Yeti 5 Carbon: bring the bumps
For the record, I had concerns about using a 5-inch bike for Colorado racing where the courses all go up, then go up, and finally bomb a descent. So, I spent the first few months on my ASR-5 making sure it was race worthy … it is, and then some. Now, it’s time to see [more...]
Crankin’ on Acid
No, not THAT type of acid… Crank Brothers Acid pedals. I threw these puppies on my Yeti 575 before gearing up for the Super-D race at Keystone, and they ended up powering me to a win and a state championship! Besides adding some DH-inspired bling and making my bike look like a stealth, racing rocket, [more...]
Smartwool Microweight Crew
When the Rocky Mountain weather is promising one of those unpredictable Spring days with everything from sun and wind to rain and sleet I ride with Smartwool’s 100% Merino Wool base layers. The Smartwool Microweight Crew shirts are especial versatile as comfortable insulators or great looking outerwear. They really do stay cool when it’s warm [more...]
Optic Nerve – Photomatic Shades
I am on my 2nd pair of Optic Nerve photomatic shades. The first ones I lost and I use them for almost every ride. The best unbiased review I got was from a riding buddy that is a fireman who uses his Optic nerves at work because they are certified and he got them for [more...]
ASR-5 Carbon
Last night I took my new ASR-5 carbon out for a christening. And this was no champagne over a yacht’s bow, high-society shindig. Nope … more of a trip to the wood shed via the bus to Ned, and lots of climbing over roots, rocks and loose chunder. And worth every pedal stroke once we [more...]
Perfect Race Day Necessity – Topeak Micro Wedge Saddle Bag
This little bag has all the space you need for your race day essentials. Its also made from a super durable nylon like material that keeps all the contents in place and not popping through the bag. The best thing about this little bag is the mounting system. Instead of a little strap around your [more...]
Optic Nerve Autovaughn EX IC
JD Wearing the Autovaughn EX IC The redesigned nose piece on themakes them the perfect riding glasses. The lenses are super easy to change and they’re super stylish!
Topeak Mono Cage CX
I am extremely impressed with the Mono Cage. It is super easy to remove the bottle while riding, but it also grips incredibly well. I haven’t had a bottle pop out yet….even in a crash! The Topeak Mono Cage works great with all Yeti ASR-Carbon frame sizes, including the small! Nice design Topeak.
AutoVaughn EX IC
With its light weight frame and 4 interchangeable vented lenses the Optic Nerve AutoVaughn EX IC makes for a great MTB sunglass that blocks the sun and mud without bouncing off your face. The vented lenses also make it easier to swap out in case the conditions change due to the unique way in which they are designed.
Squirt Review!
What can I say about Squirt? Plenty. I’ve been using it now for two seasons and it has been a god send in the lubrication of my drive-train! I did a 250 mile backcountry MTB hut trip trough western Colorado last summer and was in charge of supporting several bikes during the trip. I used [more...]
Ultimate Endurace Racer – Yeti ASR 5 Full Carbon
During the Lumberjack 100 I found myself loving my Yeti ASR-5C more and more with every passing mile. The bike is smooth and efficient and tracks like you’re on rails. Yeti’s president calls the ASR-5C the cheater bike because of the way it climbs and descends the mountains of Colorado against longer travel bikes. Well [more...]
Schwalbe Rocket Ron
Can’t wait to mount up my new WHITE Rocket Ron’s! At less than 500 grams each, these babies are gonna roll, and look great at the same time!
YETI Cycles – ARC-X
Last year was my first year racing cyclocross, and i am sooo hooked. Yeti’s cross bike is wonderful, it has all the necessary makings of an elite level bike without the hefty price tag that often comes with suck a race machine. Mine has an easton carbon fork that rides super stiff but is not [more...]
Yeti Cycles – 575
This is a review of the Yeti 575. I’m pretty sure Yeti called it a 575 because it has a magical 5.75 inches of rear travel. But after riding this bike for two seasons i have found a less obvious reference to 575, it is the breakdown of a HAIKU poem. I can’t comment if Yeti intentionally [more...]
Squirt lube review
I used to think that I was expecting too much out of my chain lubes. Then I tried Squirt. This lube somehow actually repels dirt instead of attracting it, keeping your chain lubed and clean for the whole ride, no matter what the conditions are. With other lubes, I’ve had to apply and reapply lube before and [more...]
Mo Flava with a Teaser
When beating the heat and bright sun of the desert Optic Nerve developed a line of sun glasses for all faces and for all ages.
Yeti Cycles – ASR-C
Luscious Carbon Fiber – For Racing Only! Cross country (XC) racing is all about speed. Who can finish the course the fastest? What equipment will help get you up and down the racecourse most efficiently? For COMotion racers, our XC weapon of choice is the Yeti ASR-C bike. This bike is an extremely efficient and [more...]
Yeti Cycles – ARC-X
Inside the (Aspiring) Pro’s Bike: Megan Taylor’s Yeti ARC-X Megan attended her first cyclocross race as a spectator in November, 2007, and upon witnessing the hypoxic-induced mayhem of the racers, and the beer-fueled, cowbell-ringing enthusiasm of the crowd, she proudly proclaimed, “This is my sport!” Flash forward to fall 2008, and Megan is indeed tearing [more...]
Topeak Panorama V16 cadence indicator
Riding the Yeti Road Project with a cadence computer set up allowed me to have a general idea of what the pedals were doing in the RPM department on extended road rides. The spin class Nazis instructor always harped on 120 RPM + efforts…. but what does that mean for an endurance mountain biker? Sunday’s ride starting with a crankset [more...]
Topeak – D-Torq Wrench
The trend in the mountain bike industry is creating light, yet strong components which require strict torque specifications. Here is where Topeak’s D-Torq Wrench steps in. The D-Torq is provided with a calibration certificate, a padded case to keep the D-Torq safe, a AAA battery, and a set of bits (#2 Philips, Torx, and Hex). [more...]
Smartwool – Women’s Baggy Shorts
When it comes to cycling shorts, fashion and functionality are a rare combination. But not when it comes to the Smartwool women’s baggy cycling shorts! Smartwool nailed the functional aspect when it comes to providing riding comfort with a nicely cushioned chamois, overlaid with a breathable and durable nylon outer short. After a ride, the [more...]
Optic Nerve – Kingspade
The Kingspade is by far my favorite pair of sunnys that I’ve ever used. They are all I wear, originally they were just a hanging out pair, but all the glasses that I have used for racing always have problems with fogging up. Not the Kingspades though! I’ve now used and replaced 4 pairs of [more...]
Topeak’s JoeBlow Ace
Topeak’s JoeBlow Ace is an ace in the hole when it comes to floor pumps. The JoeBlow Ace provides a high pressure setting for road tires and a high volume stage for mountain bikes. This is the first floor pump that reliably and consistently mounts tubeless tires.
Retul: Where Size Really Matters
You get your new bike, and you’re itching to get out and ride. The silky pedaling, crisp shifting, and ease of effort leave you feeling tingly. Day after day, you marvel at the wonders of new technology and revel in the euphoria of your new steed. Then it happens, you feel a little twinge of [more...]