Posts

Showing posts from January 25, 2015

Specialized FATBOY PRO #letsride @iamspecialized

Image
All the fun of a fat bike with the performance of a Specialized. The Fatboy Pro combines a lightweight frame, RockShox Bluto fork, and 4.6" Ground Control tires to create a geometry similar to Specialized 29er geometry for nimble handling in the most extreme conditions. Fully butted M4 Premium Aluminum frame w/ up to 5-inch tire clearance is lightweight and stiff RockShox Bluto RL Solo Air spring shock w/ TurnKey damping for traction in all conditions Fat 26" disc, alloy single wall rims are designed to handle even the worst terrain Specialized Ground Control Fat 26x4.6" tires roll over anything Race Face Next SL crankset w/ 100mm spindle is built for power no matter the terrain Shimano XT, hydraulic disc brakes w/ Ice Tech pads and rotors for max stopping power SRAM X0, 11-speed derailleur w/ carbon cage for reliable and precise shifting [See more at Specialized]

Changing Gears

Changing Gears from Bruna Martini on Vimeo . Changing Gears is a 20 minute short film, showing the journey of 5 young Londoners as they cycle from London to Brighton. Having never met before, and each from different backgrounds and life stories, the film is a look at the transformative potential of the bicycle in bringing people together and breaking down barriers. On show is an insight into the sense of freedom and independence young people gain from a bicycle in a city, the worries and problems they face growing up there, and how they react to new geographies outside London. Screened at Look Mum no Hands in London in September 2014

Against The Elements - Bikepacking Through Wales

Against the Elements from Ian Barrington on Vimeo . A three day bikepacking trip through Wales, starting at the Great Orme and finishing in Llanwrtyd Wells. After enduring two days of near constant wind and rain, there was one last challenge before we made it to Llanwrtyd. Riders: Neil, Gian, Andy & Me. Cameras: Contour +2 & Olympus SH-21 Music: Alt-J - Estocada

Review: Showers Pass Refuge Jacket and Pant–the Perfect Fat Bike Shell

Image
After two solid years of year-round fat biking in Colorado, with seasons that seem to change quickly to bitter cold, I have been enthusiastically searching for the Goldilocks of shells to wear while riding my fat bike. My criteria: a lightweight shell that can handle the brutal minus-something cold of the Rockies, but versatile enough to be my go-to jacket for cool fall days. Last season I went to several stores and tried on countless jackets and pants, after making do with my snowboard apparel the previous season. I left all of those establishments disappointed. Enter the Showers Pass Refuge series. While not specifically designed for fat biking, this jacket and pant are a product of forward-thinking garment engineers who obviously spend a lot of time in the outdoors. The shells are versatile enough to use for skiing or mountaineering, but with obvious cues to cyclists such as the drop down tail and reinforced seat and shoulders. Breathable and flexible, the jacket is the perfe

Will cycling see the return of the solid tyre?

Image
Korean company Tannus Tires claim to have built a solid tyre that 'will compete with' regular pneumatic ones. Tannus Tires have developed a solid tyre that 'will compete' with regular tires Credit: Tannus Tires A Korean tyre company has come up with a solid bike tyre that it claims will compete with the regular pneumatic variety. After being launched three years ago in Asia, Tannus Tires are hitting the UK market. Using a newly developed compound polymer called Aither, they offer the prospect of punctureless riding with a rider-friendly level of comfort and rolling resistance. Solid tyres are nothing new. They’ve been around as long as the bicycle itself but were quickly superseded when Dunlop made the first practical pneumatic bike tyre in 1887. Typically heavy and giving an uncompromising ride, solid tyres have trailed in their wake ever since. But Tannus’s European sales manager Jazz Walia says: “We won’t convert everyone but people need to forget w

The Road

The Road from Christopher Riley on Vimeo .

