Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 206 i Australian Mountain Bike

For 2023 Sian A’Hern joined the YT Mob. She won back the Australian Downhill Champion’s sleeve at Thredbo and didn’t look back, returning to the World Cup after a few years absence. Sian went all in at the Downhill World Championships in Fort William, Scotland, coming away with 18th for her first year back on the world stage. If there was an award for consistent performances at World Championships, surely it would go to Troy Brosnan? The speedy rider has been one of the fastest riders in the world for what feels like forever, and cemented that with 5th at the Downhill World Championships in Fort William, Scotland. Australia’s U23 National Champion came out swinging at the Cross-Country Olympic World Championships in Glentress, Scotland. In the bar-to-bar fight Dom came…

Dakine are a global leader in outdoor gear, and they have a thorough range of clothing, luggage, protection and more. We have 5 epic prize packs worth a total over $2410 to giveaway thanks to Dakine Australia. All you need to do is head to AMBmag.com.au/win and answer one question to be in with a chance to win one of the prize packs. Prize Pack 1:Dakine Builder Pack, Dakine Thrillium L/S jersey, Dakine Agent knee pads, Dakine Drift shoes, Dakine Thrillium gloves, Vectra shorts and Berm Crew socks! Value: $1130.Prize Pack 2: Dakine Seeker 18L backpack, Agent knee pads and Thrillium gloves. Value: $580Prize Pack 3: Dakine Drafter 10L backpack and Agent knee pads. Value: $400Prize Pack 4: Dakine Agent knee pads. Value: $200Prize Pack 5: Dakine Thrillium gloves and…

The feeling of striking out on a new trail and discovering its rhythm, flow and technical nature is part of the essence that makes mountain biking so wonderful. Conquering a gnarly descent, or the satisfaction of clearing a technical feature is one of the things that keeps us coming back for more. It can therefore be disappointing when a new trail is approved that isn’t going to appeal to that sense of awe and is actually something way below what many would think of as being fun or challenging. So why is designing trails that cater to families important? These trails, often referred to as foundation level trails, play a vital role in the growth, sustainability and future of the mountain biking community and are the heart and soul of…

It’s one thing to look at a trail and another to ride it. But what does it mean when riders talk about ‘feeling’ it? Key to understanding the expression is thinking about riding as a series of incredible sensory processes that integrate in real time with our current observations, past experiences and future predictions. What?! Let me explain. On one level, ‘feeling the trail’ means making sense of the bodily feedback we get as our bikes pass over different terrain. How harsh are those rocky steps? How much force is coming through my wrists? What does a section of roots feel like at different speed? How does that change if I alter my tyre or suspension pressure? What does the feedback I’m getting through my body tell me about how…

BETWEEN THE TAPE WINNER Photographer: Sam RoutledgeLocation: Tamrookum, QLD Winter racing means early practice in tricky lighting conditions, often tricky for learning lines and keeping the bike upright. Alex Pink sending it large regardless with a turnbar for show. ‘I got out early on the course for morning practice at Tamrookum, looking for spots in the forest where it was darker. I was just looking for a good spot that had some decent light as well. This part is actually right after a flat section but it had great morning light rays, and with so many people doing practice there was dust hanging in the air.’ ‘It’s actually a blind double into a corner, so it is a pretty committing section. I wanted to capture the intensity that racing demands.…

Pedal Bikes are a smaller brand in the Australian market, but one moving ahead in leaps and bounds thanks to the thorough range of entry level bikes and e-bikes available exclusively via 99 Bikes. The Pedal Titan was their first foray into the world of full-suspension eMTBs, and they have just released the second iteration of the popular entry level eMTB, bringing some useful updates while maintaining an excellent price of $3499 for Club 99 members ($5499 RRP). Pedal Bikes have a range of other e-bikes from commuters to hardtails, but the Titan II is the only full-suspension bike in the range, and one clearly designed for off-road use. That said, Pedal Bikes aren’t pitching the Titan II as a bike to go up against a Norco Sight VLT or…

Neck braces are not a new thing to the mountain bike world, given riders and athletes are pushing limits more than ever before. Trails are becoming feature filled and often able to be ridden at higher speeds on bikes more capable than in the past. When we crash, sometimes we have a chance to get our arms out to protect or slow our fall and sometimes we are unable to react quick enough and land on our heads. There are many brilliant helmets which have all forms of inserts and aids to help decelerate the rotation of the head like Leatt’s own 360 turbine or MIPS which have saved me before. But unfortunately the cervical section of your spine, more commonly referred to as your neck, is vulnerable in these…

