2019 Racing Rumors

Related:
Team Rumors
Downhill
Enduro
UCI Mountain Bike World Cup
UCI Enduro World Cup (EDR)
Racing
Shawn_Trudell 1/8/2019 1:08pm
1/8/2019 1:08pm
Eoin wrote:
After watching the bryceland video, all I care about now is what bike he is going to use for DH, as it seemed clear to me...
After watching the bryceland video, all I care about now is what bike he is going to use for DH, as it seemed clear to me that will be his racing focus based on how he formulated his answer. Will Cannondale give him a DH proto, a Claymore proto/pre-prod or will he need to hack a Jekyll?
If CDale doesn't provide their own frames whether its something one-off or pre production I would expect to see him on a GT that's branded Cannondale. They're all under the same corporate umbrella after all.
6
metadave
Profile picture for user metadave
Posts
1242
Joined
2/15/2016
Location
Revelstoke, BC CA
metadave 1/8/2019 1:12pm
1/8/2019 1:12pm
Eoin wrote:
After watching the bryceland video, all I care about now is what bike he is going to use for DH, as it seemed clear to me...
After watching the bryceland video, all I care about now is what bike he is going to use for DH, as it seemed clear to me that will be his racing focus based on how he formulated his answer. Will Cannondale give him a DH proto, a Claymore proto/pre-prod or will he need to hack a Jekyll?
Shawn_Trudell wrote:
If CDale doesn't provide their own frames whether its something one-off or pre production I would expect to see him on a GT that's branded Cannondale...
If CDale doesn't provide their own frames whether its something one-off or pre production I would expect to see him on a GT that's branded Cannondale. They're all under the same corporate umbrella after all.
Thats what I figured. The GT Fury/Cannondale Indignation cross over
2
Maxipedia
Profile picture for user Maxipedia
Posts
405
Joined
8/7/2012
Location
Brașov RO
Maxipedia 1/8/2019 1:15pm
1/8/2019 1:15pm
Merida are trying to position themselves in the big boys league since a few years now. They have been a budget brand, but their aspirations now are of a premium mainstream brand, like Specialized, Trek etc. In this context, why on earth would they hire they Athertons and not provide them their own bike to race a.k.a. making them promote nothing of that they would logically have an interest to promote??? It doesn't make any sense. This connection is only possible if Merida was trying to establish itself in the DH world and/or as a generator for relevant technology. Frankly, I don't see that happening, but I could be as well wrong...
1
1
Superj07
Profile picture for user Superj07
Posts
10
Joined
7/21/2018
Location
AU
Superj07 1/8/2019 1:21pm
1/8/2019 1:21pm
Superj07 wrote:
Look at this. Gwin says it wasn't his choice leaving YT?. [img]https://p.vitalmtb.com/photos/forums/2019/01/08/7268/s1200_Screenshot_20190108_195135.jpg[/img]
Look at this. Gwin says it wasn't his choice leaving YT?.
krabo83 wrote:
that screen was already postet a couple of pages before. it‘s the reason we knew he would leave before the official statement.
Oops. Better pay more attention?
2
Aushred
Profile picture for user Aushred
Posts
33
Joined
11/13/2017
Location
AU
Aushred 1/8/2019 1:52pm
1/8/2019 1:52pm
Maxipedia wrote:
Merida are trying to position themselves in the big boys league since a few years now. They have been a budget brand, but their aspirations now...
Merida are trying to position themselves in the big boys league since a few years now. They have been a budget brand, but their aspirations now are of a premium mainstream brand, like Specialized, Trek etc. In this context, why on earth would they hire they Athertons and not provide them their own bike to race a.k.a. making them promote nothing of that they would logically have an interest to promote??? It doesn't make any sense. This connection is only possible if Merida was trying to establish itself in the DH world and/or as a generator for relevant technology. Frankly, I don't see that happening, but I could be as well wrong...
Merida own 49% of Specialized, so not sure they would go up against them as a mainstream brand, as they already OWN Nearly Half of one
1
2
jeff.brines
Profile picture for user jeff.brines
Posts
1215
Joined
8/29/2010
Location
Grand Junction, CO US
jeff.brines 1/8/2019 1:53pm
1/8/2019 1:53pm
I am an idiot when it comes to these rumors, but why wasn't it thrown out there that Gwin could be joining SC Syndicate? Probably no budget bla bla bla, but if there was one company that had the depth of bank account to have Greg and Aaron on the same team it'd be SC. Plus, it'd work well with Aaron's program of having all his unique-to-him sponsorship.

