I used to think a rack is a rack is a rack. I only cared about mobility, not caring if my bike got scratched or how easy the rack was to install, I just wanted to get to the trail. For years I’ve been tossing bikes in the back of my trusty Toyota, but as my bike wealth grew with my income (marginally), I started looking for ways to transport bikes without damaging them or scratching my truck. When my bikes started costing more than $1000 as so, so many of them do these days, I felt a nagging sense of neglect tossing them willy-nilly into the bed. I’ve tried most or all the tricks: the two-by-four with fork mounts, putting fork mounts on the side of the bed, disassembling the whole bike and squeezing it into the hatchback, roof racks, trunk racks, you name it, I gave it a shot. Right now I’m kicking myself for not trying a trailer hitch rack with my pick-up, for some reason it just didn’t make sense. I have a camper shell on the truck now and I’ve been digging rides from friends with HUGE vehicles when we go for rides, so maybe that’s why. For about a year or so, my buds have been telling me to try one of the hitch-mounted bike racks that have gotten so popular lately. I never considered buying one when I could just mooch off them. Besides, I like being able to drop my tailgate any time I want and sit idly on the back of my truck like the dumb yokel I am.

I did my time as a bike mechanic at the LBS and installed countless racks on more yuppie SUVs than any of you could ever imagine. Not my proudest moments, and I never found a rack I was really impressed with. Most were heavy, ungainly, unsteady, too big or small, or worse, horribly unattractive. I did start noticing the hitch-rack trend gaining popularity, and I feared inevitable hernia operations from lifting the beasts onto our customers like-sized vehicles. Then I lifted the Küat Alpha Rack. 

Wifey one-arming while wearing a Baby Bjorn!

My wife can lift this rack with one hand and hold it out to the side (see photo!) It has all the basics you would expect from a decent rack: holds three bikes, swivels on two pivots for easy storage and trunk/tailgate access, adapts to a 2” or 1-1/4” receiver, and built in locks to keep the bikes safe when you hit the bar after a ride. Furthermore, it’s made from 6061 T6 Aluminum (bike-building material!). It’s the easiest rack to install I’ve ever had the pleasure of sliding into a receiver hitch (all the others were NOT pleasant). Just plug it in, twist the Cinch-Tight system (Kuat‘s term for “knob”) and you’re done. All this and it weighs 16 lbs. I can’t quote the weights of all the other racks I’ve lifted, but I feel confident they’re upwards of “ridiculous.” It also doesn’t hurt that it looks good, compared to the rest anyway–I put it on my truck last week, and that’s where it’s staying. Since it’s aluminum it won’t rust, plus it comes with a lifetime warranty.

The hardest thing about Küat is their name, which is aptly explained in the front of their brochure. The brand name is a combination of the founders’ names, I have no idea what their names actually are, and I have a hard time believing any of them have an umlaut….maybe they’re Mötley Crüe fans. If you only want to carry two bikes, you can go even lighter with their The Beta rack (11 lbs.). The final rack in their current lineup is the NV bike rack, the lightest platform rack (with a repair clamp!) on the market. Keep an eye on these guys, you’ll be seeing more and more of that goofy name if they keep up the good work.

Random Posts

• January 11, 2009 -- Combo Lifts: Squeezing More Results into Less Time
• February 13, 2009 -- Top 3 Exercises for Explosive Gate Starts
• October 15, 2008 -- Made to Order Bikes, Inc. and The Bicycle Doctor Partner to Provide Custom Built Mountain Bike Service
• December 18, 2008 -- IMBA Press Release: Bicycling in National Parks
• September 9, 2008 -- CLIX is the Fix for the Common Quick Release Skewer Blues
• September 10, 2008 -- Communing with the Animal Kingdom: Disney Moments on the Mountain Bike
• March 17, 2009 -- “Black Sheep” is No Misnomer
• January 15, 2009 -- ZeroGoo Hydration Bladder Dryer Review
• May 20, 2009 -- Retired Professional Cyclist Steve Larsen Dies after Collapse
• August 22, 2008 -- Germany’s Sabine Spitz Claims Gold at Beijing Olympics

With the bike season upon us once again, and a new bike on the horizon, it was time for me to do my due diligence on bike storage.

