NiteRider continues to move forward with their top selling bike light, the Lumina. This year they have upped the lumen output to 800 and have added a multi functional digital display. The Lumina OLED 800 is going to function similarly to the Lumina 750, but with a brighter beam. The key difference is the addition of the display screen.  This display screen shows you battery life, what light mode you are using and how long your light will last in that light mode. You also have the option to turn off the display screen if you so choose. There are three levels of steady light and 4 flash modes. So there is a light mode for every situation.

Feedback on the Lumina OLED 800 has been positive with users really liking the multi functional display screen. Riders say it is user friendly, shows useful information and is easy to use with winter gloves on (a good feature for those dark, cold, Midwest winter commutes to work). The lockout feature is another trait that is well liked by users. The lockout feature allows you to lock the buttons so the light doesn’t accidentally get turned on if you put it in your bag or somewhere where it might get bumped. The video below shows the different features on the light and how to use it.

The Lumina OLED 800 is in stores now. Stop by any of our Minnesota or Wisconsin locations to test one out today.

As the weather continues to get colder, it is inevitable that our skin will get dry and chapped. And if you are the type to spend your days outside in the winter, then the problem seems to be worst. Well, Warm Skin is the fix to that problem.

Warm Skin works as a barrier to lock in moisture and your own natural body heat. This prevents water loss and keeps your skin warm. It also moisturizes keeping the skin pliable and healthy even in harsh conditions. Warm Skin works all year round and can also be used to prevent chaffing.  Warm Skin is great for those who spend a lot of time outdoors in the winter, are active or for those who get dry, chapped skin.

Stop into any of our Minnesota or Wisconsin locations and pick some up today.

Now that winter has finally gotten to the Midwest it’s time to hit the snow-covered trails and have some fun! As anyone who’s ridden when the mercury is low can attest to – frozen hands are seemingly unavoidable but mittens and gloves are bulky and interfere with shifting and braking.

45NRTH has the solution: the Cobrafist pogie.

The Corbafist from 45NRTH

CobraFists are pogies, which are essential enormous mittens that enclose your shift/brake clusters on your handlebars and create a warm, microclimate for your hands! (For those of you wondering, the name pogie comes from the purported inventor of this winter accessory who originally made them for kayaking back in the 70s and wanted a ridiculous name so he settled on the name of a bait fish…) With a pair of pogies installed you can ride with only lightweight liner gloves and still have a warm, dry enclosure. Plus it can keep your shifters and brakes from freezing up!

If you aren’t familiar with 45NRTH, they make serious winter cycling apparel and accessories and the 45NRTH Cobrafists are as serious as they come. Made with PrimaLoft’s highest rated synthetic insulation, the Eco Gold is made from at least 60% recycled fibers. Originally designed for the U.S. Army, PrimaLoft insulation is now used by many high-end companies  looking for superior insulation. Unlike traditional down insulation, PrimaLoft continues to insulate even when wet.

A 600D nylon shell protects 400gm of PrimaLoft Eco Gold insulation.

The Cobrafists protect this insulation by wrapping it in a shell of very tough 600D nylon. Additionally the pogies make use of two zippered vents when your mitts get a little too toasty. There’s even an inner pocket to store nutrition for easy access when you’re riding!

Good for any fear bar setup 650mm and wider the Cobrafists attach through a bar-end mount and have elastic drawstring closures for optimum warmth retention.

Strike fear into Old Man Winter with 45NRTH’s overbuilt winter riding pogies.

Get out there and ride!

Scott has come out with one of the best all-around downhill ski poles, the Team Issue Ski Pole. This pole is tough on the hills but easy on the wallet. The Team Issue Ski Pole is packed with great technology that is sure to show when you are out on the slopes.

This sleek looking pole is constructed with aircraft grade aluminum alloy. The S4 Aluminum is the strongest commercially available aluminum and rates up to 75,000 PSI. Attached to the top of this strong aluminum shaft is the anatomically engineered Notch Strike Grip. This grip is soft, lightweight and streamlined for proper wrist movement. So you can nail textbook perfect downhill tucks and grabs. The grip also contains their Lite Straps, for lightweight comfort and function.

The Scott Team Issue Ski Pole comes with a 3.6 disc basket that is designed to blend aerodynamic efficiency and durability. It is tipped with a Carbon Diamond tip that can withstand some of the harshest abuse. So if you are looking for a well designed pole that will last this season and the next, the Scott Team Issue Ski Pole is for you.

Stop by any of our Minnesota or Wisconsin locations to pick one up today or check them out online at shopERIKS.com

Looking to keep riding as the mercury plummets? Subzero temperatures and icy conditions are no match for the serious traction and control of 45NRTH’s studded fat bike tire: the Dillinger.

Up close and personal with the star of the show: these carbide tipped studs are replaceable and self-sharpening

45NRTH wrote the book on cold-weather cycling and the Dillinger adds a new chapter to that already impressive tome.

The Dillinger boasts 240 carbide-tipped, replaceable studs that feature a concave (read: indented) surface.  Why is that a big deal?  The concavity means that these studs are self-sharpening; as material is worn away on the edge the cutting area remains sharp, ensuring great traction through the life of the tire.

Furthermore, the studs are grouped towards on the edges of the tread pattern where the tread spacing is wider, giving you the grippiest grip through the trickiest switchbacks. While in the center of the tire the treads are more tightly packed to ensure speedy descents and clean lines all the way down.

Closely packed center treads and studs on the edge give the Dillinger grip and speed at the same time!

45 NRTH offers two versions of the Dillinger; the 4 and the 5, named for their respective widths. The Dillinger 4 is available in a foldable, ultralight 120 threads per inch (also known as TPI, which is a measure of the number of threads impregnated into the rubber of the tire. More threads means higher flexibility but also, generally, a higher price tag.) and a more economical wire-bead 33 TPI tire. The 33 TPI tire swaps out the aluminum concave studs for a two-piece steel construction – saving you money without sacrificing traction! The Dillinger 5 has over 250 studs and is only available in the 120 TPI model. The Dillinger 4 is available in a stud-less option as well.

