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The Vital MTB Crew
How come I never you see at Mountain Creek Bike Park anymore?
1) What U.S. venue would you like to see as the next host for a stop on the UCI World Cup circuit?
2) What does it take to be a Product Director for a brand like GT?
3) I'm starting to get the feeling that UCI World Cup DH race structure may be molding itself around televised needs than the other way around (course design based on camera-friendliness instead of simply building the best track possible). What do you think? Valid concern?
4) How many Duvels does it take to put down a Mongo?
5) Is it true you're friends with Coolie Ranx? As in actual friends - not "FB" friends.
#Bumblebee
I never get to Creek because now I have kids and it's like totally too far away! Seriously though, I just am lame and rode lots of road and XC this summer when I wasn't on a plane somewhere.
When it comes to a DH 'race bike', what are your opinions on head angle/chainstay lengths/head tube length? Is there a 'perfect' geometry that optimizes speed and performance without sacrificing handling?
Also: favorite get up kids live-performance song?
1. Distance - The US is freakin huge. You can drive across a couple countries in the time it takes to get from SoCal to NorCal, much less from the East Coast to Utah. That makes it really hard for domestic racers to stay competitive both from a budget perspective and from a just plain desire.
2. Track mentality - Seems that a lot of places in Europe have a "track mentality" vs a "course mentality". They learn a track, learn the skillsets, benchmark, and progress. The US always seems to want a new course for every event. Just get better on the one you built and make that track better each time. Don't keep trying to make it new. Less entertainment, more performance.
I can go on and on about this...hit me on fb
My fav TGUK song is always "No Love". "I'll Catch You" was super good last night though
I'm going to see The Slackers on the 19th. The Pietasters and Sammy Kay are opening. It's at Irving Plaza. That's pretty close to my perfect lineup for a birthday party!
1) Do you sponsor washed up riders that still huck?
2) How was the GetUpKids show?
What cool new trends are you seeing on your local trails?
What do you really need your bike to do that it can't right now?
What are the things that make a bike a "must have" for you?
What are the things that make a bike, as TeamRobot would say, "unrideable"?
2) Day two was better than day one. But they sounded worlds better than when they came thru NY last year.
How involved were you with bringing Sam on board with Specialized? Did they just boot you after he signed?
Were you bummed, or did you try and steal him over to Evil as Mr. Weagle has said the Evil DH frame was originally designed for Mr. Hill to shred on?
-Ride like a mini dh bike (within reason) without being 30+ lbs
-Still be able to climb (though not xc race type climbing).
-Adjustable travel is nice so you can have 160mm or so and then put it down to 130-140 when you are doing a tame ride and down't want the bike to be wallowy for no good reason.
I remember the recall numbers and it seemed like a really small amount of bikes...
Budget sensitive Youth. They Need to Jump on Bikes to make the World better. Simple Bikes catched the Kids during bmx Times and the Peaks of MTB. Guys that are still addicted about Bikes. Will simple but trail aggressive Hardtails with modern geometry return? The Zaskar was the all Kind of use and abuse bike. From DH World Cup with nico v. in anspringt, Hans R., Brian L. And Peaty in Dual and 4X, J. Furtado and so on. Why is it only a XC now?
Spending Time in Asia, ever asked yourself Why These Nations Build Bikes and have Karate and Crazy KungFu Fighters, but no DH and XC racers?
Last one, UCI worlds with only one Gravity day. But many Lycra days. Worth the Investment? Or should UCI bring back another event. Like DH Team or Nations race or Enduro or 4x/Dual Slalom?
PS: Great answers so far. Pleasure to read and to know, the guy is real.
The wheel recall was on certain models, not across the whole range.
ok, there's a question. electronic shifting/suspension enhancements. the future?
last one from me.
is it possible to have a premier DH series that does not involve the UCI? what would it take to get riders/brands to embrace it?
By and large, the bike industry sells mountain biking to middle age white guys. That is super lame when women make up 51% of the population and there are many more people in developing nations than in N America, Europe, or ANZ. The love for mountain biking is global, but more has to be done to build better trails and ways of getting people to the trails. When I go to Taiwan for example I see crazy steep mountains that would be killer for some DH tracks. They make all of the parts to build the WC bike, so why not build the track to use it on. It's a mindset thing and more people have to get in the mindset to broaden the appeal of mountain biking, both to women and to other countries. In all honesty, enduro might be a huge vehicle to help achieve this goal.
And yes, dual slalom should make it's return to UCI status (sorry Graves if you're reading this but you know I
We're just now scratching the surface on this one. Some more stuff is on the horizon. The game might go totally crazy in 2-3 seasons with a couple of the ideas I've heard discussed. Could be interesting or could be a money pit with not much return. We'll all have to see...
Mondraker with Marzocchi? Nico Vink on a Solid? Ghost?
Post a reply to: Forum Hot Seat - Todd Seplavy, Director of Product at GT Bicycles