New - Topeak Joeblow Fat Track Pump

I have been waiting for this model to be manufactured and shipped to the UK shores after seeing the show release last year. There has been a couple of tweaks with the max pressure now 30psi instead of the original 15psi which means I can use it on the 29+" Krampgrease. Extrauk now have stock and are starting to hit the bike shops. I have a compressor for blowing tyres up from flat but I planned to use the track pump for topping tyre pressure's up. Its a pain in the arse using the digital tyre gauge then connecting my normal track pump as the low pressure does not read on the scale. I have used Topeak Joeblow track pumps for a very long time and perform/last well.
At the mo its looking like Evans have stock of both colours- black and white. The rrp is £39.99  and they are selling for £35.99 inc p&p. If you go through top cash back there is another 5.05% off! Bike-discount also have them for less than £34 but unless you add extra items there is p&p to pay.
Blurb HERE

TOPEAK JOE BLOW FAT

The first floor pump specifically for low pressure fat bikes.

• Massive oversized barrel moves big air volume fast
• Oversized padded Handle
• TwinHead connector for Presta, Schrader and Dunlop valves
• 160cm extra long hose
• Air bleed button for precise pressure setting
• Easy to read top mount 30psi gauge
• Includes ball and air bladder needles

MSRP Price List

Stock Code	Colour	MSRP
•TJB-FAT-1B	Black	£39.99
•TJB-FAT-1W	White	£39.99

More news when mine lands!!!!!!!!!!!

Fresh Goods Sunday - Cannondale Cypher Helmet

ah helmets, I just hate shopping for a new helmet but it has to be done now and then. I have used Met helmets for nearly 30 years and they have been fantastic. I don't really look after my helmets just dry them after each ride. The rain keeps them clean and that's about it. The big problem I have with helmet manufacturers is they are designed for long/thin heads, my head shape is more round so struggle to get anything to fit width wise. Even Met over the years has changed and I am down to one or two models that fit now. A few years ago when Cannondale first brought out a helmet to the uk market I was up in Inner's / Alpine Bikes and they had the road and mtb versions in. I tried the road one on and there was plenty of width. I took a mental note of that for future purchase. As Met helmets seem to last for ever I don't really replace them that often but my winter Stradivarius was looking a little tired so I checked the manufacture date- June 2000! so it was time for a new one. I have helmets for winter, road summer & mtb summer. My winter one has got to have enough room for my 45nrth hat to get under and thought about the dale one. We called in past Westys on the way back from Whitby and they had stock of all road/mtb versions, in all colours/sizes and ended up with the Cypher model in black/green L/XL 58-62cm. Plenty room for my head plus winter hat inside. Jobs a goodun. The rrp is £100 but Paul did a deal at £55.
I have worn the helmet over the past 6-8 weeks and once set up I have had no problems. The overall helmet quality is no where near as good as Met, the straps are thinner and are cut / separate after the buckle compared to Met which are continuous with a pull button. The retention system works but dose not have the feel /quality of Met but is easy to adjust with one hand. The shell design / finish is good and I like the matt finish. There are plenty of pads inside which are not too thick. There are no reflective logos / stickers any where for night riding. Only time will tell if it lasts as long as any of my Met models.
Manufacturers blurb -
New Super Light "Cypher" Helmet From Cannondale

• Peak Protection technology uses dual-density EPS foam to reduce weight while maintaining the highest industry safety standards.
• Polycarbonate Internal Cage reinforces critical vent bridges for best in class safety and ventilation.
• Multi-molding Polycarbonate shell technology bonds the outer shell with the EPS shell for one-piece integrated design.
• 30 flow through vents control comfort by maintaining airflow through the helmet. Combined with heat sealed moisture wicking pads keeps the sweat under control. System Integrated macro and micro adjustable fit belt w/Ergo-fit EVA occipital pad offers unmatched comfort and customization. Comfortable SOFT-TOUCH webbing with cam-lock dividers offers secure adjustment and all-day wear ability.
• Weight: 215g (M size)

SKU# 3HE08

Peak Protection technology uses dual-density EPS foam to reduce weight while maintaining the highest industry safety standards.

