Agile Aussie: Bryn Atkinson’s Norco Aurum

2100m above the sea, Bryn goes about another meter higher. Not bad for first lap of the day.

Dusty, dry bike park berms. It ain’t hero dirt but Bryn still hits them at full speed.

Bryn is aboard the carbon 650b wheeled Norco Aurum, with more bling on it than most rappers.

First stop: e*Thirteen’s new LG1+ chainguide. The new system lets the rider open it up quickly without tools.

But don’t forget to close it once you’re done your business.

A soft rubber interior on the LG1+ guide keeps things extra quiet.

Rear suspension duties on the Aurum are handled by the new Fox DHX2 shock. A 525lb SLS (Super Lightweight Steel) spring makes sure Bryn doesn’t hit rock bottom every time the suspension engages with his aggressive riding. He runs his Fox 40 Float counterpart in the front at 82psi.

Maxxis Minion High Roller in 3C casing up front. Bryn runs the High Roller at 26psi.

Whistler Bike Park means hardpacked trails. For that reason Bryn runs the Maxxis Griffin in the bike park. A less aggressive design than the Minions or High Rollers, but still with the durable DH casings Maxxis are known for. He runs 34psi in the rear tire.

Looks like a fast rolling tread.

A little lower down the mountain (read: Dirt Merchant). Even after over a 1000m vertical of riding, Bryn has the stamina to get buck wild on the Aurum.

Bryn scrubs better than most household cleaners.

Only Shimano Saint brakes with metallic pads on 203mm rotors can slow Bryn down.

Shimano Saint rear derailleur and shifter combo switches gears on an XT 7-speed cassette. Shimano XT hollow-pin chain keeps the gram count low and a One-up 7-speed DH Block let’s a 7-speed cassette fit onto the hub.

When you go pro, you get to have your name on things. Just like in elementary school.

770mm wide Renthal Fatbars with 30mm rise, along with prototype Renthal sticky grips.

Mmm, straight pull.

Industry-9 hubs laced to Torch Enduro wheels sound nice and makes the wheels on the Aurum go round and round.

Bryn hit 88mph and traveled back to the black and white days.

Vroom, vroom – or was it braaaap?

Styling down Creekside to top it off.