Article Originally Found On Mountain Biking by 198
Review by Robb Sutton
Original Article: Avid Elixir CR Hydraulic Disc Brake Review

In product year 2009, SRAM has been making a lot of changes and introductions throughout its brands. Truvativ released the Hammerschmidt…the Rock Shox suspension fork line was almost completely updated…and the Avid brake lineup saw the introduction of the Avid Elixir R and CR hydraulic disc brakes.

The Avid Elixir brakes replace the Avid Juicy Ultimates and become the top of the line, multipurpose brake set for Avid/SRAM. Braking power with the new Avid Elixir’s are claimed to be somewhere in-between the Juicy and Code lineups. With new technologies like Taperbore, tool free adjustment, new G3 rotor and banjo fittings, the Elixir brake lineup brings something completely new to the table for Avid.

Avid Hydraulic Disc Brake Review

SRAM sent me a set of the Avid Elixir CR hydraulic disc brakes to review. The Elixir CR’s are available in two lever configurations (OEM only alloy and carbon fiber) and 3 different rotor combinations (160mm, 185mm and 203mm). The test set was sent with the carbon lever and two sets of rotors…the 185mm and 160mm.

For the exact weights of the rotors and brakes, check out this preview post on the Elixir CR’s. Due to the minimal weight difference between the 160mm and 185mm rotors (40g), the 185mm rotors were installed and that is what stayed on the bikes. For the purposes of this review, the brakes were tested on a Ventana El Terremoto 6.0 and a Rocky Mountain Slayer. Both of these rides are 6″ travel bikes that are taken on everything from shuttle runs to cross country epics. This provided a vast amount of contrast in different riding conditions, and made perfect test mules for this new do-it-all brake from Avid.

Installation

The install for the Elixir CR’s was quick and painless. The two bolt lever mount (now standard on most brakes) makes install and adjustment a breeze without having to remove any other parts off the bars. Straight out of the box, the lines were the perfect length for my large Ventana, so no cutting was required. Avid’s tri-align caliper positioning system makes caliper alignment easy and for the first time ever with Avid brakes, I was able to use the adjustable banjo fitting to properly align the brake line with the frame. This was a very welcomed change from Avid.

The lever adjustment on the Elixir CR’s is completely new for Avid. These two, tool free adjustments control the pad contact point and reach. A small black dial on the lever body brings the reach of the lever inboard and out. Once you have the reach fitted to your hands and preference, you adjust the pad contact point via the red barrel at the end of the lever body. With the pad contact adjustment, you are able to dial in exactly how much throw it takes to fully engage the pads. If you like to have a lot of throw for increased modulation and feel…that is now possible with the Elixirs (the Juicy 7’s, Carbons and Ultimates used a top mounted dial). You can still adjust the pad contact point close to the rotor and get a minimal throw point for full lockup. These two, tool free adjustments also make trailside changes depending on trail conditions extremely easy. It has a tendency to move under vibration if there is resistance against the brake line. To insure that this does not happen, hold the brake line independently of the pad contact adjustment barrel. This will keep the brake line from moving with adjuster.

Now that I had the Avid Elixir CR brakes mounted and adjusted to my liking…it was time to hit the trail and see if they really were everything that Avid claimed they were.

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If the brand can be pronouced as a sneeze, this sneeze can be infectious. The VF2 will spread the virus of MTB enthusiasm.

Chumba’s story is a familiar one about mountain biking loyalists and those who pursue their dreams in the industry. The story revolves around a young man who bought a bike shop, Ted Tanouye. He began to design and sell his own DH bikes in the back of the shop. As the kid who was known to be a genius and make an immaculate product, his bikes began to gain a favorable image – also helped by some local talented and sponsored riders. In 1993 Chumba was just born… the VF2 is the latest jewel from Ted’s box, an American X Country bike - exotic and sexy.

Pragmatism

Ted long protected his own bike building – building every frame in-house for over ten years. But today, with increased volume, he moved some production to one of best builders in Asia. This is the case for the VF2. However, we have no qualms, and we are absolutely sure about the quality of this CHUMBA. It is definitely perfect.

On a pure technical side, we have a front triangle made of 7000 series aluminum, with dramatic hydroforming and manipulation. The swingarm and the four bar linkage suspension are made from carbon fiber. The suspension design offers 5′ travel, and you can use a 120 to 150mm suspension fork on it!

e…XC…eptional

With a 360mm bottom bracket high, the VF2 sits somewhat high. However, once you ride it, the Chumba gives feelings of great enthusiasm. Very stable with perfect suspension action, this bike maintains its fluidity on wet or muddy rides – as well as during acceleration and braking. You are quickly at home with this bike, and it will provide long-lasting pleasure on epic rides. Despite slightly slack angles, the VF2 steers incredibly and you can certainly ride cross-country. Thanks to the compact frame and the great four-bar design - which inspires confidence. On the climbs, the weight reminds you that you’re not on a European style XC bike. With this amount of travel, the program is more light enduro than XC French cup or marathon. However, the VF2 is not too heavy and it’s a good climber if you’re not counting seconds.

