Innholdsfortegnelse for 149 i Australian Mountain Bike

Australian XCO racers have been in Europe in big numbers, racing World Cups, national rounds, hill climb time trials and more. Many have now shifted to North America ahead of the next two World Cups, or gone home or to altitude to train before the World Championships. Harry Parsons is just one of a new breed of young and talented downhillers rising through the ranks. A natural on the bike, his fluid style is unmistakeable and I was able to capture it in a recent trip to his local trail in the NSW Southern Highlands.…

One of the best things about going on holidays with your bike is finding new trails. One of the worst things is getting lost while looking for them, or heading home uncertain as to whether you've ridden the best on offer. RideCairns have had a lot of trail information for the key riding hubs in Tropical North Queensland on one handy website (ridecairns.com) and in handouts available in the bike shops up north for quite some time. But in mid-July they also launched an app. The app has 700km of trails in the area mapped out, which is no mean feat. GPS mapping the route means the trails need to be walked, not ridden, to get accurate data for the app. The app provides trail descriptions, condition updates, and will…

Last year the creators of Australia’s largest multi stage mountain bike event, Western Australia’s Cape to Cape, were seduced into trying to replicate the event in the stunning surrounds of Newcastle, and the Hunter Valley region of New South Wales. This May the field was stacked with the same podium regulars as the Cape to Cape. Could Andy Blair continue his long winning streak or could Mark Tupalski carry on from the biggest win of his career in last year’s Cape to Cape? For the rest of the 215 odd riders each day (up from 185 last year) the proposition was simpler. Just enjoy the ride. Day one was short and brutal starting from beaches of the stunning Port Stephens. What should have been cruisey fire road climb had been…

Need to get something off your chest? Got a riding issue that you just can’t get your head around? Go on, send us a cool letter and we’ll do our best to answer it. WRITE TO: amb@nextmedia.com.au or message us via facebook.com/AMBmag Dear AMB, On winter’s cold mornings I have always had problems with my prescription glasses fogging up, especially when cranking up hills. Breathing sideways and a number of lens spray-on products have not brought much success. Then it occurred to me that it may not be my heavy breathing but the perspiration from my face that is causing the condensation on the lenses. What if I reduced my face sweat with antiperspirant. So I did a trial on my next ride at the Kalamunda MTB Circuit (WA). I…

Unless you have been living under a rock in sub-saharan Africa, you would have experienced the Crossfit movement in some capacity. I blame Crossfit for a lot of things; very short shorts (usually in a blinding neon hue), questionable dietary practices, and unmoderated exercise plans. Crossfit has been excellent in getting the attention of otherwise inactive people and engaging them in exercise (hooray!) however their ‘extreme’ approach to exercise and ‘give it your all’ attitude has its own drawbacks (100% intensity, all the time! Injuries, anyone?). Why am I talking about Crossfit in a mountain biking magazine? Well, we all know athletes at the top of their sport have supremely high mental, as well as physical fitness. But what constitutes ‘giving it your all?’. I have recently come to understand…

Whyte’s internal philosophy is one of constant innovation. In a crowded marketplace, the 16-year-old British brand believes this is the best way of standing out. Based on the release of their 2016 range, they certainly look to be living up to their word. Amid a phalanx of fluoro colors is a carbon version of the company’s popular and highly regarded T-130. The T-130 Carbon is set to become available early in 2016 and features a carbon front triangle mated to an alloy rear. Whyte’s carbon pedigree has been proven in recent years with their excellent carbon hardtail range, and the M 109 C we tested through 2014. While the T-130 Carbon is new, it includes a number of features which extend across their trail and gravity ranges. Whyte have adopted…

An early Euro Bike show was scheduled in Kirchberg, Austria, and Declan von Dietze stopped by to see what some of the new trends coming out of Europe. FABRIC WATER BOTTLE SYSTEM The world’s lightest mounting device, weighing in at 3g per bottle is hitting stores later this year. Designed off the bidon cage bolts themselves, this revolutionary design uses indents in the bidon which the bolts slot into. Easy to remove and install your water bottle, but strong enough for mountain and road bike applications. Coming in a range of colours so you can match your bike, we look forward to testing these in more detail in the future to see how sturdy they are. FOCUS SAM CARBON + RAVEN MAX For the ultimate performance in enduro riding, Focus…

