Posted by Dan on 07/02/09 |
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R.I.P. 9 FIRST IMPRESSIONS
R.I.P. 9 First Impressions
Being a 6' 5" tall rider I do not get to many chances to test ride bikes that fit me. This weekend was an exception. I had an opportunity to ride an XL Niner R.I.P. 9. Let's get the parts out of the way first.
Rear Shock: Fox RP23
Fork: Fox F29 RL 120mm of travel
Headset: FSA headset
Bar: Easton EA50 Monkeybar riser bar
Stem: Easton EA50
Crankset: Shimano SLX
Shifters: Shimano SLX
Front Derailleur: Shimano SLX bottom swing
Rear Derailleur: Shimano SLX long cage
Cassette: Shimano HG61
Brakes: Avid Juicy 5 160mm rotors front and rear
Wheelset: Shimano M756 XT hubs to Mavic A317 hubs
Seatpost: Raceface
Saddle: WTB
Building the bike went well. Nothing at all unexpected, though it took me slightly longer than normal to tune any chain rub out of the front derailleur. Setting up the front derailleur on the XL size seems a little bit of a challenge than it is on the smaller R.I.P.s. As some of you might not know, on most full suspension bikes the placement of the front derailleur is determined when the rider is on the bike and the suspension is loaded (sagged). It's best to actually set the suspension and ride the bike in order to test shifting. Once I found the sweet spot, the bike shifted great. (For you super-geeks: the placement I had the best luck with was running the derailleur just a hair lower than even standard Shimano recommendation low, just clearing the big ring, about a millimeter gap between the outer cage and the big ring teeth. That done, on to the ride.
The fist thing I noticed is the more enjoyable ride, with 4.5” of rear wheel travel, the R.I.P. smoothed out the ride over rocky terrain. I found myself descending a lot faster than I normally do down steep rocky hills. The bike climbed quite well, with no bouncing, and had good traction. I did notice that I was hitting my pedals off of more things than on my current bike, but I've been putting in a lot of time on the hardtail lately. The Pro Pedal of the RP23 worked very well, better than most of the other bikes I have ridden with it. Accessibility of the lock-out lever wasn't great. (Like most XL bikes, the R.I.P. would benefit from a remote lock out for the rear shock; it was just about impossible to reach the lockout lever, as it was hiding behind my water bottle.) That was a small price to pay for a bike that did everything was well as the R.I.P. did, though. I'll be riding this bike more in the weeks ahead. Oh, sorry no riding pictures. No one could figure out how to work my new camera, but we'll learn them up good for next time.
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Posted by Wendy on 07/01/09 |
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CIVIA’S BURTON AVERY: QUALITY OF LIFE IS IN THE DESIGN
Burton Avery, lead industrial designer for Civia, designs bikes that – while loyal to the principles of function first and foremost – have a higher calling. Avery regards bikes as the perfect tools to improve quality of life. It’s true too - when CO2 emissions are lowered, we all breathe a little easier; one more bike often means one less car; and a lower obesity rate equals a healthier citizenry. Avery, who commutes 33 miles each day no matter the fickle Minnesota weather, gets to witness the vastness of the commuting public on every ride. What inspires him most of all lies in the inventiveness of humanity and how quality of life is manifested in every individual’s ride.
What's the difference between an industrial designer and a design engineer?
Avery: In a very broad sense industrial designers are responsible for how products look, feel and function in regard to convenience and ergonomics. An industrial designer is very engaged with the user’s experience. A design engineer is engaged with how a product functions first and foremost. For example with the Civia Loring, I was responsible for the look of the frame and the racks and creating a product family from small to extra large. Where as Adam Scholtes, one of the design engineers on the project, came up with the bike’s unique dropout and post mount brake; we collaborated on how it looked.
Can you tell us about some of the influences behind Civia's Hyland and Loring models?
Avery: I think of the Civia Hyland as a new American take on a traditional Dutch bike. Dutch bicycles work great but they are very specific to their place. In the United States, our distances for bicycle transportation are much longer and we have changing topography. So the Hyland is a much lighter and faster bicycle, but with a similar look and functionality to a Dutch bike.
