tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45647497653709456242024-03-04T23:10:48.070-07:00The Official BlogGrassroots Cycleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06437137241046684560noreply@blogger.comBlogger134125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4564749765370945624.post-70932786221781958432013-02-21T13:08:00.001-07:002013-02-21T13:08:49.929-07:00Snow Wheeling<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Last year I elected to not race the Winter Mountain Games in Vail because it sounded silly & I did not want to build a set of studded tires. When I spoke to riders afterwards they had mixed opinions of the event but overall it was good. So this year I decided to start a little early & get some tires built & try to get some practice in. <br />
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First thing first was to build the tires. It was worse than I had even imagined. I started with a set of cheap mud tires then drilled & studded 400 bolts into them. It took me literally a full Saturday/Sunday of pretty constant work. The reason for how long it took is somewhat a secrete on the inside of the tire but the results were worth it. <br />
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<a href="http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/19112_10200444238496420_878838915_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/19112_10200444238496420_878838915_n.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a>I did not know how the tires would work & thought they might even rip apart when putting real pressure on them. I didn't want to go to Vail & have a failure so I needed a way to test them out. I contacted our local Powderhorn Mountain Resort & suggested making a media event out of a crazy bike rider on snow. They were totally on board, especially when they heard I rode with Matt Bolig & Grassroots Cycles & invited me up along with the local NBC news station reporter.<br />
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I expected to just be hiking up a small patch of groomed run & would only get a few corners in an afternoon. When I got there they basically shut down the terrain park top to bottom & gave us a team of snowmobiles to shuttle me, the news man, & Sara who was taking pictures around. I got to session the park top to bottom for hours as many runs as I could get in. I was literally sore the next day from throwing the bike around making it carve up the snow! <br />
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The tires worked great & felt like I was riding hero dirt. The faster I went the deeper the tires would carve in the snow & provide bite. It was an amazing experience to have a fall line run with no bumps & no trail I had to follow. I could go as fast as I wanted with no fear. So exhilarating! <br />
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When it came time to race at the Mountain Games I felt great. I knew I had a bike setup that was working & I had so much time on the snow I really felt I could win. I warmed up by racing the Short Track XC Crit race on Saturday night. I did this for a workout, which it was, & to continue my practice riding down hill on snow. Although I could not keep up with the fat tire bikes on the uphill I had a dropper seat post & Transition Bandit which allowed me to ride loose & fast on the descents putting on a show. Sara said she could tell I was coming by the cheering in the crowd. <br />
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Sundays Dual Slalom race was super fun. They gave us each a practice run then started the rounds with 31 starting men & 8 female competitors. The course had some rollers a jump & was on a nice steep pitch. I made it through my first round almost too easily because it gave me a sense of confidence. In my second round I came out kind of sleepily & only won by 0.15 seconds. I knew the guy was fast so I had to step it up in the 2nd run. I changed my style up a little & let the bike slide sideways more which scrubbed too much speed that I could not make up loosing that round by 0.16 for a differential of only 0.01. I was somewhat devastated because I knew I had what it took to go for the win.<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">There is a (4x/Skier cross) snow race planned up at Powderhorn at the end of this season that they are going to have a bicycle class. <span style="background-color: white;">It is called the Downhill Bike , Boarder Cross race. Taking place in the upper peace park where the new boarder and skier cross feature will be being built at the end of the season. Featured during their March Madness Month and Beach Party Weekend the Downhill Bike boarder Cross will be taking place March 30</span><sup style="background-color: white;">th</sup><span style="background-color: white;">. Make sure to wear your beach party outfit!! Costumes are highly encouraged and awarded! (Bring up your own bike, we will shuttle them up to the top of the course, HELMETS REQUIRED along with a $10 entry fee) the bike race will follow the boarder and skier cross monster slopestyle series challenge.</span> </span><br />
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The Monday after the event I knew it would be current so I uploaded my Transisiton TR250 Snow Dual Slalom Race bike to <a href="http://www.vitalmtb.com/community/landii60,21849/setup,20278" target="_blank">VitalMTB.com & got "Bike of the Day"!</a><br />
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I have to thank Powderhorn Mountain Resort for having an open mind & being willing to experiment with new sports. Overall I must say riding bikes on the ski runs is amazing & think with different tire technology there might be a larger future of it. <br />
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<br />Grassroots Cycleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06437137241046684560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4564749765370945624.post-38381050304792176202013-01-11T11:39:00.002-07:002013-01-11T11:39:55.045-07:00James' 2012 seasonNow that the snowy winter is upon us all I've had a lot of time to kick back and think about the 20,000 miles worth of dirt shaping, rock workin', bike riding, even managed to do a bit of fishing. The Ranch build season was a busy one, By the time Ranchstyle was upon us I was on a 80 day work streak give or take a couple days. I was bouncing between shop shifts, Building PBR out in Fruits with the Singletrack Trail guys, Polishing the Ranchstyle course and even building a new mini slopestyle line for the Dixitrix event that was going down during Ranchstyle this year. It was a tough 2 1/2 months of work but well worth the effort with all 3 being super fun.<br />
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<object height="281" width="500"><param name='allowFullScreen' value='true' /><param name='allowScriptAccess' value='always' /><param name='movie' value='http://www.pinkbike.com/v/256522/l/' /><embed src='http://www.pinkbike.com/v/256522/l/' type='application/x-shockwave-flash' width='500' height='281' allowFullScreen='true' allowScriptAccess='always'></embed></object><a href="http://www.pinkbike.com/video/256522/">Ranchstyle 2012 Slopestyle Highlights</a> on <a href="http://www.pinkbike.com/">Pinkbike</a><br />
I had 2 days off, then before the dust had settled from Ranchstyle Jeff and I were headed to Granby Ranch With Singletrack Trails to get the mountain prepped for their opening for the summer.It was quite the challenge to go to a mountain and try to keep with all the hardwork and legacy that the Momentum Trail boys had done for years before we showed up, but I think we did a great job. We put in a new Green DH trail, expanded and rebuilt some of the XC trails. We had a sweet camp a third of the way up the mountain under the lift pretty much and it was a nice place to call home for a couple months. It was rad to build all day then have a private mountain under our tires till dark. I've always wanted a mountain canvass to get creative and build some bigbike flow. I'm super stoked to head back this season and do even better!<br />
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After Granby, Singletrack Trails was on the move to Glendo State park Wyoming. If you've never been there You head up I25 till you see trees and turn right. It's a super cool area to be, lots of different terrain to work with, a huge lake to jump into to cool off from 90-100 degree days. There's lots of work to be done up there still but we managed to get a ton of new stuff built including around 5 miles of new xc trail, a large pumptrack, small flow trail, and skills features built into the trail system. I enjoy working up there, the terrain is a nice challenge with all the rock and different dirts.<br />
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After a couple months in Wyoming It was time for Redbull Rampage! One of our shop riders was lucky enough to earn a spot this year so a few of us shop guys headed down to help him get down the hill. When most of us got there Nick and Ian had already been there for a few days and had most of the line built except the last jump. We stacked up a nice 20' hip to finish the line which made for a nice exit to the finish. We also adjusted a thing or 2 in Nicks line, Helped a few of the other riders dial in there lines too. It's always mind blowing to go to Rampage and see what those guys will ride down. Quite humbling to say the least! We're all proud of Nick for fulfilling a dream and all the boys walked away from Rampage with no serious injuries. It's the real deal out there!<br />
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Next up was the Moab Bike Park, This project was headed up by Tracy and Wendy at Chili Pepper Bikes. The project had some glitches along the way and was held off for a bit. But it was go time So I rounded up my right hand man Jeff and headed on over. We had full creative reign for this one, When we showed up the existing jumps were leveled, the machine was ready to do work. Joel made it over for a few hours of help, and Micah gave us a few days. Start to finish this build took us 13 days! We shaped around 800 yards of dirt into rideable shapes that worked really well. We couldn't of done it without the hard work from the local shredders and roots boys. We finished up just a couple days before the Moab HoDown Festival. It always seems like jump projects are down to the wire but somehow the stars align and it all comes together. Also built a small practice BMX track a couple weeks after the HoDown. We will head back in the Spring to build a bitchen pumptrack, and will be building more jump lines sometime next year as well. When completed Moab's bikepark will be a must ride for sure! Be sure to head into Chili Pepper Bikes and thank the Ladies for all their hard work.<br />
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With Moab Wrapped up and getting shredded Greg With Singletrack Trails sent Jeff and I to a Private pumptrack build in Montrose. This was a pretty cool build, the clients had a nice field to build in with a really nice house being built at the same time. I was envious to say the least. It was just up the hill from a nice fishing spot so that made for some nice lunch breaks. This track is the best i've designed by far and its to bad you can never ride it. hahaha<br /><br />
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Next up was a trail that had been in the works for a while, Singletrack Trails was working in conjunction with the BLM, Copmoba, and the Grand Valley Trails Alliance. It is an extension of Joes ridge and is designed to be a step up from PBR that we finished up in the spring. Jeff and I were assigned to the middle third of the build with the first and last third being built by volunteers. The middle section was pretty challenging to build being as it's in a pretty steep drainage. But we tore it up in there and when the trail opens up in the spring the shredders will be stoked! Everything is rollable but when ridden at speed will be a whole new level of awesomeness. I feel like this trail will be the start of a whole new type of trail in the valley and hopefully is just the tip of the iceberg. The day after Jeff and I put the finishing touches on the trail we were gifted with the moisture we'd been hoping for, so she now rests under a layer of the white stuff. I'm excited for you all to meet in the spring!<br />
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Despite all the running around I did manage to get out on the bike here and there, and catch some nice fish. I'm ready for another season of good times with new shapes in new places. Hopefully I didn't bore you with my year in review and i'll see ya'll in the dirt..<br />
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Thanks for reading and be sure to head over to Singletrack Trails Facebook and give em a like<br />
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/singletracktrails">http://www.facebook.com/singletracktrails</a><br />
And if you need something reflowed, or shaped let me know!<br />
<br />
JamesGrassroots Cycleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06437137241046684560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4564749765370945624.post-36571893333895339532013-01-10T22:40:00.004-07:002013-01-11T08:49:21.571-07:002013 Giant Reign X. Yes please.<h2>
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></h2>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">Howdy Roots fans, its Joel here to tell you about a bike from our latest addition to the Grassroots family of brands: Giant Bicycles. I've been on the hunt for the everyday bike that feels like an extension of my body for a while now. One that I don't have to think about while I'm onboard or bend my riding style to fit. I am lucky enough to have found that in my gravity-focused Transition TR250, but my stable lacked a trail worthy steed that fit the same criteria. Something I could grab for an after work stress eraser, ride in the backcountry, or take to shred the desert when the riding expired here in the high country. Well kids, the hunt is over. </span><span style="font-weight: normal;">The newest incarnation of the Giant Reign X has all the traits I'm looking for in a trail bike. </span><br />
