Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 199 i Australian Mountain Bike

‘It was an impressive feat by Pauline this year. It was pretty cool to see her just ride away from the field in both races and become World Champion in XCC and XCO. The technical part of the course in the woods was my favourite part of the track to shoot, being free from spectators we could really get around. And photographers are the biggest fans out there!’ ‘One of the coolest features on the XCO course was the Oakley drop onto the roots, here (left) Bec McConnell nails it. Obviously it was not the result Bec would have been chasing this year, but we can be super proud of Bec’s achievements. She’s simply the one of the best Australian XC riders we’ve ever seen.’ ‘The best result for Aus/NZ…

I’m not sure if it is just me, but there seems to be a lot of chat at present about funding the maintenance of our trails in the long term. I am involved in the delivery of several large mountain bike networks, and it is pleasing to see that these projects are prioritising funding that is being used to develop frameworks to generate income to fund ongoing maintenance and management activities. For existing networks securing funding can be problematic, however some trail managers are identifying innovative ways to create revenue streams, whether that be through events, shuttle services, membership fees, or through corporate sponsorship. The tried-and-true method used by most clubs to secure funding is through grants. There are literally hundreds of grants available from local, state, and federal governments…

The idea, hatched over a glass of pet nat wine, was pretty simple. A short, ‘flashpacking’ style over-nighter on our mountain bikes. We would be travelling as light as possible and linking up some great, chill trail riding. Daisy and I had spent pretty much the entirety of last summer exploring the more remote riding of the Victorian High Country; we’d spent a lot of time camping, and a lot of time in the in a seat and not a saddle. And so the opposite was proposed. Link some stuff up using the train, stay in accommodation and have a hot shower, and let somebody else take care of our meals. Fortunately, the Victorian V-Line train system that services regional Victoria is pretty accommodating of bikes, and it wasn’t long…

Action presented by Winner Matt Rousu Camera: Nikon D850 DSLR Lens: Nikon 70-200 f/2.8 E FL ED VR Focal Length: 75mm Aperture: f/10 Shutter: 1/2000ISO 200 Action photos are what we live for in mountain bike media. Our magazines and social media feeds are ridden with them, and we as riders can’t get enough. The Action category in the Photography Awards is the original and the most fiercely contested category; it consistently receives the highest number of entries, and each year photographers are pushed to submit something new and original. It’s especially hard to produce unique action photos when this popular genre has been captured from nearly every angle in every location. All good photos are comprised of the following three components, and action photos no exception: composition, lighting, and…

INITIAL IMPRESSIONS Rocky Mountain’s Powerplay platform is now in its fourth iteration and sees some major changes to geometry, kinematics, and overall user experience. Firstly, the size of the Dyname 4.0 motor has been reduced with a 18.5% weight reduction yet still boasting the identical eye watering power figures. The main pivot has moved upward, not as high as a high pivot but what Rocky Mountain refer to as a Mid-High pivot which for this style of longer travel E-bike could be a huge plus. The Mid-High pivot in conjunction with a conventional pressfit bottom bracket allows for a slightly different drive arrangement than the previous iteration, keeping the rear centre either short at 437mm or long at 447mm both well under the norm. The Dyname 4.0 does away with…

tasted + Light weight for fitting + Folds flat for storage + Can fit upto 1320mm wheelbases + Versatile bike fit - Needs a light and plate board - No fat bikes or tiny kids’ bikes RRP: $1599 thule.com/en-au A high quality bike rack that is easy to use can make a big difference in getting to the trails more often. There are countless choices on the Australian market, and vertical bike racks are popular thanks to their capacity and fast loading and unloading for 2-7 bikes. But for just a couple of bikes, a hitch mounted tray style rack tends to be easier to fit and remove from your vehicle due to a lower weight, and easier to store at home when not in use. We have tested a…

Riding berms has to be one of the best parts of mountain biking. The grip, speed and lean angle make all make for an unbelievable feeling on the bike. Berms are also a great trail feature to have some fun on. Aiming for maximum schralp, tight inside lines and squaring off berms is all great fun and a great way to learn control on the bike. But when it comes to using a berm for maximum efficiency (i.e speed!) your line choice can have a huge effect. The reality is that riding a berm is a relatively easy exercise – just hit it, lean over and hang on! But when it comes to milking it for all it’s worth, there are a few things to look out for to make…

Here we are, at our 6th Photo Awards issue, showcasing the talented mountain bike photographers who entered the 2022 AMB Photo Awards presented by Shimano. We had a few changes this year, with entries limited to photographers who are permanent residents in Australia or New Zealand. Still, 2022 had far less restrictions on travel than in previous years, and plenty of riders and photographers were traipsing around the world, making up for lost time! In this issue we highlight the best photos and photographers from the Awards, but we also summarise the 2022 Mountain Bike World Championships. It was the first years since 2019 that Australia could send a team with Juniors, and we were lucky enough to have three Australian photographers working for AMB. While some photos are in…

So you’re flicking through the pages of your favourite MTB magazine (this one, duh!) and checking out all the cool photos of the riders you look up to. They are the role models to everyone like you, and give you motivation to get out there and chase your goals even if they are on a much smaller level. But do you know who else is a role model in this sport? You! One of my most treasured takeaways from cycling has been all the incredible people I have met, learned from, and become friends with along the way, and these people are not just all the pros I have ridden with. These people have been my true role models because of their self-discipline and commitment, and more importantly their enthusiasm…

E-bikes. Love them or be full-blown indifferent towards them, they are here to stay. I have been seeing the number of eMTBs on my local trails steadily rising, and it goes without saying that the number of e-bike batteries is also rising. The debate over how “sustainable” e-bikes are is largely centred around the lifecycle of the battery, though I may have to do a 3-part article on this topic, because there are SO MANY variables to consider in making the most sustainable choice when buying an e-bike. However, let’s start on the simple steps that we are most in control of – the considerations involved when buying, looking after, and disposing of batteries. Because at the end of the day, caring for the battery so it lasts a long…

From awesome beginnings… Reef to Reef was born out of a small race much beloved of locals called the Triple R. Standing for Rural, Rainforest, and Reef, the Triple R was (and still is) an annual bash that took racers from the dry paddocks of Mount Molloy, down through the epic Bump Track descent in dense tropical rainforest to emerge on Seven Mile Beach and the Great Barrier Reef: Rural, rainforest, reef. The huge potential that Triple R offered saw Reef to Reef grow up to wrap it, so that the Triple R is now run alongside Reef to Reef’s final stage, which stays true to the epic route. Reef to Reef was the third and last event to join Ironman’s Epic Series Australia, alongside Cape to Cape and Port…

The Shuttle has long been Pivot’s powered offering, with two iterations already on the dirt around the world. I have tested both of them, first the 27.5” Pivot Shuttle in 2019, and then the updated Pivot Shuttle on 29er wheels with the Shimano EP8 motor in 2021. The Pivot Shuttle was known for having a light frame, helping eMTBs get towards the 20kg mark. Very recently we saw the arrival of the Pivot Shuttle SL, or Super Light, which utilises the all new Fazua Rise 60 and weighs in at a scant 16.5kgs whilst packing a 430Wh battery and whopping 60Nm of torque on tap. These figures are paired with 132mm of DW-Link travel out back and a 140 or 150mm fork means it sits it amongst many hard hitting…

There is a clear divide in the e-bike market now. One option is the hard-hitting, long-travel shuttle beast designed for punching out laps of the park and charging the rough. Alternatively, the super light options have lower torque and therefore use smaller, ligher batteries, which results in more familiar weights and handling characteristics. Pivot have been in discussions with Bavarian compact motor specialist Fazua since 2017, to work on the evolution of their Pivot Shuttle eMTB range. Pivot’s CEO Chris Cocalis acquired two early units of the Fazua Ride 60 system to build up some test mules after the success of their road/gravel Ride 50 equipped Vault. Cocalis decided the new Ride 60 motor would be a great motor for a SL model of the Shuttle. A fixed battery (which…

the hub tasted + Improved strapping mechanism + Greater downtube capacity + Integrated bike lock loop + It isn’t plain black - No half fold option for the HindSight cover RRP: $249.00 yakima.com.au Here at AMB we’ve spent more than our fair share of time doing the ‘hitch mount shimmy’ over winter with so many bike racks on test. That’s why I was stoked to see Yakima’s new GateKeeper Evo delivered to my doorstep. While hitch mount racks serve a great purpose for a wide array of vehicles, it’s hard to go past the no fuss functionality of being able to throw a shuttle pad on the back of your tailgate - should you be so lucky as to own a ute. I’ve had the previous generation GateKeeper for a…

