratories. The way I figure, if it works out during a long, wet gravel grinder, then it will have passed the ultimate test.

Another very interesting opportunity has presented itself over the weekend and hopefully, I'll have some news by mid-week over at Twenty Nine Inches. The item in question is a fork that is claiming to have some pretty incredible attributes. Stay tuned!

In health news it looks like I've finally turned the corner. The nasty cold/sinusitus has been subsiding over the past 24 hours and looks to be on the way out. Hooray! Looks like bicycle riding and running will commence sometime again this week. Of course, it snowed four inches last night, so I missed all of the primo weather the first week and a half of '07, but then again.....Snow is pretty fun to ride on, if you take the right precautions and attitude with you.

Lastly I have some rather difficult news.......for me anyway! I had been planning on doing the Dirty Kanza 200 in May, but it looks to be off my calendar now. A friend is getting married that weekend and not only that, the couple wants Mrs. G-Ted and I to weild axes at the ceremony and sing. So while my friends are suffering in the Flint Hills, I'll be pickin' my git-box at a wedding! ah.........crap! Couldn't say no, so that's the way it goes sometimes. Gotta stick by your friends in their important times in life, ya know? I'll just have to find another event to do!

Well.........enough about me!

Blue Collar Mountain Bike's Bombproof Bike Project

Since I contribute to Twenty Nine Inches I got to go to Las Vegas to cover Interbike with Crooked Cog founder, Tim Grahl. Tim also heads up Blue Collar Mountain Bike. One of the highlights of our trip was meeting and chatting with Gary Fisher.

One of the more interesting topics of discussion that day was the fact that today's nine speed mountain bike components do not last as long as the older 7 speed components did. Nor are they as durable in alot of cases. The thinking that day was, "What if there was a quality 7 speed gruppo that the "average" guy could buy. A gruppo that would last, be durable, and reasonably lightweight."

Well, to that end Tim and I have put together a tentative package that we are calling the "Bombproof Bike". We are spec'ing the thing with parts that are readily available and are deemed by us to be durable first and foremost. Secondly, they had to be of good design. Proven technology. Thirdly, (and almost by default by the nature of them) they had to be cheap to obtain by anybody. In other words, I dearly would have loved to spec the bike with my parts bin Sachs 7 speed twist shifter, but you can not buy one today!

The frame and fork are going to be the Surly Instigator, which I think is a perfect example of "bombproof" in cycling terms. (Yes, I know it's not a 29"er! I suggested a Karate Monkey, but that didn't fly in the end)

So, what do you think? We probably will see this become reality before too long and will be out mashing it into the ground to see how it holds up. Stay tuned! For now, here is a tentative spec list..........

Crankset: Shimano FC-MC20 with 104/64 BCD rings, square taper BB compatible or Sugino XD-300 square taper BB compatible with 110/74 BCD rings.

Bottom Bracket: Shimano UN-53 118mm spindle or SKF equivilent

Shifters: SRAM MRX-Comp grip shift type 7spd

Hubs: Shimano Deore front and rear

Cassette: Shimano 13-34T 7spd.

Chain: SRAM PC-48 with Power Link

Rear Derailleur: Shimano Deore

Front Derailleur: Shimano Deore

Brakes: Tektro linear pull

Levers: Tektro linear pull compatible

Cables/Housings: Jagwire or equivilent

Seat Post: Kalloy (cheap, does the job)

Handle Bar: Dimension or equivilent (See seat post for why)

Stem: Ditto above

Saddle: Personal preferance (WTB has a commuter saddle in it’s line up)

Grips: Personal preferance (Suggest we get some from Ergon)

Pedals: Personal preferance

Rims: Laced to a Sun Rhynolite, Salsa Gordo, or equivelent rim

Be sure to check out updates on this project at Blue Collar Mountain Bike

Blue Collar Mountain Bike's Bombproof Bike Project

Since I contribute to Twenty Nine Inches I got to go to Las Vegas to cover Interbike with Crooked Cog founder, Tim Grahl. Tim also heads up Blue Collar Mountain Bike. One of the highlights of our trip was meeting and chatting with Gary Fisher.

One of the more interesting topics of discussion that day was the fact that today's nine speed mountain bike components do not last as long as the older 7 speed components did. Nor are they as durable in alot of cases. The thinking that day was, "What if there was a quality 7 speed gruppo that the "average" guy could buy. A gruppo that would last, be durable, and reasonably lightweight."

Well, to that end Tim and I have put together a tentative package that we are calling the "Bombproof Bike". We are spec'ing the thing with parts that are readily available and are deemed by us to be durable first and foremost. Secondly, they had to be of good design. Proven technology. Thirdly, (and almost by default by the nature of them) they had to be cheap to obtain by anybody. In other words, I dearly would have loved to spec the bike with my parts bin Sachs 7 speed twist shifter, but you can not buy one today!

The frame and fork are going to be the Surly Instigator, which I think is a perfect example of "bombproof" in cycling terms. (Yes, I know it's not a 29"er! I suggested a Karate Monkey, but that didn't fly in the end)

So, what do you think? We probably will see this become reality before too long and will be out mashing it into the ground to see how it holds up. Stay tuned! For now, here is a tentative spec list..........

Crankset: Shimano FC-MC20 with 104/64 BCD rings, square taper BB compatible or Sugino XD-300 square taper BB compatible with 110/74 BCD rings.

Bottom Bracket: Shimano UN-53 118mm spindle or SKF equivilent

Shifters: SRAM MRX-Comp grip shift type 7spd

Hubs: Shimano Deore front and rear

Cassette: Shimano 13-34T 7spd.

