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Monday, November 28, 2005
Greetings folks. It's been a while. Just when you think you've got a few minutes to breath, reality kicks in and you find yourself way behind. Well, I thought I'd take today to comment and update everyone on the status of our new products and update you on a few new projects. As with any product update, things can change and all dates posted are only estimates. Frames: Primero: Our new Primero is still a ways out. Our tubing has finally shipped and arrived. It was a few months late and we need to reschedule production. I have not heard from our factory when we can get in the production schedule, but I expect it will be Feb-March before these highly anticipated frames arrive. I know this isn't the best news, but rest assured, the wait will be worth it. Just to remind you, this is the first true production bike using True Tempers S3 tubing. The result is an amazing steel frame at just 3 lbs for a 56cm and a ride that only steel can give. Dos Niner: The Dos was new in 2005 and for 2006, we made a bunch of updates. We've increased both the stand over & the tire clearance and ever so slightly tweaked our geometry. These frames are currently built waiting paint, decals and finish work. Due to the holidays, these should ship close to Christmas and arrive late January and go for sale in February assuming they pass our QC. For those waiting, just and FYI. Our first shipment is almost sold out and our authorized dealers will be getting their frames before non stocking dealers. El Santo: The El Santo was updated with increased standover as well. It also has got one of the most striking paint jobs we've ever done. Looks black in the shade, black cherry in low light, and metallic red in the sunlight. This model is in production now. Should be here in Feb. All other 2006 scandium models are in stock with exception of a few sizes. I know we are out of the 52cm Las Cruces and the 20" Moto Rapido. Those sizes and models are in production now and should be available in Feb. Steel Ala Carte Mtn and La Raza Road: Ahhhh.....Steel! Last year we made a tubing switch to True Temper OX Platinum. As a result, we had a few delays. These frames are so important to Salsa and we have worked closely with both True Temper and our factory to get these sooner rather than later. As a result, these frames are just being finished. The production is complete, they are just awaiting QC and paint. Again, due to the holidays, these should arrive to QBP in January and assuming they pass QC, will be into stock hopefully mid to late Jan. For those keeping track, that is 6 months earlier than last year. Components - We've got so many new components, I'm going to just comment on our biggest items. Delgado 29er Disc and Delgado Disc rims: These beauties are now in production. 29mm wide and light. These should make all those folks wanting more tire volume, larger contact patch and respectably light weight very happy. One very nice feature of this rim is that we designed it for easy tire installation. As they arrive, we'll post more information on this product. ETA is currently Feb. CroMoto Rigid Fork: We've added a new steel fork to go with our Ala Carte. We'll offer it in two colors, tang orange to match the Ala Carte frame, and basic black to go with all those other frames out there that look and feel best with a good quality steel fork. Size-O-Matic: Just submitted final design for the update. This project has taken much longer than hoped, but the result should be fantastic and we expect that the next prototypes will be final and we'll go into production. Look for these in Feb-March. CroMoto SUL Stems: We've brought back the steel stems. Both Quill and Threadless. We are still working out a few production details, but these should be shipping to us in Feb-March. Clothing: We've got a bunch of new stuff, both woman's and men's. Our new woman's jerseys and socks are due in Feb. We've also got 3 new men's jerseys. Pepperman Want's You (in stock), Comrade Jersey (December) and our Long Sleeve Classico Wool (due next week). Lastly, we've got some new stuff. So new, the stuff isn't even in our catalog or on our website yet. We've expanded our carbon bar offering. We've got a new carbon riser bar and a new carbon flat bar coming in the spring. They have passed the fatigue tests and we are now doing impact tests. These are looking like they will be March or so for delivery. As you can see, we've been busy. Check back for updates. Ride and Smile! Jason Posted by Butcher : 1:20 PM 0 comments | permalink 
Wednesday, November 23, 2005
