All this talk of Enduro and all mountain madness had me forgetting about Wellington’s premiere All-Mountain Race the Mt Vic Super D. Its just around the corner in fact its less than two weeks away on Sunday the 26th May! And there is still time to enter!

The Rodfather evading Grant’s bloody lip

Also its worth noting that WORD and Ash Burgess are running shuttles for 13-17 year olds tomorrow Sat 18th May 1pm-4pm

WORD (Wellington Off-Road Riding Department) is doing a pre-ride of the Mt. Vic Super D course. Each run down will have WORD instructors to show you the course and give you a few pointers on the ‘spicy bits’. Once at the bottom we get a ride to the top to do it all again, sweet! Riders must be between the ages of 13-17 years old and ride at an intermediate level (ie. happy as a clam on Swigg/starfish at Makara peak).
Costs: $25.
Bookings limited to 14 kids (only 10 spots left)
Register HERE.
Any questions just ask Ash: ash@bikewellington.co.nz

This is the link to the website to register:
http://www.wmtbc.org.nz/

This is the link to the FB event:
http://www.facebook.com/

BlackBox.

It started nearly two decades ago with the original RockShox BoXXer and our desire to provide completely personalized support to a special group of riders. The goal was to give our team a clear performance advantage in World Cup competition, and to win races. In this relentless pursuit of the podium, no rider request was too crazy or too costly—the average yearly salary of a pro mountain biker wouldn’t have covered the manufacturing cost of those gen-1 BoXXers.

It paid off. We won races and wrote some of the most exciting stories in mountain-bike history. With our athletes’ successes—and failures—we learned what worked, and what didn’t. Some of those BlackBox technologies have made it to market.

As the sport evolved, the BlackBox program extended beyond RockShox. Across the SRAM brand family, if it could extend the boundaries of mountain biking, the BlackBox team was there to develop new products and technologies.

When our athletes asked for a different kind of handlebar, TRUVATIV answered with the BooBar, a bar designed to meet the demands of World Cup downhilling, as well as the discerning feel of our athletes. And now we’re proud to announce the TRUVATIV BlackBox Athlete Series, a collection of bars specifically engineered to match the demands of each signature athlete’s discipline and riding style—and to enhance each rider’s cockpit interface.

DANNY HART BLACKBOX BAR: THE RIGHT ANGLE.

Danny Hart. He rides fast and loose. He turns the impossible into the ride of a lifetime. Danny spends countless hours working with his trainers and coaches to get more traction, power, and speed — and how to build the bike that’ll get him there. In the past, Danny used a 5mm space under his direct mount stem combined with a 20mm rise Boobar to lift him to the exact height he wanted, but that setup wasn’t seamless.

Designed by Danny himself, the new TRUVATIV Danny Hart BlackBox bar delivers the 25mm rise that he  needs — with no spacers and less weight. We also  added two more degrees of back sweep for a total 9 degrees, which moves his weight back, putting more pressure on the rear wheel. That keeps him exactly where he wants to be — on the trail, smashing turns.

• 7050 Al Alloy
• 780mm wide
• 25mm rise
• 5˚ up-sweep
• 9˚ back-sweep
• 340g

JEROME CLEMENTZ BLACKBOX BAR: DEGREES OF PERFECTION.

Jerome Clementz. He’s an all-mountain legend whose name is synonymous with mountain bike enduro. Megavalanche, Mountain of Hell, Enduro des Nations — Jerome Clementz has won them all. Staying at the top means he needs to go even faster with as little effort as possible. Jerome asked us for wider, stiffer, lighter bar that gives him ultimate control without sacrificing the toughness he needs for powerful sprints and descents.

Working one-on-one with Jerome, we created the TRUVATIV Jerome Clementz carbon BlackBox bar — 750mm of carbon fiber perfection. With 5 degrees of up sweep and 7 degrees of back sweep, this signature bar keeps your bike light and strong so that you can rail every turn with precision.

• Carbon Fiber
• 750mm wide
• 20mm rise
• 5˚ up-sweep
• 7˚ back-sweep
• 240g

STEVIE SMITH BLACKBOX BAR: RAISING THE BAR.

Stevie Smith. He rides the gnarliest terrain extremely fast. He’s a brute, strong, powerful and pointed straight down the mountain. Stevie lives in a place where the trees can swallow you whole so his style requires a heads-up approach.

We teamed up with Stevie to create a bar that is high and out in front, giving him ultimate control. His signature 780mm downhill bar features a 30mm rise, keeping his hands forward, his head up, and his eyes focused. It’s the strength, stiffness, and quality you’ve come to expect from TRUVATIV —  but with some Stevie Smith baked in.

• 7050 Al Alloy
• 780mm wide
• 30mm rise
• 5˚ up-sweep
• 7˚ back-sweep
• 340g

Availability in New Zealand aint going to be for a while… These guys wont be arriving until August but i’m sure you local retailer would let you pre-order them.

Anton Cooper in action in an early season race in Liechtenstein. Photo: Cannondale Factory Team

Mountain bike junior world champion Anton Cooper makes his UCI World Cup debut in the under-23 class in Germany this weekend.

Twelve New Zealand riders are on the start list for the opening round of the World Cup, staged for the first time at Albstadt, a ski resort nestled in the Swabian Alb mountains between Stuttgart and Lake Constance.

Cooper leads the way for his new Cannondale Factory Team, buoyed by some excellent form in lead-up races. The 18 year old has placed second in two elite races in the D Italia Series at Montichiari and Nalles and won an under-23 race in the German national competition.

It will be all-but a home race for Cooper, who is based at Esslingen near Stuttgart in his first full year on the UCI Mountain Bike circuit.

“I’m pretty happy with the lead-up rides,” Cooper said. “The World Cup season is starting in and it is the priority and where my focus lies. It is going to be a fun year.”

There may be some additional expectation from his Cannondale Factory Team after their star elite Michael Fumic was forced out of his home World Cup with injury.

There’s a strong contingent of Kiwi in Germany with the Albstadt hosting cross country racing only. Whakatane’s Carl Jones, the 2011 national champion, has returned to Europe to chase his Olympic dream after spending last year based in New Zealand.

Wellington’s Samara Sheppard makes her elite debut for the Toka Print Mountain Team after her outstanding season in the under-23 ranks last year, including a World Cup victory. She will be joined by Rotorua’s Katie O’Neill and Queenstown’s kate Fluker.

Rotorua’s Dirk Peters, who ran Cooper so close for the national honours earlier in the year, will start alongside the world champion in the under-23 race along with another Rotorua rider Sam Shaw and Auckland’s Adrian Retief, looking for a top-20 finish to boost his claims for selection for this year’s world championships in South Africa.

Outstanding Rotorua prospect Amber Johnston has already been named in the junior team for the worlds and is top seed for the under-19 field this weekend, while in the under-19 men, the Rangiora brothers Ben and Craig Oliver are joined by Wellington’s Simon Lawson.

They can expect a tough challenge on the new course, that some believe could be the toughest of the circuit.

“The technical sections should be very challenging, but they won’t be too extreme,” said bike park owner Holger Blum. “There are some strong jumps, but we have not exaggerated it. We wanted the course to have a nice flow, that’s the most important criterion,” she said.

The junior and under-23 women race starts at 11pm Saturday and men under-23 from 1.30am on Sunday. Junior men race at 7.30pm Sunday, elite women at 9.30pm and elite men from midnight (all NZ time).

Source: BikeNZ

We have just got more stock of our super popular Spoke Spare Tube T-Shirt over in the Spoke shop now. It’s by the super talented Brendan van den Bosch and they are selling quick so if you want to be one of the first to be rocking one on your block then you need to move quick… We also got a few more copies of the original artwork printed up to so when you buy the t-shirt you get a nice print for your lounge wall!

