Category: Cycling

Interbike 2011: KVA Stainless Inc. MS2 Tubing

The ultra-light, very strong, MS2/Exogrid tubing in a frame by Dean (Photo: Dean Titanium Bicycles)

“Steel is real.” This is the motto that many cyclists who ride steel frames live by. Steel has a lively feel that aluminum and carbon fiber simply do not have. Titanium has this similar lively feel, but the cost of just the raw material puts it out of reach of most riders. However, being a “man of steel” has its drawbacks, notably that in certain parts of the country steel can also become ‘real’ly rusty if not properly maintained, which makes a new tube set from KVA Stainless Inc. attractive.

What should be a ‘no brainer’ material to be used as a frame tube set, stainless steel has had a checkered past. Those of you who have been around the bike industry for a number of years will remember the Columbus Metax tube set. That too was a stainless steel tube set that was used by a number of frame builders including the now defunct Rhygin. The problem with the Rhygins is that they were plagued with a cracking problem… not something that you want to be known for in the frame building business. On the other end of the spectrum is the Reynolds 953 stainless steel tube set. This tube set is still being used today by prestigious builders including Waterford and Independent Fabrications. Continue reading Interbike 2011: KVA Stainless Inc. MS2 Tubing

Fits Like a Glove (Obviously)

Since winter is just a few months away – we already are thinking about the studded tires from the new brand 45North – it is time to think about cold hands, so you don’t get cold feet about wanting to go for ride. HESTRA, the leading international glove brand in skiing, outdoor recreation and leisure, is launching a new line of cycling gloves is especially designed to keep your digits warm while riding in the cold.

This road and mountain bike glove line for fall/winter features flexibility, durability, safety and protection from the outdoor elements; along with grip control and reflectivity; plus GORE Windstopper Breeze technology for warmth during even the chilliest temperatures. HESTRA’s cold fall/winter bike collection presents riders with five options of gloves to choose from for those who spin their wheels in the fall and well into the winter when rain, snow, wind and other elements can chill fingers and hands. Continue reading Fits Like a Glove (Obviously)

Interbike 2011: Darn Tough Vermont Heads to Vegas

From Vermont to Vegas, with the heat, the casinos and the sights we hope that the team from New England survives this week, but as their name suggests they aren’t just tough. In fact, they’re Darn Tough Vermont, and this is the company that offers an unconditional lifetime guarantee that means “no time limits, no restrictions, no tiny type.”

The company is making this its Interbike debut, and showing its Vermont-made, lifetime-guaranteed Merino wool and Coolmax socks. The company takes part in providing the highest density knitting (1441 stitches per square inch), and that is paired with fine-gauge Merino wool yarn (21.5 micron) to create a sock that “simply refuses to quit.”

The company doesn’t quit on its friends either. Last week, in response to the devastation that has affected Vermont communities in the wake of Hurricane Irene, which included Darn Tough Vermont’s own hometown of Northfield, the company pledged to make an initial donation of 2,000 pairs of socks to those in need across the state.

“Everyone is giving what they can during this challenging time for our state,” said Ric Cabot, owner of Darn Tough Vermont. “While food and water take precedent, a new pair of socks can go a long way for a family who has lost many necessities, or for someone who is standing all day in damp, humid conditions trying to rebuild their community. I know it’s just socks, but it’s what we do.”

This isn’t only darn tough, but it is a darn nice thing to do!

Darn Tough Vermont Official Website

Interbike 2011: MOTOREX Oil of Switzerland

The U.S. bicycle lube market has a number of well known brands – White Lightning, Tri-Flow and Pedros just to name a few have been around for years, but there is another player in the market that has a fairly deep line of products to offer cyclists. MOTOREX Oil of Switzerland is showcasing their extensive line of cycling lubricants, greases, cleaners, fork oils and brake fluids at Interbike this year.

