Paris' new Jamis Xenith 2014 Team bike, up spec’ed to Dura Ace Di2 and SRAM Quarq

All cyclists are familiar with the big brands ala Specialized, Giant, Scott and Merida here is a brand that can rival all and is producing some of the best ride quality bikes out there, ENTER the new 2014 Jamis Xenith road bikes.

To start ask most USA domestic team riders after a few drinks what is their favourite bike they have ridden and sure as shit it will be the Xenith. Jamis pro road team: Jamis-Hagens Berman had stellar results with stage wins at the Amgen Tour of California and USA Pro Cycling Challenge, as well as several other domestic events. 2014 Xenith line is a refinement of the teams development and one kick ass bike, a complete redesign of the Jamis’s tried-and-true carbon rig.

Ok well my bike isn’t exactly stock however is as dreamie as you can make it! A true mongrel of the best parts I believe is in the market to date:

Frame wise is the top end models Xenith SL and the Team are the same in different colour swatches- one red one white. Mine is the Team same carbon count and lay up as the SL. The Team comes with full 11 speed Sram Red, which I use on my Jamis Supernova Team CX bike, and works like a dream. However as I am brand manager for Magellan GPS we have been working with Shimano on integrating Di2 gearing into the Cyclo500 head unit, so you can view your current gearing and battery status on your device and analyse the gear data after your ride. This is something where the future of auto pilot or automatic gearing will go along with some great post processing software that can tell me what power I am most effectively producing in what gear ratio’s, etc.

Check out DC rainmakers site for full details : http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2014/03/mio-di2-wireless-control.html

 So for development purposes this I have splashed out on Dura Ace 9070 Di2 11 speed, front and rear derailleurs, DA shifters and internal wiring which the frame is setup for although there is no Di2 bike in the stocked range this year. Then to cap off my pre baby spending spree I added the most stable and attainable power meter cranks to the Jamis the SRAM Quarq Red 53/39-172.5mm crankset. I cannot stress enough to never buys a SRM due my own personal experiences with SRM New Zealand service centre (however that is a whole another story which am happy tell anyone).

Now Shimano will tell you that you will reduce the seamlessness of the shifting if you use an Quarq with DA Di2 due to the chainrings, however I have not had any issues and super happy with the Quarq and Di2 living in symbiosis. As for wheels I will race the bike with my HED’s and train on the Cole C24 lite http://www.colewheels.com/pages/product.php?type=road&id=1&ids=Road%20Clincher and they look and ride sweetly seem like built proof wheels and good for 10000km’s As for contact points this puppy is riddled with Ritchey WCS carbon bars (44cm) wrapped with Fizik super sticky bar tape, 100m WCS carbon stem, WCS carbon post with an internal Di2 battery inserted in post, real easy to fit and don’t need to go down the route of buying a Shimano Pro specific post (all that is needed is to wrap some bartape around the battery and twist her in tightly) and a 125gram SLR seat (hard to come by nowday’s).

 

As for the ride I will update you on this as have only ridden a few km’s on her and all I could tell is the excelaration is ridiculous out the blocks. So can only imagine that will have no excuses but too make sure I do the bike justice by going hard on her over the next year!
 Here are a few detailed pics for the review:

 

 

 

TRP front barke has huge power and that aero feel again

 

The lines look great without a rear brake on the stays

 

 A beefed up BB for Gripel and his mates power transfer

 

Internal routing for Di2 on frame

 

 The hidden rear brake is give it nice clean look and a few seconds off your PB's

 

Pivot Mach Pivot 429 review

I did this review for Australia Mountain Bike magazine on the Pivot 429 a few months ago and photo shoot with Mark "Watto" Watson. Which is always good as Watto is the photographer that never wants to take pics of any bike (MTB or Motocross) with both wheels on the ground, as his own bike skills pertains to throwing himself off ledges and generally hurting himself in some way. Which I commend and can relate to so we work well together and hence why is photo’s have coveted almost every sports magazine globally.

Within just over 5 years, Pivot bikes have found the pure essence of developing Mountain bikes for mountain bikers. The vast experience brought by founder Chris Cocalis, who previously started Titus bikes 13 years ago, is clearly evident. The thing which I like about Pivot is that their predominant focus is developing high end dual suspension bikes. Like many great US and Canadian MTB companies they concentrate mainly on the MTB market, and these guys ride and test internally. The influence of Pivot’s Phoenix Arizona base can be suspected as the bike feels like it is built to handle challenging rocky drops and proper mountain biking, not just open fire roads. When a full suspension bike can feel good in various terrains, and push you to want to challenge yourself with the lines you take, you know you have a sweet ride.

