YT Announces The IZZO A Short Travel 29" Shredder

April 17,2020–Forchheim, Germany:YT is shaking things up and their portfolio has an added dimension now by introducing asharp-looking trail bike to the family. The IZZO is born! The carbon-framed 130 mm-travel trail bikewith 29-inch wheelsfills a void for YT and is destined touncork Good Times forriders onafter-work rides through local woodlandsas well asduringtrans alpine adventures.Possibly the fastest, most agile and sharpest, but certainly the raddest bike introduction of the year:

YT’s lightest bikeis set for adventures both big and smallAfter downhill, enduroand all-mountain the direct brand bringstheir first trail bike to the mix. As both the CAPRA (180mm/180mm & 170mm/170mm travel) and the JEFFSY (160mm/160mm & 150mm/150mm travel) boast increased travel across the range for 2020, the IZZO (130mm/130mm travel) perfectly caters for those riders out there looking to ride trails and embrace the uphill just as much as the downhill –no matter where they are in the world. The IZZO is YT’s lightweight contender and comes in four model variations: IZZO Launch Edition (12.0 kg, limited to 150 pieces in Europe & USA), IZZO Pro Race (12.1 kg), IZZO Pro (12.6 kg), IZZO Comp (13.2 kg). Inspired by the sleek and simple design, yet impressive precision and effectiveness of the Katana sword used by Samurai in ancient Japan, the IZZO has been developed to be a fast, agile and sharp bike in both form and function.

The IZZO has been constructed to defy all challenges a trail ride can throw your way. The key aspects of development were uphill climbing ability, pedal efficiency and weight, while still considering the fun-loving YT DNA. Each model is available in sizes S, M, L, XL and XXL spanning a reach from 429 mm to 513 mm, and every model variation has the exact same high-performance carbon frame. The cutting edge climbing characteristics of the bike are courtesy of a steep seat tube angle of 69°/69.5° (act) paired with low stack height and low weight. This combination will let riders conquer grueling uphill climbs with ease. The geometry can also be adjusted thanks to the Flip Chip, which drops the BB by 5 mm and results in a 0.5°-slacker head and seat tube angle. The playful YT feel is ensured thanks to an active, progressive suspension –YT’s first 4-bar suspension linkage by the way –and the relatively short chainstays that differ for sizes S to L (432 mm) and XL to XXL (437 mm). This progressive but not overly aggressive and well-balanced geometry, paired with a great kit, will ensure Good Times on backyard trails and long days in the saddle alike.

“We created the Izzo for people that love to ride mountain bikes in the original spirit of mountain biking. Get outthere, go far, go hard, go long, and get lost.It’s a lightweight, great pedaling bike that encourages you to just go. While it is light and efficient, it’s still a ton of fun on DH and tech sections. We wanted to build a bike that was just as fun and capable on climbs and flats as it is on downhills. A lot of riders love to push their limits and endurance, explore new trails, and ride all day. We built this bike for those riders. And for ourselves.”–Chris Hilton, CTO YT Industries

Let’s be honest: not all of us can boast the luxury of having mountainous terrain on our doorstep. With that in mind, the IZZO has been developed and spec’d with lighter tires and rims and 130 mm travel to deliver the perfect performance balance for the trail category. The Launch Edition is limited to 150 bikes worldwide, and boasts high-performance and high-tech components, while the unique colorway is a feast for your eyes. Both a FOX 34 Float Factory fork and FOX Float DPS Factory rear suspension deliver the goods when the terrain gets rough. The premium SRAM Eagle AXS drivetrain guarantees effortless, cableless shifting and the AXS package is rounded off with the SRAM Reverb AXS. The Pro Race, Pro and Comp models come with variations of FOX 34 fork, FOX Float DPS rear suspension, SRAM drivetrains and brakes, and with the FOX Transfer Factory or YT Postman dropper posts to complete the package. Both the newly designed Thirstmaster 5000 (835 ml) and the Thirstmaster 4000 (600 ml) FID LOCK bottle fit in the frame snugly and willensure you always stay hydrated when out on a ride. An adapter also offers the choice of fitting a regular bottle cage as well, to suit all rider’s needs. Bolts below the top tube allow for fixing a utility belt to carry spares and tools to help you on the trailside. Custom to YT’s way of taking care of details, maintenance and servicing are simple, thanks to the ‘single sided hardware access’ enabling the suspension linkage and rear triangle hardware to be installed and removed from the same side. The ‘race-specific advanced sealing concept’ and ‘axial-lip-seal’ prolong the service life of the IZZO, thanks to additional seals that protect the double-sealed full complement bearings and keep water and dirt at bay.

