Snow Vervoeren Part 3/3

Last part:

Beers are kept cold, very easily ; )

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Line-spotting.

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Note the lack of gloves and jacket. It got really hot, really fast.

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Jan had a crash after hitting a dune that shaped up as a jump. He flew far, and somehow his front wheel washed out and took him down. A concussion, a fully cracked helmet and a sore jaw is what he got. Him asking the same "what happened?" question, a hundred times, was fully abused by me : D

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Till next time

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Snow Vervoeren Part 2/3

Part 2:

On my way to drop off a german WW2 bunker. The dunes hide lots of these lost relics.

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Dropping in.

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Two gloves pose as markers as to where to hit this kicker. Too much to the right or to the left and you get killed (not really).

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For the snow sessions, I usually put on my FiveTen Diddie Schneider shoes. And I get reminded how poor they actually stick to my platform pedals, compared to other FiveTen shoes. The are warn tho, keep the snow out, and have an ok-grip onto the snow itself.

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Part 3 coming soon.

Snow Vervoeren Part 1/3

Sometimes, just sometimes, the weather and temperatures open up for the opportunity to ride on the frozen dunes, that we have a small hours drive from where we live. 

5-10 days during an entire year is all we get, in this window of opportunity, for this kind of frozen dune riding. Anyway, we got 2 days of riding recently, with a dramatic end. Ill start from the beginning:

Just check out how massive these frozen dunes are. Jan is standing in the background to the far right. With a shovel and an axe, you can pretty much carve you own lines into the frozen sand, sculp kickers and whatnot, or just improvise and ride what mother nature sculptured.

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I'm on my Canfield Brothers One bike. The spike-tires I have are 26" inch, so that canalized me back to my old bike, instead of my YT. Good to be back on top of her... *wink*

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Speaking of Spike-tires. I'm on the Schwalbe Ice Spiker Pro tires. 2.35" in the front. 2.1" in the rear, sub 2 bar pressure. Great tires btw, check out the review HERE.

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Don't.Slip.Here.    ...a fall of 10 meters awaits you if you do. Sometimes it takes a little climbing to get to the right places.

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When bikes and wildlife cross.

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Jan starts of by using a frozen dune as a kicker. Sometimes another dune was the landing-transition.

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Btw we shot some footage from this place a few years back, be sure to check it out:

2:43min with sound.

Is big better? RockShox Monarch Plus RC3 VS Rockshox Vivid Air

I un-installed the RockShox Monarch Plus RC3 off my YT CF Capra, and installed the Rockshox Vivid Air. I am putting them against each other. Same drops, trails, and jumps, so the stress is pretty much the same. I want to see which one is better for this bike, the smaller Monarch, with its platform adjustments and "trail-tune", or the bigger all-in DH-tuned Vivid Air. Two different air shocks, which one is better? Lets take a look:

Both shocks where sagged at 30%. Both shocks where tested with different compression setting, the rebound was set at the same rate.

RockShox Monarch Plus RC3

  Rockshox Vivid Air

The Vivid Air is a HUGE shock, and a hair below 600 grams shows that's its on the heavy side, compared to other air shocks. The Vivid has the following adjustments:

-External beginning stroke rebound 

-Ending stroke rebound 

-Low speed compression

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The Monarch is smaller, a bit more simple and obviously lighter, and has the following adjustments:

-External rebound 

-3-position compression (Open, Pedal, Lock)

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The graph I'm showing below is not based on some empiric study, its based on head-to-head feel. So take it for what it is. So this is what I'm trying to show with this graf:

The Monarch has a good beginning support, the mid travel support is good as well, to a point, but the shocks begin to behave differently here. The Vivid goes of in a more linear direction, whereas the Monarch begins to eat up its travel. Bigger hits blast through the travel, and I've even seen medium stuff eat up all the end-travel. So the spectrum of the Monarch is a bit limited.

The Vivid Air tries to mimic the linear compression curve of a coil, and does that to some extend. Its sensitive in its beginning stroke, and provides great support in the midtravel, where in my opinion, it really shines. The end travel is not quite as good as a true coil shock, but it does provide a very nice damping when hitting the bigger stuff.