Chain: SRAM PC-48 with Power Link

Rear Derailleur: Shimano Deore

Front Derailleur: Shimano Deore

Brakes: Tektro linear pull

Levers: Tektro linear pull compatible

Cables/Housings: Jagwire or equivilent

Seat Post: Kalloy (cheap, does the job)

Handle Bar: Dimension or equivilent (See seat post for why)

Stem: Ditto above

Saddle: Personal preferance (WTB has a commuter saddle in it’s line up)

Grips: Personal preferance (Suggest we get some from Ergon)

Pedals: Personal preferance

Rims: Laced to a Sun Rhynolite, Salsa Gordo, or equivelent rim

Be sure to check out updates on this project at Blue Collar Mountain Bike

Saturday Tidbits

Here's a couple of tid bits that have been brewing around the 29"er world of late. Enjoy!

Willits Brand rigid forks: For those of you that don't know, Wes Willits was one of the primary instigators of the 29"er movement. Back in "the day", Wes was building "28"ers" and was really waiting for somebody to make a true wide fatty tire for 700c rims. Well, he and a few others managed to get WTB's Mark Slate interested and the next thing ya know, Wham! There's "The Tire". The Nanoraptor was born. Well, now a days Wes is located in Austin, Texas and is pumping out steel and titanium artistry for all things 29"er. Now comes the announcement that his innovative rigid forks will be available to anyone that wants one. Check it out!

Kenda Smallblock 8 coming soon! A new 29"er tire that I think will be an excellent choice for our area's hard pack summertime conditions is going to be available in super limited numbers very soon from powerhouse distributor QBP. If your local bike shop deals with them, here is the part number you can have them put on "item watch" to be able to have a chance at the first batch. #TR5325 Good Luck! You will know if you are a lucky recipient of new fangled rubber in about two weeks!

What is brown and silver and can not be stopped! Nooooo! Not what you are probably thinking! It's my new Surly "Jim Brown" annodized single speed disc hubs that are getting laced to a set of Velocity Deep V rims in powdercoated "Chocolate" color. It's for a special project that I hope to bring to light sometime in '07. Stay tuned! Pics of the completed wheelset will be posted soon.

More from the "Deep, Dark Secrets Vault": I just hate it when I hear juicy news that isn't ready for public consumption yet. This is going to be super cool though, and I can not wait to see this come to the light of day. All I can say now is that it isn't a 29"er and I still think it's super cool! Stay tuned for more sometime later this winter!

Saturday Tidbits

Here's a couple of tid bits that have been brewing around the 29"er world of late. Enjoy!

Willits Brand rigid forks: For those of you that don't know, Wes Willits was one of the primary instigators of the 29"er movement. Back in "the day", Wes was building "28"ers" and was really waiting for somebody to make a true wide fatty tire for 700c rims. Well, he and a few others managed to get WTB's Mark Slate interested and the next thing ya know, Wham! There's "The Tire". The Nanoraptor was born. Well, now a days Wes is located in Austin, Texas and is pumping out steel and titanium artistry for all things 29"er. Now comes the announcement that his innovative rigid forks will be available to anyone that wants one. Check it out!

Kenda Smallblock 8 coming soon! A new 29"er tire that I think will be an excellent choice for our area's hard pack summertime conditions is going to be available in super limited numbers very soon from powerhouse distributor QBP. If your local bike shop deals with them, here is the part number you can have them put on "item watch" to be able to have a chance at the first batch. #TR5325 Good Luck! You will know if you are a lucky recipient of new fangled rubber in about two weeks!

What is brown and silver and can not be stopped! Nooooo! Not what you are probably thinking! It's my new Surly "Jim Brown" annodized single speed disc hubs that are getting laced to a set of Velocity Deep V rims in powdercoated "Chocolate" color. It's for a special project that I hope to bring to light sometime in '07. Stay tuned! Pics of the completed wheelset will be posted soon.

More from the "Deep, Dark Secrets Vault": I just hate it when I hear juicy news that isn't ready for public consumption yet. This is going to be super cool though, and I can not wait to see this come to the light of day. All I can say now is that it isn't a 29"er and I still think it's super cool! Stay tuned for more sometime later this winter!

Revisiting Trail and Head Angle For 29"ers

One of the issues that comes up most often in my discussions with folks about 29 inch wheeled bicycles is front end geometry and how it affects handling off road.

It seems that alot of you are confused by a certain aspect of all of this called "trail". That is the term that describes the distance measured on the ground from your tire contact point to where an imaginary line would intersect the ground in front of it that describes your steering axis, or head tube angle. The measured distance, called fork trail, affects how your bike steers and handles.

You can change the fork trail by adjusting the head angle, changing the fork offset, changing wheel/tire size, or with any combination of these three things.

Fork trail has the effect of making your bicycle a rideable, controllable machine. The simplest way to understand it is to think of a shopping cart wheel. The axle of the wheel "trails" behind it's pivot point when you push it. If you try to go in a reverse direction from the way you were going, the wheel quickly pivots around until theaxle is behind the pivot point again. Think of the pivot point as your steering axis, or head tube angle. The axle of the cart wheel is "offset" from the "pivot point" and the distance from where the cart wheel touches the ground to a point where the "pivot point" of the cart wheel would intersect the ground is the "trail measurement" Think, "How far does my wheel contact patch sit behind my steering axis?" and you've got it.

Typically, fork rake on a 26 inch wheeled bike is right at 38mm-40mm. This has been arrived at by much experimentation that was done back in the 80's. Now, with the advent of the 29"er mountain bike, the mere increase in the diameter of the wheel increases the trail figure. More trail typically translates to slower handling. In an effort to "get back" to "typical" XC type handling, there are two ways that designers have addressed this concerning 29 inch wheeled bikes.

