Clik here to view.
Visiting Panaracer
As a child, I used to think of Japan as a densely populated place full of skyscrapers and freeways. Of course, those big cities exist, but much of Japan is very rural. So when I travel from Tokyo to...
View ArticleClik here to view.
René Herse Cranks: 177 and 165 mm
The photo above shows raw forgings for Compass René Herse cranks. Perhaps you will have spotted that they are all different: Their length varies in 6 mm steps. We introduce René Herse cranks now...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Enduro Allroad Bikes Are Taking Off
The big story of last weekend’s North American Handmade Bicycle Show were Enduro Allroad bikes – road bikes with tires wider than 45 mm. These bikes are great on paved roads, but their true element is...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Early-Season Ride: Hood Canal and Tahuya Hills
The Bicycle Quarterly Team’s early-season rides usually head into the Cascade foothills to our east. There are plenty of quiet roads that seem to dead-end in the mountains… until you realize that they...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Tire Pressure Take-Home
What is the “correct” tire pressure for your bike? The simple answer is: Whatever feels right to you. Confused? Here is how it works: In the past, many riders inflated their tires to the maximum...
View ArticleClik here to view.
The Bicycle Quarterly “Team”
The Bicycle Quarterly “Team” is the inspiration for much of what we do. Whether it’s the ride stories in Bicycle Quarterly or the components made by Compass Bicycles, it all starts with a bunch of...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Prepare for Gravel Riding
Gravel riding is becoming increasingly popular, and we are very happy about it! It was natural for Bicycle Quarterly to become a co-sponsor of the Eroica California ride in April, since it combines...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Carbon and Leather
The Bicycle Quarterly‘s Specialized Diverge test bike came out of the box all black. Specialized’s photo (below) makes it look like a shadow, but when I saw the actual bike, I found quite unappealing....
View ArticleClik here to view.
New Bicycle Quarterly 4-Packs
The popularity of our 4-packs of Bicycle Quarterly back issues has surprised us. They provide a neat way of reading up on a topic that interests you, whether it’s tire performance, American...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Bicycle Quarterly Un-Meeting 2016
This year’s Bicycle Quarterly Un-Meeting will be held on June 25 and 26 in Carson, Washington. Carson is located on the Columbia River near the Bridge of the Gods. It is easily accessible by bike from...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Straddle Cables Done Right
Straddle cables provide a light and elegant way of transferring the brake force: Every cable-actuated rim brake needs to transmit the force of the single brake cable onto two brake pads that squeeze...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Gravel Racing on Compass Tires
When the Australian Matt Hayman won the European Paris-Roubaix race yesterday, it came as a huge surprise to everybody, including Hayman himself. However, nobody was surprised that Hayman rode on...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Join the Swift Campout
Some of Bicycle Quarterly‘s favorite stories have been campouts – short camping trips into the mountains. We pack lightly and enjoy spirited rides, unrolling our sleeping bag or setting up a...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Weekend Rides on Film: Gravel Racing and Rinko
Spring is coming to many places, and this weekend was filled with wonderful rides. Two of them were captured on video, and they inspire me as I plan upcoming outings on my bike. One is from the...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Improving the “Unimprovable”
A few years ago, I called the Gilles Berthoud handlebar bags “unimprovable”. After all, they are lightweight, waterproof and last (almost) forever. The elastic closures are easy to operate (unlike...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Weekend Trip to the Mountains
Short trips often are the most enjoyable. Last weekend, we did not venture far from Tokyo. After an hour on the commuter train, we were assembling our bikes in a mountain valley. Our ride started on...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Rat Trap Pass back in stock
This is just a quick note that our popular 26″ x 2.3″ Rat Trap Pass tires are back in stock in all versions. We’ve been surprised by the popularity of these tires… Many cyclists have a cherished old...
View ArticleClik here to view.
It’s a Hobby!
It might be challenging to understand cycling enthusiasts when you aren’t one. We spend a lot of money on bikes, then spend a lot of time getting into shape, and then we go on rides to nowhere, and...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Why Synthetics for our Knickers?
I’ve long championed wool as a great material for cycling clothes, so some riders were surprised that our Compass knickers are made from synthetics. Why didn’t we choose wool, or some other natural...
View ArticleClik here to view.
The Paso de Cortés
Where is the best place to test an Enduro Allroad bike? That is what we asked ourselves as we planned the Summer 2016 Bicycle Quarterly. It had to be a ride that went beyond the capabilities of the...
View Article