This a review of RST M-29. The other forks in the photo are the First Air and Titan Air. They al share the same build and technology. TheM-29 is built the 29er wheel. The First Air has 100 mm of travel and the Titan Air has 130.

Weight is 4.43 lbs. Note the grease ports. The M-29 fork features fork mounts while the others do not. The M-29 fork features beefier dropouts than the the First Air fork.

The fork looks good. It complements the bike well and does not look low-cost. The cable mount is very clean and beats the all the 29er forks out there, hands down. It’s built-in to the legs at the rear of the left shock leg. Down-tube clearance on the SIR9 is plenty. I love the post mount brakes too. So clean!The controls feel a bit stiff and clunky but they did the job. The lockout knob is big and easy to handle. It has a ‘click’ that can be felt when you put it in the fully open position. As the opposite of the Reba and Fox shocks, turning the lockout knob clockwise unlocks the fork. This actually makes sense. There’s usually little time before a descent to unlock a fork. Turning the knob clockwise towards you makes the task easier.

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Knog 605 $399.00

Light Meter charts and comparison table available here.

Description:

Then Knog 605 is the high-end light of the Knog line. It features a nicely styled light head with three LEDs. The aluminum and rubber casing is bonded together nicely and the rubber mounting strap is integrated into the light head. The first two LEDs serve the function of lighting up the trail. The third light is good as a map-reading light and has a Flash mode to help the rider become more visible to oncoming traffic.

The switch is external and can be placed near the grips so it can be controlled easily while riding. Each of the three LEDs comes with its own switch that operates independently. Each press toggles each LED through its light modes starting with the medium setting. To turn on full power requires five button presses on the three switches. Turning off requires four.

The battery is long and it mounts on the top tube. This light is for handlebar use only.

As the photos will show, the package is quite attractive and the materials and construction are very good.

Light Meter Readings:

On our light meter readings, it scored a 16. This equals the readings from the Ayup helmet light and the Dinotte 200L.

Light Head Close ups:

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Ayup bar (regular kit) $ 380.00

Ayup helmet

Light Meter charts and comparison table available here.

Description:

The Ayup ‘regular kit’ is a light system from Australia that features two light heads. Each light head has two LEDs that can be tilted up and down independently. The kit includes two small batteries and a large battery. Aside from the 110 volt charger, a 12 volt car charger is included as well. The whole system comes with a handy neoprene case to transport everything.

While some lights are full-featured, fancy sytems, the Ayup is a no-frills light system. It sticks to the very basics to deliver the most light and battery power possible for the price. Thus for $380, you get two lights, an extra battery and a home/car charger. What you don’t get is a light switch, fancy electronics and a flexible mounting system.

The beam patterns are selectable at the time of purchase. The patterns available are wide, intermediate and narrow. We tested the intermediate on the bar lights and the narrow beam on the helmet light.

Light Head Close ups:

Mounting Options:

The ‘regular set’ comes with two lights, one for the handlebar and one for the helmet. The mounting system uses zip-ties and thus can’t be moved to other bikes/helmets easily. The battery is so small that it is meant to be mounted on the stem and on the helmet.

Light Output Measurements:

On our light meter, measuring ambient light, the narrow helmet mount measured 16 Lux and the wider bar light measured a 17 Lux. The closest competitors are the Knog 605 at 16 and the Exposure Race Maxx at 24.

Complete package comes with an extra battery, a car charger and a carrying case.

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The 2007 Cycle Solutions DH awards were a great success with lots of people showing up for support and our sponsors donating more prizes to the cause. Thanks to Cycle Solutions, FH Racing, Norco, Kenda, Titec, Commencal for the extra swag! Just about every single person left with something that night from the prize table!

After a few cheap $10 pitchers, greasy deep fried everything and some brand new film footage from the Ontario Cup race season, we got into the awards.

Cycle Solutions wins most kick ass title sponsor for their dedication our sport.

FH Racing win best most kick ass presenting sponsor for helping out on and off the race course.

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Toronto, Canada (December 21, 2007) Yes, you can go home again. For 2008, the World Solo 24 Hours of Adrenalin Championships will return to where the Championships began 10 years ago: the Canmore Nordic Center at the foot of the Canadian Rocky Mountains. The races will take place July 26-27, 2008.

One of the most beautiful locations in the world, the Canmore Nordic Center, which hosted the 1988 Winter Olympics, will welcome 200 solo riders and 1,450 team athletes as they compete in front of thousands of spectators and support crew along a specially-designed, fan-friendly, athlete-challenging figure-eight course.

The Solo Championships, won by Rishi Grewal and Chloe Lanthier in the event’s inaugural competition in 1999, are open to both men and women on single speed and multi-geared bikes. The multi-geared bikes category will award prizes in five-year, age group increments from under 25 to 60+. In addition, the Elite men and women class will carry a cash purse of at least $20,000.

