Ridemonkey.com

2010 snow race series

brooklyndon — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:56:03 GMT

COME OUT AND RIDE!

Got epic?

Ridemonkey.com — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:15:36 GMT

The Seven Summits trail has been classified as an epic trail by IMBA, the KCTS, and various other abbreviated organizations. But what is epic, and what does it mean to you?
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Words and Photos by David Peacock

Ridgeline singletrack, Great Success!

Epic; in the mountain bike world, it is not a word thrown around with any great degree of thought or care. The scope of epic is wide, so wide that one man’s epic may be another’s breakfast. Regardless, there are certain trails that cannot be referred to as anything less. Barring the possibility that your home has been located underneath Aare’s Rock for several years, you have probably heard of the Seven Summits Trail. This masterpiece of trail building is located in Rossland, British Columbia; it also serves as my personal definition of the word in question.

International male model Aaron Milburn tops out the first of many climbs, to find a delightful downhill

When I said something about a wide range of adventures classified as epic, I meant that every rider is different. Some spend the majority of their time preparing “goodies” for the trails’ peak, while others can’t fathom dropping pace below that of a possessed Ethiopian marathoner. Seven Summits has surely experienced both, and her sensual curves accept all oncoming tires with the welcoming wave of a switchback. Case in point: the fastest times hover just under the 3 hour mark (a remarkable feat of spandex and dangerously high seatposts), while our bevy of photo-taking, full face wearing big bikes rolled round in at a decidedly average six hours.

A most auspicious alpine section of trail after Plewman Ridge.

The summer season in Rossland usually deposits an endless stream of sunny days and, consequently, outrageously high temperatures. This is generally combated successfully by sleeping downstairs, drinking unhealthy amounts of poorly mixed ice tea, and avoiding bicycles at all costs. For the citizens infected with “mustaridabike” syndrome, shuttling generally lessens the problem. Not on this one. Seven Summits has a whole lot of uphill. For the 20% of you that have continued reading after this last statement, thanks for your understanding. The blessing in disguise of the first and largest climb on the trail is its forest cover. Shade is a commodity not to be underestimated whilst struggling away in the granny gear. Following the heinous (in my rather jaded opinion) first climb, a total of 1500 feet of singletrack, the trail plateaus, and even affords some downhill. The next 14 kilometres or so are almost entirely filled with undulating alpine ridgeline singletrack, the stuff of MTB dreams. For our posse, the customary stops to fill our memory cards, both digital and gray matter, begin once the original climb ends. Fooling around with cameras, stopping for lunch (in what looks curiously like grizzly bear territory) and completing the odd side hike to one of the peaks are essential to any leisurely “Suave Summits” ride.

Skid lid notwithstanding, the trail is classified in the "all-mountain" category

Topping the ridgeline is an awesome feeling on the trail, as you know it will be succeeded quickly by a few thousand feet of solid descending, no big deal. After skirting around the local ski hill, a short climb leads to the aforementioned blissful downhill. Tight switchbacks, long sweeping turns and even the odd technical section to keep the toes extended follow. Taking out the cameras at this point becomes difficult, as nearly everyone adopts a “no-friends-on-a-singletrack-day” mentality. As such, your creative minds must here imagine the trail, instead of having the point and shoot visuals previously afforded. At the trail’s end, a quick shuttle (or lengthy pedal for the truly dedicated) leads to the trail known simply as Oasis. Suffice it to say, therein lies yet another 1200 feet of descent. But, as most do, let’s save that for another day.

Your bumbling author clumsily negotiates a corner; Old Glory lies in the background. Photo by Jake Muffly

So what makes the Seven Summits epic, is it the dreaded uphills and the joyous descents, the hundred thousand dollars it took to create? Who knows, but I do know that every rider has a different definition, what’s yours?

Attached Thumbnails

Real Weight of Intense 951 Frameset

noox — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:53:35 GMT

Has anybody weighted a 951 frame (M) with Fox RC4 shock?

I read that the M is 9.5 lbs/4.3 kg.

At Slicklines they have weighted a 951 (L) with Cane Creek and steel spring and came up with 4908 g (10.82 pound). Where comes this big discrepancy? I cannot belive that the Cane Creek and the large frame is 600 g heavier than the medium frame with the RC4.

