Howey put in some serious shovel time last spring and built a couple of step downs, a massive hip, and a few hundred metres of fresh singletrack just for the video The post Video: Rain or Shine appeared first on Mountain Bike Action Magazine.

What made Miguel Indurain, Steve Jobs and the Samurai so successful? What constitutes true mastery? We sat down with Zen master Hinnerk Polenski at the Daishin Zen monastery in Buchenberg, Germany, to mull over improvements in performance, ride-life balance, moments of flow and the real sense behind sport. googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1408638783102-0'); }); E-MOUNTAINBIKE Magazine: Dear Hinnerk, thank you for agreeing to this interview. Please could you introduce yourself? Hinnerk: That’s a big ask for any Zen master. When asked to present oneself, one would merely keep quiet. [He laughs]. The task of a Zen master is to serve the people. And to serve means: A man without a rank and name. It is not important where you come from, nor where you are going. What’s important is the current moment. The presence between us both, what’s happening right now. Then individuals decide whether or not they will follow the route of a Master. That’s the only thing that counts. [He pauses, breaking into a smile at my bemused expression]. E-MOUNTAINBIKE Magazine: Could you explain in layman’s terms what Zen really means? Hinnerk: Zen is a way to the essential. It’s a way of direct experience, so you have to feel for yourself what that means. A state of Zen is a path of learning, of training, of your own transformation, of improvement, and change. That’s why there are parallels between Zen and sport. They’re inextricably linked, inseparable. The idea that there’s Zen on one hand, and sport on the other, doesn’t exist in Asia. Many athletes reach a moment in which they feel a power that’s stronger than simply the energy gel they had before… A human’s potential lies in his or her inner power. When I gain an awareness of my own strength, what my inner strength is, then I cease squandering energy. People that do sport will know exactly what I mean. For a while you’re wholly focused on the sporting task, then comes the moment when your focus ruptures, revealing incredible clarity. In the midst of intense activities, many athletes reach a moment in which they feel a power that’s stronger than simply the energy gel they had before, or the press-ups that they’ve done in training. One senses a strength that goes beyond what you’ve done with a coach or alone. This strength is the unity of body, energy, and spirit. It’s a fleeting moment in which you encounter this essential experience. E-MOUNTAINBIKE Magazine: What you’re describing sounds a lot like what many mountain bikers would refer to as ‘flow’. Hinnerk: Precisely. But Zen goes beyond these moments of flow. When this flow happens during a task, it’s called Samadhi in traditional Zen teachings, a state of meditative consciousness when you’re carrying out a movement that you’ve mastered. I have the strength, I have the energy, I have taken this movement to an unconscious level, completely submerged in the totality of the task. But it isn’t the true meaning of Zen. It’s simply an experience that shows me that there’s more to life than the constant entanglement around me. There’s more than stress, worries and my terraced house. There’s something inside me – as I just experienced – and it’s not something to which I can even give a name. E-MOUNTAINBIKE Magazine: Zen has a history going back for a thousand years in Asia and became popular in the West in the 20th century. The Samurai used Zen to improve their fighting skills. Steve Jobs had a Zen Master that supported him throughout his career. It could be seen as ‘doping’ if it’s improving one’s sporting or cognitive performance. But is there more to Zen than that? Hinnerk: Yes, absolutely. Unfortunately many athletes call it a day with flow, saying: ‘Yes, that’s why I run, that’s why I ride a bike, that’s why I do this or that.’ But as humans we have the potential to unlock this dimension in our daily lives too. And then it’s no longer flow; it’s awareness. It becomes a transformation that changes your life, leading to a life full of happiness and awareness. Not simply riding as flow, but living a life of flow – with rough edges at times, missed trains, and relationship woes. The ideal Zen is uninterrupted flow. Athletes have this privilege for those moments in which they’re wholly inside the immediacy of the moment. You could call it a spark, but the sense of Zen isn’t simply one spark; it’s thousands, or millions, of these sparks, until they’re all shining in the light at some point. It’s not like a light being switched on [Laughs], but it is, in fact, reality that is illuminated. E-MOUNTAINBIKE Magazine: You’ve mentioned the technique. Many athletes have mastered the technical skills required for a sport, does this make them a master in their field? Hinnerk: No. Technique is necessary but it’s only a third of what counts. Let me explain the three parts that constitute the essential, that leads one to the potential of one’s inner strength. The first part involves discovery, of myself and of what power means. What links me with the rest of everything? What am I, what do I believe, what do I think and how do I feel – is that everything? Is there another dimension? Is there a bigger potential? And how does that feel? This is what I practise in Zazan, seated meditation. It’s the only place I can truly practise it. In daily life there are certain conditions – not just in sport – where you may briefly experience this power and sense of unison. As humans we recognise these moments. In front of you is the sunset, you’re looking at the fiery red sky and it moves you, your heart leaps and you feel at one with everything. These fleeting sensations are simply a light being switched on, a reality that otherwise is hidden and out of reach. Seated meditation – what we call Zazen – is the training to open this reality for longer. For athletes there’s a bridge that you’ve already touched upon. At the start, Zen will result in an increase in performance – although that isn’t the purpose of Zen. But it happens. Coaches tell us about significant increases in both performance and enthusiasm. After all, sport is a broad arena where a lot can be won. Only a small number of athletes fully exploit these advantages. We’re currently developing a concept for the football team SC Freiburg that unites Zen and elite performances. But let’s go back to Zazen. During the meditation I feel something inside me, beyond what’s merely happening then. The decisive question is then: how do I achieve this state in reality? Many people that move into spirituality feel this, but they can’t access that power on the streets. This elevates it to more than just flow. When I get off the bike and stand somewhere on the mountainside, this flow goes beyond my bike and spreads far and wide. But let’s go back to Zazen. During the meditation I feel something inside me, beyond what’s merely happening then. The decisive question is then: how do I achieve this state in reality? Many people that move into spirituality feel this, but they can’t access that power on the streets. As an athlete, you’ve got the second element that we need in Zen, namely the ‘Do’: this is an easy, repeatable activity, and it awakens the experience that you’ve achieved through meditation. The requirement for this second element is the act of a simple movement – like jogging, or a martial arts routine. For experienced athletes, one may have memorised a