Chainrings choice. It's one of the main attractions of our Rene Herse cranks – together with light weight, supreme reliability and, dare we say it, good looks. So when we presented our first 11-speed chainrings, it was only a matter of time until the program was expanded. Now we are...
This year's Tour de France has had its share of drama, and the winner won't be the one most observers predicted. Among the sporting achievements, the technological innovation was easy to overlook: Finally, the UCI approved disc brakes, and the Tour is the first big stage race where they've been used. Reading the...
We are excited about a number of new products. MKS has reworked their popular Sylvan pedals with silky smooth cartridge bearings. Now called the Sylvan Next, we've carried the Touring version for a while. New in the program is the Track pedal (above). The new Track pedals are a great...
Our ideas of what is a performance bike have changed a lot in recent years. The most exciting bikes of the moment are all-road bikes like the Open U.P. – a carbon race bike that accepts 50 mm-wide tires!Not too long ago, every performance road bike had 700C x 23...
Road.cc tested another Compass tire. After the Barlow Pass and the Steilacoom dual-purpose knobbies, they had a go with the Switchback Hill 650B x 48 Extralights. This time, they used a different tester, Dave Atkinson. He liked the tires just as much... His conclusion echoes ours: "At a time when people...
To celebrate Bicycle Quarterly‘s 15th anniversary, we are looking at myths in cycling: things we used to believe, but which we’ve since found not to be true.Disc brakes have become popular on virtually every type of bicycle for a variety of reasons. One of them is that they are perceived...
High-performance bicycles have changed tremendously in recent years. As one manufacturer said at last year's Interbike: "In the past, everybody asked how much your bike weighed. Now all they want to know is how wide a tire it fits." Wide tires have revolutionized how we view performance bikes. In the past,...
At Compass, we see little point in replicating what you already can buy from others. When we made our first knobby tires, we wanted true dual-purpose tires. Could the new knobbies match the on-pavement of good road tires, yet grip as well in mud as true cyclocross tires. Impossible? You'll...
To celebrate Bicycle Quarterly‘s 15th anniversary, we are looking at myths in cycling: things we used to believe, but which we’ve since found out not to be true. Today, we explain why your bike's weight distribution does not directly translate into your tire pressures. (more…)
We are proud to introduce our biggest tire yet, the much-anticipated 700C x 55 mm Antelope Hill. The new tires have arrived with the latest shipment and are now in stock. Antelope Hill is the unofficial name of the last great climb of the iconic Oregon Outback, the 360-mile gravel race that...
To celebrate Bicycle Quarterly's 15th anniversary, we are looking at myths in cycling: things we used to believe, but which we’ve since found out not to be true. This week, we have a 'double feature' that looks at fork blades. In the first post, we looked at...
In the 15 years of Bicycle Quarterly, one of our discoveries has been that testing bicycle performance isn't easy, and that taking shortcuts often has led to erroneous conclusions. Carefully designed tests that replicate what happens when real cyclists ride on real roads have allowed Bicycle Quarterly to debunk several myths. Certainly,...
One of the hardest parts of bike fit is the width of the handlebars. There are many recommendations, but not all make sense. For decades, racers have been told that handlebars should match the width of their shoulders – but nobody seems to agree how to measure shoulder width! Let's...
Rene Herse Cycles is the exclusive North American distributor for Berthoud Cycles. We are especially excited about their saddles, which combine amazing comfort with modern design and superior durability.Berthoud saddles start with the best vegetable-tanned cow hides, which are dyed in-house. All Berthoud saddle tops are cut in the grain...
In addition to individual Rene Herse x Kaisei frame tubes, we offer three complete tubesets: Superlight, 'Mule' and Oversize. Each tubeset is based on bikes that we have found to work extremely well. The Superlight set is the lightest steel tubeset available today, great for riders who...
When tubeless tires first became available, they were designed for mountain bikes, and it was their resistance to pinch flats (above) that made them popular. Off-road, there are few nails or broken bottles that can cause punctures (and even those usually will be pushed into the soft ground rather than...
