You are currently browsing the archives for the 'July 2005' category.
I’ve been curious about the Turner Flux for a while now but, since there aren’t any local dealers I haven’t been able to get a close look at one. Every other Turner that I’ve seen has looked great (I particularly like the 5 Spot and the DHR) and the Flux always looked like a great trail bike. Anyways, a couple of the writers (pun intended) over at MTBR.com posted a brief review of the Turner Flux. Check it out for some good preliminary thoughts on the bike.
No Comments »
18 July »
Reviews »
Cory
I used to be of the opinion that a front derailleur was a front derailleur and it didn’t particularly matter which one you ran on your bike. Sure, there was a slight performance difference between Deore and Deore XT but the difference wasn’t so great that it was worth the upgrade before your cheap stock derailleur gave up the ghost. I still stand by that assessment when speaking about the SRAM X Generation (XGen) front derailleur.
However, XGen front derailleur is relatively cheap, strong, and most importantly, gives you positive shifts immediately out of the box. That’s not to say the product is flawless – it has some downsides that you should consider before you make a purchase – but it does warrant consideration when it comes time to upgrade. Read the rest of this entry »
2 Comments »
A number of different 2005 frames from Turner Bikes are licensed to use Ellsworth’s patented Instant Center Tracking Four-Bar suspension design. The design ensures fully active suspension, even under pedal load or braking pressures. Dave Turner of Turner Bikes saw fit to equip the Flux and the Nitrous with ICT in an effort to fine tune the company’s cross country and epic trail bikes.
It is interesting to see this announcement come mid-way through 2005, after a bunch of ‘05 frames have been released…
Source: Mtbr.com
No Comments »
Feed the Habit just posted a review of the Giant Reign 1. The Reign 1 is the high-end model in Giant’s ‘trail bike’ category. It gets 6″ of rear travel from a Manitou Swinger 3-Way air shock, a 6″ Manitou Nixon up front, and a number of other high end parts.
For those who haven’t heard, the Reign utilizes Giant’s Maestro Suspension platform, which is Giant’s version of the VPP system used by companies like Santa Cruz and Intense. Maestro reduces pedal feedback and suspension induced power loss while maintaining traction and remaining active under braking. By all accounts, the bike performs wonderfully and, given the price point for the bike (MSRP is $3300 (USD)), is well positioned to make some serious inroads into the market.
The parts spec on the Reign 1 is solid. The bike features a Manitou Nixon up front and, while the reviewer had some issues with the fork’s bushings, Giant undoubtedly will warranty the defective item (they did for me when my Firefly developed the same sort of play). The Hayes HFX-Carbon are great brakes, and the carbon levers are very nice — there’s nothing better than reaching for your brakes on a cold day and not worrying about having your fingers freeze on aluminum levers. Personally, I would swap out the wheelset for something a little more suited to my riding style and the terrain in southwestern BC (I’d go with Mavic 823s). And I’m not a fan of the internal headsets that Giant uses on the Reign, the Trance, and some of their other bikes. I have one on my Giant AC and I’d rather have the option of using something like a Chris King or Syncros headset — the bearing life on the internal headsets is relatively poor and quality replacement bearings are difficult to come by.
On a personal note, Giant Canada offered me a Reign frame after I noticed a couple of cracks in my trusty AC1. I considered the offer seriously but decided against it for a couple of reasons. First, while the Reign is classified as ‘all mountain’, it features a relatively steep head angle (69 to 70 degrees, depending on who you’re talking with). That angle might work for people who are into agressive trail riding but it’s a little steep if you do mid-size drops and jumps on a regular basis. Second is the fact that the bike is equipped with an air shock in the rear. I know that these shocks are far more reliable than they’ve been in the past but I wanted to stick with a coil over, especially given the type of riding I do. I ended up with another AC frame and am satisfied that I made the right choice.
Technorati Tags: Giant Reign 1, review
1 Comment »
Over the years, Crank Bros has built a great reputation for developing quality pedals. Aside from their recently introduced Quattro road-specific pedal, all Crank Bros pedals were built around the revolutionary Egg Beater design.
It appears as though Crank Bros is making a move into the flat, or platform, pedal market with the introduction of their 5050 flat pedal. When released, the 5050 will come in two versions. One version (the 5050 X) will feature loose bearings and be priced below its sealed bearing sibling (the 5050 XX). Both versions of the 5050 will have removable pins and colored plates that can be customized after you purchase your initial set.
Pricing has yet to be determined, but you can expect to see the pedals showing up in your local shop later this year.
No Comments »
I took a day trip to the Whistler Bike Park today. In the lineup for the lift, I asked my friend if he thought he could take the guy behind us on a run down A-Line. He looked back at the guy and his bike and said, ‘Sure’. And when I said that ‘that guy’ was Cedric Gracia he quickly took back his words…
Other things spotted at the bike park today? The new Trek DH bike, the Manitou Travis Intrinsic Triple (and Single), custom painted 2006 Marzocchi forks, fast riders, and a sun burn on my neck, legs, and nose…
No Comments »
This news item was actually released last night but I was too beat after a long ride to post the info. Anyways, it looks as though HB Performance Systems Inc. purchased rim manufacturer Sun Metal Products in a private deal. The deal gives HB Performance Systems — formerly Hayes Disc Brakes — a business whose product line complements the brake company’s current catalogue and allows them to expand their reach and influence in the marketplace. Terms of the deal were not released.
In 2004, Hayes Disc Brakes took in nearly $100 million in net revenues and the company has doubled in size since 2000. Unlike the growth of HB, Dorel Industries is stuck with excess inventory as orders for their Sting-Ray bicycles fell (even though the company — which owns Pacific Cycles — still anticipates a profit of over $3 per share).
No Comments »
Specialized announced that they are teaming up with distributor Dirt Racing to launch a Spanish subsidiary of USA-based Specialized Bicycles. The new subsidiary will provide riders with access to the full range of Specialized bikes in an effort ‘to be the product of choice for discerning customers and dealers, and the supplier of choice to the full-service dealers [in Spain]’.
Source: Bicycle Retailer and Industry News
No Comments »
This is the first entry for this category and, depending on how it is received, will be followed by many others. In this series, I plan on describing and outlining key bike components; I figure it’ll be a good start for people who are learning about mountain bikes and will give them a leg up when discussing components at bike shops or on the trail. Read the rest of this entry »
No Comments »
12 July »
Reviews »
Cory
Contrary to what people might think I don’t always shell out for the most expensive component on the block. In some cases, I base purchasing decisions on the expected amount of use an item will receive and, should it be less than ‘a lot’, I’ll scale back my purchase accordingly.
This long and drawn out process is what convinced me to pick up a Shimano Deore LX rear derailleur. I figured it would be a good idea to test the part and compare it with some of the other products Shimano (and SRAM) has on offer. Read the rest of this entry »
3 Comments »
