Seems like Crankworx Rotorua is kicking us off...
and despite some winging about the flat boggy bits, seems like a pretty legit course with a good mix of steep, tech, slippery, and big jumps. I'd watch it live...
the 2023 DH racing thread!
- Thread starter slyfink
- Start date
live at 4am tonight, i don’t think i get up that early
REPLAY: Crankworx Rotorua Downhill 2023
The RockShox Taniwha Downhill was one to remember here at Crankworx Rotorua 2023. Catch up on the full replay now.00:00 Opener12:34 Ellie Smith17:01 Kalani M...
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a norco range is now a little bike. the cringe is strong
Loic seems to get along with the new demo, but still no idea wtf is going on with it.
anyone know what the deal is with the light by the left-hand lever on Loic's handlebar? Does the UCI allow "flight deck"-style adjustments on suspension now?
nice to see some racing again, and nice to hear Eliott and Rob commentating... will definitely miss them on the WC circuit. Fingers crossed for Neko, I hope he has a most excellent season...
nice to see some racing again, and nice to hear Eliott and Rob commentating... will definitely miss them on the WC circuit. Fingers crossed for Neko, I hope he has a most excellent season...
Well Crankworx isn't a UCI race, so perhaps they allow a little more tech. I think there were rumors of him running a lock out in other races and as pedally as this one was it makes sense, perhaps it was just a visual indication.
It's just a small kryptonite crystal used to slow him down just enough so super hero DNA survives another day undiscovered. (wireless lock out switch seems the obvious guess)
Blenki looked back on it until his little misshap
It's been well discussed over on vital for at least a year, some kind of suspension lockout
Someone on Vital suggested it might be some kind of split +/- indicator as well as a lockout button but I thought that wasn't allowed? Also being Loic, I'd imagine the red LED might never actually need to be used.
on a scale of 1-10, how naive are you really?
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Ok,I was playing Devil Avadoct here,Fuck. The other side of the coin? I know about the Street Race. Tell me sethimus,who was in that Race that was top 20? I am talking about This New Series. Never mind .on a scale of 1-10, how naive are you really?
As for Westy,I have no comment.
Avy
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sethimus,I was talking about that street race that I saw not to long ago.
Other than Cranwokz,and the respective Country Title race,I do not know of race circuit that the Top 20 race?
Yes there is Hardline,which is After the season is over. Then there is Rampage, which in the old day’s had a lot more UCI Riders. The DH Urban,and I am sure there are more.
Forgive me Monkeys,I thought that Red Bull was starting a New DH Series,just like UCI. I thought this was the First Race with more to come,as the UCI has not begun yet. Hell,do we even know when yet? If I am wrong about this Circuit,please fogive me. I thought this was Red Bull competing against UCI?
Avy
qed
Red Bull hasn't officially launched an alternative series (yet). Its been speculated that they might, but its more likely going to be outside of the regular season if they want to attract the top riders.
I don't think sponsors care what the riders do as long as the coverage and publicity is good. I think race results aren't as significant a contributor to bike sales as they used to be.
I don't think sponsors care what the riders do as long as the coverage and publicity is good. I think race results aren't as significant a contributor to bike sales as they used to be.
Sooo... turns out DH ain't dead. YaY! 
Headed down to a sunny, dry and warm Innerleithen for a quick ride and to watch a few mate's race runs from the 1st SDA round of the year this Sunday.
Elite top 10 results
Full results https://www.rootsandrain.com/event11000/2023-apr-2-sda-dh-1-innerleithen/results/
Headed down to a sunny, dry and warm Innerleithen for a quick ride and to watch a few mate's race runs from the 1st SDA round of the year this Sunday.
