29ers big wheels, big talk, big speed?

The 29er revolution just keeps on rolling on and gaining momentum. It is the great unknown until you have tried it for yourself. If you speak to the guys who ride them it may seem like they are evangelists but they are really just trying to tell you that it is a different ride.

It is difficult to explain and quantify. I can equate it to the new bike feeling, that's the fast feeling that you get when you ride a new bike for the first few times. Somehow it just seems to go better than your old bike. It feels like the big wheels roll faster and easier over the rocks and the bike feels very stable.

Don't be fooled though a 29er hardtail is no replacement for a 26" full sus, 0" travel just isn't the same as 4" travel no matter how big the wheels.

But the big wheels sure are fun to ride, even if they are a bit heavier.

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Epic bubble or epic growth?

Are we in a stage race bubble or is it just epic growth? 

The definition of an economic bubble is "trade in high volumes at prices that are considerably at variance with intrinsic values". High volumes, well there are almost more MTB stage races than one day races at the moment and every year another few events enter the annual calendar. In fact there are very few if any individuals who can claim to have done all the stage races in the country. Everyone is doing them, rugby players, soccer players, TV presenters, comedians and even roadies!

 

When the first stage race, the Cape Epic emerged it offered a challenge second to none and a unique concept of being fully catered. Entry fee for the first race in 2004 R3900 per rider, then in 2005 it jumped to R5600 for the 8 day race. Buy 2007 it was costing R5950 and this year in 2011 the entry fee was R14500 per rider and the 2012 fee is set at R17700. That is quite a steep increase in price and if you consider that the race does not offer significantly more value. It is still essentially the same, 7-8 days riding and staying in tents with catering style food. Is that worth paying in excess of R2000 per day for? Its big business for sure with races like the Absa Cape Epic being billed as entrepreneurial success stories. Add into the mix the fact that we have entered an extended global downturn where consumers are demanding more for less and it makes you wonder whether the bubble is getting a bit large. 

Sani2c entries for 2012 are up to R4500 per rider for 3 days riding. Thats R1500 a day for a shared tent and catered food. granted there are tons of extras and free food throughout so definitely more added value there. Both of these events are still oversubscribed and although it is difficult to get an entry initially it seems to be getting easier to pickup an entry later on as the years pass, indicating that the demand may be dropping off. There is a definite heard mentality around these events as everyone wants to get them behind their name. So it definitely appeals to first timers, but for the returning masses who have got the kit and the medals the queations are being asked, what else could I do with this money, take the family on a holiday or organise an overseas riding trip with my mates? 

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Its not about the training program.

Training programs are a dime a dozen and the best training program around is the one that you will follow. If you don't follow it then it doesn't matter how good it is and it is really no better than a blank piece of paper.

So the next time you want a training program then consider some basic sanity checks. Can you make the time to follow it? Is it simple, do you understand it?, Is it flexible, can you achieve it? How realistic it is for you to do considering your current time constraints and fitness level?

Remember that with all training programs what you get out of the program is what you put into it. So its not about the training program its about you.

Oh, and if you substitute coach for program above, then you can draw a similar conclusion.

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Relax and take a deep breath

Relax and take a deep breath, it is guaranteed to give you a boost. When you are riding you get caught up in the excitement, the tension, the concentration and yes the exhaustion. When you are on a climb, or even better before a climb, just relax and take a few deep breaths, you will feel the extra oxygen work its way through your body to the muscles as your heart rate drops ever so slightly and you feel a boost. I do it all the time, especially when the going gets really tough. It also works on the downhills and before those really technical bits that are frightening. It even works when you crest the peak or come around a blind corner and see the world below you, relax take a deep breath and take it all in.

So next time that you are suffering, or frightened or zoned out, remember take a deep breath and relax, its your free drug - oxygen.

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Training is a journey

Mountain bike training is a journey, just like a travelling journey it is something that can have various outcomes depending on when, where, how and why. A journey has no defined rules but rather a set of guidelines depending on the circumstances and the traveler. That is why there is not just one training plan, they all exist to address some specific needs of the traveler and to reach the desired destination. The most important part of a training plan is to know why you are doing it, how you are going to get there and where you would like to arrive. The training journey is made up of many many trips, each one of them plays a part to get you to your ultimate destination. Sometimes you get lost, sometimes you stop and rest for a while, but at the end of the day you must continue on that long journey. 

Keep looking at the map or GPS and keep on moving, its the only way that you will get there. Once you think you have arrived you will see more hills in the distance and realise that this really is a journey 

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New XT groupset out now

Coming to a mountain bike near you is the all new XT groupset from Shimano. The Deore XT groupset is a favorite amongst the majority of serious mountain bikers. It has always offered great technology and durability at a reasonable cost. The first XT groupset was born in 1982 and the last major XT upgrade was in 2008.

The trickle down effect of technology is evident with the new XT benefiting from the last upgrades to the XTR race groupset. The new XT groupset is now and features a 2x10 crankset, xt servo-wave brakes and new xt wheelsets for xc and trail riding.

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Dawn Patrol MTB

The early morning mountain bike ride has to be one of the best things about riding MTB. Its hard to get up sometimes when it is still dark and cold but the feeling of achievement once you return in the warm sunlight after a great ride makes it worth it every time. It is the reason that we do it over and over again. Check out our Dawn Patrol Video and get an idea what it is like to catch the first light of the day as it creeps over the hills.

