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.
Tag: mountain bike
Tuf Enough Racks
There are bike racks that are tough and then there is Tuf Racks. These are for those who seriously want to ensure that the bike will make it to the ride. The Tuf Rack Indestructible Car Bike Rack looks like it could live up to the name.
It is made of MIG welded laser-cut 16-gauge steel that will protect the bike on the trip to the trails. It is power coated to look good too, and offers industrial-grade ratchet straps that are rated to 500pounds. About the only thing required is that the racks, which are designed for BMX ($169.99) and mountain bikes ($199.99), be mounted to a truck or SUV.
Surly Chews the Fat Tire Bike
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
WTB Rides Out with Volt Line of Saddles
WTB packed several features into its new Volt saddle line of all-mountan saddles. The Volt saddle line was developed in collaboration with mountain bike pioneer Mark Slate, as well as WTBs team All Mountain Pro riders Mark Weir and Jason Moeschler. Continue reading WTB Rides Out with Volt Line of Saddles
Mondraker Full Suspension Bikes with Forward Geometry
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
USA Cycling Unveils Kits
While much is made about where some of the American uniforms and team kits for the upcoming Olympics were made, we have to say the cycling uniforms look very nice. The U.S. Cycling Team officially unveiled its uniforms this week. The road, track and mountain bike kits were designed by SKINS while Nike worked with freestyle legend Bob Haro to design the BMX collection. Continue reading USA Cycling Unveils Kits
Trail Making Shoes
There are plenty of shoes out there for riding the trails, but the Diddie Schneider is now sold as “the first and only shoe designed for biking and trail building.” We weren’t sure at first what that meant, but then it became clear.
The shoe is actually named after Diddie Schneider, one of the top bike terrain bike park builders in the world, and the shoe is more than just his namesake. It features a Nubuck leather upper, and features a low-profile, cage-compatible topcap but most notably offers a cut-resistant lace cover. Continue reading Trail Making Shoes
Quad Bike Tears It Up
Do you like the idea of tearing it up off-road, but would like to do so with pedal power, yet don’t want to ride a mountain bike or BMX bike for various reasons? This limits the options, but you aren’t out of luck either, as the Athos from Contes Engineering will let you experience quad-style riding but with the freedom of pedal power. Video after the jump
Review: 2012 Moots Mooto X YBB 29er Titanium Frame
Just over six months has past since writing a post regarding my 2011 Mooto X YBB bike build that ran last summer. That 2011 Moots should have been a keeper and still hanging in my garage, but shortly after the post went live, the 2012 model was announced. Year after year there really hasn’t been any major changes in Mooto X YBB model that would justify the replacement of a frame with less than 1,000 miles of riding. Unfortunately for me (or maybe fortunately for all dirt heads), the 2012 model is a bit different when compared to most other years. There are the obvious changes with the curved down tube and top tube on the 18 and 19-inch models, but it is the other changes that are not as obvious which makes the 2012 model the basis of a much different bike. There were fairly significant changes including the geometry that really made me wish that I had stalled my purchase. Then a chance arose to build a 2012 model and that opportunity was seized upon! Continue reading Review: 2012 Moots Mooto X YBB 29er Titanium Frame
Pump it Up on the Trail
All off-road trails are not the same, yet there are numerous ways to adjust a mountain bike fork while riding. With the flip of a switch or press of a button a fork can be adjusted to accommodate trail conditions. Tire pressure remains another issue. To actually change tire pressure typically requires the rider to stop to add or release air from the tires. ADAPTRAC has another solution, and its designers have created a new system that allows writers to actually inflate or deflate tire pressure well in motion. Continue reading Pump it Up on the Trail
Trek Gets Dirty
Not everyone is born to mountain bike. In fact no one is really born knowing how to ride, but the Trek Dirt Series – which enters it 12th season this year – is here to help grow the sport of mountain biking by developing skills and confidence through instruction weekend camps located in the sport’s most popular destinations.
This program offers a coaching staff that includes professionals from the sports, health and wellness industries, and in the past 12 years has helped more than 7,500 riders experience the fun of hitting the trails. Camps are open to beginner, intermediate, and advanced riders. Participants are divided into small groups based on abilities and interests so that every rider will have the opportunity to improve their riding skills while having a fantastic time in the process. The small groups also allow riders to focus on cross-country, downhill, or freeride skills, based on their interest.
“Not only will you become a better rider, but you’ll leave your Trek Dirt Series camp with new friends to ride with and the confidence to continue improving your skills on your own,” said former Trek Dirt Series camper Lacy Kemp. “The coaches teach you how to read trails and select lines while providing you with the tools to ensure that your riding will be more fun.” Video and 2012 Camp Dates After the Jump
Moto Tires Have Off-Road Mojo
WTB proves it once again has some serious off-road mojo as it introduces its new line of “Moto” tires, which include open spiked knobs, lower profile tread, DNA rubber and inner peace sidewalls – the latter no doubt helps with some peace of mind when on the trail.
The WTB tires were developed by company founder and rubber designer Mark Slate, and these are now available in 26-inch and 29-inch versions. These feature double center blocks for traction in wetter conditions, spiky knobs to penetrate the trail surface, good transition edge knob placement for control where control is hard to come by, and a more open pitch to get a grip on almost any surface. Continue reading Moto Tires Have Off-Road Mojo
No XTR Di2 – But Electronic Fox Racing Shox?5
Last week our friends at BikeRadar.com got us all excited, and we helped spread the rumors that Geoff Kabush was spotted possibly riding a prototype Shimano Di2 XTR groupo – in other words it sounded like the popular electronic shifters for the road were going off-road.
But now BikeRadar.com reports that is not the case. But before we get totally depressed about this news, it seems that Kabush was testing an electronic control system for his Fox Racing Shox suspension fork. As BikeRadar notes this is more than just an electronic lockout, and could mean multiple damping maps. What does this mean?
It sounds like it could mean a suspension fork that could be adjusted to changing conditions on the trail. A little bit of give where you need it, a bit more on the technical stuff and a lockout when you to do some climbing. Isn’t electric control grand?
[Via BikeRadar: Fox Racing Shox Test New Electronic Suspension]