Hope Pro II Hub Set Review

15mm QR TA - 20mm TA Front - 10mm TA Rear

"Performance and Value All In One Set"

Wheels are one of the most important components on a mountain bike. When deciding on which wheelset to purchase for your mountain bike, you need to choose your hub set very carefully. Not all hubs are created equal and at different price points, there are a different features.

When I received the Fox Talas 140 RLC 15QR TA fork in from Fox Racing, I needed a front hub that would take care of the 15mm front axle duties. After a call into Hope Technologies, I had a set of black Hope Pro 2 hubs in ready for review.

Hope Pro II Hubs - Preview | Mountain Biking by 198

Hub Specs

Front

The all new Pro ll hub has sealed cartridge bearings and can be swapped from 20mm to QR or maverick axles with the minimum of fuss.

Weight - 180g

Rear

The all new Pro2 range of hubs include a further development of our proven ratchet mechanism. This features a one piece 7075 aluminum rotor body and pawl carrier. Four pawls engage into a twenty-four tooth steel ratchet which is fixed into the hub shell and is sealed with a frictionless, non contact labyrinth seal. The axle runs on four cartridge bearings. The hub shell is machined from a solid billet of 2014 T6 aluminum.

Weight: 295g
Bearing type: Cartridge (5 off)
Hub Body: 2014 T6 aluminum
Cassette body: Aluminum
Ratchet type: 4 pawl (24 point engagement)

Hope also has these hubs available in several different colors, so get with your LBS on which set will best fit your needs.

Wheel Build

For a proper review of the Hope Pro 2 hubs, I knew I had to have a solid, bulletproof wheel build that would not distract from the Hope Pro 2's performance. For the build, I went to John Kovachi at Kovachi Wheels. John has been around since the infant stages of mountain biking and he is a true legend in the sport. It used to be just him and Mavic at all of the national events for wheels, so I knew the build would be rock solid.

For the rims, we turned to NoTubes.com and the ZTR Flow set. This wide profile rim can be run tubeless or tubed but area also light enough (470g) for most uses.

Riding Conditions

Forks Used

• Fox Talas 140 RLC 15QR TA
• (2) Rock Shox Pike 454 Coil U-Turn

Bikes Used

• Mountain Cycle Fury 5.5" Travel
• Mountain Cycle Rumble Hardtail
• Ibis Mojo 5.5" Travel

Trail Types

• Cross Country Epic
• Light Freeride
• BMX Track
• Technical Singletrack

Setups

• 15mm TA Front
• 20mm TA Front
• 10mm TA Rear w/Hadley 10mm thru axle

Installing the Wheels - Hope Pro 2 Hubs

The Hope Pro 2's have one of the most secure and easy to install end cap systems for their front hub on the market. For the purposes of this review, I had to use every set that came with the hubs. The QR and 15mm end caps are a press fit that is secured by a large o-ring. This large o-ring rests against the inside of the hub body for a secure fit.

The 20mm end caps on the Hope Pro 2 front hub are secured with a metal expanding ring. Once the 20mm TA end caps are in place, they will not come out unless this ring is removed.

Installation of the 10mm thru axle rear hub was also a breeze thanks to the 10mm TA from Hadley Racing. This allowed me to get the extra stiffness of a rear thru axle with conventional rear dropouts.

Anytime I get the chance, I will run thru axles on my rides. The added benefit and ease of mind they bring over the conventional quick release is a huge bonus. As thru axles become more popular, you will start to see them on even more of the trails in your area. Companies, like Hope, that make these swap outs easy provide a huge selling advantage by adapting to many applications.

Engagement

The Hope Pro 2 rear hub is a 24 point engagement, 4 pawl drive mechanism. This engagement is similar to what you will find out of DT Swiss, Ellsworth, lower line Hadley and Mavic wheelsets. While it is not a fast drive (Hadley, Industry Nine, Chris King), it is what I would expect to find at this price level.

The 4 pawls of the the Hope Pro 2 drive mechanism provide a solid engagement contact with the hub body. The wide pawls and increased surface area of 4 pawls instead of 3 provide a long lasting drive that is durable and predictable. One downside to this drive is the amount of noise it emits on the trail. Many riders may find this actually a selling point, but I tend to prefer a quieter sound out of my rear hubs.

On the 10mm TA rear, the axle is removed by releasing the press fit cap for easy re-greasing and maintenance (or review pictures like the ones above).

Hub Body on the Hope Pro 2

The 2014 T6 aluminum hub body on the Hope Pro 2 hub set is durable, light and pleasing to the eye. A subtle white Hope logo graces the center of the hub while a gold aluminum cassette body really sets things off in the rear. Hope has a multitude of colors to choose from so that you can match these hubs to your ride.

The aluminum cassette body on the Hope Pro 2 rear hub can be prone to slight gauging. I have found that this happens on most aluminum hub bodies with multi-pieces cassettes installed (Shimano XTR in this case). I use a stainless steel body on my Chris King for this very reason. I would recommend using a cassette with as few "sections" as possible to try to prevent this.

