Bicycle Industry Insider Profile: Jeff Jones
Aside from bicycles, of course, the main reason I choose to continue my futile search for fortune in the bicycle industry is because of the people I know and meet. There’s no shortage of extremely smart and passionate people who are insanely interesting, individualistic personalities. Sure it’s cool to be around famous athletes from time ...
Dirt Rag & Bicycle Times Hiring for Online Editor Position
After nearly 14 years of involvement with Dirt Rag, and now Bicycle Times, yours truly is going to see if the grass is truly greener…though I’m not sure how much grass grows in the desert. As such, Dirt Rag and Bicycle Times are hiring an online editor. Here’s your chance to dig in the Dirt. ...
Stuff I like: Ergon Grips
Sometimes you just wanna tell people about something good without getting into a full review-test-deadline-drama scenario. I have been running Ergons GP1 grips on one of my mountain bikes, on a bike here and there, but I have not gone to the trouble of putting them on all my bikes for whatever reason. But when ...
2011 Pivot Mach 4
Pivot is one of those companies that’s never happy simply resting on their laurels. Like many companies in our industry, they thrive by moving forward, continually developing new product and refining their existing models. That said, it comes as no surprise that Pivot has been awfully busy over the past year… Many of you may ...
Stuff Preview: Vaude Bike Alpin Air 30+5 Waterpack
In an effort to give you some insight into the products we plan to send through our rigorous testing process here at Dirt Rag, we’ve come up with the Stuff Preview series. We’ll regularly present one product that is currently in the hands of one of our testing staff. We’ll post a photo of the ...
Dirt Rag #151 GoTo 50
Justin had a good time with the Commencal Supreme and Supreme DH.Here is his introductory blog: http://www.dirtragmag.com/blogarific/under-test-commencal-supreme/ And here is his blog about his first racing experience with the DH: http://www.dirtragmag.com/blogarific/massanutten-yee-ha-ges-1/
Dirt Rag #151 GoTo 53
Here is a link to Justin’s full story on the Pivot Phoenix DH, including a lot of photos and some ride impressions:http://www.dirtragmag.com/blogarific/new-pivot-phoenix-dh-race-bike/ Despite being revealed at the same press camp as the Phoenix DH, Justin was under strict orders not to reveal the details of the new Mach 4 until later in June. Here’s his ...
PressCamp 2010: Park City, UT Part One
What do you get when you combine marketing types from 27 bike-related companies with journos representing 39 titles at the luxurious Deer Valley resort in Park City, UT? You get the bicycle industry schmooze-fest know as PressCamp 2010.
Trek 2011 Product Launch-Chatel, France
Trek recently hosted their 2011 mountain bike product launch in beautiful Châtel, France. A gaggle of print and web journalists, along with yours truly, had the opportunity to ride refined and revised versions of Trek’s Fuel Ex, Remedy, as well as Coil and Air versions of the Scratch. The setting for this press camp simply ...
Bicycle Industry Insider Profile: Scott Gibson
Aside from bicycles, of course, the main reason I choose to continue my futile search for fortune in the bicycle industry is because of the people I know and meet. There’s no shortage of extremely smart and passionate people who are insanely interesting, individualistic personalities. Sure it’s cool to be around famous athletes from time ...
Norco Product Launch
Norco released their 2011 product line this month to an eager group of MTB press wonks and Norco dealers in North Vancouver, BC. It was the perfect setting for Norco to announce the integration of Advanced Ride Technology (A.R.T.) suspension design in select models for 2011. Our hotel was no more than 30 minutes away ...
PressCamp 2010: Park City, UT Part Two
For the background on PressCamp 2010, please click over to Part One of this series. In this second installment, I’ll pick up where I left off and walk you through more of the good stuff that I learned about at camp.
New Dirt Rag Merch
Attention website readers! Say hello to Dirt Rag Magazine’s latest additions to our riding apparel and favorite beverage container. Our classical, yet classy, jersey approaches riding in subtle style – basic black with a cream band and a clean Dirt Rag logo on the chest and sleeves. Smooth as slick rock with an edge like ...
Bicycle Industry Insider Profile: Matt Johnson
Aside from bicycles, of course, the main reason I choose to continue my futile search for fortune in the bicycle industry is because of the people I know and meet. There’s no shortage of extremely smart and passionate people who are insanely interesting, individualistic personalities. Sure it’s cool to be around famous athletes from time ...
Save the Date! Philadelphia Bicycle Expo October 30-31 2010
The northeast United States has long been in need of a consumer bike show, but that will soon be remedied with Bilenky Cycle Works teaming up with the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia to bring all manner of cyclists together under the roof of the 23rd St. Armory in downtown Philly. Attendees will have plenty ...
People For Bikes. Sign the Pledge.
It’s not hard, people. A few keystrokes, and a few clicks of the mouse, and you’ll help turn up the volume on a movement that aims to “unite a million voices to improve the future of biking.” “The goal of peopleforbikes.org is to gather a million names of support, to speak with one powerful voice—to ...
Product Launch: GT – Les Deux Alpes, France
This past July, I had the opportunity to attend the GT press camp, in the breathtaking mountains of Les Duex Alpes—a small ski resort town in the Isère départment of the French Alps where the northern and southern Alps meet. The area is part of the Serre Chevalier mountain range in the heart of the Oisans region.
Come and Gone Review
In 1986, Joe Parkin was a fresh-faced American teenager with a bike, a spare set of wheels, and a dream of becoming a pro cyclist. While his peers were cutting their teeth on the US circuit, he flew to Belgium and embarked on a hard-fought European cycling career built on blood, sweat, and countless Kermis ...
2010 Mountain Bike Hall Of Fame Inductees
The names of the 2010 Mountain Bike Hall of Fame inductees have just been released. The Folks selected for the class of 2010 are; Alan Bonds, Jim Wannamaker, John Ker, and “The Fro Riders”, Brett Tippie, Richey Schley, and Wade Simmons. Alan Bonds, an integral part of the early Marin County fat-tire scene and former roommate of ...
TrekWorld 2011
TrekWorld is an annual event that Trek hosts for their dealers and sales reps. Over several days, inside the Madison, WI Convention Center and at Trek HQ in nearby Waterloo, the company provides educational seminars, displays their complete lineup, and offers demo rides. I was among a small group of journalists that Trek invited to experience TrekWorld 2011 in early August.
Shimano XTR Media Camp, Part One: Dyna-Sys 10-speed.
Lucky me. Yours truly recently attended a Shimano XTR press camp high in the Sierra Buttes of California. The plan? One day of riding the Downieville Classic DH course, and another “XC” day around the Lakes Basin area.
UCI Mountain Bike World Cup Finals, USA Takes On The World (Party)
This coming weekend the best riders and biggest international trade teams in the world are coming to Windham, NY to compete in the UCI World Cup Finals! This is a landmark event, as the Mountain Bike World Cup makes its return the US for the first time in five years. The fanfare, competition level and ...
How to Pack and Ship Your Bike
Anyone who has taken a cycling vacation is faced with the decision of whether to ship their own bike or to rent one at their destination. After taking many mountain bike vacations, we have come to the conclusion that is always better to ship your own bike for any vacation of five days or more. ...
SF Bike Expo 2010
Don’t you know?It’s the place to goWhere a bike show will explodeNear the San Francisco Bay if I may be so boldCalled the SF Bike ExpoIn November it’s summerIt will not be a bummerIt takes place on the 6thAnd will be really sick!(That’s HELLA sick, in Bay-speak)Cyclists of all stylesWill come for a whileCheck out ...
Mid-Atlantic Cyclocross series will have equal payouts for top women
Women racing in the The Champion System Mid-Atlantic Cyclocross series will take home the same cash prizes as their male counterparts this season, according to Series Director Mike Hebe.
A win in the Elite category must now pay $494 at the series’ nine UCI-sanctioned races. At the series’ two non-UCI races, the top payout of $250 will be supplemented to achieve parody with the Elite Men.
34th Annual Pearl Pass Tour to Aspen
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Back in 1976, when a bunch of rowdies from Crested Butte decided to pedal and push their one-speed klunkers over the 12,705-foot Pearl Pass and on into Aspen, they had no idea what they were beginning.
October 2 is Take A Kid Mountain Biking Day
It’s never too early to get ’em rolling in the dirt.
IMBA will celebrate it’s sixth annual Take A Kid Mountain Biking Day on Saturday, October 2 with simultaneous events held around the world.
Why women ride: A survey
Women may make up a fraction of the mountain bike population, but there is no doubt their numbers are growing steadily.
To help understand why women ride, what motivates them and what they’d like to change, Sacred Rides Mountain Bike Adventures, a tour company, interviewed 710 female riders from around the world through their Facebook page.
