Bike Check: 9 of the Pinkbike Office Staff's Personal Rides
We've all seen the flashy and downright bizarre bikes the editorial staff here at Pinkbike have in for testing. But what about other Pinkbike employees? What does the bike of Andy from Sales or Brie from Marketing look like? We've been showing some of the bikes through our Instagram over the last few weeks, now here they all are.
Mitch Gulliver - Sales
Mitch (and Emmy the dog) work on our sales team and recently built up this new Rocky Mountain Slayer equipped with Industry Nine wheels and Ohlins suspension.
 | The 2020 season will be my first in a long time, with a quiver of one. I'm selling off my DH & Trail bikes to make room for the Slayer. Every year, my number of days spent pedaling get closer to the days spent in the bike park. So, I thought it was time to try this "one bike to rule them all" idea. This thing is going to spend most of its days in the Whistler bike park, with the rest climbing steep fire roads in Sea to Sky.⠀ A brutally sexy Slayer was the obvious choice, with a robust build to match. Carbon wheels to keep from having to true wheels weekly, Code RSC brakes paired with 200mm rotors to handle the BC descents, & the latest Öhlins suspension... because, well, its nice to try new things! oh, and it looks damn good |
Rocky Mountain Slayer
Frame: Rocky Mountain Slayer
Shock: Ohlins TTX22 (180mm)
Fork: Ohlins RXF36 m.2 (180mm)
Wheels: We Are One Agent w/ Industry 9 101 hubs
Tires: Vee Tire Snap WCE 2.35"
Drivetrain: SRAM XO1 Eagle
Brakes: SRAM Code RSC
Cockpit: Chromag OSX 35 35mm and Chromag BZA 35 35mm
Size: Large
Pedals Chromag Dagga
Seatpost: Oneup 180mm dropper
Frame: Rocky Mountain Slayer
Shock: Ohlins TTX22 (180mm)
Fork: Ohlins RXF36 m.2 (180mm)
Wheels: We Are One Agent w/ Industry 9 101 hubs
Tires: Vee Tire Snap WCE 2.35"
Drivetrain: SRAM XO1 Eagle
Brakes: SRAM Code RSC
Cockpit: Chromag OSX 35 35mm and Chromag BZA 35 35mm
Size: Large
Pedals Chromag Dagga
Seatpost: Oneup 180mm dropper
Kate Gayton - Operations
This is Kate and her Yeti SB130, with a burly build to tackle anything the Sea to Sky trails have to throw at it.
| Most years I've had two bikes; one more DH and one more XC oriented. This year I went with one do it all machine. Stoked on how the bike climbs and it doesn’t hold me back on the descents. As I only have the one bike, the SB130 got beefed up to suit the more technical terrain here in the PNW and the Whistler Bike Park. Sometimes I’ll also slow the rebound down a few clicks, put on DH casing tires and bigger rotors for a full day of the park or shuttles. |
Yeti SB130
Frame: Yeti SB 130
Shock: Fox Performance DPX2 (137mm)
Fork: Fox Performance 36 (160mm)
Wheels: Santa Cruz Reserve 30 with Industry 9 hubs⠀
Tires: Maxxis Assegai Exo Front. Continental Kaiser Rear
Drivetrain: SRAM GX with Raceface Oval 30 chainring
Brakes: SRAM Code R⠀
Cockpit: Deity Skywire carbon trail 15mm rise and Deity Copperhead 35mm⠀
Size: Small
Pedals Shimano XT Clipless
Seatpost: Fox Transfer 150mm droppper
Frame: Yeti SB 130
Shock: Fox Performance DPX2 (137mm)
Fork: Fox Performance 36 (160mm)
Wheels: Santa Cruz Reserve 30 with Industry 9 hubs⠀
Tires: Maxxis Assegai Exo Front. Continental Kaiser Rear
Drivetrain: SRAM GX with Raceface Oval 30 chainring
Brakes: SRAM Code R⠀
Cockpit: Deity Skywire carbon trail 15mm rise and Deity Copperhead 35mm⠀
Size: Small
Pedals Shimano XT Clipless
Seatpost: Fox Transfer 150mm droppper
Aidan Oliver - Social Media
