Bringing the best in cycling to the head of the field
CALL UP Product / Tech / Trends / Know-How / from QBP and Friends
Mountain + Service & Repair / September 2014
IN THIS ISSUE
Tech, Trends & Know-How 6 Kings Of The Mountain 12 QBP Employees: Good Fortune, Indeed 18 Suspension: Spring Into Action 30 Last Stop
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Mountain + Service & Repair Products 4 Easton: Maximum Stokage 10 Maxxis: Tread Militia 16 Nite Rider: When The Moon Isn't Enough 20 Cane Creek: Set Your Squish 26 Park Tool: Tools Of The Trade
lead out / about this issue Tribal Leadership
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’m Clayton McLagan, category sales manager here at QBP. The September issue of Call Up is all about mountain product. Like every discipline of cycling, mountain biking has its own rich and passionate culture comprised of not only the bikes themselves, but the habits and rituals of the tribe that rides them. For many mountain bikers, bike shops are a sacred meeting place. There are a lot of characteristics that define a good mountain bike shop. From staff and customers to location and specialties, the important things to consider are: What do I want my customer experience to be? What are we (the staff) passionate about? What do my customers want? Defining your customer experience will help you make goals and determine where you may want to change course or go full steam ahead. Having a solid understanding of the latest trends and where they fit in your shop’s region, with support from the right product assortment and the appropriate services, will help you dial it all in. Your employees have passion for the sport. If you didn’t feel it, you probably wouldn’t have hired them in the first place. Aligning your customer experience and your staff’s passions will establish and strengthen your shop’s expertise. Encouraging your staff to play a vital role in creating the overall shop vibe will be something customers definitely notice, and it positions staff to become trusted advisors. Take time to recognize what is happening in your community and what your customers are doing on their bikes. Paying attention to what your customers are asking for and making recommendations on new ways for them to get involved in the sport will help build credibility and relationships. It might be easier to harness the momentum of a current trend that has people behind it than to create one on your own, but you’ll read about shops in this issue that have definitely influenced their customers' and area’s riding styles . This is sometimes the beneficial side effect of your enthusiasm and putting yourself out there. Finally, and most importantly, don’t forget what brought us all here to the Church of the Singletrack Trail in the first place. Get out and ride, and keep the excitement going!
“Defining your customer experience will help you make goals.”
on this page: photo courtesy of Pearl Izumi
cover photo: Lorraine Blancher riding Squamish, BC, Canada Photo by Margus Riga courtesy of Race Face
CALL UP / Volume 1, Number 8 / September 2014 Published by Quality Bicycle Products 6400 West 105th Street Bloomington, Minnesota 55438 www.qbp.com Customer Service: 800.346.0004 customerservice@qbp.com If you’d like to stop receiving a paper version of Call Up, please contact Customer Service. All brands, trademarks and content in Call Up is the intellectual property of QBP or our vendor partners, all rights reserved. © Quality Bicycle Products, Inc. 2014
At Interbike: QBP's History of Fat QBP has played a huge role in the development of fat bikes. Visit our fat bike timeline at Interbike to learn the history and see the bikes that opened up new frontiers of riding. Booth #23097
Maximum Stokage Riders all over the world have continually proven—on the trail and on race day— that Easton’s Haven line is a game-changer for all-mountain components. The line has received several refinements over the years, always keeping it ahead of the curve.
1 EC90 SL Handlebar HB3450 / QI80N
The EC90 SL handlebar has been upped to 720mm and shaved down to 165 grams, which gives racers and trail riders the control they need and the weight they desire. 2 Haven 35 Carbon Handlebar HB3456 / ML170Z
Easton’s 35mm platform doesn’t just add stiffness and control to your bike—the oversized clamp allows a fine-tuned ride quality and less weight, too. 3 Haven 35 Stem
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5 Vice XLT All-Mountain Front Wheel
SM5439 / LZ90A
WE3311 / VO360P
Coming in at 5 grams lighter than the 31.8 version of the Haven stem, the Haven 35 provides a more stable platform for tracking your bike across the rough stuff.
The new Vice XLT wheel brings the reputation and reliability of Haven to a new price point. 27.5" diameter, 21mm internal UST rim bed, X4 hubs.
4 Haven Carbon 29er Front Wheel
6 EA90 XC Front Wheel
WE3336 / GC1098S
WE3325 / QB546A
Thanks to excellent design and armored ballistic composite, Haven carbon wheels come with a two-year, no-questions-asked replacement policy. Now available in 29 and 27.5".
This lightweight front wheel is half of a 1,680 gram wheelset. And that's true weight! There’s no need to add the weight of a rubber rim strip or special tape—just mount up with some fast rubber and go.