complex series of movements that no longer require conscious thought to be carried out. Here’s where meditation experience floods into the flow. In such a case it goes beyond “wow, I’m tearing down the mountain, on a mad bit of a trail that’s hardly rideable, and it’s happening and there’s flow.” Instead, I can draw from my deep experience with meditation and use these elements in different dimensions — inner strength, awareness, heart, unity and so on. This elevates it to more than just flow. When I get off the bike and stand somewhere on the mountainside, this flow goes beyond my bike and spreads far and wide. It says, this is where I am, in this reality. That’s the third part. It’s when it enters your life. You are in a flow, in the now, simply stood there right now. But let’s go back to Zazen. During the meditation I feel something inside me, beyond what’s merely happening then. The decisive question is then: how do I achieve this state in reality? Many people that move into spirituality feel this, but they can’t access that power on the streets. That’s where the Zen triad comes into play. Athletes have a distinct advantage here because they’ve already done a fraction of the homework. It’s easier for them to get on the path to Zen, and they reap the rewards sooner. When one is able to combine the two elements – of truly being in a flow and practising Zen – it could result in a life-changing experience, and that is something amazing. Simple as, end of. [Laughs] E-MOUNTAINBIKE Magazine: Many cyclists are incredibly focused with a huge training load and are constantly working towards their goals. It’s something that I know well, but aren’t we at risk of losing sight of the serenity and the ability to listen to your body? How does Zen regard this? Hinnerk: Old Masters would say that you’ve lost yourself. You’re speeding past the goal with performance and power, because the goal is your life. Zen doesn’t disregard the notion of performance and competition, but it is not the purpose. The purpose is to fill our lives with something. And to do that, your body has to be key to everything. Extreme athleticism, excessive ambition and the increasing digitalisation in our daily lives dampen our bodily sensations, and by losing contact to our bodies, we are no longer immune to negativity, bad vibes, or entanglements. How can it be that someone may feel down while partaking in an amazing sporting activity? It can happen when your mind is elsewhere, not present in the moment; it’s when one doesn’t see reality for how it is actually, and instead it’s all clouded through the gloom of one’s thoughts. E-MOUNTAINBIKE Magazine: Five-time Tour de France winner Miguel Indurain once said: “My strength was that I am more balanced and calmer than most other riders.” Hinnerk: Exactly. The more you’re aware of your body and moving as ‘one’, the better equipped you are for the challenge and the more immune to negativity. Then it goes beyond simply how you perceive something physically, and becomes a privilege that should be appreciated. Take mountain biking, right: I’m in the most exceptional landscape in the mountains and I’m in great physical shape. I mean, what could be better? If I’m in a competitive situation and not aware of my body because I’m too focused, that’s just rubbish. A national coach once said ‘let’s just see how it goes’ while at a major competition, but that’s because they were confident due to the hard training of the previous six months. In that moment, there’s no more training that can be done. You have to just do your thing. Anything else in your mind becomes an obstacle. You need to enter a state of total awareness: I will see every single stone, as well as stones that I normally wouldn’t see. I have to be so aware for what is behind the next corner even if I can’t see around the bend. That’s the open stage that you can enjoy. It’s great. And then it’s also great when you win. E-MOUNTAINBIKE Magazine: Is that what makes a true Master? Hinnerk:Yes, that’s the point. But I’d like to suggest that you try this: next time you aren’t in a competition, get off the bike. Just get off the bike and stand there, as out of breath as you were while riding, and just wait until your breath is calm again. Just stand there and look around, breathe it in. Breathe in the endless sky, and breathe in the mountains and the power of the earth, and the rocks around you. And be a rock. When there is peace, get back on the bike and pedal off – it’s wonderful! [Laughs] Competitions are all well and good, but life isn’t a continual competition. That would merely lead to stress, and then burning out. Unfortunately too few athletes realise that. Sport is an act that brings us right to our core, but you have to work it out of its core first. There have always been individuals who reached this state of openness, and going beyond themselves, without Zen. And in this case it also extends far beyond sport and fans out to your whole life. Sport is just an entrance card; when sport is the ‘Do’ in Zen, it is one third of everything. E-MOUNTAINBIKE Magazine: Samurai have said that you’re wrong to believe that archery is about hitting the target. So, what’s it really about? Hinnerk: That very moment that you are there. The totality of the now. Nothing else. I have learned to master archery, and in this moment I draw back my arrow and it’s perfect exactly how it is. I let go; the arrow shoots forward, flying. If I don’t hit the target, then the old Master will say that you drew the bow a touch too tightly, or that I’m too many for that draw weight, so try with 50 pounds. There are two different relationships here: just because someone says that the journey is the destination, that doesn’t mean it is irrelevant if we reach it or not. But the moment you are in the totality of it, that’s where you place the focus. But in today’s world, we do this in the opposite manner: our thoughts are flying around about whether we win or not, and because we are thinking so much, we end up training badly. And that’s why we lose. Our attention isn’t with what we’re doing in this moment, in the training – it’s already at the finish. When we are open and relaxed, we can fully be in that moment of the training. Then we’ll do the training correctly, and it becomes the ‘Do’. And the training becomes more important in that moment than the goal. When I’m doing press-ups, it’s irrelevant whether I manage 50 or 58. It’s about each one in that moment. While I’m doing the 23rd, 24th, and 25th, and then think: ‘Oh man, 58, how am I supposed to do another 33 when I’ve not even managed 30 yet.’ Then I won’t do it. Think of the stress. What’s more important is to do press-ups every day and one day you’ll have 60, and you’ll think: ‘Oh, right, how did that happen?’ E-MOUNTAINBIKE Magazine: That’s where the individual is fighting against himself or herself, isn’t it? When they realise that they started with such-and-such a number of press-ups, or kilometres on a bike ride, and now they’ve reached something bigger. Hinnerk: Elite performances aren’t moments of unpleasant emotions where you’re fighting yourself, or doubting whether you’ll win or lose. They are moments where something happens; you’re on the limit, and perhaps cross a limit. I don’t want to use the word ‘amazing’ again, but being on your limit – or crossing it – while competing is just amazing. It’s an unbelievable feeling. And in that moment, winning or not-winning aren’t as important as what happens in that moment. And if you realise you’ve only come second, then that’s that – you can change your training schedule, listen to your coach who’ll say ‘do this,’ or ‘do that’. You have the opportunity to adapt now. Start over and train for an extra ten minutes each day. You don’t need to tear yourself up about it. Just train for an extra ten minutes. Or work more on your legs instead of your arms, perhaps. A fighting spirit is something else. True strength, true mastery isn’t about stress. That’s the opposite of stress. E-MOUNTAINBIKE Magazine: Moving onto the next big topic: the ride-life balance. For many riders, getting out on their bike is a way to release stress and switch off. Is there a difference between ‘I’m riding to clear my head’ and Zen? Hinnerk: Independent of Zen, I think it’s wonderful just how many people practice a sport in this country, on this continent. By doing sport, we’re reclaiming our bodies and that’s a major step. When we take notice of it, it also puts us in a position to wield it in other dimensions for performance. That’s brilliant. Then, as we know, it’s also backed up by a legion of doctors and research studies. Doing exercise three times a week is the best way to prevent illnesses and sickness – that, alongside Zen and green tea. Now back to road cyclists and mountain bikers: stop every now and then on your ride and look around you. Be in the moment. There you are. It’s raining, you’re in the woods, there’s a smell of pine trees, and it’s glorious. Or, I’ve just made it up a huge climb and now I’ll take a moment to enjoy this beautiful view. This belongs together. Your body is being revitalised. You – or rather ‘it’ – is short of breath, it’s sweating. It’s in synthesis. googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1408638783102-1'); }); This wonderful pairing of movement followed by regular stopping is a good starting point. An awareness of your body is vital in order to prevent stress from even occurring. It’s also a basis for change. Your will, your drive, and your body are linked to each other. If I were an athlete and combined it with my experiences of Zen, then I’d enter a dimension of inner strength – and more intense will. It would put me in the position of being able to set better boundaries, have more clarity in my life, and be able to say no to certain things. Those are the causes of stress: not saying No, not having clarity, and not setting boundaries. For a serious rider, a bit of rain doesn’t matter, does it? Being outside is what counts – regardless of the weather’s antics, whether the sun is burning down onto the tarmac, or the rain is soaking into the trail. That’s what you can experience as a rider. And Zen is in a position to bring this sense over to my everyday experience. Or even the other way round: developing my sport by practising Zen. In this sense, it becomes a circle, with both elements mutually developing the other, ever faster, and ever more intensively. At the end, what counts isn’t the athletic performance, but how your life is fulfilled. An awareness of your body is vital in order to prevent stress from even occurring. E-MOUNTAINBIKE Magazine: The problem with fulfilment is that many elite athletes reach the top and then realise that there’s still something missing. Some people are never satisfied, and dive into the hunt for their next victory in the search for satisfaction. You’ve already mentioned the idea of taking a reality check – stopping, breathing, and being aware. Could you perhaps go deeper into this Hinnerk: Standing still is very important. So I’d recommend to everyone that you should stop from time to time and raise your shoulders, moving them backwards to open up your chest so that your breathing can be deeper and slower, letting your body be aware of where you are. Not just awareness of your body, but also your sweat, your exhausted breath. Use your slow expiration to bring a sense of calm to your body. Then when you get back on and ride off, you’ll be in another setting – a different one to when you’re simply tearing through the scenery, oblivious to what’s around you. Being aware of where you are – isn’t that just fantastic? This awareness changes your view and your behaviour. The essence of Zen is being stationary in the midst of everything. Stillness in the happenings. Of emotions and thoughts. Of just being present. Thoughts turn our reality – our ‘being present’ – into a drama, or a rainy day. We feel like we are in the middle of a gloomy, rainy day. We stop and realize: The sun is shining. That’s what it is about. E-MOUNTAINBIKE Magazine: Let’s imagine that someone has read this interview and found themselves nodding their head. Maybe they’re thinking ‘I’ve had similar experiences on the bike. I’m curious, maybe Zen could be something for me.’ What would be their next step? Hinnerk:On the topic of meditation we have a YouTube channel with videos. [Editor’s note: unfortunately they are only available in German, but you can check out this video from entrepreneur and keynote speaker Christoph Magnussen who visited Hinnerk]. There you’ll find brief summaries that give you more of an idea of what’s involved. And naturally, every single reader is warmly invited to our seminar centre in Buchenberg to learn about meditation. A simple meditation exercise is to sit on the edge of your sofa or chair, with a straight back. Breathe out slowly seven times. Then breathe in again. The breathing in isn’t important, but the seven outward breaths should be slow and controlled. Then sit there for a while and listen to what’s around you, heightening your awareness of your surroundings, your body, any smells that are present. At some point there’ll be a moment that you choose to stop and continue your day. It’s just a small meditation exercise, an introduction. What’s important is why individuals meditate. Everyone tells you that you’ll have more power, more heart, more oneness, less fear, less negativity, less stress, and the list goes on. But at the end of the day, those are not the reasons why people meditate. They meditate because they tried it once and felt something. They felt that the power was somehow inside them. Or that the sense of clarity was inside. It prompted them to wonder why they create so much stress all of the time: Life is great, so why am I turning it into something that’s more of a terror? And that’s the moment when an individual will start to meditate. Of course, it’s not easy to experience this moment through a YouTube video or just by dipping into a meditation exercise. The best route into meditation is to go to seminars or guided classes until the moment arrives. Then comes the ‘wow’ moment and you will have understood it. It’s the same in sport. You don’t do sport simply because you’ve got nothing better to do; you do it because it makes you happy. There’s nothing better than when I’ve showered after an amazing training session and am sat exhausted on a bench, with the world rushing around me. I’m just sat there with wet hair. Those are the moments in which something deeper touches you. And Zen, in that moment, abounds in your whole life. [Hinnerk closes his eyes, there’s one minute of silence]. Yes, I’d be pleased if people’s curiosity is awoken. It’s a wonderful story for athletes. E-MOUNTAINBIKE Magazine: Hinnerk, many thanks for this inspiring interview. This article is from E-MOUNTAINBIKE issue #016E-MOUNTAINBIKE Magazine is published in a digital app format in both English and German. Download the app for iOS or Android to read all articles on your tablet or smartphone. 100% free! Der Beitrag Zen doping, ride-life balance and flow – An interview with Zen master Hinnerk Polenski erschien zuerst auf E-MOUNTAINBIKE Magazine.

