Edelweiss Ride Support

Happy riding in 2012!

2011-12-23T18:15:00.001+01:00

It was a good year this year, not just for riding, but also for creating, dreaming, winning and grinning. May it be the same in 2012!

Happy holidays to everyone!

The missing link

2011-11-27T16:35:00.001+01:00

There is supposed to be an off season for riding bikes. In this period of five months you are supposed to store your bike in some dark corner of your basement or garage and focus on some other activities, like watching the TV, go skiing, celebrating during the holidays etc.

Or are you?

The photo above was taken yesterday, in the fog, while enduring almost sub zero temperatures. The ride itself was nothing special by the usual standards. Add some fog, dampness, cold and slippery roots and it becomes an epic adventure. OK, I hear you say, but that is still nothing unusual. True, but there is one very important thing to mention still; after a long, warm season of riding in the area, looking for a connection between two shorter trails, we discovered the missing link; a new part that connects two existing local loops and thus making one epic ride. Somehow, we forgot the damp and the cold. The scenery made it all just a bit more special as well, while the slippery roots, stones and leafs contributed to the fun factor.

So, back to the previous statement: Sure, the off season makes it hard to stay motivated, but the rewards can be so much bigger. The fact that the Edelweiss RS Bikebag makes life easier when you bring the muddy bike back home just makes it all that easier to just go out and ride. Still need proof? Ask these guys. They seem to be able to find the sun even in these cold and foggy days.

Off season is in fact the missing link.

I went on an epic ride today and all I got was this crappy photo. Thanks Luka Z.! :)

Hot Stuff.

2011-11-15T19:33:00.001+01:00

Sometimes bad things happen to good people. When the main honcho from Imbbus Bike Shop called us today to tell that his car burned up almost completely in the parking lot. As you can imagine, I really didn't know what to say. To make matters worse, he said his bike was in the car as well... What a way to start a day.

But something good always comes even from the worst of things. You see, his bike survived the fire almost unharmed. Why? He kept it in the Edelweiss RS bikebag. Now, we were well aware that the materials used are tough, but only in this unfortunate incident did we find out just how tough is "tough". The Bikebag did not catch fire, thus preventing the bike to be engulfed in flames and remain relatively stable. Unfortunately, the Bikebag deformed quite badly and did not survive. The bike, however, did.

So here you go: More proof, that our products are tough as nails. They are made from the best stuff currently available, by the most skilled and capable people.

P.S.: The aforementioned burned Bikebag will be replaced with a new one by the end of next week, just as the next batch of our products will come to Bike Shop Imbbus. We sincerely hope that its durability will never be put to such a test again.

Photo credit: Zdravc Božnar Sebanc, Bike Shop Imbbus

Warning: epic trails ahead!

2011-11-03T13:19:00.001+01:00

To most of you, the 2011 riding season reached its end. But for those of you who really love riding bikes no matter the weather, the season has just begun. The trails are less crowded (empty almost), the terrain more challenging and the rewards bigger. This is the Edelweiss RS season.

It was at this time of the year two years ago that we put our mud resistant, dirt defying products on the market. After a seemingly slow start, people from all over the country and from abroad started appreciating what we do and how we do it and the word of mouth started to spread. Our Bikebags have reached many happy costumers that couldn't be happier. Alas, we are constantly thinking of ways to improve our products and also to translate our core values to other areas as well. The fact that all our products are locally made helps this to no end.

Keep the wheels rolling!

Edelweiss RS hardtail frame

2011-10-11T01:08:00.002+02:00

The dream of making our very own bike frame seems to be of a reoccurring one. Publishing the previous post stirred some debate with people whose opinions are appreciated greatly. Here is a summary of the brainstorming we had so far:

- the geometry of the frame should put the bike in the "aggressive hard tail" category. This means a slack bike, able to tackle the downs with minimal fuss. How slack you say? The head angle somewhere around 67 degrees, with a relatively steep seat tube angle for efficient uphill pedaling. this would also result in a short cockpit, making the bike nimble.

- the material choice is still up for discussion, but we are definitely going down the steel is real route. So chromolly or Reynolds steel are our favorites so far.

- the 29" frame will definitely be an option, but for all of you that do not like wagon wheels, a 26" frame will probably be the default choice.

- to give the frame some identity and also to improve its function, you will notice the bent top tube. This, of course improves stand over clearance. Since the devil is in the details, the rear drop outs have been modified, some gusseting has been aded to the rear triangle etc. This, of course is still just theory so far, but...

