Kona / Saint Supreme Operator from Kona Bikes on Vimeo.

To show the diversity of our 2012 Shimano Saint equipped Supreme Operator, we figured the best way to show the incredible range of the bike was to document both extremes. Lucky for us, we have some of the most talented gravity riders on the planet to take us there. Enter the 2012 Supreme Operator microsite presented by Kona and Saint…

Armed with the exacting standards of Saint components, coupled with a suspension platform that’s tough but light, plush but quick, and laterally stiffer that a skyscraper in a windstorm, the adventure documented in the video starts where clocks and race tape rule the roost. It ends up where no one is watching, save the ravens.

At World Cup stops in Leogang, Austria, and Fort William, Scotland with Kona Team Rider Mitch Delfs railing muddy, rider beaten courses full of technical turns, roots and rock drops, the Supreme Operator turns technical gnarl into flow.

It’s our out-of-the-box, World-Cup-ready race bike currently tearing up the DH circuit, thanks to The Kona Team’s Mitch Delfs and Connor Fearon. Using a refined Kona Walking Beam 4-Bar Linkage with oversized axle pivots, low standover and a modern, balanced riding position, we’ve taken everything we’ve learned from our World-Championship-winning Stab and created a bike that speeds into a new era of downhill riding. The Supreme Operator is extremely easy to maintain, with incredibly supple rear suspension and ride characteristics engineered to last. Have we mentioned that Dirt Magazine called it “bang on”? To make it even better we shortened the rear chainstays by 12mm.

When the NSRMTB team was approached by a private individual to design, plan and build a pumptrack for a new weekend adventure venue we were both honored and nervous at the same time. Here is the progress report after day 1…

As we arrived on site yesterday we were greeted by the familiar sight of an open field on a small holding on the eastern outskirts of Pretoria, but there was one small difference. The grader and TLB were already on site and their operators were eagerly waiting for our instructions to get this project off the ground, a clear sign that Adriaan (owner of the plot) was in deed very serious about the project. So naturally there was a bit of nervousness amongst the build team as to whether or not we will be able to successfully replicate the design on paper to and actual track.

We made satisfactory progress on the first build day and today we will aim to get all the jumps laid out and doing a small test run to make sure the track flows as intended. At this stage the location will still be kept under wraps as the other amenities at the venue has not been set up yet. As soon as the information filters through i will be sure to pass it along to enable riders to visit this new and exiting track.

I will also continue to do daily progress updates over the course of the weekend as the project develop.

Master cinematographer Clay Porter is back with his new master piece to assault your senses with – 3 Minute Gaps. This epic film was shot on location around the world and promises to inspire all who witness the fitness… 

• 
  

  Official Trailer

  3 Minute Gaps
  A Racing Documentary

• 
  

  Behind the scenes

  Dan Atherton
  Queenstown New Zealand

• 
  

  Behind the scenes

  Sam Blenkinsop
  Wanganui New Zealand

• 
  

  Behind the scenes

  Andrew Neethling
  Cape Town South Africa

• 
  

  Behind the scenes

  Sam Hill
  Perth Australia

• 
  

  Behind the scenes

  Aaron Gwin
  Temecula California

If you are interested in monitoring your progress or looking for a way to get that little bit extra out of your training sessions, this wonderful litle timer is just the answer…

When it comes to getting the most out of your training regime, keeping track of your performance is the first and foremost point of control in order to gauge whether you are making progress in your efforts to reach the top step. Having a friend around with a stopwatch helps you keep track of your laps/runs but comes with the inherent problems of training on a track where the start and finish is not at the same point, or when there are pleasant distractions around like scantily clad pit girls. This is where the Velo X lap timer comes to your rescue in ensuring your runs are timed accurately.

The unit is ergonomically designed to fit any size handlebar by means of a three way clip system to ensure a snug and secure fit which is conveniently located next to your dominant hand. Now you can start the clock at the exact start of your run and stop the clock once you cross the finishline without the worry of missing a split second. A big enough lcd screen displays the lap time and you can record up to 9 999 lap times. Once you completed your training session you can access the following information:

Total time elapsed

Fastest lap ( indicated by lap number )

Slowest lap ( indicated by lap number )

Average lap time

The Velo X timer has a rugged and durable outer casing which is scratch resistant, shock resistant and water resistant up to 50 meters. The Velo X timer is powered by a long life Lithium battery and comes with a one year warranty covering it for quality workmanship and operational functionality. The test unit i used worked perfectly all the time and survived several riding conditions including hot dusty training, wet muddy riding and even the odd biff now and then. It has proved invaluable in helping assess whether you are making progress in your fitness, gaining time through tricky technical sections as well as overall performance gains when you compare average times over consecutive training sessions.

The unit sells for around R500 and is directly imported from the states and only available through mail order and hopefully we’ll see them available in stores soon. If you are interested in getting your hands on one please mail us at info@nsrmtb.co.za with Velo X timer as the subject and we will be happy to get the supplier in contact with you in order to facilitate delivery.

Conrad “C-Rad” Davies is a name you have heard plenty times before on the local DH scene. A lover of all things mud, sweat and gears, gave us the lowdown the new bike, sponsors and baby…

So C-Rad, you’ve been around for as long as I know and you’re one of the die hard downhillers, what do you do for a living?

I basically manage a bike shop now. Not to spectacular, but I have a history in graphic design and suspension technology, so I do a bit of design on the side and have built a name for myself as a good suspension guy. I really enjoy just working on bikes and setting them up really well for different people, so I hope to keep doing that – maybe go out on my own – for a long time still to come.

