Pannier Guy...on the topic of why no one likes you.

Sing us a happy song, Pannier Man. No? Typical.

With "touring" actually in the name Idaho Mountain Touring, you can bet we stock ourselves some panniers. We'd better...and to be honest we want to. Touring is cool, and we support it. Commuting is cool and we support it. Essentially, riding your bike is awesome no matter how you slice it, and if you need to haul some stuff along then panniers are a great way to go about it.

Here's the thing, though. I've worked in my fair share of shops, and just about every time Pannier Guy comes through the door, the worker bees flee or groan or both. The scenario is as such: Pannier Guy comes in and asks if we have any panniers. Some unlucky soul escorts him to our wall. Never mind what the wall happens to look like, just assume for our purposes it's the most mind-blowing-ly awesome pannier display ever. Salesperson starts asking questions on the way.

"So, are you looking to commute, or are you going on a trip?" Don't uhhh [with relative indifference]. "Do you already have a rack?" Guuhh. [condescendingly, somehow] "How much gear do you need to carry?" Puhhh [meaning: I've stopped listening to you] "What bike is it going on? How weather resistant are we gonna need these things? Do you need them to be super-easy to remove?..."

Pannier Guy, looking at the Wonka Pannier Factory-land in front of him: "Well, do you have anything else? This isn't much of a selection."

"If you're looking for something else, we'd be happy to order it for you. Or we can both go over to the computer and see what other options are out there."

I'm coming for ALL your panniers! Just.. not those ones.

Pannier Guy: No...that's ok

"Were you looking for a specific brand?" ....as Pannier Guy mumbles and looks down on his way out the door. End of scene, homies. Fin. I'll turn it into a Pannier Guy hate-screenplay if you want more some other time.

As a salesperson, though, that type of an interaction leaves one very frustrated (that's OK, it's why we get paid), and I'm sure Pannier Guy isn't too stoked either. Yet I see it over and over again. 

Our actual pannier area.

Here's how I'd like to help. First, that's a best-case pannier salesperson I depicted. It doesn't always go like that, but if it does here's what you, Pannier Guy, can do on your end: at least try to know what you want. You don't have to educate yourself, we're here for that, but ask yourself what your needs are. Try to answer some of those questions above. When you do, you might see that what you want actually is right in front of you, or at least we can get it. But we need some sort of direction, which means you need some sort of an idea of what you want to do with these things. 

On our sales floor right to-the now. 

Another point: you can get a great rack, and then add Arkel or Ortlieb panniers. You'll have a setup that will outlast your bike, but it's gonna cost you. As with anything, be prepared to fork over for the nice stuff and don't act completely thunderstruck by the notion that it might be over a hundred bucks. 

If your frequency of use, or budget, is less than herculean, that's fine, systems like Trek's Transport setup, or Topeak's, are nice, come with an unconditional guarantee, and have panniers and trunk bags that install/remove in seconds. Convenient, and they'll last at least a few years. 

So just take a breath; have a Coke and a smile, Pannier Guy. Your long road awaits, and Uncle IMT's just here to help.  

Ibis Bike Demo Announcement - June 2 (can keep bikes overnight to return by noon on the 3rd)

More info here (but give them a few days to post it. Trust us, it's happening) 

And what if the new Madone was really...a reptile?

You guys ever seen Ancient Aliens? It's one of my favorite TV shows not in small part due to the fact that they take Giorgio A. Tsoukalos seriously.

This guy

Among many other things, he's an ex-bodybuilding promoter. His degree (bachelor's, mind you) is in "Sports Information." Annnd...he's the authority on ancient history as it relates to extraterrestrials and their communication with our ancestors and what information was passed? Meh...I'll allow it. Check him out, he's awesome.

Back to Ancient Aliens, every episode and then every sub-topic within the episode uses the same set 'em up, knock 'em down approach: here's a subject, here's what we "know" about that subject, but is it possible that this subject exists because of aliens? Man, Ancient Aliens, even though you just theorized the same thing 10 minutes ago about crystal skulls, and now you're talking about the ark of the covenant, you got me again (and I've even seen all of the Indiana Jones moves). Mind officially blown.

The answer to what they propose, of course, is always, "Yes. It is possible that all of this stuff came from aliens. Anything is possible, even if it's highly improbable." They know that, so that's your show.

I didn't know they had The History Channel in England, but this article from BikeRadar.com suggests they might (damn satellites).

I'm banking on a new "everyday Tri bike." For sure.

You don't have to read it, all they're saying is: we know the Madone exists and is due for a redesign from TREK soon. We have no other information. Is it possible that the new Madone is going to be a super slick aero machine with little concern for weight reduction?

Absolutely that is possible, gents. It's equally possible that since TREK now has the superlight and stiff Emonda, and multiple geometry options in the extremely-compliant and well-received Domane, and all of the aero technology one could want in the Speed Concept, that they combine all three things together into one super-bike.

