WELCOME
WI NTE R 2016
W E L C OM E Greg LeMond once famously said, “It never gets easier, you just go faster.” Those words have stuck with me throughout my 26 years in the industry and it’s in part down to his inspiring performance in the 1989 Tour de France that Saddleback exists today. The 1989 Tour was like no other in history. The defending champion and favourite Pedro Delgado lost track of time while warming up for the prologue and arrived at the start ramp already 2m40s behind the rest of the field. Greg LeMond making his way back from a hunting accident was the big surprise – as was his finishing fourth on the opening day, equal on time with French rival Laurent Fignon. From there the race was truly on, with Delgado fighting to recapture the time he lost from his starting error and LeMond and Fignon battling out the right to wear the yellow jersey at the close of each day. Once the peloton arrived in the mountains the lead seemed to change daily, and for someone new to cycling it was edgeof-the-seat entertainment. Having grown up in a family of footballers and cricketers I started to ask why I had never come across such a captivating sport before. By the time it reached the start of the final stage Fignon appeared to have shaken off LeMond with a seemingly unassailable 50-second lead. Normally – and ever since – that would have been the end of the Tour, with the traditional procession stage leading the victor into Paris and onto the Champs Elysees. But in 1989 the organisers decided to dispense with tradition and included a 24.5km time trial into the capital instead. Everyone thought the result was a foregone conclusion. But at each time split LeMond, with his controversial aero bars and helmet, ate into Fignon’s lead – eventually beating him by 58 seconds and so winning overall by a mere eight seconds! In the 27 editions of the race that have since followed, no other Tour has come close for excitement and winning margin. I often wonder whether I would have ever got into cycling if that race hadn’t have been so special. That motto of, “It never gets easier, you just go faster” continues to inspire our business today and has ultimately shaped what Saddleback has become. Lots of lessons were learned from that iconic edition of the Tour de France: never give up even when the odds are against you, be prepared to do things differently – and a win even by the smallest of margins is still a win. ANDY WIGMORE MANAGING DIRECTOR
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INTRODUCING THE NEW 2017 TROY LEE DESIGNS RANGE. FOR MORE INFORMATION TURN TO PAGE 58.
CONTENTS
ON THE COVER
INTRODUCING THE NEW PARTNERSHIP OF TEAM SKY AND CASTELLI PHOTOGRAPHER: TEAM SKY SPECIAL THANKS: MARC AND PHIL AT HIVE ASSOCIATES FOR MAKING THE LENTICULAR COVER A REALITY. WWW.HIVEASSOCIATES.CO.UK
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CONTENTS THE FRONT
T H E F E AT U R E S
T H E BAC K
06 THE GALLERY
50 TEAM SKY AND CASTELLI
100 MEDIA COVERAGE
KICKING UP DIRT, FORGING COMPONENTS, HITTING THE ROAD: OUR FAVOURITE RECENT CYCLING IMAGES
AS TWO CYCLING POWERHOUSES JOIN FORCES, WE LOOK TO THE FUTURE OF PRO PELOTON APPAREL
A QUICK LOOK AT THE PUBLICATIONS OUR PRODUCTS HAVE APPEARED IN OVER THE PAST FEW MONTHS
18 NEWS
58 TROY LEE DESIGNS 2017
102 TEN QUESTIONS
LOOKING FORWARD TO OUR ROAD BRANDS’ 2017, LAUNCHING INTENSE RACING UK, AND MORE
THE NEW TLD COLLECTION HAS LANDED. WE MIX AND MATCH SOME OF THE TASTIEST ITEMS
LEIGH DONOVAN ON BEING THE LIFE AND SOUL OF THE PARTY AND LIVING A LIFE BEYOND FEAR
24 INTENSE DEALER DEMO
70 THE 1989 TOUR DE FRANCE
104 STAFF RIDE
DECLAN DEEHAN TAKES A STABLE OF HOT MTBS ON TOUR, MAKING A BUNCH OF DEALERS VERY HAPPY
TOM BALLARD REFLECTS ON LEMOND, DELGADO, FIGNON AND THE GREATEST RACE EVER RIDDEN
DECLAN DEEHAN GETS A LITTLE WORKED UP ABOUT HIS NEW INTENSE SPIDER CUSTOM SUPERBUILD
28 LOVECROSSED 2017
78 ROTOR UNO GOES IT ALONE
106 INSTAGRAMS
TANGWYN ANDREWS LOOKS BACK ON ANOTHER FINE YEAR FOR THE SADDLEBACK-SPONSORED CX EVENT
DANIEL OAKSHOTT EXAMINES THE FIRST, AND SO FAR ONLY, HYDRAULIC GROUPSET IN THE WORLD
A SELECTION OF FINE SQUARE PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF SADDLEBACK’S BRAND PARTNERS
30 SPRING HOUSE SHOW PREVIEW
82 THE NEW INTENSE TRACER
107 DON’T MISS
THE UPCOMING SADDLEBACK HOUSE SHOW IS ALL SET TO BE OUR BEST EDITION YET
RIC MCLAUGHLIN HEARS ABOUT THE RISKY BUSINESS OF REDESIGNING A POPULAR BIKE
ROAD AND MOUNTAIN BIKING EVENTS WORTH BUILDING YOUR 2017 DIARY AROUND
32 FRESH PRODUCE
88 HIGH-OCTANE PERFORMANCE
109 FINAL WORD
HOT, NEW AND BEAUTIFUL BIKES AND GEAR FROM OUR ROAD AND MOUNTAIN BIKING PARTNERS
WITH INTENSE FACTORY RACING BACK IN THE FRAY, JEFF STEBER LOOKS BACK AT HOW IT ALL BEGAN
RIC MCLAUGHLIN GETS ALL MISTY-EYED AND POETIC AT THE THOUGHT OF RACING SEASON
40 THE OFFICE
94 HAWK EYES
110 NEXT ISSUE
THE SADDLEBACK STAFF CREW SPILL THE BEANS
RIC MCLAUGHLIN FINDS OUT WHAT HAPPENS WHEN
LOOKING AHEAD: INTENSE RACING UK IS COMING
ABOUT THEIR LATEST RIDES, KIT AND ADVENTURES
A MASTER ROAD CRANK MAKER, ROTOR, GOES MTB
SOON TO A RACE NEAR YOU
48 BESTSELLERS OUR TOP SELLING PRODUCTS NOVEMBER 2016 – JANUARY 2017
SADDLEBACK LIMITED 12 APOLLO PARK, ARMSTRONG WAY, YATE, BRISTOL BS37 5AH ONLINE saddlebackb2b | facebook.com/saddleback | twitter/Saddleback_Ltd | instagram.com/Saddleback_Ltd DESIGN / EDITOR NICK.COX@SADDLEBACK.CO.UK FEATURES EDITOR TOM BALLARD CONTRIBUTORS TANGWYN ANDREWS, MARTIN ASTLEY, ROB BOREK, SCOTT CHALMERS, CHARLES COLEMAN, DECLAN DEEHAN, LEIGH DONOVAN, DAN DUGUID, ROSS GRIMMETT, ASH MATTHEWS, RIC MCLAUGHLIN, DANIEL OAKSHOTT, PIP PIPER, WILL POOLE, JEFF STEBER, ALEX TURNER, JAMES WELLMAN PHOTOGRAPHERS NICK COX, RUPERT FOWLER, JERED GRUBER, CARMEN HERRERO, NATHAN HUGHES, SVEN MARTIN, IAN MATTESON, JOBY SESSIONS, DAVE TRUMPORE PRINTED BY APPLE COLOUR, BRISTOL UK COVER HIVE ASSOCIATES
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BERNAT GUARDIA – INTENSE GLOBAL RACING TEAM MANAGER GETTING SIDEWAYS ON THE NEW TRACER PHOTOGRAPH: NATHAN HUGHES
CHRIS KING FACILITY CREATING A CIELO STEM PHOTOGRAPH: CHRIS KING
TEAM SKY MALLORCA TRAINING CAMP PHOTOGRAPH: TEAM SKY
BRENDAN FAIRCLOUGH RIDING IN HIS NEW 2017 TROY LEE KIT PHOTOGRAPH: RUPERT FOWLER
THE NEW ENVE 3.4. SES TEST RIDING IN ARIZONA PHOTOGRAPH: IAN MATTESON
CASTELLI WINTER 2016 RANGE ESCAPING TO THE MOUNTAINS PHOTOGRAPH: GRUBERIMAGES.PRO
THE NEWS
ROADROUNDUP
TEAM SKY AND CASTELLI POWER ON SIDI ATHLETES SET FOR ANOTHER STRONG YEAR We thrive on the fact that our brands design and produce kit for the most elite-level riders and teams. There is no bigger endorsement than knowing some of the greatest athletes in the cycling world are eager to use gear produced by the likes of Castelli, Sidi, Rotor and Stages. As the 2017 road season is now underway, we felt it would be good to take a look at which pro road riders and teams are supported by Saddleback brands.
and incredibly stiff Sidi Shots, which should allow him to take his performance to the next level when putting down the power during sprints and time-trials. Over the last few years we’ve seen Chris Froome enjoy plenty of hard-earned victories in his Sidi shoes, and 2017 should be no different. Hopefully we will see him add a few lines to the new Team Sky jersey in his Sidi Shots this year. All in all, the stage is set to produce another incredible year for Sidisponsored athletes.
CASTELLI
There is only one pro cycling team Castelli will be sponsoring this year and that is Team Sky. If you didn’t know that already, you must have cycled into the middle of nowhere and hidden under a rock. While Team Sky and Castelli have been on the podium plenty of times independently, it will be great to see how many wins they can rack up when working together.
ROTOR
Once again Rotor will be a main partner for the Dimension Data Team. The Spanish brand will be ensuring the team’s Cervélo bikes are fitted with Uno groupsets, Q-Rings and power meters to give every rider the most accurate power data and efficient pedal stroke possible. We are hoping there will be a few opportunities to see Cav putting the power meter through its paces as he hammers it across the finish line ahead of his rivals!
SIDI
There’s no arguing with how good Sidi shoes are; just look at the pro peloton and it seems almost every other rider is wearing a pair of them. The shoe of choice for sponsored riders this year is an obvious one – the Sidi Shot. Incredibly lightweight, super stiff and more aerodynamic, it’s the shoe every pro cyclist wants to wear.
With the growth in women’s cycling, it’s also worth keeping an eye on Team WNT Pro Cycling – a women’s elite cycling team based in Sheffield, UK. Team WNT is sponsored by Rotor and will be looking to make the most of the gains offered by the firm’s technologically advanced Q-Rings.
New to the Sidi family for 2017 will be the Astana Pro Team. Fabio Aru and the rest of the Astana crew will be sporting the Sidi Shot road shoes in the team colours – primarily the Kazakhstan Sky Blue seen as the dominant colour on their kit.
STAGES
Since 2014, Stages has been the power meter brand of choice for Team Sky throughout training and competition. This partnership will be continuing into the 2017 season – so you will spot Stages units exclusively on the Team Sky Pinarellos. The team riders love Stages power meters because they are “simple, easy to use, but also accurate and consistent”.
Another team that will be putting the lightweight Sidi Shot through its paces is Katusha Alpecin. Following a season of phenomenal results in 2016, the outfit has renewed its partnership with Sidi for another season – so keep an eye out for the likes of Kristoff, Zakarin and Taaramäe sporting Shots in the gorgeous burgundy team colour.
ENVE
Special-edition Sidi Shots in the blue, red and gold of the Bahrain Merida Pro Cycling Team will be seen adorning the feet of the riders this year, as Sidi is the official supplier for the whole team. Let’s hope we see Nibali achieve another year as successful as 2016.
Africa’s first ever UCI World Tour team, Team Dimension Data for Qhubeka, will be racing its second WorldTour season with Enve as a sponsor. Keep an eye out for the SES 4.5 wheelset, which has become the only wheelset the team members want to ride – along with the lightweight and full-carbon Road Bar, Road Stem and Seatpost.
The Wilier Triestina – Selle Italia team will also be competing and training in Sidi Shots as they have decided to continue their sponsorship into 2017. Team captain Filippo Pozzato and the rest of the riders are sure to enjoy the marginal gains offered by the aerodynamic Shot. And another exciting announcement for 2017 is that Marcel Kittel has officially joined the roster of Sidi champions. The Quick-Step Floors sprinter will be enjoying the lightweight
SILCA
Famed for its desirably beautiful and incredibly functional pumps, tools and accessories, Silca is an official supplier for the BORAHansgrohe team. While you won’t see the riders using much of the kit, it’s good to know they are able to perform so well because the team mechanics are kitted out with the finest tools and accessories.
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THE NEWS
VISIT
W17 CASTELLI RANGE In January we visited Fonzaso, Italy and the Castelli HQ, for an in-depth look at the winter 2017 range and developments in Chpt. /// – and to get insight into the Team Sky partnership. For the winter 2017 range, there will be a number of new and exciting colourways that will keep things fresh. There will be also be some new additions, as well as improved versions of older products – a new pair of split-weight bib tights and the perfect jacket for spring and autumn riding had us very excited.
NEW STARTERS
SADDLEBACK EXPANDS
An insight on Chpt. /// from Dave Millar and designer Richard Pearce was incredibly interesting and there are definitely big things to come from those guys.
As the Saddleback business grows, so does the Saddleback family. Our warehouse team has grown by two with the addition of David Smith and Thomas Eastland. Rob Borek has joined the Customer Services team as a service and warranty technician; and hooking up with the same team we have George Wise, who is knowledgeable on all things ‘high-end cycling’ thanks to his previous role managing a busy bike shop. Meanwhile James Wellman brings a wealth of experience as an area manager – the role he’ll be doing for us, with responsibility for the South West, Wales and the Channel Islands.
Finally the Team Sky kit looks amazing and has a great story behind the design – again down to Richard Pearce. We can’t wait for you to discover what else is coming from Castelli…
SHOW
TEAMSKY
SHOW
ROULEUR CLASSIC
Anyone who keeps up with what’s happening in the world of cycling will be well aware that 1 January 2017 signalled the start of the partnership between Team Sky and Castelli. The Italian clothing brand has a long and illustrious history of outfitting some of the greatest professional cyclists to have lived, so it was perhaps inevitable that Castelli would end up working with Team Sky. Castelli kit is unquestionably the ultimate in performance cycle clothing, and it will be great to see what Team Sky’s riders are able to achieve in it this year. Turn to page 50 for the full feature.
Looking ahead to November 2017, we are already preparing for our favourite show, the Rouleur Classic. Many brands we look after are rooted in cycling heritage. From Castelli outfitting the likes of Binda back in 1910 and Coppi and Bartali in 1945, to the constant innovations in cycling footwear since 1973 from Sidi, we decided it would be fitting to honour our brands with the theme ‘A History of Elite Performance’. We look forward to seeing you there.
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THE NEWS
INTENSERACINGUK
RACING
SADDLEBACK LAUNCHES NEW RACING TEAM For the 2017 season Saddleback has put together a new mountain bike race team: Intense Racing UK. This reflects the growth in our MTB portfolio. One of the main reasons behind the decision was to give back to the sport that we love – and what better way to do so than via a team combining the best MTB brands available on the market? Intense is in a renaissance period right now and, let’s face it, is one of the brands most synonymous with mountain bike race heritage. Team this up with the likes of Enve, Chris King, Rotor and Astute and we have one badass race setup on our hands.
One of the main men behind the team concept was Intense and Troy Lee Designs UK brand manager Martin Astley and he had this to say: “Intense Racing UK is a team that feels like it was always meant to be. While Saddleback MD Andy Wigmore and I were in discussions with Troy Lee and the team at Intense USA in the autumn of 2016, it became clear that we all shared a passion for racing and had a united vision to create a flagship team in the UK that could act as a tool for us to promote our brands but also have a direct connection to the UK race scene.
To get the riders’ threads looking the part we sat with Intense and Troy Lee at our September House Show and discussed the team image. Let’s face it, TLD and Intense it fits like bangers and mash, Ant and Dec, Batman and Robin, Colin McRae and Subaru…
“I think it’s fair to say that the UK scene in general isn’t well supported by many brands, and we wanted to create a team that gives elite riders the support they deserve. These guys are out there giving everything in both training and racing and we have put together a support network that will allow them to achieve their goals. When we spoke to our brand partners Intense, Troy Lee Designs, Enve, Chris King, Rotor and Astute, it was evident that everybody was excited by the team – and the brands have given them their full blessing and support. It takes a lot of work to put together a team of this calibre, but the brands and riders involved deserve nothing less so we are very, very excited to go racing in 2017!”
