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18. EDITORS LETTER 20. FINE ART GALLERY 28. NEWS // FROM ACROSS THE MTB SCENE 36. PIVOT MACH 5.5 FIRST TASTE 38. MINI INTERVIEW // RAE MORRISON 42. COMMENCAL BIKES BACK IN OZ 52. BUYERS GUIDE // RIDING PACKS 64. MAYDNA BIKE PARK 101 68. BEHIND THE CURTAIN 72. BUYERS GUIDE // BEST TRAIL GLOVES 74. ANKA MARTIN’S COLUMN 76. JOSH CARLSON’S COLUMN 80. SHAWN LEWIS’ COLUMN 88. CASEY STONER – THE INTERVIEW 100. MTBA GRAVITY ENDURO SERIES WRAP-UP 106. PAUL VAN DER PLOEG INTERVIEW 114. CAROLINE BUCHANAN IN THE FAST LANE 120. JOURNEY TO ARTHURS PASS NZ 124. DEITY RE-LOADED & READY TO BLOW 128. BIKE [R]EVIEW // GIANT TRANCE 1 132. BIKE [R]EVIEW // SANTA CRUZ HIGHTOWER 136. BIKE [R]EVIEW // CANYON SPECTRAL AL 7.0 EX 140. TECH // WHAT’S UP WITH WHEELS? 142. GEAR [R]EVIEW // PRO KORYAK DROPPER POST 144. GEAR [R]EVIEW // TSG SCOUT KNEE PADS
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Tim Bardsley-Smith
ON THIS PAGE Winter isn’t so bad after all, eh?
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GALLERY
“The day this photo was taken was the perfect example of how riding an ‘old favourite’ trail always offers up something unique each time. We’ve ridden Nydia Track so many times over the years. Once the trail actually ends you have quite a long, brutal ride to get back, and so when we ride it with friends we’ll often catch a water taxi back as it’s a much nicer way to end the ride. We’d often heard that dolphins like to follow boats in this area, playing in the wake, but we had never actually seen them. Until this day! We felt so lucky to finally get to experience this encounter ‘the locals’. It was absolutely breathtaking. They followed us for what seemed like forever and gave Sven ample opportunity to snap away.” Anka Martin
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Sven Martin // South Island, NZ
NEWS
EAGLEFOR EVERYONE Potentially the most exciting announcement in mountain biking circles so far this year, SRAM have hit the turbo speed button on ‘filtering down’ the technology of their phenomenal 1x12 Eagle drive train (with a 50 tooth rear cassette cog) with the release of a ‘GX’ level Eagle drivetrain. But wait for the kicker; Eagle GX will retail for less than half the price of Eagle X01. Half the price! Which essentially means Eagle everyone!!!! The thing that sets Eagle apart from the field is the amazing appeal of a 500% gear range with a single derailleur! ‘GX’ has long been the workhorse level in the SRAM lineup, with 1×11, 2×11, even a 1×7 DH option (which we recently reviewed and praised). The new SRAM Eagle GX has all the same tech with SRAM making a few changes to cut costs, mainly swapping carbon for alloy to get the price down. So in order to be half the price the GX level group must weigh a heap more, right? Wrong. In fact the difference in weight between the 2 complete drivetrains is just 15%. In fact most of that weight is in the cassette and crank, both of which are roughly 100 grams heavier than their X01 counterparts. The derailleur is a mere 14 grams heavier, and the shifter is the same weight. GX’s forged alloy crank arms are the most noticeable difference in appearance when the two groups are sat side-by-side. The complete GX Eagle group will retail for $799.95 and first shipment is expected to arrive in Oz July/early August. Visit www.monzaimports.com.au for more information.
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Well, well, well, the 4th generation ‘Nomad’ is certainly a step in a new direction for Santa Cruz as far as frame concept and design. Heavily inspired by the brand’s mighty V10 DH bike, the new Nomad sports 170mm of rear travel, 27.5” wheels, adjustable geo settings, 64.6 or 65 degree headangle, metric shock sizing, boost rear spacing. At this point the Nomad will only be offered as a carbon frame – so no alloy option for the time being. Head over to www. lustyindustries. com to learn more.
NEWS
IBISHAVEANEWNEST
Coming in hot off their current success on the EWS world circuit, IBIS Bikes have secured a new Australian distributor, with Rowney Sports now in the drivers seat. There’s no denying IBIS have a bunch of exciting models in their current range but the one bike that really gets our heart racing is the new Mojo HD4. The 4th generation of their highly popular Mojo HD is a true gravity enduro race machine in every sense of the word. Ibis state that the HD4 features “refined progressive geometry” with Dave Weagle’s “most efficient system to date,” the dw-link v5 kinematics which is put to work unleashing 153mm of rear travel. Head to www. rowneysports.com to eyeball the latest IBIS range.
