Pinkbike was invited to Press Camp in Park City, Utah, to visit one-on-one with bike and parts makers in an environment much better suited to evaluate and appreciate cycling products than a sin pit like Vegas, Nevada. The vibe is chill, and the riding? IMBA gave Park City its first Gold-Standard award as a mountain bike riding destination. There is something for everyone here. The fact that I am writing this at all is a supreme sacrifice, as the lifts are running, the weather is perfect, and my wrist-band is mocking me for being so foolish.
GT HighlightsGT had its carbon fiber Fury Team on display. The Athertons and Beaumont have had more than a little influence on the Fury, as it is spec'ed beautifully and looks outstanding. The Team version is pegged at $5999 USD, which is a good value, all things considered. Couldn't talk them into letting me break it in - YET. I'm working on it.
GT Fury Team at Park City, Utah.
Because we know that DH bikes are important, we included the components specs for the Fury Team.
The 2013 Fury Team is truly a plug-and-play DH racer with a well-selected component ensemble that features out-of-the-corporate-box items like its e*thirteen crankset and Formula RO brakes. The Fury Team costs 2000 dollars less than GT's top-drawer 'World Cup' model that shares the same frame.
(Clockwise) Can't lose with a Fox 40 RC2 fork, GT's beautiful and beefy 'Independent Drivetrain' suspension linkage, Shimano's new affordable Zee rear derailleur, e*thirteen crank an chainguide, Yes, GT believes in wide handlebars, and we like the powerful oval-piston Formula RO brakes
GT Zaskar Pro 100 9ROn the opposite side of the riding spectrum, GT revitalized its Zaskar XC platform with a stunning-looking 4-inch-travel carbon 29er chassis. The $4999 USD Zaskar 100 Pro 9R appears to be a worthy trailbike for those who put in the miles and want to do it on big wheels.
GT's carbon-framed 2013 Zaskar 29er in its glory
(Clockwise) GT chose the Shadow Plus version of Shimano's XT derailleur. The Zaskar's Independent Drivetrain suspension uses a carbon wishbone link. Formula R1 brakes, and a Shimano XT 2-by-10 drivetrain.
Pivot Mach 5.7 CarbonPivot Cycles was supplying Reynolds with demo bikes and I jumped on the chance to ride one. The Mach 5.7, equipped with a Shimano XTR/XT drivetrain, was a sweet ride at Park City's trails. It pedals efficiently, climbs like a goat and feels smooth over the area's signature rocky, high-speed trails. The Mach 5.7 is one of my favorite trailbikes, so it was a perfect choice to warm up to the features on the mountain.
Pivot CyclesPark City's trails can be lush and flowy, but temperatures can get high on the exposed sections. RC takes the Pivot Mach 5.7 through the Aspens for an early morning climb to mid-mountain.
The Pivot Mach 5.7 Carbon overlooking the resort where Press Camp was hosted.
Pivot was on hand to provide an opportunity to ride Reynolds' new AM-Carbon wheelset, which should be a winner among the Enduro crowd. The wheels climb and accelerate with an energetic feel and, while they feel rigid under the bike in lateral sense when bashing berms and picking through rocks, there is no excessive harshness transmitted though the wheels..More about the Reynolds below.
My first look at the Reynolds AM Carbon wheels was after I had been riding them for about an hour and happened to notice them on the Mach 5.7. The 21-millimeter inner diameter gave the 2.35-inch Nevegal tread a secure stance on the loose-over-hard-pack soil that permeates the trail network during the hot Summer months.
Reynolds AM Carbon WheelsAnd, here they are: Reynolds pegs the weight of its AM Carbon wheelset at 1590 grams a pair. The hubs can be quick changed to fit all popular axle styles. MSRP for the wheelset comes in around $1800 USD and it includes quick releases; sealing tape and tubeless valve stems; as well as axle ends to convert the wheels to QR/135mm or 142/12mm through-axle in the rear; and QR,15mm or 20mm through axles up front.
Reynolds Cycling Reynolds designed a six-pawl freehub body to keep the drive feeling snappy and the hub itself is also unique to Reynolds with its straight-pull flange design and quick-change threaded axle caps (the front caps just push on). The rim is designed to be tubeless ready - meaning that it requires sealing tape to make it air tight. The tape and valve stems are included.
(clockwise) Reynolds designed the red-anodized hubs. Interchangeable end-caps quickly convert the rear from QR to 12mm through axle. Reynolds designed the hub flanges for straight-pull spokes to increase tension and durability. Twenty eight spokes, laced three-cross are DT Swiss Revolution double butted stainless steel. A look at the end-caps and tubeless conversion kit that accompanies each wheelset. The AM Carbon rim (top) is visibly different than Reynolds' 650B rim (middle) and its 29er rim below. The bead design is molded specifically for tubeless compatibility.
Reynolds buys carbon material from a top Japanese maker and then impregnates the resin in its US factory to ensure that it has control over its manufacturing processes. The carbon is then shipped frozen to Reynolds' manufacturing facility in Asia where the rims are molded and each wheel is hand made. No less than five types of carbon fabric are used in the lay-up process - a feature that Reynolds calls 'MR5.' Reynolds puts the weight of its AM Carbon rim at 450 grams.
Well, that's all for today. Gotta get some more riding in. More pics and stories to come.
-RC
And since when does bigger tubes help with aerodynamics?
I have two sets of carbon rims made in China. I have used one of the sets in Whistler and they have never had to be trued. These wheels are over three years old, maybe four and still perfect. They are only 18mm internal width though, so 2.25 is as big as I mount on them.
But it's true that they should probably do something about the geometry!
I don't think I'ld need a geometry as slack as Gee's, tough! So I wouldn't give too much about that...
What planet you on son? They just need to make a new mould and make a frame with modern geometry, exactly the same way they would have to change the jig if it was an aluminium or steel frame.
And a 6000 blingy carbon DH frame with ok components fits PC perfectly.That's certainly the mindset there in the winter, try to LOOK the part... Lived there for 6 months, and will likely never go back. Now big and little cottonwood canyons w/snowbird, alta, brighton, and solitude - amazing places.
Oh, and referring to Vegas as a sin pit compared to Park City? Please, Park City's been called Sin City since mining began there, and many of main street's 2nd floors were at one time "less than reputable establishments". ok, PC rant over. ride bikes
All over california, Colorado, Washington, Whistler, Squamish, Jackson Hole, Moab, St George, and more. I realize this is not a long list, but it is long enough to defend park city.