The big day is coming! The Enduro World Series (EWS) starts at Punta Ala (GR) 18-19 May. The format for this first ever race will be a stage of the Superenduro powered by SRAM PRO circuit.

The season of the EWS officially kicked off last night at PuntAla Camping resort, the hosts of the race. Some of the sports top riders, legends of the sport and the event organisers talked about the race and answered questions.

The panel included: Greg Minnaar, defending DH World Champion at his debut in the EWS, enduro specialist Jerome Clementz, 2x Italian Champion Andrea Bruno, gravity living legend Nicolas Vouilloz, USA specialist Curtis Keene and BMX and MTB multichampion Anne Caroline Chausson. Chris Ball, Thomas Daddi, Enrico Guala and Franco Monchiero representing the series and the organisers.

“Finally, enduro has risen to the international level and I am proud that the first race of the EWS will use the Superenduro PRO format,” says race director Franco Monchiero. “At Punta Ala we will have a field of riders unlike any that has been seen before. Not just for the quantity, but for the number of riders who compete at the highest level of our sport. For me, it will be an honour to run a race for international riders of this calibre.”

The mountain bike community is waiting for Punta Ala, but those who can’t make it here can follow the race on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram. Just look for the hashtags #superenduro2013 , #enduroworldseries and #puntaala .

Pieter Reichwein describes the movie as “a triple shot espresso, 23 minutes of riding action! By the time you finish watching it you’ll want to ride your own bike fast and hard!”

Check it out the South here!!

After 10 World Champion titles and 5 overall World Cup wins, Nicolas Vouilloz still wants to be and feel fast. A different kind of fast, perhaps. While racing DH, Nico was known for his unconventional and extreme equipment choices. He’s now getting ready for the first Enduro World Series season. A riding style that requires a different bike setup, a discipline where racing is spread over an entire day, with many stages and kilometres of riding. Because of these differences, gone are the days of ridiculously low spoke tension, or extreme suspension setups. Nico now makes choices based on a balance of factors such as weight, efficiency and durability. These choices allow Nico to be his fastest and a true pleasure to witness riding.

After being the most successful male mountain biker of all time, and a rally car racing champion, Nico now embarks on the next phase of his competitive life. This time, in the pursuit of balance.

Filmed and edited by Victor Lucas – Vintage Nicolas Vouilloz footage courtesy of Alex Rankin

The Diaries boys just dropped their final episode of the summer series and it’s a nice little recap of the Queenstown Bike Festival with the best footage of the Mega out there. Hell it almost looks appealing (apart from all that road).

Just as autumn starts to make its way into Queenstown, the Queenstown Bike Festival gives summer one final send-off before the snow starts to fall.

The newest addition to the Bike Festival this year is the Mega  Avalanche. This is an event that requires heli access and the competitors hurtle their way towards the bottom of The Remarkables road. One of the sketchiest events we’ve ever seen.

The TEVA Slopestyle is another classic event that has the international crew raving about another amazing slopestyle set-up designed by local legend Kelly McGarry.

An exciting end to another epic summer in Queenstown!

Next up…Winter!

We have 5 prize packs consisting of a pair of of BELL sunglasses and a limited edition BELL belt buckle to be won, all you have to do is email shop@firstfloor.co.nz telling us why you would like to win this prize. Winners will be drawn on Tuesday 21st May.

Chris Akrigg – five from chris akrigg on Vimeo.

I pretty much have a man crush on Chris Akrigg, seriously he is my favourite rider on the planet and it would be a dream come true to one day shoot with him! Anyhow watch this clip if you haven’t already, it could be the best seven minutes you’ll spend all week!

And how’s the byline “You will see the trail from a different angle”. That must hint at a revision of GT’s current 2013 bikes geometry. Now I’m even more excited than I was this morning!

From all the talk from the Atherton camp you’d also think that these new GT’s might be running slightly lower BB’s as well? We’ll just have to wait till June to find out! But I’m excited!

