We’re faced with a bewildering range of suspension systems, each claiming to be the best thing since sliced bread. Steve Hinchliffe takes an independent look at the popular designs to separate the fact from fiction.
It was only a decade or so ago that dual suspension bikes were largely the domain of elite semi-or fully-professional riders, or those with too much disposable cash burning a hole in their pockets. These machines were relatively expensive, not always reliable or durable, and many recreational riders just didn’t bother with them, happy to have their weekend trail entertainment on a quality hardtail of some description.
16th May 2013 · · 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 »
There are few bikes in recent memory that have been as prevalent in the WorldTour as Specialized. By virtue of multiple team sponsorships, the big S can be seen gracing head tubes in almost every in-action shot from any Grand Tour in the past few years. If you factor in Specialized helmets, and Specialized shoes, which are worn by some of the teams which do not use Specialized bikes, it's clear to see that Specialized has some major stock in the game.
21st March 2013 · Leave a Comment · More »
Shimano joins the 11 speed revolution. But an extra cog is only part of the story…
“we can expect to see some more radical designs on road bikes heading into 2014.”
“Shimano are continuing to push the boundaries of their mechanical offerings”
24th March 2013 · Leave a Comment · More »
Specialized’s Turbo range of tyres has been its rubber flagship for some years now. If you’ve wanted to race or ride fast on Specialized then a Turbo is what you would choose. The new S-Works clincher is in the same category but has had something of a makeover for 2013.
24th March 2013 · Leave a Comment · More »
Could Giant’s flagship mid range bike change the way we think about value and performance?I must have been particularly good this year because Santa delivered a Christmas treat – a Giant TCR Advanced Zero. And from the minute I opened the box, it was like all of my Christmases had come at once. There are still those who feel that Giant does not boast the style and sexiness of some other brands in this spec range, but there’s no faulting its value for money and ride quality. This was evident the first minute I threw a leg over the new steed on its first bunch ride.
23rd March 2013 · Leave a Comment · More »
The latest offering from Niner bikes takes the CVA suspension system and handling traits of the Jet9 and moulds it from carbon fibre. Where the alloy Jet9 weighed around 2.8kg, the new carbon fibre Jet9 RDO should come closer to the 2.3kg mark.
13th August 2012 · Leave a Comment · More »
Let’s get it out there from the beginning; these rims are expensive—bloody expensive. Think of how much a range topping alloy wheelset will cost, around $1,000 perhaps? Well that’s about the price of a single Enve rim—one rim, no hubs, no spokes! You can also purchase them as complete wheels built with DT Swiss 240 hubs and Aerolite spokes for around $3,500.
8th May 2013 · Leave a Comment · More »
When it came to building my Enve rims, I wanted to use some high-quality lightweight hubs. While the obvious choice would be from DT Swiss or maybe American Classic, I was curious to try something a little different. German brand Tune specialises in really light gear and their hubs are offered in a broad range of spoke hole drillings (I wanted to run 28 spokes and some MTB hubs are only offered in 32-hole).
8th May 2013 · Leave a Comment · More »
After five months on the trail, we take an in-depth look at this new single-chainring 11-speed group and see how it fares in the real world.
30th April 2013 · Leave a Comment · More »
Motorex are perhaps better known for lubricants for planes, trains and automobiles, but they also do bike lubes. Here we are showing you the spray versions of their chain lube in both wet and dry versions. The spray bottles hold 56ml but you can also purchase a 100ml dripper bottle.
19th April 2013 · Leave a Comment · More »
Time claim their new Xpresso pedal system is the “fastest pedal system in the world”. Moving from their successful iClic pedals, the Xpresso uses the same pre-open clipless system for easier cleat engagement. Instead of metal springs they use a carbon flexion blade, which makes them extremely light.
19th April 2013 · Leave a Comment · More »
It’s the middle of summer, boiling hot and so, time to treat yourself to a new T-shirt. Luckily, Apres Velo have a huge new range to choose from. The new designs shown here are the Flying Low (shown here in men’s and women’s), Cycling Nuts, Bunch Sprint, Bike Path and the Sisterhood of Spinners. These full cotton T-shirts retail for $49.95 and singlets are $29.95.
