200905 Mountainbikeaction

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RADAR® PATH™ WITH VR50™ PHOTOCHROMIC LENS The word singletrack is a big, fat-tire lie. Truth is, your mind has any number of things to focus clearly on while riding. Trees, mud, terrain changes and even other riders crumbled up on the trail. That’s why the world’s top mountain bikers choose the RADAR with VR50 PHOTOCHROMIC LENS. We designed them with HIGH DEFINITION OPTICS® for unbeatable clarity. Then we added PHOTOCHROMIC technology that adjusts tint for ever-varying light conditions. It’s multi-performance design with a single purpose in mind. Keeping you on the path.

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contents BIKE TESTS

88 Titus X A cross-country racer for riders who want to win.

126 Ray’s Indoor MTB Park The only reason riders look forward to winter. TECHNICAL

$2500 TRAILBIKE SHOOTOUT

110 The Garage Files

44 Read, Ride and Rejoice

114 Inside The Pros’ Bikes

Five bikes go fork-to-fork over one tough course.

46 The Haro Sonix Comp Listening for the Sonix boom.

48 The Specialized Stumpjumper FSR Comp Twenty-five years and counting.

More cable tricks. Petr Hanak’s paid-in-full Commencal

118 Fleet Fox Riding the 2009 Fox Racing Shox 40 RC2 fork.

122 The Gates Carbon Drive The silent, longer-lasting alternative to the roller chain. TRAINING & FITNESS

50 The Santa Cruz Heckler Simple, effective and lots of fun.

54 The Giant Trance X2 Riding Giants.

56 The Gary Fisher HiFi Plus Will it be the repeat champion?

58 And, The Shootout Winner Is

62 Joe Lawwill’s Manuals Made Easy Forget wheelies and learn a skill that matters. DEPARTMENTS

14 Happy Trails The trials of two guys.

18 Mac Attack Getting to the heart of the matter.

We are not going to spoil the surprise here.

22 Hard Tales

2009 PARK DIRECTORY

28 Trailgrams

94 Spend Summer On The Slopes A guide to North American mountain bike resorts

104 The Pros’ Guide To Whistler And Beyond Life is more than downhills, jumps, and drops. PEOPLE

86 Riders Who Inspire Victor Walter’s single-handed mission. DESTINATIONS

70 America’s Top Mountain Biking Town Over 35 reasons why we want to move to this place. 6

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Stan takes a close look at wheels. Expensive bikes and smart tune-ups.

32 Trail Mix Saying goodbye to winter.

38 Thrash Tests Shoes, tires, wheels and more.

42 Inside Line Deep thinking from Dave Weagle.

116 Subscribe To MBA Now

The absolute best value in mountain biking.

142 Quick Releases Protection and style for your eyes.

146 Down The Trail Santa Cruz: The beginning of greatness.

VOLUME 24, NUMBER 5 MAY 2009 ON THE COVER Danny Milner threads a fine line down one of Whistler’s many challenging and spectacular trails. Photo by Sterling “I rode this section with a 30-pound camera bag on my back” Lorence. The Titus X gets a total makeover, and cross-country racers are going to love it. Photo by John “Green Machine” Ker.

MOUNTAIN BIKE ACTION Magazine (ISSN 0895-8467 Canada GST 12500#9266RT: CPC INT’L. PUB MAIL 40024492) MAY 2009, volume #24, issue #5, is published monthly by Daisy/Hi-Torque Publishing Company, Inc., with editorial offices at 25233 Anza Dr., Valencia, CA 91355. Subscriptions $19.98 for 12 issues (one year). Canada add $12 additional postage for one year, $24 for two years. Foreign add $15 additional postage for one year, $30 for two years. Foreign subscriptions are shipped by surface mail and may take up to 15 weeks to receive. Copyright ©2009 by Daisy/Hi-Torque Publishing Company, Inc. All rights reserved. Nothing in this magazine may be reprinted in whole or in part, by any means, without the express permission of the publisher. Contributors: Photographs should be submitted in digital form on CD or DVD. Images should be 4 megapixels or higher. High-quality, low-compression JPEG images are preferred. Please limit submissions to no more than 20 photos at one time. Transparencies and prints will no longer be accepted for consideration; such images should be scanned and submitted as high-resolution digital files. Captions should accompany all submissions. Make sure the photographer’s name, address, phone number and e-mail address are clearly labeled on each CD or DVD. Submissions will not be returned. Written articles should be submitted on CD (unless other arrangements have been made with the editors), saved as “text” files, and accompanied by a printed version. Written submissions, both on paper and CD, will not be returned. The publisher does not assume responsibility for unsolicited material. PERIODICALS: Postage paid at Santa Clarita, CA 91383, and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Mountain Bike Action Magazine, P.O. Box 958, Valencia, CA 91380-9058. Printed in U.S.A. For Canadian returns mail to: Bleuchip International, P.O. Box 25542 London, ON N6C 6B2.

WARNING: Much of the action depicted in this magazine is potentially dangerous. Virtually all of the riders seen in our photos are experienced experts or professionals. Do not attempt to duplicate any stunts that are beyond your own capabilities. Always use discretion and wear the appropriate safety gear.

MBA STAFF www.mbaction.com EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT JIM McILVAIN • EDITOR RICHARD CUNNINGHAM • EDITOR-AT-LARGE JODY WEISEL • FEATURE EDITORS ZAPATA ESPINOZA SEAN McCOY • MANAGING EDITOR JOHN KER • ASSISTANT EDITORS RYAN CLEEK KATHARINE McCOY ED ARNET • CONTRIBUTING EDITOR JEFF SPENCER • TRAINING CONSULTANT JOHN TOMAC • CONSULTANTS MIKE BELL JOHN PERRY BRAD ROE • ONLINE EDITORS [email protected] TOM HINZ [email protected]

ART DEPARTMENT ANTJE SCHROEDER-ERNST• DESIGNER ALMA MARTíNEZ de DICSö • ASSISTANT DESIGNER EDUARDO GUTIE´RREZ VICKY BERTRAND JIM ALGAR • COPY EDITOR KAY DEICKEN • PRODUCTION COORDINATOR PAT CARRIGAN • PHOTO ARTIST RYAN D’ERRICO WILLIAM C. HAWLEY IV • PRELIM COORDINATORS

ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT ROBERT REX • NATIONAL ADVERTISING DIRECTOR ROBB MESECHER • ADVERTISING MANAGER DERRECK BERNARD • ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE ERIC HARTER • ADVERTISING PRODUCTION MANAGER JENNIFER EDMONSTON • ADVERTISING PRODUCTION COORDINATOR LISA BECKWITH • ACCOUNT ADMINISTRATOR SEAN McCOY • EXECUTIVE WEB ADVERTISING DIRECTOR, [email protected]

ROLAND HINZ • PRESIDENT & PUBLISHER LILA HINZ • ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER CASSANDRA MITTELBERG • ASSISTANTS TO PRESIDENT KATHARINE McCOY TOM HINZ JEFF SHOOP • CIRCULATION DIRECTOR TIM LaPAGLIA • PROMOTIONS ADVERTISING & EDITORIAL OFFICES 25233 Anza Dr. Valencia, CA 91355 (661) 295-1910 Fax (661) 295-1278

Any change of address or subscription problems please contact us by e-mail: [email protected] or call (800) 767-0345.

www.hi-torque.com ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVE IN TAIWAN WHEEL GIANT INCORPORATED P.O. Box 80, Changhua, Taiwan R.O.C. Tel (047) 352555, 350500 Telex: 58312 WGI Fax: 886-47-357860

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Whistler has something for every kind of rider—from paved valley trails, technical singletrack, spectacular forest trails to a jaw-dropping bike park.

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(Restrictions apply. Void where prohibited. No purchase necessary. Bicycle dealers are eligible. Must be 19 or older to enter. See official rules for details and entry information, available at www.KHSbicycles.com). Photos courtesy Whistler Mountain Bike Park.

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HAPPY TRAILS

wenty-five years ago, Dave Evans and Bob Nickelsen took me up into the San Gabriel Mountains and showed me a ride that took my breath away. The route began with a sevenmile fire road ascent into the clouds above the Los Angeles Basin. The return was almost entirely on hiking trails that at the time were nearly forgotten. It was an eye-opening ride for me. Dave and Bob were lifelong friends, and both national motorcycle observed trials champions—which taught the still-competitive duo a twowheeled skill set that made the narrow trails and often precipitous switchbacks seem disarmingly simple to ride.

T

I learned a lot from Dave and Bob— about choosing lines, trusting the bike, and staying relaxed through technical sections, but most of all, I learned 14

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By Richard J. Cunningham

humility. After two and a half decades, I have yet to ride every switchback, rock garden or washed-out section of the route without taking a foot off a pedal—a feat that they duplicated often, usually while discussing next week’s destination or the post-ride lunch menu. I followed their lines, and as often as I remember exiting a difficult section victoriously for the first time, I can recall tumbling down some precarious slope. I cannot pedal that mountain without envisioning Dave and Bob, wheel to wheel, locked in conversation and gliding down the trail so effortlessly. Today, I wondered how much easier they could have negotiated the 13mile descent had they owned the bicycle I was riding: an all-mountain Norco Six One. I breezed down a once-vicious section of stair-steps that continued around a Cliffside switchback, braking with one finger as the bike’s six inches of suspension ran through its travel. Back then, our fully rigid bikes, ineffective tires and overheated rim brakes did not allow such fluidity. Each stair step, every tight turn or large rock required individual attention, precise timing and body English. I remember my hands cramping from a combination of squeezing the not-so-effective brake levers while trying to mute the pounding of the steel fork for the

hour-long descent. Armed with its 2.35-inch tires, disc brakes and dual suspension, the Norco would have become a weapon of mass humiliation in the hands of Dave and Bob. Today, although I didn’t make every section without “dis-pegging a boot” (as they say in motorcycle trials competition), I did get the chance to glide down the mountain with much of the gracefulness that Dave and Bob possessed on their fully rigid machines. I’ll admit that most of my improvement can be attributed to superior technology, but I am okay with that. Twenty-five years has taught me that mountain biking, like playing a musical instrument, can never be completely mastered. We are at once inspired and humbled by a performance which is far beyond our talent, and we live for that particular moment—like today’s ride—when body, mind and machine harmonize and we can experience for just a little while how a great performance might feel. By now I can be pretty sure that I will never ride as well as Dave Evans or Bob Nickelsen, but if a bike like the Norco Six presents the opportunity to feel what it may have been like to stay on their wheels for just one trip down the mountain—well, I’m not going to let pride get in the way of the best ride of my life. ❏

Cross country race performance should not be a compromise. Riding bikes fast shouldn’t involve tiptoeing through rock gardens, crowding the brakes down hills, worrying about whether your bike is strong enough to get a little air, or feeling your energy get sapped when stomping up the climbs. But more often than not, those are the kinds of compromise that plague light bikes designed to be pedaled hard. Introducing the new Santa Cruz Blur XC. 105mm of VPP suspension travel fed through a feathery 4.2 pound carbon fiber frame that is stronger and stiffer than just about anything else we’ve ever made. It builds up into an ultra-light, stable, smooth, efficient, fast as hell, ass kicking machine. Kick some ass, win races, flip compromise the bird.

Santa Cruz Bicycles: 104 bronson st. #22 santa cruz, ca 95062 santacruzbicycles.com [email protected]

THE MAC ATTACK

Listen To Your Heart

Cyclist Riding On Mountain Trail Dies Authorities were investigating the death of a bicyclist Saturday afternoon on a trail in the Santa Monica Mountains in Ventura County. Shortly after five in the afternoon, county firefighters responded to a report of a mountain biker who had suffered cardiac arrest on a trail near the junction of Yerba Buena Road and Little Sycamore Canyon Road, according to the Ventura County Fire Department. No details were immediately available. The California Highway Patrol, park rangers and the Ventura County Medical Examiner-Coroner’s Office also were involved, officials said.

he headline in the Ventura County Star Sunday paper was not one that any mountain biker wants to read.

T

Now, we’ve all heard that tired cliché: “At least he died doing something he loved.” I understand this sentiment, but at the same time have to wonder how many rides were left unridden because of an untimely death that might have been prevented. Cyclists have long subscribed to an unwritten rule that a rider should ride through the pain. The most famous and saddest example would have to be the death of British cyclist Tom Simpson in the 1967 Tour de France. It was the 13th stage on July 13th and the peloton was racing up Mont Ventoux (nicknamed the Sugar Loaf). It was a blistering hot day, and once the pace got serious, racers noticed Tom’s erratic behavior. He had a blank look on his face. He would attack for no reason. He started to ride like a novice, paperboy’ing up the steeper inclines. He fell a number of times, and fans would put him back on the bike and push him. Then he fell again. 18

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Folklore has it that Tom’s last words were, “Put me back on my bike.” (A journalist who was not present reported those last words. Tom’s mechanic remembers them as “Go on, Go on!”) Tom was determined to ride through the pain and finish the race. He died of exhaustion that day on the side of the road. A more recent example of this press-on-regardless attitude is Lance Armstong. The guy rode for months with pain and discomfort that would have kept most people bedridden. It was later found that the source of Lance’s discomfort was a little thing called nonseminomatous testicular cancer. What does this have to do with a mountain biker who died while trail riding? There may have been warning signals that were either discounted or ignored because of our tough-guy attitude. The American Heart Association says that unlike the heart attacks you see in movies, most heart attacks start slowly, with mild pain or discomfort. Often people affected aren’t sure what’s wrong and wait too long before getting help. Knowing and reacting to the warning signals could save your life or the life of a riding partner: UÊ …iÃÌÊ`ˆÃVœ“vœÀÌ. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain. UÊ ˆÃVœ“vœÀÌʈ˜ÊœÌ…iÀÊ>Ài>ÃʜvÊ Ì…iÊÕ««iÀÊLœ`Þ. Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach. UÊ-…œÀ̘iÃÃʜvÊLÀi>̅. UÊ œ`ÊÃÜi>Ì. UÊ >ÕÃi>. Uʈ}…Ì…i>`i`˜iÃÃ.

The American Heart Association also warns that you don’t have a lot of time once a heart attack strikes. Minutes matter. Don’t wait more than five minutes to call 9-1-1, almost always the fastest way to get lifesaving treatment. Emergency medical services (EMS) staff can begin treatment when they arrive—up to an hour sooner than if someone gets to the hospital by car. EMS staff are also trained to revive someone whose heart has stopped. Patients with chest pain who arrive by ambulance usually receive faster treatment at the hospital, too. Now, I’m not presuming that the rider’s death this weekend could have been prevented, but maybe a future death can be. Use your mountain bike to get a great workout, clear out the cobwebs and discover new places. Just don’t ignore unusual pains believing you will ride through it. While mountain biking might be a good way to die, it is a better way to live.฀ You can reach Jimmy while he is not short of breath at [email protected].

The new XC-One Stem

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The new Sunline XC-One stem is the latest lightweight creation from Sunline. Weighing in at only 119 grams in the 90mm length. Available in 3 lengths in 10mm increments in both Sunline XC light grey and black. Can be !ipped for a +/- 6 degree rise. The tapered body gives it a unique look and strength. The inside of the faceplate is bead blasted with chamfered edges for a secure and safe hold on carbon bars. Look for it now at your local dealer.

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HARD TALES

Thinkers

Future Wheels Does the name Stan Koziatek ring a bell? No? How about Stan’s? You got it. Stan Koziatek is the guy behind NoTubes, and there is no doubt the man from Big Flats, New York, (no, that is not a lame attempt at humor) will one day be honored in the Mountain Bike Hall of Fame for saving so many riders from the pain of fixing a flat tire while on the trail. While you might think Stan stays busy enough thinking about rubber, a recent discussion with the man revealed he has been trying to do for wheels what he has done for tires.

Crack up: Stan noticed it was always the drive-side spokes that would begin to pull through the rim over time. This got him thinking.

The man: Stan Koziatek helped tubeless-tire technology deliver on its promise. He hopes to make the same impact on wheels.

MBA: So what have you been working on? Stan Koziatek: “I have been working with different hubs and lacing patterns that make the wheel more efficient. On current wheels, the drive-side spokes are tensioned much higher than the non-drive side spokes. This means with a 32-hole rim we are driving (or pulling) mostly with the eight drive-side spokes.” MBA: What does that mean to the rider? Stan: “With every pedal, you twist the rim sideways and put most of the strain on the eight drive-side spokes. Over time, this will start cracking the rim where the drive-side spokes attach. By making 16 spokes drive, we eliminate some of the rim twisting and convert that energy into forward motion. With 16 spokes doing the work, it will take longer to crack the rims.” MBA: Are there other areas of concern? Stan: “When you pedal with a chain crossover, especially if you stand and sprint, this angled chain line is not only less efficient, but it pulls outward on the frame. We can take some of that wasted energy and channel it into better forward momentum. We know that an efficient spin is the quickest way up a climb. The fact that it’s the most efficient way to cycle notwithstanding, have you ever considered that a steady spin might be faster because it also eliminates wheel and frame flex, instead using what could be wasted energy for added forward motion? MBA: So it sounds like you’d be a ten-speed cassette advocate. Stan: Not really. Fewer cogs powering lighter hubs that drive the rim through revised lacing patterns that make the eight non-drive spokes work will eliminate rim twist, reduce frame flex, and improve chainline. If this is possible, we will gain a few percent more on the climbs or during a sprint. We will be working with energy that we have always lost and gain speed while exerting the same force. We can do this by: 1) improving the chainline so that during heavy power we are not pulling the frame outwards with every pedal stroke; 2) finding lacing patterns that allow the 22

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Test lab: This hand-fabricated test machine allows Stan to detect and measure the forces at play while pedaling a mountain bike.

Chain out of line: A poor chainline pulls the frame outwards with every pedal stroke, and this steals your forward momentum. Can a new hub design and fewer cogs really be the answer? Stan thinks so.

Twisting the night away: One of Stan’s goals is to reduce or eliminate the rim twisting that occurs during hard efforts like climbing or sprinting. Spreading the work over more spokes might do the job.

non-drive spokes to gain tension while pedaling; 3) using hubs with equal tension side-to-side and different spoke lacing that allows all 16-drive spokes to share the workload; 4) using cassettes with fewer gears so we can improve the chainline, which will reduce much of the frame twist. MBA: So what is the Stan’s solution? Stan: We are currently testing a six-ounce, six-speed cassette built on a Stan’s ZTR Race 7000 series rim with different spoke lacing and hub flange offsets. With equal spoke tension, I can even make lighter rims. More gears are not the answer for racing mountain bikes. My job is to make my racers faster, and if by using fewer gears we can gain speed with energy currently lost, I feel it’s worth a try.

Friends

Where Are They Now? An avid mountain bike collector and former product manager at Haro Bicycles, Mike Varley left congested Southern California two years ago for the small-town tranquility of Point Reyes Station in Marin County. While the mountain biking is limited, the views are awesome and it is a good excuse to cruise by Mike’s bike shop and check out his not-for-sale vintage mountain bike collection. You’ll find Black Mountain Cycles, (415) 663-8125, behind the abandoned brick building, off Pacific Coast Highway, in the heart of Point Reyes Station. Don’t blink or you’ll miss it (the town, not Mike’s shop).

For 2009

Where legends hang out: Don’t be surprised if one of mountain biking’s founding fathers shows up during your visit to Black Mountain Cycles. The legendary Steve Potts (right) stopped by the shop during our visit.

Tech X2

Mini Pro X2

Tech M4 Come on in: Mike Varley and his Black Mountain Cycles offer western Marin County riders more expertise than most bike shops in the heart of San Francisco. Mike also does consulting for bike companies looking for solid Taiwanese connections.

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May 2009 / MOUNTAIN BIKE ACTION

23

HARD TALES

Money

Jones

Price

Reduction If you freaked out at the price of the Jones Spaceframes in our 2009 buyer’s guide, that’s because our price reflected complete build kits, not just the frame. Now, the frame-only price isn’t what we’d call affordable, but the frames are a work of art. Jeff Jones will handcraft you a Spaceframe for a mere $5500. You can reach him at (541) 535-2034.

Smarts

Fox Issues A Warning We recently saw a rider with a Fox 32 fork that was modified to accept a 29-inch front wheel. It looked sketchy to us and we were right. Fox has issued a warning about such modifications, explaining that riders should never remove material from any portion of a Fox fork and they should use only 26-inch wheels with Fox 32, 36 or 40 bicycle forks. Those forks are designed and tested for use only with 26-inch mountain bike wheels and tires. Using these forks with any other wheel size will subject them to loads and forces they have not been designed or certified to meet. These modifications would void any warranty, but worse, you are really tempting fate. These sliced and diced forks are not safe to ride. The Fox 32 F29 fork is the only Fox fork designed specifically for 29-inch wheels.

Tricks

A Simple No-Hassle

Bike Rack

Why would you throw your beautiful bike into the bed of your pickup when there is a rack as simple as the Rec-Rac bike rack for pickups? The Rec-Rac is easy to install, requires no drilling, takes up less bed space and, best of all, does not require the bike’s front wheel to be removed. The basic kit goes for $65 and fits most popular pickups. You can get more information at (800) 867-7764. ❏ 24

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Passion Driven.

photo: Matteo Cappe - www.mc-photographer.com

rider: Nick Pescetto

Our brand was bred from the very roots of mountain biking, NOT borrowed from the automotive or any other industry. We are unique and exclusive, designing and manufacturing tires specifically for your sport, your lifestyle, your passion.

