Mountain Biking UK 12.2021

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THE SCIENCE OF THRILL L E AT T. C O M

IN THE MAG
THIS MONTH

MALCOLM MCLAWS
VETERAN FREERIDE SNAPPER

Our man on the ground at
Red Bull Rampage (p44)

rode the North Shore
before it was cool and
counts many of the top

riders as mates

AOIFE GLASS
PODCASTER & WRITER

Taking time out from her
Spindrift podcast, Aoife
has been speaking to some
key players to find out
why women’s freeride is
blowing up right now (p19)

‘Freeride’ is one of those words that means different HANNES KLAUSNER
AUSTRIAN FREERIDER
things to different people. Is it the knife-edge ridgelines,
He’s starred in our last two
super-steep chutes and ridiculous cliff drops of Red calendars and now Hannes
has made it into the mag
Bull Rampage, or the technical trickery of slopestyle?
itself, with a self-penned
Is it carving solo lines down unridden terrain in remote piece about taking freeride

lands, or busy bike-park sessions with mates? Is it back to its roots (p54)

ON THE COVER JAMES North Shore woodwork or pristine dirt jumps? It’s all VICKY BALFOUR
of those, and more – and it’s also one of the fastest- MECHANIC (& MUCH MORE)
Rider Matt Jones COSTLEY-WHITE evolving and most exciting areas of mountain biking,
Bike 2022 Marin Alcatraz Vicky’s been beavering
Location Woburn Sands EDITOR which is why we’ve devoted a chunk of this issue to it. away creating Grimetime
Photographer Andy Lloyd guides for us for a while
At its heart, freeride is about self-expression. With
now, so it’s time she
no race tape to ride between or signs to follow, you can take whatever line shared the spotlight!

you fancy and ride it however you wish. So, even if you’ve never hucked

your meat or tricked a jump, chances are you’ve done a bit of freeriding

at some point. The scene itself used to be a bastion of ‘bro’ culture, but

instead of ‘manning up’, riders are now wising up, as the risks become

clearer – from concussions, in particular – and the women now joining the

sport prove that mutual support is far more effective than heckling.

So, next time you’re out, don’t just follow everyone else – look for ways

to put your own stamp on things . Who knows – you might

have your own freeride frenzy! See you on the trails...

[email protected] mbukmag mbukmagazine

82

Four trail-
ripping hardtails
reviewed

61 96

The best
waterproof
jackets on test

Sam Hodgson at home,
in the air above the Isle

of Wight MTB Centre

FEATURES 82 Biketest Schurter’s scariest moment, plus
our pick of this year’s best Christmas
44 Backstage at Rampage Trail-ripping hardtails! Four £1,500 stocking fillers for avid MTBers
options ridden and rated
With its ludicrously high stakes, Red 30 Send It!
Bull Rampage is the craziest freeride 96 Grouptest
event on the calendar. We dive deep Your letters and pics
and see how it all comes together Our buyer’s guide to waterproof
riding jackets 34 First Looks
54 Mine craft
THE MANUAL The freshest new kit from POC, Troy
Austrian rider Hannes Klausner Lee Designs, Specialized and more
explores the roots of freeride on 104 How To
a roadtrip through his homeland 128 Next Issue
Send it with style! Learn to jump like
61 The dirt farmer a pro with help from Matt Jones and What you’ve got to look forward
Grant ‘Chopper’ Fielder to next month
Sam Hodgson has brought a slice
of BC to the Isle of Wight by building 108 Grimetime
a bike park on his family farm
Tech Q&A, fitting a chain guide and
TESTED RockShox fork dampers explained

67 Wrecked & Rated 110 Big Ride & maps

The latest kit reviewed by our team, Woodland exploration in Wiltshire
including Five Ten’s Trailcross GORE- plus four OS route maps
TEX waterproof flat-pedal shoes
122 Trail Crew
74 Six of the Best
We ride Cornwall’s long-established
Winter jerseys – half a dozen dirt jump park, The Track
seasonal tops to keep the cold out
REGULARS
76 Longterm Rides
12 Out Front
The lowdown on our team bikes,
ridden hard for a whole year The hottest stories in mountain
biking this month

19 Uplift

Stay on top of the scene – from the
rise of women’s freeride to Nino

SUBSCRIBE &
GET A LEZYNE MICRO
DRIVE FRONT LIGHT!

P32

44 MEET
Your backstage THE TEAM
pass to Red Bull
Rampage 2021 All I want for
Christmas is…

JAMES COSTLEY-WHITE
EDITOR

A break from my kids!
Failing that, trail pants that
fully cover my lanky legs

FIRST LOOK hard with frost so I can ride
AT SPECIALIZED’S them at warp speed!
TACTIC 4 HELMET
CHRIS BARNARD
P34

MINT JULIA BROUSSIER
SAUCE DESIGNER
P130
A big bag of decaf co ee,

so that I can re-gift it

to Jimmer!

WILL SOFFE

goodwill to mankind… or a

n nn

THE ULTIMATE
JUMP LINE?

The newest trail to be born from always wanted an uplift-able jump
the spadework of Dan Atherton line, pure-surfaced, smooth…
and Dyfi Bike Park’s digging crew I’m definitely showing my BMX
is the absolutely insane Oakley roots! It’s like a cross between
Icon Way. Continuing the evolution a slopestyle course, a DH trail
of the 650-acre site, which already and a BMX track. Wood drops
has lines graded from red to and bridges are combined with
double black diamond, former tall BMX lips and hips, all thrown
World Cup racer and pro trail together in an uplift-serviced
builder Dan envisaged something track. The lower section of the
even bigger, and created this triple Dyfi mountain is the perfect site
black diamond behemoth! because the uplift is really fast,
and the trail is just over 1km long.”
“I wanted to create a jump line
that raises the bar for UK riding,” We sent staff writer, and
he explains. “I’ve experienced a lot frequent flyer, Will to Machynlleth
of amazing trails, and this track to ride the Oakley Icon Way with
was about bringing together all Dan, and he’s happy to report
the coolest things I’ve ridden. I’ve that it’s just as good as it sounds,
with huge jumps built in a way
that allows for amazing flow and Photo: Dan Gri ths
massive airtime.

Mountain Biking UK

Mountain Biking UK

n nn

Mountain Biking UK

NO SLOWING Words: Steve Thomas Photo: Sven Martin ’
DOWN Photo: Ryan Franklin
BRENDOG’S BACK!
South African downhill ace
Greg Minnaar took his fourth With both World Cup DH and Red Seager, filming Brendan and his
World Championships title this Bull Rampage podiums under his mates on their adventures around
season. As amazing as that may belt and unmistakable style on the world is a dream come true.
be, what stands out even more a bike, Brendan Fairclough is one
is the fact that he turned 40 just of the world’s top ‘freeracers’, not “Since [Brendan’s full-length
afterwards, and that he beat to mention a long-standing MBUK film] Deathgrip, I’ve been frothing
racers half his age in that victory favourite. So, it’s great to hear that to get out filming again,” he tells
on the steep and technical slopes he’s back with a new series of his us. “Going to the wildest locations
of Val di Sole, Italy. Just how has A Dog’s Life YouTube videos to with the best bike riders on
he stayed so fast? help us beat the winter blues. the planet to film the ultimate
sections... I feel so lucky to be
It all began back in the late This shot picks up the action doing this with my life!”
’90s, when, after racing XC and in episode two as ‘Brendog’ and
DH domestically, Greg hit the the crew journey to Les Portes The new series, A Dog’s Life:
World Cup DH circuit. Offered du Soleil in the French Alps to Travel Diaries, promises even
a ride on the British Animal ride with Danny Hart, Andrew more thrills and spills from exotic
Orange team for 2000, he made Neethling, Mateo Verdier and locations across the globe. You
the podium at two rounds, then more. For videographer Chris can check it out on Brendan’s
won the series overall a year YouTube channel.
later for the Global Racing team,
aged just 19. He’s now won 23
World Cups and three series
titles, earned four sets of world
champ’s rainbow stripes and
become popularly known as the
GOAT (greatest of all time). What
is it that keeps him at the top?

“I’ve had to adapt and change,”
Greg says. “New equipment has
moved the needle, and learning to
ride the [evolving] styles of bike
has been important. Training and
fitness have also been a big part
of it. Coming from a background
of riding XC and doing the training
that I do has allowed me to stay
at the sharp end. But, you know,
downhill has got a lot closer, and
so the training has had to adjust,
to keep up with the young guys
who bring new dynamics to it.”

Even now, Greg shows no
signs of pulling on the brakes and
continues to evolve as a racer.
We can’t wait to see this elder
statesman of the sport show
the young guns another thing or
two in 2022!

Mountain Biking UK

n nn

SHARING
THE LOVE

Ryan Van Duzer’s not your typical experience, by documenting his Words: Kari Young Photo: Dominic Gill
beardy, grizzled adventure rider. travels on YouTube and inspiring
In fact, the 42-year-old American others to follow in his tyre tracks.
looks more like a TV presenter – Even when he’s in the middle of
which he has been, for the Travel nowhere, he says, other riders
Channel and National Geographic frequently come up to him
– but he’s now perhaps the US’s with a smile, thanking him for
most famous bikepacker. encouraging them to see the
world by bike.
It was in 2005 that Ryan caught
the adventure riding bug, after That’s how he met Canadian
deciding to cycle home to Boulder, bikepacker John Freeman and
Colorado from Honduras – a trip his wonderdog Mira, who joined
of 4,000 miles. He’s since ridden Ryan for part of his Baja Divide
across America three times, down adventure and have now become
the east and west coasts, along the known around the world, with the
Baja Divide and across Cuba. video of the trip racking up over 1.3
million views. It’s this open-hearted
“Nothing makes me feel more vibe that’s helped make Ryan a
alive than travelling by bike,” Ryan YouTube favourite, as he spreads
tells us. His hope is to share this his message of love, kindness and
expanding your horizons.

Mountain Biking UK

SPARK 900

THE
ALL NEW

SPARK

NO SHORTCUTS

When you think of the perfect mountain bike, what comes to mind?
For us, it's the all new Spark 900. Why, you ask? Well, beyond the
fact that it is fast, lightweight and ultra capable on all sorts of
terrain, it's just damned good lookin'. Short-travel trail bike?
"Downcountry" rig? Occasional race bike? Whatever, call it
what you want to call it. All we know is that this is one hell
of a mountain bike.

FAST IS FUN

SCOTT-SPORTS.COM

© SCOTT SPORTS SA 2021.22 | Photo: Jochen Haar

n nn THE LANG
WAY DOON

You don’t have to be an expert UK, at around 8km. The fun starts
to ride the iconic upper slopes of when you jump in the gondola to
Fort William’s Aonach Mor any get to the start, which is 650m up
more. Two years in the making, the mountain, on an open hillside
Nevis Blue Doon is the latest trail in the shadow of Ben Nevis.
to grace the gondola-accessed
mountain, opening it up to riders Among the first to ride Blue
of all abilities. Doon was local enduro racer and
MBUK columnist Joe Barnes, who
Adding to the plethora of great advises riders to pack sandwiches
trails at the Nevis Range, the and enjoy the views along the way,
new blue rubs shoulders with the as it takes a good 20 minutes to
established World Cup DH track get down! We can’t wait to get up
and black-graded Top Chief, and is there and try it for ourselves. The
the longest uplifted blue trail in the gondola is only open to MTBers in
summer and closes in high winds,
so make sure to check it’s running Pic: Pete Scullion
before you go.

Mountain Biking UK

THE TRAIL MASTER

NEW RAZE

The Raze is designed to demolish any trail, levelling it to the
ground. Pulling on elements from nearly every other bike in the
Mondraker range, this bike really is a true master of any trail
capable of destroying any track you put in front of it.



TAKING HHUEICGKHITNSG
TO NEW

Women’s freeride inally

went mainstream in 2021 –

Aoife Glass inds out why

Think of women freeriders and Words: Aoife Glass Photo: Red Bull Content Pool
you can probably list names
such as Casey Brown, Hannah
Bergemann, Veronique Sandler,
Katie Holden and Vaea Verbeeck.
But just five years ago, it would’ve
been more of a struggle. It’s not
that those women weren’t riding,
rather that they’ve only recently
had the support, the events and
the coverage to really showcase
what they’re capable of. Women’s
freeride is here and it’s growing.

“I used to watch freeride films
before I even started riding,” says
UK-based Vero Sandler. “I guess
that was my first exposure to it.
I remember thinking ‘this is sick!’
but I didn’t see it as a potential
career because there were no
women visibly doing it. [By 2016]
there were a couple of girls, like
Casey Brown, doing freeride stuff,
and she was in some huge films
riding with the guys, which hyped
me up to make films. After I quit
racing, I realised it could be a job.”

Brown and others were riding at
the Crankworx freeride fests, too,

THIS MONTH Gee Atherton | stocking illers | new bikes from Trek, Specialized, Giant & more | Nino Schurter’s scariest moment

Mountain Biking UK

KEY FEMALE
FREERIDERS

CASEY BROWN although not every competition had Opening page Red “After experiencing Formation
a women’s category. Others, such as Bull Formation in 2019, I wanted to find a way to
A freeride icon, Casey has Katie Holden, were trying to break started in 2019, create more events like that –
competed at Crankworx, into events like Red Bull Rampage. making use of a non-competitive, female freeride
been in films such as Not 2 But not many were open to women, Rampage site in Utah ones, focused on fun and
Bad and Return to Earth, meaning fewer opportunities to progression. I wanted to give
and entered Rampage progress the necessary skills. Above At this year’s more women the opportunity to
qualifier Proving Grounds Audi Nines, Aussie progress and showcase their
A milestone was Red Bull BMXer Caroline riding,” explains Bergemann.
KATIE HOLDEN Formation in 2019, which was Buchanan made
all thanks to the work of Holden history by nailing the Formation returned, with the
With over 10 years as and endurance MTBer Rebecca first MTB frontflip riding dialled up to 11. The airs were
a freerider, Holden is a Rusch, who saw the lack of women by a female rider bigger, the lines gnarlier and the
pioneer of the sport and qualifying for Rampage and response incredible, with a film of
one of the key women created an event that’d give them Top right Women’s the event shown during this year’s
behind Red Bull Formation the chance to push their freeride freeride is flying high Rampage. Women were invited to
skills. The first year saw six riders, thanks to riders like the Audi Nines jam/contest for the
VERONIQUE SANDLER including Sandler and Hannah Vero Sandler first time, too, where Australian
Bergemann, build and ride lines at a BMXer Caroline Buchanan became
The New Zealander previous Rampage site in Utah, USA. Middle right the first woman to do a frontflip
switched from downhill to Oregon’s Hannah on a mountain bike and British dirt
freeride and is known for “The significance of Red Bull Bergemann is jumper Joey Gough showcased her
her watch-worthy Shredits, Formation was huge,” states another rider impressive aerial skills.
Bergemann. “It helped bring the leading the charge
as well as films such as sport to the next level, gave us So, what does the future hold?
Vision and Accomplice a platform to showcase our riding a section in a major bike movie, There’s a new crop of young women
and created a space for women Accomplice, and officially began my that are going to “blow the sport
HANNAH BERGEMANN in the freeride scene. For myself, career as a freeride MTB athlete.” apart!” laughs Sandler, name-
it gave me a boost of confidence. checking 14-year-old Audi Nines
Enduro racer turned Shortly after the first Formation A breakthrough year for women’s rider Patricia Druwen. Bergemann’s
freerider Bergemann took I was invited to ride and film freeride, 2019 was also when the vision is “for there to be space for
part in Formation 1 and 2, Women’s Slopestyle Tour started, women to be professional freeriders,
and went on to set up her Brown took part in the Rampage have segments in films, get paid
qualifier Proving Grounds and equally, attend major events and
own women’s freeride Vero’s Vision movie debuted. Films express themselves through their
event, Hangtime have always been a key part of riding”. Sandler agrees. “Support
freeride culture, but to get in a is the big one. Invite women to
Mountain Biking UK major production you had to be a compete and we’ll show you that
known rider, and getting there was we deserve to be there.”
tricky. With the growth of social
media, all that changed, and Sandler
embraced online ‘shredit’ videos
to showcase her inimitable style,
gaining sponsorship and support.
“Vision was a milestone because
it was the first female-led freeride
film,” says Vero. “I like to think of it as
something that helped bring more
opportunities to women.”

This year, it felt like women’s
freeride was everywhere. Brown
organised her own event, Dark
Horse, while Bergemann did the
same with Hangtime, thanks
to increasing industry support.

GEE ATHERTON Gnarly! Poor old
Gee’s been in the
Gee draws back the curtain wars, but it’s all
and shows us the physical
cost of working his magic part of the
process, he says
Massive injuries are, sadly,
a danger of the job when you race He may be the one
downhill, and these risks increase in the limelight,
enormously when you add big-
mountain projects to the season. but it’s Gee’s crew
So why do it? A lot of people have who are the real
asked that since my recent crash. stars of the show
My answer is always the same –
“because I love it!” The moment Just looking at
I set eyes on a line and start that this is painful,
initial hike up with the build crew, so imagine what
I get the fear. As I realise it can be it felt like for the
done, it evolves into terror. Knowing man himself!
that the only way I’ll survive is to
perform at the peak of my ability
makes it a unique experience.

The build has to be perfect,
and the crew are a huge part of
any project’s success. I scout the
line with my main man, Jamie
Robertson. Then, with the rest of the
crew, we start the work. Everyone
is involved; if someone thinks we
can make something bigger, or hit
a slightly steeper section, then it
gets added. These guys are there
every step of the way, building in all
weathers, all the way to the testing
and filming. My brother Dan is
always on hand with ideas about
how to change the build or how fast
to hit a new section. In the edit I’m
riding on my own, but the process
is a team effort, that’s the only
reason it works.

The injuries are only a small part
of it. Exploring new places, building
with the crew, testing lines and
conquering the mountain are what
it’s all about, and it’s hard to beat.

