The monkey was finally able to clean all the bike grease off his paws and find some time to sit at the computer. It was a wild monkey-party of a summer, with many miles of off-road action, hairy legs pumping and baggys flapping in the breeze. Its hard to believe its almost time again for the ice tires.
2008 was a good year to be a Baggy Hairy Monkey. Here are some things to be thankful for:
Ray's Indoor. Kettle. Palos. River Trail. Ojibwa. Rock Lake. Sheboygan. Ore to Shore. Marquette Mountain. Chequamegon. Connector. Emma. 29ers. 26ers. hardtails. fully rigid. tubeless. handbuilt wheels. suspension overhauls. brake bleeds. Sporty. Pappy. beer. burritos. Quonset. log piles. big rocks. grease mud. tree roots.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
The Search for the Ultimate Baggy Short...
I have been searching for the best mountain bike baggy shorts for more than ten years now. Here is a list of the shorts that I have ridden and notes on each. The sizing of a baggy short has always been somewhat of an issue. The sizes listed are for a guy about 5'-7" tall, 145 lbs., with a 31" waist and 30" inseam.
Nema Crown Jewel (size small) I started wearing these back in the '90's, and for many years they were the best available.
Nema Peterbuilt Winter Freeride Pants (can't remember what size) These were out of production by the time I found them, but the quality, warmth and durability of these pants was incredible. Still in use today for the coldest of winter cross country riding.
Nema Stone (size small) This seems to be just an update of the Crown Jewel. A fine short that saw many miles.
Mt. Borah Beartooth (size medium) Got these because they're made in USA. Quality and fit are nice, but they weren't good enough to ever be that favorite "go to" short.
Race Face VO2 (size small) Tested were (3 pairs!) of the '06 version. Haven't tried the newer ones. For two seasons this was the short that was saved for the rides that were gonna be crazy. Hot weather, epic rides or races, I loved these shorts. Too bad the chamois fell apart after about six months.
Hoss Ponderosa (size medium) A good short for the money, durable and comfortable. Reminds me of the original Nema Crown Jewel except the outer legs are too short, and the inner liners too tight around the thigh.
Hoss Ponderosa Knicker (size medium) I guess this solves the issue of the outer leg being too short... but really, don't some people call these capri pants?
Endura MT500 (size medium) please see previous Baggy Report on this blog. These are one of the best.
Endura Humvee Knicker (size medium) All the best qualities of Endura shorts in a knicker length that is perfect for those colder weather days. Sweet belt similar to the MT500.
Endura Zyme Knicker (size medium) Endura seems to be changing their sizing... These are bigger than the MT500 and Humvee, and as a result they are too baggy for techno cross country riding. Pull tabs on the sides don't work as well as the awesome belts on MT500 and Humvee. Thicker fabric than the Humvee does make them useful for even colder riding.
Endura Burner (size medium) If I could get my hands on a size small I might like these better... The inferior side pull-tabs of the Zyme are here as well. This is a departure from other Endura shorts that use a two piece inner/outer short. The Burner is a one piece integrated short.
Adidas (size medium) Almost a waste of space to even put these here. Three different models tried, none very good.
Fox Epic (size 32 and 30) A very nice 2 piece system. The 32 I need a belt to hold up, and its so long its almost a knicker but its still a nice functional short. The 30 waist fits perfectly, no belt required, and length is right down to the knee. Tested were '06 and '07 models. Even though the chamois fell apart too quickly for an expensive short, the fit and function led me to try other shorts from Fox...
Fox Sergeant (size 30) All the best attributes of the Epic, but in Camo and with an improved chamois. Sweet!
Fox High Frequency (size 30) That's an '08 with a 30 waist that fits. The '07 version of a 30 was way too small. Gotta love that SoCal Fox style. Satin charcoal with pinstripes makes me want to jump in with the roadie shaver packs... no, not really. High Frequency is an integrated one piece short, very similar to Endura's Burner, except that the Fox is way better.
Descente Newton (size small) I was excited to finally try a pair of these, I had heard great things. I just got a brand new '08 pair. Major bummer, man. The inner short is so small that I nearly ripped it in two trying to get it on, and then the outer short is flapping around in the breeze like crazy. If only I could get a medium liner with an extra-small outer short.
Specialized Body Geometry Enduro (size small) Specialized did everything right with this one. See previous Baggy Report on this blog. One of the best.
And the search will continue.
Nema Crown Jewel (size small) I started wearing these back in the '90's, and for many years they were the best available.
Nema Peterbuilt Winter Freeride Pants (can't remember what size) These were out of production by the time I found them, but the quality, warmth and durability of these pants was incredible. Still in use today for the coldest of winter cross country riding.
Nema Stone (size small) This seems to be just an update of the Crown Jewel. A fine short that saw many miles.
Mt. Borah Beartooth (size medium) Got these because they're made in USA. Quality and fit are nice, but they weren't good enough to ever be that favorite "go to" short.
Race Face VO2 (size small) Tested were (3 pairs!) of the '06 version. Haven't tried the newer ones. For two seasons this was the short that was saved for the rides that were gonna be crazy. Hot weather, epic rides or races, I loved these shorts. Too bad the chamois fell apart after about six months.
Hoss Ponderosa (size medium) A good short for the money, durable and comfortable. Reminds me of the original Nema Crown Jewel except the outer legs are too short, and the inner liners too tight around the thigh.
Hoss Ponderosa Knicker (size medium) I guess this solves the issue of the outer leg being too short... but really, don't some people call these capri pants?
Endura MT500 (size medium) please see previous Baggy Report on this blog. These are one of the best.
