Bikes of the 2017 NZ Enduro

Mar 10, 2017 at 6:10
by Digby Shaw  
Nate Hills brought his Yeti SB5.5 for a racing holiday in New Zealand
  Nate Hills brought his Yeti SB5.5 for a racing holiday in New Zealand.

Czech Milan Mysik with his sky blue GT Sanction
  Czech Milan Mysik with his sky blue GT Sanction.

Ines Thoma s new Canyon Strive looks fresh shiny ready to rally
  Ines Thoma's new Canyon Strive looks fresh shiny ready to rally.

Rupert Chapman s super keen to get rowdy on his Pivot Switchblade
  Rupert Chapman's super keen to get rowdy on his Pivot Switchblade.

Justin Leov with a fresh Canyon Strive for the coming season.
  Justin Leov with a fresh Canyon Strive for the coming season.

Doc Tom Jerram is real excited about his fresh eagle upgrade on his Nomad.
  Doc' Tom Jerram is real excited about his fresh eagle upgrade on his Nomad.

Megan Rose took a couple of days out from organising her own races to rally her Di2 Yeti SB 5.5
  Megan Rose took a couple of days out from organising her own races to rally her Di2 Yeti SB 5.5.

Iago Garay is super stoked on his Santa Cruz Hightower decked out in EWS livery.
  Iago Garay is super stoked on his Santa Cruz Hightower decked out in EWS livery.

Will Cadigan with his murdered out Evil Wreckoning.
  Will Cadham with his murdered out Evil Wreckoning.

Nate Corrigan s Devinci Spartan is decked out in Box components and an HXR Easy shift crankset.
  Nate Corrigan's Devinci Spartan is decked out in Box components and an HXR Easy shift crankset.

Jason Christie on with his Giant Reign Advance 0.
  Jason Christie on with his Giant Reign Advance 0.

Loui Harvey is ready to make an attempt on the EWS on his Ibis.
  Loui Harvey is ready to make an attempt on the EWS on his Ibis.

Hayden Hayhay Mckay with his Zerode Taniwha.
  Hayden "Hayhay" Mckay with his Zerode Taniwha.

Jamie Nicoll with his matching Bus and Santacruz Hightower.
  Jamie Nicoll with his matching Bus and Santa Cruz Hightower.

Amani Mcintyre with his Santa Cruz Nomad with Bos suspension.
  Amani Mcintyre with his Santa Cruz Nomad with Bos suspension.

Odin Woods is braving the nz enduro on his Production Privee Shan GT hardtail.
  Odin Woods is braving the NZ Enduro on his Production Privee Shan GT hardtail.

Mike Whisky Cowlin ready to rally with his fully hoped out Yeti SB 5.5.
  Mike 'Whisky" Cowlin ready to rally with his fully hoped out Yeti SB 5.5.

More info and day one results here: www.nzenduro.co.nz.

