[leadin]Sculpted dirt ramps, immense air, and make-or-die lines define Red Bull Rampage, an annual contest in Utah. We caught up with one of the comp’s most badass riders for a look at his gear.[/leadin]
Most riders wear full protective gear to make their Rampage run. Robbie Bourdon wore jeans. He caught air — flying 50+ feet through the sunny Utah sky — just a helmet as protective gear.
He crashed, hard, too. In the middle of the course Bourdon hit a jump, landed wrong, and flew over his bars. But he got up, a bloody shoulder and back barely fazing, and hopped back on to finish the ride.
I was in Utah for the show. For an interview, I caught up with Mr. Badass himself after a run to see how he was holding up — and to pry at what gear was letting him crush it on the vertical course.
Gear Check: Robbie Bourdon
Bike: YT Tues Pro ($5,195) — Carbon frame with 27.5-inch wheels. Bourdon describes it as “twice the bike” as last year’s aluminum model because it is stronger, and longer, and a kilo lighter (frame weighs 3,500 grams).
“Especially with the terrain here, there are lots of tight dips on the steep stuff. With the bigger wheels, and the frame is a bit longer too, it rolls over everything better,” Bourdon says. “The only thing I do different for Rampage is put on a stiffer spring and push my seat forward.” he says. “This setup is bulletproof.”
Stem: Diety Micro DM ($105) — These aluminum stems are among the lightest and designed for the current longer frames on the downhill circuit.
Handlebars: Diety CZ38 ($95) — Designed for downhill, all-mountain, and free-riding, these aluminum bars weigh in at 310 grams.
Grips: Sensus Disisdaboss ($25) — Grippy and hot pink, what else do you need to know?
Pedals: Diety Bladerunner ($144) — The Bladerunner is Diety’s largest pedal and weighs 370 grams.
Tires: Maxxis High Roller II ($60) — Designed for the most technical terrain, the aggressive tread specializes in performing on loose soil.
Goggles: Oakley Airbrake MX Goggles ($205) — High-visibility goggles that can take a Rampage-worthy punch.
Gloves: Oakley Overload Gloves ($35) — The gloves are designed for riding the roughest terrain. Gives Bourdon max protection for his hands and knuckles while still letting him feel the grips.
Footwear: 5.10 Impact VXi ($150) — Shock absorbing, super grippy, aggressive shoes for riding flats.
Helmet: Fox Rampage Pro Carbon ($449) — This full-face helmet with two carbon shells is designed to be comfortable, lightweight, and highly protective without hindering vision. Inspired by moto, built for downhill.
