Random June shots

A few random shots from the trails these past 2 weeks.

For the fun of it:

This is shaping up to be quite big:

(click to enlarge)

..and its going to be such a sweet line, stay tuned.

(click to enlarge)

The climber, the descender.

(click to enlarge)

Can you guess what this is?

(click to enlarge)

Look forward to July on All-Mountain-Next, I promise, it will be sick!

Review: Maxxis Minion DH REAR Kevlar 2.35"

At first glance, this rear-specific tire does not look like it can dig in when it matters. The odd placed knobs and special pattern made me think that this tire would under-perform. Boy was I wrong! The Maxxis Minion DH REAR is a true workhorse, and thats apparent from the very first ride, it digs in and works with the soil and dirt as soon as needed, and does everything it can to avoid spinning or loosing grip.

The weight is satisfying low, this, combined with the moderate to low rolling resistance, and a good braking and drifting control, makes this tire score high. The tire did wear out pretty quickly, but I have to mention that I was not using it gently when riding street.

I see this tire as an all-year performer, for the trail rider, or the all mountain biker. I did use it for some light FR and DH with good results, the sidewall is strong, and proved itself. I did wash out a few times, but I always saw it comming. The drifting thats possible with this tire leaves you with a big smile. This is a solid performing AM tire.

Size:2.35" (singleply Maxxpro 60a)
Tested on: Rear
Claimed weight: 700 gram
Actual weight: 711 gram
Score: 5/6

Sunny trail riding

Back on the trails here in Denmark. Summer is upon us, and the nice weather spawned the opportunity to enjoy some local trails. My camera is working again, so I grabbed some pics.

The best time of the year:

Found a new small technical section, that was fun to ride:

I see these more and more:

There was a fatal mtb accident near this spot a month ago :/

Then during a climb this day, something snapped below me, I thought it was the chain snapping, but to my surprise it was something else. Oh, do look forward to a final review of the superstarcomponent pedals..

(click to enlarge)

..And look forward to a preview of the new set of the much hyped and raved about pedals from Point One Racing...

Harz 2010 - Trip 3 - part 1/1.

My third Harz trip this year! I feel somehow lucky to say the least. The pictures wont be as nice as last time, but we did manage to shoot a few here and there, lets take a look.

We shot this pic for the fun of it. I call it "Rock Garden Philosophy" ; )

(click to enlarge)

Setup has not changed at all, and hereby the first real shot of my new ride.

(click to enlarge)

Post-bikepark shot. Went to the Hahnenklee bikepark, and pushed myself as far as I could. It all went good, and it was a really good day, with sunshine and 19c. But I did some thinking; the geo on the Enduro is really dialed in. But, I probably mentioned this before, I need more rear-travel. I feel genuinely hindered by it now. Its not the drops, jumps, hucks, or whatever, its the root/rockgardens. The fork is eating it up, but the rear end is insufficient and eats all rear-travel very fast, leaving me slowed down and frustrated. The ISX-6 shock does its job good in the mid-stroke for an air-shock, but a 170-180mm coil shock would have been so much better. I want faster!

(click to enlarge)

I had a chance to visit the German ISX Downhill cup trail in Thale. Its called Rosstrappen. I didnt ride it, but I had a look at it, looks like a fun dh trail, and the jump in the bottom of the trail is huuuge:

The dude in the picture is there to show the size of this jump. ; )

(click to enlarge)