When the trail is long, the day is hot, and your jersey pockets are maxed out, storing all of your trailside necessities can be a bit of a hassle. Overstuffed bib pockets are unsightly, and cumbersome. The Contender branded Dakine bike gripper bag is an on bike solution to enable secure storage of extra goodies. Like a dog packing its own food on a camping trip, take a load off and make the bike carry its own tools and supplies.
What's New at Contender Bicycles
Contender x Dakine Hot Laps Gripper Bag
Skratch Labs Clear Hydration
Soda is to seltzer as Gatorade is to Skratch Labs Clear. When you’re out for hours at a time, or when the weather turns to remorseless heat, sometimes the only liquid you can stomach is low on flavor. Problematically, plain water can act against us and flush out electrolytes and salts to amplify the effects of bonking. Thankfully, our friends at Skratch Labs have just introduced a hydration mix that’s low on flavor, but high in replenishing electrolytes.
Bursting forth in two flavors, the Clear Hydration Drink Mix provides a tinge of flavor, extracted from real fruit, to give athletes what they need without the red dye #40. Easy on the stomach and the palate, Skratch Labs Clear has all you need with nothing you don’t.
Some Socks!
Ahhh… the comfortable counterpart to the Rapha Pro Team Socks! Neglected feet are unhappy feet. Unhappy feet equate to an unhappy cyclist. While this isn’t exactly a new item to the shop, in light of spring and the dawn of summer cycling we wanted to take a moment to focus on the importance of giving your feet something to look forward to.
Sometimes all you need is a little bit of purchasable motivation to slip into your gear and roll on out the door. Nothing says fresh quite like a clean pair of white socks. Built with a soft fabric, stretch, and durability, these socks will have you feeling like a born again cyclist. This is a sock you won't regret.
3T Exploro Ultra
If you prioritize traction, control, and versatility, then 3T's latest offering–the Exploro Ultra–might be your cup of tea. 3T has optimized the aerodynamics of this gravel bike to perform best with tires in the 55-61mm range. This means that the downtube sees an increase in size to make up for the decreased aerodynamics of larger tires.
This is an exciting bike for gravel and the excitement is multiplied if you’re local to the greater Salt Lake City area. With lots of potholed streets and long canyon climbing roads on the way to Wasatch gravel, this bike makes an excellent candidate for a city to canyon to single-track and back explorer. If your local gravel riding involves quite a bit of creative terrain, then the 3T Exploro Ultra will be your ticket to ride.
Carbon Gravel Hoops 👀
Reynolds just dropped their G700 and G650 wheelsets–carbon wheels built to bring responsive feedback to gravel roads. These carbon hoops have an internal rim width of 25mm and are optimized for tubeless gravel performance. Squeeze on whatever tire suits your terrain and style best and receive the additional benefits of lowered rotating weight and increased stiffness.
Judging by the buzz of excitement around the shop, these wheels might not be around for too long…
Smith Shift Mag Sunglasses
Continuing onto week two of our sunglasses kick we turn attention to the Smith Shift Mags. While this isn’t a new offering from Smith, it’s new to the shop and it sits at the top of the sunglasses hierarchy.
We like these for the ease at which lenses snap in and out, but we must admit that they are a little heavier than the comparative KOO glasses of similar caliber.
Bright Skys V.S. KOO Eyewear
Warm weather is upon us and the sun is shining with greater intensity. Luckily we just got a special delivery of KOO Eyewear to shade and protect your eyes.
If you were paying extra close attention to the Tour de France this year, you'll have seen these Italian made glasses in the breakaway and the peloton. Sporting a variety of frame designs, offering adjustable nose pieces, large vents, and extra eye coverage, the frames check the important boxes. The addition of a refined Zeiss® lens with superb optical quality positions these glasses at the top of our list.
There is even a photochromic light-sensing option for those variable springtime days when the lighting is being indecisive. Also, if you're into well ventilated Hawaiian cycling apparel, we think you'll dig the Pearl Izumi Summer Button Up Shirt.
Welcoming Patagonia & Dakine to the Shop
Patagonia and Dakine are well known names in the outdoor industry and we are excited to welcome them into the fold here at Contender Bicycles. Patagonia offers a large variety of gear that's well situated for dirt-oriented styles of riding. We've hand selected an assortment of products that we think will serve ourselves, and you all, well. We are especially excited by the Houdini Jacket - a windbreaker and weather barrier that packs down to a miniscule size.
