Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 209 i Australian Mountain Bike

On the third day of the 2024 Trans NZ riders arrived at Coronet Peak. The brilliant weather continued, and the trails? The photo tells the story. But, New Zealand being New Zealand, there were still a couple of delays from locals on course! The hills above Alexandra in Central Otago are unmistakeable. With rocky features, views for days and the ever present smell of thyme (not captured in photos, typically) the riding above Alex is pretty unique in New Zealand. The trails require commitment on entry, where the resulting line is typically hidden until there’s no turning back. Perfect for a multi-day enduro like Trans NZ! Let there be park! The final day of Trans NZ finishes in the Queenstown Bike Park, although it is never a walk in the...…

This September, the Quad Crown event team return to the stunning South Coast of New South Wales, for three days of mountain bike fun to kick off spring. The Orca arrives in Eden for September 6-8, creating a ready-made long weekend by the beach to kick off spring. One of the things we really like about the Quad Crown event formula is how mountain biking is important – but it’s not all-consuming for their events. Their mountain bike weekends take a unique formula, starting on a Friday afternoon. This is the perfect way to not only blow out the cobwebs from any transit to the event, but it is a surefire way to put any worries of the working week in the rearview mirror, as you stare down the barrel…

When it comes to multi-day mountain bike events, Cape to Cape delivers an unparalleled mountain biking adventure amidst the breathtaking landscapes of Western Australia. The Cape to Cape mountain bike event is essentially four days of great trails, mountain bike racing, camaraderie, and awe-inspiring natural beauty. Set against the backdrop of Cape Leeuwin, Nannup, Margaret River, and Cape Naturaliste, this event is not just a race—it’s an experience of a lifetime. The 2024 event runs from October 17-20. For those heading west from other states, we recommend flying into Perth at least a day before, or you can also fly direct to Busselton from Sydney or Melbourne, although the schedule is limited. All the more reason to stay longer and not rush home! ON THE TRAILS IN WA The Cape…

ENTRIES CLOSE JULY 14 2024 PUBLIC VOTING OPEN FROM JUL 22 - AUG 4 The AMB Photo Awards presented by Shimano are back again, after a huge year in 2023! Last year we had an immense volume of entries and voting, with a big influx of entries from young photographers. In 2024 were are following on from last year, so the AMB Photo Awards presented by Shimano will not only have a stand alone social media video category, but it will only be open to entrants from Australia and New Zealand. The subject matter can be from anywhere in the world. As in previous years there will be four main categories. Each will have a winner, second and third place as voted by readers on a microsite from a short…

I am lucky to work with land managers and clubs across Australia to develop, build, and manage new and existing trail networks. This gives me a unique perspective on the key ingredients that need to come together to deliver a successful project and to manage and maintain trails sustainably. Mountain bikers are travelling more, they are experiencing new and exciting trails, and when they get home, they are expecting higher quality riding experiences from their local trails. This poses both challenges and opportunities for organisations who manage trails. At the heart of any successfully managed trail network is a robust operating model that provides a framework to manage the trails and supporting infrastructure to provide a holistic riding experience, while also providing sustainable environmental and cultural outcomes. To be effective,…

The Victorian High Country is a well established cycling haven, from the iconic road climbs to the epic ripping mountain biking descents in the alpine resorts and valleys. We’re heading to historic Beechworth in Victoria's High Country, which boasts a rich modern Australian history. Originally inhabited by the many different traditional owners, the area saw European settlement when gold was discovered in 1852 near Spring Creek, prompting a rapid boom of prospectors and settlers to the region. The town of Beechworth quickly grew into a bustling hub, with miners seeking their fortunes in the nearby creeks and hills. Beechworth became one of the richest towns in Victoria during this period, with grand buildings, banks, and institutions lining its streets which gives it its unique heritage and character today. The main…

Superior Bikes are a well-known brand in some parts of the world, but they’re brand new in Australia. In April 2024 BikesOnline revealed that they would now be stocking Superior Bikes via their popular webshop. With a range of bikes that covers road, gravel, XC hardtails, dual suspension bikes and eMTBs, this seems like a great addition for BikesOnline, to join their extensive range of Polygon and Marin bikes that are sold direct to consumer. Superior hail from the Czech Republic, specifically from the Beskidy. This area is very close to the border with Poland and Slovakia, with a strong history in both cycling and cross-country skiing. The hills are steep, littered with trails that are themselves littered with rocks and roots. What better place to base a bike brand?…

