Author: John Dodgin

 

Our Bike Check feature is back with another beauty from the travelling circus that is the UCI World Cup Downhill. Shot by our brilliant regular freelance photographer James Vincent at Fort William in the Highlands of Scotland; Vincent zoomed in on Austrian Pro Downhiller David Trummer’s great-looking Mondraker Summum Carbon RR downhill race bike to capture all of the important details that help make it such a capable campaigner.

First off, a quick introduction to David Trummer. Hailing from Austria the 27 year old has had some impressive results in his racing career already, including a brilliant Silver medal at the 2020 World Downhill Championships on home ground at Leogang in Austria where he finished second only to Scotland’s Reece Wilson (see his own Bike Check from Fort William HERE). One of the most consistent racers on the circuit, David backed-up his 2020 Worlds silver medal in 2021 with top 15 performances at nearly every round of the UCI World Cup before rounding out the season with another good showing at the 2021 World Championships, where he finished 8th.

David Trummer’s Mondraker Summum Carbon RR is tuned and ready to race.

 

Trummer moved over to the MS Mondraker pro downhill team at the start of 2022 and has very quickly gelled his new Summum race bike. Leading up to the 2022 race season David worked closely with the design and engineering team at Mondraker along with the MS Mondraker team mechanics to fine-tune the ride of his Summum, harvesting precise suspension telemetries to help inform how best to set up the bike to suit the demands of all race tracks. Somewhere along the line of those pre-season testing sessions Mondraker retro-fitted a chain idler to the Summum; you may be aware for the latest trend that has swept through the race pits during the past couple of seasons – the trend for high-pivot suspension configurations? A high-pivot suspension setup moves the bike’s main pivot high above the chainring and the rear wheel axle to encourage and enhanced rearward axle path through the travel of the rear suspension.

Trummer in action on the demanding Fort William World Cup Downhill.

 

One of the potential drawbacks of such a configuration is chain growth and pedal kickback – as the rear axle travels through its suspension the chain tightens and pulls back on the cranks. Now, the bike brands running high-pivot suspension fit an ‘idler’ which is an extra jockey wheel placed above the chainring, eliminating those issues. The Mondraker Summum is somewhat of an enigma when it comes to running an idler as there’s no high-pivot configuration on the Summum, just the idler. The bike is identical to the 2021 version save for this additional idler; I’ll be interested to see what comes next? Perhaps an all-new model with a high-pivot configuration? In the meantime the addition of an idler must have brought some benefits to how the current suspension platform performs, I’d guess eliminating some pedal kickback?

While the Summum isn’t a high-pivot bike, Mondraker have retro-fitted a chain idler to help prevent pedal kick-back.

 

The chain idler on Trummer’s Summum is a new addition for the 2022 season.

 

Carbon frames on the World Cup scene are becoming more of a rarity these days, a reflection on the commercial viability of full-on downhill bikes maybe? We’ve seen big brands like Trek revert back from carbon downhill rigs to alloy as the Enduro bike market boomed and the downhill bike market contracted; in some cases it’s just not cost-effective to tool up for a carbon frame production for a fairly small run of frames. There’s no such scenario with Mondraker – the Spanish brand was founded by a talented former international downhill campaigner and their passion and knowledge of downhill runs deep throughout the organisation; this  keeps them committed to carbon downhill bike production.

The Summum is constructed from Mondraker’s Stealth Air carbon.

 

The Summum’s chassis made from Mondraker Stealth Air Carbon is a thing of beauty and is lightweight too with the frame weighing 2800g (without the shock). At the heart of the Summum is their ZERO dual link suspension design which essentially facilitates a floating shock between the two suspension links, allowing the shock to compress from both ends; the result is rear suspension that is extremely sensitive on small bumps while also being big hit capable. It goes without saying that this Mondraker downhill bike features their ‘Forward Geometry’. Why is that so obvious? Because Mondraker were the absolute pioneers when it came to establishing this geometry concept and it’s perfectly suited to the specific demands of downhill racing. It’s the same design principle that we’ve seen every other bike brand arrive at subsequently, increasing stability at speed, providing better front wheel control and dramatically improving front tyre grip.

Part of the MS Mondraker team Trummer’s Summum carries the appropriate livery. 

 

Forward Geometry is now in its ninth season but the evolution doesn’t stand still. Most recently Mondraker have introduced shorter fork offsets to match their existing Forward Geometry. After extensive testing they have proved that shorter fork offsets give the biggest benefits in combination with the Forward Geometry concept, giving super-responsive and direct steering thanks to a short stem and long reach top tube. This design principle gives the Summum Carbon RR a more playful ride, and a feeling that you can attack harder into the corners.

Pioneers of today’s modern trail geometry, Mondraker label their own design principle as ‘Forward Geometry’.

 

Eagle-eyed readers may have already spotted that David Trummer is running his Summum as a ‘mullet bike’ (business up front, party at the back) consisting of a 27.5” diameter rear wheel and a 29” diameter front wheel which gives him all the advantages of a faster-rolling front wheel with a more agile rear wheel that he can throw around tight turns a little easier. The MS Mondraker Racing Team are supported by Shimano components and Fox suspension, with eThirteen providing the mis-matched mullet wheelset; traction and control is taken care of by Michelin tyres and a Renthal cockpit keeps David in control at race-speed. Scroll through the rest of James Vincent’s photos to see all of the specification details…

Upfront there’s a capable Fox 40 29 Float FIT GRIP2 EVOL Factory Kashima fork, boasting 203mm of travel.

 

A timing chip attached to every racer’s fork ensures finishing times are accurate to the nearest hundredth of a second.

 

The MS Mondraker team runs full-Shimano groupsets on the Summums; their Saint drivetrain more than meets the demands of downhill racing.

 

A compact Shimano Saint 10-speed rear derailleur with clutch mech keeps the Summum’s chain firmly located while providing flawless gear shifts.

 

Shimano XTR brake levers paired with 4-piston hydraulic calipers provide plenty of stopping power.

 

The Mondraker Summum Carbon RR is spec’d with an eThirteen wheelset; there’s a 29″ upfront and a 27.5″ rim out back.

 

The MS Mondraker team are on Michelin tyres; Trummer is running a DH22 upfront and a Wild outback.

 

Tyre choice for Fort William was tricky, with riders trying to strike a balance between speed and grip.

 

With a lower-profiled central tread pattern and larger outer side knobs this Michelin Wild tyre was fast on the rocky upper part of the course but grippy in the woods.

 

The UK’s Oliver Morris, racing for MS Mondraker onboard the same Summum model as Trummer.

