January 23, 2014
Charlie Knoll racing the 2012 Teva Games, Pro category
Your heart is pumping, your legs are burning, and you’re dripping enough sweat to put out a small forest fire.
You are suffering.
But is your suffering worthwhile? Are you “just riding” every day without a strategic approach to your training? Are your efforts hard enough to force physical adaptations? Do you take easy days for recovery so you can repeat your critical workouts?
Having a strategic approach and structured training means every workout has a purpose. Every step, pedal and stroke is being performed with the confidence it’s the right thing to do and performed the right way. The post, The Right Way to Train, shares four essential components of deliberate practice, and based on these four components, there is a 4-step process that embodies the right way to train:
- Set a specific goal
- Get expert instruction
- Perform structured training
- Get immediate feedback
Having a strategic approach includes not only having the tools needed, but also, including a comprehensive plan. Meaning, a plan that includes training on the bike and off the bike. Daily nutrition and sleep habits play a vital role in training properly. Managing your overall stress levels, including time management, ensures proper recovery.
As you prepare for your 2014 season as an athlete, make sure you have all of the components to training “the right way” to achieve your goal.
Having ambition goals for the season is great. Discover what you need to support your training in reaching those goals. Do you need a cycling coach? Maybe you need a bike fit or training software? Having the right tools, systems, habits, and overall strategy in place can make the difference between suffering through your season with disappointment or making big gains in reward and satisfaction.
3 Comments | 
Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop | Tagged: bike nutrition, bike tools, cycling goals, pedals, recovery, The Right Way to Train, training | 
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Posted by staffwriter8
January 16, 2014
S-Works cranks were also redesigned for 2014, shedding weight and gaining stiffness… and the previous generation was already one of the stiffest and lightest available.
If you are looking for a new mountain bike for 2014, you have just one problem — which great bike is for you. With advanced technology, upgraded bike parts and components, and redesigned bike geometry, mountain bikers have more choices than ever when deciding on a quality ride.
Read on to see what our top picks are for 2014. But don’t just take a word for it – stop by the Peak Cycles Bike Shop to ride one for yourself!
2014 S-Works Epic 29
For those looking to race the most technically advanced, efficient, lightweight and highly-regarded machine in the history of mountain biking, the only bike to consider is the 2014 S-Works Epic 29. Spec’d with only the most top-of-the-line bike parts available for each component and brimming with new technology, the 2014 model is the first major redesign since the bike’s introduction. Weight has been dropped, stiffness increased and suspension performance improved, making this the best Epic 29 yet. Check out photos here.
The New Revolution is Here: 2014 Giant Trance
With the benefits of both a 29er and 26er, 27.5 inch wheels have made a big splash in the mountain bike world this year. One of the brands leading the charge with light, high-performance and affordable 27.5 bikes is Giant. The 2014 Trance represents the culmination of incredible research and development as well as rider testing under the likes of Adam Craig and Carl Decker. We have a few of these in the Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop (and one for demo!). See pictures here.
2014 S-Works Stumpjumper HT
Weighing in at 20 lbs. out-of-the-box for a size large, this year’s Stumpjumpers are lighter than ever. Redesigned and made better, this year’s S-Works Stumpjumper HT is lighter, stiffer and packed with more technology than ever. Take a look.
2014 S-Works Enduro 29
One of the most anticipated bikes of the year, the Enduro 29 is the most versatile two wheeled machine out there. At just over 27.5 lbs, the S-Works model is bound to make its rider the happiest and most capable on the trail! This bike comes spec’d with an excellent mix of bike parts that make it the best Enduro/All-Mountain rig on the market. Check it out.
2014 Specialized Fatboy Expert
Fatbikes are big in Colorado. You can see why – The expert level Fatboy offers unparalleled performance in snow, ice and otherwise nasty conditions. Get off your trainer and on to a Fatboy bike. Take a look.
Which ones are your favorites?
