Ironman World Champs!

Heading to Kona Oct 1 for the World Ironman Champs on Oct O9:)

Just did a computrainer race with Peak Performance ...and doing another one Monday in preparation for Kona.

I'll be sending updates hopefully daily!

-Carolyn Hubbard

Sent on the TELUS Mobility network with BlackBerry

Cyclocross- Island Style

With tired hockey legs, Justin picks off riders moving up to 2nd place

The Island Cross Series started off yesterday with lots of sun, a fabulous course, and tons of people awaiting their first douse of cyclocross pain! Thanks to the awesome organization of Wendy Simms and Norm Thibault, course directors Curtis Saunders and Lisa Ludwig, and the incredible fleet of volunteers from Cumberland that assisted course set up/take down, and made the race happen.

Riding barriers at maximum height of 16", these guys are hauling!

With a pleasant one o’clock start, I took on the course first in the intermediate race. Surrounded by some bent teenagers and enthusiastic men, I was the only woman and one of two on a mountain bike. The pace was fast, as expected right off the get go, but even in big ring, it was tough trying to keep pace. Around the first half lap, after the twirly whirly and the triple barrier, I had nudged by three competitors and was going for a fourth when I took the inside lane around a big spruce and shaved a few skin layers off my shoulder. Awesome!! The adrenaline was pumping now, and there were many more passing opportunities to come. The bmx park proved to be interesting as I imagined the tight corners and puddles would give me an advantage, but after nearly starting off with a first bump endo, I had to reassess my speed, which then made it difficult to gain momentum on the following hills. Over all the most memorable moment was the sound of Justin cheering me on, “get em Sather, hammer down, pull em in, knock em over!”. The course was fantastic; slick, tight, bumpy, and fast. I had a technically clean race, and was able to find some pride in my efforts as I passed three guys on the last half lap and finish respectably.

Justin claims prizes and celebrates with a wild island arm pump

Justin took part in a competitive masters field, on his 2010 Giant TCX 0. He took a slow start approach (I think he had dead legs from hockey the night before), but found his hammer after about the third lap as he picked competitors off one by one through the sand pit and trolls bog until he found himself in second place. Being hounded by Jason Sandquist for the rest of the race, he was unable to bridge the 20 second gap to first, but dropped the hammer in the last lap to hold off Jason for 2nd.
Overall it was a fantastic day, hanging out with the kids, racing so hard I felt like puking and sharing company with our good friends who share in our sick cycle cross addiction. Can’t wait to the Nanaimo race in two weeks. Island Cross rules!

Carey

Product Overload! From Interbike

This was our 5th day in the city of sin. I feel like the confession booth is fast approaching. I am stoked to see new shiny bits, but am also looking forward to seeing outdoors, real air, and riding my bike between these things that, in Canada, we call trees. They are like a tall brown skinny building without all the neon lights, and there is a dark green matte tinsel like stuff hanging from them. You'd have to be there I guess...

There is no doubt that tubeless wheel set-ups are becoming more popular. Pretty much any new wheelset that comes on the market are being spec'd tubeless. Mavic seems to be the king of tubeless with its UST bead-lock system. The Crossmax ST can pimp your shred sled on the all-mountain/xc side of things. They look like a tubeless Oreo. I like Oreos.

One of the newest offings from Mavic are their cheese grater rim sidewalls, for those wheels that still use little bits of rubber to slow you down eventually. Yep, these are road wheels with an anodizing like finish that has a rough pattern on it to grip those little brake pads and give you "disc brake like stopping".

The frenchies have been building some of the best wheels, and rims since the early 1900's. Here is an example of where they started off.

Our Santa Cruz sales rep, DanO finally joined our He's happily sporting a long promised hoodie. We should start receiving bikes again, now that he's got what he wants. The product, and engineering guys got hoodies and socks! Lets just say there was some tension in the Santa Cruz office.

We recognized some friends from Canada, Knolly bikes. The bikes are looking good with high quality fresh paints, and tight graphics. Most importantly they had a Scotch tasting in their booth. Scotch goggles, check!

I found Joe Graney, Santa Cruz' head of engineering creeping around the Knolly booth. I don't know if he was there to talk tech with Noel Buckley, of just to sip of the fire water? All I know that that I ended up banging this 2oz. shot glass of Black and White's after this photo. I can honestly say it was smooth, wow.
Joe is an awesome dude, that always impresses me with his sensible knowledge. He's also straight-up just like Scotch.

