Bike Check: Clemens Kaudela's Propain Spindrift AL - Red Bull Rampage 2023

Oct 11, 2023
by Matt Beer  

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BIKE CHECK
Clemens Kaudela's
Propain Spindrift AL
Photography by Syo van Vliet

Hailing from Austria, Clemens is a newcomer to Rampage but has proved his worth on huge gaps around the world from Dark Fest in South Africa to his own project film in Utah. Without a doubt, he'll put on a show and send some insane features.

His bike of choice is a Spindrift AL, which has always been a staple in Propain's lineup. The 180mm-travel freeride bike sits between their Rage downhill bike and Tyee enduro model in terms of travel. Both the aluminum and carbon frames can accept a 190mm travel dual crown fork with 27.5" wheels, which is how Clemens has chosen to build his bikes for Rampage.

To handle the massive impacts, Clemens is running 85 psi in the main air spring and 155 psi in the IRT chamber which controls the progression. Compared to junior World Cup racer, Mike Huter, who rides his Dorado with 60 and 175 psi, Clemens' setup is much less dynamic.

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Clemens Kaudela's Propain Spindrift
Frame: Propain Spindrift AL, size M
Fork: Manitou Dorado Pro
Shock: Fox Float X2 (Custom Tune by Suspension Express)
Wheels: Panchowheels RAGE 27.5" front & rear
Tires: Kenda Pinner AGC - front: 34 psi, rear: 38 psi
Drivetrain: Sram XO1 DH 7-speed, Descendant cranks
Brakes: Hayes Dominion A4 , 200mm rotors
Cockpit: ProTaper A25 handlebar and 50mm DM stem, 31.3mm Deathgrips
Saddle & post: Sixpack EJ, ProTaper forty
Pedals: Sixpack Millennium w/ 4mm tall pins

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The Spindrift AL - there's no carbon to be found on this build.

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C-DOG in CAT font.

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There's big Tonka Truck energy in this paint job and rightfully so - a ton of dirt gets moved during Rampage, albeit by hand.

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Two bikes are better than one - because you can never be over-prepared for Rampage. Having a backup ensures that Clemens is ready to go should one of these take a questionable digger.


Posted In:
Reviews and Tech Bike Checks DH Bikes Propain Propain Sprindrift Clemens Kaudela


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37 Comments
  • 33 1
 Dominions are the best brakes out there. I’ve done the code, xt, trp brake tour and dominions are top of the heap.

Also really like my dorado, but not with 85psi in the main chamber haha. Need to go way faster and bigger for those kinds of pressures
  • 6 2
 Out of curiosity, have you tried the Hope Tech 4 V4? I have Dominions and Codes, a couple friends ride Hopes and they feel... pretty close to the Dominions actually, very light dead stroke and plenty of power
  • 10 0
 Ever tried Formula Cura 2 piston?

Sick bike anyway. Just needs a bashguard
  • 7 0
 @IsaacWislon82: having run both the Dominion A4’s and Hope T4 V4’s all summer, I can honestly say it’s a toss up. They deliver the same end goal, but slightly differently. The Hopes feel like they have slightly more power, and require less finger force, but the dominions feel sharper and more direct in the way they deliver power. Both offer fantastic control and power, the dominions might have slightly better ergonomics for my average sized hand and preference of lever set up. Can’t go wrong with either option IMO.
  • 5 0
 @norcorider-13: Got a set of Radic's coming Smile
  • 2 0
 @IsaacWislon82: hope >
Made in Yorkshire & have never failed me Smile
  • 1 0
 @theArtiist: I’ve been eyeing those up…but I keep telling myself there’s no way they are better than the brakes I already have, especially because new brakes means I need another bike, right??
  • 3 0
 @chavlet: Hope's Barnoldswick factory is still very much in Lancashire
  • 2 0
 The Dominions do work really well.
  • 1 0
 @samdaman1: It was in Yorkshire until 1974
  • 3 0
 @norcorider-13: I've had a similar experience owning Dominions and testing Hopes on a buddy's bike. The Dominions have more initial bite, but to me feel like they have slightly more overall power (could've been the bleed) but they're my two favorite brakes on the market and feel fairly similar. Predictable, linear, confidence inspiring
  • 9 0
 Nice looking bike. Interesting with the Fox shock and Manitou fork.
  • 5 1
 I used to run a Manitou Mezzer Pro and a Fox DPX2 factory, it was a killer set up. Too bad I cracked the frame it was on.
  • 5 0
 @AddisonEverett: love my mezzar pro + float x2 setup!
  • 9 0
 @ccrida-pnw: Mezzer pro + Float X2 as well. Honestly, I'm a Manitou convert. Ruined the stanchion on my 38 Factory and just couldn't justify the cost of a new one and a Mezzer Pro was on sale. Maybe a tad less small bump than the 38 when I'm going slow on smooth trails. But higher speed bumps and braking bumps/bomb holes on faster trails and the Mezzer comes alive. Second ride out with it after I figured out the 3 chamber air thing and I was measurably faster than I was on the 38.
  • 6 2
 Shock is all Sexed Up, though. And Dorado is, much like Miata, always the answer! Just keep those seals maintained, because if they do give up the ghost mid-ride you're pretty much guaranteed contaminated brakes!
  • 7 0
 The bike paint job with the manitou fork gets me moist!!
  • 5 0
 I wish Propain would let you spec a double crown for in the bike configurator. I'd totally build up a downhill focused Spindrift that way
  • 2 0
 YES! And more so since they very rarely have the Rage available in the US.
  • 5 0
 Such a sick bike!

Also @mattbeer it's Mike Huter, not Hunter Smile
  • 3 0
 @therealmancub Good auto-correct catch. Thanks!
  • 6 0
 Sick looking fork
  • 5 0
 That Dorado looks mean! I love it!
  • 3 0
 Does anyone know why he’s riding an aluminum frame and Carson a carbon frame?
  • 3 0
 Personal preference?
  • 6 11
flag qbensis FL (Oct 11, 2023 at 11:54) (Below Threshold)
 cause nobody needs carbon, and some even take decisions with sustainability in mind
  • 2 2
 @qbensis: nobody needs ANY bike reviewed or showcased on Pinkbike. In fact , nobody NEEDS ANY bike, department store, high end, etc etc. The 'nobody needs insert expensive bike item here >>>;..........' is such a lame, lazy, tired trope
  • 3 0
 Pancho Laufradln bei der Rampage!
Lässig!
  • 2 0
 Anybody else think Big Chris will be in love with this bike?
  • 1 0
 good point here...seems like Propain got heavily inspired by YT...hahaha...copy and paste
  • 2 0
 Think this is my fav one so far
  • 2 1
 caption says "there's no carbon to be found on this build" but they forgot about the fork
  • 2 0
 isn't there an ally version?
  • 1 1
 @naptime: yes, Dorado Expert and Comp have alloy outer tubes, Dorado Pro is carbon outer tubes
  • 1 0
 allways wondered aboot a digger yellow bike, the forks REALLY make the look!
  • 1 0
 yelliw
  • 1 0
 What's the weight of it?







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