WORLD CHAMPS IN LES GETS GETS LOOSE! The 2022 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships were held in Les Gets, France in late August. After two years of reduced numbers on the Australian Team, a full squad of Junior and Elite racers donned their sports tracksuits and green and gold kit to represent Australia in 2022. Les Gets had really turned it on for the race, with prime conditions on the dirt and for spectators. Racing kicked off with the Team Relay, which has 6 riders from each nation racing in a relay format on the XCO course. The team needs to involve a male and female rider from Elite, U23 and U19. Australia’s team was made up of Dan McConnell, Zoe Cuthbert, Ruby Dobson, Katherine Hosking, Sam Fox and Jack…

It has been on the fringes for some time now, sooner or later it was bound to jump right in and become common place in the everyday mountain bikers vocabulary. Ummm what am I talking about? Science of course. You know that delightfully crazy thing that we all believe in? That thing that helps explain all the things we currently know, and doesn’t tell us anything about the things we don’t? It’s great isn’t it. You can relax, I’m not some sort of tin hat wearing conspiracy theorist about to jump right down the rabbit of hole of why the moon landings didn’t happen. (We can save that one for another time) I’m here to write about those wacky potentiometers that are slowly appearing on race bikes across the globe.…

Normally we focus on brands that make their products in Australia. For this issue we’re looking at a company that doesn’t manufacture anything in Australia, but their finished products are the result of the unique skills of the two founders, based in Northern Sydney. Raild Wheels was born out of frustration at the poor quality of wheels supplied OEM from bike manufacturers, as well as the cost of decent aftermarket wheels. Eugene Holdenson and Hamish Simpson decided to do something about this and founded Raild Wheels in late 2020. Whilst there are many great wheel builders across the country, Raild’s razor focus on durable mountain bike wheels is unique. I spoke with Eugene about Raild’s focussed operation, and by the sounds of it they’re not slowing down anytime soon! AMB:…

As a European based brand, Cube have a long history in e-bikes. The Euros were early adopters of pedal-assist bikes, with young and old zipping along bike paths with bread in their baskets for well over a decade. Cube gained a lot of experience with e-bikes early on, and took that to their off-road range of hardtails and the pedal assist Stereo full-suspension line up. The range has continued to develop, with 120, 140 and 160mm travel bikes, with carbon and alloy models, plus 27.5” and 29” options. At the heart of all the current Cube eMTBs is the Bosch Performance CX Gen 4 motor, with a strong 85Nm of torque. Top models that are still due to land have the Bosch Smart System head units, software and 750Wh battery,…

Summer is on its way and the warmer weather brings a desire for cooler and lighter meals – generally, that means salad! This salad topper is an excellent addition to have on hand as it can be added to any type of salad to provide additional flavour, crunch and nutritional boost. Made from only six ingredients, this topper is super quick and easy. The pumpkin seeds not only provide a delicious flavour, they are high in magnesium, zinc and tryptophan (a precursor to serotonin and melatonin – important in sleep regulation). Sunflower seeds (also super tasty) are especially high in vitamins and minerals – most reported are vitamin C, vitamin B complex, phosphorus and iron. Together, pumpkin and sunflower seeds provide important vitamins and minerals for maintaining healthy blood pressure,…

If you’re a long term reader of this fitness column, it’s likely you’re trying to improve your fitness and may even be targeting an event or race. But in the past few years, they have been few and far between. The recent Reef to Reef was a great welcome back to the bigger stage races in Australia with multiple editorial staff from AMB in attendance, and we used this race to chat to some of the domestic big-wigs about event preparation. With such a big time between drinks (or races) it’s easy to forget how to approach and plan for success. Whether it be completing a grand fondo in a goal time, or lining up for race wins, having a plan is critical to executing a solid race or having…