Sugoi Resistor Shoe Covers Features:

• Piston 14o Fabric (76% Nylon 24% Spandex) features a smooth, buttery hand feel with uncompromised 360 degree stretch
• PU coated stretch lycra provides lightweight wind and waterproof protection
• Stretch bound edge fits snugly around shoe and positions cleat hole
• Rear entry zip with velcro closure tab
• Signature grip ankle elastic
• MSRP: $40

Sugoi Resistor Shoe Covers Review

If I could pick out one of the key pieces of cold-weather cycling gear that has kept me out on two wheels all Winter long, I’d have a hard time not including the Resistor shoe covers on that list. While these aren’t insulated, they make up for that with excellent wind protection that keeps my feet warm — even down to 30-degree temps.

Looking them over, you may not think they would add much warmth, but don’t be fooled. For me, just blocking the wind allows my feet to keep the warmth inside and sort of marinate. I’ve been wearing these with my Specialized S-Works Road Shoes in combination with the Resistors and they are very easy to put on and take off. I did use them with my MTB shoes for a couple of rides and getting these over the more aggressive treads on my MTB shoes is much more difficult than my road shoes.

Overall durability is about what I’d expect. I do have some scuffing on the toe area, but nothing that affects the performance at this point. Maybe after a couple of seasons, you might see more damaging scuffs, but what I’ve now got is pretty minimal.

I like how well they fit around my shoes and the cuff height is perfect. I’ve found them to be easy to zip up and down and on the road, they quickly become invisible. There’s enough flex in them that any ankle movements are uninhibited and smooth.

Good Resistor

• Super-easy to take on/off
• Provides excellent wind protection — even down to 30 degrees
• Excellent water protection for inclement weather
• Not too tight… just right
• Budget-friendly price tag

Bad Resistor

• Fabric scuffs pretty easily
• The giant tag gets in the way of the zipper
• A little challenging to take on/off with MTB shoes

Bottom Line: Sugoi Resistor Shoe Covers

Keeping things simple, the Sugoi Resistor Shoe Covers are easy on the wallet while being highly functional and versatile for a variety of weather conditions. My feet have stayed warm down to 30-degrees in them, so buy them for wet and cold weather to boot.

Buy Now: Visit Altrec.com

Sugoi RPM Jacket Features

• HydraShield outer shell for wind and water resistance
• Firewall 220 fabric
• Full waterproof separating zipper to prevent seepage
• Waterproof taped seams
• Core ventilation zippers
• Raglan sleeve construction
• Elastic cuffs with adjustable Velcro closure
• Elastic back hem with flat front
• Microfleece lined collar
• Semi-form fit
• 3M Scotchlite reflective accents add visibility
• Colors: Tomatillo, Super Nova, Chili Red, Black (tested)
• MSRP: $120

Sugoi RPM Cycling Jacket Review

Waterproof and breathable is the dream combination of winter performance gear – unfortunately, in practice those two elements are almost mutually exclusive; true waterproof stuff doesn’t breathe, while truly breathable stuff doesn’t resist water.  It’s a tricky equation that’s practically impossible to solve.

Sugoi’s RPM jacket has outstanding water resistance, as the entire exterior surface is composed of HydraShield, made with a woven outer shell fabric containing DWR coating.  It also seals off all the places water might sneak in, with a fully waterproof zipper and waterproof taped seams.  The rear hemline stays in place, and the mock-turtle-height microfleece collar can be secured with a Velcro closure.  In other words, water’s not getting in this thing.

On the breathability side of the equation, the RPM uses takes a couple of different approaches to let sweat and heat escape; one is a fabric strategy, and the other is a design element.  The fabric is Sugoi’s Firewall 220, which utilizes three-layer construction: a knitted, breathable interior membrane, a performance wicking middle layer, and a weather-resistant surface on the outside.

The design element is quite simple: large core zippers on either side of your trunk allow air to pass through and help regulate moisture management and body temperature.  Another benefit of the core zippers is that they allow you to reach into the back pockets of your base layer – an important point, as the RPM doesn’t have any pockets of its own.

