Rider: Rob O’Brien
Resides: Canberra, Australia
Rides: Warden (also Chilcotin, Fugitive, Cache)
Ride Photo credits: Outer Image Collective
How tall are you? What's your inseam?
I am 174cm with about an 82cm inseam, so basically 5’8 with 33” inseam.
What size frame?
My new Warden is a S3/Medium which is the same as my other Knolly bikes. I am right in the middle of the S3 sizing and have found that this size just works for me on each different model. This Warden is replacing my Orange 27.5 Delirium which was also a Medium.
What’s your build spec?
I have the Warden built up as a DH rig. To do this, the rear shock has an increased stroke to a 205x65 Rockshox Super Deluxe Ultimate giving about 180mm of rear travel, partnered with a Fox 40 Factory fork at 200mm for the 29er. As a “mini” downhill mullet bike, this thing is just FUN!
I'm using Magura MT7 brakes (yellow highlight rings to match the tire logos) and powering with SRAM 7-speed X01 DH drive train with 170mm cranks. Being a limited colour edition, I have the bike fully done with RideWrap. Also popped the Spank anodized purple headset spacers in to continue the purple colour theme.
The rig is rolling on my favourite Spank 359 Vibrocore wheels wrapped in Pirelli Scorpion Race tires (Enduro M front and DH T rear) that I have found it to be a great combination in the Aussie conditions. A pop of matching colour is done with the Muc-Off valves that is very close to the decal colour.
What are you running in your cockpit?
Spank cockpit, 35mm Vibrocore bars currently 800mm wide with 25mm rise in a short 45mm direct mount stem. I have a Spank saddle, black Spank Spike flat pedals with shorter 170mm cranks.
As I get the setup dialled in, I may shorten the bars a bit further but I am starting at the same width as my previous Delirium. I have already lifted the seat a little to stop tire impacts on full compression. The shorter cranks are mainly to help with ground clearance in the rock gardens.
What’s the intended use (where are you riding it)?
Built purely for downhill riding and old bloke racing (you know where you ride, but just with a number plate). I am lucky to have a range of Knolly bikes to ride to match each ride discipline, so this will be kept targeted to the downhill side of things. I am riding and racing mainly throughout New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory for local and state based events, but I do travel interstate when opportunities arise. The majority of my downhill time is currently spent between Stromlo in Canberra and Greenvalleys Mountain Bike Park a bit further north, but there are always trips to be had. My next main race will be the NSW State Champs out in Orange NSW.
Where do you live?
I live in Canberra Australia. We are lucky enough to have quite a selection of ride options within a couple of hours drive from home. We can run south to Thredbo during the summer, or the south coast of NSW with Eden, Narooma and Mogo all having new mountain bike parks, north we have Greenvalleys or the other side of Sydney for Awaba and Ourimbah and out west for Orange. Then closer, within an hour of home we have Stromlo or Mt Gladstone at Cooma plus about 5 other more local type areas.
What’s your favourite trail?
For the Warden’s purpose of downhill, my favourite trail would be Monkey at Awaba MTB Park. It is a long challenging track with some big challenging rock gardens and features. The track still scares me after a few crashes there, but it really brings up the focus levels!
Why do you love your new ride?
The Warden will be in close contention with my Chilcotin to be packed for the trip back to Canada as it is proving to be so capable. As I get the bike dialed in, I have found the Warden to be nimble and playful while still having the ability to hold a consistent line in the jank, yet also fun to jump when needed. My Warden seems to be really hitting a sweet spot. Most people who have seen the bike love the colour! The colour being one reason for the purchase as it could be argued I had enough bikes already, just not an anodized purple one.
