Jamis Sixfifty

I’ve been in contact with Nick from Getaway Cycle Center in Bloomingdale for a few months now to demo a Jamis SixFifty.  It so happens there was a Jamis Demo day he is running at Ringwood this past weekend.  I was getting all stoked to ride this bad boy but then my plans to go were put off for better reasons (cause I’ll be doing the first TM at the Rutgers Eco Preserve!).  However, I shot Nick an email asking if he will have the demo fleet around next week too and he said that he actually had them on hand and I can demo one whenever.  The next day during the week I meet Nick for the first time and out the door I go to test the SixFifty B2 at Ringwood!

Checking the bike out, I couldn’t tell much difference from a 26″ FS bike.  It felt just as light too.  I put my leg over and WoW.  The bike immediately felt right!  The geometry is spot on.  The seat tube angle was comfortable.  It put you in the bike and not on top of it.  On paper the 69* head tube angle  is a little steep for a AM bike but it felt less than that.  It steered pretty quick but felt slack.  The bike also puts you at a very comfortable height.  The height felt stable and it may have looked like a 26″ bike but it sure didn’t feel like one when rolling around in the lot.  Doing some S turns, I really felt the momentum compared to my 26″ FS bike.  On ward I went and hopped over the curb to get on the double track.  It did that just like any 26″ and I honestly smiled.  Seriously.  To test it even further I started hopping from one side of the double track to the other.  I hate to say the F word when talking about the 650bs but yes, this bike is Flickable like a 26″.   

[Vimeo 11069500]   

The first section I hit was a moderately technical long curving climb.  I really didn’t know what to expect.  Ugh, the bike’s climbing characteristics is a bit firm for me.  I’ve heard the White Brothers Fluid fork being a little sticky and that was true.  Another downfall of the fork is that there isn’t any on the fly adjustments and the rebound is set on bottom of the lowers and the compression is set my adding or reducing air which wasn’t convenient.  The rear Rock Shox Monarch 3.1 wasn’t as active as I would like it to be either.  Coming from a Giant Maestro design, the MP3’s small bump compliance really didn’t feel like it was all there.  I had set up the shock to be a little on the plush side and the rebound and gate just about in the middle.  Afterall, the Sixfifty is still a single pivot bike so maybe that’s why what I considered on the plush side wasn’t enough for this design?  I set the suspension up at the shop and I was bummed I didn’t pack a shock pump.  I mean the Monarch isn’t a POS.  I’ve read some great reviews on it.  The SixFifty was an efficient climber but it wasn’t the most active. At least I didn’t feel any pedal bob.  However, as I approached awkward divots in the trail I would give the bike a quick burst of acceleration in anticipation of getting the wheels caught but it coasted over with little effort.  That was neat.  After the climb I hit some more small elevation change areas with singletrack and fireroads.  It was nice!  The bike carried its own speed very well through ST and coming out of some turns I could really get it out of the gate and feel the front float.  I don’t even get this kind of sensation on my 650b HT.  As I was saying the geo it spot on.  For comparison, the BB height on my HT is just about the same.  It’s 12″ with 26″ wheels and 13″ and change with 650b wheels.  The HT has a 71* HA.  I guess that’s where the difference is and the fact that this is a FS bike.  So it allows one to dig deeper in the turns and let the suspension spring you out.  My ReignX is too much of a pig to make this happen at 37#.   