YT Izzo Geometry

YT Izzo Builds

2016 Spider 275c Announced

The rigid, lightweight properties of carbon fiber combined with agile geometry deliver this incredibly fun, nimble, and light trail bike. Designed for trail riding and racing, the optimized wheel path and efficient pedaling platform create a well-rounded machine that climbs and descends with equal skill.

Spider 275c Pro Specs

• Adjustable travel: 4.5” to 5” (115mm to 130mm)
• 27.5” wheel size
• Integrated Boost 148 x 12 dropouts
• SL Spider is 300g lighter with titanium hardware, high modulus carbon fiber and carbon top link
• Standard Spider is manufactured with EPS molding technology
• Internal cable routing

• Internal seat tube cable routing for dropper posts
• Monocoque front triangle
• H2O bottle fitment
• Downtime and chain stay flack guard protection
• Tapered head tube
• Direct mount front derailleur
• Angular contact/collet bearing system with replaceable grease zerks

Spider 275c GEOMETRY

Spider 275c Sizing

2014 Ews Round 5 Winterpark Justin Leov's Diary

Next stop on the EWS Calendar was Winter Park Colorado. This round presented a few differences to previous races, such as the bike park environment, which saw the racing moving away from the European alpine terrain, also the racing at high altitude. Coming into this event I was nursing a couple of small injuries, which I had been working to recover since La Thuile and Valliore. A strain in my knee is awaiting diagnosis and treatment until I return to New Zealand in September, while ongoing tendonitis in my wrist was triggered by the long runs in Valliore. The weekend saw me relying on ice and kinesio tape to see me through the racing.

Once again we had a different format of racing for Colorado. Three days instead of the usual two. The format also saw us practice two stages, race them the following day, then the afternoon was spent practicing the following days stages. This meant that through the weekend you were either racing, practicing or sleeping!

There seemed to be a typical weather pattern, which was hot and dry in the mornings and around mid afternoon each day a storm rolled in. As a result of this the lift would shut down due to lighting. We were lucky for the first day of racing that our stages were to be raced in the morning.

Day 1:
Stage 1: This was a stage which was one of the longer bike park trails. Lots of berms, jumps, up hills and some physical pedalling straights. First stage of the weekend is always the one I find I’m nervous for. Generally after the first stage you settle into a rhythm or look at the areas you need to improve on. Before this stage I did a short warm up, my knee was sore so I wanted to save it as much as I could for the stages. Dropping in for my run and I was feeling tight. When I hit the first uphill section my usual power just wasn’t there. The jumps were fun on this stage but I finished off the pace in 11th.

Stage 2: This time less on the pedals and more of a Downhill Bike park stage. A couple of rock gardens and a section at the bottom where you needed to carry speed through rocks and flatter corners. A short but fun stage, a lot of guys knew this one, as it was the main trail of the bike park. With a stage already in the legs my body felt a lot better than the first stage. My knee felt good and I was ready to give it a charge! This stage seemed to flow a lot better, you could breath both of which contributed to a better feeling crossing the finish line in 5th place.

