Taken back to the drawing board and reengineered form the inside out; GripShift is back and better than ever before.

In the battle for the lightest bikes, GripShift has emerged as the next step towards saving a few grams, much to the delight of cross-country racers. It’ll only be available at the top level, on XX and X0 groupsets, and will work with existing 2×10 SRAM groups.

And today more details emerge of the new GripShift. Crisp shifting is made possible with full metal indexing, in something SRAM calls Speed Metal. Three rows of ball bearings, 120 in total, will reduce the necessary force for shifting, as well as ensuring continued performance in all weather conditions.

The short section of grip will be a lock-on design, and ‘jaws’ will interlock the grip with the shifter unit to create a secure setup that will resist twisting.

And talking of weight, just 207g for a complete setup including cables and clamps is pretty damn light. The XX model includes a carbon cover which knocks the weight down further.

No UK prices yet, but in theUSprices wills start from $206.

www.sram.com

Wiggle’s in-house brand, dhb, has an updated footwear range for 2012 and we’ve just received the M1.0′s, which kick-start the mountain bike range, to test.

The M1.0 is an entry-level shoe and retails at £59.99. The shoe’s sole has been engineered “to strike a balance between the right level of stiffness for power transfer when on the bike, and comfort when running or walking with the bike”, according to dhb. As a result, the chunky rubber outer sole looks like it will provide plenty of grip on muddy trails, while the reinforced nylon sole is designed to take care of power transfer.

The synthetic upper has a form fit designed to hug the foot, while there’s very little stretch, which the manufacturer says limits energy loss on the upstroke. At the back of the shoe, a thermo plastic heel counter offers additional support. Meanwhile, the reinforced toe tip is double stitched for durability and mesh inserts look to keep the foot well ventilated.

Two colours are available – black and white – while the mountain bike range continues with the £99.99 M2.0C, which is based on the M1.0, but with a carbon composite sole and a micro-adjustable ratchet top strap. The company’s road and commuting shoes have also been updated.

www.wiggle.co.uk

The first purpose-built black grade trail in Cumbria has been unveiled at Grizedale Forest in the Lake District National Park.

The downhill trail adds to the existing off-road network at Grizedale, which includes the 16km red grade North Face Trail, a range of bridleways, several way-marked family trails on the forest road system, and the Grizedale Mountain Bikes’ bike hire and shop.

The downhill trail, which is more than a kilometre long, was built by a small team of volunteers , supported by the Grizedale Mountain Bikes team and the Forestry Commission’s recreation ranger.

The volunteers were presented with an annual car parking pass for Grizedale Forest in appreciation of their work at trail’s launch on Friday March 30.

Katie Jarvis, Forestry Commission recreation ranger at Grizedale Forest, said: “It is great to be able to launch a new mountain biking trail at Grizedale. We already have a strong reputation within the sport as being a great destination for mountain biking and this trail offers something different to the trails already in the forest.

“We are now able to offer great trails to suit all levels of riders, from families with children on our forest road routes, the cross-country mountain bikers with the North Face Trail and bridleways, and now the more experienced riders and downhill adrenaline-junkies with the new black route.

“We would like to say a huge thanks to all the volunteers who have given up their free time to create this trail and I hope they and other bikers have great fun riding it now and over many years into the future.”

Lee Rayton of Grizedale Mountain Bikes led the volunteer trail building and said: “Everyone has put a tremendous amount of work in over many months into creating the new trail. It is great to see it finally finished and it adds a new dimension to the riding available here at Grizedale Forest and the Lake District.”

Riders can enjoy Grizedale Forest year-round by purchasing a Discovery Pass which, for £40, entitles you to free parking within the forest, ten per cent off items in the visitor centre shop, 20 per cent off Go Ape high wire adventure courses on weekdays during term time and a saving of £24 on adult membership of the CTC (the UK’s national cyclists’ organisation).