In practice, the overall breathability of the jacket is decent, but not fantastic.  If the rain clears and the day turns out sunnier than you expected, you’ll get warm in a hurry.   If water resistance of the RPM is a 9 out of 10, ventilation is probably closer to a 5.

Zippered core vents; Firewall fabric visible on interior

Fit of the RPM is comfortable through the trunk without feeling baggy, and can accommodate either a single base layer or two thin layers.  Full range of motion is provided by stretch components of the fabric, as well as raglan sleeves to prevent restriction of the shoulders and arms.

Good RPM

• Outstanding water resistance
• Strong insulation for cold temperatures
• Convenient access to rear shirt pockets

Bad RPM

• Limited breathability
• No pocket storage

Bottom Line: Sugoi RPM Jacket

Better for stormy days than sunny ones, Sugoi’s RPM Jacket offers great water resistance for riding through rainy fall or winter conditions.

Buy Now: Visit RealCyclist.com

SUN VALLEY, ID — January 3rd, 2012— SCOTT Sports today announced it will shift gears in the aftermarket bike accessories business and take over the Syncros brand to become a major supplier in the parts and accessories market. Syncros was founded in 1986 by Peter Hamilton and Pippin Osborne as a small, high-end components company on Vancouver’s North Shore. After a few changes in ownership, Tom Ritchey made the most recent buy in 2003, and under his guidance, Syncros returned to its roots as a leading manufacturer of high end mountain bike components focused on the All Mountain, Freeride, and Downhill categories.

SCOTT will give Syncros the necessary support to design outstanding products and will enlarge the line by expanding into Cross Country and Road categories. A dedicated design and engineering team has been created, and they have already begun developing innovative products for future Syncros lines. The products will be built to refect SCOTT’s high standards for technology while also keeping top-to-bottom integration in mind. This type of product integration will cultivate new levels of innovation, adding further value to SCOTT bikes.

“We have always believed that the Syncros name has had an excellent image in the industry,” adds SCOTT Sports Vice President, Pascal Ducrot. “Our priority was to find a way to increase our offering of parts and accessories while still maintaining our relationship with Ritchey, our long-term partner. The purchase of Syncros was the perfect solution and we look forward to ofering our dealers a full line of new parts and accessories with the same high quality standards as our bikes.”

Syncros will be distributed through the SCOTT network of dedicated dealers around the globe. SCOTT currently offers dealers a full range of bikes, clothing, bike shoes, and helmets. The addition of Syncros parts and accessories will further strengthen this package, giving dealers more to offer. SCOTT will present the complete range of new Syncros products to the public during the 2012 Eurobike show.

Giro Pivot Gloves Features:

• Silicone detailing on fingertips
• Waterproof wiping surface
• Pertex™ waterproof/breathable fabric repels cold, wet weather
• Hipora™ 100% waterproof construction liner
• Clarino™ synthetic leather palm for maximum grip
• Adjustable cuff to seal out cold
• Super Fit™ Engineered with 3-panel palm for a tailored fit
• MSRP: $69.99

Giro Pivot Winter Cycling Gloves Review

Lately, the weather has been cold and dry, so I’ve been doing my best to keep the wheels rolling instead of skis turning. Gratefully, I’ve had the new Giro Pivot Winter cycling gloves at my disposal to stave off the cold, crisp air. The overall design of these gloves is on par with Giro’s other cycling gloves — ergonomically-shaped, the right mixture of materials for proper grip and feel — but with the addition of lightweight insulation and waterproof membranes.

The exterior is Pertex with a Hipora inner liner. I have several Pertex pieces and have been thoroughly impressed with every incarnation thus far — the Pivot’s are no exception.

I have the size Large, which is my typical glove size, but these initially felt little more snug than I’d like. Over time, they have packed out a tad and stretched just enough to provede a perfect fit. The only exception to that comes when trying to take them off after use or take them off and put them on again to use my iPhone mid-ride. In those cases, the cuff is very narrow and I have a hard time extracting or inserting my hand into the glove. This is magnified when the inside is damp with sweat. I will say that the grippy pull-tab on the cuff is absolutely essential for re-entry.

