Harbor Country Bike

Mongoose Boot'R Review from Pinkbike.com

2009-06-10T09:31:00.000-07:00

Mongoose Boot'r: Getting Loose On The Goose! -Review
by: kakah

95 comments Aug 8, 2008

Welcome to the Pinkbike.com time machine. Let's forget about visiting historical moments in time and get down to business! We're going to jump forward and take a good long look at the 2009 Mongoose Boot'r. Its price tag is impressive, but does the 'goose perform?

Read on and find out!

Riding and tech video's inside!
Some of you lifers out there should know a bit about the Mongoose of yore, but things have changed a bit since those glory days. Changes were made and the Mongoose name was starting to be found in places that it maybe shouldn't be. Due to that Mongoose has lost a bit of street cred over the years, but they are back to reclaim some of that respect in a big way. Over the last few years they have been steadily pumping out some proper mountain bikes and for 2009 they are taking another step in the right direction with some newly revamped bikes that look promising. The 2009 Boot'r is one of them.

The Details....

The Boot'r frame is impressive, with a lot of little bits and touches that I was not expecting to see. The blue 'goose sports a 1.5" head tube up front, filled with a low-stack internal headset to keep things low and strong. Both the top and down tubes feature multi profiled shapes in the name of stiffness and stand over height. Cable routing simply disappears into the frame, with the built in guides under the forward shock mount being one of those "little bits" that all add up to a quality build. It's also good to see that the Boot'r uses as short as possible hardware for its Vivid's shock mounting reducers and bolts, a load stronger than running long bolts that bend easy. Those same bolts are also countersunk into the frame, for aerodynamics obviously! Every bead on the entire frame is even and consistent, no shoddy Friday afternoon welding to be found on this 'goose.

The rear wheel is attached with a 12/150 mm Maxle, and there is gobs of spare room in there for mud and squirrels. It's matte blue with orange highlights and I like it, especially with the orange Boxxer decals and e.13 bit's. I've had riders tell me it's a looker, and I've had other riders tell me it's "fugly". I think it's one of the sharpest looking rigs out there, but that's me and I have a bad track record....

So, what is the "FreeDrive" suspension all about? Before you break out the abacus and protractor, I'll ruin your fun: it's really just a variation of the proven single pivot suspension design, with a link and rocker arm to have greater control over it's action. FreeDrive is built around an extraordinary high main pivot, with the rear end being a single sturdy swingarm. There is some suspension trickery happening closer to the bottom bracket though. The BB is actually floating on the same link that activates the shock, and is connected to the swingarm via a short link. What does it all mean? You'll have to read the entire review to find out, but it should pedal well, carry speed over the lumpy sections, and work well in general. I'm not familiar with the '08 versions, but I'm told the 2009 Boot'r that you're reading about uses larger pivots and nicer hardware all around.

Before I give you the low-down on the parts spec, I should tell you about the '09 Boot'r's msrp of only $4000. Keep that in mind as you read on....Suspension is all RockShox, a proven Boxxer Team up front (with matching orange decals!), and the new and extra tune-able Vivid 5.1 (also with a pro looking orange decal job). Braking is to be done with Avid's Elixir CR brake grabbing two 8" rotors. The CR versions feature the ability to adjust the bite point, as opposed to the regular Elixirs. This is the second test bike I've ridden with Elixir CRs, I was stoked with the first set and these are hopefully no different. SRAM has control of the shifting duties also, an X9 shifter does the clicking while an X.0. mech does the moving. The X9/X.0 combo is quite popular, and for good reason as you seem to get the best of the full bling setup, but you get to save some money for your energy drink addiction. Cranks are some relatively light Holzfeller OCT's with the corresponding Howitzer BB between them. A solid parts spec that sounds like a lot of bang for your buck so far, right?

Turn the large red cylinder to adjust bite point, turn the small black dial near the lever to adjust reach

Whoever is deciding what parts are going to be hung on the Boot'r must be a rider because there are a few smart additions to the build that most riders would have had to upgrade to later. Keeping your chain "chaining" is the racers choice of guides, an e.13 LG1 with a orange Taco bolted on for good measure. The blue 'goose comes stock with an integrated stem, a sharp looking Funn unit, with a 28" wide Funn bar bolted to it. Super sticky Funn pedals are at the other contact point on the bike, with proper tall set screws instead of cheaper flat-top pins. The I-Beam seatpost (the new micro adjust version) and custom Mongoose SDG seat is a nice surprise, the I-Beam system makes too much sense not to use, as long as you are happy with the seat selection.

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Keeping the bike well under the 42 lb. mark, 41.7 actually, is a set of Sun ADD Lite wheels that use Sun's Jumping Flea hubs. The white rims, black spokes, and black hubs look amazing. The Jumping Flea rear hub has a aluminum freehub body, shaving a load of grams from earlier model Sun hubs. The Kenda Excavator tires are a new model and look like they would be more at home on a moto, not a pedal bike. Huge lugs and huge volume hopefully equal huge traction. The final touch is a set of aluminum bar end caps, nice!

