World-class DH veteran and 2012 UK Gravity Enduro Champion, Neil Donoghue, is frothing at the mouth for this season of racing. Continuing with enduro based riding and looking to defend his UK Gravity Enduro title, Neil sets out to achieve some big personal goals and reach new heights with the all new World Enduro Series kicking off shortly. But its not all about racing, winning and competing for Neil; most of the time he just likes to get out on his bike... and just have a mess around!
I caught up with Neil recently so he could shed some light on his non-racer side, and we headed to his local woods in Shrewsbury, UK, for some good ol' fashioned trail bashing. Equipped with his brand new 650B Santa Cruz Bronson C, he was to set a new level for the "take it easy maiden voyage", as he thrashed the bats out of it. Local riding for Neil is really all about the grassroots, and having grown up in the area, he knows these woods like the back of his hand. Neil has done it all here, so it was great to head back, feet first, to scope out a few new lines and see if the Bronson has what it takes!
At first glance, you can't deny that the Bronson has all the lines, with the geometry to match; the numbers seems to just add up on this one. Have Santa Cruz hit the money with this 650B? This is very much a classy ride with a fiery attitude!
But for Neil, this is all just playing in the woods. Going out and doing what he loves most, riding bikes!
With a full race calendar this year, along with his personal training programme to keep him up to speed, you can imagine he is a busy man, juggling bikes, relationships, moving house and the rest! But somehow, Neil has managed to find the time to do his bit for the cause and is partaking in one of the biggest fundraisers of his life. Neil and a team of fellow riders, led by Tim Morris, plan to ride from John o' Groats to Land's End for Cancer Research UK! 1000 gruelling miles across the British countryside over 9 days, all for a great cause.
If you are keen to get involved and help support the team, then please visit their
John o' Groats to Land's End for Cancer Research UK page here, and help them give it some beans!
Photography & Videography:
Laurence Crossman-Emms www.laurence-ce.com
Pros:Good for racing national and local DH tracks as well as climbs uphill (Sea Otter, Fontana, Wood Ward Etc..).
Cons: World Cup Courses and Hucks.
I believe this bike is not for everyone, but rather a perfect fit for most. With 6inch and 650b that is the perfect setup!
I don't believe so much as 4inch 650b or 5inch 650b or even a 8inch 650b and think its rather excessive options with little to small margin of benefits that may not be worth the investment.
It Climbs plus Descends the best vs. 26" or 29" with like travel.
Its not as much of a marketing vid but rather more importantly an evolution.
but in all entirety that bike looks like a nomad
www.bikemag.com/gear/exclusive-video-bronson-santa-cruzs-new-650b-trail-bike
People must be more hitting the trails instead of hitting the keyboard in some discussion forums. That's the reason why 650B is so trending nowadays.
If this sport makes you that angry and opinionated, just go away then and take up blanket weaving or something.
Think about what you post.
The video and the article are a little mismatched. The video looks like simple fun in local woods; the article reads as a bit of a sales pitch. If you don't want to make it about the wheels, why write them in as the defining point of the bike?
Anyway, best of luck with the charity cycle, have a couple friends who have done it and found it a good challenge.
"Just ride what you like" is a good motto, but you've also got to consider non-pros.... those of us that shell out our hard-earned cash for frames and parts. The industry seems to be moving more and more towards a policy of "planned obsolescence", under the guise of "innovation".
their next bike should be named the "Cassius" if they wanted a real ass kicker set of bike names.
or the "Tyson" - they could paint some tribal tattoo graphics around the headtube. haha.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Bronson_
...seems legit
www.youtube.com/watch?v=na8oDCKp6AU
www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlJjbnrdjjw
giv me giv me giv me,...giv me some morrrr!
www.pinkbike.com/news/twenty6-Predator-Pedal-Tested-2011.html
I've been running the Canfield Crampon Ultimates, and they're sweet. They just came out with some with a magnesium body that's in the 280g neighborhood, which is pretty impressive. MG ones are not cheap.
canfieldbrothers.com/components/pedals
www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlJjbnrdjjw