Recent Riding

Mr frost is on its way, and im trying to ride my bike as much as possible before the forrest gets painted all white.  Here are some recent pics of us enjoying the lines while they are still rideable.

New jump at the Middle-Meat section. Its so fun to hit, and we actually ended up sessioning it for an entire hour. Good times.

I don't know why it took me so long, but ive finally installed a short cage derailleur. The old one was a medium and it flexed so much during whips that it occasionally slammed into my spokes. I haven't had this issue since I got the short cage installed. Time will tell tho'. 

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Henning is in an upgrade frenzy, He got rid of the skinny bars and installed some 780mm bars, from what ive heard he's loving it. I think the bike is getting pretty damn dialed.

And here we go, in the classic cat and mouse run. Its not only fun, it pushes your skill level as well.

I stumbled upon this flowy field a few days ago, man do I see lines everywhere.

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Review: Mavic Crossmax SX 2012/13

13 months of testing is finally done, and I can finally conclude my time on these hoops with a review. Mavic has revised the Crossmax SX for 2012. Its gotten stronger by the use of a new rim extrusion, a new graphics package is in place as well. Other than that, its known for its stiffness and strength albeit some hub issues, but ill get back to that in a moment. Lets start of with an overview:

The strongest and the best Mavic has to offer for AM riding. Front has a 20mm axle, rear is compatible with pretty much everything right out of the box.

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The ITS-4 hub has proven to be reliable and trouble-free. Mavic got it right this time.

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The Crossmax SX has a Maxtal rim, its 30% stronger than 6106 alloy, and tests has continuously shown that these rims has an immense strength  The rims are even used for pro-level slopestyle, probably some of the most stressful challenge you can pose a mtb rim.

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The spokes use a Zicral Alloy, its a very strong alloy of the 7075 series, with a strength comparable to steel - just without the weight penalty. One interesting use for 7075 alloy is in the manufacture of M16 rifles for the military. Ok back on topic, so, im not a big fan of proprietary stuff, I actually often advocate against it, but the Zicral spokes didn't scare me away because of two things; they have a good rep for not breaking, and despite what some might say, replacement spokes are actually easy to get hold of, well for me anyway, as my LBS carries them.

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Front wheel, 826g.

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Rear Wheel, 937g

That makes for an actual total weight of: 1763g - pretty damn close to the claimed 1755g.

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Ive been testing the Crossmax SX for DH og FR usage as well. They are more than capable.

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But the primary use has been AM and trail. Alot of stress was put on the wheels via jumps and drops, and not all my landings are clean - if I may add.

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So after 13 months of testing my conclusion is clear; This is the best wheelset Ive been on. Its solid, strong, lightweight, and has a attention to detail. Í have been riding this wheelset extensively for more than a year, but it has been a completely flawless experience regarding reliability. Coming from a 2100g+ wheelset, there are definitely noticeable acceleration benefits, and the bike just feels more responsive overall.

If you are into a lightweight AM wheelset that can take some heat, then the Mavic Crossmax SX 2012 might just be your best bet. Highly recommended.

The Good:
-Strong
-Lightweight
-Reliable
-Decals are painted, not just stickers.
-Oozes quality

The Bad:
-The instructions manual is poor and lacking.

Score: 6/6

The Discarded Footage

Not all high-speed footage made it into my short vid "Slow". Some of it (alot actually), was cut out, and before I send it into the eternal doom of the trash bin, I though that some of you may actually enjoy watching it. I know I did. So here it is; the Discarded footage:

Quick edit. 2m20s. Remember to active the 480p.

Now how about that catastrophic nosedive at 1.48? ; )

Oldie but Goldie #1

"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.

So let me start it all with this;

Apparently, back in the day, we where doing it wrong.

Exposure

Got contacted by Canfield Brothers yesterday, that they put my vid "SLOW" up on their Facebook frontpage. If you haven't seen the vid yet, then check it out in the post below.