Brett Rheeder in Kamloops on Pinkbike

Brett Rheeder would have to be one of my favourite riders at the moment. The kid has sooooo much talent on a bike as well as being a super chilled out and approachable guy. After watching this trick heavy clip I think you may just feel the same.

Watch Specialized Racing & Red Bull endurance athlete Rebecca Rusch set a new female record on the iconic 142-mile Kokopelli Trail. “Reba” overcame dynamic conditions, injuries, and broken lights to finish in 13 hours, 32 minutes, smashing the previous record by over an hour.

I popped into KRD Imports the other day with the sole purpose of photographing a stack of WTB tyres for an upcoming subscription giveaway and managed to get sidetracked checking out a few of the newer arrivals to their warehouse. First up is the new E13 TRS Race crankset. It’s been a while since we’ve had our hands on a pair of E13 cranks but the last set we reviewed we loved! The TRS Race is aimed squarely at the growing enduro/all-mountain market and comes in either one or two ring configurations, which as you can see from the above photo are both spider-less. It’s also worth noting that they’re working on a narrow/wide xx1 style chain ring as well!

As with all E13 cranks it features their proprietary P3 Connect polygon interface (no splines here). The P3 creates a more robust, reliable, impact-resistant spindle-arm junction.

It doesn’t come with a bottom bracket but it’s compatible with BSA, Press Fit 30 and BB92 and BB30. As pictured with a 34t ring and a threaded BB it weighs in at 665 grams. Check out more info here. Single ring $599.

In the steadily growing X-Fusion suspension side of things KRD have just landed the new 29er Trace fork. It features 34mm stanchions and their own RL2 dampner. The model we checked out is the top of the line DLA model and features travel adjust between 140mm and 110mm but they also have the base model RL2 in 120mm. Both models are available in straight or tapered steerer and any colour as long as it’s white.

Straightforward and easy to understand dials.

Syntace’s tool free 15m axle mates the two 34mm legs together for a solid and stiff platform. The RRP on this top spec’d model is ridiculously on point and will run you only $999.

Race Face’s Atlas range of components has been given a bit of an overhaul of late; the DH and FR separation is gone, leaving one line of products that can handle anything from all-mountain through to DH. The graphics have been updated as well and this stem looks even better in the flesh.

The Atlas stem features an interlocking U-shaped clamp and its faceplate eliminates handlebar stress. And as hardly any of you have switched to 35mm bars it’s still only available in 31.8 and in 50mm and 65mm lengths. Retail on the Atlas Stem is $159.

Raceface’s Half Nelson grips aren’t super new but if you love the feeling of a thinner grip with an almost worn in feel then these bad boys are for you and only $45.

ProGold may not have the snazzy marketing campaigns that some of the other lube companies have but what they do have is one amazing product. When I’ve had this stuff before I’ve been known to lie when asked if I had any lube on me while out on rides! It’s that good. ProGold extreme lube combines metal friction reducer technology with more persistent carriers and is designed for long-distance and extreme off-road conditions. The MFR technology bonds to metal surfaces and resists build-up and tackiness, in addition to shedding water. RRP is $24.95.

I haven’t had a chance to try ProGold degreaser out but I know a bunch of bike shops are using this stuff exclusively at the moment and swear by its effectiveness. This 473ml bottle will run you around $20 and will keep your drivetrain looking like new and running smooth.

Shane Armstrong pinning it down Corridor for 4th place overall. Photo Mead Norton

“Enduro”. It’s the buzzword that’s taken the world by storm in the last 12 months, even though it’s essentially what we’ve all been doing with our mates for years—cruising uphill and shredding back down. The main difference between what we all do and what we now call ‘Enduro’ is a stopwatch and, really, not a lot else.

