Evolution 07 March - April 2014 by Matthew Currie

MARCH_APRIL

THE

ISSUE

It's now March though and that means there is a glimmer of hope.

WHAT A WINTER

FRESH SHOOTS What a winter! That has to be some of the stormiest conditions we can ever remember, it’s testament to how hardy the average cyclist is that no matter what the weather, even during a winter like that there are riders across the nation braving the storm. Our oﬃce night rides have been busier than ever during the winter actually! It’s now March though and that means there is a glimmer of hope, the

evenings are beginning to get lighter, the ﬁrst green shoots are beginning to appear and with them comes the promise of long rides on roads and trails in sunshine and dust. Read on for some inspiration from pro riders and some of the top brands in the industry as well as some shiny new products to get you ready to ride.

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INTRO

CONTENTS

NEWS

You can never hold back spring. Welcome to the spring edition of EVOLUTION. With the changing of the season and the days getting longer there's no better time to get out on the bike.

Get a complete look at what EVOLUTION 07 has to offer. From the latest news to magazine reviews there is something for everyone.

Big news this month. We take pleasure in announcing the all-new Hotlines website and WTB enduro team who are already making a mark on the circuit.

NEW WEBSITE

WTB ENDURO TEAM

The brand new Hotlines website has now launched. With a completely reworked interface and a fresh new look the site is easy than ever to navigate.

News doesn't get much newer than this. The WTB enduro team has only just been launched but they are already achieving top 5 results in the Scottish enduro series. Nae bad! We also do a bike check with Gary Forest's new Lapierre Spicy team.

BRAND FOCUS

PRODUCT FOCUS

This month in focus is Spank Industries. We take a look at the inception of the brand and what they have lined up for 2014.

There's lots of new product in focus this month to get excited by. We look at the new allmountain hardtail from NSBikes, the Eccentric, alongside the soon-to-bereleased Spank Ooz y Trail 295 wheelset with Bead Bite Technolog y and latest 5.5 neck brace from Leatt.

NUKEPROOF MEGA AM REVIEW

The new Nukeproof Mega AM 275 makes its way in to the hollowed list that is the Dirt 100. Read the review to see why it achieves its coveted place.

MICHELIN WILD MUD ADVANCED REVIEW

Yet another Hotlines product makes the Dirt 100 this time in the form of the Michelin Wild Mud Advanced tyre. Read the review and find out why the highanticipated mud tyre rates so highly.

WTB VIGILANTE REVIEW

MBR review the popular enduro tyre from WTB - the Vigilante. This review looks at the top of the line dual compound Team Issue TCS tyre currently featured on the WTB enduro team bikes.

SPONSORED RIDER

Lapierre's DH Gravity republic top dog Loic Bruni is the sponsored rider of choice this month. We take a look back at his 2013 season and get a glimpse of his plans for the upcoming 2014 race seasons.

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NE M

Hotlines has some rather exciting news in the shape of our all new website. Months of work have gone in to creating our new site which should make ordering easier than ever, whilst being a bit more friendly on the eye. We are also proud to announce the WTB enduro team who are already finishing high on the enduro circuit.

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WEB SITE M

The brand new Hotlines website has now launched. With a completely reworked interface and a fresh new look the site is easy than ever to navigate.

e are very pleased to announce that our brand new website is now live. We have listened to feedback and have made the site more user friendly and it is now easier than ever to locate your favourite products. The dealer locator will allow you to work out who the

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closest dealer that is selling your desired product is and the news section will keep you up to speed on the latest product releases and sponsored rider news. With real time stock availability info and great product photography, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s never been easier to ďŹ nd out more about the products we stock.

Click to see for yourselves

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WTB ENDUR TEAM Introducing the all-new 2014 WTB enduro team

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“Born from the need to race in European enduro events, the Vigilante is our premier aggressive All Mountain tire, and first choice for Team WTB’s Mark Weir. The square-lugged open-tread pattern offers stability in loose or wet terrain, while the stiff outside knobs grip at lean angles like nobody’s business. With Dual DNA (TCS) and Gravity DNA (Team Issue) rubber, this is the tire to ride when you are giving it your all .”- WTB

With the sudden rise in the Enduro racing format over the past two years, brands are constantly trying to stay at the forefront of innovations within the discipline. Be it wheelsize, frame material, tyre compounds or tread pattern, each cycle brand is trying to ﬁnd their place within this burgeoning market place. One brand that has stormed onto the Enduro circuit in the past year is WTB. By no means a new comer to the industry, WTB have been honing their skills since 1982 across their impressive range of components which have been adorned on many keen cyclists’ bikes since inception. 2014 also marks the introduction of a new tyre designer who has already had a signiﬁcant impact on the WTB tyre range. The Vigilante and Warden models are just two new tyres that have already caused a stir in the UK media.

integral part of WTB’s racing development squad. Both riders will be at the forefront of testing and development of new tyres in the WTB range which will be released later in 2014.