The biggest announcement at the 2016 launch for Lapierre was the release of a totally new Zesty range. The current platform is 7 years old and although it has been continually developed and improved to keep it competitive, the 2016 bike has been developed form the ground up as a new bike, with 27.5” wheels across the range. While the OST+ suspension platform remains the same, the shock placement has been moved from the down tube to the top tube. Lapierre claim this alone has helped shave 500 grams from carbon frame models and 50 grams from alloy frame models. The change also means they are able to use shocks with a shorter length, which they claim makes for a more progressive shock, with better handling of bigger hits and…

BC Bike Race spawned from a passionate group of long time mountain bike and adventure race friends based on the West Coast of British Columbia. Their love for the spectacular terrain and the chance to involve others in the extraordinary riding on the West Coast created the concept of an epic stage race. Having just completed its 9th edition, it’s fair to say all the entrants love it too. PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES With so many riding destinations in BC, the race takes riders to seven of the most desirable locations. It does feel like these trails were hand picked by people who love to ride their bikes… and then they were left to figure out how to get hundreds of people and bikes between these locations. Organising the logistics…

ESSENTIALS Brand Specialized Model 2015 Enduro Evo RRP $6,999 Weight 16.8kg without pedals Distributor Specialized Australia Contact specialized.com/au Available Sizes S, M (tested), L Frame Material M5 Aluminium Fork RockShox Boxxer Team, 180mm Shock Öhlins TTX Shifter SRAM X9 Derailleur SRAM X0, custom 7 speed lock out Crank Custom SRAM Descendant Chainguide Gamut Bashring Chain SRAM PC-1031, 10 speed Cassette SRAM PG1030, 10 speed (custom 7 conversion) Wheels Specialized Roval DH 650b Tyres Specialized Butcher/Specialized Slaughter Brakes SRAM Guide RS Lever on Code Calipers Stem Specialized P.series direct mount Handlebars Specialized Demo 780mm Seatpost Thompson alloy straight Saddle Henge Comp Short travel downhill bikes have been on the scene for quite a few years now, as more and more ‘pedally’ style tracks are popping up on the World Cup circuit.…

ADAM MACBETH RIDER BIO Riding Experience: Has done many skids over many years Generally Rides: Devinci Spartan, Salsa Mukluk, GU Trials bike Height: 179cm Weight: 74kg Bike Test Track: Secret Fat Trails THREE THINGS YOU LIKED ABOUT THE BIKE - Great weight for so much bike - Smooth lines and finish - Traction for days! THREE THINGS YOU WOULD CHANGE ABOUT THE BIKE - Pull the fork out to at least 100mm - Chuck on some wider bars - Maybe XX1 at this level? ESSENTIALS Brand Salted Model Sandfly X01 SuperLogic Carbon RRP $4,999 (as tested) Weight 11.6kg (as tested) Distributor Dirtworks Contact saltedbikes.com.au Available Sizes Small, Medium, Large (as tested) XL Frame Material Carbon Fibre Fork RockShox Bluto, 80mm travel, remote lock out Crank e*thirteen TRS+w/custom black axle Bottom…

ESSENTIALS HITS - Top quality materials and construction - MTB specific shape - Very comfortable MISSES - Gold Trim RRP: $329.00 From: au.wtb.com Wilderness Trail Bikes (WTB) were one of the first brands to make saddles specifically for mountain biking. Back in the mid 90s, they launched the SST, with a dropped nose and rounded tail, aimed to helping mountain bikers stay comfortable in the variety of positions they find themselves in on the bike. The Volt range fills some of the 30+ options in their line up, and features a noticeable nose drop and rounded back, reminiscent of the original SST. A saddle’s comfort involves the construction, materials, and shape. The Volt Carbon has carbon rails and a carbon composite shell, with WTB’s own DNA padding and microfibre cover.…

