The Brenter C4 Enduro skibike review

When I started skibiking a few years ago the first thing I noticed was a lack of information about skibikes. There was really very little information on the internet and elsewhere. Trying to Google the term 'ski bike' was not very helpful.

As a result I started taking out the skibikes in the Winter Park Resort ski bike rental fleet and taking them through their paces. Three models of Stalmach ski bobs were also taken through their paces on a variety of terrain.

I soon discovered each brand and type of skibike has its own performance characteristics. While riding them I began to document the differences.

The Brenter C4 Enduro skibike has been around since the 1940's and is the staple rental bike at the few ski resorts that rent ski bikes.

I took out the Brenter C4 skibikes when they were brand new to the rental fleet at Winter Park Resort. I wrote up my results in an article entitled "Ski Bike Reviews: Brenter Snowbike C4 Enduro".

After being in the rental fleet at Winter Park a few years now, I have further opinions about the Brenter C4 skibike based upon a few years of direct observation.

1) The Brenter C4's are not very durable. They tend to shake apart with moderate useage. The seat screws, the ski screws, and the headset require constant adjustment and tightening.

2) The frames give a very bouncy ride. This left my lower back aching some days. Other brands of skibikes had much better shock absorption.

3) The skis on the Brenter C4 skibike started delaminating after one season.

4) The bindings on the Brenter foot skis are poorly constructed. They wear out quickly and don't stay adjusted correctly. The skis then fall off your ski boots unexpectedly. I don't know if the ski binding type binding are more durable.

5) Parts on the Brenter C4 appear to wear out quicker than on other snow bikes or ski bobs.

The Brenter C4 is a good entry level snow bike or skibob but if your budget allows, buying a higher quality skibike will be less expensive in the long run.

© 2011 G. Kunkel and A Colorado Skibiker Goes Skibiking. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to G. Kunkel and A Colorado Skibiker Goes Skibiking with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Traditional 'foot ski' skibikes at Keystone Ski Resort

Traditional 'foot ski' ski bikes are a big part of the Colorado skibike scene. While some Colorado ski resorts limit them to after hours activities, others embrace them day and night.

In December of 2010 Vail Plum visited Keystone Ski Resort with Ramona Bruland and big mountain skier Chris Anthony.

While Chris was a first-time skibiker, he quickly picked it up and the group explored the ski resort.

'Foot ski' skibikes are very easy to learn and are the quickest way to get non-skiers out on the ski slopes. When asked which is easier - skiing or snowboarding? The answer is neither.

'Foot ski' skibiking is the easiest. Keystone Ski Resort offers skibike lessons and rentals during the day and under the lights at night.





© 2011 G. Kunkel and A Colorado Skibiker Goes Skibiking. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to G. Kunkel and A Colorado Skibiker Goes Skibiking with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Skibike buyer's guide

Those who are new to skibikes and skibiking are faced with an onslaught of information when first looking into this winter sport.

There are several types of manufactured skibikes and ski bike kits that allow one to construct their own. How does one choose the right bike for the new rider?

I put together a very basic guide about ski bikes and their characteristics. It will help beginner skibiker's understand most of the equipment out on the ski slopes today.

One can find it by following this link "Buyer's Guide to Ski Bikes: What's Important?"



© 2011 G. Kunkel and A Colorado Skibiker Goes Skibiking. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to G. Kunkel and A Colorado Skibiker Goes Skibiking with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Ski bike manufacturer Devin Lenz interviewed by Vail Plum TV

Back in 2008, Vail Plum TV managed to score an interview with the camera-shy skibike builder Devin Lenz.

In the interview Devin reveals how he got interested in riding and making skibikes. Along the way, one interviewer learns how to ski bike on the ski slopes of Copper Mountain.

Ray Suder also explains his skibiking history and how he transitioned from 'foot-ski' skibikes to 'peg' skibikes.

While the guys play around and do some crashing around in the video, they are all really expert skibikers and can hit everything on the hill.

Unfortunately, peg ski bikes are now banned from Copper Mountain. Too bad. Lenz Sport skibikes are available for lessons and rental exclusively at Winter Park Resort.

Private lessons and demos are available through Lenz Sport representatives with prior arrangement at select Colorado ski resorts.





© 2011 G. Kunkel and A Colorado Skibiker Goes Skibiking. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to G. Kunkel and A Colorado Skibiker Goes Skibiking with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

More action from the 2008 Durango Skibike Festival

In 2008 skibikers and skibike manufacturers descended upon Durango Mountain Resort to ride the fresh powder. Really deep and fresh powder.