Leave a Comment » | Featured Bikes, Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop | Tagged: 2014 Giant Trance Advanced 1 – 27.5, 2014 S-Works Enduro 29, 2014 S-Works Epic 29, 2014 S-Works Stumpjumper HT, 2014 Specialized Fatboy Expert, Adam Craig, Carl Decker, Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop, trainer | Permalink
Posted by staffwriter8
January 13, 2014
Judging by the snow piling up against my window as I type this, it’s safe to say that winter is in full-swing here in Colorado. There’s no need to let the snow keep you from riding, though – come in and check out our latest fatbike arrival, the Specialized Fatboy Expert. A nicer spec than the base model Fatboy, the expert level Fatboy offers unparalleled performance in snow, ice and otherwise nasty conditions. So get off the rollers, get out of the gym and come see the features and bike parts that leave us drooling over this fat-tired offering from the big-S! Snow biking is here to stay, are you gonna be left out of this fun ride?
2014 Specialized Fatboy Expert. 28.8 lbs stock, tubeless, w/o pedals.
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3 Comments | Featured Bikes | Tagged: bike, cycles, demo, fatbike, fatboy, ground control, parts, peak, specialized, winter | Permalink
Posted by Peak Cycles - BikeParts.com
January 9, 2014
photo credit: ProVéloPassion, Mary Topping
Boom! And the gun is off!
The USA Cycling Cyclo-cross National Championships are underway!
With an enthusiastic ‘cross culture and a permanent course at the Valmont Bike Park, the 2014 Cyclo-cross Nationals in Boulder, Colorado is providing an exciting atmosphere for some hotly-contested races for Stars-and-Stripes jerseys.
Here is your guide to event planning, course intel, who to watch and where to heckle! Get your cowbell on!
Event Planning:
Course Intel:
Rider Lineup:
Bike parts, Cowbells and Heckling Etiquette:
Leave a Comment » | Races | Tagged: #CXNats, 2014 cyclocross national championship elite races, Boulder, Colorado, Cyclocross Bicycle Parts and Cross Bike Components, cyclocross nationals, US Cyclocross Championships - Course Pre-Ride Video, USA Cycling Cyclocross National Championships 2014, Valmont Bike Park | Permalink
Posted by staffwriter8
January 4, 2014
For those looking to race the most technically advanced, efficient, lightweight and highly-regarded machine in the history of mountain biking, the only bike to consider is the 2014 S-Works Epic 29. Entering just it’s fourth year of production, the S-Works Epic 29 has already claimed victory at the UCI Cross Country World Championships, UCI Marathon World Championships, ABSA Cape Epic, countless UCI Cross Country World Cup rounds, the 2012 Olympic Gold Medal and dozens of national championships around the globe. Spec’d with only the most top-of-the-line bike parts available for each component and brimming with new technology, the 2014 model is the first major redesign since the bike’s introduction. Weight has been dropped, stiffness increased and suspension performance improved, making this the best Epic 29 yet. We have a size large 2014 S-Works Epic 29 in the shop to check out and we will soon have the 2014 Expert level Epic 29 available to demo in medium and large.
Blast past the break to see what makes a $10,500 bike!
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1 Comment | Featured Bikes | Tagged: 2014, 29, bike parts, BikeParts.com, cross country, epic, peak cycles, s-works, specialized | Permalink
Posted by Peak Cycles - BikeParts.com
January 2, 2014
Motivation is the foundation all athletic effort and accomplishment. Without your desire and determination to improve your sports performances, all of the other mental factors, confidence, intensity, focus, and emotions, are meaningless. To become the best athlete you can be, you must be motivated to do what it takes to maximize your ability and achieve your goals.
But when the weather is poor, sunlight is at a minimum, and riding conditions are less than ideal, what do you do? Add to the fact that the holidays are now over with not much to look forward to between now and Spring and race season, many find the added holiday weight gain and winter conditions to be a downer on motivation. How do you stay motivated to ride?
