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CONTENTS VOLUME 34, NUMBER 8
AUGUST 2019

BIKE TESTS PRODUCT FIELD TESTS

28 Rocky Mountain Instinct BC
Edition
Built to handle the toughest zones
68 Viathon M.1
Not your average department store bike
88 Specialized Epic Comp EVO
A race bike with a twist
48 Prestacycle Three-Way Tool
A mechanic’s new best friend
50 Pirelli Scorpion Tires
From motorsports to mountain bikes
64 Rudy Protera Helmet
Moving away from roadie roots
65 G-Form Pro-X2 Knee Guards
Small tweaks make all the difference

74 Giant Charge Pro Shoes

Ready to charge and make you look pro

FEATURES
34 First
34 Fi t Ride:
Rid
Ride: Ibis
I Ripley
Now in its fourth generation

36 Exploring the Wild West

With the Shovel and Shred crew

52 The Swedish Perspective

Mattias Fredriksson’s life work

76 Sea Otter Classic

What you may have missed

TECHNICAL
94 Inside the Pros’ Bikes
Jill Kintner and her dual-slalom
weapon

On this page: Janne Tjärnström,

Val d’Annivers, Switzerland.
Photo by Mattias Fredriksson

4 www.mbaction.com
 DEPARTMENTS
4 Table of Contents
Congratulations, you found it

10 B’s Buzz
Brandon’s driving force

12 Zap’s Column
Where has editorial integrity gone?

14 Hard Tales
Thoughts on mixed wheel sizes

18 Trailgrams
Chasing the dream

20 Trail Mix
All the places you ride

24 Ask MBA
Answering the tough questions

26 NICA Team of the Month

The Chesterfield Chain Gang

98 Quick Releases
Add this stuff to your wish list

104 Down the Trail

Back to the glory days

ON THE COVER
Kyle Jameson gets inverted in
Utah. Photo by Trevor Lyden. The
Specialized Epic EVO and Rocky
Mountain Instinct stand tall in the light
of the MBA studio before heading out
to the trails. Photos by John “I want to
try a mixed-wheel combo next” Ker.

WARNING:
Much of the action depicted in this magazine is
potentially dangerous. Virtually all of the riders
seen in our photos are experienced experts
or professionals. Do not attempt to duplicate
any stunts that are beyond your own capa-
bilities. Always use discretion and wear the
appropriate safety gear.

AUGUST 2019 / MOUNTAIN BIKE ACTION 5

ENGINEERED
FOR THE RIGORS
OF MODERN XC
NEW CROWN — NOW SAME STIFFNESS AS THE TRAIL-PROVEN 34
 www.mbaction.com
EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT
BRANDON CASTELLI • MANAGING EDITOR
brandon@hi-torque.com
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8 www.mbaction.com

Masthead_AUGUST_2019_8.indd 8 5/23/19 12:06 PM

 B’S BUZZ

My Driving Force
By Brandon Castelli /
brandon@hi-torque.com

O
ccasionally, I’ll have an overwhelming feeling
that drives me to go ride—a feeling so strong,
I’ll drop whatever I’m doing just to experience
the pure joy that only a bike ride can bring. A couple
of pedal strokes in and a smile fixes itself to my face,
while the wind blows through my hair and my tires roll
across the ground. The sound of a freehub coasting,
followed by the compression of my suspension as my
bike lifts off the ground, brings an excitement I simply
can’t describe. This sensation is triggered by a number
of reasons, but I’ve managed to narrow it down to four
things. These four words represent the reasons I ride.
These are my driving forces.

PROGRESSION
There’s nothing more rewarding than
seeing yourself learn and grow as a rider.
Finally launching off that feature that first
scared you or finishing the epic race that
you bailed out of the year before brings a
strong feeling of accomplishment. I don’t
know about you, but this addictive feeling
causes me to continue to push my skills
and fitness till they progress to the next
level. Then, once I think I’ve found that
level, I push again. I’m always striving to
be the best I can be; however, the goal
is only to be better than I was yesterday.
I never compare myself to other riders
since they’re on their own journey, one I
need not to focus on. My hard work brings
great rewards, and with consistent training
comes progression. This feeling of progres-
sion is one of the reasons I love to ride.
ADVERSITY
When adversity strikes, it’s important
to be resilient. Flat tires, crashes, broken
chains—these are all things that discour-
age riders and ruin a fun day; however,
focusing on the negative won’t fix your
problems. I always try to learn something
from every misfortune: What caused that
flat? Why did I crash? How did that chain
break? Asking yourself these questions and
seeking the answers will make you a better
rider. When I face tough situations, I take a
deep breath, relax, and focus on bettering
my situation through resilience and reason-
ing. I’ve crashed numerous times, broken a
few dozen parts and still I’m driven to ride.
In fact, it makes me more excited to get
back out there. It’s my curiosity for what
went wrong that helps me rewire my focus
towards a positive outcome. Sometimes it
takes a rough day to appreciate how amaz-
ing the great days really are. It’s this love-
hate relationship that drives me to ride.
TECHNOLOGY
It’s truly amazing how far mountain bikes
have come over the past 30 years. Even
the past five years have brought an impres-
sive list of advancements in technology that
changed the way we ride. I’m talking air
forks, dropper posts, tubeless systems, and
the list goes on and on. This wave of tech-
nology offers us the ability to soar higher
and charge faster than we could have ever
dreamed of. A huge token of gratitude
goes out to all the engineers, inventors and
dreamers who helped make our sport what
it is today. It’s my love for new technology
that gives me yet another reason why I love
to toss a leg over a bike.
PASSION
Passion can be described as a strong
and barely controllable emotion. Something
I know all too well. I’ve met hundreds of
riders who exude a real passion for moun-
tain biking. In fact, I feed off it. It doesn’t
matter if I witness this love for mountain
biking through an action-packed video, in
a touching magazine article or during an
engaging conversation; passion is conta-
gious. It flows into me and grabs hold
like nothing else. I’m sure if you’ve
spent time on a bike, then you know this
adrenaline-pumping, endorphin-boosting
experience I’m talking about. My raw,
uncontrollable passion for being on two
wheels is my ultimate driving force.
FINDING YOUR DRIVING FORCE
While I’m more than happy to share
these four driving forces with you, I invite
you to discover the things that make you
tick. Don’t worry, you’re more than wel-
come to borrow mine. However, if these
don’t inspire you to ride, I want to know
what does. And better yet, I want you to
know what fuels your passion to ride. So,
let’s all share the stoke, inspire others and
continue to enjoy the sport we love! ❏
Follow me at
brandon_castelli

10 www.mbaction.com

Bs_Buzz_10.indd 10 5/16/19 12:00 PM

 BACK TO THE FUTURE
By Zapata Espinoza / zap@hi-torque.com
Hanging with the
eternally young and
fast Jon Miller.
T
alk about two versions of the same thing. It was day two
of the Sea Otter Classic, and co-worker Pat Carrigan and
I were spending the morning hours hitting as many booths
as possible to shoot photos and video of new bikes and products.
After we’d spent time filming and going over the details of a new
gravel bike from the father/son-created Vielo brand, I commented
to Pat how much I enjoyed putting out the effort for the variety of
small-guy brands in attendance. “It’s no different from what we
do at the North American Handmade Bicycle Show each year,” I
added. “I mean, none of these guys will probably ever advertise
with us, but it’s their products and stories that are worth talking
about.”
Moments later, we entered the encampment of one of the
world’s bigger bike brands so Pat could do some filming. I was met
outside by the director of global marketing. We shook hands, and
after I told him what we were there for, he said, “You know, you
guys are the first magazine to come over here to film something on
your own volition without being paid to do it. I hate to tell you this,”
he added in a rather ominous tone, “but we have editorial sched-
ules with most of the media here. Everything is contracted for at a
certain price.”
THE RECKONING
He was of course referring to the pay-to-play/sponsored-content
business model that has become all the rage in the industry, as so
many media outlets look to make up for lost ad revenue with new
revenue streams.
This, of course, was not news to me. “Yeah, well, while it may
be hard on our business from day to day,” I replied, “at least it’s
easy on the conscience when I try to sleep at night.”
While some may charge that we’re just too dumb to figure out
the pay-to-play scheme, when the topic came up with our
12 www.mbaction.com
Zaps_Column_12.indd 12
publisher following the Sea Otter, he simply shook his head and
reiterated what I’ve often heard him say, “I just don’t want anyone
telling us what to write!”
And that, my friends, has been the only editorial creed I’ve known
during my collective 18 years as a Hi-Torque scribe. While I’m not
saying that all our editors are completely free of bias; I am saying
that there isn’t a single title under the Hi-Torque roof that has
resorted to selling editorial in any contracted pay-to-play scheme.
TO WHAT END?
I remember last year when Road Bike Action lost a tire advertiser
after they chose to “pursue a different editorial model” offered to
them by a competing magazine. It didn’t take long until I read a
first-person story on that competitor’s web page where an edi-
tor went out on a ride rolling on those tires with a link to the tire
brand’s web page. Presto. Paid for and delivered! Ask yourself, were
those tires chosen for being the best for the ride or because a deal
had been struck? I think the answer is obvious.
Another version of pay-to-play is when a product test links
straight to the tested product’s commerce page for a quick and
convenient sale. Some will argue that all they are doing is making
life more convenient for the reader by providing an immediate shop-
ping opportunity. Sure, but I can’t help but wonder what the tenor
of the editorial will be if there’s a direct profit to be had from a
friendly review.
THOSE CAGEY EUROS
On day three of the Sea Otter, as I was gathering info on a new
mountain bike, I was told of yet another pay-to-play horror story
from a marketing director friend of mine that left me stunned.
“ We can occasionally make a wrong call,
but we call the balls and strikes as we see
them—not as the advertisers see them.”
In discussing the promotion of this new mountain bike, a media
“network” offered him a video package that would include a video
review “without opinion” for the asking price of $20,000.
My friend, who doesn’t advertise with MBA, rolled his eyes and
added, “I mean, I know they’re delivering a lot of eyeballs on their
channel, but they’re just talking about doing an advertorial, which
we could do ourselves for a lot less money. It’s crazy, because
they’ve got guys there who used to be real journalists, but now it’s
just pay-to-play with them.”
Look, I know that some (or all) of you might be thinking that I’m
just bringing this up to make MBA look good. Yeah, sure, why not?
But, as the resident old guy who grew up relying on the value of
substantive and critical product reviews (versus click-thru num-
bers) to guide me through my days as a BMX and motocross con-
sumer, I find this backsliding to paid-for “journalism” disquieting to
say the least.
Like anyone, we can occasionally make a wrong call, but we
call the balls and strikes as we see them—not as the advertisers
see them. With the serious downsizing currently afflicting titles like
Bicycling (six times a year) and Bike magazine (four times a year),
it’s obvious that these are tenuous times for cycling media. But, do
you think a consumer magazine should be running content that is
paid for by an advertiser? ❏
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 HARD TALES
29/27.5
Wheel
Setups
Take on
the World
Mixed wheel sizes
could be the news of
the year
What may be the biggest news in moun-
tain biking this year is that several of the
top riders in the sport are now racing bikes
with 29/27.5-inch wheel combinations.
The UCI’s 2018 downhill world cham-
pion, Loic Bruni, won the first World Cup
this year using a 29/27.5 wheel setup on
his bike. Last year Loic refused to race a
new 29-inch downhill bike that Specialized
had created for him. Not too long after
that, Loic rode his 27.5-inch downhill bike
to win the UCI World Championship. That
seemed to have settled the issue of Loic’s
ideal wheel size. The fact that many of
his toughest competitors had switched to
29-inch downhill bikes and were dominat-
ing many of the World Cup podiums didn’t
seem to faze him.
Cannondale came out with its first mountain bike in 1984 with mixed wheel sizes: a
26-inch front wheel and a 24-inch rear. Photo courtesy of Charlie Kelly
14 www.mbaction.com
Hard Tales_14-16.indd 14
Three-time UCI Downhill World Champion Loic Bruni rode his new custom, 29/27.5"
mixed-wheel-size Specialized bike to win the first World Cup downhill race of 2019.
When Loic showed up with a 29/27.5
downhill bike and won the first round of
the 2019 World Cup series, though, it was
clear that major changes could be brew-
ing in the world of mountain bike racing.
Bruni’s World Cup win clearly established
the validity of the 29/27.5 combination.
On top of that, two-time world champion
Danny Hart finished right behind Bruni in
2019’s first World Cup race, and he was
using a 29/27.5 wheel combo, too.
If any more evidence was needed that
the 29/27.5 combination was working,
Belgium’s Martin Maes won the first three
rounds of the 2019 Enduro World Series
using a 29/27.5 wheel setup on his GT
Force enduro bike.
A LITTLE HISTORY
The idea of putting two different-sized
wheels on one bike is hardly new. If you go
back to the late 1800s, the old penny-far-
thing bikes of those days had front wheels
Photo by Bartosz Wolinski/Wolisphoto/Red Bull Content Pool
around 5 feet tall matched with rear wheels
that were closer to 20 inches in diameter.
Nevertheless, until now, the concept of
mixed wheel sizes has never really caught
on in mountain biking, even though numer-
ous companies have tried in the past.
For motorcycles, however, it’s a different
story. “Mixed wheel sizes have been used
on motocross bikes for more than 50 years,”
says Motocross Action editor Jody Weisel.
“They’ve always had mixed wheel sizes in
motocross.”
MOUNTAIN BIKE WHEEL-SIZE
HISTORY
In mountain biking, mixed wheel sizes
have been tried off and on for at least 35
years, even if they’ve never caught on
before. Back in 1984, Cannondale offered
that company’s first mountain bikes with
26-inch front wheels and 24-inch rear
wheels.
Even the first rear-suspension moun-
tain bike of the 1980s, the Brian Skinner
Descender, came with 26-inch front wheels
and 24-inch rear wheels.
In 2003, Specialized came out with their
Big Hit downhill bike, which came stock
with a 26-inch front wheel and a 24-inch
rear wheel. The idea didn’t catch on, how-
ever. Specialized went back to 26-inch rear
wheels after that.
In 2007, former cross-country pro Travis
Brown persuaded his bosses at Trek to offer
a hardtail mountain bike with a 29-inch
front and 26-inch rear wheel. The Trek 69er
stayed on the market briefly, then disap-
peared.
At the 2015 Interbike show, Brent Foes
introduced yet another mountain bike with
mismatched wheel sizes. He called his new
bike the Mixer. Still on the market today,
Brent’s bike offers a 29-inch front wheel
and a 27.5-inch rear wheel, just like the new
bikes on the World Cup and EWS circuits.
5/16/19 11:07 AM
 RDIER: GREG MINNAAR PHOTO: BEYER © MAXXIS TIRES 2019

