This has been an incredible journey, and the partnership has helped our racers achieve an impressive set of goals and dreams—2 UCI World Cup Downhill overall titles, 10 UCI World Cups wins by Greg Minnaar, 3 World Cup wins and a historic World Championship title by Steve Peat, and a Junior World Championship title by Josh Bryceland. These results were made possible using SRAM, Rockshox, Truvativ and Avid products, along with the world-class technical support of the SRAM team.

Working closely with John Dawson and Jon Cancellier on prototype Black Box projects and receiving their on-site support was a pleasure, and our heartfelt thanks go out to them for their years of dedication to the Syndicate. Thank you also to Dave Zimberoff for making the partnership possible.

Steve Peat says, “Leaving SRAM is a tough one for me. I have been with RockShox for 16 years so you could say the brand is engraved in me. But like most things in life nothing lasts forever and it has been a great time over the last 16 years. I want to thank each and every person at RockShox and SRAM who have helped me achieve my goals in my career. I have made lots of friends and had some fun times. Thanks guys!”

Greg Minnaar says, “Since joining the Syndicate in 2008 your support has been incredible. Thanks to all the crew that work hard behind the scenes making sure our Black Box equipment was keeping us ahead of the rest.”

Josh Bryceland says, “I’ve ridden SRAM since I started mountain biking and I’ve come far using their products. Times change and so do sponsors, thanks for 4 years on the Syndicate without a mechanical in a race run.”

Rob Roskopp says, “Our partnership with SRAM over the years saw many milestones achieved, Steve Peat’s 2009 World Championship in Canberra, Greg Minnaar’s win at Maribor in 2010 aboard the first carbon bike to take a World Cup win, and countless podiums over the last 8 years. I would like to thank the whole crew at SRAM for the great memories and support.”

Truvativ continues to pump out amazing videos which say more in three minutes than hours and hours of same-same web edits. This one is a profile of Nathan Riddle, a SRAM sponsored Super-D racer. In it he talks about his racing not being as important as his family to making his identity, as well as other poignant and refreshing insights into a man beyond the bike. Oh, and if you’re an internerd who does like the deeper stuff then keep watching because the riding segment is stellar. The guy looks like a jaguar draped over his handlebars and fast doesn’t look fast enough for him.

So after leaving the heat of the desert I jumped on a plane in Grand Junction and left Firsty and the Crank Brothers FJ and headed out to the best coast to catch up with Dain Zaffke (Easton’s marketing manager) and Mike Ferrentino (Santa Cruz’s dark lord) as well as a bunch of other Bay Area buddies. The Tallboy frame—which I had built up in Greg Herbolds’ Moab garage/shop with a few loaner parts from Firsty and the ex World Champ himself—was destined for its final build in Dain’s basement. So here it is in its final glory.

The Easton Haven Carbons are sex on wheels. Off the trail they look insane but on the trail they are bulletproof. Dain has been riding his set for over a year and he rides hard; his wheels are as straight and round as the day they rolled out the door. I tried my best to sneak a 140mm Revelation out of RockShox, but after riding the 140mm (set to 120mm) Reba for a week now I'm pretty damn impressed with the stiffness.

My old Elixirs have been stopping the mandarin machine but that awesome SRAM XO derailleur and XX cassette have kept things moving forward.

So if you're pedalling slowly my new ride is the Santa Cruz Tallboy. A 100mm VPP shredable carbon weapon, Seb kind of made them famous with his "drifting" video from a year or two ago.

Matt V from FSA kindly supplied the super stiff 27/42 FSA SLK cranks, there is a bit more SRAM goodness by the way of the black XO rear mech, and then there is the FOX RP23 which is pretty standard on Santa Cruz bikes and is an absolute proven performer.

Santa Cruz Peaty grips, Haven 710 carbon bars and what would have to be the raddest stem in existence, the Haven (55mm).

Too many cables, but one cool tapered head tube behind it all...

Right now though it’s bagged up in a Ground Effect Tardis, sitting in the Santa Cruz offices waiting to come with me to the airport. Not too long after that it will be rolling on good old windblown Wellington dirt.

Mark Weir and good friend Laurence Mote. Laurence warned Mark about the New Zealand sun, did he listen? Photo Caleb Smith

Mark Weir has been one of the most prominent faces of ‘All-Mountain’ riding and racing for the past few years and has certainly got a target on his back at any enduro / all-mountain event he competes in. Regardless of if that event is a full blown pro-fest (ie Downieville) or a supposedly friendly ride with the locals, he’s the man to beat. Mark has graced the pages of Spoke many times and after some major changes in his sponsorship setup we thought it was about time we let you a little further into his world. Ladies and Gents, Mark Weir….

