All

It is, XC going in the right direction. Tracks that require mtb skill, the right tire choice, full suspension and knowing how to use a dropper post will help. When push comes to shove the stronger rider will come out on top but they have to get down these technical sections.

sea otter vid from today

Kona troubles at sea otter. 👎 https://www.bicycleretailer.com/industry-news/2024/04/17/wheres-kona-br…

Here’s our review, been riding it for 7 months: https://www.vitalmtb.com/features/90-tooth-dt-swiss-hub-all-new-240-rat…

Surprise surprise, DT Swiss launches a new 240 hub with more engagement (DEG). Funny enough, the two ratchets are now both spring loaded again, unlike the last version. https://www.dtswiss.com/de/innovationen/a-different-angle

It looks like the Pole DH team is done: https://www.instagram.com/p/C55gXKrsl0A/?igsh=MWE5ZHF4aWh1dW5i too bad. Dan Slack signed with them this year.

alex rankin just uploaded Earthed 3 - Europa to his YouTube channel. kinda has to do with racing...in 2005 : )

I am currently running a MM up front and a Kryptotal R in back. This lack of on-bike brand consistency makes the bro scientists very uneasy but I am unafraid—haven’t torn spacetime yet. Just putting cool looking tires on my bike. I want to come clean with this before I check back in to this thread…I fear I may not truly be on y’all’s level.

Don't know if y'all remember, but Spomer did a quasiscientific-ish lab test of rolling resistance with Maxxis tires, and found that the compound made the biggest difference, but wheel size and casing also impacted rolling speed. Tire test starts at 8:28 and for the love of all that's holy please don't try to explain all the ways this test isn't scientific. Trust me, we ALL know already: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=je1UyJRYhIg

Primoz has pretty much hit the nail on the head here. The radial/axial load ratings of bearings quoted by the manufacturers are based on continuous 24hr operation over a lifetime, even the static load rating. Generally in rotating machinery design, the output for a calculation is the expected lifetime of a bearing based on operating loads and conditions - depending on the application it's always nice when the output comes out as "inifinte"...however, in my experience (designing heavy duty winch drums and selecting gearboxes for them) bearing failure seems to be much more to do with how they're mounted than...

monster pro race replay is up!

Just shot an email to our contact @ FOX. Will report back if they hit me back. Also, a ton of shit launching this week = job security @sspomer

i think we had 14 new bikes/products go live on the homepage yesterday and the week isn't over yet. not sure why that whole "launch on tuesday" thing is so real.

Found this new helmet on the german Fox Website, looks like there new entry level Rampage. a bit of a mix between the Rampage Pro Carbon and the Proframe

race report feature from Monster Pro DH https://www.vitalmtb.com/features/race-report-monster-energy-1-pro-down…

john hall racing a pinion-equipped M1 at monster pro DH. pic attached. video on our insta stories. we'll have more pics and interview later.

So good! Question for everyone: Do you dig the '17 Questions' format? I always enjoyed them growing up, but that was back when getting more insight into your favorite racers/industry peeps wasn't as easy as it is now. They don't do very well on the Toob, which doesn't really matter, but I'm still curious if people are fans of the format.

Longer reached bikes have a longer wheelbase... (obvz)... As a taller rider (2m), I found 530mm reach was so good on the S6 Stumpy Evo. I really liked the position for climbing and both wide open speed and trails. The problem was the wheelbase not fitting the trails I ride most often. So I went to S5 and love how much more nimble it is. My $0.02 from this side of the bell curve