Dakine began their journey as a surf company and quickly evolved to make a plethora of products that fit right into the mountain biking world. Checkout their innovative waist bags and pickup pads.
Get a Grip!
If you've come through our shop doors to peruse our bar tape and grip collection, you know that we are big fans of Lizard Skin's offerings. Known for their slightly textured tape and grip styles, they offer premium products to keep your hands comfortable and your grip firm.
Traditionally, brake levers are left bare; they are a sleek (and sometimes slick) surface that is generally a secondary concern next to bar grips, but Lizard Skin raises a valid concern - in a world that prioritizes responsiveness, why neglect the hidden sixth and seventh touch-points of our mountain bikes? Get a solid grip on your brake levers and never go back to bare.
One Fat Bike To Rule All Of The Seasons
The dawn of winter can be a bittersweet moment for us cyclists. When the trails disappear to snow, and the potholes freeze over, most of us hang our bikes up for the season or opt for the indoor trainer. The Otso Voytek is different; it’s a nimble handling fat bike with a low q-factor that is ready to rip regardless of what the weather is doing.
Weighing in at an astounding 25.40lbs with stock 4" tires and a tubeless setup, this gentle carbon giant rolls with a low tire pressure that gives you a supportive comfortable ride. Find traction where all other bikes fail.
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The Otso Voytek is a bike constructed around versatility. Otso designed the Voytek with a Tuning Chip in the rear dropout to shorten and extend the fat bike's wheelbase. This gives you the privilege of having a stable ride in the winter and race-oriented quickness in the summer. Alternatively, you can use the middle position to have a little bit of both worlds.
Further sporting versatility as its focal point, the Otso Voytek accommodates wheel sizes of 27.5" or 29" plus MTB tires to 26" x 4.6" fat tires. The Voytek is ready to be tailored for whatever type of riding you want to get after. Take a look at our wheel guide to determine what wheels are best situated for your next adventure.
Visit our Salt Lake City and Park City shops to take the Otso Voytek for a test ride.
Campagnolo Ekar In Stock & Ready for Your Next Bike
Those looking for a gravel bike have had a tough time. Drivetrain components have been the hardest bit for us to source. But if you want the latest Campagnolo Ekar 1x13 groupset, now is your chance to build your dream bike. In stock now and ready for your build.
Campagnolo, the Italian company known for their jewel-like components, has entered the gravel bike market. They’ve done so with Campagnolo Ekar 13, a 1×13 mechanical groupset designed for gravel riding in mind. It combines Campagnolo's top-spec braking and positive shift feel with gravel durability, fit for the OPEN UP, 3T Exploro Racemax, and more.
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How Would You Build Your Ekar Bike?
Building a bicycle from the frame up can be a serious undertaking. You might know what groupset you might want, or you might know you want a specific frame to be built. But what about everything else? That's where we come in to help you find just what you need.
If you've chosen Campagnolo Ekar as your drivetrain of choice, congratulations! It is one of our favorites. For the time being Ekar has the best gearing options avaialble anywhere for gravel drivetrains, and adds some of the best brakes and shifting in the business. That it looks truly unlike anything else from SRAM or Shimano doesn't hurt, either.
For us, you could go with a few frame options from OPEN, 3T, Pinarello, and others....
From there you choose your wheels. Campagnolo Ekar cassettes, utilize the new Campagnolo N3W freehub, which is backwards-compatible with Campagnolo cassettes all the way back to 9 speed. We like Fulcrum Rapid Red 500 as a stout, reliable alloy wheel, and Campagnolo Shamal C21 Carbon wheels as a beautiful complement.
What about tires? If you're unsure what you want, we will consult you based on your riding needs, style, and general terrain before offering up options from our wide array of gravel bike tires from Schwalbe, Panaracer, Maxxis, Rene Herse, Ultradynamico, Vittoria, and more.
Handlebars, stems, and seatposts are dependent upon personal fit and preference. We can match the fit of your current bike or adapt it to your new needs. Easton is often our go-to, but options from ENVE, Zipp, Syntace, Ritchey, Most and more ensure you have exactly what you're looking for.
Saddles are even more personal, but our array of saddles allow you to try the saddle of your choice within a time period and returning it for a full refund if you need.
Conclusion
Ready to get started? Give us a call during business hours or send us an email any time to info@contenderbicycles.com to build your gravel bike with Campagnolo Ekar today.
Meet Rapha's Transforming Bar Bag / Crossbody Bag
Bar bags are generally reserved for daylong cycling endeavors and bike packing. With a simple design and a focus on functionality, Rapha gives us the opportunity to reimagine casual outings, commutes, and everyday rides.