Kenda's 2.5" Excavator

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Riding The Boot'r....

A proper DH bike should do a number of things, and do them well. In order of importance: geometry and cornering, suspension action and how it responds to rider input, and the confidence that a good bike will instill in a rider. I'm sure you could argue those points to death, but what is obvious is how each of them relate to the other, and that if you manage to string them together you probably have a winner on your hands.

I'm going to go ahead and spoil it for you right now though: The Mongoose Boot'r is one of the most competent DH bikes I've ridden. That's a bold statement considering I've spent time on bikes that would retail for well over twice the Boot'r's asking price, and gotten good and loose on bikes with a lot more hype than the blue Mongoose. To put it as plainly as possible, this bike is very easy to ride fast and in control. Now that I've spilled the beans I'm going to do this review a bit differently than most. Instead of droning on about how good it is, I'll try to explain to you (and me!) just why it works so damn well.

-First things first. It corners amazingly well and with very little effort, no matter what the speed. Why?

The Boot'r is steeper than the average "plow through" machine. I didn't want to be biased in anyway, to which I avoided scanning the Boot'rs geometry chart until I was done with the bike. It was pretty obvious right off the bat that the bike doesn't sport the common 64 degree head angle that is found on a lot DH bikes. The actual number turned out to be 65.5, although I would have guessed it to be another half a degree steeper. That number, combined with the bikes tallish seat tube/stand over height gave the Boot'r more of a "sit on" feel, rather than "sitting in" the bike. It also puts more weight on the front end, rewarding you with a boat load of traction up front. No matter what I did, I couldn't get the front end to push at all. I did dial in a touch more compression damping than usual to compensate for having more weight up front. For whatever reason the entire bike managed to stay remarkably level into, and through, corners. Hard braking didn't seem to upset the chassis at all, despite it being a high single pivot bike. Once I was used to the bike's quicker handling manners and consistent angles I could carry speed through any curve faster then ever I was used to. My answer to the question would be that all the angles and numbers work well together, and the stable nature of the bike only adds to the cornering prowess.

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-The suspension isn't as forgiving as some, but in the same breath it outperforms most that comes to mind. What's going on?

As soon as I rolled through the roots and rocks up on Garbanzo I knew that something good was happening under me. No matter how tall the root or how deep the hole was, the Boot'r didn't seem fazed. Momentum is the secret to speed and the Boot'r has it in spades. The exceptionally high pivot gives the bike it's rearward axle path, and in turn it's easy to find speed in the rough sections of a trail. The whole "rearward axle path" thing seems to be played up quite a bit these days, but when it's done right it is a real advantage. Even with such a high pivot the FreeDrive system manages to keep chain growth to a minimum. People can go on and on about single pivot bikes and what they do wrong, but it was hard to fault the FreeDrive system. Under braking it felt just as active as any other bike I've ridden and pedaling was very decent.

I was also surprised at the bike's ability to absorb the terrain but still give me feedback as to what needed to be done. In other words, it managed to do it's job without being overly active. Some designs work well at absorbing the bumps but seem to wallow in their travel, the Boot'r isn't one of them. The Mongoose had a lively feel that encourages the rider to change lines quickly or pop up and over obstacles if needed. For a big DH bike it is quite nimble. I'm sure this is more design related than shock, but the Vivid surely plays a part also. This was my first go on a RockShox rear shock since the Deluxe series and I was impressed. Rather, I was impressed that I was never surprised by what was happening back there. It worked well and seemed to take everything in stride.

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Component Highlights

The Elixir CR brakes are amazing. There seems to be between 20%-30% more power at the lever than the standard Juicy 7, but modulation and feel was very similar. I find Codes to be over the top, especially early in their stroke. The Elixir's are the best of both worlds: Code power and Juicy feel, all wrapped up in one brake. I wouldn't hesitate to put a smaller 6" disc out back.

The Vivid 5.1 was nice and never surprised me. I played around with the early and ending stroke rebound a bit, but to be honest it didn't seem to make that much of a difference on the trail. I don't have any complaints about it though as I can't think of any time it was overwhelmed or reacted badly, always a good sign. The Boxxer Team did surprise me, being by far the smoothest and nicest feeling Boxxer I've used. Not that I have been disappointed with any Boxxer, but this one was especially good.

The Kenda Excavator tires were impressive, but they rolled like shit. What would you expect though, they look like they belong on something with 250 cc's of displacement. If your home trails are hard packed or require a bit more leg work mount up a set of less aggressive tires and you'll be happier.

The Sun ADD Lite rear wheel managed to nearly come apart on me after half a day on Garbanzo, Whistler's upper trails. The wheel was up to par the night before, but all tension went A.W.O.L. on me very quickly and bad enough that it rendered the bike un-rideable. 10 minutes spent sitting on a log while twirling a spoke wrench let me finish out the day, but it was obvious that it missed getting any spoke prep at the factory. Half the nipples were only a turn or two from being lost in the rim!