My conditions were simple:

1. Hold at a minimum 2 bikes (regardless of frame type)
2. It could not take up much space
3. No holes in walls or ceilings

I checked out a number of bike racks, both online and in local shops. Most were hideous, or looked unstable; then I came across the Topeak® Dual-Touch™ bike stand. It is elegant, minimal footprint, and it was fully adjustable to accommodate different frames.

I head to my local bike shop, purchase the Topeak® bike stand, and head home. Excitedly, I rip open the box, and grab a 5mm Allen wrench from my saddle bag, I quickly assemble the hooks to the cross-bracket, and the bracket to the stand. 10 minutes and 8 bolts later I have my bike stand assembled. I get out the stud finder, locate a ceiling joist, extend the upper stanchion and lock it in place.

Being mildly impressed by the ease of setup, I grab two bikes and throw them on the stand. Perfect! Now I need to go buy one more Topeak® Dual-Touch bike stand and all of my bikes will be off the floor, obviously to make room for additional bikes…

Specifications:
Weight: 11 lbs
Weight Capacity: 40 lbs per hook | 160 lbs total
Max ceiling height: 126” | 10’5”

Author’s Rating:
Ease of Setup: 4/5 (Stud finder required)
Stability: 5/5
Looks: 5/5

Random Posts

• February 20, 2009 -- Brent Thomson – R.I.P.
• September 23, 2008 -- The History of Mountain Cycle
• August 7, 2008 -- Tire Pressure: Something to Pay Attention To
• September 17, 2008 -- Sherman Branch, Section Two
• March 16, 2009 -- All Harlot and No STD’s
• January 9, 2009 -- Mountain bike champion to inspire at Coronet Peak
• August 29, 2008 -- Mountain Bike Frame Materials
• January 8, 2009 -- Help Support Mountain Biking in National Parks
• August 15, 2008 -- HammerSchmidt Who? We’ll All Know Real Soon
• September 25, 2008 -- Interbike 2008 Expo – Day 1 – Pedro’s Trixie Cassette Tool

I have been really stoked about receiving the Shins for a few reasons:

• MTOBikes.com will no longer solely focus on mountain bikes.  Chrome Bags marks the first vendor to help support us in this new endeavor.
• About ten years ago we bought my father a bike so that he could commute to work.  He bought an odometer shortly after and has Just under 12,000 miles logged on the bike.  His longest ride has only been 34 miles.  Around the time we bought my father his bike I had been riding to and from high school to my job as a pharmacy technician.  I moved closer to work in December and got the itch to start biking to work.  I bought a single speed 29er (commuter/road bike on the way), but I’ve been lacking good commuter apparel.  Enter Chrome Bags Light Weight Shins.
• In regards to commuter apparel, bags, and backpacks Chrome Bags have quite a reputation and as such I have been really excited to get my hands on some gear.

I realize I kind of rambled on for awhile…hey, I’m excited.  Not only am I excited about the Shins, but this marks a new era for MTOBikes.

Here’s what Chrome Bags has to say about the Light Weight Shins:

Our lightweight Shins deliver technical features that riders depend on for the daily grind. The lighter 4.6 oz material will act as a second skin without the added weight in hotter climates. This 3/4 length technical cycling knicker will stay in rotation due to its functionality on the bike and its clean, fresh look off.

• Made of 4-way Tweeve™ Durastretch™ fabric, a durable, breathable fabric, that retains its shape and is also water-repellant
• Cut high in back and low in front
• Keeper pockets
• Lightly padded chamois seat and inseam
• Reinforced hem
• Zipper and secured cargos
• Articulated knees

The Shins are available in the following sizes:

Small: 28″-30″ / inseam 21″– Medium: 30″-32″ / inseam 22″– Large: 32″-34″ / inseam 22.5″– X-Large: 34″-37″ / inseam 23″

Retail on the Light Weight Shins are $160.00.

First impressions

The material used is very light weight, has great breathability, and stretches anywhere from 1-3″ in any direction.  They are stylish.  Let me repeat, they are stylish.  Sexy and sleek.  The thigh pockets are deep and cargo pockets have zippers.  There was good reason for my excitement and at first glance it doesn’t appear that I’ll be disappointed.

A review of the Light Weight Shins will be published soon, so check back often or sign up for our RSS feed or newsletter to be notified when the review is published.

Random Posts

• May 12, 2009 -- NAHBS Announces Richmond, Virginia as 2010 Venue Location
• September 9, 2008 -- CLIX is the Fix for the Common Quick Release Skewer Blues
• June 18, 2008 -- Cochran Shoals Mountain Bike Trail (Atlanta, GA)
• April 29, 2009 -- CamelBak M.U.L.E. NV Review
• September 25, 2008 -- Interbike 2008 Expo: Xtreme Sports ID Bracelet
• August 19, 2008 -- Video Footage of the 2008 Olympic Mountain Biking Course
• September 16, 2008 -- Mountain Bike Brakes Explained: Braking the Confusion
• February 11, 2009 -- Polar RS800CX BIKE in for Review
• August 31, 2008 -- Five Bikes This Downhiller Owns
• October 3, 2008 -- Notes From the Field: On Location in Vermont

The Swiftwick Four socks fit like…well, like something that fits perfectly (I want to say like a glove but a glove probably wouldn’t fit a foot very well).  They are a combination of cotton, nylon, and spandex which not only makes your feet smell better (or at least less like sweat), but also form-fits the socks to every contour of your foot.  I usually don’t like tight fitting clothes of any kind but the way these things grip your feet is surprisingly comfortable…especially when you’re on the trail and suddenly realize that your sock isn’t slipping off or bunched up in the toe of your shoe.

If you regularly or even occasionally get blisters from riding then you might consider getting yourself a pair of socks like these.  In addition to some extra padding underneath the foot that might help correct this problem, the Swiftwick Four has a “no seam” design which means, as you might have guessed, there aren’t any unnecessary pressure points or ridges irritating your feet.

With that said, the one gripe I do have about these socks is that the cuff is particularly tall (it stops about four inches above the ankle).  The more I think about it, the more I think that this feature likely does not suggest this is a winter specific riding sock.  If that were the case, the whole thing might be a little thicker.  This leads me to the conclusion that the tall cuff serves as an anchor; to prevent the rest of it from sliding around inside your shoe.  This cuff is mildly uncomfortable and given the way these socks grip the rest of your foot (especially the bear hug they give your arch), this might be a bit of an unnecessary feature.  However, this is more of a personal preference thing than a design flaw.

The bottom line is that the Swiftwick Four Merino is my new favorite riding companion.  The combination of the ultra-comfortable “no seam” design and breathability has me wanting to use these socks not only every time I ride but also for everything else I do.

Random Posts

• May 18, 2009 -- Topeak Dual-Touch Stand Review
• March 2, 2009 -- Submit a Trail Review and Be Entered to Win $100 of Hoss Technical Gear Merchandise
• September 18, 2008 -- What to Pack When Mountain Biking
• July 31, 2008 -- My Singlespeed Friend
• October 6, 2008 -- Top 3 Exercises for XC Mountain Bike and Trail Riders
• April 6, 2009 -- Hoss Technical Gear’s Stallion Shorts Review
• July 31, 2008 -- Dehydration, the Forgotten Enemy
• October 17, 2008 -- Old Man Mountain Biker: Why I Ride
• September 12, 2008 -- Basic Nutrition for Every Cyclist
• November 12, 2008 -- Passing on Hills

The good news is that SKS has satisfied both the most streamlined minimalist and the chunky-bagged draft horse. Even though I won’t be carrying it on the trail with me, the sleek little beauty has earned a very respectable placement on the top shelf of my shop toolbox. I don’t want to bag on the gearheads too much, afterall the importance of tire pressure has come to light in the last few years with the advent of tubeless tires. I like to know how low I can go, if you catch my drift. It will cost you about $20 more than a cheap tire gauge from Auto Zone, but the Airchecker has all the qualities of a great bike tool: small, light, tough, and simple.

