Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 213 - Winter 2025 i Australian Mountain Bike

Luke Meier Smith made it a three-peat winning the 2025 AusCycling Downhill National Championships ahead of Troy Brosnan. The sun was out for the cross country short track race at the 2025 AusCycling Mountain Bike National Champs. Australian icon Rebecca Henderson peeks out above the Victorian alpine vista ahead of a flying Izzy Flint. Henderson ultimately clinched the win in both the short track and XCO. Back from the European World Cup circuit, Sam Fox found the mongrel in him to take the win in the Elite Men’s XCO event. The skies opened up for XCO day and the dangerous winds saw the event course shortened, with riders undertaking an attenuated race in both course length and race distance. Fox showed his experience in European conditions in a dominant solo…

Two hundred singlespeeders met in the Nation’s Capital over the ANZAC day long weekend. Hosted by the Bottles and Chain Federal Division, singlespeeders enjoyed singletrack social rides, an unsanctioned urban hill climb up a multi level car park, DJs, a stein holding competition, a bike box regatta and more than a few tinnies. National Champions Lizanne Wilmot and Jett Beck were the finest finishers of a gruelling Stromlo course and a mountain bike crit race with a beer shortcut – everyone else did very well. The after party at the old Canberra Inn was possibly the greatest in living memory and the champions trophies were cog tattoos, inked on the bar table while tunes pumped from a cargo bike soundsystem. 2026 hosting rights were awarded to Newcastle in a one…

It’s undeniable: a fast, fun, predictable, perfectly sculpted trail is a lot of fun. Maybe you’re in a train of mates, all ‘yeewwww-ing’ your way down, or maybe you’re new to the sport, learning how a bike feels over rollers and around berms, with a freeway of width to accommodate your developing skills. Then, in contrast, there’s the old-school, raw trail, often gnarlier, slower, and demanding precision as you edge your way down. You hold your breath down a janky, rocky garden and survive it. The adrenaline of making it down alive is unforgettable. Both have their place, but with the influx of sculpted, sanitised, bike-park-style trails across Australia, is the wild side of mountain biking being left behind? Over the past decade, we’ve seen exponential growth in government investment…

A massively under-discussed element of riding well is how we use our imagination. We can’t always see the trail ahead, but we use information from what we do know to predict and imagine what might lie ahead. Mud here means the likeliness of mud elsewhere and what characteristics it’s likely to have. Having a good look at a drop or jump on one run helps us hold its features in our minds when we hit it on the next run. Visualisation might get us most of the way there if we’ve seen something before but our imaginations allow us to fill in some of the gaps. Have you ever let your imagination go a few steps further and found that your riding benefited from something that’s not actually true? Like…

The Shimano AMB Photo Awards are back for 2025 and are bigger and better than ever. With more than $10,000 in cash and prizes up for grabs across 5 categories, now is the time to gather your best mountain bike photos and videos and submit them to our competition! Awards will be given to each category winner, with one entrant selected as our Shimano AMB 2025 Photographer of the Year who will take home $2,000 in cash plus a Shimano XT Groupset valued at over $3,000. We will also be recognising the Shimano Young Photographer of the Year where one photographer under the age of 20 will take home a Shimano Deore Upgrade Kit valued at $1,000. To help select our winners we need your votes on the best entries!…

The South Coast of New South Wales is rapidly becoming one of Australia’s premier mountain biking holiday destinations. Nestled in the lush, forested expanse of the Eurobodalla region, Mogo is a shining example of why. With over 70km of completed trails and more in the works to take the network up to 125km, there’s truly something for everyone – from beginners seeking scenic loops to advanced riders chasing adrenaline. We travelled down from Canberra to check out the new developments to the Mogo network and ride the brand new 28km Burnaaga-Goanna mountain adventure trail. This trail is a backcountry-style descent starting from the peak of Wandera Mountain and descending all the way into the Mogo township. After heading out on our bikes to check it out, we can honestly say…

