First, some background

As you’ve read on my blog, I’ve owned several bikes and did some testriding for Mountainbike.nl. I have no technical knowledge on how and why something works on a bike, but I know what I like and what works. Also, I have been puking my guts out the days prior to riding on the Slash. So I should not be very fit. Not the best circumstances to ride?

At first glance

I picked up my Slash at Fietsshop Uitgeest, my sponsor and well partner as we both started this team with 4 young riders and ourselves as senior riders on board. It is so shiny, the bike, the Kashima coating looks so sexy and our orange parts fit perfect with it. Some may add a few gram to the bike and the weight of the complete bike with new parts (incl.  pedals) was 14.8kg (32,6 lbs). It’s significant and prior to riding I was worried about the weight. Although I must admit, my Remedy was slightly heavier on racedays. So, considering what the bike is targeted for, I might not complain too much and ride first!

Schoorl

On of most popular xc tracks in Holland, 14 km long with 207m climb. Consider: we’re HOLLAND! Anyway, let’s not debate the practical choice for riding with the slash here, I was in the area ;-) But most people ride hard tails here, so how do I get by with the Slash?

I like a steep angle and rode the lap with the TALAS at 120 mm, it gave me a little xc edge. The  Float kept on position 2 (ride) the whole time but once. Normal pressure, no additional trail tuning.

What I noticed first was: it rides so easily, so light… but wait… it’s heavy I can feel that… How is that possible? Because the Slash sticks to the ground like glue, it’s grounded so you feel it’s weight. But it peddles so light and effectively you gain and maintain speed almost without effort. Schoorl is a bumpy ride, but on board the Slash you hardly notice it, it just gains speed because it’s so grounded.

The few steeper climbs in Schoorl where not a problem for me, I never had to dismount and finally I tried the famous “climb” switch and this bike became ridiculously fantastic at climbing. This feels like my Fuel ex with fat tires. I am not kidding, the Slash has a much better fit for me than the Fuel ex does, so it was even easier for me to climb! Forget comparing it to the Remedy, let’s compare with the Fuel ex!

Nijmegen

Saturday’s sun was long gone, or even… it never reached Nijmegen where it’s been muddy and raining for weeks. Januari 8th I was there with the Fuel ex: rain and mud. Now I was here with the Slash: rain and mud. Sounds like a good comparison? Oh wait, I had been sick a week and rode the day before D2/D3, I should be a little less fit.

You can see, we did almost the same trails and same climbs/descends (fuel ex: 21,55km 232m up | Slash 22,38km 246m up). Green is trail-profile and blue is speed. On board the Slash my speed seems overall a bit faster! For your comparison, heart-rate was the same for both rides. Average 146 and Max 177 for the Fuel ex and 174 for Slash. Average moving speed on the Fuel ex was faster according to Garmin 13,4km/h and 12,6km/h on the Slash.

You could study on the differences, but I see an overall of higher speed on board the Slash.

In short, for now

Okay, that was fun for the statistical geeks like me, but you just wanted to know how it rides and see the pictures. I’m pleased about the riding and climbing capabilities, this bike deserves a fitter me (working on it). The weight is noticeable, it’s very grounded. That gives you a little mental set-back, you should let go of that feeling on hinder, because it doesn’t hinder you at all and it’s you’re call wether or not you know are faster on this bike or your that mind is telling you nonsense.

I will not elaborate on the descents for now, you will believe me when I say it’s great and performs outstanding, I should go some place more deserving of such conclusions before saying more about this point.

Well, yeah it’s one hell of a bike and if you can afford one I have no idea why you should look further, this is the bike for enduro-riders that want no compromise going up or going down.

Shut up… show me the pictures already!

I’ll stop complaining!

I have so much work to do to finish the Session before this weekends IXS race in Winterberg, and a little nervous for riding a new bike in a race. Not the smartest thing I’ve ever done! But I figured, it’s a BIG Remedy and the LITTLE Remedy (Fuel) wasn’t that hard to adjust to, so how hard can it be? (talking to myself…. ;-)  )

So yes… pictures! Watch this space!

• Forks: Boxxers (my eye on a 2009 race, but it needs an axl and tuning asap)
• Brakes (Saint, the successor of the amazing XT 4pods??)
• Chainguide (Gamut on the way)
• Wheels (used, on the way)
• Rear-gear (on the way)
• Cranks + inner (on the way)
• Specialized Butcher SX tires (on the way)
• Need to get some tubes too
• Grips
• Cassette/chain/cables
• Chainring 38t

Do you have brakes or Boxxers lying around? Please contact me!

