Danny MacAskill New Video at Playboy Mansion

Just few times after his newest video, Epecuen, the Inspired rider Danny MacAskill will soon release his new video taken at Playboy Mansion; and Danny describes this place as "pretty different" - you know what I mean by the way. Nothing can be explained more about this video, but as usual this will give something different and something new, as we know that Danny is one of the most creative trail riders.

It can be seen that Danny's video has reached over 100 million viewers around the world, and with this new video this number will grow up.

Danny's upcoming new video at Playboy Mansion will attract more viewers, and no doubt about this. Just check out this exclusive photos from redbull.com to see that this video will be hot!!! All photos, more information, exclusive interview and short video about this, check here.

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New Bike: Specialized Demo S-Works Carbon 2015

After the flash appearance on Crankworx Whistler several time ago, finally Specialized releases their newest carbon downhill bike for the 2015, which is improvement of their most successful downhill bike, the Specialized Demo. For 2015, Specialized make it as Demo S-Works full carbon frame and have very radical frame design. As planning, this new downhill bike will be available on market per January 2015, but we have to look closer first before tested it. As addition, Aaron Gwin and Troy Brosnan will be the first who ride this monster this weekend on the event Mont Sainte Anne World Cup. 

There is no much information about this bike yet, except that the appearance of this bike is very radical and unusual. Using 650b or 27,5 inch wheels, the popular size of wheelset today, and continuing the collaboration with Ohlins for the rear shock. Specialized Demo S-Works Carbon 2015 uses internal cable routing and have 200mm of travel.

With very less information about this, we even don't get any information about the geometry of this bike, but some sources has predict the geometry of this bike and based on those sources, the geometry will be similar with the previous Demo. But, this 2015 Demo S-Works maybe become the fastest downhill bike from Specialized that even produced so far. Isn't it? We'll find about this later.

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Bike Guide: Install the Rear Derailleur

The technology of mountain bike today becomes more complicated and complex, but as bike owner we have to learn about simple and basic things on having mountain bike; the derailleur. Derailleur system is one of the old technology, and have improved for certain scene of biking. Basically the derailleur on cross country bike is same as the derailleur on all mountain bike, so the knowledge about this part is very important.
On this first session of "Bike Guide", we will learn more about "how to install the rear derailleur." But some tools will be needed to install the rear derailleur, and we can assume that we all have basic tools for mountain bike.
The installation is simple but the complex thing is how to set up so the shifting and rear derailleur have good acceleration. This is important, because when the shifting system is not good, this will be problem if we want to climb but the rear derailleur have not in good response. Then, how to make it have good response? The step is we can preset the high limit (H) and then drift the shift wire back to the derailleur. Then find a bare stretch of cable and give it a good pull to make sure the cable is seated and has no slack. Then loosen the wire, pull it tight again and re-tighten it.

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Look Closer: GT Fury 27.5 Inch Wheels - Gee Atherton

Atherton is the famous family name; Gee Atherton and Rachel Atherton, which consider as top rider on professional downhill scene today. On this part, we will take a look closer on Gee Atherton's bike: GT Fury 27.5 DH Bikes, which is become his primary weapon for the downhill race. Gee Atherton's bike mostly sponsored by FOX suspension and he uses this for the rear and the fork, then Shimano Saint for the groupset, and for the complete check below;

On the suspension department this bike is using FOX Rad for the rear suspension, a really good stuff to be installed on aggressive bike like GT Fury.

This suspension then be combined with the FOX 40 as the front suspension to get the perfect match and performance on the track.

For the groupset department, this GT Fury runs fast with the Shimano Saint drivetrain and brakeset to get the optimal performance; Shimano Saint is one of the best groupset on DH scene today, and so with the Saint brakeset.

With the ice-tech technology, the Saint brakeset is the perfect brake to stop this machine after go down fast on the track, without any increasing of heat on the rotor. Another part used is Continental Trail King tire, Pro Component for the cockpit area, and Crank Brothers for the pedals.

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Lapierre for 2015: New Line-Up

Lapierre just launches their new bikes for the 2015, and these bikes are built for several scenes: three trail bikes, one enduro, and new downhill machine for the Lapierre DH Team. Lapierre releases those bikes in French Alps, and one of their most popular bike; Spicy and Zesty, will get new touch for the 2015. But of course, all those bikes will come with new technologies on several parts, and what are they?