Smoke scratches at our lungs as the flames of the fire flicker in the eye of the stuffed raven. The sharp teeth of the dried pikefish seem ready to snap any second, as a loud noise from the darkness reverberates through the small cabin where we’re seated in a circle. The door creaks open, and in steps a towering man, dressed in leather and fur. "Long, long ago, giants lived here and hurled stones – boulders as big as houses," he begins, his voice deep and slow. We’re visiting a shaman somewhere in the wilderness of Finnish Lapland, far above the Arctic Circle. We listen intently to his stories. “Do you know where the Northern Lights come from?” the healer asks us. We don’t, but we’ve got a full week…

It’s a bike we've all been holding our breath for, and we’ve been delighted to have Specialized’s new Turbo Levo on test. The new Levo features the 3.1 motor, a mixed-wheel setup with 150mm rear travel, three ways to optimize geometry, GENIE suspension, lower standover height, and the capacity to run a 200mm dropper in the S4 size. The Turbo Levo delivers some of the upgrades we had on our wish list for the new model – but let’s dive into the bike more below. The Australian market will receive four models of the new Levo, including an S-Works model and an S-Works frameset. The S-Works, as expected, comes with a blingin’ build, leaving nothing wanting. The Specialized FACT 11m Carbon frame is used throughout all four models, but the…

Granite were generous enough to send me a selection of their Stash range of on-board tool storage solutions to put through their paces. Granite’s Stash line of products is a well-thought-out, price-conscious range aimed at getting the job done without breaking the bank. On test were the Granite Stash RT, Scope Mount, Chain Tool, and Tire Plug Kit. Throughout the testing period, I put the tools and the plug kit to use on the trail and tested the chain tool in the workshop. GRANITE STASH RT The ¼” drive ratchet tool is the heart of the Granite Stash RT. Despite its diminutive size, it’s made from proper S2 alloy-grade tool steel. The tool holder stores the mini ratchet and nine driver bits inside your bike’s fork steerer tube for quick…

Rimpact is not a new brand to us here at AMB, having tested their rim protection inserts back in 2021. However, the Chain Damper that we have on test here is a very different product that, in a roundabout kind of way, tries to solve a similar problem. The team at Rimpact has a healthy obsession with making bikes as smooth and quiet as possible. Their range of products aim to tackle unwanted vibrations; either via your wheels with their inserts, via your suspension with their mass dampers, or via your chain with the Chain Damper. WHAT IS THE RIMPACT CHAIN DAMPER? The Chain Damper reduces chain feedback caused by chain movement while riding over harsh terrain, as well as reducing pedal kickback caused by the natural pull of the…

Your freehub body is one of the hardest-working parts of your bike, consistently moving, put under huge loads and hit with solvents, pressurised water and dirt. After all this, we head out on the next ride! Over time your freehub body experiences contamination and ingress from water, dirt and even old grease solidifying. This causes the small internal mechanisms (pawls, springs, and ratchets) to function less optimally and if left unchecked you’ll experience increased drag, sluggish engagement, freehub slipping under load, or – in the worst case – complete failure. A simple service, even once or twice a year depending on riding conditions, can extend freehub life dramatically, keep engagement crisp, and save you from expensive repairs and nasty crashes. I recommend servicing your freehub every 6–12 months for general…

Remember being a kid? An hour could feel like a year, and the concept of a full year… completely unfathomable. As I get a little older each year, time seems to speed up. The COVID-19 pandemic was last year, wasn’t it? It’s hard to believe that in the five years since the pandemic, the landscape of mountain biking in Australia has shifted so dramatically. We saw a huge industry boom – more people on bikes than ever before – followed by the inevitable dip that often trails unchecked growth. What mountain biking means to mountain bikers has evolved. E-bikes are now a major player, and the face of participation has changed. More riders are pinning on numbers at mass-participation gravel events and social gravity races. Meanwhile, traditional Olympicformat cross-country races…

The Quad Crown Black Pearl race took place from March 7–9, with the experienced Quad Crown crew making a quick pivot from their planned race location as inclement weather saw the Glenbrook trails ditched for the nearby Whitebridge trail network for the prologue and Stage Two, while Stage One took place as planned at the Awaba trail network. For those playing along at home, our Canberra correspondent Ben ‘Moshy’ Morrison has been our guinea pig in our Project Moshy series, as we transform our e-biking, downhill wizard into a lean, mean cross-country machine. We checked in with Moshy about his experience. On Friday morning, I drove to Newcastle, and there weren't good signs on the way up: it was raining heavily from Sydney. When I arrived, I got out of…

