Giro XAR Review

The stylish All Mountain helmets are comfortable, with smooth and rounded lines, has good coverage and adjustment systems, and a trick and superb adjustable visor. The helmet incorporates some innovative safety features, such as a three piece shell and a reinforced foam liner, and has a well engineered ventilation system, with 17 vents. In comes in five colors and three sizes, to cover the gamut of styles and fitting.

The helmet uses the industry standard In-mold EPS liner with polycarbonate shell, for impact absorption, durability, ventilation design and strength. For additional safety, the liner uses their Roll Cage, which uses a reinforced web of DuPont Nylon molded inside the EPS foam, and the shell uses three separate pieces for reduction of scratches and abrasions.

Urge Endur-O-Matic Review

The helmet is sort of a cross between a full faced and normal design, offering excellent rear and side coverage, supreme comfort, and some unique features, especially in regard to safety. It uses the industry standard In-mold EPS foam construction, with a durable high gloss outer polycarbonate shell, and meet the US and European certification standards. It features a flexible visor, eight venting hole, and comes in a wide range of colors, two sizes (Sm/Md and Lg/X-Lg) and weighs in at 300 grams. Urge Bike Products is based out of Cogolin, France, and is co-owned by multiple time World Champion Fabien Barrel, who also does product testing and development for the company. I tested the L-XL Flash Sand model.

The Urge Endur-o-Matic helmet is an extremely comfortable helmet, and was easy to wear for long periods of time. The inner shape and supple padding feel proper, and it seems to be shaped like your head, cupping it, almost like your wearing a skull cap, without any bind or pinch spots. Like any helmet, their last or mold might not fit your particular head, so always try and get a test fit if possible.

SPY OPTIC LAUNCHES PERFORMANCE EYEWEAR SERIES

New line combines patented technology, design and swagger

For Immediate Release:

CARLSBAD, Calif.—SPY Optic™ announced the release of its SPY Performance™ series, a line of highly-stylized technical eyewear, inaugurated with two models, Quanta™ and Alpha™.

“SPY’s connection to technical eyewear goes all the way back to the beginning of the Company, when we invented our anti-fogging technology, so the whole ‘Performance’ thing is an evolution of our heritage as much as it is about design or innovation,” says Jeremy McGrath, 7-Time AMA Supercross Champion, SPY® founder and rider. “We started out as California racers who did other sports, and that vibe is still what SPY is about today. If I don’t have to wear goggles, whether it’s mountain-biking or hitting golf balls or whatever, I’m wearing these glasses.”

The SPY Performance™ series features the SPY®-patented anti-fogging Scoop® venting system; virtually unbreakable Grilamid™ frames; impact-resistant, optically-correct and distortion-free ARC® (Accurate Radius Curve) lenses; glare-reducing Premium Trident™ polarized infusion in select models; bounce-back glare-diffusing lens coating; anti-scratch and hydrophobic and oleophobic technology; environmentally reactive Hytrel™ rubber nose pads and temple tips; and UVA, UVB and UVC protective treatments.

DeLorme inReach Enables 2-Way Messaging Anywhere in the World

NEWS RELEASE
June 22, 2011 - For Immediate Release


DeLorme Unveils Plans for First-Ever Personal Communicator with 2-Way Messaging, Iridium Global Satellite Coverage, and an Android Interface

The DeLorme® inReach™ affordably provides reliable two-way communication far beyond the reach of cell phone signals and one-way satellite systems.

YARMOUTH, Maine -- June 22, 2011 -- DeLorme, the innovation leader in navigation technology, today announced the Fall 2011 release of the DeLorme® inReach™, the first Iridium-based personal communicator to deliver truly global two-way satellite text messaging; delivery confirmations; SOS capabilities; remote tracking, and an Android smartphone interface.

The inReach promises to revolutionize the way people stay affordably connected over the 90% of the Earth's surface not covered by cellular and land-based phone service. Its capabilities address the needs of anyone from outdoors enthusiasts to professional users in remote outposts.

The core communications component of the inReach is the Iridium 9602 short-burst data (SBD) transceiver, which provides a unique, two-way communications connection through the world's farthest-reaching satellite network. Iridium's pole-to-pole global connectivity means inReach users can send and receive messages anywhere on the planet.

The GPS-enabled inReach can be used by itself or paired with either an Android smartphone or a DeLorme Earthmate® PN-60w.

Magura Sedona Press Camp 2011- Crank Brothers

At the 2011 Magura Sedona Press, Crank Brothers was showing their 2012 product line, which includes redesigned mallet and 5050 pedals, wider handlebars, a level 1 group, saddle, new or redesigned tools, wheels and packs.Crank Brothers has been realigning their product suite, and they have divided it up into collections (cobalt-Cross Country, iodine-All Mountain, sage-Freeride and opium-Downhill), and then levels within each product line (11-Best, 3-Better, 2-Good, 1-Entry), except for the pedals, which are only categorized by their numerical level.

