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.

It’s a good idea to update your MTB components every few years and the timing was perfect for me to give some 2010 Easton XC components a try on my Opus XC bike. Knowing very well that I toss my bikes around and really put them through their paces, I was stoked to install the Easton MonkeyLite SL low rise bar ($150 MSRP), the XC90 Zero seat post ($200 MSRP) and the EA90 stem in white ($90 MSRP). All three items sport new graphics and look clean on any XC bike.

My old carbon bar and seat post held out great over the years but both were showing signs of fatigue – chips, scratches, and small compression marks. The important thing to remember when installing carbon components is to follow all instructions to the letter using a torque wrench – otherwise you may cause serious damage. For the Monkeylite SL bar, tighten the stem bolts to 15 in/lbs and the master cylinder and shifter pods at 30 in/lbs. Careful attention here will also ensure you don’t develop compression marks on your shiny new equipment.

Starting at the front of the bike, the MonkeyLite SL CNT is not your run of the mill carbon handlebar. For starters you don’t see a flashy carbon weave. Easton decided way back in 2005 to use an enhanced resin which contains very small carbon nanotube structures that essentially fill the voids that would otherwise be pure resin. The upside is this makes a structure that’s much stronger than normal carbon and resin structures. At 135 grams and 635mm wide, this makes for a very lightweight bar that’s wide enough to help expand the rider’s chest and enhance breathing. The low rise, 9º back sweep, and 5º up sweep keeps both hands and wrists exactly where you want them.  Like the MonkeyLite DH bars, these felt very comfortable over roots and rocks without the unpleasant sting you would get from an aluminum bar.

The white EA90 stem is a great addition to any XC bike, with lengths from 90 to 130mm and a sub-130 gram weight for the 120mm version. This is a stem with significant engineering behind it starting with the way the front plate is mounted. The front plate design evenly distributes stress loads onto the bars and the top locking mechanism improves stiffness and strength without adding weight. At a 0º, ±10° you can opt for a low front  position or a slightly higher position which worked well for me. When installing this unit remember to tighten the top bolts first, then the bottom for an optimal fit.

Last but not least is the EC90 Zero seatpost. Available in three sizes (27.2, 30.9, or 31.6mm), I have to say this is one sexy seat post, as far as seat posts go. The EC90 Zero is full carbon, including the rail clamps. Easton uses a technology called EMC to shape the seat post, using essentially the same process used for forging metals. Extra long carbon fibers are compressed in a mold with a fiber to resin ratio of  60% and heat from the compression cures the carbon in the detailed mold. The result is a 3-dimensional carbon component that is both lightweight and strong.

The finished product comes in at 190 grams, is 400mm long, and uses CNT technology just like the MonkeyLite SL Bar. The EC90 Zero includes a clamping relief on the back side of the seat post which prevents the seat tube from digging into the post and causing damage.

Installation was mostly a snap – just remember not to use lube on a carbon post. There is a friction modifier that you can get from Finish Line called Fiber Grip which is probably the only thing I would consider using on this post. I had a somewhat difficult time setting up the angle and torquing the forward bolt because there’s very little clearance there. But once installed and on the bike, I haven’t had any issues – the post hasn’t slipped an inch or generated any creaks.

If you’re ready to upgrade your XC bike for next year’s race season, these are the lightweight, high performance components from Easton you need to make the podium. Next thing you know your mountain bike will be packing more tech than an F-15 fighter jet!

Thanks to the folks at Easton for providing the components for review.

Here’s something all you who own 2007 and newer Manitou forks are going to be extremely interested in hearing about. The best part? It won’t cost you an arm and a leg to upgrade your front suspension.

Just in time for the holidays, Manitou has released the new Absolute+ damper cartridge (MSRP $44.99 -$69.99 depending on fork model). The Absolute+ is basically a new damper unit that will give you 8 low speed compression levels and a shimable high speed compression circuit on your Manitou fork. It’s super simple to install and you can be up and running in just 15 minutes.

