With the advent of the many affordable HD helmet camera options on the market (especially the GoPro), the number of point of view (POV) mountain bike videos on the internet has exploded! To be brutally honest, the vast majority of the POV videos uploaded every day aren’t worth the time that it takes to watch them.

There are 2 main reasons for this poor video quality, despite the access to excellent equipment:

1) The camera angle never changes, many shots are shaky, and/or the only perspective used is boring.

2) Poor editing.

In the first half of this two part series, I will analyze a number of popular camera mounting options for mountain biking. Hopefully this will help you add a little extra zest to your next trail video.

Helmet: Top, Facing Forward

Photo Credit: Contour.com

The default camera mounting option for most people seems to be on the top of the helmet, facing forward. This is expected, as these types of point of view cameras are commonly referred to collectively as “helmet cams.”

Unfortunately, this perspective can sometimes be the absolute worst choice for an interesting video. If you are riding solo, this shot tends to create a flag pole-type perspective with nothing in the frame to add depth to the picture. It’s almost impossible to tell how steep the trail actually is or how large the obstacles are as there is nothing else to compare them to. Also, the bike is not in the picture at all, so the viewer has no idea how exactly the rider is handling his bike.

However, if you are filming a chase scene with another rider in front of you, this angle does an excellent job of capturing what the other rider is doing on the trail. This is the only instance when I’d personally recommend this mount.

Helmet: Top, Facing Backward

Again, this angle is really only useful if you are shooting a chase scene. Obviously, it would capture the performance of the rider behind you.

Full Face Helmet:  Side Mount, Facing Forward

This is a pretty popular mount with gravity riders wearing full face helmets. The angle inevitably captures part of the helmet in the picture, and that little section of helmet is usually enough to lend a little bit of perspective to the image. Also, you can usually see the bike a little bit in the bottom of the frame, which is especially cool on jump lines.

Here’s an actual video to give you an idea of what this perspective looks like:

Handle Bars

Photo Credit: GoPro.com

After the forward helmet mount, this is probably the second most common mounting option… unfortunately. Because of the fact that the camera is mounted directly to the bars, it is constantly being jolted and shaken by the smallest bumps in the trail. When I watch videos shot from this perspective I can rarely make out what is going on, and most of the time my head starts hurting and I turn it off. It’s also impossible to see how the rider is working the bike.

The one thing that a bar mount does well is provide a good view of the trail surface, if it is relatively smooth.

Seat Post: Rear View

Photo Credit: GoPro.com

While at first glance you might think that the camera would suffer a lot of shaking mounted in this position, the truth is that this is actually a very stable mount, especially on a full suspension bike. This is a very unique perspective that I find is a lot of fun to watch. When you are riding a bike, you never get to see the trail disappearing behind your tires. But with your camera mounted like this, you can when you get home to your computer!

Also, the rear wheel provides a focal point for viewers to keep things interesting and to provide a little bit of depth to the picture. I also find it fun to watch how the suspension responds to changes in the terrain.

Chest Mount

When I’m riding solo, the chest mount is hands-down my favorite choice! Mounting the camera on your chest avoids the flag pole effect by providing close-up objects in the frame (arms and handlebars) that create perspective.

But the number one reason I enjoy this perspective so much is that the viewer can see exactly what the rider is doing, and how he manipulates the bike.  Everything from shifting to braking to steering is visible to the viewer, making for a much more interesting video, especially if there are no other riders present.

One word of caution: make sure that your camera is aimed high enough to catch the trail out in front, because we don’t want to be staring at the top tube of your bike the entire time!

Get Creative

From ground placements for ride-by shots to having a camera spin around your head, your creativity is really the only limit when it comes to creating a unique perspective for your next trail video!

Coming Up

In the next installment, I’ll cover a few tips to help you edit your videos so they don’t end up in the expansive vault of neglected YouTube videos.

Based on the videos that you’ve watched or created, what is your favorite video camera mounting option?

I had an absolute blast at the Sea Otter Classic this year! I don’t think it’s possible to spend the week at Sea Otter and not have a good time! It’s over a week later and I still haven’t finished sifting through all of the information that I collected at the event and writing reviews of all of the products that I tested, so there is no way that I could recap the entire event in just one blog post. Instead, I’d just like to post a collection of photos of cool products that I saw along with a few of my general impressions from the event.

View of the expo. Photo Credit: brightroom, seaotterclassic.com

Interesting MTB Products

Here are a few products that I thought were just plain awesome:

Dirty Dog DH Stem

All photos with no other credit listed were taken by yours truly.

Dirty Dog is known for creating incredibly unique brake rotor designs. This new stem named the “Reaper” is designed to be unlike any other stem on the market. Due to its short length and heavy weight, this is definitely not intended for the XC crowd… but I would love to mount one of these on my DH rig!

Purely Custom Bash Guard

This bash guard by Purely Custom is a truly innovative design. They have worked long and hard to integrate the rubber edge into the metal guard, and to identify the perfect balance between tackiness and durability in the compound. The result is a bash guard that is very environmentally friendly and doesn’t leave unseemly marks on rocks and other trail obstacles. In addition, it works like a third tire to provide extra traction and stability as you go over an obstacle. Instead of hitting a rock and sliding down it, this guard sticks and allows you to pedal right through!

Fox Suspension

I always enjoy ogling the new suspension, and Fox’s new line looks as gorgeous as ever!

Wooden Bicycles

Photo Credit: Arleigh Jenkins.

Photo Credit: Arleigh Jenkins.

