Jan 2008 Update

2008 R.I.P. 9’s in stock early Feb 08

“It could well be the smoothest bike I’ve ever ridden.”

“The combination of a great suspension design and a big wheel makes for a ride that borders on, and we’re as surprised as anyone that we’re saying this, mind-blowing. Climbing traction, descending traction and stability are off the charts.”

Best 29er of 2007 “Niner’s full suspension bike works so well it could turn even the most old school rider on to the big-wheel program.”

“This is the bike that made us converts to 29-inch wheels. Niner could not have done a better job creating this beauty. It literally climbs like a cross country bike and descends like a 7-inch travel downhill bike.”

“The R.I.P. 9 ….is setting the standard of long travel, big-wheeled bicycles.”

People Choice Award 29er Full Suspension 5 stars out of 5 star rating.

With reviews like these you would think we would be insane to change anything on the R.I.P. 9. Well we are Niner Bikes and we are bike nut perfectionists.

While we do not have traditional model years we felt enough changes were done to this new batch of frames that we should designate it somehow from the previous models.

Changes from the previous R.I.P. 9

1. Updated linkage plate, now with an added I-beam structure. This will aid in rear end stiffness with a minimal weight penalty. These will fit on all previous models and can be purchased from your local Niner Dealer or from us at $120 for a set. We will have these in stock around Feb 15th to retro fit all older frames.

2. Seat tube gusset has been removed. We have done more testing and modeling and found that removing the gusset and thickening the wall of the seat tube yielded a stronger structure overall without a weight penalty. The new 2008 R.I.P. 9’s will require a 30.9mm post verses the 31.6mm for the older models.

3. Updated cable routing. The cable routing is now down the top of the downtube. This design keeps the cables bending WITH the cycle of the suspension and is a little bit cleaner.

4. All bolts including the headbadge are now lock tightened direct from our factory.

5. Large and XL frames have updated rear triangles. These have been stiffened up even more. Please note we design each size frame with an average rider size in mind (it’s not just about rider weight, but also rider leverage. Taller riders, regardless of weight have great leverage on a bicycle frame). The butting and tubing used for a small frame is different from that used on an XL frame. These are some of the smaller hidden details we do to optimize the riding experience for you.

6. Available in Hi Ho Silver and Atomic Blue

7. The new 2008 R.I.P. 9 will carry a slight price increase to $1,649.00. We still have some “older” R.I..P. 9’s. at the “old” price of $1,549.00

Jet 9 Product Update:

We are still in the throes of production but are delayed slightly due a delay of the final forging molds used on the production frame. This delay will mean we are not going to be able to ship in February, but rather around March (23rd- 29th) 08 is our best estimate.

Final production is much more difficult than prototype production. There are a lot of custom parts that were designed for this frame including new forgings. These are the final touches that will make this frame spectacular and we think that it will be worth the wait. We will be honest with you and keep you up to date as we move along in the production cycle.

If the delay is an issue please contact Ryan ryan@ninerbikes.com.

We have had a lot of calls about the compatibility of the FOX F29 and the Jet 9. We did extensive testing of early prototypes of the FOX F29 in both the 80mm and 100mm versions while we were in development. (Thanks FOX!!) We can happily say the F29 will work brilliantly with the Jet 9. We do recommend you use the consumer version with the 44mm offset verses the Gary Fisher OEM version at 51mm.

Rock Shox Reba and all other current 80mm-100mm travel 29er forks will work as well.

2008 Dealers Catalog Available:

If you would like a 2008 Niner catalog, please go here to get one Niner Catalog.
This is a full color spread of all of our models.

source: Niner Bikes

Anaheim, CA - Well, the long-awaited arrival is here. The CHUMBA F5 - based on the internationally-acclaimed chassis that led riders like Duncan Riffle and Lisa Sher to NORBA National Championships is finally available to the public in limited quanities. 