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So, where doesn't the Boot'r shine?

The Boot'r is much more of a finesse bike than most. Pick your line, be light on the bike, and you'll be rewarded. In the super-gnar sections where consequences are high (picture the steepest of the steep and then add some roots, rock, and rain!) it's not as easy as shutting off the brain and leaning back. Then again you shouldn't be doing that anyways! If you straight line everything and go through rear wheels like they're going out of style, then maybe this isn't the bike for you.

She's quite tall. The medium has a 17.5" seat tube length and not a lot of room for your bit's while standing over the bike. I'm 5'10" with legs that just won't quit and was comfortable with the medium size. If you have shorter than average legs you may not feel at home.

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The Bottom Line

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I was very impressed with the Boot'r, which is pretty obvious if you've managed to read the entire review. Forgetting about how good of a deal a complete Boot'r is, it is one of the best DH bikes that I've ridden, period. Everything about the bike manages to come together and the end result is a DH bike that does everything right. Just to make sure I'm not getting soft, I handed the bike over to a few other riders and the consensus was the same. If the performance of the bike opened my eyes, the price is a complete shock. At $4000 you could take the Boot'r to any mountain, any race, and it will perform for you right off the shelf. In fact, if you had planned on spending more you could also lay down the coin on some upgrades and easily drop a few pounds to bring it in under the 40 lb. mark, or buy yourself some lift tickets , and still come home with change.

Check the entire 2008 range on the Mongoose site. Be patient, it's not even close to 2009 yet!

*Canadian Distribution is in the works*

-Mike "kakah" Levi

NEW WEBSITE!

2009-03-13T17:03:00.001-07:00

So, here are Harbor Country Bike we have been working really hard on our new site design. Our expected launch date is 3/20/2009.

The site will be more functional and have much better search and menu options as well as fresh look. Please check back and let us know what you like and what you don't!

Dirt Rag 2009 Mongoose Otero Review

2009-02-16T12:07:00.000-08:00

Mongoose Oteroby Eric McKeegan

Tester: Eric McKeegan
Age: 35Height: 5'11"
Weight: 150lbs.Inseam: 32"
Vital Stats
Country of Origin: Taiwan
Price: $900
Weight: 34.5lbs.

Sizes available: S, M, L (tested)
Contact: http://www.mongoose.com/
Where to buy: http://www.harborcountrybike.com/

Trickle down. While the debate continues on this topic in economics, trickle down technology in the bike industry is undeniably a good thing. The Mongoose Otero Super is a case in point.

To be honest, until I discovered this bike while researching less-expensive bikes to test, a sub-$1000 full suspension bike was never anything I would recommend, or want to ride. Call me a snob, but my snobbery is well earned from years in shops wrenching on sub-par full suspension bikes. Under $1000 there are usually serious compromises in the spec to pay for the extra bits needed to provide rear suspension. But the spec on this bike looked almost too good to be true: name-brand suspension parts, hydraulic disc brakes, SRAM and Shimano drivetrain.

Looks like the product manager worked hard on this one. I was intrigued and Mongoose soon sent a bike my way.

The build went well with little work needed to get things rolling. The brakes centered up as quickly as anything I've installed, the drivetrain was a snap to get shifting crisply and the wheels were true.

After the first ride I tweaked a few things to be more in line with my personal preferences. I traded out the W-I-D-E seat for something slimmer, the grips for some Ergon GX1's and the BMX-style platforms for clipless pedals. I also took about an inch off both sides of the DH-width handlebar. In addition to the solid spec, the Otero has adjustable travel. The fork is a RockShox Tora U-Turn model that can be dialed from 85 to 130mm of travel, and the rear suspension has a quick release connection to change travel from 62mm to 112mm.

For the most part, I left the travel in the longest setting, and reduced the rear travel only on the road. Reducing the travel on the fork completely would steepen the geometry enough that the resulting forward saddle tilt became uncomfortable. As is common these days with bikes from Taiwan, the frame is a collection of hydroformed tube shapes in 6000 series aluminum.

The top tube has a square-to-round profile, with a small square tube connecting the sloping top tube to the seat tube, which leads to great standover clearance. The head tube uses an internal Ritchey headset and is quite a bit of girth in appearance. The rear end uses asymmetrical chainstays with acceptable clearance for the stock 2.1" tires. All those fancy tube shapes add up to a stiff frame that goes where it is pointed and doesn't get unsettled in the rough stuff. Aesthetically, I think the frame looks like it means business.

The rear suspension is a basic low-placement, single-pivot suspension design, with a swing link actuating the RockShox Bar rear shock. Cartridge bearings reside inside the main pivot, bushings in the rear seatstay pivot. I set the rear sag to about 20% and the rebound a few clicks in from full fast. A few times during the test the rear shock would audibly top out repeatedly, and then the noise would disappear. It was more of an annoyance, as the top-out noise didn't noticeably affect the ride.

