Go Clipless

So, Who Was Miss GC 2006?

As I sit here, wishing that I had just returned from this year's Interbike with a camera full of booth babe pics, I reminisce over G-man's barking for the past year - "Get the Booth Babes up!" and ""Gwadzilla has been waiting almost a year for the announcement of the winner".  [Correction: Gwadzilla has been waiting for exactly one year, today...sorry buddy]

I must get-on with the get-on and pony up to my purpose - to let the world know who was the hottest and coolest chick in the world of biking in 2006.

With good intentions and even better pictures over the previous year, I somehow managed to be even more tardy in posting the results of the 2006 GC Interbike Booth Babe (IBB) Clippy. What’s a “Clippy”? It’s the most prestigious bike blogger award in the world…the GC version of a Grammy. Each year, we’ll be identifying the leaders in categories such as:

- Coolest New Product

- Eco-friendliest

- Best Booth Presentation

- Most Enticing Advertisment

- Finest Ride

- And, of course, Hottest Interbike Booth Babe

Keep your eyes peeled for more Clippy announcements throughout the year and the annual Clippies Unclipped awards ceremony. But for now, read on to find out who we’ll be crowing in Vegas this year [, virtually]…

Interbike 2007 OutDoor Demo Day 1 Roundup

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz...

Huh? Right, oh yeah...we interrupt this sleep to bring you a roundup of Interbike 2007 posts. I gotta tell you...there's just nothing earth shattering going on this year. That's not a knock against Interbike or the bloggers and media bringing you the news, it's just that the industry is in digestion mode, catching up with 29ers and shifting strategies to fit with the 'go green' trend.

Even still, the news and posts have been slow to come out of Vegas.

Sure you could say, "oh he's just bitter and jealous 'cause he couldn't make it this year." And you would be right. But that doesn't mean I can't judge from afar.

Having said that, here's a quick round up of where to find the pics and posts from Interbike's OutDoor Demo Day 1:

MTBR.com has a sub-site and blog dedicated to the event. Several posts already and the place to go for your booth babe fix this year. (I may never be able to get the Vish off the dime).

Team Evomo has a post on their blog from one of the members reviewing day 1. A photo of some crazy colored chains and a video montage are the higlights.

Twentynineinches.com rides a Haro mountain bike and makes some observations about the 650B wheel platform upon which it was built. Also teases us with some upcoming news from Niner Bikes to be revealed on Wednesday at the show.

Bike Hugger @ Interbike is a separate blog from the Bike Hugger team that is covering the show. They are focusing on commuters, utility, and urban bikes. Lots of pics at their Flickr photo stream.

Bike Magazine has got tons of photos uploaded already. More news and stories to come.

Singletrack Magazine has some close-ups of the new belt-drive Spot Brand bike.

So there you have it. Like I said, nothing really exciting. What do you think? Am I just jaded?

GC passes on Interbike this year, gives others a fighting chance

Well folks unfortunately GC won't be representing out at Interbike this year. I know...I know...I can hear the collective groan now. Ok, enough already...

We'll miss it though, and we may yet be back in the future, but the stars would not align for GC in '07. You see there's this little thing called a job...and unfortunately it's got me by the balls. It's always been tough getting to Interbike these past two years, but somehow I was able to squeeze it in. This year, however, my travel for work conflicted and I am stuck with no options.

I even tried to get J-Vicious to cover on his own as the intrepid (if not prolific) reporter that he is, but he too was booked.

So here's a summary of what you'll miss:

• The first posts from the OutDoor Demo dirt
• The most prolific commentary from the exhibit floor
• Bike celebs fawning over the GC guys
• Booth babe after parties.

Actually, that sounds more like the stuff that we at GC will miss. And speaking of booth babes...who will crown last year's winner? Come to think of it...we never did find out who won last year's contest. In fact, J-Vicious was supposed to post that up...let's see now...oh yeah...about a year ago. So I talked to the Vish today as a matter of fact, and he assures me that the winner will be announced before Interbike 2007. Let's see if he's got the goods...

Meanwhile, to all the other bloggers making the trek to the dust bowl of sin, I say go forth and conquer...be sure to bring us back the best in biking goodness. Enjoy your time out there, but make sure you post often and with quality...may your page rank soar...and enjoy the spotlight while you can...because next year...

GC will be back!

Why the 650b wheel movement in mountain biking should be killed before it gets started

I'll say it. Do it now. Just kill it. DoA. Please.