Both bikes possess some savvy accents that are meant to entice, like the Hyland's sliding dropout mount and the Loring's superstay reinforcement. What's the development process and who gets to decide what stays or goes?
Avery: We're always refining our development process, but it always starts with a user or users and we develop concepts to meet the wants, needs and desires of that user. In terms of what stays or goes, ultimately the brand manager has final say.
I'm assuming that creativity is part of the process, what inspires or motivates you?
Avery: Fundamentally, I am motivated by the belief that design is about improving people’s quality of life. I'm very lucky to be able to work on bicycle-related products because bikes are the perfect tools to improve quality of life and improve our society. I still get the biggest thrill seeing people using bicycles for transportation. I get inspired by the little things people do to make their bicycles work better for them.
Where do you ride and where would you like to ride?
Avery: I commute everyday 33 miles round trip, year-round in Minnesota weather. In the warmer months I can commute on a mix of gravel road and single-track. That's the perfect commute for me. Commuting allows me to "multi-task." I can keep fit, clear my mind, and not have to drive.
Lots of dream rides come to me on my commute. Right now I would love to tour Japan with my family.
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Posted by Jim on 06/30/09 |
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Posted by Chris on 06/29/09 |
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Posted by Chris on 06/29/09 |
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Posted by Jim on 06/25/09 |
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Posted by Wendy on 06/25/09 |
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CAT'S OUT OF THE BAG: FULCRUM'S 2010 WHEELS
Since the wags over at VeloNews and CyclingNews.com have been trickling details about the new wheels for a few weeks now, Fulcrum's North American distributor, Quality Bicycle Products, went a step further and neatly packaged a brief summary on the info that's been released so far.
2010 Fulcrum product range
Mountain Bike Wheels
What's new or changing?
Red Metal 1 – the current wheel is good; the new wheel will be even better. Details are yet to be released.
Red Metal 3 - same wheel with bold new graphics.
Red Metal 5 - same as RM3 updates – stay tuned!
Red Metal 10 - This is a brand new wheel for 2010. The RM10 is designed to be a strong and solid every day wheel ideal for training, OE spec and high quality replacements. MSRP $300
NEW! Red Zone Series - Red Zone and Red Zone XLR - Two new wheels that meet the demands of the all-mountain rider, dirt jumper, heavy duty XC enthusiast, etc. Both options will be available with either a 15 or 20mm front thru axle and with a choice of QR or 12mm rear axle. Both are UST-compatible. The big difference is that the XLR version uses oversized round aluminum spokes vs. straight pull SS spokes. Their bold graphics and versatility are sure to make them popular wheels.
MSRP RZ ~$770; RZ XLR ~$990
What's staying the same?
Red Carbon - no change, lower MSRP $3,600
Red Metal 0 - no change, still available in all black or black/red with QR or 15mm front axle
Red Metal 29 SL and XLR. These two 29er wheels are staying as they there are. Fulcrum's 29er wheels have been getting great press and have recently been reviewed by our friends at Dirt Rag. Speedgoat even earned a company nod for its review of the ***
Red Fire - This is a sleeping giant in the range and fills the "extreme" niche of off-road riding. With the 20mm thru axle front, 150mm spaced rear and standout red color this could be an ideal DH choice.
New Lower MSRP $960
Road Cycling Wheels
What's new or changing?
Racing Speed (standard) - This is a super exciting development for customers wanting the best on a budget. The Racing Speed standard wheel is really the same as the Speed XLR but with an alloy hub shell and standard steel bearing. This wheel will be similar to the Racing Speed '08 version with improved alloy hub design. Best of all is the new lower MSRP ~$2,400.
Racing Zero - All 2010 R0 (as well as R1 & R3) wheels now share the same - what's called medium G3 - rear wheel spoke pattern. All R0 wheels have been updated with carbon/alloy hub shells for 2010. New for 2010 on the R0 clinchers is the use of Campagnolo's USB ceramic bearings. The 2-Way Fit R0 remain black/red but the single-fit R0 receives a face lift and goes all black with white decals and aluminum hub shell ends. It's subtle yet bold. Stylish without being loud. Gone for 2010 are the all-red R0 wheels but there are a few still out there so, if red is your thing get them while there's still inventory. 2010 R0 wheels will be close to '09 prices.
