Newsletter Issue No. 5 -
...and do we have issues!
www.mtbkanata.com
Newsletter Issue No. 5 - February March 2002
...and do we have
issues!
www.mtbkanata.com
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In this edition: News From The Editors Howdy All! I'm back writing for the Editors... (Eric and Myself). Been a crazy month at the website... we have doubled our forum traffic (thanks to our friends at mountainbike.nl) and have released another successful video! Another feature we have added this month, is a Discussion Area in the Forums for the discussion of the newsletter. You can comment on any story we have, or you can send in your suggestions, or just see what others are saying. You can access the forum by clicking on the following link: February 2002 Newsletter We are also listed on the Top 50 Sports Sites... You may or may not have seen the small icon on the main page. What this is, is a place for sports sites to offer their link in hopes of driving more targeted traffic to their site. We are listed under the Cycling Section. If you feel that this site is worth a vote, click on the button below for us. You will not only help us rank higher on the cycling page, but you will also see a listing of hundreds of sports sites! The click will open a new window for you too! If you do choose to click, please only click one time. We do not want to inflate our rating just to be the top!
Hope you all enjoy this months issue! Some follow-up: We missed our self-imposed deadline of the 15th of the month for a February Newsletter... then we missed February altogether... we're getting back on schedule with this being our March issue. This issue has some less than biking related stuff in it but hey... this season has been "biking deficient" in general. As Joe mentioned above our Online forums are actually being used... we've caught the attention of some local freeriders which should help offer a bit more variety in the forum topics and make for a far more interesting season of video. Feature Product:
DVD includes Kranked I (Live to ride), II (Trails from the Crypt) and III (Ride Against the Machine). DVD is NTSC, and non-region specific. (I picked up my trilogy from Alan last week... a great addition, or way to start your DVD Mountain Biking collection! Video's sold through www.spokewrench.com - Email Alan for more information. Our local wrench will try to answer all reasonable questions related to maintenance tips and will provide one article each issue on how to perform some type of maintenance. Send your suggestions for articles to wrench@mtbkanata.com The Official Eric's Marin Rift Zone weigh in! (More bikes next month) Peter brought over his digital fish scale and we had a go at weighing the "beast". For those unaware of the beast, it's my 1998 Marin Rift Zone (frame) with a 2002 RockShox Psylo SL and just about anything else under the sun bolted to it. Full spec available here. The bike is designed to be a heavy duty XC bike, what the real magazine folks would call "enduro" or a "trail" bike. The bike has been weighted and comes in at 15.3 kg (33.8 lbs.) as it was running last season. Since our last newsletter we had A QUESTION!!!! Ok. so it was a BTW part of an e-mail back and forth with me as a carbon copy... but I'll take what we can get! From "Castor" at mountainbike.nl: "...what do you
think of a Santa Cruz Superlight? It is said to be an XC bike with a
bit of freeride flavor. As you have seen the Dutch countryside, do
you think it's OK? Or should I consider a RM Slayer or a Specialized
Enduro? I'd like your opinions... The analysis: Being a "geek" I first look at this as a choice between three different suspension designs. Santa Cruz Superlight - high pivot "monoshock" swingarm Advantages:
Disadvantages:
Specialized Enduro - Host Link 4-bar suspension Advantages:
Disadvantages:
RM Slayer - Low pivot modified 4-bar Advantages:
Disadvantages:
* on my Marin this chain grow is significant enough that if I’m hopping in place, the cranks will actually back pedal because of the freehub ratcheting... but think of how often you spend your time hopping in place It really comes down to what you want… If you ONLY consider suspension design then the choice gets easy:
If you can’t decide which of the above is more important than GOOD! Get all this engineering out of your head and pick the bike with the geometry (fit) that you like… When I made the switch to full suspension the Marin Rift Zone was the perfect bike for me since in it’s stock form the geometry was identical to my Marin Muirwood hardtail… As far as suspension designs go, if I was going to go through the trouble of ordering the tubing from Easton and buy a TIG welder I would either be building a "Virtual Pivot Point" suspension design or a Lawhill Design 4-bar. Until then for me the single pivot "monoshock" works just fine! (Hey, where is the B*Link info Eric?!? - Joe :) ) Article Follow-up (March 16th 2002): Well... Castor read the article and after careful thinking, calculating cost, determining what dealer could provide the best and most accessible service, comparing the shock options/limitations, related outstanding recalls and even considering the aesthetics (remember, we only looked at rear suspension design above) felt like he went "Against the grain" and now has a 2002 Rocky Mountain Slayer Limited Edition frameset! The best part is Castor's getting the best bike, not just of the three above, but of all time... he's getting the one he wants! Thanks to Castor for giving us the feedback, reminding us of many of the other things you should consider when buying a bike and, as "Dutch as He Wants to Be", for "Stimulating the Canadian Economy"... and a P.S. to Joe... I limited this article to Castor's three choices... if you want a comprehensive analysis of available suspension designs, including the "B*Link™" dropout-flex-pivot "modified 4-bar" MacPherson-esque non-linear hiccup-link driven shock suspension (I made up some of those terms) then I'll get Mardi to drive the CAD while I do the Newtonian vector force analysis... don't say I didn't warn you! This issue's "Sneaky Tip" Don't be an idiot. Now for the details: We set
