Tuesday In The Dirt
Brandon Semenuk's new ride...
Words by Cam McRae. Photos by David Ferguson.
Dirt Demo is a crapshoot if you really want to ride bikes. Unless it's first thing in the morning - and we were there early - you can't be guaranteed to get the bike you want even if you have an appointment. Today one of the shuttle trucks blew a gasket so it was only one truck for the afternoon. If you chose to shuttle that meant baking in the sun for a good long time waiting for a lift up the hill - and bikes were out of the stable longer as well.
The Pivot Firebird is a brand new bike but it's somewhat familiar as well.
I got lucky though. I had a few bikes in mind but I spotted a Pivot Cycles Firebird hanging in the booth and I laid claim to it right away. It was a little small but my super power is the ability to ride any size bike. Chris Cocalis started Pivot in 2007 after selling Titus - which he founded in 1991 - to Vyatek Sports in 2006. Titus bikes continue to license the Horst Link from Specialized while Cocalis decided to go with the DW link - Dave Weagle's design that has been used most famously by Ironhorse under Sam Hill. (Ironhorse won't be licensed to use the DW in 2009 and Sam Hill will be moving on - perhaps to Specialized or perhaps somewhere else).
The Pivot Firebird waiting for a lift to the top of the mountain. The bike pedals great but Fergs was on a DH bike so the shuttle was the best option.
Cocalis feels it's possible to make a bike more stiff laterally using the DW design and he figures the frames don't squat under power either. I have ridden a few DW link bikes and they share a common feel that is distinct from most similar bikes. It's a little tough to get your head around, but to me DW link bikes give the impression of being a little stiff and inactive on the trail. The funny thing is you find yourself riding quickly and confidently over challenging terrain with little drama. So while there's a lot going on it's tough to feel what's going on. On top of that they respond instantly when you step on the pedals. The Firebird was true to form and I thoroughly enjoyed tipping it into some of the bonier lines out at bootleg. The rear shock is attached to two pivots rather than the front or rear triangle so Pivot calls it a full floating shock. With a Fox 36 Float up front and a Shimano XT/SLX component mix everything felt just as it should. If there's a Pivot dealer in your hood and you're in the market for an aggressive 6" travel bike the Firebird is well worth a look.
After a summer of stellar results Brandon Semenuk's star continues to rise. Here he is with his newest Trek Remedy Slopestyle bike - complete with a custom polished link plate and polished rims. The complete bike is just under 30 lbs. In the summer Brandon uses a hydraulic gyro to spin his bars with no cable issues, but in the off season he doesn't need it.
Brandon has a custom red XO rear changer along with a red shifter on his Remedy. There were rumours of gold, purple and other colours floating around as well. No word on any fancy cable ends.
At this point only Cam McCaul and Semenuk have access to these bikes. Brandon thinks the Remedy Slopestyle bike will go into production for 2010.
I've always liked Foes bikes and this was my first opportunity to ride a Fly. Foes 8" travel frame now uses their unique 2:1 shock ratio. The model I rode sported a very long and phallic Fox DHX Air shock. I thought this was a 7" travel bike and I was still fooled after climbing it up the fireroad. This Fly was equipped with a floating rear brake and it was a freeride bike you could easily pedal up Fromme on - or shred Whistler. The Fly is also available with a Curnutt air or coil shock.
The Foes Fly lived up to its reputation in every situation.
Because of the 2:1 shock ratio the Fly has the longest Fox DHX Air shock I've ever seen.
Things you see in Vegas. While we were taking some photos Steve Peat (in white) and Rob Roscop - owner of Santa Cruz Bikes - pedalled past us going uphill. I also rode an elevator with Shaun Palmer and he too had a Santa Cruz bike with him. Napalm was signing autographs at the Troy Lee booth.
Stuart Kernaghan rode the Truvativ Hammershmidt front transmission earlier in the season but Vegas was my first chance. Because it employs either a 22 or 24 tooth front chainring the Hammer has a massive amount of clearance. I was amazed by the way it shifted under load, while coasting, in the air...basically whenever you need a shift it'll hook you up with either high or low.
More things you see in Vegas. This Mercedes McLaren SLR was in a line of cars that belonged to boxer Floyd 'Money' Mayweather Jr.. How did we know this you ask?
Floyd has name plates on the back of each of his cars - including this Lamborghini. Besides the SLR and the Lambo he rolled up in two brand new Rolls Royces - a Phantom convertible and a Phantom Sedan - and an extremely rare Maybach 62. Maybe three million in metal?
It's time to have a look in the Sands to see what's shiny and new under the flourescent lights. We'll keep updating you from Vegas until the updating is done.
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