Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 177 i Australian Mountain Bike

Finding hidden gems throughout British Columbia are as much about the pedal up as the ride down. Climbing through the foothills surrounding the Coquihalla Mountains we stumble upon lush, contrast filled woodlands. Sounds of birdlife and nearby rivers complement the tall old-growth cedars blowing in the wind. Colourful flora mirrors the riding we experience. As we ascend over brown, moisture rich soil, we question the concealed trails we are lucky to be riding. For now, it seems as though no local has hit these trails all summer. We begin to descend down the perfectly carved single trail, blasting through tall green ferns and slapping piles of duff with our rear wheels. Flowing through the lush forest floor, the trail becomes far less steep and suitably more favourable to our bicycle’s…

It was inevitable. While some brands have been in and out of the 29er game, just about everyone is back in with big wheels, even for their longest travel bikes. And while the Reign 29 started as a rumour 12 months ago it quickly developed into a real thing in whispers behind the scenes. In early August Giant did what they always do: they released a model that had everything mountain bikers were asking for from a given type of bike, and released it with options from accessible up to something to rival a boutique build. The heart of the frame revolves around the 4-pivot Maestro suspension system, something that has been delivering a smooth ride to the Reign since 2005. 146mm of travel is controlled by a Trunnion mounted…

How can something be so close and yet so far out of reach? This sentiment shared by so many riders makes it near impossible to move through the race paddock without discussing it in one form or another. Most discuss it without speaking, sharing for a moment the camaraderie of other riders in the same circumstance. Each one understands the frustration of the other, isolated in their feelings, while surrounded by the most passionate cycling fans in the world. A nation already in love with cycling is again both captivated and astonished, revelling in the feats of its compatriots that seem almost alien like. I would nearly have to agree that these feats seem almost alien, accomplished by beings that work to a different set of physics than what we…

It’s not a case of if you’re going to crash, but when, and when it’s your turn, a burped tyre, a momentary lapse in concentration or a particularly slippery root can leave you with a broken body, totalled bike and in the worst case a mountain of legal expenses. But you’re prepared, you’ve got insurance from Mountain Bike Australia (MTBA) and maybe even third party bicycle insurance too. Your claim is ready, and there will soon be a cheque waiting for you in the mailbox, right? Unfortunately, it’s not always that easy, and there are plenty of horror stories involving claims denied based on poorly worded technicalities and lack of communication from insurers once claims have been filed. Equipment, injury and liability insurance is available in various forms through a…

What does buying a bike online mean? We’re talking about buying direct and having the bike sent to you. Buying online is only going to grow, with brands like Giant and Specialized already offering a click and collect service. This means you can browse their range via your computer, laptop or smartphone, and order your bike to be delivered and built for you by your local dealer. While this adds a huge amount of convenience, such as being able to browse the product range whenever and wherever you like, avoiding peak times and not having to travel anywhere, you still need to travel to a shop to collect your bike, where it will be built and ready to go. Suppliers like Bicycles Online, Canyon, YT, Commencal, Intense and others send…

HIT THE ROAD TO THE TRAILS With the 2nd round of the Enduro World Series (EWS) landing at Blue Derby in late March 2019, and plenty of updates to the trail network at Maydena Bike Park since we first visited, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to travel south to the Apple Isle for a little over a week of mountain biking, travel, and some race reporting and spectating. Whether it’s because we left booking accommodation late or we loved the idea of it – we opted to book a campervan for the trip. We’d need a car anyway, and this way we could make like a snail and carry our home for the week with us. MAD ABOUT MAYDENA If you have seen our last two issues you will…

In the southwest of France, the Maritime Alps form a border between the French Provence-Alpes-Cote-d’Azur department and Italy. From the Mediterranean Sea the Maritime Alps tower above the coastline with jagged rock formations, scree and dense woodlands riddled with ancient and vast trail networks from days of old. It is in these ranges that some of the world’s greatest mountain bikers have honed their skills on extremely narrow and technical trails since our beloved sport was born. A master of terrain, Ash Smith has spent the last decade uncovering these forgotten trails and with an unbelievable amount scouting, hard work and tenacity uncovers a unique path year-on-year to graciously share with a very lucky 75 riders. The Mavic Trans Provence is a week-long adventure by bike, an event in Rally…

