Mikko's Amp

Mikko from FOX sent me this today:


Hi Rob, Keith and Jay!

Sending a few pics of my AMP finally!

As I’ve said before, I LOVE my AMP and ride the ramps, dirt jumps and skateparks with my kid on a regular basis. I used to spend more time on the trail, but I’ve devolved into a park rat, adopted by an awesome crew of delinquent teenage kids who have seen fit to humor me and push me into all variety of danger. I came to this type of riding late in life (57 last August) so I don’t really have my own crew . . .

The bike is really tight, balanced and comes in around 26lbs. I just installed a Fox 831, set @90mm travel, a couple weeks back and have to say it’s such a great fork. (Might be biased being a Fox guy, but I call ‘em as I see ‘em). I’m running Mavic 321’s with the new Maxxis 26” DTH tires; Race Face D2 stem for that bmx-ey style; Shimano XT cranks; Avid Code 5 rear brake; Thompson post and SDG Bel-Air saddle. I always get lot’s of comments and compliments on the bike and despite it’s stealth looks, everyone knows it’s a Banshee. I’ll keep hounding the other Fox guys to get you pics of their sweet new Banshee’s . . .

May the new year find you guys healthy, happy and ready for a seriously big year for Banshee Bikes!

All the best,

Mikko Biffle
Powered Vehicle Division
Fox Racing Shox

Christmas in Taiwan

Christmas 2010 was my seventh Christmas spent in Asia. My Christmas Goal was to do a tuck no hander. I pulled one out, it might be my fastest tuck to date and the one with the least amount of air. But hey I broke my back in July.

After seeing pictures of my air time and style I was thinking I should retire from all bicycle related activities. But then I saw how good I look posing with my bike, maybe there is a future for me in bike posing ... thoughts, anyone, anyone?

James was feeling like he had a case of SARS, but he was still taking it up. He had a couple decent whips but I missed the shot.

Then I climbed up a hill and tried to get some shots from a different angle. Picture is not cropped at all. Sure with some cropping this picture would look a lot better.


Happy New Year. Keep Riding.

Rob Dunnet

Photos

I have been working on a film project titled You Like This and recently some photos from production have made there way on to the interweb. A photo by David Founier was Pinkbike's photo of the day a week ago. Catching my Legend mid drift above Britannia Beach on a great day.

Taylor Loughran the camera jedi behind You Like This just released his 2010 photo slideshow, which features many photos from the production of You Like This. Check it out!

Fogelsode S2 #4: Rebirth of the Step-Up

About a month ago we started giving the step-up a major overhaul, beginning with a shopping spree at the local lumber yard.  It’s been quite the process of getting the lip build, painting it, and getting it over there, but it was all worth it to say the least!  It’s been some great times having some wicked seshes with new tricks and good laughs.  Good ‘ol winter!

Photo Cred: Davin Pena

Get Amped

Amps are in the welding section right now. Kind of like a day at the spa ...

After the tubes for the top tube, down tube and head tube are cut they are loaded into a basket.

The basket with the tubing is then dipped in some chemicals that I was told I can not drink.

Chemical bath, water, chemical bath, water, chemical bath and some more water. Then we move onto the mud bath ...

Frames are placed in a jig and tacked together before the mud bath I guess ...

A rack of Amps ready to be placed in the mud bath ...

Keep Riding.

Rob Dunnet

AT Showdown GoPro

1080 Practice

Pool Jumping and 1080 Training - More Mountain Bike Videos

One Piece Riding Kit

From the Sponge Bob kit to the one piece coveralls, the testing for a new kit never really stops. Thanks to my clothing sponsor Harlok Design Group Inc. for hooking me up with a set of coveralls for the Taiwan winter.

Coveralls:
increase the ability to be a mechanic by at least 55%.
that are a size too small may reduce movement by 37%.
increase core temperature by 10 degrees.
increased awesomeness by 24%.
sex appeal down 5% ... due to grease and paint stains.


James has been riding and building a couple of days a week. He likes to go fast and take it up and he has been successful at both. He firmly believes that the Rampant is the bike for Taiwan, maybe the bike for all of Asia.





Keep Riding.