- ...last but not least, there is a "but". So far we all agree that we would really want to make this happen. So we are still very much looking forward to your feedback, which will help us bring this to reality sooner rather than later.

So, does anyone know a good frame welder?

Comments of any kind still welcome below or via Facebook. Thanks!

Pipe dreams

2011-10-06T20:04:00.003+02:00

A question to all you guys out there, near or far:

Would you like an Edelweiss RS bike frame, made out of steel, with slack geometry and built to survive a EMP strike? Would you prefer such a bike in the 29"or a 26" flavor? Do you like what you see below?

We are gauging interest here. if it proves to be sufficient, then we might decide on making this beast. We would be very glad to hear your thoughts on our Facebook page or in the comments on this blog.

Thanks!

Val Di Sole and some Q&A

2011-08-28T18:26:00.003+02:00

As you might have heard, the 2011 UCI DHI and 4X racing season is over. Unior Tools Team, made quite an big impact; It was the team's second season, which makes their achievements even more significant. UTT keeps getting better and better, from one race to the next, a positive trend, proven again in Val DiSole. All in all, a great season in every respect.

That doesn't mean that the riding season is over for all of us though. Trail conditions are as good as ever and we take advantage regularly with a lot of like-minded individuals day in, day out. The plan for this year is to keep riding throughout winter, because we don't fear mud. Mud makes us happy. Snow and mud makes us even happier. If you plan to do the same, we have a solution for muddy bike storage and transportation solution. See details here.

Last but not least, this is our second season running and we were recently asked a couple of good questions and here are the answers:

No1:

Q: How durable are your products?

A: The first prototype, used by yours truly has stood up against two full years of use and abuse without any damage to its structure, function and, to a reasonable extent, appearance. In fact, I just broke it in.

No2:

Q: Do you plan to make any other products, based on the same principles as the Edelweiss Bike Bag?

A: Why yes, yes we do. We know that you guys are not transporting only bikes. We also know that life is not just about bikes and riding (as much as we would maybe like it to be). More details will be announced in due time, so watch this space.

Happy riding!

Ride first, work later

2011-08-02T21:44:00.003+02:00

Disclaimer: Due to excellent trail conditions, great riding company and a bad need for a vacation our blog has been a bit neglected recently. Alas, we are sure you'll understand.

It hasn't been just riding and no work though. We got word from another happy costumer the other day, who found the perfect solution for storing his bike in the apartment with our Bikebag. To quote the email: "Congratulations dude. This is outstanding. Thanks a lot!" That made my (our) day and all we can say is that we are glad to help out.

On another note, the Unior Tools Team is supposed to be resting, but Nejc Rutar is currently holdin the 4th overall spot in euro IXS DH championship, followed closely by Ziga Pandur in 10th place overall. Harry Heath and Maria Michalogianna achieved great results as well, with Harry finishing 27th in Mount Saint Anne and Maria being 17th in Leogang. Our products played a part on the logistics front, enabling the team to have their steeds in pristine condition no matter how long the journey to the race venue was. Again, glad to be of service.

Last, but not least, going riding with the Imbbus guys and girls is making the weekends even nicer. This clip shows just one example.

Ride first, work later? If work is as fun as it is at Edelweiss RS, it doesn't make sense to make the distinction.

Happy trails everyone!

Our gear in action

2011-06-26T17:09:00.002+02:00

After Fort William, it was time for an Austrian doppelganger. Unior Tools Team went to Leogang for the world cup first, and returned the next weekend for more. On both occasions they had a great race, with Nejc finishing 6th overall in the European championship race. You can see the full report here. The team are leaving for Mt Saint Anne this week and we wish them a great race!

Meanwhile, here are some pictures from Austria, where our products' full potential is very clear. How to pack the whole team's racing gear in one van? Easy.:)

On another note, tomorrow marks the 6th birthday of Slovenia's first and biggest mountain biking website, mtb.si. To mark the occasion, a very special celebration will be held. Looks like a lot of fun, riding with friends old and new, so we hope we'll see you there!

Edelweiss Ride Support at Fort William with Unior Tools Team

2011-06-07T17:44:00.006+02:00

Edelweiss RS Bikebags went racing to Scotland this past weekend. Full report after the photo gap!

