Can A Trail Bike Really Do It All? | Blake Races XC + Enduro + DH On One Bike
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- Опубліковано 9 лют 2025
- As Mountain Bikers, we're always on the hunt to find the 'ultimate' bike, but with so many genres out there ranging from XC & Enduro racing to DH and Slopestyle, can one bike really do it all? Blake Samson is at the Sea Otter Classics festival to test this one bike theory out by making only a few small bike adjustments from tyre choice suspension setup & handlebar height to see whether or not one bike can truly do it all!
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14th/101 place in Enduro, category 1st in DH, 31st/63 in XC!?!? Are you kidding? Can a trail bike really do it all? Why not with some compromise! But it definitely requires a rider who can do it all too! Well done "you beautiful" Blakey! :) Thanks GMBN!
"Short travel" class in the last Victorian Downhill series just finished here in Aus seemed really popular. Has me considering a new Process for next season and run my '04 stab deluxe in Master's(over 40's)
I would also argue that especially the DH course at least didn't really look super rocky and technical and more like a flow/jump trail in the video. I think that help narrow the gap to proper DH bikes.
@@LuLeBe Yeah I was gonna say that, defo a more mellow course. Which is fair enough since this event is meant for the general public to enjoy too.
Blake could ride a balance bike and be competitive in most races
Dont need to watch it now
I celebrate these videos. Blake is a machine.
So true! Thanks for watching! 🤘
One bike quiver is how a lot of us roll, so I love seeing stuff like this!
It goes to show how capable one bike is at doing multiple different disciplines! The Kona also looks the part as well! 😜🤘
As a Kona rider... I absolutely love this video!! Hell of a bike
im stoked to get under one, i ordered the X but the beamer link is a super impressive link that you dont expect from an almost meme company like kona, their whole lineup is epic at the moment.
Hey Ian! We're so stoked that you enjoyed this one! The Kona Process is definitely, one of the best do it all bikes! 👍
@@gmbn I will eventually own a Process (dream bike)! Currently on a Honzo... thanks Blake for all the badass videos on the HT's!
Ps need more cornering and berm videos !
As a dude who just bought a trail bike ( Giant, not Kona but still ) it makes me pretty happy too.
Then I remember the trail bike can do it all... if you're Blake.
I think it's something worth keeping in mind not to get too cocky.
Blake, every time I hear you start of a video with "all you beautiful people", it just puts a smile on my face! This was by far one of my favorite videos. The cinematography was amazing and Blake you continue to blow my mind with what you can do. Love everything you all do at GMBN and keep the good times rollin!
Thank you Blake for sharing your crazy self.
You could do this well or better on any bike.
It's not the bike - it's the rider, and the rider is Blake Samson!!! :)
I do everything on my 140mm bike 🥰 downhill, jumps, enduro races. Such a jib machine that can take the rough stuff
Kona Process aside, gotta say there's few as all round inspiring to me than Blake!!! 😎 🙌🏆 Winning Attitude, Winning Skillset, Winning personality, Winning presentation, and a fair runner up in good looks. 😉
I love these videos, the multi-discipline racing is always a refreshing watch for those of us who only have one 'nice' bike.
Plus Blake is always pure class 👍
Awesome video! But gotta say that DH track was more like a flow trail with some jumps. No rocky, rooty sections. Hats off tho Blake, what an exhausting day!
Blakie boy is a beast, would be interesting to know elevation on the 40km just to compare it to our local races
That's Laguna Seca Raceway. 55m elevation.
was in this race, its about 1000m climbing total, but with like 300m in the last 10k which really stings.
@@neelsahay5227 Oh oops, I read that as what was the elevation of that location. Doh!
@@neelsahay5227 That sounds pretty brutal. My normal rides are about as long as that race and about half the climbing as in that race. Sounds like a chest and lug burster!
@@jasonetter9171 it wasnt as bad as it sounds, lots of rollers and a good bit of fast fire road
the last climb was tough tho, longest of the day right at the end
Well done Blake and the GMBN crew. Just shows how a great rider like Blake can cover all classes with just one bike.
It’s not the bike Blake, it’s you💪
Great racing with you Blake! We were in the same group for 40k and I finished 34th. Would asked for a selfie if I knew haha.
Nice, Ben! 34th is brilliant! 👊
"My mouth is so Dry" as a Californian, I feel that in my soul. Love watching this guy ride a bit closer to home!
Dust in the mouth isn't the best thing! 😂
@@gmbn and if I was riding behind Blake, that's all I'd be tasting 😂😂
Switched from a XC bike to a Trail bike this season (Giant Trance X2). Never question if it can do something, bike handles everything I throw at it 😄 Love the trail bikes
Hey!! That's me at 12:10. I made a cheese grips reference to Blake when I passed him before this hahaha
Hey Blake, pleasure watching you and Joey film that day. Looks like Santa Cruz showed you a good time. You're the same in person as you are in your videos. Nothing but positive energy.
It was good to meet you Ian.
