Leaving Las Vegas

I am not a fan of the Vegas city.  There is no hiding that.  Upon being picked up at the airport today I was struck with how much of my description of my week was about stuff I didn't enjoy about being in Vegas.  That is something I need to work on.

My coworker Cayley and I flew back to civilization today.  Coming back to the smells and subtle sounds of Minnesota is amazing.  But I am already thinking of products I didn't quite pick up enough information about.  Fender mounts, diversity of socks and gloves, freewheels.  There are a number of things that I just didn't get around to.

Personally, one of the exciting things this year is the growing acceptance of the 584 bsd wheel size.  Some refer to this as 650b or a growing trend of 27.5", but I like to stick to the actual measurement.  In talking with one of the guys from Park Tool, I referenced 584 and he was super pleased in being able to talk actual measurable numbers.  It's a trend I would love to see expanded on.  Anyway, there are a bunch of new components that are being introduced for 584 bikes.  Not a lot of bikes from the big companies, but there are a few popping up.  Forks (Rock Shox has around 6 different options), rims and wheels, and now a number of tyre options (around 6 from Schwalbe alone).  I am hoping to be able to squeeze one of these new bikes into my fleet sooner than later.

I liked what I saw from the bag company Deuter.  I don't know if we can sell any, but they seem to be a nice alternative to Camelbak or some of the other larger US brands.  Wednesday was the trip through the Shimano booth.  11 speed is here.  The electronic shifting didn't do that much for me.  I do appreciate the larger shift pad, sleeker front derailleur design, programmable sensitivity, and multi-shift options, but I really liked the improved mechanical front shifting and cable refinements.  There was zero hesitation on the front shifting.  I have a number of customers with small hands that are really going to like that technology.  It may have to creep down to some lower levels, but it should get there.  I cant' say I am unimpressed with the Alfine 11 electronic setup, but I don't think it is what most commuters want.  What is nice about it, is the ability to run a flat or riser or drop bar setup with a small change to your shifter.

Staying on the Shimano theme, the new 7900 system uses a 110 bcd  crankset.  It is the same no matter what kind of sizing you are dealing with.  That should be a nicer way to manufacture cranks with just having to bolt on a 53/42 chainring set on one, and then bolt a 50/34 on the exact same arms.  Nice for changing riding styles as well.  There are quite a few other changes that are happening at Shimano, but my brain isn't able to regurgitate them up right now.

Against my better judgment, I may try to convince the higher ups to try out a few Lyzene pumps.  They have always had great looking designs but there are a few things I have now seen in person that i think would sell ok.  Not that we need more pump options, but if there are products out there that are worth selling, we should have them, or at least have used them.

Still wading through some pictures and will have them up throughout next week.  

Interbike #1

There is so much stuff happening at Interbike, I don't know that anyone can really wade through it all even if they had a full 5 days.  We didn't have that option, so we are making the best of the time we have.

A new lock for Ivy Mike

My goal for the day was to make it through a bunch of the more unexciting booths that are necessary to run a bike shop.  I find a lot of weird things interesting, especially when it comes to bicycles, but locks and socks for the masses are not up on that list.  It has been difficult for me in the past to put myself into the position of the consumer and not the specific cyclist that I am.  There are a lot of products that we need to sell for those persons.

So much good product is out there or soon to be.  I am hoping to bring in some ODI Cross Trainer grips.  There is no question that for off road riding these grips are quite the staple among a large group of my friends.  New Look pedals that are much more affordable.  Ergon grips offered in both cork and leather.  We should be expanding our Banjo Brothers selection of products, a local based company that make darn good stuff at a darn good price.  It's hard to go into much detail as I don't know where to start or end, so I will be choosing a number of products and companies to highlight in the next few posts.

And there are some other things that I saw that I am not ready to talk about quite yet.  Partially because I don't know if they will be something we want to carry, and partially because I don't know if they will happen at all.  This is one of the benefits to talking to manufacturers directly.  If you use their product and show genuine interest in what is happening, they are much more likely to talk to you about non published information.

Cool stuff all around.

(Sorry about the lack of photos, interwebbing around these parts is not so fun.  Expect a photo dump in a few days)

Interbike Day 2 - Dirt Demo

We decided we should try to ride a couple more bicycles on this trip so we headed out somewhat early to sneak a little riding in before lunch and then take the afternoon off before a couple of days on the floor of Interbike.

Bike number 1 for me was a Redline 29r hardtail.  I have to say this was one of the most fun bicycles on the entire week.  It was quick, handled like a bike should, and the Fox fork was superb.  I took a little different trail that was more challenging and I will say this bike handled it like a champ.  Very impressed.

Bike number 2 was a Jamis Nemesis.  This was the first 650b bicycle I have ever ridden.  The whole of the bike was fine, I don’t know if they don’t have the geometry down yet for this wheel size, but it didn’t seem quite right.  I am thinking that this wheel size is going to be for me.  One more bike for the stable.

Next was a Specialized S Works hardtail.  It rode nice (the seatpost was adjusted a tad high and the fork had too little air), but it didn’t really have the snap that I had experienced on other bikes.  The one thing that did stand out was the XTR disc brakes.  These had the best control and modulation of anything else I rode this week.  A fantastic balance of power  and control.

