The Katipo in Action - Cam van den Dool
We love seeing people shred on the Zerode! It is also great to see them in all the corners of the world. As they get shipped out, we can only imagine what terrain they are going to be sent over by a stoked recipient. This week we have Cam from Western Australia pinning it on his Katipo!
If you didn’t already know, Perth in Western Australia has some pretty sick looking trails! Check it out!
Cam Unleashing his Katipo!Cam absolutely ripping his local trails in Western Australia. Check out what the Katipo is capable of! Inspiring confidence is what we do! Rider: Cameron van den Dool Bike: Zerode Katipo
Posted by Zerode Bikes on Tuesday, 11 August 2020
ZB: Sick video! Looks like you are absolutely loving the Katipo. To get an idea of what you ride, what do you get up to over there on the far side of Aussie?
Cam: I enjoy racing abit but have other commitments on sunday so I race whatever i can when they are on saturdays. I raced the EWS of nations last year and placed 33rd and earlier this year got a 4th in male elite at the first round of the WA gravity enduro series. I was planning to race more EWS this year but that all been cancelled. Now I’m looking at Andes pacifico and trans Madeira next year if the borders are open.
ZB: So you love going fast. Same here! In the video it looks like you have some pretty epic trails in your area. Can you tell us a little more about them?
Cam: The first part if the video was filmed on my local trails about 5 minutes away from house. They are built and maintained by locals and are raw and rocky. So much fun to ride fast with good technical sections plenty of trails to choose from. The idea of the edit was to showcase the bike but also some of the awesome trails WA has to offer. West Matteeussen is my mate but also a legend on the camera and was keen to film. Paul from Zerode WA helped out aswell so big thanks to those two guys.
ZB: The video definitely made us want to come ride those trails. What trail would you make sure you took us down?
Cam: My favorite trail is called Horror Movie which is a 2 minute flat out raw trail that has everything. Jumps, rough stuff, long fast straights and finishes with off camber at high speed. So much fun. I don’t use strava much but I’m tied with Sam Hill for the KOM on that one which is good motivation to go harder haha.
ZB: Good stuff! Sounds like the chase is on! If one of your mates was sitting on the fence whether to turn to the light and go gearbox, why would you recommend them a Katipo?
Cam: Honestly the favorite thing about the Katipo is way it feels. It is so balanced with the gearbox down low and the rear suspension is amazing. The lack of maintenance is also an awesome thing about the bike. I can just jump on it and head straight out to ride, no adjusting derailleurs or any of that stuff haha.
ZB: That is exactly what we try to achieve! The best riding experience, on and off the bike, pre and post ride. The whole shibang!
What is next up for you?
Cam: We have a 100k XC race coming up in a few weeks and I was thinking of doing it on the Katipo and my brother on his Taniwha. I was thinking that could be a good way to show how well the gearbox can handle longer and mellower XC rides. Might have to put some XC tyres on there haha. Just thought it might be cool to show people how the bike goes over longer rides as I’ve had a few people ask about that. Every one seems to think the gearbox has a heap of drag 🤷♂️
ZB: That will be great! That is true, the performance of the gearbox is constant for not only 100km but we have heard stories of them doing 10,000+ miles with little to no maintenance! Interesting you should mention about the drag too. In the field, it is extremely hard to notice IF there is any at all because the chain/belt is in a straight line ALL of the time. It does worry people though until they try it for themselves.
Well mate, thanks for the video and taking the time to answer our questions! Now go and beat Sam Hill’s KOM on Horror Movie! Check out Cam’s Instagram feed here for more rad riding!