This bar bag is waterproof, reflective, and durable. Sporting three quick release buckles, you can easily secure this waterproof bag to your handlebars or bike frame - regardless of weather conditions.
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The Perfect Cycling Bag?
Our favorite feature of the Rapha Bar Bag is its wearability. Step off your bike and transform the bar bag into a stylish crossbody bag with its included soft-webbing strap. This allows you to lock your bike and take your valuables with you. Leave worry behind.
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The bar bag’s design and good looks don’t stop with its exterior. On the interior you will find an impressively large pocket with an elasticated organizer. Rapha also included a small quick-access pocket on the front for items such as a phone or an old-fashioned paper map.
As an added bonus, the reflective webbing on the front allows you to clip-on small items. Organize your essentials securely and stylishly with Rapha’s transforming bar bag / crossbody bag.
2022 Juliana Wilder: In Stock Now at Contender Bicycles!
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 anymore.
The new Juliana Wilder XC mountain bike not only fills that gap, but it might also just become a go-to cross country mountain bike. For us and the riding that we like to do, this places the Wilder alongside the Joplin as our go-to bikes for long distances, quick lunch rides, and every sunset chasing ride this summer.
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What is the Juliana Wilder?
The Juliana Wilder shares its bones - from geometry to build kits to price points - with the new 2022 Santa Cruz Blur TR. This means the Wilder features a lightweight single-pivot suspension system, here offering up 115mm rear wheel travel paired to a 120mm fork.
For us and the riding that we like to do, this places the Wilder alongside the Joplin as our go-to bikes for long distances, quick lunch rides, and every sunset chasing ride this summer.
Now, if you’re interested in a full tech breakdown of the Wilder, be sure to check out our first look at the Santa Cruz Blur, where we spare no expenses on offering up as many details as we could gather on the bike.
Giant and Momentum Bicycles Now Offered at Contender
We’ve got big, or rather Giant, news from Contender Bicycles.
Salt Lake City’s finest bike shop is now a Giant Bicycles dealer and we’ve got fresh stock of brand new bikes ready to sell now!
Giant returns to Contender Bicycles after several years away from the shop and we’re thrilled to once again offer bikes from Giant as well as sister brands Liv and Momentum. With bikes ranging from road bikes like the TCR Advanced and Contend to full suspension mountain bikes including the popular line of Trance bikes.
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Electric, pedal assist bikes and kids bikes are also in stock now and ready to roll out with you on board.
We’re getting new inventory into our system and currently building up some new web pages detailing what we’ve got, what we’re getting and how you can get it.
Contender Bicycles still offers many of the best bike brands on the planet ranging from Pinarello to SCOTT to Santa Cruz, BMC and Cannondale among others. Giant is well represented on podiums at many of the biggest races in the world and we’re excited to have this brand, and these new bikes, on our sales floor. Stop in and check ‘em out.
Liv Bicycles are
Now Available at Contender
Cycling is, at its basic form, an elegant mode of transportation and recreation. Simply elegant bikes create beautiful experiences and we’re beyond happy to announce that Contender Bicycles is now home to some of the most lovely bikes available. Liv Bicycles, the women’s specific line of bikes from Giant, has arrived.
Liv Bicycles have been absent from Contender Bicycles for a few years, but they’re not new to us. We sold these bikes a number of years ago and we are once again ready to roll with our favorite customers.
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Inarguably producing some of the best bikes available today, Liv’s design is from the ground up with a philosophy of For Women, By Women, With Women. Liv puts women first in everything they do, every frame they build, every component they spec, and every piece of gear they design. Liv wants your cycling experience to be perfect from the very first ride.
From the high-performance Liv Avail road bikes to the Liv Pique and Liv Intrigue mountain bikes, you’ll find a bike that fits not only your style of riding, but a bike that fits you.
And that is why Contender Bicycles is excited to sell these great bikes.
The 2021 Contender Bicycles Shop Kits Have Landed!
The 2021 Contender Bicycles Shop jerseys, bib shorts, and other apparel items have landed and it’s time to upgrade your kit.
This year, we’ve partnered with Italian kit maker Alé Custom to create a line of goodies you’ll be proud to wear. Not only does the new kit look amazing, but we’ve made sure they perform and are as comfortable as they look. Get a new jersey and shorts, or a new vest, long sleeve, or more. The kit is available in both men's and women's cuts to make sure your fit is as on point as you look. New kit day never looked so good.
