Go Clipless

Product Review: Giro Havoc

I researched a number of helmets before settling on the Havoc.  The fit and finish of helmets can vary widely, so I would suggest making sure the model you choose fits well on your head.  Folks seem to agree that the Havoc offers excellent protection against injury (this is why we wear helmets right?).  I will almost always advise folks that "form follows function", but I can say, in addition to those that have had the misfortune to need this helmet for protection (its function), the Havoc is actually a nice looking, sporty helmet (its form). 

Product Review: Park Tool Home Mechanic Pump

I know that Tire Pumps aren't the hottest thing to talk about, but they serve a very important purpose.  In addition, some are well designed, and some are crap.  My advice: don't buy a cheap pump.  Just put that $9.99 super special cheap piece of crap down, and walk away man...just walk away.  The G-man has a cheap pump, and it shows.  He's huffing and puffing every time he needs to pump up a tire (which is all the time cuz he's the pinch flat king).  Also, the guage on his pump is all over the place, resembling a compass caught in a magnetic storm.  Who knows how much pressure is the G-man's tires?  That is unless, of course, he is using my Park.  This is happening more and more lately, and each time I get the same snappy comment from him: "I gotta get a better pump.  Mine sucks!" 

Specialized, Cannondale, and Trek preview their 2006 lines

There seems to be lots of late summer activity at some of the biggest bicycle manufacturers. While I have seen few official announcements from these companies, they are clearly trying to generate buzz in advance of September's Interbike show by previewing their 2006 lineups to select media and industry influencers. Here's what I have gathered so far:

Specialized has upgraded nearly it's entire line of '06 mountain bikes. They have reduced weight on most models and added carbon fiber to some of its tried and true lines. Also, they seem to be moving away from pure Shimano componentry and including many components from Sram/Truvativ. See the following for more information:

    Bike Magic has a comprehensive overview.
    Singletrack's take on the line.

Cannondale is buying, building, and partnering; having made several moves in the last few weeks. First, Cannondale acquired Sugoi a Canadian apparel company that makes cycling and running apparel and has a following in the triathlon market. Next they inked a deal with Italian cycling shoe manufacturer Diadora. It appears that Diadora will gain a greater foothold (pun intended) in the U.S. market through Cannondale's distribution network, while Cannondale will gain greater name recognition in Europe through co-branding products with Diadora. Finally, Singletrack magazine got a sneak peek at some of their '06 rides.

Trek, in a more traditional fashion, held a press event at Whistler revealing the latest in Freeride rigs from its 2006 lineup. Trek undoubtedly has the lead in engineering and technology and it shows in this writeup from the crew at NSMB. Blue Collar Mountain Biking also has the press releases from Trek's subsidiaries Gary Fisher and Bontrager.

Should be interesting as the big three U.S. manufacturers continue to slug it out for market share.

***UPDATE***

I'll keep this post updated with additional posts I make about the 2006 model year since most are finding this article via search:

• 2006 Cannondale Rush Preview
• 2006 Trek Remedy Preview
• More 2006 Gear from Specialized

Wish I had a "people who like this post may also like these" feature.

Product Review: CamelBak Lobo

If you don't already have a hydration pack, and are still using bottles, WHY?  Do you like to sip from bottles that get coated in mud, or worse yet, fecal matter?  Hydration packs come in every shape, size, and price range, and have so many advantages over bottles (in addition to the cleanliness factor, it is much easier to drink an ride, and you get extra storage).  I still wonder why some people are late adopters to the most fundamental technological improvements in life.  Enough of this rant, let's get to the product.  The Lobo is on the small side (only 70 fluid ounces), but I've never run out of water, even on longer rides at trails like Fountainhead.  As far as features go, CamelBak has certainly packed quite a few into the Lobo.

Product Review: Bontrager Revolt Super X Tire

These Bontrager tires came stock on my new Trek Top Fuel.  I had read many reviews about the Top Fuel before I purchased it, and the reviews were nearly unanimous: "The bike is awesome, the stock Bontrager tires stink!".  I was determined to keep an open mind, but just in case, I told the bike shop I would like a second set of tires (free) because so many people had cursed the Bontragers.  Good Move!  I can honestly say that these tires are pretty poor performers.  Certainly not what you would expect on a $3,000 bike.

Trail Review: Greenbrier State Park

If you’re looking for a place to improve your rock navigation skills, Greenbrier is the place for you.  Greenbrier is what it is, a series of technically challenging trails with rocks, rocks, and more rocks. That said, it has some really fun downhills where you can really pick up a lot of speed (if your hands and feet can take the constant vibrations).  I’ll admit two things up front about this review: (1) I was having a bad day with my bike – my brand new Trek was having shifting problems, and (2) I am not a fan of these constant rock obstacle trails. 

Introducing...Dr. P!