I know, with Martin and whatnot its not likely, just kind of thinking "that'd be interesting".
2
5
bermslapper69 1/8/2019 2:03pm
1/8/2019 2:03pm
Eoin wrote:
After watching the bryceland video, all I care about now is what bike he is going to use for DH, as it seemed clear to me...
After watching the bryceland video, all I care about now is what bike he is going to use for DH, as it seemed clear to me that will be his racing focus based on how he formulated his answer. Will Cannondale give him a DH proto, a Claymore proto/pre-prod or will he need to hack a Jekyll?
Shawn_Trudell wrote:
If CDale doesn't provide their own frames whether its something one-off or pre production I would expect to see him on a GT that's branded Cannondale...
If CDale doesn't provide their own frames whether its something one-off or pre production I would expect to see him on a GT that's branded Cannondale. They're all under the same corporate umbrella after all.
I saw some cannondale/gt employees last fall (2018) at a popular bikepark in the northeast. One of them was on a blacked out prototype that looked nothing like the new fury, similar linkage to the new habit though.
2
Shawn_Trudell 1/8/2019 2:07pm
1/8/2019 2:07pm
Maxipedia wrote:
Merida are trying to position themselves in the big boys league since a few years now. They have been a budget brand, but their aspirations now...
Merida are trying to position themselves in the big boys league since a few years now. They have been a budget brand, but their aspirations now are of a premium mainstream brand, like Specialized, Trek etc. In this context, why on earth would they hire they Athertons and not provide them their own bike to race a.k.a. making them promote nothing of that they would logically have an interest to promote??? It doesn't make any sense. This connection is only possible if Merida was trying to establish itself in the DH world and/or as a generator for relevant technology. Frankly, I don't see that happening, but I could be as well wrong...
Didn't Merida or the owners of Merida hold a pretty big stake in Soecialized a few years back?? Curious to know if they held onto patents/intellectual property from those days. Caveat - I know absolutely nothing about patent law so just was wondering.
1
Shawn_Trudell 1/8/2019 2:11pm
1/8/2019 2:11pm
Didn't Merida or the owners of Merida hold a pretty big stake in Soecialized a few years back?? Curious to know if they held onto patents/intellectual property from those days. Caveat - I know absolutely nothing about patent law so just was wondering.
2
ck85
Profile picture for user ck85
Posts
79
Joined
9/19/2017
Location
GB
ck85 1/8/2019 2:12pm
1/8/2019 2:12pm
2018 Teams (What's changed?)

MS -
Unior -
Canyon -
Saracen -
Trek - Athertons left
Giant -
GT -
Comm Vallnord -
Pivot -
Specialized Gravity -
YT - Gwin and Neko Gone
Santa CruZ -
Scott - Rebranded
Transition -
Cube - Some riders left?
UNNO -
Propain - Gone?
Norco - Manger gone
Intense - some gone
Polygon -

Predictions
Seagragves to YT
Athertons to Norco
Blenki to GT
Gwin do his own thing (GT frame my prediction)




11
Karabuka
Profile picture for user Karabuka
Posts
432
Joined
12/1/2011
Location
SI
Karabuka 1/8/2019 2:35pm
1/8/2019 2:35pm
Seagraves have been supposedly confirmed to stay on Transition for 2019...
5
1
jeff.brines
Profile picture for user jeff.brines
Posts
1215
Joined
8/29/2010
Location
Grand Junction, CO US
jeff.brines 1/8/2019 3:07pm
1/8/2019 3:07pm
Rhys_Spencer wrote:
[img]https://p.vitalmtb.com/photos/forums/2019/01/08/7270/s1200_Screenshot_20190109_065804.jpg[/img] Retro looking frame


Retro looking frame
looks like a trials bike to me.. (moto)
5
Diag
Profile picture for user Diag
Posts
7
Joined
5/15/2015
Location
FR
Diag 1/8/2019 3:15pm
1/8/2019 3:15pm
jeff.brines wrote:
looks like a trials bike to me.. (moto)
with a marzocchi fork Blink #rumoroftheyear
4
samlr
Profile picture for user samlr
Posts
35
Joined
12/14/2017
Location
CA
samlr 1/8/2019 3:54pm
1/8/2019 3:54pm
jeff.brines wrote:
looks like a trials bike to me.. (moto)
Diag wrote:
with a marzocchi fork Blink #rumoroftheyear
Marzocchi moto it's owned by VRM and it’s different to Marzocchi mtb owned by Fox
Roach51
Profile picture for user Roach51
Posts
5
Joined
3/19/2015
Location
NZ
Roach51 1/8/2019 4:39pm
1/8/2019 4:39pm
Rhys_Spencer wrote:
[img]https://p.vitalmtb.com/photos/forums/2019/01/08/7270/s1200_Screenshot_20190109_065804.jpg[/img] Retro looking frame