The basic suspension design worked well sitting and spinning; standing up and mashing would get some bob going. Bumps and drops were dispatched without complaint for the most part, but square-edged bumps could make the rear seem a bit harsh. This seems to be a trait of most low pivot bikes I've ridden, and probably has to do with the forward-arcing axle path.

The fork felt very soft, even with a firmer than stock spring installed. It would dive hard under braking and use up most of its travel in G-outs and hard landings. I thought about installing an extra-stiff spring, but the sag was spot-on and it seemed a bit silly for a 150lb. rider to need an extra-stiff spring. In the end I dealt with it, keeping my speed in check on downhills and being careful when coming down from high log crossings and steep down-to-up transitions.

If I were to keep this bike the fork would be the first item to be upgraded.The drivetrain was stellar throughout the test, performing much better than expected. The front shifting was a particular standout with the Shimano crank and front derailleur teaming up to shift positively through mud and poor form on my part. I wish some other much, much more expensive cranks I've used shifted so well. SRAM SX-5 shifters and rear derailleur made up the rest of the shifting ensemble and also went about pushing the chain around accurately and quietly.It took some fiddling with the Tektro Auriga brakes to get the extra-long levers where I wanted them, which ended up pushing the shifters inboard a bit too far from my hands. Not a huge deal, but a shorter lever would be appreciated.

In use, the brakes had adequate power, no noticeable fade, and were acceptably quiet.Minus the fork, this bike makes no excuses for its price and stacks up well against rides costing much more. A decent climber, it does need a bit of body English to keep the front end down on the steep stuff, but traction was there in spades.

Pointed downhill, Mr. Otero was well-mannered until the under-sprung fork started to pack up at higher speeds. At lower speeds and through the chunky bits the suspension worked much better than I expected from an entry-level model. A tire swap up front to a Kenda Excavator helped with a bit of front wheel push in downhill corners, but overall the bike was neutral and predictable in most situations.

There is no hiding that this is not a lightweight machine, but considering the price and ride, that is really nothing to complain about. All the components held up well during the test and for the most part surprised me with their performance. I did manage to snap off the replaceable derailleur hanger—better that than the frame or derailleur itself.No two ways about it, this is a lot of bike for the money. The frame is worthy of a few upgrades in the future. Don't be fooled, this is a very different bike than the Mongeese in the big box stores. It is truly a mountain bike, ready to be ridden on real trails. Entry-level full suspension just got easier to afford.

Exclusive Dirt Rag Web-Only Extras For Mongoose Otero
Make: MongooseModel: Otero SuperModel year: 2008Type: Full suspensionCountry of origin: TiawanWheel size: 26”Rear travel: 62-112mmFrame material: 6000 aluminumSuspension description: single pivot linkageRear shock: Rock Shox Bar 2.1Fork: Rock Shox Tora 289 U-Turn 55-130mmHandlebar: Mongoose 31.8 30mm riseStem: Mongoose threadless 31.8Headset: Ritchey zero stackBottom bracket: Shimano ES25 OctalinkCrank: Shimano FC_M4428 42-32-22Pedals: Mongoose alloy platformChain: KMC Z9000Saddle: WTB Speed V SportSeatpost : AlloyFront hub: Formula DC19 32Rear hub: Formula DC19 32Front derailleur: Shimano Deore M530Rear derailleur: SRAM SX-5Shifters: SRAM SX-5 triggerCassette: SRAM PG-950 11-32 9speedBrakes: Tektro Auriga Comp hydraulic 160mmRims: Alex TD24 Tires: Kenda Komodo steel beadSizes: S,M,L(tested)Colors: Matte BrownWeight: 34.5lbs.MSRP: $899

Ride it out 50% Off Sale!

2008-12-02T17:29:00.000-08:00

*This offer applies to all In-Stock Bikes in the "Clearance" section of the website. Purchase the first bike at our sale price and get a second bike of equal or lesser value for 50% off. This sale is unprecedented and is only good while supplies last so call 877-410-5150 right now to order while selection is best. *If you place your order online it will not reflect the discount in your cart, but we will adjust the price of the second bike before your credit card is charged, and you will receive an adjusted invoice via email.

Don't need 2 bikes? Call us right now at 877-410-5150 and we can give you a special 'phone only' price on the bike you are looking for. We need to move 1,000 bikes by December 15th, we'll do whatever it takes to earn your business!

Can't call? Send us an EMAIL and with your offer and we will respond within 30 minutes during business hours!

2008 Holiday Shipping Information

2008-12-02T17:27:00.001-08:00

Holiday Shipping Deadlines

The 2008 Holiday Season is upon us - Here are some deadlines and links for you! Please remember when ordering a bicycle that processing will typically take 2-3 business days, so make sure to allow for ample time for it to arrive at your desiered location. If you have a question please call us at 877-410-5150 or send us an email at sales@harborcountrybike.com Thanks!

