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

I have been out cranking and bashing away on a pair of Hayes Stroker Gram disc brakes for almost a year now on my Ibis Mojo. Although they are not the lightest pair of brakes I have used in the ever expanding weight weenie disc brake world, they are quite powerful, with excellent fade resistance.

Hayes Company
Hayes Brake has been in the brake technology business since 1946, and their brakes are used on everything from all-terrain vehicles, bicycles, construction equipment, motorcycles, riding mowers, tractors, snowmobiles and utility vehicles. Their work was extended to the mountain bike market in 1997 when Hayes Disc Brake was formed, and this group eventually morphed into the vast Hayes Bicycle Group, which includes Wheelsmith spokes, Sun Ringle wheels, Answer bike parts and Manitou shocks.

Hayes Stroker Grams
The Stroker Grams is the lightest of the Hayes Stroker series (5 versions), and they have been designed and marketed towards the cross country riding user group. Each kit includes the brake, a rotor, a mini bleed kit, carbon levers, alloy backed pads (semi-metallic) and a full titanium bolt kit. They are available in 140, 160, 180, 203, 224 mm sized rotors, and come with an appropriate sized post mount adapter. The master cylinder and caliper are made with aluminum, and use Kevlar hoses, and Hayes high temp DOT4 brake fluid. They are only available in the Lucky Black color (soon a white version), which has a sort of cool looking speckled finish. To minimize weight, Hayes removed as much of the already minimal lever body as possible, and on the master cylinder, they used finite element analysis, removing as much non-structural and redundant material as possible.

Finite element analysis (FEA) is a numerical technique for finding approximate solutions of partial differential equations (PDE) as well as of integral equations. In a structural simulation using computers, FEA helps tremendously in producing stiffness and strength visualizations and also in minimizing weight, materials, and costs. In a nutshell, it does mesh discretization of a continuous domain (the body or structure) into a set of discrete sub-domains (elements).

My usual long term brakes have been the Magura Marta SL brakes. I have a set of the 2007 Marta SL’s and recently got a brand new set of the Marta SL Mags, which use the larger Louise brake pads and much improved caliper system. The Marta SL’s are my main brain comparison and cross referencing brake, although I have used most of the current lighter brake systems for short periods of time.

Although the lines were a tad long on my bike, I never did get around to bleed them (lazy), but they are supposedly easier to bleed then previous Hayes brakes?

Next -> Impressions

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

The uvex Crow Pro sunglasses are an excellent performing set of eye wear, that come with 3 interchangeable one piece wraparound lenses, offering excellent peripheral vision, high quality optics, 100% UV protection and high-impact resistance.

Uvex
The uvex (pronounced ew-vex) brand was founded nearly 50 years ago in Fürth, Germany by the Winter family. The origin of the company name uvex (uv-ex = ultraviolet excluded), distinctly tells you that eye wear has been their preeminent product. Through the years, uvex evolved into two distinct entities, the sports division (ski, cycling and motorbike helmets and eye wear), and a safety division (protective eye wear, helmets, hearing and hand protection, safety footwear and work wear). Their Astrospec industrial safety glasses have sold more than 100 million pairs! This past June, Magura USA became the US distributor for uvex.

Impressions
The sunglasses are nicely sculptured, were very comfortable, and the soft rear ear pads were especially nice. The frames are very well made, and the strong hinges are very robust and well engineered. As always, you know that you have a piece of German engineering in your hands. The build quality, and the small attention to the little details really stands out in this well made pair of sunglasses. They come with a hard case, and nice extra large cloth bag. It always seems to me that bags for sunglasses are too small, and you are always having to persuade the sunglasses into them.

“Put Edwina … back-in-bowl!”

Interchangeable Lenses
I used the sunglasses extensively this last fall and early winter, and I highly appreciated having the interchangeable lenses. The three multi-conditioned lenses, each with their own functionality, blended well with the varying environments, and time of the day that I went riding.

When I was going to be out in the open or in constant bright light conditions, I used the dark gray lens, which they called Polavision Smoke, meaning a polarized gray. When I was going to be on trails in which the light would vary greatly, with lots of shade to sunlight type of conditions, the yellow lens was incredibly versatile and ideal. The yellow lens was called Radar Dégradé, which had a color gradient, tinted at the top and clearing towards the bottom. The typical wooded terrain that I frequent locally in Colorado, made the yellow lens my preferred color, especially in the fall, and they were also nice for flat light and fog. During those late afternoon, and early evening rides, it was nice to have the clear lens. When the darkness starts to creep up on you, it is paramount to be able to see the slight idiosyncrasies of the trail while still having eye protection.

