No one gets more DH race mileage out a bike than Ashley, so it’s good that this thing is up to the job. It is like the cod from his local chippy, battered on the outside but chunky and fresh on the inside, with no bones

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What part to you change the most?

I don’t change anything, one setting fits all races. Obviously I change tyres to suit the conditions.

What part do you break the most?

Wheels, I have wrecked two Deemax rims already this season, at the moment it is one rim every other month and the odd rear mech.

Favourite part on your bike?

My RaceFace Diabolus cranks…they are bombproof.

What would you change about it?

I’d try and find a way to stop my paintjob getting scratched on the uplift transport at races.

Do you cut your bars down?

Oh yes, at the moment they are 24”. The levers are on the bend of the bar.

Front brake on the right?

Yeah, for real.

What length cranks do you run?

165mm, more RPM for little legs

How do you set your suspension up?

Wind the rebound off and compression off, and bounce my way down like a kangaroo.

When was the last time you greased your headset?

That is a bit of a personal question.

Flats or SPD’s?

SPD’s, flats are fine if you’ve got sticky shoes…otherwise you’ll have a shin burger.

Do you have any special modifications or extras?

A purple Fibrax hose, SDG I beam saddle is the future, it’s superlight. My wheels are built with a four cross pattern for extra strength.

Who fixes your bike?

Me and sometimes the guys at Silverfish.

• Frame – Cove Peeler DH with custom Shred/Bikemagic.com livery, factory only.
• Rear Shock – 5th Element with all the trick settings de-adjusted (Flooksy turn in your grave)
• Fork– 1998 RockShox BoXXer with all the good stuff undone
• Stem – RaceFace Diabolus, 70mm
• Headset – RaceFace Deus XC sealed headset
• Grips – RaceFace Lock Ons
• Bars – RaceFace Diabolus, scratched to death and cut to 24”
• Shifter – Vintage Shimano XT 8 speed
• Rear Derailleur – Shimano Ultegra (bent like the road rider it was meant for)
• Brakes – Hayes. Totally screwed but somehow never fail
• Levers – Hayes
• Saddle – SDG I beam in camo
• Seatpost – SDG I–beam
• Seat Clamp – Who knows?
• Crank – RaceFace Diabolus
• BB – RaceFace X-type
• Chainring – e.thirteen, 38 tooth
• Guide – e.thirteen Mountain Cross
• Cassette – Shimano 8 speed
• Chain – Shimano
• Pedals – Shimano SPD
• Rear Hub – Hope Bulb
• Front Hub – Hope Bulb
• Rims – Mavic Deemax, 36 hole
• Spokes – DT Swiss
• Front tyre – Rubber
• Rear tyre – Less rubber
• Tubes – Acorn Bike Products (I send my mum to Trago Mills for tubes – 99p each)

No one gets more DH race mileage out a bike than Ashley, so it’s good that this thing is up to the job. It is like the cod from his local chippy, battered on the outside but chunky and fresh on the inside, with no bones.

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