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The fit is spot on. I'm 5'10" and I'm riding a medium. While this is a pretty average height and bike size for a dude, I have a hard time feeling comfortable on most trail bikes. With a 50mm stem and nice, wide bars I often feel bunched up. The Reign X's slightly stretched top tube feels a little more like a comfy DH sled and less like grandpa's upright sidewalk slayer. Now I don't like to be all stretched out and hunched over, but I do like a little room to breathe up in the cockpit. Too high a bottom bracket height can compound the bunching effect by forcing me to sport a towering seat height. The Reign X offers a 13.6 inch BB height, which is nice and low for a bike with 6.7 inches of rear wheel travel. This means my seat height relative to my crank arms gains a little less altitude. With my taste in bar and stem, and my seat at full mast I don't feel like a clown riding a tall bike in a 4th of July parade. Another expectation I have for my bikes is that the chainstay remain on the shorter side for aggressive cornering and for a predictable balance point when the front wheel touches nothing but air. At 17.1 inches, it's chainstays get the job done. Did I mention the 67 degree head angle? Spot on, there is no better head tube angle to aggressively ride trails. Score four for fit.<br />
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The ride quality is top notch. To me, a good trail bike should have three strengths inherent to its ride quality. Efficiency in pedaling, a lively suspension feel, and all-around stability. With its Maestro suspension platform, Giant knocks the first two out of the park. As I took the bike out for the first trail ride I realized one thing right off the bat; the suspension doesn't require much adjustment. Set the shock at 25 to 30 percent sag, dial in your favorite rebound feel, and turn the pro-pedal off. Its as simple as that. Uphill, downhill, flat pavement to the beer store, it doesn't matter. The suspension design provides the pedaling platform and consequent efficiency I'm after. Often times when a bike relies on chain stretch for its platform, pedaling can feel dead and the ride can feel unlively. Not so here. The Reign X is a lively one. Like to bound down the trail like the Duke boys cuttin' loose from ole Roscoe P. Coletrain? You got it. If you put the energy in, it's gonna give it right back. Get creative because all of a sudden the trail in front of you becomes a little more interesting. Remember the video game Excitebike? Yep, this is the real live version. Add in the stability of an over-sized and hydro-formed aluminum tubeset, some stout wheels, wide bars, and thru axles front and rear, and you've written yourself a recipe for progression. <br />
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As far as a parts spec goes, I cheated a bit. I chose to purchase the frame-only kit and add the parts I've hand picked over many years of field testing. Highlights include a Fox 36 Float, Shimano XT 9spd drivetrain, MRP G2SL handling the retention duties up front, and Hadley hubs laced to DTSwiss rims rounding out the trim. For a dropper post, I'll go with the 6 inch KS Lev as soon as it becomes available.<br />
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No bike is perfect, so now is the time to expose it's short comings. So far I can only find three. First, the frame was designed to be used in conjunction with Giant's new 1.25 inch tapered steerer standard called Overdrive 2. This standard has yet to catch on and most likely won't. This means Giant wants you to use a very rare steerer and proprietary stem combo. BOOOOOO i say. Luckily, with its frames, Giant sends along a conversion upper headset assembly to allow your frame to accept a 1.125 inch (or inch and an eighth for the radperson) tapered steerer. Phew, bullet dodged. Now we're back to endless fork and stem choices. The second shortcoming would have to be the tall stack height up front. While the head tube length itself isn't overwhelming, the INCH tall top race is way too thick. If Giant would've spec'ed a thinner top race (something around the normal 1/4 to 3/8 of an inch), the total height would have been much more respectable. I think I can remedy this by using a thinner top race from another headset made by the same manufacturer. The number three shortcoming really caught us off guard when we went to put the whole bike together, and therefore needs to be mentioned. The Reign X uses a 12x135mm Maxle thru-axle to secure the back wheel to the frame. Giant chooses not to send this part with the frame-only kit. If you buy a complete bike then you have nothing to worry about but if you choose the frame-only option, be prepared to purchase a Maxle. And I warn you, they are hard to find locally. Luckily they are easy to order ahead of time from an LBS parts supplier like QBP or BTI, through your local bike shop of course.<br />
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Look to Grassroots Cycles and the Giant Reign X if you're fixin' to add some excitement to your 2013 riding season. And may it start sooner than later!<br />
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-Joel<br />
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<br />Grassroots Cycleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06437137241046684560noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4564749765370945624.post-12972982461812180112012-09-18T14:57:00.000-06:002012-09-19T12:05:46.369-06:00The Enchilada Enduro Charity Auction<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Grassroots Cycles is holding an online auction for one entry into the first ever & highly coveted "Enchilada Enduro" race in Moab. This race sold out earlier this spring in a matter of minutes catching many riders off guard who were planning to attend. All of the proceeds from the auction will go directly to the Adam Lave<span style="font-family: inherit;">nder family. Adam is a good friend & Grassroots Cycles teammate who suffered a life changing accident while training earlier this spring that left him in a wheelchair. </span><br />
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<a href="http://www.utahoutside.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/enchilada_logo_281x250.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.utahoutside.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/enchilada_logo_281x250.png" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">This spot in the race came open from another Grassroots rider Eric Landis not being able to participate due to recovering from a mid season accident of his own. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">When asked about it Landis said: </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">"I knew I could just return my spot & get my money back. But every time I thought about it my mind drifted to Adam. This race is special & I know there are many riders or teams that want in at any cost. In the spirit of competition for a good cause I wanted to put my spot up for auction & see what comes of it."</span><br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO03odSacqFFGeew8lDm3UdmCyYIT7J60VIdndO3JQH7_XSRz05o8fgm_vvBBduM9dBuTniER2YonpQ-5bNXQZ3suRCC000mGet027P6e5dOb7db5IYf_sDi2JLrhDMHsXZuGpFp2LgMqK/s1600/g2012_08_25__6887+crop.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="496" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO03odSacqFFGeew8lDm3UdmCyYIT7J60VIdndO3JQH7_XSRz05o8fgm_vvBBduM9dBuTniER2YonpQ-5bNXQZ3suRCC000mGet027P6e5dOb7db5IYf_sDi2JLrhDMHsXZuGpFp2LgMqK/s640/g2012_08_25__6887+crop.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Eric W/Adam & Family:)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">This of course had to have the race directors blessing. As soon as Keith Darner, of the Big Mountain Enduro Series & the Mountain States Cup, heard about this he did not hesitate to get on board. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">During a phone call with Keith: "Yea we could use the extra spot to give to our long wait list but this is for a good cause for a fallen brother! No Problem!"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The auction is on Ebay & will end at 12:00 Noon Mountain Time Wednesday September 26th Here:</span><br />
<a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280971413770"><span style="color: red;">http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280971413770</span></a>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">For more information about the race:</span><br />
<a href="http://www.bigmountainenduro.com/enchilada-enduro.html">http://www.bigmountainenduro.com/enchilada-enduro.html</a><br />
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For more information about the auctioned race slot contact Eric Landis: eric@allsounddesigns.com<br />
<br />
Eric is a Pro Racer Supported by:<br />
Grassroots Cycles<br />
Transition Bikes<br />
MRP Mountain Racing Products<br />
Deity Components<br />
Five Ten Shoes<br />
DT Swiss<br />
MTB Strength Training Systems<br />
Lee Likes Bikes<br />
Kali Protectives<br />
Jett Gear<br />
All Sound Designs</div>
Grassroots Cycleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06437137241046684560noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4564749765370945624.post-73124681512936669372012-08-31T12:16:00.001-06:002012-09-18T09:59:37.692-06:00Total Mountain Tamer- Bandit 29<br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">2012
Transition Bandit 29: An in-depth review<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/544651_10150976892221896_596865228_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/544651_10150976892221896_596865228_n.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="480" /></a></div>
<b><span style="font-family: "Times","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">After 5 months of riding at a variety of demanding zones (GJ, Moab, Sedona, Squamish, Nelson, Whistler,
Bellingham) it is time for an official Bandit 29 (B29) review. </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Is
this new wagon wheeler from <a href="http://transitionbikes.com/Home.cfm" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Transition</span></a>
really all that and then some? Is it the game changer that it has been made out
to be? Of course the wagon wheels are not for everyone and I am not going to
try and</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">convince</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">you to convert</span><span style="font-family: "Times","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">. I am just going to share my
observations with this extraordinary mountain bike. <b>NOTE</b>: This is a review of
the 2012 Bandit 29. With the recent release of the <a href="http://www.pinkbike.com/news/Transition-Covert-29-and-Updated-Covert-26-Eurobike-2012.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Covert 29</span></a> in 2013, Transition is making changes to the 2013 Bandit frame
(slightly less travel, slightly steeper head angle, maybe others) which will
change the characteristics of the bike.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">My Biases<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I am 5</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">’</span><span style="font-family: "Times","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">10</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">”</span><span style="font-family: "Times","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">, 170lbs and come from an AM/SS riding history
(think enjoying <a href="http://freehubmag.com/articles/freelunch-loop-grassroots-cycles-grand-junction-co" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Free Lunch/Pucker Up</span></a>
on a rigid hardtail). This is my first
FS 29er but I have been on 29ers since 2003. I ride for <a href="http://grassroots-cycles.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Grassroots Cycles</span></a> and
bought this bike from the shop in April of 2012. For my personal bike, I traded
in the 2x10 drivetrain for a 1x10 with a spiderless 30t <a href="http://www.mountainracingproducts.com/mrp/bling-ring/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">MRP Bling Ring</span></a> and <a href="http://www.mountainracingproducts.com/mrp/micro-g2-sl/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Micro G2SL</span></a> chainguide, Added a KS dropper post, <a href="http://www.deitycomponents.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Deity Components</span></a> Blacklabel bar and pedals, and a 40mm Truvativ
stem. I have also been playing with different tire combos as my riding style
isn't rewarded by the stock Maxxis Ardents.</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span><o:p></o:p><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/s720x720/430559_10100389023356063_2126044949_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/s720x720/430559_10100389023356063_2126044949_n.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><b>Overview</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">One thing is for sure, at $3549 (US) complete
the B29 is one of the best values in premium bikes today. For a little over
double the cost of the frame alone ($1599 US), you get top of the line
suspension from Fox Racing Shox, a no fuss X7, 2x10 grouppo from SRAM, and
burly wheels from Transition weighing in complete (w/o pedals) at just under 31
pounds. </span><span style="font-family: Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">Reasonable component upgrades can bring the weight under 30lbs with a dropper seatpost. Weight wennies are seeing 26-27lbs with unobtanium level builds. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">For me, the only gripes with the stock build are the cranks and stock
saddle. The cranks are flexy and the saddle is the most uncomfortable surface I
have ever rested my arse on. The wheels are also quite heavy, but that is the
price you pay for getting stiff and strong 29er wheels that can cope with the
punishment the rest of the bike was built to handle. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I was most surprised by
the level of quality in the finish. The welds and paint look like they belong
on a one-off custom, not a $1600 Taiwan frame. All of the threads were clean as
a whistle, requiring no facing, very good stuff. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Here are some of the key frame features:</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> • Sizes- M/L/XL
(18, 19.5, 21)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> • Colors-
black, pewter, or bright green<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> • Tapered