 

The stunning Mondraker Summum Carbon RR carried Trummer to an excellent 20th finishing position at the Fort William World Cup.

 

Full Specification:

• Frame: Summum Stealth Air full Carbon, Zero Suspension System, 200mm travel, Forward Geometry, Carbon Monoblock upper link, SuperBoost 12x157mm rear axle, 83mm BSA bottom bracket, HHG internal cable routing, MAX. capacity dual raw Enduro bearings, shock mudguard, ISCG 05, custom frame protectors.
• Shock: Fox DHX2 Factory Coil Shock 225x70mm. Settings: high and low-speed compression, high and low-speed rebound, spring preload. Super light steel (SLS) spring. Trunnion top mount, 30x8mm bottom bushing
• Fork: Fox 40 29 Float FIT GRIP2 EVOL Factory Kashima, 203mm, air spring, 1-1/8” steerer tube, 20x110mm axle, offset 56mm. Settings: high and low-speed compression, high and low-speed rebound, air preload
• Cassette: Shimano 10-Speed
• Derailleur: Shimano Saint 10-Speed
• Shifter: Shimano Saint 10-Speed
• Cranks: Shimano Saint Hallowtech II MTB
• Chainring: Shimano Saint 36T
• Chain Device/Idler: Mondraker Prototype
• Brakes: Shimano XTR 4-Piston Caliper
• Brake Levers: Shimano XTR
• Rotors: Bolt-On
• Wheels: eThirteen LG1+ DH Rims – 27.5” Rear/29” Front, eThirteen Hubs – LG1 Race Front/TRS Race Rear Hub
• Tyres: Michelin Wild 27.5” Rear, Michelin DH22 29“ Front
• Stem: Renthal Direct Mount
• Handlebar: Renthal Fatbar35 30mm Rise
• Grips: Renthal Lock-on
• Saddle: SDG i-Beam
• Seatpost: SDG i-Beam
• Pedals: DMR V-Twin Clipless
• Fender: Fox Fork 40 Mud Guard

 

Written by Johnny Dodgin

Photos by James Vincent

 

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Our multi-discipline cycling star Lucy Bell is back in action for 2022, racing nearly all forms of cycling for Wheelbase alongside Cannondale UK. A regular visitor to our North East store in Darlington, Lucy has tons of energy and an almost unmeasurable passion for nearly all forms of cycling. Already deep into her busy racing season Lucy jumped into her van with her partner Helen Gaskell (the former World Cup Downhill mountain biker) and Travis their adorable trail dog to head north of the border for Round 1 of the EWS (Enduro World Series). We’ll let her take up the story…

I was surprisingly excited during the build up to racing at Round 1 of the EWS at Innerleithen in one of my favourite riding spots – the fabulous Tweed Valley in the Scottish borders. This was a chance to test myself in the demanding EWS 100 Masters race category on a series of stages that promised great riding conditions thanks to an unusually hot and sunny spell of weather, in fact I don’t think I’d ever seen the trails so dry!

We travelled up in the van on Thursday to get a good spot in the pits and get organised for a solid day of course practice on Friday – with the hot riding conditions in mind I made sure I was drinking a lot of water in the run up to the racing which was predicted to take place in really hot conditions. With Helen out of action due to injury I headed up onto the trails with friend and mountain bike pinner Kate Wakely to scout out the very fastest lines; practice went well and I was really pleased with how my Cannondale Jekyll was running on the pristine trails.

Unusually dry weather made for perfect race conditions at round one of the EWS in the Scottish borders.

 

I love to tinker with my bike setup nearly as much as I love to ride! Despite me feeling I had my Jekyll race-ready before our journey north my practice time on the track had encouraged me to re-think a couple of things so I headed to the pits to fine-tune my setup. The guys at Cannondale UK very kindly did a brake bleed to achieve my desired lever pull and I also fitted a new Maxxis DHR tyre on the rear. In a bid to get the very best out of my Enduro whip I also popped into the Fox pits and picked up some valuable fork tuning advice.

Come race day and I got a really late start time of 11.10am with the last riders in my race category setting off at 11.20am; as a result there was a lot of queuing between stages but with such a friendly event it was just a good opportunity to catch up with old friends and acquaintances from the previous race season. Despite the one hour queue for the first stage I was relieved to find that the course was not too blown out even with the large number of shredders riding ahead of me. With such good weather the racing saw more spectator support than normal; as I careened through the trees there were clusters of people dotted all the way down the track making plenty of noise and giving loads of encouragement to every racer.

We raced five stages in total, four at Golfie (one of my favourite places to ride and an area which I’ve spent plenty of time exploring with Helen and Trav in the off-season) and the final at Innerleithen dropping into the main arena on a massive wooden ramp. There was a monster push up to stage four which, when combined with the stifling heat sapped what was left in my legs, but the stage from the top was worth it as we took on the infamous ‘Feed The Pony’ a mile long track with a brilliant whoop section and a big step up at the end. Props to the fast lads clearing that!

I came out with 5th in category and after seven hours out on the hill I was happy with that; time for a beer and a lie down! I really hope the EWS comes back to the Tweed valley next year but with the Mountain Bike World Champs in Scotland next year Im not sure if it will. I can certainly say that most tracks will be feeling quite short after that!

A HUGE thanks to Wheelbase, Wheelbase Northeast, Cannondale Mountain and Helen Gaskell for continuing to look after me!

Of all the cycling disciplines that Lucy does, Enduro is most definitely her firm favourite.

 

Not one to rest on her laurels Lucy ‘turned and burned’ the following weekend, heading north of the border again to take on the Tweedlove Glentress 7 endurance mountain bike race. As the race name suggests this is a seven hour mountain bike race with the option to race as a solo rider, as a pair or as a small team. Lucy paired up with her partner Helen Gaskell who was just starting on the comeback trail after a recent injury to take on the Female Pairs U80 race category and we’re happy to report that Lucy and Helen took the win! This race was a great example of how Lucy can quickly pack away the Enduro bike, pick up her Cannondale Scalpel XC bike, don the lycra and race to win. Chapeau Lucy and Helen!

A week after the EWS Lucy was back in Scotland to take on the Glentress 7 endurance mountain bike race.

 

Lucy and her partner Helen took a brilliant win in the pairs race at the Glentress 7 endurance race.

 

Lucy raced the EWS onboard her Cannondale Jekyll 1. Read a full review of this bike HERE.

 

Written by Lucy Bell

Photos by Jerry Tatton of JWDT Photography

 

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Saturday the 11th June saw the return of the Staveley 3 Valleys Mountain Bike Challenge after a brief hiatus due to Covid restrictions. You may be thinking you’ve never heard of this event?! That’s because this popular and well-established charity event here in the south Lake District has had a major name change; what was formally known as the Sam Houghton Challenge has now been renamed as the Staveley 3 Valleys Mountain Bike Challenge. The drive behind this friendly mountain bike ride though, remains exactly the same despite the name change; raising money for the Cancer Research UK. To date, before the 2022 edition took place, this brilliant timed mountain bike ride had already raised over £200,000 for charity.

Riders set off from our Wheelbase Lake District store…

 

On the day we were greeted with high winds but dry conditions; starting and finishing at Wheelbase HQ in the Mill Yard in Staveley riders headed out in small groups to the stunning south Lake District taking on some of the challenging terrain that surrounds Wheelbase HQ. Each rider was individually timed on their ride and participants were able to choose between a long route and a shorter route option, with event marshals posted at various checkpoints throughout both routes.

This is a super-friendly, laid-back event.

 

As the event name suggests, the Staveley 3 Valleys Mountain Bike Challenge took in the picturesque valleys of Longsleddale, Kentmere & Troutbeck and included the infamous Garburn Pass. With a large gathering of like-minded mountain bikers who had travelled far and wide to participate the atmosphere throughout the day was laidback and friendly; there were some great check-point cakes for all riders and a well-earned party after the challenge had been completed!

This inclusive event caters to all riding categories.

 

It was great to see such a diverse mix of riders taking part with a great mix of genders and age groups being represented. There were some really nice, inclusive categories to participate under including Solo (male or female), Pairs or Team (groups of 3 or 4) and electric mountain bikes were welcome across all categories too. Riders taking on the shorter route included younger riders accompanied by an adult making this a great day on the bikes for all of the family.

The grin-factor was high thanks to such a fun course.

 

The Routes

Riders chose between the short 25km course with 700m of ascent or the long 46km course with 1,400m of ascent.

Short Course

Starting just outside Wheelbase in the Mill Yard riders headed north up the Haw Lane, then took the bridleway to the south of Skeggles Water and down into the Longsleddale valley. They then followed the bridleway along the valley to Till’s Hole joining the road and heading north-west to Checkpoint 1 at Sadgill (Grid Ref: SE 484057). They then took the bridleway south then west over to Brockstones, riding the Low Lane track into Green Quarter and down the road into Kentmere Village to Checkpoint 2 (Grid Ref: SE 457039). Riders followed the road south for a short distance before heading up Green Water to the west of Skeggles Water, onwards to the derelict barn and Checkpoint 5 (Grid Ref: SE 473033), then back to Staveley Head Fell, turning west to descend through HP Plantation. All that was left was to take the road back to the finish point outside Wheelbase at the Mill Yard (Grid Ref: SE 472983)

 

Long Course

Riders completed the same route as the short course until they reached Checkpoint 2 at Kentmere Village. From Checkpoint 2 riders took on the infamous Garburn Pass over into Troutbeck Valley to Checkpoint 3 (Grid Ref: SE 413028). Riders then climbed up Moor Howe road then along the tracks up to High House and over Micklemoss, descending back into Kentmere Village to Checkpoint 4 (Grid Ref: SE 457039). From here riders pedaled over Green Quarter via Checkpoint 5 (Grid Ref: SE 473033) and completed the same run back into Staveley as the short course option to the finish point outside Wheelbase at the Mill Yard (Grid Ref: SE 472983)

 

 

The Staveley 3 Valleys Mountain Bike Challenge would like to thank everyone who marshalled, supported or otherwise helped out with the event as well as each and every rider who participated, helping to make the Challenge such a great day in the Lakes while making a massive contribution to the raising of valuable funds for Cancer Research UK.

Check out the full Staveley 3 Valleys Challenge results here…

 

Below are a selection of some great event images from our friends at Sportsunday. Take a look through and hit the link at the bottom of the feature to see plenty more great riding images from the Staveley 3 Valleys Challenge…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Check out loads more Sportsunday photos of the event here…

 

Written by Johnny Dodgin

Photos by Andrew Barlow & David Bradshaw of Sportsunday

 

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Launched this week and in stock now at Wheelbase!

Garmin bring you the Edge 1040 Series available now in two exciting new models. Choose between the Edge 1040 or their innovative Edge 1040 Solar option which harnesses the power of the sun helping to extend battery life further into your next epic ride making it the ideal GPS cycling computer for riders taking on ultra-distance gravel events or multi-day Bikepacking adventures.

The versatile new Garmin Edge 1040 and 1040 Solar will help you train more efficiently and navigate further than ever.

 

Both the solar and non-solar Edge 1040 GPS computers feature multi-band GNSS technology for the first time, which gives even better coverage under dense tree-cover or on remote mountain trails. The benefits aren’t limited to your next ride in the wilderness though; that GNSS technology will help to precisely track your every move and record all of your vital stats in even the most built up urban environment.

Garmin Edge 1040 and 1040 Solar Key Features:

• GNSS technology
• Simplified & streamlined interface
• Classify your strengths and compare your ability to specific courses
• Manage your efforts with the Power Guide feature, using recommended power targets
• Get stamina insights as you ride, allowing you to gauge how long you can push the pace
• Stay on top of your training with missed workout prompts
• Tap into local knowledge and enjoy ride type-specific maps which highlight the most popular routes
• Connect with your favourite Apps including Strava, Komoot, TrainingPeaks and more

Solar Power

The new Edge 1040 Solar features Garmin’s Power Glass technology which harvests the power of the sun through a cleverly integrated charging lens that helps to extend your 1040’s battery life. The battery efficiency stats are impressive; with the 1040 Solar in battery saver mode you’ll get an extra 100 hours of power. When the 1040 is experiencing the most demand you still get an extra 45 hours of power; during daytime rides the 1040 Solar adds up to 42 minutes per hour in battery saver mode and up to 20 minutes per hour in demanding use cases. There’s a £110.00 difference between the Garmin Edge 1040 Solar and the more conventional Garmin Edge 1040 with all other functionality being the same.

Onboard Coach

The Garmin Edge 1040 is a powerful coaching tool with multiple ways to monitor and improve your riding. It will quickly classify your strengths as a cyclist and compare your own specific abilities to the demands of any cycling route; the Garmin Edge 1040 and 1040 Solar behave like your very own coach, riding alongside you while recommending your ideal power targets in relation to the course you’re riding. The Edge 1040 delivers real-time insights for power and stamina as you ride and is packed with useful features like suggested workouts, plus insight that inform how effective your training is.

