Morewood USA

Tracey Hannah wins 2012 Australian National Championships

2012-02-26T07:09:00.000-08:00

Congrats to Tracey Hannah who took the Australian National Championships! She won by more than 8sec in front of the best Australian riders aboard her Morewood Izimu. Seriously...can you name another handmade adjustable geo DH bike with a Cane Creek Double Barrel for around $2,100? That's right...on usa.morewoodbikes.com we spec this bad boy with a Cane Creek shock. Yes, we ship internationally...but contact your Morewood distro.

That's beside the point. Tracey has killed it every round in the series! Here in a few weeks Tracey will switch from her Izimu to a Makulu and attack the World Cup Circuit. Congrats and good luck! Go Tracey go!

Tracey Hannah - 2:15:07

Jill Kintner - 2:23:59

Shelly Flood - 2:31:77

Alyssa Lyons - 2:36:01

Lisa Mathison - 2:42:80

Makulu Builds...

2012-02-24T16:44:00.000-08:00

How will you build your Makulu?

Jared Hobbs

Ryan Sholes

Ben Weaver's "The Darkness"

Scott Punt's "Jiggly Puff"

Ben McClelland

Ned Kajko's "Man Camp"

Lance Tueller

Tracy Hannah Practicing at the Nationals

2012-02-23T16:22:00.000-08:00

The Izimu is on it's way to yet ANOTHER National title.

You want a Tracey Hannah Replica Pink Izimu? Yeah, we can do that. Hit "CUS" for color in the cart.

Reaper Madness Makulu Cam

2012-02-22T14:02:00.001-08:00

Ride along with Ben McClelland at Downhill Mike's Reaper Madness. Ben placed 10th in Pro Mens DH and 6th in the Open Unchained DH. See how awesome you will be on a Makulu? Take a closer look here.

Reaper Madness DH from Ben McClelland on Vimeo.

Podiums, Loss of Shorts...iXS Morewood Factory Report

2012-02-21T13:43:00.000-08:00

The iXS Morewood Factory Team attacked two races in two countries over the weekend. Mikey Haderer hopped onto a Morewood Izimu and headed South for the Valpariso Cerro Abajo Urban DH race in Chile while the Harmonys headed to Boulder City, Nevada to compete in the Reaper Madness Super D and DH.

Valpariso Cerro Abajo
In Chile Mikey made go with a bike that had been assembled hours before departure. Mikey is known for his red, white, and blue bikes. When the red, white, and blue frame arrived the red Deity bar, stem, and grips were icing on the cake! The bike was lacking the teams standard rear shock, the ultimate in adjustment, the Cane Creek Double Barrel. Unfortunately, the bike was a bit under sprung for giant leaps to flat.

Mikey Haderer:

I survived but not exactly any sort of result...had a near death in qualifying that actually pulled my pants all the way off and then same spot in finals and a massive bottom out bounce that sent me into the guard fence.

After qualifying Mikey gave an interview to the live feed of 88,000+ viewers who got to watch Mikey butcher the Spanish language. This was a bit of a dry run for Mikey on the Izimu but he is confident about the future. Soon Mikey will be aboard the Morewood Makulu, for you fans out there we will also get Mikey tighter shorts. Stay tuned!

Valparaíso Cerro Abajo 2012 from VCA on Vimeo.

Reaper Madness
Meanwhile in Bootleg Canyon, Jackie and Dante Harmony were about to hit the DH race at Downhill Mike's Reaper Madness! Shipping and other issues delayed the arrival of the Harmony's team bikes. Some sponsors like Marzocchi and MRP carried over from last seasons bikes. The Harmony's ran their newly acquired VP-69 Pedals and iXS Slope EVO guards. Like Mikey, the Harmony's will be decked out ready to go on the next outing.

Dante had gathered up a 6th in the Pro Super D on Saturday while Jackie has suffered some issues on a borrowed bike. Fellow iXS rider Josh Bender lent Jackie his 29er for the Super D. Out of the gate things appeared to be going fine when Jackie heard an awful sound from the derailleur. Looking down she saw that the chain had just ate the rear derailleur. To no avail she wrestled the chain to make the bike coastable. This was not her race. On the other hand she eventually crossed the finish line and earned enough money to buy Bender a new Rear Derailleur! Doh!

