This one is for Jeremy:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OyIWPB-X49U
Popularity: 3% [?]
Archive for April, 2007
First Impressions: Digital Hero 3
On April - 26 - 2007
MtnBikeRiders.com took possession of the Go Pro Digital Hero 3 Sports Wrist Camera (DH3). The DH3 is a 3 megapixel camera that takes single shot, burst shots, video and has a timer option.
The DH3 is especially unique, not because of the camera so much but more so because of the case that the camera fits in. The case protects the camera (much better than the cases you buy for most point and shoot digicams) making it more rugged and trail worthy. The wrist strap are comfortable and keep the DH3 in place while the 2 buttons are easily accessible for quick shooting or filming.
Camera outside of its casing
Here are the specs from the website:
First Impressions:
- Love the case that holds the camera: solid, clear and waterproof.
- You do need to read the directions before using it, but once you understand what the buttons do, the DH3 is pretty user friendly.
- When you download pictures to your pc, you have to make sure the DH3 stays on. Found this out the hard way.
- For having just two buttons, the DH3 has a lot of programming functions. Other than switching from single shot, burst shots, video and timer, the DH3 can also delete one picture or multiple pictures at a time as well as set up the power settings.
- I took it out on my morning ride. The straps are comfortable especially the soft rubber-ish like part that is between the camera and the wrist. The velcro straps are wide and do not allow for sliding around.
- For the most part, I did not notice the extra weight on my wrist. On my morning ride, I took a few shots of the Dahon Fuego I was riding. I’ll upload those later.
Soft rubber-ish area goes upwards when slipping your hand into the straps
We only have 30 days to review the Go Pro Digital Hero 3, so I’ll be wearing this a lot! If you see me with this out on the trails make sure to stop me and I’ll take a quick picture of you and your bike.
My wife modeling the DH3. She has especially dainty wrists, but the camera still fits.
For more info on the Go Pro Digital Hero 3 Sports Wrist Camera click here.
Popularity: 2% [?]
Trek 69er
On April - 26 - 2007
One of the biggest buzz going on at Sea Otter was the debut of the Trek 69er.
I decided to test ride it at Jax Bicycles in Fullerton, Ca. to see what the hoopla is all about. Did you notice the price tag? $2199.00 Yikes!
It has a sweet Maverick fork…and I love that color. They call it Root Beer.
Yeah it rode smooth and I see the fun factor on it on the trail. But for the price, I wasn’t all that impressed. I mean I could easily build my own 69er for way less than $2200! With that said…I think I will!
But if the Trek 69er tickles your fancy, here’s more info on it.
Complete Specifications
Frameset
SIZES 15.5, 17.5, 19.5, 21.5″
FRAME ZR 9000 Alloy
FRONT SUSPENSION Maverick Custom Double crown, 100mm (15.5 size”: Single crown)
Wheels
WHEELS Bontrager Race X Lite Single Speed; 29″ front, 26″ rear
TIRES Bontrager Jones ACX, 29×2.2″ front, 26×2.2″ rear; 120tpi, folding
Drivetrain
SHIFTERS n/a
FRONT DERAILLEUR n/a
REAR DERAILLEUR n/a
CRANKSET Bontrager Single Speed 32T
CASSETTE Bontrager 16T w/cog chainguide
PEDALS n/a
Components
SADDLE Bontrager Race Lite
SEATPOST Bontrager Race Lite
HANDLEBARS Bontrager Big Sweep, 0mm rise, 31.8mm
STEM Maveric DUC 32, 25 degree, 31.8mm (15.5″ size: Bontrager Race X Lite)
HEADSET Cane Creek S-3 w/cartridge bearings, sealed
BRAKESET Avid Juicy 7, hydraulic disc, 6″ rotors
Popularity: 2% [?]
Eeewwww Ticks!
On April - 25 - 2007
Well it’s that time of year! Spring is here, weather is nice, and oh yeah those ticks are out. Locally here in Orange County it has recently been confirmed that the Rocky Mountain Spotted fever has been found in a tick here at local trails. The tick was found two months ago at Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park and is considered to not be an isolated incident.
The disease, which can be fatal in 3 to 7 percent of human cases, is characterized by high fever, nausea and especially a rash. Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever is a bacterial infection that’s transmitted to people by tick bites. It is not transferred from person to person.
There are many symptoms of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.
Initial symptoms of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever initial include:
A sudden fever
Nausea
Vomiting
Headache
Muscle pain
Loss of appetite
Later symptoms include:
Rash
Abdominal pain
Joint pain
Diarrhea
Rocky mountain spotted fever is usually treated with antibiotics, a fever reducer and pain medication.
Click here for more information. Also thanks to the Warriors Society for the heads up.
Typically I am told that if you just stay on the trail while riding you shouldn’t have tick issues.
Popularity: 32% [?]
Uncategorized
Product Review: Thudbuster Long Travel
On April - 25 - 2007
Who:
From Thudbuster’s website: Thudbuster suspension seatposts were born in the Black Hills of South Dakota in 1993. The inventor, an avid mountain biker by the name of Ryan McFarland, founded RJ Concepts, Incorporated in 1994 to further develop, manufacture and market the Thudbuster.