The reason motivation is so important is that it is the only contributor to sports performance over which you have control. Much like training your physical body for the challenges of cycling, motivation is built too – it is not stumbled upon. Following are 5 ways to build your motivation muscle:
Have a goal. As you are considering your new goals for 2014, it’s important to evaluate the previous season with an objective, yet critical eye. Too loft of a goal may be intimidating and back fire on you. The post, Make Proper Goal Setting a Priority for Your 2014 Cycling Season offers 10 key questions for evaluation and proper goal setting for your 2014 season. Make intermediate and long term goals to keep you inspired to do your daily workouts.
Fine tune your fitness – use a heart rate monitor or power meter. Sure, heart rate monitors and power meters have been around for a while now, but how effectively are you using them? Learning what what you need to know about the nuances, ranges, and data interpretation can make a difference in just getting a workout in versus targeting a specific workout in which you hit numbers and are motivated to get after it again the next day.
Make friends with the trainer. Nobody likes riding the trainer much less riding it for consecutive days in a row, but there are ways to overcome trainer woes to eliminate boredom and support your training. Read the post here for ideas on the best equipment to use and tips for trainer workouts. Try different approaches, times of day, and lengths of workouts to keep your trainer workouts fresh.
Dial it in! Your body and your bike – that is! Have you gained weight during the holiday season? Check out Top 5 Apps for Cyclists for Off-Season Fitness Gains – for easy ways to drop the pounds. And, consider getting a bike fit. Yes, a bike fit. We’ve heard about them, talked about them, but somehow, most of us don’t get one. And why not? They say the quickest way to get faster on the bike is with a bike fit. Sure, fit impacts comfort but it also impacts technique which is crucial to preventing overuse injuries and how you ride. Meaning it directly affects how much power you can efficiently deliver to the pedals. Dialing in your body and your bike parts will keep you motivated as you discover how the new changes positively affect your time on the bike.
Train your brain. How are you training your brain? We think of discipline as a form of training or exercising the brain but use the power of visualization to motivate yourself and accomplish you 2014 season goals. The post, The Power of Mental Suffering offers key insights as to how thought creates a powerful reality.
Ultimately, motivation is not something that can be given to you. Rather, motivation must ultimately come from within. Just like the passion you have for cycling. Dig deep, find what inspires you, connect with that and pedal your way to a successful 2014 cycling season. Happy New Year friends!
4 Comments | Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop | Tagged: 2014 cycling season, bike fit, bike parts, bike trainer, cycling goals, heart rate monitor, mental training for cycling, motivation, power meter training, training | Permalink
Posted by staffwriter8
December 26, 2013
Joshua Murdock climbing Old Three Mile Highway in Linnville, North Carolina.
While the year may not be quite over, many are already planning their 2014 race and cycling season. Sure, it’s fun to have lofty new goals, new ambitions, and new venues to fuel your cycling passions through the winter months and holiday season, but not pausing to reflect on what has recently come to pass during the previous season is missing a valuable opportunity to make personal gains that only you can make. Personal reflection offers insights to truly optimize your training and racing regimen.
Before setting your sights on new goals for 2014, it’s important to evaluate the previous season with an objective, yet critical eye. The post, Athlete-Coach Season Review, poses 10 questions to review your past season’s performance:
- What was the highlight of your season (for example, best race or greatest accomplishment)?Why?
- What was your greatest disappointment? Why?
- Review your top three goals for this season. Do you feel these were achieved?
- What did you do in training this season that you feel made you faster?
- What did you do in training this season that you feel was not productive?
- If you could change your training, mental preparation, or race tactics/strategy this past season, what would you do differently?
- Was there anything missing in your training this season?
- Do you feel that you trained enough and worked hard enough in training this season?
- Do you feel that you had adequate rest during training and before races?
- Do you have any extra comments and insights on this season?