Retro looking frame
jeff.brines wrote:
looks like a trials bike to me.. (moto)
My first thought too, but I don't see a throttle.
1
1
turkey7
Profile picture for user turkey7
Posts
8
Joined
11/19/2018
Location
Schenectady, NY US
turkey7 1/8/2019 4:43pm
1/8/2019 4:43pm



From MB cyclery insta (build brendogs bikes)
- same shape chainstay as proto gambler
- same pivot points as proto gambler
- Brendog posted video riding enve/CK wheels
- Brendog runs DMR cranks
- Also looks like TRP brake
Potentially a full carbon gambler on its way?
3
twestengineering 1/8/2019 6:07pm
1/8/2019 6:07pm
Roach51 wrote:
My first thought too, but I don't see a throttle.
That is a moto trials bike. The image is reversed left-right. You can only see his clutch lever which is actually on the left side of the bike.
5
Broken_spoke.photo 1/8/2019 6:10pm
1/8/2019 6:10pm
ck85 wrote:
2018 Teams (What's changed?) MS - Unior - Canyon - Saracen - Trek - Athertons left Giant - GT - Comm Vallnord - Pivot - Specialized...
2018 Teams (What's changed?)

MS -
Unior -
Canyon -
Saracen -
Trek - Athertons left
Giant -
GT -
Comm Vallnord -
Pivot -
Specialized Gravity -
YT - Gwin and Neko Gone
Santa CruZ -
Scott - Rebranded
Transition -
Cube - Some riders left?
UNNO -
Propain - Gone?
Norco - Manger gone
Intense - some gone
Polygon -

Predictions
Seagragves to YT
Athertons to Norco
Blenki to GT
Gwin do his own thing (GT frame my prediction)




Sea graves confirmed staying with transition. GT already have a full squad, last year when they re did the program, most of them all signed at least a two year deal. GT could also never afford Gwin.
1
Hollywood Gainey 1/8/2019 6:16pm
1/8/2019 6:16pm
Broken_spoke.photo wrote:
Sea graves confirmed staying with transition. GT already have a full squad, last year when they re did the program, most of them all signed at...
Sea graves confirmed staying with transition. GT already have a full squad, last year when they re did the program, most of them all signed at least a two year deal. GT could also never afford Gwin.
I think you meant to say GT would not budget for him.
2
nathan999x 1/8/2019 6:53pm
1/8/2019 6:53pm
adrenalineracer wrote:
My predictions..... Atherton's to Merida - But ride someone else's frames Phil Atwill to Scott Dean Lucas to Scott Aaron Gwin & Neko to Intense Unior/Devinci...
My predictions.....


Atherton's to Merida - But ride someone else's frames

Phil Atwill to Scott
Dean Lucas to Scott

Aaron Gwin & Neko to Intense

Unior/Devinci sign a Canadian (Magnus, Forrest or Kirk)

Kade, Reece, Charlie Harrison & Ethan Shandro form Trek Factory

Matt Walker (NZL) to Commencal/100% or Norco Factory Team

Sam Blenkinsop to Cube Factory Team



I'm pretty sure Blenki is staying put
iceman2058 1/8/2019 7:48pm
1/8/2019 7:48pm
Big Intense announcement! Wink


4
Maxipedia
Profile picture for user Maxipedia
Posts
405
Joined
8/7/2012
Location
Brașov RO
Maxipedia 1/8/2019 11:34pm
1/8/2019 11:34pm Edited Date/Time 1/8/2019 11:41pm
Aushred wrote:
Merida own 49% of Specialized, so not sure they would go up against them as a mainstream brand, as they already OWN Nearly Half of one
You are talking of stuff from ages ago. Mike Sinyard sold 49% to Merida in 2001 (that is 18 years ago), when they had financial problems and were looking for funding. The deal was to make their bikes at the pretty good Merida facilities and that they would buy back the percentage they sold to Merida each year. This is information I received first hand from people working for Merida at a Merida testing and team camp back in 2013. I don't know where they are at percentage-wise these days, but Merida definitely don't own 49% of Specialized anymore. In 2013 their share in Specialized was 34%. I am sure they have a very good collaboration when it comes to building bikes and making money. Wink

So I stick to my initial statement, that it only makes sense for Merida to enter this game if they already have product or if they plan on releasing some. They definitely went ”against” Specialized and all the brands they are aiming at when they released top of the line road bikes and sponsored a TdF team which happens to be freaking Lampre.

