NSMB.com Team
España
Posted by Eamonn Duignan on 2010-07-18
Life is good. My bike and bags are packed, and in a matter of hours I will be boarding an airplane destined for Spain. I’ll be gone for a little over four weeks, which should be just enough time to for me to brush up on my Spanish, drink plenty of wine, eat my body weight in tapas, frolic in the Mediterranean Sea, and more importantly, partake in a MTB trip with Switch-Backs.com and Mountain Bike UK Magazine in Andalucía. Shooting locations include Malaga, Granada, and Bubion.
The visual. Spain and its various regions. Photo: www.travelportal.info
When it came time to decide which bike to take, it was a no-brainer. Obviously my 2011 Slayer is more than capable to throw down the hurt on the ascents as well as the descents as it is the perfect tool for the job.
If you haven’t ridden 'Ladies Only' on Fromme Mountain in North Vancouver recently, you’ll be amazed. Photo: Dave Bryson
And if you think the South of Spain is all beaches, sangria, and jamón, well, you are mostly correct. Andalucía also happens to be home to the Sierra Nevada mountain range, which boasts the very impressive distinction of having the highest point of continental Spain at 3,478 metres or 11,411 ft. Not to mention, as stated on Swithch-Backs.com , “Downhill 20,000 to 30,000ms in a long weekend on dry, drifty singletrack taking advantage of unlimited van shuttles and the local chairlift,” sounds like I’m in for a hell of a trip...Boo ya!
The chart on the left displays the maxium height of accessible trails for Spain throughtout the year. The chart on the right highlights the average daily max tempatures thoughout the year in various locations. Note the average height of accessible trails in August, and the averages for Granada and Bubion. Me likes. Charts: Switch-Backs.com
Riding a Shore classic. Ladies Only on Fromme Moutain, North Vancouver, BC. Photo: Dave Bryson
Wish me luck, and stay tuned for updates on my trip to España.
2011 Rocky Mountain Slayer Dissected
Posted by Eamonn Duignan on 2010-07-15
Late in 2009 I started to hear some rumblings about a possible revamp of the Slayer for 2011 from the ‘God Father’ of Freeride, and fellow Rocky Mountain athlete, Wade Simmons. I was instantly pumped about a possible overhaul of the Slayer and adamant that I be involved in the R & D process. So, after a few emails and some well placed phone calls, I got my hands on one of the five prototypes.
My 2011 Rocky Mountain Slayer. Photo: Eamonn Duignan
My initial impressions of the R1 (the original Slayer prototype) was that it climbed like a firecracker, it was as agile as it was stiff, and it descended like nobody’s business. However, on the steeps the R1 seemed a bit sketchy. My main issue with the R1 was its head angle. At 67.5°, I felt that it was too steep for an all-mountain ‘do everything’ rig. As it turned out, all the testers agreed. Working with Jamie Stafford, the Lead Designer on the Slayer project at Rocky, we hammered out the issue and the R2 was produced for testing.
If you haven’t ridden 'Ladies Only' on Fromme Mountain in North Vancouver recently, you’ll be amazed. Photo: Dave Bryson
From the R2 was born the 2011 Slayer. As stated by Mr. Stafford, the main goal at Rocky was “to create the best … aggressive all-mountain bike possible,” and I believe they have accomplished their goal. With a revised head angle of 66.5° and some minor tweaks to the tubing of the R2, the Slayer is now dialed. These changes produced the perfect ‘do-it-all’ style of bike. It pounds uphill, somewhat akin to the prowess of a Nigerian dwarf mountain goat on amphetamines, and on the way down, shreds the gnarliest and steepest terrain and on the North Shore of Vancouver there is no limit to the two.
