My Area 106

Need a Little Assist?

While at Trek World 2009 (last summer) our Trek Pavement Product Manager "Chad Price" showed me a new product that was going to be featured in Europe, and also would be "beta" tested within the US with a few domestic retailers. Chad didn't explain much about the bike at first, he just wanted me to pedal the bike as he had it set up and wanted to get my impressions. WOW...

At that time, I knew this bike would grow wings.

Now, fast forward a year and this summer at Trek World the new series of electric assist Trek's (series named "Ride +) were shown to our Trek retailers and are now available to all. Trek is offering up "3" different models of electric assist bicycles, the 7200, 7.5FX, and the Valencia.

Why electric? First off, these bikes are still meant to be pedaled. These aren't scooters or mopeds (no throttle) but a full blown bicycle model with the an added assist boost when needed. The Trek web site lists the different possibilities, but I see great potential for the rider who wishes to use a bike more than their usual car, or someone that wants to ride with their partner/friends but might not have the endurance nor strength to maintain a faster speed to keep up. These bikes are just a plain "hoot" to ride.

Technologies include the Trek Syn Drive and Silent Drive Motor, which is a brushless silent motor that manages the assist level based on the pedaling force applied by the rider. A consule is mounted on your handlebar that allows the rider to "power on" the unit and then allows the rider to channel through the different operating assistance ranges, as well as keeping track of battery life, MPH, and miles ridden.

The assistance levels range from 0-4. In "0", the bike is functioning as a regular bike without any assistance at all (just the consule is operating as a cycling computer). Setting "1" equals about 25% assistance, 2 - 50%, 3 - 100% and level 4 represents 200% assistance (did I say make that mountain a molehill?). The technology also features "regenerative braking" which allows you to actual charge your battery while riding downhill, getting as much as 10% increased battery life.

Trek District has landed in the 106

The cool new Trek District has landed in Area 106.

 

What is special about this District? This bike has no chain. Its simple single speed drive train consists of a carbon fiber belt. No maintenance, super smooth and ultra quiet.

2009 Fuel EX 9.8

    

With the holidays upon us, I'm taking a few days to prep a couple bikes which will be used for this upcoming season at our Trek/Fisher Demo events and in store clinics. Props to Carrie as she correctly guessed at the contents of the box. The numbers on the box is actually the bikes individual part number, which was the main clue. Boy, do I feel clever.

Indeed, the first bike that just arrived is the new 2009 Trek Fuel EX 9.8. Pete stopped over last evening to help bring the new ride all together. We both marveled at just how striking the bike is, with the shapely lines and colors that are tied in together. The new Bontrager bar, stem, saddle, seat post and wheels really set the bike off. I especially liked the new Bonty lock on Race Lite grips which are a bit thicker than the other "Bonty Earl" style of lock on grips (I personally prefer the thicker style of grip).

I think most people that know me know I'm a huge fan and advocate of the 29er platform and the benefits of the bigger wheels. I'll be posting real soon some pictures of the new Gary Fisher Superfly within the next few days. In the 26" world though, this new Fuel EX OCLV bike is one of my favorite to ride. Not that I'm leaving out its sibling (the new Top Fuel) that is getting a lot of press and will be raced by many this upcoming season throughout the cross country race courses, but the fact that I personally prefer more travel and the EX delivers.

Perfection in Progress

I'm in search of perfection. Perfecting my ultimate urban bike that is. I've been thinking about adding a single speed to my garage soon, but for now my urban rides find me on just one trusty rig, my Gary Fisher Mendota (check out the new 2009 version here). This bike to me is near perfect.

I set the bike up originally to mimic my 29er hard-tail thus allowing me to get miles in when I'm not able to make it to the trail heads. Not too much of the bikes original spec remains, as I've "upgraded" to a Race X Lite Compact (50x34) Carbon crank, Sram X-0 Twist Grip Shifters, Ultegra Front Derailleur, Bontrager Race OS (40mm rise) handlebar, Race Lite OS Stem, and Bontrager Race Lite Hardcase tires.

This bike is a fast urban cruiser. Get one; you'll love it.

Bob

Could this be the new Top Fuel SSL...

Go ahead. It's okay to drool and slur your speech.

Go to this site to get some info: http://reviews.mtbr.com/blog/2009-trek-top-fuel/

Trek Session 88 Introduced at Sea Otter

Those of you that enjoy some extra travel and trips to parks such as Whistler, Snowshoe, and Seven Springs should set your sights on the new Session 88 that Trek introduced at the Sea Otter Classic this past week.

You may notice this new design has a similar look to the new EX and Remedy designs platform that were introduced earlier in the year. This new Session (DH and FR) share the full floater, Evo Link and ABP features with it's sister bikes. The head tube on the new Session uses the E2 (same as Remedy). Check out the full story at the link here: Trek Unveils new Session at Sea Otter.

Along with introducing this new Session, Trek also begin shipping to local retailers this week new 2008 Trek Remedy's (all models). If you've had the chance to demo a Fuel EX and have been wanting to see the Remedy give your local Trek retailer a call and see if they've brought one in.

Bob

A rare sighting!

"Posted by Stork (a.k.a. - Travis Saeler - 2008 Fisher 29er Team rider"

Just this past week I managed to get my hands on my '08 29er Team Superfly which will be my geared choice for racing this year. These bikes are in high demand and yet getting one remains almost as difficult as buying tickets for a Hannah Montana concert. How do I know this? Well if you no anyone with kids or you watch the news then you heard about HM tickets and if you've visited a Fisher Retailer then you know about the Superfly inventory. So when I finally got my hands on my "SuperF" I took extra effort to conceal its wear abouts and immediately took my unbuilt specimen to a secret area for it transformation from a box of parts to a complete race steed.

This bike is the real deal (2008 Trek Fuel EX)

The picture here shows several popular bike magazines (current newsstand copy) singing the phrases of the new Trek Fuel Ex design. The gang inside Trek (marketing and product department staff) have done a great job of releasing this new design starting off with a Sun Valley, Idaho mountain bike camp Trek hosted in late summer that brought all the top industry magazine editors out to hear, see and ride these new bikes. Along with this new Fuel EX design, they also had the opportunity to play on the Top Fuel 69er, HiFi Carbon Pro (Gary Fisher), HiFi Pro 29er and most recently the new Trek Remedy being introduced now. You can get more info and spec at www.trekbikes.com or www.fisherbikes.com.

Urban Bike

Urban biking. This term has been getting a lot of press lately in our industry. Cities such as Seattle, Madison, Portland, San Francisco and Pittsburgh are mentioned quite frequently for their biking communities and the growing "urban" riding these cities present.

Dirt Rag Review of Trek 69er SS

Make sure you grab the latest issue of Dirt Rag (issue 132) and read the review Justin gives on the Trek 69er single speed. This issue is hitting the stores and mailboxes right now.

Justin writes a really good review of the bike which the only flaw he had was some issues with the Maverick suspension fork. Nonetheless it's a fantastic bike for the single speeder who wants a quick handling machine with a highly adjustable fork (just have to tweak it a bit). No really, I think Justin had a few issues, but this bike is extremely attractive due to many riders who swear by this Maverick fork. But hey, its all subjective, right?