Grab corners by their

loose, muddy throats.
THE ASSEGAI: DESIGNED FOR MAXIMUM GRIP BY GREG MINNAAR.
 HARD TALES
Martin Maes rode his 29/27.5 GT Force to win the first three Enduro World Series races
of 2019. Notice how the smaller rear tire lets Martin get his weight lower over the back
end of the bike when riding off drops or bombing down steep sections of trail.
Photo by Olivier Baert/Red Bull Content Pool
While many people love the Foes Mixer
with its two different wheel sizes, the con-
cept has been slow to catch on until this
year. Now Specialized, GT and Saracen
(and probably a few others) have started
adopting the 29/27.5 wheel combination
for racing.
Last fall the UCI decided to allow mixed
wheel sizes in the 2019 UCI race season.
Apparently, one or more of the companies
that were testing the mixed wheel setups
had found that the combination worked well
enough that they asked the UCI to allow
mixed wheel sizes in their races this year.
The UCI approved the change. With that
problem solved, some of the top bike com-
panies chose to take a chance and begin
using the mixed-wheel-size bikes this year.
At this spring’s Sea Otter Championship,
MBA got the chance to talk with Santa
Cruz downhill pros Greg Minnaar, Luca
Shaw and Loris Vergier, and ask them
about their thoughts on the 29/27.5 wheel
combination. Minnaar and Shaw told us
they hadn’t tried it. Loris Vergier told us
that he had tried using a 29/27.5 combi-
nation, but he didn’t think the mixed-wheel
combo worked as well as his 29-inch
setup.
CHECKING ELSEWHERE
MBA contacted Trek suspension expert
Jose Gonzalez, and asked him if he and his
staff had tried the 29/27.5 combination.
They had tried the combination, Jose told
us, but their riders felt that Trek’s standard
29-inch downhill bike worked better than
the bike they built up with the mixed wheel
sizes.
We also asked our contacts at Intense
16 www.mbaction.com
Cycles if they’d tried the 29/27.5 combo.
The company already offers an e-bike with
the 29/27.5 setup. What’s more, Intense
founder Jeff Steber has also made some
prototype mountain bikes that use the
29/27.5 setup, and he is planning on offer-
ing several models with that option (what
he calls “279”) in the next few months.
Will the mixed wheel sizes catch on
this time? That’s hard to say right now. If
the sport’s top riders keep winning races
with the 29/27.5 combination, the concept
will likely start catching on with other top
racers.
After checking with so many other
companies on their thoughts about the
mixed-wheel bikes, we finally called Brent
Foes, the man who produced the original
29-/27.5-inch production bike, the Foes
Clean sweep. The top three riders in the 2018 UCI Downhill World Championship—(left to
right) Martin Maes, Loic Bruni and Danny Hart—have all switched to 29/27.5-inch bikes
this year.
Mixer, to see what he thought of the new
development. Brent was well aware of what
was happening at the downhill and enduro
races.
Says Foes of the 29/27.5-inch combina-
tion, “I think it’s going to become the new
standard configuration.” Brent gave us nine
reasons why he feels that way:
1 The front of the bike is lighter due
to the fact that the front axle is higher
than the rear axle.
2 Using a 27.5-inch rear gives you
more room for seat clearance and a
shorter chainstay.
3 The shorter chainstay makes the
bike quicker so it accelerates faster.
4 The smaller wheel in the back lets
the bike corner faster.
5 Cornering speeds are increased
because both wheels are turning in two
different arcs.
6 The combination of wheel sizes
allows for better climbing up and around
switchbacks.
7 A 27.5-inch wheel is going to be
stronger over a 29.
8 The front feels planted and stable
when cornering.
9 The larger front wheel will roll over
stuff better.
“It can take a long time for things to
catch on in the bike industry,” Brent told
us. “I’ve seen a lot of stuff come and go.
I’m a firm believer in the 29/27.5 combi-
nation. It’s not just another gimmick to sell
more bikes. I think it’s going to become the
new standard configuration. We keep mak-
ing it because it works.” ❏
Photo by Bartosz Wolinski/Wolisphoto/Red Bull Content Pool
 TRAILGRAMS
Photo by Ziga Mikeli

“T
railgrams” is our section
of the magazine dedicated
to our readers’ voices.
This month Southern California native
Austin Dooley shares his first-ever
World Cup experience. At the ripe
old age of 16, Dooley has already
managed to turn his passion into real-
ity. The young gun packed his bags
and headed across the globe for an
opportunity to prove himself against
the world’s top junior racers. Here’s
the story behind Austin’s adventure in
Slovenia.

WORLD CUP NEWBIE

The first World Cup of the season and
my first World Cup as a Junior was an
insane experience! The track in Maribor
was something completely different from
back home in California, but it was defi-
nitely a fun one with a lot of flow to it.
Knowing there were 65 of the fastest junior
men from 22 countries there to compete, and getting on the track for practice, we all
my main goal going into it was to qualify. figured out that the track was good in the
Saturday I was able to do just that and trees and slick in the open sections. After
squeeze into 18th place. They only take the two practice laps, I headed up for my race
top 20 racers for the finals on Sunday. The run. I was able to race my way into 15th
rain then hit pretty hard Saturday after- for my first World Cup! I was so stoked
noon, so the conditions for Sunday were on the result, as well as the huge learning
unknown. After waking up for race day experience from it.

Photo by Sven Martin

Photo by Ziga Mikeli

18 www.mbaction.com

Trailgrams_18-19.indd 18 5/15/19 3:43 PM

 The whole experience from my first time
racing in Europe taught me so much about
traveling, food choice, sleep schedule and
more. The airline we flew had limitations
on size and weight, including my bike travel
bag. Because of this, I had to travel with
fewer extra parts and tools than I normally
would and just had to hope that if I needed
something I would be able to find it there.
The food is pretty different as well, and a
Trailgrams_18-19.indd 19
majority of it is stuff that isn’t at home. So,
venturing out and trying different things is
a must. Some things turned out to be pret-
ty good, as they were similar to items at
home, but other things not so much. When
we arrived in Slovenia, we had to get used
to the time change, since it’s nine hours
ahead of California. Jet lag the first few
nights was hard, since I had to wake up
really early. But once qualifying and race
day came around, I was used to it. Overall,
it’s just different in Europe from back
home, so each time I go, I look forward to
learning more and applying it to my racing!
I’m stoked for my next World Cup and look
forward to more great experiences.
Austin Dooley
Yucaipa, California ❏
“Trailgrams” tip of the month:
Dare to chase your dreams.
To share your own mountain bike
adventure, contact
mbaction@hi-torque.com.
AUGUST 2019 / MOUNTAIN BIKE ACTION 19
5/15/19 3:44 PM
 TRAIL MIX

MOROCCO
Riders Doing What They Do Best I attended a group bike ride in Morocco last November. We were
extremely lucky to have great weather for a perfect ride. This photo

“T
rail Mix” is our selection of the best photos sent
was taken on the Atlas Mountains in the area of Imlil at a height of
to us each month by readers of Mountain Bike
nearly 7000 feet. The friendliness and the hospitality of the locals
Action. If you’d like to see yourself or your riding
was outstanding, and the trails with the overlooking view were
buddies in here, turn to the final page of this section. Follow
absolutely magnificent.
the directions and send your photos to us. We hope to see
Itzik Kent
your pictures in these pages someday soon.
Israel

MINNESOTA
After reading MBA for nearly 30 years, I thought it sure would be sick to
open the pages and feel like a pro before my 40th birthday. Here are two
shots of me on a Marin Wolf Ridge Pro, competing in the all-day, 12-stage
Duluth Hard Enduro that is held each May in Duluth, Minnesota. Any rider
who has not made it to the Midwest to check out all the trails the amazing
city of Duluth has to offer really should take the time to check it out. At
nearly 40 years old, I still look forward to each and every issue. Keep up the
awesome work. It fuels so many dreams.
Dylan Herges
Duluth, Minnesota

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 PISGAH
NATIONAL
FOREST
Pisgah National
Forest makes up
500,000 acres in the
mountains of western
North Carolina.
There are hundreds
of miles of rugged,
rocky and rooty
trails. People from all
over the world travel
here to ride and are
never disappointed.
You won’t find any
machine-cut flow
trails here (those are
only a few minutes
away)! Just wild,
techy goodness for
those who love to
shred.
Heather Peterson
Pisgah Forest,
North Carolina

Elliot Carter at Pilot

Rock Trail in Pisgah
National Forest,
North Carolina
Photos by Heather Peterson

NEW MEXICO
Here are some pictures of me and my brother on one of
the gnarlier trails in the Albuquerque South Foothills. Pictured
are the infamous rocks atop the Knobbies No More Trail. A
double-black-diamond trail, this is not the ideal trail to screw
up on.
The photographer is our awesome brother Matthew, who is
always ready to stand behind the lens for a cool shot.
Anthony Holzmann (in the green helmet) and Paul
Holzmann (in the orange helmet).
Albuquerque, New Mexico 

AUGUST 2019 / MOUNTAIN BIKE ACTION 21

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 TRAIL MIX

NEW ZEALAND: LEARNING TO

JUMP AT AGE 55
At the age of 55, my bike buddy Paul
Crichton and I decided to learn how to
jump. We’re pretty good riders, but only if
our wheels are firmly on the ground. We
started with a small ramp on the lawn at LOCAL BIKE PARK
home and slowly built it up. Riding a Scott The local bike park just opened, but it’s slow-going with all the rain. I’m hoping to
Genius 29. To all you other middle-aged do more shooting this year. It’s just so hard when I can ride instead.
guys out there—you can do it! Tommy Ayyggss
Owen Scott (pictured) Brooklyn, New York
Christchurch, New Zealand

ASHEVILLE, NC
Hi, my name is
MOUNTAIN BIKE ACTION Jefferson Stanley,
“TRAIL MIX” SUBMISSIONS and I live in Asheville,
1. Image file size needs to be 600 KB North Carolina. I have
or larger. been biking for close
2. Tell us what is going on in the to two years now and
photo and include names. absolutely love the sport.
3. Include your name, city and the This is a picture of me
state where you live. riding my Kona Process
4. E-mail it to mbaction@hi-torque.com. at Lake James State
Park. The trails here
“Trail Mix” rider of the month: are awesome and have
Martin Maes, who has been plenty of variety. I love
dominating the Enduro World Series your magazine and enjoy
this year, winning the first three events getting to read it monthly.
on his GT race bike with its custom Jefferson Stanley
29/27.5" wheel combination. Asheville, North
Carolina ❑

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 ASK MBACTION
Aosta Valley, Italy.
Photo by Mattias Fredriksson
IN NEED OF A NEW WHIP
Q: I want to try my hand at local enduro
races. They look like so much fun and are
quite similar to the way I like to ride. You
see, I enjoy taking my time on the climbs
in order to have energy for the descents. It
also seems like a great way to meet fellow
riders, since I’m fairly new to town. My
question I have for MBA is, what are the
three best enduro race bikes? I don’t want
cost to affect your opinion, so please just
list the three bikes you think would be my
most competitive options. I can research
which models I can afford from there.
Rob
Crested Butte, Colorado
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Ask MBA_24-25.indd 24
A: We’ve tested many worthy enduro
race bikes, but here are our top three.
Currently, at the top of our chart is the
latest Santa Cruz Bronson. It has 27.5-inch
wheels but handled everything we threw in
front of it. The Bronson is well balanced,
offering a great pedaling platform for climb-
ing while encouraging confidence on the
descents.
Another bike we loved was the Devinci
Spartan 29. This bike is your answer to
those questionable lines on course. With
170mm of travel in the front and 165mm
in back, this bike is a competitive enduro
steed that wouldn’t stray away from a nasty
rock garden.
We would also list the Pivot Firebird
29 as an awesome tool for the job. The
29-inch wheels and near downhill bike feel
encourage riders to stomp through big fea-
tures and to brake later into the turns. This
bike is an all-out speed demon capable of
winning races. We hope this helps you with
your decision, and good luck on your new
venture.
WHAT’S WITH THE FOOTBALL
CLEATS?
Q: I ride flats, but whenever I see the
Sidi ad in your magazine each month, it
always stirs a question I have about clipless
shoes. Why do they look like football
5/15/19 3:47 PM

cleats? I know clipless use cleats, but I am
not talking about those. I am talking about
the molded plastic cleats around the edges
of most clipless shoes. It doesn’t make
sense to me. Are people riding and then
hitting the gridiron for a little tackle foot-
ball? Five Ten clipless shoes make sense;
the ones I see in the Sidi ad do not. I can’t
find any explanation online, and I live in a
town without a local bike shop.
Cody Brown
Portales, New Mexico
A: If you normally wear flat pedal shoes,
we can assume you ride a trail or enduro
bike, since the majority of cross-country
Ask MBA_24-25.indd 25
riders opt for the stiffness and efficiency
that comes with football-style shoes. The
question is, have you ever tried walking in
shoes with stiff carbon soles, especially
off-road? It’s nearly impossible. This is why
those cleats are on most cross-country
shoes. It’s all about off-the-bike traction
for those embarrassing moments when you
have to hike-a-bike up the hill.
QUIT GOING FULL ENDURO
Q: Have you guys completely aban-
doned XC bikes? I’m in the market for a
full-suspension XC bike, and occasionally
you’ll throw out teasers with a mention of
a bike. Every month is an enduro bike-fest.
It would be awesome if you could devote a
month to XC bikes. All those articles about
NICA but no tests for them? I always have
to read about the pros and cons of e-bikes
but no XC bikes. C’mon, throw a bone to
the handful of riders who don’t want to
“send it.”
Don Franklin
Apple Valley, California
A: We have to admit that we have
favored the enduro bike market since those
bikes tend to be so much fun on our local
trails. With that said, we still enjoy riding
cross-country bikes and have plans to test
more of them in the future. In fact, one of
our editors is even signed up to race the
Grand Junction Off-Road presented by Epic
Rides. We have a few XC race machines
on order as well, so stay tuned for some
gram-counting, Lycra-wearing action.
TO CLEAN OR NOT TO CLEAN
Q: I was wondering when I should go
for a tune-up (or do it myself). Should I
go every week, month, year? How often
should I clean my bike to keep it running
smoothly?
Jacob Slizek
British Columbia, Canada
A: The time you should go between
tune-ups will vary based on how often you
ride. Generally, six months to a year is a
good interval. There are a few ways you
can check your components to see if they
need to be serviced. If you have a suspen-
sion bike, look at the seals and see if oil
residue has slipped through. If this is the
case, then it’s a good indication you need
to get your fork or shock serviced. Another
preventive maintenance tip would be to
check if your chain is stretched by using a
chain-checker tool. If it fails the test, then
it’s time to replace your chain.
If you’re not mechanically inclined, you
may want to stop by your local bike shop
and have them give your bike a closer look.
As far as cleaning goes, we have friends
who clean their bikes after every ride to
ensure the bike is always in top shape. This
is what the pros do. Remember, a clean
bike is a happy bike. Just be careful not to
use high-pressure water near bearings or
pivots, as this can cause damage. ❑
“Ask MBA” peeve of the month:
Fox tails and poison oak.
Have a question for the MBA crew?
You can send your brain busters to
mbaction@hi-torque.com.
AUGUST 2019 / MOUNTAIN BIKE ACTION 25
5/15/19 3:46 PM
 FEATURE

Team of the Month

Chesterfield
Chain Gang
Bike Team
O
ne of the most inspirational develop-
ments to come out of the world of USA
mountain biking has been the explosive
growth of high school racing. This month we
reached out to head coach Paula Labieniec to
learn about the Chesterfield Chain Gang MTB
Team in Richmond, Virginia.