Next -> Switching Lenses, Venting, Lens Technical Info

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

The new Morro hydration pack from Hydrapak is a glorious and comfortable pack, with a plethora of new features, which are very innovative and incredibly functional. The Morro is part of Hydrapak’s new Pro Series. The Pro Series constitutes their best design philosophy, features, materials and construction.

Features
Surge Valve
The foremost new feature for me as a longtime Hydrapak user, is that they finally solved their heinously leaky bite valve! The new Surge Valve doesn’t leak, has a twist shutoff, an adjustable angled elbow, it bites and draws well, and just plain rocks. They hit the nail on the head with this winner, and they have leaped to the top of the food chain for bite valves by a large margin!

Quantum Clip
The drinking hose also attaches with an innovative system called the Quantum Clip (no more Velcro), which uses a magnet clip on the hose, and an adjoining metal piece on the chest compression strap. It takes a bit of practice to get used to the system, but you just drop the hose clip easily on the proper spot with a distinct snap. It also prevents the hose from flopping around when you are bouncing along on rough terrain, which I had always found a bit annoying with hydration packs, in fact, I used to tuck the bite valve under the compression strap to prevent that from happening. One of Hydrapak’s statements about the Quantum Clip is, “keep your hose in check”, I am not even going to touch that one!

Next -> Features Continued

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Strengths
-Stiff front end
-Climbing efficiency
-Huge rear tire mud clearance
-Cable stays for seatpost control cable
-Attention to detail in the right places; welded rockers, high end bearings, multi-axle option

Weaknesses
-Cable routing around the rear triangle could use more attention
-Shock options
-More color options?

Reviewer: Thomas Tran

The guys at Niner Bikes have evolved their first FS frame, the RIP9, into a worthy successor. When the Rip9 first came out, it was an instant hit at Interbike Outdoor Demo . The Constantly Varying Arc (CVA) rear suspension allows the bike to pedal very well while seated, and the angles of the frame were spot on for a 4.5” FS 29er. Fast forward 3 years and Niner has released the version 2.0 of the frame. They addressed many key areas of version 1.0 that drew comments or criticisms. The advent of tapered steerer was adopted to increase front end stiffness and the welded box section rockers increase rear end stiffness. Add to that, the ability to use a multitude of rear axle sizes and types, and Niner was able to stiffen the frame considerably without adding weight. Niner didn’t just use the typical ‘bolt on enhancements’ to stiffen the frame, all this was achieved through extensive use of hydroforming and custom casting for key tube junctions. This wasn’t a cheap redesign, but then again, Niner has always lead R&D in the 29er field.

Nice touches by Niner:
Tapered head tube
Super strong box sections in key areas
Cable stays for bar mounted adjustable seatpost cables
Tucked in brake cable stays
Multiple axle options for rear wheels, including Maxle
The very best bearings on a production frame
Super sloping top tube to accommodate shorter riders on a long travel 29’er
Water bottle mount for shorter rides without a pack, or those super epics with 100oz+

The package

I normally don’t comment on anything but the frame, in a frame review, as all other parts are typically a personal preference. In this case, I strongly feel the bike is more than the sum of its parts. You’re riding a system here, and not just the frame.

I have never been one to buy off the shelf. All my parts are specially picked for their performance/weight/function. The package Niner sent me is off the shelf for them. On the surface, it is a mid-high level build, XT/X0/Thomson/Stans/Elixir. Most MFGs just throw together the most price efficient parts and call it done. In this case, once you stand back and see how the parts work together, the appreciation for the perfect blending of parts comes through. What you get with a Niner parts package is years of knowledge of what works and is needed for a 29’er setup; short stem, tire selection, fork selection, etc…

Read more about the RIP9…

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

I first saw the SixSixOne 4×4 and 2×4 soft body armor while I was at Interbike this year. The ‘x4′ series of soft armor, is comprised of the 4×4 (Knee/Shin), and the 2×4 (Elbow/Forearm) guards. They both use an EVA foam padding as the main structural protection entity with some nylon inserts for rigidity and additional protection, while the main body is made from a Denier nylon shell with a Coolmax liner, and it’s held together with Velcro closures.

