Bianchi’s Infinito CV is the perfect bike for long rides as well as going head-to-head on your favorite group ride. This was the take away from our first rides on the Infinito CV last year, and the hits don’t stop there. Bianchi may be the oldest bike manufacturer in the world, but technologies such as their Countervail vibration damping technology and others keep them at the forefront of the cycling world, whether it’s the pro peloton or the local club ride. Available either with Shimano Ultegra, or with Shimano Ultegra Di2 and disc brakes. Here we take a look at this great endurance ride as well as some of the other C2C (Coast to Coast) bikes from Bianchi. These bikes are available at select ERIK’S locations across Minnesota and Wisconsin – check the product pages linked here to find one near you.

Infinito CV

The Infinito CV is tailor-made for long rides, but don’t let the extra comfort fool you, this bike still rails on corners and has power to spare when accelerating. With a higher head tube and longer chainstay, the Infinito will keep you comfortable however long the day’s ride is. The secret of the Infinito CV’s comfort is the Countervail technology. By introducing a viscoelastic material to the construction of the frame, Bianchi tweaks the typical nature of carbon fiber for the better, but don’t take our word for it:

 Impulso / Impulso Dama

ERIK’S stocks the Bianchi Impulso at a handful of our locations across MN and WI, but if you’re interested to see what this bike is all about, find out where you can ride one on ERIK’S website by clicking this image.

With a Hydroformed aluminum frame and comfort oriented handling, the Bianchi Impulso Dama is ideal for women who want to go the distance.

Shown above, the Bianchi Impulso, is available in men’s and women’s (Dama models). These models are similar to the Infinito in rider style and are well suited to riding longer distances in comfort. Made with an aluminum frame, the cost for the Impulso comes in lower than the Infinito, making it a good option for beginner riders or those looking for a great value.

The final bike in this category is the Intenso. Where the Infinito represents the pinnacle of technology, the Intenso shares the same frame geometry and utilizes Kevlar in the fork and seat stays to give it enhanced vibration damping over a standard carbon frame. ERIK’S carries the Intenso in women’s and men’s versions spec’ed with Shimano 105 or Ultegra 11-speed drivetrains. We’re partial to the trademark Celeste Green, but if you prefer something less iconic, the 105 level bike comes in red.

Intenso / Intenso Dama

The 2015 Bianchi Intenso Ultegra

Wheel on in and try one today, and get ready for a season of epic rides!

The best clothing for casual cycling is different than what you might put on for a full day of riding. If you’re riding out to dinner with friends, or enjoying beautiful weather with no mileage goal, why not feel good and look great doing it? Today’s post comes from Katie, ERIK’S Apparel Product Manager; read on for some great new pieces for your casual rides this year.

This past week was the first time this March that actually felt like spring had really sprung. As I was riding my bike into work I passed by 15 “new” bike commuters, or people whom I just had not seen commuting on my standard route yet. The beautiful morning mixed with the growing bike commute traffic made me want to point out some great apparel options that we have for our riders that are new this year.

New for 2015, ERIK’S has brought in a selection of Specialized Utility Clothing, a few Endura Urban Pieces, and some Terry Metro Collection items.. This clothing is made from performance fabrics, has a relaxed sporty fit and is designed to be stand up to the rigors of biking without looking like bike-specific gear. These items are great for every ride any day,  whether the ride is an hour out with the family on the local bike path, commuting to work, getting a cycling workout in, or just enjoying being outside and exploring on the bike anywhere. Not only will these items be comfortable on the bike but they are also work appropriate clothing, fashionable to hang out in at your favorite brewery, going out to Brunch in the North Loop of MPLS, Jaunting through downtown Madison, or going out to eat in the 3rd Ward in Milwaukee.

Whether you’re riding a fun fitness bike like the Sirrus or Vita, cruising back alleys on a Raleigh Back Alley, or rolling around town on a fixie, these pieces are designed to be as flexible as your weekend schedule. The utility and casual clothing that we brought in is designed for everyday use and designed to go on any ride and to make our you happy and comfortable while you explore new riding territory. Take a look; if you need specific advice on a piece, stop by one of our Minnesota or Wisconsin locations and ask us!

Specialized Men’s Utility Polo – Merino blend polo with hidden key pockets on the back. Performance, comfort and Midwestern style all in one shirt. The merino blend is comfortable next to your skin and is comfortable in a wide range of temperatures.
Perfect for casual date
nights and daily adventures.

Women’s Specialized Utility Crew –  Merino blend cycling specific shirt that looks great and is made for daily adventures with the family, will look great for meeting friends at the local coffee shop, or be a great piece for commuting to work. This crew shirt has hidden key
pockets and creates a
flattering and sporty silhouette.