| 1st | 8 | Danny HART (elt) | 424959 | 2:59.2831 | 2:58.9081 | 2:58.9081 | - | ||
| 2nd | 4 | William BRODIE | 999530 | 2:59.5572 | 3:00.0382 | 2:59.5572 | 0.649s | ||
| 3rd | 3 | Adam BRAYTON | 454535 | Hope Factory Racing | 3:02.5073 | 3:02.7113 | 3:02.5073 | 3.599s | |
| 4th | 9 | Calum MCBAIN | 1074660 | 3:03.1574 | 3:23.21712 | 3:03.1574 | 4.249s | ||
| 5th | 7 | Jamie EDMONDSON | 725880 | Chilli Racing Brigade | 3:11.2158 | 3:03.6164 | 3:03.6165 | 4.708s | |
| 6th | 6 | Ben CATHRO | 431165 | Pinkbike Racing | 3:08.0415 | 3:04.6435 | 3:04.6436 | 5.735s | |
| 7th | 1 | George GANNICOTT | 447320 | 3:08.6996 | 3:06.5566 | 3:06.5567 | 7.648s | ||
| 8th | 10 | Luke MUMFORD | 967311 | 3:13.2759 | 3:08.8947 | 3:08.8948 | 9.986s | ||
| 9th | 5 | Drew CARTERS | 709410 | Scottish Downhill Association | 3:09.4737 | 3:13.2399 | 3:09.4739 | 10.565s | |
| 10th | 12 | Joe CONNELL | 457944 | Privateer Bikes | 3:13.28210 | 3:12.3648 | 3:12.36410 | 13.456s |
Full results https://www.rootsandrain.com/event11000/2023-apr-2-sda-dh-1-innerleithen/results/
Looks like Cathro is still rocking the Dorado. That thing must be pretty noodly for those long ass limbs!Sooo... turns out DH ain't dead. YaY!
Headed down to a sunny, dry and warm Innerleithen for a quick ride and to watch a few mate's race runs from the 1st SDA round of the year this Sunday.
Elite top 10 results
1st 8 Danny HART (elt) 424959 2:59.2831 2:58.9081 2:58.9081 - 2nd 4 William BRODIE 999530 2:59.5572 3:00.0382 2:59.5572 0.649s 3rd 3 Adam BRAYTON 454535 Hope Factory Racing 3:02.5073 3:02.7113 3:02.5073 3.599s 4th 9 Calum MCBAIN 1074660 3:03.1574 3:23.21712 3:03.1574 4.249s 5th 7 Jamie EDMONDSON 725880 Chilli Racing Brigade 3:11.2158 3:03.6164 3:03.6165 4.708s 6th 6 Ben CATHRO 431165 Pinkbike Racing 3:08.0415 3:04.6435 3:04.6436 5.735s 7th 1 George GANNICOTT 447320 3:08.6996 3:06.5566 3:06.5567 7.648s 8th 10 Luke MUMFORD 967311 3:13.2759 3:08.8947 3:08.8948 9.986s 9th 5 Drew CARTERS 709410 Scottish Downhill Association 3:09.4737 3:13.2399 3:09.4739 10.565s 10th 12 Joe CONNELL 457944 Privateer Bikes 3:13.28210 3:12.3648 3:12.36410 13.456s
Full results https://www.rootsandrain.com/event11000/2023-apr-2-sda-dh-1-innerleithen/results/
No idea. Never ridden a modern dorado and didn't see him to speak to on the day.
a few interesting titbits from the race in no particular order:
Despite those noodly long limbs and his 6ft 7" height Ben cut his bars down to 760mm.
Calum McBain taking 4th in Elite on a 140mm trail bike!
Young William Brodie just 0.2 behind Danny's first run time and the only other rider to go sub 3min
Even younger Eli Shearer (16) and Stan Nisbet (17) in 6th and 8th overall
a few interesting titbits from the race in no particular order:
Despite those noodly long limbs and his 6ft 7" height Ben cut his bars down to 760mm.
Calum McBain taking 4th in Elite on a 140mm trail bike!
Young William Brodie just 0.2 behind Danny's first run time and the only other rider to go sub 3min
Even younger Eli Shearer (16) and Stan Nisbet (17) in 6th and 8th overall
Gary,I really like the first guy talking on the video? Does he do the actual race? Bloddy Hell,he could be the next UCI guy trying to step in the shoes of Rob?
Avy
That's Grant Murdoch. (the same guy with the mic interviewing folk at the end) He does a bit of commentating and promotional stuff for the SDA. He's a sound, funny enthusiastic guy. (some Scots are 
) He races DH too. In Masters. He's quite quick.
) He races DH too. In Masters. He's quite quick.
I think everyone on RM already got the memo that unless you have wide shoulders 750-760 seems the sweet spot. Or did I miss it and some people still insist on riding super long bikes with super long bars?
Also since you probably know more than us. Will William Brodie race any world cups?
At least until the next memo.
Yeah. AFAIK William will be continuing to race World Cups
Spank had/has a 777mm bar. The Bearclaw special edition. I had one. Still on Spank handlebars to this day. Try the vibrocore. Not disappointing.
