Malente 2015 Part 2/2

More from Malente.

This small roadgap is one of two roadgaps available.

(click to enlarge)

Jan hitting a stepdown

(click to enlarge)

Henning temporary incapacitated by riders block. A small double had him mind-fucked. After a little inner reasoning, he came back to it, and rode it - and that's the way you tackle it. 

(click to enlarge)

Jan smiled for 48 hours straight : )

(click to enlarge)

Small roadgap.

(click to enlarge)

2 days of riding, pushing shit (and bikes), drinking beer and eating schnitzels. Yay! Untill next time.

(click to enlarge)

Malente 2015 Part 1/2

The return to Malente. I wrote about this place HERE, so check that out if the name Malente doesn't ring a bell.

Anyway, we had 2 great days of pushbike here, I had my cam and shot some pics, check it out;

This is a small forest with some pushbike lines. No longer than a minute of descend at most. 3 lines that we are aware of, but there is a good amount of interlacing, so you could almost say there is about 6-7 lines in total. Some of it in mint condition, some of it in poor. Most of it was good tho'.

Henning chasing Jan.

(click to enlarge)

Hitting one of the bigger drops, at the very top. Its about 2 meters (7feet), and you better hit it fast enough, there is a hole right below that has to be passed. I'm on my DH bike, and I almost forgot how amazing that BOS Idylle Air fork feels...oh my!

(click to enlarge)

Henning going for it on a table.

(click to enlarge)

Jan inspects a stepdown, its one of those features that required speed, but not too much speed..

(click to enlarge)

..And hits it. Jan was showing great form these two days.

(click to enlarge)

Inspecting the doubles. Line choices are plentifull.

(click to enlarge)

Stay tuned for more.

Bikeparks and pushbikes

3 days in two bikeparks, followed by 2 days of pushbike... Im sort of  tired now! ; )

Well whining aside, both trips where awesome, the weather was great, the beers where cold, and there was a whole lot of Schnitzel....and I think a few of us even pushed a few things on the bike.

I shot a whole lot of GoPro footage and boiled it down to a 2 minute edit, enjoy.

2m17sec. With sound, HD AVAILABLE

Random Stuff

From a squirrel, to grips, that's what's random is about.

I love a good quickie, so lets do this:

Hitting Mr. Madsens Bad Idea Version2 - in poin of view. Henning as a bystander in the upper right corner.

(click to enlarge)

Jan hitting a small new drop.

(click to enlarge)

Thin, tacky, light weight, all I want in a grip. The Raceface Half Nelson is highly recommended.

(click to enlarge)

Christian eating travel.

(click to enlarge)

(click to enlarge)

Big, Bigger, Biggest. 

I am currently testing the pedal in the middle; The E13 LG1+ (2.Gen.), and boy is this a good pedal! Stick around for a preview.

(click to enlarge)

Skylarking

Shot in a single day, out with Henning and Jan, this is my salute to SPRING. We where hitting the Skull Drop, the new double, Mr.Madsens Bad Idea Drop version 2, and some classics along the way as well. Yay Spring!

1m27sec. HD available HERE!

Back then..

So we just sessioned this particular spot, where good airtime is possible. We tried to whip and throw some tables, but none of it really stuck. For every good one we pulled, we had at least 9 bad ones, fuck. We where having fun trying tho'.

So when I got back home, I remembered that I was hitting this spot almost 4 years ago, and, man, I had my shit dialed back then:

No sound. Short edit. HD available. 4 year old footage:

I need to get back into the game. Beers on me!

Review: Schwalbe Nobby Nic 2015 Performance Line 2.1"

Done testing an old nemesis.

Schwalbe is back with a revised version of the Nobby Nic tire, a hugely successfull trail tire. This is the third generation, and I guess Schwalbe would say its their best yet. Last time I had the Nobby Nic strapped on, it pretty much disintegrated, I thought it was a useless piece of shit, as pointed out in my review. For whatever reason (well I guess its because they finally admitted that the old didn't work), Schwalbe did an entire re-modeling of how the knobs are positioned....again. So have they finally nailed it?

Nobby Nic - third generation.

(click to enlarge)

26". Performance line 2.1"

Claimed weight; 515g
Actual:526g
Close enough imo.

(click to enlarge)

Current Generation3 to the left vs  Generation2 to the right.

(click to enlarge)

The knob position finally makes (more) sense, and the tire is performing at an outstanding level. I have been using it alot in the wet, conditions where Schwable tires usually fail to deliver in my experience compared to the competition. Dry performance is solid.

