You are currently browsing the archives for the 'June 2005' category.
30 June »
Reviews »
Cory
I’ve never been a huge fan of SRAM’s grip (or twist) shifters. I gave them a chance on a couple of bikes a few years ago and, while they performed very well, I couldn’t get a proper feel for them. As a result, I stuck with the tried-and-true Shimano RapidFire Plus trigger system. My reliance on Shimano triggers was seriously tested when SRAM introduced their X9 and X7 triggers in 2003. When I eventually picked up a set of the X9 triggers, I was impressed by the quality of the shifters and, once installed, their overall performance. Read the rest of this entry »
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Word on the street is that Fox Racing Shox has just announced a new fork — the Fox TALAS XTT — focused on meeting the demands of all of you trail riders out there.
The Fox Talas XTT combines the lockout capabilities of the Terralogic system with the adjustable travel settings found on the Talas system. The Talas XTT’s Terralogic valve will limit the effects of rider-induced ‘bob’ in the same way that its xc cousin does and travel can be set anywhere between 90mm and 130mm. The fork will weigh just under 4 pounds and is set to be released later this summer (2005).
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FeedTheHabit.com just posted a brief review of the Intense Uzzi VPX freeride bike. While I’m a little hesitant to call the writeup a review (it’s based only on a couple of rides), the piece does provide some decent thoughts on the Uzzi VPX.
The Uzzi VPX is a new frame design for Intense — it replaces the Uzzi SLX — but the design does utilize a bunch of elements from the Santa Cruz VP-Free. The similarities between the two frames are mostly a result of a partnership agreement between the two companies (so please don’t accuse either of stealing the frame design).
If you’re interested in either of the two frames, you’ll need to ask yourself two questions:
- Do you want or need a 1.5″ head tube? If so, you’ll need to choose the Intense over the Santa Cruz.
- What is your budget like? If you can live without the 1.5″ head tube and aren’t concerned that your bike says ‘Santa Cruz’ instead of ‘Intense’, the VP-Free might be a better choice for you.
Of course, I’m probably oversimplifying the differences between the Intense and the Santa Cruz but if you must distill the differences into a couple of points, mine are a good starting point. If you’re looking closely at either of the frames, you’ll need to spend time figuring out the differences for yourself.
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This past year, Giant Bicycles made a splash with its new Maestro suspension design. The design is intended to provide a stable platform free from pedalling and braking influences. Giant introduced three separate frame designs — the Trance (XC / trail), the Reign (all mountain), and the Faith (freeride) — while leaving their tried-and-true downhill frame mostly unchanged.
Well, based on some of the photos finding their way onto the Internet, Giant is working hard to develop a downhill frame built around the Maestro platform. Keep in mind that the frame is still in development / prototype stage, so you should expect some changes before it's released to the market.
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27 June »
Reviews »
Cory
When the SRAM X.0 rear derailleur was introduced a few years ago, it inspired many riders to hint that Shimano had been surpassed as THE derailleur manufacturer of choice. Riders were excited by the crispness of the X.0’s shifts, the fact that the body of the derailleur didn’t smash into your chainstay on bumpy terrain, and the durability of the SRAM product. Things haven’t really changed a whole lot since the X.0 appeared on the market – many riders still claim that Shimano is no longer King of the Mountain, SRAM’s derailleurs still refuse to smash into your chainstay and they remain tight and durable for a good period of time. Read the rest of this entry »
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27 June »
How tos »
Cory
I live in a pretty nice area. Our neighbours are mostly young families and retirees and it’s quiet and out of the way. So when our next-door neighbours had their garage burglarized while they were sleeping it gave me pause for thought. Whoever did the break in walked off with over $5000 worth of tools. My neighbours’ experience forced me to look closely at our place. Was it just as easy for a thief to break into my house (probably)? What would I do if they rode away with any of my bikes (scream, lose it, etc.)?
The first thing you should do is purchase bike locks to cover all of your family’s bikes. The next thing you need to do is actually use those locks. I’m not saying that the locks will prevent a motivated thief from nabbing your ride but it will serve as a deterrent; usually, burglars are looking for a quick-and-easy grab and anything that doesn’t fit within that category will be passed over.