On The Trail with the Hope Pro 2 Hubs

John at Kovachi Wheels really out did himself on this wheelset. It was incredible stiff and is still running perfectly true...even after all of the abuse. This allowed me to really concentrate on how the hubs were reacting with me, the bikes and the trail.

The first thing you notice with the Hope Pro 2 hubs is the sound of the four pawls against the ring while free wheeling. This hub is loud! A lot of riders really like the sound of the Hope Pro 2 so it is entirely a personal preference. I like the sound at times, but overall...I like to have a quieter set of hubs on my rides. You might even turn a couple of heads as you pass other riders on the trail.

The 24 point engagement is descent, but if you are used to higher engagement hubs...you are going to miss that. The Hope's...out of all of the other hubs around 24 points...have the strongest, solid feeling engagement. You really feel like you can hammer the pawls into the teeth of the ring. It is hard to describe...but try a set and you will see. It is almost like they lock in.

There is no noticeable bearing or engagement drag out of the Hope Pro 2 hubs and when left in the stand...they will spin for a long time. With some higher drag hubs, you can feel like you are pedaling in sand, but there was no issue on the trail with the Hope's.

What Are My Final Thoughts On The Hope Pro 2 Hubs?

THE GOOD - HOPE PRO 2 HUBS

• Incredible Value - The price of these hubs in comparison with everything else on the market is fantastic. You can easily find a quality wheelset in the 500 and under range with the hubs themselves retailing for around 75 and 180 for the front and rear. That is hard to beat for a set of high quality hubs.
• Durable - The bearings, pawls and ring are all very durable and can withstand a lot of abuse. As an added bonus, they are also very easy to service.
• Stiff Wheel Build - When in the right hands, the Hope Pro 2 hubs will provide a very stiff and strong wheel build.
• Interchangeable Front Hub - You can change the Hope Pro 2 front hub from QR, 15mm TA and 20mm TA easily and quickly. With slight modifications to the QR end caps, you can even make it work for a DT Swiss RWS.
• Color Options - Everyone likes options....
• Hope Support - As with any Hope product, you get incredible online and phone support. Hope is one of the only bike component manufacturers that actually has a full video library to help you service their products.

THE BAD - HOPE PRO 2 HUBS

• Engagement - 24 point engagement is still average to below average. These hubs would be an absolute steal with a faster engagement drive.
• Loud - The rear drive is so loud that you won't run into any deer!
• Grooving On The Cassette Body - I did experience slight grooving on the cassette body.

If you are looking for a midpriced hub set for your first high quality wheelbuild, put the Hope Pro 2 hubs on the top of that short list of possibilities. When you combine the performance with the price...they are very hard to beat.

Where Can I Buy The Hope Pro 2 Hubs?

HOPE PRO 2 DISC HUBS Price: 75.00

HOPE PRO 2 DISC FRONT HUB Price: 91.50

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• Hope Pro II Hubs - Preview

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Broken Bones - The Dark Side...

The darker side of mountain biking: injuries.

An often discouraging topic associated with any extreme sport is injuries.  However, they do not have to be discouraging but little lessons that we can use to better ourselves and educate others wanting to conquer the mountains as well.  No better way to learn than make a few mistakes and experience some mishaps.

A common injury experience while mountain biking is the collarbone snap action.  Many of us have felt it, known it, and learned from it.  Here is my story..

When I first got into mountain biking I was stoked, excited, and fearful of a bit of the challenges I was faced with.  I mean let's face it, its an extreme sport no matter how experience you are.  I broke my collarbone while mountain biking a few years back, an injury not so out of the ordinary, really, as far as mountain bike injuries.

Typically a mountain biker breaks his collarbone this way.  John MountainBiker encounters a rock, stump or other obstacle.  John MountainBiker's front wheel stops abruptly and John is no longer in control of his motion.  Physics take control of John and he is launched forward -- Wheeeeeeee! -- over the handle bars John goes.  And now that John is no longer riding, but falling, a close friend of John reaches out to assist and break the fall, his hand.  Hand meet ground, an unhappy introduction at this point.  Impact travels up John's wrist, through his forearm and into his shoulder.  Pop goes the weasel John, whereupon Snap!  John now has a broken collarbone.

The collarbone, see, is a spindly wisp of a bone maybe as thick as a popsicle stick but nowhere near as flexible.  The body's most implausibly designed bone, sole purpose, aside from breaking and causing severe pain, is to connect John MountainBiker's shoulder blade to his shoulder.  Collarbones only need about ten foot-pounds of pressure to break, essentially the same amount of force it takes to snap a plastic spoon.

