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We test a lot of different bikes here at Flow, and that means we spend a load of time setting up suspension and tweaking it out on the trail. In our experience, suspension setup is worth getting right. It can totally transform how a bike rides, with small changes in pressure and damping having a […]
Ah Derby, it’s a bit like Flow’s second home. The trails, the people, the vibe, there is no place on earth quite like it. The last time we had a proper visit was in late 2019, just before the world changed. As it happens, quite a few people are in the same boat. The pandemic […]
“Millimetres matter,” a mantra repeated at least a dozen times over the course of a call with Norco Engineering Manager David Cox and Development Engineer Colin Ryan. This idea, that millimetres matter, underpins the modus operandi of the Canadian firm and forms the basis of Ride Aligned, which aims to make suspension setup as foolproof […]
Stage racing in Derby and St Helens, how good! The Dragon Trail is back for its third year. Scheduled for March 16-18, the 2023 event sees some logistical changes and more singletrack than ever. We caught up with Louise Foulkes from Geocentric Outdoor to get the lowdown on what you can expect from this year’s […]
It’s been about 18 months since we first wrote about the trail development in Mogo, on NSW’s South Coast. Now at the start of 2023, we have just had word that NSW Forestry Corp has signed off on the Review of Environmental Factors, and the trail-building crews from Rocky Trail Destination and Next Level MTB […]
Jack reviews the Mondraker Foxy Given its relatively small size, Spanish brand Mondraker has made quite the splash over the last decade thanks to its unique frame designs and the envelope-pushing Forward Geometry concept. Despite sponsoring high-profile athletes including Bec McConnell and Brook MacDonald however, Mondraker bikes have remained a fairly niche item in Australia. […]
Wil takes us through his new custom Tor hardtail Back in 2019 I paid a visit to Tor Bikes in Beechworth. A modest one-man operation headed up by mechanical engineer Shane Flint, Tor Bikes specialises in producing custom handmade steel hardtails, gravel and road bikes, and even full suspension frames. While some are TIG welded, […]
Here it is folks, the very last Fresh Produce for 2022! I’m not crying, you’re crying! To help send off twenty-twenty-two, we’ve managed to sling this Santa sack of goods your way during the lazy limbo between Xmas and New Years, as we figure you could do with a little pick-me-up for the hazy holiday […]
Wil and the crew take us on a Goldfields adventure Located in Central Victoria, the Goldfields Track is a 210km point-to-point route that runs from Ballarat to Bendigo. This off-road journey has historically been a walking track, but it’s become increasingly popular with mountain bikers. Splitting neatly into a three-day ride, it’s a fantastic adventure […]
Air Ya Garn was a revelation. Opening in 2019, the black-rated airflow trail quickly became the most popular track in Blue Derby. And it’s no wonder, huge flowing features, the infamous dirt wave, cheeky passing zones and a dizzying array of jumps — step ups, step downs, hips, and gaps. If you can dream it, […]
Holy crap, it’s already mid-December, where has the last year gone? With the silly season looming, Team Flow is all hands on deck to put a bow on 2022. While Santa is packing his sleigh and the reindeer are doing their stretches, the bike industry has kicked into hyperdrive. In the last couple of weeks, […]
The Orbea Rise debuted in late 2020 as one of the lightest full suspension electric mountain bikes on the market. Arriving a few months after the genre-defining Specialized Levo SL, the Rise took a slightly different route thanks its unique, RS-tuned version of the Shimano EP8 motor. Along with the sleek carbon frame and impressively […]
Welcome to another bumper crop of Fresh Produce! We’ve just managed to sneak this one in before the start of summer, and flippin’ ‘eck do we have a lot of trail news and shiny mountain bikes to talk about. If you’ve been following along, you’ll know that Spanish brand Orbea recently unveiled its brand new […]
*This story has been updated on Nov 30, 2022, with more insights into what the Minister’s decision means now that everyone has had the chance to read the full document. After many, many, many months of speculation, the Victorian Minister for planning has given the Warburton Mountain Bike Destination the green light — wooooooo! The […]
Flow reviews the latest Bosch Smart System Last year German brand Bosch unveiled its snazzy new Smart System. Designed for high-performance electric mountain bikes, the Smart System incorporated the new eBike Flow app, which offers users the ability to perform over-the-air firmware updates, while introducing new navigation functions and the option to custom-tune the motor’s […]
