THE MTB WORLD SAYS FAREWELL TO MICHAEL BONNEY
Sam Hill should need no introduction. The quiet Australian claimed his first of five Downhill World Championships wins in 2002 as a Junior and is still at the top of his game in 2019, notching up his third consecutive Enduro World Series title this year. The 34-year-old has had an illustrious career few others can match, thanks to a riding style even fewer can replicate. Famed for his crazy corner speed, inside lines and love of flat pedals, Sam is also known for his custom-painted bikes, which are painstakingly set up by his long-time mechanic, Jacy Shumilak.
Seen here is the Ferrari-red Nukeproof Mega 29er that Sam raced at the Trophy of Nations in Finale Ligure, Italy, for Team Australia. The bike was inspired by Chain Reaction Cycles team manager Nigel Page’s love of the car brand, and in homage to the Italian race venue and passionate fanbase. Sam’s frame is a 2020 Mega 290c, in size medium.
The 5ft 9in (1.75m) Aussie switched to 29in wheels partway through this year’s racing.
“I first gave the Mega 290c a try last off season,” Sam explains. “There were a few things I liked about it but a few aspects of the set-up that I didn’t. Since I’d been comfortable on the 650b
Mega for the last two years, I decided to stick with it. Then, after struggling with illness at the first couple of 2019 EWS rounds, I felt I had nothing much to lose by giving the 29er another try. I spoke to Jacy and we came up with a few ideas to get the set-up feeling better. I spent a couple of weeks doing timed runs back-to-back on both bikes and the 29er seemed to be coming in faster, so I decided to go with it for the next EWS.”
Balancing act
One thing that stands out on Sam’s bike is the ratio of the reach (450.5mm) to the chainstay length (450mm) – nearly 1:1, which is unusual. This was the same on Sam’s medium 650b bikes, where both values were 435mm. Perhaps this is why he always looks so balanced on his bike.
Up front is a 180mm-travel RockShox Lyrik Ultimate fork, while a Super Deluxe Ultimate shock with MegNeg air can takes care of the rear travel (1). Interestingly, Sam runs a 230x65mm shock, rather than the standard 230x62.5mm, giving him roughly 6mm more rear wheel travel, so 166mm in total. How does Sam prefer his suspension to be set up? “I like it to feel well-balanced front and rear,” he explains. “I want it to be supple, but to ramp up on the bigger hits. With flat pedals, I think suspension set-up is even more important.” We asked if he ever runs a coil shock. “I’ve tried one, but generally prefer the feel of the air shock.”
SRAM have kitted Sam’s Mega out with their wireless X01 Eagle AXS drivetrain and Reverb AXS dropper post, which give the bike a clutter-free look. We were surprised to see that he runs a small 30t chainring. The bike rolls on his signature Mavic Deemax Pro wheels, with a 28mm internal rim width and Day of the Dead-inspired graphics, which are shod with Michelin tyres. Jacy tells us: “Currently, the DH22 is his go-to tyre, front and rear. But during a season we’ll use all the models at some point. Tyre pressures fluctuate a bit, from 22-24psi in the front, to 28-30psi in the rear. This year we’ve raced with and without the Nukeproof ARD insert. It depends on the conditions.”
Finishing touches
Sam is one of a few EWS riders to use AVS handguards. Their looks divide opinion, but they work for him. They cover SRAM Code RSC brake levers, which are bolted onto his signature Nukeproof bar. We got the lowdown on Sam’s cockpit set-up from Jacy: “He runs it pretty simple – “50mm stem and a 20mm-rise bar cut down to 750mm.” This is fitted with Nukeproof Sam Hill Series grips, which are incredibly soft.
Aside from the flashy paint job and some spec differences, this bike looks very similar to the Mega 290c you can buy in shops, so we were interested to find out what tricks and mods have been applied to give Sam a competitive edge. “Not much,” says Jacy. “I’ve modified the AXS shifter paddle and there are prototype Nukeproof Sam Hill pedals with a titanium axle (2), along with a OneUp EDC tool and Garmin mount, plus ti hardware here and there, and mastic pads to quiet chain and cable noise.” That’s good news for us lesser mortals, who may never be able to ride like Sam but can at least buy a bike just like his.
We wanted to find out one more thing – what’s the story behind the unlucky number 13 that adorns the bike’s top tube and seat tube? (3) “I believe you make your own luck,” says Sam. “It was my motocross number for a little while, and I just think it’s a cool number!”
INFO
Price £5,299.99 (stock Nukeproof Mega 290 RS) Contact www.hotlines-uk.com
Also try Canyon Strive CFR 9.0 Team, £5,046.98 (shipped), www.canyon.com
Earlier this month,a Facebook post shocked and tugged on the heartstrings of the MTB community. It was written by ex-Orange Bikes and Identiti Bikes designer Michael Bonney, who announced he’d be refusing medical treatment and turning off his ventilator, thus choosing to end his life. For those who don’t know, Michael crashed on his road bike six-and-a-half years ago and was paralysed from the neck down. His post explained his decision pragmatically and described his pain, despair and frustration. Rather than trying to paraphrase it here, we asked Pat CampbellJenner, who worked closely with Michael at Identiti, to explain just why he was so loved and respected.
“While I may not be the most qualified person to talk about Michael’s life, having only known him since his accident, I can confidently say that he’s the most determined person I’ve ever met,” says Pat. “We were first introduced when he was drafted in to help with Identiti, and I was stunned – this wasn’t a guy who was going to sit back and let paralysis stop him. I’m privileged to have had the time with him that I did.
“Talking every day via Skype, we’d discuss hot topics, trends and ways to improve things. Michael’s physical disability was irrelevant. He’d come to trade shows, chat with old acquaintances and always spot typos that I’d missed. We’d have heated debates over geometry or colours – it turns out that two people with a 30-year age gap don’t often see eye to eye on style! – but we always got there in the end and loved the journey. Seeing the reactions from people at shows was the most rewarding thing. Sales are great, but bikes are a feeling – one that Michael was cruelly robbed of.
“Anyone who saw him in his off-road wheelchair will agree that he was, deep down, an adrenaline junkie. He added a remote kill-switch to the motor for his support workers, but it didn’t slow him down. Michael was always looking for ways to improve its suspension, range, power, control or braking efficiency. Ever the tinkerer!
“He also introduced me to my wife, Beth. She was one of his support workers, so the news hit us both hard. Michael was the reason we’re together and why I moved from Suffolk to Cumbria – something I’ll forever be thankful for. Beth and I saw him briefly after he’d turned the vent off. Chatty, content and relaxed, he was still talking about ideas for the project we worked on together. Even he saw the funny side of that.
“Michael touched so many people in the bike industry over the almost three decades he worked within it. A one-ofa-kind, stubborn old git who was loved by all, I have nothing but admiration for him and his wife Linzi. I hope there are plenty of cars, motorbikes and mountain bikes wherever you are, MB.”