The Marin Gestalt X11 is not just a little left of field for us to review here at AMB, it is a bike that is a bit left of centre for most people. It’s not a road bike, it’s not a mountain bike, it’s not a cyclocross bike either. It’s an adventure bike. Adventure bikes are a growing niche in the cycling world, but their remit is easy to understand. They are bikes that are capable of riding on a variety of surfaces, equipped to take their owner from road to dirt road to trails and beyond. Maybe for an hour or two, and maybe for a few days. That just depends on what your definition of adventure is. Marin are based out of California and they are not short…

Deity’s approach to the 35mm clamp bar and stem has been one where they have taken things a little slower to make sure 35mm was really a benefit before introducing it across their range. This is something I experienced firsthand during our group handlebar test where some brands sent both 31.8 and 35mm versions of the same bar. Often finding the 35mm too stiff and unforgiving for a trail bike and leaving me thinking was 35mm just marketing hype? Off the back of that group test in my mind the best overall bar was actually Deity’s Skyline 787 bar, yep an alloy bar with a 31.8mm clamp size and not expensive. Fast forward to 2019 and the opportunity came up to try Deity’s 35mm options and again as with the…

After a very pleasant experience on Michelin’s first release to the Enduro and trail bike tyre market in Australia with the Wild Rock R2, I was very keen to get my hands on what looks to be the more popular bigger brother amongst riders of the Enduro World Series. While the Rock R2 ran different rubber compounds front and rear to offer some specific attributes Michelin were after, they took a different approach for The Wild Enduro. With the Wild Enduro Michelin are offering 3 tyres to make up the range. The range is comprised of 2 front tyres and 1 rear. There are two different compound choices for the Wild Enduro Front, you can choose either Magi-X² or Gum-X. The Magi-X² compound is the harder of the two, which…

Unfortunately it looks like it’s going to be a dry spring and summer once again. Dry and dusty trails are pretty common in Australia and probably more so than any other part of the world. In general, Aussie riders are fairly well versed when it comes to dealing with dusty conditions but that’s not to say that it’s something which makes for a better trail. The days of hero dirt are unfortunately few and far between on many trail networks and dusty conditions can often make trails slippery, bumpy and just not as much fun as they could or should be. Here’s a couple of tips to help get the most out of dusty trails as we once again head towards what will likely be another long, dry spell. 1…

I am often (like, really often) guilty of letting my phone ruin a good ride. When such a small and fragile device harnesses so much information and amusement, it is easy to be distracted. Maybe I should post a story? Should I take a photo? Check my email? See if someone has sent me a message on Messenger. Maybe even a message request? What Instagram profile am I logged in on right now – and should I check my altitude app to find out the boiling temperature of water for where I am right now? I wonder if Training Peaks has updated my CTL from the first short ride today? Is it going to rain? This probably isn’t too far off what you might experience as well. Whether you constantly…

The Shimano Enduro Tour is back for 2019, over three popular venues this Spring. Starting off with Round 1 in Western Australia at a top secret venue on 12th October, the series then shifts to the subtropics, as Round 2 lands at Tamrookum in Queensland on 2nd November. Lastly, Round 3 heads south to Blue Derby, which has become a favourite for riders and racers alike. The last round takes place on 16th November. The race in Derby will also be part of the EWS Asia Pacific Continental series, so expect a few ring ins from around the greater region. You can race Elite, Expert, Under 21, Junior, Masters and the EWS 80. For more details and entry, head to: emsaustralia.net.au.…

The AMB 100 is just around the corner, and this year it is also part of the Terra in the Berra event, run by Rocky Trail Entertainment in conjunction with Canberra Off Road Cyclists. If you haven’t come to Canberra for the AMB 100 before, you can expect a chilled vibe, great event services and of course all the fun trails at Mt Stromlo linked into one cool loop by Rocky Trail’s Martin Wisata. We’ll have the AMB tent set up so you can take a look at some of the bikes we are testing, ask us about the stories we are working on, or quiz us on whatever you see relevant. If you want to challenge yourself to a big day, join the 100 mile event for five laps…

