2015 Banshee Legend Updates

The legend has recieved significant updates for 2015 to make it a leaner meaner and ultimately faster DH racer.

New for 2015

There are a number of significant updates and refinements that have been made to the 2015 Banshee Legend.

• - The geometry of the frames has been updates to supply what our riders have asked for. We have dropped the small size, lengthened the medium and large top tube lengths (while also lowering the center of gravity and standover), and added a new XL size for longer front center to allow taller riders to get into a great attack position.
• -The head angle has been slackened to 63.0 degrees, the BB has been lowered 2mm, the travel has increased to 205mm, and rear tire clearance for 26" wheels has been improved to help on really muddy tracks.
• - A new tube set not only increases strength and front triangle torsional stiffness by 5%, but it also creates a cleaner merge with the shock basement forgings, and improves compatibility with the tube for integrated frame bumpers from ODI.
• -The linkage kinematcs have been improved to work more optimally with modern DH race cassette ranges while slightly reducing pedal kickback.
• -The MY15 legend forgings have all been refined to shed weight and improve aesthetics, the frame has tubes for ODI fork bumpers, and now has a 44/56 tapered head tube to make it compatible with tapered steerer triple clamp forks running a zero stack headset, while the whole center of gravity of the frame has been lowered to make it the best in it's class by a margin.
• -Lots of other small manufacturing details to improve strength, stiffness characteristics and ultimately performance.

The best just got better!

Trailcraft Cycles Creates High Performance, Lightweight 24-Inch XC Mountain Bikes For Aspiring Young Riders

Fort Collins, Colorado, USA:  Trailcraft Cycles was created to answer the need for a high performance, lightweight, 24-inch XC kids bicycle.   With high end components mirroring those of mountain bikes two to three wheel sizes bigger, Trailcraft Cycles brings two options of both aluminum and titanium bicycles to the kids bike market.  Nestled on the edge of the Rocky Mountains, Trailcraft Cycles was founded in Fort Collins, Colorado which is known for for its great riding and family friendly atmosphere.
    
Trailcraft Cycles was started after modifying a 24- inch high-end mountain bike for founder Ginger Rosenbauer’s son.  “Our son’s riding progression was held back by a heavy bike. His high-end bike was designed around a stock frame with long chainstays making it difficult to learn to manual over obstacles and change directions quickly.  The heavy components hindered his ability to ride longer and learn key skills which he was ready for at 8-years-old,”  said Trailcraft Founder Ginger Rosenbauer. “The choices available for a high performance 24- inch bike were slim to none so I set out to create bikes which would give aspiring young riders the option to ride a great bicycle from the beginning.”

The first model, the Pineridge 24 is named after a local trail in Fort Collins, Colorado where Trailcraft was founded.  “The Pineridge 24 took our son’s riding from the good level to the great.  Hills that were once too difficult to ride became much easier, key skills were learned, and our family rides became longer and a lot more fun.”

The first small production run is ready, and is sold in four options: (1) complete aluminum bike (2) aluminum frame, fork, wheels, and cranks for personal customization (3) complete titanium bike and (4) titanium frame, fork, wheels, and cranks for personal customization. All are available for delivery before the holiday season on Kickstarter.  The next production run will be delivered April/May 2015.

The secret to the perfect ride quality of the Trailcraft Pineridge 24 bike is the unique frame geometry and high quality lightweight components. Each frame is hand built in very small batches with double butted 7005 aluminum tubing, forged dropouts, and post-mount disc brake mount. A chainstay length of 390mm allows kids to corner faster, change direction quicker, and lift the front end easier.  A shorter rear end also makes learning manuals and floating the front end over obstacles much more fun than your typical mass produced 24-inch bike designed with a kickstand in mind.

Trailcraft’s Pineridge 24 offers high performance geometry, Stans Crest rims, Schwalbe tires, Shimano Deore components, and three color options to choose from. These bikes are very light weight. The aluminum complete bike weighs approximately 22 pounds and the titanium complete bike weighs approximately 19 pounds.

The Pineridge 24 complete bike is being offered at $1699. The aluminum frame, fork, wheels and cranks are offered at $1199.  The Pineridge 24 titanium complete bike is being offered at $2699. The titanium frame, fork, wheels, cranks are offered at $2199.