Or maybe they think the name "Madone" has been tarnished by all of those titles being stripped and no longer see a need to continue with it. Maybe they'll introduce a completely new name and concept. Anything's possible, but the point is that you don't know, and I don't know. Given that we don't know, and this isn't a TV show, and BikeRadar is the largest, most supported bike-related website out there, these "hype" articles disguised as "speculation" pieces leave a bad taste in my mouth. The message, I think, ends up being distilled down to the Kool Aid "that conspiracy guy with too much bronzer and crazy hair" drinks.

We'll see something new from TREK in late May (and trust me, it will have a disc brake option), but before that we have a big social media/bike superfan weekend upon us right now, kids. In store we have Trek Fest, and in France there's Paris-Roubaix and the kickoff of the World Cup DH season in Lourdes. It's gonna be sloppy, and between Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook, and this space you're probably gonna be sick of me if you're not already. Be warned and enjoy.

FYI - Trek Demo - April 25th

Top Prize, Win Win

This section is somewhat my area to just go off, not necessarily but usually related to IMT and bike-thingys.  Today’s Rant falls solidly in the “not necessarily” crevasse, other than it should speak to upwardly motivated people, which are pretty much our only clientele unless you happen to come in during the Treefort Music Fest or anytime within 48 hours of the Tour de Fat.

So well said, New Belgium lover

Let me paint a picture, the title of which will be Crunch Time. I wake up early every weekday because I usually have some things that I need to do, and once the kids are up, all bets on my prep time being fruitful are off. I take the dog out, I try and write, maybe I get to the gym or get a ride in. It doesn't really matter, though, because no matter what time I get up, the kids have to be to school within a finite window of time, and getting them out the door prepared [and also having my crap together for work] is a 20 minute long Greek Tragedy. I’m just glad if I’m not the one who’s dead at the end.

Everything will kill you
in the end

This, I know, is not unique to me, and once on my merry way I do what we all do and grab something before I have to be to work. It’s a buffer, and we all need a “pop,” a cup of coffee or a muffin or juice…for me it’s a Diet Coke. If your first thought right now is to tell me that Diet Coke will

kill me or make me fat, I have the confirmation number for your special reservation in hell, by the way.

You can get Diet Coke many places, but I usually stop at a convenience store due to the convenience aspect, and when I do I have absolutely no issue with the fact that there might be a line at the register. I have no right to be upset with others who got there before me doing just as I am, grabbing something to shove in the pie hole because “sh*tstorm A” is over and we’re almost late for “sh#tstorm B.”

You know who endured exactly no storm this morning, though? Lottery enthusiast. Yup, that

Even in parody, it's hard not to show excitement for the Lotto

disheveled looking guy/gal has blue skies for miles in terms of schedule, all day…and yet there they are at the front of the line with some sort of folder cashing in, or forking over for lottery tickets. All the time in the world...but now's the time to fill out the Scantrons or look for a take-a-free-nickel to get their daily scratch on. This before realizing they forgot to mention the need for more cancer sticks, and the ensuing explanation that they prefer the hardpack, non-filtered variety.  

Like Eric B. and Rakim I’m thinking of a master plan, and it has a lot to do with proposing some legislation. I’m not big on rules nor am I anti-lottery, but the way I see it if you can’t buy alcohol from 2-6am because somehow that makes sense, then you sure enough shouldn’t be allowed to purchase or redeem lottery tickets between the hours of 6:00am and 11:00am. Wait ‘till the morning rush is over. And now, a fun fact: 

Fact: The Ibis HD3 will get you 6" of rear wheel travel closer to Jesus.

Big news, homies: Around the middle of this month we will be getting in our first Ibis HD3's. The first'll look a lot like this guy in the Porsche 917 trim,

only with the new Fox 36 fork and a Cane Creek DB Inline shock (the "XT Werx" build, if you're savvy to such tech).

We'll be getting mediums initially with larges following in March. "Yeah, so...you get new bikes in all the time, what's the big deal?" you say. Well, you can read all about why it's so bitchen (and how it fits, and the Cane Creek DB Inline shock ) on our now-much-more-ibis-centric-IMT site

You can also read about the carbon wheels here. Or even what the esteemed press is saying about it.

The main point is that the HD3 is coming, and in anticipation of it we've beefed up on our knowledge and commitment to Ibis in both stores and on the webpage.

Now, I realize that a lot of you out there might think that 150mm (6" in 'Merican parlance) is just too much travel for our old, sandy, smooth trails around here, and usually I'd agree with you. There will be some of you that will be happier with the shorter travel and larger hoops of the 29" Ripley, and we have more of them coming as well.

What I think keeps the HD3 from being overkill to Boiseans, though, comes down to two things. Yeah, it's plenty light at about 28lbs and super stiff and dw-link bikes tend to pedal well, but that just gets your foot in the door of being an "efficient climber" in the world of full-sus carbon bikes these days. The DB Inline shock takes adjustability up a notch with hi and low speed rebound and compression adjustments, as well as a climbing lever. So, bam! it can be set up fast and efficient for smoother Boise rollers, or you can open it up for Moab or wherever else your travels take you.

