DATE: 11th August – 17th August 2013 

LOCATION: Alto Garda, Northern Lake Garda

Is enduro your thing, do you have a 160mm bike and love hitting up technical trails?  If your answer is yes then this is the holiday for you.  5 days shredding some of the best all natural technical trails in Lake Garda, it really is an Enduro riders paradise.

THE ULTIMATE ENDURO LAKE GARDA EXPERIENCE.  The finest gravity assisted natural trail adventure in Italy.  Over 5 awesome days you will travel the entire mountainous northern shores of Lake Garda, undoubtedly one of the most beautiful riding destinations in Europe.   Our unique fully guided mountain bike adventure takes in the very best alpine trails of the Alto Garda region, each trail hand-picked to provide the finest experience of the legendary area.  Averaging 2000 – 4000m descending a day with only around 1000m of climbing, you will be amazed at the variety on offer, from natural technical, rocky trails to super fast and flowing single-track.   We use our custom minibus to take the sting out of the climbs and find fantastic high Alpine Refugio’s where you can challenge yourself with never ending bowls of tasty, cheap pasta and the essential Italian coffee.  The Alto Garda is not a bike park, you will find no engineered berms, braking bumps or warning signs, it is an All Mountain paradise in the purest form, a secret stash of perfect natural trails that could keep you coming back for years.

Often described in the media as ‘the worlds finest mountain biking’ our highly experienced guides know where to find the best trails and single track. Lake Garda is a sprawling mountain bike playground, with mountains over the 2000m and endless trails falling back to the the lake at 65m. What always amazes our guests is the variety of trails on offer; you will ride sublime exposed ridges, fast and loose forest trail, tunnels and endless technical single track.  We are passionate bikers and enduro racers and know what makes an amazing holiday, please see our testimonials

Our guide enjoying one of the fantastic flowing Garda trails

On the day of your arrival we will pick up you and your bike from Verona airport and transfer you to your accommodation.   After you have settled in, we will build up the bikes using our mobile workshop and head out for a short ride to meet the rest of the group, check over the bikes and familiarise yourself with the area and its fantastic food and wine.  Notoriously difficult to navigate round without a guide, the mountains hide 1000′s of kilometres of amazing technical trails and we have been working hard to connect up the best so you can enjoy every minute of your bike time.

One of the more challenging trails, dropping over 1400m over perfect rock gardens.

This is an enduro styled holiday so the descents will be challenging, technical and super fun.  There will be an option to ride the legendary 601 trail for those that want to take on the toughest challenge in the region, a must do if you like engaging rocky trails.  This tour is packed full of spectacular highlights, Tremalzo, Pianaura, Malga Trat, Monte Zugna, Bocca de Fobia to name but a few, we cannot think of a better  way to experience Lake Garda riding.

The accommodation

You will stay with the rest of the riding group in the fantastic family-run Ischia Garnì set in its own spacious garden, just 200 metres from the shores of Lake Garda, Garnì Ischia features a café, a rich breakfast, and free Wi-Fi in the lobby. All rooms have en suite bathrooms.

We believe that your non-biking time is equally as important to your holiday, and will ensure that you have every opportunity to soak up the cool, relaxed Italian vibe. With its fantastic climate, incredible food, and the opportunity of a refreshing dip in the lake at the end of every epic day, there can be few other mountain bike destinations to rival Riva del Garda.

Riding experience required

Due to the nature of the trails that we guide, this trip is best suited to confident mountain bikers.  This holiday will be aimed at the rider who enjoys enduro riding, big views, epic long descents and challenging trails.  If you have been to the Alps before and ride red graded trails at UK trail centres then this is the trip for you.  We would recommend a 120-160mm trail AM bike for this trip with knee and elbow protection. 

