Schnell’s BlackBox Lyrik
It may well be RockShox’s answer to Fox’s Kashima Coat fork stanchion coating – a slick mirrored black finish, which was spotted on Ross Schnell’s Lyrik fork at last weekend’s Downieville Classic. (more…)
Posts Tagged 'Steve Peat'
Minaar takes Leogang
Greg Minaar wins in Leogang by aprox. 0.75 seconds over Gee Atherton.
Rachel Atherton seems to have re-hurt her shoulder in a big crash whilst Jonnier takes the win.
Peaty ends up 6th with a good return to form.
Gee Atherton wins in Fort William
By James Costley-White (bikeradar.com)
Gee Atherton celebrates his win at Fort William (James Costley-White/BikeRadar)
Home favourite Gee Atherton (Commencal) blitzed his way to the win in a thrilling men’s downhill final at today’s UCI Mountain Bike World Cup round in Fort William, Scotland. (more…)
SANTA CRUZ CARBON V10.4
Dirt magazine has been given exclusive access to Santa Cruz’s testing session for their all–new Carbon V10.4 downhill frame. Steve Jones is our man on the ground, and here is what he had to tell us:
Photos:Gary Perkin/SantaCruzBicycles.
6th May. Lousa, Portugal. 8.30am
The entire Santa Cruz Syndicate team are here in Portugal to begin testing on the new carbon V10 bikes. Company owner/founder Rob Roskopp is here, Chief Engineer Joe Graney, Product Manager Josh Kissner. Yup the full Syndicate…Team Manager Kathy Sessler, spanner men Doug Hadfield, Rick Clarkson, Peaty, Minnaar and Bryceland, photo man Gary Perkin, and Sram BlackBox manager John Cancellier. Not only that but Cedric Gracia is providing his inimitable presence. It’s only breakfast time but the place is buzzing. It’s no wonder really, the bikes look amazing.
Up ahead is Lousa downhill track on which they have been conducting the first testing. That’s after a few hectic days. Rick and Doug have been building the bikes flat out and they are now one day into riding. First thoughts from Steve Peat, “It looks amazing and it’s awesome. For sure I will be riding it at Maribor. Didn’t know how they could make the V10 better than it was but this is my new race bike for sure.”
Greg Minnaar is equally upbeat. “It’s a bit longer than the bike I rode last year, it’s definitely different, it outperforms on physical tests, subtle but different. More than anything it’s been the whole process. The bike has been in the pipeline for two years, the first carbon XC that was such a nice change from aluminium, then the Blur LT which was also amazing. They’ve brought V10 out after a lot of testing. I’ve ridden all those shorter travel bikes, so knowing the process it is what I expected and it’s definitely an improvement.”
And Bryceland, he’s just got up. “Carbon. It has been tricky knowing whether to use 8.5″ travel or the 10″ setting. Top and bottom of this track are quite different. Top section is rad with short setting, but the bottom is faster so you are more tired, I couldn’t get that part as fast as with the longer setting. Then swapped around then I couldn’t get top section quite right, but bottom was way quicker. Been timing and I am now on the longer setting.”
After massive anticipation the new downhill bike looks very much on its way to full production. I asked Rob Roskopp how long they had been waiting to get ridden. “Made up medium first and got lab testing done in March. We had to do away with any doubts, they are well over–built. Greg rode in Santa Cruz last week.”
V10 CARBON
Visually it’s very different, loads lower than previous. Sleeker and no doubt faster. The weight difference is obviously up there on the list of changes.
TRAVEL
It can be swapped between 8.5″ and 10″ and a range of settings and geometry. Headtube in 10″ setting can go between 64 and 66 degrees and IN half degree increments. IN THE 8.5″ setting 63 and 65 degrees. It’s a full degree slacker. But you can do whatever you want.
“The front triangle has 125mm headtube with 1.5″, about the same as last year’s custom frames for the Syndicate. The team have very unique set ups, each thought they were on frames totally different but really they were the same. Production wise large is longer. Reach and stack is what people discuss mostly – about 20mm longer on large than it was, and the medium is longer as well” says Joe Graney
ADJUSTABILITY
Why with adjustability? “People have difficulty knowing the advantage of a ten–inch bike. Different people have different preferences depending on where they ride. You need the adjustability of adjustable travel.”
Bottom bracket has stayed the same between last years. 14.75″ in long travel, and in 8.5″ mode its 14″
LINKS
Top link. BMC (bulk moulding compound) carbon link. The previous had a foam centre, this process is now the same on other bikes. Directional material inside. Solid carbon link now.