In the DH Jackie went to business as usual and took both the Womens Pro DH and the Womens Unchained DH. Dante pulled a 12th in the Unchained DH out of 52 entered riders.

Photo by Leslie Pitts

Pro Racer Ben McClelland took 10th in the Pro DH. You may remember Ben from his Fontana race where he broke his chain. Read that post HERE. Ben put his chainless DH skills to the test in Boulder City in the Open Chainless race where he ended up in 6th place. Awesome work Ben...can't wait to get you in full iXS gear! Ben is also adding the smoothness of a Cane Creek Double Barrel to his already sick Morewood Makulu.

Photo by Kris Burke

DH New Zealand Cup Wellington - United Ride Trip

2012-02-20T16:12:00.000-08:00

Here is a summary of the 5th National NZ cup in Wellington from the inside of the Hutchinson United Ride. The team hit the road for 1 week to get prepared for the 2012 season. It was a good race weekend for us with Fabien's victory and Guillaume's 4th place (U19). Yet another win for the legendary Morewood Makulu.

Enjoy this little video which shows you how Kiwis drive a scooter!

Results:
Elite
1 - Fabien Cousinie / 2:08.14
2 - Brook Mc Donald / 2:08.49
3 - Markus Pekoll / 2:08.50
4 - Richard Leacock / 2:10.34
5 - Bryn Dickerson / 2:10.54

U19
1 - Louis Hamilton / 2:15.08
2 - Reece Potter / 2:16.36
3 - Kurt Summerfield / 2:17.42
4 - Guillaume Cauvin / 2:17.54
5 - Lawrence Cawte / 2:20.05

DH New Zealand Cup Wellington - United Ride Trip on pinkbike.com

Makulu has left the building...

2012-02-10T17:38:00.000-08:00

2012 model frames are shipping now...

The first Makulus, Kalulas and Izimus are now available from stock.

Second delivery is expected in early March, but they are already back ordered.

Get your name on one now, call direct or go to your LBS and have them call us to set up an account, Lance is waiting by the phone to answer all your questions, including "can I really get a Tracey Hannah replica?"

Tracey Pic on VitalMTB

2012-02-10T15:53:00.000-08:00

This article on VitalMTB features Tracey rocking her Pink Izimu. You know, that Morewood Izimu that she is using to sweep the National series starts at $1516.84 (w/o shock)! Clearly it is going to pull in another National title. 2008 US DH Mens Title...won on an Izimu, and the list goes on. Cool article, check it out!

Personal Progression: Photographing a Race with Only One Lens
Round 3 of the Australian Mountain Bike National Series was on this past weekend and I gave myself a photo challenge. Shoot with nothing more than a 300mm. No zoom, no flashes, no fisheye, nothing that I normally use...(Continued on VitalMTB)

http://www.vitalmtb.com/features/Personal-Progression-Photographing-a-Race-with-Only-One-Lens,289

Team Spy Shot

2012-02-09T18:47:00.000-08:00

Jackie and Mikey are itching to get their hands on the new Makulu team bikes, and rumor has it that the little pixies at Morewood SA have been gathering all the magic dust they could to produce some very special frames for the US Team.

Meanwhile, back at base the design peeps have been playing with decal layout.

More to come

Superbowl Weekend = Two Podiums for Morewood!

2012-02-06T07:34:00.000-08:00

In the Superbowl this weekend...oh wait, who cares? Morewood picked up a couple of podiums thanks to Tracey Hannah and Richard Santana Ramos!

Tracey got top spot in Pro Women on the third stop of The Australian National Series. Watch an interview video of Tracey HERE on Vimeo. This was Tracey's first race aboard her new adjustable geo Izimu!

(Photos: UnitedRide)

The 2011 Champion of Gran Canaria Richard Santana Ramos pulled a 2nd on the podium at the first stop of the Gran Canaria Cup! Richard was aboard his spectacularly equipped Makulu.

Congrats to Tracey and Richard on their top spots this weekend!

Morewood Bikes at 2012 Sea Otter...