A lot has been said about Mathieu Van Der Poel and his diverse exploits across cyclocross, mountain biking and road cycling. Much like Pauline Ferrand Prevot and Marianne Vos, Mathieu has experienced great success mixing disciplines while racing them within the same calendar year. There are other riders who have diversified their interests but not quite with the same success. Nino Schurter dabbled in road cycling for two World Tour races, the Tour of Romandie and Tour de Suisse, in 2014. His results weren’t too bad with a couple of top 10s but, regardless, this was positive for MTB XCO as road cycling media and fans learnt the name Schurter. Peter Sagan’s foray back into MTB XCO at the Rio Olympics was another coup with road cycling fans keen to…

In Australia, the value available in the second hard bike market is immense. Whether it is based on the inherent lack of trust we have for each other, or the great value that many new bikes represent, it is not uncommon to be able to pick up a really good deal on a second hand mountain bike. But this option is rife with traps and suits an experienced and savvy buyer. While it is one thing to buy a bike off your mate when he upgrades, or from a bike shop staff member who is selling their pride and joy, normally buying a bike second hand involves a whole lot of unknowns. And we aren’t talking about reading the ads in the Trading Post here, many buyers look at options…

Felt are out of California and started making bikes back in 1991. They are a small company that pride themselves on making bikes that focus on improving the riders’ experience. Although they have a history of making and racing bikes in almost all categories apart from Downhill, I think most people will be most familiar with them from the Triathlon and Ironman events and sponsored athletes. In the mountain bike world their XC athletes are regularly seen racing at World Cups. The Decree is their trail bike, sporting 27.5 inch wheels and 150mm/140mm travel front and back respectively. The Decree 1 is the second from the top of the line, with the range topping Decree FRD above it, and 2 models below it all with carbon frames, as well as…

Shimano’s top-end trail shoe the ME7 has received a makeover for this year with improvements to the protection and durability while still providing an efficient pedalling platform. Since we last reviewed the ME7, the upper has swapped from mesh to a perforated synthetic leather and a Volume+ last to give your little piggies a bit of extra breathing room at the front. Shimano has also downsized the ankle buckle to keep crash damage to a minimum and revised the toe and heel armour too. While the upper is decidedly more closed off than the previous version with the move away from mesh, I was pleasantly surprised at how well the ME7 breathed, and the perforations throughout work overtime moving air into the shoe. It is currently winter, so I haven’t…

In a time when 12-speed group sets are becoming the norm on mountain bikes from an intermediate level upwards, a 9-speed group set seems to stand out like a sore thumb. But Microshift are adamant that their 1x9 Advent group set proves that less can be more. Comprising of a clutched derailleur, a shifter and a 11-42 cassette, Advent isn’t quite a whole group set – it is quite a way off actually. But the parts are highly compatible. The cassette needs a HyperGlide (HG) freehub body, the shifter is a normal bar clamp style (and therefore has no options for a Match Maker or iSpec mount) and the rear derailleur is a standard fitting with just one cage length. Microshift don’t make their own chain for Advent, but any…

EGGS: A NUTRITIONAL POWERHOUSE We know that chickens are good for the health and wellbeing of you and your garden, but what about eggs themselves? Eggs are packed full of nutrients which provide a range of health benefits. In fact, eggs contain 11 essential vitamins and minerals, including vitamins A, E and B12, as well as protein, omega-3s, antioxidants and a few super-duper little nutrients called choline and lutein. Research suggests some specific health benefits of eating eggs regularly, too, such as assisting with weight loss by helping to control appetite. Choline plays an important role in infant brain development, helps to metabolise fat, maintain healthy cell membranes and may improve brain functioning and memory. Lutein is important for eye health and may protect the eye from damage long-term. Some…