For more information about Grizedale Forest head to www.visitlakelandforests.co.uk or check out the Grizedale Mountain Bikes website at www.grizedalemountainbikes.co.uk

It was only a matter of time, wasn’t it, before Santa Cruz offered a long travel version of its best selling model, the Tallboy. The Tallboy LT and LTc ups travel from 100mm to 135mm, with a 1.5 degree slacker head angle and 0.5 degree slacker seat tube.

When Fox released their 34 forks with 140mm last year, we were wondering when the new wave of longer travel 29ers were going to start coming on stream. That movement has just started, with Santa Cruz making a step into the unknown.

It’s an important bike for Santa Cruz. The Tallboy was an overnight sensation when it was released just a couple of years ago and is arguably one of the most popular 29er full suspension frames around at the moment. An aluminium version soon followed for those without deep enough pockets to afford the staggeringly high price tag of the carbon Tallboy.

The next stop was a natural travel increase, as happened with the Blur family of bikes. Think of it as a big wheeled Blur LT. With this release Santa Cruz are keeping abreast of the rapidly evolving 29er market. There’s much anticipation of the next wave of longer travel bikes, “and the industry is figuring out how to make these bikes handle and perform well in a wider set of terrain than was thought possible a few years ago,” says a Santa Cruz spokesperson.

The Tallboy LT will be available at launch in carbon and aluminium, with both sharing the same geometry and ability to run a 135-150mm fork. Geometry as we said in the opening paragraph is much slacker, an indication of the style of riding the bike is designed for, for which read more aggressive. The head angle measures 69.5 degrees and the seat 72.6 degrees. Bottom bracket height is 13.4in and the wheelbase is 1117.6mm, with 454.66mm chainstays.

The Tallboy LTc is the flagship of the two new releases. It takes all the lessons learnt in carbon fibre manufacturing with the carbon Tallboy into this new frame. One of the big developments is the fitting of a 142×12 rear axle (about time some sceptics will comment) to ensure the longer travel frame is stiff enough.

What’s the weight of the frame? Just 5.3lbs (2.40kg). Only three sizes (m, l and xl) will be available. No weight for the aluminium LT has been made available yet.

When can I get one?

The first Tallboy LTs are in stock now and available as part of our Custom Colour Choice Program for delivery by April 13th. The Tallboy LTc will be in stock and available for delivery by the beginning of May.

No UK prices yet, but the LTc frame will cost $2699 with a Fox Float RP23 shock, while the aluminium LT will cost $1999 – expect prices to be roughly the same when converted to sterling.

Introducing the Tallboy LT carbon from santa cruz bikes on Vimeo.

www.santacruzbikes.co.uk

Yesterday the 2012 edition of the Absa Cape Epic drew to a close (you can read about the winning men and women’s teams here), which leaves us the last chance to present you a gallery of simply stunning photographs.

Aside from the brutal challenge of racing through some tough landscapes for 800km and eight days, the race offers some of the most inspiring views you’ll ever witness from the saddle of a mountain bike.

The Ladies category was won by Sally Bigham and Esther Süss of Wheels4Life in an overall time of 38:34.11,8, after securing their seventh stage win in this year’s Absa Cape Epic.

They were followed by the Biogen Britehouse team of Theresa Ralph and Nina Gässler in 39:23.38,6 with  Karien van Jaarsveld and Jane Nüssli of MTN Qhubeka in third place overall in 40:09.15,5.

Both Sally Bigham and Esther Süss won the Absa Cape Epic last year, but in the Ladies and Mixed categories respectively. Says Sally Bigham: “It was great and I had a good time. Riding with Esther was a wonderful experience and we’re a good team. On stage 5, I was worried, so it wasn’t easy all the way.” Esther Süss comments: “I’m so happy that this is the finish because it was a hard week. I had a flat with only 1km to go, so I’m just happy to be here safely. It was a wonderful experience with Sally. We had a good week and we’re a strong combination.”