To add to the ongoing development of the WTB products, Hotlines are proud to introduce a two man elite Enduro Team for 2014 that will form an

“I'm really happy to be part of the WTB Enduro Team for 2014. I am looking forward to some fun riding and racing on the Lapierre Spicy in the moist Scottish weather as well

The team, comprising of two truly talented riders, will be racing on custom build Lapierre Spicy Team bikes adorned in the latest goods from WTB including the brand new, incredibly light and stiﬀ tubeless ready KOM rims, Team Issue Vigilante tyres and Volt saddles. The elite riders in question are none other than Gary Forrest and Robert Williams.

as the dust on the Continent. Fingers crossed for an awesome year ahead.”

Gary commented.

Robert Williams has been a common ﬁgure on the UK Downhill circuit and like Gary, turned his hand to Enduro racing at the end of 2012 with respectable top 10 places in the UK Gravity Enduro series. Rob had this to say;

“I am hugely excited to be joining the WTB Enduro team for 2014; it’s a great opportunity to be able to compete using quality products and equipment. Winter training is going well so far with lots of hours on and off road, and the British and Gary Forest has been on world Enduro series cannot the DH Race circuit for over come soon enough. I am really 12 years and at the end looking forward to getting time of 2012 made the switch on the bike and I'm sure 2014 to full time Enduro racing. will be a great experience and 2013 was a great year for I’m hoping to produce some Gary, winning the annual good results.” Tweedlove King of the hill Enduro and ranking 32nd overall in the Enduro World Series.

Both Gary and Rob will be racing the full UK Gravity Enduro Series and a selection of the World Series for 2014. There are also some exciting video edits lined up for the season which will be appearing online throughout the year. [10]

W T B V OLT T E A M S A D D L E

The next evolution in the WTB saddle range, it features Ti rails, Thin Line style compact padding (featured also on the Silverado and Devo) a slight whale tail and gentle drop to the nose to provide something to push against on those big climbs.

L A P IE R R E S P IC Y T E A M F R A M E S E T

The ﬁnest carbon monocoque 27.5” frameset, running the tried and tested Lapierre OST + suspension system, designed and tested by Nico Vouilloz himself.

C U S T O M B U ILT W T B K O M W H E E L S E T

Manufactured from WTB’s WT69 alloy, the rims showcase that it is truly possible to create a rim that is as light as carbon and wide enough and strong enough to take on some of the toughest trail conditions on the way down.

S P A N K C O M P O N E N T S C O N T R OL S

Gary and Rob will be running a selection of Spank components for the duration of the 2014 season. Spike 777 Evo bars and Spike Race stem are the current tools of choice, with a view to trialling bars and stems from the Oozy and Subrosa range to suit their individual needs. WTB Testing and Development Both Gary and Rob will be part of the ongoing testing and development for the WTB tyre range. The Vigilante Team Issue has already caused a stir and was developed in conjunction with Mark Weir. Expect some big things from the range for the year and be sure to have a little peak at their tyres when they are in the pits.

SR A M X X 1 1 1 SP E E D D R I V E T R A IN

Cutting edge power transfer with the all new 11 speed drive train from SRAM.

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- In the early years, Spank gained a reputation with the world's top FR and DH riders, for making parts designed to take their abuse, but without the normal weight penalties associated with those disciplines.