All that traction does come with a trade-off: weight. The Dillingers weigh in around 1,400 grams without the studs. When you consider that this tire offers way more control on ice and hard pack than anything else out there though that weight is a pretty fair trade-off for the traction in my book. So, if you’re looking to keep riding through the nastiest parts of winter, stop by your local ERIK’S and check out the Dillinger from 45 NRTH.

Now get out there and ride!

Ride your board the way it is meant to be ridden, no matter what the terrain with the Union Contact Pro Snowboard Bindings. Coming in at only 720g, the Contact Pro is one of the lightest bindings out there and is sure to give you a flawless fluid feeling as you power down the mountain.

With a 5% board-to-binding footprint and softer flex, this binding will give you total freedom and a surfy board feel. The Contact Pro Mini Disc reduces interference with your board’s true flex. This provides you with a more natural response. Right out of the box, the Contact Pro comes with the proper discs to make it compatible with both the 4×4 system and The Channel.

Even though these bindings are light weight with a softer flex, they are still strong. The Contact Pro Bindings use the Duraflex technology to add strength in critical areas of the base. Union’s exclusive Duraflex technology was developed and engineered specifically for cold temperatures and is ultimate in durability and performance. There are three different versions of the Duraflex base plate, Duraflex CB, Duraflex ST and Duraflex, each providing a variety of flex and response. The Contact Pro comes with the Duraflex ST base plate. This base plate is responsive by design but has added stiffness in specific areas to provide you with a high level of performance.

Adding to the list of features, this binding also includes the Vaporlite bushing system. The Vaporlite2.0 bushing system is the same type of closed cell foam that is often featured in high-end running shoes. This foam in the Contact Pro allows for natural canting and premium shock absorption even in cold temperatures. So no matter what the terrain, you’re sure to have a cushioned ride.

Also added this year to the Contact Pro is the ultra grip toe strap, providing you with a secure fit. Like all Union Bindings, the Contact Pro comes with the three way adjustable heel cup, shift on the fly forward lean, toolless adjustable toe and ankle straps and lifetime warranty on the base plate and heel cup.

So if you are looking for a all-mountain freestyle or powder binding, then the Union Contact Pro Binding is what you need. Check them out online or at your local ERIK’S location.

Looking for the best all-around snowboard for the Midwest?  Point your eyeballs in the direction of the Burton Custom Flying V and be prepared to rock out harder than ZZ Topp the next time you shred.

Shred the mountain in your own epic solo on the Burton Custom Flying V

For those of you not in the habit of following the trends in snowboard design you’d be forgiven for feeling slightly overwhelmed when confronted with the dizzying list of technology packed onto a snowboard nowadays: Dualzone EDG?  Pro-Tip? Frostbite Edges?  But don’t worry, we’re going to break it all down and see what’s behind the buzzwords.

Let’s start at the beginning: the name. Flying V comes from the fact that when viewed on edge, this board has a subtle but distinct shape to it; from the middle out the tips the board forms a “vee” shape. It’s actually closer to a “W” but Flying W?  nah… This vee shape is actually a combination of “rocker” and “camber” which describe the shape of the board. “Rocker” bends the board up, like the curved rocker on your grandma’s rocking chair; a “rocker” board is going to float over the snow and have a fun ride but not a lot of speed,  while “camber” bends the board in the opposite direction, almost like the shape of a bow, and the ride is almost opposite as well, lots of grip and speed but also harder riding.

That wave in the bottom of the board is where the magic happens.

By utilizing aspects of both “rocker” and “camber”, Burton is able to give the board plenty of float and the ability to cruise while also giving it responsive turning and the ability to carve with control. Add to that the fact that the board is symmetrical and you get a board that’s as home in the half-pipe as it is on the slopes.

The wood and composite cores of snowboards has undergone a huge leap in technology with companies using different types of wood in specific parts of the board to gain qualities. The Custom Flying V uses strips of wood along the nose and tail running in the opposite direction of the main board to add responsiveness and strength with a technology they call Dualzone EDG. Additionally, Burton layers carbon fiber throughout the board to increase responsiveness and cut weight.

Under the transparent red layer you can see the orientation of the wood, all designed to give you maximum control.

Like many sports, improving speed is all about shaving weight and increasing control and Burton does that through thinning out the tip and tail, called Pro-Tip; this also reduces swing weight if your so inclined to uncork some rotations. Finally, control is improved through the use of Frostbite – essentially tuning the metal edges of the board to improve its “bite” against icy conditions and turning. This combination of design and materials allows for todays boards to have nicer ride qualities and more durability than ever before. Wrapping the whole package in killer graphics never hurts either!  Stop by your local ERIK’S and check out a Burton Custom Flying V today!

SnowSports Industries America (SIA) had their annual Snow Show last week in Denver, CO. The Snow Show is open to dealers of snow sports equipment. This year ERIK’S sent a couple of our snow sports experts and enthusiasts to the show to check out what is new and exciting for the 2017 snow sport industry. Here is what we learned.

Trends

We know that shaped snowboards are nothing new, original snowboard designs were done in fun surfboard like shapes. And over the years manufacturers have brought back the old original snowboard shape styles. But new shapes are starting to emerge and some of these shapes aren’t just for fun design. Many new shapes are done for functionality.

2016 K2 Carve Air with “Volume Shift” design

This year K2 came out with their “volume shift” design. The “volume shift” boards are going to be shorter and wider. The extra width helps with toe drag and shorter length makes the board easier to push around. These are going to have the same amount of surface area, but just shifted to different areas of the board. Some may argue that a wider board is going to be slow, but the shorter length is going to make the board more responsive and playful. For 2017 you will notice this new “volume shift” design through other snowboard brands. So if you are looking for a board that floats on powder and whips on groomers, then check out the “volume shift” designs by K2, Ride, Lib Tech and Capita.

Ride Helix with Asym profile (Picture from 2016 SIA)

Another fun and functional snowboard shape is the Asymmetric or Asym profile. This design is not completely new for 2017, but other brands like GNU are jumping on the band wagon with Asym profiles. Asym profiles are going to give you better heelside control and give you better balance in turns. These designs may look aggressive, but after demoing these products our team of experts found that the Asym profile is actually fun and easy to ride.