Price £475

Includes;

• 6 nights luxurious accommodation in Torbole, on a B&B basis (half board an option) and based on sharing a twin room
• 5 days fully guided mountain biking on world class trails, with an MBLA qualified English speaking guide
• You will be part of a small group (max 8 riders) for the week, so will make great friends
• Free daily ride shuttles picking you up from your accommodation and uplifting as required
• Free pick up and drop-off for you and your bike from the Airport
• Access to our mobile workshop, bike stands and tools
• On-trail tuition as required

Not Included :

• Flights and insurance

For more information or to book, please contact us!

DATES: 1st – 5th June 2013

Do you want to spend three day riding some of the finest Enduro and AM trails in Europe, incredible single track, endless flow, no braking bumps, challenging trails, cool Italian atmosphere! Then we have the mini long weekend break weekends for you.  

Finale Ligure

Fast becoming a Mecca for mountain bikers in the know, Finale Ligure offers a cool laid back atmosphere bursting with Italian charm and some of the most incredible trails in Europe.  Home of the legendary SuperEnduro event, the area is full of challenging Enduro trails. We have ridden all over the world and Finale is still one of our favourites, the riding is simply mind blowing.  With every ride dominated by superb Mediterranean views there can be few locations to rival Finale Ligure.   Our experienced guides know where to find the best flowing sinuous enduro styled single-track, uplifting adrenalin charged, pumping gravity runs deep in creeper strewn lost world gullies.  With great weather, perfect single track, long ‘end of the day’ descents right to the beach, great food and good wine, Finale Ligure is the perfect place to spend a riding holiday with your new riding friends.

The Riding

Its all about Enduro! challenging trails, big descents and a bit of pedaling! We will ride for around 8 hours a day with plenty of stops for food and to take in the views, there will be some pedaling up but most of the serious climbs will be done in the comfort of our uplift van.  You will experience the best trails in the area, Nato Base trails, secret trails and the special stages from the legendary Finale Ligure SuperEnduro.  We will guide you through some of the classic trails such as the incredible Madonna del la Guardia gully trail, and ride the amazing La Manie.  We will also find you the best eateries and ice cream vendors so you can absorb the cool Italian culture.  Perfect for the competent rider with a 140 – 160mm Enduro bike!

Here is one of our guides riding just one of the epic trails you will enjoy on our holiday, dropping nearly 1000m over 15 miles it just does not get any better!

The Accommodation

You will stay in really nice self catered apartments, (2 sharing each apartment),  situated 900m from the beach.   The apartments are 10 minutes walk from the beautiful walled town of Finalbourgo, where you can sit and enjoy incredible post ride coffee and beer overlooking the cobbled piazas!

Riding experience required

Our riding focusses on Enduro style riding, and we find that riders get the most from their trip when riding with a group sharing a similar experience level.  If you love red trail centre riding and enjoy challenging technical riding, then Finale will be the dream destination for you.  The riding here can be ridden easily on most bikes, but we would suggest a 140mm – 160mm Enduro styled suspension bike to have the most fun.

SuperEnduro Sprint and Main Event from SummitDown on Vimeo.

Price

£395 for a long weekend package (Saturday – Wednesday)

includes;

•  4 nights comfortable B&B accommodation in Hotel based on sharing a twin room (half board price on application)
• 3.5 days guided mountain biking on world class trails, with an MBLA qualified English speaking guide (around 8 hours a day)
• You will be part of a small group (max 6 riders), so will make great new friends
• Daily ride shuttles picking you up from your accommodation and uplifting as required
• Free pick up and drop off from Nice airport
• Access to our mobile workshop, bike stands and tools
• On-trail tuition and free tuition workshops

Not included

All you need to do is sort out your flights and ensure that you have proper holiday insurance that covers mountain biking.

Flights

We will be offering a free pick up and drop off from Nice Airport on the 22nd and 26th May, there are many low cost airlines flying into Nice Airport from all over the UK.  If you need help with flights please do not hesitate to get in touch.

Reserve your space

To reserve a space on a holiday (numbers limited to eight) , please use the contact form below to express your interest, we will then send you an invoice for a deposit.  The remaining balance can be paid at your convenience up to 2 months before departure.  You can pay with Master Card, Visa and many other popular methods or alternatively payment can be made by means of a bank transfer.