Just when the industry seems to be embracing the 29er wheel platform, in comes the next blast from the past bike trend. Enter the 650b wheel platform. When tires are added to this mostly abandoned wheel-base, we are presented with a 27 and a half inch tire, halfway between the 26er and the 29er.

Look. I could care less what you ride. If you want to ride a 650b go ahead and do it. My thing is that I don't want the industry diverting it's energy toward filling this niche. Instead I'd like to see the industry spend it's finite resources on perfecting the engineering and technology that goes into the existing platforms. Particularly since the 29er platform may actually be nearing the tipping point for widespread adoption (it already has crested in the single-speed market - would anyone really consider a 26 inch single speed these days?).

Maybe I missed it, but I don't see where there is consumer demand for the 650b anyway. I don't see anyone rallying in the streets with signs that say "just set me free, give me the 650b", or anything like that. Do you? No. This is an industry driven trend. Though a mistaken one.

The only place where I can see the 650b succeeding is with big hit downhill or freeride bikes. I can understand that there are certain mathematical truths in the geometry of a 29er that limit it's potential as a big hit bike. But what benefit do we get in the cross-country or trail bike category? Slightly better roll-over capability? If that's it, I'll stick to the 29er.

And don't give me that crap about 650b's being able to provide you with tried and true 26-inch geometry. If you ride the current crop of newly designed performance 29ers you will most certainly find the no-nonsense 26-inch steering you thought you would lose when you made the switch.

Can you imagine bike shops having to carry three different wheel sizes for each of the brands that they carry? What a zoo. Most still haven't bitten the 29-inch bullet. Wait until they have to describe the differences and benefits of each type to the unsuspecting newbie.

While I'm sure there are some in the industry that believe they are expanding the market by adding yet another wheel platform, I think that we will find the opposite to be true. With too many choices available to consumers they may just throw their hands up and give up on the whole thing. Move to road riding, or simply get fed up and buy from Wal-Mart.

So I say to the industry...kill this compromise platform now or commit to it as the platform for the future and phase out the 26er. For if you try to live with all three, you will cause too much confusion and limit mountain biking to those that have already been bitten by the bug. Just a thought.

You?

Update: Just noticed this post with an alternate perspective over on Twentynineand650b.com...ha.

My Trans Iowa road trip

I'm on a road trip for business in the nation's heartland. There's a gang of us here from the company...four men and five women. Right now we're driving from Des Moines to Sioux City. We've split up in two mini vans; the women in one and the men in the other.

In addition to being a sausage-fest in this car it's also a total geek fest. We've got the driver navigating with the GPS built into his Windows Mobile phone, one guy on his laptop using a wireless Sprint broadband device, while another guy has created a virtual wireless network and is piggybacking off of the broadband. Meanwhile I'm lounging in the backseat moblogging on the Treo. It's tough to keep a steady hand on the tiny qwerty as the car is bouncing higher than a quarter bounced off of Britney Spears formerly tight ass.

I stayed in a Hampton Inn last night. They've got black and white photos representing tidbits of Americana outside of each of the rooms. You know, things like cropdusting airplanes, wagon wheels, farm silos, and soapbox derby races. Look what was outside my room...now that's what I call personalized service.

Whoa...we just nearly bounced into a ravine on the side of the highway...I can just imagine the carnage of laptop cables, charging stations, mobile phones, and water bottles batting me in the head while I flip upside down in this poorly designed, shockless tin can. Ok...I'll try to check in again when we reach Sewer Sioux City.

The best bike porn you may ever see

The Piton points us to some of the best bike porn you'll ever see. Largely suitable for work, the Pornography of the Bicycle is the blog that promotes a bike film festival full of...you guessed it...bikes...and porn. It's not exactly clear what is meant by this, however, the rating of NC-17 may give some sort of a clue. Too bad this show is only available in the North West at this point.

What a fantastic movie poster...and that subtitle is brilliant.

Update: I've posted the trailer for the movie over on the b-sides. It's very not-suitable for work. There's one scene there that will knock your socks off...don't blink.

Dear Idiot...

Here's Bike Snob NYC with another episode of "Worst of NYC Craigslist Bike Ads":

Dear Idiot: A 'pedal' is the thing your foot goes on, and 'peddle' is what you're trying to do with your crap.

Just telling it like it is...

Shadow Bike

  shadowbike 
  Originally uploaded by Voetmann

What a great photograph. Poster worthy, even.

First seen on Cycleliciousness (the sister site to Cycle Chic...not the original Cyclelicio.us).