As snowboards are getting wider, downhill skis are getting narrower. Over the years downhills ski manufacturers have been designing their skis with a wider profile to help add float to the ski. But some downhill skis got so wide that it made carving and setting an edge more difficult. So for the 2017 season you will notice more narrow skis. A good rule of thumb is if your aren’t riding in 2 feet of fresh powder then you don’t need a ski wider than 110mm under foot.

Trending Graphics

While at the SIA Snow Show our team started to notice some trending graphics for 2017. As strange cat t-shirts are all the rage for normal day to day wear, it seems that trend is making it’s way to the snowboard industry. Not only are the snowboard graphics coming out with more cat designs, but there was even some snowboarding apparel sporting the cat graphics.

As the cat designs start to take over the snowboard world, it also seems to be creeping into the bike industry as well. We at ERIK’S have been hard at work designing a new bike jersey for the 2016 season. Here is a little sneak peek at what’s to come.

It is always exciting to see the latest technology and trends at SIA. Not only are we super psyched to be carrying products like these – we actually ride these products. At ERIK’S we are just as passionate about skiing and snowboarding as you are. Expect to see awesome products like these at your local ERIK’S or at shopERIKS.com in plenty of time for the next season.

ERIK’S Snow Equipment Product Manager, Andrew Pettis, demoing a new Capita board.

Looking for the perfect winter jacket?  The one that provides warmth and technical features while still looking stylish?  Snowboarding behemoth Burton may have just what you’re looking for and during the Winter Clearance at your local ERIK’S there’s no better time to pick up a sweet jacket at an unbeatable price.

Burton has been an industry powerhouse for years; they released their first snowboard in 1977  and have continued to drive the popularity of winter sports through a commitment to designing quality products for all your wearing needs.

We’re going to zoom in and look at a prime example of Burton’s lineup; the [ak] 2L Swash.

The sleek, subtle and stylish Swash

The [ak] 2L Swash is a serious entry in Burton’s high end [ak] line, boasting ultimate waterproofness and serious insulation all while meeting bluesign® standards. bluesign® is a third party system focused on removing harmful chemicals from the manufacturing process. As their somewhat dry vision statement puts it, their goal is to “link chemical suppliers, textile manufacturers, and brands together to foster a healthy, responsible, and profitable textile industry.” Despite the yawn-inducing text, this is a really good thing as the insulation and fabrics used in performance wear were traditionally derived from petrol-chemicals (read: oil) and often produced byproducts that were toxic. Burton’s commitment to bluesign® approved materials and processes ensures that the jacket you buy to hit the slopes in isn’t contributing to the poisoning of the planet.

The [ak] 2L Swash is fully waterproof; with fully taped interior seams and a waterproof rating of 28000 mm; which is a big number that probably doesn’t mean much to you. What that means is 1 square inch of fabric from the [ak] 2L Swash jacket can withstand over 28,000 mm of water putting pressure on the fabric before it starts to leak through. To put that in perspective, that’s the equivalent of putting the pressure of over 60 feet of water on that square inch!

Several things to notice: the left and right stash pockets, the powder skirt and the insulation all combine to make up one heckuva jacket.

But even the most waterproof jacket in the world isn’t much good in the winter time without insulation. The Swash has 60g Primaloft, widely considered the best non-down insulation in the industry, configured in a vest pattern; keeping your core warm and toasty while freeing your arms up for sweet grabs and ultimate mobility. In an earlier post I talked about Primaloft’s levels of insulation; the Swash has Primaloft Silver, which is slightly heavier than their Gold level, but given that winter sports are mainly focused on using gravity to go down large hills, a couple extra grams doesn’t do anything except make you go even faster. Now, outdoor winter crazies enthusiasts might point out that 60g is not that much insulation; and that’s true. Burton does offer jackets with double that amount of insulation; 120 grams. Without climbing up on my soapbox, allow me to give my .02 cents. In my experience, I prefer several layers while snowboarding; generally a base, one or two midweight layers and then my outer jacket. This allows me to unzip and/or disrobe once my heart rate gets going and I warm up. The Swash is not a jacket that you would only want to wear a t-shirt underneath of when hitting the powder. But the strategic placement around the core makes the jacket much warmer than one might expect.

Finally, fit. There has been a trend in snowboarding apparel that skewed baggier and looser for a while and although having freedom of movement while snowboarding is no doubt a good thing, we don’t all want to dress like we’re 19 years old (absolutely no offense to any 19 year olds reading this…) Thankfully, Burton has three levels of fit; Slim, Regular and Relaxed. The Swash is a Regular fit, meaning it fits more like a regular winter jacket. Most of the [ak] line has a fishtail parka-style dropped rear tail, functionally designed to keep snow out of your nether regions when you take a dive. The Swash does away with that as well as reducing the taper from armpits to hem, making for a more casual looking jacket.

No drop tail means this jacket works as well for going to the coffee shop and it does on the mountain top.

There’s no doubt about it, the [ak] 2L Swash from Burton is a mouthful to say but a joy to wear. Take advantage of the reduced prices at your local ERIK’S during our Winter Clearance Event and pick one up today!

If you’re looking for a bike that takes the best parts of road biking and combines them with the best parts of mountain biking, let me introduce you to the Specialized AWOL. Slotting into a style called “adventure bikes” the AWOL combines the touring nature of a steel frame road bike with the handling and tire clearance of a mountain bike. You might hear them called “gravel bikes” or “adventure bikes” or sometimes “endurance bikes” and we can quibble for days over what makes those categories different or the same (something that never happens on the Internet…)

Bikes, camping and trees; what’s not to love?

What is worth knowing are a few things: #1 this is not a category invented by Specialized but nonetheless the AWOL raises the bar of what’s possible with two wheels and a crankset. #2 The AWOL, like other adventure/gravel/endurance bikes combines a relaxed geometry with bigger tires to create a more comfortable and stable ride. #3 If you’re looking to try something that’s not about speed and spandex, then you owe it to yourself to check out the AWOL. So let’s break down what makes the AWOL the bike to take you over the mountains and back again.

