Opinion: Dirt Tracker
Words & llustration Gary Sullivan
This morning, like every morning, I made a pretty decent cup of coffee with my little machine, then settled in to read the news while the caffeine kicked in sufficiently to allow me to complete a few puzzles.
The ‘news’ I read is not exactly mainstream, like most bike riders I suspect my browsing is fairly specialised.
One of my daily internet haunts featured a bike made by a UK company called Stooge, and the model was a Dirt Tracker.
After decades of looking at bike magazines and then bike websites, it can feel like most things have been said before, so it takes something unusual to make me click and dig in. A headline with the words Stooge and Dirt Tracker will do it, especially combined with an arresting image. In this case, a unique looking bike running single speed and packed for a tour.
Burrowing into the article was interesting. OK, the bike was interesting: a rigid-forked hardtail with big-ass tyres and swept-back moto looking handlebars, and a retro colour scheme. A neat combination of old-school detail like a biplane fork crown and a neat bend in the top tube was dovetailed with a modern build kit of drivetrain and brakes. A cool thing all around, if you like that kind of stuff, which I do.
More interesting was the story alongside, about the history of that moniker “Dirt Tracker” as it applies to the United Kingdom.
Everybody knows mountain bikes were spawned in pockets of the USA where pioneers hot- rodded old balloon-tyred bikes into what they called ‘klunkers’, right? OK. But much earlier, in fact not long after World War 2, gangs of British teenagers were hooning around on stripped- down one-speeds with cow-horn handlebars. They called these ‘trackers’ or ‘dirt trackers’.
They modelled their activities on motorcycle speedway, and the sport of bicycle speedway became a thing. It eventually caused quite specialised bikes to be designed for it but, in the early days, a basic bike with a coaster brake and home-made speedway- ish bars, was the machine of choice.
After decades of looking at bike magazines and then bike websites, it can feel like most things have been said before, so it takes something unusual to make me click and dig in.
In the article, there were some photos of these bikes, and even an ad for a model by Phillips that was ready for action straight out of the box.
What really got my attention was how similar these bikes were to what most New Zealand kids got around on when I was at school.
The bog standard bike you got – when you were lucky enough – had a steel frame, 26” wheels and a coaster brake. They had mudguards, a reflector on the rear, and goofy little handlebars with plastic grips on the end.
Flash ones had three gears, and complete tossers had bells and even lights run off a dynamo.
Turning your bike from this saccharine offering into something you could love was pretty easy: remove the mudguards and the chainguard, turn the handlebars skywards, or even upside down, until you could scratch up the $2.50 required to buy a set of cow-horns. Right around the time I was doing this stuff, more elaborate handlebars came along, and my personal choice was a set called Grasshoppers, which were mini ape- hangers. You could get tall ape-hangers too, and even sparkly banana seats, but they rendered the bikes less useful for what we did with them.
We were obsessed with speedway too, and sessioned the backyard oval. My version had a slightly downhill entrance into a very satisfying bend around the lemon tree, and a less enjoyable – but necessary – gentle uphill around the veggie garden, along the feijoa tree straight, and back into that downhill stretch. I must have cut hundreds of laps because, by the end of summer, there was a neat groove around that fast turn.
Down the road was our school, with several tarmac courses available around the deserted buildings after everybody had gone home. A bit further away, a couple of parks had places we favoured. But what really got us excited was field trips away from the three or four blocks of home turf where the gang lived.
Hauling the bikes up Mt Eden was the best.
We would ride and walk (maybe the reason they are called push-bikes) to the top of the hill, where there were a variety of routes back to the bottom via the extensive earthworks created by the first people to inhabit Maungawhau. The pits they made to store kumara could not have been better for getting airborne. Not really the ideal way to treat what are valuable archaeological sites of cultural significance – but we were twelve.
Is it any wonder that when mountain bikes happened I bought the first one I saw for sale?
Or that going out for a skid is still my favourite thing to do on a bike?
The image I scratched up for this edition is not my after-school bike, or the Stooge I started the column with. It is the current version of my Surly Krampus which shares concepts present in both of those others. OK, it’s running gears, but in most other respects it ticks the boxes: simple, rugged, and fun.
Wheelworks TrailLite Carbon
Words & Image Lance Pilbrow
RRP $3600
Distributor Wheelworks
Way back in November 2022, I was lucky enough to get my hands on not one, but two sets of Wheelworks’ new wheels to review. These were the Flite Trail model; one set in carbon and another in alloy. The idea was to do something of a side-by-side test on each pair over the summer and write something up for print after giving them each a good thrashing.
Needless to say, they both flew through the tests (and I did an unusual amount of wheel and tyre swapping that summer). At the end of that I was a little torn; the carbons were lighter, stiffer and no doubt, won on bling, but the alloys provided serious value for money, and Wheelwork’s after (and before) sales support meant that either way, you would no doubt be a satisfied customer.
Even better, though, was the opportunity to hold on to one of the sets for a long-term review. “Are you interested in holding onto these $3000 wheels for a bit longer?” they asked. “Ah… Um, yeah!” (What kind of question is that?) By now I had grown quite attached to the carbon Flite Trail wheels, and though I knew one day I would inevitably have to give them back, I was going to do everything I could to put that day off for as long as possible.
Many readers might be unaware that long-term reviews of high-end products are not all that common in this industry. Often, something arrives, you have it for a month and then it’s back on the courier again to the distributor to be used in a demo fleet, or to be sent to another media organisation for them to do their own review. It’s just the way the industry works. However, these long-term reviews are the sort of reviews I think most people would like to see more of.
We all know most products will work just fine for a month, but a year or 18 months down the track? That’s when the cracks begin to show, and that’s the kind of information you really want to know when you open a magazine for advice.
So, enough background, but suffice to say, props to Wheelworks for believing in their product enough to trust it to be reviewed over almost 18 months.
A quick recap: the TrailLite Carbon wheelset comes in at 30mm internal / 36mm external width and it runs 28mm high. The wheelset I rode weighed in at 1650g grams including rim tape and valves installed. The carbon rims were matched to Wheelwork’s own Dial hubs and laced with DT Swiss Aerolite spokes. Mine came with red decals on the hubs, a small red ‘TL’ (TrailLite) icon, and a larger, silver Wheelworks logo that follows the arc of the rim. These are all customisable to match whatever colourway your bike is, because we all like to be matchy-matchy. They came pre-taped and with valves installed.
As I mentioned in the earlier review, Wheelworks really are all about wheels. That’s their sole focus, and that focus is part of what makes purchasing a set of wheels more engaging than just scrolling through an endless list of options on the internet. It’s personal. Prior to getting the wheels, I spoke with their team about my riding style, bike, weight, and what I was hoping to achieve or improve over my current set up. This conversation dictated the build, and having their expertise guide the process means that, as a buyer, you are going to be massively confident in what is a significant purchase.
after 18 months of testing they really are still running as good as new; a real testament to the strength and layup of the carbon, and the craftsmanship involved in the build.
