Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 208 i Australian Mountain Bike

The Cannonball MTB Festival celebrated its 10th year at Thredbo in February. With 5 days of events, it was Ellie Smith who won the crown for the Queen of Cannonball, with the highest overall points across all events. To come away with the Queen or King of Cannonball title is no mean feat, especially in a year like 2024 where the start list for many events was absolutely stacked with global talent. But as one of the world’s best, that didn’t slow Luke Meier-Smith down, who took the honour thanks to his fast racing all week.…

The Aussie road trip has its rightful place entrenched in Australian culture. Hours on the road with the driver counting down the miles to the destination and the passenger making sure the music is cranking, snacks are plentiful and the navigation dialed. A road trip’s mix of bad servo food, car games and general discomfort is typically off set by getting to some great trails. But for mountain bikers this hasn’t always been the case. Only 10-15 years ago it seemed like we had to find world class trails by packing our bikes up and flying overseas. Whistler and Moab were rites of passage and the magazines re-enforced this with aspirational images of loam and daring-doo. Around 5-10 years ago things came a little closer, a trip to New Zealand…

The call of Tasmania’s West Coast is inescapable for some. Through Australia’s colonial history the area acted as a penal colony for a penal colony – it was harsh, isolated and brutal. The terrain was so rugged that it created the barrier that prevented escape, for all but a few. The rugged nature of the West Coast is not just part of the beauty of the area, but also the broader appeal. Mining and forestry have left permanent scars, acting as a reminder to some about the long term impact of the drive for resources. All of that is juxtaposed by the fact that Tasmania’s West Coast is also home to huge swathes of conservation and wilderness areas. There are vast tracts of land in impenetrable forests, and near limitless…

Imagine the perfect ride. That feeling when everything aligns, everything is working, time disappears, and you become totally lost in riding. Nothing else is on your mind, purely being one with the bike, the trail and nature. Your work or school deadlines or family stressors are gone. Your bike is moving and performing effortlessly soaking up the trail. You are confident in your ability, and you know what to expect on the trail. You are in complete control not stressed about crashing or worried about performing over a risky obstacle. Everything is happening automatically, and you are fully focussed on riding. You have transcended your own perception of self and time, entirely lost in the ride. This feeling is known as “flow”, an optimal state that is effortless enjoyable bliss…

Here at AMB we have ridden and tested a number of Cube mountain bikes over the past five or six years – specifically in their eMTB category. As a European bike brand, Cube have a very large range of eMTBs using reliable systems from Bosch and with smart integrated design. Of course, their trail and enduro bikes are also well-accomplished, and we even had a super-fun alloy hardtail in our Budget Hardtail Test in 2023. The Cube Stereo line up has had a range of bikes at different lengths of travel and different budgets, across 27.5” and 29” wheel options, and you would have seen them alongside their pedal assist siblings at 99 Bikes store near you. 99 Bikes are the exclusive importer of Cube Bikes in Australia, but that…

Cervelo are known in the bike world as a no-compromise road, triathlon, cyclocross and gravel brand. As a premium bike manufacturer Cervelo don’t do entry level bikes, they excel at high performance bikes driven by refined design. If they came out with a slogan that ‘Life is a race’ it wouldn’t be a huge surprise – they chase outright performance with their designs, and they deliver. In the World Tour, they won all three grand tours in 2023 – which is pretty impressive. But as far as we are concerned, 2023 was exciting as they released their first full-suspension mountain bike the ZHS-5. The full-carbon, cross-country mountain bike arrived in the wake of the release of their hardtail mountain bike, the ZHT-5. There have been examples of road-biased brands venturing…

Abbey Bike Tools are known around the world for producing thoughtfully designed and made tools in Oregon in the USA. The brand was born from the real world needs of founder and owner Jason Quade and his contemporaries who were wrenching full time in shops and for pro teams. After a few short runs on some iconic tools like the Crombie, Jason took his tools into production and has continued to add tools to the range that are very high quality, and designed to improve the experience and efficiency of working on bikes. ENTER THE T WAY Fast forward about a decade and the tool requirements for modern bikes continue to change. There are a few tools that have changed little, like the 3-way allen key that you’ll see gracing…