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We also recognize that not everyone wants or needs a new kit every year. So our 2021 jerseys retain the familiar colorways we’ve used recently but have a fresh new design. No matter which pieces you wear, you’ll look sharp.
New for 2021, we’re making a statement with our jerseys in more ways than one. Sure, you’ll rep the best shop in town, but you’ll also be wearing a jersey made from 90 percent recycled materials.
Contender Bicycles PRR Eco Jersey
Alé Custom has gone green with its latest custom jersey offering. Featuring a material made of more than 90 percent recycled content, the PRR Eco Jersey has all the technical details and perks of their best gear but makes a smaller environmental impact.
As our ‘race-worthy’ jersey, the PRR Eco fits like an extra layer of skin. Aerodynamic and comfortable at the same time, the Ale Custom materials are lightweight with optimal airflow and moisture-wicking ability. Three pockets in the back provide ample space for your ride essentials and a hidden zipper has a discrete flap to tuck away the pull.
Subtle reflective details help keep you visible in low-light conditions when motorists might not expect to encounter you on the road. A gripper on the back hem prevents the jersey from riding up on the back while the sleeves feature a barely-there hem with a grippy silicone interior to stay flat and not bunch up under the shoulders.
No kit is complete without a quality wind vest that takes the sting out of cool riding conditions while enabling airflow around the torso thanks to a Mesh Dragon fabric on the back of the vest.
Lightweight and packable, the 2021 Contender Bicycles PRR Wind Vest features a full hidden zipper in front, three pockets in the back, and reflective details for added safety. The minimalist design allows for the wind vest to quickly and easily be rolled up and stashed in a jersey pocket when the mid-ride temperatures rise.
One reason we went with Alé Custom is their attention to detail and commitment to listening to customer feedback. A designed bib short offers slightly longer legs on the men’s version of the shorts with an extended silicone grip farther up to prevent riding up and to keep them comfortably in place for the duration of your ride.
A wide weave fabric keeps the bib shorts lightweight and breathable so you don’t get too hot in the saddle. Shoulder straps are also kept wide to ensure comfort.
Alé Custom uses their high-end 4H Shammy to maximize comfort for the longest and hardest of rides. Made with elastic micro-fiber with strategically-placed padding, the 4H Shammy has a 90kg/cm2 density to provide optimal comfort and protection in all the important contact points. Road vibrations are absorbed in the chamois to keep you as comfortable on Mile 99 as Mile 1.
A central relief channel protects nerve endings and regulates the temperature by wicking away moisture and allowing for airflow to cool things down. Lateral wings are flexible to flow with body movements as you pedal and shift position.
The Alé Custom women’s bib short features a chamois designed with a woman’s anatomy in mind to focus on comfort.
One reason we went with Alé Custom is their attention to detail and commitment to listening to customer feedback. A bib short designed specifically for women offers slightly longer legs on the men’s version of the shorts with an extended silicone grip farther up to prevent riding up and to keep them comfortably in place for the duration of your ride.
A wide weave fabric keeps the bib shorts lightweight and breathable so you don’t get too hot in the saddle. Shoulder straps are also kept wide to ensure comfort. The Alé Custom women’s bib short features a chamois designed with a woman’s anatomy in mind to focus on comfort
Alé Custom uses their high-end women's specific 4H Shammy to maximize comfort for the longest and hardest of rides. Made with elastic micro-fiber with strategically=placed padding, the 4H Shammy has a 90kg/cm2 density to provide optimal comfort and protection in all the important contact points. Road vibrations are absorbed in the chamois to keep you as comfortable on Mile 99 as Mile 1.
A central relief channel protects nerve endings and regulates the temperature by wicking away moisture and allowing for airflow to cool things down. Lateral wings are flexible to flow with body movements as you pedal and shift position.
We get it, not everyone wants to ride with full bib shorts. With that in mind, our 2021 Contender Bicycles cycling shorts offer a bib-free ride that is still high in comfort and performance but missing the straps.
Alé Custom uses a high-end 4H Shammy to maximize comfort for the longest and hardest of rides. Made with elastic micro-fiber with strategically=placed padding, the 4H Shammy has a 90kg/cm2 density to provide optimal comfort and protection in all the important contact points. Road vibrations are absorbed in the chamois to keep you as comfortable on Mile 99 as Mile 1.
A central relief channel protects nerve endings and regulates the temperature by wicking away moisture and allowing for airflow to cool things down. Lateral wings are flexible to flow with body movements as you pedal and shift position.
