Slack Randoms: $6,355 Ti Power Meter Cranks, National Penny-Farthing Champs, a 500-Pound Black Bear & More

Feb 26, 2022 at 3:55
by Ed Spratt  
We use Slack as our workplace communication tool at Pinkbike and we have a #randoms channel which we use to share an assortment of videos and stories from all corners of the cycling world and beyond... We thought a couple of the moments from the past week were too good not to share with a wider audience, so here are some of the highlights.


£4740 Titanium 3D Printed Power Meter Cranks

Verve Cycling has launched a 3D printed titanium crankset that includes a power meter that is claimed to offer a "degree of accuracy totally unparalleled within the industry." The cranks feature a dual-sided power meter measuring with a margin of error of less than 1% and claim to need no recalibration. Verve also claims to have the first power meter with "true torque based power measurement with a 3D printed titanium crank arm." Priced at £4740 ($6355) these definitely don't come cheap but being made out of 3D printed titanium and with a complex power meter included the price is definitely not surprising.

You can find out more here.


National Penny-Farthing Championships Return to Tasmania

The 39th National Penny Farthing Championships were held in the village of Evandale, Tasmania.


xkcd's Handy Guide for Calculating your Riding Speed
photo

Now we need someone to make a conversion chart for a Pinkbike Foot.


State Bicycle Co. Collaborates with Wu-Tang Clan
photo

State Bicycle Co. has partnered with hip-hop group Wu-Tang Clan for a range of limited edition bikes, apparel and components. The State Bicycle Co. x Wu-Tang Clan collection is available now with the limited black and yellow Klunker, Core Line, and 6061 Black Label bikes being the biggest items in the range.

photo
photo

You can find out more here.


500-Pound Black Bear Hank Tank Accused of Breaking into more than Two Dozen Homes

A now-infamous 500-pound black bear named 'Hank the Tank' has been accused of breaking into more than two dozen homes around California’s Lake Tahoe as he has become accustomed to human food. The bear weighing a huge 500-pounds is around twice the size of an average black bear was facing potential euthanasia before DNA evidence has revealed that he was not responsible for all of the incidents in the area. If captured it is hoped he will be relocated to a sanctuary.

Currently, Hank hasn’t behaved aggressively towards residents or hurt anyone. But he appears to have completely lost his fear of people and attempts to distract him with paintballs, sirens, and even tasers have failed.

photo


An Unfortunate Cyclocross Overtaking Manoeuvre


Ali Clarkson Tests Out his Homemade Rope Spokes

Last week's Slack Randoms brought you the making of some homemade rope spokes, now Ali Clarkson takes them out for a test ride.



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127 Comments
  • 347 14
 Hank the tank looks like he's been on the ebike a little too much this year
  • 69 0
 From the looks of those eyes I'd say he found someone's edibles stash too.
  • 12 0
 Newest update: there are actually 3 Hanks, www.insider.com/lake-tahoe-hank-the-tank-is-actually-3-bears-death-sentence-lifted-2022-2?amp
  • 14 2
 I would say about two more houses and that lard arse bear will die of cardiac arrest Problem solved
  • 12 0
 I’m trying real hard to fart pennies but I’m just making a mess in here.
  • 18 0
 When I inevitably choke to death on gummy bears, people should just say I was killed by bears and leave it at that..
  • 10 0
 If not supposed to be friend then why friend shaped?
  • 3 0
 The puns in that video were...unbearable.
  • 1 0
 @mattman121: Nice, a bear mafia..
  • 221 3
 Wu-Tang Clan ain't nuthin to huck with.
  • 5 6
 This needs to be the #1 comment!
  • 2 0
 Haha! I was upset about that merger until I read your comment. Quality.
  • 25 0
 @ranke: Rumor has it Leatt partnering with Wu Tang on a limited edition "Protect ya Neck" line.
  • 6 0
 I bet they are wicked in a gravel pit
  • 4 0
 "Cash Rolls Everywhere Around Me"
  • 3 0
 I thought they might introduce a Gravel Pit Bike.
  • 1 0
 Hope they used genuine Wu-Tange Steel for those bikes.
  • 57 0
 Someone is very excited by cyclocross
  • 5 0
 I’ve never seen such fervor for a bike race!
  • 13 7
 I literally, not figuratively, cringed at that.
  • 6 0
 To be fair it was the National championships but yeah pretty funny.
  • 21 0
 Bruh you've never been to a cyclocross race. They're all nuts. Also, someone let Henrik Harlaut know about the Wu bikes.
  • 1 0
 @scott-townes: Haha I thought about it too but he probably already knows for the bikes! lol
  • 10 0
 @Chuckolicious: Thank you for explaining that literal and figurative are not synonyms.
  • 1 0
 @mi-bike: So bitchy but funny!!
  • 1 0
 @mi-bike: Big Grin
  • 5 0
 Hahaha I took that video at CX Nats 2019. Insane to me that it’s still getting reposted 3 years later. I had absolutely no control over what I was yelling, just pure surprise and stoke
  • 52 0
 Not nice to use XKCD's original material and not link to the source, which is here: xkcd.com/2585