The AWOL has three main things that make it such a good bike for long trips on unpaved surfaces; it has a relaxed geometry, it’s a steel frame bike and it has great tire clearance. There are numerous other bells and whistles which also help set the AWOL apart, but without these fundamentals they’re just icing on styrofoam.

Note the super long head tube and the extra long wheelbase – both contribute to the comfortable and steady ride of the AWOL

First up; the relaxed geometry. Now, if you’re anything like me thinking about geometry probably does the opposite of relax you, so let me explain. In broad terms a bike’s “geometry” refers to the angle that the front fork/wheel is at compared to 90°. A more race-inspired road bike like the Allez has a steeper angle (closer to 90°) which does a lot of things but essentially determines your wheelbase length which affects how responsive and reactive the bike is.  I’m skipping over a fair amount of the jargon and minutia here to cut to the chase. The AWOL has a more relaxed head tube angle which lengthens the distance between the wheels and as a result the bike ride in a more relaxed fashion  and handles more smoothly. When you’re logging lots of miles on unpaved access roads in national parks you want a bike that rides and handles smoothly. This is born out when you look at the specs – the AWOL has a wheelbase of 1072mm on a Medium, while the Allez has a tight 982mm. Further increasing the control you have on the AWOL is the length of the head tube itself – the longer the head tube the more stable the bike is. The AWOL head tube is almost an inch and a half longer than the Allez; creating a ride that is smooth and controlled.

Steel is real baby.

Next up; the steel frame. It might seem counterintuitive in this age of carbon fiber cranksets to talk about a material as old as steel for a bike, but steel offers some real benefits over aluminum and carbon fiber. Steel is a flexible metal with unprecedented fatigue strength. What? You’re not up on your  metallurgy terminology?  This means that a steel frame can be used and abused for generations and never weaken to the point of breaking. Both aluminum and carbon fiber bikes have fatigue cycles; meaning that in laboratory testing it was possible to ride the bike until it broke. Furthermore, if you do ride your AWOL off a cliffside, steel can be repaired; unlike aluminum frames which cannot  (and it can be even be field repaired if you can find someone with welding experience unlike carbon fiber which takes weeks and noxious epoxy.) But the real treat with steel is the quality of the ride. A steel frame bike handles rough and bumpy surfaces much more smoothly than aluminum or carbon fiber which tend to transmit vibrations instead of absorbing them. I could science all over you about why – but this is one fact that can easily be experienced. Head to your local ERIK’S and test out any carbon fiber road bike; then hop on the AWOL and experience the difference steel makes.

Finally, the tire clearance. This might sound like a weird way to wrap things up; but I think a picture will tell the story better than my words ever could.

The AWOL lives up to its (r)adventure bike name and is intended to take you where other bikes simply can’t. You can run tire sizes all the way to mountain bike 29ers for the most radical terrain you can imagine.

There’s no doubt about it; the AWOL is a bike for those days when you just want to get away. So consider this your invitation to take off for parts unknown and rediscover what makes the outdoors so great. Check out the new 2016 AWOL at your local ERIK’S today!

Even if you didn’t ride your bike all winter and it hung in the garage or basement, it could stand to be cleaned off before your first ride of the season. This also gives you a chance to check the bike over mechanically and make sure that your first ride isn’t cut short by a flat tire or frayed cable. In fact, cleaning your bike is a lot like flossing; we all know it’s a good idea but that doesn’t mean it always happens. But it really is a quick bit of work that keeps your bike looking nice and running smoothly. Ideally cleaning your bike is done in your yard or driveway, like washing your car. So take advantage of the early warm spell and get your bike cleaned up and ready to go.

First let’s talk about what supplies you’ll you need:

• hose with an adjustable sprayer
• a bucket, sponge
• shop rags
• fancy bike-specific cleaner or dish detergent
• lube
• dry towels

There’s 3 zones to focus on when you clean your bike: chain, tires, frame

Chain

For best performance, fill device before use

You’ll want the rear wheel in the bike while cleaning the chain. The chain is the most important part of the bike when cleaning; it tends to be the dirtiest but can also rust if not cleaned and treated properly. If you’d like you, can keep the chain on the bike and buy a chain cleaner – or if you’re feeling more ambitious you can pull the chain off and clean it by hand. Simply running a sponge over the chain probably won’t get it clean enough – the lubricant and therefore the dirt and contaminants are located where the teeth of the gears come up through the chain – on the inside. Your best bet when cleaning the chain is to use a specific degreaser followed by the dish detergent. Once you’ve got the chain cleaned, rinse it. Once you’ve finished washing the rest of the frame we’ll get around to re-lubing the chain.

Tires

Wheel on or wheel off, scrub between your spokes!

Shockingly the part of your bike that touches the ground can get quite dirty. Avoid using the high pressure spray function of the hose; this goes for the entire bike, all the high pressure spray does is make it more likely that you’re going to flood your bearing systems (wheel hubs, bottom bracket, head tube) with water which can also bringing in contaminants and abrasives. It works best if you can pull your wheels off the bike so you can move them around while cleaning them. Use the “shower” selection and bust out the old elbow grease. Scrub the rim but don’t forget to clean off your spokes! If you’ve got an air compressor, you can blow dry (again, avoid the bearing systems), but a towel works fine too.

Frame

Scrub it down

Washing the frame is a lot like washing a car. Soak it down, suds and scrub and rinse it off. Don’t be shy about scrubbing down the brakes, they grab the parts that touch the road. After you’ve got everything soaped down, rinse it off with the cleanest water you can find.

Finishing up

Sorely in need of a good wash.

You’re not done yet!  Now grab a towel or an air compressor and dry off your bike. Start with the frame and then dry off the chain because it might still have a little bit of grease and dirt on it. Once you’ve got the bike nice and dry (it’s worth a parenthetical aside here to mention that lubricant doesn’t remove water, it provides a coating between metal surfaces to prevent excessive wear, so if you lube a wet chain it will not prevent rust from forming) grab some light lubricant. Don’t grab the big can of WD-40 – it will strip your chain of any lubrication on it.

