Well the top–secret stuff is top–secret! No, everything on the race bike is stock stuff the consumer can buy or it’s what they can buy in the future. Every component is taken care off and some modifications are done sometimes to wheel bearings to make them roll quicker.
Do you go in for Titanium bolts?Yes, in the right places, every little thing counts.
Is this set–up the same that Connor will be using in 2014?Yes it will be similar to the 2014 bike, we have some new sponsor parts, but the majority will stay the same.
Suspension set–up?His race bike has a RockShox BoXXer World Cup up front and a RockShox Vivid on the back with a 400lb Ti spring and spring bearing.
What do you feel is the most important part on the bike?The frame… without the proper angles and sizing you have nothing. Second would be the handlebars, if the rider doesn’t like the rise and bend then the bike is not going to ride right. Tyres are a big factor as well, you need grip… and of course the fork to absorbs all the bumps. So to answer this question, every part plays its role to make a complete and proper package.
Did you go through many parts? You must have bust some stuff up?Accidents happen just like car crashes, and everyone goes through a lot of stuff. Race bikes have to be better than #1 condition in my opinion, so anything that I think is too used gets freshened up. Apart from the occasional rim ding Connor doesn’t bust stuff too much, this season (2013) we used a lot of tyres and gear cables to keep everything rolling fresh.
If you could change one thing about the bike what would it be?The bike is really good and Connor is really satisfied with it, so we wouldn’t want to change anything. But we would want to duplicate the bike and have the exact same build at all the different locations around the world that we go to so that we don’t have to travel with the same bike!
SPECFrame: Kona Supreme Operator, size medium
Shock: RockShox Vivid With 400 Ti spring or RockShock’s Vivid Air
Fork: RockShox BoXXer World Cup
Stem: Truvativ Direct Mount
Headset: FSA
Grips: ODI Ruffian MX
Bars: Truvativ BlackBox Danny Hart
Shifter: SRAM XX
Derailleur: SRAM XO Type 2 short cage
Brakes: SRAM XO Trail
Seatpost: Truvativ Noir
Saddle: WTB Devo
Crank: SRAM XO DH
BB: PressFit GXP 83mm
Ring: Truvativ 36 or 38 tooth
Chain Guide: E13 LG1
Cassette: SRAM Red Cassette 11–23
Chain: SRAM PC1091
Pedals: HT MEO1T
Wheelset: Easton Havoc
Tyres: Maxxis Minion DHF 3C 2.5
Tubes: Maxxis Free Ride Tubes
Extras: K9 Spring Bearing, by Nigel at www.nsdynamics.com.au
Wheelbase: 46.38”
Chainstay: 16.53”
Headangle: 64º
Bar width: 750mm
Weight: 34.8lb (race bike), 31,6lb (at Press Camp)
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