iO Blog

Matt here with Power Cordz! Ever since joining the team, I’ve had the privilege of seeing some slick bikes. A lot of local riders will come in, chat with us about their weekend rides, and ask us to take a quick glance at their setup. Now and then, luck rides my way and I’ll get to test out a bike that has a fresh Power Cordz install. All considered, I thought life couldn't get much better. Then I mentioned to the team I’m in the market for a new bike…

Before the end of the day, I had a “bike loan” from one of the guys – a nice custom-build mountain bike sitting in our shop. One of the first things I noticed were three taught, yellow Cordz running on the top the bright orange frame. I recognized the setup right away as the new Power Cordz Prime™ system, and once out on the trails, I’d be among the first test riders.

Excited, I took the bike out that same night, right as the sun begun to dip in the sky towards the rolling wheat-colored foothills north of Boise, Idaho. Out on the trails, I climbed steadily over sagebrush and wildflowers, shifting smoothly and confidently. With a cool breeze at my back, I threw myself into the ride and found my zone quickly. I was thrown a bit when it came to traversing and climbing over some rain-scarred bends in the trail, but the shifting speed and accuracy saved me from disastrous turns down the steep hills. Within an hour, I reached a nice little summit, looked out over the city lit up by the sunset, and then raced the sun down the hills.

For bike enthusiasts this is a dream job! My day consists of bike installs, chatting with riders about their gear, answering questions about Power Cordz, and taking rides on some well-maintained bikes after work. Not only have a learned a wealth of information about the local and international cycling communities of which Power Cordz is a part, but I’ve also learned to appreciate how good it feels to talk with people who truly enjoy riding on our products. Since my name is on that list of happy riders, it only makes our conversations more rewarding!

What waits ahead? With a new notch on my Power Cordz belt, I’m set to try out the Prime system on another loan – this time on a Cannondale Six13 road bike. I’ve moved back and forth between mountain and road bikes for as long as I can remember, but the switch never came quickly. Unlike some riders who can move from riding road to mountain with ease, it still takes me a long time to adjust. Much like moving from an ATV to a sports car, when I move from mountain to road it’s going to take some getting used to. So, feel free to stop by our Facebook site and give me some tips for making the switch!

All the best and keep riding!

Matt

(Thanks to www.boisecentralfoothills.org for the photo)