Dirtscrolls

Selene Yeager, Kristin Gavin, and Kathleen Harding are part of the dominate Women’s Elite team. Photo by PJFreeman Photography.

Team CF, the rolling brainchild of cystic fibrosis researcher Dr. Jim Wilson is racing into its fourth year with some fresh faces and a new Club Team that is open to the public.

By Eric McKeegan

This fork is a big deal in the 29er world. In the whole scheme of things, it hasn’t taken that long for it to happen. Less than a decade ago there was little more than a handful of 29” tires, a couple of forks, and few frames. Fisher almost gave up on the wheel size due to poor sales. Now we have the Fox 34, a new 34mm chassis fork developed to address the needs of the growing long-travel 29er segment.

Editor’s note: Each year we cover dozens of the most beautiful bikes in the world at the North American Handmade Bicycle Show and other local shows. But what happens to them after the display booths are disassembled and the lights go out? After all, bikes are built to be ridden, not to sit around and look pretty. So we followed up with some of the bikes and builders we’ve covered in the past to see how these works of art are holding up.

Trek has announced a new cross-country mountain bike race team for 2013 dubbed Trek Factory Racing. Forged with Olympic veterans, the team will feature US National Champion Sam Schultz, Canada’s Emily Batty, 23-year-old rising star Annie Last, two-time Olympian Dan McConnell, and U23 podium finisher Rebecca Henderson. Managing the team will be industry veteran Jon Rourke.

BMC, best known for its bikes in the pro road peloton, has signed on to partner with the NoTubes Trans-Sylvania Epic (TSEpic) mountain bike stage race. Presented by Dirt Rag, TSEpic is the fastest growing mountain bike stage race in North America.  

Jaroslav Kulhavy on his way to Olympic gold in London.

Photos by Karen Kefauver.

Santa Cruz county-based Fox Racing Shox returns as title sponsor of the popular event April 13-14, 2013, that includes professional and amateur competitions, skills clinics, a kids’ practice area, bike demos and shuttles, an industry expo, and food court/beer garden.

SRAM’s new XX1 11-speed drivetrain requires a special freehub body to accomodate its massive cassette, and Kore began working on theirs before the system was even launched to the public.

The XX1 freehubs will be available with the 2013 Durox and Torsion hubs in alloy and cro-mo versions and they will be available on XCD-SL, Durox and Mega complete wheelsets. The alloy Durox version weighs 11 grams less than our standard freehub which makes the Durox rear 12/142 hub a very respectable 240g. 

The Blur TRc is perhaps the most versatile and popular model in the Santa Cruz lineup, and as it has with the Tallboy, Highball, and other models, the carbon version has now been followed with an aluminum model.

The Blur TR matches the geometry of its carbon stable-mate with 125mm of travel through Santa Cruz’s patented and popular VPP platform.

Specs include a 68-degree head tube angle, tapered headtube, 142×12 thru axle, and ISCG mounts.

Photos by Jeremy Kershaw.

The Arrowhead 135 returns for its ninth running Monday, January 28, racing 135 miles on foot, bike, or ski across northern Minnesota at "hopefully the coldest time of the year."

With temperatures plunging well below zero, riders usually complete the course in about 24 hours and skiers and walkers taking up to two days.

Kelly Noltensmeier’s Klein Adept features a custom rear triangle, modern components, and yes, 29-inch wheels.

By Adam Newman

When Kelly Noltensmeier decided to take on longer, more endurance-oriented rides and races, his all-mountain bike just wouldn’t do. After borrowing a friend’s 29er he knew the big wheels were the ticket, but rather than purchase a new bike, he eyed his Klein Adept and thought… “why not?”

We love hearing from readers, especially readers who are as passionate about mountain biking as we are. Alexis, 13, of Biddeford, Maine, sent us this poem that beautifully summarizes why we do what we do. Thanks Alexis.

By Justin Steiner

X-Fusion may not have the name recognition of Fox, RockShox, or Marzzochi, but its parent company has been quietly producing suspension components for other brands since 1989. The X-Fusion brand itself was launched in 1999. In recent years, X-Fusion has been making a big push into the market, gaining significant OE spec and recently penning sponsorship deals with both Brian Lopes and Anne-Caroline Chausson.

The 2013 Chihuahuan Desert Bike Fest is back in Lajitas, Texas, February 14-16. After 2012 treated festival-goers to a rare lightning show above the desert, who knows what kind of fireworks will be in store this time. 