2012-02-04T16:17:00.000-08:00

The iXS Morewood Factory Team will be joined by the Hutchinson UnitedRide Team, iXS Grammo Enduro Team, and a few privateers. That is a LOT of Makulus...Makuli? Of course maybe we will just break out a Sukuma or two.

iXS Morewood Factory
Jacqueline Harmony (Can/USA) - Pro DH - Makulu
Mikey Haderer (USA) - Pro DH - Makulu
Dante Harmony (USA) - Pro DH - Makulu

Hutchinson UnitedRide
Mick Hannah (AUS) - Pro DH - Makulu
Tracey Hannah (AUS) - Pro DH - Izimu
Fabien Cousinie (FRA) - Pro DH - Makulu
Guillaume Cauvin (FRA) - Pro DH - Makulu
Timothy Bentley (RSA) - Pro DH - Makulu

iXS Grammo Enduro
Jared Hobbs (USA) - Pro DH - Makulu
Avery Morin (USA) - Kalula
Wyatt Morin (USA) - Izimu

iXS Morewood
Ben McClelland (USA) - Pro DH - Makulu
Ryan Sholes (USA) - Cat 1 DH - Makulu
Scott Punt (USA) - Cat 1 DH - Makulu
Ned Kajko (USA) - Cat 1 DH - Makulu

Privateer
Kyle Davids (RSA) - Pro DH - Makulu
Danny Mendoza (USA) - Cat 1 DH - Makulu

Wishing we could add...

Melic Bros Racing
Richard Santana Ramos (ESP) - Pro DH - Makulu

Second ride back on the knee by dirtrider410 at Garmin Connect - Details

2012-02-02T23:16:00.000-08:00

Second ride back on the knee by dirtrider410 at Garmin Connect - Details

Morewood continues with United Ride

2012-02-01T15:55:00.000-08:00

Hutchinson United Ride have announced their line up for 2012.

Continuing with Morewood bikes and now with Mick and Tracey Hannah

Check out the full press release HERE

We are stoked to see another top female aboard Morewood and cant wait to see what results Tracey and Jackie can get between them at the North American WC rounds.

Last Piece of the Puzzle...

2012-02-01T14:13:00.000-08:00

For weeks I have been asked about the DH forks for the iXS Factory Morewood Team's Morewood Makulu frames. The team is pleased to announce that they will be running the 2012 Marzocchi 888 RC3 Evo V2 Titanium forks with a special tune. Can you feel the butter?

Jackie won the Pan American Champs aboard this for last year and cleaned up several podiums at Colorado Crankworx as well. This year Mikey Haderer will put the 888 to the test in February at the Urban DH race in Chile. Stay tuned for more details and be sure to "like" the iXS Morewood Factory Team on Facebook!

More Pink Izimu World Cup Photos...

2012-01-27T10:20:00.000-08:00

Ok, sure the rumors have been flying about the WC rider that gets this bike; but, this Izimu has got me thinking. Maybe we should build Jackie a 34lb. race bike. VP, Deity, MRP, Cane Creek DB Air, Formula, Marzocchi...

Chains are for wimps...

2012-01-23T16:00:00.000-08:00

Ben McClelland decided to eject his chain at the Fontana race last weekend. Ben, you're fast but please keep your chain on!

Skizo 3rd at Manchester Open Supercross!

2012-01-16T12:35:00.000-08:00

Elite Men results:
1 Jelle van Gorkom
2 Liam Phillips
3 Sifiso Nhlapo

Elite Women results:
1 Merle van Benthem
2 Laura Smulders
3 Maartje Hereijgers

EPIC...

2012-01-15T11:32:00.000-08:00

Can't wait to see this combination together. Morewood Raw and Deity Red...

Morewood iXS Enduro Team

2012-01-06T08:21:00.000-08:00

Two teams? Yup!

The iXS Grammo Enduro Team will be contesting the Oregon Enduro series and a slew of other Enduro events alongside the iXS Morewood Factory team.

Jared Hobbs

Avery Morin

Wyatt Morin

They will be slaying the competition on the Morewood Sukuma! Expect a similar build to the Factory Team bikes. Come out to the races and check out the Morewood Bikes and iXS gear...see you there!

The cat is out of the bag...

