PROJEKT ROAM: Landscapes Vol. 1

Undiscovered. Untapped. Awaiting. Appropriate words to describe the endless possibilities of riding regions throughout North America. Knowing these places exist is that igniting spark which helps to propel us forward....

Now well into our third year of traveling full time, we continue our quest to experience firsthand as many of these resplendent places to ride as possible and share them with the mountain biking community through our films and photo articles.

There are a million and one hometown best trails and we try to focus on the endless, epic possibilities of where one could explore on a bike.

Our travels and films are about the landscapes we traverse across, bound upon our bikes. It's about the adventure; what you can discover and shred on two wheels. Sometimes, our path takes us to destinations that are rarely heard or thought of as a place to ride. Other times, we find ourselves in areas that we are encouraged by many to go and pedal. One of these suggestions landed us in Fruita, Colorado during the spring for a bit.

No stranger to the mountain biking scene, Fruita was originally established with a focal point geared towards agricultural enterprises, especially in fruit production. Now, the town's focus is channeled more towards outdoor sports recreation.

Hundreds of miles of world class mountain biking trails encompassing Fruita and surrounding areas have made this parcel of Colorado desert a notable mountain biking destination. Renowned trail systems interspersed in the crags and valleys of this varied environment include the Kokopelli Trailhead region, with Grand Junction to the east of Fruita and Rabbit Valley to the west.

The North Fruita Desert/18 Road Trails, which this film and article focus on, are quite popular as well. Riding many of the trails in this particular area is reminiscent to riding a trail version of a pump track.

The meandering terrain occupying this sector is an ideal location for cyclists to gather with friends of all skill levels and have a good time riding together.

Spring and fall are key riding months. Flowers bedeck the hillside in the spring before the heat of the summer moves in. The end of April hosts the annual Fat Tire Festival in Fruita, which can be an entertaining time for all.

Milder weather starts to cool off the countryside come fall, and evening rides are an exemplary time to catch a sunset nothing short of amazing. I've heard more than one local state the sunsets here are what sealed the deal in opting to consider Fruita home.

Riding in the fading sunlight as dusk steals over the sky lends a glow to the white hued paths spinning beneath the tires. It's as if you were taking a pedal lap on the moon, i would imagine.

The town of Fruita itself embraces the mountain biking scene with open arms. Public art sculptures, often bike related, lend a hand in adorning varying parts of the small city.

This deserty hamlet also boasts stellar bike shops, an aromatically pleasing coffee shop, and a scrumptious pizza joint. All individual, sole reasons to make a pit stop in Fruita, CO if you ever get a chance. It's definitely worth a traveling rider's while to experience a kindred biker's local favorite.

Want a different glimpse of the North Fruita Desert Trail System? Check out this short, self shot film of us riding Pumps, Berms, and Rollers (PBR Trail) on our single speed dirt jump bikes.

Projekt Roam was founded by husband and wife, Colt and Jessee Maule in 2010. It has been their mission to travel North America in search of places that celebrate the unparalleled beauty and freedom of not only the bike, but the terrain we ride as well. Plan your own trip to Fruita, CO and check out more photos, film, and riding locations throughout North America atwww.gravityrideguide.com.

Thanks to our sponsors for some great product and to all of our new friends who have helped us out along the way, ride on.

Intense Carbine 29

The Carbine 29 raises the bar on performance, technology and beauty, offering aggressive geometry, patented VPP suspension, all the design benefits of INTENSE 2nd generation INTENSE carbon fiber, and a look only possible from INTENSE.
 
Designed to allow riders to descend the roughest enduro tracks with confidence, the bike boasts 5.5 inches (140mm) of rear wheel travel, 160mm of travel up front, and a 67 degree head tube angle.
 
The slacker head angle and 51mm 29-specific fork offset on the Carbine 29 work together to create a bike that delivers added agility and improved handling.
Fast, gnarly rock sections never felt so secure. Cornering was never as quick on a 29er. Let go of the brakes and take the rough line to the bottom. The Carbine 29 will allow you to ride hard, and ride fast.
 
The bike offers cutting-edge technology like internal cable routing, Reverb Stealth seat post routing and ISCG 05 chain guide tabs. It will be offered as both a complete bike or frame-only.
 
Frames are fitted with a FOX Float CTD Kashima Coat rear shock. Complete bikes will include the new SRAM 1×11 drive train and a 160mm Rockshox Pike fork.
The new Carbine 29er has proven to be a great Enduro weapon. Raced & tested under wraps for months, the Carbine 29 is already no stranger to the podium.

