Singletracks Mountain Bike Blog

I once asked a friend why he thought horses were so spooked by mountain bikes and he said it was because mountain bikers look like predatory jungle cats running through the woods. That image has always stuck with me, particularly when riding tight, twisting singletrack that requires cat-like reflexes. Now a designer in Argentina has taken that idea to the next level, designing a mountain trike called the Pardo from the Spanish word for cheetah.

The rider lies on the Pardo face forward and pumps his legs to propel the thing down the trail (see the diagram below). Aside from the sensation of speed from having your face just inches from the trail, the Pardo allows the rider to pump both legs at the same time which probably feels more like a hop than a jog.

Steering seems to be accomplished through leaning and the prototype doesn’t appear to have a braking system. The front wheels look like standard 26″ mountain bike wheels and tires while the rear wheel is a smaller knobby wheel. While there isn’t a traditional suspension system in place, the curved plywood (?) looks like it should flex and soak up some of the inevitable chest hits. The Pardo is also foldable so it doesn’t take up too much space in the trunk on your way out to the trail. Even without brakes or gears this thing looks pretty awesome - sign me up for one when (if) they go into production!

Images and info via treehugger.com. Check out the link for more pics.

Last week I wrote about locating and planning for a new MTB trail and this is a continuation of that article. Click here to go back and get caught up.

Walk the Area

Walking the site is integral to choosing a line for your new mountain bike trail. Walking will help you decide which areas are most suitable and will help you see topography and land makeup at a closer scale. Look for natural features such as rock gardens, ridges, and humps. These features are useful for building technical sections, jumps, rollers, and berms and the best trails link these types natural features together. Take your “dream trail” list (see previous article) out with you to help you remember all the features you are looking for. Mark areas of interest on a map, GPS, or even mentally. If you have more than one possible build site, walking the area will help you decide which site to use.

Look for Natural Features

Natural features play a key role in how I personally build trails. Making use of natural features saves you lots of time and effort when building your trail and it usually makes it more fun too. Different features are desirable for different trail types and uses. If you are building an XC trail, look for natural benches and humps to help you make a fast, flowy benchcut trail with many grade reversals. If you are building a FR/DH trail, look for ridges and humps with proper spacing to build jumps and berms, rock slabs, rock gardens and natural benches that make full use of elevation changes. Spotting natural features takes practice and a trained eye so next time you’re out for a hike or slow paced ride, look around and try to identify a few natural features and envision what you might build with them if you were building a trail there. Here are some natural features which are useful for trail building:

1.    Ridgelines: Staying atop ridgelines allows for trails with reasonable grades and good drainage.

photo by AK_Dan

2.    Benches: These are natural steps. Building trail along these is easy and creates well drained trails with suitable grades.
3.    Humps and bumps: These deposits of soil from 1-20 feet tall can be turned into rollers, gap jumps, tabletops and berms with just a little shaping. A short, steep incline or decline is often useful as the lip or landing of a jump.
4.    Rocks: Deposits of rocks can be used for rock gardens or rock armouring.

photo by trek7k

photo by RowdyREBEL

5.    Rock Faces: Slabs of various clines are useful for a high grip, zero maintenance, permanent, and fun trail features.
6.    Exposure: Building a trail relatively close to a steep hillside or cliff gives the user the sensation of speed. Just be careful not to build your trail too close to the edge!
7.    Scenery: Building your trail next to lookouts, streams, big trees or other aesthetically pleasing features enhances user experience.
8.    Building materials: Building a trail close to useful materials such as rocks and rot resistant wood such as cedar decreases the amount of materials you need to haul in and makes the trail building process faster and easier.

This picture shows a big rock garden some friends of mine built. The rocks were found close by then rolled and dug into place.

It’s tough to see from this angle, but this is a BIG tabletop. The lip is on the bottom right and the landing is on the bottom left of the frame. I saw a big ridge and thought it would make a good tabletop. I carved out a lip on one side and smoothed out a transition on the other. I envisioned this line and it turned out better than I expected.

