Peak Cycles – BikeParts.com Blog

Plenty of riders are ditching their backpacks for a more comfortable option they can strap around their waist. Yes, the fanny pack has taken the mountain biking world by storm. But why? Well, there is quite a bit of stuff to carry when venturing out for a ride. Spare tubes, extra layers, snacks, water, and a multi-tool are all pretty common items that are usually brought along. The backpack was a standard option for a lot of riders and for good reason, they have a ton of space. Anyone who has ridden with a backpack knows how hot, sweaty, and uncomfortable they can be. To the point that many choose to ride without a backpack at all, risking being unprepared for the price of comfort. The fanny pack briges the gap between carrying nothing and wearing a backpack.

What Are The Benefits Of A Fanny Pack?

There are many reasons to jump on the fanny pack train, but the top benefits are comfort, utility, and performance. Wearing a fanny pack will shift the weight off of your back and shoulders down to your hips. The lower center of gravity helps with balance on your bike and will help keep your back from getting fatigued. One of the big downsides of wearing a backpack is how sweaty things get on your back. We will say that there has been major improvements in backpack ventilation, but having said that, it is really hard to beat having nothing on your back. With a fanny pack you get of the benefits of carrying stuff without the discomfort or sweatiness.

Should I Ride With A Fanny Pack?

Depending on how much you normally bring on a ride, wearing a fanny pack might be a great option. This is especially if you have a Specialized SWAT Door, but if your bike can’t store a Chipotle burrito in your downtube, fear not. There are plenty of options for on bike storage that you can purchase after market and they won’t break the bank. The EDC Lite Tool from OneUp, the Lezyne Bar End Kit, or a simple frame strap are all examples of ways to stash stuff directly on your bike. Wait, I thought this article was about fanny packs? The more stuff you can get on your bike, the less you need to carry, and the more viable a fanny pack becomes.

Get A Fanny Pack

We can’t deny that riding with nothing on your body, other than clothes, pads, and a helmet, feels amazing. As the old saying goes, better safe than sorry, so it’s probably worth bringing along that spare tube or extra layer on your ride. With the widespread ability to stash more and more things on your bike, a fanny back is more than enough to carry everything you need.

The Stumpjumper EVO Elite Alloy is a new bike in the Specialized lineup, and it’s paying homage to mountain biking roots. While the trend has certainly been towards carbon fiber, aluminum still has its time and place, especially when it comes to cost. Specialized was able to add some serious value to the EVO Elite Alloy with the suspension aficionado in mind. This build also features the same adjustable head tube angle, 150mm of travel, the adaptability of S-Sizing, and SWAT™ Door integration as the more spendy carbon version.

What Sets The EVO Elite Alloy Apart?

As mentioned before, this build packs in a ton of value when it comes to the suspension package. Featuring a FOX Factory Series 36 fork and FLOAT DPX2 Factory shock, the total value on just the suspension alone is over $1600. The FOX Factory Series is designed to exceed the demands of pro-level riders and feature that slippery smooth, ultra-durable Genuine Kashima Coat. As mentioned earlier, this build comes with many of the same features as its carbon counterpart, our favorite being the SWAT™ Door integration. You’ll never need to wear a backpack again, maybe just an EVOC hip bag.

Who Is The Stumpy EVO Elite Alloy For?

As cliche as it sounds, the Stumpy EVO Elite Alloy is really a do it all bike. It climbs and descends and is best suited for enduro-style riders who are going to pedal all the way up and then descend all the way down. It would be able to handle the bike park, shuttle laps, the whole enchilada, white ranch, enchanted forest, and more. For those who want a bike they can climb but won’t hold them back on the descent, the Stumpy EVO Elite is it. If you geek out over suspension, then look no further than the Stumpjumper EVO Elite Alloy.

Why Chose The Stump EVO Elite Alloy

This bike is for the enduro rider who does not want to compromise when it comes to suspension. It’s a bike for the person that wants all of the latest features common on today’s mountain bikes including adjustable geometry, integrated bike storage, sleek internal cable routing, a 12-speed drive train, etc. We think the combination of these features makes for a kick *** mountain bike at a reasonable price point. Act soon though, there is only one left in stock! Call the shop today for availability.