Spank Industries was born in 2003, the brainchild of South African designer/ manufacturer Gavin Michael Vos, and German marketer/ distributor Sven Mack. Competition in the MTB component industry was ﬁerce, but Spank stood out immediately, with a focus on creating the perfect symbiosis of enhanced performance, weight optimization, and cutting edge style. But that wasn't enough, they were committed to doing it at aﬀordable prices. To accomplish these goals, the brand invested heavily [15]

into material and production process development, and in no time emerged as one of the few component brands in the industry with in-house design, development, production, and testing. Saving the standard margins earned by agents and outsourced manufacturers, Spank was able to put more technology, higher end materials, and more attention to detail into their components at competitive prices, while at the same time ensuring dealers earned the margins they needed, and

goods remained accessible to the common consumer. In 2005, Spank's patented Oohbah Rim Proﬁle, and 2008, Dual XGT Taper and CNC Bending processes in handlebar production, literally set new industry bench marks for the achievable weight limits of components meant to be ridden hard. In the early years, Spank gained a reputation with the world's top FR and DH riders, for making parts designed to take their abuse, but without the normal weight penalties

associated with those disciplines. In more recent years, Spank has grown to service MTB riders of all disciplines, putting as much passion and technology into light weight trail and enduro products as those used by their World Cup and FMB pros. 2013 marked the end of Spank's ﬁrst decade. It was a milestone year, as the brand won awards and reviews all over the world for their wheelsets, handlebars, and pedals. So what's next? The guys at

Spank have recently launched a new patented rim proﬁle technology, and are busy working on a revolutionary hub system. They have also shared some details of late on a new vibration dampening handlebar technology, which is in testing currently with Mick Hannah and other World Cup stars. If there is one thing for sure...there is no stopping them. The past might be bright, but the future is blinding.

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NsBikes - Spank - Leatt

This month in focus we have the new all-mountain hardtail from NSBikes, the Eccentric. We have the brand new Spank Ooz y Trail 295 wheels with BeadBite technolog y meaning an end to burping wheels even at low pressures. Leatt introduce the 5.5 neck brace which is now easier to fit than ever with tool free adjustment making it the most adaptable Leatt brace yet.

PRODUCT FOCUS

e g n a NS BIKES r t s y l t h g i l s & l a n o i t n e v ECCENTRIC n o c n u : e jectiv

All the know-how NS has acquired over the years building steel hardtails has been funnelled into the frame of this bike and it really is the very best money can buy.

The NS Eccentric frame was created from a love of adventure, simplicity and quality. Hardtail lovers know what this is about. The heart of the bike is a high-end 4130 cromoly frame built using quality custom Tange Eccentric tubes. The result is an incredibly strong yet light 650B hardtail for aggressive trail riding. The Eccentric frame weighs just 2.4kg and is available in either blue/red or white/black. The Eccentric is 650B speciďŹ c and has a 142X12mm rear end and ZS44 headtube giving huge fork compatibility. The complete bike is ďŹ tted with a selection of NS Bikes components, high performance Avid brakes, the new X-Fusion Sweep fork and a 2x10 Sram drivetrain. All the know-how NS has acquired over the years building steel hardtails has been funnelled into the frame of this bike and it really is the very best money can buy.

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PRODUCT FOCUS

COMPLETE BIKE

FRAME

Frame: NS 100% Cromoly, custom butted 4130 cromoly, 142x12mm axle included, ZS44 headtube Fork: X-Fusion Sweep R 650b, 140mm travel, 15 mm axle, taper alloy steering tube Headset: FSA, ITA-B Stem: New NS Bikes Quantum 31.8, 45mm reach Handlebar: NS Terra Grips: Octane One bolt-on long Brakes: Avid Elixir5 160mm rear / 180mm front Shifters: SRAM X5 Derailleurs: SRAM X7 MID cage R, 10spd, SRAM X5 F Bottom bracket: Truvativ GXP 73mm Crank: SRAM X5 170, 38t & 24t, with alloy bashguard Chain: KMC DX-10SC, 1/2''x11/128'' for 10 spd Cassette: Sram PG-1030 10 speed 11-36 Rims: NS JALCO DD28 650b, 32h Hubs: NS 15 disc F, NS cassette R 142x12 (sealed bearings) Spokes: Black spokes w/14mm nipples, laced 3 cross Tyres: Maxxis Ardent 27.5x2.35 rear & front folding tyre Seatpost: Octane One 30.9 Saddle: Octane One Rocket w/hollow cromoly rails Weight: ~12.9 kg (M size, w/o pedals)