So, 18 months in, how did they fair? Well, I’ve got to be honest… the Wheelworks decals have started to show some signs of wear. A travesty! Jokes aside, that is quite literally the only thing I can fault them on. Over the review period, I rode a Whaka 50, a Whaka100, some Enduro, as well as 18 months of just everyday regular riding. In that time I cased more jumps than I would like to admit and did zero maintenance on them. I had no reason to. In terms of ride quality, what I was most taken aback by was the impressive lateral stiffness and how that enabled me to track a line through uneven terrain; and the awesome acceleration they enabled.
When the day finally came to send them back, I thought I should see just what state they were in, just in case I needed to send an apologetic email to the Wheelworks team before they unboxed them at their end. Grabbing a few zip ties to make an impromptu wheel alignment jig, I realised that, yep, they’re still dead straight. I ran my fingers over the Dial hub bearings and, yep, still silky smooth – smoother in fact than when they even arrived. I am honestly really impressed. To be fair, these are a $3600 product so, yeah, I would expect them to be faultless, for a good long time. But mountain biking is a sport that is tough on gear. We seem to keep on asking our gear to be lighter, whilst also being stronger – and wheels are a perfect example of this. At some point, something has to give…. Unless there is a real commitment to maintaining quality and not cutting corners. I think the Wheelworks wheels hit the sweet spot with this. As I said, they weigh in around 1650gm. I think this is bang on for most trail riders. They feel light enough to have that ‘zip’ about them (and to also feel like you have a slightly unfair advantage over your mates in the Whaka100), but clearly still enough strength to go the distance. I wouldn’t say I ‘abused’ these wheels (especially not on record as I would quite like them to send me other wheels to review… ahem… Berd’s?) as, to be honest, I’m just not that sort of rider, but I like to think I ride pretty hard when I’m in the zone and often kid myself into believing I’m a better rider than I actually am…. That combo means that at least once, on most rides, I have that moment of wincing as I slam into a root or rock and think “doh! that is going to be a cracked rim.” But, after 18 months of testing, they really are still running as good as new; a real testament to the strength and layup of the carbon, and the craftsmanship involved in the build.
All in all, this is probably one of the least surprising reviews most of our readers will read. My final thoughts after 18 months of solid testing; Wheelworks wheels are great. About as surprising as saying water is wet. Wheelworks have built a business based around their reputation; a reputation for building consistently solid wheelsets, for backing them up with an outstanding warranty and after sale support and, ultimately, for creating a culture of really valuing their customers. When you do that wheelset after wheelset, it’s no wonder they are so consistently recommended.
Vinny Armstrong: Striking a balance
Words & Images Riley McLay
Freeride mountain biking is experiencing an exciting renaissance. After enduring a period of identity crisis, the discipline has finally found its footing. More freeride-specific competitions are filling up the international calendar, and brands are once again investing in high-quality long and short-form creative content to promote their athletes and products.
The constant presence of other skilled female riders provides the perfect motivation and chance to feed off each other to progress personal skills during the long New Zealand summer.
Not to mention, there’s currently a strong focus on inclusion and a move towards equal opportunity for female athletes that is pushing us even closer to equality within the sport. Vinny Armstrong exemplifies what it means to be a freeride athlete and, in this ever-evolving landscape, continues to define her own unique style on and off the bike. Utilising not only her distinct riding style but also her all-round creative perspective, to further inspire and propel an increasingly expanding female freeride community.
Vinny Armstrong stands out as one of the most recognisable female athletes in the scene. Her signature aerial maneuvers have earned her numerous victories in Crankworx Whip-Off competitions worldwide. She has also showcased her impressive technical skills with strong performances at events like Red Bull Formation. Vinny has had a fruitful start to 2024, managing to find an ideal balance between her personal and professional life.
“It was honestly the best New Zealand summer I’ve ever had. I feel like I’ve learned how to become an athlete over the past year” says Vinny, having taken a holistic approach to her training over the summer. She’s chosen to limit her time on the bike to avoid burnout, with her new-found love of hiking allowing her to discover new parts of the beautiful New Zealand backcountry, whilst giving her a chance to reset and keep her career aspirations in perspective. A weekend mission away with friends serves as the perfect way to detach from the pressure of upcoming events. From an outside perspective, the life of a pro mountain biker might seem like an endless holiday, however, mastering the ability to train and peak skills in time for events is an art in itself. Not to mention the substantial effort needed to secure the support and backing required to participate in these events in the first place. Managing her career on a day-to-day basis presents its own set of challenges, however, focusing on her personal health and well-being is integral to Vinny’s professional success.
Vinny has been able to thrive, while standing out in a predominantly male-dominated discipline, becoming one of the leading faces of the female freeride movement. This movement focuses on increasing inclusion, opportunity, and competition in the sport, demonstrating that female riders are not only capable of tackling the same features and terrain as male riders but can also carve out their own legacy through their riding. The movement has made significant progress, but more still needs to be done for female riding to reach its full potential. Female participation at premiere competitions is no longer a novelty, it is now the standard moving forward. In fact, the impressive and inspiring riding is not only captivating for spectators and fellow riders, but also for a new generation aspiring to emulate these female pioneers. Vinny exemplifies this perfectly, as her huge whips consistently electrify a crowd, rivaling even the top performers in the men’s category. However, some outlets have been slow to evolve their approach when covering female riding, often sticking to repetitive questioning styles when interviewing female athletes. Instead of focusing on the specific riding they are witnessing, they focus on the overall concept of female progression. While this approach is well-intentioned, there’s a concern that it might inadvertently diminish the achievements of female athletes and impede further strides toward gender equality in mountain biking. Nevertheless, women’s freeride has consistently achieved significant milestones in recent years. Evident by the success of the first-ever female FMB diamond event held at the recent Crankworx Rotorua. Not only was this an opportunity to showcase female riding to the crowds packing the banks of the Rotorua hillside, but it was also a chance to demonstrate to the world that contests like this are imperative to continue giving female riders a platform to learn and grow from – not just as riders, but as well-rounded athletes.
Vinny has been able to thrive, while standing out in a predominantly male-dominated discipline, becoming one of the leading faces of the female freeride movement.
Originally from Auckland, Vinny has made the mountain biking mecca of Queenstown her home for the past six years. The opportunities presented by the Queenstown scene made this a no-brainer decision for Vinny, who credits a lot of her success to the move. The constantly improving world-class trails and facilities serve as the perfect training environment and came as a natural progression to her home riding spot at the Woodhill Bike Park. Whilst she bid farewell to her family in the north, Vinny has been able to build a new family amongst the Southern Alps. The local community’s emphasis on strong family values resonates deeply, especially within the frequent influx of seasonal nomads who come and go. This is a classic case of ‘come for the riding, stay for the people’. The inclusive culture of the town has also attracted high-profile female riders like Robin Goomes, Harriet Burbidge- Smith and Martha Gill, to make it their base during the northern hemisphere off-season. The constant presence of other skilled female riders provides the perfect motivation and chance to feed off each other to progress personal skills during the long New Zealand summer.
