Rider: Braden Holt
IG handle: @braden.holt
Hometown and your favorite trails:
I am a North Vancouver local. The recent increase in flow trails like John Deer and Lower Digger have been fun, but my true love is steep and gnarly technical trails like Bookwus and Crippler. I’m also a huge fan of Alice Lake slab trails!
What do you ride (type of terrain)? What's the intended use for your new bike?
I’ll be using the Chilcotin for everything from coaching on intermediate trails, to shuttling gnarly laps, to big adventure rides in the saddle. This season I’ll be racing the Squamish and Vedder enduros, plus the NSMBA Fiver races.
What model/colour/size (and how does the bike fit you?):
I am on a size large Chilcotin 170 in the gorgeous ‘Kelly Green Fade’ colour. The Chilcotin is definitely a long vehicle with more reach and wheelbase than most large bikes. I’m 6’1 and it fits me wonderfully. The climbing position is comfortable and I feel very centered on the bike while descending and cornering.
Bike spec/build. Did you do anything custom to make it special?
I am running the XT Factory stock build with an insert in the rear wheel, which allows me to run lower tire pressure without damaging the wheel. I also mounted a OneUp chain guide and a frame mount under the bottle cage for my OneUp pump.
How tall are you? What size frame did you get? How does it fit you?
The Chilcotin sizes fit big, with more reach and wheelbase than most bikes of the same size. I’m 6’1 and the Large fits me wonderfully. The climbing position is comfortable and I feel very centered on the bike while descending and cornering.
What do you love about your new bike?
I’m loving how the Chilcotin is so stable in the rough, but responds playfully when you want to throw it around. The grip is unreal and I’m quickly learning to trust the traction more than any bike I’ve previously owned!
Ride photo credits: Dale Stone