The Slayer doing its thing. Photo: Jerry Willows
The Frame
With the 2011 Rocky Mountain Slayer, it’s not all about the fact that this bike offers 165mm of rear travel and weighs less than 7 pounds with my rear shock. Nor is it all about its slack head angle of 66.5°, or its relaively low BB height which both make descending effortless. Or its steep seat tube angle of 75°, which makes climbing a pleasure. And it’s not even the Slayer’s sexy tapered tubing and its 1 1/8 to 1.5 head tube, or its 12-by-135mm rear end, which adds to the overall stiffness and aesthetics of this frame. It’s about the little details. Details like the anodized rocker plates and hardware, its clean and efficient cable routing system, an uninterrupted seat tube (12”), single tool linkage hardware, an E-type front derailleur, which all prove that this bike is a well thought out piece of engineering. In short, the frame is light, stiff, responsive, and throws the hurt to the dirt regardless of my wheels’ orientation.
The little things. Love the clean and effective cable routing system on the Slayer. Photo: Eamonn Duignan
Suspension
For 2010, I was running the very tuneable and stylish Rock Shox Lyrik Solo Air fork. The Lyric is one of the lightest air spring forks around, weighing in at an impressive 4.82 pounds while featuring 170mm of squish. For the rear, I opted for the more robust Rock Shox Vivid 5.1 with a 450 pound titanium spring. Why go Ti? Well, because titanium is twice as flexible as steel and, more importantly, weighs only about half as much. The Vivid in combination with the Slayer’s ‘SmoothLink’ suspension system eats up the rough stuff, and its linear rising suspension rate ensures a predictable, smooth and plush ride.
I have to give a big shout-out to James and Arthur at SuspensionWerx for the custom tune on my suspension. Photo: Eamonn Duignan
Control Centre
I have to say that I love the feel of my Truvativ Boobars - 780mm wide, 20mm rise, and a 7° back sweep feel perfect on my Slayer. And when combined with my 50mm Truvativ Holzfeller stem (CNC’d and forged Al-66), I find myself in a neutral riding position, and ready for those hairy descents. As for my shifting, it is always flawless thanks to my Sram X.O Trigger shifters. Running X.O components is such an asset. If you don’t believe me, try some. I guarantee you’ll never go back. I also love the adjustable pull lever/clamp position feature of these shifters.
Sram, Truvativ, and Avid has me covered. Photo: Eamonn Duignan
Seat and Seat Post
WTB has graciously stepped up for 2010 and is sponsoring the team for saddles. I am running the WTB Rocket V, which features titanium rails, and weighs in at 215 grams. And, if it’s good enough for current DH world champion Steve Peat of the Santa Cruz Syndicate, I guess it’s good enough for me?
Riding a Shore classic. Ladies Only on Mount Fromme, North Vancouver, BC. Photo: Dave Bryson
Truvativ’s Noir carbon fibre seat post keeps me pointed on those climbs. The Noir weighs a minuscule 225 grams, and utilizes titanium hardware for that extra touch of sickness.
WTB and Truvativ, enough said. Photo: Eamonn Duignan
Brakes
When deciding which brakes to run for twenty-ten, the Elixir were an easy choice. The power and modulation you get from these brakes is second to none. I decided to go with the all new Elixir CR Mags which weigh in at an impressive 330 grams, feature an ultra-light magnesium body, carbon fiber lever, updated master cylinder, and new U-Clamp for easy adjustments. To compliment the CR Mags I went with the more than adequate 185mm rotors.
Rubber
Maxxis Ardent 3C (Triple Compound) 2.4 low rolling resistant, traction designed tires never fail to hook-up for me. Love these tires for aggressive all-mountain riding. I like to run the 2-ply tires for riding on the Shore, and Sea-to-Sky corridor as an insurance policy against flats.
The rubber of choice for 2010. Photo: Eamonn Duignan
Drivetrain
For cranks I am running Truvativ’s answer to all-mountain riding, the Stylo OCT. My 170mm Stylos weigh in at 913 grams with the bash guard, and includes both a 24 and a 36 tooth chain ring. I find this team provides the perfect range for climbing and descending, regardless of topography, when combined with my 11-34 Sram PG-990 rear cassette. For pedals, I am running the Truvativ Holzfeller’s, which feature mean looking replaceable spikes, plus an oversized spindle and cartridge bearings. As for my rear derailleur, well, custom colour options, 192g, CNC’d 100% carbon outer cage, titanium main spring, 1:1 actuation ratio all make my Sram X.O short cage derailleur the caffeine AND taurine in my energy drink of a drivetrain. Like I said before, X.O performs.
