In mountain biking there are very few “classic” designs that haven’t been torn to shreds over the years as tech advances to produce bigger and better MTB components. Sometimes, though, designers and engineers hit upon a design so effective that it withstands the test of time with very few tweaks over the years. The Maxxis CrossMark mountain bike tire is proving itself to be one of those product designs.

On a recent group ride at Yellow River, 3 out of 7 of us were riding CrossMark tires which isn’t too surprising given the versatility of these skins. The CrossMark features a directional tire tread with ramped intermediate knobs that can be ridden front or rear (or both), depending on conditions. As a front tire the CrossMark is tough to beat but if you’re riding in loose to muddy conditions you may want a rear tire with a little more bite (the Maxxis Ardent is a good choice). On hardpack trails the CrossMark rolls fast and efficient thanks to tightly-spaced center knobs while the raised and slightly wider spaced side knobs bite well in corners.

At 605g each, the CrossMark 29 is a fairly light tire, thanks in part to the lightweight 60 TPI casing. For those who aren’t familiar, TPI stands for “threads per inch” where the threads are part of the cloth reinforcement embedded into the tire rubber. A higher TPI allows for thinner tire walls which makes the tire more supple and lighter but also weakens the sidewalls, making them more likely to be damaged by rocks and sticks on the trail. At 60 TPI the CrossMark 29 is a durable tire that will stand up to a lot of abuse. For weight weenies with 26″-wheel bikes, the CrossMark also comes in a 120 TPI version for a roughly 10% weight savings.

Many tires claim to be low rolling resistance and sadly there isn’t a widely used measurement of rolling resistance out there (though in theory a test should be easy enough to develop). For me the best test is taking a mountain bike tire out on the road and listening to it hum. A loud tire on the road signals a tire that’s sucking energy while a relatively quiet one signals good efficiency. The CrossMark 29 passed the road test with flying colors and felt smooth with very little noticeable vibration on smooth surfaces.

Mud clearing ability is important for any XC tire and even though the CrossMark 29 isn’t designed for muddy conditions, the tire does a decent job at shedding the big stuff thanks to the moderate-to-shallow tread depth. The tiny cross pattern in the center does make it tough to get the tire completely clean and in my tests even miles of pavement couldn’t loose some of the stickiest bits.

The CrossMark 29 is faithful big wheel extension of the venerated CrossMark design and is a versatile tire any XC rider can appreciate. Blending high rolling efficiency with decent cornering control, the CrossMark is a big-wheel-friendly tire that is a solid choice for a wide variety of conditions. Get the CrossMark and you’ll always be in good company when you’re out on the trail.

Thanks to the folks at Maxxis for providing these tires for review.

A little while back I did a review on the INK helmet from THE and absolutely fell in love. Well, Toby Henderson and the boys at THE Industries did it once again. The guys took all that was awesome about the very successful THE ONE helmet and managed to improve what was already a nearly-perfect product. The ONE still retains its great close-fitting shape but now sports an advanced silver anti-bacterial material embedded in a “Cool Dry” liner which is breathable, moisture wicking, and odor free (perfect for those who tend to neglect their equipment). All kidding aside, the liner is easily removable which makes for easy clean up.

The Picture above shows the Carbon Tiki on the left ($299 MSRP) and the Composite Celtic ($199 MSRP) on the right. Both helmets exceed CPSC and CE standards for safety and impact which, let’s face it, is easily the most important feature in any helmet.

Beyond improving the technical features of ONE helmets this year, THE has added several hot, new graphical styles for 2010. So many in fact, that I had a really hard time choosing two to write about. I finally decided on the Tiki for myself and The Celtic for Bob_the_Builder (BTB) to get his perspective.

Taking a look at the Tiki you can see the eye-popping Polynesian-inspired graphics that allow the carbon underlay to show through, giving the helmet an overall tribal pinstriping look like no other.

The venting layout provides great air flow to your face and channels the breeze around your head and out the back, doing a good job keeping your head cool for a full face helmet. They may be tough to spot but there are actually 15 external air vents on both helmets which direct flow to 4 internal channels. BTB felt like he needed just a bit more venting on his Celtic and found removing the foam filter on the front of the helmet just behind the steel mesh of the front opening improved ventilation.

THE ONE helmets boast impressively competitive weights. At 36 oz, the Carbon Tiki stands to be one of the lightest full face helmets out there. The Composite Celtic, at 41 oz, is a bit heavier but is still middle-of-the-pack as far as weight is concerned. As a comparison, most full face MTB helmets weigh between 36 oz and 50 oz+.

This year THE decided to change up the double-D chin strap rings slightly by having them treated in a black oxide treatment instead of last year’s chrome look. BTB and I both agree that we prefer like the new dark-out look. The double D ring also provides a positive no-slip solution that will not break or loosen during a bone-jarring runs.