With these personal insights in mind, you are better equipped to plan and execute a rewarding and successful 2014 cycling season. Take the lessons and insights from these questions to make SMART goals for 2014. When you make your resolutions SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and time-bound), not only do you boost your chance of attaining your goals, but you also become a better cyclist in the process. Aside from the traditional resolutions to ride more, to lose weight, and to explore new rides, consider taking on some different resolutions. Explore how these suggestions can add to your training or mental preparation for the upcoming season.
Set a personal goal for the miles you want to ride in 2014. Using a cycling computer, heart rate monitor, or power meter offers options in calculating mileage and other fitness related variables. Try a new tool and see if it makes adding up the miles a little easier.
Learn to maintain your own bike. For some, bike maintenance can be a chore, but having the right set of bike components and tools can make all the difference. Consider creating a pre-ride bike check or an ongoing maintenance program to follow. Bike maintenance can be a great way of engaging in your cycling passion the whole year long.
Bike commute and do it more often. Bike commuting improves fitness, health, saves money, and also benefits the environment by keeping one less car on the road. If you aren’t a bike commuter now, maybe in 2014 you will be. And, if you already bike commute, perhaps resolve to commute by bike more frequently.
Inspire others to get out and ride. Bike inspiration comes in many forms, from DVD‘s, to books, to new bikes and bike parts, to riding with others. Share your bike passion with others in ways that are meaningful and inspiring to them. How many friends do you think you could inspire to be two wheeled friends in 2014?
Give Back. Cycling by nature brings out the best in us all. Consider volunteering your time, skills, or resources at local bike races and bike events. Event participants will be in your gratitude but you may get back more than you give! Many volunteers are inspired to participate, race, or take on bigger goals than they previously imagined due to volunteering and helping others to reach their goals.
Commit to a Positive Attitude. Nothing is more contagious than a positive attitude! Resolve in 2014 to embrace power thoughts and bike parts that motivate you to get on your bike and ride. Surround yourself with fellow cyclist aiming for similar goals. Remember, your attitude determines your altitude.
For cyclist, attaining goals is part motivation, part perspiration, and part having the right tools to help you reach your goals. Here’s to a bright and rewarding New Year ahead!
6 Comments | Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop | Tagged: 2014 cycling season, Athlete-Coach Season Review, bike commuting, bike components, bike maintenance, bike parts, computer, goal setting, heart rate monitor, road bike, SMART goals | Permalink
Posted by staffwriter8
December 19, 2013
Heart rate monitors are a funny thing – they can be completely useless or extremely valuable depending on how you use them. Heart rate training has been viewed in many ways over the years, from very precise to not so precise. Now, a growing number of coaches and exercise physiologists support the use of heart rates as an important part of biological feedback, as heart rates are a direct reflection of what is happening internally.
But first, what myths do you need to bust around heart rate monitoring for cycling training? For starters, you can only compare heart rate values with your own previous benchmarks. Meaning, comparing your heart rate with your your friend or your teammate is irrelevant. The reason for this is that we all have a different anatomy of our cardiovascular system. Also, not being aware of the factors that affect heart rate can be a pitfall in effective application in heart rate monitor use for training.
So how do you get started? The post, The Variables and Trends of Heart Rate Training, walks you through the steps of learning your “threshold” heart rate range, setting up heart rate training zones, and identifying the daily variables that affect heart rate.
But before you begin to analyze data, you actually have to have a heart rate monitor to get started! Following our our staff picks at Peak Cycles Bike Shop:
If you do not have a trainer or coach to keep you disciplined during your workout, a heart rate monitor can be a great substitute. It can tell you when your exercise is falling below your ideal intensity so you can instantly improve your performance. It can be a great bio feedback tool and also help you to monitor your fitness, prevent overtraining, and take your performance to the next level.