Bottom brackets are almost invisible, and you only notice them when something goes wrong. When the bottom bracket in my Firefly started to bind after just a few hundred miles, I put in an SKF, and that was the last I thought about it. When the bike was overhauled, the...
To celebrate 15 years of Bicycle Quarterly, we are examining myths in cycling – things that we (and most others) used to believe, but which we have found to be not true. Today, let's look at tire tread: Tread patterns matter – they can make a difference...
"Raise your handlebars, and you'll be more comfortable." It's one of those almost self-evident 'truths' of cycling. And yet the reality is not that simple... (more…)
Recently, the German magazine TOUR published a table showing the 'five fastest tires in the world.' We are excited to see our Rene Herse Bon Jon Pass 700C x 35 mm tires (back then still under the Compass label) on this list, in the company of the fastest racing tires....
To celebrate 15 years of Bicycle Quarterly, we are looking at ‘Myths in Cycling’ – things that aren't quite what we (and most other cyclists) used to believe. Part 3 of the series is about fenders. Many cyclists here in Seattle install fenders when the rainy season starts,...
In part 2 of our series 'Myths in Cycling,' we'll look at why titanium isn't always lighter than steel. I can hear you saying, "What? Everybody knows that titanium has half the density of steel." That much is true: The same part made from titanium will weigh half as much as the...
At Compass Cycles, we have taken much of our inspiration from René Herse and his legendary bikes. In the past, we've talked about the great performance and incredible reliability of Herse's bikes, but what is even more striking is their beauty. You notice it immediately when you look at one...
We are excited to announce the latest SON generator hubs. The biggest news is the connector-less SL system for thru-axle hubs: Now you can remove your front wheel and its generator hub without having to disconnect any wires, even with a thru axle. The system consists of three parts: The heart is...
At Compass, we design our components over thousands of miles on the (often rough) roads we ride, so we have full confidence that others will enjoy them as much as we do. Still, we were pleasantly surprised when the world's biggest cycling web site, BikeRadar, tested our handlebars and awarded...
Our new water bottles celebrate the Compass and René Herse logos with a bold new design. The bottles are based on Specialized's popular 26 oz. Purist design, with our custom graphics. In addition to the iconic logos, the bottles feature a quote that describes our approach to bicycles. The new design is limited...
The new René Herse cantilever brakes are here! Prototypes of these brakes were one of the secrets that made Peter Weigle’s bike at this year’s Concours de Machines so light. They weigh just 75 g per wheel including bolts, springs and pad holders (without pads). How can...
Compass Cycles is introducing the first-ever 11-speed-compatible René Herse cranks and chainrings. And the first-ever René Herse chainrings with ramps and pins. These are not just any ramps and pins: They're carefully engineered to shift as well as the best cranks from the big manufacturers. We are proud to offer this...
In addition to individual Rene Herse x Kaisei tubes, we offer three tubesets: Superlight, 'Mule' and Oversize. Each tubeset is based on bikes that we have found to work extremely well. Today we'll look at the Mule. Named after my most versatile bike, it features an unusual configuration: an oversized...
In addition to individual Rene Herse x Kaisei frame tubes, we offer three tubesets. Each tubeset is based on bikes that we have found to work extremely well. These bikes have distinct characters that I'll describe in a series of blog posts. The Superlight tubeset is just that – the...
Sometimes, we get questions about why our René Herse cranks aren't anodized. Some even wondered if this was a cost-saving measure. Rest assured, Compass never will choose a cheaper process over a better one. There is a reason why our cranks aren’t anodized: When I was racing, I bought a beautiful used Campagnolo...
The updated Compass Babyshoe Pass TC 650B x 42 mm tires are now in stock in all models. What's new? We took our most popular 650B tire, and made it tubeless compatible. When you are riding fast on rough gravel, tubeless really makes sense – as I found out when...
