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Barelli 2 more years with Commencal https://www.instagram.com/p/BrvAclznxdK/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igsh…

Oh I'm sure this thread gets passed around a table or two over a few beers and a few laughs/head shakes are had while they figure out ways to mess with people who are taking it too seriously.

May I add that, in addition to having a killer bike, the Commencal Vallnord - Riding Addiction team also just happened to be on it in terms of organization and strategy this year. It was pretty clear as early as the preseason that they already had a plan in mind and it was executed perfectly in 2018. Getting Daprela and Pierron into the team was a fantastic first step. They also chose the right sponsors (SRAM and Spank, in particular) and training regimens for all their riders. Unlike other teams which were scrambling to get a 29" DH frankenbike ready...

Amaury beat a healthy gwin, so no void was filled, the season was his to take and he did it.

There were other guys further down the standing who seemed to be riding much better this year on that bike. I think a number of other teams riders commented over the year how that bike just seemed to work.

I don’t think the Commencal bitch slapped anyone. A young, capable and fearless rider filled the void Gwin left due to injury. I don’t think suspension design, or wheel size for that matter, had anything to do with Pierron’s success. Also, I don’t think anyone can say how good or bad the YT 29er is/was. Gwin was clearly fighting his injury and struggling to find the limit of the 29 tires. The frame can’t help either of those things.

Maybe they don't have a metric sized trunnion shock to fit the frame.

GM, Emerald, Stock Market....is the beginning of the end of Trump's 'winning' strategy?

All the connections and conspiracy theories coming to an end??‍♂️?

Erm, you know this isn't the NBA, right? And there's no ”veteran minimum”.

Obviously you havent riden an ebike. Maybe watch some emtb on youtube and dirt demo one. They can make climbs easier but it takes effort to go fast up a tech trail. The other obvious questions are is it ok to shuttle or ride a ski lift? Why wouldnt you want to flow double your flow time and pedal time?

i think the notion that DH is mainly used for marketing purposes and to drive bike design is not controversial. I also think it is a pity whenever a bike manufacturer stops a dh program because it is not turning a profit. I seriously wonder how they factor in the value of the marketing and design leaps obtained through DH. For instance, try to imagine SC without the Syndicate. Would SC sell as many medium travel and enduro bikes today without that kind of exposure? I sincerely doubt it, though i have absolutely no data in support of that statement...

Or maybe AG is retiring and Hall is just trying to find a way to make ends meet.