headtube<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> • Hydroformed
tubes (toptube and downtube)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> • ISCG 05
chain guide tabs<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> • Dropper
post cable routing<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> • 2 water
bottle mounts<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> • Ample
frame clearance for the beefiest 29er tires on the market<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> • Sealed
cartridge bearings in all pivots<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> • 12×142
dropouts with replaceable dropouts convertible to 10x135<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1156.photobucket.com/albums/p566/shredlightly/IMG_1268.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://i1156.photobucket.com/albums/p566/shredlightly/IMG_1268.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<b><span style="font-family: "Times","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-family: "Times","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Geometry</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">As for frame geometry Transition has focused
on taking the compact, low, slack characteristics found on their more gravity
oriented sleds, and marrying it with a pedal friendly linkage to create a
confidence inspiring trail bike that laughs in the face of 29er stereotypes.</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
effective top tube length is short for typical industry sizing coming in almost
a full inch shorter than other companies similarly sized offerings. The short
top tube lengths are necessary to avoid a limo length wheelbase and consequent
slow handling. The seat tube angle is fairly steep, which keeps more rider
weight forward and the reach short allowing the bike to climb with good manners
despite having a headtube angle on the slack side (68.5* for 2012). Looking for
one ride to do it all, I choose a large Bandit 29 in pewter. I am 5'10"
and could ride either a large or medium according to Transitions' sizing
guidelines. I chose a large as the reach and top-tube numbers are similar to
what I am used to riding and I wanted to run wide bars and a short stem while
keeping a roomy cockpit. Sometimes I find myself wishing for the medium as the large
is harder to manual and more difficult to work through the really tight
sections than the medium for a person of my stature, but I still feel right at
home on the large and really enjoy the spacious cockpit for a bike that has to
do it all from all-day epics to laps on flow trails at the bike park.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Riding Traits<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">who says 29ers can</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">’</span><span style="font-family: Times, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">t do
tight and technical?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="275" mozallowfullscreen="mozallowfullscreen" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/48561604" webkitallowfullscreen="webkitallowfullscreen" width="500"></iframe> <a href="http://vimeo.com/48561604">Ladies Only, Mt. Fromme on a Transition Bandit 29</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user11239154">shredlightly</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">This is a bike that refuses to be categorized
by the xc, trail, all-mountain nomenclatures that we have grown to accept in
today</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">’</span><span style="font-family: "Times","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">s mtb world. This is a mountain bike, pure and simple. The B29 feels
at home from XC epics, to the steep and committing trails of BC, to the airy
flow lines at Whistler and Crested Butte. There isn</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">’</span><span style="font-family: "Times","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">t
much this bike isn</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">’</span><span style="font-family: "Times","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">t capable of.</span><o:p></o:p><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">All-day XC rides are a dream with 5" of
uber-plush travel and the big wheels. This spring, I took the Bandit 29 on a 4
day, 150 mile ride of the <a href="http://www.bikepacking.net/routes/kokopellis-trail/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Kokopelli Trail</span></a> and I never wished I was on any other bike. It takes a very special
bike to comfortably and confidently take you from the technical singletrack of
Fruita, CO through the rolling sandy double track of the Colorado River bluff
country, descend the infamous Rose Garden Hill, climb into the La Sal Mountains
TWICE, and then descend UPS,LPS,Porc Rim to Moab,UT all without batting an eye.
<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The Bandit 29 is a capable climber that will
go uphill efficiently but without a lot of snap. After riding a few of the </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“</span><span style="font-family: "Times","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">masterful
climbing</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">”</span><span style="font-family: "Times","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> dual link bikes, I was pleasantly surprised by the B29 as it
climbs with little pedal induced bob like a dual link bike but displayed almost
no pedal kickback unlike the dual link bikes. The B29 does ride lower in its
travel than most bikes. Some like this trait, some don</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">’</span><span style="font-family: "Times","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">t. I found
it to aid my climbing by allowing for the rear wheel to track the ground better
and give more traction for climbing over roots, rocks, and ledges.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/s720x720/531684_10150976892446896_902368335_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/s720x720/531684_10150976892446896_902368335_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The suspension soaks up the trail with aplomb
and a plush yet bottomless feel. Everything from small bumps over pebbles to
serious air time jump lines, drops to flat, and high speed chatter are met with
composure and buttery smoothness. The custom tuned Fox RP23 and Float 34 work
great together creating a progressive feel that ramps up ever so slightly so
that it is hard to feel the bottom yet never feels harsh. Genius suspension/linkage
tuning by Fox and Transition on the B29 has created the finest riding
suspension platform out of the box that I have pedaled to date.</span><o:p></o:p><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Point it downhill and the Bandit 29 shows its
true pedigree. While it may not be as playful as its 26</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">”</span><span style="font-family: "Times","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">
sibling, the Bandit 29 does a great job of making the big wheels feel nimble. It
is easy to manual and willingly flies from lip to transition without drama. The
short HT and low BB really help the bike corner with confidence that I have
never felt on a 29er before riding the B29. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I just recently wrapped up a 3 week tour of
British Columbia and the PNW testing the B29's mettle in legendary freeride
locales like- Nelson, Squamish, Whistler, North Vancouver, and Bellingham. I
may have been the only one on big wheels in most of these zones (and received
my fair share of teasing for it) but the Bandit killed! The big wheeled Bandit showed
no hesitation on the steep greasy roots and rocks of the North Shore. The bike went
right where I pointed it and kept encouraging me to go faster and to fly
farther than a trail-bike should. Sure, the steep, fall-line trails and
vertical rock-slabs were a bit beyond the Bandit's comfort zone. But all that
meant was stopping to scope the stunts before committing. All but the big
mandatory gap stunts and steepest slabs were ridden aboard a 5" 29er while
locales on DH bikes looked on, stunned. The only places I was left wishing for
a 26" bike was on trails where the cornering was critical to find the flow
and the air time was plentiful. These are more shortcomings of the wheel size
than the bike.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Some attributes of the B29 that pins the fun
meter are:</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">• Short
wheel base</span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">. A big contributor to the “playfulness” of
the bike</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">• Slack
head tube angles</span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">.
Confidence inspiring on the descents<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">• Steep
seat tube angle</span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">.
Balanced on steep inclines<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">• Short
head tube</span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">. Keep the stack height low for a lower center
of gravity<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">• Low
BB height</span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">. Low center of gravity, better cornering<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">• Short
chainstays</span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">. Keep it tight to keep it fun<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">This bike fits well in so many different
scenarios that it really is a great all around mountain bike. Love long
distance epics? Build it light and the bike will keep you fresh into the wee
hours of the morning. Enduro/Super-D racing? Add a dropper seatpost and 1x10
w/chain guide and blow away the competition. Just want a bike that you can have
fun on, day in, day out? Buy it stock, don</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">’</span><span style="font-family: "Times","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">t change a thing and pedal away into the sunset
knowing you are on one of the most thorough mountain bikes out there today.</span><o:p></o:p><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Call <a href="http://grassroots-cycles.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Grassroots Cycles</span></a> today at 970.243.2453 to demo this game changing, total mountain
taming machine.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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Grassroots Cycleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06437137241046684560noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4564749765370945624.post-8429438236456067682012-08-06T13:51:00.000-06:002012-08-06T13:51:19.327-06:002012 Specialized Enduro at Winter Park!<br />
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July 27-29th was the long awaited 2<sup>nd</sup> annual
Enduro Stage Race at Winter Park, CO.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Last year this race was the first of its kind in the USA and was met
with an outstanding response.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because of
its huge success last year, this year it was even bigger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Large companies such as Specialized, Shimano
and SRAM and some super pros all showed up for a killer time at the first
annual <a href="http://coloradofreeridefestival.com/" target="_blank">Colorado Freeride Festival</a> (previously called Crankworx Colorado) at
Trestle Bike Park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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If you don’t know what an “Enduro” bike race is, let me
explain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a new form of racing that is
aimed at combing all skills of mountain biking into one event to try and find
the overall best rider.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This event was
comprised of 5 totally different “stages,” aka races and the overall winner was
determined by the racer’s combined time on all 5 stages.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also, each racer had to use one bike and was
only allowed to change tires and wheels. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stages 1 and 2 were on Friday, 3 and 4 on Saturday,
and 5 was on Sunday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stage 1 started off
as a 7-9 minute chainless downhill race.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Stages 2-4 were similar in format but used very different tracks and
ranged from 7-12 minutes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some were
faster and more aggressive, while others had an uphill or two and required more
pedaling than the others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stage 5 was a
much longer and the racers had a 20 minute pedal from the chairlift up to the
start of the race.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This stage ranged
from 20-40 minutes and definitely favored the strong pedallers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj1Ihz6hEqUJaQsJjYE-QScbtupoP6Y9pDAjFXDXBtju-mjiGv177XRgrPGf3Jj1vCYIePu9Df1lw5WVQ4c8PziuliIh7zPQ3udEsShVQ_zkEc7uKzI3gE8cS1SD2ZunSTaV9tO2akWaim/s1600/Poor+Eric.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj1Ihz6hEqUJaQsJjYE-QScbtupoP6Y9pDAjFXDXBtju-mjiGv177XRgrPGf3Jj1vCYIePu9Df1lw5WVQ4c8PziuliIh7zPQ3udEsShVQ_zkEc7uKzI3gE8cS1SD2ZunSTaV9tO2akWaim/s320/Poor+Eric.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eric Landis with his broken hand all wrapped up like Grandma.</td></tr>
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Roots riders in attendance were myself (Peter Knepper), Eric
Landis, and Noah Sears.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While we had a
low showing of racers, tons of friends and family were there to ride and hang
out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately, I was the only racer
to finish the event.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eric broke his hand
in the chainless stage 1 race when he washed out in a berm and Noah had some
bike problems practicing for stage 4 that prevented him from racing stage 4 or