Magura USA (aka Magura Direct) hosted an incredible press camp in spectacular Sedona Arizona in mid-May, and they were kind enough to invite Francis and I on the wondrous shindig. The invited editors and writers got to test out the Magura Direct products that they distribute, which includes Magura (brakes and forks), uvex (helmets and sunglasses) and Vaude (packs and apparel), and they also were joined by SKS and Crank Brothers. We got to test the products from each of the companies on the inspiring, scary and extremely technical trails of Sedona, and the riding experience was simply superb. Our awesome Crank Brothers hosts, Amanda Schaper and Jason Firsty, gave us an excellent and in depth walkthrough of their entire product suite.  

Deuter Race X Air Review

This is a pretty nice hydration pack, with some exemplary features. The foremost feature, is their Aircomfort System, which uses thin steel springs and a mesh backing to tension the pack away from your back, providing excellent ventilation and air flow without getting a sweaty back. Everything works in tandem with mesh shoulder straps, padded hip and neck sections (where the springs attach), and waist and sternum straps. The system also helps distribute the weight load evenly, for a noticeable comfort, and good anti-swaying characteristic. Deuter is a German company that was founded in 1898, initially making mailbags, and they now manufacturer sleeping bags, and backpacks for all sorts of activities, including outdoor sports, traveling, business and school work.

DT Swiss 2012 Preview

DT Swiss rolled out some of their new 2012 products in preparation for the Eurobike show, which take place at the end of August in Germany. I had seen a couple of the items (mostly 29er based) at Sea Otter recently, and they are coming out with some great items, that have the typical DT Swiss innovation, and many at a better price point. Enjoy!



FX 1950 Tricon
The TRICON line expands in 2012 with two new wheel sets. Responsible for rough family growing is the new FX 1950 Tricon, a freeride wheel set, that weighs under 2.000 gram. Next to its progressive design the wheel set is characterized by further TRICON specific features as the Star Ratchet System or its tubeless compatibility.

Thoughts => These look like a wicked set of wheels, lightweight, robust, wide, tubeless and ready for some heavy duty All Mountain and Freeride entertainment, and I like the color, much better then the usual red combination's, can't wait to check them out in person, and perhaps test them?

• Front Wheel - 100mm/15mm TA and 110mm/20 TA
• Rear Wheel - 135mm/10mm TB, 142mm/12mm TA (X-12) and 150mm/12mm TA
• Hub - TRICON, Star Ratchet System, 6-bolt
• Rim - Aluminium, 30 x 21mm , 30 hole
• Color - black/shiny green

Ergon GA1 Review

These ergonomically shaped All Mountain grips are pretty darn sweet and near perfect. They are durable, comfortable, and their natural anatomic shape means decreased hand and upper body fatigue, and better athletic performance. At first glance they really don’t seem any different than other lock-on grips, but looks are deceiving, as their ergonomic design has a plethora of benefits and functions. Ergon takes part of its name from the word Ergonomics, which is the scientific discipline that seeks to understand and improve human interactions with products, equipment, environments and systems.

GA1 and GA1 Leichtbau
The grips come in two models, the GA1 and GA1 Leichtbau, the latter being slightly lighter in weight due to a different rubber compound. Both versions come in two sizes, a small and large, with dimensions of 32mm x 139mm and 35mm x 145mm respectively. I tested only the large size in each model, and they weighed in at 147 grams (GA1 L) and 155.8 grams (GA1). The ergonomically shaped rubber grips, have four different textured areas, and use an aluminum lock-on clamp, and come in three colors, black, white and team green.

The grips on a bike are a pretty important entity, especially a mountain bike, since they are how you hold on and steer, and they comprise two out of the five points of contact with the bike (two grips, two pedals, one saddle). Most grips are simple cylindrical objects, with padding (soft, hard or multi-density), and can have texturing, lock-on's, colors, etc. If you curl your hand, you'll notice that your grip has a slight concave shape to itself. When grasping a normal grip with the same diameter along its length, the flat surface causes the hand to push the palm downwards, spreading it out in an unnatural position, which causes stress, weakens holding power and irritates the ulnar nerve. The GA1 uses a multi-dimensional convex shape that cradles the hand's curve in a natural and ergonomic manner, which increases comfort, support and performance, and reduces hand fatigue. The GA1 grip and your hand form a synergistic matched pair, so less force is required for any activity.

