Latest mountain bike news

After more than a few years worth of experimenting, debating, and magazine reviewing; the 29'er is here to stay. The 29"-wheel has become the Super Swamper of mountainbiking. Almost every major bike manufacturer now has a 29"-wheeled mountainbike in their line-up, and the small scale &amp; custom framebuilders have been making them for years. This is not a bad thing, not by far. By default, the mountainbike has been rolling on the 26" wheel since the beginning, and it works well. But since we humans have a fairly sad power-to-weight ratio (when considering the rest of the animal kingdom), not many of us wanted to make the trade in grunts when the 26" wheel provided us a modicum of strength &amp; traction, with a very reasonable mass. Still, the advances in wheel &amp; tire technology have made it possible; and even desirable, to have 29" wheels on our bike frames. So it happened that the builders and aftermarket came to support this trend, and we are graced with more choices than ever when it comes to what, where, and when we want to ride. But there are still issues that fails to go away. 29'ers still accelerate slowly, steering can be sluggish due to that same centrifugal force, and they are still less resistant to abuse than 26'ers. Then there is also the issue of frame design. 29'ers have always been more friendly to taller riders. Frame builders have to contend with wheel/toe overlap, correct wheelbase, large wheel &amp; suspension-corrected geometry, amongst other things. All this has led me to explore the nascent world of the 650b wheel. A 650b MTB by Pacenti was recently featured in a <a href="http://www.dirtragmag.com/print/article.php?ID=935&amp;category=stuff_reviews">Dirt Rag</a> article. This 27.5" bicycle wheel is widely used in Europe on their touring, city, and cyclocross bikes. It falls right in the middle between the 26" &amp; 29" wheel. It has the benefits of it's slighter mass still helping stabilize a bike but accelerating faster and being less of a burden on steering. The smaller wheel allows frame builders to build bikes for smaller riders, thus giving them the opportunity to sample the goods of having big wheels. My interest in the 650b wheel has grown since first learning about them earlier this year, and it seems that my interest is echoed by a few in the custom bike industry; as well as a piqued interest from aftermarket wheel makers. And recently, a conversation that I had with Steve Garro of <a href="http://www.juniper-solutions.com/coconinocycles/">Coconino Cycles</a> has even furthered my hope that the 650b wheel idea takes hold with the rest of the mountainbike industry. I'm going to keep a close eye on this one. My wife is one of those small riders who would love for the opportunity to ride a big-wheel bike, and the 650b could very possibly afford her that. And as for myself, I've never fully caught the 29'er bug; but I would definitely consider a bike with wheels splitting the difference between 26" &amp; 29" rolling stock, and this could hold true as well with other riders who haven't been sold on 29'ers either. And, I'd hazard a guess that'd it be much easier to fit certain 26" MTB frames &amp; forks with 650b wheels &amp; tires, so it would be possible to breath new life into a well-used ride. Stay tuned, folks!
Culture
The Un-29'er Movement
Nov 17, 2007
After more than a few years worth of experimenting, debating, and magazine reviewing; the 29'er is here to stay. The 29"-wheel has become the Super Swamper of mountainbiking. Almost every major bike manufacturer now has a 29"-wheeled mountainbike in their line-up, and the small scale &amp; custom framebuilders have been making them for years. This is not a bad thing, not by far. By default, the mountainbike has been rolling on the 26" wheel since the beginning, and it works well. But since we humans have a fairly sad power-to-weight ratio (when considering the rest of the animal kingdom), not many of us wanted to make the trade in grunts when the 26" wheel provided us a modicum of strength &amp; traction, with a very reasonable mass. Still, the advances in wheel &amp; tire technology have made it possible; and even desirable, to have 29" wheels on our bike frames. So it happened that the builders and aftermarket came to support this trend, and we are graced with more choices than ever when it comes to what, where, and when we want to ride. But there are still issues that fails to go away. 29'ers still accelerate slowly, steering can be sluggish due to that same centrifugal force, and they are still less resistant to abuse than 26'ers. Then there is also the issue of frame design. 29'ers have always been more friendly to taller riders. Frame builders have to contend with wheel/toe overlap, correct wheelbase, large wheel &amp; suspension-corrected geometry, amongst other things. All this has led me to explore the nascent world of the 650b wheel. A 650b MTB by Pacenti was recently featured in a <a href="http://www.dirtragmag.com/print/article.php?ID=935&amp;category=stuff_reviews">Dirt Rag</a> article. This 27.5" bicycle wheel is widely used in Europe on their touring, city, and cyclocross bikes. It falls right in the middle between the 26" &amp; 29" wheel. It has the benefits of it's slighter mass still helping stabilize a bike but accelerating faster and being less of a burden on steering. The smaller wheel allows frame builders to build bikes for smaller riders, thus giving them the opportunity to sample the goods of having big wheels. My interest in the 650b wheel has grown since first learning about them earlier this year, and it seems that my interest is echoed by a few in the custom bike industry; as well as a piqued interest from aftermarket wheel makers. And recently, a conversation that I had with Steve Garro of <a href="http://www.juniper-solutions.com/coconinocycles/">Coconino Cycles</a> has even furthered my hope that the 650b wheel idea takes hold with the rest of the mountainbike industry. I'm going to keep a close eye on this one. My wife is one of those small riders who would love for the opportunity to ride a big-wheel bike, and the 650b could very possibly afford her that. And as for myself, I've never fully caught the 29'er bug; but I would definitely consider a bike with wheels splitting the difference between 26" &amp; 29" rolling stock, and this could hold true as well with other riders who haven't been sold on 29'ers either. And, I'd hazard a guess that'd it be much easier to fit certain 26" MTB frames &amp; forks with 650b wheels &amp; tires, so it would be possible to breath new life into a well-used ride. Stay tuned, folks!
Community
World's most grueling mountain bike race: La Ruta
Nov 16, 2007
  1
After more than a few years worth of experimenting, debating, and magazine reviewing; the 29'er is here to stay. The 29"-wheel has become the Super Swamper of mountainbiking. Almost every major bike manufacturer now has a 29"-wheeled mountainbike in their line-up, and the small scale &amp; custom framebuilders have been making them for years. This is not a bad thing, not by far. By default, the mountainbike has been rolling on the 26" wheel since the beginning, and it works well. But since we humans have a fairly sad power-to-weight ratio (when considering the rest of the animal kingdom), not many of us wanted to make the trade in grunts when the 26" wheel provided us a modicum of strength &amp; traction, with a very reasonable mass. Still, the advances in wheel &amp; tire technology have made it possible; and even desirable, to have 29" wheels on our bike frames. So it happened that the builders and aftermarket came to support this trend, and we are graced with more choices than ever when it comes to what, where, and when we want to ride. But there are still issues that fails to go away. 29'ers still accelerate slowly, steering can be sluggish due to that same centrifugal force, and they are still less resistant to abuse than 26'ers. Then there is also the issue of frame design. 29'ers have always been more friendly to taller riders. Frame builders have to contend with wheel/toe overlap, correct wheelbase, large wheel &amp; suspension-corrected geometry, amongst other things. All this has led me to explore the nascent world of the 650b wheel. A 650b MTB by Pacenti was recently featured in a <a href="http://www.dirtragmag.com/print/article.php?ID=935&amp;category=stuff_reviews">Dirt Rag</a> article. This 27.5" bicycle wheel is widely used in Europe on their touring, city, and cyclocross bikes. It falls right in the middle between the 26" &amp; 29" wheel. It has the benefits of it's slighter mass still helping stabilize a bike but accelerating faster and being less of a burden on steering. The smaller wheel allows frame builders to build bikes for smaller riders, thus giving them the opportunity to sample the goods of having big wheels. My interest in the 650b wheel has grown since first learning about them earlier this year, and it seems that my interest is echoed by a few in the custom bike industry; as well as a piqued interest from aftermarket wheel makers. And recently, a conversation that I had with Steve Garro of <a href="http://www.juniper-solutions.com/coconinocycles/">Coconino Cycles</a> has even furthered my hope that the 650b wheel idea takes hold with the rest of the mountainbike industry. I'm going to keep a close eye on this one. My wife is one of those small riders who would love for the opportunity to ride a big-wheel bike, and the 650b could very possibly afford her that. And as for myself, I've never fully caught the 29'er bug; but I would definitely consider a bike with wheels splitting the difference between 26" &amp; 29" rolling stock, and this could hold true as well with other riders who haven't been sold on 29'ers either. And, I'd hazard a guess that'd it be much easier to fit certain 26" MTB frames &amp; forks with 650b wheels &amp; tires, so it would be possible to breath new life into a well-used ride. Stay tuned, folks!
