Innholdsfortegnelse for 150 i Australian Mountain Bike

The first Australian Gravity Enduro National Championships head to Tropical North Queensland, and the trails of Smithfield Mountain Bike Park. The locals have put plenty of time into reworking the classic trails, including Jacobs Ladder. This place tests the world’s best XCO racers, and our best enduro racers. Many picked Connor Fearon to have a cracker of a ride at the World Championships in Andorra, and the Kona rider didn’t disappoint, coming 8th in Vallnord. Expect to see even bigger things in 2016.…

The Flight Centre Active Travel Cycle Epic celebrated it’s 13th annual event on the 12th-13th September, and it was one of the biggest yet, with about 1800 mountain bikers and trail runners competiing in 8 different events across the two-day event weekend. With family and friends, there were an additional 3000 spectators that flooded into the scenic property of Spicers Hidden Vale & Hidden Vale Adventure Park. The variety of events took all participants along various trails of the 12 000 acre property, with some events even incorporating brand new sections of recently completed trails by Glen Jacobs and the World Trail team. Over 300 kids took part in the children’s events on Saturday, with the ‘2015 Most Epic School’ cheque of $1000 being presented to the Moreton Bay Boys…

Originally scheduled for November, the Rocky Trail crew have announced a new date of 23/24 January 2016 for the JetBlack 24hr, due to the upcoming arrival of their little baby in November. The venue has also changed, shifting north to James Estate Winery. Online registration for the JetBlack 24 Hour is now open – it is one of the biggest events that Rocky Trail Entertainment run each year and it will be the major MTB event to be held at James Estate Winery for 2016. James Estate is more than just a winery - if you’ve been there before, you’ll know that they don’t just have delicious wines, they also have delicious trails in one of the prettiest spots of the Upper Hunter Valley. The trail network was built by…

ESI FIT XC AND FIT CR SILICONE Representing an entirely new design for ESI, the new FIT XC and CR grips offer a tapered design that is claimed to better suit the profile of the rider’s hands for more control, and more comfort. Still made from silicone, the grips employ a thicker profile on the outer part of the grip to provide more cushioning for white-knuckle descending. The middle of the grip tapers to a thinner profile, which should help with locating your hands into the same position every time you reach for the bars. There are two versions available; the fatter XC model for larger hands, and the slimmer CR model for smaller hands. RRP: $49.95 Contact: dirtworks.com.au FIVE TEN KESTREL BOA SPD SHOES The Kestrel is Five Ten’s…

Tapping out recollections of the week that was the World Mountain Biking Championships in Andorra and I can already feel the post-event blues kicking in. It may be the yearning for the mountains that only Europe possesses, or the novelty of sharing the same roads and trails as former and future world title holders. There was even a brief appearance of the top echelon of road cyclists as the Tour of Spain passed through the small principality. Like students cramming for an exam our riders studied their respective courses the previous week, only to be thrown a curve ball by the fickle mountain weather. It turned the relatively straight-forward Cross Country track into a quagmire forcing many riders to run both the descents and the climbs, perhaps creating an advantage…

“All the leaves are brown, and the sky is grey, I went for a walk, on a winter’s day…” The Mamas and the Papas harmonise through the crackling bus radio as the old clunker rumbles through the hot desert. The irony isn’t lost on me as I gaze out the window, the air hazy with the heat of the desert, the red rocks of MacDonnell Ranges jutting into the bright blue sky dotted with pristine white clouds, sparsely littered ghost gums swaying in the light breeze. I was feeling lazy and tired in the way only the hot dry desert can make you feel, after spending four days in the dirt getting close to nature. The whole bus rattled and the air conditioning was of dubious quality, but this was…

When we look at the elements of a human life and break away the layers we discover a story, a story as unique as a single fingerprint. These stories are made up of a collection of life-moments, some we may never question but others are so significant they sit at the forefront of our minds. In some respects, one’s life isn’t too dissimilar to a mountain bike trail, with its ups and downs and the twists and turns along the way. There are some days the trail puts us into the box and there are other days, we ride it with absolute freedom - the journey becomes a pretty special destination. As I have grown older and have had more experiences, I only now appreciate the impact of my childhood…

IMOGEN SMITH RIDER BIO Riding Experience: AMB’s resident women’s bike tester, Imogen has spent her adult life riding and racing mountain bikes. Generally rides: Bianchi Methanol 29 FS Height: 171cm Weight: 55kg Bike Test Track: Various South-East Queensland trails “THE RHYME DEMONSTRATES THAT IT’S NOT NECESSARY TO COMPLETELY REDESIGN A GREAT BIKE IN ORDER TO MAKE IT SUIT WOMEN.” THREE THINGS YOU LIKED ABOUT THE BIKE - Incredibly responsive handling - Rear shock custom tune gives great suspension performance for lightweight riders - Perfect rim and tyre choice for grip and roll THINGS YOU WOULD CHANGE ABOUT THE BIKE - The message. Do we really need to market bikes to women, or just smaller, lighter riders? ESSENTIALS Brand Specialized Model Rhyme FSR Expert Carbon 650B RRP $7,999 Weight 12.1kg (as…

MIKE BLEWITT RIDER BIO Riding Experience: Half my life riding bikes here, there and over there too. Generally Rides: Bianchi Methanol 29 FS Height: 180 Weight: 72kg Bike Test Track: Wellington, Nelson and Picton trails. THREE THINGS YOU LIKED ABOUT THE BIKE - Ease of direction changes - The simplicity and reliability of the GX group - Supple yet efficient suspension THREE THINGS YOU WOULD CHANGE ABOUT THE BIKE - Swap to a direct mount ring - Set shock, and tyre, pressure with a digital gauge - Hang it in my own shed ESSENTIALS Brand Santa Cruz Model 5010 C RRP $8999 stock Weight 12.3kg (as tested) Distributor Lusty Industries Contact lustyindustries.com Available Sizes S, M, L (tested), XL Frame Material Carbon fibre Fork RockShox Pike RC 130mm Shock Fox…

ESSENTIALS HITS - Comfortable - Great field of vision MISSES - Check to see how it works with your eyewear RRP: $317 ($369 for Veggie) From: outdoorsinternational.com.au Urge products have landed in Australia, bringing their range of helmets to our shores. This is no mean feat, as we have some of the strictest standards in the world for helmet safety. Urge are based in Colorado… and Provence. That sounds odd, but it means they have a foot in both an American and French mountain bike hotspot, with direct access to the athletes they sponsor to develop their product. They set up in 2008, with the goal of making the best mountain bike helmets on the planet. They also aimed to operate with some fairly green credentials. Urge use recycled materials…

ESSENTIALS HITS - Casual style and superior comfort MISSES -Weighty, better for drier conditions. RRP: $199.00 From: lustyindustries.com Five Ten is a company that is built on the foundation of tough shoes for tough conditions. Their SPD specific Hellcat is no exception, offering all the characteristics of the their flat shoes that have made them a cult brand in the gravity fed mountain bike scene. These shoes are squarely aimed at the downhill/all-mountain riding fraternity and being the choice of gun riders like Troy Brosnan is something to be said for the product. Construction is a burly affair with simplicity at its heart, solid uppers, laces and an oversized Velcro strap meeting a thick stealth rubber sole. This shoe exudes a sense of durability. Setup of these shoes took a…

Wall rides are a super fun, albeit relatively rare trail feature. They come in all different shapes and sizes and the build of a wall ride can have a huge effect on how easy it is to ride (or crash on!). Definitely seek some expert advice on the status of any wall ride before attempting it to ensure you aren’t in over your head. Wall rides definitely make it into the “start out easy” category. I have had some very solid crashes whilst getting a little too confident on wall rides so treat them with respect because when they bite - they bite hard! The most basic of wall rides is the bank-to-wall style shown here at Stromlo. From there you get the steeper, bigger, taller and curved varieties -…