Image done, it was time to put a team of riders together. We started the process by setting up a meeting in North Wales where we invited several riders for a day of interviews, explaining the team and – of course – offering a chance to swing a leg over an Intense bike. From that selection process, we chose and secured all the riders we wanted so we were off to a great start. The team consists of seven riders, from youths starting out their careers through to seasoned vets ready to share the wealth of knowledge with their younger teammates. The schedule for the team is centred on UK events – they will compete at events such as the HSBC BDS, SES, WGES, Ard Rock and Moor, TweedLove, the UCI Downhill World Cup, and EWS. Select riders within the team will also race EWS and the UCI DH WC internationally.
Our plans are to make a big entrance onto the UK race scene and get people talking about our team for the right reasons. What is the ethos of Intense Racing UK? Think premium, be professional, be approachable, give back to the sport and have fun. We look forward to seeing you all at the races.
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THE NEWS
DEMO
INTENSE DEMO FLEET Following on from the successful Intense dealer demo days towards the end of 2016, we are delighted to have our demo fleet of Intense bikes available now. These are specifically for dealers who have a customer interested in purchasing an Intense that needs a test ride to seal the deal.
STOCK
Anyone who was able to attend our recent Intense demo days will know that riding an Intense bike is an important part of the buying process. Allowing customers to ride the bike is a key selling tool and we want to support our dealers and their customers.
2017 TROY LEE IN STOCK After months of keeping the 2017 Troy Lee Designs range under wraps, we are thrilled to announce that it is in stock now. All products will be available on the Saddleback website for customers and dealers to place their orders. If you have any questions about Troy Lee Designs 2017 products, please contact us on info@saddleback.co.uk.
The demo fleet will consist of a variety of sizes of the Spider 275C, Primer 29C, ACV 275+ and the Recluse 275C. If you have any questions relating to the demo fleet, please contact Charles Coleman (charles@saddleback.co.uk) who will be happy to help.
ATHLETE
STOCK
CASTELLISUMMER
INTENSE CYCLES SIGN CONOR MACFARLANE Based in Queenstown, New Zealand, Conor is known across the world for his freeride talents, and he also competes at a number of enduro and DH events. “I’m stoked to be riding for a brand that has a history like Intense does, making some of the most progressive bikes out there, and helping out a bunch of athletes who were, and still are, household names within biking circles,” he said.
After much preparation, Castelli Summer 17 is in stock with retailers now. The Summer 17 season comprises both brand new additions to the range, and upgraded versions of popular pieces. Among the upgrades is the latest iteration of the Aero Race 5.1 Jersey – it’s faster than ever, by 22 watts, when compared with a standard jersey at 40km/h. A brand new product is the Premio Bibshort, which offers the luxury seen in the Mondiale bibs, but with even more support to keep you going strong on the longest of rides. This season also sees an update in the colour options available, as well as an expansion on the women’s ranges at both the performance and entry-level ends of the spectrum. If you have any questions about the Castelli Summer 17 range, please contact us on info@saddleback.co.uk.
Intense marketing manager Jenn Gabrielli added: “We are thrilled to welcome Conor on board. His riding style and his positive approach to all different aspects of riding really set him apart, and we believe his best is yet to come.” Conor already has a relationship with Enve, and the signing to Intense Cycles means he now has ties with two Saddleback partner brands. We can’t wait to see what he can do this year. FOR MORE NEWS HEAD OVER TO WWW.SADDLEBACK.CO.UK
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THE NEWS
UNTOLDSTORY PIP PIPER, CO-DIRECTOR AND PRODUCER OF A SUPERB NEW DOCUMENTARY ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF UK MOUNTAIN BIKING, RECOUNTS HOW IT FELT TO SCREEN HIS FILM IN THE COMPANY OF SOME OF THE SPORT’S IMMORTALS
FILM
Over the last few years I had seen coverage in the cycling media of Saddleback’s annual September House Show. So when Ross got in contact late in the summer to see if we would like to screen our latest feature documentary, Mountain Biking: the untold British story, at Saddleback’s 2016 show, the answer was a very solid “yes!”.
BRINGING THE FUN
The film features some of the stars and unsung heroes of mountain biking including the Athertons, Peaty and a certain Mr Daniel MacAskill. It also has amazing archive footage, and stories taking us from the mid-50s through to the present day.
Once inside, it was great to catch up with Steve Peat after interviewing him for the film, and feasting my eyes on some very beautiful road and MTB kit. The 2017 Troy Lee stuff deserved some serious attention, and though photos were a no-no given that it was under embargo, most of it is on my wish list for sure.
The film was due to screen after the day’s presentations, and as I arrived on site it was apparent this was going to be fun. Dotted around outside the building’s foyer were the tents of food vendors, all busy preparing and serving up their culinary delights.
As the name suggests, the narrative lifts the lid on the development of UK mountain biking. With screenings in more than 50 countries already, the world is getting to see a different side of the sport. “From quiet dreamers to absolute screamers, the UK puts its stamp on the mountain bike story,” is how Gary Fisher summed it up.
The screening took place in one of the many large spaces at Saddleback’s HQ and the promised full digital HD set up was on hand. The film went down really well among the many gathered guests – which was a real relief, as I knew this was a crowd with a huge connection and interest in the subject. Sitting in, in the company of Peaty and Troy Lee himself, while watching the film made for an unforgettable experience.
Ross mentioned to me that he had seen the interest gathering around the film, and that from watching the trailer, several sections had struck a chord with his own MTB background. He explained that, with the show being held at Saddleback’s new building, there would be a cinema-sized screen at hand, along with a sound system and projector capable of doing the documentary justice.
The challenge now is how I can make another great film that the Saddleback guys can air at next year’s show… You can find the film on the links below, to stream and download, and a special-edition DVD will be out soon via Singletrackworld.com. It is also available on all Amazon platforms including Prime, and will soon be on iTunes as well.
The opportunity to check out Saddleback’s new HQ and meet representatives from the company’s many brand partners provided an extra excuse for jumping on the train to Bristol.
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THE NEWS
RACING
JOSH BRYCELAND EVENTS
At the start of 2017 it was confirmed by Josh ‘Ratboy’ Bryceland that he will be taking a year out of racing in the UCI Downhill World Cup.
FORT WILLIAM For the fourth year in a row Saddleback is making the 1,000-mile round trip up to Fort William. Each year we have invested more, and grown our presence at the UK stop of the World Cup – and 2017 is looking to be big! We will have some of our own Intense Racing UK team riders aiming to make their mark on the World Cup, along with the Intense Worlds team hunting for podiums. The full range of 2017 Intense bikes will be on display along with Troy Lee Designs clothing, Enve carbon wheels and components, and classic hubs, headsets and BBs from Chris King. More than 20,000 spectators travel to this small Scottish town to witness the world’s fastest racers push their limits on the brutal track – and it is a favourite event among Saddleback staff!
The Santa Cruz Syndicate rider has decided that taking a break from the Worlds this year is the right thing to do, although it wasn’t an easy decision for him to make. “I’m more motivated than ever to just ride and progress. I just felt [like] a change this year,” he said. Even if he won’t be riding the Worlds, we hope to see Josh putting his Enve components through their paces during the year.
Last year we had a raffle to win an M16 frame along with Enve goodies; this year we will have even more on offer and, don’t forget, some special guests. We are hoping for a repeat of the hot days and baked-dry track of last year, but it’s always a lottery up in the Highlands! See you there.
RACING
CHARLIEHARRISON EVENTS
On 3 February, 2017 at Temecula, CA, Intense Cycles announced the addition of Charlie Harrison to its Factory Racing programme. With only one year as an elite rider behind him, the 19-year-old American finished an impressive 14th place at both World Cup Finals in Andorra and World Champs.
WGE STILL RUNNING Five days into the New Year and Si Paton, organiser of the British Downhill Series and British Enduro Series, released the news via Facebook that with deep regret he had had to cancel the 2017 BES. He cited that the recent loss of some key sponsors, along with dwindling rider numbers, were the key reasons as to why proceeding with the 2017 BES was just not viable. We were also sorry to hear that the pressures of organising both race series, while trying to wrestle with the figures to keep the BES running for 2017, had taken a toll on his personal life too.
“I honesty couldn’t be more excited and grateful about being a part of IFR,” he said. “The family feel is exactly what I need in order to be successful, and surrounding yourself with people that want you to succeed just as badly as you do, is not only motivating, but also confidence inspiring. I’m really looking forward to gathering some amazing memories and laughs in the next couple of years with IFR.” IFR Team manager, Bernat Guardia, agrees. “We are super happy to welcome Chuck on board. He has a great attitude and we believe he has a very bright future, in our sport and in life,” he said.
What does this mean for the racers? Si has stated that all those who have entered will be refunded.
Charlie hooked up with his new teammates on Saturday 4 Feb in Laguna Beach, CA at the Troy Lee Designs Flagship store to launch the whole programme and announce new sponsors.
But what of those who wish to race? For 2017 we hope to see numbers rise at the WGE, PMBA and SES events, among others. What happens next, only time will tell… hopefully we’ll see you on the start line somewhere! FOR MORE NEWS HEAD OVER TO WWW.SADDLEBACK.CO.UK
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EVENTS
INTENSE DEALER DEMO Declan Deehan takes a stable of hot MTBs to four UK locations, making a bunch of dealers very happy
Locations visited – 4 Miles travelled – 936 Dealers attended – 34 Number of demo runs – 212 Bacon Rolls consumed – None, we’re athletes (honest) Saddleback feet on the ground – Oli, Martin, Anthony, Ross, Richard, Michael, Nick and Justin With the recent acquisition of Intense to the Saddleback portfolio, we decided getting bums on seats was the next logical move. Our aim was to give our dealer network a chance to experience Intense’s bikes, get to grips with the range and – just maybe – have some fun while doing it. We all know that the poor sods in the shops often get kicked to the kerb in favour of consumer demos. Not this time… SO WHERE DID WE GO?
Gisburn forest in the northeast corner of Lancashire was stop number one on the dealer demo tour. We based ourselves from a great B&B at the foot of the trails, which proved to be an ideal spot. It felt just like home thanks to a steady stream of bacon rolls, coffee and some the best homemade flapjacks I have tasted. Despite the chill of the November morning, the hardy local dealers were bang up for a day’s riding. The loop was perfect, being around 45 minutes – giving everyone a chance to try all the bikes, and even get seconds on their favourites. The trails were mainly fast-flowing, hardpack man-made routes. They were littered with technical rock gardens, rock slab rolloffs and some pretty high-speed jumps, so everything was right on the money. Innerleithen was the second stop on the tour – and as soon as we hit the borders of Scotland the white stuff started to come down. What a bonny place it is to be though, surrounded by the snowy hills of the Tweed Valley. OK, again it was cold – very cold – but again the riders turned up unfazed and raring to test some bikes. Innerleithen is infamous for being a DH spot, but taking into account the evolution of the trail/enduro bike category it was a great testing ground. With predominantly natural, steep, very tight trails and a loop that took 30 minutes to complete, it gave us a great chance to put as many bikes as possible through their paces. Smiles all round then – albeit frozen ones. It was then back in the vans for a good stint Down South – Peaslake, Surrey to be precise – on stop number three of the tour. We secured a base in the grounds of the village hall, giving us access to all the amenities we could have hoped for. A one-minute roll down the hill, we found Peaslake Village Stores, which was quite possibly the find of the tour – with an array of snacks and treats on offer, it goes without saying that everyone took full advantage. But the trails turned out to be an equally pleasant surprise – a network of natural, flowing, fast, interesting loveliness – on which the ACV took the prize for most rides, mostly by riders that wanted to experience plus wheels. When you think about UK spots to ride, of course Wales, Scotland and the North spring to mind. But – no lies – this might just have been our favourite spot. Does the South East have good trails? You bet it does. We will be back.
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EVENTS
27
EVENTS
The final leg of the tour took us to the Cannop Valley in the Forest of Dean – an absolute no-brainer of a demo venue, featuring a great café (important things first), excellent amenities and a vast range of trail options. Perhaps unsurprisingly, this was our busiest stop of the tour. Lunch was an open tab in the café and all on Saddleback, explaining why the bill was waist-high. (We wouldn’t have it any other way.) On the trails, the Primer and Spider proved to be the movers and shakers on this occasion. The bikes never even got a chance to get cleaned between rides, with eager beavers lining up to take them – mud and all. With that in mind, let’s finish up with a little more information about the Intense bikes we thrashed up and down the country: PRIMER
A 130mm 29er full-suspension speed machine, and a ride that surprised many. Whether you consider yourself a fan of 29ers or not, the Primer won’t disappoint – this was the bike most riders wanted to try again and again. At Forest of Dean we had people queueing up and waiting to get another shot on one. SPIDER
A 27.5 version of the Primer, also equipped with 130mm of JS Tuned travel. If you crave all-out speed then the Primer is the one – but if you prefer to add a healthy serving of hooliganism, the Spider is the bike for you. (I chose the Peaslake demo to unveil my new custom-build Spider, and quite the head-turner it is too – see page 104 for more details.) Arguably the pick of the Intense range for UK conditions, you really need to try one of these out to get a flavour of just how strong the Spider is. RECLUSE
The Recluse fits the space between the Spider and the new Tracer. Coming with 140mm travel on the rear and 150mm front, it’s another on-the-money machine. The paint jobs are things of beauty, and riders were like moths to a flame when they clapped eyes on our test bikes. ACV
With a brand like Intense, with a history of racing longer than your arm, you would be forgiven for thinking, ‘A plus bike – really?’ Nonetheless, this slots right into the growing category of fat-tyred behemoths. Air Cushioned Vehicle is the meaning behind the acronym; adjustable travel options give you a choice of 115 or 130mm of travel, and a 150mm fork teamed up with 2.8in rubber really does take care of the rough stuff. It’s a lively, playful bike that took riders on our tour by surprise – our in-house tech guru Ross has not been able to keep off the ACV, and that says something. Expect to see more Intense demos popping up all over the UK. We will be attending all major consumer demos, and there will be more dealer demos to come as the days get longer and warmer.
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EVENTS
LOVECROSSED 2017 Organiser Tangwyn Andrews looks back on another fine year for the Saddleback-sponsored CX event
Lovecrossed took its third outing on a freezing, soaking, muddy Worlds Sunday, much to the delight of the hardened cyclocross racers, who had spent a good deal of the season on dry courses. It offered a filthy finish to the season, and a chance to pull on the coveted Saddleback Castelli winner’s jersey. This year we had to change the course quite significantly, mainly because the BBC’s Poldark drama was filming at our Gloucestershire venue, but also because numbers are growing. The challenge was to work the best racing out of the features, whatever the weather might have in store, while maintaining a course to serve spectators and participants equally. Inclusion of a double pit with water tanks was essential, and this year we also moved into a new area with an enormous off-camber bank and run up: proper hard CX features that would change/deteriorate through the course of the day to keep the riders on their toes. Nearly 200 riders across the categories lined up though out the morning to battle it out as the rain hammered down. The beautiful 16th-century Chavenage House – once used by Oliver Crowell to plan his battles and ride out with his army – offered a fitting backdrop. The course was slick but still rideable, though the testing conditions ensured that it claimed victims – and bikes. The pit was working hard and there were many stories of pit crews helping one another out to keep the riders going. A good pit crew was essential for riders aiming for a podium finish, but placing well also demanded that riders used every ounce of their race craft – and made zero mistakes. A quality field did not disappoint, and spectators were given a display of serious skills and stamina. Even the shorter courses for the youth and U12 categories produced some great rides and determination to finish. After racing, the ballroom was opened and fires lit so everyone could settle down to watch the men’s World Championships live, with pro riders also suffering at the hands of conditions and luck. This is the beauty of cross: no matter the level, the course always poses a challenge – not just to win but to finish. With that in mind, podium finishers were treated to some well-deserved prizes courtesy of Saddleback, with us organisers left to clean up in the dark and rain. Same time next year? You better believe it! WHAT THE PEOPLE THOUGHT:
“Met with a warm smile in the car park, I knew the event was going to be enjoyable in spite of the grim weather. As the father of two young racers – one youth-level, one senior – seeing you’d provided all we were likely to need, copious amounts of space and water in the pits, plenty of loos and delicious hot food made the support task so much easier than it is at most other venues outside of the Nationals. Top job!” “We’ll be there as a family next year and I’ll be spreading the word via CX coaching sessions and clubs locally. Thank you to all those who helped create such a fun event. A brilliant end to another fab season of cyclocross.” “This was a fabulous event, well worth the long drive from Mid Wales. The organisation was faultless. The course had a bit of everything and made for great racing. I will definitely be back next season. Keep up the good work Lovecrossed!” “Fantastically well run event! Beautiful location, fantastic facilities and excellent course, topped off with watching some CX racing on TV and top notch prizes! Well-done Lovecrossed, awesome day out – I’ll be back next year!” “Brilliant course, excellent atmosphere. More like a National Trophy round than any other event.” “Great race, well organised, great venue and a friendly bunch of racers – what more could you want? See you next year.”
