Singletracks Mountain Bike Blog

Blessing of the Bikes in NYC

trek7k — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 16:47:06 +0000

Here’s something you may not have seen before: a church service dedicated to bike riders. The 12th Annual Blessing of the Bikes will take place at The Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine in NYC on April 10, 2010 at 9:30am.

During the service a priest sprinkles bikes with Holy Water and there’s a moment of silence for cyclists who have passed away during the previous year. The whole event is very low key and is suited for people of all faiths (or even none at all). Here’s what the organizer has to say:

The interesting thing to me about The Blessing of the Bikes is that some people take it very seriously, some think it’s all a big joke, and some are deeply offended. No mater which of those opinions works best for you… good on you!

Mountain biking (and cycling in general) can be dangerous and many riders no doubt take comfort in blessing their bikes for the upcoming season. A quick search brings up mentions of similar services in New Hampshire and Michigan so check with your local bike shop to see if there’s a service near you!

Google Maps: Bike Directions and Singletrack?

trek7k — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 13:34:53 +0000

Several people emailed this story to me on Wednesday and to be honest I was fairly ho-hum about it initially. I mean, Google Maps have included public transit and even walking directions for a while now so the bike stuff isn’t all that surprising. Commuting maps that take into account traffic flow, shoulder width, hills, etc. already exist in printed form so it’s about time they’re available in a digital, route-able format.

But this blog isn’t about commuting or road riding - it’s about mountain biking. After digging into the Google Biking Map of San Francisco I noticed something surprising: mountain bike trails. For example, this map (shown above) shows what appears to be singletrack in and around Glen Canyon Park.

I read a little more about the map data and found out that Google has also coded 12,000 miles of “bike trails” from the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy. Of course many rail trails are either paved or are, at the very least, wide, flat paths but still, this is better than riding the road.

But don’t get too excited about off-street bike routes. Here’s what a Google spokesperson said after a New York reporter found himself routed onto Central Park paths where bikes are off limits:

The parks are one of the things we need to work on. We don’t have great data for them.

Map coverage is certainly limited at the moment and a quick check of my area shows some pretty questionable road choices - and no trails. Google Bike Maps may also be of limited to use to mountain bikers for another reason:

Many cyclists will tell you that going downhill is annoying for a different reason: you may have to ride your brakes all the way down. All else equal, we try to avoid routes that require a lot of braking.

Ahem, downhill is annoying? Clearly we disagree and our bike trail maps (covering almost 10,000 miles of trails) will continue to include the good stuff . Watch the video with more info about Google’s bike mapping project.

Giro Has You Covered When Things Go Downhill

element22 — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 15:01:33 +0000

Cross-country and road riders are already familiar with Giro bike helmets - they’re typically high quality, lightweight, and comfortable. But did you know Giro also offers bombproof lids for those who love pointing their bikes down steep slopes? If you’re someone who steers toward massive drops and stunts while friends are on the phone speed dialing 911, a Giro full face bike helmet and goggle combo is for you.

This year Giro really turns up the heat with eye-popping graphics on helmets and gloves plus high quality optics on their newest goggs. I recently got a chance to test the new 2010 Giro Remedy CF ($270 MSRP) in white/gold/green which happens to match the singletracks DH jersey perfectly. I also got my mitts on the Root goggle (MSRP $129) in matte titanium with the Gold Boost 75 lens and the new DJ glove (MSRP $34) in white/green. These three items are a must if you’re planning on pushing your limits on the slopes or jump parks this season.

The Giro Remedy CF shell is made entirely of carbon composite and weighs a scant 910g (about 2 pounds) which makes it up to 30% lighter than similar helmets. The CF stands for “carbon fiber” and the overall shape of the Remedy CF is identical to the plain Remedy. The Remedy CF boasts 14 intelligently-placed vents to encourage proper air flow through the helmet as you’re bombing the trail. The internal EPS (expanded polystyrene) liner is molded to fit your head comfortably while channeling air from the exterior vents out the four rear vents.

The front chin bar is lined with EVA (ethylene-vinyl acetate) which is a great shock absorbing material for those times when you take a face-first approach to things. Just in case you’re wondering, the Remedy is only certified for pedal bikes and carries the CPSC and CE endorsements. Even though it looks and feels strong as a motorcycle helmet, it’s not actually DOT certified.

Overall, the Remedy fits on the loose side of things around the chin and cheek compared to other models I’ve tested. For those who prefer the feel of freedom inside, this is the helmet for you. Remember, it’s important to choose a helmet that doesn’t cause any “hot” spots (areas of higher pressure) on your head or face (this will depend on the unique shape of your melon).

One of the things I really like about the Remedy is the ability to remove the liner for cleaning. Just unsnap the material and rinse out your sweat - then snap things back together in a jiff. I also really dig Giro’s Super Fit system which makes pairing goggles with this helmet easy and comfortable.

Speaking of goggles, check out the Root. The Root it is a bit spendier than the popular Station MTB goggles but packs in way more cool stuff. Right off the bat you get to choose from 10 different lenses and 9 stock color ways.

The Root lenses are spherical in shape rather than cylindrical like conventional lenses. It turns out spherical lenses are shaped to match the contour of your eyes so that there is no perceivable distortion - super helpful for picking the right lines at high speed. The True Sight spherical lens is designed to rest at a constant distance from your eyes both horizontally and vertically (cylindrical lenses only keep distance constant horizontally). The lenses also offer 100% protection from harmful UVA, B, and C radiation. To top it all off, the lenses also feature an anti-fog finish and scratch resistant coatings.

The goggle surround is made of two-stage, soft foam which feels both comfortable and firm while ensuring no dust and debris may enter. The surround is also vented to allow body heat and moisture to exit which prevents fogging. The frame features extended band tabs to fit the helmet opening like a glove and keep the goggle firmly in place even on bumpy, jarring terrain. The band is 32mm wide and sturdy, though for some reason it doesn’t have anti-slip silicon strips to help prevent sliding. On a wet day it just may do exactly that.

Finally, if you want to look like a pro, your kit has to match and the Giro DJ glove offers a nice compliment to the Remedy and Root. The DJ is a durable, full-fingered glove meant to take whatever you can dish out. It’s basically a beefier version of the successful Xen glove with the major difference being the wrapped Clarino finger tips and extra padding across the knuckles. The palm features a Super Fit 3 panel and is enhanced with Clarino synthetic leather and a section of EVA padding. EVA is the perfect material for absorbing shocks and helps relieve pressure on the ulnar nerve and the abductor digiti minimi muscle (didn’t know you were getting an anatomy lesson today, didya?).

Performance on the bike

Put these three together and you have a full house. The Remedy and Root are a great match: I didn’t notice more than about 15° of peripheral vision loss which is pretty solid for a full face / goggle combo. Out at the slopes and indoors at Joyride 150, I never got overheated or noticed my lenses fogging up.

When riding outside I found the Root lens to be perfectly balanced. It really enhanced the contrast of everything, especially on overcast days when trail details tend to muddle together. I also found the tint was just right even in lower light areas, like in the shadows of trees, and I didn’t need to slow down to let my eyes adjust. At the end of the day the Root goggles are far and away better than any others I own which is saying a lot!

