Source: http://magazine.bikeradar.com/2011/08/24/wmb-issue-126-on-sale-now/
Isabel T Booker Elois G Dill Christopher F Bush Doris J Gentry Carolyn R Rowley
Wednesday 31 August 2011
WMB issue 126 on sale now!
Packed full of the usual reviews and top tips get your copy of the September issue of What Mountain Bike First rides spectacular:� one frame, two price points as high and lower spec Diamondbacks go head to head. Plus the new Giant Anthem X, Yeti SB-66, Ibis Mojo SL-R, Ragley Piglet and Cube Access WLS [...]
SRAM-Quarq mountain bike power meter ? First look
One weekend after winning the Trestle All-Mountain Enduro at Winter Park, Colorado, Giant Factory Off-Road Team rider Kelli Emmett showed up to the resort again, this time winning the King of the Rockies cross-country race. Emmett tops podiums all the time; what was unusual here was the prototype SRAM-Quarq power meter on her Giant Anthem Advanced. ?I just got it Friday and raced it today (Saturday),? she told BikeRadar.
The Quarq meter was mounted to an X0 crankset, which SRAM?s John Dawson installed on Emmett?s bike. It looks like Quarq?s CinQo road bike power meter and similarly uses a series of strain gauges on the crank spider along with a magnet attached to the frame ? in this case, the bottom bracket shell not the chainstay, because it's better protected from mud ? to measure torque and angular velocity. Data is sent wirelessly via ANT+ to a Garmin Edge 500 computer mounted on Emmett?s stem.
Emmett, who's been training with SRM power meters since 2000 on the road, said there hasn?t been a good, reliable system for mountain bikes available yet so she's keen to get to grips with the new setup. ?I didn?t really want to look at it much in the race as that could definitely get in my head," she said. "But I?m excited to take it home and play with it.? She added that SRAM gave her a disc to download to her computer before plugging the Garmin unit in.
For a quick measure of accuracy, Emmett compared the wattage data available on her new Garmin?s display after the race to the calorie data available on fellow competitor Erin Kummer?s Timex computer. According to Emmett?s calculations (using the conversion formula of 0.01433kcals/min equaling 1 watt), the data recorded from both computers over the 2+ hour race, that included muddy sections and multiple stream crossings, was very similar.
After the race, Quark spokesman Troy Hoskin confirmed to us that Emmett's device was a pre-production version of a new mountain bike power meter that's due to be launched at this week's Eurobike trade show.
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Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BikeRadar/feeds/~3/GwfH7Es_cfU/story01.htm
Ruth W Sanchez Peter L Marino Mitchell J Baillargeon Debbie S Shortridge Ellen M Castor
Sombrio 2012 clothing ? First look
Headed by Dave Watson ? the freerider who famously jumped over the Tour de France ? and based in Vancouver's North Shore, Sombrio have released some pretty tasty gear over the years, mixing performance fabrics and cuts with street style.
With Hotlines now signed on as their UK distributors, it should be easier than ever to get hold of their kit. Here's a quick look at some of their 2012 riding gear, which should start appearing in shops early in the new year.
Wet weather gear
The Vapor jacket is an old favourite here at BikeRadar, as at home down the pub as it is in a torrential downpour out on the hills, and the 2012 version looks better than ever. Features include sealed seams, zipped underarm vents, a peaked hood and shockcord waistband adjustment. RRP is �174.99.
Sticking with the waterproof theme, the Wildcard shorts (�79.99) eschew the usual shiny black finish in favour of a good-looking grey herringbone fabric. They have some neat features including zipped leg vents and storm flaps on the pockets. To keep your tendons warm, Sombrio now offer knee warmers too.
Trail
The Torker jersey and Lowline 2 shorts pictured below are from Sombrio's 'Epik' trail/cross-country collection. The shorts are �94.99 with a detachable liner, in either 'wet cement' or black. A DWR (durable water repellent) finish should help shrug off light showers.
The Torker jersey has a multi-panel design for improved fit, flat seams for comfort, plus wicking and anti-bacterial treatments, and is available in blue or black. We like the subtle graphics. RRP is �39.99.
Downhill
Sombrio are known for their lairy downhill gear and the Duster mesh jersey and Charger shorts from their 2012 'Race' line are no letdown, with a black, white, gold and purple colour scheme that'll make you stand out on your way down the track.