Each THE ONE helmet comes with two visors which is something most helmet manufacturers don’t include. The last thing you want is to try to order up a new visor to match your helmet after you munch up your previous one with a face full of dirt. The front opening works well with goggles from Oakley, Spy, Fox, Giro, and Smith and your field of vision is really only limited by the style of goggles you choose. If  you decide to run without goggles (not that I recommend this for DH or FR, but let’s say you’re hitting jumps in a bike park), you’ll find the opening is not limited or obstructed by the sides or chin guard.

For most of our testing we took the helmets to Joyride 150 to get out of the bad Toronto weather where it’s been barely above zero degrees C (32° F). Both BTB and I received numerous  positive comments on the bold and unique look of the Tiki and Celtic helmets. Having been to Interbike and seeing the entire line up, all THE ONE helmets look great but I particularly love the look of these two units. The stunning red scroll work on the Celtic with its accented black and grey pin striping really sets the look apart. Likewise, the intricate blue print and highly detailed center stripe on the Tiki is really something to behold up close.

BTB on the progressive jumps doing what he does best.

Well folks, if you’re looking for a great fitting, safe and sturdy helmet, give THE ONE a try. I’m sure you too will enjoy these close, form fitting, light-as-a-feather helmets wrapped in rad graphics.  Stay tuned for other exciting products from THE!

Thanks to the folks at THE Industries for providing the Celtic and Tiki helmets for reviews and Joyride 150 for a place to ride and do our tests.

When I was a kid I had this idea for a clear bubble that enclosed my bike so I could ride in the rain and not get wet. Of course the idea wasn’t original and in fact enclosed bikes have been used to break bicycle speed records - but at the end of the day a bubble bike isn’t all that practical. Fortunately Gore has come up with a more fashionable, versatile solution for staying dry on the bike: the Alp-X Jacket.

The name Gore is now synonymous with waterproof breathability and with good reason. For more than 30 years the company has been researching and developing high performance fabrics like Gore-Tex with an eye toward serious athletes facing extreme conditions. The attention to detail in the Alp-X jacket is clearly visible from the expertly taped seams to the double-shielded enclosures.

Tightly taped seams inside the jacket.

Although this jacket is versatile enough to be worn on the trail or the road, it really works well for mountain biking for a number of reasons. First, it’s super lightweight and easy to cram into a Camelbak without taking up much space and the jacket can be stuffed into its own rear pocket. My size large jacket weighs just north of half a pound at less than 11 ounces - so light that I usually forget it’s stuffed in my pack (until it starts getting cold or raining).

Now I know what you might be thinking at this point: Aren’t we supposed to stay off the mountain bike trails when it’s raining? I’m definitely a firm believer in staying off wet trails but the fact is that sometimes mountain bikers get caught off guard, especially during epic rides that start in the morning and go until dusk. The Alp-X is the perfect emergency shell for avoiding hypothermia and keeps you mostly comfortable even when you’re pumping the pedals. Although this jacket is very breathable, if you’re like me you’ll probably still sweat a little once your heart rate gets up no matter what the outside conditions may be.

Aside from using the Alp-X to stay dry, I’m finding that the jacket is great for blocking the wind on the trail and on the road. In fact when the air is dry I feel like the Alp-X does an even better job regulating body moisture and smoothing out temperature variations due to climbing / descending / and resting. Even on the coldest days this winter I’ve worn the Alp-X over nothing more than a lightweight long sleeve jersey and have felt great.

Beyond its solid performance, the Alp-X is a seriously sporty looking jacket and I find myself making more and more excuses to wear it out. Gore claims this jacket has a “Euro fit” which apparently means it’s slim and the zipper pull is on the left. The cut is definitely athletic right down to the “pre-shaped elbows and 3D ergonomic fit.” On the trail this means the jacket doesn’t get in the way when you want to throw down sick moves. The Alp-X also includes velcro wrist closures, an elastic waist cord, and an expandable tail to help customize the fit to your body even further. The upshot? Air and water don’t have a chance of getting inside this jacket unless you want them to.

The Alp-X comes is a two high-vis colors but the black and gray version seemed a little more “mountain bike” to me. Before choosing this jacket one of the folks at Gore commented that the black jacket isn’t very visible on the road to which I scoffed - mountain bikers don’t need to be seen. Actually that’s not true (hunters, training rides on the road, etc.) but it turns out this black jacket is very visible at night thanks to its reflective piping and accents. On a recent night ride a friend remarked that the pattern looked like something out of the movie Tron which in my opinion, makes it freaking awesome.

Pac-lite durability and waterproof-ness come at a cost, both in terms of usability and finances. The jacket is crinkly - sorta like a heavy duty garbage bag - which means you won’t be sneaking up on anyone on the trail. Fortunately since this jacket is shaped and fitted, there aren’t too many areas of excess material to flap in the wind while you’re riding. And as you might expect from a rain jacket, the Alp-X isn’t exactly soft on the skin so be sure to don a comfy base layer to avoid direct contact during your ride.

In terms of monetary cost, at $269.99 MSRP this is a fairly expensive jacket. The good news is this is a piece of equipment that will last for years and is guaranteed to keep you dry - forever. So if, in 10 years, you start to notice leaking around the seams on your Alp-X, Gore will repair or replace the jacket at no charge. Considering lifetime costs, this jacket is actually a steal.