2012-01-02T21:32:00.000-08:00

Pick your favorite MTB site and click "like" or comment:

PinkBike: http://www.pinkbike.com/news/iXS-Morewood-Factory-Team-Roster-2012.html

Vital: http://www.vitalmtb.com/news/press-release/Press-Release-2012-iXS-Morewood-Factory-Team-Announced,435

Decline: http://www.declinemagazine.com/content.php?itemid=6562#.TwI80fydfcE.facebook

RideMonkey: http://www.ridemonkey.com/forums/f140/2012-ixs-morewood-factory-roster-announced-247698/

SingleTracks: http://forums.singletracks.com/viewtopic.php?f=94&t=7252

Hutchinson UnitedRide Team Rumors...

2011-12-23T06:31:00.000-08:00

You: Who's that Pink Izimu frame for?

(Fabien sneaks into room)

Me: Oh, oh, pick me, pick me, I know! It's for...

(Fabien, drops the cloth dosed in ether and walks out of the room)

Merry Christmas from the iXS Morewood Factory Team and the usa.morewoodbikes.com elves!

A Morewood Christmas Wish

2011-12-22T08:52:00.000-08:00

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house  
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,  
In hopes that the Sukuma soon would be there...

Well, March 20th...you only have to wait until March for the NEW Sukuma. 150mm of All Mountain Dave Weagle Split Pivot Morewood love! So how will you build yours? Mine? Well, you will see parts from Deity, MRP, White Bros., VP, Enve, Formula, etc. Want one for yourself? Order one now at your local Morewood dealer or click the link above!

Oh Lord it's hard to be humble...

2011-12-19T10:14:00.000-08:00

Dirt 100, 3 years in a row for the legendary Makulu...

2012

2011

2010

This year's addition? The Kalula makes the cut too!

2012 Kwela 29er Video Review with Bunny Hop Bikes

2011-12-17T08:25:00.000-08:00

Watch Ben rip up the East Coast trails and than give you the technical specs of the all new 2012 Morewood Kwela 29! There is another Kwela 29 in black just waiting for you at Bunny Hop Bikes in Lancaster, PA.

Let's make a Makulu...

2011-12-15T10:24:00.000-08:00

Some photos from the factory over the past few days.

(Source: morewoodbikes.com)

VP Under Foot and in Control

2011-12-13T13:51:00.000-08:00

VP Components will be helping the Team keep things in control with headsets and pedals. The 69's are made to fit Jackie and Dante's 5.10s perfectly. The Vices will be brought in for more traction. Add the forged Ti axle and take off even more weight from the already low 378g to a scant 308g. The headset comes 9 colors and weighs 89g! You can check out the whole VP Components line in the Team pit!

VP-69

VP-Vice

VP-A69AC Headset

Okay riders set 'em up, riders ready, watch the Morewood BMX?

2011-12-09T07:50:00.001-08:00

In the last Olympics we cheered on Sifiso Nhlapo on his custom Morewood BMX (Skizo's Test 1). Well, what if you had a chance to buy a 2012 Morewood BMX frame?

These were taken at the Morewood factory in South Africa with the comment, "For everyone :) available in early 2012". Morewood...Got snap?

Who's down with MRP? Yeah, you know me!

2011-12-06T13:30:00.001-08:00

The iXS Morewood Factory Team will be rocking the finest guides - MRP.

Hmm...blue/black/white matches the jersey but the orange and blue match the iXS knee guards. We are stoked that we don't have to worry about our chains in 2012. We will be offering complete bikes featuring MRP guides at the factory outlet soon!

Video: Interview Morewood's DK

2011-11-28T15:27:00.001-08:00

Check out the interview of DK, the Morewood factory powder coater, on sicklines.com!

http://www.sicklines.com/2011/11/28/video-morewood-south-african-proud/

Snow Bike? Got Wood?

2011-11-26T16:03:00.001-08:00

Black Friday shopping for a snow bike and what pops up on the screen? I am not sure what it says above the bike or why the sickle and hammer are on there...but there it is. The Snowood?

iXS Protection for the Team

2011-11-23T12:35:00.001-08:00

What is going under those sick iXS kits? iXS protection from iXS USA of course!

Knee/shin, knee, elbow, shorts, and back; iXS has the team covered with however much protection they required. You can almost see Mikey running down A Line in nothing but bright green protection, a helmet, and...dang, did it again.