The Absolute+ unit is similar to a TPC damper but the Absolute+ allows you to change up both hi (called the Pro Stack) and low speed compression (called the Speed needle). Out of the box the Absolute+ is set up for the average rider, however if you find yourself riding super rough trails or are on the heavier side of the spectrum, (180+ lbs) you will need to re-shim the high speed compression unit for maximum performance (your local shop can help you out on this).

A close look at the damper side by side to a TPC you can see a totally redesigned piston assembly.

In this article I will give you the low down on installation which will allow you to decide if you want to DIY or get a pro to do it for you. For this job you’ll need a few socket wrenches (20mm and 24mm) and one 2mm allen key. Pretty simple tool list, huh? You may want to consider changing the fork oil at the same time but it’s not necessary. Factory oil will work well with this damper unless you’re over 250 lbs. (in which case you’ll want a heavier oil).

Installation

For most home mechanics, replacing the damper will take less time than reading this article. First, turn the TPC knob full open (soft, counterclockwise). Then with the 2mm allen wrench, remove the solitare screw that holds the adjuster knob on. After you remove that screw carefully remove the cap and remove the two detent bearings and springs. Once that step is done you can remove the damper cartridge by turning it counter-clockwise with a 20mm wrench until it is totally off. You can now compare the two damper cartridges.

With the cartridge out you can either dump the oil and replace with fresh stuff or just check the level and top it off as necessary. Use a measuring tool like a vernier caliper or a simple tool cut out of cardboard with graduations on it and top off the level using the chart provided by Manitou. Each fork has a different recommended oil level so it’s important that you get the right amount (my Minute needs a level of 87mm for example).

Once you have the right oil level, you can insert the damper cartridge and torque to 45 – 55 in/lbs or 5.1 – 6.2 Nm. Carefully install the springs and then the bearing detentes (180 degrees appart). For this step, make sure you have the fork level, otherwise the detents will fall out. The final step is to install the cap with the allen screw; torque it down and then you’re ready to go.

Performance

On rocky trails with big drops I found the Absolute+ improved performance over the TPC unit that it replaced. For one thing the new control knob is easier to adjust and makes it much easier to identify settings at a glance. There are eight levels of control which offer distinct differences in slow speed compression. The shock worked equally well on washboard technical stuff and even the larger hits. One great thing I observed was how the fork didn’t feel like it was blowing through its travel too quickly on drops around the 4- 6 foot level.

For about $50 this upgrade is well worth the coin and will really improve the performance of your older 2007+ Manitou fork. Once you get the fork dialed in you will see that the separated circuits really do a great job controlling how your fork behaves.

Manitou has been doing a lot of  work revamping their product line-up and beyond the Absolute+ they have several new and exciting products just around the corner. Thanks to the folks at Manitou for providing the Absolute+ damper for review.

HAVEN on earth and good will toward men! This is the Easton product I was most excited to test after Interbike and a few weeks ago it finally arrived.  The Easton Haven wheel set is a truly new design from the ground up and at $849.99 MSRP is meant for the 5 to 6 inch Trail / AM crowd.

The Haven is the first UST wheel that Easton has produced for mountain bikes. With an internal 21mm cross-section and a 22mm section depth (see diagram below), this is a wheel that will hold up to abuse while remaining true for a very long time. I love the fact that this wheel set is just 1650 grams, only 35 grams heavier than the 19mm internal rim width Crossmax ST wheels and a full 105 grams lighter than the 22mm Crossmax SX. This low weight makes any long climbs you might encounter a little more bearable.

The 2010 Haven is maximized for QR15 wheels but also includes a QR9 adapter. For those of you with a 20mm through-axle, be patient – it’s coming soon (just don’t tell anyone I said so). Unlike Mavic wheels, you don’t need a special spoke tool to adjust tension (not that you’re going to need to do that for a while). Instead, Easton uses an innovative spoke nipple that is both threaded internally and externally and screws into the eyelets in the rim.