Care and maintenance is no big deal for the Alp-X; just toss into the washing machine on warm and let ‘er rip. Dry on medium heat and the jacket is as good as new. In fact, washing and drying the Alp-X actually helps maintain the water repellent finish on the outside so water will continue to bead as soon as it hits the surface.

The Alp-X is probably the closest thing you’ll find to a mountain bike bubble that won’t weigh you down or harsh your flow in the rain. If you’re serious about mountain biking year round, the Alp-X is a great investment that will ensure safe and comfortable rides for years to come.

Thanks to the folks at Gore for providing this jacket for review.

Here is an exciting new tire for those of you who are inspired by going really fast on your XC bike. The Maxxis Aspen 26×2.25 (also available in 26×2.10) is new to the Maxxis XC tire line-up and is a high volume, fast rolling tire that promises to deliver for mile after mile.

The 26×2.25 Aspen is a great balance between light weight (695 grams) (475 g for the 26 x 2.10 120tpi), durability, and traction. The race-inspired center tread is a low chevron, 3mm in height, that grips well enough in most terrain. The tread pattern depth increases to 5.5mm at the side knobs, which look like a cross between the Ardent and Minions DHF side knobs.  The 62/60 dual compound allows for low rolling resistance and long tread life in the center and good traction and stickiness in the corners.

One of the things I really like about Maxxis tires is the ease of installation and minimal need for tire irons.  For my tests I installed the Aspen tires on my Easton XC One wheels with a set of Maxxis Flyweight tubes. Just remember to add a bit of talcum powder to the tube before installation - this will further improve the ride and reduces any friction between the tube and tire.

Climbing

The low profile center knobs offer a surprising amount of climbing traction and control, both standing on the pedals and staying seated. The only time I had any real loss of climbing traction was in really loose soil, muddy, or slimy, rooted conditions. The low (3mm) center tread will load up with gunk quickly which poses a problem with in loose conditions but on the hard stuff  these tires rock.

Cornering

As I mentioned before, the side knobs on the Aspen closely resemble a cross between the Ardent and Minion DHF side knobs, so as you might expect, cornering ability is pretty darn similar in comparison. Not surprisingly, they hold the line very well and the transition between riding upright to hard cornering is smooth and controlled. The transition knobs do a great job of quickly shifting traction and pressure to the side knobs and back again. However, in really loose conditions the tire started to show signs of slippage, but this is to be expected from a lower rolling resistance tire.

Braking

Braking performance was good but not great - if that makes any sense. Because these tires are so efficient, speed can really get away from you if you aren’t careful. Under normal braking conditions, I didn’t even notice the tires were there (this is a good thing). Under really hard braking, I did get the rear to break loose a couple of times, but it was still fairly controlled. Braking in the rough stuff was also above average thanks to the high volume of the tires.

Descending

If you’re into having fun, you’ll also want to use these tires to descend. Now do not confuse these with downhill tires, because they’re not. But when you get to point your XC rig down a hill, these tires do a decent job cornering and stopping. They’re not super grippy by design but they’re certainly good enough to halt that XC bike. These Aspens did clog up a bit but on sticky hardpack, but rather than totally loosing traction, they lost it gradually.

Summary

The Maxxis Aspen 26×2.25 ($56 MSRP) is a fast, smooth rolling tire that’s highly efficient and should work great on any XC racer or even a trail bike that spends most of its time on the harder side of things. Using these tires on rocks, hardpack, rooted trails, and near-frozen trails, these tires did great. On looser stuff like sand over hardpack and muddy patches, the Aspen was just passable. If your terrain is on the harder side of things, definitely give these mountain bike tires a try!

My overall ratings for the Aspen

9 out of 10 for rolling and efficiency
6 out of 10 for loose conditions
9 out of 10 for cornering (hard pack)
8 out of 10 for stopping in a straight line (firmer ground)

Specs from Maxxis:

Durometer 62/60 rubber compound
Usage: XC, XC race
Conditions: hardpack, loose over hard, rocky
TPI: 60
Size: 26 x 2.25
Weight: 695 grams (foldable)

Thanks to the folks at Maxxis for the Aspen tires for review.

If you’re tired of getting lost on the mountain bike trail or are just looking for a new toy to play with on your ride, 2010 is the year for you to jack into GPS. I’ve been taking a GPS with me on every ride for 8 or 9 years now and I recently got a chance to demo the Colorado 400t from Garmin. The Colorado 400t is a good choice for anyone who likes to mountain bike but also likes to lace up the hiking boots every once in a while.

Hardware

Like the other Garmin outdoor handhelds before it, the Colorado 400t ($599 MSRP but $300 at Amazon right now) is ultra-rugged and designed to take abuse on the trail. It’s waterproof-rated for submersion up to 30 minutes which means creek crossings and unexpected downpours are no problem. The color display is optimized for direct sunlight viewing, though in the shade I found I needed to flip on the backlight from time to time.