The DJ gloves fit a bit on the tight side for size large so I needed a few days to get them broken in. Inside, the gloves felt comfortable - no stitches digging in and the glove basically stayed glued to my hand without moving around. Overall grip was great on the bars and the added silicon on the index and middle finger helped reduce the amount of grip I needed to hang onto the “chicken switches.” At the end of the day my hands felt fairly fresh and blister-free.

Giro offers a full range of DH-ready gear to protect your assets without harshing the ride on the way down. Just remember, this stuff won’t make you invincible, even though it feels like it does!

Thanks to the folks at GIRO for the equipment we reviewed. Another big shout to the guys and gals at Joyride 150 for hosting our indoor tests.

MTB Trail Density

trek7k — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 14:40:27 +0000

I recently rode a mountain bike trail that got me thinking: How dense is too dense when it comes to mountain bike trails? Every mountain bike trail planner will inevitably run into this question wherever space is limited - which is pretty much everywhere.

First and foremost, a mountain bike trail should be fun to ride and longer trails are generally preferable to shorter ones. But cramming 10 miles of singletrack into 10 acres will result in sharp turns, boring routes, and zero flow. Instead it’s important to balance length and rideability, though I don’t know if there’s a magic ratio of miles of singletrack to acres of land. I’ve ridden a trail that packs more than 7 miles into under 30 acres and it flows pretty nicely, though the sharp, twisty singletrack isn’t for everyone. (Yep, that’s 170 miles of trail per square mile in case you’re wondering.)

Densely packed trail systems can also feel like riding a gerbil wheel at times. In poorly laid out systems it can seem as if you’re riding back and forth without ever really getting anywhere. With a little extra effort planners can draw up nested loops to give a trail a little more interest and mystery (like the trail pictured below). Vegetation can help with the illusion as does limiting the number of intersections where the rider needs to make a decision. Dense trails can feel crowded since it’s easy to see other riders on parallel paths so it’s important to control traffic flow to avoid collisions.

The other consideration for trail density revolves around environmental impacts. Dense trails generally necessitate removing more vegetation per acre and exposing more soil to potential erosion. In extreme cases it can also mean intruding into and taking over wildlife habitats which isn’t a good idea.

Trail density may also be impacted by natural features and topography. For example, planners may try to take advantage of a solitary hill by running the trail up and down several times to maximize elevation gain/loss. In other cases, a trail may bunch up in forested areas before running straight across open fields.

As suitable land for bike trails becomes more and more scarce, trail designers will be forced to consider trail density more carefully. The good news is that constraints often yield the most interesting solutions - who’s up for a double- (or triple-) decker trail system!

Toronto International Bike Show

element22 — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 13:54:31 +0000

Hi folks, this past weekend Toronto held its 24th annual bike show, this time at the Better Living Centre. The weather was perfect and as a result the show was full of local and US attendees. This year also marks the first 24 hour spin marathon complete with a live band and heart-pumping music. All the stationary bikes were filled with riders of all athletic abilities and I have to say the whole thing was a massive hit.

I was impressed with the show this year compared to a few of the previous Toronto bike shows. For one thing the show seemed better organized with crowd-pleasing demonstrations and exciting races to watch. By the sounds of the cheers and ooohs and ahhhs, many people were really enjoying the 4X racing that was going on. Along with that there was a massive crowd around the trials area where riders were showing off their 40 inch+ vertical step up jumps. It never ceases to amaze me how much balance those guys have on the bike. Think about it: jumping from a rolling start onto a chain and riding along it. I bet very few can say they do that all day long.

I managed to hook up with a few folks from the industry at the show including Jon Wells from Hayes who was there with his BMX team. Jon came to Hayes after an eventful carrier in Pro BMX and now shreds up the trails whenever he can. It was fun to see the enthusiasm he had as he was talking about the new Circus DJ fork from Manitou and the new Answer bars and stems (which, by the way, I will be reviewing in the next little while.)

I also had a chance to meet up with Mark Summers (one of the owners of Joyride 150) and he was excited to talk about how well the indoor bike park is doing. He mentioned the great interest south of the border and the deal they recently struck with Hilton suites and Howard Johnson’s close by. Mark also filled me in on the constantly changing features that have been popping up at Joyride (many of which I am super stoked to give shot.) The new expert skinny area at Joyride is high in skill but low in consequences which makes it great for practicing your skills without worrying that you’re gonna snap an ankle or shatter your clavicle.

I also checked in with my good friends at Opus and spoke with Sylvain Bosse (Marketing Coordinator) while checking out the new rides for next year (I like to stick with one company for my test bikes). Although they didn’t have it on display, Opus is working on a DH bike for next year that hopefully I’ll have a chance to saddle up soon. Sylvain mentioned some key features on the bike such as the massive pivots (about 40mm) which will make sure that there is very little flex in the rear. The bike also features hydro-formed tubing with a VPP set-up which sounds very interesting. Now if I only had a photo…

The show also featured a large marketplace where you could pick up parts or even complete bikes for a great deal. Speaking with some of the retailers, they were also pleased with the show. It seems people are a bit more free with their disposable income this year and are more willing to spend some of it. After watching all the new bikes heading out the doors I quickly lost count!

Below are a few photos of the rest of the show.

I was in a total haze when I saw all these forks! Picture an entire wall of every fork you can think of. Imagine the possibilities.

Well it was a great weekend in Toronto. If you’re around next year, stop by and check out the show, and while your here stay a while and enjoy the city. The venue is right in the middle of town so you can also catch a show or if you’re up for a small drive you can also hit Joyride 150.

Cheers!

Build a MTB Trail, Go to Disney!

trek7k — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 16:09:57 +0000

photo by GoldenGoose.

As if you needed yet another reason to get out and work on the trails this year, now you can earn a free day at Disney World with Paulding SORBA! On April 17 Paulding SORBA (near Atlanta) will be hosting a work day at the new Mt. Tabor trails west of town from 9am to 2pm. The project is part of Disney’s “Give a day, get a day” program and eligible participants will earn a 1 park, 1 day pass for helping out.

This whole thing almost seems too good to be true. I mean, we work on mountain bike trails so we can enjoy them all year long which is really a reward in itself. But on top of that, you get a free pass to the happiest place on earth! (ok, second happiest - for me the first is Trail 401 in Colorado).

According to the invite I received, the Disney slots are almost full for the work day so sign up now. Even if your local club isn’t participating in the Disney promo, look at it this way: Give a day to the trails, enjoy 364 days of riding!

2010 US Open of Mountain Biking

trek7k — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 13:18:27 +0000

Ever wonder how you stack up against best downhill mountain bike riders? The 2010 US Open of Mountain Biking is your shot at racing against the pros at the Diablo Freeride Park in Vernon, NJ May 27-30. The Pro/Am format is open to all comers, though registration is capped at 450 men for the downhill race and 175 for the slalom. Kenda is the title sponsor and the total cash purse is $25,000 (plus another $30,000 in product).

Aside from the racing action there will be dozens of vendors and exhibitors on hand for this east coast event. This is the 8th annual US Open of MTB and every year it seems to get bigger and better. Stoked!

via Dirt Rag.

Hayes Prime MTB Brake Secrets Revealed

element22 — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 17:23:40 +0000

The cat is outta the bag so to speak now that Hayes has revealed the internals of the new Prime MTB brake system. If you recall my previous article, I mentioned that some of the technology was borrowed from motorsports and as you can see, this unit features a high tech moving master cylinder that can change its position relative to the cam (brown). This allows the rider to adjust pad position without loosing stroke. Below is a video with the Prime cam in action showing you the movement of the unit.

