Kona's New "Magic Link" Bike
Brian Berthold, the man behind Therapy Components, which makes custom floating brake arm kits for full-suspension bikes, has teamed up with Kona this year to develop the brand new, highly unorthodox “Magic Link” bike.
Brian Berthold, the man behind Therapy Components, which makes custom floating brake arm kits for full-suspension bikes, has teamed up with Kona this year to develop the brand new, highly unorthodox “Magic Link” bike.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Mountain Bike Action just did a great write-up on the El Ciclon. For those of you that don’t know…the El Ciclon is the 5″ travel bike in the Ventana line-up.