out to photograph a full rebuild of my 2002 Psylo SL:
WOW... What else can I say? How many MTB sites are there on the internet? Well, if you visit this site, you'll know! Bikesutra.com, Great Links, Great Karma... that is an understatement! The nice thing about the links here, is that they are all categorized and well laid out. Besides the links, Bikesutra also has informative articles and feature stories to keep you up to speed on the world of cycling. Take the second to check this site out! I know you will not be disappointed! - Joe Elliott
You know, there was a time that thought Disc Brakes where all hype... but when you get a chance to ride them all that speculation quickly disappears! I recently purchased the brakes from Alan at www.spokewrench.com, the one and only place to get cool bike components! Eric and Alan also built the wheel - Sun DS-1 XC Rim, Sapim spokes and a Shimano XT Disc hub... very sweet. First impressions: Since it's still snowing here, I took the bike out for it's first ride in my parking garage... certainly not North Shore, but a kilometre of warm dry cycling bliss! The modulation and control are paramount! (How's that for a review word)? You want to stop fast, fine... you want to stop slow, fine... you want to endo down the ramp, no problem... you provide the courage and the balance, the brakes will make it possible. Since I haven't been on the trails yet, I'll have to wait until a future newsletter to give a full report. Also, in the next couple weeks, I'll be installing (which means Eric will be installing) the rest of the package... another Hope on the back, Sun rim and XT hub. You'll be hearing a lot from me in the future! - Joe Elliott 2002 Shimano XT Shifters So what's in a shifter? Well, I guess as long as it changes the gears when I want it to, it's alright... right? Well, what about feel? To me, that's half the battle! I've been using Shimano LX shifters since last year, and with the disc upgrade have moved to the XT model. Just by playing with them in the garage and unmounted in my hand, I can tell you that these feel great! The click is precise... the distance to click is right, and the feedback to your hand is perfect! Now, this might also be because of the new cables and sleeves, but, whatever... they are definitely an upgrade in look and feel! I'll have to give an update in a future newsletter once I have abused the shifters for awhile on the trail... but for now, everyone is smiling! - Joe Elliott Not Really Features, but Product Reviews! The list of reviews is slowly growing... I can only review so much, so if you have a product you have reviewed, send me the details, and I'll make a page for it! webmaster@mtbkanata.com Review
1 - Sigma Sport Cycle Computer
Winter time Drama: Still lots of fun with the Skiers vs. Mountain Bikers controversy... Well this has been a lousy season for XC skiing and we've seen some of the frustration directed towards the presence of other trail users... I figure that we have two options at opposite ends of the range of possibilities that would resolve this: 1. Skijorers, Dog-sleders, XC Skiers, Snowshoers, Hikers, Birdwatchers, Photographers and other artists, Bikers and what-have-you all just drop the labels and realize that we're TRAIL USERS. 2. Take a lesson from made for TV wrestling events and lock us all in an arena and resolve this "roller-derby-style"... (I'll be there with spiked tires on my bike and a ski pole in hand) Ok... I've vented, I'm back to my "happy place"... Along the topic of frustration - which I will keep within the category of "Environment" - it looks like a regular frustration induced event: "Snow Jump" will be cancelled for 2002 due to lack of, well, snow. That ludicrous lack of snow, that I personally still believe was the root of conflict on the trails this winter, has left us looking at what might be an early biking season... with that in mind please review the articles on trail erosion from previous MTBKanata newsletters, look into groups such as IMBA's rules of the trail and guidelines for "treading lightly" and sign up for a local trail maintenance day! Last year, giving up one perfectly good day of biking to help others move (literally) tonnes of stone, shift dirt and redirect traffic flow to reduce trail damage paid huge dividends... Even if you can't find out when the local trail maintenance day is please follow the example of the bikers that were having a great ride when they passed by the trail maintenance crew. They stopped a great ride to help with the task of moving that previously mentioned tonnes of stone to build up a section trail that had previously be "accepted" as being underwater from August to July. Last issue we told you of an unconfirmed sighting of a seldom seen critter, the ermine. We made sure to tell you that although "cute" they were described as aggressive carnivorous predators. This newsletter I wanted to make sure you learned of another aggressive carnivorous predator, one that is far more often seen by the MTBKanata crew. The Phi.