This is Aidan who manages the Pinkbike Social Media and rides everything from bike park to singletrack on his Transition Patrol. #27.5wheels4life
| "I'm yet to become a 29er convert so last year when I was looking for a new bike, Transition's Patrol immediately caught my attention. Sturdy enough to tackle Whistler Bike Park but will gladly still take on long pedals. It's the best all-rounder I've ridden yet! I like 29ers for going fast but I love the playfulness and agility of the smaller wheels. Only upgrades I've made are some Assegai tires, Ergon seat and grips (never going back), Deity bar, stem and pedals which look and feel awesome. |
Transition Patrol
Frame: Transition Patrol
Shock: Fox Performance DPX2 (160mm)
Fork: Fox Performance 36 (170mm)
Wheels: Stans Flow (EX3 rear) with Stans Neo hubs⠀⠀
Tires: Maxxis Assegai Exo+ front and Double Down rear
Drivetrain: SRAM XO1
Brakes: SRAM Code RSC
Cockpit: Deity Copperhead 35mm, Speedway Carbon Bar 30mm rise
Size: Large
Pedals Deity T Mac
Seatpost: RockShox Reverb 170mm droppper
Frame: Transition Patrol
Shock: Fox Performance DPX2 (160mm)
Fork: Fox Performance 36 (170mm)
Wheels: Stans Flow (EX3 rear) with Stans Neo hubs⠀⠀
Tires: Maxxis Assegai Exo+ front and Double Down rear
Drivetrain: SRAM XO1
Brakes: SRAM Code RSC
Cockpit: Deity Copperhead 35mm, Speedway Carbon Bar 30mm rise
Size: Large
Pedals Deity T Mac
Seatpost: RockShox Reverb 170mm droppper
Amar Murthi - Product Manager
This is Amar who manages new dev projects at Pinkbike as well as working on some new updates coming to the Buy and Sell soon! Get the tissues out, he's got a good story about the custom graphics on his top tube.
| The story behind my top tube; when a good friend of mine started a decal company (@spindledsn) I sent him an idea. He came back to me with this awesome custom decal for my Megatower as a tribute to my trail dog Luna, who passed away at 4 years old. While out riding one day she collapsed and I had to carry her out of the trails and get her to a vet. After a long heartbreaking process, I found out that she would only have about 6 months to live due to heart disease... So now that she's gone, I wanted to remind myself of the pure joy she experienced when I took her out for a ride. I like to think it helps me keep her spirit with me and reminds me to just enjoy the hell out of every ride because you never know when it will be your last.” And how do you like the ride? “I came from a previous generation Hightower LT, so the Megatower has been a natural move forward for me with its more progressive geometry, it's perfect for shuttle days, park days, and trail rides where I'm rewarded with a nice chunky descent after a long climb. |
Santa Cruz Megatower
Frame: Santa Cruz Megatower
Shock: Rockshox Super Deluxe Ultimate (160mm)
Fork: Fox Performance 36 (170mm)
Wheels: Easton Arc with DT swiss 350 hubs⠀⠀
Tires: Maxxis Minion DHF / DHR EXO
Drivetrain: SRAM XO1
Brakes: SRAM Code RSC
Cockpit: OneUp 35mm ride bars and OneUp EDC Tool stem
Size: Medium
Pedals OneUp Composite
Seatpost: RockShox Reverb 150mm droppper
Frame: Santa Cruz Megatower
Shock: Rockshox Super Deluxe Ultimate (160mm)
Fork: Fox Performance 36 (170mm)
Wheels: Easton Arc with DT swiss 350 hubs⠀⠀
Tires: Maxxis Minion DHF / DHR EXO
Drivetrain: SRAM XO1
Brakes: SRAM Code RSC
Cockpit: OneUp 35mm ride bars and OneUp EDC Tool stem
Size: Medium
Pedals OneUp Composite
Seatpost: RockShox Reverb 150mm droppper
Max Barron - Videographer
This is Max who is one of the videographers here at Pinkbike. To add some variation to the mix he's showing off his Chromag dirt jumper.
