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…

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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.

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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

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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.

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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…

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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!

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The small freeride section of our local trail system is a tough shooting site. You are in and out of trees in a dark are while the sun continues to set. This makes difficult lighting for small cameras that normally have a hard time adjusting to changing light conditions. The VholdR ContourHD has outperformed the GoPro Hero and the V.I.O. POV.1.5 by far. If you don’t believe me…check out my first video shoot below. In the near future, I am going to run a test doing the same run…at the same time…with all three cameras to get a side by side comparison.

What did I learn from my grab the box and ride routine?

• I need to aim the cam up just a little bit more to catch more of the action.
• The goggle mount is in the perfect spot to capture the action that I see while I ride, but it is not stable through the rock gardens. Next time out, I am going to try out the surface mount to see if I can get rid of some of the circular twitching.

I had a little bit of fun with this video…enjoy.

Fast action bonus! If you pre-order the Contour from Amazon…you get a $50.00 gift card. Click here to find out more.

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For more information on the Fox Ranger MTB short, check out this preview post with pictures and manufacturers description.

Fit and Finish – Fox Racing Ranger MTB Short

The #1 most important thing about mountain biking baggy shorts is how they perform on the trail. You can try to be the coolest kid in school with the most stylish set of shorts you can find, but if they ruin your ride…they are worthless. So how did the Fox Rangers do in the dirt?

Detachable Chamois

The first thing I noticed about the Ranger was the detachable chamois. This is a HUGE selling point for me as I like to have shorts with separate shells and chamois. The chamois are attachable to the outer Ranger shell via to small straps to prevent too much separate movement (keeps your shorts on while moving around the saddle and when you happen to slide across the ground during a fall.)

The chamois, as you can see by the picture, is not overly padded but still comfortable. I didn’t have any discomfort while riding and as any rider already knows…a bad chamois experience can really ruin a day. They also weren’t too long to keep the shorts breathable and this really came into play on the hotter days. Like most inner chamois to mountain bike baggies, you will not be wearing these by themselves. They are designed to always compliment the outer shell, so don’t go throwing them on and jump on the road bike.

Ranger Short Outer Shell

The overall fit of the outer shell was a little surprising. The upper part of the shorts were a little tight while the lower half seemed about perfect. My waist is about a perfect 33 and these 34’s were a little tight. If you are picking up a set of Rangers, I would recommend jumping up a size. They do have useful, Velcro adjustment straps for the waist, but I still felt like I needed a little bit more room. Even with the shorts at my perfect waist height, they were pulling on the front button when adjusted all the way out. You can see this a little bit on the rear picture below.

The material (100% Polyester 150D) breathes incredibly well. The lightweight construction provides an outer shell that does not weigh you down and is a great option for the hot days in the sun. I was not a huge fan of the brown style, but with gray and black available…you can find on that fits your personal style. The zipper and button on the front of the shorts worked well.

The side pockets on the Ranger MTB short are cut low to make them easier to use while wearing gloves and they are big enough to carry whatever you would need on the trail. The tight fit made them a little bit more difficult to use, but if you have a set that fits a little bit looser…they should be perfect. To compliment the side pockets, the Fox Ranger MTB shorts have a side pocket on each side that are fully functional as well.

After several wrecks and long rides, the Ranger MTB shorts showed to be durable enough for heavy trail use. After you beat them up on the trail, the wash easily and are ready for another beating.

Conclusions on the Fox Ranger MTB Short

Overall, the Fox Ranger MTB short is a great, lightweight, baggy alternative for mountain bikers. With a middle of the road price and good on trail performance, they are a great all around performer.

The Good – Fox Ranger MTB Short

• Multiple Colors and Sizes Available
• Descent Price
• Detachable Chamois
• Comfortable and Durable on the Trail
• Lightweight is Great for Hot Rides
• Functional Pockets
• Velcro Adjustment

The Bad – Fox Ranger MTB Short

• Tight Fit – Might need to jump up a size if purchasing
• Styles May Not be for Everyone

Buy the Fox Ranger MTB Short

FOX RANGER SHORT ‘09 Price: 69.95

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Original post and comments can be found by clicking here – Poll: Your Next Mountain Bike Purchase

Poll Results: Your Next Mountain Bike Purchase

The question was a simple one: What are you going to buy next time around…a 29er or 26″ wheeled sled?

Your Next Bike Purchase Results - 29 or 26?

If you answered 29er for the poll above, we wanted to see exactly what kind of 29er you were looking at adding to your quiver. Here are those results…

Poll Results: Which 29er are you wanting to buy?

My Conclusions

So after all of the clicking, typing and banter back and forth on the post, what did I think about the results? The following list is a slightly modified version that I sent out to the manufacturers that were bleeding for your input. I could have let this poll continue to run to get even more results, but as time and votes went on…I was seeing the trend flatten out considerably. As we got in even more votes…our results just continued to grow stronger. Because of that…we are able to conclude several things now.

