Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 176 i Australian Mountain Bike

Fort William is one of the most demanding courses on the Downhill World Cup. From rock and wind up hight to forests, mud and roots, riders have to battle the course, the elements and keep their bikes and bodies in one piece. Tracey Hannah keeps it pinned beneath the trees – find the full feature on Fort Bill deeper in the issue. Since the 1860s, folk have travelled from far and wide to Queenstown in search of gold. Although mining of the precious metal has all but ceased, there is still plenty to be found in the form of light. As a mountain bike photographer, iconic mountain bike trails such as Rude Rock can be both a dream and a nightmare to shoot. Everywhere you point the lens there is…

The Pivot Shuttle already gained a whole lot of attention when it hit the trails with a low weight and plenty of useable travel via a DW link suspension system. But a few riders were left wanting in terms of build kit options, and hoping for something with a little more travel. Those wants and needs didn't fall on deaf ears, and Pivot delivered, preparing an updated Shuttle eMTB that is ready to launch on your local trails. The Shuttle now has 3 models, and the front of the bike is graced with a 160mm travel Fox 36. It's also designed to take a 29” wheel front and rear, although Pivot are suggesting the 29er front and 27.5” rear is the best combination. Pivot have opted for a 44mm offset…

The Crocodile Trophy is back again in 2019, and across eight days the iconic mountain bike stage race in Tropical North Queensland will not just test riders, but likely give them enough stories for a lifetime of trailhead banter! Part of what makes the Crocodile Trophy so iconic is the route. From the tropical beaches of Cairns, up the Kuranda Range and through the Atherton Tablelands, you get to ride on just about every type of trail you can imagine, and see parts of Australia often missed by most of us. The final stage drops you back down the historical Bump Track to finish in Port Douglas – still one of the best bike race finish lines in the world! What you don’t always hear about the Croc is the…

The Trek Top Fuel has long been the choice for the discerning rider with a cross-country focus. The Top Fuel landed in 2015 and brought with it Boost spacing, low standover heights, dropper compatibility and pretty modern geometry. And being a Trek, it came in a variety of frame sizes so finding the right fit wasn’t a case of squeezing onto one of three or four sizes. Times change though, and the requirements of riders on local trails, at regional and national events and of course at the XCO World Cups have continued to change. Away from the professional ranks, more of us are riding epic events that challenge our skills, our fitness, and our equipment. Events like the Cape Epic, Swiss Epic, The Pioneer, Breck Epic and more are…

In February, Pirelli released their mountain bike tyres under the Scorpion badge. Those who know the Scorpion range from motocross will know that Pirelli wouldn't use the badge lightly. With four tread patterns optimised for different tyre and casing sizes, Pirelli's Scorpion tyres are optimised for Hard, Mixed or Soft terrain, and are supported by a rear specific tread as well. Pirelli want you to experience the Scorpion range, so head to AMBmag. com.au/win and tell us in 25 words or less, “What best describes your local terrain?” 10 winners will be picked to have a pair of suitable Pirelli Scorpion tyres posted out to them. Full details are on our website.…

You are not alone in wondering if all the wires are necessary. Sitting in a white room surrounded by machines that are blinking with lights in a sequence that does not match the beeping coming from the unit that is attached to your body. We’ve all been there, a tiny miscalculation out on the trails and next thing you know you are sitting in the Emergency Department with every type of data logger attached to whatever limb is the healthiest. It’s always felt like if we had some of the information gathering equipment with us while we were riding, we would have been better informed and might not have made that mistake in the first place. Well it does feel like we are beginning the build up to that point,…

In June, the 2019 Mountain Bike Australia Cross-Country Marathon (XCM) National Championships landed at the Bayview Conservation Area in Redlands, just south of Brisbane. Although the event had originally been planned for early May in Townsville, the tropical city was still rebuilding facilities after disastrous floods towards the end of the wet season. Rats Cycling Club have worked hard to make the Bayview Blast a national level event, and the event team put up their hand when it was clear that Townsville was out of the question, and so the full distance races at Bayview would decide the National Championship event. The club took on a whole lot more work and responsibility to do this, but it meant that Australia would still have a Championship event for marathon riders. And…