The power producer-Truvativ and Sram. Photo: Eamonn Duignan
Look ma, I'm chainless! Photo: Jerry Willows
There you have it. My 2011 Slayer dissected. And of course I'd be bikeless without the help and support of Rocky Mountain, Sram, RockShox, Truvativ, Avid, Maxxis, WTB, Dakine, and RaceFace.
Eamonn gets some good gigs - and riding a 2011 bike in 2010 is a fine example. Note - Eamonn is an nsmb team rider and as such this is not meant to be an unbiased and thorough review of the frame and spec presented. Eamonn wouldn't lie to you - but we like to be straight up when there might be a perception of bias.
What do you think about Eamo's Slayer and his spec? Hack on him at will here...
Goat Style 2010
Posted by on 2010-07-12
So Goat Style was a success. Lots or riding, crazy windstorms, Partys, and lots of people. Reece Wallece, Matt Montandon, ( the Airprentice winner) and I started are tip off in whistler at about 9:30 Am. we all met up at my place in whistler and packed up my small 1995 VW golf that has no muffler, no clutch, or headlights... once we where all jamed up into my "compact" car we made started are long drive to Creston B.C. about two hours into are drive we arived in Vancouver, where we pulled into the Toyota headquarters where we unloaded the Golf and loaded up are bikes and bags into a Brand new 2011 Scion XB! we got everything loaded and on the road shortly in when felt like a fararii compared to my hurting golf. nine and half hours we where in cresrton and checked into are hotel and in bed resting up for a big day full of practice and fridaynight lights...
The next moring we made are way over to the cource after a quick breakfest at the Break in time Cafe. looking over the cource at first glance i was super stoked! they had defently upped the size of the contest from last year wish i was pumped on.
The top of the cource, a lot bigger then years past!
practice went really well thhat day got all the lines diald had an idea of what i was going to do in my runs the next day. once practice came to a close everyone grabbed a shovel, rake, hose and went to work making the last two jumps butter for the upcoming friday night lights contest. once the sun was down they broke out the flud lights and let the 20 rides loose on the cource starting at the "wale tale" feature on the cource and coming into the last two jumps.... tones of people got a buch of cash, greg threw a perfect double backflip. mike tryed his new California role, logan did some sevens, and flipwhips, I got my first frontflip tuck on dirt, and tryed frontflipping out of the wale tale (something i had been thinking about for a wile).
day two brought us the qualifiers. I woke up that morning soarer then i have ever been from blowing up on the front out of the wale tale the night befor i evened up with a fractured left foot, giant charlie horse on my right leg, black eye, and a seperated shoulder. after breakfest and 8 tylonol i decided i was not going to ride as i was just way to sore and beat up. being the person i am though i could not stay off my bike. once I saw the senoir advanced boys out practicing i got the medial staff to tape up my foot and shoulder and i grabed my killswich and headed up for my quallie runs. I was not going to push it to qualify i figured i would get to the bottom and call it since I was in so much pain. I ended up with a pretty solid safe run, nothing close to what I had planned but under the sercemstances I was happy. ended up in 12th spot at the end of the day!
Justin fliping it up in qualies
shortly after the senior advanced qualifiers had ended Hericane Billy hit.... a gnarly wind storm we names Billy raged throug the town of creston ripping tents banners and not to mention the start feature to the cource down! Luckly no one was hurt and the goat style crew pulled an all nighter cleaning and rebuiding a sick new start feature to the cource.