Merida are a power house in the world of bikes, and especially in e-bikes. In my mind, they paved the way for eMTBs in Australia with their eOne-Sixty 900E in 2017. The bike looked great, had an excellent build kit, modern motor and handled like a long travel mountain bike should. It was also super competitively priced, helping gain traction around the country. And by all accounts, the Merida eOne-Sixty 900E did that around the world as well. Merida updated their range of eMTBs once since then, with carbon front triangles, internal batteries and shorter travel models. Earlier this year Merida released their third generation of eMTBs, with two new models of the eOne-Sixty and a new eOne-Forty – with huge updates to the travel, handling and design concepts for…

the hub There’s one certain thing about the future of mountain biking in Australia – we won’t be short on places to ride. The past decade has seen a boom in mountain bike trail builds, and of course immense growth in the uptake of cycling at all ages. Getting to some of the trails builds is always going to involve travel, and traditionally Australians are a bunch who happily pack up the car to hit the road for a holiday. And anyone who has visited the likes of Derby or other mountain bike hotspots will know that camping is a great fit for singles, couples and families alike. Sea to Summit are an Australian brand that has exploded around the world, with their outdoors equipment covering anything from sleeping bag…

the hub Having grown up following motorcycle racing very closely, including racing them myself, I’ve always had admiration for brands that deliver excellent products to the highest performing machines and athletes in the world, yet don’t gate keep. Brands that allow themselves to find their place in the market for common consumers while staying true to their core. Which, in Ohlins case is knowledge, quality and race pedigree. Recently Ohlins’ focus has broadened from gravity racing to the highly competitive, high performance, demanding world of World Cup XC racing, which has evolved to incorporate more technical (and high-consequence) downhill segments. The Ohlins RX34 and RX34 M2 are good trail forks, Although Ohlins might be aiming at too much of a niche market by calling the RX34 M2 a down-country fork.…

the hubFitness In the land of mountain bike that we all live in we are lucky to be slightly out of reach of conventional wellness culture advertising. While your mate may order a green smoothie or chia seed pudding at the post ride cafe, by and large the broader shapeshifting ‘wellness and fitness’ culture is more central to gym and health cultures. That doesn’t mean that mountain biking and cycling are immune from jumping on fitness bandwagons, even if they are a little different from whatever the wellness zeitgeist deems is cool, like the David Goggins approach of “no pain no gain!” approach, or Gwyneth Paltrow’s rectally administered ozone therapy and coffee enema woo-woo. Let’s go through some popular training fads we see within the performance sphere of mountain biking,…

editorial The past decade has seen so much change; the rise and rise of eMTBs, the infancy and growth of destination mountain biking, the evolution of Enduro. And best of all – untold growth of mountain biking. We have more trails to ride, more riders at the trails, and a far wider user group of mountain bikers than ever before. Of course, since I first started as Editor of AMB in 2013 (75 issues ago) lots has stayed the same. While mountain biking seems to offer up so much change, so much stays the same. Do you truly enjoy riding trails more now on a better bike than you did one, two or three decades ago? Is the joy of ripping trails with friends greater on your new super bike…

Off the back of the 2024 Norco Sight and Optic, Norco released a completely new fleet of Bosch-powered eMTBs. From the lightweight, mid-powered Fluid VLT to the full-powered Range VLT and Sight VLT. The bikes have integrated Bosch motors from the SX and CX range, mullet wheel setups across the board and a custom Bosch Flow App to combine motor customisation and control with the latest bike setup guide from Norco. All the bikes use Norco’s new 5 bike sizing, which adds crossover to the size range, helping more riders find the best fit possible. It is great to see Norco continue with size specific geometry, with a rear centre that grows or shrinks depending on the frame size. ALL NEW FLUID VLT Norco have released two iterations of the…

Al dente isn’t a phrase you would hear very often amongst regular followers of Downhill racing. It is an Italian term used frequently when cooking or describing pasta to those that care for such things. It defines when something is cooked just right, subjective as that may be and ignoring the literal translation of “to the tooth”, the phrase is often accompanied by a gesturing of ones hand in a manner that suggests a complete grasp of Italian language and tradition, even if that might be the only word in your Italian dictionary apart from “extra hot cappuccino mate”. Above the famous pasta town of San Remo in Italy lies the sleepy village of San Romolo, where in April somewhere in the back kitchen of a little Ristorante, the head…