Last weekend was the first cyclocross race in Seattle. Almost every year, the first race catches me by surprise. Summer is over? It's 'cross season already? Usually, I oil the chain on my trusty Alan 'cross bike and head to the races. This year, the Alan's tubular tires needed regluing. The...
It's no secret that we love steel bikes. Steel allows us to build the bikes we need for our adventures – bikes where every detail is optimized to the nth degree. You can imagine our concern when True Temper, one of the most important suppliers of steel tubing, decided to...
Sometimes, it feels as if cyclists are divided into two camps on many issues. One of these divisions concerns pedals. There are those who believe that if you don't have clipless pedals, it's hardly worth taking your bike outside. Others fervently believe that any foot retention will ruin your enjoyment...
We just received our first shipment of Gilles Berthoud "Open" saddles. In the past, I've tried many saddles with cutouts, but none were comfortable. While they relieved pressure in the center, the sharp edges of the opening were uncomfortable. So I was skeptical when I received a sample of the...
Many cyclists dream of a dual-purpose tire that rolls smoothly on paved roads, but has knobs that dig into the surface when it gets slippery. In the past, combining these two qualities in a single tire has been elusive. Usually, the knobs were too squirmy for good performance on pavement...
If there is such a thing, Babyshoe Pass is our favorite tire here at Compass and Bicycle Quarterly. It's 42 mm width gives it great cornering grip, comfort and puncture resistance. The 650B wheel size offers nimble handling with wide tires. The Babyshoe Pass is named after an iconic gravel...
Long-time Bicycle Quarterly reader Matt Surch (above) put his name on the map when he won last year's Steaming Nostril gravel race on Compass Bon Jon Pass tires. We checked back in with him to see how the tires performed in the year since then, and to hear about his road racing...
We've experienced a profound revolution in road bikes in recent years: It used to be that to go fast, you rode narrow tires and pumped them up to the maximum pressure. If you wanted more comfort, you used wider tires and (maybe) lower pressures, but you knew that you'd be...
The long days of summer see us heading far into the mountains. Often, our ambitious plans push the limits of even the longest days... Above, Natsuko descends the incredible chain of passes in the Cevennes mountains of France. This amazing tour is featured in the latest Bicycle Quarterly. Just in time...
It's always interesting when bike industry people talk among each other, off-the-record. On the ride from the airport to Paul Camp a few weeks ago, one bike tester was still visibly shaken when he related: "My tubeless tire blew off the rim yesterday. I almost crashed." Worried that...
At Bicycle Quarterly, we've been testing quite a few titanium and carbon bikes lately, and even a bike made from bamboo. We really liked most of these bikes. And yet our own bikes continue to be made from steel. Why don't we ride carbon or titanium (or bamboo) bikes? We choose steel...
Spacers with a flat surface on the inner diameter can help prevent your headset from loosening. Just to clarify: If your headset stays put as it is, then don't change it! It's just that my headsets kept loosening on two different bikes, and so I was looking for a solution.Classic headsets...
Bikepacking is popular because it allows you to go places where bikes with panniers face difficulties. Bikepacking bags are inside the outline of the bike, so you can go anywhere an "empty" bike can go. Pushing the bike is easier, too, when there are no bags hanging off the sides. The only problem...
First, I want to apologize that several Compass tire models are out of stock. Orders from our distributors in Europe and Japan have exceeded our expectations, and tire production has to be scheduled long in advance... The tires now are on a boat to Seattle. We should have all models back in...
When building a bike, one important decision concerns the wheels. How do you get the best performance and still make your wheels strong enough to withstand 20,000+ miles of riding on rough roads without needing service? By now, most cyclists know that spokes don't break from overloading, but from fatigue as the...
We now offer Compass centerpull brakes with a backing plate for bolt-on mounting, in limited quantities. Many customers have asked for this: Wouldn't it be nice to get the superlight weight and superior performance of these brakes on an existing bike? A backing plate connects the pivots with the fork crown,...
