Europe – 2010 Part 1
Added By Mike Bradley 01 September 2010

I left Durban’s new King Shaka airport – which is amazing compared to the old one –via the worlds 24-hour discount shopping centre, namely Dubai Airport. I arrived in Zurich on 01 September, jumped on a train and then a ferry and arrived in Friedrichschafen, Germany. As I walked into the Messe, (an exhibition centre - the equivalent of the ICC – only bigger) – I was astounded by the size of Eurobike. My instructions from Russell where to walk to hall B4 and you will see the tee-pee. That’s right, Kona has a massive tee-pee and a grassy field for their sight with all the bikes forming the perimeter, and what a bunch of bikes.

The new Hei Hei 2-9ner in “raw aluminium” is an absolute stunner – it has like a brushed look on the scandium frame. Sitting next to me is the fully chromed (chrome tubing too)Grand Wagon and is she Grand. Silver frame, fork, handlebars, stem, seat-post, brakes, crank-set. This single-peed, asphalt beuty is finished off with white detail.

This show is incredible....the sheer size of the exhibitions by some of the manufacturers makes your eyes boggle. There are so many brands out there, some I have never heard of. Some bikes look exactly the same, and I often wonder what designers must think, when they see an almost exact replica of their bike on another stand.

The market for accessories is enormous too. I have never seen so many different types of hubs, wheelsets, rims – all claiming to be the lightest, most trouble free, strongest around – this is like walking into a candy shop for the first time when you were a toddler, and thinking you just wandered into heaven.

Riding the Big Unit
Added By Conrad Davies 10 August 2010

Is riding these 29ers all it’s cracked up to be, or is Andrew McLain just smoking a lot of crack?

After riding Gary Fishers own bike about 5 years ago at a demo day, at Logwood in JHB, I had no interest in 29 inch wheels. Then when Andrew started pushing 29ers as the next best thing, I thought he might just be on something (The Gary Fisher 29er is not the fastest bike in the world, the Intense M6 is. Check it out http://www.neatorama.com/2007/09/30/new-world-speed-record-for-mountain-bike/) but after riding the Kona Big Unit, he may be ON TO something. More...

MTB in SA – Positive sentiment!
Added by Mike Bradley 01 July 2010

Last week I wrote about the proposed calendar structure for 2011. My concerns listed were geared toward the “elite” riders and the path of ensuring that SA qualifies for the 2012 Olympic Games in London. I truly believe that by qualifying, competing and achieving Olympic status carries the sport into more areas of South Africa and adds to nation building, introduces the sport into more sectors of the greater SA community whilst providing opportunity to our young athletes. Higher profile, more riders, more riders better sponsorship to events, better events for the rest of us “recreational rider ” /  weekend warriors out there.
I am happy to report that KZN MBC chairman, Charles Roberts, contacted me last week and set up an appointment with Andrew Nicholson, the Director of MTB in SA. We met late Saturday afternoon in Hilton to go through my concerns and those of some of the people I have interacted with.
We went through the proposed calendar and discussed many of the planning and structures that are being implemented in SA. My frustration comes in from a historical background having been there), where I understand that politicing and agenda’s hamper every progression that one tries to implement for the better of the sport.
From the meeting, I impressed the need to communicate with clubs, who have a direct link to riders of all persuasions, and to involve the clubs more. The calendar, always the most difficult thing to put together, and takes about 200 man hours to get together, is never an easy task, as SA has more MTB stage races than any other country, who all feel that their event deserves exclusivity of dates. The problem being that there are just not enough weekends in the year to accommodate everyone who wants to host an MTB event of some sort, yet they all demand a date on the calendar, but fight against contributing to the very sport that supports them.
At the meeting, some new initiatives where divulged to me which I believe will be fantastic for the sport as a whole, meet requirements stipulated by the department of Sports and Rec. These will be communicated in due course, once negotiations have been finalised. 
All in all, MTB will remain strong and lively in years to come.

Dirt Friday Randoms
Added by Conrad Davies 25 June 2010

You got to love Dirt Mag's web site ( http://dirt.mpora.com/), especially of you want to follow World Cup DH results. But my favorite is the Friday Randoms. Today: The ultimate coffee mug.

MTB in SA – a fun sport!
Added by Mike Bradley 24 June 2010

So through hook and by crook I finally get a look at what the 2011 calendar structure looks like. To say it has been established to generate as much profit for event organisers is an understatement. Do we need 2 separate marathon series in SA? What for? Last time the remainder of the world checked, there is NO World Cup Marathon series and no format for marathon in Olympic Games – so we want to build a nation of fun riders in order:  a) to maximise event participation (make profit for event promoters an organisers); b) appease pro team sponsors to give them greater coverage and thereby serve the means of even a lesser few! Looks like we have picked up mass participation illness from road racing with disregard of what it takes to generate world class athletes.
Now, I admit, that I have limited knowledge of the thought process behind this – in fact I am actually quite confused by it, but having masterminded SA-MTB’s rise to Olympic status and enabled both our men and ladies to qualify as an internationally ranked country and not merely as no 1 in Africa, I find it odd that SA-MTB have adopted this approach heading into the most crucial period for Olympic qualification. More...

