Here’s the start of my Megavlanche Qualification run – I really wish I’d practised the top part of the course now!
I’m number 1114.
I lost my chain shortly after this point.
Megavalanche 2011 Qualification Group 6
Video recorded on a ContourHD 1080 camera @ 720 60fps – which turned out to be an awesome piece of kit which survived a few heavy smashes, unlike my mates Drift Stealth cam, which will never work again after a minor bang!
Well, those that have seen my Megavalanche bike setup will have noted that the bike is currently sporting a few pounds of unneeded weight with the full bash guard and 2 ring mech at the front.
I’m unlikely to need the small 24T ring up front, and for this reason alone I’ve opted to purchase a e*thirteen (E13) LG1+ Taco Chain Device. I chose the E13 LG1+ over other available chain devices (mainly the SRS) mainly for its weight – there’s few devices that can boast a total weight of 169g – and also the fact they’re used by some of the top riders might’ve helpded the purchase, as if they trust them, who am I to doubt?
It also comes in white, which will match the rest of my additions 
I’ll let you know how it works out for me at the Mega Avalanche – e*thirteen (E13) LG1+ Taco Chain Device review coming soon, but my first impressions taking out of the box are “wow, that’s light!”.
This is pretty much the bike I’ll be taking to the Mega Avalanche this year. I’ve had to replace a few parts (wheels/hubs, stem, bars, rear cassette, brake discs) to try and ensure that I don’t spend a fortune heading to the Alpes, only to have the bike let me down. My rear rim was shot to bits, and the rear hub on my old wheels had literally been glued tight to get through the winter, so they were well needed upgrades. I’d already upgraded the old Shimano Saint brakes and the XT rear mech that came with it to the new Saint ones last year.
I changed the stem and bars to get a wider, shorter feel – which I’m liking no end.
All I need to do now is decide on a chain device!
So, the bike I will be taking to the Megavalanche 2011 is..
My Mega Avalanche Bike
Kona Coilair Supreme (2007) 6″ Travel
Fox Float 36 RLC Fork (Push Tuned at TF Tuned)
Fox DHX 5.0 Air Shock
Shimano Saint M810 Brake System
Shimano Saint M810 Rear Derailleur
Hope Hoops Pro II Evo Hubs Stans NoTubes ZTR Flow Rims
Panaracer CG AC 2.35 Tyres running Stans NoTubes Tubeless System
Renthal Strata Duo Stem
Answer Pro Taper 780 Bars
Shimano 11/34T HG80 Rear Cassette & 36T Front
My Megavalanche Bike
Having never done the Megavalanche before I could’t say for definite if this is the ‘perfect’ setup, but it seems a setup that can cope with most things thrown at it. I’m not sure if the tyres will cut it yet – if the track tears tyres as badly as is made out on some forums, I may need to go for a thicker ply. I’ll only know that once I get myself there in 2 weeks
If you see me about, say ‘Hi’!
One of the first uprgrades to my mountain bike that I went for this year was the handlebars, I replaced the stock RaceFace Evolve DH OS Riser Bar for a Answer Pro Taper 780mm in white with black stripes – and what a good choice it was! The RaceFace bar I replaced was a 670mm bar that came stock on my Kona Coilair Supreme (2007), but I found myself quite often hanging on to just the bar ends as they just weren’t wide enough, and I kinda figured that wasn’t going to be ideal for riding the Megavalanche.
Enter the Answer Pro Taper 780mm DH bar – it’s super light, crazy stiff and just feels great to use – oh, and the white with black stripes match my new, white Stans NoTubes ZTR Flow rims on Hope Pro II Evo hubs
Ok, let’s have a quick look at the Pro Taper’s vital statistics:
Width 780mm
Weight 335 g
Clamp diameter 31.8mm
Rise 12.5mm, 25.4mm
UP Sweep 4°
Back Sweep 8°
Material 7050 series alloy
Color Red, Gold, Black, White
There’s two rise options available – I opted for the 12.5mm lower rise bar, which I’ve got to say seemed a bit low and a bit wide when I first installed them. Well, all I can say is, I’m glad that I never cut them – the 780mm width coupled with the ultra smooth 8 degrees backsweep totally changed the way I ride. It’s – just – so – comfortable and confidence inspiring. The angles also make them easy on the wrists and hands and helps you stay low in an attack position, allowing you to throw the bike into corners like never before.
They’re also one of the stiffest bars I’ve ever used too, with absolutely no flex at all. I’m yet to have a decent off with them, but I’d very much think the Answer Pro Taper bar will cope handsomely!
If I was to have one complaint with them it would be the paint – I have the impression that with a few more knocks the paint might start chipping – but saying that, so far so good, and it’s not like my bike hasn’t got the odd chip and scrape or three, so who really cares???
All in all a awesome bar that is well worth a look if you want a cheapish upgrade that will inspire confidence in your riding, guaranteed!
This one was too good to miss, a discount code from Merlin Cycles saving a full 20% off any and all Shimano products, Shimano Brakes, Shimano cassettes, Shimano chainsets, Shimano groupsets, Shimano everything!
So, to save 20% off your Shimano upgrades for the Megavalanche this year, click here to go to Merlin Cycles, register/sign in to your free Merlin Cycles VIP account and 10% is taken off the price of you Shimano goods. At the checkout enter Shimano10 to get a further 10% off the VIP price – making a whopping 20% saving!
The voucher code expires at 16:30, 13/06/2011 (that’s Monday).
Shimano Voucher Code 10% Off at Merlin Cycles