Frame To put it straight out there, the highlight of this bike for me has to be the tried and tested DW link suspension. This suspension just works so good, the efficiency reminds me of riding my old Turner 6 years ago but with a further fifteen years technology on top of it. Pivot has nailed it for pedal efficiency with next to no pedal bob or squat when hammering the flats and climbs. The bike begs you to get out the saddle and try hammer down those XT cranks as hard as you can. For me the choice for riding a 29er makes riding easier, softer, and soaks up the rough stuff with ease, saving energy to ride longer and harder. The test bike frame was stealth black and seems like it would be pretty durable and not mark as easily as some carbon frames. I like the solidness of the frame and has some real tough looking pivots, bearings and the carbon rocker surrounded with some bling red anon parts make for an ascetically pleasing frame. The Mach 429 frame is made from hydroformed 6000 series aluminum tubing and 3D hollow aluminum forgings leading to a strengthened grain of the alloy. Although it does not turn out as the lightest bike in the pack, once I started riding it felt like I was back on a BMX and certainly didn’t feel heavy under my bum and rolled smoothly. Guys who ride in soft sand may want to watch the sand build up around the lower bearings as it does tend to suck sand and create a nice ledge for granules it to sit. The cockpit is nice and tight, well suited to putting the bike low into singletrack corners. The cornering was good for a 29er, and was not far off the capabilities of a 26er bursting out of the corners with minimal flex and transferring the power well. I did find the front end doesn’t pop as easy as other bikes, could be due to the fairly longer chainstay length, but this has its pro’s and con’s. Along fast rooty tracks where you might need quick front end lifts, I found myself just floating over obstacles with little effort. The handling tracks well with the 120mm CTD fork and goes where you point the bars, and although is probably not as nibble as a 100mm fork, but then you compromise the all mountain aspect of this bike.

Spec’s Pivot Mach429 Pro is one of the better spec’ed alloy bikes. I liked the fact that it has FSA carbon bars and post. With mostly XT components you know it’s a solid build topped with some carbon bling. The new XTR dyna-sys rear derailleur shifts 100’s with the ability to hinder chain slap. The thru-axles bolts on the front and rear makes for a stiff ride adding to better overall ride. I had a few punctures and changing the rear tube was as quick as with a QR release. The added stiffness and knowing your wheel is locked in, is a winner. Along with the Kashima Fox shocks, it looks the part with gold sanctions and I found the soft and firm adjustment did its job. I played with the rear shock settings whilst riding and didn’t really feel like it changed much which is testimony to how good the suspension works.

I took out the bike on a rainy day and found the XT brakes precise, and questioning why someone would pay for XTR brakes unless you are a weight weenie. Also threw it off some drop-offs which it handled well, but needed to centre weight a little further back to keep the front end up. I didn’t feel like the 100mm rear bottomed out and was deceptively plush in areas. Although the Stans ZTR Crest wheelset did untrue on the rear, you can’t really go past the quality of STAN’s rims and hubs for durability (not too sure if these are stock wheels). The 2.2 Kenda Slant tyres rolled well and stuck like glue to the dirt especially when climbing loose technical gradients, which was probably more down to the superior suspension. As far as things I would upgrade down the line are really little petty things: ESI grips to soak up vibrations, saddle of choice as WTB Volt is not for everyone- and that’s it really. The bottom-line price of $6099 with XT/XTR is what you are up for, unlike competitor’s bikes, begging for carbon bars and posts, etc. For an alloy bike it not the cheapest bike out there, but if you factor in spec’s, this bike can tick as many boxes as there is, no need for to two bikes. I believe it can handle aggressive terrain and can still mix it up on the less tech XC courses along with hopefully beating your mates to the top of the hill and down.

Verdict The bike feels as solid as a new Land Rover under you (which hopefully won’t leak oil). Although a little on the heavy side to race in the front pack, am positive it will get you through most XC or multiday stage races. Once you fling your leg over and start pedaling the efficiency and power transfer slaps you in the face over and over begging you to push harder in almost all area’s of the trail. There’s a lot of choice out there for bikes in different price brackets, but certainly throw the Pivot Mach 429 into the mix if you are looking for an all-rounder that climbs like a hardtail and descends like an AM bike. Personally would like to see some weight shredded on the frame somehow. If money wasn’t an object would love the carbon frame version with XX1.

