Mountain Biking by 198

Lance Armstrong – Team Astana – 2009 Tour de France

198 — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 11:32:59 +0000

It has been four years since Lance Armstrong graced the streets of France competing in the Tour de France. As we watch the coverage of one of the most exciting starts of the tour in recent memory…one has to wonder…is it because Lance is back?

With as much controversy that has surrounded the Tour during Lance Armstrong’s absence from the sport of cycling, it is refreshing to watch an exciting start as we get ready to jump into the first summit finish of the Tour.

As the question plagued my mind yesterday afternoon so I just had to ask my friends on Facebook and Twitter.

Do you think the Tour is more exciting this year because Armstrong is back in the saddle?

Before we get into what I think about the beginning stages of the 2009 Tour de France, lets take a look at the responses that I received yesterday!

Facebook and Twitter Responses: 2009 Tour de France

Facebook Responses

Brandon Woods

Yes, and because there haven’t been any doping issues yet.

Melissa Powers

duh!! Actually, I think that it has been really good so far anyway, but you know I love him. I watched for all the years that he wasn’t in it and it just wasn’t as exciting to me, but I think that was because there wasn’t a really strong leader…someone who was consistent year after year, kwim?

Matt Kicklighter

Yes, Nuff said

James Lee

Absolutely.

Melissa Powers

the doping is always in the middle or end of the race..or at least that is when they get caught….just saying, don’t get too pumped yet about no doping. I hope it stays away but the past few years haven’t been so good.

Brandon Woods

thus the “yet”. Last year, and maybe the year before, there was a big cloud of doping controversy at the very beginning of the race, and / or leading up to it.

Greg Schisla

I think its been one of the best starts to the Tour in a long time. Lots of favorites with good hard racing and the confirmation of Cavendish as the king of sprinters. Lance’s presence has certainly been part of that drama but even if one wasn’t Lance, a difference of .22 seconds at this stage is pretty amazing.

Sonya Hamilton Dreiske

Absolutely. For me it has been more exciting than the last couple years. I was on the edge of my seat when Astana was racing to the line for the TTT win. He’s a smart, confident racer and can deliver a blow to his competition when he needs to and I like watching that happen. Not sure if he will win this year but it will be fun to see what happens.

Ony Anglade

This is my first year actually paying attention to it, so I guess so.

Gavin Holmes

hellz, yes.

Brad Wender

Very competitive race, but Lance has set the table for a major comeback.

Anglea Miller

For sure!

Jeff Gandy

Yeah, and I’ve seen a lot of roadie crashes too!!

Alan Jakob Paulo Saiz

I can only say yes as I kiss my yellow wrist band.

Martina Spiess

My heart of course beats for Fäbu! I want the present standing to stay like that until the end! And I just hope sooooooooo bad that both Armstrong and Cancellara are clean…. Not sure if I actually believe it but I desperately want to believe in it!

Ellis Alexander

Absolutely! He’s impressing the hell out of me after four years away from the TDF. Astana is insanely strong with four guys who could win it. I love the TDF!

Twitter Responses

@ESPNCommunityEd Yes … RT @MTBby198 Do you think the Tour is more exciting this year because Armstrong is back in the saddle?

@Turner @MTBby198 Not Armstrong specifically, but Astana as a team looks awesome (5 in top 10!). It doesn’t hurt that he’s 2nd after 5 stages tho.

@GustavoAGV @MTBby198 Yep, that’s the only reason I’m watching it

@mtnbke @MTBby198 You mean they had the Tour after Lance retired? Learn something new everyday! #tdf

@lowcadence @MTBby198 It seems to me that with him or without him this year has gotten off to a fun start… can they keep up this intensity to the end?

198’s Thoughts on Lance Armstrong and the 09 Tour

So what are my thoughts on the start of the 2009 Tour de France? This is one of the most exciting starts that I can remember, but I think there is more to it than just Lance Armstrong. While Lance Armstrong does bring back a lot of viewers that fell off the ratings with his break from the sport of competitive cycling, the strength of the Astana team has brought the competition up across the board. With 5 of their riders placing in the top 10 overall (Armstrong, Contador, Kloden, Leipheimer, Zubeldia) after stage 5, they are poised to keep all of the remaining teams fighting for 2nd.

If the teams continue to pull this hard in these beginning stages, it will be interesting to see who actually has any legs left towards the end of the Tour. Team Columbia/HTC has been defending the green jersey worn by Cavendish through every stage up until this point by pulling the pelaton. In an interview with one of the coaches for team Columbia/HTC, the coach stated that they are going to be burned out before the end if this keeps up.

I think it really boils down to the increased exposure for the Tour due to Lance Armstrong’s return, Team Astana’s beginning dominance and the exciting stage finishes due to what seems like heightened competition for 2009. Who is going to break away as we start testing leg strength and endurance during the beginning mountain stages? We will find out shortly, but it will be interesting to see if Lance still has the legs to break away from the pack when things start to turn skyward…

What do you think?