Racing 1 - Updated look. The new R1 single-fit will remain black but have silver alloy spokes for a striking static and spinning look. The R1 2 Way Fit remain virtually the same for 2010.
Racing 3 - Big positive changes for the R3 wheels: new rear wheel spoke pattern, updated decals, 2-Way and standard tube/tire options, and lower price. MSRP for the R3 2-Way Fit ~$850
Racing 5 and Racing 7 - These wheels continue to bring the quality of Campagnolo/Fulcrum to the masses. Both are ideal for OE spec and custom builds where a low price is desired. 2010 changes include updated decals for both. The R7 will be all black or black with red hub. MSRP remains the same.
R7 -$300 & R5 - $400
What's staying the same?
Racing Speed XLR - MSRP ~$3,300
Racing Lite XLR - MSRP ~$3,900 clincher, ~$2,900 tubular
The 2010 Fulcrum lineup represents a complete range of wheels to meet the needs of most cyclists. The Red Zone wheels fill the gap Fulcrum had in the 20mm front wheel all-mountain category while the standard Racing Speed will bring an affordable deep section carbon wheel to Fulcrum's range of product.
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Posted by Chris on 06/23/09 |
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Posted by Chris on 06/23/09 |
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SPEEDGOAT SINGLE-SPEED ONE MAN ARMY KEEPS ROLLING
From our far flung Single-speeder, Gerry:
"This past Saturday I competed in the Lumberjack 100 NUE Series Race in Udell, Michigan. There were 300 riders registered for the race in total. I finished in 5th place overall and 1st in the single speed class with a time of 7 hours 17 minutes. In addition, the fourth place rider only finished 30 seconds faster than me, and the second place single speed racer, Roger Massie, from Team Trek, finished more than 30 minutes behind me. I think this might have been the first time that a single speed rider has cracked the top five overall at any NUE Series Race. The course had one mile of pavement leading to 99 miles of single track, so it was perfect for a single speed bike in my opinion (full rigid of course)....haha...I know that I am sick. I was actually able to beat my geared bike times from the two previous years that I did this race. This win gives me two NUE Series Race wins and puts me into the series lead in the single speed class. The next NUE Series Race is in Breckenrige, CO and I will probably be going out to do it also."
Unbelievable stuff, Gerry--congratulations, and good luck in Colorado!
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Posted by bill on 06/22/09 |
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COMMUTE TESTED: THE 566
Here's a simple fact: you can race any bike Look is currently offering. Every single one of them, Optimum series included, can go fast. As a now incredibly famous blog celebrity once pointed out, though, bikes like the 566 are billed as being more versatile, so why not stretch the boundaries? Sure, it the Look 566 borrows its lines from much more expensive racing-specific machines, but if it's supposed to be more well-rounded, let's see how well it gets me to work and back.
Look introduced the first clipless pedal in 1983. They refined clipless technology over the next ten years, and the pedals were race proven when Bernard Hinault won his fifth Tour in '85. The next year, Greg Lemond won his first Tour on Look Pedals and a carbon frame. Every year since, Look has been pushing carbon bicycle frame technology along with its pedals. Monocoque construction was pioneered by Look to allow the carbon tubes to be manipulated and shaped to unheard of degrees. This technology allowed the frame to be aerodynamic and light weight with extreme lateral stiffness. In short, these were some of the first good carbon frames.
The timing for my test is perfect. My frequent "mixed-bag" paved and trail commute to Speedgoat has recently been shortened to a 30-mile roundtrip road ride. Even though my prior commute was 14 miles longer and incorporated trails, it had nowhere near the amount of climbing and descending my current commute offers. Typically, I ride my singlespeed mountain bike on some Jeep trails along with some road riding to get to work. But with the ton of rain we've been getting lately, I don't always want to arrive at work covered in mud, and sometimes, you just want to make time. I was very pleased to test the Look 566 Sram Rival Bike
Here's the thing: this isn't a race. If I have an extra hour, I'll fill it adding miles, but for this review, the purpose of my road ride is to avoid using my car.