THE MBUK ARCHIVES The concept of Everesting was dreamed up by some pump tracks for disadvantaged communities around
masochistic riders, and it’s simple – complete the globe (https://pumpforpeace.com).
TOP 8,848m of vertical ascent on a set loop anywhere in
OF THE the world in one go. No sleep, no time limit. According We beat them to it, though! Back in 2017, MBUK
WORLD! to www.everesting.cc almost 20,000 people have sta er Alex ‘Alpine’ Evans (now working on our sister
logged a successful Everesting session. Nutters! website BikeRadar) set o – or rather was sent o
We have a go at e-MTB – on his Everesting challenge, on the steep slopes of
Everesting It’s back in the news because of Nino Schurter and Morzine, France. Alex’s aim was to complete the
Claudio Caluori’s ‘Neveresting’ race, where the multi- 8,848m of vertical climbing and descending in under
time XC world champ and the former World Cup DHer 12 hours. His weapon of choice was a Cannondale
turned Red Bull commentator racked up a whopping Moterra e-bike with a pile of extra batteries.
Successful in his challenge, Al completed 19 runs of
10,075m of climbing, on e-bikes, during 25 the Le Pleney downhill track in 8hrs 23mins, totalling
9,345m of vertical ascent – well above the 8,848m
height of Mount Everest.

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Mountain Biking UK

STOCKING FILLERSSuabn-£d5o0thtreerahtsalfvoersM(oTBr-tmreaadt ykoidusr,smelaf!t)es

1 Rob Warner t-shirts 9 Bike Ninja JMC Legacy n s ...
Collection mug set
Yes, that’s right, Warner’s got his CAI
own range! Adorn yourself with Jason McRoy was a true MTB GROCOTT
one of Rob’s tattoos or famous hero. What better way to honour
sayings in a 100 per cent organic his memory than by enjoying Cai is a motocrosser turned mountain biker from South Wales. His parents
cotton tee, printed here in Blighty. your morning cuppa in a mug decided he was too throttle-happy on an MX bike, so enrolled him on a rider
£27 https://robwarner.teemill.com emblazoned with one of his development programme with BikePark Wales’s race team, and he ended up
classic race jerseys? Even his racing in the 2018 Enduro World Series. Fatherhood and then losing his dad and
2 STFU Bike drivetrain damping iconic MBUK-Salsa kit is here. grandparents disrupted Cai’s racing career and impacted his mental health, but
system £35 www.bike-ninja.co.uk he’s doing well now. Last year Nukeproof signed him, and his goals are to complete
a full EWS season and grow his coaching and guiding business, CMG Coaching.
Available in sizes to fit your trail, 10 Being Gary Fisher book
enduro or DH rig, these nifty by Gary Fisher & Guy Kesteven Who is Cai Grocott? Worst crash you’ve had?
devices keep your chain in check A young, outgoing, family-orientated lad On a BMX down the local pump track.
for a quiet ride. Worthy of a place on your coffee from the South Wales Valleys. I smashed my face into a tarmac berm
From £23 https://stfubike.com table for its cover design alone, and had to have a month in hospital.
this is a fascinating read, covering What do you do?
3 CloseTheGap HideMyBell Fisher’s early days riding the I usually film myself having a laugh on Biggest ride of your life?
regular2 bell/GPS mount Repack DH and starting Mountain- my mountain bike with the boys, but A 50-mile loop around the valley with
Bikes, his involvement in the 1960s I am partial to a play-about on my BMX. 10,000ft of climbing. It took eight hours.
Bells are useful, but not a great hippy scene and his thoughts on The 110 [mini MX bike] also gets a hiding.
look. CloseTheGap’s HideMyBell the future of urban transport. I’ll give anything a go! Favourite bike film?
options keep things stealthy, £40 www.trekbikes.com Clay Porter’s Deathgrip. There were
integrating a small ringer into Where do you call home? some great films made before it, but
a GPS mount, with optional light 11 100% Sling gloves I live in a small village in the Valleys. I wasn’t really into MTB before 2015.
or action cam attachments. Everyone knows everyone here.
£36 https://velotechservices.co.uk An MBUK favourite, these Clips or flats?
gossamer-thin, stretchy gloves What was your first bike? Clips all day! They help me feel secure
4 Rapha x Hario V60 coffee hit the mark if you like feeling like A Mongoose Fireball BMX. I used it knowing my feet are positioned where
dripper you’re riding bare-handed. to blast down the gullies and steps they should be.
£34.99 www.silverfish-uk.com near my house.
Made from fine porcelain, the V60 Bike-park flow or natural gnar?
dripper brews a sterling cup of 12 Bespoke headset top caps What gets you excited to ride? Natural gnar. Living in South Wales,
coffee. The Rapha logo makes it That feeling I get when it’s just me and we have the perfect landscape to ride
taste oh so much better, too! These laser-etched stem top my bike. I feel completely free and that through. You just can’t beat the views!
£25 www.rapha.cc caps are available in nine anodised nothing else going on matters.
colours. Add your name, get silly or How far can you wheelie?
5 Rapha + Snow Peak Ti mug represent your club. And yes, they What’s your current go-to bike? As far as I want really, until I get bored.
do purple. £15.99 It has to be the Nukeproof Mega 290. I’ve I’ve mastered it after all these years!
This super-light mug with folding www.bespoketopcaps.co.uk had some unreal rides on that vessel!
handles, made from Japanese Your desert island luxury?
titanium, isn’t only for adventurers. 13 Viris Raptor glasses Favourite rider to watch? It would have to be Linda, my nan. She’s
Enjoy your brew in style wherever I always love to watch James Stewart a dream – she loves to cook up a storm
the trail takes you. Big-framed glasses are all the rage, ride motocross. and always keeps me on my toes. She’s
£32 www.rapha.cc but tend to cost big money. Not always been there for me and supported
these. For a smidgen under £50 Best trail you’ve ridden this year? my riding career.
6 Granny Gear Christmas you get a choice of eight frame I’ve ridden a few! But the best has to be
Reindeer jersey colours, and not one but four ‘Mosquito’ in Clydach. It has some steep What advice would you give
different lenses included, along tech turns and fast chutes. your 13-year-old self?
Everyone loves a natty Christmas with a protective case. Always follow your dreams – if you want
jumper, right? One-up your mates £49.99 https://virisbrand.com Scariest thing you’ve done on a bike? it enough, it’ll come true. It’s got me to
on festive rides in this fun frivolity. Definitely when I backflipped my road where I am now.
£42.99 www.grannygear.co.uk 14 Howies Men’s Boxxa Nova bike, in Lycra and clips, off a BMX ramp!
organic boxers (3 pack) I somehow landed it perfect first go. What would you be doing if
7 ODI Vans & Troy Lee Designs Lucky I did, or that would’ve been you weren’t a pro mountain biker?
lock-on grips Remember when you always got a hospital job. [www.youtube.com/ Probably working on a building site,
pants and socks for Christmas? watch?v=wUnQUtRu9VI] talking people’s ears off!
Show your love for Vans’ shoes Well, stick these 100 per cent
or TLD’s helmets with these organic cotton boxers on your list
grips – the former featuring the for Santa to avoid disappointment!
brand’s iconic waffle sole pattern £30 www.howies.co.uk
for extra grip and style points.
From £29.99 www.freewheel.co.uk 15 SockGuy Xmas Winter
Sweater wool socks
8 Victory Chimp x Cycle of Good
essentials case See above! Treat your feet and rock
that Christmas vibe while ensuring
Made from inner tubes destined your toes are warm and toasty
for the dump, this zipped case has every ride in these festive socks.
divider pockets to keep even the £12.95 www.silverfish-uk.com
biggest phone safe on the trails.
£29 www.victorychimp.cc

Mountain Biking UK

NEW FOR
2022!

RIDING ON RAILS

Trek’s all-new, beefy carbon ibre Rail e-bike is ready to shred

Trek’s latest Rail 9.8 and you can run a 650b wheel has been steepened to SMALLER WHEELS,
9.9 e-MTBs (above) boast out back if you wish, it 77.1 degrees, from 75 BIGGER SMILES?
an updated full-carbon comes with 29in wheels. degrees. Reach figures
frame that’s mullet-ready Trek’s ABP suspension have been bumped up The new Trance X from Giant looks set to
and has slacker geometry, platform provides 150mm across all sizes, starting be a trail ripper that doesn’t cost the earth
a bigger 750Wh battery of rear travel, controlled at 435mm for the small
and Bosch’s latest Smart by a proprietary RockShox and extending to 520mm The new Trance X (left) joins carbon fibre and
System tech, including Super Deluxe ThruShaft for the XL. These changes alloy Trance X 29 models launched last year, but
a top tube-mounted Kiox shock, designed to only affect the Rail 9.8 rolls on smaller 650b wheels. Giant claim they’re
display. The 9.9 bikes reduce friction and and 9.9, with the 2022 aiming for fun, first and foremost with this bike,
also get RockShox’s new improve performance. Rail 9.7, 9 and 7 bikes with handling sitting somewhere between that of a
AirWiz fork and shock retaining the outgoing
spring-pressure indicators The head angle has version’s geometry.
plus Quark’s TyreWiz been slackened out to
tyre-pressure monitors. 64.6 degrees, further Prices start at £8,350
improving the Rail’s for the Rail 9.8 XT and rise
While the new Rail’s DH potential, while the to £12,600 for the Rail
Mino Link flip-chip means effective seat tube angle 9.9 XX1 AXS.

Giant continue to employ their twin-link
Maestro platform, here delivering 145mm
of rear wheel travel. Up front, the Trance
X sports a 160mm fork. There are three
bikes in the range, starting with the
Trance X3 at £2,779 and topping out with
the Trance X1 at £3,999.

