Best of the New

Aaron Gwin had a completely stealth Trek Session built up for Worlds. There are lots of cool things going on with his bike but those don't matter. This is one sick looking bike in all black with chrome decals. I love how the bike looks like a stealth fighter with its sharp angles.

First up, something we have saw earlier in the year, but is new for 2013. The Specialized Status II. A serious DH bike for much less than the competitions. I have talked to many riders here on the rocky east coast and they say they replaced their Demo with this because this bike is faster through the woods and tight sections due to the higher bottom bracket. 

Steve Peat was throwing out the steeze hard with his 20th Anniversayr World Champs kit. That bike was so cherry and every part was done up in some sort of Union Jack print or color. Even the chainguide was anodized blue.

Now on to the products. Sorry to digress.

Steve Peat was throwing out the steeze hard with his 20th Anniversayr World Champs kit. That bike was so cherry and every part was done up in some sort of Union Jack print or color. Even the chainguide was anodized blue.

Now on to the products. Sorry to digress.

Aaron Gwin had a completely stealth Trek Session built up for Worlds. There are lots of cool things going on with his bike but those don't matter. This is one sick looking bike in all black with chrome decals. I love how the bike looks like a stealth fighter with its sharp angles.

First up, something we have saw earlier in the year, but is new for 2013. The Specialized Status II. A serious DH bike for much less than the competitions. I have talked to many riders here on the rocky east coast and they say they replaced their Demo with this because this bike is faster through the woods and tight sections due to the higher bottom bracket. 

First up, something we have saw earlier in the year, but is new for 2013. The Specialized Status II. A serious DH bike for much less than the competitions. I have talked to many riders here on the rocky east coast and they say they replaced their Demo with this because this bike is faster through the woods and tight sections due to the higher bottom bracket. 

There have been a ton of new products dropping with EuroBike and InterBike happening and the season wrapping up with some riders on shiny new equipment. Here are my favorites.

New pumptrack in Germantown, Maryland

I am one lucky guy! MORE (Mid Atlantic Off Road Enthusiasts) has just worked with the Montgomery County Parks and Rec to get a pumptrack up and running.

Thanks to all the volunteers who put countless hours in to dial this thing in. The features are big and the shaping must have taken a lot of sweat equity. It was all worth it as many people have been keen on it and it has really brought together a lot of riders that wouldn't have had it not been there. I really hope this is just the beginning for public supported bike facilitates in the name of recreation and getting more people on bikes.

The design for the track (on the next page) was done by Lee McCormack , of www.leelikesbikes.com, whom I interviewed awhile back. He did a great job on this as I can tell you from hours of personal experience riding this thing that there are tons of lines to keep you having fun and challenging yourself.

Read on for a helmet cam video of the track!

Bolivia shredding with Megavalanche uber champion Rene Wildhaber

I don't think there is anyone I am more jealous of on a  regular basis than Rene Wildhaber. He is always starring in some of the most epic backcountry and high altitude shots. I'm all about big descents and this guy bags them all on his super slick Trek all mountain bike.

Check out the photos and video of his most recent trip to Bolivia.

Steve Smith throwing it down

The ever stylish Steve Smith throwing it down at the 2010 US Open at Diablo.

 

Danny Hart gettin' loose!

Photo Courtesy of Ian MacLennan

Dumonde Tech

I am what you would call a “bike geek” and my geekiness extends to all parts of the bicycle realm: new parts, gear ratios, going crazy about saving 1 ounce and also lubrication. It seems that most bicycle lubes do the trick for a single ride but few, however, do a great job all around. To me, keeping the bike quiet for 2 hours is just the beginning. A lube should also aid your shifting and keep your drivetrain fresher and if it keeps things clean, even better.

The Future of Shifting? Interbike 2010 Post #2

As I navigate my way through all the (mostly boring, non inventive) bright and shiny things that are at Interbike this year, I have found quite a few interesting examples of the passion and drive for progression in this industry. However, I had yet to be astounded by anything until I ran across this 16 pound "auto shifting" titanium hardtail custom built by Fairwheel Bikes out of Tucson, AZ.

Hit the jump to see more on this machine....

F1 Painted Intense M9s: Interbike Post #1

I didn't go to Interbike, but I will present a few of my favorites from the convention, handpicked just for your viewing pleasure.

