Last fall, jack-of-all-trades in mountain biking Joe Barnes teamed up with fellow Scotsman and veteran rider Pete Scullion to explore the high-alpine singletracks of Bike Kingdom. Touching down by plane and van, they almost jumped straight on their bikes and made every moment count – on and off the trails. Long days, epic lines, plenty of laughs, hearty local food, and a shared passion for riding defined the trip. Filmed in Joe’s unmistakable creative style, “Cheesy Dreams” captures two unique riders pushing trails, having fun, and fully embracing one of Switzerland’s most diverse mountain bike destinations. Not to mention the…
Author: Tomasz Profic
SHIMANO expands its flat pedal lineup with the launch of the new SAINT PD-G8040 and DEORE XT PD-M8240 flats. Designed to meet the demands of aggressive trail, enduro, and gravity riders, both models deliver confident grip, excellent stability, and long-lasting durability, bringing SHIMANO’s legendary pedal engineering to riders who prefer flats. For more than three decades, SHIMANO SPD mountain bike pedals have set the standard for performance and reliability. The new SAINT and DEORE XT flat pedals carry that same proven approach into a new generation of wide-platform flat pedals built for modern mountain biking, from bike-park laps to long…
Summer is just around the corner: On 8 May 2026, Saalfelden Leogang and the Epic Bikepark Leogang officially launch the new bike season. Over the course of 185 days, until 8 November 2026, mountain bike enthusiasts can look forward to a diverse offering of bike park lines and trails, natural singletracks, international top events and community activations celebrating the 25th anniversary of the bike park. This once again makes the bike season in Saalfelden Leogang longer than the off-season. Season start and trail highlights With its 15 lines and trails in the Epic Bikepark Leogang, as well as six hand-shaped…
Pivot Cycles introduces the all-new Shuttle AMP’d – a bike that brings a full-volume assault to the mountain. Built to shred with sharp reactions, lively handling and a ride that stays settled even when the trail is not. The Shuttle AMP’d stays planted and aggressive through it all. Pivot Shuttle AMP’d The Shuttle AMP’d sets the standard for what the all-new Avinox M2S drive unit is capable of when backed by a chassis perfected by two decades of suspension design. Pivot tuned dw-link suspension, paired with the latest offerings from FOX and RockShox work seamlessly with the drive system, transforming…
New membership platform revolutionizes access to trail centers and bike parks with exclusive discounts and community power. Bringing riders and trail parks closer together is the core goal of Riders’ Pass. A fundamental requirement for this, besides a vibrant and active community, is the affordability of tickets. Developed by three established bikers in the scene, Riders’ Pass promises to make the trail park experience affordable and widely accessible for everyone. Now online at: riders-pass.net Behind Riders’ Pass are the two freestyle MTB pros Daniel and Elias Ruso, as well as former EDR rider Peter Mihalkovits. Their vision stems from a…
The twelfth edition of Crankworx Rotorua came to a thrilling close on Sunday with a double-header finale at Skyline Rotorua. Earlier in the day, the Crankworx Slopestyle in Memory of McGazza crowned two new winners, with rookie Johanna Nussbaumer breaking through in her first-ever Diamond-level competition and David Godziek once again proving nearly untouchablein slopestyle competition. As the sun began to set over Skyline Rotorua, the five-day festival concluded with the Elite Finals of the Crankworx Rotorua Dual Slalom. Set against stunning views of the Whakarewarewa Forest and Lake Rotorua, fans lined the challenging side-by-side course as riders attacked the track with high speeds, momentum, and razor-sharp technique. After a week packed with sunshine, festival energy, and world-class racing, the…
The twelfth edition of Crankworx Rotorua rolled into its final day in spectacular fashion with the Crankworx Slopestyle in Memory of McGazza, the festival’s marquee event and the second stop of the Slopestyle Super League. With Diamond-level points on the line, the stakes were significantly raised as the world’s best Slopestyle.riders dropped into the iconic Skyline Rotorua course. Honouring the legacy of New Zealand Slopesytle legend Kelly “McGazza” McGarry, the course once again delivered a creative and technical playground of massive jumps and signature features, including the towering McGazza money booter that has become synonymous with the event. Johanna Nussbaumer Takes Gold in Diamond Debut For only the third year, women competed at the Diamond…