As you can see there is a lot going on in that small master cylinder. The video below includes a good explanation about how the master cylinder works and talks about some of the features of the Prime braking system.

One of the big innovations with the new master cylinder design is the improved flow of fluids within the system. For those who like to ride fast and hit the brakes hard, the improved flow keeps the brake fluid cycling regularly, preventing it from heating up too quickly and reducing the chance of expansion. Brake fluid expansion causes the pistons to move towards the rotor which in turn causes the pads to drag. Dragging pads slows you down slightly and builds up heat in the system (making the problem worse). Bottom line: the Hayes Prime “brakes” the hot fluid cycle.

Prime brakes also do away with the traditional port timing hole which is used to allow fluid to return to the reservoir and compensate for pad wear. The new design, due to the absence of the timing holes, increase seal life. On most brakes, the delicate seals on the timing holes wear over time - basically every time you squeeze the brake lever. With the holes gone there is a smooth bore, thus a longer seal life.

You’ll also notice that the master cylinder piston is hollow - this is what enables increased brake fluid flow. To top it all off, the good folks at Hayes even included an updated and redesigned titanium push rod to further reduce side loads on the piston (increasing piston life).

Well folks that’s all I got for now. As always, if there’s anything new and exciting I will keep you posted - cheers!

Dispute Over MTB Trail Maintenance in Florida

trek7k — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 13:58:40 +0000

photo by joetutt.

Graham Swamp mountain bike trail near Daytona Beach, FL was built more than 7 years ago by Mickey Garrett and some friends. The 6.5 mile trail has been maintained by Garrett under an agreement with the landowner, St. Johns River Water Management District, and until recently, everything was cool. That is, until the local bike club, FACES, started showing up with their own volunteer trail workers and “dummy(ing) down the trail,” according to Garrett.

FACES club vice president Tony Libretti says his group was just trying to add a few miles of new, easier trails for beginning mountain bikers. Garrett says anyone is welcome to ride at the trail but that since he’s responsible for maintenance, he should be the one to call the shots. The district land manager agreed and the local club decided to back down and allow Garrett to maintain the trails with his own crew.

In many areas, it’s hard enough to get a single group to maintain a trail so it’s surprising to see two groups fighting over who gets to do the work. Clearly much of the dispute centers over “creative control” of the trail network but it still sounds like there are more volunteers willing to work than there is work to be done. I bet there are plenty of trail groups out there that wish they had the same problem…

The other interesting thing here is that the public land manager sided with an individual trail maintainer rather than turning over responsibility to an established club. While we’re sure Garrett is more than capable and deserving, we’ve seen problems with this model in other areas. Even with the best of intentions, an individual “head of the trail” can be viewed by others, rightly or wrongly, as possessive of a trail system that is open to the public.

We’re interested to hear about other trails on public land that are maintained by an individual or ad hoc group rather than an established club and how the arrangement is working out. Should this be a new model for land managers to consider or is it a dispute waiting to happen?

via Daytona Beach News

THE Flow Saddle Review

Bob_the_Builder — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 15:31:44 +0000

Introducing the 2010 THE Flow, a lightweight all-mountain/freeride saddle comfortable and tough enough for daily duty.

The Flow saddle retails for around $60 which is about average for a chromoly-railed seatpost. At 227 grams this saddle is as light as many titanium railed saddles, but much cheaper. The embossed graphics ensure the saddle still looks good after extended use while the kevlar side and back panels keep the leather from tearing. The Flow measures 257mm in length and 127mm in width, pretty standard dimensions for an all-mountain saddle.

The Ride

Overall I’m quite satisfied with THE’s Flow saddle. Although THE uses less padding than most companies, the shape and flex of the Flow make it comfortable. The chromoly rails are still straight after numerous days at Joyride150, my local bike park, and the graphics haven’t worn off or faded at all. This saddle is also narrow enough that it doesn’t snag your leg as you maneuver the bike yet it doesn’t feel like riding a broomstick.

As an added bonus, installing a lightweight saddle like the THE Flow is an easy, inexpensive way to make your bike lighter. My bike lost over ½ lb after I installed this saddle. Plus the Flow has a unique design that will add individuality and style to your bike.

The Verdict

If you’re an all-mountain or freerider looking for a lightweight, good looking, comfortable saddle that won’t easily bend, break or fade, THE’s Flow saddle is a good choice.

Thanks to THE Industries for providing the Flow saddle for testing.

UCI Champ Boycotts Title Race Due to Jersey Ruling

trek7k — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 15:48:57 +0000

photo via UCI jersey Facebook page.

This year the UCI is requiring that all national champs wear the same jersey for the duration of the season and that has some top riders worried about their sponsors. In New Zealand top downhill rider Justin Leov decided not to defend his title at the national championships due to the new jersey ruling.

Last year, UCI champs were allowed to wear a simple arm band to designate their status which allowed the riders to give their sponsors the proper exposure. Leov is sponsored by Trek and races in the Northern Hemisphere half the year and, had he won this year’s national championships, would not have been able to wear his Trek jersey in competition.

According to this article, six other riders opted out of the championship race in New Zealand and top riders in the UK and Austria were considering doing the same. While there is no word from Trek or other sponsors about how the new rules would affect their sponsorships, clearly something needs to be done. I do find it hard to believe that Trek can’t find another place to put their logo - helmet, shorts, or (and I know this is crazy) their bike?

It’s a shame to see top riders dropping out of races, reducing the overall level of competition just because of sponsorship issues. Perhaps the sponsors will be willing to cut riders some slack rather than see their athletes give up UCI titles. Check out this online petition to register your vote.

Trips for Kids Fundraiser Brings Out the Big Guns

trek7k — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 20:04:17 +0000

How much would you pay to have a beer with a mountain bike legend like Gary Fisher, Ned Overend, Joe Breeze, or Joe Guy? Now, how much would you pay to have a beer with ALL FOUR? Trips for Kids held their annual Bikes, Bucks, and Brews fundraiser last weekend and an all-star cast of more than a dozen MTB pioneers were on hand for the festivities.

The press release we read said $3,000 was raised for this national non-profit which seems like a paltry amount for an event with such celebrity fire-power. Not only that, the $3,000 came from drink sales and a silent auction that included at least two brand new mountain bikes (a FS from Jamis and a 29er from Marin). Heck, we’re pretty sure the MTB legends themselves would have no problem running up a $3,000 bar tab in one night

For those who don’t know, Trips for Kids is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization that “opens the world of cycling to at-risk youth through mountain bike rides and Earn-A-Bike programs.” TFK is based in Marin County, CA and was founded in 1998 by MTB Hall-of-Famer Marilyn Price.

So to answer the question at the beginning of this article, I’d probably be willing to pay a hundred bucks to have a beer with the guys next year. If just 30 others were willing to do the same, TFK could easily beat this year’s haul!

Enhanced Mountain Bike Trail Maps For GPS

trek7k — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 17:57:24 +0000

If you read our review of the Garmin Colorado 400t last month you know the latest Garmin GPS units allow you to load custom basemaps in KMZ format. Today we’re stoked to announce that we’ve created KMZ formatted files for all our Colorado trail maps (158 and counting) and are working feverishly to get the other states completed as well.

