Raised to Climb- Cannondale Rize 3 2008 Review
Written by Sharon Bader Sunday, 31 August 2008 19:43
The Cannondale Rize 3 is billed as the do it all All Mountain bike for "Condition 4 All mountain riding including Medium Technical features". The Rize 3 comes with Cannondale's Lefty PBR fork. Once you get used to the Lefty TINE on the front, can't really call it a fork now can we, it comes across as plush, responsive and light. Being on the North Shore, "medium technical features" may not have the same definition as in other parts of the continent. The bike exhibited handling characteristics which inspired a new level of confidence from the rider. It's limitations were only revealed in the most steep technical terrain. Steeper technical terrain was manageable with a 2.35 tire, flat pedals and the seat as low as possible.
Climbing up Comfortably Numb, Whistler's Epic cross country trail.
The Bike
Available in aluminum or carbon, the Rize 3 comes in four sizes; the medium was tested here. The front hydroformed triangle provides lateral stiffness and keeps the frame light. Both bikes have carbon seat stays which maximizes lateral stiffness, maintains strength and reduces weight. The sealed cartridge bearings on the seat stays also reduce friction. The asymmetric swingarm has an oversized bridge to maximize torsional stiffness; the chain stays are rectangular for increased lateral stiffness resulting in increased pedaling efficiency. Cannondale's "3D Forged Backbone" combines the bottom bracket, lower pivot and seat tube into one forged part for increased stiffness, strength and reduced weight.
Muddbunnies Crankworx Report#1: MuddBunnies Crank it Up @ Crankworx 2008
Written by Article by Tina Yiu, Photos by Corey Toews Sunday, 10 August 2008 22:13
WHISTLER, BC, August 10, 2008- On a rainy day two of Crankworx, two MuddBunnies, Aimee Dunn and Carolyn Kavanagh completed the Garbanzo Downhill Race in wet, cold, and brutal conditions. Both in the Amateur Senior Women 19+ category, Carolyn had a podium finish in second place, while Aimee finished fourth.
It had rained heavily Saturday, and also in the morning before the race. Wet or dry, the Garbanzo Dh is- one of the longest, most gruelling downhill course in mountain biking. The MuddBunnies competed in the same course that world class athletes descended upon, which starts on Original Sin and continues through Blue Velvet; In Deep; Duffman; Golden Triangle; World Cup Downhill; Ho Chi Min and Monkey Hands finishing in Whistler Village, totalling 3400 feet in descent.
Read more: Muddbunnies Crankworx Report#1: MuddBunnies Crank it Up @ Crankworx 2008
Ride Overview
Written by Aimee Dunn, Photo by Tina Yiu Friday, 23 May 2008 22:05
Please note:
This is a general guideline - please check forum for ride details.
ie. Ride level may also be pertaining to pace not just difficulty of trail.
MuddBunnies offers rides in various ride levels, defined as:
- Beginner: - A network of XC trails. Mainly flat with some rolling hills, low to the ground optional structures and some double track trails
- Beginner to Intermediate: - Minimal climbing and some descending. A mixture of single and double track trails ranging from nice smooth trails to tricky, flat winding trails with assorted front wheellifts over logs and rooty climbs to test your technical skills.
- Intermediate to Advanced: Some steep sections with occasional technical rocky sections and optional stunts.
- Advanced: More higher consequence stunts and log rides, most with ride arounds. Longer and steeper winding technical descents. Optional jumps!
The trails which each level rides varies, as follows:
