Brian Fantana

Cotic Enduro Race team - Cool Bike!! http://vimeo.com/70144956

Over and under section on the XCO course, named 'The Rabbit Hole'

Fabian Barel also likes a dropper post: and if you look at the way he jumps, there is not really space for a high saddle, especially not if you want to get good airtime on your jumps. The whole idea behind dropper posts, is to make your awesome trail/AM machine even more versatile than it already is. The only penalty is 300g in weight. You can ride XCM, XCO, trail, AM, Enduro and even downhill on a good AM machine and the dropper post enables you to adapt the bike for jumping or technical downhill on the fly.

Dropper posts are not for riding drop offs only, I can ride very big drops with my saddle high. But.... Have you ever ridden a gap jump or table top where the take off and landing is 3m plus apart with your saddle in XC position? It is not advised. I made that mistake once - Dis 'n goeie manier om jou gat sonder 'n spieël te sien. Dropper posts have their place in technical trail riding.

The Fabian Barel video, as posted earlier, has all the drop off theory you require. Also check out his other videos for more skill theory and demonstration. Here are screen shots, for drop off with a landing on a slope:

I currently ride a Morewood Shova. I bought the frame and built it up with the parts of my choice. If you want to buy a complete bike I will recommend a Giant Reign. Best value for money AM bike in SA. Sadly choices in SA are limited, as most LBS's concentrate on XC bikes which are used in the mass participation marathon style events.

If I had to come up with a nickname for Froome, it will be TinTin: But jokes aside, what a rider. Really hope he delivers the goods today and keep that yellow all the way to Paris!

+1 If you go 38, you should take 26 inner ring.

I ride a Shova so my chainstay is above the top section of the chain, which means reduced chain slap even without a guide. But on occasion I have dropped my chain on the inside when I rail left hand berms with bumps in the berm. The chain guide eliminates that. You will still get some noise from the chain slapping the FD though. Regarding chainrings. Yes, 104 bcd will fit the outer and middle tabs, while a 64 bcd will fit on the inner ring holes.

I changed fro 3x9 to 2x9 on my trail bike. Also on an XT crank. What I purchased: 1 x 38T Blackspire Super Pro chainring 104bcd 1 x 26T Blackspire Super Pro Chainring 64bcd 1 x Blackspire Stinger chain tensioner(optional) What I did: 1. Took my old 42 chainring, and turned the teeth off on the lathe, gripping it on the inside with a 4 jaw chuck. This made a nice bash guard. 2. Fit new chainrings and bashguard. Bashguard on outer ring position, 38T on middle blade position, and 26T on inner ring position. 3. Adjust FD clamp height. 4. Adjust FD limit screws 5. Fit chain guide ( optional) 6. Ride the living daylights out of your bike. Step 6 is the most important step, and it is advised that you carry it out as much as possible.

You can count on Ten Dam to fight till the end. He is a tough customer. Here is a photo of him in the 2011 tour:

This is why an alternate tooth width chainring is important. Even with a clutch derailleur you will drop your chain, when you run a standard chainring up front. If you want to use a standard chainring you need to install a 1x chain guide.

How about a 24" bmx fork? CRC have many options on BMX forks.

Although this crank looks nice, I prefer a forged crank over a machined one.

+1

Cool. He is a strong racer, and in addition to this win, he also won the XCO provincial on Saturday, at Hayterdale trails.

Orange Alpine 160 RS Review: http://www.bikeradar.com/mtb/gear/category/bikes/mountain/full-suspension/product/review-orange-alpine-160-rs-13-47375

Did Jason Meaton take the win?

Great article and rider opinions by Enduro MTB Magazine: http://enduro-mtb.com/en/enduro-world-series-crankworx-les-2-alpes-day-two-the-race/

Dirt Magazine gallery: http://dirt.mpora.com/news/ewscrankworx-gallery-les-deux-alpes-sunday.html

Round 3 men's winner is Jerome Clementz! Vouilloz and Blenksinsop round out the men's podium after a gruelling race here in Les 2 Alpes. Women overall: moseley takes 3 from 3! Ravanel 2nd, Ragot 3rd. Retweeted by Enduro World Series

Cool, nice to see a rider achieving success in two very different disciplines.