To see the gear up close visit the iXS USA Factory Outlet or tell your local dealer to get iXS in their own store.

Morewood Izimu Video by Bunny Hop Bikes

2011-11-22T11:56:00.001-08:00

Ben over at Bunny Hop Bikes did this fantastic video describing the 2011 Morewood Izimu frame. Sure we have some 2011's left but this is a great video for the 2012's too. Thanks Ben! Look for Ben to review the 2012 Kwela 29 soon.

iXS Team Kits...oh so sexy!

2011-11-18T10:11:00.001-08:00

Naturally we are adding our sponsors logos all over these.

Hmmm...maybe we should make refrigerator magnets of the team kit so you can build your favorite rider like Jackie...er, wait did I just leak the first name?

2011 Morewood Makulu Season Review

2011-11-12T10:34:00.000-08:00

This is my review of the 2011 season spent on my Morewood Makulu.

Frame: 2011 Morewood Makulu, Med, Red
Fork: 2011 Marzocchi 888 EVO TI
Shock: Cane Creek Double Barrel, w/ TI Spring
Bars: Spank Spike 777 EVO, Red
Stem: Marzocchi 50mm, Black
Grips: ODI TLD, Red
Brakes: Formula The One FR, 203mm Rotors
Headset: Cane Creek 110, Red
Seatpost: Woodman LS, Gold
Seatclamp: Woodman TI Bolts, Gold
Saddle: SDG Falcon, TI Rails, Red/Black
Cranks: MRP Camber 170mm, Black
Pedals: Crank Bro's Mallet 3....Spank Spike Flats, Red
Chainguide: MRP G2 SL, Black
Chainring: MRP 37T
Chainring Bolts: Vuelta Bolt Set, Red
Chain: SRAM 10spd
Shifter: SRAM XO, Redbush Red
Derailleur: SRAM X9 10spd, Red
Cable Set: Aztec, Black
Cassette: PG-1080, 11-26, Red
Hubs: Hope PRO-2, Polished, 32h
Spokes: DT Swiss Champion, Black
Nipples: DT Swiss, Gold
Rims: Spank Subrosa, 32h, Black
Tires: Maxxis Minion DHF 2.5, Maxxis High Roller II 2.4

My first ride on the Makulu was at the Windham WC race in Windham, New York. I was given the chance to ride and race Fabien Cousinie from team Morewood Unitedride's factory Fox equipped Makulu.

This was a custom sized frame with a degree slacker head angle than stock. I can say I was more than blown away with everything on the bike. This particular bike was a bit big but was still really good. The first thing I noticed was how confidence inspiring the bike is. I could immediately put the bike where I wanted and it tracked like a dream.

The rear swingarm is extremely stiff and really translates well to the trail. The rear suspension is very responsive on small hits and take the bigger stuff very well. I have not ridden a linkage driven single pivot that responds that well to terrain and still pedals really well. It is the definition of fast.

The 2.1:1 leverage ratio is fantastic, coming off a Commencal Supreme DH with a much higher ratio the Makulu blows the Supreme away. Pedal feedback is virtually non-existent. It is extremely stable in the air and and really sticks to the ground. I must reiterate the fact that this bike just simply makes you go faster. I am now riding sections of tracks faster than I should but I'm still comfortable enough to go faster. I can push this bike and keep pushing. The more time I spend on it the faster it gets.

I am very happy with this bike and I love every minute I spend on it.

Thanks for reading!!

Top Viewed Frames on VitalMTB

2011-11-10T10:30:00.001-08:00

Once again Morewood has the most viewed frames in the VitalMTB Product Guide.

Product Guide

1. Morewood Bicycles Jabula Frame
2. Morewood Bicycles Sukuma Frame
3. 2011 Cove Gspot Bike
4. Morewood Bicycles Makulu Frame
5. Giro Remedy Full Face Helmet

Check out the rest of the frames here: MOREWOOD ON VITALMTB

Morewood Kalula Review

2011-11-07T15:07:00.000-08:00

The great people over at Unrealcycles have been nice enough to recently let me demo the Morewood Kalula. Before this bike I didn't know much about Morewood but I did some research and found out both through the internet searching and first hand that they make some pretty rad bikes!