I found out after returning from Sea Otter that I missed one of the coolest booths at the whole show: Renovo’s wooden bicycles. Since I didn’t personally get to see these 2-wheeled wooden works of art, be sure to read Arleigh Jenkins’ post about them at BikeShopGirl.com.

More Beautiful Bikes

One of the bikes I got a chance to test ride was the Diamondback Sortie. Oh how I envy joetutt and his new frame!

I also did my first-ever legitimate mountain bike singlespeed ride… and it was on a steel-framed Spot hardtail with a belt drive! I loved the simplicity of this bike and I’ll probably be writing a more detailed post about it sometime soon…

I would love to have the chance to test out a Niner Carbon Air 9. Maybe someday…

Of course, I’ve got to give a shout-out to my bros at Airborne bikes for the stellar rigs that they are introducing this spring. I got to put in some serious time on both the Goblin 29er and the Wingman DJ bike and I can’t believe the incredible value that Airborne is providing in these two bikes! I’ve already written a short review of the Wingman, and will soon be drafting an initial impressions review of the Goblin, along with a more detailed review after I’ve been able to ride it for a few months. Be sure to check out some GoPro footage of the Wingman on the pumptrack further down this post.

Nutritionals

It seemed that around every corner, there was another booth for some type of granola bar, organic energy drink, or some other type of food. Well one thing is clear: mountain bikers like to eat, and they (generally) like to eat healthy!

I was in heaven while sampling all of these various flavors of peanut butter. I got the chance to sample everything from a raisin-laden peanut butter to dark chocolate and p.b. I’m seriously a peanut butter fanatic, and basically every single flavor that I sampled was the best I have ever had! This all-natural peanut butter perfection will cost you though: MSRP is $5-6 per bottle. ilovepeanutbutter.com

FRS was giving away delicious, natural energy drinks all weekend. Check out this blog post for more details on FRS.

In addition to the couple of products mentioned here, I saw booths for Hammer Nutrition, Luna Bar, Larabar, Nuun, a few different coffee sellers, Dannon yogurt, and of course Clif had a massive tent, as usual. More than once I passed on buying lunch and opted instead to just stroll the fair and eat samples!

MTB Racing

Traditionally, racing is what the Sea Otter Classic is renowned for, so naturally there were tons of races and practice runs going on every minute of the day.

Photo Credit.

Jerry Hazard of the Airborne Flight Crew tearing it up during his DH race run!

Manualing through the rollers during practice for the speed and style competition.

Photo Credit: Arleigh Jenkins

Photo Credit: Arleigh Jenkins

Dual Slalom race.

Riding

Rider: Tony Caruso. Photo: Greg Heil.

While there are races going on all the time during the event, many riders (such as myself) choose to ride at a more leisurely pace and explore the massive 80+ mile network of trails at Fort Ord.

The pumptrack was also a very popular feature this year. The footage below was taken on Thursday, the industry-only day, so I basically had the place all to myself. But once Saturday hit, the track was teeming with literally dozens of people all day long.

Pumptrack footage taken aboard the Airborne Wingman.

The big air bag was a big hit as well.

Conclusion

So maybe I did try to recap the entire event in just one article.  This has definitely been a mega-post, but it is just a small sampling of all the action that takes place at Sea Otter every year!

What are you doing next April?

A view from above: a small section of the action

Things I learned during my visit to Ray’s Indoor Mountain Bike Park in Milwaukee, Wisconsin:

1. The amount of rad that can be purchased for $25 approaches infinity.

2. There is an entire generation of riders (maybe two generations) that look way cooler than me.

3. Riders half my age get two times the air.

4. Riders a third of my age have about three times the skillz.

The girl nailing the double teeter totters couldn’t have been older than 10.

5. There were a ton of riders at the park that were a third my age. Kinda sad, also pretty rad.

6. Moms can shred too, and they were doing so.

7. Never underestimate the beginner section: serious fun and skill-building can be had there.

Beginner section to build skills, warm up, or get it on trials-style.

8. There exists a surprising number of dudes who are secure enough in their masculinity to rock rented pink helmets (see above).

9. The guy on the rented bike with his iPod earphones in is probably more concerned with the perfect track to shred to than the safety of the guy behind him. Take heed…

10. That being said, no one had a bad attitude during my 5 hour visit. All was patience and positivity for the beginners all the way through the pros.

11. Regarding gears in this setting: you only need one. I was on a Trek GFC Rig (single speed hardtail 29er) and I was never wanting for a different ratio.

12. Things that are inspiring: little groms.

13. Mountain bike bar ends are a catastrophe waiting to happen. Please leave them in the 90s where they belong

14. He/she with the most Matchy-Matcherson kit will spend the most time posing and fiddling with their purple knee pads and the least time actually riding bikes.

15. You will never ride lighter than a day at the park: no need to carry water, tools, tubes and it’s indoor so shorts and short sleeve shirt are all you need. Makes for maximum shredding capability and highest air.

16. The amount of makeup you wore to ride the park is inversely proportional to the likelihood of you cleaning the teeter totter. This goes for both sexes, I’m serious. Kids these days…

17. The ride to the park is all anticipation and getting amped with the right tunes. The ride home is full of stiffness and thoughts of what plans you may be canceling tomorrow. At least for old guys like me.

Getting close. Cue the perfect 5 tracks to get pumped.

18. I need new gloves; my hands got shredded from shredding.

19. I want to meet the guy who was dressed in the flying squirrel costume killing it on the big jump section. I couldn’t snag a photo of him, he moved too quickly. If anyone knows this dude let me know, he was awesome.

20. All the details are on the website or in the photo below. If you’re within driving distance of Milwaukee or Ray’s original location in Cleveland you owe it to yourself to get there during what’s left of the winter. It was such a treat to grab handfuls of gnar while the snow fell outside.

