Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 158 i Australian Mountain Bike

It’s summer, the sun is shining, the wind is hot, and we have time to burn. Summer is a time to kick back, relax, take stock on the year that has been – and get out and ride. Two years ago we put a late summer issue together, an Alpine Issue, that extolled the virtues of taking your bike into the high areas in Australia, or the world, to escape the masses, find find some cooler conditions, and explore. And that is exactly what we want to inspire you to do with this issue. With a great mix of photographers and riders, we visited Australia’s four major alpine resorts that have embraced mountain biking. Some are old hands in the game, and others are newer players. We put tyre to…

The lithe figure of Garry James is eponymous with endurance racing across Australia, and even the world. Having quickly become a veteran of many of the world’s hardest and most gruelling mountain bike events, Garry James will be teaming up with one of his main competitors for 2017, as he and Paul Morgan join forces to create Ashfield Specialized Racing. Paul Morgan is joining Garry to create a team to race many of the world’s biggest and best stage races such as The Pioneer in New Zealand, the Cape Epic in South Africa, and even BC Bike Race in Canada! The dynamic duo plan to race all the top Australian marathon races and major lap-based endurance events, and have already showed their class finishing 1-2 at the Highland Fling this…

He had been sitting there with his legs slung over his bike, perspiration dripping down his face, specks of mud and dirt stuck to his legs, eyes wide open looking blankly through tears into a blue sky - but nothing registered internally. His senses were numb, his lungs burning, his heart pounding, all sounds of the wind in the trees and the chirping birds, the smell of the mountain air… it was all lost in his overwhelming thoughts. That moment on the mountain top turned from minutes into hours as he continued to be attacked with feelings of insecurity, guilt and brokenness; feelings that were once sporadic after ‘those events’ but had now become a part of his everyday life. Many of those close to him tried to reach out…

Australia’s high country is steeped in history. South Eastern Australia has a history that goes beyond ski clubs, hydroelectric schemes, high country grazing and gold mining. It goes beyond the exploration by Hume and Hovell and colonial exploration. The history of the high country goes back over 20,000 years to when Aboriginal people travelled to the high country for an annual summer feast on Bogong moths. The alpine areas offered something unique, and the summer months were the time to visit. The high country has played a role in supplying our country with resources, power, jobs, somewhere to live and a place to play. Few people travel to the alpine areas to feast on moths these days, but instead people come to play in the great outdoors. The high country…

Giant, you’ve probably heard of them. Maybe because your local bike shop sells them, or your mate rides one, or more likely because they are by far the biggest brand on our shores. Realistically, as a brand, you can’t escape them. Their bike range is immense, caters for all and covers all the genres. Their mountain bike range continues to evolve, embracing innovations and trends while going through a constant evolution of technologies, geometries and styles. The Trance exemplifies this stand, with the 2017 model being its most progressive design of the perennial trail slayer yet. The new model is a far shout from its original, 26” wheeled grandfather - introduced way back in 2005 - then adopting 27.5” wheels in 2013, briefly going 29er only, then settling back in…

In putting our Alpine Issue together, we were able to travel far and wide to get the full alpine experience in Australia’s resorts. One of our final destinations was Falls Creek, where World Trail had just put the finishing touches on Flowtown, their descending flow trail from the village to the ticket box. We stayed at QT Falls Creek, in a generous apartment with all the facilities we could need, and views across the trails and the valley. And QT Falls Creek want you to have the very same experience, and are offering a 2-night stay for 4 people in a 3-bedroom apartment, with breakfasts and dinners included, for one lucky AMB reader. On top of that, QT Falls Creek can also offer discounted bike hire and shuttles with Blue…

Flat out? I’m not sure, all I can tell you is that on the first run of the morning everything is getting a little blurry. It’s late August, a clear and dusty day, and I’ve paused halfway down the side of a very steep mountain. As I sit beneath the umbrella canopy of pines, wondering what force it might take to push one of these monsters over, it gives me a chance to look back up the hill to see what I’ve just ridden. In the last 100m there might be less than 10 proper turns, the track layout no different to the marks I gouged in a table as I fell backwards off my desk chair only the week before. What makes the experience doubly unnerving, aside from the…

Think of the French Alps and you often think of cheese and big road passes, but mountain biking is huge in the region, and just like each village has its own distinct cheeses, their trails are unique too. La Clusaz in France’s Haute Savoie region is tucked in between some of the most famous road climbs in the world. The Grands Cols of the Tour de France – La Madeleine, Le Telegraphe, Le Galibier – are all within striking distance of this ski town in the Alps, and each summer cyclists from around the world flock to the cracked alpine roads that pass through the town on their way through to the next valley, the next climb, the next day of their tour. Touted as the easiest ski town in…

