2012 Pro GRT Round 1 Port Angeles

Colorado Springs, Colo. (April 26, 2012) – The 2012 USA Cycling Professional Mountain Bike Gravity Tour (Pro GRT)kicks off this weekend with the NW Cup in Port Angeles, Wash.
 
Slated to take place at Dry Hill, April 26-29, the NW Cup is the first of six events on the country’s premier gravity calendar for 2012.
 
Last year, the event was won by Danny Hart (Newbury Park, Calif./Giant Factory Off Road Team) and Jill Kintner (Ferndale, Wash./Transition Racing). Kintner went on to win the overall 2011 women’s Pro GRT title while Cody Warren (Alpine, Calif./DRD X-Fusion Intense) topped the standings on the men’s side. This weekend will see the nation’s top gravity racers converge on the Pacific Northwest as they begin their pursuits to dethrone the reigning Pro GRT champs.  
 
Registration is open on-site throughout the weekend with seeding runs taking place on Saturday and finals occurring on Sunday. For a complete schedule, as well as other important information on the NW Cup, please visit the event’s website.
 
After the Pro GRTopens in Washington, it will continue with two Eastern States Cup events in Mountain Creek, NJ and Roxbury, NY, May 20 and May 27. That pair will be followed by the Mountain States Cup Chile Challenge, June 9-10 in Angel Fire, NM, and the Whiteface Pro GRT 5K Downhill in Wilmington, NY, June 16-17. Overall calendar champions will then be crowned after the final event – the Northstar Pro GRT in Truckee, Calif., August 3-5.

2012 Zerode G-1 Images

The 2012 Zerode is now coming anodized with 3 color options.It is now 1.5 pounds lighter as well.

• Black
• Blue
• Silver

Top 10 For All TWR Downhillers At 2012 Sea Otter

Aaron Gwin led the way with a 3rd place, closely followed by Neko Mulally joining him on the podium for 5th. Justin Leov was also in the mix with a 7th showing everyone that on this course our team had the greatest combined horse power of the weekend.

The Sea Otter Downhill course is notoriously lacking in topography and for this reason the riders opted to run their Enduro bikes, the superb Trek Slash 9. We are very fortunate to have committed sponsors who not only helped us with the extra equipment to allow the Trek Race Department to build these bikes up specifically for the Sea Otter event, but Shimano also provided all three riders with the brand new Saint Group-Sets to race on. With the top 5 in the final results including power house riders like race winner Jared Graves (AUS) as well as Mick Hannah (AUS) and Brian Lopes (USA), it was great to see Neko so close to his mentor team mate in that top 5.

Aaron said: "I had an awesome time this weekend. Sea Otter is always one of my favorite races of the year. The atmosphere is always cool and the amount of people who showed up to see us was crazy. I rode my Slash this weekend since the course was pretty flat, that thing is a blast! My race run went pretty good too, times are always tight and the pedaling makes you hurt! Overall it was a fun weekend and solid results for the whole team. Thanks to everyone for coming out!"

Neko said: "I was really happy with how our equipment worked this weekend. The Slash was the perfect bike for Sea Otter's downhill track and the new low knob tires we had from Bontrager m ade the bike incredibly fast. Getting a chance to ride all the components in the new Saint group-set also felt great. I put down a solid run in the final, but I feel the bikes we had helped a lot."

Justin said: "I felt a little off today with my run. My fitness is great I just need a little fine tuning. On the positive side my bike was feeling great all weekend with the new tires and Saint group-set. A noticeably quieter ride with the derailleur and much faster shifting with the new Saint shifter." The team now heads north to Port Angeles, Washington State, for the opening round of the US MTB Grand Prix, where they'll be back on their Session 9.9's.

Full Sea Otter results can be seen here: http://www.seaotterclassic.com/raceresults/index.cfm/2012.htm

More info on Trek's Slash 9 can be seen here: http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/mountain/technical_trail/slash/slash_9/#

Following the team on Twitter @trekworldracing

Shimano Announces New 2013 Zee

Shimano introduces Zee, a new line of gravity components that are an ideal starting point for aggressive riders and racers. Zee is the gateway gravity component line that allows riders to get on board with Shimano’s gravity program and experience premium new component technologies at a price they can afford. Highlights in the Zee line include a 10-speed system that comes standard with new ICE Tech and Shadow Plus technologies.

Zee Shadow Plus RD

The Zee RD-M640 features Shadow Plus technology proven to reduce chain slap, drop and impact noise and the 10-speed short cage RD’s low profile tucks safely below the cassette cogs. With two spec options that enable a typical MTB cassette (11-32,11-34,11-36) or a close ratio road cassette (11-23,11-25,11-28), Zee is ready to handle the needs of enduro and DH racers. 10-speed also offers complete compatibility with Dyna-Sys MTB product and Shimano’s latest chain and cassette technology.

 

New Gravity 10-Speed Shifter

The new Zee shifter uses Dyna-Sys compatible cable stroke, which means linear shift effort, easy set-up and accurate, stable gear changes. All new paddle shapes with 2-Way release and dimpled main lever allow riders to be more in control and perfectly engaged.

