Show Day – Friday 13th November

We are open from 12-4pm on Show Day so you can still get your BASIC fix!

Sram XX

Having originally being a  Sram (twist grip) fan, then X.O. triggers, I couldn’t resist the latest in developments, XX, after the last few years on Shimano.  Problem was:

“A” Shimano XTR 970 is very good, all the best features if X.O. but a bit slicker!

 ”B” the new Sram XX didn’t have an option (and there are loads) to fit the bike I wanted to put it on!

So time to toughen up for me and go for a single ring, 32t, on the front and a XX 11-36 on the back.  While it’s not the ideal option to test a new system it does alow even the slowest “average” rider (me) to get up the hill and still have a low enough gear that wont kill the knees.    So the drive is the new E13 LG+ guide, and 32t ring on XTR Cranks.  Overall the bike is about 300 grams lighter than XTR, Saint Short cage, XT cassette, the guide is very quiet to.  I can get up all the climbs as usual as a 32-36 is still low enough.  Shifting is smoother than X.O. and under load the chain moves instantly onto the lower gears when you need it most!  Only downside is the price, not cheap, but it is light and the main purpose of trying it is to see how the durability will go. 

XX Drive

XX Cassette

KRANK Clothing at Beckenham School Fashion Show!

Tanya here – thought it was about time I wrote something on this blog!! Can you believe it’s been one year since we opened?! Crazy huh! With spring well and truely here (ok so it’s a bit cold today!) it’s great to see more and more people out on their bikes. Remember if you’re a bit like me and haven’t been out on your bike for quite a while then now is the time to get your bike in for a service to make sure it’s in tiptop condition! On 19th September Beckenham School held a fashion show fundraiser so we, along with the good folk at Krank, offered to showcase some of the awesome gear Krank has to offer.  Five teachers and parents modelled the clothing – what a shame we weren’t chosen – not! Just as well cause Ailie, our daughter was at home with the chicken pox!  I was helping out on the night but also needed to get a bike along to the show (The Santa Cruz Jackal seen in the background!) so cycling it to school in tight jeans and high heel boots was a bit of a laugh! Till next time – enjoy the video!!

Blur LT Carbon

Last week in the box from Santa Cruz was the bike we had been waiting for, the LT Carbon, and a Driver 8.  So now a week later and a lot of rides, as for once the Port Hills are open for business, what we think!  The only difference from the alloy LT model is the material, weight and stiffness………..yeah right!

Immediately rolling along the road you notice the smoothness of the carbon frame.  There is no “buzz” from the tyres through the frame.  On the climb the extra stiffness is perceivable, and the weight helps too!  on the singletrack the bike just wants to go, descending is sure footed and dampening property of the carbon makes you feel like the trail is smooth, it is a very quiet bike to ride.   The new 2010 RP23 is also a big improvement on the previous version and feels a lot more active, we felt the old one was a bit sluggish.  All up bike weighs 29lbs with a coil fork @140mm, XT based build.  Overall a great bike, but what would you expect, now I’m waiting for a carbon Nomad, pleeeease……

LT Carbon

Also now we have had some good rides on the Iodine wheels.  While a little heavier than the SX Crossmax, they feel stiff to ride and climb on.  Build quality looks good and so far no issues, and if orange isn’t your thing they will soon be available in grey/silver/

Iodine Hubs

Bike is available for demo, if you want to see how fast, light and stiff an 5″ travel trail bike can be!

Holy Knolly!

To add to what we think may be the best selection of quality MTB frames and bikes in Christchurch and possibly NZ we have one more string to the bow.  Although these would be more aptly called a hammer!  The increased mass in these frames has added to the gravitational effect of BASIC, small people have been stuck to the glass on the windows for no apparent reason other than gravity.   First out the box is the Delirium T this thing is nails, the bike you buy when you keep breaking other bikes, if you break this you’ll probably have other more pressing issues to deal with down at the hospital!  Even if the gap is too big you could make this into a bridge and drive across.  So they aren’t light (5.6kgs or 12 1/2 lbs on our scales with a vivid) build quality is incredible, all welds are neat and tidy, bearings are “man sized” no piddly wee 688′s on this frame, powder coat or ano finish either is exceptional.

White Knolly DT

Blue Knolly DT Rear Hanging

Knolly DT Blue Hanging

White DT Dropouts

White DT Linkage

No window licking please

Also available will be the Edorphin which is the light weight option and builds into a nice trail bike for normal mortals, we should have a demo one available soon.  Prices are $4,800.00 -$5,000.00 for Delerium T and a little less for the Endorphin.  Not cheap, but not your average bike either, with Knolly you get what you pay for and a bit more!

Caramel Slice & Mid Winter Blues

Since its the middle of winter we thought that a reminder that winter will pass and summer will return would be in order!  Most of us who ride do it for the fun, exhilaration of speed and the challenge.  Some however have a bit of a warped take on the whole thing.  Dave gets to ride allot, anyone who knows him would agree, no car no choice, more time on the bike.  We are lucky enough to get to see the pictures and video he takes, this summer though it was a little different!   Caramel slice, pies and chocolate are the favourite food of the caffeine induced DJ, and throughout the summer a quest for the sweet delights was on.  We see it as a bit like “Where’s Wally” somewhere round here there’s a caramel slice or pie.  So here are a few shots of the continuing search for Caramel!

The search Begins

Caramello Tree

Clag Gone

January Land

Since we are sick of the wet weather we needed some comedy, value so completely unrelated courtesy of VIZ……..

Clag Gone

January Land

Summer will return, one day, and at-least it’s not as bad as the U.K.

Pivot Firebird & Mach 5

Things don’t always go as planed, this post was to be about Dave’s constant quest for caramel slice and pies, but due to the arrival of something more interesting we’ll cover the caramel confectioneries at a later date, sorry.

Pivot cycles have been in the store for a while now and a few people who have read the press reviews have their own now and are pretty impressed, so are we.  Up until now only anodised frames have been brought in but we had a request from a good customer, and manufacturer of one of our favourite culinary sensations,  for a painted finish.  We were a bit surprised as most people see Ano as the way to go, paints fine but usually not quite as flash.  After a delay in freight, and some patience the frame arrived, WOW, we’ve seen a lot of bikes over the years and other bikes from the same stable, but this painted finish is easily the best we’ve seen on a stock finish bike ever.  Coming form a died in the wool Santa Cruz fan its hard to admit, but this frame is awesome.  The bike is built with Float 36′s, Crossmax SX Wheels, XTR saint drive, XT saint brakes.  Having gone from a 29er Stumpjumper the customer was impressed to say the least!

Now as  if that wasn’t enough excitement for one day in the shop the second box in the door was almost too much!  Frame # 2 was an ano black Firebird ooooh…..   We’ve seen the pictures, watched the videos, now the real thing.  The finish, build quality and inovation like all bikes that come from Chris Cocalis is stunning.  We will be getting our frame for demo soon (this ones sold) as usual we’ll give it a test for a while to see how it holds up. not that we’re worried about that the Mach 5 and 429 have been great so far!

Oh yes you will be mine………

Mach 5 White

Mach 5 White Front

Mach 5 White Side

Firebird

Firebird pivot detail

Firebird Carbon

Caramel slices soon!