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09/06/2008
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NSMB.com Gear - April 2003
For a lot of years you would only see Andrew Shandro downhilling on an Intense
M1. Sometimes it was dressed like a K2, sometimes like a Devinci, but last year
it was undisguised and pure. This year he has a new sponsor (Trek Bicycles) with a new bike (the Trek Diesel),
but instead of racing full-time Shandro has become a salaried freerider promoting
the brand in films, stills and competing in the occasional event.
This is Trek's second attempt at downhill bikes and the folks from Wisconsin seem to be taking
a conservative approach. Trek is using a suspension platform that has had some success -
Steve Peat and Cedric Gracia have proven that a single pivot can be ridden
to World Cup victory - and one that lacks complicated pivots and linkages. Trek's
previous downhill bikes were lack-lustre even though they sponsored DH racers
like Scott Sharples, but that's likely to change with Shandro leading the charge on a Diesel.
| The Diesel is available as a frame, which
they call the Diesel
Downhill, and as a complete bike, the
Diesel Freeride. In either config, it is an expensive proposition
with the frame setting you back US$2749.99 or CDN$3999 and the complete
coming in at US$4399 or CDN$6199. The frame has some nice refinements
like an adjustable wheelbase, a CNC machined shock mount and a high mounted
chainguide pulley called the Chain Torque Eliminator. This feature lines
the chain up with the swingarm and pivot so the length of the chain remains
constant throughout the travel - this is said to reduce bobbing dramatically. |
An MRP guide along with Trek's 'Chain Torque Eliminator" |
| Andrew is sponsored by Manitou and along
with the sexy Dorado up front, the bike was equipped with Answer's version
of the 5th Element rear shock.
The unit that's on Shandro's bike right now is pre-production and it lacks
a piggyback but apparently a full-featured, six-way shock will be available
to fit his bike soon. |
The Manitou Dorado supported by a Mavic Dee Max Wheel. |
Shandro gets paid to ride certain parts and those are the ones you'll find on
his bike. Now that Shimano has pulled its chair up to the freeride table the components giant
has begun assembling a stable of riders here on the North Shore and, along with
the artists formerly known as FroRiders, Andrew is at the top of that list. He
is currently running Shimano cranks, chain and cogs, derailleur, shifters and
pedals, and shortly he'll be sporting the new Saint
gruppo. 'Tough Guy' generally rides SPDs but on the day I shot these photos
he was competing in the 'Boneyard' - a new collection of progressive stunts near
the bottom of Whistler - and Shimano DX flats were the tools for the job.
The man and his machine.
| All of a sudden Shimano XT discs have begun
appearing on the Shore, and now that large rotors are readily available these
mineral oil-filled, four-piston beasts are making some serious inroads into
the trails previously owned by Hayes. I am currently testing a set and, despite
a long break-in period, I too am catching the bug.
Trek has done its homework with the Diesel, and the frame allows for two wheelbase options; the downhill version
sports a rear thru-axle. |
Shimano disc brakes with 203mm rotors (8") |
According to Shandro, the Diesel "is a solid machine and very precise"
but he adds "it's agile as well - you can really throw it around." I
will let you know when I get a chance to ride Andrew's bike or a tester from Trek.
When you speak to people who have been in the industry for a long time, everyone
is impressed with the Trek operation. The company's products and business practices are
admired for being efficient and innovative and it's pretty exciting to have Trek
in the freeride game. Maybe we'll even see Lance riding free once he's finished
with the Tour ;)
Andrew Shandro's sponsors for 2003 are:
Trek /
/ Manitou /
Shimano / Mavic
/ Smith / Sombrio
Clothing / Etnies /
Giro Helmets / Clif
Bar / FSA(Full
Speed Ahead) / IRC Tires
/ Bean Around the World
/ Sportworks Racks
Cam McRae
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