Product Tested:
Thudbuster Suspension Seatpost Long Travel (LT)
Website’s MSRP:
$129 (includes $15 Crudbuster)
Specs:
- 3″ of ultra-plush travel
- Only 565-585 grams (610 grams or 4XL)
- 1-year warranty
- Unique US Patented design
- New CNC-machined aluminum alloy linkage- New 1-piece forged tube and receptor
- New larger-diameter stainless-steel pivot pins
- New Teflon® coated pivot bushings
- New super-strong, twin-bolt, micro-adjust saddle clamp
- Complete 6-piece Double Barrel elastomer kit
- Illustrated installation and tuning guide
- Choice of tubing diameters
About Me:
6’0� 210lbs, 27 year old male. I’m a mountain biking enthusiast who enjoys rocking the big 29er wheels. For this review I had that Thudbuster LT on my Gary Fisher X-Caliber.
Testing Grounds:
Fullerton Loop, El Moro (Crystal Cove), Chino Hills State Park, Coyote Point (Lake Hogan), Sea Otter Classic 2007
First Impression:
I was really afraid of the weight the Thudbuster would add to my ride. It’s 565 grams! For comparisons sake my old seatpost, a Bontrager Select, weighed in at a hefty 280 grams. The Thudbuster is more than double the weight of my heavy seatpost. But I thought to myself to heck with it. It’s a cool product that gets rave reviews on MTBR.com.
When I first laid eyes on the Thudbuster, it was attached to Moe’s Gary Fisher Cobia. Moe wasn’t planning on riding the Cobia for a few days and I mentioned that I’d like to try it out at El Moro. So a quick swap was made. As I was making the swap, I noticed that the Thudbuster seemed to be well constructed. Although I didn’t like the funky lines of the Thudbuster, I did like how the Crudbuster cleaned up the look immediately.
Strengths:
The Thudbuster is all about comfort. Comfort on seated climbs, when riding rolling hills, when spinning around town or even at the Sea Otter Classic. The Thudbuster does an amazing job of taking the edge off of bumps. Most of the time you will not be seated on it for major hits, but when riding cross country you will be seated and this post works perfectly for dulling those little trail imperfections.
The main result of the increased comfort is an increase in saddle time. I used to dread longer rides because I know my body would be beat up afterwards. Since adding the Thudbuster to my hardtail, I’ve been more then willing to go on longer rides because I know my body will not take as harsh a beating.
Some other strengths of the Thudbuster is that the construction is very strong. After speaking with the guys from Cane Creek, who bought the rights to the Thudbuster, I learned that the Thudbuster originally was two pieces attached together right underneath the suspension portion of the seatpost. Cane Creek realized that this was a weak point in the execution of the design and they decided to manufacture the post as one piece so that the whole unit would be stronger.
I haven’t done any strength tests on the Thudbuster but I am 210 lbs and I’ve ridden this in a variety of terrain including technical singletrack to rolling fire roads. I’ve also performed small drops and jumps with this post and it still works perfectly without any signs of wear and tear on the suspension mechanism.
Lastly, I really like the line markers on the post. I’ve traveled with the Thudbuster attached to my Gary Fisher and there have been times I’ve taken the post out entirely or scooted it up/down to accommodate for traveling. Each time I’m ready to ride again, the Thudbuster is so easy to dial back in because the line markers on the post allow me to move the post to the exact height I was previously riding at.
The line markers have also helped me find the exact height I’m comfortable at riding with in most all conditions. Prior to riding the with the Thudbuster, I was always guessing at the best ride height for me. I’d push the post into the seat tube, screw in the seatpost collar then hope I tightened the collar enough so that my seatpost didn’t drop. Then when I came to a difficult descent, I’d drop the post a few inches to give myself a lower center of gravity. When I was ready to return the post to its original position, I was out of luck. I’d have to guess, then adjust, then hope again the seatpost was tight enough… argh. With the line markers I’m dialed in every time I ride.
Weaknesses:
It probably weighs double or over double your current seatpost. But, the thing to keep in mind is that if you were to upgrade from a hardtail to a full suspension bike you’re adding more than an extra 300 grams. You’re probably adding around 800 grams minimum. So an extra 300 grams to get three inches of travel is a very small price, figuratively and literally, to pay in comparison to upgrading to a full suspension bike.
Personally, I value the comfort of the Thudbuster over the weight. How do I know this? When I’m grannying up a long hill, I think about all the weight I’m carrying: in my Camelbak, in my water bottles, in my wheels… I think of any and every item that would add even the most miniscule bit of extra weight as I’m sucking air. Surprisingly though, I never think of or complain about the Thudbuster. The extra weight is substantial when compared to a regular seatpost but the comfort of the Thudbuster FAR offsets the weight gain.
Secondly, you’re going to feel a forward push when you hit an object. When you’re seated and you hit something hard with your rear tire, you’re going to feel the Thudbuster soften the blow. As the Thudbster moves back to its original position, you’ll feel a forward pushing sensation. This push can be a little disconcerting the first few times you feel it but it has never resulted in a fall or a loss of control. Initially I found the push annoying but with more seat time I’ve become used to it. I also know I bring this on myself because I shouldn’t be seated when I hit any objects.
Summary:
The Thudbuster is a great addition to any hardtail you ride. It is very well constructed and has great features like the line markers on the seatpost and different elastamers to suit each rider and their weight. The Thudbuster adds comfort to all types of riding and, because it takes the edge off of hits that add up over time, your body will thank you too.
For more info about the Thudbuster Long Travel, click here.
Popularity: 6% [?]
