Many, many things I've said and written as of late are negative. I get upset. I get frustrated. I go ride my bike, or see my chickie or my family, or spend some time with my friends and it usually helps. But the reality of my world is that I'm reactionary to things that upset me. With the things that I love I just say, "Yeah, I
admire that. That thing is fine....this thing over here is in need of an immediate beat down, however." Well, no. That's no way to be, even if I have an ability to do that and be somehow entertaining. I don't want to do that all the time. What I want to do, and what I want this space to be about, is fostering an appreciation for what is good out there, especially when it pertains to cycling. See, this guy's amazing, love him.
I say this after just finishing a piece for another publication that is, at the very least, a bit scathing. Coming soon to some print media near you [not that anyone buys words printed on paper anymore].
So this one's for all that is right. In the bike world. Right now. Hopefully it's just the first of many (but I'm skeptical.) We start here:
http://www.vitalmtb.com/product/guide/Bikes,3/Giant/Reign-Advanced-27-5-0-Team,15055
That's the amazing people over at Vital MTB (and I mean that very seriously) talking about the new Giant Reign Advanced 27.5.
I got a new 27.5" carbon mountain bike a few months ago and it blows my mind how good it is. Have I ridden this particular bike yet? No, but I am very excited about it. The spec is right, the geometry is very good, I like the wheel size, the look is sexy, and I think Giant should be commended for being the first of the big three bicycle manufacturers to just say, "This is it. This is the new thing. We're all in, and we're going for it." Giant, as a company, hasn't always been that way, but they are now and with their manufacturing abilities, if they continue to do things like this, the sky is the freaking limit for them. Clap. Clap. Clap, Giant. I haven't given anyone besides Shimano three claps in what seems like decades.
What it means for you: a rad bike with more to follow.
Speaking of, you know who goes really fast on rad bikes? You nailed it, mountain bike racers. Wanna watch some mountain bike racing? go here:
http://www.pinkbike.com/news/video-king-of-the-hill-race-highlight-from-msa-2014.html
You'll have to pardon the pinkbike link. That's a hack site, but they had it up before Red Bull. Sam Hill won, and while he's not my absolute favorite racer, you shouldn't ever overlook his skill. By the way, in the opening to that Aaron Gwin is talking about having, "pretty close to the perfect run." I love hearing these guys talk, because if you look at it, that's where there ability is. That's the level that they're competing at. It used to be stuff like, "He had a good day. He had a fast run. He was due for one." Not anymore, "fast" isn't even a thing now because they're all fast. There's real money in this now, and a real expectation of professionalism. They are talking in terms of perfection. There's no wild man Maverick winning anymore. That's exciting for our sport, and more than any analytics or sales or anything else, that's what makes me hopeful about where we're going.
Good on ya, Sam Hill.
I got a Sunday to enjoy...till next time.
BC
Ed Note: I stole the good images in here from Giant and Sterling Lorence, but we sell Giant, and Linger is my favorite photog ever and when I was once upon a time in marketing we hired him a lot, so there shouldn't be an issue. Love you Sterl...
