Curtis Keene - Rider Update and Interview

I got a chance to hang and shoot some photos with World Cup racer Curtis Keene for a few days last month. This was my first time working with a DH rider of this class. It was awesome to see how fast the trails can be shredded! To say the least, Curtis kills it. He rides a 2010 Specialized Demo 8 complete with SRAM, Gamut, DT Swiss, and Chromag components. Look for Keene at all of this year's World Cup races.

Check inside to see Curtis' 2010 Demo 8, riding photos, and a video of him schralping some trails!


The Specs

Frame	2010 Specialized Demo 8
Rear Shock	RockShox Vivid 5.1 •550 Ti Spring
Fork	RockShox World Cup Boxxer
Headset	Cane Creek zero stack
Crankarms	Truvativ Holzfeller 165mm
Chainring	Gamut 36T
Bottom Bracket	Truvativ GPX
Chain	SRAM PC 991
Cassette	SRAM 11-26
Rear Derailleur	SRAM X.0
Shifters	SRAM X.0
Handlebar	Chromag Fubar OSX
Stem	Chromag 50mm Director direct mount
Brakes	Avid Codes 203mm front rotor/185 rear rotor
Guide	Gamut P 30
Front Wheel	DT 240 Hub laced to DT 5.1 rim •20 mm thru-axle
Rear Wheel	DT 240 Hub laced to DT 5.1 rim •12 x 135 mm thru axle
Tires	Specialized Butcher 2.3 tires
Saddle	Specialized Phenom 143
Seatpost	Chromag Miminalist
Pedals	Burgtec Penthouse flats MK3

Keene sends a big thanks to his sponsors, Specialized Bicycles, Sram/Rock Shox/Avid/ Truvativ, Gamut, Chromag, DT Swiss, Troy Lee Designs, Scott Eyewear, Five Ten, Cane Creek, and Trail Head Cyclery.

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Here are some riding photos, also a quick Q&A with Curtis:


How long have you been riding bikes?
I've been riding bikes all my life...I started racing bikes in 2002...so I've been racing pro for 8 years now.


It must be hard to train for World Cup level of racing! What drives you to train so hard?
What drives me? Hmmm... chasing the dream factor. Just wanting to give it my all and leave nothing behind no matter what. I also want to give something back to all the sponsors/people who have backed me over the years...without them none of this would've ever be possible.


How do you like your DH frame for 2010 from Specialized?
The Specialized 2010 Demo 8 is awesome. Since the revised geometry, I've been completely stoked on it...low BB, slack 64 degree HA, and a bulletproof frame. It suits my style much more.


Where is your favorite place to ride and why?
Favorite place would have to be a dead even tie. Whistler and Santa Cruz. Whistler...well is just Whistler. As anyone who has ridden that place knows, it's unreal. Heaven for downhillers. But Santa Cruz is just as good in my opinion (I'm a bit biased). We have a complete network of XC/DH trails that are unreal. I tend to ride my XC bike mostly on them...I enjoy the climbs with the amazing views, along with the friends I shred with...priceless


Give a shout out to your sponsors!
Big thanks to my Sponsors- Specialized, Sram, RockShox, Avid, Truvativ, DT Swiss, Gamut, Chromag, Troy Lee Designs, Scott Eyewear, Five Ten, and Trail Head Cyclery.


Thanks Curtis and good luck this year!


Check out this awesome video Taylor Sage has put together for the new SRAM 2X10 drive system. Video features Brendon Fairclough and Curtis Keene ripping some Santa Cruz trails. Enjoy!



Amado put this video together of Curtis ripping it up on his XC bike back in the winter.



Thanks again Curtis! And good luck this season!

-Justin Brantley

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Interviews Curtis Keene