[slyfink]

Any idea what happened to Gee? In one of his pre-race interviews he was saying he hoped it would get slippery again, to restore the advantage to big bikes again. It sounded to me like the wheel size debate had gotten to his head and he wasn't confident in his equipment. This is definitely after the fact armchair quarterbacking, but still.. I wonder what he was thinking. His early season was so dominating and now to not even be on the podium? Sounds more like a headspace issue than physical to me.

 

[William42]

Any idea what happened to Gee? In one of his pre-race interviews he was saying he hoped it would get slippery again, to restore the advantage to big bikes again. It sounded to me like the wheel size debate had gotten to his head and he wasn't confident in his equipment. This is definitely after the fact armchair quarterbacking, but still.. I wonder what he was thinking. His early season was so dominating and now to not even be on the podium? Sounds more like a headspace issue than physical to me.

well, he's been sick all week

 

[slyfink]

Oh, I hadn't heard that. That could explain it too!

 

[gemini2k]

Anyone else find it interesting that the entire podium was 30 years old or over? Isn't DH supposed to be a young man's sport? On that note, how the hell is Peat still able to get top 15?!

 

[William42]

Anyone else find it interesting that the entire podium was 30 years old or over? Isn't DH supposed to be a young man's sport? On that note, how the hell is Peat still able to get top 15?!

I noticed both of those things. But I think the peat thing can easily be attributed to black magic.

 

[samdemo]

I think fitness peaks in your late 20's to early 30's, maybe this could explain why on a pedally track older riders did better???

 

[boylagz]

I think fitness peaks in your late 20's to early 30's, maybe this could explain why on a pedally track older riders did better???

Dem calves...

 

[monkeyfcuker]

After riding with old roadies the last couple of weekends all I can "sustained power" haha, don't write off the old dogs on a track that physical.

 

[IH8Rice]

dont know if its been posted, ttdr

 

[shirk007]

Conspiracy theory.

Minnar and Peaty both retire from WC DH at the end of the season. Both move on to race Enduro World Series. Syndicate no longer on the WC DH circuit. Ratboy forced to find a new team.

 

[mattmatt86]

Was Graves on 26"? At least once during the broadcast, a few riders after Graves' run, Nigel and Rob talked about Graves being on Yeti's new 650b frame. But sometimes they don't have all the correct info...

 

[CBJ]

Was Graves on 26"? At least once during the broadcast, a few riders after Graves' run, Nigel and Rob talked about Graves being on Yeti's new 650b frame. But sometimes they don't have all the correct info...

Best I could find but does not say wheel size

http://www.vitalmtb.com/photos/features/World-Championships-Bikes-and-Gear-2013,6282/Jared-Graves-to-Ride-Yeti-SB66-at-2013-DH-World-Champs,62143/sspomer,2

 

['size]

Was Graves on 26"? At least once during the broadcast, a few riders after Graves' run, Nigel and Rob talked about Graves being on Yeti's new 650b frame. But sometimes they don't have all the correct info...

in every interview and picture caption he says he was on the same bike he's been riding all year - the SB66 carbon.

 

[mattmatt86]

Best I could find but does not say wheel size

http://www.vitalmtb.com/photos/features/World-Championships-Bikes-and-Gear-2013,6282/Jared-Graves-to-Ride-Yeti-SB66-at-2013-DH-World-Champs,62143/sspomer,2

in every interview and picture caption he says he was on the same bike he's been riding all year - the SB66 carbon.

I thought it was the same bike (26") but I also heard them say the comment about Gwin being on 650b so I thought maybe Nigel and Rob had insider info on a couple of the bike setups...

 

['size]

I thought it was the same bike (26") but I also heard them say the comment about Gwin being on 650b so I thought maybe Nigel and Rob had insider info on a couple of the bike setups...

yea i heard them say gwin on 650b as well but i think they just didn't know who was on what or were confused about who was on what.

 

[CBJ]

With Greg running single ply tires I guess it still wasn't a full on DH bike that won. Isn't the biggest story Mick getting second on stock 26 aluminium bike?