Byron Scott trying to get his XC on and claw back some seconds on whippersnapper Sam Shaw. Photo Mead Norton

New Zealand’s longest running Enduro event, the Triple Crown, went off in Rotorua (‘off’ as in ‘good’, not like the smell of the place) on Sunday. Riders from all over the central North Island and as far away as Auckland came out to take part in this iconic event. With entries limited to “54ish” space was limited, entries filled quickly and many missed out on their spot when spaces were opened a month ago. There were a few notable no-shows; Rob Metz opted to remain flying under the radar, and Tom Holland steered clear after a big night out. Both of these guys could have been a threat and would have most likely been mixing it in the top ten, probably higher.

From up and coming XC World Cup racers, multi-sporters, washed up downhillers, current downhill top seeds, to those who simply wanted to give it a go, the field was as varied as the colours and styles of kit being worn, and bikes being ridden. It would seem really that anything goes when it comes to Enduro racing, and rightly so.

Gabby Molloy killed the women’s field by over a minute. Photo Mead Norton

This year saw a slight change in format for the Triple Crown, traditionally the stages have been long, with lots of pedalling and ‘liaison stages’ (transition between timed stages) have been via the Southstar Shuttles. This year things aligned closer to the European style of Enduro, with less pedalling, slightly shorter stages, and only an uplift to the first start line, with riders making their way to the following stages under their own steam (yes, that meant some climbing!)

Stage one from Tihi-o-Tawa to the end of Billy T was a bit sloppy after recent rains and proved difficult to keep the speed up, especially if you fell victim to one of the many slippery roots strewn down Tihi. Once onto the more familiar and less squidgy, Billy T, the throttle was easily held open to the finish line. No one got it easy down this stage, with many overcooking things early in Tihi and taking a spill, while others blew to corners lower down as fatigue set in. Byron Scott took the early lead by 3 seconds over Matt Walker and 7 over Sam Shaw, while the rest of the field was at least 15 seconds back.

After a late night, I was happy to squeeze into the top ten. Photo Mead Norton

A bit of cruisy climbing to stage 2, Hot-X, allowed some speculation about who was going to take the overall win and the chance to heckle each other, or for some it was quiet reflection on what may have gone wrong on run 1. Most people had done a bit of a ‘recce’ down each track in the days leading up to the event so we all knew basically what to expect down Hot-X.  Sam Shaw was hell bent on getting the lead and overcooked things early on, taking a digger over one of the rollers only metres into the track. We’ve got no idea what he did down the rest of the track, but he took the stage win by 5.5 seconds over Byron!

A longer liaison this time, with multiple ways to get to the third and final stage, although all included a decent climb to get to the start line. The final descent included a variety of trails, from the wide open and bermed Corridor, into the tighter and techier Eastern Spice and finishing with the rougher Old Exit. This time around Sam lit the after-burners, tearing down the open section of Corridor like a BMXer down the first straight, the crowd stood by with jaws on the ground as Sam put on his display of dominance. Byron and Matt Walker both ripped down the top section, with Matt showing his BMX roots but finishing 10 seconds down on Sam, although 4 seconds up on Byron.

Firing out of the bottom of the course the stoke was visible on everyone’s faces as they discussed the days shredding and looked forward to the next Triple Crown 12 months away! Results were kept under wraps until prize giving and as everyone flocked to the hot chips, speculation was mounting; who had won?

After some close racing, some mud in the eyes, and some fists full of hot chips the podium was presented. Sam Shaw took win, with Byron Scott roughly 14.5 seconds back, and Matt Walker just shy of 2 seconds behind him.

Sam Shaw looking casual as hell on his way to a 14 second win. Photo Mead Norton

The other prize of the day went to Sam Shaw (yes, again), taking out the Paddy Avery Hot-X trophy for the fastest time down that trail. Last year Patrick Avery passed away just a few months after winning the Hot-X stage of Triple Crown. Paddy loved the event and was amazing to watch as he tore down the hill with seat at full XC height and a huge grin across his face as he crossed each finish line. As a memorial to Paddy, Murray Avery (Paddy’s father) designed and made a trophy that will be awarded to the fastest rider down Hot-X at the Triple Crown from here on, and this year it was Sam’s turn.