FEDEX/UPS(Most Products):
We ship most of our products via UPS/FEDEX. We reserve the right to substitute a different carrier if similar service is offered.

Please click HERE TO CHECK UPS for individual services and their respective deadlines.

Please click HERE TO CHECK FEDEX for individual services and their respective deadlines.

Please click HERE TO CHECK USPS for individual services and their respective deadlines.

New Fire Sale!

2008-09-30T14:23:00.000-07:00

Hydrate! : Polar 20oz or 24oz Insulated Water Bottle

Regular Price: $11.00
Sale Price: $7.00 + Shipping.

You must hydrate or die!!!!
When I train, I use, three, NO! Seven water bottles!!!! I invented a special vest that can hold 23 water bottles!!!!! so I can hydrate... I love water so much I squirt it everywhere, especially when I ride! I mark my water bottles so I know what to use it for.. one says "mouth"... another says, "face & head"... and another says "all over everything!!!!!" It doesn't matter, it can be the ground, another cycler, whatever!!!!!
and guess what? With these bottles your water will stay cold! That's why they're POLAR
They have:
-an insulated bag around the internal bottle
-multiple color so you can color coordinate
-a twist top with a removable nozzle for easy cleaning!
and what do you clean it with... Water!!!! I love water!!! and remember if you don't hydrate you DIE!!!!! *splash,... oh that's great!

-Glen (the hydration sensation) Moistman

Fire Sale! Hollywood Baja 3 Car/SUV Rack!!!!!

2008-09-05T14:37:00.000-07:00

Regular Price: $94.95
Sale Price: $49.99 + Shipping.

This is our Fire Sale, CLICK HERE for our FAQ, the deal is this sale runs on this product until the countdown runs out, or we sell out of the product. I'll defer to our man Surfer Doug for the description of this Fire Sale-

Whoah! Dudes! Like grab a wave and then jump in the car. Wait... you say you wanna bike down some dunes. Like, alright dudes and dudettes, don't ballout! We gotta rack on our buggy and it's the Hollywood Baja 3 bike rack...it's gnarly.

This rack ain't just Hotdoggin' it can really hit the lip.

It's got:
-Micro-Adjust hubs for rippin' fast and easy installation on almost any vehicle

-Six straps solidly attach the Baja to the rear of the vehicle
-Bike separators with anti-sway blocks keep the bikes snugly attached to the rack
-And it Folds flat easily for storage in your trunk or garage, which is somethin' my
board can't even do!
Don't get your gidget in a sling, nothin's bogus about this boss rack.

It's one of Hollywood's best racks, and this Fire Sale's blowin' the price out of the water!

OK, Let's wax up! Some beach bunnies might be poppin' and we need to show
the killer move el rollo!

Hang loose, and hang ten!
Surfer Doug

2009 GT Product Launch

2008-07-10T08:40:00.000-07:00

GT introduces a few new scoots in Livigno. By Chris Cassidy of Bicycling Magazine

Last week GT bicycles introduced a few new 2009 rigs to about 60 very lucky journalists from all over the world. Why do I say lucky? The destination: Livigno, Italy. The riding: A gondola ride up to 12,000 or so feet in the Alps, which still had a bit of snow on top, and then a three hour rip down with the likes of Hans "no way" Rey and pro racers, Todd Wells and Bryn Atkinson in the mix just to name a few. Epic is putting is mildly.

The big news on the GT front is their all-new, monocoque-designed, full-carbon downhill bike-The Fury. Yup, you heard that right, a full carbon DH bike. We were the first to see it, but unfortunately didn't get ride it. Heck, even the GT pros didn't get to ride yet, but they will be racing on them real soon. When people hear the words 'carbon' and 'bike' together, they immediately think about the lightweight factors of the material and not its strength. When used properly, carbon is much stronger than aluminum, according to the engineers at GT. They solely used carbon on this bike for its strength advantage and not its weight advantage. But it also has a good weight, right around 38 pounds--just about the same as their previous aluminum DH bike, the DHi, which now is discontinued. The Fury will be available as a frameset and two complete bikes: a top spec race bike for $6000 and a lower spec-ed model for $4000.

The other new or updated rigs, all of which were available for riding: The 15 lb. carbon GTR road bike gets a ton of improvements, which should make GT a player in the high-end road department, a new Zasker Niner with a great spec for the hardcore niner guys, the Marathon Carbon Team gets a tad lighter due to some Mavic SLR disc wheels, the Force, which is their new lightweight 6-in. platform trail bike, is available in two full carbon models and three aluminum ones, with prices ranging from $1599 to $5499. The $750 GutTerBall is a brand new GT for the hipsters: it's a fixie or SS with a classic GT styled frame with track geometry with great attention to detail with such features as the classic GT Mohawk sealed bearing hubs and steel toe clips and leather straps.

Look for the full lowdown on many of these models as soon as they are available to us for testing in upcoming issues of Bicycling and Mountain Bike Magazines.

THE ELECTRIC BIKE ON ABC TOO!