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SPRING HOUSE SHOW 2017 PREVIEW The upcoming Saddleback House Show is set to be our best one yet
Preparations have begun for the Saddleback Spring House Show 2017, which will be taking place from 7 to 9 March – and we are already looking forward to welcoming you into the Saddleback HQ for three fantastic days of interesting seminars, the latest and greatest products and, of course, some delicious food and drink. As with all our House Shows, this will be a great opportunity for guests to get hands-on with products from all of our brands in the purpose-built showroom. On top of this, we will have representatives from a number of our brands in attendance to educate guests on their latest offerings. On the opening day, 7 March, Saddleback will be making a big announcement. While the details are strictly under wraps at the time of writing, it’s something we are incredibly excited about – and we hope our dealers will be too. At this stage, we can let on that the news is MTB-specific and a real first for Saddleback. On 8 March we will have a number of different seminars taking place, but one not to miss would be ex-pro rider David Millar and designer Richard Pearce taking guests through where their Chpt. /// brand came from, what it is and where it is going. Finally, moving back to a mountain bike focus, on 9 March we will be joined by Jeff Steber of Intense Cycles and Cesar Rojo of Cero Design, who will be giving a presentation on the brand and the bikes with a key focus on the brand-new Intense Tracer (for more on the bike, turn to page 82). We will also have Brendan Fairclough and Danny Hart in attendance for a meet and greet – a great opportunity to find out what riding for Troy Lee Designs means to them. Anyone who was at our last House Show back in September will remember the delicious food and drink on offer. If you didn’t attend – you missed out! The good news, however, is that we will have even better refreshments on offer this time around to ensure nobody goes home hungry. In order to book your place on the day you wish to attend, please head to events.saddleback.co.uk where you will be able to submit your booking. On the events site, you will also be able to get the latest updates on what’s we have planned for the show.
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EVENTS
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FRESH PRODUCE
ENVE SES 4.5 AR DISC As more and more road bike frames are being designed specifically for disc brakes, and with larger tyre clearances, Enve has produced the SES 4.5 AR Disc wheelset. With no quarter given in terms of aerodynamic performance, the 4.5 AR Disc will offer cyclists improved speed and traction on any road surface – and let’s face it, who doesn’t want to be able to ride faster with absolute confidence? When these wheels are paired with a set of plump 30mm tyres, the ride is guaranteed to be incredibly comfortable – without compromising on aerodynamics.
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FRESH PRODUCE
CASTELLI TEAM SKY KIT For Team Sky, Castelli isn’t just a kit supplier; it’s an innovative partner that delivers groundbreaking products, and will work with Sky to push the envelope. The stunning visuals of Team Sky’s kit were imagined by designer Richard Pearce, also David Millar’s design partner at Chpt. /// clothing, to represent all of the WorldTour outfit’s achievements. The graphic comprises a series of lines in various sizes, denoting the lengths of different races, which are blue for WorldTour victories or white for non-WorldTour wins. The full history of Team Sky’s wins is depicted across the jersey, shorts, mitts, socks and cap. When the kit comes together, it tells Sky’s story so far.
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FRESH PRODUCE
SILCA APRON PREMIO & T-HANDLE FOLIO It’s not often the workshop mechanic is treated to a little bit of luxury, but the Apron Premio and T-Handle Folio from Silca certainly offer that. A central split design means the mechanic can test-ride a bike comfortably, and the clever strap design means no irritation on the neck. Plenty of pockets, plus military-style webbing loops, are ideal for keeping the most used tools nearby. The T-Handle Folio, meanwhile, is a beautiful set of T-Handles in the most common sizes which are built to withstand years of use. The waxed duck canvas Folio bag is perfect for draping over the bike stand for easy access.
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FRESH PRODUCE
SIDI TIGER The Sidi Tiger is the off-road brother of the Sidi Shot road shoe – as worn, famously, by Chris Froome en route to his victory in the 2016 Tour de France. Thanks to the brand new double Tecno-3 Push Button Closure System – two dials positioned symmetrically on the tongue of the shoe – the fit is superior and aerodynamics are improved, because there is less disturbance to the side profile. Helping you to drive onwards, the sole is the lightest MTB performance sole Sidi offers – and is incredibly stiff to deliver optimum power transfer.
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FRESH PRODUCE
ALCHEMY ARKTOS For the mountain biker who loves aggressive trail riding, the Arktos offers an ideal mix of stiffness and strength where it’s important, as well as offering incredible durability to take whatever you can throw at it. Alchemy’s engineers are experts in high-end carbon, and they have definitely used their expertise well with the Arktos. With 150mm of travel and 27.5in wheels, it could well be your perfect trail bike. The Arktos features the new dual-linkage Sine Suspension platform, is compatible with both 150mm and 160mm forks and comes complete with a Fox Float X shock.
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FRESH PRODUCE
TROY LEE DESIGNS A2 HELMET Troy Lee Designs took the popular A1 and refined it, resulting in the incredible A2. Overall, the A2 offers a high level of protection thanks to the reinforced shell liner, with MIPS technologies available across the range. It has fantastic ventilation, thanks to the six large pressurising intake passages and seven rear vacuum exhausts, which are linked by deep internal channelling to promote efficient cooling and airflow. A combination of quick-wicking foam liner, adjustable rear stabiliser and a no-fuss fit system delivers perfect comfort every time – this will be the go-to lid for hitting the trails.
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INTENSE TRACER The Tracer legacy lives on with the latest iteration of the 275 trail bike. The 2017 model is available in five different builds, with a choice of standard or premium SL carbon frames. Some of the features of the new Tracer include a low standover, an integrated seatpost clamp, internal cable guide tubes, and integrated chainstay and seatstay protectors. The frame has Boost rear spacing and is designed specifically for use with 1x drivetrains. If you are an aggressive rider on the hunt for the ultimate full-suspension trail bike, look no further.
THE OFFICE
TO P F I V E THIS ISSUE OUR NEW SERVICE AND WARRANTY MAN, ROB BOREK, SHARES WITH US HIS TOP FIVE FAVOURITE RACES
1
NATIONAL HILLCLIMB CHAMPS
If you’ve ever fancied retching in a driveway for 30 minutes after a threeminute effort, this might be the event for you. Hillclimbs push your body to places you probably didn’t know it could go.
2
BRISTOL GRAND PRIX
This race is special to me, because it’s in the centre of my home town and I’ve always done myself proud in it. Nothing compares to riding closed roads alongside and in front of good friends and family.
3
CATFORD HILLCLIMB
Allegedly the longest continually run cycle race in the world, the Catford hillclimb was first held in 1887. An average 14% gradient, a mean 25% at its steepest, makes Yorks Hill a real experience. Every cyclist should try it.
4
HACKSAWS CHALLENGE
Back in my native city, this is an underground Halloween fixed gear race from Bristol to Bath and back. The event has been running nearly 10 years now, and it never ceases to be both fun and terrifying.
5
RED HOOK CRIT
I’d followed this NYC race since it began, so was stoked when it came to London and I could enter. The atmosphere is superb and the afterparty isn’t bad either. If you’re into track bikes it’s worth riding; if not, it’s great to watch.
STAFF COLUMN
A HARD TALE No need for bounce! Charles throws his leg over his long-term friend and trusted companion
Summer is a time to hone your skills on the mountain bike, ride every day with just a shirt and shorts on and not worry too much about cleaning your bike before sliding it into its space in the basement. Winter, however, is a whole different ball game. Instead of feeling like Minnaar or Richie Rude going Mach 10 down dry, dusty trails, it’s back to messing about in the grime, slapping turns and hoping the bike finds some grip among the mud and dirt that is now present. Cleaning of course becomes an issue, with bike parts lasting only a few rides instead of a few months. It is for this reason I have dug my 29er XC hardtail out of its dark corner of the basement – simplicity and the lack of pivots means less to wear out and clean. I had forgotten how much fun a hardtail is, especially after only riding big full-suspension bikes for the past couple of years. Having less weight to lug around makes it nimble through turns, the bigger wheels roll over rocks with aplomb and the skills acquired through riding it will pay dividends when back on the big bike. Being a hardtail though, it soon kicks back and lets you know if you’ve picked a wrong line – there’s no suspension to bail you out – a useful teaching tool! Fitting a dropper post has transformed the bike, enough for me to consider racing some XC next season without having to take it too seriously, baggy shorts and all. It has almost made me consider changing my full-suspension bike to a shortertravel 29er, such as the Intense Primer. Now to weigh up the options as to what I can swap over onto a new frame and what I’ll have to buy… Charles Coleman
STAFF COLUMN
WINTER WARRIOR Chilly temperatures become bearable when you’re head-to-toe in Castelli. In fact, winter has just become Martin’s new best friend
As a cyclist I hate winter – I think it’s in our DNA. If I had the option I think I’d hibernate… a winter spent asleep followed by the three finer seasons seems very appealing to me. Sadly, that isn’t an option for us humans so I guess I just need to grin and bear it. This season I’ve been doing just that and I have to admit, I’ve had a lot of fun. One thing is clear though: good kit makes all the difference. I’ve been head-to-toe in Castelli during my dark and cold commutes, and I’ve been amazingly comfortable. The standout items have been my Spettacolo gloves, Sorpasso bib tights and Flanders warm zip baselayer. Each of these items has been used on every commute since October and they’ve become trusted friends. Heading out on a dark night is that little bit easier if you are warm, dry and comfortable. Riding on the mountain bike is a little different. Rides tend to be shorter and higher-tempo, so I find myself wearing fewer layers and living by the ‘be bold, start cold’ adage. Even at 4C I find my typical setup of Troy Lee Designs Speed Knee Sleeves, Castelli Nanoflex bib shorts (amazing combo with knee pads!), TLD Ruckus shorts, a Flanders warm base layer and TLD Sprint jersey has been perfect. Adding a snood under my A1 helmet keeps the ears warm at the start of the ride, but it soon gets ditched once I’m warm. It takes a little bit of experimentation each winter to work out what to wear for each occasion, but spending the time to get it right can mean winter isn’t so bad after all. Martin Astley
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THE OFFICE
STA FF P ICKS
NOTGOINGBACK DECLAN DEEHAN MARKETING MANAGER ENVE M60 £2900
So, carbon wheels, where do I start? In all honesty, I have always been a bit sceptical of MTB carbon hoops. Are they worth the extra dollar? Do I want them? Do I need them? Would I notice a significant difference vs the alloy wheels I have always used? These were the questions I’d been asking myself for a while.
First ride and, hands up, I was shocked – maybe I’d been too hasty to judge before trying. The weight made them accelerate so quickly, coupled with the fine engagement of the Chris King Hub – what a combo. I hadn’t felt axle-to-axle stiffness like this before either, and it translated into me coming out of corners with more speed than I expected. I didn’t get any of the flex I’d been accustomed to feeling, and I even started to notice small characteristics in the suspension I hadn’t noticed before. It took a little getting used to in the beginning, I must admit, but I’ve started making small adjustments to how I ride – and they’re paying off.
Finally, an opportunity presented itself to see what the fuss was about. I opened the box to reveal a set of black and white M60s, in Boost, and I must admit I was excited. They were laced onto Chris Kings, so a dream build really. Phase one, setting them up tubeless – got the workshop lads to sort all that out for me. Job done. One thing was apparent straight away – they looked incredible on the bike. I don’t care what anyone says; that always helps, even if you’re an advocate of function over form.
The main thing these details made me think was, yes, these are indeed different beasts to their alloy counterparts.
Let’s talk word on the street, what should I be expecting when I ride these? Lighter, to make the bike feel more lively and roll faster? Stiffer, to make your ride more precise? Really will I feel these things? Only one way to find out…
Are they for everyone? I don’t know – you will have to try some for yourself if you can – but I must say I’m sold and won’t be swapping back anytime soon. I want to try the high-volumes next, so more to come on those. Declan Deehan
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THE OFFICE
TECH TIP S
TUBELESS ENVES ROSS GRIMMETT SENIOR MECHANIC WORKSHOP’S BEST FRIEND DIFFICULTY LEVEL MEDIUM
Given that they are carbon with a slightly undulating bed, Enve provides each rim (or complete wheel), with a roll of its Enve-branded Gorilla tape – which is perfect for sealing the rim. The tape’s width is not the same as the rims’ internal dimension; instead each tape is specifically factory cut to be the correct width to track the rim bed’s overall surface. This tape adheres amazingly to the rim bed, and seals the spoke holes wonderfully, but there are a few extra things that can be done to get the very best results. Mount the wheel solidly in a truing stand, bolted to a work bench. Spray a good shot of solvent-based degreaser (Finish Line’s Speed Bike Degreaser is the best I have found, but isopropyl alcohol is also great) onto a fresh, clean, lint-free rag. Then carefully wipe the rim bed while rotating the wheel, paying particular attention to the centreline, and the edges where the side wall rises up. Once fully degreased, take care not to touch the rim bed with your fingers. Next lift the end of the tape from the roll and hang 40mm or so off the end of the roll. I then cut off 20mm or so of this – the part you touched to lift and peel the tape from the roll. Then pinch the tape in half across its width, so the black sides touch each other. This finds the centre of the adhesive side. Now, carefully position this found centre point on to the midline of the rim bed, three holes prior to the valve hole, and press on the tape with one hand while unspooling the tape from the roll. Lay the tape under tension down onto the rim bed, making sure the tape goes in the direction that immediately covers the valve hole. Continue to guide it into the rim bed under tension, pausing once you have nearly reached the start of your taping. I then hold the wheel and hang the tape roll off the side – this is to permit the full pressing-down of the first three-spoke hole section of the tape that was initially laid down, and then the following three-spoke hole section after the valve. Once you are certain this six-spoke-hole run of tape is solidly pressed down and adhered, wipe this section of tape’s surface with degreaser on a cloth. Then go back to the roll of tape and continue to lay the tape down under tension over the freshly degreased section. Cut the tape with sharp scissors in a single cut, once you have passed three spoke holes after the valve hole. You should now have a fully taped wheel, with the section either side of the valve hole being double thickness. Run your thumbs around the tape – first, the tape covering the central section of the rim to make certain it’s seated, and then the edges of the tape against the side walls. The last job is to fit the valve, and for this I lightly heat a steel pick-tool with a blow torch, and melt through the double layer of tape covering the valve hole. I find melting does the best job, as there is no propensity for the tape to want to split, and both layers of tape are bonded together. Drop the valve through the hole, fit the O-ring and lock ring to the valve and jobs a good ’un.
STAFF COLUMN
NEWS DOWN UNDER While Tom gallivants around New Zealand, we can only look on with jealous eyes at the fun and weather he’s enjoying
One of the great things about life at Saddleback is a shared understanding of the passion for cycling – so when it finally came to making good on a 10-year promise to cyclo-tour New Zealand with my wife, the reaction was one of excitement rather than consternation. The trip was planned – six months away from home with only the bikes, a tent and each other for company. As I write, we’re two-and-a-half months in, having the time of our lives and giving our legs a serious challenge. The North Island was incredible. We cycled around Northland taking in the Waipou Forest – home of really old, really massive kauri trees – then hopped across to the artistic island community of Waiheke Island, where my burgeoning (and horrible) beard fit right in with the hipster vibe. We used some stunning gravel roads to crisscross the sunny Coromandel Peninsula then zig-zagged down towards Matamata (home of Hobbiton), Rotorua (home of smelly sulphur hot pools) and Taupo (home of Ironman New Zealand). We hopped off the bikes to take on the almost unbelievably beautiful Tongariro Crossing before getting down to the South Island. Here we’ve had some amazing riding, continuing our preference for gravel roads and bike trails (which are superb) by zipping up to the Abel Tasman National Park, before heading over to Hanmer Springs, a little Alpine resort, around New Year. Then it was up Arthur’s Pass (by train via Christchurch – an earthquake-enforced detour) and over to the predictably wet West Coast, where we tracked rare kiwi, gazed at glaciers and gave fervent thanks for the comfort of Castelli seat pads. Three days of rainy riding took us 270km and over Haast Pass, which was much tamer than other cyclotourists we’ve met had us believe, and on to Wanaka – another triathlon hotspot – where much finer weather has us raring for the next part of our adventure. Tom Ballard
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THE OFFICE
STA FF P ICKS
WINTERWARMER DECLAN DEEHAN MARKETING MANAGER CASTELLI ALPHA JACKET RRP £230
MOST OF MY ROAD RIDING IS IN THE WAY OF MY COMMUTE TO WORK – ROUGHLY A 26-MILE ROUND TRIP. In terms of my work-life balance, this is the chance I get to put the consistent miles in. It may not be the Tour de France, but I still like to push myself where I can and experience some aesthetically pleasing, well fitted and technical threads. For the dark cold morning and evening rides I chose the Castelli Alpha Jacket as my outer layer. I went for the Black/Mirage finish, which retains a black lower back for splash protection, but still has good visibility. The best way to describe the Alpha is as a garment that fits like a jersey yet gives you the protection of a jacket. For me It’s the go-to jacket when I am unsure what Mother Nature has in store – especially given its water-repellent element. I run pretty hot on the bike and find it tough to layer up correctly so as to achieve a balance, which often leaves me pondering what to wear. I have used the Alpha with a base from zero degrees right up above 10C, and felt very comfortable doing so – which surprised me. The Alpha has a separate insulation layer underneath the outer Windstopper element; so when you want to get some wind on the chest but retain some core heat, simply unzip the outer layer and you are sorted. It wouldn’t be a Castelli garment without some striking attention to detail, so I’ll finish with a summary of what stood out for me and why I chose it. The fit for a jacket is unreal, allcondition versatility is second to none, the articulated neck and use of softer material in that area provide superb comfort, the raw-finished waistline moves with you for fantastic tail protection, and multiple open and zipper pockets take all your snacks and essentials. Last but not least, the Alpha comes in four colours, so there’s sure to be an option for you.
