When tackling the winter months ahead - Indoor Trainers can be a fantastic option as they offer year-round, weather proof riding.  Rain, snow and dark mornings make no difference with your routine.  For enthusiasts, trainers also keep you in top shape for the upcoming season.

Looking for an efficient workout -Indoor riding eliminates stoplights, traffic, icy conditions and overall terrain interruptions, making your pedaling highly productive. Trainers also can alleviate any anxiety for those aiming to safely build their cycling fitness.  Dealing with traffic and less than ideal conditions can be daunting for beginners. Using a trainer at home improves not only long term wellness but enhances your pedal strokes, cadence and applies less wear and tear on your bike parts.

Structured Training – Smart Trainers which are popular choices allow for power based interval workouts, customized training plans and automatic resistance changes all while tracking your data.  This is something outdoor riding can’t match consistently.

Smart Trainers utilize apps such as Zwift, Wahoo SYSTM and Garmin where you have endless possibilities on ride routes and environments. Ride into a virtual world and compete against others from around the globe.  These trainers really are the closest you can get to feeling like your riding outdoors.

Basic trainers are also a fantastic choice and cost less than stationary bikes.  These trainers have an easy set up, you attach your bike, and hop on.  They also are easy to store and work with a huge variety of bikes.

Pro Tip from Titus, Calgary Cycle Race Team Member: “When choosing between basic or smart, the vitual reality features of the smart trainers are a ton of fun and keep you engaged when tackling longer rides.”

Calgary Cycle is a proud distributor of a variety of Smart Wahoo indoor trainers as well as Garmin Tacx Accessories.  Thru-axles and trainer tires are in store now!  Come and visit us at either of our TWO fully stocked locations!

The CC team 

Many of you may wonder what goes on when us mighty bike industry types travel to a trade show or go visit one of our vendors in their secret underground lairs.  We are here to tell you that these trips are not only an awesome time but serve a very important purpose in our quest to be a great bicycle retailer.  Recently we sent Quintin and Erik on a whirlwind tour to the seaside confines of Santa Cruz Bicycles HQ for their Champ Camp event.  Read on to get a look at what goes on inside a trip like this.

Day one was a long one and saw our dynamic duo up early to fly to Santa Cruz with the obligatory stops at one or more airports that come with flying to the US and enjoying their hub airport system.   Arriving in sunny San Jose and picking up the rental they made their way to the Santa Cruz factory in time for some quick refreshments and got ready for a shake down lap on the new SC Bullit.  This afternoon’s riding was more about scenery and good times than truly putting the bike to the test but it was a great opportunity to smell the ocean air, verify bike fit and show that Erik will happily ride bikes in flip flops if needed.  That evening provided a time to chat with Santa Cruz staff, meet other dealers and generally establish that, as adept as we are at playing Crud, some people have this game dialled to a level that is almost sinister.  They know who they are and they use their Crud powers for evil.

Day two was the big ride day and our crew was stoked to get out on the trails and see what the new Bullit was all about.  The morning was overcast, misty and a little cool but this often means primo dirt awaits on the trails around Santa Cruz and this day did not disappoint on that front.  Leaving the factory and taking a little warm up on the way to the trails we quickly got into some amazing riding that had a variety of trails to test the bike and the early season form of our away team.  The boys rode for nearly three hours and came away very impressed with the 4th generation of the venerable Bullit.  Several spirited rants about the quality of the dirt had to be endured by all upon their return.  Traction for days was the way it went and they stayed away from the poison oak.  To hear some thoughts on the bikes check out the debrief episode of Between Two Wheels here. The bike brought all the good things from the previous version and blended those with some new tricks in the form of the newly minted Santa Cruz 4 Bar suspension design that was introduced with arrival of the Bullit’s shorter travel sibling the Vala.  This new tech teams up nicely with the new Bosch CX BDU38 (Gen 5) and provides the rider with a deadly combination of usable power, dialled suspension and incredible handling.  

After getting a quick refresh after the ride our crew took a tour through the factory and got to see the assembly area, Reserve wheel assembly zone as well as time in some of the less travelled areas of the factory where the engineers work their magic and some very cool bike nerd approved stuff happens.  It is truly remarkable how many people contribute to the final product that we all get to ride on our favourite trails.  From conception to prototyping, testing, refining, every aspect of getting these bikes to the showroom floor is given the same attention and the end result truly validates the work of the Santa Cruz crew.  Once the tour concluded our squad was fed and watered in fine fashion and got to spend some time just being bike industry guys with the Santa Cruz staff and the other dealers at the event.  This provided an opportunity to see what other riders thought of the bike and generally take the temperature of our fellow riders and what is happening around our industry.  It was an excellent learning experience and a solid chance to relax with fellow riders.

