Reviews | Bike198

Industry Nine Wheels – The King of Bling

Robb SuttonApril 10, 2008113.1K views

If you haven’t seen a set of Industry Nine wheels…you are missing out. Named one of Bike Magazines top 15 Editors Choice products in 2008, these wheelsets have hit the industry by storm over the past couple of years. Their precision machining and stunning good looks have put them at the top of the most wanted list for most cycling enthusiasts. Industry Nine’s goal was to produce the best wheels that money could buy. They have achieved their goal and surpassed most of our expectations.

Elka Suspension Mountain Bike Shock

Robb SuttonApril 8, 200801.7K views

Elka’s new mountain bike line-up has been specifically designed and engineered for downhill, free-ride and all-mountain riding, aiming to provide a balanced combination of plushness, pedaling performance and comfort for each application. To achieve this, all Elka shocks will feature custom-tuned damping based on each bike’s design and intended use.

2008 Trek Fuel EX – R1i Tuned Suspension

Robb SuttonApril 8, 200874.4K views

The EVO Link is a one piece rocker link that Trek claims is 35% stiffer and 15% lighter than the conventional bolt together linkages. They are also able to make it out of several different materials. I really like the idea of having a one piece rocker arm, but it will be interesting to see if the numbers they claim are accurate.

Cane Creek Double Barrel – Long Term Review

Robb SuttonApril 5, 200873.2K views

The Double Barrel was developed by Cane Creek in conjunction with Ohlins Racing. Their goal was to produce the best performing rear shock on the market for a mountain bike. Ohlins Racing’s United States branch office is located in Hendersonville, NC a stone’s throw away from Cane Creek’s headquarters. Ohins Racing is known for producing some of the best shock absorbers on the market and with more than 200 World Championship and other major titles, they have earned the right to claim that they are one of the best in the industry.

Kent Eriksen – Trey's New Ti Frame

Robb SuttonApril 1, 200811.8K views

In the world of ti frames, Kent Eriksen is a legend. After selling off the company he founded, Moots Cycles, Eriksen…

Ibis Mojo and Push Industries – Full Review

Robb SuttonMarch 31, 2008225.3K views

he shake-down ride actually ended up being a time trail at Big Creek’s Two Ways in a Day. Big Creek is a Atlanta local trail that provides great insight on how a bike will act in tight, twisty, quick up with quick down situations. As you can see by the elevation map, you really don’t get a break at this place when you are going for the lowest time. The trail still, even after all of the traffic it receives, has loose rocks and steep climbs.

New Cannondales – Moto and Rize – And My Thoughts

Robb SuttonMarch 28, 200811.8K views

With its new duo of long-travel bikes, Cannondale returns to the cross-country/trail bike battlefield dominated by the likes of Specialized, Marin and Giant.

ByStickel – Custom Made Steel Frames

Robb SuttonMarch 28, 200873.2K views

Steve Stickel is a name that many of you probably don’t know…but should. His custom frames are hand made out of Asheville, NC and have incredible craftsmanship. For those of you local to the Atlanta area, you can see Lonestar’s white 26″ singlespeed made by Steve at the local trial head. LS will be the first to tell you how great the frame really is. Custom touches, like brake rotors used as gusseting, really set his frames apart from others I have seen.

2008 SRAM X.0 Rear Derailleur

Robb SuttonMarch 28, 200832.6K views

SRAM’s X.0 rear derailleur went through a redesign for 2008. The most visual of these changes is the new 20th anniversary gold accenting on the mounting bolt and graphics. What you will also see is a new 6061 aluminum backing to the carbon Blackbox cage.

Brian Lopes's Ibis Quiver

Robb SuttonMarch 27, 200802.1K views

Brian Lopes’s recent announcement of a sponsorship deal with Ibis caught many of us by surprise. Much speculation quickly followed suit regarding which Ibis models he’d be riding. Bike magazine HQ happens to be right around the corner from Casa de Lopes so last week he swung by our office to give us a complete tour of his new quiver.