Another great feature on the Edge 1040 and 1040 Solar is ClimbPro which helps you to gauge your effort on climbs, seeing the remaining distance and grade ahead of you with a quick glance of the display. This is a great advantage if you’re riding a climb that’s totally new to you and will help you ride more efficiently in training or even mid-race when shrewd tactics can make all the difference between winning and losing.

Navigation

With an increased battery capacity and that clever solar technology on the Edge 1040 Solar you’ll be encouraged to ride further into the wilderness than previously. Navigation on the 1040 is easy & intuitive to use and gives you instant ‘local expert’ status regardless of whether you’ve ever set your wheels down in a particular location before. The 1040’s improved maps feature ride type-specific configurations to highlight the most popular routes that are identified as being best-suited to the type of ride you’re doing regardless of whether that’s Road, Mountain Bike or Gravel.

Manage your efforts with real-time recommended power targets.

 

Suggested workouts and missed workout prompts help to keep your training sharp and focused.

 

Gauging your efforts on climbs is easy with the Garmin Edge 1040 and 1040 Solar.

 

Garmin Edge 1040 Solar RRP £629.99

Garmin Edge 1040 Bundle RRP £599.99

Garmin Edge 1040 RRP £519.99

 

Written by Johnny Dodgin

 

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It’s time for another bike check! Today we’re casting our eyes over Dan Booker’s Nukeproof Dissent downhill bike which he raced at the recent UCI Downhill World Cup in Fort William, Scotland. The young Australian has been with Nukeproof for just over a year now, joining the Enduro and Downhill team after a recommendation from none other than Downhill and Enduro legend Sam Hill. Dan is a pretty versatile rider and is able to move with ease from the Downhill track to the multi-stage format of Enduro through to the bike park where it’s immediately obvious that he’s as comfortable in the air as he is on the ground. It’s no wonder he’s so skilled on the bike; when you delve a little deeper into Dan’s background you find he’s been racing since he was only 8 years old and now spends most of his time away from the racetrack working and riding at the legendary Maydena Bike Park in Tasmania.

Fast forward to 2022 and Dan, racing his second season for Nukeproof headed to the infamous Fort William Downhill World Cup in the West Highlands of Scotland to take on difficult racing conditions on a track that is famed for being particularly demanding on bike and body. On a course that features a fast, pedally top half with washed-out rocky turns combined with a steeper, more wooded and consequently more muddy lower half of the course good bike setup is key; thankfully for Dan and the Nukeproof race team the Dissent is particularly versatile when it comes to tunning the bike to suit the demands of the course. The Dissent features an adjustable main pivot flip chip giving 4 separate main pivot positions allowing each rider to tune how the suspension works for them. There’s also a 3 position adjustable chainstay dropout with 3 different inserts (435, 440, 445mm) allowing Dan to fine tune the wheelbase of the Dissent by 5-10mm.

Dan’s Nukeproof Dissent 297 features a 29er wheel upfront combined with a smaller-diameter 27.5″ wheel out back.

 

Dan is a pretty tall rider and is running an XL size frame, giving him plenty of room to move around the bike and throw his weight over the bike as the terrain and pitch of slope underneath him continuously changes. Like many seasoned campaigners Dan has chosen to run the dissent in a mullet wheel configuration with a larger diameter 29” wheel up front and a smaller, more compact 27.5” wheel out back, hence the model name Dissent 297. Some riders at the Fort William round of the World Cup had made the change from running their usual mullet setup to a double 29er configuration for the weekend in an effort to carry more speed on the upper half of the course but there was no such adaptation from Dan.

In another slight difference to what the majority of riders were running we noticed that Dan was running an air shock rather than a coil shock like that majority of racers. Being such a versatile rider, who is capable of shifting seamlessly between Downhill, Enduro and Bike Park we get the impression that Dan is able to adapt easily and probably spends less time focusing on bike-setup per course than maybe some of his fellow competitors focused solely on Downhill Racing. Looking at the bike it seems it’s very much a case of ‘run what ya brung’ for Dan.

Dan Booker’s Dissent 297 is ready for World Cup downhill duties.

 

In another nod to his more relaxed approach to riding and his bike park background it’s interesting to see that Booker is running flat pedals rather than clip-in’s. Just like Sam Hill, the fellow Aussie who helped ensure that he got a ride with Nukeproof, Dan is more comfortable riding flats. On a course that really requires you to put the power down at the top of the course and on ‘motorway section’ on the very lower slopes it makes more sense to be clipped in at Fort Bill, but just like Sam Hill did during his entire World Cup Downhill racing career it appears that Dan is sticking to his roots.

Special thanks again to our regular freelance photographer James Vincent for braving the elements during a wet weekend in Scotland and for bringing us back the goods! Check out all of his brilliant photos below…

The Dissent 297 is constructed from Hydroformed 6061-T6 triple-butted aluminium.

 

Big lad Dan Booker rides an XL frame to give him plenty of room to move around the bike.

 

A confidence-inspiring 63° head angle means the Dissent 297 remains stable at speed.

 

In a sea of coil shocks it was unusual to see this RockShox air shock on the Dissent 297 at the Fort Bill World Cup.

 

 

A pair of RockShox Boxxer Ultimate forks handles the unique demands of the Fort William downhill track.

 

The Nukeproof Dissent 297 features a no-nonsense 7-Speed drivetrain, with an MRP chain device keeping the chain safely located.

 

The 7-speed SRAM XO rear derailleur is a firm favourite with the world’s best downhill racers.

 

The positive gear selection of a SRAM XO trigger shifter makes it ideal for Downhill, with no potential for fluffed gear-shifts.

 

With SRAM spec’d through the bike it’s no surprise to see Dan running Code RSC hydraulic brakes.

 

Powerful 4-pot SRAM RSC calipers combined with large-diameter disc rotors means that scrubbing speed off is quick and effective.

 

Standard alloy Nukeproof Horizon rims are built to handle all that’s thrown at them.

 

Smooth-rolling Horizon hubs are durable too, standing up well to all that Scottish rain and mud.

 

Nukeproof have been running Michelin tyres for a good  few seasons now; there’s a 27.5″ Wild on the rear.

 

Tyre choice is tricky for Fort William, with a hard-pack upper track and a more muddy lower track; the Wild coped well with both.

 

Upfront on the larger 29″ wheel there’s a Michelin DH22 providing plenty of grip on loose corners thanks to those aggressive side-knobs.

 

There’s plenty of Nukeproof branded components of Dan’s Dissent; he runs a Horizon direct mount stem and Sam Hill Series riser bars.

 

A pair of Nukeproof Sam Hill Series lock-on grips are well-worn; perhaps Dan likes to run grips that are as slim as possible.