5.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While disappointed, Eric handled his
injury very well because he has had an amazing streak of solid racing for a few
years now with no major injuries and great results.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He felt it was just his time and luckily he
doesn’t have to have surgery and should be racing again in 8 weeks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Noah was really bummed about his bike, but
handled it like a champ also and went to work with is camera for the remainder
of the event.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On Sunday, he borrowed a
<a href="http://transitionbikes.com/Bikes_TR250.cfm?Token=%7Bts_2012-08-06_14:30:43%7D-a12805112608ccb5-E6278C74-C4C8-734A-B198C4D807995FA4" target="_blank">Transition TR250</a> from Sara Landis to ride just for fun and was blown away at
how fun that bike was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeLZw0CV_zzSKPlsyPilPBgHsyIngbHxpL9yC1kneQ9nDHWoAz-2v3DbzhGtuiKOXUIoSUuMKsugopar_mQsi2Bmo1xQo2V2Vq1dbkuZB0hJSS0ZpQRHD3DmA2_o0NYPtQ_0oFK_NEctwb/s1600/Pete+after+stage+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeLZw0CV_zzSKPlsyPilPBgHsyIngbHxpL9yC1kneQ9nDHWoAz-2v3DbzhGtuiKOXUIoSUuMKsugopar_mQsi2Bmo1xQo2V2Vq1dbkuZB0hJSS0ZpQRHD3DmA2_o0NYPtQ_0oFK_NEctwb/s400/Pete+after+stage+5.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and my magical Bandit, super tired after stage 5.</td></tr>
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<span> </span>While Noah and Eric didn’t have the race they were hoping
for, Stage 1 was the best race of my life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’m not the strongest pedaller so chainless races suit me very
well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ever since I built up my
<a href="http://transitionbikes.com/Bikes_Bandit.cfm?Token=%7Bts_2012-08-06_14:30:43%7D-a12805112608ccb5-E6278C74-C4C8-734A-B198C4D807995FA4" target="_blank">Transition Bandit</a>, I have felt like one with it and this stage was no exception.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I ended up in 5<sup>th</sup> place sandwiched
between <a href="http://rossschnell.com/" target="_blank">Ross Schnell</a> and Lars Sternberg…. OMG.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>With a finish like this, I felt I could almost retire now (even though I
won’t).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, as the stages continued
and I became more and more fatigued, and the stages became longer and more
pedally, I went from 5<sup>th</sup> – 16<sup>th</sup> – 17<sup>th </sup>- 23<sup>rd</sup>
– 36<sup>th</sup> in the pro class.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
know I need more training, and I’ll be doing everything I can to get it.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBAsoxz9vZE1vxRyaLHePqE6h0DP10wXJgSUbPkqOHeoTbh9qfccVdtRmWj-R-EHuxiAdjS3CxDzz7Ygn2Y2ZNhf1Gf6YLPJI9-QAnJ0EXl5V7ob3hKSxIRCUtotF-FMnpur5srsk6_NX3/s1600/Pete+enduro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBAsoxz9vZE1vxRyaLHePqE6h0DP10wXJgSUbPkqOHeoTbh9qfccVdtRmWj-R-EHuxiAdjS3CxDzz7Ygn2Y2ZNhf1Gf6YLPJI9-QAnJ0EXl5V7ob3hKSxIRCUtotF-FMnpur5srsk6_NX3/s400/Pete+enduro.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me off the finish line jump. Brakes were on fire after crossing that finish line.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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In short, the event was awesome, and Winter Park’s Trestle
Bike Park is an awesome place to ride.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If you haven’t done an enduro or ridden winter park, get after it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You won’t regret either one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, if you’re going to ride WP, get
there early because daily afternoon thunderstorms can close the mountain early!</div>
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All results from the event can be found <a href="http://coloradofreeridefestival.com/results.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
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Post by: Peter Knepper (Grassroots Team Rider)</div>Grassroots Cycleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06437137241046684560noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4564749765370945624.post-7022374996008261622012-08-04T20:17:00.002-06:002012-08-04T20:17:38.667-06:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzcrDQPs1FTAM9A5aNeWndj6taEEyyRdYnt3en2NvbNH7IOtpgvkPtoAVOPv42JRVvyDdYt-HxGrzL9rdiYxw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jesse started her new job with the State of Washington in Bellingham this week. I took the week off to help her move into a new place until I can get up there in October. This little edit chronicles the rides we did while we were there. We're going to miss Grand Junction and especially the Roots Crew! Take a look, its needless to say that we're stoked to shred the PNW!!!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-blake </span></span></div>
Grassroots Cycleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06437137241046684560noreply@blogger.com0Bellingham, WA, USA48.7595529 -122.488224948.6758139 -122.6461534 48.843291900000004 -122.33029640000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4564749765370945624.post-38336343774643990692012-07-25T23:24:00.002-06:002012-07-25T23:39:08.525-06:00Gettin' Down with Papa Smurf, Al Green, and Double Vision<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzxeW7Y_0x76oDjDUbBdjukOllagdlEqcpbgLvnD7-5dAADsg4vPOWFpOadCAFkbnHgKcGsjGD9pIptpzdRuui9KDryHr1hgWfJ82krGSv9L10rkpN8V_yC1jZ6zht5tlgjEVVbRwwgDO4/s1600/spring+12+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzxeW7Y_0x76oDjDUbBdjukOllagdlEqcpbgLvnD7-5dAADsg4vPOWFpOadCAFkbnHgKcGsjGD9pIptpzdRuui9KDryHr1hgWfJ82krGSv9L10rkpN8V_yC1jZ6zht5tlgjEVVbRwwgDO4/s320/spring+12+011.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Gettin back on the bike after a broken shoulder with Adam (Lunchtime) Wadas. Middle of February. Super good XC ride at 18 road with the Transition Bandit. So good we stayed and ran Kessel shuttles and drank PBRs til we couldn't see. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwP5W4UPMFEB5xC5M90zTmU_bYmrf0RDQrqlU8lijV7tvq7Pbx92BLQ_Vu8UWdrNHA0QuQKbgizWXsuzBESwVqRwO9hZhgT_B9sYP8cT5JEFxpUjTTR4TG5vNyZg_j15O-lKTRs1petwEh/s1600/spring+12+052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwP5W4UPMFEB5xC5M90zTmU_bYmrf0RDQrqlU8lijV7tvq7Pbx92BLQ_Vu8UWdrNHA0QuQKbgizWXsuzBESwVqRwO9hZhgT_B9sYP8cT5JEFxpUjTTR4TG5vNyZg_j15O-lKTRs1petwEh/s320/spring+12+052.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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More shoulder (and mental) rehab at Loma with the Bandit. Another banger day in FEBRUARY. Unseasonably warm and sunny. Yes please.</div>
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March trip to Moab with Jed Sims, the TR250 and the Bandit. 3 day weekend with Half Enchilada shuttles, Magnificent 7 cherry poppin', Chili Pepper DH runs, and killer 100 foot straightlines just off the Sand Flats road. The best big bike jibs in Moab were right in camp!</div>
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Pink van, Hot shuttle driver, Jedi, Al Green, Half Enchilada, Bluebird, Boom.</div>
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May means time for a PNW road trip and big mexican road sodas.</div>
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OREGON. Holly with a post ride brew in Oakridge. Lots of shuttles here. Chose to bring the Transition Double along this time. Rode every thing from XC to flowy jump trails to full on techgnar. The Double went </div>
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into Honey Badger mode, it didn't give a shit. Chewed up logging road climbs, railed berms, boosted jumps and even knocked off a couple large cliff drops. Definitely the most versatile bike in the quiver.</div>
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More Oregon goodness. This is Holly at the top of a 15 mile downhill. OK.</div>
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Gettin' back on the big boy horse. Granny's Kitchen pro line at Blackrock. Top ten trail in my book. So fast and smooth. The double asked for more.</div>
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Pit stop in Portland at Voodoo Donuts before heading up to Bellingham and the best trails in the Northwest.
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Stay tuned for more Grassroots Cycles and Transition assisted bike riding in 2012. James would say Boom.</div>
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-Joel</div>
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<br />Grassroots Cycleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06437137241046684560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4564749765370945624.post-22859676886807017932012-07-18T13:36:00.002-06:002012-07-18T13:36:42.459-06:00Snowmass Enduro Master of the Mass<br />
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This was the first of many enduro races of the season for
the Roots. Sean Shuman, Noah Sears,
Kyle Fissel, Jesse Ruland, Eric Landis, and I (Sara Landis) headed up to Snowmass on Friday
morning to begin a three day, four stage, enduro race through beautiful single
track, creek crossings, tight trees, jumps, rocks and berms. We had one bike to cover the gamut of racing
and could only change tires and pedals for each stage. It seems as though the 29er is beginning to
have an edge as far as the all mountain bike goes as everyone but the Landii
had a large wheeled steed.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top of Super D Course 3500' above the finish line! </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sara on the Super D course</td></tr>
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The first stage was a 8.5 mile 3500 foot descent Super D
course that took even the fastest pro’s 23 minutes to ride down. It began at the very top of the Elk Camp
Chair and ended on a service road near the rodeo parking lot and had everything
you could ask for. Although littered
with mechanicals and small scale crashes, everyone had a fantastic run
down. A tough climb in the middle seemed
to separate out the riders but all and all it was amazing. We all had some catching up to do for Stage 2
though.</div>
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Sean – Pro – 15<sup>th</sup> Place</div>
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Noah – Pro – 28<sup>th</sup> Place (Flat tire)</div>
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Jesse – Pro – 25<sup>th</sup> Place</div>
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Eric – Pro – 21<sup>st</sup> Place (Mechanical)</div>
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Kyle – Am – 10<sup>th</sup> Place</div>
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Sara – Am – 3<sup>rd</sup> Place</div>
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The second stage, on Saturday Morning, was the one I dreaded most, the
cross country. It was a 9 mile loop with
about 1200 ft of climbing. Once again,
we had some great single track and of course a trek on the fire roads but ended
on Valhalla, the new jump trail in Snowmass.
It turned out not to be too terrible as it only lasted about an hour and
it definitely made some changes in the overall standings. Kyle had “food poisoning” making his trip
fairly miserable but he managed to complete the trail in pretty good time, he
still beat me! </div>
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Cross Country Results: </div>
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Sean –10<sup>th</sup> </div>
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Noah – 24<sup>th</sup> </div>
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Jesse – 25<sup>th</sup> </div>
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Eric – 7<sup>th</sup></div>
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Kyle –13<sup>th</sup></div>
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Sara – 3<sup>rd</sup> </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Noah using his skills to keep his competitors behind him through the creek crossing</td></tr>
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Stage 3 was my overall favorite of the weekend. It was a chainless downhill down Valhalla, a
top to bottom trail full of incredible corners, wooden bridges and jumps that
kept you using all of your skills to get down in one piece. I loved this trail because I am not much of a
jumper and as the weekend progressed, I was able to get more and more air over
each jump. Since I didn’t have to worry about over jumping like all of the rest
of the guys, I could just let go of the breaks and fly!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Proof that my tires left the ground (at least a little bit)</td></tr>
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There was definitely some good competition between
Eric and Sean and they both planned on taking the win but Steve Wentz inched
his way to 1<sup>st</sup> beating Sean by 1 second and Eric ended up 5th.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sean keeping it low over a lippy jump.</td></tr>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="382" mozallowfullscreen="" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/45875900" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="680"></iframe> <br />
<a href="http://vimeo.com/45875900">29" Flow Train</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user153274">NoahColorado</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<br />
Chainless Downhill Results: Sean - 2<sup>nd</sup>, Noah – 17<sup>th </sup>, Jesse –16<sup>th </sup>, Eric – 5<sup>th</sup>, Kyle – 7<sup>th</sup> , Sara – 2<sup>nd</sup> </div>
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The 4<sup>th</sup> and final stage was run on the Pro
Downhill course on Sunday and although everyone was used to running it on their
big bikes, it didn’t slow anyone down to use their smaller all-mountain
ride. I was quite impressed with the
aggression down the course. I think the
times were similar to those during an actual downhill race! Our team was definitely in their element and
riding fast, trying to show those cross country racers what was up. Sean had a great run down the mountain and
was pinning it when he slid out in a corner near the bottom, still ending up 12<sup>th
</sup>with an overall of 9<sup>th</sup>.
