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Entries in Downhill Mountain Bike (39)

Friday
Apr132012

E Thirteen LG1 Crank Review

 FEATURES

  • P3 Connect polygon 3 lobe connection spindle interface
  • Forged and then machined Exalite Aluminum arms 
  • 30mm Aluminum spindle 
  • 14mm pedal thread engagement 
  • Gold anodize spindle/hardware
  • Available in "Blackout" black 
  • Forged and then machined 7050 Aluminum arms.
  • 7050 is 40% stronger than most common hollow forged alloys.
  • 30mm heat-treated cromoly spindle.
  • It is 200%+ stiffer than 24mm steel spindles commonly used in external bearing cranksets.
  • German DIN 32711-P3 Polygon interface provides 100% surface contact between spindle and crankarm.
  • Eliminates fretting corrosion – the prime cause of dreaded crankset creaking and loosening.

 

SPECIFICATIONS

  • Weight: 870 Grams w/BB 
  • BB Shell: 68, 68E, 73, 73E, 83
  • Spindle Length: 113, 123 
  • Arm Lengths: 165,170,175 
  • Bolt Pattern: 4x104 BCD 

E13 Crank Installation Instructions

The LG-1 cranks by E Thirteen came out with very high expectations from the downhill community as a whole. This in large part was due to E Thirteen's chainguides that have been one of the best on the market for close to a decade. They aimed to produce a super stiff crank that was both durable and lightweight.

They achieved the stiffness by using a 30mm axle with a German DIN 32711-P3 Polygon Interface. Instead of using teeth or ribbed contact points for the arm/axle interface they used a 3 sided axle that is tapered. It is claimed to be better at distributing the load that other systems currently on the market. 

The arms are forged out of 7050 series aluminum which helps greatly with their overall stiffness. The pedal threads are 14mm deep to give a greater bite on the pedal axle and lower the risk of ripping pedals from crank arms in rocky terrain.

Overall the build quality of the cranks is as good as anything I have seen on Shimano, SRAM mountain bike components. They include all the tools needed to install and service the cranks. They have pretty detailed installation instructions follow them and intallation of the E13 LG1 cranks should be a snap.

This particular set of cranks is about one and a half years old now. They have been installed onto our Banshee Legend and have not been touched. They have been haggle free the whole time and have held up well to rock strikes and harsh landings. E Thirteen nailed the reliability side of the equation with these cranks for sure.

I am about 210 pounds and am fairly strong. The cranks are very stiff. I did not detect any flex in them and feel comfortable saying they are every bit as stiff as Shimano Saints. The aluminum chosen for the arms combined with the massive axle and interface used in the LG1 crank do what they should. Produce a stiff lightweight package that is very reliable.

The crankset as a whole is pretty light. E Thirteen now offers 3 versions The LG1, LG1+ and LG1r they vary in price and weight the LG1r weighs in at 760 Grams including BB which is about 300 grams lighter than Saint! E thirteen managed to make a lightweight Downhill crank that was also durable. Mission accomplished and I would have no problem recommending these cranks to those in the market.

 

Sunday
Apr082012

2012 Plattekill Season Announcement

Plattekill Bike Park located in Roxbury, NY is proud to announce the 2012 Plattekill downhill riding season. Plattekill has been hosting downhill mountain bike riding and racing for over sixteen years. That will continue full force in 2012. The bike park will open for riding April 14-15 weekend, the earliest in the East and the earliest ever at Plattekill. Plattekill Bike Park extended the 2011 Riding season into December in 2011 making for the Longest lift assisted mountain biking season in North America.

The first race of the season will be the Third Annual Gravity Open on Memorial day Weekend, May 23-27, 2012. The Gravity Open will be part of the prestigious USA Cycling National Pro GRT and the POC Eastern States Cup Series’. The race takes place Memorial Day weekend and will feature many national and international stars. Previous winners have included UCI World Champions. Plattekill Bike Park will host four POC Eastern States Cup Series races, the finals of the USAC NYS State Championships and the USAC Eastern Regional Championships.

Due to the early start of the riding season and a late March snowstorm the bike park will spread 5-work weekend during the season. The goal this summer is a groomed trail fro top to bottom. Stay tuned for more information.