Prime Women’s Short W4H Shammy
We get it, not everyone wants to ride with full bib shorts. With that in mind, our 2021 Contender Bicycles shorts offer a bib-free ride that is still high in comfort and performance but missing the straps.
The Alé Custom women’s bib short features a chamois designed with a woman’s anatomy in mind to focus on comfort
Alé Custom uses a high-end 4H Shammy to maximize comfort for the longest and hardest of rides. Made with elastic micro-fiber with strategically=placed padding, the 4H Shammy has a 90kg/cm2 density to provide optimal comfort and protection in all the important contact points. Road vibrations are absorbed in the chamois to keep you as comfortable on Mile 99 as Mile 1.
A central relief channel protects nerve endings and regulates the temperature by wicking away moisture and allowing for airflow to cool things down. Lateral wings are flexible to flow with body movements as you pedal and shift position.
Contender Bicycles Classic Jersey
While the Alé Custom gear we’re offering is top of the line, we recognize many of our customers are perfectly happy with and prefer a slightly less form-fitting jersey. If that’s you, the 2021 Contender Bicycles Classic Shop Jersey is perfect.
Featuring the same colors and design, but more loose-fitting, the Classic Shop Jersey also features a value price.
A full length hidden zipper and standard pockets in the back with a silicone strip to prevent the rear from inching its way up your back during the ride, the Classic Shop Jersey is available in both men’s and women’s fits
Contender Bicycles Classic Long Sleeve Jersey
When the temperatures dip and you still want to look your best, grab the 2021 Contender Bicycles Classic Long Sleeve with a unisex long-sleeve thermal jacket. Sharing the same gorgeous design as our short sleeve summer jerseys, the jacket has a soft fleece inner and the traditional three back pockets for stashing essential gear and goodies.
Wear it as an outer layer over a short sleeve jersey or as your primary top for early morning or cool-season rides. The 2021 Contender Bicycles Classic Long Sleeve Jacket is water resistant, features a full hidden zipper and an extended collar to keep cold breezes from biting into you.
The 2021 Contender Shop Kits are in stock now at Contender Bicycles and ready for your next bike ride. Give us a call during business hours or send us an email to info@contenderbicycles.com with any questions.
The 2021 Contender x Giro Mountain Jerseys & Shorts Have Arrived!
Our latest collaboration with Giro is the new Contender x Giro Roust Jersey. Available in men's and women's cuts, the new jerseys feature mesh back and side panels to keep you cool on long days. And with it's Renew material, the Roust jersey is highly sustainable as well.
Not to be outdone, the new Contender x Giro Arc shorts offer secure zip pockets for a phone or keys and a light-yet-durable ripstop fabric that resists tears when you eat it. Available in men's and women's cuts, the new mountain kit promises to keep you looking and feeling good spill after spill.
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2021 Contender x Giro Women’s Roust Jersey
The Contender x Giro Women's Roust Jersey features lightweight, breathable construction with short sleeves for warm weather days or anytime you want a jersey that feels like it disappears. The moisture-wicking polyester fabric is combined with mesh back and side panels to keep you dry and cool, and the interior lens wipe allows you to clean your goggles or glasses quickly. The fit is relaxed for a stylish, comfortable feel that's also compatible with pads. That's why it's our favorite jersey for long summer days on the trail.
The Women's version of the jersey comes in a bright purple with black shoulders and side panels. Wear it with pride on your favorite trails.
2021 Contender x Giro Women’s Arc Shorts
The Contender Bicycles x Giro Women's Arc Short is your go-to mountain bike short for fun days in the dirt. They are packed with the essentials you need, including a secure zip pocket, exterior waist adjustment, belt loops and hand pockets. The ripstop fabric is lightweight, durable and comfortable, but the best part about this fabric is that it's virtually silent on the bike. Why be distracted by loud fabrics when you just want to hear the sound of your tires connecting to the trail? Not to mention the sounds of you and your friends hooting and hollering down the best sections of trail.
Available in a solid black with white Contender Bicycles and Giro logos with subtle off-black stripes near the pockets.
2021 Contender x Giro Men’s Roust Jersey
The Contender x Giro Men's Roust Jersey features lightweight, breathable construction with short sleeves for warm weather days or anytime you want a jersey that feels like it disappears. The moisture-wicking polyester fabric is combined with mesh back and side panels to keep you dry and cool, and the interior lens wipe allows you to clean your goggles or glasses quickly. The fit is relaxed for a stylish, comfortable feel that's also compatible with pads. That's why it's our favorite jersey for long summer days on the trail.