Knowing when it’s time to replace bicycle tires can puzzle even the seasoned cyclist. While there is no short answer for when it’s time to change them out, there are several signs to look for that indicate it’s time for fresh rubber. Keeping tires in good shape is important for a variety of factors including safety, traction, and reliability. Plus, a worn tire is more likely to flat or puncture and who likes that?   

Worn Tire Tread

This is the most obvious way to tell if it’s time for a new tire. Missing tread from the center of the tire is a good indicator that it’s time to replace it. This is more obvious on mountain bike tires which have big knobby tread that will turn smooth over time. Road bike tires on the other hand might feature a wear indicator, which makes it easy to know when it’s time to replace them. Oftentimes, the rear tire first will wear out first. If that’s the case, you can get away with replacing only one tire. We recommend moving the front tire to the back, so long as it’s still in good shape. Then put your new tire on the front wheel and call it good until the rear tire wears out again!

Flat Spots

Flat spots are more of an issue with road bike tires, which are smooth all the way around. This usually happens from locking the brakes and skidding the tire. We know you would never do that, but your friend might have! Flat spots can cause issues at higher speeds or in corners. If a tire has noticeable flat spots, it’s worth replacing. 

Gashes, Cuts, and Holes

You may notice holes and gashes in your tires, especially on a road bike. This is due to all the crud and debris on roadways. Naturally will happen slowly break down the tire over time. This type of wear is harder to see on mountain bike tires but usually results in a flat tire. Lots of visible gashes, cuts, or holes in a tire are a good sign that it’s time for a new tire. Any gashes or cuts in the sidewall of the tire should be replaced with a new tire immediately!

Cracked Rubber

Most tire wear usually comes from normal wear and tear, but cracked rubber is usually a sign of a tire that’s too old. If a bike is left out for years in the garage it is probably a good idea to replace the tires. Cracked rubber is bound to fail eventually and present a safety hazard. Get it replaced! 

Worn Casing and Constant Flats

The casing of a tire is what holds it all together, sort of like rebar in concrete. A tire that’s past its shelf life will start to show the casing. Depending on the type of tire, this can look like white threads or wires. Another tell-tale sign of worn casing can be constant flats caused by wires poking through the tube. Time for new tires!

We hope this article was useful in helping you determine whether or not it’s time for new tires on your bike. Browse our selection online or visit us in-store at Peak Cycles to shop for the latest tire technology on the market.

Oveja Negra is a Colorado-based company that manufactures top-of-the-line bike bags with fun colors and bomber USA sourced materials. They are a rider-owned and operated business with a total of 16 employees, 20 sewing machines, and all of the manufacturing happening right in Salida, Colorado. 

The company started making bags in 2012 in a 300 square foot shop up in Leadville but has since moved its operations down to Salida. They are committed to supporting US manufacturing and reducing their environmental impact, sourcing over 90% of raw materials from domestic suppliers. If you have never seen one of their bags, they are fun, functional, and designed to last a long time. The quality and attention to detail in every bag are obvious!

Who is Oveja Negra for? While they are most certainly designed with the bikepacker in mind, these bags are useful for anyone who wants to carry stuff on their bike. Bike commuters, townie bikes, kids, mountain bikers, etc can all benefit from an Oveja Negra bag. Some of our favorite bags here at Peak Cycles are the Snack Pack and the Super Wedgie frame bag. Whether it’s a mission to ride the continental divide or a daily commute on the Cherry Creek bike path, Oveja Negra makes a bike bag for the job. 

The Specialized Riprock is by far one of the most popular kids mountain bikes we sell at Peak Cycles. It was introduced to the Specialized lineup in 2018, comes in 20-inch and 24-inch wheel sizes, and is geared for kids ages 5 through 12. What makes the Riprock different from other kids mountain bikes are the big beefy 2.8-inch tires which give plenty of traction and an added level of cushion to the ride. 

Specialized designed the frame to have a very low standover height. This makes it easy for kids to put their feet on the ground! Mountain bikes for kids have traditionally been heavy and hard for kids to ride. The Specialized Riprock changes the game by tailoring the bike with younger riders in mind! 

Just like the rest of the Specialized lineup, there is no boys or girls version. The Riprock is designed to work for everyone and it comes in some sweet colorways, too. The 20-inch version is great for kids 5-9 years old who are just under 4 feet tall. The 24-inch version will work for kids 8-12 years old over 4 feet tall. 