Founder, Ginger Rosenbauer is really excited to bring these lightweight bikes into the marketplace. “It is my hope that children can ride these lightweight bikes building an early positive riding experience, and a lifetime love of riding.”

More information on Trailcraft Cycles can be found at www.trailcraftcycles.com, and email at trailcraftcycles@gmail.com.  Trailcraft Cycles is offering all bikes and gear on their Kickstarter from November 17 through December 11 with delivery of a limited number of bikes by this Christmas.  Please like and share on Facebook, and suggest to parents who have kids that would benefit from a high performance lightweight 24” kids bike. https://www.facebook.com/TrailcraftCycles

Ibis Announces The 3rd Generation Mojo HD, Longer, Lower, Slacker

Mojo HD Generation 3

The new Mojo HD (HD3 for short) is the third act in the Mojo HD/Mojo HDR trailbike trilogy. Everything is new from the ground-up, notably featuring the latest and greatest refinement of the famed dw-link suspension. Geometry is fully modern: longer, lower and slacker, with 6” of plush rear wheel travel. We’ve built in versatile internal routing and updated the frame design, allowing us to put a water bottle on top of the downtube. We also achieve a drop in weight and pedaling performance on par with the Ripley, so the bike is very fast going up, and scary fast going down.

Features of the Mojo HD

• 650b (27.5") wheels
• The most advanced version of the dw-link suspension on the planet
• 6” of rear wheel travel
• Weight for the frame and shock, size large, matte finish: 5.9 lbs
• 67 degree head angle with a 150mm fork (66.6º with 160 fork)
• Shock specs: Fox Float CTD Adjust Factory Series with Kashima Coat, 7.875" x 2.25", 175lb boost, med velocity, med rebound, LV can, .92in3 volume spacer,
• Optional shock: Cane Creek DBinline
• ISCG 05 compatible with removable adapter
• Threaded bottom bracket
• Super versatile internal cable routing including internal dropper routing.
• Optional polycarbonate down tube cable guard
• Chain stay length: 16.9"
• 12 x 142mm Maxle rear axle
• 160mm post mount left dropout, carbon fiber
• Tapered Head Tube and Steerer
• Up to 2.4" rear tire depending on brand and height of cornering knobs
• Dual row angular contact bearings on the drive side 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 on the non drive side for stiffness and long wear
• Bottom Bracket height 13.4"
• Removable direct mount front derailleur mount for a clean 1X look

IBI MOJO HD3 INFO HERE

Trek C3 Project Takes FMB Factory Team Title

Trek doubles up as Brandon Semenuk takes the FMB Diamond Series title and C3 Project wins the FMB Factory Team Championship.
 
Munich, November 5th 2014 – For 2014, the FMBA introduced the all-new FMB Factory Team ranking. Just like the FMB Diamond Series, the title was anyone’s for the taking. After a full season of FMB Diamond Series stops, Trek rider Brandon Semenuk emerged victorious. While this year saw the Canadian athlete take his third FMB World Champion title, he is not alone in his celebrations. Collectively, the Trek C3 Project has taken the first ever FMB Factory Team Championship title. You can take a look at the final standings here: http://bit.ly/2014_FMBFactoryTeamRanking
 
The performance of the Trek C3 Project team featuring Brandon Semenuk (CAN), Brett Rheeder (CAN), Cam McCaul (USA) and Tom Van Steenbergen (CAN) has rewarded them with the first ever FMB Factory Team title. The main focus this season was on the battle between Semenuk and Rheeder as they fought to the last line and kicker for the FMB World Championship. Cam McCaul, the legend that he is, attended fewer events but certainly made his mark by showing support and offering advice. The youngest member of the team, Tom Van Steenbergen had fire in his eyes this year. He was probably hoping for more but a mid-season injury kept him off his bike until the final, Red Bull Rampage.
 
We caught up with team manager Andrew Shandro to find out more about Trek’s winning FMB season.
 
