First off, I'd like to say thank you to our NSMBA Trail Builder Dan Lui for the excellant description of the work that was done Sunday which I only had to edit slightly and to  NSRide's Ken Hanson for his pictures that captured the work perfectly. The group accomplished a HUGE amount of work. Great Job and thank you!

Under the expert guidance of Dan Lui and Brent Hillier, the June 9th DB/NSRide trail day was dedicated to making improvements to parts of Bottletop that we had worked on in our first year of TAP a couple years back (2011) in addition to fixing up some general problem areas.

One area requiring improvement was the switchback at the retaining wall. Originally when we built this feature, there was a hard-pan glacial till layer (unsorted glacial sediment) that was too difficult to dig through. This made for poor riding dynamics on the corner. Improvements included expanding and reshaping the switchback and retaining wall as well as install a grade reversal above to ensure that water is managed prior to the feature.

The area of steep trail below this switchback had seen heavy braking just before the chicane (an artificial feature creating extra turns in a trail) resulting in deep erosion. To help mitigate soil erosion and lessen the grade of riding surface, this section was ‘cribbed’ in. We installed ‘dead-man crib boxes’ (see photo) to provide better braking traction and reduce the chance of skidding. In addition, we did work to re-shape the chicane and re-establish drainage.

Further down the trail in a steep section coined “pin-ball alley”, we cribbed and re-rocked benches to mitigate erosion and manage drainage. Above all turns we installed grade reversals and drainages to manage water flow. In the straight-away steep section, we installed a wall-banked turn to create two extra switchbacks and allow for two more drainage points. These new features also slow riders down to reduce impact on the trail and improve rider experience with the FUN Factor! The old section of trail cut off by the new switchbacks was reclaimed.

The steep benched section below the new switchbacks described above had been channeled into a V by heavy usage and braking ruts. The section had a ridge on the downslope side preventing water from shedding off during heavy rain. To improve drainage throughout the length of the trail, we removed the ridge, outsloped and brought the trail bed up in addition to installing grade reversals and drainages every 50 meters.

It was a long day of hard work but look at the results! Good job everyone! Check out the following pictures showing "before" the trail day and "after":

Rain, rain, go away, it's bike to work week afterall!

This year's Bike to Work Week was just a little wet...correction, a LOT wet. Let's not kid ourselves, it's May and it's Vancouver.

Hopefully the rain didn't stop most of you from commuting to work, but if you aren't used to riding in the rain, then it likely did. No one is saying it isn't hard to wake up to the pitter/patter of rain, roll out of bed, put on your rain gear that is still wet from the day before and roll into the darkness. OK, that's the worst case scenario. Your gear isn't necessarily wet and this time of year it's probably not dark out. Anyway, for those of you who do it regularly, it's just second nature and maybe you don't even look out the window to assess how bad it really is.

Initially, yes, it can be rough, but you CAN do it...and eventually, you get used to it. Maybe you even start to enjoy it.

A big part of the equation is having the right gear (and I am not saying that just because this is a bike store blog). No combination of gear is going to keep you absolutely dry when it is bucketing down, but it can certainly make you more comfortable. A bike in good working (safe) condition, fenders, gloves, glasses and the right clothing to name a few key items. Any bike store can walk you through the basics.

The other part of the equation requires a bit of stamina and a positive mindset. If you see your commute home as an inconvenience, then it will be, but if you embrace your ride, you will start to love it. Breath in the fresh air and reflect on your day, what's to come or what has passed.

Of course, you can't completely zone out because you have to be aware of your surroundings in the name of safety, but once you get more comfortable and confident, you can relax a little. That's not to say that you will never have frustrating commutes, but let's be honest, what's worse than sitting in a car in bumper-to-bumper traffic?

DB hosted a Celebration Station on possibly one of the wettest evenings of Bike to Work week this year, Wednesday May 29th! Our tents could barely withstand the pools of water that continuously built up. Nevertheless, that didn't deter some of you to stop by on your commute home for some coffee and other goodies. It's really great to see how people come together in the name of cycling. We had visitors of all backgrounds who otherwise would not necessarily connect if it weren't for their two wheels!

Thanks to JJ Bean (Park & Tilford) for providing the coffee and Superstore (Seymour Parkway) for the food!

First a confession, I was not going to go all weight weenie on the Instinct. It was a respectable 30.5 pounds with the pedals, but I was feeling the burn compared to a 22.8 pound Element 70 MSL. So when I sold off some other bike bits and pieces, I added my tax refund to that and splurged on a set of ENVE 29" XC wheels. The OEM DT Swiss M1.6 wheels were 2010gms, the ENVE wheels were 1458ms with rim tape and the DT CL>6 bolt adapters.  That was a sizable weight reduction where it really counts, and the way my riding season has been going, I'll take every advantage I can get.