The Riprock comes loaded with features found on most adult mountain bikes. Hydraulic disk brakes give added safety and more breaking power than traditional rim brakes. They make it easier to squeeze the brakes and will cause less fatigue. This means more riding! Many of the components including the saddle, handlebars, and cranks were engineered specifically for kids. The reason was to make the bike more comfortable and let kids progress faster with more confidence. 

We have several Riprock models in stock at Peak Cycles but they are also available on Bikeparts.com! Come on in and check them out for yourself.

Whether it’s road, singletrack, or gravel country road: there is something about the feeling of riding a bike that is liberating. There are many reasons and influences that draw us into cycling, but this feeling is what keeps us coming back. It can be the antidote for challenging life situations, like kids screaming at home or a micro manager boss that keeps breathing down your neck. Cycling can be a blank canvas, with every ride being a new adventure to create and explore. Other times it can be comforting to go back to what we know, riding the same trail over and over, like watching a child hood movie for nostalgia.

Cycling can be something to enjoy on your own and a time to go inward and reflect. For introverts, this can be one of the few times in our busy world to recharge the battery. Cycling forces us to focus on what’s in front of us and be in the moment. Phone calls and text messages can wait, and Strava times probably don’t matter much either.

It can also be a time for connection with friends and family. Bring people together outdoors and sharing the adventure is something that stays in the memory, rather than being a fleeting cheap thrill. Cycling bring us to different destinations, to explore new places and different environments that would be hard to see if not for bikes. It can be hard to meet new people and make friends, but cycling creates a common thread to bring strangers together into a community.

There are many reasons we got into cycling, but the same common thread is what keeps us riding. It doesn’t matter the form, skill level, or intent, it’s the spirit and joy that matters the most. Here is to cycling!

It’s no secret that Golden has some amazing places to ride. It’s one of the main reasons that we’re based here! Nestled between the foothills of the Rocky Mountains to the west and Table Mountains to the east, Golden is completely surrounded by mountain bike trails in every direction. While there are many to choose from, there are some stand-out trails worth checking out. In no particular order, here are some of our favorite trails to ride in the area.

Apex – Enchanted Forest

The Apex trail system is one of the crown jewels of the Golden area. It attracts mostly advanced riders and rightly so. The trails are fast, rocky, and rooty. Apex operates on an alternating schedule between bikes and hikers. Uphill traffic is allowed every day, but downhill traffic is allowed only on even-numbered days. Make sure you’re heading out there on the correct day if you want to ride down Apex! Our favorite trail in the Apex trail system is Enchanted Forest. From fast and straight sections, to steep and technical, it has a little bit of everything. At 1.3 miles long and just over 500 vertical feet, it makes for a great section of trail to hot lap!

White Ranch – Maverick to Longhorn

White Ranch features some of the most technical and difficult terrain around. The chunky 1300 foot slog up Belcher Hill will have your lungs gasping and legs screaming, but reaching the top is only half the battle. Don’t let the smooth and flowy descent down Maverick fool you, a white knuckle descent awaits. Longhorn makes up the majority of the descent in White Ranch and you’ll be peeling your fingers off the handlebars by the bottom. It’s the type of trail that gets better and better the more you ride it. It’s fast, rocky, technical, and possibly the most “anti-flow” trail in the area. For those of you who don’t like flow trails, we recommend checking out White Ranch. 

Green Mountain – Rooney Valley Trail

Green Mountain is an area just south of Golden and it has some amazing beginner and intermediate riding. Despite this, most of the trails on Green Mountain still have elements of technicality and difficulty, but Rooney Valley Trail is an exception. This recently built trail is smooth and flowy with tons of berms as far as the eye can see. It’s arguably one of the best beginner/intermediate mountain bike trails in the Golden area, and yes, we recommend riding this trail downhill. Looking for a challenge after a smooth flowy descent down the Rooney Valley Trail? COMBA built a short but fun trail called the Box O Rox extension. Tack this onto your ride if there is still gas in the tank for some extra credit! 