14th April 2013 · Leave a Comment · More »
The JetBlack Commander Floor pump is one shiny piece of kit. Completely made from polished aluminium it has a double valve system and a large, easy read gauge. It also comes fitted with JetBlack mountain bike grips on the handle, which can be individually replaced should they wear out.
14th April 2013 · Leave a Comment · More »
This computer mount bridge from Italian parts company 3T is designed for time trialling and triathlons. It connects to most brands of aero bars (via the ports in each end) and allows you to mount a bike computer between them. You can position the computer bridge anywhere along the bars although you will need to maintain an 80mm width. The mounting bridge is made from polymer and weighs just 22g.
14th April 2013 · Leave a Comment · More »
More than just a novel trick, being able to ride ‘skinnies’ is a skill that can provide real benefits on the trail.
You’ve probably seen it on videos; riders way up in the trees on impossibly narrow wooden structures. While it certainly looks scary, and you mightn’t plan on doing it anytime soon, the basic skills of balance, control and finesse can help in just about any technical riding situation.
10th May 2013 · Leave a Comment · More »
You’ve probably noticed that ‘top whatever it may be lists’ are all the rage these days. Just this week I read a list of the ‘50 Rules of Cycling’. Not road rules or legalities, but anecdotal rules like ‘look where you want to go, not at the obstacle’ and things like that. It made me think for a moment about what my own list would look like. Initial thoughts were that it’d resemble a derailleur moments after being sucked into a rotating rear wheel; a mess!
9th May 2013 · Leave a Comment · More »
England’s Lake District is gifted with some stunning scenery and it’s also home to some of the UK’s best mountain bike adventures—ex-pat Pom Steve Thomas gives us the lowdown.
8th May 2013 · Leave a Comment · More »
Never heard of the Kiwarrak trails? Well if you love flowing MTB singletrack, you should put this one on your ‘must do’ list!Close your eyes and try to imagine over 40km of hand cut, groomed singletrack snaking its way up and down eucalypt-covered hills, weaving through trees and gullies; no crowds, near-perfect riding weather for nine months of the year, a friendly and relaxed riding community, and great food and coffee 10 minutes from the trailhead. Sounds pretty good, doesn’t it?
7th May 2013 · Leave a Comment · More »
In September 2014, Switzerland will get a new signature mountain bike event: the six-day SWISS EPIC stage race through the Swiss Alps. This unique race through Switzerland will provide excitement and adrenaline for the 600 pro-athletes and ambitious weekend warriors as they navigate challenging single track trails over a distance of some 400 km and 15 000 m of climb in teams of two.
15th May 2013 · Leave a Comment · More »
With the weather warming up, and deadline-blues taking their toll Amber and Nicole from MBA decided a trip to Canberra’s awesome mountain bike tracks was in order.
Here’s a brief account of their trip.
7th December 2012 · Leave a Comment · More »
Mountain Biking Australia magazine brings you the best MTB articles four times a year and keeps you up to date online in between times.
We're also supporting a stack of mountain biking events throughout 2012 helping event organisers bring you a little slice of their riding heaven - check out the event list below.
You could win a chunk of $15,000 by riding one of these events or simply by subscribing to the magazine - thanks to Toyota and RAV4.
Events List:
Shimano MTB GP Series 2012, Round 2 7th July 2012
Shimano MTB GP Series 2012, Round 3 1st September 2012
Shimano MTB GP Series 2012, Round 4 29th September 2012
JetBlack WSMTB 12 Hour 11th August 2012
JetBlack 24 Hour 1st and 2nd December 2012
SRAM Singletrack Mind Series, Canberra 24th June 2012
SRAM Singletrack Mind Series, Nowra 19th August 2012
SRAM Singletrack Mind Series, Southern Highlands of NSW 16th September 2012
SRAM Singletrack Mind Series, Rydal 28th October 2012
SRAM Singletrack Mind Series, Lower Hunter Valley 25th November 2012
Rock Wallaby Half Marathon, Appin 27th May 2012
Santos GLNG Brisbane to the Gold Coast Challenge, Brisbane 7th October 2012
2012 MTBA Marathon National Championships, Mt Stomlo Canberra 10th June 2012
Scott 24 Hour, Mt Stromlo Canberra 13-14 October 2012
Kona Odyssey, Forrest February 2013
Bike Buller, Mt Buller March 2013
Check out the websites for our partner promoters and pen yourself in for a ride.
http://www.chocolatefoot.com.au/singletrack-mind-series
http://www.rockytrailentertainment.com/
http://www.corc24hour.com.au/events/
http://www.rapidascent.com.au/
http://b2gc.bq.org.au/
or grab a sub for the mag here Mountain Biking Australia.
