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don‘t know how much tech rumors this is, but vali höll isn‘t riding a known TLD halfshell in her latest stories on IG. maybe an upcoming model? but hasn‘t the typical TLD design cues (backfin)
Chrome coating while durable has very bad frictional properties. Ok for shock shafts, not so much for the forks.
More of a topic for the team rumors page, but I believe she is no longer on TLD. No longer listed on the athlete page on the website.
hmm, weird than that she got a new custom painted D4 in january
we will see what she‘s wearing in fort bill.
Re: gold stanchions (or any other color for the matter). It likely has something to do with co's putting their own twist on Kashima coatings since that patent expired some time ago (7 years ago I think). The gold in Kash wasn't necessary but was used to provide a visual cue that something about the product was 'better' than normal hard ano on competitors' products. Separately, from my understanding TiNi coatings aren't ideal as the surface finish becomes too smooth/uniform, resulting in stiction. A small degree of surface porosity is required to hold a very light film of oil to decrease breakaway stiction, and TiNi does away with that.
softgoods tech. Fox SpeedSuit RS debuting at Fort William this week.
yeah, probably

The shorts bounty is more important than ever now...
I hope they cleared it with UCI because it would be a shame to see riders rush to get changed before their first practice, or worse, race run. It being 2 pieces is a bit of a stretch (pun intended).
I'm interested to see the workaround on this rule. Being that it's not sold and seems like one-peice. Maybe they are just riding in them for practice?
As of 1/1/24 Rulebook: "Jerseys used in downhill events should be of a type specifically designed and sold for use in BMX Racing or Mountain Bike downhill events. Jerseys designed for road cycling, skinsuits, or one-piece suits comprising the jersey and the pants/shorts are not permitted for use in downhill events. "
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Don't see how it could possibly be legal for race runs given those rules. The rule about "being sold" can sometimes be waived if they have verifiable plans to sell it in the near future, but it's clearly a one-piece skinsuit constructed for an aerodynamic advantage.
Playing a little devils advocate here.
It says should not shall, legalize but they are different.
When you watch the video they are very careful to describe the shirt as the jersey and the rest as the pants / bibs. What's the take on this, if someone showed up in a pair of POC coveralls and a long sleeve t-shirt does that meet the rules? If so, isn't this pretty much the same thing?
Coil sprung flight attendant actually sounds amazing, as does a Vivid air with the TouchDown tech to take the edge off things in the climb mode.
My guess is they are hoping they found a loophole, the argument being that the jersey is completely separate from the pants (and contains the chest/back/elbow protection), but has a pullover on the pants that covers the jersey. I would hope that they were working with someone at the UCI to make sure it was within the rules since that's a lot of money to spend on R&D to get outlawed before the first race of the season. We will find out pretty quickly if it's not allowed.
This is full on getting back to the skinsuit that was removed from DH racing years ago because it did not fit the image of the sport. Was not a fan of it when they stuck Christian Craig in it for supercross earlier this year. Not a fan of it in DH. Can't get the mental image of Kirkaldie in a skin suit out of my head now. Thanks...
The jersey and pants/vest are two different pieces. I don't see how you think it's a one-piece suit.
It looks like FMD will be running it too. Also, it looks like they broke out the team colorway bike for the promo video, but I imagine Tahnee will still be on the proto bike for racing.
I like the idea of the pants/vest + Jersey, I thought it was long sleeve like what Christain Craig raced in SX. I think it looks sick, it’s not any tighter than what Loic and Finn ride.
Intend Edge carbon prototype on the latest Rulezman video

Relatedly, I have always thought Loic and Finn's getups look so dope. I hate how most MTB gear is baggy and ill-fitting. Has anyone had luck finding MTB gear that with a similar fit to Loic and Finn's fits? I'm not talking about skin suits, just properly fitted gear.
My 2 cents. I don't care how many pieces it is, if the whole get up is skin tight lets not split hairs, its a skinsuit. Nuke it and bring back the Palmer days, its not a good look or a representation of mountain biking.
Their gear is custom tailored, so you could have your current favorite gear tailored. It’s not worth the cost to most people, but that’s the solution.
Is that even feasible for sports wear? Like gear with taped seams and special materials
Also, is the bagginess mainly a product of trying to make sure it fits for a wide range of consumers, or because that's the intended style?
Unfortunately, no. Those closest I’ve come is my 5 year old Royal pants. Every other pair of pants I’ve tried is EXTREMELY tight from the ankle to the bottom of my knee, then fits like Jncos from the center of the knee up to the waist, ultimately creating a look that appears like I’m wearing a hoodie as pants, that gets caught on my saddle nose. I found some light at the end of the tunnel, shorts wise, when I started wearing women’s labeled shorts. Identical to men’s except they usually had a shorter waist to crotch length, and a shorter over all inseam. Sadly many companies have gone unisex on their shorts now. Apparently most cycling brands sizing ideas are based off of someone 6’ 8”, with massive genitals, thighs of a track sprinter and the calves/feet/ankles of a professional ballerina.
Because it's a one piece trouser/vest suit that is worn over a baselayer. If the the top was worn over the vest then you could claim it's a jersey but as it is it shouldn't be allowed and looks rubbish.
I've also heard a rumour that Fox are a developing a new helmet with an internal peak...
I don't understand the negativity about this type of onesie. Tight fitting elastic clothes are standard in many sport because they are comfortable and aero. It also doesn't look funny like full lycra skin suit did.
Last season, I think at worlds specifically, all the Americans except Dak (whos already a bit thicc) had their jerseys safety-pinned to make them more form fitting. It was most clear on Luca.
In 2012 I found a NOS pair of Fox Push pants I believe were from around the Palmer era and wore them until I came to my senses. So heavy. I'd want to see some better evidence anyone's 90s moto nostalgia is for the good of gravity mtb compared to what's come since :D
https://www.amazon.com/UTEBIT-Spandex-Halloween-Cosplay-Bodysuit/dp/B07YCD2J4V/ref=asc_df_B07YCD2J4V/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=693712781929&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=2609200876094238203&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9061247&hvtargid=pla-1722115256774&psc=1&mcid=2aea088aa915382b9bc418e4515e0cf9&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw0MexBhD3ARIsAEI3WHIcVi9TDGEd0xHEP3PX2EvvQOfuwlgc0esPtwgDnilwyvhE6nAHa9oaAqNCEALw_wcB
i think it looks great too +bonus midge management