It used to be that if you wanted to try out the latest and greatest mountain bikes all in one place, you had to know someone in the business who could sneak you into , the industry-only trade show in Las Vegas. All our guests wanted to go, says Mark Sevenoff, who owns the Moab, Utahbased mountain bike touring company with his wife, Ashley Korenblat, former president of the International Mountain Bicycling Association. People really want to be able to try that $10,000 Yeti before they plunk down for it. So the couple thought why not create their own demo event right after Interbikeone that was open to everyone who wanted to come? With all the companies already in Vegas with fleets of demo bikes, it would be easy for them pop over to Moab.
And so, in 2010, was born. Far from your typical demo day at your local shop, the annual three-day event sees giant firms like Cannondale and Specialized, high-end shops like Yeti and Evil, and direct-to-consumer brands like Canyon and YT bring their newest rigs to one of the sports most iconic locations for a single purpose: to help you find your dream ride.
Over the years, the Outerbike has become part party and part gathering of the clans and has expanded to include additional locations, like Crested Butte, Colorado, and Sun Valley, Idaho. This week, it will travel east of the Rockies for the first time with an event in Bentonville, Arkansas, from October 26 to 28, meaning a whole new region of the country can get in on the action. If this is your first time attending, there are a few things you should know to make the most of your weekend in bike demo heaven.
Fight the Sticker Shock
At $240 for an , attending Outerbike is not cheap. However, with demos at most bike shops running close to $100 a day and bike shuttles for trails like Moabs Magnificent 7 starting around $25 per person, the event is actually quite a deal. You just need to test two bikes and take two shuttles to break even, and its easy to beat that goal in a single day.
Make a Wish List
There are plenty of brands and bikes to test, but theres always a line at the gates for the 9 a.m. start and plenty of competition throughout the day to get on the years hottest new rides. Coming prepared each morning with a list of the bikes youre most excited to try will save time and guarantee you land at least one. That said, be open to surprises. If all the bikes on your list are checked out, thats the perfect opportunity to fall in love with something completely unexpected.
Skip Lunch
OK, not really. With the miles youll be logging, youll definitely want a midday fuel-up. But while everyones chowing down on the (surprisingly tasty and healthy) lunches included with each pass, the bikes they were just testing are up for grabs. If you missed your dream ride during the morning rush, this is your second-best chance.
Establish a Test Loop
Youll be tempted to shred as much different singletrack as you can, thanks to unlimited chairlifts and/or shuttles depending on the location, but if youre serious about finding the perfect bike, consider creating your own test loop near the venue so you can directly compare lap times and ride quality. Challenge yourself and pick a gnarly climb or tricky roll in on the edge of your comfort zone, Sevenoff suggests. You may not clearit on one bike, but on another, it could be super easy.
Demo the Direct-to-Consumer Brands
Canyon, YT, Norco, Fezzari, and other direct-to-consumer bike manufacturers are putting out some seriously good rides at seriously good prices. Check out our review of YTs Jeffsy. But since you cant pop down to the shop for a test ride, events like Outerbike are the only real way to know how those bikes fit and perform before you buy.
Dont Just Wait in Line
Be involved, Sevenoff says. Talk to the demo people. Every brand is different, but most will let you know right away what they have in stock so you dont waste time waiting until youre at the front of the line. If youre friendly, some may even take your cellphone number and text you when the bike you want is in, he says, and other brands, like Ibis and Yeti, have started taking reservations.
Pack Your Tools
With mechanics to set up each bike to your liking and a patrol out on the trails to fix flats and other mechanical issues, its easy to just go out and ride. But being able to take care of your own flat tire wont just save you time; packing a full kit, including a multitool and shock pump, will let you dial in the bike while youre out on the trail. Nothing ruins a test ride like a rear shock thats accidently way too stiff or a brake lever thats out of prime position.
Bring Your Own Bike
Part of Outerbikes attraction is the ability to show up with little more than your kit and ride some amazing trails without having to pack your bike for a long drive or flight. But riding your own steed on thetest loop is a great way to establish a baseline against which to compare the rigs youve been drooling over. Plus, with your own bike in tow, you can extend your trip well beyond the weekend, Sevenoff says. For example, the day before the Moab event kicks off, Outerbike offers shuttles ofthe world-famous Whole Enchilada trail, more than 7,000 feet of descent in 27 miles.