13 Comments | Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop | Tagged: CatEye CC-GL50 GPS Stealth 50 Cycling Computer: Heart Rate and Cadence Enabled, Garmin Edge 500 Bundle w/ HR-Cadence, Garmin Edge 810 Cycling Computer Bundle with mount, heart rate monitor training, Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop | Permalink
Posted by staffwriter8
December 12, 2013
As a cyclist, you can either hate the winter, or make the best of it. Some bundle up and dress to embrace the winter chill while others opt for the dreaded trainer. Yet, why do so many cyclist dread the trainer?
Maybe it’s not having the right equipment. Could it be boredom? Or, perhaps it is a lack of discipline. There are ways to combat all three and make the trainer work for you. Here’s how!
Equipment
Having the right equipment can make your indoor workouts less boring and more effective. When we’re talking about equipment, sure, we mean having your road bike on the trainer, but we’re also talking about having a fan, a trainer tire, a riser block, a sweat towel, a trainer mat, indoor riding clothes, a cadence sensor, a power meter, and a heart rate monitor. You might not think all of these cycling accessories add up to a great trainer workout, but according to the post, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Trainer, it can make all the difference in the world.
Boredom
Sometimes seeing is believing! Visual effects can have a powerful role in motivation. Pop in a DVD training video or select a few YouTube clips to get your mind in the game. Posters, a vision board, books, maps, or pictures of upcoming races can trigger your motivation to not only get on the bike, but maybe even dig a little deeper than you would have otherwise.
A growing and popular option is Cadence TV. It offers the flexibility to log on at any time from any computer that is connected to the internet. You can choose from hundreds of workouts in all different categories. Up pops the workout with your specific Power, HR and PE zones listed. You can see what interval you are doing now, how much time is left in the interval and what is coming up. Using Cadence TV makes it easy because you can just follow what’s on the screen. The best part? At $4/month you can’t beat the price.
Discipline
Create a supportive environment that supports your goals. Is there a time of day that works best for you? Then, schedule your trainer training time then. Your primary objective in creating a support structure is to foster an environment in which you are supported and held accountable.
One way to do this is to avoid long rides on the trainer all together. Year round strength training for cyclists matters and substituting your indoor rides with strength training will do more for your cycling later on in the season than doing another trainer session. In fact, a one hour hard trainer workout will do more to improve your cycling and race fitness than 2 to 4 hours easy on the trainer. So, plan your time on the trainer accordingly.
Indoor rides are not a replacement for outdoor rides but with the right equipment and a little planning, indoor rides can be fun and beneficial.
5 Comments | Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop | Tagged: cadence sensor, Cadence TV, CycleOps Saris Jet Pro Fluid Trainer, cycling accessories, DVD training video, heart rate monitor, motivation, trainer, training tips, winter training | Permalink
Posted by staffwriter8
December 12, 2013
After just one season of racing, the Peak Cycles/Bikeparts.com Gravity Team has proven to be one of the premier downhill squads in Colorado. One of the junior riders, Sam Cory, just got his race bike for the upcoming season built up. He’ll be riding a team-replica S-Works Demo 8, size large. Weighing in at 35 pounds and featuring the most advanced technology in the gravity game, this bike has proven to be the best choice for downhill racers. A Cane Creek Double Barrel shock, Rock Shox Boxxer Blackbox fork, Avid X0 gravity build kit and a mixture of Renthal and SDG cockpit components illustrate the bike’s pedigree. The build is rounded out by DT-Swiss DH rims laced to DT-240s hubs.
Jump past the break to check out the bike Sam will be shredding for 2014!
Sam’s brand new S-Works Demo 8, team replica.
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Leave a Comment » | Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop | Tagged: bike, boxer, cane, cory, creek, cycles, demo, double barrel, downhill, parts, peak, renthal, s-works, sam, specialized, x0 | Permalink
Posted by Peak Cycles - BikeParts.com
December 9, 2013
Never one to be left out of all the fun, Specialized has joined Trek and many small brands in debuting a fatbike for the 2013/2014 winter. However, unlike Trek and many other brands, the Fatboy is mass produced in great numbers and available world-wide. With a carbon fork, press-fit bottom bracket and Sram 2×10 drivetrain, the Fatboy is definitely one of the more race-ready fatbikes available. The Fatboy also shares the same geometry as the legendary Specialized Stumpjumper, the first and longest mass-produced mountain bike in the world. Not just for racers, though, the frame has rear rack mounts for long rides and multi-day fun!