POC's VPD knee pads are a soft knee, with their mad science mix called VPD that is pliable dough like product that stiffens under impact. I have tried this my hitting myself on the knee pad with a pedal wrench, and a hammer. I still have knees, incredible! The Poc knee's offer great comfort, with new side padding for this year's product.

For the warrior in you there is also the Bone VPD leg that offers great comfort and increased protection. There is a hard plastic shin, and knee cap, with an elongated VPD knee extension to cover the upper knee when the leg is bent.

The hive is full of busy bees dreaming up unique approaches to products, and making them happen. I was stung walking past the booth with their Revl carbon fiber road brake calipers. They are highlighted with anodized cnc'd linkage points, and if they need to look better. The brakes are made of carbon with makes them a bit lighter than Shimano or Sram's offerings, but with increased power through the stiffness of the material, and design. Some knobs would buy these just because they look sick! but the Hive makes sure that the function outweighs their haut-couture fashion.

Do I have a Chub for you... We see Chub's all the time. We are after all a bike shop. Santa Cruz spec's the Chub hubs on some of their build kits. A Chub is super stiff, because it uses a very light weight carbon fiber torsion tube. Its bonded to tall aluminum flanges to give you a wheel that offers superior stiffness. Big Chubs work for all front hubs, with adapters for 20mm, 15mm, and 9mm axles.

Intense has a spot in many rider's spank bank. They have a unique look to their frames, and some awesome finishes. This bronze clear-coat over a raw finish was my favorite colour in the intense booth.

Air shocks fit for Bender's bike? These shockers are Fox air shocks for snowmobiles. There is no limit to the huckability of air shocks.

If 10 different colour options are not good enough, then maybe you need a customer painted Chris King hub? These hubs were pictured on a Vanilla custom cyclo-cross bike in the ENVE Composite's booth.

At Interbike you see a lot of weird stuff that you would never see in a local bike shop, and might have no idea of why someone would want it. But, then there are a lot of custom builders that you wouldn't see regularly, that are just stunning. This Independant Fabrications cross bike, was full carbon, with carbon crown lugs. I think anyone can appreciate this bike, I just don't know if they would want to race cross on if and pressure wash it afterwards.

This is the kind of weird stuff I'm talking about. A full carbon, 20" wheel, electric-assist bike. W...T...F... unless this is for some sort of underground bar racing circuit, I don't get it. What 6 year old needs, and carbon electric assist bike? Oh yeah, we're in the states...

I really like Lezyne products. They make very nice quality, useable products that could double as ornimental house wares. This was a new high volume floor pump. If you ride a mountain bike, or other high-volume tired machine, then this pump will get you up to pressure faster. The handle would be suitable in a Bentley Saloon car.

If you haven't seen this yet, its a Hope cassette/Freehub body in one! All machined out of Aluminum. Its meant to be for the sub 120 lb. racer category.

This Hope top crown, integrated stem in pimp. 'Lil John is rumored to have been seen with one of these in his mouth. I'd rather have it on my Evil Revolt. But, I'm picky.

Marzocchi is getting back in the game by simplifying their product line. On top they have a 888 WC with a special coating. Its a proprietary process. They have hired head engineer Slimer, whom you might remember from the Ghost Buster's movies. Marzocchi wouldn't comment on the process, but if you watch Ghost Buster's II I think you might get the picture.

It's been a long day. I'm gonna kick my feet up with a couple dollar margaritas, and play out the hangover.

-Scott

Going Indoor For More!

We've moved inside from the dirt demo. No more 41 degree heat in the blazing sun, but we also have no idea of the time of day, or if its even light out still. Stuck indoors walking for miles on end, having to look at all this sick new product. Could it be much worse?

We had a few booths that we had to hit up, Devinci being one of them. This is Devinci's first time back at Interbike in since the introduction of biopace, and they were there to make an impression.
With details like this sag meter integrated into the frame graphics, Split-Pivot suspension, and solid, durable, Canadian manufacturing, they made an impression like a sasquatch's footprint.