One way, and the most prevalent way used now, is to increase the head angle a bit. This school of thought has examples ranging anywhere from 72 degrees all the way through to 73 degrees using a "standard" 38mm offset. (This is done to stay in compliance with currently used suspension fork offsets, which are typically 38mm) This reduces the trail figure back into "quick" handling territory, but also tucks the wheel a little closer to the bottom bracket, which can lead to some toe overlap problems, especially in smaller sizes.

The other school of thought is to increase fork offset, which reduces the trail figure, and quickens up the handling. It does make the front wheel sit a bit further away from the bottom bracket, which can be good, or it can be seen as bad, if it increases wheel base to much. Also, keep in mind that most currently available suspension forks for 29"ers have 38mm crowns, so it doesn't work so well with current popular fork choices all the time. (Although this aspect of the 29"ers bike geometry is about to be addressed.) This solution is most often seen with rigid fork models.

Hope that helps clear up any questions on front end geometry for you. If you want some advanced fiddling around, check out this fork trail calculator.

I wouldn't worry too much about all of this though. I'd just suggest ya'all go ride your bikes, if you can this weekend. That sounds like alot more fun!

Revisiting Trail and Head Angle For 29"ers

One of the issues that comes up most often in my discussions with folks about 29 inch wheeled bicycles is front end geometry and how it affects handling off road.

It seems that alot of you are confused by a certain aspect of all of this called "trail". That is the term that describes the distance measured on the ground from your tire contact point to where an imaginary line would intersect the ground in front of it that describes your steering axis, or head tube angle. The measured distance, called fork trail, affects how your bike steers and handles.

You can change the fork trail by adjusting the head angle, changing the fork offset, changing wheel/tire size, or with any combination of these three things.

Fork trail has the effect of making your bicycle a rideable, controllable machine. The simplest way to understand it is to think of a shopping cart wheel. The axle of the wheel "trails" behind it's pivot point when you push it. If you try to go in a reverse direction from the way you were going, the wheel quickly pivots around until theaxle is behind the pivot point again. Think of the pivot point as your steering axis, or head tube angle. The axle of the cart wheel is "offset" from the "pivot point" and the distance from where the cart wheel touches the ground to a point where the "pivot point" of the cart wheel would intersect the ground is the "trail measurement" Think, "How far does my wheel contact patch sit behind my steering axis?" and you've got it.

Typically, fork rake on a 26 inch wheeled bike is right at 38mm-40mm. This has been arrived at by much experimentation that was done back in the 80's. Now, with the advent of the 29"er mountain bike, the mere increase in the diameter of the wheel increases the trail figure. More trail typically translates to slower handling. In an effort to "get back" to "typical" XC type handling, there are two ways that designers have addressed this concerning 29 inch wheeled bikes.

One way, and the most prevalent way used now, is to increase the head angle a bit. This school of thought has examples ranging anywhere from 72 degrees all the way through to 73 degrees using a "standard" 38mm offset. (This is done to stay in compliance with currently used suspension fork offsets, which are typically 38mm) This reduces the trail figure back into "quick" handling territory, but also tucks the wheel a little closer to the bottom bracket, which can lead to some toe overlap problems, especially in smaller sizes.

The other school of thought is to increase fork offset, which reduces the trail figure, and quickens up the handling. It does make the front wheel sit a bit further away from the bottom bracket, which can be good, or it can be seen as bad, if it increases wheel base to much. Also, keep in mind that most currently available suspension forks for 29"ers have 38mm crowns, so it doesn't work so well with current popular fork choices all the time. (Although this aspect of the 29"ers bike geometry is about to be addressed.) This solution is most often seen with rigid fork models.

Hope that helps clear up any questions on front end geometry for you. If you want some advanced fiddling around, check out this fork trail calculator.

I wouldn't worry too much about all of this though. I'd just suggest ya'all go ride your bikes, if you can this weekend. That sounds like alot more fun!

Good Timing or Bad?

This isn't the way I expected to start out the year. Sick! Yup...........that New Years Day ride made the cold I had then deepen, so Mrs. G-Ted, being a Registered Nurse and all, put me on notice that there would be no bike riding until I recovered! It's generally best that you listen to that sort of advice, so I took it reluctantly.

And here I am, eleven days into the New Year and I have ridden my bike once. Once! I am not happy, oh no! The thing is, I still haven't gotten over the whatever-it-is that I have. I keep getting congestion and my voice.......my voice! I sound like a bad imitation of Reggie White. (Green Bay Packer referance, ya'all)

Do not pity me. No, I am getting better. Just veeeeerrry slowly. Plus I will have way more days riding the bike coming up. Plus.......it is winter and all, albeit a mild winter in which I could be riding. I hear that will all be taken care of here in a day or so when we get some cold Arctic air our way.

Just in time for my complete recovery, I'm sure!

Good Timing or Bad?

This isn't the way I expected to start out the year. Sick! Yup...........that New Years Day ride made the cold I had then deepen, so Mrs. G-Ted, being a Registered Nurse and all, put me on notice that there would be no bike riding until I recovered! It's generally best that you listen to that sort of advice, so I took it reluctantly.

And here I am, eleven days into the New Year and I have ridden my bike once. Once! I am not happy, oh no! The thing is, I still haven't gotten over the whatever-it-is that I have. I keep getting congestion and my voice.......my voice! I sound like a bad imitation of Reggie White. (Green Bay Packer referance, ya'all)

Do not pity me. No, I am getting better. Just veeeeerrry slowly. Plus I will have way more days riding the bike coming up. Plus.......it is winter and all, albeit a mild winter in which I could be riding. I hear that will all be taken care of here in a day or so when we get some cold Arctic air our way.

