VitalMTB takes a look at SRAM’s new MTB front derailleur killer the Eagle 1×12 drivetrain. And yeah, if you’re into that whole 1X thing, then this may just be the set-up you’re looking for. Here’s their takeaway:
Taken at the most basic level, Eagle can be viewed as the simple addition of a 50-tooth cog to an already-large cassette in an effort to meet wide gear range demands of 2X holdouts. It’s much more than that in actuality, however, because SRAM has taken the opportunity to update nearly every component in the group. In the process they’ve created a better 1X drivetrain with undeniable advantages over their existing systems. Even if you don’t personally need the massive cog, there’s more speed to be had at the other end of the cassette. With gear range out of the picture, there are now very few arguments left for not switching to a simpler, quieter, and easier-to-use 1X drivetrain.
In an email sent out to all members today (Friday, March 18, 2016) USA Cycling outlined a hack that had reportedly breached the organization’s website two days ago compromising the security of critical member information.
USA Cycling learned two days ago of a data security incident within USA Cycling’s IT systems that could include some personal information associated with online accounts, including names, mailing addresses, email addresses, dates of birth, emergency contacts, and USA Cycling passwords. It does NOT include any drivers’ license or state ID numbers, credit card numbers, bank account numbers, Social Security numbers, or medical or health insurance information, as we do not store such information.
In other words, every bit of info they had on us is likely out there. Had they stored info like credit cards numbers, it would be gone as well. In the email USA Cycling provided a link requiring that memberschange their passwords before getting access to the site again. Then, those links got so overloaded that the system no longer function. Finally, by 7:45 PM EDT they were able to get the password changing system back in working order. They also encouraged users who may have used the same passwords on other sites or services to change those passwords as well. Thanks, USAC!
For the official word from USA Cycling, please follow the jump.
. . . have been greatly exaggerated. . . by SRAM. We will continue working out our left thumbs for just a little while longer. But we’re crusty that way. We’re still not fans of rear suspension.
NorCal skate (and fixie) legend John Cardiel decided he’d ride from his home in SacTown, California and bring along the Official crew for the ride. Watching those beer’d up smokers hit the Old Priest Grade climb on touring bikes had us chuckling for minutes. For more on Cardiel’s Park Rager (which is currently sold out) click the link.
We don’t ever leave our bikes out where they can be molested, but if we did this Abus Brooklyn Chain would probably do the job (even if it is heavier than our road bike). The set-up features the following:
Open 10mm/120 cm hardened steel loop chain
Fabric sleeve prevents damage to frame and paint job
80/TI50 TITALIUM™ Padlock features a solid lock body made from TITALIUM&trade aluminum alloy offering higher security at a super light weight
Leave it to the hipsters at Brooks Englandto take a perfectly good, hardworking Lezyne Femto headlight and kit it out (with copper coloring and a Brooks logo) so the cool kids will want one, too. We use the Leyzne Zekto Drive light (and taillight) as our daily get-training-in-the-dark lights and they work great.
The best part of both these lights is that they can be clipped on or strapped with a replaceable rubber bungee. That way on the outside chance that the strap breaks it can be replaced. For a look at the taillight version, follow the jump.
Pear Sports, makers of the popular in-ear coaching app for iOS devices, is jumping outside the Apple family with a new app designed exclusively for owners of Samsung devices like the the Gear 2 smartwatch as well as the Galaxy S6 edge+ and Note 5.
Pear’s fitness app mixes in-ear audio coaching programs from leading fitness trainers with a user’s real-time performance metrics to create customized training programs for athletes of all types. Galaxy owners will now have access to their cycling training programs (and other sports that none of us have time for).
“Our goal is always to create a unique fitness option for users through world-class training,” says Simon Sollberger, senior vice president of design at Pear. “Teaming up with a leading electronics company like Samsung is going to elevate that idea exponentially by exposing PEAR to millions of Americans hungry for better workout routines.”
The Pear app is free but customized coaching for their specific interest is extra. Programs range in price from $1 to $30 or can be subscribed to for $4 a month. For a limited time, Galaxy users will receive a three month subscription free, including unlimited access to all of Pear’s custom workouts.
We all know that dealing with the US Federal Government can be a royal pain in the ass, and we ‘re hardly experts in the fight for mountain bike access to the Wilderness. To us it seems the best thing to do is to get mountain bikes reclassified as “horses” and call it a day. We’d be happy with access to everything that horses have access to. In fact, don’t tell anyone, but we’ve already reclassified our bikes as horses. Apparently, there are those who disagree with us.
In their official 2016 Advocacy Position, the International Mountain Bicycling Association has announced that it will “not seek to amend the Wilderness Act of 1964.”
In regards to existing Wilderness, IMBA will pursue legislation to redraw Wilderness boundaries that would open access to select trails and trail connections for mountain biking. This includes trails that government agencies have closed to bicycles without sufficient analysis and empirical evidence of adverse impacts. This legislative effort will be pursued where IMBA has strong grassroots chapters that represent local constituents.
Nice to see they continue to be upfront about choosing their battles, but we continue to be disappointed.
For the official release from the IMBA, please follow the jump. Yes haw!
The Utah-based cult carbon bicycle accessories manufacture Enve has been snapped up by global sporting goods giant Amer Sport for $50 million, according to story on Bicycle Retailer.
“The acquisition accelerates Amer Sports’ cycling business especially in the United States and provides further expansion opportunities internationally. Enve brings capabilities in carbon technology, and it offers operational scale and synergy benefits complementing Amer Sports’ cycling category,” the company said.
Nice exit, Evne. The brand will be lumped in with Amer Sport’s portfolio that already includes: Mavic, Wilson, Salomon, Atomic, Arc’teryx, Suunto, Precor, DeMarini, and Louisville Slugger. More evidence suggesting that sales and technology are much easier to buy than to build.
Surf journalist and writer Kimball Taylor’s new book The Coyote’s Bicycle, follows the flow of bicycles across the border between Mexico and the United States and makes the interesting case that bicycles are becoming one of the least tracked forms of illegal currency used to build illicit border businesses.
. . . bicycles are fungible, like a dollar. Once a bicycle leaves your hand, it joins the idea of a bike just the way a dollar would. That was shocking to me. Another journalist, Patrick Symmes, described it this way: “In America’s rough streets, there are four forms of currency — cash, sex, drugs, and bicycles. Of those, only one is routinely left outside unattended . . . I guess the most dramatic thing I learned on the trail of these bicycles was the story of El Indio, how this kid from an impoverished area who was abandoned with an elderly grandfather in his Oaxacan village was able to come to the border and see the value not in crossing but in becoming part of that underground economy, becoming a millionaire and losing everything dear to him in the process.”
We’re looking forward to reading this one. To purchase your own copy, please click here.
In an email sent out to all members today (Friday, March 18, 2016) USA Cycling outlined a hack that had reportedly breached the organization’s website two days ago compromising the security of critical member information.
We all know that dealing with the US Federal Government can be a royal pain in the ass, and we ‘re hardly experts in the fight for mountain bike access to the Wilderness. To us it seems the best thing to do is to get mountain bikes reclassified as “horses” and call it a day. We’d be happy with access to everything that horses have access to. In fact, don’t tell anyone, but we’ve already reclassified our bikes as horses. Apparently, there are those who disagree with us.
The Utah-based cult carbon bicycle accessories manufacture Enve has been snapped up by global sporting goods giant Amer Sport for $50 million, according to story on 
Surf journalist and writer 