Lifestyle
Sombrio also have men's and women's casual clothing ranges, for when you're tucking into a post-ride pint. Seen below is the �55.99 Hog Tied plaid shirt and Bang skinny jeans (�69.99).
A new range of Sombrio flat pedal shoes is also in the pipeline for 2012, but we haven't laid eyes on those yet ? we'll post a story as soon as we do. For now, visit www.hotlines-uk.com or sombriocartel.com.
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Kenneth B Milligan Maryann A Desilets Anthony P Stoudt Shela J Stewart Mary C Lopez
Team Boardman Cycling Plus ? Lindy Edwards
Team Boardman Cycling Plus� will be updating you each week with the highs and lows of their training as part of the team. This week Lindy learns the importance of careful sign reading?. Lindy Edwards Lives: Newcastle upon Tyne Age: 46 Height: 1.6m Weight: 55kg Reasons to ride: Get fitter and faster, and push for [...]
Source: http://magazine.bikeradar.com/2011/08/17/team-boardman-cycling-plus-lindy-edwards-5/
David B Vaughn Kristen B Briley Kent F Alexander Charles L Adamczyk Sandra J Howell
Subscribe to ProCycling and save a huge 30%, plus get a copy of the Official Giro d?Italia Guide
Subscribe to ProCycling and save a huge 30%, plus get a copy of the Official Giro d’Italia Guide. Why subscribe? -�Save a huge 30% off every issue of ProCycling! - Plus get a copy of the Official Giro d’Italia Guide - Free delivery direct to your door each month - You?ll never miss an issue! [...]
Alex R Henson Chris L Schwandt Francene R Kendall Elsie E Belue James L Chase
Subscribe to ProCycling and save a huge 30%, plus get a copy of the Official Giro d?Italia Guide
Subscribe to ProCycling and save a huge 30%, plus get a copy of the Official Giro d’Italia Guide. Why subscribe? -�Save a huge 30% off every issue of ProCycling! - Plus get a copy of the Official Giro d’Italia Guide - Free delivery direct to your door each month - You?ll never miss an issue! [...]
James L Chase Evelyn G Jantz Susan L Evans Barbara M Sparks Delia H Mascarenas
Tuesday 30 August 2011
Team Boardman Cycling Plus ? Chris Bowler
Team Boardman Cycling Plus� will be updating you each week with the highs and lows of their training as part of the team. This week Chris gets in the zone? Chris Bowler Lives: Bracknell, Berks Age: 33 Height: 1.87m Weight: 102kg Rides: Kona Jake, Cervelo S1 Reasons to ride: Lose weight, change my lifestyle, break [...]
Source: http://magazine.bikeradar.com/2011/08/11/team-boardman-cycling-plus-chris-bowler-3/
Patrick S Stjohn James M Locklear Kathi E Livingston Christopher K Thompson Tom K Angus
Animal Bike Tour hits Falmouth
The Animal Bike Tour are in the middle of their longest stint on the road yet. This stint kicked off in Falmouth, for Falmouth Week, one of the largest sailing regattas in the south west – it was the first time the Animal Bike Tour were part of it. The scenery over looking the harbour [...]
Source: http://magazine.bikeradar.com/2011/08/19/animal-bike-tour-hits-falmouth/
Kathi E Livingston Christopher K Thompson Tom K Angus Patricia R Imai Kenneth B Milligan
Intense Hard Eddie ? Sneak peek
Hot on the heels of announcing their first foray into carbon fibre with the full-suspension Carbine, Intense Cycles have released pictures of another new composite bike, this time a 29er hardtail.
The new bike is expected to be unveiled at this week's Eurobike trade show in Friedrichshafen, Germany and all we have to go on at this stage are these arty photos and a name ? "Hard Eddie" or "Hard Eddy" (the frame says the former, Intense's blog the latter).
Features look set to include a tapered head tube and BB30 bottom bracket for improved stiffness, post mount rear brake tabs, internal cable routing and Intense's G1 modular dropout system, which is compatible with a host of rear axle standards. We'll bring you more on the new bike as soon as we get it.
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Susan F Ange Albert J Horn Shawn D Rumsey Dominic J Riddle Kyle R Hampton
All set for the Rockies?
After a year of talking about it, preparing for it and getting excited about it, the TransRockies X is finally here. Mark Almond and Gordon Dickson aka Team What Mountain Bike/Red Cloud are getting ready to go, as Mark explains It’s funny how something as major as the TransRockies, now in its 10th year, can [...]
