LOCALS: Paul Miller and Jake Ansell

In a bumper edition of LOCALS for this week we caught up with Paul Miller (Left) and Jake Ansell (Right)and had a good old chat about their current bike set ups.

Tell us a little bit about yourselves?

Name: Paul Miller
Location:Torbay
Job: Security
Bike: Canyon Nerve Am 9

Name:Jake Ansell
Location:Torquay
Job: Signwriter
Bike: Lapierre Zesty 514

How Often do you ride?
We usually get out and ride twice a week. Once on a weeknight somewhere like up here at Haldon after work and somewhere different at the weekend if we can.

What Bike are you currently riding Paul and talk us through your set up??
Here i have my Canyon Nerve AM 9. its got Easton Havoc Carbon Bars, it came with Avid brakes on it but i wasn't to keen on them so i changed to the new 2013 Shimano XT brakes and i love them, so that was a good swap.

I have 2 sets of wheels, one tubeless and one normal set. This set here are a tubeless set up running Hope hubs on ztr rims.

What are you riding Jake?
I have my brand new Lapierre Zesty 514. It's only 3 weeks old so i'm just getting used to it... I had a Zesty 314 before this and I really liked it, i had it for 18 months then sold it on and got this one, the 514 I'm really happy with it. I haven't changed anything yet other than the front XT brake which was an enforced change after snapping the lever off the other one. I was riding without the Reverb dropper post and consequently I fell off for the first time in absolutely ages. I forgot the seat was so high and it sent me off. So now the Rockshox Reverb is on. I think its such an essential bit of kit nowadays.

This is the first time i've had a shock with pro-pedal aswell, its a bit like the seat post, you think its a bit poncey but once you've had it you'll never go back. I always ride with Crankbrothers egg beaters but i've got some candys on today and i'm really enjoying the extra support they have.

What types of riding do you normally do?
We do mainly trail and a bit of cross country. Every now and again we may venture out to a trail centre a little further away... maybe Afan or another similar one in Wales.

We ride quite a lot of bridleways around the Totnes and Marldon area for a bit of variety. Its still nice to come here though, you know what your getting. Up at Marldon it can change hugely every week, one week it could be really wet the next week really rocky.

What was the last new bit of gear on your bike Paul?
The last new bit of gear on here was the XT brakes. i've just had my bars cut down a little aswell as they were just a tad too wide and i couldn't get between the trees.

And you Jake?
The whole bike is new but the last part was the replacement brake.

Whats Your favourite part on the bike Paul?
My favourite part on the bike is the Reverb.... Actually changed my mind, the XTR cranks. They look soo good.

Whats Your favourite part Jake?
My favourite part on the bike is the Reverb dropper post . I would never be without one.

Next upgrade planned for the bike Jake?
The next thing i plan to do is to convert to tubeless tyres. I'd love a set of Crankbrothers wheels but they are a mad ammount of money!

Any upgrades for you paul?
Ahahaha yes just a little one. I'd like a Pivot 5.7 carbon. This bike here is good for my skill level but i'm just a bit bored of the looks of it. There's nothing wrong with it i just don't like black bikes.

Do you own any other bikes Paul?
I have an old Cannondale f800 with a lefty on it for nostalgic purposes. Otherwise this is the bike i ride normally.

And Jake?
I have an on one inbred 29er, but that hasn't had a look in since i got this one. The 29er is great.