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MBA,

TRAILGRAMS

February, 2009 BIKES “R” ME The rider explaining his issue with the high cost of bikes being reviewed in MBA is missing the point of the mag. Sure, the bikes tested are pretty high zoot. I’m glad. I want to see the best of the best. I want to know what’s so great about the latest lookma-no-bob suspension. It’s entertaining. Otherwise, just read the Toys “R” Us flyers and see what’s hot in their bike department. Phil Hallahan Ontario, Canada TEST THE PORSCHE, NOT THE KIA Do riders who complain about expensive bike tests in MBA also complain when Car and Driver or Motor Trend test drives a Ferrari or a Porsche? Do they write letters asking, “Why don’t you test drive more Kias or Hyundais?” If you want tests on cheap mountain bikes, buy Consumers Reports. Unlike a Ferrari or Porsche, a Santa Cruz or an Intense is far more obtainable. Roger D Rancho Cucamonga, California

SETTING PRIORITIES Thanks to MBA for reviewing highdollar bikes. Riders have to know that the R&D on these expensive bikes will be passed down to less expensive models in just a couple of years. If you can’t afford a $1K bike, I must question your priorities. It always brings a smile to my face when I see a $1500 bike on the top of a $200 rusted-out Subaru. Now that’s prioritizing! My recently purchased 2008 Specialized Enduro SL Comp is everything MBA said it would be. I already had my eye on it, but the review MBA did was the final confirmation that I “needed” it. I love this bike! My world is a better place because of it. Please con-tinue reviewing bikes of all price ranges, especially the exotic ones. Maybe then someday I’ll have my enclosed-transmission, seven-inchtravel, 22-pound bike that I thought couldn’t be made. Wayne Wittrock Anchorage, Alaska WORTH IT To all those who write complaining about the price of the bikes tested in MBA, I say this: Bikes don’t cost too much. The rest of your life costs too much. What’ll ya have? Ben Sokolski Leadville, Colorado 28

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FEELING LEFT OUT I just re-read your 2009 buyer’s guide (MBA, February 2009) and did not find any mention of the $199 Titan Trailblazer. How could you guys leave out a bike that, in the words of its producer, offers a front suspension design that means constant contact with the road and gives this hardtail bike greater durability for smooth on- or off-road riding? It even comes with a waterbottle. Gotcha! Thank you for not including bikes below the $500 level in your buyer’s guide. Riders don’t need a guide to cheap bikes, because they are all the same. Keep showing us real mountain bikes. Ryan Ferguson Pocatello, Idaho FUN FLOW CHART The flow chart for buying the right mountain bike (MBA February 2009) was fun to follow and very accurate. My only question is, why were so many of the example bikes listed at the bottom of the flow chart made by Specialized? Ted Osbourne Norman, Oklahoma Specialized’s wide model selection makes it easy for someone new to mountain biking to compare and understand the differences between types of moun-

tain bikes. Using different boutique brands as examples in the chart would not have given these riders the same opportunity for comparison. TUNE-UP UPGRADE I commend MBA for the straight talk and sound advice to riders contemplating upgrading an old mountain bike (“Reeling In The Years,” February, 2009). While there are always exceptions to rules, many riders find themselves throwing good money after bad when upgrading an old bike. I would suggest that any rider thinking of embarking on an expensive upgrade journey have the bike tuned-up by a professional bicycle mechanic first. Many times a new chain, trued wheels and fresh tires are all it takes to give your tired ride a new lease on life. David Lennon Utica, New York AFFORDABLE CARBON In “Price War” (MBA, February 2009), you state, “The entry level for a carbon-fiber-framed bike is $5000 (and the price goes into the stratosphere from there).” Just a friendly reminder that the Fuel EX 9.8, the Gary Fisher Superfly, and the Gary Fisher HiFi Carbon all have carbon frames, and all sell for below $5000. Jason McDowell Salt Lake City, Utah

w w w knucklebox c o m

TRAILGRAMS

NO NOSE RING Do you ever feel as if society has securely attached a brass ring through our noses and is leading us, browbeaten and crestfallen, with an iron chain? On the trail, nose ring and iron chain fall away, leaving us to determine direction and speed, when we stop or go, and what we observe and absorb along the way. Find a trail. Ride it. Live. Ed McCain Ventura, California

GT GOLDEN RACE SERIES 4/19

SEA OTTER CLASSIC MONTEREY, CA 5/3

GHORBA BIG RING CHALLENGE COLDSPRING, TX 5/16

SPRING THAW ASHLAND, OR 6/7

MASSANUTTEN HOO-HA! MASSANUTTEN, VA 7/4

FIRECRACKER 50 BRECKENRIDGE, CO 8/8

ORE TO SHORE MARQUETTE, MI 9/13

LANDMINE CLASSIC HINGHAM, MA

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GET TUBED In your January 2009 “Garage Files,” Paul Thomasberg uses 1/8thinch nylon tubing to seal the cables from dirt. Where can I purchase that tubing? Sean Tucker Meridian, Oregon Paul purchases the tubing from McMaster-Carr, (562) 463-4277. It is described in their catalog as abrasionresistant type sleeving. You need to have an account to purchase the sleeving, but with over 480,000 products, you will find McMaster-Carr a great resource for other projects.

PRICE IS RIGHT Thanks for the “Price War” story in your February issue. I own a bike shop and on more than one occasion have caught one of my sales staff hesitating when a customer asks the price question (“Why is this bike so much more expensive?”). I now make sure that my sales staff reads the “Price War” story, because it explains clearly what you get for the bucks. Finally, your tip to pick the right shop should have been at the beginning of the article. Name withheld upon request Carmel, Indiana LOST IN THE WOODS The guys from New Orleans (in your February 2009 “Trail Mix”) misidentified their location. That is Tsali in North Carolina, not Tennessee. I’ve been there and even taken photos in the same spot they are in. That’s Lake Fontana in the background, and it is a great place to ride. Rick Wilson Brevard, North Carolina

PURPLE HAZE Love the mushroom photo in the January 2009 “Trail Mix,” but the Amanita Muscaria isn’t food. Although not totally poisonous, it is hallucinogenic and can make you very sick if not prepared correctly. Flook Oakley, California ❏

[email protected] is our email or hard copy us at MBA Trailgrams, 25233 Anza Drive, Valencia, Ca. 91355. Include the town and state where you live. Trailgrams tip of the month: Run at least one tear-off on your goggles, even while practicing. This prevents your lens from getting scratched. It only takes a second to switch tearoffs between runs as opposed to minutes required to clean the lens. Your lens will last longer too.

TRAIL MIX

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s we ride into May with its longer days and warmer temperatures, we take a look back at the riders who never dreamed of putting their bikes into storage.

DESERT RIDING Rick Watts, Latenite Trail in Las Vegas. Yes, that Las Vegas. Rick Watts Las Vegas, Nevada

DON’T STOP TOO LONG Mountain Top, Pennsylvania, enjoying our first snow ride of the season. Just completed the first climb in the snow and were catching our breath. Riders are (from left): Dave “Sammy” Scott, Alain “Taco” LaPrade, Georg Pescher and Denis Jacques. Jeff Bruell Mountain Top, Pennsylvania

FROZEN TOES Cold weather? No problem! Jones Park in Vestal, New York. Perfect weather at 25 degrees, soft breeze and sunny. Dan “Slipstream” Micholychak John “Trailmaker” Hajny Vestal, New York 32 www.mbaction.com

POWDER COATING My son, Josh Hayes, captured this awesome image while waiting for the rest of us to catch up. Jeffrey L. Hayes Vancouver, B.C., Canada

NO WEAK LINK Riding doesn’t have to stop when it snows in Southwest Idaho. My tire chains allow me to keep on pedaling during the winter. The chains are also a good conversation starter when I stop in at local java shops. Tyler Welshimer Nampa, Idaho

FREAKING OUT THE FISH What were the fish thinking when I locked up my Nokian Freddies Revenze studded tires on the ice at Silver Lake? Temperature was 20 degrees, bright and sunny. A beautiful day for a ride. The night shot (I like to go for a ride once it cools off) is one of my favorites. My riding buddy, Roy Edelstein, took the photos. Dave Boynton Lynn, Massachusetts May 2009 / MOUNTAIN BIKE ACTION

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ONE LAST RUN Closing day at Mammoth Mountain Bike Park, 2008. Tom, Josh, Cory, Evan and Rob ignored the weather reports, grabbed a case of Mammoth Double Nut and made the annual trip a success yet again. Cold, windy and wet, but still managed to tear the flow-drop and the mountain! Good times. Robert “Noondog” Nooney Warrensburg, Missouri

SALINAS HILLBILLIES I had the privilege of meeting up and riding with the Hwy. 68 Hillbillies from Salinas, California, for a great weekend of riding on Mount Ashland in Southern Oregon. Using Ashland Mountain Adventures for our shuttle service up the mountain, we were able to get in some of the last runs of the year before the snow set in. In three days of riding, we jumped, slid and hammered our way down over sixty miles of singletrack! What a blast! Scott McKnight Gresham, Oregon BECOME ALMOST FAMOUS

OUR MEN IN UNIFORM Drew and I, both members of the Ramstein Area Cycling Clubs, on the first snow ride of the year in the Pfälzerwald Mountain Bike Park in Kaiserslautern, Germany. Rick Gilbert, TSgt, USAF Ramstein Air Base, Germany 34

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NEED TRACTION Steve Keller in the Cuyamaca area of San Diego. Do they make snow chains for mountain bikes? John Whiteside Ramona, California ❏

We want to make you a star. HERE’S HWOW: 1) Image file size needs to be 600 KB or larger. 2) Tell us what is going on in your photo (include names). 3) Include your name and the city and state where you live. 4) E-mail it to [email protected] Trail Mix rider of the month: Victor Vincente of America.

BATTLE PROVEN. The HollowGram SI Crankset. The lightest, stiffest production crankset on the planet. Standard on the Cannondale Factory Racing Team Scalpel.

The good fight. cannondale.com

A picture is worth a thousand words...

* NOTE - Both crankset weights include 175mm crank arms, spindles, complete bottom bracket sets, 44/32/22T chainrings and all hardware.

raceface.com/next

or in our case 53 grams.

THRASH TESTS

DT SWISS X 1800 WHEELSET

★★★★✩

Thrash test rating: ★★★★★ Perfection ★★★★✩ Delivers above average value and performance ★★★✩✩ Recommended for intended application ★★✩✩✩ Shows potential but has drawbacks ★✩✩✩✩ Save your hard-earned bucks

Hoops built to take a dunking Wheel builders are a busy bunch these days. As bicycle companies offer models with specific travel lengths for unique riding experiences, wheel builders have to create hoops that match these experiences. DT Swiss released the $568 X 1800 wheelset to meet the needs of riders looking for a mix of performance and durability (think high-performance trail riding). Tech features: The X 1800 starts out with hubs that accept either IS (International Standard six-bolt) disc rotors or center-lock rotors using the DT Swiss center-lock adaptor. There is a 15-millimeter axle option for the front hub. Spokes are double butted, made with DT Swiss’ cold forging technology. Rims are constructed using DT Swiss’ sleeve joint technique, which is their way of keeping the wheels affordable while coming close to the performance of their SBWT (Strength Boost Welding Technique) wheels. Our front wheel with quick-release skewer and center-lock adaptor (but without rim tape, tire and brake rotor) weighed one pound, 14 ounces. The rear came in at two pounds, seven ounces. You can reach DT Swiss at (970) 242-9232. After the thrashing: We ran into a compatibility issue before slapping the wheels on the bike. The sexy Magura Ventidiscs on the Titus Moto Lite test sled wouldn’t fit on the X 1800 hub. Bummer. Those things are so pretty. Honestly, the Ventidiscs may be the only discs that will create a compatibility issue with these wheels. Just our dumb luck. We had to grab a pair of conventional rotors that snapped on the center-lock adaptors easily and snugged up without further protest. The wheels clamp into the frame and fork using DT Swiss’ snug clamping, easy-to-adjust, silky smooth quick releases. The initial roll out was greeted by the unique sound of DT Swiss’ two-pawl system freehub. Some freehubs are so loud that they can be downright annoying. Not these. It is the sound of precision. Now, DT Swiss has to be wondering what happened to these wheels, because the wrecking crew has been passing them around for over six months. The wheels are no worse for

FIZIK TUNDRA SADDLE ★★★★✩ Don’t let the name fool you. This is an easy saddle for a cross-country racer to warm up to The newest mountain-bike-specific saddle from Fizik began registering U.S. National cross-country series victories in 2007 underneath Geoff Kabush. Can a saddle this fast offer an adequate perch for a regular rider? Tech features: The Tundra is Fizik’s lightest cross-country-specific saddle to date and is offered in two versions. The all-white carbon braided rail version (tested) sells for $199, and the black Tundra with Fizik’s proprietary kium rails sells for $159. The white carbon Tundra weighs 6.7 ounces (1.4 ounces lighter than the black version) and has a slightly wider nose for increased comfort. The Tundra uses a new foam formulation for its low-profile padding and a new Microtex cover that is lighter than leather, durable, waterresistant, and won’t fade. The Tundra has an Integrated Clip System (I.C.S.), allowing for quick attachment and removal of ICS accessories, like the Fizik Saddle Pack and Blink light. You can reach Fizik at (877) 395-8088. After the thrashing: Unlike many cross-country race saddles, the Fizik Tundra offers a wider, more comfortable 38 www.mbaction.com

the wear. They have never even needed truing, although we do not recommend that you ride any new wheel for six months without having a wheel builder throw a true on them. DT Swiss wanted the X 1800 wheelset to deliver a lively, sporty feel while still being strong enough to be used and abused on a daily basis by the 15-pound-overweight trail rider. Mission accomplished, DT Swiss. Of course, the true test of a wheelset comes three years down the trail. While we didn’t want to wait that long to bring you our review of the X 1800, we are well on our way, and they are rolling right along without breaking a sweat or spoke.

base for a rider’s sit bones. When setting up the saddle, you’ll notice what appears to be black hockey tape covering the carbon rails. This is to improve the clamp’s grip on the rail and reduce the chance of damaging the carbon by overtightening. The Microtex cover offers good traction (for lack of a better word) on cycling shorts, but it’s still smooth enough to allow shifting your position forward on extended climbs. The Fizik Tundra gets four stars because it is impressively comfortable for a weight-oriented cross-country racing saddle, but it should not be confused with a trailbike saddle, where more comfort is essential.

Unlock Your Bike’s Potential The Cane Creek Double Barrel shock uses exclusive Twin Tube technology and 4-way independent adjustment that brings you custom tunability for your course and conditions. Whether you ride a 5-inch trail bike or World Cup Downhill machine, the Double Barrel’s tuning precision gives you the power to maximize your bike’s suspension performance. Get more from your shock. We’ll build one for you.

WWW.CANECREEK.COM

THRASH TESTS

SPECIALIZED PRO CARBON MTB SHOE ★★★★★

Thrash test rating: ★★★★★ Perfection ★★★★✩ Delivers above average value and performance ★★★✩✩ Recommended for intended application ★★✩✩✩ Shows potential but has drawbacks ★✩✩✩✩ Save your hard-earned bucks

The popular road shoe gets a fat tire makeover Specialized claims their Pro Carbon MTB shoe is their best-fitting, highest performance shoe for mountain bikers. It sells for $260. Tech features: Raced by World Champion Christoph Sauser, the Pro Carbon MTB Shoe features Specialized Body Geometry (BG) contoured footbeds, a patented X-Link closure system, and a durable thermoplastic rubber outsole for confident traction. The Pro Carbon is available in black and white, and also in plus widths. The Pro Carbon shoe has a full-length FACT carbon midsole and two toe cleats. A pair weighs 1.6 pounds. The shoes are sold exclusively at Specialized dealers. You can get more information at (877) 808-8154. After the thrashing: Specialized has been hitting home runs with their cycling shoes for several years, and the Pro Carbon continues the streak. In fact, the Pro Carbon hits it out of the park. It takes a special shoe to make the wrecking crew give up wearing a wellworn, comfortable favorite (the shoe you’d throw on for an epic ride), but the Pro Carbon shoes made it easy to move on. They became our first choice for every ride. The carbon sole is ultra stiff, which is crucial in acceleration and for providing support for bombing technical terrain. The X-Link, ratchet-like closure system is reliable and easy to operate, while the BG footbeds keep your shin and thighbones in line

MAXXIS ARDENT ★★★★✩ A new tread from a trusted name The Ardent is the latest addition to the Maxxis downhill tire line. Available in sizes 2.25, 2.4 and 2.6 inches, the Ardent sells for $47.95. Tech features: Geared towards downhill riding on loose and wet conditions, the Ardent was developed to fill the void in the Maxxis line between the Minion, High Roller and Wet Scream (which returned to the line this year). The tire has aggressive tread and high-volume casing, with side knobs offering multiple edges. The center tread, intended for braking and accelerating traction, has ramped knobs to minimize rolling resistance. Depending on the size, the Ardent tires range in weight from 1.4 pounds to 1.9 pounds. You can contact Maxxis at (770) 962-5932. After the thrashing: This was a truly global test, as we were able to ride the 2.4-inch and 2.6-inch Ardent tires on the wet and rocky terrain of Alicante, Spain, as well as the loose, dry conditions of Southern California. Although intended for tacky dirt, the Ardent has remarkable bite in sandy and soft conditions. The 2.4-inch version is capable of running on both the front and rear wheels of a downhill bike; however, we also opted for the 2.6 up front for a larger contact patch. Budget racers should note that the Ardent’s 60-durometer rubber lasts longer than more expensive and disposable race-oriented tires, without a major compromise in traction and control. This tire is more than suitable for racing and park riding. Depending on the terrain, our best results came when running between 25 and 30psi front and rear. Although the Ardent has a rather 40

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for efficient pedaling output. The Pro Carbon is an excellent, high-performance mountain bike shoe that is ideal for crosscountry, but more than capable of being used for gravity racing. If you’ve yet to try the Body Geometry shoes from Specialized, we recommend visiting a dealer and slipping a foot in to feel the difference they can make. Comfort and performance don’t always come together, but they do in the Pro Carbon MTB Shoe.

unassuming tread, don’t underestimate its bite. This is a serious downhill performance tire, and we’d venture to bet the 2.25-inch version would be the ticket for a versatile all-mountain tire, too. ❏

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INSIDE LINE “Inside Line” is your chance to get the inside scoop from some of the most knowledgeable folks who mountain bike. E-mail a question to us at [email protected] and we’ll get it answered. You can also get more answers to your pressing issues by visiting our website and clicking on the “Ask R.C.” link.

Dave Weagle

WHAT A DRAG I ride a five-inch-travel, 2007 Specialized Stumpjumper equipped with a Fox fork that adjusts from 5.5 inches down to 3.1 inches of travel. When I’m climbing and drop the fork to its lowest travel setting, I immediately feel drag in the drivetrain. Pop it back to full travel and the drag is gone. What is going on? Is there a way to prevent this feeling? Dan Newman Sacramento, California One guy who probably spends way too much time thinking about stuff like this is the inventor of the dw-link, Mr. Dave Weagle. Dave agreed to try to get to the bottom of your problem. “So I took a look at our question here and this is what I have. I’ve started by setting some constraints. I’ve constrained that the bike is sitting on level ground in all scenarios, and that the rider’s position on the bike does not change (i.e. he is not moving forward or backward on the seat.) Then, I equated this perceptible change to a requirement for the rider to exert more force to move the same distance. This ultimately works out as a perceived drop in efficiency. An efficiency drop is predictable mathematically, measurable with data acquisition, and perceptible at some levels by riders. It’s funny, I couldn’t recall observing any efficiency drop in regards to travel adjust (TA) on my personal bikes, so I played around with my Pivot Mach 5 and Ibis Mojo travel adjusts to see what I could find. I went as far as to run the data acquisition system on the Mojo to see if any observable differences existed between the extended and compressed travel adjust settings. I could not find any real observable effects of or evidence of this phenomenon on my dw-link bikes. I think that there may be a reason why I can’t see it 42

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on the dw bikes, but it may be observable on other designs. Rather than get into a comparison, the first thing that I did was try to characterize Dan’s specific problem with as much information as possible. From here on is purely mathematical hypothesis. I took a look at the chassis and suspension geometry on Dan’s Stumpjumper. Its design is much different from any of the dw-link bikes, and this could be a contributing factor in the perception of this phenomena. The Stumpjumper has very little anti-squat. At sag with the TA extended to 5.5 inches of travel, the bike develops about 8.5 percent anti-squat. With the TA compressed to 3.9 inches, the bike develops about 5.9 percent anti-squat. This could definitely contribute to an efficiency loss, but the rider would have to have very tuned-in legs to feel that little of a change. The difficulty of perception is compounded by the fact the FSR bikes feature a significant amount of low-speed compression damping to control the rear suspension during acceleration. This compression damping deadens the travel through the ranges where one would typically be able to feel the difference. Some riders talk about axle path and assume that a rearward axle path will absorb bumps better than a forward axle path. While this is true on the mathematical level, axle path angle is one of the less important factors that contribute in this area. With the TA in the 5.5-inch position, the axle path tangent is about 92 degrees from the ground. With the TA in the 3.9-inch position, the axle path tangent is about 89 degrees from the ground plane. When factoring in that bumps act on your suspension through your wheel (which is supported on very efficient bearings), and that the bump shifts your tire-to-ground contact patch forward, both of these angles reduce to less than 90 degrees. Realistically, the difference between the two settings is almost immeasurable. Again, in order for a rider to feel this, he would have to be very, very attuned to his senses on a level that few people in the world are. Another thing to consider is Center of Mass (CM) shift: the location of the CM in relation to the contact patches. The CM shift directly influences weight distribution and could change sag and suspension settings. With the TA extended to 15.5 inches, the weight distribution is about 62.5 percent towards the rear. When the TA compresses to 3.9 inches, the weight distribution is about 60 percent towards the rear. This means that your rear suspension is compressed less with your TA in the compressed (3.9 inch) position when on an identical grade. If anything, this is going to make your suspension more efficient, but again, the difference is so little that it would be very difficult to perceive. These are the major factors at work. All in all, I don’t see any differences that the vast majority of riders could feel. I have a simpler (and kind of joking) explanation to consider: typically riders use travel adjusts when climbing hills. Perhaps the grade has increased and Dan is just working that much harder against gravity. Sometimes the simplest answer is the right one, or at least Sherlock Holmes thinks so. My conclusion is that either Dan is superhuman, or that the problem exists more in his mind than on the bike. Either way, I wouldn’t suggest spending too much time thinking about it. Just get out and ride for fun!”

