Category: Product Reviews
2013 GIANT TRANCE X 29: DOES BIGGER MEAN BETTER?
4th September
August has been a very busy month here in British Colombia. Its the funny season in the Bicycle Industry. We start getting sneak peek’s of 2013 bikes and who could forget Crank Worx. Recently I have been riding a 29er Specialized Stumpjumper Carbon to see what all the hype has been about with the ‘Big Wheel’. As a rider who has only known the world of the 26 inch wheel I was always against the trend of the 29 inch wheel. It just seemed that the bigger wheel would feel clumsy. But against my better judgement I decided to try out a 29er.
The first thing I noticed was how good it climbed on fire roads and how easily it dealt with rough terrain at high speed. As a former XC racer I just felt at home on the bigger wheels … Read More »
First Impressions: Fox 36 Talas 180
22nd September
I originally spec’d my Santa Cruz Nomad with a Rock Shox Totem Solo Air front end. I liked the way the Totem felt, the air spring and single crown were a nice combo for an “all mountain” rig and it proved to be a good crutch for my lack of descending prowess. Just to be clear, I handle gravity better than a Schleck, but riding with Kimbo, Dave Nordmanand Mike Guns makes almost anyone feel like they descend with a purse under their arm. 180mm made my purse feel a little smaller and I could grunt it up almost anything.
Two years of Woodlot, Squamish, Whistler and NS riding later, the Nomad was due for a makeover. Coincidently, my regular partner Mike had just swapped his Nomad for a TranceX which left me thinking I was about to get schooled going … Read More »
SRAM Kit
19th August
For this season’s Cyclocross Season, I am super excited to be piecing together my new Giant TCX SL Advanced, carbon cyclocross bike! Aside from having the hottest newest, latest, greatest frame, the parts kit will be a step above.
I will be blogging a more detailed listing of the parts, wheels, tires etc. but this photo shows my selection of the SRAM Red shifters, and BB30 crank. I will be changing the gearing to 38-46 as the stock 34-50 compact gearing is for road use and not so hot in the mud bogs of the cyclocross race course.
Hope my frame arrives soon, the first BC Cup Cyclocross race is on September 5th! For a detailed race schedule, go to www.cyclingbc.net.
-Kim
2011 Giant Reign 0- What’s Changed?
10th August
For 2011 the Giant Reign 0 went through some very beneficial changes. Giant equipped the bike for 2011 with a tapered headtube for substantially increased front end stiffness. They have also incorporated a press fit bb system into their bike, as well as post mount style brake mounts. This eliminates the need for an additional adapter, and dropping the overall weight of the bike. Cockpit duties are handled by the new Giant Contact bar and stem, and the near bottomless Maestro suspension system is as supple as ever. Maestro technology is the full suspension platform that every Giant performance mountain bike utilizes.
Above is the from Pink Bike video of Luke from Giant Bicycle reviewing the changes to the 2011 Giant Reign.
Canadian price on the 2011 Giant Reign 0 is $4499, Giant offers the Reign starting at $2249.
Santa Cruz Driver 8
5th June
Words by Connor Macleod. Photos by Derek Dix. (all content from NSMB.com)
Over the past few months, I have has the chance to get to know the Santa Cruz Driver 8. While the Driver 8 was created 1400km away in Santa Cruz, California, it felt right at home here on the North Shore. The Driver 8 is an all-new creation from Santa Cruz Bicycles, and shares some similarities from its brothers including the impressive VPP suspension and build quality we have come to expect from Santa Cruz Bicycles. The Driver 8’s claim to fame is its versatility, durability and ability to delight. As a test pilot, it was my job to see whether the Driver 8 was able to live up to its high expectations.
Off the showroom floor, the Driver 8 delights with great lines, welds, parts and finishing touches you … Read More »
