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Early season testing started for the Santa Cruz Syndicate with mechanics, engineers and riders arriving in the town of Imperia, Italy, for three days of extensive testing aboard the latest Santa Cruz full carbon V-10s. The bikes were decked out with the Syndicate’s newest sponsor products from Fox and Shimano. The Syndicate’s choice to join forces with Shimano and Fox proved to be a great decision as the test session was incredibly successful.

“Testing was amazing, the most productive test session I have ever been to. Besides good riding and eating killer Italian food, our Syndicate family expanded with Fox and Shimano. I feel this was a great start to the year and I’m looking forward to more positive things to come in 2012,” said Greg Minnaar.

The testing took place on the long downhill racetrack in San Romolo with shuttle assistance from Roberto Vernassa from Argentina Bike. The five-man Fox crew was ready to gather information from suspension testing using their state of the art data acquisition equipment. Spirits were high as everyone got started off on the dark chilly mornings while the mechanics built a bonfire at the bottom of the track to stave off a bit of chill. Riders were warm and tingly inside with big grins after the first run.

“We were getting everyone up to speed on the new full carbon frame, Fox suspension, and Shimano components. With the frame being much lighter than the previous version we had to dial the suspension in because of less un-sprung weight. I’ve also been riding the new XTR brakes for some time now and can’t get over how impressive they are, particularly with modulation. Feedback from all the racers was what I was expecting, a new milestone in performance” Says Rob Roskopp.

Greg Minnaar exclaims: “I was blown away on the first ride down the rugged San Romolo track. The first thought was, this is a winning combo! Fitzy and his crew worked flat out to get us up to speed. Their passion, enthusiasm and suspension knowledge is going to be very positive to the Syndicate. It’s been awhile since I was last on Shimano, 2003… and that was a good year for me. I hope this is the good luck I’ll be needing to win another World Championship.”

Santa Cruz engineer Joe Graney says: “We look forward to a close relationship with the suspension experts at Fox. They arrived in Italy with a team of engineers and technicians, blowing everyone away with how they were able to accurately translate each rider’s input into measured improvements in speed and control. Shimano continues to push the envelope with technologies like Ice Technology brakes and the Shadow Plus derailleur, as well as the variety of options that can be configured for different conditions fits perfectly with Santa Cruz Bicycles’ core values of customer choice, usable performance, durability and long term support.”

Our newest addition to the Syndicate, mechanic Jason Marsh says: “I’m super happy that we are using Fox Racing Shox and Shimano for the 2012 season.  The new Fox 40 forks suit the carbon V-10 frame perfectly and the RC4 rear shock really compliments the VPP suspension design. The riders were all impressed on how good the bikes felt, even after the first run. I have worked with the Saint group-set for the last three seasons and I really like how they work. Saint cranks are super strong, brakes are simple to set up and the rear derailleur and shifter are super smooth and a nice set up. Finish and attention to detail can’t be matched. The support offered by the Fox team over the last few days has been superb and their race support is second to none. 2012 will be a great season.”

Steve Peat was surprisingly pleased: “We have had three awesome days testing and training in Italy. It was great to catch up with all my crew after a few down months throughout the winter and I was happy to get out on the Santa Cruz V-10 and trash it in the test situation. Fox is a company that I have watched over the years.

“They obviously have great product because the fast guys are using it and winning races now and again on it. And Shimano need no introduction. It’s a no brainer that they have great products and I am looking forward to working with them at the races! We came up with some great set ups and I am now looking forward to the season. Now it’s our turn to give it a thrash on our V-10’s, 2012 should be fun!”

Josh Bryceland added: “The test session was a big learning curve for me. Having ridden Boxxer’s since I was about 14, I’m very used to the look and feel of the fork so it was a huge change. I really enjoyed the process of getting my new bike set up and it was interesting getting to know the characteristics of all the new products. The suspension seems almost limitless with it its adjustability and I think our bikes have entered a whole new realm of adaptability. Despite getting my ass kicked in the final race I had a really fun and productive four days.”

Tradition is that the last day of testing we always have a race to see who is quickest. Once again, for the second time in a row Peaty took the win, but unlike the first time when Greg wore the dress to dinner, it was Josh’s turn to wear a skirt. Since there were no women’s clothes handy, Josh had to improvise and craft a fashionable number out of a pair of pants. “His outfit was complete with his ‘special’ tiger underwear”, chimes in Roskopp.

Syndicate head mechanic Dougie “Fresh” Hatfield says, “The Fox and Shimano Saint equipped bikes ran silky smooth during our test camp in San Romolo. The riders really liked the responsiveness and quality of the product. We are ready to go racing!!”