New vid: SLOW

I have been recording for this 2 minute video all year with my high speed camera, from a lot of different places. And now its finally compiled into a short vid. I hope you guys enjoy it.

2m 12sec, go for the 480p version:

Recent pics + "my jump is smaller than your jump"

Some recent pics, and a small vid for the fun of it.

Henning having a good time on his new bike, tackling a small steep drop here.

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How the hell did that happen??

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It has begun..

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I bet the butler did it.

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Making the most out of the smallest jump in the world (tm). :  ) No seriously, check it out, tire is never more than a few inches above the ground. And its actually fun to hit.

14sec. No sound. Raw edit.

2 Bikeparks 1 cup

I thought my bikepark season was over, but nevertheless I ended up visiting 2 more. Winterberg has been one of my favorite places to ride, but this time around I had a chance to ride in Willingen as well. And im glad I did.

I could talk alot about Winterberg, and I did, Here and Here and even here. But this time around im doing a shout out to Willingen. Willingen only has 3 real lines, but what a fun place to ride. I shot some footage on the Freeride line (an A-Line inspired line), and compiled it into a short vid. The Freeride line doesn't have much to do with "freeride", its easy to ride, and there are no really big stuff to hit. It IS fast, and it IS fun - ill give them that. I had a really good time there.

So this is 99% of the Freeride line in Willingen, somehow 1% Winterberg snuck itself into this vid. I have no idea how. I deny everything!

Watch in HD HERE

Or crappy embedded version here:

661 Evo Knee VS Fox Launch Pad Pro

You will have a hard time finding an All Mountain biker without a helmet and some sort of knee protection to go along with it. And who can blame the him/her? This segment is generally speaking, more aggressive and high-risk than the XC and trail segment. Luckily for us, companies are standing on top of each other to offer us the best and most advanced knee protection money can buy.

I have been using the 661 Evo Knee for more than 7 months now, and feel that its time to pass the verdict. The Evo knee is actually the second version of 661 d30 knee pad, that 611 introduced some years ago. The mission was to improve everything, while staying in the same price range.

The Fox Launch Pad Pro has been out for a few years now. Fox is a well established brand, and they have a tendency to do things right, but getting into the knee protection segment, where the 611 Kyle Strait knee pad was dominating, is definitely not an easy task. I have an impression that Fox took a really long, and hard look at the Kyle Strait pad, and began improving upon it.

Let me say this right away; Both pads are very good. There is a difference however, that I with showcase in this comparison-review.

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Comfort:
661: 6/6
Fox: 5/6

The 661 Evo Knee is a game changer; its the most comfortable knee protection I have used. The bed-in time is at just a few hours (!). Ill forgive its bulkyness, because these really are pads you forget that you wear after 30 minutes of riding. You see, The Evo knee needs to get warm, to be comfortable, but when it does, it really outperforms the Fox. Cloth chafting? NONE with the 661 Evo. Whereas the 661 is a bit more prone to cloth chafting, the Fox sits a bit better on the leg. The Fox pad is also very resistant to unwanted movement because of a silicone strap. The Fox Pad is also some 25% lighter, this adds to comfort. Note that the Fox Launch Pad Pro takes considerable more time to "bed in" - expect 5-8 rides.

Long term testing notes regarding comfort:

661: 7 months into the testing, the elastic back sleeve is getting a bit loose, making the pads more prone to sliding down the knee.

Fox: After a year of use, the pad began to irritate my upper knee. That was after a year of intense use. In addition to that, I will add that the silicon strap doesn't do well after washing, it disintegrates.

Protection:
661: 3/6
Fox: 6/6

Fox has a superior protection in the upper and lower front, the padding on the sides is a bit more thick as well. The 661 Evo knee has its D3o material, and while it does cover a alot of the knee, even down the shin a bit, its just scary thin, and I don't see it absorbing impact from sharper objects like rocks and so on. Blunt force is where this pad is doing its job best. If you ride in very rocky conditions, then stay away from the 661 Evo Knee.