You must be proud of the boys. Was it a tough season this year?
Ya, always stoked to see the crew compete for the wins but more importantly help progress the sport, which undoubtedly Brandon and Brett did in Slopestyle this season. It's always a tough season on the riders the expectations they put on themselves to compete and win and staying healthy is very hard.
 
Was there any tension between Brett and Semenuk this season?
Brandon and Brett have a huge amount of respect for each other as riders and competitors. I would not call it tension I would call it healthy competition.
 
Riders say that once you ride the Ticket – you never go back. What is so special about the frame?
What makes the Trek Ticket and Ticket S so good is the fact that the bikes were developed 100% with our riders and the Trek engineers. The bikes are exactly what Brandon, Brett, Cam, R-Dog and Tom ask for. There is also constant communication between the team, engineers and the development group. If one of the riders asks for something specific that they feel will help benefit them, then the development crew makes it happen.
 
Canyon and Specialized were looking strong this year – did this make you a bit nervous?
No it did not make me nervous, I knew with the FMB Diamond Series being the main focus, our crew would step up and be in the running for the overall.
 
What do you think about the FMB Factory Team ranking?
I think what's most important is seeing the best riders in the world competing at the highest level which we saw numerous times this season. Obviously stoked for Brandon and Brett on an unreal contest season, the team overall is a bonus.
 
 
FMB Factory Team Ranking – recap
When the FMBA announced the news of a new FMB Factory Team ranking and the information about team riders was released. The forums clearly favored Trek C3 Project. However it was not until later in the season that Trek pulled back to take the win, leaving their fans in a cold sweat for a while.
Canyon Factory Freeride Team led the standings with solid victories and podiums by Thomas Genon, supported by Anton Thelander and Peter Henke. Mid-way through the season, the Specialized team moved into first thanks to team riders Martin Soderstrom, Nicholi Rogatkin and Darren Berrecloth. Heading to Red Bull Joyride, Canyon and Specialized were weakened due to rider injuries. This is when Trek C3 Project began climbing the ranking. Morpheus rider, Anthony Messere also had a great season and while his efforts helped place Morpheus second overall, they could not overtake the all-star team who leaped ahead in the rankings. The YT Industries team went relatively undetected throughout the season but Yannick Granieri was steadily stacking up the points and Cam Zink sealed a tied third place factory team result with his epic performance at Red Bull Rampage.
For the full FMB Factory Team results, click here.

Bikepark Leogang Says Goodbye For The Winter

Saalfelden Leogang in Salzburger Land, Austria, November 5th, 2014 – Another remarkable year has come to an end in Saalfelden Leogang. A particular flat tire during the UCI Mountain Bike Downhill World Cup race in the Bikepark Leogang will go down in the history books and the action from White Style, the Out of Bounds Festival and the Biketember Festival will remain a season highlight for many visitors. Then of course, thousands of bikers decided to hit the trails in Leogang’s bikepark - these adrenaline pumping moments will see them safely through the upcoming winter months.
 
Saalfelden Leogang wastes no time getting the mountain bike season started. Already in February the snow covered resort hosted the first FMB World Tour event of the year - White Style. Eager to start rolling, the pros turned up to ride the slopestyle course made from snow. More than 3,000 spectators turned up to see the action. Frenchman Antoine Bizet became the first athlete to win a FMB event in 2014.
 
One of the most spectacular events happened a few months later at the Out of Bounds festival and thanks to Aaron Gwin’s incredible performance it will not be forgotten. Rolling in to his UCI Mountain Bike Downhill World Cup race run, his tire blew after a few meters. Despite the massive technical disadvantage he kept racing and rode his bike all the way to the bottom of the course. Watching from the sidelines 11,000 spectators were gripped by his amazing run and rewarded his efforts with roars and cheers in the finish area. That day the 2014 UCI Mountain Bike Downhill World Champion, Josh Bryceland took his first victory of the season. The women’s race was no less exciting. All season long, Rachel Atherton and Manon Carpenter have been going head-to-head but the duels began right here in Saalfelden Leogang. In the end, it was Manon Carpenter who triumphed down the Speedster racetrack to take her second world cup victory. You can see Gwin’s race here: http://win.gs/OnFire
 