2008-06-13T14:34:00.000-07:00

We're just all over the place. Here's a recent video of Brian Poncin, owner of our sister store My Bike of Tinley Park, IL, in another video with ABC not too long ago.

The Schwinn Electric Bike on NBC!

2008-06-13T11:57:00.000-07:00

Here Brian Poncin, owner of our sister store My Bike of Tinley Park, IL., is on NBC 5's morning news. (This is actually "Off the Record" which was filmed after the actual segment that appeared on the news.

E-Bikes, Soon Everyone will be Riding One!

2008-06-09T08:03:00.000-07:00

Riders say 'e-bikes' give them extra spark

By Joel Hood | Tribune reporter
11:26 PM CDT, June 6, 2008

Dave Kennedy is part of a two-wheeled revolution. Or so it seems some days.

Fed up with $4 gas, the war in Iraq, America's automotive obsession and the seeming reluctance of leaders to fully embrace alternative energy, Kennedy bought an electric-powered bicycle for his 2-mile commute to and from work in Tinley Park. And if it were up to him, he'd probably never step on a gas pedal again.

Whether their reasons are financial, political or both, Kennedy and others are at the forefront of a new era in two-wheeled transportation: the "e-bike." Widely used in Europe and parts of Asia for a decade, battery-powered bicycles have found a home in America.

Cycling powerhouses such as Schwinn and Giant are reporting a surge in sales during the last year and have stepped up production to meet the demand. They're competing with small manufacturers in a suddenly crowded marketplace.

"We can't keep them in stock," said Nate Newton, assistant manager at Kozy's Cyclery on Milwaukee Avenue. "As soon as we get them in, we sell them. And then we have calls from 10 other people who want them."

It's a trend that has some in the industry thinking big.

"In some ways I think we're seeing the future of this business," said Patrick VanHorn, corporate communications manager for Giant Bicycles Inc. "I wouldn't have thought that a few years ago. America still might not be where Europe and Asia is yet. But with $4 gasoline, it gets closer every day."

While some cycling purists might be turned off by the notion of battery-assisted riding and others by the cost—starting at about $2,000—the e-bike's fans say they're practical, fun to ride and make it easier for non-cyclists to leave their cars in the garage.

"You don't know how great it feels to be able to hop on a bicycle and ride it to work," Kennedy said. "It's total freedom."

Yes, those statements could be said of a traditional pedal-power bicycle. But at 50, and admittedly heavyset, Kennedy is typical of a lot of e-bike customers in that he didn't want his physical limitations to dampen his enthusiasm for riding and for the outdoors.

The Schwinn model he owns looks like a typical recreational bike but is powered by a slim lithium-ion battery that fits on the rear-mounted rack above the back wheel. The battery, which can be fully charged within three hours at home or work, powers a small motor inside the front-wheel hub. Riders engage the motor by pedaling but must continue pedaling, even slowly, to keep the motor running. That's an important distinction that makes e-bikes different from scooters or mopeds, which are not allowed in bike lanes.

The motor makes the rider's legs feel supercharged; it takes the slightest effort to breeze past joggers and other cyclists. It's an unfamiliar sensation at first, but soon the rider settles in to enjoy the ride. The motor shuts off the instant the rider taps the brakes.

Similar to models made by Giant, the Schwinn has a top cruising speed of about 18 m.p.h., which is plenty fast on crowded streets, riders say. The battery has a range of 40 miles when fully charged, and can be charged only through a wall outlet.

But most riders can pedal without motor assistance, which increases the range, said Brian Poncin, owner of My Bike in Tinley Park, the top selling dealer for Schwinn e-bikes in the country. "We liked the technology from the beginning, and so we committed heavily to these early," he said. "We didn't know gas would do what it did. That's been a bonus."

Schwinn, based in Madison, Wis., had sold electric bicycles in Europe for nearly a decade before it rolled out a limited number of the bikes here last year. Schwinn declined to release overseas numbers, but Giant alone has sold 15,000 e-bikes in Europe.

Tom Mount, Schwinn's director of product, said there were questions about how the bike would be received in America. Many at Schwinn feared offending its core cycling customers. Another big concern was the price.

But it was the right time to take such a gamble, Mount said. Gas prices were hitting record highs; a green movement was under way, promoting healthier living and less dependency on automobiles. And perhaps more significant, he said, an entire generation of Baby Boomers who had incorporated fitness and recreation into their lifestyles were approaching an age when they could use a little boost in the bike seat.

"We're in our 50s now, and we wanted to remain active and outdoors," said Frankfort resident Joe Popik, who recently bought an e-bike after falling in love with the one his wife, Margorie, bought last year. "I've ridden bicycles all my life. But now, if we go on a long ride, I don't have to worry about how I'm going to get back."

The Popiks frequent the network of paved bike trails that wind through the south suburbs. They also use the e-bikes to run errands around town and have taken them along on trips.

