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TandemDH//EVO

Jackson and Rose Green for EVO Cycles NZ

By Blackaptur Photography

February 5^th, 2020

Jackson and Rose Green are pioneering tandem mountain bikers, pushing the boundaries of what two people can do on one bike. They'll take on pretty much anything, from Down Hill and Enduro racing to all day back country epics.

It all started when Rose wanted to ride in the race around Lake Taupo- but she didn’t want to ride the full 150Km on her own. So who better person to do half the work? Jackson, boyfriend at that time. After that event, they were hooked on riding in tandem. Being mountain bikers true at heart, they brought a touring tandem and converted it into a mountain bike tandem. Soon however, they were exceeding it’s capabilities, it was time for a new bike.

Not being happy with the mountain bike tandems on the market at the time, Jackson decided to build one himself. Bruce the tandem was created, a full suspension tandem that was capable of cross-country racing, cycle touring and many back country adventures. Jackson and Rose moved to Christchurch in 2011 and found the terrain they enjoyed riding there required a bigger bike. So Jackson got to work again and Trev the tandem was created, a full suspension trail bike with 200mm travel all round.

Soon, the first 'DH Tandem' needed a major upgrade, and their latest incarnation was born. Based off the same suspension curve and kinematics as the mighty Santa Cruz V10, but obviously the numbers massively changed with a far longer stroke shock, Jackson managed to completely design and Engineer this amazing creation - 27.5” wheels, 63.5 degree head angle, 200 millimetres of travel, and absolutely mind-blowing 1940-millimetre wheelbase!

Fast forward to 2020 and the quick couple have raced the rig around the globe, and are a regular fixture and DH races around NZ. Not only do they race incredibly difficult race tracks, they post amazing times, faster than a lot of 'normal' bikes!

.... G-Forces using all of that 200mm of travel!

Photographically this shot isn't anything to write home about, but early on in the shoot, Jackson specifically mentioned that he had never seen a shot of a DH Tandem jumping into a corner, but unfortunately due to the full sun creating incredibly dappled light in the trees, it was rather difficult to make it look pretty...!

{Yes, they jump. and they clear it. just like you on your bike that's half the length and half the weight!}

With a bike this long, they take some seriously different and interesting lines

Just to add some scale - the gap shown below is over a 4WD track, so its no small jump!

And that wraps it up! Such a fascinating and mind-blowing time with these two legends, their dreams are made a reality with the help of the fantastic crew at Evo Cycles, Christchurch Adventure Park and Galfer Brakes...