chinamtb.com

We wish you all a very happy new year, make sure at least one of your new year resolutions is to ride more!! Happy New Year!! See you all in 2008!

We've been playing around on a pair of 3twentysix tires from Atomlab for the past few weeks. The tires are really designed for dirt jumping and street riding, but I've been trying to get away with using them as an all round trail tire. Initial impressions are ok they roll extremely well, and make the 30min ride to on from the trail much more bearable. The grip is good in all but very loose dirt. They work really well on hardpacked surfaces and rock. Im testing the 2.3 models which give my Banshee Scratch enough cushioning for me to blast through the rough stuff.

I've also just built up a new rear wheel using an Atomlab GI rim. I can't say much as its only been ridden once, but it seems really tough and looks pretty awesome!!

Once I've finished testing I'll post a more detailed review on each.

Wrong! China Mountain bike is based in China, but we are involved with domestic and foreign companies. Plus we offer some great services.

Representation here in China.
China has some great bike shows , which feature new and innovative products. Let us be your eye's and ear's and voice at these events.

Translation Service
Having problems communicating with your supplier here in China? The language barrier can be a major problem, we can offer translation services in the form of written and oral translations (English-Chinese, Chinese-English).

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Although we are based in China our readers are from all over the world. Advertising with us can help spread the word about your products and events to thousands of people everyday, and at a very attractive price.

Reviews and News
We don't just talk the talk, we also ride bikes (and pretty damn well) sent us products for full and fair reviews, or just send us news and press releases we can post on our blog.

There are hundreds of ways we can help you here in China and abroad so please feel free to contact us at anytime.

email: andi@chinamtb.com
cell: +44 135 153 27143
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It’s that time of year again... It’s time to hang up the helmets, lock up the bikes and look forward to Turkey, Crackers and maybe the odd hangover. To celebrate Christmas and the end of 2007, at MTBcut we have placed many of the videos from the 2007 season up on the front page for your viewing pleasure. You can now browse through over 4 hours of content from this year. From the full World Cup series and World Championships to the NPS and SDA series. You can also view Rider profiles on Ruaridh Cunningham, The Athertons, Steve Peat and many, many more rider, location and tech features. These are all at your fingertips on the front page of MTBcut for 1 week only, so grab a beer, a mince pie and sit back and reminisce over the great year that was 2007!!

Not only that but we have recently put on some new features too!

RIDER BIO: Peaty & Rennie

Duncan Riffle

TECH: Sam Hill’s Ironhorse

EVENT: Australian National at Illinbah

HOW TO’S: Build a pump track.

TRAILER: Re-Focus

Merry Christmas from all of us at MTBcut and we hope you all have a great 2008 season!!



Click, Watch, Breathe...

Mark Abma, takes us on a behind the scenes of a ski trip to China. An exotic skiing trip while filming their video parts during the 2007 ski season.

We've all seen the pro's playing on their mini motor bikes, Steve Peat even held a little mini moto x race once (maybe a few times). I've always fancied getting myself one, but never looked in to it as I figured they would be too expensive, that was until a few weeks back anyway. While browsing the many bargains on Taobao I came across hundreds of mini moto's, for both on and off road use. Nothing really special, cable discs, 49cc engine basic shocks, but the price is special 500 rmb!!! thats $68 U.S!!

The model shown to the left is a 'pricey' version at 780 rmb ($95). Absolute bargains at these prices! If your in China over the holiday period check them out I'm sure you and your mates will have a great time zipping about your local trails.

Check out the new look Rip.Tv site. The new style is pretty slick and easier to navigate than the beta 1.
www.rip.tv

Three top cyclists from China and Colombia are planning to race to the top of the 88-story Jin Mao Tower in Shanghai.
Zhang Jincheng,23 from Wenzhou City and is the Guinness record holder (for tower cycling ?), was challenged to race the 2008 stairs by two Columbian cyclist 28-year-old Andorran Xavi Casas and 34-year-old Colombian Javier Zapata. 
One interesting rule during the competition will be the banning of oxygen (!??) Zhang was quoted to say:
"We are not allowed to inhale oxygen during the game,"
We assume he means the use of breathing apparatus.
The trio will race their 20" wheeled trial bikes on December 31st. Visit the Shanghai Daily website for more info and full story.



You can download it now for FREE at www.wideopenmag.co.uk.   
 
It's another massive issue with 100+ pages of...
 
Sam Hill
Colum Walshe
Foel Gasnach
Urban DH
NPS and SDA Wrap-ups
Cycle 2007
 
...and loads more.
 
Big thanks to everyone who has done their bit to get this issue online - We couldn't have done it without you!

We’re also launching a really cool comp on our Facebook group in the next couple of weeks so log on and stay tuned!
 
Have a great Christmas and see you all in the New Year for issue 6!
 
Cheers!

James, Jamie and Scott
Wideopenmag.co.uk

Last year we reported on the Ktrax conversion kit for mountain bikes. It was basically a ski which attached to your forks and a caterpillar track set up which fastened to where your real wheel should go. It looked the part, but after watching videos of people riding it it looked about as much fun as road riding! plus the price was a bit over the top at over $400 u.s.
So are there any cool ski conversions for our bikes? Well the answer is 'Yes' and they have the videos to prove it.

