Video: Grant and Mr. Yokishawa, Nitto president, talk at Blue Lug

[Steven Aussenberg]

For those who haven’t seen this yet:

-Steven in Arcata

[Dan]

Yes, I enjoyed this a lot! Loved hearing the stories and I have a new-found respect for Nitto parts.

[Jay]

It was a great video.  I subscribe to BL's channel and watch most of their videos.  I learned so much!  I was most impressed with Mr. Yokishawa's concern for the environment; materials, recycling, impact on our earth.  I may put the noodle bar on a bike one day.  I have their stems already.  I love supporting businesses like these.

[Bernard Duhon]

Thank you so much!!!

This was a wonderful way to spend a lazy Saturday afternoon 

 

 

 

 

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From: rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com <rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Steven Aussenberg <steven.a...@gmail.com>
Sent: Friday, January 2, 2026 11:09 PM
To: rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com <rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: [RBW] Video: Grant and Mr. Yokishawa, Nitto president, talk at Blue Lug

 

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[Ryan Fleming]

Steven...thanks for posting. A nice antidote for big industry, AI and shitification characterizing 2025 for sure. I wish more businesses subscribed to 

their values...world would be better for it. 

Why I've been a fan of Rivendell and Nitto for 35-plus years

[John Dewey]

Like many here I imagine, I stopped chasing the tech many years ago…and Rivendell was largely responsible. 

That realization did lead to an accumulation of spare / now rare consumables but that’s a good thing. Like most here, I now just ride and obsessively maintain. 

It’s delightfully liberating. 

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[George Schick]

Yes, indeed.  Chasing after the "next big thing" can easily ruin something that should just be fun.  I recall how many years ago the sport of off-hand steel silhouette shooting was ruined when someone developed a laser rifle/scope combo that wouldn't allow the shooter to pull the trigger unless the sight was dead-on the target.  For Christmas I was given a book by Bill McGann entitled "Why Your Bike is Made in Asia: My Career in Bicycles as I watched Two Continents Squander an Industry," in which he describes the evolution of the bicycle and its components.  Among other things it's a sad depiction of how the industry keeps developing more and more "automated" and sophisticated controls and components to cater to the racing crowd and yet everyone follows the carrot so to speak.

[Mike Rossi]

The “next big thing” for me is the OM-1 RD, and new Riv/Nitto bars. And, yeah, I suppose I’m chasing them.

Mike

On Jan 4, 2026, at 10:09 AM, George Schick <bhi...@gmail.com> wrote:

Yes, indeed.  Chasing after the "next big thing" can easily ruin something that should just be fun.  I recall how many years ago the sport of off-hand steel silhouette shooting was ruined when someone developed a laser rifle/scope combo that wouldn't allow the shooter to pull the trigger unless the sight was dead-on the target.  For Christmas I was given a book by Bill McGann entitled "Why Your Bike is Made in Asia: My Career in Bicycles as I watched Two Continents Squander an Industry," in which he describes the evolution of the bicycle and its components.  Among other things it's a sad depiction of how the industry keeps developing more and more "automated" and sophisticated controls and components to cater to the racing crowd and yet everyone follows the carrot so to speak.

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/10eaf7c8-4f07-4456-acc8-6399bbb203a7n%40googlegroups.com.

[George Schick]

Not at all what I intended to say.  Those things going on with Nitto bars and rear deraillers are both improvements on existing technologies.  I was referring to things like the excessive use of CF in both frames as well as seat post,s forks, etc.; the introduction of automated gear shifting; the AI sensitive shifting of the foot back and forth on a cleated pedal when climbing, etc. Further (and I'm slightly reluctant to go here) there's the unfortunate advent of high-speed e-bikes on trails, etc.

[Brewster Fong]

Come on, why be paranoid about carbon, the next big thing is going to be Wireless Brakes!  Hey, SRAM, the current innovator in cycling (innovate or die!), is working on it, so you know its coming out soon...

And what's the deal with e-bike bashing?!  I'm an old guy, but almost every person I know who is in their 70s and up that is still riding are on an e-bike with the Specialized Creo being the favorite!  The oldest friend is 79 and he's still riding strong!  If it helps you to get out and ride, then I'm all for it!  Of course, YMMV!

Good Luck! 

[George Schick]

Brewster - I have nothing in particular against e-bikes...as long as the Class 2 and 3 stay off the trails and ride on the streets where they belong.  During the past couple of years some  young kids who probably have no business with one of those things in the first place have been riding on the path around the park behind my house going full tilt.  The park district has signs posted saying they're not allowed on the paths, but they pay no attention.  Makes me wonder who their parents are and what in the world they're thinking. 

[Brewster Fong]

Agree. Around here, SF Bay Area, especially Marin, you see y 2-13 year olds flying around on ebikes. The bike of choice is the Super73!  These bikes can easily go 20-28mph and modifying them to go 30+ isn't tha hard...

It's amazes me that parents let these kids ride around on the streets on these machines. Makes you wonder if any of these kids have any sort of 'driver's training."  I have heard that some local jurisdictions are cracking down, but its probably going to take a few deaths or serious injury to get any kind of legislation. In the mean time, these kids will continue to fly around...

Good Luck! 

[George Schick]

Brewster, yes.  That exact same e-bike is what I see these kids riding around the park at high speeds.  FWIW, do a Web search using the keys "e'bike accidents" and you'll see the uncontrolled problems these devices have enabled...astonishing.