Brooks Land’s End to John O’ Groats Panniers

Image
Our new travel panniers are named after the famous “Land’s End to John O’ Groats” cycle route which traverses the length of the island of Great Britain between its two furthermost extremities. Hundreds of cyclists attempt this 874-mile route yearly, facing the challenges of Britain’s inclement weather. The panniers are waterproof, light and durable to meet the demands of long distance cyclists, without sacrificing style. The closing system of the bag featuring a stylish leather insert enables cyclists to adjust the volume of each bag from a minimum to a maximum, as follows: -JOHN O' GROATS Front Panniers min/max 12/15 l -LAND'S END Rear Panniers min/max 19/23 l (Our Land's End pannier no longer features the outside pocket, there is however a small zip pocket and a larger map style pocket on the inside). [Brooks]

Gevenalle CX and Shimano STI comparison @Gevenalle

Gevenalle CX and Shimano STI comparison. from Gevenalle on Vimeo .

Introducing: The NFD

Image
NFD National Forest Development roads are used to access our wilderness spaces and are often found in very wild and unkempt conditions that require a sturdy and reliable vehicle.  My NFD was developed with these roads as inspiration for discovery and adventure well off the beaten path.  Built for the B+ format tires for sure-footed and comfy travel. I don’t know about you, but the size of these tires looks spot on.  Then there’s the luggage, expertly crafted by  Porcelain Rocket.   The Alfine 501 8 speed rear hub and the Son generator hub wired to the B&M Luxos U for charging capabilities.  Me? I may just go out on this beast and never return.  Somebody feed my animals for me? The frame is designed for backpacking, unapologetically.  The suspension exists in the 27.5 x 3.25″ tires and will not fit a suspension fork.  It is also designed around a PF30 BB to give options to run that BB, an eccentric for single or internal geared drivetrain, or Shimano 24mm with the right a

Bicycle Traveler Magazine January 2015

Image
Bicycle Traveler Magazine January 2015 In this edition: An unexpected adventure Maya Goldstein discovers that Central American hotels aren't just for sleeping in. Interview Amaya Williams Amaya talks about the process of putting together a trip photo book. A life in a day A day's thoughts while cycling in Patagonia. Equipment information and more… Download this issue here!

10 Common Misconceptions about Randonneuring | Off The Beaten Path

Image
With Paris-Brest-Paris coming up this year, a lot of people seem to be interested in randonneuring. They like the idea of a challenging, but not competitive, sport. Many brevets feature great scenery, a sense of adventure, and wonderful people to ride with. Unfortunately, all to often, I hear people say:  “It sounds wonderful, but I couldn’t do it.”  In many cases, that isn’t true. Most randonneurs, myself included, are pretty average people. Here are ten  common misconceptions  about randonneuring: [Keep reading at Off The Beaten Path]

Tips for Treating Cyclists Saddle Sores | CyclingInform

Image
Saddle sores can become a serious problem that can create havoc for any cyclists working to a weekly training schedule. Once the cyclist’s saddle sore becomes serious enough it can ruin weekly goals and force you to stop training. It is very important to prevent saddle sores from even developing. Here are some tips… [Keep reading at Cycling-Inform]

Dutch Suburbs Are Like America’s, and Protected Bike Lanes Work Fine There | StreetsBlog

Image
People the in U.S. street design world — sometimes even  people who write for this very website  — regularly say that U.S. development patterns mean that Dutch street designs can’t be immediately adopted in the States. That’s a lot less true than you might think. Of course some ideas can’t/won’t port over wholesale. But especially by European standards, the Netherlands is actually probably one of the most spatially similar places to much of the U.S. Guess where this is: Count the fast food signs, the car lanes all leading up to a big freeway underpass. If not for the protected bike lane this could be Anywhere, North America. But this is actually in Amsterdam proper. The reality is that only a minority of Dutch people live in the medieval centers of Amsterdam, Gouda, and Utrecht. Though many tourists visiting Amsterdam for a couple of days don’t typically see this, many Dutch people’s daily reality includes stuff much more like this: [Keep reading at StreetsBlog]

Garmin vívoactive™: GPS Smartwatch for the Active Lifestyle