Culture
A Link to Mountainbiking's Past
Nov 16, 2007
After more than a few years worth of experimenting, debating, and magazine reviewing; the 29'er is here to stay. The 29"-wheel has become the Super Swamper of mountainbiking. Almost every major bike manufacturer now has a 29"-wheeled mountainbike in their line-up, and the small scale &amp; custom framebuilders have been making them for years. This is not a bad thing, not by far. By default, the mountainbike has been rolling on the 26" wheel since the beginning, and it works well. But since we humans have a fairly sad power-to-weight ratio (when considering the rest of the animal kingdom), not many of us wanted to make the trade in grunts when the 26" wheel provided us a modicum of strength &amp; traction, with a very reasonable mass. Still, the advances in wheel &amp; tire technology have made it possible; and even desirable, to have 29" wheels on our bike frames. So it happened that the builders and aftermarket came to support this trend, and we are graced with more choices than ever when it comes to what, where, and when we want to ride. But there are still issues that fails to go away. 29'ers still accelerate slowly, steering can be sluggish due to that same centrifugal force, and they are still less resistant to abuse than 26'ers. Then there is also the issue of frame design. 29'ers have always been more friendly to taller riders. Frame builders have to contend with wheel/toe overlap, correct wheelbase, large wheel &amp; suspension-corrected geometry, amongst other things. All this has led me to explore the nascent world of the 650b wheel. A 650b MTB by Pacenti was recently featured in a <a href="http://www.dirtragmag.com/print/article.php?ID=935&amp;category=stuff_reviews">Dirt Rag</a> article. This 27.5" bicycle wheel is widely used in Europe on their touring, city, and cyclocross bikes. It falls right in the middle between the 26" &amp; 29" wheel. It has the benefits of it's slighter mass still helping stabilize a bike but accelerating faster and being less of a burden on steering. The smaller wheel allows frame builders to build bikes for smaller riders, thus giving them the opportunity to sample the goods of having big wheels. My interest in the 650b wheel has grown since first learning about them earlier this year, and it seems that my interest is echoed by a few in the custom bike industry; as well as a piqued interest from aftermarket wheel makers. And recently, a conversation that I had with Steve Garro of <a href="http://www.juniper-solutions.com/coconinocycles/">Coconino Cycles</a> has even furthered my hope that the 650b wheel idea takes hold with the rest of the mountainbike industry. I'm going to keep a close eye on this one. My wife is one of those small riders who would love for the opportunity to ride a big-wheel bike, and the 650b could very possibly afford her that. And as for myself, I've never fully caught the 29'er bug; but I would definitely consider a bike with wheels splitting the difference between 26" &amp; 29" rolling stock, and this could hold true as well with other riders who haven't been sold on 29'ers either. And, I'd hazard a guess that'd it be much easier to fit certain 26" MTB frames &amp; forks with 650b wheels &amp; tires, so it would be possible to breath new life into a well-used ride. Stay tuned, folks!
Culture
Illegal mountain biker winds up in federal court
Nov 15, 2007
A person crouches near a stream, beside a wooden display featuring a sign that reads "DIDY-GO" and bottles of a product. The surrounding area is lush with greenery.
Culture
Mountain bikes as bio-vectors
Nov 13, 2007
A winding dirt path through a tranquil forest, surrounded by tall trees with a mix of green and autumn-colored leaves. The ground is covered with fallen leaves, and the path leads into the distance, inviting exploration of the serene, natural landscape.
Mountain Bike Trails
Ride Report: Raccoon Mountain, Tennessee
Nov 12, 2007
After more than a few years worth of experimenting, debating, and magazine reviewing; the 29'er is here to stay. The 29"-wheel has become the Super Swamper of mountainbiking. Almost every major bike manufacturer now has a 29"-wheeled mountainbike in their line-up, and the small scale &amp; custom framebuilders have been making them for years. This is not a bad thing, not by far. By default, the mountainbike has been rolling on the 26" wheel since the beginning, and it works well. But since we humans have a fairly sad power-to-weight ratio (when considering the rest of the animal kingdom), not many of us wanted to make the trade in grunts when the 26" wheel provided us a modicum of strength &amp; traction, with a very reasonable mass. Still, the advances in wheel &amp; tire technology have made it possible; and even desirable, to have 29" wheels on our bike frames. So it happened that the builders and aftermarket came to support this trend, and we are graced with more choices than ever when it comes to what, where, and when we want to ride. But there are still issues that fails to go away. 29'ers still accelerate slowly, steering can be sluggish due to that same centrifugal force, and they are still less resistant to abuse than 26'ers. Then there is also the issue of frame design. 29'ers have always been more friendly to taller riders. Frame builders have to contend with wheel/toe overlap, correct wheelbase, large wheel &amp; suspension-corrected geometry, amongst other things. All this has led me to explore the nascent world of the 650b wheel. A 650b MTB by Pacenti was recently featured in a <a href="http://www.dirtragmag.com/print/article.php?ID=935&amp;category=stuff_reviews">Dirt Rag</a> article. This 27.5" bicycle wheel is widely used in Europe on their touring, city, and cyclocross bikes. It falls right in the middle between the 26" &amp; 29" wheel. It has the benefits of it's slighter mass still helping stabilize a bike but accelerating faster and being less of a burden on steering. The smaller wheel allows frame builders to build bikes for smaller riders, thus giving them the opportunity to sample the goods of having big wheels. My interest in the 650b wheel has grown since first learning about them earlier this year, and it seems that my interest is echoed by a few in the custom bike industry; as well as a piqued interest from aftermarket wheel makers. And recently, a conversation that I had with Steve Garro of <a href="http://www.juniper-solutions.com/coconinocycles/">Coconino Cycles</a> has even furthered my hope that the 650b wheel idea takes hold with the rest of the mountainbike industry. I'm going to keep a close eye on this one. My wife is one of those small riders who would love for the opportunity to ride a big-wheel bike, and the 650b could very possibly afford her that. And as for myself, I've never fully caught the 29'er bug; but I would definitely consider a bike with wheels splitting the difference between 26" &amp; 29" rolling stock, and this could hold true as well with other riders who haven't been sold on 29'ers either. And, I'd hazard a guess that'd it be much easier to fit certain 26" MTB frames &amp; forks with 650b wheels &amp; tires, so it would be possible to breath new life into a well-used ride. Stay tuned, folks!
Community
Ladies on Velocipedes
Nov 9, 2007
A person wearing an orange shirt and helmet is riding a mountain bike, positioned in a natural outdoor setting with a clear sky in the background. The rider appears focused and poised, with a backpack on, showcasing a dynamic cycling posture.
Mountain Bikes and Gear
Introducing our Senior Bike Editor
Nov 8, 2007
  3
A winding dirt path cuts through a grassy landscape, surrounded by low hills and scattered rocks under a partly cloudy sky.