Also note that the new Mach 429 carbon frame is now available, so if you got the cash to front up for the carbon model, I would consider the lighter faster option.

Rocky Mountain Element970 RSL 2014 review in AMB mag

For the past 2 years my life I have been entrenched in the outdoor and fitness technology world. Health gadgets and new fitness technology have boomed and working for Magellan has exposed me to all these awesome tech products that are cutting edge which ultimately aims at improving your fitness levels.

However todays post is going to be on my passion MTB bikes. I am lucky enough be supported by Rocky Mountain bikes and here is a recent bike review I wrote on the middle level Rocky Mountain Element 970RSL with all pictures taken by Lyndon Marceau which made the front cover of Australia's premuim MTB mag:AMB along with some behind the scence shots:

Bikes intrigue us cyclists, from the looks to the new moldings to the origin of the bike brand. When I think of Rocky Mountain bikes, the origin of the brand kind of tells the story. Canadian Rockies means core raw mountain biking, aggressive challenging trail riding to endless flowing single track and big rooty switchback climbs, to me this is encompassed by British Columbia. I have been lucky enough just to return from the BC bike race which spends 7 days riding through the home of Rocky Mountain, so I hope to accurately depict the capabilities of this bike from an educated view point.

The Element 950RSL is a bike which a privateer can ride with pride. Sporting a good solid build, without any over kills, you know that you have a spec’ed steed that will last and be affordable to replace down the line. With SLX brakes, shifters and front derailleur paired with XT rear derailleur, I found these more than adequate. The stopping power was as good as XT just not as smooth. The SLX rapid fire triggers snapped in place every time, jumping through the gears well. The Race face triple chain ring was something different for me as I haven’t ridden a triple ring for 5 years now, and although I’m coming from XX1, I found it no less of a regression. Knowing that not everyone has legs like Gripel, this setup suits all types of riding terrains, and is favored in British Columbia as makes the bike adaptable.

Another bonus is FOX’s CTD remote (which I found myself using as often as shifting the front ring), yes it’s a little ugly and cumbersome but I love the flick of the one switch to stiffen up the bike (front and rear suspension simultaneously) ensuring all your pedal power is being spent effectively. In “C” mode for climb the rear locks and the front stiffens for out of the saddle efforts. The rear suspension layout is dubbed by Rocky Mountain as “Smoothlink Suspension”, but to describe in laymen terms it neutralizes the chain tension so it doesn’t affect the suspension, allowing the suspension to remain active and supple whilst still hammering the pedals. The fairly short chainstay keeps the feeling of a sporty ride and giving the rear wheel good traction at all times.

The Shimano spec’s are common to most brands although Rocky Mountain pairs Race face components which very few brands use, and is a nice change. I can talk all day about spec’s and components but I believe the real bulk of this review should be on the frame and ride. The Element sets itself apart from the pack due to a frame geometry that really works. Rocky Mountain knows they have a winning geometry with this bike and I doubt they will be making too many changes for 2014. It’s evident the bike is built for speed, it translates pedal power so effectively and in corners it begs to be dropped lower and truly leaves the rider wanting to ride longer and harder. Targeted at the endurance XC rider wanting to take it a up a level, this bike is a definite KOM smasher and totally race worthy. Like it’s big brothers the Element 970RSL and 999RS, it sports a carbon front triangle, the only thing setting it apart frame wise is the 950RSL has an Alu rear triangle and honestly wouldn’t need too many upgrades to bling it out for race day, all I would suggest is a tubeless Stan’s wheelset , new tyres and saddle of choice along with some foam grips.

Another sweet addition for the more all mountain rider would be dropper post , which could be setup with the cable internally routed as the frame has provisioned for it. Apart from the rear brake all the cabling is internally routed which keeps the frame looking clean and sleek. The surprising quality about the Element is how well it climbs, but you just have to look at the frame to tell that it has great downhill capability and handles superbly through the technical sections. A flick of a switch to D (Descend) on the Fox CTD and your rear suspension opens up to a plush effective ride, finding yourself aiming your heels down, weight slightly behind the saddle, softly gripping the bars and pointing it over lines you never knew you were competent to choose on your xc bike and that’s when your smiling to the max. Your perception starts changing on where you point the bars and how far you look down the track giving yourself the competitive advantage of keeping your momentum and flow.