Thredbo is a playground. You know the kind your adolescent mountain biker self always dreamed of. For a long time Thredbo was a one trick pony, the famous Cannonball downhill trail the sole attraction. If your hands hit the wall with arm pump on day one, there was little to do but push through. There was nothing else to ride, well except the mix of fire road, certainly nothing else that had a downward thrill. Fast forward to opening day of the 2016/17 summer season and things are vastly different. There are four major trails and numerous lesser trails open on the mountain and through the village. Thredbo were initially a little behind compared to other alpine resorts, but they are now well on their way to becoming a mountain…

“WHEN GRAVITY GAVE WAY, THE CAMBER ECHOED THE RIDE OF AN ENDURO-RACERIG AND TOOK THE BIGGER HITS WITH POISE” Specialized Bicycles are well-versed at mountain bikes. They are innovative, forward thinking and have an impressive lineup for 2017. The Camber has been in the family since 2011 and was perhaps a bit ahead of its time before the trail bike boom. The women’s equivalent was originally the Rumour, which has essentially been revamped and rebranded to join its men’s counterpart as the [Women’s] Camber. With an almost undetectable slither of difference in trail and rake than the longer travel Rhyme, the Camber has hit the sweet spot with the geometry of a more aggressive trail bike but with the agility of an XC bike. Riders who want a playful step…

“DURING THE TEST I FELT THE MOST COMFORTABLE ON DOWNHILL AND ENDURO STYLE TRAILS. THE POSITION WAS STABLE AT HIGH SPEEDS AND THROUGH THE FAST CORNERS THE T-129S ABSOLUTELY RIPS!” Proudly born and bred in the wet and dirty hills of Britain is the Whyte bicycle company. These bicycle makers have been pumping out sweet rigs since 1994, and are home to multiple award-winning bikes that can stand any beating from the wet British weather. The weatherproofing and the reliability of Whyte’s frames are not their only drawcards with many of their frames being hailed for their fabulous ride characteristics. While Whyte’s trail and enduro bikes, like the T-130, have been getting a lot of attention lately, Whyte also produce shorter travel bikes such as the T-129S, with 120mm of…

In the ideal mountain biking world, we would just ride perfectly-formed, endless trails right from our front door. However, the reality of the geography means that we do need to regularly get our bikes from home to our riding destination. With so many disadvantages associated with packing a bike into a car, van or ute - a bike rack is an option for safe and secure travel. Transporting bikes using a tow bar mounted bike rack is a great option; the right rack can avoid damage to your pride and joy while leaving space in your vehicle for passengers and kit. They minimise the need for bike adjustment, removing parts and reassembly. The Kuat NV 2.0 is a rack which puts the security of the bikes first by securely housing…

Spank has been pushing the envelope for years now, supporting some of the highest level riders and racers and their in-house design team have created products that last the test of time. In the rim game Spank are relatively hard to beat - I have seen them being used everywhere from local bike parks to World Cups and they seem to stand up to their name. Plus bikes are not a fad, they are here to stay. And now, with the introduction of Boost spacing onto most 29 and Plus model bikes, it means riders are given the option of having almost two bikes in one. The Spank Oozy Trails were going to be just that, a second wheel set for my 29” Stumpjumper with Boost spacing. At 2100g they…

YOU WILL NEED - Torque wrench - 2mm Allen key - 8mm Allen key - grease - spare cloth STEP ONE We will begin with removing them. You start from the non-drive side of the bike. Undo the small 2mm Allen key bolt and wind the bearing preload in towards the crank arm. Once this is done, turn to the drive side and undo the 8mm bolt. This will undo the crank set and unwind it off the spindle. STEP TWO Once you have the drive side crank arm off. Carefully pull the outer race cap off the spindle. STEP THREE You should now be able to push the spindle through the bottom bracket. This may require a light tap with a soft mallet, but usually you should be able…

Four Mile Beach exploded with bike racers in October, as the 2016 Crocodile Trophy finished along the iconic stretch of sand between the Daintree and the Great Barrier Reef. Urs Huber won the final stage and the overall race for the fourth time with a gap of 1:48min ahead of the Belgian Sebastien Carabin. The Belgian Alice Pirard successfully defended her hard-fought overall lead on the short but challenging track from Wetherby into Port Douglas and was the Women’s Elite winner. On Saturday, 22 October, the world-renowned event started in Cairns for its 22nd edition, and began with a lap race at the Smithfield Mountain Bike Park and continued onto the Atherton Tablelands on Sunday, deemed the hardest stage by all. Three stages were raced in the Atherton Mountain Bike…