Mountain Bike Trails
Connecting Hall Ranch and Heil Valley Ranch
Nov 8, 2007
After more than a few years worth of experimenting, debating, and magazine reviewing; the 29'er is here to stay. The 29"-wheel has become the Super Swamper of mountainbiking. Almost every major bike manufacturer now has a 29"-wheeled mountainbike in their line-up, and the small scale &amp; custom framebuilders have been making them for years. This is not a bad thing, not by far. By default, the mountainbike has been rolling on the 26" wheel since the beginning, and it works well. But since we humans have a fairly sad power-to-weight ratio (when considering the rest of the animal kingdom), not many of us wanted to make the trade in grunts when the 26" wheel provided us a modicum of strength &amp; traction, with a very reasonable mass. Still, the advances in wheel &amp; tire technology have made it possible; and even desirable, to have 29" wheels on our bike frames. So it happened that the builders and aftermarket came to support this trend, and we are graced with more choices than ever when it comes to what, where, and when we want to ride. But there are still issues that fails to go away. 29'ers still accelerate slowly, steering can be sluggish due to that same centrifugal force, and they are still less resistant to abuse than 26'ers. Then there is also the issue of frame design. 29'ers have always been more friendly to taller riders. Frame builders have to contend with wheel/toe overlap, correct wheelbase, large wheel &amp; suspension-corrected geometry, amongst other things. All this has led me to explore the nascent world of the 650b wheel. A 650b MTB by Pacenti was recently featured in a <a href="http://www.dirtragmag.com/print/article.php?ID=935&amp;category=stuff_reviews">Dirt Rag</a> article. This 27.5" bicycle wheel is widely used in Europe on their touring, city, and cyclocross bikes. It falls right in the middle between the 26" &amp; 29" wheel. It has the benefits of it's slighter mass still helping stabilize a bike but accelerating faster and being less of a burden on steering. The smaller wheel allows frame builders to build bikes for smaller riders, thus giving them the opportunity to sample the goods of having big wheels. My interest in the 650b wheel has grown since first learning about them earlier this year, and it seems that my interest is echoed by a few in the custom bike industry; as well as a piqued interest from aftermarket wheel makers. And recently, a conversation that I had with Steve Garro of <a href="http://www.juniper-solutions.com/coconinocycles/">Coconino Cycles</a> has even furthered my hope that the 650b wheel idea takes hold with the rest of the mountainbike industry. I'm going to keep a close eye on this one. My wife is one of those small riders who would love for the opportunity to ride a big-wheel bike, and the 650b could very possibly afford her that. And as for myself, I've never fully caught the 29'er bug; but I would definitely consider a bike with wheels splitting the difference between 26" &amp; 29" rolling stock, and this could hold true as well with other riders who haven't been sold on 29'ers either. And, I'd hazard a guess that'd it be much easier to fit certain 26" MTB frames &amp; forks with 650b wheels &amp; tires, so it would be possible to breath new life into a well-used ride. Stay tuned, folks!
Culture
Mountainbiking technology comes full circle.
Nov 8, 2007
  2
After more than a few years worth of experimenting, debating, and magazine reviewing; the 29'er is here to stay. The 29"-wheel has become the Super Swamper of mountainbiking. Almost every major bike manufacturer now has a 29"-wheeled mountainbike in their line-up, and the small scale &amp; custom framebuilders have been making them for years. This is not a bad thing, not by far. By default, the mountainbike has been rolling on the 26" wheel since the beginning, and it works well. But since we humans have a fairly sad power-to-weight ratio (when considering the rest of the animal kingdom), not many of us wanted to make the trade in grunts when the 26" wheel provided us a modicum of strength &amp; traction, with a very reasonable mass. Still, the advances in wheel &amp; tire technology have made it possible; and even desirable, to have 29" wheels on our bike frames. So it happened that the builders and aftermarket came to support this trend, and we are graced with more choices than ever when it comes to what, where, and when we want to ride. But there are still issues that fails to go away. 29'ers still accelerate slowly, steering can be sluggish due to that same centrifugal force, and they are still less resistant to abuse than 26'ers. Then there is also the issue of frame design. 29'ers have always been more friendly to taller riders. Frame builders have to contend with wheel/toe overlap, correct wheelbase, large wheel &amp; suspension-corrected geometry, amongst other things. All this has led me to explore the nascent world of the 650b wheel. A 650b MTB by Pacenti was recently featured in a <a href="http://www.dirtragmag.com/print/article.php?ID=935&amp;category=stuff_reviews">Dirt Rag</a> article. This 27.5" bicycle wheel is widely used in Europe on their touring, city, and cyclocross bikes. It falls right in the middle between the 26" &amp; 29" wheel. It has the benefits of it's slighter mass still helping stabilize a bike but accelerating faster and being less of a burden on steering. The smaller wheel allows frame builders to build bikes for smaller riders, thus giving them the opportunity to sample the goods of having big wheels. My interest in the 650b wheel has grown since first learning about them earlier this year, and it seems that my interest is echoed by a few in the custom bike industry; as well as a piqued interest from aftermarket wheel makers. And recently, a conversation that I had with Steve Garro of <a href="http://www.juniper-solutions.com/coconinocycles/">Coconino Cycles</a> has even furthered my hope that the 650b wheel idea takes hold with the rest of the mountainbike industry. I'm going to keep a close eye on this one. My wife is one of those small riders who would love for the opportunity to ride a big-wheel bike, and the 650b could very possibly afford her that. And as for myself, I've never fully caught the 29'er bug; but I would definitely consider a bike with wheels splitting the difference between 26" &amp; 29" rolling stock, and this could hold true as well with other riders who haven't been sold on 29'ers either. And, I'd hazard a guess that'd it be much easier to fit certain 26" MTB frames &amp; forks with 650b wheels &amp; tires, so it would be possible to breath new life into a well-used ride. Stay tuned, folks!
Community
National Mountain Bike Series Ignores East Coast
Nov 7, 2007
A mountain biker riding down stone steps near a historic archway, surrounded by large rocks and ancient stone walls. The scene is set against a clear sky, highlighting the cyclist's action.
Mountain Bike Trails
Epic Ride Report: Grande Route of Historical Villages, Portugal
Nov 6, 2007
After more than a few years worth of experimenting, debating, and magazine reviewing; the 29'er is here to stay. The 29"-wheel has become the Super Swamper of mountainbiking. Almost every major bike manufacturer now has a 29"-wheeled mountainbike in their line-up, and the small scale &amp; custom framebuilders have been making them for years. This is not a bad thing, not by far. By default, the mountainbike has been rolling on the 26" wheel since the beginning, and it works well. But since we humans have a fairly sad power-to-weight ratio (when considering the rest of the animal kingdom), not many of us wanted to make the trade in grunts when the 26" wheel provided us a modicum of strength &amp; traction, with a very reasonable mass. Still, the advances in wheel &amp; tire technology have made it possible; and even desirable, to have 29" wheels on our bike frames. So it happened that the builders and aftermarket came to support this trend, and we are graced with more choices than ever when it comes to what, where, and when we want to ride. But there are still issues that fails to go away. 29'ers still accelerate slowly, steering can be sluggish due to that same centrifugal force, and they are still less resistant to abuse than 26'ers. Then there is also the issue of frame design. 29'ers have always been more friendly to taller riders. Frame builders have to contend with wheel/toe overlap, correct wheelbase, large wheel &amp; suspension-corrected geometry, amongst other things. All this has led me to explore the nascent world of the 650b wheel. A 650b MTB by Pacenti was recently featured in a <a href="http://www.dirtragmag.com/print/article.php?ID=935&amp;category=stuff_reviews">Dirt Rag</a> article. This 27.5" bicycle wheel is widely used in Europe on their touring, city, and cyclocross bikes. It falls right in the middle between the 26" &amp; 29" wheel. It has the benefits of it's slighter mass still helping stabilize a bike but accelerating faster and being less of a burden on steering. The smaller wheel allows frame builders to build bikes for smaller riders, thus giving them the opportunity to sample the goods of having big wheels. My interest in the 650b wheel has grown since first learning about them earlier this year, and it seems that my interest is echoed by a few in the custom bike industry; as well as a piqued interest from aftermarket wheel makers. And recently, a conversation that I had with Steve Garro of <a href="http://www.juniper-solutions.com/coconinocycles/">Coconino Cycles</a> has even furthered my hope that the 650b wheel idea takes hold with the rest of the mountainbike industry. I'm going to keep a close eye on this one. My wife is one of those small riders who would love for the opportunity to ride a big-wheel bike, and the 650b could very possibly afford her that. And as for myself, I've never fully caught the 29'er bug; but I would definitely consider a bike with wheels splitting the difference between 26" &amp; 29" rolling stock, and this could hold true as well with other riders who haven't been sold on 29'ers either. And, I'd hazard a guess that'd it be much easier to fit certain 26" MTB frames &amp; forks with 650b wheels &amp; tires, so it would be possible to breath new life into a well-used ride. Stay tuned, folks!
Mountain Bike Trails
A frozen Moab?