In July 2022 we conducted a comprehensive group test of 8 vertical bike racks (VBRs). The feedback from that article and accompanying video was consistent, with many readers expressing their admiration for the functionality this style of rack offers to those without a ute. Conversely there was also one recurring comment which also popped up, the purchase price. An unavoidable barrier of entry to some, the racks we tested varied from $1,200 to $2,000 + which is a significant investment, especially for families already burdened with the cost of purchasing and maintaining their bikes. Since then, a few more value oriented racks have popped up offering a more ‘no frills’ approach to the VBR. JB Racks is one company offering such a product, with their 5-bike rack coming in at…

While your rear shock may have longer service intervals than your fork, they are under a higher leverage ratio, higher pressure and can generate quite a lot of heat on longer runs. A simple service on the air sleeve (or air spring) can reduce friction, heat, fatigue on the trail, increase grip and control and just prolong the life of the unit. Wiping the dust seal after each ride and cleaning the body of the shock (the externally visible shaft) will keep the shock running smooth for longer. However periodically opening the air can, cleaning, lubricating and even replacing the seals will remove a surprising amount of debris and friction from the shock. Think of the dust seal as your eyelid, one little granule under it and it will scratch…

editorial Welcome to the 206th issue of Australian Mountain Bike. Spring is here and that typically heralds new bikes landing in stores, new trails being announced and opened, and sometimes a renewed vigour to get out and ride if you live somewhere that has a dark and wet winter. We have three new bikes on test for this issue, from the overhaulled Trek Slash, to the big travel, big power Polygon Collosus N8E and the value-packed Pedal Titan II – a bike I am certain will introduce more riders to the fun of riding off-road, be it rail trails or fun flow trails. Of course this is also our Photo Awards issue, and amongst those featured in this issue Kristina Vackova took out the top spot. What is really cool…

SHOKZ OPENFIT HEADPHONES Shokz are firm believers in open ear headphones, and this makes sense for safety in terms of spatial awareness – but also audio health as well. Their OpenRun models are popular for ease of use, comfort and battery life, but the OpenFit model bring the same concept to an earbud model. Their direct-pitch design essentially makes a mini speaker that directs sounds towards your ear canal, without obstructing it. In use, the sounds quality is good, as is the microphone for taking calls. The units are comfortable and come with a charging/carry case that easily fits in a pocket. We’ll get a full review done for a coming issue. $289 FEsports.com.au TUBOLIGHT DIAMANA TYRE LINERS Fresh out of Italy, Tubolight have released their range of…

What on earth was Super-Worlds? Was it a supercharged version of World Championships? No, just the regular World Championships, if you could ever call World Championships regular. Perhaps we should have been calling them super all along just to be sure. The Super part has come from having all the cycling disciplines run together in one country, effectively turning them into the Olympics of cycling, held across various locations in Scotland. While revisiting past events that have taken place more than 1 news cycle prior can smell more fishy than last night’s inspired takeaway, the benefit it provides in retrospect is worth the nose pinching trip out to the rubbish bin. From the post drinks euphoria that often trails any World Championships, to the clear eyed and sober reflective mood…

The Breck Epic has deep roots in the mountain bike scene that evolved in the west of the USA, in its mountain origins, and its backcountry terrain. It’s high, wild, and rowdy. It’s hard as heck – and proud of it. Central Colorado sits atop a huge, high plateau. Here you’ll find famous ski resorts like Aspen and Vail, as well as the biggest, bloodthirstiest mountain bike and gravel races in the world: Leadville and Steamboat. An hour or two up the road, the ski town of Breckenridge, or Breck for short, is one of the highest towns in the USA, at 2900 metres above sea level. That’s a full 1000 metres higher than Falls Creek, where Aussie athletes do their altitude training, and 700 metres higher than the summit…

Pirelli is a brand synonymous with performance in the motorsports world. From Formula 1 to the World Rally Championship, they strive to deliver nothing less than market leading tyres capable of winning above all else. Following the development and release of their Scorpion Enduro and Trail tyres, which prioritised wear life as much as grip, the decision was made to dive in and develop a range of tyres with the sole purpose of delivering World Cup wins at all costs. Unashamedly wearing the word Race on their sidewall, there is no second guessing what these tyres are designed to do. While the tread pattern on the Mixed terrain (M) tyres we have on test here does look quite similar to those previously tested, there are a host of changes to…