Look introduced the 566 with a shortened and taller version of it's Pro Tour Geometry, which of course equals "not Pro Tour geometry," but allows for a more upright position. I was able to dial in my position, and felt extremely comfortable on this bike carrying my messenger bag to work. I don't always have to be riding to work when I'm on this bike, and for training rides and centuries (where I break out the lycra and leave the messenger bag at home), the bike felt equally comfortable. The 566 frame is a combination of Look's High Resistance and High Modulus Carbon. The twisted shape of the chainstays resists twisting and lateral forces to keep the bike lively and responsive under power. This design also helps eliminate road chatter and offers a degree of dampening. These are rough roads I'm on, and on quite a few occassions, I hit some washed out sections of road at 40mph, while still feeling comfortable and in control. This bike proved to be very stable at high speeds with no shimy or shake. Being that the frame is nice and stiff, climbing is one of the 566's strengths. I felt comfortable climbing with able to generate power both standing and in the saddle.
The Sram Rival components didn't disappoint. Sram has really stepped up to make high peformance parts at an affordable price level. The Double Tap shifters were really nice and easy to figure out, the shifting was excellent, and the Rival cranks were stiff. The Rival brakes were put to the test, and felt smooth and powerful. I'm really digging Fulcrum wheels. The Racing 7's held up nice even after a blow out from a broken bottle of Bud. I consider myself very lucky to have walked away unscathed.
For the money, this bike is tough to beat. It's perfect for anyone looking for a peformance bike at a great price, as well as riders who use bikes for transportation, exercise and most importantly, FUN! You don't need to shave your legs to ride the 566, but if you do, the bike still has what it takes to perform.
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Posted by Ernesto on 06/21/09 |
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Posted by Wendy on 06/19/09 |
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MISSY GIOVE BUSTED ON DRUG CHARGES
ALBANY, NY (BRAIN)—Missy Giove, former mountain biking world champion, was being held on $250,000 bail on Thursday after federal authorities siezed more than 200 pounds of marijuana from a truck she was driving in upstate New York.
According to the Associated Press, Giove, 37, and Eric Canori, 30, of Wilton were charged Tuesday with conspiring to possess and distribute more than 100 kilograms of marijuana.
Nearly 400 pounds of pot were seized from the truck and from Canori's home outside Saratoga Springs, 25 miles north of Albany, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency, from an Associated Press report.
Giove is considered one of mountain biking's first female superstars being the all-time leader in NORBA downhill wins with 14, and is second on the World Cup list with 11. Giove's other accomplishments include three overall NORBA downhill crowns, two World Cup overalls and the 1994 world championship title.
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Posted by Wendy on 06/17/09 |
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GET TO KNOW: SIGMA SPORT
SIGMA SPORT recently unveiled its new ROX bike computer and data system, which includes functions like rate of ascent (miles per minute), analysis of heart rate zones distribution, and three temperature functions in addition to the dozens of functions typical of SIGMA’s hardware. Speedgoat will review the ROX 9.0 within the coming weeks but first we wanted to know how to distinguish SIGMA from its North American rivals. SIGMA's Brian McGarrahan explains.
When was SIGMA first introduced in the US?
McGarrahan: SIGMA was first introduced to the US at the Chicago bike show in 1982. After many years of servicing the North American market from Germany, in 1995, SIGMA SPORT USA was established in Olney, Ill. The main purpose of SIGMA USA was to provide same-day shipping to all customers, as well as local customer service and warranty support. Later, in 2005, Managing Director Brian Orloff moved the company to Batavia, a suburb of Chicago. Moving the company to the Chicago area reduced import costs and allowed the company to be in closer contact with its customers.
SIGMA began in Germany in the 1980’s and the company HQ is still there. There’s probably a different way of doing business in Germany than there is here, was coming to the US a lateral move or did it take some adjusting?