It’s also a bit tough to see on this one, but the launch ends on the upper log on the right side of the frame and the landing is on the bottom left. This is the set up jump for the tabletop in the previous picture. Again, I envisioned this line and the final product vastly exceeded my expectations. The downed log provided a natural backing for the jump. The length to the naturally steep transition also works perfectly. All I had to do to build this line was benchcut and add some dirt to the lip. For those who aren’t familiar, a benchcut is a trail cut into the side of a hill and I’ll expand on the benchcut method of trailbuilding in a future article.

Next Up: Choosing Your Line Part 2

About the Author
Kevin Johnstone is an avid mountain biker from Ontario, Canada. He has been building trails for 4 years across Canada. He has worked with the worlds #1 bike park builder, Jay Hoots, for a number a build sessions spanning 2 years. He spent 2 seasons improving the trails at Kelso conservation area in Milton. He is currently building downhill specific trails. Kevin can be reached by private message.

So this is actually an old study (2006) but I just read some commentary about this over on seriousrunning.com this week. Apparently cyclists who took Viagra as part of a study increased performance (cycling, that is) by up to 45% at high altitudes. Not everyone in the study showed signs of improvement but for those who did it sounds like it was pretty significant.

It’s interesting to note that the altitudes we’re talking about here - above 12,700 feet - are pretty extreme. Couple that with the fact that the study found no boost at sea level and it’s sorta questionable whether this matters at all. Of course this hasn’t stopped pro cyclists from being caught with bags full of Viagra at the Giro d’Italia and other big races. Back in 2008 the World Anti-Doping Agency began investigating Viagra to see whether the substance should be banned but as far as I can tell they’re still studying the issue.

Even the Leadville 100 MTB race doesn’t quite make it up to 12,700 feet above sea level but it’s probably close enough that popping a Viagra might help racers get to the top. Even more promising seems to be the idea of using Viagra to treat altitude sickness. So the next time you head out for an epic ride above tree line, consider bringing a couple Viagras in your pack - you never know when you might need them

I’ll leave the rest of the Viagra jokes to the commenters below.

Formula started producing motorcycle brakes and wheels in 1987. By 1993 they were the first to produce and distribute a disc braking systems for mountain bikes and they’ve been refining their MTB products ever since. The Formula RX brake set is the perfect example of that commitment.

Borrowing technology from Formula’s top dog THE ONE and R1 brake sets, the RX is a pared down, less expensive alternative(MSRP from about $189.00 each). The first thing you’ll notice is the RX calipers are not forged like THE ONE and R1 calipers and the RX features a master cylinder with a single bleed port (the other brakes feature two). While those features are nice to have, the tradeoff is a higher price for the high end brakes. Fortunately these differences don’t make the RX brakes any less capable for the XC to light freeride mountain biker.

Formula RX brakes have some really cool features that should pique any rider’s interest. For starters, the brake caliper is a one piece design which makes it relatively lightweight and stiff. The one piece design also supports the perfect alignment of both cylinder bores which ensures even pad contact and rotor wear.

Stopping force is generated by two 22mm pistons. With the RX brakes you can change up the pads without removing the caliper from the bike which is actually my favorite feature. The caliper is equally advanced in design, using a radial cylinder and integrated high capacity reservoir (more fluid = longer fluid life). The caliper can also be used on either side of the bike thanks to its flip-flop design. The weight of each unit including a 160mm rotor is 351g which is a decent weight considering the R1 tips the scales at 270 grams - not too far off.

Installation and Configuration

When ordering these brakes, be sure to get the correct hose length and adapter for your intended application. Because the RX brakes can be used in a wide variety of conditions, follow this simple guideline: XC riders will do well with 160mm rotors front and rear; trail riders should use 180mm front and 160mm rear; and all-mountain (enduro) or light freeride folks may want to consider the 203mm up front and the 180mm rear. On my AM bike I went with a 203mm disk on the front and 180mm disk on the rear and the installation only took a few minutes - nothing too strenuous.

When installing items like brakes, be sure to follow all safety precautions as well as all the included instructions. Most importantly, use a torque wrench when installing any brake set. If you’re using carbon components like a carbon frame or carbon bar, do not even consider installing these (or any other) brakes without a torque wrench. All the proper torque values can be found in the instructions. The last thing you want to do is crush your tubes by over-torquing. I also recommend turning your handlebars to their limits carefully after installing the brake levers. Make sure that the lever blades don’t strike your top tube.