Also, the head tube angle is steep-ish for this travel of bike at about 67-degrees. That means it won't be stupid-slack and floppy when you're just wanting quick and nimble. We're not hucking The Shore here, people, so this bike isn't made for that, it just happens to have a bit more travel than we're used to seeing in these parts.

Don't trust me? I wouldn't either (I'm kinda shady), but luckily you don't have to. Come check it out in store, and we are working on a demo day with Ibis this spring, so keep an eye out in this space for dates (none to announce just yet).


And in case you're not into the baby blue/red, there are always these:

BC

Let's talk about springs, man.

"Springs? It's about time you wrote about springs, Bill. Whohoo, let's get to it." - No one, ever. 

I know you don't think about, or want to think about, or even want to know about springs or spring rates, so I'm not really going to talk about them here. Springs kind of fall under the banner of Civil Engineering in my mind, and I would rather blow my own brains out than be a civil engineer for a single day. See, I don't want to know any more about concrete, or sediment composition for anchoring bridges, or...well, springs, than I need to. I get to a certain point on the topic and I just don't care to know more, and I'm pretty sure that's how most people are with things so mundane.

So here's all you need to know about springs when it comes to bikes, first and foremost: preload will affect the amount of force it takes to get the spring to begin moving, but it will not do anything for the amount it takes to get that spring to bottom out. One has to increase the spring rate or manipulate travel with a damper to keep your suspension from bottoming.

Second, on a bike, right now, you're gonna either run into a coil spring or an air spring. Coil springs are what you see above: just a piece of rod iron (or ti or whatever) rolled around a mandrel. You can do it while the metal is hot, or cold, and you can roll it different ways, and you can use different alloys or heat treatments, but they are all essentially the same as a pogo stick or what is in a Bic pen. You can push down fast or slow on a coil spring, but it'll always push back at you fast (at least in the mountain bike world, for now).

Companies can get somewhat fancy with coil springs, but usually they choose to get fancy and hype their super lightweight air spring, and for good reason: they're light. I like air springs for that reason, and you can also play with twin tubes and chambers and negative springs and manipulate them a bunch. That's exciting, and the price you pay is that you have to hold tighter tolerances with air springs and deal with heat expansion, but a lot of companies now have that all sorted. We don't need to worry about all that, so when envisioning an air spring all you need to picture is an air tight trash compactor. Don't care about all that other stuff, just take away, "air tight trash compactor." 

What you should care about, and what I care about, and what this Rant is about, is old technology being passed off as new tech. Exciting tech! And price-gouging. Maybe you make a ton of money and don't have to worry about such things, but I don't, so I care about price gouging. 

So where does it all come together: the springs and the price gouging and the old technology being passed off as new? Right here, they all intersect right here. 

What you see above are 3 (three) of Rockshox's "Bottomless Tokens." They are made out of plastic, they take up space in your Rockshox air spring chamber so you effectively are left with a smaller air spring. Smaller air springs ramp up more at the end of their travel, so you can run lower pressures to keep your small bump performance nice and buttery without wallowing in the mid to end of your stroke and/or bottoming out. It's a great, simple, solution to fine tuning your air spring. So what's my beef with 'em? 

Well, washers of some sort are a solution that's been around for decades, for one. Don't try to tell me you've solved the riddle of the air spring with freaking washers in 2015. Come into the paint with that crap and you're gonna get Dikembe Mutombo rejected in this house. For twos (yeah, "for twos" I say) they cost around $20.

20 bucks isn't all that much, right? Well, it is when it's just crap to jam into your air spring to take up space. Crap they call "Bottomless Tokens." Bottomless Tokens to me sounds like I'm about to have the time of my life at the Family Fun Center on a Friday night circa 1991. That would have been magical, but there's nothing special about these. They can be replaced with any incompressible material... strike that, the material could be compressible. Meaning, "Bottomless Tokens" could be replaced with literally anything that takes up space. Straw? Sure, cram it in there. Old 8 track tapes? Smash them up and pour the bits in your stanchion tube, it'll have the same effect. Pennies? God knows we all have a boatload of those layin' around. You bet.

Of course, using an incompressible material (read: any liquid) would make sense in taking up space in an air spring, especially if that material were slippery and non-corrosive. If only we had something like that handy in a bike sho-p-p-p....wait a minute. Those SOB's take the place of about 10ml of oil? 10 ml of any type of oil costs...I have no idea because there's tons of it lying around. It costs nothing.

Oh no you di-in't Rockshox. Once again, you've wasted my time and money.  

Pictured: Two blue Air Volume Spacers reporting 

for their duty of...just taking up space.

For the record, Fox has a similar product that sells for even more for their new 36 Fork (which is amazing, BTW). These are blue or orange spacers for $25 but they escape my ire here because Fox rightfully calls them "Air Volume Spacers." An air volume spacer is almost anything. Hell, I'm an air volume spacer on this planet. There is nothing new or exciting about an air volume spacer, there is no hype. Bottomless Tokens are what Scrooge McDuck unwisely dives into in literally every episode of Duck Tales. 

Once again: advantage Fox.  

-BC