TH E N U M B E R S THE 1989 TOUR DE FRANCE IN NUMBERS – TURN TO PAGE 70 FOR THE FULL FEATURE
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DAYS IN YELLOW FOR FIGNON
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DAYS IN YELLOW FOR LEMOND
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TIMES THE JERSEY SWAPPED BETWEEN THE PAIR
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STAGE WINS FOR LEMOND
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STAGE WIN FOR FIGNON
STAFF COLUMN
TRACK STAR Track cycling and a new Intense Tracer ordered – it feels like Coxy is covering all the bases when it comes to all things two-wheeled
There aren’t many cycling disciplines I haven’t tried out. But one that I’d always wanted to have a stab at was track riding. The idea was born out of me watching people like Wiggins and Cav killing themselves for the glory of a gold medal. So when Chris from Apple Colour (our printers) invited George and I to a day out at the Newport Velodrome, I jumped at it. Then the nerves set in. Not being one to ride fixie a great deal, I thought stopping might prove tricky. And, of course, no coasting meant it was all or nothing on the pedals – this, though, I enjoyed! In the end, George cruised into second place with his huge lever legs, while I finished 10th, in the top half. I was OK with this with but felt I could have given more, had the nerves not got to me. I’ve got to say, if you haven’t tried track it’s definitely worth a whirl and the instructors at Newport were really confidence inspiring. No crashes and plenty of smiles made the day a real success. On a rather different note, as I’ve been working on my column the new Intense Tracer has been launched. Two years in the making, and with Cesar Rojo and Jeff Steber heading up the development, you know this hard-hitting, do-everything bike is going to be awesome! With so much hype around it, backed up by good reviews, my order went in for one straight away. I’ve gone for the murdered-out black Expert model with a few Saddleback trick bits on it (check out the next issue to see it in Staff Rides). Now I’ve just got to wait for it to land – in the meantime, it’s going to feel like Christmas Eve for a few weeks… Nick Cox
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SECONDS TO MAKE UP OVER THE FINAL 24.5KM TT
55X12T LEMOND’S GEAR SELECTION
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SECONDS – LEMOND’S WINNING MARGIN
THE OFFICE
WHO’S WHO
MEET THE TEAM JAMES WELLMAN AREA MANAGER S.W. AND WALES. WE FIND OUT ALL ABOUT OUR NEW MAN ON THE ROAD AND WHAT MAKES HIM TICK
WHO IS JAMES WELLMAN? I AM A HAPPY-GO-LUCKY GUY WITH A REAL PASSION FOR ANY OUTDOOR SPORT – FROM RIDING MY BIKE TO WATER SKIING AT 5 O’CLOCK IN THE MORNING ON A COLD WET DAY (AS LONG AS THE WATER IS FLAT, THAT’S ALL THAT MATTERS) TO WALKING UP MOUNT SNOWDON. I LOVE ALL THINGS FAST AND I’M A SELF-CONFESSED PETROLHEAD. HOWEVER, AS MUCH AS I LOVE BEING OUT AND ABOUT I AM JUST AS HAPPY AT HOME WITH THE FAMILY REMINISCING, SWAPPING STORIES AND CATCHING UP ON LIFE. I AM A FIRM BELIEVER IN TREATING PEOPLE AS YOU WISH TO BE TREATED IN ALL ASPECTS OF LIFE.
WHERE DO YOU LIVE? CARTERTON, OXFORDSHIRE. WHAT’S YOUR JOB TITLE? SOUTH WEST AND WALES AREA MANAGER. WORST JOB YOU EVER HAD? AN EARLY MORNING, SEVEN-DAYS-A-WEEK PAPER ROUND. FAVOURITE PLACE TO RIDE? FROM MY DOORSTEP ALL AROUND THE COTSWOLDS – WE HAVE HILLS IN ONE DIRECTION AND IN THE OTHER THE LOCAL FLAT, FAST CHAINGANG ROUTE. IN THE SUMMER THERE ARE BODIES ALL OVER THE ROAD, OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN DROPPED – IT’S A REAL TEST OF FITNESS.
FAVOURITE BIKE INVENTION? THE POWER METER – IT’S A TRUE LIE DETECTOR AND IT IS THE ONE PIECE OF EQUIPMENT THAT CAN ACTUALLY MAKE YOU STRONGER IF USED CORRECTLY. NO GIMMICKS OR FADS.
WHAT MAKES YOU ANGRY? TRAINER SOCKS WORN BY A CYCLIST – IT’S ALL ABOUT A 6IN CUFF! ALSO MIDDLE LANE HOGGERS ON THE MOTORWAY, BAD MANNERS, BAD PHONE SIGNAL, ARROGANCE, A BODGE JOB, AND PEOPLE WHO DON’T SAY THANKS.
WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY? EARLY MORNING WAKEBOARD/MONO SKI SESSIONS ON THE LAKE WITH MY FAMILY (AND FLAT WATER), RIDING MY BIKE IN THE SUNSHINE, HELPING OTHER PEOPLE, WATCHING A GOOD MOVIE… AND HAVING FRIENDS OVER TO MINE FOR A MEAL WITH THE GOOD LADY MRS WELLMAN.
WHAT’S THE #1 MOST PLAYED SONG ON YOUR IPOD? JIMI HENDRIX, ALL ALONG THE WATCHTOWER; LYNYRD SKYNYRD, FREE BIRD.
WHAT IS ONE OF YOUR FAVOURITE QUOTES? “SOMETIMES YOU DON’T NEED A PLAN; YOU JUST NEED BIG BALLS” – TOM BOONEN.
WHAT CHORE DO YOU ABSOLUTELY HATE DOING? IRONING – IS IT ACTUALLY POSSIBLE TO ENJOY IT?
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE TIME OF THE YEAR? SUMMER. WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE MODE OF TRAVEL? VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER – I SPEND MOST OF MY WORKING WEEK DRIVING ONE.
WHAT’S YOUR LEAST FAVOURITE MODE OF TRAVEL? ANY FORM OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT – I LIKE TO BE ON TIME.
IF YOU COULD CHOOSE TO STAY A CERTAIN AGE FOREVER, WHAT AGE WOULD IT BE? 21. IF YOU COULD LEARN TO DO ANYTHING, WHAT WOULD IT BE? PLAY GUITAR OR PIANO. IF YOU HAD TO CHANGE YOUR FIRST NAME, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE IT TO? THOR – IF ONLY I COULD THROW A KETTLEBELL OR KEG AS HIGH AS THAT!
IF YOU COULD MEET ANYONE, LIVING OR DEAD, WHO WOULD IT BE? BARACK OBAMA. WHICH CELEBRITY DO YOU GET MISTAKEN FOR? PRINCE WILLIAM… ALTHOUGH I DEFINITELY CAN’T SEE IT MYSELF.
WHAT ARE THE BEST/WORST GIFTS YOU’VE GIVEN/RECEIVED? THE BEST GIFT WAS MY FIRST EVER MOUNTAIN BIKE, 16 YEARS AGO – IT’S WHAT STARTED ME OFF ON BIKES . THE WORST ONE WAS A BLACK TIE FOR CHRISTMAS .
WHAT’S THE BEST BIT OF ADVICE YOU COULD GIVE? IF AT FIRST YOU DON’T SUCCEED THEN TRY AND TRY AGAIN.
HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE REMEMBERED? AS SOMEONE WHO ALWAYS GAVE 100%, GAVE EVERYTHING MY BEST SHOT, WAS AN INSPIRATION TO OTHERS, AND HELPED PEOPLE ACHIEVE THEIR POTENTIAL AND BROUGHT OUT THE BEST IN THEM. BASICALLY I WOULD LIKE TO BE REMEMBERED AS AN UNFORGETTABLY NICE GUY!
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STA F F P I C KS
TOOLEDUP DAN DUGUID BRAND MANAGER SILCA T-HANDLE FOLIO £185
YOU CAN’T BEAT THE FEELING OF HAVING AN EXQUISITELY MADE TOOL WITHIN YOUR GRASP. The T-Handle Folio is one of those tools. Silca has followed its usual form and selected the optimum materials for the job, making sure that the tolerances are perfect and the finished products fit nicely in your hand – as well as having the durability that you would expect from premium tools. The T-Handles are made using cold-forged shock-resisting steel. Silca then coats the tools with a satin chrome plating to increase their durability. The T-Handles’ sliding crossbar has a positive-locating centring detent that works a treat, and the length makes using them a real pleasure, enabling you to see what you are working on and also providing excellent leverage for tackling seized bolts. If the tools themselves aren’t enough to convince you to buy them, Silca has taken things one step further and packaged them in a 12oz waxed duck canvas bag, which is quilted in what’s becoming Silca’s signature diamond knurl – also featured on its other bags such as the Seat Roll Premio. Ripstop nylon and grippy DuPont Hypalon finish the bag superbly – and it’s not just a carry case. The Folio bag also has the flexibility to hang over a workstand or top tube while you’re working on the bike. With all the standard-size hex keys, from 2mm to 10mm, as well as the usual suspects in Torx this is a great set of tools for working on premium products. Dan Duguid
THE OFFICE
STAFF COLUMN
LOVECROSSED HEARTBREAK Our brand ambassador Scott Chalmers brings his CX season to a nailbiting close as he tries to hold onto his Lovecrossed crown
So, the end of the ’cross season hoves into sight – another busy one, full of road trips, laughs and pedalling the old ’cross whip as fast as I can! The Christmas break came and went, I managed to just about dodge illness and be going pretty well for the last bit of the season, hopefully ending it on a high...
The whole National Trophy series has once again been such a buzz to do, with the best riders, courses, organisation and battles along the way, and I cannot wait for the next time round – hopefully a bit further up the placings. The round at Sunderland turned out to be a particular favourite –not only was it a mint course, but also my best result. Even with getting T-boned mid-race, which hurt rather a lot, it was well worth the 600mile round trip.
The National Championships in Bradford was a tough but fun day in the saddle, starting at 8.15am for official course practice – blimey, it was pretty much still dark! I got a good few laps in, getting my lines dialled in and then it was time to clean up, eat, drink, stay warm. At 2.30pm the time came to ‘ride it like ya stole it’ and I managed to get a decent start from the fourth row and get up among the big hitters early on… and then just had to hold on like grim death for an hour. A really good course and massive crowds made for a fun old race and I managed to get into the top 30 – not quite as high as I’d have liked, but so much fun (and I may have pulled a few wheelies on the last lap).
So, after competing in the National Trophy, Western League and also a trip to Belgium, last up for the ’cross season was the Saddleback-sponsored Lovecrossed, where I was defending the title. Sadly a repeat performance was not to be – I was beaten into third place on a filthy, freezing and skilltesting day. But it was another superb edition of Lovecrossed nonetheless (see page 28 for more), with Chavenage House providing a grand backdrop to round off the season. Till next time then… Scott Chalmers
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THE OFFICE
TECH TIP S
STAFF COLUMN
INTENSE REAR AXLE
FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH
ROSS GRIMMETT SENIOR MECHANIC WORKSHOP’S BEST FRIEND DIFFICULTY LEVEL MEDIUM
Does riding bikes make you live longer? Will poses the question and offers himself up as guinea pig for science to prove it
Most of Intense’s newest models, starting with the new Spider 275C, share a clever rear thru-axle that requires only a 5mm Allen key to operate an expanding wedge/collet system, similar to the main pivot bolts on the box link (image 1).
Have a good look at the next person you spot – and don’t know – riding a bike and see if you can accurately guess their age. No, seriously. If you think you can get within three years either way, well done. Intense recently posted a video on social media of some historic frames that are to be mounted on the firm’s wall, and it struck me that some of them are older than some of us. One of the staff here recently turned 21, and watching the video the eagle-eyed will see Leigh Donovan’s stars-and-stripes M1 (and Brian Lopes’ matching, but Mongoose-branded one), John Tomac’s Giant-branded M1 and a couple of Shaun Palmer’s frames.
This ensures a rock-solid fit between axle and frame. To install the rear axle (PART #130794), grease the threaded end of the axle (image 2), and under the conical head at the other end and then insert the axle through the non-drive side of dropout until it reaches the female threads of the derailleur hanger.
But this in turn made me think about everyone I know who rides bikes, whatever shape their handlebars. Nobody I know seems ‘old’. Yes, some of them are advancing in years, but none of them seem like they’re about to switch to a life of pottering about the house in their slippers and needing mid-afternoon naps after a stroll to the shop. For the most part, it’s possible to guess which decade riders were born, but not pin down their age so precisely. People who ride bikes seem to age better than those who don’t.
Insert a 5mm hex wrench into the drive side of the axle through the derailleur hanger (image 3) and turn the hex anticlockwise, which screws the axle into the derailleur hanger. Tighten with a torque wrench to approximately 100in/lb (11Nm) (image 5). Grease the expander cone (Part #130777) and insert the M6 x 25 bolt (PART #410039) (image 4) and tighten the bolt to 125in/lb (14Nm) (image 6).
Sure, much is made of the upsides of cycling, the environmental positives, the health benefits, the endorphin release leading to a happier lifestyle. It may be anecdotal, but has anyone explored the possibility that riding bikes stops us getting ‘old’? I’d be willing to put myself forward for it, if anyone has an idea how to quantify it. Sure, I have many years of mechanic’s gripes but if not for riding bikes, I’d have given up long ago… Will Poole
Removing the axle should only require the same 5mm Allen key. Undo the M6 x 25mm bolt (PART #410039) on the non-drive side 2½ turns (image 6). The wedge beneath this bolt should pop upwards a little; even if it doesn’t, it will have freed itself enough, provided it was correctly greased prior to installation. Insert your 5mm hex wrench into the drive side of the axle, through the derailleur hanger (image 3), and turn clockwise, which unscrews the axle from the fixed derailleur hanger. The axle should wind out of the non-drive side of the frame.
IMAGE ONE
IMAGE TWO
STAFF COLUMN
GOING AWOL Daniel ditches his cyclocross pretensions and gets on-trend – and on the money for backwoods exploring – with a new adventure bike
IMAGE THREE
IMAGE FIVE
Although I’ve owned a CX bike for around two years, I could never truly call myself a CX rider. I ride a whole lot of mixed terrain on most rides but totally at my own pace, exploring new paths and bridleways as I go. It’s much more adventure riding than cyclocross. A few months back I decided to trade in the ’cross bike for something a bit more ‘adventure-y’… a Specialized AWOL to be precise – the bike I’ve lusted after since it was first released three years ago.
IMAGE FOUR
Almost as soon as I collected the AWOL from the shop, I began looking for places to explore on it that were a little further afield than I’m used to. While it’s a touch cold for the quality of my camping kit at the moment, I’ve set my sights on heading out to Mid Wales and the Grwyne Fawr bothy (if you don’t know, bothies are small, remote huts or cottages for anyone to use free of charge) for the first overnight trip as soon as it gets a touch warmer. The bothy is around 60 miles from my front door, so a nice distance for the first overnight adventure on the AWOL with a load of kit. In the meantime, the plan is to hit as much mixed terrain as I can, as well as plenty of base road miles to get my legs strong – the AWOL is a heavier beast than I’ve ridden before. Hopefully by the next issue of incycle, I’ll have tales of some adventures to recount. Daniel Oakshott
IMAGE SIX
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THE OFFICE
WHO’S WHO
MEET THE TEAM ROB BOREK SERVICE & WARRANTY TECHNICIAN THE NEWEST MEMBER OF THE SERVICE AND WARRANTY DEPARTMENT GIVES AN AN INSIGHT INTO WHO HE REALLY IS
WHO IS ROB BOREK? 23 YEAR OLD CYCLIST WHO WILL RIDE ANY BIKE WITH BIG WHEELS, SOME BETTER THAN OTHERS! MY OTHER HOBBIES INCLUDE JAZZ SAXOPHONE, DOWNHILL SKATEBOARDING… AND GIN.
