industry changing trends in cycling.
My first bike was an aluminum framed specialized Secteur. I loved this bike for the introduction it gave me to riding big miles. After a year or so of riding that bike I found myself looking to covet a bike more in line with the latest trends. I scrounged up what little cash I had and pieced together my first carbon fiber bike.
To say I was stoked would be an understatement. The cranks were too long, the gearing too stiff, and the tires too small. but i loved that bike and ignorance is bliss. I spent many miles in that budget saddle and I was content. I took that bike up pikes peak, the second highest paved road in north America at over 14,000 ft. My bike was almost as light as my head and i was literally on cloud 9. I tackled this beast of a mountain on this bike that I was so pleased with. But then it came time to turn around and descend. The best part of this ride was right in front of me. I was about to fly down these glassy smooth road and soak in the sweet feeling of accomplishment. However, this wasn’t the case. The wind was high, traffic was heavy, temps were low, and i had ~Rim brakes~. I stressed hard going down the first section of switchbacks trying to keep myself at a safe speed but also trying not to rear end the sight seers in cars. My hands were cramping and the only thing i could think about was a story an old friend told me about his rim brakes heating his rim to the point of melting his rim strip which caused an immediate blow out.
I made it down the mountain and lived to tell the story. But i decided that day that i needed to hop on the next trend. Disc brakes. SInce then I have predominantly spent my miles on bikes with disc brakes and have never even considered going back. Like the previous upgrade from an entry level alloy bike to a carbon framed climbing machine I was content with my decision and was happy to be on the preferred set up of dentists and pros around the world.
It’s now 2025 and I find myself mostly happy with my current bikes with one small issue. Tire clearance. 2024 was the year of pushing the limits in regards to tire clearance. We saw the pros at big sugar in bentonvilel jamming the biggest tire they could possibly fit in their frames to help them mellow the chunky gravel and keep that precious momentum in their favor. I found myself doing the same for the ozark randoneur. My bike was rated for a 45mm tire and i could jam a 47mm and cross my fingers that there was no mud.
One of my latest projects is taking that same frame that was barely clearing a 47mm tire and making it line up with the latest big tire trend in gravel cycling (currently clearing a 29 x 2.1 tire with room for mud). With careful hands and smart carbon lay up we are taking the bikes that our riders already own and turning them into the gravel machines that the big bike brands are scrambling to produce before their competition does. Why get a new bike when you can upgrade the one you already love?