The TREK Gary Fisher Collection 29er Sport Wahoo is probably one of the longest bike names in the business, but how does the monster wheeled TREK and Gary Fisher collaborative bicycle really stand up to the backwood trails of Tennessee?

Considering the growing debate of 29er vs. traditional 26-inch mountain bikes, I snagged one of the first TREK 29ers last year as soon as it came available. TREK’s new Gary Fisher collaborative lineup of 29-inch Sport/Off the beaten path bikes cover the $599 – 989.99 price range for a starter to professional hard-tail bike lineup. As with most bike purchases,  I grabbed the lesser expensive model so as I break components, I can replace them with the parts I like rather than the parts the factory sticks you with.

First reaction to the bike was WOW… This bike is huge. Top the 29-inch wheels off with the G2 Geometry and you have a monster of a bike that will roll right over anything in your way. Second reaction was a less excited wow.  The seats on all of the Gary Fisher models have always been lacking in the comfort area and maybe it’s been a while since I sat on one, but that thing had to go.  I promptly replaced the seat, pedals, removed the reflectors and other garbage, and dialed in the seat post and other user specific settings I like.  I then took it to the rockiest, ledgiest course within thirty minutes of my house and gave it a spin.

The allure to owning a 29er is what it does well and when it does it.  I would consider only owning a 29er if you already own a 26-inch, which is more appropriate in standard mountain biking settings.  Here are the PROS and CONS of this bike that I’ve experienced so far:

PROS:

• The bike rolls over rocks and roots really easily because of its clearance and wheel circumference.
• Because of its big wheel size you can cover more distance per pedal revolution.
• The Alpha Gold Aluminum frame makes for a fairly light bike.
• I have always loved the G2 geometry that Gary Fisher pioneered.
• The higher air volume and differing ground contact area of the tires can create a smooth ride.
• The speed and torque you will see pumped out of this 29er on flatlands is substantially higher than a 26-inch bike could ever produce.
• I always kill my buddies on the uphill sections of the course.

CONS

• Lag in instant acceleration makes the bike feel slower.
• Sometimes cornering is harder because of the balance point of the bike.
• I’ve been rear ended on downhill sections that have a lot of cut backs and obstacles by riders sporting 26-inch bikes.
• Because of the larger size of the bike it is more prone to fatigue and needing tuneups.
• The cable brakes will need to be swapped to hydraulic soon so I can stop the big ass wheels… This brings me to my next complaint.
• They dumbed down the Wahoo Name when they created the 29er when comparing to the prior 26-inch Wahoo.
• They removed the hydraulic breaks.
• No more lockout on the front shock.
• They replaced everything with cheaper components all around.
• Changed the great 26-inch Wahoo frame design into a more standard looking frame.
• Made the TREK logo more prominent and boring from the prior logo design and placement that was absolutely great.
• Paint job isn’t nearly as badass as the almost identical paint scheme of the prior year.
• If I were any shorter, the clearance would feel a little unmanageable.

Other than personal preference, tight and twisty terrain is not my favorite when on this bike. With a normal 26-inch bike, I can power slide and corner better than with this 29-inch bike. I feel like I’m going to topple out of turns when I’m pushing it. The bike has what feels like a smaller sweet spot when turning vs. balance at higher speeds in turns.

Flatlands are amazing on 29ers and this bike is no exception when it comes to pumping out some speed. Where starting up feels a little slow, your top end speed will be greatly excessive. I would have to say that the real defining points of the bike and 29ers in general is the maintainable speed you can achieve in optimal conditions.

Another big plus is that rough, technical terrain becomes easier to ride. I have more vertical balance on this 29er than I usually have on any bike. This extra balance makes me the leader in the rocky ledge sections. Rolling over and between rocks/roots both up hill and down is smoother because of the different tire contact on the ground. You have more of the center and less of the edges making contact with the ground, so it irons out some of the bumps.

When riding with the guys, if you are of comparable skills and on a mixed terrain course, you will probably find that each of you have your strong points and weak points that balance out your skills. It’s only on a course that requires lots of single track speeds or all cuts and turn backs, that you will shine on your 29er or be left in others’ dust.

The change in frame design, cheaper components, new boring branding, worse paint job, and other failed crossovers from the prior 26-inch Wahoo brand are not small things to overlook. One would probably never know any of this if they had not owned the prior (similarly priced) model. But alas we do know and it has not gone unnoticed. While the subtle and more noticeable downgrades in the Wahoo model are sad, they are overshadowed by the upsetting cancellation of the 26-inch Gary Fisher sport line all together. One would hope that from the ashes of this cancellation a new super breed of bikes from the great Gary Fisher would rise!  But unfortunately in the place where the great 26-inch once stood, we now have a much less aggressive Dual-Sport model that’s set up for road/off-road lighter duty outings and the new 29er sport line. Chock it off to inner company anti competition (TREK vs. Gary Fisher) or whatever else you want to, but bottom line, the old Wahoo was better in a lot of ways.

