Earn it

Guinea pigging the new tree-gap. Man I had to dewire some neurons, before hitting that shit.

Calculating it.

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Hitting it.

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Landing it.
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Earning it.

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Random shots Part 2/2

Yosemite Valley. Just wow! I had 3 days in the valley, and was blown away, haven't seen such beautiful scenery since British Columbia.
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Jan, near the very tip of the trail gap, he had some difficulties clearing it, and the frustration began to build up. I don't know how much comfort it was, but it told him that we've "all been there before", in some way or another.

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We had a chance to revisit a place we usually only ride at winter. And we brought the big bikes, not because we had to, but because we could. Turned out that the lines worked better when covered in snow.

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Christian improvising a line.

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I replaced my CCDBA, with a 2014 Vivid AIR. It got its fair share of attention earlier this year, when RockShox trolled everyone by saying it was for "pro-use" only, and you actually had to be on their "list" to buy it. But in the end, we all love capitalism, and so does Rockshox = This shock is mine.

So whats cool about it? Well, independent LSR and HSR, and the new Rapid Recovery system, and the Counter Measure technology. The latter is supposed to virtually eliminate break away force, and I have to give it to RockShox, it takes VERY little force to activate it, less than the CCDBA, well, less than any air-system I've been on actually. Impressive. Full preview coming soon.

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There she is. The new tree-gap.

3,6m(11ft) just to clear the tree, then an additional 2,4m (7ft) to hit the transition. Not small numbers considering this is an All Mountain trail. You can just barely make out the trail gap in the background, it functions as a booster to this jump. How much speed does it require? Is the landing ok? Is the ramp angled correctly? Will it kill you? Well, yesterday, all of those questions got answered..Stay tuned.

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Random shots Part 1/2

Lets start of with this interesting bike. Its a bike Henning got to rent, when we visited Winterberg Bikepark in Germany. I had a chance to try it out as well. This is the new Bergamont Straitline, with a Boxxer up front, and a Vivid Air out back. 2 things surprised me; How fun the bike was to ride, and how well the Vivid Air performed. I remember when Bergamont made bikes that resembled something out of DDR...they have definitely stepped up these last few seasons.

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Jan taking a small departure near the trail. What I like about this pic, is that it captures what its all about. Thinking outside the box, playing around, trying out things, learning by success, and by failures. But most important, having fun on two wheels. Stay foolish. stay hungry - right?

Oh btw, what I originally wanted to write here was: "Jan does a table".....ged ittt???

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Coming in from lower right corner.

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Testing a line. Unfortunately it wasn't up to standards, and its already in the process of "un-installation". Its all about keeping the bar high, and not settling with something that's just "ok".

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Summer, the best thing since sliced bread.

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Status of my Cane Creek Double Barrel Air - and why I wont review it.

It all started so good. An amazing performance, a massive amount of adjustments, and an unquestionable positive reputation. Cane Creek Double Barrel Air - whats not to like?

Then the problems began.

The first fail came after less than 2 months of riding, the LS-rebound stopped working, and the compression was odd. "A freak fail"- I thought to myself. The shock got sent back to TF-tuned, and they fixed it - "emulsified oil" - was the initial TF-Tuned conclusion. 

The second fail came a month later. The shock made a loud *POP* sound during a session, and all of the sudden, all rebound was gone. FACEPALM. Back to TF-tuned with the shock. No theory was given this time. Got the shock back.

Third fail came after a month of additional use. LS-compression was off, and the shock made a *clunk*-sound 30% into its travel when in use. 2 things to say about that fail; I was no longer surprised. Secondly, enough was enough, the Double Barrel Air had to go. I want my gear to function - just like you do.

I contacted TF-Tuned, and told them that I wanted a refund. The TF-tuned guys are awesome, a full refund was given, and they even offered me a Ti-coil version of the CCDB in exchange. They got in touch with Cane Creek about the issues I have ran into. Cane Creek didn't have any theory, nor did TF-Tuned, as to why my shock kept failing. I checked my frame for any misalignment - there was none. I didn't have this problem with the other shocks I had. This leaves me clueless as to why this shock kept failing. 

I did some research on the internetzz, and no-one has had the same issues as I. Pretty much every user talks about reliability - a completely different story than I can present.

So I decided not to review this shock (it would be torn to pieces, due to the reliability issues anyway). I'm under the impression that I got some freak-issue-monday-version, or something like that, and I don't want to pass a review-judgement on that premise. This is where it ends for me and the CCDBA. 

Oh... a new high-tech shock is already installed btw... stick around... ; )

Mexican Monkey

Random high-speed footage.

53sec. Simple edit. 240fps.

The 300th post, and 44.000 visits in a single year. Thanks!

44.000. Whoa, I'm not even sure I really understand that number. But thanks, makes it all worthwhile!

To wrap this post up, I attach a completely unrelated picture of my hero, Bill Maher. Thanks all.

"If you think you have it tough, read history books." -Bill Maher

Gear update

Ok, back from NorCal, lets get to it;

2 POC products, and a new fork - whats not to like?

First POC product is the Bone VPD Leg. I have been grinding through alot of leg armor during my mtb years, and been disappointed by every single full-leg armor I've worn, hell, I even made an open whine about it here on this blog. That is until I got the POC Bone VPD Leg late last year. Its solid, has decent ventilation, straps are well placed, but the best part is...