He Jumps!!!
Added by Conrad Davies 21 June 2010

So I went back to Cascades yesterdayand jumped mu DH bike for the firat time since my big off. I still have to hold on to the bar, death grip style, because I don't have that much strengh in my hands yet, but it was super fun the jump those jumps again.

Then David Moore brought me this pic his dad took just before I crashed. I wish you could see the fear in my eyes at this point. Cool to be reminded that this sport is dangerous, but when you over come your fears, it makes it all worth it.

I Shook Peaty's Hand Once
Added by Conrad Davies 08 December 2009
Lately I've noticed a lot of companies using there - sometimes very small association with Steve Peat - as leverage in their advertising campaigns. I once had my photo taken with the man at Sani2C and have shook his hand on numerous occasion, as I see him here in SA at events, that we are both at. Better than than that, one our mechanics worked on Peaty's Blur at that same Sani2C!

So why shouldn't Maverick Cycles rock some UCI stripes in our logo. What do you think? Drop me a mail on conrad@maverickworld.co.za

I Got My VZ On
Added By Conrad Davies 07 December 2009
What awesome shades and goggles, AND people at Von Zipper. We got our team sponsorship stuff this last week, just in time for the first KZN provincials (which got canceled due to rain). I got a set of Kickstands with grey lenses, and a set of Porkchop MX goggles, the other white meat. Loving them. Read More...

Testing Weekend!!  
Added by Conrad Davies 07 December 2009   
No racing! Which sucked big time. I think the combo of no sun for a week and the fact that they canceled a race that I was so looking forward to, just made me so depressed, but there was an up side to the weekend. With no race on Sunday, I took my new XC bike for a spin. The Kona Kula Scandium frame in 20inch is awesome. Read More...

That Was Intense.
Added By Conrad Davies 30 November 2009  
Yesterday was a good day. DH practice for the whole day. No falls for a change and my ankle held up well. And I did the big jump at the top, before the forest on the Worlds View course. But the big news – our team are on Intense Tires for 2010 – is made even better by the fact that they work so well. Alasdair and I tested Intense Edges yesterday, on a course with varying surface all the way.

The top part is slate onto rock and dust, into very hard and dusty, into damp and hard, into loamy damp soil. Wow! When they said these things work well in all kinds of conditions, they weren’t kidding. The tires just hooked up on everything, and I mean EVERYTHING. I felt so confident in every situation and found myself pushing harder and harder.

Alasdair put a set on his bike, pumped them a little harder than he usually runs his tires and was on fire from the first run, pulling huge whips and getting away with some crazy stuff. He said the tires rocked, so it’ll be great to see him race them next week.

Outsurance KZN Expedition
Added by Mike Bradley 25 November 2009

So with a week of rain, what could we expect, except a wettish course, mud. What we got was perfect sunshine, cooling river crossings, heaps of fun, but NO WATER! Ever heard of the saying “water, water everywhere, but not a drop to drink”. Come on guys – how much does it cost to fill 20 x 25 litre drums of water for 1500 riders – but alas, at water point #2 there was a mere 50 litres of natures own. 50 litres for 1500 riders in 30 degs of heat! Scrap the goody bags if necessary, but ensure there is water at the least!Anyway, we left giba at 5 min interval batches. Besides the ride out of Giba, the climb to Botha’s was not too bad and in fact quite pleasing. Once we peaked at Botha’s, we decended some really steep tar hills (with the occasional interval). After the mud climb, brake pads where now essential – but what followed was real fun – about 12 km’s of a single track to Inanda Dam – too much of fun. The climb from the dam up was unwelcome, but probably necessary – and ate my legs, but we endured. Once off the tar, we headed past the wall. The route followed the river and after a further tar stretch, we got to the first of 2 bridges across the Duzi, neither where that bad, the speed fencing along the pipeline gave considerable sense of safety. We had to wade across the Umgeni 2 interlaced with some awesome singletrack. Once we crossed the Umgeni at Springfield, it was home jeeves and don’t spare the horses. The headwind along the final stretch was unavoidable and it looks like no matter which direction one finishes an event at suncoast, it will be into a head wind! All in all, a great event, a great course – but attention to riders basic needs (read water and food) is required.

Cycling SA – New License Structure
Added by Mike Bradley 19 November 2009

Cycling SA has finally released its licensing platform for 2010. We are all aware of the fiasco at the beginning of the year with respect to the online system, and although the system had its teething problems, the true test would be in year two, when renewals would be a simple case of verification. The new license system, on the face of it, gives to a knee-jerk reaction that it is now becoming too expensive for certain riders to participate – i.e. first time entrants, riders in the elite category and riders older than the elite category – sub-vet, vets and masters who still want to achieve provincial and national recognition. More...

