Eric Hawkins, owner of Park Tools, gives us the low down on the latest new Park Tools for 2008! My personal fav is the new and improved BO-2!

For more information about these latest, new tools, see this page: http://www.parktool.com/whatsnew/newproducts.asp

Norcal locals, check out which LBS won the latest Park Tool Distinguished Service Award!

For more general info, and for cool tool tips check out Calvin's Corner and other information on the Park Tool website: http://www.parktool.com/

Look for more information and instructional how-tos and videos coming in the near future to the Park Tool website.

Good talking to you Calvin and Eric, see you guys next year!

Highlights from Interbike 2007 Day One - Outdoor Demo

Chopper shows us the cool stuff from Smith Optics including their interlock technology.

The Rase Rapid Adjustable seatpost features 9 inches of seatpost lowering travel. It retails for $400 and weighs about 500 grams without the lever.

 

So I talked to the friendly folks at Rase and rode around in their test bikes. It's an interesting concept.

Pros:

- up to 9 inches of drop adjustability and that can be adjusted to anything less than that.

- the machining and construction seem very good

- the seat clamps are beefy and well designed.

Cons:

- the price is $400 and is above established competitors

- weight is 500 grams (without lever)

- 9 inches of adjustable travel is not needed by most riders for trail riding

- dirt and contamination can be a big issue. There seems to be a bunch of areas where dirt and water can collect and maybe get in the frame

- the up and down action is not very smooth when sitting near the rear of the saddle. Also, there 's always a big click when the pin falls into one of the adjustment holes

- the mini 'brake' lever used to activate the saddle is not appropriate for most high end bikes. Hopefully, an alternate lever will become available.

 

http://rasebike.com/index.html

This folding Raxter rack retails for $329. It features the 'auto-nesting' capability of Raxter trays where bikes can have many positions horizontally. This allows very close spacing of the bikes yet finding room for the pedals and handlebars to be out of the way. http://www.raxterracks.com/ 

Scott Nydam Bio: DOB: April 9, 1977 Hometown: Denver, CO Residence: Santa Rosa, CA Height: 5’11” Weight: 157 Strengths: All around Pro Since: 2007 Hobbies: Rock Climbing Career Highlights: 2007 1st KOM Competition Cascade Cycling Classic 3rd Stage #4 International Tour de Toona 6th Stage #1 San Dimas Stage Race 6th Overall San Dimas Stage Race 6th Overall Tour de Georgia 7th Stage #2 San Dimas Stage Race 7th Stage #3 Tour de Georgia 8th Stage #2 Cascade Cycling Classic 2006 1st Collossal Cave Road Race 1st Stage #2 Fort Davis Hammerfest 1st Overall Dead Dog Stage Race 1st Stage #3 Dead Dog Stage Race 2nd Stage #3 Fort Davis Hammerfest 2nd Overall Fort Davis Hammerfest 3rd Deer Trail Road Race 3rd Stage #6 Cascade Classic 5th AST Criterium 5th Staeg #1 Tour of the Gila 5th Stage #1 Parker Omnuium 6th Stage #1 Nature Valley GP 7th Overall Parker Omnium 7th Stage #2 Tour of the Gila 8th Mt. Evans Hill Climb 11th Stage #3 Cascade Classic

Video coverage of the latest rear shocks and forks from X-Fusion.

Be sure to check out forthcoming Virtual Tradeshow Booth from X-Fusion.