That about sums up Ray’s. Get there, build skills and fitness, be ready to dominate the spring!

Easton has been very busy indeed: new for 2011 is the totally revamped Havoc component line up. On the control side of things, Easton looked at what mountain bikers wanted in quality parts and boy did they deliver! This line is stocked with highly machined components, both inside and out, super sexy lines, cool graphics, and solid products just waiting for riders to send it.

Havoc Stem

The photo above offers just a peek at what Easton has in store for 2011 – the Havoc 50mm stem. Easton is offering the 1 1/8″ version in three reach choices (35, 50, and 65 mm) while the 1 1/2″ steering tube version comes in 50 and 65 mm lengths.

The new graphics are a big departure for Easton and in this case, beauty isn’t just skin deep – it’s also in the details. I’m big on proper machining practices because you can destroy a perfectly good component by not following good engineering practices. Clearly Easton understands this. All the machined surfaces flow together well with no sharp points or sudden thickness changes. Everything has a radius or chamfer to minimize stress risers and all the exposed surfaces are clean and burr free.

Easton’s four bolt DST bar clamp system works a little differently than other stems on the market. The top two clamp bolts are tightened all the way in, leaving no gap, while the bottom two bolts are torqued down afterward with a gap. This feature spreads load across the stem, reducing stresses which could lead to damage.

Havoc Bolt-on Stem

Taking a look at the sub-140-gram Havoc Bolt-on stem you can see that a ton of consideration went into saving weight as well as keeping the strength up. The Bolt-on version will work on BoXXer, FOX 40, and Dorado forks without a hitch.

The Havoc Bolt-on offers three positions at 45, 50, and 55 mm, making this stem very versatile (10mm either way for a DH rider will make a considerable difference). Unlike the standard Havoc stem, the bolt-on features a 5-degree rise; that is, the bar is mounted a bit higher than the fork crown. This configuration is perfect for those who want to keep their center of gravity low. The Havoc Bolt-on is a two piece stem unlike some other brands that offer direct mount stems made from three pieces. In terms of mounting, a two-piece stem is easier to install – the Havoc Bolt-on literally too me just a few minutes to mount.

Havoc Carbon and Aluminum Bars

Along with the new stems, Easton also added a duet of new bars in the Havoc line up: a super slick carbon bar and an equally sexy new aluminum bar. Now what is really awesome about the carbon version is the fact that it’s lighter than most all-mountain carbon bars. At 235 grams and 750 mm wide, the Havoc carbon is impressively light as well as tough.

The Havoc aluminum bar is pretty light as well, weighing in at 315 grams. This version is made from tough 7050 aluminum (high strength with just enough flex to it) and features Easton’s Taperbore technology. Taperbore doesn’t just mean the center is thick and the ends are thin; Taperbore actually tunes the thickness of the bar throughout to ensure there is sufficient material where it needs to be, improving vibration and stiffness characteristics. The chart below shows how the bar thickness varies over the length of the bar.

Both bars have the same bend at 9-degrees back sweep and 5-degrees up sweep with a 20mm rise. What does all that mean? With a bar at 750 mm (29.5″) wide and my shoulders at 520mm (20.25″) wide, this places my wrist in a very neutral position without feeling uncomfortable at all. A slight inward bend is perfect when traveling through the rough stuff and for hitting jumps or needing more control, the width really stands out and gives a major boost in both precision steering and torque. The good thing is you can always shave some width off the bars if you find it’s too much. For me the extra width even worked on my trail bike – the wider bars allowed me to breath easier on the climbs.

Installation

Installation is a breeze thanks to the instructions from Easton that are easy to understand with pics to back everything up. When playing with new products such as these, it’s important to torque everything down per the instructions – you don’t want anything to fail due to installation errors. In the case of the carbon bar I added Motorex anti-slip for carbon on my stem before installing. This adds a measure of safety and increases friction to prevent galling if the bar were to rotate. Swapping the Easton parts between my FR, trail, and DJ bikes I had no issues with fit or installation.

The Ride

Playing on my DJ and FR bikes with both bars and stems, hitting jump after jump on the progressive tables I felt really comfortable without any real shock to my hands when landing. Everything stayed tight with no hint of creaking. Of the two bars I did enjoy the carbon Havoc better as it transferred a bit less shock to my wrists and hands.

On the trails I noticed improved control over my front wheel (750mm provides ample torque). The added width may take a bit of getting used to, especially if you’re upgrading from bars that are 660mm (26″) wide or less but in the end, it’s worth it. On my FR bike the Havoc bars are similar in width to what I had been running so the lighter weight is a big bonus, especially when you consider that the front end can get heavy near the end of a day’s riding.

My only complaint so far is I’d like to have a slightly larger clamping area on the stems. Seeing that everything held up well during my tests, I wouldn’t say this is a problem – it’s really just a style point.

So, how much is all this high performance gear going to cost? Well, considering the quality or workmanship, the damage isn’t too bad: the stems are both priced at $90 MSRP (black or orange) and the aluminum bar comes in at $75 MSRP (black, orange or gray). The carbon bar is a bit pricier at $150 MSRP (matte black). All these products will also match the new Havoc wheels (review on that later) which come in grey or orange hubs.

Thanks to the folks at Easton for sending down the new Havoc components for review.