Lower link. Bearing is now housed inside lower link. Rubber lip seal, double seal bearing and larger diameter axle. Same style as all VPP bikes now.
SHOCK RATE
Tweaked shock rate slightly, now running 9.5″ x 3.0″ shock, which was what they were racing on aluminium bikes last year. Things might change on testing but they will be pretty invisible. Major difference is that in the 8.5″ setting it now feels like there’s not as much suppleness on the beginning of the stroke compared to the longer bike.
WEIGHT
900g less than what they raced on last year. Production weights to be determined.
STANDOVER
Standover way lower. “Way the hell down”.
MATERIAL
Half inch of carbon up front. “We couldn’t break it in test lab. Casing a jump? Forget it, the jump will break first!”
SWINGARM
The swingarm is identical to the Driver 8. Maxle rear end. The crucial point is that it’s made of aluminium.
Santa Cruz are keen to point out that this is not an official bike launch as such. Joe Graney continues the story before we head off up the hill. “We’ve still got some way to go. It’s not signed off yet. If it was all done the guys would just go and be racing it. That’s why we are all here to work through things and get some quality testing done. Everyone seems pretty stoked though even after just a day.”
This is an important bike for Santa Cruz. It comes at a key time when a few other companies have been lowering the weight. It’s crazy how many new bikes have been coming out of Santa Cruz recently. Just before we head onto hill I grabbed Roskopp again and asked him how the riders were feeling. “Changing direction appears to be different, it’s quicker. The bike is more predictable at the front end. The guys have been commenting on how much easier it feels to be manualling through sections, changing lines quickly. Stiffness and weight. Some of the guys said I was like a kid in a candy shop when they first arrived. We’ve launched a lot of stuff in last six weeks, but it is great to be here going through performance stuff with the riders.”
Finally how come the move to carbon? “We are all impatient and want to improve stuff. The learning curve in carbon has become extremely quick. Carbon wheels, weight and stiffness improvements. I’m all into performance. I can’t see myself riding aluminium again. But I’m lucky and can choose, the carbon is just that much better.”
OK, more later on the day’s testing. Check out full spec sheet to follow.
Steven Jones
Steve Peat’s Carbon Nomad
Check out the EDGE carbon rims…
Peaty geared up for SPOTY
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By Marc Vesty - BBC Sport
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There were two Sheffield natives who made their mark on the world stage this summer.
But while one was afforded a civic reception in her honour, the other celebrated more conventionally with a Thai meal and a drink with friends.
Jessica Ennis was hailed after winning heptathlon gold at the World Championships in Berlin.
The 23-year-old came back from the disappointment of missing the Beijing Olympics with injury to prove herself on the world stage.
It was a feat that won the hearts of the British public and has seen her tipped as one of the contenders for Sports Personality glory in her home city this December.
The other gem in Sheffield’s sporting crown is Steve Peat.
The 35-year-old finally won the World Downhill Mountain Bike title this year after previously claiming four silver medals in 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2008.
The down-to-earth rider from Chapeltown, who won gold in a thrilling race in Canberra, admitted that, prior to the race in Australia, he practised reverse psychology which gave him a new edge.
“Before this race I actually said to myself ‘I will never win the Worlds’, but I think doing that helped lift the pressure that I had put on myself, and it might have been a big factor in why I managed to win this year,” he explained.
A proud Yorkshireman, Peat is now looking forward to BBC Sports Personality of the Year being held in his home city on 13 December.
“The city will be loving it, we have huge sporting pedigree and I think this will be supported well by the whole of Sheffield,” he said.
In fact, ask Peat his favourite sporting moment from this year and his answer gives away his firm regional roots.
“My favourite sporting moment this year was seeing fellow Sheffielder Jessica Ennis bring home the World Champs,” he said.
British cycling is in the midst of a golden generation with incredible success on the track, road and on the dirt.
But while cyclists Chris Hoy, Victoria Pendleton, Bradley Wiggins and Mark Cavendish have enjoyed high-profile success and recognition, outside of the world of Downhill, Peat’s success story is less well known.
After 15 years of racing, Peat has amassed a staggering three World Cup championship wins, two European championship titles and eight British championships but he insists he is not bitter about the fame enjoyed by the British track and road cyclists.
“Everyone knows Downhill is the hardest and the pressures for us are a lot bigger, so I don’t see why I need to complain,” says a mischievous Peat.