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Kings Mountain Of The
For many mountain bike devotees, a “true mountain shop” is as much a part of their way of life as a bike and a singletrack trail. There, knobby-tire culture flourishes and riders can count on experts (and often friends) to keep their machines running perfectly, to show them the best new stoke-worthy bikes and gear, and to share and hear stories about the rides they live for. Here are four shops that have established themselves as true mountain shops and have become synonymous with the names of the famous trails in their region. We asked them to tell us how they make life great for both their loyal subjects and travelers from distant lands. Wes Dickson, Sycamore Cycles, Pisgah Forest, North Carolina
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n 2000, I was tired of waiting tables and wanted to follow my dream, so I took out a furniture loan and opened a rider-focused bike shop in downtown Brevard, N.C. With hundreds of miles of rugged singletrack trails in nearby Pisgah National Forest and DuPont State Forest, the business plan was perfect. Two years later the shop moved down the road to the entrance of Pisgah to be closer to the trails. In 2010 I expanded Sycamore Cycles by opening a second location in nearby Hendersonville. Today the shops continue to grow and evolve with an expanding local customer base and an enormous influx of out-of-town mountain bike tourists seeking the abundant trail systems of western North Carolina. Earlier this year the Pisgah Forest location expanded for a third time and is now subleasing a part of the store to Crank, a coffee shop serving baked goods, smoothies, and juices. The store has new expanded hours to help get our customers out on the trails earlier—with a coffee and Danish. 6 / CALL UP / PRODUCT / TECH / TRENDS / KNOW-HOW
With the growth of Sycamore, a few things have remained constant. Sycamore Cycles has always been known for expert service, trail info, and trail-tested equipment. The technical aspects of the typical “Pisgah” bike (a 5-inch full-suspension trail bike with dropper post) and the local trails (rocks, roots, and lots of rain) mean our mechanics must be well versed in suspension service, pivot bearing replacements, and brake bleeds. Knowledgeable employees who ride and are familiar with the trails and the best equipment for the area are a cornerstone of what makes Sycamore a “true” mountain bike shop. Join us for one of our weekly Thursday evening shop rides or stop by for a coffee and some trail info. Scott Schroen, Phat Tire Bike Shop, Fayetteville and Bentonville, Arkansas Phat Tire is the area go-to shop for all things cycling, specializing in mountain bikes and the experienced service techs that keep them running. As mountain bike trails were being developed in the area, the need for a quality bike shop
in town was a must. In 2007 two local riders, Tim Robinson and Chris Brosh, pooled all their savings and opened a small shop on the downtown square. Since then, Phat Tire has expanded to three prominent locations in northwest Arkansas (Fort Smith is in the works now). The beauty of northwest Arkansas is the diversity of its trails. High-end carbon hardtails and six-inch trail bikes are right at home on favorite local trails Slaughter Pen (in Bentonville) and Mt. Kessler (in Fayetteville). Big tires roll: 2.25- to 2.4-inch wide tires dominate the scene. Most trails here are purpose-built singletrack with ladder bridges, drop lines, and tech features sprinkled throughout the trail, so we tend to see a fair share of taco’ed wheels and blown forks from riders who like to experiment with their skill level and with what their bikes can handle. A “true” mountain bike shop comes from its roots. Phat Tire, as the name suggests, is built on and from a mountain bike lifestyle. We offer group rides twice a week, perform suspension service in-house, and have a full-on mountain bike race team (complete
The favored local trails depend on the season and snow line: At lower elevations, the Emerald Mountain trails that connect to the Beall-Ridge trails add up to an amazing 25-mile loop right from our door. In the high country, you just can’t beat the Continental Divide trail for miles of amazing singletrack followed by an almost 4,000 vertical Brock Webster, foot descent back to town. Orange Peel Bikes, Living and understanding mountain Steamboat Springs, Colorado culture in a broader sense than just We’re known for our branding, our cycling alone makes us a true mountain crazy building, an amazing selection of shop. We know and use what works in in-stock service parts, and custom bikes. our environment. The big mountains, Orange Peel began in 1999 as a one-man crazy weather, and summer “moon repair shop, and has expanded every dust” spell disaster for bike parts. We year since. Ten years ago we moved do suspension and brake services, into a location that had housed a bike continually replacing brake pads and rotors. We replace a lot of chains and climbing gears, and clean and lube a lot of freehub mechanisms. We go out of our way to be friendly and fun, and not scary in the typical bro-dude manner. Having lots of local knowledge about trails, burritos, hot springs, and other local attractions doesn’t hurt, either. with a masseuse, tech support, and a beer sponsor—Pabst makes sure the shop fridge is full!) that is currently and proudly holding the number-one spot in Arkansas. We also rent out really nice mountain bikes like the Trek Superfly Elite and the Santa Cruz Tallboy carbon SPX.
"We go out of our way to be friendly and fun, and not scary in the typical bro-dude manner"
shop since 1979, and is most famous as the birthplace of Moots Cycles. When out on the trails around here, it’s not the bike, it’s the rider! Most locals ride some kind of full-suspension bike, but opinions vary greatly, with everything from older 26-inch trail bikes, to shorttravel 29ers. Recently the 27.5-inch enduro-style bikes have been popular, and downhill bikes are selling fast with the addition of the Steamboat Ski Area bike park. And we have the requisite singlespeeders who manage quite well in their typical Luddite fashion!