MENTIONS: @digr


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164 Comments
  • 231 1
 Is there a safe-word required when riding a hardtail at an Enduro event?
  • 47 2
 Brave ? Smile
  • 6 2
 Shots fired ! Smile
  • 31 1
 Kiwi! Definitely Kiwi!
  • 3 0
 @johnski I'll let you know after Madeira and Millau.
  • 6 1
 Has to be something Warner would blurt out
  • 19 2
 It's also the best looking bike of the bunch. Maybe because I don't usually see it in EWS? In any case, the guy has balls made of wrecking balls.
  • 23 2
 His safe word must be 'harder'
  • 3 2
 Digested. As he needs make sure his breakfast doesn't spill.
  • 20 1
 The safe word is "Whiskey"
  • 9 1
 hemorrhoids
  • 33 0
 "on your left!"
  • 3 0
 @fogolin2: +1
  • 3 1
 @Takeshi194: Why are you saying it that way?
  • 2 0
 I'm betting on Odin and I don't care where he places; beautiful bike, I am buying the frame for my next build. I have an old Marin Attack Trail and this looks like the true evolution. love it!
  • 3 2
 Exact word is "Cojones Grande" Smile
  • 17 0
 Riding a HT at a race is kinda like picking a fight with the biggest guy at the bar..... no pressure because everyone expects you to get beat up, but if you happen to win you're a hero.
  • 1 4
 To be fair, he's running what looks to be pretty close to plus size tires, when with the right psi can deafen the blow almost just as well as a fully. Still crazy none the less!
  • 1 0
 @pijong77: Grandes cojones, mi amigo. I'm from mexico ????????
  • 2 0
 "Fresh Cakes"
  • 1 0
 @fogolin2: Fore!
  • 1 0
 @abalian: Where do you get off!
  • 8 0
 I've made some questionable decisions in my time but racing the HT at NZ Enduro isn't one of them. Sick event if you guys ever get the chance to come out and race. Sven and Anka will make sure you're well looked after!
  • 2 0
 @b4odin: good luck and good lines, man! a lot of us are super stoked to see a hardtail win this year
  • 2 0
 @b4odin: So, we're dying to know. What's the safe-word? Wink
  • 3 1
 @Takeshi194: WHiskey?
  • 2 2
 @Takeshi194: why are you saying it like that?
  • 2 0
 @SlinkySammy: Great call! I felt pretty beat up after the race I'm not going to lie but I bet everyone felt like heros after making it through the Nydia Bay stage!
  • 57 1
 Yes...a hardtail. Wonder how it will do amongst the full bouncers
  • 5 1
 Is he running + tires on it?
  • 12 0
 @mikericci: they do look quite chunky
  • 1 0
 @mikericci: looks like it to me
  • 2 0
 @mikericci: Looks like those new minion 2.6's
  • 28 0
 I will be chearing for the guy with the hardtail! Don't forget that a Megavalance has been won on a belt driven single speed ht by one of the Nicolai riders.
  • 3 0
 @justwan-naride: I remember that
  • 3 0
 @mikericci: 2.8s im pretty sure
  • 5 0
 @RRMonster, @mikericci: Those are definitely 2.8s. I have that same tire set up.
  • 4 1
 he can be top 30 easy!!
  • 1 1
 @justwan-naride any photo?
  • 3 0
 I rode a hardtail on an enduro and it wasn't the best experience XD
  • 1 0
 @hardtailsshred: im well up for racing my hardtail in enduro
  • 2 0
 @mikericci: They're Flite Carbon builds, based around Derby rims, 35mm beasts. They definitely look like plus tyres but they are. Check em out, they're supposedly the bees knees. wheelworks.co.nz/product
  • 3 0
 @squintyfox: look like plus tires but they *aren't?
  • 1 0
 @justwan-naride: is that true?
  • 1 0
 @torero: www.bikemag.com/news/guy-wins-megavalanche-division-on-singlespeed-hardtail
  • 1 0
 @justwan-naride: wow! That's one awesome rider!
  • 2 0
 @justwan-naride: not to diminish Schneider's class victory on Saturday's Megavalanche Challenger, but the main event with the pro riders is on Sunday and the challenger on Saturday is mostly for amateur and hobby riders and Schneider is a Pro.