Rachel also on a stock aluminium 26 bike.

 

[RayB]

With Greg running single ply tires I guess it still wasn't a full on DH bike that won. Isn't the biggest story Mick getting second on stock 26 aluminium bike?

Rachel also on a stock aluminium 26 bike.

Wouldn't go so far as labeling Mick's bike "stock".

Article here: http://www.pinkbike.com/news/Prototype-Polygon-Mick-Hannah-World-Champs-2013.html?trk=rss

It starts with the bike's special race-focused aluminum tubing, which the team readily admits plays a role in this frame not being what they'd want an average rider using for multiple seasons. For one or two big races, though, under the watchful eye of Mick's mechanic, it is just one design point that many teams happily embrace to give their racers an edge.

 

[Owennn]

But not anything special for that one race.

 

[General Lee]

But not anything special for that one race.

Lighter front wheel and a special thinner, mini-knob version of his usual tires on the rear. But really, that's not that much different from the sort of thing that goes on at all the world cups. Everyone is always looking for an advantage and the term 'stock' bike is a bit dubious. Even when the frames/components appear to be standard they often are not.

It's all gotten a bit silly if you start trying to discern who was on a 'real' DH bike based on their choice of sidewalls or frame material.

 

[tabletop84]

The silly part starts when everyone is asking who was on which wheelsize as if it was relevant to the race-outcome...

 

[norbar]

The silly part starts when everyone is asking who was on which wheelsize as if it was relevant to the race-outcome...

If it influences your time it is relevant to the race outcome as much as you like it does influence time. Though I don't think it always makes you faster.

 

[DH Dad]

Any word on Hill? The way he was moving after that crash I'd have to assume a concussion which is not good. Gee had a bad concussion last year or the year before and was not the same the remainder of that season. Honestly Gee hasn't looked the same since his two crashes up at MSA.

Amazing how Minnaar has been able to go so long without any major injury, guy's a machine though I'm bummed Mick couldn't get his rainbow jersey, may have been his last chance.

 

[norbar]

Any word on Hill? The way he was moving after that crash I'd have to assume a concussion which is not good. Gee had a bad concussion last year or the year before and was not the same the remainder of that season. Honestly Gee hasn't looked the same since his two crashes up at MSA.

Amazing how Minnaar has been able to go so long without any major injury, guy's a machine though I'm bummed Mick couldn't get his rainbow jersey, may have been his last chance.

I wonder if riding with another top 20 rider in the team would help him on some tracks.

 

[ritche]

GM has no major injury that's because he does not CRASH on his race run!
congrats

*last time it was 07 WORLDS FT. WILLIAM dislocated, fractured shoulder painful 4th place.

 

[Pegboy]

I gotta say I think Troy Brosnan has become my favorite rider! Granted he was only 10th, but for a kid that size, riding a full DH bike, on a track that certainly favors the big powerful riders, that is a hell of a result if you ask me. The kid is always smiling and happy and just tears it up. It will be interesting to see if he is ever able to cross that threshold into a consistent podium guy.

And damn..those guys were moving! Hills wreck was indeed scary!

Also want to add; Richie Rude would have been 14th in the Elites, edging out Neko...Another kid that will be very interesting to watch.

 

[profro]

bikes aside, polygon, a relatively 'newbie' underdog in DH scene, is only 0.3x seconds slower than SC and at least 3.3x seconds faster than Yeti and the rest... that's nice and good development. ( i try to be not annoying in my biased opinion )

It may not be Polygon. Mick can ride the wheels off anything. Remember how well he rode that piece of crap Haro 357?

 

[DH Dad]

So how many top riders no longer wear gloves? Gwin and Blenki didn't have any but Minnaar, Gee, Peat, Hannah, Graves, Smith... all seemed to be wearing them. Guess that extra feel for the bar you get with bare hands didn't slow down anyone on the podium.

 

[CBJ]

It may not be Polygon. Mick can ride the wheels off anything. Remember how well he rode that piece of crap Haro 357?

lol amazing the bike even lasted one run under him.

