Some Bicycle Things I’m Stoked About On A Friday, February 20th, 2026
Ben needs fresh cleats. Between one footing a drop and later smashing his shin*, if he didn’t know it before Wednesday, he certainly does now. Not that it slowed him or his 170mm of get-out-of-trail-free card down even a little bit. That’s what his 220mm front rotor is for. In a rolling bit of Wednesday Night Lights (WNL) philosophy, we were trying to decide whether he should curse his big bike for regularly introducing him to trouble or praise it for so often delivering him out of it.
With no less mirth and much less yowch, Chris Gnarker discovered he needed a new chain {not just a quick link} and ended up runbiking the back half of our frigid Fromme frolick. Not that it slowed him down any on the descent. Chris was on his hardtail, so I can’t even claim that my being in his way was due to the lack of tension acting on his suspension. He all but buzzed my wheel the whole way down.
And thusly, as often is the case, for most of Wednesday Night Lights, it fell to yours truly to caboose the experience. Only catching Ben when he took one of his patented wrong turns where there is no turn, and only catching Chris when he pulled up to re-bunch the group and have a laugh. Ride hard, and break regularly to socialize. That’s the way. Despite appearances, I only managed to find one remotely slick bit of frozen ground water all night. The sports surface was crunchy, shiny, and awesomely tacky.
*{Always an unimpressive-looking wound that properly hurts.}
{Photo: MEATengines}
My favourite part of WNL remains the eclectic mix of bikes and bodies that show up to keep each other company on these sometimes cold, sometimes wet, and always dark rides. Our record for single-speeds in one ride is three. Our record for sag-wagons is four. Our record for riders is seven and that was on a fairly shitty evening. Lately we’ve been riding across the Baden Powel and up Mountain Hwy so we can socialize on the forest road rather than gas ourselves on No Quarter. It’s been pleasant.
Anywho, that’s my reminder that you’re invited. You can join the Bike Bus {if you can’t ride from home, ride from somewhere} or meet at the trailhead at 9pm-ish. It’s a no drop ride, there’s a waiver to read here, and beyond that reach out with an e-mail with any questions.
{Photos: MEATengines}
Riding wise, we’ve had a bit of a cold snap although with very minimal snow. The trail conditions are so interesting with a asphalt-esque hardtop littered with a shifting surface of loose pebbles and the odd larger rock. The roots are mostly dry, the ladders all a bit frosty, and the rocks are fine unless there’s a water source nearby. In the latter case, look out!
Kit wise, I’ve been rocking my home-knit socks over compression socks and in addition to not having cleats bolted to my shoes {flat pedals for the winter winning}, the temperature of my tootsies has been perfect. Team Gramma Socks made SBTISAOAF in Jan ’25, but as with so many things I post in this column, I’m stoked about them all the time. Thank you, mom.
{Photos: MEATengines}
Commuter CushCore
With all the curbs, potholes, and staircases in the urban environment, and the extent to which some cycle commuters will go to avoid interfacing with cars, I’ve long been a bit surprised that CushCore doesn’t have a specific ‘commuter’ stamped product line.
I’ve been CushCore’ing my commuter rigs for years now, using their Gravel or XC inserts, depending on rim and tire dimensions, and the marketing effort would consist of a bit of packaging, moulding ‘urban’ or ‘commuter’ on the inserts, and adding a couple of sizes. Specifically, I’m thinking 20″ and 26″ to cover cargo bikes and classics.
Though, I say cargo bikes, but wouldn’t it also be nice to have some tire support and rim protection for that fresh Stridsland Boom Boat that ‘you’ve’ been trying to justify*?
*{I’ve had a few friends tell me they wish they were cool enough to have a need for a Boom Boat. I feel exactly the same way.}
{Photos: MEATengines}
Based on my experience smashing a cargo-bike front wheel into this and that, especially loaded, I wanted an insert-solution for my Mini Max. Specifically, and I used a CC-Trail insert for this, an insert that I could trust to run-flat my 2.0″ Schwalbe Billy Bonkers tire* in case of a full-on failure. My Ominium doesn’t fit on a bus.