Some of the key findings from the survey include:
Get there early – Brooklyn Bike Jumble is Sunday
Hope you’ve been saving your pennies all summer.
The Brooklyn Bike Jumble is one of the finest bicycle swap meets in all the land. With a huge selection of road bikes, mountain bikes, accessories, clothing, gear and who knows what else, you’re sure to find some early Christmas presents for yourself.
Now THAT is a bike pile
It’s meaning may be open to interpretation, but there is little doubt that the 65-foot, 10,000-pound obelisk recently erected in Santa Rosa, Calif., is an impressive sight.
Created by Petaluma, Calif., artist Mark Grieve and his partner Ilana Spector, the piece towers over Santa Rosa Avenue, surrounded by car dealerships and body-shops.
Surly unveils new models, tweaks lineup
You don’t have to wait for Interbike to see the new stuff from everyone’s favorite grumpy bike company, Surly.
First up is an all-new model: the Troll. Designed as a commuter/adventure-tourer/do-it-all kind of bike. It’s got the same geometry as a 1×1 and has a 100mm suspension-corrected fork. The dropouts are horizontal with a derailleur hanger, and feature mounts designed specifically for the Trailer. (The what? Read below) Looks like a very cool commute-crushing machine. Frameset: $495.
New Dirt Rag Merch
Dirt Rag has been working hard to keep our merchandise fresh and relevant and we’d like
to introduce a few new products.
For the gravity beast in your blood check out the Dirt Rag Downhill Jersey. It’s made for
us by Nema from Coolmax, and is cut big to be worn over body armor. It is also slightly
stretchy to keep your gravity-fueled movements free. It features our Dirt Rag logo set into
the checkered flag and splashed with speed. Available in size M-XXL.
Dirt Rag announces more issues for Bicycle Times, adds two new editors
Responding to requests from readership and advertisers, Bicycle Times magazine will increase frequency to six issues for 2011, up from the previous two years as a quarterly. “Good gracious, we’ve seen tremendous growth in readership,” says Publisher Maurice Tierney, “and we’re ready to meet the demand for more issues in 2011.”
Vegas van road trip 2010
The van is on its way to Interbike. Follow along with the fun here.
Day 1
Day 2
Interbike 2010 Day 1
Dirt Rag was on the scene at the first Demo Day at Interbike 2010 in Bootleg Canyon, Nevada. Here’s what we managed to get our grubby little mitts on.
Interbike 2010 Day 2
More bikes and beers, sun and sand from Day 2 of the Interbike Outdoor Demo Day.
Be sure to check out our gallery from today with even more cool bikes and accessories.
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Riders share their favorite bike at Demo Day
What was your favorite bike you rode at the Outdoor Demo?
As the second and final day of Outdoor Demo drew to a close we thought it would be interesting to see what participants thought about the shiny new 2011 rigs they rode. Well, shiny and new before being subjected to two days of abuse at the hands of bikers riding unfamiliar bikes on unfamiliar trails. In case you are not familiar with the trails at Bootleg Canyon, think kitty litter over hardpack, and every rock is sharp and ill tempered.
Interbike 2010 Day 3
The all-new Ellsworth Evolve
Bikes and beers get together at Marin County Biketoberfest
Marin County California is widely considered the birthplace of the mountain bike, and Biketoberfest is its premiere bike event of the year.
Adam Craig’s Giant Anthem X stolen at Interbike
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It happens every year, but it’s a sad story each time: bikes that vanish during Interbike. This time though, it was no production model, it was Adam Craig’s Giant Anthem X Advanced SL.
Mounted to the wall in the Fox Racing booth, the bike was discovered missing when the staff arrived Friday morning and the police were notified.
VIDEO: Thunder Mountain Trail ride
By Justin Steiner
Jeff Lockwood: The Dirt Rag roast
Editor’s note: Jeff Lockwood worked at Dirt Rag for longer than he’d probably like to admit. Now he’s off to Arizona as marketing director for Pivot Cycles and BH. We wish him the best of luck in his new ventures, but we were’t going to let him off the hook quite so easily….
Smell You Later, Lockwood
By Karl Rosengarth
Road rage incident? What not to do
Dear pedestrians,
While we respect your support for our safety while out riding bikes, please do not feel it is your responsibility to use your pet’s waste as a weapon. After all, you could have gotten some of the poop on us.
Sincerely,
Dirt Rag
From the Washington Post:
Interbike will stay in Vegas for 2 more years
After Interbike organizers announced the bicycle industry’s largest tradeshow would be moving to Anaheim, Calif., the reaction from exhibitors and retailers alike was a collective groan.
But the industry can rest easy now that the show has reconsidered. The 2011 show will take place September 12-16 in Las Vegas.
"The announcement that we were moving the show dates and location elicited a very real response that surveys and discussions alone couldn’t accomplish," said Andy Tompkins, Interbike show director.
Ironcross 2010: Reliving the (painful) memories
A long ride to Larry’s Tavern
By Josh Patterson
Along for the (Oregon Handmade Builder) Ride
Tony Pereria and his hand-made city bike.
Touring the builders’ shops at the Oregon Handmade Bicyce Show
By Philip Williamson
[Excerpted from Bike Tinker.]
Dirt Rag and Bicycle Times are hiring
Dirt Rag and Bicycle Times magazines are seeking a motivated Art Director to help communicate the message of a passionate international cycling community. The Art Director will be in charge of the layout of the magazines and related materials, and will help to evolve and enhance the look and feel of the magazines. This is an in-house position at our Pittsburgh office, relocation is required.
Watch SSCXWC live on the internet
Cool news for all you cyclocross (and Golden Speedo) fans. The Single Speed Cyclocross World Championships in Seattle will be aired live on the internet beginning at 3:30 p.m. local time on Sunday, Oct. 24.
Here’s the details from organizers MFG Cyclocross:
Race Across the Sky to appear in 500+ theaters on Nov. 4
If you weren’t able to make it to Colorado for the 2010 Leadville 100, now you can experience it through the lens and on the big screen as a special screening will take place on November 4 in select theaters nationwide.
The 2010 edition features footage and interviews of the record-breaking win by professional racer Levi Leipheimer, famous blind adventurer Eric Weihenmayer who rode the race on a tandem and Mountain Bike Hall of Famer and six-time Leadville Trail 100 champion Dave Wiens.
We’re on our way to the Philly Bike Expo
Our bags are packed, the van is loaded and we’re making the cross-state venture to the Philadelphia Bicycle Exposition this Saturday and Sunday, October 30-31.
Events include riding demos, a best-mechanic contest, a swap meet, a fashion show, product demonstrations and, of course, a Halloween party. Both days will also be packed with seminars ranging from bike maintenance to yoga.
Stuff I like: Exposure Lights
By Maurice Tierney
Stuff I like: Biketoberfest Marin
I love a good consumer bike show. Getting the industry and consumers in the same place at the same time doesn’t happen often enough, but it’s usually great when it does. With some West Coast bike-biz peeps plus all the new, old and future readers of our magazines, where else would I want to be?
Biketoberfest Marin had this and more: Good friends in town from Pittsburgh, a ride with my sensei Charlie Kelly, music and my favorite four-letter beverage of choice, BEER!
Industry Insider profile: Jeff Lockwood of Pivot Cycles and BH
The Industry Insider series is a peek behind the scenes at the men and women of the cycling industry who deserve a little time in the spotlight. This week we profile our good friend Jeff Lockwood.
Hometown?
Hazleton, Pennsylvania
Current location?
I’m in kind of a weird, lonely and transient place between: Antwerp, Belgium; Wayne, Pennsylvania; and Tempe, Arizona.
What do you do for/with/to bicycles?
The park giveth, and the park taketh away
Bouncing around on a mountain bike tends to cause things to be flung away from one’s person; sometimes the loser is you, sometimes it’s another unfortunate rider. In the course of 15 years of riding my local park, certain objects have been lost to me, and certain others have appeared in my path. There’s a lot of the usual stuff like water bottles and reflectors (especially in the first few yards of a technical section), but there’s also more valuable items, and some that are downright strange.
Route for 2011 BC Bike Race announced
The fifth running of the epic BC Bike Race through British Columbia will visit new places and include even more amazing singletrack.
The 2011 route will include a stop at the small town of Campbell River on Northern Vancouver Island on day two. The stage will start and finish on the waterfront with amazing views.
2010 Singlespeed World Championships: We were there
Ray’s MTB Milwaukee indoor mountain bike park grand opening delayed
We got word today that the latest indoor mountain bike park from Ray’s will not be opening this weekend as scheduled. Despite a furious pace to construction, it couldn’t be completed in time to secure the needed permits from the city. But have no fear, it will open so, and it will be awesome, we have been assured.