In Issue 212 I discussed pay-to-ride trail networks, and why shifting towards this model leads to better outcomes for riders, the environment and communities more broadly. But as when shifting towards a new model of operation, there are always disadvantages. In this piece, I’ll discuss some of the downsides and challenges of the pay-to-ride model, and offer a few ways in which these can be overcome. Because despite its advantages, the pay-to-ride model does come with a unique set of challenges, particularly within communities where many riders are accustomed to free access to trails and feel a sense of ownership over the terrain. 1. Resistance from Riders The idea of paying for access to trails often sparks debate, particularly from riders who have historically enjoyed free trails and may view…

I was sitting in front of the computer, trying to write a guide on how to start adventure riding for The Big Adventure feature – and I wasn’t loving it. It quickly turned into a generic list of do’s and don'ts. Sure, it was helpful, but it wasn’t exactly a page-turner. I sat, ironically, staring at my computer with this single line staring back at me: Tip #1: Just start. You don’t need perfect gear, a flawless itinerary, or some far-off exotic location. Just go. Right then, my phone pinged. A message from a mate – let’s call him Bill: "Heading out Kingaroy way Friday to Sunday. Gordonbrook and Wondai MTB trails Friday, KKRT [Kingaroy to Kilkivan Rail Trail] to Goomeri Pub and back Sunday. $40 each to split a…

At AMB we are no strangers to bikes. We ride trail, bike park, sketchy jank, and flow. We race cross country, enduro, gravel and downhill. Suffice to say – we enjoy all things bike. For many rusted-on cyclists, bikepacking is a new and novel way to spend a solid amount of time exploring ‘behind bars’, but for many people the idea of carrying kilograms of tents, sleeping bags and cooking equipment is undesirable to say the least. A better and more enjoyable way to get started on multi-day bike adventures is to ditch the gear and flashpack: travelling with minimal clothing and equipment and staying in hotels, pubs or Airbnb’s in remote and scenic locations. Some of my greatest experiences riding bikes have been on multi-day flashpacks that feature a…

The Trek Rail is Trek's workhorse e-bike. The last generation of the Rail featured a 29” platform with the full-powered Bosch CX motor and 160/150mm travel. While it performed well across a range of applications, it wasn’t a standout performer in any one. This all changed with the launch of the new fifth-generation Trek Rail+, which has been redesigned to let you ride longer, on more technical trails, and more comfortably. THE NEW RAIL+ The Rail+ is equipped with the Bosch CX Generation 5 motor, paired with an 800Wh battery, a mullet setup across all sizes (excluding small, which is a full 27.5” bike), 160mm travel front and rear, and an updated RIB 2.0 battery latch system. The two models available at this stage – the 9.8 (tested) and the…

In a bold step that redefines electronic mountain bike drivetrains, Shimano has unveiled the XTR M9250 Di2 – a wireless system that’s not just faster and cleaner, but tougher, smarter, and more adaptable to the wild demands of modern trail, enduro, and cross-country riding. This isn’t just a drivetrain update – it’s a quiet revolution, albeit one long in the making. I was lucky enough to head to New Zealand on a secret mission to test the new drivetrain well ahead of the launch, and will give you a rundown of the new offering below. But first, let’s look at the components. Gone are the cables. In their place: instantaneous wireless shifting, a stealthy, impact-resistant rear derailleur with auto-recovery technology, and controls that are customisable to your every whim. At…

Pure Sports Nutrition have released a new Performance+ range, including their foray into nitrate supplements with Race Ready Nitrates. Each sachet delivers 500mg of nitrates, along with anthocyanins and Vinitrox, to be mixed into water and consumed as part of a loading protocol before big events. WHAT ARE NITRATES? Once seen as a mythical sports supplement with more hype than evidence, nitrates are now well-supported by research. Found naturally in foods like beetroot, nitrates work by enhancing the availability of nitric oxide (NO) in the body – particularly important when oxygen is limited, like in muscles during intense exercise. The nitrate–nitrite–NO pathway is key here. Ingesting dietary nitrate increases blood nitrate levels, which can boost NO bioavail-ability and potentially enhance performance – especially in high-intensity, oxygen-limited situations. Nitrate supplementation is…

