chinamtb 08

The Stroker Ace features the company’s first four-piston, monobloc caliper and its biggest pads ever. All this is gives the Ace tremendous heat management capabilities. Hayes also designed a longer lever for increased leverage at the bar.

Mated to the proven Stroker master cylinder, this makes the Ace the most powerful brake ever in the Hayes range, while advancing the already unmatched Stroker modulation. At a system weight of 427g (including 6″ rotor and hardware), the Ace trumps all the other gravity-oriented brakes in the deck.

The Stroker Trail and Carbon were already capable across a range of applications, but Hayes was convinced it could make an even better brake for weight-obsessed cross-country racers and pedal-up/pedal-down all-mountain types. The result is the Stroker Gram. What sets the Gram apart from all the other models in the Stroker family is the removal of non-structural material from the master cylinder leaving behind a form that is as strong as it is sexy.

Hayes also dressed up both the master cylinder and the caliper in titanium hardware, and thrown in its lightweight aluminium-backed pads.
The Stroker Gram is targeted to cross-country and all-mountain usage and comes with 140, 160, 180 and 203 rotor sizes and weighs (with 160mm rotor) 357grams.

After years of unprecedented growth the export of bicycles from China is now leveling off. According to China’s national customs office 30.43 million bicycles were exported in the first half of 2008. Compared with the previous first six months this is a slight 1.8% drop in units.

However, looking at the value of the export than the picture is completely different as it shows a two-digit 12% increase to a total of US$ 1.28 billion (€ 904 mn). Electric bicycles are not included in these figures.

During the first six months of 2008 China’s export of electric bicycles dropped 1.3% in units to 695,820 e-Bikes. However, like bicycles also the export of e-bikes upped big time in value. Even an over 57% plus was recorded by the national customs to a total export value of US$ 123.09 million (€ 86.9 mn).

By the way when looking at the total export in units and in value then the average export value of an China e-Bike stood at about € 125. For a complete e-bike including battery, hubmotor, torque sensor etc. such a price level raises question marks in particular on quality. But one has to take into account that China’s e-Bike export wasn’t focused on Europe alone with its high demand for quality products but includes all export countries.

BE A PART OF ONE THE FASTEST GROWING SPORTING COMMUNITIES IN HONG KONG. THE HKMBA IS BACK. NEW PEOPLE, NEW ENERGY, AND A FRESH COMMITMENT TO PROMOTING MOUNTAIN BIKING.

For the past 16 years the Hong Kong Mountain Bike Association has represented the interests of mountain bikers in Hong Kong by lobbying for better trail access, as well as by providing information to visitors and residents on how they can engage in mountain biking and related activities. After a two-year hiatus we are back in the saddle and working harder than ever to get better trails for all riders of all levels. HKMBA is non-profit, all volunteer organization made up of mountain bikers just like you. We are always looking for help in order to keep our efforts moving forward.

As has always been the case our primary objective is to promote the improvement and expansion of the existing network of trails in Hong Kong.
In addition we are going to offer a better community interface via our newly designed web site www.hkmba.org where you can:

* Keep up to date with all of the HKMBA advocacy efforts and projects
* Locate legal trial networks in Hong Kong
* Join in or create discussions in our rider’s forum
* Buy and sell bikes & gear through our classifieds section
* Keep informed about what is happening in the world of mountain biking
* Plan your ride or race with our events calendar
* Participate in HKMBA group or social rides
* Download maps and screen savers
* Volunteer opportunity listings
* Plus much more

Our goal is for the HKMBA website to be the hub for all things mountain biking in Hong Kong.

Membership is free - take a look and sign up!

www.hkmba.org

ALSO

We are planning on attending the Action Asia Enduro Mountain Bike race at Tai Lam on September 21st. We will be handing out information sheets and talking about our plans and efforts. We are also going to ask for volunteers to man the water bucket stations to pour cool water over the head of the hot racers, compliments of HKMBA. Can you help?