A light lubricant does not collect dirt and dust but needs to be replenished. If you ride mountain bikes or in a lot of moist conditions than a wet lube can be used but you need to clean your chain more often to prevent wear. Apply the lube directly to the links of the chain and ride in one gear for a while to work the lubrication into the chain’s components. Lubrication is intended to work between the moving pieces of the chain and the chain and the gears – lube on the outside of your chain doesn’t do anything, so wipe the excess lube off the outside of the chain. You can use the same light lubricant on all of the components on the bike – shift and brake cables, pulley wheels and any pivot points. 

Once you’ve got your bike lubed up, clean up after yourself and get out there and ride!

E-bike, electric bike, pedal assist or power-on-demand, all terms that you may have heard here and there in the biking world. Well what the heck are these bikes and why would you want one? Why not just buy a scooter or moped? Well, let me help you answer these questions.

Specialized Turbo S

What the heck is an E-bike?

E-bike stands for electric bike, meaning that the bike has an electric motor and a battery. Other terms that you may have heard in correlation to E-bikes are pedal assist and power-on-demand. Pedal assist means that the E-bike assists while you pedal. The power is applied based on the pedaling. There is no throttle on this type of E-bike. You still have to pedal, it just makes your pedaling a little easier. The other type of E-bike is power-on-demand. With power-on-demand there is a throttle the rider uses to power the motor. At ERIK’S we stock both types of E-bikes, but the majority of our E-bikes will be pedal assist.

Stromer ST2

Why would you want an E-Bike?

The most common users of E-bikes are commuters. E-bikes allow the rider to get to work quickly without breaking a sweat or make that 20+ mile commute a lot more doable. E-bikes are also useful for people who just want to go further and faster or use their bike as another means of transportation. These bikes can also  be great for people who just need a little extra assistance while biking. Maybe they have a health issue or limitation or maybe they are a couple who wants to bike together, but one is stronger than the other. The neat thing about E-bikes is that you can put them in different modes. So the stronger rider can be in a lower mode and the other rider can be in a higher mode. You both are putting in your personal amount of effort, but you are going the same speed. E-bikes can serve many needs and still allow for a good work out, if you choose.

Raleigh Detour

Why not just buy a scooter?

A common question that is often asked is “Why not not just buy a scooter or moped?” The answer to that is pretty simple: E-bikes are bicycles. They are perfect for anyone who loves biking, and the exercise of biking, but would like a little assistance. Plus they can go where ever bikes are permitted (bike trails, bike paths, streets). Scooters and mopeds aren’t allowed on bike paths. You also need to license scooters and mopeds, but you do not need to license E-bikes, nor do you need a special endorsement on your drivers license for an E-bike.

Izip Zuma E3

So if you are interested in E-bikes or even if you are skeptical of E-bikes, go into any of our ERIK’S locations and try one out today. We are sure that you will have a good time!

Looking for a car rack to carry your bikes? Not sure which one is the right one for? No problem! We are here to help find the right car rack for you, your car and your bikes. When picking a car rack there are a few questions that you will need to answer to help you find the right rack that will fit all your needs.

How many bikes are you looking to carry?

There are different size racks that can hold anywhere from 1 to 5 bikes. The amount of bikes you are looking to carry will play a part in which type of rack you need. If you are looking to carry 4 bikes or more, then a hitch rack will be the sturdiest option.

Where would you like to carry the bikes? Hitch, Trunk or Roof?

Another important question to answer is, what type of rack will my vehicle hold: a hitch rack, trunk rack or roof rack system. If you would like a trunk rack, then it is important to use a fit guide to know which style trunk rack will fit with your vehicle. At ERIK’S we carry Saris and Yakima racks. Both brands have handy fitting guides right on their websites. If you stop in to one of our ERIK’S stores we can help you through the fitting process, or if you would like, you can check them out for yourself: Yakima Fit Guide Saris Fit Guide

For trunk rack style systems the bike is held up from the top tube or top bar of the bike. If you are carrying women’s or step through style frames then you may need to purchase a top tube adapter to create a top tube for the bike to hang from.

If you are looking to carry bikes with a hitch rack, then your car will need to have a hitch receiver already on it. For information on hitches talk with your dealership or a car hitch installation shop.

If your car currently has a hitch on it, you will need to know what size it is. Is it the 1-1/4in or 2in? Most of the hitch racks at ERIK’S come with adapters that will fit both sizes. But there are a couple racks that only fit in the 2in size due to the amount of weight they are able to carry.

Hitch racks come in a two styles: mast and tray. The mast style racks, like the trunk racks, hold the bikes by the top tube or top bar of the frame. So, if you are carrying women’s or step through style bikes you may need to purchase a top tube adapter that creates a top tube for the bike to hang from.

Mast Style Hitch Rack

The other style of hitch rack is the tray style. This rack has two trays that the wheels rest in and straps to secure the wheels down. There is also an arm that clamps down on the frame or wheel of the bike to help hold the bike in place. This rack will easily carry women’s or step through style bikes. There are even some models that have movable trays to allow you to carry any size bike, including kids bikes.

Tray Style Hitch Rack

The third option for carrying your bike is with a roof rack system. If you already have crossbars or a luggage rack on your car then you will only need to pick out which roof rack carrying system works best for you. If you do not have cross bars or a luggage rack then you will need to go through the fitting guide on Yakima’s website to get all the necessary parts needed to make carrying your bike on your roof possible.

One final thing to consider are the bike you will be carrying. As mentioned above, women style or step through bikes require additional parts if the rack holds bikes by the top tube. Some racks cannot accommodate the smaller sized kids bikes. And the size of the fat bike tires might not work with the tray style racks without adapters.

Picking a car rack isn’t difficult. You need to know how many bikes you will want to carry and what style (trunk, hitch, roof) will work best for your car, your bike and for you. For more information and help on picking the right rack, stop in to any Minnesota or Wisconsin ERIK’S locations and talk to our experts today.