If you have any questions or would like to book, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Check out our holidays here

Check out our racing holidays

Round 6 of the Enduro World Series

20th – 26th August 2013

Needing no introduction, Val D’Isere has been high on every riders list as an epic mountain bike destination!  Famed for holding the World Cup downhill events, the resort is perfectly placed to offer a round of the new Enduro World Series.

So you can get the most out of your EWS experience, we will be a running a 6 day fully supported racing itinerary. We will transfer you and your bike to your comfortable hotel, provide you with 3 days of guided riding on the special stages so you can get your lines down before an exciting weekend racing the EWS.  We will handle all logistics, sorting out all your race registrations, ensuring you are in the right place at the right time, all you have to do is enjoy the fabulous event and some of the best trails in the region.

In the 3 days leading up to the Weekend race you will be able to join us for trail orientation where our enduro racing team will show you round the special stages where you can scope out lines.  When the race comes around, you will have your trail skills dialled, know the course and be well acclimatised to the dusty trails.

The Accommodation

You will stay in a super friendly, English speaking hotel,  situated 400m from the lifts with free access to an outdoor swimming pool, sun-lounger equipped garden, sauna and gym.  There will be 8 riders on the holiday and you will share one of four spacious studio style apartments in groups of 2, each apartment has a balcony, kitchenette and normally sleeps 4 so you will have plenty of space.

Price

SuperEnduro Package (SC Package) – £500.00 per person

Includes

• Race entry and all registration fees
• 6 nights comfortable hotel accommodation, based on 2 sharing a spacious studio style apartment with kitchenette, seating area with flat screen TV, dishwasher, microwave and fridge, balcony and bathroom with a bathtub.
• 3  days stage orientation with an MBLA qualified English speaking guide
• You will be part of a small team (max 8 riders), so will make great new friends
• Daily ride shuttles picking you up from your accommodation and uplifting as required, and full emergency assistance
• Return transfers for you and your bike to Geneva airport
• Access to our mobile workshop, bike stands and tools
• On-trail tuition and free tuition workshops.

Not included

All you need to do is sort out your flights and lift pass for the non racing days, please ensure that you have proper holiday insurance that covers mountain biking.

Reserve your space

To reserve a space on this racing holiday (numbers limited to eight) , please use the Paypal button below to pay your deposit (£100 per rider), we will then send you an e-receipt as confirmation of booking.  We will send you a PayPal certified invoice for the remaining balance via email for you to pay at your convenience upto 2 months before departure.  You can pay with Master Card, Visa and many other popular methods or alternatively payment can be made by means of a bank transfer.

Spaces Remaining : 6 Spaces

If you have any questions about your mountain bike holiday simply contact us

DATE: 3rd  August – 10th August 2013 (+ other dates on request if you have a large group)

LOCATION: Alto Garda, Northern Lake Garda

THE ULTIMATE LAKE GARDA EXPERIENCE.  The finest gravity assisted natural trail adventure in Italy.  Over 6 awesome days you will travel the entire mountainous northern shores of Lake Garda, undoubtedly one of the most beautiful riding destinations in Europe.   Our unique fully guided mountain bike adventure takes in the very best alpine trails of the Alto Garda region, each trail hand-picked to provide the finest experience of the legendary area.  Averaging 2000 – 4000m descending a day with only around 1000m of climbing, you will be amazed at the variety on offer, from natural technical, rocky trails to super fast and flowing single-track.   We use our custom minibus to take the sting out of the climbs and find fantastic high Alpine Refugio’s where you can challenge yourself with never ending bowls of tasty, cheap pasta and the essential Italian coffee.  The Alto Garda is not a bike park, you will find no engineered berms, braking bumps or warning signs, it is an All Mountain paradise in the purest form, a secret stash of perfect natural trails that could keep you coming back for years.  The tour runs from Saturday to Saturday, maximising your holiday time, and you will experience 5 full days of breathtaking riding in a small friendly group (Max 8 )