Well, I get to the top of a bone jarring descent and make my way down.  Once again, where I expected my wheels to lock up in awkward spots, they just rolled over with ease.  I had to lock up my brakes a few times and  I experienced brake jack!  Or brake squat?!  Brake jack and squat are different but whatever it was the suspension locked up and I skipped like skipping stones.  This happened a couple of times.  Anyways, I got to the bottom of the infamous double switchbacks and I went up and through them smoothly and then that brought me to Skylands Trail.  I eyed up the Triple Drop and personally, I wasn’t up for it today.  Nevertheless, the bike isn’t even mine.  On the other hand I started testing the bike on some of the larger boulder features there.  The bike went up and down fine.  If you are familiar with some Jersey rock features, the on ramp is always smooth but half the time the exit is broken up and you experience an OTB scare.  However, with the Sixfifty there wasn’t an OTB feeling compared to my 26″ FS even though my 26″ FS has 2.5″ tires and a 67* HA.  I purposely planted the 650b wheel in some awkward places too and I was not sketched.  I liked the security the 650b wheel provided.  The next joy came from the flowy section out of Skylands Trail.  The bike tracked well and fast and before you know it I was lined up to take the 3’+/- drop.  NICE!  No bottom out.  The drop wasn’t a slow flat to flat like the Sourlands stuff.  It was a fast chute.  The Sixfifty handled the features on warm puppy just the same.   

All new Jamis Sixfifty B2

  

Summary – Jamis answers their own, “why 650b?” question with “you get the lightweight flickability and snappy acceleration of smaller 26” hoops, but you’ll also enjoy the relentless roll-over-everything trail ownage of 29’ers without their extra height and heft.  Sixfifty is all-mountain control, in a cross-country package.”  I totally agree.  The bike is a trail bike more than anything but if you put it to it, it will take on all the AM features.  It handled the 2-3 foot drops fine but I did feel a bit hesitant.  I just didn’t feel confident on hitting some of the aggressive stuff because I’m used to my ReignX with 6″+ with a 160mm fork and 36 stanchions.  I was expecting the Jamis to be like the new Trek Remedy. A 30# do it all aggressive AM machine.  At least that is what I am looking for but the Jamis disappointed in that respect.  It needs 36 stanchions and/or 10mm more of travel to get the more aggressive job done.  Especially if you weigh more than me which most people do.  Additionally, this was my first time using a drop post.  I didn’t really like it.  The Joplin dropped all the way and you loose the ability to feel where the bike’s rear is by using your tighs.  It’s just personal preference I guess.  I can see why gravity dropper makes a 2″ drop post now.  I’d rather try one of those.  Also, there is some wiggle in the post which I’ve heard plenty about before but I have no complaints with other components of the bike.  Compared to a 26″ FS, the Sixfifty excelled in carrying better speed through the turns and there is a smoother transition in and out.  The advantage of a larger wheel benefited both up and down too while still being very maneuverable.  It did fine in the tighter spots as well.  I brought the bike back to Nick and we talked about how I felt about the ride.  I was honest and told him mostly what’s on this review.  I looked over at his Sixfifty setup and saw his RP23.  That is exactly what this bike needs I said.  A more adjustable and active rear shock.  Sorry Rockshox but your forks are better than your shocks.  Then I was asked the money question by another at the shop, “Would you buy one?”  I hesitated  and said, “I would have to wait it out.”  Overall, the ride was great.  The larger 650b wheels provided the Sixfifty to excel in ripping up the flowy sections and having better rolling capability while still feeling nimble.  What I did not like was the suspension and if the suspension doesn’t work for you on a FS bike then the purchase would be a fail.  I may just need to spend more time on the bike but there is no denying the validity of a 650b full suspension rig.   Jamis is going to be at JORBA Fest this year and I’ll have you know that I am definitely taking the Sixfifty for another ride.   

Pros – light and nimble still with 650b’s, geometry, carries momentum better but doesn’t compromise control of the bike, no squat or pedal bob, climbs well, 650b’s excelled in flowy singletrack and rolling over   

Cons – White Brothers Fork definitely, either the shock or the MP3 design for its lack of small bump compliance or I just need better settings, brake jack/squat, hideous sliver of reinforcement in the front triangle that runs along the shock

Spring Showers

Errh, I mean floods.  It’s raining now too but I’m talking about two weekends ago when it rained 4 days straight.  Spring was just around the corner.  It was all nice and everything during the week and I got to ride the road with shorts for the first time this year.  What I thought was going to be a relaxing Saturday from being rained in and working on a new bike, getting mexican food, bowling with a couple friends, turned out to be a dreadful nightmare.  

