Skip to main content
Category

Blog

SportsGarage
In Blog

Rides On Our Radar: 3 Colorado Destinations You Might Not Know About

It’s not hard to rattle off world-renowned Colorado mountain bike destinations.

Annual pilgrimages often include cities with names like Crested Butte, Fruita, and Salida. We pulled out the map recently to plan our summer to-do list, and decided to throw some new trails into the mix. Here are three lesser-known options that rose to the top.

Rico, Colorado ♦

Rico lies southwest of Telluride in the San Juan Mountains and is the nearest town to Colorado Trail Section 26. With the apex of the highest rated trails near 12,000 feet, we’ll keep an eye on how the snow is melting before heading toward Rico—likely in the late summer. Also, we’ll need that time to get in the season’s peak technical riding mindset, as there are very few green or even blue trails in the Rico area. This is black diamond country, with words like “primitive” and “difficult” appearing frequently in trail descriptions.

If you follow Yeti Cycles, you may have already seen the announcement for the 2023 Yeti Gathering in Rico. The Rico Trails Alliance has a beautiful website, which will refer you directly to Trailforks for local riding beta.

Bikes we’re taking to Rico:
  • Pivot Switchblade
  • Santa Cruz Bronson
  • Yeti SB140LR
  • Pivot Firebird

Photo Credit: Rico Historical Society

Marble, Colorado 🟢

Marble, as the crow flies, is in Crested Butte’s neighborhood. Naturally forming the third point in a triangle with Grand Junction and Aspen, Marble is as central to the heart of Colorado mountain biking as you can get, and technically part of the Roaring Fork Mountain Bike Association.

The rides attracting our attention are long and pedal-y, but visually stunning. For example, from Daniels Hill on the eastern edge of Marble, you can tackle rugged two-track jeep roads that ultimately take you to an ascent of Schofield Pass. It’s more or less a 20-mile trip to the 401 trailhead, but includes places like the Crystal Mine, Mineral Point, and Devil’s Punchbowl.

If heading to CB isn’t your cup of tea, the route also accesses the Lead King Basin Loop.

Bikes we’re taking to Marble:
  • Yeti ARC
  • Santa Cruz Blur
  • Pivot Mach 4 SL

Photo Credit: Gear Junkie

Norwood, Colorado 🟦

There is only one trail system truly near Norwood, but we’re intrigued enough to make it a road trip stop in San Miguel County this summer. The Thunder Trails Loop includes 20.2 miles of stacked loop singletrack—a pure blue ribbon winding through the ponderosas.

MTB Project notes that the trails are multi-use, which means you may encounter motorcycles. BUT that also means Thunder Mountain is e-MTB friendly. Equally important, Norwood is a certified International Dark Sky Community. If you like sleeping under the stars like we do, this is a real treat.

Bikes we’re taking to Norwood:
  • Rocky Mountain Instinct Powerplay
  • Pivot Shuttle SL
  • Santa Cruz Heckler

Photo Credit: Uncover Colorado

SportsGarage
In Blog

Well-Rounded Fitness for Life on the Trail

Wondering how a seven-time CrossFit World Games competitor can elevate your time on two wheels?

Chris Spealler, longtime member of the Pivot factory rider family and certified personal trainer, explains how in our exclusive interview. Whether you’re a freeride addict or a competitive cross-country racer, Chris has tips for you.

How does strength training translate to building a strong foundation on the bike?

Ultimately, the better our base of general physical fitness, the more potential we have for success at our specific sport. I get it, I love riding bikes too and there can be a lot of pride in what we do. Hardcore mountain biker, etc. BUT if you have a stronger midline (core), legs, shoulders, and chest, it is going to make you a more capable and durable rider.

You will have more control of the bike and be able to take bigger hits if you’re into freeriding. And most people find the ability to put some serious power to the pedals on punchy or technical climbs greatly improves. 

It’s easy to associate “strength training” with “meatheads,” but any professional athlete has a dose of strength training to make them better at their sport. You aren’t any different!

Those interested in your custom training programs should, of course, check you out on SpealProgramming.com. But for those who have never worked with a trainer before—or had a plan specifically to improve their biking—can you explain how you build a program for getting started?

It’s easy to overthink things when it comes to programming. Often, simple is better and creating a template for your week is a huge help.

  • Here’s an example program template:
  • Monday: Strength Training
  • Tuesday: Ride
  • Wednesday: Strength/Endurance
  • Thursday: Ride
  • Friday: Strength Endurance
  • Saturday: Long Aerobic Sustained Effort (can be on the bike but it’s nice to change it up too)
  • Sunday: Rest

Strength training is largely based around power (slow) lifts, and Olympic (fast) lifts. I like to work on more power lifting for the bulk of our strength training and Olympic lifts if people are interested in them. They are incredibly valuable, but not necessary to build speed or strength, depending on how we lift. 

The strength/endurance days are often a mix of movements that complement one another and have a lifting and conditioning element to them. When applied well, these are super valuable and applicable to riding bikes. 

Aerobic work can come from bike riding for sure, but it’s great to mix it up with running or rowing. You will notice different heart rates and thresholds you can hold with each of these.   

Three to four days of work IN the gym that is under 60 minutes will pay dividends on the trails.

You sometimes talk about “when life happens to CrossFit.” Can you talk about how you’re evolving traditional training plans, and how this helps people?

Fifteen to 20 years ago, we all talked about if CrossFit was a training program we could do for the long haul…20-plus years. We are there now and I want to help answer that question. Age, lifestyle, injuries, throwing kids in the mix, available time, relocating, etc., all play a role in our ability to train. It’s simply not possible to flip the switch and crush ourselves every day. We have to earn the right and be smart to have workouts with intensity (which are valuable with the right frequency).

