ARMA Energy MTB Team MOBILE APP!

The ARMA Energy MTB professional mountain bike team is excited to announce our official MOBILE APP for the mountain biker always on-the-ride!  Here’s a convenience opportunity to follow one of the United States’ top gravity mountain bike race programs as we travel across the nation, and around the world, competing at some of the greatest downhill & enduro destinations!  Be the first to experience immediate updates on new signings, new sponsors, & of course photos & videos – all from a mobile device!
 
The ARMA Energy MTB team has made a big step forward towards a greater fan experience by offering a Mobile App that features rider bios, race reports, team sponsors, events calendar, & more!
 
The APP is available FREE for your PHONE or TABLET on the App Store for iOS, Google Play for Android devices, or visit http://ARMAEnergyMTB.mobapp.at

Southridge 22nd Annual Challenge Pro Results

Southridge 22nd Annual Challenge Pro Results

Introducing The New Cobalt, Iodine, And Opium Wheelsets From Crankbrothers

When the founders of crankbrothers, Carl and Frank (get it? Carl + Frank = crank), first began developing a wheelset back in 2005, they wanted to create a wheel that had a more thoughtful design. In order to make something that is either stronger at the same weight, or lighter at the same strength, you have to use materials in a better, more efficient way. Carl and Frank wanted to completely pair up the spokes because paired spokes form a triangle, and triangles are the strongest geometric shape. This thought process lead to the design of the iconic and unique ::twinpair spoke wheelset, which was originally launched in 2008. Since then, we have continued updating the wheel design based on athlete feedback. In 2010, the 2nd generation wheelsets were launched with a new freehub design. Now, we are excited to share the newest generation of crankbrothers wheels.

Introducing the new cobalt, iodine, and opium wheelsets from crankbrothers.

Over the last two years, the engineers at crankbrothers have been focused on improving our wheel collection by redesigning the rim profile. With a design focused on strength : weight, the new rim profile is tuned for durability, lateral stiffness, and vertical compliance. We partnered with some of the world’s best athletes during our development and testing process to ensure that our wheelsets will exceed the demands of the most discerning and aggressive riders. With the addition of a 27.5 diameter, reduced prices on level 2 and 3 wheels, and full axle compatibility, the crankbrothers wheelset collection is an ideal upgrade to any mountain bike. As Hans Rey says, “crankbrothers wheels have been my loyal companions on many rides in the most remote corners of the globe.” Where will crankbrothers wheels take you?

“When we test new wheels, we train, practice, and race on the prototypes in all kinds of real world situations. The wheels get used hard, maintained, and replaced, so we can see where the weakest points are and report our findings and feelings on performance. The original MY 2008 opium wheels were pretty good for entering the DH wheel market for the first time. There were a few flaws with the freehub bodies, but those issues were resolved in the next generation hub. The MY 2010 opium wheels had the hub figured out, but the rims were too weak. This lead to a total redesign of the rim for MY 2014. Everything was considered: rim width, shape, height, material, joining, etc. With the redesign, we wanted a better seal for tubeless, more stability, a black option, as well as a rim that wasn't so hard and stiff it would flat, but that it could also hold up in rocks and big hits. These wheels have held up amazing with both tubes and tubeless, on a wide variety of terrain at speeds and under pressure. I think crankbrothers found a balance with the stiffness and width that takes impacts really well.”
- Jill Kintner, Norco International DH Team

Over the last 2 years, the engineers at crankbrothers have been focused on improving our wheel collection by redesigning the rim profile. With a design focused on strength : weight, the new rim profile is tuned for durability, lateral stiffness, and vertical compliance. We accomplished this by focusing on three key design elements in the rim profile: 1) internal lateral widths have been increased by 2mm on each model, 2) all sidewalls are 1.7mm lower, and 3) all rim depths have increased. We also focused on reducing weight in four key areas, including removing the original central I-beam, tapering sidewall thickness, reducing bead hook width, and reducing sidewall height. The reduced bead hook width and sidewall height, along with the curved tire well and non-perforated tire bed, also make the wheels incredibly easy to setup tubeless. After thorough FEA stress analysis, extensive machine testing, and hours of ride testing, we are certain that you can have confidence in the new collection of crankbrothers wheelsets.

Tech Specs

PROJEKT ROAM: Landscapes Vol. 3

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.

Each individual's life story is nothing but a flash of a synapse compared to the timeline of the evolution and shaping of the Earth we traverse our bikes upon. For instance, this passage of time has allowed crustal movements, glaciation, and other occurrences and extremes in nature to shape the Flathead Valley into a diverse environment, ideal for mountain biking. At an elevation of 3,033 feet, Whitefish, Montana is tucked away in the northernmost tip of this valley.

In days of old, Whitefish, MT was a thriving community supported by farming, timber, ranching, and the railroad. In the present day, the town is now considered a gateway destination to Glacier National Park and subsides mainly on tourism.

We'd heard that winter brings primo snow for icy wonderland lovers, but we were itching to see what the mountains had to offer during the glowing, languid days of late summer. With the bonus of being in close proximation of the Canadian border, and yielding an array of outdoor recreational activities, Whitefish, MT delightfully surprised us with some of the most fun mountain biking we had experienced all year. And I say this without even getting a chance to ride the local bike park...

We quickly discovered that one of our favorite spots was the freeride area at Spencer Mountain. The range of trail styles was surprisingly phenomenal. From 'groomed' man-made features to raw, steep, and technical, this downhill haven could have easily entertained us for the entire summer. Spencer Mountain seemed to truly embody the roots of freeride; whereas other trails in the area are shaped with a more structured trail building approach.

