{"id":128513,"date":"2021-09-26T14:53:22","date_gmt":"2021-09-26T05:53:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bluelug.com\/blog\/?post_type=global&#038;p=128513"},"modified":"2023-04-20T19:05:15","modified_gmt":"2023-04-20T10:05:15","slug":"champagne-and-titanium-for-the-monarch","status":"publish","type":"global","link":"https:\/\/bluelug.com\/blog\/global\/champagne-and-titanium-for-the-monarch\/","title":{"rendered":"Champagne and Titanium for the &#8220;Monarch&#8221;"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-128373\" src=\"https:\/\/bluelug.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/mks-grip-monarch-1_1024x1024-1-720x720.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"720\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bluelug.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/mks-grip-monarch-1_1024x1024-1-720x720.jpg 720w, https:\/\/bluelug.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/mks-grip-monarch-1_1024x1024-1-480x480.jpg 480w, https:\/\/bluelug.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/mks-grip-monarch-1_1024x1024-1-786x786.jpg 786w, https:\/\/bluelug.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/mks-grip-monarch-1_1024x1024-1.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><br \/>\nThis is the <strong>Grip Monarch<\/strong>\u00a0pedal by MKS designed by Rivendell Bicycle Works. The Japanese name for these pedals are the <a href=\"https:\/\/global.bluelug.com\/catalogsearch\/result\/?q=gamma\">&#8220;Gamma&#8221;<\/a> pedals, which you might have already seen them on our website.<\/p>\n<p>We&#8217;ve used many pairs of these pedals for our Riv and non Riv bike builds throughout the years.<br \/>\nSmooth bearings, durable, and they&#8217;re great with Vans shoes. We love &#8216;em.<\/p>\n<p>Now, take a look at these pedals.<br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-128378\" src=\"https:\/\/bluelug.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/PR-TOURINGTi1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"750\" height=\"500\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bluelug.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/PR-TOURINGTi1.jpg 750w, https:\/\/bluelug.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/PR-TOURINGTi1-640x427.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>MKS \u201dPRIME\u201d Sylvan Touring<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The timeless masterpiece, &#8220;Sylvan Touring&#8221;.<br \/>\nNot too long ago they had these &#8220;Prime&#8221; series, a high end model which they would have better bearings than the regular Sylvan pedals. They even had a beautiful polished finish for the inner platform.<\/p>\n<p>Sadly, this Prime model soon became discontinued due to the release of their new <a href=\"https:\/\/global.bluelug.com\/mks-sylvan-touring-next-polish.html\">&#8220;Sylvan Touring Next&#8221;<\/a>, which had more of a blinged-out finish and way smoother bearings than the Prime.<\/p>\n<p>Don&#8217;t get me wrong, we love the new &#8220;Next&#8221; series too, but I want you to look at the photo below&#8230;<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/flic.kr\/p\/2djxhcb\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/4910\/46154773632_94dacb863a.jpg\" alt=\"*SURLY* cross check \uff0846\uff09\" width=\"500\" height=\"333\" \/><\/a><br \/>\nCan you see the color of the cage?<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/flic.kr\/p\/2gcNeYc\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/48047547663_d3150acc4f.jpg\" alt=\"*SURLY* cross-check (50)\" width=\"500\" height=\"333\" \/><\/a><br \/>\nThe Prime series had these colors called the &#8220;Titanium&#8221; color. It&#8217;s just a light champagne gold color. They&#8217;re not actually made of titanium. We would often call this the champagne color here at Blue Lug.<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/flic.kr\/p\/YQsZeL\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/4467\/37304436274_e17d6bb9ba.jpg\" alt=\"*RIVENDELL* clem smith jr.\" width=\"500\" height=\"333\" \/><\/a><br \/>\nWe loved how this champagne color blends in so well with silver components.<\/p>\n<p>Tani especially was a big fan of this color and the Grip Monarch was one of his favorite\/go-to pedals for his personal and customer builds. &#8220;Wouldn&#8217;t it be so nice if we had champagne Gamma pedals&#8230;&#8221; Tani said.<br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-128376\" src=\"https:\/\/bluelug.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/IMG_3180-900x600.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"900\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bluelug.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/IMG_3180-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/bluelug.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/IMG_3180-640x427.jpg 640w, https:\/\/bluelug.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/IMG_3180-1179x786.jpg 1179w, https:\/\/bluelug.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/IMG_3180.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/><br \/>\nSay no more. MKS blessed us with them.<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/flic.kr\/p\/2maptkw\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/51302255904_22edf6ff09.jpg\" alt=\"*RIVENDELL* sam hillborne (62)\" width=\"500\" height=\"333\" \/><\/a><br \/>\nSilver is still very nice but&#8230;<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/flic.kr\/p\/2mfrqbg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/51359217979_9699acde32.jpg\" alt=\"*RIVENDELL* cheviot (60)\" width=\"500\" height=\"333\" \/><\/a><br \/>\nCheck out this nice warm color&#8230;<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/flic.kr\/p\/2magZaq\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/51300795342_8f9430799b.jpg\" alt=\"*RIVENDELL* sam hillborne (62)\" width=\"500\" height=\"333\" \/><\/a><br \/>\nSilver for that sharp look\u2191 Champagne for the warm chill vibe\u2193<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/flic.kr\/p\/2mjFW5X\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/51407316143_d83e268f54.jpg\" alt=\"*SURLY* straggler (56)\" width=\"500\" height=\"333\" \/><\/a><br \/>\nBy looking at the pedals themselves, there aren&#8217;t a huge difference in the colors, but when you see them on an actual bike, you could\u00a0immediately see the difference.<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/flic.kr\/p\/2mjExBL\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/51407045446_d4d7cd5e84.jpg\" alt=\"*SURLY* straggler (56)\" width=\"500\" height=\"333\" \/><\/a><br \/>\nWe&#8217;re not trying to say which is better than the other, it&#8217;s just that we wanted to have more choices. After all, choosing components are one of best part of custom order bikes.<\/p>\n<p>There&#8217;s actually a previous model for the Grip Monarch. In japan, we would often call them the <a href=\"https:\/\/global.bluelug.com\/catalogsearch\/result\/?q=Lambda\"> &#8220;Lambda&#8221;.