Our mechanic stands are set under oak trees, we’ve always got fresh banana bread, we barbecue regularly for lunch, and our customers enjoy the fun sense of community. Out here on favorite trails like Backbone, Cheney, and Dead Car, it’s steep and dry, so we see a lot of drivetrains caked in dirt. Cross-country full-suspension and singlespeed hardtails dominate the scene, so seals on shocks, bearing surfaces, and chains need constant attention. With plenty of cactuses and thorns, nearly every bike leaves the shop with a tubeless setup. A “true” mountain shop provides great service and engages customers. We make it a point to “walk the walk” and take our customers to races, events, bikepacking trips, and, most importantly, in search of adventure. We offer a group ride every Saturday morning through the mountains and fire roads near our shop, which can range from 10 to 40 people. We ride for two and a half hours and come back for the freshly baked banana bread and coffee. Our shop motto is “UnPredict Chris, Jay, Jeo, and Eric, Your Journey,” so every Wednesday Topanga Creek Bicycles, we close the shop to “UnPredict Our Topanga, California Wednesday.” We pack up Tuesday night We started as a bicycle touring company and go bikepacking somewhere within taking clients through the Hollywood 30 to 50 miles of the shop. We camp hills and all over L.A. The touring Tuesday night, ride all day Wednesday, company grew into a tiny bike shop off sometimes camp Wednesday night, of Hollywood Boulevard that eventually and head back early to open the shop doubled in size. Hollywood was fun, but on Thursday. A “true” mountain shop in 2008 it was time for a change. We lives the lifestyle and promotes fun and looked for a good spot to start a shop involvement for everyone. oriented toward mountain biking and adventure. We landed in Topanga and have been here ever since. SEPTEMBER 2014 / Mountain + Service & Repair / 7
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1 SRAM X5 Fat Bike Crankset CK4618 / SZ204Z • Great quality for this price point! 7075 aluminum chainrings, forged 6061 aluminum arms, includes GXP bottom bracket to fit 100mm BB shell
4 Formula C1 Disc Brake BR3151 / QH210G • This versatile brake, with Formula’s new cartridge technology, is easy to maintain and provides great performance and value at a weight below 346 grams
2 SRAM X9 Fat Bike Crankset CK4584 / FJ378M • High-end crankset with hollow-forged 7075 aluminum arms. Includes GXP bottom bracket to fit 100mm BB shell
5 FSA Afterburner Hydraulic Disc Brake BR5201 / PI350H • Excellent stopping power and user-friendly set up. These brakes are easy to adjust on the trail, and will give you the control you’re looking for
3 Manitou Mattoc Pro Fork FK5420 / UR1020Q • Provides efficient pedaling even at 160mm of travel, making it an ideal platform for enduro racing
6 X-Fusion Metric Fork FK0978 / AO1234P • Innovative features, including carbon leg guards to protect the magnesium casting, Neutra-Valve bleed ports to release pressure build-up in the lowers, Flux-Piston air spring system to reduce internal seal drag. Super lightweight crown and casting create a 180mm travel fork at 2,200 grams
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7 Formula Limited Edition T1 Racing Brake BR3162 / KJ1022N • Limited production run. Features the revolutionary pull master cylinder and the extraordinary performance of the T1 caliper. The T1 Racing is the perfect brake for tackling the enduro circuit 8 Michelin Wild Grip’r 2 Tire TR8781 / LF76U • The proven tread design of the Wild Grip’r 2, now with Michelin’s reinforced casing for extra durability 9 Michelin Protek Cross Tire TR8408 / SA26X • The new Protek Cross rolls fast, and has deeper side lugs for cornering on loose surfaces. Puncture protection layer and reflective sidewalls help keep you safe
The good stuff / stock your shop for mountain
Take Control
e.thirteen’s innovative off-road products improve your handling and control, making you faster.
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1 Extended Range Cog FW0020 / TS80E • Add much needed range to your existing 1x10-speed drivetrain without breaking the bank
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2 M Ring CR1310 / ZO66W • Coupled with a clutch-style 10- or 11-speed rear derailleur and proper drivetrain protection, you’ll be ready for anything the trail throws at you 3 LG1 Race Pedal with Ti Axle PD1342 / UJ374G • When grams equal seconds. The LG1 keeps the same over-the-top grip of the acclaimed LG1+ pedals, but incorporates a titanium axle and heattreated EXAr aluminum pins
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4 TRSR Single Crank CK0260 / LK480M • The ultimate 1X crankset! Updated from 2013, cranks now include the Guidering M dual width chainring for better chain retention as well as a new spider lockring/bottom bracket tool included in the box 5 XCX 1x Guide CH1370 / FV70N • XCX 1x chain guides add an additional level of chain retention protection for 1x setups 6 TRS Plus 275 Wheelset WE1433 / TN1040T • Big flanges and an EXA+ aluminum shell increase wheel stiffness and strength while maintaining a low weight. Great pricing and end cap modularity make these an exceptional value
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1 X-Fusion Microlite RL Shock RS0319 / KE580U • The Microlite rear shock offers efficiency, simplicity, and weight savings in a compact package
2 Renthal Duo Stem SM2610 / HJ130V • With a horizontally split design, the Duo stem is able to achieve an absolute minimum in weight without compromising strength 3 K-EDGE MTB Adjustable Garmin Mount EC1753 / PB50M • Fully adjustable angle for ideal positioning above stem
4 Renthal Fatbar Handlebar HB2556 / PQ110O • Designed to be the ultimate combination of strength, durability, and lightweight design, Renthal offers up options for all riders with four rises
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Tread Militia Maxxis has a full arsenal of tires窶認rom the fast-rolling and lightweight Ikon 3C race to the aggressive, downhill oriented Minion DHF, they have you covered no matter what the terrain.
Minion DHF EXO Tubeless-Ready TR6210 / HO61U
A benchmark for aggressive-tread tire design, the Minion DHF prioritizes straight-line control and precise cornering.
Minion DHR II EXO Tubeless-Ready TR6114 / JA60M
The DHR II borrows side knobs from its legendary DHF cousin but changes the orientation of the knob channels in the center to optimize braking performance and acceleration.
High Roller II 3C EXO Tubeless-Ready TR6182 / IS61S
A refined gravity-oriented tire, the High Roller II sheds mud easily and provides a consistent cornering feel through wide, squared tread blocks.
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Ardent Race 3C EXO Tubeless-Ready TR6219 / SU79H
Bridging the gap between the Ikon and the Ardent, the Ardent Race is most at-home on technical XC or endurance-length race courses.
Ikon 3C EXO Tubeless-Ready TR6119 / SA79T
A true lightweight race tire, the Ikon delivers with fast-rolling, ramped knobs and a consistent, rounded casing profile.
Ardent EXO Tubeless-Ready TR6208 / HI63S
Aggressive and open tread on highvolume, rounded casing optimizes this trail-oriented tire for the broadest spectrum of trail conditions.
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our team / QBP employee profile
GOOD FORTUNE, INDEED In 1846, Fort Buenaventura, or “Fort Good Fortune,” was the name of the place we now call Ogden, Utah, home to QBP’s western states distribution center. We checked in with four of our customer service guys at Q-West, riders who know the area’s good fortune well.
