RIDING THE NEW GX3

Jeff Kerkove of Topeak-Ergon doing some early season miles while breaking in a pair of the new GX3.

MOUNTAIN BIKES O.K. ON CONTINENTAL DIVIDE TRAIL

Forest Service Issues Decision on Continental Divide Trail

For Immediate Release: 11-19-09
Contact Mark Eller
IMBA Communications Director
markeller@imba.com
303-545-9011 ext. 115

After delaying its decision for more than a year, the U.S. Forest Service unveiled its approach to managing the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail (CDNST) this fall. The plan states that mountain biking is an acceptable use of the trail, and emphasizes that forest service offices should formulate strategies appropriate for their districts.

Steve Sherwood, Director of the Rocky Mountain Region’s Recreation, Heritage, and Wilderness programs further explains, “An important feature of the new directive is that, while it establishes hiking and horseback riding as the primary uses of the trail, it clearly allows for other shared, non-motorized and human-powered uses — including mountain biking. The directive charges the local land managers with making the decision on which uses will be allowed based on an analysis of the local conditions. These decisions will be made under the auspices of NEPA and will allow for full public involvement.”

“As far as I am concerned, this is a very positive outcome that promotes shared use of the trail,” Sherwood continues. “We had a lot of push back on the issue of shared use beyond hiking and horseback riding and we still have strong advocates each way both within the agency and externally, but people need to understand that the CDNST is a 3,100-mile trail that can and needs to accommodate multiple uses.”

Was the decision a success for mountain bikers? “I’m optimistic about our prospects for keeping the Monarch Crest section open to bikes,” says Dave Wiens, president of Gunnison Trails. “It’s such an important trail for mountain bikers, and with the good relationship our club has established with the Gunnison Ranger District I believe we will be able to work together on a successful shared-used strategy.”

The amendment’s focus on district-by-district management strategies makes it imperative for mountain bike clubs to work closely with their foresters. “The decision provides a basis for Forest Service offices that are willing to maintain or even expand access for mountain bikers,” says IMBA Government Affairs Director Jenn Dice. “However, it also states that hiking and equestrian uses are the original intention for creating the trail, so mountain bikers are going to have to continue making a case for shared-use arrangements that allow citizens to get the maximum recreation value out of this wonderful national resource.”

DO YOU XXC?

Check out the latest online issue of XXC Magazine.  This new issue features Eszter Horanyi who is the current 24 Hour Solo National Champion as well as an Ergon sponsored athlete.  Click the image below for the options on how to read this up and coming magazine!

FREEBIE FRIDAY

Are you following us on Twitter?  If not, you should!  Just about every Friday we offer up FREEBIE FRIDAY.  This is a twitter run contest that allows 1 follower to take home some sweet Ergon product.  The concept is simple.  We offer up a question where the answer is found on the Ergon website.  The first person to @Ergon_Intl the answer back to us wins.  Simple enough!  Don’t get the idea this is easy.  Most questions require some massive digging in the depths of the Ergon website.  You must be quick with your eyes and mouse.

FREEBIE FRIDAY Rules
1. Contest open to followers in USA and Canada only.
2. Past winners are not eligible.
3. Ergon sponsored teams and riders are not eligible.
4. Ergon will announce FREEBIE FRIDAY prize at beginning of contest.
5. No exchanges.
6. Followers can guess as many times as they need to.
7. Ergon will announce winner after each contest.

WHAT DO YOU SEE?

What do you see when you look up and out the sun roof of your car?

Hopefully it is bikes and Ergon grips

CORRECT GA1 GRIP INSTALL

This blog post is 100% dedicated to the proper installation of the new GA1 All-Mountain grip from Ergon.

We are going to start by installing the right hand grip. As with our other grips, the GA1 is right and left specific. You can identify each grip by looking on the non-clamp edge of the grip. It will be labeled ‘Right’ or ‘Left.  In this case, you need the right hand grip.  As you can see, the word ‘RIGHT’ is stamped into the rubber material.

After your old grip has been removed, begin by sliding the entire grip and clamp onto your handlebar.  You might need to loosen the clamp bolt to ensure easy install onto the bar.

You know that the grip is on far enough, when the edge of the grip is flush with the end of your handlebar.  In some cases, riders might need to slide in their shifters and/or brake levers to accommodate the full length of the grip and clamp.  We suggest having the clamp bolt parallel to the ground.  But as a rider, you can also set the clamp which works best for your riding habits and style.

When installing, make sure you have the grip body facing the correct way.  The thicker area of the grip should face up, and contact the palm of your hand when in the riding position.  The word ‘UP’ is imprinted into the grip rubber for reference.

Once you have the grip installed correctly, tighten the single blot clamp to 4 nm.  A torque wrench is advised for all bars, especially carbon bars.  Be careful not to strip the bolt head.

Lastly, install the provided Ergon bar plug.

When all is said and done, this is how the grip should appear when installed.

Here are some common installation mistakes that we have been seeing…

Double check to make sure the correct side of the grip is facing up.  See images above for proper upright positioning.  The inlay of the grip seen in this photo should be at the bottom of the grip.

The clamp should be installed on the outside edge of the handlebar, not the inside as seen in this photo.

If you have further questions about proper installation of any of our grips, please email us at info@ergon-bike.com

REVIEW: GA1 & GX1

A review of both the GA1 and GX1 from our friends over at Singletracks.net

HARLAN AND HIS GX1′S

Upcoming issue of Mountain Bike Magazine features story on the Pisgah Mountain Bike Stage Race and a full page photo of Ergon Athlete, Harlan Price, killing it with his GX1’s in Team Green!