It’s Saturday morning as I write this introduction, so SBTISAOAF is running late this week, no doubt about it. To answer the question, no, no shortage of things to write about. I actually had a pile of things on my list this Friday, but there’s one thing you’ll probably notice is ‘missing,’ except that it isn’t.
Look, “R&D Activity” could mean anything. It could simply be me sitting at United Strangers deciding where to put the brand & model name decals on the next batch of generic catalogue bikes I’m ordering {under the clearcoat, obviously – I’m classy}. “R&D Activity” could be me with my box of crayons and scrap paper drawing ideas for my next custom rigid mountain bike {based on my past prototyping even}, so I can mail them off to whatever small builder has agreed to try and translate them into a geometry chart.
So, I’m sitting on the fence until I start hearing about rad people being offered their jobs back {or, at least, new local job postings} in design, product, service, support, and community building {the last one being what I’ve taken to calling the ‘good aspects of marketing’}. Yes, it’s early days, but I’m reserving my being stoked until there are some more details out there.
On that note, NSMB.com has committed to following up next week, so that’s where I’m watching for more than a press release.
Coconino Cycles
I was waxing on about the sensational simplicity of Steve Garro’s beautiful bicycle creations to a collection of blank stares and came to the realization that there are folks who don’t know the classic single-speed stylings of Coconino Cycles.
We’re all full-up on bikes here at chez MEATengines {one in, one out and all that}, but if the right classic 26″ Coco Moto one-speed came along from 25+ years ago, I’m positive I could make room for it. Some folks think ATB stands for “Any Type of Bike,” and others think it stands for “All Terrain Bike,” and you and I know it means “Another Treasured Bicycle.”
Anywho, the classic #1FG cruisers aside, Steve is making modern geo, swinging dropout, rideable-art masterpieces and sharing photos and thoughts on his process, so I’m just going to share that link to his blog again. Oh, and remind you to drink some water and eat something before you find yourself lost for the next while. And he’s just getting the blog restarted, but properly absorbing every photo takes a bit of time.
Thank you for sharing, Steve!
Ritual Tire Inflation
I pulled out my Steve’s Ruined Talbot, Will’s Arcturian, my Waltworks V1 ATB, and the Banshee Enigma and pumped them all up to their desired tire pressure, or feel. That’s 65/65psi (Only Air), 14/14psi (CushCore Pro/Trail), 40/40psi (CushCore ‘cross), and 16/12psi (CushCore Trail/Trail). I even reset the air pressure for the DVO Onyx 38 SL on the front of the ArctuHawk.
Because I’m going to be riding any of those bikes ASAP‽ Sadly, no. But it’s a nice feeling knowing that all my bikes are ready to go at a moment’s notice. Other than the Talbot, which is going to be the last one I build up to, I’ll be able to pedal them around the flat pavement around my apartment sooner rather than later.
[Aside] Oh, and yes, for folks who asked. Last week’s SBTISAOAF was foreshadowing my Chromag’s future transition to become the one and only ArctuHawk Voyager. And, also yes, when Plus tires make their massive comeback (29+ & 27+), I’m sure the good folks in Whistler will offer that as a production model.
Who doesn’t want to own a 170mm-forked ArctuHawk Voyager?! [/Aside]
Baby Steps
If everything continues according to plan, I’ll be out of my infernal symbiosis, the black plastic walking boot, in under two week’s time. No, it’s not pedaling a bike. Not even a road bike. But right now, I’ll take any forward-focused progress I can grasp at. Even if that’s in the form of slowly walking around the flat sidewalks of my neighbourhood.
From there, it’s riding on pavement. Then gravel riding. Then light mountain biking. And then hopefully riding Pipeline* by summer. You know, just after the magic dirt conditions become super dry and shitty. HAHAHAhhhhhhhhhhh.
*{I am really missing Pipeline, Upper Digger, and Lower Crippler right now – thanks to the awesome builders for keeping them rad for my return}
V3 Talk
Blend up everything I’ve ever written about rigid ‘double hardtail’ mountain bicycles, plus one-speeding, and dump it on top of The Myth Of The Forever Mountain Bike, and that’s about where I’m at in terms of V3-talk.
Will a custom V3 be replacing my once-truculent, now expired, V2? Maybe. What would I be prepared to say about it today? It will have a 31.6mm seat post. It will be rigid-specific, where V2 was suspension corrected, and the chainstays will be shorter.
It’s the third point that might raise a longtime MEATengines reader’s eyebrows. The V2, which was adjusted to around 460mm for the rear center, is the most capable and comfortable rigid mountain bicycle I’ve ridden {and I’ve been on a few}. Uphill & downhill. But I, often, love the way that my Freeride BMX {Banshee Engima} mirrors the super-static-slackness of the V2’s front end with pump-track-playfulness out back.
I don’t know where the perfect {compromise} blend sits. Maybe the front end of my V2 and the 20mm+ shorter backend of my V1? It’s the cloud drawing I’m doing most often lately.
