22 YEARS OF BLOOD, SWEAT N BEERS: COMPLETE BUILD
Words by Mike Rose
Photos by Fresh Paints of Whistler
We first got to see Chris Kovarik's newly painted M29 frame back at the end of March. We were blown away by the super skills of the team at Fresh Paints of Whistler and the amazing amount of detail that they had managed to put into the frame. It was a kind of ‘Heavy Metal meets horror slasher movie’ kind of deal.
Since then the frame has been wrapped by Ride Wrap (“which is a rocks throw away from the guys at Fresh Paints”) to protect the art work, as well as a few extra bits that have been given the Fresh Paints treatment – the coil spring on the rear shock and the forks have had the ‘Metal Mayhem’ touch.
It’s taken a little bit longer than anticipated but finally the build is complete, and of course it features a whole load of products from Chris’ personal sponsors… with an extra heavy dose of local brand Chromag.
As we mentioned in the original article, the word ‘legend’ is often used a little too freely, but Chris Kovarik really is a legend of the downhill mountain bike world. And there are very few (if any) professional mountain bikers that have been with just one brand for such a long period of time. Twenty-two years, well over two decades of loyalty and dedication, during which time Chris has won multiple Australian National Championships titles, four World Cups, including his unforgettable +14 second demolition in Fort William 2002… one of the greatest race runs of all time… and all on flat pedals let’s not forget. Here’s the full breakdown.
'METAL MAYHEM' COMPLETE BUILD SPEC
“For the past three years I’ve run 800mm bars, but this year I’ve gone back down to 780mm, which has allowed me to be more playful and move and lean across the bike much more.” Chris Kovarik
“I’m using an O-chain X-ring, which is made in Italy. It has kick back play to absorb chain pull and derailleur clutch tension (pull), allowing your suspension to move more freely through its travel rather than have the chain pull on its up-stroke. Kinda feels like it’s chainless, and is super quiet.”
“The bigger Maxxis 3.0 tire on the front adds to the moto look, and it also absorbs small bump chatter... and at 15 psi it ploughs down anything.”
“The STFU cable slider helps keep the front brake cable secure and moving up and down neatly, and not side to side or banging on my race plate.”
| Frame: | INTENSE M29 2021, size Large |
| Shock: | FOX Factory DHX2, 550lb spring |
| Fork: | FOX 40 Air, 90 PSI with 5 tokens |
| Bars: | Chromag BZA, 780mm width, 35mm rise, 9º back sweep, 5º up sweep |
| Stem: | Chromag BZA 50mm length, 35mm clamp |
| Grips: | Chromag Basis |
| Headset: | Cane Creek 40 |
| Shifter: | SRAM GX 7spd |
| Rear Mech: | SRAM XO 7spd |
| Brakes: | Magura MT7’s with HC3 levers |
| Seat: | Chromag Overture |
| Seatpost: | Chromag |
| Crankset: | E.Thirteen LG1 alloy, 165mm length |
| Chainring: | O-Chain X-ring, 36T |
| Chainguide: | E.Thirteen LG1R |
| Cassette: | E.Thirteen 7spd |
| Chain: | SRAM Stealth |
| Pedals: | Chromag DAGGA, Kovarik signature pedals |
| Wheelset: | E.Thirteen LG1Race carbon |
| Tires: | Maxxis Minion 3.0 3C front, 2.5 Minion 3C rear |
| Extras: | STFU chain dampers and cable slider, and FOX Factory mud guard |