While time on the bike is crucial when preparing for an event, the quality of that time is even more important. When preparing for an event like DarkFest, Vinny strives to emulate the distinctive big air style of riding that the mountainous slopes of South Africa are renowned for. Basing herself in Queenstown has provided her with the perfect training facility for this style of riding, enabling her to fully utilise the Wynyard Jump Park and access some of the world’s largest public jumps, all right at her doorstep. Vinny also uses a specifically set-up Forbidden Dreadnought, tailored for this style of riding. This eliminates the faff of continuously adjusting settings for various riding scenarios, allowing Vinny to concentrate more on her riding.
This year’s DarkFest event presented its own share of unforeseen challenges. Vinny was among the riders affected by an illness circulating within the group. To compound matters, persistent high winds on most event days greatly reduced riding time. Despite these obstacles, Vinny managed to rally and clinch the best whip in the female category. While grateful for her achievement, she feels she has unfinished business and has set her sights on a goal of completing a full top-to-bottom lap of the course in the coming years.
Vinny is gearing up for another busy northern hemisphere season. Kicking off her European leg of the trip, she’s prioritising personal riding progression over what can be a hectic event schedule. This will let her focus on her own skills while staying flexible around a busy event calendar. Through her hard work, she’s now in a position where she doesn’t need to pursue every opportunity that comes her way and can focus on what is best for her career. She will base herself out of the UK, to make the most of the growing and improving freeride scene in the area. One of the events she’s looking forward to the most is Vero Sandler’s Backyard Battle in Wales, a new event to the calendar where riders like Vinny can showcase their skills in a more relaxed environment. Relaxed jam-styled formats are always a rider favorite, as you are normally flexible to work with the weather and it lets you enjoy the riding as a collective rather than as individuals. For Vinny, it’s an excellent chance to reconnect with many of her freeride friends who don’t typically make the trip down to NZ in the winter months.
From an outside perspective, the life of a pro mountain biker might seem like an endless holiday, however, mastering the ability to train and peak skills in time for events is an art in itself.
She will then have a stint in Canada where she will take a break from most events, allowing her to focus on her other passion of creating high- quality visual projects. Although participating in events provides exposure across various media platforms, fostering your creative expression through curated content, whether it is a long form video part or a photo project, allows you to put your own imprint on the scene.
“I feel like I can push myself much more while filming, than during events. It’s a positive kind of pressure that drives me to achieve the best possible results,” says Vinny. Working with a creative-focused brand like Forbidden has allowed Vinny to bring out her artistic style and showcase her ideas. Focusing on being intentional about both what she shares with the world and how she presents herself at events is crucial for creating her own identity as a rider. Her relaxed skate-influenced style blends effortlessly with her style on the bike, helping her carve out her own niche in the scene. Vinny’s passion for graphic design allows her to further tap into her creative side, incorporating her own graphic t-shirt designs into her riding outfits. Collaborating with friends along this journey makes the process even more enjoyable. This is more of an experimental artistic venture with no plans in the near future to make it a commercial one. This is because Vinny’s art greatly represents herself more than anything else. Being able to create and showcase her own ideas at different events is very empowering and is not only a way to help push her own career forward, but to progress and inspire the next generation of female riders who aspire to be just like her. Fingers crossed we’ll see Vinny, in her own designs, on the main stage of a female Red Bull Rampage event in the near future.
Opinion: An Oldie but a Goodie
Words & Image Lester Perry
We’ve all got our favourites; there are some items of kit that just keep on working and seem to never die. They become a staple in ‘ride life’. They may not be the fanciest, most stunning-looking, have a ‘name’ brand, or even cost much money, but they just do what they are designed to do to a decent level.
Inanimate objects strangely become a vital piece of our experience. For some, it’s a bike, a favourite kit, or even the music listened to while riding. In my case it’s a pump. Yes, a pump.
I don’t even remember when I got this little beauty, but it must have been early 2013 or before, as it came with me on the 2013 Trans Provence (multi-day enduro, now called the Stone King Rally). I know I won this pump as a spot prize at an event at some point; it’s so long ago I don’t even remember what sort of race it was, what bike I was riding, or even where it was. Strangely though, I do remember feeling disappointed when I won the pump. I can only assume it was a bit of a booby-prize amongst a sea of higher-value, more sought-after items.
It’s a reasonably unassuming piece of kit, but I’ve mounted tubeless tyres with it, and it does double duty to pump up my ride-on lawnmower’s slow leaking tyre. If there’s air to pump it’s up to the task and it’s always there when I need it, no issues or niggly problems. From time to time it seems to disappear and hide out of sight causing me some stress thinking I may have left it behind in a trail head carpark somewhere.
I’ve had scathing comments from friends who were underwhelmed when I presented them with it after being asked, “Bro, you got a track pump?”.
Little did they know how solid this little pump is, and oftentimes jeers turned to positive comments.
The pressure gauge gave out at some stage and I’m sure it wasn’t even remotely accurate before it finally conked out but, thankfully, the pump didn’t skip a beat, and I still check my tyre pressure with a gauge, so no real loss there.
Although the logo has been rubbed off, I remember it being some brand that didn’t hold any weight, just a generic pump with a logo screen-printed on the side of it. I can’t imagine its retail value was much north of $50 so, even if I had paid for it, I’d be super pumped with the value I’ve had from it; it’s cost per use would be totally laughable!
I’ve had scathing comments from friends who were underwhelmed when I presented them with it after being asked, “Bro, you got a track pump?”. Little did they know how solid this little pump is, and oftentimes jeers turned to positive comments.
Recently, the pump got really hot when used for more than 30 seconds or so, and the action became quite sticky. So much so that I figured it was heading for the big yellow plastic bag, never to be seen again after our next ‘Rubbish Day Wednesday’. It was at this point that regret set in. This pump has been with me on this journey of life for so long, to just scrap it without a second thought seemed wrong, almost immoral – why couldn’t I give it another shot? I dug out some suitable grease and a screw driver and, for the first time ever, disassembled the pump, carefully cleaning and lubing all the seals and moving parts. So dirty were the internals, I’m surprised it worked at all!
I’m kicking myself for waiting so long to service the pump. Post-service, it still works but it’s not quite as smooth as it was before its hiccup.
Once the damage is done, there’s no coming back from it – niggles of the damage will remain.
I’m sure there’s a lesson in all of this, maybe it’s a case of not upgrading or trading up just for the sake of it, or perhaps it’s to stay on top of servicing rather than waiting for an issue to finally service something. Chances are once the damage is done, it’s done. Lucky for me, my favourite pump keeps on working, and if I keep up to speed with a more regular clean and lube routine, who knows how long this thing could go for!
