2019 UCI World Cup Downhill Tech

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UCI Mountain Bike World Cup
Dickscruttock 4/24/2019 2:23pm
4/24/2019 2:23pm Edited Date/Time 4/24/2019 2:30pm
Missed the above.
mmckechnie
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mmckechnie 4/25/2019 2:45am
4/25/2019 2:45am Edited Date/Time 4/25/2019 2:56am
From the specializedgravity Instagram.





Dylan
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Dylan 4/25/2019 3:19am
4/25/2019 3:19am Edited Date/Time 4/25/2019 3:20am
Someone at Scott is on a reverse mullet bike, I'm guessing Marine. I am genuinely surprised by the number of reverse mullet bikes.

I always assumed the industry picked 27.5" because it was halfway between 26" and 29", therefore, is there another wheel size in that range that is even more optimal? Metric wheel sizes for 2020?... Let's hope not


Sonofbovril2 4/25/2019 3:32am
4/25/2019 3:32am
mmckechnie wrote:
From the specializedgravity Instagram. [img]https://p.vitalmtb.com/photos/forums/2019/04/25/8085/s1200_Screenshot_20190425_053312.jpg[/img] [img]https://p.vitalmtb.com/photos/forums/2019/04/25/8086/s1200_Screenshot_20190425_053231.jpg[/img] View this post on Instagram Good morning beauty ?. The new demo looking fresher than ever for Round 1 ...
From the specializedgravity Instagram.





Interesting how the chainstay attaches on the outside of the mainframe on the non-drive side but on the inside on the drive side. Obviously for space purposes around the chainring but it sets my OCD Off ?
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Oz_Taylor
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Oz_Taylor 4/25/2019 4:50am
4/25/2019 4:50am Edited Date/Time 4/25/2019 4:55am
mmckechnie wrote:
From the specializedgravity Instagram. [img]https://p.vitalmtb.com/photos/forums/2019/04/25/8085/s1200_Screenshot_20190425_053312.jpg[/img] [img]https://p.vitalmtb.com/photos/forums/2019/04/25/8086/s1200_Screenshot_20190425_053231.jpg[/img] View this post on Instagram Good morning beauty ?. The new demo looking fresher than ever for Round 1 ...
From the specializedgravity Instagram.





Not sure on Loic paint job TBH. South Africa bike?

4
CandyMuffin
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CandyMuffin 4/25/2019 5:17am
4/25/2019 5:17am
Oz_Taylor wrote:
Not sure on Loic paint job TBH. South Africa bike?

World Champ colours!
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1
Oz_Taylor
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Oz_Taylor 4/25/2019 6:56am
4/25/2019 6:56am Edited Date/Time 4/25/2019 6:59am
CandyMuffin wrote:
World Champ colours!
I know what the rainbow stripes are, but when you separate all the colours like that, it doesn't look like the UCI stripes.

I guess it's just the way the stripes come to a point on top of the downtube. The yellow and green separated by black looks a lot like the South African flag to me.

But whatever, it's just paint.
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JasonALap
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JasonALap 4/25/2019 7:34am
4/25/2019 7:34am
Dylan wrote:
Someone at Scott is on a reverse mullet bike, I'm guessing Marine. I am genuinely surprised by the number of reverse mullet bikes. I always assumed...
Someone at Scott is on a reverse mullet bike, I'm guessing Marine. I am genuinely surprised by the number of reverse mullet bikes.

I always assumed the industry picked 27.5" because it was halfway between 26" and 29", therefore, is there another wheel size in that range that is even more optimal? Metric wheel sizes for 2020?... Let's hope not


The 27.5 isn't truly halfway between 26 and 29, it's actually closer to 27". It was used because it was an existing French touring bike standard, not a truly new size. What we're seeing is that on DH bikes with lots of travel, the 29 rear is cumbersome. Also, even on shorter travel bikes, the longer chainstay of the 29" bikes is throwing off front/rear balance on smaller size frames. Riders who are smaller and/or move around a lot on the bike may find the 29"rear wheel limiting.
2
Dueling Banjos 4/25/2019 7:38am
4/25/2019 7:38am
Similar rear to Banshee Legend, at first glance.
3
bizutch
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bizutch 4/25/2019 7:45am
4/25/2019 7:45am
Dylan wrote:
Someone at Scott is on a reverse mullet bike, I'm guessing Marine. I am genuinely surprised by the number of reverse mullet bikes. I always assumed...
Someone at Scott is on a reverse mullet bike, I'm guessing Marine. I am genuinely surprised by the number of reverse mullet bikes.