PB also omitted the mouseover text, which is an integral part of any XKCD comic.
  • 31 0
 A screen shot is such an internet 'fuck you', especially for a media outfit. Poor form.
  • 5 0
 @dirtyburger: (suspiciously) ¨Corporate...¨
  • 5 0
 There's even a link on that page labeled "For hotlinking/embedding." Sheesh.
  • 46 0
 The Wu Tang bikes need to made from Wu Tange steel
  • 35 1
 I stand with Hank
  • 32 0
 He's the kinda guy you'd wanna sit down and have a beer and some discarded pizza crust with.
  • 3 1
 Me too.
  • 1 0
 Since when is killing a healthy bear/animal "euthanasia"?!??!
  • 1 0
 @matt-k-md: I am not sure a 500lb bear is what I would call healthy.
  • 26 3
 3D printed metal is a sintered material which is not the strongest. Makes sense for complex not overtly structural applications. If you look at titanium frames using printed lugs they are heavy in comparison to a standard tube to tube welded frames because the lugs have to use a lot of material to not fail. Poor application of material/ technology.
  • 51 18
 You're a poor application of material/ technology
  • 7 0
 He's got you there tbf ...
  • 9 1
 @scott-townes: Hahaha, I've officially made it, I have a Pinkbike comments stalker.
  • 5 5
 In a vacuum, sure, it’s not the strongest material. But in the real world, it’s the strongest printed metal option. While yes, it is going to be heavier using lugs, these printed parts make things possible where raw tube construction hit limits. They are heavier to offset “not being the strongest”. But still light. At the end of the day, they achieved their design goals, implemented a strong component, and still kept it light enough for a 0.4 horsepower motor.
  • 5 0
 Not all Metal printing is sintered. The powder bed fusion process even though it is sometimes called Laser Sintering is actually welding or getting a full melt of the metal and once heat treated it is real close to industry standards for Ti64 Grade 5 materials.
  • 10 3
 You ain't wrong. Take a look at: www.peterverdone.com/breaking-things-while-moving-fast for a great example of how 3dp materials can have inexplicable failure modes due to inclusions or voids that show up essentially at random. SLS/SLM are great processes, but they won't be as strong as investment casting or forging (or even CNC machining). Great for when you have a shape that's impossible via any other method, but I'd bet that some welded EEwings outperform those 3DP cranks on strength/weight and failure mode.
  • 7 2
 @enki: nope that's a great example how little knowledge can be a very dangerous thing
  • 3 0
 @toddmania98: from memory these were made via ebm on an arcam could be wrong now but the samples i was sent definitely were
  • 14 0
 To anybody who doesn't know xkcd - you should probably know xkcd!
  • 13 0
 Wu Tang bikes ideal for the gravel...... pit
  • 1 0
 ...Bring the Ruckus.........GT
  • 13 6
 As far as I know 3d printed metal is way down the list of strength compared to forging or machined billet metal. Printed parts must be heated up to melt and fuse the material after printing. Voids are common. It's used in the areospace industry. This most certainly does not have the engineer s or the budget of an areospace outfit. Call me sceptical in ling term reliability. Short term for that matter.
  • 5 4
 Absolutely. 3D printin is quite stupid way to mass produce metal stuff. Expensive, slow and relatively weak products. On the other hand it's really easy way to get going with low production volumes so I can see why the did that.
  • 3 2
 Its kind of a yes and no answer to that a bicycle part is of relatively low value it comes straight of the bed and there's a lot more visual processing happens than mecahnical properties processing,I can say without a doubt that f'r the applications im involved in at the moment its a requirement to turn the part into something that matches a forged part, it does happen but to do this requires some rather specialist kit and processes , will you ever see it reach those strength levels on on a low volume bike part , I dont think they could afford it to be fair and whilst id love to be sarcastic and say with the current price of bikes probably, but reality says no the two industries are worlds apart
  • 8 0
 I feel i'm gonna end up the size of hank the tank if i don't get my ass back out on the bike more
  • 13 6
 Holy moly I want those cranks. Maybe after the russian invasion. Funded by dead oligarks
  • 6 0
 TiDied
  • 6 1
 I’m not saying it’s not a winning business model, but who’s the target market for those things? Last I checked, Elon Musk didn’t ride.
  • 8 1
 more dead oligarks, please.
  • 5 7
 Actually since Western fiercest of Social Justice Warriors failed to develop a hashtag for Russian macro aggression and oppression of Ukraine and haven’t even tried to Cancel Putin, O can take things in my hands and announce a competition for the anti Russian government hashtag. #Putinblyat #idinahui etc.
  • 14 1
 @calmWAKI: meh, hashtags are a millennial window dressing. We need toe tags not hashtags.
  • 11 2
 Putin is good at talking about toe tags. Let’s leave it to Ukrainian army to hand them out. We can only encourage people to send money to Red Cross, UNHCR, Ukrainian armed forces and others who can make change on the ground.
  • 4 0
 @calmWAKI: So many people seem to have issues with Putin these days, maybe buttplugs can stop all this Putin?
  • 2 0
 @TheR: It’s perfect for all the SF Bay Area techies who have now invaded Santa Cruz to ride their electric gravel bikes
  • 6 0
 My hate towards Putin the butt plug, the f*cktard senile, is at the level that I am hoping to see his head hanged the same way as saddam husseins back in the day, more than christmast.
@Lemmyschild:
  • 10 4
 @Cura: you have to be careful with that. Everyone in the West has to. We cannot descend to that. And please remember that US created Putins power with Jelcyn. He led the country out of actual poverty (70mln of Russians lived below poverty level by 1995 as a result of Soviet rule and then Us led schock doctrine on their economy) He helped to sell the Russian industry for nothing to the West by Western behind scenes operations. I don't defend him by a single inch. He is a cruel autocrat, but there are many like him in his vicinity. That Medvedev guy? or General saying "what if ISS fell on US heads now - be careful what you are saying".