Looking for a new trail to try this year?  Maybe you’re interested in exploring bikepacking or eager to stick with your New Year’s Resolution fitness goals. With the nicer weather and longer daylight hours, now is a perfect time to check out one of the numerous trails throughout Wisconsin. This post will be an overview of some of the existing trail systems; look for more in-depth write ups on specific trails throughout the riding season.

Wisconsin’s extensive system of trails.

Before we talk about the trails through, we need to talk about trail passes. Many of the trails throughout the state of Wisconsin require purchasing of a trail pass to use them. Trail passes can be purchased annually for $25.00 from any Wisconsin Erik’s location and they are good for the calendar year, so buy yours now and get your money’s worth. You can also purchase daily trail passes at the trail heads for $5.00. Lest you grumble too much about the government sticking its hands in your wallet, consider this: all of the money from trail passes goes into a segregated account specifically for maintaining the trails and parks themselves. And, despite collecting almost 1.3 million dollars from trail passes in 2014, that only covered about 42% of the state’s annual maintenance costs for trails and parks. So do your part and buy a trail pass.

Wisconsin is crisscrossed with over 1,000 miles of bike trails and the area around Milwaukee, Madison and Eau Claire presents some great opportunities whether you’re looking for an afternoon ride, a weekend getaway or anything in-between.

First up – Milwaukee.

The Oak Leaf Trail is a massive 108 mile trail that encircles all of Milwaukee county. From south of the airport to all the way north past Whitefish Bay with several east/west cut throughs including the new Hank Aaron Trail which runs past the zoo and Miller Park. For those of you interested; it is possible to bike from Milwaukee to Chicago although no single unified trail exists…yet. But, using the Pike Bike Trail in Kenosha and then the Robert McClory Bike Path will get you all the way to Highland Park, which is really only “Chicago” and not Chicago but it’s a start.

If the Windy City isn’t your jam, you can also get (most of the way) from Milwaukee to Madison using the Glacial Drumlin Trail which takes you from Waukesha to Cottage Grove. Bonus!  The trail is reclaimed rail line so the entire length is essentially flat and there are coffee shops and stops right along the trail.

Madison.

Looking north from the south shore of Lake Monona.

Madison and greater Dane County is home to a staggering number of trails. Serving both as bike commuter routes as well as weekend excursions, the trails that run through Madison also stretch west towards Mt. Horeb and south towards New Glarus. Additionally, work is being completed on a trail linking McFarland and Lake Kegonsa State Park with the Madison trail network as well. Highlights include the Military Ridge Trail, a 40 mile link between Dodgeville and Madison which is another railroad line conversion so again you never have an incline steeper than 5°. Equally impressive is the Badger State Trail, a 40 mile trail that just goes to Illinois, so take it for what it’s worth (just kidding, Illinois is great.)

Finally, Eau Claire

Not wanting to forget our outpost between the Twin Cities and Madison, Eau Claire is also home to great trails. The Chippewa River Trail is part of the larger Chippewa Valley Trail network that goes from Cornell through Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls and ends in Menomonie. A little outside the city is the beautiful Old Abe State Trail which follows the shore of the Chippewa River as it winds through the countryside. Within the Eau Claire city limits there is also a 29 mile network of fully paved trails that connect up with the Chippewa River Trail.

So whether you’re looking for an urban ride, a country escape, a new way to commute or just something to do this weekend, take advantage of Wisconsin’s amazing and still-growing system of trails and swing by ERIK’S beforehand to pump up your tires and grab a Pearson’s Salted Nut Roll to keep your energy up. Now get out there and ride!

The ElliptiGO company was started by a desire to solve a problem. That problem being that there was no option for a low impact, running-like experience outdoors. For those that enjoy the workout of using elliptical machines, imagine being able to take that workout outdoors and get places using that same motion. That is what Bryan, co-founder of ElliptiGO, desired. ElliptiGo was started by Bryan, a former Marine and Ironman triathlete and his friend Brent, also an endurance athlete and mechanical engineer. About 10 years ago the two of them set out to accomplish their goal. That is how ElliptiGO was born.

ElliptiGO 8C

Now a decade later, after tremendous success with their line of elliptical bikes, they continue to refine their product. This year ElliptiGO launched their newest model, the Arc. The Arc is designed to be more compact, light weight and easier on the wallet.

ElliptiGO Arc

The ElliptiGO Arc has a light weight aluminum frame with 8 gears. So weather you want to cruise, sprint or climb, the Arc can do it all. Other ElliptiGO models, like the 8C pictured at the top, are equipped with a track system stride. The Arc uses a crank-rocker system. This system creates a smoother, circular stride that is similar to biking. This new stride design helps keep the bike in a more compact form for easier storage and transportation.

The Arc also makes customizing your experience easy with adjustable foot positioning and steer column. The steer column is also removable, making it easier to transport your bike.

So if you are looking for a low impact, running-like, outdoor activity, check out our models of ElliptiGO bikes at any of our ERIK’S locations.

Bikes are great. There’s no question that if you’re looking to reduce your carbon footprint, avoid a car payment or never have to worry about a parking spot, then a bike a smart choice. But, bikes aren’t so great when it comes to grocery shopping, or transporting children or dogs. Burley is a name that has become synonymous with solutions that let you live your life on a bike; from cargo trailers to kid transports, Burley’s products are all about keeping you riding.

Burley’s Mission Statement says that their purpose is to “enable adventure”. True to that, Burley has made some small yet purposeful changes to their product line; these are not huge (like when Ford ruined the Mustang by discontinuing the Fox Body ) but are small innovations that show how committed Burley is to reinvesting in their products.

For 2016 Burley is upgrading some of the hardware on all of their models: the tow bar receiver used to be made from plastic, it is now been simplified and made from aluminum. They’ve also changed the hitch material from forged to cast steel which is stronger and handles impacts and stress better. These two small upgrades both deal with the attachment and securing of the trailers to the bikes, so it’s cool to see Burley reengineering them and using improved materials.

Burley seats, now with more SIT!

Anyone that’s ever tried to secure a small child in a car seat knows how frustrating the straps and buckles can be; twisted over, sat on and upside down. Burley’s solution is the S.I.T. Harness. The Spring Integrated Technology Harness uses tension to keep the straps of the harness open and out of the way, ensuring easy installations of children and really big watermelons. The S.I.T. harness can be found on the D’Lite, Solo and Cub models for 2016.