How old are you (if you want to tell us)?
37 with a 50 year old body and 10 year old mind

Where do you live?
Novato, California, USA

Not only did Weir hand it to New Zealand's Santa Cruz distributor on the Wakamarina, he handed it to the trail. Here Weir threads the needle on the descent to Canvastown. Photo Caleb Smith

What do you like best about living where you do?
Family and friends, trails and and the riding community. If everything goes as planned we will even have a 14 acre bike park right down the street. A place for kids to ride safely, learn skills and respect each other’s efforts.

Mark climbing midway down Methven's backcountry epic, Scotts Saddle. Photo Caleb Smith

What do you dislike about living where you do?
NIMBY’s Not in my back yard rich yuppies. Horse shit on trails and dog lovers that don’t care about others enough to pick up their dog shit. Even worse they put it in a bag and leave it on the trail. Like that makes it better, now we have dog crap and plastic, that should break down fast…


How did you get involved in the MTB scene to begin with, and how long ago was that?
Being stalled-out after high school when my pro football contract never showed. I started drinking like a fish. Being fat for the first time was not all that bad till one day when I was shooting my BB gun. I was crouched over and caught my reflection in the window. What I saw was a layer of fat eclipsing my belt, looking like a stack of cottage cheese high and thick. That’s when my buddy said. “Hey chunky why do you choose to be fat?  Maybe you should get on a bike.” From there I never stopped. that was 18 years ago.

You’ve visited New Zealand a few times now, what is your best memory from your time here?
Well being a real fan of motor boating the jet boat ride with Mark Dickson was tough to beat. But overall maybe it was getting schooled by the unassuming tough guy Lawrence Mote. Him and Caleb gifted me some of the best trail I have ever ridden and showed me that American coffee is crap and so is the food.

Favourite trail you rode while in New Zealand?
Wharfdale I think the trail was? It was the last trail Mark Dixon brought us to. It was super flowy with the a great downhill angle with perfect rock to root to dirt ratio. I think I may be off on the trail name but it was 15 days and at least a couple rides a day. Maybe Mark can chime in?

Even more Canterbury foothill singletrack desecration. Photo Caleb Smith

What’s your ‘day’ job?
Working for WTB, PR and R&D. I also double as a ditch digger. I go shovel to shovel with any man. Moving dirt is one of my most favourite things to do. You show me flat ground and I show you lots of holes…

What’s the skinny behind your recent move from long time sponsor Santa Cruz to Cannondale, why the move after all these years?
Well that was just one of those things. It seemed we kind of grew apart and headed in different directions. I’m still close with all those guys they are great people and love riding bikes but it seemed I was not in the five year plan. I have always been working towards being more involved in trail access and getting more kids on bikes. Don’t get me wrong, racing bikes is something I will do till I am consistently considered pack-fill (maybe not far off).

In Marin were I live, we have spent the good part of that last few years working on getting places to ride for kids of all ages. My pump track really showed me the light. Just from a bunch of dirt made in to flow we built a community of mothers, fathers and kids that all have the same goal. Working with Cannondale gives team WTB a stronger motor and one of the top dealers in Mikes Bikes who is also behind the movement. With all of us working to make a difference for the next generation. I hope by the time my son Gus is riding he will have a place to do it safely without being a threat to the community. He is almost two now and he is already a threat to the walls in my house when he rides his strider….

High on Mt Roy on one of Al "nah we always climb over this deer fence" Heine's infamous "Heli Trips". Photo Caleb Smith

How will changing frame sponsor really affect you (and the WTB team) in the long term, will anything new actually be happening or will it be ‘business as usual’ for the team?
The frame change will not be much of a change in our day to day. We signed a two year deal, but I’ll do my part to make it last much longer. The people that I have talked to at Cannondale so far are my kind of people. They are very stoked on the ride and I can feel that when we talk.  What I do know is that they will bring much more presence to the all-mountain movement. That means riding, racing and working on solutions for more access for us to do. A big part of that will be started in our own back yard with the proposed Novato bike park. Like always we are crossing the fingers, nothing’s ever a guarantee in the land of the free.

Weir at the invite only Urge Carbo Verde event. Photo Sven Martin

How was your experience at the Urge Carbo Verdre (click to read Mark’s event report) event?
It was the the best mountain bike adventure I have ever done. The Urge crew, Fred Glo and Fabien Barel, are some of the best minds in the sport, to think they could put something like this together. Their vision shows how strong we can be as riders and people. The Urge humanitarian effort built by a group of like minded people will make change every place it visits for the better. These changes will change the community that they affect for years to come. I thank them for letting me join. To be around such great riders and people was one of the most humbling experiences I have ever had. This trip makes you want to make a difference. It was a true human growth experience.

What are your plans/goals for the coming Northern-Hemi summer?
As far as racing I have three seven day stage races planned. Transylvania Epic, BC bike race, and the Trans Provence endurance stage race in France. Also a bunch of the local stuff that I have been racing for years. Some great classics around these parts. A real high poster party. Maybe Caleb can make it out here with that big wheel?

You lost your house in a fire a couple of years back, I take it you managed to get back on your feet? What has been the most challenging part of that disaster?
Man what a shit storm. I still have not moved back in and I will not be for at least a few months. I’m still a sad guy when I think about it. The community and the culture has really changed. It was a meeting place and where a lot of good things started. I know it will be back like it was someday and I have what matters to me most my family, friends and a bike to ride. Life is still really good. Sometimes I do get a little pissed. People say it’s just things and your house, get over it. The stuff was not what was lost, the vibe was. The feeling that it created will forever just be a memory in our minds. Now we will just have to tilt our heads back and pour some new ones.  When the house is done it’s party time, you’re all invited.

Weir shralping volcanos in Carbo Verde. Photo Sven Martin

Who do you think was the most legendary MTB rider in the World ever?
Nicolas Vouilloz without a doubt. He is so amazing. Watching him ride at Cabo Verde was like watching an animation. He is so gifted and a really great person to boot.


The beard... and the bike. Cannondale's new $14,000NZD Carbon Jekyll. Photo Sven Martin

What is it with your facial hair? You trying to make up for a lack of something somewhere else?
The beard is a powerful tool. Scary when you need to be and also easy to talk to when you want it to be. Maybe it’s the hair I lost at 18 or the overwhelming feeling to fill in my face like an etch a sketch. It also is the gift that keeps giving. I just had dinner twice. It’s a great place to store leftovers.

What’s wrong with mountain biking?
Not enough people do it.

What’s right with mountain biking?
The ability to be alone with your thoughts.

Chasing New Zealand WTB distributor Mark Dickson down Christchurch's legendary Anaconda trail. Photo Caleb Smith

Who do you look up to?
My wife, family and my friends. We are just a refection of who surrounds us. I hope I can be everything to them that they are to me…

What are your vices?
Muddy trail rides, fresh tracks, Jeeps, guns and beer. In any order.

OK, a bit of word association-
- Dirt jump: Slap!
- Cross Country: Highposter
- Downhill racing: Faltbill
- All Mountain: Washed-up bike racer

“Mouth open hard efforts change the world one mind at a time…”

Thanks for the opportunity and I hope you guys are all okay after the earthquake. Our thoughts are with you ALL

thanks for taking the time Mark!

With Brenda Clapp racing, Chris Burr needed a new wench for his Fringe Hill establishment. Ms. Laurence Mote answered the call.

Nelson’s George Bennett demolished the race record as Saturday’s fourth Santa Cruz Coppermine Epic mountain bike race attracted a larger and more competitive field of riders than in previous years. Riders came from throughout the country to test their skills and fitness on some of New Zealand’s best trails in arguably the country’s toughest mountain bike race.
Bennett, who recently turned professional, rode away from the rest of the field to win in an incredible 2hr 3min 15sec, smashing the previous course record by six minutes. He made a break from the talented men’s field—which included last year’s winner Robin Reid, an Olympic time trial representative; Tim Wilding, the 2007 NZ Xterra and 2009 singlespeed champion; and Richard Ussher, arguably the world’s best multisport athlete—only minutes after the start.

Chris Burr and his mobile Sprig and Fern bar has become a welcome sight for regular Coppermine Epic entrants.

Once Bennett attacked the other riders, he wasn’t seen again until the finish line. He was several minutes ahead at the top of Fringed Hill, but a poorly tuned bike almost cost him his lead. Wilding had chased hard all the way down the Maitai Valley, and it almost paid off in the finish loop as Bennett lost his chain. Just as he regained it, Wilding appeared, charging hard for the line. Wilding finished second in 2hr 3min 37sec. Ussher came home for third place in 2hr 7min 49sec.

The women’s race was also hotly contested, with the lead changing only minutes from the finish line when Suzie Wood also had mechanical problems, jamming her chain. Maggie Bichard seized the opportunity and won in 2hr 35min 9sec, leaving Wood to take second place in 2hr 38min 9sec, with Brenda Clapp third in 2hr 45min 10sec.

