Art’s Cyclery Blog

We’ve been working hard photographing and learning about 2012’s crop of hydration packs, and are excited about what we see! Stalwarts Camelbak and Dakine have their usual solid offerings, and new addition—for Art’s—Fox has some great product too. Here are three packs that really caught my eye this year:

Fox's Low Pro is perhaps the perfect small hydration pack.

Fox Low Pro

The Fox Low Pro is a great example of what a minimalist pack should be. It’s light, small, yet holds 70 ounces (two liters) of water—enough for at least two hours, depending on the temperature—and has a real storage compartment. The  main pocket has room for a full tube repair arsenal, plus a good-sized multi tool and a chain breaker. The bungee on the outside of the pack has room for a wind shell, arm, and knee warmers.

Camelback Charge LR

Backpackers know that keeping your pack weight low is important for balance, endurance, and comfort. Camelbak knows this too, which is why most of their multi-sport packs feature a reservoir located on the bottom of the pack. 2012’s Charge LR gets the Antidote lumbar reservoir, keeping water weight low for improved balance, endurance, and comfort, and allowing for a narrower footprint. There is still plenty of storage on the Charge LR, and enough water in it’s 70 ounce reservoir for an afternoon of riding.

Dakine Drafter

The Dakine Drafter opens fully for easy access to repair items.

Ever since the first time I rode with a Dakine Drafter, it’s been my favorite pack, and 2012 sees the Drafter back in all its glory. With armor straps and a helmet carry capable of an XC or DH lid, it’s an all-mountain rider’s perfect pack. Even if you don’t use knee guards and keep your helmet on your head at all times, the Drafter is a fabulous pack with tons of storage options and a comfortable back panel.

So there are some recommendations to get you started on your hydration pack decision. Look for in-depth reviews throughout the season.

Luke Gear, Mountain, Product Reviews camelbak charge lr, camelbak charge lr review, dakine drafter, dakine drafter review, dakine hydration packs, fox hydration pack, fox low pro, fox low pro review

Overview: Troy Lee Designs has long been a major player in the motocross world, and downhillers have worn TLD gear for many years. Troy Lee has been making XC apparel for a few years, but is coming on strong for 2011 with some great offerings that are perfect for trail and all-mountain style riding. The Sprint collection is a tough but light and breathable blend of jerseys and shorts, suitable for downhill but great for trail riding also.

Putting the 2011 TLD kit through it's paces. All photos Matt Gutowski.

First Impressions: I have always been a big fan of the Troy Lee Moto Shorts, so I thought I’d try out the Sprint Shorts; they’re lighter, better ventilated and have a new waist closure for 2011 that is much better than the 2010 version. One area the Sprint’s are lacking in is pockets. I like to carry several things with me when I ride, but since most of my rides are short, I don’t usually wear a hydration pack. Thus, I love the big pockets on the Moto’s. They swallow up gear but keep everything tight and close to the leg. There is a small zipped pocket at the waistband of the Sprint shorts that can hold a cell phone, key and a pack of gel, and for most people that’s plenty. Obviously, pockets are not an issue if you use a hydration pack or wear the Sprint’s on race day.

Waist pocket of Sprint Shorts. (That's an EpiPen)

The Kit looks great. If you can’t ride like a pro, you can always look like a pro, and you will in this gear. The Ruckus Jersey matches the red zipper accent on the Sprint Shorts, and obviously the Sprint Jersey is designed to go with the Sprint Shorts.

That's the iPhone 5G in the side pocket of the Ruckus Jersey.

At first I was a bit miffed that TLD had messed with my all-time favorite pair of gloves, the Air Gloves, but as soon as I rode with them I found that I had a new pair of favorites!

On The Trail: Luckily, the Ruckus Jersey has a hidden side pocket that’s big enough for a cell phone, so between the short’s pockets and that one, I had enough storage for my ride. Don’t put anything heavy in the jersey pocket, though, as you will feel it swinging around. Fit-wise, the Ruckus is great. I especially like the moto-inspired neck. There’s plenty of room, I never felt it at my throat, yet it’s not loose and floppy either. I am becoming a fan of 3/4 length sleeves, also. The sleeves on the Ruckus are loose enough to encourage airflow, but if you push them up, they stay. The fabric is comfortable and soft. Unfortunately, the Ruckus is not the most breathable jersey, so I’d avoid it during the hottest months of the year. If you want a long sleeve jersey to wear in the summer, then the Sprint Jersey is for you. The Sprint Jersey is half mesh, and therefore has tons of ventilation. Of the two, the Sprint was my favorite, which might be due to the mid-day temps I usually ride in.

Ruckus Jersey, Sprint Shorts, Air Gloves

The Troy Lee Air gloves are awesome. That’s all there is to say. If you wear full-fingered gloves, you should wear these. End of story. The only reason not to wear these is if you trim branches with your knuckles instead of a saw.

