Monthly Archives

November 2021

Blog Featured November 30, 2021

Xert Take The Wheel

If you follow me on Strava, you probably saw this one coming. After thinking about it, and talking to a few people who use a coach, I decided to submit to Xert’s training guidance; at least for the most part. Just to clear some things up, I do think there is tangible value in having an IRL coach. A real person providing adaptive workouts, finding areas for fitness improvement, tips, nutritional direction,…

News November 30, 2021

Endura Expands MT500 Freezing Point Lineup

When I started riding my fat bike on MTB trails in the snow, I pretty much wore a mix/match of road cycling and random sportswear. As I spent more time out in the cold, and less time bouncing off trees (skills still aren’t where they should be, but hey, I’ll take the improvement), I’ve been upgrading some of that kit to things that are more purpose built for the task. The main…

Blog Featured November 24, 2021

Will Dynaplug Damage Your Carbon Rims?

When I found out about Dynaplug, I had some concerns around whether it could damage carbon rims if the brass tip made contact with the wheel. I would love to take manufactures at their word that a thing is safe, thoroughly tested, and works the way it should, but all too often it just doesn’t play out. So I figured it was worth buying one and testing what would happen if I…

News November 23, 2021

Esker Cycles is Crowdfunding Itself

I generally try to stay away from crowdfunding. My personal experience hasn’t been that awesome there. But, I also have to admit that this crowdfunding effort from Esker (a startup MTB brand that also owns Terren Tires) has me intrigued. Part of that is because the thing on offer here isn’t a sleek product, that is probably vapor, but a slice of the company itself. And while I have minimal interest in…

News November 23, 2021

All your Shimano Dura-Ace 9270 Weight Questions Answered

I’m not sure if I’ve ever started a Rides of Japan video, and not watched it all the way through. Content I want, presented in a way that is easy to consume; what’s not to like? Today’s installment will be a bit dry for anyone not interested in the weight of bike components, or how to setup Shimano’s new semi-wireless Di-2 system, but for me this is perfect.…

Blog November 21, 2021

PSA: Used Vector 3 + Rally XC Conversion Kit is a great cheap SPD Power Meter

DCR made a video about this when the Garmin Rally power meter pedals launched, so I knew it was possible. But, I hadn’t actually ever done the math around whether it would be worth it if you didn’t already have a set of Vector 3s laying around. Yesterday a friend of mine mentioned that he did exactly that over the summer; back when the Rally XC 200 were in short supply and…

Events November 20, 2021

Gravel Worlds – 2022

It would be a lie to say that I don’t know why I keep signing up for events that can only be described as masochistic. I know exactly why, not only do I sign up for these guys, but I sign up for the longest, hardest, version of them. And it’s because for reasons that I can’t explain, I let my friend, the one that’s actually good at these, talk me into…

News November 19, 2021

Canyon Aeroad Handlebar Saga Coming to An End

Remember the whole Aeroad handlebar breaking problem that was supposed to be sorted in July? Looks like it’s actually getting resolved now, as we near the end of November. A friend of mine has one of their SLX bikes, and just received the email below. Oddly none of the DIY/LBS options are on the table, and he’ll have to package up the whole bike (yeah, wheels too?) and ship it to California…

News November 19, 2021

New Trek Speed Concept Tri/TT bike is yummy

I’m not usually a fan of black bikes, but I have to admit that the black paint on Trek’s new Speed Concept Tri/TT bike looks awesome; although I think the Emerald Iris* is my favorite. But, if you don’t like the options they have you can customize it through their Project One program. This guy is of personal interest to me as well because I’m kind of in the market for a…

News November 19, 2021

Garmin Makes Padel Official With fēnix 6 Firmware 20.00

Padel players can rest easy. It’s official, Padel is now recognized as a sport. Huzzah! Garmin must be in a generous mood because they’ve also extended the same courtesy to Pickleball, snowshoe, tennis (eh?), and HIIT. Good things all around. Serious business aside, the change log for the 20.00 firmware release is massive; new features, improvements, and bug fixes all around. One thing not noted though, is that at least for me,…

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