Terry Transit Top – Style meets function with this stunning top. For women on the go, or those who want to explore the world via bike and look great doing so. With a longer back, you can ride in style without sacrificing coverage. This top is made from performance fabrics, is cut and designed for extended bike rides, and looks fabulous for dates and movie nights in the park.

Endura Engineered Boxers – NEW boxers that offer a fully engineered chamois and a great fit. These fit more like a performance brief with a quality low-profiled chamois and are great for bike rides that are 1-2hrs long, or jaunting around the city for all day urban explorations. If you’ve never tried a padded short before, consider these for a new level of comfort in your rides.

Specialized Men’s Utility Shorts – These shorts feature a forgiving fit that is comfortable for all day riding and looks great both on and off the bike, plus a little bit of stretch to keep you comfortable.

Terry Metro Crop Pants – The metro crop is similar to the metro short we are familiar with. This cute crop creates a flattering silhouette, is made from stretchy fabric and is very comfortable to spend a day on the bike in. These pants are perfect for bike trail adventures, nights out on the town, and are super cute for work.

Erik’s has many  more Utility/Casual cycling pieces than I mentioned above, stop in to see our selection today and make the most of your summer rides! Tell us in the comments where your favorite casual ride is to, we’re always looking for cool new spots.

If you like riding the road, but want to explore new routes, the Specialized Diverge is perfect road bike, for however loosely the word “road” is used. Specialized has continually pushed road bike design in exciting directions that make getting out for a ride more fun than ever before. The Roubaix has been proven to be a fast and comfortable bike for the spring classics, or Midwest roads that are a little rough around the edges. Recent interest in cyclocross and gravel riding have made bikes like the Crux and formerly the Tricross the focus of a lot of riders, but they’re for distinct styles of riding. The motivation behind the Diverge, as Specialized puts it, is that it’s for “When the road less traveled is still too crowded.” On-road performance is critical to the design of this bike so whatever the surface you find yourself on, the fun doesn’t stop.

Available in aluminum and carbon fiber models, there’s a Diverge for any intrepid explorer. Some features that make the diverge unique are disc brakes for consistent stopping power whatever the terrain or conditions, fender mounts, expanded tire clearance for 35C wide tires (32c with fenders) and endurance geometry to keep you comfortable in the saddle all day long. So if you’re considering gravel events like the Almanzo, Filthy 50, Barry Roubaix, or any of the other myriad of gravel events in the upper Midwest, or you want to explore new roads, look to the Diverge. See the models below.

Alloy Models

The Diverge Comp features an E5 Smartweld frame, carbon fork with thru axle and Shimano 105 drivetrain with hydraulic discs and more. Click this or any of the other images to see full specs.

The Aluminum Diverge Elite features a FACT carbon fork with a standard QR, Shimano Tiagra drivetrain and Tektro Spyre mechanical brakes.

With the same great aluminum frame as the Elite, the Diverge base has the same great tire clearance and ride quality with Shimano Claris dirvetrain and Tektro Spyre disc brakes.

Carbon Models

Featuring the same part spec as the Comp alloy model, the Diverge Comp Carbon adds in Specialized’s FACT 10r road frame for improved ride quality.

Featuring Shimano Ultegra 11-speed dirvetrain with hydraulic brakes and the CGR post, the Diverge Expert goes wherever you want to go.

If you’re looking for a casual shoe that still offers the ability to ride clipless than look no further than DZR shoes. For riders looking to be able to step off their bike and into a social setting DZR’s line of casual clipless shoes . Combining classic sneaker silhouettes with modern clipless SPD technology DZR shoes give cyclist another option when it comes to riding.  With easy to use laces and comfortable enough to work in, DZRs are the perfect biking shoe for the commuter or anyone who wants to more seamlessly integrate cycling into their daily routine.

With great looks and a reinforced nylon sole, the Cove is a great option for Urban riders.

Bike commuting continues to become more popular; Wisconsin has seen a 34% increase and Minnesota 53% in the last decade as more people leave their cars. But traditional cycling shoes are not comfortable to wear off the bike and generally don’t look DZR’s shoes allow you to arrive ready to work. DZR shoes echo many classic sneaker styles; Vans-style slip-ons, low tops and high tops. The first ever “slip-on” cycling shoe, the Jetlag uses a velcro strap to secure the shoe for riding while still echoing the Vans you wore as a kid. There’s also a vegan option of the Jetlag; the Pigeon!