Compass is proud to introduce what we consider the ultimate decaleur. Combining the ideas of René Herse and H. Hirose with Nitto's craftsmanship, the new Compass decaleurs are strong, light, beautiful and reliable. Here is why decaleurs are important: We love handlebar bags. They are a great way to carry the things you...
At Compass Cycles, we love riding on gravel roads, so it may come as a surprise that we don't make "gravel" tires. Compass tires are road tires, perfected for use on paved roads. The rubber compound is optimized for grip on pavement, and the "chevron" tread pattern interlocks further with the road...
The new Compass UD-1 front rack is a "universal" rack intended for bikes where our other racks don't fit. It's an especially good choice for bikes with disc brakes. Like all our racks, it is made by Nitto in Japan to Compass specifications. At 221 g, it's remarkably light for an adjustable...
Riders are realizing the importance of handlebar shapes again. In recent decades, makers tried to make ergonomic shapes by flattening the bars where the most useful hand positions are located. But human anatomies vary a lot, and locking riders into a few 'anatomic' hand position rarely results in the promised comfort. In fact, rather...
Disc brakes have become increasingly popular on bicycles in recent years, especially on all-road bikes with wide tires. Bicycle Quarterly has tested more than 20 bikes with disc brakes. Our challenging adventures have provided excellent opportunities to learn about the advantages and disadvantages of modern 'road' disc brakes. I remember enjoying...
Small parts often get overlooked, but they can make a big difference in your cycling experience. Take light mounts, for example. Adjusting the angle of your headlight beam is useful: In town, you want to angle the headlight low so it doesn't blind oncoming traffic. Out in the mountains, you need a higher...
Generator lighting make bikes far more versatile. You can ride at night and never have to worry how much charge you have left in your batteries. Your lighting system is always there, not consuming significant energy when off, and very little when turned on. Which generator hub is best for your bike? This...
This photo shows our Compass centerpull brake with the straddle cable released. (It also shows a Rinko fender, and a Babyshoe Pass Extralight tire after about 5000 kilometers...) More than a thousand words, this photo explains the design of our brakes: The arms fit around 42 mm-wide tires and fenders with...
We love handlebar bags. They are easy to access, they don't affect the bike's handling when you ride out of the saddle, and they are more aerodynamic than rear bags. (Yes, we did test that in the wind tunnel!) To take a photo, you stop, put a foot down and get out...
We thoroughly test every Compass product before we release it. We also seek unbiased evaluations from experienced riders who weren't involved in the development of the products. For the new Compass Steilacoom cyclocross tires, we gave them to a number of cyclocross and gravel racers. Two of them have reported...
A few months ago, Bicycle Retailer and Industry News (BRAIN) ran a feature on Compass Bicycles. It drove home a point that I hadn't really thought much about: Compass is a different kind of bike company. BRAIN quoted Elton-Pope Lance about Harris Cyclery's experience: "The shop doesn’t introduce customers to the...
Compass Cycles is re-introducing the René Herse rear cable hanger. I have loved these simple, lightweight, elegant cable hangers – so much that I made my own when I built my Mule. There are many ways to design a rear cable stop for centerpull and cantilever brakes – this is the...
Compass Cycles is introducing two new models to its tire line. We've had many requests for 700C and 26" versions of our iconic 650B Babyshoe Pass tires. Here they are! We've added 2 mm to the width, because we found that 44 mm-wide tires will fit most bikes designed for wide 700C and...
Congratulations to Andreas Behrens of LaFraise Cycles for completing the amazing Transcontinental Race. Riding unsupported for almost 2,400 miles (3900 km) over a course that traversed all of Europe, Andreas completed the non-stop race in 15 days and 12 hours. The course traversed the highest mountain ranges of Europe – above the...
