New Year’s resolutions for cyclists: I resolve to shred the trails
As we count the days to 2014, Canadian Cycling Magazine presents our guide to New Year’s resolutions for cyclists. Get off the beaten path and challenge yourself to flowy trails, technical rock gardens and, if you got the chops, some big drops. Whatever your style of mountain biking, here is some gear that can help you on the dirt in 2014.
Urge All-Mountain Cycling Helmet
$135
The good-looking Urge all-mountain cycling helmet is a great option for riders looking to spend time on fast, gravity-defying trails. The helmet has good ventilation and a surprisingly resilient visor that’s capable of surviving unexpected dismounts. The Urge uses durable alloy tubing to reinforce the large vents. (mec.ca)
Shimano SH-XC90 Shoes
$460
Rather than hitting the cross country trails with heavy and clunky all-mountain shoes, consider a pair of Shimano’s new SH-XC90. Built as a no-compromise cross country shoe, the SH-XC90 offers road-shoe like performance and efficiency with enough protection and support to tackle the toughest trails. Shimano starts with a minimalist cleat-compatible outsole that sheds mud and keeps the weight low. A carbonfibre midsole is next with its exceptional stiffness and power-transfer ability. Finally, Shimano pays similar attention to the upper and the rest of the shoe by employing mouldable technology in the heel, insole and upper as well as using a foot hugging ratchet buckle and two hook-and-loop straps for the closure. (bike.shimano.com)
Schwalbe Rock Razor Enduro Tire
$84 (SnakeSkin version), $93 (SuperGravity version)
Schwalbe has introduced the Rock Razor for enduro and downhill riding. The centre knobs on the tread have a low profile for a lower rolling resistance and increased speed. The knobs also have V grooves for better traction. The large outer knobs are shaped for cornering and braking duties. The Rock Razor comes in 26″ and 27.5″ versions. You can also choose between the sturdier and slightly heavier SuperGravity model or the lighter SnakeSkin. The Rock Razor works best on the rear wheel and pairs nicely with the Hans Dampf or Magic Mary on the front. (schwalbetires.com)
DT Swiss XMM 120 Torsion Box 29 Fork
$1,108 (alloy steerer), $1,522 (carbon-fibre steerer)
If your 29er is destined for some XC and even marathon riding, get the XMM 120 Torsion Box fork into the head tube. The lower, with its Torsion Box construction, gives the fork its name. The arch is made of two pieces, the magnesium main body and aluminum reinforcement. The two pieces have a lattice of supports within. Joined together, the pieces make a stiff lower that makes for rock-solid steering. The Twin Shot damping actually gives you three travel settings – open, climb mode and lockout – so you’ll be set for whatever the trail is dishing out. (dtswiss.com)
Oakley Radarlock Path
$270
Light conditions on the trail can be fluky: bright sun in the open fields and shifting shadows among the trees. For extreme changes, Oakley’s Radarlock Path comes with the ability to swap out the lens. Each pair of glasses ships with two lens options. Once you’ve chosen your “windshield,” it’s curved-shape covers the view directly ahead and in the periphery, keeping things clear across the whole range. The arms don’t hook around the ears. Instead, they rely on the shape of your melon and gentle pressure to stay in place. These specs will allow you to stay focused on the trail ahead. (ca.oakley.com)