100% AFFORDABLE
100% have just released their new ‘Status’ MTB lid which follows closely in the footsteps of the brands super popular ‘Aircraft’ helmet, but costing just a third of the price! Yep, this Status helmet retails in Australia for just $189.95. Featuring a light weight fibreglass shell with EPS inner foam and an ‘active cooling system’ which maximises airflow for breathability and comfort. Available in 5 colour options and ranging from size extra-small right through to extra-large.
TASSIEREPRAZENT! TrackX is a small but dedicated MTB apparel company based out of Tassy that are producing some really sweet gear. We’ve recently been hitting the trail in their latest design, ‘Mens Mountain Jersey’ in Orange, which not only looks super fresh but it’s also really comfortable thanks to it’s cut and ‘tech’ fabric construction. Retailing for just $60 this jersey is a winner. Hit up www.trackx.com.au to check out the complete Track-X range.
GWIN’S The IBEX (or Capricorn) is known for fast, smooth and safe locomotion in all mountainous terrains, and the tyre named after it is no different. Thanks to it’s wide open tread, you don’t need to compromise, whether on dirt, loose gravel or in wet conditions. No trail is too steep, no section too narrow and no root too slippery for this all-round performer. Available in all 3 wheel sizes, 3 rubber compound options and also 3 casing options, with pricing ranging from $69.95 to $114.95. View the entyre range at www.linksports.com.au/onza
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SCHWALBEUPSTHEANTE Schwalbe have become the go-to rubber for many riders across Australia thanks to their incredible performance on all kinds of Australian terrain. The German tyre brand bringing so many cutting edge tread patterns to the table, however they’ve at times been accused of wearing way too quick on our harsh Australian terrain…
The heads of Schwalbe and their team of mad scientists lead by long time rider and head tread developer Markus Hachmeyer have finally responded to the call. Thanks to some massive investment in new rubber creation technology, they think they’ve solved the age old trade-off between grip, rolling resistance and wear across a much wider range than before. So, gone are the single, dual and triple rubber compounds Schwalbe MTB tyres we knew, all now replaced with the new ADDIX formula. Four new Addix compounds have arrived, each differentiated with a different coloured stripe running around the tread of the tyre tread to denote the compound profile in a full nod to moto tyres. There’s Speed (Red), Speedgrip (Blue), Soft (Orange), and Ultra Soft (Purple).
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Addix Speed is for XC, and Schwalbe says it’s the fastest-rolling compound the company has ever created. Tyres using this compound include Rocket Ron, Racing Ralph, Thunder Burt and Furious Fred.
The Addix Speedgrip compound is all about all mountain and trail. So the much loved Magic Mary, Hans Dampf, Rock Razor, Fat Albert, Nobby Nic, Rocket Ron, Racing Ralph, Dirty Dan XC and Jumbo Jim tyres all get the treatment. Addix Soft is so enduro and also makes it’s way into Schwalbe’s highly acclaimed downhill tyres. So here’s where the biggest improvements in our eyes have taken place. Durability is reported to have been improved by 50%. Tyres featuring the Soft compound include Magic Mary, Hans Dampf, Rock Razor and Fat Albert front. Being that we’ve shredded some of these models in record time in the past, this will have us looking closely at Schwalbe rubber once again. Addix Ultra Soft is the super grippy rubber compound that’s gravity-focused and is said to be ideal as a front tyre for enduro and as a front and rear for downhill. No word on durability here, but lets just say these are high end race tyres! We’ll be getting our wheels shod with some of this new rubber real soon, and will let you know our thoughts on the new generation of Schwalbe that may not only hook up like they’ve long been renowned for, but finally last on our brutally harsh dirt and rocks.
NEWS
YOUHADMEAT‘E’ The battery inside the JAM² is Focus’ own design. It’s a large cylinder-shaped stick that slides into the downtube, and bolts in place with two M12 bolts. It is very snug and secure, with no rattling whatsoever. Unlike any other e-bike currently available, the Jam2 features a Dual Battery capability. Focus call it T.E.C. (Tailored Energy Concept).
Essentially what this means is if you’re planning a super long ride, or an over nighter, a second battery can be fitted to the system which increases capacity to a huge 756Wh for immense range. This is achievable by mounting another battery, which connects very simply, on the downtube. If an additional battery isn’t required, there’s room for the attachment of a water bottle if desired, with its own compartment on the cage for carrying tubes or tools. Both the battery and bottle cage attach quickly and easily without any fuss. When Focus began development of the JAM² two years ago, the engineers quickly decided it would be built around the Shimano Steps driveline. It offers a compact overall design, a much narrower Q-factor, excellent efficiency and very smooth power delivery. The way the 250W motor works is simple: you pedal, and the motor kicks in. The more effort you put into the pedals, the more the motor puts out. To maintain the handling present on the regular JAM, Focus made some ever-so-slight tweaks to the JAM². The main change being a slightly slacker 66.5-degree head angle. The other change being that the JAM² is available in both 27.5+ and 29in versions. The mainframe is the same between the two bikes, but the rear triangle is slightly different, with the 27.5+ swingarm being slightly shorter overall. The first shipment of Jam2’s are hitting Focus dealers across the country right now..