Material: custom butted 4130 cromoly, Tange Eccentric tubes Frame: Available in 3 frame sizes (16”, 17.5” & 19.5”) Recommended fork travel: 130-160mm Head tube: Semi integrated Zerp Stack ID 44/44mm Fits all forks: With standard 1-1/8” steertubes (forks with taper 1.5 – 1-1/8” steertubes can fit ZS44/44 headtube using special headsets with external lower cup (FSA Orbit ITA-A, ITA-B, Cane Creek XX44) BB: Threaded 73mm with ISCG-05 mounts Biggest chainring: Up to ~ 38t Front Derailleurs: Top pull, dia. 33mm / shim to fit 34.9 included Seatpost: 30.9 / seatclamp: 34.9 Designed to fit: 27.5”/650b but works also with 26” wheels. Maximum tire size recommended: 2.4” Disk brake mount: IS (International Standard), max rotor size up to 185mm Hub spacing: (O.L.D 142 x 12mm), NS custom 12MM thru axle included. Fit also 135x10 (adaptors included) Weight: ~2.4kg (M size) Colours: Black & white, red & blue

Price £1599.99

Price: £449.99

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PRODUCT FOCUS

SPANK OOZY TRAIL 295 The simplest innovations are often the best and the Oozy trail 295 bead bite wheelset is no exception. 26

27.5

In 2013 Spank stormed the enduro wheelset market with the introduction of the Oozy complete wheelset. This £449.99 wheelset won pretty much every magazine accolade available and sales have been incredibly strong. A mix of the Dynamal alloy used in the rim and the unique Oohbah rim profile mean that Spank are able to produce an incredibly stiff, strong and long lasting rim at a very low weight. The oozy wheelset weighs just 1640g in 26”. Where the Oozy wheelset is aimed at high performance with its narrow 21.5 inner rim diameter giving a very rounded tyre profile and fast rolling, the all new oozy trail 295 beadbite is aimed at a different user… The Oozy trail 295 bead bite has a much wider 25mm inner diameter rim designed to provide a more square tyre profile which increases tyre contact patch

and hence provides increased grip and stability. The trail 295 wheelset comes in at an almost identical weight to the oozy wheels but shows up to 15% increased stiffness and strength. The real headline story with the Oozy trail 295 is the bead bite technology itself. This patent pending design displays elegant simplicity that gives unprecedented function. The bottom few mm of the inner rim wall and the external part of the rim itself have very fine ridges machines in to them. When a tyre is fitted and the bead slides in to place it sits neatly over these ridges. The rubber surrounding the tyre bead deforms under pressure and fills these small ridges. This drastically increases the surface area and friction between the tyre and rim

which keeps the tyre locked in place. The consequence of this is that when run tubeless the bead bite rims can be run at incredibly low pressures without burping. This also aids heavier riders who have diﬃculty running traditional tubeless setups due to burping. The simplest innovations are often the best and the Oozy trail 295 bead bite wheelset is no exception. These wheels will be available in 26”, 27.5” and 29” in April 2014 and will retail for £449.99.

The real headline story with the Ooz y trail 295 is the bead bite technolog y itself. This patent pending design displays elegant simplicity that gives unprecedented function. [20]

PRODUCT FOCUS

LEATT DBX 5.5 The front and rear sliding SureFit adjusters can be set for your personal body shape, without tools, in less than 30 seconds. The brace can also be readjusted as necessary for growing kids or when worn with different apparel. From the biomedical engineers and medical staff of the Leatt® research labs comes a 100% new neck brace for 2014. We believe that the 5.5 neck brace is truly the most technologically advanced neck brace in the world. The CE certified 5.5 neck brace balances the needs of comfort, effectiveness and safety by allowing greater freedom of movement and adjustment to more closely meet the needs of top level racers whilst Leatt’s commitment to safety ensures that key safety features pioneered by Leatt® are built into each brace. The core of what makes Leatt neck braces work is Alternative Load Path Technology (ALPT®) and for the ALPT to work optimally neck braces must fit correctly. The adjustability built into all Leatt® neck braces is not just for comfort, but to ensure a correct fit that assists in optimizing effectiveness of your neck brace. Leatt believe that no other neck brace can be adjusted to fit riders as well as a Leatt®. The front and rear sliding SureFit adjusters can be set for your personal body shape, without tools, in less than 30 seconds. The brace can also be readjusted as necessary for growing kids or when worn with different apparel. To further optimize fit, the new and improved CoreFlex rear thoracic strut has an exclusive feature that allows it to be adjusted to 4 setting angles. This is done with a simple elastomeric bumper that can be set at 0, 5, 10 or 15 degrees in seconds. [21]

