2013 Long Travel AM/FR Bikes

Have been looking the last week or so at the diiferent AM/FR bikes out there on the market for 2013. When looking for a bike angles, adjustability, durability and weight all play a roll. Having ridden just about every suspension system out there I can attest there are slight difference but am not hung up on any one design. Below are some of the bikes I have been looking over.

2013 Specialized Enduro Expert EVO

The 165mm-travel M5 aluminum Enduro Expert EVO is an all-mountain machine desigened to rip on denscents. With a Cane Creek Double Barrel Coi shock, 170mm-travel coil-sprung Fox 36 Van RC2 fork and custom Avid X0 Trail World Cup hydraulic disc brakes the Enduro Expert EVO blurs the line between DH and All Mountain.

• All-new, fully manipulated M5 alloy FSR frame with ORE tubing is the centerpiece of this incredibly versatile 180mm-travel design; featuring sealed cartridge bearing pivots, 142mm + dropouts, ISCG '05 mount, and replaceable derailleur hanger
• Cane Creek Double Barrel coil shock provides a rider's dream of externally adjustable high-and-low-speed rebound and compression settings for maximum control over challenging terrain
• FOX 36 Van RC2 Kashima 180mm coil-sprung fork with 20mm thru-axle, tapered alloy steerer, and preload and rebound adjust for all-mountain shredding and aggressive descending
• Specialized Butcher SX 2.3" dual-compound tires for premium traction on challenging terrain
• Custom SRAM S2200 carbon double All-Mountain crankset with 36/24 gearing is built for strong ,yet lightweight performance; features a Gamut bashguard for added protection and chain retention
• All-new Sip Grip, a lock-on, Aramid infused, half-waffle MTB grip boosts durability, comfort and control
• Avid X0 Trail World Cup hydraulic disc brakes with four-piston calipers deliver powerful stopping performance with a lightweight trail-friendly package.
• New SRAM Type 2 X0 mid cage 10-speed rear derailleur provides crisp and reliable gear changes
• Specialized Command Post BlackLite uses a remote lever to adjust the saddle height on-the-fly to maximize climbing and descending performance

Geometry

A

Size	S	M	L
Seat Tube Length - Center to Top	396mm	430mm	458mm
Top Tube Length (Horizontal)	568mm	590mm	623mm
Top Tube Length (Actual)	535mm	556mm	585mm
Chainstay Length	419mm	419mm	419mm
Bottom Bracket Height	350mm	350mm	350mm
Seat Tube Angle (Actual)	69.5°	69.5°	69.5°
Seat Tube Angle (Effective)	75°	75°	75°
Head Tube Angle	65°	65°	65°
Wheel Base	1153mm	1177mm	1211mm
Standover Height	740mm	747mm	756mm
Head Tube Height	110mm	120mm	130mm
Handlebar Width	750mm	750mm	750mm
Stem Length	40mm	40mm	40mm
Crank Length	170mm	175mm	175mm
Seatpost Length	380mm	425mm	425mm
Stack	589mm	598mm	607mm
Reach	410mm	430mm	460mm

2013 Ibis Mojo HD

The Mojo HD is the longer travel bigger brother to the Mojo and Mojo SL. The “HD” as we call it, has 160mm of rear wheel travel, up 20mm from the other Mojos. The 140mm travel Mojo, which we introduced in 2005, pioneered efficient, lightweight long travel suspension, blurring the lines between those previously separate categories. The Mojo HD takes this concept a step further, giving riders another level of skill and confidence in nearly every situation, combined with uncanny climbing prowess.

• 160mm of rear wheel travel
• dw-link Suspension
• includes 2013 Fox Float RP23 CTD Boost Valve rear shock w/Trail Adjust, Kashima coating
• 26" Wheels
• Weight for the frame and shock, size medium, matte finish: 6.5 lbs, 2.93Kg (~.1 lb difference between sizes and for painted frame)
• 67 degree head angle with a 160mm fork
• Optional polycarbonate down tube cable guard
• Chain stay length: 17.125?
• 12 x 142mm Maxle rear axle (bikes manufactured before July '11 were 12 x 135 Maxle)
• 160mm post mount left dropout, carbon fiber
• Compatible with the new tapered steerer standard: 1 1/8th hidden upper, 1.5 traditional lower
• Compatible with both Chris King InSet and Cane Creek Frustum headsets.
• If you want to run your current straight 1 1/8? fork, adapters available
• 2.35?-2.55? rear tire depending on brand and height of cornering knobs
• Dual row angular contact bearings in the front of the lower link that have less play than standard sealed bearings. Preload adjustment is not necessary. Large 28mm x 15mm x 7mm radial bearings in the rear for stiffness and long wear
• The leverage ratio, like the Mojo SL, is optimized for air shocks. The Mojo HD comes with a 8.5? x 2.5? Fox RP23. A DHX air will work on all but the small size.
• With the advent of the new Fox RC4 coil rear shock, we've revised our stance on coil. The late stroke (bottom-out) knob enables a progressive end to the travel, perfect for the HD
• The Bottom Bracket height is 13.8?-14? depending on tires
• Front derailleur (if you use one) and adjustable seatpost housing (if you use one) run along the top tube
• Direct mount front derailleur standard as of July 2011