These new bikes from Lapierre will come with the new development of the E:I Electric Shock Control, and this technology has been simplified from their previous version of this technology; this technology is started last year. But for the 2015, this technology will be called as E:I Auto Shock, and the differences of this version and the previous version is the new version is not use remote handlebar switch. For the development of this technology, Lapeirre have a partnership with famous brand RockShox.

Another new technology of the new Lapierre's bikes is the Supra Link Technology, and this technology is used on their new downhill bikes for the Lapierre DH Team. This technology is quite complex when applied in the frame but this is good part of their new DH bikes. The 2015 Lapierre DH bikes is using combination of the RockShox Vivid and Boxxer World Cup Fork. 

The list of the new Lapierre bikes fr 2015 is; the Zasty All Mountain family, with the 27.5 inch wheel and the Zesty 29 Trail, the Spicy AM, Lapierre X-Control - the new XC bike with 27.5 inch wheels, Lapierre Overvolt FS 900 and the last is Lapierre DH bike for Lapierre DH team.

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Look Closer: Sam Dale's Saracen Madison DH 27.5

Sam Dale is one of the famous professional downhill racer today and for the weapon for the race he have great machine; Saracen Madison DH with the 27.5 inch wheelset - the popular wheelset size today. This is very big machine, very suitable for his riding style; fast and wild, and because of that some call Sam Dale as like Grizzly Bear! So, want to get some inspirations from Sam Dale's bike setup? Check this out!

With the FOX suspension, this Saracen Madison DH is ready to down from any mountain and go as fast as possible. The FOX Rad suspension is chosen for the rear suspension in this bike. 

Then, for the drivetrain Sam Dale's Saracen Madison is using Shimano Saint drivetrain and brakes. Shimano Saint is one of the best groupset for downhill scene today and many professional racers install this stuff on their bikes. Shimano Saint brake is the perfect stuff to stop this machine on the downhill track, with ice-tech technology that keep the rotor cool even on the aggressive riding.

This is great machine, right?

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New Bike: Pivot Phoenix Carbon DH Bike

Okay, carbon bike is getting popular now on mountain bike scene, in any purpose - XC, AM, FR, or DH - but what makes new downhill bike for Pivot is different with other carbon bikes is that this Pivot Phoenix just have only 30.8 lbs or 14 kg! What is the secret of this bike? One of the secrets maybe is the frame which is only have 8.1 pounds including the shock, sounds crazy right??

The Pivot Phoenix Carbon DH have its first appearance on the Sea Otter 2014 event and now this bike is available on market at the price $3,299 frame only including rear shock. The fullbike versions also available with two different specs, and those are priced on $5,499 and $7,399. The highest price of the Pivot Phoenix Carbon DH have 33.5 pounds and regarded as the lightest downhill bike on market.

The list below is the highlights of the Pivot Phoenix Carbon DH bike;

- 204mm dw-link suspension 

- Full carbon frame featuring Pivot exclusive hollow box internal molding technology 

- 27.5” wheels 

- S, M, L, & XL sizing   

- Adjustable +/- .75 degree headset option 

- Full length internal cable routing with Pivot’s exclusive cable port system  

- Dropper post compatible with internal routing 

- Enduro Max cartridge bearings used throughout  

- Fox DHX RC4 Coil-Over rear shock 

- Frame weight from 7.1/3.2kg lbs (small w/air shock) or 8.1lbs/3.6kg (small w/coil shock) 

- Complete Shimano Saint equipped w/Fox 40 fork, Maxxis DH tires, and pedals from 33.5 lbs 

- Rubberized integrated downtube and swingarm protection. 

- Carbon ISCG-05 tabs 

- 157mm X 12mm rear end 

- 107mm full carbon BB shell 

- 180mm rear carbon post mounts 

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Product Tested: Race Face Turbine Crankset

Race Face is a famous product that consistent in producing mountain bike part, such as bars, stems, and also the crankset. Their products are good, and most used by professional riders to be installed on their bikes, and their crankset lineup are even more! They have released so many crankset series, and one of their most popular in their crankset lineup is their Turbine series. 