The winners walked away with $500 from NBS and performance prizes from Macpac.

The course was in an excellent condition, aided by work the Nelson City Council recently completed. The Coppermine loop is widely regarded by recreational cyclists as one of New Zealand’s best rides.

The race has two courses, climbing to Coppermine Saddle through the mineral belt and returning to Nelson down the Maitai Valley. The courses cater for recreational to expert riders.

All riders were glad to cross the finish line, where they were rewarded with liquid refreshments from the Sprig and Fern and a seafood barbecue provided by Solander. Many riders also took up the option of some therapy for sore legs, with a rub-down from Massage Works waiting to greet them.

Full Results here

Not wanting to leave T Rex (Tim Wilding) out, I should mention that he too will be rocking a new steed for the Huka XL, but unlike Samara’s, his has clown wheels and is made of plastic. Well, carbon actually, and as you can see from these pics it’s a pretty sweet build. Tim says his gear selection and cadence hasn’t changed at all on his new Santa Cruz Tallboy with the switch to 29er wheels which can only mean one thing; he’s going faster than normal. And unlike the rest of the pro field racing at the Huka XL, Mr Rex has a little extra riding on it. You see he works for Contact (Taupo’s main sponsor) and I’m sure there is pressure round the water cooler to back up his Lake Hawea Contact Epic first place with a second win in Taupo (he did take the win at the inaugural event). So it looks like Cabin and T Rex will be battling it out for 29er supremacy this weekend which will be very interesting to watch (not that I’ll be able to see from the back of the field…).

XTR goodness out back, Fox F29 up front... damn son!

Tim's gone for the murdered out look with the build. Although it doesn't look like he was brave enough to unload the can of matt black plasticote on the forks.

Seb shredding the gnar on board a carbon v10. Photo Jordan Manley

Whistler, BC. 24th June 2010. I will remember this date for a long time to come, and for two excellent reasons. Firstly, I got my grubby mitts on a Carbon V-10. Secondly, I had the opportunity to meet and work with uber photog dude, Jordan Manley.I’ll make this brief as it’s almost midnight and I’ve only just got in from having my mind melted on the trails of the Bike Park today. I need to sleep so I can be up early to do it all over again.
Santa Cruz Bikes has been hosting a bunch of engineers and media in Whistler all week giving them some trail time aboard the brand new carbon V-10 (or v-10.4). Spoke didn’t get invited but I did manage to slip in the side door and get some time aboard this machine.

A thing of beauty. Lighter than Tim Ceci's All-Mountain machine. Ah mate!

I will try to save my blushing love crush psycho babble of this bike but I will say that it does make you faster…a lot faster. The cherry on the top was being told that Santa Cruz needed some more photos and so hooked Jordan Manley and myself up together for an afternoon’s schralping and shooting.

An entire garage of v-10s stacked upon each other. Drool.

I’m not sure if Jordan Manley is known that well in New Zealand, so if you aren’t acquainted with his work then check HERE for his website (yes that opening shot is ridiculous and won him Bike Magazine photo of the year in 2009) and then click HERE.

This is the wonder kid of photography that has other legends of shooting describing him as “intimidating.” He’s won the Deep Winter photo contest three times in a row and will be turning his eye to the Saint Deep Summer photo contest in August.

Carbon Edge DH rims. Even the Syndicate don't have these yet. They are so stiff that changing direction is done by simply thinking where you would like to go.

So when I meet Jordan and he tells me he has a shot in mind that requires a giant ladder and a specific time of the day to grasp the correct light in the trees, I pretty much giggled like a schoolgirl and fawned. We spent a great afternoon shooting dusty berms in fields of green whilst bears wandered into shot as if on cue, then an evening deep in the woods trying to push a berm back a couple of inches. It sounds super gay when I say it like that but hopefully when the images pop it won’t seem so fruity.

Cane Creek Angleset allows you to tune head angle by -1/+1 degree, Carbon Edge DH bars cut down to 760mm and 2011 RockShox Boxxer World Cup internals I believe. Flash!

I rode the same bike that Spomer from VitalMTB had been riding earlier in the week. It weighed 33.5lbs without pedals. Click here for Spomer’s early report on VITALMTB. There are far more details about this incredible machine there.