The Kalula is Morewood's 7 inch "lite" downhill bike. I don't think you can categorize this bike nor should you try. I've been riding it for almost two weeks now and every time I throw my leg over it I am smiling from the first pedal stroke to the last corner I hit.

This bike is the little sibling to the Makulu, Morewoods 8 inch full on downhill race sled. It is set up extremely nice with a Fox 36 Vanilla 180 front fork and a Cane Creek Double Barrel in the rear. I'm guessing on the weight but I feel as if it can't be far off from the 34lb area. It feels lite enough when its a flat pedal but heavy enough on the decent that I don't have to worry about it bouncing all over the trails.

Since riding this bike I have seen my confidence level rise. The angles on the bike are so forgiving and with the suspension set up the way it is I am able to attack a few of the rock gardens that I use to have to be a little tentative with before. I am not saying the bike is a plow, I feel like it likes to be finessed through rough sections but it just soaks everything up. Also the faster and harder you ride this bike the better it seems to react. And with the single crown it handles technical tight trails awesome.

Coming out of corners the bike feels energetic, the pedal efficiency is great from a bike in its class. It really does so many things well. After a few rides I was itching to get up on our jump line and hit some of the sections that have alluded me so far this season. After one rip through I was sold. The bike felt so natural in the air and I felt like I could really manipulate it if I needed to. I was able to hit and clear three pretty big jumps that before this bike I had only ridden around.

It amazed me what this bike could really soak up. We have one trail that has a 7-8 foot rock drop to relatively flat. Again before this bike I never felt confident enough to launch. Well a few days ago I figured I had the equipment mine as well give it a shot. Man I was impressed 8 foot to almost flat and felt great, super smooth. All in all I am stoked with the bike, I've actually been pricing them out. I feel for the riding that I like to do this bike is perfect. I'm not sure I would need all that an 8 inch bike has to offer, and I'm almost positive I wouldn't even ride this bike to its potential. But what ever level I am riding it to it sure is fun !!!

Team Bikes for 2012

2011-11-03T15:08:00.001-07:00

Being that we are "The Bikes that DH Built" you can expect us to hit the DH circuit. In addition we are going to support riders at Enduro and Super D events too.

So since the team will need a soild frame for competition you can expect to see the riders to be rocking the Makulu. Makulu means Big Momma...and just look at that girl. Low leverage, 8", South African made with a couple of National Championships in 2011 and a 5th at the World Championships. Good stuff!

For Enduro and Super D expect to see the team rocking the Sukuma. The Sukuma will be the first Morewood bike that features the Dave Weagle Split Pivot suspension design.

Sukuma in Zulu means, "Arise". We will. More sponsors to be announced soon. Oh and the team members too...stay tuned!

They're Coming!

2011-10-31T09:58:00.001-07:00

No, not Zombies! (We all know that will happen on October 14, 2012...at 11:20PM...GMT -8.) A new US based Morewood factory team is being assembled to assault DH and Enduro events around the World. Who is on the team, how are their bikes equipped, how do you protect yourself from a Zombie invasion? All your questions will be answered soon.

Happy Halloween from Morewood!

Click for Aaron Laroque's short, "Strahan of the Dead"

Morewood returns to US

2011-10-28T14:58:00.000-07:00

Not that we ever left really, but yes we are back.

Morewood, for the uninitiated, have been designing and

manufacturing the highest quality mountain bike frames for the last 10 years.

Over the years ideas and manufacturing techniques may have evolved, graphics and even corporate identity has changed. But one thing remains constant and that is our belief that simple is better.

The fundamental point to our frame design is single pivot suspension systems and that runs in our blood.

The current model range is leant heavily towards gravity, and dont expect that to change too much as we go forward, there will be some new models this year that will raise a few eyebrows, buts lets wait for more news on that later.

For now the main news is simple.

Morewood is now fully behind a new distribution in the US with all models available for immediate delivery. The new distribution is based in Southern Oregon and will be able to support new sales plus warranty and service for existing Morewood customers.

A demo fleet is being prepared so for those of you looking to buy a new race or play bike for next year, consider Morewood, and contact us for information on our ability to get you on a Morewood demo bike before you make that all importent decision.

There will be more, lots more, but for now pass the word.

Morewood is back.