By hit the floor I don’t mean we dropped them or anything but you probably knew that. While the list below outlines the mix of styles of bikes we’ve just received, my fav is the Scale Expert 29 Full Carbon uber light dream machine that is less than 3 grand. If you told me 5 years ago that full carbon mountain bikes would be viable and relatively affordable I would have said you were nuts. And I would have been wrong.
Argon 18 is a small Canadian company that makes very cool road and triathlon bikes. Started by Gervais Rioux, a member of the Canadian National Team with Steve Bauer, the goal was to provide bikes that are fast but are comfortable and fit as well as you can do without going custom. Based on the ride quality and geometry they are spot on. For 2012, they have upped their game again with the new E-118 triathlon bike in particular that is one of the fastest aerodynamically and is super adjustable for fit. Read More …
Imagine not having to stop riding when the trails are covered in snow. Instead of being an unrideable obstacle, the deep white powder is a new play ground. To make this work you need a tire footprint like a snow shoe. We’re not talking fat tires on a mountain bike. Even the mighty 29″er doesn’t have enough float. You need something special. This is where the Salsa Mukluk comes in. Built around monsterish 100 mm wide tires this bike is at home on anything soft and loose. Deep snow or sand dunes can actually be ridden instead of walked. And you can still ride the Mukluk on trails in the summer. The traction and float of the massive tires make easy work of technical trails. It may not be the fastest bike you own but it sure is the funnest.
Think of winters past. Instead of slaving away on an indoor trainer you can throw on a set of lights and ride the trails all winter long. Apart from the fun, think of the fitness you’ll have come spring. A blizzard isn’t an excuse to stay inside anymore.
Drop in and check out the Salsa Mukluk. It may make a winter athlete out of you.
When we talk about dream bikes, we’re talking about owning the bicycle equivalent of a Ferrari. You don’t buy it because you need it. You buy it because you can. And the bicycle version is a lot more affordable. Read More …
When looking for a bike that will actually make you faster on the triathlon or time trial course look no further than the Argon 18 E-118. There is so much going on with this bike to cut through the wind that it boggles the mind.
UCI legal frame that has been shaped and tweaked to slide like butter through the wind while still handling well.
Aero fork with external steerer tube to further improve the aerodynamic profile.
Integrated aero bar, base bar and stem. Because it all works together you get tunable fit with optimized aerodynamics.
3D head tube allowing for the stack height to be tuned to the rider without sacrificing strength and safety.
Custom aerobrakes that are easy to adjust ( doesn’t seem like a big deal until you have to adjust the brakes on an tri bike. Most are a nightmare to adjust and don’t work very well.)
Big wheels and full suspension is either a recipe for fun or will scare you off depending on your view point. I love the big wheels but any of the full suspension 29″er I had ridden we’re kind of bus-like in their handling and flexy. So it was a pleasant surprise when I had the chance to test the Rocky Mountain Element 950. Instead of just up sizing the current Element design to fit the bigger wheels, they started with a blank canvas to create a unique geometry for the their new 29″ wheeled bikes. Read More …
This review is tough to write as I don’t know where to begin with the paradigm shift we are seeing with this bike. Five years ago the idea of riding a carbon fiber frame offroad seemed insane. Okay for road but not tough enough for the trail. Now that idea has been dumped on it’s head. For 2012, many companies are offering carbon fiber mountain bikes in hardtail and full suspension with both 26″ and 29″ wheels. The first of these new wonder bikes I’ve been able to test is the Rocky Mountain 29″ Vertex 970 RSL. Full carbon 29″er with new geometry and sexy style. Read More …
When looking at carbon fiber road bikes it can get confusing. Different types of carbon fiber and different shaped frames all lead to bikes that look similar on paper but ride very different out on the road. This is the hard part with carbon. Read More …
A few years ago when I talked about 29″ wheeled mountain bikes (29″ers) I got a lot of blank stares. Now more people are becoming aware of this off road option. 29″ers are frames and forks built around wheels that are 3″ bigger than the average mountain bike and are a whole lot of fun to ride. Read More …
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