Many riders overlook the importance of choosing the right grips for their bike. As one of only two contact points with the bike – and the more sensitive one in terms of fit, comfort, and fatigue – grips play a crucial role in overall ride quality. Factors like ergonomic shape, lock ring placement, rubber density, length, and tread pattern all contribute to performance and comfort. Leatt’s new ReaFlex grip range introduces a unique design aimed at reducing arm pump and hand fatigue. OUT OF THE BOX As we’ve come to expect from Leatt products, the design of the ReaFlex 6.0 has unique ergonomic features designed to better allow the product to interact with the rider. The regular sized grip I have on test has a varied diameter, starting at 31mm…

Winter riding brings a unique set of challenges for mountain bikers. As the temperatures drop and days shorten, the risk of colds and the flu increases, sidelining many from training and racing. To maintain peak performance and avoid the dreaded lurgy, it's essential to fuel with the right nutrition – meals that provide not only energy for rides but also immune-boosting nutrients to keep healthy through the colder months. The following nutrients are key supports for the immune system, will keep you fuller for longer and provide energy to support training, racing and the day to day. INCLUDE OMEGA-3 FATS Healthy fats, particularly omega-3 fatty acids, are essential for overall health and can boost your immune system. Omega-3s reduce inflammation in the body, which is crucial for recovery after a…

Blue Derby has officially launched its latest trail, 333 (or triple 3), a 1.4km descent designed to challenge experienced riders with a mix of speed, technical sections, and signature Derby granite features. Built with funds from the Shimano Trail Born initiative and executed by World Trail in partnership with the Blue Derby network, 333 is pitched as a progression-focused trail that blends natural features with precision-built elements. The launch coincided with the 10 year anniversary of Blue Derby in April, drawing strong rider interest, confirming Derby’s ongoing evolution as a leading mountain biking destination. With its name a nod to its length and triple-threat design – flow, tech, and speed – 333 is already being touted as one of the most dynamic additions to the network in recent years.…

FIZIK PROXY AND FEROX CARBON Fizik have announced two new shoe releases, the Proxy and Ferox Carbon. The Proxy featured an X3 carbon reinforced and rubber outsole with a stiffness index of 8, a PU laminated mesh upper for breathability, and a single BOA dial. The Proxy is available in light lilac/lime and black, weighing in at 326g (half pair). The Ferox Carbon is Fizik’s offroad race shoe, featuring the same lightweight mesh upper as the Proxy but with a powerstrap additional to a BOA, as well as a X1 carbon sole for a stiffness index of 10. At 297g they are poised to get you up the climb quickly, available in aubergine hue of mud grape. Fizik Proxy RRP $379.95Fizik Ferox Carbon RRP $469.95advancedtraders.com.au WAHOO ELEMNT BOLT 3 AND…

How much can really happen in 980 meters? That was the question coming into the final stage of Round 1 of the EDR held in Pietra Ligure. With the return to multi-day stage racing, the EDR’s hopes seem destined to rest upon a nostalgic return to what made the sport so popular to begin with. But the question remained: will anyone be watching after two long days, finishing with a 7th and final stage consisting of 980 meters with a vertical drop of 147 meters? Was this really the formula to bring the sport back to the masses? The winning average speed of that final stage was 26.9km/h, that’s a full 237.4 km/h slower than Oscar Piastri’s latest F1 pole lap, and while that might seem unfair to compare, the…

There’s something about bike movies that hits differently. Maybe it’s the way they capture the raw energy of a perfect ride – the kind where every turn flows, every feature feels dialled, and the world melts away into pure movement. Maybe it’s how they make you feel the struggle, perfectly capturing the grind of a long ascent, the isolation of an endless bikepacking route, and the heartbreak of a race gone wrong. And maybe, just maybe, it’s because watching bikes on the big screen taps into something deeper – a shared passion, a universal understanding between riders that transcends discipline, location, or experience level. The Big Bike Film Night’s Australian tour isn't just about the films – it’s about how bikes bring people together. Whether you’re a gravity fiend, a…