McGarrahan: The owner of SIGMA SPORT realized very early that yes, the US market was different then the German and other global markets. Besides the typical language barriers and cultural differences (including how a bicycle is used and valued), products needed to be marketed differently. In Europe, SIGMA was the market share leader. In the US, SIGMA was the newcomer. As a result, he wanted the North American market to be run in the US and by Americans. Therefore, in a sense, it was a lateral move. SIGMA USA was set up as a sister company performing all of the same sales, marketing, and service related functions as in Germany. The US office was provided the autonomy to service the market as deemed necessary. The major difference between the two companies was that all engineering and product management still remained in Germany.
SIGMA started with bike computers and then moved into lights and heart rate monitors. What motivated the push into different categories?
McGarrahan: Actually, our very first cycling computer in 1982 had Speed, Distance, and HR measuring capabilities. In 1986 we started working on specific HR products: ones that mounted on the wrist. But unfortunately, HR functions were not widely accepted at the time, so the company's focus shifted back toward cycling computers and cycling functions. It wasn't until 1998 that we decided to revisit the HR market; this time the market was ready!
Lighting was a natural transition for SIGMA. After excelling in cycling electronics for 15 years, we broadened our focus towards the lighting aspect of the market in 1997. In Germany, bicycle lights were, and still are, highly regulated by the government. Lights must meet specific minimum and maximum brightness levels while also meeting specific beam pattern requirements. SIGMA carefully studied the requirements and quickly became one of the few companies to earn the government's certification. This catapulted SIGMA toward the front of the bicycle lighting market, which paved the way to future product development.
We are less than a month away from the start of the Tour de France and the buzz is already humming. Who will be the SIGMA athletes to watch during this year’s Tour?
McGarrahan: SIGMA has a deep history with the Tour and last year we were again on the tour winner's bike, CSC rider Carlos Sastre. We hope to see great results this year from Saxobank, Bouygues Telecom and AG2R.
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Posted by Jim on 06/16/09 |
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SAVE PENNSYLVANIA STATE PARKS
We've posted an article from the Dirt Rag web site below and would encourage everyone who lives in the state of Pennsylvania to take a few minutes to read the article and send a letter to your state legislators.
Save Pennsylvania State ParksPosted: June 14th, 2009 by Karl Rosengarth
The Pennsylvania Senate’s current budget plan (Senate Bill 850, now in the House as Bill 1416) reduces the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) budget by about $19 million beyond the reductions Governor Edward G. Rendell proposed in February. If enacted, DCNR acting Secretary John Quigley said the Senate proposal will force the agency to close at least 35 state parks and 1,000 miles of state forest roads. The move would would significantly reduce access for anglers, hunters, hikers and bikers.
Quigley noted that the Senate’s proposal would be devastating to many rural areas that count on tourism dollars, and that it would harm DCNR efforts to preserve natural resources for present and future generations.
“In contrast, the Governor’s budget proposal reflects the difficult economy we now face and would still allow us to provide a quality outdoor experience for our citizens and visitors,” Quigley said, also noting that closing 35 state parks would turn away more than 3 million visitors and wipe out at least $57 million in visitor spending on products and services in nearby communities.
Take action by contacting your state legislators and letting them know that you support an equitable review off all state programs, and that state parks and forests are critical to the economic well being of the state and the health of its citizens.
The International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) offers the following “starter letter” that you can personalize and send to your state legislators:
Please Fully Fund State Parks
Dear [Decision Maker],
As a mountain biker, I support strong funding for our state parks. Senate Bill 850 and House Bill 1416 could close between 35 and 50 state parks because of drastic cuts to the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources budget.
The list of closures centers disproportionately on the central region of the state, where the state parks are vital to tourism and local businesses. For example, every park that the Wilderness 101 ultra endurance race passes through would be closed. The State Forest system itself would need to close 20 percent of their forest road inventory to meet the proposed budget.
While I appreciate that in these tough economic times we all need to tighten our belts, I believe the Senate’s plan cuts a disproportionate amount from the DCNR budget. The proposal cuts the state park budget by 14 percent and the state forest budget by 30.5 percent (a 17-percent reduction to DCNR overall).