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ueled by a love of bikes, and with the Utah hills as their playground, the folks at Q-West don’t need motivation to ride. The motivation is all around them. Contact center supervisor Adam Shaleen has been with QBP for more than six years. “Since moving to Utah, my obsession has become predominantly dirt—mountain and BMX trails, to be specific.” He’s in good company. Ogden native Gage Jacobson, a customer service agent with QBP for more than four years, has a stable of bikes numbering in the mid-teens, and although he’s currently spending most of his time on a suspension-free Surly Krampus, “that doesn’t keep me from running down people on all-mountain bikes,” he says. Customer service agent Jason Foster sometimes wakes up at 4 a.m. to hit the local trails, grabbing a four- or five-hour ride and watching the sunrise before heading in to work. And Brian Mulligan in sales and service operations says, “In my 11 years out here, four of which have been with Q, I’ve been living the dream of riding trails in the mountains and down in the harsh, rocky deserts of western Colorado and Southern Utah. It’s paradise for me.” Having Q-West in Ogden is perfect for mountain bike junkies like these guys. “Q-West is approximately three miles away from dirt,” notes Jacobson. “You can even pick up the Ogden River Parkway less than 400 yards from the warehouse and ride a dedicated bike path all the way to the Bonneville Shoreline Trail.” “It’s possible for me to do a loop from my house to Q that covers 18 miles, 12 of which are on dirt,” says Foster. “I usually ride that in at least twice a week. We have several 12 / CALL UP / PRODUCT / TECH / TRENDS / KNOW-HOW
new mountain bike trails that have just been created this summer. We also have a mountain bike freeride park located about four miles from Q-West that’s open to the public. A BMX-style dirt jump track is within walking distance of that. There are a bunch of great shops in the area too: Saturday Cycles in Salt Lake City has a good crew, as does Matt over at Skyline Cycles in Ogden, and Biker’s Edge in Kaysville.” “Ogden is definitely a bike town,” agrees Shaleen. “A bunch of big-name bicycle companies are located here—QBP, ENVE, TRP, and Scott—and the riding is fantastic. The trails here in the Ogden area range from flowy to technical cross-country. There is something for everybody. Whether you’re looking for lift service downhill and park laps or all-day epics, you will find it here. I’ll often see folks up on the trails in the evening that I talked with on the phone earlier that day. We’re all here for the same reason, and that helps solidify our community. People here are stoked on bikes.” It isn’t just hard-core bike people that see the potential. “Many of the cities and counties along the Wasatch Front Range have begun to embrace mountain biking as a vehicle for positive change,” says Mulligan. “It’s great to see them promoting mountain biking, developing trail networks, and realizing the huge benefits mountain biking offers their communities. We’ve got a wealth of great local shops that support build days, sponsor race series, and promote mountain biking as a whole.” It probably doesn’t come as any surprise that four guys who work in the bike industry love bikes and ride all the time. But they’re not with QBP for purely selfish reasons. All share
their enthusiasm with shops and the dirt set every day. “Having staff here in Ogden is great for any western mountain shop because we understand what their customers are looking for,” says Shaleen. “We ride the same products, on the same terrain, and have similar goals: having the most fun possible in the mountains.” Jacobson adds: “I’m from Ogden. That adds a ton of credibility to the advice I give. We ride the terrain and test the limits of the parts we sell.” “There’s really no substitute for firsthand knowledge and experience,” Mulligan says. “We can relate to questions or frustrations that shops in mountain states are having. We know the ins and outs of downhill bikes, suspension setups, enduro racing, wheel size debates, 1x setups, etc. Plus, if a shop in the Midwest needs suggestions for the best tire choice for a customer planning a vacation in western U.S., they may not know where to start. We can help. That shop may not be familiar with dropper posts, the benefits they offer, and the differences between models. We’ve got a ton of personal experience to share. Some of us may or may not currently own seven dropper posts. I regularly find myself buying the latest in mountain bike tech just to be able to test it, and talk about it with customers and answer questions.” These guys also realize that it takes more than being a
“Having staff here in Ogden is great for any Western mountain shop because we understand what their customers are looking for. We ride the same products, on the same terrain, and have similar goals: having the most fun possible in the mountains.” great bike rider to make biking great. They volunteer their time building trails and urban cycling infrastructure in Ogden, too. “Since 2012, a group of local riders and I have been working with the local government and QBP to develop the Ogden Bike Park,” says Shaleen. “The park is great because it’s connected to our network of trails along the mountainside,
so you can end your evening ride with a lap or two down some really fun flowy trails, or throw on the full face helmet and session 30-footers. The park even has a set of BMX trails, which has been my primary focus for the past two years.” Jacobson spends his spare time getting locals rolling. “For me it’s all about the Ogden Bicycle Collective,” he says. “I’ve been involved in one way, shape, or form since its inception. It’s a fantastic organization that helps people that wouldn’t normally be able to afford bicycles. We’ve given away more than 75 kids’ bikes this year alone!” Foster volunteers at the 12th Street dirt jumps, digging and shaping jumps, and sometimes helping with trail maintenance on the shoreline trails. Mulligan attends fundraisers and public meetings, and tries to be a positive example of what a mountain biker is, on-trail and off. The future looks bright in Ogden, and for QBP and the shops these guys talk to every day. “Now that our team has solidified itself with the QBP contact center, we’re looking to expand our reach by continuing to add more passionate folks to the group,” says Shaleen. “As for Ogden, the mayor is working closely with the local cycling community, QBP, and all our vendors to help make it the ultimate cycling hub for the U.S. It’s really a great time to be involved with our industry here in Ogden.” Foster notes that Q-West will continue to help by holding major fundraisers when possible. “There are not many other places where you can ride dirt to nearly 10,000 feet, but Ogden is one of them. The scenery here is breathtaking and I think the mayor, Q-West, and the community will keep developing trails for riders to experience it.” “Our team has been steadily growing over the past few years and we will continue with that,” says Mulligan. “We’ve got a really solid group of bike nuts with a lot of experience wrenching and riding. We want to continue being a great resource for our customers, and I know we are all hoping our push for a more mountain-oriented brand will come to fruition sooner than later. We want our partners to not only be able to continue sourcing their mountain components from us, but bikes as well.”