Just in time for my complete recovery, I'm sure!

Haro Mary Update and Tidbits

Here it is so far! The Haro Mary frame and fork that I got for writing some catalog copy. Thanks go out to Salsa Cycles for making some rockin' parts that I am using on this bike. The 410 mm Shaft seat post is super easy to adjust. I like the CroMoto stems too. Lip Lock stem face plates are a smart idea. Then my favorite part so far on the bike, the new 17 degree bend handle bar. Mr. 24 says that it throws stem length and top tube measurements out the window, but hey! He doesn't have to ride it now, does he?

Speaking of Mr. 24, he passsed on some super Ergon Team Green bar end/grips that'll be seeing duty here, since they almost match, and I want to see if they might work out on such a swept back bar.

Other bits include a SRAM X-Gen front derailluer, a circa 1996 XT rear derailluer with cartridge bearing jockey wheels in anno gold, a circa 1996 WTB SST titanium railed saddle, XT disc hubs with six bolt interface laced to Alex TD-17 rims with Wheelsmith double butted spokes, Bontrager XR 1.8" tires, and a Cane Creek S-1 headset mounted to the stock frame and cro-mo fork.

I have a UN-73 bottom bracket coming that'll help me mount up my circa 1992 Sun Tour Micro Drive crank with the 44-32-20 tooth combination. I have a couple older cassettes but I may just spring for a new 8spd cassette that'll work with my vintage XTR 8spd Rapid Fire Plus shifter/brake lever units. (Circa 1997)

Brakes will be Avid mechanical BB-7's as soon as I feel like I can spring for those. So, it's a mix of old and new stuff that'll be making this Haro Mary a unique rig. Plus, I get to use up some stuff I have bouncing around in parts bins that should be on a bike.

Stay tuned for future updates!

Haro Mary Update and Tidbits

Here it is so far! The Haro Mary frame and fork that I got for writing some catalog copy. Thanks go out to Salsa Cycles for making some rockin' parts that I am using on this bike. The 410 mm Shaft seat post is super easy to adjust. I like the CroMoto stems too. Lip Lock stem face plates are a smart idea. Then my favorite part so far on the bike, the new 17 degree bend handle bar. Mr. 24 says that it throws stem length and top tube measurements out the window, but hey! He doesn't have to ride it now, does he?

Speaking of Mr. 24, he passsed on some super Ergon Team Green bar end/grips that'll be seeing duty here, since they almost match, and I want to see if they might work out on such a swept back bar.

Other bits include a SRAM X-Gen front derailluer, a circa 1996 XT rear derailluer with cartridge bearing jockey wheels in anno gold, a circa 1996 WTB SST titanium railed saddle, XT disc hubs with six bolt interface laced to Alex TD-17 rims with Wheelsmith double butted spokes, Bontrager XR 1.8" tires, and a Cane Creek S-1 headset mounted to the stock frame and cro-mo fork.

I have a UN-73 bottom bracket coming that'll help me mount up my circa 1992 Sun Tour Micro Drive crank with the 44-32-20 tooth combination. I have a couple older cassettes but I may just spring for a new 8spd cassette that'll work with my vintage XTR 8spd Rapid Fire Plus shifter/brake lever units. (Circa 1997)

Brakes will be Avid mechanical BB-7's as soon as I feel like I can spring for those. So, it's a mix of old and new stuff that'll be making this Haro Mary a unique rig. Plus, I get to use up some stuff I have bouncing around in parts bins that should be on a bike.

Stay tuned for future updates!

It's A Drag, Man!

I recently got thrown into this centuries mountain bike technologies by default. I had bikes that were complete builds sent to me for testing or obtained by me that I didn't spec. I thought at first that I must be missing out on some things, so I didn't make any fuss about it. I mean, everyone is using stuff like this these days, right? It couldn't be bad.

Well, I was wrong, wrong, wrong! Especially about one component idea: the outboard bottom bracket. This idea is not bad. No, it's the execution of it that I despise.

Why? Bearing drag, that's why. I know, I know! You are going to say, "It'll break in, give it time." Uh-uh......no! I shouldn't have to. Here is why. I have ridden bottom brackets in bikes that spun like butter from day one. And stayed that way for a loooong time. They are called square taper spindle bottom brackets. You know, those bottom brackets that are supposed to be flexy, old skool, and have bad crank arm interfaces? Yeah.......those bottom brackets!

I could care less if the bottom bracket spindle flexed a bit if it means that I don't have to pedal a bike whose crank arms only spin around four or five times when given a twirl with no chain engaged on it! We used to measure the worth of a bottom bracket by how many seconds it spun, and one that spun for a minute with the cranks attached was considered stellar. A crank that spins only four or five times with no chain? Can you say "bearing seal drag?"

I work hard enough getting around on my long rides, I don't need to work harder because this new technology is stiffer than the old technology. Who cares about stiffness of their bottom bracket at hour number five anyhow? Not I. I know one thing though, I could be pedalling something that isn't sapping my strength, and that's a square taper cartridge bottom bracket. It's exactly what my two single speeds have, and it's what my Haro Mary is going to get.

Don't even start with this special Phil Wood that, or ceramic ball bearings this, I don't have that kind of money anyway. Square taper cartridge BB's are cheap and still available in the higher quality versions. Guess I should thank "new technology" for making the older, better stuff cheap and unwanted.

Bearings that feel like you are pedaling through mud? pfffffftttt! You can have 'em! They're a drag, man!

It's A Drag, Man!