TLD Air Glove. The best glove ever.

How did the Sprint Shorts perform? Flawlessly. The fit is dialed. Troy Lee sizes their shorts by waist size (32, 34, 36, etc) so you are almost guaranteed to get the perfect fit. Adjustment tabs on the side of the waistband let you cinch down the Sprint Shorts up to a full size. The legs are just long enough for style points, but don’t get in the way of knee pads. In fact, the leg opening perfectly fits around knee guards without bunching or getting hung up at all. Compared to my beloved Moto Shorts, the Sprints almost made me a believer; they are lighter weight, seem to fit a bit better, have massive mesh panels on the front and rear for ventilation, and have a trimmer profile as well. A rational person would declare the Sprint’s the winner and move on from there. I, however, can’t get over the lack of storage. I know that many riders hate riding with stuff in their pockets, and for them, the Sprint Shorts are going to be perfect.

Stylin' in TLD!

Bottom Line: Troy Lee’s Sprint Shorts are an affordable alternative to their Moto Shorts, and many riders will like them better thanks to the superior ventilation, reduced weight, and perfect fit. The Ruckus Jersey is stylish and comfortable, but not well-suited for warm temperatures if you have to earn your turns. If you are shuttling or on a chair lift, you will love it. For hot weather or anyone who pedals to the top, the Sprint Jersey is awesome; it’s light, insanely ventilated, and breathes so well you won’t need to push the sleeves up. And the Air Gloves? Get them. Thats all. Just get them.

Luke Gear, Mountain, Product Reviews

Overview: The world’s first adjustable-width mountain handlebar lets you find the perfect width without cutting. Constructed of 7075 T6 Aluminum. 25mm rise, 5 by 9 degree sweep. Length adjustable from 750mm to 775mm to 786mm.

Price: MSRP $79.99, Art’s price $69.99.

As handlebar widths have continued getting wider and wider, numbers like 750mm don’t seem that extreme anymore, especially with 1000mm Syncros‘ out there. The benefits of wider handlebars (increased control in turns and greater stability in the rough) have caused gravity riders to enthusiastically embrace the extra alloy. What I was wondering, however, was how would an “extra-wide” set of bars benefit a regular old trail rider like myself? Well, thanks to the ODI Flight Control, I could finally find out, and if I didn’t like the results, go back to my old length without having to buy another set of bars.

I have been using Sunline V1 745mm handlebars for a few years, which some people would consider wide already. After a few guys here went with 780mm-plus handlebars, I needed to give them a try too. I went with the 750mm Flight Control Bars, since that was a width I was used to if I didn’t like the extra bit, and added the 19mm Flight Control Extensions for a total width of 786mm.

My first impressions were positive: sweep and rise felt very comfortable, and similar to the Sunline’s I had been riding. The extra width did feel odd at first when pedaling around the parking lot, and while it eventually felt less wierd, they still feel wide on the steepest climbs. Descending, however is another story… I Immediately felt comfortable with the ODI’s when the trail turned downhill. The extra width increases your leverage on the bars, which results in reduced perceived effort when steering the bike through turns, making it easier to stay on a line, and make corrections if you need to. Straight-line control was noticeably improved also, with the wider bars allowing me to muscle through rocky sections that sent my front wheel skipping and bouncing on my narrower bars.

Unfortunately, when a bike points uphill, the laws of physics still apply. That extra leverage which made my descending so much better now works to lift the front wheel off the ground and amplifies every little bit of steering input I give to the bars. This effect is only slightly detrimental, and only on the extra steep parts. By moving my hands inboard, and by leaning forward a bit more I can mitigate the effects, but I would not recommend 786mm bars to XC racers. That said, bars of this width are obviously intended for riders who get more enjoyment out of descending rather than climbing, and they noticeably boosted my descending enjoyment.

Bottom Line: These bars did everything they were supposed to do — allowed me to experiment with different lengths without fear of ruining a new pair of bars. While I like the extra width, it’s nice to know that I could have gone back to what I was comfortable with. The increased width provides markedly increased control in all types of turns and in rocky situations. A common issue with extra-wide bars is flex, and while these aren’t entirely flex-free, they are pretty darn close. I have also seen lighter bars of this width, but they are about as stiff as a pair of shoe laces.

The only drawback to extra-wide bars like these is felt when climbing. During very steep ascents, the front end feels like it wants to come off the ground, and it takes more effort to keep the bike straight. Moving your hands inboard and/or leaning forward during these situations will get you through them.

I recommend the ODI 750 Flight Control Bars to All-Mountain and trail riders, but pure XC riders who want to experiment will be better served by the 711 width bars.