In Australian mountain biking, Masters fields commonly comprise the strongest numbers of all categories. It’s easy to hypothesise why this may be: perhaps the fields are stacked with juniors that moved away from elite sport because of the demands of racing at that level only to come back in their later years, or those that took a hiatus for career or family reasons are now reentering the sport in their late thirties, or sometimes it’s as simple as people discovering how awesome mountain biking is, just a little later in life. Whatever the reason, to get the best out of yourself in the late third, fourth, fifth decade and beyond, there are some important considerations to make when devising a training program that for a masters athlete. In this article…

It wasn’t a surprise for some, when in the middle of August Specialized threw the covers back on the new Enduro. With the Stumpjumper filling the needs for just about any rider seeking a trail bike or all-mountain rig, the Enduro has been designed fresh as a big-travel, big-wheeled Enduro race bike. Specialized went all-in to make this thing as fast as possible between the tape. The shock and linkage has dropped super low in the bike and there are many similarities with the all-new Demo. The new design keeps the weight down a lot lower, aids stiffness in the rear end, opens up the main triangle for a full size bottle and means the standover height can be reduced – creating options to size your bikes on length not…

What is the lightest mountain bike frame in the world? Questions like that always bring some heated argument on the internet, however when Specialized released their all-new Epic hardtail with a 775g frame in a medium, that’s seriously light, and Specialized claim it is the lightest production mountain bike frame in the world. We’re pretty sure it’s the lightest mountain bike frame that any one of us can order from a bike shop, but there might be boutique frames out there with paint scraped off that could weigh the same or a little less. The S-Works Epic hardtail frame sells for $3700, or you can buy the Specialized Epic Hardtail Comp for $3900 – and you get a whole bike. The change in carbon compared to the S-Works frame means…

Technology is something that has changed the nature of mountain biking extensively in the 30-or so years since clunkers were king and racing was down steep grass hills and dirt roads on fully rigid bikes. Think about it: we went from cantilever brakes to V-brakes to mechanical, then hydraulic discs. From 6-speed to a mighty 12, and then electronic: now wireless electronic! Wheels have gone from alloy 36-spoke jobs to wide carbon hoops and size has increased from 26” to 29”. From fully rigid frames suspension was developed, from the luxurious ‘flex’ stems of the early 90s, XC racers are now riding bikes as lighter than the clunkers, but featuring dual suspension and dropper posts. It’s pretty crazy when you think of how the world, at large, has changed since…

If you build it, they will come. Just ask the TNQ Women’s Mountain Bike Group, which is smashing through the wall of lagging female cycling participation with a grass-roots movement that’s transforming lives and adding another layer to Cairns’ vibrant MTB scene. The TNQ Women’s Mountain Bike Group Facebook page has more than 300 followers and more than 100 women proudly wear its jersey. The group’s social rides can attract up to 40 riders and last year it joined with the Cairns Mountain Bike Club to establish a women’s enduro racing series at Smithfield Mountain Bike Park. Members are embarking on MTB-related businesses that are feeding the love back into the group. Things are snowballing. “With a little bit of pushing it’s turned into this amazing community of women,” says…

The range of bike shops that you can visit is vast. From mum and dad shops in small towns, through to major concept stores for the big brands and boutique mountain bike specialists. So it is hard to know what to expect when buying a bike from a bike shop, as the variety in stock, staffing and service will differ vastly. Some say, choose your bike shop and then choose your bike. The reasoning is that the store with the best service is likely to be the store who can provide the bike that suits you along with a long term relationship to keep your bike running well. In the age of bargain basement deals on parts and accessories online, service is what makes a difference for any bike shop.…

We came to K2N expecting a mountain bike stage race, what we found was a unique “share around the table” experience. I will remember the big sky, great people, fantastic food and an experience like no other. That’s before I even start on the mountain biking or the environment. The moment we arrived at Simba Farm Lodge we were greeted first by Jason Miller, the timing maestro and then Brett Harrison, the Event Director. Within minutes we were sitting around the open fire in the garden talking with people we had only just met about everything from international education standards to the challenges facing Tanzania with respect to agriculture. And it was only 6am in the morning. It quickly became obvious that the people who had been drawn to K2N…