The rest of the day was spent practicing stage 3 which was over the backside of the mountain, it was a big day in the saddle. An important piece of equipment for reducing the amount of runs we need to make is a helmet camera. Being able to study the footage of a stage is so beneficial and with limited practice time its a valuable tool. On top of being the world's lightest full face helmet my MET Parachute comes with a very handy removable support for the helmet camera. Cool stuff!

Day 2:
Starting day 2 we had another surprise to the format. We would be meeting at 8am to practice stage 4 and 5 after a pedal liaison from the paddock area. A good warm up for the day with a decent climb before we would then race Stage 3, 4 and 5.

With only the one run on stage 4 and 5 I knew they were going to be hard. The terrain on these two stages was natural with tight corners in the trees and small stop start corners in some places, which made it hard to keep the flow. You needed to watch your handlebars on the trees and keeping traction while racing would be a challenge.

Stage 3: The name of this stage was Mountain Goat. A rocky natural stage, technical up top and then sections where you needed to carry speed over rocks in the middle then finishing on wide open fast fire road. I liked this stage and felt good in my run crossing the line in 4th. The finish of this stage saw us have a small climb to get to the start of stage 4.

Stage 4: The shortest stage of the weekend, just over 1 min 25 of racing with awkward trees to catch your handle bars on and the loose tight corners which were hard to hold speed. I never got into the flow this stage and fighting my bike and the terrain I was happy to see the end of it. 18th position, was a kick in the teeth!

Stage 5 was the final stage for day 2, a longer version of stage 4 but more physical. The terrain was in a forest which had been cut down so logs and stumps were everywhere. Care needed to be taken not to clip the pedals, it was easy to make time costing mistakes. As I sprinted off the start line I caught something with my back wheel and nearly had a big crash. Somehow I managed to stay on my bike but it was one of those moments when your heart nearly jumps out of your chest. The rest of my run was a mixture of small mistakes and fighting my bike again. I was frustrated to close the finish line but happy at least the stages were over. 13th place.

I couldn’t help but feel frustrated as I sat on the lift to go and practice stage 6 and 7 for the afternoon. I needed to make up some time on the final day and to do that required a big effort in both stages. I worked hard learning the final stages and when I got back to the Condo I could feel the efforts of the day. An ice bath and stretch to recover.

Day 3:
We started stage 6 and this would be the most physical stage of the weekend. This stage had some really long flat sections in the trees, while it also had the challenge of catching your handles bars, especially when you were tired. It then had a big flat pedallly section in the middle of the course which basically finished you off before a fast fire road to the finish where your really were just hanging on your bike. The unfortunate surprise of this stage was that once we got through all the pedalling and to the fast finish we came across an accident. It was awful to come across one of the women riders who had injured themselves. People were on the course trying to stop us but in such a fast section and without any sort of warning flags myself and 3 riders were past the accident and finished the run before all the other riders were stopped. Back in paddock there was discussion as to what should happen, re run all or just the riders who were stopped. It was one of those moments when you didn’t want to go up for a rerun but the sporting thing to do was to go back and do one to be fair to all the other riders. I made the decision to go up and so did the other 3 so I was happy to see everyone pushing for a fair race.

The effort in the second run was equivalent as I dropped in for the rerun. My legs didn’t have the same power any more and I was having to ride a gear lower. Without any warning I lost the front wheel in a turn and down I went. I was a bit gutted because it was not the stage you could afford to crash on and I was trying to make time not lose it! I finished out my run with everything I had left in the tank and crossed the line in 10th.

Final stage: This was the downhill stage of the weekend and all I wanted to do was to leave nothing on the hill and really go for it. With a tire change and a few adjustments to my Remedy I had little time for a warm up, I was straight off the lift and into the start gate. My run seemed to fall into place this time, I was able to carry good speed and hit all my lines. The final stage went great and I had held it together to finish 3rd. A good way to close the weekend.