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/318763_4270457607579_296386560_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/318763_4270457607579_296386560_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sean dropping the road drop on the DH course</td></tr>
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Noah and Jesse both had good runs down ending up in 18<sup>th</sup> and
20<sup>th</sup> and overall they finished in 26<sup>th</sup> and 24<sup>th</sup>. Eric was determined to win one of the stages
and came as close to winning as possible but lost out to Steve Wentz by .01
seconds for a 2<sup>nd</sup> place finish.
He worked his way up to 10<sup>th</sup> for the overall on the
weekend.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/532414_4270459207619_1785390126_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/532414_4270459207619_1785390126_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eric looking through the corner on his super fast run down the DH course</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="383" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/8d2dzZUKcW0" width="681"></iframe>
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<br />
Kyle got a flat tire near the
road drop high up on the course and preceded to ride the hell out of the tire
until it finally fell off of the wheel and destroyed the wheel as well but
still finished 13<sup>th</sup> and 11<sup>th</sup> overall. <br />
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/553502_4270475008014_703647946_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/553502_4270475008014_703647946_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The result of a long ride on a flat tire. Check out the tire looped through the frame on the right!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The girls were supposed to run the big course
but the rider in 1<sup>st</sup> place was very uncomfortable on our practice
run so we raced down Scorch which had not been ridden at all and was not
terribly fun or long. We got 1 practice
run on it and raced so it wasn’t super fun but I finished 3<sup>rd</sup> behind
a girl that just joined in for that stage and ended up 2<sup>nd</sup> overall
for the weekend but earned my first paycheck of $100.00!</div>
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<br /></div>Grassroots Cycleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06437137241046684560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4564749765370945624.post-33296936713262599672012-07-17T18:14:00.003-06:002012-07-17T18:14:41.260-06:00Trestle Gravity Series at Winter Park (DH and Air DH)Noah and I headed out to Winter Park the weekend before last to race the first two of seven races in the new Trestle Gravity Series. There is something extremely fun about riding at a resort for 3 days straight and throwing in two entirely different, low-key downhill races. How could we pass that up!?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTDkYXDaP3nbXQNTamdEBvssZZBJHXkgDcy0L0zO9zrFlLmz2bJQ51lQS_NPa4na0Sp20xYpTVZ2-AGHbyu5SAijOLAG_j14dKeToWWSq4TQFB2CEQxrPS1q-rruylBP-OOzl1w4vXNxXg/s1600/petetrestle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTDkYXDaP3nbXQNTamdEBvssZZBJHXkgDcy0L0zO9zrFlLmz2bJQ51lQS_NPa4na0Sp20xYpTVZ2-AGHbyu5SAijOLAG_j14dKeToWWSq4TQFB2CEQxrPS1q-rruylBP-OOzl1w4vXNxXg/s640/petetrestle.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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For most of the weekend I was on my brand new Transition TR450 and had only two practice runs before the first race as it started at 10:30am. Coming off a Canfield Jedi, I thought the 450 would feel pretty foreign… boy was I wrong. It was so easy to ride, I was able to hop on and immediately start killing it! For the first time ever, I didn’t touch one knob on the shock out of the box and was amazed at how well it performed. It performed so well that I pulled out the best race result of my life with it!<br />
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Saturday was a traditional Downhill race that started on Search and Seizure to Trestle Downhill, and finished on Witness. This course had a great mix of high speed berms and rollers up top with a rougher, high speed downhill throughout the remainder of the track. With only two practice runs in the morning, Noah ended up 11th and I pulled out an amazing 4th place (my best finish ever!) in the Pro class, even with some fast, well known racers competing.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ZalU1ExYCbkUH-RBOHqyKqEQG1gB4_omWOlGy6oNjydq332r1HUk-EbuAEFrmToBMhftleQ47jTPcOdcOiYZ0ujCXQy3zcjtdzc45pZg_iCY0jfndlBqy-DpYOMT3Dw1WPeLI14nSJbm/s1600/noahtrestle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ZalU1ExYCbkUH-RBOHqyKqEQG1gB4_omWOlGy6oNjydq332r1HUk-EbuAEFrmToBMhftleQ47jTPcOdcOiYZ0ujCXQy3zcjtdzc45pZg_iCY0jfndlBqy-DpYOMT3Dw1WPeLI14nSJbm/s640/noahtrestle.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Sunday’s air downhill race was a completely different animal. I had ever raced something like this, a race on the upper portion of a jump trail called Rainmaker. You could think of it like a long, huge, rough, and gravity fed BMX track. It was about a 50/50 mix of trail bikes and full DH bikes at the start line. I used my Transition Bandit, and Noah pulled out the big guns with his Santa Cruz V-10 Carbon. Being able to scrub speed over jumps was the only way to do well on this track. Because we didn’t have much scrub practice, Noah and I didn’t do quite as well in this race, but it was still awesome none the less. Noah placed 13th and I came in 9th in Pro. The spreads were much tighter in this race.<br />
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If you haven’t made it to Trestle Bike Park in Winter Park, CO yet, get there! Noah and I both became significantly better riders after 3 days there. They have more than enough DH/freeride trails to keep any level rider busy for a few days. However, before you go, make sure you stop into Grassroots to get your brakes and suspension tuned up because you and your bike are going to take a beating.<br />
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Peter Knepper (Team Racer/Rider)Grassroots Cycleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06437137241046684560noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4564749765370945624.post-66809935881366258402012-07-06T18:34:00.000-06:002012-07-06T18:34:20.328-06:00Crested Butte Wildflower Rush MSC #3<br />
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The Crested Butte trails are definitely a local favorite
& Grassroots Cycles has a great relationship with the lift served resort mountain. When a great event such as the Mountain
States Cup “Wildflower Rush” goes down on the same weekend as the Crested Butte
Bike week, Chain-less World Championship & Fat Tire 40 people come out of
the woodworks & things get crazy! </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.bertolacci.org/distribution/cb_chainless_race_2007/2007-06-29_17-50-24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="499" src="http://www.bertolacci.org/distribution/cb_chainless_race_2007/2007-06-29_17-50-24.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Below is a video on Crested Butte's website from the weekend featuring Jesse Ruland (at 14 seconds in) & Eric Landis Jumping the top rock garden (44 seconds in).</td></tr>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="382" mozallowfullscreen="" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/44757589" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="680"></iframe> <br />
<a href="http://vimeo.com/44757589">Crested Butte Bike Week</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user5074384">Crested Butte</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<br />
Dont forget also about the "Crested Roots" video we shot with the mountain last fall!
<object width='681' height='383'><param name='allowFullScreen' value='true' /><param name='allowScriptAccess' value='always' /><param name='movie' value='http://www.pinkbike.com/v/231802/l/' /><embed src='http://www.pinkbike.com/v/231802/l/' type='application/x-shockwave-flash' width='681' height='383' allowFullScreen='true' allowScriptAccess='always'></embed></object><p><a href='http://www.pinkbike.com/video/231802/'>Crested Roots</a> on <a href='http://www.pinkbike.com'>Pinkbike</a></p>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/181141_4159714719076_1207740172_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/181141_4159714719076_1207740172_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These are not the 2 Beaver.</td></tr>
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For many of us the week started out with sampling some of
the classic high alpine trails such as Deadman Gulch or Dr’s Park. These
usually consist of beautiful but leg numbing climbs which reward you with some
of the best & flowey descents in the world.
Add in multiple creek crossings wildlife sightings, such as 2 Beaver in
our case, & the experience is world class. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/380575_4160131009483_1278112514_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/380575_4160131009483_1278112514_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eric & Sara heading out for a trail ride.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/380740_4159719519196_1417309646_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/380740_4159719519196_1417309646_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Navigating one of many refreshing creek crossing.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/532450_4159721279240_1436186429_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/532450_4159721279240_1436186429_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sara getting ready to head down.</td></tr>
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Racing got under way Saturday afternoon with the first of 2
Super D races. This Super D is a race
that had a mass start with racers sprinting up a wide open hill to be the first
one to the single track heading downhill.
Once you get to the single track it is difficult to make passes but not
at all impossible. From there it is a
10-15 minute run which includes several uphill sections testing the riders
physical stamina along with their technical downhill bike handling ability. The first day of SD racing went down a relatively
tame trail while Sunday morning brought on the air time as they raced down the
Timeline trail which it littered with huge drops & jumps!</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/282321_4159723479295_1725507728_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/282321_4159723479295_1725507728_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Noah laying down power</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/389013_4159723759302_1453204757_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/389013_4159723759302_1453204757_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jesse riding smooth</td></tr>
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Several Grassroots riders rode great in this event including
Noah sears & Jesse Ruland. Noah
races in the highly competitive Pro class & Jesse in the Open Men 30+. This was Jesse’s first time racing Super D
& none of us knew what to expect. He
said I am going to out power the competition at the start then out ride them
down the trail. That is exactly what he
did earning 2<sup>nd</sup> the first day & winning the 2<sup>nd</sup> day! </div>
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Noah has been training hard & although he
had a tough first race came back strong in SD2 with a 14<sup>th</sup> against
some of the best in the country. Good
work Boys. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/602270_4159729199438_1885633799_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/602270_4159729199438_1885633799_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jesse on the top of the box. #1!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Sunday brought on the
Downhill race. Crested Butte’s track is
a super fun mix of rough rock gardens & wide open fast sections with lots
of corners & pedaling opportunity. Hold
speed & ride loose is the name of the game here. Along with Noah & Jesse racing this event
we also had Pro’s; Eric Landis, Craig Carlson, Andrew Templin & Cat 1
Riders Curt Clemetson, & BMX phenom
Derek Johnson. </div>
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This was Derek’s first real DH race riding a borrowed
Transition TR250 with single crown fork on it.
He was a little under gunned but rode his best coming down safely in 28<sup>th</sup>
Cat2 19-29.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/394767_4159730599473_1818822796_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/394767_4159730599473_1818822796_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Derek racing hard.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Curt Clemetson looked great in practice putting down
impressive runs & looking dialed. He
thought he was on a winning pace but had a flat in his race run. Even with that came in 5<sup>th</sup> in Cat1
40+.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/182115_10150981965257483_469464824_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/182115_10150981965257483_469464824_n.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yea Curt!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Jesse Ruland came out of the gate apparently swinging
because he did not make it into the first tree section before going down hard
enough for him to forfeit finishing the rest of his run. I can only hope winning the Super D earlier
that day took the sting off<span style="font-family: Wingdings;">. :)</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/382409_3557658268507_1585293852_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/382409_3557658268507_1585293852_n.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looks like Jesse's medals are healing.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Noah was also dirty at the bottom of his run indicating he
fell down but had a huge smile on his face.
