WHERE ARE THE PLEGS?!

The one question we hear everyday has got to be, "Where are the Plegs?"

Now, why isn't this post on the G-Sport website where it belongs? Only because this is the area that seems to be getting all the questions.

I'll use this post to try to bring everyone up to speed on where we are right now:

The last year has been loaded with unnecessary delays from the injection factory that we've been working with. Sometimes many months would pass between deliveries on the various prototypes, and it took an incredibly long time just to finally get the tooling made to our proper specifications.

A few weeks ago we took an initial order of 100, and everything has been spot-on. However, just as we were getting ready to go to production, we then had the opportunity to move the tooling to a factory that's working with one of the world's leading suppliers for the materials that we're working with (the materials and injector's experience make all the difference in the world in this application.) So, given this chance, and the promise that it provides us with for future advancements on other new projects, we decided to move our production to the new injection factory. I know someone will say, "Why didn't you run a production batch from the first factory?" The answer to this can be complicated. In the simplest terms, the parts made in one factory may not be fully interchangeable with the parts from another. Because we want to keep everything standardized, we'd rather have one factory doing it all from the beginning, especially because the fit between the sleeve and its corresponding hardware is very important.

So where does this leave us? We're testing a batch from the new factory right now. When these are correct, we'll be moving quickly to production. The good news is that this factory is on-the-ball, and they are working with us at much more rapid pace.

We'll post more on the availability dates soon.

I recently asked some of our friends and team riders to submit their thoughts on the Plegs. Because of the length, I've converted their quotes to images that you can click on below. Some people have asked what the differences or advantages are, and hopefully this will help to give you a better idea.

Thanks for bearing with us on this. It really should be worth it in the long run.

VANDERO 2 WHEELS IN STOCK

Vandero 2 wheels are shipping to shops and distributors now. You can expect them to be available in a week or two (if not sooner). As with all new machine built wheels, we highly recommend re-tensioning and re-truing the wheel after a few days of continuous use. Individual Vandero 2 hubs will be available soon.

COMPLETE WHEEL INFO:

- Black Vandero 2 Hub (36-H only).
- Black OEM Spokes.
- Hazard Lite Rim (chrome or hard anodized black).
- 2 lbs. 3 oz. with stock rim strip.
- Pricing will be slightly higher than the original Vandero wheel, but should remain in the same basic range.

VANDERO 2 HUBS:

The Vandero 2 is over three ounces lighter than the original Vandero, with only a minimal change in the suggested retail price. Employing G-Sport axle technology, this is essentially a mix of the Vandero and the Marmoset. What's the difference? The Marmoset has a stronger axle, bigger bearings and uses the highest quality materials available. The Vandero 2 is an affordable alternative that allows us to make reasonably priced factory built wheels.

- 17mm 7075-T6 helicoiled aluminum axle
- 3/8" G-Sport axle bolts w/17mm wrench flats & 6mm allen key slots.
- 2014-T6 forged Vandero hub shell (36-H only).
- 7075-T6 collars.
- 8.5 ounces (weight includes all hardware.)
- Black, Polished and limited editions.

Recent steps have been taken to ensure that the bearing seats on all of our hubs are being held to the tightest possible machining tolerances during manufacturing. We guarantee it.

A big post on the Plegs will be up tomorrow. They're not available yet, but we'll give you a lot of news on where we're at, as well as some interesting comments from the riders that are using them right now.

CRAZY WEDNESDAY...and quick responses

We got a ton of used Herman Miller office furniture from an architecture firm that closed down this morning, and we've been in meetings the rest of the day.

More product updates on Thursday.