We’ve got a Fatboy in the shop just in time for winter here in Golden. Jump past the break to see what bike parts and features make this fatbike stand out from the rest!
(Photo: Specialized Bicycle Components)
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1 Comment | Featured Bikes, Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop | Tagged: bike, BikeParts.com, bot, Colorado, cycles, Fat, fatbike, fatboy, Golden, parts, peak, snow, specialized, winter | Permalink
Posted by Peak Cycles - BikeParts.com
December 5, 2013
If you are living anywhere along the Front Range in Colorado, you’re living in a sea of white. Snow that is. Dreading the bicycle rainer and missing the outdoors, what are your options? Get a fat bike. You know you want it. Who doesn’t?
Fat bikes were originally invented for winter trail riding and racing in sub-arctic Alaska and simultaneously, for touring the deserts of New Mexico. But they have gained severe popularity! Their utility has expanded to include all forms of cycling; they thrive in snow, sand, desert, bogs and mud as well as riding what is considered normal mountain biking. In fact, fat bikes are the fastest growing segment in the bike industry.
The biggest plus in newer fat bike models is they’re getting lighter. Bike parts and fat bike tires are easier to get. And, there are more models to choose from. The best part? There are just more people out there riding fat bikes.
There are races too! The 2014 – Abominable Winter Adventure Run and Fatbike Race scheduled for January 25, 2014 is held at over 10,000 feet. This fun fat bike race is an opportunity to get some fun, winter FATtire competition. around an amazing groomed terrain and a Rocky Mountain backdrop. Get off the trainer and on to your new fat bike!
Discover the fat bike craze for yourself! Look at it. It is waiting for you to come get it. The Fatback 190 20″ at Peak Cycles in Golden, Colorado.
The Fatback 190 20in at Peak Cycles in Golden, Colorado
11 Comments | Featured Bikes, Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop | Tagged: 2014 - Abominable Winter Adventure Run and Fatbike Race, bike parts, Colorado, fat bike, Fatback 190 20", fatbike, Front Range, Golden, mountain biking, trainers, winter trail riding | Permalink
Posted by staffwriter8
November 28, 2013
When the clocks change and the nights draw in, cyclists have a decision to make: get in the groove with night riding and embrace the darkness. Or, hang up the wheels and miss out on hours of glorious saddle time.
Sometimes it’s a depressing thought, the nights closing in. However, night riding is also to be relished as one of the most rewarding experiences you can have on a bike, and especially when riding with a group. Riding in the dark heightens your senses, improves your skills and builds awareness. If you are a bike commuter, it’s easy to see winter commutes as a means to an end, but with a good set of lights, some warm clothing and some interesting ride options, it can offer a wonderful new take on your cycling.
Lights:
For those who need a really bright headlight check out the NiteRider Pro 1800 Race on the BikeParts.com website. Designed for mountain bike racing, and with 1200 lumens you can expect to get about 1 hour and 30 minutes of run time. At 700 lumens you should get 3 hours, 400 lumens yields 4 hours, 200 lumens 12 hours, and 80 lumens 25 hours. It takes about five hours to fully charge the four cell Lithium Ion battery. Apparently a battery this powerful requires a real charger, thus it’s not USB rechargeable.
Clothing:
It’s hard to know what to wear what to wear when it’s 50 degrees and sunny outside versus 30 – 35 degrees and cloudy. Winter riding can be a challenge! But, with clothing that is versatile, lightweight, and easy to pack down, you can find a winter cycling wardrobe that works for you. A couple of options to help you get the best gear: option 1, check out winter cycling apparel on our website or watch our BikeParts.com video, How to Dress for Winter Cycling.