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Climbing

Using the climb switch on the Monarch Plus RC3 is almost like cheating. The bike just propels up. But even in the "trail" setting the bike just climbs amazingly, just stomp the pedals and the bike takes you up.

The Vivid Air is more descend oriented, and has no "climb" switch, it does however feature 8 clicks of low-speed compression to help with that compression ratio. It helps on the climbs for sure, and even tho its not as good as the Monarch for climbing, its definitely competent. There is no hill I cant tackle with the Vivid Air, that I otherwise could with the Monarch.

Monarch Plus RC3 score: 6/6

Vivid Air score: 4/6

Descending

The Vivid Air has a very good mid-travel support and tops out nicely in the end stroke, its obvious that it tries to mimic some of the best features of a coil-spring. The Monarch isn't bad at all, but it stands in the shadows of the Vivid Air.

Monarch Plus RC3 score:4/6

Vivid Air score:6/6

Trail riding:

By "Trail riding" is mean a mix of all conditions, some climbing some descending and some flat riding as well. The two shocks each have their strengths and weaknesses. To be honest I would put the Monarch a hair over the Vivid, as its 3 platform-compression settings gives it an edge regarding versatility. I still score them equal because the Vivid outshines the Monarch in other areas when it comes to a mix of settings.

Monarch Plus RC3 score:5/6

Vivid Air score:5/6

Air and bigger hits

Its no secret that the Vivid Air is built for bigger hits, and stuff that would otherwise stress other shocks. And it handles that job very well. The landings and hits feel plush and controlled on the Vivid, the coil-mimicking damping curve takes care of that. The Monarch on the other hand, feels under damped and harsh in comparison. The rebound is too fast when all travel is used, and that gives a feeling of being kicked back into the midtravel. Not to my liking.

Monarch Plus RC3 score:2/6
Vivid Air score:5/6

Bigger hits are the strengh of the Vivid, but the weakness of the Monarch.

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Climbing is the force of the Monarch, allthough the Vivid does a fine job as well.

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Quick summary

Both shocks are good. They really are. But just as they pose two different personalities, they cater to different personalities as well.

The Monarch caters more to normal trail-riding and climbing efficiency, its 3-position compression (Open, Pedal, Lock) works outstandingly, its weakness is the end-travel, it rebounds too fast and the compression curve feels off.
The Vivid on the other hand has its strength in a very supportive and well tuned beginning-mid-end travel, no matter what you do, It will do it pretty good. Its not at supportive on the climbs as the Monarch is, so its definitely a trade-off in that regard.

I guess its up to you as a rider to figure out whats important to you, climbing, descending, bigger hits, or a mix of all. Personally I will keep my Vivid Air on my bike, it makes the bike even more versatile, and that actually makes the bike more fun to ride.

Slow motion, high speed Video

While im working on my RockShox Monarch RC3 VS Rockshox Vivid Air bit, I thought I would post my High-Speed 2015 compilation. sit back and enjoy.

2 min. 120-240fps. With sound. 

Be sure to check out the 2014, 2013 and perhaps my favorite; 2012 high-speed vids as well. 

The inevitable death of All Mountain Next.

I am going to kill the All Mountain Next blog in 2016.

I am however going to stay on it, hopefully, for the rest of this year. The main reason is that it no longer challenges me, and that I've done pretty much everything on this blog. There is little to add, without it going into circles. I don't want this blog to turn into a grind, I want it to be alive and well, fueled by passion and curiosity, and I can definitely do that for 2016 as well. But no more than that.

Then: With more than 520 posts, 40+ reviews and previews, hundreds of pics and vids, and trips to more than 6 different countries, this one-man amateur blog has a solid backbone of content in its catalog. With upwards of 42000 visitors a year the success of this blog has surpassed my every expectation.

Now: I want 2016 to be the last year, and I want it to be more experimental. I want to inject some creativity and I want it to reflect the soft underbelly of my brain. How and when that materializes, well, lets see.