Further, you do have to be careful when taking your hands out after a ride so you don’t pull the lining away from the shell. Just take it one finger at a time and you’ll be fine.

The weather resistance of these gloves is superb. They are waterproof and still breathe extremely-well. After an hour in the saddle, they do get damp inside, but not overly so. And, though damp, my hands never felt cold. My riding temps have been down to the low 30′s, so I’d say their 35-degree rating is conservative.

Bar feel remains solid with the Pivot’s, but you will never be as precise as form-fitting gloves. I did find myself mis-shifting my Ultegra shifters on occasion, but that comes with the territory. I’ll certainly take that trade-off to keep my digits happy.

After enjoying these on Winter rides, I’ve since taken them out trail running and will likely give them a whirl for backcountry skiing as well. I like their low-profile design and durable materials, so they will work well for my other athletic pursuits in the cold.

Good Pivot

• Excellent warmth down to 30-degrees and below
• Only a little tradeoff in bar and lever feel
• Weatherability is top-notch
• Durable fabrics and construction
• Versatile enough for trail running, backcountry skiing
• Cuff pulltab eases re-entry

Bad Pivot

• Hard to take off and back on after use
• Feels tight at first

Bottom Line: Giro Pivot Winter Gloves

Keep Winter at bay with the new Giro Pivot Winter cycling gloves. These gloves will keep your digits warm without adding too much bulk or reducing bar/lever feel.

Buy Now: Visit RealCyclist.com

In my opinion, components are as much about looks as they are performance. The Syncros FL group has an understated aesthetic that will appeal to those who crave simplicity of neutral colours married with function. I’ll profile the components below (Syncros supplied me with stem, seatpost, saddle and headset) and provide general comments as to whether they are suitable for their intended purpose.

Syncros FL Stem Review

Not much to say about the FL stem (MSRP $89.95). It’s fairly light (110g measured); can be flipped either way (+/- 6 degrees); can be tightened with reasonable torque so it can work with carbon handlebars and steerers. The colour options are utilitatarian basis with either black or white with black accents. The stem comes in lengths from 70 to 130mm in 10mm increments.

After 60 days of use - the FL stem still looks good. The FL headset is install and forget.

Syncros FL Hardcore Headset Review

I have even less to say about the FL Hardcore (MSRP $59.95), which is as it should be. Easily installed and simple to adjust, this standard 1 1/8th headset is light (85g) and was a conventional model with upper and lower stack (12.9mm each stack) and extremely high quality bearings on a race (titanium coated angular contact bearings on forged & CNC’ed 2014 alloy cups). I haven’t noticed it in over 60 days of riding. Oh yes — its a no-fuss black.

FL Carbon Saddle and FL Micro-adjust Seatpost Reviews

The combination of the FL Micro-adjust Carbon Seatpost (MSRP $90.00) and FL Carbon Saddle (MSRP $179.95) is what initially drew my interest to the FL group. There are ultra-light weight-weenie parts that are lighter but I will only use parts that will be ridden not just on gravel paths. The Syncros saddle and post have seen time on my Knolly Endorphin which I’ve ridden in the Yukon, Pemberton and Whistler trails, and in Graubunden, Switzerland. Failure of seatpost and saddle is not an option as the consequences can be dramatically negative. Syncros assured me that this group, while light can still take some hard-riding and they have been proven to be right and my concerns disproven.

At 236g the FL carbon saddle is featherweight yet still has support from its contoured foam. I’m used to WTB (Silverados) and Chromag DT Lynx & Moon saddles so my sitbones like saddles on the firm side. The Syncros saddle might actually have been a tad softer than other saddles I usually use but has a nice flat supportive shape married with a nice round contoured rear profile so you can easily slide on/off for more technical moves. It’s got carbon rails which look incredibly trick; but to be perfectly honest I can’t tell if those rails add any micro-cushioning (carbon rails are supposed to flex and give just a tiny bit). But come on! These are carbon rails! The saddle comes in black or white thus continuing Syncros’s colour themes.