He felt good & was going fast when he went down. That’s racing he’ll get ‘em next time. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/548632_4159729999458_1993202423_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/548632_4159729999458_1993202423_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Noah Goon riding before the race:)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The Pro’s were feeling good & ready to throw down
against the formidable riders from all over the country. Qualifying got underway which is a seeding
run to place the riders in order, the fastest going last, for the main
run. In the finals Andrew Templin had a solid run
placing 27<sup>th</sup> leaving Craig Carlson & Eric Landis to battle it
out for fastest Grassroots rider of the Day.
Craig beat Eric at the first DH race of the season in Angel Fire & a
healthy team rivalry may be in play as they raced hard. Craig threw down big time with a 3:47:66
coming in 15<sup>th</sup> place. </div>
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Eric
had his sights on a podium run & was feeling great coming into that last
run of the day. He cleared the big rock
garden jump in the top section only a few riders were doing but made a mistake
& over cooked a corner costing him some time. Coming across the line at 3:45:70 in 10<sup>th</sup>
place he was stoked with his run & knows he is making progress & has
more to work on! </div>
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<a href="http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/553175_4159728319416_1079303821_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/553175_4159728319416_1079303821_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Big thanks to Grassroots Cycles & check out all the team sponsors at the top right.</div>
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<br /></div>Grassroots Cycleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06437137241046684560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4564749765370945624.post-31643295834722161912012-06-30T11:27:00.000-06:002012-06-30T11:27:28.024-06:00Angel Fire MSC #2 Chile Challenge Race Report<div class="MsoNormal">
The roots crew represented at the MSC #2 Chile Challenge in
Angel Fire, NM. Not only was it an MSC
race, but also a stop on the ProGRT Gravity Tour meaning that there was a lot
of fast riders. This race also had the
only dual slalom race of the season.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/581281_4102675213124_1293652214_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/581281_4102675213124_1293652214_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kevin, Jesse, Eric, Pete & Porter taking a photo with the famous Chris DelBosco (Center).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Our 7 hour trip started out with Myself, Jesse Ruland, Noah
Sears, and Amy Knepper in my new “farm truck” which a 99 F250. We ended up running out of gas 3.3 miles from
Angel Fire at 2am because the fuel gauge doesn’t work all that well and still
showed we had 1/8 of a tank left. Luckily
Kevin Soller was staying in the condo with us and was only about an hour ahead
of us so they were still unpacking at 2am.
He came to our rescue and towed a loaded down F250 with his little Ford
Ranger about a mile to the next gas station.
Thanks again Kevin!!!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pete on the Podium in DS.</td></tr>
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Due to the circus the night before, we all slept in a little
later than usual on Friday morning, but managed to get some solid runs in on
the dual slalom, downhill, and super D courses.
Saturday started out with dual slalom practice and qualifying early in
the morning followed by some DH practice.
DS racing started in the afternoon and everyone did really well. The course was on the old 4x course but ended
before the three huge old jumps which made the hike to the top much
easier! This was probably one of the
best DS courses I have ridden. It had a
lot of flow and held up very well under heavy racing and. Jesse Ruland placed 9<sup>th</sup> in his
first every non-Ranchstyle DS race on CAT 2 30+ men. He was knocked out in round one (probably
because he slept through morning practice... haha). Curt Clemetson and I raced in the CAT 1 30+
and got 7<sup>th</sup> and 3<sup>rd</sup> respectively. Eric was knocked out in round 1 by less than
0.1 seconds but still managed to end up 11<sup>th</sup> out of 19 racers. Everyone threw down some impressive runs and
it’s too bad that was the only DS race of the season.</div>
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Super D started early on Sunday morning and so did the wind. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Noah hauling on the big wheeler!</td></tr>
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Noah Sears was the only team rider to race
SD, and killed it in the pro class with an 11<sup>th</sup> fastest over all
time. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pete soaking up the rough on the DH course.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eric getting some pedals in. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Pro DH qualifying started at 11am on a brand new
course. Angel Fire originally had a
shorter flowier course built, but the MSC came in and vetoed it the week before
which led us this monster of a course.
The top section was filled with relentless off camber rocks, roots, and
tons of dust, followed by a 2+ minute catwalk pedaling section with a massive
headwind before diving back into the old race course which it followed all the
way to the bottom. Times were in the 6-8
minute ranges with the winning pro time of 5:46.14. Craig Carlson flatted in his qualifier while
Eric and I laid down some solid runs with no real issues. By the time racing started the wind started
to howl even harder making the long catwalk pedaling section much more difficult. Curt Clemetson turned in an awesome time of 6:48.13
in CAT 1 40+ with landed him in 4<sup>th</sup>.
Next up was Jesse Ruland in CAT 1 30-39.
He sprinted through the finish with a 7:13.97 trying to make up time for
the two crashes he had on course. That
time landed him in 13<sup>th</sup> in his first ever CAT 1 race. With only the Pros left to go and the wind
blowing even harder, the pros started rolling through the line with the same or
only slightly faster race run times. Craig
Carlson ran first and destroyed the course with a 6:10.69 landing him in a tie
for 25<sup>th</sup>. I ran next and had
a really solid run with a 6:27.56 placing me in 46<sup>th</sup>. That was only 2 seconds faster than my
qualifier due to the wind. Finally, Eric
came down with a 6:18.20 which was within 1 second of his qualifying run giving
him a 35<sup>th</sup> overall. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was hot for Gingers</td></tr>
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It was a wicked good time, and we hope to see you all at the
next one! Thanks to all of our sponsors,
wifes/girlfriends, and friend who helped us out. Without you guys, all this would be extremely
difficult!</div>
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Peter Knepper (Team Racer/Rider)</div>
<span style="color: #888888;"><br clear="all" /></span>Grassroots Cycleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06437137241046684560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4564749765370945624.post-57028321663445638612012-06-17T21:07:00.000-06:002012-06-17T21:12:11.083-06:00Resort Season Is Here!!!With multiple resorts opening this last weekend, we can finally say resort season has started. So far I have gotten to hit SolVista and Winterpark for their opening days and both have been a blast.<br />
<br />
If you haven't already heard, James has been working at SolVista building new trails and enhancing the existing. With a fresh addition of flow and some fun new jumps, this place is going off. With the recent opening of Winterpark you should expect to see the crowds here begin to dwindle.<br />
<br />
The trail crew at Winterpark has also been busy. Many of the trails have been refreshed and some new ones have been built.
The addition of a new road at the bottom of the resort disrupted Boot Camp (lower half is still closed) and Beall Ucanb. Beall Ucanb has seen some major changes on the lower half of the trail. The step up has been moved slightly and now leads into a drop zone. You have the choice of a rollable drop which you can send to make about a 10 footer or you can take a large 15' drop on the left.<br />
<br />
The other major change was the addition of the new trail, Cruel and Unusual. This is an advanced trail with multiple features that are back to back.<br />
<br />
With the lack of moisture, expect dry and loose conditions.
<iframe frameborder="0" height="440" src="http://www.vitalmtb.com/v/13916?width=780&height=440" width="780"></iframe><br />
<a href="http://www.vitalmtb.com/videos/features/First-Ride-Cruel-and-Unusual-Trail-at-Trestle-Bike-Park,13916/sspomer,2">First Ride: Cruel and Unusual Trail at Trestle Bike Park</a> - More <a href="http://www.vitalmtb.com/">Mountain Bike</a> <a href="http://www.vitalmtb.com/videos/main">Videos</a><br />
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<br />
-IanGrassroots Cycleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06437137241046684560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4564749765370945624.post-26134063818368970892012-05-09T16:02:00.001-06:002012-05-09T16:07:35.286-06:00Another Ranchstyle is done and dusted....Another fantastic Ranchstyle event is over and done! It was a great weekend - except for the obnoxious wind - and the 'style was the best we've had so far!<br />
<br />
I covered the event for VitalMTB check out my galleries:<br />
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<a href="http://www.vitalmtb.com/photos/member/2012-Ranchstyle-Best-Trick,3656/Brett-Rheeder,34305/NoahColorado,128">Best Trick</a></div>
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<a href="http://p.vitalmtb.com/photos/users/128/photos/34395/s780_justinwyper2.jpg?1336272800" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://p.vitalmtb.com/photos/users/128/photos/34395/s780_justinwyper2.jpg?1336272800" width="266" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.vitalmtb.com/photos/member/2012-Ranchstyle-Slopestyle,3662/Riders,34404/NoahColorado,128">Slopestyle</a></div>
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<a href="http://p.vitalmtb.com/photos/users/128/photos/34477/s780_learmiller.jpg?1336369298" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://p.vitalmtb.com/photos/users/128/photos/34477/s780_learmiller.jpg?1336369298" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.vitalmtb.com/photos/member/2012-Ranchstyle-MRP-Super-Slalom,3669/Jess-Pedersen-and-Lear-Miller,34465/NoahColorado,128">Slalom</a></div>
<br />
Pinkbike has had some great coverage here and here.<br />
<br />
Before main event on Saturday, I headed out to 18rd and filmed an edit on the new PBR trail with legendary rider Eric Porter. We made the most out of the dusty, dry, and windy conditions and the clip came out great! We've already gotten over 100+ likes on Facebook and it only went live this morning! If you haven't hit up PBR yet - you better get on it!<br />
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<iframe frameborder="0" height="352" src="http://www.vitalmtb.com/v/13223?width=624&height=352" width="624"></iframe><br />
