It doesn’t take a cyclist to know that the first two things that typically get cold are the hands and the feet. Based out of Minnesota, 45Nrth is a brand dedicated to creating products for cold weather cyclists who brave the rough elements. With the introduction of their Wolvhammer winter boot also came the introduction of the Jaztronaut insole. During the design process of the Wolvhammer boot, 45Nrth developed an insole solely for the purpose of keeping your feet warm. Once they realized just how well the new insole worked, it was released as a unique product in addition to the boot, packaged for all to enjoy.
After having ridden these in all sorts of temperatures, they have become a welcome addition to my winter gear. (more…)
The 100 Proof glove is the warmest offering for Giro. It’s a split finger glove (also called “lobster claw”) that pairs your fingers together to better trap body warmth. Included with the glove is a light weight glove liner made from a moisture wicking fabric to help keep your hands dry. All in all, these gloves are designed to keep you warm and dry in the most frigid of temperatures.
The split finger design is meant to help keep your fingers warmer, similar to a mitten but with some added dexterity. The increased range of motion is important for gripping on handlebars and operating a bike’s controls. (more…)
It’s been 16 years since I graduated from a kid who rode around on a bike to someone who cycled. In that time I’ve seen a lot and learned a lot. This year was no exception. Here are five things I learned — or learned again — in 2012. (more…)
Introduced at Saddle Drive in August, we first met Beargrease in the mountains of Ogden, Utah, where this bike proved its worth beyond conditions of sand and snow. Our own Scott M. got a chance to flex the bike on demo singletrack; it took off around switchbacks, crushed downhill descents, and was even coaxed to pop a few mean wheelies on a couple of quiet straightaways. Competitive, nimble, and bold, the Beargrease argues that a fat bike can be even more than good, steady fun: It can be a vehicle for emboldened speed, landing confidently on its paws at trail’s end.
Every cyclist has something that sticks with them for a long time. It might be an article of clothing, a custom frame or a specific component. For myself, it’s a Selle Italia saddle I found in a junk bin that was tucked behind a stack of repair tags.
Back in 2004, I was in the middle of building my first monster-cross bike. The project had all sorts of wrong written all over it — I had converted a ’96 Trek 6500 frame to accommodate 700c wheels by using a Karate Monkey fork and Paul Moto Lite BMX brakes. I just needed a saddle to complete it. After rummaging around for a bit, I came across a bin that contained three or four saddles. One of them has become my long-trusted friend for all long distance endeavours. (more…)
Niner Bikes Cogalicious RDO Ti Cog total kit weight 62 grams
This week, stock arrived for the all-new Niner Bikes’ Cogalicious RDO Ti Cog. Designed for top-end performance, the kit features a machined Ti cog, aluminum spacers and aluminum lock ring.
The cog is spec’d at 26 grams, but our sample weighed 28 grams; the complete kit weighs in at 62 grams. Niner provides enough spacers of various widths to let you fine-tune the cog position. Tooth position on the cog is thoughtfully designed, too — the teeth are offset just a hair to allow you to flip it and dial-in that fit just a little better. (more…)
With a newly-designed winter shoe, Shimano has done their homework. With thoughtful updates to multiple elements of construction, the MW81 works harder than ever to meet the needs of the cold-weather rider.
Comparison
Compared to the previous MW80, this model has a noticeably different look. Where the old shoe looked very much like a modified cycling shoe, the structure of the MW81 suggests that Shimano was looking to high-end hiking boots for inspiration. The upper gator ankle section was also updated to permit more fluid pedaling movement. (more…)
The tire is the fat bike’s exclamation point, delivering its whole reason for being on a super wide, super low-pressure platter. Because the Pugsley was first imagined for life on earth’s loosest terrain, its tires — the Larry and the Endomorph — went all-in for sand and snow, featuring mega girth combined with low, flat tread patterns. But these days, fat bikes are covering all kinds of ground, venturing well beyond winter drifts. Plenty of riders are now looking for a tire that provides increased control — a true four-season, omniterra ripper. (more…)
The Salsa Mukluk is as good on the trail as it is in the snow
If you’ve spent time poking around the shop side of TreeFortBikes.com, you may have noticed a curious something that we’re peddling on this corner of the internet: a bike with really, really big tires. Some of you may be more than familiar with the sight; certainly others are already totally-pumped owners of such a steed.
We’re talking about fat bikes — a bike that’s built entirely for use with tires that run (get ready) about 4 – 5 inches wide. Why, you ask? So you can float! Well, in a sense. The expanded surface area of these tires suspends the cyclist higher aloft on loose surfaces like sand and snow, and also permits the kind of super-low air pressures that make a tire into a regular cushion, emboldened to trample over the more impassable reaches of earth. Okay, I’m already a little out of breath. Honestly, there is a lot to say about fat bikes. There’s frame design and proprietary parts unique to fatties; there’s the market to explore, including new and veteran brands that are taking fat bike outfitting to the next level; and, of course, there are adventure stories to be told from the trail, where the boundaries of fat bike riding are constantly being expanded and re-imagined. (more…)
Ever wonder what everyday mechanics can’t live without in their tool box? We went around and took a look at what a few of our employees had to say. (more…)
It doesn’t take a cyclist to know that the first two things that typically get cold are the hands and the feet. Based out of Minnesota, 45Nrth is a brand dedicated to creating products for cold weather cyclists who brave the rough elements. With the introduction of their Wolvhammer winter boot also came the introduction of the Jaztronaut insole. During the design process of the Wolvhammer boot, 45Nrth developed an insole solely for the purpose of keeping your feet warm. Once they realized just how well the new insole worked, it was released as a unique product in addition to the boot, packaged for all to enjoy.
