Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 153 i Australian Mountain Bike

Rider: Ethan Kelly Photographer: Tim Bardsley-Smith Heading to a new destination, it’s always worth hunting out the locals who know the best trails, and the best time to ride them. When we went north to Noosa, it was an easy choice to chase up both Andy Fellows and Ethan Kelly for a couple of rides, and here Ethan shows us how his local trails are meant to be ridden. Don’t miss the full feature in this issue. Rider: Jeff Kendall-Weed Photographer: Andrew Railton WTB’s International Sales manager made a visit to Australia at the end of January. He’s far more than just a sales guy though – Jeff Kendall-Weed races for Ibis Cycles, and as photographer Andrew ‘Rails’ Railton said, “this guy can ride!”. Rails caught Jeff on the trails…

With more 1x setups now the norm thanks to Shimano’s XT M8000 group, plus SRAM’s GX and now NX group sets, there is now a little more evolution going on. A standard 10-42 or 11-42 range can be a little limiting in some terrain, but not always to the point that people want to go back to a 2x setup. In late February, Shimano announced an 11-46 11-speed cassette that will be compatible with both XT M8000 and XTR M9000 and M9050. But E13 have developed a wider range 10 speed and 11-speed cassette option as well. The TRS+ cassettes have either a 9-42 or 9-44 range (10sp and 11sp respectively), offering up to a 467% range. What’s also noteworthy is the weight, claimed at 300g and 320g for the…

There is so much fluoro on the trails nowadays that sometimes on weekend rides I feel like I am on a construction site. The latest fads are big-travel enduro bikes and even bigger, noisier fashion choices in shades of orange, yellow and turquoise. I am not opposed to a bit of fashion noise, however when it boils down to it, my first choice is comfort. Here are a few quick tips I have picked up over the years that will ensure your seams don’t get in the way of your shred. No under-duds. Qhen you’re rocking a baggy short inner, lycra shorts, or bibs, commando is the only way to go. All sorts of nasty stuff can happen when your cotton smalls are trapped against your nether regions by some…

I stare down at my stem, as I strain forward over the front of my bike. While my legs struggle to turn the pedals even in my lowest gear, I watch the sweat drip from my forehead, along the inside of my glasses until the drops fall and splash onto my stem. Some keep running, down the top tube and towards my seat post. My eyes follow the drops, as it’s a chance to focus on something other than the straining sounds of my bike, myself, and those around me. And finally my tired gaze is cast so far down I’m starring at my cursed single chain ring setup. It’s at this point, fighting to summit the climb of Ben Ohau on the 4th day of The Pioneer, that I…

So one thing’s for sure… there won’t be any giant egos on this trip.” Toby said wryly. The statement nicely summed up our team chat on social media about our imminent ‘trip’. We shared past experiences. We swapped tips. We each nominated ourselves the weakest link. It was reassuring to hear some self-deprecating banter slotted in between the more serious points. With mountain adventures in Afghanistan and Ethiopia behind me, I wasn’t new to dealing with the challenges of being in the wilderness a long way from help. Still, waves of nerves ebbed and flowed. I convinced myself it was normal to feel that way, since I was about to throw myself into the unknown with people I’d never met in a country I couldn’t even pronounce. The unknown, in…

It is hard to explain to the non-believer. I am sure that, as you scream past them on the trail, bouncing from one side to the other as you manhandle your steel-frame all-mountain hardtail, they have just one question to ask you: Why? Why would you contemplate tackling anything other than a baby-smooth cross-country trail on a hardtail – and a “heavy” steel-frame one at that? It’s a good question, and one that is being answered more and more these days by the proliferation of these rigs that combine a frame made from a material long regarded as ancient by the ignorant, and a thoroughly modern drivetrain, wheelset, dropper post and long-travel fork. Reading those words, it does sound odd; a bike-type that “should have” been left to history’s pages…

BRODIE CHAMPMAN RIDER BIO Riding Experience: Brodie has been riding all sorts of bikes for the last 8 years. Downhill, 4x, enduro, XC and (shhhh) road bikes. She knows what’s good on two wheels. Generally Rides: 2014 Lapierre Zesty 527 with many upgrades, Specialized Amira, Ridley Cross Fire Bike Test Track: Mount Buller, Victoria. Stonefly, Abom, Gang Gangs, Epic Trail, Outlaw Express. Felt bicycles have been around since 1994, and have a strong presence in the professional road, time trial and triathlon scene, patenting their own carbon miracles and sponsoring pro road team Hincapie. They even used to sponsor mountain bike powerhouse Paul van der Ploeg internationally, and the Swell Team back home. Felt relaunched in 2001 after a 7 year hiatus and followed the mountain bike boom into production,…

