[TrumbullHucker]

one news of big hype!!

Sam Hill testing the new bike in San Remo - we're stoked with the confirmation that he plans to race select World Cups as well!

 

[sethimus]

 

[jonKranked]

LONG LIVE CHAINSAW

 

[SuboptimusPrime]

 

[Gary]

Sam Hill testing the new bike in San Remo

Looks too big for the wee guy.

But #Fashion

:Sadface:

 

[Happymtb.fr]

It's been a while!

 

[Happymtb.fr]

First on topic thread for months!

 

[SylentK]

A 29er will win. Or it will not.

 

[ZHendo]

On a related note, I feel like Gwin has been getting A TON of interview coverage this offseason, almost more so than in prior years (unless I just haven't been paying attention). He's sounding super, super confident in all of those conversations...and we all know god is on his side

 

[slyfink]

On a related note, I feel like Gwin has been getting A TON of interview coverage this offseason, almost more so than in prior years (unless I just haven't been paying attention).

could be that he had a lot of down time, recovering from his knee surgery...

 

[blindboxx2334]

On a related note, I feel like Gwin has been getting A TON of interview coverage this offseason, almost more so than in prior years (unless I just haven't been paying attention). He's sounding super, super confident in all of those conversations...and we all know god is on his side

well all know jesus is a gwin fan, but god strikes me more of a hill fan.

 

[4130biker]

Peaty had some late wins in him, here's hoping for the same for Hill! For Christ sakes, someone give the guy a D3 tho

 

[toodles]

Sam Hill testing the new bike in San Remo - we're stoked with the confirmation that he plans to race select World Cups as well!

Probably doesn't mean much but Hill has been looking just plain stoked to be out riding his bike in the EWS coverage this year. Hopefully he hits the DH with the same gusto this year.

Also - new tracks! Wheeeeeeee

 

[ZHendo]

well all know jesus is a gwin fan, but god strikes me more of a hill fan.

Must make for some heated debates over supper.

I'd love to see Neko take some inspiration from the team change and start finishing more consistently.

 

[IH8Rice]

Sam Hill testing the new bike in San Remo - we're stoked with the confirmation that he plans to race select World Cups as well!

how many DH bikes has Nukeproof had in the last 4-5 years?

 

[Kevin]

On a related note, I feel like Gwin has been getting A TON of interview coverage this offseason, almost more so than in prior years (unless I just haven't been paying attention). He's sounding super, super confident in all of those conversations...and we all know god is on his side

Youd think god would be more on "little kids getting their arms and legs blown off by cluster bombs in Syria's" side, but I guess as a surpreme being you get to decide where you focus your attention...

 

[mrgto]

Looks too big for the wee guy.

But #Fashion

:Sadface:

I talked to Q at Windrock and he said the whole team is riding XL bikes, something about stability and such...

 

[Shepherdwong]

The dirt fantasy site is still on 2016. Does anyone know if they're doing it again this year?

 

[slyfink]

The dirt fantasy site is still on 2016. Does anyone know if they're doing it again this year?

They're probably focused on putting out their e-bike enduro fantasy league, and don't have time for dh at the moment.

 

[Gary]

something about stability and such...

Mentioned no one evar while watching a Sam Hill race run.

 

[Mo(n)arch]

I predict that the large riders will be on 29ers. Mnnaar and Gee I mean with that.

 

[StiHacka]

I predict that the large riders will be on 29ers. Mnnaar and Gee I mean with that.

Somone failed to kill it with fire?

 

[Tom Ritchey's Moustache]

I predict that the large riders will be on 29ers. Mnnaar and Gee I mean with that.

How many 29ers do you reckon we'll see? Agree with the two you mentioned. Any more? Weren't there some rumblings of some other brands working on 29er DH sleds?

Doesn't look bad .... https://dirtmountainbike.com/bike-reviews/downhill-bikes/inside-trek-rd.html

 

[jonKranked]

How many 29ers do you reckon we'll see? Agree with the two you mentioned. Any more? Weren't there some rumblings of some other brands working on 29er DH sleds?

Doesn't look bad .... https://dirtmountainbike.com/bike-reviews/downhill-bikes/inside-trek-rd.html

is that a 29" specific 40? or is there clearance on the 27.5" lowers?

 

[Tom Ritchey's Moustache]

is that a 29" specific 40? or is there clearance on the 27.5" lowers?

I don't know, but if I had to guess, based on that "190" tape on the arch shot, that it's the 190mm 29er 40. There were some rumblings about that last year. I think I recall seeing a spy shot of one bolted to a Wreckoning. Strobel's bike, maybe?

 

[Nick]

well well ... look who the new season dragged in. it's the return of the 'stache.

