At the Safi Works x Echelon Cycle Sport Q&A on Saturday, Jimbo Safi was explaining the merits of steel to a room for of roadies. I listened with my eyes rolled a bit, grinning. Feeling like the smart kid in class who already knew the answers.
"I've never ridden a steel bike"
👀 I made an audible sound as one of the attendees stated this boldly. I had judged the book by its cover & assumed he was a steel lover. Maybe it was his tattoos, my self-imposed bias & fabricated lore that everyone works up from steel to carbon. Though many stay with metal. But more go to carbon, right? How do you skip the first step?
Well, it got me thinking and I was drawn to this topic for three reasons:
- The hype around Safi is real & he's promoting a brand built with a material he believes in. Despite the attendees (almost*) all having bought carbon bikes already. *One fellow rider was on an old rim brake-equipped Standert. 😎 Safi is also prioritising retailer relationships and personally travelling and talking in each community. Inspiring.
- Handmade Bikes are growing. For starters, all bikes are built by hand, but you know what I mean: independent hands & brands. I'm sure any builder reading this will wryly chuckle as it remains extremely difficult to get by despite the allure. That all being said, and I swear I'm peering out of my bubble, interest in niche brands seems to be double!
- Even after all the hand-wringing about Eurobike, the success of shows like MADE and Bespoked expanding to 3 countries (and even NAHBS coming back?!) underscores, in my view, the growing appeal for steel. There is something to the community, the feel and seeing themselves in a story that inspires some riders to dream of a bike that isn't simply in inventory.
The common thread isn't even the qualities of the material that Jimbo so passionately explained to the roadies at Echelon on Saturday. It was the smile on their face after hearing him speak and giving the bike a go around the block that sparked the dream to own a product that isn't just 'in stock'.
You know I'm a romantic for steel, small builders, and brands, but seeing the sparkle in the eye of a rider who had never ridden steel before reaffirmed the idea that a face-to-face conversation & a shared ride are all you really need to decide: steel is real. ⚔️
Thank you for reading and supporting this newsletter!
wishing you a nice week ahead,
Jon
p.s.
🎵 Some tracks on deck last week: several episodes of Echoes from the Dungeon (holy crap, I love it so much! And we got to meet the host, Iggy, at Echobox last week!) I also have had Henn's new album, Second Youth, on loop and enjoyed Turnstile's Pukkelpop performance too! (Though I see the video has been removed, bruh)
August
- 🇳🇱 25 Hold The Echelon Evening Ride 18:15
- 🇳🇱 26 Wheelrunner Wednesdays 6:30am
- 🇳🇱 27 Gregario Gossip Club Thursdays 7:15am
- 🇳🇱 30 Bounty Hunters presents: Hit The Bricks BMX Jam
September
- 🇳🇱 4 Dox Under The Tracks Nº16 w/ Y.O.P.E.
- 🇳🇱 6 Fixed Crit Zwanenburg
- 🇳🇱 10 The Mechanics of Joy
- 🇩🇪 11-13 Bespoked Dresden
- 🇪🇸 18-20 Sea Otter Europe
- 🇳🇱 19-20 Open Nederlands Kampioenschap Fietskoerieren
- 🇫🇷 23-27 Concours de Machines ÉDITION MAURIENNE GALIBIER
Bikes
SILCA Revolutionizes Gravel and Road Tires with the All-New Protocol Lineup
It was a big week for SILCA last week with the launch of their Protocol tire range. We're very grateful for all the buzz, interest and attention! No better way to educate yourself on what sets SILCA's tires apart than to hear it from the man himself either on SILCA's YouTube or via Suvi's great interview on Escape Collective. (That's a gift link, you already know you should be a subscriber, if you're not already! 😉)
How Justinas Leveika won Silk Road Mountain Race
Conor McKenzie
This year's SRMR has been a real nail-biter! I'm so stoked for & inspired by Justinas! Also props to Max for a solid 2nd place! Shout out to Manu for sorting his broken rim mid-race with a smile on his face! Women's race updates here, too!
"The conditions have made for a high attrition rate, and at best we’ll have a 44% finish rate at this point. It is fair to say that this has been one of the hardest editions in several years." – Silk Road Mountain Race, 2026
2026 MADE People’s Choice portraits
Ideas
Calendly Got A Refresh & I landed on the Landing Page 😲
Dox Under The Tracks Nº16 With Joop de Graaf on 4 Sept
JobRad® Loop and WUNDERFiX Remove Final Barrier to Online Buying
How It Works: Before Purchase: WUNDERFiX support is highlighted across relevant JobRad® Loop website pages, assuring customers that professional assembly assistance is included with their purchase. After Purchase: Customers receive an email invitation to schedule their complimentary, live video session at a time that suits them. During the Video Call: Certified bike mechanics provide live guidance via the customer's phone or laptop. Support includes bike assembly, initial setup, brake and gear fine-tuning, ergonomic positioning, and troubleshooting. Read more in the Twotone Newsroom.
Friends
Kristo from Radial Pro Cycling On The Mechanics of Joy
Henn's 'Second Youth' Release Show Was Awesome!
Melvin's Mother North Ultra Race Recap
Melvin de Groot
"In the end, your body is strong, as long as your mind does." Words to ride by as I'm mentally preparing for Taurus. Great writeup, Melvin!
Radness
Jonas Klock's Adventures to Architecture App
Thank you for reading!
Here's to falling for the appeal of steel this week!