Marin SQ27″ Frame Kit
Four sizes, no surprises. I find myself regularly recommending Marin’s SQ2, which has an SRP of CA$1800 + pedals. Firstly, as a size small hardtail with rad geo, a super-short seat tube, and epic stand-over that still ships as a dual-27″ rig, this is a no-brainer for the Claire-sized enthusiast.
But, in addition to the Dual 27″ SQ2, there is also a Dual 29″ SQ2. Both bikes are available in four sizes (S, M, L, XL) and the XL 29’er has a 500mm Reach and 650mm Stack, which is decently big. Okay, maybe a Chromag FU50 50mm rise bar is finding the way onto the front of it, but we’re covering a lot of mountain bike enthusiasts with upgrade-worthy frames for sub-2K in Canuckbucks.
Anywho, I want to talk about the SQ for a different reason today, which is related to some correspondence I’ve had. Yeah, so. The Banshee Enigma is an unapologetically super-premium aluminum frame, and priced accordingly.
For riders keen on a project bike that isn’t their primary ride {50,000:1 curious folks who will still predominantly be ripping around on multi-speed sag-wagons} who are looking to build a similar Freeride BMX – rigid or suspension equipped – mullet, the Marin SQ lineup could be your ticket.
Take the dual-27″ version and mullet it with a 100mm travel fork and 29″ wheel, or suspension-corrected 29’er rigid fork. Toss a small-ish block cassette and a Zee short-ish cage derailleur on it, or single-speed it with an ISCG tensioner. BOOM. Oh, you’d prefer a dual 29″ setup? Add an external 56mm lower cup and long rigid fork, and you’ll be there. Marin sells the SQ frame in both 29″ and 27″ wheels in all sizes.
MX or dual-29″ I think it’s a fun starting project starting point. Marin lists the frame-set SRP at CA$730 {includes a headset, seat clamp, and axle} but what they should really say is “See Your Preferred Marin Dealer For Price & Availability” since even if you have most the parts you need in a box there is undoubtedly a project package price to be negotiated.
I even checked, and they have inventory in most sizes!
New Year / Same Unit {Pricing}
I’m silly-stoked that a fresh Kona Unit frame & fork set is still SRP CA$700. I either love or anti-love the new colour, and my opinion changes hourly, but it’s certainly bold. Right now, this second, I love-love-love it.
I’m still hoping we’ll see a light slackening of the HTA with the next generation of this bike, but for now, I’m just stoked to see the value for dollar continues, and I’m confident that a mulleted 29+/27+ build with an Angleset would be awesome.
For next year, in addition to a slight geometry update, I’d move to see the Unit and Unit-X share essentially the same builds. CUES U6000 everything, including cranks, HG hubs, MT-420 brakes, and then run spacers and a cog on the single-speed version instead of a rear derailleur, shifter, and cassette. It would make for the simplest Unit-to-X-to-Unit transitions.
[Aside] I’d also ditch the seat tube bosses and double up the down-tube bosses. [/Aside]
But wishes being fishes (or kisses) aside, this is still the frameset I’d buy tomorrow if I needed to replace my ATB and all my V3 day-dreaming thrown out the window, with a -2° Angleset and 29+/27+ mullet configuration I could happily ride a rigid Unit as my MTB.
I’m stoked that Kona-reborn is still selling frame-only options but I’ll say it loud now, if you want one best to contact your Kona dealer ASAP!
The Silca Tariff Video
Silca sells a CA$180+ battery-powered bicycle pump. Which I loathe on principle. I don’t even buy the straw-person accessibility argument on this one; there are plenty of pumps, for example, the excellent Lezyne Micro Floor Drive, that can be used one-handed. How hard is it to pump your own air once in a while using a mini-pump that you could have forever? A beautiful Silca mini-pump, even!
So, that loathing doesn’t take away from the fact that other products they make, whilst all in the super-premium category, are desirable and high functioning {I’ve nothing against Silca in general so put away your BOA-equipped torch and Purpleheart-wood-handled pitch fork Cooper Quinn}. Also, they have put together the best presentation on the current tariff situation {and general state of global manufacturing} that I have seen. It’s forthright, factual, and fantastic.
Thank you to Vik for sharing. The full video is 12:56, and I found it worth the entire watch.
And that’s SBTISAOAF for this week. Fingers crossed that a pile of jobs are being added in the North Vancouver cycling community shortly!
Larry Talker Tunes
To the point of The Clairebarian’s annoyance, almost all that has been playing at our place for weeks is Lake Street Dive. I mean, catchy tunes and wow, can Rachael Price ever sing!
There’s also the Nice-Guy-Geoff-esque use of a 20-sided die as part of their songwriting process. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, then sometime when you’re in Essential Cycles, ask G*off about using dice in {specifically} his commuter bike wheel building process. Or, I mean, ask to see the wheels first.
Anywho, Lake Street Dive. The album on highlight is Good Together. If you’re going to hit one song, then Dance With A Stranger is awesome, the title track Good Together is wicked-good, but I love the somber ballad that is Twenty Five.
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