Getting on the Hunt with Team CRC-Paypal

The CRC-Paypal team of Sam Hill, Mike Jones, Elliot Heap and Joe Smith log some turns in preparation for the upcoming 2016 race season.

With January and February a wash out in the UK, The Nukeproof Factory backed Chain Reaction Cycles- Paypal team set off for a bit of fair weather testing in Sunny Spain. We hooked up with local legend and Ride Malaga owner Salva Moreno (who is also the team videographer) to guide us around the regions DH trails, Tapas bars and moto spots.

With an eclectic mix of nationalities and characters, it was a great opportunity to get the full team together for a test session to dial in the bikes for the upcoming season. Moving into the second year on the 2016 Pulse, the riders had some solid base settings, but the relaxed test environment allowed freedom to test beyond the constrains of hectic race weekends. Needless to say, speed was found, fun was had and Mike tried a jalapeño pepper (he’s not one for hot food that Welsh man).

Team Manager Nigel Page:

"All the riders are fit, strong and focussed after a good off-season of training and we are looking forward to the race season where we will try and achieve our racing goals and have a great summer riding and racing bikes to do our sponsors proud."

Elliot Heap

Now in his second year as a Junior; Elliot Heap will be out to prove he is one of the quickest juniors in the world. With constant performances in the British enduro and downhill series Elliot will be looking to take this form to the World Stage.

Mike Jones

Fresh from a winter training in Australia with Sam, Mike Jones is one to watch. A brilliant 3rd place at Lourdes last year and an incredible 4th place at the World Championships in Vallnord will give Mike a great motivation to improve for this 2016 race season.

Joe Smith

Joe Smith had a solid year in 2015 taking numerous BDS wins, the overall series title and a 2nd at Red Bull Hardline. A great off season should see him mix it up with the worlds elite in Lourdes.

Sam Hill

"I’m Excited."

2016 Pulse CRC-Paypal edition

This will be the 2nd year of racing for most of the team on the brand new 2016 Nukeproof Pulse frame. With the frame developed along with feedback from the team, they will all be racing on production frames, with a special paint scheme inspired by Nigel Page and a fascination with his latest Husquavarna enduro bike which has seen plenty of racing over the winter.

Team manager Nigel Page will once again be orchestrating the show with Brooks Caldwell and Jacy Shumilak making sure the bikes are always running prime.

2016 CRC-Paypal Team Spec

Frame: Nukeproof Pulse (production spec), Custom 2016 team colour. 27.5″ Custom hydroformed T6 6061 aluminium frame; three-stage Fallout Linkage suspension design with 200mm travel Rear shock: RockShox Vivid R2C Fork: RockShox Boxxer World Cup; Solo air; 200mm travel; 20mm Maxle Lite DH, Charger Damper Brakes: Sram Guide Ultimate lever, Avid Code Caliper, Avid G2 200mm Rotor. Headset: Nukeproof 49IISS, Ceramic bearing. Handlebar: Nukeproof Warhead Carbon; 780mm wide, 38mm rise, Carbon Black. Stem: Nukeproof Sam Hill Signature Direct Mount; 45mm, 31.8mm, Black Grips: Nukeproof Sam Hill  lock-on Chainset: SRAM XO1 DH, 165mm, 36T X-Sync Chainguide: MRP Mega G4, Black Chain: SRAM PC-X1 Cassette: SRAM XO-1 DH 7 Speed mini block, 10-24 Shifter: SRAM XO-1 DH 7 spd, Black Rear Derailleur: SRAM X0-1 DH 7 spd, Black Pedals: Nukeproof Horizon Sam Hill Saddle: Nukeproof Sam Hill Signature Vector DH, CrN-Ti Rails, Black. Seatpost: Nukeproof Sam Hill Signature Warhead In-Line, 30.9mm, Black Tyres: Schwalbe Magic Mary DH, 27.5”x2.35” (front & rear) Wheels: Mavic Deemax Ultimate, 27.5″, Yellow