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Damien Oten letting loose on his way to a 2nd place finish at the Enduro World Series race in Valloire-Galibier, France. Photo courtesy of Easton.
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The good stuff / stock your shop for mountain
Alternate Realities
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MicroSHIFT offers a high-value option for riders looking for durable, Shimano-compatible components at a reasonable price.
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1 XCD Xpress 2/3 x 10-Speed Shift Levers LD0132 / CD52C • XCD is Microshift’s top-end mountain group—delivering flawless functioning for 10-speed drivetrains 2 XCD 10-Speed Rear Derailleur RD0120 / BF56X • XCD Is perfect when you need Shimano 10-speed compatibility in a durable, reasonably-priced package
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3 Marvo XE 9-Speed Long Cage Rear Derailleur RD0121 / QO48W • The Marvo line fits the bill perfectly when a mountain bike needs durable 9-speed replacement components 4 Mezzo 3 x 8-Speed Shift Levers LD0135 / VC26Z • Get those 8-speed mountain bikes back on the trail with the affordable and tough Mezzo line
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5 Marvo XE 2/3 x 9-Speed Shift Levers LD0133 / IQ46P • Long-lasting, clean-shifting performance for 9-speed mountain bikes
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1 I-9 Torch Fat Bike Front Hub HU6318 / DC280K • 150x15mm, same great design and engineering as other Torch hubs with spacing setup for 150mm fat bike suspension forks 2 VP VX e Mountain Clipless Pedal PD9340 / BH50L • Affordable, reliable, double-sided mountain clipless pedals, with adjustable retention— cleats included
3 I-9 Torch Fat Bike Cassette Hub HU6035 / LP520S • The outstanding performance of the Torch hub—now in 190mm width to meet modern fat bike standards 4 DMR Vault Pedal PD5881 / WB178F • Large platform, lightweight, super durable, tunable, and serviceable, the Vaults are top-shelf pedals in your choice of colors
5 6 5 Tioga MT-Zero Axle Pedal System PD3700 / XI110X • The ultra-thin 7mm pedal body (4mm at the thinnest) gets you closer to the center of the pedal spindle for the lowest center of gravity and best ground clearance
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6 Kindshock LEV Adjustable Seatpost ST0352 / DJ550P • 30.9 dropper seatpost with remote 7 Kindshock LEV DX Adjustable Seatpost ST0358 / SB450E • 30.9 dropper seatpost. Cable will stay in place as the post moves through its infinitely adjustable ride height
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When The Moon Isn’t Enough Whether you’re doing a 24-hour mountain bike race or heading home by moonlight, having a light that’s bright and durable is crucial. NiteRider’s ultra-bright headlights
range from 50 to 3600 lumens and give off enough light for even the darkest of conditions. 1 1 NiteRider Pro 3600 DIY Rechargeable Headlight LT9431 / KW864L
The premiere NiteRider light: Dual beam headlamp pumps out 3600 lumens of light through six Cree LEDs, and features NiteRider's innovative DIY software for complete light customization. 2 Mako Headlight & Taillight Combo LT9164 / JE34G
This starter set for commuters includes a 50 lumen Mako 5.0 headlight and TL5.0 taillight. To work or to school, this set will make sure you can see and be seen. 3 NiteRider Mako 200 Lumen Headlight LT9162 / UE48M
The brightest light in the Mako line, this features 200 lumens powered by two AA batteries for a seven-hour run time. Side illumination ports emit red light for increased side visibility.
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4 Lumina 750 USB-Rechargeable Headlight LT9347 / FR164J
The brightest of the Lumina series, this one-piece, USB-rechargeable light pumps out 750 lumens of trail-slaying power. 5 Lumina Micro 250 USB-Rechargeable Headlight LT9340 / XG78C
With all the technology of the bigger Lumina lights packed into a smaller package, the micro 250 weighs in at 126 grams and is small enough to fit in your pocket. 6 Pro 1800 Race Rechargeable Headlight LT9430 / BU436G
For the racer in all of us, NiteRider has packed in all the power and features to make this your go-to light. The best power-to-weight ratio, eight-step fuel gauge and a race mode to keep you riding for 12 hours. 16 / CALL UP / PRODUCT / TECH / TRENDS / KNOW-HOW
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Tune up / tech tips and info to boost your know-how
Spring Into Action Suspension has had a place in mountain biking since the early 1990s, and it’s played a pivotal role in how we ride. The demand for the perfect set up keeps shock manufacturers exploring how to handle everything from washboard ripples to the landing of a triple backflip off a canyon wall. Often though, riders just “feel or know something works” without really understanding how or how it could work better. We spoke with Holly Colson, Cane Creek's director of marketing, Joel Smith, X-Fusion’s general manager, and Doug “DD” Dalton, RockShox technical ambassador, to give their professional advice about getting the best bounce on the bike.
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uspension technology, especially in the realm of full suspension, has progressed rapidly in the last few years and led to bikes that work so well that traditional hardtails are starting to become a niche segment of the market. With that increased popularity, though, comes more choice, more lingo, and more claims. Being able to talk about what suspension feels like when set up properly will make selecting the right rig easier, improve user experience, and getting more people riding more frequently. So starting with the basics... Terminology Give us your simplest definition of suspension preload, compression, and rebound to a novice user. Colson: Preload affects the energy in the spring. Adding preload increases the ride height of the bike, decreasing sag. Reducing preload does the opposite: It lowers the ride height of the bike and increases sag. If too much preload (more than six turns on our coil rear shock) or too little (less than one turn) is required, the rider may not have the correct spring rate on their shock. Riders can refer to our online spring rate calculator to confirm.