Some big changes for this year, tell us about them.

From a bike point of view, yeah I changed frame for 2011, still staying on a Morewood though. Then I put some cool new bits on and made some huge changes to the suspension. I was also blessed with a whole bunch of great sponsors for 2011, so that brought together a whole new package and look for 2011.

Why the Makulu rather than just a new Izimu?

I had been riding the same Morewood Izimu for 5 years and just really wanted a new bike. The 2011 Izimu is brilliant, right up to date with the new trends, and very tuneable, but I wanted to try new things. I was lucky enough to be able to borrow Pat’s own Makulu towards the end of last year. It rode well, was very forgiving and still jumped well, so when the option to buy a proto-type Kalula from the factory, I jumped at it.

My frame is a Makulu with the linkage to make it a 7 inch travel bike, like the Kalula, but with the rest of the bike being exactly like a Makulu. A “Makalula” if you like. The advantage is that I have a bike that rides like, and is as forgiving as a Makulu, but still jumps like and Izimu. I battle to jump well and to keep progressing I felt I needed a bike that would still be responsive on the jumps.

Your fork and shock look like the stuff that was on your Izimu. What’s changed?

First the shock:  The Fox Racing Shocks DHX RC4 was tuned for a higher leverage ratio bike like the Commencal DH or a Kona Stab, so the damping was to fast for my new Makalula. At the same time the original RC4s had a weak body, and the 2011 version has a re-designed circuit. I basically replaces the body and while I was at it, re-valved the damping circuit to have slower rebound. The Morewood has such good damping characteristics that you don’t want to use the shock for much of that, so I tuned out the compression a but, so it wouldn’t be to harsh.

The fork had a lot of changes done at the World Cup in PMB. 2012 Kashima stanchions, 2012 dust wipers and a 2011 new FIT cartridge. The new stanchions and dust wiper are just super smooth. The new FIT cartridge is lighter, but the main advantage is that I can now run a softer spring and the fork still stays up in it’s travel. The softer spring allows for better small bump compliance and an over all smoother ride.

Briefly what else is new?

The rims and front hub, built up to make pretty bomb proof wheels. New TLD ODI grips are very comfortable. The new bike has an 83mm BB shell, so I treated myself to some new Shimano Saint crank. They are 175mm long to work well my long legs. Everything else was moved over from the Izimu.

Tell us about the new sponsors.

The obvious and more visible change is Dakine. Everyone is used to seeing me wearing TLD kit. VZ and Dakine are distributed by the same people in South Africa and VZ agreed to continue to support me for 2011, but it was a great honour when the offered to supply me with Dakine kit. I had used their gloves and a hydration pack before, so I knew Dakine was good stuff. The new Descent down hill kit is brilliant and very strong. To complete the apparel package, Nixon (also distributed by GSM) hooked me up with watches, head phones, and clothing for 2011.

I always like to promote brands that I believe in, and so I approached Cycles Africa to represent Race Face, Intense Tire Systems and Motorex, And they very graciously hooked me up with all of the above. It’s so great to not have to worry about tires for each event and bike cleaner and lube. Motorex really is an awesome product and Intense make a tire for every track. A huge blessing.

The least visible, but most important sponsor to back me in 2011 is One2Backup. Their belief in me materialized with them backing me up financially for the year. One2Backup, paid for entries for the year and with out them I really would not have been able to race. It makes such a huge difference when people believe in you.

Sounds like 2011 has been good to you. What stands out for you?

Well obviously the cool bike and awesome sponsors are huge for me. I knocked myself out at Contermanskloof, which leaves a lasting impression and had a good year racing, with a second in the national cup series and a Sani2C finish. I guess the most awesome thing to happen this year is that Steph and I are going to become parents at the end of the year. It’s been a good year. It’s been a big year.

Congratulations. How will this new addition to your life affect your riding?

I hope, in a good way. I know that it’s going to be a big adjustment and that Steph will need me around a lot more, but I still want to get out and train as much as I can. That is why living where I do is so awesome: I have the DH track in the back garden and there are full on XC trails, just ten minutes ride from my house. Just hope the little one likes bikes.

And in the off season?

Other than all the preparation that goes with expecting a baby, ride lots of technical XC trails in my town and work on and ride the DH track in the back garden, loads of exciting stuff.

Patrick is moving on to new opportunities according the media lately, do you have any kind of inside scoop as to what we could expect from Mr. Morewood in the future?

I don’t know too much, but he will be working with some new people to bring out some cool new bike products. I’ve seen some cool bits, like pedals and seat clamps at the factory when I’ve been there visiting and Pat went over seas just after his split from Morewood Bikes on business, so he’s up to something, and knowing Pat it’s going to be awesome.

Any last words?

Just want to thank my sponsors One2Backup, VZ, Raceface, Dakine, ITS, Nixon, and Motorex for their support, Des Purchase for all the help he’s given me, my wife Steph for her un-wavering love; and most of all God for all He has given me. Oh and NSRMTB for publishing my ramblings. Thanks everyone.

Since moving on from NSRMTB to focus on BMX, Lloyd has been pretty busy and regular readers are familiar with his creativity. Lloyd’s latest offering is in the form of a photobook for last year’s world cup. Besides shooting and producing this great compilation, Lloyd also composed the score. To get your free copy CLICK HERE.