Random Posts

• August 5, 2008 -- Mountain Biking Vacation
• October 29, 2008 -- AY-UP Light System Review: The Light System You Have Always Wanted – No Joke!
• June 9, 2008 -- What you Need (A Beginners Guide to Mountain Biking)
• September 29, 2008 -- All About Dropouts
• February 25, 2009 -- Hoss Technical Gear Stallion Mountain Bike Shorts Review
• September 3, 2008 -- Are 29er’s Really Faster? The Physics Behind the Big Wheels
• November 12, 2008 -- Passing on Hills
• November 27, 2008 -- Dieting and Biking
• January 30, 2009 -- Single Pivot Suspension Design
• November 21, 2008 -- Strider Running Bike Review

Finland-based Polar Electro is one of the very few companies giving Garmin some competition in the category of GPS devices for mountain bike enthusiasts.  The new RS800CX BIKE sports wrist watch is the do-all personal trainer from Polar.  Polar strives to help people get fit and improve their physical performance.  The RS800CX BIKE is their top of the line training system specifically for cyclists.

What does Polar have to say about the RS800CX BIKE?

From PolarUSA.com

Get the most out of your performance with the RS800CX. With its professional training software you can effectively plan and analyze every detail of your ride. See your route profile and total meters climbed with the altitude, ascent and descent features, as well as uphill or downhill steepness in percentages and grades to help you to track your efficiency effort while training.

• Comes with the wireless CS speed sensor™ W.I.N.D. for interference-free cycling data
• Synchronizes with the Polar ProTrainer 5™ software for guidance, analysis and creating individual training settings
• Determines if your training program and recovery time are optimally developing your performance
• Measures incline and adjusts your efforts accordingly

We will be testing the RS800CX BIKE with the following accessories: G3 GPS sensor W.I.N.D., CS cadence sensor™ W.I.N.D., and the Universal Bike Mount

Have you used a product from Polar?  Do you currently use a similar device?  We’d love to hear from you, please respond in the comments section below.

• January 9, 2009 -- Dirt School DVD Teaches Mountain Bikers How to Improve Their Skills
• January 9, 2009 -- Mountain bike champion to inspire at Coronet Peak
• November 16, 2008 -- Strong Cycling Skills Indoors? You Bet!
• October 6, 2008 -- Top 3 Exercises for XC Mountain Bike and Trail Riders

A good torque wrench is an essential tool for even the most basic mountain bike maintenance and repair. It’s important to ensure that all of the fasteners on a mountain bike are tightened to specifications for reasons of safety and to maintain its original design integrity.

The lightweight alloys used in mountain bikes make it very easy to over-tighten and strip a screw or bolt. Don’t guess! Know the correct torque settings for every screw and bolt and use a torque wrench.

The IceToolz Xpert “Click” Torque Wrench kit comes in a fitted case a contains bits of Hex, Pozi, Phillip, Slot, and Torx…32 bits in all, and a 1/4″ adaptor.

We recently used the IceToolz Xpert “Click” Torque Wrench when Installing the cleats of my Shimano SPDs on my new SixSixOne Flight cycling shoes.  For instance, Shimano recommends a tightening torque of 5-6 Newton Meters (N-m) {43 – 52 in. lbs.}. 

The torque wrench, with an easy to read indicator, was extremely easy to use.  Adjustment is easy, simply pull on the end of the torque wrench’s handle popping out the adjustment mechanism and twist to the left to decrease or to the right to increase torque.  Once the setting has been selected you are ready to tighten your screws and bolts.

Over-tightening is not possible because once you adjust the torque the wrench only allows you to tighten screws and bolts to the desired level.  If you try to over-tighten, the torque wrench will click and release, stopping it from tightening past the desired setting.

We recommend that after use the handle be cranked back to zero again when the job is complete. Doing this will release the tension of the internal spring and prolong the life of your torque wrench.

The IceTools Xpert “Click” Torque Wrench retails for around $99.99.  It is a must have for anyone that likes to tinker with their own bike and its components.

