GEARGRINDER Cycling Inspired Clothing Company Launches Graphic Tee Collection
Also Offers Other Unique Eco-Friendly Gifts for Cyclists

MILWAUKEE, WI – November 19, 2008 - Featuring an array of unique, eco-friendly cycling-inspired clothing items and accessories, active apparel company GEARGRINDER has launched its new e-commerce site at www.gear-grinder.com. Included in the launch is the Wearable Art Collection, which features comfortable short-sleeve tees with limited-edition one-of-a-kind cycling designs crafted by cyclists.

While the GEARGRINDER “Cycling Inspired Apparel for Your Active Lifestyle” brand, founded by four cycling enthusiasts, draws its inspiration from the cycling culture, its product line appeals to cyclists and non-cyclists alike as the clothing line is intended for “off the bike” or “after ride” wear.

“My partners and I all share a common passion for cycling, and we wanted to create a brand that’s an extension of that belief… cycling is a lifestyle…a feeling understood and shared among cyclists of all riding levels…and GEARGRINDER captures that vibe,” says GEARGRINDER co-founder Paul Weaver.

Continues Weaver, “We offer cycling-inspired active apparel, not hard-core cycling jerseys, but our base layers are performance-based so you could jump on a bike for a quick ride to the office, take off your helmet, and go about your day in the clothes you rode in on.”

Other recent eco-friendly additions to the GEARGRINDER site which would make for unique gifts for cyclists include the long-sleeve Kona tee derived from bamboo, the extended-tail Hybrid jersey for after-ride wear, the carbon-embedded Carbon Polo, and the Podium jacket and vest with reflective piping for combined safety and style as well as wallets, belts and messenger bags made from recycled bike tubes.

“ENVIRODE” is GEARGRINDER’s initiative to clearly identify those products that meet the company’s highest standards of environmental stewardship through use of ecologically sensitive materials, fair trade manufacturing, sustainable practices and social responsibility.

Says Cathy O’Brien, GEARGRINDER Merchandise Manager, “Many GEARGRINDER garments combine both natural and recycled fibers to minimize the negative impact to the environment…without compromising either quality and performance. These garments are both chemical and additive-free made from renewable, green resources and recycled fibers like coconut shells and bamboo fibers to provide moisture-wicking capabilities as well as thermal regulation, evaporative cooling, odor-elimination and UV protection.”
“The end result,” continues O’Brien, “is an environmentally friendly fabric with extreme comfort and performance…just look for clothing and accessories with our ENVIRODE stamp.”

GEARGRINDER also donates a portion of the proceeds from each online www.gear-grinder.com sale to a cycling-related organization that uses the bicycle to improve the health, welfare and safety of people and the planet. From a list of select organizations, customers are empowered to select the one to which they want GEARGRINDER to make the donation.

“Our Give Back initiative stems from the GEARGRINDER founders’ desire to give back to the cycling community,” says Weaver. “These organizations all use the bicycle to promote safe bike routes, protect the environment, fight childhood obesity, and more…incredible programs that we want to help promote and sustain,”

GEARGRINDER is a major sponsor of Team GEARGRINDER, one of Wisconsin’s longest-running and largest multi-sport clubs comprised of road, mountain bike and triathlon teams.

source: Lisa Downey

source: Jenny Foust

Hope Pro II Hubs

Wheels are one of the most important components on a mountain bike. When deciding on which wheelset to purchase for your mountain bike, you need to choose your hub set very carefully. Not all hubs are created equal and at different price points, there are a different features.

When I received the Fox Talas 140 RLC 15QR TA fork in from Fox Racing, I needed a front hub that would take care of the 15mm front axle duties. After a call into Hope Technologies, I had a set of black Hope Pro 2 hubs in ready for review.

Hope Pro II Hubs - Preview | Mountain Biking by 198

HUB SPECS

Front

The all new Pro ll hub has sealed cartridge bearings and can be swapped from 20mm to QR or maverick axles with the minimum of fuss.

Weight - 180g

Rear

The all new Pro2 range of hubs include a further development of our proven ratchet mechanism. This features a one piece 7075 aluminum rotor body and pawl carrier. Four pawls engage into a twenty-four tooth steel ratchet which is fixed into the hub shell and is sealed with a frictionless, non contact labyrinth seal. The axle runs on four cartridge bearings. The hub shell is machined from a solid billet of 2014 T6 aluminum.

