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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by Velospeak | Apr 11, 2015 | Uncategorized
This weekend Machines For Freedom will showcase their line at a pop-up shop in the Aether Apparel store on La Brea. In conjunction with the pop-up, there will be a ride Sunday morning starting out from I.Martin, and ending at the Aether shop. This should be a mellow 32 mile no drop ride with coffee and donuts waiting at the end. Count me in.
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by Velospeak | Apr 10, 2015 | Uncategorized
I never dreamed a bell would make its way onto the cockpit of any bicycle I rode, save perhaps a dedicated city bike. A bell has always felt akin to a toy, not a serious piece of cycling hardware, and for that reason, I shied away from them. But, one day, on a casual troll of the cycling blogs, I came across Spurcycle and their new bell. The photos on their website inspired me to write and inquire if a sample might be available. I was drawn to the simplicity of form and all out good design of something so basic that has been overlooked in the past. I asked for the black bell, and it promptly arrived in a minimal but beautiful box. Inside the box were the bell and two bands, one for 22-26 MM bars, and another for 30-36 MM bars. The installation directions are printed on the back side of the inner sleeve, and as is to be expected with good design, are quite clear. There is also an effective graphic detailing the process. Once installed, I had the pleasure of testing it for the first time. The sound I heard was music to my ears. Actually, it continues to be music to my ears. I can’t get enough of how clear and brilliant the bell sounds, and I find myself ringing it whenever an occasion arises. It is loud and powerful, and quite capable of alerting everyone in your vicinity of your presence. The bell is crafted of brass and stainless steel, and is made in the USA. Its compact size allows it to be installed on any handlebars no matter the configuration. The Spurcycle bell is most definitely the best bell I have ever seen or heard, and it is deserving of a spot on your dream bike.
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by Velospeak | Apr 8, 2015 | Uncategorized
Click on the photo above to see the opportunity Bosch is offering to 10 cyclists in LA and San Francisco. If chosen, you’ll have the opportunity to test an e-bike for a solid month, long enough to discover just how fun they are. Send an e-mail to Boschsmiles@gmail.com to apply.
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by Velospeak | Apr 7, 2015 | Uncategorized
Back in the days when I still had the time to mountain bike, I eschewed the advent of disc brakes as being too much tech for the simplicity of the bicycle. With the advent of hydraulic disc brakes, I had an even stronger argument against the technology, as I reasoned having to bleed brakes on a bicycle was extreme and unnecessary. Then one day, I rode a mountain bike with mechanical disc brakes, and within months, the technology was installed on my trusty Ellsworth. I had found happiness, and my previous rants were for naught. Now, years later, I was resisting the call to electronics and disc brakes on road bikes. Had I become the luddite, resisting new tech for the sake of being ornery? In a moment of self realization, I knocked on the door of BMC headquarters to ask for a test BMC Gran Fondo with hydraulic disc brakes and electronic shifting. At least this time I would be armed with real world experience to make the argument against these technologies. Or, so I thought. A strange thing happened while riding the bike up and down the hills near my wife’s hometown in Neuchatel; I liked it. The braking was phenomenal, and the shifting precise. It opened my eyes to the possibilities, and I quickly became a proponent of the upgrades. When putting together my Calfee Dragonfly Adventure, I opted to use the latest from Shimano – the R785 hydraulic shift levers mated with the matching disc brakes. The levers can handle both Ultegra and Dura Ace Di2, so in the spirit of building the best possible set-up, I opted to run Dura Ace. I’ve been riding this combination for nearly six months now, and I can unequivocally say that this may be the perfect option for a new build. The braking is exceptional, with a lever feel that can’t be beat. One or two finger braking is a breeze, allowing for optimal stopping power. The hoods are tall to accommodate the hydraulics, but also allowing for an incredibly ergonomic position. The shifting via the Di2 Dura Ace is precise and assured. It has remained rock solid over time, with absolutely no need for adjustment. The set-up of the brakes is a breeze, as is changing the pads. With more time, I suspect I will gain even more respect for what Shimano has achieved in introducing the R785 system. I couldn’t be happier with the design, the stability, and the overall function of the system.
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by Velospeak | Apr 6, 2015 | Uncategorized
Blundstone has been producing boots since 1870. In that time they have perfected their craft, and on occasion, they release new styles to add to their already robust collection. One such style is the 1314 seen above. It is part of the Casual Series, and as such, has a crepe rubber sole instead of the standard sole found on the 500 Series boot. As seems to be the case with every pair of Blundstones I’ve worn, the 1314s were comfortable from the very first minute I put them on. This is not the type of boot that needs to be broken in; it can be worn directly out of the box. The construction is as solid as the other boots, and I’m sure these will last a lifetime. Blundstones tend to be that way – a boot that never wears out and only gets better with age. Blundstone remains close to its roots, and continues to operate out of Tasmania. The consistency of their business practice translates well into the consistency of the boots they make. You can always count on Blundstone for a boot that will wear well and last a very long time.
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by Velospeak | Apr 4, 2015 | Uncategorized
Holland Cycles is a name that has come up often in conversations about custom bicycles. Just a few weeks back, I was at a party where I met a gentleman who sang the praises of a Holland Cycles ExoGrid bicycle. He purchased the ExoGrid after owning a Holland titanium bicycle, and as he put it, it was a revelation. Now Holland Cycles is moving into carbon with the soon to be released Holland Carbon HC. I made the trip to San Diego to meet with Bill Holland, and the wealth of information I took away about the Carbon HC, the ExoGrid, and the titanium gravel grinder, was enough to make my head spin. Bill is unbelievably knowledgable about bicycle design. He’s been building bicycles for more than 40 years, and over that time has been refining his craft to near perfection. In the shop there are examples of the different builds he offers, and I can only say they are some of the most beautiful bicycles I’ve seen. I immediately started dreaming of a future build – a bike to last a lifetime, a bike to travel the world. This is a testament to the beauty I saw in the shop, as the pleasure of planning and daydreaming has become rarer in this age of immediate gratification. Bill’s generosity and graciousness in answering my questions makes me think the process of ordering a bike from him would be the definition of “bespoke” – a tailor fit build addressing every minute detail, leaving absolutely no stone unturned. I hope to demo an ExoGrid in the near future to experience what my new friend says is an unsurpassed ride quality. I will continue daydreaming of the perfect Holland Cycles build for me, and planning the way to make it a reality. For those looking for the quintessential custom bicycle, Holland Cycles should not be overlooked.
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