"My first thought was, 'Man, these bikes are expensive,' " Joe Popik said. "But after riding one, I just thought it was great. These things are really going to take off."

Advancements in battery technology have made the bikes lighter and better equipped for longer distances. Giant, which has been building e-bikes since the late 1990s, will introduce a new model this summer called the "Twist Freedom DX" that will feature a sensor in the crankshaft to calculate the amount of torque a bicyclist is producing while pedaling. The sensor will relay that information to a motor in the front hub, which will adjust its speed to enhance the pedaling power. The idea is a type of hybrid that gives power when it's needed and removes it when it's not, VanHorn said.

The advancements are coming just in time to offer solace to car and truck commuters stunned by rising gas prices, VanHorn said. Sensing that, he joked that Giant's marketing campaign for its new e-bike could be: "Save $30,000 on your second car."

"The time isn't coming—it's here," he said. "We're just seeing the beginning."

OUR GRAND OPENING!

2008-05-20T07:46:00.000-07:00

We are having a Grand Opening at our new location in New Buffalo, MI this Memorial Day weekend (May 23rd-May 26th). Everyone is more than welcome to come and check out some of our hot in-store deals for the weekend. We will have tons of bikes, accessories, and fun stuff. Some of that fun stuff includes hot dogs, popcorn, frozen drinks, and we are giving away some kid's trikes all taking place on Saturday May 24th, plus save up to 40% on select in-store bikes over the whole weekend! We hope you can make it, and we will be glad to see you! Our address and telephone number are listed below.

Harbor Country Bike
211 S. Whittaker Street
New Buffalo, MI 49117
1-269-756-2000

Check out this interview with Mongoose's Product manager at Interbike!

2008-04-24T08:57:00.001-07:00

2008 ECD -$3134.99

2008 Khyber -$1614.99-$2754.99

2008 Teocali -$949.99-$1994.99

2008 Black Diamond -$1709.99-$2849.99

2008 Ritual -$503.49-$854.99

2008-04-24T07:56:00.000-07:00

Wow, we've been gone for a long time, and it's because you all have been keeping us busy! Thanks for all the orders, and we will keep trying our hardest for you! For now we will be uploading some great videos of new mongoose products! Enjoy...

Khyber Super from Mountain Bike Magazine’s Buyer’s Guide (April 08 issue):

2008-03-27T12:50:00.000-07:00

"PIN IT!: with a full 165mm of travel front and rear, two front chainrings and a bash guard, the Khyber Super is made for heavy-duty, near-freeride, all-mountain riding. LOTS TO LOVE: The Khyber Super continues Mongoose's recent tradition of offering a hell of a lot of bike for the moneh. There's some very desirable stuff hung on this rig."

Our price: $2,754.99

Click here to view the 2008 Mongoose Khyber Super

-The Harbor Country Bike Team

Don't You Hate It When That Happens Tuesdays!

2008-03-25T08:03:00.000-07:00

Dyslexia plagues a lot of people, unfortunately for this bike rider it does not help with bike races. Although it does look like he's having fun.. Perhaps he also suffers from "I think I'm winning, but I'm not" syndrome, or maybe he's from "down under"..

-The Harbor Country Bike Team

Don't You Hate It When That Happens!

2008-03-20T08:02:00.000-07:00

Ok, so it's Wednesday, and i know we normally do "Don't You Hate It When That Happens! Tuesdays" but we been a little busy around here lately and weren't able to get up anything yesterday, so here goes it....

"I knew they made hybrid bikes, but i had no idea they made land/sea submersible ones!"

-The Harbor Country Bike Team

Why pay green, when you can GO GREEN!

2008-03-12T12:04:00.000-07:00

It saves you money! And at this time in history thats a lot of money. Gas prices are increasing a dollar in less than a month, and it's supposed to get worse. So we say REVOLUTION is on the rise. And what better way to revolt than skipping the car and riding a bike. And if you need to go far, try the Electric we talked about a few articles earlier. Either way you will be a lot happier, we know we are...

-The Harbor Country Bike Team

Don't Ya Hate It When That Happens Tuesdays!

2008-03-11T13:12:00.000-07:00

"No, Let's go my way! No Mine! Ya know honey, do we have to disagree on everything."

Some battles of marriage never seem to work out..

Especially in Cycling.

That's why we highly recommend
traveling side by side like this happy couple. =)

-The Harbor Country Bike Team

Canaan Comp from VeloNews’ 2008 Buyer’s Guide:

2008-03-10T10:27:00.000-07:00

"Designed for everything from a first two-hour cross-country race to a 24-hour solo, the Canaan comes equipped with a RockShox Tora fork and a Fox Float R rear shock to take the edges off. With 100mm of travel and geometry that's more relaxed than the typical XC racer, it also makes for a fun trail bike. Components are workhorse selections from Shimano with a Deore drivetrain and shifters and an XT rear derailleur. RockShox and Fox suspension bits are both air-sprung while the Hayes Stroker Trial disc brakes provide good stopping power."