Next: I will definitely still be writing, riding and philosophizing. Perhaps creating a different blog? Perhaps go more into photographing. I would love to go into moto at some point, or shake things up a bit and go back to the University and pick up sociology.  Would like to learn to Bow-Hunt at some point in my life. I'm polarised, but I'm also curious, and I'm holding my momentum, and that's important to me.

Enjoy this last year, its going to be fun : )

Christmas is over

Changes are coming. Stay tuned.

2015 - Reviews And Previews

2015 was an interesting year for me gear-wise; a new bike with all its gear attached, wheels, brakes, suspension, dropper-post and so on. But a few reviews sneaked their way into my blog as well, so here is my short list of the 2015 reviews I did.

For a whole lot more reviews check out the 2014 and 2013 lineups.

Previews:
E13 LG1 pedal 2015 (generation2)
Schwalbe Nobby Nic 2015
YT Capra CF Comp 1 2015

Reviews:
E13 LG1 pedal 2015 (generation2)
Schwalbe Nobby Nic 2015
Specialized Boomslang Flat Pedal
YT Capra CF Comp 1 2015

Special Features (not new but read it):
-The Anatomy of Intelligent Trail Design

Coming soon:
2016 FiveTen Freerider ELC
Gamut Podium Pedals
Specialized 2FO shoes
Spank Oozy Trail Flat Pedal
RockShox Pike
RockShox Monarch Plus RC3

Untill next year

Best and Worst of 2015

Thought I'd do a roundup of whats good and bad from 2015. I did it last year, and the year before it, so its time for a new list. So, whats the WORST and BEST stuff of 2015 according to this blog - well lets take a look:

Best (in random order):

YT Capra CF

When I meet and talk to other mountainbikers, I for some odd reason verbally underplay my YT Capra. But I really shouldn't. Because this bike has surprised me in a very positive way. Its fast, responsive, fun to ride, and climbs outstandingly good. I wish the setup was slightly different, as I mentioned in my review, but otherwise, YT nailed it.

Hafjell Bikepark and Drammen Bikepark in Norway

We kinda knew that Hafjell bikepark would be good, it is after all known as the "European Whistler". Its big, fun, and well designed.

But we didn't just vist Hafjell bikepark tho'. Drammen bikepark is just outside Oslo, Norway, and we had the opportunity to ride there a single day. Now Drammen is a bit unusual bikepark. Many of the lines are very natural, and have a very raw feel to them. Its not really a difficult park to ride, nor is it particular big. Jan and Drea where not particular excited about this place (admittedly being blinded by Hafjell Bikepark - and injured). I on the other hand liked it alot. Its raw nature was something different, and some sections where crazy steep and technical - I love that. There was lots of tables and berms as well - and who doesn't like that? These two parks are some of my highlights of 2015.

DH 2015 Worldcup

The hardest and toughest collection of tracks ever, chainless wins, and more than a few surprises. The 2015 DH Worldcup season has been absolutely awesome. I really enjoy sitting down, popping a beer, grabbing some snacks, and watch the entire race unfold.. while listening to Warner and Claudio's commentary. Moooaar!! 

(who else than Danny)

Progression despite age

I'm not 18 anymore. In fact, I've reached an age where mental and physical degradation usually sets in. Regressions creeps in. At this age laziness is corrupting your every action, you get scared of everything, get conservative with cash, think new music sounds stupid, go to sleep at 22.30, take hangovers into consideration, and you fuck with the lights turned of, every second Wednesday...at best. 

NOT THIS TEAM!  *Duuut Duuut!!* We still go bigger, faster, and longer. And that's not something that should be taken for granted, at all. Progression feeds progression. Standing still kills.

(this is me a few years ago, catching up with the young kids and their mobile eiPhones, and facesBooks, and their MySpaces and they are all showing too much skin if you ask me. Everything was better when it was made out of wood.)

Honorable Mention:
Stepping up build wise: I cant wait to show you guys what we have been up to the last 9 months.