Team ChainReactionCycles.com/Nukeproof are excited to welcome Alex Bond to the downhill roster for 2012 alongside our strong line-up of Matti Lehikoinen, Matt Simmonds, Joe Smith and Lewis Buchanan.

“Al is an amazing talent on two wheels; from downhill to BMX riding,” Team Manager Nigel Page said. “He had a great 2011 season, winning the Elite title in the UK British Downhill Series. Al is so dedicated to training and reaching his goals in downhill, we hope that giving him a factory ride will make things easier for him at World Cup level.”

“I’m really excited to be riding for Team ChainReactionCycles.com/Nukeproof for the 2012 season,” Al said. “It will be amazing to be a part of one of the best teams in the world! I really believe that with their support and backing I can have a great year, with some awesome results and reach my full potential. Bring it on!”

Lewis Buchanan, who’ll be stepping up from the Junior ranks to Elite, and Matti Lehikoinen are still both recovering from the injuries they sustained last season but are well on track to being ready for the start of this year’s race calendar. Nigel said: “Lewis is flat out in Scotland at the moment, keeping it real working in the gym and physio sessions as well as road riding and turbo training sessions while his shoulder is recovering from the surgery he had on it towards the end of 2011.”

Matti, Joe and Matt will head to Spain for the month of February to ride downhill, while Al is currently out in California training with his friends, the Athertons.

Team ChainReactionCycles.com/Nukeproof will be competing in the full UCI World Cup series, UCI World Championships, the Halo British Downhill series, Sea Otter Classic plus other races and events.

SRAM and Troy Lee Designs join our list of excellent sponsors this year and with all our riders recovered from their injuries, we’re hoping to go into the 2012 season as one of the strongest teams in the world!

Where to start with this post? The new mtb kit is out from Fox and as part of the launch Anthill Films have put together a great film with the McCaul brothers and Stevie Smith. I don’t know about you but after a pretty expensive start to the year I was hoping to save some money this month, but after looking through the Fox catalogue I can’t see that happening!

The Athertons aren’t the only racing siblings out there. When it was announced they would be joining the GT race team there was no mention as to what would be happening to Australian Rider Mick Hannah. Today we can announce that both Mick and his sister Tracey will be a part of the Hutchinson United Ride Team. Here’s the official word from the team.

Starting out as a conversation in the Morewood Bikes factory some years ago, the United Ride team was created and has come a long way since then. A diverse race team with riders hailing from France, South Africa and now Australia. For the 2012 season United Ride gains some great sponsors and continues to grow the team as we are proud to announce Hutchinson as our title sponsor and the signing of Mick and Tracey Hannah.

Mick is one of the most respected riders on the circuit known for his solid work ethic, toughness and training. Mick said: “I’m really excited to be joining with United Ride. We have very similar goals for the next 2 years and I feel like with the support of Morewood and Hutchinson and the great atmosphere within the team we can achieve all that we set out to do. I am also very excited about the opportunity to travel and race with Tracey. She is really focused right now and I think that together, along with the rest of the team, we will have a great season! Thanks very much to everyone that’s getting behind us! It’s going to be a great year!”

In the past Tracey Hannah has shown she has what it takes to win, taking the Junior Womans World title. Her motivation and speed are still there as she will participate at select World Cup rounds in 2012. “It’s always been in the back of my mind!
 Racing on the ‘World Cup Circuit’ again! What is even more amazing, I will be racing right beside my big bro ‘Sick Mick’ who taught me some of the things I know…… ha!

“I am so excited to be on the Hutchinson United Ride team, riding for Morewood bikes. Not only to be back racing but to be on a team that is going to help us achieve some of the goals that we have set out to achieve.
 There is nothing better than feeling confident and ready going into a season, and because of United Ride we both can relax knowing we will be on one of the best teams out there, riding with some awesome new gear. I am looking forward to the racing season. I can’t wait to see what unfolds in the up and coming months. I couldn’t be happier!”

Also new to the team this year is Guillaume Cauvin who finished 3^rd at the last Junior World Championship in Champéry. Guillaume fits in perfectly with the team’s spirit as he is motivated, relaxed and trains hard so it is a pleasure for us to help a young rider like him.

Mick, Tracey and Guillame will be joining team mates Fabien “ CousCous” Cousinié and Tim Bentley who have both been working hard and are looking to have have their best race seasons yet.

Richard Carter from Morewood Bikes added: “It is a great pleasure for us to be moving into our 4^th year supporting the United Ride team with bikes, even if not as title sponsor. They are effectively our factory team and with the addition of Mick, Tracey and Guillaume, we really believe that we have one of the strongest teams on the circuit. From its inception United Ride has worked tirelessly in the development of all Morewood products, and we look forward to their continued involvement. It will be great to have them in our home town of Pietermaritzburg for the first World Cup race in March”

We would like to thank everyone from our sponsors to the media to our fans for their support. The future has never been so exciting and our adventure keeps going with the same core ideal : DREAM RIDE SHARE.