All I’ll say is that after four years of riding the Whistler Bike Park I know all my lines, braking points, and each root and rock extremely well. But straight away I was hitting things faster and harder than I’ve ever been able to do, and comfortably so. On one of my favourite and most ridden trail combos I found myself not just braking later or less, but totally not needing to brake at all coming into some corners. The bike helps you go a lot faster if you want it, but it does so so comfortably. Other pedigree bikes are just as fast, but you feel like you are on the edge of a very sharp knife doing so. That’s enough of my opinion for now…
For more rambling, blabbering potty mouthed absurdity and terrible grammar, then check out 2FLAT.

Rob Roskopp surprised the boys with a race session challenge for Thursday and the focus was on, best time of 2 runs and the slowest man down would have to wear a dress to dinner.  Steve smashed out a winning time of 2:46.78 and Greg, Josh and CG were all on the same second, 2:49.84, 2:49.03 and 2:49.57 respectively, with Greg having to man up (or down??) and wear the designer dress.  Lots of laughs were had at dinner and Greg found a new respect for what us ladies have to go through.  Can’t even begin to describe CG’s antics and tribute to Michael Jackson.

Friday we made the drive down to Lisbon with clouds rolling in.  It didn’t look promising, and the morning of the Lisbon downtown race the rain started just as the first practice run was about to commence.  The marble cobbles are slippery enough when dry, and when wet were like ice.  At times the rain was heavy, and after three practice runs a meeting was called to access the situation to race or not.  The decision was made to race and the qualification began.

Greg and Josh qualified in the top five, and Steve slipped off the first wood ramp losing time, and still qualified.  The race was on, and the live broadcast on Eurosport captured the thrills and spills for millions to see.  Unfortunately for the Syndicate the spills of Steve and Josh further dampened the day.  Luckily they were not seriously hurt, but it was said that Steve’s time was four seconds ahead when he hit the cobbles on his backside.  Greg took a quick and cautious run, which was good enough for a third place podium spot.  Portuguese racer Paulo Domingues was the winner and the Syndicate toasted him with ice cold beers opened by Greg and Steve on a spinning rear wheel.  Special thanks go out to Fernando and Inacio for their diligence to pull the race off under such conditions and for their attention to us at the event!

Trying to fly out of Lisbon on Sunday was touch and go with effects from the volcano impacting flights in Portugal and Italy.  Luckily Steve and Josh got out of town just in time as Frankfurt airport shut down. Greg, Rob, Lepa and I were stranded in Lisbon for another day and rebooked our flights for an alternate airport.  We enjoyed the Mother’s Day brunch at the hotel and finally got out the next day to Italy.

Crossing fingers that our flights out of Milan tomorrow actually depart to get us to Maribor for the first World Cup of the season and that the ash cloud stays away from the UK to get Josh and Steve in on time!

Thanks go out to the amazing hospitality at Quintal de Além do Ribeiro, the most charming hotel in Lousa.  From the home cooked meals to the personal attention from Felipe, many thanks!
Lisbon Downtown top 5:
1st     Paulo Domingues 1:46.122
2nd    Filip Polc (MS Evil Racing) – 1:46. 172
3rd     Greg Minnaar (Santa Cruz Syndicate) – 1:46.780
4th     Michael Hannah (GT Bicycles) – 1:49.070
5th     Emanuel Pombo (Liberty Specialized) – 1:50.393

The below are uncapitalised words direct from Santa Cruz marketing guru Mike Ferrintino.

“there have been rumors floating around for a while now about a carbon v-10 downhill bike, and the level of speculation has run the gamut from badly photoshopped alloy v-10s with carbon weave laid on the image to some very astute guesswork. none of the rumor-mongering or speculation was created by us, since we have been really busy spitting out other bikes and haven’t had the time nor the organizational chops to pull together a subversive, anti-marketing, marketing campaign.

instead, we kept things tightly sealed for as long as we could, then let dirt magazine’s favorite welshman have the scoop.

anyway, there IS a new carbon v-10 in the works. the syndicate is in lousa, portugal right now testing the bike, and will be throwing it into the crucible of race competition at the lisboa downtown event, followed by what is shaping up to be a ripper of a world cup season. aside from greg minnaar squeezing in a few rides in california before heading to portugal, this testing is the first time any of the syndicate riders have swung a leg over the new bike. it’s also the first time the engineers have had anything other than some test lab samples to play with.

we’ve attached the specs and geo for the new bike, along with a basic crib sheet of the differences. it is a very different bike than the v-10 preceding it. in addition to the carbon front triangle, the bike now uses a driver 8 swingarm, can be adjusted between 8.5 and 10 inches of travel, and has an adjustable head angle independent of the travel adjustment. most of the details contained in the crib sheet are pretty solid, but please understand that this is a work in progress, and that there is always the possibility that some of this info will be different by the time the bike is available to the public.

regarding public availability? yes, one day. don’t expect to see any of the new bikes before interbike though. similarly, pricing and color options are still being worked on. as they say in the car commercials – “specifications subject to change without notice.”