We just got a press release from the folks at Manitou with news about the Circus DJ forks. The 2011 models have arrived and feature a new casting and crown design while the price has been reduced on the Comp model ($339 MSRP). At the end of the press release we found this little interesting tidbit for riders who “deliver the proper gnar”:

Manitou is a big supporter of everything Dirt-Jump, Slope-style, Park, Street and Pump and we’re considering all sponsorship opportunities for 2011. HBG produces a number a dirt jump products and a new PUNCH dirt jump wheel program is set to release at Sea Otter in April of 2011. If you work in a shop shredding local trails and/or enter DJ comps we’d like to hear from you. Send your resume and contact info to us and we’ll get back to you.

Hayes Bicycle Group
Attn: 2011 Sponsorship/Pro Deal
5800 West Donges Bay Rd
Mequon, WI. 53209

Makes me wanna run off and join the Circus…

More details at manitoumtb.com.

After clocking dozens of miles over the past few months with Answer products on all my bikes, I’ve finally come to grips with my love (pun #1) for the ProTAPER 780 DH ($65 MSRP + $10 for white) and the ProTAPER 720AM bars ($60 MSRP). I’m also smitten with this gem of stem, the Answer DJ stem ($72 MSRP). The all new 2010 line up from Answer really fills the needs of the modern DH / FR / DJ and AM rider and responds to the wider bar with shorter stem trend that more and more riders are discovering. Having spent a lot of time with both the longer/narrower set-ups and the shorter/wider combos, I have to say I’m sold on short and wide.

ProTaper Bars

The ProTaper AM and DH bars share a few vital characteristics. First up, both the AM and DH bars are designed with the same 4° up sweep and 8° back sweep. When paired with a slightly shorter stem, this gives the rider a great comfortable wrist feel without over-flexing the forearm. The DH bars are offered in a 25.4mm rise configuration or a shallower 12.5mm rise for those DH riders who like to keep their weight a little lower up front. The AM bar is also offered with 25.4mm rise or a deeper 50.8mm. I decided to roll with the same 25.4mm rise on both the AM and DH bars.

Both ProTaper bars are made from 7050 aluminum which is very strong with just enough flex to take the edge out of those hard square-edged rocks and drops. At 335 grams and 315 grams respectively for the 780 DH and 720 AM, these are not massive weight savers nor are they overweight lead pipes.

With a choice of black, red, gold (DH only), gray (AM only), and white, Answer offers a decent selection of colors  to choose from.

DJ Stem

With all this talk about handlebars stemming from Answer (pun #2) I really have to talk about a jewel of a component that looks amazing. I dare you to pick up a DJ stem from Answer and try to find a flaw. This stem looks as if it was cut and shaped by a professional diamond cutter. Thanks to precise machining practices, you won’t see any tooling marks on this stem.

Another thing that really caught my attention was the detail that went into the finishing of the DJ stem – every consideration to both safety and weight was clearly considered. The underside of the top cap was even machined a bit to remove unnecessary weight. The use of tapered head bolts instead of regular rounded ones adds to the effect that Tom Porter and the wizards at Answer wanted to give us. Answer also opted to go with a 61mm wide face plate and attachment area that spreads the loads across the bar, securing the bar to the stem like a starving anaconda on fat cow.

The DJ stem weighs in at 210 grams for the 35mm reach and 250 grams for the 50mm reach version and both stems are designed for 31.8mm bar diameters (24.5mm is not offered). The DJ stem is made from stiff, durable 7075 aluminum, the same stuff used to make aircraft landing gear. A cool thing about the DJ stem is that it also comes in four top cap color options (black, white, red, and gold) to coordinate with your bar. With the DJ stem, Answer also includes a 10mm stainless bolt which allows you to run a line through it for a clean, tangle-free brake connection. Perfect for those who intend to to bar spins or styling on those progressive jumps.

Performance

I tested the bars on all three of my bikes (AM, FR, and DJ) and the DJ stem on my jumper. Bottom line: these bars really rocked. Once I got the feel for the wider bars I found it very difficult to consider going narrower; in fact, I won’t consider riding a bar less than 700mm anymore. For a guy like me with wide shoulders and a medium build at about 5’9″, these bars are perfect. I got back a whole bunch more control plus more power to steer and control the bike over the nastiest of terrain. Speaking of nasty, when going over rocky and rooted trails, the ProTaper bars took a significant edge off the vibration as well as the shock (thanks in part to the patented technology on board). These bars keep the weight where it should be and are the perfect wall thickness under the palms of your hands.

Try the ProTaper bars and the DJ stem for yourself – you won’t be disappointed.

I would like to thank the folks at Answer for providing the ProTaper bars and DJ stem for review.

Here is a suspension fork that’s so much fun that the folks at Manitou even sent it out with a clown nose!  Manitou has managed to integrate fun as well as technology into a new DJ (dirt jump) fork called the Circus. Richard Travis from Manitou told me part of the fun was to find an artist from outside the bike industry to put a unique and fresh spin on things. As Richard put it “(We wanted to) capture something different and non-bike like, something challenging but weird enough to remind you that the freaks are out there.” Very cool. The artist opted to use almost Python-esque graphics of clowns and other related paraphernalia which I was more than happy to adorn my fork with.

On the technical side of things, Manitou has two versions: the Circus Comp which I am reviewing and the more advanced Circus Expert. The Comp version that I received features 32mm 4130 chromoly stanchions that look like they can take a beating; and not just any kind of beating, but a full on gang brawl. The chromoly ensures this fork will last a long time, withstanding hundreds of hits and jumps. To keep the internals from bashing themselves to bits, Manitou added a unique dual bottom out bumper arrangement, an extra measure of protection for coming off big jumps and going into full compression.

The Circus also has a new casting for its lowers which increases strength, stiffness, and durability. Manitou went and tweaked their new Absolute+ damper and tuned it specifically for jumping, increasing the high-speed compression dampening a touch. You can jump with the Circus in lockout all day long without damaging the internals thanks to its high-speed shim stack (you probably wouldn’t want to do this, but for lazy folks it’s possible).

