Racers Rides – Jess Greaves

We catch up with Jess Greaves at Moelfre BDS, to take a closer look at her Santa Cruz V10

First off, who are your sponsors for this year and what category do you ride in?
I work for Saddleback Ltd and they sponsor me for this year, our brands include Enve, Smith Optics, Chris King hubs and Astute Saddles. I am also sponsored by Fox Clothing, Santa Cruz and Bos Suspension and I ride in the Elite Women’s category

Can you give us a break down of the full spec of your bike?
The frame is a Santa Cruz V10C 650b in a size Medium, Bos Idylle Rare Forks and a Fox DHX RC4 rear shock. Enve M90 rims on Chris King ISO hubs in red with either Schwalbe Magic Marys or Dirty Dans tubeless. Enve bars and seatpost with an Astute Saddle. Hope seatclamp, headset and grips and Shimano Saint Shifting and brakes. E Thirteen Chainring and Chainguide with CrankBrothers Mallets or DMR Vault pedals if I want to get loose!!

How much does it weigh?
Don’t know.

Have you done any mods to it?
I have put a custom spacer underneath the crown race of the headset. This raises the bar height, slightly slackens the head angle and raises the BB s little bit to stop me from hitting my pedals on rocks so much. I also run the frame in the slack and low setting. Other than that I have cut the bars to 760mm and run the seat as low as it goes as I’m only short!

Any battle damage on your bike yet or have you kept it on two wheels for the most part?
I have a fair few scratches on the fork lowers from crashing and uplift damage and the bash guard as seen off some fair hits! I try to ride smooth and look after my bikes!

Is there a particularly type of track or terrain where the bike really shines?
I really felt good on the bike at Llangollen for the National Champs, the bike felt good on the steep turns. Also the long 650B frame felt so smooth up at Ft William for the World Cup.

Where do you practice most?
I do most my riding in South Wales as Bristol is only 20min drive to the Severn Bridge. I love all the tracks in the valleys!

Where is you favourite track?
Hmm that’s a tough one, I really like Rheola but it’s not open much. I raced at Pila in Italy last year and I’d love to go back and see what its like on the V10!

What are your goals for the remainder of the 2015 season?
For the remainder of the season I’m aiming for more podiums at Nationals, trying to close the gap on the top girls and a top 20 at Val Di Sole World Cup.

Sum up your bike in three words
Smooth, sleek and light!!

Thanks Jess, Good luck for the rest of the season!

Photo’s by Sarah Barrett Photography