| Growing up in the riding scene on Vancouver Island, I had one rule. Always own a hardtail. Some of the best memories of my life have been spent on this bike. From riding the legendary dirt jumps spots in my home town of Nanaimo, to insane after work sessions at joyride 150, to the Riverside jams in Whistler. I take this bike with me everywhere I go and it has led me to meet some amazing people from all over the world. Now, at 27 years old I have dove full force into trail and DH riding but dirt jumping will always be my favourite part of the sport. As bikes come and go I will stay true to my rule, always have a hardtail. |
Chromag Monk
Frame: Chromag Monk
Fork: RockShox Argyle, lowered to 90mm
Wheels: Rear: Hope Pro 2 hub with Stans Flow Front: Halo Chaos hub with Halo Chaos
Tires: Maxxis Ikon
Drivetrain: Shimano Saint Cranks, single speed
Brakes: Avid Juicy7
Cockpit: Chromag OSX bar and Chromag Ranger Stem
Pedals Chromag Contact
Seatpost: Chromag Domolite
Frame: Chromag Monk
Fork: RockShox Argyle, lowered to 90mm
Wheels: Rear: Hope Pro 2 hub with Stans Flow Front: Halo Chaos hub with Halo Chaos
Tires: Maxxis Ikon
Drivetrain: Shimano Saint Cranks, single speed
Brakes: Avid Juicy7
Cockpit: Chromag OSX bar and Chromag Ranger Stem
Pedals Chromag Contact
Seatpost: Chromag Domolite
Jason Lucas - Video Production
This is Jason Lucas who heads up video production at Pinkbike and his Rocky Mountain Altitude.
| My Altitude is my do it all machine. I’ve taken it on everything from all-day epics to massive lift access days and it hasn’t held me back at all. Fun little fact, I used to work at Rocky Mountain and it is really awesome knowing the people that designed the bike you’re riding. The stock spec was pretty dialed, but I like to make my bikes my own so I slapped on some Rockshox suspension, a set of Code brakes and added a smattering of Chromag bits and bobs. The result is my favorite bike I’ve ever owned. |
Rocky Mountain Altitude
Frame: Rocky Mountain Altitude
Shock: Rockshox Super Deluxe Ultimate (150mm)
Fork: RockShox Lyrik Ultimate (160mm)
Wheels: RaceFace ARC 30⠀⠀
Tires: Maxxis Minion DHF/DHRII EXO
Drivetrain: SRAM GX Eagle
Brakes: SRAM Code RSC
Cockpit: Chromag BZA bar and stem
Size: Extra Large
Pedals Chromag Contact
Seatpost: Fox Transfer 170mm dropper
Frame: Rocky Mountain Altitude
Shock: Rockshox Super Deluxe Ultimate (150mm)
Fork: RockShox Lyrik Ultimate (160mm)
Wheels: RaceFace ARC 30⠀⠀
Tires: Maxxis Minion DHF/DHRII EXO
Drivetrain: SRAM GX Eagle
Brakes: SRAM Code RSC
Cockpit: Chromag BZA bar and stem
Size: Extra Large
Pedals Chromag Contact
Seatpost: Fox Transfer 170mm dropper
Andy Daly - Sales
This is Andy from the Sales team and his Santa Cruz Bronson. Fun fact, Andy is also a volunteer Fire Fighter in Squamish, which how he got the nickname 'Flaming Elmo'.
| The Bronson is the perfect weapon of choice for the mix of steep, rocky, loamy single track found in Squamish and the Sea to Sky region. Add to this a few days in the Whistler bike park each year and it’s a solid all-rounder. The SRAM Drive train is stock but I beefed it up with a 170mm Lyrik, added some Code RSC brakes, Raceface Next R carbon bars and Turbine wheelset. Topped off with a OneUp Components’ EDC tool, comp pedals and grips. It’s a no fuss, get’er done build. |
Santa Cruz Bronson
Frame: Santa Cruz Bronson
Shock: Rockshox Super Deluxe R (150mm)
Fork: RockShox Lyrik (170mm)
Wheels: RaceFace Turbine R⠀⠀
Tires: Continental Der Baron, Der Kaiser
Drivetrain: SRAM GX Eagle
Brakes: SRAM Code RSC
Cockpit: Raceface Next R Carbon and Truvativ Descendant
Size: Large
Pedals OneUp Composite
Seatpost: RockShox Reverb 170mm dropper
Frame: Santa Cruz Bronson
Shock: Rockshox Super Deluxe R (150mm)
Fork: RockShox Lyrik (170mm)
Wheels: RaceFace Turbine R⠀⠀
Tires: Continental Der Baron, Der Kaiser
Drivetrain: SRAM GX Eagle
Brakes: SRAM Code RSC
Cockpit: Raceface Next R Carbon and Truvativ Descendant
Size: Large
Pedals OneUp Composite
Seatpost: RockShox Reverb 170mm dropper
Brie Forster - Marketing and Events
This is Brie from our marketing and events team. Brie has been riding since 2018 but is already an addict and can be found riding the trails in Whistler and Squamish.
| The Santa Cruz Nomad was the dream bike I had no idea I wanted or needed in my life. I was very new to the sport when a leader in the industry offered me to take a test ride on this through Whistler Bike Park. After that ride I knew there was no going back. To me, its the perfect bike for Whistler and Squamish, which is where I do most of my riding. |
Santa Cruz Nomad
Frame: Santa Cruz Nomad
Shock: Rockshox Vivid Air (160mm)
Fork: RockShox Lyrik (165mm)
Wheels: SRAM Rail 50⠀⠀
Tires: Maxxis Minion DHF
Drivetrain: SRAM XO
Brakes: SRAM Guide
Cockpit: Truvativ Descendant
Size: Small
Pedals Chromag Contact
Seatpost: RockShox Reverb 150mm
Frame: Santa Cruz Nomad
Shock: Rockshox Vivid Air (160mm)
Fork: RockShox Lyrik (165mm)
Wheels: SRAM Rail 50⠀⠀
Tires: Maxxis Minion DHF
Drivetrain: SRAM XO
Brakes: SRAM Guide
Cockpit: Truvativ Descendant
Size: Small
Pedals Chromag Contact
Seatpost: RockShox Reverb 150mm
Sarah Lukas - PR & Marketing
This is Sarah from our marketing team and her Trek Fuel. Sarah rides a lot of MTB but can also be found donning skinny tires and contributing to our sister site CyclingTips.
| I grew up racing XC in Wisconsin, and those endurance days are still very much a part of me. I suppose you could say I’m downcountry? I brought a little bit of the Wisco disco with me to Squamish with my Trek Fuel Ex 9.8. I’m 5’4” and loving the 29er; I don’t think I can ever go back. Swap out the build and this would also serve as the perfect race bike for BCBR. Plus, this stealthy steed climbs like a dream - I personally like to drop the guys on e-bikes during staff rides. |
Trek Fuel 9.8
Frame: Trek Fuel 9.8
Shock: Fox Performance Float - Re:aktiv
Fork: Fox 34 Float⠀
Wheels: RaceFace Next SL carbon and Vault hubs⠀
Tires: Vittoria Martello 29x2.35
Drivetrain: SRAM GX Eagle
Brakes: SRAM Guide
Cockpit: RaceFace Affect and Bontrager Line Pro carbon
Size: Medium
Pedals Shimano XTR
Seatpost: Bontrager Line Elite 150mm
Frame: Trek Fuel 9.8
Shock: Fox Performance Float - Re:aktiv
Fork: Fox 34 Float⠀
Wheels: RaceFace Next SL carbon and Vault hubs⠀
Tires: Vittoria Martello 29x2.35
Drivetrain: SRAM GX Eagle
Brakes: SRAM Guide
Cockpit: RaceFace Affect and Bontrager Line Pro carbon
Size: Medium
Pedals Shimano XTR
Seatpost: Bontrager Line Elite 150mm
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Is Kate your company medic?
@thedirtyburrito: Everyone is an armchair engineer around here, so that might qualify.
Frame: Santa Cruz Megatower
well ya see it's a mega tower in disguise
These Guide REs are faultless. The finish is a bit shit with paint coming off the levers from wear but that’s it. The XTs did three years and still looked like new. That’s anodising over paint I guess.
I'm honestly considering going back to mechanical, a properly set up pair of Spykes or BB7s with compressionless housing and sintered pads is more than powerful enough, and although the bite point wanders very slowly, it just takes a quick turn of the barrel adjuster to fix.
The paint on the guide master cylinders also looks like it took a couple of scratches from shuttle rub. The finish is pretty shitty... But who cares when they work so well?
Shimano has a much better finish but that wander is a deal breaker... And will continue to be for years after they fix it.
Pistons are a separate problem from the wandering bite point, which certainly exists. I've met very few riders who haven't experienced it, and exactly zero mechanics who don't acknowledge it's an issue.
I'll only run shimano brakes on road/gravel bikes because of the rollback to reduce pad rub on the itty bitty rotors on those kinds of bikes. I'll only run sram on MTB for the consistency. It hasn't always been this way...