Does anybody have an accurate weight of the 951 medium frame with RC4 shock?

Thanks!

Kind of like when Dr. Frankenstien was killed by his own monster.

Pesqueeb — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:41:09 GMT

Paging Nelson Muntz.....

Quote:

PHOENIX, AZ -- Rasmussen announced a new poll on Friday showing Senator John McCain may be in trouble at home where a polarized electorate has him facing constant criticism from both the left and the right.

The poll shows McCain tied with former Congressman and current talk radio host J.D. Hayworth in a hypothetical Republican primary. Hayworth, who has become an outspoken local hero among immigration-control activists, lost his House seat to Rep. Harry Mitchell (D) in 2006. Since then, Hayworth has promoted the Tea Parties on his radio show and has spoken at Tea Party events, including the April 15 rally in Phoenix. Hayworth has expressed interest in running but has been tight-lipped on whether or not he intends to actually file as a candidate against McCain.

Rasmussen has McCain at 45% and Hayworth at 43% (4% margin of error). Although McCain's loudest opponents from the right usually cite immigration as the key issue, Minutmen founder Chris Simcox only reached 4% in the poll. According to the poll, Hayworth is more popular overall among the GOP, especially among the younger GOP sect. McCain fares better with females and moderate Republicans.

Rodney Glassman, the only Democrat who has filed to run against McCain, was not included in the poll. Glassman is a young Tucson city councilman who has the support of the local and state Democratic Party structure and is considered an up-and-comer in Arizona politics.

McCain has not faced a serious challenge to his senate seat since 1986.

Linky

The EVIL Revolt Tech. and Tuning Archive

S.K.C. — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:26:19 GMT

General Measurments:
Head Tube: 1.5 (adjustable +/- 1 degree)
BB: 83mm
Chainguide Mount: ISCG 05’
Seat Post: 30.9
Seat Collar: 34.9mm
Shock: 9.5”x 3.0“
Rear Hub: 150mm x 12mm

Stock Frame Settings Out of The Box:
Flipchips slack, headtube steep // 13.8", 64�

Frame Warranty:
2 Years from the date of purchase.

Features:
DELTA Suspension
Flip Chips
Off Set Shock

Production Geometry and Available Sizes:

*NOTE: These are the actual production figures for the bikes that are coming off the line.

Shock Options:(as of 11/20/09)
FOX DHX 5.0
FOX RC4
Rock Shox Vivid
Elka Stage 5
Cane Creek Double Barrel

Shock Tuning:

FOX RC4:

Vivid:

Quote:

“A tune is what I recommend.. The Trumpores can probably give you some more info on the specific settings that they have been running.”

- dw

CCDB:

Quote:

“We have previously passed the leverage and wheel rate info to CC USA for their shock tuning.”

- Ska Todd

Quote:

“…talk directly with Josh Coaplen. He knows what's up, I passed him the curves a while back and he and I have discussed them in person too. I haven't tested a bike with the data acquisition and the CCDB yet, but I'm confident that it can be made to work.”

- dw

ELKA Stage 5:

Quote:

Originally Posted by IH8Rice
how does it(Elka Stage 5) feel compared to your Vivid that you had on there? im looking for more options...

Great compression adjustment, that actually works (what i liked about the vivid)
on the Elka it is nice to have both high and low speed compression adjustment though. if you know what you are doing and know how you want your bike to behave it comes in really handy for fine tuning.

All shocks have their pros/cons.... favorite part of this one is that it is super sensitive on the smallest of hits but does not use up too much of it's travel and the progressive rebound is spot on. The cons would be that it could take a while to get set up correctly but Pat at Elka knows his stuff and they have a ton of guys testing and giving feedback so he is able to take the guess work out of the fine tuning.

I have no sponsorship type obligation with them and could run whatever I want... i have a fox, and a vivid for the Revolt both of which i have ridden extensively, and i had the vivid feeling super nice... but the Elka is staying put as it simply performs better for me.
-Dave Trump

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason4
Dave-
I assume it is still intended to be an aftermarket shock and is purchased after the fact and built to order, custom valved for your riding style and weight from a Revolt baseline?...