The FL Carbon micro-adjust seatpost was a logical choice to pair with the FL Carbon seatpost. It’s a standard two bolt seatpost, with nice deep stainless steel hardware with deep bolts to resist even the most ham-handed attempt to strip. Diameters are the standard 27.2/30.9 and 31.6 and lengths are in 350 to 400mm. It’s a suitably light 220g in the 30.9. x 350mm tested and comes only in black.

The FL Carbon saddle new and shiny (top) and after 60 days of use (bottom)

There were a couple of quibbles with the seatpost and saddle:

• The seatpost rails are a bit oversized compared to alloy rails so may not be compatible with seatposts which use side-clamping hardware (eg the RaceFace XY or Turbine series) as the clamping surfaces may not be the same shape as the Syncros carbon rails
• The seatpost uses hardware that is not all that long so the hardware will be at its limit when paired with bikes with slack seat-tube angles. For example, when used with my Knolly Endorphin the rear seatpost adjustment bolt was at its limit and I was concerned that it would strip so removed a washer to gain some more space.
• The fore-aft two bolt seatpost angle and hardware is common but that doesn’t mean it’s particularly easy to use. It can be a pain – in – the …. to get seat rails into position so use patience on installation. It would be nice if the forward bolt was slightly offset from the axis parallel saddle as it can be tricky to get an allen key in there for micro-adjustments.

More Info: Visit Syncros.com

He’s now taking his legendary skills and chops to the Scott – 3Rox Racing Team for 2012. After seven years with Maxxis and the last three with Rocky Mountain, it’s quite a shift, but should certainly be a great move for him and for Scott as they launch their new 2012 Spark XC race bike in both 26 and 29er versions (read my Scott Spark 29 RC review). Check out a video about his move and the press release below.

Sun Valley, ID, December 12th, 2011 — SCOTT Sports announced today the formation of a new XC team based in North America. The Team, named SCOTT- 3Rox Racing Team, will include Geoff Kabush who will target the UCI World Cup series, the 2012 Summer Olympics and select North American events aboard the SCOTT Spark and Scale mountain bikes.

Geoff commented, “Changing programs the year before the Olympics had the potential to be stressful, but I couldn’t be happier about how things have worked out with SCOTT-3Rox. I had a lot of decisions, but SCOTT-3Rox was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. SCOTT’s pursuit of excellence and dedication to racing shows in their incredible line up of bikes; I can’t wait to ride and race the Spark and Scale. It was also a big deal to me that SCOTT showed a desire for a long-term commitment; I am really excited about several ideas we discussed and their plans for the future. Partnering with the 3Rox program and the support I will have from them was also a big factor in my decision. One of the main reasons I race is to have fun, and I am looking forward to some good times with a great group of people. I have everything I need for success in place now, and I’m really looking forward to concentrating on preparing for the 2012 race season with SCOTT-3Rox.”

“SCOTT- 3Rox began four years ago as a developmental program supported by MICA Sports, the Canadian distributor for SCOTT Sports,” said Adrian Montgomery. “The Team manager, Kyle Douglas, has done an excellent job in building the support network necessary for a program that we would get behind. When we had the chance to nab a top North American to race with, we jumped at the opportunity. SCOTT is a company with a rich history in racing, and we develop high performance, lightweight products for competition of the highest caliber. Now we have an athlete who can represent our products in this part of the world, contesting races our European based World Cup team cannot.”

“I am very excited about signing Kabush, as it has been a fun and new experience for me,” remarked Kyle Douglas, manager for SCOTT- 3Rox Racing Team. “I believe that a successful program relies on having a strong foundation, and adding Geoff to the squad allows the team to get to the next level. Geoff has many aspirations, and we wanted to make sure that going into the Olympic year he has all the support he needs to perform. There will be many challenges, but having strong companies supporting the team, I feel that we will attain our goals. Overall I am very excited to add an asset like Geoff to SCOTT-3RoxRacing.”