Ride options:
Riding in the dark makes the riding of any technical section immediately harder than in the day. It takes a good while (most of the winter in fact!) to overcome this, so don’t set yourself a task to ride the most demanding trails you have. Ease yourself in as the nights start earlier and downgrade your expectations. Remember, you will inevitably ride and travel more slowly than in daylight. With that being said, be mindful that your route doesn’t exceed your lights battery capacities.
Riding at night may seem a little scary at first, yet it can be every bit as safe and fun as riding in the day when you follow a few basic guidelines.
1 Comment | Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop | Tagged: BikeParts.com, cold weather riding, How to Dress for Winter Cycling, night riding, NiteRider Pro 1800 Race Rechargable Headlight | Permalink
Posted by staffwriter8
November 23, 2013
What did Specialized do this year with one of the most successful hardtail race bikes on the market? Redesigned it and made it even better. Lighter, stiffer and packed with more technology than ever, Specialized still manages to blend innovation and simplicity in this impressive machine. Weighing in at 20 lbs. out-of-the-box for a size large, this year’s Stumpjumpers are lighter than ever. Jump past the break to see the features and bike parts that leave everyone drooling over this bike!
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2 Comments | Featured Bikes, Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop | Tagged: 29, bike, BikeParts.com, Colorado, cycles, Golden, hard tail, mountain, parts, peak, s-works, specialized, stumpjumper | Permalink
Posted by Peak Cycles - BikeParts.com
November 22, 2013
With the benefits of both a 29er and 26er, 27.5 inch wheels have made a big splash in the mountain bike world this year. After over a decade of smaller builders and a few mass-production brands utilizing the standard, the floodgates were opened in 2014 and 27.5 inch wheels rocketed to the top of the list of mainstream innovations.
One of the brands leading the charge with light, high-performance and affordable 27.5 bikes is Giant. The 2014 Trance represents the culmination of incredible research and development as well as rider testing under the likes of Adam Craig and Carl Decker. We have a few of these in the shop (and one for demo!). Jump past the break to see why we can’t wait to shred this new bike.
5 inches of suspension and 27.5 wheels make even the gnarliest of trails heavenly.
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1 Comment | BMX, Featured Bikes | Tagged: 27.5, 650b, advanced, bike, BikeParts.com, giant, parts, trance | Permalink
Posted by Peak Cycles - BikeParts.com
November 22, 2013
This week we received a small tower of Surly Rolling Darryl fatbike rims, as well as Fatback’s Sterling 4.25″ knobby tires! Pick out some fatbike hubs to lace these sturdy rims to, wrap them in Sterlings and hit the trails before this snowfall melts! Get in on the fun before it’s all gone!
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Leave a Comment » | Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop | Tagged: 4.25, bike, BikeParts.com, darryl, Fat, Fatback, fatbike, hub, parts, rolling, snow, sterling, surly, winter | Permalink
Posted by Peak Cycles - BikeParts.com
November 21, 2013
What is the best way to get good at cyclocross and have fun at the same time? Simple – race cyclocross – a lot! You’ll learn technique, skills and race strategy as you go.
But for those athletes who want to focus their efforts and manage their time, a good plan it to structure your cyclocross training week . But what does that look like? While training time, heart rate and power zones vary, a typical training week usually includes the following.
Monday – Off Recovery is equally as important as training. The recovery period is when fitness gains are made and you reap the benefits of the hard work you’ve done. Sleep, Stretching, Hydration, and Nutrition are the SSHNs of Recovery.
Tuesday – Hard Day with Efforts. Cyclocross races are very high intensity and extremely demanding. The racer is at or above lactate threshold for the entire race. As such, your training efforts need to prepare you for your cyclocross race, but not tax you either.
Wednesday – Tempo Ride. Also, a great day midweek to check your bike and bike parts. Replace broken bike parts and components and prep your bike for the race weekend ahead.