1. I think the results of this survey would have been much different two years ago (or even a year). This really shows how far the 29er wheel size has come in a very short period of time. The 61/39 split is actually a little bit higher than I was expecting and that is great news for the 29er adopters out there.
2. The other surprising part is that most new 29er buyers would like to pick up a 4.5″ or higher full suspension bike and the 4″ or lower came in second. This is another result that I think has changed drastically. The 29er market really started in the SS rigid and HT segment, so this is showing that trail bike riders are starting to see the benefits of the larger wheel size. With larger travel 29ers making their way to the market based around the new Marzocchi 44 29er fork, the future of longer travel 29ers looks promising (ex. Niner W.F.O. 9).
3. If you check out the comments section (60+ comments), you can see that height is a serious concern for riders around 5′5″ and shorter. Most of these concerns stem without actually trying out a 29er bike. This may mean that 29er manufacturers need to design a frame that accommodates these riders and get them in the hands of smaller riders. I know it can work for them if done correctly, but there is an assumption out there that 29 inch wheels are reserved for the 6 foot and higher crowd. However, there is some validity to shorter riders in the 5′4″ and under category as the geometry and standover height would be a large concern.
4. 29ers have spread to a lot more areas in the past year than in previous years. They are no longer that mythical wheel size that no one has seen. It will be interesting to see the 29 inch wheel size evolve as it is the fastest changing segment of the market right now.

Original post and comments can be found by clicking here – Poll: Your Next Mountain Bike Purchase

What do you think?

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More about Hayes Disc Brakes

Ripped from HayesDiscBrake.com:

Why Hayes Disc Brakes? Because brakes are the lifeblood of our business. Our sole focus is to develop products that outperform in your application and outdo your expectations. Hayes has been around for decades, surpassing industry standards and setting the curve in performance. It’s no wonder that companies like Polaris® and Harley-Davidson® turn to us for their disc brakes.

Built into each Hayes disc brake is the power, feel, and dependability you need to get the most out of every ride. People who listen to other riders and ride themselves are the same people who design our brakes. We continually enhance, redesign or introduce products with stopping power and safety features that you won’t find in other brake systems.

Hayes Brake has been leading the pack in brake technology since 1946. That same commitment to breakthrough design and performance was extended to the mountain bike market in 1997 when Hayes Disc Brake was formed. The revolutionary products that Hayes Disc Brake introduced set a new standard for hydraulic bicycle disc brakes worldwide.

Starting in 1997 with just three U.S. and six international distributors, Hayes Disc Brake now serves customers in more than 50 countries with warehouses in the U.S., Europe and Asia.

Hayes Stroker Ace Hydraulic MTB Disc Brakes

Specs:

• Master Cylinder: Radial, Symmetrical; Aluminum
• Caliper: Forged mono-bloc; Aluminum; Four-piston
• Pad Material: Sintered metallic w/aluminum backing plate
• Lever Blade: Aluminum, XL w/tool-free reach adjust
• Fluid: Hayes high temp DOT4
• Claimed Weight: 440g (160mm rotor); 488g (180mm rotor); 520g (203mm rotor)

From hayesdiscbrake.com on the Stroker Ace’s…

The Stroker Ace features Hayes’ first four-piston, forged mono-bloc caliper and our biggest pads ever, giving the Ace tremendous heat management capabilities. We’ve also designed a longer lever for increased leverage at the bar. Mated to the proven Stroker master cylinder, this makes the Ace our most powerful brake ever, while advancing the already unmatched Stroker modulation. At a system weight of 427g (including 6″ rotor and hardware), the Ace trumps all the other gravity-oriented brakes in the deck.

Available Rotor Sizes: 160, 180, 203, 224 (mm)

Initial Thoughts on the Hayes Stroker Ace Hydraulic MTB Disc Brakes

First, it is great to see Hayes jump into this segment of the market with something that is completely new for them. It creates separation between the Ace’s and the other brakes in the Hayes lineup. With the increased demands on hydraulic disc brakes for mountain bikes…more power with less weight is always welcomed.

The Ace’s retail for around 230.00 each depending on where you shop, so they are a little over the median price point. If they perform as advertised, they could be considered a value as compared to some of the competition, but with the Avid Elixir CR disc brakes at a slightly lower price…they need to be considerably more powerful with modulation to boot.

The 4 piston caliper design is strong at first glance. The mono-block design should keep braking consistent and trouble free. Hayes provided us with several different pad options (organic and sintered), so we will have to see which combination provides the best balance between modulation and power.

Overall, I am very impressed with the construction and look of the Ace’s out of Hayes Disc Brakes. Now we just have to get them out on the trail and beat them up for awhile to see if they can stand up with the rest of the competition.

Buy Hayes Ace MTB Disc Brakes

HAYES STROKER ACE DISC BRAKE

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