Improvements include a replaceable derailleur hanger, bead-blasted anodized options, a proprietary CNC machined chain guide adapter, a 1.5″ OD headtube, and more durable bushings and linkage pieces.  Widely considered by many mountain biking magazine editors and high-caliber racers - as one of the finest downhill bikes ever produced - the F5 will be sure to put many more riders on podiums throughout the world.

 The F5 will be available as a complete bike with a Fox 40RC2 and a SRAM drivetrain with Avid Code Brakes - as well as a version featuring the Rockshox Boxxer Team and Avid Juicy 7 Brakes.  Complete bikes start at $3,800.00.

 For more information, please call 1-800-706-0760, or e-mail alan@chumbaracing.com. Otherwise, you can call an authorized CHUMBA dealer on www.chumbaracing.com.

1/23/2008

Cleveland, OHFor the Martin Luther King holiday weekend the Mongoose crew and the legendary Eric Carter set up camp at Ray’s MTB Park (www.raysmtb.com) for demos of the 2008 range of mountain bike and BMX product, to allow the public to meet Eric Carter, ride with him, and to test out a prototype of the new 2009 Nugget dual suspension bike.

Riders were having a blast hanging out with Eric Carter for the weekend. EC’s laid back style makes him really approachable and easy to talk to, and his genuine love of riding bikes comes through all the time. It was funny to watch the look on people’s faces when he ripped through a section at speeds that don’t seem possible.

Ray’s is in its 4th year and the number of riders is increasing at exponential levels. On any given weekend hundreds of riders ranging from BMX, cross country, downhill/mountain cross, and even motorcycle riders show up to hit the trails. Abilities range from kids with training wheels to World Champ EC and everywhere in between. There’s something for everyone. Sunday nights are now BMX nights with product giveaways, and a super fun atmosphere that you wouldn’t expect at a “mountain bike” park…we think Ray just needs to call it a bike park.

Check out the picture of park manager Bobby’s miniature husky Digger—the park’s unofficial mascot–who matches the finish on the Nugget perfectly. We think Digger approved of the new Nugget as well. For more information hit up www.raysmtb.com or better yet, take a pilgrimage to Cleveland. We hear it rocks.

If you don’t believe us, check out this footage from the demo weekend courtesy of Willem Cooper.

source: Chris Holmes

SPEEDWAY, Indiana–According to industry experts the North American Handmade Bicycle Show (NAHBS), presented by Don Walker, sheduled for February 8-10 at the Oregon Convention Center, Portland Oregon, is the main reason for the flourishing high-end niche market for handmade bicycles in North America.

This is good for the whole cycling industry, because as in Formula One car racing, some of the cutting-edge ideas on the industry’s top shelf seep down into the mass market models over the years.

The show, which has grown in the space of four years from 23 exhibitors to a sell-out of 187 booth spaces, with 150 exhibitors, has become the world’s largest trade/consumer show for custom-built bicycles.

Frame builders say this concentration of activity and the media attention surrounding it has helped them take back a share of the high end bicycle market from mass manufacturers. But the effect of the NAHBS is not only to swell the order books of the frame builders exhibiting at the show. Those in and around the handmade frame industry credit the show with focusing public attention on the most desirable machines in the bicycling world, and at the same time raising the quality of work across the board.

“Forty years ago, South London was the center of the made-to-measure frame building universe. Forty years on, the axis has shifted to the USA. Why? Forget the economics, dynamics, mathematics and polemics, the short and simple answer is NAHBS,” says Neil Hassan, who runs www.frameforum.org , the most popular forum for frame building worldwide.

One of the keys to the success of the NAHBS is the industry seminars, in which leaders in several areas of the field give master classes on subjects as diverse as working with carbon fiber and titanium, frame geometry for special purposes, bike fit, and paint choices. Thus the younger builders learn quickly from those more experienced. On the show floor, too, builders can see the work of their peers, often gaining inspiration and motivatin from that. “These are essential parts of the show, in fact, this was one of the main reasons we started the show,” says its founder and chief sponsor, Don Walker–who is also a well-known builder specializing in track bicycles.