SCOTT-3Rox Racing Team Roster for 2012
Geoff Kabush
Derek Zandstra
Cam Jette
Tyson Wagler
Marc-Antoine Nadon
Amanda Sin
Mikaela Kofman
Laura Bietola

More Info: Visit Scott-Sports.com

2012 Fox 32 Float 29 Features

• Factory Series includes stanchions with Kashima Coat
• Air spring
• Adjustable rebound, compression and lockout threshold
• 15QR axle for stiffness (standard 9mm available)
• FIT Damper to keep air/oil separatedFor 2012
• Tapered aluminum steerer (standard 1 1/8 available)
• 100mm travel
• Weight: 3.92 lbs (approx.)
• MSRP: $810

Fox 32 Float 29 100mm Fork Review

Over the past few years, the amount of travel I’ve become accustomed to has decreased significantly from 150mm down to 100mm. During that evolution, I’ve become a 29er aficionado and honestly can’t see myself riding anything other than 29ers at this point. The benefits of big wheels far outweigh some of the misperceptions that are out there or poor designs of yesteryear. With that reduction in travel and increase in wheel size, I’ve been psyched to test out the latest technology in 29er suspension forks.

With the riding season lingering on this Fall, I’ve been able to get out on borrowed time — with just enough miles to comfortably deliver the verdict on the 2012 Fox 32 Float 29 fork. Mated to my Niner Jet 9, the Factory Float 29  has been the perfect match and has provided a noticeable improvement in smoothness over the standard 32 Float 29 and the RockShox SID XX that it has replaced (and both of those are great forks).

When reading up on the hype, you might ask yourself: “Does Kashima Coat really make a difference?” Before I answer that, keep in mind that each year’s fork is always the result of a myriad of incremental improvements, but with the best side-by-side comparison I could perform, I would without question say that yes, Kashima makes a difference. The combination of improved valving and performance along with Kashima Coat makes this fork feel as if it was blessed by the “Smoothness Fairy.” If you still don’t get it, let me use fewer words: Kashima Coat will blow you away.

As with any top-of-the-line fork these days, the options read more like the a-la-carte menu. The Float 29 Factory series 100mm fork is available in either standard and 15 QR axles, standard or tapered steerer and either FIT or Terralogic styles. Luckily, every one of those options comes with buttery-smooth Kashima Coat.

After a quick install, I was anxious to head out on the trails. Luckily, the riding season has continued well into December and I’ve been able to keep riding. While I’ve finally been able to get enough trail time on the fork before posting my thoughts, honestly, this fork had me at first squish. There’s something special about this fork and all it took was a few hundred feet of singletrack to prove that point.

The ride quality of the Float 29 can best be described as smooth and damp without feeling dead. The valving combined with Kashima makes for the smoothest-riding 100mm fork I’ve ever ridden. Honestly, this fork exhibits the best small bump absorption I’ve felt in a long time and even comparable to forks with longer travel. It seems to me that the Kashima Coat can be better felt in shorter travel forks. I believe the added smoothness throughout a shorter-travel design just makes every millimeter count that much more.

Not only does this fork absorb small bumps like a champ, it ramps up really well to absorb bigger hits. Yes, it’s only 100mm, so it’s not bottomless or plush like a 160mm Fox 36, but it is very plush in its XC-centric sphere. I’d definitely call it best-in-class, without question. At the end of long, hand-numbing descents, fatigue was considerably less than with the other 100mm forks tested.

The 15QR chassis is now a well-adopted standard that works great for 29ers. With that extra axle-to-crown height, it only makes sense to step up to a thru-axle design. You can never have too much lateral stiffness, I say and this fork is invisible in that regard… never once did I feel like it was getting away from me or mis-tracking when pushed. It’s stiff as you’d expect, which inspires confidence and allows you to focus on the ride.

Each rider will have to fine-tune the myriad of settings to their weight and riding style. For my 175 lb. frame, I found that setting the air spring at 75psi gave it the right balance between efficiency and shock absorption. I also preferred the rebound setting at 6 clicks in from the slowest setting. I did play around with the lockout threshold a little, but never felt a real need to use it.