The number one thing you will see in our bike reviews is “get the wheels setup tubeless”. Why? Because for just about any rider and riding, it’s an improvement in performance, and therefore your mountain bike experience. Italian brand FRM are well-known for making exotic Scandium, carbon fibre and Titanium parts. But what they should also be known for is their consumables, like their sealant and rim tape. The FRM White Tape is a little more flexible than others on the market, so it makes it easy to ‘stretch’ it on for a very tight fit – plus it sits better into the rim bed. Like most tapes it’s sold in 5 metre rolls – but unlike most tapes you can get it in 21mm, 26mm and 31mm widths. That’s…

Dropper seatposts have gone from novelty items to MTB essentials in just a couple of years. These days we’d hesitate to go out for a trail ride without one. Chances are, if you don’t have one, you’re looking to try – but what to do if your bike isn’t routed for the cabling? AMB tested the RST Elev8 H dropper which, while available in Stealth (with internal routing) AMB were interested in testing this externally-routed model for all of us who haven’t bought a bike in the last year or two, or for those of us who might want to swap from a dropper to a standard seatpost depending on the ride, but don’t want to fuss about with internal cables or repeated trips to the bike shop. The Elev8…

It seems like ruts are becoming a thing of the past on mountain bike trails these days. With the progression of trails, and the (awesome) people who maintain them, ruts more often than not disappear before they cause anyone any harm. That said, as a mountain biker, ruts will always be a part of your life on the trail be it due to wear or tear, racing lines or just good old erosion digging a trench right where you want to ride. STEP 1 – COMMIT TO YOUR LINE If you are riding and you see a rut ahead, slow down, scan ahead and decide the best course of action. Ruts can be dangerous but more often than not can be utilised as the fastest line down the trail –…

STEP ONE We’ll start by removing all of the un-needed parts. Remove the crank set, front mech and shifter. These will all vary slightly from brand to brand, but should be pretty straightforward. Remove the chain, by either knocking out a pin or if there is one, removing the quick link. STEP TWO Next step is to remove the double chain rings. You will need to pick a narrow wide* chain ring that matches the BCD (bolt circle diameter) of your crank set. This XT crank set has a BCD of 104, so we choose to use a Praxis Works narrow wide chain ring. There are many manufacturers of narrow wide chain rings that come in a stack of different colours and BCDs. You may also be able to fit…

April is here and that means it’s time for the World Cup in Cairns. Our sport has become about so much more than just racing, but it should be a source of national pride to have the World Cup back on our soil, especially in an Olympic year. The endeavours and escapades of mountain bikers in Tropical North Queensland have shaped the sport globally, and at a national level. Glen Jacobs, Michael Ronning, Tracy Hannah, Mick Hannah. - just to name a few riders who have put Cairns and surrounds on the world stage, and who are still so involved with the sport now on a national and international level. The World Cup in Cairns is also an opportunity for younger riders to perform for a home crowd in front…

Back for its 8th year in 2016, the GT Bike Buller Festival notched up another superb weekend of racing, riding and good times. Held over the March Labour Day weekend at Mount Buller in Victoria, the festival attracted over 500 riders from all over the country, and as far afield as Chile and the US. While each rider came to conquer their own challenge, everyone was there to enjoy the brilliant alpine trails built by Glen Jacobs and the World Trail crew. Having grown year-on-year since its inception, the GT Bike Buller Festival saw its biggest and most diverse crowd of riders in 2016 thanks to the addition of the ABOM Downhill race. Joining the existing line up of XC and enduro events, the ABOM race saw riders donning full-face…

MY MOUNTAIN BIKE LIFE DO YOU WANT TO WIN a brand new bike, setup like the Trek Remedy ridden by Enduro National Champ Chris Panozzo? Shimano Australia and AMB want to help you get on a new bike setup with the latest group set from Shimano, Fox suspension and Bontrager parts. And we want to send you to Finale Ligure for the final round of the Enduro World Series (EWS) to ride with Chris and shoot a video. YOU JUST NEED TO SHOOT AND EDIT A VIDEO under the theme “This is my mountain bike life” that truly captures what you like best about mountain biking - be it trails, people, travel, racing, relaxing - that’s up to you. Submit your videos directly to AMB and we’ll upload it in…

