Nukeproof Launches The Sam Hill Signature Series

The Sam Hill Signature Series has been developed in conjunction with five time downhill World Champion Sam Hill.  Sam needs no introduction. He is widely regarded as one of the best riders of all time and as such, he knows what works best! The signature series is a no-compromise range of race ready components chosen and designed with direct input from Sam to be the best tools for the job.

Signature Mud Saddle

The Sam Hill Series signature saddle design was inspired by Sam’s own motocross saddle and was created on Sams request: It’s most obvious feature is the pleated top cover which is designed to optimise grip in wet and muddy conditions. Made from a tough, durable Lorica material, it is tear resistant with Kevlar scuff guards on the outer corners to improve abrasion resistance. It features a smaller body than any other Nukeproof saddle, measuring in at 255mm x 127mm to maximise clearance and manoeuvrability on the bike. The smaller body, reduced padding and CrN Ti alloy rail compound, improve the strength-to-weight ratio. Weighing in at just 234g itis a lightweight contender, with a heavyweight punch.

Signature Lock-On Grips

The Sam Hill Series Signature Grip has been custom designed to Sams specification.. It features a soft-compound Kraton rubber which has been moulded to a specific width, thickness and circumference with Diamond texture pattern and a MX inspired half waffle to optimise grip, comfort, control and riding confidence. Featuring CNC-machined 7000-series aluminium lock-rings for wet-weather peace of mind and built in bar end plugs, the Signature Grip is both comfortable and confidence-inspiring.

Signature Riser Bar

Sam has always been particular about his handlebar set-up: Manufactured from high grade 7075 aluminium for strength and featuring a shot-peen finish to maximise fatigue resistance, The Sam Hill Signature Riser Bars feature a 20mm or 38mm rise, 760mm width and a 9° back-sweep/6° up-sweep, to optimise ergonomics and deliver confident handling through the roughest of terrain. Although the bars were built for the rigours of world cup level DH competition they are light enough for any kind of riding at just 298g making for a strong, comfortable, lightweight and confidence inspiring handlebar.

Signature Inline Seatpost

Custom 3D forged from 7075 series aluminium for optimum strength, the signature seat post consists of a one piece shaft and lower clamp section topped with a cold-forged clamp head,with both the upper and lower clamp and rail assemblies CNC-machined in critical stress areas for superior strength and fatigue resistance.The 400mm long shaft is turn finished for quality and features an elliptical internal bore to further increase the strength to weight ratio without compromising structural integrity.

Signature Direct Mount Stem

Precision CNC-machined from high-grade 7000-series aluminium, the Sam Hill Signature Series stem has been engineered for the optimum balance of light weight and stiffness without compromising structural integrity.

Featuring a one-piece four-bolt face plate for maximum stiffness and security against bar slippage, it is compatible with RockShox BoXXer and most other fork manufacturers utilising the standard 4 bolt crown mount.

Signature Tee Shirt

• 100% Cotton
• Available in Small, Medium, Large and X-Large

Sam Hill Nukeproof Parts

Breck Epic Organizers Launch MTB Event in Eagle, CO

(Eagle, Colo.) - April 5, 2013 - The Greenspeed Project, Inc., organizers of the popular Breck Epic MTB Stage Race, are pleased to announce the launch of the inaugural Eagle Outside Festival. Scheduled for May 11-12, 2013 in Eagle, CO, the event serves as a showcase for the community's extensive trail network and as a centerpiece for the town's destination tourism marketing effort.
 
"We've made a commitment to increase the quality and quantity of our already substantial trail network," states Mayor Yuri Kostick, "We believe that Eagle offers some of the best riding in the Rockies, all within an easy drive of the front range. The Eagle Outside Festival shines a spotlight on what we consider to be a perfect early season riding option for the Colorado mountain biking community."
 
Accurately described as a 're-envisioning' of Eagle's former Get Out Expo, the new event incorporates many new elements for riders, runners and outdoor enthusiasts alike. First among them is the inaugural Firebird MTB Race and its counterpart, the women's only Firebird la Femme. Non-USAC sanctioned, the mountain bike events take place on Saturday and Sunday respectively and collectively boast a $10,000 cash purse with equal payouts for men's and women's fields.
 
The festival also features the 1st annual Rocky Mountain Bike and Outdoor Expo, a consumer facing demo boasting some of the bike industry's leading brands. Santa Cruz, Pivot, Ibis, Felt, Niner, Specialized, Yeti, Ellsworth, Twenty Two Cycles, Orbea, Wilier, Ridley, BMC and many, many more will all be on hand with their latest models. The free demo invites consumers to test ride their dream rigs all day long on Eagle's signature climbs and descents.
 