Powerful 4-Piston Disc Brakes With ICE Tech

New Zee hydraulic disc brake systems are gravity rated with a Servo-Wave brake lever and new 4-piston ceramic disc brake caliper. System stiffness is tuned using Shimano’s high-power hose and shorter lever blade while ergonomics are perfected with a new pivot location and dimpled surface. ICE Tech brake pad and rotor options reduce heat in the system and maintain performance on the longest descents.

Durable, Reinforced Crank Set

The thick wall aluminum construction on the Zee twopiece cranks and reinforced steel axle translate to additional confidence on the trail. With an axle 30% stronger than comparable trail cranks and smooth running, accurately aligned chain wheels, the Zee crank will perform reliably - run after run. The crank arm features outboard bearings and steel pedal inserts. Options include single ring 34T/36T/38T; FC-M640 68/73mm BB and FC-M645 83mm BB. Pressfit compatible.

New Durable And Reliable Hubsets

Quick engaging, smooth running hubs are a big advantage on the mountain. The new Zee hubs include quality sealing, adjustable angular contact bearings, and rotate on extra stiff, one piece rear axles with integrated cone construction. Zee hubs are ready for any modern gravity bike with 20mm axles up front and 12mm axles in 135, 142 and 150mm configurations.

Shimano Announces New 2013 Saint M820

The original dedicated gravity component line is more focused, more advanced and more
dedicated to speed than ever with the new M820 group for 2013. The now 10-speed Saint M820
group embraces Shimano’s latest technology and debuts all-new advancements in both heat
control and drivetrain stability. With new ICE Technologies and Saint’s take on the Shadow Plus
rear derailleur, the M820 group promises riders a pure riding experience and the gift of focus
through seamless and stable bike control.

The New Standard In DH Rear Derailleurs

New chain control and silencing technologies in the new RD-M820 are a game changer for gravity riding. In addition to the proven Shadow Plus RD design, a Saint specific, high durometer urethane bump stopper (between the RD and the dropout) was added to reduce impact noise. Now 10-speed, the new RD-M820 features a durable super wide link that serves as the backbone of the DH parallelogram. Ready for track and trail, the mode converter easily adapts between two settings for MTB cassette gear ratios (11-32, 11-34, 11-36) and road (11-23, 11-25, 11-28).

ICE Technologies Even More Advanced

The new Saint disc brake embraces Shimano ICE Technology and advances it, reducing heat and improving performance through multiple combined features. In addition to finned brake pads, self insulating ceramic pistons and three layer rotor construction, new M820 disc brake systems will also see the introduction of a 30mm aluminum banjo fitting and an innovative finned rotor, that reduce operating temperatures by increasing the convective surface area. The new SM-RT99 Ultimate Clad rotor is a significant performance enhancement reducing heat by 50 degrees, creating 20% more stopping power, eliminating brake fade and increasing pad life. A new, longer 30mm banjo fitting extending from the caliper further reduces heat at a critical location where oil transitions from hose to caliper. Saint shares the excellent ergonomics and system stiffness found on Zee brake systems and is also ISPEC compatible.

Improved Shifter Ergonomics, Easier Shifts

Advanced DH ergonomics including longer levers (+5mm) and textured paddles combine with low friction ball bearings to reduce shifting effort on this gravity specific shifter. Designed specifically for Shadow Plus and Vivid indexing, these shifting enhancements reduce base shifting effort by up to 37%, so that on-trail shift effort is as light as ever. Instant, effortless shifts create a whole new paradigm for the most durable, gravity-ready drivetrain on the market. Premium
functions include instant release, multi release and 2-Way release. An I-SPEC bracket option will be available to reduce weight and handlebar clutter.

Reliable DH Race Cranks

New Saint Hollowtech II cranks are hollow forged Duraluminum, creating a lighter weight crank set with an axle that is 250% stronger than trail options and an arm that is double strength. The single-only setup looks great with custom aluminum hardware and is available in three lightweight chainring options (34T/36T/38T) and in two crank sets: FC-M820 (68/73mm BB) and FC-M825 (83mm BB) that both offer Presfit BB compatibility. A steel pedal insert adds durability at the pedal interface. Note: MTB Press fit BB: SM-BB71-41A (50mm chainline; 89.5x41 BB shell), DH Press fit BB: SM-BB71-41C (58mm chainline; 104.5x41 BB shell)

New Saint Hubsets

New Saint hubs are lighter and easier to adjust. All weather rated with top quality sealing, adjustable angular contact bearings, and precision ground, integrated cone construction, these hubs track straight and roll true. Centerlock mounting for alignment and braking efficiency, Saint hubs are available with 20mm axles up front and 12mm axles in 135, 142 and 150mm configurations.

New Wider, Lower Profile Saint Flat Pedals

After years of success, the crowd favorite DX flat pedals are succeeded by new PD-MX80 Saint-branded pedals that feature a wider (+3mm), lower profile (-8.5mm) platform with an easy replacement pin system. Adapted to modern riding, the PD-MX80 retains the durable, smooth rotating axle and concave ergonomic platform that made the MX30 a legend.