“In the mid-nineties when you could only really buy a 2-3 inch travel full suspension bikes, I was riding back country stuff with friends and in New Zealand it’s pretty chunky, our forests are pretty dense and and there’s lots of roots. So we didn’t want 2-3 inch travel bikes, we wanted 6 inch travel bikes. So we just started hacking bikes up, changing linkages and trying to put 6 inches of travel on home built bikes.” “It wasn’t until I was in the forrest building trails with a friend, Dodzy, and we’d already been mucking around building our own bikes that we thought, ‘why don’t we just try this’ and then started Zerode Bikes and tried making a production bike. I was never gonna be a racer really, but…

The Shuttle is Pivot’s answer to a rapidly expanding eMTB market, with a focus on ride quality made possible with the use of all the best materials and components. Pivot full-suspension bikes are best known for their DW (Dave Weagle) link and pedalling prowess. And this pedal-assist enduro/trail bike shares more characteristics with the Pivot Mach 5.5 than what you would expect based on other eMTBs on the market. Until now, Pivot was only offering this Shuttle model and it is one bad ass package – but they now have two more models on mixed wheel sizes. You can find out more on AMBmag.com.au. Pivot claims to have built one of the lightest and most refined Class 1 eMTBs, with analogue bike-like geometry and Shimano’s STEPS pedal-assist system. There are…

Whether you love them or loath them it’s no secret that eMTBs have been on the rise here in Australia and around the world. The bicycle industry has been pushing them pretty hard and they have seen the most amount of growth out of any genre of mountain biking that’s ever existed. It’s only natural to want to work to make them the best they can be. Whilst improving the batteries and electric drive units is a significant way to make these bikes better, there are many other bit and pieces on eMTBs that need to keep up. We already have eMTB specific brakes, wheels, drivetrain, suspension, saddles and now finally, tyres. I know, I also cannot believe they went to saddles before tyres either. In my opinion the biggest…

XPEDO FACEOFF RRP: $124.95 XPEDOO M-FORCE 8 RRP: $249.95 XPEDO GFX RRP: $239.95 FROM: KWTIMPORTS.COM.AU XPEDO FACEOFF The Face-off is, at first glance, a standard entry into the flat pedal market from XPEDO. It’s only upon further inspection that a few key features show that they’re serious about climbing the ranks as a key player in the market. The Face-off platform consists of two aluminium plates in an S shape, threaded over the chromoly steel axle, with a Microcellular Ductile Urethrane (MDU) between cages. Key features of the pedals include replaceable pins (included), the MDU, a hollow chromoly axle, and their feathery weight at 408g/pair (not much heavier than nylon pedals). This makes them a solid entry into the world of platform pedals. The two-tone black/silver also looked the goods…

Just like Wonder Woman and Superman have different super powers; women and men have different needs for energy, protein and some nutrients like iron on a day-to-day basis. These differences are mainly due to body composition and hormones (Wonder Woman and Superman don’t look the same after all). There are also other issues like under-eating, menstruation and bone health that are important for female athletes that often aren’t talked about or well explained. So, let’s dive in and take a closer look. ENERGY AND PROTEIN NEEDS Energy, protein and carbohydrate needs are based on how much muscle and fat you have. Up until puberty, girls and boys bodies are really very similar (despite the obvious differences in anatomy). However after puberty, body composition changes mean that women and men are…

Here we are in a time that might not be regarded as a mountain bike boom time, that was the the 1990s, but right now I cannot think of a better time to be a mountain biker. I’ve said it before but it is true. The bikes we ride now are endlessly more reliable and enjoyable than those from even 10 years ago. We have private land owners, councils, state and even national government making trails for us to ride. But as we put this issue together, it was easy to realise that no matter how good bikes are, or how many cool new trails are built, mountain biking is about people. Dominic Hook travelled to Rotorua for the first Crankworx festival of the year and while the events and…