Endura Humvee Knicker (size medium) All the best qualities of Endura shorts in a knicker length that is perfect for those colder weather days. Sweet belt similar to the MT500.
Endura Zyme Knicker (size medium) Endura seems to be changing their sizing... These are bigger than the MT500 and Humvee, and as a result they are too baggy for techno cross country riding. Pull tabs on the sides don't work as well as the awesome belts on MT500 and Humvee. Thicker fabric than the Humvee does make them useful for even colder riding.
Endura Burner (size medium) If I could get my hands on a size small I might like these better... The inferior side pull-tabs of the Zyme are here as well. This is a departure from other Endura shorts that use a two piece inner/outer short. The Burner is a one piece integrated short.
Adidas (size medium) Almost a waste of space to even put these here. Three different models tried, none very good.
Fox Epic (size 32 and 30) A very nice 2 piece system. The 32 I need a belt to hold up, and its so long its almost a knicker but its still a nice functional short. The 30 waist fits perfectly, no belt required, and length is right down to the knee. Tested were '06 and '07 models. Even though the chamois fell apart too quickly for an expensive short, the fit and function led me to try other shorts from Fox...
Fox Sergeant (size 30) All the best attributes of the Epic, but in Camo and with an improved chamois. Sweet!
Fox High Frequency (size 30) That's an '08 with a 30 waist that fits. The '07 version of a 30 was way too small. Gotta love that SoCal Fox style. Satin charcoal with pinstripes makes me want to jump in with the roadie shaver packs... no, not really. High Frequency is an integrated one piece short, very similar to Endura's Burner, except that the Fox is way better.
Descente Newton (size small) I was excited to finally try a pair of these, I had heard great things. I just got a brand new '08 pair. Major bummer, man. The inner short is so small that I nearly ripped it in two trying to get it on, and then the outer short is flapping around in the breeze like crazy. If only I could get a medium liner with an extra-small outer short.
Specialized Body Geometry Enduro (size small) Specialized did everything right with this one. See previous Baggy Report on this blog. One of the best.
And the search will continue.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Happy Fun Times
Pictures of some old friends
A Santa Cruz original Bontrager.
An eight year old Seven Sola for 80mm suspension.
And a new Sola for the longer travel forks and all the latest technology.
A Santa Cruz original Bontrager.
An eight year old Seven Sola for 80mm suspension.
And a new Sola for the longer travel forks and all the latest technology.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Baggy Report: Specialized BG Enduro
Specialized has come through with a fine baggy short with the Body Geometry Enduro. These are probably the best baggies for hot weather. The fabric is supple and thin while also being able to stand up to the occasional spanker (as Steelmanboy here can tell you.) The inner liner is extremely comfortable and the outer baggy seems to be the perfect length, and they've never snagged on the seat. They fit and move with your body so well that you can forget you're wearing them. The only drawback is in the waist cinches- they can pull the main snap apart if you cinch too much. And because they are so nice and cool in the summer, they are not warm enough to use through a midwest winter.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Indoor Training
This is indoor training Baggy Hairy Monkey style! You actually get to handle the bike. The workout is as much upper body as it is legs. A few minutes around the pump track at maximum speed will have you sweating like its summer. And the technical lines all over the place will test your mental toughness as much as your handling skills.
This is of course Rays Indoor MTB park in Cleveland Ohio. A worthwhile trip for any monkey sick of the long cold winter.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Spring?
The ice tires all came off today! And the repairs are stacking up at the shop. A sure sign that people who never ride when its cold out finally think about tuning up that neglected bike.
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Nokian Ice Tyres
Monkeys like to ride outside all year. And to avoid spanking it on the ice, you have got to have studded tyres. Thats tyres with a 'y' because they're from Finland.
These treads are a life saver, literally. And they allow monkeys to get their beans out no matter how frozen things get. This winter in the Midwest has been brutal. From massive snow to crazy cold to drenching rains and back to freezing again. Its March and still no end in sight. The snowmobile trails have become an icy bike path that would be totally unridable without the ice studs. And frozen lakes become a glassy smooth parking lot to test the limits of carbide studs.
To avoid the mind numbing hell that is an indoor trainer, these tires are a must for the long cold winter.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Sha-Wah-Me!
It's time to sign up for the original midwest point-to-point, Chequamegon! Where else can you line up with 2500 other sheep and battle it out for 40 miles? Then when the race is over, check the results to see how bad the pros kicked your butt. And then check to see how many girls kicked your butt. And then party all day. And then wake up on Sunday and ride some of the sweetest 12 miles of singletrack anywhere- the Ojibwa trail!
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Baggy Report: Endura MT500
These Endura shorts are awesome. The best baggies I've found so far. The Endura system uses a liner that is like the traditional lycra short that the shavers are used to. There are two liners available, a six panel that is great for summer conditions, and an eight panel that is great for all-day epics or winter conditions down to about 25 degrees(with some Assos leg covers.) The outers are the perfect length and have a nice built-in belt to cinch everything tight around the waist. This is the go-to short for when your monkey brain is gonna be locked in to the riding action for hours at a time.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
To Answer the Question...
Why do "serious cyclists" shave their legs?
Because everyone else does. That's right. Peer pressure.
And the other reason: because when you put on a pair of lycra shorts and your nappy ass leg hairs are sticking out everywhere, lets face it, you know you look like a total wanker.
The solution to this problem is simple, and its not "shave your legs."
The answer is: wear Baggy Shorts!!
Because everyone else does. That's right. Peer pressure.
And the other reason: because when you put on a pair of lycra shorts and your nappy ass leg hairs are sticking out everywhere, lets face it, you know you look like a total wanker.
The solution to this problem is simple, and its not "shave your legs."
The answer is: wear Baggy Shorts!!
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