Rob Dunnet

Sponge Bob Riding Kit

Our goal at Banshee is to be ahead of the competition. For the past year we have been developing a new racing/slope style kit with team rider Alan Hepburn.

We are calling it the SB-1 kit and after extensive testing we have determined the following:

- increases awesomeness by 15-20%
- increases of sex appeal by 30-40% (depending on the rider)
- decreases aerodynamics by 5% but somehow has a positive effect on speed, amplitude
- increases judges' results by anywhere from 80 to 95%

... a full list of the benefits will be released soon ...

Right now we can say the new suit works 60% of the time every time. We are finding that results vary with use of bikes that do not say Banshee on them ...

Keep Riding.

Rob Dunnet

Aussie Nationals 2010/11 - Hobart

Travelled to Hobart with members of Team Banshee Australia, Ryan Hunt and Lachlan McLaren last weekend to contest the opening round of the Aussie Downhill Nationals. Weather was all over the place, 4 seasons in an hour with plenty of gale force wind, driving rain and the odd sun shower. Practice commenced Friday and the track was much the same as last Nationals being fast and technical however; there were plenty of crashes with riders getting carted off to hospital with various injuries (a couple of them quite serious - get well guy's). Saturday came and again practice went off without any drama but with the weather changing constantly I was not sure of tire selection - had the whole range of Maxxis available but could not make the decision so I decided to run the trusted Minion Slow Rezay (F) all round. Seeding race was held late Saturday afternoon and I qualified 5th behind Troy Brosnan, Brandon Yrttiaho, Phil Piazza and Connor Fearon however; I was not entirely happy with my run - just kept making little mistakes which cost time.

Sunday practice did not start until early afternoon with racing due to commence at 3pm but was delayed an hour after a bad crash towards the end of practice. I finally got over the start line at 4.20pm and had a really good race run and took over the Hot Seat with a time of 3:14:15 which was 4 seconds faster than my Seeding Race run. I eventually finished in 4th place behind current World Junior Champ - Troy Brosnan, Brandon Yrttiaho and Phil Piazza with Henry Blake rounding out the Top 5. I am happy with a great start to the National season and now look forward to the next round at Mount Baw Baw, Victoria followed by Mount Buller, Victoria.

I would like to extend a huge shout of thanks and appreciation to my Sponsors - Banshee Bikes, NS Dynamics.com.au, Chunked.com.au, KWT-Maxxis, Elka Suspension and Summer Harvest. I would also like to acknowledge Darren Boman - Barspin Imports and Team Banshee Australia for his continuing support and assistance with my riding and racing.

Winter Time in Fernie

Hey guys, Paul checking in!
Its full on winter here in Fernie, and I have been craving biking since the first snow flake hit the trails. I have been getting my adrenaline fix in on my skis, which is a minor reminder of what I have been missing since being on my bike.
My brother nic is just finishing his semester in U of L, and he had to do a 1 min skit on a snow activity, so he decided to get my girlfriend and I to do a little skit on snow biking.

I thought it was pretty funny.
Enjoy

Paul Genovese

Rob Here:

I am pretty sure Paul is an International Music Video Star. Check out the video for Ladyhawke - Magic, I asked Paul about it and he did not deny it, so ...

WATCH IT HERE ...

Merry Christmas ... Sort of

So I was working on my 2010 Christmas list when Jay told me we would be working through Christmas. So that means we will be answering emails and shipping stuff out through the Christmas Holiday season. I guess that is what happens when you move to Asia. You forget about Christmas.


I have not posted anything about myself in a while. I have been getting some emails asking how I am doing. If you do not know I broke my back in a biking accident in July. It has been a pain filled couple of months but I guess that is what happens when you break your back. I have been riding a little bit and have been doing my best not to over do it.


I have been riding a friend's road bike on and off for the past several months and I have been swimming a couple of times. Went to the beach this week ... rehab is hard.


I have been on my Amp and my brother's Rampant a little bit. Have been trying to keep my wheels on the ground as much as possible.

Riding some trails on my brother's Rampant. I am going to have to get me a Rampant soon. It is like be on my Amp but much more forgiving.