We also recommend..

Girls Guide to Better Mountain Bike Riding

198 — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 11:15:22 +0000

This guest post was written by Betty over at http://bettymountaingirl.blogspot.com

My boyfriend and I got serious about riding at the same time, but we progressed at very different rates. While he was killing on the cross-country trails I was hike-and-biking. He ambled nimbly over rock gardens and I made spectacular falls. At the end of rides- he was smiling and I was swearing. Why is it that for some women the mountain biking learning curve can be so drastically different? As a girl rider, I get riding advice from everybody- even when I don’t ask for it. I’ve culled the things that have really helped me ride better here.

Riding by Myself

Sounds counter intuitive to everything you read and while riding with groups certainly has helped me progress; I’ve found riding by myself just as invaluable. With a group you have all the added pressures of keeping up and not looking like a fool gulp from your CamelBak as your heart tries to break free from your chest. At times I’ve found myself walking obstacles so the guy behind can ride it. Riding by yourself, the only thing between you and the rocks- is you and the rocks. You can take your time ride things again and really tune into the ride.

Strength Training

This is huge for female riders. I rode for four or five years without any real strength training and just never seemed to improve cardio or technically wise. Then one winter to help stall out the boredom- I picked up the weights. It was nothing too crazy- just a little whole body conditioning. I started the next riding season stronger than ever and found myself easily tackling hills that were far too daunting before. Since then, if I have a weak winter of strength training- I find that I just don’t have that kick.

It’s not just hills that benefit from strength training. It’s all obstacles. It takes a combination of leg, core, and arm power to balance as you ride a rock garden or jump over a log. It’s easier for guys to carry muscle mass over seasons and harder for the ladies. It’s just the way our bodies work.

Stop Thinking

Using your frontal lobe helps as you tackle work projects and prioritizes your day, but sometimes you need to lose that nagging inner voice and just ride. We’ve all heard that inner voice before trying to integrate all our previous riding with all that darned advice we get. Lean forward, pull back, turn left, and turn right. I over think everything and whenever I am on a girl ride- we all fall into the same trap. So how do you turn the switch to off?

Here are a few ideas: get yourself good and tired or get a catchy song stuck in your head (Honkey Tonk Badonkadonk anyone?). Needless to say- it’s not easy, but letting go and just letting muscle memory handle the riding is another way to progress.

About Betty Mountain Girl

Betty first fell in love with biking chasing her brothers around their city block in tights and a skirt. Since then she’s taken to the trails more than the road, but continues to ride in a skirt. She likes: racing people on the trail who don’t know that they’re in a race, wind in her hair, mud on her legs. She dislikes: the feeling of wet grass when wearing sandles, slugs on the tent in the morning and wearing panty hose.

Her daily blog: http://www.bettymountaingirl.blogspot.com/

We also recommend..

Rocky Mountain Slayer SXC 70 Mountain Bike Review

198 — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 11:51:58 +0000

At 153mm of rear travel, the Slayer SXC 70 trail bike rounds out the all mountain classification for Rocky Mountain Bicycles. With tech vocab like Form Technology and LC2R, Rocky Mountain promises to deliver an outstanding performer for the 6″ travel crowd that holds true to the ideals that RM has held to since the early ’80’s. Over the past couple of months, we have really put the hammer down on this flow sled from Rocky Mountain, so how did it perform on the trail?

For more intro information on the Slayer and Rocky Mountain…check out this introduction post.
For Chad Oliver’s review of the Slayer…click here.

The RM Slayer SXC 70 Build Kit

As you can see by the spec list on Rocky Mountain’s website, the Slayer SXC 70 comes equipped with some of the industries best components. You will find everything from Avid Elixir CR’s to quality Easton components. SRAM X.9 triggers and rear derailleur round out the options as you click into a set of Race Face Atlas cranks. The Fox Talas 36 R controls the front end of the bikes while a custom tuned Fox DHX 4.0 handles the rear end duties.

All of these components are put through the trail by a set of Shimano XT/Mavic XM317 wheels. Unfortunately…as with most off the shelf builds…the wheelset is rather cheap and does not match the quality of the rest of the build. This is not something that is unique to this bike as most of the builds you will find out of the box come equipped the exact same way. One day…hopefully…bike manufacturers will take note and start to offer better wheelsets for their top end mountain bikes. In this case, I swapped out the wheelset for our test Hadley/Notubes.com Flow wheelset to really get the trail feel of this ride. While some of you may disagree with this decision, I felt it was in the best interest of the review on the bike and how it acts on the trail as the wheelset can make or break the feeling of a mountain bike.