Nov 5, 2007
After more than a few years worth of experimenting, debating, and magazine reviewing; the 29'er is here to stay. The 29"-wheel has become the Super Swamper of mountainbiking. Almost every major bike manufacturer now has a 29"-wheeled mountainbike in their line-up, and the small scale &amp; custom framebuilders have been making them for years. This is not a bad thing, not by far. By default, the mountainbike has been rolling on the 26" wheel since the beginning, and it works well. But since we humans have a fairly sad power-to-weight ratio (when considering the rest of the animal kingdom), not many of us wanted to make the trade in grunts when the 26" wheel provided us a modicum of strength &amp; traction, with a very reasonable mass. Still, the advances in wheel &amp; tire technology have made it possible; and even desirable, to have 29" wheels on our bike frames. So it happened that the builders and aftermarket came to support this trend, and we are graced with more choices than ever when it comes to what, where, and when we want to ride. But there are still issues that fails to go away. 29'ers still accelerate slowly, steering can be sluggish due to that same centrifugal force, and they are still less resistant to abuse than 26'ers. Then there is also the issue of frame design. 29'ers have always been more friendly to taller riders. Frame builders have to contend with wheel/toe overlap, correct wheelbase, large wheel &amp; suspension-corrected geometry, amongst other things. All this has led me to explore the nascent world of the 650b wheel. A 650b MTB by Pacenti was recently featured in a <a href="http://www.dirtragmag.com/print/article.php?ID=935&amp;category=stuff_reviews">Dirt Rag</a> article. This 27.5" bicycle wheel is widely used in Europe on their touring, city, and cyclocross bikes. It falls right in the middle between the 26" &amp; 29" wheel. It has the benefits of it's slighter mass still helping stabilize a bike but accelerating faster and being less of a burden on steering. The smaller wheel allows frame builders to build bikes for smaller riders, thus giving them the opportunity to sample the goods of having big wheels. My interest in the 650b wheel has grown since first learning about them earlier this year, and it seems that my interest is echoed by a few in the custom bike industry; as well as a piqued interest from aftermarket wheel makers. And recently, a conversation that I had with Steve Garro of <a href="http://www.juniper-solutions.com/coconinocycles/">Coconino Cycles</a> has even furthered my hope that the 650b wheel idea takes hold with the rest of the mountainbike industry. I'm going to keep a close eye on this one. My wife is one of those small riders who would love for the opportunity to ride a big-wheel bike, and the 650b could very possibly afford her that. And as for myself, I've never fully caught the 29'er bug; but I would definitely consider a bike with wheels splitting the difference between 26" &amp; 29" rolling stock, and this could hold true as well with other riders who haven't been sold on 29'ers either. And, I'd hazard a guess that'd it be much easier to fit certain 26" MTB frames &amp; forks with 650b wheels &amp; tires, so it would be possible to breath new life into a well-used ride. Stay tuned, folks!
Community
Trail Weekend @ Hueston Woods: Nov 9-11
Nov 2, 2007
After more than a few years worth of experimenting, debating, and magazine reviewing; the 29'er is here to stay. The 29"-wheel has become the Super Swamper of mountainbiking. Almost every major bike manufacturer now has a 29"-wheeled mountainbike in their line-up, and the small scale &amp; custom framebuilders have been making them for years. This is not a bad thing, not by far. By default, the mountainbike has been rolling on the 26" wheel since the beginning, and it works well. But since we humans have a fairly sad power-to-weight ratio (when considering the rest of the animal kingdom), not many of us wanted to make the trade in grunts when the 26" wheel provided us a modicum of strength &amp; traction, with a very reasonable mass. Still, the advances in wheel &amp; tire technology have made it possible; and even desirable, to have 29" wheels on our bike frames. So it happened that the builders and aftermarket came to support this trend, and we are graced with more choices than ever when it comes to what, where, and when we want to ride. But there are still issues that fails to go away. 29'ers still accelerate slowly, steering can be sluggish due to that same centrifugal force, and they are still less resistant to abuse than 26'ers. Then there is also the issue of frame design. 29'ers have always been more friendly to taller riders. Frame builders have to contend with wheel/toe overlap, correct wheelbase, large wheel &amp; suspension-corrected geometry, amongst other things. All this has led me to explore the nascent world of the 650b wheel. A 650b MTB by Pacenti was recently featured in a <a href="http://www.dirtragmag.com/print/article.php?ID=935&amp;category=stuff_reviews">Dirt Rag</a> article. This 27.5" bicycle wheel is widely used in Europe on their touring, city, and cyclocross bikes. It falls right in the middle between the 26" &amp; 29" wheel. It has the benefits of it's slighter mass still helping stabilize a bike but accelerating faster and being less of a burden on steering. The smaller wheel allows frame builders to build bikes for smaller riders, thus giving them the opportunity to sample the goods of having big wheels. My interest in the 650b wheel has grown since first learning about them earlier this year, and it seems that my interest is echoed by a few in the custom bike industry; as well as a piqued interest from aftermarket wheel makers. And recently, a conversation that I had with Steve Garro of <a href="http://www.juniper-solutions.com/coconinocycles/">Coconino Cycles</a> has even furthered my hope that the 650b wheel idea takes hold with the rest of the mountainbike industry. I'm going to keep a close eye on this one. My wife is one of those small riders who would love for the opportunity to ride a big-wheel bike, and the 650b could very possibly afford her that. And as for myself, I've never fully caught the 29'er bug; but I would definitely consider a bike with wheels splitting the difference between 26" &amp; 29" rolling stock, and this could hold true as well with other riders who haven't been sold on 29'ers either. And, I'd hazard a guess that'd it be much easier to fit certain 26" MTB frames &amp; forks with 650b wheels &amp; tires, so it would be possible to breath new life into a well-used ride. Stay tuned, folks!
Mountain Bike Trails
Best trail in the world
Nov 1, 2007
Close-up image of a black insect, commonly referred to as a stinkbug or clown beetle, positioned on a surface of small gravel or dirt. The insect is shown from a top-down angle, highlighting its distinct body shape and long antennae.
Culture
Mountain bikers: Yield to wildlife?
Oct 26, 2007
  2
Culture
Ultimate Frisbee on Mountain Bikes
Oct 25, 2007
After more than a few years worth of experimenting, debating, and magazine reviewing; the 29'er is here to stay. The 29"-wheel has become the Super Swamper of mountainbiking. Almost every major bike manufacturer now has a 29"-wheeled mountainbike in their line-up, and the small scale &amp; custom framebuilders have been making them for years. This is not a bad thing, not by far. By default, the mountainbike has been rolling on the 26" wheel since the beginning, and it works well. But since we humans have a fairly sad power-to-weight ratio (when considering the rest of the animal kingdom), not many of us wanted to make the trade in grunts when the 26" wheel provided us a modicum of strength &amp; traction, with a very reasonable mass. Still, the advances in wheel &amp; tire technology have made it possible; and even desirable, to have 29" wheels on our bike frames. So it happened that the builders and aftermarket came to support this trend, and we are graced with more choices than ever when it comes to what, where, and when we want to ride. But there are still issues that fails to go away. 29'ers still accelerate slowly, steering can be sluggish due to that same centrifugal force, and they are still less resistant to abuse than 26'ers. Then there is also the issue of frame design. 29'ers have always been more friendly to taller riders. Frame builders have to contend with wheel/toe overlap, correct wheelbase, large wheel &amp; suspension-corrected geometry, amongst other things. All this has led me to explore the nascent world of the 650b wheel. A 650b MTB by Pacenti was recently featured in a <a href="http://www.dirtragmag.com/print/article.php?ID=935&amp;category=stuff_reviews">Dirt Rag</a> article. This 27.5" bicycle wheel is widely used in Europe on their touring, city, and cyclocross bikes. It falls right in the middle between the 26" &amp; 29" wheel. It has the benefits of it's slighter mass still helping stabilize a bike but accelerating faster and being less of a burden on steering. The smaller wheel allows frame builders to build bikes for smaller riders, thus giving them the opportunity to sample the goods of having big wheels. My interest in the 650b wheel has grown since first learning about them earlier this year, and it seems that my interest is echoed by a few in the custom bike industry; as well as a piqued interest from aftermarket wheel makers. And recently, a conversation that I had with Steve Garro of <a href="http://www.juniper-solutions.com/coconinocycles/">Coconino Cycles</a> has even furthered my hope that the 650b wheel idea takes hold with the rest of the mountainbike industry. I'm going to keep a close eye on this one. My wife is one of those small riders who would love for the opportunity to ride a big-wheel bike, and the 650b could very possibly afford her that. And as for myself, I've never fully caught the 29'er bug; but I would definitely consider a bike with wheels splitting the difference between 26" &amp; 29" rolling stock, and this could hold true as well with other riders who haven't been sold on 29'ers either. And, I'd hazard a guess that'd it be much easier to fit certain 26" MTB frames &amp; forks with 650b wheels &amp; tires, so it would be possible to breath new life into a well-used ride. Stay tuned, folks!