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 Team name?
Chesterfield Chain Gang MTB Team.
We are in Chesterfield County, just outside
of Richmond, Virginia. We are typically
referred to as the “Chain Gang.”
Where did the name come from?
The first group of riders on the team
came up with the name.
Which league do you race with?
The Virginia High School Cycling League,
an official NICA Project League.
When was the team started?
The Chesterfield Chain Gang MTB Team
was founded in the summer of 2015 by
former competitive cyclist Ann Hardy, who
set the stage for continued growth. There
were 14 riders on the inaugural team.
Team size?
The Chain Gang had 36 registered riders
NICA_26-27.indd 27
for the 2018 fall NICA season. Of those, 33
raced at least once, and 24 raced all four
races in the series.
How many boys and how many girls
are on the team?
We had 31 boys and five girls registered
for the team.
Athlete spotlights?
Our super-fast middle school crew won
the state title in the Virginia High School
Cycling League’s 2018 Fall Race Series.
What is your favorite course?
We are lucky to have Pocahontas State
Park, the largest Virginia State Park, in our
backyard. Park staff are very welcoming to
us, and the park offers 44.5 miles of dedi-
cated singletrack and 64 miles of fire roads
and double-track. Our riders overwhelm-
ingly prefer riding any of the singletrack
trails over the fire roads. If they had to
name their favorite, it would be Blue Jay
Way, which is named after our former head
coach, Lt. Jay Cullen (“Coach Jay”). Coach
Jay unfortunately passed away during the
2017 NICA race season in an on-duty
helicopter crash outside of Charlottesville,
Virginia. The team will always ride hard in
his honor.
Any team or school fun facts?
We have a helicopter printed on the back
of our race jersey in memory of Coach Jay.
In addition to the super kids on the
Chain Gang, we are also lucky to have the
greatest volunteer base any team could
hope for. We have experienced bikers who
don’t even have children on the team who
come to provide assistance and share their
knowhow.
As a team, taking care of the trails we
ride is very important to us. Periodically,
we arrange for volunteer opportunities to
support trail work and clean up. ❏
Virginia High School Cycling
League: www.virginiamtb.org
Chesterfield Chain Gang
MTB Team:
www.chesterfieldchaingang.com
If you want your NICA team to
be featured in our “Team of the
Month” section, please write to
smccoy@hi-torque.com.
NICA: www.nationalmtb.org
AUGUST 2019 / MOUNTAIN BIKE ACTION 27
5/16/19 1:59 PM
 BIKE TEST / ROCKY MOUNTAIN BC EDITION

ROCKY MOUNTAIN
INSTINCT 50
BC EDITION The mountains are calling

T
he Instinct falls into the trail bike category of Rocky Mountain’s line-
up; however, the bike tested here is not your ordinary Instinct. Rocky
took this model a step further by deeming it the BC Edition. Increased
travel, wider handlebars, bigger tires and stiffer wheels all play a part in
pushing this trail-ready machine to a higher, more capable level.
The goal was to create a version of the Instinct burly enough to handle
the rigors of British Columbia’s world-famous trails. Rocky Mountain, born
in Vancouver, is all too familiar with North Shore riding. For those of you
who weren’t born in Vancouver, just imagine an early freeride film and
the zone will quickly come to mind. BC offers some of the gnarliest trails
around with handmade jump lines, natural rock gardens and wooden fea-
tures sprinkled throughout for good measure.
A bike carrying the BC Edition name must be ready to take on any-
thing. It has to be a versatile rig able to earn its turns while providing the
utmost confidence and precision for the way back down. This month the
MBA wrecking crew challenged the Instinct 50 BC Edition to a different
kind of terrain. The loamy forest and rock-slap trails were swapped out for
Southern California’s finest. Did the Instinct answer the call? Find out.

FRAME
Building on the Instinct’s 140mm of travel, the BC edition gains an extra
15mm. The rear end uses Rocky’s Smoothlink suspension system paired
with a Fox DPX2 shock. Rocky even claims that each frame size received a
specific tune in order to provide the best suspension feel for riders on every
frame size. These bikes are offered in either the alloy version seen here for
$3700 or a lighter-weight carbon model with a price of $6100. Our test
mule featured Rocky’s Form alloy tubes, which are said to be engineered

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 AUGUST 2019 / MOUNTAIN BIKE ACTION 29

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 BIKE TEST / ROCKY MOUNTAIN BC EDITION
with specific parts
of the bike in mind.
Basically, Rocky made
sure this alloy frame
was shred-worthy.
Furthermore, Rocky Mountain
designed this bike with sealed car-
tridge bearings, a Press-Fit bottom
bracket and internal cable routing.
Components: Rocky built this bike
to be tough as nails, which can be seen
throughout its component spec. The bike
rolls on Race Face AR 30 wheels wrapped
with Maxxis Minion DHF and DHR II
tires. The drivetrain is made up of a
Suspension: Rocky
Mountain removed its
popular Ride 9 system from
the BC Edition for a single-po-
sition link. Ride 9 is a system composed of
two interlocking chips that allow riders to fine-tune
the geometry and suspension by choosing from among
nine different configurations. The absence of this system,
however, was not a negative for our testers. In fact, it was
a nice change of pace to be limited to one setting
instead of constantly making micro adjustments
to enhance ride quality.

SRAM GX Eagle
12-speed kit but
uses an NX Eagle
chain to help cut cost. Rocky
then reached into SRAM’s electric
bike department for a pair of Guide
RE brakes. If they’re powerful enough
for an e-bike, then they must be plen-
ty strong for a pedal bike, right? The
build kit continues with a 160mm-
travel Fox 36 fork and a house-brand
35mm cockpit. Finishing up the build
is a Race Face Turbine R dropper post
attached to a WTB Volt saddle.

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 A high-volume DPX2 shock was added to the Instinct’s
SmoothLink suspension. Along with adding travel, the
larger shock also helps manage the rear end through
rougher terrain.

DOWN AND DIRTY

Climbing: While the BC Edition isn’t one to
run with the cheetahs, it is a mountain goat
that will crawl its way to the top of a tough
climb. Our tested alloy version without
pedals weighed just over 32 pounds,
which became noticeable on the trails.
SmoothLink suspension, on the other
hand, was the Instinct’s saving grace.
We’d much rather have a beefier bike
that pedals well than a lightweight one
that bobs up the climbs.
The Instinct’s platform allowed
our test riders to leave the shock
set wide open without penalty.
Furthermore, the geometry offered
a neutral riding position that allowed
riders to comfortably settle in on lon-
ger climbs or power their way through
technical ones.

THE FLOW
The Instinct lives for the rush of a long
descent. Its Fox suspension goes to work,
smoothing out the rowdiest trails and offering
its rider a comfortable and confidence-inspiring
ride down. Whether barreling through a rock gar-
den or sliding around sand turns, the Instinct kept
its composure and pushed on.
In fact, it was hard to find a spot on the descents
where the Instinct didn’t shine. The bike tackles switchbacks
well, especially considering its 29-inch wheels, and it offers an

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BT_ROCKYMTN_28-32.indd 31 5/15/19 3:55 PM

 BIKE TEST

almost bottomless feel over big hits or hucks-to-flat. This Rocky
could either be ridden with a point-and-shoot style or slashed
around the trails with a more playful intent. Considering the price
point of this shredder, our test riders were quite blown away by its
performance. We have to admit the bike overall is on the heavier
side, so a bit more power is required to pull out of turns, but once
up to speed, the Instinct sets its sights on the fastest lines.
BOTTOM LINE
The bottom line is that the Instinct BC Edition is a bike that’s
true to its name. Although we didn’t have the opportunity to test
this bike in the Canadian province it was named after, we were
more than pleased with its ability to handle our local stomping
grounds. This beefed-up trail bike is a versatile option for hard-
core shredders willing to earn their turns. ❏

MODS AND UPGRADES ROCKY MOUNTAIN INSTINCT 50 BC EDITION

In some ways we felt like this bike needed to go on a diet, but Price $3700
then we reminded ourselves that this isn’t the regular Instinct. If Weight 32.25 pounds (without pedals) size medium
a lightweight trail weapon is the bike you’re searching for, then Frame tested Aluminum, 155mm travel
purchase the non-BC Edition. For those riders not afraid of tak- Shock Fox DPX2 Performance Series
ing extra suspension up the hill for a more exhilarating ride back Fork 160mm travel Fox 36 Performance Series
down, the BC Edition is the bike for you. Wheelset Wheelset Race Face AR 30
The only upgrade we made to our test rig was setting up the Tires Maxxis Minion DHF WT EXO (29x2.5”) (f)/
wheels tubeless and spending time to properly set our suspension. Maxxis Minion DHR II WT EXO (29x2.4”) (r)
With the right balance of traction and control, our bike felt ready Dropper post Race Face Turbine R 150mm travel
to rip. Sure, you could go to town upgrading this bike, but you’d be Saddle WTB Volt Race
better off purchasing the higher-end carbon model if you’re willing Handlebar Rocky Mountain AM (780mm wide)
to spend the money. Stem Rocky Mountain 35 AM (50mm length)
Grips Rocky Mountain Lock On Light
Headset FSA Orbit
Brakes SRAM Guide RE
Rotors SRAM CenterLine 200mm (f)/200mm (r)
Rear derailleur SRAM GX Eagle
Shifters SRAM GX Eagle
Crankset SRAM Descendent 6k Eagle
Bottom bracket SRAM BB92 DUB
Cassette SRAM PG-1230, 11-50t, 12-speed
Chain SRAM NX Eagle
Chainring SRAM 32-tooth
GEOMETRY
Head tube angle 65.9º
Reach 431mm
Stack 612mm
Effective seat tube angle 74.4º
Bottom bracket height 342mm
Chainstay length 435mm
Wheelbase 1187mm
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YES WOW!
E
RACFIT BOUNC
FREE E
 FEATURE

First Ride:
Ibis Ripley

Bike photos by Lear Miller

Action photos by Saris Mercanti

Santa Cruz is not only home to world- Ibis models hung on either side of the

S
anta Cruz, California, offers some
class bike trails, it’s also home to Ibis walls, funneling our vision towards the far
of the best mountain bike trails
Cycles. We traveled north to confirm end of the room where the new Ripley stole
in the state. And because of its
rumors we heard about an all-new the show.
close proximity to the Sea Otter Classic,
Ripley, the bike that Ibis calls its most After a brief presentation from Ibis
our editors often sneak away for a quick
versatile model. With great anticipation, founder Scot Nicol and engineer Colin
rip down epic singletrack. This year we
we arrived at Ibis’ headquarters and Hughes, we were amped to hit the trails.
managed to tie in our secret getaway
saw the bike we envisioned sitting under We headed out for a fun afternoon ride
mission with a legitimate work trip—one
studio lights in the Ibis museum, nestled aboard the Ripley in order to gather our
we couldn’t talk about until now.
towards the back of the office. Classic thoughts on the all-new machine.

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 THE RIPLEY
The Ripley has long been the bike Ibis
riders gravitate towards when the trails
are unknown. It’s a versatile 29er built to
handle the rigors of a wide variety of trails,
packing just enough travel to tame rowdy
descents while keeping climbing efficiency
a priority.
The fourth generation of the Ripley
shares the same travel numbers and con-
tinues to use dw-link suspension, but that’s
where the two bikes begin to differ. The all-
new Ripley was redesigned from the ground
up and features a laundry list of upgrades
and updates. So, let’s see what’s new.

WHAT’S NEW
Price: $4100–$9400 (frame only $3000)
• All-new from-the-ground-up redesign
• Ripmo-inspired chassis shares similar
stiffness and lower-link design
• It’s now 0.65 pounds lighter than the
previous Ripley
• Head tube is 1 degree slacker, now
66.5 degrees
• Seat tube is 3 degrees steeper, now 76
degrees
• Chainstays shortened by 12mm, now
432mm
• Reach increased by an average of
~45mm across all four sizes
• More progressive suspension kinematics
• Removable ICSG 05 mount
• Internal cable tunnels
• 1x-specific design
The Ripley surprised us with its ability to soak up big hits.
FIRST RIDE
We journeyed straight from Ibis’ head-
quarters onto some of Santa Cruz’s finest
trails to feel out the differences of this all-
new bike. The goal was clearly to make this
Ripley the most capable yet, not only on the
descents but on the climbs as well. This
was achieved by giving the bike a snappier
feel via short chainstays, along with a lon-
ger reach and slacker head tube angle for
more stability. Ibis then stripped the bike of
its dual eccentric linkage in order to free up
space around the seat tube, which not only
added stiffness but allowed the use of a
long-travel dropper post.
So, out on the trails, what did all these
changes mean? Well, for lack of a better
word, pure “awesomeness.” In fact, the
new Ripley managed to change our per-
ception of what a short-travel machine is
capable of. With just 120mm of travel, the
Ripley flies down the trails with precision
and speed. Whether flowing down one of
Santa Cruz’s more famous jump lines or
barreling into technical gnar, the Ripley
maintains its composure and offers a
planted feel. Of course, with just one ride
under our belt, it’s hard to get a true feel
for the bike, but our test rider was imme-
diately comfortable aboard this all-new rig.
Compared to the last generation, this bike
is simply better all the way around. We’re
hyped to spend more time on the fourth
generation of the Ripley. Stay tuned, as we
hope to add one of these beauties to our
test fleet soon. ❏

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 MBA FEATURE

The Wild
West
Exploring Utah with the Shovel and Shred crew
Photos by Trevor Lyden

U
tah is considered by many mountain bikers to be
the final frontier of freeriding. The terrain found in
the southwest part of the state is easily accessible;
the only limitation seems to be your creativity. For the
last decade, the world’s best riders have been visiting the
areas in and around the towns of Virgin and Big Water to
mine out large lines and gnarly moves.

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 Taking the left-hip option, classic
berm-slider air by Kyle Jameson.