The team racing at the 24 Hours of Adrenalin in Canmore has become so popular that the 2008 race sold out in 2-1/2 days a year in advance. The 1,450 team riders will compete on the same course as the solo riders in four-person open teams, five-person age-category teams and 10-person corporate teams.

“We’re pouring everything we have into the 2008 World Solo 24 Hours of Adrenalin Championships,” says Stuart Dorland, founder of the World Solo 24 Hours of Adrenalin Championships and the 24 Hours of Adrenalin race series. “The Canmore Nordic Center has hosted a 24 Hours of Adrenalin event for 13 years and from 1998 – 2000, the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup, so the facility is no stranger to world-class events. And I guarantee you, the 2008 World Solo 24 Hours of Adrenalin Championships are going to be world class.”

The Canmore Nordic Center, which has just finished a three-year refurbishing project including the opening of a new lodge, is located 80 minutes from the Calgary International Airport and a five-minute drive to world famous Banff National Park, which makes the Center the perfect family vacation spot. In the past, athletes and spectators have planned their holidays around the 24 Hours of Adrenalin races exploring the spectacular Canadian Rockies and the scenic towns of Canmore and Banff.

In addition to the World Solo 24 Hours of Adrenalin Championships and the 24 Hours of Adrenalin at Canmore, the following 24 Hours of Adrenalin races will happen in 2008:

• Hurkey Park Spring (Southern California) – April 26, 2008

• Laguna Seca Raceway (Monterey, California) – May 3, 2008

• Hurkey Park Fall (Southern California) – September 19, 2008

For more information on all 24 Hours of Adrenalin events, go to www.24hoursofadrenalin.com.

About 24 Hours of Adrenalin

The highly popular 24 Hours of Adrenalin mountain bike races have been taking place since 1994 with the World Solo 24 Hours of Adrenalin Championships first hitting the trails in 1999 when Rishi Grewal won the men’s competition and Chloe Lanthier the women’s. All 24 Hours of Adrenalin events offer both solo and team competitions. For details, check out www.24hoursofadrenalin.com.

source: Stuart Dorland, 24 Hours of Adrenalin

December, 2007

To all FOX Racing Shox Customers:

Warning Against Unapproved Use Of Fox Forks

FOX 32, 36, and 40 suspension forks (with the exception of model F29) are engineered and tested for use with 26 inch Mountain Bike tires. These models meet CEN and AST M testing standards based on use with 26 inch tires.

Use of FOX forks with any tire larger than 26 inches, such as a 650b tire, will subject the FOX fork to loads and forces it has not been designed or certified to meet. FOX 32, 36, and 40 suspension forks are not recommended or approved by FOX Factory, Inc. for use with tires larger than 26 inches, either as original equipment or aftermarket.

Unauthorized and unapproved use of these forks with tires larger than 26 inches may result accidents, causing serious bodily injury or death.

Thank you,
FOX Racing Shox

www.foxracingshox.com

source: Elayna Caldwell - Fox Racing Shox

December 20, 2007 - Haro Bikes and TAOW are proud to announce the partnership with the Summer Of Shred world tour, featuring Phil Sundbaum, for 2008. Phil joins the Haro mountain bike team for the 2008 season and will be globetrotting with the SOS tour aboard Haro bikes.

The Summer Of Shred tour will be an international mountain bike event that travels to the four corners of the earth with featured rider Phil Sundbaum. The tour will be an effort to learn about each mountain biking discipline from the top riders who are the best in their field. Sundbaum and the Summer Of Shred tour will be taking on Haro’s entire line of bikes globally to explore and test the endless applications of their product in every possible environment.

Phil Sundbaum had a breakout year in 2007, standing on podiums domestically at Rays 3Ride and the Wham Bam Thank You Jam. Additionally, Phil made his first trip to Europe to compete against the world’s best, where he wasted no time by winning the first best trick contest at the Nissan Qashqai Urban Challenge—by landing the first ever 720 in an international competition.

With regard to his upcoming 2008 season and recent signing with Haro, Phil said, “I am excited to not only be embarking on a world tour where I’ll have the opportunity to ride and learn from the world’s best—but also to be supported by a brand that I respect and enjoy. I am fired up to be on the Haro team with Eric Porter, and I’m looking forward to showing the world what I’m capable of on two wheels.”

Haro’s MTB Brand Manager Jill Hamilton said, “We’re thrilled to have Phil on board for the 2008 season and to have him be a part of the Haro ‘family’. Phil’s world-class talent combined with having a solid program like the Summer of Shred behind him for the upcoming year will really help take Haro’s image to the next level”. The Summer Of Shred tour was developed by TAOW, the agency that produced the “Wham Bam Thank You Jam” events in 2007 and many notable world tours and experiential marketing campaigns for some of the worlds’ most recognizable brands.

Aaron Lutze will be joining Phil on the Summer Of Shred as tour director and lead producer for online video content. “Phil is a great talent and now that he has the proper support and a global tour in the mix, we’ve got everything we need to help him get to the next level as an all-round rider. I’m anxious to travel the world with him and document his progress as a Haro rider on the Summer Of Shred tour,” said Lutze.