Many of the Garmin GPS units I’ve tested have featured somewhat flimsy and awkward bike mounts but the Colorado 400t seems to offer a huge improvement. And while the bike mount is not included, it does make use of the sturdy metal slot integrated right into the battery cover for a rock-solid fit. No more busted clips or heavy, bulky attachments!

The Colorado 400t is the first Garmin handheld GPS to feature the Rock ‘n Roller input wheel which allows you to navigate screens using just one hand, even with gloves. And while I found the wheel to be super easy for inputting text on the ground it was difficult to master while riding the bike - bumps forced me to accidentally turn the knob too far.

Some may be surprised to learn the Colorado 400t doesn’t include a rechargeable battery, instead making use of regular old AA batteries. The reason? If you’re in the field for days at a time (backpacking, say) you don’t have anywhere to plug in for a recharge. Of course for trips closer to home you can pop in your own rechargeable AAs but sadly those rarely work as well as the disposables. A USB connection, SD memory card slot, and barometric altimeter round out the hardware specs.

Software

One of the big changes Garmin is pushing with the latest devices is built in basemaps. Previously if you wanted to view topo maps on your GPS device you needed to pony up another $100 or so to get the software, and even then you could rarely fit the entire US on your device at one time. The Colorado 400t comes pre-loaded with topographic data covering the entire country and also features roads and other points of interest. The topo software does not include tools for turn-by-turn navigation, though this is possible with additional software.

Loading GPS tracks and waypoints onto the Colorado 400t is a cinch - just connect the USB cable and drag/drop GPX-formatted files onto the device (no desktop software required). Navigate Where To -> Tracks on the device and you can see a map and elevation plot of your GPX file. Sadly Garmin seems to have done away with the TracBack feature on the Colorado series so “navigating” really just consists of seeing a track and waypoints on your map (no audible turn alerts but distance/time to finish is calculated). I also couldn’t find a way to change track line colors which makes it hard to distinguish between your current track and the saved track you’re trying to navigate.

Creating tracks on the Colorado 400t is improved over previous devices, though it may take a little practice at first. It’s a good idea to reset your track data before mapping a new adventure but if you forget, the track saving tool makes it easy to select the beginning and end points of the track you’d like to save. The data is stored neatly in a GPX file for easy retrieval at your computer.

Custom map of Captain Jack’s overlaid in Google Earth.

Perhaps the coolest feature included on the Garmin Colorado 400t is the ability to use custom base maps. Custom maps are saved in KMZ format (Google Earth uses this) and are also added to the device via drag-and-drop. Garmin has a good tutorial on their website describing how to make your own maps and we created this map of Captain Jack’s MTB trail in Colorado Springs as an example. Who knows, if more folks start using custom-map-capable GPS devices we may just start to offer these with our trail map subscriptions…

There are literally dozens of screens and features included on the Colorado 400t beyond what was mentioned above. A few notable standouts: 3D map view for visualizing terrain, brilliant elevation plots, temperature gauge, sunset / sunrise calculator, and a geocaching app.

Summary

If you’re looking for a multi-purpose, rugged GPS for all your outdoor activities, the Garmin Colorado 400t may be the device for you. Just add a $10 bike mount and you’ll be ready to navigate and map like a pro!

Camelbak is a name that needs no introduction. It’s a name that’s synonymous with hydration and hydration packs for cycling both on and off road, adventure racing, hunting, and military applications. Where there are thirsty people, Camelbak always seems to be around with a solution. In 2010 Camelbak is at it again with fresh styles and new, bold colors to address the wants and needs of mountain bikers everywhere. This spring I’ll be rockin’ The Don ($120 MSRP) with Flow Meter (sold separately, $30 MSRP) and no I was not arrested (just in case you were wondering about the pic).

The Don is a full-featured hydration pack designed especially for AM and FR mountain bikers. This pack sports a lightweight but strong rip-stop material which will stand up to the abrasive nature of all-mountain biking. Another great feature The Don includes is the air director back panel which allows your body to breathe and release heat when you’re pumping the pedals. Along with this intelligent yet simple heat release solution, you also get a wider strapping system (38mm) which will both hold the pack firmly in place and distribute pressure evenly across your body, even when hucking gnarly trails. The wide straps are made of the same mesh material as the vented back panels to encourage moisture wicking.

The Don can carry 3L (100oz) of water and 17.5L (1070 cu in) of cargo split into one main compartment and a few extra elastic pockets to separate your nutrition bars and gels from your tools and any other items for your ride.  Splitting up the space into several compartments allows the Don to hold goggles and electronics without fear of scratching them up or bouncing them around too much. I personally love that feature as it allows me to carry camera equipment as well as food and tools without fear of cutting into my sandwich or trashing my camera.

What really makes this a FR / park pack is that it has a convenient means for holding your helmets (full face as well as your open face) by a clever strap and flap combination. There’s even a clear flap on the side of the pack to hold your park pass! The straps that hold the flap for your helmet also double as the straps to tighten up the pack when it’s not full.