Some quick answers/responses to things so far:

1. Ben's cranks in the Director Fork thread are powdercoated white.
2. Director Forks with different offsets (mild/zero) may be available at some point in 2008.
3. Director Forks will only be 3/8".
4. We are all fully aware that other examples of raked, straight-to-axle fork legs exist (Mongoose, Tange, Colnago, Wright Brothers, etc.). We have never claimed this as an "original" feature. Please read the information we've posted if you can't grasp the differences by looking at a photo.
5. Director Fork pricing will be a bit higher than the Classic Forks.
6. I will try to get some Flatland Fork info up by Friday.
7. JC/PC pedals are still in the pre-production stages but should be moving along relatively quickly.

DIRECTOR FORKS IN STOCK

Director Forks are shipping now.

- New steerer tube and leg joint is stronger than conventional designs.
- Butted and tapered “direct” legs prevent rail and grind hang-ups.
- 10mm hollow integrated leg dropouts.
- 1 lb. 15.6 oz. (895.8g) with uncut 170mm steerer tube and pre-load bolt.
- 3/8” axle slots only.
- Rustproof finishing prior to powdercoating.
- Black and white (limited soon).

Expect to see them at distributors/shops in roughly two weeks.

Info straight from the box is as follows:

"While the Director Fork may look different from what you're used to, the geometry and feel is an identical match with traditional forks. The axle is in the same position as it would be with a "normal" fork design.

While weighing in at less than most "racing specific" chromoly forks, the Director Fork is intended for use with every style of riding."

For more photos, you can check out the original introduction posts by searching the site's archives.

All of the current Classic Forks are obviously still available in black and assorted colors.

I ran out of time today, and will get on to the other stuff I've mentioned on Wednesday - time permitting.

Thanks.

MORE NEWS ON TUESDAY...

I'll post availability info and details on things like the Vandero 2 wheel and the Director Fork tomorrow.

I will also include an update on where we're at with the infamous G-Sport Plegs. As you can see from this quick shot, part of our durability research has involved a long-term Labrador puppy chew test. (Lab pups are chewing machines.)

JC'S TRAILMIX IN STOCK

Here's the first post about the products in our latest shipment. I'll put more info up next week on things like the Vandero 2 wheels, Director Forks, etc...

JIM CIELENCKI TRAILMIX PEDAL

- Same shape, materials and spindles as the original JC pedal.
- Slimmed-down bridge sections and longer gripping pins.
- Knurl-free contact surface to prevent dirt from getting clogged.
- 19.8* ounces (looseball aluminum - pair).
- All new 17mm wrench-flat spindle ends (with 6mm allen key slots).
- Black, Gold, High-Polished, Limited.
- Looseball or Sealed.
- Replacement pins included.
- Aluminum now. Magnesium later.
- Organtic, not organic.

Made at the request of riders like Taj, and some of JC's other friends, the Trailmix is a lighter-weight version of the original pedal (still in production) that leans more toward trail riding with it's longer pins, slimmer bridges, and knurl-free gripping surface. The pedals also feature our new 17mm hex-end spindle wrench flats that will accept the width of most adjustable wrenches - helping to simplify assembly when traveling (6mm allen key slot also included).

Our first delivery is looseball, black aluminum only. These should be at distributors and shops in roughly two weeks. Other colors and options will be available at a later date.

*The original JC looseball aluminum pedals are 24.8 ounces (for the pair).

Jim Cielencki bike check

JC recently built up a new rig, with some assorted new goodies.

Frame-Sunday Wave (creamsicle/orange)
Fork-Sunday Morning 2 (creamsicle)
Bars-Sunday Tudor uncut (creamsicle)
Headset-FSA
Stem-Odyssey Elementary with 2 1mm spacers
Front Wheel-Odyssey M-7
Tire-Path Plyte 2.1
Pegs-GSport Plegs
Brake Lever-Odyssey Monolever Trigger
Cable-Black Odyssey Linear
Brake-Odyssey Evolver 2
Seat-Odyssey Mike Aitken
Post-Odyssey Intac
Clamp-Odyssey Mr Clampy
Grips-ODI Longnecks
Bar ends-Odyssey Parends
Rear Wheel-GSport Ribcage rim with red Odyssey cassette hub 36h.
Driver-Blackout 9 tooth
Rear Tire-Path Plyte 1.95
Cranks-Odyssey Wombolts 175mm
Pedals-Polished JC Trailmix
Sprocket-25 tooth Million Dollar Sprocket with only one side
Chain-KMC Dropbuster
Kickstand-Arizona Grapeade
Camera-Panasonic DMC-FX07

