Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 210 i Australian Mountain Bike

Brook Macdonald party scrubs his way down Dirt Merchant in Whistler, British Colombia Max French (8yo) drops into a vertical rock slab far above the valley in Whistler Bike Park, British Colombia From the east coast to the top of the e-EDR ranks. The top of stage 4 had riders puzzling, Ryan Gilchrist went on to take out the stage on his way to his first win of the season in Finale Ligure. He currently leads the overall heading into the final round of the season in Loudenvielle. Bring it home Gilly!…

In June 2024, Tasmania’s MTB and gravel hotspot known as Derby, became the playground for one of Australia’s premier gravel events, the Devils Cardigan, for the third time. This ‘devilish’ gravel race attracted elite and recreational riders alike from across the nation and once again played host to the Auscycling’s Gravel National Champs (raced over a 106km course). Devils Cardigan also put on a 52km shorter course and both events had multiple racing categories to cater for all experience and fitness levels. Before we go on, did anyone mention the weather? No? Ok, let’s talk about arctic chill, for a bit. Anyone who’s been a regular at these events over the last few years will know all about the frosty early morning temps on the startline and the need to…

X-factor Whether you’re a weekend warrior or a seasoned athlete, fuelling effectively both on and off the bike can drastically improve your performance and enjoyment on two wheels. Over the past season or two, I’ve tackled more challenging events and increased my riding duration, and I’ve come to appreciate nutrition’s critical role in my performance and ability to back up. In recent times, there’s been an increase in discussion more broadly surrounding carbohydrate consumption, and a flood of products and information aimed at enhancing fuelling and recovery strategies has followed. This influx reflects a growing understanding of how nutrition impacts athletic performance and how this can improve your overall experience. Mountain biking, like any physical activity, demands a delicate balance of fuelling and recovering strategies. Whether you’re preparing for consecutive…

Mind Body Bike Most of the time, confidence is key to riding your mountain bike well. Being confident in your abilities, confident in your equipment, confident in the group, confident on the trail, confident to give something a go. We love confidence and we’re often trying to build more of it. By contrast, not being confident is often seen as the primary reason for being unable to ride something. While confidence is aspirational, every now and then, I meet a rider whose attitude makes me uncomfortable. They’re too confident. Confident well beyond their skill level. So confident they don’t listen to the riders around them, respect the trails, respect the sport, or respect the consequences of their actions. More often than not, these riders are fairly new to mountain biking.…

The weather was freezing. As a Queenslander it was enough for me to get out the ugg boots and beanie. It had cracked single digits and a wintery weekend of temperatures lay ahead for southerners at the Quad Crown Sunny 80 event. But as the sun rose upon three days of epic racing some of the Sunshine Coast’s best trails, the blistering cold gave way for clear blue skies and temperatures of around 20 degrees. Even the Queenslanders had to admit that the weather was pretty primo…and the southerners? They didn’t know what I was complaining about with those single digit temperatures. The premise is simple: ride bikes on cool trails and complete 80km across three days. If you’re a fan of the spandex, you’re welcome to aim for power…

The annual AMB Photo Awards presented by Shimano always manage to uncover pristine talent in the sporting photography realm, and 2024 was no different. With four categories – some that may have made an appearance in previous photo awards, and some fresh additions – the 2024 Award winners took the category themes to a new level. Some photographers set up entire shoots in pitch black conditions, timing flashes and lights to activate at precise times. Others managed to capture the essence of a cycling event or feeling in a way that really embodies the saying ‘a picture says a thousand words’. After all, isn’t that what most of us chase on a bike? That feeling of ripping down a mountain on the edge of speed and control, the feeling of…

the hub If you’ve been around mountain bikes for a while, or just a moment, it’s likely you have encountered the Specialized brand in some way. Back in 1981, Specialized brought the first production mountain bike to the world and here 43 years later we see the launch of the 15th iteration of that bike, the Stumpjumper. Spending the last 3 years in development, we see many changes to the Stumpjumper platform which is pitched as the ‘one trail bike to rule them all’ with the single biggest innovation on the new model being GENIE. This game-changing air spring technology grants every trail rider’s three wishes: feel and control of a coil spring, better bottom-out prevention than a standard air spring, and a tunable platform for a playful feel. Essentially…