On the trail

Out at Kelso and a “secret” spot about 40 minutes from my place (my new favorite place for testing), I did the usual routine of breaking in the pads. This involves stopping with medium force about 20 - 30 times on straight, level ground followed by riding with a finger on the brake to generate some friction. Once the pads are burnished in and seated nicely, I really hit the trails hard.

The first thing I noticed during my test was the nice, crisp feeling of the brake lever. Even using one finger on the lever I got decent force along with a comfortable feel to the brake. The lever action is silky smooth with no hang-up whatsoever and there’s no excessive lever travel with the RX. On a full squeeze the lever blade was just about parallel with my handlebar, right where it should be, and felt rock solid - not spongy at all. Lever position is adjustable with a 2mm allen key.

On the rougher side of the trails with steeper descents and rocky, rooted areas I got a good measure of how well the RX brakes perform. On steep descents I found these brakes brought me back to sane speeds quickly, but the stock organic pads needed to heat up a touch. Unlike some other braking systems, these brakes didn’t pop my eyes out of their sockets on short stops but their performance was pretty damn close.  The RX brakes offer more than enough braking force for your AM bike or Trail bike.

I also really enjoyed the modulation on the Formula RX brakes. These babies came on gradually with consistent braking force and released pretty quickly without a hint of pad drag. Running these brakes with sintered pads rather than the stock organic pads should increase stopping power even more. In low temperatures and dry conditions the brakes didn’t make a sound.

Overall the Formula RX is a decent MTB brake set with good power and excellent modulation. For those who plan to shuttle these brakes I say switch up the pads to  sintered but for those who will be riding technical trails the RX brakes are good to go. The performance chart below is based on using the stock organic compound pads; sintered pads would add another point on braking levels.

Technical data from FORMULA:

• Radial master cylinder
• High capacity, integrated reservoir
• Removable handlebar clamp
• Flip-flop design
• 1-piece caliper design with 22mm pistons
• Post mount
• Top loading pads
• Matte black / Gloss White
• Organic pads
• 351g complete with 160mm rotor and hardware

Thanks to the folks at Formula for providing the RX brakes for review.

Just wanted to give an update for those who are still on the fence about ordering a jersey. We’re super close to making our minimum on the DH jerseys and we’re about halfway on the SS jersey. If you’re thinking about getting one, now is the time to do it - otherwise you may miss out. Orders received before the end of the week will also receive a 1-year singletracks Pro membership (value: $29.99).

The price for each jersey is $55 which is just barely above cost and proceeds (if any) will go to IMBA. Check here for more info on the jersey and how to order.

Ok, so this is interesting and not just because my hero from 90210, Jason Priestley, is involved. Rolling Stone ran an article titled “Death of a Freerider” a couple months ago about Sam Brown, a promising mountain biker who was leading a double life as a drug smuggler and ended up committing suicide in a Spokane jail back in March (we also wrote about this on the blog). Priestley recently bought an “option” on the article which basically means he now owns the rights to create a screenplay and perhaps (fingers crossed) a movie. Variety says the plan is to start filming by the end of next year.

I haven’t had a chance to read the Rolling Stone article yet but this whole thing sounds kinda like Into the Wild, the Jon Krakauer book (then movie) about Chris Candless and his wandering adventures across the US. Candless was ultimately found dead in the Alaskan wilderness and the movie sorta explores the mysterious circumstances around his journey. Similarly, Sam Brown’s story has many unanswered questions like how he got involved in drug smuggling, why he was flying a helicopter without a license, etc.

In any event, I’m hoping the movie opens with a suitable amount of freeride footage, including the “Deconstructed Wheel” Brown built for himself. After seeing Race Across the Sky in theaters I can’t wait to see more mountain biking on the big screen, even if it’s not the star of the show.

Two videos below: Sam Brown showing off his skills and a news clip about Brown’s life

Last week I wrote about some of the technology behind the Gore-Tex membrane and how Gore works closely with brands like the North Face and Pearl Izumi to produce super high quality gear. This week I thought I’d talk about the testing process Gore uses on everything from jackets to footwear to gloves and some of the new developments we can expect to see in the future.

Fabric Testing

In order for Gore-Tex to “guarantee to keep you dry,” they need to test every new garment design before it goes into production. At Gore they use some fancy scientific tests like the “sweating hot plate” and water pressure testing but in the end a good garment design will be all about comfort. To that end, they have a few tests to mimic real world conditions with real human test subjects.