Taking the Don on (go figure) the Don Valley trails ups here in Ontario was just like strapping on any familiar piece of equipment. You just put the pack on, adjust the waist strap, and go. Just about the only thing I needed to learn was how to use the flow meter that I added to the Don.

The flow meter is actually a simple device: it uses a small magnetic sensor built into an impeller that rotates as you draw in water through a standard Camelbak hose. As the impeller rotates, it registers in the flow meter’s circuit board and display. Now the hard part is setting up the flow meter and using its advanced functions - I felt like I needed a PhD or something.

The simplest and most effective mode I found on the Flow Meter is called Amount remaining /  Total volume mode. Using  AR/TV mode for most all my riding I found that it worked great, giving me all I needed to know about my hydration situation. Clearly the most useful thing about the Flow Meter is it gives you an idea about how much water is left in your pack, something that was previously difficult if not impossible to do without removing the bladder from your pack. In terms of the advanced functions, I admit I fumbled around with the buttons a bit but never really found anything nearly as useful as the AR/TV mode.

Using the Don with the Flow Meter was great, though admittedly the color combo I received (Methyl Blue / Racing Red) was a bit loud for my personal tastes (there are 3 other color combos to choose from). Other than that, the Don is a comfortable and very functional hydration pack. On slope-side rides of 3 hours or more, this was more than adequate for my needs and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this pack to anyone.

Many of us take a small first aid kit on the trail whenever we go mountain biking but for epic, backcountry rides I like to be prepared for anything. Even on fairly short, local rides I’ve been in situations where I wish I had more gear - like the time a friend got severely dehydrated and we had to give him water straight from a small, dirty creek (he survived the dehydration but had a bad case of the runs at the hospital). That’s why I’m so stoked for Gear Pods’ Backcountry survival kit.

The GearPods canister system is modular and you can choose from pre-packaged kits (like the Backcountry which includes first aid and survival gear) or build your own using empty containers. The canisters look like those vacuum tube deals they use at the bank and fit your adjustable diameter bottle cage (though sadly it’s slightly too large for the standard cage I have). Fortunately the Backcountry is lightweight and compact enough to toss into your Camelbak for an all-day ride.

The Backcountry in stocked with items that can help you if you’re hurt, lost, hungry, thirsty, or cold. With first aid supplies, compass, whistle, keychain flashlight, fishing tackle, cook stove, water purification tablets, matches, mini saw, and much more, this kit has almost any situation covered. The kit even includes stuff to help you with MacGuyver-like bike repairs: duct tape, metal wire, and a sewing kit. The entire package is water-resistant which means all this important gear should stay dry even if you’re caught in a downpour.

If you like to get out and explore remote areas on your bike, consider bringing along a small survival kit like the GearPods Backcountry. It just might save your bacon!

Thanks to the folks at GearPods for providing the Backcountry for review.

Here is some stylish bling from Italy for your AM / DH rig. Let’s face it, some of the best things come from Italy like cars, motorcycles, shoes, and yes, bike saddles. Unlike many minimalistic saddles, the 225g Selle Italia SLR T1 ($192 MSRP) is a balance of strength and comfort in a lightweight package. The T1 is a saddle that can soften the blow of rough trails while standing up to the abuse ride after ride.

The seat rails on the SLR T1 are made from Vanox, a combination of  Vanadium and Titanium which is actually lighter than Titanium alone. Even though the rails are only 7mm in diameter I found them to be very durable. Despite many jumps and drops they stayed straight and didn’t creak or groan during the abuse.

The beautiful and flawless Lorica cover (black or white) not only looks great but will maintain that sleek look for a very long time. Lorica is a high abrasion resistant material and the strategically placed Kevlar side reinforcements will keep this saddle from unraveling itself when you tank the bike.

Stripping away the great looks of the saddle we get into the feel of the ride. Gel placed in different thicknesses and densities under the skin of the Lorica allows the folks at Selle Italia to pinpoint comfort without unnecessarily increasing weight. Selle Italia’s gel is one of the lightest out there right now and this stuff absorbs impact 40% better than other saddle gels. After a little while in this saddle the gel will mold itself to your unique shape, further improving the feel and comfort of the ride.

The T1 is 131mm across and 275mm in length which is pretty similar in shape to other MTB saddles within ± a  few millimeters. For my size and hip width this saddle fit extremely well - just as good as my WTB Devo. Unlike the Devo, the SLR T1 feels a bit softer and although I personally prefer a firm saddle, the T1 was nice as well, especially when riding hard and hitting roots and logs.  Compared to this saddle’s cousin, the SLR XC, the tip of the SLR T1 is a bit more blunt with extra padding, great for when you have the bike on an extreme angle and you’re putting weight on the nose.

For the money the SLR T1 may not be for everyone but it’s tough to put a price on comfort. At the end of the day there are few saddles out there that match the quality of workmanship and good looks of the T1 and it shows. It’s a good idea to test ride any saddle before you buy but if it fits, the SLR T1 is a high performance saddle that will go the distance for miles to come.

Thanks to the folks at Selle Italia and ProNet for the saddle for review.