When it comes to buying a bike, the 29-inch vs 26-inch decision comes down to personal preferences and types of terrain you will be riding on.  I have access to both a 26-inch and a 29-inch and it really comes down to the right bike for the right trail.  I’m 6′-1″ so a larger bike that fits me won’t fit a 5′-10″ average guy, so you’re really going to have to look at your situation to pick what fits your needs. Remember also that you get what you pay for with bikes and cheap components will break and drive you crazy unless you are prepared to replace them.

If you are thinking of trying out a 29er, the TREK collection covers a wide range of great 29er qualities that could fit your needs. Unfortunately, the Wahoo does not live up to the prior bikes in its line, but as far as 29ers go, it’s a great intro into the 29er scene.

Product: TREK 29ER SPORT WAHOO
Price: $599
Rating: 7/10 ( If we didn’t have the prior Wahoo model we would have probably scored this bike better)

Slip into the La Sportiva Muira VS rock climbing shoes and you might think that you’re bending the law of gravity.

The shoes excel so well when you’re edging or sticking your toes in tiny pockets, that your friends will think you have been climbing without them during the week. The Miura VS Shoes have an aggressive cambered shape wrapped in a solid rand that is especially effective on small edges and in pockets all complemented by a sturdy bidirectional triple velcro closure that’s sure to synch down tight on your feet. It’s like a testosterone injection system for your climbing ability.

Now maybe you haven’t had to buy many climbing shoes and you’re new to the sport and that’s why you’re reading this review. Be warned, the Miura VS are as uncomfortable as they look. This shoe will remold your feet into a funny looking mess when you take them off. Consider only buying the shoe in a size that fits, rather than a size smaller because they really won’t stretch much at all. Physical consistent pain to the user while wearing the Miura VS could be attributed to improper sizing or could also be attributed to the fact that the shoe isn’t really comfortable. In the high-end shoe market, comfort is something you have to reeducate your feet to understand. After all, comfort is having a cold beer after finishing a tough route or bouldering problem, while discomfort/pain to the seasoned climber is defeat. If you want to be comfortable, sit at home and watch football, because climbing isn’t really a comfortable sport at all.

PROS

• Great for edging or sticking your toes in tiny pockets.
• Easy on and off convenience.
• Three rip-and-stick bidirectional velcro straps make it nice and tight.
• The one-piece leather upper has a synthetic lining to control stretch.
• The La Sportiva P3 platform creates a down turn shape that is really aggressive.
• Works great on:
• Techy multi-pitch.
• Short, power sport route.
• Bouldering.
• In the gym.
• Steep overhangs.

CONS

• Taking them on and off after every climb takes some getting used to.
• While easy to operate, velcro isn’t really my favorite closure, but it is still effective.
• When it comes to resoling, it will be hard to mimic the original aggressiveness.
• Could create animosity among climbing friends.
• If you’re not tough enough, these shoes will be really uncomfortable. (New climbers beware)

While the shoe could be considered uncomfortable, the La Sportiva uses 1.1mm Laspoflex midsole supports for effective edging power and reduced foot fatigue. After a long climb, I don’t even notice them on my feet, but I never really stand flat footed in them for long periods of time. I consider them comfortable enough to wear for multi pitches.

The soles feature 4mm Vibram XS Edge rubber for maximum friction in all temperatures and conditions. The XS Edge provides good support so you can focus all your weight on the tiniest edges while hardy enough that they won’t  where out too fast.

When La Sportiva designed this shoe, they pulled key design elements from the Miura and incorporated them into this three strap hook and loop closure system. The result is something the seasoned climber should enjoy and we recommend you check it out!

IDEAL TERRAIN: overhanging sport routes, bouldering, gym climbing and technical face climbing

WEIGHT: 9.52 oz • 270 g

FIT: Performance w/ High Asymmetry

UPPER: Leather

LINING: Dentex, unlined underfoot

MIDSOLE: P3® with 1.1mm LaspoFlex

SOLE: 4mm Vibram® XS Edge

Product: La Sportiva Miura VS
Price: $170
Rating: 9/10

I recently pulled my Boreal climbing shoes back out of retirement and had them resoled through a company out of Bolder, CO called Rock & Resole and I am pleasantly surprised with the results.