7 seriously great 24-inch kids mountain bikes

If you're a serious rider, you'll likely want your kids to be too. There just is nothing better than being out on the trail watching your son or daughter conquer those obstacles and gain the strength and confidence to one day out do you on the trail. But they won't ever be able to do it on that piece of crap from the big box store you skimped on last year.

Yeah, I'm talking about that bouncy spring laden, bling covered, hideously overweight POS. Go ahead. Pick it up. It's heavier than your bike, right? How will you ever expect your 8 - 12 year old child to have fun on the trail when they constantly end up walking lugging that monstrosity up the hill.

It's time to invest a little in a bike that's worthy of the dirt. One that inspires confidence and will be a joy to ride. One that may even be worth racing in the junior circuit. Yes, I said invest. So back away from that new Chris King headset, shun the DT Swiss spokes, and don't even think about that new Brooks saddle, it's time for you to check your own riding wants at the door while you jump start your child toward a lifetime of mountain biking.

Trek MT 240

Trek is known for it's racing pedigree and this bike is no exception. The MT 240 is well spec'ed for a kids bike and has a fairly aggressive cross-country geometry. It also includes a crank that allows two different pedal positions. In theory this allows you to get more life out of your investment. My son (age 8) is already too tall for the 'short' pedal position, however. My guess is that if the child needs the shorter pedal position they are probably not ready for a 24-inch bike. Component highlights: Shimano Alivio rear dérailleur, tunable 50 mm front suspension fork. MSRP - $430.

Specialized Hotrock A1

The Hotrock is one hot looking bike. It has a fairly aggressive race-style geometry and comes in 2 frame sizes; 11 and 13 inches. For 2008, Specialized has added a lockout on the front fork. While your child will likely want the suspension when not on the trail for bouncing up and down sidewalks, the lockout will work out nicely for long rides on the bike path with the family. A nice touch. Component highlights: Aggressive knobby 1.8 inch tires, front-fork with lockout for 2008. MSRP - $360.

Kona Hula

Kona's takes kids mountain biking seriously, with a full range of bikes in many styles ranging from, freeride, bmx, and road. The Hula is Kona's cross-country racer and is built with the legendary toughness that the company is known for. Unlike most of the other bikes available for kids, this bike comes with Rapidfire shifters in place of the grip shifters. Component highlights: Rapidfire shifters. MSRP - $325.

Gary Fisher Opie 24

Like the Trek MT 240, this Fisher is well spec'ed. It has a better performing rear dérailleur, Shimano Alivio, than most in this round up and is peppered with Bontrager parts throughout. The Opie 24 is new for 2008 and features an oversize aluminum frames and the multiple pedal position crank found on the Trek. Component highlights: Shimano Alivio rear derailleur. MSRP - $420.

Giant STP 225

This bike from Giant is intended to do it all for kids. Street, jumping, and trail riding. It has a mixed component set from a variety of manufacturers, no doubt to keep the price relatively low. If you're kid is not going to be in any races and you want a quality all-round bike for him or her at a reasonable price, this could be the one. Component highlights: Kenda K-rad 2.125 inch tires. MSRP - $350.

Carver Mini

Here's a wild idea. Why not buy a bike with a frame that can accept both 24 and 26 inch tires? The Carver Mini will do just that and claims to be far lighter than other kids bikes out there. The mini can be purchased as a frame only, frame and fork combo, or full build. Prices range from $399 for just the frame to $1399 with a Marzocchi Fondo fork and cross-country disc build.

Scott Scale JR 24

Weighing in at about 27.5 pounds the Scale is one of the lighter bikes in this group. Scott is known for light high quality racing bikes and the Scale JR 24 is no exception. Similarly spec'ed as the Trek and Gary Fisher bikes you can expect a comparable price, though I found a 2007 on line for only $350 (a steal if you ask me). Component highlights: Shimano Alivio rear dérailleur. MSRP - Approximately $430 for 2008.

What type of pedal system do you use for mountain biking?

Ever notice that pedals and pedal systems are one of the most intensely personal of all bike components. It seems every time the subject of pedals comes up in a bike forum the conversation levels kick up a notch and many people will chime in with their preference. Sometimes the conversation gets heated, which I always find particularly amusing.

Anyway, I thought it would be fun to do a little experiment here and run a quick, unscientific poll to see if there are any predominant pedal choices amongst GC readers. I realize not all of you are mountain bikers, but I wanted to keep things simple.

Of course it's not a full on survey, so I won't be asking about your experience level or anything, though it would be interesting to see if there is any kind of correlation based on experience. If you don't mind, leave your comments as to why you chose a particular system, what your experience level is, and if you've switched from another system. Here you go.