It has been a mixed race for me this weekend, some up and downs for sure but keeping the consistency going with a 5th overall finish has kept me in 3rd in the points series.

A big thanks to my Sponsors/team/coach/ and wife for all the help to get here this weekend. Without all this support I just couldn't do it!

Trek Factory Racing, Fox Racing Shox, Shimano, Bontrager, MET, Bluegrass, Adidas eyewear, Stages power meters, CNP.

I now have two days testing with Trek and Fox Racing shocks so come Whistler in 2 weeks we should have some more time out of the bike and suspension.

- Justin -

2014 Enduro Mediterraneo Race Schedule Announced

Enduro Mediterraneo is entering the race schedule really dynamically. In less than two months, the first race of the series will be held will participants already growing in numbers, not only for the race in Xanthi, but even for the third race of the season which is in Volos in mid October. Xanthi will be taking all the pressure of the opening event for this years' Enduro Mediterraneo with participants from Germany, Italy, and all over Greece.

The race will consist of 4 Special Stages with total participation length of 25 km, 5 km more than the race in Steni of past September, and will all be done by pedal, as the elevation gain/loss suits this condition. Total elevation gain/loss is 1400m, and the timed stages are 7,1 km long, making the race quit demanding. Registration will occur nearly all day on Saturday at Flowride Bike Shop, and the organizers along with local riders will give you an official track run of the race course at 13:00 on Saturday noon.

The Enduro Mediterraneo organizing committee has decided to give everyone a chance to come to the race even if they are far away, giving an option of transportation for you and your bike. A special bus with a bike treiler will depart from Athens on Friday noon with Xanthi as the final destination and return on Sunday night. Intermediate stops will be made in Larisa & Thessaloniki or anywhere else will be needed. You will find the participation form on the link below.

Sunday is the race day where athletes are invited to give their best. The race start will be given in 11:00 in the morning, with seeding runs at 9:00.

The option of registration with a 20% discount is extrended till the 10th of March, giving you the chance to participate with a lower cost.

Detailed schedule, rules and special details can be found at the following link

http://enduromediterraneo.com/xanthi-race-2014/

PROJEKT ROAM: Destination Whitefish Bike Retreat

Landscapes is a film series that celebrates and depicts the fruit of the earth's time and toils with the elements that have helped to create and shape the terrain we mountain bike across today. Volume 3 of Landscapes captures the charm and range of Whitefish, MT. Throughout this rugged and tumultuous topography, trails abound. Ripe for exploring, this town is a treasure cache of mountain biking diversity.

It was one of those brilliant and crisp late summer mornings. Bird calls resonated throughout the forest, harmonizing with the hum of bike tires, creating a relaxing background melody. The two of us were exploring the Whitefish Trail system, dodging bears and spying on bushy tailed foxes, when we stumbled upon a small, strategically placed sign and side trail. Whitefish Bike Retreat, the sign read, with an arrow pointing off through the trees in a different direction. Intrigued, we diverted along the smaller path and quickly made our way along more staple, Montana single track.

The end of our route deposited us in front of a huge and inviting converted barn, nestled in the heart of the growing Whitefish Trail system. Lofty pines bordered the drive as we made our way up to the bunk house, the main building of the Whitefish Bike Retreat. Peace and serenity radiated from the surroundings. We couldn't believe we had stumbled upon this incredible haven in the middle of the forest, amidst a trail system full of amazing single track.

Our impromptu side trip could not have been more impeccably timed as well. As we rolled to a stop, gaping in wonder at our surroundings, an adorable Heeler dog bounds up, taunting us playfully with a ridiculously large stick and wagging tail. Just mere moments later we were greeted warmly by the smiling proprietor, Cricket Butler, who just so happened to be heading up to the bunk house and was more than happy to give us a tour of the place. Curious to find out what exactly we had stumbled upon, we gladly accepted.