Source: http://magazine.bikeradar.com/2011/08/03/all-set-for-the-rockies/
Christopher K Thompson Tom K Angus Patricia R Imai Kenneth B Milligan Maryann A Desilets
KHS XCT 556 ? First ride review
KHS bikes have built up an enviable high value reputation in recent years. The new 556 is a lighter, tighter, re-tuned shock version of the popular 555, and is one of the few really good full suspension bikes for under �2,000 that we?ve tested so far this year.
We?ve no complaints about the RockShox Revelation RL Dual Air tapered fork or the triple-ring SRAM transmission which, together with the tough Mavic XM317 wheels, make this bike capable of tackling almost everything on this island. Just make sure you keep the bike the right way up so the otherwise powerful Avid Elixir 5 brakes don?t get air into their lines between rides.
Ride & handling: Versatile and confident-feeling bike
The consistently controlled front fork syncs with the well-proportioned cockpit and slack 67-degree head angle to produce a versatile, con?dent-feeling bike. The short stem and laidback (70-degree) seat angle means the front end comes up easily for manuals and wheelie drops, and with tyres switched, the bike is stiff enough up front to drive hard through corners, with the back end ?ex within acceptable limits.
After we had serious spiking issues with the Monarch shock on the ?rst sample, KHS UK went back to RockShox and switched it to a much lower compression damping tune. This makes the bike more ?uid and controlled over bigger hits and square-edged bumps, lets it squat into corners more predictably and improves traction on technical climbs. The ?oodgate lever still lets you stiffen it up for longer climbs though, so it?s a double-win that will now come as standard on all UK 556s.
Frame: Geometry more relaxed for greater stability at speed
For 2011, KHS have added a tapered head tube and new tubeset to save weight and add stiffness over the 555. The four-bar suspension set-up and rocker linkage are lighter and the geometry is more relaxed for greater stability at speed. There?s still room for a conventional water bottle mount and tyre clearance is reasonable around the asymmetric rear end. Lateral linkage stiffness is bearable rather than brilliant though, and you?ll need to trim the long seatpost slightly in order to drop the seat right down.
Equipment: Well specced for the money
The Dual Air 15mm Maxle bolt-through axle Revelation fork is the best trail fork in its price category and the Monarch rear shock has been speci?cally re-tuned for UK riders. The SRAM transmission gives a super wide 30-gear range for grinding up the steepest climbs, the Avid Elixir brakes are potently powerful and the Q2 and Truvativ cockpit is well proportioned. The overall weight is low for this bike?s cost and travel category too. The Mavic 317 rims are old favourites too, but the puncture-prone WTB tyres need to be swapped for something tougher and grippier to let the bike reach its limits.
This article was originally published in Mountain Biking UK magazine.
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Doris J Gentry Carolyn R Rowley Danny M Brown James A Robison Del D White
Scott Voltage FR10 review
The Voltage is an extremely adjustable bike, with shock mounts that allow for a range of travel from 130 to 180mm, depending which shock you plug in. The stock shock ? a Fox RC2 ? allows 160mm (6.3in) and 180mm (7in) settings, so we ?icked between those for the test, because they?re the most relevant for an all-day big hit bike.
To get the shorter travel settings, you?d need a second shock, on what is already an expensive bike. However, with so much gravity-based geometry, it?s de?nitely true to say that the Scott is less of an all-rounder and more of a gravity ?end.
Ride and handling: Ridiculous amounts of gravity fun
The head and seat angles are in full-on downhill bike territory, but the top tube length, at 557mm (for our ?short? model), is very short. However, the combination actually works really well, bringing downhill bike speed to short play bike fun. The top tube doesn?t feel overly short though, partly thanks to the 750mm bar and slack 65-degree head angle. The bar?s 20mm rise, along with its upsweep and backsweep, makes the front end really comfy.
The Scott feels more like a full-on downhill bike than anything else on the test. The four-bar rear end is controlled amazingly well by the Fox RC2 shock, without any unusual characteristics in either of the travel settings. Square-edged compressions are managed without any harshness and pedalling is dealt with pretty well too, when you take into account the bike?s heavy weight and the fact it?s running a downhill coil shock.