PAY TO PLAY How is all the economic turmoil going to affect the cost of new mountain bikes and parts? Randy Burgling Seattle, Washington We went to two bike brands that account for the lion’s share of mountain bikes on the trail today; Specialized and Giant.

GIANT Dennis Lane, Global Product Development Director for Giant Bicycles, explains, “The current U.S. economic downturn won’t have as much of an effect as recent global pricing increases. Generally speaking, we’ve seen up to a 20 percent increase in price from model year 2008 to 2009. This includes an increase in the raw materials (aluminum, steel, rubber and even cardboard for our packaging), manufacturing costs (labor is unionizing and getting more expensive) and shipping (air, ship and truck fuel is more expensive than last year). Surprisingly, it’s the negative exchange rate (up 30 percent from 2008) that’s affected prices the most. All these incremental cost increases add up to the bottom-line price that the consumer pays for our bikes at the dealer.

Ben Capron

SPECIALIZED Ben Capron, in charge of Specialized’s Global Marketing and a racer on the Sho-Air Team, says, “First off, no matter what the economic climate, we always strive to offer the most performance for the money possible. That’s what we think of as value. “When measured against this yardstick, there has never been a better time to buy (or ride) mountain bikes. Our bikes today offer so much more performance than ever before, and riding them has never been more fun. We all need more fun in our lives right now, with all the dark economic news these days. All of our bikes and equipment are backed by the best warranty against defects in material and workmanship in the business, so riders can be confident in any Specialized purchase. “Specialized dealers are ready, willing and able to help riders get onto the right bike for their need. They also have the expertise to dial in the fit and suspension and point out the best localknowledge trails. It is up to each dealer as to how they handle pricing, so riders should head down to their neighborhood dealer and see what the scoop is there, but the reality is that the experience that riding offers is priceless.”

Dennis Lane

“It’s not a matter of Giant trying to gain a greater profit—in some cases, we’ve had to lose a few points off our 2008 margin in order to stay competitive with market expectations (for example: raising the price of a $300 bike another $40 wouldn’t fly for the most price-conscious dealers and consumers, so we only raised the price $25). “Like most economic forces, these issues are almost completely out of our control. Sure, we could resort to using more affordable (i.e. poorer quality) materials or transferring production to commodity-type factories, but we’ll never sacrifice our quality just to make our margins. “The only difference I see occurring in the price of bikes in America is that the consumer probably has more negotiating power when he walks into a shop. Maybe not on the outright price of a bike, but maybe in the overall package (accessories/service/upgrades) that they walk out the door with. In general, we don’t see retailers hurting too badly from the downturn, but when it comes to high-end product, it’s a buyer’s market right now.” ❏

May 2009 / MOUNTAIN BIKE ACTION

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Read, Ride &

Rejoice The $2500 trailbike shootout

here are countless variables when shopping for a mountain bike, such as which brand, how much travel, what’s the latest technology, and how can you get the most for your money? We took those concerns into consideration when planning this shootout, and rounded up a handful of midtravel trailbikes from leading manufacturers at their most popular price point: $2500. This is a wonderful time to be in the market for a trailbike, because manufacturers are packing more value into each bike and making the latest technologies found on $5000 bikes available at a more real-world cost. The bikes in this shootout range in travel from 4.7 to 5.9 inches and have an assortment of the most advanced suspension and component technologies. The contenders are the Gary Fisher HiFi Plus, Haro Sonix Comp, Santa Cruz Heckler, Giant Trance X2, and Specialized Stumpjumper FSR Comp. Each trailbike has an advertised retail price of approximately $2500. The best part of this shootout was seeing what great bikes are available for $2500, but the toughest part was ranking them. Read on to see what separated the best from the rest.

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HiFi tom) The Gary Fisher Buck Corral: (from bot ckler, Giant He z Cru ta Shootout at the Big San , mp jumper FSR Co Plus, Specialized Stump ix Comp ready to shoot it out. Trance X2 and Haro Son May 2009 / MOUNTAIN BIKE ACTION

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Sonix Boom The Haro Sonix Comp

he Haro Sonix Comp falls into Haro’s cross-country/trail category of bikes designed for technical singletrack, mild climbs and aggressive descents. There are three Sonix bikes in the line, ranging from $1630 to $2935. Our Comp test bike falls in the mid-level price point. Each Sonix frame utilizes Haro’s patented Virtual Link suspension system and has 4.7 inches of rear wheel travel.

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NUTS AND BOLTS The green Sonix Comp (Humboldt Green, officially) features a Fox Float shock, Shimano hydraulic disc brakes with Centerlock rotors, a Shimano XT Shadow rear derailleur, and 3.9-inch-travel Fox 32F R fork. Mounted on the WTB SpeedDisc rims are Kenda’s 2.1-inch Small Block 8 tires, and the cockpit offers A Ritchey Comp riser bar and stem. The WTB Rocket V-Comp saddle has Kevlar trim and is supported by a Ritchey seat post. DID YOU KNOW? While Haro was developing the Sonix, they discovered what they believe to be the proper sag setup for the Virtual Link suspension: ten millimeters—no more, no less. Also, if you’re a rider in-between two sizes, Haro recommends going with the larger frame. This is because raising the seat dramatically increases the effective top tube length (because of the slack seat tube angle).

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When the effective top tube length is increased that much, it throws the balance of the bike off by forcing the rider to sit too far over the rear wheel. FIT AND FEEL The 25-inch-wide handlebar and thick WTB grips give a cramped feel to the Sonix’s cockpit. The bike has 4.7 inches of rear wheel travel and a 3.9-inch-travel Fox Shox fork. The fork spec, combined with its 100-millimeter stem, conveys a strong forward weight bias and speaks to the bike’s traditional cross-country feel. CLIMBING AND TRACTION Thanks to the Haro’s Virtual Link suspension, a rider won’t notice any unwanted suspension movement while spinning along. Out-of-the-saddle acceleration is also impressive. The Haro is equipped with a Fox Float R shock, but doesn’t have the common ProPedal feature. Setting up the shock with Haro’s recommended ten millimeters of sag made for a firm ride, and more than likely contributed to its efficient acceleration. We mentioned before how the Sonix has a cross-country race feel. The Kenda Small Block 8 tires drive this point home, as their turf-shoe-like knobbies roll fast, but don’t have the bite for aggressive trail riding. If you ride primarily slick rock or extreme hardpack trails, the Small Blocks will suffice. If your trails are more dynamic, then throw on a Kenda Nevegal up front.

Link it up: The Virtual Link suspension eliminates the need for a ProPedal feature on the shock. Yes, it pedals that well. A quickrelease seatpost binder would be a nice addition.

WHAT BUGGED US Most noticeably, the Sonix Comp had some spec choices that hurt the bike’s overall performance. A 4.7-inch fork, more aggressive tire tread, and a wider handlebar would greatly improve the bike’s all-mountain handling. It should also be noted that the Shimano brakes and shifters are limited in how they can be configured at the grip.

DESCENDING AND TECHNICAL RIDING We really enjoyed how the Haro’s rear suspension soaked up hits as we were cruising rolling hills. However, we had a hard time achieving a balanced suspension feel between the 3.9-inch-travel fork and the firm 4.7-inch-travel rear end. We were able to tune the shock for plush travel, but on technical terrain we found ourselves overriding the fork’s capabilities. Descending at speed once again presented problems for the low-profile Kenda Small Block tires. Our best results came when running 28psi, giving the tiny knobbies more contact with the trail. The Haro’s 71-degree, 100-millimeter stem and 23.6-inch-long top tube made for quick steering and hampered the Haro’s descending capabilities. The front end of the bike didn’t seem to meld with the capabilities of the Virtual Link suspension. The Haro Sonix was the first bike we’ve tested in 2009 with Shimano’s M575 hydraulic disc brakes. The levers were easily adjusted to the desired reach; however, the grips are on the bulky side and kept some riders from being able to set up their brakes for one-finger braking. The M757 brakes proved reliable, and riders didn’t notice any negative effects of the brakes firming up the rear suspension. When coming into technical sections at speed, it’s important to brake early so you can roll through the terrain and let the suspension do its thing. When getting into the binders, the already shorttravel fork had noticeable dive, further compromising some of the descending capabilities of the Sonix.

HARO SONIX COMP

Virtual performance: The Sonix uses Haro’s Virtual Link rear suspension with 4.7 inches of rear wheel travel. The Haro pedals efficiently, but the 3.9-inch-travel fork hurt its all-around trailbike performance.

THE VERDICT The Haro Sonix Comp is a bike for the rider looking for a traditional cross-country cockpit, but with nearly five inches of rear wheel travel. If you’re a rider who frequents flowy singletrack, you’ll love how the Sonix Comp carries speed and carves hard-packed terrain. ❏ Price $2395 Country of origin Taiwan Weight 29.3 pounds Hotline (800) 289-4276 Frame tested 18" Bottom bracket height 12.5" Chainstay length 16.3" Top tube length 23.6" Head tube angle 71° Seat tube angle 73.5° Standover height 31" Wheelbase 42.5" Suspension travel (front) 3.9" Suspension travel (rear) 4.7" Frame material Aluminum Fork Fox Shox 32F R Shock Fox Float R Rims WTB SpeedDisc XC Tires Kenda Small Block 8 (2.1") Hubs Shimano 535 Centerlock Brakes Shimano M575 hydraulic Crankset Truvativ Fire-X Handlebar Ritchey Comp Riser (25" wide) Shifters Shimano Deore RapidFire Rear derailleur Shimano XT Shadow Chainrings Truvativ Fire-X (42/32/22) Cassette Shimano SLX (11-34) Pedals Shimano M520 May 2009 / MOUNTAIN BIKE ACTION

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Twenty-Five Years And Counting Specialized’s Stumpjumper FSR Comp ver the years, the Stumpjumper FSR has won its share of shootouts and received plenty of praise in the pages of MBA. For 2009, the Specialized Stumpjumper FSR line has eight models, including a couple of 29ers and three with carbon fiber frames. Last month. we reviewed the top-ofthe-line S-Works Stumpjumper FSR Carbon ($7700), and now we throw a leg over its $2500 sibling.

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and their thin, lock-on grips. The Stumpy Comp is built with Custom Avid Elixir R SL brakes with alloy backed organic pads and Specialized’s own Direct Mount front derailleur hanger (DMD). We’ve had good results with Specialized’s 2Bliss (tubeless ready) S-Works The Captain tires on a variety of bikes. So, we were happy to see the new 2.2-inch version on the front wheel and the two-inch width on the rear.

NUTS AND BOLTS The Stumpy FSR Comp has 4.7 inches of front and rear travel. However, unlike the flagship S-Works models featuring Specialized’s own suspension components, the Comp’s suspension duties are handled by Fox’s Float 120 RL fork and custom Triad shock. The cockpit features an array of Specialized products, such as their XC low-rise handlebar, 90-millimeter stem,

DID YOU KNOW? The Stumpjumper FSR was the first bike Specialized completely developed together with other components as a “system.” They focused on the interface where components connect together and were able to cut weight and increase strength and stiffness. Specialized says the Stumpy FSR Comp frame is actually lighter than the Epic cross-country race frame of just a few years ago. FIT AND FEEL The Stumpy Comp inspires you to push your riding boundaries from the first time on the bike. More than one rider described the cockpit positioning as “perfect,” especially for

Triple play: The Fox Triad shock has three damping positions: ProPedal, full open and lockout. Use the sag-measuring device Specialized includes with the bike to make sure your shock is properly set up.

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CLIMBING AND TRACTION Specialized includes a sag measurement device for the Fox shock. Be sure to use this so you can get the most performance out of the FSR suspension. You’ll also want to use a tape measure to calculate ten millimeters of fork sag. These are the first steps to balancing the suspension for the front and the rear of the bike. Under power, the Stumpy Comp is snappy and responsive. The relatively lightweight 27-pound setup is noticeable when grinding up steep hills. The Fox Triad shock has three positions: open, ProPedal and lockout. We experienced virtually no unwanted suspension movement while climbing in the saddle with the ProPedal employed; however, on low-speed technical climbs, the additional traction available with the ProPedal turned off makes a notable difference. The S-Works Captain tires have a raised center tread, keeping rolling resistance to a minimum, while the crisp shifts of the trustworthy SRAM X.7 shifters and X.9 rear derailleur kept the drivetrain humming. And even after hours of climbing in the saddle, we were impressed with the comfortable cockpit. DESCENDING AND TECHNICAL RIDING The Stumpy Comp flat-out rips going downhill. The low, 27-inch standover height and balanced suspension make the bike disappear beneath you, transferring your focus to the trail features ahead. The 68.5-degree head angle makes for precise and predictable steering, and the S-Works Captain 2.2 front tire has a nice side knob bite for a trailbike tire. The FSR suspension

Turntable: The Stumpjumper FSR Comp rails corners at speed. The Specialized S-Works The Captain tires have good sideknob bite with a fast-rolling center tread.

keeps the rear end active should you need to cool your jets on rocky terrain or brake late into a whooped-out corner. From the handlebar to the rear wheel, the Stumpy is balanced. This is a bike you can flick around and attack with on any terrain. Only when the suspension nearly bottomed did we notice a little flex in the rear end of the frame The custom DT Swiss wheels feel really light, but we never dinged a rim on our extremely rocky and technical cross-country trails. Thanks to the 13-inch bottom bracket, supple suspension and relaxed head angle, this bike rails corners like a dual slalom bike. WHAT BUGGED US It is really difficult to find flaws in a bike that does everything so well, but here goes! We feel bikes in the ballpark of five inches of travel handle best with 26-inch-wide (or wider) handlebars. This is ideal for open singletrack and flowy trails, not those surrounded by trees just inches from your handlebar. The Fox Triad shock’s ProPedal lever can easily be knocked out of position, locking out the shock. This happened a few times while flipping the shock from “open” to ProPedal while riding. THE VERDICT The Specialized Stumpy FSR Comp is a complete trailbike package. It comes in at a respectably light weight, has a timetested suspension design, and geometry that’s spot on whether grinding along in the granny gear or swooping through your favorite trails at top speed. Riders of all ages will love the Stumpy’s acceleration and appreciate its dialed suspension performance. Trailbikes have come a long way since the original Stumpjumper 25 years ago, but the Stumpjumper remains at the forefront of the category. ❏

SPECIALIZED STUMPJUMPER FSR COMP

extended climbs and high-speed descents, and the sloped toptube enhanced the bike’s handling on technical trails. The Specialized stem has an eight-degree rise, so we used only one spacer underneath the stem to help balance our weight over the front of the 4.7-inch-travel fork. The thin lock-on grips have been a longtime favorite; however, a wider handlebar would be appreciated. If you ride tight singletrack trails lined with trees, the stock 25-inch-wide handlebar will be adequate.

Price $2500 Country of origin Taiwan Weight 27.4 pounds Hotline (877) 808-8154 Frame tested Medium Bottom bracket height 13" Chainstay length 16.5" Top tube length 22.25" Head tube angle 68.5° Seat tube angle 71° Standover height 27" Wheelbase 43.8" Suspension travel (front) 4.7" Suspension travel (rear) 4.7" Frame material Aluminum Fork Fox Float 120 RL Shock Fox Triad Rims DT Swiss X420SL Tires S-Works The Captain (2.2"/2" rear) Hubs Specialized disc (f ), Shimano M525 S Brakes Custom Avid Elixir R SL Crankset Shimano FC-M542 Handlebar Specialized XC (25" wide) Shifters SRAM X.7 Rear derailleur SRAM X.9 Chainrings Shimano FC-M542 (42/32/22) Cassette Shimano HG61 (11-34) Pedals Shimano M520

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Simple But Effective The Santa Cruz Heckler

n a time of some pretty funky suspension designs, the basic single-pivot frame is a rare but welcomed sight. People often get caught up in the hype of the latest suspension designs and overlook the durable single-pivot. The Heckler frame isn’t flashy, but it won’t creak or come loose and is as durable as a hammer. The Santa Cruz Blur LT2 is a super popular trailbike featuring Virtual Pivot Point suspension, and has received a lot of praise for its handling capabilities. You won’t be able to throw a leg over a Blur LT for less than $3000; however, the new Heckler shares the geometry and can be yours out-the-door for $2700.

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NUTS AND BOLTS The Heckler matches its 5.9 inches of rear wheel travel with a 5.5-inch-travel RockShox Revelation 426 fork with a standard quick-release axle. This Heckler has SRAM’s fingerprints all over it, from the RockShox fork to the SRAM X.9 rear derailleur, Avid Juicy Five brakes and Truvativ Stylo cranks. The Fox Float RP23 shock features ProPedal damping, which is activated by flipping the blue lever. A Race Face handlebar, stem and seatpost round out the cockpit componentry. DID YOU KNOW? It’s been said that the Heckler name comes from a shortlived beer company in Lake Tahoe, California, called Heckler Brau, named after its owner. In a roundabout way, Santa Cruz

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Bicycles president Rob Roskopp knew “Mr. Heckler” (a friend of a friend type of thing). And rumor has it that at some point, someone went drinking with someone else, and someone decided it would be a good idea to name the bike “Heckler.” Therefore, it shouldn’t surprise you that the Heckler frame has a bottle opener at the rear dropout. FIT AND FEEL In the saddle, the Heckler feels as sturdy as saddling up a pit bull. The short, 21.5-inch top tube and 70-millimeter long stem are perfect for aggressive riding. With practically six inches of travel, the Heckler can blur the lines between trailbikes and all-mountain designs. On more than one occasion, our calves made contact with the swingarm. CLIMBING AND TRACTION The single-pivot Heckler with Fox Float RP23 shock scoots along impressively for a six-inch design. The 2.35inch Kenda Nevegal tires are the most versatile tires on the market and are a nice touch on any bike. Their ramped knobs and aggressive tread pattern roll smoothly and hook up ridiculously well. Uphills are when you’ll feel the short cockpit and stem. The efficient suspension soaks up trail obstacles and encourages you to take more challenging lines while climbing. Extended climbs are best in the saddle. If you do find yourself standing and hammering, you’ll want to lock out the Revelation fork; otherwise, it will be mush

No hassle: The Santa Cruz Heckler’s low-maintenance single-pivot suspension means there are very few parts to come loose or bend. The Fox Shox RP23 shock’s ProPedal feature is handy for extended climbs on hard-packed trails.

underneath you. The SRAM X.7 shifters offer crisp and reliable gear changes and are easily maneuvered around the Avid Juicy Five brakes for customizing your cockpit configuration. The leggy Heckler climbs better than its hefty appearance suggests, and hides its weight well.

WHAT BUGGED US The fact that we repeatedly rubbed our calves on the swingarm put a damper on longer rides. It is possible to make a conscious effort to eliminate the leg and frame contact, but for most riders this would be a deal-breaker. Also, the Heckler doesn’t come with pedals, so you will have to add the cost of pedals to this bike’s out-the-door price. THE VERDICT We don’t know how Santa Cruz does it. They’ve packed a ton of value and components into this Heckler package. From the Dual Air RockShox Revelation fork to the Fox Float RP23 shock and Shimano XT hubs, this Heckler oozes performance. Although it may be too much bike for riders looking for a traditional trailbike, the Heckler fulfills the need for a simple, reliable and high-performance all-mountain ascender and descender. ❏

Hook up: No cross-country trail was too daunting aboard the Heckler. Its active fork and 5.9 inches of rear wheel travel easily devoured rocks and roots.

SANTA CRUZ HECKLER

DESCENDING AND TECHNICAL RIDING One of the most underrated and misunderstood features of suspension is the negative spring. The RockShox Revelation 426 fork features their Dual Air spring, with the positive pressure valve atop the left fork leg and the negative on the bottom of the same fork leg. The key to getting supple small bump absorption with an air spring is the negative pressure. You’ll want to run about five to eight psi more in the negative than the positive. Speed up the rebound a little more than normal and prepare to bomb the most technical cross-country trails you can find. As the short cockpit and stem make longer climbs more of a chore, those same traits improve stability and handling on descents. The Avid Juicy Five brakes are excellent mid-price stoppers because of their reliable feel and modulation. The Heckler’s seven-inch front rotor is a good spec choice, because with nearly six inches of travel, you’ll be flying down the most challenging trails. Setting 25-percent sag in the shock and following the RockShox fork recommended air pressure chart tunes the Heckler for maximum suspension performance. The plush suspension and Kenda Nevegal tires allow capable pilots to flick down the trail and change direction at will. The stable descending capabilities truly inspire you to push yourself and grow as a rider.