It looked to be a good week

 

Swapping parts onto the new ride in the morning

 

After some me time I head over to help Erin’s dad clean up a small flood.  Things were wrapping up, I crack open a Smithwick’s, and then I am informed my brother got 6″ in his basement.  I take some time to breath before I go there to help and then I get another call telling me our house was flooding because we didn’t have power.  Now I was pulling out my hair.  There had been a lot of road closure’s due to flooding and downed trees/powerlines already so it took me extra time to get home. 

Backed up traffic from detours

 

The next 12 hours

 

 The sump pump room and the storage room of our basement had about an inch.  What started out to be 2 of us bucketing out water quickly became 6 and then people started dropping out one after another.  The good news was that it wasn’t a lot of water when we first discovered the flooding but that was also the bad news because we can still save our basement and that require lots of effort.  We worked like a well oiled machine to contain the small flood.  We used anything that could scoop up water.  Small trash cans, brooms and dustpans, and mops.  The water would start to recede due to our efforts and then it would come rushing back because it continued to pour.  Finally, it stopped raining and the flood started to subside.  I was the last one standing and was left managing this small puddle coming from the non powered sump.  I checked up on it every 15 minutes.  My dad went hunting for a generator when he woke up too.   He was on his way home with a $1,700 generator (WTF!) and then the power is back on!  THANK YOU BABY JESUS!  Finally, I packed it in, showered, ate, and collapsed into a coma. 

Two days later there is still carnage

 

People are still recovering from the storm this week in other parts of NJ.  There is another flood warning now too.  That isn’t good.  My prayers are with these people.  On the other hand, the sun unveiled itself for 7 straight days this past week just in time for the Spring.  I hit the road a couple times and on the weekend I rode Round Valley and Sourlands.  RV was a killer workout.  We rode 15miles and conquered every climb.  SL was a great social ride.  We took our time, rode every feature and thoroughly enjoyed the first day of spring!  The mountain was packed with people too.  Conditions at both parks were rideable but SL was very muddy on the flat section up top heading to Boulderama.  It was a relief to finally get durty durty again after being sidelined for 2 months by the weather.  Thanks BobA for the video! 

Who Really are your Cycling Friends?

Are you are looking to get to know more cyclist?  Hopefully make a few friends quick and establish a good base for a friendship before Spring rolls around.  Well, then you probably have joined a local group/club/team and you started riding with these strangers.  The process begins awkwardly (but only if you make it awkward).  Slowly they become your habitual riding buddies.  Outside of cycling who is this person(s)?  Eventually you find yourself opening up to these strangers and letting him in about your life from the sh!t you took this morning to that home remodeling project.  Are you letting him know too much?  As time goes on and you ride together more, this whole network forms and you’re part of this click and Junior High is on repeat.  Sometimes you may have multiple cliques.  You ask yourself are these people really my friends or are they just companions because most of the time they quickly disappear after the ride and go on with their life.  Will they stick up for you?  If you forgot cash, will they spare you $5 for your latte and biscotti at the recharge stop knowing that they probably won’t ever see it again?  You can’t even stand some of your real friends or imagine living with them.  So would you go on a bike trip with your cycling friends?  The answer is YES 3x’s!

Some cycling friends and I made a trip to Rays Mtb Park in Cleveland, OH a couple weeks ago.  I was up in the air (btw that George Clooney movie was pretty good) about going.  I mixed up some dates and I really didn’t want to make that drive either but I made it work out.  Also, being the new kid I didn’t really know what to expect.  Like I said, who are these people outside of biking and can I stand sharing a room with them?  In my case, I couldn’t have asked for better people to go with! Your cycling friend is a vegetarian or meat lover.  They love wine and beer or don’t drink at all.  They make fun of each other, pass gas whenever, and make those dirty jokes just as much as you do and they might even be dirtier than yours.  They are just the norm.  Your cycling friends are your real friends! If that makes any sense.  I’ve been riding a little while now and have known my riding buddies for some time.  Eventually they have graduated to becoming good friends where riding isn’t the only thing.  So don’t be that awkward group member or that harda$$ on the next ride.  Pucker up and make some new friends that you will have around for a while.  Cycling is your common interest and it is a strong force, believe it.  On the other hand, there are those who don’t want to make any friends nor talk when they ride.  They are out just soaking it all in.  That is cool too.  We all have our fair share of those and they are just as enjoyable alone or when you’re on the silent treatment, where you have a mutual understanding you just want to RIDE.