Unior Tools Team in Fort William, 2011

Žiga Pandur, finished 67th

Nejc Rutar, Finished 81st

Maria Michalogiannaki, finished 24th

Harry Heath, finished 44th

As I am sure you know, the UCI DHI and 4X race event was held in Fort William, Scotland. Of course, Unior Tools Team, supported also by Edelweiss Ride Support, went there and came back with some great results in the bag. It was the most successful race weekend for them ever, with Harry Heath and Žiga Pandur finishing 44th and 67th in DH respectively and Neža Knez finished the 4X race in 11th spot. Nejc Rutar missed the finals by only a tenth of a second, consequently finishing in 81st spot. Maria Michalogiannaki, the team's female DH rider finished in 24th, also failing to qualify for the finals. The team put up a great show, not only race-wise, but regarding logistics and management as well. For that, big props to the riders, team manager and mechanics. William Wallace should also be mentioned, although I'm not yet sure why.

We are also very happy with the team's feedback regarding the Edelweiss RS Bikebag. In short, they were very much impressed with the Bikebag, which enabled them to pack all the gear in the vans for the long haul up north and protected their race machines the entire way there and back. To quote the team's manager: "Dude, I could't imagine so many bikes could fit in our van. It was like packing paper envelopes instead of big racing rigs (remember, the team uses Trek Sessions with double crown Boxxers and extra wide bars, so your precious steed will fit as well)!"

This is exactly what we set out to do with our core product; make life easier for riders of the world.

Different shades of having fun

2011-05-15T10:52:00.008+02:00

Mountain biking is a fast evolving sport whichever way you look at it. Now days we can ride bigger, faster and safer. We can choose between wheels big and small, XC, Trail, All Mountain, DH or Freeride biking. Then there is 4X, trials riding and dirt jumping. Fun can be had on the North Shore, the south shore, east or west.

But it is all about having a good time riding, isn't it? It really doesn't matter wether you had a successful race weekend or a nice after work blast on your local express trail, as long as you had lots of fun doing it.

The sense of achievement we get after a particularly fun day out with the Imbbus Crew is just as fulfilling as watching Neža, Nejc, Žiga and Harry rip it up on a race weekend.

Packing the gear before an all day epic is just as exciting as rooting for the Unior Tools Team on an UCI race.

Nailing a section of a trail for the first time feels just as good as ripping the local trail after work, chasing the last minutes of sunshine.

We are proud to be part of the biking community. Our products are made with pride as well. The Bike bag and gear bag fit every mountain bikers need, regardless of where he or she feels most at home at.

We are proud of that, too.

Videos by: PussyGato productions, made for the Unior Tools Team

Bike House Imbbus

The flower by the name of...

2011-04-16T20:01:00.006+02:00

Disclaimer: The photo above was taken in our office this week. It is the Edelweiss flower, which is, as you know, endangered. Picking these flowers is therefore strictly prohibited.

Alas, you can now buy potted Edelweisses in gardening centers. That's what we did.

Respect nature. Ride, don't slide.

Racing, however is a different story, a story about to begin once more on 23rd of April 2011,when the UCI MTB world cup starts. This means, among other things, that our Bikebags will soon get to see the world with the help from the Unior Tools Team. This is how to cheer for them on race day or when watching the race broadcast from the comfort of your home.

As I am sure you know, they do know how to rip it up. In case you don't here's a sample.

Saturday, a day well spent

2011-04-03T12:32:00.002+02:00

This Saturday, we went for a ride with the guys from The Imbbus Bike House. Great weather, excellent conditions and a scenic trail, all that while enjoying the company of some awesome individuals.

Here is the link to the video, courtesy of the Imbbus Crew. You can also read a short recap of the day in this article. Thanks for making the day, guys!

How and why get a Bikebag

2011-03-05T20:11:00.009+01:00

So, how to get your Bikebag?

Try one (or more) of the following:

- Contact us via email,

- Like our Facebook page and get in touch there.

- Visit the guys in Bike House Imbbus.

- Visit the stand of Unior Tools Team at one of the UCI DH/4X races in the 2011 season.

Prices available upon inquiry.

Why get the Bikebag?

This is what Mud season can do if you are having too much fun to bother about tidiness (just like you should).

But if you drive to and from your favorite bike spot by car and if you keep your bike inside it, Mud season can cause problems. Well, the car transporting this muddy (but happy) ride and rider is still clean as a whistle.

The Bikebag is also very useful if you like to keep your bike in the apartment and don't want your significant other, or mom, or dad or your roommates, to get angry at you for bringing 43 kg of muck into the living room. Trust me. The Bikebag helps. A lot.

Unior Tools Team

2011-02-07T17:41:00.002+01:00

In one of our previous posts, we mentioned that Edelweiss Ride Support is proudly supporting the UCI Unior Tools Team in 2011. For more info about them, check out their new website, read the news in this article (slovene only) and be sure to show your support on this year's races. Let the good times roll!

