Maxima Bio Wash is a non-toxic and biodegradable all-purpose cleaner. It’s said to be fast-acting with cleaning agents that lift away dirt, grime and oil-based deposits. Bio Wash is also meant to be gentle on paint, plastic, rubber, chrome, carbon fibre and anodised finishes—it’s even supposed to protect aluminium, magnesium and other alloys.
17th June 2013 · · More »
19th June 2013 · Leave a Comment · More »
It’s said that sex sells and with that in mind, there’s a fair chance that Intense is going to sell truckloads of the Carbine 275 (at long as interest rates remain low and lenders easy to come by, in any case). Draw up a checklist of all the desirable features that you’d like on a modern long-travel trail bike – make it a long and uncompromising list – and there’s a pretty good chance that the Intense Carbine 275 will tick every box.
11th June 2013 · Leave a Comment · More »
The Merida Big Ninety-Nine – let’s just call it the BNN from now on – is Merida’s first go at a dual suspension 29er. Merida produces more high-quality bikes than anyone else on the planet, the majority being bikes branded other than Merida, so you’d expect the BNN to be a well-constructed machine, although you could say it’s a year or two late to the 29er party.
7th June 2013 · Leave a Comment · More »
Dreams are a funny thing. We know they’re not a part of ‘real’ life, but we all have them just the same. Perhaps a large part of the attraction is that we can play them out in our minds countless times, and every one of those times everything will be perfect.
25th May 2013 · Leave a Comment · More »
Of late there’s been an overwhelming focus on new wheel sizes. It’s enough to have you thinking that any 26-inch wheeled bike is inherently and unavoidably inferior. Forums are loaded with talk of new 29-inch and 650B bikes, along with a good deal of bemoaning directed at brands that haven’t released a model to suit one of these new-school wheel sizes.
9th May 2013 · Leave a Comment · More »
Us dirty mountain bikers have a lot to thank our smooth-legged roadie cousins for. Sure, we could live without their seemingly genetic ability to look like they don’t enjoy riding their bikes, or the fact that we seem invisible to them when we pass on the black top.
15th March 2013 · Leave a Comment · More »
As Cannondale announce their own pro cycling team, Bicycling Australia tests their Ultegra Di2 race machine.
For many riders, especially those just starting out, the ideal bike is one that suits us in as many ways as possible. A bike that will require little maintenance and upkeep. A bike that matches our abilities and is able to take us from being a beginner to a fully-fledged addict of this amazing sport.
25th April 2013 · Leave a Comment · More »
Reviewing a saddle is a bit like a discussing politics or religion. There is no right or wrong, just opinions and personal preferences and an infinite range of variables. Did I like riding this saddle? Yes. Now that is out of the way, what is this thing?
2nd April 2013 · Leave a Comment · More »
It has certainly been the perfect summer to be testing the Polar Cold Bottle. I bet I’m not the only rider this year to have begun their ride with a cold bidon, only to have the contents of it completely undrinkable after about 30 minutes. It’s OK if you’re riding somewhere with lots of shops, but a nightmare if you’re out in the country. It was after a ride like this some years ago that I gave up taking full strength sports drinks on the bike. The taste of boiling hot, full strength sugary sports drink haunts me to this day. But that’s another story…
1st April 2013 · Leave a Comment · More »
Some people say that a double chainring set-up is best while others claim that a single ring will take you anywhere. Meanwhile a few people still feel that the good old triple is the way to go. In reality it comes down to personal preference and the nature of the trails that you ride. If you’re not totally sold on one particular system, why not go with a crankset that offers the flexibility to adapt to your needs? The Italian made FRM CU3 cranks use an interchangeable spider that lets you swap between a range of chainring formats.
17th June 2013 · Leave a Comment · More »
With their stiffness and weight benefits, new generation carbon wheels have become a viable and desirable option for MTB use. What they haven’t been is attainable—until now. Retailing for $1,400, the new Roval Control 29 Carbon wheels are not far off the price of most high-end alloy offerings.
17th June 2013 · Leave a Comment · More »
Cool n Casual - The Royal AM short sleeve jersey has a simple design with a casual fit and feel. There’s no rear pockets, no front zip cut is loose and relaxed.
17th June 2013 · Leave a Comment · More »
JetBlack has gone all-out to boost the quality of their new pump line-up and make them visually appealing too. Featuring all-alloy construction, laser etched logos and an anodised finish, they certainly look good. In keeping with recent design trends, the pumps use a rubber connector that ensures the valve stem isn’t damaged through vigorous pumping.
14th June 2013 · Leave a Comment · More »
Designed by Spanish brand MSC Bikes, this threaded bottom bracket is an aftermarket alternative that will suit external bearing Shimano, FSA and Race Face cranks. It’s called the Ultralight BB, and with a claimed weight of just 80g it’s certainly light, however the most interesting part lies with how the bottom bracket it fitted.
14th June 2013 · Leave a Comment · More »
Bontrager’s tyre naming is intended to reflect their intended use. A higher digit at the end means they are geared more towards providing traction while a lower number means rolling resistance is a priority—their full-on downhill tyres rate as a ‘five’ for example.
14th June 2013 · Leave a Comment · More »
An all-new model, the LS-100 is the first Louis Garneau MTB shoe to use the spool-activated BOA closure system. As well as providing even tension and avoiding pressure points, the BOA L4 system is said to be two-thirds lighter than most other systems.
14th June 2013 · Leave a Comment · More »
Few bikes in the modern era have been more responsible for changing the fortunes of a bike company than Trek’s ABP-equipped Fuel EX series. Before its inception in 2008, Trek’s focus had been primarily on road bikes and XC hardtails for almost a decade, to the extent that the performance of its dual suspension offerings were considered by many to be well off the mark.
14th June 2013 · Leave a Comment · More »
The Gloworm X2 is one of the surprises of the year. Born and raised on the Mtbr forums with headquarters in New Zealand, a couple of entrepreneurs listened to what the market had to say and delivered a product that addressed their needs.
14th June 2013 · Leave a Comment · More »
This Saturday the Central Cost Ourimbah Mountain Bike Club will host one round of an annual endurance racing series, the SHIMANO Mountain Bike Grand Prix. Organised by the local events company Rocky Trail Entertainment this four and seven hour race is expected to attract close to 300 riders from all over the Sydney and Central Coast regions and as far as Canberra, Newcastle and the North Coast.
13th June 2013 · Leave a Comment · More »
The charming country town of Dwellingup is located an hour and a half’s drive south of Perth in Western Australia. Set among pristine jarrah forest and water catchment areas, it plays host to Western Australia’s premier MTB event; The Act-Belong-Commit Dwellingup 100.
30th May 2013 · Leave a Comment · More »
The northern NSW Coffs Coast is well-known as a summer holiday destination but local cyclists know that it really shines as a place to ride in the winter with clear cool mornings and bright sunny days.
23rd May 2013 · Leave a Comment · More »
Three and a half hours North of Sydney, a dedicated crew of riders has been creating a network of trails rivalling Rotorua in its flow and grip. Set just outside of Taree, the amazing trails built by the Manning Great Lakes Tip Riders are finally receiving the publicity they deserve. Chocolate Foot recently held a round of their popular Singletrack Mind series there with the course receiving nothing but rave reviews.
27th May 2013 · Leave a Comment · More »
Rugged Wales. The UK mightn’t spring to mind as a top MTB destination but the small ‘principality’ of Wales is home to some of the finest mountain biking on the planet. Exiled Welsh native Steve Thomas provides an insight…