Lastly was the Beargrease.  Salsa’s latest and lightest fat bike, I rode this just to compare the Moonlander I rode Monday.  This one was set up with a Thudbuster seatpost and I don’t think I would ever set a bike up this way.  Once I began bouncing, I didn’t stop until I got off the bike.  Maybe it would be different if it were set up for me, but it seems like there is way too much spring in the tyres to introduce more through the seatpost.  Besides that it was awesome!  You can throw that bike at anything and it will go over it.  Super fun!

On that note, I would like to say a little about tyre pressure.  This can make or break a bike.  I tried to find the right pressure out on the trail with a couple of bikes, and I came close, but there was one that stood out above the rest.  I am sure because it happened to have the right pressure in them.  Not once was I asked what kind of pressure I run.  I am not very aggressive, so I didn’t ever ask for someone to set it for me, but I think that is a huge game changer for a bike.  At these demo events, there are thousands of rides happening on these bikes and I know there needs to be a little extra air in there to protect them.  It still would be nice.

(Sorry no pics, my phone was really acting up.  I don't think it likes Vegas either)

What that leads me to is preparation for the next time I am able to come out and experience this or I guess, any other demo event.

1.        Bring along an air pressure gauge.  Roll away from the tent, stop and let the air out to the wanted pressure.  A simple and test worthy solution.

2.       Bring a multi tool.  I came close in saddle height almost always but it would be nice to move a few things again, away from the booth.  Handlebar rotation, brake levers, saddle angle.  These were all over the board and again can make a huge difference in how a bike rides.

3.       Put my water bladder in my backpack.  This was just an oversight but out here, water makes the difference.  I am almost always on the verge of dehydration and now it’s just bad.

4.       Install a bell on my backpack.  I think it would have been extremely helpful in a few situations.

First day of the “show” tomorrow.  Lots of walking and lots of stuff!

Interbike Dirt Demo - Day 1

Travelling all day makes me tired.  We started the day with rain and 50 degrees, and about 2250 miles later, it was 98 and scorching sun.  But we did manage to have fun.

My coworker Cayley and I are out in Vegas for the annual bike trade show.  There are a couple days in which shop folk have the ability to test ride bicycles.

After flying in and shuttling to the hotel and small Kayser with our bags and shuttling to the demo, I was not in much of a mood to ride anything. So we decided to eat which turned out to be one of the best things ever. After, the idea seemed much more appealing. We decided to ride some bikes we don't normally carry, to see if selling them would be a good or bad idea. I first was on a Marin carbon road thing and it was very smooth and the Ultegra Di2 shifted well (although after an afternoon of demoing, it was not perfect) but the roads out here are perfect and not the best test of how it will be back home. I decided to swing my leg over a Surly Moonlander next. This thing is a beast but it is surprising how agile and fun it is. I was careening into whatever I wanted to with very little going wrong. I don't know if I will ever own one, but I see why people are riding them more and more. Finally we took out a pair of Ridley cross bikes. Wow! That really summed it up. Instantly I had a huge ass grin and seemed to keep riding faster and faster. I cannot believe how quick those bikes rode. We are heading back out this morning, I might have to ride it again.

Not the Week I Wanted

I wonder sometimes why I write any blog pieces.  I have some ideas that I like to float out there to assist other riders similar to me.  Sometimes it is to rant about stuff that bugs the crap out of me but has no bearing on the people nearest me.  And sometimes it is just a way to clear my head.  This would be one of those posts.

My brother killed himself this past weekend.  There is no easy way to say that.  We were very close these past 15 years or so.  He battled depression and alcoholism for most of his 43 years.  As sad as I am that I will no longer have new experiences with him, I am beginning to feel a fair amount of relief that he is no longer having to deal with the pain and anguish that were a part of him always.

As I sit here tonight, I am beginning to reflect back through an almost unimaginable week. It seems much more than 4 days ago when I received the phone call from the police.  I can barely keep a time line of having to call family and friends, make arrangements and decisions, receive countless phone calls and messages, and go through a service, including eulogizing my own brother.  Surreal is barely adequate.

Respect has become a primary word in my vocabulary and life over the last few years.  I have come to realize how important respect is, and how little there is of it in this world. Simple, true, honest respect changes so much how you view situations and people.  I truly believe if more people respected others, violence and conflict would virtually disappear. So when I lost my brother, my first instinct was to make sure he was remembered with respect.  

I had taken on a bit of a caretaker role for him over a number of years and that role kicked into high gear as soon as I made that first call to my mother.  My cousin and I both spoke at his service and it was by far the most difficult thing I have ever done, though it was exactly what I needed.  I wrote my words the evening before, finishing up the next morning after my brain had ceased to be able to compose anything more.  When I was finished, I had three of my family members read it to see what should be changed.  I read it exactly as when I finished it that morning.  And after reading it, I was amazed at how calm I have become.  People talk about a great weight being lifted, and this was mine.  Somehow relating what I knew of Josh to the people gathered was my final protective act and it was the release I needed to really move my grieving process forward.  

Thank you Josh.  Thank you for being my big brother.  Thank you for loving me as much as you could.  Thank you for protecting me from what you could.  Thank you for showing me so much of what I would like to be.  Thank you for enriching my life beyond words.

Joshua David Ronken
Feb 26, 1969 - Sept 3, 2012