As owner of an aluminium 134 DL, this was great to see. Blake could probably get those same results riding a balance bike but still it was inspiring for this Kona fan
Loved it. But give us more info on the setting changes. Your weight, changes in suspension, tyres and tyre pressures.. all the stats. Very impressive. Please do more at different places. Would be good to see the same content at more technical downhill/enduro.
I thought Blake had already proven that a hardtail was all anyone needed? As always, awesome video. Always impressed by how well rounded Blake is
I'm pretty convinced by one bike for everything as well. I went from one trail, one enduro/freeride, one dh bike down to a spectral mullet. For shuttles and park i leave the coil shock in, for climby and touring stuff i switch to an airshock and play with suspension and tire pressure and bar hight like blake. Less maintenance, less space, less costs👌
I like this type of video, more realistic to us normal people that can’t afford a different bike for every discipline. This also proves that Blake has real skills. Love the videos guys, keep em coming!! 👍👍
And *i’m* convinced you could give Blake a pink 24” Barbie bike and he’d still beat half the field in any competition. 80% Blake, 20% multi-purpose bike
Blakey has come a long way since "On the Buses." Well done Sir, 10/10!
I think what this has shown us all is that Blake's riding is something else that we all aspire too. Though I have been looking for a one bike that does it all and have been tempted by the process.
You should also test entry-level hardtail mountain bikes like Trek Roscoe and Marlin which beginners like me can afford.
These GMBN productions deserves an award. I mean, there's nothing on the telly that beats this at the moment for instance..
Blake is the only reason I watch GMBN content. The man is a legend and seems like a load of fun!!!
I will never ever stop saying that a trail bike is the ultimate bike! I've been riding downhill in Switzerland last week and next week I'm flying to the Yorkshire dales for a 108km cross country! On my trusty 130mm full sus carbon trail bike with full XT setup. Can't beat itA
Im on a Banshee Spitfire V3 135mm frame travel 140mm Fork 27.5 Front and Rear and an extra 29er wheel for a mix wheel setup as my Fork is a 29er.
I take it to bike parks, singletrack flow trails, chunky rock garden trails, basically anywhere and i never seem to be over or under biked. Just like blake did depending where i ride i just adjust the cockpit, suspension stiffness, tires etc all cheaper things than a having another bike. And Yes.. it is nice to have more than one bike but also nice when you use one bike for everything.
Mad respect to Blake! Kona makes some of the best do it all bikes. I ride the HeiHei crdl and even with its short travel am amazed by its versatility. I can see how the 134 really could be a one bike quiver.
Well done Blake!! This was an epic experience ☺️
I have a Kona Process 134 and have bought other bikes and am going back to the 134. It's an amazing all around bike.
Ahhh, Yabai. So stoked that you did some Kona process 134 pron. I coud only afford the alloy version, and I sure can't ride it like Blake; but it's a wicked bike and I'm enjoying trying to bash it to bits on wild trails here in Southern Japan. Can't wait to get the 27.5 next year.
Wow! Modern trail bikes are all a regular person needs!
this one is one of the best bike video that i ever watched in my entire life! thanks Blake!
Blake once again proves what an absolute machine he is.
Blake you are the most genuine guy i have seen.
Wow, what a beast, especially in downhill! Congratulation Blake to this fabulous Results in competition :) and what an amazing landscape btw.
This was so cool!! I was stoked to see you won your class, nice work! = ) Much love from Central New York.
You can't go wrong with a Kona 134 or 153 Nice to see another a Kona GMBN. 👍
I do everything on my Ibis Ripmo: XC, trail, Enduro, DH. I just need to swap wheelsets and tires. It's all about the rider skill
I used to be stationed out there when it was Ft. Ord! Love the changes they have made for us MTB'ers!
My do it all bike is a modern slack hardtail. Bird Zero AM with 150mm fork, it has my mates on their full suspension bikes scratching their heads, and puts a smile on my face.
It was never about the bike… it has always been about the rider.. don’t let the brands and the marketing fool you!! Happy ridding! Be proud and happy of the bike you already have!
One bike does it all if the rider can ride it all! Blake, congratulations my man! U rule 🙏🏻
Nicely done, Blake. I love my Process 134!
Dang, first in DH on a trail bike. Color me impressed.
In his category,not overall don’t go getting ideas and it looks like a flow track? Number 420 that’s something else how many more after obviously not a world championship round? Scotland here we come wasting your money on a professional built bike
Love my 134 Al. Couldn't afford the carbon one though - great video!
That's seriously impressive Blake. Big pat on the back!
That DH track looked more like a Flowtrail, or were there any hidden stones and roots? 🧐
That’s what I thought I’m always thinking about having a go at D/H but I’m 70 and I don’t want to smash myself up myself or me stead. On rocks and roots! On what I see of that track I wouldn’t hesitate
One bike for everything? One biker for everything! Great work, Blake!!!
Great race results and great video! I did the Sea Otter XC race back in 2010 and loved it! Those California hills are steeper and more draining than they appear!
