Bikes of the XCO National Championships
Today is the first day of racing at the MTBA Cross-Country Mountain BIke National Championships - so what is everyone racing on?
This year MTBA opted for an official split Mountain Bike National Championships. With weather in 2017 changing plans for Canungra, and downhill racing therefore postponed, for 2018 the XCO National Titles (and XCE and Team Relay) are taking place in Armidale, while the DH and Trials National Championships move to Bright.
The course at Armidale is on the University of New England's grounds, and has mostly been purpose-built to be of national standing. There are built rock sections, lines over techincal, sharp rocky outcrops, fast trails in the pine forest, switch backs and berms in the open, and a tight and twisty section called The Poplars, in – you guessed it, poplars.
It's a varied course without any feature that is overly committing. Mars Attacks would be the stand out techincal descent, but the step up climbs earlier in the lap are likely to create just as much impact as whether a rider takes the A or B line on Mars Attacks.
The Team Relays were raced today at lunch time, giving riders a chance to attack the course at race pace, to see how their lines are working, and if they have their bikes setup just right.
So what better time to take a lok at a few bikes?
Luke Brame: Scott Spark 900 SL
Luke runs the DT XRC 1200 wheels, a little different to the XMC 1200 we have on test, namely due to a 25mm not 30mm internal width. This actually pairs better with the Maxxis tyres Luke uses – and he has upped the pressure a little for the rocky course.
Luke is also running a Quarq power meter – to monitor his training, and track his race efforts.
Kian Lerch-MacKinnon: Norco Revolver 29 HT
Kian is one of near countless talented riders who have just moved into the Elite ranks. Kian races a Norco Revolver hardtail, in XL sizing to match his lanky size.
Kian's Norco uses a mix of SRAM GX Eagle and X01 Eagle for that big 10-50 12-speed gear range.
Kian's wheels are upgraded from the stock DT Swiss M1700 to the 1501. They're a slightly wider and lighter rim, and run on DT 240s hub internals. Kian is running a Maxxis Ikon on the front and a Mitas tyre on the rear – he runs slightly higher pressures for the rocky course.
Like many tall riders, Kian runs a long stem, and it's slammed. The headtubes on Norco Revolvers aren't short so although the position looks aggressive, Kian assured us it just puts his bars in the right place.
Expect to see big things from Kian through the rest of the year!
Reece Tucknott: Specialized Epic S-Works
Reece Tucknott comes from the might Tucknott clan in the west, and his father Tony and sister Sarah both have essentially the same bikes for 2018. Thanks to Wembley Cycles, the Tucknotts are racing Specialized Epic S-Works frames, forks and Roval wheels, with Specialized tyres, Shimano XTR and PRO finishing parts.
After many years on a Trek Top Fuel, Reece is loving the change. The Brain on the Epic does a lot of the thinking for you, although Reece admitted it is a little different to ride. But the bike accelerates like a scalded cat!
The Epic had a huge overhaul for 2018 and we've taken a look at a number of them already this year – and each one has impressed us with how clean the design is. And the riders have been stoked with the changes in geometry, which make the bike a lot more suited to the demands of modern XCO.
After a solid summer including great success at the Road National Championships, we expect Reece Tucknott, and all of the family, to have a stellar 2018 on their new bikes.
Meaghan Stanton: Trek Superfly 100
Meaghan Stanton grabbed her daughter's mountain bike and took the Master's women's races by storm in 2017, winning the National XCO and XCM title in her age group, and placing well at World Championships. She also won the elite women's race at the Highland Fling.
Ok there's more to it, Meaghan as long been an outdoors sports person, and a competitive mountain biker, but recently got back on the bike more. And she's not resting on last year's results!
Meaghan no longer has her daughter's old bike, but instead is racing a Trek Superfly 100, Trek's previous XC full-suspension bike. It is equipped with Fox, Shimano and Bontrager – exactly what you would expect for a rider on the Trek Shimano Team.
Meaghan runs Shimano's M9000 in a 2×11 setup, which will be perfect for the closing laps as the steep and technical climbs demand finesse to find traction.
We expect to see Meaghan do well – but we also expect to see her a lot more in 2018!
Matt Dinham: Trek Top Fuel 9.9 RSL
When you're one of the best Juniors in the world you tend to race something pretty nice. Matt has joined the Trek Shimano Team for 2018 and has stepped aboard a hot Trek Top Fuel.
Matt uses Shimano XTR Di2, in a 1×11 setup, with a close ratio cassette. Matt had his training wheels (no, not for balance) on when we saw him, but has his Bontrager Kovee XXX wheels ready for race day. While running Aspens today Matt has Ikons on his race wheels, and the extra intern rim width lets them fill out to a big bag size on the rocky course.
Although you can hit an alloy crank all day without much damage, Matt runs crank protectors on his XTR Race cranks to keep them shiny.
While we all know Cam Wright won the Junior XCO World Title – Matt was in the top 10 and is a huge talent. While he used to race downhill, road and cross-country, it looks like he has really focused in on cross-country now. Watch his progress as this kid has talent.