[Vimeo 9842760]

Starting late last week, the weather has been astounding.  At the hottest part of the day it has been mid 50s and sunny.  Perfect riding weather except for the small puddles from the melting snow.  This weekend, Jeff and I rode 60miles!  I met him on the road and we went up over the mountain and went back up and over again on the return.  I was cooked at 50mi.  There really wasn’t much more I wanted at that time than to be home and eating my $5 footlong and damn was that good.  It was a great ride.  I think 60miles is a pretty good measure.  It’s not too short or too long, distance or time.  It’s not really that enjoyable when you come back from a ride and your day is pretty much over.  So get out early!  Today, I rode 40mi roundtrip to a friends to pick something up.  I was wearing shorts for the first time this year and apparently red means go for some drivers today!  I was starving on the way home too.  It was very hard for me to not stop and have dinner at some place in Princeton.  When I got home I scarfed down whatever I could find the fastest and ready to eat.  I ate a little too fast and felt ugh after chocolate milk, banana, PBnJ sandwich, some chips, and some soup to wash it down.  It wasn’t the best mix.

Unmotivational Snow

The sun is setting later each day.  That is awesome and spring is just around the corner but that doesn’t excuse the brutal elements out there.  It has been cold and worst, it’s been windy!  The last time I braved the elements was two weeks ago and it was not enjoyable at all.  Not to mention, it’s been accompanied by some good snow pounding this month. 

The big one in Feb. Mom getting it done.

Bird doing S turns

The roads are pretty clean but the wind whipping out there is brutal.   The trails are not rideable either.  It’s either too much snow or too warm and wet.  So I blame the snow for my inactivity.  I did go snowboarding a couple times after some snowfall though.  There is video from early February below.  It has been some of the most enjoyable mountain conditions but I just missed this big one up in the Catskills 😦  They got about 50″ of snow there last week!  For being quite a sloth, I punished myself and joined Erin on a loooong run this weekend.  We ran 12miles.  I can barely walk properly.  Actually, I ran 10.5 and she ran 12.  I had to take a pit stop and I’m missing a sock…

[Vimeo 9412141]

Happy Chinese New Year!  Better late than never!  Yesterday was also Chinese Valentine’s Day.  It is the 7th day of the 7th lunar month in the Chinese Calendar.  Whatever that means.  Or my mom defined it as the 15th day of the New Year.

xCHECK it!

My 2007 Surly Cross-Check in Misty Mountain Grey!!!  Built by moi.  Kitted with fenders and rack for commuting and an all arounder and stacked to the sky!  Parts: Chris King Rasta headset, Mary On-Ones, Avid Digit 7’s with Speed Dials, Surly Flip-Flip hub laced to Mavic Open Pros, Salsa Rings and Surly Cogs (45/17 road, 39/18 cross), Thomson post and stem, Salsa Lip-Lock, Planet Bike fenders, Specialized Boro CX tires…

 

Metric Century

For 2010 I want to get a century ride in.  A couple days ago we did a metric century aka 62 miles.  That is close but no cigar.  I usually go that distance a couple times a year but I would love to make that distance every couple of months.  I could never do it all by myself though.  Thankfully I was out with a strong group that kept on truckin’ for ~65miles.  Unfortunately, none of us had a functioning computer.  The group included Fred, Chris, Ben and Larry.  It was fun to be in the saddle for 4.5hrs in the hills and more fun slingshotting on the downhills.  We rode from the Sourlands area out to Frenchtown where Fredster had to make his turnaround, toured the PA side for a while and made a stop at the Carversville General Store.  Then we started heading back through the Stockton area.  I was toast by the end.  Shhhh… don’t tell Ben I robbed his pics.