The Cove, Midnight and Minna offer a range of lowtop styles; with multiple materials used throughout the shoes all three of these kicks offer up stylish options for commuters; the Cove even comes with two different styles of laces for your customizable pleasure. The best-selling Minna model uses a black on black scheme that keeps the shoes understated yet surprising with ‘for your eyes only’ artwork on the footbed. In addition to the Minna, the Cove is also vegan and is perfect as a go anywhere cycling shoe for someone looking for that ‘quiver of one’.

With extra protection, the TOSCA is not only sharp looking, but built for cycling.

Our personal favorites, the high tops, use an old-school close-fitting design that offers additional ankle support and protection. The H20 is a fully seam sealed shoe, making it the first waterproof, SPD compatible sneaker. Made from treated sheepskin is more supple and comfortable than some of your regular pairs of sneakers. The Tosca is a great mix of herringbone and leather, offering a sneaker that is classy and functional.
With a full rubber sole and flexible fiberglass shank, DZR shoes work well both on and off your bike. Minimizing barriers to riding is one of DZR’s goals and they do so by packing a lot into their shoes.As is true so often, it’s the small details that help set DZR apart. Large reflective detailing on the heel of shoe provides safety while natural gum rubber soles with recessed mounting brackets guarantee sure-footedness off the bike as well. Less noticeable details such as longer laces seem counter-intuitive until you realize that longer laces mean you can safely tuck them under the elastic lace catch on the tongue to ensure they stay well away from your hungry chainring. DZR shoes come with a six month warranty and they also offer repair services if Fido get a hold of your kicks as well. If you’re looking for a casual shoe that still lets you seamlessly transition from bike to bar, or boardroom, than DZR is worth checking out.

Later this week, two ERIK’S employees are embarking on a long journey beginning in Anacortes, Washington and ending at Eglin Air Force base in Florida. The ride itself is planned to be 4600 miles – prompting some to ask “Why?” For Zach Garner and Adam Smith (both of ERIK’S Eden Prairie), the answer of why is an easy one. As Green Berets, they chose to do the trip both as a challenge and to support their fellow soldiers. The mission is to raise money to support Task Force Dagger, but the Ride to Valhalla is also about raising awareness for the issues facing special operations soldiers including Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury.

The Ride

Leaving from Fort Lewis in Washington, Zach and Adam plan to ride an average of 70 miles each day. With stops planned in Montana, Colorado, Dallas, Kentucky, North Carolina along the way there will be plenty of options to follow their progress. The plan is to regularly update their Facebook page for The Green Beret Adventure Team, where live tracking links via Spot and Garmin Livetrack will be posted.

The ride will be completely self-supported, and they are still looking for support in the form of gas cards (mail to Task Force Dagger). Adam and Zach welcome anyone to join them for a day on the ride. Each scheduled stop along the way is significant to their cause, either as a Special Forces base or a location of historical significance to Special Services soldiers. All money raised as a result of this trip will go to benefit Task Force Dagger.

July 29 – Fort Lewis, WA

August 11 – Helena, MT (The 1st Special Service Force was organized and trained in Helena)

August 31 – Fort Carson, CO

September 16 – Dallas, TX (Home to Task Force Dagger)

October 2 – Fort Campbell, KY

October 14 – Fort Bragg, NC

October 30 – Eglin AFB, FL

The Bikes

Like all ERIK’S employees, Zach and Adam love bikes. As part of their preparations, they have selected a few different styles to meet the terrain and their own personal preferences based on the day. Both Adam and Zach have the same bikes, excepting for size and personal component choices. The secondary benefit is the ability to ride every day. Think of it like this – the average chain lasts 1500 miles, meaning if they only road one bike there would be some down time repairing bikes. This way their support team can work on a bike or perform maintenance while they ride another. Take a look at what they are bringing:

Specialized Diverge

This is where the quiver started – the Diverge‘s geometry plus room for wide tires along with disc brakes make it an ideal bike for long rides on unpredictable terrain and even weather conditions. They’ve outfitted their Diverge Comps with custom frame bags so they can carry the gear they need, plus sandwiches – because who DOESN’T like a sandwich? The Diverge is a nimble handling bike that is designed to transition easily from pavement to gravel.

Bianchi Intenso

Adam and Zach with Erik Saltvold and staff from Bianchi and Hed show off their new Intensos

The second bike they are bringing with is the Bianchi Intenso. The Intenso is for days they want to put the hammer down. Keep in mind that no day is a short day by anyone’s standards, so the comfortable yet responsive ride of the Intenso gives them a bit of variety on their journey. The Intenso is also the only carbon bike they have, so the weight savings alone might be all that’s needed to brighten spirits on some days! In all seriousness, the C2C or Coast to Coast geometry is designed for long days in the saddle which will keep them comfortable as the miles tick away.