The Rocky Mountain Slayer SXC Frame

The overall build quality on the Rocky Mountain Slayer frame is what you would expect out of a Canada based mountain bike manufacture that has been around since the beginning. The high quality Form tubing is mated together with even, beaded welds. With an MSRP of around $2,000 and this complete build going for around $4,100, you get the build quality that we have come to expect out of bikes in that price range.

The chainstays on the Rocky Mountain Slayer SXC70 are a single molded carbon fiber unit that may excite or put off certain riders. In our tests, we had zero creaking or durability issues out of the rear end of this bike, but we did start to notice some scratching around the tire of the clear coat. This damage is purely cosmetic with zero affect on the performance of this bike.

The LC2R linkage is a unique design that has a lot of positive trail aspects that I will get into shortly, but it does create to issues when trying to work on the Slayer.

To reach the front derailleur cable bolt, you have to feed the wrench through a hole in the chainstay. This can prove to be a little bit difficult and hopefully you do not have to do it very often.
The boost valve of the Fox DHX-A 4.0 is nearly impossible to get to with the current linkage. It is a two hand operation at best, so once you get that boost chamber dialed…set and forget.

The Rocky Mountain Slayer on the Trail

Now that the bike is up and running, it was time to really hammer it out on the trail to see how this mountain bike rode. 6″ travel mountain bikes are designed to take abuse. Typically, they weight in the low to mid 30 lbs. range and are fantastic single track downhillers while giving up some of the climbing efficiency that you find in a 140mm/5.5″ travel, high 20’s rig.

Descending on the Slayer SXC 70

The Rocky Mountain Slayer SXC 70 absolutely rips on the downhills. The slacker angles and longer wheelbase (even more than most 6″ travel rides) makes the bike incredibly stable through obstacles and technical sections. The bike basically begs you to just let off the brakes and let it work.

The LC2R suspension design has a very low center of gravity that helps with the stability and cornering ability. As you go through the suspension’s travel, the axle path seems to rise above the bikes center making it just want to rail bermed turns. As you slam the rear suspension into the ground, it just gains more traction and pushes your forward. The faster you shred down the hill, the more comfortable the bike becomes as it stays plush through the small hits and soaks up the big hits with an almost bottomless feeling. For drops up to 4-5 ft. to flat, I didn’t notice a single harsh bottom out while riding. This says a lot for a suspension design that is as plush as the Slayer’s LC2R.

The rear end of the Slayer stays planted and holds a line with ease. There was no noticeable rear end flexing as we continued to try to find the limits of this rig. At first, I was worried that the carbon stays would prove to be a weak point in this frame, but…to my surprise…they held up beautifully. When you get into hard braking into the corners, the Slayer’s suspension stayed active and planted to the ground. While some single pivot designs are known to stiffen up under braking, the Slayer held its own as you went from balls out to a stop on tight switchbacks.

If you are really wanting to push the limits on the Slayer SXC 70, I would drop the stock WTB tires in favor of some rubber with more meat. During our test period, we mounted up a Kenda Telonix rear matched with a Kenda Excavator front tire. This combo, while larger and heavier, seemed to be a better match for the Slayer’s capabilities.

One weak point of this frame is the Fox DHX-a 4.0. While it held up during small and large hits, it had a hard time keeping up with the active LC2R suspension during midstroke. This is not the first time I have run into this issue as I have experienced this on other linkages with the 4.0. It almost seems to lose some of its control once you are about mid-travel. To really let this frame loose, I would want to throw a coil shock on and see how it performed. In my opinion, the ride characteristics of the Slayer are perfectly suited for a coil platform.

Also, as you enter sections of trail with tight turns around trees and other natural obstacles, the longer wheelbase is a little harder to navigate than some other 6″ travel rigs. You will notice the slower turning radius as you try to flip the bike back and forth on tight singletrack, but once it opens up again…you are gone.

Climbing on the Slayer SXC 70

My normal climbing position on any 6″ travel, all mountain bike is more of an upright position than you will find on more xc oriented bikes. I rely on the increased traction and granny gear to slowly pull me up the mountain side to the next long downhill. The Slayer SXC 70 sits in and climbs beautifully. The active rear end of the Slayer keeps the rear tire glued to the ground as you navigate technical climbing areas. With the ProPedal engaged on the Fox DHX 4.0, you are able to control your pedal induced suspension feedback while still keeping the frame active. When you stand up and hammer on the Slayer, you do get more of this pedal feedback so it is better to sit and spin. The longer wheelbase and slacker angles make for a stable climber but you are not going to be the first one to the top. As you get into more tight turning during your climbs, it is going to take more effort to get the Slayer around due to the longer wheelbase, but if you keep your weight centered…it can be done.

Overall, the Slayer climbs ok for a 6″ travel mountain bike. It gets the job done but it is going to be a little bit slower than you might be used to. The aspects of this ride that make it such a blast going down…play against it when you start going up.