For the past couple of months we’ve been looking at gear – basically everything but the bike. Now comes the good part – having purchased all of your shiny new bikepacking kit after many hours spent combing blogs and archives it probably has all ended up in a somewhat disheveled pile somewhere… I speak from personal experience here folks. It’s at about this point that you start to look at the mound of gear and all of a sudden realise that getting all of this onto your bikepacking weapon of choice could be quite a challenge in itself. Those of you who go on driving holidays with small children have a distinct advantage here, as you will no doubt be skilled in the art of somehow manufacturing space for all…

Hitting 150 of anything is quite a milestone. 150 runs in cricket, a 150 kilometre ride, 150 KOMs on Strava if that’s your thing... but here at Australian Mountain Bike, we have hit 150 issues, and the one you’re holding right now is therefore something special. Launching in 1991, Australian Mountain Bike magazine has been a mainstay in the Australian mountain bike media. It’s been under the guidance of many different people. Some passionate about the sport, others more into cycling or just the outdoors lifestyle. But looking back, it’s clear to see that the editorial input has always been about making something useful, insightful and fun for you – the readers. I can remember the first issue I bought in 1996, with reviews of new products like Shimano’s XT…

With around 200 entrants, the first ever ‘Chicks in the Sticks’ (CITS) three-hour endurance event attracted numbers that would rival Australia’s big stage races, and even our national-level marathon or XCO events. The difference was, every single one of those entrants was female. The idea started small, when a group of women very new to mountain biking met at an event near Brisbane nearly a year ago, and thought that it would have been even better if it had just been the girls – a bit more fun; a bit less intimidating. These ladies got together and approached their local club – Brisbane South Mountain Bike Club (BSMC), who jumped at the chance to support them. So how was it that the organising committee – a bunch of everyday women…

Hi AMB, There have been a lot of rumours swirling around Adelaide in recent months about the SA Government funding (or requesting the Federal Government to fund) a figure of 7 million dollars over 7 years to expand the local trail network. This work supposedly includes upgrading existing trails as well as adding new trails. Some of this work has already commenced, notably the completed trail in Sturt Gorge, and the trails in Shepherds Hill Reserve (Sheps) that are currently underway. The aim as far as I have heard is to eventually link all existing parks (Lynton, Craigburn, Eagle Park, etc) to effectively create one massive park that will link, extend and join all riding areas along the entire Adelaide Hills range. The problem I have is that it is…

With the cooler weather starting to subside, now is the perfect time to dust off that bike and get out and ride, especially for those of us who choose to hibernate through winter. There are so many positives about riding at this time of year; the reduced need for lights on morning rides, not having to wear so many layers you look like a sumo wrestler and that perfect ‘little bear’ temperature of not too hot and not too cold, in many states. Coming back from some time off the bike, your fitness may be a little lacking, and while I recommend using the assistance of a qualified coach to achieve your goals, racing is a great way to hone your skills and fitness over spring to be firing over…

Canada is well known to most Australian mountain bikers. Our magazines and Internet feeds are filled with content and images of riding in a land that seems to be filled with endless singletrack. The likes of resorts such as Whistler seem to dominate what we perceive of what’s on offer in Canada, however, I recently discovered something that most definitely should be added to that perception – mountain biking in the Yukon. I remember as a young child exploring the fascinating pages of the family collection of World Book encyclopaedias. Those were the days well before the Internet and looking at the clean, smooth pages of those mission brown books was the only way I could explore far away places. One such place that was engraved into my thoughts even…

TYRE WIDTH. BRAKES. CULTURE. RIDING NOT RACING. CLOTHING. SUSPENSION. What is it exactly that should differentiate mountain biking from road cycling, for an outsider? What is it that mountain biking has, or offers, that road cycling doesn't? If you look back a few pages to the interview with Thomas Dooley, you'll understand that as the sport was developing in the late 80s and early 90s, there was still massive scope for determining where the sport went. In these years people who were creating the bikes and the products for mountain biking were able to shape the sport, and its culture. If you're ever showing your mountain bike to a non-cyclist, chances are it's the suspension they will notice. It really is something that looks very unique in comparison to basic…