Geometry

With 160mm Fork

Nominal Size		Small	Medium	Large	X-Large
Seat Tube Length	A	15" (38.1cm)	17" (43.2cm)	19" (48.3cm)	21" (53.3cm)
Top Tube Length	B	564 (22.2")	587 (23.1")	604.5 (23.8")	625 (24.6")
Head Tube Length	C	94 (3.7")	103 (4")	118 (4.65")	134 (5.28")
Chainstay Length	D	435 (17.1")	435 (17.1")	435 (17.1")	435 (17.1")
Seat Tube Angle	E	71°	71°	71°	71°
Head Tube Angle	F	67°	67°	67°	67°
Wheelbase	G	1093 (43")	1114 (43.9")	1134 (44.6)	1156 (45.5)
Standover		715 (28")	758 (29.8")	760 (29.9")	770 (30.3")

With 180mm Fork

Nominal Size		Small	Medium	Large	X-Large
Seat Tube Length	A	15" (38.1cm)	17" (43.2cm)	19" (48.3cm)	21" (53.3cm)
Top Tube Length	B	569 (22.4")	589 (23.2")	610 (24")	630 (24.8")
Head Tube Length	C	94 (3.7")	103 (4")	118 (4.65)	134 (5.28")
Chainstay Length	D	435 (17.1")	435 (17.1")	435 (17.1")	435 (17.1")
Seat Tube Angle	E	70°	70°	70°	70°
Head Tube Angle	F	66°	66°	66°	66°
Wheelbase	G	1101 (43.3")	1122 (44.1")	1142 (45")	1164 (45.8")
Standover		722 (28.4")	763 (30")	765 (30.1")	775 (30.5")

All measurements are in millimeters unless otherwise noted.

Shared Measurements

• Seatpost Diameter 31.6mm
• Front Derailleur 34.9mm
• Headset Mixed Tapered (1.5? lower, 1.125? upper)
• Bottom Bracket 68mm (BSA) English Thread
• Bottom Bracket Height (Unsagged) 352mm (13.8")
• Bottom Bracket Height (@30% Sag) 304mm (12")
• Chainline 50mm

2013 Canfield The One

Designed to be the “ONE” bike for the Aggressive rider. 6.5″ front and rear for the All Mountain rider. 7″ front and rear for the perfect do all Freeride. 8″ front and rear setting for the best pedaling and cornering Light Downhill race machine on the market.

Tuned with the “ONE” suspension; the black magic of pedaling perfection in all gears – up or downhill – standing or seating. Nothing but 100 percent power to the rear wheel. Canfield Brothers has spent 11 years perfecting parallel link suspension technology – longer than any current parallel link suspension on the market – Giving you the pedaling performance you never dreamed was possible.

• “ONE” suspension
• 7005 Aluminum
• Internally ribbed Chainstays
• 68mm BB shell
• 142x12mm thru axle (comes with 135x12mm spacers)
• 1.5″ Headtube.
• 20mm seal bearings
• Replaceable rear derailleur hanger
• Travel
• 6.5″-7.5″ with 2.5″ shock (165mm-190mm with 216x63mm shock)
• 7″-8″ with 2.75″ shock (177mm-203mm with 222x70mm shock)
• 22x8mm shock bushings on both sides

Geometry Size Medium

2013 Banshee Rune

I designed the Rune as a true explorers bike. It has the performance to make exploring new terrain easy and enjoyable, allows the rider to explore the limits of their ability, and to help them progress in confidence and ability. Lots of bikes out there shout claims of being "all mountain" bikes, but I have ridden a lot of them, and found them lacking. Most of them feel like wet noodles when you are pushing it and riding hard due to the frames flexing underneath you, and very few are equally capable of going both up and down challenging terrain.

For the Rune, I wanted the stiffness of a freeride bike but without the weight, as well as the pedaling efficiency of an XC bike. By carefully designing the frame both in terms of structural integrity and rigidity, and carefully planning the axle path, anti-squat and leverage ratio, I have created the bike that I had in my mind. If I had only one bike, it would be a Rune. I am happy riding this bike for 40 mile all day epics, as well as shredding down DH courses boosting jumps and railing berms.