Luke Gear, Mountain, Product Reviews

The Troy Lee/ODI Signature Grip in action

Masters of design Troy Lee and grip manufacturer ODI have teamed up to produce an awesome new MTB grip. Many of us here at Art’s Cyclery are already sold on the Troy Lee/ODI Signature Grip, and after looking at all of it’s features it’s not hard to see why.

You will never be at a loss for traction with this grip. It’s three-dimensional grid pattern has tons of edges cut to bite into your glove and eliminate slipping. Riders in wet conditions should love this grip, as the grid pattern creates channels so water and debris will clear quickly, or at least stay below the surfaces of the grip that provides traction. These grips are on the thin side, with a bit more volume than ODI Ruffians, but not as thick as the Rouge or Oury grips. 

You can see the many edges that provide endless grip.

 Another stand-out feature of the Troy Lee/ODI hand holder is the use of small flanges on either end of the grip. You might look at the minimal projections and wonder what, if any, effect they have on performance. Well, in this case, less is definitely more. Because they are so small, they don’t get in the way of shifting (on the inboard side), or feel uncomfortable when you are climbing (outboard), yet still provide landmarks so you know exactly where your hands are positioned. Feeling the outboard flange against your finger somehow gives you a little extra confidence to weight your bars in a turn. Additionally, the “ramp” on the opposite side of the grip that the flange is on prevents the locking collar from digging into the heel of your hand.

The flanges look small, but they do a lot of work!

 These grips come in several colors; Red/Black, Black/Silver, White/Red, and Yellow/Purple, and are all available from artscyclery.com.

Troy Lee/ODI Signature Grip

Pro

• Full-wrap traction for limitless grip
• Flanges provide points of reference without hindering performance
• Thin for control
• Grid pattern clears water and debris
• Easy installation and slip-free, lock-on performance

Con

• On the thin side, so might not provide the cushion you’re used to if you like thick grips
• The flanges take up a little room; if you wear XXL gloves you might feel cramped

Luke Gear, Mountain, Product Reviews

We have always been big fans of Light and Motion products, so we were very excited to attend their 2010 dealer meeting, held at their factory/headquarters on Monterey, California’s historic Cannery Row.

After an amazing lunch of homemade tamales, quesadillas, and horchata, (thanks, Salsa!) we broke into small groups for a tour of the facilities. Light and Motion is housed in an old cannery building—tall ceilings, brick walls, four levels, and it’s right on the water. The ocean-side location is fitting since Light and Motion began by designing and building premium underwater lights and housings for video cameras, and they are still leaders in that industry.

The first stop was the assembly line, where we were put to work building Stella 200’s. There is a  lot of skill required to create a high-end light, and you don’t pick it up quickly. Luckily, the guys who work the line were generous with their knowledge and walked us through the process, making sure we were able to complete a working light system, albeit they could’ve built ten in the time it took me to make one. Don’t worry, we got to keep the lights we built, Light and Motion’s customers deserve a product built by the best—their assemblers—not by me.

Next up was an overview of the history of Light and Motion products. Everything they’ve built from the very first bike light and water housing  up until the yet-to-be-released 2010 stuff was on display. Most impressive to me was observing how the batteries shrunk every year, even as the light got more powerful. As an aside, Light and Motion underwater engineers are chasing down a two-thousand lumen video light—which would only light an object about ten feet away, since so much of the light’s energy is absorbed by water.

Finally we were taken through the lower levels of the cannery building. This is where the Light and Motion Skunkworks is housed. Almost every part of their lights are built and designed here. Molds for the rubber and plastic bits are designed and machined in-house, a state-of-the-art three-dimensional printer creates models of developing product for testing and refinement, and vigorous tests are carried out on custom-built machines.

What’s most impressive about Light and Motion, besides their amazing lights, is the company itself. Everyone who works there is committed to building the best product possible, and their pride in their work is evident. I thoroughly enjoyed talking to the folks who monitor quality control, take care of warranties and repairs, solder the circuit boards, and make sure every box that leaves the factory has all the parts it should have, and they all work as they should. Light and Motion’s dedication to sustainability is evident in every step of the building process—aluminum scraps from tooling is recycled, excess molded rubber is re-used, and they generously support environmental awareness programs in their community. Light and Motion uses a Kanban system to maximize efficiency. A smooth-running factory  results, in which problems are recognized and solved quickly by the people who actually have their hands in the process.

After touring the Light and Motion headquarters, I’m more impressed than ever with the bike lights company that supports it’s community, which includes cyclists everywhere, not just in Monterey. Light and Motion goes the extra step in everything they do, whether it’s hand-tapping reflectors to get the absolute perfect beam pattern for mountain biking, to creating new and better manufacturing techniques to protect our planet.

Luke General, Industry

Just a quick heads up to my favorite people out there—we have received the first shipment of Giro Prolight helmets. As of this writing we are it. “…You want to get a Prolight, you talk to me!”  (Bonus points for whoever knows which movie I’m paraphrasing there. Hint—it’s not one of the greatest movies ever made, but the first movie in it’s trilogy was.) So anyway, check out the Giro Prolight at Art’s Cyclery and get one now before we sell out. This first shipment is limited and it might be a bit before we get the next one.

