Fogelsode #8: Merry Christmas!

Fogelsode #8 is up!  This week has been kind of slow, with lots of building and hanging out with the family.  Matt and I got a chance to go out and ride the step-up for a day though!  It was just an average sesh, so I wanted to do something new.  I remembered making a hip landing off to the right, two years ago when the jump was much smaller.  Since then, the lip is taller, further back, and there is a trail that goes between the straight landing and the hillside.  In order to hip it now, you would have to go much faster and clear over the trail to make it to the hillside.  I gave it a shot and it ended up working out!  With the sun beginning to set, I wanted to try some tricks on it.  I went for a topside-whip, but spun it way too fast and somehow landed backwards!  I’ve been wanting to hip-flip a jump for a while now, and figured this one would be good.  It took a few tries but I ended up sticking it and riding out clean!  Matt was getting in some sick shoulder buzzes and big 360s too!  Overall it was a fun sesh and a great time!  Also, when we were out building there have been some epic sunsets, so I grabbed the camera and got a few shots to include as well.  Hopefully everyone is enjoying the holidays and has a great New Year!

Enjoy!

Fogelsode #8: Merry Christmas! from Jack Fogelquist on Vimeo.

On a side note, I’m stoked to say the Amp is up and running again!

-Jack

Custom Rune Build

I was surfing through the forums, as I do every day incase anyone is asking questions about our frames, and to keep in touch with new trends etc, and I came across a REALLY nicely thought out high end rune build by 'Err' on the mtbr forums that I thought I would share with you all.

What makes this build stand out for me is that he has chosen very specifically the parts to get the exact geometry he is after (like K9 cups to get a 65.5degree head angle) and keeping it light but plush to shred downhill trails. He also opted for the great option of a custom tuned Elka Stage 5.

Shout out to Ian @ Chromag and Drop N' Zone for help with the build.

Check it out!



Frame - Med '10 Rune, Ekla w/Ti spring
Fork - '10 Float 36 RC2, custom decals and blue ano removed
HS - K9 angle reducer cups w/cane creek bearings
Cap - Gravity Whip cap
Stem - Chromag Ranger, 50 mm, pewter, 160g
Bars - Chromag Fubars OS X, white/grey, 30", 320g uncut
Grips - Gravity lock-ons, white
Fr Brake - Elixr CR, 203 mm
Rr Brake - Elixr CR, 185 mm
Rr Shifter - XO
Saddle - Chromag Lynx, Ti rails
FR Post - Thomson Elite
AM Post - Joplin
Clamp - Chromag, 35.0, Pewter
Cranks - XTR, 175 mm, w/32t Blackspire Monoveloce
Guide - MRP Mini-G2
Cassette - XTR 11-34
Rr Der - X9, med cage
Chain - PC990 Hollow-pin
Pedals - Twenty6 Rally Ti
AM Wheels - DT 1750 w/DT tubeless kit, Schwalbe Fat Alberts, 2.4
FR Wheels - Mavic DeeMax, Schwalbe Mudd Mary, 2.35
Rear Axle - DT RWS 10 mm


To read the whole threadand get deatails on geometry and build choices, click the mtbr link above.

Best of Aptos (Jack Fogelquist)

Jack is in this video, he is my hero …

And Merry Christmas.

Rob

Edit: added these two videos, all credit goes to Jordan Holmes on pinkbike.

 

Merry Christmas and a Happy Hogmanay

We want to wish you all very happy holidays, and hope that you all manage to get our for a ride come rain or snow!

What can I give you all for Christmas?? Hmmm well how about some inspirational material?

King of the Animal House Finals Video from Ryan Fudger on Vimeo.

(thanks to Jack for finding this gem and posting it on twitter where I poached it! haha)

I hope that after you have had a few days to digest all that Christmas lunch, that you can celebrate the start of the next decade and have a happy Hogmany (what we call new year here in Scotland). Bring on 2010!!

Keith & Jay

Fogelsode #7: XC Trails, Downhill Trails, and Building Trails

The rain let up this week, making for some dialed trails!  Everyone was busy on Tuesday, so I decided to go out for a little cross-country solo ride.  I rode this cool trail that I hadn’t ridden in ages.  It was the first trail that I ever went mountain biking on and I used to ride it as much as I could, so it was cool going back and riding it now.  I was anxious to make a self-filmed video too, so it was fun to try that!  It really makes you think about choosing angles carefully, but it ended up working out well and I’m stoked on how it came together.

A few days later, the crew met up and ran some shuttles on some sick downhill trails.  With the dirt nice and wet, it made for some fast berms and slick lines.  It was cool to have a big group to sesh trails with too.