  • I like to look at two things:
  • Flow of work throughout the week. This is the total volume AND intensity we are accumulating across the week. Programming workouts that are longer in duration or have more sustained effort approaches are a great way to help find balance for the more intense days to serve their purpose.
  • Movement function over simply modifying load, reps, or time. Yes, those are all ways we can adjust programming, but it’s just scratching the surface. Some of us may not be able to perform movements due to limitations, or simply the juice isn’t worth the squeeze so to speak. We can still find value in squatting, pushing, pulling, hinge work, and carries. I like to focus on most demand to least demand on the joints within these categories to help people make the best decisions with their daily training.

How does recovery play into training? What about when you’re in peak mountain bike season, logging your biggest mileage, and climbing weeks of the year?

You will never “recover” your way to performance and gains, but without it you will never get there. The training stimulus is what we do while riding or working out, but the adaptation (where we see the gains) is what happens when we recover. Age, and a number of things on a daily basis, play a role in how much recovery we need.

6 Total Markers
Here’s a good approach with some questions to ask yourself if you are wondering how hard to push for the day.

Sleep quantity How many hours of sleep did you get last night? Eight-plus hours is a great target to shoot for, but no less than six.
Sleep quality This takes some pressure off the total time, as six hours of great quality may serve you better than eight of tossing and turning through the night. Deep sleep promotes recovery and health.
Soreness There is normal soreness, and “over-the-top” soreness. When we train or introduce a new stimulus, it’s common to have general soreness most days that subsides within 24–48 hours. Anything beyond this that limits range of motion, mobility, or performance means we are likely overdoing it.
Mood Simply, how do you feel today and what kind of workout are you looking to have today? Ready to take on the world? Great! That’s not every day, though. Most are just…normal. What we want to be aware of are those days of lack of energy, lack of motivation, or just down in the dumps.
Previous day’s performance A simple awareness of how we are feeling that week. Don’t be fooled into thinking this is setting a personal best every day. Most days we are just looking to feel motivated, work hard, and be happy with our efforts. If we see a continued trend of lack of energy and motivation, or the inability to push yourself one to two times/week, it should be noted.
Immune status You’re either feeling good or experiencing symptoms such as headaches, nausea, gastrointestinal discomfort, coughing, and sore throat, which may be correlated to training stress and/or fatigue. When these are ignored, training can worsen symptoms.

How to Use this Info:

If 5–6 markers are good and in a “green light,” feel free to move forward with more intensity if you like.

If 3–4 of the markers are in the green, we suggest proceeding with some wisdom. Look to the less-demanding movements and an intensity that suits you best, so you can feel better leaving the gym or riding than when you started. 

If 1–2 of the markers are good, but not the others…you need some recovery. Utilize the recovery options and eliminate intensity so you can focus on simply improving range of motion, increasing blood flow, and setting yourself up for success in the coming days.

You’ve been a passionate mountain biker for decades now. How do you prevent burnout and keep your love for the sport alive?

I hate it when people say “the secret is…”—I pretty much never pay attention to anything they say if they open their “pitch” with that. But the secret? It’s not my avenue for improving fitness. 

When I go for a ride, I do it because I legitimately love it. I don’t care if some bro in spandex passes me on a climb, tells me I’m “cheating” because I’m out on the eMTB for a change, or if the guy in the flannel and oversized glasses doesn’t think I’m “enduro” enough. I ride my bike because I love the feeling I get from it. Mostly downhill and jumps! My fitness gains are made in the gym with smart, productive work that is under 60 minutes a day and 5 days/week. 

This leaves PLENTY of room for me to enjoy riding since it’s simply icing on the cake. Check your ego, ride for the enjoyment of it, not the pressure of Strava or others’ perceptions.

To learn more about Chris and his offerings at Speal Programming, find him online. You can also learn about his take on parenting and raising adventurous, bike-loving kids on PivotCycles.com.

SportsGarage
In Blog

Local Nonprofit Love: SMBA

Singletrack Mountain Bike Adventures (SMBA) is a Boulder-based nonprofit that helps get more kids on bikes.

A cornerstone of the cycling community on Colorado’s Front Range, SMBA offers everything from one-day introductory programs to summer camps and team racing for kids ages 6 to 18. Their newest offering? Adventure trips to places adults wish they could sign up for, like Moab and Crested Butte.

We dive into the details, including how we’re partnering with SMBA in a big way this year, in our exclusive interview with SMBA Director Heather Williams, below.

How does SMBA go beyond the bike to foster a culture of giving back?

Our motto is building champions both on and off the bike. A key to building champions is community stewardship and giving back to the community. We foster this through getting the athletes involved in community projects. For years prior to COVID, SMBA has volunteered with Boulder County Parks Open Space on trail building and maintenance projects on Heil Ranch and Betasso. We have also worked on trail projects in Nederland. Some of the more recent days were spent building the climbing trail that connects to the Skills Loop, Overland Loop, and Schoolhouse Loop trailheads at Heil Ranch. Our athletes learn about what goes into building and maintaining the trails that they ride all the time, but they also develop a sense of appreciation and stewardship for the trails.

We also work with the Boulder Community Gardens and Food Share. Each summer, groups of our athletes volunteer to work at the community garden in Boulder instead of riding. The gardens we volunteer at help provide fresh vegetables to families in need.

SMBA will be celebrating their 30th anniversary this year (Sports Garage shares a similar birth date!). What are the biggest changes you’ve seen in mountain biking since your founding?

We’re looking forward to celebrating SMBA’s 30th anniversary in 2023! One way we plan to celebrate is to have our SMBA teams complete 30 Epic Rides (of 30 miles or more) during the season. We’ll be documenting each one throughout the season.