ESSENTIALS HITS - Quality, construction and materials - Transitions from the bike to ordinary life MISSES - Pocket Plus is a bit big for a regular smart phone RRP:$ 114.95 ($139.95 for the Plus) From: bellroy.com Every now and then a product comes along so suited to cycling that it’s a wonder it originated outside the bike industry. The Bellroy Elements Phone Pocket is one of those. Probably because Bellroy is one of those brands for the new millenium. These makers of leather wallets and phone cases are genuinely innovative in product design and frighteningly clever in its marketing and branding. Bellroy has been around for about five years and is homegrown Aussie, based in Melbourne. Their mission is to simplify your life and slim down your wallet, and combine…

TRAIL ESSENTIALS FACILITIES TOILETS - Yes at the Telegraph Station DRINKING WATER - Yes, at the Telegraph Station, definitely not in the desert. PARKING - Yes, at the Telegraph Station TRAILS SIGNPOSTED - Yes (trail head is at the Telegraph Station. There are countless unsignposted trails branching out of Alice. Only take trails that are signposted unless you have expert knowledge or a guide to help you find your way home) MOBILE RECEPTION: Telstra and Optus at the Telegraph Station, very patchy out in the desert. SHELTER - yes BBQ FACILITIES - Yes ACCOMODATION - Yes – plenty on offer in Alice RATINGS TECHNICAL FITNESS CROSS COUNTRY TRAIL ALL-MTN DOWNHILL JUMP Last time we covered the Alice Springs trails was a couple of years ago, and a lot’s changed since…

The influence of technology in mountain biking has changed a lot in the short life of our sport. We no longer bolt braces to our forks or frames to improve braking, or use stems with suspension for comfort. Instead we have power meters, GPS mapped routes shared around the globe, electronic shifting and suspension management, and near on instant sharing of our rides, achievements, photos and videos. It would be easy to think this might end up in a rant as how the internet and technology is ruining everything for everyone. But that’s not the case. All these advances in technology mean more people ride bikes, and share their excitement about it. It means the sport grows. When I first started mountain biking I had little idea where to go,…

The past five years have seen many changes to the Crocodile Trophy, including a UCI S1 ranking, which really attracted a much deeper elite field in 2014, which was the race’s 25th anniversary. With some changes to the route, it is truly one of the most diverse mountain bike stage races in the world – and it’s here in our own country. The start list for 2015 could well get pretty intense, with recently crowned XCM World Champion Alban Lakata of Austria (pictured blewo right) expressing strong interest in racing this year. Previous world Champion Roel Paulissen has also shown interest in racing, and our own XCM Champion, Brendan Johnston is keen to race. “I have seen the Crocodile Trophy on TV since I was very young. Straight away I…

A THULE DOUBLETRACK 990XT Mountain biking is so much better off road... but unfortunately we can’t all live right near the trails, and often rely on our cars (or our mates) to get there. Thule Australia have kindly given us one of their DoubleTrack 990XT hitch mount bike racks to giveaway. It will carry two bikes to the trail, without posing a risk at a drive through or driving into your garage, and keeps dirty bikes out of the car too. All you need to do is fill out an entry form on AMBmag.com.au, and we’ll draw a winner on October 5th. Full terms and conditions are online.…

Want to race? Don’t know what, don’t know where? Well we’ve got all the details for you right here Got an event coming up that’s not listed here? Send it to amb@nextmedia.com.au or log onto www.ambmag.com.au and using our new form add it in yourself. It’s that simple. XC/XCM/LAP BASED ENDURO 8 August Shimano MTB GP Stromlo, ACT rockytrailentertainment.com 8 August Convict 100 St Albans, NSW maxadventure.com.au 8-9 August Evocities Round 6 Tamworth, NSW tammtb.asn.au 9 August Nomad Sunshine Series Hidden Vale, QLD qldmtb.com.au 15 August Shimano MTB GP Stromlo, ACT rockytrailentertainment.com 15-16 August Kalamunda Classic Kalamunda, WA kallamundacollective.com.au 16 August Atherton ELEV8XCM Atherton, QLD elev8xcm.tablelandsports.com 23 August Chicks in the Sticks Mount Cotton, QLD qldmtb.com.au 30 August Singletrack Mind Series Nowra, NSW chocolatefoot.com.au 5 September XCM Series: Dwellingup 100…

