by Velospeak | Jul 13, 2016 | Uncategorized
From the 4th of July in Los Angeles, to the bucolic mountains and valleys of Switzerland, it has been a wonderful week. The icing on the cake was arriving in Dombresson, Switzerland to a box containing the Open U.P. you see pictured above. This is a bicycle I’ve been wanting to ride for some time, so it is a pleasure having the opportunity to do so in such a perfect setting. U.P. is short for unbeaten path, and the roads and trails in the Val de Ruz are a perfect testing ground for this bicycle. My quick first impression is that the U.P. is indeed ready for anything. And unlike some gravel bikes, the U.P. feels fast, undoubtedly due to the short chain stays. The dropped drive side chain stay allows the bicycle to accommodate a vast variety of wheel and tire sizes – from 27.5 mountain bike wheels to 700C wheels with 40C tires, the bike has many possible combinations. I’ll post a more detailed review down the road, but for now, I am having fun going up and down the Swiss slopes on the U.P.
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by Velospeak | Jul 4, 2016 | Events, Made in the USA, Uncategorized
Have a great 4th of July!
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by Velospeak | Jun 22, 2016 | Bicycles, Uncategorized
It comes in my color and has Di2 and hydraulic disc brakes: introducing the Canyon Endurace line of bicycles. This could very well be the perfect bike for any adventure. The geometry is slightly different from their top end road bike, promising a comfortable ride with the same race characteristics expected from a bike of this caliber. (more…)
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by Velospeak | Jun 21, 2016 | Accessories, Made in the USA, Product Reviews
Sometimes it’s the little things that make people happy. The Spurcycle Key Clip is one of those little things. It is a beautiful piece of hardware with a simple design goal: to hold your keys and clip to the belt loop of your favorite jeans. Often the importance of good design in basic everyday objects is overlooked, and mediocrity is what typically gets served up. That is a shame. (more…)
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by Velospeak | May 30, 2016 | Bicycles, Uncategorized
The news has been officially confirmed. Canyon Bicycles is coming to the USA. This is no longer just a rumor whispered about within the cycling community. Canyon has set its sights on the US market, partnered with a San Francisco based private equity firm, and they expect to have the US website up and running at the beginning of 2017. This couldn’t be better news. (more…)
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by Velospeak | May 16, 2016 | Uncategorized
For this year’s edition of the Tour of California, Rapha has teamed up with Herman Miller to offer a limited edition run of caps to mark each stage of the race. The caps use prints created by Alexander Girard, longtime Design Director of Herman Miller’s textile division. Each cap will only be available on race day, and as evidenced by cap 1 already having sold out, it will not be easy to collect the entire series. It will be almost as hard as trying to getting Radiohead tickets, but at least there will be the satisfaction of being able to watch the Tour. Rapha continues to impress with interesting collaborations and projects, and this one is sure to up the ante. More on the story behind the creation of the caps can be found on the Rapha site. (more…)
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by Velospeak | May 12, 2016 | Bicycles, Events, Uncategorized
On May 22nd, I’m going to wish I was in Wisconsin for the Tour du Taliesen. This ride is sponsored by Taliesen Preservation, a group responsible for the preservation of the estate, as well as public programing highlighting Frank Lloyd Wright and his legacy. I’ve never been to Spring Green, Wisconsin, but all the places I have been to in the Cheese State are amazing. (more…)
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by Velospeak | May 2, 2016 | Accessories, Bicycles, Events, Made in the USA
Mother’s Day is this coming Sunday, May 8th, and this year it is also a day to celebrate the bicycle. The Los Angeles Bicycle Festival is coming to Grand Park in downtown Los Angeles for a day of art, music, food, and, of course, bicycles. This should be an excellent event, and I, for one, am looking forward to attending. That said, I am a father, so it’ll be up to my wife to decide how to spend the day. I’ll be dropping subtle hints all week in hopes of her choosing this event for at least a portion of the day. What better way to spend Mother’s Day than in the park with the kids… and bikes?
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by Velospeak | Apr 22, 2016 | Bicycles, Events, Uncategorized
There was a lot to see at the Sea Otter Classic, but one bike in particular stood out for me, the Masi Randonneur pictured above. This is an update of the current Randonneur, and it has some significant changes, the most notable of which is the wheel and tire size. The current model runs 700c wheels with 32mm tires. The new iteration will have 650b wheels with 47mm tires. To be sure, this will provide a huge level of comfort, and will also help with grip. (more…)
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by Velospeak | Apr 12, 2016 | Uncategorized
It is most definitely a busy month for cycling enthusiasts. Racing is in full swing in Europe, and the rides and festivals here in the States are starting up now that warmer weather is on the horizon. One festival I try not to miss is the Sea Otter Classic. It doesn’t get better than being on the Monterey peninsula for some excellent riding, and the latest and greatest offerings from a huge variety of bike companies participating in the expo at the Laguna Seca Raceway. (more…)
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