When choosing tyres for cross-country and marathon mountain biking, speed, efficiency, reliability and predictability are key. Maxxis have a few iconic treads in the XC game, with classics like the Ikon and Aspen, and more recently the Rekon Race. The Severe was seen around a lot before debut in 2023, as a wet conditions tyre to fill whyat was a big gap in the Maxxis line up. In 2023 Maxxis also revamped one of their compounds. Many of their XC treads had been available in 3C MaxxSpeed (triple compound), like the Ikon. However the 2.4” WT (wide trail) Aspen and Rekon Race only came in dual compounds. Like any manufacturer, Maxxis wanted to improve specific traits of their XC tyres, working with top teams and athletes to get the mix…

Fads come and go, but fermented foods have been around for centuries. And, whilst research has begun into their positive impact on health, the question remains as to whether they can help athletes perform better. Let’s investigate. WHAT IS FERMENTATION? Fermentation is an ancient technique for preserving food where microorganisms (like yeast or bacteria) convert carbohydrates into alcohol or acids. It is this alcohol or acid that preserve the food and give fermented foods their distinctly tart flavour. The fermentation process also promotes the growth of beneficial bacteria (probiotics), which have been lauded for their health benefits. Most whole foods can be fermented. Think vegetables, fruits, cereals, dairy, meat, fish, eggs, legumes, nuts and seeds. Some popular fermented foods that are easily found in the local supermarket include: • Yoghurt•…

editorial Welcome to issue #208 of Australian Mountain Bike. This is our first issue that sits within our new quarterly timing. Hopefully you haven’t been left waiting too long for a new issue, but do remember we publish extensively on AMBmag.com.au so you can maintain your fix. This new issue celebrates a little part of what a change to four issues per year allows us to do. You’ll notice there are more stories and reviews than previous issues thanks to the thicker magazine. And while we have a tonne of reviews in this issue, by moving quarterly we have a bit more room to write about some other ideas. Like – what does it mean to be a mountain biker? Is there a tick list? Or is each person’s path…

Pivot Cycles have launched a revamped Switchblade, ready for riders who are looking to switch it up with a new bike. At a glance, the Switchblade looks a lot like the outgoing model that was released in early 2020. A lot of features remain the same, with a few updated features trickling in from other recent releases. The overall design aim is the same: the Switchblade is designed to be for riders who want a bike to charge in bike parks, load up for all day pedals, and to tackle some wild trails. The latest release is just an evolution and refinement. FACTS AND FIGURES FOR THE PIVOT SWITCHBLADE All 5 frames (XS-XL) have more insertion depth for longer dropper posts – although pivot have stuck with 31.6mm and not…

Comedian David Mitchel once said on a British game show, “one of the codes I live my life by is that my appearance should be in no way noteworthy. But then again, not so unnoteworthy as to be in itself, noteworthy”. No finer truth has been said from a middle-aged Englishman appearing in a brown sports jacket on a TV gameshow. The broadcast seems to have resonated not with the British public, but all the design by committee bike brands intent on producing an oversupply of e-bikes that neither inspire or alarm a potential customer from deciding to make a purchase. So bland have some of the options become, you would start to wonder if buying a bike with a penny farthing sized front wheel would be a good idea…

Lots of mountain bikers have discovered how an eMTB can make their riding a lot more enjoyable. What’s not to like about fitting more trails into a limited window of time? The variety of eMTBs has really expanded in the past four years, with a broad mix of travel types, system outputs and bike weights. There would be no argument that Europe is the heartland of e-bikes, from town bikes through to big E-Enduro bikes. And travelling through Europe for bike holidays with your e-bike is likely as simple as booking your train ticket and parking your bike in the bike carriage – with its bike reservation of course. Here in Australia we have longer distances, more archaic long-distance train options, and a reliance on air travel. You cannot take…

With my dropper slammed, I’m pushing through my hands and feet, hoping beyond hope that my half-worn semi-slick tyres find a few more edges than I can see in the shadowy dust as I’m skipping down a fall line chute. We’re plunging into a valley from the town of Castelnovo ne’ Monti, jumping between trails hidden in hedgerows and beside steep creek lines, swapping in and out of the early spring sunshine in the Apennine mountains of Italy. On the first stage of six, it is clear that everyone is looking to make their mark and find some clear air. It’s not working for everyone, as I weave around a rider who has come unstuck, and try to gas across the small gap that created as we pop out onto…