P.S.: The picture is from about a year ago. Stay tuned for new ones, a detailed introduction to the team and more.

3,2,1, take off!

2011-02-05T17:13:00.003+01:00

Spring came early this year. To set the season off properly, may we suggest some new tunes.

Edelweiss RS Bikebag User Manual

2011-01-31T16:32:00.008+01:00

For a bigger, printable version of the user manual, click here.

Winter hibernation

2011-01-31T15:53:00.006+01:00

Here is to all the bears, frogs an all other hibernating creatures. It is not easy to hibernate. Although it does (did) seem like we went all "the big sleep" on the world, nothing can be further from the truth. As mentioned in one of the previous posts, we had lots to do, developing new stuff and taking care of our other business.

So, why am I writing this now?

Firstly, there is an upgrade of the site worth mentioning: the Bikebag user manual is added. Hopefully it will make the function of the Bikebag more understandable and save the existing users some time when packing their bike. You can find the hi-res manual here.

Secondly, we have some news that can be made public. In the 2011 season we are proudly supporting the Unior Tools Team, a Slovenian DH and 4X racing outfit. Our products will see the world and that also means that you will be able to see our products in most of this year's WC venues, national races and other events. Be sure to also check the team's website for more info.

Thirdly, my trusty steed is back from its winter overhaul. It is better than new, thanks to the guys at Imbbus.

That is all for now. Since the "winter hibernation" is finished, keep posted or get in touch.

Edelweiss RS Chronicles - fall edition

2010-11-08T20:04:00.003+01:00

Rain and mud. The days got shorter and colder. It must mean then that fall is here and winter is not far away. Never mind though. It was a nice summer, and also a bit longer than expected. Some of us went south for a long vacation, some for work. That doesn't mean nothing has been done. So far, it looks like 2011 will be an interesting season, not least because we have some very interesting ideas in the pipeline. Pics or it didn't happen? Watch this space!

Random Race Faces

2010-08-29T13:38:00.005+02:00

The UCI World cup season is almost over, with the final round taking place this weekend in Windham, NY. This got us thinking about this year's events, races and rides that are under our belts. Here are some snapshots.

The Edelweiss RS photo contest

2010-08-05T17:14:00.002+02:00

A while ago we wrote about the F word and what it means to us. We are sure you have seen our photo galleries and read our blog posts. But now it's time for you to show us what riding means to you. Therefore we are opening the 1st Edelweiss RS photo contest.

Here is the deal:

We will be looking for originality, composition qualities, use of.... Well, not really.

Post your pictures that you feel best describe the way you feel about riding bikes (or flying your kites, riding your surfboard... anything outdoor sports related goes, really) on the wall of our Facebook page. If you are not on Facebook for whichever reason, you can also send your entries via email.

By the end of August The chosen one will get a brand spanking new Edelweiss Ride Support T shirt.

The only real condition is that you must be the author of the entry, so no copy/pasting links to random photos from the internet. Aight?

Oh, and when we say "photo", what we really mean is also "video", "drawing" and "animation". So you can post that as well. There are no limitations to the number of entries per person.

Happy hunting!

Itak Bike Fest 2010, Vacation and The Flag

2010-08-01T21:25:00.004+02:00

It has been quite interesting for the past couple of weeks. The Itak Bike Fest was great as always. The weather was, shall we say, diverse, but the company and organization was great. Three cheers for the guys behind the event!

Last but not least, we got our first chance to christen The Flag. So the next time Eddie Izzard comes and does this, we have an answer. (no countries were invaded during the christening of The Flag, nor were any guns used during the proceedings. Don't have a clue what we are on about? watch this clip. We urge you.)

All in all, a great weekend. There was the XC race, a Junior "mini" DH race and of course, the DH race for the national championship. Not to mention the Pump track contest and something called the Pumpler (kind of hard to explain, this. See photos for details). You can see all of it from our point of view here. Also, we gave away a couple of Gearbags and a Bikebag as prizes. Hopefully, they will be put to good use.

After the race weekend we all went for some well deserved vacation (that is why this post is a bit late). We are all back now though, rested and full of new ideas. Watch this space for updates!

Edelweiss Ride Support? Itak!

2010-07-16T20:26:00.002+02:00

A quick reminder, that tomorrow the Itak Bike Fest starts in Kranjska gora. As mentioned before, we will be there as well. Be sure to meet the team with the red, white and blue logo!

Itak Bike Fest 2010

2010-07-14T20:50:00.002+02:00

We are sure most of you know that this weekend there is a lot going on in Kranjska gora. However, we are pleased to announce that we will be there as well. Since there will be a lot going on, there will be people to see, photos to shoot and music to hear, we will mostly be mingling with the crowd.

