Slopestyler Kathi Kuypers: Trek Remedy Custom - that's my slopeduro!

Custom bodywork - why the stress?

I wanted a bike that I could have fun with in the park and on dirt tracks. So I converted the Trek Remedy. Because frames are getting longer and longer, I opted for the shorter medium frame with a reach of 426 millimetres - I normally ride the M/L frame with my height of 1.71 metres. A short top tube was important to me here. I get on well with the 27.5-inch wheels. Although I had also tried mini Mullet (26-inch rear, 27.5-inch front), I didn't notice any real difference. The operating weight is 12.8 kilos.

Kathi Kuypers: Barspin-compatible - that's a must!

I love tricks, and the barspin is one of them. So it was clear that my Slopeduro had to be made suitable for barspin. Out with the fork, away with the knock block and the cables through the stem. To do this, I had to drill and file the claw and drill a hole in the headset cap. I tell you, what a lot of fiddling. I spent a whole afternoon on it.

Cockpit - that's what counts for me

On the Enduro I ride a 760 mm handlebar, here I fitted one with 720 millimetres - that's the only way to do bar spins. With the short top tube, you can't go much wider anyway. I tried out a lot, e.g. whether handlebars with a lot of rise work better when doing tricks. I wasn't much wiser after all the trial and error. My handlebars with a 38 mm rise and 8-degree backsweep worked well. Plus a 35 mm stub stem. My BMX grips from Vans are the narrowest available. They also don't have a clamp at the end of the handlebars, which is annoying when doing bar spins.

Chassis - hard and slow

The Trek Remedy has 160 millimetres of travel at the front and 150 millimetres at the rear. That's a lot, but I need the reserves. I'm particularly happy about this in the bike park on rough trails. I fitted two Tokens to the Rockshox Lyrik (20 % sag). You can feel the extra progression immediately. There are also two tokens in the shock (only 20 % sag). I run a lot of air at the front and rear, little sag. I adjust the rebound slowly at the front and rear. This is important when jumping - because it prevents the risk of skidding.

Tyres - a lot helps a lot

I pump in the same amount of pressure at the front and rear. In the park 2.0 bar. On root sections 1.8 bar. I now ride the Kenda Hellkat ATC 2.4 tyre, tubeless. It has proved its worth. I can also feel a difference to tubular tyres. The lower rotational mass is noticeably more comfortable when doing tricks. I inspect my carbon wheels after every trail ride on rough terrain. Call me paranoid, but I know stories of carbon wheels imploding completely on landings because the rider didn't spot a crack. Think of Bernard Kerr's crash at the Red Bull Hardline.

Screws - it's up to the woman

I do most of it myself. But I'm often happy when a mate helps me. Because I often lack the patience. For example, when adjusting the gears. I hate it! Bikes don't have to be picobello for me, but if you don't look after your bike at all, you'll soon be in trouble. So: steam off, oil the chain, done!

Drive - less is better

I removed the twelve-speed gears - now I ride a single-speed bike with a 32-13 gear ratio. So that's a pretty heavy gear. Why the stress: saves weight, less maintenance, looks good. I don't need gears in the park and on trick spots.