Says Theresa Ralph of Biogen Britehouse: “It was an amazing experience. We knew right from the start that overall victory was out of reach, but we didn’t even think about finishing second either. It was tough, but riding with Nina was great!” Adds Nina Gässler: “This was an unbelievable experience. I still can’t believe we finished second overall! I’m going to become a regular at the Absa Cape Epic. I had so much fun. The Cape Epic was a dream come true.”

Karien van Jaarsveld and Jane Nüssli of MTN Qhubeka finished in third place overall. Says Jane Nüssli: “I’m relieved to be safely at the finish. I enjoyed it a lot. I’m so proud – we worked hard and achieved our goal.” Karien van Jaarsveld adds that the competition was tough. “I’m very happy to have had a good partner.”

The 36ONE-Songo-Specialized team of Burry Stander and Christoph Sauser walked away with top honours as overall winners of this year’s exciting Absa Cape Epic, following their victory of last year.

With a 25 minute and 57 second lead time at the start this morning, Stander and Sauser finished the last 8 days of the Untamed Mountain Bike Race of 781km and 16 300m of climbing in an overall time of 31:46.50,5. In second place in an overall time of 32:14.12,6 were the South African duo of Kevin Evans and David George (360Life), with the German-Swiss team of Hannes Genze and Andreas Kugler of Multivan Merida Biking in third place overall in 32:17.57,5. The Bulls 2 team of Thomas Dietsch and Tim Boehme finished fourth overall (32:18.48,2) with Alban Lakata and Robert Mennen (Topeak Ergo Racing) in fifth (32:19.22,7). The Bulls 1 team of Karl Platt and Stefan Sahm, who won the Absa Cape Epic in 2007, 2009 and 2010, finished in sixth place overall (33:03.00,2).

Kevin Evans and David George of 360Life won the Absa African leader jersey.Siphosenkosi Madolo and Azukile Simayile of Exxaro Academy 9 won the Exxaro Development jersey.

The South African–Swiss duo, Burry Stander and Christoph Sauser of Team 36ONE-Songo-Specialized, dominated this week’s Absa Cape Epic by winning six of the eight-stage challenges. They again proved they are kings of the mountains in a time of 2:35.11,5.  Alban Lakata and Robert Mennen of Topeak Ergon Racing finished in second place in 2:36.08,7, with the second team of Songo-Specialized Max Knox and Yamamoto Kohei in third place (2:36.14,9). The Bulls 2 team of Thomas Dietsch and Tim Boehme finished in fourth place in 2:36.22,7 with the South African 360Life team of Kevin Evans and David George in fifth place (2:36.36,3).

Says Burry Stander, of Team 36ONE-Songo-Specialized: “We worked hard for this stage and the overall. We will never say no to the opportunity of winning a stage. Twenty-seven minutes is big, but not only thanks to us. Our whole team and our equipment played a role. We learnt our lessons in previous years. The Absa Cape Epic is a story. Everyday is a chapter and that makes it so amazing. Now we know the Yellow jersey is ours. Until now it felt like we were borrowing it. Nothing compares to it. I have enough time to recover before the big events of the season start.” Adds Christoph Sauser: “Every year the Cape Epic gets harder, the intensity is much higher. Our equipment made such a big difference. It helped us mentally to know that even though the stage is hard, our equipment will hold. Crossing the finish line here at Lourensford Wine Estate is the best feeling of the whole week. It’s so big for us and good for the confidence and looking forward to the rest of the season our form is great. This is my third victory overall in this race (2011 and 2006), and it’s a great feeling.”

This is the second podium finish for Kevin Evans and David George of 360Life in the history of the race as well as the highest ranking for an all South African team. Says George: “It’s been a fantastic finish and so special to top off the rollercoaster ride in this way. We were prepared and ready with great support and structure, so it was fantastic. Our second spot is testament to the great support and our guts. This year was very tough because of all the mechanical troubles, but we’re very happy.” Adds Evans: “We didn’t win the Absa Cape Epic, but with this Cape Epic we won the hearts and support of South Africa. The support and applause today was very special. It’s thanks to them that we get up every morning and keep on fighting.”