Thank you for considering my comments. I hope you’ll fight for stronger DCNR funding that will allow parks to stay open.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Address]
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Posted by Wendy on 06/15/09 |
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SPEEDGOAT SENDS COO TO NIAGARA FALLS
This past weekend, Speedgoat Bicycles dispatched its intrepid COO, Don Belt, to the annual Bikes & Barrels trip down the length of the Niagara River. Regrettably plans to send Belt over the falls in a barrel with his Salsa Fargo were canceled once it was learned that performing stunts off the falls of any kind is outlawed in both the US and Canada. Instead, Belt got to enjoy the 35-mile, mostly downhill B&B ride (326’ drop in elevation from start to finish) from the Fargo’s cockpit. Bikes & Barrels, originally founded by two friends, Ned Meyer and John Cowan, raises funds for the Canadian Cancer Society. This year, 140 cyclists, ages 6-60, participated in the ride.
The start of the 2009 Bikes & Barrels
“The Bikes & Barrels ride was my first organized cycling event ever,” Belt said. “It was a fantastic experience. What I enjoyed most was the camaraderie and interaction among the riders. We watched the Stanley Cup final together, which generated a lot of controversy.”
Indeed, witnessing the ultimate hockey match within range of the Canadian border is bound to spark spirited tension. Hockey aside, the ride itself was beautiful. During the first day, the cyclists rode approximately 35 km. from Fort Erie to the Niagara Falls.
Despite missing out on barreling over the Falls, Belt’s ride wasn’t without its thrills…or spills.
“60 percent of the way in on the first day, I crashed because I was too distracted by the scenery and not paying attention to the bike path. Sorry that I have no picture of all the blood and bruises. Instead, the finish line at Niagara Falls on the first day is shown below:”
Belt at the Falls
The second day saw participants ride from Niagara Falls to Fort George, or approx. 25 km. To prove that Canadians are formidable rivals, not only in hockey but in war. Over the course of the ride, Belt endured a retelling of the events of a nearly 200-year-old war, where you’ll never guess who won.
“My Canadian friends spent the day telling me about how they kicked Americans rear in the War of 1812,” Belt explained. “We stopped at Brocks Monument for a break where one of the battles was fought unsuccessfully by the Americans.”
Of course no victory is complete without a celebration and to meet that need, wineries sprung up near the battleground.
“Most interesting on the second day was passing by and stopping at the wineries and beautiful vineyards,” Belt said. “Canadian wine has an excellent taste and, from one of the wineries, we also had fantastic views of the Niagara Gorge.”
The Niagara Gorge
Belt arrived at Fort George - where the Niagara River and Lake Ontario meet - exhausted and ready for some R&R but not before expounding upon the merits of his Salsa Fargo.
“The Salsa Fargo was ideal for this type of ride. The 29’er Fargo, crafted of Salsa Classico CroMoly, is a bit of a bicycling anomaly: a disc brake only, drop bar mountain bike designed for fully-loaded touring.
“While the Fargo is designed for long distance cross-country rides, it sustained my crash far better than I. Here’s a list of the components I’d like to thank for carrying me through such a magnificent ride:"
Salsa Fargo LG Frameset (585tt)
2008 XT FC-M770 175mm 44,32,22 crankset w/bb
2008 XT M771-SGS Top normal Rear Derailler
XT M771 Trad Dual-pull Multi clamp Front Derailler
XT M770 9speed 11-34t Cassette
Avid BB5 Disc Brake Road Frt/Rear 160mm Rotor
Tiagra ST4500 9sp STI levers dbl/tr
Custom Front Wheel
Custom Rear Wheel
Hope Pro2 front black disc hub 32 h QR
Hope Pro2 rear disc hub 32 h black 135mm
ZTR Arch 29" 32h Black, presta valve
Salsa Rear SS Flipoff Skewer Black
Salsa Front SS Flipoff Skewer Black
Cane Creek S-3 1-1/8" Black threadless
Salsa Moto Ace Bell Lap 44cm 26.0 Anatomic BLK
Salsa Black Gel Cork Bar Tape
MotoAce SUL 26.0 110mm 115d Blk 1-1/8" thdls
WTB Rocket V Team Saddle Black Ti Rail
Conti Touring Plus 700x37 Blk Reflex Steel
Q 700c x 35-43mm 32mm PV tube 140g
Cane Creek CrossTop 24mm brake levers Black
Shimano M324 clipless pedals Silver
Wheels Mfg 15mm 1-1/8" hdset spacer Black Each
Wheels Mfg 15mm 1-1/8" hdset spacer Black Each
SRAM PC971 9spd chain Silver/Gray
Ritchey Pro 27.2 x 350mm Black seatpost *OE*
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Posted by Chris on 06/15/09 |