Geometry 

INTRODUCING THE CANE CREEK DBAIR CS

CANE CREEK INTRODUCES NEW CLIMBING TECHNOLOGY FOR DOUBLE BARREL SHOCKS

Cane Creek Cycling Components continues to expand its suspension offering with the introduction of the “CS” climbing feature for Double Barrel shocks. The shock-mounted switch is a selectable mode that optimizes damping for climbing. Unlike conventional pedal platforms, CS provides climbing-specific low speed damping in both compression and rebound. The new design is a patent-pending extension of the Double Barrel's unique twin tube technology. For the rider, this means best in class uphill performance while maintaining the acclaimed descending prowess and rider-based tuning for which the Double Barrel is known.

Cane Creek's goal with CS was to provide a climbing mode that allows riders to utilize the full benefits of suspension. "Until Cane Creek developed CS, pedal platforms have only dealt with half of the climbing dynamics (low speed compression), which is an inherent compromise,” commented Josh Coaplen, VP of Engineering. “A rider is subject to both compression and extension forces and must physically respond to both when climbing. The advantage of stabilizing the suspension during all phases of the shock’s travel is greater traction and power transfer with less fatigue.”

The CS feature modifies the Double Barrel shock to include two selectable damping circuits. By changing the position of the Climb Switch, the rider chooses which circuit is active. Circuit 1 has the same external adjustability and performance as standard Double Barrel shocks and is tuned via LSC, LSR, HSC and HSR. Damping circuit 2 is tuned specifically for climbing and completely alters the low-speed damping characteristics of the shock by changing compression and rebound settings simultaneously. This adjustment mitigates unwanted chassis motion while climbing without compromising the traction and control one expects from a modern suspension bike.

"Nearly a decade ago, Cane Creek recognized the opportunity to advance mountain bike suspension through the introduction of twin tube technology." Scott Sonnone, President and CEO stated. "The development of CS continues to build on this core foundation and will play an important role in our plans going forward.”
Cane Creek shocks with CS will be available to the public in September 2013. Learn more at www.canecreek.com

MET Helmets

De Re Militari (Latin "Concerning Military Matters"), also Epitoma Rei Militaris, is a treatise by the late Latin writer Publius Flavius Vegetius Renatus about Roman warfare and military principles as a presentation of methods and practices in use during the height of Rome's power, and responsible for that power. The extant text dates to the 5th century.
 
De Re Militari became a military guide in the Middle Ages and went on into the 18th and 19th centuries as a source of policy and strategy to the major states of Europe. In that sense De Re Militari is a projection of Roman civilization into modern times and a continuation of its influence on its cultural descendants.
 
In Book III of De Re Militari, Flavius Vegetius Renatus mentions si vis pacem, para bellum ("If you want peace, prepare for war")…

Homothetic Embedded Skeleton
In the event of an impact the pressure on the helmet shell is uneven, however, in reality most of the pressure is concentrated within a limited area.
 
HES construction, which involves embedding a homothetic skeleton at the back of the helmet, spreads the pressure built up by compression at the impact point, and thus dissipates the force of impact over the whole shell.
 
This exceptional design and a manufacturing technique, that today only MET has mastered, makes the HES concept a new reference in cycle helmet construction.
 
Adjustable visor with integrated air intake vents
The visor’s role is to protect the face and especially the eyes from branches, sun or, in bad weather, against mud flicked up by bikes in front.
 
When the visor has air vents it actively helps cool the head by directing the air towards the inside of the helmet.
 
The tilt of the visor can be adjusted by loosening anodised aluminium side screws. This allows you to fine tune your field of view.
 
Note that at the highest position the visor leaves enough space for your mask strap in 'rest' position.
 
Gel 02 anti-allergenic front pad
Exclusive technology developed by engineers in our Research and Development laboratory.
 
Instead of absorbing perspiration it sends it towards the sides of the face. With superior hygiene, a much longer lifespan, a natural capacity to adapt to body shape, its thickness remaining stable over time... the GEL O2 front pad offers so many advantages that it will permanently change your idea of helmet comfort.
 
Originating from the medical industry, it is hypo-allergenic, anti-bacterial, made from thermo-stabilising polyurethane morpho-gel, and it helps keeps the head really cool, a key factor not only for comfort but also for the cyclist’s performance.
   
Hand washable.
 
Safe-T Smart
Exclusive technology developed by engineers in our Research and Development laboratory.
 
Occipital retention system. Its role is to ensure that the helmet is held firmly on the head.
 
