Cam Cole has been out of action for a good bit of last year after a horrific crash at the Vallnord World Cup in Andorra that saw him taken off the mountain in a helicopter, but he's back at it with a fresh ride on the Commencal Riding Addiction team and ready to step up on the box. His bike is assembled around a large sized, stock Supreme DH World Cup frame, but has been given the BOS suspension treatment. Despite the large size that he's currently on for the National Championships in Rotorua, Cam is actually waiting for an even longer frame that will better suit his height. His bike is also rolling on 26" wheels rather than being the
650B wheeled version that we spotted last year. Cam will also be racing the burly Valparaiso Urban DH race next weekend on his new steed.
“I am really thankful for the support and effort Thibaut and Commencal have gone through to get the deal done with me for this year. It was a truly last minute thing and it's come together really well. I'm stoked to be able to have the opportunity to race for Riding Addiction. I think it's going to be a fun year with new faces and different challenges.” - Cam ColeCam with his fresh steed surrounded by the NZ fauna.
Cam is running an SRM power meter on his Saint crankset during testing that will give him the data he needs for targeted training. We're seeing more and more downhillers take this approach, and it is something that has been used in BMX for quite awhile now.
The bike is running full BOS suspension, with a RaRe Idylle air sprung fork up front. The mythical suspension brand took their first World Cup win last year in quite awhile, with Remi Thirion dominating the Vallnord World Cup, and Cam is hoping to add to that tally.
It's still not that common to see the top racers run an air spring shock throughout the entire season, but that is exactly what Cam will be doing - his bike uses a Void shock.
While Cam awaits a larger frame he has his headset and spacers set up for maximum height.
At the controls is a Renthal Fatbar and Avid Code brakes held to the bike with a Renthal Integra stem.
The bike looks at home in the NZ ferns.
The face of a man stoked to be back on two wheels.
www.commencal-store.comwww.ridingaddiction.comTo keep up with Cam head over to his Facebook:
Cam Cole Athlete
www.youtube.com/watch?v=8tYXobAt4xA
/nitpickiness.
co-page: I can definitively tell you that they are not NZ native, and are almost certainly Pinus radiata D. don (Monterey pine). New Zealand does not have any native pines.
I prefer a bike to be slightly small vs. too big, but it looks like his knees would almost hit the bars.
It's a shame seeing not very many companies at all offer an XL option on their DH bikes for the big guys. In fact Canfield Bros even dropped their XL Jedi for 2014. I have, however, found that a 2014 Norco Aurum size Large has a longer TT than any other brand's XL. Just in case anyone is interested.
Great write up, I've been on the receiving end of a ride-threatening injury more than once. I don't know about you guys but I'm wishing this guy the best of luck & sending some positive vibes his way.
*Air shocks*. On *DH* bikes. Not trailbikes being ridden at the Air DH. Very few racers take more than a few test runs no air shocks.
Come on.