Mountain Biking UK

THE POWER
OF ROCK(Y)

Can Rocky Mountain’s own drive
system compete with the big guns?

Rocky Mountain have updated their e-bike been reduced by gearing it for a lower ss
range with the new Altitude Powerplay rpm. In place of the old upper chain slider, n
(below) and Instinct Powerplay (above). there’s now a raised idler pulley, which
At the heart of both bikes is a new version has allowed Rocky to raise the main pivot As much as we
of the brand’s proprietary drive system, for a more rearward axle path and better miss the dusty
called Dyname 4.0. bump absorption. Their Jumbotron display, trails and light
integrated into the top tube, is navigated evenings of
The Altitude is an aggressive enduro bike, using buttons on the screen or a new, smaller summer, there’s something
with a 170mm fork and 160mm of rear wheel handlebar remote with improved ergonomics magical about the colours
travel, whereas the Instinct is designed for (compatible with a wider variety of brake and and the crunchy leaves of
trail riding, with a 150mm fork and 140mm shifter options). autumn rides.
of rear squish. Both have 29in wheels, come JCW, Jimmer, Julia and Will got
in sizes SM to XL, and have adjustable The Dyname 4.0 software has a new torque together recently at Margam Park
geometry, courtesy of a chainstay flip-chip curve, designed to gradually apply power up in South Wales – watch out for
and a four-position shock link. to 700W at 85rpm cadence. Battery capacity an upcoming Trail Crew. Despite
has increased, too, from 672Wh to 720Wh, navigational difficulties and the
Designed in Canada, the Dyname 4.0 and Rocky’s ‘Overtimepack’ can be added rash decision to launch straight
system has the same 108Nm of max torque for 314Wh of additional juice (1,034Wh total). into the black trail (we sometimes
as the previous-generation motor but in a The range starts at $5,599 for the Instinct forget Julia’s not been riding long!)
smaller, lighter package. Rocky claim the Powerplay Alloy 30 and tops out at $10,649 a good time was had.
new drive unit weighs 18.5 per cent less. It for the Altitude Powerplay Carbon 90 Rally
also runs on larger bearings for increased Edition. UK prices TBC. #TotalMTB’s Big Christmas
reliability, and motor whine has reportedly Charity Raffle is underway, and
it’s for a great cause – half the
proceeds go to mental health
charity No Panic and the other
to fund tree-planting with
Ecologi. There’s £9,747-worth
of prizes from 65 brands up
for grabs. Grab your ticket(s)
before 17 December.

It was gutting to see
so many riders out
with injuries following
Red Bull Rampage.
Join us in wishing them all
a speedy recovery!
We made a mistake. In last
issue’s Industry Insider article
we printed outdated prices for
Pembree’s pedals. The D2As
now cost £149.99 a pair, with
the premium R1Vs at £224.99.
Apologies for the mix-up.

Mountain Biking UK

N20EW22F!OR

MORE GNAR FOR
LESS DOLLAR

Specialized launch more has the brand’s iconic ‘Sidearm’ design – 3 SUPER ADJUSTABLE GEOMETRY
affordable alloy Stumpjumper EVO an asymmetric driveside bridge that runs The head angle is adjustable from
between the top tube and seat tube shock 63 to 65.5 degrees using angled
With the Stumpjumper EVO, Specialized mounts – and, for the first time on an alloy headset cups and the bottom bracket height
took their 150mm-travel trail bike and turned frame, their on-board SWAT storage chamber, can be raised or lowered by 10mm using
it into a “shred-sled built to full-send down with room for a bladder, tools and snacks. a linkage flip-chip, giving the Stumpy Evo a
the gnarliest trails”. Now they’re releasing total of six geometry settings. You can also
a more wallet-friendly aluminium version. 2 STYLE BASED SIZING switch the rear wheel to 650b (using an
Here are its five key features. It’s built around Specialized’s aftermarket shock link) if you prefer running
S-sizing, which focuses on riding a mullet set-up.
1 CARBON TECH IN AN ALLOY CHASSIS style rather than inseam length. Bikes
Spesh have carried much of the grow in reach (the horizontal distance 4 PROGRESSIVE SUSPENSION
technology of the carbon fibre model from the centre of the bottom bracket to Its four-bar, Horst-link rear
over to the aluminium frame. The new bike the centre-top of the head tube) without a suspension has been tuned to have
corresponding increase in seat tube length. roughly 19 per cent progressivity, which
means it’s plush at the start for small bumps,
transitions to providing plenty of support in
the mid-stroke and then ramps up at the end
of its travel to provide bottom-out resistance.
In the first 40mm of vertical travel, the wheel
has a part-rearward axle path, moving back
by 3mm, which should help it absorb smaller
bumps even better.

5 SENSIBLE PRICING
The two-model range starts with the
Stumpjumper EVO Comp Alloy, at
£3,250, and tops out with the EVO Elite Alloy,
at £4,500. Both get a 36mm-stanchion Fox
fork and piggyback shock, four-piston SRAM
brakes, an 800mm bar and aggressive 2.3in
tyres on 30mm (internal) rims.

Mountain Biking UK



G

Nino Schurter isn’t only the reigning cross-country world champ, he’s perhaps the
greatest XC racer of all time. The Swiss star is also one of the most skilful riders

ever, and as a result has hardly ever bitten the dust – until just recently…

Words As told to Steve Thomas Pic Kevin February

“Let me knock on wood before saying this... In all my years approaching the landing of the first big (12m) step-down,

of racing and riding I’ve had many close calls, but thankfully I learned that clearing jumps on an e-bike is a different

I’ve never had a severe crash or seriously injured myself. I’ve story to doing it on the lighter Scott Gambler I normally

never even broken a bone – road rash and bruises are the use for trail rides. The extra weight meant I came up short.

worst I’ve walked away with. Lucky me! But the last close I bottomed-out the suspension and took such a hard hit

call I had really did shake me up. that my chest smashed into my

“Together with Claudio Caluori, a ag ag bar-mounted Garmin and broke
I took part in the Neveresting s gs a
competition for Pump for Peace a it off. It almost knocked the wind
[see last issue’s Pro’s Life column], a g ju s a right out of me.

s “Luckily, I was able to keep the
raising money to give kids around bike straight and saved it, but the
the world access to cycling facilities. a s g adrenaline was pumping. It was
We were aiming to complete 10,000 S Ga a a real wake-up call for me to

vertical meters of climbing and do ag a a us keep things safe during the
25 downhill runs on Switzerland’s Neveresting competition. We

Lenzerheide World Cup track, on ended up riding for more than

our e-bikes. While getting ready for this event, I went out to six hours without a break, managing the full 10,000m of

practise on my new Scott Patron eRIDE. climbing. At this stage, fatigue starts to play a big role.

“The Lenzerheide track isn’t new to me, and I know Thankfully I managed to handle everything, without a crash.

which jumps and gaps I can manage and which I can’t. But, Maybe this was because of the close call I’d had earlier.”

Mountain Biking UK

Airborne and bred

How do you pay tribute to the British Army’s Parachute
Regiment? We think the ultra-accurate C63 Colchester
chronometer ts the bill. Designed with the Paras
(and named after their HQ), it brings advanced material
technology together with the nest Swiss watchmaking.
The watch’s carbon construction means it’s incredibly light
and unbelievably strong, while the pop-out crown adds
comfort without interrupting the silhouette of the Light-
catcher™ case. So it always looks on-point – wherever you land.

christopherward.com

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

& WIN
ALL OF
THIS!

YOUR MAIL, PHOTOS, IDEAS AND RANTS

Write to: MBUK Send It!, Eagle House, Bristol, BS1 4ST Email: [email protected] Visit: www.mbuk.com

My name is Noah, I’m 13 and have local trails. You can follow my 1
recently started reading MBUK. progress on my JustGiving page: 3
In the past year I’ve got into www.justgiving.com/fundraising/
mountain biking and absolutely michael-haycox1
love it! In 2017 I was diagnosed Noah Haycox, Lothian, Scotland
with type 1 diabetes, but I haven’t
let this stop my love of cycling. What an inspiring story, Noah.
I’m determined to help make a To rise above your condition
difference to other children with and enjoy biking to the fullest is
type 1, so I decided to raise funds amazing, but to also commit so
for the Royal Hospital for Children much time and effort to helping
and Young People in Edinburgh other people is on another level!
by undertaking a virtual Race By the time you read this you’ll
Across America cycling challenge. have completed your challenge,
This is one of the longest bicycle but we hope this Lezyne gear
endurance events in the world. will assist you on the next one.
Racers ride 3,000 miles across
12 states and climb over 51,000 After far too long away from
vertical metres. I aim to complete mountain biking, in lockdown
it this year by riding my local trails. I caught the bug again. After three
rides round my local trails on my
I’ve had to battle snow, ice, trusty old hardtail, I bagged a mint
wind, rain and the occasional little Lapierre Zesty and booked
burst of sunshine (see pic below), a day at BikePark Wales. One thing
but so far I’ve covered 4,496km I’ve noticed is that we really need
and climbed 44,821m. I’ve been to do more to be inclusive. Since
exploring some great local trails I last rode (about 13 years ago) the
in the Pentland Hills, as well as at pounds have piled on and MTBing
Glentress. More importantly, I’ve has given me one of the best ways
raised over £2,750. I’m hoping to try and lose them. However, I’ve
to complete the challenge on had the odd ‘witty’ comment from
14 November, which is World fitter riders when I’ve stopped for
Diabetes Day and marks 100 a breather mid-climb, and have
years since insulin was discovered. found myself in bike shops cursing
that they don’t stock XXL. We all
While having type 1 diabetes have to (re)start somewhere, so
does mean that I must manage if you see a rider struggling, give
my blood sugar levels closely, them a word of encouragement.
I hope this challenge shows that And brands – please make things
it doesn’t define you as a person, true-to-size, not ‘athletic’ fits.
and that I can inspire others to Matthew Tucker, via email
get on their bikes and enjoy their
Glad you’re back, Matthew!