the hub Eagle Powertrain is SRAM’s entry to the world of e-bike motors came late last year, but due to brand and industry availability this is one of the first available in Australia (currently offered on Transition and Gas Gas bikes down under). We were able to spend a chunk of time on the Eagle Powertrain on the new Gas Gas MXC 5, which has been a delight. While the unit does stick out as being quite bulky compared to some the newer offerings in the e-bike market, it does have some very unique features making the Eagle Powertrain stand out in a increasingly busy e-bike motor market. Eagle Powertrain makes sense for SRAM: it’s fully integrated with their Transmission drivetrain which marries up it’s power delivery with it’s capacity…

the hub The Maxxis Aspen ST has been hiding in plain sight for over two years, being shod on bikes zipping around the World Cup and top level races. The Aspen ST is a race-day tread, aiming for even less rolling resistance than the current Maxxis Aspen. The Aspen ST has taken a knife to that tread. A lot of the centre tread is gone, replaced with a file tread pattern reminiscent of a cyclocross tyre. Maxxis have also released their 170tpi (or Team Spec) casing again. Threads per inch, or tpi, has an impact on the weight and compliance of a tyre. Typically, a 120tpi tyre has a more supple feel than a 60tpi tyre. With a higher thread count, the tighter weave has less gaps for rubber to…

the hub While social media can be awash of people getting ‘out there’ and pushing their limits when bikepacking, having minimal sleep in uncomfortable settings – for the vast majority of us getting a good night’s sleep is the main ingredient to have a great ride the following day. A comfortable sleep system doesn’t need to be heavy and bulky, which is demonstrated by Sea to Summit with their range of Spark sleeping bags, Ether Light insulated sleeping mats, super light pillows and sleeping bag liners. The right sleep system will depend on your range of use and relative comfort requirements – Sea to Summit sent out this combination to suit light but comfortable bikepacking sojourns. SPARK DOWN SLEEPING BAG -1C - $649.99 This range of down sleeping bags uses…

Rubber is an expensive and naturally sourced resource that is under increasing demand year on year. We love throwing on a fresh set of tyres for a race, or the confidence-inspiring feel of a freshie up front in the dry dusty local trails while trying to stay upright. In the off season or through the cooler, wetter months I’ll happy run my tyres down as traction is less of an issue; particularly the rear as its kind of fun to let the back slip about, and it’s a good way to gain confidence in the turns at a reduced speed. As tyres wear down, their casing becomes less robust, unable to withstand general trail abrasion and inevitably get punctured or gashed. Here are some tips on repairing your tyre, in…

editorial My first real mountain bike was a white Apollo with Shimano SIS shifters. Prior to this, I had many other kids bikes (see photo evidence), but this was the real deal—26 inches, knobby tyres and a rigid fork that was of the early 90’s era. I could ride a bike, but that step up from the 20 inch BMX beater riding around the backyard to writing a real 26 inch seemed monumental. A pretty big step to make when you’re about six or seven years old. We lived on, what felt like at the time, a big hill. Like many kids, my parents were there to scaffold the way to bicycle freedom. Riding down that big hill, my dad held the back of the seat so I can feel…

It’s that time of year again, the snow is thawing and our Australian alpine winter wonderlands transform into a carpet of lush greenery and ribbons of seductive single track. The month of November is sure to be hot as we see the opening of Australia’s ski resorts-come-mountain bike parks for the 2024/2025 summer season. THREDBO OPENING WEEKEND 16 NOVEMBER 2024 With 40km of chairlift-accessed gravity trails, Thredbo is an iconic options with a rich history of mountain biking. Their ever growing network features trails to suit the whole family: from the green trails of Easy Rider and Side Winder, to the jank and chunder of the famous Cannonball run, there is something for everyone at Thredbo. Key dates: Cannonball Festival 10-15 February 2025 Other things to do: • Grab a…

Trail talk Mountain Biking has gone through a boom in the last 10 years that doesn’t look to be slowing. We have never been more blessed to have such a diversity of trail riding options, combined with amazing advances to bike technology to get out there and shred. While this has plenty of upsides, we are now entering a new phase where we have lots of trail that requires sustainable management. Some land managers and members of our community recognise the opportunity we have created, and they also see the downside of getting things wrong. One issue we are seeing is that the knowledge of our trail networks and the responsibility for managing them fall to an individual or a small group. We refer to this as ‘key person dependency’,…