Often described in the media as ‘the worlds finest mountain biking’ our highly experienced guides know where to find the best trails and single track. Lake Garda is a sprawling mountain bike playground, with mountains over the 2000m and endless trails falling back to the the lake at 65m. What always amazes our guests is the variety of trails on offer; you will ride sublime exposed ridges, fast and loose forest trail, tunnels and endless technical single track.  We are passionate bikers and know what makes an amazing holiday, please see our testimonials

Our guide enjoying one of the fantastic flowing Garda trails

On the day of your arrival we will pick up you and your bike from Verona airport and transfer you to your fantastic hotel accommodation.   After you have settled in, we will build up the bikes using our mobile workshop and head out for a short ride to meet the rest of the group, check over the bikes and familiarise yourself with the area and its fantastic food and wine.  Notoriously difficult to navigate round without a guide, the mountains hide 1000′s of kilometres of amazing technical trails and we have been working hard to connect up the best so you can enjoy every minute of your bike time.

One of the more challenging trails, dropping over 1400m over perfect rock gardens.

Each morning we will uplift you and your bike high into the mountains, where you will enjoy 6 – 8 hours of amazing riding, with plenty of opportunity to take photos, enjoy the views and grab coffees in some of the most charming refugios.  Our riding predominantly focuses on the Alto Garda (or High Garda) where challenging natural trails drop to the lake below.  From the craggy peaks of Corno de Pichea and Mazza di Pichea, to the imposing dome of Mont Altissimo, we will show you the finest descents in Italy.  There will be an option to ride the legendary 601 trail for those that want to take on the toughest challenge in the region, a must do if you like engaging rocky trails.  This tour is packed full of spectacular highlights, Tremalzo, Pianaura, Malga Trat, Monte Zugna, Bocca de Fobia to name but a few, we cannot think of a better  way to experience Lake Garda riding.

The accommodation

You will stay with the rest of the riding group in a fantastic 3star hotel in Torbole, perfectly located to explore the huge network of trails, and enjoy the relaxed and cool Italian atmosphere.  Rooms at the Santoni feature extra-long beds, a ceiling fan, and private bathroom with shower and hairdryer, with Free Wi-Fi available throughout the hotel.  Torbole is a bustling Italian town located at the northern end of Lake Garda with dramatic mountains rising on either side, charming old quarters are the perfect place to kick back and soak up the ambience.

We believe that your non-biking time is equally as important to your holiday, and will ensure that you have every opportunity to soak up the cool, relaxed Italian vibe. With its fantastic climate, incredible food, and the opportunity of a refreshing dip in the lake at the end of every epic day, there can be few other mountain bike destinations to rival Riva del Garda.  For your day off there are many things to do, from hitting the waves in what is undoubtedly a world class windsurfing venue, to chilling out and soaking up the sun in the relaxed and funky coffee bars.

Riding experience required

Due to the nature of the trails that we guide, this trip is best suited to confident mountain bikers.  This holiday will be aimed at the rider who enjoys trail riding, big views, epic long descents and challenging trails.  This is not a DH trip so no need for a full face, just perfect  trails with amazing views.  If you have been to the Alps before and ride red graded trails at UK trail centres then this is the trip for you.  We would recommend a 120-160mm trail AM bike for this trip with knee and elbow protection. 

Price £495

Includes;

• 7 nights luxurious accommodation in Torbole, on a B&B basis (half board an option) and based on sharing a twin room
• 5 days fully guided mountain biking on world class trails, with an MBLA qualified English speaking guide
• You will be part of a small group (max 8 riders) for the week, so will make great friends
• Free daily ride shuttles picking you up from your accommodation and uplifting as required
• Free pick up and drop-off for you and your bike from the Airport
• Access to our mobile workshop, bike stands and tools
• On-trail tuition as required

Not Included :

• Flights and insurance

For more information or to book, please contact us!