We were super excited to see such a great 24 inch hartail come out at $750 USD. On paper this bike ticks all the boxes in a great MTB for the 8 to 12 crowd: Light weight Air fork, Hydraulic brakes, 40 mm stem, kenda small block tires, and fantastic geometry in a well made alloy frame. Thanks to Wee Bike Shop for providing a demo bike for us to review.   Saracen Mantra 2.4 Details: Intended Age- 8 plus Weight- 24.7 lbs Features- Suntour Air Fork with 80mm travel, Promax hydraulic dis brakes, Kenda Small block 1.95X24 tires, 9 spd 1X Shimano drivetrain with 11-36 Cassette MSRP- $750 USD Available- WeeBikeShop | Chain Reaction The Bike Dads' Take: "It's amazing how far kids' mountain bikes have come in the last few years. Brands are making amazing bikes with great geometry and good parts available to kids who want to push their progresion. Saracen has managed to package this in a 24 inch hard tail at a great price. We swapped the tires and pedals for personal preference/riding terrain but this bike comes ready for serious trails right out of the box." -Colin Be sure to click the Facebook like button below so we can expand our kids' bike community. Thx! Recent Blog Posts Picking The First Pedal Bike The Raise Riders Family Bicycle Weekend Saracen Mantra 2.4 Review Burley D’lite Trailer Review Tout Terrain Streamliner Review Woom 1 Plus Balance Bike Review Rocky Mountain Reaper Review Opus Nix 20 inch Review UNCHAINED: A weekend guide for Whistler and the Bike Park Spawn Yama Jama 20 inch Review Ventana’s full suspension TANDEM, El Conquistador de Montana’s The post Saracen Mantra 2.4 Review appeared first on The Bike Dads.

We were super excited to see such a great 24 inch hartail come out at $750 USD. On paper this bike ticks all the boxes in a great MTB for the 8 to 12 crowd: Light weight Air fork, Hydraulic brakes, 40 mm stem, kenda small block tires, and fantastic geometry in a well made alloy frame. Thanks to Wee Bike Shop for providing a demo bike for us to review.   Saracen Mantra 2.4 Details: Intended Age- 8 plus Weight- 24.7 lbs Features- Suntour Air Fork with 80mm travel, Promax hydraulic dis brakes, Kenda Small block 1.95X24 tires, 9 spd 1X Shimano drivetrain with 11-36 Cassette MSRP- $750 USD Available- WeeBikeShop | Chain Reaction The Bike Dads' Take: "It's amazing how far kids' mountain bikes have come in the last few years. Brands are making amazing bikes with great geometry and good parts available to kids who want to push their progresion. Saracen has managed to package this in a 24 inch hard tail at a great price. We swapped the tires and pedals for personal preference/riding terrain but this bike comes ready for serious trails right out of the box." -Colin Be sure to click the Facebook like button below so we can expand our kids' bike community. Thx! Recent Blog Posts Picking The First Pedal Bike The Raise Riders Family Bicycle Weekend Saracen Mantra 2.4 Review Burley D’lite Trailer Review Tout Terrain Streamliner Review Woom 1 Plus Balance Bike Review Rocky Mountain Reaper Review Opus Nix 20 inch Review UNCHAINED: A weekend guide for Whistler and the Bike Park Spawn Yama Jama 20 inch Review Ventana’s full suspension TANDEM, El Conquistador de Montana’s The post Saracen Mantra 2.4 Review appeared first on The Bike Dads.

We were super excited to see such a great 24 inch hartail come out at $750 USD. On paper this bike ticks all the boxes in a great MTB for the 8 to 12 crowd: Light weight Air fork, Hydraulic brakes, 40 mm stem, kenda small block tires, and fantastic geometry in a well made alloy frame. Thanks to Wee Bike Shop for providing a demo bike for us to review.   Saracen Mantra 2.4 Details: Intended Age- 8 plus Weight- 24.7 lbs Features- Suntour Air Fork with 80mm travel, Promax hydraulic dis brakes, Kenda Small block 1.95X24 tires, 9 spd 1X Shimano drivetrain with 11-36 Cassette MSRP- $750 USD Available- WeeBikeShop | Chain Reaction The Bike Dads' Take: "It's amazing how far kids' mountain bikes have come in the last few years. Brands are making amazing bikes with great geometry and good parts available to kids who want to push their progresion. Saracen has managed to package this in a 24 inch hard tail at a great price. We swapped the tires and pedals for personal preference/riding terrain but this bike comes ready for serious trails right out of the box." -Colin Be sure to click the Facebook like button below so we can expand our kids' bike community. Thx! Recent Blog Posts Picking The First Pedal Bike The Raise Riders Family Bicycle Weekend Saracen Mantra 2.4 Review Burley D’lite Trailer Review Tout Terrain Streamliner Review Woom 1 Plus Balance Bike Review Rocky Mountain Reaper Review Opus Nix 20 inch Review UNCHAINED: A weekend guide for Whistler and the Bike Park Spawn Yama Jama 20 inch Review Ventana’s full suspension TANDEM, El Conquistador de Montana’s The post Saracen Mantra 2.4 Review appeared first on The Bike Dads.

Steve Vanderhoek hunts down some huge rock faces on the West Coast.