Good Float 29

• Kashima Coat is the real deal
• Feels as if the Smoothness Fairy waved her magic wand
• The right balance of trail dampening with trail feel
• Best-in-class small bump absorption
• Ramps up well on larger hits
• 15QR is perfect for this application

Bad Float 29

• Not the lightest in its class
• Though I love the 15QR, you may need a new rack

Bottom Line: Fox 32 Float 29 100mm Fork

The gold-colored Kashima stanchions will mesmerize you with their golden good looks and amazing smoothness. In a crowd of regular stanchions, you’ll be glad to have Mr Kashima aboard as its performance is astounding.  What’s more astounding is just how much it can be felt in a 100mm fork. The Float 29 is a superb choice for a smooth-riding and efficient trail performer for XC efficiency or all-mountain fun.

Buy Now: Visit HuckNRoll.com

Niner Jet 9 Al Features:

• Race-ready 29er full suspension, updated for 2010
• 3″ of CVA™ suspension
• Custom valved standard Fox RP23 shock
• Compatible with 80-100mm forks
• Tapered headtube
• Hydroformed tube construction
• Custom forging throughout
• Colors: Black Anodized, Tang, Raw (tested)
• MSRP: $1849

Niner Jet 9 Al Bike Review

Not too long ago, I rode the original Jet 9 and loved it, but in 2010, Niner completely re-designed the Jet 9 Al and greatly improved its performance and design. The current aluminum Jet 9 sports hydroformed tubes, a tapered head tube and their now-patented CVA Suspension design.

While we are all understandably enthralled with the recent introduction of the Jet 9 RDO, the regular Jet 9 Al still has plenty of life in it and stands out as one of the easiest-to-own full-suspension 29er bikes on the market today. Dressed in SRAM X7, the Jet 9 Al can be had for right around $3k — very refreshing in today’s market. So, yes, without a doubt, the Jet 9 Al still has plenty of lawn to mow and will continue in Niner’s lineup for 2012 and beyond.

For my test bike, I opted for the raw color as I amassed my custom build kit that included a full SRAM X0 drivetrain, Easton EA70 XC wheels, Truvativ and Easton cockpits, Specialized Henge saddle and three different forks: RockShox SID RLT 29, Fox F29 and  Fox 32 Float 29 Kashima. With 80mm of rear travel and 100 up front, the Jet 9 is built for speed and efficiency, but don’t overlook its trailbike manners.

The entire package is definitely not featherlight at 28 lbs., but in real-world terms it’s responsive, fast and fun. My tire selection (Specialized The Captain 2.2) wouldn’t be approved by XC racers, but they balanced the racy-ness with extra traction that only 2.2 tires can provide. Lighter tires and wheels could make the Jet even faster, no doubt (maybe I’ll have time for that in the Spring).

Onto the ride quality. I mentioned that the Jet 9 can feel like a capable trailbike and I can say that it does help soothe the departure of my RIP 9 just a bit. What I love about all Niner’s is their trail manners. Without question, the Jet 9 can be pushed as hard as your legs and lungs can go, but it does so without making the bike feel twitchy at speed. I thoroughly enjoy pushing the Jet 9 hard on my local loops and find it to be a hoot to ride.

Stepping on the gas, the Jet responds. On extended climbs, the Jet continues to track straight and true with excellent traction in all conditions. In technical sections where standing may be necessary, you don’t just blow through the travel and waste your energy — this bike simply steps up to the plate with extra traction and stiffness to take all you can dish. The CVA Suspension is efficient and smooth without kickback or feedback at any time. Honestly, I’ve found little use for the ProPedal lever on the Fox RP23 as I preferred how it pedaled uphill in full squish mode — even on extended climbs.

When the terrain points downward, the Jet 9 rewards you with confident handling. I absolutely love descending on the Jet 9, but I do admittedly miss the extra travel that my RIP 9 provided. As you would expect, the Jet 9 soaks up as much as it can, but in rocky, technical terrain, you do get bounced around. This is as you’d expect and definitely not a jab at the Jet… just pointing to its intended use as an XC marathon bike.

One of my favorite downhill rides is Ghost Falls trail in Draper, Utah’s Corner Canyon. This trail features swooping, banked corners and twisty-turny singletrack that dances around maple trees with rollers galore. I can push the Jet 9 very hard, catch air and angulate in the corners like bikes with more of a downhill pedigree.