Culture
Recumbents: Expired
Oct 24, 2007
  3
An illustration featuring a cyclist in an unusual position, riding a bicycle with a skeletal spine incorporated into their body. The background is green, and the text "Riding the SPINE" is displayed in a stylized font above the figure.
Culture
Riding the Spine: Halfway to the tip of South America
Oct 23, 2007
  1
After more than a few years worth of experimenting, debating, and magazine reviewing; the 29'er is here to stay. The 29"-wheel has become the Super Swamper of mountainbiking. Almost every major bike manufacturer now has a 29"-wheeled mountainbike in their line-up, and the small scale &amp; custom framebuilders have been making them for years. This is not a bad thing, not by far. By default, the mountainbike has been rolling on the 26" wheel since the beginning, and it works well. But since we humans have a fairly sad power-to-weight ratio (when considering the rest of the animal kingdom), not many of us wanted to make the trade in grunts when the 26" wheel provided us a modicum of strength &amp; traction, with a very reasonable mass. Still, the advances in wheel &amp; tire technology have made it possible; and even desirable, to have 29" wheels on our bike frames. So it happened that the builders and aftermarket came to support this trend, and we are graced with more choices than ever when it comes to what, where, and when we want to ride. But there are still issues that fails to go away. 29'ers still accelerate slowly, steering can be sluggish due to that same centrifugal force, and they are still less resistant to abuse than 26'ers. Then there is also the issue of frame design. 29'ers have always been more friendly to taller riders. Frame builders have to contend with wheel/toe overlap, correct wheelbase, large wheel &amp; suspension-corrected geometry, amongst other things. All this has led me to explore the nascent world of the 650b wheel. A 650b MTB by Pacenti was recently featured in a <a href="http://www.dirtragmag.com/print/article.php?ID=935&amp;category=stuff_reviews">Dirt Rag</a> article. This 27.5" bicycle wheel is widely used in Europe on their touring, city, and cyclocross bikes. It falls right in the middle between the 26" &amp; 29" wheel. It has the benefits of it's slighter mass still helping stabilize a bike but accelerating faster and being less of a burden on steering. The smaller wheel allows frame builders to build bikes for smaller riders, thus giving them the opportunity to sample the goods of having big wheels. My interest in the 650b wheel has grown since first learning about them earlier this year, and it seems that my interest is echoed by a few in the custom bike industry; as well as a piqued interest from aftermarket wheel makers. And recently, a conversation that I had with Steve Garro of <a href="http://www.juniper-solutions.com/coconinocycles/">Coconino Cycles</a> has even furthered my hope that the 650b wheel idea takes hold with the rest of the mountainbike industry. I'm going to keep a close eye on this one. My wife is one of those small riders who would love for the opportunity to ride a big-wheel bike, and the 650b could very possibly afford her that. And as for myself, I've never fully caught the 29'er bug; but I would definitely consider a bike with wheels splitting the difference between 26" &amp; 29" rolling stock, and this could hold true as well with other riders who haven't been sold on 29'ers either. And, I'd hazard a guess that'd it be much easier to fit certain 26" MTB frames &amp; forks with 650b wheels &amp; tires, so it would be possible to breath new life into a well-used ride. Stay tuned, folks!
Mountain Bikes and Gear
GPS Freeze: Problem solved?
Oct 22, 2007
After more than a few years worth of experimenting, debating, and magazine reviewing; the 29'er is here to stay. The 29"-wheel has become the Super Swamper of mountainbiking. Almost every major bike manufacturer now has a 29"-wheeled mountainbike in their line-up, and the small scale &amp; custom framebuilders have been making them for years. This is not a bad thing, not by far. By default, the mountainbike has been rolling on the 26" wheel since the beginning, and it works well. But since we humans have a fairly sad power-to-weight ratio (when considering the rest of the animal kingdom), not many of us wanted to make the trade in grunts when the 26" wheel provided us a modicum of strength &amp; traction, with a very reasonable mass. Still, the advances in wheel &amp; tire technology have made it possible; and even desirable, to have 29" wheels on our bike frames. So it happened that the builders and aftermarket came to support this trend, and we are graced with more choices than ever when it comes to what, where, and when we want to ride. But there are still issues that fails to go away. 29'ers still accelerate slowly, steering can be sluggish due to that same centrifugal force, and they are still less resistant to abuse than 26'ers. Then there is also the issue of frame design. 29'ers have always been more friendly to taller riders. Frame builders have to contend with wheel/toe overlap, correct wheelbase, large wheel &amp; suspension-corrected geometry, amongst other things. All this has led me to explore the nascent world of the 650b wheel. A 650b MTB by Pacenti was recently featured in a <a href="http://www.dirtragmag.com/print/article.php?ID=935&amp;category=stuff_reviews">Dirt Rag</a> article. This 27.5" bicycle wheel is widely used in Europe on their touring, city, and cyclocross bikes. It falls right in the middle between the 26" &amp; 29" wheel. It has the benefits of it's slighter mass still helping stabilize a bike but accelerating faster and being less of a burden on steering. The smaller wheel allows frame builders to build bikes for smaller riders, thus giving them the opportunity to sample the goods of having big wheels. My interest in the 650b wheel has grown since first learning about them earlier this year, and it seems that my interest is echoed by a few in the custom bike industry; as well as a piqued interest from aftermarket wheel makers. And recently, a conversation that I had with Steve Garro of <a href="http://www.juniper-solutions.com/coconinocycles/">Coconino Cycles</a> has even furthered my hope that the 650b wheel idea takes hold with the rest of the mountainbike industry. I'm going to keep a close eye on this one. My wife is one of those small riders who would love for the opportunity to ride a big-wheel bike, and the 650b could very possibly afford her that. And as for myself, I've never fully caught the 29'er bug; but I would definitely consider a bike with wheels splitting the difference between 26" &amp; 29" rolling stock, and this could hold true as well with other riders who haven't been sold on 29'ers either. And, I'd hazard a guess that'd it be much easier to fit certain 26" MTB frames &amp; forks with 650b wheels &amp; tires, so it would be possible to breath new life into a well-used ride. Stay tuned, folks!
Mountain Bike Trails
New mountain bike trails in Cleveland
Oct 19, 2007
A Garmin Edge 605 GPS device displaying a map with speed and heading information, featuring a gray casing and a black screen with navigation details.
Mountain Bikes and Gear
Garmin Edge 605 and 705 release pushed back to 2008
Oct 18, 2007
After more than a few years worth of experimenting, debating, and magazine reviewing; the 29'er is here to stay. The 29"-wheel has become the Super Swamper of mountainbiking. Almost every major bike manufacturer now has a 29"-wheeled mountainbike in their line-up, and the small scale &amp; custom framebuilders have been making them for years. This is not a bad thing, not by far. By default, the mountainbike has been rolling on the 26" wheel since the beginning, and it works well. But since we humans have a fairly sad power-to-weight ratio (when considering the rest of the animal kingdom), not many of us wanted to make the trade in grunts when the 26" wheel provided us a modicum of strength &amp; traction, with a very reasonable mass. Still, the advances in wheel &amp; tire technology have made it possible; and even desirable, to have 29" wheels on our bike frames. So it happened that the builders and aftermarket came to support this trend, and we are graced with more choices than ever when it comes to what, where, and when we want to ride. But there are still issues that fails to go away. 29'ers still accelerate slowly, steering can be sluggish due to that same centrifugal force, and they are still less resistant to abuse than 26'ers. Then there is also the issue of frame design. 29'ers have always been more friendly to taller riders. Frame builders have to contend with wheel/toe overlap, correct wheelbase, large wheel &amp; suspension-corrected geometry, amongst other things. All this has led me to explore the nascent world of the 650b wheel. A 650b MTB by Pacenti was recently featured in a <a href="http://www.dirtragmag.com/print/article.php?ID=935&amp;category=stuff_reviews">Dirt Rag</a> article. This 27.5" bicycle wheel is widely used in Europe on their touring, city, and cyclocross bikes. It falls right in the middle between the 26" &amp; 29" wheel. It has the benefits of it's slighter mass still helping stabilize a bike but accelerating faster and being less of a burden on steering. The smaller wheel allows frame builders to build bikes for smaller riders, thus giving them the opportunity to sample the goods of having big wheels. My interest in the 650b wheel has grown since first learning about them earlier this year, and it seems that my interest is echoed by a few in the custom bike industry; as well as a piqued interest from aftermarket wheel makers. And recently, a conversation that I had with Steve Garro of <a href="http://www.juniper-solutions.com/coconinocycles/">Coconino Cycles</a> has even furthered my hope that the 650b wheel idea takes hold with the rest of the mountainbike industry. I'm going to keep a close eye on this one. My wife is one of those small riders who would love for the opportunity to ride a big-wheel bike, and the 650b could very possibly afford her that. And as for myself, I've never fully caught the 29'er bug; but I would definitely consider a bike with wheels splitting the difference between 26" &amp; 29" rolling stock, and this could hold true as well with other riders who haven't been sold on 29'ers either. And, I'd hazard a guess that'd it be much easier to fit certain 26" MTB frames &amp; forks with 650b wheels &amp; tires, so it would be possible to breath new life into a well-used ride. Stay tuned, folks!