Hi team TrailScotland, we are pleased to announce our 2013 skills sessions.  If you are just starting out, looking to get into racing, or are heading out to the Alps this summer, there should be a course for you.  All the sessions will include lots of fun, lots of learning and we will be using video analysis and personal feedback to help you get the most from the experience.  All the sessions will be held at great riding locations so you will also have a really enjoyable day out.  The sessions will run from 10:00AM until 3:00PM with a half hour break for some lunch.  We will be offering the sessions at a nominal rate of £30 pp to cover our costs, so for the price of a tyre we hope you will gain skills to last a lifetime.  Group sizes will be limited to 6 riders to ensure we can work with each of you personally; we need a minimum of 4 riders for the session to go ahead so please check with us that the session is confirmed before booking travel arrangements.

We hope to see you soon.

Oh, and there will be cake!

The Summitdown Team

Fundamentals

If you are new to mountain biking, there is never a better time to join us for some fun tuition!  In just one day we can save you years of trial and error and get you started with the building blocks you need to progress.  We will aim to get your bike set-up correctly for you, get you in a dynamic and comfortable position on the bike and give you all the skills needed to start your exciting mountain biking adventure.  During the fun session we will cover the following modules.

Setting up your bike

We will show you how to set up your bike for maximum efficiency  ensuring that your controls, seat height and position are all set-up in the correct way.  During the ride we will chat about suspension and any other questions you have about your bike and its setup.

Doing it right

Whatever your riding level, you need to have solid foundations to work from.  We will ensure that you are in an effective position on your bike, allowing you to ride with control and confidence.  Spending time developing a good position is essential and will pay huge dividends in riding development.  We will give you the building blocks to boost your riding skills, confidence and energy.  A good foundation is the gift that keeps on giving!

Cornering School

Using fun exercises we will show you how to get your bike round corners, you will be amazed how simple techniques can dramatically improve grip and control.

Brake with authority

Your brakes are not simply for hanging onto when things get tricky, we will show you how to revolutionise your riding through smart  braking.  Our fun exercises we will show you how to reach new levels of confidence when dealing with steeper or more technical terrain.

Core Skills

We will spend a fun hour enjoying the SummitDown MTB activity loop, where we will demonstrate the core skills that are essential to every mountain biker.  You have plenty of opportunity to practice in a fun and inclusive environmemt.

Dates and Locations

9^th March 2013: Carron Valley (FULLY BOOKED)

13^th April 2013: Dunkeld (6 Spaces)

20^th April 2013: Kinoull Hill (Perth) (5 Spaces)

Book your session now

Supercharge your riding

If you are enjoying red trail centre routes and want to move on up to more technical trails or are thinking about getting into enduro racing, this is the session for you.  We will show you how to take your riding to new levels!  If you are new to the sport and keen to progress, or an old hand who has had a confidence crash, we can help you find more control, speed, style and flow.

Power up your riding

To ride at your maximum you need to have solid foundations to work from.  We will ensure that you are in a dynamic, powerful and effective position on your bike.  Spending time developing a good position will pay dividends in riding development.  Don’t be a dead weight, power up your riding!

Traction Control

We will show you how to find grip where others are sliding, we will look at how to deal with mud and look at how racers approach loose and slippery terrain.

Pump it up

This module will show you how to find speed and control from the trail itself, not only will we be pumping undulations in the trail, but pumping though corners to gain new heights.  It’s a lot of fun and will leave you grinning from ear to ear, looking for the next transition!

Max Momentum:

This module will use fun exercises and skill development to conserve energy, show how you can use terrain to gain speed and control, help you descend smoother and faster and in more control than ever before. It’s a lot of fun and will have huge impacts on your riding.

Carving the flats

Do flat corners leave you feeling washed out? This module will show you how to rail flat corners with control and style.  We will also look at how the techniques can be modified to deal with tricky off-camber corners.