COUNTLESS NEW BIKES AND PRODUCTS HAVE BEEN LAUNCHED RECENTLY, THESE ARE SOME OF THE HIGHLIGHTS FROM EUROPE, THE USA AND RIGHT HERE AT HOME. Specialized revamped their trail bikes for 2016, and after the Stumpjumper and Rhyme were announced in May, along with the 6Fattie range, the new Camber was launched in July. All the full-suspension bikes, including the 6Fattie, are based around the one main frame – the Trail Chassis. It’s a completely new design that includes the S.W.A.T down tube, full internal cable and brake hose routing, stealth dropper routing, 2x capability and new geometry. The frames are available in both 29” and 27.5” options, without size limitations. While the Stumpjumper, Rhyme and Camber share the same Trail Chassis, much of the similarity stops there. I was lucky…

The Sheppard Cycles show had lots of bikes on show, but some clear standouts. One of these was the new Avanti Competitor S. A new dual suspension frame design aims to bring an awesome ride to an easy to manage price point. Perhaps our favourite bike of the show, the Competitor S is a bright red 27.5” wheeled 120mm trail bike with a great parts spec and reliable suspension all for $2500. There's a model below with a slightly more basic spec for $2000 – both bikes are incredible value and have one of the mos thought out parts specifications for this sort of bike we've ever seen. The new Competitor carbon hard tail (top right) is also a winner, perfect for a privateer XC racer to get started on,…

For 5 days throughout the middle of June each year, an event called Bike PressCamp takes over the entire Silver Baron Lodge in Park City. A destination resort located up in the mountains just 40 minutes drive from Salt Lake City, Park City is a haven for skiers and snowboarders in winter, but in summe it’s all about the mountain biking, with over 600kms of singletrack. Throw in some fantastic bars, breweries, restaurants, and a whiskey distillery, along with an enviable network of chairlifts and a free shuttle bus service, and there are certainly worse places in the world to be a mountain biker. Press Camp is like a mini Interbike, designed to show the latest and greatest in a more manageable, hands on manner. This year we saw new…

Rocky Mountain Bicycles’ headquarters, right next door to Vancouver’s famous North Shore trails, is a mountain biker’s dream world. We go behind the doors to find out how this famous company produces its bikes. I had just entered a mountain biker’s dream world; stepping through the front door of Rocky Mountain Bicycles’ Vancouver, Canada, HQ, I was greeted by a number of smiling faces, plus more MTB porn hanging from the walls than you could ever imagine. IN THE BEGINNING Rocky Mountain Bicycles has been around for 34 years, being founded in 1981 by Grayson Bain and some fellow riders working out of a Vancouver bike shop. Grayson and his mates were hell-bent on building bikes that were better than those available at the time, so Rocky Mountain Bicycles was…

IMOGEN SMITH RIDER BIO Riding Experience: A regular AMB bike tester, Imogen has spent her adult life riding and racing mountain bikes. Generally Rides: Bianchi Methanol 29 FS, Cannondale CAAD 9 road bike Height: 171cm Weight: 57kg Bike Test Track: Brisbane’s Daisy Hill MTB trails THREE THINGS YOU LIKED ABOUT THE BIKE - Gorgeous frame engineering and finish - This build was a perfect SS spec, with beefy tyres and rims and all-over quality components - Reynolds 853 steel frame gave a truly superb ride feel THREE THINGS YOU WOULD CHANGE ABOUT THE BIKE - Change tyres for something smaller and lighter if you’re riding light - Gear for the climbs – we’d have loved to try a 20 or even 21T sprocket on our hilly home trails - A…

ESSENTIALS HITS - Broad range of adjustment - Lockable to secure the rack and the bikes - Folds to a smaller size MISSES - Not a complete product for some states RRP: $499 ($29 adaptor required for 40mm) From: thule.com.au Thule are synonymous with two things: carrying bikes on cars, and questions about pronunciation. Their recent expansion into luggage, computer and phone cases, bike bags and even child seats might change the former, but chances are we will probably second guess the pronunciation for a while longer. You can take the bikes to the mountain, but you can’t bring mountains to bikes. Therein lies the demand for smart ways to carry mountain bikes on cars. While some riders choose in the car, and some choose on top – others choose…