I had the pleasure of meeting up with Jon Wells, one of the shredders who did some of the initial testing on the Circus (other riders like Dustin Greenall, Steve Romaniuk, and Garett Buehler rock the Circus DJ as well).  Jon has put in some time on this fork and gave me a few pointers on setting it up. With his suggestions in mind and after a few hours riding the fork myself, I managed to get my Circus dialed in super fine.

NO this is not me but a photo taken of Dustin Greenall doing a superseat (credit to Bryce Piwek)

Setting up the Circus Comp was rather easy. It took about half an hour to get the steering tube measured, cut, and star nut installed. It took another 15 minutes to get the fork on the bike and the front brake attached. Make sure you follow all instructions and torque settings for optimal results.

The Comp is a coil spring pre-load unit which does not require air to set. I found a few clicks (clockwise) was enough to get the right amount of sag (I personally use very little with this shock). The adjustment on the pre-load along with the spring that is supplied is good enough for riders up to about 220lb. During the winter months when I’m not riding every day my weight tends to migrate to nearly 200lbs and this fork works well for me.

After setting up the pre-load, I like to work on setting the compression (ABS+) knob. I typically turn mine in all the way to lockout then back it off about 3 clicks. In terms of rebound I prefer to set things right smack in the middle. I find this combination of compression and rebound settings works best, giving me a fork that has just enough give in it to take the sting out of almost anything while still giving me full feedback from the course.

I really loved the quick response of the Circus, especially running around the pump track. I found the fork was always working for me rather than trying to play catch up as I cycled the fork up and down over the track. If you take a peek at the video below, paying close attention to the fork as it’s rolling over the pump track, you can see that it tracks perfectly without bouncing. This is a great trait for any fork to have: the fork is holding your mass up while controlling and isolating the movement of the bike. In the case of poor tracking you would see unwanted movement which often feels as if the front end goes mushy.

For a fork that is under $400, the Circus Comp is tough to beat. The fork works perfectly, it tracks well on the pump track and off the jumps, and I have to say it puts a big smile on my face. If you’re planning on hitting the local jump park frequently I would recommend you give this fork a close look. As an added bonus you get some really fresh graphics to make the fork uniquely your own. And don’t forget your clown nose!

Circus Expert Specs
Weight: 4.7lbs/2133grams
Travel: 80, 100mm & 130mm
Legs: 32mm Stanchions straight wall 7050 Aluminum
Spring: Firm (extra firm available in Aftermarket) w/Air preload
Damper: ABS+, lockout & rebound adjust
Hub/ Axle: 20mm Hex Lock
Features: Double bottom out bumpers, 4 decal sheets and clown nose
Cost:US MSRP $449

Circus Comp Specs
Weight: 5.3lbs/2406grams
Travel: 80 & 100mm
Chassis: 32mm Stanchions straight wall 4130 Chrome Moly
Spring: Firm (extra firm available in Aftermarket) w/ mechanical preload
Damper: ABS+ , lockout & rebound adjust
Hub/ Axle: 20mm Hex Lock
Features: Double bottom out bumpers, 4 decal sheets and clown nose
Cost:US MSRP $399

Straight 1-1/8″ steer, 6 inch post mounts

I like to thank the folks at Manitou for providing the Circus DJ Comp for review.

Since 1987 I’ve owned mountain bikes from Yeti, Rocky Mountain, Cannondale, Giant, and Opus – and Answer bars have graced the cockpit on every one of them at one time or another. I still remember when MTB bars were measured against the performance of the Answer Taperlite and Hyperlite models.  Just recently I came across an old Answer mountain bike circa 1993 at my buddy’s shop (pics below – yes those are slicks… don’t ask).

I got a chance to chat with Tom Porter, Product Manager for Answer Products, and we discussed some downright sexy new products the company is introducing to the Gravity / 4X / DJ scene. It turns out he and I share many of the same interests and hobbies as well a passion for mountain bikes and the surrounding technology. Tom shared a bit of his background and how he came to where he is at today at Hayes Bicycle Group, home of Answer Products, Manitou Suspension, Hayes Disc Brakes, Sun Rims, Sun Ringle’ Wheels, and Wheelsmith Spokes.

Coming from a family where Dad raced vintage sports cars and even a Can-Am car, Tom felt the need for speed at an early age. Being handy with a wrench, Tom started working at a bike shop around the same time mountain biking was taking off as a sport. Moving around in the industry with a stint at Waterford Precision Cycles (formally the Schwinn Paramount Factory), Tom then went to work for the Motorsports Composites Company making carbon fiber and kevlar body work for prestigious racing teams like Pratt & Miller and TWR for applications in 12-24 hour endurance racing. Then in 1999, Tom moved to Hayes with a role in Technical Support. Quickly adapting to the new corporate model and with a firm understanding of the bicycle industry, he began managing and overseeing various aspects of “MAG” brake production which is highly regarded as one of the best hydraulic bike brakes ever made.

As Hayes continued to grow, Tom’s next opportunity was in the acquisition and integration of all the new brands and products that are now part of the Hayes Bicycle Group. Once this job was complete and feeling a connection with the Answer brand, Tom has returned back to the product side of the business in his current position as product manager for Answer Products.  Just 15 months in, there are super cool components available and more great things coming!

Here’s what Tom had to say during our conversation.

How does Answer investigate and prioritize what has to be done to improve specific products?

We identify technology advances through the following process.