Mountain Biking UK

... ’ DMR Brendog -
Vault Pedals, 25th
Lezyne CNC ... Saddle, Brendog ...
Tubeless Drive Deathgrips with
pump, Tool Insert and Elite 35mm Stem Lezyne
Kit & Torque Drive worth £150 Oilslick Collars Port-a-shop,
worth £180 worth £182
Ratchet
Drive & Chain

Gauge
worth £128

Please note: Prizes may not be dispatched until restrictions imposed to limit the spread of coronavirus COVID-19 lift.

-

2 1 Roland Lovell Tag your Instagram pics with

had a bit of a #mbukletters. We’ll pick four each

mare while issue and our favourite will win a Lezyne

riding in the Port-a-shop, Ratchet Drive & Chain
Quantocks… Gauge. Usual T&Cs apply.

2 Danny
Stanton
bagged this
killer shot of
Will Miller
hitting a
massive jump in
Yeovil, Somerset

3 Shot of An o -piste adventure in the
Nevis Range from @gbrown_mtb
the Month:

Dion Rhys
Phillips
sending it at
Nant yr Arian
in Wales

4 5 4 Twelve-year-

old Oliver Two wheels and four legs

Johnstone exploring Cannock Chase,

sending it courtesy of @spoketails

on the beach

in Dornoch,

Scotland

5 Young
William
Marshall’s
dad Dom
captured him
smashing it in
this stylish shot

’ @mrbridg81 exploring
Macclesfield Forest in
Mark Doughty su ered this There were a few gasps from the beautiful autumnal light
seriously nasty neck wound while doctors as they shone a torch in the
riding his e-bike in North Yorkshire. hole! I’d missed the jugular by just Smiles for miles with @__onlyfrans__
“I tucked the front wheel on a tight 2mm and the shoulder nerves by and the crew at Gawton Gravity Hub
left-hander and went over the bars,” a similar amount. At first I thought
he recounts. “There was no blood, it was caused by the handlebar but Mountain Biking UK
so I thought I’d just hurt my after surgery to repair the wound,
shoulder. I picked myself up, I was told it was definitely the brake
straightened the bar and, as I was lever. Luckily it was a very clean
down to one power bar, thought wound and one week later it’s
I’d go back to my van. After riding looking good. There’s damage to the
the two miles back, I spotted some neck muscles so I’m not sure how
blood on my neck so I looked in the that’ll a ect me yet. I was getting
mirror and thought, ‘Oh shit, there’s some last-minute training in for the
a big hole!’. I’d been riding on my EWS in Innerleithen, so I’m relieved
own and drove 14 miles home, then to be alive, but also gutted that
rang my son, who took me to A&E. I wasn’t able to race!”

BRANDON SUPERBIKE SEMENUK’S
SEMENUK TREK SESSION PARK

Many consider A Red Bull Rampage-winning one-off with some unique features
Brandon the
GOAT of MTB B randon Semenuk is always inventing ends, but Semenuk opted for a 26in wheel
freeride, and the new ways to win Red Bull Rampage. This at the rear, to allow faster rotation, paired with
30-year-old has year, the Canadian freeride colossus a 650b up front, both made by Industry Nine.
the trophies to didn’t just work on his tricks and his line,
back it up. He first but his bike set-up, too. With help from some The bike doesn’t have a BMX-style gyro
won Rampage as industry heavyweights, his mechanic Sean to allow barspins. Instead, Sean was able
a 17-year-old, and Murphy transformed Brandon’s extra-large to remove gear cables from the equation
this year took his Trek Session DH bike into the unique machine by fitting a SRAM AXS wireless drivetrain.
fourth title. His seen here, with its single-crown fork, ‘mullet’ Not just the standard XX1, X01 or GX set-up,
single-crown bike wheel set-up and barspin-friendly cockpit. And but a BlackBox version (the brand’s elite
was a surprising it paid off, with Semenuk taking his fourth win. development programme, reserved for
choice for the their top riders). The mechanic left the rear
event’s massive Sean has been wrenching Brandon’s bikes brake line long enough to allow two full bar
drops and chutes, for six years, in between shifts at Fluid Function rotations, and ran the front hose through
but allowed him to bike shop in Squamish, BC, so he knows just the fork steerer and headset top cap, using
throw in barspins, how the Red Bull rider likes things set up. The RockShox’s Turncoat system.
tailwhips and aim with this year’s Rampage rig was to build
a flip-whip. These a versatile bike that could take the hits but, All of that would be no use with a dual-
days, Brandon’s unlike a full-on DH sled, would also make tricks crown downhill fork in place, with its upper
main focus is on such as tailwhips possible. Trek’s Session clamp limiting steering lock, so Brandon
MTB movies and normally has 650b or 29in wheels at both opted for a burly RockShox ZEB Ultimate
web edits. He also single-crown instead, with 190mm of travel
races rally cars
for Subaru. Words Malcolm Mclaws Pics Bartek Wolinski & Malcolm Mclaws

Mountain Biking UK

SPECIAL ARTICLE JUST FOR SUBSCRIBERS!

A RockShox Turncoat set-up At over 6ft, Semenuk runs We hate finding litter on the trails
and long rear brake hose an XL frame with a big stack – it’s unsightly and a danger to
allow Brandon to spin the bar of stem spacers up front wildlife. So, we’ve teamed up with
Trash Free Trails for MBUK Cleans
On Utah’s steep desert terrain SRAM’s wireless AXS Up!, a campaign where we’re
good brakes are a must – here, drivetrains have no cables encouraging our readers to take
SRAM Codes with 200mm rotors to restrict bar rotation home any rubbish they find and
recycle it. As a bonus, we’re giving
and 38mm stanchions. Out back, this is the rough. Chromag’s Synth pedals and away Trash Free Trails x Endura jerseys
paired with an air-sprung RockShox Super Overture saddle keep him planted on the bike. for the best litter-pick photos. Email
Deluxe Ultimate DH shock. You’re not going The Canadian brand take care of steering too, your entries to mbuk@immediate.
to be changing gear much on a freeride run, with their OSX bar, Clutch grips and Ranger V2 co.uk or post them on Instagram with
so Semenuk uses a seven-speed SRAM X01 stem. Semenuk travels with two complete bikes the hashtag #mbukcleansup.
DH cassette, matched with an XX1 Eagle AXS with the same build, just in case something
BlackBox short-cage mech. He runs 165mm goes wrong in practice or during the event. This issue’s winner is Kyle Johnson,
crank arms on his SRAM X01 DH crankset, who’s been getting his offspring into
which also features a custom crank damper. After a record four wins, what’s left for good habits. “My son is five and is
Brandon and his sponsors? “He’s very just getting used to riding trails near
Stopping this trick missile are some motivated and is constantly pushing the our local nature park,” Kyle explains.
previous-generation SRAM Code RSC brakes boundaries. Whether it’s on two wheels or four, “He really enjoyed spotting trash as
with the new 200mm HS2 rotors. Interestingly, if he puts his mind to it, he can win anything,” we went along and learning why it’s
Brandon runs an EXO-casing Maxxis Assegai says Sean. Add a riding style like a knife cutting bad for our environment and wildlife.”
front tyre, with a beefier DH carcass on the through butter, and we can’t wait to see what Good work, both of you!
rear Minion DHR II to keep him rolling through Semenuk pulls out of the bag next.
STOKED FOLK!

LATEST SUBS ZONE PRIZEWINNERS

Grant Gibson from Renfrewshire
won the DMR Bikes competition
in MBUK 400 and will receive an
exclusive commission from Jo Burt
plus a set of DMR Deathgrips and
V11 pedals. Nine runners-up will
also get grips and pedals: Stacey
Abbott, Chris Barrow, Oli Ferrone,
Peter McCance, Glyn Mitchell,
Ivy Routledge, Stephen Sanders,
Richard Thorne and Neil White.
The big Muc-Off bundle was won by
Donna Goodwin from Warwickshire.

Mountain Biking UK

THE HOTTEST NEW KIT

SHOTGUN PRO
CHILD’S BIKE SEAT

£180 Posh perch for mini mountain bikers

We loved the original Shotgun swap between bikes, and it can’t
kids’ seat and now the Kiwi damage your paintwork. It will
company have gone one better reduce your standover room,
with the Shotgun Pro. So, what though, and you first need to fit
does the extra £80 get you? the provided 10mm grooved
The new seat is compatible with spacer under your stem (it works
oversize e-bike down tubes, has with all standard 1-1/8in and
adjustable-height foot supports tapered, steerers). Like the
so it can grow with your original, the Pro seat fits both
passenger, and the weight limit hardtails and full-sussers, is
has increased to 27kg. Instead of compatible with dropper posts,
mounting directly on your frame and is designed to carry kids
like the standard Shotgun seat, aged between two and five.
the Pro version requires you to fit https://kidsrideshotgun.co.uk
a crossbar between your
seatpost and fork steerer. This is
super-quick to attach, adjust and

Mountain Biking UK

FIRST LOOK

POC CONSORT
MTB DUNGAREES

£450 You never know, they could catch on!