  • 3 0
 Everyone's talking about his tires, but check out the fork decals! Pretty wild.
  • 2 0
 @MrEtnie: Didn't know that. Still, impressive choice of equipment. I'm a ht rider by choice, but not a racer. I ride ht's exclusively and although I love the feel of a rigid rear, the truth is that I get fatigued sooner than fellow riders on fs enduro/trail bikes. On a long, mainly downhill course like the mega I would probably be begging for mercy before the finish line.
  • 2 0
 @justwan-naride: Still an impressive feat. I would surely die trying Mega with my 40 years old knees on a ht. Sometimes I ride my four cross/dirt jump hard tail on my home trails and it's always huge fun, until I'm back home. Then I know me knees hate me! Wink
  • 1 0
 @MrEtnie: My left knee feels the same right know!
  • 29 1
 Gorgeous bikes. And fun seeing the Nomad and Taniwha almost next to each other.
  • 4 0
 Zerode with a DHX2... nice
  • 29 1
 that ZERODE looks like it came from the future!
  • 58 12
 Yeah. A future where they have Nomads, which is now.
  • 13 4
 @AZRyder: The front triangle and the upper linker looks the same, everything else is different (comparing a vpp, with a single pivot / gearbox bike is as sily as it sounds!)
  • 11 11
 Except in the future that stupid idler tensioner wouldn't exist, because it basically defeats half the point of removing the derailleur.
  • 7 1
 In the future we all will be riding e-bikes, I have seen it in my worst nightmares.
  • 17 1
 @robaussie99: Except that it doesn't hang nearly as low, act as unsprung mass, or have to move laterally. It's on the front triangle for god's sake!
  • 1 2
 Smart guy running a chain on the Zerode. Too bad the Zerode wasn't designed with a high idler pulley a la Commecal Supreme V4.2
  • 3 4
 @shredteds: Chainrings take way more rock strikes than derailleurs, and they get closer to the ground as suspension compresses, unlike derailleurs, hence why chainrings have bash guards derailleurs don't, it doesnt matter if its unsprung, or moving laterally when it's smashed to bits.
  • 6 1
 @robaussie99: if my zerode ever rips its guide off from a rock strike I'll buy you box of beer..
  • 4 1
 I forget how many MX bikes are belt driven yet we keep attempting to make belt driven Gearbox bikes.
  • 1 0
 @robaussie99: I almost snap-responded "IT'S SHIELDED BY THE TIRE!!!!11!111!1!!", but I stopped and thought about it for a moment... you're absolutely right. Under compression, the tire won't be there. That argument only works out for hardtails, which is probably where I originally heard it. Now what? There's gotta be somewhere you can put it that's both sprung and out of the way.
  • 1 0
 @Bluefire: you are right but I'm pretty sure under compression the pulley will move up and back which helps a little. personally, it doesn't seem like a problem to me -- the chainring will likely take the impact before that pulley will but who knows... I hit my rear mech way more than I hit my chainring/BB area, but I suppose everyone is different depending on trails and riding style.
  • 20 1
 Well if Enduro Blue wasn't a thing before... it sure is now.
  • 10 0
 We need an run down of all the vehicles in the pits, theres some coll shit going on in the background.
  • 2 0
 I should say, that 65 camperbus is a thing of beauty!
  • 13 3
 So many 29-ers
  • 8 8
 Makes sense - SPEEEEEEEED
  • 4 3
 Surprising considering the technical terrain.
  • 10 2
 @inter71: What? But marketing told me they are as nimble as any wheelsize.
  • 10 1
 @inter71: A decent 29er doesn't lose out in technical terrain unless it is very slow uphills / ultra tight slow turns - Something you may see on your trail ride but not really at an enduro race.

