The bikes of the pros: The Crestline RS 75/50 EEB from Sam Blenkinsop

Anyone who has been following the Downhill World Cup for a while knows that Sam Blenkinsop is a legend. The New Zealander has been a downhill crowd favourite for years. Hardly any other rider combines ease and riding fun in such an extravagant riding style as Sam. Even when the clock was ticking, Blenki would casually let his rear end hang out during jumps, start pedalling again in the air, provoke drifts and, even 10 years ago, make the dirt splatter in slippery bends so much that the audience would hoot and holler.

Who is Sam Blenkinsop?

• Age: 35 years
• Nationality: New Zealander
• Main sponsor: Crestline
• Greatest successes: DH World Cup victory Schladming 2008

Sam's victory in Schladming in 2008 was the first ever downhill victory for a New Zealander. Sam is enthusiastic about everything on two wheels, rides motocross and motorbikes and loves fishing to get down. As an all-round talent, Sam has also achieved several podium places in the Enduro World Series. At his first E-EDR races in Loudenvielle and Chatel in autumn 2023, Blenkinsop showed his potential with 5th and 6th place and a stage win.

Sam's bike: Crestline RS 75/50 EEB

After eight years with Norco, Sam signed with Crestline, a young and progressive brand from California, for 2023. So far, the portfolio is clearly focussed on gravity. There is only one downhill bike and two e-MTB models with 150 and 180 millimetres of suspension travel. The suspension of the Crestlines is based on a Lowerlink VPP, which looks very similar to a Santa Cruz rear triangle. The bikes are only available in limited editions and sell out quickly.

The bike:

• Model: Crestline RS 75/50
• Suspension travel: 180/175 mm
• Wheel size: 29 inch
• Battery: Bosch Powertube, 750 Wh
• Motor: Bosch CX Race
• Special features: Suntour suspension, Hayes brakes
• Weight: n. A.

In keeping with the downhill aspirations of the E-EDR, Sam opts for the Crestline RS 75/50 with 180/175 millimetres of travel. The Crestline is also available as an MX with a small rear wheel and short chainstays, but Sam uses 29-inch front and rear wheels and longer chainstays in favour of the bike's smoothness and climbing capabilities. Suspension elements from SR Suntour and Brakes from Hayes make Blenki's bike truly unique. The weight-optimised Bosch CX Race, which is specially tuned for e-racing with its extra-long overtravel and high level of support, provides uphill power.

Exciting: The Crestline comes with a Kiox display that is fully integrated into the top tube. Soft Maxxis Assegai tyres with downhill casing, Sram's classic X01-AXS drivetrain and extra stable HX531 rims from DT Swiss round off the setup. One thing is certain: 180/175 millimetres of suspension travel, stable components and Blenki's downhill capabilities combine to unleash absolute high speed downhill.