“I chose to do this sport instead of something more mainstream.”
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Indeed, Peat has a worldwide fanbase to rival stars of more mainstream sports, and over a month after winning the World Championships he still modestly dedicates his win to them.
“It was an amazing feeling, more so as I have been trying to win this one for many years. I have a lot of support from fans all over the globe so it was nice for me to be able to win the Worlds and keep them happy too,” he said.
“I have been lucky in my career to always have good fan support. It’s is greatly appreciated and I always try to take time to sign autographs.
“I just have to thank them for their support, it makes me feel special to be able to bring the World Championships back for us all to share.
“This year has been quite special for me, to finally get the world title is huge and I also became the most successful rider (in terms of races won) on the circuit which means a lot to me too.”
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tv_and_radio/sports_personality_of_the_year/8304972.stm
Interbike 2009
Hey all,
Here’s some pictures from the 2009 interbike show in Las Vegas. I’m not in the bike industry, but was lucky enough to have a friend in the industry who could get me in! I felt like a kid in a candy store. Monday and Tuesdays were the outdoor demo days at Boulder canyon just outside Vegas. Lots of fun single track, a downhill course (with shuttle), BMX track, and a few miles of freshly paved road. Toss in most every bike you could think of from vendors like Specialized, Trek, Ellsworth, Cannondale, Santa Cruz, Yeti to name a few and you had cycle geek nirvana! I spent most of Monday riding as many mountain bikes as my legs could handle around the trails. Not being much of a downhiller and watching as they brought down multiple “casualties” I didn’t get up the nerve to try a run….maybe next year. Tuesday was spent riding the multi-thousand dollar road bikes and the assorted “other” breeds of bike like electric assist, elliptical, off road unis, incumbents, etc. Wednesday and Thursday was spent at the convention center at the Sands casino walking the indoor show. Not as fun, but enjoyable non the less. Hope you like the photos!
Saint Bike - Looking an aweful lot like a Yeti 303 or a Knolly
http://www.flickr.com/photos/79804688@N00/sets/72157622336030863/
Steve Peat rounds off his career with a World Championship win in Canberra
Steve Peat takes GOLD in Canberra!
Sources: BBC, Mpora and Freecaster.tv
Britain’s Steve Peat ended a run of disappointment by securing the World Downhill Mountain Bike title.
Peat, who has claimed four silver medals in the event, finally claimed gold in a thrilling race in Canberra.
The Sheffield 35-year-old won in two minutes, 30.33 seconds, just 0.05 secs clear of Greg Minnaar while reigning champion Gee Atherton was sixth.
“I have had such bad luck at the World Championships but today I had an awesome run,” said Peat.
Australian Michael Hannah, who ended up in third, had set the fastest mark before Peat, runner-up in 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2008, clocked his time on the 2.4km course.
“I’ve been trying for a long time and it’s just an unreal feeling”
World champions Steve Peat
More dirt Mountain Biking >>
Peat then had a nervous wait as crowd favourite Sam Hill and South African Minnaar, winner of four World Cup events in the last 12 months, failed to beat his mark.
The last man out was Atherton, the man who pipped Peat to gold last year, but when the Shropshire rider finished down the standings – the celebrations could begin.
“Over the years it has become my nemesis,” added Peat. “I don’t think it’s sunk in yet, I’m still pretty overwhelmed with it all.
“I’m the oldest guy out there and I’ve been trying for a long time with a lot of second places, but I felt strong coming into this race.
“It was pretty emotional putting the jersey on, on the podium knowing I could wear it as World Champion for the next year, I’ve been trying for a long time and it’s just an unreal feeling.”
Bromont UCI WC Qualifying
Source: DirtTV – Trackwalk, Helmet Cam and Qualifying
UCI Mountain Bike World Cup racing heads west to Bromont, Quebec, after a wet weekend in Mont Saint-Anne, where upsets in the men’s downhill and women’s cross-country rankings renew competition heading into this weekend’s round.
Trackwalk
Bromont Helmet Cam
Qualifying
Top 10 Men:
Fabien Barel 2:38.32
Samuel Hill
Greg Minnaar
Steve Peat
Gee Atherton
Chris Kovarik
Steve Smith
Aaron Gwin
Justin Leov
Matti Lehikoinen
Top 5 Women:
Tracy Moseley 3:07.43
Emmeline Ragot
Floriane Pugin
Mio Suemasa
Sabrina Jonnier