Installation
The grips are left and right specific, and have a default orientation marked on the inner side of the grip, although it can be tweaked as desired for personal requirements. I left them in their default position, since I found it fit my hands the best. They slid onto the handlebars with a snug fit, and a simple tap with the palm of my hand settled them into place. I let the clamp sit out slightly from the bar end to help protect them from damage, and I tightened them down using a 3mm hex.

Impressions
The first thing you notice is how well they fit your hand. They are really comfortable and just have this proper tactile feel, becoming one with the hand. When you start riding you don't have to grip the bars as tight, and you can use a bit looser grip on the handlebar, which saves a good deal of energy when you're not battling to hold on. On longer rides this loose grip gives considerably less numbness in the hands, along with decreased hand, arm and upper body fatigue. They have an excellent grippiness, and no matter what the conditions were like, neither rain, snow, mud nor desert heat, kept them from being tacky and grippy. They are not the softest grips on the market, and they don’t have any fancy nor weird tread pattern, but they more than made up for it. Where they shine is the way your hand wraps around the grip, and is held in a proper ergonomic manner, and it just feels right, pleasant and comforting. I found that the shape allowed me to lever off them in a more profound manner since my hand was held properly, sort of like having a mini pry bar, and it was highly useful in technical terrain, on steep climbs and rock gardens. The end of the lock-on clamp has a tear drop shape, and I found that it helped to keep my hand on the grips, and in addition I could use it as a tiny lever arm to make minute changes on the bars. The grips have been very durable with everything I have tossed at them, and the only wear area has been the textured area on the upper outside edge, and the lettering on the clamp. The aluminum clamp has been very beneficial in saving the carbon bars from my regular crashes, fall overs and tree encounters, and they never loosened up on me during my test period.

Bottom Line
The Ergon GA1 is just about a perfect grip, and they provide a highly beneficial synergistic design for All Mountain riders. Their ergonomic design gives less fatigue to the hands and upper body, allowing for longer rides, less cramping and numbness, greater strength and comfort, and performance. The rubber compound provides excellent grip in any conditions, but still provides excellent durability, although they can sometimes feel a bit firm. One of my x-country racer friends swears by these grips, which really says a lot, since these are designed around All Mountain and Freeride type of riding. The tactile feel and proper hand placement allow an immense amount of power to be applied to the front end of the bike when desired, making for excellent climbing, steering and maneuvering.

Strengths

• Durability
• Excellent Grip
• Ergonomically correct
• Decreased hand and upper body fatigue
• Increased atheltic performance

Weaknesses

• Heavy
• Not the softest padding

Overall Rating: 4.5 Flamin’ Chili Peppers

Model	GA1	GA1 Leichtbau
Sizes	Small, Large	Small, Large
Width	Small - 139mm Large - 145mm	Small - 139mm Large - 145mm
Diameter	Small - 32mm Large - 35mm	Small - 32mm Large - 35mm
Weight	Small - 115 grams Large - 158 grams	Small - 128 grams Large - 144 grams
Colors	Black, White, Team Edition	Gray/Black, White/Black, Team Edition
Material	forged aluminum clamp	DirectContact rubber, forged aluminum clamp
MSRP	$30	$36

Just In - Giro Code and Cytomax

Giro Code
Giro Company Info: "Hardcore trail riders and XC racers want maximum power transfer plus the comfort and durability need to withstand rugged trails and conditions. The Code answers the call with a light-yet-tough Teijin microfiber upper that shapes to your foot, plus our adjustable SuperNatural Fit Kit that allows you to tune the level of arch support, enhancing efficiency and comfort. Welded scuff guards boost the upper’s durability and structured feel, and the optimized Easton® EC90 unidirectional carbon sole provides pro-level stiffness for the most efficient power transfer available."

Magura Sedona Press Camp 2011 - SKS products

Magura USA (aka Magura Direct) hosted an incredible press camp in spectacular Sedona Arizona in mid-May, and they were kind enough to invite me on the wondrous shindig. The invited editors and writers got to test out the Magura Direct products that they distribute, which includes Magura (brakes and forks), uvex (helmets and sunglasses) and Vaude (packs and apparel), and they also were joined by SKS and Crank Brothers. We got to test the products from each of the companies on the inspiring, scary and extremely technical trails of Sedona, and the riding experience was simply superb.

SKS is a German company that is best known for their bike fenders and mudguards in the US, but their product suite also includes pumps, saddle bags, multitools, chainguards and water bottle cages. They have been manufacturing bike pumps for 80 years, and originated the mini pump, and last year sold 7.8 million pumps and 4 millions fenders/mudguards worldwide. The US general manager for SKS, Mark Burgener went through part of their products one evening at the press camp, and I was amazed at the breadth of their line relative to mountain biking, and to a lessor extent the commuter and urban bikes.