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Is this the most ‘non’ e-Bike looking e-bike you’ve ever seen? The new Focus Jam2 looks so slick! When Focus began working on JAM² project their intention was to create a fun, nimble and agile trail bike, and not just an electric bike that you could throttle round on all-day long. And that’s a big reason why Focus committed to the integrated design that would use a lighter and smaller battery. And so the all new Jam2 retains the same playful ride character of the popular Focus Jam trail bike the added oomph of a Shimano Steps E8000 motor which delivers around 70Nm+ of torque. Further emphasising the bike’s versatility, the JAM² packs 140mm of front & rear travel and comes with the spec option of either 29’er or 27.5+ wheels. The Jam2 utalises Focus’ unique F.O.L.D. (FOCUS OPTIMIZED LINKAGE DESIGN) suspension system. It embodies the perfect balance between rigidity and forgiveness. All suspension hardware is located in the frame’s centre which means the Jam2 centre of gravity is kept nice and low which of course helps to improve handling.
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RAEMO 27, KAPITI COAST (BUT SOON I WILL BE MOVING BACK TO NELSON).
FAVOURITE TRAIL: 629 IN NELSON, NZ. THE TRAIL BEGINS AT 629M ELEVATION AND FEATURES STEEP TECHNICAL CORNERS WITH A COMBINATION OF NATIVE AND OPEN FLOWY SINGLETRACK. SPONSORS: LIV, RIDE 100%.SRAM, ROCKSHOX, SCHWABLE, HT PEDALS, RE-FUEL, JAYBIRD, MRP CHAIN GUIDE, ODI GRIPS, GOPRO, HONEY STINGER, STANS NO TUBES, FINISH LINE, PARK TOOL, THULE AND MY OWN PERSONAL SPONSOR CAMELBAK.
2017 HAS BEEN A FAST PACED SEASON FOR KIWI ENDURO STAR, RAE MORRISON, BOTH ON AND OFF THE BIKE. SINCE JOINING THE LIV FACTORY TEAM DURING THE OFFSEASON HER FEET HAVE BARELY TOUCHED THE GROUND. WE RECENTLY CAUGHT UP WITH RAE FOR A QUICK CHAT TO DISCUSS HER NEW LIFE IN THE FAST LANE. We’ve been loving following your Instagram feed (@rae_morrison), it seems like every day is a little adventure for you? Thanks! With travelling around the world and racing in different countries, experiencing different cultures, landscapes, and foods and of course various trails, adventures do tend to follow. A lot of this is already incorporated into the race weekend but on top of that, I still love exploring new areas and it’s always useful to speak with the locals about their ‘must dos’ and local spots to visit and fit in around the racing. So right now the 2017 season is nearing the halfway point, how’s the year been going so far? The 2017 season has been awesome. We have raced in some pretty amazing and exotic locations, and my new bike and team support have been incredible.
Despite this, it was still a tough start into the season for me, feeling a bit unprepared with minimal time on the bike and training before the first race. Last year I suffered a seasonending injury where I shattered my calcaneus (heel bone) after my pedal broke when landing a jump. I was on crutches for four months and I wasn’t allowed to race until six months, which brought me into February. This meant I had only four weeks to properly prepare for the Rotorua EWS in March instead of the usual entire October to March off-season. I was not as fit as I would have liked but also struggled to unclip my left foot during a lot of the stages which resulted in SPD crashes. No injuries but as always it is frustrating to waste time and not be where I wanted to be. Now, as the year progresses I am getting fitter, stronger, more confident and more aggressive on the bike. Furthermore, I am really looking forward to the upcoming races in the second half of the season as the stages get more technical, steeper and gnarlier, which is something I tend to enjoy and thrive on. I am very excited to get hustling and pushing myself further. How has the adjustment been to your new surroundings as part of the factory team?
ORRISON This year I have been a lot happier being a part of LIV and the Giant Factory Off-Road Team. Three years ago I raced the season unsupported and unsponsored as a privateer, now being the professional athlete on board the factory team, the difference is mind-blowing. Having a positive environment, the best gear, advice and team support is extremely helpful and allows me to focus more of my energy on racing. We all share the same ambitions and goals and work towards them together as a unit, they are a family away from home.