Australia’s most popular mountain bike stage race will descend onto the sleepy town of Margaret River, Western Australia on October 17-20 this year. As the biggest race of the Epic Series in Australia, you can expect a big turn out for Cape to Cape. Following the lead from the global Epic Series, Cape to Cape is now focusing on racing in pairs, just like Port to Port did in May (see our story on pp58-64) and Reef to Reef will in August. Why pairs? Taking part in events like these creates some pretty epic highs and a couple of lows, and this way you’re there to share the highs with a mate, and support each other in the low points. From shredding trails together, to nursing home a torn tyre…

Pivot have been making great bikes for years, with full-suspension bikes that are known for pedalling well while having the handling to squeeze everything out of the bike on the descents. Pivot bikes have also polarised opinions on internet forums and at the trail head, thanks to swoopy lines that some loved and others loathed. The Pivot 429 models and Mach 4 had excellent ride qualities but just had a bit too much junk in the trunk for those focused on the pointy end of endurance events. As cross-country and marathon bikes are evolving into lightning fast light trail bikes, it was Pivot’s turn to step up to the plate, and in late May they released their all-new Mach 4 SL. It has a no-nonsense design that has shed over…

BURGTEC COMPOSITE PEDALS With every feature you’d expect from Burgtec, these 376g pedals come in 8 colour options for the nylon and fibreglass body. With replaceable pins and a chromoly axle, you will find the same shape and feel as Burgtec’s top pedals, but for a lot less. The pedal has a 16m stack height with a 1mm dish. RRP: $89.95 linksports.com.au MEGABAKE WUNDER FUEL Tired of ending up with pockets full of wrappers from energy gels? Megabake Wunder Fuel is a mix and go formula that lets you mix an energy gel and use a reusable soft bottle for event fuelling. This makes it easy to customise viscosity and the strength of the mix. RRP: $31.45 with 150mL flask megabakenergybar.com.au SPANK 350/359 VIBROCORE WHEELS The Vibrocore wheels were developed…

Like a good cake an XCO race track needs particular ingredients to make it a good one. It might sound simple: some singletrack and a start/ finish. But there is a big difference between a track with some awesome singletrack that rides well and a track that races well. I’ve raced a few races around the world over the years and very few actually tick all the boxes. Tracks that ride well usually have bulk singletrack goodness with awesome flowing trails that can go for 4–10 minutes without interruption. In practice for a race or just heading out for a ride during the week, these courses are great fun to ride. A lot of Australian tracks and smaller local tracks around the world are like this. Stromlo is a good…

Momsen Bikes come from across the Indian Ocean, straight out of South Africa. Anyone with a broad view of mountain biking will know that South Africa is the heartland for marathon and stage race mountain biking. The home of the Cape Epic has spawned enough stage races that some pro riders claim they can do a stage race each week or weekend throughout the year. In 2018 we tested the Momsen Vipa Race Two, and the Momsen Vipa Trail. Both were 29” wheeled bikes, and the former was focused on racing while the latter would happily mix racing and trail riding, like many longer travel XC bikes that are now hitting shop floors and trails. Both bikes had a reliable, progressive suspension system that pedalled well without the need to…

One pair of trail shorts is not like another, and if you don’t like thinking about your clothing when you ride you’ll understand that finding the right pair of shorts is not always easy. From strong materials for gravity riding, through to lightweight stretchy materials for trail riding and hot conditions, and of course longer cuts, shorter cuts, more pockets, less pockets, waterproof or crazily ventilated – there’s a world of choice. While Dainese are best known for their body armour, their new AWA Shorts are their lightest pair of trail riding shorts that trims back on useless faff and focuses on features, fit and comfort. The AWA shorts don’t come with a liner, and I paired them with a couple of different pairs of bibs that have pockets for…

GoPro are synonymous with action cameras and point of view (POV) videos. But that’s not to say they are without competition, with many brands manufacturing their own cameras with unique features to set themselves apart. GoPro have continued to innovate with not just their camera but perhaps more importantly the software, and the launch of the Hero 7 Black showed that they were ready to remind people why they’re at the top of the action camera game. WHAT’S NEW ON THE HERO 7? There are three models with the Hero 7: the white, silver and black. We have the black on test and it’s the premium model with the most features. For a full run down on the differences compare them on the GoPro website, but it is fair to…