Mountain biking’s popularity has exploded over the last decade with more and more people getting out on the trails, and it’s easy to see why. Off-road riding lets us live a bit wild: gnarly descents for adrenaline junkies, tricky trail features for riders up for a challenge, and for the fitter riders there’s hills for days. But it is these edgy characteristics of mountain biking that make it more prone to accidents and serious injury than many other sports. As mountain biking becomes more popular with increasing numbers of riders on the trail networks, there’s even more chance that things don’t go as planned. So it is worthwhile considering how much risk we are comfortable with and how to plan for the unexpected. The good news is, for the price…

With the predictability befitting a global bike brand, Trek have been overhauling their bikes in a fairly typical cycle. In 2022 we saw the new Fuel EX follow the roost of the Fuel EX-e, and the Supercaliber has recently been updated ahead of the Paris Olympics. In July, Trek released the fourth generation of the current Top Fuel. The Top Fuel returned in 2015 as a 100mm XC 29er, and that is the last iteration of the Top Fuel I rode. The recent additions saw the bike move into a light trail category, but some riders felt it got lost with the last generation Fuel EX. The new 2025 Top Fuel arrives looking very similar on paper and in silhouette, and some have suggested that perhaps the Top Fuel is…

the hub Part of Bontrager’s mountain bike tyre overhaul this year was a new XC tread. The Sainte-Anne bears the name of one of the World Cup’s most iconic venues, known for rocky terrain and a world-class after party. So what will that translate to for a tyre? A CLOSER LOOK I’m pretty familiar with XC tyres, and the Sainte-Anne looks to take cues from Bontrager’s own XR2, a Maxxis Ikon and even a Hutchinson Python. The centre tread isn’t joined, with two sets of two paddles repeated: one is wider, and one is narrower. Both are low tread height to improve rolling speed. The transitions knobs are sparse, with one larger and one smaller, before innie and outie edge knobs with siping, that are flipped when in the alternate…

the hub Campagnolo is a brand you may not have heard of. In fact, I am not sure if it would have been printed in the pages of AMB before. The Italian componentry manufacturer boasts an amazing 42 Tour de France wins, more than the other two big manufacturers. But you’re reading this in Australian Mountain Bike magazine, so I am guessing many of you have little interest in tiny, hungry men hurting themselves in the French countryside for the better part of a month. Enter stage right the Campagnolo Ekar GT gravel groupset. Named after mountain peak ‘Cima Ekar’ in province of Vicenza, Italy, the GT (Gran Turismo) groupset offers a wide range of mechanical gearing options for everyday adventures, with alloy components at a lower price point than…

the hub In the world of multi-day trips in the great outdoors, one of the biggest decisions you need to make is around how you are going to sleep. This involves some weighty consideration around relative comfort, weight, pack size, budget, weather and even flexibility. Between multi-day adventures on foot or by bike I’ve slept in just about every option: huts (can be full, or old and gross), bivy bags (ever had that buried alive nightmare?), snow shelves (draughty), tarps (hello mosquitos), fly only tent setups (still here, mosquitoes?), snow caves (shouldn’t have built it under a helipad), piles of hay next to a station, plush hotels, rank hotels, hostels and of course – a variety of tents. When it comes to bikepacking, or multi-day bike trips in an era…

If you’re from a southern state, chances are your mental image of Queensland’s mountain bike trails features a pocket in the south east, then tumbleweeds, then Cairns. The reality, however, is that like the rest of Australia small towns are starting to wise up to mountain biking’s tourism appeal. Enter Finch Hatton, west of Mackay. A trail network (and definitely not a small bird in a bowler hat) that has been described by trail connoisseurs as in the “top three mainland trail networks in Australia”. That’s big kudos from reformed Maydena park rats. While it’s not a central destination—getting to the trails is a 55 minute drive from Mackay airport—it’s certainly one to remember. In its current state, the World Trail designed network has developed the trail network reaching 250m…

PEATY’S NEW MONARCH MTB GRIPS! Legend of downhill, Steve Peat has released a new line of his Peaty grips. With two different textures and two different sizes, there will be a Peaty grip out there for everyone. The mushroom texture features extra comfort for all day trail riding, while the Knurl texture prioritises feel and feedback for hot runs between the tape. These grips are available in thin and thick sizing and taper to fit all hands (30-32mm and 32-34mm respectively). What’s more is that they’re made from 80% recycled ocean plastic, a winner for your hands and the planet. RRP $44.95advancetraders.com.au FUNN TAIPAN AND TAIPAN S PEDALS FUNN have debuted some fresh budget-friendly pedals. Crafted from glass-fiber reinforced thermoplastic, the Taipan is designed with a generous 105x100mm platform size…