The comfort chamber: This should probably be renamed to the dis-comfort chamber since it’s basically just a small room where the temperature can be set from -20° F to 120° F. The comfort chamber also features fans to add in wind chill to see how stuff like Gore-Tex snowboard jackets will perform on windy ski hills.

The rain room: This room is appropriately named and is the place where Gore tests all their rain gear (like Gore Bike Wear jackets). Rain falls from the ceiling in a fairly natural pattern and there are even nozzles pointing up from the floor to simulate rain coming off a wet bike or motorcycle tire.

The wash room: Ok, so this test doesn’t involve human subjects like the other two but it turns out continuous washing is the best analog the Gore engineers could find to normal wear and tear experienced in the field. I’m told there are more than 200 washers in the room and they’ve all been rigged to run continuously, often for hundreds of hours at a time.

Gore also tests footwear by flexing shoes over and over in a water bath to see how many flexes it takes before water penetrates the toe box. I saw a set of Pearl Izumi kicks in the testing lab and apparently if a shoe doesn’t pass this test, it’s back to the drawing board before the shoe can be manufactured.

Coming soon?

Gore-Tex fabric technology has been around for a long time (30+ years) so it’s interesting to see where Gore might be heading in the future. Back in September element22 and I sat down with a Gore rep at Interbike to preview the Fusion jacket which makes use of “comfort mapping” technology introduced in 2005. Basically the idea is that different parts of an athlete’s body have different insulation and ventilation needs. The kidneys, for example, like to be kept warm (no kidding).

The inside of the Gore Bike Wear Fusion jacket where the colors show various comfort mapping zones

Gore has also developed a new type of waterproof apparel enclosure called “Lockout” that they’re using on a motorcycle jacket which basically looks like a zip lock bag with a slider. Could we see this concept migrate to Gore Bike Wear in the future? I’m guessing yes (just as soon as they improve it - getting it to work properly is a little tricky).

I’m still testing my Gore Bike Wear Alp X II jacket so stay tuned for the official review.

Holidays are just around the corner and Hayes has introduced some new products for use with their MTB braking systems. Check these out: the new Pro Bleed kit, the Stroker tool kit, and my personal favorite, the brake pad spacer called the Feel ‘r Gage. Each item is sold individually and certainly won’t break the bank. In fact, these tools can help you save in the long run by avoiding costly repairs due to poor maintenance. I have personally used and found each of these items very useful, particularly the Feel ‘r Gage. I cannot say how much time that tool alone has saved me since I started using it.

The Pro-Bleed kit (PN # 98-23572, $30 MSRP) is the most comprehensive kit out there that is made for Hayes brakes. It covers all models that Hayes has made over the years and all the adapters and hoses are included. Once assembled all you need to do is select the correct fitting for your brake lever and you’re good to go. Brake fluid is included along with two bottles which allow you to do the job drip free.

Next up is the Stroker tool kit (PN# 98-23971, $39 MSRP). This kit is only for the Stroker Aces, but will make the job of rebuilding the brakes a non-issue. All the tools as well as instructions are included in this pouched kit. The kit contains the piston bore tools as well as the multi-function piston alignment tool plus spare seals.

Finally, check out the pad/rotor alignment tool called the Feel ‘r Gage (PN# 98-23972, $15 MSRP) which is super easy to use and gives you perfect alignment every time. The Feel ‘r Gage is designed so that you can insert the steel shims on either side of the disk to get the correct pad spacing as well as make sure the caliper is parallel with the rotor. The Feel ‘r Gage also can be used as a pad spreader.

Coming up shortly, a video on rebuilding a Stroker Ace caliper using all these tools.

Thanks to the folks at Hayes for providing these products for review.

This past weekend I rode at the SORBA CSRA Bike Fest at Clarks Hill Lake in east-central Georgia and the weather was absolutely perfect. This was my first time riding the Bartram Trail / West Dam and at the end of the day I clocked more than 22 miles in the saddle across the fast, flowy singletrack. SORBA CSRA is busy working on extending this section of the Bartram Trail to connect to other area trails and it won’t be long before you can string together 40+ miles of singletrack in a single ride.

