2011 - Reviews And Previews

Welcome to the summary of reviews and previews of 2011, by All Mountain Next.
For easy and quick access to the reviews and previews, knock yourself out:


Reviews:
Canfield Brothers ONE 2011
E-Thirteen LG1+ Chain Guide
Kenda Excavator 2.35"
Manitou ISX-6
Michelin Wild Rock'R 2.25"
Point One Racing Podium Pedals
Rock Shox Monarch RT3 2011 (2012)
Rock Shox Vivid R2C 2011
Schwalbe Ice Spiker Pro 2011 (UPDATED)
Shelter Frame Protection


Previews:
E-Thirteen LG1+ Chain Guide
Mavic Crossmax SX 2012
Rock Shox Monarch RT3 2011
Schwalbe Nobby Nic EVO 2.25" 2012
SuperStar Components CNC Nano Tech pedals 2011
Troy Lee Designs CP 5955


Features:
661 Kyle Strait vs Fox Launch Pad Pro


Coming soon (Reviews and Previews):
Continental Mountain King 2 (preview)
Mavic Crossmax SX 2012 (review)
Race Face - SIXC crankset (review)
Schwalbe Dirty Dan 2011 2.3" (review)
Schwalbe Nobby Nic EVO 2.25" 2012 (review)
Specialized Clutch SX 2.3" (review)
Troy Lee Designs CP 5955 (review)
Air Rearshock- Unknown as of yet
AM Fork- Unknown as of yet


Be sure to check out the reviews and previews of last year, do it here.

Best and Worst of 2011

Thought idd do a roundup of whats good and bad from 2011. I did it last year, so its time for a new list. So, whats the WORST and BEST stuff of 2011 - lets take a look:

The Best (in random order):

Whistler
Not really a surprise huh? Note that its not just Whistler Bikepark, but the Whistler area itself. This area has the best crafted trails I have ever ridden. The amount of work, passion, and design that went into these trails is just amazing. From A-Line in the Bikepark, to River runs through it in the Whistler mountains.  I need to get back to this place.

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Single Front-Ring setup

Someone out there might say; "Single ring wont work on my trails because that would make them unridable" I though that as well, but after a few months, I was riding trails that I never though was possible without a small ring in the front. It makes you a stronger rider, and simplifies a few things in the process as well.

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RockShox Boxxer R2C2 2011

Amazing performance, and a true joy to use. This fork really surprised me. When I did the classic parking lot test, I thought to myself; it feels stiff, and it wont work for my riding. Out on the trails, in the bikeparks, it came to life and put my parking-lot-test-doubt to shame, it was like cutting a warm knife through butter, when it came to the trails. And there I was, thinking my Fox Float 36 was plush..

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Honorable Mention: Life Cycles movie - (the Seasons chapter). Besides hosting sick riding, it features some of the most beautiful motion picture I have ever seen, combine that with a custom score just for this 5 minute chapter, and you have some of the best mtb footage ever created. Its downright emotional. 
I hate to link to this, because this chapter needs to be seen on a big tv, in a high quality -anyway, watch the chapter  here.

The Worst (in random order):

Poor carbon design

While im definitely a believer in its strength to weight ratio, it has to be coupled with a very important factor; Good design. It was a lack of good design that lead to 2 carbon frame failures in a short period of time. Last time I broke a carbon frame was the S-Works Enduro, had it had a different design, that could cope with the rigors of AM, then I would propably still be riding that bike. Dear industry, make use of carbon, but do so wisely.

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Poor trail design

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:

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The 26" vs 29" debate
Its getting old, and it no longer brings anything new to the table, and I noted that the debate most often is spoken and fueled by 29" purists or 26" purists - and that doesn't do the debate any good. Let it be, lets move on, its about wheel size, now get over it.

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(Dis)honorable Mention - The long winter of 2011 - I dont know how the winter was where you where, but it sure was long and snowy over here. It was a big kick in the nuts, the best trails where unridable, and I was getting insane due to the lack of riding. Suddenly I was forced to look my girlfriend in the eyes and actually speak to her. Lets hope this comming  winter will be more calm.

All Mountain Next turns 2 year old!

Thanks for a great year! The support has been massive, and ive actually doubled my visit count since last year. Glad to see all those comments as well, I appreciate the involvement. Hope you guys enjoy this blog as much as I do writing it. I hope to continue All Mountain Next through 2012.

I did a small summary last year, about what this blog is about, and how it came to be, be sure to check it out here.

Got any comments or suggestions, well then feel free to submit your thoughts. Comments does not require a sign in.

Preview: Schwalbe Nobby Nic EVO 2.25" 2012

Introduced in 2005 Nobby Nic has since won the heart of many mountainbikers, especially in Europe. Since its introduction its gone through several changes, knobs have gotten longer, and their direction has been altered among other things. In 2010 it got the AM-label as well - it was no longer just a xc tire - and that puts it in the spotlight here on All Mountain Next.

I have have a mixed experience when it comes to Schwalbe tires, I really like my Ice Spiker Pro tires, but dread the Fat Albert. My initial impressions of the Nobby Nic however, are positive, this tire feels like an all rounder, and im abit surprised as to how easy they actually roll, didn't expect that. The tire itself is a bit small for a 2.25", looks more like a 2.1" imo. The tire does have good grip so far, I have been riding it in alot of wet terrain, and untill now cannot really complain about anything. But will it hold up during winter time? Or will it fail to perform. Find out in the up coming review, right here at All Mountain Next.

Very light considering its AM label. Claimed weight is 545g.

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December riding

No snow as of yet, contrary to last year at this time. That makes room for riding, the somewhat varm temperatures makes it even more enjoyable. We shot a few pics worth posting;

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Christian working it

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Some more volume lighting, I think I got really lucky with this shot 

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Gotta love techy sections with off camber roots.

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Im back on my Vivid coil, I got fed up with my underachiving Monarch RT3, so Ive sent it in to TF Tuned. Hopefully they'll do their magic on it. 

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Drop in.

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Gittin mah wheeep on

Raw edit.No sound. 17 sec:

Sure its not perfect, but keep in mind that im still learning - and im having alot of fun in the process : )