I’ll start by saying that all I really needed was a half sole, but I sent my climbing shoes in with the instructions to repair everything they thought needed to be fixed. I even gave instructions that if they thought I could use a whole new sole rather than a 1/2 that it was completely ok with me if they needed to replace it all. I know that whole soles aren’t needed often, but the bottoms were getting a little slick, so I thought I would give the pros the option to do the extra work.

Before I shipped the leather shoes, I washed them with saddle soap and let them dry in front of a fan and then sprayed them with Dr. Scholls odor and fungal spray. I would actually be embarrassed if someone had to touch my shoes if I hadn’t cleaned them first. After the cleaning, I printed the shoe repair form off the website, packed them in a box, and sent them on their way.

Rock & Resole isn’t the cheapest service out there but they are in the lower price category of companies I looked into for repairs. I paid full price for the work to be done and didn’t get any perks beyond the prompt service that I expect everyone gets.

R&R offers three rubber options for replacement soles that pretty much cover all of your bases:

• 4mm Vibram’s XS Edge.
• 5mm Vibram’s XS Edge.
• 4mm Five Ten Stealth C4.

Note: They don’t recommend the 5 mm for downturn models or smaller sizes but they leave the option up to you to choose.

If your rands are worn through or very thin, they can also do the toe caps. They suggest that if the rands are at half thickness the repair should be preformed to decrease the likelihood of a blowout while climbing.

I got the shoes back in 8 days, but to be fair, I did use two day air to ship them to R&R. The shoes returned back to me in the same box I shipped them in after being repaired. I opted for the 5mm Vibram’s XS Edge seeing as these are my all day shoes and I want them to last a little longer. This was the first resole of these shoes, and like I said before, everything else on them was in good shape. R&R only did a half sole job on the shoes and the work looks to be top notch. Everything is sealed to what looks like factory new condition with the new rubber overlapping the old rubber with two intersecting 45° angle cuts that have been glued and sanded to perfection. There were a few places where it looked like maybe the craftsmen rushed a little when it cam to the grinding/sanding around the rand. The shoe also had some delaminations around the top of the rand that R&R didn’t re glue, but I think I can Shoe Goo it on my own now that the important fix is done. Here is the breakdown on the PROS & CONS:

PROS

• Great stiff new edge that is even better than the shoe was new. Click to see image.
• The 5mm Vibram’s XS Edge has shown so signs of wearing during the last two climbs.
• 45° lapping of old and new sole looks like it will hold well. Click to see image.
• The craftsmanship is spectacular on the work they did.. (some work left undone)

CONS

• Where they ground the edges clean they also removed some of the rand.
• They did not touchup the small delamination on the heel where I heel hook.
• They did not touchup the delamination of some of the rand where it meets the leather on the top rim.
• Where the shoe had a tiny amount of nose downturn when new it now has a little bit of upward slope that could be tricky to stick some of those smaller ledges.
• The remaining old sole is still a little slick and I would have rather them replace the whole sole.. This is my bad for not insisting.
• Shoes feel a little bit bigger but it might be that I’m more accustom to my La Sportiva Miuras now.

I’m thinking that I might try out some Stealth paint on the rand to prolong the life but other than that I’m really happy with the work that Rock & Resole did despite the list of CONS I had. Bottom line they were old shoes that were worthless and now they have a new life and I’m glad I can add them back to the gear closet.

Product: Rock & Resole Climbing Shoe Repair
Price: Half soles $30 per pair, Toe Caps: $8.50 per shoe, Return shipping is $9.00 for the first pair plus $1.00 for each additional pair.
Rating: 9/10

The Faststrap Series is the Original Luminox Navy SEAL watch, first introduced in 1994. It is the timepiece that Luminox considers to have put them on the map.

Prior to the 1994 release date of the Faststrap Series, Luminox worked with the officer in charge of procurement for the Navy SEALs, Chief Nick North, to develop a badass watch specifically tailored for the SEALs. The outcome was of course a profitable one for Luminox.

The Navy SEAL Faststrap Series is, in our eyes, one of the most reliable lower price range watches on the market. Where the Faststrap Series comes up short on bells and whistles it hits hard in the areas that count. The micro gas lights (borosilicate glass capsules) that light up the face of the watch need no external light source to “charge” Nor do they require a push of a button to light the dial as do watches with electro luminescence and therefore do not consume any battery power. The utter brightness of the watch face at night might even be considered to much for some to have around while sleeping.

Lets jump right into the PROS and CONS of this great product.

