Meta 5.5 'Factory' build

This is a nice light and very fast build using a Meta 5.5 Carbon 'Factory' frame kit. The 'Factory' comes with a FOX Float RP23 XV shock,a FOX Float 150RLC fork, Easton EC90 bars and post and Raceface stem.

The owner wanted a fast XC Marthon/Trail bike, so I built it up with a full XTR groupo, Gore Ride-on cables and XT wheels. He couldn't manage to fit in to his budget the cost of a hand built wheel set and the XT wheels are 15QR compatible out of the box, ball park weight and so far have held up very well. This bike weighs 26lbs on the noise with pedals. Very respectable for a 140/150mm travel bike. Super fast I'm told.

Commencal Meta 6 VIP build

Another bike from the Commencal stable. This is a Meta 6 VIP. It's their 160mm travel frame and the model, VIP, comes with a carbon swingarm to stiffen up the rear end and make it hold it's line much better than the all alloy model and climb much more efficiently as well.

There is a pair of 2011 FOX 36 Float 180's hanging off the front, which strangely don't make the bike feel to far from what it would with a standard pair of 160mm travel forks. As you can see, the fork lowers hang below the axle, meaning lower ride height.
The rest of the build is XTR/Saint/XT drivetrain and brakes, hand built wheels with Hadley hubs and Sun EQ31 rims. The bike is off to Whistler soon for a few weeks of big mountain fun.

Hand Built wheels

I've never been a big fan of factory built wheels, espacially for mountain bikes. There are so many odd ball design's with spokes that your local bike shop doesn't carry, hubs that last only a few months and rims that only fit there matching hubs. You really don't want to get stuck somewhere off the beaten track with a lot of these new wheels, let alone have to repair them.

So hand built custom wheel set's is something I've been doing for nearly 20 years. I prefer to use and recommend Hadley hubs. They are simple, easy to service, bomb proof and fast. Highest grade alloy bodies, titanium freehubs and very free spining bearings. This set of wheels has Bontrager Rhythm Pro scadium rims, 28 hole Hadley hubs laced up 2 x with Wheelsmith double butted spokes and alloy nipples. Stiff, light (about 1700grms) and fast. Tubeless ready.

Phil's Zaskar

A classic GT Zaskar LE rebirthed into a modern ride. The owner had the old frame polished and some new decals made and I built it all up for him. It has a good mix of recycled quality parts and some new stuff where old bits weren't going to cut it.

Rides real nice and the owner is very proud of his shinny new/old ride.

24inch dual suspension trail bike

Here's a trick little bike I built up for a friends daughter. The frame is an Intense 5.5 in x-small and it has shortened and revalved forks and shock, running on custom built 24" wheels. All the controls etc are normal and it runs short crank arms too. As she gets taller, the suspension can be lenghtened back out to standard travel and a pair of 26" wheels can be fitted.

The bike works amazingly well and she can ride terrain on it that many adults find testing.

New ride.

This is the newest bike to my stable, a Commencal Meta 5.5 Carbon. I first rode this bike at the Inter Bike show in Las Vegas last September. There was a 2 day demo at the begining of the 5 day show, where you could ride virtually all the new model bikes coming out for the next model year. I rode 10 different bikes over the 2 days, spending up to 1 1/2 hours on each bike. The Commencal Meta 5.5 and Meta 6 were by far the most fun and exciting bikes to ride. I had been a Trek rider for over 20 years and had been excited about the new Carbon Remedy, as I had been riding the alloy Remedy's for 3 years, but the Commencal just blew the Trek out of the water. So much more sure footed at speed and climbs like a goat!

The bike I rode at Vegas was built up as a light trail bike, but I have built mine up as more of an All Mountain bike. Fox Talas 36's, custom Hadley/Bontrager wheelset, XTR/Saint drivetrain, Gore Ride-on cables, Tompson post, WTB saddle, Race Race Atlas stem, Oury grips on Bontrager bars. Weighs about 30 pounds with pedals.

Welcome to Black Peak

Hi ya,



I've created this blog so you can see for yourself whats going on in the world of Black Peak Enterprises. My business is made up of 3 different elements all revolving around cycling.



Firstly there is Black Peak Cycles, which is a bicycle servicing business that specializes in custom build work, suspension tuning and servicing, high performance bike tuning and race bike preparation. I also offer riding skills coaching for those who want to learn how to ride their bikes faster with more control. Go to www.blackpeakcycles.com for more details.



You can check in to see the latest piece of cool bike stuff I'm now using, a new bike or wheelset I've just built up for someone and get some insightful tips on what works in the real world of cycling without the marketing hype. If you would like to get in touch directly, drop me a line at blackpeak@paradise.net.nz or phone 0274347212.



Secondly, Black Peak Travel is a guiding service I have set up to take people mountain biking in some of the coolest and little discovered places around the world. Go to www.blackpeak.co.nz/travel.html to check out trips currently available.



Thirdly, Black Peak Photo Works is an outlet for the images I take when I'm out riding, skiing or generally living and experiencing life. You can go directly to my web site http://www.blackpeak.co.nz/ and see some interesting images of where I have been and what I've experienced.

Cheers, Doug.