WHERE DO YOU LIVE? BRISTOL.
WHAT’S YOUR JOB TITLE? SERVICE AND WARRANTY TECHNICIAN.
WORST JOB YOU EVER HAD? I’VE BEEN FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO NEVER HAVE A TRULY BAD JOB.
FAVOURITE PLACE TO RIDE? USUALLY THE MENDIP HILLS.
FAVOURITE BIKE INVENTION? PROBABLY THOSE NEAT BAR-MOUNTED CUP HOLDERS.
WHAT MAKES YOU ANGRY? GENERALISATIONS.
WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY? RIDES WITH FRIENDS, BARBECUES AND CIDER. USUALLY IN THAT ORDER.
WHAT’S THE #1 MOST PLAYED SONG ON YOUR IPOD? BLACK SABBATH – ELECTRIC FUNERAL
WHAT IS ONE OF YOUR FAVOURITE QUOTES? “EVERYTHING WILL BE OK IN THE END, AND IF IT IS NOT OK, THEN IT IS NOT YET THE END” – JOHN LENNON (ALLEGEDLY).
WHAT CHORE DO YOU ABSOLUTELY HATE DOING? SHOWERING.
STA FF P ICKS
HEADTURNER
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE TIME OF THE YEAR? SPRING.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE MODE OF TRAVEL
DAN DUGUID BRAND MANAGER ALCHEMY ARKTOS FRAME RRP £3400
HOVERCRAFT.
THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF GREAT PRESS ON ALCHEMY’S ARKTOS RECENTLY, WITH A GREAT REVIEW ON PINKBIKE, AND I HAVE CERTAINLY LOVED RIDING IT. Alchemy is probably better known for its handmade in Denver, Colorado carbon road frames, which boast attention to detail and craftsmanship that are second to none. The Arktos is Alchemy’s first enduro bike and, wanting to hit the ground running, the brand hooked up with David Earle, who has been involved in creating suspension designs such as VPP.
WHAT’S YOUR LEAST FAVOURITE MODE OF TRAVEL? TRAIN.
IF YOU COULD CHOOSE TO STAY A CERTAIN AGE FOREVER, WHAT AGE WOULD IT BE? I LIKE TO THINK I HAVEN’T REACHED IT YET!
IF YOU COULD LEARN TO DO ANYTHING WHAT WOULD IT BE? I WOULD LOVE TO BE ABLE TO SPEAK ANOTHER LANGUAGE FLUENTLY.
The Arktos uses Earle’s new Sine Suspension platform, named for its sine wave-like suspension curve. The dual link design gives a curve that starts off being regressive, for increased traction during the first 25% of the stroke. The platform then becomes progressive for the next 60%, to feel supportive, before finally becoming regressive again – allowing the full travel to be used on the really big hits.
IF YOU HAD TO CHANGE YOUR FIRST NAME, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE IT TO? BARRY.
IF YOU COULD MEET ANYONE, LIVING OR DEAD, WHO WOULD YOU MEET?
This unique platform translates to a great-riding bike. You’ll most likely be riding uphill at some point on an enduro bike and the Arktos ascends more like an XC whippet than a 150mm all-mountain machine – so much so that I never lock out the suspension when climbing. Descending the bike is (as you’d hope) even more fun to ride. The platform has performed brilliantly just about everywhere I’ve tried it, from my local trails at Swinley to BikePark Wales. Its geometry gives the Arktos a lively feel that makes you want to chuck it around, with the Sine Suspension feeling incredibly active through technical trails and allowing the full use of the travel.
BARRY CHUCKLE.
WHICH CELEBRITY DO YOU GET MISTAKEN FOR? BARRY CHUCKLE.
BEST/WORST GIFT YOU’VE EVER GIVEN/RECEIVED? OLD LADY-SMELLING SOAP FROM A WOMAN A FEW DOORS DOWN FROM MY PARENTS… EVERY CHRISTMAS UNTIL I WAS 18.
WHAT’S THE BEST BIT OF ADVICE YOU COULD GIVE? DON’T TRUST THE ADVICE OF STRANGERS IN MAGAZINES.
Topping it off, the Arktos Custom is fully built in Alchemy’s Denver facility, including being sprayed onsite by Ethic Paint Works – which adds a nice final touch to a superb frame. Dan Duguid
HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE REMEMBERED? PROBABLY WITH A HUGE PLAQUE ON A BIG OAK TREE.
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BEST SELLERS
HOT STUFF
BESTSELLERS OUR TOP SELLING PRODUCTS NOVEMBER 2016 – JANUARY 2017
ASTUTE SKYLITE VT PILARGA BLACK RRP £190 CASTELLI VIVA THERMO SKULLY RRP £19
ARUNDEL MANDIBLE MATTE CARBON RRP £60
ROTOR NOQ CHAINRING 110BCD 34T RRP £54
SILCA HX1 TOOLSET RRP £125
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BEST SELLERS
ENVE ROAD BAR 42CM COMPACT DROP RRP £325
STAGES ULTEGRA 6800 RRP £549
SIDI GENIUS 7 RRP £170
CHRIS KING INSET 7 HEADSET RRP £180
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TEAM SKY
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TEAM SKY
TEAM SKY CASTELLI A S T W O C YC L I N G P O W E R H O U S E S J O I N F O R C E S , W E LO O K F O R WA R D TO T H E F U T U R E O F P R O P E L OTO N A P PA R E L A N D W H AT I T M E A N S FOR RIDERS EVERYWHERE
WORDS TOM BALLARD PICTURES TEAM SKY
SINCE ITS FORMATION IN 2009, TEAM SKY’S METEORIC RISE HAS SEEN THE BRITISH OUTFIT SCORE NO LESS THAN 244 RACE VICTORIES, INCLUDING FOUR TRIPS TO THE TOP STEP OF THE PODIUM AT THE TOUR DE FRANCE. THROUGH THE NURTURING OF BRITISH TALENT, OBSESSIVE ATTENTION TO DETAIL AND THE MOST PROFESSIONAL OF PRO-TEAM SETUPS, TEAM SKY’S DOMINATION OF COMPETITIVE CYCLING CANNOT BE IN QUESTION. IN EVERY SENSE, TEAM SKY LEADS WHILE THE REST CAN ONLY FOLLOW – A POSITION AT THE HEAD OF THE PELOTON THAT’S ALSO VERY FAMILIAR TO CASTELLI.
Like Team Sky, the Italian brand has reshaped cycling over the last decade through its relentless commitment to performance and inability to accept the status quo. By thinking beyond the accepted technology of cycling attire, Castelli has made aerodynamic clothing essential to the peloton, rewritten the rules about performance in wet weather and continually innovated to make cycling clothing
that’s both luxuriously comfortable and staggeringly fast – delivering a truly unfair advantage for anyone who chooses to wear the scorpion. A PERFECT PARTNERSHIP
For 2017, Team Sky has chosen Castelli as a partner so as to benefit from the brand’s relentless pursuit of speed and to help further revolutionise professional cycling apparel. It’s a natural fit for both parties. But the real coup for riders around the world? The fruits of this powerhouse collaboration will be available at Castelli dealers everywhere. Team principal, Sir Dave Brailsford is eager to explore the benefits that working with Castelli is sure to yield. “We’re really excited to be able to announce this partnership,” says Brailsford. “They will be more than a kit supplier; they will be an innovation partner. Castelli has a long history of breaking ground when it comes to kit and design. We will continue to push hard to make sure our riders have the best clothing and equipment, and we’re already excited about some of the ideas Castelli are working on with us.”
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Castelli brand manager Steve Smith is equally enthused about working with the sport’s most forward-thinking team. “Team Sky is focused on performance and we take a similar approach,” he tells incycle. “Performance can come from all kinds of areas and sometimes from places you don’t expect. Team Sky looks at everything from strategy in a race, to criteria used to pick riders, to diet, the training and, of course, the clothing. That curiosity, that drive to look at everything as an opportunity to improve is really exciting. “From Castelli’s perspective, that’s what we try to do with the clothing. We continually look at ways we can make the clothing and rider faster. We started out with a fairly aerodynamic jersey back in 2007, and we’ve basically doubled the aerodynamic improvement over the years. We’ve also been able to take out most of the Lycra content and actually make a better performing jersey in terms of moisture management. “Another example is the Gabba. I mean, who’d have thought we could have such a huge gain in
TEAM SKY
“Castelli will be more than a kit supplier to Team Sky; it will be an innovation partner. The brand has a long history of breaking ground when it comes to kit and design” racing in cold and wet conditions? Up until the Gabba, everyone was thinking about trying to keep the rider dryer – no one was thinking about trying to make them aero in those conditions.”
what the pros ride in. From fabric technology to seat pads, stitching and race details, you can benefit from developments driven through partnership with the world’s best cycling team on your next ride.
Team Sky’s attitude towards turning potential into race-winning performance is another aspect of Brailsford’s super squad that chimes with the Castelli ethos.
THE NEW KIT
“We’re talking about taking something that’s good and looking at ways we can make it better,” Smith goes on. “From that standpoint, it’s very exciting to now be working with Team Sky. They have a lot of resources and mind space put towards this pursuit of performance and we do the same. The partnership is an ideal combination for exploring more areas to make riders faster. We’re going to take those ideas through collaboration with Team Sky and bring them to a broader number of cyclists to try to make everybody’s ride better.” Emblematic of that attitude from Castelli is the fact that the 2017 Team Sky collection, available on the high street for the first time, will be identical to
While the fabric choice and cut of the collection is a reflection on the latest cycling technology, the new kit’s print is the work of British designer Richard Pearce, who continues to lead cutting-edge garment design through Castelli and David Millar’s Chpt. /// range. Taking inspiration from the classic Breton shirt, Pearce has created an Anglo-Italian fusion that, despite strict UCI rules, boasts an imaginative design that not only tells a story of team victory and unity, but goes further by creating an emotional connection between rider and jersey. The most obvious detailing on the kit is the Morse code-like dashes – and those lines communicate their own message. Each represents one of Team Sky’s victories during its first seven seasons, and between the jersey, shorts, socks, mitts and even the visor of the cap, every one of the 244 wins is accounted for. The shortest dashes represent
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one-day races while multi-day stage races are commemorated in lines determined by the race’s length. Blue lines represent WorldTour races and white are non-WorldTour. Naturally, Chris Froome’s 2016 Tour de France victory gets top billing, placed just below the Sky logo on the chest. By including every race win on the designs, each rider who has contributed to the team’s staggering list of palmares can point to their own winning line. Indeed, the front of the jersey is made up of victories from the 2017 squad (with the exception being Sir Bradley Wiggins’ 2012 Tour win) which could just offer a vital marginal gain when an athlete needs a boost during the suffering of exhausting bike racing. With gaps between the dashes being representative of ambition for triumphs still to come, the design also reflects Team Sky’s preoccupation with future performance. “We spent a lot of time thinking about our new kit and what we wanted it to represent visually,” says Brailsford, who was instrumental in defining the data pattern. “We wanted to find a way of celebrating the success we
TEAM SKY
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TEAM SKY
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TEAM SKY
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TEAM SKY
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TEAM SKY
“We spent a lot of time thinking about what we wanted our new kit to represent visually. We wanted to celebrate the success we have had as a team, but also to make sure we keep our minds on the future” have had as a team, but also to make sure we keep our minds on the future. As a team we still have an enormous number of goals we want to achieve and, through the design of our new kit, those will always be at the forefront of our thinking.”
romance and prestige of Italian cycling, adding the sport’s biggest WorldTour team – and one that also happens to have its roots in Britain – makes the Team Sky and Castelli partnership massive news for Saddleback.
The full collection includes some 64 items and takes in everything riders will need for training and racing in all conditions. This includes Castelli’s most aerodynamic garments and the often imitated but unrivalled Perfetto family of foul-weather gear.
“Though they have a huge global presence, the strong British connection means that the partnership with Castelli is going to have a much more powerful effect in our market,” observes Saddleback’s Castelli UK brand manager Richard Mardle. “The fact that cyclists are going to be able to discover the Team Sky collection in their local bike shop for the first time will enable riders to get up close with the latest performance cyclewear that’s leading the peloton.
While there are already 15 innovative performance products being readied for Team Sky riders – including the new Idro Pro ultra-compact Gore-Tex racing jacket – Castelli is also producing additional kit for fans to get the Team Sky look. These will boast all Castelli’s usual hallmarks of performance and comfort, but without the same investment needed for the most technical professional-level kit. THE BRITISH ANGLE
With Castelli’s monumental success in the UK demonstrating British roadies’ affinity for the
“As a working partnership with Team Sky, it’s a new venture because we haven’t ever been involved with a domestic WorldTour team,” Mardle continues. “We had a bit of a link into the Cervélo TestTeam in the early days – but that was a smaller, tighter unit. Obviously, the Team Sky vehicle is huge but we’re already in the early phases of making sure
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that we’re not just Saddleback to Team Sky but representative of Castelli UK.” Indeed, forming a close-knit relationship with the team and its riders is essential for gaining and understanding athlete feedback on the new garments and prototyping new race tech. “We’d love to have the team more closely integrated with Saddleback and that’s the part I’m really excited about,” says Mardle. “I’ll be working very closely with the team at pro camps and service course, and we’ve also got access to riders throughout the year. They really want us to be on the ground because a lot of the team are UK riders and are domestically based as well. Quite a few are just over the bridge in Wales, which is right on our doorstep. We can help in that we’re able to be on hand, whether that’s for product handover, feedback or photography. “It’s an amazing opportunity and one that I’m sure will be mutually beneficial for the riders, Castelli and Saddleback.”
T R OY L E E 2 0 1 7
T ROY L E E D E S IG NS : T HE 2 01 7 RA NG E WORDS MARTIN ASTLEY PICTURES JOBY SESSIONS
We are extremely excited to have received our first delivery of Troy Lee Designs product – we are now holding stock of the complete 2017 range, and what a selection it is. There’s so much to talk about that it’s difficult to pick a few highlights for the purposes of this feature – but we’ve tried our best. First up has to be the brand new A2 helmet. It’s not often that Troy Lee launches a new lid, but when it does it’s sure to turn heads (excuse the pun). The A2 is a thoroughbred TLD helmet, with the classic sleek and bold silhouette, exciting colours and the incredible artwork we have come to expect from the brand. The A2 isn’t simply a looker though – it marks a step change in terms of both safety and performance. The A2 is the first production bicycle helmet to include combined EPP and EPS in-mould protection. The EPS layer offers impact resistance for higher-speed collisions, while the softer, multi-impact EPP offers cushioning in lower-velocity spills. Coupled with great coverage, improved stability and retention and MIPS on all A2 helmets this provides one of the safest helmets on the market. Airflow has also been further improved over the A1 with larger vents in all the key areas. The A1 helmet must not be forgotten though – all new for 2017, A1 helmets are MIPS-only and are available at a new lower price point. Away from helmets but keeping with the protection theme, the flagship Raid knee pads recently featured in the Dirt 100 as the all-time favourite knee protector. The excellent coverage and protection, plus all-important comfort, provided via the D3O inserts comes together in a slim and flexible pad, perfect for everything from long enduro rides to downhill racing. The Troy Lee clothing range, meanwhile, features some typically amazing design from mild to wild across the series. Highlights include the new 50/50 fade designs available in both Sprint and Ruckus, as well as the Skyline Network range and the new Terrain series that bridges the gap between XC and trail. We’ve chosen a few of our favourite kit combinations to feature on the next few pages – we had a lot of fun matching kits to create our favourite combinations. Use your imagination and see what you can come up with for your own unique look.
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HELMET: D3 STARBURST BLACK JERSEY: SPRINT 50/50 RED GLOVE: AIR GLOVE BLACK PANT: SPRINT 50/50 RED.