Bikepacking is so hot right now, but the realtiy is people have been getting out, and staying out, with their bikes for decades. Being able to take everything you need, but nothing you don’t, is quite a liberating way to approach your trip to the trails. But bikepacking doesn’t need to be about absolute self-sufficiency. While being able to camp on the trail is great, don’t be put off if you’re not keen on camping. You might choose to book accommodation to ride between – or once you’re really experienced, trim back your sleep system to the absolute bare minimum. Regardless of what your approach might be for this extended trail time, there are a few essentials you should consider for a bikepacking trip – whether you’re starting out or…

Putting your child on a bike that fits well and is functioning properly are the two best things you can do to make their riding enjoyable and safe. As a skills coach and owner of RideTechnics, when coaching skills to children we see the huge difference it makes when children are on well maintained, properly fitting bikes. Rather than choosing a bike based on age, the key is to know your child’s capabilities, so you can choose a bike that suits them and enables them to ride well and improve along the way. Here are some bike set up tips to help maximise the fun your kids (and therefore parents) have on the trails. 1. CHOOSING THE RIGHT SIZE There is nothing worse than a small, cramped and ‘twitchy’ bike,…

The odds are that if you see a Merida at your local riding spot, it will be one of their ever popular and widely regarded E-bikes. Arguably the first brand to really nail a long legged, full power eMTB for the masses with their eOne-Sixty range of bikes, Merida as a brand are well known for making quality bikes that are both affordable and fun to ride. Following in the footsteps of their thundering eMTB success is a fleet of newly updated trail and enduro bikes, including the One-Twenty I have had on test for the past few months. Between you and me, the outgoing One-Twenty was the kind of bike I would never look twice at, however this new model is an entirely new beast. It now shares the…

Merida are a juggernaut in the global bike industry and a main stay in the Australian mountain bike market. Select Merida models have lead the way in their respective categories, and the Merida Big.Nine hardtail may be best known for the wide range of intermediate hardtails on shop floors, but the new 2024 Big.Nine is a completely different beast to the Big.Nine you think you know. The Big.Nine has had a big overhaul for the carbon framed Big.Nine XT on test, alongside the alloy frame Big.Nine TR Limited. These two models sit apart from other Big.Nine models available at your local Merida dealer, thanks to a complete revamp on frame design, handling, features and geometry. Merida reckon the Big. Nine range are the backbone of their mountain bike range –…

Merida completely overhaulled their Silex gravel bike in late 2023, with the new model even winning the 2023 men’s Gravel World Championships, just days before it was launched. While pro riders can win on a range of equipment, Merida did a lot of work on the Silex. By all accounts the original Silex rode well, but it had copped a flogging with the ugly stick. The new Silex is sleeker and a whole lot more capable both between the tape – and loaded up. Merida have a wide range of models, and the Silex 700 on test has their LITE II aluminium frame and carbon fork, with Shimano’s latest 12-speed GRX 1x12 group set. Selling for $3399, it’s a great price point for a gravel bike, which is a second…

the hub Whether you’re getting to and from the trail, commuting to work by bike or mixed mobility, or travelling the globe – chances are you understand the need for a quality backpack to hold everything you need in a secure and comfortable manner. As a keen traveller and long-time cyclist I am always happy to take a look at any well-finished backpack. There is a clear difference between a backpack that is made to store as much as possible with the least weight, compared to a backpack that is designed to be comfortable and easy to get along with for daily use. The EVOC Mission 28 fits into the latter type of bag. EVOC are likely the market leader in bike bags, with extensive experience in just about all…

the hub Mountain biking and cycling sports nutrition is chock full of fairly sweet options for on the bike fuel. And that’s because it works. For most of us fuelling for 1-4 hours of trail time, water and carbohydrates work just fine in mild conditions and under mild levels of exertion. Things can need to get a bit more specific when the conditions change, the output required is higher, and your weekly volume changes. That’s where sports drinks with electrolytes and carbohydrates come in, and simpler forms of food to ingest play a role as well. No one really wants to eat an energy gel, but if you’re pushing hard in an event or crucial training session – they work. When training, events or long days out push beyond a…