Price $2700 Country of origin Taiwan Weight 32 pounds Hotline (831) 459-7560 Frame tested Medium Bottom bracket height 13.5" Chainstay length 17.1" Top tube length 21.5" Head tube angle 69° Seat tube angle 72° Standover height 30" Wheelbase 42.7" Suspension travel (front) 5.5" Suspension travel (rear) 5.9" Frame material Aluminum Fork RockShox Revelation 426 Shock Fox Float RP23 Rims Mavic 321 Tires Kenda Nevegal 2.35" Hubs Shimano XT Brakes Avid Juicy Five Crankset Truvativ Stylo Handlebar Bontrager Race OS (25" wide) Shifters SRAM X.7 Rear derailleur SRAM X.9 Chainrings Truvativ Stylo (42/32/22) Cassette SRAM PG950 (11-34) Pedals None (weighed with Shimano 520)

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Riding Giants The Giant Trance X2

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iant’s Trance X trailbikes are designed for agile climbing and aggressive descending. Featuring Giant’s Maestro suspension, the Trance X has five inches of rear wheel travel and is available in five models ranging in price from the $5700 Trance X0 to the $1500 Trance X4. NUTS AND BOLTS The first thing you’ll notice on the Trance X2 is its bread-and-butter Maestro suspension using the Fox Float RP2 shock. Then your eye quickly moves to the Fox Shox 32F 120RL fork with 4.7 inches of travel and the 15QR (15-millimeter) thru-axle. Giant was intent on spec’ing the new trailbike fork on the Trance X2, so to hit their desired production cost they decided to make their own front hub to accept the 15QR axle. Braking duties are handled by custom Hayes Stroker Trail stoppers with a seveninch front rotor and a six-inch rear rotor. A Race Face Evolve XC handlebar, stem and seatpost, plus a WTB Devo saddle, make up the cockpit components. The WTB LaserDisc

Five on it: The Maestro suspension uses a Fox RP2 shock with the ProPedal feature. With five inches of rear wheel travel, the Trance X2 soaks up a lot of hits and smoothes choppy terrain.

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Trail hoops are mounted with Kenda Nevegal 2.1-inch tires, which get rolling when you put down the power with Race Face Deus XC cranks. DID YOU KNOW? In 2007, Giant introduced the 4.2-inch-travel Trance. Giant claims their 2009 frame is 13.75-percent stiffer than the original, 8.6 ounces lighter, and has a full five inches of rear wheel travel. FIT AND FEEL The Trance X2 positions the rider in a comfortable trail riding position with excellent weight placement over the front of the bike. The 29-inch standover height, WTB Devo saddle, 26-inch-wide Race Face handlebar and 90-millimeter Race Face Evolve stem create a comfortable environment for spending hours in the saddle. CLIMBING AND TRACTION Giant recommends setting up the shock with approximately 25-percent sag, and Fox suggests setting the fork sag between 20 to 25 percent of total travel for their 32F 120RL model. Making these setup adjustments will put you in the ballpark for optimum suspension performance. Aboard the Trance, you will appreciate how the rear end remains active for optimum traction, yet efficiently propels

pension and trustworthy traction of the Kenda Nevegal tires inspire you to challenge yourself on each descent. On average, we ran between 28 and 30psi in the 2.1-inch Nevegals. You may not believe the Trance X2 has five inches of travel on the climbs, but you’ll be convinced as you plunge through terrain with precision you hadn’t thought possible aboard a bike equipped with a triple chainring. The Hayes Stroker Trail brakes have a lever that takes some getting used to. However, they are easily adjusted to your desired reach from the handlebar. After a couple of rides that featured screaming descents, the Strokers were burned in and felt better than any set we’ve ridden to date. WHAT BUGGED US The Trance X2 has a comfortable cockpit during extended stints in the saddle. The Giant branded lock-on grips were uncomfortable and have hard plastic fasteners about 3/8 of an inch thick on each side. This will bug you during descents as you try to get the widest grip possible on the handlebar. Luckily, replacing the grips with ODI or Lizard Skins Lock-On grips is a low-cost modification that can make a big difference.

Balancing act: The Trance X2 is an extremely efficient climbing machine, and eats up descents with ease. The 26-inchwide Race Face handlebars are ideal for navigating changes in trail terrain.

you forward. When climbing, you’ll have a hard time convincing yourself you’re riding a five-inch-travel bike. How technical the climb’s terrain was determined whether we utilized the ProPedal feature on the Fox shock. For loose, extremely technical ascents, riding with the ProPedal in the off position provided improved rear wheel traction. However, when a trail’s makeup was largely hardpack, opting for the additional pedaling platform was the way to go. It’s no secret why Kenda Nevegal tires are spec’d on so many trailbikes; they’re incredibly versatile, and grip like mad on a wide range of terrain. DESCENDING AND TECHNICAL RIDING The Trance X2 is an impressive climber, but when the trail turns downward this Giant truly shines. The precise steering of the Fox 32F and 15QR axle give you confidence to hit ruts, rocky terrain and moderate drops with gusto often reserved for gravity-specific builds. With the Fox shock in the open setting, the rear end quietly soaked up trail chatter and kept a tight bond between the rear wheel and the dirt. The balanced sus-

GIANT TRANCE X2

THE VERDICT From the first ride to the last, the wrecking crew was impressed with how the Giant Trance X2 precisely navigated every section of trail. The plush suspension will keep you grounded as you drive forward during grueling ascents, and, on the flipside, it will wow you with its accurate handling and stable suspension. The X2 is built up with a spot-on cockpit setup and component spec. However, its most impressive attribute is that you simply set up the bike and go. This isn’t just a capable trailbike; it’s great at everything. ❏ Price $2800 Country of origin Taiwan Weight 28.2 pounds Hotline (805) 267-4600 Frame tested Medium Bottom bracket height 13" Chainstay length 17" Top tube length 22.2" Head tube angle 69° Seat tube angle 73.5° Standover height 29" Wheelbase 43.5" Suspension travel (front) 4.7" Suspension travel (rear) 5" Frame material Aluminum Fork Fox 32F 120 RL Shock Fox Float RP2 Rims WTB LaserDisc Trail Tires Kenda Nevegal 2.1" Hubs Giant Tracker (f), WTB Laser Disc Lite Brakes Hayes Stroker Trail Custom Crankset Race Face Deus XC Handlebar Race Face Evolve XC (26" wide) Shifters Shimano XT RapidFire Rear derailleur Shimano XT Shadow Chainrings Race Face Deus XC, (44/32/22) Cassette SRAM PG-980 (11-34) Pedals Crank Brothers Smarty

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Repeat Champion? The Gary Fisher HiFi Plus

isher’s HiFi can be described as a quintessential trailbike. It has 4.7 inches of front and rear travel, proven RockShox and Fox suspension, and Avid Juicy 3 hydraulic disc brakes. What makes the HiFi unique among this group of trailbikes is Fisher’s G2 geometry. What is G2 Geometry? It started out as a project to improve the slowspeed handling of Fisher bikes. They believed their existing Genesis Geometry already excelled in climbing, descending and handling at speed. Where they wanted to improve was in tight singletrack and on technical climbs. The G2 tackled this challenge by increasing the amount of fork offset. This reduced the amount of trail to make the bike steer quicker without changing the rest of its handling characteristics. About a year ago, the HiFi won our $1500 shootout. Does it have what it takes to repeat?

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NUTS AND BOLTS The Fisher HiFi has the lightest full-suspension frame in the entire Fisher line. The RockShox Recon 351 Air fork features the custom G2 46-millimeter offset and 4.7 inches of travel. The aluminum HiFi frame has co-molded carbon fiber seat stays, a linkage-activated shock mount, and custom-tuned Fox RP2 shock. We’ve raved about Bontrager’s Rhythm wheels in the past, and the HiFi features the Duster wheelset, utilizing the same 28-milllimeter wide rims.

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DID YOU KNOW? Gary Fisher introduced the HiFi in 2007, and the original bike was very well received, but they were still looking for a way to wring out even more performance from the bike. The focus turned to improving the overall stiffness. Fisher was able to increase the front-to-rear stiffness of the bike by a claimed 12 percent. This is attributed to the shapely down and top tubes with big intersections at the head tube and bottom bracket. FIT AND FEEL Hopping aboard the Fisher HiFi Plus instantly tells you the best attributes of cross-country and all-mountain bikes were melded together for this bike. The Bontrager cockpit components were a hit with every rider, and the comfortable handlebar width and bend put riders in an upright relaxed position. It’s worth mentioning that most found the HiFi Plus the sharpest-looking bike of the bunch, too. CLIMBING AND TRACTION The HiFi Plus has a very natural and comfortable feel in the saddle. There is no wasted energy when putting down the power on this bike. The HiFi is equipped with a Fox Float RP2 shock with the ProPedal feature. The HiFi pedals so well we didn’t really need the ProPedal option; how-

No guessing: The HiFi Plus comes with a sag-o-meter. It clips to the air canister, and when you sit on the bike the rubber ring on the shaft should fall between the 25- and 30-percent of travel indicators.

this is to brake early and before technical sections, letting the advanced suspension do what it does best. WHAT BUGGED US The HiFi Plus exceeded our expectations in nearly every aspect; however, when head to head with other top brands, the firming of the rear end under braking was evident. The HiFi deserves a 34-tooth cassette instead of the stock 11-32tooth range. These factors, combined with limiting tires, were just enough to put a chink in the HiFi’s armor.

ever, we used it on extended climbs. On technical singletrack climbs we opted to leave the ProPedal off, and appreciated the additional traction. We had a love-hate relationship with the Bontrager XDX 2.2-inch tires. We loved how the low tread rolled smoothly, but the lack of side knobs hurt cornering performance. DESCENDING AND TECHNICAL RIDING The beauty of today’s trailbikes in the ballpark of five inches of travel is their ability to handle all kinds of terrain. The HiFi Plus is a snappy accelerator, and the balanced suspension makes maneuvering rock gardens, rain ruts and tight corners nearly effortless. On flowy singletrack, the HiFi has a classic cross-country bike feel, meaning the bike can take whatever the trail throws in your direction, but its limitations will be obvious, so you won’t find yourself riding over your head. The type of terrain you ride most frequently largely determines tire preference. The Bontrager XDX tires worked well on hardpack trails but were easily over-ridden on our favorite loops. If you ride a lot of hardpack terrain, these tires will suit you well. If your trails vary in makeup, we suggest swapping the XDX front tire with a 2.25-inch Bontrager Jones XR. The air-sprung RockShox Recon 351 fork is easy to set up by following the suggested air pressure chart on the left fork leg. The Motion Control damping features a lockout adjuster atop the right fork leg, but we only used this feature on extended fire road climbs. The 4.7-inch-travel Recon has supple performance from the first ride to the last; however, more than one crewer commented on how the rear suspension firms up under braking. The best way to remedy

FISHER HIFI PLUS

Down time: Descending on the HiFi highlights the supple action of the RockShox Recon fork. If you stay off the brakes, the HiFi remains active, and you can really fly.

THE VERDICT Fisher did their homework and created an excellent allaround trailbike. The HiFi Plus is perfect for epic rides and spending a lot of time in the saddle. It may be the least expensive of the bunch, but that is not reflected in its on-trail performance. ❏ Price $2310 Country of origin Taiwan Weight 29.7 pounds Hotline (920) 478-2191 Frame tested Medium (17.5") Bottom bracket height 12.8" Chainstay length 16.5" Top tube length 23.4" Head tube angle 69° Seat tube angle 72° Standover height 29" Wheelbase 43.5" Suspension travel (front) 4.7" Suspension travel (rear) 4.7" Frame material Aluminum Fork RockShox Recon 351 Shock Fox Float RP2 Rims Bontrager Duster Tires Bontrager XDX 2.2" Hubs Shimano M525 Brakes Avid Juicy 3 Crankset Shimano M532-L Handlebar Bontrager Race OS (25" wide) Shifters Shimano Deore Rear derailleur Shimano Shadow XT Chainrings Shimano Deore (44/32/22) Cassette SRAM PG950 (11-32) Pedals Shimano M505

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And The Shootout Winner Is... After the smoke settled

he most interesting aspect of the $2500 shootout was exploring how different brands equipped bikes with components they found to be ideal for today’s trailbike. Riders, however, are the ones who will be rejoicing at the quality and performance packed into bikes in this price range. Each of the shootout bikes made strong statements and showcased their capabilities on a wide variety of terrain. However, as there can be only one “Highlander,” this shootout can have only one winner. And, the top performer clearly rose to the occasion during testing.

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TRANCE MUSIC TO OUR EARS The Giant Trance X2 is the most capable and versatile trailbike of the group. We put down numerous laps on every bike, but no matter how technical or smooth the terrain, the Giant consistently bested the field. It should be noted that it’s also the most expensive bike of the group at $2800. However, for this price you get Fox’s 32F fork and 15QR axle, Hayes Stroker Trail brakes, plus Race Face cockpit components and crankset. The 15QR fork is an ideal mate for the Trance’s five inches of rear wheel travel. We rarely found ourselves riding over our head when descending on the Trance. Before we had time to question a line choice, we were already through the rough section and focused on the trail ahead. Whether climbing in the saddle or over the front of the bike at speed, the Trance feels stable with clear-cut handling qualities. The biggest compliment is that at the end of epic rides we still felt fresh. The Trance X2 is an ideal bike for the trail rider who never shies away from the most difficult line, whether going uphill or down.

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SPLITTING HAIRS The Specialized Stumpjumper FSR Comp ($2500) was indisputably the most fun bike to ride in this shootout! The geometry is ideal for ripping downhill, and since it was the lightest bike of the group, riders could find another gear and power it up the most technical climbs. The Stumpy gets up to speed after only a couple of cranks and clutches the ground in corners better than any bike in the shootout. The Stumpy’s FRS suspension is second to none when it comes to tracking variable terrain, and Fox’s Float 120 fork with the DT Swiss 10-millimeter axle is noticeably firmer than those with standard quickrelease axles. Where the Stumpy falls short of the Giant is in rear wheel travel and the precision of the Fox fork’s 15QR axle. The Giant may be a tad heavier, but the bike’s overall performance hides any noticeable weight difference. The Stumpy Comp radiates an exciting trail riding experience as it gracefully flows through cross-country singletrack. The Specialized Stumpjumper FSR Comp packs incredible performance into the $2500 price point. It is a perfect fit for a rider pursuing a bike that can handle technical descents and climb with a lightweight, cross-country bike feel.

HIGH FIDELITY PERFORMANCE It wasn’t easy to put the Fisher HiFi ($2310) in third place, as it rarely squabbled and did everything asked of it. The HiFi responds instantly to input at the pedals, easily gets up to speed, and perfectly positions riders to be in the saddle for all-day journeys. We’re fans of the G2 geometry, as its precise navigation of tight switchbacks at speed was evident. Unfortunately, a few of its attributes were hard for us to look past. The rear suspension firmed under braking, which caused the rear end to skip on steep, loose descents. The Bontrager XDX tires aren’t versatile enough to hold firm on loose terrain and lack side knob bite for cornering. The rear cassette has a 32-tooth cog instead of a 34-tooth. The HiFi is a tad heavier than the Giant and Specialized, and doesn’t conquer technical declines in elevation with the ease and supple suspension feel either. Although we feel the Fisher might not be able to tackle technical downhill like the top two bikes in this shootout, its comfortable cockpit componentry absolutely captures the essence of trail riding.

NO HECKLING PLEASE Ah, our old friend, the Heckler. It’s an uncomplicated, single-pivot design that pedals impeccably with 5.9 inches of travel. What’s there not to love? Very little, but in the company of these other trailbikes it’s a bit out of place (which is why they make the Blur LT, but not at this price point). At 32 pounds, it’s four pounds heavier than the first-place Giant Trance, and nearly five more than the second-place Specialized. However, you do get an inch or more travel. The Heckler ($2700) was the best descender in the shootout. Its supple front and rear suspension devoured rocky terrain like a boa constrictor unhinging its jaw to eat a wildebeest. The Dual Air Sprung RockShox Revelation fork is an absolute treat to ride, while the Kenda 2.35-inch Nevegal tires have so much bite they tempt to you take chances in corners and brake less. The Heckler’s weight was an issue in this shootout, but not its demise, because spot-on geometry and suspension performance can often make a bike’s weight an afterthought. The dealbreaker for most riders was the constant rubbing of their calves on the 6.5inch-wide swingarm. At the end of the day, the Heckler is just what the doctor ordered for aggressive riders who want a reliable, no-nonsense, all-mountain rig that they can climb to the top of any cross-country trail, and beat the tar out of on the descent.

NOT-SO SUPER SONIX The Haro Sonix ($2395) was a tough bike to figure out. We liked the performance of the Virtual Link suspension, both pedaling and sucking up terrain features, but the front end of the bike is where the majority of our handling issues arose. We found the bend of the 25-inch-wide Ritchey handlebar awkward, plus the grips and brake levers have a confined feel with little room for rearrangement between the brakes and shifters. In a head-to-head shootout, the Haro wasn’t up to snuff when it came to descending technical terrain, it was sluggish on uphills, and lacked traction when compared to the bikes that captured the top spots. The Haro’s 71-degree, 100-millimeter stem, 23.6-inch-long top tube and Kenda’s Small Block 8 tires hurt its versatility on challenging trails. However, the best thing we can say about the Sonix is how much room for improvement there is on a bike with a proven suspension design. Simply updating the bike with a wider handlebar, longer travel fork, a tad shorter stem and a tire with a more versatile tread pattern would breathe new life into the Sonix and its trail adaptability. ❏

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Cane Creek

msrp $50

S-3 Headset $

Sette

2998

Sram x.9 Trigger Shifters

msrp $100

Element MTB $ Shoes

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98

w/ X.9 Rear Der. COMBO ‘08

msrp $190

$13498

Sram

msrp $32

Sram

PC 971 Chain w/ Power Link ‘08

$1798

PG 990 Cass. $ 9 Spd ‘08

Panaracer Fire XC Pro Tire

Hayes HFX 9 XC Carbon Chrome Disc Brake - Limited Edition 10th Anniversary

msrp $40 98 $

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Kenda Nevegal Tire msrp $53 98 $

Avid BB7 Disc Brake ‘08

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IRC Mythos XC II Racing Kevlar Tire msrp $50 $ 1298

msrp $330 98 $

239

Panaracer Rampage 29er Tire msrp $48 $ 3498 WTB Velociraptor Tire msrp $36 $ 1998

Mavic Crossmax SX Disc Wheelset UST Tubeless ‘08 msrp $775 $ 44998

Azonic Outlaw Wheelset

Crank Brothers 50/50 X Pedals

Crank Brothers Egg Beater SL Pedals

Sette APX Alloy Seatpost

msrp $170 98 $

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89

114

msrp $4 $ 98

2

Niterider Flight Li-Ion LED HID Bike Lights msrp $540 98 $

249

ea.

Stan’s Tire And Rim Sealant msrp $19 $ 1398

Truvativ Stylo 3.3 Team Crankset ‘08 msrp $190 98 $

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Race Face Evolve XC XType Crankset

Sram X.9 Trigger Shifters ‘08

msrp $230

msrp $105 98 $

$ 12498

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msrp $85

Shimano XT M760 Dual Control Levers w/ Cables msrp $270 98 $

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Easton EA70 DH Monkey Mid Rise Bar

Easton Monkeylite SL Carbon Riser Bar ‘08

$ 2998

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Hayes Disc Brake HFX 9 XC (grey)

Wellgo WAM-M3 Pedals msrp $80 $ 2698

Sette Amp Saddle

msrp $150 98 $

49

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19

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Time ATAC XS Mtn Clipless Pedals

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79

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7

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msrp $110 98 $

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3

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79

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69

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79

19

98

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7

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27

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17

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229

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9

89

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29

MBA TRAINING

Joe Lawwill’s

Manuals Made Easy

Forget wheelies and learn a skill that matters wheelie is something for showing off, but it doesn’t have much use on the trail,” explains BikeSkills instructor Joe Lawwill, before revealing the trick he finds most useful during any ride, whether racing against the clock on a downhill course or on a trail ride with friends. “Learning to manual is an essential skill that needs to be in every rider’s arsenal.”

“A

Wheelies and manuals are often confused because they both result in raising the front wheel off the ground, but that’s where the similarities end. A wheelie requires the rider to increase acceleration by pedaling while pulling up on the handlebar to raise the bike’s front wheel. A properly executed manual does not require pedaling input. Raising the front wheel is accomplished by shifting the rider’s weight. Don’t get it? Think of a skateboarder who does not have pedals to increase his speed. Instead, the skateboarder weights his rear leg to lift the front of the board. That’s a manual. Joe Lawwill has taught hundreds of riders how to manual at his BikeSkills clinics. “I had a 50-year-old female student manualing before the end of our morning session,” explained Joe. “If you follow these steps, there is no reason why you shouldn’t be able to master the manual too.”

BIKE SETUP Control over the rear brake is essential for a manual. Adjust your brake lever assembly far enough inboard and angled on your handlebar so that your trigger finger can always rest on the sweet spot of the brake lever. You don’t want to have to reach down to contact the lever. Also, lower your saddle far enough that you can sit in the saddle with your feet flat on the ground.