Dont just ride; Ride your best!
21st August 2012 · Leave a Comment · More »
We had an early start on Sunday 18th November when we drove to the Ringwood Bypass in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs. We had to be there by 5:30 am ready to set up for the third annual Hannover ConnectEast Ride For Home.
Hannover Connect is a Melbournebased charity that provides crisis and transitional housing for people in need as well as a range of other support services.
They contacted Eastlink, managers of Melbourne’s Eastlink toll road about running a unique event that sees the six lane motorway completely closed to all traffic.
6th December 2012 · Leave a Comment · More »
We loaded up the MBA RAV4 and headed for the hills at Awaba for a sizzling finale to the 2012 SRAM Singletrack Mind Series.
Round Six of the SRAM Singletrack Mind Series played out in extreme heat at the Awaba Mountain Bike Park near Newcastle. Over 360 riders arrived to get some hot dirt action in the scrubby, swoopy trails of Awaba—even forecasts of temps in the mid-thirties were not enough to put riders off!
6th December 2012 · Leave a Comment · More »
The Scott Australian 24 Hour MTB Championships were held at Stromlo Forest Park in Canberra on 13-14th October
Some 2,000 riders took part in this year’s Scott 24, with entries in 22 categories comprising male, female and mixed, solo, pairs, threes, fours, and six person teams.
Yet again Jason English dominated the solo male category, claiming his fifth consecutive title at this year’s event. He was pushed all the way this year by Euro champ Matt Page, just 22 minutes behind, and Andy Hall in third. Liz Smith rode an impressive race taking out the women’s solo title, followed by Philippa Rostan and Kate Penglase in third.
Its one thing to casually ride a bike up a mountain on a smooth bitumen surface, but quite another to race, in the rain, off road, in temps approaching zero, in the dead of night.
5th December 2012 · Leave a Comment · More »
Sydney’s heatwave turns into advantage for new JetBlack 24 Hour solo champion from the Northern Territory
The new JetBlack 24 Hour Solo Elite Champion is Chris Hanson from Darwin! More than 500 riders were at the start at The Australian Botanic Garden, Mt Annan at Rocky Trail's fifth JetBlack 24 Hour race on the weekend and in the sweltering heat the passionate endurance rider from the Northern Territory dealt with the afternoon temperatures in the high 30's the best. Benji Morris from Shelley Beach (NSW) came in second and Kevin Pullen from South Australia claimed third place.
6th December 2012 · Leave a Comment · More »
September saw the completion of ONE80TC’s 13th Annual Cycling Classic, which in recent years has been renamed the ‘Sydney to the Hunter Cycling Classic’.
Originating in 1999, Phil Latz, Founder and CEO of Bicycling Australia, first envisioned the ride to help raise over $1,000,000 for the life saving work of ONE80TC, a charity who helps young men (18-35) overcome life controlling issues.
5th December 2012 · Leave a Comment · More »
Round 4 of the SRAM Single Track mind Series had 250+ keen mountain bikers heading for the Southern Highland’s town of Welby. It was a foggy start to the day and most hoped that the touch of rain the night before, might have settled some of the dust.
5th December 2012 · Leave a Comment · More »
The Scott Australian 24 Hour MTB Championships were held at Stromlo Forest Park in Canberra on 13-14th October.
Some 2,000 riders took part in this year’s Scott 24, with entries in 22 categories comprising male, female and mixed, solo, pairs, threes, fours, and six person teams.
Yet again Jason English dominated the solo male category, claiming his fifth consecutive title at this year’s event. He was pushed all the way this year by Euro champ Matt Page, just 22 minutes behind, and Andy Hall in third. Liz Smith rode an impressive race taking out the women’s solo title, followed by Philippa Rostan and Kate Penglase in third.
18th October 2012 · Leave a Comment · More »