Some of the things I've been messing with the past few months.
North Shore Billet Daemon Pedals We may not be in the double bash era anymore, but North Shore Billet has quietly been making solid stuff here in BC for a long, long time. Their new Daemon pedal is CNCed in Whistler, and ticks a lot of the boxes for modern flats.
The Daemons have 2mm of concavity per side. We've seen a trend towards flat (and sometimes even convex) pedal shapes, and while there are merits to the different designs, most of our favourite pedals are concave. At 103mm wide the NSBs are fairly narrow to limit rock strikes (I'm a huge fan), but they're moderately long at 112mm so there's a good amount of platform to stand on. There are no weird bearing bulges, and they run on tried and true sealed bearings and bushings with some additional sealing.
I've only had them on a bike for a few short rides but so far I'm a fan. My poorly calibrated foot-grip-ometer puts them somewhere between a Nukeproof Horizon and a Chromag Dagga in terms of grip, but I haven't done any back to backs yet. I think we'll have to do another flat pedal group test sooner than later. It might just be in my head, but I think that the Daemons are easier to reposition the back of your foot with—possibly because of the narrowly spaced pins at the back. I'm sure a scientician can explain it to me in the comments.
So far the only two complaints from me are that they're pricy at $210 USD, and they're a little heavy at 438g. That said, the weight is in line with Vaults, T-Macs, Horizons, Wah Wah IIs, eThirteens, etc.
Details• Dimensions: 112mm x 103mm
• 2mm of true pedal body concave per side (14.75mm thick at the axle)
• 5mm long custom stainless steel pins with M4 thread (20 per pedal)
• Double sealed axle (VG style shaft seal with X-ring)
• Two stainless steel, sealed Enduro cartridge bearings (outboard) and an IGUS bushing inboard
• Nitrox coated axle for better surface hardness and corrosion resistance
• Weight: 438g pair
• Price: $210 USD
• More info at
northshorebillet.com
Ogle Component Design Lockrings 2.0 Joshua Ogle is a fascinating character in the pantheon of OG bike manufacturing. If you haven't read
James Huang's incredible profile on Josh over on our sister site CylingTips, it's worth settling in to go down a rabbit hole. Basically, after some demons, soul searching, and a detour into fine watchmaking, Josh is back in the world of bikes creating some very cool tech.
These days he's doing wild chainrings, ultra expensive derailleur cages, and now some beautiful titanium disc brake rotor lockrings. Josh is often self deprecating about his work (of course nobody
needs a $1K derailleur cage), but these lockrings do have the benefit of clearing almost every hub/fork/endcap/axle combination. No need to mix and match internal/external splines for King or Enve.
While they are a couple of grams lighter than stock alloy lockrings, that's not the point—they're just a really nicely executed thing, and I love that about them.
Details• Grade 5 titanium brake lockrings
• Comes standard in 100 spline (Shimano, Campy, & some SRAM), but 144 spline (some SRAM) is also available
• Weight: 15g per set
• Made in USA
• Price: $127 USD (inc. USA shipping)
• Limited number available
via Paypal• If they're sold out, follow Josh at
@oglecomponentdesign for his next run
Project4AGZE Apple AirTag Bike Mount Marshall Farthing is just a guy who likes
Toyota MR2s, shoots photos, and likes bikes. When the Apple AirTag came out he designed a
3D printed AirTag holder that fits onto bottle cage mounts, and its popularity exploded. Since then he's printed and sold thousands of them, updating the design a few times. He's even got a version for
Samsung Galaxy SmartTags now.
While this kind of AirTag mount is easily removable, it's great for peace of mind when I have to leave my bike for any length of time. I'm using Torx bolts but you could use security bolts to make it a little tougher for would-be thieves. I've ended up putting these on all of my bikes. And yes, before you ask, it seems like Apple's anti-stalking tech still allows for a good amount of time before alerting anyone to its presence. I've seen lots of discussion on this out there, but we did a little test sending an AirTag along with a videographer when
Tom went to Cumberland a few months back, and they never got notified. YMMV, an AirTag obviously doesn't replace the need for a big-ass chain lock.
Details• 3D printed
• Available in Black, Red, Blue, or Grey
• Holds one Apple AirTag (not included)
• Flush mount option available for cages with offset.
• Price: $10 USD
• More info
here and
@project4agze
Björn Cycles (Moscow) Palka Handlebar Turns out there are two different Björn Cycles. This one is based in Moscow, Russia where Artem, the founder, makes high end carbon products by hand in his workshop. They CNC their own carbon molds, as well as do their own manufacturing, testing, and finishing in house. A graduate of the Bauman Moscow State Technical University, Artem is focused on lightweight components for everything from road and XC to enduro bikes. Björn is also the third brand to work with the American company Carbon (after Specialized and Fizik) to make 3D printed saddles. The Björn Setka saddle is currently the lightest 3D printed saddle at 135g (143mm width).
I chose a 31.8 clamp/780mm wide/20mm rise version of their Palka handlebars to try on my weird hardtail project. Fit and finish is excellent, and the bar came in at an impressive 168g. That's not quite Schmolke TLO territory, but there's no weight or usage restriction and it doesn't make me nervous to ride them.
I've only just mounted it up in the last few days, but initial impressions are that it's a bit more compliant than the SQ Lab bar it replaced (311 FL-X Carbon 12° low). That makes sense, the SQ-Lab is ~203g and 40mm shorter with less rise. Does it cross the threshold from compliant to sketchy? Not sure yet. Björn says they're molded under 50 bars of pressure to eliminate porosity and improve reliability under "the most extreme riding" but to be honest I haven't been able to find anyone else listing their molding pressures. Maybe next year I'll go down the
EasyComposites rabbit hole and learn more about carbon molding.
