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Can't wait to hear your thoughts!

Did anyone here manage to wear out a t-type chain yet? I going into my 3rd season on the same XX chain and I cannot measure any stretch using the approved Park Tool CC-4. I have 150,000M+ vert, 2000+ KM and 400+ hours on it. The cassette looks new and so does the chain. I thought my previous XX1 chains were impressive but this is on a whole new level. Another thing I noticed is that XXSL, XX, XO and GX chains are all hard chromed this time so technically they should all have the same durability. I remember eagle...

Always interesting to see when the racers are using suspension bits from outside their main sponsor (back when Amaury was trying the Secus). Apparently Jackson on Novy Parts

As far as polegate goes. Course tape works well.

The new Grip X2 damper is already superb. I’m curious how they could improve on it. Maybe bring the shock retune tech from the Telum over to a drop in fork cartridge?

Jackson Goldstone running new Shimano brakes in the latest DH WC Course preview

Just another crab link. Main pivot appears to be low af. Other teams going high AR, Orbea go really low AR.

Cold cannot be the problem here. Do timing belts in cars break when its cold? I run a pinion/belt equipped fat bike all winter when its 0F and I have never broken a belt... The times I have broke a belt however, is after a rock strike. While all of the pinions have bashguards to protect the box, several of the bikes dont have anyway of protecting the belt specifically. If a rock kicks up and hits the belt, there's a good chance its damaged and can break. I have thousands and thousands of miles on gearboxes/belts and design bikes...

My racing hot take for the hour: I dont like doubling up Enduro and DH on the same weekend. Too much content to watch. If they want to use the same venu do them on back to back weekends. Then we get more racing spread out throughout the year and multi discipline athletes can race both. In other news, cold seems like a weird reason for a belt to break. Especially since its not that cold out and most other applications those things are used for are operating in much worse temp ranges.

have not confirmed, hoping you sleuths can help, but was told two belts broke in poland today. "too cold."

haven't confirmed but have heard of two belts broken in practice today. "too cold."

Ryan really has taken a smack to the race from Ed's latest video. I assume his chinbar must have broken? As a user of a leatt helmet I kind of would like to know. WIshing him & Bernie a swift recovery.

I've been on an EMTB since fall, I've gotten used to and prefer the added weight in the BB area. Now with the parks opening I'd love to add weight to my park bike in the same area. Not the weight difference between the 2 bikes but enough to feel the lower, higher mass. A clean, easy way to do that would be great. On the flip side, I wouldn't want that weight on anything I gotta pedal as it's really only going to benefit you when pointed down.

Question... with all of this weight being added to DH bikes... is there a market for an ISCG mounted chain guide product that has modular weights/ballast to add? Hrm... all of this has me thinking about using the in frame storage on my nomad to have a sock full of lead weight, wrapped in neoprene to slip in there for bike park days. Bonus points for being able to carry what equates to a blackjack with me to fend off bike theives.

$3.77 and i'll consider. PIT BITS from Poland are up. Some bling, some electrogadgets, some Maxxis protos, weight watchers, diapers and more. https://www.vitalmtb.com/features/pit-bits-2025-world-cup-downhill-biel…

poland pit bits pics are present! https://www.vitalmtb.com/features/pit-bits-2025-world-cup-downhill-biel…

Thanks for the scrolling format. I love the nerdery, but always give up on having to swipe through.

$100k+ hahaha A nice, decked out Sprinter Van is like $200k USD. That thing is $450k+ (They do mention having guy do a bunch of the work in-house--so many didn't pay 'retail')