Since the production of Bikebags and Gearbags is in full swing, we will gladly be taking orders as well. If you would like to place an order, if you have any questions about our products or would just like to say hi, look for the guys and girls proudly wearing the familiar sign on our chests.

Also, we are proud to announce that we will be giving away the Edelweiss Ride Support Bikebag to the winner in one of the categories.

That's it for now. See you on Itak Bike Fest 2010!

Music

2010-06-29T16:35:00.005+02:00

The sun is out, trails are dry and school' out for the summer. Everybody seems to be on vacation, cooling down after the daily grind. Listening to the vuvuzela concerts on TV while 22 people are chasing after one ball seems like a good excuse to pack the bags and face the music.

By music, we mean the sound of grinding gears, banging chains and hissing suspension. And the birds. And the screams of stoke that are a direct consequence of a perfect line, nailed.

Or do we? Some like to press play on their iSomething players and go with it. Recently, a debate sprung out on top of the mountain considering the music choices we make while ripping it. Here are some of the suggestions for all of you who would like to update your playlists. The Edelweiss RS playlist, compiled for our, and your listening pleasures.

(Disclaimer: We do not own the rights for any of the songs. All songs are sourced from public websites and as such available to all)

Since I am writing this already, there is one more point to make. We all know riding can be fun, and we all know there is always room for improvement, so here comes an endorsement of sorts: to get the most out of the music on the bike, give the guys at Imbbus a shout. Riding with them is not only fun, but they happily share their knowledge and experience with others, too. Don't believe me? Believe this guy's testimony.

The Discovery of the Oliva Trail

2010-06-10T16:50:00.005+02:00

How good can it feel when you find something new? When it comes to finding a new trail that feels just right, the answer is "very". Things, as it is obvious from the picture above, can get a bit blurry. But hey, we were having too much fun to worry about great pictures, and the fact that there is not enough light for the small digital camera to focus and...

Anyway, the good thing is that the sun is out and the days are long. I'm getting on my bike now. See you on the trails!

What Edelweiss RS is about - in a nutshell

2010-05-29T18:05:00.007+02:00

Edelweiss RS is a brand, specializing in production of no-nonsense products.

Our core values are:

- Functionality

- Durability

- Ease of use

- Efficiency

- Ease of maintenance

Currently we produce transportation and storage solutions for your bikes and biking gear.

The ERS Bikebag and Gearbag solve the following:

- Transportation of bikes and gear inside your car/van/bus while protecting it from preying eyes of thieves,

- Storage of your dirty gear at home or in hotels,

- Protection of bikes and gear from the elements

- Ease of handling and carrying gear around

Our products are made in Europe without exception, using environmentally sound materials and manufacturing processes.

Edelweiss RS products are available to buy in the Imbbus bike house. You can also meet us at various local mountain biking spots in Slovenija, in Fun Bike Park Kranjska gora and in Bike Park Wagrain, Austria, where we usually test the products and generally have fun.

Photo courtesy of Imbbus Bike Shop

For pricing details, contact us by email, visit our friends at Imbbus or ask the guys of Unior Tools Team on one of the UCI DHI and 4X race venues in 2011.

Our aim for the future is to expand the product range further, so keep posted!

Edelweiss RS crew

Why pink? Because we can!

2010-05-03T19:47:00.003+02:00

In our previous post, we talked about fun on a bike.

Fun is not gender specific. Mountain biking is not and shouldn't be gender specific. Women ride bikes and have, in many cases, more potential than men. Why is this important? One of the many reasons for writing this is that, some time ago, an order came in. It was for a custom colored Bikebag and it went like this: "Can i have it in pink?"

Well, sure you can.

Delivery is due later this week, and the soon-to-be owner is quite excited. She should be, because even the more desaturated part of our crew thinks it looks ace. So be sure to follow us here, here or here for photo updates!

P.S.: A fine result by Unior tools team's 4x rider Neza Knez brings the aforementioned point home. Girls CAN ride!

Fun? For sure.

2010-04-08T19:18:00.006+02:00

An interesting discussion started on and after today's ride. It got us thinking; What do people look for when riding? Excitement? Stress relief? Maintaining and improving physical fitness? Fame, fortune, glory? Are we trying to prove that we are better riders than our bike buddies? Meet women/men?

The answer, as it was concluded today at the Czar after the ride, must be more simple. We are in it for the fun. But that means so much more than just the few laughs you get along the way. After much deliberation (not really), the conclusion was this: If you are having fun, you are more relaxed on the bike. That means you ride better. You ride faster. You get more excited. Get in shape. And blast past your riding buddy.

