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Category Archives: Components
René Herse Cranks are Here!
Customers who pre-ordered their René Herse cranks before February 1 should receive a box in the next few days. Inside… …is the new René Herse crank. It is delivered with our custom crank bolts and pedal washers. We are ramping … Continue reading
Posted in Product News, Rene Herse cranks
22 Comments
Pivots for Centerpull Brakes
We now have braze-on pivots for centerpull brakes in stock. Small parts like these are easily overlooked. They aren’t exciting, and there is little profit in them. But when you need them, you appreciate them. Centerpull brakes have seen a … Continue reading
Posted in Framebuilding supplies, Product News
10 Comments
Waterproof Edelux lights?
Few bicycle headlights are actually waterproof. The Planet Bike headlight in our test wicked water past the headlight lens, and the standlight function stopped working. Busch & Müller’s lights are open at the bottom, so moisture can drain out. This … Continue reading
Posted in Lighting, Testing and Tech
11 Comments
The Downsides of Wide Tires
Since we have published a post about “The Dangers of Narrow Tires,” it is only fair that we look at the other side of the coin. What are the disadvantages (or even dangers?) of wider tires? I can think of … Continue reading
Posted in Testing and Tech, Tires
72 Comments
Edelux Headlights for Hanging Attachments
Edelux headlights for a hanging attachment are now available. The hanging attachment allows mounting them more securely underneath a front rack. Most German bikes mount their lights above the fork crown (below). That is how most headlights are designed, including … Continue reading
Posted in Lighting, Product News
31 Comments
Wide-Body SON Delux Generator Hub
I am excited about the new Wide-Body SON Delux generator hub. It allows you to enjoy a super-strong wheel, yet roll along with the less resistance than other generator hubs. It is available now in limited quantities with 32 or … Continue reading
Posted in Lighting, Product News
24 Comments
Pre-Orders for René Herse Cranks
Developing an excellent product takes time and care. The first run of our new René Herse cranks has been forged. Above, you see a raw forging being removed from the forging die. Above are the raw forgings for the crankarms … Continue reading
Posted in Product News, Rene Herse cranks
9 Comments
New LED Taillight Solutions
Taillights can be very elegant and beautiful. Some are shaped like raindrops, others emerge from the fender like a submarine parting the waves. There are minimalist taillights like the beautiful JOS lights that René Herse mounted on the seat tubes … Continue reading
Posted in Lighting, Product News
29 Comments
Bottle Cages
When I knew Ernest Cuska, the long-time owner of Cycles Alex Singer, he did not have bottle cages on his bikes. After riding with him a few times, I realized why: He did not drink anything while riding. Imagine my … Continue reading
Posted in Bottle cages, Product News
13 Comments
Net-Shape Forging and Crank Length
Net-Shape Forging The new René Herse cranks will be offered in one length only, 171 mm, which allows us to have the cranks forged to their final shape. (The photo above shows the raw forging.) The process is called “net-shape … Continue reading
Posted in Product News, Rene Herse cranks, Testing and Tech
52 Comments
SON Generator Hubs and Lights
Compass Bicycles has added SON generator hubs and Edelux lights to our program. We are excited to carry the best bicycle lighting systems ever made. A few years ago, a reporter asked me what I considered the most important innovation … Continue reading
Posted in Lighting, Product News
37 Comments
Stem Length and Frame Size
We recently received our first shipment of 110 mm-long Grand Bois stems. The fillet-brazed stems are available in 10 mm increments from 60 to 110 mm. Now riders of all sizes can use these beautifully crafted, super-strong stems and decaleurs. … Continue reading
Posted in Product News, Stems, Testing and Tech
12 Comments
René Herse Cranks: Prices and Availability
The new René Herse cranks have entered production. The arms are being forged, the chainrings are being machined, and the crank bolts are being made, each by specialist manufacturers who are among the best in their trade. The photo above … Continue reading
Posted in Product News, Rene Herse cranks
22 Comments
History of Aluminum Cranks
During the development of our new René Herse cranks over the last two years, I have been thinking a lot about crank design. Modern cranks are an interesting story of standards that evolved until nobody remembers why they were adopted … Continue reading
Posted in Product News, Rene Herse cranks, Testing and Tech
42 Comments
The Dangers of Narrow Tires
It is unfortunate that most “road” and even “hybrid” bikes are sold with tires so narrow that you cannot cross streetcar tracks at an oblique angle without risking a fall. The Seattle Times reported recently about a rail line that … Continue reading
Posted in Cycling Safety, Rides, Testing and Tech, Tires
27 Comments
Compass Tires in 26″ x 1.75″
Compass Bicycles is introducing our new Compass 26″ x 1.75″ tires (42 – 559 mm). Many readers and customers have asked for a 26″ version of the much-loved Grand Bois Hetre 650B tires. This would allow riders of mountain bikes, … Continue reading
Posted in Product News, Tires
24 Comments
René Herse Crank Weight
In our original announcement of the new René Herse cranks, we wrote that they were lighter than Campagnolo Record Carbon cranks. A few readers asked us to substantiate this. We weighed the cranks on Bicycle Quarterly’s precision scale (above). We … Continue reading
Posted in Product News, Rene Herse cranks, Testing and Tech
19 Comments
René Herse Cranks – Strong Enough?
When we presented the new René Herse cranks last week, a number of people wondered whether they would be strong enough. After all, most cranks have four or five spider arms, whereas the Herse cranks use only three. And what … Continue reading
Posted in Product News, Rene Herse cranks, Testing and Tech
27 Comments