Gravity Check It’s been too long between beers since I have started an article by raging on the French. Late nights into early mornings I have been fixated on any form of screen that can beam the city of lights direct into my sports adoring heart. Even if it’s the French that are doing it, I’ll take it. Et pourquoi pas? That’s ‘why not’ in French of course. Or is it? It doesn’t have ‘le’ anywhere in the phrase, and I’ve watched the tour de France a lot to know that ‘le’ comes before anything and everything. This year’s meme-worthy moment of Le Tour surely had to be the camera bike mercifully panning away from one of the riders in the peloton reliving themselves to a boat resting on a…

Skills, what happens when you just don’t have them? I’ve ridden and owned mountain and road bikes my whole life but haven’t ridden on dirt tracks since I was 15, so obviously I was very rusty. Being in my late 40s, with my biggest sporting wins post- school and university life, (like running a full marathon at age 40), I’m a HUGE believer in learning for life and continual skill building and getting out there so I headed to Thredbo during the MTB season. The plan was to take part in a Gravity Girls Session run by Jo Larkin and the Thredbo team. I didn’t know what to expect and didn’t even know what ‘Gravity Girls’ referred to but I was keen and willing to try. “Thredbo Gravity Girls is…

“Did you know that you can see the Great Wall of China from the moon?” Tienlin hits us with this cool fact as we carry our bikes over a rocky 10-meter-wide strip. Somehow, we’d pictured the Wall more as, well, a wall, and not so much a loose pile of boulders stacked on top of each other. The grey-brown strip of stone snakes its way over endless rolling hills to the horizon. Giant wind turbines tower on both sides, and occasionally, iron frames hint at the remains of ancient watchtowers. Here, in the Hebei Province along the Chinese Wall, we’re treading new mountain biking territory. At least for us Westerners. Tienlin, our friend and guide from China, knows this area like the back of his hand. No surprise since we’re…

The Gas Gas MXC 5 is a notable entry in the world of e-bikes combining rugged performance with the convenience of SRAM’s Powertrain Motor. As part of the Spanish Motor bikes brand Gas Gas’s entry into the electric Mountain bike market, the MXC range and MXC 5 itself aims to bridge the gap between their traditional gas-powered off-road machines and the evolving and growing electric bike market. The MXC 5 sports a design that reflects its off-road DNA. With its full carbon frame offering super clean lines and size specific rear triangles its clear Gas Gas have done their homework working with the design team at international design agency Kiska to reduce production cost along with waste. What this means for the buyer is an outrageous and long forgotten phrase…

the hub INTRODUCTION Wireless components are at the bleeding edge of mountain bike technology. While synonymous with SRAM’s AXS groupset, there are a handful of other brands who have thrown their hat into the ring, developing electronic dropper posts, shifters and suspension. TranzX is the latest to join the fray with their wireless seatpost, named the ED01. As an outspoken holdout to the entire idea of batteries on mountain bikes, I feel well placed to give this post an honest review; primarily though my ability to not be enamoured by the lack of a cable running from the dropper lever and down into my frame. CONSTRUCTION & TECHNOLOGY Similar to the offerings available from Magura and Rockshox, this dropper relies on a top mounted battery to power a small motor…

Welcome to the long lost world of jibbing! The fufanu is an old school BMX trick from way back which essentially involves a rear wheel stall to a hop-180 (or as close as you can get) out. Normally you’d see it on a mini ramp coping or elevated ledge from some sort of lip, but in the MTB dirt realm it’s a fun move to get accustomed with on steeper dirt banks and jump lips. Personally, I love a quick fufanu when checking out a jump lip to turn around quickly in a narrow space to get back up the hill or sometimes it’s just fun to do when I see a steep bank. Once you have it mastered its super fun and a great exercise in bike handling. It’s…

Australian mountain biking history and urban myth is heavy with stories of superstars having enormous measures of VO2max. Back in the day two time World Cup cross country overall series winner Cadel Evans blew the doors off the AIS met cart (device used to measure VO2max) with his hot air balloon sized lungs. Surprisingly, weirdly (and sadly probably never to occur again unless it becomes an Olympic sport) Downhillers were even invited to the AIS to test their physiology. Legends of the sport Mick Ronning and Scott Sharples shocked many in the testing lab with their impressive VO2max numbers. Gossip floated around the Suntour national MTB series that they 'weren’t far off the XC riders VO2 numbers'. This article contacted then head coach Damien Grundy for the actual VO2max measures…