"With three great coffee shops, a VERY good brewery, some killer Mex, dining options galore and a full grip of trails leading riders from town into the back of beyond, Eagle is sort of an undiscovered secret," says event producer Mike McCormack, "The racing part is obvious, and we're thrilled to have the town's support in offering a sizable purse. The current dynamic as dictated by USA Cycling is universally unpopular - hopefully another great race without their sanction will prompt them to invest additional thought into their recent decision. Then again, maybe it won't."
 
"The demo is a direct extension of the success we've seen at events like Sea Otter, Interbike and Outerbike," continued McCormack, "People LOVE to try the bikes they've only seen reviewed online or in a magazine. Events like these are packed with smiling people. With the industry placing more and more resources into dealer relationship and support demo-type programs, we think we've come pretty close to the mark in terms of offering a great venue along with tremendous energy and critical mass, all during the important early season purchasing period. And besides - what better way to introduce riders to Eagle?"
 
The event will also offer a no-cost set of Strava Challenges. Riders can test themselves on some of Eagle's signature climbs and descents, trying to best the local hammers and rippers for digital bragging rights.
 
There's more than just biking though. New for this year is the Mother of a Half-Marathon, a downhill road marathon that sees competitors finish in the heart of Eagle Ranch. In addition, there will be a 10K longboard push race, a "Chro-Moly Chef" competition, and a wide variety of Mother's Day activities including yoga, spa treatments, flower delivery, special meal offers from local dining spots and much, much more.

For more information on the Eagle Outside Festival, the Rocky Mountain Bike and Outdoor Expo or any of the events held throughout the weekend, please visit the Eagle Outside Festival site or contact Mike McCormack.
About The Greenspeed Project
The Greenspeed Project was founded in 2008 to utilize cycling events as a mechanism to underwrite trail improvements and enhance MTB access in the Central Rockies. The team has effectively harnessed the power of the collective cycling consciousness in service of demanding accountability and ethical discourse from those that would see mountain bike access greatly marginalized. Greenspeed has also been instrumental in validating the term 'companion designation', bringing it into the land protection dialogue along with the concept of the Wilderness B (Wilderness with Bikes), of which Greenspeed is the founder.Through these initiatives, the organization has played a modest role in the crafting of stronger, more meaningful land protections for all. While the group can be found most recently jousting at windmills in the Colorado Springs area, The Breck Epic, Greenspeed's signature 6-day MTB stage race event, is sold out for 2013.

2013 Fontana PRO GRT Race Report By Mikey Haderer

Santa Cruz Bronson 650B Announced

Two decades of evolution at Santa Cruz brought us here. An entirely new frame, new wheel size and new perspective on what a 6" travel bike can conquer.

Bronson is not some rehashed 27.5" tribute act to anything else in our range. It stands alone as testament to the years of designing and refining at our old Bronson Street facility.

Locked up for months of secret testing, Bronson breaks straight onto the scene as the Syndicate's race bike for their Enduro World Series campaign.

From Tazmon to Bronson... Santa Cruz continues to lead each new era. Welcome to our Group B. If you're a spectator on track, please take a step back.

- 27.5" (650b) wheels
- 142 mm rear axle spacing.
- New molded rubber swingarm and downtube protectors.
- 2 x bottle cage mounts.
- Forged upper link.
- Forged aluminum lower link with angled grease ports: offset for chainguide clearance.
- Collet axle pivots: lock in place without pinch bolts.
- Angular contact bearings: all pivots.
- Direct mount rear derailleur hanger option: standard hanger comes as stock.
- Full carbon dropouts and disk mounts.
- Co-molded aluminum hardware on frame pivots: no bonding.
- Carbon ISCG-05 tabs.
- Routing for Reverb Stealth.
- 73mm threaded BB: creak-free riding and easy installation.

Bronson Aluminum

Bronson Carbon

2013 Bluegrass Enduro Tour

Hannah Barnes, Jérome Clementz and Alex Lupato will be among the riders opening the international enduro season at round #01 of the Bluegrass Enduro Tour in Castelbuono - Sicily - next week-end.
The race is a two day event with a prologue in the streets of Castelbuono on Saturday and three long timed stages raced in the Madonie mountains around Castelbuono on Sunday.

 
What Hannah said:
I am really excited to be going to Castelbuono for the first round of the Bluegrass Enduro Tour. It will be awesome to be racing on a beautiful island and catching up with old friends. I can't wait to ride the trails and get back into the racing spirit after a cold winter tucked away in the Fort William woods. It's going to be a shock to the system to be racing again, but I can't wait! See you there.

About the Bluegrass Enduro Series
Born 4 years ago on the slopes of the French Vosges mountains the format of our MTB Enduro series follows similar lines to the motorcycle type enduro. The event takes the form of riding a route interspersed by timed stages. The Bluegrass Enduro Tour is raced in four different countries in 2013. The success of the Bluegrass Enduro Tour is to be found in its uncompromised values, a mix of fantastic trails and great atmosphere.

2013 Bluegrass Info