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Photo: Blackburn / Brian Vernor
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It used to be that mountain biking and road riding were worlds apart, but that's not really the case anymore with the rising popularity of all terrain road and adventure riding. This special mix of knobby tires and curly bars looks a lot like a cyclocross bike, but it's an activity that puts some special demands on the equipment.
There are plenty of people who want to get out on the road less traveled, but hesitate to commit to a dedicated bike for something they're not quite sure about yet.
To make that new bike purchase decision easier, we're removing the price barrier with a new entry-level, gun metal finish RLT 9 complete bike. We've maintained all the fittings and eyelets on both frame and fork so even the first-timer can rack up and go bike packing if they're up for it. And if not, it still holds out that carrot of adventure if it's something that they may want to grow into.
We've also ensured reliability through a quality component selection. Drivetrain functions and braking are handled by Shimano 10-speed Tiagra with 160mm rotors front and back. Niner branded cockpit and QR wheels round out the build which targets durability at an excellent price. Hit the road less traveled and enjoy the experience with a few more bucks in your pocket.
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Blackburn has a long history of making biking products and accessories. Back in 1975, Jim Blackburn got his start building racks for what he saw as an emerging cycling culture. Since those humble beginnings, Blackburn Design has grown to offer a wide array of purpose built gear with the hope that it allows people to go farther and be prepared to face anything the ride has to offer. | | | Photo: Blackburn / Brian Vernor |
The Blackburn Rangers program is a unique approach to spreading that message. They wanted to reach out to people who might have a more passing relationship with bikes, who don't necessarily consider themselves 'cyclists' in hopes of lowering the perceived barriers to entering the sport, and to spread their message to a broader audience.
We're so bombarded in our daily lives with stories of heroes performing phenomenal feats that are in many ways aspirational, but in reality, none of us expects to get paid by Redbull to skydive from space. Somehow, adventure sounds so much more approachable and inviting. Throwing a leg over a bike with a bunch of gear and setting out on a point-to-point ride might still be a serious challenge to someone who is not an avid cyclist, but it's something that most people can wrap their heads around.
For the past couple years, Rangers have embarked on one of two routes, either the Great Divide or the Pacific Coast Bicycle Route stretching from Vancouver, Canada to the Mexican border. While riding the length of the Rocky Mountains is a serious undertaking demanding a somewhat specialized assortment of gear, the Pacific Coast is just the thing for those who prefer something more akin to the road less traveled. For this, Blackburn has partnered with Niner to set up each Ranger with a new RLT. Designed expressly for the road less traveled, they're the perfect match for Blackburn's many rack and bag combinations, giving the riders any number of ways to pack the things they will need on their journeys.
Before setting them loose on their adventures, Blackburn hosts the riders at what they call Ranger Camp. It's a chance for the new Rangers to get set up with all the new gear they think they will need, gain some insight into the world of bike touring and get invaluable advice on how to mount their gear to their new RLTs.
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Back in December, Niner auctioned off ten limited edition RLT bikes to benefit the International Mountain Bicycling Association. One of the lucky winners, Josh Winer of Boulder, Colorado, came to pick up his brand new bike at our offices in Fort Collins. We caught up with him recently to find out more about him and how he likes his new RLT.
Q. Why did you decide to support the IMBA auction and bid on a limited edition RLT?
I bid on this bike because it's an awesome bike first and foremost. Supporting IMBA was the icing on the cake. I love being able to show my support with the sexiest branding on two wheels. The bike gets a ton of attention and comments from other riders, and I love telling them about the Niner/IMBA collaboration. Knowing that I'm all but certain never to see this bike with another rider on it is kind of cool.
Q. How does the RLT fit into the riding you like to do?
I honestly like to ride anything and everything. Single track, tarmac, dirt roads... The RLT is awesome because I can leave my garage and ride ANYTHING around Boulder. I've climbed Flagstaff (a grueling road ride), I've gotten muddy on my way to Gold Hill, and have played around on single track on the RLT. The CX1 gearing crushed "the wall" on Flag, the sweet Reynolds steel and carbon fork damped the gravel road, and the IMBA branding says it's at home on single track. Last weekend I bunny hopped a prairie dog mound on the Sage trail in North Boulder, was great to feel that confidence!
Q. Do you have any fun plans for riding your new RLT this summer or maybe you've envisioned an adventure you'd like to set out on at some point in the future?
It's already started. My first big ride on the RLT was a 50-mile annual ride called the Winterburg which I did with a bunch of guys on the laid back team I just joined (Team Alchemist). It was mostly gravel, with some single track and minimal pavement. The RLT will help maintain my sanity. I'm having my second kid in June, and while I love riding alongside my three year old daughter on her strider, sometimes I need more.
