2025 Team Rumors

dwhere wrote:

As others have said, maybe because they actually think its going to make the difference in winning races and competing? Free shifting, weight distribution, unsprung mass. If...

As others have said, maybe because they actually think its going to make the difference in winning races and competing? Free shifting, weight distribution, unsprung mass. 

If one of these teams wins, it doesn't just get them 100k, it buys the team/brand credibility. If gearbox bikes come out of this year with a 2 wins and a few podiums, your not interested? Crazy how much skepticism something new and progressive is getting. 

 

Skedasticity wrote:

If there was a performance increase I would expect more teams to have switched over prior to this $100,000 prize. I haven't heard of some simultaneous...

If there was a performance increase I would expect more teams to have switched over prior to this $100,000 prize. I haven't heard of some simultaneous major technology improvement. Hopefully there is! Just seems like they would talk about it a bit more in addition to the $100,000 prize.

dwhere wrote:

As others have said, maybe because they actually think its going to make the difference in winning races and competing? Free shifting, weight distribution, unsprung mass. If...

As others have said, maybe because they actually think its going to make the difference in winning races and competing? Free shifting, weight distribution, unsprung mass. 

If one of these teams wins, it doesn't just get them 100k, it buys the team/brand credibility. If gearbox bikes come out of this year with a 2 wins and a few podiums, your not interested? Crazy how much skepticism something new and progressive is getting. 

 

Skedasticity wrote:

If there was a performance increase I would expect more teams to have switched over prior to this $100,000 prize. I haven't heard of some simultaneous...

If there was a performance increase I would expect more teams to have switched over prior to this $100,000 prize. I haven't heard of some simultaneous major technology improvement. Hopefully there is! Just seems like they would talk about it a bit more in addition to the $100,000 prize.

groghunter wrote:

See my above about trendchasing, though.  WCDH has had more than a few "that'll never catch on" followed by "we're obviously all doing this in the...

See my above about trendchasing, though.  WCDH has had more than a few "that'll never catch on" followed by "we're obviously all doing this in the next 3 months because someone is doing it and winning" moments in the past. all of the recent wheelsize changes had very quick adoption once someone won or podiumed on it.

Skedasticity wrote:

Does anyone have insight on additional financial support for all these teams switching to belt drives? It doesn't seem like the low (and further decreasing) probability...

Does anyone have insight on additional financial support for all these teams switching to belt drives? It doesn't seem like the low (and further decreasing) probability of winning a mere $100,000 would move the needle any meaningful amount. The most plausible reasons would be additional sponsorship funds from the belt associated brands or hoping to take advantage of the seemingly disproportionate publicity about the $100,000 prize. Additional sponsorship seems most likely, wondering if that's documented anywhere.

Stunnanumma1 wrote:

As I have said, no way do the financials add up: to produce a fleet of bikes for a team is more than 100k. Something else...

As I have said, no way do the financials add up: to produce a fleet of bikes for a team is more than 100k. Something else is going on. Plus, half these teams realize they will not win it.

metadave wrote:

Yes, something else is happening. All of the following is a guess, but I think a pretty good one. Gates, a company already well known for Motorcycle...

Yes, something else is happening. All of the following is a guess, but I think a pretty good one. 

Gates, a company already well known for Motorcycle belts and that according to google, has $830m in revenue but has only dabbled in cycling in the fringes for years is saying LFG. They likely want in on the E-bike market as mixed motors/drivetrains evolve and full power E-bikes ditch derailleurs because lets be honest, traditional drivetrains just don't hold up as well under an e-bike mashing, and they know DH is going to test the to the limits. This is going to be their entry point and they likely know E-bikes will switch over to a more inside motor based drivetrain in the next few years as the designs improve. 

Pinion already has units that can do it, and I bet Bosch, Brose (Spesh/Sram) and others will have matching stuff soon. Gates wants to drive the acceptance of belts as a standard, that they are built to last, and are just as good as chains without the hassle. Like anything else, best examples right now being electric cars or private space flight, it'll start out crude and with lots of room for improvement, but with people using them, suddenly have lots of investment to drive R&D, and as they get better, that's when you'll start to see wider acceptance and better performance. 

