Commencal Meta SX Custom build.

This Meta SX was a standard model to begin with but has had a number of changes. The whole bike is stripped and reassembled piece by piece. Then the fork and shock were up graded to Factory series RP23 in the rear and Talas RLC up front. Both have had some 'Pro Tuned' custom tuning, different oil is used and small mods to the internals to make the ride that much more smoother and controled.

The shifting is all Shimano. XTR shifters and rear derailleur, with XT front derailleur. Dura Ace cable housing finishes off the shifting to keep it ultra smooth. The standard Sram cranks and cassette were used as were the Formula brakes, but the rotors were up graded to Shimano ICE in 203mm. The stock wheels and Commencal stem, handle bars, saddle and Reverb post are used as well. Another sweet ride from Black Peak Cycles workshop.

Specialized RIME shoes

Here's a new shoe from Specialized, called the RIME. They say on their website it's a mating of XC performance and All Mountain/Freeride features, something many riders are looking for these days. There is a fairly stiff sole, that flexes nicely at the toe, gripy Vibram rubber for walking across rocks and a niffty Boa closure system to snug the upper in across your foot.

I spent 3 full days recently wearing these shoes, while I was chasing people around the Gold Rush Multi-sport event, taking photos. On and off my bike a lot, running up and down hills with a pack full of camera gear and standing around for hours waiting for athletes to come by, is a great way to learn about how good a shoe is.

On the comfort side, the RIME is definitely more comfortable than normal XC shoes, almost street shoe comfort to walk in especially. They peddled ok too, the slightly rear set cleat placement was a bit odd though. I did feel like I couldn't get the same amount of power into the shoe, but this positioning would be better for more recreational users, offering them more stability. The heel cup could do with a bit more padding and a snugger fit. On the 3rd day my narrow heels were needing some more plush back there and to be held in tighter. The Boa closure system worked well, relatively easy to use and snug up the upper around your foot. A bit tricky to get the little cable to un-hook when hands are wet and cold, but so are most riding shoes.

All in all a pretty good shoe for those looking for a modern shoe to cover most bases in MTB riding. They don't have the performance of a XC race shoe nor are they as burly as a DH/Freeride shoe, but pretty squarely in between. They are light and easy to get on and off and looking at the construction, should last a while too.

2012 Commencal Meta SX

Here it is, the 2012 Commencal Meta SX. I took delivery of this baby in mid December 2011, just the frame only and built it up with my favorite parts off my Meta 55 Carbon. A few different bits were needed, press in BB, direct mount front deraileur, 31.6mm seat post, post-to-post rear disc adaptor, 142x12 end caps for the Hadley hub, a headset and tapered CSU for the forks and the new FOX RP23 Factory shock in stock tune with custom made rock/mud guard.

The bike is very different to the old Meta in every respect. Very well engineed is the first thing that I noticed. So much time and thought has gone into the design of this bike and the way it is build. The pivots are big and bomber and move very smoothly straight out of the box. Big down tube, soild drop outs and big fat head tube. Solid and robust are what immediately comes to mind. It's not light, 3.8kgs (8.5lbs) in large with the shock, but you do not feel this once you are on the move. Actually the thing that strikes you the most is how fast it is and how fast it accelerates. Like really fast, so fast you laugh your head off as you seem to levitate over rocks and drops. It likes to jump too and just pops of everything with ease.

 The front is super positive. Stiff front end means great steering and stability at speed. It climbs really well too. Sure you feel the weight then, built as it is at 15kg's (33lbs), but there is so much traction and with the 73 degree seat angle keeping you in the middle, it just tractors up the climbs. I've been on a few big missions on it over the summer, climbing for close to 2 hours in the granny gears and been blown away at how it just eats up terrain, especially if it's rocky and lose.

The bad bits. Well not alot to complain about really. Sure it would be nice if the frame was lighter, but in the end I'd rather be riding something that was strong and durable, has minimal flex and goes where it's pointed. Some quality chain stay and seat stay chain slap protectors would be a nice finishing touch, the frame came with nothing and the shock has to have a protctor for it too. Luckily I made one of those easily enough. I would really like to have the option of carrying a water bottle on the down tube. I know it's not really cool to have one on such a bike, but when you are riding up in the alpine areas, hours from the nearist water, an extra water bottle can be a life saver.

So to conclude, if you want to get into the back country for the big decsents, go on epic missions, ride the bike parks, race Super Enduro's and generally have a bike that will do it all, this Meta is a very able and willing machine. I'm looking forward to a long and fun relationship with this yellow rocket. Stay tuned.

FOX 36 fork action video.

Shimano 230 shoes up date.

These shoes have been part of my riding out fit for quite a while now, about a year and a half. They are the most durable shoes I've had my feet in for some time, comfortable too, especially after I had them heat molded to my feet. I must have done 3000 plus K's of  riding, mostly dirt, in these shoes, with only a little delamination of the skuff guards to show for all their use. The soles are still hardly worn either. I have had to replace both buckles though. One I damaged when crashing my bike on a slippery road in Bhutan in November last year, then I clipped it on a fence post back here in Wanaka and it came flying off. Not surprised at that though. The other buckle just came apart in my hand one day while I was doing it up. Just worn out I guess, The buckles come in pairs, so I had a spare in the workshop already. Two minute fix.

Intense Uzzi build.

Heres a park bike for ya. Just the thing for doing laps at Skyline or any other place that needs a burly rig that can still be pedaled. FOX 36 Van's up front,  FOX DHX 5.0 in the rear, big brakes and good tyres. Let her rip !

ONZA tyres arrive for testing!!!

Heres something super new, just arrived today. ONZA tyres. The brand name has been bought by a Swiss outfit and is now making some cool new tyres. This one here is a single ply folding 120tpi All Mountain design. Dual compound, good aggresive tread, decent side wall thickness and ball park weight of 770grms with this 2.40 model. There are also a 2.25 60tpi model, with slightly more robust side walls. A 2.50 2 ply DH version at 1050grms and some more speed orintated 26 and 29er tyres. I'll be giving them a good working over in the next few weeks, so will let you know what I think.