Titus now in the hands of former lender, not yet dissolved, but future uncertain
As many readers may have heard, things are not looking good for Titus Bikes.
The company has been taken over by its primary lender, Factors Southwest, who is now shopping for a new buyer, Bicycle Retailer and Industry News is reporting. Factors Southwest says it is not expecting to break up the company or sell of its assets.
Retailers were notified last week that all remaining stock would be liquidated, but that has not yet happened and most are still waiting for news.
Help support land access in the North East
The New England Mountain Bike Association is locked in a heated battle over plans to improve riding in the Fells, an urban park just outside of Boston.
The state agency managing the Fells has proposed a Trails Plan that, among other things, would provide for more bicycling opportunities, but the Sierra Club, Audubon and others are lobbying heavily to prevent any improvement for cycling.
IMBA spotlights advocacy hotspots
The International Mountain Bike Association has developed a new series of web pages to organize and highlight advocacy efforts across the country. Part of IMBA’s Public Lands Initiative, the web resources are just one component of a comprehensive effort to provide enhanced tools and staff support for critical hotspots where mountain bike access is at risk.
The pages provide a format for posting comments, contacting IMBA staff and sharing links to other web resources, IMBA says.
Welcome guest columnist Sal Ruibal
Editor’s note: Sal Ruibal covered endurance sports for USA Today for more than 20 years, including more Olympic Games, Tours de France and other sports than he’s probably like to admit. In 2007 he was inducted into the Mountain Bike Hall of Fame for his coverage of a sport that had previously been considered too far outside the mainstream.
Bid on your dream bike for charity
Can a bicycle change someone’s life? Crankbrothers and Performance Bike think so. They’ve teamed up with Wheels4Life to auction off some top-of-the-line, custom-built bikes with 100 percent of the proceeds going to put bicycles in the hands of those who need them.
Trials, for the rest of us.
It’s a safe bet that every time Danny MacAskill comes out with a new video it’s only a matter of hours before it goes viral, clogging the interweb and your social media feeds. And for good reason, Danny’s got skills.
Dirt Rag visits the SF Bike Expo
By Adam Hunt
2011 Specialized product launch
By Matt Kasprzyk
The Specialized 2011 product launch was at the Keystone resort in Colorado. Leaving the airport and plains behind, the jagged wall of the Continental Divide only hinted at the spectacular views and riding to come. This year’s setting was a couple hours west of Denver at enough altitude to make many experienced riders crumble.
Magicshine light batteries recalled
After we gave them a fairly glowing (hehe) review in Issue 152, we were a bit dissapointed to hear that the Magicshine light batteries have been recalled.Their main US distributor, GeoManGear.com, has issued a satement on its web site that their use should be discontinued immediately.
Ride bikes, fight cancer Friday
Who do you ride for?
This weekend you can ride for 5-year-old Tyler Blick at the seventh annual Le Tour de Tryptophan, a 24-hour mountain bike ride (not race) in Fullerton, Calif.
Thanks for the trails
By Sal Ruibal
I’ve been getting lots of emails and calls from my mountain-biking friends this week, looking to ride my neighborhood trails.
I’m lucky to live in an area that’s just outside the Washington DC Beltway, but also rich in singletrack. And not just any singletrack, but sweet-flowing, banked and bermed vintage IMBA Grand Cru that makes up in smiles what it lacks in miles.
When I first began riding here in 1994, there were two kinds of trails; sidewalks and bushwhacked ruts with shin-bashing rocks and ankle-deep mud bogs.
The beauty of the bicycle
By Adam Newman
Last week I heard about a new project from Renissance Bicycles in North Carolina, The Bicycle As Art, a blog highlighting user-contributed artwork and cultural artifacts inspired by bicycles.
Planet X aquires Titus brand in auction
Planet X, a U.K. Internet-based bicycle manufacturer and retailer, aquired Titus and its assets last week in an auction by its former major lender, Factors Southwest.
The brand’s future was uncertain after it could no longer keep up with loan payments. Planet X won the bidding after two rounds of auctioning.
Planet X sells bikes under its own brand and its mountain bike brand On One.
No word yet on if the Titus name will live on.
Neither rain, nor sleet, nor snow…
By Sal Ruibal
I love to ride in the rain, snow …
I’m really sorry I wasn’t able to ride the Punk Enduro this past weekend, but don’t think I’m afraid to ride in a little Pittsburgh precipitation.
I love to ride in the rain so much that I wrote a song about that passion. When the skies open up and the cold, stinging water splashes my face, I sing my song loud and proud in defiance of the weather.
Two words: Recumbent downhill
Does this mean the socks/sandals/beard look will be replaced with flat-brimmed hats and big shades?
Access Action: Michaux’s Grave Ridge
In the Access column of Issue 151, we interviewed Ashley Korenblat, Director of IMBA’s Public Lands Initiative. She spoke about the ways in which mountain bikers can work with land preservation advocates, and why Wilderness designations, even though they ban mountain biking, are not always a bad thing for mountain bikers in general. In this issue, we have an example of the other end of the land use spectrum, resource extraction, and how it can impact mountain biking.
Ikea gives all 12,000+ employees a bike
Sounds like a cool holiday gift to us. Ikea announced last week that all 12,400 of its U.S. employees would recieve a new bike courtesy of the Sweedish furniture retailer.
The company’s self-congradulatory press release cites all the benefits of cycling as its reasons for the gift, including excercise and sustainability. Certainly two great causes a company would like to be associated with. Though Ikea hasn’t always played nice with the cycling community.
Industry Insider profile: Gregg Bagni
Gregg Bagni
Hometown: Boulder, CO and Lake Geneva, WI
Current location: Trapped on planet earth
What do you do for/with/to bicycles?
Access Alert: Legislation threatens trails
Epic Trail threatened in West Virginia
From Kyle Lawrence of the Shenandoah Valley Bicycle Coalition:
Ray’s Milwaukee indoor park now open
The opening has been delayed indefinetly for the past few weeks, but it looks like they’re ready to open their doors to 2011.
Keep checking back here for updates or visit their site.
In For Test: Jamis Commuter 4
Shortly after receiving Jamis’ Commuter 4 for review the weather around these parts turned awfully cold and snowy. In fact, I had to swap out the brand new stock tires for some knobbies due to snowy roads on my mayden voyage. Not only that, but temps droppd down to 12-15 degrees Farenheight, which made for quite a frozen beard by the time I made it into work.
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Airborne visits, shows us new models
The good folks at Airborne Bicycles stopped by at Dirt Rag HQ this week to show off their revamped model lineup for Spring 2011.
Freeriding in the Gobi Desert
Freeride Entertainment, an action and extreme sports filmmaking company, is taking freeriding back to its roots with Where the Trail Ends, a feature film based on natural terrain riding in international locations.
The project started deep in the Gobi Desert this year with riders Darren Berrecloth, Kurt Sorge, and James Doerfling. Freeride is keeping quiet about the other locations, but you can use your imagination…
Indy Fab moving to New Hampshire
Custom bike builder Independent Fabrications, a long-time Massachusets icon, has announced it will move its operations to New Hampshire in the coming months.
Its new facility is a 200-year-old mill in Newmarket, N.H., about an hour north of Boston. The space will allow the company to include a showroom and a fitting area, said IF President Gary Smith in a press release.
Mavic visits Dirt Rag HQ
We’re getting spoiled here at Dirt Rag Headquarters! Two companies in as many weeks have stopped by to show us their wares. Sorry you couldn’t make it, but we’re going to share what we saw with you.
Today it was Zack from Mavic who stopped by, bringing an assortment of Mavic’s wheels, shoes and clothing for show and tell. If you’ve somehow been living under a rock or on Mars, you should know Mavic has been building wheels and other cycling parts in France for more than 100 years.
Dirt Bag Remedy for Cold Hands
Maybe I have poor circulation, but cold hands are something I’ve always struggled with during winter riding. No matter what gloves I’m wearing, my hands end up cold when the temperature dips below about 15º. Sure, I could buy some lobster-claw-style gloves or mittens, but I don’t like the idea of having to use more than one finger to brake.
Dirt Bag Remedy for Cold Hands
Maybe I have poor circulation, but cold hands are something I’ve always struggled with during winter riding. No matter what gloves I’m wearing, my hands end up cold when the temperature dips below about 15º. Sure, I could buy some lobster-claw-style gloves or mittens, but I don’t like the idea of having to use more than one finger to brake.
Would we be safer without helmets?
There is no doubt Mikael Colville-Andersen is pro-bicycling. A filmmaker and photographer, he is also the head of Copenhagenize Consulting, a firm that advocates for taming urban spaces, and publisher of a popular blog by the same name.
Winner, Winner Frozen Dinner!
Yeah, I know, it’s never too cold to ride your bike. Harden the core up, and stop the whining, right? But I’m a man with a different plan.