You’ve been racing the new LIV Hail. Tell us a little about that bike? The LIV Hail is a women’s specific enduro bike with 160mm of travel and 27.5” wheels. I am in love with this bike. It is aggressive and capable of standing up to the serious demands of Enduro racing, whilst also being very playful, stable and easy to handle. It is the best performing and all round bike I have ever ridden. For my personal set up I have spec’d the bike very gravity focused using a longer seat post dropper with 150mm reverb, a longer travel fork with 170mm Lyrik and the brand new Rockshox Super deluxe Coil with remote lockout We noticed that you, and a lot of pro riders, have recently switched to a coil shock in the rear of your enduro bikes. What’s that all about? In the last week we have been trailing the new Enduro specific Rockshox Super Deluxe coil with remote lock out and it has been amazing. I have been testing it here in Whistler and it has been eating up the steep technical tracks. The EWS rounds have varying degrees of technical vs physical, but overall the races are trending towards more
technical and gnarlier stages with less time to practice. We are racing almost blind at crazy high speeds, so having the power and stability of a Coil shock usually outweighs the weight penalty. Also, with the new lockout lever on the handlebar it gives the option to lock out the shock on a flat piece of track or climb for extra pedal efficiency. At this stage I will be running mine for the rest of the season
Where is home for you (where do you set up base) during the season?For the race season I try to spend all of it overseas to reduce travel time and cost. It has been such a busy schedule this year with travelling every other week that I didn’t bother with a base until now. At the moment I have a bit of time between races so I have set up camp in Whistler. It has been great to unpack the bags, rest and have a home away from home with amazing trails and a bike park at my doorstep. I will base myself here for the next two months until Crankworx in August. Then I head back to NZ and make a singular trip over for the finale EWS round in Finale Ligure, Italy at the end of September. Is it challenging to find that balance and follow a routine (eating, training, time for yourself, etc) with all the travel that you’re doing right now? I find this is one of the biggest challenges. Being constantly on the move, living out of a bag, always changing time zones, living in a state of jetlag and sleep deprivation and flying countless long haul flights makes having a routine close to impossible. You do need to be very flexible and fit in what you can, when you can whether it is training, sleeping or eating. This year I’ve become a lot better at sleeping on airplanes, and always carrying snacks with me, everything is much better and brighter when you aren’t hungry. It has really been good mentally to have a few weeks in Whistler to settle down, get in a routine and be able to structure my training before I head to France for the next EWS. So it’s probably fair to say that you’re living the dream... A girl from Wellington, NZ, that goes to work traveling the world riding and racing her bike, sounds pretty awesome! What advice would you give to other girls out there that would love to follow in your footsteps? I really do feel like I am living the dream and I want to ride this wave for as long as I can. My hobby has become my job and I get to travel the world, it’s amazing. My advice to other girls would be to do it, take the chance, find your passion and go after it. It is hard, you will face many challenges and none of this stuff will just get handed to you. I went through the hardest and lowest times of my life leading into where I am today and spent a long time fighting for this dream. But if it was easy, there would be more people doing it and the result wouldn’t be as rewarding.
BYUERS GUIDE
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Tony Nolan
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1 - POC ‘Spine VPD Air Backpack 8’
7 - SOURCE ‘i-Viz Firefly’
Constructed from an ultra tech fabric that repels water and dirt. Twin-strap closure system. Tool pocket on the side for easy access. Overall a very light feeling pack which is impressive considering this pack features a spine protection insert. Hydration bladder sold separately. $239.95 www.snowsport.com.au
What we really like about this pack is that it isn’t over complicated. It’s got everything you need for a few hours of riding and nothing that you don’t. And at half the price of some hydro packs the Firefly represents fantastic value.
2 - LEATT ‘DBX Mountain Lite 2.0’
8 - OGIO ‘Baja 2L’
A multi impact back protector offers comfortable and flexible protection from impact. With a 2.0L bladder and 1.0L luggage compartment, this pack is the perfect size for all your essentials. $169.95 www.cassons.com.au
3 - SHIMANO ‘Enduro Racepack’
Utilizing Shimano’s ACCU3D body hugging fit, each part of this pack is shaped to create a fit that stays perfectly next to your back with no movement or loose straps. Plenty of stretchable pockets and compartments to stash everything you need for a day in the saddle. Hydration bladder sold separately.
$139.95 www.shimano.com.au 4 - SCOTT ‘Perform HY’ 16L
Featuring Scott’s patented 3D shaped moisture management back panel this pack utilises a 2 litre Hydrapak Elite reservoir, Upper and automatic compression system to ensure figure hugging fit and comfort. $164.95 www.scott-sports.com
5 - CAMELBAK ‘Skyline LR10’
Wowsers, this pack is brimming with cool features. A 3-litre fluid reservoir, helmet hooks, compression webbing for storing soft armour, and an XV back panel to keep your back cool and ventilated. The pack also includes its own tool roll, so you’ll always be prepared on the trail. $199.95 www.camelbak.com.au
6 - DEUTER ‘Air Express 16L Bike’
Featuring Deuter’s Aircomfort System, this pack is definitely one of the most comfortable that we’ve featured. Quite a large pack in overall size and you’ll find plenty of pockets and compartments including a ‘wet storage’ compartment. And it even comes equipped with a small removable foam mat for sitting on! Hydration bladder sold separately. $169.00 www.velovita.com.au
$119.95 www.pushys.com The Baja features a sweet Multi-Adjust harness system which holds the pack perfectly to your body without restricting manoeuvrability. An ‘anti-sloshing’ hydration bladder which is housed in a insulated cooler lining that keeps liquid cold for 30% longer. Large front compartment for storing extra gear and accessories. Expandable front storage pocket for helmet or large gear. And for increased comfort on long rides it also features an ergonomic padded back panel allowing for consistent air flow.