Ever since I started riding with clipless mountain bike pedals I’ve stuck with the basic Shimano pedal system. Sure, over the years I’ve upgraded pedals and tried other Shimano-compatible brands but I’ve always been a little hesitant to try a completely new system because I falsely assumed I’d might have to relearn how to clip and unclip all over again. Then, a couple months ago, I got a chance to give the Time ATAC XS pedals a try and I finally got to see what I’ve been missing all these years.

Pedal Features

At 350g the Time ATAC XS pedals are slightly lighter than my Shimano M540 pedals which puts them solidly in the mid-weight range for mountain bike pedals. The composite body is super durable, low maintenance, and even rust-proof which is good news for those of us who encounter plenty of stream crossings. The bearings are also waterproof so these pedals will keep spinning smoothly and consistently no matter how much wet stuff you throw at them. Looking at the composite body from the front of the bike you can see it cuts an aerodynamic shape which is a detail most other pedals leave out.

The Time ATAC XS pedals also feature 3 adjustable release-tension settings from low to high which makes it simple to choose the right amount of tension for your riding style. No more futzing with an an adjustable screw wondering how many turns you should put in to get the tension right - in my book simple is always better. You can also choose a 13- or 17-degree pedal release angle depending on the way you install your shoe cleats. The wider 17-degree setting is perfect for more experienced riders who want to avoid inadvertent releases on tricky tech sections. And anyone who has ever had to remove stuck pedals will be happy to know these pedals feature both wrench flats and allen key holes on the spindles for multiple install/removal options.

Performance

Right away I noticed the Time ATAC XS pedals give a very smooth, consistent and solid entry and release. Compared to the Shimano pedals I’ve been using, I could actually feel a satisfying click on my foot rather than just hearing it. The pedal body is also wide enough that it’s easy to find the pedals without looking down and even provides a fairly comfortable platform for short rides without cleats. Time claims “you can step into a Time ATAC pedal faster than into any other” which sounds about right to me - clipping in and out is super quick and easy. Best of all, the cleats are SPD-compatible so your shoes are probably all ready to go!

The Time ATAC XS pedals feature 5 degrees of radial float and 3mm of side-to-side float which is meant to reduce knee and joint tension on epic rides. Radial float is basically the twisting range of motion your foot is allowed before it begins to encounter pedal release tension. Side-to-side float is less commonly referred to but it’s pretty self-explanatory - it’s the distance your cleat can move from side-to-side within the pedal mechanism. On the trail I found the float (both radial and side-to-side) felt great and allowed me to swing my knees and legs in and out more easily for balance on tricky sections than pedals with less float.

At first glance I assumed these pedals would be so-so in terms of mud shedding ability but I was pleasantly surprised out on the trail. Down here in Georgia we have plenty of mud but it’s probably better described as clay and it sticks to EVERYTHING. Despite several rides on tacky to downright muddy, un-maintained trails, the ATAC XS pedals didn’t jam up once. Chalk it up to an insanely simple design that doesn’t leave anywhere for mud to hide and you get a perfect clip-in every time.

After reviewing some high-res photos of the pedals I did notice some minor dings and scratches on the pedal body caused by normal wear and tear. So if you’re into ultra-pristine looking gear and can’t stand the sight of  blemishes on your pedals, you may want to consider another pedal set. You may also want to consider wrapping your frame in Bike Armor stickers too.

The Verdict

After a few rides with the Time ATAC XS mountain bike pedals I was convinced these were the pedals for me. With solid construction, smooth and comfortable performance, and impressive gunk clearing capabilities, these pedals should be on any serious XC rider’s radar. And if 350g sounds too heavy for you, check out the ATAC XS Carbon or Titan Carbon for an even lighter-weight platform. Give Time pedals a try and you’ll see the difference!

Thanks to the folks at Time for providing the ATAC XS pedals for review.

2010 marks an exciting year for Fox Racing Shox with a ton of new and truly innovative products coming from Bob Fox’s team of engineers and factory test riders. Boost valve technology is now standard in the Float rear shock and there’s also a new DH-specific rear shock called the DHX RC4 that looks super promising. In addition, Fox has taken the hugely successful FIT damper technology from the DH and FR shocks and scaled it for 32mm XC and Trail forks for a new level of performance across the boards. Along with the new damper, the 32mm chassis is now compatible with QR15 thru-axle systems as well.

The 2010 Fox 32 Float 150 FIT RLC (MSRP $870) comes in at a feather light 3.88lbs with 150mm of travel (1 1/8 steering tube) compared to last year’s 140mm version at 3.97lbs. FIT stands for Fox Isolated Technology and the FIT damper basically reduces oil volume and weight by 71g. The damper also produces a reduction in un-sprung weight (weight not supported by the air spring) which ultimately increases tire-to-ground responsiveness and traction. Another major benefit of the FIT damper is the elimination of fluid aeration which translates into consistent damping, even over washboard trails. This is accomplished through a bladder that holds the fluid in a vacuum sealed, reduced volume chamber to prevent fluid from foaming up when traveling though the piston.