So for six to eight weeks with this inflamed region in the land between my neck and shoulder became known as the House of Pain.  It seriously was the house that Pain had built within me!  Basketball players break collarbones, too.  Just examine any team photo and there you will see a broken one.  It sticks out in the photograph by a bump on the shoulder that doctors call "beaks" squeaking out a plaintive little tale of woe and agony.  Break your collarbone and that little beak squeals in your ear for weeks.

There are three wonderful ways to avoid breaking your collarbone:  do not ride anything, break the habit of breaking your own falls or simply never leave the comfort and safety of your home.

I broke my collarbone the easy way:  a crash called an "endo."  I was attempting a drop from a ledge down the trail.  I would say I dropped about 120 feet.  Many others have dropped thousands of feet with no injury, so why me?

To execute drops correctly, skilled mountain bikers jerk their bike's front wheel up, take a hard pedal stroke, then hoist the bike skyward by flexing their knees and pulling up with their feet.  When they land, they make sure they land rear wheel first.

Except for none of the above, I did pretty much everything right, right?

First, I dribbled over the ledge angled downward.  Next, slinky-down-the-stairs style, my back wheel looped up over the front.  My feet flew up, shoulders down, and in an instant I was one hundredth of my way into a somersault rudely interrupted by my shoulder meeting the ground.

The impact took more than my breath away.  Literally at first, then more so as time elapsed.

"Under no circumstances, do not," the emergency room doctor began saying, "do not, allow the pain to outpace the pain killer."  You see, pain assisting medication have a duration in which they work or set in.  So if you wait for pain, you are screwed.  Boy was that doctor correct.

My abiding memory of the fall is comprised of numerous distinct moments.  First, how free and easy I felt on the ledge's height.  Next, how self-assured I was and finally, how exuberant.  On last move and champ goes home!

Then the fall occurs.

Sudden, abrupt, thorough, unexpected.  I felt like I had been thrown towards the ground by a pissed off elephant and if that wasn't enough the elephant pummeled me with his feet.

Ledge?  Wooooo! Ahh.... No, No, front wheel is dropping.. no!  "Danger Will Robinson!" Here comes... no.. no.. ground.. $*%&    #!@% *!&# OUCH!

Injuries are discouraging when they hold us back from doing what we love doing.  Some injuries, say stress fractures from running (been there too.. stupid shoes), arise from over doing it.  Others, like knee injuries from too-fast hikes down the mountains, creep in as age shadows youth.

Mountain bike injuries, however, do not require overuse or much of anything else.  They require nothing but natural environments:  ground, body, and physics.

What is worse, they always try to teach us some lesson.

And therein lies the initial turn of the vicious circle.  Got hurt riding because you fell?

Good!  Because after you heal, now you can go out and learn the skill whose lack of mastering caused that fall and broke the bone that lead to your miserable trip to the hospital.

Fail to keep both your pedals level on a downhill ride, for example.  A classic goof.  With your weight loaded on the one foot (the lower one), one hard jolt from a root, rock, stump, log or various other unknown obstacle and, "see ya Freddy!"  Over the handlebars you go, smack into the rock hard ground.

Neglecting to shift weight to your outside foot when cornering, which otherwise passed your ear tire firmly onto the terrain of the rails.  Weight the inside foot and soon you experience the thrill of feeling your inside leg getting shredded down to a bloody shank as the bike slides out from beneath you.  This little maneuver, known as a "road-pizza" fall, leave your leg resembling a calzone oozing sauce and pepperoni.

Finally, the afternoon you fail to deploy your front brake with that requisite combination of authority and skill.  In the books they tell you to deploy your front brake with authority.  The front brake contains more stopping power and is your ultimate stop friend.

Modulation, oscillation, whatever you decide to call it.

The descent was steep, I squeezed my front brake lever authoritatively, as I was supposed to do, educated to do or instructed to do.  But what I had neglected to learn was that you are also supposed to slide your body backward, so that your rear lies behind the saddle.  Back there your butt weighs the rear of the bike down, handily counteracting inertia as you hurtle forward and your forward brake, biting the front rim with authority, slows you down.

Yeah, my bike definitely slowed down!

Once again, "see ya Freddy"  Over the handlebars, met with the lovely face of ground!

Athletes tend to assume all sorts of psychological poses as they recover from the injuries that keep them from their toys.  Some choose to quit the pursuit that walloped.  Others consider exercising great restraint once they heal.

It's geeks like us, however, the dolts, who go back out after they heal to learn the skills that could have prevented the crash that broke the bone we wish was still naturally in tact.

Let's examine.. so far I have broken two ribs, torn my right-knee's ACL twice, had three knee surgeries, sprained a thumb, snapped a pinky, broken a wrist, both my ankles busted, cracked my ulna, broke the collarbone, dislocated a shoulder, lost four two teeth, broken my jaw, and nearly lost an eyeball, while experiencing the pain from bursal sacks the size of grapefruits swell up on my hips from biking injuries.

