2021 Mountain Bike Team Rumors

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UCI Enduro World Cup (EDR)
Downhill
UCI Mountain Bike World Cup
- ΗΛΕΚΤΡΟΝ - 1/29/2021 6:41am
1/29/2021 6:41am
jeanphilippe.simard.33 wrote:
Food for thoughts: Out of the Top 20 Men WC DH Overall Standings, after most team transfert done 13 are now on Fox Suspension 4 on...
Food for thoughts:
Out of the Top 20 Men WC DH Overall Standings, after most team transfert done
13 are now on Fox Suspension
4 on Rock Shox
3 on Ohlins

Are Fox products that much better?
Are they (Fox) giving THAT much more sponsorship money ?
Are they offering such a superior support at the race?

If you would be a top 10 guy, would you rather have a "personal" custom support like Loic & Ohlins or be with the mass and go where everybody else go because you'd feel they truly offer something better?
[url=https://youtu.be/lXNN2bVOu-w?t=61
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bermslapper69 1/29/2021 7:10am
1/29/2021 7:10am
Reg54 wrote:
Giant teasing a new DH rider on IG
peecee wrote:
Wish it was a new bike! Giant seem to be doing a trek and GT same bike same colours for a couple of years on the...
Wish it was a new bike! Giant seem to be doing a trek and GT same bike same colours for a couple of years on the trot!

GT and Giant needs something different it’s like watching paint dry when a factory team can’t even be bothered to change up the colour of a bike it show how tight they really are
I guess you could also argue that it’s part of their brand to have their factory riders on a certain color. Pretty sure GTFR has been on that blue/yellow color scheme since like 2014 and it’s pretty recognizable
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bermslapper69 1/29/2021 7:12am
1/29/2021 7:12am
stedaly87 wrote:
Are giant going to bring in a new bike? As good as the Glory was. I feel Thirion could still easily have gone to a team...
Are giant going to bring in a new bike? As good as the Glory was. I feel Thirion could still easily have gone to a team with ambition. They must surly have a new bike in the works.
Must... add... high... pivot... and...IDLER PULLEY
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Jakub_G
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Jakub_G 1/29/2021 7:26am
1/29/2021 7:26am
LLLLL wrote:
I guess these guys are past the limits of the boxxers 35mm platform. I’m sure they will be back with something in the 38mm flavour by...
I guess these guys are past the limits of the boxxers 35mm platform. I’m sure they will be back with something in the 38mm flavour by the end of the year.
Oh please stop with this BS already, 35mm stanchion size is absolutely fine for DC fork use and has actual benefits over bigger stanchions. Go watch 2019 rampage and count how many riders are on boxxers going way bigger than any WC riders do, kyle strait included. It all about money and fox has shitload of it, no wonder with their aftermarket pricing that is essentially 2x of equivalent RS product(at least in europe) or is it ? If RS will produce bigger stanchioned DC fork it will be only for marketing purpose, just like FOX.
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2
Brian_Peterson 1/29/2021 7:26am
1/29/2021 7:26am Edited Date/Time 1/29/2021 7:27am
bizutch wrote:
Ummm, not to be a jerk here, but Thirion has no real leverage to pick a better team, so not sure why you think that. Might...
Ummm, not to be a jerk here, but Thirion has no real leverage to pick a better team, so not sure why you think that. Might want to look at his results and which way they are trending. He's a very course specific rider (an absolute genius on that style course) but he's not a threat for the overall. Never has been.

Also, per their usual effort, Giant didn't go after an overall threat unless Jacob Dickson catches fire. They constantly are a step below winning a title outright in any discipline. Makes me think of pro football & basketball where teams that make a profit can't draft for crap despite every opportunity.
If Dickson catches fire and a better offer comes along, I don't see Giant getting into a bidding war.
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metadave
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metadave 1/29/2021 7:28am
1/29/2021 7:28am
stedaly87 wrote:
Are giant going to bring in a new bike? As good as the Glory was. I feel Thirion could still easily have gone to a team...
Are giant going to bring in a new bike? As good as the Glory was. I feel Thirion could still easily have gone to a team with ambition. They must surly have a new bike in the works.
Honestly, I think Remi had a lot to do with the development of the current supreme having been on it for the last 10 years from the v2/v3 on. He was their top racer along with Myriam until two years ago and in sure still worked close with development of the current bike since he was so tuned into it and it's become one of the winningest bikes on the circuit. That's what giant was getting with him, a top 10 threat but also someone who can give input for development. And he gets to work for the biggest bike company in the world and settle into a nice r&d role when he hangs up his helmet now that he's got a kid. Again, just my take on It, not sure but that's what it looks like to me.
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Eoin
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Eoin 1/29/2021 7:30am
1/29/2021 7:30am
jeanphilippe.simard.33 wrote:
Food for thoughts: Out of the Top 20 Men WC DH Overall Standings, after most team transfert done 13 are now on Fox Suspension 4 on...
Food for thoughts:
Out of the Top 20 Men WC DH Overall Standings, after most team transfert done
13 are now on Fox Suspension
4 on Rock Shox
3 on Ohlins