Skibikers on Koski Monotracs and Lenz Sport Alpine Brawlers tackled the steeps, moguls, half pipe, and jumps. Since they were laughing alot, one can assume they had a fun time.

This is Devin Lenz's favorite video from that skibike festival.





© 2011 G. Kunkel and A Colorado Skibiker Goes Skibiking. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to G. Kunkel and A Colorado Skibiker Goes Skibiking with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

An Introduction to Skibikes

In Colorado, people are becoming more aware of skibiking as more skibikers take to the slopes. A few years ago most skibikers were asked about their bikes in the ski lift line and out on the ski slopes.

While visitors to Colorado ski resorts may know more about skibikes, there are still many more people who are curious about them. Some want to know how they are controlled while others are trying to figure out if it is their next winter sport.

To educate people about today's modern skibiking and traditional 'foot ski' skibikes, I wrote up an article in 2009 entitled "An Introduction to Ski Bikes and Board Bikes". It gives a brief rundown of the sport and skibikes.

The article addresses the frequent questions skibikers encounter while out on the slopes. After talking to people who've struggled with skiing or snowboarding, they're ready to dump it and just take up skibiking.


© 2011 G. Kunkel and A Colorado Skibiker Goes Skibiking. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to G. Kunkel and A Colorado Skibiker Goes Skibiking with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Where to go skibiking in Colorado

Skibikes have come a long way in the past five years. Just a few years ago the number of Colorado ski resorts where it was legal could be counted on one hand.

It takes at least two hands now to count the Colorado ski resorts where ski biking is permitted or allowed to some degree. The rules and bikes allowed vary from ski resort to ski resort.

Exploring a ski area or ski resorts website may give clues if they are ski-bike friendly in Colorado. Then again it may not. Contacting the resort may just be the best way to find out.

In 2009, I wrote a piece entitled "The Best Places to Ski Bike in Colorado" As ski resorts have change their policies on ski bikes, it's been updated. So if you want to know where to take a skibike for a ride in Colorado, it's all there.

If a ski resort/area isn't included - please let me know.



© 2011 G. Kunkel and A Colorado Skibiker Goes Skibiking. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to G. Kunkel and A Colorado Skibiker Goes Skibiking with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Skibikes love the moguls, trees, terrain parks, jumps, and much more

Most people out on the slopes are so unfamiliar with skibikes that they don't understand what they are capable of unless they see it for themselves. A common misconception that I find is that 'skibkes are only ridden on green slopes'. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Just riding skibkes on easy green ski slopes gets boring pretty quickly. Most skibikers transition to other terrain once they are solid in their stopping and weight placement skills.

In 2007, Team Lenz Sport headed into the moguls, jumps, and terrain parks at Winter Park Resort and Arapahoe Basin. The video below shows how they fared. After watching it, you'll realize skibiking offers the same level abilities as skiing and snowboarding.




© 2011 G. Kunkel and A Colorado Skibiker Goes Skibiking. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to G. Kunkel and A Colorado Skibiker Goes Skibiking with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Looking for a used skibike?

Finding a used skibike can be a challenge if one doesn't know where to look or is new to the sport. After several years of searching around and becoming active in the local Colorado skibiking community, I've discovered a number of places.

1) The oddball listing on Craigslist.

2) On the Skibike Forum on Yahoo! Groups.

3) SkiBikeFun.com sells used skibikes.

4) Ski areas that are discontinuing their ski bike program.

5) Direct from the builders - especially at the end of the ski season.


The list is almost endless on how to find a used ski bike. Used skibikes also offer a great price break too.



© 2011 G. Kunkel and A Colorado Skibiker Goes Skibiking. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to G. Kunkel and A Colorado Skibiker Goes Skibiking with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Skibiking at Copper Mountain in 2009

Before skibikes were banned at Copper Mountain, Brandon Schmit regularly hit the features in their terrain parks. He put together a demo video back in 2009 of all the tricks he could do then.

Brandon has produced more video's since this one in 2009 but it's still amazing what he could do on the bike back then.

The new Lenz Sport Launch freestyle bike that Brandon had a hand in creating has moved his riding even further. Experience gained with dedication and hard work.