Raleigh Willard

Finally, the Willard was the latest addition to the fleet for the Ride to Valhalla – but a worthy one at that. While similar in experience to the Diverge, the Willard’s longer wheel base and wider tire capacity make it ideal for the roughest of conditions. The guys will be riding the Willard 2, which has an identical drivetrain to the Diverge Comp‘s they are riding, but the tires are wider and knobbier right out of the box.

We’ll be posting updates on their progress as well – if you have a question for Zach or Adam, send it our way and we’ll pass it along! Later this fall, stop in and ask how to gear up for your own adventure.

Mountain bikers seem to be on the quest for the perfect bike all the time; at ERIK’S we’re excited to offer best all-around mountain bikes for the Midwest rider in the Specialized men’s Camber and women’s Rumor models. Over the next two posts, we’ll detail what makes these bikes ideal for mountain biking not only in the Midwest, but many of your favorite local trails.

The Camber is a versatile, fun full-suspension mountain bike.

The Specialized Camber can handle whatever you throw at it and it looks good while doing it. A far cry from the straight framed cro-moly mountain bikes of our youth, this curvy bike is sure to draw some envious stares. With both alloy and carbon fiber frame options there are many ways to get on a Camber and have a blast. Whichever frame material you choose the Camber is a bike that you can ride as hard as you want – find your edge and the Camber will roll right up to it. 

2015 Specialized Camber

With the Camber, Specialized has engineered a full suspension bike that is easy to setup and a blast to ride. 110 mm of travel in the fork ensures control on contact and lets riders blast down trails with confidence. A lot of full suspension bikes seem to require advanced degrees to set the shock pressures and adjust the sag on rear shocks, which factors your weight into the amount of recoil; not the Camber. Specialized teamed up with Fox Shocks to create a proprietary system to set auto-sag and dial in the correct pressure. Just pump up the rear shock, sit on the bike, open the bleed valve, close the bleed valve when the air stops coming out and go ride.

Fox and Specialized proprietary shock

Everything old is new again, and for 2016 Specialized is reintroducing a smaller wheel to the Camber family; this time as the wider, gnarlier 650b option. Whether you choose the 29er or the 650b it is clear that the Camber is beautifully engineered and refined. Specialized’s continued integration of tools and storage into their bikes has quickly moved past gimmicky to ingenious. If the devil is in the details, than the Camber is truly devilish; from the SWAT integrated multitool and bottle cage to the top cap made of a chain breaker and replacement master links. These spare parts and storage options means you can venture further out with less weight, freeing up space for sustenance or fluids.

New for 2016 is the SWAT downtube storage, getting more gear off you and putting it to use lowering the center of gravity. The Command Post IR (a mouthful of a name for a dropper seat post)is spec’ed on key models including the Comp Carbon and Expert is a great addition, solving the age old mountain biking dilemma of choosing a seat height that is comfortable climbing or descending but never both. The Command Post gives you the best of both worlds, letting you drop the post to bomb a hill and then pop it up to rest on a climb.

My experience. After a quick and easy transition to tubeless, as simple as pulling out the tube, replacing the presta valve with the included adapter and adding some Stan’s No Tubes, the range of rideable pressures has made this bike even more versatile. The Camber is a shred-machine.

Last week we talked about the best all-around mountain bike for men, the Specialized Camber. Today we will look into the Rumor which is a women’s-specific trail bike similar to the Camber, designed specifically with women’s size and body types in mind. Specialized did not take the Camber and tweak it slightly and slap a different paint job on it to make “women specific”, they started from the ground up and made the Rumor a truly female-specific bike.

2016 Specialized Rumor 29er

Starting with the M5 alloy frame, Specialized designed women’s specific tube sets to improve the ride quality and create an ultra-low stand over height. Specialized offers the Rumor in a 29er which might seem to contradict the lowered stand over.  A lot of misconceptions with 29er is that they are just too big for a woman to ride. The thought has been that bigger wheels mean a taller bike, and a taller bike means that shorter women aren’t going to be able to straddle the bike comfortably or at all. But with the lower stand over height, this eliminates this issue, making it a bike that can still be easily ridden by women under 5 feet tall. I am by no means short, but I do enjoy the lower stand over for ease of getting on and off the bike. Also, since the bike is equipped with 29er wheels that means that speed and responsiveness on the Rumor is equal to that of the Camber. I do most of my riding down by the Minnesota River, this area is mostly flat, but still has some technical areas. Having a bike that can be fast helps a lot in the flatter areas, but it is still very responsive, which gives me the confidence I need to get through the technical parts of the route.