COMING SOON

HKMBA also plans to host social rides for mountain bikers of all levels throughout the territory and beyond, so check out our website for more details of these upcoming rides.

Look forward to seeing you on the trails

Robert (Bob) Smith

Chairman
Hong Kong Mountain Bike Association
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Date: Saturday & Sunday Sept 20-21, 2008

Tianjin Adventure Club (TAC) is looking forward to show the MOB their
MTB backyard in the mountains North of Mount Panshan!

Date of departure: Sat Sept 20, 2008
Time to meet: before 0750 for a 0800 SHARP departure
An early and prompt start is essential

Where we meet: Agriculture Exhibition Hall (AEH)
400m south of the Sheraton,
opposite the eastern end of Dongzhimenwai

Tracks are all mountainous and situated North East of Mount Panshan.
Both days are loops - so we will start and end at the hotel,

Both days will make a combined trip following the MOB tradition: One
long trip and one shorter trip.

We will have lunch along the way - bring a lunch pack for Saturday

There will be a little pushing of the bikes now and then when the
tracks become too steep.

There will be some hard paved tracks, but most will be dirt track.

You will with guarantee meet local people who has never seen a MTB
before!

Estimated expenses/person:
Participation & transportation: RMB200
Hotel room:                             RMB170
Dinner                RMB  40
(RMB240/double room and 2 persons/room)
________________________________
Est TOTAL                              RMB410

We will go dutch on breakfast & dinner

Sign-up:
beijingmob-owner@googlegroups.com
Book best before noontime this Thursday Sept 18, 2008
Cancel before 4 pm on Friday noontime (Sept 19, 2008)
Still pay for the ride
if you cancel late or don’t show up on Sat morning
We need to book the hotel rooms in well advance.
Thank you very much for your understanding!

What to Bring:
Mobile (in the consideration of any case
may happen and in case you do not give your mobile number to the
organizer, please DO when sign-in), Mountain bike, HELMET
(compulsory), water (there should be some shops), sunglasses, snacks,
BIKE GLOVES, suntan lotion, spare tube, pump & basic repair tools,
toilet kits & good mood ( I’ll NOT complain & I’ll NOT discuss
politics.) & your passport/ID card; if you do not want Chinese
breakfast, bring your own corn flakes, milk and coffee & some RMB cash

If you need a rental bike, suggest to go to RockBike.
RockBike is located on the northside of Ping’an Blvd, a couple of
hundred meters from Houhai.
RockBike Tel: 64011183

Birkebeinerrittet in Norway is the world’s biggest MTB competition. It is a race with a history deeply rooted in the forests of the Scandinavian Peninsula, so it couldn’t be more perfect than to hold the Chinese version in the northern mountains of Changchun. You will cycle in the beautiful forest reserve Jingyuetan Park and experience the Chinese autumn and impressive nature while taking part in a traditional Nordic event. Birkebeinerrittet China is a mountain bike race for anyone who likes sports and outdoor activities. You don’t need to be a professional to be in it.

Birkerbeinerrittet China is also more than just a race. Participants will be staying at the five-star Shangri-La hotel which is located in the business and entertainment center of Changchun where they will be treated to a dinner banquet Saturday evening. This is the chance to enjoy a genuinely healthy and adventurous weekend.

Event organizer: Nordic Ways
Venue: Jingyuetan Park, Changchun, Jilin Province
Date:  11th October (The event will be held during the weekend with the race on Saturday 11th. With travel package, you can come on Thursday 9^th or Friday the 10^th and go home Sunday 12^th.)
 

Registration has already opened at our website! Travel packages for the race can also be booked online. Those who do not have a bicycle can rent one onsite, including helmet.
For more information about registration and travel packages, please contact Ellinor Axner Yin at ellinor.axner@nordicways.com, 010-65920545 ext 121 , or log on to our website: www.nordicways.com