MOTOREX is the largest independent oil refinery in Switzerland and have developed a line of cycling related products that are being marketed throughout the world. Their products are so well thought of that they are used by many factory cycling teams throughout the world including BMC who recently competed in the USA Pro Cycling Challenge and helped place Cadel Evans on the top of the podium at the 2011 Tour de France. Continue reading Interbike 2011: MOTOREX Oil of Switzerland

ShirtShuttle Helps Commuters Tote a Clean Shirt

Biking to work sounds like such a brilliant idea. That is until you actually do it and show up to work with a damp, wrinkled shirt. The ShirtShuttle from Commuter Technologies, which is currently available exclusively at The Conran Shop in the U.K., is a weather-tight case fits a clean shirt and stores it in your backpack or messenger bag so it will arrive dry and crease-free. Continue reading ShirtShuttle Helps Commuters Tote a Clean Shirt

Interbike 2011: Louis Garneau Rolls Out Mondo Evo Jersey and Bibshort

Proving again that performance doesn’t mean sacrificing quality, Louis Garneau is rolling out its new Mondo Evo Jersey and Bibshort, both are designed for performance as the jersey offers an aerodynamic fit, and the ibs have been clinically tested to increase blood flow and blood oxygen levels in the body.

The Mondo Evo Jersey features Aero Lazer Band sleeves that are laser-cut and hemless for a smooth transition from fabric to the skin, while also being superlight and thin to provide a second-second feel. The Mondo Evo Bib is made from a Cell-Ion fabric, and in addition to providing better flow, it has been clinically proven to relieve pain, increase comfort and actually aid in healing. The bib reportedly balances body temperature to help athletes achieve maximum performance. The 4Motion chamois combines 3D pre-shaped wings and a deep split at the back to provide multi-direction motion, while the central channel is shaped to help relieve pressure, plus the chamois has a high-tech baceriostatic carbon top sheet.

Both the bib and jersey feature reflective accents to add a level added visibility while riding or training in traffic. So you can feel good and feel a better safer still. The Mondo Evo Jersey will be available for $159.99, while the Mondo Evo Bib will be available for $189.99, and both will arrive in stores in October.

Louis Gareau Official Website

Interbike 2011: LOOK Kéo Power Pedals

Being able to measure the power output of a cyclist at the pedals is certainly not new. The Vector system, now owned by Garmin, has had this solution available for the past couple of years. The Garmin system is often used with the LOOK Kéo pedals, but now LOOK is selling an off the shelf option with a slight twist – the new LOOK Kéo Power.

The new LOOK Kéo Power pedal combines the expertise of LOOK with POLAR, one of the heart rate monitor market innovators. This new pedal allows very accurate cadence and power measurements by placing the electronics inside each pedal axle. Each axle is equipped with 8 strain gauges which measure the axle deflection, which along with the reed relay measured cadence information, is transmitted to the Polar head unit. The Polar combines this information to accurately determine the power output of each pedal – independently. Continue reading Interbike 2011: LOOK Kéo Power Pedals

Interbike 2011: Road Rash Guard Buffers the Fall

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UtQjyZSiM1g&feature=player_embedded

Whether you’re a pro cyclist or just out for a ride, you can crash. At decent speeds and a stretch of concrete to skid on, a crash can quickly lead to road rash. That’s some nasty business. If you watch pro-cycling, you’ll see that any crash can quickly result in ripped shorts and jerseys with some bloody red skin peeking through the tears.

A new device, the Road Rash Guard, aims to prevent road rash and the resulting ripped clothing, by taking all the scrapes for you. It’s a bubble of durable material that clips onto your clothing in areas you’d typically experience abrasion in the event of a crash. The Road Rash Guard acts like a caster you’d place under furniture to protect the floor. Place a few of these on strategic locations such as your shoulder, hip, thigh and knee, and your slide across the pavement will be buffered by this device.

Here’s some vitals on the Road Rash Guard:

  • Lightweight – 7 grams
  • Adjustable – Snap on/off repositioning on all of your cycling shorts/jerseys
  • Durable – made from the same Lexan material use in bulletproof windows
  • Reusable – multiple impact use
  • Washable  – with your cycling shorts and jersey

Snap on the device by separating the front and back, then sandwiching the two pieces on your clothes  (one inside your jersey, one outside) and securing with a snap. Then go cycling. You need a handful of Road Rash Guards to keep you covered, probably about three on each side of your body. Each one retails for $28.95, however the company offers discounts for bulk orders of 24, 36 and 48 units so if you go in with a group of friends you can get a better price.

It’s no guarantee that you will be scrape-free in a crash, but in many cases it’s the difference between some nasty abrasions and torn jersey and shorts and walking away from a crash with just a bruise. In most cases you’ll get a bruise where the Road Rash Guard sits on your skin, but that’s a more favorable option.

