With the 2012 Joberg2C mountain bike stage race in our rear-view-mirror and the Sani2C now on our doorstep, we have many people asking us for advice on what marathon tires they ought to be using on their 29″ mountainbikes. With the Rush Sports HQ located just a short 30min drive from the hub of KZN’s best mountain-bike trails, we get to spend most of our leisure time on the same dust and dirt thousands of Sani2C entrants will be swallowing in a few weeks. For us, tire choice in the autumn months is quite simple: you want something that is going to roll fast over dry & hardpack terrain, handle loose & powdery dirt, and most importantly a tire that is reliable and has sufficient puncture protection. The Onza Canis checks all of these boxes in superb Swiss style without the hefty price-tag usually associated with European tires. Check out this brief video as Andre runs through the basics:
There are not many mountain bike teams in the world who, over an extended period of time, have scouted, discovered and nurtured tallent as well as Yeti. With old talent finding new focus, and new talent finding old experience I think they may be a team to be reckoned with once again… Watch their team recap from the season opener:
Fabien and his Hutchinson United ride compatriots made a trip out to New Zealand to escape the French winter wonderland in preparation for their 2012 World Cup Downhill season. With the New Zealand Cup race taking place in Wellington, on what proved to be a challenging and fun track for the riders, Fabien and team mate Guillaume stamped their authority on the field with Fabien taking the top spot on the Elite mens podium and Guillaume rounding out in 4th spot on the U19 Mens category.
Some may have seen a post on Morewood’s tumblr feed and Facebook page a little while ago with some bright pink frames in the process of powder-coating in the Morewood Bikes factory in Pietermaritzburg, there were a few rumbles as to what this could mean, some forum followers were on the money, and others way off. Those who have been following TeamRumors however may have put the puzzle pieces together:
Presenting Hutchinson United Ride:
So today is D-Day for all of us who attempted to get entry to the 2012 Trans Provence. I’m not sure what time Ash and his crew will be sending out their email notices, but I don’t have any fingernails left… its been an exciting and stressful few days. Hopefully Christmas will come early this [...]
Yes, Singletrack Mag posted a “spy shot” of Jaroslav Kulhavy’s bike from World Champs with what appeared to be a modified X0 9-speed gripshift shifter operating his XX 10-speed rear derailleur. Looks like the originators of Gripshift, SRAM are getting back to their roots with the XX 2 x 10 Gripshift shifters…
Need some inspiration before you hit the trails this weekend? Take a look at this Yeti Cycles video from the Downieville Classic which took place a week ago on a perfect Autumn weekend…
Team Morewood United rookie, Tim Bentley didn’t get “Blinded by the light” this season as he made his international debut on the World Cup downhill circuit with team mates Fabien Cousinie and Michael Pascal. Racking up some seriously impressive results for his first season on the international circuit, young South African, and Pietermaritzburg local has more than proven himself amongst a field of head-turning young tallent. Check out his “Portrait” video below:
I have found my challenge for 2012: Trance Provence. A 7-day mountain bike stage race taking place in the South of France, bragging the most single track of any mountain bike stage race in the world. A short, 300km race, with 10000m vertical ascent and 15000m vertical descent. It is truly a “mountain bike” event. With small entries [50 - 60 riders] and extremely challenging trails, there is nothing quite like it in the world. Entries open in December and providing I manage to secure an entry I will be getting my game face on as I prepare for what will undoubtedly be the most challenging event I have ever undertaken.
Our local friends at GoBoy productions sent me a link to a video clip which they came across during editing footage from a recent mountain bike event at Albert Falls Dam. Team Jeep rider, Evan van der Spuy comes off second best when he literally gets side swiped by a Red Hartebees who clearly misjudged the speed Evan was going at, completely miss timing his leap. Not a laughing matter at all, but truly an amazing piece of footage…