Over the last few years, the idea that higher pressures don't make your bike faster finally has become accepted. Many cyclists now run lower pressures to improve comfort and traction, without giving up anything in speed. On gravel, lower pressures actually make you faster, since the bike bounces less. On...
"Buy the nicest, most supple tires you can afford; and buy them in the widest width that you can fit in your frame." That is Joshua Poertner's summary of a panel discussion on Cyclingtips.com. Joshua used to be the president of Zipp, the makers of super-fast aero wheels, and he did a lot...
How does it work that wide tires are as fast as narrow ones? It is really simple: Comfort = Speed When your bike vibrates, energy is dissipated as friction. That energy must come from somewhere – it no longer is available to propel the bike forward, so your bike slows down. That is why your...
Our Compass René Herse cranks are available in three lengths to cover the needs of nearly all cyclists. The lengths we offer are a bit unusual, but there is a reason for this: Our cranks use dedicated forgings for each length. The "net shape forging" makes our cranks stronger than if...
Compass centerpull brakes now come with special washers to adjust toe-in. These washers are easy to retrofit on older Compass and even classic Mafac brakes. With this system, you to adjust toe-in only once, when you initially set up the brakes, and then never worry about it again. What is toe-in? It means...
We are glad to offer our Compass Randonneur handlebars with a clamp diameter of 31.8 mm (for modern stems), in addition to the 25.4 mm model we introduced last year. These handlebars have been very popular, and for good reasons. They support the rider's hands much better than conventional handlebars. Having ridden them...
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 mountain bike, an expedition tourer or a tandem that is transformed with a...
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 buckles), and they allow overstuffing the main compartment and pockets. And being made from canvas and leather, the bags also are...
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 super-supple tires. With their tan sidewalls, Hayman's tires looked like FMBs or Dugasts, but first reports insist that they actually were made...
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 the rim. In recent years, straddle cables been replaced by direct-action V-brakes or complex linkages (on modern Shimano sidepull brakes). There...
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. Everything looked like it was made from plastic. I dreaded taking the bike to the photo studio, where it's our job to...
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 pressure rating. Now most cyclists now recognize that the optimum pressure often is much lower. But what is the right tire...
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 available in 165 mm and 177 mm lengths, in addition to the 171 mm we have...
Recently, I posted about slick tires and why they tend to offer poor traction, especially in the wet. Almost predictably, some Internet "experts" declared that it was all wrong. One of the more polite comments was: "Wow, lots of misinformation in this article." I guess it's normal: If your research...
During the R&D of the Compass tires, I was surprised how much difference tire treads can make. I rode three sets of tires with the same casing, same tread rubber and same width, but different tread patterns: standard Grand Bois Hetres with large longitudinal ribs throughout the tire tread "shaved" Hetres where...
Recently, we received our custom René Herse chainring bolts (above). Why in the world would we go through so much trouble and expense to make custom chainring bolts? They are pretty significant little bolts, because they are the finishing touch on the René Herse cranks. René Herse chainrings are 1 mm...
In our last post, readers noticed the image above and asked about cornering. How am I able to lean the bike so far? Wider bicycle tires corner better than narrower ones. This may run counter to what many cyclists believe, but it's easy to explain. The reason is the lower...
This year's PBP saw a significant number of riders on Compass tires. Of course, we (Jan, Theo, Hahn) rode them, too, but it's always nice to hear from others how our products are doing. J. O. from Vancouver, B.C., and his wife rode a tandem. We gave them our samples of...
Recently, I was on a familiar road, but riding it did not feel familiar. It seemed like I was straining to stay on top of my gear, whereas usually I just spin along. Was I exceptionally tired? I didn't feel that way... Then I remembered that I had replaced my...
As the rains return to the northern hemispheres, many cyclists' thoughts turn toward fenders (or mudguards, as British riders call them). Fortunately, the idea that fenders are just an afterthought is long passé – today, most real-world bikes are designed with fenders in mind from the onset. Just like...