A trail bike is what most people need
Good on you for such a massive sprint at the bottom of the slalom course on a chain you cobbled together an hour before.
B-Lake is awesome, so is the camera man. Excellent filming and editing!
Cool to see Blake riding a Process! Love my process 153 even though it's getting old by MTB standards, would love to get a new 134 but cant afford a 2nd mortgage lol :-).
Great job Blake, good to see a vid with you in it.
Blake always makes me smile :D
100% agree Blake
i had the best time ever on my trek Fuel EX in BPW so so so much poppy fun plus 1st on the downhill in your class Bro has skills
I just love how Blake is so skilled at every type of mountain biking!
Always good time with Blake!
Always! 🤘
Blake is such a likable person.
Blake is a beast! This is inspiring for us who only have trail bikes.
Does that 14th finish include time it took to fix the chain?? IMPRESSIVE
Love it! I have a lower-end Kona 134, it’s definitely better bike than I am a rider, lol! And it’s saved my life more than a few times!
Blakes energy is just massive every video! Bikes a stunner too
I'm detecting a theme here. VC did something similar at this sea otter, but he combined road and MTB disciplines and did the Crit, Road race, 80km XC, dual slalom and DH.
Why nobody is smashing a cake in your face?!! Bravo!! 🤠🤘🤙
My first bike was a Kona 134, Then went to Kona Supreme Operator. And have now settled on the Kona 153.
And your number plate is " DOPE bru !" HA HA HAAA!
Awesome video Blake!
Downhill 💪🏻nice!
I have a Kona Process 153 (it’s and older model so I don’t know if it still exists), and I love it. I don’t feel held back on the uphills and I can go pretty good on technical downs (albeit I’m still an intermediate so I only go so fast). The only reason I don’t ride it harder is because I only have the one bike so if I ride it too hard I’m out of commission. Great video Blake! Happy to see you racing more. Hope to meet you some day. Come up to Idaho and I could point you in the right directions.
Blake going "full Blake" 💪 awesome!!!
Yesss Kona process 134 that’s my bike I got it a year ago, best bike I have ever ridden, mud second bike lol
You really should have put Blake into a proper XC kit. Great job dude, you are an inspiration.
I bet Blake could do the same video with a gravel bike! He is just so good with any bike.
What a stamina Sir Blake. Awesome riding skills too. It's really not just the bike alone. It's the rider too.
Absolutely brill Blake!!!!🎉🎉
One would almost expect Blake to use a hardtail for "one-bike-does-all" - But this Kona seemed to do quite well.
-- These might be my favorite of GMBN's content. It both shows off a bike that they plugging. But it also shows off an event and you really see these presenters' competitive sides come out and see them really push the bikes and themselves hard. Could get a good crossover with GCN by doing some of the epic tour/endurance races here in the States. The Great Divide, Dirty Kanza, or Colorado Trail. Would be fun to see a GMBN'r on an XC and GCN'r on a Gravel Bike. Would highlight where the different bikes shine on those style events. There's got to be a bike manufacturer out there who'd love to see you show off their Adventure bikes from both the XC and Gravel categories. I know GCN used to work with Canyon often. A suspension equipped Grizl and an Exceed would be options.
Love this, what a legend. I have a custom 134 CR, it just wants to be ridden fast. I was surprised how amazing it climbs and how nimble it is 👌
Get a Process and a Honzo and.... be Blake and you're set! My God Blake is a badass!
Wow what an absolute beast🤘 I'm stuck with 2015 process 134, love it🤌 currently running 150/140 of travel
Well done Blake, that’s awesome!! You can adapt and ‘flow like water my friend…. Zambezi Water! 🤘🏽😉
Haha Zambezi water. Love it Cheers boet
Great work Blake / GMBN 👍🏻
that was really impressive! Great job mate!
Good results! I have been thinking of buying this bike. Blake you are the best!
Blake, you sir are a legend and absolute legend well done buddy .... yes the bikes pretty good but that came down to the rider ... well done buddy.
Blake is by far one of the most nutty n likeable presenters in the mtb world full stop defo my favourite mtb guy on youtube well done sir well done
great work Guys - mega Review. I loved kona in 90 - had Shred - coiler and stinky were my favorite - love army look graphics
Outstanding Blake! Amazing job love the video.
Blake is freaking good,,,,, seem to be he is 'playing' rather to competing. Love this dude seriously funny too.
Got a 2022 Process 134 DL…such a great bike!
This bike is beast been on my 4th ride went from a 153 to 134 and I’m in love
Blake is a beast! A beautiful one!
Have those same xc pedals. Love em.
Man I love Blake, he is the best!
Well done. Can't belive that is a DH course
I also stick to one bike for everything :) Orbea Occam with 160/150 travel. Just switch out the tires and ready to roll :)
Blake you legend
The swiss army knife of bikes with the swiss army man of gmbn
Congrats Blake- you are a Kickass athlete!!