I'm also curious to see how I feel about the Palka bars after a few more rides once I get use to their 5° up/7° back shape—I've been on 12° bars for a while so I compensated for less sweep with a shorter stem and my hands are in the same position, just at a different angle. I'll follow up if I don't get along with that, but sweep is pretty subjective and dependent on geometry, fit, etc... Anyway, I think they're going to be really nice on the Slim Donut.
Details• No usage or rider weight limits
• Weight: 110g (5mm rise, 700mm long) to 185g (20mm rise, 800mm long)
• Available in 31.8mm and 35mm diameters (31.8mm only for the 5mm flat version)
• Geometry of 20mm rise bar is 7° backsweep and 5° upsweep
• Geometry of 5mm flat bar is 8.5° backsweep
• Specific layups for each size, so you can't cut them down
• 2-year warranty, as well as 50% off crash replacement
• Price: $220 USD
• More info at
bjorncycles.com
In a world where there are multiple options to purchase a million dollar wristwatch, some $150 bicycle doodads that accomplish nothing are a silly thing to complain about.
If you think something is silly, and these are, then you know what you do?
Don’t buy them.
Neither is "good value" but I've got a lot more respect for the little guy or girl doing their own thing.
I have no idea what Josh is making on these, but I bet after materials, a huge amount of his time (even at min wage), and a small percentage to offset his equipment, he's not making a lot of money on this small run of 50 pieces.
Nobody says these are necessary or that you should buy them. Just that they exist and I'm glad they do.
Not many people funnily enough because people like josh are generally in it for the creative and problem solving process and make/ sell just enough to pay bills and eat food (occasionally).
And as josh says himself - no one needs a $1000 RD cage but there are people who can afford it and are happy to throw that money at something to see if it is a bit different or just because it looks a bit different.
I’m not trying to take a dump on Joshua, I am just pointing out my personal reaction is one of disbelief around the object in question. In my limited/ignorant opinion, despite the craftsmanship, the ring offers no benefit whatsoever to my ride experience. But again, I am no artist, and I am just a middle-class schmoe on Pinkbike. @brianpark agreed, the margin is doubtlessly slim, and the passion is huge. Hat tip to Joshua and to the lucky folks that can treat themselves to something nice like that. Counterpoint - does anyone *wear out* a lock ring? Or does the OEM part just become more waste in a bin? I’m just so puzzled. I need a cold, strong (craft!) beer.
Or one of a million Velo saddles with some different paint. Not a spec of R&D to be seen for miles.
Is that you, Nelson?
There is also very nice Ti frame company based in Moscow too. And much more.
But so many b and c list brands do not. Just white label.
Accessories are dumb easy to white label.
Haven't heard that one in years.
Just saying...if you're gonna hide a tracker...hide it.
Great minds think alike... the headset holder... It exists...
www.amazon.com/EFEALL-Anti-Theft-Protection-Compatible-Accessory/dp/B09KC6RXRJ/ref=sr_1_46?keywords=bike+airtag+mount&qid=1638384417&sr=8-46
shop.sprouts.com/search?search_term=doughnuts
@MxMizrahi: 5'7" if I stand up real straight, with a ~30" inseam and +1" ape index. One working shoulder.
If I was a criminal the first thing I’d look for is an AirTag or tracking chip, etc. If it’s in a AirTag shaped mount they’re making my job easy. Unless you have 2 and this is the decoy.
Also - airtags don’t work inside a metal or probably even carbon frame, or in a stem, etc. Needs to either be mounted on the exterior of the frame or hidden away in a frame bag. There is also a mount that doubles as a reflector that would be even more incognito.
I just looked at it, and it says it was at my house as of 6:34 this morning...I'm guessing because that's the last time I was near it, and there aren't any other phones nearby for it to ping off of during the day.
...which makes me think, if someone broke in while I was at work, I guess there wouldn't be anything that would "tell" me my bike was gone. I need to look and see if there's some kind of notification I can set if it goes on the move without me.
www.macrumors.com/2021/06/03/apple-airtags-anti-stalking-measures
At the current time, AirTags play a sound after three days of being away from their owner. After the update, AirTags will begin playing at a random time in a window after eight hours and within 24 hours.
This was an old article from June.
Basically if your bike gets stolen you better get it back quickly because it will alert the thief eventually.
Ditched it in the end, more trouble than it was worth!
edit: also consider deity tmacs are $180 and made in Asia
I’ve never had a metal pedal fail, other than bearings. All pedals last a lifetime if you change out the bearings. Pretty easy stuff.
I also run plastic OneUp’s and they’re excellent.
@camcoz69: Yeah exactly. The right pedals for you are worth it. Pedals and grips are our only touchpoints (descending), so it's pretty important to find what works best for you.
But since you want to make it a race thing I'll greenwash: the NSB pedals cover a lot less ground on polluting ships and trucks to get to my doorstep than a set from Asia. Might not be the same for you but I guarantee NSB employees also have better working conditions than their Asian counterparts if you want to bring workers rights into this
My biggest complaint with the oneups is the service kits + pins cost almost as much as a new set, so most people are just gonna toss them and buy new ones. I prefer to repair things so I'll buy the kits when the time comes but I'm considering the NSB's or Yoshimura