Maydena Bike Park has continued to grow since it first opened in early 2018. And while Maydena's key focus is gravity riding, that's not to say there aren't beginner and intermediate trails. In fact, most of the runs down the mountain are blue or green trails. Last issue we took a closer look at the Wilderness Trail, which is a long descent that wraps around the side of Maydena Bike Park, with few trail crossings for a descending experience that really makes you feel like you're in the middle of nowhere. And while the Wilderness Trail is the longest trail in Maydena Bike Park, when Regnans Ride opened at the start of last summer, it set a new benchmark globally. The Regnans Ride is the longest elevation loss, purpose-built beginner…

These bars are currently my favourite go-to riding snack; a good mix of rich, sweet and salty flavours with hints of caramel. You will want to keep riding so you can eat more of them. I prefer homemade snacks over packaged food for training to give a bit of variety. WHAT’S GREAT ABOUT THEM? Carbohydrates are always a contentious issue and I believe they get a bad rap, especially in the athletic arena. For me, and this may be different for others (play around and see what works for your body), my body runs most efficiently when I feed it carbohydrates for my high-intensity endurance work outs. There are plenty of other opportunities away from exercise sessions to reduce carbohydrate intake. To support a solid training block, full-time work and…

As we went to print, not only had Tracey Hannah won the Downhill World Cup in Leogang, but Tracey and Troy Brosnan were both leading the Downhill World Cup rankings! The Australian champions have both had super consistent seasons and as the World Championships in Canada get ever closer we hope to see their form continue. In late May, Bec McConnell finished 2nd at the XCO World Cup in Nove Mesto. The last lap was intense with Bec having a fast finish to put her on the second top step. We can’t wait to see how the second half of the season goes!…

Albany is a southern port in Western Australia, over 400km from Perth. The state capital is the world’s most isolated capital city, so that puts Albany into perspective. It’s not close to a whole lot, but that’s part of the charm. The Southern Peaks event was created in 2014, as Albany seemed like the ideal spot for an Urban Downhill. While the event started small, it has continued to grow, as we found out via speaking to Chris Idle. “2014 was the first year, with just the Albany Urban Downhill plus a whip comp. I’m still surprised the club managed to get it off the ground that year, and most of the credit goes to David Marshal who was president at the time. No one had done an Urban DH…

The Merida eOne-Sixty eMTB has won accolades around the world. Not to rest on their laurels, Merida went to work to make sure their class-leading eMTB stayed exactly where they wanted it – at the top! You’ll notice a few things looking at the bike. Firstly the battery is now internal, and it sits within a carbon mainframe. This is a big change, and one that allows bike designers to manipulate designs of frames and how they use the components. “Carbon was chosen to give the new eOne-Sixty-SIXTY a super stiff and robust frame, without adding any weight to the overall construction,” Merida states. There is a large battery opening for the internal battery so it can be removed, and this creates a big challenge when it comes to maintaining…

If I asked you the reasons why you mountain biked, I am sure amongst the extensive bullet-pointed list there would be something alluding to being outside amongst nature. The vast landscapes, towering trees and crunch of dirt is grounding in a way that exceeds the written word. Despite this, many people act in their daily lives in a way that is at direct odds with preserving the natural environment we play in on the weekend. In fact, I would argue that much of the bike industry, despite being decried as a saviour for the environment in the form of active travel, is actually quite wasteful, and smarter shopping and recycling is required to make the sport as sustainable for the environment as possible. But how can you reduce your impact…

World Trail Director Glen Jacobs is a busy man. So busy we’ve had to bring our interview with him a day forward and squeeze it in over an impromptu evening meal. Tomorrow he’s jetting off to meet with the Tasmanian government to talk turkey about various developments in that state. He’s got new projects stacked high on his desk that he can’t tell us about. Time is of the essence. There’s one project, however, that Australia’s top trail-building guru and only MTB Hall of Fame inductee is just itching to share with the wider world – the upcoming Wangetti Trail. Wangetti Trail isn’t the only new wilderness mountain biking experience on the Australian scene or Jacobs’ plate. World Trail’s 44km wilderness trail from Blue Tier down to St Helens on…