1. Benchmark program of key competitor’s products and market trends.
2. Internal FEA testing of models and extensive lab testing.
3. Utilization of HTP (Hayes Test Program) Riders for the Research & Development of new components.

What kind of new products and other stuff are in the works for Answer?

We have a list of new components that we are launching throughout the year, starting off with the PRO Taper® Alloy Bars.

Pro Taper alloy bars (are made from a) new 7050 alloy material (using the) same proven (4×8 degree geometry). Rise was lowered and width increased based on market trends and rider feedback. Goal: Lower mass/quicker steering input & comfortable riding position in a bar that looks hot and has a reasonable cost.

Pro Taper Carbon bars: geometry same as the 720AM bars but 33% lighter! By using Pro Taper technology we can put the material in the bars where it is needed most: the clamp and the rise areas. Goal: Lightweight, strong, comfortable bar for all-mountain use that looks the part.

I noticed that the bars pictured above are more geared towards the trial / DH rider – do you have plans to produce a flat XC version?

Yes we have a Pro Taper XC straight bar in the works. 660mm carbon flat bar with 3 degree back sweep. This will be available in early summer.

Along with the bars I noticed that you also release a few stems.

We have two at present, the first one, the Rove DH is made from 7075 alloy material with multi-position 45-50-55mm offset (reach) which allows the rider to adjust the position of the bar. (The) short position allows the rider to get weight over the rear wheel for steep trails and the long offset allows the rider to get weight more forward over the front wheel and suspension to increase front end grip. It also has a 62mm wide face plate which creates a stiff stem & bar interface. At 150 grams it’s one of the lightest DH stems on the market. With a 30mm x 50mm bolt spacing, this allows you to fit the stem on all 2005 Boxxer standard forks as well.

FEA screen shot depicting the loads on the stem.

The second stem in our lineup is the Rove DJ / 4-cross stem. Made from 7075 material with 35mm and 50mm offsets (reach) available. This stem can also be used on DH bikes as well with 1 1/8 steer tubes. 62mm wide face plate and a 10mm stainless steel star nut thru bolt for hydro hose routing for bar spins. Our goal with this stem was to create a tough, versatile stem carrying the Answer DNA.

We have a third stem in the works, our Rove all-mountain stem. Samples will be released soon. Check out the web site for more info.

A while back I had a few pedals sent my way did you want to mention them?

We have our Rove FR pedals – 16mm 6061 deck with concave shape.  That allows great shoe interface on the platform deck. A 105mm x 110mm deck creates nice platform space for all shoe options. 10×10 pin deck with alloy pins are great for grip. Hex head pins allow for easy service and replacement with a metric socket wrench. Our goal was to create a durable, easily serviceable pedal with lots of rock clearance.

You also sent over a pair of grips that I personally liked very much, did you want to elaborate on the grips?

Yeah. We worked with ODI on development of 2 new sets of grips. The cross section on the Fall Line XC has a profile from thin to thick to thin (an ODI first) that reduces hand fatigue dramatically.

The DH grip features thin material and allows for easy hand position changes. Goal: consistent feel / sticky grips / with proven lock-on mechanism.

What other products are in the works. Will you have a seat post or something along those lines?

We have a seat post patent from many years ago that we have been reviewing. Once the above process (#1 above) is completed we will move forward with development of a new Answer seat post.

Are you planing on any other colors in the up and coming year?

Yeah. White is now available in the alloy bars and you might see a new gold bar that looks like the Hayes Prime Brake set to launch this June.

Wrapping up

Keep your eyes peeled for these and other cool products from Answer in the very near future. Not only have they come back, but from what I have seen I feel that there are going to be a few folks out there stepping up their game as well.

I would like to thank Tom Porter for his time and insight.

Cross-country and road riders are already familiar with Giro bike helmets – they’re typically high quality, lightweight, and comfortable. But did you know Giro also offers bombproof lids for those who love pointing their bikes down steep slopes? If you’re someone who steers toward massive drops and stunts while friends are on the phone speed dialing 911, a Giro full face bike helmet and goggle combo is for you.

This year Giro really turns up the heat with eye-popping graphics on helmets and gloves plus high quality optics on their newest goggs. I recently got a chance to test the new 2010 Giro Remedy CF ($270 MSRP) in white/gold/green which happens to match the singletracks DH jersey perfectly. I also got my mitts on the Root goggle (MSRP $129) in matte titanium with the Gold Boost 75 lens and the new DJ glove (MSRP $34) in white/green. These three items are a must if you’re planning on pushing your limits on the slopes or jump parks this season.

The Giro Remedy CF shell is made entirely of carbon composite and weighs a scant 910g (about 2 pounds) which makes it up to 30% lighter than similar helmets. The CF stands for “carbon fiber” and the overall shape of the Remedy CF is identical to the plain Remedy. The Remedy CF boasts 14 intelligently-placed vents to encourage proper air flow through the helmet as you’re bombing the trail. The internal EPS (expanded polystyrene) liner is molded to fit your head comfortably while channeling air from the exterior vents out the four rear vents.

The front chin bar is lined with EVA (ethylene-vinyl acetate) which is a great shock absorbing material for those times when you take a face-first approach to things. Just in case you’re wondering, the Remedy is only certified for pedal bikes and carries the CPSC and CE endorsements. Even though it looks and feels strong as a motorcycle helmet, it’s not actually DOT certified.

Overall, the Remedy fits on the loose side of things around the chin and cheek compared to other models I’ve tested. For those who prefer the feel of freedom inside, this is the helmet for you. Remember, it’s important to choose a helmet that doesn’t cause any “hot” spots (areas of higher pressure) on your head or face (this will depend on the unique shape of your melon).