Overall Thoughts on the Slayer SXC 70

The Rocky Mountain Slayer can best be described as a Canada flow bike. It is built for fast, technical filled downhill runs that you have to pedal for forever to get to. While it is not going to be the fastest 6″ travel climber you have ever ridden, it will be one of the fastest when things get pointed down. There are several aspects of the frame designed that can be an issue (interrupted seat tube, boost valve and front derailleur bolt accessibility), but I can see any way of fixing those issues and still keeping the feel this bike has on the trail. The LC2R linkage rails when pushed to the limit…just remember to keep your hands off the brakes and enjoy the ride.

Good Rocky Mountain Slayer SXC 70

A 6″ travel rig that flat out rips on the downhills
Quality construction out of Canada
Great build kit for the price
Super plush suspension design
Low center of gravity begs you to rail the turns

Bad Rock Mountain Slayer SXC 70

Frame design gets in the way on the stand (Front derailleur, shock boost valve)
Fox DHX 4.0 has difficulty keeping up with linkage
Not the fastest climber

If you are a rider that is looking for a 6″ travel bike that will downhill with some of the industries best, this may be the ride for you. The Rocky Mountain Slayer SXC 70 delivers a high preforming ride with quality construction at a middle of the road price. I was sorry to have to give this bike back to the crew at RM…

Buy a Rocky Mountain Slayer SXC 70

We also recommend..

Benched – 3 Day Weekend Without Riding

198 — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 12:06:09 +0000

I am going to use this Monday morning to tell on myself a little bit. Two weekends ago, after my great road ride in the mountains Saturday morning, I hit the lake for some watercraft and wake boarding action. Now…it had been YEARS since I had strapped in behind a boat, but I hit it balls to the wall without a care in sight. The result…fell hard several times and instead of giving up, I kept at it and completely ruined my upper back and right shoulder.

Time off and no riding for 198

Fast forward to this weekend…in the United States, we get the pleasure of enjoying a sunny 3 day weekend to celebrate the 4th of July. I head out Friday morning (after a very painful attempt at getting out of bed) with the hope that I will feel better after a ride in the car, some coffee and fresh dirt in front of my eyes. I get to the trailhead, start to ride…and within a couple of miles…the pain was too much. I headed back to the truck and drove to a Chiropractor with the hope that he could fix my stupidity fast enough to ride the following day.

As I expected, he gave me the news that I had pulled everything in the top half of my body and I was benched for the weekend. Great…a fantastic 3 day weekend (with a new bike in the stable I might add…I know…salt in the wound) ruined because I wanted to act like an idiot on the lake. Let this be a reminder to everyone that likes to pull it out on occasion…no stupidity goes unpunished! The good news is that I got to watch the Tour de France and I got a lot of work done, so look for reviews this weeks on some of the bikes we have had in lately. In the meantime, I am going to go apply more heat and hope that I will be ready to ride for our Tuesday night rendezvous.

Image by ☻mrhappy☻

We also recommend..

2009 Tour de France – Lance Armstong’s Comback

198 — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 13:23:03 +0000

Today it starts, Lance Armstrong’s comeback to the Tour de France. Will he be able to wear that illusive yellow jersey once again? Starting today…we will find out, but one thing is for sure…the month of July is an extremely exciting time for cyclists. July is our time to take up the tv airways and enjoy the biggest road race of the year…the Tour de France.

Over the years, the Tour de France has grown into its own animal as people all over the world take a chance to get involved with cycling. The Tour de France is arguably the largest sporting event on the planet due to the large spread of countries represented that can only be topped by the Olympics. I do not think there is one household that does not know the name Lance Armstrong.

1903 – Premier Tour de France

After having completed the event circuit at an average speed of 25 km/h, Maurice Garin was rewarded with prize money of 6,075 francs, a handsome purse for the era. But most importantly, he was the first in a long line of champions.

1903 started the madness that is now one of the largest sports events in the world. The drama, excitement and news coverage of the event affectionately referred to as “The Tour” captures cyclist and no-pedal obsessed, normal people alike as we watch the pure machines of the sport hammer it out on some of the most difficult stages in the world.

Will Carlos Sastre make it two in a row? Will the same doping controversy that has plagued recent tours rear its ugly head in 2009? It is time to sit back, relax (yeah right) and swallow up all that is the Tour…

We also recommend..

Independence Day: Happy 4th of July

198 — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 13:06:12 +0000

Today…we celebrate our Independence Day! This beautiful day in July is a day to remember for Americans as we remember the past and give thanks for the nation in which we live. For many, this day is filled with time with family, cookouts, Nascar racing, running events or watching the 1st stage of the tour.