Specialized Turbo Levo By Alex Boyce If there is one bike brand determined to maintain a pioneer status when it comes to mountain bikes, it would be Specialized. Long known for the impact that their original Stumpjumper had on the still-infant sport back in 1982, though not always successfully, Specialized has nonetheless fought hard to lead in every new dirt bike category. And so it remains true in the world of e-bikes. When they first rolled out their Levo back in 2014, no other big bike brand at the time had anything to compare, and in few the years since, the bike has only gotten better. For 2019 Specialized brought a pool of journos to Croatia to get a first-hand look at the new Turbo Levo. It’s based around 29-inch hoops and both a carbon and aluminum frame with a completely new form factor. Headline specifications include a 700 Wh battery and Brose’s latest S-Mag motor, which was developed with Specialized and is given the 2.1 denomination. THE BIKE Specialized used their latest frame-styling techniques borrowed from both their modern downhill bikes and the Stumpjumper. The mid-frame cross-brace of the carbon front triangle is just enough to add the right stiffness for the frame and shock support. The down-tube is very slim, and in the flesh it looks like a “normal bike.” We always like the low level of clutter on the handlebar, with their new display and just a small functional remote that is the best on the market. The front triangle only needed a brace around the shock on one side. It keeps access clear to the shock. One key feature of the Levo is the range of adjustability to accommodate different wheel sizes. The 150mm travel fork can be extended to 160mm, with a fork upgrade for use with 27.5-plus-inch tires and a Flip Chip on the rear that adjusts the bottom bracket height accordingly. The Brose motor is not only slimmer and lighter, but better integrated and optimally placed in the frame. The big S decided to stick with an 11 -speed drivetrain because they felt the 12-speed is unnecessary, and the heavier weight of the 12-speed cassette was not to the product manager’s liking. GEOMETRY Performance as much as style are always at the top of the list for Specialized, and the numbers behind their “stiffer, faster, better” claims are essentially a 66-degree head angle and longer reach compared to the previous models. The numbers follow Specialized’s range philosophy with handling being about stable speed and manageability. Their chainstay length is not a world-beating short stay, but it’s very good for a “quick in the corners and stable on the climbs” performance. The reach is long enough that the rider doesn’t feel cramped if they like to get aggressive, but not so long that one might feel overstretched. THE MOTOR This is where a lot of energy, design and research have taken place. First, the designers have ditched to the old-style cradle that held the motor; the motor is now directly attached to the frame. This creates space and also reduces weight, which has allowed Specialized to increase the battery capacity, working in conjunction with a new cell specification, 21700. This is where Tesla has decided to go with their car batteries. They are larger and actually cheaper to produce. The 700 Wh is a lot of juice! The rear end is pretty traditional, and the well-placed stay cover gives a silent ride. Let’s be clear from the outset, we turbo’d around all day, and only at the very end of the day after non-stop riding did we get to 10-percent power left. It’s one of the longest-lasting batteries we have ever used, and it really shocked us how much energy we had left. We have tried a lot of combinations across the market, and this is a new battery performance standard that should make other brands pay attention. The 2.1 Specialized motor, which is based around a magnesium case and Specialized’s own custom software, is fundamentally the best e-bike motor we have tried. It’s quiet, smooth, has endless power support throughout the cadence range, and consumes an acceptable amount of current (i.e., doesn’t suck the battery). As you ride uphill and reach the limit of the power compared to other motors, the Specialized 2.1 motor keeps on pushing, making climbing more fun than ever before. The new motor unit is clearly slimmed down and cast in magnesium. The motor’s different power modes are very complementary to rider inputs and are tunable via the app. It’s not a free ride; you have to tell the bike what to do with your legs, but its sensitivity is excellent. When you pass the assist boundary, the transition is very smooth, also the power application sensation is one of the best we have felt to date. Electronics have been moved to the top of the top tube, and this is where you find a small LED plastic display. It’s a reasonable solution, although we still prefer no display at all, but what is cool is within the app you can turn all the lights off and ride around in stealth mode. Alternatively, with the three LED combination, you can see which power mode you are in and how much battery is left. “They have updated it with this version, and the rest of the industry is going to have to play catch-up for a while.” We quizzed Specialized on hacking the electronics to make it go faster or whatever many riders try to do to their bikes to circumvent the speed rules. The system is now basically closed. All the apps around won’t be able to hack the bike in the same way as before. You need a PIN, which is printed on the bike to attach your app to the bike. We think this is all a good thing, because even dealers can’t hack the bike anymore; they can only access the bike’s settings according to the country they are in. Also, it’s worth noting if you do try and hack the bike, your warranty is void and Specialized will know you did it. The intelligence of the system has jumped up quite a few levels. Also, your data is safe. Nothing you do with your rides or bike is shared with anyone, thanks to new European GDPR rules. Here’s a look at how the battery is installed. WHO IT’S MADE FOR Based on price alone, the is an easy question to answer—the Levo is intended for the serious rider. However, this question gets harder to answer as time develops, because it seems each new Levo becomes a benchmark for the next year or two in the industry. The Levo will appeal to those who like to ride hard and verge on the more performance-oriented side rather than just cruising around and blasting descents. The top-of-the-range version is pricey at $10,000+. The Expert level, which we tested, is more accessible and comes with the 700 Wh battery. THE RIDE We rode a lot in every direction in Istria, Croatia. Our rides started in the morning and finished in the late afternoon. We rode up and down on some very beautiful trails, and no one changed their battery. That was our first impression, then technically we found ourselves riding with a different feel compared to a 27.5-plus-inch bike. Roll-over uphill is smoother, grip, though, is similar we think, but the sustainability of the power inputs from your legs on steep climbs is greater due to improved motor performance as it cuts in. Gear shifting uphill is one click, so no chain grinding anymore. Cornering uphill is smooth and balanced, rider position is where you would expect to maintain forward momentum in difficult corners, and it rides much like a Stumpjumper, which is a good thing. We found shifting to be less straining on the chain, as you can only click one gear at a time, while the gear range fitted our desire for what we typically ride from a ratio point of view. DOWNHILL AND TRAIL Our test rides included lots of short trails and some Italian-style wooded descents with some rocky chutes and trails. A mix of riding gave us a good understanding of the balance of the bike and what you can do with it. The Turbo Levo is not like other 29er bikes on the market that we’ve ridden. With the 2.6-inch tires and wide rims, it added to the 150mm of travel and updated geometry to give it a supple and smooth ride. We would like to tune the fork a bit for our own preferences, and we didn’t spend as much time on suspension settings as we would like; we were too busy riding, eating and enjoying the location. The open head angle and specification of the frame layout give the rider a definite aggressive feeling if they want it. You don’t feel overstretched or uncomfortable, and the neutral point of balance on the bike is quite wide, which is a good thing. It gives the rider the ability to play more and move around above the frame, looking for a different feeling at different points of control they need not worry about to actually remain in control of the bike. As the trail changes from up and down, the rider has a machine that adapts well to the different possibilities, stand up on the pedals to boost yourself through some trail sections or blast down steep sections; the new Levo has you covered. After one section in the trail network that got very rough rocky and fast, we found ourselves flying