Barely 8 months after writing about my reunion with the Bullit, I have another Trek-addition on the way to replace it. I feel bad, but happy altogether. It brings a few nasty details with it though, my mate just donated a set of wheels for it but I have to get another set for this one as it uses a different hub-size. Also a different bracket-size, and this one had ISCG tabs. So chainguide, cranks, bottombracket, wheelset and probably some cables and a short cage reargear. Will I be complete then? Gosh I hope so… impulsive actions always come at a cost, let’s hope the fun makes it worth it.

It’s expensive, but our line of sport just is. The first thing I noticed was the amount of sag, a lot more then I’m used to. I resisted the urge to up the pressure and got to riding first, as per perscription of the shock-doctor who did the work on my Float. Before I had the pro-pedal switched on practically everywhere except for descents. But in Malmedy (±700m climb in 18km ride) I barely switched it on! I was kind of impressed… but it wasn’t untill I visited Nijmegen where my buddie and I do our fitness-rides and where I know the terrain like the back of my hand, when being impressed sounds just a little understated.

The Remedy climbs almost as good as the Fuel does (now I want to Fuel to be PUSHed too), there’s one rather fast descent in Nijmegen. I dropped the Joplin and attacked it with all I had and I couldn’t believe it. Brake- or speed-bumps? Like there where NONE! The Float feels endless, truly floating over the terrain and it responds so quickly yet allowing you to keep peddling like a full-efficient-maniac.

I would go as far as to say that PUSH tuning should be mandatory on every Fox driven All-Mountainbike.

A little info for you:

Looking for the ultimate performance upgrade? PUSH Factory Tuning Systems include our TF Tuned Rebuild, but then adds the installation of PUSH performance components based on rider weight and style, as well as year, make, and model of frame. We also add the Propedal feature to non-Propedal shocks, or retune the Platform feature of your current Propedal unit based on your application.

With this package, on RC/RL units, we replace the restrictive lockout piston with a PUSH high flow Vx compression piston for improved bump performance and control. We also remove the lockout mechanism permanently, add the Propedal feature, and custom tuned it to your application. More details here

PUSH Factory Tuning System Includes:

• Complete Disassembly/Reassembly
• Oil/Nitrogen Fill
• O-Ring Kit
• Factory Air Seal Kit
• Push PTFE Endless Piston Glyde Band
• R-Glyde Liner Eyelet Bearings
• PUSH Factory Suspension Decal
• PUSH Exclusive Vx Piston
• Push Multi-Phase Compression and Rebound Valving
• “Platform” Feature
• Push Zero-Bleed Piston Bolt**

Factory Tuning System Float R / RC / RL (includes full service) £129 + P&P

Factory Tuning System (without seals on new units) £119 + P&P

So sad to see you go Race Face, I miss you allready!

The funny thing is, that this bike used to belong to my good friend. He bought a Bullit in oktober 2003 and I soon followed after being inspired. He on the other hand never sold his baby. Untill now… Back together again!

The Trek Scratch was one of the bikes that rode perfectly. The BB height , head angle options (yes options 66 or 66.5 degrees) and chain stay length lead to flawless handling. The model I rode was set with coil springs and in spite of the associated weight it just rolled up the loose gravel road at Bootleg Canyon like a 28 lb XC bike. In fact while riding in the middle ring Andrew Shandro (from Trek Design team) and I were able to have a decent conversation about the purpose of the bike. We both believe that for a bike to be truly considered a trail bike it must climb well

Source: nsmb.com/3320-trek-scratch-ridden

I’ve been riding with the Raceface 3/4 DH shorts for almost 3 years. These are supple, excellent length and tough as hell. Now… why do women always want to get something NEW and DIFFERENT?

The same day I shipped back the from Maloja gear, I ordered a new Raceface 3/4 DH short from Chainreactioncycles.com (here). Fashioably brown (and the only colour in my size in stock) and they look nice, fit well (even better then the old ones) and cost about half.

First new thing on my second top 9 of 2009: stick to what works. That said: I’m glad I also bought this Mace jersey (here at crc.com). I should want for dry sunny weather on saturday when I go to the Ardennes… but I want to wear these…. ;-)