You know what you need? It’s a winter break. A winter mountain bike break… But wait! I hear you say. Nearly all the mountain bike destinations are in cold places, like the mountains or New Zealand… that’s not going to help. And what about your partner or even the kids – how on earth are you going to get THIS leave pass approved? Noosa is the answer. While it’s not known as a mountain bike destination yet, thanks to some dedicated locals it’s fast carving out a great reputation that’s only set to grow. Home to elite riders like Andy Fellows and Ethan Kelly, Noosa has it all: gravity, jumps, hills, and amazing trails. There’s more than enough riding within ten minutes of this holiday town to keep you occupied…

Those with long memories will recognise the winner’s names: Bart Brentjens, whose World Cup commentary adds Euro allure to the Red Bull live stream, and Paola Pezzo, whose glamour shots adorned many a teenaged mountain biker’s bedroom walls. Over the last twelve months there’s been a surge of activity in the XCO (Cross-country Olympic) mountain bike scene in Australia as our top elite racers prep and prime themselves for Olympic selection. In the men’s competition, Australia looks likely to secure two places. It’s no longer a one-horse race and a bunch of fit young thoroughbreds are galloping hard to meet some pretty tough selection criteria. A deep men’s field including Dan McConnell, Brendan Johnston, Cam Ivory, Scott Bowden, and Kyle Ward will be doing furious battle under the selectors’ watchful…

LACHLAN (LOBSTER) MCKILLOP RIDER BIO Riding Experience: Raced nationally and internationally in downhill and has been a World Cup mechanic General rides: Specialized, Enduro Expert 29’ Height: 175cm Weight: 73kg Bike test track: Thredbo, Northen Beaches downhill, Ourimbah THREE THINGS YOU LIKED ABOUT THE BIKE - Great geometry for trail riding. - The Boost spacing of 148/110 for cornering stiffness. - The carbon frame is a work of art. THREE THINGS YOU WOULD CHANGE ABOUT THE BIKE - It begs for a dropper post - Running internal cables would be nice. - The price tag is a little high. “Trail bikes” have evolved a hundred fold from the 26 inch wheeled either built up XC bikes, or lightened up big travel rigs. With huge advances in building for wheel sizes,…

“THE CENTRAL BALANCE OF THE BIKE ENABLED ME TO HIT CORNERS HARDER, THE SHORTER CHAIN STAYS HELPING TO GAIN A FULL BODY TURN POSITION OVER A HANDLEBAR DRIVEN POINT AND SHOOT” ROBERT CONROY RIDER BIO Riding experience: 10 years riding around the nation and chasing trails. Generally Rides: YT Tues 27.5 and a Giant XTC 26”hardtail. (Keeps me honest) Height: 175cm Weight: 73kg Bike Test Tracks: Thredbo, The TVT, Lake Crackenback, Royal National Park, Majura MTB Park, Stromlo Forest Park and Glenrock National Park. The 27.5” 130mm trail bike has lived a diminished existence recently in the face of an ever growing enduro world and a past of 29er dominance. Santa Cruz and a handful of small brands followed the curve producing exemplary rides in the 27.5” format. Bikes that…

Back in Issue #151 of AMB, we introduced you to our latest long-term test sled: the Avanti Torrent. Featuring 150mm of travel out back and kicked back geometry that’s built around 27.5” wheels, the Torrent is a no-nonsense trail machine that’s designed to be stiff, strong and highly capable. Having ridden the Torrent over the past six months across a wide variety of terrain in multiple configurations, I figured it would be the perfect opportunity to provide an update on this long travel trail bruiser. BUILD KIT UPDATES Compared to the original build kit, there have been a number of key changes to the Torrent, including the swap from the stock Fox FLOAT CTD rear shock to the 2016 Fox FLOAT DPS model. To match the new Kashima shock, the…

A good-fitting mountain bike shoe is worth its weight in gold. Like a good helmet, you really shouldn’t be thinking about your shoes on a ride. But if they’re not right, there is no worse distraction from the trail in front of you. Spend the time in getting a good pair of kicks that are dialled for your foot shape and the difference to your riding comfort can improve dramatically. The Giro Empire VR90 shoe is Giro’s top-end XC race shoe, and at a claimed weight of 315 grams, is one of the lightest options available on the market. The Empire VR90 is available in Black (tested) or Blue Jewel colours, from size EU 42 to 47. LACE-UP DESIGN With no BOA dials or ratchet straps in sight, the Empire…