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...a knee-hinge system. Finally someone gets it! The upper knee is a thick VPD shell (Polymer dough) that moves independently of the lower leg. This allows for more movement, without the usual drawbacks of a full leg-armor, like pad movement. I have been combining the Bone VPD Leg with the POC Joint Ankle - with very good results, definately a recommended setup. So anyway, Ive illustrated were the VPD knee-shell is, below:

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Got a front-end setup change. The 2013 RockShox LyrikDH. Lyrik on the outside, Boxxer on the inside. So far its been performing better than expected, taking small and big hits with ease, and an actual mid-travel performance (YAY!). The low-speed compression keeps the fork dead-stable on climbs, and the high-speed compression allows me to manipulate the end-travel-curve as I see fit. It has a build-in high-speed rebound damper as well, but I dont notice it to be honest, it just feels right. I need to do some more testing tho', before wrapping it all up in a potential review. Weight is identical to a FOX 36 btw.
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Not the cheapest choice, but hopefully one of the smartest. Let it be said right away, from what Ive experienced so far, the POC VPD2 Knee delivers! Surprisingly good overall protection, with good knee coverage (side of the knee included), and a snug fit. The top and bottom has a rubber band stitched into it to make "stick" to the leg. Only disadvantage so far, is that it gets more hot than I expected on warm days. I was actually planning to get the Leatt Knee Guard 3DF, but after trying one out, I wondered what Leatt has been smoking when designing their knee guard; no side protection! Anyway, expect a big comparison review soon (FOX vs 661 vs Scott vs POC).

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Whilst not featuring a hinge system like the POC VPD Bone Leg, it is however divided into 2 separate sections. The lower section (blue) covers the knee in the front and sides, and a bit of the shin as well. The top (green), covers the top knee, to the lower thigh. This system allows the pad to move WITH the leg, and not ON the leg. Clever design choice POC, very clever.

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Lyrik + POC VPD2 Knee in action.

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Yes, its been a bit quiet lately...

I'm busy! : )

Preview: Canfield Brothers Crampon Magnesium Pedal

A new pedal has emerged, so new in fact, that its barely hit the market yet (good luck getting a pair in EU). Its the Canfield Brothers Crampon Magnesium Pedal, building on the successful fundamental of the original Crampon pedal.

106mm x 106mm, chromo axle, DU bushings, laser etched logos.

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Claimed 282 grams, actual weight is 285g, pretty close imo.

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Thin 6-10mm magnesium body. Its just crazy thin.

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Replaceable dual sided pins. Long, but a tiny bit more fat than the ones on my Podiums, and my experience tell me that thin pins are key to grip on FiveTen shoes .

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 Crampon Magnesium VS Point One Racing Podiums. Podiums are noticeably bigger, they feel bigger as well. My Twenty6 Predator are way bigger than both tho'.

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So the big question is; will this ultra thin mag pedal survive rock-impacts? Well time will tell, I have been on mag pedals before, and they have a tendency to partially break away on the body itself after big hits. I wonder how these will fare. I already had the chance to test them out in a bikepark, trouble free, but more testing is needed. Expect a review soon, right here at All Mountain Next.

The discreet smile

Good times in the woods.

47sec. No sound. Raw edit. The discreet smile? Wait for it...

Oldie but Goldie #5

"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.

Crashing is part of the game, we all know that, and I've had my share. I haven't had any life threatening spills, far from it, but some good fuck ups here and there, the standard stuff.

 

This particular crash was; "Man vs Tree". The latter won. My Ex assisted me in the ER, and I guess the face palm was well deserved.

Hangovers in the forest Part 2/2

Hangovers part 2, a bit later than planned, but hey, the bike doesn't ride itself ; )

Optical illusion. I may look like I'm passing a tree in this shot, but in fact, I'm waay up in the air. 

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Mr Madsen and Kim had a spill at the exact same place, a high speed off-camber corner. Whats NOT to like.

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Kim and his Norco.

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We poked at Mr.Madsen for going "spandex" on us. But having balls this big, he might just be legally excused.

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Martin had a good time it seemed, riding pretty much anything we threw at him.
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Going low.
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Hangovers in the forest Part 1/2

Take one hangover, a forest, 5 guys with a bad judgement, some good weather, and almost 6 hours of riding. That equals a whole lot of good times.

Some of these guys have reached their 40's, but that doesn't hold them back. They go outside their comfort zone, and EARN their balls. Props.

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Kim having a good time on his Norco Range. He popped a few spokes this day, but word has it that a Stans Flow wheelset is already on its way..

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Kedde on his rigid 29'er. He pointed out that a 29'er probably wasn't the best weapon of choice for these lines, and who can really argue against that? (well except the purists and the industri) He did look like having a good time  tho'.

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Dont ask..

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Being poisoned by skull crushing hangovers is hard enough, accepting some trail-booze mid-ride, is taking it to a whole new level. I accepted the challenge.

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Most of these pics are shot by Martin, thanks for sharing man.

"Bike Park"

I had a short stroll down the local park with Henning the other day, and we stumbled upon this little drop. We began to session it, and before we knew it, we where getting a whole lot of airtime. I think its safe to say that this is the longest drop I have ever made in an urban environment. Landing is smooth, and there is actually little to it - just go fast.

8 meters (26 feet) out, and about 2 meters (6 feet) down.

Random Stuff Part 2 of 2

Random shots from different rides, continued:

Had a short 3 hour ride with Jan, and he brought along his Canyon Strive. I haven't seen this particular bike in real life before, besides on the internetzz, gotta say, I was positively surprised by the aesthetics. Highlights include; a 36'er up front, a Float out back, and a Reverb post. The heart is a single pivot, and its made out of alu.
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And there he goes. Jan was smiling all day, and he summed it up with a "I never had this much fun on a bike".

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Mr.Madsen having a good time on the Church Line.

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Temporarily back on my Michelin Wild Rock'R for the front. Amazing tire, but, nothing beats the king; Maxxis Highroller - so that's coming back on eventually.

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A new line is slowly taking shape, still a whole lot of rolling resistance tho', but  the jumps are getting dialed in. Good fun.

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