Here's the massive, new WTB Kodiak 29er tire. And just for fun


here it is on a 5lb Santa Cruz Tallboy frame. Yes, it clears. Seatstay clearance is pretty much a non-issue, given the lack of a cross brace on the Tallboy, and there's room down below, too. Plus, these tires just look mean:

But, you know, there are things you can do, and things you should do, and sometimes--like here--there's probably an ocean of difference between the two. When you think about it, and even if you don't, 1400g is a little heavy for a tire.

Still, we suspect these tires may be bought by the rigid steel crowd, and we suspect this because, after riding them only briefly, that was exactly what we wanted to do. Huge advocates of tons and tons of tire clearance, Niner helpfully built not only their R.I.P. and W.F.O. but also all of their hardtails as if they knew that one day they'd help WTB make a beast of a tire like this. While we haven't tried them all, here's the Kodiak in a Scandium Air 9.

It fits. Significant? Compared to the end of the Mayan calendar and Google Wave, maybe not. But consider this: while you probably can't get quite as much float out of Kodiak as an Endomorph, you're going to be able to fit a Kodiak in a lot of hardtail frames--particularly all Niners. And with a big squishy tire like that, you're less compelled to bother with a suspension fork. You might even eschew the decadence of gears. And what you'd be left with is a super simple, borderline indestructible, bicycle-shaped grin machine. Talk about a revolution.

Have you ever wanted to own a frameset produced for a ProTour team, but didn't think you could afford the genuine article? Well, now you can get your hands on a Focus Izalco Team Milram Edition--and you're buying more than just a paint job here. Focus built these as backup frames specifically for the Milram team's 2009 campaign. In this case, we're happy to pass Milram's luck on to you. Because Gerdemann, Ciolek and company needed hardly any replacement frames the entire season, these backup frames are now available.
We have both the frameset and a Signature complete bike available. Quantities are very limited and once they're gone, they're gone for good.
The Focus Cayo CP Team Replica complete bike is also available for those of you interested in the Milram look, but a more economical package.
We also have you covered for your Milram gear: German jersey, Team jersey, Team bib shorts, Team cycling cap, large water bottle and small water bottle.

The lucky winner of our 2009 Purple Bike, Rob, drove down from Ontario with his wife this past Saturday to pick up the bike. Rob, a self-professed "guy who never wins anything" is going to have to come up with a new way to describe himself, and we'd suggest "really nice guy." Rob's primary goal was to donate, but his description of realizing he was actually the winner was just great. From assuming that initial notification email was just another "thanks for playing" note, to realizing it was addressed only to him, to trying to convince his family, one by one, that he'd really won, Rob's journey from being "a guy who never wins anything" to being "a guy who wins a $6900 Lynskey R230" was epic. Nearly every member of his family not only refused to believe him at first, but quoted the long held family axiom "but you never win anything." Well, we debunked that theory and then some. Congratulations again, Rob, and thanks again to everyone who donated. We raised nearly $8000 this year, and 100% of it is on the way to the Breast Cancer Fund.

Our friend, Andy, sent us a pic of his long-awaited Blur LT Carbon. He was extremely patient and got on the preorder list early to secure his spot. We really appreciate bike photos from our customers, especially when they include scenery like this.


We love building bikes for our friends, but we also enjoy putting packages together for folks that enjoy building their own bikes. One of your photos might be worth a $1,000 gift certificate, so remember to take your camera when you hit the trail. It's a great reason to take a break that could payoff big!

The new 2010 BH road, cyclocross, time trial and triathlon bikes are here and shipping now. BH has been busy and the new bikes look great!

EWR Bikes' COO, Kenn Rymdeko, joins the board of the Philadelphia Mountain Bike Association as its new president.




One of the hotbeds of mountain bike advocacy, Philadelphia seems to have struck one of the most harmonious synergies between mountain bikers, equestrians, hikers, walkers, and runners who all flock to Philly's Wissahickon Park by the thousands every day. Still, there's a delicate balance to maintain between trail users and the work of Philly's MTB Association is far from finished.

As president, Rymdeko encourages mountain bikers (and not just Philadelphia-based ones) to join their local cycling group to help ensure the future of great riding.

Speedgoat has always been built around you and your riding. The new Speedgoat.com will be launching in early 2010, and we want your photos to be featured there. Every photo we use on the new Speedgoat.com will be entered for a chance to win a $1000 gift certificate.

Thank you to everyone who's already uploaded a photo, and if you haven't entered yet, you can learn more and upload your own photos here.