Worst (in random order):

The 27,5" Hype Train

Its not that there is anything mechanically  wrong with the 27,5" standard. It is however vastly over-hyped. Putting my 26" wheels up against my 27,5" tells my that there is very little difference. Ask the industry, or some of the bullshit cycling journalist, then you really cant live without this new wheelsize. Ughhhh.... yuck.

Injury
Ugh...what a fucking waste of time.

Trail design
Copy & paste from last year: 

I don't know where you ride, perhaps you are lucky, and have some sweet trails to ride, designed by some passionate mountain bikers. I'm afraid that I'm not in such situation. I continue to see poor use of terrain, features that are badly executed, a lack of continuity, and overall ill design. The quality of the official trails in the country I live in, is mind bugling poor, and there are no excuses for it to be this way. A thick fog of conservatism has corrupted the official trail building scene, and pretty much nobody does anything about it - because nobody really questions it. This picture wraps it up nicely:

Oldie but goldie #8

"Oldie but Goldie" series will be my tribute to the "old days". When 640mm bars where considered wide, carbon was fragile, and adjustable seatposts didn't exist. And I'm doing it, for the fun of it.

The year is early 2010, it was the first of 2 very cold winters we had. 2010 was unusually cold, with temperatures as low as -23,0°C.

This day however was a bit more warm, with a temperature at -16,0°C. Being ignorant we grabbed our bikes and went out riding anyway...for 3 hours! : D

FAHK it was COLD.

Thomas with ice taps on his helmet.

Ice taps in my hair? 

My Camelbak was not just frozen in the hose, but the bladder content was like a thick slushice. I remember it was possible to break the hose if I wanted to.

Review: FiveTen Freerider Contact

FiveTen Freerider Contact shoe cough my attention the minute I put it on. Its very comfortable, and its slim and sleek design, makes this a very untraditional FiveTen shoe. I have been using it for 3 months and here are my thoughts:

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The outer fabric is synthetic, and tough. Easy to clean as well. Not a fan of laces tho'.

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The Stealth Mi6 rubber is grippy, but its more fragile than the original stealth rubber. This is after 3 months of use.

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Slim profile, lightweight, you would be forgiven to forget that you are wearing a FiveTen shoe.

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Weight (Actual, same size):

Original Freerider is 960g

Freerider PRO is 880g

Freerider VXi is 855g

Freerider VXi Element is 795g
Freerider Contact is 727g

The diet obviously continues..

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If you ride as a weekend warrior this shoe may last you a long time, if you ride more than that, then beware, you will eat these shoes within 4-5 months. They do get hot on the varmest days, more than they had to, and I'm not a fan of laces. But in the end, this is a great performing product...while it lasts.

The good:
-The most comfortable FiveTen shoe I have had my foot in
-Small profile, almost feels like a regular shoe
-Mi6 Rubber has outstanding grip

The bad:
-Durability is poor
-Ventilation is a bit poor as well
-Laces...fuck those loose laces

Score:3/6

All Mountain Next turns 6 years!

My blog turned 6 years, yay. Its been a very eventfull year for me on a personal note, and I'm also happy to say, that we still go bigger and faster on the bike. Fuck yeah.

(This is me 6 years ago, writing some of the very first posts here. I don't smoke anymore tho', (had a "incident" and ended with my legs up in the air - in a bathroom, nurse on site and all)...anyway, added some bodyweight since this picture. But hey, that's how it goes right? Kay, just rambling now)

A big can of love

Testing my Rockshox Vivid Air against the RockShox Monarch Plus RC3 on my YT Capra CF. Stay tuned.

..And how you fucking use it ... *duuut duuut*

40 seconds in Norway

Somehow lost most of my GoPro footage from Hafjell Bikepark, Norway : / But I got a few snippets here and there. This clip is one of them. Check it out.

Raw edit. 40 sec. HD available.

Review: YT Capra CF Comp 1 2015

I'm nearing my third month on the YT Capra CF Comp, and I have been riding it alot. So here is my review. This review may not be final, so stay tuned, but here it is;

YT Capra CF Comp 1 2015, size Medium.