Here are some of the changes I’ve seen since then: I had just been introduced to mountain biking around the time SMBA started. I had always ridden a bike, but I got my first real mountain bike in ’94. It was a nice bike at the time; a lugged carbon hardtail with a suspension fork (65mm of travel) and I had a lot of fun rides and adventures on that bike. I really fell in love with the sport on that bike and it took me to a lot of different trails. Since that bike, I’ve seen the expansion of trail systems in places around Colorado and beyond, as well as a lot of changes in bike design and technology: bigger wheels, bigger cassettes, wider handlebars, and cushy suspension!

Another really cool change that I’ve seen is growth in the sport, particularly among women and juniors. When I first started mountain biking, I rode with a really supportive and fun group of mountain bikers, all still close friends, but I was usually the only girl in the group. At the time, there really weren’t any women’s social ride groups around the Front Range, and I didn’t meet any other ladies to ride with regularly until the early 2000s. In the last few years this has changed and it has been awesome to see more opportunities for girls and women to get into the sport and super cool to see the numbers of women and girls participating in the sport grow. Each season we see an increase in the number of girls participating in SMBA programs and they continue in the program through high school. Most continue to ride and many join their collegiate mountain bike teams. Currently we have an amazing team of girls’ coaches who are awesome role models for our newer athletes. They all started in SMBA when they were in elementary school and now some are juniors and seniors in high school and some are in college, but they all stay involved in the program as coaches.

The increase in youth participation in mountain biking has also grown since I first started mountain biking. In general, when I am out riding, I see more juniors riding with their families on the trails than I ever remember seeing before, and I’ve watched the Colorado High School MTB grow from just a few hundred riders in 2012 to over 2,000 riders last year. Many of those high school athletes also participate in SMBA during the spring and summer.

We’ve also noticed increases in the number of younger riders getting into our program. The number of kids participating in our K-1 Dirt Riders program and second-grade through fifth-grade team groups has continually increased over the past two to three years; and the enthusiasm and excitement to ride among our youngest riders is so much fun. It is always amazing to ride with these younger groups and watch their confidence, skill progression, and love of the bike build over the course of the session. What is even more fun is to see our first cohort of K-1 riders continue in the program. This spring, we have a couple of them who will be riding with our Spring Team program!

Recently you launched adventure programs as part of the SMBA offering. Could you tell us more about how this differs from previous SMBA programs and what makes it special?

I think there has been a shift in interest among many of our riders as well as a number of our coaches. We have team riders who love racing with their high school team and riders who love cyclocross or competitive ski racing in the winter and look forward to some non-competitive rides and adventures they can share with their SMBA teammates and friends. We also have coaches who love being on their bikes, and love exploring new ride routes.

Our two adventure trips—Moab on spring break and Crested Butte at the end of summer—have actually been part of our schedule for many years now. There seemed to be increased interest in exploring some of the great trail systems and classic rides around Colorado, and a little less interest in racing from our SMBA families.

This year, we also decided to head to Fruita in April. We are also planning a summer mini-trip to join in the fun with CB Devo’s Jr. Mountain Bike week in June, and a fall trip to Curt Gowdy in October. In addition to van-supported camping trips, we were also able to purchase a dedicated set of bikepacking bags for any SMBA group that wants to experience a self-supported bikepacking ride. This past summer, our Girls’ Team was the first group to test out the bags on a three-day bike packing ride across section 11 of the Colorado Trail. They are hoping to build on that ride and do a longer trip this summer.

In addition, our newly introduced Epic Team program has also been extremely popular. The goal of the Epic Team is to provide opportunities for SMBA athletes to explore trails they may have never ridden before, experience fun challenges on big epic rides, build endurance throughout the season by increasing the distance and effort of each ride from spring to summer, learn a little more about orienteering and being self-sufficient in the backcountry, learn a little bit more about the local ecology and environment, develop an increased appreciation and stewardship for the the beautiful natural landscapes we have access to on bikes, and have a lot of fun while going on big ride adventures all season. We’re excited to see this program grow and expand under the leadership of one of our coaches, Jim.

For many seasons, SMBA riders were required to participate in a variety of race disciplines. How has that changed over the years?

We have always provided opportunities and coach support for SMBA athletes who were interested in racing, but it has never been a requirement for athletes to race in order to be part of SMBA.

Six or seven years ago, we had a cohort of athletes who had a strong interest in racing. In fact, many of them continued to race successfully in college and professionally after SMBA. We were able to tailor a race program for that group and they trained with our coaches and committed to a minimum of five races during the season. We have not had as strong of interest in racing since that cohort of athletes, but we do have a few athletes who are interested in learning more about racing and trying a few races. This year, we will have some team athletes who will focus a little more on skills and preparation geared towards racing, and we will offer some opportunities for athletes to try a few races.

We’re looking forward to having a SMBA presence at the Floyd Hill Session Series, Crested Butte Jr. Mountain Bike Week enduro race, and at least one Revolution Enduro or similar race this year!

Sports Garage has been a proud supporter of SMBA for many years. Any special memories of our time together in the Boulder cycling community?

Sports Garage has been an amazing supporter of SMBA for years, and some of our most fond memories are having team meetings at the shop and seeing the awesome support, but also seeing our athletes get amped for the season at the shop.

We’re really looking forward to participating in more events with Sports Garage this year, and having you sponsor an athlete for the 2023 season! Our Epic Team is getting excited for the Gravalanche in May, too; I think we’ll have a good size SMBA group out there riding!

SportsGarage
In Blog

Changing the World by Bike

We sat down with World Ride founder Julie Cornelius to learn how your next mountain bike trip has the power to change the world.