Each injury, each mishap, each mistake per se has educated me, more so, inspired me to learn the skill that would have prevented the injury.  This is an inoculation of a decidedly after-the-fact sort peculiar to mountain biking.  Problem is, you never know which lesson the trail has in store for you next time you go out.

So if you are an adherent of crash sports -- skiing, snowboarding, trail running, and form of whitewater lunacy -- consider this just one guy's definition of hotshot skill:  the best are those who return home only a little more hanged up than how they left the house early that morning.  Ending the day with as many intact bones and body parts as you were born with means you are no longer learning..  There is no harm in it, really, I promise!

Of course, if all this seems like too much work, you can always try sea kayaking, thrills, risks, and adventure of a far different sort.  Every sport has their risks associated with them.. which are you willing to take.

We encourage good safety and well-being, so guy buy some protective gear and not be lazy.  You are a mountain biking dork regardless, so do it up in style.

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• How To Become A Better Mountain Biker - Part 3
• How To Become A Better Mountain Biker - Part 2

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Submit Your Trail

and WIN a Mountain Cycle Fury

Or Other Great Prizes

November 18, 2008 - December 23, 2008

That's right! The time has come. Mountain Biking by 198 is giving away a Mountain Cycle Fury 5.5" travel frame in the winner's size! This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to win a $1,000 frame just for doing what you love to already...talk about your favorite trail!

How Do I Enter This Contest?

Thankfully, Justin Shattuck over at JusttheWeb.com made this whole process incredibly easy for us. Just follow the link below and fill out the form.  You can do everything from this simple page!

Mountain Biking by 198 Trail Review Contest Submission Form

What Are The Rules?

The format is pretty simple. Submit your favorite trail review! Please pay close attention to the rules so you qualify.

• Must be 800 words or more. Most of us can go on for much longer than this about our favorite rides.
• Must include detailed directions to the location of the trail head - We have to let others know how to get there!
• Must rate the difficulty of the trail.
• Must have at least 2 pictures of the trail or riders on the trail (a picture of the trail head would be preferable).
• Contest runs from November 18, 2008 until December 23, 2008 and the winner will be announced on December 27, 2008.
• Contest is open to EVERYBODY...yes...that includes you guys overseas!
• Prize winners will be picked by a panel of judges.

Bonuses - The more pictures, video, descriptions, directions, etc. that you have the better. Really make your trail review stand out from the crowd. Remember this is a contest! You want your trail review to be the best out of the submissions so the more quality you add...the better! GPS overlays, GPS coordinates of the trail head, riding shots, etc. all make the review more attractive.

Mountain Biking by 198 Trail Review Contest Submission Form

What Do I Win?

1st Place - Mountain Cycle Fury 5.5" Travel Frame

This incredible 5.5" travel, single pivot frame from Mountain Cycle will be shipped...to your doorstep...in your size! It can't get much better than that! It is time to have this $1,000 frame FOR FREE!

Winner receives frame in specified size and rear shock only. Because of this incredible prize...you will be added to a Mountain Cycle Newsletter that you can opt out of at any time. They are great guys over there and they carry the same great privacy policies that we do on MTB by 198.

2nd Place - Mountain Biker's Essential Pack

UltraRob has chipped in an provided us with an incredible second place prize. What is included in this second place offering? Take a look below for this incredible Mountain Bikers Essential Pack!

• CamelBak Rouge 70 oz Hydration Pack
• Crank Bros Multi 19 Tool
• Hammer Gel 26 Serving Jug (Choice of Flavor)
• Hammer Gel Flask
• Hammer Nutrition HEED Drink 32 Servings (Choice of Flavor)
• Large Hammer Nutrition Water Bottle

Huge thanks goes out to Rob @ Ultrarob.com for putting together this pack. Check out his site for some great content and even more great deals on the mountain biking products that you want and need!

3rd Place - Clix Wheel Release System

These are not available in stores! The Clix Wheel Release System makes mounting your front tire easier than ever! For more information...check out this post on Mountain Biking by 198.

Clix QR Wheel Release System - Tested and Reviewed

So there you have it! Some great prizes for a great contest. Get to writing your reviews!

Mountain Biking by 198 Trail Review Contest Submission Form

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How To Become A Better Mountain Biker

Part 4 - Miles...Miles...and More Miles...

"Has Anyone Seen My Legs?"

Welcome to Part 4 of the 6 part series on "How To Become A Better Mountain Biker". These are tips and tricks that I have used over the years to become a better rider. You may find all or some of these useful, but I can guarantee you that every single one of these tips worked and still work to this day. These should help every rider...from the beginner to the seasoned veteran. If your goal is to become a better rider...read on and keep the rubber side down!

In case you missed it...take a look at the previous articles in the series.

• Part 1 - Ride Different Trails
• Part 2 - Sessioning
• Part 3 - Diversify

MILES...MILES...AND MORE MILES...

