Bikes Of The Rampage Stars

Photo by Christian Pondella/Red Bull Content Pool

Although Red Bull Rampage veteran and 2010 winner Cam Zink crashed in both his 2019 finals runs, he is a master of bike setup and rides a mixed-wheel bike with a 27.5″ front and 26″ rear wheel at the big mountain event. Zink’s tire sponsor, Michelin, even created a new 26″ downhill tire mold specifically for his 2019 Rampage ride.

The Red Bull Rampage is the ultimate test of skill and concentration. Since the inaugural event in 2001, the contest has evolved to become freeriding’s most coveted title. With no set course, the world’s best mountain bikers are tasked to create and ride their own unique line down the mountain.

To help conquer the rugged terrain, athletes choose downhill and freeride bikes with the most suspension travel possible. Upon inspection of the pros’ bikes at the recent event, we noticed the wheel-size debate is still alive and well among the pros of freeride.

Among the 21 riders at Rampage 2019, no one was on a bike with 29-inch wheels. There were several all-26-inch-wheel bikes, some 27.5-inch bikes, as well as a few mixed-wheel 27.5/26 bikes in the field. Most notably, Brandon Semenuk and Tom van Steenbergen took first and third, respectively, on 26-inch wheels. Take a look at a few of the bikes used at this year’s premier big mountain event.

BRANDON SEMENUK

Frame: Trek Session

Fork: RockShox Boxxer Ultimate

Shock: RockShox Super Deluxe

Wheel size: 26-inch front & rear

Drivetrain: SRAM X0, 7-speed

Age: 28

Hometown: Squamish, B.C.—Canada

Years competing in Rampage: 10 (2008, 2010, 2012-2019); 3 wins (2008, 2016, 2019)

2019 Finish: 1st place

 

CAM ZINK

Frame: YT Tues

Fork: Fox 40 Factory

Shock: Fox Float X2

Wheel size: 27.5-inch front & 26-inch rear

Drivetrain: Shimano Saint, 10-speed

Age: 33

Hometown: Reno, Nevada

Years competing in Rampage: 11 (2004, 2008, 2010, 2012-2019); 1 win (2010)

2019 Finish: 20th place

EMIL JOHANSSON

Frame: Trek Session

Fork: RockShox Boxxer Ultimate

Shock: RockShox Vivid R2C

Wheel size: 27.5″ front & rear

Drivetrain: SRAM X0, 7-speed Age: 20

Hometown: Trollhättan, Sweden

Years competing in Rampage: 1 (2019)

2019 Finish: 12th place

 

KYLE STRAIT

Frame: Commencal Furious

Fork: RockShox Boxxer Ultimate

Shock: RockShox Super Deluxe

Wheel size: 27.5-inch front & rear

Drivetrain: SRAM X0, 7-speed Age: 32

Hometown: Alpine, California

Years competing in Rampage: 14 (2001-2004, 2008, 2010, 2012-2019); 2 wins (2004, 2013)

2019 Finish: 9th place

REED BOGGS

Frame: Trek Session

Fork: Marzocchi Bomber 58

Shock: Marzocchi Bomber CR

Wheel size: 27.5-inch front & rear

Drivetrain: Race Face SixC crank, SB One DH-Drive chain tensioner, Shimano chain Age: 22

Hometown: Bend, Oregon

Years competing in Rampage: 2 (2018, 2019)

2019 Finish: 11th place

 

REECE WALLACE

Frame: Giant Glory

Fork: DVO Onyx DC D1

Shock: DVO Jade Coil

Wheel size: 27.5-inch front & rear

Drivetrain: SRAM X0, 7-speed

Age: 29

Hometown: North Vancouver, B.C.—Canada

Years competing in Rampage: 2 (2015, 2019)

2019 Finish: 15th place

 

TOM van STEENBERGEN

Frame: Hyper DH

Fork: Marzocchi Bomber 58

Shock: Fox Float X2

Wheel size: 26-inch front & rear

Drivetrain: Shimano Saint, 10-speed Age: 23

Hometown: Kelowna, B.C.—Canada

Years competing in Rampage: 5 (2014, 2016-2019)

2019 Finish: 3rd place

 

 

TYLER McCAUL

Frame: GT Fury

Fork: Marzocchi Bomber 58

Shock: Fox Float X2

Wheel size: 27.5-inch front/26-inch rear

Drivetrain: Shimano Saint, 10-speed

Age: 30

Hometown: Virgin, Utah

Years competing in Rampage: 8 (2010, 2012, 2013, 2015-2019)

2019 Finish: 5th place

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THERE ARE SO MANY WAYS TO GET MOUNTAIN BIKE ACTION