Goatpocalips after the huricane billy rolled through Creston
the morning of finals we all got up early to go take a look at the new start feature on the cource. we where all a little nervuse not having any practice on it and having are final runs that day with only a short practice before. Everyone got sorted on the new drop in and it wa game on. I had just squeeked into the finals with a score of 65.00 getting me 12th spot, so I was first to drop. I ended up with two pretty solid runs landing me in 4th place over
Justin spinning the wale tale in his final run
all, I was stoked! Aggy finished up 3rd, Mike M (M&M) in 2nd, and double or nothing greg in 1st. It was an awesome weekend and can not wait untill next year! the goatstyle crew killed it again with a steller cource and great hospitality.
Big thanks to Nsmb, Scion for hooking my up with the XB for the weekend, Blackmarket, Rockstar energey drinks, and Demon Dirt.
AIRprentice Entourage
Posted by Trevor Hansen on 2010-07-03
AIRprentice day 1 contestants, team guys, sponsors, Silverstar guides and a bunch more = one big entourage...Jerry called shotty on being Turtle. Some AIR p day 1 entourage shots taken with a Nokia N900 phone - the AIRprentice winner's phone.
Everybody checking out the new never ridden before step-up, ladder step-down to hipper.
We sessioned the vault with the boys hitting everything on their big bikes (except Matt M. who shredded huge on his hardtail.
Cam,"It was this big." Tippie,"No dude it was this big. And did you hear the one about..."
The vault session overview.
Former nsmb.com rider Barb Haley and some random dude falling all over her.
2011 Specialized Demo8 - Initial Impression
Posted by jaydub on 2010-06-29
A few weeks ago I took delivery of next years Specialized Demo8 to bash around the steep and deep of the North Shore and beyond. I have it tough, I know. It is nice to see the major players recognize the North Shore as a great testing ground.
Here are major differences from this years model that Sam Hill won the WC DH series last year:
- 12x150mm thru axle (actually not much stiffer but the DH crowd demanded this)
- 83mm shell (handles OSBB, BB30, PF30 and threaded cups)
- adjustable geo (13.5"/64 - 13.9"/64.5) via a eccentric shock mount. The 13.5/64 is the same as the 2010 model.
- ISCG 05
- 16.6" chainstays (slightly shorter)
- frame is close to a 1lb lighter
- 3.0" x 9.5" shock. A little more travel and less leverage ratio.
- narrower design that sheds mud better
- headtube around 8mm shorter for lower body position
- lower overall center of gravity
So, what does it look like !
Ain't she pretty. Apparently there will be 2 colour schemes for 2011.
You can see where they shed some light. Shock is super easy to take out now.
The welds are drop dead sexy. Early spyshots had the bike pegged as being carbon.
You can see how everything is so much sleeker. Mud is not going to collect in too many places. You can also see the new BB shell.
So how does it ride ? I'll compare it to the 2010 Demo8 and it's quite noticeable. The travel is more progressive and it feels like there is a lot more of it. I know the term "bottomless" has been way over used but this is how it felt. No harshness at all.
I had the suspension setup by the team at SuspensionWerx and ended up with around 27% sag front and rear. I managed to get a 2.5" Ti spring on the shock (stroked out to 3.5") and it saved over 300 grams. Nice bonus. I really can't stress how important is to have your suspension setup properly and maintained. No matter what bike you ride.
I found on the knarlier trails that I ride all the time I was taking more aggressive lines and generally more confident riding. With the lower center of gravity it feels more stable and with the more rearward travel, it is more planted than previous models.
I've had 3 days in Whistler so far and can really notice that it turns more aggressively in the corners, less pop on the takeoffs and just generally more planted.
So far pretty stoked on the new bike.
Here's a couple of boring shots off my Blackberry while filming with Digger on his last flick "The Last Dig".
The main dude behind North Shore trail building. Buy his DVD when it comes out so he's not so grumpy. Location unknown.
Old guy still ripping it up !
Big shout out to Buckwheat at John Henry Bikes for building this puppy from the ground up.
Next up, 2011 SX Trail.
Cheers,
JW
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