Normally, I would spend this day out on the bike, but due to shoulder injuries…I am benched for the weekend. I am going to use this downtime to spend some time with my wife and crazy dogs as we enjoy this fantastic, sunny July afternoon. So whether you are spending the day at the pool, sitting in front of the tube white knuckling it in watching your favorite bit of sports action or widening that waist line eating your favorite form of red meat…have a great 4th of July.

We also recommend..

Gore Ride-On Cable Systems – In For Review

198 — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 11:43:10 +0000

Gore Ride-On Cable Systems are high quality shifter and brake cables for your mountain or road bike. For a new project we are working on, I needed full length shifter housing, and after talking to the guys at Gore Ride-On Cables, we decided that the Extra Long Sealed Low Friction System would be a great product to test out on this bike.

More on Gore…

The company began in 1958, when Bill and Vieve Gore set out to explore opportunities for fluorocarbon polymers, especially polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). Within the first twelve years, Gore had wire and cables on the moon and operations worldwide.

Today, our enterprise is comprised of approximately 8,000 associates in more than 45 locations around the world. Annual revenues top $2 billion. Our fluoropolymer products provide innovative solutions throughout industry, in next-generation electronics, for medical products, and with high-performance fabrics. We’ve repeatedly been named among the “100 Best Companies to Work For,” in the U.S. by FORTUNE magazine, and our culture is a model for contemporary organizations seeking growth by unleashing creativity and fostering team-work.

While we may be best known for our GORE-TEX® fabrics, all our products are distinguished in their markets. Our technologies and fluoropolymer expertise are unsurpassed.

We create next-generation cable assemblies and components for the electronics industry, set the standard for outerwear comfort and protection, solve difficult industrial problems with innovative materials and technology, and Gore medical products work in harmony with the body’s own tissues to restore normal body function.

We take our reputation for product leadership seriously, continually delivering new products and better solutions to the marketplaces of the world.

Gore Ride-On Cable Extra Long Low Friction Systems

All the benefits of the Sealed Low Friction System, but designed for use on tandem, triathlon, time trial, and full-suspension bikes with uninterrupted housing! Completely protected from the elements by continuous liner and GRUB™ Seals. Patented cable coating technology designed for low friction and durability. Works with most brakes or shifters on most bikes.

Includes:

Extra Long Coated cables

Extra Long Continuous liner

Extra Long Cable housing

Grub™ seals

Crimp caps

Ferrules

Initial Thoughts on the Gore Ride-On Cable Systems

Shifter cables are one of those components on a bike that you never want to notice. As a mountain biker, you are looking for peak trail performance with little fuss as you continually look to the cables for your shifting needs. Ideally, they work every time…correctly…and you just have to replace them every now and then as they wear out. Cheaper cabling tends to wear out faster and have more friction between shifting that can make shifting an annoyance on the trail. High quality shifting cables, like these from Gore Ride-On Cables, look to provide a high performance solution for your current shifting needs.

The packaging of the Gore Ride-On Cable Systems is pretty impressive. A flip top box displays the cables, housing and parts that you will use to string up your ride. For this build, we are using the extra long, full length housing to keep the shifter cables completely protected from the outside elements. Lower friction cables should equal crisper, more accurate shifting, but we will have to see after install.

Be on the lookout for shifter cable installation instructions as we move forward with this review.

Where to buy Gore Ride-On Cables

We also recommend..

Dakine Mountain Biking Shorts – MTB Apparel Review

198 — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 11:25:28 +0000

Dakine sent over some of their mountain biking shorts to review on Mountain Biking by 198. To make sure that these mtb shorts got everything that could be thrown at them…MTB by 198 had Chad Oliver beat them up on some super tech riding. Below is Chad’s full review on everything Dakine sent over.

Dakine MTB Shorts – Chad Oliver Review

Dakine has been in the flow-sports business since 1979 producing gear for windsurfers, snowboarders, kiteboarders, skiers, mountain bikers, and skaters. Everything from bindings and straps, to packs, shovels, gloves, hats, bags, and harnesses. Dakine truly understands the demands of a variety of outdoor athletes. This year they added the much awaited mountain bike shorts to their extensive product line, with three models; the Syncline, the 8-Track, and the Chorus. Each pair of shorts showcases Dakine’s attention to detail and quality, with clean lines, sturdy construction and durable materials. Each pair offers different inseam lengths and pocket configurations, giving options to all types of mountain biking styles.

None of the three models have an inner-chamois liner, but do sport handy belt loops and snap/zipper closures and run true to size. The absence of ‘geriatric’ elastic waist bands and the presence of belt loops are a big plus in keeping the shorts solidly affixed to your waist. I’m a 32” waist and the mediums fit perfectly. The cut is dead-on; with gusseted crotches and good articulation, while providing extra room in just the right places.