Marzocchi is proud to announce our support of the MS Mondraker team for the 2012 season. The team’s DH athletes have been able to climb to the top of the world ranking list and are no strangers to the podiums of UCI World Cups and UCI World Championships. Team MS Mondraker will be riding our DH flagship, the 888 RC3 EVO TITANIUM and Roco RC World Cup rear suspension.

Just a few miles down the road from Silverstone, and in equally impressive surroundings you’ll find Core Bike, one of the biggest trade shows in the UK. Here are some of our highlights from this years show.

Yeti

Scott Beaumont has got to be one of the hardest working people in the UK bike industry. As well as a busy race schedule and work with the Fourcross Alliance, Scott also attends all the major shows and enthusiastically promotes his sponsors. This year Scott has worked with Silverfish to create Yeti Racing UK. The team will take along its full pit set-up to all races it attends throughout the UK and Europe and in addition to Yeti frames, the team will also use Formula Brakes, Race Face components, SDG saddles and e13 chain guides.

Race Face

The worst and best news from last year had to be the collapse and subsequent re-launch of Race Face. They’re very much back and in business. The big news with regards to their cranks is that the whole range has been put on a diet to get the weight down as low as possible, whilst still keeping the strength they’re famous for.

Pivot

There was a lot to love over on the Pivot stand. We loved the Mach 5.7 when we tested it last year, and now there’s a carbon version we’re falling in love all over again. Keeping up with the times the 5.7 is now also available in a 29″ wheel version. We can’t wait to get our hands on the Phoenix DH, but for now we’ll make do with watching Bernard Kerr and Wyn Masters pinning it on them on the World Cup circuit.

POC

POC Sports have got a new UK distributor with 2Pure. The POC display was the brightest display across the whole show with the range of Trabec trail lids and cortex dh helmets. New for this year is VPD 2.0 padding across the POC range of body armour. POC’s first batch of pads were already pretty flexible, but the new range is even more bendable, especially in cold conditions, giving you a comfier fit whilst keeping the same levels of protection.

E*Thirteen

E*Thirteen chain guides were revolutionary when they were first released. With innovation like that they were never going to stick to just one area, and so the company expanded. So now you can have matching cranks and pedals to go with your chain guide. Whilst being pretty lightweight the LG1+ pedals also feature a polycarbonate wear plate, made form the same material as the bash guard, which as anyone who has ever run one will know, is great at taking harsh impacts. The wear plates are interchangeable so after a rough season you can get a new set and you’ve pretty much got a new set of pedals. The wear plates are held in place by the pins, which come in two different lengths, or you can fit a blank pin, depending how you like to run your pedals.

Head over to our facebook page to see more photos from the show, and while you’re there don’t forget to give it a like!

A trade show within the UK’s best known race track? Genius! Politely ask the security guard for directions, calmly drive past then as soon as he’s out of sight drop a gear and hoon it round the course before walking into the show as if nothing’s happened. Welcome to the 2012 Bike Place Show!

Without any doubt the buzzword of the show had to be “29er”. Every exhibitor either had a 29er on their stand or had plans to start making one. 29ers it seems, are here to stay.

Orange 

It’s almost impossible to go to a bike show in the UK and not see an Orange bike, and that’d got to be a good thing. Pictured is the E9, Oranges take on a 29 hardtail, with a 120mm fork for trail and cross country riding. Orange also have the first single pivot full suspension 29er, which should be available in very limited numbers from March. If this sounds like it could be your thing then get in contact with the guys from Halifax quick. The limited run of Five Black Gold’s sold out in just over a week!

Devinci

Devinci had a fantastic 2011, helped I’m sure by the success of Stevie Smith on the World Cup circuit, as well as all the hard work by the guys at Haven Distribution. For 2012 the Wilson is available with the option of a carbon fibre seat stay as well as a slightly longer frame compared to last years. We can’t wait for the first round of the World Cup and to see this bike in action. Also on display was the new Atlas 29er with 110mm of rear travel.

Velocite

The Flux is Velocite’s first mountain bike, built with one thing in mind: speed. This is one very light, very fast bike. This issue we’ve got a selection of hardtails on test and we’re lucky enough to be able to include the Flux in the grouptest. Whilst this might be Velocite’s first mountain bike there are already plans to expand the range including a full suspension build and of course a 29″ wheel option! Be sure to check issue 16 of IMb for a full test of the Flux.

Ram Bikes

Expect to see big things from Ram Bikes this year. They’ve got a complete line up of bikes to cater for every type of riding from cross country racing to enduro, but I just couldn’t take my eyes off the DHX 2.1 seen here. With adjustable chainstays and adjustable progression settings the dhx is bound to be top of many rider’s wish lists.