If you’ve been following along with us for awhile now, chances are you’ve heard of World Ride. Perhaps you attended the SG-sponsored Pivot Cycles Sunset Shred that benefited World Ride, or have been lucky to see one of their movie nights at your local bike shop. If not, let us introduce this female-led nonprofit.

Part travel company, part global community development, World Ride goes beyond the typical “sustainable travel” paradigm. Their female-guided co-ed trips to Nepal, Guatemala, Peru, Lesotho, and Botswana provide on-the-ground support and resources for local women, as well as encourage promising local riders in the sport of mountain biking. Their programs have significance that extends beyond any one trip, providing education and careers for the long term.

Learn more about what sets World Ride apart—and how you can get involved—in our interview with Julie below.

What was the original inspiration behind World Ride?

World Ride was started after working on the film project Moksha. This film tells the story of three Nepali women and their experience as female mountain bikers in their country. I knew that I wanted to do something to continue to help in Nepal after the film project, and while traveling there for the filming, the idea for World Ride was born. I didn’t want to limit it to just Nepal and knew it could benefit women all over the world to give women the opportunity to mountain bike.

How do you go about determining new locations?

New locations for programs have come about in a variety of ways. We have discovered some through personal travel to places. We also have great relationships with other organizations with similar missions, like Pump for Peace, that connect us with women in the areas they are working in and we connect them in the places we work in.

We have amazing partners in each location that organize our trips and work to train the women who become mountain bike guides. We could not do what we do without these awesome partners. There are many Zoom and WhatsApp conversations that happen at odd hours of the day to make the magic happen for our trips and programming.

What sets World Ride apart from other guided trips?

Our trips are very similar to other guided trips in that they are fun mountain bike trips in an amazing destination. The thing that sets them apart is that they are guided by women that we have helped to support with training to become mountain bike guides. This gives trip participants a chance to meet the women that we work with and get to see firsthand how mountain biking has made a difference in their lives. Also, all of the proceeds from our trips go back into our programs to get more women into mountain biking in the place that we work. Essentially, World Ride trips are an important source of funding for the economic development we’re doing with women around the world.

Our trips are a really special way to support our programs! We often have trip guests bring gear to donate or even leave their bikes in the countries they visit to add to our bike libraries in those locations.

What is exciting about 2023’s agenda of trips?

Our Botswana trip is sold out! Also, we are really excited about opening the first opportunity for riding in the remote, culturally rich Upper Mustang region of Nepal. We will also be hosting our first trip to the beautiful, mountainous country of Lesotho in Africa, during which we will also be training two new female guides and visiting the Pump for Peace pump tracks that helped to connect us with this incredible country.

Can you share any particular special stories from the female guides in the countries where World Ride runs programs?

There are so many stories! I think one of the most special things about all of them is the commonality between them. Every woman we work with around the globe says the same things about what mountain biking gives them: a sense of freedom and confidence. This is exactly why we are doing what we do. Because mountain biking can be a challenging sport, it can really give someone a newfound sense of confidence. We find that with the women we work with, this confidence translates into other areas of their lives off the bike. Some of them have started their own businesses and some have started their own women’s groups. It is hard to say if they would have done this if they hadn’t gained that confidence through mountain biking, but we really believe in the power of the sport.

If someone wants to get involved but can’t afford or take time for a trip right now, how can they support World Ride?

There are plenty of ways to support World Ride other than a trip. Our programs cost money to run, so financial support and donations are always the most helpful. We are a 501c3 nonprofit, so any contribution is tax deductible.

We also host events both in person and online throughout the year. Join our mailing list to keep up to date on these or check out our website.

We will also be opening applications for ambassadors in January 2023. We have both female and male ambassadors since we truly believe we need allies for our mission. Our ambassadors engage their local communities to help spread our mission and also help us with fundraising.

Do riders need to bring their own bikes?

We do recommend bringing your own bike on our trips and have created a guide to help you travel with your bike if that is something new for you. There are limited rental bikes in each place if someone needs to rent a bike.

If you want to know more or help in other ways with World Ride, you can email me at julie@world-ride.com.

SportsGarage
In Blog

Understanding e-MTB Categories

The e-mountain bike realm is expanding.

At Sports Garage we’ve been following the categorization of these bikes with curiosity and enthusiasm. The question for an e-mtb is no longer: E-bike or no e-bike But rather: Which e-mountain bike is right for me?

With recent new releases from our favorite manufacturers and more on the way, riders can now explore different e-mtb riding styles. Most manufacturers began with one e-mtb in their line-up. As new models have been introduced, e-mountain bikes are differentiated in similar ways to analog bikes—different geometries and travel lengths, most notably. However, e-mtb categorization also means new drive unit (motor) specifications as well.

In this comprehensive guide, we break down the most exciting products currently available in the following manner: lightweight versus long travel, torque, and battery capacity. You’ll find that depending on your riding style and desired ride experience, there might be a specific bike best suited for you.

First Things First: Reading the e-MTB Spec Sheet

While Boulder riders, new and experienced, have developed various levels of comfort with quantifying terms like “standover height” or “travel,” e-mountain bikes introduce new terms and new measurements to the description of the bike’s technician details, or its “spec sheet.” There are two main terms you need to know: Newton Meters and Watt Hours.

Newton Meters (indicated by Nm) is the measurement of the ability of the motor to rotate the back wheel of an e-bike. In other words, it’s torque. The more torque, the more power you have while accelerating—particularly at slower speeds up steep hills or over obstacles.

Watt Hours (indicated by Wh) is the measurement of the total available power for an e-mtb. You’ll see this listed as “battery capacity” in our guide and on most manufacturers’ websites.

What Style of e-MTB Is Right for You?

Ultimately, the e-mountain bike that’s right for you complements your riding style, terrain preferences…and maybe that of your friends! Take Boulder and the Front Range for example. Do you want maximum power to get in extra laps on Hard Money? Or do you want to cruise along the Switzerland Trail after work? (Check our guide to e-mountain bike trails in Boulder and Jefferson Counties.)

Lightweight vs. Long Travel

The primary differentiator in the new e-mountain bike riding experience is the categorization of the bikes. Lightweight bikes blur the lines between analog bikes and those with a battery on board. The frames tend to weigh less and are most likely to be described as having better power to weight ratios. Just look at the Pivot Cycles SL, which stands for “Super Light.” This agile bike features a FAZUA Ride 60 drive unit, achieving one of the lightest e-mtb experiences possible. In contrast, the Pivot Cycles LT, which stands for “Long Travel,” serves up more power, battery life, and travel, but weighs closer to 50 pounds.

To help narrow things down, we asked Dan to compare the Pivot SL to the LT after riding both during an e-mountain bike dealer education event in Salida.

“To me, it’s all about the experience you are after. If you love the traditional mountain bike feel, then the lightweight e-mtb is the best choice for you. The handling is similar to what you would expect from an acoustic bike with enough assist to help you extend your range or take the strain out of the climbs. The full-power e-mtbs are a different animal altogether. They often weigh over 50 pounds and the handling is very different. They are very stable and hug the ground with ferocity. The power is unbelievable and will have you riding up and over things that previously seemed impossible. They also open up new terrain and make rides that would previously only be possible for pro riders accessible to the average mountain biker. It’s a new type of experience that might appeal to those looking for the next frontier of pedal-powered riding.”

Why do we mention your friends? In our time working with Boulder e-mtb customers and clients, we’ve heard stories about being “out-powered” in an e-bike group ride. While we haven’t experienced this personally, we follow the logic: If you have a more powerful motor and more battery life, you may have the tools on board to ride harder or further than riders on a lightweight e-mtb. Conversely, if you’re the only person with a full-power bike in a group of riders on nimble “SL” style e-bikes, you might have a power-to-weight ratio disadvantage. We look forward to learning more about this dynamic as more diverse e-mountain bikes show up to group rides.

How Much Power?

When it comes to brute force, look no further than the lineup from Rocky Mountain Bicycles. The highest power setting on their proprietary Dyname™ 4.0 motor delivers a jaw-dropping max boost of 350 percent—that’s 108 Nm! (It is aptly named “Ludicrous” Mode.) All three of Rocky Mountain’s e-mtb rigs, from the Growler Powerplay hardtail to the long-travel Altitude Powerplay, sport this beefed up system. Keep in mind that bigger battery power typically translates to a heavier bike.

Demo an e-MTB in Boulder

Choosing the right e-mountain bike means the difference between a good ride experience and a great one, and there’s no better way to hone in on your preferences than with a demo. While an e-mountain bike demo continues to be hard to come by as supply chains normalize, our fleet will be ready to test ride again by spring 2023. If there is a particular bike you’d like to try, we’d love to know. Drop us a line at sales@sportsgarage.net.

THE e-MTB BREAKDOWN

Meet the e-mountain bikes for sale, or presently available from our partners. To learn more about each model, visit our e-mountain bike catalog.

SportsGarage
In Blog

Gravel Destination: 72 Hours in Patagonia, AZ

The term “shoulder season” always brings mixed feelings for us; it’s the time between the best conditions for either mountain biking or snow sports.

However, there are always great conditions somewhere, so we refer to late fall and early spring as “getaway season.” Embracing the art of the getaway brings new reasons to welcome changing conditions on the front range, and Patagonia, Arizona, is at the top of our list.

Perhaps no other geography boasts as many inspiring getaways as the desert southwest, drawing thrill-seekers, vortex-healers, conservationists, vision-questers, and, most recently, serious gravel cyclists. A riding itinerary in Patagonia can be tailored for any rider (beginner, intermediate, or advanced) looking for big blue skies, unexpected beauty, and a small-town vibe. This town of fewer than 1,000 residents, nestled in the Sonoran Borderlands, serves up riding, food, and regional interest in perfect proportions for a 3-day weekend, or a longer-term stay.

Patagonia lies one hour south of Tucson International Airport, a quick 18 miles north of the Mexico border. These recommendations will help you make the most of your getaway. Though we’ve ridden much of the region, the route links below were created by other riders and are just an example of the adventures you can put together!

Day 1: Patagonia 50 + Live Music

Settle into the valley on the first day with a middle-distance ride to familiarize yourself with major gravel access points, and leave time to provision yourself. The Patagonia 50 takes you quickly out of town along Harshaw Creek, climbing to stunning views of the San Rafael Grasslands. The route gains a total of 3,022 feet. This classic loop is an ideal introduction to the area.

Photo Credits: Freihofer Photography

We love, love, love the Red Mountain natural food store. But like life in an 80s country song, they roll up the street when the sun goes down. Red Mountain is open 10:00am to 5:00pm every day of the week (early birds welcome at 9:00am) and they only take cash, so plan ahead for provisions. You’ll be blown away by the selection: allergen-conscious, vegetarian, and vegan eaters will find lots of options. 

When evening arrives, head to the other end of the main drag, where The Cyclist’s Menu founders Zander and Heidi Ault opened the Patagonia Lumber Co. just under one year ago. The Lumber Co. has become one of Patagonia’s living rooms, bringing together locals, travelers, weekenders from Tucson, and anyone else passing through for music, exceptionally curated regional beers and wine, and—if you’re lucky—authentic tamales. Pop in to pick up a gravel guide to the county, with loads more riding ideas. Check the weekend music and food truck schedule online.