I recently got thrown into this centuries mountain bike technologies by default. I had bikes that were complete builds sent to me for testing or obtained by me that I didn't spec. I thought at first that I must be missing out on some things, so I didn't make any fuss about it. I mean, everyone is using stuff like this these days, right? It couldn't be bad.

Well, I was wrong, wrong, wrong! Especially about one component idea: the outboard bottom bracket. This idea is not bad. No, it's the execution of it that I despise.

Why? Bearing drag, that's why. I know, I know! You are going to say, "It'll break in, give it time." Uh-uh......no! I shouldn't have to. Here is why. I have ridden bottom brackets in bikes that spun like butter from day one. And stayed that way for a loooong time. They are called square taper spindle bottom brackets. You know, those bottom brackets that are supposed to be flexy, old skool, and have bad crank arm interfaces? Yeah.......those bottom brackets!

I could care less if the bottom bracket spindle flexed a bit if it means that I don't have to pedal a bike whose crank arms only spin around four or five times when given a twirl with no chain engaged on it! We used to measure the worth of a bottom bracket by how many seconds it spun, and one that spun for a minute with the cranks attached was considered stellar. A crank that spins only four or five times with no chain? Can you say "bearing seal drag?"

I work hard enough getting around on my long rides, I don't need to work harder because this new technology is stiffer than the old technology. Who cares about stiffness of their bottom bracket at hour number five anyhow? Not I. I know one thing though, I could be pedalling something that isn't sapping my strength, and that's a square taper cartridge bottom bracket. It's exactly what my two single speeds have, and it's what my Haro Mary is going to get.

Don't even start with this special Phil Wood that, or ceramic ball bearings this, I don't have that kind of money anyway. Square taper cartridge BB's are cheap and still available in the higher quality versions. Guess I should thank "new technology" for making the older, better stuff cheap and unwanted.

Bearings that feel like you are pedaling through mud? pfffffftttt! You can have 'em! They're a drag, man!

What Is A Review Anyway?

Recently I have been involved in several product reviews. You know, the deals that you read about products that some guy or another is using. Well, I not only have been on the reading end of a review, the writing end of a review, but I have also been on the "inside" of a review. What's that you say? The inside? Yeah..........the inside of a review. Let me explain.

Several folks out there are looking for products, and need a hand in choosing from a selection that is at times bewildering. So, naturally they look for guidance. Some have knowledgeable friends, some have a good bike shop they can rely on, and alot of you just click over to the internet and check out on-line reviews.

The funny thing is, alot of folks think reviews are total B.S. I see comments like "companies pay for that", "it's nothing but a shill", or "this guy is on the take". I've heard them all. I've even accused other reviewers of that myself. But that was before I was on the inside of a review.

Now I can say that, yes: some of those accusations could certainly be true. I can see, (and have heard about) how being in this posistion of responsibility could be tempting to someone. If you have not been around product reviewers, you may not realize this, but there is a very high degree of integrity and responsibility involved in being entrusted to review products. You either "get it" or you don't. The ones who do not "get it" do not last long in the reviewing game, believe me.

Now it may sound like I'm trying to toot my own horn here, but I'm just passing on what it's like to be on the "inside" of this process. It's not all fun and games, getting all kinds of cool stuff, and being caught up in the whole thing. Like I'm somebody super-cool because I got to ride the Dorothy proto, as a for instance. No, it's not like that at all, not if you take reviewing stuff seriously. Not if you really want to serve the readership and be around awhile. Service. Now there's a concept lost on a lot of folks..........but that's a whole 'nuther post!

So, what is a review anyway? Are they for real? Well, you'll have to judge for yourself. Alot of it comes down to trust. Alot of it comes down to folks holding reviewers accountable. I hope ya'all out there will do that for me too. Tell me if I'm getting too "big for my britches", as my Grandpa used to say.

All I know is that I'm taking this whole thing seriously. No matter what people might think!

What Is A Review Anyway?

Recently I have been involved in several product reviews. You know, the deals that you read about products that some guy or another is using. Well, I not only have been on the reading end of a review, the writing end of a review, but I have also been on the "inside" of a review. What's that you say? The inside? Yeah..........the inside of a review. Let me explain.

Several folks out there are looking for products, and need a hand in choosing from a selection that is at times bewildering. So, naturally they look for guidance. Some have knowledgeable friends, some have a good bike shop they can rely on, and alot of you just click over to the internet and check out on-line reviews.

The funny thing is, alot of folks think reviews are total B.S. I see comments like "companies pay for that", "it's nothing but a shill", or "this guy is on the take". I've heard them all. I've even accused other reviewers of that myself. But that was before I was on the inside of a review.

Now I can say that, yes: some of those accusations could certainly be true. I can see, (and have heard about) how being in this posistion of responsibility could be tempting to someone. If you have not been around product reviewers, you may not realize this, but there is a very high degree of integrity and responsibility involved in being entrusted to review products. You either "get it" or you don't. The ones who do not "get it" do not last long in the reviewing game, believe me.

Now it may sound like I'm trying to toot my own horn here, but I'm just passing on what it's like to be on the "inside" of this process. It's not all fun and games, getting all kinds of cool stuff, and being caught up in the whole thing. Like I'm somebody super-cool because I got to ride the Dorothy proto, as a for instance. No, it's not like that at all, not if you take reviewing stuff seriously. Not if you really want to serve the readership and be around awhile. Service. Now there's a concept lost on a lot of folks..........but that's a whole 'nuther post!

So, what is a review anyway? Are they for real? Well, you'll have to judge for yourself. Alot of it comes down to trust. Alot of it comes down to folks holding reviewers accountable. I hope ya'all out there will do that for me too. Tell me if I'm getting too "big for my britches", as my Grandpa used to say.

