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There are a lot of good bikes available these days, but there are some that have taken the game to the next level. I cannot imagine a bike that could take it to a higher level in the downhill market than Santa Cruz’ soon to be available,(sometime before the year turns over) carbon V10. This past Thursday I had the privilege and pleasure of riding one in Whistler’s famed bike park. I was very fortunately to have the opportunities that came that day.

Besides the World Cup racing Santa Cruz Sindicate, and I assume some individual test pilots, I must have been one of a handful of “normal people” to ride one of these unique bikes. After a busy and early morning, my friend Reuben and I arrived at Casa Santa Cruz to a garage full of carbon artwork, and various … Read More »

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Let’s get it on! We took Ben out for his first ever downhill ride today, it was awesome! A nice rock smashing ride down Ned’s to tell the story of downhilling, and to break in Dave’s new V10 frame and RC4 shock.

With borrowed fullface, and goggles. Jeans and a hoody. Oh, and he had to buy some gloves before we left the shop… Ben was ready to smash and grab some DH trail.

We assembled a good crew. Adriano, up early with the Canadian coloured DH kit, Dave on his new black ano. V10 frame, Mike “gotta get as many rides in before I become a father”, Ben “the new guy”, and myself.

It was wet, so what better trail to ride than Ned’s. Ben borrowed a Giant Glory 01 demo bike to experience the gnar. Down The Incline I heard Ben … Read More »

> What a great way to start the first day of Interbike. Our bus to the demo day had to be pulled over because there was black smoke pouring out the rear. Apparently a hose clamp came off the turbo. Whatever, it sucked.
One the side of the highway as our svaiour bus takes us the rest of the way.

I couldn’t help it…
DT Swiss 1550 Carbon wheelset for all-mountain. Everyone is pushing this weight thing seriously. These hoops are meant for the 5-6 inch bike crowd. Do they know what we do with 6 inch bikes in Canada?
Some people haven’t had great luck with the Truvativ BB’s. When Chris King first came out with their BB’s Truvativ was not an option. That has changed, for 2010 they is a kit to use their BB with Truvativ cranks. … Read More »

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We just wanted to say that we’re proud of our top Pro Mens DH racer, Adriano Digiacinto for placing 3rd overall in the BC Cup Elite Mens Downhill series! Adriano has raced on and off on our team and we are happy to have him back and racing so well again. His Santa Cruz V10 seemed to be a good match for his aggressive style. Adri had the first V10 back in the day and it seemed to work really well for him, hopefully it can see him to more podiums in 2010. Good riding dude.

-Scott

>Arduum is a relatively new race, right accross the street from the Bear Mountain course. It combines steep, tight terrain, with jumps, drops, and technical single-track, perfect for our man Adriano Digiacinto. He has taken some time off of racing over the past couple seasons, swapping pedal power for a Honda CRF450. Brrraap!Well the dirt sled has taken the back seat to Adri’s new Santa Cruz V10. Although Adri hasn’t had a lot of time to get used to the new bike it was good enough for 5th place in pro at the Arduum race. Adri is in Panorama for an other B.C. Cup race this weekend. This race should favor his riding style. Brrraap! Good luck Fonzi!

-Scott

> Thanks to James at Suspensionwerx myself, and Dave were given the opportunity to try a couple different shocks that might be considered upgrades to the somewhat “standard” Fox DHX 5.0 shocks that came on our rigs. Both of our bikes feel great already! How might we improve the way they feel? My Evil Revolt and Dave’s Santa Cruz V10 and probably some of the best downhill bikes one could buy. So why not take the opportunity to better whats best?
Dave replaced his DHX 5.0 with Elka’s stage 5 shock. For those that don’t know, Elka is the Canadian equivalent to Fox, making aftermarket shocks for dirt bikes, snowmobiles, ATV’s and more! The Stage 5 offers both high and low speed compression adjustments, as well as rebound adjust. Simpler than Fox’s RC4 the Elka does not offer an adjustable … Read More »

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While the Driver 8 is hot like Bryant “Big Country” Reeves we took to the testing grounds on Cypress once again.  Unfortunaly we were missing our crash test dummie, rather Scott Pilecki. With the recession in full force and less tugboat and highliner action needed Dave has more time to ride his new V-10 – see reccessions are good, cheap LCD tv’s and more playtime. 

With 2 days behind the Driver 8 we stepped up the BPM to see how it handled the rough stuff at speed. I think it was putting on for its big brothers (V-10′s) in the group because the Driver refused to settle for 2nd.  Despite some pilot errors  it performed beautifully. 

Cmac trying to impress the kids……….feeling rusty

Dave showing us how you ride in a recession – often!

> Back on the mountain bike after catching the Moto-bug, Adriano Digiacinto is getting serious again. He just picked up a nice NEW Troy Lee Designs “Crow” Air helmet, and some Oakley Corwbars to match, of course! The nice this about the Air helmet is that its DOT rated so Adri can wear it on the mountainbike and the dirtbike. More protection, and one helmet for two sports, it only makes sense.
Jordan Masse is one of top notch mechanics at the shop, as well as a super skilled rider. He does it all, well most of it…trials, BMX, Freeride, and Downhill, no xc yet, but he’s getting a 2009 Giant Reign X0 this year for some more pedalling. I think he’s envious of the mean green V10 so he tried to get a photo with it.
Jordan will … Read More »

>I was so pumped to ride after putting my Santa Cruz V10 back together. The bike just looks and feels so good. The plushness of the travel can only compared to one of those over sized stuffed toys you can win at the amusement parks. The frame has come so far from the original, dropping close to 4 pounds! and changing image from Bulldozer to Aston Martin. It’s still a growly beast, but elegant. Is that the difference girls want when they say they want to lose 4 pounds?Putting the bike back together I changed a couple things, and added some nice new decals.The green frame was not available last season, to the public. It still seems somewhat special when I see it. How could they have not made this colour in this bike? it just looks so good! … Read More »