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Climbing:

Biggest surprise is how well this bike climbs, its annoyingly efficient on the uphills - I get why YT named the bike after a rockclimbing goat.  And I have to admit, that its a even better climber than my Canfield Brothers ONE bike. You push the pedal and the bike just goes up. YT nailed it. The Rockshox Monarch Plus RC3 adds to the climbing efficiency by having its 3 compression settings.

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This bike is lightweight, and feels lightweight. After a tubeless setup, with different tires, this is what the scale tip at 13.07kg. (28.75 lbs)

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Descend:

I cant stop comparing this bike to my Canfield Brothers ONE bike. And when it comes to descending this bike is a little inferior. But I have to say that the Canfield Brothers ONE bike is freakish good at descending with a strong DH DNA, so its hard to top no matter what AM bike you put against it. But let me be clear, the YT does descends well, its slack low and long - all good cards in the descending game. Its nimble and playfull, and that adds to its descending character.

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Frame:

With a low toptube, a BB height that's just right, a slack front, this geometry is spot on imo. The frame is beautifully sculptured, and looks fast. Props to YT for nailing it.

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Dropper Post:

The RockShox Reverb has been working without a single issue. Its the stealth version, and I'm happy that it is. This is the 4.th generation of the Reverb, so I imagine RockShox ironed out all the former quirks.

Drive Train:

SRAM 1x has been working without any real issues. It shifts just as well as my former x9 and x10, not better, not worse.

Wheels:

The E13 TRS+ wheels has gotten a lot of heat on the internetss, I however has been very lucky with mine. They are still true, without a single dent, and the spokes are tight. They where actually easy to setup tubeless - to my big surprise. They are loud tho', and that's not for everyone.

Fork:

Ahh the Pike. Hailed as one of the best forks on the market, and pretty much the whole mtb industry went bananas over its performance. Yeah, its a good fork, for beginning to mid travel its VERY good. Its poor in the end stroke tho'. So when you really slam it, the compression curve isn't to my liking, its harsh and has a too fast kickback. This is despite my experiments with the tokens and compression setting. I will write a more in depth review of this fork soon.

The Achilles heel of the YT Capra CF Comp 1 are bigger hits. The suspension components simply  doesn't cater to it out of the box. Its not that its not possible to hit bigger stuff, but it feels harsh and under-damped, catering more to classic trail-stuff.

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Rear shock:

Ah, this is a real head scratcher. The RockShox Monarch Plus RC3 feels more like its catering to the XC/trail crowd. For harder hitting stuff its simply under performing. Ugh, I hate to make it sound as if the shock is bad, because its not, its just not as good as my Vivid Air or Cane Creek DBA CS. However! When set to the highest compression setting (Btw, the 3 compression settings are very effective!) this bike feels incredibly playful and snappy, and I use this setting more and more, its really good for climbing as well. I guess I would still prefer the Vivid Air, compared to the Monarch Plus RC3, but the Monarch definitely has its strenghts as well.
I will write a more in depth review of this shock soon.

Cockpit:
After a whole lot more riding, and comparison to my Canfield Brothers One Bike, I've concluded that the front is too low to my linking. You sit a bit to much in a race position, and that makes a  bit awkward riding position when grabbing air, or doing technical stuff. Imo the front should have been about an inch higher.

Summary:
The YT Capra CF Comp is a big-value bike, its a looker and lightweight, with a geo that ticks all the right boxes. Its a great and potentially capable bike, that's a tad hindered by its component choices. I would have preferred a, say, Lyrik up front, and a VIVID air in the back, to really let this bike be versatile. But I'm nit picking now so.. Just to be clear: this is a relly good bike!

The Good:

-Climbs really good.

-Overall frame quality is very good, and looks good.

-Price

-Geometry

-Really fun to ride.

-Lightweight

The Bad:

-Standard spec isn't catering to the bigger hits

-You sit on the bike, not in the bike.
-Cockpit is a bit too low

Score:5/6

The difference between 26" and 27,5"

Based on my empirical study:

Video: Fall Quick 2015

Jan and I had a day on our bikes, the weather was nice, and the smiles where wide. I had my gopro and shot a bit of footage. Its a quickie.. Check it out:

50sec. HD available. With sound.