Dates and Locations – click your chosen session to book

10^th March 2013: Kinoull Hill (Perth) (FULLY BOOKED)

17^th March 2013: Tweed Valley (FULLY BOOKED)

6^th April 2013: Sidlaw Hills (Angus) (1 Spaces)

7^th April 2013: Sidlaw Hills (Angus) (4 Spaces)

21^st April 2013: Kinoull Hill (Perth) (FULLY BOOKED)

Book your session now

Alpine and big mountain riding

If you have a holiday booked to the Alps this year, or are planning to take your riding in the big mountains, this will be a great session for you.  We will be focussing the day on the unique skills and techniques that big mountains demand, allowing you to ride with more control, confidence and style in Alpine terrain.  This is also an excellent course for aspiring Enduro racers.  The modules will include

Power up your riding

To ride at your maximum you need to have solid foundations to work from.  We will ensure that you are in a dynamic, powerful and effective position on your bike.  This is THE most important stage in your future riding development.  Spending time developing a good position will pay dividends in riding development.  Don’t be a dead weight, power up your riding!

Alpinise your bike:

We will look at bike set up for big mountain riding, getting the most out of your suspension, and how to set up your controls to minimise fatigue and arm pump.

Max Momentum:

This module will use fun exercises and skill development to conserve energy, show how you can use terrain to gain speed and control, help you descend smoother and faster and in more control than ever before. It’s a lot of fun and will have huge impacts on your riding.

Riding Smart:

We will show you how to make effective line choices and how best to tactically approach trails.  We will use timed sections to demonstrate how linking together breaking zones, employing tactical riding, max momentum and proactive control can make long descents easier, smoother and more controlled.

Dates and Locations – click your chosen session to book

16^th March 2013: Tweed Valley (5 Spaces)

24^th March 2013: Dunkeld (4 Spaces)

14^th April 2013: Dunkeld (6 Spaces)

Book your session now

The SuperEnduro is one of the most exciting series on the calendar, and for 2013 will also host two races from the new Enduro World Series.  Each races is full of great trails, exciting racing, unique charm and essential Italian flair, Enduro racing just does not get any better!  Do you want to race the finest Enduro events in Europe, joining a great bunch of like minded riders.  Then these are the holidays for you!

For 2013 we will be offering unique racing holidays to take part in the incredible Italian SuperEnduro events.  We will handle all your logistics, race entries, accommodation, transfers, uplifts, special stage guiding and provide full support throughout your holiday, in one affordable package.   This the easiest way to experience international enduro racing, get booked up join our team!

Holidays:

• PRO1 | 13-14 April | Sestri Levante (GE) Coming Soon please contact us if interested 
• PRO2 | 18-19 May | Punta Ala (GR) | Opening Enduro Word Series
• PRO3 | 1-2 June | tba Coming Soon please contact us if interested 
• PRO4 | 22-23 June | Madesimo (SO)
• PRO5 | 19-20-21 July | Sauze d’Oulx (TO) FULLY BOOKED
• PRO6 | 19-20 October | Finale Ligure (SV) | Finale Enduro World Series

    Additional info:

Is it for me? - the races are attended by riders of all levels and the venues have much more to offer than just racing, with amazing landscapes, great trails, provision stations with amazing Italian food and the unique atmosphere that makes each event a social meeting point for the whole enduro scene. You will also race shoulder to shoulder with many top-level racers, and have a great time doing it.

What’s the difference between PRO and SPRINT races? PRO races are longer than Sprint races, but for both types of races you should have a certain level of fitness as special stages have an average time of 5-10 minutes. The exact definitions are: Sprint races have an average height difference of 1000 meters and total sum of the travel-times of the special stages must not exceed 30 minutes, with a minimum total time of 10 minutes.  Sprint races must comprise at least 3 special stages that take place on at least 2 different routes. Pro races have an average height difference of 1500 meters and total sum of the travel-times of the special stages of 20 minutes. They must have at least 5 Special Stages that take place on at least 2 different routes.