The Intense M9 is already a dead sexy downhill bike, but when done up in these F1 schemes the bike looks unreal. I wish these were stock but unfortunately, they are one offs. Check out the color matching on these. Nowadays, most stock color matching is just too much, but these are just right in my mind. They look so fast.

Mountain Bike Fitness

As much as we would all love to ride our bikes all day, every day it simply doesn’t happen for 99.99% of us. If we could ride that much, it would wear our bodies out and we’d get burnt out anyhow. However, when you miss riding for a few days or a week you come back and your legs suddenly don’t work, your lungs won’t hold air and any rhythm you might once have had is gone.


One combat for this is to increase your fitness routine off the bike so when you do ride, you’re in hammer-time form. Yes, it still takes time, but without having to deal with traffic to get to the trails you can commit to doing something physical everyday. Since I am not one to waste time doing something strenuous if it doesn’t work, I have scoured the internet for mountain bike specific fitness regiments and exercises to find out what is the best use of the little time each of us have.

Hit the jump to read on...

Yeti WC Racers Shred Moab and Fruita

I went to Moab last winter for the first time and had a blast. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to ride Porcupine Rim since it was winter and there is snow at that elevation in January. Other than that, most trails were accessible and while it was chilly, it was nothing compared to real winter riding. The best part is that I was the ONLY one on the trial.

This video has me stoked to go back and these guys make it look so fun. Pardon me if the video is old news to you, but I love it. It follows Aaron gwin and Joey Schusler shredding the big landscape in Moab and Fruita (which I hear is the real mecca).

Quick Tech Tip: Brake Rotor Thickness

All disc brake rotors are the same thickness of 2 mm. Essentially, this means that all brands of rotors are interchangeable for given diameter.

However, since each company designs their brakes as a system, there may be variances in performance for using another brand's rotor. I have had no issues using Avid rotors with Shimano brakes.

Has anyone tried any combinations that have or have not worked? I would love to find something that decreases the noiseness of my Avid Exlixirs (especially when wet).

Superstar Components

"High Spec Parts for Peanuts"

In my recent search for the lightest weight flat pedals for the money, (I will post that scientific research in the near future) I stumbled upon Superstar Components. Based in Great Britain, Superstar Components says it is a high quality, discount parts retailer that buys directly from factories and sells direct to market.

Prices can be a bit confusing since they are in British Pounds but as of 3:33 PM on 9/23/10, just multiply by 1.5694 and there's your price in USD. The best news is that shipping is cheaper than for most US based retailers. It is a flat rate only 5 Pounds for shipments to the States, 2.50 within Europe and FREE within the UK. Wheels and other large items are excluded and you need to email them for those rates.

Click the jump to see the rest!

Matt Hunter has it good

 What a life this guy has! Taking on 5000 feet is probably an everyday thing for Hunter. The end is super sweet and how I wish I could end every ride.

Dumonde Tech bicycle lubricant

I am what you would call a “bike geek” and my geekiness extends to all parts of the bicycle realm: new parts, gear ratios, going crazy about saving 1 ounce and also lubrication. It seems that most bicycle lubes do the trick for a single ride but few, however, do a great job all around. To me, keeping the bike quiet for 2 hours is just the beginning. A lube should also aid your shifting and keep your drivetrain fresher and if it keeps things clean, even better.

One brand I found out about for the first time last year is Dumonde Tech. They began in 1985 producing clutch oil for Road Racing Karts and have had a hand in many different types of racing but now also produce three different bicycle lubricants. The only thing they make is lubricant, so I trust their judgment.


Click the jump to see the rest!

Lee McCormack Likes Bikes

Lee McCormack likes bikes! His website, http://www.leelikesbikes.com/ is an awesome resource for any mountain biker interested in getting faster, being more comfortable and having more fun with the sport. He breaks down rookie mistakes and explains secrets of the pros in order to get you riding better. I have been a huge fan for a few years and I wanted to get some stuff out of him that I hadn't read before. Here are my questions and his responses

In addition to his site, Lee has written numerous books and runs clinics for dozens of riders every years. I think given a few days with Lee, I'd be pinned all the time. (cough, cough) However, I think any investment into Lee's expertise will have anyone riding better in no time.

C- What is the number one mistake most riders are making and what can they do to correct it?

L- They are too far forward or back.

Find your pedals. Heavy feet. Light hands! 

Click the jump to see the rest!