We may have a lot of coverage from the Western United States here at the Radavist, but North Carolina is my home state and I personally grew up mountain biking in the Pisgah. It was a lot different back then and all the improvements I’ve seen over the years keep pulling at my heartstrings to return and ride there, especially with projects like this!
Keep reading for information on the fourth consecutive year of the Pisgah Project raffle…
For the fourth consecutive year, Cane Creek Cycling Components has brought together a group of cycling component manufacturers to build a very special bike with a noble purpose. The bike will be raffled with all proceeds directly benefiting the Pisgah Conservancy and its mission to support the well-being and conservation of the Ranger District of the Pisgah National Forest.
This year’s Pisgah Bike is made possible by donations from Cane Creek Cycling Components, Industry Nine, REEB Cycles, Thomson Bike Products, Maxxis Tires, Factor Components and Hayes Brakes.
The 2020 Pisgah Project raffle will run from October 27nd, through November 30th, 2020. Riders will receive one entry into the raffle for every $20 they donate to the Conservancy. The drawing will be held and a winner will be chosen at random on December 1st, 2020 at 6:00pm EST on Cane Creek Cycling Components Facebook live from The Riveter Bike Park in Mills River, North Carolina.
To donate and enter the raffle, visit www.ThePisgahProject.com
“By supporting The Pisgah Conservancy, we invest in clean streams, maintained trails and a thriving environment for future generations to enjoy,” said Andrew Slowey, rider engagement coordinator at Cane Creek. “The unique aspect of the conservancy is that it unifies the community. Mountain bikers, hikers, equestrians, backpackers, fishermen and the rest of the user groups all have a voice. This year’s Pisgah Project bike is built from premium products sourced from local manufacturers and partnering companies who truly care about the well-being and prosperity of the Pisgah National Forest.”
THE BIKE
This year’s Pisgah Project bike has a retail value of more than $9,000 and features the following components:
REEB Cycles
The Frame:
The SQWEEB is an Aluminum, 29′′ wheel, full-suspension bike built in the USA. Utilizing a modular shock mount, the frame can be configured as 130mm travel or 150mm travel without changing rear end geometry. The SQWEEB is truly tunable to handle long days in the saddle, exploring above tree line, sending it at the bike park, or racing against the clock. The bike’s progressive geometry and playful feel will be sure to keep you sending it wherever the trail takes you.
The 2020 SQWEEB is redefined with an updated aluminum tubeset, lighter pivot hardware and oversized tapered head tube increasing stiffness, strength and aesthetics. The modernized geometry increases standover (and seat post insertion), lengthens the reach, steepens the seat angle and is developed around 140mm to 170mm travel forks to compliment suspension configurations and terrain.
Cane Creek Cycling Components
Designed, Developed and Built right here in Western North Carolina. We make products we believe in – products that we want to ride and are proud to claim as our own.
The Suspension:
This year’s full suspension bike receives the latest innovations from Cane Creek. Including the All-New DB Kitsuma rear shock – A highly adjustable rear shock built for maximum performance in a design that is incredibly intuitive and easy to use. Grounded in the DNA of the original Double Barrel line of shocks, DB Kitsuma improves on its predecessors in almost every way. It caters to all varieties of riding styles, body types, and bicycle frame designs without the need for any internal valving adjustments, changes or compromises.
Up front is the new HELM MKII fork. Helm MKII includes all of the innovative features of the original Helm fork including a tokenless air volume adjustment design, independently adjustable positive and negative air chambers on the air spring and rider-adjustable travel which allows Helm MKII owners to change the travel of their fork at home with just a few common tools!
The Bottom Bracket:
The Hellbender 70 bottom bracket utilizes a bearing made of 440C stainless steel, providing exceptional ride quality and reliability.
The Cranks:
Premium on durability, stiffness and weight. The fully titanium eeWings cranks are designed to keep up with the rigorous demands of the most aggressive trail and enduro mountain bikers.