While the Jet 9 Al is a race-worthy XC steed, I’ve continued to be blown away by just how capable this bike really is. With the RockShox SID, the Jet feels very racy, but with the Fox 32 Float 29, I got extra-smooth dampening and efficiency at a mere 100 gram weight penalty — well worth it. Select the fork to match your riding style and go for it. I prefer the Fox — primarily due to the super-slippery Kashima (definitely worth it, in my opinion).

If you look at the various configurations I’ve had with my Jet (3 different forks, 2 different cockpits, 2 different rear shocks), let me share some thoughts about riser bars, flat bars, etc. My favorite bars on this bike have been the Truvativ Noir T30 flat bars with an inverted Truvativ AKA 70mm stem. The low-rise Easton EC70′s were also great on this bike, but the Truvativ’s were wider and well, flatter (hence lower).

Over the past few weeks, I’ve still been able to ride regularly and have honestly felt more and more connected to the Jet 9 than I have with any other bike this year. Niner knows how to build 29ers that are fun to ride and will take your riding to the next level. While I may still miss the extra travel, I’ve not lost one ounce of trail enjoyment by dropping down from my RIP 9.

Good Jet 9 Al

• Fun and playful on the trail
• Niner just “gets it” when it comes to 29er geometry
• Amazingly-responsive when pushed hard in the corners
• Pedals forward with CVA efficiency
• Suspension design really makes 80mm feel like more
• I continue to achieve personal bests on TT climbs
• Front-end tracks straight and true on steep climbs
• You can dress it like a trailbike, or pimp it like an XC racer

Bad Jet 9 Al

• 68mm BB shell requires shims
• Heavy on paper (goes away on the trail)
• No RP23 Kashima option (NOTE: I did recently obtain a RP23 Kashima for testing with this bike, but you’ll have to go Jet 9 RDO to get some of that action. Don’t even try to ask them as this is not an option on this bike from Niner — sorry.)

Bottom Line: Niner Jet 9 Al

When I parted ways with my RIP 9, I was wondering just how much I would miss it. Honestly, I do still miss my RIP, but the Jet 9 soothes the loss with lightning-quick responsiveness, lateral stiffness and outright efficient all-mountain prowess. Add a dose of Kashima up front and you’ll be soaking up rough terrain and flying around corners with laser-guided accuracy.

More Info: Visit NinerBikes.com

Thule T2 Bike Hitch Rack Features:

• SecureHook™ with integrated cable lock secures the bike without making frame contact
• Hitch Switch™ lever folds and stores platform when not in use and tilts carrier away from vehicle for rear of vehicle access.
• Reinforced tray provides maximum strength and rust-free protection
• Adjustable wheel strap quickly secures back wheel to tray
• Fits 20″ to 29″ wheel diameter bicycles with up to 3″ wide tires
• Accommodates bicycles with disc brakes, thru-axles and other non-traditional frame designs
• Included Snug-Tite™ receiver lock virtually eliminates hitch carrier movement in receiver and locks the carrier to the vehicle.
• MSRP: $440

Thule T2 Hitch Rack Review

I’ve now come full-circle when it comes to hitch racks. Many years ago, I reviewed the original T2. Since that time, I’ve tested many other hitch racks from Yakima and Kuat, so it was perfect timing coming back to the original and keep everyone else in check. Like all hitch racks, it arrives ready to assemble. Like the rest, the assembly process is easiest tackled once the rack base is inserted into your vehicle’s hitch. At that point, the assembly process is pretty straightforward, unless you have little helping hands like I did (thanks kids). Everything you need comes in the T2′s box — including lock cores for the hitch and both bikes.

My test T2 rack came in 1-1/4″ receiver, which is perfect for my Subaru. The only drawback with the smaller tongue size is it’s lack of expandability. The 2″ receiver version can be doubled in size to carry 4 bikes while mine is only capable of carrying 2 bikes.

Older hitch racks suffered from rack sway, but most all racks now lock tightly to the tongue for sway-free hauling. With the T2, the hitch bolt cranks the rack down tightly so it stays put — wiggle-free even after weeks of use. It does lock it down a few degrees off kilter, which is only noticed when the rack is upright. This doesn’t affect the rack’s performance at all, so don’t worry about it one bit.

