The guys over at Maxxis sent us some of the 29er Ardents to test along side the DH casing 26er versions we are currently running on the Terremoto. So far, we are extremely impressed with the performance out of the 26er version, and we are excited about getting our hands on the 29er set.
As lined out here in a previous post, HIP/VIP is a time when a group of us off the MTBR board get together for some great riding in the Asheville, NC and Pisgah National Forest area. This is the mecca of east coast mountain biking with more epic trails to ride than you can handle. This year we went with Bent Creek, Laurel Mountain/Pilot Rock, Black Mountain and Dupont State Forest.
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.
What is HIP? An excuse for a bunch of riders with the same interest (Turner Bikes) that get together to ride some killer North Carolina single track. Most own Turners, some are former Turner owners and some are just along for the ride, but it originates on the Turner board of MTBR.com.
he paint jobs coming across the Specialized mountain bike line seem to be getting worse with every release. For me, it all started with the “candy corn” SX Trail. A fellow riding friend, APPBLING, sent his off to the powder coater straight out of the box to get stripped and re-coated silver.
Be sure to have the coupon code MTB198 ready when you order. If you have any questions…drop me an email, but these guys have some of the best customer service in the business with the best mountain biking components on the market. Take a look around…you never know, you might find something you need (or just want).
This place has gravity. Instinctually athletes are drawn to this mountain bike battlefield. Core riders from around the country assault Snowshoe all summer; attacking features and slaying rock drops. They bombard our famous trail system, mount the lift and shoot it again. While riding here you’ll experience its magnitude, and find an explosion of riders…killing it…daily.
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.
The hits just keep on coming from Rock Shox/SRAM and it is starting to look like a huge year for the RS line. It also appears that SRAM is paying very close attention to what their end users are asking for. These new Reba’s will also be using the new 46mm offset. This Reba line answers all of the requests that 29er and 26er riders have been asking for all year long. Very exciting news…
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.