About 12 months ago, Shimano released a much-anticipated version of XTR – the new 12-speed M9100. It offered what so many people wanted – a wider range from Shimano, and they delivered with a 10-51 cassette. But they also delivered a 10-45 cassette, 4-pot XTR Trail brakes and a lighter Race brake, a new crank […]
Archives for May 2019
Final Stage of Port to Port delivers singletrack heaven in Newcastle
Revered as some of the finest singletrack in the country the Port to Port have made a conscious effort to string together one of the funnest stages of any MTB stage race in Australia. Riders were spared any long significant hill climbs today much to the relief of most riders after the brutal climb of […]
Port to Port stage 3 up and down the mountain we go!
The longest and most difficult stage of the Port to Port is agreed by most to be stage 3. In years past this has been the stage where teams are able to create bigger time gaps to gain or solidify the race lead. This year was shaping up to be no different with close racing […]
Port to Port stage 2: Thrills and spills at Killingworth
Stage 2 of the Port to Port MTB stage race was spoken highly of from competitors who raced a similar course in 2018, high expectations were justified as riders roared through the hard pack yet flowy singletrails of the Southern Hunter Valley. With narrow margins on the GC for the men’s pairs an exciting race […]
Trek and Pivot release new XC bikes
Trek and Pivot have just released updates to their cross-country full-suspension bikes, and the trend towards longer travel, longer reach, slacker head angles and all-round more capable bikes doesn’t look to be slowing down. We think this is another great step, with more companies building bikes that probably suit their world-class riders, but really do […]
High drama on Port to Port stage 1 as interstate riders take the spoils.
The Port to Port now in its 6th year has undoubtedly become one of the premier MTB events on the Australian calendar. With hundreds of riders coming from all over the country and world to compete, news of the race’s amazing trail network and slick organisation has spread far and wide over the race’s short […]
Racing bikes in the beautiful Ardennes – Belgian Mountainbike Challenge 2019
Belgian Mountainbike Challenge has become a yearly highlight for me and many other enthusiastic racers. The Ardennes are undeniably beautiful, a rolling range of green wooded hills hold a plethora of rooty and rocky descents. Whilst spectacular it can be a cruel place for a bike race with super steep climbs, the worst being the […]
Pro Bike Check: The Pivot LES of the Stan’s-Pivot Pro Team p/b Maxxis
The Pivot LES hardtail proves efficiency can be effective in a world of full-suspensions.
On test: Camelbak Ultra 10 Vest
The world of marathon and stage racing has some unique demands on equipment, especially when weather, nutrition and self-sufficiency come into play. After Mike raved about the Camelbak Octane 10, it was time to find a large but light pack for myself. The Camelbak Ultra 10 is superlight at just 280g for the bag, and […]
Our European editor finishes 2nd at Roc d’Ardenne!
Switzerland’s Konny Looser won Sunday’s Big Roc Marathon which was a round of the UCI World Marathon Series. Our editor Ben Thomas finished second. Frans Claes was the first Belgian in fourth position. The Roc Marathon is the official UCI race for women and a 83km marathon against the clock for experienced mountainbikers looking for […]