The real 'issue', if you want to call it that is perception of fun or 'flickability' or however you describe it, where many 29ers lose out, a smaller wheeled bike can feel more fun but these guys are out to get the best times possible.

What backs this up is that Josh Lewis and Ratboy are on 29ers here, but use the smaller wheeled bikes when riding for 'fun'.
  • 3 2
 @Racer951: perhaps my experience isn't typical, but I definitely have issues on tight switchbacks on 29'ers, up or down. Check out the NZ Enduro day one highlights.
  • 6 0
 @inter71: What kind of 29ers? Nothing is ever equal and the bikes these guys are riding are all bang up to date with geometry that is making the 29er a very good all-round bike (Hightower and Yeti 5.5)

These guys may also be a lot better on the bike than most of us.....
  • 3 2
 @Racer951: I used to have a Scott Spark.

Anyway, the proof is in the results. Day 1, top three all 650b.
  • 6 0
 @inter71: The Spark is a terrible example sat next to capable modern 29ers.

The results are the usual proof - wheel size is a personal preference and the best riders usually come out on top, regardless of wheel size, could 29ers offer an advantage on certain tracks though - absolutely, it will be interesting to see what is ridden and where by the guys that have a choice this year.
  • 1 0
 @Racer951: back to my original point--this is not a venue that offers an advantage to the 29'er. It's tight, steep, and technical.
  • 6 1
 Almost all the Yeti riders on are the 5.5. Pretty interesting to me because Richie Rudies choice is the SB6...although Cody Kelley runs the 5.5 year around from what I understand. Regardless of brand there are some really nice bikes!
  • 7 0
 Where's Nate gonna put that water bottle on his 5.5?
  • 2 0
 @Jmc1gear: Haha, only issue with those bikes Wink
  • 4 0
 I've never thrown a leg over the 6.. But after riding my 5.5 enough now.. I can't imagine the 6 being better on anything but the steepest and tightest courses. The 5.5 is a split personality.. Definitely pedals and rides like a trail bike. But it will still absolutely throw down when gravity does it's thing.
  • 1 0
 @KingKonifer: I agree. I've been in love with mine since July
  • 7 0
 Saw a shedload of those Production Prive hardtails at a recent Enduro here in Belgium. They're crazy fast over smoother terrain.
  • 9 0
 what about Rat and Loose's bikes???
  • 2 0
 all santa cruz riders on the hightower it seems
  • 2 0
 My guess is the Rat's on a Hightower. He said on his Instagram he was getting used to 29's.
  • 9 0
 Is named Odin, rides a hardtail. I know who I'm rooting for.
  • 2 0
 He's Thor's father, he could win an enduro race riding a bmx if he wanted.
  • 6 0
 Interesting to see a gearbox bike being run in EWS (Zerode).
Will be even more interesting to see how it does through the races.
  • 2 0
 Have Richie ride it and it will do just fine.
  • 4 0
 Gearbox bike on the leaderboard of an enduro race! How could that be? Are they not heavy as fck and more draggy than Liberace. And done without 29er wheels or an EWS rider, how could this possibly be?.......I know, I`ve got it, it came in an epiphany...someone check that bike for a hidden emotor
  • 1 0
 Hayhay is quick on any bike....
  • 4 0
 Is it just my eyes or does Iago Garay's Hightower look to be a slightly different frame? Maybe LT? probably just getting thrown off by the paint.
  • 4 0
 He's running a customer rocker that offers more travel than stock.
  • 3 0
 There are ways that you can play with the linkage settings and the shock length to get longer travel from the frame without messing with the geometry to much.
  • 4 0
 If you look at the CG video posted today you will see they are all on HT's that look to be either long shocked or are new frames/linkages. Something is dropping soon.
  • 6 2
 yeti, santa cruz, santa cruz, santa cruz, yeti, santa cruz, yeti, yeti 10010100 = yeti cruz
  • 2 0
 Hmm. And what do they have in common? Regressive beginning stroke suspension curve.
  • 1 0
 Okay, so kill me if you must, but how come all the pics of these dudes/dudesses and their bieks have their seat-pins slammed? Do they ever take a picture with their saddles jacked? Judging by the proportions, it looks to me like they'd be rockin' a serious Ryan Trebon-stylee saddle/bar stack if'n they ever popped the dropper .
'Dat Zerode, tho'.....
  • 4 0
 Ratboy is 15th after the first day!!! 2 spots faster that Greg Callaghan!!!!!
  • 2 1
 Not a single Spesh or Trek. I wish Trek would start advertising with PB again so I could see them. Seems a bit childish for PB to exclude them, they've only been the biggest advertisers at PB since I've joined. What gives RC?
  • 4 0
 Disappointed there was only one Zerode!
  • 4 0
 I love the line from the top tube to the seatstays on the Canyon Strive.
  • 3 0
 it makes me uncomfortable
  • 4 0
 that shan is a thing of beauty
  • 2 0
 What is wrong with Iago Garay's rear tire? Wrong rotation or is it something else?
  • 1 0
 @pegie looks like he's running a 650b with a 2.6 Minion to me. A prototype tire like that might not have all the hot-patches. Would be fun to try on a bike like that.
  • 3 0
 Nate Hills showing off Yetis new bottle placement location...
  • 1 0
 @BUX4 I hope to see you in the "Bikes of the 2017 Ireland EWS" article. Throwing a dab for the lads with the SB6c gleaming! #skrt
  • 8 4
 those yetis man
  • 3 0
 For some reason I'm not drawn to them aesthetically. I know they are good bikes and I even prefer a horizontal shock orientation to the vertical one but they just don't click with me. Zerode and the Nomad on the other hand...
  • 4 1
 Not enough aqua/light blue bikes. Needs more. [/Sarcasm]
  • 3 1
 Someone should warn Loui Harvey - fork decals not matching frame is 50 years bad luck.
  • 2 0
 That's literally the pike off a stock Nomad
  • 3 0
 Nate Hills is popular now
  • 3 0
 Interesting there's no specialized in there...
  • 4 1
 Will Cadham*
  • 4 3
 is that last bike a 27.5 in front and 29 in back or just my eyes? kinda the opposite of a mullet...
  • 2 1
 I think it's an illusion. Look at the tracks in the sand. The rear wheel is closer to the camera than the front.
  • 2 1
 It seems those Hightower run more travel than usual or maybe just an illusion? Or the new one?
  • 2 0
 I believe you can run a 150 fork on the hightower, I am assuming that is what they are running on them.
  • 1 0
 You can run the 200mm eye-to-eye SC bikes with a 57mm stroke instead of the 51mm (5010 and HT), but it's a warranty issue and SC has said it will void warranty coverage if you are caught with it that way. It may also cause some tire rub when it's fully compressed, but you can increase the travel some.
  • 3 1
 so many hideous Ergon saddles
  • 1 0
 My Ergon is comfy. My SDG looked nicer, but sure wasn't comfy.
  • 1 0
 Kudos to Digby for some great photos! The Iago and Jamie Nicholl pics were tops for me.
  • 1 0
 Would anybody say a chain device is still needed with clutch mechs and narrow wide rings?
  • 1 0
 Absolutely!!
  • 4 3
 Why aren't there more photos of the ladies and their bikes?
  • 1 2
 two things to say :