Handlebars are one of the most important parts of your bike. As one of the three "contact points", the handlebar shape determines whether you are comfortable on the bike or not. After every Paris-Brest-Paris, numerous cyclists complain about numb hands. Some riders take weeks until their hands feel and...
Update 08/2022: This post was written in 2015, when the first tubeless Compass/Rene Herse tires were introduced. Please check this post for more up-to-date information on Rene Herse tires and tubeless.I was trying to put a photo of the new Compass tires' bead here, but it's hard to...
We recently received the first production samples of the new Compass tires. We've been testing the high-volume tires on our own bikes, but we don't have any bikes designed for the 26" x 1.25" Elk Pass tires. Fortunately, a Japanese friend was visiting, and she took the...
Inner tubes often seem like generic commodities. One is as good as the next – so buy the cheapest one... I used to think that, too, until I started to see split seams, valves separating from the tube, and other mysterious flats that were not caused by "outside influences"....
Our very first Enduro Allroad prototype tires started out as knobbies with supple casings – then we had the knobs shaved off by Peter Weigle. We wanted to test the concept of a very wide, supple tire before committing to expensive tire molds. We were happy to report that...
One of the most confounding questions in cycling is this: Which hand should control which brake? In the U.S., the law requires that all bikes are sold with the left hand controlling the front brake, and the right hand the rear brake. It's the same in France. In Italy and...
When the new Edelux II headlights came out a little over a year ago, they were another big step forward in lighting technology. Compared to the first Edelux, the new version features a much wider and more evenly lit beam. Compared to older halogen headlights, the difference is night...
When you design a product, develop it, test it and finally bring it to market, you wonder how it will be received. Of course, you are confident that others will like it as much as you do – you wouldn't have released it if it didn't meet your high...
Berthoud handlebar bags are wonderful, and we've been selling them for years now. I even wrote once that they were "unimprovable". It turns out that they can be improved after all! The model most riders prefer is the "standard" version, which uses elastic loops to close...
Rene Herse tires are available in two versions: standard and extralight. What is the difference between the two? The difference is in the casing. The standard casing is already quite light and supple, but for the Extralight, we worked with our Japanese supplier to push the envelope further. These tires...
At Compass Bicycles, we think a lot about manufacturing. We know what we want to make, but how should we make it, and where? We are not looking for the lowest cost, but for the highest quality. The conditions under which our products are made are an important consideration...
A little while ago, I wrote about how new scientific research has allowed us to design wide, supple tires that offer the speed of narrow, high-end racing tires. The key finding is that above a certain threshold, increasing tire pressure no longer...
The new Compass centerpull brakes have been very well received. Numerous builders have asked for the complete specifications for the brakes, since many riders plan to use them on their new bikes. We sold so many of the centerpull braze-ons that we are currently out...
Of all our research on tires, the most revolutionary finding is this: Tire pressure has almost no effect on a tire's speed. We did not believe it at first, either, so we've tested it numerous times. It's been confirmed numerous times, with different methodologies. The real revolution is not how...
During our recent visit to Japan, we had the privilege of visiting Mikashima Industrial Company, better known as MKS, the makers of bicycle pedals. We had expressed an interest in MKS to our trading company. Fortunately, the MKS's president, Toshiyuki Ogino (right), had heard about Bicycle Quarterly and was...
When we became custodians of the René Herse name, we had three goals in mind: Bring back some of the best designs of René Herse, so that today's cyclists could enjoy their excellent function and aesthetic. Support classic René Herse bikes with components, so that they can be kept on the...
We received the last parts for our centerpull brakes, test-assembled them, wrote the instructions, and now they are ready to ship. Click here to read more about the advantage of centerpull brakes. There are a lot of parts to a centerpull brake. It all starts with the...
When we took over the distribution of SKF bottom brackets, we didn't have high expectations for the ISIS bottom brackets. We were surprised when they became one of our more popular products. We sell them to customers who haven't heard of Bicycle Quarterly, supple tires or any of the...
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