 

[Mo(n)arch]

MacDonald will go home for surgery on his shoulder. He won't race this year again.
Even a bulldog gets injured.

Heal up quick!

 

[mattmatt86]

So how many top riders no longer wear gloves? Gwin and Blenki didn't have any but Minnaar, Gee, Peat, Hannah, Graves, Smith... all seemed to be wearing them. Guess that extra feel for the bar you get with bare hands didn't slow down anyone on the podium.

Has it really gotten to this? We're comparing podium places by who was wearing gloves?

Quick someone make me a list of the rankings of everyone by their goggle tint!

 

[Dogboy]

Has it really gotten to this? We're comparing podium places by who was wearing gloves?

Quick someone make me a list of the rankings of everyone by their goggle tint!

Seriously. Nothing but personal preference, no performance gain or loss either way.

 

[DH Dad]

Has it really gotten to this? We're comparing podium places by who was wearing gloves?

Quick someone make me a list of the rankings of everyone by their goggle tint!

Where in my question do you see a complaint? I was simply inquiring for my own interest. I could care less personally but a friend had asked me if the trend was to stop wearing gloves while downhilling. Why so much hate?

 

[scottishmark]

Has it really gotten to this? We're comparing podium places by who was wearing gloves?

Blenki shaves the back of his hands for moar speed - fact.

 

[gemini2k]

Also want to add; Richie Rude would have been 14th in the Elites, edging out Neko...Another kid that will be very interesting to watch.

No way, you can compare the times meaningfully. He went on a different day in totally different track conditions. Hard to say whether he would've done better or worse.

 

[General Lee]

Seriously. Nothing but personal preference, no performance gain or loss either way.

But there is clearly a measurable lack of traction when not wearing socks.

 

[IH8Rice]

No way, you can compare the times meaningfully. He went on a different day in totally different track conditions. Hard to say whether he would've done better or worse.

this.

 

[mattmatt86]

Where in my question do you see a complaint? I was simply inquiring for my own interest. I could care less personally but a friend had asked me if the trend was to stop wearing gloves while downhilling. Why so much hate?

Not hating, I just think it's funny when everyone talks about differences in wheel sizes, frame material, tire compound, suspension travel etc. Then we throw gloves/non-gloves on top of it.

As some have said before I think all of these changes/modifications is what makes world's fun every year. Some chose to ride the DH bike they've been riding all year, some chose their trail bike they've been riding all year, some chose single ply tires, some semi-slicks, some had one-off bikes with bigger wheels, some didn't change a damn thing from MSA. There were probably 20 different bikes and riders that could have won that race with any number of trick parts/setups, I'm just glad it was a great race with a little drama. Glad Greg won on home turf and I enjoyed his win even more when I saw his tribute to Mandela.

 

[FlipFantasia]

But there is clearly a measurable lack of traction when not wearing socks.

I'd like to think the fashion karma gods struck Stevie hard and fast for that choice....

...I also think it's funny that people think different wheelsize/bike choices somehow affect making mistakes...people eff up sometimes no matter what they're riding, fact.

 

[Sandwich]

I'd like to think the fashion karma gods struck Stevie hard and fast for that choice....

...I also think it's funny that people think different wheelsize/bike choices somehow affect making mistakes...people eff up sometimes no matter what they're riding, fact.

^ I bet a lot more riders crashed on 26ers than 29ers this last weekend!

(that's sarcasm, folks).

 

[DH Dad]

I'd like to think the fashion karma gods struck Stevie hard and fast for that choice....

...I also think it's funny that people think different wheelsize/bike choices somehow affect making mistakes...people eff up sometimes no matter what they're riding, fact.

Likely not the wheelsize but possibly the fact that it's something new to the rider could cause mistakes as they're not as familiar with it. I thought it was strange how Gwin changed to 650b wheels so close to the race and on a bike that wasn't designed for them unlike Smith. I've switched back and forth between a 650b bike and a 26r all summer and there are subtle differences in how they handle. I think we've seen now that twice Team Syndicate has made the right choice of running the same bike for Worlds that they guys run all season. The V10 was enough at Canberra as well.