along probably on the edge of control and sanity, but never out of control. The larger wheel size gives you added stability and a sense of security when it gets sketchy. Hanging off the back of the bike with larger wheels means we had a bit more contact with our shorts scraping the rear wheel. Maybe we were riding faster on steeper trails and were over-compensating. Whatever it was, we were super happy with what we could achieve on the test trails with the Levo. Eventually, we’ll need more time on our home trails to really understand what the designers have come up with compared to the rest of the market. There are lots of new ideas in this product that need exploring and defining better. We felt there was a greater performance envelope to explore within the ride characteristics that we experienced during the short time testing. THE VERDICT During our time on the Levo, we found ourselves contemplating life and bikes. Our conclusion was simple—if this is the next stage on the road of bike electrification, then we are all going to have to accept that e-bikes are going to take over. Specialized is one of the market leaders. They have created their vision of what an e-bike should be four years ago with the first Levo. They have updated it with this version, and the rest of the industry is going to have to play catch-up for a while. The open head angle and new layout gives the rider a definite aggressive ride feeling if they want it. You don’t feel over-stretched or uncomfortable on board, and the neutral point of balance on the bike is quite wide, which is a good thing. This gives the rider the ability to play more with the bike and move around more in the sweet spot of the bike’s balance. If you are experimenting with body positioning and trying to find the limit in corners or on jumps or climbs, the bike remains stable and gives constant positive feedback about where it is heading and what will happen next. SPECS 2019 SPECIALIZED TURBO LEVO MSRP: Base, $4900; Comp Alloy, $5900; Comp Carbon, $6900; Expert, $8200; S-Works, $12000 Motor: Brose S-Mag, 250W mid-drive Battery: 36V, 700 Wh Charge time: 4–5 hours Top speed: 20 mph Range: 20-40 miles Drive: SRAM XG-1175, 11-speed, 10-42t Brakes: Code-R, 200mm rotors Controls: 3-LED ride mode display, APP. Handlebar remote with walk assist. Fork: RockShox Pike RC29, 150mm Frame: FACT 9m Carbon w/M5 alloy rear triangle, 29 Trail Geometry (as tested) Tires: Butcher Gripton, 29×2.6” Weight: 43.78 lb. (19.9 kg) Color choices: Carbon/Monster Green, Stomr Grey/Rocket Red Sizes: 17” www.specialized.com THERE ARE SO MANY WAYS TO GET ELECTRIC BIKE ACTION In print, from the Apple newsstand, or on your Android device, from Google. Available from the Apple Newsstand for reading on your iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch. Subscribe Here For more subscription information contact (800) 767-0345 Got something on your mind? Let us know at hi-torque.com The post Bike Review: Specialized Turbo Levo appeared first on Electric Bike Action.

More Bikes, and Fun Products Every year there’s a massive convention of the bicycle industry—Interbike. Interbike has been around for 36 years. A long-time mainstay in the city of Las Vegas, Nevada, the show moved upstate to Reno for 2018, and it was more e-bike-focused than ever. From bikes to e-specific tires and other accessories, there was something e-bike-related in nearly every booth. In fact, it seems that there aren’t but a handful of companies left still holding out on e-bikes. Sergeant Matt Bygum was one of the speakers from the LAPD talking about how e-bikes have already impacted their bicycle patrols. There are presentations at every hour of every day—from seminars to discussions on topics from how to increase social media presence to training on best practices in the bike shop. The LAPD was there on Bosch’s stage, talking about how their e-bike program has already increased arrests by 140 percent and dropped response times in the areas where they are deployed. “E-bike growth in the U.S. has been 66 percent year over year.” In one seminar, we learned that e-bike growth in the U.S. has been 66 percent year over year, and that one major bike company found out that though e-bikes were 11 percent of their sales in units, it accounted for 50 percent of their total sales. There’s so much great information, it alone is worth coming to the show! Closeup of the interface for the motor and battery, both of which come out of the bottom of the downtube. PRE-SHOW The precursor to the indoor expo is the Outdoor Demo held in nearby Lake Tahoe at the Northstar Resort. This is where people can ride demo bikes from many different manufacturers. This is also where many dealers come to find the brands they might carry. It’s mountain bike-heavy, but there are all kinds of bikes there—from road to folding to some really unusual bikes. Northstar is a popular ski area in the winter, but they have outstanding trails for mountain biking. Bulls’ distributor is bringing over lower-priced sister brand Pegasus starting in 2019. Whereas there was a nearly hour-long wait at the lift, with e-bikes it was a 10-minute ride to mid-mountain! It’s such a blast, and we had the chance to ride many new bikes we hadn’t yet ridden. Sometimes this job just doesn’t seem like work. This is the first time we saw the Bianchi Aria E-Road in the flesh. Unfortunately, it wasn’t available for riding during the show. We’re curious to do a full review on it or the Orbea. Both feature the Ebikemotion X35 hub motor. Stromer’s new ST1. This is the first-ever e-bike prototype we’ve ever seen that was 3D printed! We were the first allowed to ride the new Fantic with the Fazua motor. It didn’t offer any resistance above 20 mph, was very light for an e-bike, and it may be a game-changer. Riese & Müller had their cadre of overbuilt, cool-looking machines. This belt-driven cargo bike is pre-configured with a handle for a passenger to hold on to, built-in Abus lock holder and a Bosch Performance Line motor. This year the demo track was outdoors, offering much more space and a better track. SR Suntour has expanded their line of e-specific forks. We should have some to test soon. Haibike had one of their new Flyon motor-powered bikes on display. This XDuro AllTrail 6.0 was kept behind glass. Not sure when they’ll have production models, but we’re champing at the bit to get at anything with 120 N/m of torque! Praxis has a full line of carbon eCranks, at $280, made for Yamaha, Bosch, Brose, Specialized and even Fazua, in a variety of lengths. iZIP’s Simi is one of their answers to the new Chinese tariffs. They’re building them in Thailand, and the Suntour drive system is from Vietnam. We had a chance to check out the guts and shell of the new Brose Mag-S motor. That motor casing is very light. iGo is making a serious push in 2019 with a slew of new models using an interesting variety of motors, from Bafang to Shimano. The Pivot Shuttle won our E-Bike of the Year Award. Yamaha launched the Wabash dual-purpose bike named after a famous gravel trail in the Midwest. Abus showed off their newest e-specific helmet, with built-in lighting and a pop-out rain cover. It’s made specifically for Class 3 bikes, offering more impact protection than a regular bike helmet. Abus also had several new locks, including this new smart lock, the 770A SmartX lock. It is Bluetooth-connected and has an alarm. It’s keyless, so you can walk up to it and it has a proximity sensor, unlocking it when you walk up. Our pick for E-Bike Innovation of the Year? Bosch’s PowerTube battery. INTERBIKE INNOVATION AWARDS Every year at Interbike, awards for the best products in the industry are selected. Electric Bike Action, along with sister publications Road Bike Action and Mountain Bike Action, is tasked with selecting the best of the best in several categories. EBA picks two—the best e-bike and the best e-bike product. By August, we have to receive anything from any company (who must also be registered with a booth at Interbike) that sells e-bikes or products that wants to submit it for consideration. We were flooded with entries at t. Our warehouse overflowed with so much good stuff! It was a lot of work, but a lot of fun to try everything out. We can only pick one winner for each category, and that wasn’t an easy task. Our final selection was the Pivot Shuttle for Bike of the Year and the Bosch PowerTube battery for Product of the Year. There were some amazing runners-ups for the best bike, like Fantic’s FX-1 Carbon 160 and Bulls’ E-Core, but the Shuttle edged them out. THERE ARE SO MANY WAYS TO GET ELECTRIC BIKE ACTION In print, from the Apple newsstand, or on your Android device, from Google. Available from the Apple Newsstand for reading on your iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch. Subscribe Here For more subscription information contact (800) 767-0345 Got something on your mind? Let us know at hi-torque.com The post More Bikes, and Fun Products appeared first on Electric Bike Action.