STIFFER. STRONGER. LIGHTER. COMPLIANT. MORE RESPONSIVE. ALL-NATURAL. ECONOMICAL. Those are just some of the common expectations that we have when looking at new equipment. As if there’s no improvement, why would you get something new anyway? You probably only need to think back about five years, and compare what was standard equipment then to now, to see that many of the above demands have been listened to. Think back even further, to the early 90s when we printed our first issue, and the bikes are astoundingly different, as is the sport. Rocketing toward 2016, our bikes are stronger, and typically lighter as well. And with a greater understanding of how to use materials for their needs, engineers have made parts stiffer as they need to be, or more compliant. Changes…

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: Royal National Park THREE THINGS YOU LIKED ABOUT THE BIKE - SO LIGHT!!! - Great aesthetic - Fantastic spec THREE THINGS YOU WOULD CHANGE ABOUT THE BIKE - Stiffness - Thru axle rear - Switch out that saddle ESSENTIALS Brand Diamant Model Carbon 29er Hardtail RRP $8427 (as tested) Weight 7.9kg (as tested) Distributor Outdoors International Contact outdoorsinternational.com.au Frame Material Carbon Fibre Fork Rockshox SID XX World Cup 100mm Crank Raceface Next SL 175mm Bottom bracket Raceface Chain SRAM Cassette SRAM XX1 Hubs Stans NoTubes 3.30 Ti Spokes Double Butted stainless black Rims Stans NoTubes Valor carbon Tyres Maxxis Ikon 29x2.2”…

ESSENTIALS HITS - Reliable performance - ease of use and easy setup MISSES - Still need an XD Driver RRP: Approx $900 depending on spec From: Monza Imports There were skeptics in 2012, but the popularity of 1 x11 drivetrains, and 1 x10 conversions, should have softened the voices of most naysayers by late 2015. The simplicity of a single chain ring, with a wide range cassette, is a great advancement for many mountain bikers. There’s little need for most mountain bikers to have a wide enough gear range to roll turns in a road bunch at 45km/h and climb up 30% grades. A single chain ring setup has lower maintenance, and usually lower weight. We know this. But it’s also a lot easier to get your head around for…

ESSENTIALS HITS - A thorough product range MISSES - None really From: ridemechanic.com.au Choosing the right chain lube can be as personal as tyre choice, tyre pressure, or sock height. I have often struggled to find a chain lube that lasts long enough, runs quietly, and isn’t so foul that it leaves your drivetrain in a complete mess. I’ve used wet formulas, waxes, used motor oil, and even a green lube that was so bio-friendly I heard you could ingest it. Each one of those chain lubes has had its merits, and down falls. Ride Mechanic is an Australian made and owned range of products, including two popular lubes and a degreaser. They also back plenty of Aussie riders racing at home and abroad. BIKE MILK Bike Milk is a…

CARB-CONTAINING FOODS Take a look at the list below before deciding upon a HFLC diet; you won’t be seeing very much of them! -Cereals and grains (including oats, rice and pasta) - Fruit (except berries) - Bread, toast and wraps - Fruit juice - Cakes, biscuits, lollies, chocolate, ice cream - Sugar and anything with sugar in it - Potato, sweet potato and corn - Milk & yoghurt (small amounts are okay) -Soft drinks, cordial, sports drinks - Legumes (lentils, chickpeas, kidney beans) You might have heard about the new diet on the block. No longer just for those who are looking to lose a few kilos (think back to Atkins), the HFLC diet is being touted as the new solution for athletes looking for health and peak performance. However,…

There is nothing more frustrating to a cyclist than being forced to hang the bike up for a period of time due to injury or lingering illness. Quite often the mind just wants to get out there and enjoy the trails with mates, but the body just won’t allow it. Prevention is always better than cure. If you can pick up on some of those early warning signs and symptoms you might just stop injury or illness from ruining your next epic adventure on the trails! I have given a brief description of 6 of the most common injuries / medical conditions I see in cyclists. If the warning signs are detected early enough these can mainly be preventable. Please note, that while I am an experienced coach and sports…