Part 4 of "How To Become A Better Mountain Biker" is an obvious one. You can not expect to be better at any discipline of cycling if you do not log some serious miles. A reoccurring theme throughout this series has been that "practice makes perfect", so logically...getting a lot of miles under your belt is essential to honing in your mountain biking skills. So now it is time...whether it is a lot of short mileage rides or several long mileage rides...to start racking up the mile count and become a better mountain biker!

What Are We Looking To Accomplish With More Miles?

1. Endurance - This is a pretty logical conclusion. As you put in more miles, your endurance will increase with time and pedal strokes. Hopefully, you build up a great endurance base that, as a rider, you can build on. This does require regular riding and can be lost with increased time out of the saddle. The good news is that you can get back endurance quicker than you lose it, as long as you don't wait too long.
2. Experience - With more saddle time comes more riding experience. With this experience, whether you realize it or not, your brain is recording different encounters and you are learning how to deal with different trail conditions. Ever look back on when you were younger and think, "wow...if I knew then what I knew now?" That is the exact same thing that will happen with your quest to become a better mountain biker.

How Do I Get In The Miles?

Unfortunately, many riders do not have the luxury of getting out on long weekend rides. Even worse, some riders are able to put in serious mountain rides during the week (I hate you guys!). So how does a regular Joe get in the mileage to become a better mountain biker?

• Road Miles - Yes, I said it, but it is true. Road bikes can help you become a better mountain biker. Riding a road bike will get your endurance up and improve your pedal stroke technique. The best part about road biking is the ability to leave from your garage and get a serious amount of miles in a short period of time. For those of you with family obligations, this will be a very attractive alternative to improve your mountain biking skills. The bad part (or good depending on how you look at it)...you have to buy another bike and more gear.
• More Rides At Shorter Distances - If time is a constraint, try to get in as many rides as possible...even if they are shorter in distance. On the shorter rides, try to keep your heart rate up for longer periods of time. Basically...give yourself a lot less rests. Think of these rides as conditioning bursts that are probably better off done alone. Less talking equals more riding your mountain bike.
• Get In On a LONG Ride - Do you have friends that are doing an epic this weekend? It is time to tag along and see if the legs can handle the abuse. For this ride, bring plenty of nutrition and water...even a little bit more than you think you really need. It is always better to have a little too much than not enough. Pay close attention to pacing yourself throughout the ride so you don't blow it in the first couple of miles. If you are already conditioned to 20+ mile rides...start pushing that envelope...30+ to 40+ to 50+.

Increasing mileage helps with all riding styles as it builds up endurance and experience for different muscle groups to help you become a better mountain biker. Mileage and saddle time will always be your friend! Any rider...from world cup downhill racer to weekend warrior cross country rider...will agree...putting in the miles makes you a become a better mountain biker.

Next on the chopping block for the series is Cross Training...so make sure you don't miss it by subscribing to the RSS Feed or get articles sent straight to your inbox!

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Weekend Wrenching - Bike Maintenance

Setting Up Your Workspace

"Your Home Away From Home"

This week is the start of something new. I have preached for a long time now about doing your own bike maintenance and tuning without any real direction given. Now...on weekends...you will see articles titled "Weekend Wrenching" that is going to include bike maintenance tips and videos. To stay up-to-date with all of these bike maintenance tips, subscribe to the rss feed or have posts sent directly to your email. Are you a shop or rider who would like to have their maintenance tips or video posted on MTB by 198? Contact me and we will get you involved!

Setting Up Your Workspace

As with any home project, an organized workspace is vital for successful weekend wrenching sessions and general bike maintenance. It is also your first step on the way to being bike self sufficient. Can you imagine the day that you are able to do all of your bike maintenance and tuning on your own? Maybe you already do...or maybe that seems impossible, but with a proper workspace...you are on your way to becoming that wrench you always wanted to be.

The honest truth...not everyone has mechanical ability. That is ok. For most of your bike maintenance needs, only a basic ability to operate normal tools is required. In your house or garage, you need a place to store and organize these tools. On top of that, you need an area that is easy to work in.

Why Do I Need A Specific Bike Maintenance Area?

Bikes...for the most part...are clumsy to work on. You have to remove wheels and components that the bike requires to stand upright. You will also have specialized tools and stands that take up some room. With a dedicated area to work on bikes (that might mean moving the car out of the garage while you are working), you will be much more successful in your attempts to work on your bike correctly.

You also need an area to store these specialized tools where they are safe and easily accessible. A lot of bike maintenance requires you to have multiple tools at your disposal at once, so the easier it is to reach the tools you need...the better.

Ideally, you need to have enough square footage for a bike stand, a stool/chair and a flat work bench/table. For most of your tuning and inspections, the bike will be in the stand. This allows you to access all areas of the bike easily, and you can do most of it seated for greater comfort.

What If I Want A Full Out Bike Shop?

So you have the room and money to really do it right...

Take a trip to your local bike shop and see how they have their bike maintenance area set up. Here are some "add-ons" that you might see and want to incorporate into your bike maintenance area.