Damping is in place to resist movement. One nice rule to remember is that compression damping tries to keep the wheel on the ground, while rebound damping tries to keep the wheel off the ground. Therefore, compression allows for controlled upward movement of the tire to absorb the bump while rebound sends the tire back down for contact with the ground in a controlled fashion. Smith: Rebound is the return of the fork after compression to static ride height. Compression is the downward movement of the suspension. Preload is the amount a coil spring is compressed at its static state. Dalton: Compression is interrupting laminar flow to create hysteresis...just kidding! As the fork goes down and the wheel comes up, hydraulic resistance is created. Rebound slows the wheel as it returns back to the ground. Getting Started What’s the best process you’ve seen for quickly and effectively setting up suspension for a demo or test ride?
when the bike is on flat ground under rider weight including riding gear—is of course priority one. Then to meet the needs of a demo, have a quick Q&A about what the rider likes or is looking for in his setup, and make a few clicks and turns to suit that feedback. To really dial in the ultimate ride, a rider can and should follow the steps we provide on the Cane Creek website with our online Tuning Field Guide. Smith: Check suspension sag, and then adjust rebound speed. Adjust compression damping on the trail to taste. Dalton: Setup is the most important; follow the air chart on the back of our fork legs. With RockShox’s Solo Air, one fill gets positive and negative air springs set. Next, set rebound as fast as possible with resistance. Outside of preload, what changes should you make when tuning suspension for lighter weight or heavier riders? Colson: When you get to extreme ends of the weight scale you always need to adjust compression settings.
Colson: Properly setting sag—the difference between the suspension when it Dalton: Make the rebound match the is fully extended (not compressed) and spring rate.
Would you set up suspension differently for a novice rider compared to a seasoned rider? Colson: Absolutely! More experienced riders will generally be moving faster and hitting things harder, and they appreciate firmer compression settings. Faster rebound (less rebound damping) benefits experienced riders also, as they will know how to use the “pop” to his or her advantage without being bucked or thrown. Smith: Yes. More experienced riders tend to run higher spring rates and higher compressing damping settings. Dalton: Only spring rate and rebound. Novice riders ride more slowly, so less force is seen. Force equals mass times acceleration, so less force needs less spring, and less spring needs less rebound. Then adjust compression accordingly. Out Of The Parking Lot What adjustments do you change every time when riding a new trail? Colson: Assuming you've never seen what is coming and have no idea what to expect, it would be difficult to know what to adjust for. Best to be confident in your suspension. However, low-speed compression adjustments are most commonly changed to suit varying trail situations such as long uphills and long downhills. Dalton: Attitude! Are there suspension adjustments that riders fiddle with too often? What suspension adjustments do riders not change often enough? Colson: Riders change HSC (high-speed
compression) too often; some tend to attribute every perceived issue as a problem with compression, and it seems to be the one setting people are less scared to turn.
from neglect. Some riders don't notice when their suspension performance is beginning to degrade. Actually feeling a properly serviced shock brings that good-times memory right back.
LSR (low-speed rebound) adjustments are left alone too often. LSR works in concert with LSC to stabilize the chassis and manage traction. It is analogous to the single rebound adjuster on most other rear shocks. Rider-tuned LSR adjustment (combined with LSC, or lowspeed compression) ensures maximum traction during technical climbs, highspeed chatter, off-camber corners and braking in stutter bumps. One beauty of the Climb Switch on our Double Barrel shocks is that rebound can be run faster (less damping) in “open” mode than is allowed by other shocks. This is because a shock properly damped in rebound for “fast riding” will feel too bouncy and annoying when climbing with your weight back and on saddle. If you only have one setting, you’re compromising between performance when you’re seated and when you’re standing and descending.
I can't believe where we have come in the last few years and if we continue according to Moore’s Law style (in relation to computer development) we will all be having even more fun than ever!
Smith: Riders don't check sag often enough. There is pressure loss in any air system over time, and accurate sag makes the biggest impact on ride performance. I don't think you can fiddle with your suspension too much. Ongoing Maintenance Have any tips for the best way a shop can effectively plant the seed in customers' minds to bring their suspension back in for regular service? Colson: Physically demonstrate how tweaked the rider’s shock or fork is
—Doug “DD” Dalton, RockShox technical ambassador
Smith: Tell them their suspension is like a car, and like a car, requires regular service. Dalton: Starting in 2013 RockShox ships a service kit with all its aftermarket forks. This starts the conversation at retail that suspension requires service. What type of rider is the perfect candidate for upgrading a new bike’s fork or rear shock? Colson: One that just got paid—Ha! Everyone can benefit from a suspension upgrade, especially if they desire to have a smoother ride, the ability to pick the best lines with more confidence, and improve their overall riding ability. Smith: One that has not performed service on his or her suspension in more than two years. Dalton: Anyone that didn't get RockShox as OE equipment.
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Set Your Squish The tuning of your suspension shouldn’t determine what kind of rider you are—it should be the other way around. Cane Creek’s Double Barrel shocks offer an unrivaled range of tuning,
allowing for a customizable ride right out of the box. Fine-tune and dial in your suspension so that you can dominate everything from all-day trail rides to aggressive, enduro-style descents.
Double Barrel Coil RS1219 / PP830Z
The original Twin Tube shock offered by Cane Creek, the DB Coil allows riders maximal range of tuning options without having to disassemble the shock and adjust internal valving or shims on the shock's piston.
Double Barrel Air
Double Barrel CS
RS1273 / XU830U
RS8535 / QB880M
Introducing Twin Tube technology in a lighter platform compared to coil shocks. The DB Air shock revolutionizes what riders can expect from an air shock on longer-travel bikes.