It was straightforward to chop the insert, add some slots well back from the joint, and zip-tie it together. My advice after playing around, for anyone thinking of doing the same, is to not overtighten the zip-ties. There’s near-zero-gap in my setup once installed, but nothing is fully cinched. I’m super happy with the result.
Out back, for now, I’m burning out a 700x40c Schwalbe Awesome Alvin with a CC-Gravel insert, but I’m leaning towards the 29×2.0″ version of that tire as a replacement when this one is fully gassed.
*{1) Please note this tire is not considered Tubeless compatible. That said, it was no issue to air up tubeless and has held air excellently, in my experience. 2) I wish Schwalbe also made this tire in a 29″ size.}
{Photos: MEATengines}
BMXC*
When it comes to micro-categorizing rigid #1FG mountain bikes, I don’t think there’s a branch more sexy than BMXC {BMX-C}. Whether it’s 26″, mini-mullet, 27″, mullet, or dual 29’er hoops we’re talking about, the common traits are relatively short stays, relatively high bars, and relatively big smiles. It’s mountain bicycling boiled down. Adults playing at bikes in the forest.
And look, I’m not saying that everyone needs to own a BMXC bike, but I’m having so much fun on my Unit-Zo that, if you have the means, I can’t help but recommending the addition of something similar to your stable. You know, in addition to your sag-wagon and/or super-stapler, your single-speeded ’80s road bike, and your ATB/commuter rig, or two.
I had every intention to ride my Honzunit** today but with JacAttack and Penny joining me for a Fromme Friday, I figured, rightly, that the ArctuHawk Voyager was the better bet. It was a great day for a radialish Schwalbe Magic Mary and 170mm of fork travel up front.
*{Credit to Finn Velocipedestrian}
**{Still workshopping the name}
{Photos: MEATengines}
Dave Smith Is Still Shooting
The Still Shooting photo summit is coming to Whistler, BC in April 2026. A philosophical foray into how the photographer’s vision is a necessary part of the recipe combining art and technology:
“This is for everyone who has ever watched the image slowly appear in the red light of the darkroom. Who has woken up in the middle of the night with an idea that needs to be sketched. Who has sat in the cold and the wet hoping to god that those pocket wizards work just one more time…
Fuck trends. Photos are forever. We’re still shooting stills.”
I love Dave Smith’s work and I think it’s awesome that a bunch of folks have the chance to experience it. And, all the other talented shooters as well. While I doubt I’ll be visiting Australia* in April, I hope Still Shooting will share the goods on their website as well. If you happen to attend, let me know how the summit goes.
Oh, and while we’re on the subject, check out Dave’s The New Dark Age Slideshow, it’s so rad and I’m positive you’ll be stoked as well.
*{The joke goes, what’s the capital of Australia? Whist-LA-B-C!}
{Photos: Dave Smith — The New Dark Age Slideshow}
Norco Charger A2
Looking for a size small 27″ hardtail, or a dual 29″ hardtail, anywhere up to size XXL, with shredtastic modern geometry {as always, good geometry is free}, in a budget-friendlier build? The Charger A2 even looks awesome with its smooth-welded aluminum frame.
The 65° head tube angled (HTA) Charger sports a very decent Formula rear hub {that’s well supported – DC3248}, excellent Deore shifting, an actual Shimano bottom bracket, and a nicer fork than the three-bills more expensive A1*. The size-specific X-Fusion Manic dropper post is an excellent budget option.
In fact, and this is coming from someone who is not typically a big Norco fan, the only minor niggle I can come up with for the price is the dual Forekaster wire-bead tires. These are likely fine at first, but I can see the new owner upgrading them in short order. First, since the geometry calls for a more aggressive front option. Second, because anyone buying this bike is going to want to run tubeless.
*{The A2’s Tektro rotors are also a nice upgrade on the A1’s shitastic Resin-only discs.}
{Photo: Norco}
The reason I’m all Chargered up is a couple of folks who’ve sent me links to used rigs for their progeny, looking for feedback. The amount of slag out there that folks are trying to sell for more than the CA$1450 {street price; SRP CA$1499} + tax A2 is hilarious.