Everyone has a slightly different opinion of what an all mountain bike should be. So in order to keep everyone happy, I made the Rune a versatile bike by adding a full 1.5" head tube. This allows riders to change the bike feel and geometry not only by changing between traditional and zero stack headsets to suit their fork choice, but it also opens up the option of using angle reducer cups if you want to slacken and lower the bike a for more DH feel. The Rune is compatible with both air and coil shocks, so you can choose what best suits your needs - generally coil for more freeride minded, and air for more epic minded.

The Rune can truly do it all. It can climb with the lycra brigade, and descend with armor clad full facers, but most of all the Rune is a bike that will put a smile on your face every time you ride it.

Sizes	Small, Medium, Large, Extra Large
Travel	6"
1.5 Headtube	Strength and versatility to use zero stack or adjustable head angle cups
Hydroformed 7005 AL tubes	Gusseting formed into the tube for added strength with less weight
ISCG2005	Latest standard in ISCG
Full length seat tube	A necessity for freeriding where you need to pedal up before bombing down
Adjustable seatposts	Cable guides along toptube and 30.9 size allows for all known models
Internal ribbed stays	increased stiffness for railing burms and sticking landings
Front derailleur	Capable of running multiple setups from chainguide, to dual ring w/Bash guard
Hammerschmidt	Not recommended
Tire Clearance	26 x 2.5
Bushing pivots	For lightweight and stiffness
Grease ports	For quick and easy maintenance of pivots
Warranty	2 years [original owner]
Crash replacement	Lifetime [original owner]
Weight	6.22lbs (click to see image)

Rune Geometry

2013 Mondraker Dune XR

• MONDRAKER STEALTH SIDE ALLOY STRUCTURE FORWARD GEOMETRY FRAME
• MONDRAKER ZERO SUSPENSION SYSTEM, 160MM
• FOX 36 TALAS RC2 FIT KASHIMA 180MM 20MM FORK
• FOX FLOAT CTD LV BV KASHIMA REAR SHOCK
• EASTON HAVEN WHEELSET
• CRANKBROTHERS KRONOLOG SEATPOST

*FRAME AVAILABLE

Geometry

	FRAME SIZE	L / 470MM	M / 420MM
A	HEAD ANGLE	66º	66º
B	SEAT ANGLE	72.5º	72.5º
C	TOP TUBE	670mm	645mm
D	CHAINSTAY	435mm	435mm
E	WHEEL-BASE	1230mm	1205mm
F	FORK OFFSET	39mm	39mm
G	BB HEIGHT	+16mm	+16mm

2010 UCI Gravity Survey Results

This is an interesting survey that the UCI did in 2010. It asked a variety of questions on how to improve Downhill and increase its participation while also making it more appealing for sponsors.

2012 UCI WC Round 1 Pietermaritzburg Is In The Books

The opening round of the RockyRoads UCI Mountain Bike World Cup presented by Shimano concluded on Sunday with the Downhill, a crowd favourite in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa.  And why not?  The home town son, Greg Minnaar (Santa Cruz Syndicate), came from behind to win the men's title, while Tracey Hannah (Hutchinson United Ride) marked her return to international competition with a win in the women's competition.

Heavy rain on the previous evening had led to concerns that the track would become muddy and treacherous, but the morning sun quickly started to dry things up, and many riders said that the rain actually made the track better than ever by race time.

The women's field lost two top contenders even before racing started, with Floriane Pugin (Scott 11) crashing the day before and injuring her shoulder, and Sabrina Jonnier (Labyrinth Shimano) crashing on racing day morning and suffering a leg injury.  However, there was never any doubt who the fastest rider was; Hannah qualified first by an impressive three and a half second margin, and took the win by nearly a second over the 2011 Junior World Cup champion, Manon Carpenter (Madison Saracen).  World champion Emmeline Ragot (MS Mondraker) was a distant third, nearly three seconds in arrears.

Hannah, who has been away from the World Cup circuit for four years and is a former Junior World Champion, explained:  "It has always been my intention to come back, it just took a few years.  This was more of a test race for me, to see where I was, and I didn't know what to expect.  I'm in pain, but it is good pain.  I am so exhausted.  I'm happy, and extremely satisfied.  I just can't believe it, it is so amazing."

The men's race was expected to be close, after Minnaar, the 2009 winner in Pietermaritzburg beat Aaron Gwin (Trek World Racing), the 2011 Pietermaritzburg champion, by an infinitesimal eight one-thousandths of a second in qualifying.  After Gwin set the fastest time and Minnaar was over two seconds behind at the first time check, it looked like the race was over.  However, the 'Greg Minnaar Nation' was cheering their hero on, and the Pietermaritzburg rider made up the time deficit in the lower half of the course to win by over six-tenths of a second.