Are Fox products that much better?
Are they (Fox) giving THAT much more sponsorship money ?
Are they offering such a superior support at the race?

If you would be a top 10 guy, would you rather have a "personal" custom support like Loic & Ohlins or be with the mass and go where everybody else go because you'd feel they truly offer something better?
LLLLL wrote:
I guess these guys are past the limits of the boxxers 35mm platform. I’m sure they will be back with something in the 38mm flavour by...
I guess these guys are past the limits of the boxxers 35mm platform. I’m sure they will be back with something in the 38mm flavour by the end of the year.
I might have this all wrong, but I assumed as Fox pay the teams to use their products, it is more about the strategy of the suspension brand. I think Fox just shell out a lot more cash to be perceived as the better product from occupying more space on the podium.

Also, I assume it is similar to the OEM space, where SRAM/rockshox will bring a package of suspension+transmission+brakes for a price, but probably the top teams can get more money out of having a unique sponsor for each category above?

I doubt there is much difference in the products themselves, the mechanic and time spent by the mechanic tuning the suspension for a specific rider is probably a more important contribution.
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LLLLL
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LLLLL 1/29/2021 7:52am
1/29/2021 7:52am Edited Date/Time 1/29/2021 7:54am
LLLLL wrote:
I guess these guys are past the limits of the boxxers 35mm platform. I’m sure they will be back with something in the 38mm flavour by...
I guess these guys are past the limits of the boxxers 35mm platform. I’m sure they will be back with something in the 38mm flavour by the end of the year.
Jakub_G wrote:
Oh please stop with this BS already, 35mm stanchion size is absolutely fine for DC fork use and has actual benefits over bigger stanchions. Go watch...
Oh please stop with this BS already, 35mm stanchion size is absolutely fine for DC fork use and has actual benefits over bigger stanchions. Go watch 2019 rampage and count how many riders are on boxxers going way bigger than any WC riders do, kyle strait included. It all about money and fox has shitload of it, no wonder with their aftermarket pricing that is essentially 2x of equivalent RS product(at least in europe) or is it ? If RS will produce bigger stanchioned DC fork it will be only for marketing purpose, just like FOX.
Relax dude. I’ve only ridden a dc once and it was a boxxxer. But I do think rampage requirements are different to a top 10 WC. If customer support (ex racer) is marketing then maybe rs could take a leaf out of fox’s book.
Ps. The boxxer was amazeballs!
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jamesdunford 1/29/2021 8:01am
1/29/2021 8:01am
jeanphilippe.simard.33 wrote:
Food for thoughts: Out of the Top 20 Men WC DH Overall Standings, after most team transfert done 13 are now on Fox Suspension 4 on...
Food for thoughts:
Out of the Top 20 Men WC DH Overall Standings, after most team transfert done
13 are now on Fox Suspension
4 on Rock Shox
3 on Ohlins

Are Fox products that much better?
Are they (Fox) giving THAT much more sponsorship money ?
Are they offering such a superior support at the race?

If you would be a top 10 guy, would you rather have a "personal" custom support like Loic & Ohlins or be with the mass and go where everybody else go because you'd feel they truly offer something better?
LLLLL wrote:
I guess these guys are past the limits of the boxxers 35mm platform. I’m sure they will be back with something in the 38mm flavour by...
I guess these guys are past the limits of the boxxers 35mm platform. I’m sure they will be back with something in the 38mm flavour by the end of the year.
Eoin wrote:
I might have this all wrong, but I assumed as Fox pay the teams to use their products, it is more about the strategy of the...
I might have this all wrong, but I assumed as Fox pay the teams to use their products, it is more about the strategy of the suspension brand. I think Fox just shell out a lot more cash to be perceived as the better product from occupying more space on the podium.

Also, I assume it is similar to the OEM space, where SRAM/rockshox will bring a package of suspension+transmission+brakes for a price, but probably the top teams can get more money out of having a unique sponsor for each category above?