Not far from the glitz and glamour of the Gold Coast or the influencers of Byron Bay lies a quiet little country town, nestled at the foothills of Mt Warning. Almost entirely encapsulated by National Parks, Uki offers all the charm of the hinterland with a hint of coastal chill, and is also home to the first purpose-built mountain biking destination in the Tweed Shire. What was once a mere pipedream to locals has been realised through a collaboration between Tweed Valley Mountain Bike Riders (TVMTBR) and Tweed Shire Council, with funding being provided through a $430,000 grant from the NSW Office of Sport. Now, what was previously a disused piece of land has been transformed into heaven on Earth for local riders and travellers alike. Master planned by Dirt…

For athletes living with type 1 diabetes, managing blood sugar levels is a balancing act. Read on to learn about some of the key principles for maximising performance on the bike while competing with type 1 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes occurs when beta-cells in the pancreas are destroyed meaning no insulin is being made to regulate blood sugar levels. This lack of insulin leads to a build-up of glucose (sugar) in the blood which can be life-threatening if left untreated. People living with type 1 diabetes require daily injections of insulin to help manage blood sugar levels and prevent any complications. A healthy diet with good food variety matched with insulin and regular exercise is important for diabetes management. This means regular meals should be low GI with protein, healthy…

THE OTWAY ODYSSEY AND GOGG RETURN IN 2024 Two of Australia’s finest off-road endurance events return to Forrest, Victoria across Febraury 25-26 2024. Next year the Otway Odyssey will celebrate its 18th iteration as one of the most demanding and rewarding marathon mountain bike events in the Oceania region. Since 2017 the Great Otway Gravel Grind (GOGG) has offered two gravel events for riders to take on, making for a fantastic weekend off-road in Victoria’s Otway Ranges. While the Otway Odyssey has been around for nearly two decades, that’s not to say things haven’t changed! Year in, year out the event pulls a top crop of Australian mountain bikers to the 100km elite event. Event organisers Rapid Ascent have created lots of other events over the years, with 50km and…

Do the words meditation and mindfulness make you smile, or do you roll your eyes? Many of us are polarised by these now mainstream practices; the first camp embracing the benefits of intentional (non) thinking; the other camp putting up resistance to such a new-age waste of time. Well, if you are in the second camp and reading this magazine, let me tell you that you are already doing it every time you hit the trails. Mindfulness is a dirty word, in the best way possible. Mountain biking is more than just a workout or adrenaline spike; it can also be a powerful form of therapy. Between taking in the natural landscapes and thrilling descents, riders can find solace, healing, and a renewed sense of purpose. The sport can give…

When I first started at AMB in late 2013, the quality of the eMTBs was not worthy of coverage in the title – but things changed fast. Brands like Bosch had been pushing hard in system design since 2009 and they were taking big steps in the off-road space as well. In just a few years e-bikes with better design and systems were bringing eMTBs to the fore and by 2020 the e-bike systems really hit their strides in terms of battery capacity, head units, pedal response and useable torque. Fresh bike designs with excellent integration became frequent sights on trails around the country. While not linked to the boom in eMTBs, Australia has had huge amounts of investment to build mountain bike trails for us all to ride, for…

Well come on say it with me, “it looks like a Session”. The latest Trek Slash (Gen 6) was released in early September, bringing a host of updates over the outgoing model. I was lucky enough to spend time on the new Slash before release, riding it off the beaten track and away from prying eyes. Having owned or ridden all versions of the Slash since it moved to 29” wheels, being able to jump on the Gen 6 Slash was a very comfortable affair. There has been a lot of change in what riders demand from a dedicated enduro or all-mountain bike since the last Trek Slash was released three years ago. Plenty of enduro bikes have become mini downhill bikes, with more travel, ever slacker geometry and major…

There are a set of skills I like to refer to as “car park skills”. Put simply these are skills which you can practice just about anywhere and at any time but I always seem to find myself playing around in the car park while waiting to get going on a ride (usually waiting for my mate Chad). While they aren’t necessarily hugely practical while out on the trail, car park skills are a great way to learn balance for low speed stuff, get neurologically warmed up for a ride and generally a great way just to have a bit of fun. In fact, before any World Cup race during my racing days, I would do a bunch of this stuff to get warmed up and ready to roll for…

Goal setting is a key skill to develop in many aspects of your life in order to increase productivity, focus and motivation. But what sort of goals are best to develop and refine for increased performance? A recent study published in the International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of goal setting and performance in a sporting context. For those with less science backgrounds, this type of study design features a critically-appraised, high level of evidence from pooling all available and relevant studies on a particular issue. This study was broad and deep, and found that there were specific goals that resulted in better outcomes in both sporting and psychological performance in high pressure situations. WHAT IS A GOAL? The broad definition of a…