Price $165.00 www.lustyindustries.com 9 - USWE ‘Airborne 9’ Utalising USWE’s brilliant 4-point suspension harness strap design, the Airborne 9 fits like a glove! A very lightweight pack which features plenty of well designed storage compartments and 3 litre ‘Elite’ fluid bladder. You’d be hard pressed finding a better riding pack. Price $175.00 www.stevecramerproducts.com
10 - EVOC ‘Stage 12l Team Pack’
The ‘go to’ choice for several of our staff riders. An extremely versatile pack for riders who don’t carry a lot of gear, or Enduro racers. Great design, and loads of comfort thanks to Evoc’s premium hip belt and back ventilation. The pack includes a rain cover to keep your gear dry and separate compartments to keep everything organised. Price $199.95 www.groupesportif.com
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WE ALL RIDE BIKES FOR DIFFERENT REASONS; EXERCISE, THE THRILL OF RIDING A REALLY RAD TRAIL, EVEN JUST THE FUN OF SPENDING TIME WITH THE FAMILY OUT ON A BIKE PATH AROUND THE LAKE. FOR ME, IT’S ALL OF THESE REASONS PLUS ONE MORE KIND OF IMPORTANT THING BUT FIRST LET ME GIVE YOU A LITTLE BIT OF HISTORY.
About nine years ago I was on a work trip and was Coward Punched on the walk back home from dinner. I was luckier than others but still came off second best, to not only some chumps fist, but also the edge of the concrete curb. That night left me with a face full of metal and a brain that doesn’t work all the time. Back then I didn’t really know what the extent of things was going to be. I found out that concentrating and remembering things pretty much stopped for me but that’s not a big deal. My phone remembers things for me and tells me when I’m meant to do something and people only talk in 144 characters at a time anymore right? That’s not too long to concentrate but guess what, half of even that I will forget and the half I remember I get mixed up. Send me to the grocery store for a few things and I will forget something unless it’s on a list, even then there is a chance I will stuff it up. Frustrating for sure but way worse for the other people in my life that give me the list or instructions. After a ton of tests and time talking to doctors, we come to realize that I had 29% permanent brain damage. From this point in life I developed some issues that I didn’t even know what they really were and as life gets more interesting and filled with trying to pay bills, keep a roof over our head, pay more bills and balance work and family, things are getting harder to deal with. I never really knew about anxiety or depression so, no I totally didn’t have that. If you don’t know what something is you don’t have it… right???
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I didn’t know what people even meant when they said they had anxiety or they were having a panic attack and that’s not really cool. I think the more that people talk about mental health issues or diseases, the better. The more it’s talked about, the more people will know about them and maybe someone that doesn’t know what’s going on will have an idea and talk to someone. Did you know that three million Australians are living with depression or anxiety? That’s a lot of people. Some of them don’t know it or understand it and that’s not a good thing. There are heaps of levels of just how bad someone can suffer from a form of a mental health disease. Some people will never show any sign of it, some you will never expect might have anything wrong with them. Another type of person with a mental health disease could be the strong blokey guy that really needs to talk to someone but won’t ever say anything because of the stigma surrounding mental health. I hope that by me telling this little story, maybe it gives someone the push to get some help or at least realize that they are not alone.
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IT’S OK NOT TO BE OK Ok so back to that other reason I go for a ride. Ask any athlete how they feel if they don’t ride for a few days and you will pretty much get the same answer, CRAP. I was talking to Keiran Volk, MR, rad awesome fun soon to be dad always stoked beyond fathomableness and his answer was “I don’t like going more than a few days without riding. Over a week and I’ll kill someone for looking at me weird.” Studies have been done and can confirm that more time in nature makes you feel better, even just exposure to the outdoors makes you feel better. But for me, going for a ride was actually in my medical plan as something I needed to do. Stoked right… Ok let me make this point clear. I am not going to tell you that the cure to mental health issues is riding a bike BUT when you go outside into nature, your brain function increases, you get some much needed natural Vitamin D and did you know that nature is a natural stress reliever. So with all these benefits we should live outside right, well if you can, do it. For me, it’s a bit more than just getting outside and soaking up some sun. Going for a challenging ride does a few extra things for me that really help. Endorphins are a magical drug that our body produces when we go fast and do rad stuff, it also makes you feel very happy. I only get those endorphins though from a few things and usually it involves jumping off things, the bigger the better. If I get that extra heart beat then things are on the right track to feeling very good. Another reason why going for a ride on a really cool trail is that no