Richard Sachs, who is widely regarded as the one of the leading frame builders in the world, says: “Not since the 1970s has there been such an interest in the handmade bicycle frame. There was a time that framebuilders were at the vanguard, and industry often looked to them as the trendsetters and laboratories for all things innovative. The NAHBS weekend is a way for consumers, media, and framebuilders too, to judge for themselves whether the 21st century iteration of this segment is about ye old, or quaint, or, as I suspect, more innovative and technologically relevant than ever. This industry has never been more viable than it is today, and the show in Portland shines a bright light on all the pioneers as well as the Next Wave of framebuilders who will set trends and make markets for generations to come.”

Another big name in handmade frames is Independent Fabrication. Spokesman Matt Bracken says “I am 100% sure that the NAHBS has helped bring the focus back to handcrafted, made in America framesets. Looking at the growth of the show from 2004 to the present is miraculous to say the least. In 2004, 23 builders held the first NAHBS in Houston, and this year alone we will see 100+ builders from all over this great country descending on Portland to show off the love, sweat, and passion for making rideable art. Independent Fabrication is proud to be standing tall with our fellow builders showcasing what is new, what is fun, what is colorful and what can be ridden at the upcoming show in Portland. Spending time with all of these multi-talented builders is a real honor and we hope to make the most of it with swapping ideas, sharing stories, and kicking back meeting all of the enthusiastic cyclists who will be travelling from all over the country to attend this event.
Over the past ten years the industry as a whole has focused on price , value and consolidation. The NAHBS is similar to what is happening across the country in cool micro-breweries in every state. People want taste, character, and unique flavor; all of which can be found at your local frame builder, as well as your local brewery!”

And Jan Heine, publisher of the magazine “Bicycle Quartely,” which regularly reports on the handmade bicycle industry, commented that “in the past four or five years, the handmade bicycle scene in the USA has grown tremendously. The NAHBS show has given builders a unified voice and provided exposure. Before that, every builder seemed to toil alone in relative obscurity. Thanks in no small part due to the NAHBS show, the media has given more of a voice to custom builders.”

The NAHBS is the most accessible portal for the media to reach frame builders, and so it has become immensely popular with the press as well as the industry and general public.

About The North American Handmade Bicycle Show

Having started with 23 exhibitors in Houston, Texas, in 2005, the North American Handmade Bicycle Show is dedicated to showcasing the talents of individuals around the world whose art form is the bicycle. It aims to be a gathering point — online and in person — for framebuilders and consumers looking for custom-made bikes, for the sharing of ideas and promotion of this industry and its traditions. For more information, see http://www.handmadebicycleshow.com.

 source: NAHBS Press Office

Press Release 1/23/2008:

Christian is stoked to be representing for Commencal for a 3^rd season. Christian has maintained a strong podium average in his 35+ races. Christian is 14 years old and is competing in the Junior Expert Class for 2008. As a 14 under rider in 2007 highlights included 1^st at the Sea Otter Classic in Downhill and Dual Slalom and winning the California State Championship Series for Super D 18 and under. He even managed 2^nd in Dual Slalom and 3^rd in Downhill at the USA Cycling National Championships in Vermont just 7 weeks after breaking his scaffoid and 2 weeks after having his appendix out. Christian’s other 2008 sponsors include Fox Shox, Formula Brakes, E 13 Chain Guides, Maxxis Tires, SDG Seats and Bell Helmets. Christian lives and trains in Auburn, California where the access to trails is sweet.