I doubt there is much difference in the products themselves, the mechanic and time spent by the mechanic tuning the suspension for a specific rider is probably a more important contribution.
The other point here that a lot are ignoring is that when you're on RS, you're pretty much on Sram brakes.

Now, Sram brakes are absolutely fine and dandy for most of us average joes. But at the very, very top level? Rumour has it, not everyone is happy with the stopping power.
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rockchomper 1/29/2021 8:12am
1/29/2021 8:12am
jamesdunford wrote:
The other point here that a lot are ignoring is that when you're on RS, you're pretty much on Sram brakes. Now, Sram brakes are absolutely...
The other point here that a lot are ignoring is that when you're on RS, you're pretty much on Sram brakes.

Now, Sram brakes are absolutely fine and dandy for most of us average joes. But at the very, very top level? Rumour has it, not everyone is happy with the stopping power.
I am a firm believer that average joes need better brakes than the pro's, average joes drag brakes longer and aren't as good at modulation. Average goes use their brakes way more down the same track. I stopped running sram cuz the fade and lack of power. Magura for life! Very happy to see alot of the world cuppers now riding Magura's. They really are a better all around brake! Also rumor has it a big name will be going to Magura this year.
1
stedaly87
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stedaly87 1/29/2021 8:17am
1/29/2021 8:17am
metadave wrote:
Honestly, I think Remi had a lot to do with the development of the current supreme having been on it for the last 10 years from...
Honestly, I think Remi had a lot to do with the development of the current supreme having been on it for the last 10 years from the v2/v3 on. He was their top racer along with Myriam until two years ago and in sure still worked close with development of the current bike since he was so tuned into it and it's become one of the winningest bikes on the circuit. That's what giant was getting with him, a top 10 threat but also someone who can give input for development. And he gets to work for the biggest bike company in the world and settle into a nice r&d role when he hangs up his helmet now that he's got a kid. Again, just my take on It, not sure but that's what it looks like to me.
Na you’re right that’s a good point, I didn’t look at it that.
I hope Giant do actually bring out a bang up-to date glory, and like you say Remy has an input into that.
stedaly87
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stedaly87 1/29/2021 8:27am
1/29/2021 8:27am
bizutch wrote:
Ummm, not to be a jerk here, but Thirion has no real leverage to pick a better team, so not sure why you think that. Might...
Ummm, not to be a jerk here, but Thirion has no real leverage to pick a better team, so not sure why you think that. Might want to look at his results and which way they are trending. He's a very course specific rider (an absolute genius on that style course) but he's not a threat for the overall. Never has been.

Also, per their usual effort, Giant didn't go after an overall threat unless Jacob Dickson catches fire. They constantly are a step below winning a title outright in any discipline. Makes me think of pro football & basketball where teams that make a profit can't draft for crap despite every opportunity.
Course specific deffo, but He’s still a top 20 rider more often than not.
My point was that he could have still gone to a smaller yet more progressive team than Giant, if you know what mean.
But like meta Dave says perhaps this shows a bit of intent to progress and have someone who can help bring the bikes along. I dunno, he clearly still has a fan base judging by this thread.

Out of interest do giant sell well in North America?
bulletbass man 1/29/2021 8:30am
1/29/2021 8:30am
Someone has to give the guy who isn’t number one a job. Giant’s roster has kicked ass over the last decade. Who cares they aren’t trying to sign Aaron Gwin or Bruni.

I do hope they are planning a new glory however. More people in the game, especially the biggest, is better for everyone really.
bulletbass man 1/29/2021 8:31am
1/29/2021 8:31am
bizutch wrote:
Ummm, not to be a jerk here, but Thirion has no real leverage to pick a better team, so not sure why you think that. Might...
Ummm, not to be a jerk here, but Thirion has no real leverage to pick a better team, so not sure why you think that. Might want to look at his results and which way they are trending. He's a very course specific rider (an absolute genius on that style course) but he's not a threat for the overall. Never has been.

Also, per their usual effort, Giant didn't go after an overall threat unless Jacob Dickson catches fire. They constantly are a step below winning a title outright in any discipline. Makes me think of pro football & basketball where teams that make a profit can't draft for crap despite every opportunity.
stedaly87 wrote:
Course specific deffo, but He’s still a top 20 rider more often than not. My point was that he could have still gone to a smaller...
Course specific deffo, but He’s still a top 20 rider more often than not.
My point was that he could have still gone to a smaller yet more progressive team than Giant, if you know what mean.
But like meta Dave says perhaps this shows a bit of intent to progress and have someone who can help bring the bikes along. I dunno, he clearly still has a fan base judging by this thread.

