The CycleTEK Momentum1 trainer will help riders get through the winter months. The fluid resistance unit uses neutral silicone that is not affected by temperature, and this helps produce a resistance curve that is measurable and repeatable.
It also features 29er compatibility, a large flywheel for realistic coasting and acceleration resistance and a fluid resistance unit that offers a smooth and repeatable resistance curve.
Alabici has made its case – for larger sized mountain bikes that is. The new Sci’Con MTB AeroComfort travel case can accommodate 26-inch or 29-inch mountain bikes and it features a metal structure to ensure that the bike stays protected while traveling.
Moreover this nylon case, which includes self-healing zippers, manages to combine the flexibility of a soft case with the stability and security of a hardcase, with an AntiShock frame designed to protect the bike inside. Wheels also fit in separate holders within lateral shield cups. The case weighs less than 15 pounds.
Good guys ride white. At this week’s SHOT Show in Las Vegas Safariland announced the release of a new Safariland/Kona Patrol Bike (29er) available in a bright high-gloss white finish to provide increased visibility for those in public safety and industrial markets. The original 29er patrol bike was released last year and has been a hit with law enforcement. Made of Kona Race Light 7005 aluminum, it features a 30-speed Shimano drivetrain, hydraulic disc brakes and tapered oversized headtube for increased stability and durability.
The dust on the trails has settled but we had a great time at Interbike 2012’s Outdoor Demo Days, where were were able to test ride several bikes. Here is a recap of what we hit on the trails.
Last year at Interbike we were able to try out some of Surly’s new snowbikes including the Pugsley and the Moonlander. These bikes of course don’t have to stay in the garage until the white stuff falls, and they work well in sand and mud as well.
But now Surly is coming out with a fat-bike that is meant for the trail as well. The Krampus is a fat tire mountain bike that offers three-inch wide tires but is actually a 29er that can handle singletrack at speed. Unlike the Pugsley, which requires special hubs, cranks, rims and other parts, the Krampus is compatible with most mountain bike parts. Continue reading Surly Chews the Fat Tire Bike
This week Trek Bicycle launched its 2013 mountain bike line, which includes what promises to be its lightest and fastest 29ers to date, as well as new 29er hardtail dubbed the Stache.
Taking the trails are the completely redesigned Superfly and Superfly 100, which sees these a true cross country (XC) race machines. Superfly’s efficiency has been improved through increased stiffness with closed rear dropouts, and a rear brake mount that makes the caliper act as a brake bridge, reducing redundant material. The Superfly 100 SL boasts a 22% reduction in weight, nudging the scale at 1650 grams. The Apollo Project also yielded some smaller developments that added to the significant changes for 2013 as both models feature carbon seatpost clamps, and Trek’s new roll-wrap seat tube, which doubles the frame’s vertical compliance. Continue reading Trek’s 2013 Mountain Bikes Hit the Trail
Over the past few seasons we’ve seen an increasing emphasis on 29er bikes, mountain bikes with larger wheels. French mountain bike maker Mondraker is now talking about forward geometry as the next evolution for the class of bikes. Continue reading Mondraker Full Suspension Bikes with Forward Geometry
For the first time in its history Lynskey Performance Designs of Chattanooga, Tennessee will be offering a full suspension mountain bike frame. The company has decided to jump into the full suspension pool, and are going in head-first hoping to make a big splash. Not only is their new frame, the Pro29 FS, going to be a 29er (as the name implies), but they have designed it with 120mm of travel. This is on the long end of travel for any cross country 29er frame, especially one almost entirely constructed of titanium.
On a bicycle built for two, either your partner and you work together or not at all. There really is no in-between on a tandem. It is a team effort, not only requiring both of you to pedal together to get over a mountain pass, but also work as ‘one’ negotiating turns and technical sections. Usually couples either ride on the road or on dirt trails, but seldom both due to limitations of the bike or rider comfort level. A road tandem, with its 700c wheels and larger gearing, is much faster on the road than a mountain bike tandem. A mountain bike tandem, with its 26-inch wheels and smaller gearing, is much stronger and is geared to make it easier to climb – especially while riding trails. My wife and I are in-between… we want the speed of a road tandem, but be able to ride some trails on a whim. Our 1998 Cannondale MT1000 mountain tandem has served us well for five Triple Bypass tours, but we both are looking for something that will roll faster on the road and yet still handle the trails. We just do not want to own two different tandems. Enter the 2012 Java from Co-Motion.
With so many manufacturers offering 29er hardtail mountain bikes, it can be difficult to pick one that is right for you. Just as demo days that many companies host around the country for the public, the Interbike OutDoor Demo, that occurs each year before the Interbike tradeshow, allows individuals involved in the bike industry to test the newest and latest rides on the market. Not all manufactures are present, but most of the major players are there alongside the little guys offering a fleet of bikes to ride on the trails of Bootleg Canyon outside of Boulder City, Nevada. Having had a chance to test numerous bikes, 29er hardtails were this writer’s choice to put trough the loops of loose, dry and rocky trails of Bootleg Canyon. Before you lay down your hard earned cash on a hardtail 29er, give any of these bikes a spin. Continue reading Interbike 2011: 29ers Worth Riding
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
You may not be able to pack it in your Porsche to drive to a ride, but you can look stylish on a Porsche bike. The performance auto maker just announced two bikes, the Porsche RS and S, which will be released in the fall in sizes S, M and L.
Both the RS and S bikes are 29ers, a trend in mountain bikes that uses wheel sizes similar to that on road and cyclocross bikes. The Porsche Bike S is constructed with a belt drive, which minimizes maintenance with a rubber belt in place of a chain. Continue reading Porsche Lends its Design to Bikes
Maybe I have an addiction, but so what. My addiction isn’t the bottle or pills – it is a bit larger and may cost as much as a substance addiction, but it is much more beneficial to my health. I have once again fallen victim to my addiction…I am putting together a new bike.
When I build bikes, I usually know if it is going to be one that I keep for a few years or in excess of a decade. The last ‘dream’ bike that I built was back in 1998 and it also started as a titanium frame – that Merlin XLM is still hanging in garage. My Merlin XLM has taken me through thousands of miles of trails from sea level to over 12,000’. It has been with me during 24 hour races and numerous Leadville Trail 100 races. I still love to take that bike out and rip through tight, smooth singletrack, but that ‘dream’ bike is soon to have a new friend. Continue reading Mooto X YBB: Building a ‘Dream’ Bike First Impressions
