The news just broke on Dirtmag; Nathan Rennie leaves the Syndicate. The new team hasn’t been announced yet. Rumors had been going around for a few weeks though, but somehow I’m sad to see the wonder-trio broken up. Rennie, Peat and Minnaar: who could beat that?!
What bike to get?
It’s been a LONG time sinds my last blogpost. I’ve been enjoying my last rides with the Switch. Had the best time with the dutch marketing team from Trek. Which was good, because I have had my eye on that Remedy of theirs for a while now. Unfortunately they didn’t bring a medium sized one.
But okay, the Switch is going back to the sponsor sometime next year, ending what has been 2 excellent years of sponsoring by Stappenbelt.com. The best LBS if you ask me, and I’m still gonna support them, whenever I can. Leaves me without a bike however, so I’ve been thinking about what would make the best bike for me. And I know what that is: A Rocky Mountain Switch on a superdiet with a little less travel. It has the best geometry, especially when I run the forks at 140 mm (almost always) and it’s even fun on and xc ride. In my own pace that is ;-)
So my shortlist:
Allmost made the cut: Specialized Enduro SL (boring), SC Nomad (Hot, expensive and doubtfull about VPP for me), Scott Ransom: too many horror stories, Norco Fluid: dunno, Mongoose Teocali/Khyber: LOVE ‘EM. Poorly distributed here (often no mailorder in foreign online shops). Khyber seems a bit to heavy, Teocali skinny on the travel-side. Slayer: wheelbase is too long, plus a bit heavy.
So what constitudes THE All Mountain Long Travel bike for me?
- Around 14 kg,
- Travel 150-160 mm,
- Geometry: Short wheelbase and chainstain. Rather steep stering- and seatangle,
- Adjustable fork; preferbly Rockshox Lyrik U-turn(coil),
- A good/smart setup, parts can be upgraded,
- All day ride, once for Alpes/Ardennes and for Bikepark-flow and fun.
Breaking it down
Trek Remedy 7
Cost: 2599 euro
Pro:
- Lyrik U-turn (coil) with Fox Float RP23: excellent setup. Good enough specs.
- Rave reviews, can’t find a bad one.
- Good distribution and warrenty network.
Con:
- Did a short testride on a previous model, not sure about the rockerlink, direct feel.
- Rave reviews, can’t find a bad one.
Lapierre Spicy 316
Cost: 2299 euro (could pick up a 2008 one for 2000 euro)
Pro:
- Hothothot + Vouilloz,
- Light, 160 mm
Con:
- Float R shock (checking if it’s upgradable)
- FOX 36 VAN R fork, not adjustable
- Rather basic parts, however, could upgrade some parts along the way and end up with dreamy bike.
Cost: 2599 euro
Pro:
- Rock Shox Lyrik 2StepAir (eventhough I’d prefer the U-turn with coil),
- Good specs for the cash,
- Goed reviews.
Con:
- It’s a CUBE…
Cost: 2399 euro
Pro:
- RockShox Monarch 4.2 (very curious about that one) TALAS RC fork (adjustable at least)
- Horstlink,
- Good reviews,
- Rob J rides for Canyon (ex-Rocky Mountain),
- Great specs for the cash
Con:
- Not sexy!
- Sounds good on paper, but is it really…
- Long estimate delivery.
So what do you think? Can you help me out? Comment below.
I can’t figure it out any more. They all seem like great bikes and my preference switches (no pun) daily. Would they all cost the same, with the same basic spec? I might choose the Lapierre Spicy…
Red Bull rampage returns!
Photo: John Gibson http://redbullrampage.com
Check http://redbullrampage.com/news/ for updates
Geoff Gulevich Photo: http://www.pinkbike.com/photo/2542104/
Interbike Rocky Mountain news from Pinkbike.com
D’Arcy O’Connor talks tech about the Rocky Mountain Flatline
Wade Simmons tells us about the evolution of the DH bikes at Rocky Mountain
Source: http://www.pinkbike.com/news/rocky-mountain-flatline-interbike-2008.html
Pinkbike.com interviews Gracia
I like this question: What are some issues that you face when riding or racing?
Pretty much just this -
Should I race or have fun?
Filthy Trails One Minute race
Yesterday the Filthy Trails hosted it’s first One Minute Downhill Race, and 80 riders showed up! The weather was perfectly sunny, the crowd was relaxed and the trails where… different! *grin* The Filthy Trails have 3 tracks that are about a minute to ride. These tracks where taped so everyone had the same line-choice (which was a good thing) but it mean some improvising at times if you hadn’t checked it out. I had a great time and even-though I ****ed-up the big line (I wanted so badly to step it up) the tracks where awesome and it’s a very very good thing that these kinds of events take place.
mtb-news.de video on Rocky Mountain at Eurobike
Stream to slow? You can download a smaller version here:
http://si6.mtb-news.de/2008/eurobike/rocky-mountain.mp4
One Minute Downhill Race
Another Filthy Trails competetion:
On 21-09-’08, there will be a One Minute Downhill Race at the Filthy Trails in cooperation with www.stbp.be & www.shockx.be Try to race the 3 trails as fast as you can!!!
Riders can win prices from brands like 661 – FOX – OAKLEY – MAXXIS – GO FAST
There will be 2 categories : juniors 10 t/m 15yrs and seniors 16t/m 80 yrs.
Everything needed for a nice event will be there. Are you interested to compete against other riders and win cool prices? Mail your name-age-address-bike to styles@filthytrails.beProgram 21-09-08
- 09:30 untill 10:30 confirmation sign in and briefing
- 11:00hrs first run Northshoreflow
- 13:00hrs second run Filthy Flight Trail
- 15:00hrs third run Singletrack
- 17:00hrs Winners announcement
Sign in: 10€
For every contender there will be a nice surprise.
Freeride in Israel?
My brother lives in Haifa, Israel, and I’m planning to visit him this year. And I was just thinking, this country must be filled with excellent bikespots, with all these rocks and open spaces. I was planning to travel one week, I might just add another (poor GF) and do a little roadtrip. I’m doing some research right now and thankfully Pinkbike.com has some local photo’s uploaded (I’m trying to get in contact with the posters) and video’s. If any of you live in Israel, in the area of Haifa, please contact me! I’m dying to find out if I should take the opportunity for some exotic riding!
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