The Men's version of the jersey comes in a soft sage green color with black shoulders and side panels. Wear it with pride on your favorite trails.
2021 Contender x Giro Men’s Arc Shorts
The Contender Bicycles x Giro Men's Arc Short is your go-to mountain bike short for fun days in the dirt. They are packed with the essentials you need, including a secure zip pocket, exterior waist adjustment, belt loops and hand pockets. The ripstop fabric is lightweight, durable and comfortable, but the best part about this fabric is that it's virtually silent on the bike. Why be distracted by loud fabrics when you just want to hear the sound of your tires connecting to the trail? Not to mention the sounds of you and your friends hooting and hollering down the best sections of trail.
Available in a solid black with white Contender Bicycles and Giro logos with subtle off-black stripes near the pockets.
The 2021 Contender x Giro Mountain Jersey's & Short's are in stock now at Contender Bicycles and ready for your next bike. Give us a call during business hours or send us an email to info@contenderbicycles.com with any questions.
Wireless Shifting For the Masses: SRAM Rival AXS- This Shifts Everything
Electronic shifting is only for the bike snobs, right? Not anymore.
SRAM is bringing its eTap AXS wireless shifting technology to the masses with the release of the Rival eTap AXS groupset, making electronic shifting within reach for even the budget level cycling enthusiast.
Available as a complete drivetrain, or ala carte for those looking for just a couple of upgrade pieces, SRAM’s Rival eTap AXS uses the same technology as its siblings groupsets in a more-economic package.
New Garmin Rally XC Power Meter Pedals - What You Need to Know
It is easier than ever to measure how much power you put out while on the bike. Between spider-based power meters and crank-based options, just about anyone who wants to measure their power has an option on the market, at least on the road.
But what if you want to measure power on your mountain bike or gravel bike? The Garmin Rally XC aims to be your solution not only off-road with SPD cleats but with the switch of a pedal body can be your power meter with SPD-SL or Keo cleats with ease. The Rally XC is available now in the shop, and here's what you need to know.
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The Rally XC belongs to the new Garmin Rally pedal series. The series consists of two road pedals as well as the Rally XC pedal utilizing Shimano SPD two-bolt cleats. All three pedals use the same power-measuring spindles, allowing riders to swap pedal bodies from SPD to SPD-SL platforms with ease. And because the Rally series itself is an evolution of the previous Vector 3 pedals, all Rally pedal bodies are backward compatible with Vector 3 spindles.
Like the Vector 3, the Rally XC offers a claimed 120 hours of battery life from replaceable coin-cell batteries. What's different from Vector 3? Maybe the biggest difference is updated hardware that Garmin says offers improved energy management. But there are also more robust seals to protect the internals from dirt and dust and minor hardware changes to again increase durability.
Garmin Rally XC pedals offer ANT+ and Bluetooth connectivity from the jump as well as a claimed +/- 1% accuracy. Both of these mean the pedals can be updated and calibrated through Garmin computers and their smartphone app - a given - but it also means they place nice with programs like Zwift or TrainerRoad.
As one would imagine, installing a pair of strain gauges into where a standard pedal spindle resides means that the pedal itself is a bit bigger. As a result, the pedal height is a bit taller at 40mm. In comparison, our go-to SPD pedal, the Shimano XT M8100 has a bit more clearance at 32mm. While unlikely to make a difference in bashing rocks and roots, it is something to consider when choosing these pedals.
If you've been waiting for a power meter for your mountain bike or gravel bike, the new Garmin Rally XC pedal is a reliable and simple way to measure your power from bike to bike. Not only that, but they are adaptable to work on your road bike for the weekend and your mountain bike for your lunch ride. In that sense, there is no competition.
The Garmin Rally XC power meter pedal is in stock now at Contender Bicycles and ready for your next bike. Give us a call during business hours or send us an email to info@contenderbicycles.com with any questions.
Some New Rapha Digs to Dig Into This Spring - Apparel Galore
Our picks from the latest Rapha spring and summer collections are made for warmer temperatures and sunny days. We have the rundown on what's new, what's updated, and what's hot in the shop now.
There's a lot to like in the latest spring and summer Rapha apparel drop. Besides new colors for their beloved jerseys and bib shorts, the collection available at Contender Bicycles has expanded to include new pieces for both men and women, on and off the bike.