So; fun? It is and should always be a major part of the ride and should not ever be forgotten.

Agree? What do you look for in riding bikes? Let us know!

photo by Luka Zelenik a.k.a. Zele. Thanks man!

Lunar Mission is GO!

2010-04-01T12:46:00.004+02:00

In the beginning of 2010 Slovenia became a full fledged member of the European Space Agency and thus Slovene companies are able to participate in European space endeavors. Edelweiss Research Support is proud to announce that it is one of those companies.

Our expertise in the area of outdoor sports caught the attention of ESA's department for reduced gravity physiological research (ESA DRGPR), who are developing sports equipment for a manned mission to the Moon. The mission objective (among others) is to investigate the possibilities for lunar astronauts' EV (extra vehicular) fitness activities, more precisely bicycle riding.

Edelweiss RS was invited to develop a suiting moon bike, which can be ridden in full astronaut space suit in an environment with a gravity pull of 1.6 m/s squared (as opposed to the earth's 9.8 m/s squared), which is a challenge in itself. Good as existing bikes are, their problem is of course the suspension components, which are far to stiff for the lessened gravity of the moon, not to mention the inability for the astronaut to move on such a rides. In addition to developing a MTB (Moon Terrain Bike), we are also developing a transport solution, which will enable the MTB to fit in a small cargo compartment of the Arianne 3 space craft.

Unfortunately, due to obvious reasons, we are not able to release full details of the project, but we are allowed to release a teaser image of the first prototype.

The launch of the ESA DRGP mission one is planned within a year, so expect the full release in April 1st, 2011.

Great expectations

2010-03-30T20:11:00.004+02:00

Extra! Extra! Read all about it! Three "Everest power" snowcats out of work!

That is perfectly fine by us because it must mean the trails are finally clear of snow. And you know what that means; work on the trails in Fun Bike Park Kranjska gora can start. As we said before, the season has started. Time to service your trusty steeds, oil the chains, add some new rubber and hey presto!

(And would the person laying on the ladder please move over?)

Season opening

2010-03-17T21:17:00.006+01:00

Thereby we declare our season officially opened!

The Edelweiss Ride Support crew joined the guys from Imbbus for another working meeting on a monday. If this is work, I am a workaholic...

Just a quick reminder, the ERS Bikebag and Gearbag are on sale here, in case you fear the mud. Or if you love it, for that matter...

winter cookies

2010-02-11T13:10:00.007+01:00

It has been a long time since the last post. This either means we packed our bags and went somewhere warm, or that we were just to busy working and preparing for the next season. Sadly, the only packing we did was when we were developing some new stuff, due to be available in spring. The R&D phase is in full effect, and so far the stuff works as well as looks very good indeed. The biggest problem with that is that it looks like spring will never come. At the moment, there is about 40 cm of snow outside our HQ...

But as they say, if you can't beat them, join them. So we did. we had some epic trips to the snowy mountains, did some skiing and snowboarding, built a snowman or two and generally thought a lot about if we could improve the winter outdoor experience as well. It is all just a bit overwhelming. there are so many ideas and possibilities that it is hard to stay focused.

At the moment, we are kind of spread around. Some of us went to ISPO, others are scouting the desert again. So, busy times, and as far as we know, we are not the only ones. Seems like the recession (i hate that word...) is almost over.

There are some great news from the racing scene as well: the UCI DH team, Team Everyday, got a new sponsor for the season. It is a Slovene tool making company Unior, which is great news. Finaly they have proper financial backing for the whole season. Big up to Tine and the team, and also to Unior, for showing faith where it is due!

In conclusion, we wish you a good pre-season warm up, enjoy the snow and stay safe!

P.S: to the Imbbus crew, if you are reading: cheer up, it is supposed to stop snowing by the end of this week. Otherwise, this might help. :)

Seasons greetings

2009-12-25T17:55:00.002+01:00

Happy holidays and a great year to all of you out there!

a proper winter, with proper cold

2009-12-18T16:04:00.002+01:00

It's got a lot colder since our last post, but that doesn't mean we have not been busy. True, our latest project is not nearly as revolutionary as the ones before, but it might be of interest anyway.

Many of you were very interested in our brand and you all seemed to like our logo as well.

So, for all of you who need a new sweater or just very much like our style, we prepared a limited edition run of zip hoodies with our Edelweiss RS emblem. The patch is embroidered and made out of shiny yarn.