Another issue women can face with riding men’s or unisex mountain bikes is that the suspension is not as easily tune-able to their size and weight. I may be tall, but I am still a light rider, especially compared to men the same height as me. With that in mind Specialized also design the suspension from the ground up, customizing the spring rates based off of women’s center of gravity and weight distribution. This gives the female rider the ability to utilize all the travel, creating a more comfortable and controllable ride. And the best part is that the Rumor also contains the auto-sag feature as mentioned yesterday in the Camber post. This feature makes it easier and quicker to set up the suspension so you can be out on your ride sooner.

In addition to women’s-specific frame and suspension, it’s the little details that really complete the Rumor. From the women’s Body Geometry Myth saddle that is designed to support riders on their sit bones for all-day comfort, to the Enduro grips with a smaller diameter that are tailor-made for women’s hands. Everything about the Rumor line is well thought out so riders can just grip it and rip it.

The first time I got on the Rumor, I felt as though I was mounting a horse. But as I whipped around corners with ease and comfortably rolled over large objects like rocks and branches, I ended the ride with excitement and the urge to go and do it again.  For all-around trail riding, we encourage you to try out this well designed, detail-oriented Rumor. Specialized continues to innovate with women’s cycling, not content to use small men’s frames but giving women a completely designed riding experience. So, whether you are a seasoned rider or new to mountain biking, the Rumor will give you the power, control and confidence you need to shred on the mountain.

It didn’t start with a switch, but rather the turn of a pedal. While riding the 2013 Transcontinental Race in Europe, Specialized designers were trialing the switch shown above in its early version. For its second season, the AWOL has stayed pretty true to its bikepacking routes, but the Evo turns the dial up a bit on the ideal bikepacking bike.

The Switch

The final version of the switch pictured is connected via a bar end plug to the Shimano Dynamo hub and Supernova lights that charge while riding. Controlling the lights is just a small movement to the bar end to make them shine, and man do they shine. While building up the AWOL Evo, we tested the lights and in broad daylight your presence is known. Lights this bright keep you safe on roads, and when the sun goes down, can help you squeeze in a few more miles before making camp. There’s one more secret hidden on the front end of the bike that plays real nice with the lights, hub and switch; a plug in!

The Plug (a Supernova Product), with its clever name is a USB receptacle. While riding, this can be used to charge anything that you might need later in the day, as long as it takes a USB. You cannot run the lights and USB charger at the same time, so while devices must be charged during the day, you only need to pedal at least 7 MPH to make it work. Charge time then depends on what you are charging, but riders will be happy to know that at faster speeds, the plug will effectively pause to keep you from damaging sensitive electronics.

The Bike

The AWOL Evo is built on the well-known AWOL frame, and features a geometry designed for bike adventures. The AWOL is at home with long days in the saddle, the front Pizza Rack by Specialized, and the Tubus rear rack that makes carrying a load a lot easier. Throw in fenders to the package and all your missing for your next adventure is your personal camping gear and bags!

Built for Adventure, the Specialized AWOL EVO is only missing one thing – a destination, but that can be easily supplied by you.

Curious about bikepacking or bicycle touring? Stop by one of ERIK’S Minnesota or Wisconsin locations – many of our staff would be happy to get you started. In the meantime, enjoy some more photos of the 2016 AWOL EVO.

The 2016 Borealis Echo just arrived at ERIK’S, and it is one the best values in a carbon fat bike around – This well-equipped carbon fat bike comes in under $3000! The Echo is also an excellent year round mountain bike and is ready to take a Rock Shox Bluto. Read on to learn more about this great bike.

“Our goal is to offer a high end carbon fiber product while ensuring affordability for all riders,” said Borealis Founder and CEO, Steve Kaczmarek. Built on the popular Echo frame, this bike comes equipped with the new SRAM GX 1×11 group set, along with a RaceFace AEffect 30t narrow-wide ring. This new drive train is high on performance, but easy on the pocket book.

The Echo GX also comes equipped with a SRAM DB5 Brakeseat, 45NRTH Hüsker Dü 4.0 Tires, and Turnagain FR 80 Rims. Along with that it comes stock with the Echo Rigid Fork and 150mm spacing to make it Bluto compatible.

The Borealis Echo GX is now in stores, so stop by any of our Minnesota and Wisconsin locations and take one for a test ride today.

Borealis Echo SHREDDING in Moab from David Spiegel on Vimeo

From September 1, 2015 to December 31, 2015, buy any Cogburn CB4 (excluding closeouts) and save $300 instantly from Cogburn and ERIK’S. All you have to do is print out the image below and bring it into your nearest ERIK’S to redeem. After that, you’ll be hitting the woods on the best hunting, fishing and foraging bike around.