AUGUST 2019 / MOUNTAIN BIKE ACTION 37

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 MBA FEATURE
Utah
Nico gets the first tracks of the
morning to start the day off.
To celebrate the release of its products
in the USA, the Reverse Components’
Shovel and Shred squad—Nico Vink, Kyle
Jameson, Damon Iwanaga and Christian
Regal—spent a week revisiting the Wild
West. We caught up with team rider Kyle
Jameson to learn more about the allure of
the area that keeps big-mountain-riding’s
elite returning year after year. Kyle has
ridden in the Red Bull Rampage and also
worked as a builder and judge of the elite,
invite-only freeride event. He understands
Thinking about what silly things we can get up to at the end of a session. The Shovel and Shred family acting silly.
38 www.mbaction.com
VINK_36-46.indd 38
what it takes to thrive in this wide-open
environment. Keep reading to get his insight,
as well as to learn more about the first-ever
Rampage qualifier event that he will be
co-hosting later this year.
MBA: Do you remember your first trip to
Utah?
Kyle Jameson: Yeah, I definitely remem-
ber it. I’ll never forget it. It was Rampage
2004. My mom took me out of school, and
we road tripped to watch Rampage.
MBA: How many times have you been to
Virgin for Red Bull Rampage?
KJ: Two times to build for Brandon
[Semenuk]. Two times to compete. And
now three times to judge.
MBA: How would you describe the ter-
rain near Big Water?
KJ: It’s similar to Virgin—with big
cliffs—but with more accessible, open and
carve-able faces. It’s more natural to be
able to get into lines that you don’t actually
5/15/19 4:01 PM

have to use a shovel to create. It’s the
closest thing I have found to powder riding,
like snowboarding the mountain. You can
hit chutes, bumps and jumps but still have
open turns to carve. It’s pretty unique and
remarkable what can go on out there.
MBA: Tell us about the Shovel and
Shred team. Can you explain Nico Vink’s
mentality?
KJ: Nico is fearless. He brings a mental-
ity that is very productive. He’s super moti-
Nico mid-dig and most likely talking smack.
VINK_36-46.indd 39
vated. Being motivated and fearless is a
great mindset to thrive in these conditions.
If it’s pouring rain, he’ll still ask, “So, what
are we going to do?” Then he’ll suggest
going out to explore and won’t be scared of
getting stuck in the mud. If a line looks too
scary, he’ll still walk down it—and chances
are, he’ll find something rideable. Anything
goes with Nico.
MBA: What does Damon Iwanaga bring
to the desert?
Bikes are smiling, happy to be in Virgin.
It always feels fun when
you can pull off an old-
school tuck no-hander.
KJ: Damon is the most entertaining
human to watch ride a bike. He just goes
so big off everything. Just like Nico, he’s
down for anything. Nothing scares him,
and he always has a smile on his face.
Damon goes huge and fast. He’s fun to
have around.
MBA: How was it to have BMX rider
Christian Regal along for this trip?
KJ: It was awesome to have Christian
around. He’s extremely talented on a BMX
AUGUST 2019 / MOUNTAIN BIKE ACTION 39
5/15/19 4:02 PM
 MBA FEATURE

Utah

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 bike but doesn’t know much about moun-
tain biking yet. He’s only been riding moun-
tain bikes for about a year. We got him way
out of his comfort zone, but he was able
to adapt quickly. We’d tell him, “Dude, you
got this. Little bit of front brake here, little
back brake here, and do this and that,”
and he was able to go with it. He trusts his
instincts and experience bike riding. It was
cool to see him open the pages of freeride
mountain biking.
VINK_36-46.indd 41
MBA: How would you explain Christian’s
learning curve?
KJ: Steep. You have to learn fast. He’d
watch us go and then ask questions about
anything he wasn’t sure about, like tricky
rock ledges or blind landings. But, it gets to
the point where you just need to put your-
self into the motion and figure it out. We
were stoked to see him ride his first chute,
then his first big drop. Nico, Damon and I
remember the first time we did that stuff,
so it was almost like reliving our first time.
Christian just jumped right into it. We all
started at page one, but Christian started
at page 12.
MBA: Speaking of learning curves, can
you tell us about the Rampage qualifier this
fall?
KJ: You talk to anyone involved with
Rampage, at any level, and the idea right
now is that we need more of this type of
KJ gets first tracks
down a cool snake run.
AUGUST 2019 / MOUNTAIN BIKE ACTION 41
5/16/19 12:11 PM
 MBA FEATURE

Utah

Party train down the face.

Damon interprets the snake run

with his own unique punctuation.

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 1
1 Driving right to the zone is
useful, so having a capable
truck is crucial.

2 Nico is the Energizer Bunny

in the desert. At 36 years old,
he puts the young guns to
shame. He will hike all day,
and a lot of the time, like
here, he’ll run up the hill.

3 Christian blasting down

while learning how to use
a front brake.

4 Wow, this place is unreal.

5 Watch and learn: Nico and

Kyle planning their next move.

2 3

4 5
Dropping into a chute with trademark
ridiculously fast speed from Nico.

big-mountain event. And, we need a way
for the younger generation that doesn’t
have an in or invite yet. Carson Storch and I
have access to this awesome venue where
we hold the Fest Series event near our
homes in Bend, Oregon. It’s not anywhere
near what Rampage is, but if we can build
a course that shows big-bike skills and bike
control, then it’s at least something in the
right direction to provide riders a platform
to be seen and become a Rampage athlete.
MBA: Do you feel it takes more than
just a video edit to be considered ready for
Rampage?
KJ: Yes, it’s hard to really showcase
your skills in a video edit or on Instagram.
But, if you have an event where you can

AUGUST 2019 / MOUNTAIN BIKE ACTION 43

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 MBA FEATURE

Utah
come out, practice, get in that contest
mentality and throw down, then it can show
what a rider is capable of doing. And, if we
do a live feed, too, then everyone can see
it. With an event, we can help get some
riders on the map. And, we also hope it
can inspire other event promoters to bring
back this style of big-mountain event, like
[Châtel] Mountain Style, Monster Park or
even Whitestyle that are almost extinct.

You can see a BMX-

influenced, tech vibe in
Christian’s clicked table on this
natural shark-fin step-down.

Christian finding out what is possible on a big bike.

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 Christian loved this drop so
much that he sessioned it
until sundown.

The riders all traded off filming

so official filmmaker Christian
could ride. Damon was in The Shovel and Shred team’s
charge of the Red camera—big Nico brings a relaxed vibe Kyle Jameson, fired up with
responsibility! in the desert. fresh, end-of-a-session stoke.

Synchronized air.

Nico aims to thread

Damon’s needle by
ripping under the drop.

AUGUST 2019 / MOUNTAIN BIKE ACTION 45

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 MBA FEATURE

Utah
Nico aiming straight
down a super-steep
face as fast as he can,
as always.

MBA: What types of features will be on

Nico created a big line over a lot of
the Rampage qualifier course? off-camber gnarl to make this turn work.
KJ: We’ll try to encompass everything
from on/off boxes, wall rides, berm sec-
tions, technical rollers and double lines
to massive jumps. It won’t be like you’re
riding down razor-edge-sized cliffs like
Rampage, but you’ll still have to put your
bike in specific places, carry speed, slow
down accurately and use all the technical
skills that would separate the joeys from
the good riders. ❏

Christian learning
how to do 360s on
dual suspension.

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 MBA
FIELD TEST
PRESTACYCLE
THREE-WAY
TOOL Customize and go
A three-way, sometimes referred to as a
Y-tool, is often the most valuable thing in
a mechanic’s toolbox. The ability to have
three different-size bits in your hand makes
it easier to get the job done without mak-
ing extra trips back and forth to the work
bench. Prestacycle, a company passionate
about cycling tools, decided to reinvent the
Y-tool by offering mechanics the ability to
customize it with three separate locations
for bits. Tool nerds rejoice. Prestacycle’s
all-new, customizable three-way is a
game-changer; however, we always take
marketing jargon with a grain of salt, so
this month the wrecking crew earned a
new title—the wrenching crew. Here’s how
Prestacycle’s all-new three-way tool fared
in this month’s tool test.
Tech features: Prestacycle offers the
three-way in two different versions—the
Standard model and the Professional
model—priced at $25 and $35 respective-
ly. Both tools come with a lifetime warranty
and the unique ability to swap out stan-
dard-size 1/4-inch bits. They are also both
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PT_PRESTA_48.indd 48
Professional model
constructed from
an alloy body with
stainless shafts.
The Professional
model, however,
receives Prestacycle’s MagGlide system
that holds the bits in place until you release
them. The standard three-way still uses
magnets to hold the bits in place, but with-
out the release buttons, it requires a slight
tug. The bits are sold separately for $8 for
a pack of 12. Additional bit attachments,
such as a bottle opener or a tire lever, can
be purchased as well. Furthermore, longer
bits can be attached to handle harder-
to-reach bolts. While this tool might look
simple on the surface, much attention went
into the detailed design of this product.
Field test results: As stated earlier, a
three-way is one of the best tools for the
job, but with the ability to customize it to
the task at hand, it quickly became the
favorite tool on our work bench. It’s best
to think a few steps ahead and attach the
bit sizes you think you’ll need before you
Standard model
begin wrenching. For instance, if you are
playing around with your cockpit, you might
need to attach a 4mm, a 5mm and a T25
set of bits. If you happen to swap pedals
often, a larger 8mm bit can be swapped in.
Basically, if you think ahead, this tool can
be set up to prevent trips to the toolbox.
The ability to use longer bit drivers was
also a welcome feature, since other three-
way tools can be too close to the handle-
bars, preventing full rotation and increasing
job time. The only minor complaint we had
about this tool was that the bits would
often get stuck in our bolts due to the tight
fit, but this tighter tolerance is actually
a good thing, as it prevents mechanics
from rounding off bolt heads. Overall,
Prestacycle did an excellent job updating a
classic tool with the ability to be custom-
ized for the job. If you work on your own
bike and haven’t checked out Prestacycle’s
tool line, we recommend giving them a
look. ❏
Hits
• Versatile tool that’s perfect for
most jobs
Misses
• Bits can get stuck in the bolt heads
Star Rating
5/15/19 4:07 PM

PUSHING YOURSELF
WORKING TO BE STRONGER, FASTER AND
TOUGHER THAN YOU IMAGINED
By Mark Hansen
S
port fans and spectators alike need not
read any further. This is not for you. This
is for those athletes that truly live for the
pain; those athletes that eat, drink and dream
about going faster. And now, thanks to recent
advances in sports nutrition, scientists have
found a legal solution that can help athletes
like you achieve your dreams by boosting
EPO production naturally.
EPO stands for Erythropoietin, a hormone
that gives blood a greater capacity for
carrying oxygen. Doctors first used EPO to
counter red blood cell loss that resulted from
chemotherapy treatment in cancer patients.
When synthetic EPO became available
several decades ago, endurance athletes,
especially cyclists, started using EPO to gain
an advantage during training and races. The
reason was simple: with more oxygen being
delivered to muscles, performance and
endurance improved dramatically.
In the mid-1980s, almost all of the
governing bodies in sports banned EPO.
Unfortunately, endurance athletes in
$'9(57,6(0(17
several sports worked to get around these
restrictions by using other blood doping
techniques to mask EPO use.
The use of synthetic EPO has been
extremely controversial. Several star
endurance athletes have admitted using
synthetic EPO and have faced severe
consequences. The subject of EPO use has
also gained significant media attention in
the last 10 years.
Fortunately, there’s a new legal way
for cyclists to benefit from boosting EPO
production. A company called Biomedical
Research Laboratories has developed a
natural EPO stimulator specifically for
athletes seeking to gain an edge.
The product is called EPO-BOOST.
Taken daily, the ingredients in EPO-BOOST
help the body naturally boost circulating
EPO levels. With a boost in EPO levels,
more oxygen can reach working muscles
resulting in dramatic improvements in
athletic performance.
The science behind EPO-BOOST is
equally compelling. Dr. M.T. Whitehead
from the Department of Health and
Human Performance at Northwestern State
University conducted a 28-day double-
blind placebo-controlled clinical trial to
test the effectiveness of the key ingredient
EPO-BOOST.
The research showed that the active
ingredient in EPO-BOOST® increased EPO
production by over 90% compared to the
group taking the placebo. The supplement
group showed significant improvements
in athletic performance as measured by
VO2max and running economy.
EPO-BOOST is not a miracle pill and
it won’t make you a world champion
overnight. In fact, most users will see
that it takes 3-4 weeks to obtain the full
performance benefits of EPO-BOOST.
Athletes who use EPO-BOOST are sharing
their results.
Pablo Santa Cruz, a category one cyclist,
stated, “I am very skeptical with nutritional
supplements due to the prevalent lack
of clean manufacturing practices and
banned substance contamination. I am very
glad to have researched and tested EPO-
BOOST to my and my performance support
team’s satisfaction. Particularly, I am very
encouraged with breaking through key power
and speed thresholds after 6 weeks of using
these products.”
Mr. Cruz is not alone in his praise of the
product. Travis Beam, a top cyclist from North
Carolina, used EPO-BOOST in his preparation
for his season. Travis stated, “starting the
season I made several goals to accomplish
in my racing career. To achieve those goals,
I knew I needed something extra to support
my training. After a month of using EPO-
BOOST I started seeing crazy gains in my
endurance and power during training and my
speed picked up to the next level! I am a firm
believer in these products and cannot wait to
see how these gains will help my performance
in events later this year.”
So EPO-BOOST provides a total
solution for athletes in all sports looking for
improved energy, endurance, and recovery.
EPO-BOOST is legal for competition.
All ingredients in EPO-BOOST are in
compliance with WADA, UCI, IOC, and
NCAA rules.
A company spokesman confirmed an
exclusive offer for MBA readers. If you
order this month, you’ll receive $10 off your
first order by using promo code “MBA10”
at checkout. You can order EPO- BOOST
today at www.EPOBOOST.com or by calling
1-800-780-4331.
 MBA
FIELD TEST
PIRELLI SCORPION TIRES
Pirelli has been making tires for two- and
four-wheel motorsports since 1872, and
now they are applying all that experience
to mountain biking. Pirelli’s first mountain
bike product aims to reduce confusion
when purchasing a tire. Designed to be
terrain-specific, the Scorpion tires come in
four versions: Hard Terrain, Mixed Terrain,
Soft Terrain and Rear Specific.
Tech features: All four choices
are available in 27.5-inch and 29-inch
wheel sizes. The 27.5-inch comes in two
widths—2.4 and 2.6 inches—and the
29-inch comes in three widths: 2.2, 2.4
and 2.6 inches. Every tire in the line is
tubeless ready with a standard 60 tpi
(thread-per-inch) casing. The 29-inch tire
is also offered in a lighter-weight “Lite”
casing with 120 tpi that can be found in
the 2.2- and 2.4-inch widths, but in the
rear-specific model.
SmartGRIP is Pirelli’s rubber compound
that was developed to work in all condi-
tions—producing traction in dry terrain
while retaining wet-weather grip. Using
the single compound, Pirelli then slightly
modified each tire’s knob width, height
and spacing to better suit the performance
50 www.mbaction.com
PT_PIRELLI_50.indd 50
needs in different conditions.
Field test results: The Scorpion is
designed for wide rims. Pirelli suggests
using a 25mm inner rim width with the
2.2-inch tire and using the 2.4- and 2.6-
inch tires with rims of at least 30mm inner
width. Pairing the tire with the correct rim
will give the tire appropriate volume for its
application—a narrower tire and rim can
deliver more energy-efficient performance,
while a wider tire and rim can support
more aggressive riding.
For our test, we chose to outfit a few
29ers with a combination of Scorpions
before settling on the Mixed Terrain up
front and a Hard Terrain in the rear. Let’s
break down the performance of each.
Using the Mixed Terrain (M label) up
front, we found it capable of delivering
bite in a range of soft to hard terrain. The
M-label tire performed consistently and
was reliable when cornering. The outer
knobs of the tire could dig in to claw
around turns and would not break loose
without warning. The M label encouraged
leaning the bike into turns and helped
carry momentum when changing direction.
Compared to the rest of the Scorpion family
of tires, the Hard Terrain (H label) has the
most plentiful, smallest and most tightly
packed tread blocks. This design produced
a faster-rolling tire that worked well in the
rear. On hardpack, compact surfaces, the
wide center patch of knobs created a broad
footprint that offered powerful braking per-
formance when needed.
Mounting the Scorpions took some
effort. Though they were not the hardest
tires to install that we’ve encountered, it
took a little extra muscle to seat the bead
on the wheelsets; however, once we hit
the dirt, the Scorpion tire’s casing proved
compliant, molding to the contours of the
trail, including rocks and roots. Beyond
the knob and rubber compound’s ability to
provide traction, the whole tire, from the
bead through the casing, offered enough
pliability to create grip when needed. And,
unlike multi-rubber compound tires, Pirelli’s
use of a single rubber compound ensures
even greater durability as the knobs wear
down over time. ❏
Hits
• Consistent cornering
• Lasting wear properties
Misses
• Requires a little extra muscle to install
Star Rating
5/15/19 4:10 PM
 sagetitanium.com

SAGE_AD_03_2019.indd 1 3/22/19 11:15 AM

 MBA FEATURE

The Swedish
PerspectiveThe photography of
Mattias Fredriksson

S
weden’s Mattias
Fredriksson has been
shooting some of the
most beautiful photos in
mountain biking for close to
25 years. Read on to learn
more about him and how he
got to where he is now.

