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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
First rides on the 2020 Norco Revolver
The Norco Revolver FS has been the bike of choice for the MarathonMTB.com Team since 2016. After we finished racing on Bianchi mountain bikes when they were no longer available in Australia, we needed a bike that climbed well, was light, and easy to service. The Norco Revolver 29 FS was all those things, with […]
Bike Check: Nino Schurter’s Scott Spark for the 2019 Cape Epic
Nino Schurter is lining up for his 6th Cape Epic, and after a less than ideal race in 2018, he will be out to make amends in 2019. A last minute change sees the flying Swiss racing with Lars Forster, not Andri Frischknecht. Andri was struggling with some health issues at the team camp in […]
FIRST RIDES: Scope O2 carbon MTB wheels
Not a week goes by without another carbon wheel option coming up – although this seems far more common in road cycling than in mountain biking. Still, the options are growing. And you know what? There are lots of really good options coming out. I have been really happy with wheels from Kappius, rims from […]
One year on Nextie NXT29AS30 carbon wheels
Last November we previewed the build of some Nextie NXT29AS30 rims that would be the new race wheels for MarathonMTB.com Team racer Imogen Smith. Having raced on NoTubes Valor rims for over three seasons, then spent some time on an earlier generation of 30mm Nextie rims, Imogen knew she wanted something wider than the Valors, […]
We test the Camelbak Octane 10 backpack
There is a lot to be said for having the right equipment. The trouble is, what is right for one event or purpose, isn’t always right for another. The Camelbak Chase Bike Vest has been really popular not just amongst our team of riders, but globally as well. The Chase Bike Vest is stable, can carry […]
New BikeYoke Divine SL Dropper weighs less than 350g
BikeYoke’s popular Revive dropper post runs reliably with a built in bleeding function, and they have had lots of requests for a shorter travel, reliable and superlight dropper post for the Marathon and XC riding and racing. BikeYoke did their homework, to figure out the exact demands for a short travel and light weight post. […]