• Marble Slab - For cleaning chains and other greasy components.
• Wash Tank - Again...cleaning those items that you wouldn't put in your wife's favorite kitchen sink (I have done this one...)
• Bolted Down Bike Stands - Most consumer bike stands are  portable. Some of the pro-level stands from Ultimate and Park actually bolt into the ground for increased stability.
• Peg Board Backing - Nothing keeps everything more organized and accessible than peg board!
• Air Compressor - No floor pumps here! Air and air tools at your disposal!
• Duplicates Of Most Tools - Why have one when you can have two?!

So there you have it! Find a place in your garage, basement or formal dining room to get some bike maintenance done. Once you really start to get the hang of working on your own mountain bike, you will be really glad you took this first step to mountain bike self sufficiency!

Up Next Week - The Tools That Any Biker Can't Live Without - So subscribe to the RSS Feed or have the posts delievered straight to your inbox so you don't miss out on this one!

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Mountain Biking and Conquering the Cold

While mountain biking in frosty temperatures can be exhilarating, it can also be dangerous for someone who does not take the proper precautions.  Regardless if you are going out for a casual or extreme ride, the rush is there, and it can often overpower your safety, health and well-being.

Studies have shown that biking in semi-cool weather (40 to 45 degrees F) is actually more dangerous than biking in colder weather.  Most people act with caution when it is freezing outside, but are less concerned if the weather seems modestly chilly or moderate.

Simply put, do not assume that just because it feels cool and wonderful outside now, that it will not drop below freezing and leave you stone-cold and uncomfortable on your bike.

Extreme Mountain Biking Tips

• If you decide to pursue extreme mountain biking, the first step is to learn how to interpret the weather forecast. Temperature outside is not always indicative of how it will feel.  Make sure you look at the wind chill before you suit up and roll out.  Wind is capable of dropping the mercury by more than twenty four degrees, so be sure you pay attention to the weather and forecast conditions.
• A great practice to keep your insides and outsides warm while extreme mountain biking is to fill your Camelback bag with warm drinks instead of cold ones. You could heat up some of your favorite energy drink or performance beverage in the microwave to give you a bit of warmth.  You will feel the heat in your pack against your back, as well as in your stomach.  Remember, your wrists, back, and neck are three places that need to stay warm, or you get cold quick!
• Mountain bikers that consider a more extreme mountain biking approach often neglect their fingers and toes.  Even if you are wearing insulated shoes and gloves, air can penetrate like a knife! Purchase either a chemical heater at your local drug-store or pharmacy, which will automatically warm when exposed to air.  This is a good way to ensure you do not get frost bite on those extremities.
• I would definitely recommend wearing a few layers of clothing for extreme mountain biking in the frosty cold temperatures.  You can pickup some wonderful performance items to keep you warm at a local sporting goods franchise.  At times, performance gear can get expensive.. but it is worth every penny!  First, your body which should be warm but not sweaty.  You want something that will absorb as to not have sweat against your skin (we know where that leads!)  The next layer should be insulation, thermals, sweats, etc to keep you warm.  Third and final layer could be something as simple as a wind breaker or vest to block the frosty wind chill.

Most types of mountain biking or extreme mountain biking can typically be granulized into three main styles:  downhill, free-riding, and cross country.  Even though there are many similarities between these three styles, each contains its own elements and require set of specialized skills and equipment.

We want you to be safe, we want you to have fun, but you definitely need to be informed.  We have many articles about bike safety, picking a bike, and other component reviews that can help you get on your way!  Bike on!

Article by Justin Shattuck

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2009 Avid Elixir CR Disc Brake Update

Now that installation is complete and the first of many rides are done...it is time for an update on the Avid Elixir CR hydraulic disc brakes. I installed the 185mm rotors for the Avid Elixir CR's on my Ventana El Terremoto 6.0. The Terremoto is a 6" travel bike with the Rock Shox Lyrik Coil U-Turn and Cane Creek Double Barrel installed. This bike sees everything from shuttle runs to cross country epics, so it will be the perfect test mule.

Installation of the Avid Elixir CR Brakes

Installation of the new Avid Elixir CR brakes was a breeze. To my surprise, I did not have to cut the lines, so opening the Avid Bleed Kit at this point was unnecessary. Post mount disc brakes, like the Avid Elixir CR, are incredibly easy to install and adjust.

3 Easy Step To Disc Brake Adjustment

1. Spin the wheel.
2. Apply and hold the brake.
3. Tighten the bolts.

After that...you are off and running. For the installation of the Avid Elixir CR levers and my SRAM X.0 trigger shifters, I turned to the SRAM Matchmakers that SRAM sent in the kit. The SRAM trigger shifters have two mounting holes for inboard and outboard placement. I installed the Matchmaker mounting system to the inner most mounting hole to get the X.0 triggers as far towards the inside of the bars as possible. I like to have my shifting just out of reach so they do not contact my thumb during regular riding.