When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. And when Ma Nature dumps piles of white stuff, grab the XC skis and go with the flow in the snow. Kick and glide—now that’s what talkin’ ’bout.
My local singletrack offers stellar XC skiing terrain, whenever the snow is too deep for mountain biking.
Industry Insider profile: Dan Powell
Dan Powell
Hometown?
Born in Detroit, Michigan. But I grew up in Lansing and went to college in Marquette, so really I consider the entire state of Michigan my hometown. Michigan is America’s high-five you know.
Current location?
Portland, Oregon.
What do you do for/with/to bicycles?
Industry Insider profile: Dan Powell
Dan Powell
Hometown?
Born in Detroit, Michigan. But I grew up in Lansing and went to college in Marquette, so really I consider the entire state of Michigan my hometown. Michigan is America’s high-five you know.
Current location?
Portland, Oregon.
What do you do for/with/to bicycles?
New qualifying series for Leadville 100
If you’ve tried and failed to get a lottery entry spot in the Leadville Trail 100 mountain bike race before, now you can race your way in. AEG, operator of the Amgen Tour of California, and Life Time Fitness have partnered to create a qualfiying race series for entries into Leadville.
The three 2011 qualifying events will be held in June and July in California, Colorado and the Northeast. In 2012 and 2013 additional races will be added in Texas, the Southwest, Midwest, Southeast, and one more in California.
Cold Weather Riding: Keep Yer Pants On
By Justin Steiner
One can be wonderful
Editor’s note: Chances are, you’ve noticed a growing number of unicyclists out on the trails. Think your singlespeed is simple? Try one gear AND one wheel. Dave Krack of Butler Wobble sent us this piece with some tips for trying it yourself. His advice: It’s not as hard as it looks!
Mountain bike injuries down 56 percent
via Bicycle Retailer and Industry News
A new study conducted by researchers at the Center for Injury Research and Policy of The Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital found the number of mountain bike-related injuries decreased 56 percent over the 14-year study period (1994 to 2007), going from a high of more than 23,000 injuries in 1995 to just over 10,000 injuries in 2007.
Ride the Divide on tour
"The world’s toughest bike race isn’t in France."
That’s the tag line for Ride the Divide, a feature-length documentary about the 2008 Tour Divide race, a 2,700-mile haul along the Continental Divide. The race begins every summer in Banff, Alberta, to the New Mexico-Mexico border. There is no outside support allowed, there are no prizes and there is nearly 200,000-feet of climbing.
Industry Insider profile: Steve Garro
This episode of the Industry Insider profile series features Steve Garro, the man behind Coconino Cycles.
Hometown?
Tuba City, AZ. {for reals}
Current location?
Flagstaff, AZ
What do you do for/with/to bicycles?
Industry Insider profile: Steve Garro
This episode of the Industry Insider profile series features Steve Garro, the man behind Coconino Cycles.
Hometown?
Tuba City, AZ. {for reals}
Current location?
Flagstaff, AZ
What do you do for/with/to bicycles?
Access Action: CO Roadless Project
by Nat and Rachael Lopes
Cold Weather Gear… For Dogs?
By Shannon Mominee
It’s hard to keep sane through the winter with the short amount of daylight hours, below average temperatures, and an activity level that wants to dip to near hibernation. I probably would sleep straight through January and February if I didn’t feel guilty about not taking my dog, Roman, to the trails for exercise.
Thawing out from Frostbike
Frostbike is Quality Bicycle Products annual in-house tradeshow. If you’re not familiar with Quality Bicycle Products—known as QBP by bicycle shop employees the world over—you’ve certainly had dealings with them via your local bike shop. QBP bills itself as "the shop behind America’s shops" they supply small parts, service items, and even complete bicycles to over 5,000 shops in North America. Frostbike is a chance to get the scoop on what you’ll be seeing in your local bike shop in the year to come.
Thawing out from Frostbike
Frostbike is Quality Bicycle Products annual in-house tradeshow. If you’re not familiar with Quality Bicycle Products—known as QBP by bicycle shop employees the world over—you’ve certainly had dealings with them via your local bike shop. QBP bills itself as "the shop behind America’s shops" they supply small parts, service items, and even complete bicycles to over 5,000 shops in North America. Frostbike is a chance to get the scoop on what you’ll be seeing in your local bike shop in the year to come.
New products from Shimano for 2012
We’ve just gotten some new product updates here at Dirt Rag HQ from Shimano for 2012. Some of it is completely new and some is trickle-down technology from higher spec components. Anyway you slice it, it looks cool to us. Here’s what we can share with you:
SLX group: SLX brakes receive many of the updates that show up for Deore XT. With Servo-Wave, Ice Technologies brake pads, oversized 22mm ceramic pistons, and the one-way bleed integrated into the new design. The brake lever mounts are also Ispec compatible for reduced system weight and simplicity.
New products from Shimano for 2012
We’ve just gotten some new product updates here at Dirt Rag HQ from Shimano for 2012. Some of it is completely new and some is trickle-down technology from higher spec components. Anyway you slice it, it looks cool to us. Here’s what we can share with you:
SLX group: SLX brakes receive many of the updates that show up for Deore XT. With Servo-Wave, Ice Technologies brake pads, oversized 22mm ceramic pistons, and the one-way bleed integrated into the new design. The brake lever mounts are also Ispec compatible for reduced system weight and simplicity.
Industry Insider profile: Paul Sadoff
The Industry Insider Series is our look behind the curtain at the folks who keep the bicycle industry rolling. This interview features Paul Sadoff, who has been building custom bicycles under the Rock Lobster brand for more than 30 years.
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Hometown?
Los Angeles, Calif.
We’re at the National Bike Summit
The National Bike Summit, held this week in Washington D.C., is a gathering of voices from the bicycle industry, advocacy groups and concerned citizens to make their case to Congress for making "strategic transportation invenstments that foster healthy people and healthy communities."
Readers Write: Let us be sick
Editor’s note: Readers Write is a collection of essays and fiction written by readers. Have something you’d like to submit? Send it [email protected].
by Jim Murren
The Mountain Bikers Liberation Front (MTBLF) says to the bosses of the world, “there are days in this life that the trail calls us in such a way that we are not able to resist.” We do not say that out loud to them, but rather we say, “I am sick and will not be in to work today.”
Behind the scene at NAHBS
Taking it over the top in 2011
One of the most rewarding things about shooting bikes and builders at NAHBS is having a couple of minutes away from the bustle of the show floor to chat with individuals behind the bikes. The builders seem to appreciate a brief respite from the constant barrage of questions and talking points—it’s nice to see everyone relax just a bit and take a deep breath.
We’re at the Seattle Bike Expo
We’re sending our "West Coast" office up to Seattle this weekend to visit the Seattle Bike Expo. Held at the Smith Cove Cruise Terminal, it promises a whole weekend worth of cool stuff with more than 250 exhibitors scheduled to appear.
Highlights include appearances by racer Axel Merckx, satirical cycling blogger BikeSnobNYC, stunt rider Ryan Leech and bicycle fashion show.
NAHBS Spotlight: Retrotec
Curtis Inglis loves curves. On bikes that is. His retro-inspired road and mountain bikes blend modern materials and design with vintage looks. He builds bikes under both the Retrotec and Inglis labels.
Listen to our interview with Inglis discussing his work with the widget below.
NAHBS Spotlight: Retrotec
Curtis Inglis loves curves. On bikes that is. His retro-inspired road and mountain bikes blend modern materials and design with vintage looks. He builds bikes under both the Retrotec and Inglis labels.
Listen to our interview with Inglis discussing his work with the widget below.
NAHBS Spotlight: Watson Cycles
Andrew Watson of Watson Cycles is a young builder from Connecticut who brought this snowman to the show. It puts big feet on the ground with 3.7” Surly tires and luggage racks, but unlike many bikes with those features, it isn’t merely a pack mule. Andrew calls it “my utilitarian utility bike,” but it’s pure mountain bike too, with modest chainstays, derailleur drivetrain, and plenty of standover height.
Listen to Andrew go over some more of the details in our interview.
Banks close the books on Race Face
The rumors you’ve been hearing are true. Race Face is out of production and likely to be liquidated. A reciever took over the company’s assets from its bank, and in a letter to Race Face employees dated March 14 the reciever, Grant Thornton Limited, announced that it was terminating all Race Face employees at its New Westminster factory, and at its operations in Taiwan.
Win an entry to the BC Bike Race
If you’ve been thinking about making the trek to British Columbia for the 2011 BC Bike race, here’s a chance to win one of two free entries, courtesy of Kazimirski Law Corporation. The Kazlaw Community Foundation is providing two spots at BC Bike Race the race people who make mountain biking happen in their community.