The debate of 26,27.5 and 29 seems irrelevant once you start riding an Element 29er, as it rolls over obstacles with ease and holds tight lines through the corners due to a fairly short top tube and a 15mm through axle hub coupled with a 12x142 rear through axle which stiffens it up nicely. The cockpit is compact and gives you a great feel of control on braking or downward pedal strokes. The bottom bracket does seem fairly low when shocks are fully open but I never experienced a problem. The Raceface handlebars come standard at 720mm and can be cut down with ease to suit the rider.

Conclusion: No doubt the market segment for the Element is for a XC rider/racer wanting to spend more hours in the saddle on a light weight responsive bike. But the 950RSL extends itself to large range of riders at a competitive price. I wouldn’t box it into a pure XC bike as is so much more capable than that, and feel that it can handle the most aggressive trails with ease and attacks with speed. As the Fox32 Float 100mm will inspire the most XC focused rider, I can only praise the Canadian based company for balancing a bike that ticks so many boxes all in one: speed, efficiency, comfort and performance.

Race pics

Day 6 and 7 BCBR final update

Day 6 and 7. Day 6 was in Squamish, where Carrie and I spent 4 days before the race riding in the rain sussing out the trails which the race follows. After a good day in the saddle the previous day, I decided that is the day I could go out and hammer and leave nothing to shape on the course, in hope to gain some lost time from the previous wrong turns. We had a plan that I was going to ride with a hydration pack and all my food for the day, so I would start a little heavier than most the front pack riders. As these guys are running as light as they can, carry just gels and one water bottle on the bike and possible a small bottle in their jersey. For me I have found on the longer stages to have the Camelbak has been good (yes a little heavier). Just for the fact that the trails are so engaging and there is so little opportunity to grab your water bottle and sip that much needed water. The pace at the front is so furiously fast at all times, you just don’t get a chance to grab the bottle. Also I lost a bottle on day 2 hammering down the Enduro segment, which left me little dehydrated post race.

Day 6 : 110% was plan with only one day left after this stage. Ride through the 2 water stations not stopping to grab food or water just keep the head down and try gain time on the guys in front of me! As the gun went off the pack set off at the usual time trial pace up road to the gravel fireroad which quickly splits the pack. The starts are hectic as the 550 riders are broken into 12 starting groups of 50 based on your overall time. Obviously I am in the 1st group the “Red dot group” which means we have the top 50 punters all gunning at the start for a decent position. I haven’t stressed too much about being first on the line in the groups, as the pace is so fast out the blocks the hierarchy quickly gets sorted out as you hit the first hill which is within the first 5 km, then the pack just blows apart. I have just made sure that within the first 2km I am nicely jammed in behind the pros trying to draft as much as gravel road allow. At this point I am maxing out for the next 10km as I can stick with the Pros/top dudes (which is normally a pack of 12 of us). In the pack we are now getting to know each other and riders strengths, which is good as some guys are super strong on the climbs and flats but loose heaps of time on the techie single track trails. So it is important to position yourself correctly in the pack to make sure you don’t get dropped as you hit the first section of single track. Once we hit the 15-20km things start blowing apart in the pack, as for me I have been redlining for +- 45min’s and the attacks start to surge pace. So the pack will break up and I have found myself in a smaller pack of 4-5 normally the same guys, setting our own pace. Then came the first Enduro- PseudoTsuga; a 2km pump, flow burms singletrack with double jumps and some loose corners. The Enduros have become a bit of a focus to me, so I made sure I was first into the trailhead and then let the fun flow downhill to pops out of at the water station. First water station came up and sure enough the guys stopped so I hammered on through to their dismay. And 1km up the road Carrie, Simon and Alex where eagerly awaiting with a water bottle. It was a smooth transition over to a new water bottle and was quickly back into the hurt box all by myself, no one but me and my pain! So it was head down and hammer time. The 20km’s I just rode in the red, my heart rate was at around the 154-163 bpm, the trails were well suited to me, as they were techie, rooty, tight turning singletracks (Powerhouse plunge, Hoods in the woods to Far side). I rode all by myself till Carter and the German gladiator (on a hardtail) caught me at the 40km mark with 8km to go, at this point I put down the gas on a tight single track and Carter and I broke zee German. With 4km to go the lactic had set in my legs after the big push we hit the last little climb, which left me feeling like I was riding backwards. Carter past me and I didn’t have the legs to hang on to his tail up the climb. But after the climb with 2km to go I went into time trial mode knowing the finish was only 5mins away. So it was head down and turn those cranks over hard and in a big gear. Before I knew it I could hear the crowd at the finishline BUT couldn’t see any pink/red ribbon marking the course. Yes I had missed a turn AGAIN 1km from the finish, there were some arbs sitting on the side of the road which I yelled at them in total panic “ have you seem any riders?” and they just looked at me as if I was some doped cyclist on a bender. So I turned around and rode back for 3 mins up the road to find a junction and raced along it to the finshline. I crossed the line obviously in such a state after pushing so hard for 3hrs and then the panic buttons all still engaged. To see three guys already across the line who were behind me the whole race was a sad feeling. I had worked so hard that day and taken risks to gain the time which I need to move up to top 10. Although I crossed the line in 11th position (which is an awesome result) I was bummed as should have/could have finish in 8 or 9th which would have been the first time I had cracked the top 10 finish. But that is racing and lessons are always learnt in the most stressed position. Still I knew that day I had given everything I could and left nothing on the course and had the legs after 6 days of hard racing to gain on my competition. It’s a good feeling when your legs are getting stronger and the guys around you are fading.

