Zangolin

Mud – ok I know it’s not a bicycle  but it is me in mud a long time ago in my fell running days.

After a what seems weeks of washing mud of my bike after every ride + a particularly muddy episode on last nights ride enough is enough. Decided to go + ride one of those glorified giant mountain sized BMX tracks at Cwmcarn – so no Haugh Mud today. Got there about 4.30. Did the red xc route. First time there. Well impressed, blue sky, only a handful of riders about. Lots of pain before the pleasure, switch backs loads of climbing. Some nice techie + rocky climbs. Fantastic view across Severn Estuary. Big fast swooping descents. First class. Not really a BMX track – very natural track, loads of rocks. Best bit was no mud! not a spec on me – in fact the trail was dusty! I’ll be back. The 456 held up well + didn’t fall apart.

Bicycle Shaped Object – the blog

Flat pack bikes – don’t buy one!!!!!!!!!!
Just came across an excellent blog written by by Mark Brown, Director of the Association of Cycle Traders.

Mark explains the blog’s purpose:

“The aim of this blog is to provide an account of buying, building and riding Britain’s cheapest bicycle. We started this blog by focusing on a £70 bicycle sold by Asda, the UK’s second largest supermarket and part of WalMart the world’s largest retailer.”

The blog makes somber reading (+ watching) + really does make an excellent point of why it’s best to let a bike shop or experienced wrench set or build your bike up. While building is an important factor the other is the shear lack of  design  + poor compontent quality.

Giant had their launch of long travel bikes in Keystone, Colorado last week for a select group of global dealers. Here is a few links to various reports + pics.

Bicycling.com - http://bicycling.com/blogs/boulderreport/2009/07/31/2010-giant-mtb-intro-gravity/

NSMB.com - http://nsmb.com/3210-preview-giant-2010-long-travel-bikes/

Velovert.com – http://www.velovert.com/Information_VTT/1940/Giant-2010-

Norwegian MTB website - http://terrengsykkel.no/index.php?id=2855

Reign-X frame is the one.