The trails at Plattekill are endless and offer something for riders of all abilities. The fall line trail sections are steep. The natural terrain offers loose shale with large rock drops. Plattekill Bike Park uses two lifts accessing two distinct peak areas. Lift attendants place your bikes on the chair for the ride up. The base lodge offers a cafeteria, bike shop and restrooms. On the deck great burgers and refreshments will be available. 

Regular Season Opening April 14-15 Weekend

2012 Ride Fees:

All Day Lift                         $35

Two Day Same Weekend Lift $55

After 2pm Lift                     $25

One Time Lift with Bike         $10

Trail Access (no lift)             $15

Skyride                               $ 5

Season Pass                      $329

SEASON PASS SPECIAL UNTIL MAY 1, 2012……$279

Plattekill Mountain is the longest operating bike park in the Northeast with
over 60 miles of bike-specific lift accessed trails operating two lifts to
two mountain peaks.

Roxbury, NY (607) 326-3500 

www.plattekill.com

http://www.usacycling.org/progrt

www.easternstatescup.com

Wednesday
Mar212012

Team Santa Cruz Syndicate At 2012 Round 1 World Cup

HUGE WIN IN FOR MR. MINN AND THE SANTA CRUZ SYNDICATE AT WORLD CUP OPENER!! from santa cruz bikes on Vimeo.

ietermaritzburg, South Africa
March 18, 2012

Greg Minnaar wins the UCI World Cup Downhill season opener aboard his Fox/Shimano equipped carbon V-10 with an exhilarating run that had the hill alive with the roar of thousands of fans including the oneLife crew and the Minnaarmy! Steve Peat came in 15th and Josh Bryceland 21st on this improved, pedaling course in Greg’s hometown of Pietermaritzburg, South Africa.

It always feels like a homecoming for us to be in this friendly city and the Syndicate was welcomed back by all Greg’s family and friends. The local support of the race is big and there were many improvements to the track and the race venue. Training went well all week and the boys came into the season fit and lean. Greg was fastest in qualifier by the slimmest margin of .008 over Aaron Gwin and he picked up max points for his efforts. Steve was 11th fastest and Josh 17th.

Rain was on and off during the week and we had quite a bit come down on race night. Things dried up quick and we had a beautiful day for the race. Everyone got to the top of the hill eager to get the season underway. Greg started into his race run and made a few mistakes and was 2 seconds down at the first split. He gained some time by the second split and was only 1 second off the pace. Steve said, “Greg can make up that time.” As Greg neared the finish the volume of the crowd was at a fevered pitch and this certainly had to boost the effort into overdrive. As the leader board went green the oneLife crew of friends pushed the fence down and flooded into the finish arena while Steve lifted Greg off the ground in victory.

An ecstatic Greg says, “I made a few mistakes on the top part of the track and I knew I had to make up some time. On the bottom section I had to stand and pedal hard and I fought all the way to the finish. You know when you are coming into the finish and you see the oneLife crew breaking the fence down that you’ve had a good run. And then Steve jumped over the fence and grabbed me I knew I had won. It’s a great feeling to do well in front of all my family and friends and their support is amazing!”

Steve comments, “Another great weekend racing in Maritzburg. The fans and the onelife crew made it an awesome weekend, and I feel privileged that it was my 100th World Cup start. Luckily the track dried out and made the racing fast and tight. Although I wasn’t too happy with my 15th place result, I was over the moon for Greg. He dug deep and took the win for the home crowd!!”

Josh placed 21st and said, “After a hard winter training I don’t feel I quite did myself justice on my race run, but I left it all on the hill and the bike feels better than ever. I’m really happy for Greg, not only just with the win in his hometown, but starting the season with a win and full points. Also good to see Peaty Dog still has a little bit of fire in him, as always.”

The win makes Greg’s 16th World Cup win (11 on Santa Cruz) and is his 53rd World Cup Downhill podium, (besting Steve’s 52 podiums). Greg now leads the World Cup overall with 250 points over Aaron Gwin’s 200 points. Steve is 14th in the standings and Josh is 17th. Greg will be in the leader jersey going into the next World Cup in Val Di Sole, Italy in May.