Your children’s chariot awaits

The Cub is a rugged, all-weather trailer capable of carrying 100 lbs in smooth comfort thanks to an adjustable suspension. Once of the nicest features is the flex connector, which allows the bike towing the trailer to be laid flat without disconnecting or flipping the trailer. Burley trailers are versatile too, with adaptors and kits that allow it to be used as a 2 or 3 wheeled stroller, a jogging stroller or even a ski kit!  With almost 2³ feet of interior space you’ve got enough room to pack supplies for all your adventures. And when you’re not out and about, the Cub folds down until it’s only 13 inches tall, making it easy to store out of the way.

While there are different Burley models at the different price points; Burley does not make you choose between budget and safety. All of their models feature a full aluminum roll cage made from the same grade of aluminum that you find in high quality bicycles, 6061-T6. All models also utilize reflective materials and components and UV protection on all of the windows, providing UPF 50 protection for your passengers.

6061-T6 is the strongest temper of 6061 aluminum with a UTS of 42 KSI and a yield strength of 18 KSI. What? You don’t speak Metallurgy?

Attention to the little things shows Burley is committed to improving the products they sell.

Lately, a purposeful redesign that stands out because it’s so small is the new and improved flag holder. This new feature is an enlarged and redesigned button that locks the flag into place when not depressed, these new changes are focused on improving the operator’s experience.  The continuous work that Burley does to improve their products has won them loyal customers in the outdoor active community. Stop by your local ERIK’S and check out the 2016 Burley trailers today!

The warm weather is starting to stay and it is time to get the winter things put away and starting pulling out your summer toys. As you pull down the bikes you may find that your child has grown out of their bike or maybe you have a new little one who is ready to start riding. You know you want to get your kid a good bike, but not spend a fortune, and hope that it lasts a couple years. Well here is a guide to help you through the process of getting  the right bike for your child.

Lets start at the beginning. You have a new little one who is ready to start riding, but you don’t know where they should start. Once your kid conquers walking, they are ready to start using a balance bike also known as a run bike or a strider bike. These bikes have no pedals. The child uses their feet to push the bike along. At first the child will probably just walk with the bike, then they will start to run and finally they will start to push off and keep themselves balanced upright as they roll down the sidewalk. This is a great way for your child to learn how to balance on two wheels without having to hassle with training wheels.

Once your kid grows out of the balance bike then it is time for them to upgrade to a bike with pedals. Picking the next size bike is going to depend on how tall your child is. The best way to determine size is to take you child into an ERIK’S store and have them sit on the different size bikes. We can give you an average age range for a specific sized bike, but it is more of a guide line as this range isn’t always accurate for children that are tall or short for their age.

So, have your child sit on a bike and ask yourself these important questions:

• Can they easily reach the handlebars?
• Are they able to sit on the seat and touch their feet to the floor
• Can they reach the pedals?

If you answered ‘yes’ to these questions then this bike is probably the correct size. We understand that you want to get as much  life out of the bike as possible, but we encourage you to consider the safety issues that come with buying a bike that is too big for you child.

As your child starts to grow out of their bike make sure to pay attention to where the minimum insertion line is on their seat post. Their seat post should have a line that indicates how far a seat should go on a bike. Yes, there is still some post left under that line, but for safety purposes, the post should never be sticking up past that minimum insertion line.

When your child gets big enough to ride a 20″ bicycle they will have the option to choose from getting a geared bike with hand brakes or sticking with the single speed with coaster brakes (the brakes where you pedal backwards to stop). This decision is your decision to make. You know your child best. Are they ready to learn how to use gears? Are they in need of gears? Will they be able to handle using a hand brake instead of the coaster brake?

We know that your kids grow fast and it may seem like you are needing to buy them a new bike every summer. That is why ERIK’S has the Half-Back Trade in program. With this program, you can bring in your child’s bike and trade it in towards their next bike. The bike that you bring in needs to be a bike shop quality bike (meaning that it wasn’t purchased at a department store) that is less than 10 years old and is in good condition. We will assess the bike and give you a quote on how much we can give you for it. If the bike is 2 years old or less you could get up to half back towards your next bike.

So stop into your local ERIK’S and check out our selection of kid’s bikes and feel free to bring in a bike that you may possibly want to trade in.

Even though the days are longer now, it’s not uncommon to find yourself biking home after dark. Cyclist safety is an important consideration for anyone looking to spend time on a road bike but not all safety wear is created equal. Several studies have found that high-visibility is not as effective as reflective apparel when it comes to preventing incidents on the road.

Specialized Deflect Reflect jacket has 360 degrees of visibility

Specialized has done an excellent job integrating high visibility colors with reflective accents on many of their apparel pieces but their standout item is definitely their Deflect Reflect jacket. Wind- and water-resistant with zip-off sleeves, the Deflect Reflect is a top of line piece that gives riders all the traditional benefits of an outer layer; nutrition pockets and UV-50 protection while turning them into a giant reflector.

matte grey in indirect light and a brilliant reflective white in direct light with blaze orange accents

If you do want a combination of hi-viz and reflectivity than consider Specialized’s Deflect jacket.

hi-viz with reflective accents makes the Deflect jacket easy to notice

The Deflect jacket doesn’t have all the bells and whistles of the Deflect Reflect jacket; no zip-off sleeves, less rain resistance and fewer pockets, but it still provides reflectivity and UV-50 protection.

Many studies have found that reflective accents are best utilized on parts of the body that are in motion; legs, hands and helmets. This sounds like common sense – if something is moving and shiny it’s going to be much more noticeable. Some items, like the Club Ride Shift jeans have reflective accents sewn into the seams at the bottom of the pants.

The Aardvark leg strap offers reflectivity and protection from chains

If you’re looking for something smaller and more transferrable, Aardvark Reflective Leg straps protect your pants from hungry chain rings and offer reflective material where it counts; on a moving leg.