Community
Bid on a ride with Gary Fisher at Mount Tam
Oct 17, 2007
After more than a few years worth of experimenting, debating, and magazine reviewing; the 29'er is here to stay. The 29"-wheel has become the Super Swamper of mountainbiking. Almost every major bike manufacturer now has a 29"-wheeled mountainbike in their line-up, and the small scale &amp; custom framebuilders have been making them for years. This is not a bad thing, not by far. By default, the mountainbike has been rolling on the 26" wheel since the beginning, and it works well. But since we humans have a fairly sad power-to-weight ratio (when considering the rest of the animal kingdom), not many of us wanted to make the trade in grunts when the 26" wheel provided us a modicum of strength &amp; traction, with a very reasonable mass. Still, the advances in wheel &amp; tire technology have made it possible; and even desirable, to have 29" wheels on our bike frames. So it happened that the builders and aftermarket came to support this trend, and we are graced with more choices than ever when it comes to what, where, and when we want to ride. But there are still issues that fails to go away. 29'ers still accelerate slowly, steering can be sluggish due to that same centrifugal force, and they are still less resistant to abuse than 26'ers. Then there is also the issue of frame design. 29'ers have always been more friendly to taller riders. Frame builders have to contend with wheel/toe overlap, correct wheelbase, large wheel &amp; suspension-corrected geometry, amongst other things. All this has led me to explore the nascent world of the 650b wheel. A 650b MTB by Pacenti was recently featured in a <a href="http://www.dirtragmag.com/print/article.php?ID=935&amp;category=stuff_reviews">Dirt Rag</a> article. This 27.5" bicycle wheel is widely used in Europe on their touring, city, and cyclocross bikes. It falls right in the middle between the 26" &amp; 29" wheel. It has the benefits of it's slighter mass still helping stabilize a bike but accelerating faster and being less of a burden on steering. The smaller wheel allows frame builders to build bikes for smaller riders, thus giving them the opportunity to sample the goods of having big wheels. My interest in the 650b wheel has grown since first learning about them earlier this year, and it seems that my interest is echoed by a few in the custom bike industry; as well as a piqued interest from aftermarket wheel makers. And recently, a conversation that I had with Steve Garro of <a href="http://www.juniper-solutions.com/coconinocycles/">Coconino Cycles</a> has even furthered my hope that the 650b wheel idea takes hold with the rest of the mountainbike industry. I'm going to keep a close eye on this one. My wife is one of those small riders who would love for the opportunity to ride a big-wheel bike, and the 650b could very possibly afford her that. And as for myself, I've never fully caught the 29'er bug; but I would definitely consider a bike with wheels splitting the difference between 26" &amp; 29" rolling stock, and this could hold true as well with other riders who haven't been sold on 29'ers either. And, I'd hazard a guess that'd it be much easier to fit certain 26" MTB frames &amp; forks with 650b wheels &amp; tires, so it would be possible to breath new life into a well-used ride. Stay tuned, folks!
Culture
Colorado sting nets high end mountain bikes
Oct 15, 2007
After more than a few years worth of experimenting, debating, and magazine reviewing; the 29'er is here to stay. The 29"-wheel has become the Super Swamper of mountainbiking. Almost every major bike manufacturer now has a 29"-wheeled mountainbike in their line-up, and the small scale &amp; custom framebuilders have been making them for years. This is not a bad thing, not by far. By default, the mountainbike has been rolling on the 26" wheel since the beginning, and it works well. But since we humans have a fairly sad power-to-weight ratio (when considering the rest of the animal kingdom), not many of us wanted to make the trade in grunts when the 26" wheel provided us a modicum of strength &amp; traction, with a very reasonable mass. Still, the advances in wheel &amp; tire technology have made it possible; and even desirable, to have 29" wheels on our bike frames. So it happened that the builders and aftermarket came to support this trend, and we are graced with more choices than ever when it comes to what, where, and when we want to ride. But there are still issues that fails to go away. 29'ers still accelerate slowly, steering can be sluggish due to that same centrifugal force, and they are still less resistant to abuse than 26'ers. Then there is also the issue of frame design. 29'ers have always been more friendly to taller riders. Frame builders have to contend with wheel/toe overlap, correct wheelbase, large wheel &amp; suspension-corrected geometry, amongst other things. All this has led me to explore the nascent world of the 650b wheel. A 650b MTB by Pacenti was recently featured in a <a href="http://www.dirtragmag.com/print/article.php?ID=935&amp;category=stuff_reviews">Dirt Rag</a> article. This 27.5" bicycle wheel is widely used in Europe on their touring, city, and cyclocross bikes. It falls right in the middle between the 26" &amp; 29" wheel. It has the benefits of it's slighter mass still helping stabilize a bike but accelerating faster and being less of a burden on steering. The smaller wheel allows frame builders to build bikes for smaller riders, thus giving them the opportunity to sample the goods of having big wheels. My interest in the 650b wheel has grown since first learning about them earlier this year, and it seems that my interest is echoed by a few in the custom bike industry; as well as a piqued interest from aftermarket wheel makers. And recently, a conversation that I had with Steve Garro of <a href="http://www.juniper-solutions.com/coconinocycles/">Coconino Cycles</a> has even furthered my hope that the 650b wheel idea takes hold with the rest of the mountainbike industry. I'm going to keep a close eye on this one. My wife is one of those small riders who would love for the opportunity to ride a big-wheel bike, and the 650b could very possibly afford her that. And as for myself, I've never fully caught the 29'er bug; but I would definitely consider a bike with wheels splitting the difference between 26" &amp; 29" rolling stock, and this could hold true as well with other riders who haven't been sold on 29'ers either. And, I'd hazard a guess that'd it be much easier to fit certain 26" MTB frames &amp; forks with 650b wheels &amp; tires, so it would be possible to breath new life into a well-used ride. Stay tuned, folks!
Mountain Bike Trails
Big South Fork mountain bike trail a success
Oct 12, 2007
A red and silver mountain bike with wide tires, front suspension, and disc brakes, positioned on a white background.
Mountain Bikes and Gear
All wheel drive mountain bikes
Oct 11, 2007
After more than a few years worth of experimenting, debating, and magazine reviewing; the 29'er is here to stay. The 29"-wheel has become the Super Swamper of mountainbiking. Almost every major bike manufacturer now has a 29"-wheeled mountainbike in their line-up, and the small scale &amp; custom framebuilders have been making them for years. This is not a bad thing, not by far. By default, the mountainbike has been rolling on the 26" wheel since the beginning, and it works well. But since we humans have a fairly sad power-to-weight ratio (when considering the rest of the animal kingdom), not many of us wanted to make the trade in grunts when the 26" wheel provided us a modicum of strength &amp; traction, with a very reasonable mass. Still, the advances in wheel &amp; tire technology have made it possible; and even desirable, to have 29" wheels on our bike frames. So it happened that the builders and aftermarket came to support this trend, and we are graced with more choices than ever when it comes to what, where, and when we want to ride. But there are still issues that fails to go away. 29'ers still accelerate slowly, steering can be sluggish due to that same centrifugal force, and they are still less resistant to abuse than 26'ers. Then there is also the issue of frame design. 29'ers have always been more friendly to taller riders. Frame builders have to contend with wheel/toe overlap, correct wheelbase, large wheel &amp; suspension-corrected geometry, amongst other things. All this has led me to explore the nascent world of the 650b wheel. A 650b MTB by Pacenti was recently featured in a <a href="http://www.dirtragmag.com/print/article.php?ID=935&amp;category=stuff_reviews">Dirt Rag</a> article. This 27.5" bicycle wheel is widely used in Europe on their touring, city, and cyclocross bikes. It falls right in the middle between the 26" &amp; 29" wheel. It has the benefits of it's slighter mass still helping stabilize a bike but accelerating faster and being less of a burden on steering. The smaller wheel allows frame builders to build bikes for smaller riders, thus giving them the opportunity to sample the goods of having big wheels. My interest in the 650b wheel has grown since first learning about them earlier this year, and it seems that my interest is echoed by a few in the custom bike industry; as well as a piqued interest from aftermarket wheel makers. And recently, a conversation that I had with Steve Garro of <a href="http://www.juniper-solutions.com/coconinocycles/">Coconino Cycles</a> has even furthered my hope that the 650b wheel idea takes hold with the rest of the mountainbike industry. I'm going to keep a close eye on this one. My wife is one of those small riders who would love for the opportunity to ride a big-wheel bike, and the 650b could very possibly afford her that. And as for myself, I've never fully caught the 29'er bug; but I would definitely consider a bike with wheels splitting the difference between 26" &amp; 29" rolling stock, and this could hold true as well with other riders who haven't been sold on 29'ers either. And, I'd hazard a guess that'd it be much easier to fit certain 26" MTB frames &amp; forks with 650b wheels &amp; tires, so it would be possible to breath new life into a well-used ride. Stay tuned, folks!