(click to enlarge)

Side knobs are finally pushed more out, to allow more of a channel-like distribution. I say more, because Schwalbe is not quite there yet.
(click to enlarge)

I still strongly advocate the open channel system, that Maxxis, Specialized and Michelin has done for years. The Nobby Nic is aaalmost there.

(click to enlarge)

This is a tire with a great value. It has a nice big profile, sideknobs that finally make sense, rolls okay, and is easy to setup tubeless. The grip is good, predictable and the tire itself is very lightweight.

I have to admit that I'm a bit surprised by this latest installment, Schwalbe finally nailed it the third time! And its cheap too!

(I have to stress out that this is a tire I have been testing on the rear only!)

The good:
-Great grip!
-Lightweight
-Big overall profile
-Tubeless friendly installation
-Predictable
-Works great in versatile environments
-Rolls surprisingly easy
-Great Tubeless performance
-Cheap

The Bad:
-Long term durability is unknown. I will get back regarding this.
-Tends to burp at low pressure (sub 2 bars) in a tubeless setup, more so than my former Specialized Butcher tire. I only experience this when stressing the tire sideways tho' - so take it for what it is.

Size: 2.1"
Tested on: Rear
Claimed weight: 515 gram
Actual weight: 526 gram

Score:5/6

Just sayin'

Connect it the way you want.

Review: Specialized Boomslang Flat Pedal

In development by Jason Chamberlain, the main man behind FSR suspension at Specialized since...wait for it..2010! Yes these pedals has been in development for five years. Now they are finally here, but are these pedals worth the wait? Are the 5 years well spent? or is this pedal left behind by the competition? Read on, and find out.

110x108mm and 10mm thickness.

 Note the spare pins on the side. Its a neat feature, but does this feature solve a problem that doesn't exist? Think about it for a sec.. You still need the tool right?

(click to enlarge)

Claimed weight: 430grams

Actual weight: 435 grams

(click to enlarge)

To keep the pedal as thin as possible, Specialized came up with a way to access the outboard needle bearing via a “trap door” in the middle of the pedal. This helps in keeping the pedal as thin as possible without resorting to laying bare the axle in the middle or having to run super thin bushings instead of bearings. This rotating "trap door" is held in place by two traction pins. Its definitely a different way of doing things.

(click to enlarge)

11 pins per side. It might be a bit hard to see, but the pins are time-glass shaped. The grip is okay, above average I would say. I usually advocate against pins that has to be uninstalled by removing them backwards, but I think Specialized got around the potential problems with its design, largely thanks to the time-glass shape.

(click to enlarge)

Specialized is promoting the Boomslang as being big. Well perhaps it is for some, but not in comparison to the TwentySix Predator pedal. The Predator is 1/3 lighter as well. Both are equally thin.

(click to enlarge)

Btw, take a look at this old 2011 prototype with 8mm pins! I wish Specialized at least offered these pins as an option.

(click to enlarge)

Overall the pedal was a surprise grip-wise, but a disappointment size wise. Pins are an important factor of a pedal, and Specialized did alot of things right regarding just that. But with a relatively small pedal body, I end up being unimpressed. Your foot has to be placed just right on the pedal to get the most out of it, whereas a bigger pedal allows more freedom of foot placement.

I can't comment the reliability, as this isn't a long-term test, I'm returning these pedals soon. 

In the end, this is a pedal that stands in the shadow of the TwentySix Predator pedal. (I'm testing version 2 of that very pedal and will post a review once I break the 14 month barrier) For pretty much the same money you could get the Steel axle version of the Predator pedal, and its a pedal that I regard better in every single aspect.

The Good:
-Pins bite well into FiveTen shoes
-They feel tough
-Overall pin-design is smart
-Thin

The Bad:
-Heavy
-Medium sized at best. (Shut up, I know my pedals)

Score: 4/6

Best vids of 2014

I uploaded 20 vids onto this blog in 2014, here are my 3 best vids of that year. Sit back and enjoy.

In non-chronological order:

Lets start of with this video. I like it, but I dislike it. But mostly I like it. Fuck. It started with a good intend. I wanted to document our French trip and boil in down into a 3 minute video, and I  was on top of it, I really was!.. Then the alcohol kicked in... And there it was, a peak into the neurosis stuff, and I was having fun doing it - so it stayed in the final cut. I don't get the ending.

2m37sec HD available.

Now this is way more relaxed. An awesome day in the woods, shots got captured the way I wanted it to, and the music just lined up.

1m15sec

Pushing stuff is some of the best and most rewarding things to do on a mountain bike. And to capture one of those situations on video is special, well it is for me anyway. This is such occasion. We  (Drea and I) where to hit Mr.Madsens Bad Idea Drop (Version1) for the very first time. We where the very first people doing it, and that triggered some serious brainfuck. Anyway, we did it, and we got it on cam, check it out;

40sec. HD available.