Weight: 295g
Bearing type: Cartridge (5 off)
Hub Body: 2014 T6 aluminum
Cassette body: Aluminum
Ratchet type: 4 pawl (24 point engagement)

Hope also has these hubs available in several different colors, so get with your LBS on which set will best fit your needs.

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Reviewed by Brian Mullin aka Gram and MTBR.com Pastajet
http://www.gramslightbikes.com/

Does your mountain bike get scratched or dinged up from rocks and dirt or do cables rub on the frame causing wear spots? “It’s such a fine line between stupid, and clever.”

I stumbled upon this product to protect my Ibis Mojo which is a gorgeous clear coated carbon fiber frame that is very susceptible to scratches. With the usual rocks, trees, bushes, gravel, sand, dirt and cable rubbing, we all deal with on our everyday rides it is easy for any bike frame to get scratched and dinged up.I have had many bikes that look like a bead blaster has been used on the rear triangle right in front of the rear tire. Junk gets flung up from the tire and removes paint and pretty much makes small ding marks anywhere the debris tends to get deposited.Places on the frame such as the bottom of the downtube, the outside edges of the rear triangle and the forks all take a good beating. In addition, anywhere that cables will rub can wreck havoc overtime, since they just keep rubbing in the same spot again and again. “Do you ever have deja vu Mrs. Lancaster? I don’t think so, but I could check with the kitchen.”

Continued on next page

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Squirt Lube
Reviewed by Sharon Bader

This summer we used a new wax based Lube - Squirt - to see how it handled the variable conditions of the Whistler Bike Park and North Shore riding in wet and dry conditions.

Generally I think lube is lube. Lee even considers car oil a viable bike chain lube. I’m a bit more discerning and always clean and re-lube my bikes after each ride. Most importantly in wet weather it is even more important to keep the chain clean since most lubes tend to attract mud to the chain.

Squirt Lube contains no solvents and is an emulsion of water and wax. This composition allows it to contain a far greater percentage of wax over conventional petroleum based wax lubes. The solution remains consistent over time requiring no shaking prior to application. The wax is harmless, odorless and environmentally friendly. Squirt, will rapidly and completely biodegrade in aquatic environments under aerobic conditions to 80% in 28 days and is 100% degraded in 58 days.

White thick lube penetrates and disappears 5-10 minutes after application.

Squirt is very viscous and goes on thick after application which allows the wax to penetrate deep into each link. The wax should be given 5 – 10 minutes to allow the water to evaporate whereupon it will hardly appear on your chain. When applying SQUIRT there is no need to wipe off any excess, in fact it should be applied liberally to the chain.

The unique properties of SQUIRT allows it to repel water and dirt and lasts much longer than traditional lubricants. SQUIRT was developed for dry conditions but works well even in wet muddy conditions.

The following pictures are of the drive train after a wet muddy day at the Whistler Mountain Bike Park. Note the mud on the stay, but not on the chain. This lube seems to form a coat that prevents mud from sticking to the chain.

Once the SQUIRT lubricant has built up in the chain degreasing your chain will no longer be necessary. The chain should be cleaned by brushing with a dry brush or cloth. If the bike is washed with water after riding, the chain can be wiped clean and dried prior to a new application of SQUIRT. The black gunky mess that often accumulates on your chain after wet rides will no longer appear. Your chain remains shiny clean, feels less gritty and will last longer.

Other Endorsements:

SQUIRT was developed and tested in South Africa under the harsh conditions of the Cape Epic mountain bike challenge. It has been used by riders in the La Ruta De Los Conquistadores with glowing accolades. SQUIRT has been adopted and endorsed by a number of top riders including Ned Overend, Travis Brown, Mike Kloser to name a few. Cyclingnews.com recently gave SQUIRT a glowing review with a very rare, “5 yellow jerseys”.

SQUIRT has personally been tested by numerous people who ride in the wet and muddy conditions of the PNW and every response has been positive. Multiple rides in wet and dry conditions have been followed by simply brushing the chain and applying a new application of SQUIRT. SQUIRT should not be compared with any previous wax lubricants that are ineffective in wet conditions, this lubricant is unlike any other product.

Some of the reviews of SQUIRT LUBRICANT

Whistler Bike Park - Brian Finestone
Squirt Lube is a great product, it not only enables me to move closer to my goal of minimizing my carbon footprint and impact on the environment, but does so without compromising its effectiveness. The wax based lube goes on easily, penetrates the chain links and components and seems to outlast other products. The only real difference is that it needs a short period of time to dry in order to work best, so slopping it on at the trailhead on a rainy day won’t allow it to perform at its best. I like any product that works well and makes me feel less guilty about my impact on the land.