PDF with all the tech specs right here

Pink Bike has a 15 minute interview wih Cedric Gracia from Sea Otter. CG fills us in on his new team ‘Racing Brigade’, updates us on his recovery from injury last year, and talks us through his V10 & Nickel 4x bike. Did I hear him say that the new V10 is going to be a different material? Hmmm . . . . finally a carbon V10?

Carbon Fibre Frame
The new Nomad-c marks our fourth carbon fibre bike, and is the culmination of what has been a very enlightening process for us, pun intended. In this case, the move to a carbon fiber chassis has chopped a whopping 1.25 pounds off the weight of the aluminum Nomad, while at the same time increasing strength and stiffness by large margins. The existing aluminum Nomad isn’t exactly a porker in terms of weight or a wilting violet with regard to strength, so being able to reduce weight by that much and at the same time increase strength and stiffness, without skimping on any features, is about as much of a win-win scenario as we could hope for. It’s light. We are seeing frames weighing in at 6.1 pounds with a RockShox Monarch 3.3 shock.

(Bear in mind, this is a tad heavier than the 5.9 pounds that is floating around out there on an early-print pdf of the marketing tri-fold for the Nomad that somebody leaked onto the interwebs before we intended anything to go public. That’s what happens when the wrong info gets out before all the proof reading is done. And before anyone calls foul about using a light shock like a Monarch for a hard hitting bike like the Nomad, add a third of a pound for a Fox DHX air, or just over a pound for a DHX RC4 coil. Then go compare…)

There are three key aspects to our carbon fiber process that differentiate it from many others and at the same time allow us to achieve the strength (and stiffness) to weight characteristics that we are so in love with. They are:

One piece lay-up and curing
By laying up and curing the entire front triangle as a single piece, instead of assembling or bonding pieces together during the process, less material can be used to achieve the same end. Suspension pivots, disc mounts and the ISCG05 tabs are all molded into the frame in this process. Additionally, we overbuilt things in critical areas. The underside of the downtube features five layers of UD fiber, two of aramid fiber, and one of 3k weave, in order to thrive in sharp and pointy environments. The chainstays also benefit from extra layers of material. These all serve as added insurance in rocky terrain.
Continuing fibers around tube junctions
One piece lay-up and molding allows the use of continuous fibers throughout the frame, meaning the structure can more widely distribute loads and absorb impact energy.
Net shape lay-up and fiber compaction
Our proprietary manufacturing process allows us to precisely control both the outside and inside frame shape while compacting the laminate layers, which in turn results in superior stiffness and strength while eliminating excess material.

We don’t have any fancy acronyms for this, but it is unique – nobody else is making carbon fiber mountain bikes this way at this time. And, while we don’t have the selling power of a carefully focus-grouped nickname behind the process, the results are pretty enough that we are proud to show off what the insides of our frames look like. You’d be surprised what you might find inside some of the other frames out there…

VPP Suspension

The suspension on the Nomad-c is the same as found on the aluminum Nomad, featuring our latest generation Virtual Pivot Point design with 160mm of travel. VPP is defined by a pair of counter-rotating links that offer a falling- to rising- shock rate, and instant center migration traits that minimize chain growth and maintain lively pedaling with a designed-in degree of anti-squat. The shock rate allows for plush, compliant suspension behavior in the early part of travel, letting the shock react quickly to trail garbage and smaller impacts. Then, as the shock rate flips a to rising rate later in the travel, it offers a nice progression to resist bottom out near the end of the stroke. The end result is a suspension that performs exceptionally well over a very diverse range of terrain AND at the same time pedals with an efficiency throughout that outshines many bikes with less travel.

An important aspect of our VPP suspension is the hardware. The lower link is aluminum and has a pair of grease ports built in to ease maintenance, while the upper link is molded carbon fiber. Pivot axles are 15mm diameter aluminum pieces that thread into the frame on one side, and have nifty locking collet heads on the other – this allows them to tighten down and correctly preload the angular contact pivot bearings (another not-so-common piece of hardware) to keep everything moving smoothly and at the same time wiggle-free. By threading into one side of the frame and then locking into the other, the pivot hardware plays an important part in ensuring that all these carefully designed, stiff, flex hating pieces of bike continue to behave in a stiff and flex-hating fashion. They also are designed to allow for easy removal for servicing when the time comes – no need to remove the cranks or disassemble the bike around the pivot hardware.

