Let's talk about the new Ibis Ripley

The 29", 120mm travel, Ibis Ripley is heralded as one of the best performers in the Ibis line and is the most appropriate Ibis for most people's riding style in Idaho. Newsflash: they just announced they're making it better.

Here's the lowdown: the new Ripley will be offered in two geometry options, one being the tried and true version with identical numbers to the current one, the other will be the LS version that will be "L"onger and "S"lacker. That translates to a half inch longer top tube and an almost 2 degree slacker headtube.

The other differences are welcome but more subtle. The rear end will be offered in either a 148mm version (Sram) or a 142mm (Shimano) version, the seattube came down by about a half inch so you can get more drop out of your dropper post, there's more tire clearance, the eccentrics are beefed up, and (dear lord, thankfully) cable routing has been improved.

You can get them looking very close to either of these:

And you can go here to check out more. Don't expect to see them until August or later, but we're working on getting them in ASAP.

As for current in-store Ibis news, we have two HD3's now in stock. One is the Medium 917 color scheme with an XT Werx kit, the other is a Large Black with an XT kit (with a Pike fork). In addition, we just got in a black, size Medium Ripley (current model year) with an X01 kit. Come by and check 'em out...anytime...we have air conditioning.

Oh, and we will be getting an HD3 in for DEMO next week. Just one for now. Size Large. Black with a Pike fork and an X01 build. If you're interested in taking it out on the local trails, call to reserve (336-3854). Again, not available until the weekend of 7/11!!

All for now, enjoy the weekend.

Roots Rated is coming to Boise

This is still a ways off, but put it on your calendar. We're working with Roots Rated to get all the best info on what to do outdoors in the Boise area into an easily accessible format. So far so good, with more to come, and they're good blokes to boot. See what they're all about here, and we hope to see you Saturday, Aug. 1 for...wait for it...wait for it...beer! You buy a pint glass, you get it filled with frothy goodness, and the money goes to a good, local cause. More info to come.

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: