O.G.G. 25 (Original Gravel Grinder 25th Aniversary)

We've been hearing a lot lately about various Gravel Grinder races happening in 2013.  The Almanzo 100 , Dirty Kanza, Trans-Iowa, and seemingly dozens more popping up every day signal the growing popularity of the rough-road endurance racing format.  



The ideal bike for a Gravel Grinder is a fat-tired, drop-barred, lightweight bike.  A bike that is equally at home on rock and on road.  Did you say Rock 'n Road?



That's right, the same Rock 'n Road bike we have been building and refining since 1988.  The same bike that we built to run our 700x43c Rock 'n Road tires.  The celebrated Rock 'n Road, which is 25 years old this year.

We are going to celebrate 25 years of the Rock 'n Road with a limited run of numbered, signed 25th Anniversary Rock 'n Road bicycles.  We will produce only 10 of these.
The 25th Anniversary Rock 'n Road frames will be made right here in the shop, using the same geometry we've been using for the past 25 years.  The only changes we've made are to rear spacing (which is now a modern 135mm) and the headtube, which is now 1⅛" threadless.  Forks will be built with the snazzy Pacenti bi-plane lugged fork crown.



























The 25th Anniversary frames will come standard with our Signature Rust powdercoat.  Other powder coat colors are available for an upcharge.  The frames will be expertly TIGged.  Fillet brazing is also available for an upcharge.  Please note, the Rock 'n Road is different from the RnR Tour.  Its shorter chainstays are ideal for nimble handling and especially good for Gravel Grinding.

Signed, numbered 25th Anniversary Bruce Gordon Rock 'n Road frames will cost $1988.  We'll include a pair of awesome Rock 'n Road tires to get you Grinding. 

Call Bruce Gordon, the O.G., at the shop to order your Rock 'n Road, the O.G.G. (Original Gravel Grinder) today.  First ten orders get the limited, signed 25th Anniversary frames.  707.762.5601.

Partner Wanted

I would never have thought of doing this before the Internet changed what I know about how successful businesses are run.
Bruce Gordon Cycles began in June 1976 and has been profitable ever since.
This year I will be 65 years old, and am currently doing almost everything myself, except the welding, bike assembly and wheel building.

What I want to do is what I’m good at - design and aesthetics.

What I need to do is find someone to do what I’m not good at – Marketing, Sales and IT.

Over the past 37 years Bruce Gordon Cycles has made many different things; Lugged Steel Frames, Fillet Brazed Frames, TIG welded frames in Titanium and Steel, Lugged Titanium frames, Titanium Lugged Carbon frames, Pannier Racks, Stems, Seatposts, Cantilever Brakes, Toe Clips, Titanium Frame Pumps, Taillights, Panniers, & Tires (the first big 700c tires in the US in 1988)

Today marketing is all-important.

I believe the only way to be successful making high end products in the USA (things that people want) is to sell direct to the consumer and via the internet. 

Goals for the future
I’m hoping to find someone to help with the internet stuff – Marketing, Sales, Web Pages, Blogs, Facebook, etc. and to help out with Events, Shows, and a Weekly Ride starting at our shop in Petaluma.

I want to build a “Boutique Bike Shop” featuring our products and other accessories which will incorporate a display of my collection of every bike and frame I have made for myself dating back to 1974.

I’m not looking for someone who wants to learn to build frames - there are plenty of experienced people available.

I have many ideas for new products, but no time or $$$ to develop and implement them.

I want to manage design and manufacturing.

There are 3 positions that I’m not flexible on.

• I come with the business.

• Made in USA.

• Products sold direct to the consumer and via the Web.

I’m looking for a Partner, someone that compliments my skills.  I make stuff - They market it.

This is an excellent opportunity for a “Performance Oriented Person” with potential of an Equity Position in Bruce Gordon Cycles. New Person will be a Partner. How is it structured? I’m open to your ideas.

Regards, Bruce Gordon            

Tire Review by Curtis F.

Today we're featuring a Rock 'n Road tire review by Curtis F. of San Francisco: 

"I find the idea of being "well-rounded" a little boring.  Being good at something generally makes us not so good at something else.  A 29er sucks on pavement because it's designed to shred on dirt, and a road bike isn't so fun on technical single track.  Bruce Gordon lacks social graces because he's a mad scientist when it comes to bikes.  The point is... without a little give, there's no take.  So how could a tire be really great at any one thing if it's good at everything else? I had to find out.  The first day I put the BG Rock 'n Road tires on my Frances diffusible tourist, I immediately went for a ride on the local fireroad of choice, Aptos Creek in Nisene Marks.  Climbing up the steep sections to eventually reach 1600', I was impressed by the grip on the hardpack characteristic of Santa Cruz County.  I noticed that even at 70 psi, I could still easily stand up and pedal hard in the steep sections without spinning the rear tire.  Dem fatties got bite.

A perfect synergy of predictable traction.