The cool thing about this new map format is that it’s not just for Garmin GPS units. We suspect it will only be a matter of time before you can view and navigate KMZ files on your iPhone and other smartphones (we’ll keep you posted). No smartphone or GPS? If you have Google Earth (free download) you can view KMZ files like the map of Captain Jack’s above and there are other desktop programs that are KMZ-friendly as well.

We’re stoked about the latest trail mapping tech and are committed to giving you options for using your singletracks map data. Stay tuned for more this spring!

Quick Survey About the Singletracks Blog

trek7k — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 14:45:48 +0000

Hey everyone, we put together a quick survey about the singletracks blog to find out which types of articles you like and which types you don’t. We want to continue to be the best mountain bike blog online and your responses will help us improve our MTB coverage this spring and summer. So c’mon, it’s Friday - what else are you gonna do to kill time at work?

Take the survey.

Xpedo Face Off and Utmost Platform Pedals Reviewed

element22 — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 19:56:31 +0000

I recently had the chance to review two cool-looking platform pedals from Xpedo: the Face Off XMX17AC and the Utmost XMX16AC. Both are sub-400g pedals and feature chromoly spindles and DU/cartridge combination bearings. At this point you may be wondering - who is Xpedo? Well, you may be more familiar with the name Wellgo which is basically Xpedo’s racing division / product development team. Think of Xpedo as Wellgo’s skunk works team.

The Face Off XMX17AC ($100 MSRP) was introduced in 2008 and quickly won the TBEA Creative Parts and Accessory award. These pedals come in at 380g for the pair and are constructed from CNC-machined 6061 aluminum. The foot plates come in six anodized colors (black, grey, red, gold, light blue and navy blue) and can be removed and changed to another color later down the road. The center body is black and is machined out to reduce weight. The bearing and DU bushing arrangement allows a greater load (where pedal meets crank) to be carried by the wide DU bushing while the lighter load is carried by the bearing. The result: a smooth running pedal, even after countless big hits.

The Utmost XMX16AC ($60 MSRP) weighs in at 350g and is constructed out of 6061 aluminum which is forged rather than cast, making it structurally stronger. Just like its bigger brother, the Utmost features the same chromoly axle and bearing set-up. The center structure on this pedal is rubber sealed at the spindle to keep the crud out and comes in six colors (black, grey, red, gold, light blue and painted white).

You can also customize each of these pedals with Xpedo’s replacement pin kit. The kit comes complete with the wrench needed to change out the pins and you have your choice of three different styles of pins (spike, straight or twin).

On the trail I found both pedals grip well with flat shoes. Even when the pedals got wet, slimy, and partially covered in mud, they still offered decent grip. Of the two pedals the Face Off has a larger surface area which makes it easier on footing and offers more grip (the Utmost also features just 8 pins vs. the Face Off’s 15).

Based on our tests, shoe choice seems to make a big difference in grip. Bob_the_Builder tried out both pedals as well and we found a big difference based on the shoe/pedal combos we rode. For example, my shoes gripped great with the Face Off and good with the Utmost pedal. BTB found a larger difference between the two pedals and rated the Utmost grip just so-so based on his FiveTen shoes.

So far I’ve only encountered one issue with the XMX17AC Faceoff. Due to its open design I found that one of the bearings began to run a bit rough and needed some attention. I’m also curious to see how these pedals hold up to a direct hit from a rock while racing down a rock garden (haven’t done that yet).

Xpedo does make heavier-duty pedals with an extra DU or needle bearing in the middle of the pedal and beefier body constructions in their MX-Force series (more on those later this year). But for someone who is looking to ride flats on their 4 - 6 inch trail / AM bike, these pedals fit the bill nicely. The Face Off and Utmost pedals combine style, weight, and performance into a single package - what more can you ask for?

Specs from Xpedo

	XMX17AC Face Off	XMX16AS Utmost
Weight	380 grams	350 grams
Body	Aluminum 6061 CNC	Aluminum 6061 Forged
Spindle	Chromoly	Chromoly
Bearings	1 Cartridge	1 Cartridge
Bushings	1 DU	1 DU
Pins	15 Replaceable Straight	8 Replaceable Straight
Seals	1 Rubber	1 Rubber
Colors	Black, Grey, Gold, Red Black, Grey, Red, Gold	Light blue, Navy Blue Light blue, Painted white

Thanks to the folks at Xpedo for the flat pedals for review.

Here Comes the Sun (Ringle)

element22 — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 20:04:09 +0000

The Sun Ringle name always makes me think of a rising sun - a new day, a new adventure. Well for 2010, Sun Ringle has done it again with exciting new XC and AM wheels fit for any epic adventure. And looking forward to 2011, Sun Ringlé is working on fresh wheels for the FR / DH / DJ crowd.

I recently got a chance to talk with Scott Boyd, Product Manager from Sun Ringlé, about the history of the company and about some exciting new products that will be released this year. I also managed to squeak in a few questions about what we can look forward to in 2011.

History

Sun Metal Products dates back to 1946 when Ken-Jen Metal Products started producing tricycle seats. In 1948, Ken-Jen became Sun Metal Products and started a wire-spoke wheel line. In the 70s, Sun began production of alloy rims for high performance, off-road motorcycle racing and the technology eventually made its way into high-end bicycle rims in the 1980s. In the 1990s, Sun expanded production facilities in Indiana for high-end alloy rims and built manufacturing plants in China to provide products for the growing Asian bicycle manufacturing industry. Sun Products purchased Ringlé Racing Components and in 2005, Hayes acquired the merged company.

Scott, like many of us who are passionate about MTB, started off early enjoying mountain bikes. Like me, Scott worked at a bike shop in high school and college which landed him a position at Hayes starting in 1998. In the early days he provided technical support at NORBA and World Cup events and after a few corporate acquisitions he moved into the role of Product Manager at Sun Ringlé, where he’s been for the last two years.

After speaking with Scott for just a few minutes you get the sense that he’s an extremely focused individual which in this line of business is a good thing. At the same time he’s very personable and digs talking about bike products as much as you and I dig riding them.

New stuff

So what can we expect from Sun Ringlé this year?

We have an exciting new tubeless compatible wheel platform and we’ve partnered with Stan’s No Tubes to license their patented BST (Bead Socket Technology). The line consists of the Black Flag Pro and Expert (XC) and Charger Pro and Expert (AM) models. Each are available in 26” and 29er.

(Our) focus (this year) is on the Pro series: The Black Flag Pro is a sub-1600g cross country wheel set using a 24mm wide rim and the Charger Pro is a sub-1700g all mountain wheel set using a 28mm wide rim. The 26” versions (feature) a 24-hole direct pull lacing pattern and the 29er versions (feature) a 28-hole direct pull lacing pattern. Both wheel sets have two color options to choose from. Additionally, the wheels are available and compatible with today’s axle standards. For the front: standard quick release, 15mm, and 20mm. For the rear: standard quick release, 135×12, and the new X12 or 142×12 axle.

The other hot item we are working on is our SRD Carbon wheel. It’s a 26mm wide, 1550g wheel set. It utilizes the same hubs as our Black Flag Pro, allowing for the flexibility of all today’s axle standards.