Based out of Sydney, Pure Edge is a sports nutrition company with a twist. Formerly known as Essential Sports Performance Nutrition, Pure Edge has developed their products using natural and Australian Certified Organic ingredients. In fact, I can recognise every single ingredient on the side of their packaging, with not a single chemical or E-number in sight. The Pure Edge product range sits in contrast alongside the sticky gels and sweet isotonic drinks that we typically see in bike shops, but that’s kind of the point. I’ve been using and testing a variety of Pure Edge’s products over the past 6 months, so here’s a rundown of my favourites. SUPERFOOD ENERGY 1KG RRP: $60 Designed to provide a pre-ride energy boost, Superfood Energy is packed full of powerful natural ingredients.…

In Issue 148, Joe Dodd took us through the first phase of building a wheel, instructing how to determine your spoke length, prepare your work area, and lace the wheel. Now here’s the fun part of making it something rideable! TOOL LIST You will need a few specialty wheel building tools: - A spoke key to fit the nipples you are using. - A truing stand. - Wheel dishing tool - Nipple guide (see photo for home made tool) - Screwdriver or nipple driver - A 30cm ruler. - Spoke tension metre. STEP ONE You should by now have a perfectly laced wheel and be into the first step of tensioning. Now is a good time to lube the nipple and rim interface. You probably have some dry chain lube…

News broke a couple of months ago that Cairns local, and master trail builder, Glen Jacobs had a vision for a new trail in Tropical North Queensland. Jacobs and his World Trail team have designed and built some of our favourite trails around the country. From the master plan for Atherton MTB Park, and the rainforest trails that test locals and the world's best at Smithfield, down to the Australian Alpine Epic trail in Mt Buller, and the ongoing development in Derby – World Trail have delivered some monumental trails for the general mountain biking public and the world's elite racers. But there's a strip of coast line close to home that has always caught Jacob's attention and imagination. “While going mountain biking, or driving, I've been looking at these…

MTB IN THE COMMUNITY The start of the new financial year prompts us to review our performance over the last 12 months in order to plan for the future. Of most concern is the static membership numbers, as MTBA is an organisation funded almost entirely by members. Analysis reveals possible opportunities with growing our female and junior ranks but it also leads us to continue to ask what the role of MTBA is and what we can offer potential members. We don’t have ‘bricks and mortar’ assets, so we must be focused on service delivery to provide value. We have introduced new membership options to cater to those who are not interested in racing. Our 12 month recreational memberships include all the insurance and member benefits for those who want…

Merida’s commitment to cross-country mountain bike racing is, by any measure, huge. As backers of the Merida-Multivan squad of Jose Antonio Hermida and Gunn-Rita Dahle Flejså they’ve been visible supporters of the sport for most of the current century. Fortunately for we mere mortals, we benefit from all the lessons learned on the World Cup and Olympic circuit. The return of the Ninety-Six has delivered an exceptional - and truly race-bred - dual suspension cross-country bike. At the launch of the Ninety-Six in Albstadt, Germany in early June, we were given the opportunity to test the full-carbon Team version of the bike, which will be delivered in three model variants following Eurobike in August. FIRST IMPRESSIONS The Ninety Six Team is light. Around 10.4kg in fact. Merida have done everything…

The mountain bike arms race is in full swing again, with manufacturers continually creating lighter, stiffer, better handling bikes. For 2016, Trek worked over some of their line with a new Procaliber SL hardtail and Top Fuel full-suspension bike. Both bikes use the new Boost standard hubs spacing for stiffer wheels and shorter chainstays, along with full internal cable routing that will easily accept Di2. The handling has been refined to reflect the modern needs of an XC bike, so they’re longer and a tiny bit slacker. Trek also launched a new Fuel EX 9 frame, which also adopt the Boost standard for a sharper handling 29er trail bike, and the Mino-Link for adjustable geometry – we’ve got a test bike on hand right now so stay tuned for a…