One of the things I really like about the Remedy is the ability to remove the liner for cleaning. Just unsnap the material and rinse out your sweat – then snap things back together in a jiff. I also really dig Giro’s Super Fit system which makes pairing goggles with this helmet easy and comfortable.

Speaking of goggles, check out the Root. The Root it is a bit spendier than the popular Station MTB goggles but packs in way more cool stuff. Right off the bat you get to choose from 10 different lenses and 9 stock color ways.

The Root lenses are spherical in shape rather than cylindrical like conventional lenses. It turns out spherical lenses are shaped to match the contour of your eyes so that there is no perceivable distortion – super helpful for picking the right lines at high speed. The True Sight spherical lens is designed to rest at a constant distance from your eyes both horizontally and vertically (cylindrical lenses only keep distance constant horizontally). The lenses also offer 100% protection from harmful UVA, B, and C radiation. To top it all off, the lenses also feature an anti-fog finish and scratch resistant coatings.

The goggle surround is made of two-stage, soft foam which feels both comfortable and firm while ensuring no dust and debris may enter. The surround is also vented to allow body heat and moisture to exit which prevents fogging. The frame features extended band tabs to fit the helmet opening like a glove and keep the goggle firmly in place even on bumpy, jarring terrain. The band is 32mm wide and sturdy, though for some reason it doesn’t have anti-slip silicon strips to help prevent sliding. On a wet day it just may do exactly that.

Finally, if you want to look like a pro, your kit has to match and the Giro DJ glove offers a nice compliment to the Remedy and Root. The DJ is a durable, full-fingered glove meant to take whatever you can dish out. It’s basically a beefier version of the successful Xen glove with the major difference being the wrapped Clarino finger tips and extra padding across the knuckles. The palm features a Super Fit 3 panel and is enhanced with Clarino synthetic leather and a section of EVA padding. EVA is the perfect material for absorbing shocks and helps relieve pressure on the ulnar nerve and the abductor digiti minimi muscle (didn’t know you were getting an anatomy lesson today, didya?).

Performance on the bike

Put these three together and you have a full house. The Remedy and Root are a great match: I didn’t notice more than about 15° of peripheral vision loss which is pretty solid for a full face / goggle combo. Out at the slopes and indoors at Joyride 150, I never got overheated or noticed my lenses fogging up.

When riding outside I found the Root lens to be perfectly balanced. It really enhanced the contrast of everything, especially on overcast days when trail details tend to muddle together. I also found the tint was just right even in lower light areas, like in the shadows of trees, and I didn’t need to slow down to let my eyes adjust. At the end of the day the Root goggles are far and away better than any others I own which is saying a lot!

The DJ gloves fit a bit on the tight side for size large so I needed a few days to get them broken in. Inside, the gloves felt comfortable – no stitches digging in and the glove basically stayed glued to my hand without moving around. Overall grip was great on the bars and the added silicon on the index and middle finger helped reduce the amount of grip I needed to hang onto the “chicken switches.” At the end of the day my hands felt fairly fresh and blister-free.

Giro offers a full range of DH-ready gear to protect your assets without harshing the ride on the way down. Just remember, this stuff won’t make you invincible, even though it feels like it does!

Thanks to the folks at GIRO for the equipment we reviewed. Another big shout to the guys and gals at Joyride 150 for hosting our indoor tests.

Hi folks, this past weekend Toronto held its 24th annual bike show, this time at the Better Living Centre. The weather was perfect and as a result the show was full of local and US attendees.  This year also marks the first 24 hour spin marathon complete with a live band and heart-pumping music. All the stationary bikes were filled with riders of all athletic abilities and I have to say the whole thing was a massive hit.

I was impressed with the show this year compared to a few of the previous Toronto bike shows. For one thing the show seemed better organized with crowd-pleasing demonstrations and exciting races to watch. By the sounds of the cheers and ooohs and ahhhs, many people were really enjoying the 4X racing that was going on. Along with that there was a massive crowd around the trials area where riders were showing off their 40 inch+ vertical step up jumps. It never ceases to amaze me how much balance those guys have on the bike. Think about it: jumping from a rolling start onto a chain and riding along it. I bet very few can say they do that all day long.

I managed to hook up with a few folks from the industry at the show including Jon Wells from Hayes who was there with his BMX team. Jon came to Hayes after an eventful carrier in Pro BMX and now shreds up the trails whenever he can. It was fun to see the enthusiasm he had as he was talking about the new Circus DJ fork from Manitou and the new Answer bars and stems (which, by the way, I will be reviewing in the next little while.)

I also had a chance to meet up with Mark Summers (one of the owners of Joyride 150) and he was excited to talk about how well the indoor bike park is doing. He mentioned the great interest south of the border and the deal they recently struck with Hilton suites and Howard Johnson’s close by. Mark also filled me in on the constantly changing features that have been popping up at Joyride (many of which I am super stoked to give shot.) The new expert skinny area at Joyride is high in skill but low in consequences which makes it great for practicing your skills without worrying that you’re gonna snap an ankle or shatter your clavicle.

I also checked in with my good friends at Opus and spoke with Sylvain Bosse (Marketing Coordinator) while checking out the new rides for next year (I like to stick with one company for my test bikes). Although they didn’t have it on display, Opus is working on a DH bike for next year that hopefully I’ll have a chance to saddle up soon. Sylvain mentioned some key features on the bike such as the massive pivots (about 40mm) which will make sure that there is very little flex in the rear. The bike also features hydro-formed tubing with a VPP set-up which sounds very interesting. Now if I only had a photo…

The show also featured a large marketplace where you could pick up parts or even complete bikes for a great deal. Speaking with some of the retailers, they were also pleased with the show. It seems people are a bit more free with their disposable income this year and are more willing to spend some of it. After watching all the new bikes heading out the doors I quickly lost count!