The Fox 36 FIT Van RC2 fork does the job, although the compression adjustments did take time to get dialled in properly and we found we were using quite a lot more sag, and sitting further into the travel than we would have liked. A ?rmer spring would help this but at the cost of some sensitivity. It wasn?t propped up or particularly supportive throughout the travel when it came to harsh compressions, like hitting corners hard. While we?re on the subject of cornering, the Big Betty tyres kept us rubber side down, behaving really well on the hardpack and in dusty tight corners, even keeping things good in the loam. The freeride Snake Skin casing helps you to run low pressures without pinching the tubes too.
The downhill ability of the Voltage is brilliant, on everything from fast, big hitting trails to tight dust and loam. The 160mm travel setting suggests more of an all-day, pedal-friendly ride, but this isn?t really the case. Even though it ramps the leverage ratio up on the rear end, meaning the same rate spring translates into less sag, the Voltage becomes super enjoyable to ride on faster tracks that are aimed at trail bikes. The travel change doesn?t mean the bike suddenly becomes magically XC-friendly, it?s just easier to deal with on the ?at.
Otherwise, the geometry does steepen very slightly in the 160mm position, but that?s not enough to hold you back when riding steeper trails. The slack seat tube angle doesn?t help with the bike?s uphill ability, but on such a fun downhill play bike with so much gravity-based geometry, why should uphill matter anyway? It?s not too bad on the ?at, and it?s helped out by the 36/36 low gear that the 10-speed set-up is able to provide.
Frame: Short top tube makes for easy manoeuvrability
The Scott has interchangeable dropouts, so you can use Maxle and 135QR dropouts, along with the standard 12 x 135mm setting. With a 65-degree head angle coupled with a low 348mm (13.7in) bottom bracket, the Scott appears to be pretty well downhill-orientated. The 557mm top tube looks like it might throw a spanner in the works though ? it has downhill angles but it?s super short. That would never work. Would it?
Equipment: 10-speed spec is very attractive
At �3,199, you?d expect high spec and you certainly get it with the Voltage. The suspension comes from a Fox RC2 shock and 36 Van RC2 FIT fork. A SRAM X9 10-speed gearing package with short cage mech, Truvativ Holzfeller cranks, and an e*thirteen LG1+ chain device provides a pretty well sorted drivetrain.
The stopping is taken care of by Avid Code 5 brakes with 203mm rotors, rolling on high-end DT Swiss FR600 rims and Scott hubs, wrapped in Schwalbe Big Betty tyres. A 750mm wide Scott bar has been coupled with a 40mm Truvativ Hussefelt stem. The dirt jump style saddle makes it clear the bike isn?t thought of as something to sit down and pedal on.
This article was originally published in Mountain Biking UK magazine.
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Barbara R Hendrix Andrew J Zamora Jacqueline A Jones Hope H Waugh Betty J Spurlin
Monday 29 August 2011
Intermediate sprint disqualification an early blow for Cavendish?s green jersey hopes
On our Tour preview cover we had Thor Hushovd nonchalantly leaning on Mark Cavendish?s shoulder in front of the Arc de Triomphe. It was a piece of mischievous Photoshop work based on their run into Besancon in 2009 when Cavendish was disqualified for closing out Hushovd in the sprint for the line. Ultimately, that disqualification [...]
Tonia T Bowman Christy S Fleming Jacquelyn A Capp Timothy K Chambers Kitty L Broderick
Tech walkthrough ? cable flushing
Justin Loretz shows you seven simple steps to cable flushing Get set You need to access the whole length of gear cable so the first step is to make some slack in the gear cable in order to unhitch it from the frame without undoing the cable pinch bolt. Shift the chain to the biggest [...]
Source: http://magazine.bikeradar.com/2011/07/06/tech-walkthrough-cable-flushing/
Clifford A Klahn Brian G Davis Philip K Troiano Shelley E Chong Sharon T Miller
Iron Matt: Part 3
Your final dose of� Iron Bike madness from our tamed enduro rider, Matt Page… After the monster Stage 6 I think everyone was looking forward to the final day, which although it was the easiest of the week, would still have the stats to match almost every UK enduro event. It started with a Telecabin [...]
Source: http://magazine.bikeradar.com/2011/08/04/iron-matt-part-3/
Michael J Guillot Wm J Grey Carlos C Shine Edward E Porter Isabel T Booker
Animal Bike Tour goes Olympic
Martyn, Blake and the crew head to the Hadleigh Farm Olympic Cross Country course? The Animal Bike Tour put on shows at many varied locations throughout the year and recently they were invited to the Hadleigh Farm Olympic Cross Country venue as part of the London Prepares event. �Among a field of national and World [...]