First Impressions: Trek Top Fuel
Words Liam Friary
Images Cameron MacKenzie
Have you ever been kept up late at night reliving distressing memories? Does your mind chatter and strong emotions interfere with your day-to-day? Are you looking to understand yourself more and make some changes? If your answer is “yes”, then we should talk.
My lived experience with mental health gives me a strong appreciation of the journey we take from being in crisis mode to thriving. I want to work with you to help you get to where you want to be. The focus will be on what I can do to support you in your life’s journey. I do this by utilising an integrative approach that best suits each individual.
When you’re ready to take that step to seek support, I’ll be there for you. Call or email me so we can schedule our first session and get you to where you want to be.
Daniel is available on Wednesdays, Thursdays and FridaysThe latest Trek Top Fuel is one of the most versatile to date. This fourth-generation platform encompasses the heritage of XC from earlier generations while nodding to the future with more travel and capability. The lines are somewhat blurred between an XC long-travel bike and a lightweight trail bike. Regardless of categorization, the bike is designed to be super-adjustable with a redesigned frame and a 4-position Mino Link. There’s also a ton more you can customize, like wheel size, geometry, and suspension travel, making it super appealing for everyday trail riding or even XC racing duties.
Trek has opted for refinement rather than revision, a trend the industry is increasingly embracing. Generally, bikes are in a good place regarding geometry numbers, so there’s no need to reinvent the wheel—at least for now. While the new Top Fuel looks similar to the previous generation, it has gone on a slight diet with about a 100g savings in the carbon frame and uses slimmed-down tubes across the entire frame. The new 4-position flip chip, used for adjusting the bike’s geometry or the amount of shock progression, is located at the lower shock mount. This flip chip offers High/Low geometry settings that modify the angles by 0.5° and change the BB height by 6mm. Additionally, you can move the suspension leverage rate forward and backward with the flip chip. The forward position offers 14% progression, while the rear position offers 19%, providing more ramp-up at the end of stroke. I rode mainly with the rear, more progressive position and found it better suited to my riding style and the terrain where testing was done.
I appreciate the ability to change out the rear and front travel if desired. The rear shock is built around a 185x50mm shock, but you can increase the stroke to 55mm and boost travel to 130mm. The frame is rated for a 120-140mm travel fork, which allows for different setup options such as an XC whippet with 120/120mm travel or a rowdier trail bike with 140/130mm travel. I’m inclined to build the latter, so hopefully, I’ll have more on that sometime soon. If you wanted to have a mullet setup with a 27.5″ rear wheel, that’s also possible with this new platform.
Returning to small refinements, the new Top Fuel is slightly more progressive than the previous generation and has a tad more anti-squat. Rear travel is kept at 120mm and comes with a 130mm travel fork up front. 29″ wheels are standard on all frames except the small, which is built around 27.5″ wheels. The internal storage has also been updated with larger openings and better weatherproof sealing, and cables have been kept out of the way to minimize snagging. Trek has won the applause of shop mechanics by keeping cables out of the headset and eliminating the Knock Block headset. A tried-and-true threaded BB is used, as well as bolt-on downtube armor and a rubber chainstay protector.
While there are slight changes to geometry, the 65.5° head angle remains consistent across all sizes. The effective seat tube angle ranges from 75.2-76.9° – Trek lists this angle based on a specific saddle height for each size. Another update is the size-specific rear center lengths, which vary from 435mm (smaller frames) to 445mm (X-Large frames).
I had the pleasure of riding the new Top Fuel in Durango, Colorado. There’s plenty more to come from that trip, plus some other riding around North America. Having a week based in Durango meant I could get familiar with the bike, logging over 15 hours of ride time. The first thing that struck me was the pedaling efficiency and overall zippiness of the bike. I rode twice a day locally and had two high-country long ride missions as well. On all occasions, from road to gravel to trail, I didn’t feel the need to hit the lockout lever as it pedaled great wide open. The bike feels swift and light but handles rowdier terrain very well. While the Pike fork nods to more trail-oriented riding, there’s something about the overall frame that makes it more compliant than the white paper stats indicate.
This compliance was evident when we ventured into the backcountry, which made for lengthy descents. The bike would eat up what was in front of it on rougher sections of trail, with the suspension holding its own. The lower progression setting was ideal for the ramp-up. It offers adequate dampening and felt comfortable even after several hours in the saddle. The Bontrager spec’d tyres are very supple and keep the weight down however I’d prefer something a bit beefier even with the weight penalty. Whilst they didn’t give me any grief on rockier descents you’d have to choose the best line as I was a tad worried about snagging them.
On the shorter, punchier rides in and around Durango’s extensive trail network, the bike was super smooth and sprightly. From more XC-oriented loops to bike park-style jumps and berms to rock slabs, even with sketchy rocky descents, the rear end stays active even under brake load. I think the key component is the four-bar suspension platform over a single-pivot flex-stay, which offers superior grip both uphill and downhill. There’s suitable snappiness, and the bike generates speed very well.
I’m very keen to build this bike as a burlier 140/130mm trail bike, so hopefully, we can make that happen soon. We will bring an in-depth review of the new Trek Top Fuel in our next publication, which is out in September.
Mammoth of a Time with Winni Goldsbury
Words by Lester Perry
Images by Henry Jaine
On 23rd and 24th March 2024, Nelson Mtb Club knocked out the tenth edition of what is arguably NZ’s toughest gravity race; the Mammoth Enduro. Riders were presented with six epic descents linked by equally epic liaison climbs. The course designers aren’t total masochists, and eased the pressure on competitors by throwing in a couple of (no doubt banter-filled) shuttle uplifts to keep spirits high.
Racing down Peaking Ridge for Stage 4 was a highlight for Winni, the difference in speed from just riding it at her normal pace to a full-attack race pack, transformed the trail from a janky rhythmless physical challenge to a grin-inducing run where the root-balls and jank became flowy jumps and compressions.
A few out-of-towners joined the local heavy hitters, but as with any enduro race, the locals certainly have the upper hand when it comes to knowing the trail nuances and how to race them well. This is definitely the case on Nelson’s technical steeps, where local knowledge pays dividends in the form of seconds on the clock.
Hailing from Christchurch, seventeen-year-old Winni Goldsbury turned up to Mammoth having ridden some, but not all, of the race stages. Practice was to be her first look at some of the trails. Not exactly confidence-inspiring when you’re about to go head to head with not only Nelson’s finest, but the women who are some of the nation’s fastest enduro racers.
The ace in Winni’s hand was that she’d proven herself just three weeks earlier at the NZ Enduro National Championship at Cable Bay Adventure Park, just outside of Nelson. Winni not only won the U21 championship but bested all other women in attendance, including the Elites.
Winni battled on foreign soil against local fast woman, Rae Morrison, duking it out over the Mammoth’s stages, trading stage wins and the race lead multiple times throughout the two competition days. Winni narrowly cinched the win over the seasoned Morrison by a sniff under a second! This was tight racing at its finest, and not only a huge surprise but another boost in confidence for the ever-improving Winni, with yet another podium in her break-out 2024 season.
She’s been at this bike game a while now, most of her life to be precise. At just six months old, she and her twin brother were presented with a pair of bikes by their grandfather. Handcrafted from old Kauri weatherboards from his house, these first bikes mean the pair can claim they were literally riding bikes before they could walk. From then on, mountain biking has been a key part of life for Winni, from doing skids at the local park, to cutting laps at the Christchurch Adventure Park once that was built. Since her first races at age 11, it’s been all go – and her passion for riding and racing continues to grow.
The ace in Winni’s hand was that she’d proven herself just three weeks earlier at the NZ Enduro National Championship at Cable Bay Adventure Park, just outside of Nelson. Winni not only won the U21 championship but bested all other women in attendance, including the Elites.
We caught up with Winni after Mammoth to get her thoughts on the event, dig a little deeper into her past, and get a glimpse into her hopes for the future.
“Becoming the NZ Women’s Enduro National Champion for 2024 is definitely a pretty great start to the year; hopefully, I can keep the momentum going for the rest of the year! Racing the Mammoth for the first time was awesome because the race had lovely people both participating and running it, as well as being run on an amazing bunch of trails. Honestly, it feels kind of like a dream to be up there with these ladies. I get to race with women as amazing and kind as Lou Kelly, Rae Morrison, George Swift and Xanthe Robb; it’s absolutely astounding. To be able to keep up with them makes the whole experience even more surreal,” explains Winni.
Winni had a couple of solid, and ultimately successful, days at the Mammoth, but the race wasn’t without adversity. On the first day, her chain came off during the first timed stage. Returning to the timing tent, the person who was doing the timing said that Rae’s time for stage one was 30 seconds faster than her time, which meant Rae would’ve been 4th in the pro-elite men category. Winni thought Rae must have had an amazing run. As luck should have it, though, the intel she received was incorrect, and Rae had finished only one second ahead of her in that opening stage. Seeing Rae’s time was still within reach added some pressure and ultimately fired Winni up to push harder heading into day two.
“The second day was also sweet. I was just so happy to be there racing with all those awesome people. Overall it was an amazing weekend,” she confirms.
“Honestly, it feels kind of like a dream to be up there with these ladies. I get to race with women as amazing and kind as Lou Kelly, Rae Morrison, George Swift and Xanthe Robb, it’s absolutely astounding. To be able to keep up with them makes the whole experience even more surreal.”
Day two kicked off with Stage 2, ‘Te Ara Koa’ into ‘Fringe DH’ and finishing down ‘Butters’; three trails combined to make one epic 3.3km trail, and the longest of the race. Aside from a lap in practice, Winni hadn’t ridden Fringe DH or Butters, and the stoke was real to get to race them for the first time. Unfortunately, Lady Luck wasn’t on her side, and she took a crash on this stage. All was not lost, however, she took the race lead from Rae, finishing the stage to take a sub-1-second buffer going into stage 3.
Racing down Peaking Ridge for Stage 4 was a highlight for Winni, the difference in speed from just riding it at her normal pace to a full- attack race pack, transformed the trail from a janky rhythmless physical challenge to a grin-inducing run where the root-balls and jank became flowy jumps and compressions.
Stage 5 was raced down the infamous 629 trail and its smorgasbord of steep dropping turns, slippery chutes, roots and rock; a jewel in Nelson’s MTB crown! Partway down the stage, Winni “had a random burst of energy which lasted until the end of the race; sprinted the entirety of the final horrible climb up Maitai Face”. It seems it may have been more than just a “random energy burst” though, having stopped at the food station on the climb to Maitai Face for a quick break to pat a puppy.
Maitai Face is a staple at most enduros in the area, dropping riders down through lofty pines, over roots, off-camber – and it has some of the steepest grades in the region; tough in the dry but nearly-unrideable in the wet. Fortunately, the weather gods played ball and delivered bone-dry conditions for the Mammoth riders. It was this 6th and final stage where Winni secured her win, pipping Rae by a narrow 3.5 seconds, putting her ahead once again and giving her the overall win by a scant half a second. A dominant performance battling not only Rae Morrison but Xanthe Rob, who raced consistently through the day to round out the top three over a minute and a half back.
Off the back of Mammoth, Winni picked up couple of injuries which slowed her down for a few weeks but, once recovered, she was all go - preparing to head over to Europe to race some Enduros. By the time this magazine breaks cover, she should be jetting her way to the other side of the globe to begin another chapter in her life.
Winni’s not one to get too bogged down in the details of bike setup; there are no special tweaks or specifics to her setup, it’s more of a “run what you brung” scenario. Her only comment about setup was the use of a pair of Reserve wheels fitted with Cushcore inserts and Maxxis Assegai tyres, pumped to 23 PSI front and rear, allowing her to attack Nelson’s gnarliest, remaining fully focussed on the task at hand rather than nursing her steed or riding light while concerned about flat tyres.
Breakout seasons often come after a period of hard work and focused training; for Winni though, her approach is more laid back than many at her level. “My training schedule is very, very serious, and intense,” she jokes. “No, no, my training is very relaxed and is limited to push- ups and intervals. I just ride every day and try to keep up with people who are faster than me.”
As simple as that.
Winni’s seemingly laissez-faire, relaxed attitude and absolute froth for mountain biking aren’t unique to her; it’s a full-family affair.
“My parents have both been extremely important in my MTB journey so far, as they are also obsessive mountain bikers. My mum, Melanie Blomfield, is a super competitive person all around and mountain biking is no different. She has dominated the 50+ category for the last five years and often beats most of the open women in local races. She has always been phenomenal and extremely supportive of my racing,” explains Winni. “My dad, Richard Goldsbury, was a cross country and downhill racer in the 90’s and 00’s. When enduro came into existence he definitely enjoyed that, and now he sometimes gives races the privilege of his participation, although mainly spends his time taking stunning photos of riding, and building the coolest tracks in Canterbury. He is very supportive. They’ve both influenced my riding so much because of their different riding styles, so I’ve learned to ride lots of different types of terrain. We travel across New Zealand a lot and get to ride all the different types of riding NZ has to offer.”
Off the back of Mammoth, Winni picked up couple of injuries which slowed her down for a few weeks but, once recovered, she was all go – preparing to head over to Europe to race some enduros. By the time this magazine breaks cover, she should be jetting her way to the other side of the globe to begin another chapter in her life.
Alongside Winni, Shannon Hewetson backed up his win at the NZ Enduro Championships at the Mammoth.