PROS

• Carbon-reinforced polymer case makes for a rugged all-weather watch.
• Highly scratch resistant hardened mineral crystal.
• Water-resistant to 200 meters makes it perfect for surf and diving.
• Double-gasketed push in crown.
• Jeweled Swiss quartz movement (variations of between -05. and +0.7 seconds per day)
• Long lasting 45 month battery.
• Night Vision Tubes imbedded in the face have a functional life of 25 years.
• Watch face comes in some great colors.

CONS

• Case diameter of 44.00 (mm) is a little small for big guys (they have other bigger models).
• The band is a little tacky and bulky.
• Once broken there is very little hope in repairing a polymer watch.
• It is a little bright for some individuals who have trouble sleeping.

This watch has a case diameter of 44.00 (mm) so keep that in mind with your wrist size. It’s not the best watch for the big guy! We also noticed that the cloth band can sometimes develop a smell that can deter the opposite sex but no worries, it’s not half as bad as the smell climbing shoes can produce in a hot car.

The strap can be a little tacky, but if it’s really an issue, there are several strap replacement options on the market or other Luminox models that sport different band options. We really respect the men and women that protect our country, so the band is a great little reminder of their service. All the same, if you don’t want to sport the band with a shirt and tie, know there are options for you.

Last negative point… When this watch fails, it fails catastrophically. Because it’s a polymer watch, just plan on replacing instead of repairing. Often the cost to fix a Luminox is equal to the replacement price and the durability once compromised is questionable. We had one break from user error and that was it for the watch.

You might think that a watch designed for and used by elite troops is a product that sounded too good to be true, but in this case it did stand up to what we could throw at it! We suggest you check out Luminox’s great watches that have been tailored for elite military, law enforcement, and you!

Product: LUMINOX NAVY SEAL FASTSTRAP SERIES
Price: $195 – $300 (Shop around)
Rating: 8.5/10

Ever wanted to pour a perfect black & tan at home, but just couldn’t get it right? Well, we have a little turtle to make your brew just right. 

If you are a Michelob Ultra guy or gal who always skips dinner when sushi is the only thing on the menu, this article is not for you. Mixing beers is for the outgoing, the dreamers, the interesting guy at the end of the bar with the swimsuit model wrapped around his finger. Well, maybe that’s going a little too far but you get the idea.

I caught a glimpse of one of these while out in LA one night and ended up asking the bartender/mixologist what it was. Turns out it was a mixing spoon shaped like a turtle made for mixing dark beer and light beer. I had to do a little internet investigation to find the product, but it all paid off! I would like to introduce your new friend, the Brütül Black & Tan Turtle.

Brütül (brew tool) sells this “Lagerhead” turtle tool to help you pour a perfect black and tan at home. For the uninitiated, a black and tan is a combination of light and dark beer in which the dark beer floats on top of the light beer in the glass. While some can probably achieve the same results with a spoon, the Lagerhead is only 10 bucks and is not only much cooler looking than a spoon, it also works better. I can’t really say why it works better than a spoon, other than it just does. The beer separates just right in the glass leaving a malt masterpiece behind.

Other than the black and tan, there haven’t been a lot of other mixed up beers until recently. Now you will find all kinds of mixed creations some even including mixtures of champagne and Genius. Here are a few you can try out at home:

THE DIRTY TURTLE: Terrapin Rye Pale Ale® – Guiness®
BLACK & TAN: Guinness® – Bass Ale®
BLACKTOP: Beamish® – Fat Tire Amber Ale®
HALF & HALF: Guinness® – Harp Lager®
PATRIOT: Guinness® – Sam Adams Lager®
SNAPPER: Murphy’s® – Redhook ESB®
BOHEMIAN: Beamish® – Pilsner Urquell®
BLACK VELVET: Guinness® – Champagne
BIG EASY: Beamish® – Abita Amber Lager®
SNAKEBITE: Guinness® – Hard Cider
BUMBLE BEE: Murphy’s® – Dundee Honey Lager®

Unlike the infamous Irish Car Bomb, if you order a Black and Tan in Ireland you might just get a few angry glares. Between 1916 & 1922, the Irish Republican Brotherhood( I.R.B.), later the I.R.A., were disliked  by the British government to say the least, so the British sent over soldiers to sort out the problem. These solders were known as the Black and Tans because of the pattern of their uniform. The Black and Tans shot and harassed unarmed people and created a lot of animosity. Eventually, the Black and Tans returned to England as the fighting Irish refused to fall under their bullying tactics. Therefore, the phrase “Black And Tan” probably shouldn’t be used while in country.

So, don’t get it in a bar, just make it yourself at home with a few good friends. It’s easy to pour, and since you can’t fit two bottles of beer into one glass, it’s a great excuse to share. It’s a really great drink with a flavor that will often appeal to people who don’t even like Guinness.

