IMBA SUMMIT – This year the International Mountain Biking Association held a summit meeting in Westminster, Maryland… near the home of the MaNiMaL!! So I knew that I had to attend, even if it meant sleeping in a dorm room for a few nights (on a bed a foot too short!). The main purpose of the summit was to bring together the different groups involved in mountain biking, advocacy, and access – and then to lobby the US Congress on Capitol Hill to “help keep the trails open”. The meeting involved numerous classes on such issues as “The impact of Trails on Land, Wildlife, and Water” “Mechanized Trailbuilding & Free Riding” “Urban Trails” “Trail Trends on Federal Lands”….. IMBA also unveiled its new “Trail Solutions” book – the most authoritative and comprehensive book on the subject of trail building ever written. Needless to say there was quite a busy and productive schedule during the day – and lots of beer drinking at night!!!! “THE BIKE PATH” - is a newly released book about the story of one man’s interpretation of the experience of mountain biking. Wayne Lankford, the author, writes about the day he picked up his son’s mountain bike and headed off into the woods of Alabama – a day that would change his life forever. Wayne became enthralled with riding a mountain bike, and writes about the existential and spiritual aspects of riding – a unique and interesting style that covers the fun, wonder, and natural systems involved with riding his bike. Instead of technical tips and a “how to” guide, this book explores the enjoyment of the sport from a metaphysical sense, and is enjoyable reading for those with a philosophical mind. REVIEW – of the new Shimano XTR shifter/brake combo levers by the MaNiMaL comes up short of fantastic – WAY short!!! At a recent bike demo day in Rothrock State Forest in State College Pennsylvania, the MaNiMaL was offered to test ride a bike with the new Shimano XTR brake/shifter combination. The brake levers also acts as the shift levers when you either force it into the down position or into the up position. While on paper it seems like a good idea, it is difficult and uncomfortable to use – especially when trying to move it into the up position by putting the top of your hand under the lever and then lifting, or grabbing it from above with your fingertips to pull it up… (Some riders, no doubt, may actually like this system, and it may work for them, but we like to keep the brakes and shifters separate). We expect that this will system will be a “flop” by Shimano for recreational riders. This may be another needless innovation – maybe a good idea, but impractical to actually use it when you ride. Grip shift, trigger shifting, rapid fire, or even non-indexed “on top of the bar” shifters are more comfortable and easier to use. WRENCH – CHECK YOUR CABLES – one problem we keep hearing about is that many riders seem to have is problems with their shifting and sometimes with their braking. With the shifting, sometimes the gears will not mesh properly, make noise, skip, or non-precise shifting occurs with the bike sometimes "stuck between gears". When braking, sometimes the levers will not spring back properly, and the pads can rub on one or both sides of the rim while the brake levers are not being applied. There are many possible causes for these problems – but if you seem to have checked them all and still have a problem – please check your cables. First, check the cable tension which is usually adjustable at the handle bar barrels for the shifter and brakes. The cable tension is also adjustable at the other end of the cable if you need a more major adjustment. Old and “gummy” cables can prevent proper operation of shifters and brakes. The problem arises due to friction between the housing and the cable itself. The inner lining of the housing can become stiff, bent, crimped, or sticky and not allow proper movement of the cable, and result in a myriad of shifting problems. If your cables are more than a few years old, dirty, or you are having some of the above problems, at least clean and lube them properly, or better yet replace them with new. It’s amazing how much difference that can make!!! NIGHT RIDING – if you like to ride at night and get the absolute best technology for your lighting system, check out the new Light & Motion ARC light. This is absolutely the lightest system available with the most power, and ease of use and rechargeability. The battery size is less than half the size of a small water bottle, and the whole unit is super lightweight and simple in design. Long run times and fast charging, along with tremendous lighting power make the Light & Motion ARC light state of the art. *Note that the CATEYE Stadium light has been discontinued. This was a nice powerful light also, but quite heavy a unit w/ the ballast and other components. FOX SHOCKS - fox has replaced the Float RL rear shock for 2005 with a new design the RP3. This shock fetures state of the art technology, and is the lightest SID on the market. The lockout feature has been eliminated, but riders can "inactivate" most movement from the shock by selecting one of the 3 riding positions. This shock features the pro-pedal dampening and is made to replace the Float RL, which has been discontinued by FOX. WEBMOUNTAINBIKE – for over the past 5 years our company is committed to keeping trails open, access for riders, and helping to promote a healthy environment for the enjoyment of all mountain riders. Preservation of the natural environment and combating pollution is a big concern of ours. Riders expect to see wildlife, animals, mountain vistas, and clean water and air while riding into the woods, deserts, or canyons of our beautiful country. We have partnered with several biking and environmental groups to help meet these goals and make sure that mountain biking is a pleasant and natural experience – and not encumbered with pollution, trash, obnoxious factories, and scarring of the earth from poor environmental choices. You can help us to achieve these goals by purchasing products from our on-line store, as we donate a portion of the proceeds from our e-commerce toward this cause thru the organizations we endorse. |
