After a dislocated shoulder, the physio finally gave me the go ahead to go riding again. So I have strapped the P30 protoype onto the Banshee Chaparral, looks damn fine. Essentially the P30 is a 36t specific version of the Gamut USA polycarbonate series. For a 36t chainring it has the benefits of more clearance and a lighter weight. It comes in at 215g…but Gamut USA have just produced some custom bolts for the top guide shaving almost 20g off the weight!

I will be going to the Victoria Championships held in Eildon on the 28th/29th of April with Ross from iRide. You can also check out that particular bike and any of our gear at his shop too, check it out if your in Melbourne. So if you see us around at Eildon come and say hi, especially if you have any questions or want to see the gear in the flesh…or if you have too much beer!

We all love to ride with tunes pumping in our ears, the wind in your face helping you escape from reality.

I was having the best ride ever with David Hasselhoff’s “Get Into my Car”, (it has the perfect riding beat) cranked full blast on my iPod, when I saw some riders gathered down the trail. Being too embarrassed to admit that Hoff was even on my iPod, let alone get busted by a group of riders when I stop to chat. I quickly tried to change the tracks to some hardcore stuff before they found out how Euro my tunes were.

Then it all happened!

Still rolling I had to remove my left hand from the bar to reach my iPod stuffed away in my backpacks side pocket. The second I removed my hand and fumbled for the controls my tire clipped a root on the trail sending my ass over the bars and into a tree. Not only was it embarrassing flipping myself in front of the seasoned locals, I had to lay on the ground in pain with David playing full tilt as everyone stood over me.

After my crash I had lots of time to look back on the crash and think about how much that sucked! If only I didn’t have to keep removing my hands from the bars just to flip tracks.

The next month I challenged the guys to do something about this common problem.

They gave me the first ever, iPod compatible Stem!

Introducing the iStem

Features include:
*Optional microphone attachment for hands free group talking
*Seamless integration with the Straitline iStem*InternalLithium battery source with Solar charging available
*Compatible with iPods new wireless head phones
*Transfer songs with your friends via infrared
*Stream music to friends in the group with 802.11b technology
*Change songs hands free with the optional microphone via voice commands

“This is exactly the kind of forward thinking innovation that our industry needs. We are so impressed with this product that we are thinking about specing the iStem on most of our 2008 bikes.”, said Kevin Menard and Kyle Youngem, owners of Transition Bikes

“We are just excited to bring to the public what they want. People are tired of the industry hype and have been craving a versatile product that allows them to show their own personal style. At Straitline we take progression very serious and promise that we will stay ahead of the game by introducing innovative products with no hype, only our finger on the pulse.” said Greg Parish , Marketing guy at Straitline Components

Watch the new iStem promotional video here
‘Straitline iStem’