A dial at the back of the helmet for easy one-hand size adjustment. The internal mechanism was designed for precision and reliability.
 
The Safe-T Smart also includes a vertical adjustment to position precisely where the helmet touches the head.
 
Thanks to the broader and lighter contact area, the pressure on the head is distributed in a homogenous way for added comfort.
 
MOPOV video support kit
Exclusive technology developed by engineers in our Research and Development laboratory.
 
Now anyone can film themselves while riding. And to help you we have designed the MOPOV (My Own Point Of View) kit which allows you to fit your onboard camera onto your helmet in a flash.
 
Removable kit fitted to the centre of helmet. An Allen key is all you need to fit the kit. Light weight. System suitable for multi-brands.
 
Nothing remains on the helmet after use. The self-adhesive fitting on your camera fixes to the MOPOV and not to the helmet itself.
 
Air Lite straps
Exclusive technology developed by engineers in our Research and Development laboratory.

The straps on the new Parabellum are made from a revolutionary technique of weaving polyester fibres which aids sweat evaporation and provides greater tensile strength with less weight.

Air Lite lateral dividers
Air Lite lateral dividers go way beyond their primary function which is to lock the straps into position. Indeed, their ultra-flat design helps reduce aerodynamic drag.

MET HELMETS

Niner Jet 9 Announced

• AIRFORMED ALLOY FULL SUSPENSION FROM THE 29ER-ONLY MOUNTAIN BIKE COMPANY

• 100MM OF PATENTED CVA SUSPENSION IS EFFICIENT IN EVERY CHAINRING

• COMPATIBLE WITH 100–120MM FORKS

• TUNED FOR CVA – ROCK SHOX MONARCH RT3 HV

• ENDURO SEALED CARTRIDGE PIVOT BEARINGS ED

• FORGED SUSPENSION LINKAGE AND UNIQUE NINER ALLOY HARDWARE

• 142MM X 12MM REAR SPACING

Life is complicated enough from nine to five, what you do in your off hours should be simple – it’s time to hit the trail on the new Jet 9. Enter your first mountain bike race, visit that MTB mecca or just crush souls on the after-work ride. It’s the simple action of “doing” that’s important and that is why we created the new Jet 9.

Serious good looks, lighter weight, more CVA travel, the Jet 9 has all the technical refinements that define an XC dominator. Carbon wonderbikes are great, but you’ll appreciate the new technologies that we utilize in our alloy frames, too. They are dream bikes within reach – Airformed alloy with as many custom details as our RDO line, something you can log big miles on, day in and out. Sound like a bike that you might want in the garage? Yeah, us too.

XC FULL SUSPENSION

The Niner that loves putting the pedal to the metal – The JET 9 is for riders who like to get there sooner or ride just a bit further. With over 30 glowing media reviews for ride quality and handling - the new JET 9 takes these characteristics and ups the ante with increased travel, a 142x12mm rear end and airformed aluminum alloy tubes that redefine performance and reduce frame weight.

CVA™ SUSPENSION

The JET 9 features Niner’s patented CVA suspension (U.S. Patent No. 7,934,739) and delivers 100mm of fully active travel with superb compliance and damping via a tuned for CVA RockShox Monarch RT3 HV shock. For those seeking the technical advantages of 29” wheels combined with pedaling efficiency across all chainring combinations (not just the middle ring), CVA™ is the front-runner. The result? A faster, smoother ride up and down the trail.

VERSATILE GEOMETRY

To achieve maximum efficiency you need predictability, balance and nimble handling. Niner is the company that helped make fun and fast 29ers a reality. Climbing or descending, the geometry of the JET 9 is tuned to keep you in control and ready to conquer new terrain at every turn. The JET 9 is intended for 100 to 120mm forks, allowing riders to further fine tune the ride.

AIRFORMED TUBING

The new JET 9 frame sheds approximately 1/4 pound from the last model. To achieve this reduction and actually increase strength we looked beyond traditional hydroforming. Shaping the frame tubes with compressed air in a heated mold gives us greater control over wall thickness and material uniformity, allowing the use of less metal. Tubes that are manipulated using this process can be up to 25% lighter than a similar hydroformed shape at the same strength.

TAPERED HEADTUBE

The increased surface area of a tapered headtube allows for a larger downtube, increasing strength and rigidity at this critical intersection. Tapered fork steerer tubes measurably reduce fork deflection, which means your Niner tracks straight and true. The full spectrum of riders from XC racers to All Mountain shredders benefit from these features which is why we incorporate the technology in all our frames.