Jumping is a progression game which takes years and years to gain confidence and work your way up through the ranks. Patience, an understanding of your abilities and control of the bike are key to working your way up to tackling larger jumps. As you progress, there are a couple of things you really need to master before you start to take on larger jumps. First, is a good understanding of speed and how your speed relates to jump length and the style of the jump. Second, is the ability to control the bike in the air and land however you choose – be it front wheel first, rear wheel first or both wheels at the same time. These are things you should practice over and over on smaller jumps…

Every drivetrain manufacturer has a different way of measuring the required chain length, which can differ between series of their components. While it may seem easier to assume the chain length on your bike currently is correct, we see a high percentage of new bikes and bikes with their original chain installed coming through our workshop that have the incorrect chain length. Knowing this, it is safer to assume that it is incorrect and to measure it properly each time you replace a chain. First up, consider that your rear derailleur has two jobs; to shift or derail the chain onto either the cog above or below (easier or harder), and to keep tension on the chain. A failure to do so will result in the chain falling off or…

In March, the 2024 AusCycling Mountain Bike National Championships took place at Awaba, inland from Newcastle in New South Wales. The popular downhill and cross-country courses had a complete refresh for the event, and new courses for the adaptive downhill and cross-country as well. Our full reports went live on AMBmag.com.au during the event – but here’s a snapshot from some of the newly crowned National Champions. “To compete in those events and see what it could be in Australia, and come and compete in the first one that they’ve had … to see how many athletes are here with a disability, is just incredible – and so many more people that [will] come next year.” Daniel McCoy, 1B Adaptive Downhill National Champion. “It’s great to be recognised. The sport’s…

Each bike uses Norco’s virtual high pivot design with a chain stay mounted idler, licensing the i-track design straight outta South Australia. This allows the wheel path to move up and back to soak up square edge hits with ease, while offering very little kickback to the rider. Through extensive testing and use of prototype mules, Norco’s engineers are said to have tuned the dynamics of the suspension so the anti-squat provides very efficient pedalling and high responsiveness to pedal input in and out of the saddle. Like the outgoing Norco Range and Sight VLT models, the motor is rotated for more ground clearance and to let the battery sit lower in the frame. This aids the weight balance of the bike, keeping more of the battery weight closer to…

After releasing 12-speed GRX in September 2023, Shimano electrified the 12-speed gravel riding experience in late May as they released 2x12 GRX RX825 Di2 components. While Shimano’s 1x12 GRX offering shares plenty with their mountain bike group sets, the 2x12 mechanical iteration shares more with their road groups – and the same can be said for the 2x12 GRX Di2,. As such you’ll see dual control levers refined for comfort and control, a Shimano Shadow Plus equipped rear derailleur for enhanced chain management, and a gravel-optimised front derailleur for seamless shifting. The 2x12 system is designed for gravel riders who value overall gear range and the chain security that a front derailleur offers, and the new 2x12 GRX Di2 should do that, with a wireless cockpit and a number of…

Recently, I’ve found myself questioning: why do we race? Why do we get up in the dark to ride before work or school? Why do we push through and ride when it’s wet, cold or stinking hot? Why do we willingly challenge ourselves with a sport that often forces us to reach outside our comforts? Riding bikes undoubtedly has substantial psychological aspects, and its benefits extend beyond our time on two wheels. For most of us, there is an undeniable addiction to the feelings riding our bikes brings us. Without deep-diving into the multitude of studies conducted to prove the physical and mental health benefits of exercising, I’m sure we can all agree on those! I wanted to explore why we pursue discomfort and what the benefits are. Willpower is…

When it comes to riding well, a lot of the time we know what to do, we just don’t know whether, or how well, we’re doing it. The good news is this often means we already know what we need to fix the problem – or who to ask for help. Read on for four ways of using tech to fine-tune what you think you’re doing on the bike and what you’re actually doing, and to come up with fresh ideas and strategies for what you want to improve on next. Use video to see what you otherwise can’t When our eyes are glued firmly on the trail, most of our awareness comes from how our bodies feel as we move. We can think something ‘feels good’ or ‘feels right’,…

