If you read our review of the Garmin Colorado 400t last month you know the latest Garmin GPS units allow you to load custom basemaps in KMZ format. Today we’re stoked to announce that we’ve created KMZ formatted files for all our Colorado trail maps (158 and counting) and are working feverishly to get the other states completed as well.

The cool thing about this new map format is that it’s not just for Garmin GPS units. We suspect it will only be a matter of time before you can view and navigate KMZ files on your iPhone and other smartphones (we’ll keep you posted). No smartphone or GPS? If you have Google Earth (free download) you can view KMZ files like the map of Captain Jack’s above and there are other desktop programs that are KMZ-friendly as well.

We’re stoked about the latest trail mapping tech and are committed to giving you options for using your singletracks map data. Stay tuned for more this spring!

Hey everyone, we put together a quick survey about the singletracks blog to find out which types of articles you like and which types you don’t. We want to continue to be the best mountain bike blog online and your responses will help us improve our MTB coverage this spring and summer. So c’mon, it’s Friday - what else are you gonna do to kill time at work?

Take the survey.

Even though the weather may not be ideal for riding at the moment, we’re busy preparing singletracks for the 2010 season and we’re super stoked! In case you missed it, here’s what’s been happening @ singletracks over the last few weeks:

MTB Gear Reviews

In December we added more than two hundred 2010 mountain bikes to the site so you can find the best ride this year. We also just linked more than 100 new product videos to the gear pages and launched “Sweet Bike,” an online app that allows you to spec custom rigs. Both can be found via the tabs on product pages.

Another change you may not have noticed is that we’ve started compiling the “Best of” list for 2010. The list will be constantly updated based on member reviews through September so rate your gear to help us find this season’s best stuff!

2010 MTB Race and Festival Calendar

The mountain bike race calendar is filling up fast and at last count we showed nearly 100 events listed for 2010. If you’re racing or organizing a local event, pop over to the calendar and tell us about it.

iPhone and Facebook Stuff

This week we announced our new mobile site with a special iPhone feature that helps you find the closest bike trails and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. This year we’ll be beefing up our mobile offerings so you can find and navigate mountain bike trails all over the world.

Our Facebook Fan Page has also been taking off this year and we recently passed the 3,000 fan mark (which pales in comparison to the 110,000 members on singletracks but it’s a start). If you aren’t a fan yet, add us and join the conversation.

SingletracksT-shirts and Jerseys

In December we received yet another batch of singletracks t-shirts, enough to (hopefully) last through the spring. If you don’t have one already, they’re just $10 and all the proceeds go to IMBA. We also created our first official jersey and if you didn’t get a chance to pre-order, there are just a few left for purchase. Just like the tees, all proceeds from the jerseys will go to IMBA in 2010.

We hope you’re as stoked as we are for mountain biking this year. See you on the trail!

In the past 30 days alone, nearly 3,000 visits to singletracks.com were on an iPhone or iPod Touch (plus hundreds more on other handheld devices). If you were one of those visitors, you probably had a hard time reading the site without zooming and panning so we decided to do something about it. Meet singletracks mobile v1.0.

The new mobile site has all our trail and gear reviews in a no-frills package that’s easy to read and navigate on just about any portable device. Just hit singletracks.com on your phone and you’ll automatically be redirected to the mobile site (m.singletracks.com). Simple.

Perhaps the coolest feature (iPhone only) is the ability to find the nearest mountain bike trails no matter where you are. The site taps into the iPhone’s integrated GPS to find bike trails within 25 miles of your coordinates and returns an ordered list in seconds. We know there is at least one iPhone app out there that claims to do the same thing but it’s clunky and it costs $$. Singletracks mobile is free, fast, and isn’t a silly app. It’s a webpage. (if you use Firefox 3.5 or higher you can give this feature a try on your desktop)

Our heads are full of ideas for future mobile enhancements so stay tuned for more!

If you were on singletracks back in 2001 you might remember a site feature called “Sweet Bike.” To our surprise it actually became one of the most popular features on the site despite the basic capabilities at the time (see screen shot below). Well, Sweet Bike is back for 2009 and we’re stoked to fill you in!

Sweet Bike 1.0 circa 2001

With Sweet Bike 2.0 you can create a customized mountain bike using any one of the 700+ mountain bikes in our catalog as a starting point. From there you can choose to upgrade as much or as little as you like (wheels, suspension, drivetrain, etc.). Name you bike, give it a description, and get an idea about how many duckets your dream rig will set you back.

Beyond creating custom bikes, you can also review the Sweet Bikes others have created and share using various social media tools. Saved bikes are linked to your profile and on the individual component pages as well.

View Sweet Bikes using the “Customs” tab found on any gear page; Use the “Customize Bike” link in the dashboard on any bike page to get started

Use Sweet Bike to show off your current build or spec out your dream DH rig, an ultralight XC rocket, and that single speed 29er you’ve been wanting to build up. There are millions of possible combinations based on the bikes and components on the site right now and if there’s a part we’re missing, you can add it using this form.

We’re stoked to see where this goes - get started building your Sweet Bike now!

You can take a look at my Sweet Bikes: 1, 2, and 3. Or see all 3 on my profile page.

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.

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.