Below are a few photos of the rest of the show.

I was in a total haze when I saw all these forks! Picture an entire wall of every fork you can think of. Imagine  the possibilities.

Well it was a great weekend in Toronto. If you’re around next year, stop by and check out the show, and while your here stay a while and enjoy the city. The venue is right in the middle of town so you can also catch a show or if you’re up for a small drive you can also hit Joyride 150.

Cheers!

There’s a new documentary film out about mountain biking women and judging by the previews it looks to be as adrenaline packed as any MTB film we’ve seen. Of course, this movie isn’t just about women who ride bikes – it’s about women who ride downhill, DJ, and freeride specifically. A Seattle Times film reviewer gives the movie two and a half stars out of four which ain’t bad.

The film is showing in Seattle this week and you can buy the DVD through the Bones Over Metal website for $24.95 right now. Anyone seen this one yet and care to share a review? Trailer embedded below.

Last week I got a sneak peek at Canada’s first indoor bike park, Joyride 150. When Bob_the_Builder found out I was going to Joyride 150 ahead of the official opening Dec 14th, he just had to come along. I dunno who was more stoked Bob or myself. On the drive up there I was trying to imagine exactly how big a 90,000 sq ft building is; needless to say, it’s large – very very large.

Walking into the facility you get a sense of the scope of the place. With the sounds of the finishing touches going on in the background, I was greeted by Leslie, one of the owners. A very nice person with a warm smile, Leslie was quick to excuse the bits of saw dust. After a little small talk about the place, we met up with two instrumental partners, Mike and Scott, both looking a bit tired, and for good reason. Both men, along with a few volunteers, were putting in 100 hour work weeks for the last 3 months to get Joyride ready for the grand opening.

Leslie took us on a tour from the entrance to the spinning classroom which is still under construction. The room is a nice size with 20 ft ceilings and room for about 30 riders. The height and shape of the room should provide good acoustics once the music is pumped in. After a quick visit of the spinning room, we really got a good look of the rest of the facility. Heading back into the front entrance we then started our main tour. The complex is divided into four main areas.

The first area, right across from the main counter, is the beginner section where you can practice your skills on various styles of skinnies and features that you will encounter at the park. The photo above on the left shows the practice rollers and skinnies. The photo above and right is the practice pump track which in itself is great. I have to say the quality of the build is absolutely top-notch. No expense was spared in making these ramps and skinnies smooth and flawless. Even up close you can’t feel the gaps in the wood.

After admiring the beautiful wood work and moving along, we passed the still unfinished advanced skinny area which promises to be something else with many elevated features. Across from that there are lockers and an area where folks can rest, eat, and talk shop. There’s also an advanced pump track with a massive corner. Leslie was mentioning that it would be perfect for two cross (hmmmm perhaps competitions could be just around the corner). Of course at this point BTB  had to ride the course and judging by his big smile I could safely say he loved it.

The cross country track (yes they have one of those too) is elevated and travels around the entire complex. From here we got a great view of the main progressive jump and trick area. I have to admit doing laps on the XC circuit will be fun because you get to see everything: the foam pit, the stunts, all of it. Can you imagine riding around and taking a look at everyone having fun, jumping, and ohh yeah, taking a tumble? Heck, even BTB got into flying into the foam pit and the jump area.

All kidding aside, Leslie was mentioning the thousands of possible lines that riders can take to make a flowing line. A few days prior to my visit there were some circuit riders visiting and commenting on the set up, all of them making the same comment of how flowy and complex Joyride can be. One even mentioned how it would take a very long time to master the Joyrides Vert park set up.

As we were walking around the XC course and having a wonderful chat with Leslie, saws busily cutting in the background, Leslie talked to us what folks should expect to pay for a visit. It will cost about $20-$30 per visit and they are also planning on setting up season passes (price is TBD). Once things start to move more smoothly they will be concentrating on discount packages with nearby hotels and a rental fleet of bikes for those who don’t want to bring in their own rig.

Joyride 150 is located just north of Toronto in Markham ON, and their closest intersection is McCowan and Highway 7. The location is pretty close to many hotels and shopping malls, for those who don’t know the area and are wondering what else is around.

Well folks, I have to say you need to add this place to your ride wishlist. Unfortunately for me, when I went with BTB I was still nursing my broken clavicle so I couldn’t ride – otherwise I think I would still be there. Expect Joyride 150 to be up and running Dec 14th and make your way over. If you build it, they will come – they built it, so get over there!

More info on the joyride150 website.

More details:

• beginner/sport/expert sections with skinnies, lines & features to test your skills and help you progress
• a foam pit (beginner & expert ramps) with a matching resi jump and box jump
• rhythms & jump lines (beg-exp)
• a BMX-style street park with quarter pipes (MASSIVE!), spines, rails, drop-ins, bowls etc.
• pump tracks (pump & dual race-style)
• cross-country loop with elevation (climbs), log-overs, features etc…sure to get your heart pumping and your legs burning!

Other park features:

• cozy lounge with fireplaces & free Wi-Fi hotspot
• concessions (snacks, drinks etc.)
• bike rentals (various bike types)
• bike storage
• private party room available for rent (corporate events, birthday parties, etc.)

Coming soon to the park:

• coaching services
• spin studio
• programs (skills workshops, day camps)
• races/competitions
• demo days/PK sessions

Pack your bags and get your tickets. This is a place to be when the snow is piling high!