Cane Creek DBair Debuts at EuroBike

Cane Creek presses forward in suspension development by releasing the DBair at the 2011 Eurobike show

Fletcher, NC –August 31, 2011— Enthusiasm is high as Cane Creek introduces DBair, a monumental advancement in rear suspension. Weighing in at approximately 526 grams, DBair is the first air-sprung shock to offer four-way independent adjustability by utilizing the class-leading damping system of Cane Creek’s Double Barrel coil shock.

Ibis Ripley 29er

Overview

We are excited and proud to announce the Ibis Ripley 29.

Features of the Ripley 29:

• 29" wheels
• 120mm rear wheel dw-link travel
• Twin angular contact composite bearing eccentric linkages
• Full carbon fiber monocoque with sacrifical core molding
• Tapered head tube (Cane Creek AngleSet & Chris King InSet compatible)
• Kashima coated Fox Float RP23 with Adaptive Logic Boost Valve technology
• Clean cable routing with molded carbon cable stops and provisions for cable-actuated adjustable seat posts
• BB92/Press GXP style integrated BB is lighter and stiffer and better for molding
• 142mm Maxle rear axle provides high axle stiffness with QR ease of wheel removal and installation
• 160mm carbon fiber post mount rear brake mounts
• High direct front derailleur, mounted to swingarm
• Geometry designed to work with 120-140mm forks
• 34mm fork stanchion approved
• 4 Sizes (S, M, L, XL)
• Weight TBD
• Price TBD but in line with our other frames
• Delivery TBD, but not in 2011

2011 Pearl Izumi Apparel

I have been riding with selections of Pearl Izumi's 2011 mountain biking apparel, including the Veer and Rev jerseys, the Launch Kicker and Launch Plaid shorts, and the Launch gloves since early spring. I have found them to be comfortable, durable and feature laden, and their use of high-tech materials is at the forefront of athletic performance gear. The superb Veer jersey and uber comfy Launch Kicker shorts have been the highlight of the test period, followed closely by the others.

Danny MegaSkill's Industrial Revolutions vs Ken Block's Gymkhana FOUR vs Brian Mullin MongoSkills

Danny MegaSkill's Industrial Revolutions
Danny Macaskill just came out with a new video showing off his street trial's skills, and the riding is inspiring and intense, with some beautiful and well done cinematography. Danny MacAskill is a Scotsman, and a street trial's pro rider for Inspired Bicycles. Last year he released a YouTube video of his bike stunts, and it went viral, and currently has 27 million hits. The video showed an incredible display of his bike skills, and the music was one of my favorites, 'The Funeral' by Band of Horses.

Just In - Specialized Blacklite and POC Trabec Race

The Specialized Command Post Blacklite is a refinement of their older dropper post, and it's lighter, has a new remote system and two additional travel options. The BlackLite is about 100 grams lighter than the initial Command Post, due to the use of a bonded head instead of threaded, and a fluted lower tube. The internals are basically the same, using a mechanical 3-position system, with Power, Cruiser, and Descender positions, that helps maximize and optimize body geometry and center of gravity for different trail conditions. The BlackLite is available in 30.9 and 31.6 diameters and 75mm, 100mm and 125mm travel options. It comes in black with red accents, and retails for $275.

Purely Custom Soft Touch Bashguard

The Purely Custom Soft Touch Bashguard is a unique component. Instead of using hard plastic (polycarbonate) or metal (aluminum) for the bashguard, they use CNC machined aluminum that has Thermoplastic Polyurethane bonded on the outer edge. Thermoplastic Polyurethanes or TPU is a class of polyurethane plastics with many useful properties, including elasticity, transparency, and resistance to oil, grease and abrasion. The TPU ring is ribbed, and can be used as a third wheel, offering adhesion and traction capabilities over obstacles, and will not mar surfaces. The TPU is hard, but has a slight give, so that it can adhere and conform to objects, offering a useful gripiness when dealing with and powering over large rocks or trees. The bashguard is CNC machined from a solid billet of aluminum, for additional strength and durability. Purely Custom is known for their custom CNC machining, and are a division of Seastrom Manufacturing, which has been in business since 1928, and are located in Twin Falls Idaho.

Just In - 2012 Fox RP23 and VAN 160

Fox was kind enough to send along a 2012 VAN 160 and the RP23 with Adaptive Logic for a long-term test on my Ibis Mojo HD. Both shocks use the slippery Kashima coating, and the VAN has SKF seals and a new FIT cartridge, while the RP23 gets an entire rework of the Pro-Pedal system.

Fox has been busy this past year, and they have revamped the product line, added a long travel 29er fork, and titanium crown/steerer fork, tweaked the FIT damper, changed seals, and added Kashima to rear shocks. The new family grouping covers their entire suspension line, and everything is now divided into three entities, Factory, Performance and Evolution.

• FACTORY - Best: has their latest, greatest and most advanced technology
• PERFORMANCE - Better: FIT on 32, open bath on 36 and 40, less advanced technology and adjustability
• EVOLUTION - Good: entry level, open bath forks, simpler technology

Fox has tweaked the FIT damper with new internals, and the new seal head has less stiction at the start of its stroke, and in direct comparison (on a simple test unit at Sea Otter), it was definitely a noticeable feel, and felt much smoother, without any notchiness. Fox has partnered with the giant Swedish firm SKF, who is famous for their motorcycle seals, to use them on their forks. The seals use a different compound, shape and height, which greatly reduce friction and stiction. The Kashima coating has been tweaked for 2012, and it should appear as a darker color, and be slightly more slippery. Only the Factory series will have the coating, and it has now been added to the FLOAT RP23, DHX Air and DHX RC4 rear shocks, including portions of the air sleeves (RC4 is shaft only). For manufacturing reasons, the coating has to be added to both the inside and outside of the air sleeve, so thing's slide on a smoother surface internally.

Kali AAZIS Armor Review

Their knee and knee/shin armor are comfortable, light, easy to wear, and provides excellent protection. They have made a design that utilizes a great combination of soft and hard materials, and uses innovative features, such as side protection, and an extremely durable front covering. In Sanskrit, Aazis means "blessing", which certainly defines their focus. Their armor is used by multiple extreme sports and their practitioners, such as mountain bike, skateboard, BMX, snowboard and motocross.

RockShox Reverb Review

This infinitely adjustable seatpost is stupendous, with a silky-smooth stroke, and because of its unique hydraulically controlled remote handlebar lever, it has an easy to operate action, and simple installation. I abused the seatpost for four months, on every imaginable terrain possible, and it has been through rain and snow storms, had sand and dirt tossed at it, and has preformed flawlessly, which is helped fabulously by the custom sealing system.

Answer Products ProTaper Carbon 720 AM bars and Rove AM Stem

The handlebars are an excellent set of carbon riser bars, that are light, strong, with a wonderful resiliency and feel, and have an optimal width and rise. The made in America stem is one stout beast, that is stiff, well-made and overbuilt, with an assortment of hidden technologies and features. Answer makes some great products, and their AM line of handlebars and stems is a fine introduction to their tough, durable and strong set of components.