Are you aligning the way you name parts like Manitou (Pro, Expert, Comp, Sport)?

Yes. It is a system that is universally understood by cyclists and helps identify the level of the product.

What can we expect to see come April from Sun?

During April, we will be attending the Sea Otter Classic, and the new Black Flag Pro and Charger Pro wheels will be the highlights.

Are there any restrictions as far as (rider) weight is concerned with the SRD Carbon wheels?

The SRD Carbon wheels are still in the development phase. I can say the wheel set has a stout 26mm outer width carbon rim. The wheel isn’t meant to be the lightest race day wheel, but (it’s) a 1550g wheel set that is light enough for XC racing and durable enough for everyday AM use.

When I was at the show I noticed many different colored wheels like blue, yellow, black, white, and red. Which ones are you going with?

The wheels at Interbike (actually) showed just a few color options. The Black Flag Series and the SRD Carbon will use a touch of gold (anodized finish). The Charger will use red (anodized) hubs.

I also noticed Sun Ringlé offers many 29er wheel models. How many model options are there?

We currently have 5 wheel set offerings and 6 rim offerings. One of our newest 29er offerings is the DH MTX33 model. This is currently being tested by a top World Cup team. Time will tell if they give up the 26” DH bikes for 29ers.

I see you’re offering direct pull wheels, are you using Wheelsmith spokes on those as well?

Yes, the direct pull spokes are Wheelsmith spokes made in our Milwaukee facility.

Tell me a bit more about the Stan’s technology that you plan on using on the wheels for this year.

SunRingle is the first in the industry to license the Bead Socket Technology from NoTubes.com for both the Black Flag and Charger series.

The rims are wider inside than other designs with similar outside dimensions, meaning a wider base for the tire and improved ride quality. The design also incorporates shorter sidewalls, reducing pinch flats and the risk of denting the rim when using low pressures. In addition, the design allows for the use of NoTubes yellow sealing tape and valve stems for a tubeless application using standard tube-type or tubeless tires and NoTubes tire sealant.

NoTubes yellow sealing tape will be pre-installed on the wheels making the wheels tubeless-ready. The valves and sealant will also be included in the box (with our) aftermarket wheel sets.

I’d like to thank Scott and the folks at Sun Ringlé for giving us a glimpse on what’s to come for 2010 and 2011. Goodbye winter - here comes the Sun!

Illegal Trail Builders Ruin It For Mountain Bikers Everywhere

trek7k — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 01:40:41 +0000

There’s been a lot in the news lately about trail building and advocacy and fortunately most of it has been good news thanks to groups like IMBA and local bike clubs. On the flip side there’s also been news out of California about illegal mountain bike trails being built on public land that threatens to undo years of positive progress.

Just last week the LA Times wrote about an illegal trail network that was found in Limestone Canyon and Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park. Before being dismantled by rangers and volunteers, the trail featured wooden bridges, jumps, and even sandbag-reinforced switchbacks. Apparently several other Orange County parks have seen illegal trail construction as well, though the Limestone Canyon trail was in a particularly eco-sensitive area.

Up in Marin County they’re still bitching about us and one letter to the editor of the Marin Independent Journal points to the damage freeriders have done in the Tahoe area by building illegal trails. Here’s an excerpt:

(L)ast summer the U.S. Forest Service announced the discovery that renegade mountain bikers had secretly cut up to 30 miles of trails in the Tahoe backcountry during this past decade. In 2009, the USFS spent $29,000 to close three miles of illicit trails at Tahoe alone. Despite having 255 miles of trail access in national forests around Tahoe, that isn’t enough for the free-riders.

The writer goes on to connect the irresponsible behavior of an unknown group of riders in the Tahoe area to all mountain bikers and voices her opposition to an alternating day use plan split between hikers and bikers in Marin County. It’s really a shame because the alternating day policy seems quite reasonable and this person assumes mountain bikers won’t follow the rules because of what happened in Tahoe.

On the spectrum of things that are bad for the reputation of our sport, building illegal trails has to be one of the worst (if not the worst) things we can do. So if you’re thinking about putting a shovel to dirt this spring on land you don’t own or have permission to use, give us all a break and volunteer with your local club to improve existing trails.

Durango Looks to Rename Park After MTB Legend Ned Overend

trek7k — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 22:05:37 +0000

Durango Mountain Park is poised to be renamed after one of mountain biking’s biggest names: Ned Overend. The Durango, CO resident was the first MTB world champion in 1990 and won the NORBA championships every year but one from 1986 and 1992. Today Overend is a product developer for Specialized and is one of the living legends of our sport. Here’s what he had to say about the prospect of the park being named Overend Mountain Park:

(Trails 2000 founder Bill Manning and others are) the unsung heroes here. It could easily be Manning Park. To me, it’s a real honor.

The park itself features 7 miles of singletrack spread out over 300 acres below Perins Peak. Overend and Ed Zink, owner of Mountain Bike Specialists, sold land to the city at below market values to help expand the park. But Overend and Zink want to share the park with all Durango residents, even non-mountain bikers.

It’s really important that mountain bikers don’t think they own the trails. I’ve run into some who don’t watch their speeds or watch out for others.

An article I read said Overend has even asked other riders to slow down on the trail (and that’s something coming from one of the fastest ever!). We’re stoked to see this trail named for such a humble and generous mountain biking legend.

Dakine Builders Pack Review: Easily Holds Your Chainsaw

Bob_the_Builder — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 22:22:18 +0000

As a professional trailbuilder, my trail backpack gets a lot of use and abuse. I need a comfortable pack with lots of space and functional pockets to hold tools plus it needs to be tough since trailbuilders like me tend to be hard on equipment. Enter the Dakine Builders Pack, a backpack designed to fulfill the needs of the most demanding trailbuilders.

Features

The expandable chainsaw pocket in the front is the main feature that sets the Dakine Builders Pack apart from other backpacks. This pocket is large enough to fit most any chainsaw and has a slit in the bottom for the chainsaw handle to stick out. The pack also features three straps to secure your saw and the two upper straps are lockable which helps you get to your destination without having to stop and adjust. Of course it’s always good practice to travel with the chainsaw bar cover on to prevent injuries (and yes, I am aware that I don’t have a cover on in the following picture).

Another unique feature of the Dakine Builders Pack is the lopper strap located on the front of the chainsaw pocket. This allows your loppers to slide between the big rubber strap and the chainsaw pocket, and gravity holds them in place. The pack also has a large front pocket, perfect for holding a drill with extra batteries, and a small nylon pocket inside, suitable for holding saw tuning and other small or fragile tools.

The two side pockets are intended to hold fuel or water bottles. Between the side pockets and main compartment are a slot and strap intended to hold a hammer, mattock, hatchet or other tool without a long handle. You can slide the tool in right side up or upside down, whichever you prefer.

The small top pocket is useful for storing safety glasses and the nylon pocket inside is suitable for storing a pen, paper and keys. The main top flap is great for access to the main compartment, making it quick and easy to add or remove items. You can also access the main compartment from the back via a full length zipper.

You’ll find another nylon zipper pocket in the main compartment which is ideal for keeping your cell phone, radio, camera or other valuables out of the rain. Just below that is a stretch pocket with a first aid bag (medical supplies not included).