• Polycarbonate Internal Cage reinforces critical vent bridges for best in class safety and ventilation.
• Multi-molding Polycarbonate shell Technology bonds the outer shell with the EPS shell for one-piece integrated design
• 30 Flow Through vents control comfort by maintaining airflow through the helmet. Combined with Heat sealed moisture wicking pads keeps the sweat under control.
• System Integrated macro and micro adjustable fit belt w/Ergo-fit EVA occipital pad offers unmatched comfort and customization.
• Comfortable SOFT-TOUCH webbing with cam-lock dividers offer secure adjustment and all-day wearability. Complies with one or more of the following standards USA CPSC, CE EN1078, AS/NZ 2063 

Trek Launch 2016 Stache 29+" bike and new range of Farely inc Carbon models

Trek are starting to release information on their new 2016 range of bikes inc the NEW 29+" model - Stache. There are three models including a frame only option with the UK going to land the top of the range 9 model £2800 & 7 model £1900. The frame only may also be available but £tba. When I first seen this bike on singletrackworld website I was not too keen on the drive side chainstay design but the rest of the bike looks ok. Looking at the official trekbikes website I am still not changed my mind but what the frame does have which does appeal to me is the sliding dropouts so you can run "The Stache is designed for 29in x 3in tyres on 50mm rims although some clever dropout design means that the bike will also take regular 29in wheels, as well as the new 27.5in x 3in size."
There has been several international reviews on the bike but a demo bike has not hit the uk shores yet (well as far as I know), here is the pinkbike review.

Top of the range Stache 9

Middle model Stache 7

and the best looking to me is the base model which is not coming to the uk, typical!

 Now for the new Bonti Chupacabra 29 x 3" tyre, it has been reviewed over the waters since last year but still no signs of it coming to the uk and by all accounts not going to be either, why when trek are going to stock the Stache its hard to believe. Here is fat-bike.com review on the tyre and here is the link to bontrager info.
Talking of 29+" tyres Surly are still developing the Dirt Wizard model, nobody is importing the Vee Tire one so just leaves the Surly Knard & Maxxis Chronicles, which are in stock at nextdaytyres.co.uk, discounted and includes free next day delivery- what more could you ask for.

Finally Trek have also got a updated range off Farley Fat Bikes for 2016 inc some carbon goodness!
Farley 9.8 carbon £3500
Farley 9.6 carbon £2250 (looks like the best buy to me)
Farley 9 alu with Bluto's £2400
Farley 5 alu £1350

Saturday Morning offroad ride on the Beargrease & Krampgrease

What a week I have had, no sleep on Mon night after the crash. Got up Tuesday morning and the pain was getting worse. Tried to drive the car and my left arm could not move the gear stick! time to get dropped off at Dryburn hospital and see what was wrong. After a couple of x-rays and examinations they decided there was no broken bones but have compressed muscles on my shoulder area which are in shock, this is the reason my left arm in not moving! Three boxes of pain killers, exercises and a follow up appointment next Thursday. I have spent the whole week off the bike, struggling at work and not doing any jobs around the home and its still not any better. Got up this morning and the sun was blazing away again so thought I would try and get on the bike and see what happens. I can hold the bars but its getting on/off I am in pain and I cannot get out of the saddle or bunny hop kerbs/go over rough terrain etc. So we had a plan of action- drive through to Langley Moor to pick up the old railway line to Bishop and back, a few small clicks but mainly flat & smooth going.
Me and Angus set away and it was lovely weather but it soon clouded over and the temperature dropped to 6 degrees. I was under dressed so put on my pertex to warm back up. Once at Bishop the Food Festival was in full swing so all the town centre roads were closed for the stalls and Bishop Castle grounds were full of stalls as well. We had planned to go back the same way but ended up climbing out of Bishop to pick up the Spenny line, Croxdale woods and back up to Brandon. The sun came out again for the last long climb. Just over 23 miles and time to call in past the Chinese at Brandon for lunch! Some photos from the ride, more soon -

sports centre grounds looking good

someone dropped there lock and was left on top of the fence

loads of spray markings/arrows on our route - think it was for a horse trails last weekend

as there was plenty of horse shoe marks on the trails

roads closed at Bishop

Bishop Food Festival in the market place

old line to Spenny

Old station platform on the left

Angus took the singletrack through Croxdale woods

I took the tarmac cycle lane to Croxdale estate

here he comes, only had to wait a couple of mins

massive set of new steps for the railway workers to get onto viadust

sun out for the last long steady climb back to Brandon / Langley Moor