Haro is a recognized leader in providing innovative performance bikes, parts and accessories to the BMX, dirt, freestyle/street, and mountain bike markets. The company currently has over 1800 dealers throughout the United States and distributors in 48 countries worldwide. Bob Haro, who is known in the BMX industry as the “Father of Freestyle,” founded Haro Bikes in 1978.

TAOW is a modern marketing agency with global reach that leads the world’s most recognized brands into a new era of experiential marketing. Setting a new standard for brand/consumer relationships, TAOW has ultimately proven to be the agency of choice. With state of the art technology and the ability to creatively leverage a vast array of resources and clients, TAOW Productions delivers a unique approach to each project every time.

www.harobikes.com

source: Aaron Lutze - Taow Productions

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Dinotte 200L $ 249.00

Dinotte 200L Dual $ 349.00

Light Meter charts and comparison table available here.

Description:

The Dinotte 200L consists of a small light head cylinder and a compact, plastic-encased battery. The connector is a non-directional plug that snaps into place and keeps water out. The rubber switch is very easy to operate as it scrolls through the three light levels available. Mounting is simplistic with a rubber hoop that goes around the handlebar. The light is bright and the beam fairly wide with no hotspot.

All Dinotte lights have three ‘flash’ modes for commuting. They are very effective and visible for greater visibility for oncoming traffic. These flash modes are extremely visible on the red tail lights as well. And the best part is that the ‘flash’ modes do not interfere with regular use. The user has to press the button for six seconds to enter this mode. After using other lights where the flash mode is always in the way, this feature is very welcome.

We consider the Dinotte connectors as best in class as well. They are non-directional and pop into place and are thus the easiest to connect. Initially, they were a bit too hard to disconnect. But a little bit of Vaseline fixed that right up.

The Dinotte 200L comes with one lithium battery. The 200l Dual and the 600-LI-4C bothe come with two batteries. There are two batteries available with these lights, a 4-cell and a 2-cell battery. The batteries are selectable by the buyer at the time of purchase. All our run-time measurements were performed with the 4-cell battery.

Light Head Close ups:

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Iron Horse Bicycle Company announces today that they will be the official frame supplier of the Maxxis Tires
Gravity Team for the 2008 race season. Maxxis team riders will use the dw-link equipped Iron Horse
Sunday for downhill events and MkIII model frames for mountain cross races.

The Iron Horse Sunday is one of the most sought-after mountain bikes in the world. With a pedigree that
includes victories in World Championship, World Cup Series Overall, World Cup, National Championship,
and US Open competitions, the Sunday has become the bike-of-choice for the sportʼs best athletes and
discerning riders.

The 2008 Maxxis Team gravity roster is stacked with talent. Joining Maxxis for the 2008 campaign is
defending back-to-back World Champion and 2007 World Cup Series Champion Sabrina Jonnier. Luke
Strobel, the top American on the World Cup circuit, and 2006 Junior World Champion Cameron Cole both
continue with the program for 2008. Team Maxxis will compete the UCI World Cup circuit, the NMBS series
events, and other selected top-tier events throughout the world.

Maxxis and Iron Horse have a long history of working together. Maxxis has been a tire sponsor of Iron
Horse teams and riders and Iron Horse has used Maxxis tires as original equipment specification for the
past 10 years.

Maxxis Tires Bicycle Manager Christopher Warrick comments:

“Weʼre excited to have Iron Horse supporting the gravity side of the team this year. Itʼs obvious their bikes
are fast, as theyʼve delivered back-to-back world championships for both men and women. A great bike,
like the Iron Horse Sunday, will make a great rider even better.” Christopher went on to say, “I canʼt wait to
get the season started. Weʼve put together a great team of riders and sponsors and feel as though the
quality of the teamʼs equipment will work to our advantage.”

Iron Horse Marketing Manager Todd Seplavy commented:

“We are very pleased to be partnering with Team Maxxis for the upcoming season as their official frame
sponsor. Iron Horse and Maxxis have had a strong relationship for the past decade. This is an extension of
our partnership and an opportunity to expand the Iron Horse brand out to even more people and more
events.”

Sean Heimdal of the World Championship Monster Energy/Iron Horse team added:
“Maxxis has a great reputation for putting together excellent race programs and supporting the best riders in
the sport. We are looking forward to working with the Maxxis team in our shared goal of winning races and
championships.”

For more information on Iron Horse Bicycles, please visit www.ironhorsebikes.com. For more info on the
Maxxis Tires Team, please visit www.teammaxxis.com.

source: Peter Appleton

Mtbr Lights Shootout Main Page | Mtbr Lights Reviews | Mtbr Lights Forum

Light On Expedition 1000 helmet and bar lights - $800

Helmet or bar light separately - $409

Light Meter charts and comparison table available here.

Description:

Light Head and Battery Close ups:

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