There are two more small pockets on the waistband with waterproof zippers, perhaps useful for carrying easily accessed snacks. The Builders Pack has six utility loops on the front and four on the back. These can be used with bungees to carry bulky items like a tent, sleeping bag or tarp.

The Dakine Builders backpack has excellent padding, found in the back, lumbar, hip and shoulder areas which you’ll appreciate when this pack is fully loaded with tools and supplies. The padding has a comfortable, gel-like feel. The shoulder strap is adjustable on the top and bottom, the chest strap is adjustable in height and length, and the waist strap is adjustable in length.

The Builders Pack is made of Cordura Ballistic Nylon, an extremely tough fabric designed to resist tearing. The buckles are made of thick, strong plastic which is great because trailbuilders like me tend to break standard buckles quickly.

The nail storage bag has four compartments and two handles and is built tough. You can fit about 100 12-inch spikes in this bag which is a heavy load.

Aside from trailbuilding, the DaKine Builders Pack is very useful for riding days too. The chainsaw pocket works well as a full face helmet holder and there are multiple places to stash armor, lunch, goggle,s and valuables with room to spare.

This pack costs $140 MSRP, holds 1800 cubic inches or 29 litres of volume, measures 21”x11”x8”, and weighs 4 pounds empty.

Testing

While trailbuilding I fill this pack with a chainsaw, fuel, bar oil, saw tuning tools, lunch, hand clippers, a tape measure, a hammer, nails, spikes, a mattock, water, a cell phone, safety glasses, and earmuffs. The DaKine builders pack stores all this with room to spare. It sits nicely on your back and feels lighter than it actually is when loaded up. The best part is that I no longer have to use my hands or a wheelbarrow to carry the majority of my tools. This means my hands are free to carry larger tools that are too big to be carried on my back, or I can ride my bike into the building zone.

The Builders Pack is very useful for riding days too. I often pack it with my full face helmet, goggles, knee/shin pads, arm pads, tools, spare tube, water, and lunch and it holds all these items with ease. Some might argue that this pack is too big to use as a riding pack, but Freeriders/Downhillers who have to pedal or hike 4+ miles to the top of a hill will appreciate a place to store their armor.

The Verdict

As a professional trailbuilder, I wholeheartedly recommend this backpack. You can fit almost every tool you need on your back, freeing up your hands for other tasks. It’s built tough and should last for years plus it makes transporting tools to the work site really easy. For me the icing on the cake is it works equally as well for transporting DH and freeride gear. The DaKine builders pack is well thought out, durable, and very functional.

A big shout out to DaKine for providing the Builders Pack for review.

Hayes Brakes Are At Their Prime!

element22 — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 14:39:38 +0000

It’s that time of year when I get to call up my good friends in the industry and see what’s up and coming and possibly squeeze out some interesting tidbits about new products. I recently got a chance to talk with with Joel Richardson, Production Manager at Hayes Disc Brakes, which is always super fun and exciting. I enjoy talking with Joel because we speak the same language - “Techish” - and he’s a person who is super stoked to talk about new products in development.

Joel managed a bike shop in Wisconsin from 1994-1998 and as things go in this kind of business he ended helping Len Cabaltera (the original Hayes guy) with development of the Hayes Mag brake back in 1996.

“Len would come into my shop and ask for design and feature feedback on the prototypes. We had no idea what it would lead to. He hired me straight out of College in 1998 and I started in tech, hand bleeding brakes and answering phones.”

Joel moved around the company a few times before landing in his current position as the brake Product Manager.

Our conversation started out with a bit of small talk, chatting about the usual challenges riders have with disc brakes and set-up. It’s during conversations like these that new ideas are introduced and Joel and I actually came up with a few good ones - perhaps you may even see one or two in the near future, you never know. Anyhow getting into it, we talked a bit about technology and key product characteristics Hayes will carry forward and improve upon and even touched on some of the new stuff under development.

Above: a Hayes design that never went into production but got some serious consideration. Back in 2002 Hayes came up with a two piece rotor for Shimano’s centerlock hub design.

One of the most exciting new products at Hayes this year is the Prime braking system. Prime is the name of the eventual replacement for the Stroker brake line-up and the Prime Pro and Expert take all that is great about the Stroker - forged calipers, compact master cylinder design, and tool free reach adjustment - and make it even better. Prime brakes feature a new caliper design that can withstand a set of bigger pistons and allow you to change up the pads without removing the caliper thanks to a top-loading design. The new brakes also throw in a floating two-piece rotor for the icing on the cake.

The new Prime master cylinder design was put under heavy scrutiny during the design phase. Keeping the basic Stroker design, Hayes tilted the cylinder 10 degrees to maximize finger positioning and changed up the master cylinder internals to allow for easy position adjustments and pad placement. As if that weren’t enough, Prime brakes features a new hose design that minimizes expansion and improves feel while sporting a plethora of exotic materials to reduce weight - now that’s Prime!

A good bit of motorsports technology was put into the Prime brake design. These brakes will outperform all of the present systems that Hayes produces thanks in part to the largest pistons they have ever produced @ 26mm. Many hundreds of hours were needed to develop a brake that would feel consistent under the tremendous forces generated in the caliper. Early in the product development Hayes decided that the calipers needed to be forged to achieve performance expectations (just like the previous model Strokers).

Hayes takes product testing very seriously and one of the tools they use is a Dynamometer capable of testing real world situations such as high speed/high input and wet conditions, shock, and vibration, while monitoring hydraulic pressure, force, speed, torque and temperature. After the dyno test, Hayes slaps the brakes on real bikes rigged with data capturing tools for actual testing on the dirt.

Here’s more from my conversation with Joel.

So when can we expect the Prime for sale to the public?
Everything is pointing to a June 2010 release date.

How powerful is the Prime and where does it fit in the line-up?
It surpasses the power of the Stroker Ace 4 piston brake by 23% on average.

There are two versions here, are we going to see another model or two in the future?
You bet, we are investigating the possibilities for a carbon version.

Are you planning on matching the finish on the brakes to other components produced by Hayes group of companies?
Maybe you can find the ANSWER.

I noticed there are no weights listed yet, any clue as to how light these units will be?
You’re looking at about 385 grams for the Pro and approximately 415 grams for the Expert, give or take a few grams.

On the new Prime brakes I noticed Hayes is going with a two-piece rotor. How long has that been in the making? I recall there were rumors that you were thinking about that…
Back in 2002 there was consideration and work on a two-piece rotor but for various reasons it never made production.

Along with Prime, what other things are changed up for 2010?
The Stroker Gram now comes in all white with a white brake hose. The Stroker Ace has a revision on the friction material making it easier to burnish the brake pads while the caliper and brake lever now come in black. We also started selling the Stroker Ace tool kit as well as the Feel’r gauge to set up your brakes. In 2010 the familiar HAYES logo is back on our brakes as well.

Well folks, stay tuned for a product review or two of the new 2010 Hayes brake offerings. I’m not sure about you but I’m stoked to give the new Prime brakes a run for their money!