HELMET: D3 STARBURST YELLOW JERSEY: SPRINT STARBURST FLO YELLOW GLOVE: SPRINT CYAN PANT: SPRINT STARBURST FLO YELLOW
T R OY L E E 2 0 1 7
HELMET: D3 CADENCE YELLOW/RED JERSEY: SPRINT BLACK GLOVE: RUCKUS BLACK SHORT: SPRINT BLACK KNEE PAD: 5450 SHORT
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HELMET: A2 PINSTRIPE BLACK/YELLOW JERSEY: SKYLINE BLUE GLOVE: AIR BLACK SHORT: SKYLINE FLO YELLOW ELBOW PAD: SPEED ELBOW SLEEVE KNEE PAD: SPEED KNEE SLEEVE
T R OY L E E 2 0 1 7
HELMET: A2 DECOY CYAN/YELLOW JERSEY: RUCKUS 50/50 BLUE GLOVE: AIR FLO YELLOW SHORT: RUCKUS NAVY KNEE PAD: SPEED KNEE SLEEVE
T R OY L E E 2 0 1 7
HELMET: A2 PINSTRIPE WHITE/REFLECTIVE JERSEY: TERRAIN CONTRAST BLACK GLOVE: AIR BLACK SHORT: TERRAIN STEEL BLUE
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HELMET: A2 DECOY GREY/NAVY JERSEY: ACE 2.0 RED GLOVE: XC GLOVE RED SHORT: ACE 2.0 CONCRETE
T R OY L E E 2 0 1 7
CAP: REFLECTO BLACK JERSEY: NETWORK GRAY SHORT: CONNECT TAN
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CAP: CORSA BLUE JERSEY: CARGO CHARCOAL BLACK PANT: CALIPER CHINO DK BEIGE
HAT: BLENDER BLUE JERSEY: SKYLINE TURQUOISE GLOVE: XC BLACK SHORT: SKYLINE PLAID BLACK
T R OY L E E 2 0 1 7
HELMET: A2 DECOY BLACK JERSEY: RUCKUS CHOP NAVY GLOVE: XC BLACK SHORT: RUCKUS TURQUOISE
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THE 1989 TOUR
REMEMBERING THE 1989 TOUR DE FRANCE L E M O N D , D E L G A D O , G R E A T E S T R A C E
F I G N O N A N D T H E E V E R R I D D E N
WORDS TOM BALLARD PICS FLICKR: BRIAN TOWNSLEY AND ANDERS
Greg LeMond sweats it out during the 1989 Tour de France. LeMond and French rival Laurent Fignon would both feel the burn during some riveting Alpine stages
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THE 1989 TOUR
The 1989 Tour de France remains one of the most dramatic and compelling editions of La Grande Boucle. It’s also, as noted in this issue’s welcome page, the event that inspired Saddleback founder Andy Wigmore’s love of cycling. A pair of two-time winners, the USA’s Greg LeMond and French favourite Laurent Fignon, would clash head-to-head for yellow all the way to the final stage in Paris, where victory would be decided by the slimmest margin in the race’s history.
Frenchman and American, who finished together, LeMond still defending his jersey by just five seconds. THE GOING GETS TOUGH
The next day, the race took on the Col du Tourmalet, Col d’Aspin, Col de Peyresourde and Superbagneres. Once again, it was Delgado who animated the race. The defending champion used a teammate to springboard up to leader Robert Millar, crossing the line just behind the Brit to jump up to fourth, 2:53 behind yellow.
Having finally put a long-term Achilles injury behind him, proud Parisian Fignon was coming into the Tour following wins in Milan-San Remo and the Giro d’Italia with his strong Super U squad. Meanwhile, LeMond was making a comeback after being shot in a hunting accident in early 1987. Picked up cheap by the Belgian ADR team, the American struggled through the Giro until the final time trial, where, at last, some of the old magic began to show through.
Meanwhile, LeMond found the stage a real challenge. Sticking to Fignon’s wheel up the final climb, he couldn’t react to the Frenchman’s surge in the final kilometre and lost the race lead by seven seconds. Fignon took yellow for the first time. Stage 13 provided compulsive viewing as crosswinds blew in along the coast from Montpellier to Marseille. Sean Kelly’s PDM team attacked controversially during the feed station, prompting an outraged Fignon to retaliate with a counterattack alongside third-placed Charley Mottet that looked like it might just stick. Finally making the juncture with a hard-fought chase, two of Kelly’s own teammates started a fist fight in the peloton. In the end, the French got a Bastille Day victory from Vincent Barteau and the GC still hung by just seven seconds after 60 hours of riding.
INTRIGUE FROM THE GET-GO
As if the stage wasn’t already set to create a compelling enough story, things got off to an utterly captivating and bizarre start on the very first day with the sight of defending champion, Spain’s Pedro Delgado, missing his slot for the prologue time trial and losing 2m40s before he’d even turned a pedal. The men who would go on to become the race’s protagonists signalled their intentions early on – Fignon taking second behind stage winner Erik Breukink and LeMond securing fourth – with both only six seconds back.
LeMond put himself back on top during the next time trial on Stage 15. The American didn’t dominate as in the previous contre-la-montre encounter and indeed finished eight seconds behind Delgado, but the 39km from Gap to Orcières Merlette was enough to put 47 seconds into Fignon, who was 10th on the day. LeMond had snatched yellow once again, now with a 40-second buffer to defend.
The drama continued during Stage 1 when Acacio da Silva grabbed yellow after asking permission from the peloton’s heads of state to go up the road and greet relatives – only to then attack and win the stage. Stage 2 took place the same day, the peloton regrouping after that first 135.5km road race for the afternoon’s team time trial. Here, Fignon’s Super U outfit showed its class, finishing first with all riders in tow. LeMond’s ADR team came fifth, 51 seconds down while Delgado’s Reynolds-Banesto squad were dead last with riders having to sit up and wait for their leader.
The next day saw the race head into the Alps. LeMond’s team worked hard to control the stage, covering attack after attack. This time, it was Fignon’s turn for a test in the mountains. Dropped over the top of the Col d’Izoard, the Frenchman was isolated from his team and had to push himself to his limits to get back to the yellow jersey group. But time after time, he’d get back on only for another attack at the front to stretch out the elastic once more. Fignon’s tenacity and ability to suffer meant that tough stage as it was, he’d only conceded 13 seconds when he rolled over the finish in a state of complete exhaustion.
Following the first rest day, the next real GC test was Stage 5’s individual time trial. At 73km, a new yellow jersey was guaranteed. The day before the stage, ADR team manager, Jose De Cauwer, rose early to meet the head of the race jury away from prying eyes and get LeMond’s new TT setup cleared – a bike sporting aerodynamic tri extensions. Despite expectation from the press that Delgado would retire from the event, the Spaniard set the best early time. In fact, it stood until LeMond smashed it by 24 seconds to take his first yellow jersey of the race. Fignon, without aerobars and with ponytail flying in the wind, came third, 56 seconds off LeMond’s pace – but remained just five seconds behind on GC. Perhaps the Frenchman should have taken note of his adversary’s technical advantage.
TRADING BLOWS
As in so many editions of the Tour, the towering challenge of Alpe d’Huez provided true spectacle – especially on a day that saw the riders take on the Col du Galibier and Col de la Croix de Fer before being faced with the famous 21-hairpin ascent. PDM’s Gert-Jan Theunisse had ignored team orders early in the day and attacked on the Galibier – an unlikely solo effort that would see him clinch the stage victory – as Fignon and LeMond measured each other before the day’s final climb.
LeMond successfully defended his lead, remaining in yellow as the race entered the Pyrenees on Stage 9. Future champion Miguel Indurain was first over the Marie-Blanque, Aubisque and La Cambasque to score a stage victory. Meanwhile, Delgado’s recovery continued. The Spaniard gained 29 seconds on the
The Frenchman was first to go on the attack, putting in a devastating surge right at the foot of the Alpe. LeMond reacted,
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LeMond holds tight to his aerodynamic tri bar extensions. Fignon, by contrast, went with a conventional setup during the 1989 Tour’s crucial time trials
Greg LeMond faces the press after an early Luxembourg stage during the 1989 Tour. He would soon get his first taste of the yellow jersey, in the Stage 5 time trial
THE 1989 TOUR
holding the wheel. Fignon went again – but the American proved equal to it, then going on to make a big move of his own. The pair were trading blows, savagely punishing their own and each other’s legs.
believed his third Tour de France win was a mere formality and reportedly congratulated LeMond on his second place ahead of the iconic 24.5km course from Versailles to the Champs-Elysees in Paris.
LeMond began to rock in the saddle, his cadence slowing. With 6km to go, team orders came through for Fignon to attack again and distance his overcooked competitor – but the Frenchman had nothing left either. Yet after another two kilometres, Fignon had rallied. He put in a final acceleration that LeMond, weaving and panting, couldn’t hope to match, though Delgado went with the leader-on-the-road.
The American’s riding setup would be crucial if he were to stand any chance at all. The aerobars were a must and LeMond also employed an aero helmet. He added a monster 55t chainring on his Bottecchia bike – which had a downward-sloping top-tube courtesy of the 650c front wheel – in a bid to maximise his speed on the slightly downhill run into Paris. LeMond also went out on the course to pick his lines on the corners – a last ditch effort to attain every marginal gain he possibly could.
LeMond didn’t give in. He paced his way through the last four kilometres, pushing through the pain to limit his losses to 1:19. The yellow jersey went back to Fignon, his lead standing at 26 seconds. Meanwhile, Delgado, who finished second on the stage just ahead of Fignon, was in a podium position for the first time, 1:55 behind.
Meanwhile, Fignon had a restless night as the pressure to win sat heavy on his mind and a saddle sore picked up on Stage 19 robbed him of sleep. The Frenchman would go into the race using his regular road bike with disc wheels, no aerobars and his trademark ponytail whipping along behind him.
With the yellow jersey on his shoulders, Fignon’s strength continued to grow in the Alps as LeMond’s seemed to wane. On Stage 18, Fignon put in an attack to distance the American further and clinch a stage victory to boot – though the headwind finale meant the advantage was hard fought. His lead now stood at 50 seconds and his confidence was growing.
As the second-placed rider LeMond would start first, rolling down the ramp at 4:12pm, with Fignon following in his wake two minutes later. LeMond had decided against receiving any time splits on the course, preferring simply to race as hard as his body would allow him. While LeMond wasn’t getting splits, the Frenchman, and spectators worldwide, were. By 11.5km, Fignon had already conceded 21 seconds.
The following day was the last in the mountains – and what was perceived as a final chance for LeMond to make some time back. Delgado again animated the race but took Fignon and LeMond with him. Neither would give the other a second and while LeMond took the stage victory with a sprint Aix-les-Bains, he couldn’t make any time on the Frenchman.
LeMond was performing smoothly and powerfully in his aero tuck position, the sweat dripping down his face. His Gallic rival, meanwhile, was jumping in and out of the saddle, clearly uncomfortable. The American rider hurtled to the finish, obliterating the leading time of Thierry Marie by 33 seconds in what turned out to be the fastest ever Tour de France time trial – an incredible 54.545km per hour. He’d clocked a time of 26:57 – meaning that Fignon would need to finish the time trial inside 27:47 to close out a victory that he’d already begun to publically celebrate.
UNFORGETTABLE DRAMA
Going into the final time trial on the Tour’s very last day, that 50-second lead seemed insurmountable. Certainly, Fignon
Like LeMond, the Frenchman was giving this ride every last watt he had, his face a picture of monumental exertion. By the time he rolled onto the Champs Elysées accompanied by a convoy of race traffic, Fignon’s lead had shrivelled down to a mere two seconds. It was agonisingly close – but the gantry clock ticked on. Ultmately the two-time Tour de France winner would have to endure eight seconds longer on course than his rival. Eight seconds during which the American, caught in a tightly-packed crowd of teammates, family and onlookers, would learn of his victory and whoop and jump with almost incredulous ecstasy. When Fignon finally crossed the line he swerved past the waiting press to collapse onto the road. Gasping for air and lost in the cacophony surrounding him, he didn’t know the result. Then the news made it through to him. He’d lost by eight seconds. In a daze, he staggered to drug testing and burst into tears in the arms of a teammate. The unforgettable images of LeMond’s euphoria juxtaposed with Fignon’s misery told the story – a release of pent-up emotion to end to the closest Tour in the race’s history. In the most spectacular of all bike races, one that has created so much intrigue, excitement and controversy over the years, the 1989 Tour de France provided a three-week drama full of surprise, hope, despair and jubilation that’s never been equalled. Will we see its like again? Here’s hoping…
Competition between LeMond and Fignon (right) was ferocious throughout the 1989 TdF, with the American clinching overall victory by an agonising eight seconds
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ROTOR UNO
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GOING IT ALONE R O T O R ’ S U N O I S H Y D R A U L I C
T H E F I R S T , A N D S O F A R O N L Y, G R O U P S E T I N T H E W O R L D
WORDS DANIEL OAKSHOTT PICS JOBY SESSIONS
Hydraulics are used across the aerospace and automotive industries because they are safe, reliable and incredibly powerful, so it makes sense to use this technology in a groupset for instantaneous and accurate shifting that can be relied on mile after mile. WHY UNO?
With Uno, Rotor is aiming to take the best of mechanical and electronic shifting systems to create something completely different yet practical. Borrowing from the electronic side of things, Uno has been designed to deliver direct, precise shifting, smooth activation and smart cabling that’s resistant to bends and friction. Yet Rotor’s engineers were also keen to ensure a tactile, mechanical flavour to shifts and maintain a low weight, while adding disc and hydraulic rim brake options – things they’ve achieved with Uno. Uno’s development and manufacturing has been completely in-house, so it has been easy for the company’s engineers to make subtle changes to the product during the production process. This has been key for Rotor, which furnished pro squads Team Dimension Data and Cérvelo-Bigla with Uno groupsets in November 2015. With typical insensitivity to the tech on their bikes – and to those who created it – the team riders thrashed Uno hard, and their feedback has meant more tweaks to the groupset over the course of 2016 than during the entire previous year. The result is an ultra-smooth and precise-shifting groupset that also offers incredible braking modulation and stopping power across both rim and disc brake options – each of which now has a specific lever rather than a work-for-both, cross-compatible compromise. U N O SH I F T I N G
The levers for rim and disc brakes look identical, with chunky, highly grippy rubber hoods requested by pro riders. The shifting system itself uses a single paddle lever positioned behind the brake lever. For the rear derailleur, one short click takes you down a cog while a longer throw takes you up one to four cogs depending on the adjustment of a screw on the derailleur’s underside. All the indexing takes place within the rear derailleur’s ‘clockwork’ mechanism, actuated by the reinforced 3mm hydraulic line, which is the same diameter as a Di2 cable, making Uno compatible with existing frames. The lines are filled with a glycol solution that offers faster, more precise shifting than mineral oil and has no temperature issues – except in the unlikely event that you ride below -15°C or above 88°C. The rear derailleur also has a ‘return to origin’ function; a knob on the top that bypasses the ratchet to drop the chain to the smallest cog for quick wheel changes. A tap of the button and the indexing is back, regardless of which cog the rider left the bike in via the lever. The front derailleur uses the same lever action, although there is a double-trim function enabling you to adjust the position of the front derailleur’s cage to make use of more gears without chain rub. UNO BRAKING
On the braking side, Rotor is touting the superior modulation of its hydraulic rim and disc brakes, giving road riders more control and less arm fatigue while riding, in order to increase confidence when descending. Both types use Magura Royal Blood natural mineral oil, which isn’t hydrostatic, ensuring water won’t contaminate the system. Once the system is set up, there shouldn’t be any need to tamper with it again. For the calipers themselves, Rotor has selected Magura’s lightest MT8 system, which is both flat- and post-mount compatible and has been specifically designed for heat dissipation. No maintenance is needed, just replacement of the pads once they’re worn. 160mm rotors give ample stopping power regardless of bike or rider weight. U N O C A S SE T T E
As part of the ultra-light goal, Rotor has also developed a completely new cassette, which uses two steel domes for the first nine gears while the two biggest cogs are aluminium. Initially available in 11-28T, its sub-150g weight will make it a big-selling upgrade item in its own right. U N O W E IG H T S
Uno’s lightness was critical for Rotor, with engineers making judicious use of carbon in key places such as the rear derailleur cage, levers and lever band on clamp to lower overall weight. The published weights at launch totalled 1,604g.
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SH I F T E R
Smooth shifting: Thanks to the nature of hydraulics, there is no friction at all, meaning every shift will be as smooth as the first one.
REAR MECH
Precise movements: All shift actuation has been kept at the derailleurs, which allows for precise shifting every single time with no need for regular adjustments.
DI S C C A L L I P E R
Stopping power: Using Magura’s lightest MT8 system, the Uno disc calipers have ample braking power and require no maintenance.
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RIM CALLIPER
Great compatibility: Based on Magura’s RT8, the Uno rim caliper allows for easy adjustment and 14mm of throw ensures full compatibility with all rim widths – even on the go.
F RON T M E C H
Double trim: One-bolt adjustment of the double trim function on the front derailleur allows for precise cage adjustment to make use of more gears without any chain rub.