matter what kind of thoughts are going through my brain, good or bad, when I am on my bike trying to go fast through sketchy trails, I can only think about that 20 feet or so in front of me right then, nothing else. Thinking about the things I screwed up, or I forgot to do, or that I’m just plain old no good and deserve nothing, don’t even get a chance to come into my train of thought. After spending a couple of hours ripping around in the bush only focused on those 20 feet at a time, I can’t even remember the bad stuff, even if it’s only for a short time after until you get back into the real world. So the next time you’re feeling a little low or you want to yell and punch the wall, DROP EVERYTHING, jump on your bike and ride, I bet you will even get a few PR’s on Strava. If you need a little more than a ride, that’s Ok, you can talk to people like www.beyondblue.org.au
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HE TWO TIME MOTOGP WORLD CHAMPION HAS LONG ENJOYED MOUNTAIN BIKING AS A HOBBY. HOWEVER, THIS PAST SUMMER CASEY’S FONDNESS FOR TRAIL RIDING HAS EXPLODED INTO A FULL-BLOWN PASSION. WHILST HIS PRIMARY JOB AS THE TEST RIDER FOR FACTORY DUCATI’S MOTOGP RACE TEAM DEMANDS THE LION’S SHARE OF HIS ATTENTION, CASEY STILL MANAGES TO DEVOTE A LOT OF HIS TIME TO RIDING AND TINKERING WITH HIS BELOVED FLEET OF SRAM EQUIPPED BIKES. NOW, AS HE SETS HIS SIGHTS ON POTENTIALLY ENTERING HIS FIRST MOUNTAIN BIKE GRAVITY ENDURO RACE IN THE NEAR FUTURE, [R] EVOLUTION MAGAZINE HEADED TO QUEENSLAND TO CATCH UP WITH CASEY AT HOME AND OUT ON HIS FAVOURITE LOCAL TRAILS.
Before we go much further let’s outline the history this story. First, let me tell you something about Casey; he has an amazingly technical mind when it comes to bikes (both with and without a motor); and he conveys that technical information on a bike’s riding behavior and his requirements with amazing articulation. As a result of being deeply in-tune with bike set-up characteristic, Casey will only ride the bike and components that he feels perform best. He is always searching for the ultimate performance to match the riding conditions. Be it a smooth asphalt Moto GP race track, or a loose rocky single track down a mountain side. Casey studies every detail and obsesses with fine tuning…. And this is how Casey’s SRAM relationship started many years ago. During his MotoGP career Casey was supported by Specialized who provided him training bikes. Yes, complete models from Specialized’s MTB line-up each year. Casey being Casey, often refused to settle for a stock set-up where he felt it lacked performance; from there he started researching and trialing various MTB components. Besides making his MotoGP bikes go fast and slow down, one of the most critical areas of a MotoGP bike’s performance is the suspension. During his MotoGP career Casey worked with countless engineers which resulted in Casey’s detailed understanding of suspension behavior and how it affects a bike’s riding characteristics. So, when riding his Mountain Bike, it was perfectly natural for Casey to play around with adjustments to his front and rear suspension. Sometimes he’d find a setting that worked, and sometimes not. Through this method of trial and error, he formed the view that one Mountain bike suspension brand was far superior than any other brand in the marketplace. That brand was Rock Shox, and Casey has been a diehard fan ever since. Casey then discovered various other products in the SRAM range, such as SRAM’s Guide brakes and Reverb dropper posts. Through that product association the relationship grew organically, and now Casey is a full SRAM athlete.For our recent trip to QLD we were joined by technicians from SRAM who were taking the opportunity to build and tune two brand new bikes for the champ. Casey loves his mountain biking but let me tell you, he is not just some punter that putts around the trails for fitness. His speed, style and skill could easily be mistaken for a pro mountain biker. In fact, if he entered a national level race tomorrow, we reckon he would be a legitimate podium contender. But more on that later. First, let’s start getting to know Casey. Can you begin by telling us a bit about how you got into MTB? Well I had been road cycling ever since I was a teenager. It was great for my training and I really enjoyed it, but as you know it is getting sketchier out there on the roads. I really discovered mountain biking when I moved to Switzerland back in 2008.
W H E E L S
GRAVITY ENDURO 100
RIGHT NOW GRAVITY ENDURO RACING IS SKYROCKETING IN POPULARITY AND PARTICIPATION ACROSS AUSTRALIA. THINK ABOUT IT, WHAT’S NOT TO LOVE ABOUT THE ULTIMATE FORM OF MOUNTAIN BIKE RACING? YOU GET TIMED ON A SERIES OF FUN DESCENTS AND YOU STILL GET CHALLENGED BY THE FITNESS OF HAVING TO TRANSITION BETWEEN STAGES. AN ENDURO RACE IS A FANTASTIC DAY IN THE SADDLE, PLUS THERE’S THE SOCIAL ASPECT OF RIDING WITH YOUR BUDDIES AND BATTLING IT OUT FOR BRAGGING RIGHTS AT THE FINAL FINISH LINE. THE MTBA GRAVITY ENDURO SERIES ARE THE CROWN JEWEL EVENTS ON THE AUSSIE RACING CALENDAR. COMBINING THE BEST TRAIL DESTINATIONS AND THE BEST EVENT ORGANIZERS. THIS YEARS 5 ROUND GRAVITY ENDURO NATIONAL SERIES IS ‘MUST DO’ FOR ANY SERIOUS MOUNTAIN BIKER. [R]EVOLUTION MAGAZINE IS PROUD TO HAVE TEAMED UP WITH MTBA AS THE OFFICIAL MEDIA PARTNER FOR THIS YEARS SERIES. WE WILL BE BRINGING YOU ALL THE ACTION FROM EACH RACE, SO LETS GET STARTED BY RE-CAPPING THE OPENING 3 ROUNDS.