© 2011 G. Kunkel and A Colorado Skibiker Goes Skibiking. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to G. Kunkel and A Colorado Skibiker Goes Skibiking with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Lenz Sport Skibikes goes skibiking in 2008

Back in 2008, Lenz Sport Skibikes traveled to Buttermilk, Snowmass, Arapahoe Basin Ski Area, Winter Park Resort, and Copper Mountain and documented their activities. In some scenes you'll see some of the Winter X Games banners at Buttermilk.

Peg skibikes are still welcome at all the above Colorado ski resorts except for Copper Mountain. Skibikes were banned from Copper Mountain starting with the 2010-11 ski season.

The below video captures Devin riding in moguls, over jumps, and in the half pipe.






© 2011 G. Kunkel and A Colorado Skibiker Goes Skibiking. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to G. Kunkel and A Colorado Skibiker Goes Skibiking with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Biskit teaches skibiking at Winter Park Resort in February 2011

Biskit took a few never-evers out on the Lenz Sport ski bikes in February 2011 on the slopes of Winter Park Resort. Winter Park Resort is the only ski resort that teaches and rents Lenz Sport ski bikes.






© 2011 G. Kunkel and A Colorado Skibiker Goes Skibiking. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to G. Kunkel and A Colorado Skibiker Goes Skibiking with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Footage from the 2011 Durango Ski Bike Festival

The local TV station in Durango covered the latest Skibike Festival at Durango Mountain Resort in Durango, Colorado.

They covered a great deal of where skibiking is headed to in Colorado. Great job of distributing information on ski bikes by the crew at Pedal the Peaks.




© 2011 G. Kunkel and A Colorado Skibiker Goes Skibiking. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to G. Kunkel and A Colorado Skibiker Goes Skibiking with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Foam pit training at Copper Mountain

Jason Wilber isn't the only skibiker pushing the limits in Colorado. Brandon Schmit started out riding the Lenz Sport Alpine Brawler and is now really expanding the limits of freestyle skibiking.

Brandon doesn't just start hucking those backflips and spins without prior practice. He's spent time at The Barn at Woodward at Copper Mountain to work on his skibike moves.

A video shot at Woodward in the summer of 2009.




© 2011 G. Kunkel and A Colorado Skibiker Goes Skibiking. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to G. Kunkel and A Colorado Skibiker Goes Skibiking with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Jason Wilber goes skibiking at Winter Park Resort

In 2008, Jason Wilber and the gang from Lenz Sport Skibikes went skibiking around Winter Park Resort on a powder day. They hit the trees, jumps, and maybe snuck into the terrain park.

Skibike lessons and rentals are now available through the Ski & Ride School at Winter Park Resort. Lessons and a skibike license are required before one can rent a skibike.

Skibikes are currently allowed everywhere but the terrain park at Winter Park Resort. There are plenty of hits and features if you know where to look.




© 2011 G. Kunkel and A Colorado Skibiker Goes Skibiking. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to G. Kunkel and A Colorado Skibiker Goes Skibiking with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

2008 Skibike Festival at Durango Mountain Resort

Devin and the gang headed down to Durango, Colorado in 2008 for the annual Skibike Festival that is held there. It is the largest festival of its kind. Skibike manufacturers come and let the public demo their skibikes with a valid ski bike license.

Durango Mountain Resort allows skibiking on most of its slopes. They aren't allowed in the terrain parks now. The skibikes are only allowed on specific chair lifts too.

There was fresh snowfall in 2008 for the festival and the guys made the most of it. This is one of two video's documenting their adventures.




© 2011 G. Kunkel and A Colorado Skibiker Goes Skibiking. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to G. Kunkel and A Colorado Skibiker Goes Skibiking with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Skibiking with Jason Wilber

Jason Wilber was one of the first downhill mountain bikers to take on skibiking. I'd say he mastered it pretty quickly.

In 2008, Lenz Sport Skibikes shot a few video of Jason and company riding Lenz Sport Alpine Brawlers riding around Winter Park Resort and Keystone Ski Resort. It looks like they had a blast.

If you don't like Snoop Dogg rapping, the background music may turn you off. Just set your iTunes to play something else. The skibiking is pretty neat.

Jason Wilber Skibike Demo Reel p.1 from Scott Wilson on Vimeo.

© 2011 G. Kunkel and A Colorado Skibiker Goes Skibiking. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to G. Kunkel and A Colorado Skibiker Goes Skibiking with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Skibiking on Berthoud Pass - 7 Mile

In the spring of 2010, Devin and a bunch of friends went skibiking on Berthoud Pass near Winter Park Resort in Colorado. Yes, they went backcountry on ski bikes.