 

It’s rather fitting that someone who was brought to Nukeproof’s attention by Sam Hill would themselves favour flats.

 

Dan Booker airs into the finishing arena at the Fort William World Cup.

 

Written by Johnny Dodgin

Photos by James Vincent

 

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Last Saturday the 28th of May saw the return of the challenging #JENNRIDE two day Bike Packing event starting near Wheelbase in Staveley.

The #Jennride is a 100 mile off-road bike packing charity event in memory of Jenn Hill organised by Wheelbase’s own local postie and well-known Lake District mountain biker Rich Munro! This brilliant bike packing adventure takes in some of the toughest, most technical and testing parts of Lake District; traditionally the route stays predominantly around the South Lakes however this year’s route saw participants riding some of the most iconic MTB routes in the Lakes such as the Borrowdale Bash (but backwards) and parts of the infamous Fred Whitton Challenge including the fearsome climbs of Hardknott and Wrynose Pass.

Riders carry everything they need for their two day Bikepacking adventure.

 

In memory of Jenn Hill the event was raising money for St Gemma’s Hospice – St. Gemma’s Hospice provides specialist medical and nursing care for people with life threatening illnesses, predominantly cancer, along with support for their families, in the In-Patient Unit, by the community care nurses, in the Day Hospice, or as an Out-Patient.

The #JENNRIDE is a super-social, laidback event.

 

Participants rode a really wide range of adapted mountain bikes, carrying everything they needed to ride and camp for the night. Wheelbase staff member and budding photographer Andrew Barlow was there to capture this super-social event and we’ve put together a collection of images to help reflect on such a successful event; if you took part, then thanks again for your support and participation. If you didn’t take part this year and are inspired by our photos then please do make sure you enter the 2023 edition, it really is a fantastic event!

This year’s route was particularly challenging, taking in some of the best MTB routes in the Lake District.

 

 

Check out the #JENNRIDE 2022 route by clicking the link above.

 

Andrew Barlow’s Photos…

 

It’s time for another World Cup Downhill bike check! Our regular freelance photographer James Vincent was up at the recent Fort William Downhill World Cup shooting all of the action as well as spending some time in the pits capturing a selection of the best-looking bikes and innovative tech. Last week we took a detailed look at Danny Hart’s prototype Two15 high pivot bike; today we’re checking out home favourite Reece Wilson’s Trek Session high pivot race bike.

Crowd favourite Reece Wilson showed up at his home World Cup with a Scottish-themed custom paintjob courtesy of Trek.

 

The Trek Session has been around for well over a decade and, when it comes to its evolution, it has never stayed still. Starting out as a 26 inch-wheeled bike way back when, it’s morphed into a 27.5” machine before more recently accommodating big 29er hoops or the magic mash-up of 27.5” at the rear and 29” and the front, commonly referred to as a mullet (business up front, party out the back). We’ve seen Reece ride with both the mullet configuration and the full 29er setup in the past, however at Fort William the plucky Scot chose to run a pair of the big hoops in an effort to carry more speed over the long high-speed section that makes up the top of the course.

Reece would pilot his custom painted Trek Session to a fine 17th place on his ‘home track’ at Fort William.

 

The big shift in suspension configuration came last season when the Trek Session joined the high-pivot party; like a significant number of bike brands focused on racing the World Cup Downhill Trek made the shift over to a high-pivot rear end in an effort to make their premium race bike even faster over the rough stuff. A high-pivot moves the bike’s main pivot high above the chainring and the rear wheel axle to encourage an enhanced rearward axle path through the travel off the rear suspension. This is not something particularly new, however these new-generation high-pivot bikes have addressed a problem that plagued the previous generation bikes with the same configuration. In the past one of the potential drawbacks of this sort of setup was that chain growth and pedal kickback were an issue. As the rear axle travelled through its suspension the chain tightened and pulled back on the cranks; These new-generation high-pivot bikes have solved these age-old problems with an ‘idler’ which is basically an extra jockey wheel placed above the chainring, eliminating those issues and giving the benefit of a more plush suspension feel as your wheel moves rearwards and upwards away from obstacles rather than just upwards.

Reece’s custom paintjob was clearly inspired by the Saltire Scottish National Flag.

 

Being Reece’s home race the proud Scot was rewarded with a stunning custom paintjob from Trek, with a great-looking blue and white fade representing the Scottish Saltire flag, sometimes referred to as the St Andrews Cross. Scroll through the images below to see all the clever little details in his race-ready setup and to better understand Reece’s choice of components that helped him take on one of the season’s most demanding World Cup races, all expertly tuned by Trek Factory Racing’s head mechanic Joe Krejbich.

The custom Trek Session tuned and ready to race one of the World’s most demanding downhill tracks.

 

Former World Downhill Champion Reece Wilson may not have the Rainbow Stripes anymore but his Scottish-themed bike is pretty cool.

 

Reece’s Trek mechanic is focused on tuning the Session to be perfect for every run.

 

The ‘B’ on the rear coil-shock signifies that it’s part of Rockshox’s prototyping development program.

 

The Mino link allows the Trek team to make a small adjustment to the geometry of the Session.

 

It was a prototype last season and then went into production late last year – Trek joined the high-pivot party with the all-new Session. 

 

All good high-pivot downhill bikes need a good idler jockey wheel to prevent chain growth and pedal kick back.

 

A no-nonsense 7-speed SRAM XO rear derailleur seems to be a pro-downhill staple on the World Cup scene.

 

A SRAM 7-speed trigger shifter gives a nice definite gear selection – perfect for when you’re under pressure mid-run.

 

Reece seems to run his SRAM Code RSC levers pretty close to the bars. Note the small amount of grip tape too.

 

Powerful SRAM 4-Por hydraulic pistons and large 220mm diameter rotors provide plenty of stopping power.

 

DT Swiss 350 hubs laced to Bontrager 29″ rims are fast rolling and tough enough to cope with the demands of the infamous Fort Bill course.

 

Reece chose to run 29″ wheels front and rear (no mullet setup for him!) with Bontrager Line DH 30 rims taking on the rough track.

 

Tyre choice is tricky for Fort William World Cup, with such varied terrain within the length of the course.

 

It’s a firm favourite within the pits – Crankbrothers Mallet DH pedals for Reece.

 

No mistaking who’s bike this is. Proud Scot Reece Wilson was flying the Scottish flag all weekend.

 

With amazing attention to detail Reece’s bike is proudly signed off by Trek Factory Racing’s head mechanic Joe Krejbich.

 

It wasn’t to be Reece’s day this time around; no podium this time for the Scot, but a still respectful 17th place showed he wasn’t too far off winning pace.