There are only two outcomes here for the West. Nuclear annihilation or Russia being sold to US and China. If we wil llive, there will be new Yalta. Russians will get what Poland, Hungary and Czechoslovakia got after WW2. I feel for Russian people. Off course Ukraine is no in the focus, we must hope it will not be second Balkans. By some miracle Russian troops maybe will start surrendering. While they have some SS style forces in there ready to kill anybody including children, the core of their force isjust fricking kids. Like teenagers you see around.

We must not allow ourselves to dehumanize Russia as a whole. It willl be the end. I do hope Europe will reach out a hand to let Russian population know we are with them too. Say we will lift some of the sanctions , we will start trading back with them as soon as tanks leave. But we're still in face off now with that bully.
  • 3 3
 @Cura: I will present you my assumed vision of a male nature. Once you are there, the hatred is easy to grow, the head gets hot easily. You go to an outpost grab a gun and start looking for targets. You see a potential target, start shooting, they shoot back, you are dead in a ditch.

Same for politicians, harden up is easy. They won’t be at the front line, they don’t care that prices go up. War is easy. Announcing that Ukraine is like Kuwait - attacked by evil dictator, we must go in, Putin won’t try to wrestle with mutually assured destruction. Let’s just fly some planes and shoot down some Sukhois and Mikoyans. Russian assault cannot match by a fricking fraction the allied assault from 1991. Baghdad was blown out in pieces, hundreds of Tanks were decimated in hours, we bombarder fricking power plants for Gods sake causing instant humanitarian disaster.

Actual diplomacy is much harder. Particularly admitting own sins. So I am longing to see West, at least Europe to reach out a hand now we “showed them”.

I will sell my commencal meta now but I will donate all the money to humanitarian organizations. People need homes, love, care on European soil, those who stayed need all sorts of supplies. Much easier to send weapons than food. Both are needed but I choose to support care.
  • 5 1
 @calmWAKI: well said, my guess is that Putin's policies and actions are far more unpopular among the Russian public than we'll ever know. It doesn't pay to speak one's mind in Russia, and these poor folks have had no say in the direction of their country.
  • 5 1
 @calmWAKI: the US created Putin's power? C'mon man, are you seriously divorcing Putins entire lifes work and ambition just to absolve him of responsibility for the massive power and wealth he has amassed for himself and how he now chooses to employ it?
  • 1 1
 @calmWAKI: where was this empathy towards everyday Japanese Americans when they were interned???
  • 2 0
 @SterlingArcher: I don’t think Waki was around then.
  • 1 2
 @Lemmyschild: I am not going to write the story of Russian default from 1990s here. Many people in the world are looking at US government now. There is a lot to redeem from latest 30 years of history. We are finding out how little we trust US gov. Will they fight Russia until the last Ukrainian soldier is dead? Will they wake up soon enough for Ukraine to employ best diplomacy they can muster? At this very moment I feel that even Europe may be alone. How big is the buffer zone really? In 1980s Colonel Kuklinski gave plans of Russian nuclear shelters to US intelligence so that they know where to aim their nukes. It’s important to know that article 5 or not, Poland has been and highly possibly still is a piece of ground to drop US and British Nukes on in an event of Russian land invasion on Europe, effectively creating a zone that is not penetrable for any army to pass.