On the way down, I fell in love.  Pardon my French, but these tires f-ing shred.  The combination of grippy tread and soft sidewalls create a perfect synergy of predictable traction.  These tires do what you expect them to do, even when you're sliding sideways through a sand pit at 25+ mph.  They are soft without being mushy, and roll faster than I expected for such a large tire.  They even behave nicely when loaded down with 30-40lbs of gear and beer.  So what don't they do? Well, they won't massage your calves after a long ride.  I wouldn't recommend them to a faux CX'er who spends 95% of his or her time on the pavement.  They're a little small for really technical stuff.  But to be honest, these tires really don't suck at anything.  Last weekend I went camping in the woods with these tires, and this morning they were still on my bike when I rushed to work on it.  They might make the ride a little longer, but certainly not by much.  If I had to put a label on them, I would say the Rock 'n Road is a fireroad tire.  A gravel travel companion.  And it beats any other tire I've ever used for this purpose, hands down.  It might not love pavement, it might not have the grip for slick-as-snot mud, but holy crap, this tire rolls like a rubber cloud when it comes to open trails and smooth-ish single track.  It's grippy and predictable in corners, and eats up washboard and small rocks when bombing in the open.  In short, I am absolutely in love with these tires and would recommend them wholeheartedly to anyone willing to listen."

Thanks so much for the kind words, Curtis!  We appreciate the feedback and the pictures of your very nice Frances (with a BG taillight, no less!).  If you Rock 'n Road riders out there would like to send us reviews, we'd like to feature them on this here soapbox.   

Tire Tales

Some folks have asked about the origins of the Rock 'n Road tire.  For those of you who haven't watched the video we put together, here you go.


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Bruce always gives credit to Joe Murray for designing the tire, but those of you who were born too late to be familiar with the legend of Joe Murray should do a little homework.   Joe Murray is a mountain biking legend, both as a rider and a designer, who also happens to be a very pleasant guy. 

For more Joe Murray info, you can check out the following links:

    -Adam at Bicycle Industrial Complex published a letter from Joe recently in which the Rock 'n Road story is told in the larger context of the 29er trend.  

    -Over on Cycloculture you can find a nice recent interview with Joe.

Now that you know all about the legendary man behind the rubber, does it make our tires more desirable?  Well, the pedigree doesn't hurt.  But really, these tires speak for themselves.  Come check 'em out at the Grasshopper this weekend.   

Year End Happy Holidays Sale

We have gotten special pricing on parts from Shimano on the new 10-speed XT parts package.
We are closing out the remaining Taiwanese-made BLT's.  Sizes and quantities are limited to the stock on hand.  The sizes available and quantities are as follows:

56cm 700c - 11
52cm 700c - 11
39cm 26"    -  2

Complete sizing and other information is on our web page: http://www.bgcycles.com/blt.html
 (I know the parts pictured are not the exact ones offered - the parts included in this sale are an XT parts package, a higher-quality group- see below).

The Parts Package is:
Crankset -10 speed XT - 42/32/24 chainrings
Cassette - 10 speed XT either 11/34 or 11/36
Hubs - XT 36 hole
Spokes - 14 gauge DT Stainless
Rims - Mavic A119 700c (or XM317 on 26")  -  Hand Built Wheels - built in our shop.
Tires - Schwalbe Marathon  700x35 (or 1.5" on 26")
Rear Derailleur - XT Shadow 9 speed long cage (this is the derailleur that works with 10 speed Dura Ace Barcons)
Front Derailleur - 10 speed XT
Brakes - XT V-Brakes front and rear
Brake Levers - Cane Creek Drop V Levers
Chain - Shimano Ultegra 10 speed
Seatpost - Kalloy UNO 27.2mm
Seat - WTB Speed V
Handlebars - Dimension Anatomical

The price for a complete bike with these parts, including front and rear Bruce Gordon 4130 racks (made in our shop in California)...

$1725
+  shipping and handling + assembly at your end (the bike is shipped totally disassembled in 2 boxes) Everything is included except Pedals and Water Bottle Cages.

The same 10 speed Shimano XT group is what we are equipping the Rock 'n Road Tour and Tour-EX at the same price as the older 9 speed group.

Take the measurements from our sizing page at http://www.bgcycles.com/fitting.html and give us a call at (707) 762-5601.

Grasshopper

On January 19th, Old Caz will kick off the fifteenth annual Grasshopper Adventure Series.  For those of you who have never participated in it, Old Caz is an epic mixed-terrain "training ride" that follows some of West Sonoma County's finest backroads, fireroads and trails.  Some of the strongest riders in the area show up to compete, but it's also a great opportunity for laid-back non-racers to enjoy riding little-seen routes with the pros and the proles.

Bikes of all types show up, but the consensus seems to be that fat-tired road and cross bikes are the name of the game.  For some Grasshopper rubber we suggest using the Bruce Gordon Rock 'n Roads, which are fast-rolling on the paved sections, grippy on the dirt and mud.  They're even good creek-crossing tires.  

We hope to see you on January 19th in Occidental.

  

Green Monstercross

After the red monstercross bike came back from testing, Bruce decided he wanted to build himself a monstercross bike similar to the red one, using the same methods and materials.  Before too long, presto: the Green Monster was born. 

Double Plate Fork Crown?  Check.  (Pacenti Paris-Brest model)

Bilaminate (meaning both lugged and fillet brazed) construction?  You bet.

Curvy seat stays and chain stays?  Absolutely.

Custom black anodized BG cantilevers?  Indeed.

Our own Rock 'n Road 700x43 gumwall tires? Hell yes. 

And the custom-built-by-Shimano-just-for-us long-cage Dura-Ace derailleur?  Yep.

After riding the Green Monster, Bruce remarked, "It rides like a bike."  That's high praise coming from Bruce Gordon. 

If you're interested in having us build a custom Monster of your own, call the shop at 707.762.5601 or email Bruce at bruce@bgcycles.com.  If you'd like your own RnR Tires, you can get them here. We can also make black anodized BG cantis for you, but it'll cost a little extra.  The Red Monster is still available, check it out here.