This is the only thing that really makes sense with the project, as lighter weight bikes using gear boxes doesn't make a ton of sense unless they can get the weight down to current DT weights and prices, but E-bikes using a complete motor drivetrain with a belt absolutely makes sense and they're willing to put up cash not only to these teams, but sponsor them as well, I'm betting footing a pretty big bill for each if they were doing a whole press release with all the teams they had on their roster. IFR was on the ropes and now they have new and bigger name riders, AON coming out of no where with likely a stacked team, Atherton coming back in from everything thinking they weren't even going to be a team next year and MS doesn't really mess around with trying to get the best deals, or he wouldn't have had a top team thats been around for almost 20 years. It kind of starts to make sense that they switched to a company as small as Zerode if Gates wanted a 4th manufacturer to sponsor with a top team after Intense built that bike for them and there's one sitting there, ready to go.

It's Gates-gate...

 

groghunter wrote:

See my above about trendchasing, though.  WCDH has had more than a few "that'll never catch on" followed by "we're obviously all doing this in the...

See my above about trendchasing, though.  WCDH has had more than a few "that'll never catch on" followed by "we're obviously all doing this in the next 3 months because someone is doing it and winning" moments in the past. all of the recent wheelsize changes had very quick adoption once someone won or podiumed on it.

Skedasticity wrote:

If it's trend chasing then kudos on the marketing strategy. Wheel size seems a bit different since it had already become dominant in other disciplines and...

If it's trend chasing then kudos on the marketing strategy. Wheel size seems a bit different since it had already become dominant in other disciplines and felt inevitable. But it is similar in that you have to design a new bike, so if there does seem to be a lot of success above expectations we'll see some scrambling to develop new bikes.

anotherbikerguy wrote:

Frame silhouette looks a lot like the Allied BC40. Allied + SRAM would make sense, given that Allied already supports a number of US-based privateers and...

Frame silhouette looks a lot like the Allied BC40. Allied + SRAM would make sense, given that Allied already supports a number of US-based privateers and Kate has been with SRAM for a long time.

I am slightly surprised to see Kate on a self-organized program. That would not have been my prediction. 

chriskief wrote:

For those playing along at home, here’s where we stand with the most ridiculous rumors so far…#3 - Phoebe Gale off FMD, going to Reece Wilson’s...

For those playing along at home, here’s where we stand with the most ridiculous rumors so far…

#3 - Phoebe Gale off FMD, going to Reece Wilson’s new AON team, after being prominently featured in the Orbea FMD press release.

#2 - Aaron Gwin back to mentor the kids on lower budget Trek Factory after becoming a partner in Crestline bikes last year.

#1 - Old man Dan Atherton returning to stomp $$$ DH podiums on a prototype belt drive after his most recent 57th at a 2018 Crankworx stop.

There’s a few others close to the top 3, but unfortunately we’re no longer doing 5 rider podiums.

chriskief wrote:

Alright, back to having a little bit of fun...In a surprise to many, the #3 Phoebe Gale rumor turns out to be false. She is sticking...

Alright, back to having a little bit of fun...

In a surprise to many, the #3 Phoebe Gale rumor turns out to be false. She is sticking with FMD as predicted by... the Orbea FMD press release.

However, #1 is still going strong with Atherton confirmed on Gates. Come on Dan, time for a come back! Get that bag!

chriskief wrote:

With Trek's announcement today, it looks like #2 "Gwin back to Trek" fantasies have come to an end. Perhaps being a part owner of another bike...

With Trek's announcement today, it looks like #2 "Gwin back to Trek" fantasies have come to an end. Perhaps being a part owner of another bike company was a deal breaker.

All eyes on you Dan Atherton.

lawn dart wrote:

I actually can't imagine a better, potentially-reachable goal, than getting rid of a rear derailleur.  It's been discussed for ages, but seeing it tested consistently for...