I have been working on my berm and pump track skills on my Amp. I can still not bunny hop, pulling up on the bars hurts. So my style is even worse than ever ...


Now that I am fat and out of shape it is a lot harder to ride all day. If the fatness does not get to me the back pain does.


Keep Riding.

Rob Dunnet

Esher X construction underway

whilst we've been working on the "ESHER X" bike park project for some months, today was the first time we brought in the heavy guns to start the actual ground work for the tracks

the British built JCB machine (3CX) is legendary for its high workrate and site mastery, and we've managed to snag a very experienced driver (ken) who is worth his weight in gold...

FOR MORE WORDS AND PICTURES CLICK HERE ...

Pics on AMP

Hi !

finally I received 3 pics

from last Halle 5 Jam

here in Germany.

The first time

I rode my awesome

AMP in there ...

FOR MORE FROM DENNIS CLICK HERE ...

A bike that wants MORE!

My name is Jeffrey Herbertson, and my Banshee Rampant is the best bike I have ever owned... I've been riding my Rampant for over a week now and I'm loving it!

FOR MORE ON JEFF'S RAMPANT CLICK HERE ...

222Cycles Denmark Banshee AMP "Green Monster"

It is about time that I post some of my bikes here. I made this green Amp to match my green Banshee Legend. I have not been riding as I injured my foot three months ago. I will be able to ride again in the middle of next year.

Here is my Amp:

Banshee AMP short

Fork: Marzocchi DJ1 2011 green

Breake: Gusset Shute Hyd black

Tires: Halo Twinrail 26"x2.20

Wheels: DMR Backline 10/20mm.

Gear: Gusset Double Six Singelspeed

Handlebar: DMR Wingbar 25.4

Saddle: Gusset Lil´Kev with Salsa Lip-Lock

Pedals: Gusset Pinhead green
Crank: Gusset Pigmy 853 Renolds black
Stem: Gusset Staff Stem frempind 50mm. sort
Chain: Gusset ½ link green
Chain wheel: Gusset 4X green
Grips: Acros lock on green locks
Butterfly: Acros 222Cycles logo Spinning cap green
Saddle pin: Acros green "insert"
Head set: Dia-Compe IB1 green

FOR MORE OF THE GREEN MONSTER CLICK HERE ...

Report from Chile!

Just a few months ago the Riding season officially started here in Chile (South America)…

Chilean Banshee rider, Cristobal "Ito" Ramirez, flying at the top of the chillan track

Recently were held two big events in November and December. One was on “nevados de Chillan” ( click on this link for review of Steve Wentz; US rider that came to Chile for the race:http://www.vitalmtb.com/features/Dispatch-Steve-Wentz-Reports-from-the-Copa-Cannondale-in-Chile,116 ), and the other was this weekend (4-5 of December), the National Champs that were on La Parva (just a few km´s away from Santiago Capital).

FOR MORE CLICK HERE ...

Antoine Dunourgnon ripping it up on his Scythe.

This younge French ripper has been flipping and spinning his banshees for a while now, and I think it is time you all started to learn the name, as he is definately an up and comer!

ANTOINE DUBOURGNON FREE RIDE ON MOUNTAIN BIKE from olivier Hermitant on Vimeo.

Mike and Tyler

Mike and Tyler have some big goals for December. I have been hearing rumors and from this teaser I have some idea of what they have planned. I am not going to say what I have been hearing, but if the rumors are true you will be impressed.

Montgomery McCaul Project Teaser - More Mountain Bike Videos

Article in Mountain Bike Action

Got an article in Mountain Bike Action, check it out! *high res*

If you have trouble reading the article try here ... might be better ... might not

Jeff's Rampant

I love hooking guys up who build really nice bikes and make our bikes look really good. And Jeff makes a couple good points in his opening ...



Keep Riding.

Rob Dunnet

Mike in Australian Mountian Bike

I have always wanted to be in a magazine, there was this one time I submitted pictures to a magazine but was turned down for so many reasons. I guess I will have to podium at one of the biggest MTB contests in the world to make it happen.


If you do not know who Mike Montgomery this is your first time on the Banshee Blog ... snoop around you will be impressed.


Keep Riding.

Rob Dunnet