No Pedestrians? But we are cyclist!

Gotta get that dirt in

At night that same day Triumph Brewry in Princeton was hosting a roller race.  Many of us local riders/shops went to go check that out.  It was a h2h bracket and there was a dial for each rollor.  Most of the racers started off matching each other and staying consistent and when the last lap bell came around they jumped trying to take the win.  Almost all of them were and a track bike and these mofos were running some huge gears.  There was a female who tied a male too.  The pro winnder won $100 but the person who made out the best was Gary from Bike-N-Gear.  He won the fitty fitty!

Skinsuits indoors make you more aero and go faster!

2009 Wrap-Up

So HAPPY NEW YEAR!  I wish you and your loved ones a great new year filled with love, happiness, and good health.  The New Year was spent relaxing and catching a matinee.  We (Erin and fam) saw Up in the Air with George Clooney.  It was a good movie.  After that we just enjoyed a home cooked meal and watched the New Year pass.  I was eating Ranch Doritos the other day and I really think that should be in every household during the Holiday Season. You can’t deny that the festive red and green flakes don’t match your christmas tree or that when you put them in your mouth the flavor explodes like the New Year’s fireworks.  Oh, and I just saw the best Mythbusters episode ever, Demo Derby Special.  They destroyed cars for 2 hours.  The best was when they made the compact car even more compact by smashing it with rockets going 700mph.  I would love to have a job on that show helping them tinker.

In 2009 I rode a mountain bike 56 times with approximately 150hrs and I rode a road bike 40 times with approximately 60hrs and 1060 miles, but the road numbers are pretty close because those are computer numbers.  That averages two times on a bike a week, I’ll take that.  For 2010 I plan to ride just as much, if not more, and continue to have fun.  I’ve been out 5 times this year already and this past weekend was pretty fun.  I got out Friday-Sunday with many people and did some cool filming, so I’m on schedule 😉 I would also like to get a century under my belt, put in longer road miles, and complete a Half Ironman!   And now I present to you a video I should have put together 5 months ago, Diablo 2009.

[Vimeo 8687087]

Sonic Blast

Happy Holidays!  I can’t even begin to describe where the time went this past week.  It was a total blur and there was absolutely no riding of any kind.  The weather has been too cold for my taste (from mid teens to mid 30s).  I spent the entire time with family and friends, drinking and eating, movie after movie, and I loved every second of it.  I went for a 30 min run this week.  That was about the most active I got and it was not fun.  On the other hand, the gift exchanging was fun.  I gave out some shirts, fire pit, apple card, lift tickets, and I detailed Erin’s car…  and some notable gifts for me was a rolling work stool, laptop sleeve, Performance Bike GCs, and a new digi cam.  Also, I went to a NHL game for the first time.  I’ll go again if it was free but I don’t care for it much.

Well, now the real sonic blast, was the Sonic Blast!  A brand new Sonic opened down the block this month.  I haven’t made it there for a meal yet but it has been the hot spot in town.  After picking up the girls from the station for their City trip and getting some Pho for dinner, we stopped in for dessert.  They got a shake and I got a Sonic Blast.  We had the ensuing Sonic moment.  I handed my Blast to Erin… Erin: I’m not too hot about the whip cream.  Me: Yea, it surprised me at first but I’m all about it.  And then they just lost it.  Yea… one of them you had to be there moments…

Snow Drift Coast

Not sure if you heard… but we got hit with some nice snow yesterday!  Parts of the Jersey Coast got as much snow as 20″!  There was a serious drift that produced a few feet in some places while this part of town only got about 10″.  That was enough for me to cancel a trail maintenance I scheduled for the Rutgers Eco Preserve.  It has been a long time coming, trying to get a proper TM at the RUEP.  A year of trying to get in touch with the right people and going back and forth and what do you know, SNOW!  It was still early in the storm.  JP and I decided to hit up some white 6 Mile singletrack.  The conditions were perfect, dusty white over frozen hardpack.  We did a two hour out and back.

