Product Review: November Bicycles Nimbus Alloy TI Wheelset

It seems so common that factory bikes lately have one Achilles Heel - the wheels. Nearly every review I read seems to say something to the effect of, "an upgraded wheel package would make this bike faster/better climbing/more durable...". This appears to be the area where manufacturers control costs. Most buyers don't really understand much about wheels, while they can immediately spot the difference between Shimano Sora and Ultegra. Too bad - wheels are easily the biggest single game changer for many bikes.

After a few gravel rides on my Specialized Crux, I began to feel that was likely an issue for me as well. At 20 spokes front, 24 rear the Roval Pave SL wheels feel a bit flexy and undersized for my 200+ pounds. I'm not saying I'm some sort of Road Beast, but I'm a decent-sized guy who's reasonably strong. Had a wheel guru at a local shop take a look at the wheels. As seems to be the case with Specialized wheels, the bearings are pretty small. Especially up front. Two strikes.

But what are my alternatives? My wheel guru builds great wheelsets. But we chat and I'm looking at just over a grand for that. Nope. Took a quick look at Mavic, but something leaves me cold about these. 

Enter November Bicycles. I first ran across these guys on the RoadBikeReview online wheel and tire forum. Everyone comments on the great quality and tremendous value. A visit to their web site and now I'm intrigued. Semi-custom 'cross wheels for 600 bucks? For real? After some dialogue with owner Dave (great guy), I settle on the Alloy Nimbus TI with Pacenti SL25 rims in a 28/32 spoke configuration. The hubs are made for November by White Industries - basically a White T11 with a simpler shell and available only in a standard pewter color. I have a White ENO on the rear of my single-speed mountain bike and it's SOLID gear. November offers these wheels in a wide range of spoke configurations, rim choices, etc. so you're sure to find something that meets your needs. And if you don't know what you need, I found them really helpful in guiding my decisions.

Good looking ride!

I love getting sweet bike gear shipments. And November didn't disappoint. In a word: solid. These wheels look durable and solid, without feeling "overbuilt". The hubs are a great color and the bearings are butter-smooth. I really like the T11's titanium drive - nearly as light as aluminum and as strong as steel. And the Pacenti rims have a great profile, a great matte black finish, and even some pretty sweet graphics (hey, I'm a marketing guy by profession).

Once the wheels are mounted, I'm even happier. Somehow they just clean up the look and pull the bike together visually. I love that November even does their own skewers that are just a touch unique and match the hubs. Nice attention to detail.

OK, that's all fine, but what's it ride like?

Bomber rear hub!

Sublime. Smooth. Solid. The smooth-rolling hubs carry momentum wonderfully -- blast the descent on a roller and you get half-way up the next hill! The added rigidity of the higher spoke count and more rugged rim means flex is GONE. Every pedal stroke translates into maximum forward motion.

The Alloy Nimbus TI has transformed the Crux from a bike that I liked a lot to one I love. That's pretty cool. And surprisingly affordable.

Of course, this has me eyeing November's Rail 52 carbon road wheels. My Roval Rapides have been fine, but with a low 16/21 spoke count and the same small bearings, I wonder if I'm crushing them. Ah well, a consideration for next Spring.

If you're looking for a handbuilt wheelset with top-notch components at a mass-market price, I strongly recommend checking out November. Great product!

-Sean-

Pain Cave and Winter Fitness

The Winter fitness season is upon us. You know the one where you realize you're not exercising, and then you step on the scale for that "uh-oh" moment? Where the Holidays loom large, as does your waistline. I seldom make that transition well. And this year's proving to be no exception.

In 2013, I put on a bunch more weight and burned any fitness I'd built over the Summer. I tried joining a gym. But it just didn't work. Crowded at peak times. Boring as hell. Just not my bag. Last Winter I did a bit better. Decided a combo of skiing (thank you to Vail for picking up local Mt. Brighton) and indoor cycling was my best bet. Picked up a CycleOps Fluid2 trainer. Mounted my bike up and I'm ready to go!

Only problem. Riding a trainer is boring as hell. The only place I think time passes more slowly is waiting at the Secretary of State to renew your driver's license. Even with a custom playlist on the iPod, a half hour feels like a month. But, it works. I kept the Winter Weight off, and by the time I arrived on Colorado to ski I was running the slopes from top to bottom without a stop to catch my breath. Awesome. My road cycling season starts off very strong. All good.