"I knew at the top I was behind," admitted Minnaar.  "I made two stupid mistakes at the beginning, so I knew had to make up as much as I could down at the bottom. As much pain as it was to pedal, I just had to put my head down and go."

"Oh man, it was electric, hearing the crowd at the bottom, it was so wild.  I could have done with some more support further up on the pedaling bit when I wanted to sit down, bu there was no one there, they were all down at the bottom.  But when I jumped into the finishing area the crowd was just amazing."

Jill Kitner And Bryan Atkinson Join The 2012 Norco World Team

Vancouver, BC – January 4, 2012 – Norco Bicycles Welcomes Jill Kintner and Bryn Atkinson to Norco World Team

Norco Bicycles has partnered with Jill Kintner and Bryn Atkinson, as title sponsor, to re-launch the Norco World Team. For 2012 the team will racing the downhill race scene aboard the newly designed AURUM downhill bike. Bryn and Jill are dedicated to reaching podium positions at every race they attend and representing Norco on the world stage.

Jill Kintner is one of the most successful female cyclists to compete on two wheels. With a collection of titles in BMX, 4x, slalom and downhill that spans from an Olympic medal, to world titles in 4x, and multiple national championships in all 4 disciplines she is a dominant figure on the race circuit. She finished 9th place overall for 2011 in her first year of World Cup downhill, and for 2012 is looking to come back with vengeance and best this result. 

“With a new trainer and new bikes, we are now running a program with a fantastic list of sponsors; it feels like everything is clicking into place! The new Norco bikes have an incredible feel; I especially notice with the shorter rear end a difference in my balance point and turning ability thanks to the Aurum’s GRAVITY TUNE. These bikes are really well designed, and I am honored to be a part of the Norco family.” – Jill

Bryn Atkinson has an inspiring presence on a downhill bike. With a highlight reel that includes numerous top 10 World Cup results, 2 US Open championships, a Pro GRT series championship, and many feature video segments, he has the speed, style, and ability to get the job done.

After a great start to 2011 with an 11th place finish at the first round of the World Cup, Bryn broke his femur and elbow, and was forced to sit out the remainder of the season. This injury fueled his motivation to get better on the bike, and come back stronger in 2012.

Healed up and “ready to rip”, Bryn is back in top form for 2012 – “I’m super excited to start fresh with a company like Norco. Their 2012 line of bikes ride smooth and are really capable, I can’t wait to get em’ world cup dirty!”

The team will be hitting premier events such as: all UCI World Cups, Sea Otter Classic, Kokanee Crankworx, select USGP events, etc. Jill and Bryn will also compete in their respective National Championships.

“Norco Bicycles is excited to have both Jill and Bryn join the Norco family. Their experience and expertise will be a great asset to the continued development of the bikes and the engineered technology platforms we are so proud of. Everyone at Norco would like to wish Jill and Bryn the best of luck in the coming season and welcome them to their new home here at Norco.” – Pete Stace-Smith, Norco PR Marketing Manager

Partners of the Norco World Team:

• Norco Bicycles- Frames – Aurum, Sight, Rampage, Custom Slalom
• Crank Brothers- Wheels, pedals, Seat Posts
• Fox Racing Shox- Suspension
• Shimano- Drive train
• Renthal- Bars, Stems, Grips
• Maxxis- Tires and tubes
• Lezyne- Pumps, Tools, Mini tools, Inflation systems, Bottle cages, saddle bags, Led Lights
• 5.10- Footwear
• e*13- Chain guides
• Dakine- Riding apparel
• Oakley- Eyewear
• Fi:z’ik- Seats
• Cane Creek- Head sets
• Alpinestars- protection
• Tld- Helmets.

2012 FMB Tentative Schedule

With the Red Bull Rampage and the Red Bull District Ride, the past two FMB World Tours had two truly spectacular final events. Of course, we would like to continue that run and from the way it looks right now, we just might. Our goal is to have another grand finale but before anything can be confirmed, there are still several details that need to be worked out. We'll keep you in the loop! Beside that, all other Gold and Diamond events of 2011 have already confirmed their dates for 2012 and it remains to be seen what shape the World Tour will take coming season.Below you'll find the preliminary schedule for 2012 but keep in mind that we are still talking to several other events so the number of stops is bound to increase. Among other venues, a number of FMB World Tour athletes are taking up the challenge to follow in Darren Berrecloth's footsteps and are planning to hold their own events. Grant Fielder, for example, is putting together a new event in the UK, which would put Great Britain back on the FMB World Tour map after they were missing from it this year. If those new events manage to meet the criteria of an FMB World Tour event, this will definitely make for an interesting addition to the 2012 FMB World Tour.

2012 FMB Schedule