Ventilation:
661: 4/6
Fox: 4/6
I don't feel any difference between the two. I do however think that there is room for improvement, for both brands. They do get hot in the summer.

Durability:
661: 6/6
Fox: 5/6

Both are pretty tough, I do however see that the 661 holds up a bit better. Its completely unscratched even after months of hard use, 661 really stepped up their game compared to their old Kyle Strait knee pads. The Evo pads are tough and durable, partly due to the kevlar used up front on the knee pad. 

Value for money:
661: 4/6
Fox: 6/6
The fox is half price, and wins big time in this department. The 661 Evo knee is one of the most expensive knee pads on the market, only beaten by POC to my knowledge. On the other hand; The Evo Knee is really tough and durable, these pads wont die on you.

I had an entire year with the Fox Launch Pad Pro. Solid stuff.

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The 661 Evo Knee has been an interesting experience. Both regarding the good stuff, and the bad stuff.

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387g.  Less weight, more protection, a win-win situation?

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526g. More weight, less protection, but more comfortable.

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The additional protection the Fox Launch pad offers is mostly in the upper and lower section of the pad. Pads in the sides are a bit more fat as well.

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Final conclusion:

The 661 Evo Knee is very comfortable to wear, cloth chafting is non existent, and you are most likely to forget that you are even wearing them, well unless its very hot outside. The blunt-force protections is there, albeit inferior to the FOX. The lover strap is loosing up a bit too much now after 7 months of testing, so keep that in mind. Also, be aware that this is not a knee pad for sharp object like rocks.

The Fox Launch Pad Pro is more prone to cloth chafting, particular the first few months. But after that, they fit like a glove, and stay where you put them, partly because of the silicon strap. Protection is far superior, and its more lightweight.

Should I choose between the Fox Launch Pad Pro and the 661 Evo Knee, then I would have gone with the FOX offering. Its half the price, has more protection, more lightweight, all this makes it a better choice, even tho its more prone to clotch chafting. Fox has really made a good product.

Next up in testing is either POC VPD2 Knee, or Scott Grenade Pro 2. Or should it be something completely different? Well don't be shy, write in the comments section, it doesn't require a sign in.

Vids of 2011

2011 wasn't my most productive year regarding the vids, and 2012 wont be either. I will however summarize the best of 2011. I did it in 2011 in a post HERE. And now its about damn time I do it again.

First of is my video PARK. 3 days of thunder, boiled down to 3 minutes. When I refer to this trip, I always use the phrase; "Tour of Destruction" - gear and riders alike where getting beaten up, real good.

Watch it in a higher res here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45X34VDrb_s&list=UUaJ6ppxbvVv2qb2qW-0yk_g&index=23&feature=plcp

The second vid from 2011 is my Whistler trail video. I still have my Whistler Bikepark video on the "to-do" list, but the massive amount of footage is just overwhelming, and I know it will cost me more than a few weeks of "work" at least - really demotivating. The trail video was a much simpler task, and while not particularly action packed, it does reflect the riding you can do a few feet away from Whistler village.

Watch higher res version here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9t7FiaLIyk

Third vid is actually a vid I never completed. Its a teaser for a bikepark trip we did. The teaser turned out so good, that it stands on its own today. And it still makes me smile every time I see it. 60 seconds of good times.

Watch higher res version here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v96zA8ypSUY&hd=1

Hope you enjoyed.

Random is random is random

Some random stuff this time around; dog-poo, pedals, step-ups, and new bikes, I got it all covered.

Henning is stepping up his game with this brand new bike. Its a Vitus Escarpe, a brand owned by Chain Reaction Cycles. This bike ticks all the right boxes regarding a trail bike, and I must say, its a nice ride. The Revelation fork up front is smoooth.

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Henning is smiling a tad more than usual, and who can blame him.