I just picked up a custom through-axle to pull our kid trailer, so I plan to bike my daughter to daycare and then continue my 22-mile commute to Westminster from Boulder. It's a win-win-win. Kid loves riding in the trailer, wife will appreciate the help, and I get to maintain my sanity by getting out on the RLT!
I also organize a bi-annual "Man Camp" where 10-15 dudes head to Moab, Fruita, or Wyoming to bike and bullshit for four days. It's all about mountain biking, but I think the RLT could hang with the 40c tires I put on it. Crush the guys on slick rock, snag a PR on Kessel run, or maybe I'll just ditch the car and bike to one of the next man camps! Who knows? |
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Fullerton Bicycles opened its doors in 1967, and their Buena Park location has been in business for
almost 70 years. It's an impressive feat, given the challenges local bike shops face in the age of the internet. We caught up with General Manager Ricardo Peña to find out what makes them so successful. "We started off as a mom-and-pop sporting goods store and kept it in the family," says Ricardo. "We've only had two other owners." With a focus on customer service and the community, the shop has managed to remain the go-to stop for cyclists in town. "We're pretty big, so we've got good variety" says Ricardo, who adds that they've maintained the mom-and-pop feel despite concept shops popping up around town.
Surprisingly, the Buena Park and Fullerton areas aren't exactly mountain bike meccas. "We're in the city, so it isn't that great" says Ricardo when asked about their trail options. Most of their easily accessible rides include inner city trails or gravel paths between houses and alleyways, with the odd dash of singletrack. "It's very urban, but still fun!" The shop organizes after work rides every Thursday.
| | | Over the Hump racers get ready to ride. |
The other way the shop contributes to the bike community is by sponsoring the local race series, called Over the Hump. These "dirt crit" races take place every Tuesday night over the summer, with a focus on fun and family. "The kids always race before everyone" says Ricardo, "and the smallest field we've ever had is 100." The total participants can reach over 700, and Ricardo says around 2,000 spectators (mostly family and friends) usually show up to watch. Ricardo and his coworkers volunteer as course marshals, and often race themselves.
| | | UCI pro racer Alfred Pacheco's bike built by Fullerton Bicycles. |
For a shop that's been around for so long, you'd expect to see a ton of turnover, but Ricardo says that one employee, Cindy, has been around since 1995. Cindy just turned 65, and according to Ricardo she's as passionate about the shop as when she started.
Fullerton Bicycles proves that you don't have to live near the world's best bike trails to have a special bike shop. They owe their longevity to their admirable focus on the community, excellent service and a genuine passion for trails (wherever they can get them!)
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Your New School Riding Hood
The hoodie is a classic in the American fashion lexicon, but that doesn't mean it's got to be the daggy old cotton sweat soaker you wore back in junior high gym class. Our new Pennock Hoodie is sewn with a great looking Melange outer material and adds a sublimated wicking liner for great heat and moisture management. We've added reflective details to keep you safe after dark, and the longer cut keeps it casual for your day-to-day, and more importantly, keeps it from riding up while you're shredding down Cuts to the Chase
If you were to hear the word sawmill in the context of today's outdoor hipster culture, you might be forgiven for envisioning guys attired in free trade flannel, certified organic mustache wax adding the perfect glisten their delicately coiffed facial hair as they contemplate a decorative stacking of their artisanal firewood. Well forget all that, because the new Sawmill Short cuts straight to the chase. It's made to do what you want to do -ride-and gets you out on the trail for all-day fun and function. Welcome to the Niner Team
Bold is beautiful, and the bright new Wathen Jersey nails it. This clean looking riding jersey combines a big splash of racing red emblazoned with a team-style Niner logo on the chest to let everyone on the trail know who you're rooting for. A relaxed fit allows just the right amount airflow to cool you off on those hot climbs, and dueling zippered rear pockets give you just enough storage to stash a few items for the ride if you feel like running light. Wear Some Rocky Mountain Stoke
Nothing says Colorado like the Rocky Mountains and our new Front Ranger Jersey sings it from their highest peaks. With the outline of these majestic spires capping the Niner logo, this jersey delivers comfortable good looks that will take you from the trailhead, to the top of the climb and all the way back down for some stoke sodas. You're welcome.
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| Niner employees are passionate riders who believe that time spent on the trails with friends is as important as time spent in the office. Scraped knees, riding tales, and camp fire smell in our jackets remind us of our primary goal - building beautiful, dependable bikes that you will enjoy as much as we do. Thank you, from the Niner Bikes Crew!