Dave Weagle himself, Split-Pivot designer, was in the booth to answer all of our smart remarks, and silly queries. The man knows how to design a suspension system, and explain the working with minimal brain melt.
What does it mean. Split-Pivot is a very flexible suspension platform that separates pedaling forces (wheel link, the main-pivot attaching to the wheel), and the brake forces (the brake link, attaching the wheel to the shock link, and holding the brake), as well as offering variable shock rates through a linkage that attaches to the shock. This all means an efficient pedaling bike, that remains active while using the brake, and feels plush through the range of travel.

We've sold a few of these Go-Pro helmet cams over the summer, but not yet for this use that I know of. The doggy journalist was strolling the isles for the masses, bringing you the hottest goods on two wheel, or four legs.

Taking all-mountain to new heights, Rock Shox was showing off their newest Revelation, the World Cup with dual-air adjust. Its a sub 4 lb. 6 inch travel fork that lowers to 120mm for steep climbs. It can come with a carbon crown/steerer, and Blackbox damper. This thing is the next step to intergalactic bike travel.

Winter is approaching in the form of the re-mastered Rocky Mountain Blizzard. A vintage favorite, the blizzard is true xc trail ninja with that real feel only steel can provide. Kick it back to the old school Rocky.

2011 Continental Mountain King. We had great success with the mountain king this year, however the small triangular shape knobs didn't provide the best wear life, and braking performance suffered as the tread wore, and the smaller knobs could roll under hard braking and cornering. The new Mountain King looks to have addressed that with more aggressive knobs all around. Could it be the true king of all-mountain?

If I didn't see the tubes on the frame I would think that this was a pulp mill, but apparently this is some sort of complex pull shock customer made for Cannondale for their new Jekyll which is magically going to do something that the simple suspension design can't. Call me a realist, but I'd rather have a normal shock that I can buy off the shelf and replace in the future if something rad comes along to improve the ride.

New kicks from 5.10. In case you want to stick to your pedals in a variety of fashions you will have new graphics, and colours, and more models to choose from next year including 4 different clip-in models. The Cyclone SPD shoe looks dope for a high-top DH shoe, and the purple haze freeriders add a splash of colour to your wardrobe.

POC is a brand that is coming on strong in the protection industry. We already know those Swedes for 4mm allen key built furniture and delicious little meatballs, but they are also a major playing in keeping you un-harmed. Their new all-mountain helmet takes notes from the Giro Xen with POC's take on protection and style.

This is exactly what Branden's mom told him not to do. Gallivant with attractive women, and get a tattoo. Branden is damn efficient because he's getting both done at the same time. Don't worry Branden, the rub-on tattoo will stay in Vegas, but I wouldn't be so sure about that young lady's phone number... haha, just kidding.

The travel adjust post is taking the all-mountain world by storm, make that hurricane, as bikes become more and more capable of riding down as well as up. Rock Shox' take on the product, in the form of the Reverb, is a hydraulic actuation with speed control, 380mm and 420mm lengths, as well as infinite adjustment of the 5" travel stroke. Sram's Jeremiah Boobar educated me on the fact that the hydraulic system's speed adjustment not only control's how fast the post returns from its travel, but also how it compresses, allowing the rider to the the exact height they want the post to stop at without having limitations to where it stops. Always thinking.

Former EDGE composites, now tagged as ENVE is THE hot product on my list from Interbike. Their carbon mountain rims warmed my blood when I rode the Prototype DH versions on the carbon Santa Cruz V10 in the summer. Now available for the Public is an 800mm wide carbon handlebar, which I also had the pleasure of testing on the V10 Carbon. This set of steer-horn steerers weighs a svelte 225g! Some 180g lighter than FSA's Gravity alloy 800mm bar. The company is producing the best quality, unique carbon equipment that is durable, yet light. Drool...

No shortage of shocks. Rock Shox has everything you need from air to coil, for XC to DH.

Chromag's new Moon saddle has got your behind covered in a light Ti railed saddle that's new for the coming season.

One of my favorite bikes from the show was this Chromag TRL in the Sram booth. The colour is incredible, and with a new tapered steerer tube, and the stacked parts group with bike has the key to my bike room. I would love to own this bike, set-up like this. If only I had the money for a pimp steel hardtail sitting around.

The whole package. Whether it be Steve Peat, his carbon V10, The Black Box Darkness coated Boxxer, the ENVE carbon rims, The World Champs paint, or the 10 speed drivetrain, this thing has it covered. Santa Cruz Sydicate, and Sydicate replica bikes were seen all over Interbike.