I actually can't imagine a better, potentially-reachable goal, than getting rid of a rear derailleur.  It's been discussed for ages, but seeing it tested consistently for the last few years, makes me wonder if they aren't "getting closer"? Not having a potential race-ending derailleur break, or chain break is a very significant advantage if all other things are equal.  Being able to bash through any course with extended rock gardens would mean seconds of advantage in a 3 minute run.

philip.vega.921 wrote:

I'd put flat tire elimination at the top of the list, but that's just me...

Mtbbeta wrote:

I love the belt drive & Pinion innovation but.... How many UCI DH race runs were lost last year to a broken mech or broken chain...

I love the belt drive & Pinion innovation but.... How many UCI DH race runs were lost last year to a broken mech or broken chain? I can't recall a single one. 

casey79 wrote:

Commencal Muc-Off leaving Fox suspension. 

 

casey79 wrote:

Commencal Muc-Off leaving Fox suspension. 

 

casey79 wrote:

Commencal Muc-Off leaving Fox suspension. 

 

ethanrevitch wrote:

They’re already on SRAM I have a feeling they’ll be running RockShox next season instead..?

ethanrevitch wrote:

They’re already on SRAM I have a feeling they’ll be running RockShox next season instead..?

casey79 wrote:

Commencal Muc-Off leaving Fox suspension. 

 

metadave wrote:

Yes, something else is happening. All of the following is a guess, but I think a pretty good one. Gates, a company already well known for Motorcycle...

Yes, something else is happening. All of the following is a guess, but I think a pretty good one. 

Gates, a company already well known for Motorcycle belts and that according to google, has $830m in revenue but has only dabbled in cycling in the fringes for years is saying LFG. They likely want in on the E-bike market as mixed motors/drivetrains evolve and full power E-bikes ditch derailleurs because lets be honest, traditional drivetrains just don't hold up as well under an e-bike mashing, and they know DH is going to test the to the limits. This is going to be their entry point and they likely know E-bikes will switch over to a more inside motor based drivetrain in the next few years as the designs improve. 

Pinion already has units that can do it, and I bet Bosch, Brose (Spesh/Sram) and others will have matching stuff soon. Gates wants to drive the acceptance of belts as a standard, that they are built to last, and are just as good as chains without the hassle. Like anything else, best examples right now being electric cars or private space flight, it'll start out crude and with lots of room for improvement, but with people using them, suddenly have lots of investment to drive R&D, and as they get better, that's when you'll start to see wider acceptance and better performance. 

This is the only thing that really makes sense with the project, as lighter weight bikes using gear boxes doesn't make a ton of sense unless they can get the weight down to current DT weights and prices, but E-bikes using a complete motor drivetrain with a belt absolutely makes sense and they're willing to put up cash not only to these teams, but sponsor them as well, I'm betting footing a pretty big bill for each if they were doing a whole press release with all the teams they had on their roster. IFR was on the ropes and now they have new and bigger name riders, AON coming out of no where with likely a stacked team, Atherton coming back in from everything thinking they weren't even going to be a team next year and MS doesn't really mess around with trying to get the best deals, or he wouldn't have had a top team thats been around for almost 20 years. It kind of starts to make sense that they switched to a company as small as Zerode if Gates wanted a 4th manufacturer to sponsor with a top team after Intense built that bike for them and there's one sitting there, ready to go.

It's Gates-gate...

 

Grofko741 wrote:

Okay , so what is still unknow? Cami situation with yeti ? and pivot team? Something else ? 

Bananamoon wrote:

Anything on Cube Factory Racing? Max Hartenstern and Jess Blewitt are the only names i remember.

29 wrote:

Crazy that Commencal is off Fox again. Back when they made the switch they even made an announcement video with jordi, publicly said how it was...

Crazy that Commencal is off Fox again. Back when they made the switch they even made an announcement video with jordi, publicly said how it was soo good that it was like cheating etc. 

