Chumba?

Chumba? Chumba who? Maybe you downhillers out there know Chumba, but I'm afraid I don't. Nonetheless, their EVO frame page is worth checking out, if only because it does a pretty decent job of shaking some of the mysteries of frame engineering loose.

Hey, you don't have to pay $2k to read about it, at least...

CHUMBA Racing: "The 2006 CHUMBA EVO sets a new standard in the 6' travel category. Utilizing the patent pending FCC suspension linkage, the EVO pedals like a cross country bike, but can take hits like the worthy long travel competitor that it is. This revolutionary new combination of cross-country pedaling efficiency and downhill-inspired descending takes the trail riding experience to a whole new level. The new 2006 EVO redefines what a trail bike should be capable of."

2007 North American Handmade Bicycle Show

Probably not a lot of technological advances, but it looks pretty cool:

Registration Opens for 2007 North American Handmade Bicycle Show

July 5, 2006 - Exhibitor registration is now open for the 3rd annual North American Handmade Bicycle Show (NAHBS), the premier consumer show for custom-made bicycles.

Exhibitors can register on the website (www.handmadebicycleshow.com) for space starting at $700 for a 10x10 space.

The show, which presents handmade bicycle frames and components of the highest quality, is by far the largest in the country, and showcases the talents of the best bicycle builders from North America and abroad.

Builders who exhibit their work will gain direct access to consumers who are in the market for a new custom-made bike, doing research for a possible next purchase, or who are simply there to admire these masterpieces of artisanship and engineering."

Via Roadbikereview.com.

HARO BIKES 2006

Hardtail Efficiency? No pedal bob? Full suspension?

Haro's claiming they've come up with a "virtual pivot" that lets those that love their FS but hate the bobs have their cake and eat it, too. I'm not sure I believe it, but check out where they're doing test rides and see if you can make one.

HARO BIKES 2006: "The Sonix’s virtual pivot moves in a half-orbit around the bottom bracket to eliminate pedal-induced bobbing, while leaving the rear wheel free to respond to the terrain. Its short, pivotless chainstays mean there’s zero drivetrain flex—it pedals with hardtail efficiency, and with zero chainline growth there’s no pedal kickback. The engineering may be complicated, but the resulting improvements in performance are obvious even to those of us with average intelligence and riding skills."

Water Purifiers

I've stumbled across a couple things about water purification in the last few days--as we start the summer months, something worth thinking about. These guys say their bottle purifiers are the "best selling," whatever that might mean.

www.katadyn.com: "Exstream Bottle Purifiers"

I'd love to see one specifically for the Camelbak. Got any ideas? If you're one of the three people that reads this, post in the comments section. Great opportunity to test out that function.

Tour Update!

From the New York Times...

Sports News - Other Sports News - New York Times: "Crashes Jolt the Standings, and Oust a Tour Favorite
By SAMUEL ABT

The Tour de France lost another top rider as Alejandro Valverde of Spain crashed as riders traveled through three countries as part of a stage defined by numerous spills."

Random Video 1

What do iMovie and random clips make? You just have to watch:

googleplayer.swf (application/x-shockwave-flash Object)

Is Viagara good for bikers?

Ummm...yeah...

Riders go harder on Viagra - Breaking News - Fox Sports

CYCLING has long been considered to be at the vanguard of doping, with a number of riders having tested positive to a cocktail of products as they chase success in one of the world's toughest sporting arenas.

Only recently, the Spanish Liberty Seguros team was forced to withdraw from this year's Tour de France after team manager Manolo Sainz was arrested as part of a doping investigation.

Read more at Fox's site...

NYT Tour de France Feature

The New York Times has done another one of their special Flash-based interactive features for the Tour de France. As usual, it's chock full of information, if not that...um...technically exciting.

Sports News - Other Sports News - New York Times: "Multimedia
Interactive Feature
Interactive Feature: Tour de France

Your guide to the Tour de France: commentary, stage by stage standings, profiles, complete route and more."

Specialized Recalls Stem

From Dirt Rag's Fresh Dirt Section:
Dirt Rag {Web Rag: News}: "

6.26.2006
Specialized Bicycle Components Inc. Recalls Bicycles
By: Karl Rosengarth

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)—in cooperation with Specialized Bicycle Components Inc., of Morgan Hill, CA—announced a voluntary recall of bicycles with S-Works Carbon Stems with magnesium faceplates. The affected stem is black with the words 'S-Works' and 'Magnesium Faceplate' printed on it. The stems were included as original equipment on the following 2006 bicycles models:
S-Works Tarmac

Tarmac Pro

S-Works Roubaix

Roubaix Pro

Allez Pro

S-Works Transition

The stem was also sold as an after-market item under the name S-Works Advanced Composite Mag Road Stem.

The faceplates on the recalled stems can crack allowing the handlebar to break off the bicycle, posing a serious fall hazard. Consumers should stop riding the bicycles that have the recalled stems immediately and take them to an authorized Specialized retailer for a free replacement faceplate.

For additional information, call Specialized at 877-808-8154 between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. MT, Monday through Friday, or visit the Specialized website or the CPSC website.
"

Some more testing

I love Blogger.com, but do you know how hard it was to find this button?!

Blogger Help : What is BlogThis! ?: "BlogThis! is an easy way to make a blog post without visiting blogger.com. Once you add the BlogThis! link to your browser's toolbar, blogging will be a snap. Or rather, a click. Clicking BlogThis! creates a mini-interface to Blogger prepopulated with a link to the web page you are visiting, as well as any text you have highlighted on that page. Add additional text if you wish and then publish or post from within BlogThis!"

Favorite Pictures

Since this is supposed to be a biking-related site, I'll post one of my favorite biking-related pictures as an introduction (yes, this is of me):

More to come!

Welcome!

Welcome! This will be the very first post of what I hope is many...