Out of interest do giant sell well in North America?
Yes. Extremely well.
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Tanner_Carl 1/29/2021 8:35am
1/29/2021 8:35am
bulletbass man wrote:
Someone has to give the guy who isn’t number one a job. Giant’s roster has kicked ass over the last decade. Who cares they aren’t trying...
Someone has to give the guy who isn’t number one a job. Giant’s roster has kicked ass over the last decade. Who cares they aren’t trying to sign Aaron Gwin or Bruni.

I do hope they are planning a new glory however. More people in the game, especially the biggest, is better for everyone really.
All the talk about the lack of Giant's new DH bike isn't entirely true.. Correct me if I'm wrong but I believe they've got a 29 glory in the works
iceman2058 1/29/2021 8:39am
1/29/2021 8:39am
With the UCI publishing their team/rider lists in the usual unwieldy fashion, we've busted out the old Excel/PDF ninja skills to produce a comprehensive list for you (both formats available below, in case anybody wants to play with the data). Interesting to note that Brayton/Hope are nowhere to be found...and only two riders on the Syndicate.

https://p.vitalmtb.com/uploads/2251/2021_UCI_Teams_DH.pdf
https://p.vitalmtb.com/uploads/2252/2021_UCI_Teams_DH.xlsx
3
trpfanboy
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trpfanboy 1/29/2021 8:49am
1/29/2021 8:49am
jeanphilippe.simard.33 wrote:
Food for thoughts: Out of the Top 20 Men WC DH Overall Standings, after most team transfert done 13 are now on Fox Suspension 4 on...
Food for thoughts:
Out of the Top 20 Men WC DH Overall Standings, after most team transfert done
13 are now on Fox Suspension
4 on Rock Shox
3 on Ohlins

Are Fox products that much better?
Are they (Fox) giving THAT much more sponsorship money ?
Are they offering such a superior support at the race?

If you would be a top 10 guy, would you rather have a "personal" custom support like Loic & Ohlins or be with the mass and go where everybody else go because you'd feel they truly offer something better?


I'm just gonna put this here, (someone with more time than me did this a year or two ago) make what you want of it, this is just data.
1
iwil815
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iwil815 1/29/2021 8:52am
1/29/2021 8:52am
iceman2058 wrote:
With the UCI publishing their team/rider lists in the usual unwieldy fashion, we've busted out the old Excel/PDF ninja skills to produce a comprehensive list for...
With the UCI publishing their team/rider lists in the usual unwieldy fashion, we've busted out the old Excel/PDF ninja skills to produce a comprehensive list for you (both formats available below, in case anybody wants to play with the data). Interesting to note that Brayton/Hope are nowhere to be found...and only two riders on the Syndicate.

https://p.vitalmtb.com/uploads/2251/2021_UCI_Teams_DH.pdf
https://p.vitalmtb.com/uploads/2252/2021_UCI_Teams_DH.xlsx
Jackson Goldstone on Miranda!!?? That seemingly came out of no where. I would probably guess they picked up Trek as a bike sponsor then? They were on Scott last year I believe.
Verbl Kint
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Verbl Kint 1/29/2021 9:02am
1/29/2021 9:02am
Anybody know anything about "The Union"?
stedaly87
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stedaly87 1/29/2021 9:16am
1/29/2021 9:16am
Tanner_Carl wrote:
All the talk about the lack of Giant's new DH bike isn't entirely true.. Correct me if I'm wrong but I believe they've got a 29...
All the talk about the lack of Giant's new DH bike isn't entirely true.. Correct me if I'm wrong but I believe they've got a 29 glory in the works
I believe the ran a 29” prototype in some race’s in 2019. But I’m pretty sure 2020 they were just running the 27.5 glory. I could be wrong.
Primoz
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Primoz 1/29/2021 9:26am
1/29/2021 9:26am
Jakub_G wrote:
Oh please stop with this BS already, 35mm stanchion size is absolutely fine for DC fork use and has actual benefits over bigger stanchions. Go watch...
Oh please stop with this BS already, 35mm stanchion size is absolutely fine for DC fork use and has actual benefits over bigger stanchions. Go watch 2019 rampage and count how many riders are on boxxers going way bigger than any WC riders do, kyle strait included. It all about money and fox has shitload of it, no wonder with their aftermarket pricing that is essentially 2x of equivalent RS product(at least in europe) or is it ? If RS will produce bigger stanchioned DC fork it will be only for marketing purpose, just like FOX.
Huck to flat is one thing, precision going full tilt and the right feedback is another thing.

