Journal
2022 Juliana Roubion First Look: Ready for Trail Rumpus
Finding the right mountain bike is rarely easy. What type of suspension you need, the right build kit, the right handling attributes, the right paint scheme; everything ought to be considered, on top of price too. The newly-overhauled 2022 Juliana Roubion might not be the right bike for everyone, but...
2022 Santa Cruz Bronson First Look: Mixed-Wheel Sizes for the Masses?
The release of the 2022 Santa Cruz Bronson marks the fourth generation of a bike that’s been a mainstay in the 27.5” wheel world, and the de facto choice for long travel 27.5” bikes. As any other Santa Cruz, the latest Bronson sees a number of refinements and changes, brings...
The New 2022 Juliana Wilder Fills an XC-Sized Gap
Juliana has had a massive XC bike-sized hole in their lineup for years. The Joplin has worked for many people, but as the analog and its sibling, the Santa Cruz Tallboy has grown into dedicated trail bikes, riders wanting something zippier were left lacking. Not so TODAY. Starting today, the...
The New Santa Cruz Blur and Blur TR Review: The Perfect Wasatch Bike?
The cross country mountain bike world is changing, and fast. Over a short period of time, courses have become sloppier, steeper, and rockier. As a result, XC mountain bikes have become longer and lower, with geometry better optimized toward stability. In short, the lines between XC race and XC marathon...
Beautiful Bicycle - An All-Stealth BMC Teammachine
You may not know this, but the BMC Teammachine is every bit the winner at the biggest stage as any other bike on the market. It is a go-to for some of the fastest athletes in the world who seek the ideal race bike who seek that just right combination of...
VIDEO - 3T Exploro Racemax Review - A Numbers Game
The 3T Exploro Racemax divides opinions around these parts more than just about any bike on the market. It also happens to be the bike that straddles road and gravel better than most, all without compromising its quick-witted handling and acceleration characteristics unique among gravel bikes.What do we think of...
Beautiful Bicycle - A Timeless, California Sage OPEN UP
The OPEN UP, for those in the know, is more than meets the eye. A simple-looking frame with largely straight lines, simple tube shaping, and unassuming graphics belies an all-road or gravel bike that has managed to stay ahead of the curve after all these years. This limited-run OPEN UP...
Orbea Gain M20i Review + Video: A Look Into the Future
First impressions are everything. They inform how you look at someone or something now and into the future. As much as we might discuss their value in the context of interpersonal relationships, they matter with bikes too. The original Orbea Gain was our first experience with the now-burgeoning e-road bike market, showing...
Beautiful Bicycle - Orbea Gain M20i - An Ocean of Technology
There is a lot of love in the bike world right now. Technology is better than ever, making bikes easier to ride and more accessible to a wider range of riders. And while this Orbea Gain might look like another tech-forward road bike like all the others, this packs a...
Introducing Liv Cycling
Liv Cycling is unashamed about putting women first. Their tagline, "for women, by women, with women" promises to make cycling more inclusive by approaching bikes and gear tailored for women first. It's a unique perspective in the cycling industry, and one we believe in strongly at Contender Bicycles. And it is with...
(Re)-Introducing Giant Bicycles
After several years away from our shop, Giant Bicycles are back at Contender and we couldn’t be more excited about the news. Not only are we thrilled to have bikes with the Giant, Liv, and Momentum logos in the shop, we’re stoked to have a few dozen additional bikes in...
Beautiful Bicycle - A Royal BMC URS 01 ONE Gravel Bike
Historically, purple often indicated royalty and imperial lineage. Part of it was due to how expensive the dyes were, making the color an exclusive choice for those who could afford it. And while just about anyone can wear purple these days, this specific BMC URS 01 ONE is built to be...
Five Ways to Help Your Bike Feel Like New Again This Spring
A clean bike is a happy bike, and a happy bike means a happy rider. And what better way to make sure you're having a good time outside than making sure your bike feels like new as we get into the riding season. Making sure your bike feels like new,...
Beautiful Bicycle - A Metallic Blue TIME Alpe d'Huez 01 Aktiv
TIME claims that the Alpe d'Huez is the lightest frame they've ever made, but we say that simply claiming that their latest road bike is lightweight does the bike a disservice. Simply put, the Alpe d'Huez is all about balance at the highest level. And for this lucky rider, the bike...
Where Are All the Bicycles and Components? A Bike Shop's Perspective
Maybe you’ve heard rumors. Maybe you walked into a bike shop last summer and noticed. Or maybe you’re hearing it for the first time in this blog post. Whatever the case, here’s the hard truth: Supply chain issues are being experienced across the bike industry. Some brands and shops have...