Before taking your mountain bike for a spin, it’s important to be prepared. Having plenty of water, food and nutrition, extra tire tubes, and repair kits, as well as the right tires and maps will ensure you have an enjoyable and stress free experience.If you need a bike, we have a large selection of rental bikes at our store – Peak Cycles in downtown Golden. Don’t hesitate to stop in to ask questions, take a bike for a spin, or peruse our array of bikes, bike parts, cycling accessories, and cycling apparel.

2021 Giant Trance X 29 3

Over the past few years, Giant has been stepping up its game in the mountain bike category with some exciting new bikes. We are talking about the Trance X 29. This bike has made waves in the industry, winning the 2020 Pink Bike Trail and Enduro efficiency test for climbing, with the help of Fox Live Valve Suspension. Fitting comfortably into the trail bike category, the Trance X 29 3 is an aluminum hard charger that makes for a very nice entry level mountain bike coming in at a price tag of $2550. A price point that is very competitive when you factor in the features that come with this bike.

Key Features

The Trance x 29 3 uses the same Maestro suspension design that you’ll find on Giant’s $10,000 bikes. This tried and true suspension design has been used by Giant for over 15 years! The Trance X utilizes a trunnion mount shock, which gives the bike a longer stroke and smoother feel. It also features a two-position adjustable Advanced Forged Composite flip-chip equipped upper rocker arm for increased stiffness and strength plus lower overall frame weight. For the drivetrain, it is sporting a 12 speed SRAM SX cassette, derailleur, shifter, and Shimano 4 piston hydraulic brakes. The wheels are laced with a great tire setup from Maxxis featuring a DHF up front and a Dissector in the rear.

Our Take

The Giant Trance X 29 3 makes a great bike for the front range. Why? The 150mm of travel in the front paired with 130mm in the rear gives you just enough travel while helping keep the weight of the bike down, making it easy to pedal uphill and nimble on the descents. It also features everything we want to see in a modern mountain bike including a dropper post, 12 speed drivetrain, and wide 800mm handlebars for stability. It would make for a very nice first mountain bike or great upgrade from a hardtail. Come test ride one at Peak Cycles, today!

Is it time to test out the training wheels? Think again. Balance bikes are becoming the new way for kids to learn how to ride. There are several reasons balance bikes, like the Strider, have an edge over pedal bikes and training wheels. Let’s go over a few of the biggest reasons to choose a balance bike!

Better Fit

Balance bikes, like the Strider 12 Classic, are made to fit kids who are as young as 18 months! The adjustable seat allows for years of height adjustment. Strider, for example, recommends the 12 Classic for kids 1-5 years old and hold up to 60 pounds. Having a good fit on a bike is everything. Just ask our in house bike fitter, George Mullen!

Lighter Weight

The lighter weight of balance bikes bike makes it much easier for kids to handle. This is means they will be able to ride for longer with less fatigue. A Strider 12 Classic weighs less than 7 pounds! Compare this with the weight of your average kids bike at 24 pounds!

Less Awkward

Balance bikes are less awkward for kids to ride, especially over uneven surfaces. Kids have the confidence of their feet on the ground and the ability to glide and balance when they feel ready. Rather than wobbling back and forth on training wheels, using their legs for balance creates a much smoother experience.

Start Younger

Balance bikes are an option for kids as young as 18 months! Plus, the Strider 12 Classic will last them up until roughly 5 years old or 60 pounds. Starting with a pedal bike and training wheels usually doesn’t happen until 3 years old.

Won’t Need Training Wheels

The feeling of being balanced on a balance bike will translate almost immediately to a pedal bike. By the time they are ready to transition to a pedal bike, they will be able to handle the weight and sizing of a regular kids bike, too!

We hope this article has you convinced to jump on the balance bike train! We have plenty of Strider Bikes in stock here at Peak Cycles, or shop online at bikeparts.com!

If you are ready to go tubeless, there are a few things to check off before saying goodbye to tubes forever. Running a tubeless system requires specific wheels, tires, and valve stems. These all work together to form a good seal and prevent the tire from slipping off the wheel. Installing tubeless tires with the help of a tire lever and an air compressor will help speed up the process, but fear not, it is still possible with a floor pump! This article will cover everything you need to go tubeless, so keep reading and you will be riding tube-free before you know it!

