A quick mélange of riding clips from 2020. Turned out pretty good in the end despite three broken wrists, months of lockdown, losing 80% of my income and becoming homeless! ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YrPun2N4lAE
Here's an introduction Dream Build Video to my Starling Spur - John Deere Edition!
It's taken a while, but the Spur is finally ready to hit the trails. Here's an introduction to the bike, why I chose certain parts, my thoughts on gearboxes and more.
We'll be starting the test process over the next few weeks, so keep following to hear my first thoughts and impressions.
@bendonoghuephoto
Head to my new website for the latest giveaways: https://astonmtb.com/
These products are bought at full retail price, and the reviews are funded 100% by competition ticket sales and donations. Buying a ticket not only gives you a chance to win cool bike stuff but also to support more and more independent reviews. This is a community effort, you can support these reviews, or get your information elsewhere which is always funded directly by the brands or through their advertising budgets...
If you like my work, what I stand for, and this crazy Bike Farm project you can donate a little directly to me with Ko-fi. All proceeds go towards this project as I literally have nothing else to do!
https://ko-fi.com/astonmtb
Or now directly through Linktree
https://linktr.ee/AstonMTB
Thanks to everyone for the support so far! I can't believe it's going so well!
...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ouqUdfIaOGI
Here's a quick introduction to my Sunn Radical Plus.
I bought this bike a couple of years ago and what a beauty it is! We're hoping to get this thing up and running over the winter and have really cool project in the pipeline for next year.
================
@bendonoghuephoto
Head to my new website for the latest giveaways: https://astonmtb.com/
About me: lifelong MTB rider and racer. Bad World Cup downhiller and a little better at EWS racing. Qualified MTB coach and guide. 5 years as the European Technical Editor for Pinkbike, followed by some years of testing and prototyping for brands within the industry.
Now I've thrown everything into this project to create the best independent bike reviews in the world.
These products are bought at full retail price, and the reviews are funded 100% by competition ticket sales and donations. Buying a ticket not only gives you a chance to win cool bike stuff but also to support more and more independent reviews. This is a community effort, you can support these reviews, or get your information elsewhere which is always funded directly by the brands or through their advertising budgets...
If you like my work, what I stand for, and this crazy Bike Farm project you can donate a little directly to me with Ko-fi. All proceeds go towards this project as I literally have nothing else to do!
https://ko-fi.com/astonmtb
Or now directly through Linktree
https://linktr.ee/AstonMTB
Thanks to everyone for the support so far!
...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFUcVmIuwgU
60 Seconds of riding the Orange 329 at Revolution Bike Park back in February (full review video on my Youtube)
This was halfway through our tuning process: NSR damper in the fork, bushings and surfaces done, but no Race Only Progressive spring.
The NSR Super Deluxe Piston Kit was also installed with the M– tune which we used as a starting/reference point. Slightly too soft, it was still working amazingly just needed a bit more low-speed support from one of the heavier shim stack options.
You can see the rear of the bike sitting slightly too deep into the travel on those super tight berms. But overall the bike is working unbelievably good with 18% / 30% sag and is super responsive and stable. It’s running much much better now with the ROS coil upfront, change of rear tune and OChain.
Revs is a tough place to find a good all-around setup as the trails go from brutally slippy rock and root tech to perfectly sculpted jumps and super-tight but supportive berms.
Oh, I forgot, single pivots don’t work tho ?
? @bendonoghuephoto
=======
Head to my new website for the latest giveaways: https://astonmtb.com/
These products are bought at full retail price, and the reviews are funded 100% by competition ticket sales and donations. Buying a ticket not only gives you a chance to win cool bike stuff but also to support more and more independent reviews. This is a community effort, you can support these reviews, or get your information elsewhere which is always funded directly by the brands or through their advertising budgets...
If you like my work, what I stand for, and this crazy Bike Farm project you can donate a little directly to me with Ko-fi. All proceeds go towards this project as I literally have nothing else to do!
https://ko-fi.com/astonmtb
Or now directly through Linktree
https://linktr.ee/AstonMTB
Thanks to everyone for the support so far! I can't believe it's going so well!
...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5_3IWiqg8I
Following on from the HB916 First Look and First Ride videos, here's a more detailed ride review.
Go and win a complete H916 with Ohlins/GX Build on my website, or a frame + Intend Edge / CC Kitsuma suspension!
www.astonmtb.com
____
These reviews and all of my work is 100% crowdfunded by the MTB public via my competitions. The only products I offer to win have passed the AstonMTB test and I really believe are the best options on the market. Check out my current competitions here: https://astonmtb.com/
About me: lifelong MTB rider and racer. Bad World Cup downhiller and a slightly better EWS racer. Qualified MTB coach and guide. 5 years as the European Technical Editor for Pinkbike, followed by some years of testing and prototyping for brands within the industry.
Now I've thrown everything into this project to create the best independent bike reviews in the world.
These products are bought at full retail price, and the reviews are funded 100% by competition ticket sales and donations. Buying a ticket not only gives you a chance to win cool bike stuff but also to support more and more independent reviews. This is a community effort, you can support these reviews, or get your information elsewhere which is always funded directly by the brands or through their advertising budgets...
Thanks to everyone for the support so far!
...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JW-i7PJRjM0
Remember the Norco Shore Saga?
Well, it's over!
Finally, a happy end to the story!
I bought the Shore as my first test bike for this channel which was a big commitment. I had the vision to review it and then turn it into an enduro superbike of the future but...
...I had a load of major problems which we managed to solve over 5 months.
In the end, I had literally one good run on the bike, then we had to strip and return it to Bike24 as the frame was cracked and I got a full refund.
Since then Norco has fixed all the problems I highlighted (so it was not just me moaning!) and has sent out new frame parts and bike components to existing owners changed the specification on the new models, changed their setup guide and manufacturing processes all thanks to my independent review!
This bike was a nightmare for me, but ultimately Shore customers are getting their existing bikes upgraded or better bikes in the future.
This is what I'm here for! #buildbikebetter
I lost loads of time and money on this bike doing all the work, testing, filming, fixing etc. Basically doing a lot of R+D / development work for Norco. I'd estimate a minimum of £5000 of expenses and a half-decent day rate for the work.
So if anybody would like to make a donation to help this project move forward head to my bio to donate via Linktree, Kofi, or buy tickets on my website to support these reviews!
I'm sure Norco has had a good few years of business like the rest of the industry and won Bike of the Year on Pinkbike. Any donations are welcomed from them too, which I will be happy to tell my followers about!
@bendonoghuephoto
Head to my new website for the latest giveaways: https://astonmtb.com/
These products are bought at full retail price, and the reviews are funded 100% by competition ticket sales and donations. Buying a ticket not only gives you a chance to win cool bike stuff but also to support more and more independent reviews. This is a community effort, you can support these reviews, or get your information elsewhere which is always funded directly by the brands or through their advertising budgets...
If you like my work, what I stand for, and this crazy Bike Farm project you can donate a little directly to me with Ko-fi. All proceeds go towards this project as I literally have nothing else to do!
https://ko-fi.com/astonmtb
Or now directly through Linktree
https://linktr.ee/AstonMTB
Thanks to everyone for the support so far! I can't believe it's going so well!
...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4Wf5TWKvLo
Sorry loyal AstonMTB fans,
the live draw is delayed until tomorrow evening 31/3 @ 1800
Due to an unreliable connection (last month it timed out at a critical point)
and there are many pending orders this month that need to be checked and confirmed manually.
Sorry about that, but I'll be back installed at the Farm tomorrow with full-speed Starlink connection and the draws.
Thanks, Paul
...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mfh0az2CsMM