Anyway, it turns out it’s hunting season which means mountain bikers need to take extra precautions to stay safe on the trail. Bike Fest organizers did a good job spreading the word so I stopped to buy a $2 hunter safety vest on my way to the trail that day. I learned a few more tips about biking during hunting season that I thought I’d share here.

• Avoid riding during dawn and dusk hours. It turns out this is prime hunting time, especially during deer season, plus the low light conditions make it difficult to make out colors and shapes in the forest. If you think you might be caught on the trail in the early evening, bring a light or two to make yourself more visible. The best time of day to ride during hunting season is mid-day.
• Wear orange and/or bright colors. You can pick up a cheap orange safety vest at most outdoor shops and it’s well worth the investment. Avoid wearing camo patterns on your clothes, Camelbak, etc.
• Don’t be afraid to make a little noise. Hunters may not like to hear this but making noise with a bell or even your voice will let them know you’re not an animal. Several years ago I was riding with some friends and after beating everyone to the top of a climb I started yelling to let them know I was first. Little did I know there was a hunter in a tree stand not 20 yards away and he was pissed I had scared his deer. He fired his gun into the air to scare me and it worked. Hey, at least he knew I wasn’t a deer and he wasn’t aiming the gun at me
• Check for closures with local land managers. Some trails are closed to bikers at certain times to minimize conflicts with hunters. Make sure you know when those times are and observe them.
• Be alert. Sure, hunters need to look out for us but it’s a good idea to look for them as well. Be particularly alert around forest clearings and look for orange hunters’ vests wherever you are. If you see a hunter, give a wave and make eye contact if you can.

This poor guy didn’t survive his encounter with a hunter

Be careful riding this fall, particularly if you ride in areas shared with hunters. And watch out for those leaves on the trail too - those things can be slippery and they usually hide the nastiest rocks and roots

Before the Shovel: First Steps

As a trailbuilder with 4 years experience, I have worked on more than my fair share of mountain bike trails. I believe it’s every mountain biker’s responsibility to get involved with trailbuilding at some level plus it’s great exercise, you’ll meet cool people, and you’ll be giving back to the mountain bike community. Best of all you, and your friends get to ride your new creation! Getting involved with trailbuilding is easy if you look in the right places. I intend to show you the quickest and easiest way to start building the trail of your dreams. This article identifies the steps you need to take before you put a shovel in the ground.

Identify a Need

Chances are you have trail envy. You’ve seen or ridden trails far from home that you love, and you want to bring the best elements together into one super-trail close to home. Don’t be afraid to dream big when you picture the ideal trail. Grab a pen and paper and list all the features you’re looking for. Start with the genre of trail you want to build and then add more specifics. Here’s an example:

New Downhill Trail
-    Road to shuttle/ride/hike up
-    At least 500ft elevation drop
-    Flowy
-    Rock gardens
-    Lots of jumps: step down, step up and gap
-    Some berms
-    No uphill
-    Some pedalling
-    Some steep sections
-    Within 30 miles of home

These are just some examples of characteristics you might want in a trail. I will expand on definitions in article 2 entitled Choosing Your Line.

Now that you’ve identified the key features of your trail, contact people in your community with extensive knowledge of existing trails.

Contact the Local Experts

In order to find an area to build trails, contact your local mountain bike club. If your town doesn’t have a mountain bike club, go to the local bike shop and find out who knows the trails best. Once you’ve found your local expert, tell him about your riding interests and what your area is lacking. Say that you would like to get involved and build a trail to suit the needs of yourself and other riders like you. This is a good way to find out if there are already trails in your area that meet your needs and can help identify areas that are good for building.

Be open to helping the club meet their existing trailbuilding goals, especially if you are a novice trailbuilder. Often mountain bike associations will host trail build days. Attending these build sessions will help you maintain a good relationship with your local club, meet other people with similar interests, and learn basic trailbuilding skills. If you’re unsure as to whether you are ready to build a whole new trail, sponsored trail build days will help you decide. Mountain bike associations appreciate suggestions for trail improvement. Maybe they will use one of your ideas in their next build day.