All I know is that I'm taking this whole thing seriously. No matter what people might think!

Recon Photo Blog

As promised, I had a few photographs for your approval. As most of these recon missions go. I have to be up and at 'em before dawn.

At least I didn't have to drive 5 hours to get to the starting point!








Birthplace of Iowa's State Rock: Gravel!

(actually no, it's the geode, but I thought I'd throw that one at ya!)

This pile of chunky goodness is over 100ft tall. Just waiting to get spread all over Iowa's backroads!









........and especially for Dallas! More iron bridges!

The cool thing is that most of these come after a long descent and right before a big climb. Kinda funny how that works out, isn't it?







Another one. Interesting off camber entrance and exit facias on this one.


Nice 90 degree entrance and exit to this one, as well.













Okay, the road maintenance crews are already busy patching up the deteriorating gravel roads. As you can see in the foreground, there is basically no gravel! It's all just fine, hardened limestone goo. Pretty cool if it's dry, and fast, fast, fast! But cars, trucks, and tractors don't get along too well if it gets rained or snowed on. Big gooey mess! So, if you look closely at what might appear to be a shadow up the road, you can see the new gravel patch on the downhill side of the road. These "patches" are temporary fixes. They were about an inch to two inches of marbley, chunky, grayish gravel. Some roads had been fully maintenanced with all new gravel. Some downhills, like the really big, steep, fast ones, had patches on them that'll make even mountain bike tires slide out. Scary stuff!

Recon Photo Blog

As promised, I had a few photographs for your approval. As most of these recon missions go. I have to be up and at 'em before dawn.

At least I didn't have to drive 5 hours to get to the starting point!








Birthplace of Iowa's State Rock: Gravel!

(actually no, it's the geode, but I thought I'd throw that one at ya!)

This pile of chunky goodness is over 100ft tall. Just waiting to get spread all over Iowa's backroads!









........and especially for Dallas! More iron bridges!

The cool thing is that most of these come after a long descent and right before a big climb. Kinda funny how that works out, isn't it?







Another one. Interesting off camber entrance and exit facias on this one.


Nice 90 degree entrance and exit to this one, as well.













Okay, the road maintenance crews are already busy patching up the deteriorating gravel roads. As you can see in the foreground, there is basically no gravel! It's all just fine, hardened limestone goo. Pretty cool if it's dry, and fast, fast, fast! But cars, trucks, and tractors don't get along too well if it gets rained or snowed on. Big gooey mess! So, if you look closely at what might appear to be a shadow up the road, you can see the new gravel patch on the downhill side of the road. These "patches" are temporary fixes. They were about an inch to two inches of marbley, chunky, grayish gravel. Some roads had been fully maintenanced with all new gravel. Some downhills, like the really big, steep, fast ones, had patches on them that'll make even mountain bike tires slide out. Scary stuff!

Trans Iowa V3 Recon: Oh So Close!

Well, today I knocked out a huge chunk of Trans Iowa recon for the course that will be the most scenic, brutal, and awesome one by far. I have everything but about 5-6 miles verified, and that for reasons you might not expect! Oh so close to being done!

Folks, the first thing I have to say is that you better have some lights on your bike! Not those EL-500's we used to recommend, but some real lights! Why? Well, at 4:30am you might find yourself screaming down a gravel road descent at 35+ mph and because of all the twists and turns in the road, you won't be able to see things fast enough with a piddly commuter light, that's why. Well, I suppose you could crawl and pick your way down, but that'd take time and you'd get in everyones way..........at least for a few seconds!

There are at least two decents that will take place under the cover of darkness that are going to be hairy, sketchy, freefalls. Dangeroso for sure! More of the same will punctuate the first third of the route. Of course, I don't think it's any secret that the flip side will be a prevalent feature, as well. Longest continous climb I encountered today was 1.6 miles. Doesn't sound like much, until you add in the literally hundreds of steeps before it and after it, and factor in that the roads follow the lay of the land, so the gradients are stupid! Yes folks, you will climb hills in Iowa. That's one thing you will figure out in a hurry!

This course is outstanding as far as scenery is concerned. I was feeling bad that alot of it will be under the canopy of nightime, but hopefully a near full moon will illuminate things well enough for ya'all to take some peeks. I was spotting bald eagles all over the place and other wild and domesticated animals will make for interesting things to see.

I'll have a breakdown of where the "halfway" point will be, where you will pick up the second set of cue sheets, and what time you'll need to get there by later.

It's gonna be super cool! I can't wait!

Trans Iowa V3 Recon: Oh So Close!

Well, today I knocked out a huge chunk of Trans Iowa recon for the course that will be the most scenic, brutal, and awesome one by far. I have everything but about 5-6 miles verified, and that for reasons you might not expect! Oh so close to being done!

Folks, the first thing I have to say is that you better have some lights on your bike! Not those EL-500's we used to recommend, but some real lights! Why? Well, at 4:30am you might find yourself screaming down a gravel road descent at 35+ mph and because of all the twists and turns in the road, you won't be able to see things fast enough with a piddly commuter light, that's why. Well, I suppose you could crawl and pick your way down, but that'd take time and you'd get in everyones way..........at least for a few seconds!

There are at least two decents that will take place under the cover of darkness that are going to be hairy, sketchy, freefalls. Dangeroso for sure! More of the same will punctuate the first third of the route. Of course, I don't think it's any secret that the flip side will be a prevalent feature, as well. Longest continous climb I encountered today was 1.6 miles. Doesn't sound like much, until you add in the literally hundreds of steeps before it and after it, and factor in that the roads follow the lay of the land, so the gradients are stupid! Yes folks, you will climb hills in Iowa. That's one thing you will figure out in a hurry!

