I don’t want to make y’all think that we’re only a dealer for Pinarello given we’ve had a lot of Pinarello content in the newsletter but … here’s another Pinarello! This is a Dogma build we just wrapped for a customer. It features a full Dura-Ace Di2 groupset and even has the Dura-Ace wheelset to match. The whole team here’s been taking turns checking it out while waiting for the customer to pick it up. The racing green looks great in-person, too. We’d be happy to get another Dogma on order for you if you’re interested or, in the alternative, we can help you with one of the F-Series we just got in that have 105 Di2. We made sure to update the shop and add them here.
I’ve been running some fun full-hand Suntour brake levers on my Atlantis that I snagged from my buddy Reuben for a while. With all of the rain we’ve been having, I noticed that some of the hardware on them was looking a bit rough with light surface rust, etc. I’d also recently seen something (on the Radavist I think?) about some new IRD levers that looked pretty cool. I ended up ordering some and installed them last week while building up a dynamo hub. Having bigger hands, I kinda find it tough to get a component that works for most hand sizes that also works for me. These were just right though and I could see them working for smaller hands, too.
So far I really dig the IRD levers. The CNC-machining on them is top-notch, the bushings allow for a really nice actuation, and the frosted silver almost looks like pewter or silver with lilac undertones. The pull is also a lot crisper than that of the old Suntour levers. It’s not that the old levers are bad per se, I just really like how responsive these IRDs are. My Mafacs feel all the better for it. Just the other day I needed to slam on the brakes as I hit a stop sign after ripping down a hill. I liked the feeling of immediacy and the added confidence while using them. I’m a major fan. In fact, if I weren’t going with drop bars on my current Soma Wolverine build, I’d slap these on there, too. If you’re intrigued, I got mine here.
I was kinda unsure of what I wanted to write about in my opinion section this week and so began to brainstorm a few days before writing up this newsletter. I usually start with products I like that I use for cycling and then what the larger reason is for my choice in gear. This week started with a merino wool sweater I snagged some months back as the weather began to get chilly here in the City. It’s super cozy and warm and a wonderful layer to be worn on its own or with my rain shell or midlayer over it.
I’m not writing this to sell you on this particular sweater, but more writing this to chat a bit about what most people wear while riding and why. I was usually wearing something synthetic close to my skin in the past rather than wool. I perceived wool as “old school” and scratchy and heavy and hot. I also only thought of wool in the context of thick cable knit sweaters (lol). I began to read a bit more about wool and how it doesn’t retain bad smells, keeps you warm even when wet, and breathes insanely well. I also began reading more about merino wool specifically and how soft it is.
Interested but skeptical, I snagged the sweater I now have. Daily wear for the last three or more months has convinced me. I don’t leave home without it (I had it with me in Santa Fe in December and in Dallas in February) and always commute with it. I also enjoy having it on my long rides/rambles into Marin or down to Pacifica for descending in cooler temps/when the sun begins to set. I kinda feel like this sweater is an adult version of a blankie tbh.
I thought that it was synthetics or nothing else for a while there and was frequently cold or clammy on rides. Plus, I had some issues with that synthetic stuff drying and smelling really bad. The main rub was that I thought I needed it to be “faster” or “serious” about cycling such that I kept wearing it even though I thought it sucked. And you know what? I might be “not serious” and “need real kit” and that’s fine with me. I’d prefer to be nice and toasty warm on a ride with stuff that won’t smell like s%$# after it dries and more effectively warms me when I need it the most. Plus, this sweater looks better than a race cut jersey does at a nice-ish dinner with my wife. That’s good enough for me.
Until next time,
Luke <3
P.S.: All of our old newsletters are now on our site as blog posts here.