Australian National Series - 8 Bike Checks

No, this is not a new downhill sled from Yeti, but rather an SB6C frame that Jared has outfitted for the weekend's race. The most obvious difference between this and his SB6C enduro bike is the FOX 40 up front that slackens the bike out, but there are a few more subtle changes as well. A coil sprung shock was sub'd in for the Float X CTD that is usually bolted to his 152mm travel Yeti, and there's obviously no need for a dropper seat post at last weekend's event. The bike's gearing is both higher and tighter to match its purpose, while the rims are the very same that we've seen him use in stage races - DT Swiss' EX471s. A Garmin GPS unit is mounted just behind the stem, and you can bet your last dollar that he and his teammate, Richie Rude Jr, have compared their race runs to see where the difference was.

Another SB6C and another podium place, with Richie Rude Jr taking his so-called enduro race bike to a second place finish behind Graves. Again, a coil shock in place of the Float X CTD that we normally see, as well as a 40 up front. That nude carbon fiber look never gets old, either.

Michelle Crisp took a third on her aluminum Norco Aurum, and if you take a closer look you'll see that her bike is sporting a set of Race Face's mega-light SIXC cranks and a Gamut chain guide.

Giant's new carbon Advanced Glory had a lot of people excited when images of the production bike were released in mid-February, but let's not forget that the aluminum frame is just 245 grams heavier and features the exact same geometry and travel numbers. Thomas Crimmins seemed to be getting along just fine with his.

Is there such a thing as a V10 that doesn't look good? Graeme Mudd strikes a pose with the bike that he rode to a third place finish in the Elite class.

Here's something different: Ben Dengate's Bilt Eight uses a single pivot, linkage activated suspension layout that the Australian company refers to as 'CT link', and the bike features long and slack geometry that can be raked out to a 62.5 degree head angle. It also has clearance out back for both 26'' and 27.5'' wheels, and comes with Cane Creek's Double Barrel coil shock.

Jackson Frew would have obviously liked to win the U19 class (he took second), but he can take some consolation in having what was likely the most colour co-ordinated bike on the track. ENVE's M90 wheels with colour-matched decals and SRAM's X01 DH drivetrain have his GT Fury looking good.

While Conner Fearon's prototype downhill bike got a lot of people's attention (by the way, word is that it's a geometry mule for a new Operator DH bike), Tegan Molloy quietly took her production Operator to the top step of the Elite Women's podium.