Intelligent ‘Dakine-Details’ are found in each short that make them stand out. Mesh lined pockets provide ventilation, while nylon is added to the bottom portion of the pockets to prevent small items from slipping or poking through. Additionally, the pocket ends are stitched to the liner so they don’t pop inside-out when you pull your gloved hand out of your pocket. Zipper pulls are rubberized and spring loaded so they are easy to use and don’t flop around. All load-bearing seams are bar tack reinforced for excellent durability. Subtle screen printing is added to the shorts for a splash of color and style points. Nylon is used in the outer shell material which does a good job of not getting loaded down with moisture on those sweaty or rainy rides. Polyester mesh liners used in two of the three shorts are thin, wicking and very breathable.

Dakine Syncline $84.95

The pedaling short. With a 15” inseam, the Syncline is the shortest of the three. By no means ‘short shorts’ they hit right above the knee when pedaling providing more freedom of movement for longer rides. The Syncline has two front zippered pockets with two deep rear flap/velcro pockets for secure storage options, along with vents on the front-inner thighs giving you extra air movement. The Synclines are lined with a lightweight, comfy mesh and incorporate a stretch panel on the upper back of the short above the pockets for added mobility and comfort. This Dakine short uses the thinnest nylon outer shell of their short line-up giving them the award for being the lightest and most breathable one of the bunch.

Dakine 8-Track $89.95

The all mountain short. With a 17” inseam, the short hangs down a bit lower, covering up about half of a knee pad giving you more protection and coverage. Dakine busts out some of their intelligent design ideas with the 8-Tracks’s innovative liner of polyester mesh that has nylon patches incorporated inside the knees preventing pads from getting hung-up on what is otherwise mesh material in that spot. The nylon lining at the knees is nice and slick, providing a drag-free pedal stroke when you are wearing pads. The one downfall to this feature is when you are not wearing pads, the nylon sticks to sweaty knees making the shorts less than ideal if you are in hot humid weather riding pad-free, but Dakine did add zippered leg vents to provide some relief to this complaint. Mid-weight nylon is used in the outer shell fabric for a good balance of weight and durability. A stretch panel on the back of the shorts gives added movement. The 8-Tracks have two front pockets, two zippered rear pockets and a side thigh pocket with a vertical zipper allowing easy access when sitting down. In addition to belt loops, the 8-Track short has elastic Velcro tabs that can be used to tighten the shorts without using a belt.

Dakine Chorus $74.95

The classic burly short. With an 18” inseam, the Chorus hangs down nice and low, covering the knees for a different style and use. Constructed of a thick and incredibly durable nylon, the Chorus is capable of taking some serious abuse. There is no stretch in the fabric and they are not lined. These are great for times you are not pedaling long miles, but just downhilling or jumping. This short also has two pockets on the front and rear while providing storage in the semi-expandable cargo pockets secured by Velcro closure flaps. The only zipper is in the fly.

When it comes to design, function and durability, Dakine has proven itself over the years as a leader in the flow-sports soft goods industry. Their mountain bike shorts are just what you’d expect from such a diverse outdoor sport company; built to last a long time, fit well and look good. Overall, I give Dakine an A+ on their debut into the mountain bike shorts market.

Dakine MTB Shorts – The Bottom Line

PROS – Dakine MTB Shorts

Quality
Durability
Good fit
Attention to detail
Belt loops

CONS – Dakine MTB Shorts

A touch on the pricey side
Depending on pedal stroke style and frame design, the zipper pulls on the open leg vents of the Syncline and 8-Track may clink against the bike’s top tube while pedaling.

We also recommend..

Road Ride: Circling Brasstown Bald

198 — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:59:25 +0000

This past weekend, my parents headed up to Lake Chatuge for the weekend, so my wife and I (and my brother and his wife) headed up to spend the weekend with them. Normally, I do not bring the bikes with me on these trips because I rarely have enough time to ride dirt. However, this time I brought up the Blue Nx7 road bike and my trusty Garmin Edge 705 to lead the way for a great morning road ride. The road bike allows me to get out and ride on days where it might have been impossible. The ability to leave from the driveway and the added benefit of turn by turn directions with the 705 make it so that I can ride solo and get some miles in with a short time window.

After a quick post on a local forum, I had a gpx file uploaded to the 705 and I was ready to head out on my early solo ride. I hit the road at about 6:30 in the morning to beat the heat and be back in time for pancakes. Leaving in the early morning in the mountains is surreal. The fog is lifting off the lake and into the mountain range as the sun tries to break the clouds and rise. This situation creates a red and orange glow around everything as you hear your breath and heart pump out the pedal strokes. The early mornings in mountain towns are crazy quiet. You are really able to concentrate on the road ahead while at the same time clear your mind and enjoy the ride.

