Red Bull Rampage, the biggest freeride mountain bike event of the year, is taking place this week in Virgin, Utah. Riders have been hard at work with their dig crews, shaping their lines and practicing their drops and jumps to link together clean, top-to-bottom runs on the day of the contest. It’s sure to be a mind-boggling spectacle with the best riders in the world throwing down some of the craziest runs anyone has ever seen.
The women’s event returns for its second year and takes place tomorrow, Thursday, October 16th. Twelve female riders — up from eight at last year’s inaugural women’s Rampage — are taking on the venue used in 2019’s Red Bull Formation. The men’s event is scheduled to go down on Saturday, October 18th, at a separate venue used previously in the 2016, 2017, and 2021 Rampages. Both events are sure to be exciting, so check out our How to Watch Red Bull Rampage 2025 article if you’re interested in tuning in.
Red Bull Rampage involves a pretty unique style of riding with high speeds, big drops, jumps, and tricks, on very aggressive, high-consequence terrain and features. Bike and component choice is incredibly important for riders to pull off their chosen lines safely and in control. While these bikes may be the norm for these riders, they are quite unique and not something the rest of us see every day. On top of that, many of the brands give their riders custom paint jobs for Rampage, personalizing them even further for the big show.
Let’s check some of them out.
Chelsea Kimball’s Specialized Demo
Chelsea Kimball (@chelseasendit) returns for her second Rampage. Kimball is widely recognized as one of the best female freeride mountain bikers in the world, and she has been ticking off some seriously gnarly features in the week leading up to the event. Check out her Instagram to see what she’s been up to; it’s quite impressive.
Kimball is sponsored by Specialized, and she’s riding the brand’s Demo DH frame with an awesome custom paint job. According to Specialized, “Kimball’s bike fuses the mechanical with the organic. A maroon base wraps around bold death metal–inspired typography visible from across the canyon. The lettering nods to Utah’s jagged desert plants, while the color palette — Desert Rose, Pale Pink, Bordeaux Metallic, and Black — captures both grit and serenity. Every detail carries meaning. Her “Just Send It” graphic channels the raw imperfection of stick-and-poke tattoos, while her helmet and jersey echo the bike’s visual rhythm. The result is a cohesive look that embodies confidence, chaos, and control. It’s everything Rampage demands.”
- Frame: Specialized Demo S2
- Fork: RockShox Boxxer Ultimate
- Shock: Öhlins Coil Shock
- Handlebar: Reverse Components cockpit with Nico Vink bars
- Brakes: TRP EVO Pro
- Drivetrain: TRP DH7
- Wheels: Traverse HD
- Tires: 29” Butcher GRID GRAVITY (front) / 27.5” Butcher GRID GRAVITY (rear)
- Pedals: Reverse Components Base
- Saddle: Nico Vink seat
Harriet Burbridge Smith’s Canyon Torque AL
Better known as Haz, Harriet Burbridge-Smith (@haznationbikes) is an Australian freerider who will be competing at Rampage for the first time. While this might be her first Rampage, Haz is no stranger to big sends or competition. The former BMX racer shifted focus to mountain biking a few years ago and has proven to be a force to be reckoned with in every event at Crankworx.
The Canyon-sponsored rider has opted for the brand’s Torque enduro frame with 27.5-inch wheels. “A Rampage invitation is more than just a start line, it’s a statement to the world that you belong among the boldest, bravest, and inspiring freeriders out there. For Haz, we wanted a bike that truly lives up to that spirit. The build kit is ready for everything the desert can throw at her, but it’s the custom frame artwork that gives this Torque its soul. It’s a symbol of courage, creativity, and the pure joy of riding – everything we wish Haz for her Rampage journey,” said Canyon’s Global MTB Brand Manager Kerstin Kaufmann.