The three Hitch Switch positions are changed using an easy-to-reach spring-action lever. Two notches hold the rack in either upright and flat positions. The positive engagement of the locking mechanism provides added peace of mind, but did sometimes require some wiggling to get the square locking mechanism to seat in the notch.  Should you need access to the rear of your vehicle, the rack can be tilted back and out of the way for unfettered hatch access (though it does require removal of the safety pin to do so).

Now for actually using the rack. The process for installing a bike onto the rack is as simple as they come. The front lever arm design allows for secure attachment without touching your frame — no matter how funky your frame may be. This is especially critical for carbon fiber frames (like my Specialized Roubiax SL3 above). Clamping something around the tubes is not recommended. The T2 clamps down equally well with my road bike, my 29ers and my wife’s standard 26″ mountain bike.

The best process for attaching your bike is as follows:

1. Extend the front wheel arm all the way open and forward
2. Open the rear wheel strap
3. Set your bike onto the rack with the front wheel in the tray and the rear wheel centered in the strap
4. Once you configure the rear strap for your bike, the clamping it down is as simple as slipping the T-shaped attachment in place and clamping down the lever (once I got the strap length dialed for each bike, this process was even simpler)
5. Once the rear wheel is secured in place, you can actually let go of the bike
6. Next, move the front arm into position so it is nestled between the fork and the front wheel and push down firmly

Bike removal is just as easy with the only caveat being the “T” end of the rear wheel strap, which tends to hook onto your spokes and catch your rear wheel. Other rack designs feature a straight strap that never hooks onto spokes. The two-tiered strap placement design requires the “T” to select an upper or lower strap position (lower for road bikes, upper for mountain bikes), so it’s a trade-off for adaptability across wheel and tire sizes.

As far as theft deterrence goes, you can opt for the cable lock only, arm ratchet lock or both. But, to do both, you’ll have to obtain two additional lock cores (3 are included for the hitch pin and each integrated cable lock). I opted to use the retractable cable lock that’s housed inside the front wheel arm. The cable extends to loop around your frame and back onto itself. When unused, it easily retracts back into the lever arm and stays neatly in place.

Something else to note is the overall tight construction of the rack. Rack wiggle and t2 should never be mentioned together because this rack offers the most stability of any hitch rack I’ve tested. While other racks have started to get some play in the pivot bushings, the T2 has remained ultra-solid — even after extended use and up/down rotations.

Good T2

• Sturdy and wiggle-free design
• Super-easy bike install, works with all 20-29″ bikes — road and mountain
• Once rear wheel strap length is set, it’s no-fuss
• Bike holds itself up with just the rear strap
• Several built-in anti-theft options for added security
• Rack tucks up against rear of vehicle when upright

Bad T2

• Rear wheel strap’s “T” hook gets caught on your spokes when removing the bike
• Spring-action Hitch Switch position lever requires wiggling to get into place
• Small rust drips from the arm connections onto the silver trays are appearing already

Bottom Line: Thule T2 917XT Bike Rack

The original is still tops on the list in stability, durability and ease-of-use. Without question, the Thule T2 can haul any kind of bike in any kind of terrain at any speeds without flinching. This is one of the most stable bike racks on the market and remains the design to beat.

Buy Now: Visit REI.com

With an extended time between storms, the once-dry and dusty singletrack has been renewed by rain, snow and several freeze/thaw cycles. Those freeze/thaw cycles loosen the dirt just enough to make it fast and smooth on the straights and grippy like Velcro in the corners. I was one of the few who discovered the hero conditions yesterday as the trailhead parking lot only had a few cars. Like those riders, I was absolutely amazed as I ascended up the trails only to find that they had dried out just enough to create perfect riding conditions.

The most amazing part about the past two days of riding is that its been my best two days of riding all season. There’s something magical about hero dirt that just makes everything click. you feel one with your bike and connected to the trail like never before. Angulation into every corner is met with Pirelli-like grip and it’s as if you can do no wrong. That “one-ness” with the bike and trail is the way I love to end every season… going out on top, as it were.

My advice to you: Don’t let the season end without getting your fair share of hero dirt time… 100% hero dirt time.