The unique climbing-switch-enabled CS shock is anything but a conventional pedal-platform rear shock. It delivers both low-speed compression and low-speed rebound adjustment when engaged.
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Double Barrel INLINE RS8549 / SP570D
The first of its kind, INLINE delivers the tunability and control that had previously been reserved for rear shocks. Piggy-back reservoirs in a compact package designed for short, and mid-travel trail and AM bikes.
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Inside the DBINLINE 1 --- Twin-Tube Design. Setting the DBINLINE apart from other inline shocks, oil circulates continuously through externally adjustable shock valves. On the trail, this routing of oil translates into less fade, more control, and greater consistency. 2 --- Four-Way Independent Adjustment. Like other Double Barrel shocks, the DBINLINE offers an unparalleled range of adjustability through external adjusters that independently control each phase of damping without crossover effects. 3 --- Climb Switch (CS) Technology. When engaged, both low-speed compression and low-speed rebound damping settings are altered simultaneously to achieve improved pedal efficiency and less chassis motion while maximizing traction.
Base Tunes and the Tuning Field Guide Cane Creek’s online Tune Finder provides riders with frame-specific recommended settings based on bike geometry and rider input. From there, riders are encouraged to fine tune their suspension for personal styles and preferences using Cane Creek’s Tuning Field Guide.
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7 1 Lazer O2XC Mountain Helmet HE1480 / XK138B • All-around mountain helmet available in three sizes, with adjustable-basket Rollsys retention and 24 vents 2 Lazer Nirvana Mountain Helmet HE1690 / KJ174N • Professional mountain helmet with increased rear-of-head coverage, adjustable-basket Rollsys retention, and 21 vents 3 Pearl Izumi Men’s Divide Glove GL7971 / JA36G • Your go-to mountain bike glove. Unpadded, breathable and ready for any adventure— short or multi-day
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4 Lazer Ultrax Mountain Helmet HE1760 / RW108F • AutoFit retention system, 23 vents, and optional rear light 5 Lazer Oasiz Mountain Helmet HE1712 / QN156G • Extensive rear coverage of the head plus adjustable-basket Rollsys for even tension, and 21 vents with built-in multi-mount for GoPro and lighting 6 Pearl Izumi Men’s Enduro IV Shoe SH9522 / CT128E • Excellent all-around mountain bike shoe. Breathable and light enough for long rides, but durable enough to take a beating. The stiff but flexible outsole is great on and off the bike
7 Crank Brothers Cobalt 11 29” Carbon Wheelset WE3075 / DU3100D • Whether weekend or pro circuit, the Cobalt 11 Carbon is podium-ready! Wider, deeper, lighter, and stiffer than its predecessor 8 RockShox 2015 BoXXer 27.5" World Cup Fork FK7131 / TN2292T • Features new Charger damper, air and coil spring systems, Rapid Recovery rebound, and Fast Black stanchions. The lightest RockShox production downhill fork just got a whole lot lighter
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Round Of Applause
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Win over customers with the best wheels for the buck. Quality Wheels offers a massive selection made exclusively with DT Swiss spokes and nipples. All wheels are built in Minnesota to the high standards you expect from QBP. From single wall rims to carbon deep dish, from bolt-on to 142 thru-axle, Quality Wheels is your best source for wheels.
1 Track Fix/Free Wheel WE8646 / HH92P • Cartridge bearings, our least expensive track wheel • This wheel gets old frames up and running for less 2 29er Value Series Disc Cassette Wheel WE8610 / NH80X • Our most affordable rear disc wheel
3 Value Series 1 Front 26" Wheel WE8686 / GF44C • Single-wall rim, QR, the least expensive Quality wheel • Extraordinary quality at a low price 4 Value Series 2 Rear Road Wheel WE8727 / FD58A • Double-wall rim, Shimano hub • Extremely dependable with great margin
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The good stuff
All Systems Go
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Jagwire sets the standard of quality and reliability for all of your control systems. 1 Mountain Pro Disc Hose BR0460 / WI46O • Jagwire Mountain Pro Hydraulic hose is the perfect way to customize your bike while enhancing braking performance and durability
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2 Pro Hydraulic Brake Line Cutter TL0122 / RY50I • A neatly cut hydraulic hose is just as important for the home mechanic as it is for the pros. The hand-held design of our hose cutters makes it possible to cleanly prepare hoses anywhere 3 Mountain Pro Quick Fit Adapters BR0419 / WW20J • Designed to work seamlessly with Jagwire Mountain Pro Hydraulic hose, Jagwire Quick-Fit adapters are the perfect way to enhance braking performance and durability
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4 Pro Cable & Housing Cutter TL4603 / MU34H • Designed to provide clean cuts for years to come. This will be the cutting tool that you keep coming back to 5 Needle Driver Insert Tool TL0116 / CM32D • A simple-to-use tool that secures the end of a hydraulic hose and allows for easy and gentle installation of hose fittings
Snap. It’s In Your Cart. QBP’s new Scan-to-Cart mobile app makes building an order as easy as taking a picture. Just scan the barcode on QBP product in your store and add it to your cart, right from your phone. Only QBP makes ordering this easy. Available now in the App Store and Google Play Search for "QBP".
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Stop by our Interbike booth and get a free gift by using the app. Booth #23103.
