Ever since Shimano XTR M9000 and XTR Di2 were released in 2014, riders, bike mechanics, and tech gurus have been weighing up the benefits and disadvantages of each system. And this has also involved, quite literally, weighing the components of each system as well. I have been a long-time user of Shimano’s XTR components, with […]
Mixing it Up at the Port Hills Classic
The Port Hills Classic was scheduled for March 2017 as a 30th anniversary of mountain bike racing on Christchurch’s Port Hills. Then, in February, this happened: Rescheduled to April, the event went charging ahead at the trails of Halswell Quarry. While the original Port Hills Classics had, in various forms, consisted of riding various forms […]
Two Wheel Drifting at 4 and 8 Hours of Hanmer Springs
It is a truth universally acknowledged that the best possible post-ride activity is soaking in a thermal spring. Well, actually, that’s a highly contested and controversial statement, and dependent on the weather. But if there is any cold or wet present, then the thermal spring comes into its own. This has perhaps been crucial to […]
Pioneer Bike Check: Mike Blewitt’s Norco Revolver 29 FS
Related Event: The Pioneer
The Pioneer mountain bike stage race is just hours away – or it’s started if you’re reading this down the track. As a 7 day race along New Zealand’s Southern Alps, The Pioneer presents it’s own unique requirements, but also very similar ones to other mountain bike stage races around the world. We often get […]
Norco Factory XC go big time
Norco Bicycles has announced the roster for the 2017 Norco Factory Team, which includes returning riders Haley Smith and Peter Disera, along with newcomer Quinton Disera. With a history of success in North American competition, the 2017 Norco Factory Team will compete for the first time on the full UCI World Cup circuit, as well as […]
What’s under our tree for the Subaru MarathonMTB.com Team
Christmas is drawing close and the MarathonMTB team are in full festive swing. We’re a close group of bike riders, including a husband and wife pair, so we thought we’d give you an insight into the gifts we’ll be giving and receiving this Christmas and beyond. We chatted to each of our team riders and […]
Norco Revolver MarathonMTB team bike builds
In 2016 our team switched from Bianchi Methanol bikes to Norco Revolver models. This wasn’t a decision made quickly or easily, and spawned from a quick bike test on one of the Revolver models before they were released in early August 2015. As an amateur sporting team, our bikes are purchased. Sometimes up-front, other times […]
Buying the right bike for marathon and stage racing
What bike should I buy for marathon racing? Or, what bike should I buy for… *enter a massive stage race here*? These are not uncommon questions for bike shop staff, and one that we get sent via email or social media quite frequently. The range of bikes continues to expand, as does the type and […]
Norco Ithaqua: Full fat, low weight
Fat bikes aren’t always the first thing that comes to mind when you think of marathon and stage races – but think a little deeper, and events like the Iditarod come up, or even the Snow Epic. So while fatbikes are synonymous with adventure rides, people who can’t go fast so want to get something […]
Bike Check: Imogen Smith’s Norco Revolver 29 FS
We have taken a look at Imogen Smith’s team bike in the past, both in 2014 before the Crocodile Trophy, and then almost a year later before the Swiss Epic. While the Bianchi Methanol 29 FS frame and Stan’s NoTubes Valor wheels remained the same those times – in 2016 the whole Subaru-MarathonMTB.com Team are […]