After capturing the minds of diehard racers, singletrack loving riders, and mountain biking party animals alike, the Hellfire Cup took 2016 off to catch their breath and take stock. In a few short, tumultuous years that involved fires, floods, but no famine or pestilence, the 4-day stage race in Tasmania really made a name for itself. So fittingly, the Hellfire Cup is back in 2017. Full details are yet to be announced, but etch the dates 16-19 November 2017 in stone, book your flights to Hobart, allow time for the after-party, and make sure you’re set to ride and race on some of the finest hand-crafted trails on Australia’s island state. Stay tuned to hellfirecup.com for full details.…

In the Australian marathon mountain bike calendar, the Highland Fling is as rock solid as death and taxes in the real world. And come the 2nd Sunday in November, countless mountain bikers from Sydney and Canberra, and also as far as Perth and Brisbane, gravitate towards Bundanoon in the Southern Highlands for one of Australia’s biggest mountain bike events. But while many riders are now opting for the Half Fling, allowing more time to drink a beer and reminisce about the race, the elite riders still favour the Full Fling – this year a 108km course that tested the toughest. In the men’s race it was Brendon Johnston of Trek Racing Australia who took the win in 4:21:57, also making him the first rider to win three Highland Fling mountain…

“SPORT PARTICIPATION IS ASSOCIATED WITH A 20-40% REDUCTION IN ALL TYPES OF MORTALITY. WHAT’S NOT TO LOVE ABOUT THOSE NUMBERS?” X-Factor often acts as a sounding board for trying to coerce more women and children into the sport of mountain biking, as I often see hordes of 20 to 40-somethings out on the trails. Another population that I see out - but I believe is not properly represented or accommodated within the industry - is that of the ‘mature rider’ (for want of a better term); those over-50s who are riding through middle age, away from the stereotype of a sports car or an affair with the secretary and are instead embracing an expensive trail bike and sweet neon gravity gear. I know a rider who recently became a grandma.…

Epic trails, epic views of mountains stretching to the sky, and did I mention epic trails? The alpine resort of Mt Buller in the Victorian Alps is well deserving of the title of an epic mountain bike destination for Australians. Snow covers the mountain during the winter months and Mt Buller is solely a skier’s paradise. But only a few feet below the skiers, as they glide down their black and blue runs, are the ribbons of dirt that fill mountain biker’s dreams. Lying in wait for the snow to melt and summer to open the door and let the shredding begin. BUILDING BULLER Mt Buller’s expansive World Trail built network has seen some use and abuse over its lifetime with most trails being a few seasons old, and even…

Over the past eighteen months we have tested six Norco mountain bikes either here in the magazine or on AMBmag.com.au. It isn’t a matter of favouritism, but because they have been producing excellent mountain bikes for the ever-diversifying range of riding we are all doing. From the Aurum downhill bike, the Revolver XC bike, the Sight trail bike and two of the Torrent Plus bikes, we’ve tested much of the range of bikes from Norco. Earlier in 2016 Norco released the Optic – a fast trail bike to sit between the 27.5” 150/140mm travel Sight, and the 100mm travel cross-country specific Revolver. You’d be forgiven for thinking that this is a flooded market already, with bikes like the Specialized Camber, Trek Fuel EX, Santa Cruz 5010 and Giant Trance, or…

“IT WAS ALMOST AS EFFORTLESS SMASHING UP TECHNICAL CLIMBS AS IT WAS BOMBING BIG SWEEPING TURNS AND GNARLY ROCK SECTIONS.” Lapierre is a brand rich in history and proud of their origins. Whilst Lapierre is not quite as old as Dijon mustard, it’s certainly just as French. With 70 years of history and experience in the bicycle industry you can be certain they mean business when it comes to making bikes. Fresh into their second year with a new OST+ design, it’s good to see them gaining ground within the Australian market. After completing a review on the 29” Zesty TR 529 in early 2015, it was going to be nice to swing a leg over a very different beast, albeit bearing the same name from the same company. The…

If someone can make something simpler and more user friendly, I’m all about it! We are all time-poor to some degree and when we jump on our bikes we want to be able to adjust as many things without tools to give ourselves more trail time. MRP launched the Ramp Control unit earlier this year and it offers on-the-fly adjustment for a selection of RockShox forks in the single and dual crown ranges. The idea is sound and makes sense, but how is a product by one company going to work with a different company’s fork? This was a product I was amped to get my hands on and put to the test because the token system is something I love and for someone to make it more on-the-trail friendly…

As summer approaches and the temperature starts rising, hydration becomes even more important in keeping you on the trails. What to drink and when to drink it are two key considerations as not all sports drinks are created equal. Some have high amounts of sugar and other nasties that do more to rot your teeth than fuel your ride. Others can make you feel bloated after only a few sips, which is not ideal when you’re shredding singletrack! A new Australian product is hoping to become a big contender amongst the established brands. Based on scientific formulations to aid absorption and subsequent rehydration, Aqualyte - based out of Western Australia - could be a great summer hydration option. If you want something done properly, do it yourself. That must have…