Format: - The races are ran over a weekend, with Saturday being the official practice day and the main race on Sunday.  As the stages are put up a few days earlier for unofficial practice we get you out early so you can get plenty of practice in. Usually there is a prologue the day before race day. In Sauze d’Oulx there is one extra day of racing.

Now no one can say that mountain biking in a cheap sport but sometimes you have to pay for performance. I have always had the firm belief that it is good to be sensible when buying gear, but never scrimp on items that effectively improve performance and safety. Now the modern mountain bike disc brake is one of the finest things to ever happen to the sport, reliable all weather performance in a package that is light and easy to maintain. However brakes are only as good as the pad that you put in them and there are now a bewildering array of aftermarket companies offering cheaper or higher performance alternatives.

Now I have recently replaced the disk pads on my van, a pair of front pads cost £19.99, and these pads have done a great job hauling down a 2.5 tonne VW van in all weathers. A new set of genuine Shimano XT pads for my bike also cost £19.99. Looking at the braking material per £, I worked out that for the same money I had 185.2cm3 of VW pad and just 1.8cm3 of material in the Shimano pad, making the MTB pads over 100 times more expensive! Even though they do not quite redress the balance, there are a number of pad manufacturers that offer cheaper alternatives; one of the biggest is SuperStar components. They offer a range of materials, including Organic, Sintered and Kevlar, with the later touted as ‘specifically designed for UK conditions, Genuine Dupont Kevlar fibres allow this full race soft compound pad to have much longer life than normal performance pads.  Soft compound formula with low temperature resin allows for amazing power whatever the conditions from wet mud to alpine heat.’ They offer their pads for £10 a pair, or £25 for 4 sets, and very fairly allow you to mix and match the pads in the bulk buy. So how do these pads compare to original pads.

Everyone has different breaking habits, some folks like to drag their brakes, whereas I tend to break infrequently but with purpose, aggressively shrugging speed in areas of grip. I look for a good strong bite and reliable modulation, allowing reproducible control and power. For the last 4 months I have been testing a number of sets of the SS Kevlar pads in both the 2012 XT brakes and 2011 Shimano Saints, in a wide variety of conditions from Alpine Descents to winter riding in the UK, and have been testing them back to back against original Shimano sintered pads. I wanted to like these pads as I have heard good things on the forums and they do offer a significant saving, however I just do not think they are quite there. For simply knocking about on the bike they are OK, after proper bedding in initial pad feel is a little soft, the power and grip is there, but they do not have the defined bite of the Shimano originals. In dry conditions they offer reliable breaking but performance does not stand out, with the Shimano’s nose stoppies etc are easily achieved with light pressure, however the SS pads need a bit more lever work to generate the same power. In the wet however they squealed a lot (which is fine) but offered greatly reduced breaking performance, they still worked but there was no bite, and the force delivery was sluggish. Changing out to the Shimano’s there was still a detrimental effect of wet riding conditions but the breaking force was much more consistent and powerful. On longer alpine descents when the going got tough, there was a significant fade on the SS Kevlar pads, almost losing all their power in the Saints, whereas on subsequent days on the Shimano sintered, the pads were hit hard but still kept hauling the bike down, despite losing a bit of bite. Pad wear in the Alps was high on the SS Kevlar’s going through a set in 2 days whereas I would get 2-4 weeks out of a set of Shimano Sintered, probably as I had to use them less. All in all I would say that if you ride steady and just want a pad for general riding, these pads offer satisfactory performance for your money, but if you are looking for an Alpine holiday pad or racing pad, these are just not good enough!

What we like

Very cheap, with fast delivery. Work OK for light XC and general riding. In the dry they are satisfactory. They seem to wear OK in the dry.

What we don’t like

Definite fade on alpine descents, not capable of handling the extensive heat generated. In the wet they are noisy and the performance is poor. They have a soft initial feel making it hard to finely tune your breaking modulation. Wear is very poor in high performance applications. Not enough power for racing or alpine descents.

