Component Reviews

Avid Juicy 5 Hydraulic Disc Brake Review

Are you looking to make the switch to disc brakes without breaking the bank? Are you tired of the poor lever feel and performance out of those other “budget” disc brakes? Look no further than the Juicy Fives from Avid. Before the introduction of the Juicy 3’s, the Juicy 5’s were Avid’s answer for low cost hydraulic disc brakes that didn’t perform like their price would suggest.

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Schwalbe Big Betty UST 2.4 Mountain Bike Tires

I have been a huge fan of Schwalbe tires for quite awhile. The Big Betty has been my go to tire for 6″ travel bikes because of it’s mass/volume, tremendous grip, fast rolling and surprisingly light weight for a true 2.4 tire (2.5 at the tread). They have, until now, only been available in a Gooey Gluey and Triple Compound version…no UST.

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Hope Pro II Hubs – Preview

I came home yesterday surprised to see a package from Hope Tech on my doorstep. The Hope Pro II hubs had arrived for the Fox Talas 15QR thru axle review. Included in the package was the 15mm and QR end caps with the 20mm thru axle end caps installed on the front hub. For the rear hub, I opted for Hope’s 10mm thru axle setup to stiffen up the rear end.

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Clix Wheel Release QR System – Tested and Reviewed

At first, I just started playing with the Clix in the RST fork. To my surprise, I was able to hold the heavy RST fork in one hand while quickly removing and latching the hub with the other. It was almost too good to believe! Was this really a QR that wasn’t going to require re-tensioning and could be operated with one hand?

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2009 Fox Talas 140 RLC 15mm Thru Axle

I was right on board with the anti 15mm crowd from the beginning. It was actually my first post on this blog. The 15mm axle creates a problem for manufacturers and end users by creating yet another “standard” by which we have to live by. The increases prices and makes replacement parts harder to come by.

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WTB LaserDisc Trail 29er Wheelset

As many of you already know, I am in the process of reviewing the Project Pink Ellsworth Evolve. Before I get to the overall bike review (pretty much frame only review), I want to touch on a couple of the components as I go along. This bike came spec’ed with the WTB LaserDisc Trail 29er wheels.

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SRAM DoubleTap

These new shifters combined with the new Hammerschmidt front shifting device is bound to make it a HUGE Interbike for SRAM this year. It really seems like they are starting to think outside the box of conventional shifting. I welcome this change. Shifting has been done the same for a long time. It’s time to shake things up a little bit.

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Clix Wheel Release System – MTB Quick Release

CLIX Systems, Inc. has introduced a revolutionary new wheel release system, called CLIX™. For the first time ever, riders are able to install and lock their front wheel with no cam adjustment, and with only one hand. The traditional quick release was invented in 1927 and is a safe and effective system when operated correctly. However, correct operation is not inherently obvious to all riders.

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