ROUND 1 FALLS CREEK, VIC
PHOTOS // CHARLIE BROWN
Whilst the Australian riding scene was still buzzing from the excitement of the Enduro World Series event down in Tassy a week earlier, riders from across the country flocked to Falls Creek, in Victoria’s beautiful high country, to battle it out at the opening round of the 2017 MTBA Gravity Enduro National Series. Whilst the forecast of heavily ominous weather conditions across the weekend might have been a factor that kept some riders away, for the 115 competitors that lined up on Sunday morning for racing they were greeted with blue skies and absolutely mint trail conditions. Racing saw the riders battle the clock down 4 individual stages and they had to grind their way up 3 challenging liaison stages. Each course offered a unique mix of technical terrain which certainly challenged the riders. Take a look at the size of this jump at the bottom of the final race stage! The elite men’s field was stacked with competition with over 30 riders hustling for a slice of the podium. After the 4 race stages were won and done the fastest man at the end of the day was the reigning National Elite Champion, local rider Chris Panozzo, who stormed to victory in a time of 27 minutes, 54 seconds. This was Chris’ maiden outing in his new team colours. The reigning champ recently signed with Santa Cruz / Lusty Industries and raced a 2017 Santa Cruz Bronson. “Alpine weather arrived hard for Saturday’s practice, temps were in the single digits and it was raining. It seems like 2017 will be the year of the shit weather. Once we got out in the rain in the late arvo for a single lap of each stage it was fun. We sessioned a few turns with some good turtle slide action lower down on Falls Creek’s established go to track “Flo Town”. This stage would be an eleven minute lung buster come race day. Race day was sunny (thank f**k) and the tracks tacked up pretty quickly and in some cases made pedaling harder as mud stuck to your wheels. The day was all about consistency, with the shortest stage four and a half minutes long it meant you needed to get into a rhythm as quick as possible and not pop your lungs too early. There was a short delay while a rider was air lifted to safety after crashing hard on stage 2, but the rest of the day ran smooth. There was a solid liaison climb between stages 2 and 3, taking riders through the scenic loop around the high plains. No doubt there would have been a few tired legs Monday morning, especially the junior categories who completed the same distances and elevation as the Elite Men. In the end it was great to compete at a new event for the Enduro Calendar, Falls is a growing destination for mountain biking and even though it was a wet and cold couple of days, we still got to go out there and race our bikes!” Elite Men’s winner, Chris Panozzo XC champ turned Enduro hopeful, Paul Van Der Ploeg, was hoping for big things at the opening National Round but his day was crushed midway through the second stage leaving the 9 foot tall Giant Bikes rider no choice but to pull out of the race. “Well it was definitely a ‘fight of the fittest’ that weekend down at Falls Creek. The tracks where very undulating and awkward which made racing really challenging. It was super fun though! I was really glad to make it through the day without any mechanicals or crashes and taking the win was the icing on the cake.” Jr Men’s winner, Harrison Dobrowolski
Elite men’s podium with Chris taking top honours followed by a pair of Bens, Ben Forbes in 2nd and Ben Cory in 3rd.
INTERVIEW
Damn… and you’re no stranger to shoulder surgeries either. Haven’t you already had two shoulder reco’z during your career to date? I’ve dislocated my right shoulder nearly 50 times and the surgery I had was supposed to be unbreakable! The surgeon is not stoked on me as his patient and ruining his perfect record. So it’s been a couple of months since Derby, how’s the shoulder feeling now? To be honest it is pretty rubbish. I’ve been working with the physiotherapists at Kieser training in Melbourne. They also have specific rehab strength and condition programs and hopefully they can help me get back at it ASAP. In the mean time I’ll be keeping busy doing some cyclocross for the Aussie winter and hopefully get back over for the EWS final in Italy. Let’s talk about your current bike. What have you been racing this year? I’ve been on both of Giant’s trail bikes, the Trance and the Reign. They are both really capable bikes, but for the EWS I have been mostly on the Reign because of the higher demand technically. How have you got it set-up? (Custom spec? Do you make any ‘Paul specific’ mods or tweaks, etc, etc?) Both bikes are pretty much fully custom with Shimano XTR Di2 builds and Fox Suspension. I have been playing around with setup a lot. Bar width, stem length. Also things like cleat position have been an interesting change. When I first setup my Shimano ME7 shoes, I had the cleats too far forward and that loaded up my calves so much that I couldn’t walk up and down stairs after the first few Enduro races. I’ve now moved the cleats back and it is night and day difference.
