MTB pro Fabio Wibmer performs on the Strief

2024-01-21 03:23:00
The 87th edition of the Hahnenkamm Races will take place this Friday, and before then the Streif Races has already started its first ride. That’s because Austrian mountain biking star Fabio Wibmer, known for his extraordinary projects and jaw-dropping tricks, conquered the legendary Streif Ice Slope on his bike.

With a top speed of 107 kilometers per hour, a drop of 14 meters, and a maximum jump distance of 36 meters, he pushed both his equipment and himself to the limits in order to realize this ambitious project.

Read on to hear how he himself pays homage to the world’s most infamous downhill track.

Fabio Wibmer looks down on Kitzbühel from the Hausberg ridge

Wibmer on his Streif project

Hello Fabio, how did you come up with the idea of conquering Streif by bike?

Fabio Wibmer: Kitzbühel and Streif have always been special. I grew up less than an hour’s drive from here, and as a kid I used to cheer on the skiing stars’ sprints. This has always been the biggest ski race. At some point I had a big dream, that I would also ski in Streif – but not with traditional skis, but on a bicycle with some extra obstacles.

Back to the present: When did you start preparing for this unique project?

My team and I have been working for nearly two years to realize this dream. After conquering the Streif, I felt great and every jump was a hit, which made for a really cool video.

Wibmer gets his run off to an incredible start

Is it possible to prepare for such an extraordinary challenge?

Of course, it’s difficult to simulate all the details in advance. You have to bear in mind that the conditions on the Streif ski slopes are very special and due to the pre-prepared snow, its hardness is completely different and feels more like ice. There are few slopes on which to test this, as none can compare to Streif. But I trained on the snow for a long time and we tested some jumps.

Special challenges require special equipment. How did you prepare your Canyon bike for this project?

This project definitely pushed the bike and me to the limit! In the special conditions of ice, snow and cold temperatures, there are many nuances to consider when setting up your bike, such as suspension and correct tire pressure. Then there’s traction, which I achieve with special spikes. To survive on this special surface, I spent the summer working with ice racing icon Franky Zorn to create these cleats. Special pressure tests were also conducted on the materials at temperatures as low as -10 degrees Celsius. So it’s even more important to be able to rely on the bike, and I have a top partner in Canyon.

Extreme jumps made the Streif project a special challenge

A backflip with a view

You make jumps, descents, and the whole thing look so easy, but it takes a lot of work. How do you stay so relaxed?

At first glance, you would not realize how much effort goes into every detail to realize such a project. The preparation time was so long that I lost count. We have been working on this project with my team for almost two years, and the last two months have been very intense. But every minute is precious because we only have a short time to complete the task. Good preparation is the foundation, otherwise there will be no success.

Teamwork makes the dream work

Which technique was a particular challenge for you?

Honestly, every second on the Streif from top to bottom is a challenge. However, jumping into Mausefall is very action-heavy. I actually wanted to do this on the first day of shooting, but I didn’t feel ready to do this extremely high jump. Later we changed places and I was able to accumulate more feelings using other jumping methods. Eventually we made it work, which was a cool thing for all of us!

Wibmer performs a wallride on the Streif

Looking back on the Hanenkam race, the most unforgettable thing for me was Bode Miller’s so-called “wall riding” move at the exit of the steep slope.

Is there a particularly memorable moment from your time at Hanenkam?

Looking back on the Hahnenkamm race, the most unforgettable thing for me was Bode Miller’s so-called “wall ride” at the exit of the steep slope. He inspires me. Not only does he have a relaxed attitude, but he can also display his talents at critical moments. It’s these unique moments that inspire my creations. That’s why I really wanted to incorporate them into the video – and of course my personal bike ride on the Streif wall was a must.

Wibmer’s Streif Canyon Torque CF Bike Review

6 minutes

Fabio Wibmer’s custom mountain bike

Uncovering Fabio Wibmer’s custom mountain bike for riding on the Streif downhill slopes.

Wibmer did a lot of preparation for the project. In addition to having enough physical and mental strength, the Austrian’s bike set-up also had to match his riding conditions. As he mentioned in the above interview, he needed special spikes on his tires in order to ride on the Streif and stay upright. A total of 288 nails of various lengths were installed on his Pirelli tires.

These studs, which protrude 8mm from the tire, naturally change how the mountain bike handles and how the rider feels when jumping through the air. They also make the bike heavier, so Wibmer had to adjust to all of these variables when riding the Streif.

The spikes on Wibmer’s back tyre

“I was able to adapt to it very well, but of course you have to be very respectful of everything because the spikes naturally further limit the room for error because you shouldn’t be too close to them…”

A special fender was installed on the bike to reduce Wilbur’s risk of being punctured by nails while riding.

Everything on the bike becomes stiffer in sub-zero temperatures, something Wiebel discovered had to do with his Öhlins suspension, while braking performance was also a concern.

“I was able to handle the situation very well because the bike gave me a lot of feedback after the jump,” Wibmer explained. “If the brakes are iced up, braking performance is reduced, so we have to be careful to warm the brakes up before the tricks.

Wibmer pushed himself and his Canyon bike to the limit!

There are many nuances involved in setting up your bike for the special conditions of ice, snow and low temperatures, such as suspension and correct tire pressure.

Here’s his bike and component setup for the Streif mission:

Bike/Frame: Canyon Torque CF (27.5 front/rear)
Suspension system Öhlins Suspension system
Wheels DT Swiss
Brakes: Magura MT7 RacelineMagura MT7 Raceline
Drivetrain SRAM
Tires: Pirelli Scorpion tires
Shoe spikes Franky Zorn customized
Handlebar: G5 (Canyon)
Handlebar stem: G5 (Canyon)
Grip: G5 (Canyon)G5 (Canyon)
踏板： Crankbrothers Stamp 7Crankbrothers Stamp 7

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Fabio Wibmer

Austrian trials rider Fabio Wibmer is renowned for his jaw-dropping videos that showcase his incredible skill and creativity.
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