Cyclingnews.com
“In short, Squirt is easily the best dry-conditions wax-based lubricant we’ve used to date and the only one we’ve encountered that can last more than a single ride out in the impossibly fine dust of Moab, Utah and Fruita, Colorado.”

Bicirace.com
“The philosophy behind Squirt is to create a dry lubricant that can withstand the accumulation of dust and dirt (even in wet conditions), and can be applied and re-applied without cleaning the chain between applications. Apply it to the chain as you normally would any lubricant, and it will dry to form a thin layer.”

“On several occasions I followed up days of riding in wet weather with only a fresh application of Squirt lube.
I found the lubricating properties of Squirt’s LLDL (Long Lasting Dry Lube) to be as good or better than any wet lube I have used before. I also found it to be true that the chain did stay cleaner after multiple rides in wet and sloppy weather. (The part of the world I live in is not short on wet weather!)”

BikeMecca.com
Unlike other wax lubes, Squirt is water-based, has a high wax content lube (40% wax), in a smooth emulsion that doesn’t separate or settle in the bottle. Just apply, let it dry for a few minutes and you’re ready to go. No need to wipe off any excess

Where can you buy it?

It will be available in the US through Giant Distributors.

Manufacturer Website:
http://www.squirtlube.com/

Canadian Distributor
www.podiumimports.ca
250-493-1144

Bicycling has become a major adult sport over the past 20 years. However, the men are having most of the fun. PV Bicycle Center is opening a new store with the goal of attracting more women to the sport. The networking begins November 21 at 7:30 pm

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

# # #

Steve Bowen purchased PV Bicycle Center just 5 years ago, but his vision for cycling in the South Bay area of Southern California has resulted in the store growing rapidly in sales, scale, and reputation. One of the major goals of the company is to involve far more women in the huge benefits of cycling. The new store has the look and feel of a Nordstroms and should make the ladies feel right at home. Events, rides, clinics, and other elements are being added to provide women with a place to network, get fit, and enjoy a new, very enhjoyable hobby.

source: Randy Kirk

International Mountain Bicycling Association

Dear Gregg, IMBA is coming to Nevada City, CA, Nov. 21-23, and you’re invited to join in the special events. Anna Laxague and Jason Wells of the Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew are teaming with the Bicyclists of Nevada County (BONC) for a weekend dedicated to improving local trails and having fun. The visit features a social, an IMBA Trailbuilding School, a Club Care workshop and a group ride. This is your opportunity to rub shoulders with the IMBA Crew while learning all about trailbuilding. Check out the details below and come join in the fun. You are receiving this email as an IMBA member or contact. Help us get the word out. Please use the “Tell a friend” button below to send this invitation to other area mountain bikers, land managers and trail users. The more the merrier! If this event is too far away for you to attend, we understand. We sent you this email to not just invite you but also let you know about the important work IMBA is doing in your area. Schedule: Friday 1:00 PM: Group Ride (Miner’s/Scott’s Drop Ride), meet at Nevada City Hall on Spring St. 7:00 PM: Club Care workshop at 503 Sacramento St, Nevada City. Saturday 9:00 - Noon: Trailbuilding School classroom session at Nevada City Hall. 1:00 - 4:00 PM: Trailbuilding School field session at Deek Creek Trail. Meet at 16545 Champion Road, Nevada City. BBQ/Potluck to follow Sunday 10:00 AM: South Yuba group ride, meet at trailhead parking near South Yuba Campground. Please sign up for this event on the BONC website. For more information, contact John Gardiner.

source: IMBA

Released: Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Mountain Cycle and Mountain Biking by 198 have teamed up to giveaway an incredible 5.5″ travel frame.

That’s right! The time has come. Mountain Biking by 198 is giving away a Mountain Cycle Fury 5.5″ travel frame in the winner’s size! This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to win a $1,000 frame just for doing what you love to already…talk about your favorite trail!

Mountain Cycle Trail Review Contest On Mountain Biking by 198

MOUNTAIN CYCLE FRAME CONTEST

• 1st Place - Mountain Cycle Fury Frame - Frame and rear shock shipped to the winner in the size requested.
• 2nd Place - The Mountain Biker Essential Pack - Sponsored by Ultrarob.com!
• 3rd Place - Clix Wheel Release System QR - Not available in stores!

For more information and contest rules/submission. Visit Mountain Biking by 198.