The festival will be hosted by the Maverick Ranch RV Park in Lajitas with access to the trails owned by the Lajitas Golf Resort and Spa and Big Bend Ranch State Park.

Film by Adam Nawrot.

The Puppies & Rainbows Ladies Jump Jam at the San Francisco Bike Expo was a skills clinic and practice session that brought the joy of dirt to San Francisco’s Cow Palace. 

By Joh Rathbun. Photos by Shane Mckenzie.

There will be several changes to the 2013 Sub-9 Death March including a brand new host venue for the 3rd edition of the race on March 9. First, the start and finish will take place at the Midwest Trail Ride Horseman’s Camp and Outpost in Norman, Indiana, on the western edge of the Hoosier National Forest. The change in venue opens the doors for more riders to participate as well as adding several new cemeteries to the list of check-points.

Amateur registration for the Whiskey Off-Road endurance mountain bike event opened January 1. Much like Geoff Kabush’s arrival to the finish line in 2012, registration has been rolling in at record pace. With an amateur field limit of 1,850 registrants, Epic Rides suspects the event will reach capacity faster than ever before.

By Karl Rosengarth

Over the years, “reader contributions” have had a major influence on Dirt Rag‘s unique flavor. I thought it would be fun to fire up the Dirt Rag Time Machine and make a trip back to the days when black-and-white reader art graced the pages of The Rag. Jump in and fasten your seat belts. If you have a spare flux capacitor, it wouldn’t hurt to pack it.

Forgive the less-than-pristine quality of some of the following items. Time travel is notoriously rough on paper.

Chewy Aikin, a mechanic at Sedona Bike & Bean, had a great time at the 2012 Whole Enchilada.

By Sarah Rawley

Enduro continues to be the most talked about topic in the industry on both a national and international scale. As racers start planning their schedules for next season, we get to the bottom of the series in the U.S. that has the terrain and the vert to bring Euro-style enduro racing to our own backyard.

The exploding popularity of fat bikes has led the International Mountain Bike Association to put together some "best practices" for fat bike riders when using the bikes on Nordic ski trails, snowmobile trails, or in the backcountry.

Bontrager RXL Waterproof softshell gloves

• MSRP: $70
• Sizes available: X-small to XX-large

Nothing is worse than cold hands on a ride. Well, maybe cold feet, but we’ll get back to that. These lobster-style gloves are designed as the ultimate barrier between your ten digits and the single digits on the thermometer.

By Shannon Mominee

Call it luck, but with 8-12 inches of snow on the ground and a Salsa Beargrease in for test, I was ready to see what the snow bike flurry has been all about. If you’re not familiar with the Beargrease, it’s one of Salsa’s two aluminum fat bikes.

Photo courtesy of Specialized.

Former U23 World Champion, Olympian, and World Cup winner Burry Standar was killed by a taxi while riding in his home country of South Africa today. He was 25 years old. 

The collision occured in Shelly Beach on the Kwazulu-Natal South Coast. Details are under investigation.

By Adam Newman

Profile Racing has been building high-end, race-worthy chromoly and aluminum parts since before BMX hit it big and before mountain bikes were but a glimmer in the Klunkers’ eyes. But it wasn’t bicycle parts that got the wheels turning—company founder Jim Alley opened his first motorsports racing shop in New Jersey in 1968 and a few years later moved his growing brand to Florida.

Join us for a garage sale and swap meet and make some room in the bike room for spring or find that item you’ve been looking for! Head on down to The Wheel Mill, the new indoor bike park being constructed in Pittsburgh, on Saturday, January 26, from Noon to 7 p.m.

The National Interscholastic Cycling Association Awards were established in 2010 to honor student-athletes, coaches, volunteers and partners that have made outstanding contributions toward the development of high school cycling and the national high school mountain biking movement. This year, awards were awarded to 13 individuals in 10 different categories that were selected from a field of more than 222 nominees from NICA Leagues across the

It’s a new year and we’re going kick it off with some exciting news: registration for Dirt Fest 2013 is now open. Sign up online now! 

Once again we’ll be gathering at the Allegrippis Trails at Raystown Lake, Pa., on May 17-19 for three days of riding, partying, eating, live music, bike demos, and more riding.  

By Justin Steiner

By Harlan Price,

2012 is the year when the Enduro race format emerged awkwardly from it’s pre-teens to become a gangly all-limbs adolescent who is ready to crush the world with new-found power. On the East Coast here, where I reside, we went from one enduro in 2011 to a total of 10 official enduros in 2012.