If you’re minted and after the and you shouldn’t get too sweaty
finest waterproof trousers around inside, either. The two-way
(and don’t mind looking like a waterproof zip down one side
kids’ TV presenter!), Swedish makes it easy to get the
brand POC’s unisex Consort dungarees on and off, and can be
dungarees could be worth a try. used to control ventilation, as can
They’re made from a tough the zip on the other side.
three-layer fabric with Cordura- Aggressive riders should note
reinforced panels in high-wear that the Consorts are cut to work
areas plus a brushed surface that with chunky knee pads. The
means you shouldn’t slide around braces and waist can be adjusted
on the saddle too much. With to tune the fit, and the ankle cuffs
a 15,000mm waterproof rating are elasticated. There’s loads of
and eco-friendly DWR finish, they storage – a chest pocket, hand
ought to keep the wet at bay, pockets and a zipped card pocket
and the fabric is claimed to be at the rear. But have you got the
fast-drying, too. Add a very high nerve – and cash – to wear them?
30,000g/m breathability rating, www.pocsports.com

Mountain Biking UK

TROY LEE
DESIGNS
SHUTTLE
JACKET

£100 Stylish, super-packable
wind protection

It’s great to have a packable
jacket in your arsenal at this time
of year, when a chill wind can
really sap your body heat and
energy. The lightweight Shuttle
will take up hardly any space in
your pack, but its wind-resistant
ripstop fabric and tall, lined collar
should keep you snug. There’s
ventilation under the arms and on
the back panel to stop you
overheating. The cut is pretty
close-fitting and includes a drop
hem at the back, and we like the
understated design. You get a
zipped rear pocket, plus reflective
detailing on the body – which is
just as well, because the Shuttle
is only available in black.
www.saddleback.co.uk

Mountain Biking UK

FIRST lOOK

TACTIC 4 MUC-OFF
HELMET PUNK
POWDER
£100 Proper pate protection BIKE
CLEANER
Safety is the name of the game
with Spesh’s latest Tactic helmet. From £14.99 (2 sachets)
A structural redesign has given The pink stuff goes greener
it a very different appearance to
the outgoing Tactic 3, and it costs Muc-Off are doing their bit for Muc-Off’s £29.99 bundle, vegetable-based inks. Two
a tenner more, too, but it now the planet with this new seen here, which includes an sachets of Punk Powder cost
meets stringent e-bike safety plastic-free bike cleaner. aluminium bottle that’ll last the same as 2l of the brand’s
standards and boasts an Because it comes in the form forever). The plastic- and Fast Action Bike Cleaner (in
upgraded MIPS Evolve liner, of a sachet of powder rather petroleum-free compostable concentrate form), so being
improved ventilation and deeper than a bottle of liquid, the UK sachets ship in recycled more environmentally-friendly
coverage. The straps are also brand estimate it’ll save 61 tons cardboard boxes, are vegan- won’t hit you in the wallet.
mounted so that they lie flat of plastic from landfill each friendly and Muc-Off even use www.muc-off.com
against your cheeks. A further year. It’ll also reduce their
safety feature is its compatibility carbon footprint, because it’s
with Spesh’s ANGi crash sensor, smaller, lighter and more
designed to alert emergency energy-efficient to transport.
contacts of your location in the Each 30g sachet of Punk
event of you stacking it. An Powder dissolves in water to
obvious update is the new make 1l of cleaner, which is
fixed-position peak, which is biodegradable and safe for all
designed to work with the brow bikes. Just mix it in an old
ports as snazzy stowage for your bike-wash bottle (or buy
sunnies, and to break away in a
crash. Talking of vents, the Tactic
4 has 17 large ones to improve
cooling. Weight is decent, too, at
383g for our medium sample.
www.specialized.com

Mountain Biking UK

SANTA CRUZ BRONSON
CC X01 AXS RSV MX

£8,599How does the new mullet-wheeled Bronson measure up?

Mountain Biking UK

STRAIGHT OUT OF THE BOX & ONTO THE TRAILS

SPEC T he 2022 Bronson makes the plus space on top for a 750ml bottle.
shift from 650b wheels front A flip-chip adjusts the head angle
Frame ‘CC’ carbon and rear to a ‘mullet’ set-up with from 64.5 degrees to 64.7 degrees
fibre, 150mm a bigger 29er wheel up front. and the bottom bracket height from
(5.9in) travel Santa Cruz say: “If in doubt, 341mm to 344mm, while chainstay
Fork Fox 36 Float take a Bronson out,” suggesting that lengths are now size-specific.
Factory, 160mm it’s capable of tackling any type of
(6.2in) travel riding. Let’s see… THE KIT
Shock RockShox We tested the second-from-top
Super Deluxe Ultimate THE FRAME Bronson, fitted with SRAM’s X01
Drivetrain SRAM This model is built from Santa Cruz’s Eagle AXS drivetrain (but with
X01/GX Eagle AXS top-quality CC carbon fibre, which a GX Eagle AXS shifter) and Santa
(1x12) has a lifetime guarantee, as do the Cruz’s Reserve carbon wheels,
Wheelset Santa Cruz frame bearings. Its 230x60mm shock wrapped in Maxxis Minion DHF and
Reserve 30 V2 carbon is mounted low down and driven DHR II rubber. It has a RockShox
rims on Industry Nine by the bottom link of the brand’s Super Deluxe Ultimate rear shock,
hubs, Maxxis Minion VPP linkage, retaining the familiar paired with a 160mm-travel Fox 36
DHF 3C MaxxGrip EXO Bronson look. There’s now space for Factory fork with GRIP2 damper. You
TR 29x2.5in (f) and either a coil or high-volume air shock. also get a RockShox Reverb dropper
Minion DHR II 3C A bearing instead of a bushing is post with 175mm of travel and four-
MaxxTerra EXO TR used at the rearmost shock mount, pot SRAM Code RSC brakes.
29x2.4in (r) tyres to compensate for the amount it
Brakes SRAM Code rotates during compression. THE RIDE
RSC, 200/180mm Setting the Bronson up with slightly
rotors The suspension is said to have less sag than recommended gave
Bar/stem Santa Cruz less anti-squat and pedal feedback us the best compromise between
35 carbon, 800mm/ than on the outgoing model, as well smoothness, mid-stroke support
Burgtec Enduro MK3, as a slightly lower leverage rate, but and bottom-out resistance, without
42.5mm overall it’s more progressive. This causing the bike to squat too low at
Seatpost/saddle means it should feel more supple the rear and exaggerate the high-
RockShox Reverb and easier to move at the start of its feeling front end (more on that
Stealth 175mm stroke while still ramping up well to shortly). We preferred the ‘low’ flip-
dropper/WTB Volt deliver 150mm of travel. chip position, and found it di cult to
Weight 14.15kg adjust without dropping the chip or
(31.2lb), large size In addition to the mixed wheel shock-eyelet bearings.
without pedals sizes, other changes include a
chunkier down tube, with a built- The bike feels nippy when cranking
in rock-strike guard and a second on the pedals, whether standing or
protector for pickup truck tailgates,

Mountain Biking UK

HIGHS

Inspired moments
of descending
prowess
–

Excellent climbing
performance
–
Supple-feeling
frame, wheels
and handlebar

LOWS

High front end won’t
suit some riders
–
Certain spec

choices aren’t ideal
given the expensive

entry fee

seated, with very limited pedal bob. tread patterns and 3C rubber are The wireless SRAM GX Eagle AXS
This build’s low weight and relatively good, but a thicker EXO+ or Double shifter is fitted on an 800mm
light EXO-casing tyres contribute Down carcass, on the rear at least, Santa Cruz 35 carbon bar
to the snappy feel, which makes would greatly benefit the Bronson.
it well-suited to out-of-the-saddle A horizontally-mounted RockShox
e orts. The seated riding position is What its suspension lacks Super Deluxe Ultimate piggyback
generally comfortable, which means in sensitivity, it makes up for in shock controls the rear suspension
the Bronson is at home spinning support, making it massively capable
around trail centre loops, up long deeper into its travel. When speeds The new Bronson is a great
fireroad climbs and on less steep increase and holes deepen, the generalist but has a wild side
technical o -piste ascents. The rear’s progression helps create that takes some taming
76.5-degree e ective seat tube angle an incredibly stable platform that
(large, low) does feel slack at times, doesn’t get bucked or shot o -line.
when the gradient steepens and the The bottom-out resistance and mid-
bike sinks into its rear travel, causing stroke support mean it feels best
the saddle to move back. We shifted when ridden in a pump-and-push
the seat forward to compensate. fashion, loading the bike hard into
the ground to generate grip.
Despite the suspension not
feeling super-fluttery, it does a In combination, the bike’s
reasonably good job of ironing out geometry figures mean it feels high
the sting from smaller bumps and at the front, making it trickier to
is active enough to hold speed over weight the wheel in turns and steeper
rough sections.On the descents, the sections. To counteract a feeling of
Bronson has a really fun ride – once hanging o the back, we loaded the
we’d learnt where and how to push front wheel more than we usually
it to its limits – but isn’t a super- would, causing the rear end to go
smooth trail neutraliser. It doesn’t very light. Riding like this, cat-like
track undulations with total reflexes and weight shifts are needed
precision, and the rear wheel thuds to keep the back end from wiping out,
over bumps rather than lifting out although this felt great when we were
of the way of them. able to drift and catch it before losing
control. You could also choose to
We su ered several punctures slow down and bounce through tech
with the EXO-casing tyres so ended sections, rather than committing to
up running higher pressures than we riding over the front and living with
would normally to prevent further the lively rear end. Alex Evans
flats. The Minion DHF and DHR II www.jungleproducts.co.uk