Culture
Missing Marin mountain biker
Oct 10, 2007
Mountain Bikes and Gear
Loading GPS routes in Garmin Training Center for Mac
Oct 9, 2007
  1
After more than a few years worth of experimenting, debating, and magazine reviewing; the 29'er is here to stay. The 29"-wheel has become the Super Swamper of mountainbiking. Almost every major bike manufacturer now has a 29"-wheeled mountainbike in their line-up, and the small scale &amp; custom framebuilders have been making them for years. This is not a bad thing, not by far. By default, the mountainbike has been rolling on the 26" wheel since the beginning, and it works well. But since we humans have a fairly sad power-to-weight ratio (when considering the rest of the animal kingdom), not many of us wanted to make the trade in grunts when the 26" wheel provided us a modicum of strength &amp; traction, with a very reasonable mass. Still, the advances in wheel &amp; tire technology have made it possible; and even desirable, to have 29" wheels on our bike frames. So it happened that the builders and aftermarket came to support this trend, and we are graced with more choices than ever when it comes to what, where, and when we want to ride. But there are still issues that fails to go away. 29'ers still accelerate slowly, steering can be sluggish due to that same centrifugal force, and they are still less resistant to abuse than 26'ers. Then there is also the issue of frame design. 29'ers have always been more friendly to taller riders. Frame builders have to contend with wheel/toe overlap, correct wheelbase, large wheel &amp; suspension-corrected geometry, amongst other things. All this has led me to explore the nascent world of the 650b wheel. A 650b MTB by Pacenti was recently featured in a <a href="http://www.dirtragmag.com/print/article.php?ID=935&amp;category=stuff_reviews">Dirt Rag</a> article. This 27.5" bicycle wheel is widely used in Europe on their touring, city, and cyclocross bikes. It falls right in the middle between the 26" &amp; 29" wheel. It has the benefits of it's slighter mass still helping stabilize a bike but accelerating faster and being less of a burden on steering. The smaller wheel allows frame builders to build bikes for smaller riders, thus giving them the opportunity to sample the goods of having big wheels. My interest in the 650b wheel has grown since first learning about them earlier this year, and it seems that my interest is echoed by a few in the custom bike industry; as well as a piqued interest from aftermarket wheel makers. And recently, a conversation that I had with Steve Garro of <a href="http://www.juniper-solutions.com/coconinocycles/">Coconino Cycles</a> has even furthered my hope that the 650b wheel idea takes hold with the rest of the mountainbike industry. I'm going to keep a close eye on this one. My wife is one of those small riders who would love for the opportunity to ride a big-wheel bike, and the 650b could very possibly afford her that. And as for myself, I've never fully caught the 29'er bug; but I would definitely consider a bike with wheels splitting the difference between 26" &amp; 29" rolling stock, and this could hold true as well with other riders who haven't been sold on 29'ers either. And, I'd hazard a guess that'd it be much easier to fit certain 26" MTB frames &amp; forks with 650b wheels &amp; tires, so it would be possible to breath new life into a well-used ride. Stay tuned, folks!
Community
Take a kid mountain biking day: Tomorrow!
Oct 5, 2007
Culture
Week of contests: Final day
Oct 5, 2007
A DVD cover for the film "2 Solo," featuring a close-up of a cyclist wearing a helmet and sunglasses, along with two mountain bikers riding on a dirt path. The title "2 Solo" is prominently displayed in blue, and the cover also includes branding from sponsors like Nike and Trek, as well as a note that it is from the producers of "Off Road to Athens."
Culture
Week of contests: Day 4
Oct 4, 2007
Mountain Bikes and Gear
Load GPS routes on your Garmin Edge Cycling GPS
Oct 3, 2007
  6
A DVD case for a cycling workout titled "Cycling Pedaling Strength," featuring an image of a cyclist in action on the cover. Next to it, a black DVD disc is placed in a clear case. The disc is labeled "Singletrack MENDS."
Community
Week of contests: Day 2
Oct 2, 2007
A shiny bicycle cassette resting inside an open cardboard box, showcasing its intricate gear teeth and central sprocket. The box has a light brown color and is partially closed, with the cassette visible from above. The background is a dark surface, emphasizing the metallic shine of the cassette.
Community
Week of contests
Oct 1, 2007
Redline D660
Culture
The bikes of Interbike (Updated)
Sep 27, 2007
  3
After more than a few years worth of experimenting, debating, and magazine reviewing; the 29'er is here to stay. The 29"-wheel has become the Super Swamper of mountainbiking. Almost every major bike manufacturer now has a 29"-wheeled mountainbike in their line-up, and the small scale &amp; custom framebuilders have been making them for years. This is not a bad thing, not by far. By default, the mountainbike has been rolling on the 26" wheel since the beginning, and it works well. But since we humans have a fairly sad power-to-weight ratio (when considering the rest of the animal kingdom), not many of us wanted to make the trade in grunts when the 26" wheel provided us a modicum of strength &amp; traction, with a very reasonable mass. Still, the advances in wheel &amp; tire technology have made it possible; and even desirable, to have 29" wheels on our bike frames. So it happened that the builders and aftermarket came to support this trend, and we are graced with more choices than ever when it comes to what, where, and when we want to ride. But there are still issues that fails to go away. 29'ers still accelerate slowly, steering can be sluggish due to that same centrifugal force, and they are still less resistant to abuse than 26'ers. Then there is also the issue of frame design. 29'ers have always been more friendly to taller riders. Frame builders have to contend with wheel/toe overlap, correct wheelbase, large wheel &amp; suspension-corrected geometry, amongst other things. All this has led me to explore the nascent world of the 650b wheel. A 650b MTB by Pacenti was recently featured in a <a href="http://www.dirtragmag.com/print/article.php?ID=935&amp;category=stuff_reviews">Dirt Rag</a> article. This 27.5" bicycle wheel is widely used in Europe on their touring, city, and cyclocross bikes. It falls right in the middle between the 26" &amp; 29" wheel. It has the benefits of it's slighter mass still helping stabilize a bike but accelerating faster and being less of a burden on steering. The smaller wheel allows frame builders to build bikes for smaller riders, thus giving them the opportunity to sample the goods of having big wheels. My interest in the 650b wheel has grown since first learning about them earlier this year, and it seems that my interest is echoed by a few in the custom bike industry; as well as a piqued interest from aftermarket wheel makers. And recently, a conversation that I had with Steve Garro of <a href="http://www.juniper-solutions.com/coconinocycles/">Coconino Cycles</a> has even furthered my hope that the 650b wheel idea takes hold with the rest of the mountainbike industry. I'm going to keep a close eye on this one. My wife is one of those small riders who would love for the opportunity to ride a big-wheel bike, and the 650b could very possibly afford her that. And as for myself, I've never fully caught the 29'er bug; but I would definitely consider a bike with wheels splitting the difference between 26" &amp; 29" rolling stock, and this could hold true as well with other riders who haven't been sold on 29'ers either. And, I'd hazard a guess that'd it be much easier to fit certain 26" MTB frames &amp; forks with 650b wheels &amp; tires, so it would be possible to breath new life into a well-used ride. Stay tuned, folks!