I find myself a first time basketball coach this year. Yup, I'm the head coach of the 3rd/4th grade House League basketball C team this year. Actually we aren't called the C team anymore as that was a bit boring. We named ourselves the Cougars, because that starts with C and cougars are well, big and powerful, and make fun snarling noises. It has always seemed to me that a lot of cyclists aren't into team sports (or at least the normal team sports) very much. I can understand some of this because bicycling is for most of us an individual sport . Only those on a road team are part of a team effort, and even then they have to be pretty good or the whole team thing is pretty meaningless. Sometimes the normal (and by normal I mean baseball, basketball, football, and hockey) sports seem to get a lot of grief from non-fans. The athletes make too much money. Yet, I rarely hear a cyclist spouting off that Lance Armstrong makes too much for his endeavors. I find this interesting. In my own life, basketball and cycling have held an unusual relationship. Coming and going at different stages and for different reasons. As a kid growing up in Korea, I road around a lot with my friends. We patrolled several miles around our neighborhood and got into all kinds of adventures. I liked basketball then too, of course, but didn't really start playing basketball "seriously" until 9th grade. Then, basketball was what I lived for. I could shoot for hours. In the winter I'd shoot outside in slushy melting snow, then run inside to warm my pink frozen hands, then charge back out to keep shooting. During those years, cycling started taking a backseat. Korea's traffic had gotten out of control so the roads and alleys were more dangerous than when I was a young boy. I'd still mess around on bikes a bit, but not as much as when younger. When I went to college I blew up my knee repeatedly and after two surgeries the doctors said, "No more basketball (or any other sport that requires lateral movement)". They suggested that I swim or cycle. That's when bicycling started to make its way back into my life. After the second round of knee surgery I started taking a bike from my grandfathers house out onto the country roads in Wisconsin. It was some cheap 10-speed but that's what I had at the time. During my senior year in college though (1988), someone showed me a picture of... ...a mountain bike! Immediately, I knew I had to have one of those as soon as I graduated and could make some money. And that's what happened. The first Diamond Back lead to a super sweet Bridgestone MB-Zip (which was actually way too much bike for me at the time! Yikes!). From there the addiction continued, and continues to this day. Basketball disappeared from my life. At first when I was told to stop playing it was a painful thing to contemplate, but eventually I didn't really miss it at all. Bikes had replaced it as my favorite addiction. So now, basketball comes back into my life, as I coach my son's team. I'm enjoying the experience because for most of these kids this is their first team experience. We're working on 4 main goals: -Fun -Improving Skills -Understanding Being Part of a Team -Respect for Parents, Coaches, Teammates, Referees, and Our Oponents A lot of our practice seems like controlled chaos. Stuff that makes sense to an adult can be hard to impress upon a child. But we all do our best and I'm sure we'll enjoy our season win or lose. And my hope is that the kid's gain an idea of what being part of a team sport can and should be like. Prior to basketball starting we didn't have Jordan in a Fall sport this year. Some folks would say, "Oh you don't have him in a Fall sport?" and I'd say, "Actually, we do. We have him in cycling." That's the crux of the matter I guess. We need to teach both team sports and individual sports, because in all likelihood, the individual sports are the ones that they'll enjoy for most of their life. So what goes around comes around. Basketball and cycling, back together again in my life. A mix of team and individual sports that I'm finding very enjoyable. Shoot some hoops, and then go for a bike ride. Or go for a bike ride, and then shoot some hoops. Happy Thanksgiving to you all, -Kid Posted by Salsa Kid : 1:37 PM 0 comments | permalink
Monday, November 21, 2005
"Things to do in the Dark..." 1. I am a huge home theater type person and am definately of the mindset that movies are far better when the room is dark and the ambient lighting is a glow. That being said this is the only time of year for the famous "back to back trilogy movie marathon". At no other time of year is the sky dark long enough for one to partake in one of these blessed rituals without using blankets and sheets to cover the windows....which is just not the same. In fact...we are fast approaching the longest nights of the year (winter solstice for 2006 is december 21st) which is the only time you can partake in one particuar trilogy event to rival no other.....The Lord of the Rings Extended DVD set! Hmmm... I can't wait. 14 hours of riveting masterpiece! 2. I'm also a huge music person. This is the perfect time of year to go check out your local music scene. Bars and venues are warm and are usually filled with great folks and yummy beverages... and although maybe not on your first trip out, you are bound to find a band you'll like. The best music isn't always found on the shelf or played on your squak box. 3. I love football. Okay I may catch some flack for this one but... I have a group of fellas that get together to play on the grid Iron about once or twice a month. We started running out of daylight for games a month or so back as none of us can really get together before 8pm or so. In an effort to continue our monthly game we started playing with a glow in the dark ball. (Now... we have since evolved to an led lit up ball which is much better than charging the ball every series and has sped up gameplay significantly.) Players wear light up glow neklaces (rave stuff) so you can tell who is who when there out on the feild. Its a great time. When the moon is just right you can ditch the glow bracelets. Anyway...try before you judge. Very fun. Seriously. You can get a glow in the dark ball for 15 bucks or less. Baden ball is the only one that really works... and you need to charge it with the new fancy headlights like you find in volkswagens and the like. charge holds much longer. anyway... 