The next thing you need to do is look into the type of coverage provided by your house insurance. In my case, our home-owner insurance covers bikes up to $1000 in value (per bike). Subtract the $500 deductible and you can see that it’s not really that great a deal (especially if your bike is worth less than $1000). Individual policies might be different, so ask your broker for the details on your policy.
Given that my home policy doesn’t provide adequate coverage for my bikes, I called around looking for rates on bike insurance. Typically, I was quoted rates that were based on a fixed amount per $100 worth of value. In my case, rates ranged from $3/$100 to $6/$100. That means it would cost me between $30 and $60 for every $1000 worth of bikes that I wanted to insure.
The good thing about these policies is that the deductibles are quite low ($25-$100), they cover the bike anywhere (not just when they’re in my house), and some of them even covered them against damage (although I’m skeptical that they’d cover damage caused by a crash while bike — I didn’t ask).
In the end, it comes down to whether or not you feel you can deal with the loss of your bike through theft? Can you repurchase a stolen ride? Or are you SOL if someone walks off with your bike? If you’re in the latter category, consider looking into bike insurance.
1 Comment »
Foes Racing made their name with high-end, high quality racing bikes. Of course, all of these qualities are conducive to custom price points, but that’s really beside the point. Bike Magazine just published a good review of the Foes Inferno, Foes’ entry into what it calls the “long travel trail bike” category.
The review is decent, highlighting the strengths (and weaknesses) of the frame. Of interest is the fact that the Inferno relies on a floating brake to limit brake jack. While it’s not surprising that a single-pivot bike performs better with a floating brake, it’s a little surprising that a trail bike — a bike that’s not intended for downhill or freeride use — suffers from enough brake jack that the reviewer (Vernon Felton) recommends the add-on to any buyers of the frame.
Aside from the weight of the frame (7.7lbs), I’m a little confused by the Inferno. Does it really need 7.5 inches of travel? Given that it’s not recommended for freeride applications I have to ask, “Why?” And why are the key angles so slack (67.5 degree head angle / 64 degree seat angle)? No wonder the review claims the bike climbs like a pig.
MSRP on the Inferno is about $2000 (usd) with a steel coil and $2200 (usd) with a titanium coil. Add another $180 (usd) for the floating brake kit.
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25 June »
Features »
Cory
The North Shore News has published a series of excellent articles that discuss trail access in North Vancouver. Below is a list of links to the stories. Let me know if you end up with a dead link (the site’s server seems to be a bit dodgy) and I’ll do my best to track down another source.
War in the Woods
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22 June »
Reviews »
Cory
When you ask someone who rides downhill or freeride on a regular basis what their rim of choice would be, a good percentage of them would say ‘321′ without hesitation. These riders are referring to the Mavic EX 729 (the D321 is the 729’s predecessor), a rim whose name is pretty much equated with strength, durability, and effectiveness. I’ve spent a ton of time on both 321s and 729s and found them to perform in the same way: no problems, no issues. Read the rest of this entry »
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This entry is part of an ongoing series that focuses on building up a top notch tool kit that will allow you to maintain your bike on your own terms. Earlier entries outlined tools that you should have with you while riding and essential items for your tool box at home; this entry focuses on items that aren’t necessities for everyone but are of use for riders who take care of most of their maintenance on their own.
Optional mountain bikes tools, the basics
- Crescent wrench. A mid-sized crescent wrench comes in handy once in a while.
- Cassette removal tool. Used together with a chain whip, you can remove and replace cassettes as you see fit.
- Chain whip. Use with the cassette removal tool.
- Torx T-25 wrench. For removing rotor bolts. Make sure that you have the correct wrench for your rotor bolts.
- Bike stand. The Park stands are a great addition to your tool box (even if they won’t fit inside of it). They allow you to work on your bike in an easy, hands-free manner.
- Truing stand. This one is only necessary if you’re into building your own wheels and keeping them true. A good stand is expensive, so if you’re going to work on your own wheels make sure it’s something you’re interested in doing before you make a purchase.
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