LAY OF THE LAND Aonach Mor is a treacherous place, this slightly smaller mountain is nestled on the back side of Ben Nevis (Ben being the designation for mountain) the biggest in Scotland. When you arrive - from the far carpark to the event village, the track gradually rises up in front of you like a wall. Partially hidden in mist, the course weaves down the face of the mountain, dropping out of the clouds. This legendary rugged white line stands in stark contrast to the green marsh that surrounds it. As you approach the scenery changes, and before long you’re walking amongst pine. Then the trail itself disappears from your view and you’re left standing in a gravel carpark looking up at one of the most famous finishing straights…

“I raced motocross up until I was 18-19 years old. And then in 2006 I went into the local cross country mountain bike race on a $500 bike with board shorts on and I rocked up wondering what this mountain biking thing was all about. I happened to win the open men that day and then it just kicked off this interest and wonder of like, ‘what is this sport that we have here?’ and then it just snowballed. I bought my own mountain bike in 2007, a Giant anthem and basically tried to figure it out from there. I started entering a few national expert cross country races and then I moved into the under 23 national class. I think in my first under 23 national XC race I…

Port to Port’s sixth edition has just been and gone and it’s astounding to see how far this little event has come in such a short time. The fundamentals are the same – a four-day jaunt around the Newcastle and Hunter regions taking in some of the great trails the region has to offer – but it’s now one of the biggest events on Australia’s race calendar. This year Port to Port attracted over 1,100 riders, plus their supporters and families. I remember racing the very first edition of Port to Port – and while the name is only applied pretty loosely now, back then we really did start at another port, and riders would spend the days before the event watching dolphins playing in the waters off Port Stephens…

Merida have been making bikes since 1972 out of Taiwan and established their own brand in 1988, and while not being known for making the sexiest bikes in the past, in recent years Merida improved their range and offering in both mountain biking and road. They are actually one of the largest bicycle manufacturers in the world producing over 2 million bikes a year, including manufacturing for other bike brands. They can compete on value with other big brands because they run their own factories, and have good buying power to boot. In Australia I feel like they have a bit of an image problem and not seen as a brand to aspire to - so Merida may not be on the list of a lot of the established or…

The Maxxis Rekon is pitched as an aggressive cross-country or trail tyre, it harks from the classic Ikon tread, but with a wider performance window. With a 2.25” and WT 2.6” tested last year, now a 2.4” WT (wide trail) model fell onto the AMB work bench. Maxxis state that their WT range work with rims with a internal width of 30-35mm. The 2.4” model has a 60tpi casing, not quite as supple as the 120tpi casing models we tested last year – but plenty strong. The model I have tested had EXO sidewall protection and a TR tubeless ready bead, our test sample weighed in at 810g on the nose, about 10g above the stated weight. There’s another model with the triple compound 3C rubber with the MaxxTerra mix,…

As mountain bikes progress more and more to a “one bike for everything” realm of thinking, it’s more likely that we are going to hit up trails and features on our trail bikes that aren’t necessarily built with trail bikes in mind, but are still a bunch of fun to ride. Pump tracks fit right into this category. Sure a dirt jump hardtail with 65 psi in the tyres and locked out forks is the ideal rig for a pump track but riding a pump track on a trail bike is just as much fun, albeit a little bit more challenging. Pump tracks such as this one at Stromlo Forest Park are a great place to hone your trail riding skills when it comes to pumping and timing. Getting faster…

perceived. On the other hand, for those of us who relish sprints and higher intensity, it’s easy to hit these too hard off the bat and limp home at the end. Power zones are a perfect way to manage consistency of the effort, however if using heart rate or RPE, you want to start at around 8/10 and by the end of the effort you should be feeling a desperate need for a recovery interval. It’s also important to note for these higher intensity intervals that if using heart rate it can take a bit of time for the numbers to reflect your workload, so don’t be surprised if you’re working hard and it takes until the end of the first, or midway through the second effort to reflect this.…