In our time spent in Whitefish, we barely scratched the surface of all the affable town had to offer, especially when it came to acquainting ourselves with the scores of trails in the surrounding area. There seem to be crystalline lakes burrowed in every nook and crag of the mountains that so many of the trails wound through.

Single track was bountiful and constantly beckoning. Some of our days were spent piloting our bikes for miles under the staple, vast Montana skies across strategically built trails that help to compile some of the Whitefish Trail, which to date, covers 40 miles of a proposed project to augment a 55 mile recreational trail system. Miles of buff, flowing single track makes this system an enjoyment for all.

There will be no shortage of places to pedal anytime soon, considering that the growth of the mountain biking scene, as well as local businesses, are supported by the Chamber of Commerce and City Council in combined efforts with other numerous affiliates.

The community support and involvement was pleasing to witness firsthand during conversations with locals, listening to plans of trail system growth and expansion, and encountering freshly built trails while passing ones under construction as well. Even with solid community support and obvious signs of recent trail activity, the lack of crowds on the trails was refreshing. It was as if we knew about this unbelievable secret spot that no one else did.

As soon as you left the dirt parking lots and motorized machinations behind, the effects of the surroundings were immediate. The boughs of the stately evergreens ever so subtly interrupted the sun's reaching beams, creating a diaphanous, glowing haze that permeated the entire forest, all the while, the only cacophony to reach your ears were the rhythmic hum of tires contacting dirt beneath you.

To sum it up in an unconventional dictionary, the definition under Whitefish, MT would read somewhere along the lines of "Leaves riders with earsplitting grins on their faces, feelings of euphoria, and the incredible urge to immediately go ride the trails again".

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.

Thanks to our sponsors for some great product and to all of our new friends who have helped us out along the way, ride on.

Words: Jessee Maule

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

Riders: Colt & Jessee Maule

For more work by Projekt Roam:

www.facebook.com/projektroam

www.projektroam.com

www.gravityrideguide.com

Trek World Racing Expands Downhill Roster, Now Racing Junior World Cup

Trek World Racing is excited to announce that for 2014 it will be expanding to 5 Downhill riders being led by World Cup race winner Brook MacDonald (NZL) and his compatriot George Brannigan. Also returning are riders who both hit the top 10 in World Racing for the first time this past season, Neko Mulally (USA) back for his 5th season with the team, and Greg Williamson (SCO) whose promising season was unfortunately cut short by injury at the World Championships. Joining these 4 talented elite men come January will be emerging phenom Laurie Greenland from Bristol in the UK, who’ll be contesting the Junior World Cup in both 2014 and 2015. All riders will be aboard the Trek Session 9.9.

Brook MacDonald says: “I’m stoked to be heading into 2014 on TWR with a new shoulder and new beginnings. I am already itching for the 2014 season to start and getting things underway with such great support and people behind me. Everything is pointing towards a strong season and I can’t wait.”

Neko says: “I’m really excited to be returning for my 5th season with Trek World Racing. I've got good people around me; it feels like family to me! Next year I want to be a consistent top 10 rider and push towards the podium. Can't wait to get out there and make it happen!”

George says: “Next year I’m determined to get back to where I left off before knee surgery in 2012. I finished 2013 strong and finally I know where I need to be. With a good off-season not having to focus on recovery I know I’ll be well prepared for 2014, so I’m already impatient for the season to start.”

Greg says: “After an up-and-down season, I'm really looking forward to getting back to racing in 2014 with a different approach. I'm seeking a very successful second year with Trek World Racing. To have another British rider on the team is exciting. Laurie reminds me of my younger self so it’ll be cool to have that youth as a reminder of what it's all about, and to be able to help him reach his goals."

Laurie says: “I’m extremely excited about signing with Trek World Racing. To be on a big team like this has been a dream of mine since I was 8, so for it to actually happen is unbelievable! All the riders on the team are big names and to be given the opportunity to ride and be on the same team as them is pretty mad. The team will strongly support me to achieve my goals which include making a mark on the World Cup circuit, aiming for podiums and a medal at World Champs, as well as always being sure to have fun!”

Team Owner Martin Whiteley says: “It’s great to be able to announce our roster so early and to have all the preparations for 2014 well advanced. Being able to keep this elite group of 4 men together was really important as I believe both on and off the bike, they are one of the best groups of riders I’ve ever assembled for any team. Of course I’m delighted that we’re entering the Junior World Cup next year. The series was a great success in 2013 and to have Laurie representing us is huge, we’re excited about having the opportunity to help develop him into a fine World Cup racer.”

The team will also receive the guidance and assistance from experienced World Cup racer Justin Leov who takes up the role of Skills Coach and will be on hand working with the riders at various key events around the world.

The team is proud to confirm the following co-sponsors: Shimano (Brakes and Drive Train), Fox Racing Shox (Suspension), Bontrager (Tires and Wheels), Royal Racing (Competition and Casual Clothing), Seven IDP (Body Protection), FUNN (Handlebars/Stems), MRP (Chain Guides), DT Swiss (Hubs), SDG Components (Seats and Seat Posts), SRM (Power Measurement), Motorex (Lubricants and Cleaning Products), ODI (Grips), Cane Creek (Headsets) and Alpinestars (Team Baggage).

The team website www.trekworldracing.com will be updated in January with profiles of all 5 riders.