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For the past couple years, Rangers have embarked on one of two routes, either the Great Divide or the Pacific Coast Bicycle Route stretching from Vancouver, Canada to the Mexican border. While riding the length of the Rocky Mountains is a serious undertaking demanding a somewhat specialized assortment of gear, the Pacific Coast is just the thing for those who prefer something more akin to the road less traveled.For this, Blackburn has partnered with Niner to set up each Ranger with a new RLT. Designed expressly for the road less traveled, they're the perfect match for Blackburn's many rack and bag combinations, giving the riders any number of ways to pack the things they will need on their journeys.Before setting them loose on their adventures, Blackburn hosts the riders at what they call Ranger Camp. It's a chance for the new Rangers to get set up with all the new gear they think they will need, gain some insight into the world of bike touring and get invaluable advice on how to mount their gear to their new RLTs.To follow the Rangers on their roads less traveled, or to become a Ranger yourself, you can visit Blackburn Design's website.
Q. Why did you decide to support the IMBA auction and bid on a limited edition RLT?I bid on this bike because it's an awesome bike first and foremost. Supporting IMBA was the icing on the cake. I love being able to show my support with the sexiest branding on two wheels. The bike gets a ton of attention and comments from other riders, and I love telling them about the Niner/IMBA collaboration. Knowing that I'm all but certain never to see this bike with another rider on it is kind of cool.Q. How does the RLT fit into the riding you like to do?I honestly like to ride anything and everything. Single track, tarmac, dirt roads... The RLT is awesome because I can leave my garage and ride ANYTHING around Boulder. I've climbed Flagstaff (a grueling road ride), I've gotten muddy on my way to Gold Hill, and have played around on single track on the RLT. The CX1 gearing crushed "the wall" on Flag, the sweet Reynolds steel and carbon fork damped the gravel road, and the IMBA branding says it's at home on single track. Last weekend I bunny hopped a prairie dog mound on the Sage trail in North Boulder, was great to feel that confidence!
Q. Do you have any fun plans for riding your new RLT this summer or maybe you've envisioned an adventure you'd like to set out on at some point in the future?It's already started. My first big ride on the RLT was a 50-mile annual ride called the Winterburg which I did with a bunch of guys on the laid back team I just joined (Team Alchemist).It was mostly gravel, with some single track and minimal pavement. The RLT will help maintain my sanity. I'm having my second kid in June, and while I love riding alongside my three year old daughter on her strider, sometimes I need more.I just picked up a custom through-axle to pull our kid trailer, so I plan to bike my daughter to daycare and then continue my 22-mile commute to Westminster from Boulder. It's a win-win-win. Kid loves riding in the trailer, wife will appreciate the help, and I get to maintain my sanity by getting out on the RLT!I also organize a bi-annual "Man Camp" where 10-15 dudes head to Moab, Fruita, or Wyoming to bike and bullshit for four days. It's all about mountain biking, but I think the RLT could hang with the 40c tires I put on it. Crush the guys on slick rock, snag a PR on Kessel run, or maybe I'll just ditch the car and bike to one of the next man camps! Who knows?
Surprisingly, the Buena Park and Fullerton areas aren't exactly mountain bike meccas. "We're in the city, so it isn't that great" says Ricardo when asked about their trail options. Most of their easily accessible rides include inner city trails or gravel paths between houses and alleyways, with the odd dash of singletrack. "It's very urban, but still fun!" The shop organizes after work rides every Thursday.
The hoodie is a classic in the American fashion lexicon, but that doesn't mean it's got to be the daggy old cotton sweat soaker you wore back in junior high gym class. Our new Pennock Hoodie is sewn with a great looking Melange outer material and adds a sublimated wicking liner for great heat and moisture management. We've added reflective details to keep you safe after dark, and the longer cut keeps it casual for your day-to-day, and more importantly, keeps it from riding up while you're shredding downCuts to the Chase
If you were to hear the word sawmill in the context of today's outdoor hipster culture, you might be forgiven for envisioning guys attired in free trade flannel, certified organic mustache wax adding the perfect glisten their delicately coiffed facial hair as they contemplate a decorative stacking of their artisanal firewood. Well forget all that, because the new Sawmill Short cuts straight to the chase. It's made to do what you want to do -ride-and gets you out on the trail for all-day fun and function.Welcome to the Niner Team
Bold is beautiful, and the bright new Wathen Jersey nails it. This clean looking riding jersey combines a big splash of racing red emblazoned with a team-style Niner logo on the chest to let everyone on the trail know who you're rooting for. A relaxed fit allows just the right amount airflow to cool you off on those hot climbs, and dueling zippered rear pockets give you just enough storage to stash a few items for the ride if you feel like running light.Wear Some Rocky Mountain Stoke
Nothing says Colorado like the Rocky Mountains and our new Front Ranger Jersey sings it from their highest peaks. With the outline of these majestic spires capping the Niner logo, this jersey delivers comfortable good looks that will take you from the trailhead, to the top of the climb and all the way back down for some stoke sodas. You're welcome.
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