We got a little rain as well, so we hiked up in the woods and made some progress on a new line.  It’s shaping up to be pretty sweet, but it’s still got a ways to go.  Overall just been having lots of good times riding tons of trails this week!

Enjoy!

Fogelsode #7: XC Trails, Downhill Trails, and Building Trails from Jack Fogelquist on Vimeo.

-Jack

Paul Genovese 2009

Paul Genovese is a 15 year old from my home town; Fernie, British Columbia. When I was home in the summer I first started hearing stories from the 13 year old dirt jumpers, then I asked some friends about him and they all described him the same way a quiet, young local with great style and bike control. I met him and his brother Nic (who is pretty good with a camera) at the local dirt jumps and I had to agree with my friends. Paul is a  super nice guy who does not say a lot and knows how to ride a bike. Watch out for him in 2010 …

Check out more pictures on videos on pinkbike. http://nickag52.pinkbike.com/

Rob

Snow ride

We've had snow in London, England for about a week now, which is unusual (to get snow this side of Christmas)

Central London is pretty clear, but higher ground is still covered with a thick blanket



I've done a couple of night rides in the snow this week which is always fun, but took advantage of being off on a Sunday, and headed out at 9am up into the Heath


It's harder work and a little slower, but huge fun and its always nice to come back with a clean bike as everything is frozen solid!

If its snows in your area, take advantage and get out and ride your bike!

happy trails...

Rob C

Tasmania roadtrip

2 weeks ago i got on a plane and headed for tasmania to participate in a couple contests. The first contest was held in a little town called Launceston. It was held on a locals farm with the course being short but sweet. It consisted of a small set up drop to right hand berm/speed jump/ normal jump/ big right hand berm and then into the ramp to dirt trick jump. There was an open class but i wasn't really aloud to compete because the prizes were bike products that i couldn't really use anyway. So that was a bummer but i did get to ride a fair bit and ended up judging the contest. I woke up the next morning with a big picture in the local newspaper tho so that was cool.

The second jam was at the Downhill nationals in hobart. After a little tweaking with the shovel when we arrived the jumps felt alright, pretty small but good enough to pull out some tricks.

here's a real short edit of me from that jam.

It's good to see a couple of contest popping up here in Australia, there really is never any contest here through out the year. How ever there is a real decent one coming up on January 16-17th during the national DH event here in my home town. Its sponsored by Barspin Imports (dealer of Banshee) which is great, this contest will be great for the Australian scene. Keep in touch for a big right up on that event.

I'd also like o thank my sponsors for helping out too.

Banshee

Geax

Straitline

Raceface

:)

Alan,

Laotian Beauty

My brothers and I are planning a bicycle tour through Laos in January. My brothers were there years ago, they missed a bus and ended up walking 30+ kilometers to the next town. Ever since then they have been talking about riding through Laos. I have been there twice and both times I wish I would have had my bike with me.

This week I received the Laotian Vientos. I have been riding my Viento and I am in love with it. It is like my Amp and Wildcard got together and had a love child.

 

Viento All Mountain Jack Knife Build: Large Frame, Spank Vomax Rims on Chosen Hubs, Maxxis Larsen TT tires. Fox Talas RC2, Spank Subrosa Saddle, Spank Spike Stem and Bars, Juicy 5 Brakes. I have been doing some trail riding and have been loving it. It is great to be back on a XC style bike.

   

Happy Trails,

Rob

Australia’s first ever National Dirt Jump Competition

Barspin Imports and Banshee in Australia have just won main sponsorship rights of Australia’s first ever National Dirt Jump Competition!  It’s the inaugural event and promises to be absolutely huge with sensational prizes (both cash and frames) on offer.  We’re looking for talented dirt jumpers from all over Australia to head on down to Adelaide to show off their stuff on the Eagle MTB Park jumps, which just happen to be built by Banshee’s own Alan Hepburn and friends. 

For more information on how you can register, just email info@barspin-imports.com.au or check out the official website:  www.eaglechamps.com.au

Categories will be:  Open “Pro” (19y.o.+ and all age sponsored riders), Dirt Dudes (all U19 with no sponsorship), and the crowd’s favourite, all in, Best Trick!!   Prizes include Banshees Rampant and Amp frames along with some good cash prizes and riding gear.  The Dirt Dude winner will also get a sponsorship package from Barspin Imports.  That’s got to tempt you into a road trip! 

Cheers all,

Darren (Barspin Imports – proudly distributing Banshee in Australia).