Interbike: New Components
Fox iCD Electronic Lock-out, DT Swiss 29er Wheels, New Goods from Thomson, and Easton EC70 Carbon MTB Hoops
Companies unveil new 2013 components at the industries tradeshow in Las Vegas, NV
Tested: Rocky Mountain Slayer 70
Slayin' the Trail on Rocky Mountains Do-It-All Trail Bike
Pedaling up Cement Creek Trail we gained elevation as the sun dropped close to the ridges. Topping out Hunter hill above 12,000 feet we gazed towards Teocalli and Pearl Peak in the breath taking alpenglow.
Tested: Saris Freedom Hitch Rack
A Handmade, Lightweight Hitch Rack at a Reasonable Price
Despite my initial skepticism about the strength and durability of this rack, I was pleasantly surprised once everything was assembled and installed. The freedom rack comes with a 1¼ “ receiver shaft as well as a 2” adapter. Unlike many other racks that use an adapter for the 2” receiver, the Saris rack fit snugly into the hitch and had minimal rocking once installed.
Tested: DZR Dice Black Cycling Shoes
Cycling Shoes for Those Who Dream Big
To put it simply: if you want to know the who, what, and why of DZR shoes, I’d venture to say the above video just about sums it up. Admittedly, I say this without having engaged a thorough mise-en-scene, shot by shot cinematography and editing analysis and having no formal education in film theory.
Tested: Pacenti TL28 Rims
Trail-Ready, Weight Conscious Hoops
In a time when most wheelsets come complete from the factory, these Pacenti TL28 hoops offer a nice alternative for those who’d rather build up a super-tough, versatile trail wheelset the old fashioned way: from the hub up.
Tested: DT Swiss FX1950 Tricon
Bright and Durable: Thrashing the FX1950 Tricon
Yes, these euro-flashy hoops are bright, but these bomber freeride wheels from DT Swiss have a surly side with tried and true DT quality hubs laced up to a sealed tubeless compatible rim utilizing top notch DT bladed double butted spokes. This combination creates a solid and laterally stiff but otherwise forgiving wheelset that is capable of taking on some pretty insane riding while helping to smooth out your ride.
Testeed: Mosaic 29er All Mountain Hardtail
Twenty-niner hardtails are synonymous with cross-country racing; with low BB heights and steep, quick-handling geometries, they’re designed for speed. The smooth-rolling, confidence-inspiring big wheels and efficient platform that make the 29er hardtail the go-to for racers can also be leveraged to create trail bikes that make you forget about rear suspension.
Tested: Liteville 301
I’m ripping my favorite afternoon singletrack loop in the Colorado high country—Doctor Park in Crested Butte, a true mountain bike trail. The climb seems to have flown by as I top out and begin the flowy yet technical descent.
Tested: Pivot Mach 5.7
There are trails that bring out the truth in a bike, and bikes that bring out the truth in a trail. Pivot designed the Mach 5.7 to achieve the latter and, trust me when I say, it’s a hell of a lot more fun that way.
Tested: The Mountain Biker's Guide to Colorado By Dan Hickstein
Looking for Some Fresh Singletrack in Colorado? This Book will Help!
If you’re like me and enjoy riding new trails in new places, it is necessary to do a good amount of research before setting out on the open road in search of singletrack.
Tested: Schwalbe Racing Ralph 29er with Snakeskin
Excellent Traction and Durability but are they Worth the Premium Price?
Schwalbe has quickly gained a reputation as a high-end tire manufacturer that creates highly functional bicycle tires. Although they also sport a high-end price tag, Schwalbe has shown time and again just how great its tires are.
Tested: Nikwax Basewash
Do your Riding Jerseys and Shorts Wearout before they should? Maybe your Washing them in the Wrong Detergent.
With as much money as we have invested in riding gear, it is important to get the most out of each $200 pair of shorts. Nikwax Basewash is the perfect solution, designed to safely clean and deodorize this cleaner also claims to improve a garments wicking properties and accelerates drying. Harsh chemicals in traditional detergents can wear out sensitive athletic clothing after repeated washing
Video: Colorado Trail Race Setup
Preparing for an Off-Road Journey across Colorado
Preparing for the Colorado Trail Race is all about light and efficient but preparing for the worst is always in the back of your mind. Check out Mountain Flyer Tech Editor, Jordan Carr's setup for the Ultra endurance event.