Mountain Bikes and Gear
Allen Sports: The Navigator GPS System
Sep 27, 2007
A group of people at a trade show examining a large, modern bicycle wheel displayed on a stand. The wheel features a sleek design with a carbon fiber look, and one person is interacting with it while others watch. The background includes additional cycling equipment and attendees engaged in conversation.
Mountain Bikes and Gear
Tag Wheels: Mags are back
Sep 27, 2007
Mountain bike suspension fork displayed on a black wall. The fork features two silver aluminum stanchions with black and red branded lower legs. It includes adjustment knobs at the top and a sleek design suitable for off-road biking. A nearby sign provides additional information about the product.
Mountain Bikes and Gear
Suspension round-up
Sep 27, 2007
A silver metal canister labeled "IMBAX" with a red "X" on top, accompanied by a circular disc with a red "X" and the word "MEET," and a circular stack of textured, replaceable inserts. The items are displayed on a white tablecloth.
Culture
IMBA Ride Centers
Sep 27, 2007
  1
Interior view of a mountain bike hall of fame exhibit featuring bicycles mounted on the walls, historical photographs, and informational panels detailing inductees and the history of mountain biking.
Culture
Mountain Bike Hall of Fame Induction 2007
Sep 27, 2007
Image of a mountain bike fork displayed against a yellow background, featuring black and red color accents. A product information card labeled "WOTAN" is attached to the fork.
Mountain Bikes and Gear
Magura Wotan: This one's for you Bomb
Sep 26, 2007
A black Bell helmet displayed on a mannequin head, attached to a metal stand beside a table with promotional materials. The background is dark, and people can be seen in the distance.
Mountain Bikes and Gear
High-end Helmet Cam: V.I.O. POV.1
Sep 26, 2007
Mountain Bikes and Gear
Garmin Edge 705 Preview
Sep 26, 2007
  1
After more than a few years worth of experimenting, debating, and magazine reviewing; the 29'er is here to stay. The 29"-wheel has become the Super Swamper of mountainbiking. Almost every major bike manufacturer now has a 29"-wheeled mountainbike in their line-up, and the small scale &amp; custom framebuilders have been making them for years. This is not a bad thing, not by far. By default, the mountainbike has been rolling on the 26" wheel since the beginning, and it works well. But since we humans have a fairly sad power-to-weight ratio (when considering the rest of the animal kingdom), not many of us wanted to make the trade in grunts when the 26" wheel provided us a modicum of strength &amp; traction, with a very reasonable mass. Still, the advances in wheel &amp; tire technology have made it possible; and even desirable, to have 29" wheels on our bike frames. So it happened that the builders and aftermarket came to support this trend, and we are graced with more choices than ever when it comes to what, where, and when we want to ride. But there are still issues that fails to go away. 29'ers still accelerate slowly, steering can be sluggish due to that same centrifugal force, and they are still less resistant to abuse than 26'ers. Then there is also the issue of frame design. 29'ers have always been more friendly to taller riders. Frame builders have to contend with wheel/toe overlap, correct wheelbase, large wheel &amp; suspension-corrected geometry, amongst other things. All this has led me to explore the nascent world of the 650b wheel. A 650b MTB by Pacenti was recently featured in a <a href="http://www.dirtragmag.com/print/article.php?ID=935&amp;category=stuff_reviews">Dirt Rag</a> article. This 27.5" bicycle wheel is widely used in Europe on their touring, city, and cyclocross bikes. It falls right in the middle between the 26" &amp; 29" wheel. It has the benefits of it's slighter mass still helping stabilize a bike but accelerating faster and being less of a burden on steering. The smaller wheel allows frame builders to build bikes for smaller riders, thus giving them the opportunity to sample the goods of having big wheels. My interest in the 650b wheel has grown since first learning about them earlier this year, and it seems that my interest is echoed by a few in the custom bike industry; as well as a piqued interest from aftermarket wheel makers. And recently, a conversation that I had with Steve Garro of <a href="http://www.juniper-solutions.com/coconinocycles/">Coconino Cycles</a> has even furthered my hope that the 650b wheel idea takes hold with the rest of the mountainbike industry. I'm going to keep a close eye on this one. My wife is one of those small riders who would love for the opportunity to ride a big-wheel bike, and the 650b could very possibly afford her that. And as for myself, I've never fully caught the 29'er bug; but I would definitely consider a bike with wheels splitting the difference between 26" &amp; 29" rolling stock, and this could hold true as well with other riders who haven't been sold on 29'ers either. And, I'd hazard a guess that'd it be much easier to fit certain 26" MTB frames &amp; forks with 650b wheels &amp; tires, so it would be possible to breath new life into a well-used ride. Stay tuned, folks!
Mountain Bikes and Gear
GoPro Helmet Cam: Rad
Sep 26, 2007
A white mountain bike displayed at an event booth, featuring a sleek design, black tires, and a water bottle holder. The background includes promotional banners with cycling-related messages.
Mountain Bikes and Gear
Half Camelbak, Half Waterbottle: Sip Stream
Sep 26, 2007
  2
Mountain Bikes and Gear
Tire balls: Fewer flats, lower maintenance
Sep 26, 2007
Close-up view of a metal bike frame with visible components such as the crankset, chain, and gears. The image shows the intricate details of the mechanical parts, highlighting the craftsmanship and design of the bicycle. The background is dark, and there are tools and information displays nearby.
Mountain Bikes and Gear
Wicked Racin: The Dualrailleur
Sep 26, 2007
After more than a few years worth of experimenting, debating, and magazine reviewing; the 29'er is here to stay. The 29"-wheel has become the Super Swamper of mountainbiking. Almost every major bike manufacturer now has a 29"-wheeled mountainbike in their line-up, and the small scale &amp; custom framebuilders have been making them for years. This is not a bad thing, not by far. By default, the mountainbike has been rolling on the 26" wheel since the beginning, and it works well. But since we humans have a fairly sad power-to-weight ratio (when considering the rest of the animal kingdom), not many of us wanted to make the trade in grunts when the 26" wheel provided us a modicum of strength &amp; traction, with a very reasonable mass. Still, the advances in wheel &amp; tire technology have made it possible; and even desirable, to have 29" wheels on our bike frames. So it happened that the builders and aftermarket came to support this trend, and we are graced with more choices than ever when it comes to what, where, and when we want to ride. But there are still issues that fails to go away. 29'ers still accelerate slowly, steering can be sluggish due to that same centrifugal force, and they are still less resistant to abuse than 26'ers. Then there is also the issue of frame design. 29'ers have always been more friendly to taller riders. Frame builders have to contend with wheel/toe overlap, correct wheelbase, large wheel &amp; suspension-corrected geometry, amongst other things. All this has led me to explore the nascent world of the 650b wheel. A 650b MTB by Pacenti was recently featured in a <a href="http://www.dirtragmag.com/print/article.php?ID=935&amp;category=stuff_reviews">Dirt Rag</a> article. This 27.5" bicycle wheel is widely used in Europe on their touring, city, and cyclocross bikes. It falls right in the middle between the 26" &amp; 29" wheel. It has the benefits of it's slighter mass still helping stabilize a bike but accelerating faster and being less of a burden on steering. The smaller wheel allows frame builders to build bikes for smaller riders, thus giving them the opportunity to sample the goods of having big wheels. My interest in the 650b wheel has grown since first learning about them earlier this year, and it seems that my interest is echoed by a few in the custom bike industry; as well as a piqued interest from aftermarket wheel makers. And recently, a conversation that I had with Steve Garro of <a href="http://www.juniper-solutions.com/coconinocycles/">Coconino Cycles</a> has even furthered my hope that the 650b wheel idea takes hold with the rest of the mountainbike industry. I'm going to keep a close eye on this one. My wife is one of those small riders who would love for the opportunity to ride a big-wheel bike, and the 650b could very possibly afford her that. And as for myself, I've never fully caught the 29'er bug; but I would definitely consider a bike with wheels splitting the difference between 26" &amp; 29" rolling stock, and this could hold true as well with other riders who haven't been sold on 29'ers either. And, I'd hazard a guess that'd it be much easier to fit certain 26" MTB frames &amp; forks with 650b wheels &amp; tires, so it would be possible to breath new life into a well-used ride. Stay tuned, folks!
Culture
Wounded Warrior Project: Supporting Vets
Sep 26, 2007