It goes without saying that no amount of reflective or hi-viz gear can provide a rider with 100% protection – but one study found that over 60% of riders involved in accidents were not wearing any type of reflective apparel. Be smart and be safe on the roads – stop by your local ERIK’S shop and check out our wide range of reflective-accented cycling apparel today!

Sometimes when people think of bike clothing, they think of Lycra shorts, aerodynamic helmets, and funny shoes. But biking isn’t always Lycra and aero. Sometimes you just want to hop on your bike and head to the coffee shop with friends, or go for a casual ride around the lakes. Believe it or not, you can still have performance and be stylish and casual.

Specialized Cadette

At ERIK’S we carry a variety of casual cycling shoes. These shoes balance performance with style. You can wear them with shorts and a t-shirt as you cruise the bike paths or with your khaki pants and polo as you ride to work. You don’t need to be an extreme cyclist to wear these. And if you are riding to work, or to a coffee shop with friends, you don’t need to pack extra shoes. These shoes are designed to be worn on and off the bike.

DZR H2O

Benefits of Cycling Shoes Vs. Regular Tennis Shoes

You may be wondering why you would want to get cycling shoes that look just like your every day shoes. One reason is flex. Your regular tennis shoes are meant to flex as you walk. If you grab your tennis shoe and push the toe of the shoe back towards the laces, it will most likely bend to the point where it is almost touching the laces. You won’t be able to do this with cycling shoes because the soles are stiff. When you’re biking at stiffer shoe is a good thing. A stiffer shoe provides more support. You will be a lot more efficient and be able to put more power into your pedals.

DZR Midnight

Another benefit of cycling shoes, is that you can clip into your pedals if you so choose. Being able to clip in is going to give you added confidence that your feet won’t slip off the pedals. It will also allow you to pull up on one pedal as you push down with the other. This is going to add more power and efficiency to your pedal stroke. This added power and efficiency will be welcome on your commute home after a long day at the office.

DZR Tosca

Style for Everyone

As you can see in the pictures, there are a variety of styles of casual cycling shoes. Specialized makes the Cadette (featured at the top) that looks like a normal tennis shoe – prefect for the gym, rides around the lake or stops at the local ice cream shop. DZR has a line of shoes that can be a little more dressy for work. Through out our line of casual cycling shoes, there is something for everyone or every style.

Giro Grynd

So stop into your local ERIK’S and check out our different casual cycling shoes.

2FO Cliplite

Madison is a gateway to many amazing bike trails in Central Wisconsin, but if knobby tires are more your style, don’t fear – there’s great single track located in Madison as well! Quarry Ridge Recreation Area is located right next to Verona Rd/151 – but you’d never know it zooming by on 151; it’s tucked back in there. You can get to Quarry Ridge off of McKee or Seminole Highway.

Quarry Ridge has a lot going for it: it’s very well maintained by the Capital Off-Road Pathfinders, is free to ride, easy to get to, and has a good variety of difficultly on the climbs and descents.

The newly renovated trailhead at Quarry Ridge – looking Northeast along the Lakeview and Dizzy trails.

At the trailhead your choices begin; these two loops are both beginner; Lakeview and Dizzy, but Dizzy is great for getting warmed up; lots of switchbacks and some good flow making this trail a good way to get your tire pressure dialed in. Proper tire pressure is essential to mountain biking; ensuring good grip, traction and cushioning of your ride. I would not recommend riding your mountain bike tires at street pressure on single track.

All of the trails are clearly marked with the difficulty level and the trail name.

Singletrack!

You have several options for getting to the top of Quarry Ridge; Rewind is a slow and easy route; great for beginners with a smooth path that is  almost entirely free of rocks and large roots. Ambulance Climb, a challenging technical climb through a washout and old service road but like the name suggests, is the fastest way to the top. Finally, Sandy Climb is a mix of terrain with a very difficult passage through a rock garden.

The highest elevation.

The view from the top of Quarry Ridge is not exactly awe-inspiring. It’s a barren, gravelly nexus where all the trails come together. Recent work by C.O.R.P. has cleaned the area up and put in some large timbers, to sit and rest on while you work up the nerve to tackle the B Line descent. One of the questions many new mountain bike riders have is, “How do I know what trails are the right difficultly for me?”  It can be scary to find yourself on on a trail that is much to challenging for your skill level. Quarry Ridge has a solution.

“Skill Filters” force a rider to overcome an obstacle before starting the descent.

Skill Filters allow you to gauge your ability. If you can make it past the entrance then  you can ride with confidence! One other nice piece – the trails connect if you change your mind. The Bottoms Up descent has a junction with the more difficult Tunnel Trail, so you can change your mind and try out the big berms and jumps!

The starting descent on Bottoms Up

Bottoms Up is a great trail that is a lot of fun; it has several longer sections that really let you built up speed and take it around corners using the berms.  One note about Bottoms Up, it takes you all the way back to the trailhead, while the other descents all have exits more closely located to each other.

There are a couple of tight squeezes on the trails!

In fact, I generally use Bottoms Up as a final run because it dumps you out at the exit/trailhead. I tend to stick to the descents that keep you in the Northern side. Tunnel Trail and the Drop Zone are both newer; while Three Sisters, B Line and the Sandy Bowl are older and the jumps much more weathered and worn in, but all three of those descents have some very challenging areas.

(Pro tip: I know the berms look intimidating, but they’re your friends! Ride up on them and use your momentum to whip you around. To do this pull back on your handlebars gently  like you’re trying to pop a wheelie once you’re on the berm and you’ll zip right around them.)

Speaking of challenging; let’s talk about Ambulance Climb. The quickest way to the top is also one of the most challenging. Ambulance Climb a fairly continuous climb with several washouts and rocky patches to keep things interesting. For me it’s my favorite route to the top.

Some of the terrain on Ambulance Climb

If you’ve never checked out Quarry Ridge, you should. There are few places in the Midwest where you can find fun and free single track, and if you’re in the Madison area it’s practically in your backyard. And if you’re looking to ride with a group; ERIK’S has a ride at Quarry Ridge every Sunday at 6:00PM! Now, get out there and ride!

Decisions decisions…