But yeah, tot he question 'which would you pick' I answer 'the one that pays the most'.
Primoz
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Primoz 1/29/2021 9:30am
1/29/2021 9:30am Edited Date/Time 1/29/2021 9:45am
jamesdunford wrote:
The other point here that a lot are ignoring is that when you're on RS, you're pretty much on Sram brakes. Now, Sram brakes are absolutely...
The other point here that a lot are ignoring is that when you're on RS, you're pretty much on Sram brakes.

Now, Sram brakes are absolutely fine and dandy for most of us average joes. But at the very, very top level? Rumour has it, not everyone is happy with the stopping power.
Go read the Nico Vouilloz interview on PB, he went Shimano to Sram in 2020 and said, yeah, it's not a parking braking, throwing you off the bike with instant power, but you can actually modulate it, which is most useful when the grip is not there (wet and slippery). He did say the power could be better, that he went with 220 rotors on an e-bike, but that he will probably go back to 200 mm rotors, because the power was in fact enough in that case.

That interview was published last summer (read it just yesterday).
Primoz
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Primoz 1/29/2021 9:43am
1/29/2021 9:43am
rockchomper wrote:
I am a firm believer that average joes need better brakes than the pro's, average joes drag brakes longer and aren't as good at modulation. Average...
I am a firm believer that average joes need better brakes than the pro's, average joes drag brakes longer and aren't as good at modulation. Average goes use their brakes way more down the same track. I stopped running sram cuz the fade and lack of power. Magura for life! Very happy to see alot of the world cuppers now riding Magura's. They really are a better all around brake! Also rumor has it a big name will be going to Magura this year.
They can be the best brake bar none, but as long as the master cylinder is plastic and snaps off like a twig, I wouldn't run them even if they were free. Faded Srams require a short pause to cool down and continue the big, epic day out. A broken lever is day over.
4
Primoz
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Primoz 1/29/2021 9:45am
1/29/2021 9:45am
iceman2058 wrote:
With the UCI publishing their team/rider lists in the usual unwieldy fashion, we've busted out the old Excel/PDF ninja skills to produce a comprehensive list for...
With the UCI publishing their team/rider lists in the usual unwieldy fashion, we've busted out the old Excel/PDF ninja skills to produce a comprehensive list for you (both formats available below, in case anybody wants to play with the data). Interesting to note that Brayton/Hope are nowhere to be found...and only two riders on the Syndicate.

https://p.vitalmtb.com/uploads/2251/2021_UCI_Teams_DH.pdf
https://p.vitalmtb.com/uploads/2252/2021_UCI_Teams_DH.xlsx
Is this a list of only trade teams? Or is the catch with Brayton that he's essentially a privateer? Or am I wrong on both accounts?
iwil815
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iwil815 1/29/2021 9:54am
1/29/2021 9:54am
Primoz wrote:
Is this a list of only trade teams? Or is the catch with Brayton that he's essentially a privateer? Or am I wrong on both accounts?
He's probably kinda doing his own thing. Doesn't seem to include a lot of those smaller "teams" or private run programs. Same goes for the XC side of stuff where there are WC racers missing but its the ones that just run their own thing.
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bizutch 1/29/2021 10:08am
1/29/2021 10:08am
Tanner_Carl wrote:
All the talk about the lack of Giant's new DH bike isn't entirely true.. Correct me if I'm wrong but I believe they've got a 29...
All the talk about the lack of Giant's new DH bike isn't entirely true.. Correct me if I'm wrong but I believe they've got a 29 glory in the works
stedaly87 wrote:
I believe the ran a 29” prototype in some race’s in 2019. But I’m pretty sure 2020 they were just running the 27.5 glory. I could...
I believe the ran a 29” prototype in some race’s in 2019. But I’m pretty sure 2020 they were just running the 27.5 glory. I could be wrong.
Dickson had a mullet in 2020. Just never got to race it.
29er/Mullet in 2021 from what I remember of quick conversations with a Giant team mechanic a few months ago.
I'm not acting like I have inside intel, just trying to recollect an actual conservation with him. I have A.D. uhhh
1
iceman2058 1/29/2021 10:28am
1/29/2021 10:28am
Here's an intro video of Remi Thirion in action on his new Giant:

2

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