The Headset:
A no-compromise, best-in-class premium headset. The 110-Series utilizes optimal materials, engineering the most effective internals and designing the best aesthetics available in a headset. Backed by Cane Creek’s 100% lifetime guarantee!
Industry Nine
Every ride, every mile, every jump, barrier, root section, climb, interval, berm, and drop… Industry Nine delivers unyielding performance with style. Manufactured and hand built in Asheville, NC
The Stem:
Industry Nine’s A35 stems are crafted from aluminum billet into a svelte design of equal form and function. Every A-Series stem is machined, anodized and assembled entirely in I9’s Asheville, NC facility and available in a variety of lengths geared for modern trail bike geometry.
The Wheels:
A custom laced set of Industry Nine Enduro 305 wheels with the revolutionary Hydra Series freehub design.
Industry Nine’s most popular wheelset is now re-invented to improve your ride experience. The third generation Enduro 305 is engineered with a shallower rim profile designed to improve radial compliance and traction allowing the rider to minimize trail chatter while holding any line, on any trail. The latest EN305 wheelset is built with a 45% wider bead wall that reduces the chance of pinch flats and impact damage.
Maxxis
The Tires:
Maxxis provide a set of race proven tires for this year’s bike build. The front wheel is set up with the confidence inspiring Assegai 2.5 wide trail tire – World Cup Champion Greg Minnaar’s signature tire. Out back is the new “Drag Minimizing” Dissector tire spec’d in a 2.4 wide trail size with the added protection of Maxxis’s well established Double Down sidewall casing.
Thomson Bike Products
The Handle Bars:
The Thomson Elite 35mm handlebars are butted and tapered in many steps for optimal fatigue life. Unlike most companies, Thomson produced bars by using advanced hydraulic press forming to ensure close tolerances, precise wall thicknesses and a smooth appearance in the bends and tapered sections.
The Seatpost:
The Covert dropper seat post sets the standard for dropper posts -and it’s now available in all black. The cartridge-based system is designed to have the longest service life in the industry. Every part that makes up the Covert dropper is carefully chosen and of the highest grade quality available.
Factory Components
The Pedals: The Factor 601 pedal was designed to meet the demands of the most talented riders. From the oversized alloy shell, EZO bearings, easy maintenance, and low friction coating, these pedals are the perfect companion to rip through trails you love!
Hayes Brakes
The Brakes: The Dominion A4 is a Low-Effort braking system with predictable, progressive ramp up and a crisp bite point. The caliper utilizes four pistons in the most structurally rigid design possible, providing; Precise engagement, a consistent lever ratio regardless of reach, featherlight lever feel and insurance that no matter the terrain or temperature your brake will continue to perform as it did on the first ride.
Community Partners
Oskar Blues Brewery
OB has traditionally been considered a Colorado Company; however, since their East Coast Brewery settled in Brevard, NC they have stake in the conservation of the Pisgah Ranger District as they are next door neighbors. Since establishing in NC they have been heavily involved in the local community by supporting events, funding non-profit initiatives, providing local jobs, and creating a great informal atmosphere for a post ride beer!
The Pisgah Conservancy
The Pisgah Conservancy will support the environmental, social, and financial sustainability of Pisgah’s trails for a variety of recreational uses. This means, among other things, working with federal, state, and local agencies and other interested parties to maintain trail stability, reduce erosion and flow of sediments to waterways, prevent unacceptable trail impacts on wildlife and cultural resources, ensure that trails and trail shelters are not in disrepair and are supported by user groups and volunteers, make sure that they serve a meaningful purpose within a trail complex (or, if not, support their decommissioning), promote user safety (including through improved signage), help open and maintain approved scenic vistas, and contribute sustainable funding for the trails. Where appropriate, we will support improvements to and maintenance of trailhead complexes and Forest Service roads to help improve parking, sanitation, and access to trails.