Tallboy frames and bikes continue to show up and disappear. We received another shipment yesterday, and here are the few that weren't already spoken for and are available to ship immediately:

1 (in stock) Tallboy SPX XC Complete Bike, Carbon/Silver with RP23 $4699

1 (in stock) Tallboy R XC Complete Bike, Orange with RP23 $3599

1 (in stock) Tallboy Frame, Carbon/Silver with Monarch, Large $2442.00

We're ordering every frame with tapered forks, too (and Cane Creek mixed taper and King mixed taper InSets are also in stock) so special frameset packages are also available. Up to date availability and more information is available at support@speedgoat.com.

Q: How do you confuse a Niner Bikes rep when he's visiting your shop?

A: Tell him you're taking him out on a road ride while he's in town.

Mike from Niner Bikes was nice enough to stop by the shop and we thought we'd throw him a curve ball by going for a road ride early this morning. Mike's spent more than his fair share of time on most things you can pedal so the skinny tires didn't throw him off too much.

We want to pass along a big thanks for the visit and promise that we'll get him out on some of the local trails the next time he rolls through.

Comments Needed for L.A. City Bike Plan

The draft Los Angeles City Bike Plan was recently released and mountain bicyclists should be concerned with the direction it has taken. We need comments not only from L.A.-based riders, but from anyone who has positive stories about relationships with equestrians and other trail users on California trails.

Public comments can be submitted online or via postal mail, and are due before Jan. 8, 2010.

Here are some suggested talking points:

1. Somewhere in L.A. City Parks there should be opportunities for mountain bicyclists -- it's bad public policy that all dirt roads and trails are closed to bikes.
2. Bicycling is a positive, safe, health-promoting activity for people of all ages and should be encouraged with both natural-surface and paved riding opportunities.
3. The 2009 plan should incorporate the 1996 bicycle plan language that called for pilot projects and a gradual increase in mountain bike opportunities in the parks.
4. Bicyclists safely share trails with other trail users, including equestrians, all around the globe.
5. Mountain biking is a sustainable, manageable and appropriate activity for L.A. parks -- it works in dozens of other cities so why not ours?

Additional Information

For several years, anti-bike groups have mobilized to perpetuate the bicycle ban in LA City Parks. An older 1996 bike plan proposed a gradual increase in mountain bike opportunities, but they were never enacted. The new plan abandons those proposals and focuses instead on studies and research.

An analysis of the plan (PDF) published by the Concerned Off-Road Bicyclists Association (CORBA), is available online.

At public meetings related to the plan, anti-bike equestrians have testified that bikes and horses simply don't mix and that even separate trails for bikes and horses won't work because bicyclists won't follow rules. Most of the opposition has been from equestrians who ride in Griffith Park, many from the nearby cities of Glendale and Burbank. Griffith would be a great place to bike, especially for locals, but bicycle advocates have not asked for Griffith specifically. We've asked for some trails somewhere, but the anti-bike groups' response has essentially been, "No, nowhere, never."

You can submit comments online via the link at the top of this page, or by mail on or before Jan. 8, 2010.

City of Los Angeles, Department of City Planning
Attn:Jordann Turner
200 N. Spring Street, Room 721
Los Angeles CA 90012
jordann.turner@lacity.org

For further information, contact Jim Hasenauer at imbajim@aol.com

So many times I've heard those words and then soon forgotten them. Tonight was different.

Jayson Cramer

I got a call Sunday morning from a friend asking about details regarding the cyclist who was struck and killed in Butler last Friday. I didn't have any details at all until a couple of hours later when Lisa and I saw a memorial flyer on a phone pole about a block away from our house.

Well after dark tonight I stopped at the store to buy a birthday card and the cashier told me: "Take care out there on your bike." I replied with the usual "I'm cautious" and "I wear lights and reflective clothing." She said, "My baby brother was killed last Friday night (while riding his bike)."

I don't think I've ever been at such a loss for words.

I didn't know Jayson, and I've only met his sister twice as she's been the cashier at the checkout. From what I gathered, he used his bike for transportation. I'm pretty sure he wasn't riding much more than a Next or a Huffy at the time of the "accident". He probably wouldn't ever have been as popular as even a single tweet by his Lanceness.

Somehow I still feel a connection. His sister shared a few details about his memorial. Young's Funeral Home here in Butler, PA will have viewing hours this Thursday the 12th from 2-4pm and 7-9pm. I've heard there's going to be something established to help his family cover costs.

Bicycle car "accidents" happen all the time. I still can't believe it happened in my town.

Some people have been asking "how orange is the Tallboy?"
















The bike photoed is sporting Santa Cruz's R XC kit with a 100mm Rock Shox Reba SL fork.