We all need you, American public to soothe us that you are with us. Then we need your government to perform actions other than just sending troops and setting targets for ICBMs. Taiwan Japan, South Korea and Pacific states need your soothing and actions to make them feel that they can depend on you with looming invasion from China.

We need your love. The best of it. We know you have it, but the clock is ticking. At this point, fastest for Ukraine.
Treat me as a paranoid kid and yourselves as a good loving parent. I am a misbevaing scared kid. My friends did loads of negligence too. But we need America that is not a slave to Wallstreet and Weapon making oligarchs who jave proven time and time again that they aren’t much better than Russian ones.
  • 1 4
 To end this on upbeat note. As we see with mr Zelensky, comedians make great presidents. Please elect Joe Rogan as your next president Smile
  • 3 0
 @calmWAKI: the leopard doesn't change its spots.
American successes in ANY direction on ANY issue within the Russian sphere of influence over the last 30 years has been negligible. I agree our allies shoupd be able to depend on us especially given our alleged goals and ideals.
I disagree with your notion that the US is somehow responsible Putin or anything he has done, ever. He seems to be very much his own man. Lets let him take responsibility for that.
  • 6 1
 @calmWAKI: Joe Rogan is a tool. Just stop.
  • 3 1
 @Lemmyschild - Joe Rogan is a tool, I agree, he said it himself. But there are different tools in the shed. I am not saying US is directly responsible. Just like US is not responsible for rise of Saddam och Kadafi. There were many compound elements Soviet Union, Lenin, Stalin etc. But the asset grab in Russia. Let's not split hairs. If I made it sound like I meant it this way sorry, I didn't. Make not a tiniest mistake, I admire US. I have zero doubts that it is the greatest country on Earth, by a fair margin. I come form Poland in live in Sweden, I see the shit in the backroom and even in he living room. I m not starting the most virtuous dick coparing contest. But as I said in those dark moments I as troubled kid, ask my dad who helped me grow up, adopted me, to get off Whisky because our neighbor delirious, drunk on Vodka is wrecking my tree house and is beating up one of my cousins. He has hand granades, gets desperate and if you point AR15 right at him, he'll start throwing them. Don't put it down just in case, but we ask you to hug us and find a way to talk to him. Particularly because he has this fat friend he angs around with and that dude is equally mad but sober...
  • 1 1
 @calmWAKI: its all good. We have our issues and some ideals that seem hollow or hypocritical at times. Sometimes I envy people in more "under the radar" countries. Then something happens like meeting a dude from Bulgaria in the steam room who explains how great not havimg to pay bribes to the cops is and that's one reason he is trying yo figure out a way to stay here longer.
Perspective is everything. It's one reason I have zero patience for people here who try to claim they are being persecuted over shit like masks.
  • 1 0
 @Chondog94: Tell me that is not a thing? In SD on the fast group training rides a couple of chubby Type A's have showed up and have been warned to stay at the rear of the group. They haven't earned the right (or skill) to be riding in the pack.
  • 8 0
 Rope spokes aren’t slack
  • 3 0
 Rope spokes are more durable because under compression they will slacken instead of breaking.
  • 7 0
 They should collaborate with 2 Live Crew.....Poon Tang Clan Model, Adults only edition...
  • 5 0
 Is there ANYTHING 3D printed titanium isn't good for....except keeping money in your pockets?
  • 5 0
 Looks like the average bear has become smarter. And fatter. Mostly fatter. Too many pic-er-nics, I feel.
  • 4 0
 What are the requirements for a Penny-farthing? Can I take a single speed mullet set up and just go aggressive with it (29" front and 16' rear)?
  • 3 0
 I think you have to pedal the front wheel.
  • 5 0
 killa bees on da klunkR ya
  • 5 0
 Wu Tang bikes....for the children
  • 6 1
 Those cranks are not worth $6,000 USD. LMAO
  • 1 0
 Wu-Tang mtb jersey would have been epic!! The all-road would maybe be good but it still seems like a tight fit, and would probably not looks good if taking a size larger... Frown I'm still thinking about it but a bit expensive and I would have to ride it without my vest (camelback) so people can realise how fresh my jersey is! haha
  • 1 0
 "3D printed titanium and with a complex power meter included the price is definitely not surprising"