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 The Aosta Valley in Italy is one of
my favorite places to shoot, and
Grivola is one of my favorite moun-
tains. This pointy beauty is “just”
3,969 meters (13,022 feet), and
because it is under 4000 meters,
it is not so famous but a real gem
in the Gran Paradiso National
Park. This trail between Pila and
Cogne lined up perfectly with the
mountain in the background, as
Massimo Ferro, Karen Eller and
Holger Meyer rode down it.

AUGUST 2019 / MOUNTAIN BIKE ACTION 53

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 MBA FEATURE

The MBA Q&A

TALKING WITH MATTIAS FREDRIKSSON
MBA: Birthplace and date?
Mattias Fredriksson: I was born in
Växjö, in the southern part of Sweden, July
26, 1974. 

MBA: Where did you grow up?

MF: I also grew up there. Later on I
moved to Riksgränsen, in the very north of
Sweden, which is a tiny ski resort, where
I worked as a cleaner at the only hotel.
That gave me a chance to live there and
ski every day. In my spare time, I started
to shoot photos, and slowly I learned the
ropes about photography and the outdoor
industry. 

MBA: When did you get interested in

mountain biking?
MF: It was when I was in Riksgränsen. I
stayed one summer up there and started to
ride mountain bikes. It was a little mountain
bike scene up there and great trails, so it During the 2001 World Cup finals in
was easy to get hooked. This was in 1994- downhill in Leysin, Switzerland, it was
1995, around that time. pouring rain. Instead of going up the
mountain to shoot the classic action
shots, I decided to stay down at the
MBA: How and when did you get inter- finish line and capture the riders after
ested in mountain bike photography? the race. I put black-and-white film in
MF: It was around the same time I got my camera and started documenting the
Mattias Fredriksson
interested in mountain biking. I was an day. My favorite shot from this day is of
intern for Lars Thulin, a local photographer
who shot for Patagonia, Bike and Powder at
Katja Repo, who won the race and was
completely covered in mud. It is one of
my most iconic bike photos of all time.
Photo Gallery
the time. He brought me along and taught
me a lot. It was a lot of ski photography
and snow adventures in the winter, and
in the summer he shot a lot of mountain
biking. I had just started riding a bit more
myself, and naturally I tried to shoot it,
too. Early on, I shot a lot of competitions
and events. That was a great learning
process and a chance to shoot a lot. That
led to a great relationship with FunSport
Mountainbike magazine, at the time
Sweden’s only mountain bike magazine.
They gave me a lot of assignments and
even sent me to Atlanta in 1996 to cover
mountain biking’s debut in the Olympics.
Shortly after, I became the editor for the
magazine, which was another great
experience. 

MBA: How many years have you been

shooting mountain bikes now?
MF: About 25 years. 
MBA: Where and when did you get your
first photos published?
My partner Elle Cochrane and I have a dog, a Siberian Husky called Tikaani, which means
wolf in Inuit. He loves to join us for ski touring, hikes and mountain biking. This photo was
from one of his first real bike rides when we still lived in Sweden, and it’s a nice memory
from our time there. Elle and Tikaani celebrate the ride in Trillevallen with a high five.

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FREDRICKSON_52-63.indd 54 5/16/19 10:38 AM

 The Aosta Valley has some of the best
mountain biking in the Alps, and with
its location just south of the Mont Blanc
massif, it sure is one of the most beautiful
regions. Here Karen Eller, Lisa Breckner
and Kathrin Schön take a break during a
beautiful summer evening near Pila.

I lived in the mountain town of Åre in the Swedish

province of Jämtland for 20 years. The UCI Mountain
Biking World Championships were held there in
1999, which created a big interest for mountain
biking. Ever since then, this little town in northern
Sweden has taken steps towards being what I
would describe as Scandinavia’s Whistler. There is a
great bike park in Åre with lots of trails and a unique
bike culture. It was my studio for 20 years, and I still
publish a lot of my timeless photos from this great
place. Here, my partner Elle Cochrane is captured
riding together with our friend Janne Tjärnström.

AUGUST 2019 / MOUNTAIN BIKE ACTION 55

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 MBA FEATURE
Mattias Fredriksson
Photo Gallery

The ride between Lenzerheide and Arosa

is a spectacular route through a tight
valley, surrounded by high peaks. Near
Arosa lies the glacier-fed Älplisee, which
is one of the most beautiful alpine lakes in
this region. The trail goes right next to the
lake. It is such a beautiful stretch, so when
Janne Tjärnström and I came by, we just
had to stop for some photos.

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FREDRICKSON_52-63.indd 56 5/16/19 10:40 AM

 ANTI Days of Thunder was an event put on in Hafjell,
Norway, in 2008 and 2009. It was progressive, big-moun-
tain riding with massive jumps and a good-vibe type of
event. A lot of the riders who came from all around the
world have been instrumental in the progression of our
sport, including Sam Reynolds, who got a late invite in
2009 and surprised everybody with his riding. Just look
at this backflip no-foot can!

MF: I published my own fanzine at

the age of 11–12 years old. It was called
Heavy, and the content was about punk
rock and heavy metal. My first photos were
published there. They were, of course,
horrible. Later on, I started to work for
local newspapers. I think I was 17 years
old. Then I mostly wrote but also got my
first photos published. My first photo in a
magazine was in 1994 when Åka Skidor
magazine published my first ski photo. That
was huge, and I still work a lot with this
magazine. It is one of the oldest ski maga-
zines in the world. 

MBA: Were you working or going to

school back then?
MF: I went to journalism school for
one year. Then I got assigned to go to the
U.S. to interview Gary Fisher and cover a
Michelin tire launch. The school would not
let me take a week off, so I followed my
gut feeling and quit school. I never looked
back. 

AUGUST 2019 / MOUNTAIN BIKE ACTION 57

FREDRICKSON_52-63.indd 57 5/16/19 10:41 AM

 MBA FEATURE

Mattias Fredriksson
Photo Gallery

The west coast of Norway is one of the

most spectacular places for photography
and mountain biking. I used to live in a
small mountain town in Sweden, close to
the Norwegian border, before moving to
Canada, and then I spent a lot of time in
Norway. I love it there and still try to go
for a trip every year. This place is pretty
famous. The Geiranger Fjord has tourists
coming from all over the world, but unfor-
tunately most of them arrive in cruise
ships, which pollutes the nature.

MBA: What are some of your favorite Narvik in northern Norway

places for shooting mountain bike photos?
MF: All over Norway, northern Sweden,
Aosta Valley in Italy, and Valais in
Switzerland. There are so many places.
Mainly, I like to explore new places and tell
unique stories.  allel, the summer nights
MBA: Who are some of your favorite
riders?
MF: My good buddy Janne Tjärnström
from Åre (where I used to live before mov-
ing to Canada), Stephen Matthews and
Martin Söderström. 
is one of the most spec-
tacular places I know for
mountain biking. Some of
the trails come down the
mountain straight above
the fjord. With its northern
location, on the 67th par-
are long. This shot of local
hero Micke af Ekenstam
and Janne Tjärnström was
taken at 9:30 p.m., and it’s
still bright out for another
half hour!

MBA: What other things do you like to

photograph?
MF: Skiing, mountains, hiking, traveling
and my dog Tikaani. 

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FREDRICKSON_52-63.indd 58 5/16/19 10:42 AM

 With 40 peaks over 4000 meters
and amazing bike trails, Zermatt in
Switzerland sure is a photogenic
place. This is Stephen Matthews,
same day as the other shot from
Zermatt [on page 63].

Retallack is a unique
bike destination in
the Kootenays, not
far from the cool little
town of Nelson in
the southeast part
of British Columbia,
Canada. Retallack
is a snowcat-skiing
operation in the win-
tertime, but in the last
five years it has made
a name for itself as
an amazing place for
biking. With a world-
class network of trails,
shuttle transportation
to the top and a guid-
ed program, this is
a truly unique place.
Here, Santa Cruz
Bicycles’ Seb Kemp
rips up one of the
trails near the lodge.

AUGUST 2019 / MOUNTAIN BIKE ACTION 59

FREDRICKSON_52-63.indd 59 5/16/19 10:42 AM

 MBA FEATURE
Mattias Fredriksson
Photo Gallery

Lenzerheide in Switzerland was hosting the UCI World

Championships in mountain biking last year and has become
a well-known bike destination over the last few years. As with
many places in the Graubünden region, there are lots of great
trails and amazing possibilities to explore in these mountains.

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FREDRICKSON_52-63.indd 60 5/16/19 10:42 AM

 MBA: What’s the hardest part about MBA: What’s your current camera? MBA: If you could give aspiring photog-
your job? MF: Nikon D850 bodies and a bunch of raphers three tips to help them get better
MF: Waiting for weather and the travel- Nikkor lenses. And my iPhone!  photos of mountain biking, what would you
ing. But, at the same time, the reward after tell them?
waiting for amazing light is one of the high- MBA: What are your favorite lenses? MF: Make sure you are into the sports
lights, so I don’t mind. Sometimes I have MF: I mainly use only three lenses: a you like to shoot, so ride your bike—a lot.
to pinch myself to realize how lucky I am 16-35 f/4, a 28-70 f/2.8 and a 70-200 f/4. Then you will understand the culture of the
having this job; it is pretty amazing.  Light and fast!  sport. After that, document it. 

AUGUST 2019 / MOUNTAIN BIKE ACTION 61

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 MBA FEATURE
Mattias Fredriksson
Photo Gallery
Pack light. Make sure you can ride any-
where you want and don’t let a too-heavy
camera bag stop you. 
Have patience—and passion. It takes
time to establish yourself in the adventure
and mountain biking world. Be prepared
to spend some years working it, and don’t
expect things to happen too fast. Attend
trade shows and events. Write good pitch-
es, and try to make connections in the
industry. And make sure you have the pas-
sion for mountain biking. It does not matter
how good the photos you take are— you
must love the sport. It will show otherwise.
And realize one thing: you will not get rich
shooting biking, but you will have a great
lifestyle. That is worth a lot. ❏
I lived in Squamish here in British Columbia before moving north. The riding there is incred-
ible, and the nature feels like a gigantic greenhouse with all aspects of green. My buddy
Fraser Newton works for Anthill Films and is also a great bike mechanic, but mainly he is a
total ripper on the bike, like here, on one of my favorite trails in town, Rupert!

Val d’Annivers is one of the most

beautiful valleys in Switzerland’s
Valais region. Two summers ago,
I spent a few weeks here and
explored the mountains with a few
friends. This place is above the
little mountain town of St Luc, and
the riders are Chris Winter, Julia
Hoffman and Stephen Matthews.

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 The Romsdal region in Norway is a very popular place for backcountry skiing, moun-
After the Deep Summer Photo Challenge taineering, trail running and nowadays mountain biking. Parts of Romsdal are very
in Whistler, British Columbia, in 2009, my alpine and rugged, but Tarløysa, just above the Romsdalsfjord, is a bit less steep and
buddy and editor for our slideshow, Dave has an amazing trail leading down from the mountain. We hit it in magical light and
Mossop from Sherpas Cinema, asked me Janne Tjärnström nailed the mark for my shot.
for a favor. He and his friends were making
a mountain culture magazine in Squamish at
the time, and they needed a cover shot. He
had an idea with a dressed-up theme, so I
asked if Martin Söderström could ride at the
dirt jumps dressed as Spiderman. We added
some other characters in there to make it
extra weird. It turned out pretty funny!

Stephen Matthews is the global

brand manager for Rocky Mountain
Bicycles, but honestly is as good of a
rider as some of the athletes he spon-
sors. On this particular trip, we had
already wrapped it after an epic week
going hut to hut in the Swiss Alps, but
our travel schedules got changed, so
we got a bonus day in Zermatt. It was
“all-time,” so I could not stick to the
promise of not shooting any photos,
and this one came out really nice.

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 MBA
FIELD TEST
RUDY PROJECT PROTERA HELMET
Besides protecting the brain, Rudy
Project helmets are also designed to
enhance performance. The brand’s aero-
dynamic designs have helped contribute
to many time-trial world records in road
cycling. What’s more, the company’s
helmets are often the number one choice
of athletes entering the Kona Ironman
triathlon. With Rudy Project’s new Protera
model, the Italian helmet maker aims to
bring similar well-thought-out benefits to
cross-country, trail and enduro mountain
bike riders.
Tech info: The overall shape of the
Protera is clean and simple. There are no
aero-type fins like those that can be found
stylizing the rear of other mountain bike
helmets. Instead, this MTB lid is round-
ed—like a human head—offering a very
natural appearance. Rudy Project offers the
Protera for $199.99 in four matte finishes:
black/white, white/black, blue/orange (think
Yeti blue) and orange/white (think Fox Shox
orange).
Using an in-mold process, the Protera’s
polycarbonate shell is made with a polysty-
rene liner to produce one solid protective
piece. Rudy Project’s airframe integrates a
polycarbonate sleeve in the padding on the
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forehead to increase air flow and minimize
sweating. The helmet’s Dry Foam absorbs
moisture, and an antibacterial wicking
fabric helps keep the scalp dry. Airflow is
controlled by 18 vents, with seven vents
bringing air in at the front and top of the
helmet and 11 other vents letting air exit
through the sides and rear.
On the trail: In the dirt, the Protera’s
visor design could be appreciated by a
wide variety of riders in various trail condi-
tions. Fast riders who tend to look further
ahead on the trail were able to adjust the
visor higher and out of the way—easily
accommodating goggles when dusty condi-
tions prevailed. Thanks to the simple two-
screw system with slotted mount holes, the
visor could easily be lowered when riding
into the sun. Tunability isn’t often a term
used with a helmet, but the Protera’s visor
design offers ample adjustments for riders’
vision needs.
Our only concern is proper fit. With only
two sizes available—small/medium and
large—be sure you’ve measured your head
accurately. The RSR9 retention system
offers a large range of adjustment, but a
gap between your skull and the EPS could
reduce the helmet’s effectiveness, even
when the helmet feels snug. Rudy Project
provides a helpful sizing chart to assist with
size selection.
Off the trail, the removable chin strap
allows for easy cleaning, which is a nicety
that we appreciated. Combined with the
Bugstop and Freepad, the one-piece shell
design made washing all the components
of the helmet a much easier process. An
additional benefit of the Bugstop screen
was keeping hair from poking through vent
holes, helping our testers maintain a pro
look, even with the messiest of bedheads
on that almost-too-early morning ride. ❏
Hits
• Serviceable straps
• Adjustable visor
Misses
• Only two sizes
Star Rating
5/15/19 4:12 PM
 MBA
FIELD TEST