Mountain Biking UK

FIRST RIDES

TREK TOP
FUEL 8

£3,850 Reworked aluminium downcountry

shredder for all-day epics

O nce an XC race thoroughbred, SPEC carbon fibre 9.7, 9.8, and 9.9. The trend that can cause workshop woes,
the Trek Top Fuel has morphed 2022 Top Fuel also features Trek’s but there’s full-length sheathing
into a ‘downcountry’ trail Frame ‘Alpha Knock Block 2.0 steering lock limiter, throughout the frame, so replacing
shredder for 2022, with 120mm Platinum Aluminium’ redesigned to increase the steering control lines should be a breeze.
of travel, slacker geometry and alloy, 120mm (4.7in) angle from 58 to 72 degrees. This can
all-day ride capability. travel be removed if there’s adequate fork THE KIT
Fork RockShox SID, crown clearance without it. Another This is the highest-spec alloy Top Fuel
THE FRAME 120mm (4.7in) travel new feature is a seat tube sized for and it gets a lightweight RockShox SID
Trek wanted to keep the efficient ride Shock RockShox a 34.9mm dropper – a diameter that fork and Deluxe Ultimate RCT shock.
of a cross-country bike, “but make it Deluxe Ultimate RCT allows long-drop posts to be made It rolls on 29in Bontrager Line Comp
way more capable”. They’ve moved Drivetrain Shimano stiffer and more reliable. 30 wheels shod with 2.4in Bontrager
the main pivot forward and tuned the SLX/Deore XT (1x12) tyres, around which there’s ample mud
anti-squat curve to keep the Top Wheelset Bontrager With a 76-degree effective seat clearance at the rear. A Shimano Deore
Fuel’s pedalling characteristics more Line Comp 30 wheels, tube angle and a 66-degree head XT mech and shifter are combined
consistent throughout the increased Bontrager XR4 Team angle (1.5 degrees slacker than that with an SLX crankset, cassette and
range of travel. Issue 29x2.4in tyres of the 2021 Top Fuel), the frame has chain, while Deore four-pot brakes
Brakes Shimano relatively progressive geometry for a with 180mm/160mm rotors do the
Hidden under the bottle cage on the Deore M6120, downcountry bike. Trek have grown stopping. The 780mm bar (which
down tube is a storage compartment 180/160mm rotors the reach by 10mm on all six sizes, measures 800mm with grips) and
– Trek’s answer to Specialized’s Bar/stem Bontrager with our large measuring in at 480mm. 50mm stem come from in-house
SWAT box. With reassuringly chunky Line 35, 790mm/ The chainstays remain a compact brand Bontrager. TranzX provide the
hardware, this addition features on all Bontrager Line, 435mm long. A flip-chip at the lower dropper seatpost, which has a decent
2022 Top Fuels, from the aluminium- 50mm shock mount can be used to steepen 160mm of travel.
framed 5, 7 and 8 models to the Seatpost/saddle the head and seat tube angles by 0.5
Trans-X 160mm degrees, and raise the BB by 7mm. THE RIDE
dropper/Bontrager The Top Fuel climbs like a mountain
Arvada The US brand have returned to goat. Its seat tube angle is steep for
Weight 14.41kg using the old 73mm threaded BB a short-travel bike and puts you further
(31.7lb), large size standard, ending plasticky press-fit
without pedals issues. Internal cable routing is another

Mountain Biking UK

HIGHS

E ective
suspension provides

suppleness and
support
–

Geometry is
progressive beyond
other XC-inspired
downcountry rigs

–
A riotous blend of

capability and
playfulness

LOWS

Not as light as some
of its rivals

Secreted under the bottle forward over the BB on the climbs, to impeccable cornering manners, and
cage is Trek’s neat new helping to keep the front wheel planted relishes being pushed to the limit.
and pedalling efficient. Combined
onboard storage solution with the 30x51t bottom gear, this Even on the steepest trails we
means you can get up almost anything never felt limited by the KnockBlock
Trek’s Knock Block 2.0 stops the (traction permitting). You get lockouts 2.0, unlike with the OG system. The
fork htting the frame and has a wider at both ends for use on smoother Shimano drivetrain shifts smoothly
steering angle than the original ascents; the one on the shock is and reliably, and the Bontrager wheels
agricultural but effective, whereas the track reassuringly well. While the
fork one is rather spongy. brakes are nicely progressive, they lack
power on steeper trails with the stock
Point the Trek downhill and its 180mm front and 160mm rear rotors.
flickable chassis is easy to manoeuvre. When you push the Top Fuel beyond
If you’ve ever felt over-biked and its depth, the only other telltale sign is
sluggish on a 140mm trail bike, this that the 120mm Rockshox SID begins
could be the answer. Whereas some to feel like what it is – a beefed-up
downcountry bikes are XC race rigs XC fork. We’d love to fit a 130mm fork
on steroids – highly efficient on trail- (approved within Trek’s warranty)
centre loops but out of their depth and spend some more time on the
on techier descents – the Top Fuel TF8. Will So e
feels like Trek tautened and lightened www.trekbikes.com
their Remedy trail bike. It’s a bike that
encourages exuberance and practically Lacks the pace of more XC-focused
goads you into pulling manuals. peers, but progressive geometry
& good kit make it a fun all-rounder
Far more capable than its 120mm of
travel might suggest, the Top Fuel has
an involving ride that flatters your skills
and glosses over mistakes. With its
progressive leverage curve and subtle
anti-squat in the mid-stroke, it gives
engaging trail feedback, contributing

Mountain Biking UK

CANYON FIRST RIDES
SPECTRAL
MULLET CF
8 CLLCTV

£3,999.00 + P&P Is it business at the front, party at
the back with Canyon’s new mixed-wheel trail bike?

C anyon have added 650b wheel SPEC THE KIT the shock off its bottom-out bumper,
options (both ends or rear only) Canyon provide a Shimano SLX and XT suggesting ample ramp-up.
and alloy frames to their Frame Carbon fibre, drivetrain, paired with punchy four-pot
Spectral trail bike range, after 150mm (5.9in) travel XT brakes with big 203mm rotors. The Fox 36 fork’s chassis is stout, its
last year’s 29in and carbon Fork Fox 36 Stout DT Swiss hoops are fitted with air spring supportive and progressive,
fibre-only update. Is this coil-shocked Performance Elite, grippy Maxxis rubber – an Assegai and its GRIP2 damper has a good
‘mullet’ version as rowdy as it looks? 160mm (6.2in) travel and Minion DHR II combo. Finishing range of adjustment, but it’s almost
Shock Fox DHX kit largely comes from Canyon’s own shown up in terms of sensitivity by
THE FRAME Performance Elite G5 line. It’s built to World Cup DH spec the back end. While the bike doesn’t
With a 29in front wheel and a 650b out Drivetrain Shimano and includes a top-loading stem and crash readily into its mid-stroke, it
back, the Spectral Mullet gets 150mm Deore XT/SLX (1x12) a new seatpost, which offers 25mm of sits reasonably deep into it at times,
of four-bar linkage rear travel, paired Wheelset DT Swiss drop adjustment in 5mm increments. which, on flatter tracks, detracts a bit
with a 160mm fork. Clean aesthetics EX 511 wheels, Maxxis Fox supply their 36 Performance Elite from its ‘pumpability’.
are backed up with thoughtful touches Assegai EXO 29x2.5in air fork and DHX coil shock. Each size
such as replaceable pivot hardware, WT (f) and Maxxis has its own spring rate, but Canyon will It feels keen to initiate cornering,
moulded chainstay protection and Minion DHR II EXO+ ship bikes with the next-heaviest and with the bigger front wheel offering
bosses for a bottle and tube holster. 27.5x2.4in WT (r) tyres next-lightest springs, too. grip and confidence, allowing us to
Geometry is bang up to date, with Brakes Shimano weight the bar and carve turns. The
a lengthy reach of 480mm on the large Deore XT, 203mm THE RIDE rear wheel is easy to get loose and slap
size, 64-degree head and 78-degree rotors One of the big advantages of a coil through bends with just a hint of rear
seat tube angles, and 432mm chain- Bar/stem Canyon shock is sensitivity, but that translates brake. You also get a little extra bit of
stays. A flip-chip adds half a degree G5, 780mm/Canyon into more movement under pedalling bum clearance from the smaller rear
to each and 8mm to the BB height. G5, 40mm loads. This adds a hint of sluggishness, wheel when things get really steep, but
Seatpost/saddle even if rear-wheel grip is as good as it it’s not quite as smooth-rolling as the
Canyon G5 dropper/ gets with a given tyre tread/pressure front, even with the coil sensitivity.
Ergon SM10 Enduro combo. As such, the DHX’s lockout
Weight 15.4kg switch is a godsend, and we used it For pin-sharp pedalling, high speeds
(33.9lb), large size frequently. On super-steep and loose and predictable control, we reckon the
without pedals pitches, there was more grip with the 29er Spectral might be a better bet.
shock left open, but doing so led the However, the character that the coil
suspension to settle more, slackening shock and mixed wheels have given
what was a fairly steep seat tube angle the mulleted CF 8 is enthralling, and
to one that didn’t feel as perky. has, so far, made it difficult to leave
in the garage. Tom Marvin
However, it’s descending where this www.canyon.com
bike is expected to shine. The rear
shock has tons of suppleness, which You might go faster on a full 29er,
helps smooth the way for the smaller but this coil-shocked mullet is
rear wheel and boost grip under a party animal on the descents
braking. On big hits, we didn’t slam