Hosting a UCI Mountain Bike World Cup is somewhat of a logistical masterpiece. Did you know, that on the downhill track:
-      There is about 10km/6mi course tape connecting 555 marker poles
-      about 20,500 rocks on course
-      5,000 screws
-      hundreds of cable straps
-      and millions of brain cells where used
-      14 jumps where built
-      32 marshals with 70 radios ensured that everything ran smoothly
-      167 journalists reported about the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup
 
Between the downhill Speedster track and 26TRIX dirt jump course, four cross racers went elbow-to-elbow round loose hairpins and over massive doubles. Katy Curd went on to beat Anneke Beerten in the women’s final and once again the unstoppable Tomas Slavik place first ahead of his fellow Czech rival, Michael Mechura. See the highlight clip here: http://youtu.be/JpmjBdQ_RcI
 
FMB World Tour athletes showed no mercy at the ninth edition of the dirt jump contest 26TRIX. Reaching deep into their bag of tricks, the official Gold level event will be remembered as one of the most progressive events of the FMB season. Antoine Bizet threw down a new world premier’s trick – his double backflip tuck nohand. But the biggest surprise might have been the young American Nicholi Rogatkin. Sticking an amazing run featuring signature tricks such as the cashroll, lawn dart frontie and triple tailwhip – he climbed to the top of the podium and stamped his name in amongst the pro’s. See the highlights here: http://youtu.be/bBrZJDy5fy0
 
After a day cheering next to the tape, spectators also made the most of the onsite side events. An evening premier of “Brandon Semenuk’s Rad Company” was a fantastic way to keep the stoke going through the night. The Red Bull Media House and NWD Films production earned a strong applause from the audience.
 
After all of this, Saalfelden Leogang is only half way through its season. To keep the momentum going and ensure visitors could make the most of their trip to Bikepark Leogang, a brand new festival called Biketember was introduced in September. Downhill and Enduro racers as well as nipper shredders in the SCOTT Junior Trophy, took to the mountain. Spectators could watch trackside as 220 Enduro riders fought their way over a 55km/34mi power-draining track, over a 2,000m/6,562ft ridge leading to Saalbach Hinterglemm. Tobias Reiser and Anneke Beerten reigned victorious that day.
 
2014 was a big year for Bikepark Leogang for more reasons than the events. It celebrated the opening of the Riders Playground. An area dedicated specifically to amateur bikers, inspired and motivated to reach the next level. The biggest beginner’s bike park worldwide is packed with various terrains, obstacles and features, all designed to prepare riders for the fun that awaits them further up the mountain. Saalfelden Leogang also extended its extensive network of e-bike stations to allow cyclists to discover even more of this beautiful region.
 
While 2014 is now behind us, Saalfelden Leogang is already looking forward to 2015. Confirmed dates for the upcoming year include:
 
30.01.                   White Style
23. – 25.05.           Bikepark & Freeride Camp
23. – 25.05.           Ladies Bikepark & Freeride Camp
30. – 31.05.           Trail Safari
11. – 14.06.           Out of Bounds Festival including UCI Mountain Bike Downhill World Cup and 26TRIX
13. – 14.06.           Man on Trail Enduro Camp
27. – 28.06.           Trail Safari
18.07.                   Biberg Auffiradler
19. – 20.07.           Stage of BIKE Transalp
19. – 23.07.           Bikepark & Freeride Camp for Youngsters
25. – 26.07.           Trail Safari
09. – 13.08.           Bikepark & Freeride Camp for Youngsters
23. – 27.08.           Bikepark & Freeride Camp for Youngsters
29. – 30.08.           Trail Safari
05. – 06.09.           Enduro & Single Trail Camp
06.09.                   Asitzgipfelberglauf
18. – 20.09.           Biketember Festival incl. iXS European Downhill Cup, Scott Junior Trophy
26. – 27.09.           Trail Safari
03. – 04.10.           Bikepark & Freeride Camp II
 
Saalfelden Leogang would like to say thank you to its partners Volvo, SCOTT, GoPro, SalzburgerLand, Stiegl, Brauunion, Maxxis, Gloryfy and Raiffeisen and wishes all mountain bikers and friends of the region a great winter season.