The Specialized Kārearea Downhill delivered another high-speed spectacle at Skyline Rotorua today, as some of the fastest riders battled gravity and the clock on the steep, technical course overlooking the festival arena and Lake Rotorua. The track — only accessible during Crankworx Rotorua — evolved throughout the week, transitioning from wet and slippery conditions after early rain to a fast, rut-filled course by race day. With riders dropping more than 300 vertical metres over fast open sections and technical forest lines, the stage was set for a dramatic showdown – and it was familiar names and rising stars who rose to the top. Jenna Hastings Continues Downhill Dominance Jenna Hastings once again proved…
After rain showers rolled through the night and into the morning, the Crankworx Rotorua Pump Track Challenge presented by The Rock fired up under clearing skies at Skyline Rotorua today. The chainless, head-to-head showdown proved once again why it’s one of the most electrifying events on the schedule, with hometown heroes squaring off against international heavyweights on a pump track that was running in prime condition despite the earlier drizzle. Gilchrist Powers to Gold Again The men’s showdown featured some of the sport’s most decorated names. Ryan Gilchrist once again showed why he’s a dominant force on the Pump Track. Gilchrist advanced through the rounds with authority, including a decisive semifinal victory over hometown hero…
The 12th edition of Crankworx Rotorua kicked off at Skyline Rotorua with no time lost, as some of the world’s best mountain bikers dropped straight into competition.Day one of five delivered a packed schedule, featuring the Crankworx Rotorua Air DH presented by Rotorua Canopy Tours in the morning before riders had a chance to check out the track for the Specialized Kārearea Downhill, which will heat up tomorrow with Seeding. With the New Zealand National Downhill Championships held at the same time, this Seeding run will double as their race National Champs race run for Aotearoa riders. Crankworx Rotorua 2026 As the sun dipped behind the hills and Lake Rotorua lit up the…
The lightest XC crank you can buy, with the strength to hold up against your daily abuse. Our carbon layup reduces bulk in every possible area with no compromise to long-term durability. An integrated spindle shaves grams by removing hardware, and a strategically shaped wear plate keeps your cranks looking fresh. Race Face Era SL crankset And when we say light, we mean really light. 422g to be exact, including a 32T chainring on a 170mm crankset. Offered in 4 lengths – 160, 165, 170 and 175mm – and available in Black, Kashmoney and Stealth. All this, covered by our…
Rotorua is ready to welcome the world back for the ultimate experience in mountain biking for an impressive twelfth year. Set on the mountainside of Ngongotahā, at Skyline Rotorua, Crankworx Rotorua returns with five days of elite competition, community racing, culture and connection. Crankworx Rotorua 2026 From March 11-15, Rotorua will once again take its place alongside Christchurch, Whistler, SilverStar, BC and Mont-Sainte-Anne, Quebec as a cornerstone stop of the Crankworx World Tour. Now in its twelfth year, Crankworx Rotorua continues to cement its reputation as one of the most iconic mountain bike festivals on the planet, blending world-class racing with…
The first roll-up tailgate pad on the market, designed to match your flexible lifestyle. When you aren’t hauling bikes, Stash tucks into an included storage bag, perfectly sized for the back seat or garage shelving. Race Face Stash Tailgate Pad Stash is the first roll-up tailgate pad on the market, designed to match your flexible lifestyle. You may not be hauling bikes full-time, but that doesn’t mean your bike and your truck shouldn’t get full protection. Whether you’re mostly pedaling to the trailhead, or your truck runs double duty as a work or camping rig, Stash ensures you’re a quick and easy install away from…
Pivot Cycles introduces the all-new Mach 4 SL, XC distilled to its fastest form—engineered for efficiency, sharpened for precision and built to master the modern racecourse. Born from the crucible of World Cup XC and epic endurance racing, it balances a feathery build with an obsession for stiffness, control and efficiency. This is Pivot’s sharpest tool for riders who live in the red zone, engineered to crush climbs and meet the intense demands of real trails where races are actually won. Pivot Mach 4 SL The Mach 4 SL is built with our highest-modulus carbon fiber, setting a new benchmark…