Based around a solid single-wall carbon fibre rim, the Tammar V4.8 wheel set is the first product to come out of Bouwmeester Composites’ factory in South Australia. It features a wide rim profile, tubeless compatibility, and a standard 32-spoke build that employs DT Swiss hubs and spokes. With a claimed weight of 1750 grams, the Tammar wheelset is targeted towards enduro racing and hard-hitting trail riders. Currently, it only comes in a 27.5” diameter. SUBTLE STYLING On every ride with the Tammar wheel set, I could never get far without someone stopping me to ask what they were. With their shallow profile and bulging moulded nipple beds, the carbon Tammar rims offer a unique aesthetic that bucks the current trend of super deep-section carbon rims and their “LOOK AT ME”…

Whether you’re vegetarian or you want to start cutting back on meat, knowing how to get the right balance of nutrients from a meat-free diet is essential to your cycling performance. There are many reasons to cut meat from your diet - religious, environmental and moral reasons are all high on the list. Plant-based eating also has many health benefits. There is a substantial body of evidence supporting the belief that vegetarians in Western countries experience significantly less cancer, less heart disease, fewer strokes, and generally live longer than omnivores. But, as a cyclist, is it a smart move? There are a few nutrients that vegetarian athletes need to be careful about, but as long as you’re well-prepared you’ll be able to keep riding strong. If you are training and…

It took gifted young gun Chris Hamilton to break the reign of 6-time Odyssey winner Chris Jongewaard to claim victory of the epic 100km Giant Odyssey in Forrest. Peta Mullens smashed the women’s course record by 7 minutes to finish in a time of just 5hrs, 6minutes. The Odyssey is one of Australia’s most popular mountain bike racers, and over 1,200 riders took part in this year’s 10th anniversary edition. Chris Hamilton worked with team mate Tasman Nankervis, who finished 2nd overall, to push Jongewaard to his limit and the 20-year-olds proved too strong in the hills on the final loop of the race to take lead position and secure the top 2 steps on the podium. “For these marathon races you need to play it pretty smart and being…

Walkbout Creek is becoming more than just a function centre on the edge of Brisbane. The centre is right on the edge of D’Aguilar National Park, and has experienced a shift in purpose as the adjacent Enogerra Reservoir opened for canoeing and then swimming. The master plan allowed for a trail around the reservoir, and a skills park right up near the function centre. Damian McGarry teamed up with Pete Wilson from Trail Works when requests for tenders were out, and we spoke to McGarry about what was involved in getting the skills park right on the edge of Brisbane’s suburbs – on the border of residential homes and trails. “The land was old bush land that used to have a dam where they tried breeding platypus. It was all…

BONTRAGER CAMBION SHOES The Cambion aims to offer top-tier performance but a little cheaper than the XXX shoe. It features a single BOA IP1 ratchet dial for on the fly fine-tuning of the tension. A quick release function then makes them easy to remove. The Silver Series carbon sole gives a solid connection between pedal and shoe, though there’s a touch more give in it compared to the bone-shakingly stiff XXX race shoe. The Cambion also features a grippy Tachyon rubber outsole for comfort and traction when scaling steep climbs off the bike, making it a more versatile all-round trail shoe. Add an anti-sleep heel lining, mesh ventilation, and a clever GnarGuard to protect your heel and toes against abrasions and you have what should be a popular shoe. RRP:…

Noosa’s coastal rides, hinterland trails, white sandy beaches and awesome National Park tracks all add up to an adventure holiday paradise! Up and downhill trails through Tewantin National Park are just minutes from Noosa’s beach, while the spectacular Noosa Trail Network weaves through Noosa’s countryside. Book your Noosa mountain biking escape now. Call 1 3000 NOOSA or visitnoosa.com.au Rosecliffe Cottages Woondum NP Noosa Trail Circuit accommodation Rosecliffe Cottages – magnificent views set on 93 acre estate with direct access to the challenging and scenic Noosa Trail Network trails 2 and 3, linking into the trails’ 300km system and Woondum National Park road reserves. E cottage@bellerby.com.au W noosahinterlandcottages.com.au Bike On: Bike hire and tours 10% discount for AMB readers Bike On is the best place in Noosa for MTB…