1. water bottle under the downtube ? hell why ?

2. Iago wearing fox kit but running rockshox suspension ?!
  • 4 0
 Fox clothing and Fox suspension are 2 different companies
  • 1 0
 A sea of rad 29er. Love it!
  • 3 1
 NATE HILLS SHAVED
  • 3 2
 Anybody know what something like the Shan GT weighs?
  • 2 0
 Steel frame and plus tires, but carbon rims. My guess is around 30 lbs.
  • 1 0
 www.vitalmtb.com/community/odin-woods,34583/setup,33681

12000g
  • 2 0
 Big Willy Style!
  • 1 0
 thought that zeroed was a Hope for a second. Sad it's not...
  • 1 0
 Yeah sad... It's way better haha
  • 2 1
 Zerode so f**k sic, absolutely clean
  • 1 0
 Look at all those plus bikes!
  • 1 0
 good to see jamie nicoll again but am i right is he running x12?!? Big Grin
  • 2 1
 Not one mention about the Pivot... I'm in love!
  • 2 0
 Love that bus.
  • 1 0
 I know. Lets see the inside.
  • 1 0
 Apparently Blue Coloured bikes are all the rage this season #isbluefaster
  • 1 0
 Blue bikes are popular this year.
  • 1 0
 blue bike- blue bike - blue bike WTF
  • 2 1
 I thought BOS was done
  • 1 0
 Are they? Their websites been down for a while now.
  • 2 1
 @bullit398: bought out by marzocchi...
  • 10 10
 7 BIKES WITH EAGLE! Ok I kinda want eagle now. So beautiful.
  • 6 5
 I wouldn't touch first gen anything from Sram
  • 7 2
 You are being neg propped by people that still running 3x8 and 26" wheels with no problems, or the ones that climb the Everest with their 1x9 drivetrain.
  • 3 1
 @ICAS speaks the truth.
  • 1 0
 Jamie nicoll sc n1
  • 1 0
 Dale's Ale boter wattle.
  • 1 0
 beautiful bikes
  • 1 0
 hardtail heroes!
  • 1 0
 Yeti SB5.5 wauuuuuuu Smile
  • 1 0
 '72 VeeDub is sweet!
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