Attention to Detail, and stuff…

Alongside the carbon fiber makeover, the VPP suspension, and the trickest pivot hardware in the world, we added an impact absorbent protection strip underneath the downtube and along the drive side chainstay and seatstay. There’s a metal plate where the chainsuck gremlins usually strike. You’ll find cable stops for dropper seatposts integrated into the frame. An ISCG05 chainguide mount is molded into the bottom bracket area during lay-up, as are the disc brake tabs and dropouts. There’s a 1.5″ headtube up front, since we figured this bike would probably be getting treated with a bit more abuse than most taper-steerer forks would be intended to see. You can have it any color you want, so long as you like white with black decals or a matte carbon color with gold pinstripey decals.

The Nomad-c will also be available for delivery starting mid-June, in all the usual build options per our website (but we won’t have a page up for this specific model for a few more weeks. Hang in there, we’re working on some crunchy new website goodness!), with prices starting at $2499 US MSRP (read that again, US MSRP) for a frame and Monarch 3.3 shock.

I just thought i’d add that contrary to some rumors out there I can keep secrets… Case in point the Nomadc… You see i’ve had this picture on my computer since October and as you can see its a nice black Carbon Nomadc with Edge Composite wheels… Just Saying

Coppermine winners Harriet and Robin, there must be free beer over to the left or something.

The Santa Cruz Coppermine Epic mountain bike race, now in its third year, attracted a large, diverse and competitive field of riders on Saturday 21st February. Riders came from all over to test their skills and fitness against some of New Zealand’s best trails and arguably its toughest mountain bike race.  Full results here.

The entry list showed a mix of talented riders, Robin Reid (Olympic Time Trail rep), Tim Wilding (2007 NZ Xterra and 2009 Singlespeed champ), Andy Reid (2nd Kiwi Brevet), Susy Wood (national cycling representative), Lisa Savage (seasoned adventure and multi-sport racer), Harriet Harper (2009 national downhill champ and world representative) and Anja MacDonald (2007 XC mountain bike champ).

Even if you suck it's worth entering the Coppermine just for a chance to win this sweet Santa Cruz Heckler.

This year, the course was faster and more ridable with new work on the challenging Boulder Valley.  This meant competitors spent more time riding their bikes, as opposed to running.  It was still challenging enough, only two competitors this year could ride all of Boulder Valley, Spoke Magazine’s Leif Roy was one of them.

The race has two courses which climb the Dun Mountain rail trail and through into the mineral belt.  They then descend from Coppermine Saddle down the highly challenging Boulder Valley to the Maitai Dam and out via the Maitai River track to the finish line at Almond tree flat.

It was notable that the top 3 male and female riders of the Epic class had ridden Santa Cruz full suspension bikes, which obviously suited the course.

Richmond’s Robin Reid, former Olympian NZ time trial representative, won the race in a very fast time of 2.09.24. Reid held off the TimWilding, of Wellington (2007 NZ Xterra Champ and 2009 Single Speed National champ, who rode to Nelson from Picton the day before!).
Local, Ethan Glover narrowly held into third place, after repairing a puncture on the course.
Fourth place went to Andy Reid, who performed exceptionally well considering he had finished in second place in the 1200km, multi- day event, the Kiwi Brevet only two weeks prior.  It was surprising to see him racing; other Kiwi Brevet competitors didn’t even want to look at a bicycle.

The Woman’s Epic race was very competitive and again a field of multi-talented riders.
Blenheim’s, Harriet Harper (current NZ National Downhill Champion), finished first in an incredibly fast time of 2.38.56, which put her 13th overall.  Harper overtook many riders in the technically challenging parts of the course on Black Diamond Ridge and Boulder Valley.
Harper will be off to Wellington next week to defend her downhill title at the National Mountain Bike Champs.
Richmond’s, Susy Wood brought in second place and was noted that she set a scorching pace up ‘The Classic’ climb.  Wood had a train of riders trying to keep up with her speed on this long and difficult climb. Seasoned national Cross Country racer Cathy Hamer of Hokitika secured third place.

Last year’s women’s winner, Lisa Savage, didn’t have the speed this year and was obviously recovering from her amazing effort in the Kiwi Brevet.

The men’s Enduro race was won by Richmond’s Gazza Milbank (also riding a Santa Cruz mountain bike) in a very fast time of 2:11:06. The woman’s Enduro race was won by Nelson rider Alicja Maslowska in 2:45:04.

