SANTA CRUZ, Calif. World Downhill Champion, Steve Peat, will be back in the saddle with Santa Cruz Bicycles for the next three seasons.

Peat scored his first world champion title in 2009 and, as one of the older racers in the pro class, "Peaty" will be around to school the younger generation until 2012, which is a rare contract length in the oft-volatile world of pro cycling.

Santa Cruz Bicycles has a history of signing top talent and Peat will share the roster with former world downhill champ, Greg Minnaar, among others.

Pivot Cycles just sent us the absolute best trophy anyone could ever receive anywhere ever. Why? Because it's rough cut out of plate steel, for starters. Also, it is deadly.

Sincere thanks, guys. This really is the most badass trophy ever awarded.

public letter from WBR founder FK Day

"The recent disaster in Haiti touches all of our senses of humanity and community. Many of you have contacted us to inquire about our response and to encourage us to respond. Thank you for your communication. I have reached out to several leading relief organizations operating in Haiti to probe their needs and to make them aware that if called upon, we will support them to the best of our ability.

As we experienced in post-tsunami Sri Lanka, there are several phases in which Governments, and Relief Organizations operate.

The first phase is often referred to as the Emergency Phase, and it can last for several months. During this time priority is given to saving those in immediate danger, burying the dead, containing disease, providing for victims’ basic needs and stabilizing government and transportation.

The second phase is Recovery Phase, and it can last from 6 to 24 months. During this period priority is given to establishing non-emergency health care, moving victims to longer term shelter, re-connecting children with schools, restarting the economy and developing a longer term plan to rebuild the economy and lives of the victims.

The final phase involves the long-term rebuilding of the physical plant, economy and country.

The following are some of my thoughts about how World Bicycle Relief can contribute to the recovery of Haiti:
1. Woven into disaster planning, a large scale bicycle program in each phase would have immediate impact. With that said, the highest impact comes when a program is carefully synchronized with the objectives and activities of Government or Relief Organizations on the ground. Most large scale Phase 1 relief efforts have been carefully coordinated and in some cases practiced in anticipation of disasters. It is unlikely (but not out of the question) that bicycles would be requested from the field at this current stage of Phase 1 Post Earthquake Haiti Relief.
2. Word from the field is that there may be an important role for bicycles in Phases 2 and 3. We are learning more about this now and evaluating how we would execute a program if called upon to do so. We are gathering information on costs, timing and logistics and will keep you informed of activities.
3. World Bicycle Relief is fully committed to executing our current programs in Africa, specifically Bicycles for Education Empowerment Program (BEEP) which involves 49,000 bikes and 750 Field Mechanics. We are also building the Micro Finance model. New funding sources would need to be secured to finance a large scale program in Haiti in a timely manner.

Thank you for your continued support and communication. The impact you are causing is deep and immediate.

You are welcome to call or email with thoughts or questions.
With great commitment,
FK"

CHILIKWELA VILLAGE, Zambia - Before she received a bike as part of World Bicycle Relief's Bicycles for Educational Empowerment Program, Tendai would walk five miles each way, twice each day, to her primary school with the dream of completing her studies in order to advance to teachers college. The long journey left her energy depleted, and it sapped her will to study due to exhaustion. This left her hopeless and desperate to fulfill her ambition to reach the twelfth grade.


Considered luxury items by some, education - along with health - are no doubt squandered by many in some of the more developed nations in the world. World Bicycle Relief programs addresses the lack of access to health care, education and economic development opportunities by providing access to independence and livelihood through The Power of Bicycles. Bicycles are simple, sustainable and appropriate technology to support people in developing nations and disaster recovery.

Launched in June 2009 in partnership with the Zambian Ministry of Education, World Vision and several prominent NGOs, BEEP aims to empower students, school volunteers and administrators in the poorest districts in Zambia.

If you're out shopping today, visit our Blue Sale page and consider donating part of the money you save in order to grant someone else the privilege of owning something as simple as a bike.

A donation of just $134 provides a bicycle to a student like Tendai.

photo: Sven Martin
Dan, Gee, and Rachel Atherton, gravity racing's first family, will continue their pursuit of world dominance in 2010 atop Commencal bikes.

Former world champions, Gee and Rachel, who spent last season recovering from a debilitating crash that knocked her out of competition in 2009, will chase after the rainbow stripes while Dan, whose marked success in 4-cross throughout 2009, will balance the efforts of his siblings with his own ambitions to regain world gravity titles for the House of Atherton.

