Archives: Bicycle

DUDE! What a rad team! I love that Firefly broke each one of the Adventure Team Riders out with an indepth profile. You should totally go check this out. Firefly Adventure Team ASSEMBLE!!

Another rad weekend of mountain thrashery brought to you by Blevins Bicycle Co. x Giant Bicycles. Such a great time. Mountain bikes (a.k.a. squishy speed machines, a.k.a. no limit BRAAAAPmobiles) are so effing good! They’re like… big ass cross bikes.

Being that I’m new to the mountain scene I invited Davis Yarbrough to escort me around Alabama State Park Monte Sano. So many great technical trails. We rode pretty hard for about 2 hours and only hit up 16 miles. It was so good!

Alright… on to the Giant Anthem X 29er 3 review, comparing it to the Anthem 27.5 3. Right off the bat I noticed I was riding a 29er vs. a 27.5. Very different feel in this bike model for sure. The set up on the entry level Anthem 29er model is $500 less ($1,750 vs. $2,250) than it’s entry level brother in 27.5; this made a big difference. Why Giant did this… I’m not sure. 

I gotta be honest with this one. When I first hit the trail I was not amped on the Anthem X. Comparing the 27.5 to 29 back to back… you will not enjoy the change. I was up higher on the 29 (or atleast felt like I was) with downgraded components. Really it’s like riding a totally different bike so it’s a bit hard to compare the two even though they’re in the same family. So lets not.

What I loved about the Anthem X 29er 3:

– So… FAST! The rolling momentum just kept on! I picked a line. I dominate that line! It was so rad.

– You will roll over anything… ANYTHING! Climbing/Descending… it handled both very well.

All in all… about half way into the ride I adapted to the change. It was great. Davis and I would whip around the mountain laughing all the way (not really… I was wheezing most of the time). I loved being out on a squishy speed machine thrashing new trails.

I hope you will go check out the Giant Bicycles Anthem X 29er as well as the Anthem 27.5 and develop your own opinion. They will both serve you well. My opinion for purchase… if you have an extra $500 and wanna get into a bad ass entry level full suspension mountain bike… go with the Anthem 27.5.  If you’re on a budget or a hardcore 29er fan and would rather take that extra $500 saved on the 29er vs. 27.5 to upgrade components… the Anthem X would work well for that.  Jah blessed!

RIDE x CREATE

Red Hook Crit 2013 a film by Christian Thormann from crihs on Vimeo.

This is rad! Make sure to frequent No LIfe Like This LIfe to catch good stuff like this!

As soon as I saw this bag drop I knew I wanted it! Simple design with a wide ass mouth to house all my junk while keeping said junk totally water proofed.

Some of the more valuable features I’ve found are the padded back that I’ve learned to love with other Chrome Industries bag like the Yalta (for reference… it’s the only other bag I’ve owned with the same backing), the “wide ass mouth”, the padded laptop sleeve, the longer handles (if I were to fill up the bag to its capacity [no easy task] I still have an easy way to pick it up. It’s the simple things), the front buckle clip has a little extended metal piece PERFECT for cracking open my beverage of choice, and the strength to weight ratio. This bag is so light and strong (aka Knurled Welded).

If you look closely to the two clips on each side of the rolltop you’ll see they are alternating clips. What does this mean? It means that you can either utilize securing the rolltop the way it comes… OR you can roll it and clip it to itself thus utilizing the side straps to wrap around the front to secure whatever packages you may have. I was blown away when I found this out and have yet to capture it being utilized this way.

When I first loaded the bag for a longer ride It appeared to have a limitation of separation within the main compartment. This was easily overcome when you look at the padded laptop sleeve as another compartment to house your cell chargers, wallet, keys, and so on. It does really well to keep electronics protected from those ice cold cans of adult beverage you don’t want sweating all over your cables or computer.

Really this bag embodies everything I love in a bag. Style, easy access, large capacity, and the throw x go mentality that works really well for my “organization” skills all while keeping protected from the elements.