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1. Download the app using the QR code 2. Log in with your QBP credentials 3. Start scanning 4. Select a quantity and click "Add to cart" 5. On your in-store computer, log in to qbp.com and submit your order
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1 SZR-1 Shop Scissors TL8764 / ZR10U
Multi-purpose cutting tool with stainless steel blades and dualdensity grips. 2 BBT-49 16-Notch 39mm BB Tool TL8755 / SL28A
Precision-machined tool for removing and installing 16-notch external bottom brackets with an outside diameter of 39mm. 3/8" drive torque/ratchet wrench compatible. 3 BBT-69 16-Notch 44mm BB Tool TL8757 / SS28V
Precision-machined tool for removing and installing 16-notch external bottom brackets with an outside diameter of 44mm. Compatible with 3/8" drive torque/ratchet wrench. 4 TWB-15 15mm Crows Foot TL8751 / FT16C
Use with any 3/8" drive torque wrench to verify pedals are torqued to the correct spec. Laser cut, heat treated and plated for long life. 5 DW-2 Clutch Wrench TL8759 / CR8W
Designed to fit the clutch tension adjuster on Shimano Shadow Plus rear derailleurs. Small and thin with 5.5 and 3mm openings. 26 / CALL UP / PRODUCT / TECH / TRENDS / KNOW-HOW
PRS-3.2 Repair Stand
6 100-3C / TL8762 / CH548W 7 100-3D / TL8763 / GD560H
Professional quality single-arm repair stand, updated to improve stability and allow clamping height to be easily adjusted without tools. Available with 100-3C Adjustable Linkage clamp or 100-3D Micro Adjust clamp.
Tools of The Trade Park Tool began as two bike mechanics building homemade repair stands in their garage. Today, they are the world’s largest maker of bicycle specific tools. From headset presses to Allen wrenches and everything in between, Park Tool has what you need to keep your bike in perfect, working condition.
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Park Tool Promo Sept. 29–Oct. 5 Log in to qbp.com for more details.
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Fresh Air
Birzman takes a fresh look at bike tools and pumps— innovative designs and proven performance 1 1/2" Ratchet & Socket Set TL3142 / GZ84E • Includes seven of the most common sockets: cartridge bottom bracket tool, Shimano cassette lockring with pin, 8mm hex wrench, 10mm hex wrench, Campagnolo cassette lockring, Shimano freewheel, and 3" extender for 1/2" sockets
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2 E-Version 15-Function Mini Tool TL3158 / IY28M • Includes: T25, 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8mm hex; chain tool; flat and Phillips screwdriver; 3.2, 4.3, 4.4 and Mavic spoke wrenches • Forged and CNC-machined chrome-vandium bits; polyurethane sleeve protects bits from rubbing or scratching nearby items
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3 Dragonfly Chain Tool TL3152 / BN76Q • An 8- to 11-speed chain tool, frame made from elegantly designed aluminum; pin driver, gate, and threads all made from hardened tool steel. The gate is removable from 8- to 10-speed chains or an 11-speed gate with a switch to allow the peening of chain pins. The handle has a nifty integrated breaker for snapping the pilot pin off of the chain
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4 Zacoo CO2 Inflator PU0401 / IP28K • This elegant, forged, and CNC-machined CO2 head has a spring-loaded inflator for simple operation. The polyurethane insulating sleeve keeps your hand from getting cold from the cartridge. Fits all threaded CO2 cartridges. Black or green sleeves available
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1 Finish Line Chill Zone Penetrating Lube LU2530 / TD14Q • Features a special aggressive refrigerant that freezes and contracts metal parts, opening up space for the release agent to penetrate into areas and loosen seized parts 2 Topeak JoeBlow Mountain Floor Pump PU1796 / DB50P • Uses a super-size steel barrel for quick highvolume off-road tires; air release button allows perfect tire pressures to be achieved
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3 Pedro’s Pro T/L 9-Piece Hex Wrench Set TL0550 / GK76F • Get the right tool the first time—these professional-grade tools from Pedro’s will handle repairs for years to come 4 Topeak Transformer X Floor Pump PU1760 / KA140E • Transformer X is the perfect traveling companion for all your inflation needs
5 SR Suntour XCT-DS-29" Disc Fork FK8752 / KL112X • Competitively priced replacement fork featuring a coil suspension with pre-load adjustment. Available in 26 and 29". Disc brake compatible only
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1 Topeak Bike Cover BC2002 / SD50M • Durable bike cover of 190T nylon material will keep your 29" bike protected from the harshest of elements 2 Problem Solvers Fat Fork Disc Rotor Spacer BR0360 / XJ26K • Just the thing you need to space your rotor when running a 135mm rear hub on a 135mm front fork 3 Slime Multi-Tool TL2627 / RX26M • 11-piece tool set nests inside the dual-tire levers, providing a smooth, low-profile, pocket-friendly design that won’t pierce your gear or pocket
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4 Williams Mini Pick & Hook Set TL2947 / GW38L • This 4-piece pick and hook set is great for cleaning and handling delicate parts with systems like suspension forks and disc brakes 5 Topeak Hexus II Folding Tool TL1729 / DJ28Y • Features 16 of the most common tools needed for basic on the road repair; small, compact, and lightweight
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6 FSA MegaExo External Bearing BB Tool TL4593 / OE60D • Overbuilt construction ensures that this bottom bracket tool will provide years of reliable service without rounding off 7 Shimano Zinc Derailleur Cable Filebox CA1083 / BU190Y • Keep your customers happy and restore lost shifting performance with new Shimano cables, 1.2 x 2000mm
8 Squeal Out Anti Squeal Disc Brake Paste LU6686 / WR26M • This paste helps eliminate squeal, humming, and chatter that occurs from dirty, glazed, or contaminated rotors. A musthave for every shop 9 Problem Solvers MisMatch Adaptor BR0391 / CE40U • Designed to fit I-Spec brakes to SRAM MatchMaker shifters 10 Shimano CS-HG20 Cassette FW8170 / RA14M • 7-speed, 12–28t reliable Shimano cassette for fast turnaround repairs
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Last stop
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Dain Zaffke is not stopping to smell the flowers while riding Big Sur, CA. Photo by Colin Meagher courtesy of Easton.
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PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE
6400 West 105th Street Bloomington MN 55438
PAID
TWIN CITIES, MN PERMIT No. 27370
UP THE MOUNTAIN, DOWN THE MOUNTAIN