Through the grinder score 4/10

RRP: £49.99 per tyre

Tyre prices have been sneaking up over the last few years, and now they are hitting the eye watering price of nearly £50 an end.  This is a LOT of money for a bike tyre when you think that you can get decent rubber for your car for the same price.  Gone are the days of simply putting some old treads on your ride, tyre science is now big business and innovation costs money.  It has been seen that not only does the stickiness of the rubber have a big impact on grip and handling, but also the rebound characteristics of the material itself.   Schawlbe are now offering their tyres in 3 different compounds, tenacious VertStar for downhill riders, TrailStar offering a good compromise for Enduro and hard wearing PaceStar for XC.  The new Hans Dampf features a Snake Skin sidewall aimed to minimise sidewall damage, and are tubeless ready.  The 2.35 carcass comes up really big, easily as voluminous as a 2.5 Maxxis, and on a set of Stans Flow rims the tyre profile is nice and rounded offering a smooth transition onto the sidewalls.

I have perhaps always been biased against Schwalbe tyres after having a nightmare on a set a few years back on Aviemore roots, and ever since have sat in the Maxxis camp, using Minions, High Rollers and Ardent’s.  The last set of tyres I tested were the Continental Mountain King 2, which although rolling very fast, had a few fundamental problems.  The carcass was too weak to be run tubeless as if you dropped the pressure to take advantage of the system they would squirm around in the corners and you would keep getting that ‘flat tyre’ feeling.  There were also a few issues with longevity, on just one race run I tore 6 of the knobs off!  So I was looking for a new ‘all rounder’ and after a tip off from a mate I decided to give the Hans Dampfs a go, having come on to the market in a storm of good press, and I have had a fair few mates in the Enduro scene singing their praises, it was time to see what all the fuss was about.

The tyres went on very easily and sealed first time with a track pump, even on a dented and damaged rear rim.  First impressions were that these tyres are massive, and they come up reasonably lightweight at 765g, putting them in the middle weight category.  The TrailStar compound feels good on the finger poke test and the tyre rolled well on the tarmac.  So how do they ride? The first chance I got to test them in anger was at the Finale Ligure SuperEnduro, a tough event featuring highly technical terrain, loose rock and very high speeds.  There is perhaps no better proving ground for testing a tyre than racing, when you are pushing the limits of your ability a good tyre can be the difference between just clinging on and wrapping yourself round a tree.  The Hans Dampfs are a very confidence inspiring tyre, there are no dead spots when leaning them over, they transition smoothly from the central knobs to the side knobs and do not let go unexpectedly.  There were a number of times when I knew I was going to wash out, but the tyre just hung on and spat me out of the corner.   I have ridden them on hardpack, rock, roots, mud and snow and in all conditions the tyre has been perfectly satisfactory with no glaring weaknesses.  In claggy mud they do bind up a bit but they are certainly a lot better at clearing than HighRollers and Minions.   Over rocks and wet roots the TrailStar compound is brilliant and there were no sketchy moments, just stable dependable traction.  When they do go, they slide slowly and give you a few milliseconds to sort things out,  they drift really nicely.  I did punctured the tyre on the first run, but it was a thorn so no fault of the tyre and the sealant caught it and I have not touched it since and it is holding pressure fine.  I have had no issues with burping or sidewall damage, running them between 25 and 40 Psi.  All in all, a good dependable tyre with excellent traction, relatively fast rolling, solid performance and a good compromise between high volume and weight.  I will be running these for most of the Enduros in 2013 and for my general tyres.  The TrailStar compound is expensive and I am going to experiment by putting a PaceStar compound on the back for longevity.  Nice rubber!

What we like

The wear seems to be OK so far, after 3 months of riding the knobs are still pretty square.  Excellent all round tyre that bites well in most conditions, does nothing unexpected and copes well with roots and mud.  Big high volume carcass rolls well.  Gives you confidence to push harder through the turns.

What we don’t like

Expensive, but nothing else so far.

Through the grinder score 8/10

Testing the Hans Dampf in Finale Ligure!

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