3
baronKanon 1/8/2019 11:41pm
1/8/2019 11:41pm
Maxipedia wrote:
You are talking of stuff from ages ago. Mike Sinyard sold 49% to Merida in 2001 (that is 18 years ago), when they had financial problems...
You are talking of stuff from ages ago. Mike Sinyard sold 49% to Merida in 2001 (that is 18 years ago), when they had financial problems and were looking for funding. The deal was to make their bikes at the pretty good Merida facilities and that they would buy back the percentage they sold to Merida each year. This is information I received first hand from people working for Merida at a Merida testing and team camp back in 2013. I don't know where they are at percentage-wise these days, but Merida definitely don't own 49% of Specialized anymore. In 2013 their share in Specialized was 34%. I am sure they have a very good collaboration when it comes to building bikes and making money. Wink

So I stick to my initial statement, that it only makes sense for Merida to enter this game if they already have product or if they plan on releasing some. They definitely went ”against” Specialized and all the brands they are aiming at when they released top of the line road bikes and sponsored a TdF team which happens to be freaking Lampre.

Based on what I have observed regarding their lineup and longer travel enduro bikes is that Merida is not up in the game regarding suspension tech and geometry, as well as their focus has strayed over to e-bikes as well, due to the large e-bike market in central Europe. I could not see Merida even thinking of going for a DH bike, as their audience is mainly XC and everyday bikes. It would rather make sense to make a better enduro bike with input from an EWS level team. And I do not see neither Gee nor Rachel Atherton racing enduro on a professional level - or even on an amateur level.
2
Maxipedia
Profile picture for user Maxipedia
Posts
405
Joined
8/7/2012
Location
Brașov RO
Maxipedia 1/8/2019 11:49pm
1/8/2019 11:49pm
baronKanon wrote:
Based on what I have observed regarding their lineup and longer travel enduro bikes is that Merida is not up in the game regarding suspension tech...
Based on what I have observed regarding their lineup and longer travel enduro bikes is that Merida is not up in the game regarding suspension tech and geometry, as well as their focus has strayed over to e-bikes as well, due to the large e-bike market in central Europe. I could not see Merida even thinking of going for a DH bike, as their audience is mainly XC and everyday bikes. It would rather make sense to make a better enduro bike with input from an EWS level team. And I do not see neither Gee nor Rachel Atherton racing enduro on a professional level - or even on an amateur level.
I see your point, but I believe Merida's ambitions are becoming relevant in every aspect of the sport, pretty much following Giant's path, who also started as a company making bikes for others, having their own brand that steadily increased in value, but which is now well-represented and generally perceived in positive light on most levels of the market.

Otherwise, it looks to me that Brendan's wheels from above look like they have an XD cassette, so could there be a little jump to SRAM happening, at least drivetrain-wise?
1
baronKanon 1/8/2019 11:56pm
1/8/2019 11:56pm
Maxipedia wrote:
I see your point, but I believe Merida's ambitions are becoming relevant in every aspect of the sport, pretty much following Giant's path, who also started...
I see your point, but I believe Merida's ambitions are becoming relevant in every aspect of the sport, pretty much following Giant's path, who also started as a company making bikes for others, having their own brand that steadily increased in value, but which is now well-represented and generally perceived in positive light on most levels of the market.

Otherwise, it looks to me that Brendan's wheels from above look like they have an XD cassette, so could there be a little jump to SRAM happening, at least drivetrain-wise?
Is there a significant DH market to make the jump now? Giant started branching to other segments over 20 years ago. Merida was then still making crappy hardtail frames and some descent for Gunn Rita. Merida has been a brand of their own nearly 30 years (it all started in Norway when a Norwegian company wanted to sell bikes, and Merida asked what their brand name was. They saw nothing wrong in using Merida, and then it started)

Is it Brendog's bike? Wink
DHFabi
Profile picture for user DHFabi
Posts
5
Joined
12/15/2017
Location
Stuttgart DE
DHFabi 1/9/2019 1:42am
1/9/2019 1:42am
Athertons on a Hope DH Bike
11
ck85
Profile picture for user ck85
Posts
79
Joined
9/19/2017
Location
GB
ck85 1/9/2019 1:49am
1/9/2019 1:49am
DHFabi wrote:
Athertons on a Hope DH Bike
If Hope were making a DH bike brayton would of been the test rider. Can't imagine the cost of running a team and supplying 3 WC riders with frames and spares.
2

Post a reply to: 2019 Racing Rumors