This year’s Mountain Bike World Championships were held in the principality of Andorra, wedged between Spain and France in the Pyrenees. Such a location meant that there was added difficulty for the Australian team, beyond the huge distance to travel – it was the altitude. With the town of Vallnord at about 1800m elevation, racers would not only have to tackle the world’s best on a demanding course, but they would have to deal with lower oxygen saturation in the alpine air. But racing in alpine conditions can also bring fickle weather, and the XCO Junior’s race started in a hailstorm, turning the already technical course into a supreme technical challenge. Conditions barely improved for the U23 races, but were marginally better the next day for the Elite women’s race.…

If you want a race with plenty of singletrack then the Kowalski Classic isfor you. This year’s selection of trails certainly didn’t disappoint with plenty of new sections added by the Kowalski Brothers trail-building crew. My personal favorites were a technical descent named ‘Romper Room’ followed by a tricky climb named ‘Stairway to Heaven’ which consisted of some extra-tight switch-backs and plenty of rocks to negotiate. A select group formed early on in the elite men’s race including some of Canberra’s finest riders like Shaun Lewis, Andy Blair, Dylan Cooper, Brendan Johnston and Mark Tupalski. Unfortunately Lewis flatted early on and Tupac was having a hard day at the office, so both were forced to call it a day. Heading out into the 2nd 50km loop, the other 3 riders…

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 10-11 October Scott 24hr Mt Stromlo, ACT corc24hour.com.au 17-25 October Crocodile Trophy Cairns, QLD crocodile-trophy.com 17 October Dirty Molle Island Escape Whitsundays, QLD whitsundaymtbc.com 17 October Dingo Duo Hidden Vale, QLD dingoduo.com.au 22-25 October Cape to Cape Margaret River, WA capetocapemtb.com 23-25 October Australian Adventure Festival East Gippsland, VIC adventurefestival.com 24 October Flinders Outback Epic Wilpena Pound Resort, SA eventstrategies.com.au 25 October Meehan Monster Hobart, TAS meehanmonster.com 25 October Singletrack Mind Series Nowra, NSW chocolatefoot.com.au 31 October XCM Series:…

In recent months Canyon Bikes announced their entrance to the Australian market. We are already spoilt for choice with bikes in Australia, but there’s always room for precision engineered bikes. We’re yet to see the exact product range that will be available for Australia from the fast-growing German bike brand – but on a recent visit to Canyon HQ in Koblenz, Germany, I did get a chance to ride their newest mountain bike – the Exceed CF SLX. While the Exceed was just launched at Eurobike in late August, it already has some impressive notches in its belt. Canyon sponsor many teams, one of them being the Topeak-Ergon Team, who specialise in Marathon and Stage Racing the world over. In late June their superstar Austrian, Alban Lakata, rode off the…

Kappius Components are a boutique manufacturer based in Colorado. They first came onto my radar in 2011, when an American friend sent images of some hubs his long time buddies were making. They had taken them to Sea Otter, and much of the bike industry was impressed – but mostly curious. Since then, Kappius Components have expanded out of the garage, to a premises outside Boulder, Colorado, where father and son, Rus and Brady Kappius, continue to develop their range of hubs along with carbon road and mountain bike rims. They are not a high volume manufacturer, but want to use their engineering skill and decades of riding and racing experience to make better performing, more reliable mountain bike parts. As with many great ideas, inspiration begun with frustration –…

THREE THINGS YOU LIKED ABOUT THE BIKE - Smart build kit- 1x11 group & XT brakes. - Stealth Reverb dropper - Sleek lines & cool colour scheme. THREE THINGS YOU WOULD CHANGE ABOUT THE BIKE - More useable changes on the Minolink. - More aggressive tyres - Shed some weight - somehow MATT NAUTHE RIDER BIO Riding Experience: Over 15 years on mountain bikes, riding worldwide Generally Rides: Yeti SB5C Height: 183cm Weight: 75kg Bike Test Track: NZ various locations in Wellington, Nelson, Marlborough & Christchurch ESSENTIALS Brand Trek Model Fuel EX9 29 RRP $4799 Weight 12.9kg (as tested) Distributor Trek Australia Contact trekbikes.com/au Available Sizes 15.5, 17.5, 18.5, 19.5 (tested), 21.5” Frame Material Alpha Platinum Aluminium Fork Fox Performance 34 Float, 130mm travel Shock Fox Performance Float EVOL, RE:aktiv…