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Stay MTB focused and ride more

Staying focused on your MTB is a lot easier than you may think. All you have to do is stay involved and you will keep your motivation up. How do you do that you may ask? Well reading this is a good start so well done there. In the old days all you could so was join a club or buy magazines or find some riding friends or go to events but now days you can do a whole lot more. Now you can subscribe to useful newsletters and websites, you can join mtb facebook groups and you can follow interesting people on twitter. Following some pros on twitter, or your favorite bike brand or some of the training gurus will help to keep your MTB levels of interest up and keep you motivated for riding. So get more involved and stay informed and you will find yourself wanting to spend more time on your bike.

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Keep warm with winter racing

Stay warm and in shape with some MTB races this winter. Its the best way to stay motivated keep fit and stay on your bike. The Nissan trailseeker series is an excellent race series that runs through the winter in Gauteng. There are a variety of distances to suit all levels with the first event coming up at Hazeldean next weekend. In the Cape there are also races almost every weekend as the winter is when most of the MTBs get dusted off. So get out there and soak up that winter sun.

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The state of the bike industry ......

Our part time engineer, single track lover and general wise guy Christie had some pearls of wisdom recently about the state of the bike industry and its future

I wonder when the bike industry will start thinking outside the box (or should I say circle??) and come up with some real improvements??

 

I suggest they look at the following:

 

1. Make bikes cheaper by offering less options 

2. Design rear suspension bearings to last longer than the frame, improved suspension seals to increase service intervals... 

3. Standardize on frame interfaces such as seat post diameter, bb, headset, axles, brake mounts...

 

but instead of looking at above mentioned improvements to cut cost and survive hard economical times, and at the same time making it more affordable for the less afluant riders, they rather re-invent the wheel and come out with 29'ers, 3 different rear wheel axle options, 3 different front axle options, 10 models of each tire, numerous tapered headset sizes.... to name a few... and these all just inflate costs instead of reducing....

 

I'm all for improvements and using space age technology on bikes, but I would really like to see some standardization on certain things....

 

I mean, do we really need 3 different wheel sizes!!!??? nevermind all the other things like 5 different seatpost sizes....

 

The bike industry currently goes against conventional wisdom and in tough times, instead of consolidating and aim to be more cost effective, it re-invents the wheel (literally..) and brings out yet another specie, which just drives up cost further... it will be interesting see if it will mean the survival or demise of the bike industry over the next 10 years....

 

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Mates on Bikes Pics

Riding MTB with your mates is really what mountain biking is all about. Doing it by yourself is only half the fun. So you must have plenty of stories and pics about the places you ride and the people who you ride with. Thats why we started the Mates on Bikes photo album on our Facebook page. You can go there and upload a pic of you and your mates riding your favorite trails or even some new trails. Tell us where you rode, who was riding with you and what it was like.

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Less training and more speed

We have just completed a successful experiment and proved to ourselves that with less training you can go faster. Sound too good to be true? Well you better believe it, its true.

But there is a catch, you have to train harder. It is just a piece of the training puzzle, but a very valuable piece. It is not a new concept and has been covered by many coaches including guru Joe Friel in his book The Mountain bikers training bible. Bottom line is that if you want to race hard and go fast then you must train hard and train fast. But it must be high intensity, when it feels like torture then you will know that you are doing it right. This is where the less comes in, because you do such high intensity you need to do fewer hours, to allow for recovery and then be able to put in the hard work when you need to. Training is the art of knowing your body mixed with the science of sound training principles. Learn the principles from a decent coach or read some mtb training books. The art will come from experience.

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Sani2c chilly but dry

Sani2c has all the ingredients for awesome mountain biking. It is always
going to be good, but when the sun is shining and all you can see is blue
sky then you can't beat it.

The riders come for the singletrack but they get so much more. Cool
clothing, tons of food and drink, great hospitality and if you own a Subaru
you can get even more. Thanks to all the farmers and organisers involved -
great job!

Joberg2C and Sani2C - its all happening in May

The mountain bike racing feast carries on and KZN continues to catch the mountain biking spotlight. Its all about getting to the sea on your bike down those pristine singletracks that Farmer Glen and his crew have organised. It has to be one of the coolest riding experiences in South Africa, in fact in May its probably going to be a bit of a freezing experience. The Underberg supermarkets must be coining it with all these hungry travelers passing through their sleepy hollow. 

The MTBOnline crew will be riding again as team Snackwells BATSEAL. We will be powered by Snackwells Chips, who are also an official supplier to Subaru Sani2C this year, so look out for those crisps to refuel your tired body. Then of course the tubeless wheels will be filled with BATSEAL tire sealant, our only choice for puncture protection. Bikes will be a full suspension Morewood Zula and a GT Zaskar 29er, both bikes fitted with Shimano groupsets and Ritchey components.

If you are riding Sani2C then good luck and see you on the trail, if not then check out this sani2c video of Day 2 and see what you will be missing out on. 

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Downhill finals video from UCI World Cup

The UCI World Cup in Pietermaritzburg has come and gone. Here is our final update on this event. It is a video of the downhill finals that went down to the wire with Greg Minnaar doing us proud. The video features snippets all the way down the track of most of the woman's and men's finalists, including several up and coming South Africans and all the big names including Peat, Atherton, Garcia, Minnaar and Neetling. Greg missed the top step by less than a quarter of a second to USA rider Aaron Gwin. The vibe and crowd noise on Greg's final run was something special. If you want to get exercise and watch sport at the same time then get out and support downhill MTB races, even the qualifying rounds, its the most fun you will have off your bike.

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