Mountain Bike | Evolving Consumer

POC Goes to the Road

Last year POC made a big impact with its revolutionary award-winning ski and snowboard helmets and more recently with its mountain bike helmets. This year the company is looking to get on the road with new cycling helmets, apparel and eyewear lines. While snow sports sales now account for 80 percent of POC’s business the company is looking to divide its business between cycling and snow sports – likely to be more of a year round business.

POC will debut its new product lines at this year’s Eurobike and Interbike trade shows.

POC Official Website

Finish Without Friction

Mountain biking can be dirty business, and getting to the finish line ahead of the competition in a bike race means having a bike that is perfectly tuned, but even if you aren’t racing Finish Line’s new Max Suspension Spray will help reduce friction and suspension stanchions.

This can help smooth out, quiet and even improve the performance of old and new forks.

The Finish Line Max Suspension Spray is made with polysiloxane and function-specific fluoropolymers, and it can also be used on rubber gaskets and o-rings to condition and protect them. The Max Suspension Spray can even be sprayed on a bike’s downtube to prevent mud build-up.

For those looking to go the distance, the Finish Line Max Suspension Spray will help get you there.

Finish Line Official Website

Pedals on the Launch Pad

Launch Components launched it Magnesium Launchpad flat bicycle pedals last year and for those looking to reduce the weight the new Aluminum Launchpad is ready to roll. These are designed for downhill racing, but are light enough for the cross country riding as well.

These feature an ultra low profile body that is just 120mm x 100mm, and yet offer a low surface area that retains grip even when wet. The Aluminum Launchpad pedals weight just 367grams per pair while the CNC machined pedals are hard anodized and ready for off-road adventures.

Launch Components Aluminum Launchpad Official Website

Bar Fly Goes Off Road

We didn’t think “bar flies” tend to leave the bar, but in the case of the Bar Fly handlebar mount for cycling computers the company has looked to change things up. To date Bar Fly has been focused on computer mounts for the road, where the mount put the computer out in front of the bar so as to be better seen. This isn’t quite so ideal on mountain bikes, and now the company appears to be developing a MTB-specific Garmin mount – one that holds the computer securely to the handlebars while making it easy to see.

[Via BikeRumor: BAR FLY TEASES MTB MOUNT FOR GARMINS]

Pivot Point

Sandal maker Teva has entered the mountain bike shoe area with its new Pivot. At first glance these seem to be just another pair of casual shoes – but like many new shoes we’ve seen – there is more than meets the eye. These provide a recessed sole for cleats and the Pivot works with Shimano’s SPD as well as Crankbrothers pedal systems.

This makes the shoes ideal for commuting to work, while the Spider365 Rubber soles will grip all sorts of surfaces. The composite midsole plate makes it ideal for pedaling efficiency and walkability.

Teva Pivot Official Website

Bell and IMBA Give Trail Grants

Mountain bike riders in Vermont, Colorado and Michigan will see some trail improvements thanks to a new grant. Bell Helmets and the International Mountain Bicycling Association announced the first recipients of its Bell Built Grants, which are awarding a total of $100,000 in trail building assistance to fund new mountain bike trail projects across the country. The winning projects were chosen from 12 finalist by public vote.

The winners are Bear River Bike Park, in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, in the grant’s “pump track/bike park” category; The Burke Bike Park in Burke, Vermont, in the “Flow trail” category; and the Overflow Trail in Copper Harbor, Michigan in the “Downhill trail” category.

IMBA Bell Built Grants Official Website

Frame Protector

No one likes to see a scratch on their mountain bike, but the sport sort of means taking risks. Over time bikes will get dings, scratches and nicks in the paint. Some consider this a rite of passage, a way to see that the bike was well used. A bike with lots of nicks could be considered a bike that someone really loved to ride.

But the All Mountain Style Frame Guard can help reduce the nicks on the downtube. It is made of semi-rigid PVC that is flexible enough to adhere to most frames, and can protect the frame. It applies easily, and can be removed with a heat gun or hair dryer. It is even available in clear so you won’t notice it but will know it is protecting the frame. Of course you could just consider the nicks to be character.

All Mountain Style Official Website

Making the Case

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.

Albabici Sci’Con MTB AeroComfort Official Website

Mallet Pedal Ready to Chop Down Hill

Downhill riding is a very different sport than cross country mountain biking, and for those who look to post serious times need a serious pedal. Fortunately Crankbrothers has a pedal that let riders chop down while descending. The Mallet DH/Race pedals were used by the pros last year and is making its way to the general market.

The pedals feature a pedal body that is extruded from machined aluminum with cast steel wings and a forged chromoly spindle. The production version’s spindle is also five millimeters longer than the original Mallet, while the inner bearing is a needle cartridge bearing and the outer bearing is a cartridge. These minor improvements should be enough to help riders get the right feel on those fast paced descents.

Crankbrothers Official Website

Holiday Gift Idea: Snow Tires

Don’t let a little snow on the trials slow you down. If anything use the snow to pick up some speed with the Schwalbe Ice Spiker Bike Tires. These are designed specifically for winter riding, hence the little snowfakes by the treads! These feature Schwalbe spikes that feature an extremely hardwearing tungsten-carbide core with a base of fully galvanized steel. These will bite into snow and ice and keep you riding until spring.

Schwalbe Ice Spiker HS 333 Official Website

Weekend Reading List (11.10.2012): Philly Welcomes NYC Runners, More Marathon Options, Winter Bike Prep, Kayak Rescuers, Track Star, Election and Biking

Brotherly Welcome for Runners and More Marathon Options

From Runner’s World: Philly Marathon Opens 3,000 Spots for NYC Runners
The Philadelphia Marathon announced late Tuesday it’s opening 3,000 slots for those registered but unable to run the ING New York City Marathon.

From The New York Times: Options for Runners After a Race Is Canceled
With its majestic vistas, huge crowds and brand name, the New York City Marathon is one of the top road races in the world. So when Hurricane Sandy led the organizers to cancel this year’s race, many of the 47,000 entrants asked themselves: What now?

Continue reading Weekend Reading List (11.10.2012): Philly Welcomes NYC Runners, More Marathon Options, Winter Bike Prep, Kayak Rescuers, Track Star, Election and Biking

Move Over Tubeless Tires – The Airless Tire is on the Way

httpv://youtu.be/v9SWIsY8rzQ

During World War II bicycles were widely used by the various military forces, but because of rubber shortages various solutions were considered as alternatives when the tires went flat. The Japanese simply gave up the rubber and its soldiers rode their bikes on the rims.

Energy Return Wheel likely has a far better solution, one that could be quite revolutionary. It is developing an airless mountain bike tire that would use rubber or alloy structures in place of air chamber. This could provide a bounce effect that could even increase acceleration.

There might be some drawbacks to address, such as how to keep mud, rocks and other debris from entering the inside of the tire, but this could be a great way to ensure that you won’t get a flat tire on the trails!

Energy Return Wheel Official Website

Interbike 2012: Michelin’s Call of the Wild and Mud

We know what you’re thinking: “It’s 2012 can there really be innovation in mountain bike tires? Seriously!” The answer is yes, there is always innovation, always some improvement. That’s par for the course at Eurobike or Interbike.

But then we saw the Michelin Wild Mud Tire and it could be a game changer for those who ride in situations where the ground isn’t bone dry. So while they might not hear the call of the Wild Mud in drought-plagued Texas, for those where the rain falls and snows leave mud this is the tire that can cut through it like no other. Continue reading Interbike 2012: Michelin’s Call of the Wild and Mud