Quaint Singletrack

Jersey Coast had their work cut out for them. That looks like a serious workout.

The storm also canceled Erin’s family’s sing-a-long but Erin and I managed to squeeze out to a friends holiday party later at night.  There is usually a grab bag gift at the sing-a-long but Santa came early anyways and gave me a sweet Pedro’s bottle opener for my bike station.  Come to think of it, Santa just rolled by in his firetruck a couple hours ago.

I Like Beer

This morning I dug my car out of Erin’s driveway and then I went boarding with my brother and sister-in-law.  Considering it was Camelback’s first opening weekend, snowfall, and only 3 lifts open, there wasn’t that many people at all.  I thought the snow would give us some great conditions but with only a few inches there it was a bit better than usual.  Maybe I’m being modest.  It’s probably the best I’ve seen there for a while.  There wasn’t ice everywhere like usual and there was some good powder on the side and theeeen I got flagged haha.   I wish it had snowed more there but the 30mph winds probably drifted most of the snow away.  I still had a great time.  Getting on a board after 9 months really rejuvenates the spirit and I’m jonesying for a real mountain!

Cuuuute

Big Chill Coast

Last week was brutally cold.  The winds were gusting.  I tested my ankle on a run for the first time since I sprained it.  There is some discomfort running on it even with a brace but not enough to stop me from doing the Rutgers Big Chill on Saturday!  It’s my fourth or fifth year and hope to keep them going.  I love the event for it’s local vibe, large numbers (5,200 this year), and generosity.  The entry fee is a new toy for donation use.  This year I went with a tennis raquet and some tennis balls.  I saw it at the store and I just had to get it.  The temperature started to warm up a little over the weekend to about 40 degrees.  So thankfully the weather was good enough for shorts and a long sleeve.  Erin and I ran it together at  8:20 pace.  Fast enough to let me think I worked hard enough but not too slow to make me feel like a bum.  That put me in about mid pack and Erin top 25%!  This year the shirt was baby blue and at the finish they gave out sweet beer glasses.  The beer glass was a change.  In the years past they always gave out cheap coffee thermos.  By the way, I need to get on that shirt design committee.  Shirt is way too cute and obnoxiously big and having five of them in different colors doesn’t help.  But let me tell ya, I was damn sore the next day.  I guess I can attribute that to not running for a long time.  One of the best ’09 summer day was logging a 10 mile run in perfect weather…

I went riding the next day with Nelson the next day anyhow.  We hit up Round Valley.  His pack of dogs accompanied us again and it’s so amazing to watch them follow at our speeds, judge the turns, and keep their balance on ice.  It was raining on and off.  At the halfway point we bagged it because we didn’t want to get stuck out in worser conditions.  We and our equipment were already icing over.  The ride was still good though.  We still managed to get a workout in and chit chat a little.  RV is good for chit chatting cause of the double track.  You don’t have to worry about hollering back behind you.  I pulled out of the park and didn’t really understand why this man in front of me was going so slow.  I patiently waited behind him until my next turn.  I made the turn and continued for 20 yards.  All of a sudden, my truck started fishtailing left.  DUH!  Black ice!  I countersteered and fishtailed right.  There were two on coming cars that were driving slow enough to come to a complete stop nice and easy.  I didn’t think this was going to end good.  Trying to regain control, I hoped for the best.  My car stopped!  I wanted to warn Nellie but I didn’t want to distract him.  Next thing I know he was calling me.  I drove 10mph on 4wd until I got to the highway and proceeded home at a cautious speed.  Some people were still flying.  Did they not see the carnage today?  I saw about 5 accidents anywhere from minor to major within 20 miles.  Monday, I hit the canal path for 1.5 hours.  Tuesday, I did some Yoga for recovery.  Tomorrow, I will be heading out with a few others for a night road ride.  Look out for the night train!

Too icey to handle