If they get their wish, the image above may best represent all that their rivals will see of the Athertons this coming season.

Some of you may remember the blog I wrote last year detailing my strict 'cross training routine that included chilling with some 40's and my homies. Ok, it's anything but strict. My main goal is to stay active with different sports in preparation for the upcoming season to keep my singlespeed fitness.
Our friend Alfred here in the Mid Atlantic region was kind enough to share a picture of what he does in Puerto Rico when the trails are closed, and it's too cold to visit his local beach.



All I can say is WOW! Kiteboarding looks like so much fun along with being a great way to stay in shape while he waits to break his Santa Cruz Tallboy out of hibernation.

I just learned that a sizable shipment of Medium, XL, and XXL Tallboy frames and bikes have shipped from Santa Cruz headed for our door. We'll be going through pre-orders first when the frames arrive, and giving priority to any standing orders, but if you've been waiting for these as yet unreleased sizes, they'll be here. Larges are in stock in both colors and both rear shock options.

Here's a list of Tallboy frames and bikes we offer.

Lots of people ride bikes to raise money for charities, but not everyone plays guitar for the legendary Iron Maiden. Though, for the record, more people do seem to play guitar in Maiden than almost any other band. Having been away since Powerslave, it took me a while watching one of their concerts on TV the other night to realize that, yeah, there really were not two, but three guitar players running around the stage--not counting Steve Harris on bass (who continues to prove you really can wear striped tights and still be a serious musician). Forget bigger stacks; if you really want to step up the power output, start adding more guitar players. I'm looking at you, The Fray.

But anyway, about the charity angle. Mr. Lance Armstrong just made some Twitter noise about Maiden guitar player Rod Smallwood's charity fundraising ride. Check it out, contribute if you can, and know that even if Rod gets stuck in Egypt and doesn't make it back in time for the new album and tour, it'll be OK. Maiden has deep bench on this.

In related news, as first reported by a little kid named Calvin, "mainstream commercial nihilism can't be trusted." Turns out the guys from Flight 666 contribute to charities. Turns out, mascot Eddie has been trying to kick the devil's ass all these years. Consider supporting Rod or your own favorite charity rider if you can.

If you happened to catch the video and text feeds from Tαbor, Czech Republic early Sunday morning to cheer on your favorite rider, all the talk was about tires as the riders had to deal with some serious ice and slickness on the course.

I heard Jonathon Page speak once and he was talking about tire selection and tire pressure. He said, "pick the wrong tire and/or tire pressure and you'll be on the deck."

The choice of tires, wheels and their pro's and con's can be debated into the long hours of the night, but here are a few selections to point you in the right direction.




First up is a custom built Velocity wheelset using their Escape rims and Velocity Standard hubs laced up with straight-gauge spokes. Doing the job - tire-wise - is the Challenge Fango in a 34 width glued up with some Vittoria Mastik.




With tubulars, the wider the better = more surface in contact with the ground. Tubulars are a total pain to glue up, but do remember - flat on a clincher, you need to start running. Flat on a tubular - you can still ride it.

(Trick - if you happen to flat one, try some mountain bike tubeless sealant to seal up the leak).




I have been running the Fango - nice tubular, great grip.




Next up is the Reynolds Stratus DV 'cross tubular wheelset, an older version of the new DV3K T wheelset.

Coming in at just over 1300 grams for the set, these are super light and give a more consistent braking in mud then an aluminum rim.




Mounted up with Tufo Elite 'cross tires coming in around 300 grams a tire and mounted with Tufo Tubular Extreme Gluing Tape which will be taken off for the 2010 season as I have found the tape too fast and easy to mount the tire on, but come into a corner at 20+ miles an hour hard and off camber, and your tire may come right off.

Not good if you plan to actually finish the race.




Another nice option in the tubular range is the Vittoria Cross EVO XM 32 Tubular Tire. Very similar design to the Tufo's, but a little better price wise.




Ah, and who could resist a Genuine George handbuilt clincher wheelset with Chris King hubs and Mavic Open 4 rims.

Clinchers offer up the option of switching tires come race day but come with added weight and a greater possibility of pinch flatting.

When running clinchers, I tend to run the pressures higher to help protect against pinch flatting, but that usually means you will end up sliding more on a slick surface.