Says Hannes Genze of Multivan Merida Biking, who finished in second place overall last year: “We feel lucky and happy. Andreas was so strong and he helped me so much after my crash today. I thought it was over, but he motivated me to just keep going and not think too much about it. It was a huge effort to finish on the podium. We had to fight for it every day.” Adds Andreas Kugler: “I’m just so relieved and happy to be on the podium and don’t want to think of next year right now. I’m tired and just want to enjoy the feeling.”

Kevin Evans and David George of 360Life showed their true form by winning Stage 6 of this year’s Absa Cape Epic in a time of 3:38.05,8 (overall 29:37.36,3), 6 minutes and 44,5 seconds ahead of South African–Swiss duo, Burry Stander and Christoph Sauser of Team 36ONE-Songo-Specialized (3:44.50,3; overall 29:11.39,0).

Alban Lakata and Robert Mennen of Topeak Ergon Racing finished in third place in 3:47.01,6 (29:43.14,0), with Hannes Genze and Andreas Kugler of Multivan Merida Biking in fourth place in 3:47.05,3 (overall 29:40.26,0). In fifth place were the Bulls 2 team of Thomas Dietsch and Tim Boehme who finished in a time of 3:47.29,5 (overall 29:42.25,5) with the Bulls 1 team of Karl Platt and Stefan Sahm in sixth place in 3:50.34,9 (overall 30:24.39,5).

Stander and Sauser (Team 36ONE-Songo-Specialized) remain in the lead in this category by 25 minutes and 57 seconds. Kevin Evans and David George of 360Life have moved back onto the podium in second place overall, with Hannes Genze and Andreas Kugler of Multivan Merida Biking in third place overall.

Says today’s winner Kevin Evans of 360Life: “At least today my wife’s not stressed! And she’s not here even though I asked her to come. I’m very happy. It’s really good to get a win but even better to be on the overall podium. This year was such a rollercoaster ride for us. We’ll be happy with finishing in second place and will work with that. The cheering and support are amazing. Today was very tough and hard, but we’re feeling positive and will definitely have enough in the tank to get to Lourensford Wine Estate. What we’ve been through made us very strong.” Adds team mate David George: “ “We’re ecstatic with the victory. It was so emotional – winning the stage meant so much. We came out fighting for the win – it was our intention to win this stage.  But there is still one stage to go and it’ll be important to race, but at the same time ride within ourselves.”

Says Burry Stander of Team 36ONE-Songo-Specialized: “We didn’t set the pace today and just followed. They wanted to prove something and it’s always hard to beat a team with a mindset like that. We just kept our own pace. We’re still feeling strong and look forward to a cracker of a last day to Lourensford. We don’t know if we’ll win the stage, but we’ll definitely try. Maybe we can help Max and Kohei. It would be great to help them win a stage.” Christoph Sauser adds: “We just rode at our own pace today. We didn’t need to take any chances and the most important part was to get back safely today and to finish tomorrow. I think it’s only big mechanicals that can rob us of an overall victory now. We’ll be focused to finish safely and will definitely try to help Max and Kohei to win at Lourensford Wine Estate.”

Alban Lakata of Topeak Ergon Racing says the Absa Cape Epic is a rollercoaster. “Every day I feel different. One day I feel strong and the next day I’m suffering. We’re very happy to be on the podium again and really look forward to a strong finish at Lourensford tomorrow.” His team mate Robert Mennen adds: “I’m feeling better than I expected and I’m also happy. Tomorrow is our last chance to try and get on the overall podium because that was our goal from the start.”