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OFF THE BIKE You do not pull up on the bar to do a manual because the slightest unbalanced input will cause the bike to wander to one side or the other. Instead, use the shifting of your body weight to raise the front wheel. So the first exercise is to get the feeling of the weight shift. Stand to the side of the bike with your hips touching the handlebar. Now, thrust the bike forward. Do this in one quick movement. Don’t move your hips to the bar; bring the bar to your hips. Remember; push out, don’t pull up.

MBA TRAINING

Check out my feet and body. They are still in the same place as where I started the exercise. I have not moved my feet. I have bent my knees and pivoted from my hips. Do this a few times to get familiar with the feel of throwing the bike.

Think like a fighter throwing a punch. That is the same thing you are doing with the bike. Push the bike forward with commitment. Your body stays in relatively the same place. It is the bike that gets thrown forward.

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If you are doing this correctly, you will notice that at the end of your bike thrust, the front wheel naturally comes off the ground. I’m not pulling up in this sequence, and you shouldn’t either. Throwing the bike forward will naturally lift the front wheel. Note my crouched position. My ears are hitting my shoulders when I am all the way back.

ON THE BIKE Find a flat area, pedal a few rotations, and push your bike forward. You are not trying to do a manual yet. I just want you to get the feeling of your weight being this far back on the bike. Note that I’ve lowered the saddle. Also, check out my left hand. My trigger finger is always resting on the brake lever. Check out my position in the “correct” photo. In the “wrong” photo, my head is way too far away from my shoulders, I’m looking the wrong way, and my body weight is too high. Having a friend video you might help you find the right position.

MBA TRAINING

I come up on a small rut, bring my hips forward and then throw the bike forward, shifting my weight all the way behind the saddle. The front wheel comes off the ground, I push slightly with my legs (like getting up out of a chair, the rear wheel drops into the rut and I’m manualling. I’m using my body weight to make the rear wheel act like a fulcrum.

Once you get the feel for the manual, you will be able to use your weight to get the front wheel higher off the ground and for a longer period of time. Your rear brake is your best friend. I drag and modulate the rear brake the whole time I’m riding a manual.

You only want your front wheel high enough to clear the obstacle. The steeper the hill, the higher the wheel will be from the ground. On flat ground your front wheel should just hover a few inches above the ground.

You will find that once you master the manual, you will use it all the time. It is a basic skill that will make every trail ride better. You can watch my how-to video at www.bikeskills.com or better yet, sign up for one of my clinics. ❏

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the Original MTB Mail Order Guys, ADs in Every MBA Since Issue#1 circa 1986 And APPAREL & PROTECTION H-SETS, GRIPS & BARS NOW STILL Downhill msrp Gloves MSRP SALE CANE CREEK 110 $127 .50 $150 THE BEST 2009 FOX DIGIT FULL FINGER $ CBO $ $27.95 Threadless Headsets MSRP SALE O'NEAL RACING ELEMENT GLOVES GIRO XEN FULL-FINGER GLOVE GIRO RIVET FULL-FINGER GLOVE

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MANITOU MINURE MRD TPC MARZOCCHI MZ SUPERCOMP MARZOCCHI DJ 1 WHITE 2008 ROCKSHOX TORA 318 SOLO AIR FOX FORX 36 FLOAT RC2 08 MARZOCCHI CORSA SL WORLD CUP 08 ROCKSHOX DOMAIN 318 COIL FORK 07

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53

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CAMELBAK M.U.L.E 100OZ CAMELBAK HYDROBAK CAMELBAK ASYMETRIX 20 CAMELBAK ZOID 07 CAMELBAK H.A.W.G MORE LEZYNE SMART PACK

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Stage

Phone Order Hrs: M-F 7am-6pm (Pacific), Sat 10-5, Sunday we ride! E-mail us at: [email protected] fax 805-927-5174 Availability subject to stock on-hand. Prices subject to change without notice. Not responsible for typographical or pricing errors.

CALL TOLL- FREE

(Outside U.S. call 1-805-927-5510)

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BLUR XC SRAM X-9 CUSTOM BUILT BIKE

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MBA DESTINATION

America’s Top Mountain Biking Town Thirty-five reasons why Bend, Oregon, rules

70 www.mbaction.com

here are plenty of great mountain bike towns in America, but most have a downside. Moab, Utah, is a slick wonderland, but take a wrong turn during the summer months and you can end up a large slab of beef jerky. Crested Butte, Colorado, offers majestic views from endless singletrack. The downside? It has two seasons, winter and the Fourth of July. The birthplace of mountain biking, Marin, California, is awesome if you don’t mind dodging the hiking-pole-wielding locals who feel it is their duty to rid the trails of pesky mountain bikers. Durango, Colorado, has epic riding right from town, but it also has long winters, it is hard to get in and out of, it is a tough place to make a living, and every rider is so darn fit. Whistler is in Canada. That brings us to our pick for the best mountain biking town in America. A drum roll, please. Bend, Oregon.

T

May 2009 / MOUNTAIN BIKE ACTION

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MBA DESTINATION

America’s Top

Flowy fun: The trail network closest to town consists of fast, flowy singletrack without too much gut-busting climbing. Bend trails are missing something the trails on the west side of the Cascades have plenty of: mud.

Located in central Oregon at the eastern foothills of the Cascade Mountains, Bend, population 81,000, rests at an elevation of 3625 feet and seems like it was founded just for mountain bikers. It was actually founded by pioneers who took refuge and kicked back on the banks of the Deschutes River to recover from their trip across the massive plains from the East. The place was originally named Farewell Bend, because these early travelers were so bummed to continue their trip West. All the things that attracted those early pioneers are what attract mountain bikers today. Don’t believe us? We’ve got thirty-five reasons to back up our claim that Bend is the best mountain biking town in America.

Accessibility: The Roberts Field Airport in Redmond, Oregon, serves Bend. If you can’t get a non-stop flight there, then going through Portland, Oregon, from anywhere on earth is your simplest option. Driving from Portland (around three hours) is a beautiful, totally worth it road trip. Here are distances from some cities in the region: 175 miles from Portland, Oregon 130 miles from Salem, Oregon 121 miles from Eugene, Oregon 500 miles from San Francisco, California 330 miles from Boise, Idaho 343 miles from Seattle, Washington 394 miles from Reno, Nevada 72

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Go Cog Wild: Cog Wild Bicycle Tours is based in Bend. If your time in the area is limited, you will get the most out of your precious riding time by using Cog Wild. We highly recommend their tours.

©2008 Giant Bicycle Inc. All rights reserved. Pictured: 2009 Anthem X0.

Putting the “X” in “XC,” the all-new Giant Anthem X cranks up the travel while shedding the weight. World Cup-proven geometry, four plush inches of Maestro travel and the lightest aluminum fullsuspender Giant has ever produced. Available now at your local authorized Giant retailer.

giantbicycle.com

MBA DESTINATION

Food court: Once you reach this part of the trail heading back to Bend, you are thinking of one thing, “Are we going to Deschutes Brewery or the Downtowners for something to eat?” Kirt and Lindsey Voreis lead the way.

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FULL FULCRUM Two years ago, Fulcrum® entered the world of MTB with a very focused mission: to build the best cross-country wheel and win the world title. Done! Fulcrum® makes use of the most advanced technologies, the best materials, and the toughest testing, both in the lab and offroad, and now presents a complete range of offroad wheels created with the same philosophy and dedicated to every discipline of offroad. XC, All Mountain, Freeride/Downhill, Thru Axle and 29”, whatever your way of interpreting offroad, you deserve the performance of Fulcrum®.

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Dist Di s rir bu bute ute t d inn U.S U.S.A .A. by by:: Qual alit lityy Bi Bicy cycl cle, le, SSec ecur uritityy Bicy Bicyclle, SSinincllair air Im Impo port rts,s, BTI BTI

POWER

MBA DESTINATION

America’s Top

Worth the effort: Woody Starr, a local radio DJ, trail advocate and promoter of Bend’s Big Fat Tour, points out to Cog Wild’s Melanie Fisher the reason why he is never going to leave Bend: riding as far as the eye can see.

Green Energy Transportation: John “Mr. Bend” Flannery is a cyclist who operates Green Energy Transportation, (541) 610-6103. He will get you and your bikes from the airport to town while filling you in on what is happening. Lodging: You will not have trouble finding a base camp in Bend. We stayed at the plush Phoenix Inn on a hill overlooking downtown. The location is perfect, and they offer a bike room. There are plenty of other hotels, camping and other options. One group we rode with (who traveled from Canada to sample Bend’s trails) rented a house for their week of riding. You can try Bend Vacation Rentals at (877) 355-9492. Eats: The town is loaded with great places to eat. We started our visit at the Deschutes Brewery (a hangout of local riders and fitness freaks). The Downtowner offers great sandwiches and soup at affordable prices. There are loads of pizza places, Mexican food, and Nancy P’s and Jackson’s Corner both understand what mountain bikers’ portions need to be. Bike shops: Bend has the highest number of bike

shops per capita of anywhere we’ve traveled. You’ve got Pine Mountain Sports (Santa Cruz, Fisher and Rocky 76

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Service with a smile: Bend has more bike shops than 7-Elevens. Now that’s our kind of town. If you need to rent a bike, get a bike repaired, or check out what the locals are riding, you have plenty of options to choose from.

MBA DESTINATION

America’s Top

Rush hour: While Bend’s trails attract a lot of riders, it is never this crowded. A group of friends from the Canadian Yukon head out on the Ochoco Loop with their Cog Wild tour guides.

Mountain), Hutch’s (Specialized, Cannondale and Giant), WebCyclery (Ellsworth and Niner), Northwest Adventures (Diamondback, GT and Schwinn) Bend Bike & Sport (Felt) and Bend Cyclery (Kona). If you have bike trouble, you can get it fixed without missing a day of your riding vacation.

Maps: The Bend mountain bike trail network is well documented by Adventure Maps, (503) 559-0051. Cog Wild Bicycle Tours: If you are not planning on moving to Bend, you will need to make the most of your riding time while you are in town. You can try to explore the trails based on suggestions from bike shops or reading maps, but Bend offers so many choices, we highly recommend hooking up with Cog Wild Bicycle Tours, (866) 610-4822. This locally owned mountain bike tour company operates under Special Use Permits from the Deschutes, Ochoco, Umpqua, Mt. Hood, Willamette and Fremont National Forests. They offer one-day tours, shuttles, mountain bike vacations, women’s tours and kids camps. The MBA wrecking crew used the services of Cog Wild Bicycle Tours on our three-day Bend visit because the area offers such a vast array of trails that we would have missed great riding without Cog’s guidance. Their shuttle service got us out of town to the Ochoco loop and also allowed us to ride the phenomenal Bachelor to Bend route on day three 78

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Take a picture: Just one of the many “spots” to be discovered around Bend.

CARBON

FOOTPRINT The feel of a 29” wheel mountain bike is unique to any other, and the ride of a Felt NINE is like no other. The monocoque designed NINE Team, made with Felt’s own proprietary ultra-high modulus carbon fiber, is built with geometric off-road perfection and offers unrivaled ride characteristics. With the gyroscopic advantages of a 29” wheel combined with the crisp handling of a 26” wheel, a Felt NINE will take you places you only ever dreamed of. Reconsider your footprint. Take a look at any of Felt’s NINE Series bikes including the NINE Team (shown), Elite, Race, Comp or Solo models.

ROLL…Big. Easy. Clean.

MBA DESTINATION

Home sweet home: Kirt Voreis, showing his wife Lindsey the fast way through a stream, manuals down one of Bend’s popular trails. The former World Cup Downhill racer and Dual-Slalom National Champion calls Bend home.

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MBA DESTINATION

America’s Top when an out-and-back trip would have proved exhausting. Do we sound like salesmen for Cog Wild? Guilty. They are great riders, friendly people, have clean and well-maintained vans and can set you up with rental equipment. Taking a Cog Wild Bicycle Tour is worth every penny.

The weather: Unlike the wet and moldy side of the Cascade Mountains that Oregon is famous for, Bend is a high desert environment. Yes, the place gets snow in the winter (Mt. Bachelor outside of Bend is a ski resort, after all), but it doesn’t stay around long on the Bend trails. It gets cold in the winter and hot in the summer. Neither of these extremes would keep you from riding. If you had to pin us down, May, June, August, September and October are the best months to plan your visit. The trails: Like any great riding destination, Bend and the surrounding areas offer a little bit of everything. The flowy, fun trails closest to town are well maintained by COTA (Central Oregon Trail Alliance). Venturing out to the Ochocos provides challenging singletrack (think rocks, ledges, lots of granny gear climbs and total-concentration descents). A 20-mile ride in the Ochocos felt like a 50-mile ride. The Mt. Bachelor to Bend trails take you past lakes and waterfalls on singletrack that has you smiling the whole way. This 45-mile ride feels more like a 20-mile ride. 82

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Water-cooled: The temps get toasty in July and August, so rides that pass some of the area’s many lakes become very popular. It seems like around every corner is another spectacular view.

Bend’s Big Fat Tour: This is an epic three-day event that covers over 130 miles of singletrack and takes place October 16th through the 18th. The event is about the camaraderie and perseverance rather than head-to-head competition. Just one more reason Bend rocks. The locals: Bend is home to lots of well-known competitors, including Olympic rider Adam Craig, Carl Decker, Ryan Trebon, Kirt Voreis, Paul Thomasberg, April Lawyer, Steve Larsen and Paul Biskup. Even if you don’t see a “name” rider on the trail, the locals are a friendly mix of single-speeders, regional racers, weekend warriors and riders in love with the wide open space around Bend. The water: You may think that mountain bikes and water don’t mix. Still, you can’t ride every minute of your trip to Bend. That’s why the Deschutes River is our final reason for picking Bend as our number one mountain bike town in America. The river is a great place to cool down when the riding is done. ❏

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Disclaimer* Quantities on some items may be limited - shop early for best selection. Pricing may vary between our magazine ads, catalogs, showroom, retail stores, and website. Currency !uctuations, manufacturer price increases, model year changes, and other factors may cause our costs to change. JensonUSA reserves the right to modify our prices at any time without notice. Prices listed do not include shipping. Errors in product descriptions, weights, prices, or photography are unintentional and subject to correction. Customer bears the cost of return shipping for exchanges/returns unless Jenson USA has made a shipping error. Please call for a return authorization number. Jenson USA strives to offer the best prices on every item we sell. We will price match any nationally advertised price - just give us the details at the time of your order. The identical item (size, color, model year) must be in stock at the time your order is placed. This does not include items which are on sale/clearance/blowout. Price match may not be combined with any other offers. * All Shimano logos and brands are the exclusive property of Shimano American Corporation.

MBA RIDERS WHO

Inspire

Victor

Walter’s SingleHanded Mission

Showing amputees the best line down the trail

ictor Walter lost his left arm to cancer in 1980, the year he graduated from high school. An athlete who played tennis, golf and practiced martial arts, Victor tried mountain biking in 1990 and, like many of us, got the urge to start racing. His first dual-slalom race turned out to be more expensive than he was expecting. “I destroyed two of my regular prosthetic arms during practice,” Walter remembers today with a chuckle. “I realized right then that I would need a custom-built, dedicated riding arm.” Victor and his dual-slalom prosthetic arm went on to race for the next four years. Victor scored a win in a British Columbia Cup Race during that time, and that win did not come in the onearm class. The riders Victor beat all had two arms and two legs. Victor documented his progress as a racer with a prosthetic arm on his personal website. There was so much interest from other amputees that he expanded the website into a hub for these riders. Mountain Bike Amputee was founded. Mountain Bike Amputee (www.mtbamputee.com) is an organization to encourage and inform both amputees and the general public about prosthetic and mountain bike innovations and modifications. The site is not limited 86

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Photo by Peter VanderPutten

V

to hardware. Victor addresses mountain biking and road cycling skills and technique for amputee, injured, and disabled riders. Victor keeps things simple. There is no charge for the information and services provided by Mountain Bike Amputee. There are no membership fees. All that a rider needs to participate on the site is a willingness to encourage, inspire and share information with other riders. In fact, you don’t even have to ride bikes or be an amputee to benefit from Victor’s information. “I found that the prosthetic modifications and devices we use for mountain biking can be adapted and applied

to many other sports,” explains Victor. “This is why I have added pages for motorcycle, ATV and snowmobile enthusiasts. I have also opened the site to non-amputee cyclists suffering from various disabilities or recovering from injury.” One final word from Victor seems to sum up everything he is working towards: “I do have to warn all potential first-time amputee mountain bikers that the moment you get on a bike, you are no longer an amputee. You are a cyclist.” ❏ Walter at tact Victor n co n ca u Yo mputee.com www.mtb-a

MBA

est

A Race Bike For Those Who Want To Win The Titus X

T

he Titus Racer X, while always popular with crosscountry racers, has been a top pick for trail riders who expected lightweight performance but didn’t need more than four inches of travel for the trails they rode or the way they rode trails. This created a problem for Titus. Keeping the Racer X competitive with its crosscountry racing breethren was tough to do when Titus knew that a large percentage of the Racer X riders would never head down a banner-lined race course. Rather than push the trail-riding Racer X faithful towards the longer travel Titus Moto Lite, Titus came up with a better solution: the Titus X. Make no mistake about it: the Titus X is not a trailbike. This bike was redesigned specifically for cross-country racing. That includes a mechanically formed, butted 6069 alu-

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minum frame mated to asymmetrical, hydro-formed aluminum chainstays and a totally new, one-piece, carbon fiber seatstay (that is responsible for the largest weight savings on the X over the Racer X). Forged and machined dropouts hold the rear wheel. A one-piece, carbon fiber swing link is another weight-saving item. These changes have reduced the X’s frame weight a little over half a pound compared to an identical-sized Racer X. The X frame and shock are also available in titanium ($3495), carbon ($2795) or Titus’ own Exogrid ($3895) versions. LIGHT IT UP This Titus X cockpit is all business, with a 23-inch-wide Syntace Duraflite flat bar, Fizik Gobi saddle, fat Titus lockon grips, and a flat-backed rider position. Cables routed

Attack mode: The Titus X is all business, and that business is winning cross-country races. Get low, pick a slightly bigger gear, and drop the hammer.

May2009 / MOUNTAIN BIKE ACTION

89

Cross-Country Racer

No missing link: The rear suspension’s swinglink is an important component for truly great suspension performance. The allnew Titus compression-molded, one-piece fiber link is a lightweight wonder.

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Goat mode: The X will hang with the best of them on the climb. A centered riding position is perfect for keeping the rear wheel hooked up while not allowing the front end to come off the ground.

SEE YOU AT THE RACES Look to other Titus models if you want one bike that does a little bit of everything. The X is a racer through and through, and makes no excuses about it. This is a bike as use-specific as any downhill race bike. It is made for crosscountry racing and needs to be treated like the specialized breed that it is. ❏

TITUS X

under the top tube give the X a clean look while keeping the cables and stops out of the rider’s way. Hammering: Titus shod the X with a Kenda Small Block Eight tire in the rear and a Nevegal up front. This is a sweet performance trick that, on most racing surfaces, helps acceleration without hurting cornering performance. The X didn’t need this trick. It would feel light and fast with Nevegals front and rear. The fork and shock are easy to get in unison, and that keeps the X level while its pilot powers down the course. The chassis works with the Fox ProPedal RP23 shock to keep pedaling efforts insulated from the rear suspension. The X responds well to out-of-the-saddle tempo changes. Transitioning from seated to out-of-the-saddleattack mode is natural and seamless. Hit the rough: The X delivers the rigid feel of a shorttravel pro racing chassis. It gives a firm ride at speed but will respond to a substantial hit without spiking. The suspension feels firm while still rolling smoothly over racecourse clutter. The four-inch-stroke Fox fork is its greatest asset over rough terrain. Like the Racer X, the X responds best in the rough when the rider remains centered. Climbing: The X will hang with the best of them on the climb. A centered riding position is perfect for keeping the rear wheel hooked up while not allowing the front end to come off the ground. Again, standing to clear a momentumkilling rise is simple and delivers fast-forward results. Descending: One amazing attribute of the X is its stickiness while braking on the downhills. Chalk it up to the always-inspiring Magura Marta brakes, custom-tuned Fox shock or the X’s chassis, but even with the Small Block Eight tire, you have to be a total klutz to lock the rear wheel. The X soaks up rough descents with the rider centered (there wasn’t much need to move behind the saddle). Wrecking crewers did note slight lateral movement in the rear triangle during braking while entering high-speed, fire road corners. Sprinting to the line: When the finish line comes into sight and that racer pulls up next to you, it is up to you. The X will not be the reason you don’t win the mad dash to the line.