Source: http://magazine.bikeradar.com/2011/08/15/animal-bike-tour-goes-olympic/
Patricia R Imai Kenneth B Milligan Maryann A Desilets Anthony P Stoudt Shela J Stewart
Vito-Cam film of this year?s Gore Bike Wear TransWales
Check out some of the action from the 2011 Gore Bike Wear TransWales event, powered by Mercedes-Benz Vito Sport http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWe_sQFF38I
Angela S Thompson Susan F Ange Albert J Horn Shawn D Rumsey Dominic J Riddle
Boardman HT Pro review
Given how many UK riders build themselves 120mm hardtails, it?s surprising that there aren?t more of them available off the peg, but it?s a category that the biggest manufacturers pretty much ignore. Boardman, however, has fully embraced the style, with all of its (expanded and redesigned) 2011 hardtail line going long.
Boardman?s 2011 range is proving extremely strong, and the HT Pro is another winner. The frame finish may not be to all tastes, but there?s no arguing with the sheer value for money. It?s not just great on paper, though ? the Boardman has a confident, neutral feel and works well across a wide range of conditions.
Ride & handling: Sorted, trail-friendly handling
The Boardman plays right down the middle of distinctly racy and borderline hooligan. Boardman?s UK-centric design is right on the money, with well-balanced and confident handling making it an excellent all-rounder. The excellent Reba fork helps a lot ? it?s a significant step up from the usual Recon in terms of control.
The Boardman?s svelte weight definitely helps its trail manners ? it?s the lightest hardtail bike at this price by some margin. When it comes to acceleration and climbing, low weight counts for a lot, and you would certainly not be disadvantaged rolling up to a start line on this. The HT Pro never feels flimsy, though, with the frame proving suitably solid. It?s not shy of being pushed hard into corners and there?s no shortage of stomp-and-go potential.
Frame & equipment: Gobsmacking value for money
We?ll get this out of the way first ? no, it?s not carbon fibre. We only mention it because pretty much everyone who saw the HT Pro asked if it was. The frame?s actually aluminium, but with the tubes joined with a multi-pass welding process that results in smooth, flowing lines. It?s a look that divides opinion ? plenty of people loved it, but some prefer their aluminium bikes to look like aluminium bikes and thought the carbonesque look was a bit fake. Whether they?d have thought the same had it not been painted black is hard to say.
Aesthetics aside, it?s a well thought-out frame. Starting at the lowest point, there?s an oversized BB30 bottom bracket shell, an unusual feature on a bike at this price. Oversized BB30 bottom bracket shell accommodates a 30mm spindle for maximum crank stiffness, as well as giving more surface area to weld frame tubes to. Heading backwards are tall-but-narrow rectangular chainstays.
On the left is another fairly unusual (although increasingly popular) feature in the shape of a post-style brake mount inside the stays. Boardman has opted to mount the rear brake calliper inside the rear triangle, thus putting braking loads straight into the meaty chainstay rather than the seatstay The top of the seatstays looks like a wishbone, but in fact it?s a plate on top of conventional stays - Boardman?s smooth welding process blends it all in
The main triangle has subtly-shaped tubes, with top and down tubes both having a triangular cross-section ? flat underneath for the down tube, flat on top on the top tube. Both tubes have gentle flaring, and there?s a gusset at the head tube/down tube junction. The lump that the gusset produces detracts ever so slightly from the general sleekness of the frame, but it?s not a big deal. All the cables and hoses route under the bottom bracket.
Boardman has a reputation for killer value, and the HT Pro will enhance that ? it?s amazingly well-equipped for its price. It?s not just a couple of headline-grabbing pieces, either ? the HT Pro has great spec everywhere you look, starting with the Reba RL fork, through the SRAM X9 transmission and FSA Comet BB30 twin-ring chainset to a decent wheel package and Avid Elixir R brakes.
Finishing kit is all Boardman-branded and perfectly good ? you even get a carbon seat post. The 2x10 transmission takes a bit of getting used to, initially feeling as if you?ve lost the middle ring that you used to be in most of the time. Once you realise that you can realistically use the entire cassette in either ring it makes a lot more sense.
This article was originally published in What Mountain Bike magazine.
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James B Rohde Theo C Alcantara Angela J Mcgill Mike J Gross Mathew P Christianson
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