For those who might be skeptical about the QR15 thru-axle, it’s definitely time to reconsider. The QR15 was developed in collaboration with Shimano and the engineers optimized the design for weight, stiffness, and packaging for XC to light AM bikes. Bikes with the QR15 have 15% greater torsional fork stiffness with a full 25% gain in transverse shear. Ultimately this increases rider confidence and makes the fork a stronger, stiffer unit, with sixth-sense-like steering response.

On The Trails

Once everything was dialed in (see my article on Fox 32 Float 150 FIT RLC installation and set-up) I had some great opportunities to give this fork a workout with varied terrain from rollers and rooted terrain to fast, dry, hard pack on the Don trail network here in Ontario. To be honest I didn’t pay much attention to the fork for the first couple of hours of riding since most forks, including this one, need time to get broken in and to get all the seals set and working correctly. During my warm-up I found I needed to increase my initial compression and rebound settings.

After working the kinks out I really started paying attention to how the 32 Float 150 works. I have to say for a fork that has only 150mm of travel it rides like it has much more than that. The travel seemed especially long when the fork started hitting rougher, extended rooted surfaces where the 32 Float performed fantastically. Ultimately this fork seemed to perform nearly as well as the Fox 36 Talas despite the smaller diameter stanchions. This unit is a whole 1.1 lbs lighter than the 36 Talas and the narrower stanchions make this fork great for the aggressive trail rider who can make do with 10mm less travel.

Hitting 4-foot drops was nothing for this fork and it soaked up the drops as if they were sidewalk curbs. So with that bit of experience I started hitting bigger 6- and 7-foot set downs with smooth transitions with no worries and a big smile. I noticed that the harder the fork worked, the more comfortable it felt, much like the 36 Talas I reviewed not too long ago.

In the corners I definitely noticed a huge improvement over the 9mm wheel mount version that I tested last year. For starters I noticed my discs didn’t rub in berms and flat corners - the old version flexed enough that the hub would torque slightly and the disc would rub on my brake pad. Needless to say, the QR15 is well worth the upgrade by itself (that is if you have a QR15 wheelset or plan on getting one soon). The QR15 really did improve tracking on the trail and kept me pointed where I wanted to go.

If there were one thing I would improve on this fork it would be the compression dials and indicators. Unlike another fork I also ride often, the amount of difference from one click to the next on the 32 Float 150 FIT RLC is not as clearly defined which means it takes a bit of luck to find the right levels.

All in all, the Fox 150 FIT RLC is a great mountain bike fork. It tracks precisely, takes bumps, roots and drops with ease, and soaks up terrain like a mop. This fork may not be the lightest around but it is certainly very tough and responsive. I would definitely recommend the Fox 32 Float 150 FIT RLC to any of my long legged trail bike friends!

Performance Chart:

Specs from FOX:

WEIGHT (15QR-includes axle)
3.88 lbs / 1.76 kg (1 1/8″ steerer)
3.85 lbs / 1.75 kg (1.5″ taper steerer)

TRAVEL
5.9 inches (150mm)

ADJUSTMENTS
- Low speed compression- Lockout force adjust- Lever actuated lockout- Air spring pressure
- Rebound

DAMPER
NEW FIT

LOWER LEG
(post-style disc brake mounting only)
- 15QR thru-axle system

STEERER
Standard: 1 1/8″
Optional: 1.5″ Taper

SPRING
Air

FORK COLOR
White

INTENDED USE
XC, Trail, AM

Thanks to the folks at Fox for sending over the Fox 32 Float 150 FIT RLC for review.

Here’s one for the DH/FR crowd: the Easton Havoc DH-specific wheel set. Can you say awesome?! I can, and will. For starters, the Havoc DH wheels are reasonably priced at $799 MSRP (right now JensonUSA is selling the ‘08 set for just $359). And the Havoc DH wheels aren’t just a beefed-up version of the Havoc AM: the hub design is very different and although the Havoc DH shares a similar look to the AM with straight-pull spokes, the Havoc DH front wheel has a double-rowed bearing on the braking side and a single row bearing on the non-disk side. The Havoc DH rear wheel has a whopping 4 bearings and the drive side bearing sports a double bearing row for extra strength and precision.

When Easton set out to design these wheels, they started with a rim that is a full 32mm wide (the biggest they make) and focused on a careful design of the cross section. The designers wanted to make sure the rim was as light as they possible while maintaining great strength. Instead of designing an extra deep rim they came up with a rim design featuring stronger side walls that maintain roundness even if you do manage to pinch your wheel on a rock.

Another great design detail many riders may overlook is the way the straight-pull spokes are single-butted with a 2.3mm cross section at the base of the spoke tapering to a 2.0mm cross-section at the spoke nipple. Constructing the wheel in this manner places weight toward the center of the wheel rather than toward the outside which speeds the wheel in both acceleration and braking as well as in cornering. Running these wheels with just 28, 2.3mm butted spokes results in a wheel that is 46% stiffer than one with 36, 2.0mm spokes.

