slyfink profile

What about Newmen rims out of Germany? They make aluminum rims whose walls are  angled rather than vertical... The marketing claims is that they did this to better dissipate impacts to the rim while the bike is leaned over. https://www.newmen-components.de/en/77/mtb/rims/evolution-sl-a30/ I'd love to try a set. Weight seems reasonable too. If only they were available in Canada...

I recently listened to the Downtime podcast with Dustin Adams. I like where his mind is at, and I like where his products are heading. But I have to admit, I'm a little disappointed the Faction rim isn't available in 650b. I haven't bought into the wider-is-better mantra. I like 2.3 to 2.4 tires (60mm) and I'm happy with 25-26mm internal width rims.  I find that to be a happy combination of tire profile, weight, support, grip, and sidewall feel. I'd be willing to go to 27-28mm, but I'm not convinced by 30mm.

I have been hesitant to buy in to carbon rims, WR1 was the first company I'd been seriously contemplating. Maybe if I wait a little longer, the Faction will be available in 650B?

650b 2.3 Aggressor DD = 1050g

650b 2.35 Hans Dampf SG = 1065g 

Not sure where you're seeing such a large weight discrepancy? My experience with Schwalbe was with knobs ripping off. That was a long time ago, but I've also not really found a compelling tread pattern from them either. Magic Mary is grippy as heck, but I wasn't happy with rolling resistance.

Yes! glad you wrote about this. I remember spending hours in the bike shops trying on all their helmets to find the one that fit my noggin the best (and that I could afford) back in the 90s. Now, I am someone who falls squarely on the line between medium and large. the mediums typically just barely fit, but seem small and sit on top of my head. the large's are, well, large. They have a little side to side play, and fit deep on my head. it's what I typically go for, but in this day and age of $300 helmets*, I wish there was an in-between shell size that didn't rely on a thin plastic strap so much to adjust for size.

*I can already hear the people yelling expletives at this price. I have a Kali Interceptor and a Leatt DBX 3 All Mountain helmet. Once taxes are factored in, they come out pretty close to $300. Having crashed on my head a few times now, and having my neck saved from severe trauma, I'm happy to shell out that amount of money. But I wish there was a broader range of shell sizes that fit better given the significant cash outlay.

While this is a good rule of thumb, accidents happen. Sometimes, even if you're riding within your limits, something happens and you want your helmet to be there for you.

Also, I firmly believe in progression. It's what I like most about mountain biking: trying things that are outside my comfort zone. that's why I have a dirt jumper and go the skate park. of course, you have to progress slowly, but that still requires an element of risk.

I've cracked a few helmets in the past couple of decades riding bikes. I'm happy I have them, and I'm always paying attention to new technological improvements. of course, I'd be happier knowing those improvements have a basis in science, but as long as they don't take away from the baseline safety of the helmet (i.e. meet the same basic safety requirements and pass the same tests), I'll gladly shell out for a helmet claiming to have even more safety built-in (though an independant test that proves these claims sure would be nice).

Ooooh, thanks for the tips! I had forgotten about the Salsa and didn't know about the Scott.

I too am solidly in the rigid camp; at least until my kids graduate from "I like to go out riding with dad. sometimes", to "this is awesome and I want to spend all my time doing this". I think a fat (or semi-fat) rigid offers the greatest versatility in that it can be used to ride off-road in the summer, maybe in winter when conditions are good, and to get to school and muck around the hood the rest of the year.

I also wanted to mention that I didn't realize quality kids flat pedals were a thing. I'll have to look into that. He constantly loses his pedals while we're riding. I keep trying to teach technique (drop those heels, get up off the saddle, your elbows and knees are all the suspension you need!), but some good/better pedals would probably help a shit-ton too.

I love this site: you guys equally fire my "gnar" stoke, as well as my kid stoke! thanks!

My 6 y.o. has been watching me head out on fatbike rides, and asking if he can come along. This weekend the snow was firm and not too icy, so I thought lets give it a go.

it was tough-going on the little wheels and slippery pedals, which led to this:

that said, he didn't give up, and still had fun. But it got me thinking... maybe one of those 20" "Plus" tire bikes would work well for him? Hmmmm...

Something like this:

it would likely do well in the summer too...

but... are there others?

Thoughts on using the Trail Boss front and rear? Any instance in which this would be an advantage over using a Vig front and Trail Boss rear? I'm looking for something to replace my 2.3 DD Agressor that is a little wider. The 2.4 TB seems like a good candidate. But then I'd also need a wider tire in the front (because who rides a wider tire in the rear!?!). Currently running a 2.3 Butcher in the front. I had a Vig on the front a few years ago, and seem to remember it rolled somewhat slowly. I like the DHF and DHF-clones and want something in the 2.4 range. so... I'm wondering what 2.4 Trail Boss front and rear combo would feel like...