The suspension is extremely efficient and provides great tracking and bump-absorption. For the long climbs without rocks, you can always lockout the suspension with the pro pedal system, but it’s not really necessary. With the higher BB, you can still pedal even if you ride on big rocks and when the suspension works. The crankset doesn’t touch the rocks. The VF2 comes most alive on the most technical parts of the trail; this MTB has a good Californian spirit!
When you attack the descent, this bike is most in its element. It is very rigid, and you can attack without fear. No flex, this chassis is very precise. It’s comfortable on small jumps, sketchy landings, and when you ride hard-packed trails. The suspension doesn’t bottom out even on some of the relatively larger jumps we tried.

We went on lots of muddy rides, but the anodized finish doesn’t show a blemish. Note that the seat collar may not be the best, but it’s the only issue we had with the bike.
Easy, comfortable, fun, the VF2 is a bike for those who prefer finesse over raw performance.

source: NAHBS Press Office

Muc-Off.com has just launched a hot new interactive on-line gallery – and you can win a year’s worth of goodies by showing them some love!

Muc-Off are proud that they make the most adrenaline-fuelled care products in the world and they want see how and where their fellow dirt fiends use the products!

How do you enter?

Simple! Just upload a photo of yourself or your bike, car etc with any Muc-Off product or even just of you and a Muc-Off sticker. Visit www.muc-off.com and upload your images now for the world to see…..remember the crazier the better!  If your image gets selected as the monthly favourite, you’ll win a year’s supply of Muc-Off to keep your toys looking hot!

ENDS

Muc-Off produce over 200 products across the bicycle, auto, motorcycle, dirtbike, electronic, snow, marine and motorhome markets.  You name it, we can clean it!

The majority of our products are biodegradable, and we are working hard on making the rest of them that way too.  Packaging is recyclable where possible and we encourage customers to re-fill bottles to reduce packaging waste.

For more information, please contact:

Muc-Off UK: Sally Hoare Muc-Off USA: Mark Kalpakoff

Muc-Off UK Ltd  Muc-Off USA

The Fulcrum     8311 Chetle Ave

S1 Vantage Way Santa Fe Springs

Poole, Dorset CA 90670

BH12 4NU (562) 945-1098 01202 307790

Muc-Off products are officially approved by: Triumph Motorcycles, Troy Lee Designs, DP Brakes, AP Brakes, Izumi Chains, Airoh Helmets, Commencal Bicycles, Joe Rocket, GT Bicycles, Spank Bicycles, Cannondale Bicycles, Charge Bicycles, Scott Bicycles, LOOK Bicycles, DRD Pipes, Yamaha UK MX and L.A Sleeve.

source: Sally Hoare

On January 19, 2009, we announced a voluntary recall of 14 U.S and 4 Canadian products including CLIF Bar, CLIF Builder’s, CLIF MOJO, CLIF Kid Organic ZBaR and LUNA Bar, in the U.S. and Canada because the peanut butter in those products was sourced, for a limited period of time, from the Peanut Corporation of America (PCA). PCA is a manufacturer and supplier of peanut butter for many food companies and manufacturers.

PCA is under investigation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for a recent Salmonella outbreak thought to be caused by tainted peanut butter. In light of this investigation, and with an abundance of caution, Clif Bar & Company has enacted a voluntary recall. We take the health and safety of our consumers very seriously.

In the U.S, the following 14 products are included in the recall. Only bars with wrappers that have the following BEST BY or SELL BY codes¹ on them, in all sizes and packages, are being recalled:

CLIF BAR Chocolate Chip Peanut Crunch
BEST BY/SELL BY:
21JUN09 to 01OCT09 and
03NOV09 to 28NOV09
CLIF BAR Crunchy Peanut Butter
BEST BY/SELL BY:
21JUN09 to 01OCT09 and
03NOV09 to 28NOV09
CLIF BAR Peanut Toffee Buzz
BEST BY/SELL BY:
13SEP09
CLIF Builder’s Peanut Butter
SELL BY:
19JUL09 to 30SEP09 and
05NOV09 to 18NOV09
CLIF Kid Organic ZBaR Peanut Butter
BEST BY:
07JUL09 to 05SEP09 and
12NOV09
LUNA Nutz Over Chocolate
BEST BY:
29JUL09 to 03OCT09 and
11NOV09 to 14NOV09
LUNA Peanut Butter Cookie
BEST BY:
02OCT09 to 03OCT09 and
11NOV09 to 14NOV09
MOJO Honey Roasted Peanut
BEST BY:
30APR09 to 21JUN09
MOJO Mixed Nuts
BEST BY:
30APR09 to 21JUN09
MOJO Mountain Mix
BEST BY:
30APR09 to 21JUN09
MOJO Peanut Butter Pretzel
BEST BY:
30APR09 to 21JUN09
MOJO Dipped Chocolate Peanut
BEST BY:
30APR09 to 21JUN09
MOJO Dipped Peanut Butter and Jelly
BEST BY:
30APR09 to 21JUN09
MOJO Dipped Fruit and Nut
BEST BY:
30APR09 to 21JUN09