“Mammoth Enduro was a really rad event,” says Shannon. “They had everyone speculating on the tracks with the organisers staying tight lipped right up to the week of, meaning most were in the same boat practice-wise. We raced some of the best, most iconic trails – both skill and fitness-wise – for Nelson. Peaking Ridge and 629 were lots of fun, but all stages required a lot of focus with their duration, and all had high consequences if you misjudged things. The weekend went smoothly for me, didn’t really expect to do what I did; I thought I’d be feeling flat after Cable Bay (NZ Champs). Sometimes those days when you think things could have gone better, or you could have had better intensity, can really surprise you! Coming off the back of taking out Nationals Champs a few weeks prior, I felt a lot of pressure to back it up with a solid win, so was pretty stoked to take it out and to close out the summer season with another win.”
Thats a wrap for our Mammoth Enduro series. We’re looking forward to next year’s race and hope to see some of you there!
No regrets
Words Liam Friary
Image Cameron Mackenzie
The past few weeks have been a really good reminder of how great bike riding is. There are two instances that really stand out. Firstly, I happened to be in Central Otago attending and talking at Trail Forum, which is something. I mean, rewind about a decade or more and you wouldn’t have this amount of people engaged in riding let alone having businesses that now rely solely on it, and not to mention the regional tourism organisations that clearly know the economic impact of cycling in their regions. It’s truly amazing and I hope we can continue to build trails, foster more riding communities, and create better cycling infrastructure across the motu. It was after this event that an unscheduled ride became an epic outing with four riders who didn’t know each other. I was like the conduit blending these individuals together, knowing that riding would bond them. And, it did. After an all-day ride, we were all mates sharing large amounts of conversation, ups, downs, and good times. Bikes were simply the portal that helped us take in the landscape and connect with us one another. You can’t have that quantity – or quality! – of time in a meeting room (in-person or online) or even sitting in a coffee shop with someone. The standout for me is undistracted time where the other person is engaged and listening without any device diverting their attention. This simplicity is what I crave; just riding and conversing is so refreshing in this fast-paced age.
The second reminder was a ride with a good friend. We don’t get to catch up that often as work and life schedules don’t always align, and we’re not the best at conversing over digital platforms. I mean, we used it to make a meet-up spot but that’s pretty much it. I find a ride meet-up will fill me in so much more about how my friend is doing, rather than a flurry of text exchanges. I got to the mountain bike park, unloaded my bike, clipped my helmet on, and checked my phone… only to read a message from my friend, telling me they couldn’t make it as they weren’t feeling well. I was committed and went riding anyway. The solo riding time helped me decompress from life’s never-ending to-do list and growing work commitments. I connected with nature, stretched myself on rowdy trails and just had some ‘me’ time. I drove back thinking about how that’s not just a ‘want’ but more of a ‘need’ now. I don’t often allow myself the time, but often putting aside part of the day for a solo ride lets me gain perspective on everything. I missed my mate that day, but thoroughly enjoyed shredding the trials alone. You never regret the ride you went on.
Bosch SX: Is this the new natural?
Words Nathan Petrie
Images Cameron Mackenzie
Looks can be deceiving. Something may appear small or neat, but take a peak under the hood
and you’ll find something much greater
In the bike world, we lust after the lightest (and latest) technology but, at the same time, we never want to give up that purity of the ‘natural’ ride feel. At the forefront of our communal infatuation with ‘bike porn’ is the eBike. Is it possible to embrace the technology without giving up on the simple joy we get from pedalling a bike?
Since Covid, eBikes have become commonplace on our trails and the daily ride for many of us. The maturing market now provides a wide range of eBike products for every style of rider. From full-power to lightweight motor options, a variety of battery sizes, and matched with different bike brand geometry. Bosch has led this charge and the arrival of their Performance Line SX system in New Zealand is the next phase of this evolution.
When the opportunity came through to test ride the new Mondraker Dune R, equipped with Bosch’s Performance Line SX, my interest was well and truly piqued. My current bike is fitted with the Performance Line CX, and I knew the SX was a light-weight system, so was keen to see how it would compare. We headed for the rugged terrain of Matangi Station in Alexandra, to put it through its paces; the perfect proving ground for both the system and bike with steep climbs, tight pinches and rocky single track.
My most obvious question was how the SX motor would feel in terms of assistance compared to my experience on the Performance Line CX. Would it feel underpowered or too much of a jump down? How natural would it feel to ride? I was also interested to see how you use the modes. For the type of riding I do, I usually ride my CX bike in the two lowest modes, Eco and Tour, but I wondered if I’d need to use eMTB or Turbo? Or, if I stuck to my usual modes, how fast would I be able to climb up stuff? Would I feel like I was going a whole lot slower? Would the SX system experience be up to Bosch’s usual high standards?
I put the motor to the test straight out of the car park, climbing up a steep four-wheel drive track to access the trails. I didn’t expect the SX to be as strong as a full-power motor like the CX but it was easily powerful enough going up. I didn’t need to switch to eMTB or Turbo mode. Even on the loose gravel surface, where you can easily lose traction on the steep sections, the bike performed well and I could push through without having to get out of the saddle.
I think a lot of experienced riders still yearn for that analogue bike feel and the lower-powered modes deliver that nice balance of assistance.
On an eBike, you can sometimes feel like the front wheel is going to lift off on steep sections, especially in high power modes, but I didn’t experience any of that pull-up at the front. I felt like you could manage the torque and it was well delivered. It was smooth and consistent and didn’t come on in a big burst.
I had heard that the SX is more cadence- sensitive but even so I didn’t have to spin it up as quickly as I thought I might have to and was getting good assistance low down. It wasn’t hard to get used to it either. I just had to drop down one gear and I was set. I was still covering the ground fast and it felt really natural.
My personal preference when it comes to modes on my CX powered bike is to be in Tour mode 80% of the time, maybe eMTB mode if I’m going up a more sustained technical climb. I never really feel like I need Turbo and I hardly ever use it. I love to pedal but still want that assistance when I need it. I think a lot of experienced riders still yearn for that analogue bike feel and the lower-powered modes deliver that nice balance of assistance. Eco and Tour don’t feel super strong on a heavier bike so I thought I’d see how they felt on the SX. I switched to Tour on the steep sections and it was ideal, giving me the assistance I needed.
I had a try with eMTB and Turbo and found they were good for starting on a steep technical climb, getting you into it without feeling too strong. This is where these modes come into their own. In the spots where you’re at a low cadence and can run out of traction pretty easily, those high- power modes can help you get moving without having to worry about spinning the wheel and losing grip straight away. You get the torque that you need, where you need it. With eMTB mode you can get up and over most things and it’s the most intuitive mode for most types of riding.
The PowerMore 250 range extender is a good size, weighing in at just 1.5kg and sits on the bottle cage mount. Even though you’re carrying the minimal extra weight, you’re not going to be suffering anymore because you’ve still got the assistance from the motor and the bike is already lighter.