Merlin sold to Competitive Cyclist
Online retailer Competitive Cyclist is best known for selling, but in this case it was doing the buying, having purchased Merlin Bikes from American Bicycle Group.
Merlin has been a pioneer in the development of titanium frames since 1986 and will reach a broader audience through the new venture. Currently the Merlin web site simply features a logo with he words "Brand rebirth underway".
Readers Write: Love what you ride
Editor’s note: Readers Write is a showcase of essays and stories from readers just like you who want to share their experience. If you have something you’d like us to consider publishing, please send it to [email protected].
by W. K. Medlen, Huntsville Alabama
NAHBS Spotlight: Groovy Cycleworks
Rody Walter of Groovy Cycleworks built this 650b mountain bike for an old-school rider who wanted a modern interpretation of his vintage ride. Listen to Walter tell the story of its creation with the widget below.
Dirt Rag Spring Break 2011
We traveled to Western North Carolina this past weekend to visit two more companies for our Made in America series and naturally, get some riding done.
Giant unveils new XTC Composite 29er
Following last year’s successful launch of the Anthem X 29er full-suspension XC bike, Giant is introducing an all-new 29er bike for competitive XC racing and riding: the XtC Composite 29er.
First Impression – Giant Anthem X 29er 2
By Karl Rosengarth
It’s about time.
Giant finally mated their proven Maestro suspension design with big wheels. Viola! Giant gives birth to the Anthem X 29er lineup in model year 2011.
This bouncing baby boy sports 100mm of front/rear travel, thanks to a Fox F29 RL fork with QR15 thru-axle up front, and a Fox Float RP2 rear shock (coupled to Giant’s Maestro rear suspension).
New from Santa Cruz: the Blur TRc
By Karen Brooks
The venerable brand from NorCal introduced three new bike models earlier this week, and I was one of the lucky stiffs who got to check them out on the kickass trails on and around Gooseberry Mesa in southern Utah. Santa Cruz really knows how to impress: not with slideshows of graphs, but with lots of time on singletrack.
New from Santa Cruz: Highball, Tallboy
Note: You can read about Santa Cruz’s other new offering, the Blur Carbon here.
(L to R: Santa Cruz staff Josh, Nick, Ariel, some fellow journalists, and Mike, giving his "serious face")
By Karen Brooks
Continental unveils new wheelie tire
Tire-maker Continental unveiled a range of new products this week, including an industry-first: a tire designed specifically for making riding wheelies easier.
With the same shape as some of their traditional off-road treads, the tire is 300 grams lighter and has a special "springy" rubber compound that will allow you to lift the front end more easily and keep it lofted.
NAHBS Spotlight: KirkLee
It’s easy to think of carbon fiber bikes as mass produced plastic, but Brad Cason of KirkLee begs to differ. His brand’s own t-shirts asks: "Who says carbon has no soul?" Listen to Cason talk about their creation with the widget below.
Brain fart: Here’s to good friends
There a gremlins out in them ‘thar hills.
By Stephen Haynes
A few weeks back my riding buddies and I got together at our regular trails to do a little early spring riding. It was just cold enough to still be considered cold, but not cold enough to consider doing something else.
Michelin rolls out redesigned tires
By Eric McKeegan
So recently I headed down to Birmingham, Alabama, for the Michelin Press Camp. I don’t know much about the state, and I’m pretty sure the last time I was there involved old vans, good-cop/bad-cop routines and a drug-sniffing dog. I’m a few years and a few haircuts removed from then, which is a good thing, since the fancy pants golf resort we stayed in might have thrown a younger me out. Anyway, other than one presentation, our time at the resort was mostly spent eating, drinking and sleeping, a fine thing since I don’t know a nine iron from a polo mallet.
Packing for the Sea Otter Classic
We’re heading west for the Sea Otter Classic in Monterey, California, this week.
Owners close Galbrith trail network
By Adam Newman
The Bellingham Herald is reporting that the owner of more than 3,000 acres on Galbraith Mountain near Bellingham, Washington, is ending the recreation use agreement with a local mountain bike organization and will close the trails.
Framebuilders flock to sunny San Diego
By Jeff Thrasher
Framebuilders flock to sunny San Diego
By Jeff Thrasher
Sea Otter Tech: Fox Racing Shox
Old-school meets new-school at Fox Racing Shox and their booth featured a fully equipped arcade. The Pac-Man game these guys are playing is probably older than the players!
We spied this prototype titanium crown at Interbike 2010. For 2012 Fox will offer an investment-cast, one-piece titanium steerer and crown option on their highest-end 26-inch 32 series forks. Weights reportedly start at 2.9lbs. with an uncut steerer.
Sea Otter Tech: Shimano
Shimano continues to improve its 10-speed mountain drivetrains with trickle-down technologies from the top-level XTR group to the XT and SLX groups.
At the top, the new Shimano XTR Shadow Plus rear derailleur features a selectable pivot for the pulley cage (the small gold lever) that increases spring tension to minimize chain slap, which should also result in fewer dropped chains, when pedaling through rough terrain. Flipping the lever down reduces spring tension to the standard rate to make wheel removal easier.
Sea Otter Tech: Schwabe tires
It can be intimidating trying to match tires to terrain. New from Schwalbe in 2011 is the Hans Dampf—when loosely translated from German it means jack-of-all-trades—is designed to have good all-around performance and predictable cornering characteristics and will seal on some tubeless setups without sealant. Initially the Hans Dampf is only available in a 26×2.35, but look for more sizes and a 29er version this fall.
Sea Otter Tech: WTB
At the WTB booth we spied these Speed TCS wheels – the 29-inch All Mountain version. For about $400 you can grab a wheelset capable of more than just smooth cross-country riding. They are tubeless compatible too.
Sea Otter Tech: Magura brakes
Magura was showing off its MT8 brakes – that’s Mission Team for those of you keeping score at home – and it sets the bar for lightweight performance. The whole master cyclinder is made from injection molded carbon fiber. Even the clamp is carbon. The lever is carbon fiber as well. At 53 grams per complete brake lever, it certainly won’t be slowing you down on the race course.
Also available are MT2, MT4 and MT6 versions, all sharing the carbon master cyclinder at different price points.
Sea Otter Tech: POC helmets
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We spied this POC Trebec Race helmet at Interbike and it’s now available to the public. It features in-molded construction for the highest level of protection possible. The shell is optimized with no seams at the most exposed areas and wraps completely around the core. Compared to a traditional bike helmet, it fits more like a skate helmet that completely surrounds your head. There are three sizes and should retail for $179.
Sea Otter Tech: Topeak/Ergon
Topeak
Topeak designs and produces an astoshing array of tools, accessories and equipment, and they’ll be bringing even more to dealers’ shelves this summer.
This waterproof iPhone case has a quick-release mount and will work with many other touch-screen smart phones as well.
Sea Otter Tech: SRAM XO
For the 2012 model year, SRAM’s workhorse XO group will be availble in this silver polished finish.
Sea Otter Tech: Oakley
Oakley plans to drop their new Fast Jacket "sports performance" glasses in May 2011. They come with two sets of lenses and retail for $220 with Iridium lenses, or $280 with photograde or polarized. Several frame/lens options will be offered.
Oakley makes all of their glasses from scratch in their California factory. The lenses start as raw polycarbonate, which Oakley turns into precision optics via injection molding. The frames are made in-house too.
Sea Otter Tech: BMC TrailFox carbon
For 2012 model year BMC is releasing a carbon fiber version of their Trailfox 150mm trail bike. The X0 build will sport a Fox Talas Performance FIT RL 15RQ TS fork, Fox Float Performance RP2 BV rear shock and will be available in July for around $7,000. The XTR version (shown) will come with a Fox Talas Factory Kashima FIT RL 15QR TS fork, Fox Float Factory RP23 BV rear shock, and will hit the trails in September (price TBA). Available in S, M and L frame sizes.
Sea Otter Tech: Redline carbon ‘cross
Redline unveiled their disc-ready 2012 Conquest Carbon cyclocross platform at this year’s Sea Otter. This purpose-built racing frame features 1.5 tapered steerer, BB30 bottom bracket, internal/shift cable routing, and carbon dropouts. The frame is disc brake ready, with post-mounts on the chainstay and fork. The semi-sloping top tube is touted to aid in pickup, yet leaves plenty of room for shouldering. Available in frame/fork for $1,600. Complete bikes come in a Pro build for $2,600 or a Team build for $3,500.
Sea Otte Tech: Hayes/Manitou
We got our first peek at Hayes’ Prime brakes at last year’s Sea Otter, and these new stoppers have finally hit the streets (we just got a set for review, so keep your eyes on our print mag for a full review). The reach adjust knob has detents and is tucked within the design (not exposed on the outside). A stroke-adjust lever allows riders to fine-tune the amount of free-play at the brake lever, for dialing in the feel of the brake. The 26mm diameter pistons are larger than previous Hayes models, for better stopping power.