G-FORM
PRO-X2
KNEE
GUARDS
The next generation
of protection
G-Form is the original innovator of mini-
malist knee pads, offering riders the ability
to pedal with comfort. Since G-Form’s
initial launch, the knee-pad market has
become wildly competitive, with more and
more companies diving in each year. While
we’re sure G-Form is stoked to see riders
inspired to wear more safety equipment,
we would also guess it would like to see
that equipment be its own. In an effort to
enhance its product, G-Form launched the
new Pro X2 knee guards. These pads build
off the original design while introducing
features to increase rider comfort. We have
been riding with these knee pads for the
past few months on all kinds of trails and
have finally reached our conclusion.
Tech features: G-Form continues
to use the same Reactive Protection
Technology (a flexible material with the
ability to harden on impact) that made
G-Form pads such a revolutionary product;
however, three updates were made to
enhance rider comfort. The first change
was a longer sleeve. Not only does the
longer sleeve prevent unwanted knee-pad
thigh gap, it also helps hold the pads in
place. G-Form also improved its silicone
grippers to further secure the pads while
pedaling, and ventilation was improved by minor updates made all the difference, Hits
adding small holes near the front of the causing our riders to consistently grab • Machine washable
padding for increased air flow. All of these these pads day after day. The extended • Improved fit
minor tweaks add up to major performance length and improved grip offered an excel-
improvements on the trail. lent fit. Additionally, the small vent holes
Field test results: The first generation provided more air flow than the previous Misses
of knee pads from G-Form caught our design. It’s the attention to small details
attention as soon as they hit the scene. that makes these pads great. In fact, these • None
They were lightweight, comfortable and have been our go-to pads for the past few
protective, but as other options became months. If you’re in the market for a set
available, our testers began to look else- of knee pads sturdy enough for the MBA Star Rating
where. That all seemed to change once we wrecking crew, we recommend slipping
got our hands on the Pro-X2 pads. These into a pair of the $59.99 Pro-X2s. ❏

AUGUST 2019 / MOUNTAIN BIKE ACTION 65

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 BIKE TEST / VIATHON M.1

VIATHON
M.1
Consumer-direct hardtail
that performs

D
irect-to-consumer sales have exploded over the last
few years. Retail giant Walmart is so serious about the
continued growth of e-commerce that it has expanded
online offerings to include more premium products. Walmart
has even created a new proprietary high-end bike brand called
Viathon Bicycles. Walmart’s first mountain bike is a carbon
hardtail that will be available only on their website—
www.viathonbicycles.com—and not sold in any Walmart store.
With models starting at $2400, these are far beyond what
you’d expect from a typical department store bike.
Without a dealer involved, Viathon requires consumers to
install the seatpost, handlebars, front wheel and pedals (not
included) to get rolling. The bikes are shipped in a unique box
that opens from the side rather than the top, so the bike can
be easily slid out. Inside the box, preset torque wrenches are
included with instructions and an 800 number should addition-
al assistance be required. We slid our Viathon out of the box,
eager to see what this new brand was all about.

Just add pedals: This premium

hardtail comes ready to rip right
out of the box.

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 BIKE TEST / VIATHON M.1 Carbon is utilized throughout the cockpit, with FSA’s K-Force flat
handlebar and a 12-degree stem. The SRAM Level Ultimate brakes
with 160mm rotors complete the high-end part spec.

SUSPENSION
Viathon equips the M.1 with two clever features that challenge
the common definition of an elite cross-country bike. First, this
hardtail gets more than just the usual 100mm-travel fork. Viathon
has chosen a RockShox SID RLC with 120mm of travel. Second,
the designers chose to mount a dropper seatpost as standard
equipment on the M.1. We were eager to get on the trail to see if
these features could truly benefit the bike’s performance.

DOWN AND DIRTY

The ease of acceleration is notable from the first pedal stroke
on the Viathon. With no excess fat, the M.1 moves efficiently down
the trail.
Climbing: Getting up hills was, dare
we say it, enjoyable on the Viathon. The
M.1’s frame geometry naturally positions
the rider’s body forward. The short top
tube, combined with the steep seat tube angle, puts
the rider over the front of the bike, which keeps weight on
the front tire to reduce unwanted wheelies when grinding
up even the gnarliest ascents. Additionally, the longer
chainstay length positions the rider’s weight in a balanced
position for climbing that helps keep the rear tire planted on
the ground when the climbs get really steep.
The flow: At slow speeds, the Viathon’s geometry works well
to assist quick and precise movements on technical trails. When
speeds increase, some hardtails can quickly reach their per-

A 120mm fork and dropper post give

this hardtail racer a playful demeanor.

FRAME
The smooth contours of carbon give the Viathon a
svelte look. This bike will appeal to cross-country rid-
ers and racers looking for a no-nonsense, functional
bike. Designed to be ultra lightweight and deliver
speed, the Viathon’s aim is efficiency. The size-me-
dium frame we tested weighs just 1,035 grams with
a derailleur hanger and mounting hardware for three
water bottles.

COMPONENTS
SRAM’s Eagle XX1 drivetrain is the highlight of an elite com-
ponent package. The single-ring, 12-speed shifting performance
is combined with featherweight Stan’s Crest CB7 carbon wheels.

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 formance limit. That’s where the little extra suspension travel is
appreciated. The Charger is RockShox’s premium damper that is
installed in all its best forks; the fork performs well. We were able
to set up the fork with 25-percent sag, which allowed the suspen-
sion to absorb small chatter yet resist bottoming out on even the
most abrupt compression.
When it came time to point the bike down steep terrain, the
Viathon proved more capable than many of its elite cross-country
competitors, thanks to the RockShox Reverb Stealth seatpost. Just
a push of a button quickly lowers the saddle 125mm, which can
make any XC bike more capable going downhill. Many racers forgo
this advantage because it adds nearly a pound to the overall bike
weight; however, you’d be hard-pressed to notice the additional
weight when picking up this feathery, 21.6-pound machine.

MODS AND UPGRADES

The 12-degree stem and flat bar setup could feel too aggres-
sively aerodynamic for some riders. If your need for comfort
outweighs your need for speed, you might want to flip the stem
to utilize its 12-degree rise potential for a more upright posture
for longer, all-day epic rides. Depending on your geo-
graphic location, you might also want to upgrade to
tubeless valves and tire sealant. In some parts of the
Southwest, tubeless is nearly a necessity to avoid
flat tires, and one positive byproduct would be the
additional weight loss of going tubeless, reducing
overall bike weight by approximately 1/2
a pound.

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 BIKE TEST / VIATHON M.1
BOTTOM LINE
A premium parts spec enables this carbon hardtail to perform
at the top of its class. And the addition of a few unique compo-
nents—a dropper post and longer-travel fork—give the Viathon
capabilities that extend beyond race-only applications. And, by
offering a 60-day return policy, new or used, Viathon aims for cus-
tomer satisfaction. ❏

Power to the ground: The Viathon M.1 is a willing climber.

VIATHON M.1
Price $6000
Weight 21.6 lb. (without pedals)
Sizes Small, medium (tested), large
Frame tested Carbon hardtail
Fork RockShox SID RLC, 120mm travel, 51mm offset
Wheelset Stan’s NoTubes Crest CB7 Carbon Pro 29, 6-bolt
disc, XD driver
Tires Continental X-King, 29x2.3” (f), 29x2.2” (r)
Seatpost RockShox Reverb Stealth, 30.9mm, 125mm travel
Saddle Fizik Tundra M3
Handlebar FSA K-Force Carbon, 740mm width, 0mm rise,
31.8mm clamp
Stem FSA K-Force MTB, 31.8mm, -12°
Grips Ergon GA2
Headset FSA
Brakes SRAM Level Ultimate
Rotors SRAM Centerline, 6-bolt, 160mm
Rear derailleur SRAM Eagle XX1
Shifters SRAM XX1 Eagle Trigger, 12-speed
Cranks SRAM XX1 Eagle DUB SL, 175mm
Bottom bracket SRAM DUB BSA MTB 73mm threaded
Cassette SRAM Eagle, XG-1299, 10-50T
Chain SRAM Eagle
Chainring SRAM Eagle, 34T
GEOMETRY
Head tube angle 69.5°
Reach 417mm
Stack 621mm
Top tube length 600mm
Seat tube angle 73.6°
Bottom bracket height 311mm
Chainstay length 440mm
Wheelbase 1119mm

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Go
nowhere.
Out where the only thing you’ll
find is peace and quiet. Just you,
your thoughts and whatever just
darted behind that bush.
What was that thing?

Here we go.
 MBA
FIELD TEST
S
GIANT CHARGE PRO SHOES
In addition to bikes, Giant produces a full
line of cycling gear. The company offers
everything from bells, bags, fenders and
lights to base layers, shorts and even foot-
wear for a full range of uses.
At the top of Giant’s 12-shoe lineup is
the Charge Pro model. Redesigned for
2020, this shoe is engineered for the rigors
of off-road racing to transfer maximum
power to the pedals. Made to be light-
weight and energy efficient while main-
taining a comfortable fit, the Charge Pro is
offered in EU 40–48 sizes, with half sizes
between 41.5 and 45.5.
Tech info: Built on Giant’s Motion
Efficiency System, the shoe features an
all-carbon ExoBeam sole. The idea behind
the dual-beam structure is to utilize com-
posite material that can be stiff in the
forefoot, where most of a rider’s power
is applied, yet strategically flex to reduce
tension and strain in the lower leg. Using
what Giant calls its ExoWrap, the shoe’s
upper design provides a 360-degree foot
enclosure that works to pull up on the arch
and deliver stable foot support. The goal
is to enhance efficiency while maintaining
comfort.
On the trail: The Charge Pro shoe pro-
vides a secure fit thanks to the award-win-
ning, patented Boa LP1 closure system.
There are two twist knobs that allow you
to smoothly and evenly dial in the perfect
fit with a Velcro strap. The system is light-
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PT_GIANT_74.indd 74
weight, durable and hassle-free. During
our testing, the Charge Pro performed
well, consistent with Boa’s reputation.
Removing the shoe can require taking a
moment to create slack, but it never tried
our patience.
The futuristic look of the shoe’s material
comes from the reinforced, high-density,
polyurethane leather. It screams, “I’m
here to race,” and is a real advantage in
repelling the elements. The smooth, water-
proof finish beads mud and muck well and
is also resistant to penetration from any
debris, sticks or foxtail weeds that might
get stuck in more porous materials. The
upper material is also pliable enough to
conform to the shape of your feet.
The shoe’s durable materials don’t hin-
der ventilation. The forefoot’s breathability
provided a favorable internal temperature
thanks to the hardworking, laser-cut,
micro perforations in the uppers and the
anti-bacterial, dual-density and removable
EVA insole.
Unlike most high-end race shoes, the
Giant Charge Pros have rubber heel to toe,
even in the mid-section of the foot, that
really aids traction when you’re unclipped.
This was greatly appreciated when we
unclipped and needed more than one
attempt to clip back in. The Charge Pro’s
rubber sole was able to grip on top of the
pedal until the cleat properly engaged
again.
Hiking can be downright sketchy in some
clipless shoes, but the Charge Pro was
solid off the bike. The injection-molded toe
guard protected the front of the shoe well
when we were scurrying around the trail
on foot. As with its competitors in this cat-
egory, two optional toe spikes are offered
with plastic knobs that come standard. The
only upgrade we recommend would be to
provide solid rubber knobs that could screw
in as a traction option for extremely rocky
terrain.
Versatile in all applications, the $385
Giant Charge Pro shoes remained snug
thanks to thoughtful details like the grippy
SharkSkin heel liner that encouraged a
slip-free fit and remained comfortable, even
on the longest days. ❏
Hits
• Power-transfer efficiency
• All rubber, all traction
Misses
• Top-shelf price tag
Star Rating
5/16/19 10:59 AM
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 MBA FEATURE

The Sea Otter’s Pro Men’s and Pro

Women’s Cross-Country races both
started before 7:45 a.m. on Sunday
morning. It wasn’t ideal for spectators,
but the action was still good.

The Changing
Landscape Of ProTaper launched this cool new handlebar and

Bike Shows
grip combo for junior riders called the J-Unit.
The bar tapers down to the appropriate size for
kids and features a sleeve next to the grip so
regular-sized brakes can be used.

What we saw, learned and experienced at the Sea Otter this year

I
n the age of Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, mountain bikers
have grown used to finding out about events the same day
they happen. If you have time to be at the event, or sit glued to
your computer for three or four days, you can find out a lot about
what happened at an event.
Of course, that’s not always possible to do. Even if you’re at an
event like this year’s Seat Otter Classic in Monterey, California, it’s
always possible to miss something you wish you’d seen.
The MBA staff spent several days at this year’s Sea Otter, then
rushed back home to Southern California to post some updates on
the Sea Otter on our website while we put the finishing touches
on another issue of our magazine that was just heading to the
printer.
Now that we’ve had some time to digest our experience of this
year’s Sea Otter, we thought it would be fun to take a look at the
people and things that caught our attention there.
With the annual Interbike show having been canceled for this
coming September, much of the bike industry took the chance to
get together at the Sea Otter to display their latest products, see
their friends and usher in a new racing season.
On the following pages, you’ll see some of the people, products
and events that impressed us this year. 

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 America’s Walker Shaw was the surprise winner of the Pro Men’s Downhill this year.
The Santa Cruz-mounted rider beat the three stars of the Santa Cruz Syndicate—
younger brother Luca Shaw, Loris Vergier and Greg Minnaar (who finished 12th, 11th
and 14th)—as well as everybody else.

Funn MTB showed off their components, including these flat pedals, which are offered in
a variety of colors.

The Structure mountain bike has an innova-

tive frame design that keeps the fork from
diving under compression.

Marzocchi once dominated the market with

the classic fork seen on the lower right
side. Today, Marzocchi plans to earn back
its diehard fans with the help of Fox behind
them. The Z2 is an all-new fork that we will
be testing in a future issue.

AUGUST 2019 / MOUNTAIN BIKE ACTION 77

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 MBA FEATURE

Cody Kelley (in red) and Joey Foresta

(in blue) put on one of the better
dual-slalom battles of the weekend in
this practice round. Though they were
two of the favorites, neither made it
past the round of eight.

MBA FEATURE

Impala MIPS is a brand-new helmet from Lazer that’s said to provide increased safety and comfort. The helmet features an action
camera mount, an adjustable visor and a place for goggle storage. Additionally, this helmet features three sizes, with the size small
weighing in around 295 grams.

Luca Shaw, a Santa

Cruz Syndicate
downhill racer,
tossed swag from the
rooftop of the Fox
rig. The crowd roared
with anticipation in

Sea Otter hopes of snagging

free gear.

78

SEA_OTHER_76-87.indd 78 5/16/19 11:11 AM

 Youn Deniaud of the Factory Giant
Off-Road team (right) popped out of
his clips, nearly crashing during the
Pro Dual Slalom race. Nikolas Nestoroff
(left) took full advantage of Youn’s mis-
take, advancing to the next round. Nestoroff
went on to finish second, right behind Mitch
Ropelato, the three-peat champion of the event.

Leatt showed off their newly released Velocity 6.5 goggles. We spoke with Leatt, and they
showed us a lens that had been shot with a .22-caliber bullet. To our surprise, the lens
was able to stop the bullet from breaking through; however, good luck getting the wreck- The legendary Tinker Juarez was roam-
ing crew to stand in for that round of testing. ing the pits when he wasn’t annihilating
his fellow Masters racers on the Otter’s
cross-country course.

RSD (Rubber Side Down) introduced the Middlechild trail hardtail with a new titanium
frame. The frame is painted black with laser cut-out logos, which expose the raw titanium Rotor had their 1x13 drivetrain on display
underneath. in their expo area.