The Liteville 301 MK15 is the latest incarnation of a true classic. The updated version of the popular German trail bike comes with a revised geometry, lots of smart details and can take both 27.5″ and 29″ wheels. The new 301 MK 15 is available in several versions, which we’ve already tested for you. The Liteville 301 MK15 is now longer and slacker. The updated version of this German classic allows you to run both 27.5″ or 29″ wheels. The complete bike is called the “Factory Machine” and is available in four different spec options. What are the differences between the new Liteville 301 MK15 and its MK14 predecessor? The MK14 version was already a successfull chapter in the history of the 301. The updated MK15 version has undergone even more serious changes. This time the engineers wanted to make the 301 even more capable and more versatile, without affecting its handling. This was achieved by combining a longer, slacker geometry with the DuoLink flip-chip geometry adjustment-system in the rear-end and the LevelTune insert in the head tube. But if you take a closer look at the frame, you’ll notice even more new details: Liteville also revised the integration of the EightPin dropper and improved the cable routing of the 301. The LevelTune attaches to the bottom of the head tube. The 23 mm-high bearing-shell adapter compensates for the shorter insertion-length of 27.5″ forks. googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1408638783102-0'); }); The DuoLink system allows you to adapt the chainstay length and bottom bracket height to the respective wheel sizes Liteville DuoLink and LevelTune – one frame, two (or even three) wheelsizes. There’s nothing new about the DuoLink-Liteville combo. However, while the previous MK14 model dispensed with the chainstay geometry-adjustment, the latest MK15 version takes it up again. But what does this technology do? It allows you to adjust both the chainstay length and bottom bracket height of the bike. The front position is used with 27.5″ wheels and the rear one with 29″ wheels. Furthermore, Liteville has developed the LevelTune system to compensate for different fork-heights, which come as a result of the different wheel sizes. The 23 mm-high bearing shell adapter attaches directly to the bottom of the head tube and, according to the manufacturer, shouldn’t affect the stiffness of the headtube nor cause creaking noises after prolonged use. In combination with the DuoLink, this allows you to swap between 27.5″ and 29″ wheels without changing the geometry of the bike – though, you still have to change the fork. If you want to set up your new 301 MK15 with 27.5″ wheels, Liteville recommends a 170 mm-fork. If you decide to go with 29” wheels however, you should get a 160 mm fork. Liteville has also cleaned up the cable routing of the 301 MK15 Necessary evil: to allow for enough slack for the installation, the cable of the EightPins dropper inserts from the top of the downtube Most modern 1-speed drivetrains don’t require a chain guide anymore. According to Liteville, however, their in-house guide significantly increases the lifespan of the chain. With this new design, you won’t have to cut off the Eightpins seatpost anymore. On the actual production bike the welded box will look even neater. Longer and slacker – the geometry of the Liteville 301 MK15 The new Liteville 301 MK15 is available either in a 130 mm Trail- or 160 mm Enduro- version, respectively with 27.5″ and 29″ wheels. All variants share a slightly longer reach (around 1 cm) and a significantly slacker head angle. The Enduro has been slackened by a full 1.5°, which now measures 64.5°. The Trail version on the other hand has a head angle of approx. 65°. To prevent the front-end from tilting away, Liteville relies on a fork with a shorter offset, which in turn increases the trail-figure. This should significantly improve the running smoothness and stability of the bike, without affecting its agility. While the 27.5″ version of the Liteville 301 MK15 is available in sizes S to XL, the 29er option comes in sizes M to XXL. In the chart you’ll find the geometry of the 160 mm version in S with 27.5″ wheels, for all other sizes than 29″. Size S 27,5″ M 29″ L 29″ XL 29″ XXL 29″ Seat tube 417 mm 441 mm 465 mm 489 mm 537 mm Top tube 578 mm 608 mm 625 mm 646 mm 686 mm Head tube 100 mm 110 mm 110 mm 120 mm 155 mm Head angle 64.5° 64.5° 64.5° 64.5° 64.5° Seat angle 75.5° 75.2° 75.2° 75.2° 75.0° Chainstays 422 mm 438 mm 438 mm 445 mm 450 mm BB hight 345 mm 349 mm 349 mm 349 mm 349 mm Wheelbase 1,165 mm 1,215 mm 1,232 mm 1,262 mm 1,310 mm Reach 425 mm 445 mm 462 mm 480 mm 508 mm Stack 592 mm 620 mm 620 mm 629 mm 660 mm Four spec options for the Liteville 301 MK15 Werksmaschine So far Liteville offered their bikes in just one spec option, with the possibility of individual upgrades. While the upgrades are still available, the spec options have now risen to a total of four – both for the 301 MK15 Trail- and Enduro-version. Prices for the Liteville 301 MK15 Werksmaschine start at € 4.680 with a SRAM GX Eagle-kit. The XT version sets you back € 5,640. Whilst the X01 version starts at € 6,340, the top-end model with electronic SRAM X01 Eagle AXS groupset, starts at € 7,440. Liteville also offers the new 301 MK15 as a frame-kit. Here prices start at € 2,480. 