Back Yard building
Added by Conrad Davies 16 November 2009
I decided to skip DH practice yesterday – because of the rain – in favour of doing some more work on the down hill course I have in my back garden. More...

More Intense Tire Testing
Added by Conrad Davies 15 November 2009
Intense Tires through Cycles Africa have agreed to help our team with rubber for 2010. We are super stoked on this, because the tires we've tried so far are awesome. More...

The Couch Dogs
Added by Conrad Davies 11 November 2009
Since we got the couch in the shop, we've had some real dogs in the shop. I don't know what it is, but they just happily sit on the couch all day, drinking Monster and watching DVDs.

Guess that is actually what it's there for, so everyone is welcome. Even the dogs.

Bamboo Bike!!!???
Added by Conrad Davies 10 November 2009
Glenn Adendorff from Change Room sent us this great link. It's a bike made out of BAMBOO. Crazy! Click here for more...

Sunny DH Practice
Added by Conrad Davies 08 November 2009
So we got to practice some downhill yesterday and the sun was shining. Bonus!. The new worls view track was rolling super fast and the gcorner grip was just right.

It was hot though. 45 degrees C by 11:30. K-Dub pitched up late and only got a run or two in before it was just to hot to ride. Steph also managed to get some riding done, and it was good to see her with a smile on her face, after she had been a bit stress in the morning about not feelinf very confident on her bike.

This DH thing is really just a huge mind game. The more fit and cycling strong I get, the more I realize that the biggest thing i need to work on is fear.

Cycle Lab Opens in Hillcrest
Added by Conrad Davies 06 November 2009
So now we get to check the theory that competition is good for business, first hand. More...

Third Day at The Wave House
Added by Conrad Davies 05 November 2009
We went and checked out Third Day last night anf the Wave House in Umhlanga. What a great band, I listened to then on CD for years and even heard a live CD, but they are way better in person. If you get a chance to go see them, go for it.

God bless for the rest of your world tour guys.

Crank It!!!
Added by Conrad Davies 27 October 2009

I've been riding with a few roadies on Tuesdays. It's been fun, but they do seem to take winning a little to seriously. I basically start the morning ride, getting ragged about riding a mountain bike on the road and how much noise my tires make. Then the brake aways start and I push myself to stay in the group. It is great training though and as I said good fun.

Thanks to Mr Price for a really pro morning ride. If you are feeling strong, then come join us a 5am at the shop every Tuesday and we'll join them. If you're not feeling strong, come join us anyway and we'll have fun ride together, with the MTB crew.

Family Bike
Added by Stephanie Davies 21 October 2009
Found this cool pic of a tandem made for 4 on Megan Whelen's Facebook. Sweet ride.

Hie Hie....Hey!
Added by Stephanie Davies 16 October 2009
As someone who is used to riding a trail bike, having a go on a proper XC bike was really something different.
Maverick Cycles has the brand new Kona Hei Hei 100 in the shop and the great thing is that it's a demo bike, so you can come and have a go on it too.
I took it down to Giba this morning to ride with a bunch of ladies. So what's the verdict?
It's a fantastic bike. Conrad spent half an hour yesterday setting me up on it, so it felt really comfortable, albeit a bit odd, since I'm not used to the low position of an xc bike, but that's not really a negative.
I rode up and down Switchback Alley, for those of you who don't know GIba, it's a little trail with about ten switchbacks in it. The bike handled exceptionally well and turned easily into the corners. It gave me a lot of confidence, especially on the right hand switchbacks (I'm a bit of an ambi-truner and don't do too well on right hand switchbacks).
Going up hill was also a breeze, much easier than on a trail bike. I felt a bit odd going downhill on the bike, but that probably also had to do with the fact that I'm not used to the way I was positioned on the bike. If I had one improvement to make on the bike, I would have to put a fox fork on it, since I felt that the Rockshock Reacon was quite un-responsive.

Overall it's a wonderful, responsive ride and I suggest you come and take it out for a spin.

Dis-Chem is not in the Details
Added by Conrad 09 October 2009
Being a stickler for the details, I notice things. Like the fact that the cover for the latest Dis-Chem add in our local paper had a pretty lady on the cover. She was on a bicycle, and so was the child with. The big thing that stood out though, was that neither of them had a helmet on.

Healthy living, my hairy white bum. But then if you look a little closer, you notice the fact that the front brake on her bike isn't even connected. I don't see her having a very healthy future if she actually rides that death trap.

Pay attention to the details guys.

Talk About an Epic Fail
Added by Ian 04 October 2009

This is whay we don't really like carbon mountain bikes so much, or Speshes for that mater.