Once you’ve attended some build days and improved your trailbuilding skills, ask your local association to give you some projects pertaining to your interests. Many mountain bike associations have long lists of trail maintenance jobs that need to be done as well as volunteer hours to fulfill. For many people, involvement in local build days is all the trailbuilding they want to do. For others, trailbuilding turns into a passion matched only by their enthusiasm for riding. These impassioned builders need a trail to call their own.

The desire to build trails comes from an unfulfilled need. Your local expert might not show any interest in pointing out areas on existing trails suitable for the modifications you have in mind. It is common for mountain bike clubs to hesitate in allowing trail features such as jumps, berms and steep sections, features that many riders enjoy. A good solution to this problem is to ask to build a new trail specific to the needs of riders like you. Now you must find a suitable place to build your dream trail.

Identify a Suitable Area to Build

First, ask your local mountain bike association if they can recommend an area to build in that will suit your needs. If there are trails in your area similar to the one you have envisioned, ask if you could build in the same area. This keeps trails centralized and allows others to more easily enjoy your work. If you don’t get an answer from one person, look for someone else who can help and be persistent. Ask your local mountain bike club, bike shop, riders and perhaps the best resource, other trailbuilders.

It is very important that you don’t build a trail anywhere you don’t have permission to. This includes private land and protected areas. Unless I have permission from the land manager, I only build on crown land. Crown land is a Canadian term meaning “taxpayers land” owned by the government. Crown land is public land with certain laws governing its use. Find out where the government owned land is in your area by going to library or geography department of a university and looking at zoning maps. You will likely find a number crown land areas suitable for your new trail. (note: US laws are often more strict regarding public land uses) It is always a good idea to contact the crown land manager in your area before building. Crownland.org is an excellent resource if you live in Canada. Google maps is another good tool to use to identify forested areas and topography using the satellite and terrain tools. Remember, illegal building hurts our sport and can lead to jail time!

Now that you have identified one or more areas suitable for your new trail, it’s time to brush up on your trailbuilding knowledge.

Review IMBA Trailbuilding Strategies

IMBA has a number of books packed with useful trailbuilding strategies. These books will help you envision your new trail. It’s good to read this before you go scout out the area because you will have a better idea of what natural features to look for.

Now that you have one or more possible places for your new trail, it’s time to lace up the boots!

Stay tuned for my next article: Choosing Your Line.

About the Author
Kevin Johnstone is an avid mountain biker from Ontario, Canada. He has been building trails for 4 years across Canada. He has worked with the worlds #1 bike park builder, Jay Hoots, for a number a build sessions spanning 2 years. He spent 2 seasons improving the trails at Kelso conservation area in Milton. He is currently building downhill specific trails. Kevin can be reached via private message.

In case you hadn’t heard yet, there’s an encore presentation of Race Across the Sky, the movie about Lance Armstrong’s epic battle with Dave Wiens in the Leadville 100 MTB race this year, on Thursday, Nov. 12 at theaters across the US. Check out our recap of the movie if you want to know more and buy your tickets online now!

Element22 did a kick-ass job designing the singletracks jersey and we’re finally ready to start taking pre-orders. We need to order a minimum of 10 of each style so to make sure that happens we’re going to sweeten the deal: the first 10 people who pre-order either style will receive a 1-year singletracks Pro membership ($29.99)! Your Pro membership code will be delivered via email once your payment is received.

Both jerseys will cost $55 each and any proceeds from sales will go to IMBA. We’ll be taking pre-orders through next Monday, Nov. 16 so you need to act fast if you want one. Once we place the order it will be several weeks before the jerseys are printed by Champion System. You’ll find buy buttons, sizing info, and more about the jerseys themselves below.

Short Sleeve Jersey (Club Cut) Choose your size…Small Medium Large XL 2XL 3XL

Long Sleeve DH Jersey Choose your size…Small Medium Large XL 2XL 3XL

Sizing info:

SS Jersey Specs:

# Superior comfort and wicking.
# Three rear pockets.
# Tapered collar - high enough on the sides to allow for logos but tapered at the chin so as not to pinch.
# Separate side panels.
# No annoying label tags at the neck.
# Full length zip

(back view of SS jersey)

DH Jersey Specs

# Multi-dry fabric for superior wicking on the front and sleeves, mesh back for increased ventilation.
# Similar style to sample pictured below
# Full sleeve (photo shows 3/4 sleeve)