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TRACE ELEMENTS
TRACE ELEMENTS THE ALL-NEW INTENSE TRACER IS SET T O B E O N E O F T H E FA S T E S T B I K E S T H E CALIFORNIAN BRAND HAS PRODUCED. W E C AU G H T U P W I T H J E F F S T E B E R , I T S C R E AT O R , T O H E A R A B O U T T H E R I S K Y BUSINESS OF REDESIGNING ONE OF HIS MOST POPULAR, AGGRESSIVE MACHINES FROM THE GROUND UP WORDS RIC MCLAUGHLIN PICTURES INTENSE CYCLES
Downhill racing is a sport fuelled by its protagonists’ heroics. Every few years, a rider comes along and, over the course of one or even several race runs, redefines what we all consider to be possible. When it comes to the bikes that help facilitate these moments of genius, few if any marques have been as prolific as Intense Cycles. John Tomac, Shaun Palmer, Chris Kovarik, Brian Lopes, Gee Atherton and Sam Hill have all raced aboard Intense frames – in many cases under the branding of another company. The man whose magic welding torch has conjured those frames is Jeff Steber. He’s been producing machines at Temecula, California since 1990 and his M1, which began life in 1994 in an age when many brands were still pushing XC bikes on their racers to tackle courses as brutal as Mammoth Mountain, is perhaps the most iconic DH bike of all time. The M1 certainly redefined possibilities in terms of its speed, strength and reliability – and it quickly became the preferred race bike for many riders. But while Intense’s M-series rides have been machines of choice for podium contenders, it’s one of the inheritors of their DNA – the all-mountain-oriented Tracer – that’s been busy winning the hearts of weekend-warrior consumers all over the world. Launched way back at the start of this millennium, by 2015 the Tracer name accounted for 51% of all Intense sales – which means the 2017 bike’s debut is a very big deal for the brand. That importance only grows when you consider that the latest edition is no gently-does-it revamp, with a few tweaked colour palettes and a couple of angles massaged here and there. This is a ground-up new bike – one that, arguably, has had more of Steber’s creativity and vision poured into it than any other recent Intense – and as such, it represents a major statement of intent. We wanted to know what was behind the risky decision to go ‘revolution’ rather than ‘evolution’ – and understand more about the process that delivered on that decision – so we chased up Steber to find out.
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S E L F - D O U B T S TA R T E D T O C R E E P I N AT O N E P O I N T – M AY B E I WA S O F F T R A C K , O R NEVER ON TRACK TO BEGIN WITH, AND N E W S TA N D A R D S F E LT L I K E T H E Y W E R E A P P E A R I N G W E E K LY. P E R S E V E R A N C E PA I D OFF THOUGH, AND NOW I AM MORE T H A N C E R TA I N T H AT W E H AV E C R E AT E D S O M E T H I N G G R E AT STEPPING UP “We first introduced the Tracer at the turn of the century – in our 2000 catalogue,” Steber reminisces. “At that time it was a 120mm XC/trail bike – we had our Uzzi SL in the pure trail category and the Uzzi DH pushing the freeride movement – [but] the Tracer then disappeared for a while when we introduced our new line of VPP bikes, starting in 2003.”
The reworked Tracer is the first Intense to feature the new JS Tuned Enduro system. Intense’s most recent launches have had the JS Trail linkage platform at their heart. Whereas these bikes offer a swell of support early in the stroke, the JS Enduro-based machines feature a lot more DH-like progression fixated on attacking descents and smashing stage times. With a 65.5-degree head angle, a 622mm top tube, 1207mm wheelbase (size large) and punchy 432mm chainstays this is a machine with one goal: speed.
Its reappearance marked the first proper sea-change the Tracer name would undergo. “In 2006 we brought it back as a 140mm-travel trail bike with VPP suspension, aggressive geo (for the time) and unique construction and looks,” Steber goes on. “This solidified the Tracer as a brand within our brand. The trail segment was booming and we had a great offering – it quickly became a top seller.” A number of improved and refined models – in the form of the Tracer 2, Tracer 275 and Tracer 29 – built upon the Tracer name, which grew to dominate Intense sales.
The key to the Tracer’s appeal was always its hard-hitting, burly nature but those numbers are put in context when compared with the older bike and represent a degree cleaved from the head angle, a growth of 6mm in the top tube and 32mm added to the wheelbase (on a size large). Full UD carbon fibre construction (including top link), a Boost-ready rear end and internal cable routing add some finesse to back up the savage geometry figures. F R O M G O O D T O G R E AT On paper then, the 2017 bike has already opened a pretty sizeable gap on its predecessor. Achieving that was no easy feat, according to Steber. “It really was a bit of a challenge,” he says. “With the Tracer being such a strong brand within our brand, and historically our top seller, the bar was set high for our development team.
The whole driving force behind the new Tracer was an exercise in “turning good into great”, according to Steber. It was a chance for him to pit all he had learned about geometry and combine it with a new suspension platform to improve on something he saw as extremely difficult to improve upon.
“Through the process I handbuilt eight alloy prototypes, refining further with each version,” he continues. “Self-doubt started to creep in at one point – maybe I was off track, or never on track to begin with, new standards felt like they were appearing weekly and so on. Perseverance paid off though, and now I am more than certain that we have created something great.” Setting out to achieve greatness also relied on a serious departure for Steber in terms of how he has traditionally approached new models – he asked for some outside help. Cesar Rojo was a top-flight UCI World Cup racer on board the all-conquering Global Racing team, but left the clamour of the pits to become a bike designer. His Cero Designs company masterminded Mondraker’s acclaimed Forward Geometry system, and 2016 saw him launch his cutting-edge artisan own-brand, Unno. Steber had known Rojo for years and collaborating on a project had long been a dream of theirs. The 2017 Tracer became that project; a bike that could marry Steber’s vision with Rojo’s knowledge of modern geometry.
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Jeff Steber has taken a step back from the day-to-day business of running Intense, in order to spend more time wielding his magic welding torch (top); the fruits of his creativity, in collaboration with Cesar Rojo’s knowhow, can be seen in the form of a rack of prototype 2017 Tracer frames (bottom)
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The Intense Tracer has come a long way from its roots at the turn of the millennium. The striking new model marks a rewriting of the rules – compared with the previous edition, the head angle is a degree slacker, the top tube is 6mm longer and the wheelbase has grown by 32mm (size large). Enduro-oriented JS Tuned suspension comes present and correct
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“I have always admired Cesar’s work and he and I had always talked about doing some projects together,” Steber explains. “When we started working on setting up Intense’s Europe headquarters in Barcelona it seemed to make even more sense. He has been at the forefront of pushing mountain bike design into new territory and that is also what Intense has always been about. It was time to do some really cool stuff.” NEW CLARITY As well as this new creative partnership being forged, there have been major shifts inside Intense itself over the past few years. “I had made a conscious decision that it was time for Intense to ‘grow into’ the global brand we had become,” Steber says. “I had felt for a long time that that the brand cast a big shadow compared to our actual size.” At the same time, Steber adds, he’d come to the realisation that holding all the reins of the company in his hands – so leaving it completely reliant on his personal strengths and weaknesses – could ultimately be holding it back. He decided to take a step back from the business aspects of the brand’s day-to-day running and allow himself the freedom to refocus on what he does best – creating.
been a part of Intense since day one and recently, after a hiatus, the brand has returned to UCI World Cup racing (turn over the page for Steber’s reflections on Intense Factory Racing back in the day and now). “Heritage is one of the key elements of authentic brands such as Intense,” says Steber. But, he continues, “while we never want to forget about our past and what made us what we are today, we are very much living in the now”.
“The brand deserved to reach its full potential; [figuring that out] was the easy part,” he says. “Finding the perfect team to make this happen would be the challenge. We already had a solid base of really good employees, but needed some experts in the key management positions.
‘Living in the now’ translates to a continued emphasis on pushing Steber’s bikes to the limits between the tapes, as well as turning out standard-setting trail bikes. Intense Factory Racing (IFR) will campaign the 2017 UCI World Cup and World Championships with some of the most talked-about young talents in the sport. Racers Dean Lucas, Jack Moir and Nick Nesteroff will be joined by one of US downhill’s big hopes – Charlie Harrison.
“Back in 2009 when I started traveling to Taiwan to develop our carbon fibre models, I started meeting more of the people behind the bike industry: product managers, upper-level management, brand owners and so on,” Steber continues. “It was really a ‘who’s who’ of bike industry people and I was able to build some friendships and get a bit of mentoring along the way.” In 2013, Steber assembled what he calls his “A-team” to help take Intense to next level. “It has been a lot of fun and it’s been great seeing our brand grow both domestically and internationally,” he says. “I feel like I am able to focus on my strengths: product and branding.”
Steber says he really enjoyed his 2016 experience of being back in the UCI World Cup pits. “For me it was coming full circle and getting back to our roots,” he smiles. “It was also a bit of recon to see where World Cup racing was currently and where it was going. I felt there was even more room now for Intense Factory Racing to build a comeback: moto-influenced, So Cal – just like in the old days! Also, we are doing a lot of product development with the team and there will be some interesting prototypes in the pits again.”
MORE TO COME The new Tracer is testament to that renewed focus – but it’s not the only product of it. There are two more bikes yet to emerge from the partnership with Cero Designs and the new race season is just around the corner. Racing has
All these exciting factors are loaded into the new Tracer’s fabric. Some bikes are nipped here, tucked there and sprayed a new colour – not this one. The 2017 Tracer is fuelled by its creator’s passion and enthusiasm for racing – and going as fast as possible. It’s a special bike that demands and deserves attention.
SOME BIKES ARE NIPPED HERE, TUCKED THERE A N D S P R AY E D A NEW COLOUR – NOT THIS ONE. THE 2017 TRACER IS FUELLED B Y I T S C R E AT O R ’ S PA S S I O N A N D ENTHUSIASM FOR RACING – AND G O I N G A S FA S T AS POSSIBLE
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THEN AND NOW
INTENSE FACTORY RACING, THEN AND NOW I N T E N S E C Y C L E S ’ F O U N D E R R E F L E C T S O N T W O D E C A D E S O F H I G H - O C T A N E P E R F O R M A N C E WORDS JEFF STEBER PICS INTENSE CYCLES
I feel like we spend a lot of time talking about our heritage. But there’s a reason for that. We need to understand where we came from, where we started, to really be able to envision our future – and recognise where we want to go; which pitfalls to avoid; which successes to try to replicate. Of course, building our heritage was also a ton of fun. At the time, I don’t think we even realised we were doing any such thing. We were literally just out there, having fun, racing bikes. I was always on the lookout for how to tweak things and make them (at least in my opinion) better, faster, sexier. Who knew that 20 years would go by and we would look back and recognise that all that tinkering with bikes, all the travelling to races, all the beer-bongs, picnic-table surfing, luggage cart disasters, would result in a brand? Certainly not me. Even now (20 years later), stories live on about Shaun Palmer and Troy Lee in Vegas; or Chris Kovarik suffering internal bleeding so badly that we had to take him to the emergency room in the middle of the night for fear that he would bleed out (only to see him race the next day and finish in sixth place at a World Cup). Those were the days that built our brand. Somehow, during all those shenanigans, we managed to produce and refine what was one of the world’s most popular downhill rigs – the Intense M1. Back then, lots of bike manufacturers understood the value of a World Cup race team but didn’t yet have the technology to produce a viable race rig – so they bought M1s from us and put their decals on them. It seems crazy now, but a massive percentage of the top DH field consisted of M1s. Teams like Giant, Haro, Mongoose and Chain Reaction all rode Intense M1s with their own company’s badges. That’s how it all began. I really don’t think it gets more authentic than that.
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THE PENNY DROPS
I remember the moment I realised that I might be onto something. It was 1996. I had sold pretty much everything I owned, and bought a 10x10 booth at Interbike in Anaheim. A few months prior, I was working in my workshop and my friends Mike Metzger and Randy Lawrence rolled up with some snowboarder who wanted to start racing DH. I did what I always did back then: hooked him up the best I could with a frame. It was during that first Interbike show (with dates that conflicted with World Championships) that I heard on the intercom that Shaun Palmer had just finished second on an M1. I knew then that mountain bikes, and racing, would be my future. I commonly refer to the first ‘Intense Factory Race Team’ as being that year, with Palmer and RL (Randy Lawrence) on the bikes, but in reality we were far from ‘factory’. We had very little support that year, but after Palmer’s near-win, doors began to open. I went on to incorporate my business; I took on some partners, hired some people, bought some really expensive CNC machines. Orders came in. We made bikes. More orders came in. We made more bikes. But I always understood what put Intense on the map – and that was racing. So I was always really aware that I needed to keep a race team as not only a valuable marketing asset, but as an important R&D resource. ENTER CHRIS KOVARIK.
I first met Kovarik, back in the day, when he rode for the Qranc team on GT. We spoke about him coming to Intense – and when his existing contract expired, he joined us. He was 21 years old when he came to live with my wife and me in So Cal. He was just a kid. Homesick, green, but fast as hell. As well as being one of the quickest racers on the planet though, Chris was one of the most articulate riders I had met. He was incredibly talented at relaying his ride experience to me in actual words, and telling me how he thought the bikes could be improved. In many ways, he was a big part of developing the entire M series (including the M16), not to mention the Intense shoe, which is a whole different subject that we don’t have time for today. Chris grew up, got faster, got a wife (Claire Buchar) who is amazing and is also part of the Intense family. Kovarik remains on Intense, in what I think has to be one of the longest sponsorship relationships in the industry. He is also the inspiration behind our motto, ‘Intense for Life’. He and Claire now run Kovarik Racing, and are bringing up a whole field of grom riders who are also – you guessed it – on Intense bikes. CHANGING TIMES
It turned out that running a Factory-level race program was (and is) really expensive. We were lucky enough to work with MS Racing (Markus Stokl), who provided the infrastructure for the team while we provided the bikes. It was a great partnership that featured Sabrina Jonnier, Matti Lehikoinen and Anneke Berten. During that time, we also worked with Nigel Page on Chain Reaction, putting bikes under their riders without having to fund the entire program. We were able to continue to build the brand using our guerilla marketing tactics, which were all we could afford. Then the industry started to shift. Similarly to when steel gave way to aluminium in the early 90s, the trend was now changing from aluminium to carbon fibre. Let me be clear: I had built my business, and my brand,
“WE LOOKED BACK TO THE PAST TO BETTER VISUALISE OUR FUTURE. WE EVALUATED EVERYTHING AND ONCE AGAIN, HAVE FOUND OUR ROOTS. THIS YEAR, WE ARE THROWING GASOLINE ON THE FIRE”
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THEN AND NOW
on being a craftsman. I was a complete hands-on guy, so when I looked into carbon manufacturing, and realised what a completely different animal it was, I knew I had to either get on board the carbon model, or go back to being a small frame-builder in my garage. I knew what I had to do, but something had to give. In order to fund the switch to carbon, I had to pool all my resources. It broke my heart, but I had to leave the World Cup race scene behind in order to keep my business relevant. I also knew that in order to successfully pull off the switch to carbon, I needed help, so I hired a bunch of talented guys who were experts in carbon fibre development and engineering. One of our first partners was SEED, a German engineering firm that really helped us get our carbon projects going. We now also work with Cero Designs, based in Barcelona and led by former Intense team rider, Cesar Rojo. During these years, in lieu of an official Factory Racing Team, our Spanish distributor had a talented and enthusiastic marketing guy on board, Ivan Jimenez. Ivan had been a fan of Intense since his childhood, and was really ambitious when it came to pushing the brand. He saw the importance of having a World Cup presence, so he fielded a team of top Spanish riders and hit the world cup circuit. His programme was funded by GoPro and KP Sport (the name of the distribution company) and featured Bernat Guardia (eight-time Spanish national champion), Ferran Jorba, Dani Algarra and Guillome Jorba. Ivan’s programme succeeded in keeping a foothold for Intense on the World Cup scene, and allowed our re-entry to be much smoother than it may have been without it. RETURNING TO THE FRAY
With carbon projects up and running, and a new management team on board who was 100% behind bringing back the race team, we, once again, fired up the engines. 2014 saw the rebirth of IFR (Intense Factory Racing) and featured Bernat Guardia, Jack Moir, Luca Cometti and Ferran Jorba. It was a bit of a slow start – we called it a ‘building year’. Jack and Ferran both suffered injuries and sat out most of the season but, like I said, it was a work in progress. The following year saw the retirement of Bernat Guardia, and he moved into a team management position. Ferran Jorba took a break from racing, so Luca and Jack were joined by Dean Lucas and youngster, Nik Nestoroff. That year, I ventured out to Fort William, definitely my favourite stop on the World Cup circuit, and took note of how different things were. How much had changed within the sport; and how much we had changed as a brand. If I’m honest now, I will admit that our brand no longer seemed to represent its true heritage. It seemed to lack a certain ingredient that I later came to identify as ‘gasoline’. We had made the comeback to the World Cup scene, but not quite as our true selves. We needed fire, to be loud, brash. Even our team pits looked somehow subdued. So, once again, we looked back to the past to better visualise our future. We evaluated everything and once again, have found our roots. This year, we are throwing gasoline on the fire. We are proud to have two American riders: Charlie Harrison and Nik Nestoroff and also Aussies Jack Moir and Dean Lucas. Our program is fuelled by Troy Lee Designs, Von Zipper, SRAM, RockShox, Enve and Maxxis – a dream team of sponsors, each of which understands our brand, our past and our future. Buckle up, it’s going to be a fantastic ride!
