How To Set Your Bike Up For The Gnarliest Downhill Race! | Megavalanche Bike Check

When he got offered a chance to race the Megavalanche this year, Blake decided to bring a friend with him. That friend is none other than ‪@gcn‬'s Hank! Hank needed a bike capable of taking on the brutal slopes of Alpe d'Huez - here, Blake gives us a run-down of what he selected for Hank to give him the best chance of making it down in one piece!
Frame: Nukeproof Mega Comp Alloy 297 2023, Medium
Fork: Rockshox Zeb Select Plus, 170mm Travel - 3 Volume Spacers
Shock: Rockshox Super Deluxe Select Plus, 165mm Travel - 1 Extra Band
Wheelset: Nukeproof Horizon - 29" Front, 27.5" Rear
Rear Tyre: Vittoria Mazza 27.5 x 2.6", Enduro Casing
Front Tyre: Vittoria Mazza 29 x 2.6", Enduro Casing
Inserts: Vittoria Airliner
Tubeless Sealant & Valves: Peaty's
Brakes: Magura MT5 e-Stop
Rotors: Magura MDR-C, 203mm
Handlebar: Nukeproof Horizon - 760mm Width
Headset: Nukeproof
Stem: Nukeproof Neutron - 50mm Length - 31.8mm Bar Clamp
Grips: Ergon GD-1
Seat Post: Brand-X Ascend II Dropper, 150mm
Saddle: Ergon SM-Men Team, Carbon Rails
Shifters: SRAM GX 12-Speed
Rear Mech: Sram GX 12-Speed
Chainset: Truvativ Descendant, 170mm, 32t Chainring
Chain: SRAM GX
Cassette: SRAM - 12-52T
Pedals: CrankBrothers Mallet
Helmet: Smith Mainline
Goggles: Smith Rhythm MTB, Chromapop Lens
Knee Pads: Bluegrass Solid Knee
Elbow Pads: Bluegrass Skinny Elbow
Back Protector: Bluegrass Seamless Lite Back Protector
Shoes: Shimano AM9
Trousers: GMBN
Jersey: GMBN
Hydration Pack: Camelbak M.U.L.E. Pro, 3l
Multitool: Topeak PT30 Mini
CO2: Topeak AirBooster
Pump: Topeak Roadie TT Mini Pump
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What do you think of Hank's new steed? Do you think your bike would be ready to take on the Megavalanche? Let us know in the comments ⬇️
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[@andrewjones8456]

Man....I over jumped that same table on rock and road 🤣 too easily done especially with the cameras there to egg you on. Looking forward to seeing the vid tomorrow.

[@tonyhruzek4250]

If I remember correctly, Blake actually broke his saddle last time, Carbon saddle, big gamble!

[@andor_yoko]

I'm very interested in the full video of the megavalanche!

[@Pete_B95]

Love it when Blake talks technical 👍

[@Ghostina1]

does rails on the saddle gonna break!!!

[@Kim_Miller]

For those who didn't get the 420 newton metres torque setting with the valve stems. The valves are from Peatys and are their Rasta set, because they are red yellow and green. The 420 refers to April 20th, the day to commemorate marijuana. It came from a group of school kids who'd meet after school at 4:20 to smoke weed. The fact that Blake is setting up Hank's bike might have some meaning here. 🙂

[@McSchwabl]

Nice 420 reference, I guess thy had some during this bromance 😬

[@bitumen83]

That bike is great, but the thing that I like the most is HeadTube of that bike. Is it short and wide with radioactive logo, ot looks really cool 🤙

[@Trian30]

Where is the link to the actual Megavalanche video….? It’s not in the description

[@darrenwall5439]

Nice 420 torc setting 💚

[@sijmes]

was that a joke ...?

[@josh69127]

Hi , Are tyre inserts a good idea for the mega ? Rear only ? Both ? . Any advice most welcome 😊

[@ilanpi]

You forgot to pack sandwiches.

[@juffkasvennsson4609]

Funny first you ascocate carbon and how good and durable and this and that, and now its aluminum again

[@Pies.]

But if this is designed for this race... why upgrade it?

[@bicyclingbum1551]

I don't get all this setting changing .. other then maybe some tyre studs for snow/ice isn't MTBing all pretty much the same ? I guess you wouldn't want as plush settings as when your jumping

[@RicardoPetrazzi]

Publishing this a week after the event is a bit daft. Should have been the week _before_