HIGHLIGHTS

Race Face Turbine Crankset actually for the XC, AM, Trail, and Enduro riding, because the three various size of the Turbine are good for that scene which has 170, 175, and 180 mm lengths. The complete highlights of this crankset is listed below;

#Intended for XC/Trail/All-Mountain/Enduro use

#Completely redesigned for 2015 to incorporate the Cinch system

#Crank arms are deep pocket forged and CNC machined to optimize stiffness

#170, 175, 180mm crank arm lengths

#Black, Blue and Red crank color options

#Protective ‘crank boots’ available

#Removable spider offers the ability to convert between 1, 2, and 3X chainring standards

#1X Narrow/Wide options: 26, 28, 30, 32, 34 and 36T

#2X 64/104 BCD options: 22/36, 24/36, 24/38T

#2X 80/120 BCD options: 26/38, 28/40T

#3X options: 22/32/42, 24/32/42T

#Industry standard 30mm spline interface CNC machined from 7050 alloy

#BB92, 68/73 BSA, 100mm BSA, and PF30 bottom bracket options

#MSRP $199.99 to $299.99, depending on chainring configuration

IMPRESSIONS

The Turbine can be said as the lower version of their premium crankset, the Race Face Next SL, and it can be seen on the chainring; they have same chainring, both Turbine and Next SL. Even, these two products have same on another aspect like on the crank extraction system, and the same locknut. The installation of Turbine Crankset also simple and quite easy, and overall the Turbine setup is easy!

RIDING TEST

Simple, performance of this crankset is awesome and superb! It smooth, without any disturbing sound, or creaks and the narrow chainring also gives another comfortableness on the trail.

The Race Face brand is the guarantee that their products are good product in any sectors, and they prove again on this crankset.

DURABILITY & IMPROVEMENT

This is great product and can be used for long time because of the material used, and in the proper use this product will be longer life! It's quite hard to find the cons on the great product like Turbine, and it just like searching a needle on the garbage! The price is good, with the amount $199.99 to $299.99, we can install great crankset on our bike, but let's try to find the cons; maybe the cons are proprietary bottom bracket tool, as well as having the crank arm auto-extractor cap un-thread itself once on the trail.

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Product Tested: New Downhill Wheelset ENVE Composites M90 Ten

ENVE is one of the most famous and high end wheelset on the market. With so many products out there on the market for various purpose - XC, AM, FR, or DH - ENVE compose a new product to fill the need of the good wheelset for the Downhill scene, and this new downhill wheelset from ENVE which is later known as ENVE Composites M90 Ten Wheels have fulfill the requirements for the downhill scenes; light and strong.

HIGHLIGHTS

ENVE Composites M90 Wheels are available on the market on two sizes, 26 inch and 27.5 inch - current popular size in any scene of mountain biking. It has 487 gr for the 26" and 509 gr for the 27.5" size with the internal and external width (both) 25 mm and 34 mm. The price of M90 Wheels on the market will be around $2,718.

IMPRESSIONS

This is one of the great product for the downhill scene today, and really worth to be owned and to be installed on the bike; it will make the bike look more better. As one of the leading brand on the mountain biking scene, actually there will be no doubt about this product, and just like its previous wheels, the M70 wheels, the M90 wheels also have technology that incorporated to get best result.

Basically, the M series on ENVE's wheels are designed for the riders to get new experience on any terrain; it will give more confident. One of the technology that applied in M90 Wheels are the usage of the conical spokes, and the result is the wheelset will be stronger, reliable, and saving weight. This is not a surprise because almost all ENVE's products, especially the wheelset light but at the same time also strong.

RIDING TEST

The lateral stiffness combined with the light weight of the wheelset really adds to the slingshot feeling out of corners - the harder this wheelset up, the down ride will be faster.

The first run of the year was down Ninja Cougar, a trail track known for some incredible berms with some serious spot and the benefits of the wheel under pressure were made very apparent. From here the wheels have been down everything from the full Oriental Express, Afternoon Delight and Tech Noir, to the Canadian Open, plenty of classic old school with Joyride and Schleyer, and everything in-between. This M90 Wheels are never disappointed.

DURABILITY & IMPROVEMENT

After beating on the M90s in the real trail and some local trails around home for a good amount of time baffled by the lack of maintenance required, "lack of" here translating to zero! Other than a few scuffs on the walls of the rims and on the stickers. If there any thing could be improve, maybe for the decal aspect - almost all ENVE's wheelset just got same decals one and another. But, this is just a little things on the great product, and for the simplicity fans, this wheelset is perfect and worth to be owned! 

Just to be remembered, this wheelset is build special for professional riders that maybe have been sponsored by the brand, so if you are just mountain biking fans without any sponsors, this wheelset maybe is too expensive though it worth with the technology - the price of a pair of this wheelset even more expensive than certain fullbike on the market!

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