Thursday – Recovery or Skills day. Efficiency is Paramount. A great racer is not only fit, but also smooth and efficient. The energy saved through skilled bike handling and smooth transitions on and off the bike directly translates into a faster race pace. So, if you’re struggling with the technical aspects of ‘cross (barriers, runups, transitions on and off the bike, general bike handling), take the time each week to practice these skills until they become second nature during a race.
Friday – Travel Day and/ or Openers. The goal of the day is to “prime the engine” for the weekend. Intervals are meant to sharpen, not fatigue.
Saturday/ Sunday – Game ON! Race day! Good reminders to keep in mind on race day. Leading up to your race, it’s important to stay dry. Yet, during your race, keeping your hands and feet warm are critical. Opt for cold weather gloves and booties and shoe covers to keep your hands and feet warm. If you tend to have cold feet, opting for warmer socks may help too. While hard core racers opt to keep their clothing to a minimum, others opt for a few extra comforts including knee warmers, arm warmers, and hats. Once you have finished your race, it’s important to get undressed and get warm. You may consider bringing a few trash bags to stow your cycling kit, cycling shoes, helmet, gloves, socks, and anything else that is soaked and muddy. Also, it’s also a good idea to have on hand your favorite post race nutritional product.
Overall, have fun! Cyclocross is a sport meant to be fun, otherwise, there wouldn’t be beer handoffs, money pits, crowds heckling the pros, or pros heckling the crowd. Unless you’re aiming for World Cup titles, there’s no reason to take this sport too seriously. Train, race hard, but above all, remember that it’s supposed to be fun.
3 Comments | Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop | Tagged: arm warmers, bike parts, cold weather gloves, cycling hats, cycling shoes, cyclocross, Helmet, helmet warmers, hydration, knee warmers, nutrition, recovery, shoe covers, socks, training, training week | Permalink
Posted by staffwriter8
November 20, 2013
Peak Cycles is the newest Fatback dealer in the area and we already have two of their fatbikes in stock with more bikes and parts on the way! Carefully handcrafted in Alaska, these fully geared fatbikes weigh in under 30 lbs and are ready for whatever wintry race or adventure you can throw at ’em! Hydroformed alloy frames and forks keep weight down and performance up, offering all of the modern high-performance features and lightweight bike parts of a regular race bike, just adapted to fat tires. This isn’t the novelty fatbike of five years ago! Stop by the shop and check them out today! Can’t wait to get into the store? You can purchase the bikes HERE. Jump past the break and see why we’re so excited about these latest arrivals!
The new Fatback with SRAM X01 build. Handbuilt in the USA!
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Leave a Comment » | Featured Bikes, Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop | Tagged: Back, bike, bike parts.com, cycles, Fat, fat bike, Fatback, parts, peak, sand, snow, winter | Permalink
Posted by Peak Cycles - BikeParts.com
November 16, 2013
One of the most anticipated bikes of the year, the Enduro 29 is the most versatile two wheeled machine out there. At just over 27.5 lbs, the S-Works model is bound to make its rider the happiest and most capable on the trail! This bike comes spec’d with an excellent mix of bike parts that make it the best Enduro/All-Mountain rig on the market:
Even with 6 inches (160 mm) of travel, the super-short chainstays tuck the rear wheel under the rider, giving the bike a lively and flickable feel.
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2 Comments | Featured Bikes | Tagged: 29, enduro, fsr, s-works, specialized | Permalink
Posted by Peak Cycles - BikeParts.com
November 16, 2013
For trail riders seeking the ultimate thrill both up and down the mountain, the S-Works Stumpjumper FSR 29 delivers more than anyone expected. We have a size large in the store right now – come check it out! Here are a few of the features and bike parts you’ll love about this bike:
2014 S-Works Stumpjumper FSR 29
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Leave a Comment » | Featured Bikes, Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop | Tagged: fsr, s-works, specialized, stumpjumper | Permalink
Posted by Peak Cycles - BikeParts.com
Peak Cycles - BikeParts.com Blog 