 

[Mo(n)arch]

In my drunk 02:00am conditions I'd say pretty much all factory riders with size large frames will ride 29ers.
Santa Cruz, Trek, Cube, Mondraker, maybe Saracen. Not sure about Scott. And at that moment I don't think YT and Canyon will hit the train.
Like the dirt article said: For people riding "just" a medium frame, the wagon wheels might be to big to handle. But who knows...

There's definitely a Fox 49 out there.

 

[4130biker]

The fact that there seems to be a proper 29 fork for a lot of WC sponsored riders, and legit DH casing tires seem to have taken away the barriers for a big team to try out prototype frames. I think it's exciting to see.

My question is, are we going to see the increase in blowouts and rim destruction that we saw when 650b first came on?

 

[6thElement]

I predict that the large riders will be on 29ers. Mnnaar and Gee I mean with that.

Gee was on his normal Trek at the BDS race last weekend.

 

[iRider]

And they banned skinsuits because they made the sport look bad....
Seriously, I bet the time gained by using 29ers could easily be made up by using proper aerodynamics (skinsuits, bullet helmets, fairings on wheels/frames....). But a skinsuit is like 100 bucks max. and doesn't require you to buy a completely new bike.

Time someone petitions the UCI to "make DH great again" and ban wagon wheels.

 

[trib]

Why not both? DH is about being fastest down the mountain... as long as your helmet has a peak, I back the decision to run whatever wheelsize you want. If you're over 6ft and riding a frame three sizes bigger, but the same size wheels as your team mates would you not at least try the big wheels?

Name another sport where it's athlete vs clock and they chose to wear what is basically a parachute...

But still, all full face helmets must have peaks.

 

[trib]

anyone who's about to write a comprehensive list of sports where athletes don't wear Lycra, I don't actually care that much.

THIS IS THRILLING NEWS

 

[iRider]

Why not both? DH is about being fastest down the mountain... as long as your helmet has a peak, I back the decision to run whatever wheelsize you want. If you're over 6ft and riding a frame three sizes bigger, but the same size wheels as your team mates would you not at least try the big wheels?

Because rulez! BMX = 20", cruiser class = 24", road bikes = 28", MTB = 26", 27.5", 29" WTF?
On the road and BMX nobody cares how tall you are, you have to run the one wheel size sanctioned by the rules.

Talking about fairness too: if the 29" wheels are that much faster and short riders can't use them (tire buzz on bum, hard to package large wheels in a small frame) then the tall guys and gals have an unfair advantage.

But still, all full face helmets must have peaks.

Why peaks? Go all the way!

 

[DMdh]

you know what wheel has a better rollover and carries more speed than a 29"??
a 30"... a 31".....oh and a 32"... and a 33"..... where are they/we going to put the limit?

this sport its becoming a joke every year, the wheel size in competition should be sanctioned in the rules and let the best man win.

 

[Happymtb.fr]

Talking about fairness too: if the 29" wheels are that much faster and short riders can't use them (tire buzz on bum, hard to package large wheels in a small frame) then the tall guys and gals have an unfair advantage.

This is a bit like saying that tall basketball players have an unfair advantage over shorter ones...

29in wheels are not better than 27.5. They are just a bit different and might have the edge over smaller wheels in some situations and be worse in other. It is just about finding the right balance for yourself and not listen too much to the marketing hype!

 

[iRider]

This is a bit like saying that tall basketball players have an unfair advantage over shorter ones...

Nope, that was not my point. The rules in basketball are clear, so if you as a short person want to play it, it is your decision. In DH new developments create potentially a benefit for taller riders, giving them an advantage. These new developments are using gaps in the rules and the governing body is not (yet) willing to change them.

Maybe it is time for different classes depending on wheel size? And/or have a "Top Fuel" class where everything besides motors is allowed?

 

[jstuhlman]

run whatcha brung and stfu

 

[Tom Ritchey's Moustache]

well well ... look who the new season dragged in. it's the return of the 'stache.

I took a break from tronzing for a bit. The winter doldrums were getting to me, and too much screen time didn't help.

But when I saw that Dirt article, I had to come back and see what the Monkey had to say about it.

The commentary has been delicious. I think it says something about a person when they say they would rather DH racing go full aero before allowing another wheel size.

 

[4130biker]

I took a break from tronzing for a bit. The winter doldrums were getting to me, and too much screen time didn't help.

But when I saw that Dirt article, I had to come back and see what the Monkey had to say about it.

The commentary has been delicious. I think it says something about a person when they say they would rather DH racing go full aero before allowing another wheel size.

Glad you're back

 

[iRider]

The commentary has been delicious. I think it says something about a person when they say they would rather DH racing go full aero before allowing another wheel size.

Could you please elaborate on this?