 

The latest Trek Session with its high pivot suspension configuration reflects the constant testing and development program at Trek Factory Racing.

 

Trek Session High Pivot Downhill Bike, full specification:

• Frame: Trek Session High Pivot, Alloy
• Shock: RockShox Boxxer Blackbox
• Fork: RockShox Boxxer Blackbox
• Cassette: SRAM X01 DH
• Derailleur: SRAM X01, DH 7-speed
• Shifter: SRAM X01, DH 7-speed
• Cranks: SRAM X01 DH, 165mm
• Chainring: SRAM X01 Eagle, 34t, 6mm offset
• Chain Device: MRP G4
• Brakes: SRAM Code RSC
• Rotors: 220mm front & rear
• Wheels: Bontrager Line DH30 32h Alloy Rims, DT Swiss 240 front hub, DT Swiss 350 rear hub
• Tyres: Bontrager G5 29”
• Stem: Title DM1 35, 46mm
• Handlebar: Title AH1, aluminum, 35mm diameter, 25mm rise, 780mm width, 8-degree backsweep, 5-degree upsweep
• Grips: ODI Longneck Slide-On
• Saddle: Title MS1
• Seatpost: Title AP1
• Pedals: Crankbrothers Mallet DH
• Fender: ProGuard

 

Written by Johnny Dodgin

Photos by James Vincent

 

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Today’s product feature takes a closer look at a stylish low-step city e-Bike from Gazelle, a Dutch brand which can boast a rich bicycle manufacturing history; this is the Chamonix T10 HMS 630 and it’s ready to ferry you around town with less effort and maximum efficiency.

We’ll dive into the Chamonix e-Bike details in a moment, but first a short bicycle manufacturing history lesson; Royal Dutch Gazelle has been making bicycles in Dieren, Gelderland, in the Netherlands for more than 125 years and today is one of the most popular bike brands in the lowland country where cycle commuting is an every day staple of millions of Dutch people. At the latest count the company is making over 250,000 bikes every year with their bicycle design brief still echoing Dutch cycling culture – ring your bell, wear your street clothes, transport anything from groceries to you children! That elegant, city bike styling runs through their whole range, with e-Bikes such as the Chamonix representing the evolution of traditional city bikes into modern pedal-assist bikes.

Dutch cycling brand Gazelle have created a truly versatile city e-Bike for daily commute duties.

 

Gazelle want to share their secret with the rest of the world; when it comes to safe, comfortable riding in a busy urban environment the Dutch brand have the perfect riding solution – upright, comfortable and in full control, ready to react to what’s going on in front of you up the road. We’ve cherry-picked the Chamonix T10 HMS 630 to feature here as it’s a great representation of the sort of city e-Bike that Gazelle are so well-known for over on the European mainland; so let’s look at some highlights…

Gazelle can boast a rich manufacturing history and is a go-to brand when it comes to choosing a powerful, reliable e-Bike.

 

At the heart of the Chamonix T10 HMS 630 is the powerful Shimano Steps pedal assist motor; located at the bottom bracket this lightweight, quiet and efficient motor drives the bike’s cranks when you pedal, amplifying the pedaling force you’re putting through the bike and helping you ride faster with less effort, keeping you feeling fresher and more comfortable as you move around town.

The 630 within this bike’s model name is a hint towards the Chamonix’s battery capacity; you may not be familiar with this factor, but it’s worth considering. All e-Bikes feature a battery that powers the motor and each e-Bike’s battery will be labelled by it’s watt hour capacity (Wh), with a larger number indicating a greater capacity when it comes to the life of the rechargeable battery. The bigger the battery capacity the longer the range of the e-Bike; you may hear cyclists or bicycle retailers referring to ‘range anxiety’, this is basically the rider’s concern – how far and how long can they ride on one charge. This particular model of Chamonix features a long-range 630Wh battery, there is also a model with a smaller capacity 50Wh battery which will not give the same amount of range on one charge.

The Shimano Steps E6100 provides 60Nm of powerful pedal assistance to get you around town in comfort.

 

The Gazelle Chamonix T10 HMS 630 features a complete Shimano Steps e-bike system that includes their clear, easy-to-navigate centre-mounted display unit which gives you all the stats you’ll need including the e-Bike motor mode you’re riding in (High, Norm, Eco, Off, Walk), gear position indicator, range indicator and battery level indication. You can also power the e-Bike on and off from the display unit as well as turn your front & rear lights on and off according to the levels of light you’re riding in.

Top Japanese component brand Shimano provides reliable pedal assistance with their Steps e-Bike drive system. 

 

A simple remote on the left of the handle bar lets you toggle through the e-Bike motor modes quickly and easily.

 

The Shimano Steps LCD Centre display gives you all the data you need at a glance.

 

Upfront there’s a clever internal suspension unit stowed away within the bike’s headtube. This telescopic suspension will take the sting out of rough roads and keep you in control even with the odd unexpected pot-hole in your path. Gazelle have matched this ride-softening fork with an equally comfortable suspension seatpost giving a small amount of movement below the saddle to help you stay comfortable in the saddle.

Gazelle have spec’d a capable integrated suspension fork to take the sting out of rough roads and pot holes.

 

A suspension seatpost from Post Modern keeps you comfortable, isolating you from road buzz when you’re in the saddle.

 

Gazelle have also included their clever adjustable stem system within the cockpit of the Chamonix T10, this is a great addition to the bike and allows you to make fine adjustments to the fit and feel of the bike. If you’re the type of rider who is looking for a more upright, confidence-inspiring position this small function is a great addition; similarly if you find yourself sharing this bike with your partner it helps to make the bike more accommodating to different body dimensions with some simple, quick adjustment.

The Chamonix’s adjustable stem lets you fine tune your position to suit you and make riding as comfortable as possible.

 

Other great features that have been included specifically to suit the demands of the daily commute in and around town include front and rear lights that are neatly integrated into the bike and are powered by the name large 630Wh internal battery that powers the e-Bike’s motor. The light can be controlled from the Shimano Steps display so if you don’t need them during daylight hours you can switch them of and save power. With load-carrying in mind Gazelle have included a sturdy and durable rear pannier rack allowing you to carry a maximum of three bags / packs, fitting one either side of the rack and another on the top. This opens up the possibility of being able to carry your groceries or work equipment as you travel through town, so no need to wear a bulky rucksack.

With a Trelock Veo 50 light powered directly from the bike’s powerful internal e-Bike battery a sudden loss of light is not a concern.

 

A powerful front light will illuminate the road in front of you in poor light conditions.

 

With lights powered via the Chamonix’s e-Bike battery you’ll always be more visible to other road users.