New Article on the 08' Mongoose EC-D

2008-03-05T07:48:00.000-08:00

EC-D from Mountain Bike Magazine’s Buyer’s Guide (April 08 issue):

"SAVE COIN: Gravity-racing legend Eric Carter's signature rig lets you get in on the downhill game without breaking the bank. UPDATED FOR '08: The ECD gets the larger 1.5-inch head tube update for 2008, as well as the all-new RockShox Vivid shock. And it's available in one more size than last year's version."

Introducing...

2008-03-04T12:41:00.000-08:00

Don't Ya Hate It When That Happens Tuesdays!

We are now introducing a funny, yet horrifying day filled with pictures of accidents on bikes as they happen called "Don't Ya Hate It When That Happens Tuesdays!" We can only guess the pain these people may have gone once they hit the ground... Hopefully it will remind people to check everything before they ride, especially a helmet...

I bet ya this guy was hoping to fly through the race, but not like this...

-The Harbor Country Bike Team

Cycling gone wrong?

2008-02-29T07:54:00.000-08:00

Ouch that's gotta hurt... Aren't you glad they don't make bicycles the way they used to. I mean, with all respect to the original designers, Bigger Wheel=Bigger Fall. But hey, Who know what preference one may have, bigger wheel also means faster speed. But if you want to be comfortable there are a few items that make biking like strolling on a sunny beach with white sand, or relaxing next to a warm fire in the winter time... it just gives you that feeling, ya know... and not the feeling of pain in the face like some older bicycles.

These items include, but are not limited to:

-08' Mongoose Kaldi-Mmm... Coffee while you ride, who knew?
-Big Wide Comfy Cloud 9 Bicycle seat
-Anything made by Electra

-The Harbor Country Bike Team

Townie Balloon! Impossible to burst this joy ride...

2008-02-22T14:35:00.001-08:00

And we've finally got em' here in stock! The Townie Balloon's. A lot of fans have been anxiously awaiting their arrival, and they don't let em' down. At first glance these bikes are amazing, a very classy version of the great Townie bicycle, if i do say so myself. And the joy continues as we take a tour down the rest of the bicycle.

Electra is good at listening to their customers, while adding their artsy flange of taste to their bicycles. People say you want a little more internal speeds in the hub, you got it. And no one thought the ride could be smoother, but they did it, simply put "balloon tire = riding on air". And with attractive colors and great leather cushioned seating no one will go without notice on these luxury bicycles, or are they? These fancy little things were made to be pretty affordable for those not wanting the base model townies, or decked out internal 8 speeds from before. With prices between the low $500's into the low $700's.

Always moving forward, those technological genius's at Electra Bicycle Company, as they added drum brakes for better, smoother response, and little or no maintenance. Adding style and purpose to the propriety of simple design, they already equipped most previous Townie models with internal speed rear hubs. They also run to the other side of expression with external dérailleurs for those wanting to race up and down hills and across the country. With what these bikes have, they may be able to survive all the elements without any compromise to their beauty.

-The Harbor Country Bike Team

Ready to go Green?

2008-02-19T12:21:00.000-08:00

We know that last year was big on going green, and this year we hope it's much of the same. At least we know we're ready for it, after a winter season with more snow, and cold temperatures than most past years. Well, not only do we all try to "go-green" here at work by watching what we eat, (which we highly recommend Stonyfield Farms yogurt, and Bear Naked granola... good stuff), and by riding bikes or car pooling to work, but now we are bringing you the Electric bike from Schwinn!

You may ask, "Why an Electric bike, a regular bike is still environmentally "green"?" Well we think it's the first step to giving you an alternative to driving a car, especially while city riding, or what we call out here "a wondrous rendezvous with nature in Michiana" because theres not much city here. But... with average speeds of up to 15-17 mph holding the throttle, and a capability of traveling between 45 and 60 miles per charge, you can spend a lot time in nature, (or city), with no hurt. Plus it's a hybrid! Meaning you can turn off the electric motor and ride it as a regular bike (which is easy, because they don't weigh much) , or you can simply use pedal assist, so when you challenge your friends to a race they won't know what's going on while you zoom right past them!

Any who...

You may also ask "Why do you think this is new, the electric bike has been around for a while?" And to that we say, "yeah if you want to look stupid!" Sorry, to those who already have a different electric bike, but these look like normal cruisers or comfort/hybrid bikes. It doesn't have a huge bulky generator and battery holder between your legs, instead the battery is mostly concealed beneath a convenient rack on the back. Not only that, but it's front hub driven meaning you're pulled and not pushed. This makes it a whole lot safer, and capable of going faster because you have more control.

So we say Cheers to Schwinn for making a great Electric bike that will advance the "green" attitude a little farther. Now we hope to hear future news that you can recharge the battery by pedaling and braking...

These Schwinn Electric bikes are only available through us for now, as we are the official tester's for their new electric equipment upgrade from their release version last year. So these will technically be the 2008 models...

-The Harbor Country Bike Team