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Another pro with a DHRII up front. I guess I need to finally give that a try.
Also I forget how sick but exhausting that track looks. Conditions looked epic this year.
I also find amusing he's still on EX471.
I mean I don't have anything against those rims, and we've all seen Gwin's run, but it's crazy it's a weapon of choice 12 years or so after it's been released.
(I run DT rims on all my bikes)
Right?! Sometimes I wonder how much of that is just familiarity with something he's ridden for so long. The sound one of his wheels/tires makes at 3:19 had me wince haha
There are quite a few DH racers who go with the EX471 on their DH bikes. The 25mm ID is what they are after. Be it their familiarity with the rim or preferring the rounder tire shape that it offers.
Also the 471 has better compliance that most of the 30mm ID rims. plus they replace them after a race run anyway, so it's not the biggest deal for a racer if they don't last forever.
It's very hard to find carbon rims with 25mm ID.
Are World Cup guys running “widetrail” style profile tires? Is that the kind of tire they’ve always been running? Honestly don’t know. They can definitely lean a bike way farther than any of us…
What is the thing on Troy's top tube that you can see at 5:29? It looks like a piece of plastic with a gold bolt.
KIS: https://www.canyon.com/en-us/mountain-bikes/trail-bikes/spectral/keep-it-stable/
If you do try that, 25mm inner width rims are key. The DHR2 on a 30mm wide rim up front limits lean angle for sure.
Some entertainment for your Monday
I have a DHR II hanging on my DH bike's handlebars & still haven't installed. I'm still convinced it's just a fad from when they had a shortage of DHF's back when & everyone spotted Ropo & others running them out of necessity for a race run (rather than a used DHF) on a fresh edged tire, not some proven feel.
Remote thumb activated paddle on his left control.

Yellow lights on fork in the start gate.
Blue lights on fork during run & at the finish line.
Whaddabout BK vlog at crankworks?
In the opening Wax looks exceptionally grumpy on the lift…Qualifies but didn’t race? Rough nite?!?
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Nn9_hZSKE2s
New Gypsy Tales podcast with Reece Wilson (haven't listened yet, but I'm sure it's a good one)
The moto desk jockeys ripping into him in the comments is worth a skim.🤣
Also check out Sam Hills inside line at about 5.40
Nobody gonna tell me what that paddle on Troy's left side is?
It's to override the FA functions iirc.
The who what?
https://www.sram.com/en/rockshox/collections/flight-attendant
Gives him manual control of the electronic damping adjustment for his suspension. Otherwise it would be adjusting the settings automatically.
spider mountain texas hill country DH round 2 video
TX has hills and a lift?😮
Spider is incredibly fun. Kids 12 and under ride and race free there, btw! They even have a super cute motel on site with a marina and a pool.
Just across the street from Spider is RPR, which is a ranch full of sweet slopestyle and enduro stuff(and a niiice floodlit ds track)… 20 minutes away is Station mtb park, a tractor shuttle spot(that is getting a fresh DS track).
When I go to Central TX to build trail every winter, I plan it all around how close my air bnb is to Burnett. TX Hillcountry winter riding is really hard to beat!
Downhill Southeast Round 1 POV from Rock Creek #USDH
I keep socal winters. 😂
Live timing for NZ championships on Sunday local time https://my.raceresult.com/321873/
Richie R lining up
Is there any modern mountain biking in Southern California? The road bike brand i consult for keeps an office in Santa Monica, I am hard pressed to find trails within 2.5 hours where a modern bike even makes sense? Like most people who have been racing mtb for 30 years, i was unfortunate enough to race Fontana. Central TX has way more good riding close together than any spot i’ve visited in SoCal, ymmv.
https://www.instagram.com/lagunabeachbikepark?igsh=ZG5xMGZkZ3p1ODAw
The YT Mob reporting in from South Africa team camp, looks like they're getting pretty dialed in already:
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