And never mind everything being new, shop support, and warranty. With five sizes {420mm to 540mm Reach}, there’s no can I squeeze or can I stretch conversation. I know that at least a few of my friends are chuckling about me being stoked to recommend a Norco, but from the geo chart to where the parts start, I don’t see a more budget-friendly, used-market mirror, mountain bike for the money.
And yes, even with some sintered pads and bigger rotors than the stock 160mm units, it’s asking a lot from a pair of Tektro HD-M275 to slow down a 29″ hoop and a L, or XL, or XXL body, but this thing is upgrade worthy, so buy some clearout Code R brakes with 200mm rotors and ride. And okay, the saddle looks like an ass-hatchet, the stock grips look like callous crampers, and I’d be replacing the dropper post remote ASAP because contact points are everything. But it’s not weird to swap contact points at any price point, so I’d prefer Norco not waste budget on these parts.
To finish on a high note*, aside from the rad geometry, and the price, my favourite little detail on the Charger frame is the external bottle bosses on the seat tube. Two bottles on every size, without any issues lowering the dropper post. Nice job Norco!
*{I also wish that it had sliding dropouts, but I’ve heard there are some interesting, stealthy, UDH one-speed tensioners coming to market, which would be super cool.}
{Photo: Norco}
YouDrop In Stock
Abus YouDrop full face helmets are back in stock in North America. Yay! Hopefully, your local shop has considered bringing one or two in because for CA$200 this is the lightweight, removable chin bar, lid for your kid. Clairebarian recommended all-the-way.
I’ve written about this lid quite a bit, and I think it’s awesome for all the reasons above. Everyone I know who’s bought one for their grom has been stoked but for those whose kids have grown out of them. Unfortunately Abus doesn’t make an adult equivalent. Leatt’s lightest weight removable-chin-bar full face, the MTB Enduro 2.0, is a sweet option in three sizes, for notably more money and that’s likely what we’ll try when she grows out of her Abus lid.
If you have a grom and are considering a full face for their riding, definitely try this one on. And, if your local shop doesn’t stock it, let them know they’re leaving money and the opportunity to support their future best customers on the table.
{Photos: Penny Deck}
{Photos: MEATengines}
Larry Talker Tunes: By Andrew
Model-T has been working the OT at his actual paying job instead of riding double-hardtails with me or taking his regular turn at LTT. But that’s okay, I’m going to share with him what I’ve been spinning while punching keys the last few days. The only issue here is that I’m breaking the one-decade-law by closer to thirty years than twenty. What can you do, sometimes? I’m also submitting two albums instead of one! Oof, hurry back Terry Walker.
The year is 1999, and Social Distortion vocalist Mike Ness releases two cover albums. ‘Cheating at Solitaire’ and ‘Under the Influence.’ I happened on it listening to Marty Robbins, so probably no surprise that Big Iron is my favourite tune. All I Can Do Is Cry is also well done. More? He does a solid job of Don’t Think Twice, Long Black Veil, Six More Miles, and, well, it’s all good.
I’ll note here that I’m not saying other artists, the originals or otherwise, didn’t do a better job of any of these songs. But clearly they’re songs that Ness was passionate about – stoked on – and that counts for everything around here. They’re the only two solo albums he’s released. Enjoy!
{Photo: Mike Ness}
Climbmax
There’s one more week in February and then we’re into March, the traditional green-shoots month for the local bike industry. Quite a few shops are coming out of hibernation now, hunting seasonal staff, especially wrenches, and making plans to draw folks through their doors. It’s not too late, but if you’ve been considering having your fork or shock serviced, an overhaul on your bicycle, or even some piecemeal project work, I’d recommend jumping into that while turnarounds are short.
Thus far, for the coming week, we definitely have an About A Single Speed piece popping up on Tuesday and I have a couple of other things in the works; no promises.
Happy Trails,
Andrew
Blurb
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