For those complaining about the drivetrains being SRAM...these bikes aren't all brand new off the lot bikes. SRAM had a stranglehold over OEM spec with eagle for a little while now, it may get some pushback in this and next year's spec though.
Expensive as hell yes (I bought one at a time). But they just work same feel at the lever every single time.
And completely rebuildable every part can be bought separately.
Only problem is you never get to talk about brake problems anymore.
I just read the comments and think sucks to be you.
Funny thing though I stripped out the master cylinder and had to order a $13 shimano mt200 lever while waiting on my second Trickstuff brake.
The mt200 lever had zero problems with wandering bite point. In actuality the mt 200 was quite nicenmated to a m8000 caliper.
Don't know why it'd suck to be me, I haven't had brake problems in years - I just have a decent idea of what common problems there are on the market at this point. Personally, I like to have a consistent bite point and the ability to advance the pads with fluid as needed without the system going batshit, like shimano. I have the SRAM master kit of spare parts for guides as well - It's not like other companies aren't rebuildable. But, at a price point and nice build a la trickstuff, I'd hope you're keeping those long enough that you'll actually need to rebuild them.
And, I'd say that only being able to afford one brake at a time counts as talking about a "brake problem" no?
And ya it was kind of funny to have the most expensive lever on one hand and one of the cheapest at $13 on the other.
And sorry I wasn't talking only about you just the whole brake conversation.
Wandering bite points leaking pistons inadequate modulation or inadequate power.
Running shimano only on road or commuter bikes.
Sram calipers locking up in the sun cheap finish and using dot fluid.
Mine use sunflower oil I could put the shit on a salad.
Last I am a one bike guy these brakes will be with me for the foreseeable future same as my King hubs ( barring some new standard).
Anyway I should not have typed the sucks to be you part and I knew it as soon as I hit send.
Ride what works for you get out enjoy the day and ride with a smile on your face. Safely.
Dot fluid absorbs moisture and doesn't let it sit down next to the pistons, which is a plus. Great performance in freezing temps as well. There's pros/cons to all the fluids, but I will say the corrosive properties of DOT are very overstated IMO. Sure, some hayes 9's that have sat around since they came out will rot out the piston plugs, and I did get some OG magura hydraulic rim brakes running that *hadn't been bled, ever* last season - but the truth is, most of the parts old enough to see issues will see the bin before they start having problems stemming from the fluid type.
If you lived here and didn't ride McMurtry you missed out.
Small world though I was talking to Rich Drew on facebook last night right after I finished uploading strava..there I was one spot behind him. He said there's alot of great trails here and plans on coming back.
You never read a review saying "yeah the new Range Rover is a beast... But why did they stick with that dot fluid? It rots your paint!"
But probably I'm simply too used looking at 29" bikes...
Do a bunch of articles where each member of staff gets to show all their bikes + motorbikes + cars + scooters + pets + skateboards + atvs + hiking boots?
(2018 Levo Mullet wheelset - 160/135 travel)
I have heard some amazing stories from being able to join rides, or from riders (like Davis Phinney) who have Parkinsons that are now able to ride again. Keep shredding!
Hey I still have my 1993 GT RTS 3 hanging in the garage...not a newby MTB rider...just a guy that is using eMTB to maximize riding enjoyment. Letting the haters hate, but they'll get old one day :-)
PB staffers' real world rides: *50/50 on wheel size and mostly longer travel*
Why not have two specific bikes if you can afford it?
(and yes, my 34 SC has cashmere or what ever it is called)
Donuts...Kashima...donuts...Kashima...dog food...Kashima...
PS: heart of steel / carbon reluctant
Ok, but don't leave it out in the rain...
We’re they gifts from the manufacturer in exchange for free ads?
Developers salaries are more dentist like those days.
True, I have to re-prioritise
And yes, I am jealous. I wonder what I can get for a slightly used kidney.
I doubt anyone is working at Pinkbike for the enormous paycheck. Journalism of any kind is hard these days.
Other than the GD, not sure what other just absolute fantasy is coming from PB staff. Not so much the case from many mainstream US media outlets. I do recall that the way the Grim Donut started...it was all fantasy from day one (kinda like the Starwars area of Disney that some folks are just hell-bent on living as if it were reality).