Bike Intelligencer » Videos

Chris Cocalis of Pivot Cycles: Sea Otter 2013 Interview

Paul Andrews, BI editor — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 04:34:01 +0000

At the Sea Otter Classic 2013 we had the opportunity to interview Pivot Cycles founder Chris Cocalis, one of the cycling industry’s leading innovators and designers. Chris talked at length about Pivot’s latest, the Firebird 27.5, announced just the day before. Check out his comments toward the end of the video on a potential carbon 27.5 designed from the ground floor up.

Although there weren’t any demo bikes in my size Large, I did the parking lot test on a Medium and was struck by a couple of things.

First, it’s by far the plushest 27.5 bike I’ve encountered. With 6.6 inches of rear travel and the DW-link, it has that nice Barcalounger feel to it when you sit back. Most of the other 650b/27.5 bikes are in the 6-inch range, including the attention-getting new Bronson carbon from Santa Cruz.

Second, for all its plushness it handled really well. The 14.1-inch bottom bracket, 66.5-degree head angle and short rear triangle gave it a flickability I would not have expected, and have not found, in larger wheel sizes.

It made me wonder if longer travel isn’t the geometric “sweet spot” for the 27.5 wheel size. Shorter travel just doesn’t accentuate the larger wheel size enough, diminishing its versatility, in my experience anyway. I spoke with several experienced 650b/27.5 riders, and most were on the shorter-travel, cross-country side of the equation. They also tended to be a bit shorter than me — 5-9 and 5-10 range.

I’ll look forward to demo-ing a Large when they become available. For now, Chris gives the full rundown on Pivot’s new Firebird 27.5 in this interview.

Hans Rey, Steve Peat, Danny MacAskill Ride the Highlands!

Paul Andrews, BI editor — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 04:45:00 +0000

Three generations of British icons throw down some cool moves in bonny ol’ Scotland.

Hans Peaty MacAskill Highlands from ResetFilms.co.uk on Vimeo.

Big Balls: Sometimes you don’t need ‘em at all

Paul Andrews, BI editor — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 16:25:51 +0000

In Bend OR some rad dirt duchesses got together for a spoof video on the tough guys. It’s great for a laugh, but be sure to check out the massive endo! These grrrlz are tough! (Thanks to Eric Stobin for the tip.)

Stunt Riding on a Carbon Road Bike!

Paul Andrews, BI editor — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 19:51:32 +0000

Veteran British trials rider Martyn Ashton wanted to take himself out of his comfort zone. Be sure to watch all the way to the end!

More at Bike Radar

Movie Premiere Tonight Benefits Redmond Bike Park

BikeIntelligencer staff — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 07:54:34 +0000

Apologies for the late notice, but if you’re looking for some great entertainment where you can also contribute to a worthy cause, the Redmond Foundation is premiering the new mountain bike film Brighter at 7 p.m. tonight (Thursday) in the Old Redmond Firehouse Teen Center, 16510 N.E. 79th St. in Redmond. Tickets are $10, available at the door or online here.

The full rundown on the bike park is here. [Thanks to Eric Stober for the tip.]

The Brighter trailer looks killer…

Spring 2010: Moab-Fruita Videos

Paul Andrews, BI editor — Sun, 09 May 2010 16:12:27 +0000

The trick videos of slopestylers and freeriders are great to watch, but sometimes you just want to see some real riders doing real riding. Eric Stobin recently put together a monster trip to Moab and Fruita that videographer and fellow rider Doug Walsh captured magnificently on camera. Get ready for some laid-back, fun riding … and don’t you wish you were there now?!

Spoke Card Revisited for Bike Month

Paul Andrews, BI editor — Wed, 05 May 2010 03:16:50 +0000

The art of the spoke card, explained. As a kid I went through a short phase of putting spoke cards on my bike. Back in the day the intent was to make an annoying flapping sound as the card clicked against the spokes with the wheels in motion. This approach is much more civilized. I gave ‘em up when my dad pointed out that they were loosening the spokes in my wheels and it would be my responsibility to fix them.

Anthill’s “Follow Me” Debuts May 16 in North Bend

Paul Andrews, BI editor — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 03:39:47 +0000

Mark your calendars (or input to iPhone): The Washington State premiere of Anthill Films’ “Follow Me” is now Sunday, May 16th — at 4 p.m. in North Bend Theater. Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance, Kuat Racks, Big Tree Bike shop and Downhill Zone are among the sponsors, and our own Walter Yi will have a killer video of Duthie Hill Mountain Bike Park. Come round or be square!

“Fast” Defined: Port Angeles Pro Gravity Race Tour Preview

Paul Andrews, BI editor — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 18:53:15 +0000

Luke Strobel shows how it’s done!

So Who Wins This Ride-off??

Paul Andrews, BI editor — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 22:23:52 +0000

Say we got them all together for a Freestyle Trials Championship Face-Off. Who’d win?

Danny MacAskill ….

And 100% Brumotti …..

And Garrett Reynolds ……