This course is outstanding as far as scenery is concerned. I was feeling bad that alot of it will be under the canopy of nightime, but hopefully a near full moon will illuminate things well enough for ya'all to take some peeks. I was spotting bald eagles all over the place and other wild and domesticated animals will make for interesting things to see.

I'll have a breakdown of where the "halfway" point will be, where you will pick up the second set of cue sheets, and what time you'll need to get there by later.

It's gonna be super cool! I can't wait!

Friday News and Veiws

Here's a helping of the latest on several of the happenings here at Guitar Ted Productions and Twenty Nine Inches:

Trans Iowa V3 Recon: The course recon continues tomorrow with what I hope is the final major trip before I can release some more details to all of you out there interested in such madness. Look for a report on road conditions and maybe a picture or two at the very least.

Bike Updates: I should have two bike review updates very soon on Twenty Nine Inches. One on the Dos Niner and one on the Raleigh XXIX+G. Both bikes have been getting some good rides in and that in itself is pretty amazing news, considering it's January in Iowa. Heck......the ground isn't even frozen! Maybe Iowa is turning into Missouri!

Big Wheeled Ballyhoo: Wow! This event is going to be really cool! We've got some major players in the 29"er market promising to show up with lots of demo bikes to ride. We've got a raffle for a new 29"er lined up, and possibly some other goofiness to pass on if it comes together. Of course, we have the awesome trails in Decorah, Iowa to roll on, so whatever happens, we'll at least all have fun riding bikes! I won't spill any more beans about the event, but suffice it to say that you will want to mark down the last full weekend in June as a time to be coming to Decorah to see this and ride with alot of like minded cyclists.

Frost Bike: Coming just around the corner is the dealer only show, Frost Bike, that is put on by distribution powerhouse Quality Bicycle Products. This is a really good show from the standpoint of getting to see and hear about upcoming new products of interest. I suspect that there will be several vendors there to show the wares, as in years past. Look for a report on that in late February.

Guitar Ted Death Ride Invitational: And last but probably even least......... GTDRI! This nutty long ride will again be taking place in July. I have already acertained a course that will have over twice the climbing the first edition had and be shorter in distance. And.....it's not in North East Iowa! Nope! We're going to explore a different part of Iowa this time. More details to come after I recon that course later in the spring.

Allrighty then! Ya'all have a great weekend and ride your bikes in this balmy January weather! Who knows when the hammer will fall! Me? I'm recovering from the nasty, nasty head cold that has left me barely able to speak and weak since the New Years Day ride. Being sick = no fun for G-Ted! Late!

Friday News and Veiws

Here's a helping of the latest on several of the happenings here at Guitar Ted Productions and Twenty Nine Inches:

Trans Iowa V3 Recon: The course recon continues tomorrow with what I hope is the final major trip before I can release some more details to all of you out there interested in such madness. Look for a report on road conditions and maybe a picture or two at the very least.

Bike Updates: I should have two bike review updates very soon on Twenty Nine Inches. One on the Dos Niner and one on the Raleigh XXIX+G. Both bikes have been getting some good rides in and that in itself is pretty amazing news, considering it's January in Iowa. Heck......the ground isn't even frozen! Maybe Iowa is turning into Missouri!

Big Wheeled Ballyhoo: Wow! This event is going to be really cool! We've got some major players in the 29"er market promising to show up with lots of demo bikes to ride. We've got a raffle for a new 29"er lined up, and possibly some other goofiness to pass on if it comes together. Of course, we have the awesome trails in Decorah, Iowa to roll on, so whatever happens, we'll at least all have fun riding bikes! I won't spill any more beans about the event, but suffice it to say that you will want to mark down the last full weekend in June as a time to be coming to Decorah to see this and ride with alot of like minded cyclists.

Frost Bike: Coming just around the corner is the dealer only show, Frost Bike, that is put on by distribution powerhouse Quality Bicycle Products. This is a really good show from the standpoint of getting to see and hear about upcoming new products of interest. I suspect that there will be several vendors there to show the wares, as in years past. Look for a report on that in late February.

Guitar Ted Death Ride Invitational: And last but probably even least......... GTDRI! This nutty long ride will again be taking place in July. I have already acertained a course that will have over twice the climbing the first edition had and be shorter in distance. And.....it's not in North East Iowa! Nope! We're going to explore a different part of Iowa this time. More details to come after I recon that course later in the spring.

Allrighty then! Ya'all have a great weekend and ride your bikes in this balmy January weather! Who knows when the hammer will fall! Me? I'm recovering from the nasty, nasty head cold that has left me barely able to speak and weak since the New Years Day ride. Being sick = no fun for G-Ted! Late!

No Thanks! No.........Really!

(Note: My camera takes poor close ups, so sue me!)

Okay, can you make this out? It's a trigger shifter that's ten speed! Aaaacccch! Noooo!

Can this mean the mountain bike group is coming that is ten speed? Where can I sign up for the revolt?






Here's what it looks like from the other side. Nicely done, I must admit. In reality, it's a flat bar road bike Rapid Fire shifter. It's got a XTR-ish finish on it. Much of the construction is forged aluminum, and I'm betting from the buttery smooth action that it's got some stellar bushings, or possibly bearings on the shifter internals.






This is the thing that drives me insane! I can just see it coming. Ten speed mountain bike gruppos. Acch-hissss! It's enough to make me go Gollum-like and crawl into a deeply burrowed cave under a mountain somewhere. Clutching the last known 8 speed thumbshifter, I'll whisper, "My precious!", as I click off it's glorious indexed shift points. Well.............maybe that's a bit far fetched!