Go anywhere with a new eMTB, and chances are someone will ask you how far you can ride with it. Just like an electric car, the range of an e-bike is a huge deciding factor for riders when they’re considering whether to get an eMTB, and what eMTB to get. While there are a couple of obvious factors like the size of the battery in Watt hours (Wh) and the level of support you use, the best answer to the question on range is probably also the most frustrating one: ‘it depends.’ There are a lot of minor, and not so minor, factors that will determine the range an eMTB will achieve, and a few tools to help you understand what that range is, and how to get the most…

Earlier in 2024 Specialized released the 8th iteration of the Epic. As we saw from their 2020 release, their top tier cross-country bike would be available in two variants; the Epic and Epic EVO. Specialized have completely revamped the platform to again deliver two unique bikes – now built on the one frame. First up, the Epic, a genre defining all-in cross-country, marathon and stage race 29er full-suspension bike. The Epic EVO uses the exact same frame but has a burlier suspension spec, more fork travel, stronger tyres and bigger brakes. While they sound like small differences the changes drive a wedge between the two variants. The Epic lives on to conquer the wildest XCO course, marathons and stage races (all Brain free) while the Epic EVO lives for the…

Superior Bikes come out of the mountains in the Czech Republic, and they are now available in Australia via BikesOnline. With over 30 years making bikes, Superior have had a recent push into the elite cross-country market, but not without ensuring that a strong foundation remains in a hardtail line up. Superior Bikes have a range of carbon and alloy hardtails, starting at $1999 and offering just about everything you would expect. This includes 29” wheels, boost through axles, wide range 12-speed gearing and great ergonomics. The Superior XP range clearly has a cross-country intent, and is therefore built around 100mm travel forks and moderate geometry. I’ve got the XP 919 ($1999) on test, which is an alloy frame with a Shimano 12-speed group set and brakes, RockShox 100mm fork…

the hub Just ahead of Red Bull Hardline Maydena, SRAM upped the ante in the brake game, releasing the Maven - the new expert of brakes. SRAM’s new 4-piston brake is touted to the most powerful brake that SRAM have made, with 50% more power than SRAM’s own Code, which is already a very capable brake. But that’s not to say it’s all power without control. They also state that modulation is impressive as well. The Maven is a big and meaty caliper (366g), a world apart from the slim-line 4-piston calipers you see that are designed to shed weight and heat. The Maven is designed to use the heat of a brake system (to an extent) and the huge caliper houses big, meaty pistons for flex free braking. SRAM…

the hub When it comes to exploring the rugged and unpredictable terrain of the great outdoors, communication isn’t just a convenience—it’s a lifeline. As avid outdoor enthusiasts, we understand the role that reliable communication plays in ensuring a safe and fuss free adventure with the group, especially when there is no service. Australia’s own GME have recently launch their extremely robust flagship handheld UHF CB radio, packed with features while retaining ease of use when communicating on the trail. As Australia’s only UHF CB Radio and Emergency Beacon manufacturer GME proudly displays the Australian Made badge with pride FEATURES AT A GLANCE The units are made in Australia and carry a 5 year warranty. You can select 5, 1 or 0.1 transmission power to match your battery lift and range…

the hub New from Fizik in autumn, the Vento Proxy shoes enter Fizik’s competition range (Vento) with a mid-stiffness clipless pedal shoe that is aimed at cross-country, gravel, bikepacking, marathon and cyclocross use alike. They’re a simpler sibling to the Vento Ferox Carbon I tested a couple of years ago, notably with a simpler closure, and a midsole delivering an 8 out of 10 stiffness, as opposed to the 10/10 for the Vento Ferox Carbon. This also means the shoes cost far less than the top dogs. A CLOSER LOOK The low weight and highly vented design are immediately noticeable on the Fizik Vento Proxy. And the colour of course, although they also come in black and a snazzy sky blue colour. My EU44.5 weighed about 360g per shoe before…

the hubNutrition Social media will have you thinking that to gain muscle, you need to be eating chicken and tuna for every meal and spending hours in the gym. The truth is, with just a little basic food knowledge, you can make the most of a strength training program, and you don’t have to rely on supplements either! Strength training breaks down muscle which then requires repair. The process of synthesisng protein to repair the damage means that the muscle rebuilds stronger and bigger. However, for this process to be successful, you need to have the right nutrients available. This means that what you eat, and how much, is key to gaining muscle mass. Adding strength training to your training program without enough nutrients can lead to loss of muscle.…