In the morning, we used about 40% of the battery, then rode three hours in the afternoon on some pretty steep, techy terrain, all on one battery charge and I never felt any range anxiety. We didn’t have the Bosch PowerMore range extender with us, but it would be ideal on big days like this. Having the option of an extra 250Wh on top of the 400Wh from the Bosch CompactTube 400 that comes on the Mondraker Dune R is a huge bonus.
The PowerMore 250 range extender is a good size, weighing in at just 1.5kg and sits on the bottle cage mount. Even though you’re carrying the minimal extra weight, you’re not going to be suffering anymore because you’ve still got the assistance from the motor and the bike is already lighter. It’s much easier to add 1.5kg to your backpack than a full-size second battery and it widens the scope for more ambitious backcountry missions.
The Mondraker Dune R has a system controller installed in the top tube, so you can do a quick glance down to check how much battery you’ve got left and what mode you’re in. I liked not having a display unit to clutter the cockpit. But if you prefer having a display unit you can have this added on. Having a minimalist eBike setup with only the system controller and mini remote, but the Flow App in your pocket, means you’re getting the best of both worlds: a pure riding experience with the reassurance of powerful data in your pocket so you can quickly crunch big numbers if you need to. The Mini Remote next to the grip is great. If you’re in a tough spot where you need to change the mode easily and quickly, it behaves responsively.
Going on a deep dive on the bike itself, The Dune R is a solid package. Mondraker has three tiers of the Dune R and this is the most affordable. Build-wise, this is in line with what you would expect at this price point. The headset was super clean with the internal cable routing; that was a nice touch and didn’t impact the steering range. Having the 180mm fork on the front means it’s quite a burly bike. I had thought it would be a bit of a handful but was pleasantly surprised on some of the tighter spots we rode; it still felt light and manoeuvrable and handling was really good. Mondraker uses their own patented dual link suspension design where the shock is compressed at both ends. This gives the bike amazing pedalling efficiency, a very progressive nature. It felt lively and responsive, firm but still plush. It was also very quiet and the build quality was immaculate. The geometry was that classic Mondraker style from their race pedigree – an aggressive approach for descents where you’re tucked in but, if you’re sitting down climbing, it puts you in a good spot. Mondraker also has a unique approach to its high-end carbon bikes. They use pure Toray Carbon with a unique layup to achieve low weight, high strength and stiffness. Most carbon frames are composites where carbon is mixed with fibreglass, so this is very solid. The bike itself really is an amazing first pairing with the Bosch SX system. I think the overall aggressive approach of the Dune makes this a compelling option.
After riding this bike, I asked myself who the bike and – specifically – the Bosch SX system could be suited to?
For advanced riders, the eBike choices are really interesting now, especially if you’re someone who’s come from an acoustic bike. This bike and system is not such a drastic jump as it would be to a full-powered eBike. It has a super-natural feel; you’re taking an analogue experience and you’re just giving it enough assistance but not in a heavy- handed way. Likewise for existing eBike riders, this presents a really different ride experience.
This system will suit someone who loves technical climbing and still wants the capability to manoeuvre, but understands that it is going to ride like a trail bike on the descents as well. It has got the right amount of torque, you can spend most of your time using the low assist modes but with the reassurance that you can bump up to eMTB when you need it and dial it back down when you don’t. Even if you’re riding with people on non-eBikes you can still chuck it in the lowest mode and ride quite naturally in a mixed group, which is sometimes difficult to do with a full-powered eBike.
This system will suit someone who loves technical climbing and still wants the capability to manoeuvre, but understands that it is going to ride like a trail bike on the descents as well.
I think this could be the ultimate system for backcountry and hike-a-bike missions. The SX has plenty of torque and power, so you can climb the more unusual trails you come across on backcountry outings – and having the option of the range extender gives you that certainty of range. An eBike assists you in exploring places you otherwise wouldn’t reach, but there are always sections where you’re going to have to carry your bike over deep river crossings, where trees are down or you’re navigating a washout. Hauling a bike over that unexpected stuff can be taxing and this is where the weight is really important. Walk mode with the lighter weight system is also a breeze.
To sum up, it was an amazingly fun experience to ride this eBike and I was well and truly surprised at its capability. I was already familiar with the Bosch system so the SX felt comfortable while also bringing in some new experiences. Everything was developed to the expected high standard, from the overall system to the Flow App. I think the SX system fills a really broad part of the market and it actually strengthens where its full-powered CX offering fits. Once people ride it, it will change a lot of mindsets. The system that bridges both the eBike and the analogue worlds – you can have your cake and eat it too. This is the new natural.
Special thanks to Outside Sports, Matangi Station and Mondraker NZ (Allsports Distribution).
The Mondraker Dune R is available for purchase at outsidesports.co.nz and nationwide. For a full list of Mondraker NZ retailers visit mondraker.co.nz
Opinion: Square peg, round hole
Words Lester Perry
Illustration Gary Sullivan
Consider this: you’re a new rider rolling up to a trailhead, you’ve borrowed a bike from a mate who didn’t need it today, and it’s your first time riding by yourself. Unloading the bike, you’re excited; it’s a size too big but you wouldn’t know otherwise. Your mate who you’d normally ride with isn’t with you today, so you’re more focused on what’s happening around you. Dressed in the clothes you wear daily, you mount your steed. Heading toward the trail from the car, you’re looking at what other people are riding, what they’re wearing, and the lingo they’re using. You see things you don’t usually notice when you’re riding with your mate. “Cripes, those bikes are worth more than my mate’s bike, his car – and mine – combined!” “Those guys in all that fancy riding kit look pretty serious, must be what you need to wear for this riding stuff…”\
If you’re reading this, you’re probably not the person above. It’s likely, like me, you’re one of those other people our person rolled past on their way to the trailhead. It gets me thinking – are we losing people from our sport because they feel out of place or because it’s not an accessible or inclusive sport? I sure think so.
The person mentioned above is probably going to feel out of place – in fact, maybe they’ll have the same feeling I get after walking into a high-fashion store. “There’s nothing here for me; I don’t identify with anything or see anyone like me.” Maybe we’ll see these people at the trails a few times, but maybe they’ll switch off, and riding will become a “now and then” hobby as opposed to an exciting and enriching part of their lives – like it is for us.
Mountain biking has become an upper-middle- class sport at best. In particular regions, I’d almost go as far as to say that, from the outside, it looks like an elitist sport. That’s a huge generalisation and there are people working hard to break this mould but, for now, that’s how I think it looks from the outside.
We need a shift in thinking. Too often these days, trailside chat is about the latest wizz-bang gadget, recent component or gear purchase – or the cost of said part -, rather than about what a good time we’re having out on the trails. It’s worth pondering; are the upgrades and purchases we make really necessary upgrades, or just vanity purchases?