MEN’S ELITE RESULTS:

1ST GREG MINNAAR (SANTA CRUZ SYNDICATE) 3:57.98
2nd Aaron Gwin 3:58.61
3rd Mick Hannah 3:58.97
4th Gee Atherton 4:02.36
5th Steve Smith 4:02.41
6th Jared Graves 4:02.78
7th Andrew Neethling 4:02.99
8th Troy Brosnan 4:03.58
9th Julian Camellini 4:03.65
10th Cedric Gracia (Brigade, Santa Cruz) 4:03.81
15th STEVE PEAT (SANTA CRUZ SYNDICATE) 4:05.65
21ST JOSH BRYCELAND (SANTA CRUZ SYNDICATE) 4:07.37

MEN’S OVERALL STANDINGS

1ST GREG MINNAAR (SANTA CRUZ SYNDICATE) 250
2nd Aaron Gwin 200
3rd Mick Hannah 160
4th Gee Atherton 150
5th Steve Smith 140
6th Jared Graves 111
7th Troy Brosnan 107
8th Andrew Neethling 105
9th Cedric Gracia (Brigade, Santa Cruz) 93
10th Aurellien Giordanengo 85
14th STEVE PEAT (SANTA CRUZ SYNDICATE) 80
17 JOSH BRYCELAND (SANTA CRUZ SYNDICATE) 68

THANKS TO THE SYNDICATE SPONSORS:

SANTA CRUZ BICYCLES
SHIMANO
FOX
ENVE COMPOSITES
MAXXIS
CLIF BAR
MUC-OFF
LIZARD SKINS
WTB
CHRIS KING
BIRZMAN
Gore® RideOn™ Cable Systems
FOXHEAD

Saturday
Mar102012

Answer Negative One Stem Review

Answer has been producing Handlebars for a long time. We have been running their Dorado fork for well over a year now and it has been brilliant. Getting the chance to test their -One Direct Mount Stem was something we were looking forward to.

  • Weight: 160gm
  • Stack Height: -20mm
  • Length: 50-55mm
  • Material: 7075 Series Alloy
  • Colors: Black, White
  • Hardware: A2 Stainless
  • Note: Will Not fit Dorado Flat crown in 50mm Setting
  • Faceplate: 62mm Wide

Answer -One DM Stem

The Negative One stem showed up and proved to be a good piece. It has clean lines and the finish on it is better then some and not quite as nice as some high end options out there. We weighed the stem and our scale read 158GM so their claimed weight seems spot on. 

Having your weight more over the front wheel is all the rage these days. With slacked out head angles and LSC loaded forks body english is more important than ever. This stem is light weight with a simple design and does as it claims. 

Answer Negative One Test

Thursday
Mar082012

2012 UCI World Cup Announces Red Bull As Official Media Partner

The International Cycling Union (UCI) is delighted to confirm that the Red Bull Media House GmbH (RBMH) is the new official media partner of the RockyRoads UCI Mountain Bike World Cup presented by Shimano.

Under this new partnership, RBMH will provide media services including HD TV production, webcasting and content syndication. Live streaming of all the World Cup Cross-country Olympic, Cross- country Eliminator and Downhill races will be featured onwww.redbull.com/bike and www.redbull.tv. The UCI and RBMH will collaborate closely to ensure that coverage of these events will be more dynamic, innovative and viewer-friendly, providing fans with unforgettable images of racing action.

'WITH RBMH ON BOARD, WE CAN BE SURE THAT TOP QUALITY IMAGES OF THIS SERIES CAN REACH FANS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD' – PAT MCQUAID, UCI PRESIDENT

RBMH will produce the official international live signal as well as highlight programmes that the UCI will provide to TV channels on all continents. Overall TV production will be improved with High Definition images and an increased number of cameras at events.

RBMH, which replaces Freecaster.tv as exclusive live streaming partner, will also hold worldwide non-exclusive internet rights to the UCI BMX World Championships as well as selected media rights in certain territories for the UCI Mountain Bike World Championships.

UCI President Mr Pat McQuaid welcomes the latest partner for the new-look mountain bike series: “The RockyRoads UCI Mountain Bike World Cup presented by Shimano has been given a boost for 2012, and with RBMH on board, we can be sure that top quality images of this series can reach fans throughout the world. This exciting World Cup series deserves innovative media coverage of the highest standard. With RBMH we have found the perfect solution. This new partnership can only serve to further develop our leading mountain bike series.”

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