<a href="http://www.vitalmtb.com/videos/features/Trail-Check-PBR,13223/NoahColorado,128">Trail Check: PBR</a> - More <a href="http://www.vitalmtb.com/">Mountain Bike</a> <a href="http://www.vitalmtb.com/videos/main">Videos</a>Grassroots Cycleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06437137241046684560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4564749765370945624.post-87987475529491414112012-04-15T21:41:00.010-06:002012-04-15T23:05:10.951-06:00Early Season RacingI love racing...I love racing bicycles more specifically. More specifically than that I prefer on dirt in a gravity assisted manner usually but when that is not available I race anyway. So far in 2012 I have raced CycloCross, BMX, local short track XC, a Road bike hill climb & most recently an XC race at 18 rd.<br /><a href="http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/535631_393439867341767_164017333617356_1498581_1407263483_n.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 465px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 709px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/535631_393439867341767_164017333617356_1498581_1407263483_n.jpg" /></a><span style="COLOR: rgb(0,153,0);font-size:85%;" >[Wearing Baggies & giving it on a 15 year old road bike. I took 3rd on the podium in Cat1]</span><br /><br /><a href="http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/544617_3584166490730_1470297743_33316403_38870512_n.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 529px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 340px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/544617_3584166490730_1470297743_33316403_38870512_n.jpg" /></a><span style="COLOR: rgb(0,102,0);font-size:85%;" >[Me after the Monument Madness Hill Climb road race up to the Ribbon trail head. Of course my wife Sara brought up my new Transition 250 so I could ride down the ribbon:]</span><br /><br />At each race I stick out like a soar thumb. I am usually riding equipment not really meant for what I am doing, wearing clothing from my DH race kit that don't really fit in, & attacking the courses with an aggressive DH mentality not traditionally associated with these more tame events. I am usually competitive, get my name & sponsors names announced on the mic & get much recognition for all the great people that support me such as: <a href="http://http//grassroots-cycles.com/"><span style="color:#ff6600;">Grassroots Cycles</span></a><span style="color:#ff6600;">, </span><a href="http://http//transitionbikes.com/Home.cfm"><span style="color:#ff6600;">Transition Bikes,</span></a><span style="color:#ff6600;"> </span><a href="http://http//www.bikejames.com/"><span style="color:#ff6600;">MTB Strength Training Systems</span></a><span style="color:#ff6600;">, </span><a href="http://http//www.mountainracingproducts.com/mrp/"><span style="color:#ff6600;">MRP</span></a><span style="color:#ff6600;">, </span><a href="http://http//www.mountainracingproducts.com/white-brothers/"><span style="color:#ff6600;">White Brothers</span></a><span style="color:#ff6600;">, </span><a href="http://http//www.dtswiss.com/"><span style="color:#ff6600;">DT Swiss</span></a><span style="color:#ff6600;">, </span><a href="http://http//www.deitycomponents.com/"><span style="color:#ff6600;">Deity</span></a><span style="color:#ff6600;">, </span><a href="http://http//www.kaliprotectives.com/bike/"><span style="color:#ff6600;">Kali,</span></a><span style="color:#ff6600;"> </span><a href="http://http//fiveten.com/"><span style="color:#ff6600;">Five Ten</span></a><span style="color:#ff6600;">, </span><a href="http://allsounddesigns.com/"><span style="color:#ff6600;">All Sound Designs </span></a><span style="color:#ff6600;">& More.</span><a href="http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/580491_3684927649696_1470297743_33367320_409535579_n.jpg"><span style="color:#ff6600;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 471px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 717px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/580491_3684927649696_1470297743_33367320_409535579_n.jpg" /></span></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="COLOR: rgb(0,153,0)">[Using by dropper seat post to get traction on the flat finish line corner in the Rumble at 18 rd XC race, On my way to 2nd]</span></span><br /><a href="http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/543620_3676648002710_1470297743_33362323_1433782531_n.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 609px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 425px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/543620_3676648002710_1470297743_33362323_1433782531_n.jpg" /></a><br />To be honest I am having a blast. Way more fun than I expected with these disciplines which are not that natural to me. I believe being fit & an all around rider will help me with my DH racing & being in the race mentality before the main season begins will be good also.<br /><br />A couple years ago when I started working with James Wilson's MTB Strength Training Systems my life was changed. I went from a decent Cat1 to a competitive Pro throughout one winter. I realized that much of the difference from an amateur to a pro is being strong & fit.<a href="http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/535666_3676709164239_1470297743_33362411_556994990_n.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 504px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 332px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/535666_3676709164239_1470297743_33362411_556994990_n.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="COLOR: rgb(0,102,0)">[Noah Sears, brand manager @MRP/White Brothers, & I still smiling after what was supposed to be a miserable XC race]</span></span><br /><br />Racing the Trestle All Mountain Enduro race last season was an eye opener to what is to come with the future of gravity racing. Enduro style races basically take you down the heart of a full Down Hill course yet zig zagging through the XC trails also. It was all the fun & excitement of a DH race but much longer & there were many more opportunities to pedal so you needed to be super fit & you generally need to be on a smaller bike, which makes the rock garden sections that much more entertaining:)<br /><br />So far my race calender has more Enduro races than DH not because that is what I am looking for but the fact is in one years time the promoter emphasis has shifted that direction. I am not surprised & I even expected it. For this year I built up new Transition bikes & changed my training early on to prepare for the year of the Enduro.<br /><br />What I am saying is even though I had a great year racing DH last year & am fully looking forward to crushing that as well, I am having fun cross-training racing all these various events, & hope to be competitive in the diverse Enduro races also. I encourage you to get out there & race for the fun of it. It doesn't matter what you look like or how you do. It is good for you & Grassroots Cycles to support the biking community.<br /><br />Who knows you might just have a great time too.<br />Eric LandisGrassroots Cycleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06437137241046684560noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4564749765370945624.post-50036111855158385012012-04-08T23:15:00.002-06:002012-04-08T23:27:17.442-06:00Air Supply Day 1 2012Prepping the Ranch for the season and events to come. Big shout out to the crew from the RFV coming to lend a hand. Always good to see you guys! Got some Gunnison love today as well. It's all coming together and with as much help as he can gather, James Flatten will get her built and dialed just in time for the Pro's to take it on (oh ya, we can play too). We finished enough of Air Supply today to put some runs together besides the first and last features. Heres a lil vid of the best way I can think of spending a Sunday evening.<div><object width="500" height="281"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><param name="movie" value="http://www.pinkbike.com/v/251018/l/"><embed src="http://www.pinkbike.com/v/251018/l/" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="500" height="281" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always"></embed></object><p><a href="http://www.pinkbike.com/video/251018/">Air Supply 2012</a> on <a href="http://www.pinkbike.com">pinkbike.com</a></p></div><div><br /></div>Grassroots Cycleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06437137241046684560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4564749765370945624.post-79570147500862163482012-03-22T22:40:00.002-06:002012-03-23T06:51:54.853-06:00Ranch Season 2012Its that time of year when the Grassroots Crew starts whackin shovels at the Ranch. Under the strict instruction of the founders we will get that place cleaned up, molded up, and dialed for the pros to come in and ride her like she needs to be ripped. <div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>One quick, nearly Strava free, hour of riding up there lifted the mountain bike spirits back to where we like um. Here is a quick teaser of the first tracks we could lay down on Fall Line.</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Lots of work ahead of us but the quick rides after make it all worth the while!</div><div><br /></div><div><object width="500" height="281"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><param name="movie" value="http://www.pinkbike.com/v/247837/l/"><embed src="http://www.pinkbike.com/v/247837/l/" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="500" height="281" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always"></embed></object><p><a href="http://www.pinkbike.com/video/247837/">Ranch Season Day 1 2012</a> on <a href="http://www.pinkbike.com/">pinkbike.com</a></p></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Grassroots Cycleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06437137241046684560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4564749765370945624.post-73804654167614244922012-03-22T09:20:00.003-06:002012-03-22T09:28:20.148-06:00This was the second ride on my XL Bandit 29. The bike is amazing and the weather was better. I think its supposed to be winter. Oh well, Im not complaining. Here is a little video Kellen Tanner put together of our Saturday ride on Mary's and Horsethief with Andy and Johno. <div><br /></div><div> Keep in mind this was PRE - Strava. Haha</div><div><br /></div><div><iframe width="640" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/wIgUSXXfu-w" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><br /></div>Grassroots Cycleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06437137241046684560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4564749765370945624.post-52774231209956835602012-03-19T12:17:00.006-06:002012-03-19T12:52:53.608-06:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghlpvPvtrGWBcgQwdTruv6XbMioE2UzwtQZjX3si1EtXVe0xTAM3N8lOOL2Sr0eu8WaoXDJVdfOQ67jIei0b7CRMWURSDvDz9TpyyQR4kikvAZ3Mb0Rpmce3PZ8k46jmH2McPTeYNQ0qT5/s1600/Shuttle+Trailer.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghlpvPvtrGWBcgQwdTruv6XbMioE2UzwtQZjX3si1EtXVe0xTAM3N8lOOL2Sr0eu8WaoXDJVdfOQ67jIei0b7CRMWURSDvDz9TpyyQR4kikvAZ3Mb0Rpmce3PZ8k46jmH2McPTeYNQ0qT5/s400/Shuttle+Trailer.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5721674388281982770" border="0" /></a><br />All the damages that the shuttle trailer incurred while blasting up and down Crested Butte Bike Park last fall have been fixed. I added some large plate gussets to the inside and out of the top triangular tubing junction so will never break there again! In addition to being fixed, it got a new coat of paint to match our team jerseys and shorts so we'll look extra pro when shuttling this year!<br /><br />If you're free on Friday evenings and Saturdays, come out and take some shuttle runs at the lunch loops with the Roots Riders. If you are from out of town and looking to get a some good shuttle runs in, just give Grassroots Cycles a call and they'll haul you and your buddies up above 7000' for some epic rides any day of the week!<br /><br />Tips are always welcome!<br /><br />~Peter KnepperGrassroots Cycleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06437137241046684560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4564749765370945624.post-88275920845328701862012-02-19T18:36:00.000-07:002012-02-19T18:37:06.038-07:00DJ Brandt and kyle rosencrans bike check<a href="http://www.plussizebmx.com/blog/2012/2/19/kyle-dj-co-bike-check.html">http://www.plussizebmx.com/blog/2012/2/19/kyle-dj-co-bike-check.html</a>Grassroots Cycleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06437137241046684560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4564749765370945624.post-6089755081804775742012-02-19T16:40:00.001-07:002012-02-19T16:46:26.952-07:00<div>Here's a link to the new Vimeo account for Grassroots. If anyone wants to load anything ask Matt for more info!</div><div><br /></div><a href="http://vimeo.com/37071509">http://vimeo.com/37071509</a>Grassroots Cycleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06437137241046684560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4564749765370945624.post-80363599853921641732012-02-07T22:40:00.013-07:002012-02-08T01:18:03.583-07:00Another New Bandit! Full Review!<span style="font-size:85%;"> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: arial;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_9cjOIUv-WgEST_RZqEcL7yYvoFb5YCM5VhQPGPTRWCVISDF1xFFpDDS0CXzvOfRfbENjg3N_gGaRwl75_PZQQHWhC8yFCwvQQbjem9Embir8HFIsmM6Rzrv_idR4V2Qp3nQf02MDZ98y/s1600/423599_10100158741288213_23212222_42893790_76441616_n.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_9cjOIUv-WgEST_RZqEcL7yYvoFb5YCM5VhQPGPTRWCVISDF1xFFpDDS0CXzvOfRfbENjg3N_gGaRwl75_PZQQHWhC8yFCwvQQbjem9Embir8HFIsmM6Rzrv_idR4V2Qp3nQf02MDZ98y/s400/423599_10100158741288213_23212222_42893790_76441616_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706671468735354514" border="0" /></a> </span><div style="text-align: left; font-family: arial;"><!