As you can see by the picture in the gallery below, the Matchmakers with the Avid Elixir CR lever and SRAM X.0 shifter makes for a very clean and painless install. Avid's two bolt mounting solution for the Avid Elixir CR (like they use on all of their brake levers) makes for easy adjustment and take off without having to mess with the grips. Just about every manufacturer has made a move to this solution as of 2009.

During installation of the Avid Elixir CR brakes, you can also easily adjust the red banjo fitting on the brake caliper to line up the brake line with the frame. This is a great feature that I have not touched yet.

Adjusting the Avid Elixir CR Brakes

After the brakes were installed and the calipers were adjusted, I turned my focused to the levers for the first ever tool-free reach and pad contact adjustments. Reach adjustment on the Avid Elixir CR levers is controlled by the black knob located nearest to the lever body. With a simple twist, you can adjust your lever reach in and out without affecting the overall braking feel. The knob is somewhat difficult to turn by hand, but it is much easier than having to get out the Allen wrench every time. I also used this adjustment on the trail to fit my needs. This is a huge selling point of the Avid Elixir brakes.

After I got the reach where I wanted it...I needed to adjust how the brakes engaged the rotors via the pad adjustment (red barrel).  Twisting the red barrel adjuster adjusts the pad contact in and out giving the brakes more and less "on and off" feel. When adjusting this setting on the Avid Elixir CR brakes, make sure that you hold the brake line as it wants to twist with the adjuster. Once you get the lever feel how you want it...you are set.

First Ride on the Avid Elixir CR Brakes

For the first ride, we headed out to a local trail that had recently been reworked for some 20+ mile cross country action. I spent some time at home breaking in the pads and rotors (slow, downhill, constant stops over and over again without lockup) before we left so by the time we got to the trail...the brakes were ready. As you can see from my Avid Juicy 5 brake review, there were several things that I was going to watch out for that normally plague Avid hydraulic brakes.

1. Noise - Specifically the turkey gobble.
2. On/Off Feeling - Little modulation between full on and full off.
3. Power

Since the Avid Elixir CR brakes are marketed as an upgrade to the Avid Juicy brakes, I expected these to perform. So far...I am plesently surprised. The first ride went flawlessly and here are my notes.

• The new G3 rotors are quiet...even when wet.
• The Avid Elixir CR brakes have much more power with 185mm rotors than the Juicy's at the same rotor size.
• Modulation is greatly improved on the Avid Elixir CR vs. the Avid Juicy line.
• Overall lever feel is also much better.
• Trail side adjustment is tool free and easy on the Avid Elixir CR.

Not everything is positive though...

• The pad contact adjustment on the Avid Elixir CR can rotate on its own if you do not tighten down the star bolt on the barrel body. I suggest that you tighten it just enough where it does not move freely but still twists for trail side adjustments.
• The Avid Matchmakers still put the SRAM X.0 trigger shifter pod too close to my hands. My thumb was rubbing up against the large paddle shifter while riding.

So as you can see...it is "so far, so good" with the Avid Elixir CR brakes. More riding and time is going to be the true test against noise and durability. Stay tuned for more ride reports as this testing progresses. To stay up-to-date, subscribe via RSS feed or get instant updates sent straight to your inbox.

Where Can I Buy the Avid Elixir CR Brakes?

AVID ELIXIR CR DISC BRAKE

AVID ELIXIR R DISC BRAKE

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Hutchinson Tires Urban Video 2008

When jmilliron commented on the 2010 Rock Shox BoXXer Release Video post from today, it reminded me of a video that he had posted on a local forum of ours.

Cool video. Very slick bit of marketing.

So why not make it two videos for the day?

In this video done by Hutchinson, they feature their urban tires in a very artistic manner. I am an ex post production video editor out of Atlanta, so I know how much time and energy this video took. There is very specific story-boarding and a long shooting process to output a short video like this.

One of the coolest things in this video is actually not the tires. The man in the video is riding a Masi fixie that is insane! For more information on these bikes...check out Tim Jackson's blog...Masiguy.

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2010 Rock Shox BoXXer World Cup Release

To be released in 2009, the new Rock Shox BoXXer should be at the top of the downhill fork offerings. With it's new 35mm platform and mission control damping system, the new Rock Shox BoXXer will be hard to beat. Freecaster posted up this video of SRAM's media release of the new Rock Shox BoXXer in Spain. Watch Steve Peat, Tyler Morland and some other show the media types how it is done on the 2010 Rock Shox BoXXer.

Note: I noticed that the video is not showing in my Google Reader, so if you do not see a video in this article, visit the site to view.

Further reading...check out the cool stuff SRAM just sent us for review.