Road Rash Guard official site

Interbike 2011: The Interceptor from Pedego Electric Bikes

Being avid cyclists, we shunned the idea of electric motor assisted bikes when their current incarnation hit the market. After realizing that these bikes are not for the existing cyclists, but the person who has made every excuse not to get on a bike, we warmed up to the idea. Next time you hear from someone that they do not ride a bike because of all of the hills in the area or that they worry that they will ride too far from home and not be able to make the return journey, let them know about the new electric bikes available.

One new electric bike at this year’s Interbike that caught our eye was the Interceptor from Pedego Electric Bikes of Irvine, California. The new Interceptor has the look of a beach cruiser through its swooping tubes and balloon tires. The Interceptor has the styling of a normal bike and even pedals like a normal bike; but when the need arises or you run out of gears and more power is needed, a built-in gearless hub motor can be used. Continue reading Interbike 2011: The Interceptor from Pedego Electric Bikes

Made in America: Chris King Precision Components

With Interbike kicking off next week, we thought it would be the perfect opportunity to feature one of our favorite brands in our weekly Made in America spotlight. Since 1976, Chris King Precision Components of Portland, Oregon has been making what is arguably the best bicycle components available today.

What started off with bearings and a single headset design has evolved into a company that produces bearings, headsets, bottom brackets and hubs for every type of bike on the market. Chris King products are ridden by amateurs and professionals alike due to the high level of quality and craftsmanship that is put into every single product.

Chris King so strongly believes in the quality of their products that they stand behind their headsets with a 10-year warranty and their hubs and bottom brackets with a 5-year warranty – easily double of any other component manufacturer in the market. Continue reading Made in America: Chris King Precision Components

45North… a New Brand to Keep You Rolling in the Winter

With winter being only a few months away, some cyclists will choose to hang up their ride instead of braving the elements. Riding in snow, ice and darkness offers many challenges that some would rather skip in favor of the gym or the couch. A new brand is being created specifically with products geared towards cold weather riding. Based in one of the coldest areas in the United States, Quality Bicycle Products (QBP) of Bloomington, Minnesota has announced the launch of 45North.

This new brand will include all sorts of cold weather gear, but the initial offering will be winter specific tires. A new studded tire, available in both a 26-inch and a 700c; along with the Husker Dü, a proprietary fat tire for all-terrain bikes, will hit the market first. Prototypes will be available for viewing at Interbike which we hope to have some photos posted during our trip to the show. The studded tires will be in stock at QBP and available to bike retailers in October, with the Husker Dü following in November. Continue reading 45North… a New Brand to Keep You Rolling in the Winter

Hands On: 2011 Moots Mooto X YBB

A little over a month ago, a new bike was being assembled to join the fleet in my garage. The initial impressions of the new 2011 Moots Mooto X YBB 29er were detailed in “Mooto X YBB: Building a ‘Dream’ Bike First Impressions” and in that post it was mentioned that a 29er fork was ordered, but it had not arrived. The Fox F29 fork arrived the same day that the post went live so the build could really begin in earnest.

The parts selected for this build included a mix of Sram XO, Chris King, Fox, Stan’s and Race Face. The intention was to move most of the parts over from my older 26-inch wheeled Moots YBB, but the eight weeks required by Moots to build the frame gave enough time to gather all new parts except for the Ibis Ancotech titanium handlebar and Hope titanium skewer. Continue reading Hands On: 2011 Moots Mooto X YBB

Hands on: Okole Stuff

For any cyclist who has spent numerous days in the saddle back to back, just rides long distances or is treating a saddle sore knows that a bike seat can become a hot seat of sorts. Many a rider has probably used some sort of ointment or cream in the skin area that comes in contact with the seat. These creams and ointments are not designed for daily use to mask an improper positioning or poor quality saddle, but rather they are designed to aid and treat the irritations or sores that arise from excessive time in the saddle. A few months back we were sent a chamois ointment, Okole Stuff by Enduro Stuff, to put to the test.

Any type of cream or ointment product is difficult to review since ingredients can react differently to each individual. For the past few years I have been using a ‘Euro-style’ chamois crème on rides that are longer than 100 miles or times when I have a skin irritation in the saddle contact area of my body. I have become accustomed to this type of creams that contain menthol which have a ‘tinglely’ feeling when applied, but my wife cannot use those products containing menthol due to the irritation that they cause to her ‘lady parts’. Continue reading Hands on: Okole Stuff