Hi!
After two years of using my Truvativ Hussefelt ( Dh-riserbar version) handlebar, I can proudly say that it is one thing I will never regret paying for. Before moving to the more tech stuff, note that one of its strongest points it is that it is not expensive, even if it doesn’t look or feel like a cheap part. As stated before, you will not regret any penny you get out of your pockets for this bar; you just put it on your bike and forget about any problems that could be caused by a handlebar. After putting it on, it seems that you have been riding it for ages; this thing just feels natural! Ok,here are the facts:

Material: Triple butted AL-66Length: 680mm
Clamp size: 31.8mm
Weight: 334g
Rise: 35mm

         General impressions

  When it arrived at my doorstep, it did not come alone. But it sure stand out from the crowd, due to its very good quality finish and minimalistic (but still stylish) graphics. I do not have too many comments to do on the weight,as it is not too heavy nor too light. Its shape is a low profile one, with 35mm of rise, small backsweep and noticeable upsweep. For those that are very interested about the looks of their bikes, note that the paint (Ano black) comes off pretty hard.

         On the trails

  I want to begin with the fact that this part has never let me down. It is very reliable; I had only one problem with it, but I will come back to that later in the review. Truvativ lives up to its name, so as not to disappoint anybody with this bar. A lot of people I know run them, because they are comfortable, reliable, easy to find, and relatively cheap,comparing them to other brand-name bars. I used it with the Truvativ Hussefelt 31.8 stem, so there were no compatibility issues. I have ridden it in various ways, none of them smooth, but the Hussefelt never complained. Due to its low rise,the weight of the rider is set in a more frontal position, so the front wheel has better grip, and the rear is a little easier to throw around ( I do not think that that is very noticeable,though) . After putting it on, I just forgot about it. I have felt no flaws in the way you control a bike that has this bar mounted.

         Problems

   The ony problem I have had with the Hussefelt handlebar was caused by the lack of attention from a bike shop employee ( I do not remember which bike shop though).Allow me to explain. I had some Sunline MTB Logo gips back then; the exterior clamps were overtightened (the bolts pierced trough the grip straight to the bar). The result, after not noticing and using it in this state for some months: the metal bolts were so tight that they bent both ends of the handlebar; pay attention and re-check everything the guys at various bike-shops do to your bike. I do not blame it on the bars, though, so do not worry.

       Bottom line

    Simply put, this is a very good bar. You can’t actually go wrong with it, so go ahead and buy it. Putting it together with the Truvativ Hussefelt stem, you will sure have a long-lasting combination that will be good enough for every riding style (DH, dirt, whatever ).

The guys at Hayes disc brakes released a vide for teaching us, everyday bikers, how to bleed our Stroker brake at home. As Elvis said, “a little less conversation, a little more action, please” so here is goes:

Kona Stinky Six

Playbike , unul din cele mai mari magazine de profil din Romania, ofera unele dintre cele mai mari reduceri la echipamente si biciclete. O oferta de nerefuzat e cea facuta la bicicleta Stinky Six, produsa de canadienii de la Kona. Kona isi merita din plin faima,calitatea bicicletelor lor fiind una ce nu lasa de dorit. Bicicleta este una perfecta pentru incepatori dornici de a intra in lumea sporturilor gravitationale (freeride); denumirea bicicletei (Six) vine de la cursa amortizorului spate, anume 6 inchi (160 mm ). De asemenea, este disponibila o varianta Stinky cu o cursa spate de 7 inchi (180 mm ). Conform site-ului Playbike, bicicleta are urmatoarele specificatii :

Cadru: Kona Clump 7005 Aluminum, 6″ Travel;
Amortizor spate: Fox Vanilla R;
Furca: Marzocchi 55-RS 160mm w/20mm Dropouts;
Cuvete: FSA Orbit Z1.5R;
Brate angrenaj: FSA Moto-X;
Placi angrenaj: Guard/36/24;
Monobloc: FSA Moto Integrated;
Pedale: Kona Jackshit;
Lant: Shimano Deore;
Pinioane: Shimano Deore (11-34, 9spd);
Schimbator foi: Shimano Deore;
Schimbator pinioane: Shimano Deore;
Manete schimbatoare: Shimano Deore;
Ghidon: Kona OB Riser;
Pipa: Kona OB;
Mansoane: Kona LOG;
Frane: Hayes Hydraulic Stroker Ryde V7;
Manete frane: Hayes Hydraulic Stroker Ryde;
Butuc fata: Formula DH;
Butuc spate: Shimano M475 Disc;
Spite: Stainless 14g;
Cauciucuri: Maxxis Minion 26×2.35;
Jante: Alex DM-24;
Sa: WTB Pure V Sport;
Tija de sa: Kona OB;
Cheita sa: Kona QR;

 Pretul normal al bicicletei este de 6800 RON, dar, momentan, este redusa la 5439 RON . Celor care vor o bicicleta rezistenta si bine echipata, dar in acelasi timp relativ ieftina fata de modelele competitiei, le recomand acest model, mai ales cat pretul este redus.

 Manitou is going to bring out a new DJ fork, named Circus.The fork will come in two different versions, the Circus Comp and the Circus Expert. The price for the Comp will be around 350 $, and for the Expert around 400 $ . Both versions come with 20mm Hex axles.

 Specs for the Expert:

Weight:2133grams
Travel: 80, 100mm & 130mm
Legs: 32mm Stanchions straight wall 7050 Aluminum
Air preload
Damper: ABS+, lockout & rebound adjust

                                                        Double bottom out bumpers

Specs for the Comp:
Weight: 2406grams
 Travel: 80 & 100mm

Chassis: 32mm Stanchions straight wall 4130 Chrome Moly
Mechanical preload
Damper: ABS+ , lockout & rebound adjust
 Double bottom out bumpers.

Source: Pinkbike.com

 NSBikes’ Holy is one of the cheapest and one of the best in it’s category completes.Made for beginners and pros alike,it comes equipped with 24 inch wheels and a rigid fork.It is made for “hardcore street and park riding”,as stated on their website.The frame has very short chainstays,so it will be more of a bmx-style ride;speaking of bmx,it comes with salt cranks made by the guys at WeThePeople.I do not know what your opinion is,but I would get one of these as soon as I could.The price is aroung 600 euros on that bike,so it is very cheap for it’s configuration.

(Click on image for larger size)

Hayes Stroker Ace

The guys at Hayes have released their first 4 piston disc brake, the Stroker Ace. The Ace is based on the same master cylinder as all of their Stroker lineup, for its good modulation. The only brakes I have tested from the Stroker series are the Trail and the lower-end Ryde. You can feel the difference between the Ryde and Trail because the Trail’s pads are larger, and it has a greater hydraulic ratio. The Ace’s pads are larger even than the ones on the Trail, so it sure has a LOT of power. A lot of 2009 downhill bikes come with these brakes fitted, so they cannot be total crap. If they are more powerful and keep the same modulation as the Trails, I can’t find too many weak points on them, besides the weight (with 160mm rotor: 440 g, with 180 mm: 488 g, with 203 mm rotor: 520 g).I cannot wait to test a pair of them and give you some feedback on this brake that seems to be the direct competitor for the Shimano Saint and Avid Code!