On Friday, I received my package from out west. The content of this large box contained everything needed to build the Ellsworth Evolve (Ellsworth’s 4″ full suspension 29er frame) for a long term review. To my surprise, I opened the box at T2 Bikes and inside was a bright pink Evolve!
When a fellow riding friend (FoShizzle) emailed me on this build, I knew it was going to be insane. El Beastro is known to have Spectrum powder coat some extremely original designs onto is frames. This Knolly Endorphin has to be one of the craziest I have ever seen.
At that time, he was riding a 32 lbs. red RFX that seemed to be fitting the bill for the new Asheville, NC local. Due to an attempt at flying incident on Green’s Lick at Bent Creek, MP dented the RFX and had to build up the newly painted Sultan in a hurry to be ready for our HIP rides over the past weekend.
Singletrackworld.com hooked us up with a video of the new “Magic Link” on the Coilair Supreme from Kona. Interesting concept, and at least from this video you can get an idea on how the linkage/dual shock setup works. Real world testing on some serious trails will be the real test on if this bike truly works as it says or not. In the meantime, this video does help to spell out more clearly how the bike works.
Some might argue that a bicycle is simply a tool, a way to get from point A to point B. They’re not wrong, but that utilitarian view misses perhaps the most crucial point: A bicycle, especially one built with passion for passionate riders, is not just a tool. It’s a way out. Out of where? One ride, and you’ll know.
Ok…so here is the story. For awhile now, Jenn (my other half…and the better half) has been wanting to get into riding. As you can imagine…I am all for this, but with the wedding coming up and other expenses, she didn’t think she would be getting a bike any time soon. With the help of Chad at Red Barn Bikes, I surprised her with her first real mountain bike.
Trek ushered all of the UK journos into a prefab VW garage at the Sea Otter to unveil their latest bike. It’s a 200mm frame platform that contains nearly every acronym and catchphrase they make. It has an E2 tapered headtube, an EVO-Link, Full Floater suspension and an Active Braking Pivot… Fortunately, after all that, it actually looks fantastic and a bike we’re keen to get to play on soon.
Dirt jumping and street are the main form of riding for many riders. Whether you live in the city, countryside or mountains, there are always great opportunities to build your skills and bag of tricks. The Ducat has been designed to be both durable and agile.
With the increasing cost of raw materials, specifically steel and aluminum, frame producers are having to find ways to cut costs. The larger companies like Trek, Cannondale and Giant have been outsourcing for years, but now we are seeing more “boutique” brands like Titus and Santa Cruz doing the same thing.
What most folks didn’t hear during all this buzz was the word Klein. That’s right Klein is coming back to the states. Just when Trek was pushing out the last old stock of Klein from their warehouses they decide the flip the switch back to on “On.”