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Fun on the step-up.

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Pedal size comparison. The Point One Racing Pedal (to the left) is no small pedal by any means. So I think this pic really shows how big the Twenty6 Predator pedal actually is. Yet more lightweight.

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I joined Christian on a short DH session and he brought his DH-dog Noma with him. This dog is fast and runs the same entire line as we do. As I said, this dog is fast, so much so that she decided to emphasize my slowness by taking the time to take a dump down this DH line. I got the message.

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Preview: Twenty6 Predator Ti Pedal

I have been wanting to test some Twenty6 Predator pedals ever since they got announced. Tyler (the man behind Twenty6) promised an evolution of the much acclaimed Prerunner pedal. Pretty much everything was reviewed and improved upon. The result is the Predator pedal, thin, big, lightweight, grippy, and more expensive than your car. Is this pedal worth your hard earned cash, or is this a CNC adventure gone wrong? Well I cant answer that yet, as this is only a preview, but I can give you a closer look:

Enduro sealed bearing, and quad o-ring seals should keep this sucker going strong for a long time.

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Self lubricating tapered turcite bushing, on a burly nitride coated titanium spindle. The CNC milled pedal body is has a concave and offset design, and each pin is isolated and raised so that the foot is resting less on the pedal body, and more on the pin itself. This pedal has more tech than your flat screen tv.

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My pin-system is smarter than your pin-system. No seriously, have a look at this picture to fully understand why this is such a smart system.

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The Predator is slightly taller than the 11mm Point One Racing Podium Pedal. But overall the Predator is bigger. If some of you would want some more comparrison pics, please say so in the comments field, and Ill upload them. Comments does not require a sign-in.

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Predator with a Ti-axle. Pretty close to the claimed 340 grams

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I havent had much time on these pedals yet, but my initial thoughts are positive, the amount of grip is just insane. If you are a 5.10 shoe user (and if you are not, you should be), be prepared to experience a new level of grip. The pedal body is large and thin, and the overall impression is that this really is a quality product.

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So, will this pedal hold up to use and abuse, or will it fail as every other pedal ive had in my hands from other brands. Find out in the concluding review, right here on All Mountain Next.

Lever to the metal

On my way back home, I cross this short gravel road. The sun (light) was just right to do a little skidding. I'm not a fan of skidding, in fact, I'm actually a strong advocate against it, but this time around I gave it a go, for sake of the high-speed camera : )

Just for fun. 27sec. 240fps. No sound. Raw edit.

Recent shots part 2/2

Additional (and random) batch of recent pics:

My current AM-build, pretty much as dialed in as I could wish for. One thing is newly installed tho'..

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Closeup. One of the changes to the 2012 SIXC crank is the addition of optional chainring tabs made out of alu, you can actually see them if you enlarge the pic. The best/biggest change tho' is the addition of CrMo pedal inserts. Another thing I would like to point out is the incredible stiffness of the crankarms, coming from a XT-crankset, these carbon arms feel distinctively stiffer.

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New stepdown on the Church Line. Landing is at the very bottom of this pic.

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Spot the line, and spot the kicker..

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Couldn't believe my luck when I met this little guy, the fact that he didn't mind a photo shoot was just the icing on the cake.

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Recent shots part 1/2

Some recent pics.

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Henning giving the ONE, and the "Church Drop" a go.

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In between the trees you go, elbows inches from impact.

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Met this poisonous friend near a cabin.

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One of my favorite xc-ish lines, no one rides here, and the tall grass renders the slim line im riding invisible.
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Last drop on the Church line
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90 seconds of 60

Had a good day in the woods with Henning, sessioning new and old lines. Wanted to test my GoPro with the 60FPS setting. The 60 FPS allows me to slow down time without noticeable stutter, shot some test footage, and this is what I compiled:

60FPS. Featuring "Your Mom", "The Church Line", and some new features as well, such as the "Church Drop".

WATCH IT IN HD HERE