Head over to our facebook page to see more photos from the show, and while you’re there don’t forget to give it a like! Apologies in advance for the shoddy quality of the photos. I’m blaming poor lighting, poor use of flash but mostly my poor photography skills!

Well, that’s another @teamrumours prediction that’s come true. After an eight year long partnership together,  the Santa Cruz Syndicate will no longer be running Sram/Rockshox products. It may seem hard to believe that SCS has been going strong for eight years now, but even more astounding is that Steve Peat has been running RockShox forks for the past 16 years! We look forward to bringing you details of the new SCS setup, but for now here’s the official word from team manager Kathy Sessler:

The Santa Cruz Syndicate and SRAM/RockShox brands have been synonymous with one another for eight years, from the inception of the Syndicate in 2004 through 2011. It is with sadness and great respect that we are parting ways in 2012.

This has been an incredible journey, and the partnership has helped our racers achieve an impressive set of goals and dreams—two UCI World Cup Downhill overall titles, 10 UCI World Cups wins by Greg Minnaar, three World Cup wins, a historic World Championship title by Steve Peat, and a Junior World Championship title by Josh Bryceland. These results were made possible using SRAM, Rockshox, Truvativ and Avid products, along with the world-class technical support of the SRAM team.

Working closely with John Dawson and Jon Cancellier on prototype Black Box projects and receiving their on-site support was a pleasure, and our heartfelt thanks go out to them for their years of dedication to the Syndicate. Thank you also to Dave Zimberoff for making the partnership possible.

Steve Peat says: “Leaving SRAM is a tough one for me. I have been with RockShox for 16 years so you could say the brand is engraved in me. But like most things in life nothing lasts forever and it has been a great time over the last 16 years. I want to thank each and every person at RockShox and SRAM who have helped me achieve my goals in my career. I have made lots of friends and had some fun times. Thanks guys!”

Greg Minnaar says: “Since joining the Syndicate in 2008 your support has been incredible. Thanks to all the crew that work hard behind the scenes making sure our Black Box equipment was keeping us ahead of the rest.”

Josh Bryceland says: “I’ve ridden SRAM since I started mountain biking and I’ve come far using their products. Times change and so do sponsors, thanks for 4 years on the Syndicate without a mechanical in a race run.”

Rob Roskopp says: “Our partnership with SRAM over the years saw many milestones achieved, Steve Peat’s 2009 World Championship in Canberra, Greg Minnaar’s win at Maribor in 2010 aboard the first carbon bike to take a World Cup win, and countless podiums over the last 8 years. I would like to thank the whole crew at SRAM for the great memories and support.”

This weekend saw Trek World Racing’s Justin Leov crowned New Zealand’s Downhill National Champion after storming to victory in Nelson. Hopefully we’ll see Justin Leov carrying this momentum into the World Cup in a few weeks time.

Here’s the word from one of Justin Leov’s latest sponsors, Redraven.

Redraven is super excited to announce Justin Leov’s latest racing results from the New Zealand National Championships.

Justin stormed to victory in both the Super D and DH races in Fringed Hill, Brook Valley, Nelson. The downhill course is one of the hardest courses in New Zealand and drew a huge crowd ready to watch the country’s top racers sprint their way to the finish line.

The Men’s Elite DH race was extremely close. Justin Leov confirmed his liking and success history with Nelson race courses to win by just over a second. The Downhill National Championship win made it two titles for Leov for the weekend including his Super D gold from Friday night. Leov will now proudly wear his race jersey this year on the world stage with right sleeves constructed as a NZ flag, the internationally recognised downhill National Champions identification.

Redraven CEO, Jonathan Knight commented: “This was amazing news to wake up to. Justin has brought Speedview its first National title in Downhill mountain biking. Justin has proved just how amazing Speedview performs in all weather conditions even bone dry dirt and it also showcases just how much of an all-round goggle Speedview is. We now look forward to seeing Justin on the UCI World Cup stage proving again how awesome Speedview preforms. Bring the rain!!!”

Justin added: “I’m stoked after winning both races this weekend. Speedview is an integral part of my race kit. Having the ability to clear my vision in all weather conditions including dry, dusty trails allows me to focus on racing and winning. I’m really looking forward to the UCI World Cups come wet or dry!”

Redraven are currently looking for global MTB distributors – if interested give them a shout at info@redravenracing.com

Full results can be found here.

For more information on Speedview visit www.redravenracing.com

Orange bikes, check. Guy Martin, check. MTB Cut, check. Well, those are three very good ingredients to a great mountain bike film. We were lucky enough to catch a few minutes of the full film at The Bike Place Show yesterday, and trust us, it’s good. we’ll bring you thefull movie as soon as it’s out.