A fat bike is fun, but a carbon fiber fat bike takes the experience to a whole new level; the Specialized S-Works Fatboy gives the rider looking to get into winter riding or racing a whole new way to have fun on two wheels.

This bike is designed to be the best possible riding experience; from the SRAM XX1 drivetrain which eliminates the crud-catcher that is a front derailleur on an off-road bike while still giving you a monster range of gears from 10-42 tooth in the back. Internal cable routing is also designed to keep moisture and contaminants from wrecking havoc with your shifting and also giving the bike clean lines.

HED Big Deal carbon rims mated to DT Swiss hubs give you serious performance while shaving even more weight. For those of you looking to drop even more pounds, the HED Big Deal Wheels are tubeless compatible giving you even more control over your psi while dropping the weight to close to 20 pounds!

There’s no doubt, for the rider looking for the ultimate omni-terrain bike; the Specialized S-Works Fatboy is the whole package; from the carbon fiber brake handles to the carbon fiber rear derailleur cage to the SWAT top tube cap with a chain-breaker and extra master links this bike is big on features and light on weight!

Stop by anyone of ERIK’S Wisconsin or Minnesota and see this or any of our other great fat bike options today and take a test ride! Join the fat bike revolution and laugh at winter!

Just this week, ERIK’S opened our newest Milwaukee bike, snowboard and skateboard shop at 1819 E Kenilworth Place on Milwaukee’s Lower East Side. This exciting new location is conveniently located near the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee campus and our expert staff want to get you out on a bike, snowboard, skateboard, or keep the bike you have working great!
We offer Same Day Service on most bike repairs to keep you rolling and whether you’re just getting into cycling or are already passionate. Let ERIK’S Milwaukee staff get you set for commuting, mountain biking, road riding and more! We’ll help you find the ideal skateboard, longboard or scooter for cruising campus too! ERIK’S on Kenilworth Place also stocks all the latest apparel and accessories from Burton Snowboards to keep you looking good and staying warm this fall.

Wheel on in today and check it out and let ERIK’S get you set however you ride! Before you go, click on any of the images below to see some of the products and services available at ERIK’S newest Milwaukee location.

2016 Hellga Comp

The best women’s specific fatbike is here, the 2016 Specialized Hellga. This beauty of a bike is made with women’s body size and shape in mind. This is not just a girly looking Fatboy, the Hellga is her own woman. The M4 Aluminum frame is designed with an ultra low stand over height, making it easier to straddle the bike while in deeper snow. The Hellga comes with the Women’s Geometry Myth Saddle, narrower handlebars, size specific cranks and smaller diameter grips.

There are three different levels of the Hellga: Expert, Comp and Base. Below are the spec lists for the different models.

Hellga Expert

Hellga Comp

Hellga Base

The Hellga comes in many attractive colorways and she is sure to turn heads. So check out the new Specialized Hellga at any of our Minnesota or Wisconsin locations.

AKA – Pedal and Cleat fitting for cycling.

Every so often the question comes up, why does Erik’s offer only one bike fit service. Often the conversation goes something like this, “I just purchased new shoes and pedals, the rest of my fit is great, but I just would like to have you check and make sure that the set up on the new pedals is correct.”  Instead of shoes and pedals, a rider could insert saddle, handlebar or any other contact point on your bike. So today we wanted to address why we don’t support the idea of stand alone cleat fitting.

The challenge with changing shoes and pedals is that it will affect your entire fit. There can be up to 7mm variance in the stack height of modern road pedal systems, and shoe sole thickness can vary by at least that. Take for example the already thin Specialized S-Works road shoe, it got 4 mm thinner in 2010 vs the 2009 model.

So lets say that a rider switched from Look Keo to Speedplay pedals, and changed out their old (non-carbon) shoes for a new carbon soled road shoe. In order to maintain their current saddle to pedal position on the bike lets assume we need to lower the saddle 1 cm. To keep the saddle fore aft relationship to the bottom bracket the same it would also be necessary to slide the saddle back approximately 3.3mm. To keep the relationship to the handlebar the same the handlebars would also need to come down 1 cm.  And at this point we still haven’t adjusted the cleats for placement and rotation.

So here’s where the real problem comes in. We often see riders that sit slightly twisted on their bike, have hip, knee, foot alignment issues, or find leg length discrepancies that affect how a rider needs their pedals and shoes set up. Ultimately when someone comes in for a fit with us we want them to know that they are truly 100% dialed, and their equipment is set up in a way that conforms to what their whole body needs.