4. Take your lady out to dinner. This is an often overlooked very important task that often gets overshadowed by the longing to hit the single track after work. Now that its dark and cold...take your significant other to a cosy candle lit dinner. This may actually lead to other fun things to do when its dark but we won't mention that here. :) 5. Nothing here sound good? Well there is always your bike, a light, and your favorite trail. Soo.... hope that helps. Ride and Smile! Bobby Posted by Bobby : 3:23 PM 0 comments | permalink
Tuesday, November 15, 2005
I'm really not that much of a baby, but all I can say is that this whole being dark at 4:30 in the afternoon thing is a bit much. And yes, I can hear the folks in Alaska saying, 'Quit yer moaning sissy'. I'm not letting that stop me though. I want day light and I want it now. Here's hoping it's brighter where you are... -Kid Posted by Salsa Kid : 7:32 PM 0 comments | permalink
Wednesday, November 09, 2005
So the local Channel 11 10:00 News did a brief bit on cyclocross last night to plug the upcoming Minnesota State Championships. It's always nice to see the mainstream media focus their infotainment eyes on our sport, but even better when Salsa gets a little press out of it too. Salsa/Superteam racer Steve Rowntree was briefly interviewed dressed in full team kit astride his Las Cruces and Salsa ace 'crosser Aric Hareland made his appearance in the background as well. If you're in town stop by this Sunday November 13th to watch the race at Bassett Creek Park in Crystal, MN. Salsa will have a tent set up with a couple new bikes to show off and maybe a little shelter from the weather for you. Kenwood Cyclery is providing a Belgian-style super-fan beer tent on the course with brats, kraut, chili, and tunes to enhance your race-viewing experience. The "C" race kicks it off at 11:00am with the "B" race at 11:45 and the main event "A" race at 1:00pm. This year promises to be an exciting finish as reigning champ Doug Swanson will find some serious competition from visiting SoCal pro and Salsa rider Brent Prenzlow. Watching their local teammates fight for position to set up their man for the win on the last lap promises to be a knock-down anaerobic slug-fest. Hope to see you there! -Pierce Posted by Pierce : 4:00 PM 0 comments | permalink
Rant #3: Right...whatever. So, many of you know...many of you don't, that outside my life here at Salsa, I play in a band called Complex Zero. We have been together for just outside 3 years and although we are not amazing by any means I think we have a good sound and a solid show. We are on the heavier end of things with quite a bit of double kick and some heavier deftones type slow grooves. So anyway...for whatever reason we decided to enter in this local band tournament, which we hate but sometimes you can get some good constructive feedback from the judges. We actually paid to be in this tourney. (yeah i know....) Well round one of this tournament took place last Friday. We played an average show, not our best, not our worst...the energy wasn't there as much as normal and all of us just felt a bit off. Hey it happens that way sometimes. but...we really we just interested in feedback anyway so it was not big deal. problem lies at the feedback that we recieved. To make this really long rant into a slightly shorter one here is some of my issues. Oh, and to clarify this was a "Hard" music Tournament. #1. The judges were by no means qualyfied to be giving feedback on any of the bands. They were all really young (in age and in the scene) and really have no where near the industry experience to be giving anyone advice on how to further their success as a band and what not. #2 as for the feed back. We had several comments that were just humorus in nature because they were so stupid. One of the judges said that we needed more tatoos to look like a rock band, and then a couple lines later said we looked to tough and intense on stage and instead needed to be more light hearted and goofy. What?? Is that a direct contradiction or is it just me. This is rock and roll right?? If we were a ska band then yeah..goofy works...but when was the last time you saw any "tough" rock band be goofy. I'll have to say that I certainly wouldn't be opposed to a bit more ink but i'm pretty sure that it would have absolutely no effect on our music or our show!! anyway... One of the judges said that we played too much double kick and that double kick was an 80's fad that is no longer relevent to todays culture. What!!??? yeah because System of Down never uses double kick lines at all. (#1 selling album release this year for almost 3 months in a row and last time I checked was still top ten.) Killswitch, Slipknot, Throwdown, Haste the Day, Demon Hunter.....etc.. etc..yeah...none of those best selling artists use any double kick. Stupid....not to mention the fact that all of the judges were like 