A 3 day mountain bike festival in the Alps, spanning France and Switzerland, with lifts, local food, beer and sunshine not only sounds brilliant – but it was also the perfect place for Matt Page to test out the latest Lapierre Zesty range. Sprawled across the Northern Alps, between the city of Geneva and Mont Blanc, straddling the French and Swiss border is a huge ski area known as the Portes du Soleil. The area, built for skiing, is one of the largest ski areas in the world. In the winter over 400km of pistes are connected via 200 lifts to 13 resorts, split between Switzerland and France. As you would expect, the area is extremely popular in the winter, providing some of the best skiing in the Alps, but…

MIKE BLEWITT RIDER BIO Riding Experience: Writing, riding and racing here and there for a number of years. UK and Australian CX racing experience. Generally Rides: Bianchi Methanol 29 FS and Scott CX Team Height: 179cm Weight: 72kg Bike Test Track: Sydney’s surrounds and parklands THREE THINGS YOU LIKED ABOUT THE BIKE - Super light weight. - Powerful braking and crisp shifting. - Ride compliance. THREE THINGS YOU WOULD CHANGE ABOUT THE BIKE - If you’re not racing, squeeze some bigger rubber in. - Get it set up tubeless. - Consider dropping back to 140mm rotors. ESSENTIALS Brand Trek Model Boone 9 Disc RRP $4999 Weight 8.39kg (with pedals as tested) Distributor Trek Australia Contact trekbikes.com.au Available Sizes 50, 52, 54, 56 (tested), 58, 61cm Frame Material 600 Series OCLV…

ESSENTIALS HITS - Quality, natural ingredients - No added sugar - Portability MISSES -More expensive than a banana RRP: $3.50 each From: foodiefee.com We’re all more health conscious these days. It’s impossible to turn on the TV or log on to Facebook without being reminded that sugar is as poisonous as smoking, or that processed foods are turning your brain to mush. With recent food scares and questions around where our food comes from, as well as a battalion of celebrity chefs and diet gurus spruiking lifestyle diets like paleo, which eliminates a couple thousand years of human dietary evolution (although a soy latte is fine), it’s little wonder we’re thinking twice about what we eat on the bike, too. I know that for me, guzzling gels and electrolyte drink…

Heading to Alice for the Redback? Or maybe you’re taking up the challenge of the Cape to Cape in WA. Stage races are becoming more and more popular as we try to push our bodies to the limit. Nutrition is an often overlooked but critical component to top performance during a multi-stage race. Here’s how to get it right. FIRST THINGS FIRST What you do before you get to the start line will have a big impact on how you feel during the day and how well you are able to compete. The Scouts have survived in the wilderness since 1907 for good reason - their motto ‘be prepared’ pretty much sums up how you should think about your multi-stage race prep! In the days leading up to the race,…

RIDER PROFILE NAME: Andy Fellows AGE: 33 HOMETOWN: Tewantin, QLD FAVOURITE TRACK: Woori National Park, ‘Snake/Bloodwood’ SPECS FRAME: Trek Superfly FS FORK: Fox Float 32, 100mm, CTD SHOCK: Fox Float w Remote Lock Out SHIFTER: Shimano XTR 10sp REAR DERAILLEUR: Shimano XTR Trail 10sp CRANKS: Shimano XTR w RaceFace 32t chain ring. CASSETTE: Shimano XTR 11-36 WHEELS: Project 321 hubs laced to Stan’s Arch EX rims TYRES: Bontrager XR2 2.2” front, 2.0” rear PEDALS: Shimano XTR Race BRAKES: Shimano XTR Trail STEM: Bontrager RXL HANDLEBARS: Bontrager RXL Carbon GRIPS: Bontrager lock on SEATPOST: Bontrager RXL Andy Fellows is one of the most laid back racers on the marathon and endurance riding scene, but his cool demeanour belies the compeitive fire that burns inside. After chasing solo 24hr races around the…

Once again this issue we’re going to continue the theme about gear – what to carry, how to carry it and where to pack it! Just to recap, I broadly divide my gear packing up into: - Something to sleep under/on/in - Some way to keep hydrated and fed - Basic bike fixing stuff - Basic you fixing stuff - Some way to get/keep warm and dry In the last issue I covered the basics about sleeping gear and tents so after reading that you should have a good idea about the sleep under/in/ on bits so this time I’ll work through the rest. The sleeping bit really occupies about 80% of the thought process about gear but to be honest, it’s the smaller of the two main bags that…