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.

2011 Zerode G-1 Impressions

So we have had the Zerode G-1 built up now for about 4 months. I have had ample time on the bike so far and a few new people have had some saddle time on the bike also. Overall the bike had some very strong points and a few quirks.

Building the bike was very easy. It has a 12mm by 150mm rear wheel. A 1.5" headtube we went with the Chris King variety there. Then we ran a Thomson 30.9mm seatpost. It takes 2 chains but actually uses one complete and about 1/3 of the other chain. The build quality of the bike is excellent and should be since it is being made at SAPA in Oregon.

The bike is the best bump eating bike we have tested to date. Those include some of the best DH specific sleds on the market. It flattens rocky terrain and the faster you go the more stable it feels. I am a fairly aggressive rider that is not smooth at all. I run over things in the way and am pretty strong. The rear of the bike is the stiffest I can remember riding. The Zerode has no flex that I could detect. It will go exactly where you aim it. Initially we did not have the Gearbox set up correctly so it hesitated to shift while under power. It turns out we needed to do some more fine tuning to it and now it is good. The bike is almost as nimble as the Transition TR 450 we tested awhile back. It is very easy to move around and change lines with.

It is a little heavier than the other bikes we have tested. Complete it weighs 41 lbs so it basically has about an extra pound or two on it. This is due partially to the Alfine Gearbox but also the tubing as these were the first batch Zerode went extra thick with the tubing and it is sitting at about .20mm wall thickness where some DH race sleds out there now are at .12mm! So the frame has a lot of extra metal to shave off and save weight. 

"The rearward path that the wheel travels is just amazing for the rocky trails in this area. It just eats up anything in its way. It is definitely the best bike I've ridden in regards to "square edge" hits. It sails over the rocks on that trail like they aren't even there. Compared to my V10 this bike is like a Cadillac, the ride is amazing."

Alex

One rider has decided he wants one for next season and he just had a go at 5 very impressive DH sleds over the last 3 months so that is saying something for sure. If you see us out there with be sure to stop us and check it out. Check out more at ZERODEUSA.