BikesOnline have continued to deliver mountain bikes to riders around Australia who are looking for a great value way to get onto the dirt. The Polygon Siskiu range has always been popular, and the more recent updates to the frame designs and models available have only served to increase their popularity – there are even two e-bike models now, with the T6E and T7E, the former of which we have tested in late 2023. While Mike has also tested the $2299 Siskiu T6 in this issue, BikesOnline also released the new $4299 Polygon Siskiu T9 in early 2024. The Siskiu T9 shares the same frame as the rest of the range, including the size specifc wheel sizing. This trail bike is available with 27.5” wheels in small and medium frame…

You only have two contact patches with the dirt, so it pays to choose ones that suit you the best. Your tyres and wheel system setup can not only dramatically change how your bike handles, but changes to your tyre and wheel system will also impact the traction you have for braking, accelerating and cornering. Matching the right tyres and tyre pressure is one of the best things you can do to get more out of your bike, but it could cost a lot testing a lot of different tyres yourself. So we’ve done a lot of the leg work for you. Over the last three months, we have done the heavy lifting and have put 24 different tyres under four highly experienced riders in the pursuit of deciphering where…

Fizik's Terra Ergolace range includes trail shoes that are just as suited to hike-a-bike as technical trails, with clipless and flat pedal models available. They have fairly soft midsole to balance easy walking and on pedal stability, with enough protection to deal with tough trail riding, and a Vibram outersole. The Ergolace name comes from the offset lacing, which provides a completely custom fit, with even the tightest lacing spreading pressure evenly across the top of your foot In late 2023, Fizik released the Terra Ergolace GTX. All the design concepts remain, however the upper is modified with the addition of a Goretex lining, perfect for those who ride in foul conditions, or who live in climates where their riding pushes into the colder and wetter months. A CLOSER LOOK…

There is a world of research out there on sports nutrition, and if you have any passing interest in getting more out of your time on the bike, I’d expect you would have spent some time considering what you drink and eat before, during or after riding. While there is a lot of fine detail to get into to truly maximise performance, the general premise is that we ride and operate at our best when we are adequately hydrated and fuelled. On top of that, we recover best to ride again with proper hydration and fuelling. Water and regular packable foods work fine for most riding, until things get a little harder, hotter, or longer in duration. At this point it can be hard to replace lost minerals with water…

The 2024 Cannonball MTB Festival was the 10th anniversary event, and the 5-day gravity festival absolutely went off at Thredbo in the New South Wales Snowy Mountains region. Over 800 competitors and thousands of spectators visited the alpine village for a diverse line-up of events. While Australia’s homegrown mountain bike talent is incredible, plenty of internationals made the trip to Australia to join in the fun. Tim Winshuttle was stoked to see just how much the event has grown while he has worked at Thredbo. “Seeing this incredible event grow into what it is has been a huge highlight of my career. Thredbo’s downhill field now looks like a World Cup start line, right here in the Snowy Mountains of Australia. It’s awesome to watch our local riders and ambassadors…

Having spent quite a lot of time on the last two iterations of the Optic, I was interested to see where the 2024 model landed. The Optic released in 2016 had a huge overhaul for 2019, and that Optic has won praise throughout the mountain bike world. I had an Optic C3 for most of 2020 as a long-term trail bike, and it truly rewarded a rider that pushed to find the limits. While the geometry and handling was leading the way for much of the bike industry for this type of short travel trail bike, some riders still had a few complaints with the 140/125mm 29er. Personally, I still found it a bit too active when working the bike on undulating trails, although this was remedied in a way…

After a booming 2023, the Quad Crown event crew are back on the ground with another 4 long weekend events for 2024. The fun has already started in Tasmania, with riders tackling tantalising trails around the Wild Mersey and Penguin mountain bike networks at the Wild Penguin in early March. But the Quad Crown don’t want Tasmanians to have all the fun, with three more events this year all on the mainland. Next up is the Sunny 80 on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland this June. Running from 7-9 June, the Sunny 80 is a ready-made winter escape for those who want a break from the chilly air down south. The comfort of the Queensland winter sun and warmth of Queensland hospitality are ready and waiting on the Sunshine Coast. So…