PRODUCT FOCUS

LOWER PROFILE 5.5

OLD LEATT PROFILE

EASY ADJUSTMENT 5-WAY, FOR BEST PERSONAL FIT

3600 STRIKEPLATFORM ALL ROUND SAFETY

The 5.5 has lowered side areas, below the ear, that increase comfort and wearability, especially on kids, smaller statured riders and riders with shorter necks. A simple pop off shoulder pad that can raise or lower your brace to suit your neck length or helmet rim profiles. Both the front and the back feature has the new split design that promotes broader dissipation of energy transmitted to the body and have new molded padding for greater comfort. The semi-rigid chassis is flexible and adjustable enough to fit most riders’ body shape while the structure remains rigid enough to help transmit energy during an impact while multiple engineered fracture points and crumple zones will bend or break away at pre-determined stress levels to help contribute to a riders’ safety. The new and improved CoreFlex rear thoracic strut is more comfortable than ever and still has the engineered fracture point at the top that allows it to break away in certain severe impacts. If broken this strut can be purchased as a replacement part and easily changed out. The strut is lined with the same soft padding as on all the surfaces that ride against your body and this protective padding is on the brace edges facing inwards towards the soft tissues of the neck. The injected foam padding is more durable and easier to clean than ever before and designed to accommodate custom sticker kits. [22]

MAGAZINE

REVIEWS DIRT 100 & MBR

This months reviews feature two products in the Dirt 100. MBR take look at the critically acclaimed WTB Vigilante Team Issue tyre.

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REVIEWS

NUKEPROOF review the MEGA AM 275 The change up to 27.5” wheels has resulted in what was already a good bike becoming a great bike. It’s not just down to the slight increase in wheel size though, as other slight changes have been carried out on the frame. It now has a bit more ‘life’ to it and Nukeproof have worked on the shock tune in order to make sure the suspension works as well

as it does. The frame is still a little on the heavy side compared to some other options, but that does bring with it a reassuring feeling, something that we welcome any time the trail

turns nasty. Build wise this bike is very hard to fault, coming built up with many of the parts in this Dirt 100, and you get it all for what we consider to be a very reasonable price.

Build wise this bike is very hard to fault, coming built up with many of the parts in this Dirt 100. [24]

REVIEWS

MICHELIN review the WILD MUD ADVANCED We had a bit of a 27.5” trail mud tyre problem because all of our favourite (Bonty XR Mud, Dirty Dan, Specialized Storm, etc) weren’t available in the in-between size. Thankfully the situation seems to be changing, but whilst what was happening we discovered this new, and highly specialised, gem of a tyre from Michelin that will be available in both 27.5” and 29” sizes. It ain’t no trail mud tyre though, this is a speciﬁc enduro mud tyre which has been developed in collaboration with downhill and enduro legend Fabien Barel, and it’s not too far oﬀ a DH spike. In the right situation this is a phenomenal bit of rubber, but in the wrong situation it’s a beast.

we discovered this new, and highly specialised, gem of a tyre from michelin that will be available in 27.5" & 29".

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REVIEWS

WTB review the VIGILANTE TEAM ISSUE THE VIGILANTE STEAMROLLERS THROUGH ANYTHING AND IT IS CLEAR IT IS DESIGNED WITH ENDURO RACING IN MIND.

The Vigilante represents a change in direction for WTB - gone are the quirky tread patterns with interlocking rubber bridges, replaced by big blocky knobs. There's no distinct side channel, instead a series of angled smaller blocks on the shoulder. This tyre is what WTB's enduro team are racing on and it measures up with hefty proportions - very tall with huge sidewalls and a more rounded crown. Perhaps because of the height, the Vigilante steamrollers through anything and it's clear it is designed with enduro racing in mind. For an aggressive, sticky tyre with a 45a durometer, it rolls a lot like a 29er. The dual-ply casing remains pretty stable when leant over and the rubber feels very confident tracking across roots and rock gardens. In terms of comfort and damping, the WTB is mid-pack. WTB makes no bones that the Vigilante is a big, aggressive tyre and as a result it's less suited to tamer UK trails where it can feel a little floaty in loose, loamy corners. Both of the WTB tubeless tyres went on easily and pumped up first go, but one tyre kept losing small amounts of air and I couldn't get to the bottom of the problem.

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