The Winter X Bike conversion kit is a really simple ski conversion, it uses to skis in place of your wheels and foot pegs in the place of your cranks. The conversion calls for everything bar the fork, stem, handle bar, seatpost and seat to be removed from your frame, so it might be better to use an old bike instead of your regular ride.

It actually looks like good fun and I wish there was more snow here in Qingdao so I had the excuse to buy one.

For full details check out: www.a2xtreme.com

Watch to see how the Collective managed those stunning shots in the the interior of B.C. Click the at the top of the page to watch.

Its getting colder and colder here in Qingdao, and its also getting more and more difficult to get motivated to ride. Don't get us wrong we love riding, but its the riding to and from the ride we don't like. Cold weather, dark nights and impatient taxi drivers make for a tiring and sometimes harrowing ride home after a days worth of excellent riding. What are the options though? well we could grab ourselves a car, or even better a pick up.

We spotted this over at chinacartimes. Its made by Dandong Shu Guang, who have started to make a bit of a name for themselves by making cool looking cars. The 'Diesel God' as its known sells for around 62,000rmb, or $8,101USD (considerably cheaper than a Gboxx Nicolai frame here). It comes equipped with cream leather seats, perfect for after a muddy ride, and what seems to be a DVD player. The 'Diesel God' is a crew cab meaning you and four of your mates can cruise home in style with your bikes happily stowed in the back.
Maybe we should add one to our Dear Santa list.

Dear Santa,

This year I've been a relatively good boy please could you bring me......

Atomlab Three 26 tires

Based on the classic Comp 3 BMX tire from the 80's but now in mountain
bike friendly sizes. The Three26 are available in either 2.1 or 2.3
and look perfect for street/dirt riding.

Iggy Street/Dirt frame

A cromo 26/24 dirt/street frame, with a tweaked design thanks to rider
input. Sounds good!

Atomlab GI60 fork

Perfect little, easily rebuildable and light fork. Would look good on my Iggy!!

DaBomb Team Shorts

Cool looking shorts available in camo or black. With removeable hip
pads and made of coudory to boot!

661 pads with D30 technology

Super comfy pads made even better with D30 reactive foam.

I will leave a carrot (for Rudolph) and a glass of whiskey by the fire place.

chinamtb team

"Moab is one of the classic places to ride a mountain bike. We went in search of some classic slickrock and singletrack but also looked to bring some freeriders to
the landscape to watch them bring a new perspective to the riding there. If you ever get a chance to go to Moab, don’t miss out."

Click the at the top of the page to watch.


ENJOY!

We've just finished installing the new Rip.TV player. If you look toward the top of the page you will see a narrow grey banner a bit like this:

Give it a click (the one at the top of the page not the one shown here) and a Rip.TV player will drop down showing you the latest visual goodies Rip.TV have to offer.
Also check out the 'Get More' button which will take you to the Rip Store where you can buy cool Rip .Tv and Drop In goodies such as clothing and DVD's.

Iggy bikes recently asked riders from around the world to choose which color their new frame should be available in. The poll is still open, and there are some very interesting ideas floating around.
The Iggy street frame was first shown here on chinamtb and later posted on the Pinkbike forums, where it was received well by most riders.
One area of the frame riders didn't like was the bent top tube design, riders complained it would get in the way, looked ugly and wasn't necessary. A cleaner straight tubed design would look cleaner and would offer better standover they suggested. Well Iggy bikes listened and said 'OK, we'll change the design'.
Great news for us riders a bike company that listens!! Keep posted for more Iggy bike info.

Fastrax were brand better known a back in the day for making good quality, cheap full suspension bikes. In fact a lot of the riders I rode with started racing downhill on a Fastrax frame (or a Coyote). Not much as been heard from them in a while, which got me wondering what had happened to them. Well a quick search and it seems the Fastrax brand is alive and well, and is owned by a company called Hodaka.

Above is the new Fastrax DH/Freeride frame named the F DX. It looks similar to their original design but is a four bar linkage instead of a single pivot. The frame has 7" of travel and weighs in at 6.5lbs (without shock were guessing). Up front there's a 1.5 headtube and out back a bolt thru rear hub, which should keep everything nice and flex free.
The F DX is also offered as a complete bike and has a great mix of components from Funn, Fox, WTB and Raceface.

See the Fastrax/Hodaka website to see the rest of their range.

Not only have Da Bomb knocked out a load of new frames for 08, but they've also designed they're own dirt/street tire. Available in 2.1 or 2.3 widths the tire is said to be ideal for hard packed trails, single track and of course street. We'll be getting hold of a pair of Dirt Reapers asap and letting you know how they handle.

Next in line we have the new Dirt Bomb frame which looks like its taking the place of the old Moab freeride frame. The Dirt Bomb has a VPP style rear end similar to Giant's and Santa Cruz's design of recent years. 6.5 inches of travel via a Manitou Metal rear shock should keep you running smooth. Price? don't expect much change from 元8000.

Now our old favorites are back the Da Pukka, no change from 07 except available in a few new colors. 元5400 is enough to secure of of these little frames with 5.4 inches of travel.

The Cherry Bomb is also back for 08 but in a totally redesigned form. New mainframe and linkages and limited to only 4 inches of travel. The new Cherry Bomb is said to to especially redesigned for slopestyle riding. 元5100 is the price with a Manitou air shock.

You can see the rest of the 08 range over at the Da Bomb website.