Go to Chrome Industries and check out other snaps and features. You can also follow along on our Instagram and look up #FOLLYxCHROME for other Chrome products we’ve reviewed. I will be using the Knurled Welded Excursion Rolltop 37 exclusively so make sure to follow along to check out all the ways this bag can be used and abused. OH… did I mention this bag is covered for LIFE!! FOR. LIFE!! Chrome… always nailing it.

RIDE x CREATE

“Chrome Industries created the Coveted Jersey to recognize the dirtbags, and working class athletes who race alleycats, sprints, fixed gear crits, subfloor circuits, and single speed races. The jersey can’t be purchased; it’s only given to champions. Have the skills reap the reward. Wear it with pride.

Each year Chrome Industries invites artists and designers we respect to create the Coveted Jersey. In 2010 Garret Chow designed the first Coveted Jersey. In 2012 James Sellman made his mark. The 2013 Jersey was designed by Sean Light.

Our 2014 Coveted Jersey was designed by Death Spray Custom. Death Spray Custom is a London based artist that works with mediums he describes as dangerous or travel fast. We’ve admired his work for a while. He’s worked with friends Adam Eldridge on a frame and Thor Drake on 21 Helmets. For our Jersey, DSC was inspired by the disruptive camouflage pattern named Dazzle that was used on ships during WW2. The jagged, mismatched shapes made it difficult for the enemy to estimate a target’s range, speed and heading. “Camo is something that as a pattern maker, I adore as a thing of beauty, from it’s natural origins to the military use.” You can see why we like him. Find out more about the Jersey on Chrome’s Blog.”

RIDE x CREATE

I love simple and functional. This MULTI POCKET ADVANCED PULL OVER (M.A.P.) from Chari & Co. NYC nails it! Go to Chari & Co. NYC to check out this sweet piece of apparel.

“Pull over sweatshirt is made of a tight knit cotton and is treated with a nano silver technology procedure to be waterproof.” – Chari & Co.

Animated Illustration by Kyle Steed

Tell me you didn’t just smile and I’ll call you a liar.

Photo by George Marshall

Holy geez this is rad!!

Go to Donhou Bicycles to check out other snaps and info.

I got into mountain biking back in 2004 and rode pretty hard till 2010 then gave it up for different activities. After riding cyclocross for the last few years and watching folks transition from cross to mountain, my interests peaked. 

Local bike shop owner and buddy of mine Matt Blevins (Blevins Bicycle Co.) carries Giant Bicycles. When he first got them in/opened in 2011 (with 2012 models) I honestly wasn’t that amped on them. Each year since then Giant has complete transformed with aesthetically pleasing design/color ways and quality set up right out of the box. They seriously are nailing it!

A lot has changed in MTB’s the last 4 years. From 26″ to the 29″ wave (yes I know 29″ wheel sets have been around for a long time, but it seems the last 4-5 years they’ve been set as the standard) and now 27.5″… the choices! 

The Giant Anthem is my introduction to 27.5″ and let me tell you… this thing is fast as hail!! My initial thought (transitioning from cyclocross) is that this must be how monster truck drivers feel. Seriously… there are no boundaries with this squishy speed machine!  I spent this last Saturday and Sunday riding the mountain trying to find some of the gnarliest climbs and descents.

On climbing: Obviously it’s totally different from anything I’ve been use to lately. It was a bit weird to get a hang of. I’d stand to climb and squish right through my power with each pedal stroke. I learned it most efficient sitting back and staying as smooth as I could to limit bounce in the rear suspension. On really steep climbs I’d stand, stay low, and up on the handlebars to achieve the same effect.

On descending: HOLY BALLZ THAT’S FAST!! That’s really all you need to know.

The next few weekends I’ll be riding a couple different Giant models and comparing them. I’m looking forward to spend more time on the mountain with these squishy speed machines.

Go to Giant Bicycles and check out the specifics on the Anthem 27.5 3.  Keep in mind this is the lowest end model of the Anthem 27.5 and it still handled AMAZING right out the box.

If you aren’t following Turf Bikes, Matt Reyes, or Wheel Talk Fixed… then you’re missing out on gems like this.

I hope your weekend has been eventful. Cheers!