One of the biggest gravel grinder races of the year, the Almanzo 100, will get a big boost January 5 as riders and fans will gather in Minneapolis for a party to offset some of the cost of organizing the race which charges no entry fee. 

Intermedia Arts will host the party from 6-10 p.m. Tickets are just $10 at the door. Expect a family-friendly event for cycling fans from fanatic to casual. 

By Mike Cushionbury. Photos by Dave Joachim.

I quit bike riding. I’d almost suggest you do too. It’s hard. Equipment breaks down. You get cold and wet. You get lost. You fall and get fucked up. Don’t even get me started on racing; it ruins you from the inside out. It sucks

I think I’ve said that every year since 2006 and oops I said it again in 2012, about four times I think. Thankfully I never really mean it and we’re riding big again in 2013. We may even race some.

By Maurice Tierney

By the Dirt Rag staff

This is our first attempt at a holiday gift guide, and, in typical Dirt Rag fashion, we had to do it our way. We’ll share a dirty little secret with you: most magazines’ gift/buyer’s guides are not created based on the recommendations of riders, but by the wants and desires of advertisers.

By the Dirt Rag staff

This is our first attempt at a holiday gift guide, and, in typical Dirt Rag fashion, we had to do it our way. We’ll share a dirty little secret with you: most magazines’ gift/buyer’s guides are not created based on the recommendations of riders, but by the wants and desires of advertisers.

By Stephen Haynes 

By the Dirt Rag staff

This is our first attempt at a holiday gift guide, and, in typical Dirt Rag fashion, we had to do it our way. We’ll share a dirty little secret with you: most magazines’ gift/buyer’s guides are not created based on the recommendations of riders, but by the wants and desires of advertisers.

By the Dirt Rag staff

This is our first attempt at a holiday gift guide, and, in typical Dirt Rag fashion, we had to do it our way. We’ll share a dirty little secret with you: most magazines’ gift/buyer’s guides are not created based on the recommendations of riders, but by the wants and desires of advertisers.

Editor’s note: Today is Keith Bontrager’s birthday, so Happy Birthday Keith! 

By Gary J. Boulanger,

Keith Bontrager’s last name is etched, emblazoned, or cast into thousands of bicycle components and accessories, courtesy of his business relationship with Trek, dating back to 1995. The former motorcycle racer-turned-tuner was a physics major at the University of California-Santa Cruz, and was instrumental in developing mountain bike suspension in the 1980s.

By the Dirt Rag staff

This is our first attempt at a holiday gift guide, and, in typical Dirt Rag fashion, we had to do it our way. We’ll share a dirty little secret with you: most magazines’ gift/buyer’s guides are not created based on the recommendations of riders, but by the wants and desires of advertisers.

Harlan Price

By Mike Cushionbury.

French brand Commencal will be bringing its line back to the US after a several year absence. Best known for its mountain bikes, its line is expanding in to road and commuter bikes as well.

The return is thanks to a new distribution system based in Las Vegas, Nevada, in partnership with JM Gagne, which will allow consumer-direct sales.

Beginning immediately customers can place phone or email orders for 2013 models with an expected January or February delivery. Some 2012 models may be available immediately.

We had heard rumors that the Kona Explosif was going to make a resurection of sorts this year, and I was excited to see they were true when I received the Kona email newsletter today. 

By Karl Rosengarth. Photos by Karl Rosengarth and Adam Newman.

By the Dirt Rag staff

This is our first attempt at a holiday gift guide, and, in typical Dirt Rag fashion, we had to do it our way. We’ll share a dirty little secret with you: most magazines’ gift/buyer’s guides are not created based on the recommendations of riders, but by the wants and desires of advertisers.

By the Dirt Rag staff

This is our first attempt at a holiday gift guide, and, in typical Dirt Rag fashion, we had to do it our way. We’ll share a dirty little secret with you: most magazines’ gift/buyer’s guides are not created based on the recommendations of riders, but by the wants and desires of advertisers.

A 30-mile, point to point race dubbed the Mt. Borah Epic will be a highlight event of the 2013 CAMBA Festival of Trails. CAMBA, short for Chequamegon Area Mountain Bike Association, has developed miles of pristine, smooth single track that the Epic route will pay tribute to.

By the Dirt Rag staff

This is our first attempt at a holiday gift guide, and, in typical Dirt Rag fashion, we had to do it our way. We’ll share a dirty little secret with you: most magazines’ gift/buyer’s guides are not created based on the recommendations of riders, but by the wants and desires of advertisers.