SPANK SPIKE 777 FR Vibrocore™ Bar
award-winning Vibrocore foam core provides vibration damping proven to reduce arm pump and hand-numbness CNC bending and extreme gradual taper (XGT) technology result in lighter, thinner wall increased strength and stiffness compared to conventional alloy bars shot-peening and anodizing enhances...
spank-ind.com
I can't remember the podcast/video, but there were some EWS riders that said they cut down the bar width due to the blind riding but that it was narrower than their preferences.
I know it also has to do with shoulder width, arm section length and elbow angle blah blah as well....
6'2" officially, but I'm starting to shrink, so down to 6'1"
So guess that makes the Ape index is 2,5 up from the previiois 1.5.
Trailbike bars are Syntace Vector 780mm (40mm stem, 477 reach)
DH bars are Spank Spike Vibrocore 800 at 800mm (50mm stem 435 reach)
Grips on both are Ergon GE1 Evo.
Have been wondering about taking the DH to 780, but it feels good most of the time after I acclimitize to oldschool geo. I do find myself a bit further forward than I would like on occasion.
The trailbike feels great on fast open bike park stuff, but too wide and cumbersome on the slowest narrowest of the local trails, but pretty good most of the rest of the time. I'm more on the fence here. I do have a 750 Easton carbon bar i could throw on, but that may not tell me much as it will be too narrow and its numbers are differnt. (I found it good, but wanted a bit more when it was on the 26" Endorphin. On a 29r, I'm skeptical.) Maybe I should break out the ODI rogues and do some grip inset narrow testing.
6'2" officially, but I'm starting to shrink, so down to 6'1"
So guess that makes the Ape index is 2,5 up from the previiois 1.5.
Trailbike bars are Syntace Vector 780mm (40mm stem, 477 reach)
DH bars are Spank Spike Vibrocore 800 at 800mm (50mm stem 435 reach)
Grips on both are Ergon GE1 Evo.
Have been wondering about taking the DH to 780, but it feels good most of the time after I acclimitize to oldschool geo. I do find myself a bit further forward than I would like on occasion.
The trailbike feels great on fast open bike park stuff, but too wide and cumbersome on the slowest narrowest of the local trails, but pretty good most of the rest of the time. I'm more on the fence here. I do have a 750 Easton carbon bar i could throw on, but that may not tell me much as it will be too narrow and its numbers are differnt. (I found it good, but wanted a bit more when it was on the 26" Endorphin. On a 29r, I'm skeptical.) Maybe I should break out the ODI rogues and do some grip inset narrow testing.
Ideal bar width also has a lot to do with skill, strength and reflexes. A world cup rider is going to be able to get away with narrower bars than schmucks bench racing on the internet.
A good analogy is how modern fighter jets are inherently unstable so they can be super maneuverable. But it takes a fly by wire system with computers and actuators that are faster and stronger than a human pilot. A bit of an exaggeration compared with bike setup, but if you think your ideal setup is what the pros run, you are wrong.
A good analogy is how modern fighter jets are inherently unstable so they can be super maneuverable. But it takes a fly by wire system with computers and actuators that are faster and stronger than a human pilot. A bit of an exaggeration compared with bike setup, but if you think your ideal setup is what the pros run, you are wrong.
Well true but someone has to guinea pig every dumb trend that pops up online and apparently RM is the testing ground.At least until the next memo.
Yeah. AFAIK William will be continuing to race World Cups
A lot of DH riders use 750-770 too so it's not just EWS (though yeah some of them are mad and use weird lengths).
- Troy is at 750
- Dany is at 760
- Kerr is 768
- Ed Masters is at 770
- Connor Fearon is at 760-770
Naah. It's not "pros need magical gear". Good body position is a good body position. Simple physics applies to everyone. If you have too wide bars you shoulder length doesn't get narrower just because you got faster. Pros simply spend time to test different setups, we don't so we stay with what felt good in the past. That's why.
Also wide bars made more sense in the past. When bikes were shorter wider bars didn't stretch you out as much as they do now. They kinda helped to compensate for short TT. It's not surprising that with a different position we need a different bar width.
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So, are you guys stating that at 5'-8" (170cm) I shouldn't be using my 820mm bar on a 29'er?
I'll always think of this series in terms of ridiculous bar width:
There's definitely going to be a range of personal preference to bar width, but there's also "this is so far outside of anything that makes sense that you can't possibly ride effectively".