Hey all you Go Clipless fans (viewers, readers, users, passers-by...whatever you want to call yourself)!  Dr. P. is the newest guest author for Go Clipless and will periodically add content focused on trail reviews and product reviews (and yes, he’s really a doctor, well he has a PhD).  After months of nagging him, I finally got him to come out for a MTB ride, and that’s all it took...the good Doctor was hooked.  Since that first ride he’s already bought two bikes (both of which he’ll review in an upcoming post).

If you have something worthy to contribute and would like to become a guest author just shoot me an e-mail and we can chat.

Trek After Armstrong

For those of you that have an interest in the "business" of cycling; Forbes has an interesting little article on the growth of Trek over the years. For me, the most interesting point made is the fact that Trek owns a 30% market share yet it sells almost exclusively through independent bike dealers (IBDs). The article implies that this is one major reason why IBDs have been able to effectively compete against the big-box retailers.

Jack Attack's first MTB ride

After a morning ride at Greenbrier (more on that in another post), I came home to spend some time with my family. Well my four year old daughter was at a friends, my wife was running on the treadmill, and Jack (my 6 year old son) was playing with some remote control cars. So I decided to take Jack on a ride through the paved bike paths in the neighborhood.

Jack readied his 20" wheeled Giant Frantic singlespeed first and reminded me to get my helmet. (I don't know why, but after a ride like at Greenbrier it just seems like overkill to put on a helmet for the neighborhood bike paths. Nonetheless, he was right and I capitulated.) Jack led the way around the various ponds. We stopped and looked at beetles, a rabbit, and the speed of the running water through the streams. Suddenly, we came upon a dirt path that was hidden behind some brush just off of the paved path leading into the woods. "Is that singletrack I see!" Well it was not much, but I thought that now was the time to introduce my son to mountain biking.

Jack has seen me come back from rides with scrapes and bruises so he has been a little nervous about the idea of mountain biking. This little stretch of trail was perfect to overcome the fear. It started with a descent that was a little much for his coaster brakes so I told him to walk his bike to the bottom. He watched me descend the hill and he thought it was so cool. Next there was maybe 100 yards of flat singletrack that we both rode with him leading the way. He was having a ball.

There were several small logs set up one after the other with about four to six feet between them. Obviously put there by some kids that were trying various stunts. I showed Jack how to do log hops, but he could only make it over the smallest of logs (ever notice that kids bikes are even heavier then adult bikes?). Although, the logs were no more than six or eight inches high it was actually a challenge to get over the approximately eight of them that were lined up so closely together.

We rode home and Mommy snapped this picture of the proud single speeder.

Product Review: Specialized '05 Comp MTB Shoe

They were heavy and pliable and beginning to hold me back. It was time to get some new shoes and replace the old Cannondale MC610s I had been wearing for the past two years. So I set off to Spokes to see if I could find a new pair of shoes that would solve these problems.

I had seen a review in one of my cycling mags about the 2005 line of Specialized shoes a couple of months ago that was favorable. They also looked good so I had it in my mind that I would try Specialized first before others.

Spokes had most of the Specialized line so I was able to compare and contrast the Comp MTB against the higher-end Comp Carbon MTB and Pro Carbon MTB models. Each of these shoes looked good so they all passed the beauty contest. Next I looked at the prices:

• Comp MTB = 109.99
• Comp Carbon MTB - 159.99
• Pro Carbon MTB - 199.99

Not that I am loaded, but I am willing to pay more for something when the value is clearly noticeable. In this case, however, there were only minor differences between the shoes (as far as I could tell) causing me to zero in on the Comp MTB at the low-end of the price range.

The Comp MTBs are fairly light (796 grams), the soles are stiff, and yet they are comfortable. I have worn them for several rides now and have the following observations:

• It is much easier to clip in to my SPD pedals then with the Cannondale shoes. This is due to the fact that the sole of the shoe is very open and only has cleats or spikes around the perimeter of the shoe.
• I no longer feel like I have lead weights on my legs.
• My pedaling style has become more aggressive because my foot no longer bends under force. The sole stiffness does translate into better acceleration.
• The soccer style toe cleats do help bite into the ground when hiking up a steep hill.
• The ratcheting buckle insures a snug fit.
• I have ridden on several hot days and have not noticed any excessive feet sweating and the shoe remains very comfortable throughout the ride.

On the down side:

• The shoes have a profile more like road shoes than mountain bike shoes so walking is more difficult as the cleat protrudes from the sole farther than many flatter shoes.
• The inside rear end of the shoe is constructed with ballistic nylon type material instead of a more rigid plastic or carbon material. As a result, I have already torn some of the material against the front chain ring.

Overall, I would say that the Specialized Comp MTBs are a good value compared with many of the lightweight cross-country shoes on the market. One note, these shoes were redesigned in 2005. A quick review of the MTBReview forums shows that most of the user posts were based on the older 2004 model.