I always assumed the industry picked 27.5" because it was halfway between 26" and 29", therefore, is there another wheel size in that range that is even more optimal? Metric wheel sizes for 2020?... Let's hope not


JasonALap wrote:
The 27.5 isn't truly halfway between 26 and 29, it's actually closer to 27". It was used because it was an existing French touring bike standard...
The 27.5 isn't truly halfway between 26 and 29, it's actually closer to 27". It was used because it was an existing French touring bike standard, not a truly new size. What we're seeing is that on DH bikes with lots of travel, the 29 rear is cumbersome. Also, even on shorter travel bikes, the longer chainstay of the 29" bikes is throwing off front/rear balance on smaller size frames. Riders who are smaller and/or move around a lot on the bike may find the 29"rear wheel limiting.
Which is something a person like me would face. I am 5'10" but have a really long torso & short legs. Bikes have always fit me weird because where I hinge at my hips puts me at an odd balance.

My butt drags a 26" wheel & I've gotten a few scary skid marks from my 27.5" rear now trying to get my my weight back. I want to try a 29" DH rig but I already know I'd like the feel of a 29/27.5 combo more.
1
qblambda
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qblambda 4/25/2019 7:47am
4/25/2019 7:47am
Dueling Banjos wrote:
Similar rear to Banshee Legend, at first glance.
The Demo is actually technically closer to the Sender with the cisor links (hidden near the bb)
But I see your point 'visually'
1
Sonofbovril2 4/25/2019 7:49am
4/25/2019 7:49am
JasonALap wrote:
The 27.5 isn't truly halfway between 26 and 29, it's actually closer to 27". It was used because it was an existing French touring bike standard...
The 27.5 isn't truly halfway between 26 and 29, it's actually closer to 27". It was used because it was an existing French touring bike standard, not a truly new size. What we're seeing is that on DH bikes with lots of travel, the 29 rear is cumbersome. Also, even on shorter travel bikes, the longer chainstay of the 29" bikes is throwing off front/rear balance on smaller size frames. Riders who are smaller and/or move around a lot on the bike may find the 29"rear wheel limiting.
I think it mostly comes down to butt space for smaller riders to move around without getting buzzed by using the 27.5
Sonofbovril2 4/25/2019 7:51am
4/25/2019 7:51am Edited Date/Time 4/25/2019 7:56am
Dueling Banjos wrote:
Similar rear to Banshee Legend, at first glance.
qblambda wrote:
The Demo is actually technically closer to the Sender with the cisor links (hidden near the bb)
But I see your point 'visually'
Agreed, the low slung shock and shapes are very similar to the banshee, as is that big upper link, but it's not actually a dual link design like the banshee, which is one of my favourite looking DH rigs. It's technically more like the Sender with the moto link as @qblambda said.

I wasn't really a fan of the Demo under Gwin or Brosnan but the way it was working under Bruni the last two seasons with the Ohlins changed my mind, I hope they manage to get this new design as dialed as the last one was.
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D(C)
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D(C) 4/25/2019 10:21am
4/25/2019 10:21am
Loic's front tire looks to be a Sharpie'd out DHF, and appears to be 29, with a 650b Slaugher in back. I am guessing Specialized doesn't make 29er DH tires, which is why he's using Maxxis.
RiderMikeCheck1 4/25/2019 12:56pm
4/25/2019 12:56pm
Loic has some version of the Hillbilly out back. However, sideknobs slightly different than current Grid/Black Dymnd design.
Interestingly Specialized doesn't have a DH version of the newer design hillbilly on their website. However, I think this tire he has says "DH" on it somewhere. Probably hybrid or proto.

peecee
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peecee 4/25/2019 3:16pm
4/25/2019 3:16pm







3
Sonofbovril2 4/26/2019 12:50am
4/26/2019 12:50am
RiderMikeCheck1 wrote:
Loic has some version of the Hillbilly out back. However, sideknobs slightly different than current Grid/Black Dymnd design. Interestingly Specialized doesn't have a DH version of...
Loic has some version of the Hillbilly out back. However, sideknobs slightly different than current Grid/Black Dymnd design.
Interestingly Specialized doesn't have a DH version of the newer design hillbilly on their website. However, I think this tire he has says "DH" on it somewhere. Probably hybrid or proto.