Luke Gear, Road

Hey folks, Art’s Cyclery just received the first shipment of 2010 Dakine packs and bags, and I am stoked! We are trying out a few new items from Dakine this year, and I think they are going to be very successful. First of all, I am a big fan of Dakine product. Most of us have one of their hydration packs, and we use their gear for other sports as well. What makes me so fond of Dakine is the usability of all their products. Everything they make is exactly how you would make it—pockets, materials, zippers… It all just works! 

The first of the new products is the Dakine Commuter Pack. This is the item that will bring Dakine to the roadies. Dakine’s Commuter Pack is perfect for cyclists who use their bike as transportation, or for those who take their lunch break on a bike. It’s large enough to carry clothes, a computer, food, and then some. An integrated shoe compartment keeps your smelly togs away from the clean linens. 

Next is the Dakine Rider’s Duffel, which is a gym bag for cycling. Keep it in your car to organize the mess, use it for traveling to races or new places for weekend epics, or take it to work to keep all your gear ready to head out at a moments notice. There is room for practically all your riding gear, and it’s made out of tough, Cordura-like polyester.

Finally , the last of the new stuff (for us), is the Dakine Messenger Bag (large). Ever since we started selling Chrome bags, and they started flying out of here, we have been on the lookout for a low-cost option for casual or office use. If you need to know where everything is in your bag, the Dakine Messenger is for you. There are tons of pockets and pouches, and the bag is adjustable for right- or left-handed use. If you need a bag that can survive a trip through a gravel crusher, the Chrome is still the way to go, but for many of us the Dakine will be great.

Of course, all the Dakine hydration packs are back as well, and all dressed up in their 2010 outfits. Bomber and Checks are my favorite, but check ‘em all out and order your favorite. We will be stocking the Apex, Nomad, Drafter, and Amp packs, and if you want something we don’t have on the website, just give us a call and we’ll get it.

Luke Gear

We here at Art’s Cyclery are exited that the Pro Road season is finally underway. There was a lot of deck-shuffling and surprise moves made over the off-season, and the trash-talking has already begun for the new year—it all means more excitement for us, the race fans. Team HTC-Columbia is back to their old tricks—winning races—with Andre Greipel riding to victory in the Tour Down Under. Looking forward, will Tom Boonen become only the second man in history to win Paris-Roubaix four times? Will Levi and Lance dominate the greatest Tour of California yet? Of course the race we’re all looking forward to is in July. This year’s Tour de France could be one of the best we’ve seen in a long time. Cadel Evans’ move to BMC puts him on a team that can provide real support, and he’s got to be hungry for a Tour win. Will Cavendish go all-out for the Green Jersey that so many people think should be his? How about the Schleck Brothers? Are they for real? We’ll find out soon.

Lance. Contador. Who will win… Last years display of dominance by the Spaniard seems to have left little doubt, but Lance seems to have the stronger, more disciplined team, and even though he’s another year older, he’s had another year to train himself back into race shape—just look at all those FRS advertisements. For Contador, the question is whether or not Vinokurov and Pereiro will truly lay themselves on their swords for their leader. If Contador has their unyielding support, he could be untouchable. And those new yellow pedals he’s got might help him out, too.

July is a long way off, however, and there will be a lot of great racing to watch before then. Let Art’s Cyclery get you all kitted-up by visiting one of our Pro Team stores; Liquigas, Quick Step, and of course, HTC-Columbia, so you’ll be ready to go when your favorite race kicks off this 2010. Until then, keep riding.

Luke General, Racing and Races, Road

Cerro San Luis (San Luis Mountain) lies smack-dab in the middle of San Luis Obispo and is a big part of everyone’s mountain-biking experience here. It’s the go-to ride-from-the-shop during the summer, and if you live or work in SLO, it’s easy to ride Cerro San Luis before or after work, and the mountain has a little bit of everything; singletrack, fire road, steep sections both up and down, and rocks. Lots of rocks. The trail on the backside of the mountain is known as the Rock Garden, and while it’s not the gnarliest trail around, it definitely has consequences if you fall. Many local riders have intimate relationships with the Rock Garden, and Anthony Medaglia, SRAM engineer, is one of the fastest. Enjoy this POV video and if you live here, compare Anthony’s run to the lines you usually take. Also, always send a buddy down ahead of you to make sure there aren’t any hikers. Don’t risk having mountain bikers kicked off the mountain.

Luke Mountain

Check out Art’s Cylery’s new Facebook page and stay up-to-date with all the goings-on of your favorite bike shop. Keep up on sales, watch videos, look at pictures, and be involved!

Luke General