Chris Currie leaving Speedgoat Cycles
Chris Currie, founder of the bicycle equipment retailer Speedgoat Cycles announced today that he was leaving the brand he began 14 years ago.
In a short note released today, Currie say as of May 1 he would no long have any active stake or operational role in the company, which was aquired by Spire Holdings LLC in 2010.
Sea Otter Tech: RockShox debuts 29er SID
Big-wheel riding weight weenies have long lamented the absence of the SID from RockShox 29er fork line. For 2012 they get their wish. The 29er SID World Cup features 32mm uppers molded into a carbon fiber crown and steerer assembly. It will be available in 80 and 100mm travel options with a traditional 9mm quick release as well as the 15mm Maxle Lite system. Weight is reportedly 1,582g or 3.48lbs.
Sea Otter Tech: Lights, bags, bikes
Light and Motion
The new Solite 150 serves as a helmet-mounted light, as a "miner light" with the provided headstrap or as a flashlight (head unit clips onto battery pack). Runs for 3 hours at 150 lumens (full power) or 6 hours at medium power or 40 hours at flashlight power. Available in May for $180. www.bikelights.com
Whistler opening schedule for May 20
Snow might still be falling in British Columbia, but spring is just around the corner and Whistler Mountain Bike Park is slated to open on Saturday, May 20.
Sea Otter Tech: Specialized Carve
We were snapping pictures of a prototype from another company when Ned Overend rolled by on this new model from Specialized. Dubbed ‘Carve,’ this will be a 29er-only model from Specialized. The Carve will have an M4 aluminum alloy frame, tapered head tube, threaded bottom bracket and a 27.2mm seatpost for added compliance.
Much like Specialized’s full-suspension Camber line, the Carve is targeted at budget-minded riders and will be positioned between the Stumpjumper and Rockhopper lines.
Sea Otter Tech: Ibis Mojo SL-R
By Josh Patterson
After five years of service the Ibis braintrust had wrung all the performance they could out of the very successful Ibis Mojo SL frame. Making the Mojo lighter required Ibis engineers to go back to the drawing board. They used different layups and molds to craft an even lighter 140mm trail bike.
Trek begins carbon recycling program
Trek has instituted a new recycling program at its Waterloo, Wisconson, manufacturing facility for all the scrap carbon fiber created by domestic production. Trek has been building with carbon since 1992.
Discarded trimmings, damaged frames and other parts are collected by Trek and sent to Materials Innovation Technologies, a South Carolina-based company that specializes in recycling carbon fiber.
Though most Trek bicycles are now built overseas, some high-end and prototype production is still handled in its Wisconson hometown.
Update: Galbraith trails to remain open
After a public outcry and thanks to lobbying on the part of trail advocates, the 44 miles of trails outside Bellingham, Washington, will remain open to mountian bikers and hikers as negotiations continue between the land owners, the city, the county and a land trust.
First Impression: BMC Trailfox Carbon
By Shannon Mominee
Over a sunny weekend at Sea Otter I had the opportunity to demo the 2012 BMC Trailfox TF01 Carbon from Swiss manufacturer BMC. Born on the premises that it should operate like a Swiss Army Knife, BMC spared no expenses or technology when creating this full-suspension machine.
Santa Cruz updates Blur XC carbon
Santa Cruz unveiled a trio of new models this month, the Highball, Tallboy and Blur TRc, but they slipped in one major new update at the Sea Otter Classic: a redesigned Blur XC carbon.
Significant changes include a tapered headtube, larger downtube, a lighter frame weight and new paint options.
Enter the Ales and Trails photo contest
The Ales and Trails Festival is May 21 in San Rafael, Calif., and if you make it there, be sure to bring a print out of your favorite cycling photograph to enter in the Dirt Rag Photo Contest.
The winner will be chosen anonymously be attendees and will be published in our Rider’s Eye photo section.
Darcy Turenne on the Norco Vixa
Editor’s note: Freeride superstar Darcy Turenne spoke with us about her impact on the development of the Vixa, which we reviewed in Issue 156. You can learn more about Darcy at her web site, hellodarcy.com.
What specific input did you have in the development of the Vixa?
Video of the Massanutten Yee-Ha!
By Justin Steiner
As a northerner, Yankee if you will, I’m always stoked to head south for bicycle events, ‘cause you know you’ll be treated to some good ol’ Southern hospitality when you get there.
Pretending to be a Badass
By Karen Brooks
This past weekend, a few of us Dirt Rag staffers traveled to Massanutten Resort in Virginia for the Massanutten YEE-HA! downhill race. This is a venerable race with a long history… in fact, the guy that makes it all happen, George Willetts, entertained us with tales from way back of lake jumps, rigid rigs with toeclips (and plenty of broken frames), and insane photos ending up in the Rag.
NAHBS Spotlight: Victoria Cycles
Building lugged steel mountain bikes isn’t easy. The fittings are rarely designed with mountain-friendly angles in mind. But Dave Hill of Victoria Cycles can bend steel to his whim, creating this retro-styled singlespeed mountain bike.
Learn more about Hill and his bikes in our interview with the widget below.
The Road to Trans-Sylvania
By Josh Patterson
This spring I had the privilege of pre-riding what will be the final stage of this year’s Trans-Sylvania Epic course. TSE promoters Mike Kuhn and Ray Adams led us out of the Seven Mountains Boy Scout Campground—which will be our home the weeklong event and where five of the seven stages will start and finish—and into the rock and root infested trails that surround State College, PA.
Vicki Barclay: Thoughts from the LFG
That’s Local Fast Girl to you!
By Vicki Barclay
Sonya Looney: All systems go
By Sonya Looney
Transylvania. When we hear it, we think of Bram Stoker’s classic gothic horror, Dracula. In one month’s time, The Trans-Sylvania Epic will commence. While I don’t think there will be any vampires trying to suck my blood, the course over the week will be trying to suck the life out of me, but I will overcome.
Barry Wicks: Ready for rocks
By Barry Wicks
NAHBS Spotlight: Bicycle Fabrications
Belive it or not, not all builders at NAHBS specialize in road, track and touring bikes. Bicycle Fabrications‘ Hank Matheson builds some of the wildest and craziest downhill mountain bikes we’ve ever seen. Oh, and a pretty beach cruiser for his mom, too.
Listen to our interview with him with the widget below.
Race Face returns with new ownership
A dozen Race Face employees are back at work at their desks this week after the company’s new owner, Chris Tutton, purchased it out of receivership, Bicycle Retailer is reporting. Tutton is currently the director of OE sales at Easton-Bell and is the former vice president of sales at Race Face.
“We purchased everything, the trademarks, intellectual property, buildings, machines, raw material and inventory. We expect to ship Race Face product on Friday,” he said.
Win Stan’s NoTubes wheels at DirtFest!
Stan’s NoTubes will be at the DirtFest demo zone with a whole truckload of wheels for riders to demo. If you’re there, stop by and test ride a set to enter to win a pair of hoops to take home with you. They’ll have wheel sizes and axle types in every common size, so don’t worry about fitting them on your bike.
Finding Art by Bike
By Karl Rosengarth
SRAM ready to file IPO
SRAM could raise as much as $300 million in an intial public offering, according to Bicycle Retailer, after the company filed preliminary paperwork with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The number of shares and the prices have not been determined or disclosed, but it was revealed that the stock ticker would be "SRAM". The rapidly growing company reported net sales of $524.1 million in 2010, and has grown at a rate of about 16 percent annually in the past four years. The company estimates it holds about 15 percent of the $3.5 billion bicycle components market.
Catching up with Chris Scott
By Kyle Lawrence
Whiskey, Bikes and Bottle Rockets
A Scottish adventure with Hans, Peaty and Danny
By Hans Rey and photos by Andy McCandlish
Magura unveils new MT8 brakes
by Karl Rosengarth
Magura invited journalists to Sedona, AZ to try out some of the very first production samples of their all-new MT8 brakes, and to flog their 2012 Thor suspension fork.
Magura shows off 2012 fork lineup
By Karl Rosengarth
Magura offers a wide range of suspension forks with a dizzying array of options, so I’ll focus on some global features and changes that run across their entire 2012 product line. Speaking of lineup, check out the list at the end of Magura’s 2012 fork offerings.
SRAM unveils redesigned XX brakes
Similar to what that other big company that starts with an "S" has done, SRAM has split its top-level XX brake lineup into two parallel systems, one for racing and one for more adventurous "trail" riding.
Here they are side-by-side for a comparison.
Spotted: Disc-brake Specialized Crux
We spied with our little eye this disc-brake equipped prototype Specialized Crux at Sea Otter.