 

Wonder if it’s for sponsor money or performance reasons. 

ssk wrote:

How about Gwin back to Yeti? has that been considered?

kevroberts wrote:

Is the Dan Atherton World Cup comeback and win this year the new Leicester City winning the premier league title from a few years back?I’ll take...

Is the Dan Atherton World Cup comeback and win this year the new Leicester City winning the premier league title from a few years back?

I’ll take a fiver at 5000/1 or whatever the odds were back then!

AvgMTBEnjoyer wrote:

The new Leicester winning the prem is Forest winning the prem lol. Btw, COYR!

casey79 wrote:

Commencal Muc-Off leaving Fox suspension. 

 

Bleeder19 wrote:

You mean to tell me that we were this close to having a Loris-Jordi reunion, and now it’s gone?!?! That’s criminal!

kevroberts wrote:

Is the Dan Atherton World Cup comeback and win this year the new Leicester City winning the premier league title from a few years back?I’ll take...

Is the Dan Atherton World Cup comeback and win this year the new Leicester City winning the premier league title from a few years back?

I’ll take a fiver at 5000/1 or whatever the odds were back then!

AvgMTBEnjoyer wrote:

The new Leicester winning the prem is Forest winning the prem lol. Btw, COYR!

Kermit_UK wrote:

Come on you Rams?

Know2Much wrote:

Max spending BIG. Also on red?2 former Union riders on TFRSyndicate expanding with some gromsThe Mob expanding but also looking at other optionsNorco will have a...

Max spending BIG. Also on red?

2 former Union riders on TFR

Syndicate expanding with some groms

The Mob expanding but also looking at other options

Norco will have a world champ racing

 

 

 

casey79 wrote:

Commencal Muc-Off leaving Fox suspension. 

 

Bleeder19 wrote:

You mean to tell me that we were this close to having a Loris-Jordi reunion, and now it’s gone?!?! That’s criminal!

ollyforster wrote:

I can't confirm, but an educated guess would be SRAM/RockShox offered them a sweet deal, and part of that deal was to sign Loris Vergier, who...

I can't confirm, but an educated guess would be SRAM/RockShox offered them a sweet deal, and part of that deal was to sign Loris Vergier, who won Worlds on their product. Fox has had more elite male podium contenders for a while now, and with WB's viewing figures up over Red Bull, apparently...the optics check out. An increase in sponsorship dollars would have then presented itself, allowing them to secure Loris, and it's no secret that Fox Factory's cycling division has been struggling with inventory issues. I did hear from reliable sources that they originally switched to Fox on performance grounds relating to flex and the old 35mm Boxxer chassis, so there was no bad blood. Now that's in the past, and seeing as the new Boxxer is now chunky and universally liked and being on SRAM brake and drive already, plus Loris in the mix, it just makes sense...plus there's a full SRAM/RockShox Supreme dropping in March, too, which may or may not mean anything but hey—just my two cents, but this team will be highly potent this season, that I can confirm.

AvgMTBEnjoyer wrote:

The new Leicester winning the prem is Forest winning the prem lol. Btw, COYR!

Kermit_UK wrote:

Come on you Rams?

AvgMTBEnjoyer wrote:

Boooooo. It's Reds. I'm a Forest Fan. Also, slightly team related, does anyone here hope we see Dialed again next season? 

Kermit_UK wrote:

Come on you Rams?

AvgMTBEnjoyer wrote:

Boooooo. It's Reds. I'm a Forest Fan. Also, slightly team related, does anyone here hope we see Dialed again next season? 

danielteleman wrote:

I was hoping hard to enjoy a new season of Loris vs Jordi shenanigans but alas, It wasn't meant to be. My dissapointment is inmensurable and...

I was hoping hard to enjoy a new season of Loris vs Jordi shenanigans but alas, It wasn't meant to be. My dissapointment is inmensurable and my day is ruined.

casey79 wrote:

Rockshox it is.

Rockshox it is.

kevroberts wrote:

Are people not literally looking back literally 1 page to see that this has already been covered?