GREG CALLAGHAN'S SPARTAN HP

I've been loving the switch to the Spartan HP this year, for enduro it feels like we have a real race weapon with this bike. The high pivot platform combined with the Split Pivot really helps me to relax on the bike, save energy and easily hold my speed on the long and rough stages we get at the EWS.

Personal Set Up

I don't do anything too crazy with my bike set up. I think most people could hop on my bike and ride it straight away. There are a couple of things that I like to keep in mind when setting a bike up to race at EWS, and they are:

The bike and all the components are going to last the full duration of the race, which is why I run Cushcore, DH casing tyres and Alloy rims, to get that extra security when I get off line and give the bike a hard time!

The bike will ride well on different types of terrain and when I'm fatigued. You can win or lose a lot of time on the second half of a long stage when you're tired. If your bike is set up too stiff and aggressive, it will be hard to ride and will encourage mistakes when your body is tired and not dealing with the hits so well. So I try to keep this in mind and have a set up that allows me to ride hard, but also helps me ride well when I'm tired. 

Coil Shock vs Air Shock

I switched between air and coil a bit this season, both options have their pros and cons so it's great to have a platform that works well with both. At the wetter races where traction is really key, the coil really comes into its own and gives you that extra confidence. But then at the races where traction is easily available but you need to generate and carry speed more, the air gives you that support to get things moving more efficiently. 

Tire pressure

Compared to some people I run my tires quite soft at 21psi (front) and 23psi (rear) but to me it just feels right. I'll adjust +/- 1 or 2 psi from there depending on the terrain/conditions but that's my go to set up. I like the supple feel the tyres have when at a lower pressure, it helps make the bike feel calm and composed, especially on slower and more technical trails. When things get faster, I'll bump up the pressures to stop tyre squirm in the corners and compressions.

Greg's thoughts on the Hi-Lo adjustment setting

I've been a big fan of the Hi-Lo adjustment this year, I played with it quite a lot. It's great to have the option to switch from a full on trail plowing machine in the Lo setting to then make the bike a bit more agile and lively in the Hi setting with such ease, it literally takes 30 seconds to switch.