301 MK15 Werksmaschine SRAM GX Eagle 301 MK15 Werksmaschine Shimano XT 301 MK15 Werksmaschine SRAM X01 Eagle 301 MK15 Werksmaschine SRAM X01 Eagle AXS Fork RockShox Lyrik 2020 (FOX 36 GRIP2 + €300) Shock RockShox Deluxe 2020 RT (SuperDeluxe + €140) Brakes SRAM Guide R 200/180 mm Shimano XT 203/180mm SRAM 2020 200/180mm SRAM 2020 High End 200/180mm Drivetrain SRAM GX Eagle Shimano XT 2×11 SRAM X01 Eagle SRAM X01 Eagle AXS Stem Syntace Megaforce2 Handlebars Syntace Vector 7075 Alloy 780 mm Seatpost Syntace P6 7075 Alloy (Eightpins + €440) Eightpins Wheels Syntace W33i (Syntace C33i + €480) Syntace C33i Tires MAXXIS MINION DHF 2,5”/DHR2 2,4” Price from € 4,680 from € 5,640 from € 6,340 from € 7,440 Riding the Liteville 301 MK15 with both wheel sizes Even before its official launch, we had the unique opportunity to ride a prototype of the new 301 MK15 in an exclusive first-test on the sunny trails of Latsch in South Tyrol. We tested the Liteville with both wheel configurations on four descents with 1000 vertical metres each. This was enough to get a good first impression of the bike. However, the head angle of our test bike was 1° slacker than the production bike, which makes it hard to get an accurate idea of the handling. At the beginning of February, we travelled to Latsch to test the prototype of the new 301 MK15 Liteville combines a slack 64.5° head angle with a 44 mm fork offset In good-old Liteville fashion, the DynaLevel system on the rocker-arm makes it very easy to set up the bike. A mark on the rocker tells you when the SAG is perfectly set while you can sit on the bike. The first thing you’ll notice when climbing, is the very centred riding position. The steep seat angle puts you comfortably in the centre of the bike and allows for a comfortable ride, even on the steepest of climbs. However, the short top tube makes for a rather compact, upright riding position. Since we used the local shuttle-service to get to the trailhead, we can’t comment on the performance of the suspension on technical uphills. However, the previous 301 MK14 was already very good in this regard. The 301 MK15 knows how to impress with its balanced cornering performance On downhills the Liteville feels ever so familiar right from the word go. The (still) rather short reach of 460 mm (size L) makes it easy to shift your weight between the front- and rear-wheel. Following in the steps of its predecessor, the MK15 is a rather playful bike that allows for direct direction changes and constantly encourages you to play around with the trail-features. At the same time, however, it’s noticeably more stable than the older version and inspires tons of confidence even when riding on demanding terrain and at high speeds. If you like getting rowdy and, above all, if you love speed, we recommend going one size up – as seen in our previous MK14 test, the shorter seatpost makes this possible. Spontaneously picking the highline? Not a problem with the nimble handling of the 301 MK15 All in all, the MK15 feels very balanced. Despite our test bike having a slightly slacker head angle than the production bike, we always had enough grip on the front-wheel, even on flatter trails. From experience we know that the Liteville 301 has always had a soft spot for steep technical descents, where you have to throw around the back-end to get into the valley in true trail-style. The latest version of the 301 maintains this penchant and knows how to deal with nasty trails — definitely better than its rider. The Liteville is nimble and easy to ride at low speeds. The enormous adjustment range of the EightPins dropper inspires even more confidence on tricky descents. The new 301 is significantly more stable than its predecessor googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1408638783102-1'); }); Our 301 MK15 prototype features a RockShox Super Deluxe shock, which Liteville tuned specially for this bike — this service will soon be available to all customers. The shock makes for a very sensitive rear-end and literally nails it to the trail. At the same time, it provides good feedback and never threatens to sink away, not even in berms and compressions – very good! This way the rear-end provides good grip whilst always feeling lively! Note In this first test we only noticed one negative trait: in fast direction changes and flat, slow trails, the very slack head angle of our prototype bike generates a slight resistance on the handlebars. The front-end feels sluggish and requires firm steering inputs to initiate a manoeuvre. Having said that, the wheel never tilts away uncontrollably. This proofes that slacker head angles aren’t necessarily better. Liteville was aware of this and therefore adapted the geometry of the production bikes. On demanding terain the 301 MK15 remains very composed and convinces with an extremely good rear-end performance. That said, there are even more capable and smoother bikes out there. The crucial question: 27,5” or 29”? We know that’s the question you’re asking yourself right now. After spending an entire day riding both bikes on the same trail, we would pick the 29″ version. With the smaller wheels the 301 MK15 feels a little more lively and direct, but then all MK15 version are pretty agile. In our opinion the bigger wheels simply make it a better all-rounder; they provide more traction, roll more efficiently over obstacles and inspire a huge amount of confidence. And even with the big wagon wheels, the 301 MK15 is anything but sluggish. It would be interesting to try a combination of a 29″ wheel in the front with a 27.5″ wheel in the back – the DuoLink makes this option possible! If we had to choose, we would go for the bigger wheels! Conclusion Since we tested a prototype with a slightly different geometry and only had a very limited amount of time to do so, we’re not quite ready to give you a final verdict. The new Liteville 301 MK15 however, has already managed to impress us in this short testing-session. If you’re looking for a very good climber with an agile and playful character, the 301 MK15 is undoubtedly a very reliable companion packed with smart details. We’re already looking forward to test it more extensively in the near future! More information at liteville.com. The post First Ride Review: Liteville 301 MK 15 – more performance, more fun, more choice! appeared first on ENDURO Mountainbike Magazine.