If we have fit someone in the past we are happy to help make changes to that bike, but without that knowledge of what a rider needs, performing a la carte fit services is like not using all the ingredients your cake recipe calls for, in the end you probably won’t end up with cake.

2016 Venge ViAS Pro

The fastest bike in the world is here: the Specialized Venge ViAS. With over 1000 hours of time spent designing, refining and testing in their very own “Win-Tunnel”, Specialized reached their goal of making the fastest bike in the world.

Roval CL 64

Helping to add some of the speed, the Venge ViAS is paired nicely with the Roval CL 64 wheelset, some of the fastest wheels ever made.

Front Brake

As a result of many hours testing and designing in the wind tunnel, Specialized came up with a few changes to help with aerodynamic drag. One of the major changes was to the front and rear braking systems. Specialized tested the flex of the wheel and frame to determine where the most movement occurred. With these results along with the results from the wind tunnel, Specialized was able to design their proprietary braking system and determine the best placement that would reduce both aerodynamic drag and brake rub.

Another area of aerodynamic change was made to the handle bars and stem.  After many months of prototyping, designing and testing this is the combination that came of their results; the “Aerofly” cockpit. This sleek design also internally houses all the cables through the handlebars, stem and headset to their respective places; leaving nothing exposed.

The Venge ViAS comes in two levels, the S-Works Venge ViAS Di2 and the Venge ViAS Pro. Below is the spec list for each model.

S-Works Venge ViAS Di2 Specs

Venge ViAS Pro

Come test one out today at any of our Minnesota or Wisconsin locations.

Whether you’re looking for a winter biking shoe to commute, race or play in, the best winter biking shoe is the one that keeps you riding even when the temperatures plunge and the snow flies.  Regardless of your needs, 45NRTH has a shoe for you: The Wølfgar, Wölvhammer or the Japanther.

45NRTH is serious about winter riding and their entire product line is oriented towards keeping you outside. They accomplished this goal by using the newest technology and materials to keep you warm and dry. Each of 45NRTH shoe is geared toward a particular rider.

NOTE: 45NRTH footwear is extremely good – and as a result, extremely popular. Anticipated delivery on the new Wølfgar is currently January 2016, but you can pre-order and reserve a pair today. The Wölvhammer and Japanther are expected October 2015 and can also be pre-ordered.

Japanther

Starting with their newest shoe, the Japanther brings sleek looks and killer technology to create the perfect shoe for the cyclocross racer or the all-weather commuter.

The sleek new Japanther from 45NRTH

The Japanther is a waterproof shoe designed for riders looking to ride during the cool, wet months but generally not when the snow is piled up. The Japanther uses a membrane that contains tiny pores that are smaller than water molecules but larger than vapor molecules; this technology allows your feet to breath while also keeping them dry. Reflective accents provide visibility while a velcro ankle wrap helps provide stability with the added benefit of keeping your laces out of slush and mud. Inside the Japanther you’ll find a wool insole with aluminum to keep radiant heat in the shoe where it belongs

SPD-compatible and enhanced traction give the Japanther its claws.

For those frosty mornings when slips and slides are common, the sole of the Japanther features their Anti-Slip Microglass Rubber. This contains microscopic glass fibers to create friction between the ground and your soles, creating a better grip..

Wölvhammer

For those riders committed to riding through the snows of winter, the Wölvhammer is an essential addition to your footwear collection.

The choice of intrepid commuters and dedicated fat bikers: The Wölvhammer.

45NRTH’s original winter biking shoe, the Wölvhammer, has been updated for 2016 with some impressive new technology while keeping the core qualities of the boot unchanged.  Simplifying the lacing system and adding a gusseted tongue to help keep water out, the Wölvhammer draws on mountaineering and snowboarding boot designs. With 200g of Primaloft insulation and aerogel insoles the Wölvhammer is sure to keep your little piggies toasty in even the most extreme conditions. For those looking to compare models; the Wölvhammer is best in temperatures between 0°F-25°F while the Japanther is best for 25°F-40°F temperatures.

The Aerogel insulated insoles use NASA technology. Areogel has the lowest thermal conductivity of any solid and is used to insulate equipment on space suits and keep the astronauts comfortable. Aerogel is not dependent on loft like down insulation and is not compressible, so a thin layer is all you need to keep warm. By using Vibram natural rubber on the outer sole, 45NRTH ensures that their soles will stay flexible even in subzero conditions.

Wølfgar

But for those looking to ride regardless of the conditions or even for those looking to go on a hunting expedition for the Abominable Snowman; the new Wølfgar is the winter biking boot for you.