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 MBA FEATURE

This little Commencal is the bike we dreamed of as kids. If you want to supply your
young shredder with a sweet ride, this is the bike for them.

Jill Kintner (center)

reigned supreme
in both the Pro
Women’s Downhill
and Dual Slalom
battles. The top five
riders in women’s
downhill all made
the quarterfinals
(the top eight) in
dual slalom. These
women go fast The legendary Cedric Gracia happily
whatever bikes they showed off his new USWE Protector
ride. hydration pack.

Keegan Swenson was leading the

Pro Men in Sunday morning’s XC
race at the halfway point, but Simon
Andreassen was right behind him,
ready to pass him when the time
was right and score the win.

Sea Otter
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SEA_OTHER_76-87.indd 81 5/23/19 10:45 AM

 MBA FEATURE

Three-time downhill world champion Greg

Minnaar showed off his impressive jumping skills
in this year’s downhill race but finished well off
the podium. The top riders in the Otter down-
hill usually run shorter-travel bikes instead of
downhillers because of the pedaling required.

(Left to Right) Greg Minnaar, Luca Shaw and Loris Vergier met
with their fans in the Santa Cruz tent when they weren’t racing.

Jill Kintner won the Pro Women’s titles

in both downhill (shown here) and dual
slalom (check out that bike on page 94).
The woman is unstoppable.

Guerrilla Gravity is a Denver, Colorado-

based company that proudly designs
and manufactures carbon frames in
their Denver office. The bike shown here
offered some unique features, including
a Geoadjust headset, a Crush or Plush
Flip Chip and an integrated external cable
routing.

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Sea Otter
America’s 2018 UCI world champion
Kate Courtney had a slightly disapointing
weekend. She took third in Thursday’s
Pro Women’s XC event and placed sec-
ond in Sunday’s, losing both to former
world champion Annika Langvad.
SEA_OTHER_76-87.indd 83
Steve Walton (left) and the legendary Steve Peat (right) drop
into the Sea Otter’s dual slalom course on Saturday afternoon.
Peaty, soon to turn 44, came out of retirement and showed that
he’s still fast enough to race against the top riders in the sport.
Revel Bikes is a new company privately owned by riders with the goal of making
drool-worthy full-suspension mountain bikes. The bike shown here is the Rail, offering
27.5-inch wheels and 165mm of travel. Up front is a 170mm-travel fork. Three build kits
are available ranging in price from $5000–$8700.
AUGUST 2019 / MOUNTAIN BIKE ACTION 83
5/16/19 11:19 AM
 MBA FEATURE

Spank Industries showed a beautiful assortment Denmark’s Annika Langvad celebrated her second win of the
of pedals, stems and rims in the expo area. Elite Women’s two cross-country races on Sunday morning.

Mitch Ropelato is a force to be reckoned

with in the Sea Otter Classic Dual Slalom
race. The Santa Cruz-backed rider racked
up his third win in a row this year.

Sea Otter
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 primalwear.com

Ads_2.indd 28 10/18/16 2:32:50 PM

 MBA FEATURE

Christopher Blevins won the first

Pro Men’s Cross-Country race
on Thursday and took second
on Sunday. Barring any surpris-
es, he could be America’s top
male cross-country rider for the
next 10 years.

Greg Minnaar raced dual slalom

at the Sea Otter this year, and
although he got knocked out in
the round of 16, he still looked
impressive.

Danny MacAskill high-fives his

fans at the end of one of his
shows. Danny put on multiple
shows at the Magura area, even
doing backflips for the crowd.

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 Sea Otter

Sunday’s cross-country races gave the

pro riders a chance to experience the
beauty of the hills outside the pit area,
as the riders did an out-and-back loop of
over 20 miles in the single-lap race.

Mitch Ropelato (left), Keith DeFiebre

(center) and Jill Kintner (right) celebrated
another great year of dual slalom rac-
ing at the Otter. Keith is the man who
builds the legendary course each year.
Ropelato won the race for the third year
in a row. Jill won for her ninth time.

Denmark’s Simon Andreassen (left) and Annika Langvad (right) won the cross-coun-
try finals on Sunday in the Pro class. While Annika was clearly the most consistent
rider of the weekend in the women’s XC ranks (with two wins), American Christopher
Blevins was the top rider among the Pro Men. ❏

AUGUST 2019 / MOUNTAIN BIKE ACTION 87

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 BIKE TEST / SPECIALIZED EPIC

88 www.mbaction.com

BT_SPECIALIZED EVO_88-92.indd 88 5/16/19 11:27 AM

 SPECIALIZED
EPIC COMP EVO
From race day to trail ride

T
he Specialized Epic is one our sport’s most iconic
cross-country race bikes, earning more medals and
titles than we care to count; however, with the word
“EVO” attached to its name, this race machine becomes
a completely different tool. Those not familiar with the
term EVO simply need to know that it’s Specialized’s way
of saying it took its classic design and stretched its capa-
bilities. In the Epic’s case, it means the bike received a
longer fork and a dropper post. The goal was to transform
this XC racer into a lightweight trail shredder. Our testers
have spent time on the latest version of the Epic, but the
EVO promises a whole different ride. This month we set
out to see what the Epic EVO is all about.

FRAME
The Epic EVO comes in three models greatly ranging in
price and performance. At the top level sits the S-Works
beauty, retailing for a hard-to-swallow $10,400. The mid-
range model continues to offer an impressive build kit and
carbon frame with a more approachable price of $5850.
Then comes the alloy model we tested. The entry-level
option is referred to as the Comp EVO and retails for
$3220.
Although the Comp level is made from alloy, that
doesn’t mean it has to be a compromise. Specialized has
put a lot of time and attention into developing its alumi-
num frames to be as competitive as possible, thanks to
Smartweld technology. Other key features of our test rig
included a threaded bottom bracket, Boost hub spacing
and internal cable routing. The frame rolls on the same
100mm of travel and Brain Shock as the rest of the Epic’s
lineup.

COMPONENTS
The key components that make this Epic an EVO are
the following: First, the RockShox Reba RL fork was
extended to 120mm of travel, and an X-Fusion Manic
dropper post was added so riders could get rowdy.
Further changes include 750mm-wide bars and 2.3-inch-
wide rubber wrapped around 29mm-internal-width rims.
Specialized then spec’d a SRAM NX Eagle, 12-speed
drivetrain to ensure riders would have a wide range of
gears for tackling steep climbs or pedaling descents.

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 BIKE TEST / SPECIALIZED EPIC
SUSPENSION
AutoSag is a unique feature seen throughout Specialized’s
lineup that allows riders to quickly and easily set their sag. The
concept is to pump your shock up well above the pressure you
normally run and then use a release valve while sitting on the bike
to let just the right amount of air out for your weight. We set
sag a few different times and consistently landed on the same
measurement. This ease of setup is a welcome feature, espe-
cially on an entry-level bike.
Another notable feature of the Epic is its Brain, which opens
and closes the shock’s damping in order to react to the trails. The
technology is far from new but has been reworked since its previ-
ous iterations. The Brain now sits closer to the rear axle in order
to be more sensitive to small bumps. A switch can be found by the
rear axle that allows riders to tune the suspension feel between
soft and firm. This switch, however, is nearly impossible to reach
while riding, so it’s meant to be more of a set-it-for-your-condi-
tions-and-leave-it adjustment.
Whether hammering on the pedals out of the saddle or in it,
acceleration is felt almost immediately. We did a few hill repeats,
changing the suspension settings each lap, and found the switch
offered a noticeable but small change. In the firm setting, the bike
felt fast but lost traction out of the saddle in loose conditions. Our
home trails called for a softer setting in order to reap the benefits
of traction up our climbs.
THE FLOW
The Epic EVO is a
cross-country bike at heart, and
while its EVO upgrades offer a higher
level of shred, the bike is still somewhat
limited to mellower trails. Our test riders
had no issue ripping flow trails, rallying
jumps or railing turns, but when the
course got technical, our riders had to
back it off.
The ideal riding situation for the
EVO is a cross-country loop with a
few bonus lines sprinkled in.

DOWN AND DIRTY

Climbing: The EVO excels on the descents but gives up very
little on the climbs. Sure, the tires are a little bigger and the fork is
a bit longer, but the platform is as efficient as can be. In a head-
to-head battle, the non-EVO model might win in a photo finish, but
for the regular trail rider, the added comfort of the EVO model will
make it a more ideal weapon off the
racetrack.

90

BT_SPECIALIZED EVO_88-92.indd 90 5/16/19 11:29 AM


The bike would suit a rider who wants a fun trail bike capable
of handling weekend races without compromising on either end.
The Epic is a speed demon, and with its EVO trim, riders are
able to push the bike a bit harder. Of course, you can’t expect
this beefed-up XC machine to handle like a true trail bike, but its
ability to accelerate is second to none. Oh, and did we mention
you can jump it, too?
BT_SPECIALIZED EVO_88-92.indd 91
MODS AND UPGRADES
The Epic EVO was developed because Specialized employees
thought it would be fun to modify their current Epics. Wide han-
dlebars, a longer fork, bigger tires—and all of a sudden those
employees realized how rad a shred-worthy Epic could be. The
EVO essentially is a modified Epic, so, in a way, Specialized
already handled the necessary list of upgrades.
Short of personalization, there’s not much a rider will need to
do to this bike. We found the stock build was right on the money
and included everything we could expect from a bike in this
price range.
AUGUST 2019 / MOUNTAIN BIKE ACTION 91
5/16/19 11:30 AM
 BIKE TEST / SPECIALIZED EPIC SPECIALIZED EPIC COMP EVO
Price $3220
Weight 28.75 pounds (without pedals) size large
BOTTOM LINE
Frame tested Aluminum, 100mm travel
The Epic EVO falls into an interesting category, since it’s not
Shock RockShox Micro Brain with Spike Valve
quite a cross-country bike anymore and it comes up a little short
Fork RockShox Reba RL
in the trail bike category. It’s a hybrid that allows riders to go out
Wheelset Roval Control Alloy, (25mm internal width)
and enjoy singletrack or gear up for local races. We would rec-
Tires Ground Control, Gripton compound, 2Bliss Ready,
ommend this bike to any rider with a cross-country background
looking for a more capable option without giving up climbing (29x2.3”) (f)/Fast Trak, GRID casing, Gripton com-
performance. At the Comp level, this bike offers a great value for pound, 2Bliss Ready, (29x2.3”) (r)
Dropper post X-Fusion Manic, 125-travel
entry-level riders or advanced riders looking to stay on budget. ❏
Saddle Body Geometry Phenom Comp
Handlebar Specialized Alloy Minirise, (10mm rise, 750mm width)
Stem Specialized XC, (80mm length)
Grips Specialized Sip Grip, half-waffle
Brakes SRAM Level TL
Rotors 180mm (f)/160mm (r)
Rear derailleur SRAM NX Eagle
Shifters SRAM NX Eagle
Crankset Truvativ STYLO, (175mm)
Bottom bracket SRAM DUB, threaded
Cassette 12-speed, 11-50t
Chain SRAM NX Eagle
Chainring SRAM Eagle 32-tooth
GEOMETRY
Head tube angle 68.5º
Reach 446mm
Stack 619mm
Effective seat tube angle 73.8º
Bottom bracket height 340mm
Chainstay length 438mm
Wheelbase 1159mm

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pg93.indd 93 5/23/19 11:54 AM
 TECH
MEET THE
RIDERS
AND THEIR
RIDES
Jill Kintner and her
Norco Optic

J
ill Kintner has been America’s top downhill and dual-slalom
racer for much of the last two decades. A multi-time nation-
al champion in BMX, Jill took up mountain biking in 2002
and soon came to be recognized as one of the top mountain bike
racers in the sport.
Jill took almost two years off from professional mountain bike
racing in order to go back to BMX in 2007 to take a shot at win-
ning a medal in the Olympics. Her effort paid off, as Jill took the
bronze medal in BMX at the 2008 Olympics. With that goal met,
she returned to mountain biking.
If there’s anything that could be considered Jill’s specialty today,
it would have to be gravity racing, split between downhill and
dual-slalom events. This spring Jill won her seventh downhill title
at this year’s Sea Otter Classic and her ninth dual-slalom compe-
tition. The latter competition has often been called the “unofficial
World Championship of Dual Slalom” since the UCI no longer
offers a world championship category for dual slalom, and the Sea
Otter’s slalom event draws a top-level crowd of international com-
petition each year.
Jill’s success in Crankworx events—held in Canada, Europe
and New Zealand—has been especially impressive. Jill has report-
edly won 37 Crankworx gold medals since 2004, with multiple
wins in the Air DH Downhill, the Ultimate Pump Track Challenge
and Dual Slalom. She has won the Queen of Crankworx title five
times.
We met up with Jill after this year’s Sea Otter Classic Dual
Slalom race to check out the bike that she rode to this year’s
dual-slalom title.

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INSIDE_PROS_94-97.indd 94 5/16/19 11:34 AM

 Jill Kintner (123) raced her
27.5-inch-wheeled Norco Optic
to her ninth dual slalom win at
this year's Sea Otter Classic.
RIDER PROFILE
Name: Jill Kintner
Nickname: Jilly
Birthdate: October 24, 1982
Birthplace: Seattle, Washington
Height: 5-foot-6
Started racing: BMX, 1991; mountain
bikes, 2002
Turned pro: BMX, age 14; MTB,
age 21
Racing specialty: Slalom, downhill,
4x, BMX, pump track
Favorite course (North America):
Dryhill, Port Angeles, Washington
Favorite course (Europe): Hafjell,
Norway
Jill usually annihi-
lates her competition
when it comes to
dual slalom racing.
INSIDE_PROS_94-97.indd 95
Jill never looks happier
than when she's winning.
Favorite food: Soups
Goals: Take my riding to the highest
level, be a good person and give back
Heroes: Bryn, Serena Williams, Roger
Federer, Shaq, my friends, my par-
ents, and people who do amazing
things
Favorite movie: Kill Bill 2
Favorite hobbies: Art and design,
pickleball, hiking, moto, being outside,
making stuff.
Jobs held (other than racer): Nothing
that cool; landscaping, tile with my
dad, coaching, graphic design, team
owner, cyclist
AUGUST 2019 / MOUNTAIN BIKE ACTION 95
5/16/19 11:34 AM
 Jill gives the "V" for victory at
the bottom of the Sea Otter's
dual slalom course.

1. Frame: 2018 Carbon Optic 27.5,

INSIDE THE
small, 120mm travel in rear. [The
TECH

Optic uses 27.5-inch wheels on the

small and extra-small versions. It
uses 29-inch wheels on the medium

PROS’ BIKES through XL frames.]

2. Fork: Fox 34, 130mm travel.

“Nothing custom, just set at 20 percent
Jill Kintner’s Norco Optic sag and fairly firm and fast.”