Can’t say we’re really surprised, since disc brakes have been gaining momentum in the cyclocross scene after they were allowed by the UCI for pro-level racing.
Look for a disc brake version of the Crux in showrooms this fall, along with other disc cyclocross bikes following.
Specialized launches green initiative
Specialized has now joined the growing green movement with an Eco-Index initiative that will evaluate their products during design and production, and joining a carbon-fiber recycling program.
Video: Whistler Park opening day
This past weekend Whistler Mountain Bike Park opened for the season, but it wouldn’t have been possible without the hard work of the crews who worked tirelessly to get it ready. Check out this video of how it all came together.
Next up at Whistler, the Crud 2 Mud race on Sunday, May 29. Registration is open now.
29er notches first World Cup win
Well, it was bound to happen eventually. Czech rider Jaroslav Kulhavy stormed to victory in the elite men’s cross country mountain bike World Cup in Dalby, Yorkshire, in the United Kingdom on Sunday, May 22.
First Impression: Pivot Firebird
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By Justin Steiner
How it works
Here at DRHQ bikes boxes are constantly coming and going with some of the latest and greatest—and sometimes not-so-greatest—bicycles currently out on the market. I was personally pretty stoked to see Pivot’s Firebird show up at our door ready for my flogging.
Like Lambs to the Slaughter
By Karen Brooks
Josh, Dirt Rag editor, and I are now at the Seven Mountains Boy Scout Camp, nervously preparing for the start of the Trans-Sylvania Epic. We begin our adventure at three this afternoon with the opening prologue, a time trial of 10 miles. Josh’s wife Jamie is our directeur sportif.
The calm before the storm
It’s not the just racers who get nervous before the start of the Trans-Sylvania Epic. Co-promoter Mike Kuhn has his share of butterflies too.
By Mike Kuhn
The hardest part is just ahead. Lots of volume, lots of intensity, little time for rest. No time to stop. Less sleep. More stress. Go, go GO!
If you think this sounds exactly like the opposite of what athletes are supposed to do to bring about peak performance you’d be right.
A Trip Like S’mores
By Jeremiah Bishop (2010 and 2011 race winner)
The combination is really magic, I think; graham crackers, cheap ass, marshmallows from a run down gas station, some Hersheys bars, and of course fire.
Suppose fire makes a lot of things happen. The human rise to global domination and the improvement upon the cold graham cracker chocomallow sandwich…
Not Dominating, Just Documenting
By Karen Brooks
It’s the fourth day of the Trans-Sylvania Epic – humpday. Some of us have made it this far, but broken frames and broken dreams abound. A stomach virus has been creeping its way through the peloton, taking out contenders like Karen Potter, who was leading the women’s field until it got her. Our own Josh got it on Monday night and couldn’t start Tuesday. So far I seem to be lucky.
First Impression: Airborne Goblin
By Adam Newman
An offering to the forest
By Barry Wicks
Flat tires are starting to really cramp my style. One flat tire can be attributed to many things. Five in three days is a curse. I think I need to go down to the chapel by the river and make peace with the forest nymphs tonight.
Ice cold beer cures all
By Rich Dillen
Brain Fart: Out and about (with kids)
Odin enjoying his favorite outdoor pastime.
By Stephen Haynes
Rebecca Rusch goes to Plan B
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By Five days of the Trans-Sylvania Epic down and two more stages to go. I’m sitting solidly in 5th place in a super strong women’s field. I’m sort of OK with that, sort of not.
NAHBS Spotlght: Alchemy Bicycle Co.
Alchemy Bicycle Company had a short trip to make to the 2011 North American Handmade Bicycle Show in its native Austin, Texas. With no true speciality – except perfect fit – Alchemy can build road, mountain or cross bikes from steel, titanium and carbon fiber.
Listen to master builder James Flatman talk about his bikes with the widget below.
Review: SixSixOne Recon
By Matt Kasprzyk
The Recon is a new in-mold helmet from 661 that caters to a seemingly growing market of mountain bikers hungry for trail protection at an XC weight. The sizing of the S/M I’ve tested seems to be on point with other manufactures and provided almost skate-style coverage of the sides and back.
Vicki Barclay’s most memorable stage
By Vicki Barclay
Brain Fart: This is awesome
I’m terribly late with a lot of web content, and our illustrious web editor is probably rightfully miffed at me. I am sorry and I am not awesome with deadlines.
But you know what is awesome? This is awesome. My four-year-old son, first ride on a bike with pedals. Was it wrong that I wanted to offer him a celebratory beer when we got home?
NiteRider: Same price, twice as bright
NiteRider has been lighting your ride since 1989, and now thanks to the rapidly advancing LED technologies on the market, they’ve been able to effectively double the light output of their lineup for 2012 while keeping prices steady.
At the top of the lineup is the new Pro 3000 LED. Yes, you read that correctly, 3,000 lumens. The six LEDs can be fully programmed by the owner to customize brightness, flashing and settings. Run times range from 90 minutes to 36 hours(!) 812 grams. $699.
First Impression: Jones diamond frame
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By Justin Steiner
Not all that long ago, owning one of Jeff Jones’ bikes was completely out of the question for most of us. Between the high price necessitated by one man lovingly and artfully crafting beautiful titanium bikes out of his garage and the multi-year waiting list, very few lucky individuals were able to experience the Jones philosophy of how a bike should ride.
Knowledge through suffering
The complete women’s field at the Trans-Sylvania Epic. Looney is at far-right.
By Sonya Looney
Transylvania Epic. It ended only 3 days ago. In some ways, it feels like it’s been weeks since I said a heartfelt goodbye to our crew at Boyscout Basecamp and in other ways, I feel the pain like the swollen lump on my leg with every footstep as a reminder of the joy and the suffering.
Summertime at Dirt Rag HQ
By Shannon Mominee
Summertime at DRHQ is a special season around here. Our house/office goes from freezing cold to hot and humid. Stink bugs, ants, spiders and the rest of the insects are in full force. Our resident bird couple make non-stop food runs from their nest built into the brick of the patio, and somewhere around here the black snake is killing vermin that wander on to its territory. At least it hasn’t found its way into the house again.
Yeti’s Chris Conroy on the SB-66
Yeti’s president discusses the new Switch suspension platform and the new SB-66 all-mountain bike
By Josh Patterson
First off, there were rumors and speculation about a new suspension platform being developed but Yeti did a surprisingly good job of keeping things under wraps. How hard is it to keep something like this a secret in this day and age?
Rich Dillen: Back to reality
By Rich Dillen
Trying to put a finger on the horns of my dilemma without getting pricked
We’ve got our hands on 2012 Shimano XT
By Justin Steiner
Shimano’s venerable XT group is turning 30. To celebrate, Shimano has infused the groupo with a host of new technology trickled down from last year’s completely redesigned XTR. We briefly covered the group’s public introduction at Sea Otter, and I’m at Lake Tahoe to put the new group through its paces. Shimano invited a group of us media hacks out to take what may well be the first public rides aboard the 2012 group.
Mavic redesigns Crossmax wheelsets
By Adam Newman
For the past decade or so, Mavic has moved its thinking that bicycle wheels are made from individual components to a philosophy of "wheel systems". Since a change to any piece – hubs, spokes and rim – affects the other, the French manufacturer designs and builds wheels with all the components working together to provide the best ride.
Waking Up, or Going Back to Sleep
(Or, ‘Dicky Stole My Title’)
By Karen Brooks
Josh asked for a “look back” kind of post about the Trans-Sylvania Epic, and I’m glad he did – it’s fun and therapeutic to evaluate such an undertaking after a week’s worth of reflection.
TSE: A learning experience
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Vicki Barclay held on to finish third, that’s her second from the right.
By Vicki Barclay
Riding the 2012 Mavic Crossmax wheels
By Adam Newman
Mavic doesn’t design wheels, they design wheel systems, with each component – hubs, spokes and rims – crafted in conjunction to achieve the ideal ride qualities. The 26-inch Crossmax wheel lineup has been completely redesigned for 2012, with three wheelsets with similar technologies but very different ride characteristics.
A detailed look at new Whisky Parts
Quality Bicycle Products, the bicycle industry’s largest wholesale distributor and parent company of Surly and Salsa bikes, pulled the cover off their new carbon fiber forks and accessories brand, Whisky Parts Co.
In late July they will be offering a complete line of high-performance road, cross and mountain bike forks, with carbon handlebars, seatposts and bottle cages following in the fall.
Under test: Breezer Cloud 9 Pro
By Maurice Tierney
What better way to “Get the Skinny” on a test bike than a ride with it’s creator? Joe Breeze is a legend of mountain biking and we’re fortunate to have an office nearby his home turf of Marin County, Cali-for-nye-aye.