CROSS COUNTRY SHORT TRACK (XCC) LUNG-BUSTING EFFORT AT ALTITUDE We headed to Mount Buller in the Victorian High Country for the key events at the 2025 Australian Mountain Bike Championships. Friday was the first big day of racing, with the cross-country short track (XCC, in bikespeak) taking centre stage. It was a dusty, warm day up here in the mountains. The XCC course was a two-minute, flat out loop with a couple of punchy climbs and one little descent, meaning it was full gas the whole time. The course featured stunning views as riders raced through the alpine village. Every category was stacked with riders, with athletes ranging from 12 to over 70 years of age! In the elite women’s category, we saw Rebecca Henderson battle it out with Isabella…

The NZ MTB Rally is a one-of-a-kind, week-long mountain bike adventure that takes you deep into New Zealand's iconic landscapes. But it's neither Queenstown nor Rotorua. Nelson is the new place to be that seriously challenges NZ’s established mountain biking destinations. 120 international riders took part in the second edition of the NZ MTB Rally in March 2025 – a 6-day Enduro-format race through some of the best singletrack the top of the South Island has to offer, featuring 4x4 shuttles, a backcountry heli-drop, a scenic boat crossing, top-notch food and accommodation, and unlimited craft beer on ice at the end of each day’s racing. Among them was Stephen Matthews and his crew — six Aussie mates, who were eager to take on this new adventure. This was his Rally…

The Santa Cruz Hightower is a familiar face in the world of trail bikes. Launched in 2016 as an evolution from the Tallboy LT, the Hightower is the 135mm, do-it-all trail bike for the discerning mountain biker. In 2025, Santa Cruz has revised the crowd favourite to accommodate more aggressive geometry with 160/150mm of travel. At the top end of the Hightower family, I tested the Hightower XO AXS model. The Hightower continues to evolve as a true all-round trail bike, with its latest design further emphasising its versatility. The updated geometry has been carefully refined to improve descending performance, giving riders more confidence and control on steeper, more technical terrain – all while staying true to the Hightower's roots as a do-it-all trail machine. This bike compares directly to…

WHAT’S RIGHT FOR YOU? Wahoo is no stranger to the cycling world, with its Elemnt Roam and Bolt computers being stalwarts in many cyclists’ arsenals. With the recent release of the Wahoo Ace computer (reviewed in issue 212), Wahoo has now released updated versions of the Roam and Bolt. But with three computers in their quiver, what’s the difference? And what is the best option for you? The Wahoo Ace, launched at the end of 2024, saw Wahoo debut an updated software platform and interface. The Ace also marked a move away from Wahoo’s Elemnt app to the Wahoo app. It ditched the Roam and Bolt V2’s row of LED lights along the top of the unit, instead integrating navigation turns and workout zones into the display itself. The Ace…

In Issue #212 we discussed what constitutes High Intensity Interval Training (HIT), breaking down the individual factors that go into creating a session to build your top end and get you race ready. In this article we expand upon how to prescribe and execute these tough, race-winning sessions and offer a few examples to weave into your training. Whether you live for lycra and the punishment of cross country racing, or prefer the speed and sends of downhill and gravity, HIT can make or break your chance at visiting the podium. HOW ARE HIT INTERVALS PRESCRIBED? As a coach, I prescribe HIT Intervals using a variety of methods aiming for a balance between three objectives: 1. Physiological adaptations, ensuring the session is targeting the correct energy system. 2. Race specific…

It’s one of those days… You’re on a multi-day trip, the trails have been dusty as flip, and then all of a sudden it rains overnight. Is it going to be still dry, or muddy? All of a sudden you’re out on the trail and it is absolutely prime conditions. Tacky dirt, blue skies, and no matter what you do, you can’t seem to lose grip. Welcome to hero dirt! Hero dirt days are few and far between – especially in Australia. In the Alps of Europe and the ranges of North America, you can experience hero dirt on any given day as conditions change rapidly. But in Australia, it doesn’t seem to occur all that often due to our environment. So when it does, you’ve just got to make…