The primary function of a cycling helmet is to protect your head – and all helmets will meet the minimum standards set out by the safety authority in the country of sale. Originally from The Netherlands, Anne-Marije started bike racing in her early twenties while living in Seattle, WA alongside working as a bike messenger. Strengthened by the many miles spent darting around Seattle’s hilly streets on a steel single speed, her progression in the sport was a quick one.
Also known as 650b wheels, these have developed as a happy medium between 29 and 26 inches. These have the fast acceleration and maneuverability known to the 26-inch but also tend to be a smoother ride going over bumps like the 29-inch, though not quite as smooth. That said, this stiffness can make for a rougher ride, as it lacks the absorbency that other frames provide. Due to the lack of a rear suspension system, these are generally lighter, more affordable, and easier to maintain. But a downside to this is that your legs act as the shock absorbers for the back wheel.
29-inch wheels fit an interesting niche, as although they have slow acceleration, they carry momentum fairly well and have the smoothest ride quality. With a longer contact patch, they feature more stability and grip than the previous types. That said, there is a genesis mountain bike small weight penalty over the smaller sizes and they can be harder to maneuver tight turns on smaller tracks or trails. Getting more into the nitty-gritty of the construction of mountain bikes, There are four main types of materials that frames are made out of.
It’s been a bit of a whirlwind in Bright, but we managed to catch up with Dirt Art and Elevation Parks Director Simon French to find out more about their role in Mystic and what’s planned for the bike park. Once you’ve decided which bike is right for you, you’ll need to factor in the size. For every sized bike there are frame measurements that are important to evaluate for proper bike fit. Mechanical genesis bicycles disc brakes use traditional cables and cable housing that are the same used for the older type of brakes, v-brakes. However, instead of having brake pads that squeeze the rim of the tire to slow you down when you pull the brake lever, the brake pads squeeze a metal rotor mounted to the hub of the wheel. These are easier to install, adjust and replace due to the high availability of cables.
“Intermediate jump trails are some of the most popular trails no matter where you go, so we really want to grow that out. And then obviously looking at some of that technical classic singletrack that Maydena is known for,” he says. French says they also plan to go in after the trees are harvested to build new trails in the Mystic Bowl area.
Although we couldn’t test the aerodynamic qualities of this against other helmets, it did feel fast when putting our head down and throughout the test loops we did. Kask designed the Sintesi to be a single, mid-priced helmet that worked as well for recreational road cyclists, commuters and gravel riders. Fit adjustment is via a 360° nylon string retention, operated by a rear dial which is easy to adjust and very effective. To keep the weight to a minimum, there’s only a little adjustment on the straps, with a single slide adjuster on the chin buckle. We did find this a bit restrictive but appreciated that the helmet is offered in two widths, which helped us dial in the fit a little more. Despite its undeniable aero aesthetic, the Ballista can still be used as an everyday road helmet thanks to good ventilation and easy BOA adjustment.