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Does it take you long to get used to the ‘squish’ of all that suspension after you hop off the road bike and your rigid XC machines? It is hard to get your head around how capable a bike like the Reign is compared to an XC bike with the seat at full height.
TRAIL BLAZER
WORDS&PHOTOS DAN SEVERSON IT’S FAIRLY SAFE TO SAY THAT THE AVERAGE RIDER OUT THERE PROBABLY OWNS ONE OR TWO BIKES. OF COURSE FOR YOU BIKE HOARDERS (OR COLLECTORS), WHICHEVER YOU PREFERRED TO BE CALLED, WE’LL MAKE AN EXCEPTION. THIS GROUP LIKES TO HAVE IT ALL COVERED FROM ROAD TO DIRT AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN. BUT LET’S BE HONEST; MOST OF US EITHER DON’T HAVE THE SPACE, THE FINANCES OR THE ABILITY TO UPKEEP SUCH A FLEET, THEREFORE BRINGING US BACK DOWN TO THE REALITY OF, AS GANDALF MIGHT SAY, “ONE BIKE TO RULE THEM ALL.” THIS IS DEFINITELY NOT A BAD THING. THE DO-IT-ALL TRAIL BIKE BY TODAY’S STANDARDS HAS AN EXTREMELY WIDE RANGE FROM GETTING US UP STEEP UPHILL’S TO BLASTING DOWN TECHNICAL DOWNHILLS.
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For professional racer, Caroline Buchanan, the need for a wide range of bikes is completely necessary though. Competing in multiple disciplines of racing requires the right tool for the right job at all times. Her garage, back at her home away from home, in California, houses everything from small rigid BMX bikes, to all-mountain trail bikes and ultra-cushy downhill machines. Even motorcycles have their place in the fold.
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GIANTTRA
REVIEW
ANCEONE Tim Westacott Tim Bardsley-Smith
WE THINK THIS IS THE BEST VALUE MOUNTAIN BIKE ON THE MARKET TODAY. READ ON TO FIND OUT WHY…
The 2017 Trance 1 is flagged as the quintessential “do-everything” Trail bike. It is a dedicated 27.5” (650B) machine and comes spec’d with all the goodies advanced mountain bikers crave; carbon wheels, a complete Shimano Deore XT 1x11 drivetrain, XT brakes and quality Fox suspension units front and rear. Without a doubt this is the only ‘17 Trail bike with a price tag of less than five grand that can lay claim to those elements, and along with some other well considered factors, I think the Trance 1 is arguably the best value Trail bike on the market this year. That’s a big statement, however in terms of “bang-for-buck” and pure “Trail” abilities, I believe it to be true, and below are my reasons why…
We unpacked the Trance and I smiled at the subtle grey paint and neon orange highlights across the frame, fork and rims. Quiet and loud all at once… yeah, that’s a good-looking bike. I grinned at the XT 1x11 Drivetrain and matching brakes with 180mm rotors. I appraised the SL Contact Bars, the Giant TRX-1 carbon wheelset; I rolled my eyes across the 150mm Fox 34 Performance Elite Fit4 fork, and Fox Float Performance Elite EVOL LV shock in 140mm. There’s also an elegant Trunnion mounted carbon rocker. For a pure Trail bike, this Giant Trance 1 rocks a very tidy parts list. Before we move on, I gotta acknowledge that what constitutes “Trail” and what constitutes “All Mountain” has evolved dramatically since the first Trance with Maestro suspension appeared in 2004. We now have Trail bikes with All Mountain capability, and All-Mountain and Enduro
bikes morphing into lighter DH / Freeride rigs. Therefore, this Trance 1 is spec’d with bulletproof parts that allows owners to easily tailor the bike to their personal requirements, whether it’s marathon XC days or heavy Trail tomfoolery; and as an opening proposition, I suggest that versatility is key to this bike’s success.
The Trance 1 frame is made from Giant’s well proven ALUXX SL aluminium; it’s light, stiff, reactive and durable, which is exactly what every mountain biker wants. A smartly-designed aluminium frame always reminds me that although Carbon is lighter and more fashionable, it’s not always better. Giant have used simple rubber cable ports for the internal routing; they never leaked, or popped out, and the cabling never rattled. There’s a discreet front derailleur mount and ISCG tabs. And there are also several well placed, simple and secure cable saddles for the rear brake and derailleur cables. I also liked the aluminium indents that house the lower shock mount in the down tube; the shock mount is now so low, it’s as close to being parallel with the BB as engineering will allow. Another interesting aspect is the frame’s geometry. Our size “Large” test bike has an 1183mm wheelbase and 448mm reach; which initially sounds a little compact. However, when compared to the 2016 Trance, this 2017 model approximately uses 5mm shorter chain stays, sits 5mm lower, and the front centre has been stretched by 10mm (which effectively extends the wheelbase).
©Shimano Inc 2017 / Photo: Sterling Lorence
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