He's probably still running the older version of the Hillbilly, he used to run the older Butcher even after they released the newer one...
iceman2058 4/26/2019 2:22am
4/26/2019 2:22am Edited Date/Time 4/26/2019 2:23am
Neko Mulally with the Kovarik tribute kit - hot!


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Mwood
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Mwood 4/26/2019 9:56am
4/26/2019 9:56am
iceman2058 wrote:
Neko Mulally with the Kovarik tribute kit - hot! View this post on Instagram How sick is this @foxmtb kit!? @chris_kovarik wore this gear in the...
Neko Mulally with the Kovarik tribute kit - hot!


100% behind this, my teenage self is stoked to see this.
Fred_Pop
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Fred_Pop 4/26/2019 11:26am
4/26/2019 11:26am
Dylan wrote:
Someone at Scott is on a reverse mullet bike, I'm guessing Marine. I am genuinely surprised by the number of reverse mullet bikes. I always assumed...
Someone at Scott is on a reverse mullet bike, I'm guessing Marine. I am genuinely surprised by the number of reverse mullet bikes.

I always assumed the industry picked 27.5" because it was halfway between 26" and 29", therefore, is there another wheel size in that range that is even more optimal? Metric wheel sizes for 2020?... Let's hope not


JasonALap wrote:
The 27.5 isn't truly halfway between 26 and 29, it's actually closer to 27". It was used because it was an existing French touring bike standard...
The 27.5 isn't truly halfway between 26 and 29, it's actually closer to 27". It was used because it was an existing French touring bike standard, not a truly new size. What we're seeing is that on DH bikes with lots of travel, the 29 rear is cumbersome. Also, even on shorter travel bikes, the longer chainstay of the 29" bikes is throwing off front/rear balance on smaller size frames. Riders who are smaller and/or move around a lot on the bike may find the 29"rear wheel limiting.
"26in" measures 559mm or 22inches in diameter. "27.5in" measures 584mm or 23in and "29in" measures 622mm or 24.5inches. So yes 650b is closer to "26in". Overall diameter of 650b with typical 2.35in tire aka Maxxis 2.5 is around 708mm which is around 28in. So if you want to continue to call wheelsize by rim diameter plus tyre then 650b should be 28in.
peecee
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peecee 4/29/2019 2:53am
4/29/2019 2:53am
Dylan wrote:
Google reckons Danny is 178cm which I believe is similar to Gwin. So not that short. For comparison, Troy Brosnan is 167cm and he's said 29ers...
Google reckons Danny is 178cm which I believe is similar to Gwin. So not that short.

For comparison, Troy Brosnan is 167cm and he's said 29ers are a no go. Riders below 170cm maybe the perfect candidates for a 27.5/29 combo. Although I'd wager that no rider in the top 15 overall will be on a mixed wheel bikes.
Laughing
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Dylan
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Dylan 4/29/2019 5:10am
4/29/2019 5:10am Edited Date/Time 4/29/2019 5:27am
Dylan wrote:
Google reckons Danny is 178cm which I believe is similar to Gwin. So not that short. For comparison, Troy Brosnan is 167cm and he's said 29ers...
Google reckons Danny is 178cm which I believe is similar to Gwin. So not that short.

For comparison, Troy Brosnan is 167cm and he's said 29ers are a no go. Riders below 170cm maybe the perfect candidates for a 27.5/29 combo. Although I'd wager that no rider in the top 15 overall will be on a mixed wheel bikes.
peecee wrote:
Laughing
To be fair I did say overall and the seasons not over... But yeah I concede, I was banking on Bruni not being a hypocrite. The real question now is will any teams scramble to have a mullet bike ready for Fort William like after the Syndicate dominated qualifying in Lourdes on 29er's?
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