Taiwan a paradise for mountain bikers
Taiwan has an incredible diversity in nature and stunning landscapes, such as the huge mountains that are dividing the island. You can find many hiking and bicycle trails that are turning Taiwan into a paradise for mountain-bikers. Some of these trails are very steep, next to slopes, slippy etc., just very dangerous. If the bike fails, this can have fatal consequences for the health of the biker. igus® improves the performance of your bike so that you can rely on your bike and are able to concentrate on the trail that is ahead.
You can find igus® everywhere in your bike, from the brake to the pedals to the hub. Big bike manufacturers such as GIANT, SRAM and APRO TECH have been associated with igus® for many years. If you ask them about advantages, all will stress the light weight properties of igus® plain bearings and that they are self-lubricating. APRO Tech, a Taiwanese based manufacturer, have been using iglidur® for more than five years in their suspension fork. They see the smooth running and long life of igus® bearings as a point that makes us standing out of the mass.
You can find iglidur® in suspensions in all kind of bikes, often in the best and most expensive ones. For example, mountain-biker Sabine Spitz (Beijing 2008 Olympic gold medallist), relied on igus® bearings in a sensitive suspension fork. Our plain bearings are used to face repeated shocks and very high edge loads (for more information, check: http://www.dpaonthenet.net/article/56139/Mountain-bike-suspension-poses-extreme-test-for-bearings.aspx).
SRAM, an American based company, is manufacturing a wide range of bike components. In most components they rely on igus® plastic bearings. The Asian headquarter is located in Taichung. There we met one of the leading engineers who has been associated with igus® for many years and expressed how she really appreciates the good support and reliability of the local igus® sales team.
Driving through Taiwan is not only an adventure by bike but also by car. A must-drive road is the one that is leading through Taroko National Park passing the most famous canyon of the island. Before you reach the canyon, you pass the divine tree that is presumed to be about three thousand years old.
From the divine tree, it takes about one hour through an ocean of trees before you arrive in the valley that marks the entrance to the canyon. During the drive through the canyon, you see many small temples digging their way through the stone.
From the divine tree, it takes about one hour through an ocean of trees before you arrive in the valley that marks the entrance to the canyon. During the drive through the canyon, you see many small temples digging their way through the stone.
Once we have left the canyon the weather turned quite bad. While the West is partially protected by the mountains, the East is facing all the storms from the sea. Here, our car was facing heavy wind and tropical rain. Bad for us, no problem for the water proven iglidur® bearings. We are currently on the way south. While doing this we were passing a famous cave.
Unfortunately, you cannot go by car but only by climbing stairs.
I felt a little anxious, when my colleague suddenly drew my attention to a snake that was beneath the stair on which I was standing only a few minutes after we had passed a sign warning visitors of poisoned snakes.
Okay, that is all from me today. I will write you guys once we have reached the South.
Yours Sascha