Price $2295 (Frame and shock) Country of origin U.S.A. Weight 24.5 pounds Hotline (800) 858-4887 Frame tested 18.25" Bottom bracket height 12.75" Chainstay length 16.75" Top tube length 23.5" Head tube angle 71° Seat tube angle 73° Standover height 30" Wheelbase 42.5" Suspension travel (front) 3.9" Suspension travel (rear) 4.1" Frame material Aluminum Fork Fox F100 RLC Shock Fox Float RP23 Rims DT Swiss XR 4.20 Tires Kenda Nevegal (f)/Small Block Eight (2.1") Hub DT Swiss 240S Brakes Magura Marta SL Brake levers Magura Marta Carbon SL Crankset FSA Team Issue Shifters SRAM X.0 triggers Front derailleur Shimano XTR Rear derailleur SRAM X.0 Chainrings FSA (44/32/22) Cassette SRAM PG-950 (11-34) Pedals None (weighed with Shimano XTR)

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2006 Fox Lady’s Trooper Jacket

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Castelli Aries FZ Jersey

WOODLAND HILLS

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Jg\e[PfliJldd\i

FeK_\Jcfg\j A guide to North American mountain bike resorts

mountain bike resort is a full-service community that caters specifically to fat tires. Two-wheel adventure seekers head to resorts to become better riders. Resort riding is highly organized and offers a systematic way of progressing on to more and more difficult singletrack and stunt obstacles. You don’t just spend one day at a mountain bike resort; it’s a once-a-year, extended summer vacation. MBA’s Mountain Bike Resort Directory lists mountain bike parks that are a true home away from home. When you go to one of these resorts, you are going there to live the life of an elite mountain bike rider: to ride, ride and ride again during the day, and at night enjoy the best in fine Alpine dining, shopping and cross-training opportunities

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tory c e r i D k 2009 Par zSNOWSHOE MOUNTAIN, WEST VIRGINIA Snowshoe Mountain sets the standard for the Mid-Atlantic mountain bike park experience with 38 trails ranging from beginner-level terrain to expert-class downhill racecourses. Trail design ranges from super smooth flow trails with seemingly endless jumps, table tops, step-ups, and steeps and technical rock gardens, to challenging North Shore stunt trails with giant wall rides, teeter-totters, skinnies, and drops. Consisting of two park areas, the Snowshoe basin is situated on the east face of Snowshoe Mountain, and the Western area boasts an impressive 1500-foot-plus vertical drop. The Snowshoe basin is serviced by a high-speed quad lift, and the Western territory is serviced by a high-speed quad lift or a shuttle bus system. Snowshoe Mountain Resort has the capacity to accommodate over 8000 overnight riders. There are also 1400 rental units on the mountain. Primitive campsites are available for $25 per night. Pizza, sushi, burgers, gourmet dogs and much more are available from 12 food and beverage establishments. On-site bike rentals are available at the Mountain Adventure Center, as well as cycling clothing and gear. The

Photo by Sterling Lorence

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Mountain Adventure Center is also a full-service repair shop. Snowshoe’s Professional Mountain Bike Park Staff is always available for group or private riding skill programs and tours. Prices start at $49 per person. Check out www.ride.snowshoemtn.com for the latest info on skills camps. Snowshoe also offers the following programs and products during the summer months: off-road dune buggy tours, Segway tours, sporting clays range, geocaching course, lake activities, guided fly-fishing tours, a swimming pool facility, and the four-event 5th Annual Snowshoe Downhill Race Series.

MOUNTAIN BIKE SEASON: May 22 to October 11. RIDING CHARGE: One-day pass $41, two-day pass $76, three-day pass $99; includes lift, shuttle, and full park access. ELEVATION: Snowshoe is an inverted mountain resort with the village located at 4800 feet; from there you ride down to 3250 feet. Take a lift or ride back up to 4800 feet. MILES OF TRAIL: Over 100 miles. CONTACT: (877) 441-4386.

PPANORAMA MOUNTAIN VILLAGE, BRITISH COLUMBIA Discover authentic downhill mountain biking in British Columbia ’s Kootenay region. Renowned for singletrack trails with natural features for all abilities, Panorama’s Bike Park also offers wide cruisers and expert terrain with man-made stunts and dirt jumps. Panorama’s Kona Groove Approved Bike Park has a number of trails to challenge riders of all levels. With high-speed chairlift access, choose from easier trails for those new to the sport, varied intermediate trails to boost confidence on steeps, stunts, and technical terrain, or expert downhill trails with built-up features. The 4-Cross course is always available. The village has an assortment of dining options, from burgers and ribs at the T-Bar to contemporary cuisine at the Wildfire Rustic Grill to the simplicity of a deli sandwich at Lusti’s. There are several mountainside condo and hotel options only steps from the chairlift. All accommodations include access to the Panorama Springs Hot Pools. Shadybrook Resort is one of the few remaining campgrounds located on the shore of Lake Windermere. Since 1951, Shadybrook has been a quiet, family-oriented campground with access to Lake Windermere right from your tent. There are two playgrounds for kids, a convenience store, 141 campsites, six cabins, full washroom facilities with Laundromat, a 75-slip marina, boat launch, fuel station, and a bike shop including rentals. Camp in a tent for $25 per night or $32 in an RV. Situated at the base of the mountain, Lusti’s is a full-service bike shop that also offers Kona rental bikes like the Stab Garbanzo and Stinky, the latest clothing and protective gear, along with snacks and refreshments to fuel up after a big day on the mountain. Panorama’s Mountain Bike School offers threehour group lessons for beginner, novice, and intermediate riders. A $149 three-hour group package includes rental bike for one full day, protective gear, full-day lift ticket, and three hours of instruction. The three-hour group lesson only runs $55.

Photo by Deer Valley Resort

MOUNTAIN BIKE SEASON: June 26 to August 30. RIDING CHARGE: Full day lift ticket $35 adult, $36 youth, $21 junior; summer season pass $210 adult, $179 youth, $139 junior, and $599 family. ELEVATION: 3800 feet at base, take lift up to 5046 feet. MILES OF TRAIL: 18.6 miles. CONTACT: (800) 663-2929.

Whistler Mountain Bike Park DEER VALLEY RESORT PARK CITY, UTAH Deer Valley is located just 36 miles from the Salt Lake City International Airport. The riding network includes two easy trails, ten moderate blue-square trails, three moderate-difficult trails, five black-diamond trails, and three double-blackdiamond trails for experts only. Deer Valley also likes to tout one of the most difficult downhill runs in the country: the National Downhill Course is 1.5 miles of steep and very technical terrain. Only expert or pro downhill racers need apply! There are numerous lodging options near the resort at both the base area and mid-mountain. Deer Valley proper does not own or operate any lodging and sends visitors to Deer Valley Lodging (435) 649-4040 and Resorts West (800) 541-9378 for all lodging inquiries. Or, stay at one of the five campsites located within 25 miles of Park City. Besides the full range of water sports and horseback riding, Jordanelle State Park and Rockport State Park offer additional mountain biking. Food is available at the Royal Street Café in Silver Lake Lodge, or at Deer Valley Etc. in Snow Park Lodge. Snow Park Lodge and Silver Lake Lodge both offer bike rentals, (888) 754-8477. For bike repair, head to Cole Sport or Jans, both located on Park Avenue. Deer Valley Mountain Bike School gives private lessons starting at $47 per hour. A three-hour clinic runs $42 per rider, and a ticket to the kid’s clinics sells for $33. To recuperate after a hard hammer session, try enjoying a stroll up Park City’s Historic Main Street or take in the Deer Valley Concert Series. ber. ON: Mid–June to Septem MOUNTAIN BIKE SEAS gle ride ll day lift ticket $28, sin RIDING CHARGE: Fu lift ticket $19. can ride 00 feet at base and you ELEVATION: From 72 up to 9400 feet. miles. MILES OF TRAIL: 55 337. CONTACT: (800) 424-3

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NORTHSTAR-AT-TAHOE RESORT TRUCKEE, CALIFORNIA Northstar-at-Tahoe Resort offers 83 trails spread across 2490 acres and world-class terrain parks and dirt jumps. The resort touts the most extensive lift-served trail network in the U.S., featuring the first fully irrigated mountain bike trail called Live Wire. Northstar staffs a full-time trail crew that continually builds new trails and maintains the existing legends. Don’t think that Northstar is only reserved for the elite, as just-added features like the new Easy Rider mid-mountain trail are designed to be user-friendly enough to allow for family fun. The new 2six Jump Park delivers small, medium and large lines, allowing riders to progress their skills over time. Last summer Northstar Resort began offering private riding lessons to those interested in getting into the sport or improving their skills. Northstar also sponsors downhill and cross-country mountain bike race series throughout the season. Northstar-at-Tahoe Resort is located on Highway 267, just six miles north of Lake Tahoe and six miles south of downtown Truckee. For lodging, the resort offers hotel-style rooms, condos and mountain homes. Lodging packages start at $69.50 per person, per night. There are a number of onsite restaurants in the Village at Northstar: Baxter’s Bistro

& Lounge, Rubicon Pizza, Chocolate Bar, Mikuni Japanese Restaurant & Sushi Bar, Earthly Delights, Big Wave Burritos & Wraps, plus more. For a quick bite, stop at Eurosnack for French Hot Dogs or a Belgian Waffle. On mid-mountain, Northstar operates the Downhill Grille. Bike rentals are available at Plaza Bikes in the Village at Northstar. They also offer bike repair, as does Northstar’s own on-mountain shop. If you are looking for a resort that offers endless cross-training opportunities, look no further. Lake Tahoe offers kayaking, hiking, sailing, floating on the Truckee River, road biking, parasailing, and the list goes on.

ON: Memorial Day MOUNTAIN BIKE SEAS er. Weekend through Octob er $39, Child $25, Summ ult RIDING CHARGE: Ad Season Pass $279. to 30-foot base it is possible ELEVATION: From a 63 ride up to 8610 feet. er 100 miles. MILES OF TRAIL: Ov 784. CONTACT: (800) 466-6

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The Rocky Mountain Flow Zone features three line options for easy beginner to expert dirt jump progression. From there, and running all over the slopes, are nine advanced, six expert, six intermediate and 17 easy trails to choose from. At the base of Sun Peaks there are ten hotels. Bike park lift and accommodation packages start at $63.85; call (800) 807-3257. The closest camping sites are located at Heffley Lake, BC, which is only a 25-minute drive from Sun Peaks Resort. Contact www.bcparks.ca. In the Sun Peaks Village there are 18 different dining options to choose from, including graband-go slices at Mountain High Pizza, sushi from Chopstixx, and pub fare from Masa’s Bar & Grill. The resort also has a ton of patios to pull up to and enjoy a cold beverage at the end of the day. Time To Ride Bike Shop in the Village rents 2009 Rocky Mountain Bicycles exclusively. Downhill and cross-country riding gear and accessories are also available for rental. They can handle wheel and drivetrain repairs. For larger problems, such as suspension, riders will have to visit either the Bicycle Café, Full Boar Bike Store, or Spoke in Motion, all located 45 minutes away in the city of Kamloops. This summer, Sun Peaks will engage in their most inclusive camp series. All aspects of trail, stunt and jump riding will be covered. The team of instructors includes Graham Agassiz, Matt Hunter and Kurt Sorge. Camp dates are June 29 to July 4, July 6 to July 10, July 13 to July 17 and July 20 to July 24. A five-day camp runs $365. Finally, at the end of the day, enjoy a round of golf on-site at the 18-hole course, or the outdoor swimming pool and hot tubs, horseback riding, canoe and kayak rentals, Alpine hiking trails, fly fishing, or shopping in The Village.

Whistler Mountain Bike Park

SUN PEAKS BIKE PARK KAMLOOPS, BRITISH COLUMBIA

Photo by Sterling Lorence

MOUNTAIN BIKE SEASON: June 27 to September 7. RIDING CHARGE: Full day adult $38, full day youth $32, full day child $22, full day senior $32; Half day adult $30, half day youth $26, half day child $18, half day senior $26; season pass adult $299, season pass youth $249, season pass child $199, season pass senior $249. ELEVATION: 4117 feet at base; lifts bring you up to 6066 feet. MILES OF TRAIL: 44 miles. CONTACT: (800) 807-3257.

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Mammoth Mountain

MAMMOTH MOUNTAIN BIKE PARK MAMMOTH LAKES, CALIFORNIA The Mountain dishes up endless riding, ranging from pine forest beginner trails like Paper Route and Beach Cruiser to six of the gnarliest downhill-specific trails found. Velocity, Techno Rock and the legendary Kamikaze Park and Pipeline feature boulders, wooden ramps and dirt jumps to huck off of. Flow and Shotgun are fast and flowing trails. Twilight Zone brings you British Columbia North Shore minus the northern weather. The run features the intense Deep End Bowl Ride. All of the trails are marked for difficulty from least difficult to most difficult. The resort features daily bike lessons, covered rest stops, first-aid, Adventure Center bike repair and sport shop, and uphill transportation via a two-stage gondola and bike park shuttle. The rental fleet is made up of 2009 Cannondales, and SixSixOne protection packages are available. Mammoth Mountain Inn charges $99 per night and is located right at the trailhead (or trail end). The nearest camping is at the Shady Rest Campground for $18 per night. Nutrition is available at the Mountain Side Grill, Cervinia, Top of the Sierra, or snacks at the Adventure Center. Other local points of interest and events include Yosemite National Park, fishing in Lakes Basin, Sierra Star for the highest golfing in California, the Mammoth Motocross and Bluesapalooza.

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MOUNTAIN BIKE SEASON: June 21 to September 27. RIDING CHARGE: Full day adult lift $43, full day trail access $10. ELEVATION: The base sits at 7953 feet to 11,053 feet. MILES OF TRAIL: 70 miles. CONTACT: (800) 626-6684.

SILVER STAR BIKE PARK Vernon, BRITISH COLUMBIA From the beginner trails, riders can steadily advance to the expert runs that are filled with berms, tabletops, and wooden features. All trails are marked with the North Shore green circle, blue square and black diamond signage. Silver Star boasts seven easy, seven intermediate, six advanced and three double-black-diamond, expert-only trails. The Comet Six Pack Express is Canada’s largest mountain bike lift with roll-on bike carriers and a ride time under eight minutes. A fleet of 66 rental bikes includes mostly Giant Glorys, Giant Trances and Norco Razor kid’s bikes. Helmets, gloves and body armor are available for rent. Olympia Sport and Cycle operates a full-time repair shop out of Silver Star Bike Rental. Big-hit legend Benton Hennig runs intermediate and advanced camps starting at $90. Claudia Sorenson hosts the Chicks On Bikes Camp. Hotels offer everything from luxurious mountain vacation homes at the Snowbird Lodge Hotel to standard room rates at Lord Aberdeen Hotel, Silver Star Club Resort, The Pinnacles, or Sam Sun Hotel. There is primitive camping for free in the main parking lot. On-site dining is available at The Saloon, Silver Grill Steak, Chop House and the Bulldog. Non-mountain bike activities include hiking and scenic trails, paintball, Summer Wine Festival, shopping, Beyond Wrapture Day Spa, Gallery Odin, and wildflower, nature and history tours.

ber 7. ON: June 25 to Septem MOUNTAIN BIKE SEAS uth yo ll-day adult $38, full-day RIDING CHARGE: Fu l-day child $30. or senior $30 each, ful to r’s base is 5157 feet up ELEVATION: Silver Sta 6280 feet. miles. MILES OF TRAIL: 55 224. 2-0 CONTACT: (250) 54

WHISTLER MOUNTAIN BIKE PARK, BRITISH COLUMBIA Whistler/Blackcomb operates a 34-trail Fitzsimmons Zone and a 21-trail Garbanzo Zone. The riding delivers the ultimate journey through old growth forests filled with teeter-totters, tabletops, drops, and twisty and banked singletrack. The full range of riding is covered, from easy trails to cross-country circuits to journey runs including steep rock-faced, root-strewn lines and huge drops. On site there are also two jump parks, a giant slalom course, three skills centers, a bikercross, and the Boneyard Slopestyle course. Air Dome is a fully supervised, 2500-foot indoor facility with ramps, quarter pipes, wall rides and a massive foam pit. The Evolution store is a full-service bike shop that also offers riding gear rentals and accessories. Garbanzo Rentals offers a full fleet of Rocky Mountain bikes. A free Village Bike Wash Station is available. Whistler’s bike storage service offers a secure location to leave your bike while enjoying the Village after a ride. Hotels, condos, chalets, town homes and luxury retreats are all available at Whistler. Within the resort is Riverside RV Resort & Campground. The Garibaldi Lift Company is a full service restaurant operating out of Whistler Village. Or choose Garbanzo Bike & Bean for a snack. Whistler offers numerous mountain bike packages that deliver weekend and multi weekday lodging and lift specials. Bike rentals go for $65 for half day and $99.99 for a full day. Ten different riding clinics and camps focus on all types of mountain bike riding as well as targeting the full range of riding skills. There is also a Richie Schley Skills Camp, Instructor Development Course focused on bike park guide personnel, and Monday and Wednesday Women’s Nights. The Peak 2 Peak Gondola offers an incredibly exhilarating experience during the eleven-minute trip between Whistler and Blackcomb.

MOUNTAIN BIKE SEASON: Fitzsimmons Zone May 16 to October 12; Garbanzo Zone June 27 to October 12. RIDING CHARGE: Adult one day $49, youth/senior one day $43, child one day $27; adult two day $98, youth/senior two day $86, child two day $54; adult three day $115, youth/senior three day $102, child three day $59; Whistler Bike Park Passes available for $449. ELEVATION: Whistler Village rests at 2214 feet to 7160 feet. MILES OF TRAIL: 125 miles-plus. CONTACT: (604) 904-8134.฀

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N_`jkc\i& 9\pfe[ More than just downhills, jumps, & drops for big-hit bikes By Brian Lopes Photos by Manfred Stromberg

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’ve been going to Whistler/Blackcomb for about eight years now for many reasons, but the main one is because it’s one of the best places on earth that I have ever experienced for mountain biking. If you’re a gravity rider, then you either already know how great the bike park is from experience, or it’s on your wish list of places to go. There’s no question that the bike park is the all time greatest, with some of the world’s most fun downhill trails, littered with jumps, bridges, stunts, rocks, roots, and berms. It’s a gravity rider’s paradise, with a high-speed quad chairlift that gets you to the midway station in about ten minutes and to the peak in 20.

Leg lift: The trails that Schley/Lopes tour guides talk about are not serviced by highspeed quad lifts. You get to the top the oldfashioned way, one crank rotation at a time. May 2009 / MOUNTAIN BIKE ACTION

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N_`jkc\iGXib The biggest misconception about not only the bike park, but with Whistler/Blackcomb’s mountain biking, is that the trails are only for those who either have big-hit bikes, are into extreme riding, or are into the shuttle ride up. That’s simply not true. The town offers some of the best trails for all different disciplines of mountain biking, on every skill level. With the mid-travel bikes these days, you can bring just one bike on this trip and experience both the Whistler Bike Park and the trails throughout the valley and on the mountain. There’s really just about any type of trail you’re looking for, from the easiest beginner paths to flowing singletrack that will leave you with perma grin, to the most technical cross-country trails you’ve ever experienced, to the world’s best jump trails and full-out downhills. The idea for this story came to me this year, since my new frame sponsor, Ibis, only makes a bike with 5.5 inches of travel. Was that going to be enough for the bike park, or would I need more? I knew it would be great on all the cross-country trails, but I wasn’t sure if I’d be wishing I had a downhill rig for the park. It proved to be a great all-around bike, allowing me to experience way more than I ever could on a downhill rig. In the park, it was better on some of the beginner, intermediate, and black-diamond trails, because it was quicker, lighter, and easier to handle through the smoother, tighter, slower paced trails. The added bonus was that I got to experience some super fun cross-country trails that would have been unmanageable to pedal on a downhill machine. Unless I was on double-black-diamond trails looking to pin it, or searching for the mega drops, there really was no need for the big-hit bike. Freestyle legend and local shredder Richie Schley agreed that most riders were missing out on the less publicized side of the riding. When the park is packed or Richie is looking to get a good workout, he’s out on his Rotwild Enduro, enjoying what very few outsiders even know exists. So Richie and I agreed, let’s show the world the lighter side of Whistler and open the eyes of riders who always thought Whistler was only about full-face helmets and gravity-type riding. The secret is being let out, so get ready to start planning your trip for what we assure you will be the experience of a lifetime, no matter what type of mountain biking you’re interested in. Don’t sell yourself short in the mountain bike Mecca of the world, though; get a taste of everything. If your main priority is to ride the bike park, take at least one day to check out some of the cross-country trails. And if you never thought about coming to Whistler because you didn’t know it had great cross-country to offer, well, now you know. Come pedal until the legs feel like lead, then head over to the bike park and take a much easier route up on the chairlift and enjoy the coast down. Guaranteed you will have fun trying something new!

EASE INTO IT Riding the trails around Whistler requires that you have good tires and a seatpost you can drop. This is essential. I like to bring some soft knee pads, since they are light, easy to 106

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pack, and give me a little protection just in case. Another good rule of thumb is that if you’re an intermediate rider at home, start with the novice trails here. If you consider yourself an expert rider, start with the intermediate trails. Take the fun trails slowly and work your way up to the more difficult trails. It’s far too often that riders come to Whistler/Blackcomb and get hurt in the beginning of their trip because they’re not familiar with the different types of terrain thrown at them.

THE NETWORK The Whistler trail network is far too large to tell all in a short story. Evolution Whistler (604) 932-2967, a bike/ski shop in the heart of the village, sells a book with GPS-mapped trails of the area. We managed to get in a great variety of rides in just four days. One of the best things is that you can ride right from town and are never too far away from pedaling home when you’ve had enough. Most of the trails are not super long but can easily be linked up with other trails to extend rides for endless hours. Believe it: When a trail in the Whistler area earns a double-blackdiamond rating, you are best off believing it. This is a place that challenges the most accomplished riders on the planet. There are plenty of trails for the rest of us.

Double vision: Looking at Brian Lopes (left) and Richie Schley from the bottom of this boulder makes either line selection look pretty tame. Not so from the top. Many trails around Whistler/Blackcomb are “expert only.”