And regarding Chris King's, some people claim that increased number of pawls in a King hub compared to the norm actually causes friction and slows down a rider - maybe so, but I've always believed that the cassette being engaged immediately out of a corner is more important then carrying that extra millasecond of speed.




For training and for racing, a nice clincher tire out there is the Kenda Kwicker, which is a foldable 32mm tire with lots of grip.

I personally like tires with a little bit of a knob on it, but I find that tire selection depends on the rider and rider style. Don't go into a 'cross race with only one set of tires. I would suggest picking up two or three sets with varying degrees of knobs and/or compounds and get to the race as early as you can to allow time for a possible change of tires. And don't forget to adjust pressure. Remember, lower pressure equals more grip.

In the winter many a year back, some crazy euros decided to ride during the winter months, but their feet got cold and they got chilly.

So why not develop a sport where you only race "top out" for an hour and you have to jump off all the time so your feet don't get cold?

And so 'cross was born, but I know they didn't have this swell stuff to help them keep warm.




First up is the Sugoi SubZero Skull Cap. Designed to fit under a helmet with a fleeced inner side, this cap has been working perfect for my winter rides and races. It provides excellent wind protection, completely covers the ears and is cut long in the back. Great design that works well.




Next up is the Craft Siberian glove. The Siberian is a 3-layered glove with a velcro closure and is Craft's warmest glove design.




Material on the palm is a synthetic leather with good grip. I have used these the last two years and they have been holding up and working great. Would suggest buying them a little bigger then normal to give you some other options like running a thin liner or having space for some heat packs.




Next is the Craft proWARM crew neck base layer featuring anatomically mapped areas to provide warmth and ventilation. I like to wear this base layer in 35-50F temperature area when a thin cotton base layer is not enough and a full-blown Gore Stopper base is too much.




Ah, the sign of something warm - Gore Wind Stopper.




First up is the Craft Short Sleeved Windstopper base, which is basically the same as the long sleeved version - only with short sleeves.

Wind Stopper material only covers the front to protect your from the elements, the back is left uncovered in Wind Stopper to provide ventilation.

Where I think this type of base layer really pays for itself is on those cold winter days where you need to get a ride in or....

When it's 25 degrees at the start of a 'cross race and all you have under your skinsuit is this base layer. Believe me, you'll wonder why you didn't buy it before.




And finally, above, the same base layer only in a long sleeved.

Only other item I would also highly suggest for cross racing is the Craft Gore Wind Stopper Boxer cause there is nothing worse then... Well, you get the idea. And sorry ladies - no pics of that, my wife would kill me.

If you've been interested in a Niner R.I.P. 9 complete bike, but haven't pulled the trigger yet we might have just the option for you.
You can find all the details here.

Pivot Mach 429 Sram XX Complete Bike

I had a chance to assemble a Pivot Mach 429 Sram XX bike and I thought I would share some pictures. It was my first time pressing a bottom-bracket into a Pivot frame. It was very simple, much like installing a headset. Here are some pictures and a parts list.




• Frame: Pivot Cycles Mach 429
• Fork: Fox F29 RLC FIT, White, 15QR, 100mm
• Headset: Ritchey WCS ZS Headset 44mm ID
• Stem: Syntace F119
• Bar: Syntace Vector Carbon, 680mm x 10mm
• Shifters: SRAM XX Trigger
• Grips: WTB MotoTec Clamp-on, Black
• Brakes: Avid XX w/ 160mm rotors
• Chain: SRAM PC-1090
• Crankset: TruVativ XX GXP, 26-39T
• Bottom-bracket: SRAM Press Fit
• Cassette: SRAM XX, 11-36T
• Front Derailleur: SRAM XX direct mount
• Rear Derailleur: SRAM XX
• Rear Shock: Fox RP23
• Seatpost: Syntace P6 Carbon
• Saddle: WTB Rocket V SLT
• Skewers: DT Swiss
• Tires:Front: Kenda Tomac Nevegal 2.2, folding
           Rear:Kenda Tomac Small Block 2.1, folding
• Tubes: Kenda presta
• Wheelset: DT Swiss 240s Hubs, X470 rims, Aerolite spokes



Sram GXP bottom bracket.


Yep that's right, it's a headset press.




Sram XX bolt on front derailleur with added Pivot hardware.




XX crankset installed.