Why Wear Armor?
Since I started riding tougher terrain of late, I thought it best to start wearing armor more often. Protecting my 50+ year old body from the occasional crash, and tree and rock scrapes seems like a rational idea? I have used hard plastic armor, but I found them to be uncomfortable, hot, and a over zealous amount of protection for the slower speed All Mountain riding that I participate in. Hence, my preference is to use soft armor. Just over a year ago I took a nasty crash on the Templeton Gap trail in Palmer Park, and I removed a good portion of skin on one forearm, ouch!

Grumpy says to always wear protection!

The crash helped reinforce the need to wear body armor. I swear that any time you decide to not wear armor, you are going to fall! So consider it a double safety blanket, or redundant backup, as it were?

Next -> Impressions

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Below is a comprehensive list of all the Pro Review articles available on Mtbr.com:

(view the rest of the Table of Contents: Parts, Gear, Lights, Kids>>)
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Reviewed by Brian Mullin aka Gram and MTBR.com Pastajet
http://www.gramslightbikes.com/

I first saw the WeeHoo i-Go bike trailer in August this year at the Rocky Mountain Bike Show, and I was very intrigued by the design. It’s a child bike trailer in which the occupant sits in a recumbent position, and the child (aka the copilot) can pedal, assisting the driver, or just sit, relax and enjoy the views.

The i-Go is one of the new breeds of kid bicycle trailers called a pedal trailer, and is different than the typical two wheel buggy trailers. I have seen the other designs of a pedal trailer in which the child sits in a normal upright position, with the handle bars attached to the pull bar, and the drivetrain in basically the same layout.

The trailer easily attaches to any bike on its seatpost, using an innovative clamp system that allows the trailer to rotate using the seatpost as its pivot point.

The trailer has many features, the foremost being a 3 point safety harness. In fact, the trailer is full of safety features, such as a fully enclosed drivetrain (chain and chainrings), foot straps for the pedals, and rear wheel coverage.

The child sits in the recumbent chair, and it has hand grips, so the child has something to hold onto for a secure feeling, or to just get better leverage while pedaling. The seat is also padded, so it is nice and comfy for a long ride.

WeeHoo Video Overview:



http://www.vimeo.com/8115455

The seat can move back and forth on the main bottom rail, to accommodate multiple size heights and leg lengths. To alter the seat position (when the child isn’t in the seat), you just pop open the quick release lever located under the seat. You then give the QR a couple of spins to loosen it, until the lower clamp plate flops down slightly. You then slide the seat fore and aft aligning the plate and main rail notches (12 available positions), sandwich the plate back together and pop the QR bolt into the notch and tighten the whole thing up. I did find it a bit frustrating using the system on occasion, since the lower plate tended to fall off when it flopped back to far if you didn’t hold it in position.

Next -> Installation and Usage

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

Baja Stryker – $298.00

Light Meter charts and comparison table available here.

Description:

Baja Designs is new to the bike light market and was eager to show us their Stryker light. They’ve used their extensive Motorcycle and Offroad lights racing experience to produce a very rugged bike light. The head unit is big and made of very sturdy plastic with the front rim protected by a rubber casing. The battery is nicely sealed as well as this light seems ready to take on the roughest conditions.

The system comes an extra reflector as well that can be used to produce a wider beam. We tried the wide reflector and it is remarkable and we fully recommend it instead of the stock one. The wide reflector makes the center spot a flat oblong shape instead of round. The outer halo is the same but the center is much wider and lights up more of the trail with the intense center beam.

NOTE: The Stryker uses the Cree MC-E emitter and NOT the Seoul P7 that as stated in the video above.

Light Head close ups:

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

Niterider Pro 600 – $499.00

Light Meter charts and comparison table available here.

Description:

The Niterider Pro 600 features a light head with a Cree MC-E emitter. This emitter has a reflector optimized for a focused center beam.

The head has a lot of plastic casing for impact resistance and the battery is fully sealed against the elements. The battery is designed to be removable from the mounting bracket so it can be charged without taking the battery mount off the bike

Software:

We normally don’t have a section discussing light software but this one is worth noting. Niterider has invested a ton of resources to let the rider configure the light levels and run times of each setting on the light. Each emitter can be configured independently  and the user can choose the perfect amount of output for their application. Profiles can be saved too so the user can bring up their ‘Endurance Race’ profile or ‘Commute to Work’ profile where their favorite settings can be stored.

Some lights have some of this configurability but it’s always been too cumbersome to bother. But with a PC and a USB connection, this really is a lot more user-friendly.  They call it the DIY Software and you can even download and preview it here before buying the light http://www.niteriderservices.com/

Light Head close ups:

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