After working on their skibike technique at Winter Park Resort, they loaded up the ski bikes and went to the top of the Pass. From the results, I'd say they had alot of fun.


Lenz Sport Skibike - 7 Mile Run from Trevor Martin on Vimeo.


© 2011 G. Kunkel and A Colorado Skibiker Goes Skibiking. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to G. Kunkel and A Colorado Skibiker Goes Skibiking with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Skibike video at Arapahoe Basin, Colorado

While A-Basin doesn't rent ski bikes or teach skibiking, they are very skibike friendly. Anything you want to hit is fair game as long as it isn't roped off. The terrain parks are open to skibikers too.

The new lift at the base area makes things much easier than the old fixed grip Exhibition chair lift. If you don't have your exit strategy worked out for the upper lifts, the lifties don't mind slowing it down. Those fixed grip chair lifts are kinda wacky and they really don't like holes punched in their ramps either.

This video is by Lenz Sport Skibikes from back in 2007. The frames have changed and are now even more chair lift friendly. The skibike riding boundaries have moved on considerably too.

A blast from the past - skibiking at Arapahoe Basin.




© 2011 G. Kunkel and A Colorado Skibiker Goes Skibiking. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to G. Kunkel and A Colorado Skibiker Goes Skibiking with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Brandon Schmit ski biking at Arapahoe Basin, Berthoud Pass, Jones Pass, Whistler, and that other place that now bans them

If you want to see where freestyle skibiking is going, check out Brandon Schmit's video on Vimeo from a few months ago. Guaranteed you won't believe what you are seeing.

Brandon Schmit 2009/2010 Snowbike Season from Brandon Schmit on Vimeo.

© 2011 G. Kunkel and A Colorado Skibiker Goes Skibiking. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to G. Kunkel and A Colorado Skibiker Goes Skibiking with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Skibike Resources

Do you need to find a skibike manufacturer, a used skibike dealer, or where you can skibike in Colorado? Information is available at a number of places. Since Google still has a hard time understanding 'skibike' or 'ski bike' finding meaningful results can be difficult.

Some great resources are:

Skibikes and skibiking

American Ski-Bike Association

SkiBike World

Snowbiker.net

With these resources you should be able to find out quite a bit about the Colorado skibiking scene and which ski resorts are skibiker friendly.

Many ski resorts in Colorado are winding down their seasons for 2010-11. Get your ski bikes out while you still can.


© 2011 G. Kunkel and A Colorado Skibiker Goes Skibiking. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to G. Kunkel and A Colorado Skibiker Goes Skibiking with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Skibiking comes to Winter Park Resort

Skibiking came to Winter Park Resort about four years ago.

What's a skibike you ask? We'll they've come along way in the past decade. Ski bobs with the little foot skis have been around commercially since the 1940's. Those are fun but sometimes one needs a little more excitement.

In the past decade, a number of mountain bikers have taken the wheels off their bikes and put skis on them. Some use ski bike conversion kits while others have redesigned downhill mountain bike frames from the skis up.

There seems to be resistance to skibiking from many ski resorts. Some mistakenly think they take up more room than skiers while others lack the imagination to see that they can be compatible with all chair lifts.

A really fun place for skibikes is the terrain park. A full-suspension peg skibike can do anything a skier or snowboarder can do. That includes backflips, barrel rolls, jumps, halfpipe, rails, and rock drops. Don't believe me - I can send the Vimeo and YouTube links to you to prove it.

Many ski resorts use licensing to control access. That's fine - they did that when snowboarding was just starting out. Not that that resulted in snowboarders being in control even today. Lessons aren't required before skiers or snowboarders hit the slopes. I wish they were - the slopes would be much safer.

Anyway, Winter Park Resort has embraced all skibiking. Skibikes are allowed everywhere except the terrain parks. Ski bobs and peggers can ride wherever they want to. Rentals are available for both types.

Before one can rent a ski bike at Winter Park Resort, one must take a 2.5 hour lesson and earn their skibike license. Once earned, one can come back anytime and rent a bike. Before scoffing - lessons have been going out twice daily almost everyday at Winter Park this season.

If your ski resort needs more revenue, why not consider skibiking? You can either lead the charge and help shape the sport or be a me-too in another decade. Winter Park Resort isn't dropping its skibike program anytime soon.


© 2011 G. Kunkel and A Colorado Skibiker Goes Skibiking. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to G. Kunkel and A Colorado Skibiker Goes Skibiking with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.