<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/flic.kr\/p\/2jXyNfp\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/50511920811_61d717d0f5.jpg\" alt=\"*RIVENDELL* clem smith jr. (52)\" width=\"500\" height=\"333\" \/><\/a><br \/>\nThey&#8217;re also known as the &#8220;Grip King&#8221; and these were also designed by RBW.<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/flic.kr\/p\/2jXyNoF\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/50511921291_7423941dc0.jpg\" alt=\"*RIVENDELL* clem smith jr. (52)\" width=\"500\" height=\"333\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/bluelug.com\/bike-catalog\/10532\/\"><strong><em>Tani&#8217;s Clem Smith Jr. with Lambda Pedals<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-128374\" src=\"https:\/\/bluelug.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/pe92-6_1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"323\" \/><br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-128375\" src=\"https:\/\/bluelug.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/pe92-3_1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"312\" \/><br \/>\nIn order to make these become the &#8220;grip king&#8221;, you would&#8217;ve had to drill in some pins. Of course, they&#8217;re great pedals without the pins too!<\/p>\n<p>But the Grip Monarch\/Gamma doesn&#8217;t need that process. The pins are already in place.<br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-128382\" src=\"https:\/\/bluelug.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/image-720x720.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"720\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bluelug.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/image-720x720.png 720w, https:\/\/bluelug.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/image-480x480.png 480w, https:\/\/bluelug.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/image-786x786.png 786w, https:\/\/bluelug.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/image.png 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><br \/>\nPeople have different opinions for these pins.<br \/>\nSome people say they&#8217;re great for climbing hills, great for rainy days, great for off-roads, such and such. People on the other hand say that they damage leather shoes, and their shins&#8230;yada yada. So, there are people who think the Grip Kings matches their preferences. The Lambda\/Grip King is still being produced so I hope you could find out which matches your style.<br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-128385\" src=\"https:\/\/bluelug.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/image-1-720x720.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"720\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bluelug.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/image-1-720x720.png 720w, https:\/\/bluelug.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/image-1-480x480.png 480w, https:\/\/bluelug.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/image-1-786x786.png 786w, https:\/\/bluelug.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/image-1.png 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-128380\" src=\"https:\/\/bluelug.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/IMG_3165-1-900x600.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"900\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bluelug.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/IMG_3165-1-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/bluelug.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/IMG_3165-1-640x427.jpg 640w, https:\/\/bluelug.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/IMG_3165-1-1179x786.jpg 1179w, https:\/\/bluelug.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/IMG_3165-1.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/><br \/>\nI could go on about these pedals forever, but Grant Peterson had a perfect explanation for these on the Riv homepage, so I&#8217;m just gonna leave the link <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rivbike.com\/collections\/pedals\/products\/pedals-mks-new-2018\">HERE.<\/a><br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-128383\" src=\"https:\/\/bluelug.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/IMG_2074-900x600.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"900\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bluelug.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/IMG_2074-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/bluelug.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/IMG_2074-640x427.jpg 640w, https:\/\/bluelug.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/IMG_2074-1179x786.jpg 1179w, https:\/\/bluelug.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/IMG_2074.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/><br \/>\nIf you were looking for a pair of new pedals for a ride like this, try getting help from the Grip Monarch!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":128379,"template":"","tags":[],"better_featured_image":{"id":128379,"alt_text":"","caption":"","description":"","media_type":"image","media_details":{"width":1280,"height":853,"file":"2021\/09\/IMG_3180-1.jpg","sizes":{"thumbnail":{"file":"IMG_3180-1-640x427.jpg","width":640,"height":427,"mime-type":"image\/jpeg","filesize":41431,"source_url":"https:\/\/bluelug.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/IMG_3180-1-640x427.jpg"},"medium":{"file":"IMG_3180-1-900x600.jpg","width":900,"height":600,"mime-type":"image\/jpeg","filesize":67734,"source_url":"https:\/\/bluelug.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/IMG_3180-1-900x600.jpg"},"large":{"file":"IMG_3180-1-1179x786.jpg","width":1179,"height":786,"mime-type":"image\/jpeg","filesize":101190,"source_url":"https:\/\/bluelug.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/IMG_3180-1-1179x786.jpg"},"post-thumbnail":{"file":"IMG_3180-1-800x600.jpg","width":800,"height":600,"mime-type":"image\/jpeg","filesize":61935,"source_url":"https:\/\/bluelug.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/IMG_3180-1-800x600.jpg"}},"image_meta":{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0","keywords":[]},"filesize":242142},"post":127899,"source_url":"https:\/\/bluelug.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/IMG_3180-1.jpg"},"acf":{"online-store-search-keywords":"gamma","search-result-sort-order":"price","search-result-sort-by":"desc","stockSortFlg":false},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bluelug.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/global\/128513"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bluelug.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/global"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bluelug.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/global"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bluelug.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bluelug.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/128379"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bluelug.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=128513"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bluelug.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=128513"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}