WHAT BIKE FOR THE PIONEER?

For 2016 and 2017 I raced a 100mm XC 29er, with 1x11. And in 2018 that was pretty much the same except for a few useful changes. I put a Fox 34 SC on the front, and the 120mm travel slackened the head angle a little bit. I also rode with slightly wider tyres that still rolled very well. My dropper post was 125mm long, and I fitted a 180mm front rotor, ensuring I had metal pads front and rear to deal with lots of descending and potential wet weather.

The Fox 34 SC was stiffer and plusher off the top compared to my usual Fox 32 SC. It’s not totally advisable to go whacking a light trail fork on any XC bike. But this really transformed my Norco Revolver!

I used a Shimano XTR group set, with a 32t chainring and 11-46 cassette. For The Pioneer, the wider the gear range, the better. And really think about those long, steep climbs. I could have swapped to a 34t for some days.

Each day is demanding for you and your bike, so you really want to use parts you can trust for a week - parts that will work for 30 hours of riding in a wide variety of conditions. Get into a routine with your daily bike maintenance. Check tyres, suspension pressure, test bearings and check bolts are at the right torque. It is worth carrying a small chain lube on the bike due to numerous river crossings. If in doubt – sign up for the bike service. The team from Bike Therapy do a really good job and can do your daily maintenance.