Photo Credit: Freihofer Photography

Day 2: Almost to Mexico + Designer Pizza

This San Rafael-Lochiel-Harshaw route provides a great description of a backcountry tour of the Canelo Hills, which grazes the border at the Lochiel townsite. We’ve seen similar routes labeled “Almost to Mexico.” The loop can be connected to Patagonia via Harshaw Creek. The route through the Canelo Hills circumnavigates the San Rafael State Natural Area, the largest remaining expanse of native grassland in the American southwest. For an alternative 100-mile route, follow the course of the 2021 Spirit World 100 gravel event. 

Time to refuel. Velvet Elvis has been on the radar of travelers and foodies since first opening in the late 1990s. The craft pizza establishment recently moved to its new home in Patagonia’s historic mission church on McKeown Ave. The namesake painting of Elvis (on velvet, of course) presides over the dining room while you enjoy beautiful handmade pizzas, salads, and stromboli. With 24-hour notice, the chef will prepare the designer Inca Quinoa Pizza for six—an artisan blend of quinoa and wheat flours, stuffed with layers of sauteéd vegetables, herbs, cheeses, and a roasted tomato wine sauce baked in a cast iron skillet.

Photo Credits:  Ruth Hager

Day 3: Short Ride + Wineries OR Lake Patagonia State Park

Spin out your legs after the previous day’s adventure with an out-and-back toward Mount Wrightson on Temporal Gulch Road. This road takes you past access to a new section of the Arizona Trail (AZT), a masterpiece of trail building, which we got to pre-ride in April of 2022 with the Arizona Trail Association. This new single track eliminates 16 miles of road, connecting the AZT from the south to the trail in Gardner Canyon. Our bucket list still includes a return trip to Arizona to bike pack additional sections of the 800-mile AZT, a designated National Scenic Trail. 

Photo Credit:  Freihofer Photography

You’ll wrap up your morning ride with plenty of time to play, either touring local wineries or relaxing at the lake. Yes, we did say wineries. The villages of Sonoita and Elgin—13 miles from Patagonia—were the first designated American Viticultural Area (AVA) in Arizona. In the early 1970s a soil scientist named Dr. Gordon Dutt conducted a vineyard study, and surprised winemakers with his discovery that grapes flourish in the warm growing temperatures and water-retaining soil, making the region the highest elevation AVA in the United States. The highly regarded Callaghan Vineyards and Dos Cabezas Wineworks are among a dozen or more vintners offering tastings in the area. 

Photo Credits:  Circo Vino

If wineries are not your pace, an afternoon at Lake Patagonia State Park offers fishing, swimming, boating, or SUP. The lake is well-managed to limit the use of motorized personal watercrafts, ensuring a peaceful place to play! 

If you’re like us, three days will not feel like enough time, and you will have uncovered enough hidden corners in and around Patagonia to draw you back to this special town over and over again. 

Lodging Recommendations

There are a lot of lovely, well-managed Airbnbs within walking distance of central Patagonia, or nearer the lake with loads of open space. Some dispersed camping areas can be found in the Coronado National Forest; however, we haven’t camped there yet. 

In Town

Open Space

Camping

Photo Credit:  Freihofer Photography

Gear Considerations

Luggage: Southwest Airlines offers nonstop flights to Tucson, and it costs $75 each way to bring your bicycle as a piece of luggage. There are lots of bike bag options on the market, many specific to drop bar bikes. We recommend the EVOC mountain bike bag because we can use it to travel with either our gravel bikes or a full suspension mountain bike. We have packed an XL full suspension bike with 29” wheels in the EVOC with minimal disassembly. Among the gear investments we have made in the past year, these bags are at the top of the list.

Tires: The flint rock and cacti of the San Rafael Valley have one mission: to eat your tires. The right tire really makes a difference anywhere in Arizona, and after testing several different brands and talking to local riders, we recommend the Kenda Flintridge or Alluvium Pro. 

Clothing: Patagonia is usually 15–20 degrees cooler than Phoenix, and 8–10 degrees cooler than Tucson. During “getaway season” the nights and early mornings will be cool, and the days warm and wonderful. Pack with appropriate layers. 

SportsGarage
In Blog

Smart Mountain Bike Suspension

Mountain bikes have come a long way in the past decade. Ten years ago, the average rider was just beginning to seriously consider the move to a carbon frame, 26-inch wheels were still a common sight on trails (even the occasional “triple”), and dropper posts were a luxury for early adopters.

Hardly anyone could have suspected geometry would evolve into the elongated—yet efficient—machines we see today. eMTBs are yet another development pushing the envelope of what’s possible. And now, an upgrade you may not have known you needed is gaining in popularity: smart suspension.

Two brands lead the charge in delivering the suspension of the future—Fox and SRAM. While each system functions in a unique way, both strive to achieve the same end result: automatically adjusting your suspension settings, optimizing the amount of “openness” or “closedness” for the most efficient ride possible. We break down the tech and what it means for the typical mountain biker, below.

Why Efficient Suspension Matters

The truth is, suspension technology impacts every rider, whether you are aware of it or not. If you’re someone who doesn’t bother locking and unlocking your suspension based on the terrain (and ascending vs. descending), you are losing substantial pedaling efficiency. On the other hand, if you’re a rider who does lock and unlock your fork or shock (or both if able) constantly throughout a ride, you probably see the immediate benefit of no longer having to reach around your bottle cage and almost knock your front teeth out on your handlebars multiple times per ride. And if you’re riding a fully rigid mountain bike, well, come see us. 

Much like the introduction of the dropper post, you can see how electronic suspension solves a problem we all share.

