The Bike Hive

For the second year in a row, my friend Brad and I took off from Indy with no plan other than to ride.   We decided where we were riding first when we left the driveway.  After that, we didn't decide where we were going next until we were done riding the trail each day.   The idea was to look for new places to ride and maybe ride some familiar trails if we were in the area.  No hotel reservations either, we were winging it for the most part. Day one- French Lick After a couple false starts, we were finally on our way to our first stop in French Lick.  We had ridden there last year and really enjoyed it so it made sense to include it on this year's trip.  The trail is a great mix of technical rocks and roots without it being over-rough.  Beautiful rock walls, a water fall, and fun trails.  2 laps on the trails then on to the hotel for the first night. Day two- O'Bannon State Park Breakfast at the hotel then on the road to O'Ban...

Kashima coating is a feature currently only found on Fox forks and shocks*.  It's easy to spot from it's distinctive dark brown color.  What is it and why do they use it?  First, a quick definition: Anodizing is a process by which a metal part (normally aluminum) is electrically charged and submerged in a chemical bath.  This creates an oxide layer that penetrates the metal and changes the microscopic texture and the crystal structure of the metal near the surface.  After a part is treated, it can be dyed to give it color before it is sealed to increase durability. Hard anodizing is a similar procedure that penetrates further into the metal. This increases the surface hardness of the material making the surface even more durable and corrosion resistant.  It does not make the metal part stronger, it affects the durability of the surface of the metal. Kashima coating is a type of hard anodizing that involves a lubricating treatment as well.  This ...

If you've known me for any length of time, then you've likely heard me talk about DBR bikes and how awesome they were.  For anyone who hasn't heard, here's a quick lesson: DBR stands for Diamond Back Racing.  The bikes were made in the mid-late 90's, the golden age for mountain biking.  This was before there was XC or trail, enduro or free ride.  This is when you just bought a mountain bike.  And when you did, you got an aggressive bike.  A quick handling, scary-to-ride-down-a-hill bike.  Sure, they were uncomfortable, but the were fast.  And fun. Like anything that etches ones memory, these bikes more than define the top of the market, they define the time.  This is when Ned Overend and John Tomac were battling it out every weekend.  When Cadel  Evans was tearing it up on the world mountain bike circuit.  When Tinker Juarez was...well, he's always been awesome.  Anodized colors were the rage and suspension was just gain...