...So I should buy one? How about I start machining Ti cranks WITHOUT friggin' power meters and sell 'em for $1.5K instead? no complex anything. Thats what I'm after.
  • 4 0
 Cane Creek has you covered for $999.
  • 1 0
 @Snowytrail: Exactly, mate. These road bike things are ridiculous, and I actually would definetly prefer the EeWings to machined ones... I think. They take up less Titanium as well, the main cost wouod be the huge chunks of Ti needed, not to mention the tooling.
  • 1 2
 Like these?

sturdy-cycles.myshopify.com/products/titanium-crankset
  • 3 0
 Someone's gonna be Cranky when the $6k+ bank statement posts in the family saving's account..........
  • 5 1
 Putan would be a better choice to die versus HANK THE TANK
  • 2 0
 I've heard only good things about those rope spokes so far. Curious if they would be more affected by extreme weather conditions, such as cold/heat/moisture.
  • 2 1
 It’s easier for rope spokes to get tangled up in knots, this is not an issue with rigid spokes.
  • 2 0
 Only a year late posting the CX video that took out Kerry Warner in last year's CX Nationals.
  • 1 0
 wasn't that two years ago? think that was from 2019 nats in Tacoma
  • 2 0
 Weird, I opted out of Beta in my feed but can still see the "mountain bikes don't need to be complicated" article.
  • 3 1
 Wu tang bikes ain't nothing to huck with
  • 1 0
 When does the extra limited Wu-Tang frame come out . The one with the RAWww aluminum finish.
  • 2 1
 Wu tang re did C.R.E.A.M Cycles really expensive all mine. Dolla dolla bills yall
  • 1 0
 Surprised it's even possible to get tires for those penny farthing front wheels..
  • 3 0
 Suuuuuuu
  • 1 0
 I'd like to see the crash reel from that Penny-Farthing race. I bet there can be real carnage. Respect.
  • 1 0
 the animal Bearly has anything to do with cycling....
  • 1 0
 Wow, that is one chunky fat bear! LOL
  • 2 0
 #bringbackPOD
  • 1 0
 Bring the motherfucking klunker!
  • 1 0
 Wu Tang: Bikes for the Children
  • 1 0
 Get those wu tang clan bikes set up with some mavic wheels!
  • 1 0
 What is a POD?
  • 22 0
 Back in the day before pinkbike had a daily onslaught of new videos, ads, reviews many people tuned in daily just to see the POD, it stands for photo of the day and was a massive draw card right from the start.
  • 17 0
 @oldfaith: Holy crap I just realized theres no pic or video of the day anymore. How long ago did they stop that? Must be a while now. Now I miss them.
  • 11 0
 PODs were quite a big thing some 10 years ago, pictures had hundreds of comments and getting one was a big thing...
  • 5 0
 Back in the good ol days. Enjoy while you can.
  • 2 0
 @winko: I always wanted one so badly! One of my buddies got at least one and it was a big deal. Sign the good old days
  • 3 0
 Here's one example of a POD: www.pinkbike.com/photo/9873407
  • 2 0
 @oldfaith: Thanks for the answer
  • 2 1
 @adam102: Go home, you're drunk.
  • 1 0
 Its gonna get really real in a second for that dude lol.. his eyes can already feel the pain lol
  • 2 0
 @adam102: still the high quality POD to this day
  • 2 0
 @h82crash: Check again, it actually was POD. The only drunk one here was the PB editor who selected it.
  • 3 0
 @bananowy: Oh believe me I saw it when it was POD. I commented because @adam102 chose that one out of the thousands of pod's to use as an example to show a newer member that didn't know what the photo of the day was. I more or less used the same top comment from that photo.
  • 1 0
 Also just realised this exists: POD list First few pics area a bit off, but then you can enjoy huge collection of amazing MTB photography
  • 2 0
 @h82crash: Haha yeah, pretty sure Adam was taking the piss. But maybe it could give a new pinkbiker the wrong idea, you're right.
  • 1 0
 #moreexpensive
  • 1 2
 #Ebike







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