The Bike Geek

A buddy and I were riding the 2004’s Tour de Poway when with 10 miles to go I started cramping in one leg, with 5 miles to go, both legs started cramping. Man, those were the longest final 5 miles of the ride. For my next fun ride, I thought I was prepared to battle the cramps, I trained, I ate my bananas, I hydrated, and I even took calcium tablets. This time I cramped with 20 miles to go. I then decided to do some research about cramping, what are other roadies doing? I went to www.roadbikerider.com for my answers. The answers varied a lot, but I learned that the most likely reason why I was cramping was because of depletion of electrolytes as a I sweat. Then I read more than a couple postings recomending Endurolytes by Hammer Nutrition .


These capsules worked!!! Every time I go on long training rides I take them with me, I haven’t cramped at all. The pills are easy to swallow, and they don’t turn my stomach.

Disclaimer:Please note that these capsules worked for me, I’m in no way guarantying that they will work for you. This opinion is solely mine, I was in no way compensated by Hammer Products, hell, I had to buy the pills myself.

Looking for an inexpensive set of lights for commuting or mild trail riding? Check out RL’s review of the Cygolite Night Rovers via Blue Collar Mountain Bike.

Where else can you read 3 honest, unbiased reviews of bicycles in 3 days by riders like you? But at thebikegeek.com of course!
Our friends from Atomic Bikes lend me another bike to review, the bad ass Kona King Kikapu. Click here to read my review.

When I returned the Giant Reign to our partners from Atomic Bikes, I told them that I wanted something that can climb better.They quicky accomodated me by giving me a Kona King Kikapu to test ride. I took the bike to test ride to the Fullerton Loop, one of my local off-road loops. This bike blew me away! It can climb, it can descend, it can jump, it is light, and its bomb proof.

Component highlights included:

Fox RL 100 Front fork, Fox RP3 rear shock, Kona Clump scandium race frame, Hayes HFX-9 carbon disc brakes, Race Face cranks.

What I liked about the bike: Light, awesome fork, great rear shock, it can climb, it can descend on steep stuff, it can jump, bad ass looking, I can race in it.

What I didn’t like:That I had to give it back.

Bottom line. Kona offers this bike in 3 models, the Kikapu, the Kikapu Deluxe and the King Kikapu. Prices range from $1099 to $2599, not a bad deal considering that you have a bike that will not let you down.

Is it a road bike? Is it a Mountain bike? Nope, its part of a new generation of bikes called ‘Cafe’ bikes or ‘fitness’ bikes. I got to ride one to work. Click here for my review.

Our friends from Commute by Bike lend me an Ibex Corrida LT from www.ibexbikes.com to ride and review. My first thought was to ride it to work. It seemed like a perfect commuter bike. As I was running a little late to work, I decided to give this bike a workout. I rode this bike at 19-20 mph most of my way to work. I even broke my personal best by 8 minutes. The bike felt stiff and responsive. I was pretty impressed by the road feel. Not as comfy as a mtb not as harsh as my Giant TCR.

When I got to work I was asked a few questions about the bike by my fellow commuters. Questions like is it comfortable? Why a flat Bar? How are the shifters? The answers were, yes, less strain on your neck, and cool.


What I liked about the bike: I liked the feel of a road bike, the aerodynamics, the comfortable position, the component group, the carbon fiber fork.

What I didn’t like about the bike: The only thing that I didn’t like about the bike was the saddle. It was uncomfortable.

Bottom Line:If you are a roadie geek like I am, love to ride fast, like the feel of a road bike, this bike is a great buy for the money. Ibex bikes also offers 2 other models of the Corrida, the more inexpensive Corrida CT and the top of the line Corrida Ultimate. Check out www.ibexbikes.com for more information on the Corrida Line.

For the future: I want to give this bike a try on some uphills, I want to see how it will climb and descend. I also want to give this bike a try on a 50 mile fun ride. I have a feeling that it will be perfect for them. Maybe a century?

Our new partners, Atomic Bikes, lend me this Giant Reign 2 (What were they thinking????) to try on the trail, not the parking lot, but real dirt. Click Here for my review.

The folks from Atomic Bikes were gracious enough to lend me a 2005 Giant Reign 2 to test ride on one of our favorite local trails called the Fullerton Loop. What more can I ask more than to actually ride on the trails rather than on a parking lot? This Giant Reign was custom made and didn’t have the stock components. Here are some of the specs from this bike:

Front Fork: Manitou Flick
Rear Shock: Manitou Swinger 3-way with SPV.
XTR Rear Derailleur, and XT in the front, XT Cranks and XT shifters.
Race Face Double Cranks
Mavic CrossMax Rims
Hutchinson Scorpion Front Tires
WTB Velociraptors in the back
Hayes HFX-9 XC 6″ Rotor in the rear and 8″ in the front with Carbon Fiber Levers
Monkey Lite Aliminum Hi-rise bars
Azonic Stem

This bike is clearly set up for big riding, the first thing I noticed was how high the bottom bracket is. As I was getting used to the bike, we hit some sweet singletrack. The bike absorbed every bump on the trail, it felt kind of heavy though. As we hit some uphills, that’s where the bike’s weight and high travel showed. I really struggled on some of the uphills that I’m used to riding on my middle ring. But then came the downhills, FREAKING AWESOME DUDE!!! That’s what I told RL as we met at the bottom of the trail. The bike just bombed down the trails with ease.

I’m currently looking for an ‘All Mountain Bike’. A bike that can climb and that can descend with ease. Unfortunately this bike isn’t what I’m looking for. It is a great bike to go down fast, jump, go off 5 ft drop offs, but it doesn’t climb to my expectations.

I’ll like to thank the folks from Atomic Bikes for lending me this bike, now, can I borrow that Trance????

Our friends from Commute by Bike were lucky to get an Ibex Corrida LT to review. Click here to read RL’s first impression.