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Explore Long Sleeve Pullover
Rapha calls this newest bit of kit the Explore Long Sleeve Pullover, which seems to be a concerted effort rather than calling it a jacket or jersey. Part of that is a lack of pockets on the lower back, which when paired to a knit Polartec Power Grid fabric and windproof arms, make this pullover usable both on-bike or off-bike.
Out of all of the new kit we have that works well if you're riding the bike or not, the Rapha Explore Long Sleeve Pullover might be the most impressive.
Brevet Lightweight Jersey in Terracotta Brick
The Brevet Lightweight Jersey from Rapha seems to be the antithesis of the paper-thin jerseys we tend to see on the market. Designed to be hard-wearing in the face of day after day of long-distance riding, this jersey also offers more pockets and greater reflectivity than your average jersey. New for this year is a Terracotta colorway that'll look even better with wear.
Despite being the lightweight of the Brevet line, this jersey bucks trends to be our go-to for ultra-endurance riding and variable conditions.
Core Lightweight Jersey in Twist of Lime and Birch
Like a majority of kit we have this year, any updates to the Core Lightweight jersey comes in the form of new colors. The stars of the show has to be the Core Lightweight Jersey in Twist of Lime or the Women's Core Lightweight Jersey in Birch. Besides the new colors, this jersey offers great value in quality fit and stellar materials made for our hottest Summer days.
The Core Lightweight Jersey, available in both men's and women's cuts, is one of our go-to summer jerseys. New colors are the icing on the cake.
Women's Pro Team Flyweight in Nightshade
We have said a lot of good things about the Pro Team Flyweight Jersey HERE and HERE, and none of those things change when talking about the the women's cut. This jersey has been tested time and again on Grand Tours and ultra-endurance races, but the low-profile fit means you can focus on riding without distractions.
While we have both the Pro Team Flyweight in men's and women's cuts, it is this new Women's Nightshade and Black Plum color that knocks our socks off.
Women's Core Cargo Shorts
The Rapha Core Cargo Bib Shorts have found a lot of happy homes in the past year, thanks in part to the shorts offering extra pockets to stash food, warmers, or whatever else you'd like. And when they're not in use, the elastic banding makes them no different than other shorts. New this year is a Women's Cargo Short, because everyone deserves useful pockets.
Think of it this way: the Rapha Women's Core Cargo Shorts are the Rapha shorts you love with an extra bit of usefulness. We're big fans.
Pro Team Bib Short in Blue Sky Captain
There's not much to say when it comes to the Rapha Pro Team Bib Short that we haven't already HERE and HERE. Barring personal preference, these shorts are some of the best you can find for the money, and their hard-wearing materials mean your investment keeps you riding for longer. The Pro Team Bibs are a staple in the shop.
New this year is the Rapha Pro Team Bib Short in Blue Sky Captain, an excellent complement to something like the Brevet Lightweight Jersey.
The New SRAM GX Eagle AXS Wireless Drivetrain Shifts the Paradigm
Maybe you’ve heard - new bikes will be hard to find this year. While we currently have a pretty good supply at Contender Bicycles, we’re prepared for the predicted shortage that has hit some shops harder than others already.
With that in mind, if you can’t upgrade to a new bike, how does upgrading your drivetrain sound? Not only can you do that with the new SRAM GX Eagle AXS upgrade kit, but we have a limited run of these kits in stock now and ready to upgrade your ride.
A New Contender T-Shirt and Hoodie Made to Fit Spring
Spring is right around the corner with the promise of blooming flowers, lush greens, and cool temperatures. To celebrate the season, we've put together the new Contender Bicycles Topo T-Shirt, inspired by the green atop alpine forests, and the Contender Shop Hoodie to keep you cozy on cool spring evenings.
The new Contender Topo T-Shirt shows off our five local canyons atop a heathered forest green backdrop, while the Contender Shop Hoodie keeps you comfy on cool spring evenings. Hand-drawn by our own Ben McIntosh, both are available now in limited quantities.
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Topo designs come and go, but the Topo tee has some serious staying power. Hand-drawn maps evoke older skills and adventure, and perhaps most importantly offer a connection to the land around us that offers value greater than what we can see immediately around us. Alongside the Contender Topo Sweater, the Topo tee offers perspective and reverence to the canyons we love so much.
The Contender Shop Hoodie is about repping your favorite local shop while staying comfy around the house or after a long ride. It features our classic Contender logo, a connection to Salt Lake City and Park City, and a bicycle of course. A front pocket keeps your hands warm, and a hood means you are as warm as you'd like to be.
Wear both with pride on the trails or when casual Friday rolls around and you need to remind yourself of your next weekend destination.
