#8 - Maxxis Minion DHF [Evo SS Gimbal + GoPro] | Biking with Panda

Today, I received one of the most coveted items in the youtube mountain biker’s arsenal – an Evo SS 3-axis wearable gimbal. With any luck, it will improve the video quality, make it more fun to watch, and hopefully provide a more realistic depiction of the terrain and movements that I am doing with the bike.

This ride served a second purpose, to finally test out the rear Maxxis Minion DHF to see if the rolling resistance is so noticeable. Though this video shows just the third day of riding this trail with the new tyres and it may be early to say for certain, so far I haven’t noticed any slowdown. On the other hand, the increased grip and confidence translated into a quicker ride. I’ve somehow cut my time from 45 minutes to just 30 for the same loop, an increase of 5km/h in my average, by being able to carry speed and put power down in more places such as rooty downhill sections.

It can’t be understated though, just how much riding at the downhill bike park has improved my abilities and confidence. I’ve started bombing down some of the wooden stake stairways instead of hiking down, and I don’t shy away from flat and muddy turns since that front tyre really wants to bite in and roll forward.

Despite the bike park beneifts, I’ve still been trying to ride as much as I can to savour the rest of summer and doing it at a bike park can add up in costs quickly. Local trails are right there and every day you can push a bit harder than the one before, attempting to do more of the supposedly impossible climbs never cleared before. If you can ride park every day, do it! I’m a bit jealous. Personally, I’d feel like I’m missing out on some great climbing achievements (unless we’re foregoing lift access)!

I’m really looking forward to revisiting Inverhuron, Brant Tract and Blue Mountain with my new gimbal to capture some really high quality video – hopefully it’ll include some great wipe-outs too.

Until next time, enjoy my trails.. and keep riding!