Product: Brütül Black & Tan Turtle
Price: $11.95 (shipping included)
Rating: 9/10

The Enormocast’s Chris Kalous sits down with climber and flyer Steph Davis in her double-wide for his weekly podcast and a glimpse into her life.

Contending with her cat, Mao, her dog, Cajun, and her husband, Mario all futzing around in the background, Chris Kalous does a real bang up job on an in-depth podcast. Steph and Chris reminisce about their shared past, her origins, inspirations, and transition to falling as much as climbing.

If you don’t know about Chris and his website, each episode of his “the Enormocast” will bring you a glimpse into the climbing life through discussions, interviews, and his perspective backed by 20 years in the sport.

Chris’ site operates on the motto that no beta is wrong, no story is too long-winded, and he will never utter the words, “Can we talk about something besides climbing for a change?”

*Chris switches things up this week and manages not to swear so don’t let your preconceived ideas about Chris keep you form listening!
Click Here To Play!

You can also listen to Chris on iTunes and if you feel the need you can drop him an email at chris@enormocast.com and as always, check out his site! Enormocast.com

Months of training led a group of Skyliners to attempt their dream of complete freedom… the freedom of flight.

I Believe I Can Fly ( Flight of the Frenchies) was amazing! It was filmed amongst a group of friends, with no funding or sponsorship for the training, filming, or production involved. We have it imported into iTunes in our motivational reel on the AppleTV in the office. It’s a great little slacklining/base jumping movie even if you don’t enjoy French subtitles.

Make sure you have it on HD when you play this great trailer!

Enjoy

If you would like to contribute to their future projects and watch the movie, it can be downloaded from their digital store (720p HD) for 4.90€. That’s equivalent to $6.47 in US dollars for a movie!

When you spend a weekend out in the sun, you’re going to want to protect yourself or you will have a nasty little burn come Monday. Sun Bum has created some great products to not only “protect your lazy ass” from mother nature’s glare, but also to revive you with a nice cool down at the end of the day. 

We have tried out a few of Sun Bum’s products and have been impressed! For starters, it smells like sun screen should, less like medicine and more like a drink with an umbrella you would enjoy at the end of the day. A little coconut, a hint of mango,  a bit of banana all coming together in a pleasant enjoyable aroma. More important than smell, Sun Bum protects. Cancer is a daunting prospect, but by using sun care products regularly, we can reduce the risk by up to 80%.

Sun Bum has something for both the beach goer and general outdoors enthusiast. From sunscreen made with pure zinc oxide, to a taste bananas flavored SPF 30+ lip balms.

The Pros:

• Goes on smooth and silky, not sticky.
• Smells Amazing.
• Protects you from mother nature.
• They are recommended by Skin Cancer Foundation.
• Sum bum is never tested on animals.
• They are all paraben free / PABA free / oil free.
• They are all Hypoallergenic.
• Chocked full of antioxidants that help to neutralize free radicals to curb premature aging.
• Sunscreen comes in specific formulas ranging from a pro formula for active life to a SPF 70+  formula for the albino in the family .
• After sun Cool Down keeps you from peeling while keeping you cool and comfortable.
• Lip Balm tastes so good someone might want to get a little closer to test it out.
• It is designed and distributed out of the east coast surfing capital of Cocoa Beach, FL.

The Cons:

• Using Sun Bum lip balm will make you want to eat your own banana flavored lips.

5 of the many products Sun Bun produces.

Considering their humble beginnings, the company executives work out of a small white house with blue trim, next door to the Quiet Flight Surf Shop in Cocoa Beach right near their customers’ proving ground. With a great product and punchy advertising, Sun Bum is quickly becoming a household name in Florida as well as its newer California and Hawaii markets.

I took a break to slather some Sun Bum Cool Down on my neck while I was writing this review for some post sun relief , so it’s safe to say that I’m a believer. We suggest you grab any one of their products today and give it a try!

Product: Sun Bum Sun Products
Price: $3.99 (Lib Balm) - $17.99 (Pro) We suggest getting it directly from Sun Bum’s online shop
Rating: 10/10

Gold Coast Native Aussie Ryan Hipwood…

Ryan is always pushing the limits and is constantly searching the globe to find the biggest, most perfect waves. It is this fearless nature and passion for chasing monster slabs that has made Ryan one of the most photographed and respected surfers in the world

He and his good mate Mark Mathews have mastered waves that would give a normal man a stirring chill up his spine.

In short, Ryan Hipwood is the one chasing waves that you wouldn’t want to surf.

Enjoy.