Jack reviews the Polygon Collosus The last time we had our hands on a Polygon Collosus was all the way back in 2016. Using a virtual pivot platform with a floating shock, the original Collosus was offered in two variations; one for enduro and one for downhill. Those bikes were then replaced by the mind-bending […]
Opened in November 2019, Oonah Hill near Zeehan was the first purpose-built mountain bike trail on the West Coast of Tasmania. The 2.5km descent was part of a project led by TAS Parks and Wildlife, but now the West Coast Council is expanding the trails into the Heemskirk Range. “Oonah Hill was designed completely differently, […]
A few weeks ago, NSW Parks and Wildlife released a new cycling strategy, creating an official framework for opening, closing and sanctioning existing mountain bike trails on land managed by National Parks. We took a deep dive into what this means for riders across NSW here. It didn’t take long for the first new mountain […]
Just a month before Mt Buller’s Summer Shred Sesh (December 3-4), which kicks off the riding season, the resort has received in excess of 20 cm of snow. “It’s looking a lot like a ski resort,” laughs David McCoombe from the Resort’s Management Board. To cap off an extremely wet spring in Victoria, McCoombe and […]
Only a short drive from Melbourne, Lake Mountain Resort is home to the legendary Cascades descent. Starting at the summit, the trail plunges 1,550 vertical metres over 28km, guiding you down to the town of Marysville below. While winter made one last push with a November snowstorm, head trail builder Ben Reynolds has been hard at […]
The Trek Fuel EXe was launched just a few months ago, arriving to much fanfare thanks to its unique TQ-HPR50 motor and clean aesthetics. We were totally captivated by the smooth and quiet motor performance, while the low weight, balanced geometry and supportive suspension gave it an impressively playful and agile character on the trail. […]
Mick reflects on his time with the Giant Trance X E+ Advanced As a fresh arrival for 2022, the Giant Trance X E+ Advanced broke ground as the brand’s first ever carbon fibre e-MTB. Designed as a versatile and powerful all-terrain hauler, the Trance X E+ Advanced draws on a similar platform to the alloy […]
A few weeks ago, NSW National Parks and Wildlife quietly announced a new cycling strategy that will have long-reaching effects on just about every mountain biker within the state, and could set a precedent beyond state borders. It’s no secret that mountain bikers and National Parks have not always been on the same page, and […]
Ahoy there friendly Flow Folks! How are we all? Staying dry? Managing to survive La Niña so far? The south eastern part of the country has had an absolute battering over the past couple of weeks, and with many of our favourite trails having endured significant damage, we are praying to the weather gods for […]
It’s been a while since we last embedded with the Polygon crew for shenanigans on two wheels, but this time we’ve traded the high alpine for the tropical rainforest. Crankworx Cairns brought some of the world’s best to Tropical North Queensland, including from team Polygon, who combine forces with the Aussie contingent to put on […]
Only 1.5 hours away from Cairns, the trails in Atherton could not be more different from their sea-level counterpart. The 55km of singletrack starts literally in the centre of town and caters to a massive range of riders. We caught up with the President and Vice-President of the Atherton Mountain Bike Club, David Prete and […]
Having hosted World Cups, World Champs, and now Crankworx, the pedigree of the terrain and trails at Smithfield Mountain Bike Park is undeniable. About 20min from the Cairns CBD, nestled in the rainforest behind James Cook University, are approximately 40km of singletrack, ranging from family-friendly green trails to DH runs that will test the most […]
Back in July, we learned the future of Mystic Mountain Bike Park was in jeopardy due to financial pressures impacting its ability to carry out necessary work in the park. Today the Alpine Community Plantation has announced a new operating model that will keep Mystic open, but also ends free access to the trails. Related: […]
Wil reviews the Cube Stereo Hybrid 160 It was back in 2020 when we last reviewed the Cube Stereo Hybrid 160. Its powerful Bosch motor, easy handling and cushy ride made it an appealing package, with the kind of value for money that we typically associate with bikes that are sold direct-to-consumer. It wasn’t perfect […]
Colin reviews the Garmin Rally XC pedals Not all that long ago, power meters were reserved for only the most elite of elite athletes, and the metrics these newfangled devices spat out may as well have been written in ancient Sumerian because every day Janes and Joes had no idea what to do with this […]