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INSIDE_PROS_94-97.indd 96 5/16/19 11:35 AM

 3. Tires: Maxxis HR2 Exo,
27.5-inches
“I usually run 2.3 inches front and rear
but used a 2.4-inch front for this course;
25 psi front/28 psi rear.”
4. Inner tubes or tubeless system:
Stan’s tubeless.
5. Rims: Stan’s Carbon Arch 27.5.
6. Spokes.
“Dunno.”
7. Front hub: Stan’s Neo Ultimate.
8. Rear hub: Stan’s Neo Ultimate.
9. Brakes: Shimano XT, 180mm
rotors.
10. Handlebars: Renthal Fatbar
Lites-Alloy; 30mm rise, 740mm width.
11. Bottom bracket: Shimano XTR
press fit
12. Grips: Renthal Traction lock-on.
Ultra tacky.
13. Cranks: Shimano XT 170mm.
14. Chainring: Shimano 34T
Shimano XT.
15. Pedals: Shimano SPD.
16. Chain: Shimano 10-speed
17. Rear derailleur: Shimano Saint.
18. Chainguide: MRP 1x chainguide.
19. Shifter: Shimano Saint.
20. Brake levers: Shimano XT.
21. Rear cassette: Shimano 11-21.
22. Saddle: Fabric Line Ti.
23. Seatpost: Crankbrothers Cobalt.
24. Headset: Cane Creek 110.
25. Shock: Fox Float.
26. Stem: Renthal Duo 50mm.
27. Head angle: 68.5 degrees
28. Bottom bracket height: 332mm
INSIDE_PROS_94-97.indd 97
MBA Q&A
MBA: Where did you grow up?
Jill: Seattle
MBA: What kind of work did your
parents do?
Jill: Mom worked for United; Dad was
a tile and marble contractor.
MBA: When did you first learn to ride
a bike?
Jill: Supposedly 2 years old
MBA: Who taught you?
Jill: My mom.
MBA: What kind of biking did you do
before mountain biking?
Jill: I grew up racing BMX at our local
track, North Sea Tac BMX. I did well
enough to take it to an Olympic medal.
MBA: When did you get your first
mountain bike?
Jill: In 1999 I had a beater Rocky
Mountain XC hardtail. My first real moun-
tain bike was an Intense Tazer 4x bike.
MBA: When did you start racing
mountain bikes?
Jill: 1999, I raced that XC bike at Sea
Otter; 2002, I raced Pro 4x and slalom.
MBA: How did you finish in your first
race?
Jill: I won.
MBA: Did you win any titles as an
amateur?
When it comes to sprinting, jumping
and carving berms, it's hard to find
anyone faster than Jill Kintner.
Jill: In BMX I did. In mountain biking,
I won Sea Otter slalom, but couldn’t shift
or keep my chain on.
MBA: Did you go to college?
Jill: I did. I went to school for graphic
design in Rochester, New York, and
San Francisco.
MBA: Did you win any awards in
school?
Jill: High school honor roll, MVP on
varsity soccer, #1 singles in tennis
varsity.
MBA: What other sports have you
done?
Jill: Soccer for most of my youth,
tennis, racquetball, snowboarding, [moto-
cross], minimal climbing, lots of hiking.
MBA: Can you tell us something inter-
esting or unusual about yourself or your
family.
Jill: My brother was a professional
BMX dirt jumper in the X Games long
ago. My dad did downhill skiing for
University of Washington. My mom likes
African drumming. My husband [Bryn
Atksinson] is a professional downhill
mountain biker from Australia.
MBA: Is there some other interesting
fact or trivia that people might like to
know about you?
Jill: I’m left-handed. Been on the
Oprah show. ❏
AUGUST 2019 / MOUNTAIN BIKE ACTION 97
5/16/19 11:35 AM
 QUICK RELEASES

PRESTACYCLE
STAACYCLE
MINI TORQKEYS
In this issue, we tested
Prestacyccle’s Three-Way tool
with greaat success, so we
decided tot introduce another
one of ouur favorite new tools
from them m. The Mini TorqKeys
are smalller and easier to carry
than the regular-size TorqKeys.
A six-bit holder was introduced
to ensuree you always have the
right tool for the job. A pack of
three wreenches with 18 bits can
be had foor $50, while the tools sell
individually with six bits for $17. Find
out moree about these tools at
www.prestacycle.com.

MAXIMAA
SER
DEGREASER
NENT
COMPONENT
R
CLEANER
Maxima Racing ng
oils has developed
ped
some of the topp products
in the industry. This all-
new Maxima degreaser
egreaser
is yet another onene of
the company’s amazing
cleaners. It is a heavy-duty,
non-flammable degreaser
designed to remove
move lube,
dirt, mud and sandand from your
bike’s drivetrain.
n. This product
has maximum strength, yet
is gentle on O-rings
rings and
metal surfaces. Maxima
REVERSE ANGLE SPACER created this product
oduct to be
Looking to make your enduro sled slacker? Reverse Components 100-percent biodegradable;
odegradable;
has just what you need. Let’s say you have a bike with a 66-degree it contains no VOCs, harmful
head tube angle and want to make it more relaxed. Start by acids, CFCs or solvents.
removing the crown race from your fork and replace it with this What more could ld you ask for
spacer. Just like that, your bike now has a 65.5-degree head tube from a cleaning solution?
angle. Thanks to this spacer, riders can slack out their rigs by 1/2 a Purchase this product
roduct at
degree. Reverse Components sells these spacers for around $15 at www.maximausa.com
sa.com m for
its retail locations.  just $14.

98 www.mbaction.com

Quick Releases_98-100.indd 98 5/16/19 11:47 AM

 TASCO RECON GLOVES
Tasco’s new Recon gloves offer a thin yet durable constructionn for riders who want a close-to-the-grip feel. These ultra-minimalist
gloves fit like, well, a glove. They’re
y’re available in three colorways and offer a fitted no-strap design. Silicone grippers were added to the
ppalm and index finger to ensure ure control
cont while blasting down the trails. Find the Recon gloves
glo
l ves at www.tasco-mtb.com m for $38.

RYNO POWER MANA BAR

Ryno Power is a supplement company with a long roster of fats, protein and organic sugar. With only 190 calories, these
sponsored athletes, ranging from Enduro World Series heroes bars won’t weigh you down out on the trails. Individual bars
to motocross stars and even triathletes. The Mana bar is a sell for $3, while a pack of 12 sells for $33. Find out more at
snack designed to keep athletes going with a combination of www.rynopower.com.

AUGUST 2019 / MOUNTAIN BIKE ACTION 99

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 QUICK
QUICKRELEASES
RELEASES

DEITY 35MM COCKPIT

Deity is a company passionate about enhancing the rider
experience through touch-point products, such as pedals, saddles,
handlebars and more. The newest addition to Deity’s lineup is
its 35mm cockpit, specifically the Skywire Carbon 35mm bar
and Copperhead 35mm stem. Instead of making an oversized
handlebar for the sake of giving its product a stout look, Deity
took the time to develop a product with comfort and performance
in mind. The Skywire handlebars feature a width of 800mm with
two rise options—15mm or 25mm. Copperhead 35mm stems are
offered in 50mm and 35mm lengths. The Skywire Carbon bars
retail for $170, while the Copperhead 35mm stem sells for $99.
Find out more about these products at www.deitycomponents.com.

RYDER INNOVATION
PLUG KIT
The Slug Plug is a new product from
Ryder Innovations that can save your ride.
Tire plugs may have originated from the
auto industry, but today they have become a
popular option among mountain bike riders
running tubeless tires. Once your tire is
punctured, this tool can be used to insert a
slug to seal the hole. The Plug kit retails for
only $10 and can be purchased at a variety
of online retailers.

GRANITE ROCKBAND
As the good folks at Granite
say, “Get minimalist! Let go of your
baggage with the Rockband!” The
Rockband is a lightweight carrier belt
for the essentials you need to keep
your ride going. With this device, you
can strap a tube and CO2 directly to
your frame, freeing up space in your
enduro pack. If a tube is taking up
your precious cargo space, check out
one of Granite’s straps. Find these
belts at www.granite-design.com
for $7 each. ❏

100 www.mbaction.com

Quick Releases_98-100.indd 100 5/16/19 11:50 AM

 SHOWCASE

Fall for Sedona

S UN N Y DA Y S | C O O L N I G H T S

Sedona features 200

miles of singletrack —
many right out of our
door. Stay in style, close
to everything!

Special Rates for bikers

at sedonareal.com/mtb
or call 800-353-1239.

102 www.mbaction.com
AUGUST 2019 / MOUNTAIN BIKE ACTION 103
 DOWN THE TRAIL
Looking Back 30 Years
O
ur August 1989 issue featured BMX Plus! then-editor Karl
Rothe on the cover. Karl doubled as one of MBA’s test rid-
ers when he wasn’t working on our BMX magazine.
The issue offered a variety of interesting articles and ads,
including some funny ones featuring John Tomac, who was quickly
becoming one of the greatest stars in mountain bike history.
BMX Plus! editor Karl Rothe took time out from
his editorial duties to serve as an occasional
“The Lung,” Ned Overend, circa 1989. test rider for Mountain Bike Action.
104 www.mbaction.com
Down the Trail_104-106_DEF.indd 104
One of the biggest features in that issue was a test of five dif-
ferent mountain bikes priced under $500. None of them had any
suspension, front or rear. The bike world would soon start chang-
ing, though.
Rock Shox (they spelled it as two words back then) had let us
test its prototype forks a few months earlier, but the production
units wouldn’t be available for purchase until later that year. All five
of our sub-$500 test bikes were rigid bikes with 26-inch wheels.
Four of them had 71-degree head angles; the only exception, a
KHS, had a 70.5-degree head angle. All five of the test bikes had
73-degree seat tube angles. In those days, any bike that wanted to
be taken seriously by the bike-buying public had to have geometry
exactly like that, or very close to that, or it would be dismissed by
the mountain bike community as an improperly designed bike.
In that August 1989 issue we also took a look at the
cross-country racers we expected to be the top contenders
that year. (Downhill racing wasn’t a big deal yet.) America’s top
cross-country racers of 1988 were listed in the issue. The top
men were (1) John Tomac, (2) Ned Overend and (3) Max Jones.
The top women were (1) Margaret Day, (2) Cindy Whitehead and
(3) Martha Kennedy; future stars Susan DeMattei and Julie [sic]
Furtado placed seventh and ninth in the 1988 rankings.
Among the other riders shown in the issue were Hansjorg Rey
(now better known as Hans Rey), who was a German trials rider
whom GT had recently sponsored; America’s Greg Herbold, a
future UCI downhill world champion, whom we cited as “the fun-
niest rider on the circuit”; and Tinker Juarez, a rising star who had
recently come into mountain biking from the sport of BMX. We
said of him, “Tinker came on strong at the end of ’88 and appears
to be getting even stronger this year.” Tinker, of course, went on to
win multiple national XC titles in the next decade and is still racing
in the Pro class now, 30 years later, concentrating on endurance
races.
In another section of the same issue, Ned Overend named the
riders he considered the best sprinters, climbers and descenders
in the sport. John Tomac made all three lists. Tinker made the list
as one of the best climbers and one of the best up-and-comers.
This helmet probably looked cool in 1989.
5/21/19 5:17 PM
 The Cannondale
Raven was one of
the most visually
striking bikes on the
planet in 1999.

AUGUST 1999
Joe Lawwill graced our cover 20 years event using a time-trial format. The winner, lowing year, but we don’t recall now if that
ago with his sky-high air over a set of Henri Lesewitz, completed four laps of follow-up race ever happened. In any event,
doubles. Joe, who won the downhill world the 3.2-mile underground course, a total the underground race we covered, thanks
championship in the Masters’ division in of 12.8 miles, in 58 minutes, 9 seconds. to the work of contributor Stephan Repke
2002, went on to work for Shimano, where There were 41 finishers in the race. There was definitely one of the most unusual
he still works today. Joe’s dad is the leg- were plans to hold the race again the fol- mountain bike races ever held.
endary Mert Lawwill, one of the stars of On
Any Sunday, the iconic motocross movie Missy Giove was one Cook Brothers made
of the biggest stars some of the coolest-
directed by the late Bruce Brown. in downhill in 1999.
We also had an article about one of looking cranks in 1999.
She had won the
the strangest races in history, an under- UCI Downhill World
ground mountain bike race that was held Championship in 1994,
in a salt mine in eastern Germany. The and reportedly earned
$450,000 a year in
race was held in the Glueckauf salt mine’s 1997 from Cannondale.
underground tunnels, 1/2 a mile below the After a disappointing
earth’s surface. race year in 1998,
Our story reported that the temperature Missy switched to
Foes/Azonic for
inside the mine was nearly 30 degrees the year 1999.
centigrade (86 degrees Fahrenheit) with
zero humidity. The racers competed in the

Those who have been to the Sea

Otter Classic in the last 20 years will
likely recognize this view. The Otter’s
dual-slalom course is a classic. It’s
rebuilt every year, but the basic design
has stayed much the same.

AUGUST 2019 / MOUNTAIN BIKE ACTION 105

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 DOWN THE TRAIL

Todd Wells made our August 2009 cover
with this Sea Otter photo by MBA’s long-
time editor James “Jimmy Mac” McIlvain.
AUGUST 2009
Our August 2009 issue featured an
action shot of Todd Wells leading the Pro
Men’s XC race at the Sea Otter Classic.
In covering the Sea Otter event, we
revealed that Melissa Buhl won the Pro
In 2009 Ned Overend was, to many peo-
ple’s surprise, still racing in the Pro class.
Schwinn had reportedly dropped him
from their team in the 1980s because they
thought he was too old. He went on to win
Specialized the UCI World Championship
in 1990. Ned will turn 64 this summer, and
he’s still racing in the pro ranks.
The Sea Otter Classic had been so wet in the previous years that the 2009 edition earned
headlines for being dry and dusty.
Women’s Dual Slalom title, knocking off replaced the 26-inch hardtail for most
the top qualifier, Jill Kintner; Sam Hill won cross-country racers over the next few
the Men’s Slalom title. European Christoph years. As R.C. pointed out in his editorial,
Sauser won the Pro Men’s Cross-Country, the European racers were the slowest ones
while Georgia Gould won the division for to adopt the 29-inch wheel size, since
the Pro Women. Todd Wells won the Pro many of them thought the 29-inch wheels
Men’s Short Track, while Emily Batty won were a ridiculous American fad. That all
the Pro Women’s. changed, of course, after Jaroslav Kulhavy
Elsewhere in the issue, editor-at-large won the 2011 World Cup XC title on a
Richard Cunningham wrote an editorial 29er. ❏
column in which he predicted that since
29-inch hardtails were so far superior to
26-inch hardtails, 26-inch hardtails would
soon be a thing of the past. Richard wrote,
“The 29-inch hardtail is superior to its
smaller-wheeled cousin in all corners of
the cross-country performance envelope.
It rolls faster, climbs better, descends
with a measurable improvement in con-
trol, and the larger wheel format nearly
approaches the rough-terrain capabilities
of a 4-inch-travel, dual-suspension 26er. In
short, if you prefer a hardtail, your first and
only choice is a 29er—unless you are too
short to fit between two 29-inch wheels
and maintain an ergonomic pedaling posi-
tion on the bike.”
R.C. proved correct in his prediction, and
Unusual frame and suspension designs will
the 29-inch hardtail—and the soon-to- always capture our attention, much like this
be-popular 27.5-inch option—ultimately one did in 2009.

MOUNTAIN BIKE ACTION Magazine (ISSN 0895-8467 Canada GST 12500#9266RT: CPC INT’L. PUB MAIL 40024492) AUGUST 2019, Volume 34, Issue 8, is published monthly by
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106 www.mbaction.com

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