Mountain biking offers so much more than a sport to develop unique skills to tackle rough terrain on two wheels. For most people in this sport, it provides a platform for community and a sense of belonging. It’s important to remember that everyone’s journey that has led them into the world of bikes is different. We are a community of varying ages, abilities, genders, and ethnicities united by this collective interest in riding bikes. So, how is good MTB culture nurtured? Good trail etiquette is the absolute minimum starting point for good MTB culture. We’ve all hopefully felt that sense of mutuality as we’ve crossed paths with a fellow trail user and received or shared a simple acknowledgment. A nod, wave, hello or even an appropriate ‘yiewww’ is a recognised…

Visualisation is a powerful technique from sports psychology for improving your performance capabilities and mindset outside of intense physical training sessions. But did you know that keeping a physical element in the mental rehearsal process can improve those gains even further? Visualising, or mentally rehearsing, a race run or section of trail can have multiple benefits. It can help with reducing anxiety, refining or firming up a particular strategy, setting and managing expectations, maintaining motivation, increasing confidence, building skills for staying relaxed and focused in challenging situations, and preparing for different scenarios that might happen so you’re less surprised if they do. It’s well known that visualisation works best when it’s used to reinforce positive outcomes, when the process is super detailed, and when all the senses are involved. What…

Mountain biking is something different to every person, and the experience of being a mountain biker is not the same for any one of us. Some riders like raw trails, others love flow. Some are born to climb, others don’t even have a drivetrain. Using an e-bike has finally made mountain biking fun for some riders, while it goes against everything mountain biking means to others. Mountain biking is not an old sport but it has evolved. From a fringe sport that found purpose in competition, mountain biking edges closer to being a lifestyle sport. So what does it mean to be a mountain biker then? Here is a list of things that you may or may not experience on your path to being a mountain biker. It is not…

If you have only been riding mountain bikes for a handful of years, the cosy Victorian town of Mount Beauty may not be on your radar. A nice day’s pedalling or shuttling on a longer trip to the more established trail towns of Bright and Falls Creek, maybe. An increasing number of Victorian junior downhill racers definitely know it as the most unforgiving race on the state’s calendar. The truth is that mountain biking in Mount Beauty has a rich and interesting history and played a big part in the formative years of our sport in Australia. After spending the months following Melbourne’s lockdowns going back and forth, I relocated to Mount Beauty in late spring of 2022. The access to remote, backcountry riding really sealed my desire to live…

The Polygon Siskiu range must be one of the most popular series of bikes in Australia, and likely a key bike to get people out on the trails along with the the Giant Trance and Trek Fuel EX model line ups. Sold exclusively via BikesOnline, the Siskiu range has always been split into the D, or downcountry range, and T – the trail range. This year we have also seen two e-bikes added to the trail range, and I recently reviewed the very impressive Siskiu T6E. The D series have 120mm of travel front and rear, whereas the 29er T series as tested here have 140/135mm of travel front and rear. This also plays an impact on the geometry, and Polygon spec parts appropriate for the use of each range…

Staying in touch within a small group of mountain bikers can be pretty straight forward, comical or diabolical. It really depends on the crowd, how you’re riding and the trails and setting you are in. From a work perspective, we often joke about ‘go or no’ when on shoots in the forest, as photographers or videographers get setup and call in riders. But in real world riding scenarios where the tip to tail of a riding group can extend out, keeping tabs on each end or each other can get tricky. For a lot of Australian trail riding staying in touch is simple. Our purpose-built trails are short, and no one is ever too far away. But move to a bigger environment, or a case where there are ride leaders…

Through summer the local trails always end up copping a flogging! Getting through the flat turns out there is one thing; but once you throw a loose surface from all the traffic into the mix it makes something that’s hard, even harder. Personally, I absolutely love riding loose, flat turns. It takes patience and a gentle touch to get it just right and when you do nail it, it feels absolutely amazing. Mastering these types of turns will see your cornering skills ramp up in all aspects of riding as the control and weight balance required is far beyond that of just ripping a berm or hero dirt. In fact, if there is one aspect of cornering I would recommend to work on to improve your riding, no matter what…