So on to riding impressions. The bike is fairly big, the wheelbase is just 2mm shorter than the Slayer SXC 70 that I used to have. It does tackle roots and rocks much more confidently than my 26" Element, as you feel you are sitting well inbetween the wheels and not up on top of the bike. But that long wheelbase does mean it is not the most nimble bike on tight and twisty trails, so it might actually be a bike that would be better compared to an SXC, especially in the slacker angle settings. We'll see once I get a chance to tackle some bigger and faster trails as the summer progresses.

I do really like the extra BB height over the 26" bikes, and I do like the fact that you can just about ignore the trail surface when riding this bike. In that respect it is much like the Slayer SXC was. The 29" wheels do hold some definite advantages, but I am becoming less convinced that there is an ultimate "one bike to do it all", and thinking more that different wheel sizes really open up more options for different horses for different courses. Of course I haven't ridden an Altitude 790 yet, but that's a different can of worms.        

Road riding can be a dangerous sport but we definitely don't want you to be discouraged. It's kind of a catch 22 because the less confident you are, the more likely you are to run into problems but the only way to gain confidence is to ride, so you will go through a transition period where you may feel slightly uncomfortable. The easiest way to ride and gradually build your confidence is to plan your routes accordingly. Start by riding in areas where there is not too much traffic such as Richmond's Iona Beach stretch or the Seymour Demonstration Forest. Go with a friend or someone who has experience so you have some support. Always be aware of your surroundings and shoulder check often. Keep in mind that cars are not always aware so be extra cautious but at the same time remember that you have a right to the road as well.

Here is a great video from the GranFondo Canada on riding in traffic safely. Ride More!

 *If you are interested, please contact the store for availability

Best Women’s Classics Bike: Liv/giant Avail Advanced 1

Comfort and speed on pavement, gravel, and dirt

A model no tester wants to share is generally a clear winner in our head-to-head tests: “I could ride this bike all day,” declared one rider, as another insisted—politely—that it was her turn. We loved the Avail’s steady performance on rough roads, a trait that comes primarily from its longer wheelbase and chainstays, and frame angles tuned for stability. Testers also applauded the bike’s balanced handling, which helped us keep it pointed where we wanted to go but was also quick enough that we could dart around potholes. Liv/giant’s composite frame stood out from the other bikes in this category. It damped bumpy surfaces but still let us accelerate quickly when we wanted a burst of speed to crest a hill. The Shimano Ultegra drivetrain, with a compact crank, and Liv/giant’s tubeless-ready wheels complement the superlative package. If someone asks you to share yours, remember to be nice.

Best Men’s Classics Bike: Pinarello ROKH Force/Rival

Comfort and speed on pavement, gravel, and dirt

This sporty model exemplifies an evolving category. Unlike a pure race bike, the ROKH takes a lot of the sting out of rough roads and eased the strain on our backs on multi-hour rides. The ROKH impressed our testers with its handling: The bike was stable enough that we could sit up and remove a jacket—even on bumpy lanes worn down by the heavy tires of farm machinery—but still playful and fun when it was time to bomb a switchback. The frame felt stiff from front to rear whether we were speeding uphill or launching a sprint. The ROKH isn’t as upright as some, but a stem with a moderate rise can help any rider fit comfortably.

Best Entry-Level Road Bike: Giant Defy 2

Great rides for rookie riders

Riding the Defy 2, our testers forgot they were straddling such an affordable bike. The aluminum frame was stiff and efficient, and not overly jarring on rough roads. The parts are well suited to any kind of road ride—the Shimano Tiagra 10-speed drivetrain is reliable and many of Giant’s own components and wheels help keep the price low without sacrificing quality. Fast and responsive, the Defy is ideal for riders with a tight budget but ambitious goals—like completing their first century or riding a fondo.

The Bicycle Trade Association of Canada has created a petition to the House of Commons regarding the tariff elimination. They are requesting those of us in the cycling industry help them put pressure on the government to add bicycles to the tariff elimination list. If you are interested, please download a copy of the petition, print it and get people to sign it!

Download a copy of the petition

It is important to secure original copies of the petition so that they can be presented in the House of Commons. Please forward completed petitions to:

BTAC  
202 Church Street
PO Box 72
Keswick, ON L4P 3E1 

We would like your feedback on which team kit you like best. If you go to our Facebook Page, you can vote on which kit you like best.

Classic Limited (Black & White)

Team Design (Blue & White with leaf)

Mike is DB West Vancouver's new Co-Manager. Stop by the store if you get a chance and say hello. Mike just moved here from Kelowna so he needs some new friends! 

Mike has been working in the bike industry for the past ten years and has been racing bikes for the last 17 years, both mountain and road. He even spent some years racing as an elite triathlete as well. In his words, "I am especially passionate about road riding but I also love mountain biking, so I am excited to explore some of the legendary Vancouver trails."

Show me the Clearance items now

Our newest location in North Vancouver is now looking for qualified Bike Mechanics. Join the team and help us deliver happy customers with quick turnaround and quality repairs. Keep the floors stocked with fresh new bikes. Experience in bike shop repair and service is essential, but we are willing to work with you to make you an expert over time. 

Please send us your resume and references if you are interested and qualified for this position to jobs@differentbikes.ca