Electronic Suspension Systems = Efficiency

Fox and SRAM solve this problem by doing the work for you. While both are electronic suspension systems, they differ in build. Fox’s system, called Live Valve, makes use of wired connections between the fork, shock, main control unit located in the frame, and a couple of additional sensors. These all toggle independently of one another between two settings, open and firm, based on readings taken by the controller at a rate of 1,000x per second. The whole set-up is powered by a battery mounted on this controller (located on the frame) that can be charged while on or off the bike.

SRAM’s system, Flight Attendant, functions similarly but is wireless. In much the same way, the smart system reads the terrain and the pitch of the bike to toggle between three settings: open, pedal, and lock. A small army of AAA batteries keep things running (seven to be exact) with a ride time of roughly 30 hours. The “brain” of the system is located on top of the right fork leg, allowing you to toggle manually through modes (much like a normal fork) if preferred. 

Both systems offer apps to further customize—and fully understand—your experience using this smart technology.

Ready to Upgrade to Automatic? 

Although Live Valve has technically been in the marketplace since 2018, it is only beginning to make an appearance as an in-line build option with most manufacturers. There is no aftermarket availability for Flight Attendant as of right now, and Live Valve systems can only be installed on frames that have been provisioned for the system. Several manufacturers have begun anticipating riders’ interest in intelligent suspension by making frames Live Valve-ready. Within our inventory, you can find the Live Valve on select Pivot Trail 429 builds. 

The Sports Garage Take

So far, we’ve only had the opportunity to ride the Live Valve and have been impressed by its ease-of-use and noticeable efficiency. We are excited to test out the Flight Attendant this fall and report back with our findings on how it compares. We’re pretty passionate about suspension technology, so the evolution of intelligent systems is at the top of our “must ride” list. Stay tuned for more. 

In the meantime, if you’ve ridden on either, be sure to let us know your thoughts on social media or by contacting us at ​​sales@sportsgarage.net or 303.473.0033.
SportsGarage
In Blog

Sports Garage Suspension Studio

Did you know we have our own Suspension Studio here at Sports Garage, located right in downtown Boulder, Colorado?

Gone are the days of lugging your mountain bike to the farthest stretches of Boulder County. That’s right: there’s a lot more going on behind our maintenance counter than you might think! Not only do we offer a full maintenance menu and bike fitting service, but we can also take care of all your suspension needs. 

Our Suspension Studio services some of the most important components on your mountain bike: your fork, shock, and dropper post. Without these modern elements, mountain biking would still be a bumpy experience cut out for only the hardest of spinal columns. And while often overlooked, it’s important to service these components at regular intervals to keep your ride as plush as possible. Think of it like putting oil in your car—you won’t notice there’s a problem until it’s too late.

We caught up with team member and bike mechanic, Blake Sommer, to find out why you should consider scheduling a suspension service sooner rather than later. 

Blake Sommer

Manufacturers generally recommend a lower leg fork service every 50 hours. Can you explain how this isn’t quite as often as it sounds?

There are a lot of variables that can affect the wear and tear on your suspension. Riding the creek path up to Betasso puts far less wear and tear on your suspension than riding the chair lift at Winter Park. For example, Jesse gets his suspension serviced 3x a year, while Dan only opts for 1x. Both service schedules make sense for their riding schedule. Jesse spends a lot of time at downhill parks and also races enduro. Dan mostly rides trails and does a lot more pedaling to the trails.

Regular maintenance is definitely an investment. Can you explain how you can actually save money over time by servicing your bike? 

Spending $110 to get your fork serviced can feel like a lot of money. However, it is less than 10 percent of the cost of a new fork. A new Fox Fork can cost as much as $1,249! If you service your fork once a year (like Dan), it would take you 11 years to spend that much.

Why is it so unique that Sports Garage offers suspension services?

The biggest benefit is timing. When you send your fork or shock off to a vendor like Fox, it can take 2-4 weeks to get it back. That’s 2-4 weeks without your bike!

At Sports Garage you can drop your bike off for scheduled suspension service in the morning and we will have your suspension overhauled by the end of the day.

At Sports Garage we are able to offer a full factory service on Fox, Rock Shox, and DVO suspension. This requires an investment in expensive, specialized equipment. The complex internals of suspension require intricate tools to do the job correctly. It also requires a lot of training and know-how from our suspension technicians. They regularly recharge dampers and deal with nitrogen in excess of 500 PSI. 

What else can riders do to increase the longevity of their suspension components?

Wiping down your suspension after each ride can keep that dirt from getting into your suspension components. Everything else is internal so there’s not much maintenance to be done. Servicing your suspension at the recommended intervals will keep your suspension working better for longer.

Find out more about suspension maintenance here. To schedule your service, give us a ring at (303) 473-0033.
SportsGarage
In Blog

Understanding Mountain Bike Geometry

Geometry. It has been a buzz word in mountain biking for many years. One of the biggest innovations in mountain biking has been the refined geometry that allows us to ride faster and further with less effort. 


But what is geometry? 

It is a list of angles and numbers that dictate the construction and design of a frame, and add up to the way a bike fits and handles for the rider. While every measurement of a bike ultimately affects bike-feel, we have picked the five most prevalent measurements and broken down their specific impact on the riding experience.

1. Head Tube Angle: Steep or Slack

This is perhaps the most-talked-about geometry number, and for good reason. The head tube angle has a significant impact on the way a bike steers. The steeper the head tube angle, the closer the front wheel will be to the rider. This results in quicker steering through the handlebars; an asset at predominantly slow speeds – but this quickness can become a detriment at downhill speeds, where the bike may start to feel unstable as steering input becomes magnified. 