This item has been talked about for a long time, but I had never seen one. Its Brandon Semenuk's slopestyle slayer equipped with a hydraulic disc brake gyro. I guess this is how you flip-ship your way to victory without getting tied up like a mummy.

Everyone likes trophy trucks, and Monster. Right?

The Giro Zar, to replace the Giro Xen. Its has some deep shoes to fill, but the casque has flash-cards in order with a focus on increased venting, reduced weight, and Roc lok 5 to hold it down. I also like the feature of static-x padding that is silver woven to keep out the stink! I'll have a Zar on my head as soon as they're available!

This has been Interbike indoor day one. See you tomorrow for more enticing eye candy!

-Scott

Interbike Dirt Demo- Day 2

Steve and Scott pin it down the dusty chute on the last day of Dirt Demo

 Today was the last day of Demo and we were out bright and early to get our demo rides in! Scott, Steve and I went out on a big lap of the upper loop requiring a half our climb up the loose dusty single track. On the way down there were some nice high speed open sections, allowing us to really open it up and let the brakes go. The air out here is sooo dry and dusty. Today the wind really picked up and the staff under the 10x10 tents had to hang onto the tents in fear they would blow away in the gusts!

Working our way back to the event in the upper reaches of Bootleg canyon. The riding is not what we have at home, but is a great test for XC and AM bikes. The terrain is mostly smooth and twisty, with rough jagged razor sharp rocks that would tear the skin off a rhino. The rock, although dangerous to fall on, offers great climbing traction, and sections of trail that really keep you on your toes!

Adam Craig's Giant TCX Advanced SL Cyclocross Bike

Of course only the best for the USA's finest xc / cyclocross champ, running Dura-ace DI2. I was impressed he is running a 42t - 46t front ring set up.

 

 This crazy LOOK road bike was looking red hot. Check out the insane stem and crank, also made by LOOK. All carbon, all the time!

I had the opportunity to test  the Turner Sultan 29'er over the desert terrain. This slacker version of the 29'er really soaked up the shrapnel like canvas Bootleg Canyon. 29ers are ideal bikes for this area. This Sultan could easily translate to the North Shore with the same advantages it has in the dessert. The Turner's don't have what we have grown to know as "typical" hydro-formed tubes, but bring a very high-end finish quality together will clean lines, detailed welds, and machining that will make you drool...

 Rock Shox hydraulic height adjustable post! The Reverb works like most other adjustable travel seatposts, but takes it to the next level with hydraulic actuation, and excellent ergonomics. Adjustable speed, minimal side-to-side play, great adjustment range, and long post lengths, may put the Reverb on top!

 

Edge or Envy?

I'm not sure how many people even know about these rims, but after Interbike you will definitely have a better idea. Pretty much every high-end brand looking to gussy up their bikes was showing them with ENVE rims, formerly EDGE. If surviving a season of abuse on the Santa Cruz Syndicate isn't enough proof of how tough these rims are, then check out the ENVE website to find out more about these sick blades.

 

Big wheels and crazy carbon fixie, with green wheel...

Internal cable routing is the way to go. It's nothing new but I hope with all the carbon creations it becomes more mainstream as it really cleans up the look of a bike. The SDG I-Fly gripper saddle lets you... steer with you behind, when the mud has slopped up the saddle to much to have any grip. This might be over the heads of most of us regular joe's.

The Trek bike was Emily Batty's lock-out master xc bike. Unfortunately Branden didn't get to meet his dream date, as she was only signing autographs the previous day. Don't worry Bud, if its meant to be...

Jordan in a headlock by a YETI

I wouldn't want to meet this guy skiing down the wrong run! At this point I don't know who was worse off, The dude in the Yeti suit in the 38 degree heat, or Jordan getting his ass handed to him in a UFC showdown outside the Look booth. Jordan, later, made it out of this headlock to survive the interaction unharmed.

Chomag showed their new 1.5" stem offering, a slick little nugget like you'd except.

At the end of the day we had ridden about 3 or 4 bikes each from all the brands. We'd pedaled and shuttled, gotten too much sun, and (although super tired) had too much fun. Jordan and I managed to wrangle up a fine assortment of free bevy's from any booth shelling them out, then made our way back to the hotel for a last minute dip in the pool to wash the circles of salt off from around or eyes. Sweet!

Heading inside to show you the goods tomorrow!

-Scott