As my goal is to continually improve, this year I vowed to make the Pain Cave a more pleasant place. My first thought is to press a TV into service. Throw on some Family Guy or Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives and I'm good for an hour. Fortunately, due to upsizing a TV elsewhere in the house, a 32" is looking for a home. This past week a little re-org of the basement results in a nice little home exercise spot! It's not the prettiest, but it's comfy, has a fan to keep cool a high-def TV with a gazillion channels, and a DVD player. 

Will it be the solution? We'll see, but I must admit I'm looking forward to finding out! Pain Cave 2.0 look out!

-Sean-

And so it begins...

When you're a skier, it all appears predictably. Yet every year I never tire of the progression.

First the ski mags start to fill the mailbox. They're full of cool new gear. Sweet destinations. And prognostications about who's going to have an epic Winter. And so it begins...

Then we have to ante up for early season deals on passes. And so it begins...

Later, we start seeing reports via social media of snow in the Western mountains. And so it begins...

Next Colorado, Utah, or the Sierras get an epic dump before November 1. And so it begins...

One of the high elevations ski areas, like A-Basin, opens in early November. And so it begins...

All the while, back in the Midwest, we're watching for that first frost. The earliest flakes. That really cold morning. And we're looking in our gear bags, checking our ski bases, and just generally getting anxious. Non-Winter friends are grousing about their hatred of the season. While we're just trying to hide that shit-eating grin as we think about ripping that first face, or catching a powder day.

If you're truly a skier. You understand all of what I just said. And if not, well then get your ass out there this year and give it a try. You might learn to embrace Winter, rather than dreading it. If you need me, I'll be watching for the signs of ski season...

-Sean-

Gear Lust

Been having a bit of a run-in with gear lust just lately. You know the feeling, "Do I need a gravel bike with disc brakes? What about a skinnier ski for those hardpack situations when it hasn't snowed in 10 days and the temps have been in the single digits? Dang, having a second Muskie fly rod that I could put an intermediate line on would be cool. Maybe I need that cool new superlight road bike?" Damn near bought a Kona Jake the Snake 'cross bike on Saturday.

Then I went for a bike ride yesterday.

That simple act reminded me of why I love all this stuff so much. It's time spent outdoors. It's the sights, sounds, and smells. The feeling of the sun warming you on a cool Fall day. The strain of muscles that sit at a desk too much.

And its freedom. Freedom from the tedium of a job, a house, and a life. Where you can just escape for some pure "me time". Last Monday as part of a whirlwind trip that included Michigan's Upper Peninsula, I got to float the storied Big Two Hearted River. Yup, the one of Hemingway lore. I've waded it a couple of times, and even kayaked it years back. But seeing a river from a raft or a drift boat is just another experience. We didn't catch much - or even turn much - but it didn't matter. I got to spend a day with my Dad, and a good friend. On one of the most remote rivers in Michigan. In a place where cell phones don't work and GPS' can't be trusted. Truly off-the-grid.

This phase of gear lust will pass. And until it does, I need to remember - use the shit you already own. That will give you far more joy. When you wear it out; you can get something new!

-Sean-

Houston, We Have A Problem...

Ran into a little snag on the 'cross bike. On my first real dirt ride after my fitting, I noticed my saddle was pretty low about 3/4 through. I knew Josh had said he'd had some issues with this, so not surprising. I adjusted back to about the right height, re-tightened and finished my ride. Later I took the measurements from my fitting with FitMI and put it in the right spot. Oh, and since this is MY bike, I put a scratch in the seatpost for reference.

 On the next my next ride, I noticed it slipping again. Re-adjusted and this time put a little brute force on the bolt. Like until I heard a solid creak. And, yes, I know that isn't "tourqued to specifications...". A few miles later, I'm low-riding. Another stop, another adjustment, only this time, the second creak turns to a loud, "SNAP". F@CK!!!! I'm 8-1/2 miles in to a 24 mile ride and at a pretty good distance from my truck. I limp back as directly as possible in a combination of standing and riding on an all-the-way-down seat that fully swivels. Fun.

At first, I'm blaming the non-stock Zipp seatpost. Figuring maybe it's not quite a true 27.2mm size. But after I get home and start doing some research, I find that this problem is a known issue with the Specialized Crux Comp. A wide range of fixes are suggested (including shimming with a cut-out from an aluminum beer can), but most center on the seat clamp. The general consensus is that the Thomson seat clamp is the ticket.

OK, cool, but the Specialized clamp also has an integrated cable hanger for the rear cantilever brake. No problem. I like an engineering challenge. A little more time with The Google and I find the Problem Solvers Cross Cable Hanger. OK, I can put this on the seatpost just above the clamp. Good enough. Oh, wait, the hanger is 1-1/8" ID and the post is 27.2mm. D@mmit! Ah, but there's a shim available. Click. Click. Credit card. Order complete.