Tamborine Mountain is the Gold Coast’s little slice of Bavaria. The eclectic little village on top of the mountain has a distinct German influence in the murals on the buildings, the architecture of the houses and the fact that there’s an authentic cuckoo clock shop on the main drag. These little stein-clicking settlements are a […]
The best-known riding spots on the Gold Coast are probably Nergang, and Boomerang Farm, but hidden in among suburbia is the Glossy Black Reserve, home to a 10km loop of rocky singletrack. Named for the rare cockatoo that calls this patch of bush home, in our quest to explore the place where the green meets […]
The Cape to Cape is the oldest and largest of the Australian leg of the Epic Series, and the race from Cape Leeuwin to Cape Naturaliste is back for 2022. Following on from a slightly truncated WA-only edition in 2021, Cape to Cape is full steam ahead for 2022, set to run October 20-23. After […]
Hallelujah folks, it’s spring! After we’ve endured what seemed like the perpetual winter, we’ve finally crested that hill, and it’s onwards to longer days, warm sunshine and endless singletrack! Things are most definitely waking up here after the cold weather hibernation too. Mick’s off in the Italian alps on a secret bike launch (shh!), Colin […]
Nestled at the foot of Springbrook National Park is the Boomerang Farm Bike Park. Behind a golf course of the same name, Boomers offers a riding experience that’s a rarity in Australia. With a dozen purpose-built gravity trails, shuttles running four days a week and a full-time trail crew constantly reworking berms, adding elements to […]
Colin reviews the Thule Foothill In late 2018 Thule acquired North American outdoors company, Tepui. With it came a number of products, inlcuding the Foothill. A Tepui is a flat-topped mountain or mesa found in South America, usually in Venezuela and western Guyana. They aren’t usually crowded in with other peaks, and the sheer blocks […]
Flow reviews the Avanti Hammer-E LT2 How much should it cost to get a decent full suspension electric mountain bike with a powerful motor and solid components? If you’re looking at an e-MTB like the Specialized Levo, you’ll be paying a minimum of $9,400 AUD. And that’s for the entry-level model. In comparison, the Avanti […]
“I still get goosebumps about the whole bloody thing,” says Cairns local and World Trail Founder Glen Jacobs. “All of these years later, to see our little park in Cairns (Smithfield) still growing and evolving is crazy.” Smithfield put Cairns on the map, playing host to the worlds biggest events, and with Crankworx coming to […]
Wil reviews the 2022 Specialized Stumpjumper in mullet mode A few months ago we reviewed the 2022 Specialized Stumpjumper. Since then, Specialized sent us out a new suspension link that’s designed to turn the carbon Stumpjumper, which is normally a full 29er, into a mullet bike. This is an interesting addition because, up until now, […]
Greetings Flow Frothers, and welcome to another tip-top edition of Fresh Produce! It is ALL happening here at Flow HQ – Mick’s currently up in Queenslandia shooting Reef to Reef, Colin’s packing his bags for a family adventure over in Colorado, and Wil’s stuck at home in quarantine with Covid. At least we’re covering all […]
This September, the eyes of the cycling world will be on Wollongong when the UCI Road World Championships come to town, with the Illawarra Escarpment providing the backdrop — it could also be key in who ends the day with the rainbow jersey. While the focus has been on the paved road up Mount Keira […]
Mick & Wil review RockShox Flight Attendant vs Fox Live Valve After close to a decade of prototyping and testing, RockShox Flight Attendant was finally unveiled to the world at the tail-end of 2021. A fully wireless and automated electronic suspension system, Flight Attendant is designed to elevate the efficiency and responsiveness of your bike […]
*Updated on 18 Aug, 2022 with new information from the trail building subcontractor. A change in the Wangetti Trail’s route has many worried that what the Queensland State Government delivers could be vastly different to what was proposed in 2018. The Wangetti Trail started as an idea for an epic 94km multi-use trail for hikers […]
German mega-brand Cube has updated its e-MTB lineup for 2022, adopting the latest Bosch Smart System to offer greater range, improved connectivity and new tuning options. Along with the Bosch updates, the engineers have used the opportunity to roll out some welcome improvements to the Stereo full suspension line. To get to grips with all […]
Freshly unboxed in the Flow workshop is the new 2022 Scott Patron eRide, which is perhaps one of the most striking e-MTBs we’ve ever had on for review! Not only does the Patron hide a custom Fox Nude shock inside its top tube, the cables and battery are also concealed, and the motor sits inside […]