A honorable mention has to be Drea breaking his glasslike body (I kid bro) in Germany. Check that out HERE.

Random is Random

Recent random shots from different trips. Its a quickie, check it out : )

Choose your poison.

(click to enlarge)

Jan having a bit of fun.

(click to enlarge)

Its been raining alot, but having trail conditions like this is awesome. No mud. NO MUD.

(click to enlarge)

Landing the Skull-Drop

(click to enlarge)

Been running the 2015 Schwalbe Nobby Nic tires tubeless recently. The installation was very easy, and the performance has been really good so far, I have to admit.

(click to enlarge)

Seconds before a crash..

(click to enlarge)

Gravity loves you long time

So doing a test-sessions on Mr Madsens Bad idea Drop Version 2, we had our share of drop-to-flats. Spine compressing bottom outs that where literally felt the day after ; )

Here I present the best Jan and I could do;

Jan going way too slow, and slamming it to flat.

(click to enlarge)

I'm actually on the 2017 Canfield Brothers ONE. It has 10mm of travel up front, and 6mm out back. The bottom bracket height is so low (80mm), that spinning the cranks isn't possible. But that's not a concern, as this new bike is made to go doooown. Cheers.

(click to enlarge)

Hitting Mr.Madsen (version2)

(transition highlighted)

(click to enlarge)

 

First off, we didn't die. And I'm okay with that! Secondly, props to Jan for being the first one to hit it. I had to walk it a few more times before hitting it, but in the end, I earned my balls as well. It wasn't actually our intent to hit it this day, if it was, I would have brought my brace and fullface helmet...I mean, come on, guiney pigging shit this big.. Then all of the sudden Jan decided to go for it, and well... I pretty much had to play ball as well ; )

(click to enlarge)

 

So what's new for the Version2 of this drop? Well the green stuff below is the additional woodwork compared to Version1. The drop is extended, and therefor bigger overall, BUT the transition is way more easy to hit, even at lover speeds. We had to ride this drop at warp speed before to reach the transition, no more. We are hitting it at half speed now...And I can only imagine what this drop has to offer when hit at full speed. I want to find out..but that is going to be a session with a fullface and brace..

(click to enlarge)

 

Well deserved. What a fucking awesome day!

(Slots Beer initially had a "U" instead of "O", but for some odd reason the international market didn't embrace this name)

Mr. Madsens Bad Idea Drop - Version 2

^^^^how I actually feel^^^^

Shit got bigger..Bikes are rolling..stay tuned.

Spring Escapism

I mentioned this little roadgap back in late 2014. The run-in is perfect, the landing is sloped, all it needs is a good takeoff. And I have been thinking about this feature everyday since. When I eat, work, sleep or make love. So this is how it goes;

(click to enlarge)

Road, Takeoff and Landing outlined. 

(click to enlarge)

Being too much at work makes me think; I am going to hit that road gap with a frontflip no-hander. Its a trick I pull off pretty much everytime I'm out riding. This is how I imagine it will look. (I used paint - in case you wondered how this picture got made)

(click to enlarge)

That is all.

Preview: Schwalbe Nobby Nic 2015

Back to an old nemesis.

Schwalbe is back with a revised version of the Nobby Nic tire, a hugely succesfull trail tire. This is the third generation, and I guess Schwalbe would say its their best yet. Last time I had the Nobby Nic strapped on, it pretty much disintegrated, I thought it was a useless piece of shit  as pointed out in my review. For whatever reason (well I guess its because they finally admitted that the old didn't work), Schwalbe did an entire remodeling of how the knobs are positioned....again. So have they finally nailed it?

26" performance line 2.1"

Claimed weight; 515g
Actual:526g
Close enough imo.

(click to enlarge)

Current Generation3 to the left vs  Generation2 to the right.

(click to enlarge)

My initial experience is positive. The knob position finally makes (more) sense, and the tire is performing at an acceptable level. I have been using it alot in the wet, conditions where Schwable tires usually fail to deliver in my experience compared to the competition.

(click to enlarge)

Side knobs are finally pushed more out, to allow more of a channel-like distribution. I say more, because Schwalbe is not quite there yet.
(click to enlarge)

I still strongly advocate the open channel system, that Maxxis, Specialized and Michelin has done for years. The Nobby Nic is aaalmost there.

(click to enlarge)

So how will this tire perform? Will it die like the old Nobby Nic did, or will it be flawless? How does it performs as tubeless tire, and is it mistake swallowing, all that, and more coming in a review soon. Stay tuned.