Parkfield Classic dropping into the G out Junior Expert Class 2007

www.commencal.com

source: Clark Wright

Conference attendees discuss the pros and cons of Anaheim, Denver, Salt
Lake City and Las Vegas as possible event venues for future shows

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, Calif. - January 24, 2008 - As a part of the eleventh annual Bicycle Leadership Conference (BLC), Interbike hosted a breakfast presentation on Saturday, January 19 at the Holiday on the Bay in San Diego, California. During the presentation, Interbike Industry Consultant Lance Camisasca reviewed Interbike’s host city requirements, gave an update to the Sands Convention Center situation and shared new options for future event locations.

“This year’s BLC was an ideal place to continue our discussions about potential host cities for the Interbike show,” Camisasca said. “The audience included some of the bike industry’s best leaders and for them to show up ready to go as they did at 7:30 a.m. was impressive.”

During Interbike’s breakfast presentation, Camisasca reviewed with BLC attendees key market criteria it considers when selecting a show venue. Interbike’s top venue requirements include:

• Contiguous exhibit space of at least 700,000 gross square-feet and ample meeting room space,

• An event location where retailer and manufacturer attendance can be maximized,

• A large and diverse selection of hotels, restaurants and entertainment options conveniently located to the events,

• An international airport located within close proximity to the event with many flight options, numerous carriers and low airfare rates,

• Relaxed labor union regulations and high quality services,

• An OutDoor Demo site with great weather, extensive cross country/downhill trails and a closed road loop, and

• An event market that is recognized as a cycling culture destination.

Camisasca explained during the breakfast presentation that Interbike’s long-term contract with the Sands Convention Center runs through the 2009 show, and Interbike is considering whether to renew the contract or move the show to another location.

Denver and Anaheim are two cities that come closest to meeting all the requirements to host Interbike. Both cities have the contiguous space needed, would provide a diverse selection of restaurants, hotels and entertainment options, are located in areas that would maximize attendance and are recognized as cycling culture destinations.

Comments during the question and answer portion of the presentation showed support for a move, but no clear consensus on either city.

“Denver is a much more bicycle-friendly city than Las Vegas, Salt Lake City or Anaheim, and the Outdoor Demo options near Denver are excellent,” said Tim Blumenthal, executive director of the Bikes Belong Coalition. “From a Denver standpoint, however, I’m concerned about the hotels and transportation as Denver has not handled a show of Interbike’s size before. So at this point I would say yes to Anaheim for the next three or four years, with a plan to move to Denver after that.”

“I have to admit a personal bias that the Anaheim shows of previous years were not all that great,” said Tim Jackson, brand manager for Masi Bikes. “But given the needs of the show and the industry, Anaheim is looking a lot better. With a newly remodeled and really gorgeous convention center and an eagerness from the city to lure the industry back, Anaheim is rapidly becoming a contender for me. When you add in the already existing infrastructure - they’re harder to beat all the time.”

According to Camisasca, Interbike has not made a decision about moving the show, but a decision will need to be made by mid-2008. As part of its ongoing research, Interbike will continue to reach out to retailers, industry advocacy groups and other industry members before making a decision about a the future venue for the Interbike show.

“I was quite happy with the attendees’ understanding of the situation,” Camisasca concluded. “The feedback I received regarding the potential host cities and the very engaging question and answer period following the presentation exceeded my expectations. We have now completed the first of several rounds of research in order to make the best decision possible.”

Those interested in receiving a copy of Interbike’s BLC presentation, please contact Chip Smith at csmith@soarcomm.com or Maura Lansford at mlansford@soarcomm.com. The presentation will also be available on Interbike’s Media Center download page at http://www.interbike.com/ib/press/downloads.jsp.

About Interbike
Interbike, produced by Nielsen Business Media, the parent company of the Outdoor Retailer (OR), Action Sports Retailer (ASR), Health+Fitness Business (HFB) and Fly Fishing Retailer trade shows, is a full-service trade show company that creates, markets and produces high-quality expos and educational conferences. Producers of the OutDoor Demo and Interbike International Bicycle Expo, Interbike is the leading bicycle industry business-to-business event management company, bringing together top manufacturers, retailers, industry advocates and media to conduct the business of cycling. Now celebrating more than 25 years of successful events, Interbike (www.interbike.com) gathers more than 1,000 cycling-related brands and close to 23,000 total attendees annually.