Howdy to all you Frothers of the Flow, and welcome to another killer edition of Fresh Produce! We hope you’re surviving winter wherever in the country you reside. Or perhaps you’re enjoying the northern hemisphere summer on an epic riding trip? In which case we will hear none of it please. Just go on and […]
*This story has been updated with new information from the Alpine Community Plantation about the root of the problems Mystic faces, and news about the future of the park. Bright has become a mountain biking mecca in the Victorian High Country, attracting riders from around Australia — and the world — to experience trails like Shred […]
Every year, droves of folks stream through the Coolangatta Airport, searching for some sunshine, surf and roller coaster thrills at the theme parks. But the Goldie is shaping up to be quite a riding destination, with a few historic riding spots, a burgeoning slate of gravity parks, and a buzzing local riding scene. So, Flow […]
Hello Flow Frothers, and welcome to a frosty edition of Flow’s Fresh Produce. As the cold well and truly sets in across the country, take a journey with us to the warmer climes of Tropical North Queensland for a look at the Triple R through the ages. The race turns 30 this year, making it […]
After a bit of juggling, the Quad Crown MTB stage racing series will kick off on NSW’s Sapphire Coast, from 5-7 August. Following a pair of postponements due to Covid and unrelenting wet weather, the Quaddy team are forging ahead to bring a rad event to southern NSW. Race Director Jason Dover tells Flow it […]
Back in the early days, mountain bikers in Cairns were a different breed to riders everywhere else in Australia. Their uniqueness was never more evident than in 1990 when all eight Cairns Mountain Bike Club members packed up the Tarago and set sail for the Australian Mountain Bike Championships in Stromlo. “We’d been practising for […]
Rotorua has always been a paradise for mountain bikers, and the Whakarewarewa Forest is a bit like the promised land. Riders from around the world have made the pilgrimage to the North Island of New Zealand to ride the forest, which now has north of 200km of singletrack. But in among all of that riding, […]
We’re back again with another wintery edition of Flow’s Fresh Produce. The snow has been piling up in the alpine areas, and the warm riding clothing has been in heavy rotation at Flow HQ. With the mercury continuing to drop, we’re currently dreaming of the Reef to Reef. Running from August 18-21, the race is […]
Scheduled for 18-21 August, the Reef to Reef is coming out of hibernation and is officially back on the racing calendar. Along with the stage race making its triumphant return, the Triple R is also back and will be commemorating its 30th year in 2022 — making it the longest running point to point MTB […]
After two years of bike bags everywhere toiling in sheds, garages and back closets, it’s well and truly time to dust them off and set sail for trails over yonder. We’ve been itching for an excuse to head back to Rotorua and get lost in the Whaka forest, and we think we’ve found it. There […]
It may only be the first winter edition of Flow’s Fresh Produce, but those late summer evening rides on dusty trails already seem a lifetime ago eh? With numerous events having been cancelled due to the soggy conditions on Australia’s east coast, and a recent cold snap seeing bucketloads of snow dumped on the alpine […]
Huge news out of RockShox today, with the release of three new forks and four new shocks. For 2023 there’s a brand new RockShox Pike, Lyrik and Zeb, along with redesigned Super Deluxe air and coil shocks, updates to the Deluxe shock and the introduction of a new Deluxe Coil shock. Wowsers! As we predicted […]
Located about halfway between Sydney and Melbourne, Eden, NSW, is a boom town. Timber and commercial fishing were the foundation on which the small coastal community was built. But when the cannery shut down in 1999 and regional sawmills began to shutter, the local economy transitioned to what Stan Soroka from the Eden Mountain Bike […]
*This story has been updated with additional details on the Manning Park Mountain Bike Concept Plan prepared by Common Ground Trails. Manning Park is a 110ha urban green space in Perth, a few kilometres south of the Swan River. As so often happens in these green spaces set in suburbia, trails begin to appear, which […]
Wil reviews the 2022 Specialized Stumpjumper To celebrate its 40th birthday in 2021, the Specialized Stumpjumper was treated to a complete ground-up redesign alongside the longer travel Stumpjumper EVO. With a clearer distinction between the two models, the Stumpjumper took on a more energetic personality thanks to a lighter frame and updated geometry. Indeed we […]