Phi is a female tabby cat about 8 years old. She looks cute and shows interest in anybody that comes by our place but should be treated with the respect that you would show a runaway buzz-saw blade. With those that Phi has become accustomed, she is quite tolerant (sociable is a luxury afforded only to me and recently Mardi). There have been many great Phi stories to tell including Dan, all colour drained from his face, asking me to go and retrieve his wallet from Phi. Dan agreed that she could keep the cash if he could get his credit cards, drivers license and other ID back. Just a reminder in general that critters are just that, critters. Domestication has bread out many violent attack characteristics and certain animals have a general history of cohabitation with humans (particularly cats) but remember that each critter must be given the respect it deserves... All folks that have visited my place know (or learned very quickly) that Phi decides with whom and when she will "play nice". Always remember to not spook animals on the trail (in addition to this not being "nice", a startled animal may behave very unpredictably) and always talk to the human companions of domesticated critters before approaching. Last reminder: if Phi is sitting on the front hall table beside your car keys, she's telling you that she already owns your car, if you reach for the keys she'll take your hand too. Hmmm, other than riding in my Underground Garage, there has not been too much going on. Still waiting for the first rains to wash the salt away before hitting the roads. Tell you what, rather than post a Ride Review, I'll post the survey results!
Thanks to everyone that took the survey. I'll come up with a new one and post the results in the next newsletter. About the "Flat Tire Award": Category: I would like to thank RockShox for their use of plastic top caps and my own carelessness for this nomination. What is with the plastic top caps? Category: First, some background. I have a job like many others where I have my official role and my unofficial role. My official role is to "do stuff" (a recent build-up of "stuff" is the prime contributor to the fact that there was no February newsletter). My unofficial role is to be a sardonic smart-ass (this role was self appointed). I'm at work when I get back to my desk to see an e-mail from one of the "Incident and Problem Managers" located in Calgary. The subject says only: "Remedy Down - No Ticket". A failure of the Remedy application, being the ticket tracking system, would without doubt be something that an Incident and Problem manager would have to track and report, but as this IS the tracking system it would be self evident as to why a ticket had not been cut. Eric, the Sardonic Smart-ass, is on the case! Within three (3) minutes of the e-mail being delivered, I call Michelle (the IPM) in Calgary:
at this point I
think I'm really clever, laughter is had between us it's the
equivalent of a good ride...
If the enjoyment I get from my sardonic wit was my bicycle, this incident was, without a doubt, it's flat tire. Last Month's Question:
Answer(s) to last issue's question on Motocross influence on MTB technology: I think Joe touched on the approach that should be taken to technological advancements when he asked if MTB should use it's own research instead of just sizing down Motocross technology. The two technologies are now very similar for some obvious reasons but let's look at the differences we should remember: A motocross bike is mechanically powered, a mountain bike is human powered. Sounds like a simple equation where you can choose to say: "well then, make the weight proportional to the available power and expected performance requirement and you're set". but you have to remember that internal combustion engines and muscles have different "power curves" and performance characteristics. Where a motocross bike can be "hopped" by holding the clutch, red-lining the RPM and making some mechanic smile with the smell of burning clutch plates mountain bikes have a different method of "launch"... yeah... no immediate conclusions about which technology is applicable for cross over from that but so long as people keep that in perspective we'll do better. Some of the places where I'm personally glad motocross technology was incorporated after being scaled down:
Some places where we've set out on our own:
Some things that "may" not cross over very well:
Some places where Bike technology may influence motocross:
Before incorporating technology from ANY other source we should look at two things:
Just realize that motocross technology isn't the only place from which we have "stolen" technology. Easton's phenomenally worked/extruded/butted tubing is made possible because of a "need" to produce an aluminium shaft for archery arrows. If you look at a Lawhill 4-bar rear suspension and can't see the resemblance to the auto industries tried and true a-arm/steering knuckle/Mac Pherson strut... well good... if you see the cross planar interpretation of the wheel path application... stop reading this and go ride! Okay... so no one has a dream bike... that's cool... we'll start this back up in the summer. In the meantime, if you have a dream bike, send it to me (Not the bike!) joe@mtbkanata.com
Video's sold through www.spokewrench.com - Email Alan for more information. Well, this month, it's my turn! Things are always changing here at mtbkanata.com. We now have a bit of a following for our videos, and my web server can really feel it! over 30GB have been downloaded in Video alone in the last few months... and our newest video "The Good The Bad and Their Face Plants" was downloaded over 200 times in the first few weeks alone! I also added a PHP counter to the video page... that way you can see how many times a video has been enjoyed (or mocked) from our server. On the web server side... we had a few hiccups this month due to DNS servers in the States which seemed to drop our domain. But, Alain at www.aspcanadahost.com smoothed everything over and upgraded our web hosting service to make up for the few days of repeated outages. Thanks Alain! Borrowed Space - We also devoted a few MB of space for www.spokewrench.com to host their picture gallery... you can check it out by visiting spokewrench and clicking on the photo gallery link. Hardware Repairs - I also had to replace a router in January between the internet and my Video server.. so that caused a day or so of outages... all-in-all though, January was a good month! Out stats where as follows:
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