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)

Over the weekend you may have noticed some changes we’re rolling out to the MTB review pages here on singletracks and I wanted to talk about some of the new features. In terms of look and feel, the gear pages are following the template of the trail pages with tabs, key stats at a glance, and an enhanced dashboard. For those following along at home, take a look at the review page for the Garmin Edge 705 GPS.

Info tab: Keeps most of the same info as before but we’ve also added gear recommendations to the page. We’ll continue to tweak the recommendations based on member ratings and offer more in-category links to help you find the best stuff. We also moved stats from the left side of the page to the front and center. Reviews follow the official product details and specs.

Pro reviews: Element22 has written dozens of detailed reviews of MTB products from wheels to brakes to bikes and this tab links you directly to applicable articles. Of course many products still don’t have Pro Reviews so on this tab you can find out how to contribute your own detailed product write-up to singletracks!

Photos: This functionality has been around all summer but now it gets its own tab. View member photos of MTB gear in action. For example: Did you know singletracks has 55 photos of the Trek 4300 mountain bike alone? Scary.

Video: Now you can view and share videos of the best mountain bike products. We’ve been really surprised at the quality and quantity of video reviews, instructions, and promos already available online so we created this tab as a place to get all. Help us fill this tab up by adding product videos you find on sites like Youtube and Vimeo!

How-to: Like the Pro Review tab, this is the place to find articles explaining how to install, repair, maintain, and operate all types of mountain bike equipment. So far we have articles on servicing Manitou forks, loading data on Garmin Edge GPS units, and installing disc brakes.

In addition to the new stuff, you can still sign up for email alerts for items, add stuff to your own/wish lists, and write product reviews. Add your content to improve this MTB review resource!

ckdake may be tough to beat with this pic.

Just a couple more days left in the Tri-Flow “Dirtiest Drivetrain” contest. Post your pics to the dirty drivetrain photo album for consideration by the end of the day, October 1, 2009 and we’ll pick the winners. Right now we’re seeing plenty of mud but not much rust, grease, corrosion, or nasty black gunk. Worst looking drivetrain will get a prize pack from Tri-Flow plus a Titec saddle with additional prizes for second and third place.

No need to be embarrassed  - just tell everyone you submitted a pic of your buddy’s bike

Rust. Dirt. Grease. Grime. Mud. All of this adds up to a dirty drivetrain which can seriously harsh your ride. Fortunately Tri-Flow offers a full line of products to help you get your chain, derailleurs, cassette, and crank into shape for conditions from wet to dry.

Send us pics of your dirty, muddy, rusty, and grimy bike chains and cassettes for a chance to win sweet lube and de-greasing products from Tri-Flow! Hit the ‘dirty drivetrain’ album and upload your pics (make sure to tag them ‘dirty drivetrain’ to be considered) and we’ll pick the winners on October 1, 2009. If you’ve already uploaded some worthy pics, just add the ‘dirty drivetrain’ tag for consideration. And be sure to rate the dirty pics you like!

Top three photos win product from Tri-Flow and Titec - full prize list below.

1st: Tri-Flow Citrus Cleaner Degreaser, Superior Foam Lubricant, and Synthetic Grease PLUS Titec Hellbent Nemesis Expert saddle
2nd: Tri-Flow Citrus Cleaner Degreaser PLUS Titec Honcho Prolite seat post (30.9×350 mm) OR Ritchey WCS 10 Degree Sweep Flat Bar
3nd: Tri-Flow Citrus Cleaner Degreaser

This summer we’ve been busy giving away other peoples’ products here on singletracks but now it’s time to give away some of our own gear. This contest is simple and it’s a “fastest finger” style contest so listen up and act quickly! (this time everyone will win something)

Just add a link to singletracks.com from your website or blog (Facebook or MySpace links don’t count) using one of the codes below. Then fill out this short form so we can check your link and will know where to send your loot. First 5 submitters get a 1-year Pro membership to singletracks; next 5 submitters get a singletracks t-shirt; everyone else gets singletracks bike stickers. Pro membership and t-shirt winners will be notified via email and you can submit links through Friday, September 18. One entry per person.

Link codes (or roll your own!)
Mountain Bike Reviews @ singletracks.com
<a href=”http://www.singletracks.com/mountain-bike/reviews.php”>Mountain Bike Reviews</a> @ singletracks.com

Mountain Bike Trails @ singletracks.com
<a href=”http://www.singletracks.com/mountain-bike/trails.php”>Mountain Bike Trails</a> @ singletracks.com

Mountain Bike Blog
<a href=”http://www.singletracks.com/blog/”>Mountain Bike Blog</a>

Mountain Biking @ singletracks.com
<a href=”http://www.singletracks.com/”>Mountain Biking</a> @ singletracks.com</a>

For those who have purchased or are thinking about purchasing a singletracks premium subscription, just wanted to let you know about some recent improvements.

High resolution trail maps in PDF

We’re rolling out high resolution versions of all our mountain bike trail maps (780 and counting!) that subscribers can download in PDF format. That’s in addition to the printer-friendly and interactive versions that are currently available (not to mention the raw trail data in GPX, KML, and TCX) . So far more than 125 PDF trail maps have been posted - look for the rest to come on line this fall!

Training app updates

Ahead of a major overhaul of the premium ride log, we’re spiffing up the charts and graphs to make it even easier to visualize your training progress.

More cool stuff to come in the next two months, stay tuned!