Looking at the Haven hubs you can see Easton added a little bling for an awesome look on top of nearly flawless performance. This time around Easton profiled the flanges and cut a neat pattern in the center of the hub, an interesting way to shave off extra weight while adding visual interest. Keeping in tradition with the Havoc and XC-One wheels, the Haven wheel set also has the ultra quiet, highly efficient 3-pawl freehub and internally cut carrier body which makes for a feather-light, quick-engaging cassette.

Wrapping these wheels with a set of WTB Prowler 2.3′s and a set of ultra-light tubes, I was off to the trails. I chose the Prowler tires because I wanted to get a feel of the wheels with familiar rubber. From the start I could tell the new design didn’t mess with the characteristic smooth, solid feel of an Easton wheel. These wheels proved to be very fast rolling with quick acceleration and allowed military-GPS precise changes in direction. I found the Havens stiff enough to prevent unwanted flex without being overly harsh.

While riding and hitting rooted trails and rock gardens, I heard the wheels complain just once with a twinge from a single spoke settling in but that was about it. I cannot stress enough how light and responsive the Havens are. Climbing up a long ski slope these required very little energy compared to some other wheels I have tested in the recent past, making this a truly perfect wheel for those bikes in the 5 – 6 inch travel range. I dare say that you will probably see these popping up on some production mountain bikes soon enough.

Changing over to a set of Maxxis High Roller UST tires, I hit the same trails looking for any performance differences. This time around, mounting the tires was fairly easy using an air compressor at home. If you don’t have access to an air compressor, you can use a floor pump but I recommend using a lot of soapy water when attempting to place a set of UST tires on these rims. Once the tires were on I was off to the trails once again.

I did feel a few differences with the UST tires but mainly due to the tire’s characteristics rather than those of the rim. The slightly lighter setup gave me a little more gas on the climbs and the ability to run at 35psi rather than 40 psi without worry of pinching gave me a bit more traction.

Overall these wheels are easily in my top 5 favorite sets that I’ve ridden thus far. For the money I would have to say these are a steal so check them out and get yourself a pair. I really doubt you will be disappointed with the Easton Haven wheelset!

Specs from Easton:

I would like to thank the folks at EASTON for providing the HAVEN wheels for review.

Since some of us use our mountain bikes for more that just hitting the trails so I thought I’d talk about a great accessory I found for the morning commute. The Keen Commuter Bag is a bike courier-style side bag with a few tweaks to make it even more stylish and versatile for the workday rider.

One of the things that makes the Commuter Bag (MSRP $100) unique is its green design and manufacturing process. Using recycled aluminum for the clips and recycled rubber for the base, Keen is working hard to make a positive impact on the environment with this bag and many other products in their line.

The Commuter features a water resistant main compartment and a padded sleeve which is suspended to keep your laptop comfy (fits notebooks up to 15.4″). The bag also sports water bottle pockets on both sides, each large enough for a 20 ounce bottle. Inside the main compartment there are several pockets for organizing pens, pencils, business cards, etc. Even with all these pockets and compartments, the bag isn’t too bulky – 16.1″ x 16.5″ x 5.1″ – which is just barely wider than a laptop itself.

The strap system is great and holds the bag neatly to either side of your body without slipping. Adjusting the bag is pretty easy: just set up the sternum strap on either side (right or left), place the shoulder pad in the correct position and away you go! There’s even a dedicated pocket to store the strap when it’s not in use.

Riding around town with my laptop, a small camera, and some snacks I found the bag gave me the freedom to move about without slapping the bag with my knees when pedaling. The bag stayed securely on my shoulder and didn’t try to sneak around front like other shoulder bags I’ve tried. Best part about this bag is that when I got crud on it from my rear tire I just used a bit of soap and water and most of the stains came off with a brush and a little elbow grease.

If your day includes a mixed bag of biking and doing business around town, the Commuter Bag from Keen may be a nice addition. Save the earth by commuting and buying this bag made from recycled materials!

Thanks to the folks at KEEN for providing the Commuter bag for review.