2012 US National Champs With Team BGB/Mountain Khakis
Two big races come round every year that we each wait for with anticipation, one being the UCI World Cup Roundin Windham, New York and two the US Gravity National Championships. Yes, Windham is an important race, butit’s more of a spectacle as it showcases the best in the world. The US Gravity National Championships is whereTeam BGB-Mountain Khakis, or any rider for that matte,r gets a chance to earn there stripes. It’s what we all trainfor, gives a rider the chance to advance categories, gives you bragging rights, and sometimes can even make orbreak a rider’s career.
This year is also a special one for Team BGB-Mountain Khakis as this is the last of a two year deal that BeechMountain Resort signed with USA Cycling for the event to take place in the “High Country” of the NC Mountains.Additional pressure would be on the shoulders of each of the Team BGB-MK riders to represent the SE region infront of the “home” crowd.
Anybody recall Race Day 2011…. aka the Slip and Slide Slop-Fest? Would we have the same race conditions as2011? Leading up to the four day race weekend the weather in the region had many convinced it was in the cardsyet again for 2012. As we moved into day one other than some typically mountain fog (well, we should call themclouds at that altitude), conditions were perfect for day one of practice. Cat 2 riders Jay Guidry and Nich Ifkovitswould only get one day of practice on the Amateur course before they took the stage. Pros Robert DeMao, RyanTaylor, and Max Morgan would have four days of practice before the big show on Sunday.
Saturday morning practice before seeding started bright and early at 0800 with more of the same…. the highcountry fog kept that moisture in place for yet another day. The first practice run down the Pro Course RobertDeMao had an incident with a pulled neck/chest muscle that would lead him to call it a weekend. That wouldleave things up to Ryan Taylor and Max Morgan. In a field of 64 riders, Max qualified in impressive fashion in 20th closely followed by Ryan in 25th.
Nukeproof Pulse Frame
After much anticipation and online speculation we’re pleased to finally release details of the Nukeproof Pulse, our next generation downhill race frame.
The evolution of our highly regarded Nukeproof Scalp, the Pulse is the product of two seasons of tweaking, tuning, testing and valuable rider input from Team CRC/Nukeproof. The outcome? A premium performance frame which combines updated geometry and enhanced design features for a hugely improved ride dynamic, ready to take on the best in the world.
The Pulse is a pure-bred race animal with superb durability and an instinct for winning firmly planted in its DNA. Built using T6 6061 aluminium with custom triple butted hydroformed tubing for a perfectly balanced strength to weight combination, the Pulse also boasts an adjustable chainstay option courtesy of our ‘Style Fit’ system. Whatever the hill throws at you, we have the weapon to match it – allowing you to alter the wheelbase by 10mm depending on the type of track you’re riding, your height or riding style (long setting = 445mm, short setting = 435mm). This bike will perform above and beyond your expectations on any terrain.
It’s all about the detail
Our engineers designed the Pulse with a view to improving every individual part, from tubing and bearings to cable guides and pinch bolts refining each one as they went. Working alongside our Team Mechanics, we’ve made the Pulse not only functional and dependable from a rider’s perspective, but we’ve designed it specifically to be easily serviceable, with improved bolt and shock access too.
The detail’s in the ride
At the beating heart of the Pulse is an instinctive platform that’s been fine-tuned to take on the world’s highest, fastest, steepest and most gnarly trails – pushing you to ride on the edge of what’s possible. We’ve refined the linkage to increase stiffness, resulting in a more stable bike and a smoother suspension feel throughout the stroke of the shock. We’ve also slimmed down the swingarm significantly, minimising the unsprung weight and improving square edge bump compliance without compromising strength. Our Split Forge System allows us to utilise the material properties of the frame to provide a stronger yet lighter yoke while reducing the number of welds, allowing a larger area to disperse any loads and forces applied.
Specs:
- T6 6061 Aluminium Frame construction
- Custom Triple Butted Hydro-formed tubing
- Adjustable Chain Stay Length
- Enclosed 1-Piece linkage
- 1.5” Headtube
- 215mm-210mm travel
- 150mmX12mm rear axle
- 83mm BB Shell
- ISCG 05
- Shock Length 240X76mm
- Chain Stay – 435mm/445mm
- BB Height +17mm
- Head Angle – 63 degrees
-Weight – TBC