Press Release
Zerode Bikes, in partnership with Pinion Drive technology and Wide Open Distributors, are pleased to announce they have signed Sam Shaw for the 2018 race season.
Sam is an extremely well-rounded rider who has racked up impressive results in multiple disciplines. He had a solid EWS debut season in 2017, claiming top 50 results as a part-timer while finishing his university degree.
For 2018, he is focused on racing full time and has already shown the benefits of a new approach with a world single speed title, national XC podiums, and has mixed it up with the DH rigs with a top 10 in pro elite DH on his Taniwha.
“Sam showed last year that he is competitive and with very little preparation mixed it up with the best derailleur bikes the world has to offer. He now has a taste for what a gearbox bike has to offer and there is no going back. With better preparation, a stronger team, and more experience, he is going to make an impression this year, turn some heads, and put some gearbox myths to bed” - Rob Metz, Zerode Bikes
Sam’s Taniwha will be equipped with latest gearbox technology from German manufacturer Pinion Drive technology.
Learn more →
“Sam Shaw is an outstanding talent with extraordinary potential. We´re strongly convinced that our C1.12 gearbox will be his faithful and trusty companion for the 2018’s race season. Sam is the perfect athlete to show the potential of Pinion gearbox bikes for the use on mountain bikes. Sam, rock on!” – Andrea Escher, Communications & Marketing Pinion Drive technology
With support from Wide Open, Sam’s Taniwha will be outfitted with ENVE, SDG, and ODI, and, in the unlikely event of an emergency, Sam will be well looked after by POC protection.
The head offices of Wide Open and Zerode are a short bike ride from each other in Rotorua, Sam grew up not far from either.
“It’s cool to be able to support a locally based rider and bike brand. Sam’s race diversity is very unique so we are stoked to have him flying the ENVE and POC flags both locally and overseas.” - Matt Whitaker, WideOpen
Suspension duties will be looked after by Cane Creek. Sam's Taniwha will be outfitted with the highly adjustable DBAIR rear shocks and Helm forks to make sure that his bike can be dialed in to excel on any race course.
"We're looking forward to having Sam riding Cane Creek suspension this year. Several of our most aggressive riders have been on the Taniwha since the fall and we've been super impressed with the suspension performance of the frame. We design our products for top level performance, and combining our suspension with class-leading frame performance is a winning combo!" - Luke Bukoski, marketing director Cane Creek Components
Sam continues the 'keep it local’ theme by choosing to ride in NZ-made Ground Effect cycle clothing. Shorts, tops, jackets and rainwear to keep him purring in hot, cold or wet conditions.
Included in the team backing Sam this year is the coaching support of Adrian Armstrong, the man instrumental in the development of many of NZ’s top DH professionals.
"I was lucky enough to race on the Taniwha at six rounds of the Enduro World Series last season, really liking the bike I am extremely grateful for this opportunity to race for Zerode/Pinion/WideOpen. The suspension performance of the Taniwha gives me a leg up over my competition, and the Pinion gearbox removes any concerns about a damaged drivetrain during a race. The Taniwha, combined with products from WideOpen, offer a dream race rig that I am super excited about. It's going to be a big season racing all eight rounds of the Enduro World Series and couldn't be more stoked to race them on the Taniwha. Now I am looking forward to swinging a leg over this beast in not too long now at the first round in Chile." - Sam Shaw
Follow Sams season on instagram at @samshawthing and at www.zerodebikes.com/riders.
Keep up with exciting developments from zerode at @zerodebikes and www.zerodebikes.com
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