The extreme winter biking boot: The Wolfgar

The Wølfgar features a removable 4mm wool liner, allowing you to swap out liners during longer rides or multi-day excursions. With 400g of insulation the Wølfgar has twice the insulation of the Wölvhammer, allowing you to stay warm in subzero temperatures. Finally, instead of just an aerogel liner, the Wølfgar’s entire toe box is lined with aerogel, offering insulation around almost the entire foot.

Carbon fiber and carbide studs make the Wolfgar a lightweight that punches like a heavyweight.

The sole of the Wølfgar is packed with technology; from the ultralight, ultra-strong, non-heat conducting carbon fiber shank and heel cup, to the Vibram real rubber sole that can accept carbide studs for improved traction. These are the same studs used in 45NRTH’s impressive winter tires. The studs simply screw into the bottom of the shoe sole to provide excellent grip in the slickest conditions.

However long you’re looking to ride this winter, 45NRTH has a shoe for you.

Looking for a warm, stylish, waterproof women’s snowboarding jacket? Then Burton’s 2016 Women’s Essex Puffy Jacket is for you. The THERMOLITE® synthetic down insulation is specifically mapped out to be thicker and warmer in the core and then thin out in the arms for added mobility and breathability.

The Essex Puffy jacket is backed by the DRYRIDE Durashell™ 2L tech. This multi layer design has an outer layer that is waterproof and wind proof, but gas permeable. Meaning that wind and water stay out, but steamy vapors from a sweaty body can escape. Then the inner layer has a special coating that draws any excess heat and moisture away from your body, allowing you to stay dry and warm all day long.

Another feature that the Essex Puffy jacket contains is the NEW Living Lining™. This feature consists if tiny pores that shrink in colder temperatures to trap in your body heat. Then when temperatures warm up the pores expand allowing for more air flow. This makes for a more versatile jacket.

Adding to the clever features on this jacket, the Essex Puffy has a Screen Grab ® media holster. This holster is water resistant and gives you the ability to us a touchscreen while still wearing gloves. You can also customize your look with the removable faux-fur and hood.

Try one on today at any of our Minnesota or Wisconsin locations.

Looking for an affordable carbon fatbike? Well look no futher, the all new Heller Bloodhound is here!

Quality Bike Parts (QBP) comes through with another well built bike brand and this time it is a carbon fat bike. The Heller Bloodhound is not only easy on the eyes but on the wallet as well. This sleek looking bike is designed for the adventurer who wants something fancy, but not something that is going to break the bank.

This sleek looking bike is fully carbon and comes stock with the rugged 4.5 inch wide tires and rack mounts, making it ideal for any epic adventure. The Bloodhound is also available with the Bluto fork.  Below is the full spec list.

The Bloodhound is in stores now, so come in to any of our Minnesota or Wisconsin locations and test one out today.

Kids these days get all the fun toys. Plus size tires on adult bikes are making ground with intermediate and beginner riders. So it seems only fitting that plus size tires would now be incorporated on kids bikes. The Specalized Riprock is the first of it’s kind kids bikes with plus size tires. Rolling in with a 2.8 inch wide Big Roller tire, this bike is offered in both 24″ and 20″ wheel diameters.

The wider tire provides a larger contact patch which benefits you with better traction, more stability and better stopping power. The Riprock also comes equipped with disc brakes and a front suspension fork.

Now kids can bike anywhere and mow over obstacles with ease. The Riprock is sure to boost rider’s confidence and adventure.

The Riprock is in stores now, so stop by any of our Minnesota or Wisconsin locations and test one out today.

Now you can live large without breaking the bank with Burton’s Women’s Society Snowboard Pant. This high end snowboarding pant gives you the premium performance that you are looking for but doesn’t come at a premium price.

This best selling women’s snowboard pant comes with Burton’s best in class DRYRIDE waterproofing. The name DRYRIDE says it all, this technolgy is designed to keep you drier longer and more comfortable so you can spend more time outside.

Another cool feature of the Women’s Society Pant is that the THERMOLITE® insulation is bluesign® approved. The bluesign® system is a sustainable textile production that removes harmful materials right away from the manufacturing process. So everything that is bluesign® approved has been safely produced and is environmentally friendly. So enjoy mother nature with a environmentally conscious and sustainable product.

Other key features to add to the laundry list are the inner thigh vents to dump heat when temperatures rise, snow blocking boot gaiters to keep the snow out of your boots and Cuff Elevators to protect the bottoms from dirt and pavement.

This five star pant is sure to keep you out shredding longer. Come into any of our Minnesota or Wisconsin locations to try these on today.