The Easton Havoc DH hubs use high quality bearings with double rows on the braking and drive sides (front and rear, respectively). This results in a hub that’s smooth as butter in rotation and wheels that are very stiff laterally. The new and improved 7050 aluminum freehub body and drive mechanism are super durable and promise to last for years. All the bearings rotate on a new 7050 alloy tapered axle which reduces flex significantly over previous designs. Easton increased the width and the diameter of the pawl carrier to improve torque capabilities as well. Overall weight on the Havoc DH wheel set is 2,295 grams for the pair which is hard to believe based on the light ride feel.

After installing a set of Maxxis High Roller DH tires on these wheels I was off to the slopes.  I had Bob_the_Builder give these wheels a shot and after his first run he was amazed to find out how much the wheels actually weighed. Like I said before, the Havoc DH wheels feel super light and very free rolling, riding like a much lighter wheel set. Just like the Havoc DH’s little brother Havoc, these wheels also have a super smooth and quick-engaging cassette body. That fast action is great for those who also plan on using these wheels for their FR bikes running skinnies and such.

Tossing the Havoc DH wheels around the slopes, getting big air off jumps and drop downs, and railing built-up berms we always got a solid laser-like feeling without a hint of flex or fear of collapsing a wheel. The really amazing thing is how fast these wheels got up to speed and how light they felt through sudden direction changes.

The only bad thing that I encountered with my wheelset was that someone assembled my wheels with too much grease which gummed things up a bit, resulting in less than smooth operation. Fortunately all it took was five minutes to take the wheel apart to remedy the problem. Once that was taken care of there were no further issues and the cassette worked flawlessly. After a few events and runs the wheels didn’t come out of true nor did they need any tensioning. To me that is a good indicator as to how well-built the wheels are.

I have to say if you’re looking for a tough, well-built wheel that can go the distance down a slope, take a good look at the Easton Havoc DH wheel set. This is a great pair of wheels built to last! Just make sure you can take what these wheels can dish out - this is one piece of equipment that can probably take more than you can!

Specs from Easton:

Thanks to the good folks at Easton  for providing these wheels for review.

Selecting the perfect mountain bike saddle usually involves balancing the trade-off between comfort and weight. Super lightweight saddles often feel worse than metal folding chairs while really comfy seats are generally wide, bulky, and heavy. Fortunately Selle Italia has hit upon a winning design that carefully balances comfort and weight in the SLR XC Gel Flow.

Weight and Durability

Selle Italia claims the SLR line is the best selling high-end saddle in the world and there’s an SLR model for just about every style and budget you can imagine. While all the SLR saddles are rated for road and off road use, only the XC and XC Gel Flow are designed specifically for off road and free riding. At just 170g, the XC Gel Flow is the lightest MTB-specific saddle I know of and 30% lighter than my previous saddle thanks to the Vanox rails, lightweight silicon gel, and carbon composite shell.

The SLR XC Gel Flow is ultra durable and is, in fact, bullet proof, thanks to kevlar reinforcement. The saddle cover is made from something Selle Italia calls “Lorica” which is abrasion resistant and mud tends to slide right off the shiny, slick surface. Despite the slick surface, the saddle feels grippy under standard nylon/poly bike shorts. Unfortunately the middle and edges of the saddle don’t use the same material so mud and dirt stick in these areas (though grip is still excellent).

Style

Just looking at the profile of the SLR XC Gel Flow might make your cheeks sore but looks can often be deceiving. The SLR XC Gel Flow cuts a low profile and is fairly narrow (131mm) which gives it a super aerodynamic shape perfect for racing. The narrow tail also makes it easier to remount the saddle after behind-the-seatpost descents. I chose the white version because white bike components automatically make you 10% faster - or at least that’s what I heard

Comfort and Performance

The saddle is one of the main contact points between rider and mountain bike which makes comfort a top priority. If you’re looking for a magical saddle that won’t leave you a little sore after a 50-mile epic, I hate to break it to you but there’s no such thing. The SLR XC Gel Flow does incorporate some features to at least make epic XC rides more bearable like a center cut-out to reduce pressure points (and also weight) plus increased gel thickness around the cut-out itself. On 20+ mile rides I’ve had no issues with soreness, though your mileage may vary and will depend on your chamois choice as well.

The nose on the SLR XC Gel Flow is elongated (275mm) which adds to this saddle’s race cred. Transitioning from out-of-the-saddle climbs, the long nose made the saddle easy to find and also makes for a convenient shoulder mount during hike-a-bike sections.

The Vanox tube rails felt super solid throughout my testing and didn’t creak or groan once despite some serious saddle time. Vanox is actually a steel alloy which means these rails flex a little more than aluminum or even some carbon rail set-ups. The upside? A little added protection for your tush on rocky trails.

Overall the Selle Italia SLR XC Gel Flow Saddle is a race-ready, lightweight, and high performance saddle that doesn’t skimp too much on comfort. It’s honestly hard to find fault with a best-selling design like the SLR - give it a try and see for yourself!

Thanks to Selle Italia for proving this saddle for review.