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Posted by Chris on 06/11/09 |
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Posted by Dan on 06/11/09 |
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Posted by Wendy on 06/11/09 |
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Posted by Wendy on 06/08/09 |
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Posted by Wendy on 06/07/09 |
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HOW TO AVOID MURPHY'S LAW OF COMMUTING
...or, don't leave home without these
Crank Brothers Multi-19 Tool
You believe it but may not admit it: that if you carry tools, fewer things will break on your ride. If you subscribe to Murphy's Law ("anything that can go wrong will go wrong"), then you likely bring along: a set of hex wrenches, a pump or CO2 inflator, patch kit or spare tube, and tire levers. If you don't, then picture yourself on that lovely ride you always do - the one stitched together by serpentine country roads, absent of cars (and people) - and there you are, on the side of the road pacing anxiously and wondering what to do about the snapped chain in your hand. Of course no self-respecting rider would suffer that situation but someone more casual - say a recent success story from National Bike Month of a converted commuter - might dupe himself into believing that nothing will ever happen to him. Beware, at some point Murphy's Law will apply and you will be screwed (without a tool to fix that either).
Even for the experienced, a reminder of what tools to bring with you on a ride shouldn't be ignored, especially with the evolution of lighter, stronger materials. Multi-tools such as those by Pedro's, Crank Brothers, Knog, Lezyne, and Topeak typically feature 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6mm hex wrenches, both flat and Phillips head screwdrivers, a T25 wrench, chain tool, and often a bottle opener. Hints of carbon fiber lighten up Pedro's multi-tools while custom forging and machining on Lezyne's heat-treated stainless steel hardware offer durability in an ergonomic design. Depending upon intended use, most multi-tools come in several models.
Blackburn AirStik SL Pump
Whereas pumps were once the size of polo sticks, they are now small enough to slip neatly into a back pocket. The best example of this might be Blackburn's AirStik SL, which claims enough power to reach a maximum air pressure of 160psi while weighing a feathery 58 grams. Another "Best in Class" for micro pumps would be Crank Brothers' Alloy Power Pump Ultra, which - at 175mm - is slightly longer than a handlebar grip and just as wide. CO2 inflators slash the time it takes to inflate tires and few pro racers would be caught dead without them. World leader in CO2 powered inflation products, Genuine Innovations, set a new trend with its Microflate Nano CO2 tire inflator, which fits 12, 16, or 25 gram CO2 cartridges. Commuters who live in cold or rainy climates would be smart to carry CO2 inflators to avoid further suffering due to the elements.
Patch kits, like this one from Park, prolong the life of a tube and, if you're even remotely concerned about the environment, patching a tube instead of tossing it for a new one will keep that tube in use instead of in a landfill. Best practice in the instance of a puncture would be to replace your flat tire with a spare tube and then patch the punctured tube once you get home. Another way to keep tubes safe from sharp, stabbing objects would be to install tire liners like Mr. Tuffy or Panaracer's Flat Away 29er Tire Liners.
There are a few more things to help keep you "above the (Murphy) law" so that your ride won't come to a frustrating halt. Money for public transportation or a phone call; Presta valve adapter so that you can pump up your tires at a gas station; spare chain links; and - by popular opinion - one of the most useful "tools" to take with you on a ride is a cell phone.
The epiphany of a mechanical failure is when something goes wrong; you grab the perfect tool from your bag and breathe a sigh of "thanks" for resisting the urge to leave all this extra "stuff" behind. Send Murphy and his damn law packing by carrying the above solutions to potentially infuriating situations.
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Posted by Chris on 06/05/09 |
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Posted by Chris on 06/04/09 |
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SHOPPING CART
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