“I ALWAYS UNDERSTOOD WHAT PUT INTENSE ON THE MAP – AND THAT WAS RACING. SO I WAS ALWAYS REALLY AWARE THAT I NEEDED TO KEEP A RACE TEAM AS NOT ONLY A VALUABLE MARKETING ASSET, BUT AS AN IMPORTANT R&D RESOURCE”
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H AW K E Y E S
H AW K
E Y E S
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE MANUFACTURER OF THE PLANET’S BEST ROAD CRANKS HITS THE DIRT? THE NEW ENDURO RACE-READY HAWK AND RAPTOR MODELS FROM ROTOR ARE CRANKSETS BORN BETWEEN THE TAPE… WORDS RIC MCLAUGHLIN PICTURES ROTOR COMPONENTS
In the Rotor Bike Components factory in Madrid, a large canary-yellow robotic arm is delicately manoeuvring the latest batch of the firm’s groundbreaking Q-Rings on to the next stage of their manufacture. The machine’s pre-programmed, self-adjusting, millimetric precision could almost be mistaken for motherly love for the lumps of alloy billet that will soon adorn some of the fastest race bikes on earth. Rotor has been driven by a dream of revolutionising how we ride or, more accurately, how we pedal our bikes, for more than two decades. It started with the Q-Ring: an elliptical chainring designed to do away with the power dead spots that occur naturally with round chainrings. In competition, every ounce of pressure on the pedals needs to be transformed into forward motion – and Rotor’s team knew it. The design has since adorned the winning rides of some of the world’s most prestigious road races, yet the desire to innovate and improve hasn’t dwindled. Last year, the brand introduced INpower, a power meter system built into the crank itself, along with Uno, the world’s first fully hydraulic groupset (see page 78). This isn’t a company content to shave a few grams here and revamp a colour palette there – pushing the envelope is ingrained in the Spanish firm’s DNA. NEW FOCUS
That said, Rotor’s big innovations to date have mainly been focused on the realm of skinny tyres and tarmac. But as mountain bike enduro racing continues to evolve and the demands riders place upon their equipment escalate, Rotor has been taking a keen interest. The sky-high strength requirements of the sport, tempered by the need for minimal weight, makes the application of enduro a natural fit for Rotor and the team have been keen to make their mark upon it. What they came up with are two new cranksets called Hawk and Raptor.
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H AW K E Y E S
To open things up to the myriad frame and bottom bracket designs currently being raced and ridden all over the world, Rotor has introduced a remarkable new modular design. By breaking things down into a set of individual parts (two crankarms, a chainring and an axle) its engineers effectively circumvented the often clunky world of BB standards and widths while allowing a greater range of choice than ever before to the consumer. The CNC-machined 7055 aluminium crankarms come in 165, 170 and 175mm lengths, while three different lengths of axle are also available to suit regular, Boost and DH-standard bottom brackets. The customisation doesn’t stop there however; new direct-mount Q-Rings allow each rider to completely personalise their pedalling. Based around the widest axle standard and a 30T ring, the weight of a full Hawk assembly sits at just 665g. There are also seven options of rubber bumper to help fend off heel rub and scuffing, which can occur when the crankarms meet rocks – an all-too-regular occurrence for modern lowslung enduro machinery. DISHING THE DIRT
When it comes to the aforementioned toughness, it was clear that Rotor would need a test pilot able to dish out the abuse yet experienced enough to proffer usable feedback. Enter none other than Cédric Gracia. In a career spanning a decade and a half, the Frenchman has raced for some of the biggest teams in the business and, among many other accolades, has won at Red Bull Rampage – perhaps the most hostile environment as far as man and machine are concerned. More recently, he’s refocused on enduro riding and racing and has been partnered to some of the industry’s marquee brands in order to help them develop and improve their products. “We developed the shape and the stiffness of the crank, and the look as well with all the different colours for riders to match their bikes,” the fast-talking Gracia says. “The colours – of course – look good, but also the bumpers are great protection from impacts. We worked as well on the chainring, giving it slightly bigger teeth.” Those newly developed direct-mount Q-Rings are at the heart of the new cranksets. Available in 30, 32 and 34T profiles, the 1x-specific rings take minutes to swap into place and offer a choice of three OCP settings to enable riders to dial in their perfect feel. They also offer the chance for aftermarket customers to take advantage of their performance-boosting oval shape, thanks to being available in both SRAM fitments along with Race Face’s Cinch system. Shimano XT owners are catered for too, with a four-bolt design in 32, 34 and 36T profiles as well as three different double-ring combos for those still running a front mech.
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The distinctive rubber bumpers highlighted by Gracia drew plenty of attention at 2016’s Eurobike show when the cranks were launched, but Hrusovsky is keen to point out that they are far from purely aesthetic. “These two cranksets have been developed together with Cédric and Jordi Bago, a Spanish enduro racer, and these rubber bumpers were one of their requests in order to have something good looking yet useful too. The bumpers are not only an aesthetic feature but of course help to protect the crankset from scratches and abuse.” DRAWING PARALLELS
There are definite parallels between Rotor’s previous experiences with road cycling and the demands placed on parts during enduro. Strength is key but it can’t – of course – come at the cost of bulk. “Rotor wants to always be the benchmark for the weight/stiffness ratio, so when we were designing the Hawk and Raptor we needed to create cranksets stiff enough to be competitive with all the other MTB brands,” Hrusovsky says. “We used the trinity drilling system, as with our road cranksets. But the drill holes [three, from axle to pedal] are not complete from bottom to the top, in order to gain more rigidity in the new models.” For many off-road riders, riding an elliptical chainring may seem like a bold departure from what they’re used to. But Gracia is in no doubt that it can equate to real-world benefits out on the trails. “It’s a game-changer,” he shrugs. “I’ve been improving my uplift pedaling tons by using Q-Rings. I feel a lot better on climbs, less tired and not down on power when I reach the top. I am always on the power, there’s no ‘down’ moment, I love it! The Q-Ring made my riding smoother, and I feel a lot better.” Gracia’s professional career began way back in 1999, but this is the first time that he’s been involved in actually developing a set of cranks and he’s clearly been impressed. What’s his favourite aspect of the new Hawk? “The stiffness for sure,” he considers, before that trademark smile bursts across his face, “But the look is killer too!” For Rotor, new products are all about maximising design and manufacturing to a point that allows riders to push their own limits out on the bike. With the Hawk and Raptor cranksets, the brand’s engineers have turned their fastidious attention to detail to the hard-hitting world of enduro racing. They’re set to take on the kind of abuse that the modern mountain biker can dish out while enabling them to go even faster – and to paraphrase Gracia, they manage to do all that while looking pretty good too.
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MEDIA COVERAGE
MEDIA COVERAGE HERE’S A QUICK ROUNDUP OF SOME OF THE PUBLICATIONS OUR PRODUCTS HAVE APPEARED IN OVER THE PAST FEW MONTHS
MOUNTAIN BIKING UK 336
CYCLING PLUS 323
PROCYCLING 222 CYCLING WEEKLY 20
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MEDIA COVERAGE
ROULEUR 67 ROULEUR 67
MOUNTAIN BIKING UK 336
MOUNTAIN BIKING UK 336 MOUNTAIN BIKING UK 336
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TEN QUESTIONS
L E I G H D O N O VA N
WHO IS LEIGH DONOVAN?
I have been called a daughter, a sister, a friend, a bike racer, a mom, a wife, an entrepreneur, a coach, a business owner, a passionate bike enthusiast, a World Champion and possibly a few other things – but we will stop there. With my love of dancing and singing and a voice that can carry through a football stadium, I have been known to be the life of the party and have a memorable laugh, known to make someone’s day. HOW DID YOU FIND YOUR WAY INTO THE BIKE INDUSTRY?
During my youth I always loved to ride bikes and during the summer of 1983 I came across the Orange Y BMX track… it was that moment that changed my life forever. It’s been from that day forth why I get up in the morning and why I named my business I Choose Bikes. HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF AS A RIDER?
I have always loved having fun on my bike. I play a lot on my bike when I ride and love to take on jumps. I think I’m smooth and my best riding is done on technical rocky downhills. I’d say I laugh a lot when I ride… which means I’m either a really annoying rider or a fun one… you pick! WHAT’S YOUR PROUDEST CYCLING MOMENT?
I have a few of these, but my best ride ever was at Mont-Sainte-Anne, Quebec in 1996. I had won the Worlds in DH the year before and was struggling to get a great result – coming into the third World Cup event of the year I felt pressure to deliver a smashing ride. This was the only race in my career when I crossed the finish line and knew there was no way anyone beat me… and they didn’t. I beat Anne-Caro [Chausson] by five seconds and placed 24th in the men’s class. That was my proudest moment as a racer. WHERE’S YOUR FAVOURITE PLACE IN THE WORLD TO RIDE AND WHY?
Whistler, BC just completes me. I love everything about the town, from the riding, to the shopping, to the pace of life, along with the energy that surrounds you there. I’ve requested my ashes be spread there when I die so, yes, I’m kind of in love with the area. WHAT’S THE SCARIEST THING THAT’S EVER HAPPENED TO YOU ON A BIKE?
To be honest I can’t remember anything that would rate as the ‘scariest’. Racing downhill for nine years full-time was just scary. I lived with so much fear and excitement during these years. Truthfully, I feel like racers take so many risks that it gets hard to define ‘scary’ because you are so often doing things that are outside your comfort zone. Living with it for so many years made me a little numb to that word. WHO’S YOUR CYCLING HERO/HEROINE?
I have a few. Anne-Caroline for being the best I’ve seen on a bike, Brandon Semenuk for his beautiful style and gracefulness, and Brian Lopes for pushing me to find my best on and off the bike. But Peaty is in there too, for being Peaty, and after I saw him in the new Syndicate video I thought he pulled off acting pretty well too! WHAT CAN YOU DO BETTER THAN ANYONE ELSE YOU KNOW?
Well, nothing on a bike, because I know all the best riders! But I’m really good at dancing and since most of my friends don’t dance, I do that better than all of them. WHAT’S YOUR ULTIMATE POST-RIDE MEAL?
Food isn’t my thing, so I don’t put a lot of thought into the meal thing – sorry. WHEN YOU’RE NOT ON YOUR BIKE, WHERE’S YOUR FAVOURITE PLACE TO BE?
Wherever my hubby and kid are, will always be my favourite place to be.
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S TA F F R I D E S
D E C L A N ’ S S TA F F R I D E THE SADDLEBACK MARKETING MANAGER’S CUSTOM SUPERBUILD INTENSE SPIDER
I had always ridden a longer-travel full-sus or hardtail, but felt it was time to try something in the middle. Having joined Saddleback recently, my choice of brand was a very easy one. Intense it is – oh, how I’ve waited to own one of these, and with the brand on a real revival mission, the timing was spot-on. I decided on the Spider frame, which comes in at 130mm travel and should be teamed up front with a 130 or 140mm fork. For my own custom build, I went for a 140mm option to add some extra attitude and help sort out the rough stuff. I had two colour choices, those being black/red or black/white. Now I have always been a fan of either a murdered-out black, or black and white bike so the choice was easy. On close inspection, the pearl white on the frame has a beautiful metallic sheen through it, which really gives it a premium flavour. Whichever angle you are looking at the bike you see flashes of metallic white whether it’s the top tube, down tube, inside of the seatstays or chainstays. The paint job is so well balanced, and captures the eye without being too inyour-face. In other words, it’s right up my street. Now for the build. Being a 130mm bike I wasn’t sure which way to go. I initially thought this would be a light, short-travel bike for smashing out the miles on,
but I was shocked when I started reviewing the geometry. Size-wise I’d settled on a large as I do normally – even at 5ft 9in – because I like a longer bike, and I wasn’t disappointed by my choice. As we know, longer bikes are the trend and the Spider came in with a 467mm reach in large – one of the longest on the market. That made me review the rest of the geometry and build the bike in a way that could allow me to mile munch and be a hooligan when it suited. The frame is Boost-spec and, teamed up with Enve M60s on Chris King hubs, it’s a stiff, light and precise machine. It was the first time for a lot of things for me on this build – first 130mm-travel bike, first Boost frame and first carbon wheels. This all added up to a different animal in its characteristics than I was used to – yet somehow it also seemed familiar. Maybe it was the fact that I felt so comfortable on it from the off. It’s a lively, playful ride and I’ve never found myself questioning whether I’ve got enough out back. I was surprised, I’ll admit, as I’ve always been a fan of more travel. I opted for full 30% sag and popped an air volume reducer in the shock to get the feel I wanted. It’s such a capable bike, and has me wondering whether I need 160mm at all. The Spider seems to fit the ‘UK all-rounder’ bill perfectly.
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S TA F F R I D E S
FRAME INTENSE SPIDER FACTORY (LARGE) HEADSET CHRIS KING BOTTOM BRACKET CHRIS KING HANDLEBARS ENVE STEM ENVE WHEELS/HUBS ENVE ENVE M60 / CHRIS KING BOOST FORKS ROCKSHOX PIKE 140MM BOOST SADDLE WTB SL8 CARBON BRAKES SHIMANO XT DRIVETRAIN SHIMANO XT TYRES WTB VIGILANTE GRIPS ODI
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I N S TA G R A M S
@ A LC H E M Y B I C YC L E S
@ARUNDELBIKE
@ A S T U T E I TA L I A
@ C A S T E L L I C YC L I N G
@CHRISKINGBUZZ
@ENVECOMPOSITES
@ I N T E N S E C YC L E S
@ROTORBIKE
@SIDISPORT
@SILCA_VELO
@ S TA G E S C YC L I N G
@TLD_BIKE
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DON’T MISS
UPCOMING EVENTS
WHEELBASE INTENSE DEMO 11-12 March
LEISURE LAKES INTENSE DEMO 18-19 March
MBR INTENSE DEMO 25 March
BESPOKED BIKE SHOW 7-9 April
FORT WILLIAM WORLD CUP 3-4 June
FRED WHITTON CHALLENGE 7 May
DARTMOOR CLASSIC 2 July
ARD ROCK 4-6 August
SODBURY SPORTIVE 13 August
EUROBIKE
30 August-2 September
ARD MOORS ENDURO 16-17 September
SADDLEBACK HOUSE SHOW TBC September
ROULEUR CLASSIC 9-11 November
AND MORE EVENTS COMING SOON...
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D I G I TA L
D I G I TA L I S S U E WHETHER YOU WANT TO READ INCYCLE ON THE GO OR FEAST ON EXTRA CONTENT. GO TO ISSUU.COM/SADDLEBACK TO READ THE LATEST AND ALL BACK ISSUES OF INCYCLE.
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FINAL THOUGHT
F I NA L T HOU G H T WAITING FOR THE BEEPS The 5am alarms. The early morning travel reports on greasy black motorways. The elbowing through stag-dos at the airport. The inhaling franchise coffee as though life itself depends upon it. The loyalty cards. The aisle seats. The rental car issues. The ‘What side of the road do I drive on, here?!’ moments. The boxy hotel rooms. The plastic cheese and the plastic ham. More coffee. The track walks. The flap of tape gently fluttering in the breeze. The new sections. The ‘No way?! He’s going up there?!’ moments. The bang of the hang-ups. The rumble of rubber on rock. The loam dusting the trees. The whispers and the whoops. The strafing clicks of the shutters. The air horns. The fancy-dress men dressed as nuns. More air horns. The thump of the music over the PA. The big headphones, the sunglasses. The clapping. The cheering. The cowbells. The beeps. The broken wheels. The flat landings. The punctures. The heartache. The roar as the splits turn green. The big charge for the line, one last plunge below. The look back up and the champagne of victory or the bitter bile of defeat. It’s all so far away yet all so close. Only in winter can we miss racing this much.
R I C MCLAU GHLIN FREELA N C E J O U RN A LIST
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NEXT MONTH
COMING SOON TO A RACE NEAR YOU.
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WINTER 2016