Day 3 was a travel day but our boys were lucky enough to be able to have a quick sit down with Santa Cruz Ride Quality Manager  Kiran MacKinnon.  Kiran is an amazing rider in his own right and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the bikes that roll out of the factory.  Quintin and Erik were able to chat long enough with Kiran that a unique two part episode of Between Two Wheels was captured.  Check out Part 1 here to get some insights into a crucial part of the bike development process with Kiran.  After that it was time to pack up and get back to reality.  Stay tuned for more on this bike and others across our channels or drop in and check out the new Bullit in person!  Happy Trails!

There is a component to a bike that can significantly enhance the overall biking experience—bike suspension. Whether you’re an avid mountain biker, a city commuter, or a leisurely weekend rider, bike suspension offers a myriad of benefits that can transform your ride.

Improved Comfort - One of the most immediately noticeable benefits of bike suspension is the enhanced comfort it provides. By absorbing shocks and vibrations from rough terrain or uneven city streets, suspension systems ensure a smoother ride. This not only reduces fatigue on long rides but also makes cycling more enjoyable, allowing you to stay in the saddle longer without discomfort.

Enhanced Control and Stability - Suspension systems, particularly front and full suspension setups, significantly improve bike handling. By keeping the wheels in contact with the ground, suspension helps maintain traction and control over various surfaces. This is especially crucial when navigating rough trails or sudden obstacles, where stability can mean the difference between an exciting ride or an unfortunate spill.

Increased Speed on Rough Terrain - For mountain bikers and off-road enthusiasts, bike suspension is a game-changer. The ability to absorb and respond to rough terrain means that you can maintain higher speeds with greater confidence. suspension systems allow for more aggressive riding styles, enabling cyclists to tackle technical sections of a trail faster and with more precision.

Reduced Physical Strain - Cycling on rough or uneven surfaces without suspension can put significant strain on your hands, wrists, and lower back. Suspension systems help mitigate these impacts, distributing the forces more evenly across the bike. This not only protects your body from the jarring effects of rough terrain but also reduces the risk of injury over time.

Versatility Across Various Terrain and Improved Safety - A bike equipped with suspension is highly versatile and capable of handling a wide range of terrains. Whether you’re cruising on paved city streets, exploring gravel paths, or tackling challenging mountain trails, suspension systems adapt to the conditions, providing a balanced and responsive ride. In addition, this feature contributes to safer rides in general.

Our Calgary Cycle locations are home to a wide variety of front-suspension and full-suspension bikes. Come by and get familiar with all the brands and options to choose from. Remember Spring is just around the corner!

The CC Team 

This past weekend, Calgary Cycle teamed up with the Calgary Mountain Bike Alliance (CMBA) for a community Trail Day, focusing on completing the “Ten Years Gone” trail—part of the ambitious Jumped Up Loops project in Kananaskis Country. Volunteers and our staffers managed to bench in 85 meters of trail helping to bring the project closer to completion.  It was hot and thirsty work but we managed to ease the pain with a beer and some burgers after.  Once the refuelling was completed we took to the trails to sample the fruits of our labours and enjoy the work that CMBA has put into this new trail.

About the Jumped Up Loops Project

Initiated in 2013 and revitalized in 2021, the Jumped Up Loops project aims to create a user-friendly, stacked-loop trail system near Jumpingpound Creek. Designed to cater to a wide range of users—including beginner and intermediate mountain bikers, hikers, and runners—the trails feature gentle grades, scenic views, and technical elements to keep the experience engaging. Construction began in April 2024, with the first two trails, “Kashmir” and “Ten Years Gone,” opening in October 2024. We were excited to hear that work would begin on the Western section of this trail by the end of May 2025.

Ten Years Gone: A Trail Built by the Community

“Ten Years Gone” is a 6.8 km singletrack trail that connects with “Kashmir” to form the eastern loop of the Jumped Up Loops system. While much of the trail was machine-built, a significant portion—particularly the 1,100-meter Solo Hill climb—relies on volunteer efforts for hand-building. The recent Trail Day focused on completing the remaining bench-cutting required for this section.

 Calgary Cycle's Commitment to Trail Development

Calgary Cycle's involvement in the Trail Day is just one example of our dedication to supporting local trail development and fostering a strong mountain biking community. By partnering with CMBA and other trail groups we strive to contribute to the creation of accessible and enjoyable trails for riders of all levels. We ride all sorts of trails and our staff are always out on the dirt.  We know how fortunate we are to have the trails we do, the terrain we do and the diverse set of local trail builders that make this possible.  We have contributed wherever possible over the years to help these groups, and we will continue to support them.  To learn a little more about our efforts on this front check out some details here .

How You Can Get Involved

The Jumped Up Loops project is ongoing, with plans to construct additional loops and connectors. CMBA regularly hosts Trail Days and Nights, inviting volunteers to participate in building and maintaining these trails. No prior experience is necessary, and all are welcome to join. Calgary Mountain Bike Alliance

For more information on upcoming events and how to get involved, visit CMBA's Projects Page.