But the truth is, road bikes ridden by ordinary folks don't need ten speeds. It just makes people more upset with the cycling industry in the end. Check it out: Customer: You mean I just bought this bike last spring and now you're telling me that my chain, cassette, and middle chainring are worn out after six months? Why you litlle theiving shop rat! I oughta.......

Yeah, and just try to guess how much that repair job will cost consumers. Think I'm joking? It's already happening with 9 speed road components!

No.......no, no, no! Don't even think about making a ten speed mountain gruppo. There will be hell to pay if it it happens, and I might be at the front of that battle line!

Either that or far under a dark mountain..................my preciousssss!!!

No Thanks! No.........Really!

(Note: My camera takes poor close ups, so sue me!)

Okay, can you make this out? It's a trigger shifter that's ten speed! Aaaacccch! Noooo!

Can this mean the mountain bike group is coming that is ten speed? Where can I sign up for the revolt?






Here's what it looks like from the other side. Nicely done, I must admit. In reality, it's a flat bar road bike Rapid Fire shifter. It's got a XTR-ish finish on it. Much of the construction is forged aluminum, and I'm betting from the buttery smooth action that it's got some stellar bushings, or possibly bearings on the shifter internals.






This is the thing that drives me insane! I can just see it coming. Ten speed mountain bike gruppos. Acch-hissss! It's enough to make me go Gollum-like and crawl into a deeply burrowed cave under a mountain somewhere. Clutching the last known 8 speed thumbshifter, I'll whisper, "My precious!", as I click off it's glorious indexed shift points. Well.............maybe that's a bit far fetched!

But the truth is, road bikes ridden by ordinary folks don't need ten speeds. It just makes people more upset with the cycling industry in the end. Check it out: Customer: You mean I just bought this bike last spring and now you're telling me that my chain, cassette, and middle chainring are worn out after six months? Why you litlle theiving shop rat! I oughta.......

Yeah, and just try to guess how much that repair job will cost consumers. Think I'm joking? It's already happening with 9 speed road components!

No.......no, no, no! Don't even think about making a ten speed mountain gruppo. There will be hell to pay if it it happens, and I might be at the front of that battle line!

Either that or far under a dark mountain..................my preciousssss!!!

You See, I Have These Hubs and.........

Wheels are a big, big deal to us cyclist, (duh! Mr. Obvious here!), but to me they are not only important, but fascinating. One of my favorite things to do is build a wheel from component parts. You take a bunch of stainless steel wires, an aluminum hoop, and a hub assembly which are all pretty useless on their own, and combine them into a marvel of engineering that can be ridden thousands of miles. How cool is that! Maybe I'm wired a bit different than most folks, but I get excited about that kind of stuff.

Of course, it takes skill and patience to do it correctly and have a wheel that can literally go thousands of miles. That and quality components. That's a key too. You have to put some initial thought into it, or you could end up with a pile of crap again! I guess I like that part of it too. The thought and choices that you make previous to the build. The whole process, really.

So it is that I find myself looking into several things concerning wheels right at the moment. One of the projects is going to be the building up of the special Surly "Jim Brown" annodized hubs that I did, in fact, get after all. I have a dilemma though. New hubs, special color, no current bike that matches. Oh crap! Now I "have to" get another single speed 29"er! I mean, what else can I do to have the hubs work out? (We cyclists are sick-sick-sick!)

So, I have had this little idea for a frame for a long time. Maybe I might have to look into that? Maybe I'll look into a brown Karate Monkey........hmmm.......choices. Brakes, cranks, handlebars, stems, and seat posts. Uh-oh! Here we go again!

Maybe it's the pursuit of "The Build" that's so enticing. Maybe it's "aquisition syndrome" at it's worst. Maybe it's a need to create something from a pile of parts, I don't know what it is. I know what Mrs. G-Ted would say. She would say, "NO!" Hrumph!......... I guess I might have to agree with that sentiment.

But I have these hubs and.....................

You See, I Have These Hubs and.........

Wheels are a big, big deal to us cyclist, (duh! Mr. Obvious here!), but to me they are not only important, but fascinating. One of my favorite things to do is build a wheel from component parts. You take a bunch of stainless steel wires, an aluminum hoop, and a hub assembly which are all pretty useless on their own, and combine them into a marvel of engineering that can be ridden thousands of miles. How cool is that! Maybe I'm wired a bit different than most folks, but I get excited about that kind of stuff.

Of course, it takes skill and patience to do it correctly and have a wheel that can literally go thousands of miles. That and quality components. That's a key too. You have to put some initial thought into it, or you could end up with a pile of crap again! I guess I like that part of it too. The thought and choices that you make previous to the build. The whole process, really.

So it is that I find myself looking into several things concerning wheels right at the moment. One of the projects is going to be the building up of the special Surly "Jim Brown" annodized hubs that I did, in fact, get after all. I have a dilemma though. New hubs, special color, no current bike that matches. Oh crap! Now I "have to" get another single speed 29"er! I mean, what else can I do to have the hubs work out? (We cyclists are sick-sick-sick!)

So, I have had this little idea for a frame for a long time. Maybe I might have to look into that? Maybe I'll look into a brown Karate Monkey........hmmm.......choices. Brakes, cranks, handlebars, stems, and seat posts. Uh-oh! Here we go again!

Maybe it's the pursuit of "The Build" that's so enticing. Maybe it's "aquisition syndrome" at it's worst. Maybe it's a need to create something from a pile of parts, I don't know what it is. I know what Mrs. G-Ted would say. She would say, "NO!" Hrumph!......... I guess I might have to agree with that sentiment.

But I have these hubs and.....................