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Day one started with some very technical stuff. The Flank Trail from Function Junction is a multi-use singletrack on the East-facing slope that runs the entire length of the valley. It’s a moderate to steep climb, lasting for 45 minutes. Not technical, but physically tough. Things change rather quickly once you’re at the top and the descending begins. There are several different ways down, but we chose High Society, a double-

black-diamond, all-natural-terrain trail with some extremely steep, rocky faces. Add in some roots and a little moisture and you have the perfect recipe for scaring the pants off you. Some of you hot shots will be humbled when you find yourselves walking down parts of this trail, because what most of you think are expert-level trails in your hometowns are more like novice trails here in Canada. From High Society we hooked up with Industrial Disease, then over to Moose Knuckles, which will have your hydration pack hitting you in the back of the head and testing out some of your basic jump skills.

Ease into it: Take the fun trails slowly and work your way up to the more difficult trails. It’s far too often that riders come to Whistler/Blackcomb and get hurt in the beginning of their trip.

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N_`jkc\iGXib If you’re up for another pedal back to the top, Cheap Thrills is another fun one off the Flank Trail—also a double black diamond that’s very steep off the top, but more flow in the middle, ending with some technical ladder bridges and creek crossings. You’ll get 15 minutes of descending out of this one, depending on your pace. At the end of day one we decided to take part in the Thursday evening cross-country race/ride called the Tooney race. It’s name comes from the two-dollar entry fee. (Canadians call two bucks a tooney.) These events take place every Thursday during the summer and can attract up to 300 participants. For some it’s a race, for most it is a fun ride, ending at a local restaurant that sponsors the after party. The course is always different, but the fun times are always the same. If you’re quick enough to win, you’ll be rewarded with 50 bucks, but let it be known that there are some extremely fast locals who know the trails well. Definitely partake in one of these events, as you’re sure to have fun, both on the ride and at the party.

DAY

2

The next day was much easier, physically and mentally. For about an hour we spun around on the Lost Lake trails, a network of beginner to intermediate level routes. These trails are super close to town and roam all through the hills and trees that surround Lost Lake, a popular swimming spot in the summer. The best thing about riding here is it’s super fun and you can make the ride as short as you want, or extend it up around two hours. There are tons of trails that will allow you to turn around at almost anytime, but I recommend linking as many together as you have time for, because they all have such great flow. Some will take you over ladder bridges that are wide, but almost always have alternate routes around them. The climbs are short and gradual, and the trails can be anything from crushed gravel paths that you could literally ride on a road bike, to rocky, rooted trails best ridden on at least a shorttravel cross-country bike. There are a million names for each section of trail, so don’t even try to remember them. Just explore until you feel you should start heading back. At that point, pull out your map, find your location, and in no more than 20 minutes you should be back at home or in town. After lunch and relaxing at the Schley mansion, it was time to get another physically easy ride in, but this one required intermediate to expert technical skills. River Runs Through It is a popular favorite. This trail has very little climbing, which sounds easy, but unless you have the skills to negotiate all the roots, turns, and man-made stunts, you will find this trail to be difficult. It’s definitely not your average cross-country trail, but a fun one that will have you stopping often, going back to clean a section, or try certain stunts again. This isn’t a fast trail. It’s one to take your time with. Look at it as a skills lesson. If you’re looking for some consistent pedaling, flowy singletrack, or fun ups and downs, this is not the one. But if you are up for some108

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thing challenging, yet relatively safe that will test your slow speed skills, you’ve come to the right place. I recommend staying off this trail when it’s wet. Many of the man-made obstacles get extremely slick, and there are plenty of them to try on this trail. Take note that there is almost always an alternate route around the stunts if you come to one that looks above your limits.

DAY

3

With two days of pedaling in, we decided to spend day three in the Whistler Bike Park. It’s definitely a treat when you can get 1800 to 4000 feet of descending in without any effort pedaling up, but that’s not to say your legs won’t be getting a workout. The constant load put on your quads from coasting so many thousands of feet, run after run, will work your legs in a different way. And the abuse your arms and hands will take may give you some added appreciation for how physical downhill racing can be. There are a few recommendations I have for riding the bike park. First, lower your seat. Having your seat all the way up just makes life more difficult when going downhill and over jumps, not to mention it’s dangerous. If you have some bigger tires, preferably ones with thicker casings, put them on. Remember, you’re not pedaling up any hills in the park, so make life a bit easier with some added grip and less chance for a flat. Also, avoid stopping on the trail. If you need to stop, pull off to the side. There are a lot of blind turns, and the speeds some riders carry down these trails can make it hard to stop in time if you’re sitting there like a deer in headlights. Last but not least, wear some pads. It’s not that these novice/ intermediate trails are difficult or any more dangerous than stuff you would encounter on a cross-country ride, but since you don’t have uphills or pedaling to worry about, you might as well have that added safety. The first run we did was called Ninja Cougar, one of the best new novice/intermediate trails on the mountain. It starts right next to the most famous downhill run in the world, A-Line. Ninja Cougar is far less intimidating and less traveled. The trail starts off on the open slope with some medium-speed easy turns and then quickly takes you into the trees. This is where the real fun begins, flowing from berm turn to berm turn, weaving around trees as a ski racer would around the gates. The slope is gentle in grade and the terrain is mainly dirt and smooth. Think downhill pump track! You surely will be taking that lift up again for this one.

Next it was on to B-Line, which may be the most popular of all the beginner to novice trails in the park. The little brother to A-Line, this trail is littered with basic tabletop jumps and the gradual grade never lets you go too fast without pedaling. Some of the turns can get a little bumpy going into them from all the braking, but there’s nothing your mid-travel, full-suspension bike won’t eat up. This is truly a great trail for practicing jumping at the safest level possible, and you’re almost guaranteed to have both wheels off the ground within three or four runs. Another great introductory trail for jumping is Crank It Up. This is an alternative to B-line in a totally different zone of the mountain. Angry Pirate was next. How they come up with these names, I have no idea, but you’ve got to love them. This trail is a flowy, twisty singletrack with some steep corners and challenging switchbacks. They may have gotten the name from the one log ride that is just high enough off the ground to make you decide to walk it or have you stoked on your first thrill-rider move. For our last run, we had to hit the infamous A-line. This is a black-diamond run, but as long as you are halfway decent at jumping, you will be fine. There is one drop about halfway down that is about eight feet, but you can take the alternate route around it if it’s too much. This trail is a prime example of how a mid-travel bike is sometimes better in the park. For the past three years I’ve won the Crankworx Air Downhill on my 5-inch-travel bike. The big bike may be smoother, but the smaller bike is faster. The stopwatch doesn’t lie.

THE FINAL DAY

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On the last day of our four-day mission, Richie decided to treat us to a local gem called PHD. This is one of the few trails that you may actually want to drive to, as it’s about ten minutes north of town towards Pemberton. It starts off to the left in a rock quarry, where you begin the 40-minute pedal up a rocky fire road. There isn’t anything special about the climb, but it’s a consistent grade that will get your heart pumping. Of course you wouldn’t pick a fire road to climb unless the down was a reward. This is definitely an expert-level descent that starts off steep and rocky. No man-made obstacles out here and nothing too fast, but nevertheless it’s very challenging. After about seven minutes of leaning back and braking, we dropped onto the fire road we had just climbed. Up with the seat and we climbed for about four minutes to the next sweet part of this descent. Again, it’s technical and rocky, not a place you want to crash, but then again, when do you ever want to crash? It’s few more minutes of intense yet thrilling descent that will keep your eyes glued to what’s ahead,

and then you’ve got one lap of pain and pleasure behind you. Some good Stik E rubber tires, dropping the seat and putting on some knee pads for the down is suggested. There is barely any pedaling once you’ve done the climb up, so be safe rather than sorry.

JUST THE BEGINNING In four days we have barely skimmed the surface of all the great riding Whistler has to offer. You would pretty much have to move here if you wanted to experience all the trails just once. And if you could accomplish this, just a short drive away are Pemberton and Squamish to keep the trail experience fresh. It literally would take years to ride all the trails one time. And that’s if you were lucky enough to have a local show you the secret ones that are being built each year. Some places you just can’t fully describe with words; you must experience them for yourself. Whistler is one of those places if you love mountain biking. I’m asked all the time where the best place to ride is, and the answer is easy and always the same, Whistler. With everywhere I have ridden in this world, I’ve yet to find another place that has the quantity and quality of trails. Once you discover Whistler, you will find yourself planning multiple visits back. You might even end up buying a house there. I did…it’s that good!

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MBA TECH

Installing Nokon’s cable and housing system oes your rear derailleur cable run from the shifter to the derailleur in a full-length cable housing? Do you ride in conditions where the weather is constantly attacking your components? Do you ride a bike that requires cables and their housing to take sharp bends to reach their destination? If you answered yes to any of these questions, a Nokon cable and cable housing system could greatly improve your shifting and braking performance. Nokon, a German company, offers a pricey yet effective upgrade to your stock derailleur or brake cable and housing. The Nokon system consists of a stainless steel cable, a Teflon inner liner, and hundreds of ball-and-socket links that snap together to form an impenetrable housing. This aluminum housing also eliminates the casing flex and spongy feel associated with long-distance, single-piece cable housing. One misapprehension is that the $80.99 Nokon front and rear derailleur cable system adds weight to the bike. We found that Nokon system was lighter than the standard cable and housing it replaced. We are not pushing this as a weightsaving solution, but the point is you can increase shifting performance without a weight penalty. If this sounds interesting to you, step inside the garage with Nokon’s Marcus Crider for a quick lesson on the system’s proper installation.

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Step 1: We are replacing the rear derailleur cable and housing for our example. Remove the stock stuff and then thread the Nokon cable into the shifter.

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Tools you’ll need: A Nokon cable and cable housing system will cover your front and rear derailleur or your front and rear brakes unless you have hydraulic-actuated brakes. You’ll need an Allen wrench for the derailleur or brake cable pinch bolts and a cable cutter. A cable stretching tool is optional. You may also need a screwdriver to access the cable on some shifters.

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Step 2: If you had to remove a cover screw to slide the cable into the shifter, replace it now or you will forget about it. If you forget to replace this cap, you will allow all types of contaminants to enter the system.

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MBA TECH

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Step 3: Eyeball the approximate length of the cable needed, slide the Teflon inner liner on the cable, and trim it.

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Step 4: Now we are going to start building the cable housing. The silver link is a direction changer, so it needs to be the first link. It will be where the cable housing feeds into the shifter.

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Step 7: The Nokon cable with the Teflon inner liner is fatter than a stock cable. This may cause a clearance issue when you reach a housing stop. The cable and housing have to slide freely through the stop. If you feel binding, carefully open the stop’s gap by placing a flat blade screwdriver in the slit and turning the screwdriver handle, or simply remove the housing between the two cable bosses.

8 Step 8: The kit comes with a small ball link that will end the housing and connect to the rear derailleur. You have finished building your housing.

9 5 Step 5: The links have male and female ends. Slide them onto the cable, making sure you mate the male end of the link to the female end. Keep adding links until you reach a housing stop or the derailleur.

Step 9: Use your cablestretching tool to take up slack and tighten the Allen pinch bolt on the derailleur.

6 Step 6: One important tip: Leave a gap in the black links and silver link (that feeds into the shifter) of one finger-width. This play is needed for the housing to bend without binding.

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Step 10: Cut the excess cable and be sure to crimp on the cable end cap. You are done. ❏

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WHITE HOT! Introducing the new white ZTR rims. Same great light weight performance, fresh new look.

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Inside The Pros’ Bikes Petr Hanak’s Commencal

ast year, Petr Hanak began shocking the reigning stars of dualslalom and mountaincross racing. Paying his own way to the races, Hanak, 33, won major pro events in Angel Fire, New Mexico, Santa Ynez, California, and Brian Head, Utah. He also won the overall National Mountain Bike Series dualslalom title. Then, in September, Petr won the Subaru Arena Mountain X Championship in Las Vegas, topping a field that included Nathan Rennie, Rafael Alvarez, Cody Warren and Greg Minnaar. He finished the 2008 season by nailing second overall in the Jeep 48 Straight dual-slalom series. So who is Petr Hanak? Born in January 1976, in the Czech Republic, Petr raced BMX from age 11 to 18, earning two national titles. He took up cross-country racing, completed college (with a degree in construction), worked at bike shops and took jobs painting commercial buildings. Hanak took a trip to America in 1999 and decided to stay. He got a job cleaning floors at a K-Mart in Tallahassee, Florida. Hanak left Florida four years later. “Florida was too hot for me,” says Petr. “I traveled to Colorado and thought it looked like my home.” He took a job in Winter Park as a roofer and continued his American dream by starting a roofing business with a friend. Petr rode the Winter Park Resort for fun, and his skill, especially on big jumps, caught everyone’s attention. Other riders talked him into racing, and after winning his first mountaincross race—as an expert—Hanak moved to the pro class. He’s been climbing the ranks ever since. Hanak has not landed a sponsor, but it doesn’t seem to bother him. His roofing company pays the bills and not having a sponsor means he is not limit-

Weight: 24.1 pounds Price as equipped: $3000

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20 15 ed in his component selection. “I choose the components that work the best for me,” explains Petr. This is a luxury that fully sponsored racers don’t enjoy.

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3. Kenda Nevegal Stick-E tires, 26x2.1 inches. “I use these tires for every race. They are very great tires.” 4. Kenda Super Lite tubes.

1. Commencal Super Team VIP Absolut 4X frame, 2008 model. “This is one of the lightest and strongest frames I could find. The geometry is exactly what I was looking for. The frame is perfect for me.” 2. Fox RLT F fork, 2006 model, 3.1inches of travel. “This fork is the best I’ve ever ridden. In two seasons I have never had any problems whatsoever.”

5. DT Swiss EX 1750 wheels. “It’s amazing how strong these wheels are. The only thing I have to do is tighten the spokes!” 6. DT Swiss 340 Ratchet System hubs, 32 holes. “I like the ratchet system a lot. I can tighten the wheels so well to the frame that when I do gates, the wheels do not move!”

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6 7. Magura Marta SL Carbon disc brakes. “I have had these brakes for three seasons and never had any problems with them. They work just perfectly, plus they’re very light.” 8. Easton Monkey Lite Carbon DH handlebar, 28 inches wide. “I’m not afraid to pull hard on them.” 9. Truvativ Holzfeller stem, with 31.8-millimeter clamp size, 60-millimeter reach, zero rise. 10. Easton EC 90 carbon seatpost, 31.6-millimeter. “It’s very light and strong.”

11. ODI Lock-On system grips. “They’re easy to install or take off, plus they’re very soft and feel good in my hands.” 12. Shimano XT, 175-millimeter cranks. “I had these cranks for the whole season last year. They’re very light and strong.” 13. Shimano PD-M424 SPD pedals. 14. SRAM PC 951, nine-speed chain. “I was surprised how strong this chain is! I push down hard, but I’ve never broken the chain. It’s very good.”

16. SRAM X.0, nine-speed shifter. “It’s amazing how fast and easily I can change gears when I need to!” 17. Shimano 38-tooth chainring. 18. Shimano Ultegra cassette (12-27). 19. Tioga Spider saddle. 20. MRP System carbon chainguard. “I don’t have any worries about ever losing the chain. I’ve been using the MRP system since I started racing in 2005.” 21. FSA 36, cartridge-style headset. ❏

15. SRAM X.0 rear derailleur. May 2009 / MOUNTAIN BIKE ACTION

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MBA TECH

Fleet Fox Riding the 2009 Fox Racing Shox 40 RC2 uccess has come quickly for Fox Racing Shox and their eight-inch-travel, 40millimeter downhill fork, dubbed the “40.” It debuted on the downhill circuit in 2004 in the hands of a few select racers, and the following year the production version hit the slopes. In 2008, the 40’s fourth year in existence, it was ridden to both the men’s and women’s downhill world championships under the control of the brother and sister act of Gee and Rachel Atherton.

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NEW FOR 2009 We’ve ridden every version of the 40 that’s come out of Watsonville, California, since it hit production in 2005. And, for 2009, Fox set out to improve the 40 by modifying the RC2 FIT damper and giving the 40 a directmount-stem upper crown. “The 2009 damper was completely redesigned,” says Mark Fitzsimmons, Fox Shox MTB Race Manager. “The basic structure was kept the same. The piston, valve stack, rebound piston, bladder, seal head, mid-valve and hydraulic bottom-out system were redesigned. The upper tubes were shortened 13 millimeters, and the upper crown was redesigned for a direct mount stem.” Like the 2008 version, the new 40 retains the coil spring preload adjustment, internally adjustable travel down to six inches, 1-1/8 inch steerer tube, a titanium spring and 20-millimeter through-axle; and it is now available with both black and white lowers. Championship performance: The Fox 40 RC2 fork captured two downhill world championships in 2008. We pushed the 2009 version to the limit aboard Foes and Yeti downhill bikes and came away impressed.

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Fox Atop the right fork leg sits the red rebound adjustment knob, and on the right is the spring preload dial. At the bottom of the right fork leg lie both the high- and low-speed compression adjusters. “Without giving away all of our trade secrets, the changes are pretty endless, and sometimes can only be understood from reviewing graphs,” said Fitzsimmons. “The frequency that the 2009 40 operates at is much different

TOP TESTER JUSTIN LEOV’S INVOLVEMENT World Cup downhiller Justin Leov was critical to the development of the latest Fox 40 fork. “He is a very sensitive rider who was able to point out how changes affected the rest of the bike,’ said Fitzsimmons. “He would ride nonstop during testing sessions, basically from sunrise to sundown.”

than from years past. The end result is faster times on a downhill course.” The 2009 Fox 40 RC2 sells for $1600. FIT TO KILL When Fox approached the redesign of the FIT damper, they focused on two things: reliability and ride feel. The damper was revamped to isolate high- and low-speed compression adjustment more than in previous years. Through their testing, data collecting and watching hours of race footage over and over, they learned they wanted to provide a more connected feel to the ground and increase stability and traction. “A rider going from an older fork might describe the 2009 feel as thicker and quieter with a sense of more traction. They will also notice the spring rate being more critical,” explained Fitzsimmons. RIDING THE FOX 40 RC2 For months we rode and raced the 40 RC2 aboard a Foes 2:1 DHS Mono and a Yeti 303 R-DH. After setting up our 40 forks with 25-percent sag, we ran to the hills. From the high-speed rocky terrain of Southern California to

High Low RC2: Below the right fork leg of the Fox 40 fork are the high- and low-speed compression adjustments for the Fox’s FIT (Fox Isolated Technology) damper.

the steep, technical terrain of Boulder City, Nevada, our Fox 40s have been put through the paces. The 40’s robust 40-millimeter stanchions navigate steep, ultra-technical sections of trail with remarkable precision. When you’re racing and have

Dialed: The right fork leg on the Fox 40 is home to the red external rebound adjustment knob, and the blue knob on the left adjusts preload. The Fox 40 crown now has a hole pattern for direct mount stems.

to attack gnarly terrain at speed, if the 40 is leading the way, you’re in good hands. Fittingly, the most noticeable improvement in performance came from the 40’s new FIT damper. We opted for minimal lowspeed damping (two or three clicks from fully open) to maximize small bump absorption, and found setting the high-speed compression in the middle (of the 15 clicks) a good starting point for most trails. The 40’s travel is extremely supple and keeps the front end glued to the

ground on choppy, off-camber turns. If there were numerous big hits, drops and jumps on a course, we added a few clicks of high-speed compression to handle those impacts. We recommend only tuning the compression one click at a time, because each of the 15 clicks makes a detectable difference in handling. In past years we found ourselves repeatedly bottoming properly sprung Fox 40 forks, but the 2009 40’s FIT damper seemed to erase those memories after the first ride. PREMIUM PERFORMER Although both are very different animals, aboard the Foes DHS Mono and Yeti 303 R-DH we easily dialed in the fork to match the performance of the shock, and that dependable, balanced feel inspired pilots to charge double jumps with the throttle wide open. The American-made Fox 40 is a no-nonsense, high-performance downhill slider built to dominate the gnarliest World Cup courses, and its short but impressive track record speaks for its capabilities. The 40’s reliability, stiffness and supple feel place this elite-level, dualcrown fork at the forefront of downhill mountain bike suspension. ❏

SUPERIOR STRENGTH & DURABILITY Katie Compton, US National Cyclocross Champion & Cyclocross World Cup Silver Medallist 5 times US National Cyclocross Champion 2 times World Cyclocross Champion KMC X-SuperLight chain (X10SL & X9SL) and X series chains (X8, X9, and X10) are treated with Titanium Nitride Coating, giving our chains a sleek gold finish and superb protection against the elements.

Continental Chain Co.

www.kmcchain.us 909. 392.2045

RESUME BUILDER GETTING RESULTS You can’t argue with results, and the Fox Shox 40 has been racking up an impressive list since it was born. Below is a list of just a few of its gravity-fed feats. 2008 Men’s Downhill World Champion, Gee Atherton 2008 Women’s Downhill World Champion, Rachel Atherton 2007 Australian Men’s Downhill Champion, Jared Graves 2007 British Men’s Downhill Champion, Marc Beaumont 2006 Jr. Women Downhill World Champion, Tracey Hannah 2005 Women’s Downhill World Champion, Anne-Caroline Chausson 2005 NORBA National Downhill Champion, Jared Graves 2004 Red Bull Rampage Champion, Kyle Strait

MBA TECH

A Silent, Longer-Lasting Alternative

To The Roller Chain The Gates Carbon Drive R. Cunningham

he Gates Carbon Drive is a cog-belt system especially designed for cycling. Independent laboratory testing, as well as three seasons of racing and riding on the trails of North America, have proven that Carbon Drive is as good or better than a metal chain and sprockets in both durability and efficiency.