Circling The Bald – Brasstown Bald – Hiawassee, GA

I started off feeling fantastic and settled in for a spin. Having never done this route before (or any road riding in this area for that matter), I was not sure what to expect. All I knew was that there was going to be one long climb and a total of 3,000 of elevation gain. I tried to settle in a pace that would leave me with some in reserve in case I needed it. When you don’t know exactly where you are going, it is always good to leave some “getting home” juice in the tank in case something does not go as planned.

The ride started off on a large 4 lane road and eventually broke off onto the twisty mountain roads that circle this area. As I pulled off on the first turn, about 1/4 mile in I saw this scene to the right. The sun was just breaking the mountains so I had to stop and take a picture with my iPhone.

One of the beauties of riding by yourself is the ability to really enjoy being outdoors. You are your only competition as you spin through the mountains, so when you see things like this…you can really stop to enjoy it for a second. When you ride through the back roads of the north Georgia mountains, you get to see some houses, animals and junk cars that you really can’t see anywhere else. I would stop and take pictures of all of them, but then the ride would take all day. It is interesting to see the contrast in how people live out in the mountains. There is a drastic difference even between neighbors and that makes for an interesting backdrop as you continue your ride.

I continued to wind around the turn filled roads until I eventually came to the long climb that I knew was on the horizon. I used a combination of sit and stand climbing and kept a pretty good pace all the way to the top. I was actually up a lot faster than I thought I would be as I saw the Brasstown Bald sign slowly get closer. Once at the top, I took a quick picture of the bike and got ready for the descent. Right next the road, there was a sign that read…”steep grade…trucks use low gear”…so I knew I was about to have some fun.

And have fun I did! This was the longest, fastest road downhill I have done to date. With a top speed of a shy over 50 mph, I was entirely tucked and spinning out for several miles of s turn filled mountain road. I would have been able to tick the mph up a little bit more, but with my current gear ratio, I was tapped out. A larger big ring might be needed if I plan to hit more roads like this one. It really was a blast. Very rarely do I have to think on road downhills, but this time…I was picturing myself as a Formula 1 racer just ripping up the street. It was a great ride.

The rest of the ride back to the driveway was pretty bland in comparison as I road through the town of Hiawassee and back to the house. At the end of the ride I had completed 3,031 feet of climbing over 37 miles with an average moving speed of 17.3 mph. I was incredibly happy with the stats seeing as I was out there by myself without any draft.

I thought this was a mountain biking site!

I know what you are thinking…why the hell is he out on this skinny tired machine so much these days? As this ride has proved, the road biking I am putting in lately has drastically improved my endurance for all aspects of cycling. Several months ago, there is no way I would have been able to complete this ride in that amount of time. The time I have been spending on the road bike has brought my mountain biking to new levels as I have a much bigger endurance base to pull from and this allows me to pull off tech riding on the mtb much easier. Ever have those rides that you wish you could have hit those last dh’s harder or those technical obstacles late in the ride, but you were just too tired to do it? Road biking can bring your endurance to the point that you are hitting those trail features just as hard at the end as you were in the beginning. That was my goal with the light, skinny tired sled and so far…it is paying off in spades…

We also recommend..

Cocotte Equipement Fred Messenger Bag Review

Shat — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 11:26:41 +0000

It has been thirty days since Zac Lindsey began using the Cocotte Equipement Fred Messenger Bag for his daily commute. We followed up with Zac Lindsey of Tulsa, Oklahoma to find out exactly how the beautiful bag that we had outstanding initial impressions of.

Thirty days in with the Cocotte Fred Messenger bag

I have been carrying the Cocotte Equipement Fred Messenger bag for over a month. I have to say that I am very pleased with the way the Fred has held up and how it has dovetailed nicely with my daily commute. I walk or ride to work every day and the Cocotte Fred is often packed full of files, documents and other accouterments. The construction quality of the Cocotte Fred Messenger Bag is nothing shy of pure excellence! The Fred has some unexpected features that definitely deserve a serious and more in-depth look, so I will run down all the pros and cons in full. We know nothing is perfect, but the Cocotte Fred is a messenger bag that is pretty close.

Cocotte Fred Messenger Bag Usuage

I work in an office and often take paper files home to fool myself into thinking that I am getting out of the office. I live close enough to walk to work, so I don’t always need to commute using my bike. All of the file folders are legal sized, so that means I need to have a bag that will handle approximately 20 files that are filled with paper documents and still have space for keys, maybe an umbrella, and other miscellany.

As you can see from the photos, this is a sharp-looking messenger bag. We received the green and gray Cocotte Fred Messenger Bag for our review. Not too flashy and yet not too plain. The Cocotte Equipement logo on the strap is definitely prominently placed and because it is in yellow; you cannot miss seeing it! Can not get down on Cocotte for branding their bags. Also, I really like the pine cone badge on the top flap, right above the light loop. Nice job on the look!