Modifications-No cutting of the bars, cut seat post, cut left side
axle down well into the nut. Bike modifications are really a thing
of the past for me, Odyssey did all the parts changes that I
requested a long time ago, so I don't have too many modifications to do.

Product update...very soon...

I'll post a lot of news on the contents of our latest shipment by the end of this week.

Thanks for being patient with us.

MAROON LEVAN GRIPS

Limited Maroon Jimmy Levan grips available now.

Contact your local shop or mailorder for more info.

AARON ROSS @ REBEL JAM

There was a rail jam that went down at the Rebel Jam.

Aaron Ross rode and did this Feeble to 180.

Hot sauce!

Thanks to Will Stroud for the clip.

TEAM UPDATES

While Jimmy Levan, Gary Young, Adam Banton, Matt Beringer and KC Badger were in town filming for the next video, some of the others were in Berlin for the Rebel Jam, sort of.

Jim Cielencki was on his way there, but "the plane left without him". JC still went over, as there were plans to film for our video after the contest anyway.

Taj was over as well, but ran into a little snag while filming at a skatepark doing an alley-oop wall tap foot plant across a wallride over a hip. He cut up his shin and had to chill. See picture above.

Aaron Ross is in Berlin as well filming. And debate is still up as to whether he actually won or not.

Mike Aitken and Chase Hawk were on a Fit Bikes trip from LA to San Fran last week. I'm sure they kicked ass.

BLUE BERINGER GRIPS

New blue Matt Beringer grips available now. No Mercy!

COLOR KITS

When we started doing the full limited color kits late last year, we knew it wouldn't take long for it to take on a life of its own. With Aaron Ross running the full Fluorescent yellow kit for a while, its no surprise that a full one color bike kit is becoming popular, especially with wild colors.

Our plan to only offer black as a stock color, and do Limited color kits has worked pretty well, but sometimes shops/riders can be confused on whats available, especially if you are not on all over the net everyday. Every once in a while I will get asked when a certain color will be out, even though it's been out for a few months.

Pictured above is just a sample of the colors that are availabe in kits now (as long as they aren't sold out).

Colors:

Fluorescent Yellow
Guacamole Green
Teal
Lavender

Parts in each kit include forks, bars, cranks, powdercoated rims, grips and sometimes pedals and linear cables.

Contact your local shop or mailorder for availability.

FILMING...

...IN PROGRESS.

S&M PARTY

Ben and I hit up the S&M party this weekend. It was a good time.

A lot of people were in town for it, and it was good to catch up with some of the crossover dudes that ride for Odyssey as well. Taj was in the house, and kicked ass with his band SNAKE TRAP (pictured above).

Jim Bauer had built up some wheels for a custom S&M bike that they surprised Moeller with which turned out real nice.

Congratulations to Chris and everyone else that's been involved during the last 20 years!

ODYSSEY-VISION DAY

Here is a section from the 2004 Odyssey Euro road trip. Its got Gary Young, Mike Aitken, Scott Foster and others in some trail action.

This video has been up for a bit, but...

...If you head over to ODYSSEY-VISION to check out Rich Hirsch's section from our first video. We know he is no longer on the team, but he used to be and was a big part of getting that first video done. It is the big featured video.

Subscribe to that bad boy if you haven't.

LIGHT BRITE SHIRT

New LIGHT BRITE shirts available now through Blackout Distribution, Quality Bicycle Products or Dan's comp.

We will add this shirt to our store once we get more.

Black only.