Pete from 2Stage bikes just popping over to off-load a Zed8 for us to test. Hiding in the depths of his van he had something a bit special.... This one of a kind HammerSchmidt equiped 2Stage AM8. I couldn't resist a quick fiddle and a few snaps for the website.
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The AM8 is the newest in the 2Stage range to hit the UK - built around the same tech as the Elite and the Zed but trimmed down for XC and all mountain riders. 8" front and rear, slimmed down frame and a carbon seat tower, which may or may not make it onto the production bike. On the downs it's designed to be a big hit machine, on the climbs the 2Stage magic automatically locks the travel down to 4".
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And this fruity looking gizmo has been setting the forums on FIRE over the last couple of weeks, Truvative's HammerSchimdt crankset. 18 gears using 1 ring up front and a 9 speed block on the back.
The advantages? No front mech, no chain device, more clearance, lighter, improved chain line, makes forum kids wee their pants. Like a gear box you can also shift without having to pedal. Sadly, the proto didn't have the ISCG tabs to hold the Hammerschmidt in place so I couldn't take it for a spin. Giving the cranks a spin and shifting through the gears it seemed to work nicely. Clickety click and it shifted whether you were spinning, back pedaling or free wheeling. I'll look forward to giving it a sceptical pasting out on the trails in the near future!
Look out for the Zed8 test in Issue 8 of Wideopen....