2009 Rock Shox Reba Team 20mm TA

2009 Avid Elixir CR Disc Brakes

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How To Become A Better Mountain Biker

Part 3 - Diversification

"Variety Is The Spice Of Life"

Welcome to Part 3 of the 6 part series on "How To Become A Better Mountain Biker". These are tips and tricks that I have used over the years to become a better rider. You may find all or some of these useful, but I can guarantee you that every single one of these tips worked and still work to this day. These should help every rider...from the beginner to the seasoned veteran. If your goal is to become a better rider...read on and keep the rubber side down!

In case you missed it...take a look at Part 1 - Ride Different Trails and Part 2 - Sessioning

It is true, if you diversify your riding...you will become a better rider. This is a well known fact among many different disciplines in many sports. Why do you think there are stories of football players taking dance lessons? The more your body gets used to being out of its normal atmosphere, the more skills you pick up and apply to your favorite kind of riding style. In the end, you become a better mountain biker.

Quick Story...

As I started progressing through my cross country riding journey, I noticed one distinct problem in my progress. I would make huge gains over a short period of time, and then my progression would come to a screeching halt. It was almost as though I had hit a plateau and I was not going to ever increase my skill level or endurance. As a recreational rider and occasional racer, this may not be a big deal, but my need to get better kept the drive going.

I started to look for ways that I could get past that hump. The next logical step was to try out single speeding. I built up a single speed and hit the trails. I noticed right away that my sit and spin style on the full squish was not appropriate, so I instantly changed to stand and hammer. The next day I got out of bed sore and this was the first time...in a long time...that riding a bike had caused that sensation!

After weeks on the ss, I took the full suspension mountain bike out on a long group ride. I noticed several instant changes.

• My upper body endurance had increased.
• I carried more momentum into the climbs and turns.
• I had better burst speed.

None of this would have happened as quickly if I hadn't journeyed outside of my riding comfort zone into the land of single speeding.

How Can I Diversify?

Once I figured out this sure fire way to increase my skills as a mountain biker, I searched for other ways to get similar results. As a side affect, I also found other disciplines of mountain biking that I thoroughly enjoy. There is never one way to ride a bike and some people even do it with skinny tires on the road! So here is a list of ways to ride a bike. If you are looking to increase your skill level in the brand of riding that you have grown to love...try out one of these to make the experience even better.

Single Speed

As I said in my little story, single speeding requires a different kind of riding style that will challenge you in a new way on the trails that you currently ride if you are a cross country buff. Even better, an old hard tail bike frame can convert into a single speed on a low budget. There are even fully built ss's on the market around the 500 - 600 dollar range.

How is single speeding different?

• With only one gear, you have to carry the momentum you have into everything. This equals less braking (makes you better in high speed turns).
• You will also use your leverage on the bars to power through climbs that results in more upper body strength and endurance.
• Both of those together are going to increase leg strength and explosive power for faster sprints.

Downhill

There many riders that look at downhilling and think..."I will never be able to do that." There are some that do not have the desire to even try, but let me remind you of one true fact...riding is a progression. None of those riders started off on a huge jump or drop on their first day. They got to that ability by riding...a lot! Just like with cross country riding...you didn't go out for a 20+ mile ride on your first time out!

Downhilling will teach you how to control the bike, at speed over obstacles and get you more comfortable in the air. I have noticed the biggest increase in my cross country riding skills through my increase in downhilling. The one major drawback is the cost of entry, but borrow a bike if you can. Even a little time out on a course will bring you huge returns. That little jump on your typical cross country trail that was giving you issues before won't even be a blip on the radar.

Dirt Jumping

Another low cost of entry alternative, but increased difficulty on finding a local spot to try it out. Dirt jumping at your local bmx track or on the bigger 26" wheel designed jumps will teach you unbelievable bike control. It also increases your explosive sprinting capabilities. Dirt jumping endurance can be best described by this...resting heart rate --> PEAK HEART RATE --> resting heart rate --> PEAK HEART RATE!

If you are looking at becoming a smoother rider on the trail...this is one to try out.

Ride Length and Difficulty

Are you a local rider that does your local loops? How about a weekend warrior that is into the long ride? It is time to mix it up. Go on some longer, paced rides or shorter sprint rides if that is not your norm. The more you diversify the kind of ride you are doing...even if it is on the same bike...the better. The idea is to step outside of what you are used to doing.

I KNOW WHAT YOU ARE THINKING!

Since I already know what you are thinking...I thought I would beat you to the punch. You are looking at everything I have spelled out above and you are thinking..."that is not me, that is not my riding style, I don't ever see myself doing something like, etc." THAT IS THE POINT! The more you step out of your comfort zone into another area of cycling, the better you become at biking in general. Get out there and try something new. At the very least, you will pick up some extra skills along the way.

P.S...

I have heard...in very rare occurances...that getting on a road bike from time to time will actually increase your endurance. Shavers will tell you that there is a sharp and dramatic increase, but I have yet to measure these affects so I can not comment. I think they have just been hit in the head too many times by motor vehicles and all of the shaving cream fumes have gone to their head...

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