My shock was built around the Revolt's leverage ratio, and I am not sure how far from that base line things were changed for my weight and compression prefs.

I guess what I was trying to say is that a Elka has all the data they need from the folks at Evil to build you a shock and they have done some testing on the revolt so it is possible to buy one aftermarket.
-Dave Trump

Spring Rates:
For spring rates, the frames come as follows:

w/ DHX5.0
Sm=300#
Med=350#
Lg=400#

w/ RC4
Sm=250#
Med/Lg=300#
XL=350#

Quote:

Fox has recommended running 50# lower spring rates on the RC4 than you would run on the DHX5.0.

FWIW, I am running 400# spring and am approx 200lbs. I am pretty much on money with the sag. Maybe would need a 425# spring but a 450# would be too much.

-ska todd

Frame:
2009 (First Year Production)

Material:

Colors:
White (powder coat)
Black (bead blast anodize - matte/satin)

Frame Decals:
"Voice & Choice"
EVIL Revolts will ship with 6 complete decal kits:
Black
Gold
Silver
Green
Blue
Red
Lavender

*Notes:
The first production run of 50 frames were powder coat white with gold ano head tube sleeves and had FOX DHX 5.0 shocks. In addition these frames did not have a continuously straight TT:

(picture forthcoming)

Production frames succeeding #50 had black ano head tube sleeves and came equipped with the 2010 FOX DHX RC4 (or simply the “RC4”). In addition these frames had a continuously straight TT:

(picture forthcoming)

2010
Material:

Colors:
White (powder coat)
Black (anodize)
*new* Fluorescent Yellow (powder coat)
*new* Gun Metal Grey (anodize)

Notes:

Pumptrack in Detroit

KonaWorld — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:20:01 GMT

Check out this cool new pumptrack in Detroit

� eddy for Kona COG, 2009. |
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learn how to rock climb!

skinny mike — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:00:27 GMT

too good to get lost in the youtube thread...

Nice Bike!

KonaWorld — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:00:03 GMT

You remember these old photos from mail order ads in the UK mags?
Check out the Kona…
Custom leopard paint
Purple Hayes DH Brakes
Huge SDG DH saddle
Nokian Gazzalodi 3.0 Tires
Aftermarket Rockers
Marzocchi Shivver
The girl is obviously super stoked about her bike.

� eddy for Kona COG, 2009. |
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VP Free short shock revisited.

Huck Banzai — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:31:28 GMT

Short story is budget concerns negate the option of a new frame, so I am going to make my VPFree last a little longer.

In the past I have seen discussions of swapping the stock 8.75 x 2.75 shock for an 8.5 x 2.5 and most of the feedback seemed really good.

Problem is, searches come up with weaksauce or tiny nuggets.

As I understand it will take me from 8.5" to ~7.7 Inches, losing a hair over 3/4"; That I will drop BB ~.5" and Slacken HT ~1deg.

A> Who has done this, what do you think.

B> are the numbers right? Based on a recent change - raising my stem .5" and rotating bars a modicum forward - a little change can make a BIG difference, and I get the impression this is one of those changes.

I am also considering dropping the front end via replacing 888rc2x with 66rc2x -- I think lower BB is more of an issue than Slackness, but I will potentially see.

Im holding off on sending my 5th element in to Avy to be turned into a good shock (!) for now -- season is a few months away, and Blur LT has my attention now...

SmartyPants KnowItAlls *ARE WELCOME* - please get your 2c in.

so tragic....

punkassean — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:29:46 GMT

20 y/o So. Korean fashion model commits suicide.

'freedom comes with such cost. but is it even freedom? one could get numb living like this. pretty things. comfort. vanity. decadent nights to make up for losses. but this endless loneliness there must be something wrong from the core. i worry as i take the courage to sleep.' Daul Kim (1989-2009)

http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/l...cle6925853.ece

http://iliketoforkmyself.blogspot.com/

I can relate to where she was coming from in the above quote. Sad that it overwhelmed her to this end rather than motivating her to make a change and seek true happiness.