Hayes Company History

1972 – Schwinn 200E Series bicycle disc brake
1993 – Production of DiaCompe Speed Check Disk Brake
1997 – HFX Mag
1999 - Cable Actuated Hydraulic
2000 - Redesigned flip-flop Mag MC 2 piece clamp, G1 Caliper 74mm post mount
2001 - HMX-1 Mechanical
2002 - HFX-Comp, HML Mechanical Levers
2003 - HFX Mag Plus, HFX Nine MC, G2 Caliper
2004 - HFX Nine Carbon, MX-1 Mechanical, MX-2 Mechanical, Wave Rotors
2005 - El Camino, Sole, , BFL Levers, V-Series 6 & 8″ Rotors
2006 - MX 3, V7(180mm) Rotor, SRL Lever
2007 - Stroker Trail / Ryde, Stroker Carbon/ V9 (224mm) rotor
2008 - Stroker Ace / Stroker Gram/ V5 (140mm) rotor
2010 - Now the PRIME

Hayes firsts

• Flip/Flop universal lever design with 2-piece clamp master cylinder body

• Three layer hose construction

• Tool-free brake pad change

• Magnesium master cylinder bodies

• Bladder/cartridge master cylinder design

• Ball socket caliper pistons

• Flip/Flop radial master cylinder

Hayes industry standards

• 74 mm post mount calipers with slotted mount feet

• 203 mm rotor size

• 10 mm quick release hub rotor offset

• 15 mm 20mm thru and rear hub rotor offset

• .070” thick rotors

• Forward arcing rotor splines for thermal capabilities and strength

• T25 low profile disc screws

Mountain Bike Crime Report: Doped Up Tires & Stolen Goods

trek7k — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 15:21:45 +0000

photos: CBP

Man tries to smuggle marijuana across border in bike tires

Yep, that headline just about sums it up but here are some more details (the Examiner said it was a mountain bike but clearly we’re looking at BMX tires here). Apparently the guy managed to stuff two and a half pounds of marijuana into his tire tubes before attempting to ride across the border at Tijuana. Officers noticed some “abnormalities” with the tire and drug dogs alerted them to the cache.

Next time we recommend a 29er mountain bike (fits more drugs) and perhaps a tubeless arrangement (not as bulky). Also, consider stuffing the drugs into the bike frame itself - dogs are less likely to smell it and the X-ray won’t detect a thing.

Stolen bike recovered using Craigslist sleuthing

We’re sure this happens a lot but it’s a good lesson for those who have high-end mountain bikes stolen. A guy in San Luis Obispo had two mountain bikes stolen - a $4,000 Specialized SX and a $2,000 Specialized P.3 - so he started trolling Craiglist to see if the bikes turned up for sale. Sure enough, the SX was posted on Craigslist for just $1,000 and after attempting to arrange a sting himself (the seller got suspicious), he turned it over to the cops and they got his bike back.

The other lesson here is that if an online bike deal seems too good to be true, it’s probably a stolen bike. If you buy a bike that is later identified as stolen, not only will you have to give it back but you’ll also be out the money you paid to the thief. Double ouch. Tackling the stolen bike market involves attacking both the supply and demand side - don’t be a demander (or supplier for that matter).

Mountain Biker Pushing Back on Bike Ban

trek7k — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 16:10:20 +0000

photo: ANNIKA ENDERBORG, Manly Daily.

Here’s an example of what not to do if you want increased mountain bike trail access: get quoted in the local paper saying you’ll continue to ride trails closed to bikes. As if that’s not enough, get a photo of yourself inserted in the article so officials can ID you on the trail. That’s just what Australian Aaron Dunford has done and we’re anxious to see the results.

I suppose things are a bit different down under but here in the US, Dunford would probably be attacked by hikers first then cited for trespassing by local law enforcement. IMBA would issue a press release saying Dunford doesn’t represent mountain bikers everywhere (if they haven’t already) while going into major damage control mode. And this guy appears to work for a bike company!

We’re all for trail advocacy and standing up for our rights as mountain bikers but honestly there are a million better ways to do so. Gandhi demonstrated the power of the “sit -in” so why not organize mountain bikers to suit up and take a seat on the trail one weekend? Demonstrating the number of mountain bikers who want trail access while playing by the rules works more often than you might think…

Look Quartz Pedal Reviewed

element22 — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 21:01:45 +0000

Here’s a bit of bike pedal history for you: back in 1983, Jean Bernard & Michel Mercier patented the Look clipless pedal, the first commercially successful pedal of its type. Three years later, in 1986, the pedals were actually introduced to the consumer market (Hinnault won the TDF on a set of prototype pedals in 1985). Look continues to produce cutting edge designs and for the MTB market, they offer the Quartz pedal in three different configurations. I recently had a chance to test the entry level Quartz pedal that features a chromoly axle and fiberglass reinforced polyamide body.

The Look Quartz pedals weigh 280 grams for the pair which, when compared to similarly priced pedals ($95-$150), are fairly lightweight. The shape of the impact resistant polyamide body has been honed to eliminate unnecessary material while maximizing mud shedding capabilities. One of the hallmarks of great design is simplicity and clearly Look has been refining and perfecting their pedal designs over many years. Case in point: the 2009 model Quartz pedal sports an improved spring wire design that makes entry and release even smoother that the previous year’s model. Each set of Quartz pedals comes with 15º and 20º cleats and all the necessary hardware.

Installing the pedals was a snap. You can use an 8mm allen wrench or even better, a torque wrench set to 40Nm to get the pedals set in the crank arms perfectly. Remember, bike pedals are threaded LH (counter clockwise) and RH handed threads (clockwise).

When installing the Quartz pedal cleats you’ll need to set the correct cleat height using the included shims. It too me about half an hour to set the cleats properly and I had to take the cleats off more than once to get things right (follow the printed or online installation instructions). After finding the right height for my Shimano shoes (about a 1.5mm shim stack) I added a touch of grease to the bolts and torqued them to 5 Nm. By following the instructions I got perfect engagement and a clean, crisp, and quick click in. I also found the Quartz pedals produced the right amount of float and zero drag on the feet when trying to engage or disengage.

On the trails the Look Quartz worked really well and I can honestly say these were some of the best clipless pedals I have tested so far. You know a set of pedals is pretty amazing when you don’t have to look down during an entire ride; the Quartz proved to be just that type of pedal. Placing my foot on the pedal greeted me with a positive click every time and I never once worried if I was indeed clipped in or not. On or off the saddle I felt very comfortable and the little bit of angular float (3ºdegrees) kept my legs feeling fine without any knee strain. When I wanted out it was a simple twist and they instantly released without any hang up. Even with the nasty Canadian weather this time of year, these pedals didn’t clog with frozen slushy mud or the tacky underlay.

Overall I am very satisfied with these pedals. The only draw back I can find is that you can’t increase the spring tension. Although my feet never popped out during testing, I could also see the need to re-shim the cleats as the soles of my shoes wear down a bit. I’ll continue using these pedals over the next few more months and will give you all a heads up if I run into any issues. But for now, all is good.

Look Quartz pedals are available in two additional configurations, each featuring an injection molded carbon body. The Quartz Carbon Ti ($420 MSRP) features a titanium axle and a single pedal weighs just 120g.

The Look Quartz pedals a great set of lightweight pedals for the money. I would not hesitate to recommend these since they definitely give some of the other brands a run for their money. As with any high quality bike gear, make sure you follow the installation instructions to get the best experience possible.