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:"Times New Roman"; panose-1:0 2 2 6 3 5 4 5 2 3; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:50331648 0 0 0 1 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-parent:""; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --><span style="font-size:85%;">To begin, I've never "blogged" about anything… I’m only doing this because I see the need to put this on the net for others. I don’t twitter, update my facebook status hourly, or flikr a photo diary… I simply want to put this info out there for people like me who want to know about the Transition Bandit.</span></div><p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">I recently spent several hours researching about my potential next purchase; a 2012 Transition Bandit (26”). I couldn’t find much aside from what has been copy/pasted from Transition’s website… Yay… Super helpful… Looking for anything I could on the Bandit, I found/rode a demo Transition Covert from Grassroots Cycles. They’re “close” in design and I felt it would be a good comparison. It was good, but a tiny bit sluggish on climbs and wasn’t what I was looking for. It’d be good for an all-mountain bike, but I already had one of those and wasn’t enjoying it. I want to be able to do the 40-mile XC rides with occasional 4-5’ drops, and challenge myself on super technical climbs... It’s a pretty specific bike I was after. After a bit of dialogue I was assured by the Grassroots Cycles guys that the Bandit would be perfect. Having worked in a few bike shops as a mechanic for 16 years I've owned and ridden a lot of designs (my notables are several FSR bikes, a variety of Trek's ABP bikes, VPP bikes, and a plethora of single pivot bikes). I know my sh*t… I literally plot out suspension and axle-paths on my computer. I’m very weary of single pivot bikes because it comes down to main pivot location and shock/leverage placement. Blah, blah, blah… the thing about single pivot bikes is they can either ride really bad, or really good. Needless to say I was skeptical, but hopeful enough to order one. The verdict: the Bandit works!<br /></span></p><p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZg_zWy-D4QggDRtaRIMO70TuXnDIBNwSf4ywpDNHucVDFpO4HHJjPeoGEm34xCVjOYUfa0HqWCNX20V3ew3p12nJxJPNlTaPTSu4pNI9n2cDwcTWyLDFBPiN9x2hBN2Elas8hegV117JT/s1600/IMG_1527.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZg_zWy-D4QggDRtaRIMO70TuXnDIBNwSf4ywpDNHucVDFpO4HHJjPeoGEm34xCVjOYUfa0HqWCNX20V3ew3p12nJxJPNlTaPTSu4pNI9n2cDwcTWyLDFBPiN9x2hBN2Elas8hegV117JT/s400/IMG_1527.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706671710300997778" border="0" /></a></span></p><p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">It’s one of the most playful trail bikes I’ve ever been on! It's a 5" bike, but with a 142/12mm rear and some fancy engineering the stiffness almost compensates for the lack of travel. It's no doubt a XC bike, but it feels super solid on bigger hits. It's not an “All Mountain” bike... It just feels like a nimble 5" bike that can take a beating. If you hit a big drop you feel it, but you don't feel like it was a bad idea. It's different. My last bike was a beastly heifer that once I got to the top was easy to descend... The Bandit is fun to climb (especially the tough moves), but yet descends super stable.</span></p><p style="text-align: right; font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></p><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:"Times New Roman"; panose-1:0 2 2 6 3 5 4 5 2 3; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:50331648 0 0 0 1 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-parent:""; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">I’ve only logged about 60 miles so far. It’s not the most through test, but it’s what I can offer in my two weeks of owning ‘er. I’ve done all of the Grand Junction Lunch Loops (first photo and my local trails), Gooseberry Mesa (second photo), and Bootleg Canyon (third photo). I’ve gotta say I’m totally in love with this bike. A yardstick I use is if after an hour into a ride if you’re riding a wheely for no reason, it’s a fun bike. After 2.5 hours of riding Gooseberry Mesa<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglFBvawB4NpeQgmtiWUlJojnVa5KVliO3cOODouf7MT8IsZsVJ-v7RmOWhEtxp_TxbfWCEOw6c-NtpjCjBIVvknW93cUHz9PPN4ngfjwAwOPEzYLIxWg-k1deqJd9lVvb2YAQTfFXKo2kH/s1600/IMG_1533.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglFBvawB4NpeQgmtiWUlJojnVa5KVliO3cOODouf7MT8IsZsVJ-v7RmOWhEtxp_TxbfWCEOw6c-NtpjCjBIVvknW93cUHz9PPN4ngfjwAwOPEzYLIxWg-k1deqJd9lVvb2YAQTfFXKo2kH/s400/IMG_1533.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706672999833337266" border="0" /></a> I was riding wheelies and playing around on the rock walls! For me, it may be the best bike I’ve ever owned (for ultra-aggressive XC). If you want a 22 pound bike to do a 100 mile day it’s not for you. If you want to bomb some XC and race SuperD, buy one. I really hope this helped you if you’re looking into a Bandit 26. It's not for everyone, but it's for me!!!<br /></span></p><p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"> Enjoy!<br /></span></p><p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">Mike<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> </div></div>Grassroots Cycleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06437137241046684560noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4564749765370945624.post-69837431285583619832012-02-06T13:58:00.005-07:002012-02-06T14:03:16.574-07:00Eric & Porter Made the Transition Blog!Must have been a slow news day at Transition but the video of Porter & I out on some single track made the Transition Blog. I had so much fun with Porter on this ride with him behind me on a tag along bike. I could not go fast enough for him he loved it. We went up & down very fast & he never fell off:) Even hit some jumps at the end!<br /><br /><a href="http://transitionbikes.com/Blog_CommentsView.cfm?B=1289"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 250px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhArhDTSs6glGi_1v3COplxtJ4163_3LLg6JcXdZn0ElQX6DCWXq-dWZoVNJM1LyvbcXsgQmRJkfln315n5L-sA9ngzHVF9ufQntd5qFkcX55YdBiooK62u0mQ4Hk6THTUo8HcXYckGzs6O/s400/Eric+and+Porter+Transition+Blog.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706130185412662322" border="0" /></a>Eric LandisGrassroots Cycleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06437137241046684560noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4564749765370945624.post-71985036765790566882012-02-04T19:43:00.004-07:002012-02-04T22:02:21.373-07:00Kona Satori review<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5gxY0D_GifUAHsxArIojaOslTnYjzKkz9vDthUT3_r4yXB4O-xeYuJynJMq-5plQtcIJorY05Qi4DnJFEdK9NX9aEszKZH0X3BgkKtawdhiX6nAVLVcj485EFlNJi1BxgFdf_ZE0vFS_K/s1600/2012-02-04_12-40-57_893.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5gxY0D_GifUAHsxArIojaOslTnYjzKkz9vDthUT3_r4yXB4O-xeYuJynJMq-5plQtcIJorY05Qi4DnJFEdK9NX9aEszKZH0X3BgkKtawdhiX6nAVLVcj485EFlNJi1BxgFdf_ZE0vFS_K/s320/2012-02-04_12-40-57_893.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705490587888899954" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd6s5UIWrAVpVJakDyEC3u9fV-f5UdVVYT-qkEmj1SiaEU9x3bXI0JuTiZ8ifMraXYY_nNLb9KhsbY5Ogb-QsoU83z0NYejUYxhiFlfN-ELH7SDDfGGYIrx0DmoCsQd7qgCokxHGTRkDcR/s1600/IMG_1112.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd6s5UIWrAVpVJakDyEC3u9fV-f5UdVVYT-qkEmj1SiaEU9x3bXI0JuTiZ8ifMraXYY_nNLb9KhsbY5Ogb-QsoU83z0NYejUYxhiFlfN-ELH7SDDfGGYIrx0DmoCsQd7qgCokxHGTRkDcR/s320/IMG_1112.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705476907403962162" /></a><br />Kona came out with a couple new bikes this year that have really caught my eye and peaked my interest. One of which is the new 130mm travel Satori. I have been riding this bike for about 2 months now, and here is my review.<br /><br />The Satori has a swing link 4 bar design, that allows the rear triangle to be relatively short (17.3 inch chainstays). This is important because a short rear end makes the bike much easier to manual, bunnyhop, and accelerate hard out of corners. It has a tapered headtube and 142x12mm rear axle to increase overall stiffness. A 68 degree head tube angle makes high speeds and steeps more manageable than your typical trail bike. An extremely important feature to me is the 13.3 inch high bottom bracket. This greatly lowers your overall center of gravity and helps the bike to rail corners extra hard, and feels like you can pop or bunnyhop higher as well.<br /><br />It comes pretty well equipped for the price with a sram x-7 2x10 build up, a rp2 shock, and a monarch RLT fork. The highlights include a "real" 7inch front rotor with Elixir 5 brakes, and a Maxxis Ardent 2.4 front and 2.25 rear tire combo (my personal favorite for a 29er tire) and ISCG 05 tabs so you can run a proper chain guide. Kona says it wieghs about 30 pounds.<br /><br />I immediately added a 60mm 0 rise stem and a 31 inch low rise handlebar. I feel the big wheel and big fork often raise the 29er front too high to properly weight the front end for aggressive cornering, so I lower the bars as much as possible with the stem and spacers. I also added a much needed KS dropper post. I still want to build up stronger/stiffer wheels and add a single front 36 tooth ring and a chainguide.<br /><br />I think the only 2 things worth complaining about will not affect everyone and are mostly a matter of preference. The bike has a direct mount front derailleur and the chainguide mount. It doesn' t need both, and the dual front ring and derailleur were a let down, and could not retain the chain when riding fast in the rough. The Satori also comes spec'ed with a 24 spoke Easton vice wheelset that feels mushy, and soft. They are still straight after two months of abuse, including 3-4 foot drops and plenty of double jumps, etc, but I dont think they could take much more. I am 6'04" and 190 pounds and prefer really stiff wheels.<br /><br />The bike feels like a balanced and well thought out package. The bottom bracket is really low and you might drag a pedal here and there if your not careful, but it is well worth it. The bike corners really hard and maintains speed effortlessly through the nastiest terrain. It navigates the tightest trails beautifully, and is extremely stable at speed. Brake jack was not an issue, and with a flip of the switch you can have fast firm climbing, or full, damp travel for the descent. I have been thrilled with this bike's climbing, and often clean new technical climbs I haven't been able to before. Then I drop the seat at the top and really surprise everyone with its downhill capability. I have gotten away with jumping it farther and faster than it was probably designed for. It feels much more playful than a 29er should be, and begs to brake late, and be stuffed into corners with excessive speed. Overall I am really happy with the bike. I feel I got a really good value, and a very capable trailbike. It seems that people are constantly surprised by how fast and hard these new 29ers can be ridden. It has inspired my speed and confidence so much that I think I will race a few enduro's on it this summer.<div><br /></div><div>Try one for yourself. Get stoked.</div><div>Shuman<br /><br /><br /><br /></div>Grassroots Cycleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06437137241046684560noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4564749765370945624.post-58307813408646783282012-01-29T19:09:00.002-07:002012-01-29T19:14:35.737-07:00Weekend getaway...Some pics from a covert freeride mission....<br /><img src="http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h191/noahsears/jeffgateway2.jpg"><br /><img src="http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h191/noahsears/jamesfww.jpg"><br /><img src="http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h191/noahsears/jamesjeffgateway.jpg"><br /><img src="http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h191/noahsears/jamesgateway.jpg"><br /><img src="http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h191/noahsears/Jamesww.jpg"><br /><img src="http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h191/noahsears/jamesfww2.jpg"><br /><img src="http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h191/noahsears/jeffgateway.jpg"><br /><img src="http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h191/noahsears/jamesgateway2.jpg">Grassroots Cycleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06437137241046684560noreply@blogger.com1