- Frame: Canyon Torque AL M113 27,5″ (size S)
- Fork: Rock Shox Boxxer Ultimate (200mm )
- Shock: Rock Shox Vivid Ultimate
- Drivetrain: SRAM X0 DH 7speed, SRAM Descendant (165mm cranks, 32T)
- Brakes: SRAM Maven Ultimate (220mm front, 200mm rear )
- Wheels: Industry 9 Hydra GR300
- Tires: Kenda Pinner Downhill (27,5×2,4)
- Cockpit: Canyon G5 760×40 bar with G5 DH stem (45 mm) and G5 grips
- Seatpost: Canyon G5 Pivotal post with G5 saddle
- Pedals: Canyon G5 AL (size S)
Vaea Verbeeck’s Scott Gambler
Vaea Verbeeck (@vaeaverbeeck) finished in fourth place at last year’s Rampage and took home the Samsung Galaxy Trailblazer Award. A driving force and figure who has helped progress the sport of women’s freeride, the Canadian athlete has unfortunately crashed out of this year’s competition. Verbeeck took a hard slam in practice yesterday, resulting in a broken collarbone, two broken ribs, and a pneumothorax.
Based on her social media, it sounds like she is otherwise okay, in good spirits, and ready to watch her fellow competitors throw down tomorrow. We wish her all the best in her recovery. And, even though she won’t be riding it in this year’s Rampage, here’s a quick look at her custom Scott Gambler 10.
- Frame: Scott Gambler 10 – HMX/Aluminum
- Fork: Fox 40 Grip X2
- Rear Shock: Fox Float X2
- Handlebar: Deity Racepoint 25 mm rise
- Saddle & Seatpost: Deity Frisco I-Beam
- Grips: Deity Lockjaw
- Stem: Deity Intake DM
- Groupset: Shimano Saint
- Brakes: Shimano Saint
- Pedals: Deity TMac
- Wheels: Industry Nine Hydra 2 DH Carbon 27.5″‘
- Tires: Front: Maxxis Assegai MaxxGrip 2.5 DH / Rear: Maxxis Minion DHR II MaxxGrip 2.5 DH
Szymon Godziek’s Specialized Demo
Hailing from Poland, Szymon Godziek (@szymongodziek) has become one of the most accomplished slopestyle and freeride mountain bike athletes in the game. First competing in the event in 2014, this year will be his 8th appearance at Rampage. Over the years, he’s won the People’s Choice Award and finished 2nd twice, including last year.
Could 2025 be his year? It’s anybody’s guess, but he definitely has the talent to pull it off. His sponsor, Specialized, is certainly rooting for him, and they made Szymon this custom-painted Demo. According to Specialized, “The design draws inspiration from Szymon’s childhood foam pit, the place where he first learned to push limits. The bike’s grid pattern reflects those foam blocks, while the slash marks that cut across the frame echo the wear and tear that came from years of trial, error, and progression. It’s a visual tribute to the foundation that shaped his riding and the skills he now brings to Rampage’s biggest stage.”
Szymon is running 27.5″ wheels front and rear, a single-speed drivetrain, and his own pro model pedals and saddle from Reverse components.
- Frame: Specialized Demo S2
- Fork: RockShox Boxxer Ultimate 200mm 27.5”, 160 psi, 4 tokens
- Shock: RockShox Vivid Ultimate, 300 psi
- Handlebar: Reverse Nico Vink 35/760
- Grips: Reverse Prototype
- Stem: Reverse Black-ONE D-2 Direct Mount
- Brakes: SRAM Maven Ultimate, 200mm discs
- Wheels: Industry Nine Hydra 2 — 27.5”
- Tires: Continental Kryptotal Enduro Soft 27.5 x 2.4
- Cranks: SRAM X01 DH 165mm
- Sprocket: SRAM X-SYNC 2 — 36T
- Pedals: Reverse Szymon Godziek
- Saddle: Reverse Szymon Godziek
- Tensioner: Reverse Collab Pro
Best of luck to all the athletes competing in this year’s Red Bull Rampage. We can’t wait to be blown away by both the men and women this week. Be sure to tune in tomorrow for the women’s competition and on Saturday for the men’s.
