deubelbicycles

2005 - 2018

James Hall

Downhill and Freeride Competitor

Your Background?
JH : Work at Bike Addiction North Manly since 2000 in Sales and as a Mechanic. Two summers living and working in Whistler BC 2007 2008.

Your career highlights?
JH : Qualified 11th in Elite Men at a National DH round in Tasmania on a Giant Reign 1 (6” trail bike), crashed in the race run and finished mid 20’s. 8th in Elite Men at a Canadian National Race, Sun Peaks. Aaron Chase Dirt Demo Day 2003, in North Manly, landed my first 360 and backflip on the same day. Competed in the last ever Mount 7 Red Bull Psychosis DH Race, Golden BC. 24th Pro Men in the 2008 Crankworx Jim Beam Air DH, Whistler BC.

Your preferred type of riding : XC, AM, FR, DH?
JH : AM and DH.

What bike do you ride?
JH : Currently a Giant, Reign 1, Medium, 2009. Running a single front ring with MRP guide. Sunline DH 1 bars and Sunlien stem. Whilst in Canada I owned a 2007 Giant Reign X1. Owned a Giant 2010 Faith for 9 months, it’s a great bike but I got more thrill and felt faster on the Reign 1, including DH.

Your comments on the general look of the Deubel prototype?
JH : I love the look of this bike. It inspires confidence before you have even ridden it. The design has a raw engineered styling, no need for graphics. Its perfect as it is, it means business.

Your comments on the quality of the machined parts of the Deubel prototype?
JH : The machined parts of this frame look well designed with no sharp corners.

Your comments on the tube choice on the Deubel prototype?
JH : The shape of the tubes work well together with the machined parts.

Your comments on the weight of the Deubel prototype?
JH : The weight is reasonable, considering this is the first generation. It's good and also considering it's to take the abuse of full DH racing if required, its good.

What is your confidence like on the Deubel prototype?
JH : Full confidence straight away. The bike feels comfortable. The first run felt like I had owned the bike for years.

Your comments on the stiffness of the Deubel prototype frame?
JH : Very stiff. Minimal flex in the rear end.

Your comments on the precision of the Deubel prototype frame?
JH : The frame looks like it has been assembled with care. There are a few areas that needed some work, but as this is the first prototype I am judging, I don't think its fair to put it down as the second prototype may not have these issues.

Your comments on the head angle of the Deubel prototype?
JH : Yeah feels great when downhilling. A Fox 36 with Talas is the perfect match for this bike. Gives great geometry for DH and when dropped, good geometry for climbing.

Your comments on the seat angle of the Deubel prototype?
JH : Looks a little too vertical, but when riding it, I had no problems with it.

Your comments on the 1.5” head tube of the Deubel prototype?
JH : 1.5” is a good option. It allows people to run multiple fork options and looks very sturdy.

Your comments on the 6” travel of the Deubel prototype?
JH : As a ‘do everything bike’, 6” is perfect. Less travel and you can't tackle some of the more technical DH track and more travel, it becomes unbearably sluggish to pedal on an XC track.

Your comments on the ISCG05 mount of the Deubel prototype?
JH : A must have for this type of ‘one bike for everything’ type of rider. Many will want to run a single ring or fit a Hammerschmidt.

Your comments on the interchangeable shock mounts & dropouts on the Deubel prototype?
JH : Interchangeable shock mounts is a great feature as it offers an adjustment which makes a big difference on a steep downhill track or on technical uphills. Interchangeable dropouts are great too. I could feel the bike was even more stable with the longer ones.

Your comments on pedalling the Deubel prototype?
JH : The pivot position matched with most 32-36 mid ring. Combination is great, very little feedback.

Your comments on climbing the Deubel prototype?
JH : This comes down to setup and parts. The tuned in for me climbed well for a 6” travel bike. Talas would clearly be a good choice for someone buying this bike, likewise with having a pro pedal shock with lockout, you will have no problems.

Your comments on cornering the Deubel prototype?
JH : Excellent

Your comments on descending the Deubel prototype?
JH : Excellent

Your comments on jumping the Deubel prototype?
JH : Excellent

Your comments on the pedal feedback of the Deubel prototype?
JH : Can't feel it in mid ring.

Your comments on the brake jack of the Deubel prototype?
JH : The simplicity and stiffness of the single pivot wins hands down over the minimal brake jack it has.

What do you like about the Deubel prototype?
JH : I like that I can jump on this bike and after only a few runs, I am hitting all the same stuff that I would hit on a bike I have ridden for years.

What don't you like about the Deubel prototype?
JH : The tolerance between the seat tube and swing arm is too close. But this I'm told will be different in the production model.

For which type of riding would you recommend the Deubel prototype?
JH : This bike is best suited for AM and Enduro DH, but will fit in very well in the other disciplines as well. This bike is capable of doing it all - if the rider is up for it.

How would you compare your bike to the Deubel prototype?
JH : I would prefer to own the Deubel prototype more than my current bike. In my eyes this is way sexier than mine and is a perfect ‘one bike does all’.  Perfect match for me.

Your verdict on the Deubel prototype?
JH : This is the perfect ‘one bike does all’, that's best suited for AM and Enduro DH.

If I could only have one bike, it would have 6” of travel... Tick! A Fox 36 Fork... Tick! A Pro pedal shock with lockout... Tick! An ISCG mount... Tick! A bike strong enough to race DH yet light enough to ride technical XC trails all day... Tick! 

This bike gave me full confidence straight away. The first run felt like I had been riding it for years. I love the look of it, its raw engineered styling. No need for graphics. Its perfect as it is. It means business. Its begging to be ridden. It will be an expensive bike but it will be worth every penny if you can afford it. With the clearance issue sorted, there is nothing else I would change on it at this stage. I'm sure the next generation models will slimdown and become more refined, but as it is, its ready for production. This bike will be a great bike and I will be proud to see this as an Australian built bike and hope it will reach the global market.

Tested by James in April 2010.