You can choose from a myriad of colors, as long as you choose black (we borrowed this one from Henry Ford of course.) Available sizes are S, M, L, and XL. Price is to be discussed and will depend on the quantity of orders, but it will be around 40 EUR per piece.

For ordering, find us on Facebook and send the admins a message or comment on the appropriate button below.

We are off to the slopes of Austria for the holidays. 'Till next time we wish you all a Merry Xmas and a happy new year!

It's finally here

2009-12-09T17:36:00.004+01:00

Edelweiss RS bags are now officially on sale. Visit the Imbbus store at the fore mentioned secret location or check their website for more info. As it was said before, they sure are in great company, such as bikes by Lapierre, Cove, Trek and Commencal, gear by POC, Troy Lee Designs, 5.10 and many other top notch brands and products.

Winter usually means snow and mud. Since there is no snow (yet), there is just mud. So what are you waiting for? Get dirty!

Edelweiss RS on sale at Imbbus

2009-11-30T10:44:00.002+01:00

Great news!

Our products are about to go on sale in the beginning of December here. The guys at Imbbus bike house sure know what mountain biking is, so be sure to visit them. Beside Edelweiss RS, they sell rides forom Commencal, Trek, Cove, Lapierre and Yeti, equipment from POC, Troy Lee Designs, Casco, 5.10, Dainese and many many others.

Well, I think our bike and gear bags will be in good company in their store. Lots to talk about and such...:)

Make sure you visit them on the secret location!

Looking for the summer

2009-11-22T14:12:00.003+01:00

Officially, the MTB season is over. On our recent visit to Kranjska Gora Bike Park all was quiet, the famous red UAZ off roader tucked away for the winter months. The mountains are still beautiful though, especially in this fall's warm sun. Here are some pics from our senior staff's recent trip to the country of Kekec.

Unofficially, the MTB season never ends. As the Swedes say, there is no such thing as unsuitable weather, just unsuitable clothing. On days such as these recent ones, we still like to pack our bikes and go riding. We are just having way too much fun to take any pictures... The bikebags also prove to be very useful on such occasions, because we don't have to wash our cars so often.

In conclusion, i would like to tell you that there are some more winter oriented products in the pipeline. Of course, we will keep you posted.

Enjoy the weather and stay tuned!

In memoriam

2009-11-14T21:16:00.002+01:00

Not much can be said about the sad news. Rest in peace, Tomaz.

Simplicity

2009-11-06T13:13:00.005+01:00

Some of you may wonder, why we post links to other, not directly related news and products on our blog. Well, being producers and developers, we believe it is important to keep our eyes open. Improving the quality of the user experience is not about keeping things to yourself, but sharing them, especially the ones which we think are useful. Here is another example of simplicity in action. The Jruiter bike might not be especially relevant for freeriding, marathon riding or even commuting. But the concept is very sound. Simplify and reduce the elements. Sounds familiar? Well, it does to us. Think what you might about this, we think it looks kind of cool.

Something old-newly found

2009-11-01T21:24:00.003+01:00

Here is something interesting i found during a sunday evening's web browse. It is nice to see Olli, A friend from Finland, who i got to meet in our college years, is still doing what he started back then. Keep it up, man! We like your work, but this one is Tha Business!

Sooo, what about the price?

2009-10-18T22:18:00.003+02:00

As you know, we sorted the production and fine tuned the product in these last few weeks. Also, we can also provide some info about pricing and ordering.

Until the end of this year, special promo prices are as such:

165 EUR for the Bikebag and

98 EUR for the Gearbag.

Get them while the stocks last, and be sure to specify the color you prefer. Both products are available in U Boot black, Luftwaffe grey and Walther green.

We are taking orders by email and via Facebook at the moment. Shortly, there will also be other ways, so be sure to follow our blog for updates.

P.S. sorry, no post photo today. I just couldn't find one that would fit the post properly...

No nonsense approach to design and development

2009-10-10T11:49:00.003+02:00

On a grey saturday morning, such as today, there is not much to do but think. Seeing all the innovations shown on Eurobike and reading press releases of the manufacturers, we wonder: how much more could be done with the proven bike concept? Add more electric motors? Give the public even more suspension? Make mountain biking easier? Well, as we see it, there are two ways to look at the trends: 1st, making riding easier is good, because more people will get to see the joys of riding, and 2nd, by making riding easier, some of the purity is lost, hence less fun for the true enthusiast.

The trick, as always, is to find balance. Innovation just for innovation's sake should be avoided. If you make something new, make it for a good reason. Otherwise we will soon get to a point of hyper production, and look where that got the car industry. Among others...