THREE THINGS YOU LIKED ABOUT THE BIKE - Fast, intuitive handling - Rocket like acceleration - Well considered parts selection THREE THINGS YOU WOULD CHANGE ABOUT THE BIKE - A wider handlebar - Tubeless setup with 2.35” tyres - Fit a carbon post and direct mount chain ring ESSENTIALS Brand Trek Model Procaliber 9.7 SL RRP $4199 Weight 10.82kg (as tested) Distributor Trek Australia Contact trekbikes.com/au/en/ Available Sizes 15.5”, 17.5”, 18.5”, 19.5” & 21.5” Frame Material OCLV Mountain Carbon Fork RockShox Reba RL, Solo Air, Remote Lockout, 100mm Shifters SRAM GX 11-Speed Rear Derailleur SRAM GX 11-speed Crank SRAM GX 1000, 32T X-Sync Bottom bracket SRAM GXP PF92 Chain SRAM PC1130 Cassette SRAM XG-1150 11-speed 10-42t Hubs Bontrager Mustang Elite, Boost Spokes 14 gauge Stainless Rims Bontrager Mustang Elite, Tubeless…

ESSENTIALS HITS - Lots of power - Consistent braking - Easier maintenance MISSES - Aesthetically, it’s a clunky looking lever body. That’s it. RRP: $399.95 per end, rotors $64.95 - $84.95 From: Monza Imports In late 2014, SRAM gave their brakes a big overhaul. Having sat under the Avid brand, they'd had some great models, but also some common criticisms. The first ride I had on Guide RS brakes in November last year showed that the new platform was on a different level, with far better modulation, lots of power, and an easy setup process. CREATING THE ULTIMATE If something really is going to be 'the ultimate' it should be no expense spared. And that was the brief to SRAM engineers. The lever has some nice upgrades from the RSC…

TRAIL ESSENTIALS FACILITIES TOILETS -Yes at the Velodrome DRINKING WATER- Yes at the Velodrome PARKING- Yes at the Velodrome TRAILS SIGNPOSTED- Yes, but only a few. SHELTER- Yes at the Velodrome BBQ FACILITIES- No ACCOMODATION- Yes, the Gold Coast or Nerang have many options. RATINGS TECHNICAL FITNESS CROSS COUNTRY TRAIL ALL-MTN DOWNHILL JUMP Nerang, just 12 kilometres from the tourist haven of Surfers Paradise, is a paradise of a different kind, with many kilometres of rocky, natural, hand-built trail to explore. These trails are at the heart of riding for Queensland’s second largest city, and have been for many years. Starting near Nerang’s purpose-built criterium circuit and velodrome, riders can enjoy rocky, technical trails perfectly-suited to XC and trail riding, and which present challenges for riders up to advanced level,…

RIDER PROFILE NAME: Jason Morgan AGE: 42 HOMETOWN: Heathcote, NSW FAVOURITE TRACK: Local – End of my street, Royal National Park. Overseas - Rotorua SPECS FRAME- Specialized S-Works Epic World Cup FORK - RockShox SID World Cup 29 Brain SHOCK -FOX/Specialized remote Mini-Brain w/ AUTOSAG HEADSET – PRO Headset SHIFTERS – XTR Di2 REAR DERAILLEUR XTR Di2 CRANKS- XTR M9000 CHAINRING- XTR, 32T CASSETTE- XTR 11-40 WHEELS- XTR 29er, WH-M9000 TYRES- Maxxis Tubeless, Ardent front, Ikon rear. PEDALS- XTR Race, PD-M9000 BRAKES- XTR Race, BR-M9000 STEM- PRO Tharsis XC Di2 110mm -17’ HANDLEBARS-PRO Tharsis XC Di2 720mm Carbon GRIPS-ESI Extra Chunky SEATPOST- PRO Tharsis XC Carbon SADDLE- PRO Turnix Carbon 142mm Is this your main race bike? We’re so used to seeing you aboard a hard tail, why the change?…