The dates for next year’s Interbike trade-only events begin with the Outdoor Demo September 22-23, 2008 in Boulder City, the Interbike Expo September 24-26 at the Sands Expo and Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, and the OutDoor Demo East October 21-22 at Roger Williams Park in Providence, R.I.

source: Chip Smith, SOAR Communications

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

Lupine Wilma 6 $695.00

Light Meter charts and comparison table available here.

Description:

The Lupine Wilma 6 features 4 leds in a relatively compact light head that weighs in at only 140 grams. It is very well built and it integrates cooling fins towards the rear of the light head. Mounting is done with a beefy rubber band.

The switch is external and is designed to be mounted close to the grips. The Wilma 6 has a small battery in a soft case that is meant to mounted between the top tube and the down tube of the frame.

Light Head and Switch Close ups:

Read the rest of this entry »

The Fox 36 TALAS forks use cartridges known as the “closed” type. This means the air and damper cartridges are closed and sealed, as this classification would imply. They have their own internal lubrication and are separared from the “bath” lube that is in the fork legs. The bath lube serves a purpose in lubricating the stanchions and bushings, as well as the seals. In contrast, “open bath” type forks, even of the cartridge type, share a common oil supplies in the leg and cartridges (or open damper placed in the leg).

In each leg, there is a small amount of oil in the bath that serves lubricating purposes. Recommended is 15cc (ml) in the TALAS side, and 25cc in the damper side. These small quantities of oil are adequate, but they also mean that innaccurate fills or low levels from usage over time can possibly lead to inadequate lubrication for sliding parts, such as bushings and stanchions.

The Fox 36’s sealing system is a combination dust/oil seal, with a foam ring below. The bushings have longitudinal slots cut in their sliding surfaces. Upon compression, the stanchion is dipped in the bath oil that is also splashed around during operation. During rebound, the oil is drawn to the top of the lowers on the surface of the stanchions, with some being returned to the bath, and some allowed upward through the slots in the bushings. There are two bushings in each leg. The remaining oil that makes it to the top saturates the foam seal, which controls how much oil reaches the combinationg oil/dust seal, only allowing a controlled amount to weep past the seal for the purposes of low stiction. The remainder stays in the foam, or excess drains back down. Over time, there is the potential for enough of the bath oil to be lost through stanchion lubrication, necessitating a refill. Fortunately, this is an easy procedure, and does not require opening the cartridges. One can accomplish this in 30 minutes or less, depending the extent of the procedure.

In my case, I replaced my OEM Fox seals with Enduro seals, which provides a dedicated oil seal, and dedicated dust seal in the kit. They also provide new foam rings and new crush washers with the kit.

Disclaimer: This is only a guide, your results may vary, exercise due care for safety, common sense, and respect for the components.

Service Disclaimer: Always clean the exterior of all parts to be serviced thoroughly. This will save you time and headaches later.

 Note about oil volume: 1cc=1ml, 5cc=1 teaspoon, 15cc=1 tablespoon.  I use cough medicine cups for good approximations.

The first round of pictures below are my own, with credited pictures to follow from the Fox Service site at a later time.