An Inside Look at How We Build Our Custom Bikes
Our process of custom building a bike is about as methodical as it gets. And while custom-built bikes allow us to loop riders in on everything from the handlebar tape to chain of choice, the process of putting those moving pieces together into a rideable, well-tuned bike is harder to share.
In our latest video, we pull back the curtains to show just how our bikes are put together. That this build is a custom-painted OPEN UP gravel bike shod with Campagnolo Ekar, Campagnolo Shamal wheels, and Easton components is the icing on the cake.
A New and Improved contenderbicycles.com
Maybe you won’t even notice - and that would be a good thing, as far as we’re concerned - but there’s a new and improved contenderbicycles.com that we believe will make your next visit to our website better.
You’ve come to trust Contender Bicycles to be the best bike shop in the region. Our selection, expertise, and inventory are hard to beat. That’s why you’re here reading this and why we have such a loyal and demanding family of customers. We want to make sure our website keeps pace with our brick-and-mortar stores.
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The new contenderbicycles.com has been a long work in progress because we wanted to not just pretty up the place, but make it much more useful. Instead of just showing pictures of bikes and letting you wonder “maybe they’ve got it, maybe they don’t,” we’ve put a lot of effort into integrating our website with inventory while providing much more rich content and information on the bikes, components, and accessories you have come to depend on us to provide.
We know the world has become more mobile and less tied to a desk. Accordingly, we’ve sunk resources into making the mobile version of our site match the functionality of the desktop version. Searching for items - ranging from complete bikes to wool socks - is easier than ever.
Our in-store inventory system is now much more aligned with our e-commerce efforts and contenderbicycles.com reflects that. That applies to much more than bikes. Being able to more accurately display components and accessories will help you find the gear you need and spend more time riding and less time driving to the shop to buy a product we don’t have in stock.
We’ve upgraded our site to include a more expansive list of what’s available in the shop and added a feature that allows you to buy the item and select where you’d like to pick it up. If you live in Park City, just let us know you’d prefer to visit our shop at the bottom of White Pine Canyon and we’ll have it there. Again, that’s more time in the saddle and less time behind the steering wheel.
Order a Contender Bicycles kit, some spare tubes, and a fresh batch of your favorite hydration drink mix and we’ll let you know when it’s ready for pickup. Heck, we’ll even walk it out to your car with curbside pickup availability.
In addition to all the technical upgrades, we’ve upped our content game. Curated content, product reviews, technical breakdowns, and community news that will improve your buying and riding experience. We want you to be as well informed as you are well outfitted.
We hope you don’t even notice all the work we’ve done to make contenderbicycles.com better. Instead, we hope your visit includes a few clicks and a positive experience and leaves you excited to get out and ride.
The OPEN WIDE ENVE Edition Is a Celebration of Adventure
Last week, OPEN put out a blog post informing everyone of another collaboration with ENVE Composites, this time for the OPEN WIDE. Most collaborations we've seen in the past from ENVE, SRAM, or Ultradynamico are largely limited to unique paint colors and left at that. This latest collaboration of the OPEN WIDE ENVE Edition features the new ENVE Adventure fork featuring, among other things, rack mounts on the fork, a first for any OPEN.
The OPEN WIDE is unique for its road bike-like weight and geometry. After all, the ability to use a massive 27.5 x 2.4" or 700c x 46mm tire without compromising geometry is no joke. And while their stock colors grey, orange, or turquoise are beautiful in their own right, special edition frames tend to spice things up.
Every so often, however, OPEN's collaboration frames make a detour in paint and scheme, and the WIDE ENVE Edition follows suit with something truly unique. The green to yellow fade is pure 2021 detailing, but just before the color gradient is unique topographic detail, similar to the Matte Bouron custom-painted bike we had here not long ago. What that bike didn't have, however, is the individually-numbered frame detail by the bottom bracket letting the owner know exactly what frame they have out of 100 frames available worldwide.
Complementing the limited edition frame is a color-matched fork, utilizing the new ENVE Adventure fork rather than a standard OPEN U-Turn fork. The ENVE Adventure fork features three accessory mounts on each fork leg, axle flip chips to tune your ride, as well as internal dynamo routing for powering lights or electronics. Besides supporting a local company in Utah, the ENVE Adventure fork can fit up to a 29 x 2.3" tire or a larger still 27.5 x 2.6" tire as well. Beautiful and functional.
Want one for yourself? See the OPEN WIDE ENVE Edition, or contact us by phone or email to discuss a complete build.