The more relaxed or “slacker” the head tube angle, the further the front wheel is pushed out in front of the rider. This makes for slower steering at the handlebars – a phenomenon most pronounced at slow speeds. This sluggishness, however, diminishes at faster speeds. At climb speeds, a steep headtube angle is an asset, and at descent speeds a slack angle is better. As a rider, one has to choose where they wish to strike the balance between climbing agility and downhill stability.

2. Chainstay Length: Short or Long

Chainstay length is the distance from the middle of the bottom bracket to the center of the rear axle. Chainstay length tells you whether the rear wheel is tucked in tightly or if it sticks out further behind the rider. Short chainstays put the rear wheel right underneath the rider, resulting in quicker handling. Short chainstays also make wheelieing and manualing easier. Long chainstays mean the rear wheel extends further back behind the rider; this is great for high speed stability but makes maneuvering through tight turns at low speeds more difficult.

3. Stack: Think of Your Back

Stack height is measured as the distance from the top of the head tube to the middle of the bottom bracket. It is essentially a measurement of how tall the front end of your bike is. If you like to be upright or have a bad back, this is an important measurement. The taller the stack height, the higher your handlebars will be. The shorter the stack length, the lower your handlebars will be.

4. Reach: Short or Long

Unfortunately, reach does not describe how far you reach on your bike. (For that, we usually defer to effective top tube length). Instead, reach measures how long the bike is from the center of the bottom bracket to the center of the head tube. Much like head tube angle, reach tells you whether the bike will steer slower or quicker. 

A longer reach means the bike will be very stable at high speeds but harder to get around a tight switchback. A shorter reach means that tight sections of trails are easier to maneuver but you sacrifice some stability. One thing to note is that steep seat tube angles can artificially make reach numbers longer because more of the bike is shifted in front of the bottom bracket. Be careful to keep seat tube angle in mind when comparing the reach between bikes.

5. Bottom Bracket Height: High or Low

Bottom bracket height is measured from the ground to the center of the bottom bracket. This measurement is important in two distinct ways: The first is simply ground clearance. The higher the bottom bracket, the more ground clearance you have when pedaling. This means fewer pedal strikes and better technical climbing. The second, more nuanced way the bottom bracket height affects a bike’s ride is its influence on a rider’s center of gravity. The lower the bottom bracket height, the lower the center of gravity, and more stability when descending. If the bottom bracket height is too tall, then you can have a “teeter-totter” feel, and the bike can feel unstable when things get rough.

All of these aspects of your bike’s geometry will play into how it feels on the trails. As with other aspects of mountain biking, your preferred geometry is subjective and depends entirely on your build, your riding style, and where you spend the most time riding your bike. 

Questions about geometry? Don’t hesitate to ask our team the next time you’re in the shop.

SportsGarage
In Blog

Your Getting Started Guide to eMTBs

Riding an electric mountain bike, in many ways, is no different than riding an entirely self-powered mountain bike; both styles of bike deliver the joy of being on the trail and the opportunity to challenge yourself as a rider. However, there are some nuances to keep in mind while preparing for your next eMTB ride. Set yourself up for success with the key guidelines, below.

1. Make sure motorized vehicles are allowed.

Before loading up your eMTB and heading to the trailhead, it’s mandatory to find out whether or not your trail system of choice allows electric bikes. Here in Boulder County, this takes some attention to detail. Boulder does not currently allow eMTBs on any Open Space or Boulder County Parks trails, which means many of our favorite after-work rides are off limits.

But don’t worry: our neighbors to the south in Jefferson County are wide open for eMTB fun! In addition, e-bikes are allowed in all 42 Colorado State Parks, meaning places like Golden Gate and Staunton are great places to ride your eMTB.

Local eMTB Rides:

  • Golden Gate State Park
  • Staunton State Park
  • Maryland Mountain
  • Switzerland Trail
  • All Jefferson County Open Space trails!

For a comprehensive list, check the extensive Boulder County website. Note that BCPOS and OSMP allow exemptions for mobility impaired visitors on most trails. USFS does not consider eMTBs an assistive device.

2. Familiarize yourself with your bike.

Each electric mountain bike will have a different interface, and it’s important to know how these controls work before you find yourself heading up technical terrain on an exposed trail. For example, the Rocky Mountain Instinct Powerplay features a top-tube display mount so that all your key metrics are a glance away, while the Santa Cruz Heckler and Yeti 160E have control centers affixed directly to the handlebars. From there, each will feature different levels of assistance, from eco to turbo. Just like with any new bike, it will take a minute to dial in the touchpoints and feel of your new eMTB. Take some time to get familiar before heading out.

3. Hone your electric-specific riding skills.

Electric mountain bikes have power controls, but as we like to say, “they don’t have a technical skills button.” Even the most seasoned mountain bikers have a few things to consider when switching over to an electric-powered ride.

The biggest difference in terms of riding awareness is simple: eMTBs are heavy. As a result, you’ll need to brake earlier on descents, and remember to move your weight forward even more than you may be used to when climbing. And as we mentioned earlier, it may also take some time to get confident with the different modes on your eMTB of choice. A good rule of thumb is to resist kicking it into turbo mode so that you’re still getting a workout in with good tire traction and trail etiquette—and so that your battery will last the entire ride.

The Electric Mountain Bike Network has a library of helpful videos for progressing your skills. (And there’s always Danny MacAskill on e-bikes if you need even more encouragement.)

If all else fails, don’t forget to pedal!

4. Remember to follow all trail etiquette.

As always, trail etiquette is king. Remember that all mountain bikers–e-bike or otherwise–must yield to hikers, horses, and uphill traffic. When you yield, try not to step too far off the trail into delicate foliage. Rather, lean your bike to the outside to allow enough clearance for the other trail users to pass. For more trail guidelines including Leave No Trace, check out our 10 commandments, here.

Close Menu
Skip to content