by Velospeak | Jun 5, 2015 | Product Reviews, Uncategorized
A week from tomorrow, I will embark with my family on a cross country trip in the VW Eurovan Camper. The trip has long been in the planning stages, and outfitting the camper with everything we might need has been job number one. Coffee is, of course, a priority, so a lot of thought went into what we might bring along for the journey. The option we have chosen is the GSI 14 Cup Stainless Steel Percolator. I received this beautiful piece of hardware some time ago, but as often happens, my many plans for camping were scuttled, and only now have I finally tried the percolator out. On a few trial runs, this seems the ideal piece of equipment for the VW camper. It easily stows away in the cabinet below the sink, and fits well on the stovetop. The operation is simple, the coffee quite good, and clean-up is not a problem. Best of all, the stainless steel finish is one that resists scratching and looks like new after each use. I think this will be a rock solid addition to the long list of supplies in the van. GSI is all about the outdoors, and their product lines will fulfill anyone’s outdoor needs.
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by Velospeak | May 30, 2015 | Events, Uncategorized
Tomorrow marks the day CicLAvia ventures into Pasadena. Come on over to Colorado between 9am-4pm for what promises to be a fun filled day.
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by Velospeak | May 29, 2015 | Made in the USA, Product Reviews, Uncategorized
Mission Workshop has come to be known for the excellent quality of their bags such as the ones seen above. What some may not know, is that they also make clothing that rivals the design and quality of the bags. As is the case with most of what they do, Mission Workshop produces a small, carefully selected range of apparel that is all top notch. I’ve been lucky enough to wear many of the pieces, and I can unequivocally say they are all exceptional. From the top of the line Remi hooded blazer to the more moderately priced items such as the District Henley, they are all welcome additions to any wardrobe. I found myself wearing the Remi blazer for a good part of spring and loved its utility and good looks. Now that the weather has warmed up, I seem to be living in the District Henley. It is a well designed piece, and it pretty much can be worn with anything in your closet. It is made from merino wool, so it goes a long way between washes if need be. The District will be a staple on our upcoming cross country trip, as laundromats may be few and far between. It will join the VX/R8 Field Pack, another staple for the upcoming trip. Mission Workshop is a company to be watched. Production is in the United States and Canada, the quality is phenomenal, the release schedule of new products is well paced and deliberate, and the overall ethos is one to be admired. These are all products made to last a lifetime, an unusual approach in these days of disposable goods.
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by Velospeak | May 20, 2015 | Product Reviews, Uncategorized
Emilio De Marchi has been producing high quality cycling clothing since 1946. Shortly after the end of World War II, his passion for cycling translated into what is now considered the oldest cycling clothing company in the world. De Marchi makes everything from technical clothing to lifestyle pieces such as the one pictured above. A lot of it has a certain retro feel that is instantly appealing to those steeped in cycling tradition. The Tradition Polo is sewn in Italy from Italian materials. The quality is evident in the stitching and mother of pearl buttons. The slim fit makes this piece a pleasure to wear, and the three rear pockets give it a distinct cycling appearance. The De Marchi website has a treasure trove of clothing worth looking through, and one day, I’d love to show my affinity for all things Swiss, and get the 1954 Koblet vintage cycling jersey. Also, be sure to have a look at the blog as well as the history of the company. It is all fun reading.
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by Velospeak | May 17, 2015 | Racing, Uncategorized
…Peter Sagan.
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by Velospeak | May 11, 2015 | Uncategorized
I don’t often post on bicycles I haven’t yet seen in person, but the Karmic Koben S electric bike promises to be an excellent bicycle, so I thought it worth mentioning. The Koben is an affordable and lightweight electric bicycle that should fulfill the needs of most commuters. It is a sub 40 lb bike, has a top speed of 28mph with pedal assist, and a range of approximately 40 miles. The design is sleek and simple, and also benefits from a mid-mounted motor for a balanced ride. Have a look at the Kickstarter campaign for more details. They are well on their way to being funded, with the first deliveries taking place in October. There are a few prototypes cruising around the Palo Alto area, and if one of them makes its way down to SoCal, I’ll be sure to report back with firsthand impressions.
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by Velospeak | May 7, 2015 | Uncategorized
About a year ago, I stumbled across the Simpson Velorig website. I was immediately drawn to the site’s clean design, and was intrigued by the VR1 frame set available for sale. The company, based in Orange County, California, is the brainchild of Michael Simpson. I reached out to Michael to learn more, and also to request a bike for testing. We met up many months ago, and he supplied a VR1 with a SRAM Force gruppo for tooling about Los Angeles.
It is always exciting getting on a new bike, and the VR1 was no exception. To begin with, its looks are striking. The carbon frame and fork are an unusual design in the cookie cutter world of carbon bikes. I asked whether the molds for this bike were custom and not off the shelf, and the answer I received was a resounding yes. Absolutely custom designed molds for a unique take on bicycle design. The frame is built to accommodate either mechanical or electronic shifting, as well as disc brakes. Simpson was an early adopter of the disc brake standard, and now that it is becoming more commonplace, I think the company made a smart decision spec’ing this out. The frame is available in four sizes, starting with a 54cm through to a 60cm. The frameset weighs in at 1290 grams for a size 56 with an uncut ISP. The fork is an additional 480 grams. The build I have tops the scales at about 17.5 pounds, a respectable weight for a disc brake equipped bike. Details on the builds, the testing, and the design, are all spelled out in great detail on the website. It is worth the read, and also refreshing to get such a straightforward explanation of the process.
Before describing the ride, I have to mention a fun aside. Without fail, every time I take this bike out, someone somewhere stops me to ask questions. Some days it is cyclists, other days just folks walking down the street. The bike is so striking, it gets noticed. From the frame design down to the simplicity of the graphics and colors, it is sure to attract attention everywhere you go. As I said before, this is not a bike that melds in with the other bikes in todays marketplace. It most definitely stands apart.
My first ride on the VR1 was up my usual climb in Hollywood. Nichols Canyon is a favorite, and as I ride it so often, I find it is a good testing ground for comparison to other bikes. Climbing is efficient with the VR1, as the stiff bottom bracket allows transfer of power to the road without sacrificing any of your effort. The 17 pounds may slow your times down over a 13 pound rig, but it feels excellent going uphill. Descending is where I think the VR1 stands out. It is one of the most stable bikes I have ridden down a hill. I easily hit speeds of 45 mph without trying too hard, and I felt incredibly safe and stable doing so. The 28C tires contribute to the sure-footedness of the bike, as does the fork design. And long distances are no problem on the Simpson Velorig. I routinely took the bike on 5o plus mile rides, and felt great afterwards. I think the VR1’s handling easily matches its distinctive looks. This is a good all around bike for any type of riding.
The last point on the Simpson Velorig that is worth talking about is the price. The bike I have been riding is sold directly through the website for $4150.00. This is for the the complete bike with Force hydraulic disc brakes, carbon wheelset, and all components. This is a remarkable price considering the price of your average carbon bike these days. It is certainly not the cheapest, but it sits well below bikes from some of the other manufacturers. It’s a price point that should tempt folks to give Simpson Velorigs a try.
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by Velospeak | May 5, 2015 | Uncategorized
The California Bicycle Coalition is beginning a campaign to implement a specialty license plate with a bicycle theme. The plate would help secure funds for bicycle related infrastructure, education, and other useful cycling programs. To that end, the coalition is asking for help in determining the best uses for the funds obtained. Please help them by filling out the short questionnaire found here.
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by Velospeak | Apr 22, 2015 | Uncategorized
The Faraday Porteur, first spied at Oregon Manifest, is now available for purchase directly from the Faraday website. Available in classic white or British racing green, the only options are either a front rack or rear rack. This is an electric assist bike with a Gates belt drive, and an internal eight speed Shimano Alfine hub. The price of the Faraday bests most other electric bikes, and this is most definitely one of the better designs I’ve seen for an electric bike. I look forward to test riding a Faraday in hopes its handling is as good as its looks.
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by Velospeak | Apr 16, 2015 | Uncategorized
This weekend I am heading to Monterey for the Sea Otter Classic. This is a favorite event of mine, and I plan on seeing as much as possible on the one day I’ll be at the festival. The bike you see pictured above is at the top of the list of things to see. This is the new U.P.(Unbeaten Path) from Open. It is a GravelPlus frame meant for exploring the world. Check it out here, and please vote for your favorite color. See you in Monterey.
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