 

With full mudguards, rear pannier rack and integrated rear light the Gazelle is ready for daily commuting duties.

 

A rear pannier rack helps you carry your shopping or work stuff and features and integrated rear light.

 

It’s safe to say the Netherlands experience their fare share of rain and wet riding conditions just like us unfortunate Brits, with this in mind Gazelle have fitted the Chamonix with a pair of full mudguards to protect you from road spray on wet rides. Some mudguards can tend to vibrate and flap around, potentially rubbing with the tyres, however there’s no such concerns on this practical e-Bike, with permanent, secure fittings to keep everything where it should be. With security in mind Gazelle have spec’d an Axa Block XXL Ring Lock which is cleverly located on the seatstays of the frame and effectively stops the rear wheel from rotating once locked with its own removeable key. We would always recommend you use a good quality, highly-rated D-lock to secure your bike, but this extra level of security will certainly deter would-be bike thieves from having a go at stealing your beloved e-Bike.

Move along bicycle thieves, the Axa Block XXL Ring Lock keeps the Chamonix safe and secure.

 

An integrated Axa Block XXL Ring Lock immobilises your bike adding extra security when parked up.

 

When it comes to the drivetrain (the bike’s gearing) Gazelle have matched the brilliant Shimano Steps motor with the Japanese brand’s user-friendly 10-speed Deore groupset. This drivetrain consists of a simple 1X setup (one-by setup) which means that there’s a single chainring up front combined with a wide ratio cassette outback giving you 10 gears over a wide spread of gear ratios to help ensure that there’s a suitable gear available for every riding scenario, whether you’re riding up a steep hill or are flying along on fast, flat roads. The 38T chainring combined with an 11/42T cassette accommodates each gear selection fast and efficiently, with the chain moving smoothly across each cog thanks to the light and precise-shifting 10-speed Deore rear derailleur. All gear selections are made via a simple trigger shifter on the right of the handlebars, with every gear shift being light, crisp and precise; there’s no danger of fluffing a gear change any time soon.

With a single 38T chainset that includes a chain guard the Chamonix’s drivetrain is simple and efficient.

 

The Shimano Deore 10-speed rear derailleur provides a wide selection of gear ratios while keeping your chain securely located.

 

An efficient 10-speed Shimano trigger shifter means every gear selection is crisp and predictable.

 

With the extra speed of an e-Bike, instantly gained thanks to that powerful Shimano Steps motor, the Gazelle Chamonix T10 HMS 630 needs a good set of anchors to slow the bike down quickly and effectively. To always keep you in control this stylish e-Bike comes spec’d with a pair of powerful hydraulic disc brakes that will help you scrub off speed when you need to, keeping you in full control of the bike regardless of the road conditions. On rainy days disc brakes are completely unaffected by wet roads, thanks mainly to the fact that the braking surface is taken away from the wheel rim to the centre of the wheel hub. You’ll also find that the power of a hydraulic brake is far more consistent and controllable, allowing you to modulate the amount of braking power applied to the system’s disc rotors.

Powerful Shimano Hydraulic brakes keep you in control in all riding conditions.

 

A durable, daily commuter e-Bike needs a pair of reliable wheels to carry you over multiple miles on mixed road surfaces. The Gazelle Chamonix comes spec’d with a pair of Mach1 650 double-walled aluminium wheels which are built to stand up to the demands of regular rides without carrying any unnecessary weight penalty. Similarly a bike that is required to take on the urban environment, day in day out needs a set of sturdy tyres which can stand up to rough roads and unexpected debris; the Chamonix comes fitted with a pair of Schwalbe Big Apple tyres which feature a nice tread pattern that strikes a balance of being able to roll fast and efficiently on tarmac while giving enough grip to keep you in control of your bike. As you’d expect for a town e-Bike like this the Big Apple tyres also include a good amount of puncture protection within the rubber compound.

Schwalbe’s Big Apple tyres feature puncture protection for enhanced durability.

 

Schwalbe Big Apple tyres roll fast and let the Chamonix hold its speed while providing ample grip.

 

The Gazelle Chamonix T10 HMS 630 e-bike is a modern classic; all of that Dutch bicycle manufacturing history is reflected in the bike’s elegant silhouette it’s very obviously a machine with its DNA routed firmly in the Netherlands. The Shimano Steps motor and internal battery are so compact and discreet that it’s easy to miss that this is an e-Bike at all. With a step-through frame and high front end the Chamonix helps you ride confidently around town with a feeling of control and comfort. Factor in all the little extra details that help to make this bike so practical within an urban environment and you’ve got yourself a really reliable daily commuter that gets you out of your car and away from the frustrating traffic jams to travel more economically while increasing your general fitness too.

The Gazelle T10 HMS 630 e-Bike makes a great alternative to using the car for short trips in and around town.

 

Gazelle Chamonix T10 HMS 630 Low-Step RRP £2,969.00

Full Specification:

• Frame: Aluminium frame with 70.5 head tube angle and 71.5 saddle tube angle, concealed cables, integrated battery in the frame for large capacity (630Wh)
• Fork: Aluminium with 40mm of internal headset suspension
• Drive Unit: Shimano STEPS E6100 (60 Nm), Max speed 15.5mph
• Battery: 630Wh Li-ion Internal
• Display: Shimano Steps LCD Centre
• Remote: 3 Levels of Support
• Cassette: Shimano Deore 11/42T 10-Speed
• Derailleur: Shimano Deore 10-Speed
• Shifter: Shimano Deore 10-Speed
• Crankset: Shimano 38T with Chain Guard
• Brakes: Shimano Hydraulic Disc
• Wheels: Mach1 650, Double-walled aluminium
• Tyres: Schwalbe Big Apple
• Stem: Adjustable Position
• Handlebar: Aluminium
• Grips: Ergon GC10
• Seatpost: Post Modern Suspension
• Saddle: BBB Diamond
• Front Light: Trelock Veo 50
• Rear Light: Axa Blueline
• Kickstand: Drop-down Rear Stand
• Lock: Axa Block XXL Ring Lock

 

Written by Johnny Dodgin

Photos by James Vincent

 

Have you seen our Fast Bike Friday feature? Missed some of our best bikes? You can now see all of our featured bikes in one place over on Pinterest where you’ll find links to each of our Fast Bike Friday Blogs too!

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Full Time Sales Assistants – Wheelbase Lake District

Location: Staveley, Kendal LA8 9LR

We are currently looking for outstanding applicants to be Full Time Sales Assistants at our WHEELBASE Lake District store.

We are looking for people who enjoy working in a busy retail environment and delivering outstanding service to our all customers. We sell the latest products from the leading brands across all cycling disciplines – mountain, road, electric, leisure, kids and adventure.