Necessary Items

• Tubeless Ready Wheels
• Tubeless Ready Tires
• Tubeless Valve Stems
• Sealant
• Tire Levers
• Air Compressor (ideal) or Floor Pump (not ideal)

Tubeless Ready Wheels

Tubeless-ready wheels are a must-have for going tubeless. These are standard on most mountain bikes these days, and even some road and gravel bikes. If you have a newer bike you should be ok, but here is how you can identify a tubeless-ready wheel just in case.

“The most reliable tubeless systems are those marked UST (Uniform System Tubeless standard). Rims and tires must meet a certified standard to use the UST label. UST rims will have either no nipple holes in the rim tire bead or these holes will be completely sealed. The UST rim bead seat is designed to accept and hold the beads of the UST tires. UST tires can be used on a UST rim without tire sealants.

Another option is commonly known as “tubeless ready” or “tubeless compatible”. There is no set standard that a product must meet in order to use these labels. Each company decides what it considers to be “TR” or “TC”. The various “tubeless ready” components may or may not match between manufacturers.” – Park Tool

Another way to tell if your wheels are tubeless ready is if they came stock with rim tape. If for some reason the wheel wasn’t sealed with rim tape, it can need to be done using Guerilla Tape or a tubeless specific rim tape.

Tubeless-Ready Tires

Similar to tubeless-ready wheels, tires will be marked with UST, TR, or TC labels. Tubeless-ready tires are designed to hook into the wheel and form a good seal. In addition to forming a good seal, tubeless tires are constructed with different materials. They are made with a thicker, nonpermeable casing whereas non-tubeless tires are made with different materials that will actually seep air and sealant over time. If your bike has tubeless-ready wheels, it almost certainly has tubeless-ready tires. If you are upgrading to a tubeless system, make sure the tires and wheels are both tubeless-ready!

Tubeless Valve Stems

Tubeless valve stems form an airtight seal around the valve hole. Airtight is the name of the game when it comes to a tubeless system. Valve stems come in a variety of colors and sizes. 35-44mm is the standard range for mountain biking, and road bike valve stems come even longer for those deep carbon wheels. Valve stems can be a creative way to match your bike’s color scheme, too! 

Sealant

There are plenty of options when it comes to sealant and there is no right or wrong answer. The most popular sealants we use and sell at Peak Cycles are Orange Seal Endurance and Stans Race. Both of these sealants work very well and are designed to last longer than most. It is still recommended that you refresh your sealant every 6 months or so! 

Tire Levers

For the installation process, having tire levers will make it easier to get the tires on. Tire levers can also be used to set the bead, making it easier to inflate the tires if you are using a floor pump!

Air Compressor or Pump

This is the final piece of the puzzle and will determine how easy the installation goes for you! An air compressor will fill the tire with air rapidly and snap the bead into place before air can escape. With a floor pump, this isn’t the case. It’s still possible to make it happen though! Check out this great hack for setting the bead with a tire lever.

Final Checklist

• Tubeless Ready Wheels
• Tubeless Ready Tires
• Tubeless Valve Stems
• Sealant
• Tire Levers
• Air Compressor or Floor Pump

There are plenty of videos on YouTube that will walk you through a tubeless tire installation, but here are a few tips from us. When adding sealant, we recommend pouring sealant directly into the tire. We find this works better than going in through the valve stem because it makes less of a mess and prevents clogging. When inflating the tire, we recommend removing the valve core and positioning the valve stem at either 3 o’clock or 9 o’clock. This will give you a better shot at setting the bead quickly and keep sealant from trying to escape through the valve stem! Give the tires a good spin after and you should be good to go! 

Congratulations to Mitch Westall for bringing home the trophy on day four of the 2021 USA Cycling Mountain Bike National Championships. This year’s National Championship took place at Trestle Bike Park in Winter Park, Colorado with men’s masters category taking to the course in the late afternoon of the final day of cross-country races . “After sitting in third on the first lap, Mitch Westall (Littleton, Colo.; BikeParts.com) cranked out a solid second, third, and fourth lap to go on to be crowned the Master Men 50-54 XC national champion,” Tom Mahoney from USA Cycling reported. 

Congrats again, Mitch!

Original Article: https://usacycling.org/article/cross-country-riders-duke-it-out-for-the-stars-and-stripes