Before embarking on the worlds most iconic XCM, Justin Morris takes us through his setup for race day.
Bike Check: Jolanda Neff’s Kross Earth
Jolanda Neff is one of the most exciting and dynamic riders in cross-country racing. She is the reigning XCO World Champion and won the XCM World Championships in 2016. Neff has also confirmed she will ride the Whaka 100 in New Zealand this October. Since riding for Kross Neff has been on a Kross Level hardtail, […]
A season on Shimano XTR Di2
Since 2012, the MarathonMTB.com Team riders have predominantly run Shimano group sets. Usually a mix of XT and XTR parts, mixed for the best combination of price, weight, performance and durability. Favour fell to parts from Shimano due in part to their parts availability when away from home, especially in Europe. Personally, I’ve aimed to […]
Shimano XTR mechanical vs XTR Di2 – Part two
I recently built my Norco Revolver FS race bike up with 2×11 Shimano XTR Di2 Synchro Shift. There were a few reasons for this. Shimano came on board as a major sponsor for the Subaru-MarathonMTB.com Team, which meant I could afford this kind of premium gear. Secondly, I was in a big accident four months […]
What’s new for Emily Batty?
Today, Emily Batty posted a photo on her Instagram account that went crazy. And while the Canadian XCO racer from the Trek Factory Team has a very popular Instagram following due to her riding, her ability and her North American good looks – the real curiosity and intrigue came from the photo of her bike. […]
Shimano XTR M9000: Long Term Test
Shimano’s XTR has had a big 12 months. The introduction of the Di2 version of the group amid (justified) fanfare last year came just after the introduction of the M9000 groupset – Shimano’s first 11-speed mountain bike group. I’ve had the pleasure of living with the latter addition for five of those months. Specifically a 1×11 (32T/11-40T) […]
Shimano XTR Di2 Looking Refined
Earlier this year we saw photos of the new XTR M9000 adorning the BMC of Julien Absalon. The 1×11 setup with close ratios looked sweet, perfect for XCO racing, and Absalon has clearly showed that as he wrapped up yet another World Cup title. At Euro Bike, Shimano had the BMC that Absalon rode at […]
Shimano Launches XTR Di2 – XTR M9050
After the launch of the new Shimano XTR M9000 groupset, which offers an 11 speed cassette that can be used with a single, double or triple chainring, Shimano have released an electronic version: XTR M9050 – or XTR Di2. Although many pro MTB riders are already using XTR M9000, the XTR Di2 will add a new […]
Shimano XTR M9000 for Julien Absalon
Pictures have emerged of the Shimano XTR M9000, out of France, on multiple Everything champion – Julien Absalon. While in Cairns for the 2nd round of the XCO World Cup, Absalon was running a 1 x 10 setup, using current generation XTR. Clearly, some of the product is making production. The photos do show the […]
Shimano Unveil XTR M9000 – more gears, more options, more everything!
Shimano have chosen the Sea Otter Classic and the accompanying trade show to unveil the latest generation of XTR – M9000. Reportedly the most advanced XTR group set to date, the M9000 group has been completely redesigned – and offers riders more choice than Shimano have offered previously in gear range, actuation, ergonomics, chain ring […]