AVAILABLE SIZES: 16”, 18”, 20” (tested), 22” FRAME MATERIAL: UHC Advance Carbon Fiber FORK: RockShox Pike RC Debonair, Charger 2, Boost, 150 mm SHOCK: RockShox Super Delux RCT, Debonair with custom tune 205x 62.5mm Trunnion, 140mm SHIFTER: SRAM XO1 Eagle 12sp DERAILLEUR: SRAM XO1 Eagle 12sp CRANK: SRAM XO1 Carbon ,Eagle 34T BOTTOM BRACKET: SRAM GXP, BSA Threaded 73mm CHAIN: SRAM XO1 Eagle 12sp CASSETTE: SRAM XG1295 12sp 10-50t HUBS: Race Face Trace, 9 degree engagement SPOKES: Straight Pull Double Butted RIMS: Race Face Aeffect R 27.5” 30mm internal TYRES: Maxxis Minion DHF 3C/EXO/ TR, 27.5” x 2.5 WT BRAKES: SRAM Guide RSC with 180/160mm STEM: Devox 7 Degree 31.8mm HANDLEBARS: Devox Carbon 31.8mm, 15mm rise, 9 deg sweep, 780mm SEATPOST: RockShox Reverb Stealth 30.9mm SADDLE: WTB Volt Race Cr-mo…

Shingleback Off Road make some very tidy and solid racks right here in Australia. I had one of their Vertical Bike Racks sent up to review, and from the moment it arrived I knew the team at Shingleback meant business and this was going to be one solid bit of kit. As the delivery driver leant the heavy rack against my door, I was momentarily stuck inside. After a scene out of Mission Impossible I was out of the house and bear hugging the box into the garage ready to assemble some Aussie engineering brilliance. The rack does take a little bit of setting up. Once you open the box lay all your parts out (you will need about the same amount of space a car takes up) perhaps also…

We’ve said it before, but one of the hardest things about travelling with your bike is travelling with your bike. When your mountain bike is exactly what you want to take with you for your dream mountain bike holiday or event, then obviously you need to make sure it gets there in one piece. There are a variety of bike bags on the market, ranging from soft bags where you add your own padding, padded bags, soft bags with hard bases and wheels, complete hard cases that cocoon your bike in close to 20kg of plastic, and options like the VeloVault 2, which is a compact hard case that has four wheels and useful handles to make carting it around a little bit easier. FIRST IMPRESSIONS Having witnessed the wheelbases…

Wylde MTB Park has been open since 2014, when Western Sydney Parklands worked with local builder Dirtz to design and build a facility for all levels of mountain biking for Western Sydney. While some more experienced riders may find it a little too simple for their liking, the large swathes of smiling riders out on the trails every weekend, with a mix of riders from young to the young-at-heart, first-time riders and families to cross-country afficionados and riders just out to have fun, show that such a facility can be successful. Plus, it’s always good to have an option you can take your partner, wife, kids or that mate from work who have wondered about what mountain biking is like but don’t want to start the experience hurling down a…

These are super quick and easy to make and a great way to sneak in extra veggies. They are a perfect protein snack for after training, between meals or a brekky on the go. WHAT’S GREAT ABOUT THEM? Eggs are incredibly nutritious. They’re an excellent source of high-quality protein and rich in B vitamins, zinc and other important nutrients and antioxidants like choline, lutein and zeaxanthin. Every time you crack an egg you are you are receiving the goodness of: Vitamin D: Egg yolks are one of the few foods that naturally contain vitamin D, making it a convenient way to up your intake without having to sit out in the sun. Vitamin D is essential for strong bones and muscles, as well as overall health. Vitamins A, E and…

You chain is one of the hardest working mechanical components on your bicycle, so it pays to ensure it is well maintained. A contaminated chain will accelerate the wear rate thus leading to a worn out drivetrain before you know it. With a really dirty old drivetrain Ben from Bicycle Mechanic Training Institute (BMTI) showed how you can still get it really clean again. Things you will need: CLEANING PROCESS 1 Work in an open area where it’s ok to make a bit of a mess. 2 Fill the Park Tool Cyclone (or similar) with citrus based degreaser to the fill line and attach it to the lower section of the chain. This is easier when in a smaller sprocket. 3 Holding…