As I'm waiting for delivery, I realize that this rig - while functional - is going to look full-on hillbilly. Not acceptable. A little more research leads me to the IRD Long Drop Cable Hanger. Better still I can order locally and have it in a couple of days. Sweet!

On Monday night I finally have all the needed parts. I'm sweating if the cable and housing will be long enough, but I dive in. Installation goes smoothly and the cable and housing just fit. With the clamp properly torqued, seat can't be twisted when tugging (it could before). And, the installation looks nice and clean. Perfect.

Planning the first ride on Saturday; fingers crossed! Somehow I have an odd love for this sort of problem-solving.

-Sean-


FOLLOW-UP
Good news! Did a nice 23 miler on gravel today and everything held fast. Didn't slip a millimeter! Kudos to Thomson for a top-notch seat clamp that does it's job. Ride was a blast and felt great! I love that bike.

Muskie Mania

I did it - boated my first "real" Muskie - measured 36" fish! On my UP trips with Dad and Capt. Jon Ray in the past two years I've hooked up on some good ones, and boated a "pike in a muskie suit" (as a friend said). I firmly believe attitude was a key part of it. I've embraced Muskie Mania.

Cute little guy from 2014

In the past I think I believed, but honestly I knew so little about what I was doing that I'm not exactly certain what it was that I believed in. Maybe that there were Muskies where I was fishing? Or that Jon had flies they'd chase? I don't really know.

This year was different - the result of some study and effort on my part to learn more about this game of chasing Muskie on the fly. It started with attending "Muskie University" this Spring. Put on by Capt. Brian Meszaros (a top Muskie fly guide on Lake St. Clair, and nationally renowned), this was an excellent day-long seminar on all things Muskie related and exclusively devoted to fly fishing for these toothy beasts. River rat, Chris Willen was there to impart his wisdom on chasing fish in moving water. We started in the classroom for the morning, and then moved to Lake Erie Metropark for some casting and on-water practice. I picked up so much knowledge, including things like how to really figure 8 (and it's importance) and water-loading casts to enable throwing the big flies all day without killing your body.

The second game-changer was reading Robert Tomes excellent book Muskie on the Fly. Though published in 2008 when chasing these toothy critters on the fly was pretty off-the-grid, there is a TON of helpful knowledge in this book. It helped me to better understand the "why" behind the "what" of this chase.

Abel Super 9/10N Muskie Edition

And, I suppose adding a Muskie rig of my own didn't hurt - a Scott Tidal Muskie/Pike Special rod with an Abel Super 9/10N in Muskie graphics mounted below. This rig gave me some great confidence. You can read my review of the rod on the Mangled Fly Blog (you should be reading it anyway because it rocks...). And yes, I know a reel like this one isn't needed for Muskie, but when I saw it -- well let's say I have a fondness for special reels. Throwing this rig was fantastic! And so cool to glance down and see this sweet-looking reel.

What do all these things do? Add confidence. And when chasing an alpha predator like a Muskie, you need that confidence. I rolled into this trip with a little more swagger. A little more heart. and plenty of patience that this next cast would be the one...

Finally, in closing, I can't show you my fish - yet. Muskie are special. Their hideouts are closely guarded. And my guide friends, like Jon, make their living knowing where to find them. So, out of respect and friendship, I agreed that I wouldn't post the shot anywhere until after Jon finishes his season and moves on to steelhead on the waters we all know. Check back in a month or so. You'll see it and the whole story.

-Sean-

Black is the New Black

Several years back as Jon Ray and I were trying to find the right hoodie to offer from Mangled Fly, he taught me a valuable lesson. Black absorbs and sunlight to keep you warmer. Seems pretty obvious, but I'd really never considered it before. Since then, black is the new black for me!

Yesterday was a perfect example. Wanted to take a ride, but it was a touch chilly. Of course it wasn't quite cold enough to warrant a thermal jersey. As I'm choosing my kit I remember Jon's words. Ordinarily, I tend to select brighter jerseys for visibility, but I decided it was time to break out the SWEET BikeWorks jersey I picked up in Kona last year.

This shop was pretty amazing - when you're in a place with a lot of disposable income like Kona, you can stock things like a Specialized S-Works Venge (at $10K) or or a Giant Defy Advanced 0 that you might never see in other shops.

Threw on a pair of bibs, this jersey, and arm warmers and headed out for a perfect ride. I was very comfortable the whole time and even able to remove the arm warmers on the route home. The little extra boost warmth from black on a sunny cool day was just right.

A simple reminder of a great outdoor trick - black is the new black!

-Sean-