There’s an undercurrent that the bike we’re on must be as close to the top of the range as possible - and heaven forbid we ride it in its stock form straight from the shop floor!
Unfortunately, it seems mountain biking has become a fashion sport, with purchasing decisions nowadays driven by fashion and the need to have the latest thing, rather than an actual necessity. There’s an undercurrent that the bike we’re on must be as close to the top of the range as possible – and heaven forbid we ride it in its stock form straight from the shop floor! Honestly, how many people are out-riding a mid-level fork and need the top model? Those OEM tyres?They’re probably not that bad, so why not wear them out before you change them? You might even be surprised at how good they really are, regardless of what you’re told.
Sure, if something’s worn out or broken, it needs replacing – but I reckon we need to normalise buying secondhand, or at least considering it, for no other reason than minimising our impact on the planet and, in a small way, we may avoid excluding people. If a bike has been properly looked after, it should last years – and to be fair, the minuscule upgrades we see from season to season are almost unnoticeable. They’re 1% changes barely worth dropping bank on. Will you really feel the difference or is it just that shiny decal you want to show your mates on Instagram?
When it comes to buying a brand-new bike, the same logic applies. I’ve seen riders (myself included in the past) ticking up high-end rigs on high-interest schemes, all to keep up with the Joneses, leaving them financially overreaching and ultimately over-capitalising on their bike. Let’s normalise buying a cheaper bike – it doesn’t necessarily need to be of lesser quality, but perhaps not a premium top-level rig. I’ve been surprised by the performance of some mid- level groupsets and suspension. Are those shiny decals and a 300-gram saving in weight really worth a few extra grand? Doubt it. I’d encourage buying a value-conscious bike that’s more realistically suited to the level it will be used. Don’t skimp out too much, but deal with that extra weight and spend the money saved on a skills clinic and a riding trip. Both of these will boost your riding level and give longer-lasting enjoyment than that 300-gram saving ever will.
Opinion: Bikes are good, period
Words & Illustration Gary Sullivan
This column was going to be about a bike ride and yet another weird character trait I discovered while doing it.
Then, I read Lester’s excellent opinion piece, which can be found elsewhere in this issue. I get to preview things like that if I am asked to provide an illustration to go with it, and I absorbed it in full agreement. I like to say my favourite bike is the one I am riding when I should be working, so just about anything with two wheels will qualify on any given day. Doesn’t need to be top of the line, up-to-date, or even manufactured this century. Bikes are good, period.
That thinking got me started on the state of things in the ‘industry’ right now.
One of the retail behemoths that trade in the New Zealand bike segment has recently changed hands for a dollar. A well-known brand, a bunch of stores, a heap of staff, and probably a significant pile of debt – all this for a dollar, presumably ex-GST.
People have often remarked, in recent years, that this outfit and the other more specialised retail behemoth were in a race to the bottom, and I guess this means there is now a winner.
Financial commentators place some of the blame for the failure of this outfit to make a profit on the post-COVID struggles of the bike market. Not sure about that, but the bike market is definitely in a weird state.
Suppliers super-flush with inventory are struggling to sell stuff. There are solid reasons for that situation.
Talk to just about anybody in the bike caper – they will tell you times are tough. The troubles started with COVID, and not with a downturn. It was a boom. Most activities that were fun were off the table, but riding a bike was still allowed. Travel was a no-go, and interest rates were still almost non-existent, so a lot of people threw their excess dough and energy into bikes.
I like to say my favourite bike is the one I am riding when I should be working, so just about anything with two wheels will qualify on any given day. Doesn’t need to be top of the line, up-to-date, or even manufactured this century.
This happened globally… in the developed world anyway. Nearly every supplier ran out of more or less everything. Lead times for the products people wanted were years long in some cases, and retailers and their customers were very cranky with distributors, who were similarly cranky with their suppliers.
As the retail market clamoured for more, manufacturers cranked up their ability to deliver stuff.
It is perhaps surprising that the general expectation seemed to be that the golden weather would go on forever.
By the time that increased productivity reached the shop floor, most people who were going to had already bought their bike stuff, COVID was now a boring sidebar to life, and the heat was disappearing from the market.
Then a bunch of discretionary cash was hoovered out of the picture by increasing costs of living, and interest rates.
Around the world, big companies have gone bust, teams have folded, sponsorships are drying up. Top riders in some branches of the sport have found themselves out of a gig.
I think the current problem in the bike game is similar to the challenges of capitalism in general: endless growth is impossible to maintain, and it was never going to continue like it did for that brief period during COVID.
There is a lot of product available, new stuff will continue to arrive, and right now things are tight.
But hey! A good bike shop is a wonderful thing. A real bike shop will be kept afloat year-round by the constant need that riders have for parts and service. Of course, it will sell bikes, as many as possible. A good shop will try to ensure that the bike sold matches the customer’s needs.
Meanwhile, out in the woods, things have never been better. There is nothing wrong with the actual sport of riding a bike. Doesn’t matter if the rider is on the latest thing or on a sled from last century - hooning down a trail is as good as it ever was, and many people are out there doing it.
More valuable to their customers will be the advice and insights they pass on. By the time a punter has been absorbed into the sport to the point where escaping is unlikely, they will have figured out which bike shop suits them and will be in there on a regular basis, dropping cash on keeping a bike (or fleet) functional.
Meanwhile, out in the woods, things have never been better. There is nothing wrong with the actual sport of riding a bike. Doesn’t matter if the rider is on the latest thing or on a sled from last century – hooning down a trail is as good as it ever was, and many people are out there doing it. Gravel is growing, bikepacking is growing, eBikes are everywhere.
Which brings me back to my initial sentence – the bike ride.
I got a stellar Saturday a few weeks ago and, for reasons I now forget, I had nothing else that urgently needed doing except bike riding.
As usual when riding familiar territory, I started creating a route in my head on the way to the trails. By the time I got to my start point I had one sketched out.
It was ambitious.
Up As You Do, down Ten of Clubs, on to Corridor, then Turkish, Rock Drop and Rosebank, coffee and muffin, up Soakhole, down K2, up Direct, down Tutaeata, up Apumoana, down Johnsons, up Lobotomy to the top, down Tihi-O-Tawa, back to the top, through Tuhoto Ariki, up Moerangi, down Te Ahi Manawa, up Lookout, down No Brains, along Taura, up Tokorangi, down Fluffies.
Incomprehensible if you have never visited Rotorua but, trust me, it is a big and lavish helping of trails.
I expected it to take a while.
It did. It was great, I met people here and there (see above re. the state of the sport), only got passed twice (two young fellas at the same time, so only counts as once). I fell off twice.
Here is the weird character trait: by the last climb I was out of gas. I had to sit down on the side of the trail and gaze into space for a while. Some complete beginners even asked me if I was alright. I was, I was just rooted.
But I had to finish my route. Once created, it needed completion. Why, I can’t explain. It just did.