Once again Triple Crown was pure awesomeness, but these things don’t happen by fluke, and a special thanks must go out to Kim McVicker who organised the whole deal, and Dave Hamilton, Dave Rose and John Stulen for the timing. You guys are all legends!

A big shoutout to Bike Culture, Spoke, Ranga, Southstar Shuttles, Zippy’s and all the other sponsors for getting behind the event.

See you next year!

A while back we posted up a video from the big S announcing that they were releasing wheels with no beads. Beadless wheels, if you will. Well one time Spoke contributor Vernon Felton from Bike took a trip to Specialized to check these new wheels out in person and to get the lowdown from rim product manager and trail shredder Joe Buckley.

Troy Lee’s (re)entry into the open face helmet market has been a long time coming. Their new A1 Cyclops helmet has been three years in design and thank goodness that wasn’t for nought! Al and Rick from the Troy Lee distributors both showed up the the Dodzy Enduro sporting the Gold Flake version of the helmet and at the time I was pretty confident I’d never be caught dead in it. Fast forward to a few weeks back when an XL/XXL showed up for me to ride and now my tune has most definitely changed.

Helmets are a hard thing to write about or review. I mean unless you crash in them there’s really only two things you can talk about, one being fit and retention, and the other being airflow.

The A1′s fit (for my head) is a match made in heaven; this thing fits like a glove. I’m about in the middle of the dial setting and without doing the chin strap up I’d be confident riding a track like Billy T in Rotorua or North Face in Wellington, knowing that the helmet would stay put if I slammed (for the initial impact anyhow), the fit is that good! The strap is just added security. In fact the only downside is when I stop to take a photo, I have to take it completely off, I can’t just push it back like some other (not so well fitting) helmets I own. If you’re thinking of sticking a GoPro mount on it, this solid fit is a huge plus.

As far as the vents go, I know it doesn’t look like the coolest helmet, and I’m yet to ride it in the heat of summer, but airflow is definitely not wanting. I’ve been on a few long rides in this thing and have not overheated once, but I’ll have to wait for summer for the full verdict.

In terms of the shape like all new enduro and all-mountain helmets the A1 offers a bit more protection lower on the back of your head. Initially I thought this might get in the way of my camera bag or my CamelBak, but after riding in it with both it sits well clear and in fact feels like a pretty standard XC lid.

So after riding in this thing for the last few weeks I figured  it would be rude of us not to give you the chance of easily owning one yourself, so we’ve just added them to our webshop with free shipping!

Conor Macfarlane nabs the cover and a rad feature story.
A couple of German tourists ditch the trailers to sample the best of Kiwi singletrack.
The Wide Open crew reunite for a party on wheels in the south.

We hit up the Dodzy Memorial Enduro and remember the legend by shredding epic singletrack.

Further afield, Rene Wildhaber and Ross Schnell unearth the roots of mountain biking and Paul Larkin gives us the inside line on the World CX Champs. There’s the usual dirty cocktail of the most interesting mountain bikers, offbeat tales and of course the best photography out there. Get it direct from our webshop or online at Zinio, on the Apple Newstand and wherever the best New Zealand  MTB mag is sold.

“The Bear Claw A.K.A. Darren Berrecloth confirms for the 2013 Melrose Fat Tyre Festival supported by Schwalbe Tyres.

The Slopestyle legend Darren “Bear Claw” Berrecloth has recently confirmed he will be attending the 2013 Melrose Fat Tyre Festival from June 7 – 10 2013.

Darren recently starred in the movie Where the Trail Ends and is widely known for his exploits in the slopestyle scene. The Crankworx Whistler champion is “dropping into Melrose” on his way to the Munich X games on June 27 – 30 and is “stoked to come and hang out at our event.”

‘Darren has an incredibly busy schedule during the northern summer and this year is no exception so we are really lucky and super excited that he has chosen to come to the Flinders Ranges’, said Richard Bruce, one of the event organisers.

The Claw will be running some skills sessions, participating in the Super D Enduro and having some fun at the Bicycle Speedway challenge.”