Random Posts

• November 4, 2008 -- Scott Hodge – Addictive Cycles – Support The Cause
• August 22, 2008 -- Germany’s Sabine Spitz Claims Gold at Beijing Olympics
• October 13, 2008 -- Buyer’s Guide to Used Mountain Bikes
• September 17, 2008 -- Sherman Branch, Section Two
• January 7, 2009 -- How Tight Are Your Hubs?
• January 9, 2009 -- Mountain bike champion to inspire at Coronet Peak
• December 7, 2008 -- Not Your Grandmother’s Wool—Smart Wool Socks Perfect for Cooler Riding Conditions
• June 18, 2008 -- Cochran Shoals Mountain Bike Trail (Atlanta, GA)
• September 3, 2008 -- Are 29er’s Really Faster? The Physics Behind the Big Wheels
• September 21, 2008 -- Hardtail VS. Full-Suspension: Which is Right for You?

I was somewhat familiar with Harlot clothing company as this past summer I was looking to eek out of my lycra riding shorts and in to something more mountainous and less road biker. The only bump in bike clothing shopping was finding women’s specific clothes that fit a womanly, sporty figure and not your “average woman.” Because at 5 foot nothing I am still in shape. I run marathons in the winter and race mountain bikes in the summer. I coach the girl’s tennis team and run circles around our boy’s baseball team in the winter. Athleticism is not a question in my life and there is no denying the genes of my family. Hips, thighs, curves, I am every “match.com’s” desire. Hence why I wanted away from the lycra and into something with a little more fabric. Here came Harlot.

I started with their shorts last summer. An elastic waist won me over coupled with padding that left you feeling as if your seat bones were bare as opposed to feeling as if an adult diaper was strapped to you. It’s not your ordinary biking short. They are fitting, yet stretchable, and hugging yet breathable. And again, as with the Sophia Jacket, you can wear them while you kick back with a beer after a satiating ride.
The Sophia Jacket offers all this and more. Immediately after opening, like a kid at Christmas, I threw it on over my sweaty running clothes and took the dog out for yet another run. It has all the additives of a biking jacket including being longer in the back to cover it all as you hunch over the bike as well as having longer sleeves. Yet, the look was blended into a checkered soft shell on the outside that could easily be worn out for happy hour on Friday. Add the cozy fleeced inside coupled with a higher collar and you have yourself a comfortable jacket for the biting winds of the changing seasons.

The jacket fit and it fit well. Versatile does not even begin to explain the first day (the earlier paragraph only described the evening I spent with it) I had with my Sophia. I wore it at 5 am for my run in 20 degrees with a thin wicking shirt underneath and managed to stay warm and dry. Surprisingly, after a quick whiff of it, I realized it still smelled new and I was able to wear it to work as an extra layer for when the heat shut off in my classroom (one must love public education). Coworkers complimented me before I even had a chance to brag about my new digs and by the afternoon I was wearing it to coach the tennis team all the while basking in compliments from high school girls and other coaches. Undoubtedly, it is one rugged, cozy, warm, yet sleek and stylish all at the same time.

The Sophia Jacket is not your average Christmas present, which makes it all the more exciting. There is no doubt that Harlot is coming up with innovative, comfortable, versatile outerwear for active, adventurous women that goes beyond what we have ever expected. It has taken into account the details that we forget including a longer backend, pocket on the sleeve, and fleece collar and of course their insignia red star that reminds you that this is one tough chick wearing it.

To view a 2009 Harlot catalog and order your own Sophia Jacket, visit www.harlotwear.com

Random Posts

• November 12, 2008 -- Passing on Hills
• June 21, 2008 -- Henderson Park Mountain Bike Trail (Tucker, GA)
• August 7, 2008 -- Tire Pressure: Something to Pay Attention To
• October 8, 2008 -- Top 9 Ways To Make That Old Bike Feel New Again
• January 31, 2009 -- Four Bar Linkage
• September 19, 2008 -- TAG Wheels to Introdue New Carbon Fiber and Composite Wheels at Interbike
• October 19, 2008 -- Get More Power Go Faster: Some Quick Tips
• February 13, 2009 -- Top 3 Exercises for Explosive Gate Starts
• July 31, 2008 -- My Singlespeed Friend
• September 12, 2008 -- Basic Nutrition for Every Cyclist

The ZeroGoo hydration bladder dryer was specifically designed to fit into the opening of a CamelBak wide-mouth bladder.  It fit perfectly.  The unit, when plugged in, uses a small 12 volt motor to power a fan that inflates the bladder to eliminate unwanted growth from occurring.