On the durability side, the Fred bag is bombproof. Given the overall size of the bag, the seam stitching seems to be a bit overkill, but if you’re planning on toting around gold ingots or lead weights in the Fred — you’re covered. The ambidextrous shoulder strap is almost half-an-inch thick with padding. It’s secured to the steel (yes, steel) rings on the bag via thick carabiner-style plastic duraflex clips that swivel.

Along with the redundant stitching; the brilliantly developed bottom flap doubles the Fred’s bottom surface area and allows for one large external pocket. Think of the outer fold of a burrito. The buckles that snap the top flap shut are also very tough. They are made by National Molding in Farmingdale, New York. I have had no complaints, but really, it’s a buckle. As long as they snap open and shut quickly and don’t pop open under strain, they do their job.

The lining and interior stash pockets are made of water-resistant ripstop nylon. I would have no qualms taking this puppy out in a shower, but would probably have more reservations in heavy winds and rain because there is no zipper to seal anything absolutely. Again, this is one tough little bag. Everything is reinforced to a level that makes you absolutely confident it’s not going to bonk out on you when you’re carrying a full load and roll over a pothole or hop a curb at speed.

Looking toward the design, Cocotte definitely favors simplicity and durability over detailed creature comforts. As far as ease of use of the quick-release strap clincher, I couldn’t ask for more. I’m loving this one-handed adjustment that I never become accustomed to with previous packs. It just plain works. Unlike some messenger bags I’ve seen, the pull-strap end never reroutes back through the buckle when I release it under load. If you’ve ever had this happen, you know how much of a pain it is.

Also, the strap can be set up for righties or southpaws. Same goes for the sternum strap that connects on the bottom of the bag and clips in on the strap. The other nice design feature of the sternum strap is that it’s removable. This is great for me since I usually walk with the bag, often on one shoulder. Since I wear a suit every day, I try to go for a clean look, and having a strap dangling off would be annoying. The over-sized top flap of the Cocotte Fred is a real benefit because, even though legal-size folders are longer than the base of the bag, the top shuts over them to cover nicely.

Lastly, there is a pocket with a slab of EVA foam inserted for cushioning your back. It could also double as a magazine pouch…maybe.

Yes, I do have a few cons…

The design for usage other than the basic job of being a cloth bucket to carry stuff leaves this reviewer wanting. Here are my pet peeves. One, there is no clip for keys. I thought this was standard issue in bags of all types, but this one is key keeperless. I can see myself using this bag on airplanes and other types of travel where boarding passes, subway passes and train tickets will need to be in a ready-access location and car/house keys will be an afterthought.

It would be nice to know that they are with me, but not just jangling loosely in the outside pocket. True, this could be a theft issue, but my guess is that you would hear the loud rip of the hook-and-loop closure and snap of the buckles before someone was all up in your bag to get your…keys? Another nag is that there is no zippered closure inside the bag. There is a lineup of three pen sleeves and three (two deep, one less deep) open-topped pockets, but nowhere to put anything like tokens, coins, jewelry, etc. that you don’t want sloshing around if the bag gets turned upside down. There is also, as mentioned before, a huge flap pocket on the exterior front that does in fact close with hook-and-loop, but it’s kinda large for smaller items you don’t want to fish out.

The bag does come with a high-quality, padded laptop sleeve that has small pockets on the exterior. It’s not a complete enclosure, just the three sides, and it only holds a smaller notebook. My 12″ PowerbookG4 fits with over an inch of slop, while my 15.4″ laptop can’t even suck in it’s gut to make it work. Really, the 15.4″ computer is almost out-sized for the bag in general. My guess is that a 14.1″ PC would be snug and a 13″ Mac would fit perfectly. One minor, minor harp is that there is no soft-lined pocket for your shineys like phone or portable music player. Again, very, very minor and more of a personal preference.

Overall, I am more than impressed with this bag. The craftsmanship is second to none, and the attention paid to insure reliability is worth the price alone. Sure, it would benefit from minor redesigns like a clip for keys and a zippered pocket, but the ease of use and durability may make those less noticeable. For me, the key clip is major, but I can see why it wouldn’t be missed by others.

Compared to previous bags I have tried, this Cocotte Fred Messenger bag deserves to be my daily driver. The collapsibility that occurs naturally when you cinch the closure straps is effortless, it looks like a hip bag without being toolish, and it just feels great on your back. Add that to the fair price tag for a handmade bag, and you’ve got me hooked.

Go get yourself a Cocotte Equipement Fred Messenger Bag

If you are interested in picking up a Cocotte Equipement Fred Messenger bag, visit Cocotte Equipement’s website at cocotte-equip.com and swipe that credit card! The bag retails for $114.96 CAD and is definitely worth the spend. It’s only credit right? When you purchase your bag, let them know you saw the review and you never know what will happen. Please let us know about your experiences of Cocotte-Equipement and especially the Cocotte-Equipement Fred Messenger!