You will be a positive member of the team, sales focused and offer a best-in-class customer experience through great dynamics, a premium product range, accurate sales recording, time management and merchandising.

The role is fast paced, varied and testing.

YOU WILL BE REQUIRED TO:

• Achieve a best-in-class customer experience and ensure the team delivers exceptional customer service.
• Have a passion for cycling and develop your product knowledge across mountain, road, electric, leisure, kids and adventure bikes, clothing and accessories.
• Engage with customers, from meeting and greeting to asking questions, listening, and understanding their needs.
• Correctly process your sales and keep the customer up to date with progress.
• Be a team player – support the Store Manager and the rest of your store team.
• Create a positive working environment and deliver the WHEELBASE brand values and culture of openness, inclusivity and community.
• The store must be merchandised daily following guidance and always presented to a high standard.

SKILLS AND INTERESTS:

• Passionate about cycling.
• Willingness to develop inter-personal skills and product knowledge.
• Ability to be a team player and motivated to deliver the best customer service.
• Have great commercial sense and be sales orientated.
• An excellent communicator and relationship builder.
• Ability to work under pressure in a busy retail environment.
• Meet challenges with a positive attitude.
• General IT skills.

HOURS: 40 hours per week.

SALARY: We offer a very competitive salary, based on ability and experience

HOLIDAY: 28 days paid holidays, including bank holidays (pro rata on days worked)

ADDITIONAL BENEFITS:

• Generous staff discount scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Professional working environment
• Casual but smart dress code
• Staff social opportunities

TO APPLY: if you would like to apply to join the WHEELBASE Lake District team in Staveley, please email a covering letter explaining the role you would like to apply for plus your experience and why you would be an ideal candidate to join the team, plus please attach an up-to-date CV.

CLOSING DATE: Sunday 19 June 2022

PLEASE NOTE: Due to high volumes of applications if you do not hear back from us with a request for an interview, please assume your application has been unsuccessful.

 

Full Time Customer Service Assistant – Online Sales – Wheelbase Lake District

Location: Staveley, Kendal LA8 9LR

We are currently looking for outstanding applicants to be Full Time Customer Service Assistants for online sales, based at our WHEELBASE Lake District store.

We are looking for people who enjoy working in a busy environment and delivering outstanding service to our all customers. We sell the latest products from the leading brands across all cycling disciplines – mountain, road, electric, leisure, kids and adventure.

You will be a positive member of the team, sales focused and offer a best-in-class customer experience through great dynamics, a premium product range and accurate sale processing.

The role is fast paced, varied and testing.

YOU WILL BE REQUIRED TO:

1. Answering customer questions on our range of products from the worlds best brands and our mail order service.
2. Selling bikes via telephone, email, Live chat and social channels – we aim to end each day with an empty inbox.
3. Liaising with our ‘Pack For Shipping’ (PFS) team of mechanics and our order processing team.
4. Liaising with our five shop teams and setting up in store collections.
5. Processing cycle to work applications.
6. Aftersales customer care, excluding warranty and technical support.

You will be part of a dynamic and friendly team of like minded people in our mail order department

SKILLS AND INTERESTS:

• Passionate about cycling.
• Willingness to develop inter-personal skills and product knowledge.
• Ability to be a team player and motivated to deliver the best customer service.
• Have great commercial sense and be sales orientated.
• An excellent communicator and relationship builder.
• Ability to work under pressure in a busy retail environment.
• Meet challenges with a positive attitude.
• General IT skills.

HOURS: 40 hours per week.

SALARY: We offer a very competitive salary, based on ability and experience

HOLIDAY: 28 days paid holidays, including bank holidays (pro rata on days worked)

ADDITIONAL BENEFITS:

• Generous staff discount scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Professional working environment
• Casual but smart dress code
• Staff social opportunities

TO APPLY: if you would like to apply to join the WHEELBASE Lake District team in Staveley, please email a covering letter explaining the role you would like to apply for plus your experience and why you would be an ideal candidate to join the team, plus please attach an up-to-date CV.

CLOSING DATE: Sunday 19 June 2022

PLEASE NOTE: Due to high volumes of applications if you do not hear back from us with a request for an interview, please assume your application has been unsuccessful.

 

Part Time Sales Assistant – Wheelbase Stockton-on-Tees TS18 2QQ

We are currently looking for outstanding applicants to be Full Time and Part Time Sales Assistants at our brand-new retail store – WHEELBASE Stockton-on-Tees.

We are looking for people who enjoy working in a busy retail environment and delivering outstanding service to our all customers. We sell the latest products from the leading brands across all cycling disciplines – mountain, road, electric, leisure, kids and adventure.

You will be a positive member of the team, sales focused and offer a best-in-class customer experience through great dynamics, a premium product range, accurate sales recording, time management and merchandising.

The role is fast paced, varied and testing.

YOU WILL BE REQUIRED TO:

• Achieve a best-in-class customer experience and ensure the team delivers exceptional customer service.
• Have a passion for cycling and develop your product knowledge across mountain, road, electric, leisure, kids and adventure bikes, clothing and accessories.
• Engage with customers, from meeting and greeting to asking questions, listening, and understanding their needs.
• Correctly process your sales and keep the customer up to date with progress.
• Be a team player – support the Store Manager and the rest of your store team.
• Create a positive working environment and deliver the WHEELBASE brand values and culture of openness, inclusivity and community.
• The store must be merchandised daily following guidance from HQ and always presented to a high standard.

SKILLS AND INTERESTS:

• Passionate about cycling.
• Willingness to develop inter-personal skills and product knowledge.
• Ability to be a team player and motivated to deliver the best customer service.
• Have great commercial sense and be sales orientated.
• An excellent communicator and relationship builder.
• Ability to work under pressure in a busy retail environment.
• Meet challenges with a positive attitude.
• General IT skills.

HOURS: Part time 16 hours per week

SALARY: We offer a very competitive salary, based on ability and experience

HOLIDAY: 28 days paid holidays, including bank holidays (pro rata on days worked)

ADDITIONAL BENEFITS:

• Generous staff discount scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Professional working environment
• Casual but smart dress code
• Staff social opportunities

TO APPLY: if you would like to apply to join the WHEELBASE Teesside team, please email a covering letter explaining the role you would like to apply for plus your experience and why you would be an ideal candidate to join the team, plus please attach an up-to-date CV.

CLOSING DATE: Sunday 19 June 2022

PLEASE NOTE: Due to high volumes of applications if you do not hear back from us with a request for an interview, please assume your application has been unsuccessful.