It was love at first sight. As soon as you step into the foyer, you are greeted with a spacious open floor plan, while exposed wooden beams and supports lend solidity to the structure. Upcycled bike parts of mismatched origins tastefully and creatively adorn the interior of the Bike Retreat, providing functionality in many instances as well. Comfy couches and an assortment of movies are tucked away in one corner for evening relaxation and down time. Everything about the place was so well thought out; tasteful accompanied by a touch of Montana rustic, with a flair for modern. It was quickly proving itself to be an amazing place to stay while you were on a bike-cation.

As we conversed with Cricket she inundated us, in a good way, with a list of all the amenities her Retreat provided. The downstairs portion of the main bunk lodge was equipped with a communal kitchen, separate mens' and womens' full baths with showers, and a very roomy indoor common area. Upstairs boasts private rooms, gender specific bunk rooms, and a half bath along with picturesque views of the evergreens outside.

Complimentary, secured indoor bicycle storage is available and if you need to tune up your bike in preparation for the radically good biking times your about to have, there is a clean, well stocked bike workshop to get your stuff dialed; all open and available for guests. For a full compilation of all the wonderful things the Bike Retreat has to offer, including shuttle services, take a few minutes to peruse their website www.whitefishbikeretreat.com.

Tranquil tent sites, tucked away among fragrant pines, are available for guests looking to go au natural and camp outdoors. A bonus of camping here is the communal indoor and outdoor amenities and services are open to camping guests as well.

After taking a moment to wash off the remnants of a stellar day of riding from your bike in the last of the sun's warming rays, the full weight of the relaxing atmosphere sets in. The outdoor rec area, with its toasty fire pit, beckons. The grill awaits. Yet another perfect touch to wrap up a sensational day.

I wasn't surprised to hear that a common theme among guests, ourselves included, is how taken aback everyone is at how much the Whitefish Bike Retreat truly has to offer. From the aromatic scents of freshly brewed, locally roasted coffee and baked goods greeting you in the mornings, to the shuttle services and a growing trail network right out the front door. It's a complete package, a wonderful place to stay and really feel comfortable and at home.

As amazing as that all is, I think it is the genuine hospitality that wholly envelopes you during the entire stay that really stands out. This friendly and welcoming atmosphere that emanates from the cozy hostel permeates the entire town as well; from the populace you bump into on the abundant trails to the locals that greet you with a smile and wave downtown.

It's easy to discern why Cricket decided to permanently call Whitefish home in early 2012. "...Whitefish has always felt like home to me-from my first visit 20 years ago. I am attracted to the remoteness, severity of weather, the wildlife, and boundless wilderness areas here. There is no other place like Montana and I really wanted my sons to grow up with all this!"

And speaking of Cricket's two young sons, she has to be doing something right, for they are quite adept at helping Mom to run the place; proving themselves to be budding business entrepreneurs as well. If you're fortunate enough to spend some time here, you just might encounter them running the on-sight mini general store that provides basic essentials, including maps, snacks, and quick fix bike gear.

Overall, the Whitefish Bike Retreat was one of my favorite places to be when I spent time in Montana this past summer. I knew we would be returning to the Retreat time and again regardlessly, but when Cricket mentioned she would be offering fat bike rentals for biking in the snow, I knew we would be heading back in the snowy season as well. How awesome is that going to be considering the area has a local ski resort, to get a bike and board fix all in one trip!?!

Projekt Roam was founded by husband and wife, Colt and Jessee Maule in 2010. It has been their mission to travel North America in search of places that celebrate the unparalleled beauty and freedom of not only the bike, but the terrain we ride as well. Plan your own trip to Whitefish, MT and check out more photos, film, and riding locations throughout North America at www.gravityrideguide.com.

If you are interested in being featured on Destinations, we would like to hear from you, please contact us: info@projektroam.com

Words: Jessee Maule

Photos/Film: Colt & Jessee Maule (August 2013)

Riders: Colt & Jessee Maule

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