On the other hand, don't do nothing. Progress is, after all, a big part of human nature. We must innovate and invent, but we should also be smart about it.

Well, on a gloomy saturday morning, such as today's, it kind of feels good to realize that we found this balance with our brand. Sure, the products are new, but made to last. One can do without them, but the peace of mind they bring should not be overlooked. The design (or better, their look) is not over the top, but purely functional. And when we grow up (not that we will get all boring with crossword puzzles etc) and do other things, we will never forget this.

This is the Edelweiss RS way.

Sustainable design and ecology are, sadly, marketing buzz words these days. For us, it is the only way forward.

P.S.: if some of you wonder, what's up with the picture, well, i said it is raining today...

Cue the fanfares and red carpets... Tadaaa!!

2009-10-03T22:55:00.004+02:00

Finally, we have some proper pics of our products in action that we can show you. And since pictures speak louder than words, we'll leave the writing for some other time. Feel free to write what you think in the comments below. Off to bed now, we have to get up early tomorrow. It looks like it will be one of the last sunny sundays of this fall. Enjoy the photos!

Making of

2009-10-01T11:32:00.002+02:00

Handmade. Made in Europe. You don't see many products bearing those labels. Here are some photos of the production line of our Bikebags and Gearbags. Take it as prof (if you need it) that Edelweiss Ride Support comes directly from the heart of the Alps. Kamnik Alps to be precise.

Oh, by the way, stay tuned for some proper product photos.

Impressions from DH Vitranc powered by Itak @ Kranjska Gora

2009-09-29T14:58:00.005+02:00

First, some congratulations are in order;

to the winning riders of the final race for the Slovene nationals (you know who they are, if not, check out the results here )

also, a big round of applause goes to the organizers, our friends at KD-rajd. Keep up the good work guys (and girls)!

Second, we are pleased to announce that we have taken delivery of the first batch of products, which turned out just as great as we had hoped. We are also officially starting to take orders from this moment on. But more on that later. First, there are some new photos of the event in our Picassa gallery gallery, feel free to take a look by following the link , marked "Picassa"on the right of the screen. It is about riding after all.

Another riding weekend coming up

2009-09-25T14:49:00.002+02:00

Just a quick recap of what went on in the last week before leaving for Kranjska Gora tomorrow:

There were some minor complications regarding the logistics of production, but everything is sorted now and we are leaving with the bags tomorrow morning. The Bikebags look great, the Gearbags even more so. Our website is also under construction and it will be online soon, in other words, we will be getting our own cosy virtual home.

But most importantly, the weather forecast is good for the weekend and we are looking forward to another great DH Vitranc Race. See you there!

Production

2009-09-22T18:07:00.006+02:00

Finally, some time to write again. First of all, I am happy to announce that we are very pleased about the feedback from our test team and that the first series of products is in production as we speak.

I think it is time to tell you something more about the "products" themselves. Well, as you probably gathered from the post below, it is a MTB bike and gear transportation system.

Being bikers, we know the problems regarding pre-ride and post ride preparation and packing very well. We know, that in this sport, there is no place for BS. We know that riders, may it be gravity addicts, enduro enthusiasts, trail addicts or dirt jumpers, don't tolerate things that do not work. Combining the two facts, we created the Bikebag and Gearbag, which are durable, simple and functional bags for bikes and gear (although we lake to call them a transportation system, because together, they function as one).

The first batch will be ready by the end of this week and we will be able to show it to you in Kranjska Gora this weekend. Be sure to come, not least for some DH racing action, organized by our friends at KD Rajd. Hope to see you there!

P.S.: this, of course, is merely the beginning. We have some more great, BS-less ideas in the pipeline. Keep in touch!

A sight that started it all

2009-09-17T14:49:00.002+02:00

Maybe it is time to write something about how it all began. I am sure all of you fellow bikers, who sometimes drive to your favorite bike trail with a car are familiar with such a sight. No matter what car you drive, there is never enough room for all the bikes and gear. That got us thinking: why not make something to simplify the painstaking process of transporting your favorite ride to your favorite trail?

The solution is currently undergoing its final (shakedown) test. Current feedback from developers and testers is very promising, so stay tuned. More info coming soon!

Welcome to Edelweiss Ride Support

2009-09-16T16:54:00.006+02:00

Ok, first thing's first: Welcome to our Edelweiss Ride Support blog. We sincerely hope you enjoy reading it as much as we enjoy writing it. Here you will be able to read the story behind our products, how we develop, test and improve them.

Enjoy, as much as you enjoy your riding!