5 in the 80's so what the heck would they know about it 80's rock anyway?? Right...whatever. oh man...there was soo much more but I'll spare you. So to be clear I honestly am not whining or even upset about our score cause we could really care less...its just the principle and absurdity of the whole thing. It just proves once again that Band contests are stupid. Book shows, play rock and roll, and have fun. End of story. If you all want to make me feel better and raise my ego a bit, check out our My Space account and listen to a tune. If you like it, sign up to be a friend and leave us a message telling us what you liked...shoot if you think it sucks...let us know that too. I'll let you all be the judges. okay..I think thats enough for now....back to bike stuff. Thanks and out. www.myspace.com/complexzeromusic or www.complexzero.com Ride and Smile (but in a tough way....) Bobby Salsa Crew Posted by Bobby : 10:00 AM 0 comments | permalink
Wednesday, November 02, 2005
This morning after day care drop off, I stopped at the DMV to renew my license tabs on my car. I'm thinking this will be quick because I have all the paperwork and they have a super service line just for renewing tabs. I waited a bit longer than expected due to a woman in front of me sharing her nephews school pictures with the nice woman behind the counter. It still went quickly, but when I got to the front of the super service line, she also informed me that my drivers license was expired as well and I needed to go to the end of the other line. Ohhhhh. I was a bit bummed as I knew I'd be 40-45 minutes late for work today, but I was there and didn't want to go back again. While I was starting to think, why does this happen to me, I listened to the story of the man in front of me. "I bought this truck from a friend of mine. I've paid him already and I just need to get the title transferred and renew the tabs." The nice lady behind the counter looks at the information, groans a bit, and then starts in with "well, I think we are going to have some problems. You see, the van was leased and the person you bought it from doesn't own it. On top of that, he has a recent DWI and there is a list of requirements that he needs to meet to sell the vehicle." If you've got a DWI on record, you can't sell the vehicle for less than fair market value and you can't sell it to someone you know or are related too. There was a lot more and it was painful to listen too. In the end, she estimated that it would take 10-12 weeks to sort it out, more if he actually didn't own the van. After that, I was thankful that the person behind the counter had kindly notified me that my license had expired. Your probably thinking what's the point this blog? Well, this experience made me realize two things. 1) Most things are small things and every time you think you've got it bad, someone around you probably has something worse. 2) Ride your bike. Even though my trip to the DMV was short, all I could think about was that owning a car is a choice. Part of that choice is abiding by all the rules and this takes both time and money. In contrast, cycling and bikes are inexpensive when compared to cars, way cheaper to own and maintain, and don't require those yearly renewals. More importantly, riding a bike just feels good. Bikes Rule. Enjoy your day and if you don't commute on your bike regularly, try it once in the next week. Jason Posted by Butcher : 11:30 AM 0 comments | permalink
Tuesday, November 01, 2005
It has been a nutty few months. Shoot, might as well make that half year. Engagement, wedding, becoming an official husband and father, trips overseas, tons of work here, two tough catalog projects, moving out of a house, selling a house, and the list goes on. So last night my lady and I have one of those painful conversations. Frankly, it is really hard for me to get a ride in with my current schedule of school dropoff, work, dinner, Cub Scouts, 3rd grade basketball...well, you get the picture. It boils down to having a passion for something and not having the time to do it. I love my wife. And I love my son. But that doesn't always make the truth of the situation much easier to handle. So my wife suggests that I simply have to change my schedule if I'm going to get a ride in, and based on the events we have going on in our lives that I'm going to have to finish my ride before she leaves for work at 7am. Well, I've never been a morning person. Midnight is more my cup of tea. But it just won't work. So I am attempting the Conversion. I will start to go on my rides at 5:30 in the morning or so. The way I see it, it will be like solo night riding but without the creepy factor. Most creeps come out at night but they aren't hiding in the woods at day break because it will, by then, have been a long, cold night. Am I looking forward to doing the cycling impersonation of Rocky Balboa's morning run through town. Not really. I'm not looking forward to hearing the alarm, or climbing out of a warm bed, and going out into the cold and darkness. But no matter how twisted the time of day, I am looking forward to getting some rides in. If you run into me in the next few weeks and I'm a little edgy don't take it personally. -Kid Posted by Salsa Kid : 9:35 PM 0 comments | permalink |
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