For more info visit Clifbar.com.

source: clifbar.com

Escondido, California (January 22, 2009) Dylan Dean Designs (D3) is proud to announce the addition of mountain bike star athlete Jared Graves to the mountain bike factory team! Jared returns to the D3 team after a short absence, and will don D3 custom paintwork throughout the 2009 & 2010 seasons.

“I’ve known the D3 crew for many years, having previously been a D3 team member. They have always been a smiling face at the races… they’re just the sort of people you want in your corner,” exclaimed an excited Graves! “I was always super pumped on all the lids they provided me in the past, so it made perfect sense to get pumped on them once again!”

Jared is respected as one of the world’s foremost gravity racers. Even after taking a majority of the 2008 season off, in order to concentrate on his Olympic dream, Jared still dominated every mountain bike race he entered. Now that he’s back to racing mountain bikes full time, expect sheer dominance from Jared in 4x as well as being a top contender in downhill. It’s going to be an exciting season!

“I’m excited to have Jared back on the team,” said D3 owner Dylan Dean. “The first full face helmet I ever painted was for Jared Graves. Although I’ve worked with Jared throughout the years at various brands, it’ll be great to continue our original relationship & pump out some great designs for him!”

For additional information on Jared Graves, visit his personal website at www.jaredgraves.net.

Photo courtesy: Damian Breach
—
About the company…
Through our roster of high profile athletes, Dylan Dean Designs is recognized as one of the most exciting & influential custom paint shops in the sports world. D3 sponsors world-renowned athletes including Jared Graves, Bryn Atkinson, Andrew Neethling, Sam Willoughby, Mick Hannah, Aaron Gwin & many more! For additional information, visit D3’s website at www.DylanDeanDesigns.com

source: Dylan || Dylan Dean Inc

Santa Cruz Bicycles has recently announced an exciting brand new model, the Carbon Blur XC. This bike has been in pure stealth mode…until now.

To read the forum discussion about this new bike, go here: http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=484769

(official press release below, originally posted on 1/20/09 @ 2:15pm PST)

Hail To The Chief

The inauguration of a fresh president here in the USA seems like an
auspicious time to take the wraps off Santa Cruz Bicycles’ most closely
guarded secret since, well, ever. Ladies and gentlemen, departing Trek
riding Texan Republicans and incoming Illinois hoop shooting Democrats,
please lend a hand for the arrival of the totally new and completely
awesome, carbon fiber Blur XC!

Since it would be tacky to try and stretch a metaphor about domestic and/or
global policy any further to somehow validate our new bike, we’ll cut
straight to the chase:

-105mm travel, next generation VPP suspension
-Super efficient bump absorption, incredible pedaling response, no lockouts
or platforms required
-Reliable, serviceable, stiff - next generation VPP links are core of the
most evolved suspension on the market
-Ultra-lightweight, incredibly strong carbon fiber frame (4.2 pounds, frame
and shock, size medium)
-That wasn’t a typo. It’s really light.
-How light? 22 pounds, 6 ounces for the XTRxc complete
-Damn, that’s light

We spent a huge amount of time and effort developing this bike, and are
confident that it sits right on the sharpest part of the cutting edge of
both performance and technology. You can read the whole developmental spiel.
Or you can just nod your head in agreement when we say that
this bike will change how you think about cross country performance.

So put your hands together folks. Out with the old, in with the new.

source: Mike Ferrentino, Santa Cruz Bicycles

Today(1/21/09) @ 1pm PST

Join show hosts Chris Kelly, Kurt Stockton, and guest Ned Overend today live on KVMR at 1pm for an intriguing hour of BikeTalk where we talk about Ned’s illustrious career, race highlights and the real world of everyday bike riding and how it relates to Ned.

BikeTalk is rated “E” for everyone who has ever had an experience with a bicycle that they would like to share. Whether you are a bike person or not we would like to hear what you have to say about the topics we discuss on Bike Talk. So please, call in and let us hear what you have to say!

Live studio call-in numbers are (530) 265-9555 or 800-355-KVMR (5867) or stream us live on the web at KVMR.ORG