I now have another Interceptor, as well as a Leatt DBX 3.0 All-mountain, the only other helmet I find comes close to the impact absorption capabilities of the Kali.  I got the Leatt because of fit.  My head measures in at 58.5cm.  So pretty much too big for the S Kali, and right on the cusp of the M and L Leatt (I tried both on, and while the M fit, the L was a much better fit, with better coverage).  My observations on fit, comfort and ventilation are as follows:

Kali: more of a round shape.  I have more side to side play with it. front to back is ok. it feels like a larger shell, and a sloppier fit (for me). padding is minimal and those LDL knobs dig into my head a little bit, making it uncomfortable after about an hour of riding. IMO, ventilation is slightly better than the Leatt. sweat drips aren't too big of a problem, but when they drip, it's into my glasses, towards the outside corners of my eyes.

Leatt: more of an oval shape.  front to back is good (similar to Kali), but it's closer on the sides, leading to a more snug fit.  padding is thicker too, and so overall, the helmet is comfortable. actually, it's very comfortable. the front pad is thick, and comes down far on my forehead. this makes it feel hot when you're wearing it, but I find I don't notice it while riding. it's only bothersome when stopped. I think this is because you're concentrating on other things while riding.  Ventilation is good (except across the brow - but as I said you get used to that). Surprisingly, sweat drips weren't a big concern. I would have thought because the pad is so thick and comes down so far, it would dump the sweat right down my forehead, but nope. I've been riding with this thing in hot, humid, misty east coast weather, and I sweat a lot, so I am tempted to say sweat management is excellent on this one.

Last thing that really differentiates these two, and makes a difference in my book, is the clean implementation of the accessory mount on the Kali. Lights are a reality about 9 months out of 12 for me. that mount is super nice, and super clean. I really wish Leatt had done something better than resorting to glue-on mounts.

Overall, I highly recommend both helmets. IMO (and IME), the Kali is totally worth its price. Safety is second to none, comfort is average (but that's highly personal), ventilation is good, and the accessory mount is very well executed and useful.

Unfortunately for me, I was able to crash test this helmet. And I can say with certainty that it saved my neck. I washed out towards the inside of a berm (I think I started to wash out and overcorrected which led to oversteer), and my front wheel caught on something, and I went otb, jack-hammering onto my head. The impact went straight through my head and neck into the thoracic spine. no concussion, no broken neck. Two months later, I still have soreness between my shoulder blades, but it's manageable, and I'm back riding. I'm feel very lucky and I think this helmet played a significant role in that luck. I'm no expert, but I think the combination of high- and low-density foam really played a role in absorbing the significant impact that went through my head and spine.

Pics of the broken helmet:

ridden the KS LEV? howzit compare? you compare it to Reverb and Special-Ed's posts, but my experience is with the LEV, whose features are closer to the Kronolog than the other two… thoughts?

I'd be really curious to know what tires the top 20 were on. Width and casing, tubeless (or not), and how many tires they went through during the race…

Thanks for the coverage guys, it was awesome. This race is definitely on my bucket list….

It's probably hard to measure the impact that Digger has had on mountainbiking in general, not just to the North Shore. I remember flipping through Bike mag waaaay back in the early 90's and dreaming about riding North Shore type stuff. Then watching the NSX series of videos. I think the Shore spawned a style of riding that has spread throughout the world, and Digger is in no small part responsible for that, having envisioned, and created those trails. I think he needs more than a plaque, he needs a statue!!!

In the mean time, I'll raise my glass in his hounour after my next ride (which should be tonight).

How 'bout a Tall Boy vs. Evo 29r head-to-head, mano-a-mano style?

I thought I'd just add a note about feedback's customer service. I have an old "Ultimate" bike stand that had broken parts. I eventually found out that Feedback had bought Ultimate, and so I emailed them about replacement parts. Not only are they stocking replacement parts for Ultimate racks, they are also honouring warranty's and offering discounted rates to retrofit and upgrade Ultimate racks to the new (higher) quality of Feedback's designs. They were willing to work with me on shipping options, and helpful in helping me figure out how to do the retrofit. I was pleasantly surprised. they're good people.

"Not just because of the trails, the tales and the exquisite women, but because of the people." Are you suggesting that women aren't people?!?!

otherwise, nice write-up… makes me want to go.

I'm not sure I understand your beef with the contact adjust. Are you saying you run your levers as far from the bar as possible, and so therefore the reach adjustment is useless? If that's the case, then you're the opposite of me. I try and run my levers as close to the bar as possible, and without a contact adjustment, I can't get the lever close enough. which then renders reach adjustment useless. I run the levers close to the bar because I have short fingers, and I try and keep my hand as closed as possible to avoid arm pump.

nice write up though… keep us posted about how the bleedings go.

could be the Jura, or the foothills of the alps, a little farther south and west.

i have a question though, can it be called an "enduro" ride if he doesn't have any water? Maybe he stops to drink from the streams… :)

I'd like to know about the rims/wheels. what was it like to ride carbon rims, and do they seem like they'll hold up to some abuse?

hahaha, lol at the Dobermann "Le Pink"… it's the name of a strip club in Gatineau (well, Aylmer to be exact)!!!