Mountain Biking UK

daunting enough for spectators, but with scarily high stakes for the
riders, family members and organisers - we go behind the scenes at

the biggest, gnarliest freeride event of the year

WORDS MALCOLM MCLAWS PHOTOS MALCOLM MCLAWS & RED BULL CONTENT POOL

Mountain Biking UK

O ver the 20 years of Red of their short careers, while
Bull Rampage, many have others held on to make the
come to the American podium. Wooden features were
desert to find fame and introduced, creating some
fortune, only to return memorable moments, from
home injured or plagued by enormous canyon-gap backflips
‘what ifs’. Others have gone to huge moves off the Oakley
down in MTB history for their Sender. Then the emphasis
audacious lines, huge tricks shifted towards sculpting more
or nail-biting crashes. It’s an natural lines and pushing the
event that can make and break limits of big-mountain riding.
careers – and bones.
The event continues to evolve,
Rampage has transformed but one thing remains the same
hugely over those two decades. – Rampage is still the biggest,
At first, it was just a ragtag baddest and most mind-
group of early freeriders testing boggling event on the MTB
their boundaries on the soft, calendar. Here’s what goes into
unpacked dirt of Virgin, Utah. putting on the most bonkers
Some had the biggest bucks freeride fest of them all...

Mountain Biking UK

the digger

Justin Wyper has dug dirt year, as well as ensuring
for Brandon Semenuk at that his line was better,
six Rampage events now, bigger and higher-scoring
along with Evan Young. than his last one at this
This year’s victory was venue in 2017, Semenuk
Semenuk’s third with this also had to fine-tune the
dig team, and his fourth set-up of his unique single-
in total, two of them crown, mullet-wheeled Trek
back-to-back. The crew Session bike. [Subscribers,
all have ideas about how see p30 for an exclusive
things should proceed, but, look at this]. The last
says Justin, “Brandon is rider to drop in for round
definitely the brains behind one, after a long delay, it
the line”. After a scout day, was heartbreaking to see
there’s a lot of back and Brandon go down, not least
forth about how and where for Justin and Evan. For his
the line will head. Then second run, Semenuk was
its shovels into dirt, with happy to be first up, and
Brandon – in his boxers – his crew breathed a sigh
doing his fair share to get of relief once he made it
things completed. This safely through to the finish.

Mountain Biking UK

the snapper

the organiser Media passes for Rampage some iconic images, using
are like gold dust, but props like a camera pole to
Christian Pondella is at get an unusual perspective.
the top of the photographer He enjoys getting creative
pyramid, having shot here with the landscape, light
since 2001. The first official and different lenses during
Red Bull snapper on site, practice. However, he admits
his duties have remained that the event takes its toll
constant – to capture the mentally and physically, with
entirety of the event, from photogs enduring long days
the riding to portraits and of shooting and editing, and
lifestyle shots. “I’d never being constantly on the
have imagined, 20 years move, searching for new
ago, that the riders would angles, while trying to keep
be riding the lines they do off riders’ lines. Equipment
today,” he says. “They’re takes a beating in the Utah
very calculated and dust, too, and with weight
obviously the best in the being a big consideration,
world at what they do, but snappers have to choose
every year it’s pretty mind- their kit carefully. Christian
blowing to have a front row has made the switch to a
seat to what they’re doing; smaller, lighter mirrorless
it’s so consequential if they system, and is impressed by
mess up.” Over the years, the beautiful shots this new
Christian has captured tech can produce.

Todd Barber of H5 and new locations may
Events has been involved come to light.” Planning is
with Rampage since its a year-round process, but
inception. In fact, he co- ramps up from spring to
founded the event with Paul October. Ahead of the event,
Crandell and Josh Bender. a pre-build crew arrives
“We wondered why there to prep the mountain and
was no mountain bike construct features that
equivalent to big-mountain are too big for the riders to
skiing,” he explains. “Visiting sculpt – start roll-ins and
Bender’s backyard, outside massive landings. Then the
Virgin, Utah, it looked like dig teams have eight full
Alaska made out of dirt, days to realise their vision
and the idea for Rampage for the rider’s line. The
was sparked.” The event infrastructure also has to
has evolved over the years, be set up – TV compounds,
through collaboration with catering areas, spectator
the riders, Red Bull, Freeride zones, front-of-house and
Entertainment (of New transportation for gear, food
World Disorder fame) and and media. Todd says the
industry influencers. “It’s day before the event is the
always been an ear-to-the- most intense, as multiple
ground process,” says Todd. riders test their enormous
“For the immediate future, build features. The roars of
Rampage will most likely the build crews echo around
remain in Utah, but the as riders hit things up; the
sport is always progressing big show is finally ready.

the super-fan

Lee Faraola is the ultimate throw down. This year,
super-fan. Who else would the craziest thing he saw
drive 627 miles from Santa was Brandon Semenuk’s
Cruz, California, year after run – “he brought a whole
year, to watch Rampage? new bag of tricks on a
“It’s almost a tradition single-crown fork. Definitely
now!” he says. “My family, a game-changer!” As for
friends and I have gone for his friends’ scores... “No
so many years it’d be weird comment!” Lee’s had
not to. The excitement of his own share of injuries
experiencing Rampage – including crushing six
makes the drive seem vertebrae – but his passion
like nothing!” Lee says it’s for racing (he rides for
always exciting to hang out Santa Cruz and Troy Lee
and watch how his buds Designs) and big-mountain
Cam Zink and Kyle Strait freeride is undimmed.

the judges

Judging at Rampage has stomped to slipped pedals,
evolved over the years. cases or missed tricks, and
Gone are the days of the can review segments on
panel standing mid-run a split screen for clarity.
with clipboards to record However, they don’t reveal
the scores. Instead, five their personal scores, which
former competitors – Kyle must be input via iPad within
Jameson, Randy Spangler, a three-minute window.
Greg Watts, Nico Vink The highest and lowest are
and Josh Bender – view dropped and the remaining
the action from inside a three averaged to produce
container loaded with live the overall score. After the
feeds. They watch with second runs are completed,
multiple camera angles the winners are announced.
and discuss the pros and Riders can decide whether
cons of each line, from to drop in twice or stick with
big moves that have been their first-run score.

Mountain Biking UK

the newbie

A new name to many, Big crashes don’t seem stage in mountain biking! Jaxson’s bike was a tribute
20-year-old Jaxson Riddle to faze him – even the It was unbelievable – by to his dad, who raced moto
is the latest freeride 50ft huck to flat he tried far the most fun two weeks with that plate and passed
phenom from southern and failed this year. With a of my life!” The #84 on away last year.
Utah. Introduced to the trick bag that ranges from
scene by fellow locals Reed one-handed Superman
Boggs (third this year) seatgrabs to nothings and
and Ethan Nell (former classic Indian airs, Jaxson
podium finisher), his invite says he wants to be an
to Rampage surprised a lot artist and his bike is his
of online ‘experts’, but he paintbrush. He created a
rode with a poise befitting masterpiece at Rampage
a seasoned pro. One thing this year, winning the Style
that was never in doubt Award. “I was blown away
is his style – a mixture of when I received the invite,”
freestyle motocross and he says. “It’s every kid’s
old-school BMX influences. dream to be on the biggest

Mountain Biking UK

the wild card

The fan favourite from this of others for something
year’s X Games Real MTB more old-school. Rampage
video contest was in the is exhausting for the riders,
woods digging when he who dig for a week and
got the invite to Rampage. then test-ride their built
To say Brage Vestavik sections. On the eve of the
was stoked would be an event, Brage decided to
understatement. “Growing try out his massive drop.
up, Rampage looked so This had a blind drop-in, so
big on TV,” he says. “I he wouldn’t be able to see
respect it so much!” The the landing until he was
Norwegian freerider was airborne. After multiple run-
nervous about finding a ups he went for it – only to
new line at this oft-used realise he was going to case
location. Not wanting to the landing. Quick thinking
share features, he set about sent him into survival
creating a fresh run from mode, and he tucked and
top to bottom. Reflecting rolled. A broken shoulder
his raw, on-the-edge (yet ended Brage’s Rampage
calculated) style, Brage before it started, but he was
and his crew left the line psyched to be awarded the
soft and rough, eschewing Kelly McGarry Spirit Award
the manicured approach for positivity and tenacity.

Mountain Biking UK