Josh_Swanke's Likes

Whitely is such a freaking tool, whats he doing in this sport...he looks like a lifer head cashier at burger king

The team has a history of helping riders win who had not previously won, including Aaron Gwin. Aside from have not signed a contract this statement seems a little specious at best. Aaron Gwin was winning the minute Yeti signed him and never looked back. True Trek World was a great sponsorm, but let's recognize that Gwin probably would have won the world cup on a Huffy.
However, Specialized buys champions and Gwin has about 10 years to make as much loot as he can. So i am sure this is about paychecks. Gwin is in a great position.

Unfortunately for trek money talks..especially in a sport where even the top riders are barely making a good living, Aaron doesn't come off like the guy just out to make a buck but he needs to do what it takes to survive.

Tweet from Gwinny: "Proud to announce that I will be riding for Specialized moving forward. There's much more to the story than what's been shared and i'm looking forward to setting that straight very soon. Thanks to my team and fans who've had my back in this time."

Neither you nor anyone else here really knows what went on with TWR/Gwin. Calling him unprofessional when you don't have the full story strikes me as slightly unfair. From what I have read of Gwin (bearing in mind I have never even met him, so this is completely my opinion of him), he seems quite placid. Certainly, he doesn't come across as brash so I would assume there is more to this than currently meets the eye (see tweet below). Anyway, that's me speculating now too.

Its simple. Trek had a LOI. This is usually not legally binding (despite what they say). Gwin knows his time in the limelight is likely limited so he's making the most of it. What gives? If his performance dropped or we hit a major economic downturn Trek would drop him without a regret. So he's doing the same thing. Big whoop. Nothing immoral about it. Supply and demand. Right now there is one of Gwin and a lot of demand. Good for him. Good for the sport. Not a issue of character at all.

Sea Otter? Really?

Ha, Fontana and Sea Otter are on the Pro GRT? what a joke.

thats pretty sad sea otter and fontana are on the schedule yet port angeles and stevens even skibowl are not. Sad day for downhill

the lack of a Port Angeles race is a huge slap in the face to Scott, Casey, and everyone in the NW.

BUT, Bootleg being back on the list, especially down Reaper, now that is fucking smart.

Fontana / Sea Otter have absolutely no business being National rounds. Trails on which a 6" bike is the norm are not downhill tracks and it is a huge step backwards.

Just reading this schedule makes my stomach sick. Seems like a huge circle jerk on California.

NW>

jesus if touring bands set up a tour like they'd all be broke. that makes no sense at all.

http://www.amazon.com/Tour-Smart-Break-Martin-Atkins/dp/0979731305

yeah, i heard on the internets that Marzocchi sucks!

If it wasn't for the KHS, Marzocchi, loose chain and brake lines that need to be cut I'd say it looks pretty good. In all seriousness though, all wheel sizes for MTB should die except for one. If it is 26, then great. If it is 650b, then it probably has some advantages and disadvantages. It should just be one damn size though. Three standards suck. At least 24 inch died off a little while ago. Well, maybe for everyone except for Kidwoo and his Bighit with Monster T's.

Based on the fact that they can't even make the bike presentable (CUT THE CHAIN) for a press release, I'm gonna say there wasn't a lot of thought put into this.