Specs from Look

Polyamide and fiberglass body
Steel axle
1 Cartridge / 1 Needle bearing
1 Lip seal / 1 Bearing seal
± 3º Degree Angular play
± 1,5mm Lateral play
318 grams with cleats and bolts
1 Pair of 15º play , 1 Pair of 20º play cleats, along with shims.

Thanks to the folks at Look for providing the Quartz pedals for review.

Ice Biking with Mountain Bikes

trek7k — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 16:34:34 +0000

photo by Nicole Goodhue Boyd, WickedLocal.com.

I feel like this is something we’ve written about before but a recent article about ice biking got us thinking about this extreme form of MTB once again. Last week the Ipswich (MA) Chronicle wrote about members of the New England Mountain Bike Patrol who are into “ice biking” and the article goes into a good amount of detail about the studded bike tires the guys use to ride on slippery ice. Unfortunately the article didn’t shed much light on why mountain bikers would want to go ice biking - it is, after all, just riding on a flat, frozen pond - so we decided to do some research of our own.

Our friend Steven Regenold (the GearJunkie) wrote a great piece back in 2007 describing the competitive side of ice biking. An oval course is marked out on a frozen surface and riders race hard through the straights while slowing to hold their line through the turns. With the Olympics in full swing, the whole thing sorta reminds me of short track speed skating where the ability to stay upright is just as important as being fast. Now that I think about it, why isn’t ice biking part of the Winter Olympics?

While ice biking is mostly akin to short track MTB racing, we’re thinking there should be room for an icy dirt-jump equivalent as well. Just think: jumps and banked turns built from compacted snow, tabletops glazed with an icy crust, and landing zones filled with soft, fluffy snow. The Kona White Style event is basically an icy/snowy DH/DJ course built using snow cats and bulldozers but a fun course could just as easily be constructed using friends and a few shovels.

Riding on frozen trails is yet another form of ice biking but in our experience, it’s mostly just an exercise in frustration (plus in some cases it can be bad for the trails). The great thing about ice biking on ponds is there’s a consistent surface for studded tires to bite into and riders get to create their own courses. Safety is key when biking on frozen ponds and it really only makes sense in the far northern US and Canada. Just this year two teenagers in our area died after walking out onto a frozen pond and falling through the ice so don’t try this at home unless you’re absolutely certain the surface is safe.

Mountain bikers are an industrious bunch and cold/freezing weather can’t stop us from riding our bikes. Give us extreme conditions and we’ll always find a new way to ride!

Sneak Peek: 2010 WTB Products

Bob_the_Builder — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 15:16:36 +0000

WTB has come out swinging in 2010 with a new and much improved product line for downhill bikes. Three items in particular stand out as products with excellent value: WTB Laserdisc DH Wheels, Dissent tires and Aviator saddle.

LaserDisc DH Wheels

WTB designed the LaserDisc DH Wheelset for downhill racers and performance-minded riders looking to shed weight off their bike without compromising strength. These wheels weigh in at 2195 grams, putting them in the same class as the 2010 Mavic Deemax UST wheel set, which weigh 2160 grams. As WTB’s burliest wheel set, they also promise to be strong. The LaserDisc DH is built from 34mm wide LaserDisc DH rims, 32 double butted WTB spokes, brass nipples and WTB Super Duty hubs. MSRP is $830 for the set, about $250 less than Mavic Deemax UST’s.

First Impression

So far these wheels are holding up very well. After numerous days at the local indoor bike park, Joyride 150, the LaserDisc DH wheels are spinning true and problem free. Unless you already own high-end DH wheels, the LaserDisc DH’s will make your downhill bike faster. The low weight allows them to accelerate quickly and the high quality cartridge bearings roll easily to help you maintain speed. These wheels are also very stiff and I haven’t felt noticeable flex yet. They look decent and have a pleasantly quiet freehub. Stay tuned for a full review of the LaserDisc DH wheels in the spring. I’m excited to see how these wheels perform on the local DH trails as well as at big resorts.

Dissent 2.5 Tires

WTB claims to have vastly improved the Dissent 2.5 for 2010. In 2009, many riders complained that the Dissent 2.5 was great in dry conditions but terrible in the wet. Too many center knobs caused the tire to clog with mud while the spacing between center and side knobs was too narrow for aggressive cornering. WTB responded by releasing the Dissent 2.3, designed and tweaked on the World Cup circuit by Fabien Barel and the Subaru/Mondraker team. The Dissent 2.3 featured more space between the center knobs for increased braking power and a wider channel between the center and side knobs to improve cornering, especially in wet and loose conditions. The Dissent 2.3 turned out to be a very popular tire in 2009 because, unlike the old 2.5, it excelled in conditions ranging from dry to wet and hardpack to loose.

For 2010, WTB has applied lessons learned with the Dissent 2.3 to the wider 2.5 version. This means there is even more space between knobs, which increases braking and cornering traction in all conditions and solve the problems that plagued the 2009 Dissent 2.5. The 2010 Dissent 2.5 features 50a soft compound rubber and a nylon insert called “inner peace” that helps reduce flats. The tire also comes in 2 sidewall thicknesses - DH and Race. The DH tire is designed to hold up to shuttle runs and park days while the lighter, race version is design for all-mountain and freeride applications. The DH version costs $60 while the Race version costs $50, which is average for a performance DH tire. Fabian Barel and the Subaru/Mondraker team will be using the 2.3 and 2.5 versions of the Dissent on the World Cup circuit in 2010.

First Impression

I installed the Dissent 2.5 tires on my LaserDisc DH wheels and set off to Joyride 150 for a couple impressive test laps. The Dissent 2.5’s roll very well for soft compound downhill tires and have great cornering and braking bite on wood surfaces. The low rolling resistance will be great on Eastern DH racetracks where pedaling and speed are key components in making the podium.

The Dissent 2.5’s are a tight fit on most rims and can cause some difficulties. I was able to mount the tire fine but getting the bead seated was difficult. After lubricating the bead with soapy water and inflating the tire to 40psi I was able to get the tire seated properly.

The Dissent 2.5’s are wide, high profile tires. This allows you to run slightly lower pressures than other tires without increasing the probability of a flat. At 1379 grams this is an average weight DH tire. Stay tuned for a full review in the spring - I’m stoked to see how these tires will perform on the rough, wet downhills we have here on the East Coast!

Aviator Saddle

New for 2010, the Aviator is WTB’s premier DH saddle. The WTB Aviator is covered by the same material that Carhartt uses for their jeans so it resists tearing and stains. The circumference of the saddle is covered by a rubber strip, offering more grip and abrasion resistant corners. The oversized 8mm chromoly rails resist bending and the comfort zone cut-out, soft padding, and flex-tuned shell make it suitable for long days in the saddle. The Aviator weighs 315 grams, about average for a normal saddle and lightweight for a DH saddle. MSRP is $80, about right for a high-end DH saddle. I’ve already spent quite a lot of time on this saddle and I have written a full review, which can be found here.

The Verdict

WTB offers some excellent DH products at very competitive prices and weights for 2010. The LaserDisc DH wheels are race-light and have been sturdy so far; the Dissent 2.5 tires promise to be a great set of tires and the Aviator Saddle is very tough, good looking, and light. I think we’ll be seeing a lot more WTB products on DH bikes this year!

Thanks to WTB for providing the LaserDisc DH Wheels, Dissent 2.5 Tires and Aviator Saddle for review