Joe is a super-nice guy and it’s a super-pleasure to take a ride with him on his home turf.
Ventana El Saltamones gets around
By Eric McKeegan
I recently finished the print review of the El Saltamones, and never got around to creating a first impression blog. Maybe it was the difficulty in building it up (took more than six months to get all the parts together), but when I finally got it running I just wanted to ride, not talk about it any more. So how about some photos instead?
Anyway, here it is after a bit of mud at DirtFest.
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Riding the all-new Shimano XT
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By Justin Steiner
Alex Pro booted by sponsors for rioting
Professional mountain biker Alex Prochazka, who goes by the name Alex Pro, seems to have thrown away his career after several photos of him rioting in the aftermath of the Vancouver Canucks’ loss in the Stanley Cup Finals surfaced online.
Life after traumatic brain injury
Editor’s note: In “Brain Sprain” (issue #153) we examined the after-effects of Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) and Post-Concussive Syndrome (PCS) from a medical standpoint. That’s only half the story—Jason Carter shares his first-hand account of living with the effects of severe head trauma.
by Jason Carter
Illustrations by Kako
Opening the Green Mountain Forest
It took years of waiting and countless hours of volunteer work, but the Green Mountain National Forest in Vermont is finally welcoming mountain bike riders.
Cyclone Trail, Waitsfield, Vermont.
By Patrick Kell
Photos by Ryan Thibault courtesy of MTBVT.COM
First Impression: Trek Session 8
By Justin Steiner
Waiting for the Phoenix to rise
By Matt Kaspryk
You ever get really excited about something? Like when you get a little taste of a great new thing and can’t wait to try it again! You know, like what you got from those guys for free that first time. Yeah, a thing like that is what I’m talking about!
Review: Protec Cyphon helmet
By Eric McKeegan
The Protec Cyphon helmet is a crossbreed, combining genes from skate and XC helmets with a hard shell bonded to an EPS foam liner. Make no mistake; at 500g you won’t see this on the head of whatever doper is winning XC races this year, although even on multi-hour rides I never found myself thinking about the extra 250 grams I was carting around on my head, but I was happy for the increased coverage and non-roadie squid looks.
Foundry crafts tough carbon frames
By Adam Newman
Carbon fiber isn’t just for risk-averse racers any more. That’s the ethos behind Foundry Cycles, a new brand specializing in hard-working carbon frames for hard-working riders.
New carbon Niner Jet 9 RDO ride report
The Jet 9 RDO has 100mm of rear suspension travel. Expect the alloy version to follow suit for 2012.
By Josh Patterson
New packs from CamelBak
By Josh Patterson
Charge LR
New shock, fork tuning options from Fox
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By Josh Patterson
Fox is introducing two changes for 2012: one that makes their suspension forks even smoother, and one that makes their shocks more adjustable.
Up front, Fox forks will be using new low friction wiper seals manufactured by SKF. Aftermarket seals are now available to for your fork.
Fox Racing Shox truck and trailer stolen
Drummondville, Canada
SRAM offers DH-specific XO components
Since downhill bikes, especially in racing, are such specialized machines, it’s no surprise that SRAM is now offering a downhill-specific group of components in its race-worthy XO line.
Included is the first carbon-fiber downhill crankset, a chainguide and a downhill-specific rear derailleur, designed for the close-ratio cassettes used in DH and 4-cross.
Prices are equal to those of the standard XO components.
First Impression: Kona CoilAir
By Adam Lipinski
First look at two new 29er trail bikes from Kona
The Satori
Kona said its US sales force was asking for something bigger. Something badder. Something that could handle tough terrain without sacrificing ridabilty.
Vassago Black Label frames now available
Vassago may specialize in making heavy-duty steel mountain bikes, but they wanted to offer their customers something a little bit more refined. Enter Black Label.
GT shows off new models for 2012
By Josh Patterson
The Zaskar 100
The Zaskar 100 is new for 2012 and replaces the Marathon in the GT lineup. GT designed this bike as a race-ready bike for the weekend warrior looking for a performance-oriented ride with that requires a minimum of maintenance.
New all-mountain bikes from Transition, Commencal
Transition Bandit 29
Transition Bikes recently took the wraps off their Bandit 29, an agressive, full-suspension all-mountain bike.
The rear triangle features Transition’s new internchangable dropouts with allow for a 142mm thu-axle or a 135mm quick release. The swingarm moves through 130mm of travel and the tapered headtube is designed around a 140mm fork, most likely the new Fox 34.
Catching up with Thomas ‘Hurl’ Everstone
By Josh Patterson
Ticks suck!
By Gregory A. Cummins, D.O., M.S. American Board Internal Medicine Fellow Candidate, American Academy of Wilderness Medicine
Illustrations by Andy Jones
Cable to hydraulic disc brake adapters ready
Spotted on the Ahrens Bicycles blog: the cable to hydraulic disc brake adapters developed by Ahrens and 324 Labs are now available for pre-order.
Introducing two more 2012 bikes from Kona
Last week we brought you the scoop on two new 29ers from Kona, and today it’s a pair of gravity-oriented sleds, the redesigned Operator and the all-new Entourage.
The Operator
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Prototype shots: Cane Creek Double Barrel Air
By Josh Patterson
Images courtesy of Cane Creek
World Cup racing returns to the US this weekend
By Jay de Jesus
Windham World Cup Day 1 update
By Jay de Jesus
Day 1 training is complete and the intensity is here. DH and XC courses are burning in nicely, both with some new features for this year. A wet spring has created some unique challenges, and the course builders have done an excellent job making a World Cup-worthy venue.
Riding the 2012 Specialized Camber 29
By Shannon Mominee
The Camber 29 is a XC/trail full suspension platform with 110mm of rear travel. It features in-line rear suspension to align the seatstays, shock and top tube with one another, so bump force travels directly to the shock for a supple feel. Because it’s offered with a carbon, M5, or M4 aluminum frame in a variety of parts packages, it covers the widest spectrum in the Specialized line from beginner to expert.
Dirt Rag gets down with park riding
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By Justin Steiner, photos by Adam Newman
It’s official, the Surly Moonlander is real
The rumors have been swirling online for weeks, and today Surly announced it was real: the Moonlander.
A fat bike so fat that it puts the brand’s own Pugsley to shame. Designed to work with Surly’s new 100mm wide rims, new 4.5-inch tires and new offset double crankset, it will surely take you anywhere you want to go.
First look at the 2012 Specialized Stumpjumper
The EVO model has green highlights, the S-Works model has red.
By Shannon Mominee
Windham racing recap
Words by Jay de Jesus
XC Photos by Max Hautaniemi
DH Photos by Jay de Jesus
Saturday – Cross Country
Tom Ritchey’s unique Scott Spark setup
By Josh Patterson
Today was my first day at the Scott Bicycles press camp, in Sun Valley, Idaho. Accompanying our merry band of journalists was none other than Mountain Bike Hall of Fame’er, frame builder, and founder/component designer of Ritchey Designs, Tom Ritchey.
New gear from Specialized
By Shannon Mominee
Autosag
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Riding The World Cup XC Lead-Moto
By Jay de Jesus
Brain Sprain: How to identify head injuries
By David Alden-St.Pierre, MS, PA-C, Illustration by Molly Feuer
You’re on the ground. You’re not sure why. There are a few people standing around you, talking to you, talking about you. Someone keeps asking if you’re okay, but you don’t know how to answer. Why are you on the ground? What happened? Are you hurt?
Where is your bike made?
Bicycle Retailer and Industry News recently put together this map of bike companies’ US headquarters and where their products are made. Obviously not every bike brand has made it onto the map, but it gives you a sense just how much foreign manufacturing is dominating the industry and just how global our economy has become.
Join IMBA for Take A Kid Mountain Biking Day
IMBA has joined forces with the Let’s Move! campaign to get 30,000 kids on mountain bikes on October 1.
More than 20,000 kids participated in coordinated events in 2010 and IMBA hopes the support of First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! campaign will get even more kids on bikes on October 1.
NAHBS Spotlight: Moots Expedition
This adventure touring mountain bike was based off Moots’ popular YBB model. Hear more about it with the widget below.
Specialized unveils full-carbon women’s 29er
By Shannon Mominee
Recognizing the different needs of female riders, Specialized took fit, efficiency and style into consideration while developing their 2012 women’s mountain bike line. Three women-specific 29ers will be offered and one 26”-wheeled bike.
First look: 2012 Scott Spark
By Josh Patterson
The trails surrounding Sun Valley, Idaho are the stuff of legend. Hundreds of miles of singletrack wind up and down the mountainsides. The lung-searing climbs and scorching descents are the perfect terrain to get acquainted with the completely-redesigned 2012 Scott Spark.
Changes for 2012