The final stage: Day 7 Whistler: The final day 25km’s, you would think that this would be a breeze after racing double that every day for 6days prior. But I was warned this was not an easy day in the saddle. The first climb was straight up and downhill run for 5km, the down a hectic but super fun downhill run with huge berms and 6ft jumps on it. I was cautioned not to hit the jumps too hard on a XC bike. The start was once again hectic as everyone knew it was there last chance to gain that position they wanted. I start rows back in the start shoot as everyone was early into the box wanting a good position. So I had 40 people to pass on the start to get to my normal top10 position, I even at this point waiting for the start said to Carrie, I am too far back in the group! The gun when off and the red group sped off and within 20m from the line some muppet when down next to me and he hit the ground hard with his bike bouncing up and lodging itself behind the rear wheel and my frame. I quickly stopped, threw his bike off mine and raced off to find I had been dropped by the front pack. I fought so hard up “Easy does it” the 5km uphill, passing guys I hadn’t even seen all race, I passed Dre and he commented “why you back here?” so I fought harder, slowly I started recognizing guys I had been riding with for 6 days. I found myself on Carters wheel again knowing that if I am on his wheel I am in the top 10. So sat there all the way down “ Crank it up” which was such a blast going down, as we popped out the track my mate Luke was there with the camera. But I was more focused on Carter who was making a sneaky inside turn on the leaders of the team’s race the Rocky Mountain factory team’s inside. So as we turned I tried to make a tighter turn on their inside only to find myself eating dirt and blood pouring out of my arm and off Carter went up the hill at EPO pace. I hope Luke got the shot of me eating dirt!

The next 17km’s was hammer down, use all the fuel in the tank. No stopping just ride the fastest you can ride to the end. Things went well as blood poured from my arm and through the last Enduro segment which I was now lying 8th overall in, I was focused on following the pink ribbons and getting through the stage to finish this amazing race. I passed Carrie cheering me on in the final stretch of the forest and on to cross the line in the top 10 in 7th place.. It was a good feeling knowing that I had the capability to be in the top 10 and finally getting a smooth race, well as smooth as it goes in mountain biking. I got the finishers belt buckle and T-shirt to show, but the real reward is self-accomplishment. Knowing you can do something, setting goals and gathering mental images that you will keep for life is cool. The BC bike race travels across the most amazing landscape and touches undoubtedly some of the best MTB singletrack in the world! For me it is a proper MTB race that sets the mountain bikers from the roadies, you need skills through the techie sections and it never hurts quite as much working to gain time when you are focused on the challenges of the track not just the pain in your legs. Most stage races aka Cape Epic/Joberg2C is about doing a lot of open fire road km’s, the BCBR takes you to the best singletrack Canada has to offer every day and leaves out the boring stuff to pack in the cherries to 7days of awesome riding. Our experience of the BCRC was gold, from travelling with a great bunch of mates, making new friends for life to having the RV at our disposal we currently didn’t want to leave, we could have carried on doing this for a long long time!