The Bulls 2 team of Thomas Dietsch and Tim Boehme dropped off the overall podium today. Says Tim Boehme: “Today was just not my day. I suffered the whole day. When 360Life attacked, we just couldn’t do anything about it.” Adds Thomas Dietsch: “I suffered at the start and it was only on Groenlandberg that I found my legs. It’s disappointing to have lost our spot in the GC (General Classification), but it’s just so tough this Cape Epic.”

Sixth Stage Win for Wheels4Life

The Men’s category of Stage 5 of this year’s Absa Cape Epic was again won in a sprint finish by the unbeatable South African–Swiss duo of Burry Stander and Christoph Sauser (Team 36ONE-Songo-Specialized), in a time of 5:06.45,3 (overall 25:26.48,7). This is their fifth stage win in this year’s event.

With only 1 second apart, the Bulls 2 team of Thomas Dietsch and Tim Boehme finished in second place in a time of 5:06.46,0 (overall 25:54.56,0). In third place again today were Hannes Genze and Andreas Kugler of Multivan Merida Biking in a time of 5:07.49,1 (overall 25:53.20,7). Alban Lakata and Robert Mennen of Topeak Ergon Racing finished fourth (5:07.54,2, overall 25:56.12,4) with South Africa’s 360Life team of Kevin Evans and David George in fifth place in 5:14.25,9 (overall 25:59.30,5).

Stander and Sauser (Team 36ONE-Songo-Specialized) remain in the lead in this category by 26 minutes and 32 seconds. Hannes Genze and Andreas Kugler of Multivan Merida Biking moved up one position to second place overall, with the Bulls 2 team of Thomas Dietsch and Tim Boehme in third place, 1 minutes and 35 seconds behind them. Alban Lakata and Robert Mennen of Topeak Ergon Racing are now placed fourth overall, with Kevin Evans and David George of 360Life in fifth place overall.

For the third day in a row, the Absa African leader jersey was won by Kevin Evans and David George of 360Life.

Christoph Sauser of Team 36ONE-Songo-Specialized says: “Today was very challenging. The rain stopped and then it started again. It’s never ever been this wet at the Absa Cape Epic before. The backmarkers are going to struggle a lot in these conditions. We rode for the stage win today and extra time in the GC (General Classification) is a bonus. Tomorrow is going to be very daunting with the climbs and the conditions.” Adds Burry Stander: “I prefer the heat! I took my rain jacket off with 35km to go when the sun came out. Big mistake! Soon I got so cold and was struggling. When Christoph upped the pace, I wasn’t too impressed and had some choice words for him in my mind! I was starting to feel better though and only the Bulls stayed with us. It was nice to ride with them because they pushed us.”

Wheels4Life finished in third place, retains lead

The Ladies category was won by Karien van Jaarsveld and Jane Nüssli of MTN Qhubeka in a time of 6:15.11,4 (overall 31:57.24,2), ahead of Biogen Britehouse team Theresa Ralph and Nina Gässler in a time of 6:40.52,8 (overall 31:23.03,1). Sally Bigham and Esther Süss of Wheels4Life finished in third place today in a time of 6:43.10,8 (overall 30:44.14,3).

Bigham and Süss (Wheels4Life) lead the Biogen Britehouse team Theresa Ralph and Nina Gässler by 38 minutes and 49 seconds. MTN Qhubeka’s Karien van Jaarsveld and Jane Nüssli remain in third place overall.

Says Karien van Jaarsveld of MTN Qhubeka: “Today was nice after yesterday’s very low point. It all came together for us. I think we just made our GC place safer today. We won’t stop racing until Lourensford Wine Estate. The last few kilometres were so cold because of all the downhills. I got hungry!” Adds team mate Jane Nüssli: “Winning the stage was perfect. It all worked out great because this is my kind of weather. We’ll just keep on racing, whatever the outcome.”

Says Esther Süss of Wheels4Life: “We were all very cold and we had mechanical problems when Sally’s shifter broke before the first water point. I barely managed to finish today. I don’t know how I did it.”