The mountain bike wheel game must surely be a hard one to crack. Nowadays, it takes a truly unique product to stand out from the pack and show that there may just be an alternative to the status quo. If you were a luddite, you’d be pretty happy with how the bicycle wheel has panned out thus far. But people like Mello Bouwmeester aren’t luddites. They’re innovators. And thankfully for us, they’re never happy with the status quo. LOCAL INNOVATION Bouwmeester Composites is a small Australian manufacturer based out of Adelaide. Despite its diminutive size, the fledgling company is making big waves in the international mountain bike scene thanks to its brand new Tammar V4.8 wheel set. Designed for enduro racing and hardcore trail hammering, the Tammar is based around…

"AS A BELIEVER THAT TRAIL BIKES SHOULD DO UP AND DOWN EQUALLY WELL, THEN NORCO HAVE BUILT A WINNER." MIKE BLEWITT RIDER BIO Riding Experience: Plenty of years riding and bike racing at home and abroad. Generally Rides: Norco Revolver 29 FS Height: 178cm Weight: 72kg Bike Test Track: Hollybank and Blue Derby, Noosa trails, Gap Greek Reserve Norco have been present in the mountain bike game for a long time, but until the past two or three years they had shrunk away from having lots of market-leading bikes, and become one of the ‘other’ Canadian bike brands. But recently, Norco have come out with great new platforms across just about every mountain bike segment – not to mention their gravel, adventure and cyclocross bikes. Their Aurum downhill line is…

“NO PINK. NO SPARKLES. NO CALLIGRAPHIC FONTS; THIS ITSELF IS A WIN FOR THE CONTESSA AND WOMEN’S SPECIFIC COLOUR SCHEMES.” ANNA BECK RIDER BIO Tester: Anna Beck Riding experience: Has ridden and raced XC, XCM, enduro and road for a few sneaky years. Generally Rides: Rocky Mountain Element, Niner One9 Singlespeed, Trek Emonda Height:167cm Weight: 60kg Bike Test Track: Les Alps of Brisbane Scott is a brand that has pushed boundaries time and time again with the release of super-light bikes. Scott actually began as a winter-sports company over 50 years ago, engineering skiing poles in Idaho. From this beginning, Scott Sports has continually reinvented the wheel with their technological innovation. The 2003 release of the Genius (a model offered to this day, however, somewhat different from it’s 23 year…

THE NEW MEGA RANGE While the M8000 cassette is available in 11-40 for the 2x setups it’s the 11-42 that has really won favour. Given the size constraints of a freehub body, Shimano didn’t create a 10-42 cassette like SRAM has. The difference between a 10 and 11 is substantial, but Shimano’s 11-42 means riders can upgrade to 1x11, or 2x11, without the need for a wheel or freehub upgrade – which is a big cost saving. I found the shifting to be smooth, but the cassette is about 100g heavier than an M9000 11-40, and about 55g heavier than a SRAM GX 10-42, as a comparison. The cassette doesn’t have an alloy larger sprocket like a higher end SRAM offering, and I’ve found the durability to be really good,…

Davies Creek boasts about 20km of old-school singletrack, and is close enough to Atherton (about an hour’s drive) to squeeze in a ride at both in a day trip (be sure to refuel at one of the Tablelands’ incredible eateries in between). If you’re accompanied by family or friends who aren’t riding, the Tablelands has a fantastic foodie culture with lots of farm and cellar doors to visit, as well as gorgeous natural lakes like Eacham and Tinaroo for a swim – enough to free you and your bike up for most of the day. If you’re up on the Tablelands for a day of mountain biking, be sure to leave your trip to Davies Creek for last. Your legs will thank you for finishing up on the relatively flat…

It is inevitable that those athletes with busier lives, will not be able to cope with the training stress load of an elite level rider. However, there are a number of effective recovery techniques that we can focus on, speeding up the recovery process a little and allowing us to push the loads higher in training. Utilising good recovery techniques becomes even more important in the lead up to a goal race, to help ensure the body is fresh and the legs ready to ‘fire’ once the start gun is heard. The recovery techniques described below are some of those considered most beneficial to endurance athletes. SLEEP Top of the list, is an adequate night’s sleep. Most people function best with 7-8hrs per night. Athletes however, have been shown to…