All riders were glad to cross the finish line where they were rewarded with liquid refreshments from the Sprig & Fern and a BBQ of gourmet seafood provided by Solander, with an option of a massage waiting.

Here you were thinking that the Carbon V10s were here. But alas no, however we just received a press release announcing that one of the Syndicate Team’s new partners is Edge Composites. Edge make bullet proof carbon fibre wheelsets, and setting them up on World Cup DH rigs is a brave move from the Syndicate but obviously something they are pretty confident about. The press release also confirms the resigning of Steve Peat, Greg Minnaar and Josh Bryceland for 2010. Full Press Release Below

The crowning of Steve Peat as 2009 World Champion put an exclamation point on the Santa Cruz Syndicate’s domination of the downhill arena for the past few years.  Peat’s 2009 season put him in the history books – 17 career World Cup downhill wins, 50 World Cup career downhill podiums and finally the elusive championship – and he alongside teammate Greg Minnaar pushed the Syndicate to the pinnacle of success.  Minnaar won three World Cup downhills in his first season aboard the Santa Cruz V-10 and captured the UCI World Cup overall in 2008.  He continued his charge in 2009, winning three more World Cup races, thus scoring 6 of his 11-career World Cup wins during his two-year stint with the Syndicate.  Young gun Josh Bryceland’s contributions to the squad with his Junior World Championship title in 2008 and 13^th overall World Cup performance in ’09 has made the Syndicate the UCI #1 Downhill Team for two years in a row.

This success is only possible with the best products, riders and support out there.   We would like to welcome our new sponsors to the Syndicate for 2010 and thank continuing sponsors for their commitment to the program.  Our new partners are Edge Composite carbon wheels, Chris King for headsets and hubs and we are back on board with Maxxis Tires.  Muc-Off has added their top of the line lubes and cleaners for Syndicate use and we greatly appreciate the continued support from SRAM, RockShox, Truvativ, Avid, WTB, Crankbrothers, Lizard Skins and Clif Bar.

The Syndicate roster remains stacked with reigning World Champion Steve Peat, Greg Minnaar and Josh Bryceland pinning it in the downhill arena, Jamie Goldman rocking the freeride world, and John Waddell is down under racing XC and endurance races.

Rob Roskopp, owner and CEO of Santa Cruz Bicycles, says, “ I’m excited to see the Syndicate continue on for the coming years. It’s been a huge source for R&D, allowing us to come out with so many advanced products in such a short time. Having such a dynamic group of people has contributed to the overall success of Santa Cruz Bicycles.”

“Syndicate represents some of the best racers in the world, so what better program to show off our range of SRAM, RockShox, Avid and Truvativ product?  SRAM is proud to be part of the fun that is mountain bike racing.  SRAM loves racing, and of course winning so the Syndicate is an ideal fit.  We’re looking forward to another great season!” ~ Eric Schutt, SRAM

“We at EDGE are very excited to be working with the Syndicate, we are excited to see the result of great product paired with great performance. We feel the DH environment and extreme capabilities of the riders will be the most defining way to demonstrate what sets the EDGE branded products apart from all others.” ~ Jason Schiers , EDGE Composites

“Maxxis is delighted to be back working with the Santa Cruz Syndicate.  We have long admired their quest for perfection and with riders such as Peaty, Greg and Josh on board we are not only looking forward to more podium success but also the R+D feedback that such an experienced team can provide.’’  ~ Leo Liao, Maxxis

“I’ve had 2 great years with the Syndicate, so why change something that works?  We have a couple new changes to our Santa Cruz V-10 for 2010.  We going to be rolling on carbon with EDGE Composite rims, we will continue to be Powered by SRAM/RockShox and would like to welcome back the best rubber in the business, Maxxis.  With a V-10 set up with such amazing equipment, I can’t wait for the season to kick off!” ~ Greg Minnaar

“Its great to be part of the Syndicate family again.  We have built up a pretty special group over the years and I feel we have the best support from Santa Cruz Bicycles and all our affiliate sponsors. Whether I am out riding my V-10 or one of the many great bikes Santa Cruz makes, I am always happy and having fun because I know I’m on the right equipment.  The Syndicate program has gone from strength to strength over the years and 2010 is no exception.  We have had test sessions on new equipment that I think will raise our game considerably for the coming season.”  ~ Steve Peat

“I’m Superstoked to be spanking some shred with the raddest savages in the settlement!” ~ Josh Bryceland