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Simplicity made simpler: Spot Brand’s Longboard 29er, outfitted with the no-maintenance Gates Carbon Drive cog-belt drivetrain, elevates the classic single speed to a new level of “hassle-free.”

Carbon Drive is a ten-millimeter wide, carbon-fiber-reinforced polyurethane belt with a specially engineered tooth profile that runs on aluminum pulleys. The inside face of the belt is bonded with a slippery, Teflon-impregnated material to reduce friction, and the pulleys are coated with a carbide ceramic to make them almost impervious to wear. A close inspection of the large and small pulleys reveals that the trough between each tooth has been machined off so that the pulleys will shed mud and debris that may be picked up by the belt. Carbon Drive is well engineered and executed—and it looks the part. It was the brainchild of an unlikely match: a handful of engineers at Gates (a worldwide leader in timing belt and powertrain technology) and Spot Brand Bicycles (a pioneer single-speed bicycle and component maker). Together they have produced the first viable alternative to the conventional chain drive. TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE? Don’t believe it? Neither did we—nor does anyone else who first throws a leg over a Carbon Drive bicycle. Carbon 122 www.mbaction.com

Drive, however, gets its message across plainly and directly. All it takes to become a believer is one ride. No Stretch: The first fallacy that is disproved is that the urethane teeth and belt will feel stretchy. No dice. Give it your best uphill effort and you will discover that the Carbon Drive belt is far from elastic; there is no flex, no stretch, only silence and acceleration. No Drag: The second fear that is quickly dispelled is that there will be a slight dragging sensation created by the soft belt teeth gripping against the aluminum pulleys. Sorry. Carbon Drive rolls out effortlessly and maintains its smooth efficient power transfer from soft-pedaling to gutwrenchingly steep ascents. No Squeaks: Okay, who hasn’t heard the squeal of an automobile’s air conditioning belt, or the rhythmic cheeping of a V-belt hidden inside of a clothes-dryer? Carbon Drive has to squeak at some point in its lifetime, right? Wrong. We wet it, got it muddy, and ran it in dry dusty conditions and never heard it peep once. The belt makes a soft, almost imperceptible rumble at certain power settings; otherwise it runs silently. No Maintenance: That’s almost right. Carbon Drive requires a specific belt tension, so you might have to re-tension the belt after the first ride after the belt settles in. Tensioning the belt requires a degree of precision, because the rear axle’s micro-adjusters must be tuned to get the belt to track straight between the front and rear pulleys. Beyond that, the belt will remain in adjustment and in tension. There is no lubrication, no cleaning and no links to break. No Grease Marks: Yep! You can ride your single-speed to a coffeehouse without adding a black spot to the inside of your right pant leg. Or toss your bike into the back of your car without adding a roller-chain graphic to everything it comes in contact with. No Wear: Almost true. Gates coats the sprocket teeth with a carbide ceramic material that is expensive, but almost impossible to wear out. The belts do eventually abrade past their useful limits and will start skipping under maximum power to alert you to replace them. Gates and its customers agree that one Carbon Drive belt will last a bit longer on

WHY CHANGE SOMETHING SO GOOD? (WE DON’T REST ON OUR LAURELS, NO MATTER HOW MANY WE EARN) TECHNOLOGY >> The new R.I.P. 9 combines 4.5“ of ef!cient CVA™ suspension with new hydroformed top and down tubes, tapered steerer technology and 10 new forged or extruded parts. The result? Drastically increased stiffness with no weight penalty and the high quality CVA™ ride you expect from Niner. Learn more: www.ninerbikes.com/cva

TESTING >> The R.I.P. 9 has undergone a painstaking process of FEA, mechanical stress tests and real world testing to be as strong, ef!cient and fun as possible.

WWW.NINERBIKES.COM

TESTIMONIALS >> The Niner R.I.P. 9 has garnered applause from all major US mountain bike magazines and online publications such as MTBr.com, including a Best 29er of 2007 and a Consumer Choice Award. Read them all on our website, and know that the new R.I.P. 9 is even better.

MBA TECH Breakaway dropout: Spot’s right-side dropout splits in half to allow the belt to be slipped between the seatstay and chainstay during assembly. Spot’s “Rocket” belt adjusters are high fashion for single-speeds.

average than three high quality chains—and when you put on a new belt, you won’t have to replace the sprockets. BELT DRIVES AREN’T FOR EVERYONE Most mountain bikes use derailleurs, and the plain truth is that the roller chain is the best choice for derailleur systems. The Gates Carbon Drive system will only operate on a single-speed or with an internally geared hub, because its drive pulley, belt and cog pulley must operate in precise alignment. Presently, Gates makes “chainrings” to fit four-bolt cranksets with 104-millimeter bolt-circles and cogs to fit Shimano-compatible freehub cassettes. If you want multiple gears, Gates sells a cog that fits Shimano’s eight-speed Nexus hubs. Unlike a chain, which can be disassembled and threaded through the frame, Carbon Drive belts are continuous, so there must be a way to “break” open the rear triangle to get the belt over the right chainstay. Our test bike, Spot’s Longboard 29er, uses a split rear dropout to adapt the belt drive. What this means to prospective Carbon Drive customers is that your existing frame must be adapted if it was not designed for a belt drive. WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO SET UP CARBON DRIVE? Gates makes a modest number of gearing choices available: either a 50- or 46-tooth front sprocket and your choice of a 32-, 28-, 25-, 24-, 22-, or 20-tooth cog. Our Spot Longboard was set up with 46x28-tooth gearing, which is a little tall for a 29er unless it is being ridden by a dedicated single-speed pilot. Don’t fret if you can’t match your chain drive tooth for tooth. Instead, divide the number of teeth on your existing cog with the chainring to get your gear ratio, and then match it as closely as possible with the larger sprockets of the Gates Carbon Drive (42x26 is close to a 46x28). Presently, Carbon Drive cogs only fit nine-spline (Shimano pattern) freehubs. Spot sells a number of shims that are used to line up the crankset sprocket with the cog so that the belt runs true. The front sprocket is simply a bolt-on replacement to any four-bolt mountain bike crankset. Gates sells belts in a number of lengths, and it is important to get the correct belt so it will fit your bike’s chainstay length with enough wiggle room in the dropout adjustment to get the belt tension correct. There is a beltlength guide available on the Gates website (www.carbondrivesystems.com). The Gates front sprocket is wider than a conventional 124

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chainring, so there may be clearance issues where the sprocket passes by the right chainstay. Gates also publishes an on-line guide to check your frame for adequate clearance. As Spot will attest, however, Carbon Drive will fit almost any single-speed as long as it has a method to slip the belt into the rear triangle. Once the drivetrain is assembled, the belt is positioned loosely on the sprockets and brought up to tension with the rear axle adjusters. Gates sells a tension gauge that clicks when the tension is correct, but if you aren’t near a tension gauge, Gates says that the belt should deflect a half-inch in the center, between the sprockets, with five pounds of pressure. As the belt tension is brought up, the crank is spun and the right- and left-hand axle adjusters are tuned to keep the belt tracking in the center of the sprockets. This aspect of Carbon Drive is certainly more involved than with a conventional chain, but not difficult for a first-timer to accomplish. WHY IS CARBON DRIVE EXPENSIVE? Considering that a Shimano XTR chainring costs over $200 these days, Carbon Drive pricing is not wildly expensive. The fact that Carbon Drive sprockets will outlive a number of belts is a huge monetary advantage over conventional chain drives too. Belts cost $65, front sprockets are $94 to $110, and cogs are $89 to $149. Presently, all Gates Carbon Drive components are made in the USA in Indiana. THE FUTURE OF CARBON DRIVE? Carbon Drive is a delightful improvement over a chain drive for single-speed applications and could be a huge benefit for anyone who uses a bike for his or her daily drive. What could be easier than hosing your bike off and putting it away for the next ride? Carbon Drive is timely, well supported, well executed and it performs beautifully. If Carbon Drive has any drawback, it is the fact that every time you show up to a group ride, you’ll be inundated with questions from curious mountain bikers. ❏

Contact Gates Carbon Drive Systems at (303) 278-3955

Made in USA: Gates machines Carbon Drive Sprockets in this country and coats the tooth profile with a super-hard ceramic. Presently, Gates front sprockets fit all modern four-bolt mountain bike cranks. The sprockets are larger in diameter than a chain drive, but the overall weight is lower.

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May 2009 / MOUNTAIN BIKE ACTION

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r o o d n I Ray’s

MTB Park The only reason riders look forward to winter ay Petro’s riding partners all thought their buddy had finally gone nuts. While nobody took Ray’s talk about creating an indoor mountain bike park seriously, he was actually going through with it. Ray had found the space. It was a giant, semi-abandoned red brick factory in Cleveland, Ohio, where parachutes were once sewn during World War II. He signed a lease. He trucked in enough wood to construct three homes with detached garages. He unlocked the entrance, looked inside and thought, “What have I gotten myself into?” What Ray, a contractor by trade, got himself into was the hardest job of his life. The neglected warehouse needed to be cleaned. The roof needed patching. Lighting was added. The giant space had to be heated. And, most importantly, he had to build an indoor trail network that would do more than attract riders. This place had to keep them coming back if it was going to survive.

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Ray’s MTB

Squeeze it in: The crosscountry course downhill passes to the right of the pump track and intermediate skills course.

THE LEARNING CURVE “There were no plans to work from, books to read or steps to follow, because nobody had ever done this before,” remembers Ray of his 2003 summer. “Once we got the space clean, and believe me that was no small job, we had to build trails for people to ride.” Ray’s first surprise was the support of the local riding community. Over the summer, riders donated their time to help construct the trails and stunts that would greet riders when Ray’s Indoor MTB Park opened its doors for the first time in October of 2003. But even with the help of volunteers, Ray didn’t get a day off that entire summer. “There was one day that we told Ray to take the morning off,” remembers one of the volunteers of that first summer. “I opened the front door and water was just pouring into the park. An old sign on the roof had swung loose during the night’s storm and punched a hole in the roof. I got on the phone and said, Sorry Ray, you’re not getting the morning off after all.” Somehow the team completed construction in time for the October deadline. The doors officially opened, but it wasn’t the overnight success that Ray had envisioned. “Many of the volunteers were hardcore riders,” explains Ray. “I thought the sections were too advanced, but was always assured by the experienced riders that if we made it too easy, people would get bored.” 128

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Dreams come true: Lots of people have dreams, but few act on them. Ray Petro had a dream to open an indoor mountain bike park, and to the amazement of his friends, made it happen.

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Ready to ride: Unloading on a cold, snowy day in Cleveland, Ohio, to head inside for hours of riding. Ray’s has turned Cleveland into a year-round riding destination.

It turns out that Ray’s instinct was right. Many sections intimidated riders, and while the novelty of the place kept it hopping in its first year, Ray knew a redesign was in order to attract more riders. It turned out that the second summer when the park was closed didn’t afford Ray any vacation time either. Stunts were removed, rebuilt and test ridden all summer long. In fact, every summer since the opening, the place gets a makeover. “I never wanted this to be a stunt park,” says Ray. “My idea from the beginning was to make Ray’s a place for the family. I don’t want to intimidate riders who come here for the first time, and at the same time I want to keep it interesting for the season pass holders.”

FIVE YEARS LATER The park today, at 103,000 square feet, is twice the size of the original layout, and plans are in the works to bust out a wall and expand again. There is a beginner’s room. There is an intermediate section that is the most popular of the park (see, Ray always knew what was best for his riders). And there is still an advanced area for hard-core guys too. A cross-country loop follows the perimeter of everything. You’ve got a jump park. There is a foam pit. And last, but not least, our favorite section, the ultra-fun Fisher Pump Track.

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Ray’s Indoor MTB Park.

MBA DESTINATION

Ray’sMTB But the reason we didn’t wait for the fall to bring you this story is because we are so stoked on the place. We rode for seven hours on our first day, stopping only to eat a pizza. It is not a place where you get bored easily. We found that less than half the riders were Cleveland locals. The others came from Canada, Michigan, Illinois, Pennsylvania, the Virginias, Indiana, New York and even farther away. These mini vacations are made easy due to the close proximity of the airport and Cleveland Airport Holiday Inn. A package deal with this Holiday Inn gets you discounts on your room and the park. The hotel offers free airport pick up and shuttles to the park. The Inn’s restaurant is reasonably priced (the waitress remembered Brian Lopes coming in after riding at Ray’s), and we found the staff’s performance to be way above average. They make it really easy to fly in, ride, and get out without a giant ding to the wallet. Ray’s isn’t the only cool thing in Cleveland. It is home to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and the Great Lakes Science Center. Downtown Cleveland has plenty of great places to eat, and for a major city, we found everything to be very affordable. 132

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Three-ring circus: Riders have asked that the park remain open all summer because Ohio trails can stay muddy for months. There are two problems: one, it gets really hot inside and two, Ray uses the summer to rebuild, re-invent and expand the park. Multiple choices: Multiple line options keep everyone on their bikes. Heaters are strategically positioned around the park, but as long as you are riding, a long-sleeve jersey and a set of knee warmers is all you need to stay warm.

MBA DESTINATION

Pump it up: The Gary Fisher pump track had our legs and arms burning. It is designed to encourage multiple circuits. No pedaling! That’s cheating.

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MBA DESTINATION

Ray’sMTB YOU WON’T BE SORRY We know what you are thinking. How could an indoor mountain bike park be worth the hassle? It can’t take the place of riding outdoors, but if you are looking at a foot of snow, knee-deep mud, temperatures below the thirties or a bike collecting dust, Ray’s is the place. You can get all the dates, deals and Ray’s swag at their website: www.raysmtb.com.

Free internet access.

At your own risk: Ron Sellers negotiates one of the trickier stunts in the expert area. The swinging teeter-totter rotates while dropping to the next section.

Elevator down: Ride on the platform and trackstand until your weight lowers the platform to ground level. Looks easy, right? It takes a little time and nerve to work up to this stunt.

Alpine Association Advisory: Always use appropriate footwear!

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The legendary FAT ALBERT now as an All Mountain twin pack. FRONT for maximum steering control and braking grip. REAR optimized for power transfer. Both have a lot more besides – SnakeSkin. The best combination for Alpine crossings. www.schwalbetires.com Evolution SnakeSkin, DoubleDefense, Tubeless | 26 x 2.25, 26 x 2.40

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MBA DESTINATION

Ray’sMTB Ray, Bobby Delaat and Nina Buitrago in the repair shop/rental office.

ourage progrespark is designed to enc Level playing field: The ers, intermediates and experts are clearly inn or pressured. sion. Sections for beg has to feel intimidated separated, so no rider

The season-pass-holders’ storage room.

Waiting for the pizza deliveryman at the fireplace area.

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TRI-FLOW XC INVITATIONAL RAY’S SETS ANOTHER FIRST Ray’s has run a number of successful events that cater to slopestyle specialists, but that was the problem. “Too many people think of Ray’s as a place for stunt riders and jumpers,” explains Ray Petro about his idea for an indoor cross-country race. “This event was to let riders know you can come here to just ride. You don’t have to scare yourself.” Tri-Flow, a Cleveland-based lubricant company, ponied up the lion’s share of the $5000 purse and Ray made the event even more interesting (and fun to watch) by limiting the invitational to women racers. The result was a time-trial that took competitors on six laps of the cross-country course with a different section of the intermediate skills section thrown in between each lap.

The big score: (from left) Judy Freeman, Catharine Pendrel, Emily Batty, Lindsey Bishop and Melissa Thomas with their trophies and purse winnings. A Ray’s tradition is to pay the purse in bricks of dollar bills.

Canadian invasion: Emily Batty, from Ontario, Canada, schooled everyone, even after being assessed a 15-second time penalty for not cleaning a section. The 20-year-old is a young rider to watch this season.

May 2009 / MOUNTAIN BIKE ACTION

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MBA DESTINATION

Ray’sMTB

Hard effort: That’s not a smile on Melissa Thomas’ face. The short time trial forced the competitors to pin it from the gun.

Talented field: World Cup Cross-Country winner and Olympian Catharine Pendrel borrowed a bike (hers was delayed in transit) and rode to third place. She almost missed her flight home the next day because she rode for so long. What does that tell you about Ray’s? ❏

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QUICK RELEASES

ye protection is an essential accessory in mountain biking, because taking a branch, piece of rock, a bug or flick of mud to the eye can not only ruin your ride, but obviously cause serious damage to your fragile peepers. Plus, face it, there are some pretty cool glasses and goggle designs out there for your post-ride activities. Here are a handful of new designs we think you should know about.

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Uppercut: Oakley’s new Jawbone performance sunglasses feature the new SwitchLock Technology, allowing the lower part of the frame rim to open to allow easy access for quick lens changing. The design holds the lenses with a suspension system, so stresses on the frame do not affect the optics. Oakley engineered the pivoting system with a release mechanism that lets the wearer remove and replace the nosepiece with a different size to customize the fit. The Jawbones are offered in a variety of colors and lens options. They also include a case and an extra lens. $250, (800) 431-1439.

QUICK RELEASES

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Parallel universe: The Smith Optics Parallel Max is designed for light weight and comfort during athletic performance. Perfect for cycling, running or golf, the Parallel Max is compatible with a variety of interchangeable lenses. $149 (polarized lens), $100 (black lens), (208) 726-4477. Take a gamble: The women’s-specific Roulette sunglass from Specialized features a non-hinged, metal design. The lightweight stainless steel, nonfolding frame features Specialized’s Adaptalite lens that adjusts to existing light conditions. The Roulette includes a Specialized hard case for safe storage. $160, (877) 808-8154. Not blurry: If you’re looking to make a statement off the trail, the Tank sunglasses from Blur are right up your alley. The Tank features a polycarbonate lens to protect your eyes from UV rays. $59, (800) 326-6325. 142

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QUICK RELEASES

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Mountain troop: Dean Optics broke onto the scene in 2008 when they were spotted on a handful of America’s top downhillers. The Trooper MTB goggle is designed with the mountain biker in mind and features form-fitting foam, angular detailing, a flexible polyurethane frame and anti-fog lenses. The Trooper is currently available in white, black, blue, and red. $44.99, (760) 443-3344.

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Premium performance: Oakley collaborated with top female athletes to create Enduring sunglasses, an entirely new dimension of performance, fit and style made exclusively for women. The Enduring frame is matched with Oakley’s Enduring Edge lens shape, a slightly larger size with enough attitude to take on any mountain terrain. For cooling airflow, select the vented lens edition. $155 (Iridium lens), $255 (Polarized lens), (800) 431-1439.

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Fade in: New from Giro, the Fader eyewear has classic styling and an injection-molded frame too rugged for everyday life. The medium-fit glasses have Italian-made 6-base Zeiss certified lenses exclusive to Giro. The Fader is available in six frame and lens options. $90 to $100, (831) 420-4010.

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Ryde in style: The Tangent glasses from Ryders feature interchangeable lenses and offer 100-percent UV ray protection. These medium-fit glasses also have adjustable anti-slip nose and temple pads. $59, (800) 665-2903. Beer goggles: Scott’s limited-edition Pub Crawl goggles are a spin-off of their popular Rivet model and feature the 89xi frame with a Lexan lens and tearoff pins. $89, (800) 292-5874. X-up: The Gox goggles from Eks Brand feature a shatterproof, anti-fog polycarbonate lens with tear-off posts. Every Gox package comes standard with mirrored gray and clear lenses, and the double-woven strap is silicone-backed to keep it in place. $45, (818) 592-6434. 144

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SHOWCASE DRAW ATTENTION TO YOUR AD WITH FOUR-COLOR SIZE 1-inch 4/C 2-inch 4/C 3-inch 4/C 1/6 Page 4/C

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WWW

mbaction.com Derreck Bernard,

661.367.2153 [email protected] May 2009 / MOUNTAIN BIKE ACTION

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DOWN THE TRAIL

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here are bikes that look absolutely silly when viewing them from the vantage point of ten years after their birth. The 1999 Santa Cruz Bullit is not one of them. This ten-year-old bike needs little more than some minor adjustments to look as much at home on the trail in 2009 as it did in 1999.฀ ฀

No double speak: The trend was moving away from heavy, dualcrown forks to something like this Marzocchi single-crown Bomber Z1. The massive travel of this heavyduty trailbike fork was a whopping four inches.

Cheat: “Riding the Bullit downhill is almost like cheating,” said the MBA wrecking crew. We felt the 34-pound weight would limit the Bullit’s use as a trailbike, but for the thrill-seeker, it was the ticket. The fender was a nice touch.

Shocking selection: The Fox Vanilla RC shock was the choice of the day’s downhill racers, so what was it doing on a trailbike? The weight savings of an air shock wasn’t worth the tradeoff in damping performance. Lug it up the hill and laugh all the way down.

Tough exterior: We called it a musclebound, full-suspension trailbike that was intended to bridge the gap between crosscountry riders and North Shore stuntmen. The swingarm’s pivot location was positioned to reduce pedaling-induced bob.

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Race

conditions change every weekend and so do my tires. On Maxxis I always know I have a tire that is up to the challenge no matter what the weather. — Geoff Kabush, Team Maxxis-Rocky Mountain

The Monorail t
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MAXXLITE

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