The noise produced by the fan is somewhere in between a microwave and a hair dryer.  At times the noise produced can be somewhat bothersome.

We only tested the product on bladders that had been filled with water.  During our first test I emailed Trent during our third hour of testing to inquire how long on average the ZeroGoo unit should take to dry a bladder.  Trent responded via email stating that in Denver it takes about 30 minutes.  Trent attributed the longer drying time to Georgia’s humidity and because of this he would expect three hours drying time. On multiple occasions we let the ZeroGoo unit run over night and throughout the day and the end result was never a dry bladder.

The unit only inflates the bladder and does not blow heated air into the bladder.  Trent stated that he didn’t want to use a heater in the design since water is present and heat would release solvents from the plastic bag.

Below is a video of Trent Bellantine on Outdoor America explaining the ZeroGoo hydration bladder dryer.

Unfortunately, our test results here in Georgia proved to be no quicker than the drying time of the hanger method, 3-4 days.  We have sent the unit to our correspondent Matt Brady who will test it in Arizona to see if a dry desert climate will yield different results.  The design of the CamelBak bladder does not adequately allow for air to pass through the bladder and as a result makes the ZeroGoo unit no more effective than the hanger method.  Our conclusion from the south is that, although it appears to be a great concept the particular unit we received was not able to perform like we had hoped.

We’d like to see one of two things:  a heated version of the ZeroGoo  to help dry the bladder or CamelBak’s bladder design to change to allow for easier drying and cleaning.

Stay tuned for our upcoming review of the DAKINE AMP hydration pack which utilizes a HydraPak Reservoir allowing for easier cleaning and drying of the bladder.

• August 1, 2008 -- The Great Debate: Gatorade or Water
• July 31, 2008 -- Dehydration, the Forgotten Enemy

This review focuses on the Co2 Tire Inflator he recommended, Genuine Innovations Powered Inflation Kit/MTB.  Innovations, Inc. headquarters is in Tucson, Arizona and their products are made in the USA.   On their website, they claim they are #1 in Co2 Inflators, while I’m not in a position to verify this claim I will make one observation, they sure seem to have the widest selection of any Co2 Inflator company that I’ve come across. 

Scott’s recommendation led me to the Powered Inflation Kit/MTB.  The kit comes with a Big Air! cartridge which is nice because it can inflate two 26″ MTB tires at 40+ psi.  This same cartridge can inflate three 27″ 700cc road tires at 75 psi.  A rubber mount with hook-and-loop strap is also included that allows easy and quick mounting to your bike. Microflate is the company’s lightest and most economical controllable mini inflator with easy to use twist-to-inflate valve. The blue nozzle of the Microflate is a “dual nozzle”, it pushes onto Presta valves and screws onto Shrader valves.

I really liked the fact that the kit comes with the Big Air! canister which is a 40g propane canister.  Most kits come with a 12 or 16g canister.  In addition the twist-to-inflate vavle is easy to use and features brass fittings which make for a longer life.  The ability to mount the cartridge and microflate to your bike’s seatpost is a nice feature.  Although I typically carry my pump, first aid, tools, etc. in a pack when I ride I decided I would mount the inflator to my seatpost as a “last resort” type solution or when inflating a tire or making adjustments to tire pressure is time senstive.

Random Posts

• July 21, 2009 -- Fort Rock Exeter, New Hampshire – Mountain Bike Trail Review
• August 1, 2008 -- The Great Debate: Gatorade or Water
• November 3, 2008 -- Waterbury, Vermont & the SMBC
• November 6, 2008 -- Solving Bicycle Noise Issues
• February 10, 2009 -- True Beauty Comes From Within
• January 6, 2009 -- Nutrition Bars Created by You; Provided by You Bar
• December 18, 2008 -- Early Bird Registration Opens for the National Bike Summit, March 10-12
• September 4, 2008 -- Commencal Furious Freeride Mountain Bike Review – Crankworx Colorado 2008
• January 29, 2009 -- A Jacket for All Occasions
• August 21, 2008 -- Girls – Seven Reasons You Should Start Mountain Biking