Africa Bike in Town
Added by Mike 24 September 2009
So, I am sitting here facing 269 now-built Kona Africa Bikes. The amazing thing is being part of the process of building 269 bikes that will be used by local communities to mobilise health workers to assist the sick in the poorest of poor areas, in 2 days. So how did will build 269 bikes, in 2 days? Read More...

Beautiful Ellsworth
Added by Conrad 17 August 2009
I just had the privilege of building a Ellsworth Truth for a customer for a customer. It is beautifully understated, mat black and silver frame, with a full XTR build kit.
The bike is finished off with a DT fork and some awesome Ellsworth wheels. Come check it out in the shop.

Very Sexxy! The frame is of the highes build quality – Almost like our Morewoods – with perfect welding and great lines. It really is the kind of bike that would make you want to get out and ride it.

Got my DXs
Added by Conrad 16 August 2009
So Stoked!!! These are legendary shoes.

We Love Sam Hill
Added by Mike 16 August 2009

OOOOOOH!
Added by Conrad 16 August 2009
Just got my Selle Italia Shiver Troy Lee Designs saddle. Soooo Sweeet! Some of you may have seen the Phobia stuff I got for my DH bike, but I thought it was about time to get the Shova up to speed. Look out for a lot more Troy Lee stuff in our shops soon.

I Want DeeMAX Ultimate.
Added by Conrad 15 August 2009
Just noticed these on Mavic's site and I want some! Basically they are the new Deemax, but lighter and YELLOW. How cool!

Morewood World Champs Bikes
Added by Conrad 01September 2009
Got some sneak peak pics of the frames that Nathan Rennie and Mich Delfs will be using at the World Champs in Australia. Sweeet!

Good Luck Guys!

Kona Love
Added by Ian 13 August 2009

So the new 2010 Konas are out, and personally, I think I might be in love…

I’ve been a Kona fan from the start. When I first started taking riding “seriously” I was given a copy of Ride Magazine sometime in1999. Inside was a Kona ad, with some Maritzburg kid called Greg (yes, that Greg…), who had won the national champs on the coolest bike I had ever seen, a Kona Stab Dee-Lux. More...

How Far Will We Push The Limit?
Added by Conrad 12 August 2009
Don't watch this if yo are squeamish.

8 Year Old Kid doing 360s and Back Flips!
Added by Conrad 08 August 2009
This is crazy and insiping stuff. Chaeck it out.

Intense System 4 2.25 Tyre
Added by Conrad 03 July 2009

So the world cup was very fruitfull for me. Being in the right place at the right time to help people out, aloud me to coliect some freebies. Some cool stuff from the MS Evil guys, included a few sets of Intense Tyres. And umungst those was a pair of System 4s. More...

MTB Tour de France
Added by Ian 03 July 2009

The Tour de France starts on Saturday 4th July. Probably not important to us hardcore MTB’ers, but funnily enough there’s a few mountain bikers lining up at the start tomorrow. More...

Scanduim vs Carbon
Added by Mike 30 June 2009

We see stars in their eyes.......

So what’s all the fuss between Scandium and Carbon Fibre in MTB? And why are there no Carbon MTB frames in Maverick Cycles?

Carbon Fibre is all the rage at present, and everyone wants to have a carbon bike – so why is Maverick Cycles not following the trend. Well we have done some research into the differences between Carbon Fibre vs Scandium. We have kept it short and leave it up to you to make your mind up. More...

More Wood at Maverick Gravity Dice
Added by Conrad 30 June 2009

It was good to see so many Morewoods at our Gravity Dise this last weekend, especially the man himself, Patrick Morewood, and his new XC full sus bike. He even pulled a 3rd over all, all that training must be working out well for him.

The new bike is a single pivot design and uses the new chinees tube sets that Morewood is using on most of thier bikes. pat's one is red and runs I9 wheels, with a SRAM/Formula build. The cool thing for me was to see the new 2010 Fox RP23 with Boost Valve on the bike.

Nice one Pat.

Greg Kaumpec DH
Added By Ian 15 June 2009

Sunday 14th June saw the fourth Greg Kaumpec Memorial DH Fun Race at Cascades in Pietermaritzburg. The aim of the race is to attract beginners to the sport by using a relatively easy course, while remembering someone who played a big role in out sport. More...

Kona CoilAir Review.
Added by Ian 2 June

These days everyone’s going on about do-it-all bikes, where the flip of a switch will somehow transform your bike from a XC hardtail up the hills into an 8’ DH bike for the descents. We all know this is impossible. But Kona get closer than most others with the CoilAir. Kona markets this bike as an Enduro/ Freeride bike, but don’t let this put you off. It’s a trail bike, with 6 inches of travel front and rear. It’s a little heavy, but it can be ridden long distances in comfort. More...