1. Wash the exterior thoroughly, remove air.
2. Turn fork upside down, align compression knobs, use 2mm hex key to remove (fig1).
3. Use appropriate sockets to remove the black locknut (15mm) on the damper side, and the locknut (10mm) on the air side.
4. The important hang-up step: put the locknut back on the damper side and make sure it’s down two turns, as per the directions. Hold the underside from turning with a fingernail or similar. Screw the adjuster’s protective cap onto it. Use a rubber or plastic hammer to whack the damper out. It took a lot to get mine out, but it budged, finally.
5. With the lower free, you can now turn right side up and drain the oil from the stud holes in the lower.
6. Separate and clean.
7. Remove seal and foam ring from lower. Damper and TALAS cart are still in place as part of the crown/stanchion/steerer assembly.
8. Soak new foam ring in oil, put in place in the lower. Install oil seal above foam ring, letters up. Grease lightly. Note: the foam rings must be oiled because they will absorb a large amount of oil from the bath.
9. Grease outer seals, put 1/4-1/2 up the stanchion, grease stanchion lightly or oil. Out a film of oil on the bushings.
10. Pull on damper assembly and the TALAS cart to extend them. This will allow the studs to protrude through the holes in the lowers easier.
11. Turn upside down and push lower onto the stanchion. About 1/4 of the stanchion is what I had exposed when I pushed the outer seals on. They go by hand.
12. Pour in 15cc of shock oil in the TALAS side, and 25cc in the damper side. Fox recommends 7wt Fox branded oil. I blended and used high quality damper oil from my local moto shop to 7wt.
13. Compress slighly to get the studs of the cartridges to protrude through the holes in the lower. Put locknuts on, using new crush washers in the Enduro kit or the OEM Fox kit. Disclaimer: I reused my crush washers, but will not recommend you do the same.
14. The fork is now done. The procedure for standard Fox seals is identical to the Enduro procedure, except it does not use a dedicated oil seal.

(Gel Cooled Pak pictured on left, Moflow pictured on right)

I received both of these hydration bladders from Polarpak and I was initially interested in both of them. Turns out that one of these products isn’t so great, but the other works pretty well.

MOFLOW™ pressurized hydration system:

First, let’s take a look at the Polarpak Moflow. This is a new idea from Polarpak, it is a hydration bladder that offers a way to inflate and pressurize the pack, allowing the water to shoot out, without the rider having to suck or draw the water through. It seems like a decent enough idea, but the process needs a little work. Read the rest of this entry »

Mountain Bike Legends on Tap at Trips for Kids Party

San Rafael, CA — Mark your calendars: Sunday, February 11 is the annual “Brews, Bikes and Bucks” party at the Broken Drum Brewery in San Rafael. In its ninth year, this fundraising event has become a much-anticipated tradition in Marin County.

Many, if not all, of the local legends in mountain biking will be there - Gary Fisher, Tom Ritchey, Joe Breeze, Ned Overend, Scott Nicol, Jacquie Phelan, Otis Guy, Ross Shafer, Charles Kelly, Mert Lawwill, and Steve Gravenitis. Come, meet the pioneers, and share stories with the hundreds of people who turn out to support Trips for Kids’ youth programs. Thanks to Broken Drum owner Noah Berry, all proceeds from the event’s food and drink sales will go to the non-profit organization. An exciting collection of bike-related prizes will be raffled, including the grand prize of 2006 Jamis Dakota Comp mountain bike. Advance raffle tickets will be on sale at Trips for Kids’ Re-Cyclery Thrift Shop and the Broken Drum. Tickets will also be sold at the event. The party starts at 2pm and goes until 6pm. Admission is free. Plan to arrive early to score a place to sit. The Broken Drum is located at 1132 Fourth Street.

Director Marilyn Price, herself a member of the Mountain Bike Hall of Fame, founded Trips for Kids nearly twenty years ago to provide inner city youth with opportunities to challenge themselves and have fun a mountain bike. These outdoor adventures build self confidence and a respect for nature. As fifteen year old Khae commented after her ride shared, “I learned I was stronger than I thought.” Today there are 48 Trips for Kids chapters across the United States and Canada serving thousands of underserved kids each year. Money raised at the 2007 Bikes, Brews and Bucks will help fund these programs.

For more information about the event or Trips for Kids, call (415) 458-2986 or e-mail info@tripsforkids.org. Their offices and Bicycle Thrift Shop are located at 610 Fourth Street, San Rafael, CA 94901 (cross streets A St & B St). Check out their website at http://www.tripsforkids.org.