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Report from Orbea's annual General Assembly: --------------------------------------------------------------- ORBEA CONSOLIDATES SALES AND PROFITABILITY IN 2025 IN A CONTEXT THAT REINFORCES ITS VALUE PROPOSITION The cooperative consolidates a model focused on balancing value for riders, profi tability for distribution partners and sustainability across the entire system It also launches an Impact Plan aligned with its purpose and values, going beyond regulatory requirements On May 9, Orbea held its annual General Assembly, highlighting a model built on profitable growth and the creation of long-term value. The cooperative strengthens its position thanks to strong commercial performance, protection of margins and a continuous commitment to...

Cartert Bilawchuck is a 16-year old who made his own bike, it ended up looking incredibly polished - and rad ( it was a lock for Vital BOD of course too)! This deep dive edit is full of insights into the trials and tribulations behind pulling off such a project, I figure it should be of interest to the followers of this thread:

my 2 cents after spending some time on the bike is that I really want to spend more time on the bike. A couple anecdotes here: I was surprised at how well it pedalled and the lack of heft that I was expecting after looking at it. After giving it back for a month I had to film on it with no time to get familiar again. First trail was a rapid North Van classic that I have ridden a bunch and I was immediately sending it. It was extremely poppy while still being planted, able to pull for all...

Calibrated Ocular Comparator is another good one. ROFL Re: People complaining about Shimano 12sp might need to put the wrench down and step away from the bike. I clean my cassette in the ultrasonic every few weeks. I have 1500miles on my current XT and that lock ring has been loosened and tightened a few 100 times, it's in just as good of shape as it was when new. 1-piece cassettes are nice, but they also are either light and expensive or cheap and stupid heavy... If you struggle to line up some rings and spacers you might not want...

AFAIK the caveat is that the company already folded and the product is no longer available and that is the issue. KAPS has been used in the past on Paris Roubaix.

True, but they didn't say no to the tech, they said no because Gravaa is in bad shape financially and might fold in which case the the product won't comply with the homologation rules (which may not be enforced in DH anyway?).

At first I thought the same it's too goofy to work thoughts, but watching it on the raw vid everyone riding one looked relaxed and composed but not slow compared to other riders.

Fuel prices are driving shipping costs lately, and that's only going to get worse. Soon, EU packaging regulations will drive costs even higher. Add tariffs into the mix and it's increasingly difficult for smaller brands to offer physical goods globally, especially large, high-value items.

The one we've all been waiting for, the first Vital RAW of the World Cup season is here, and it's a good one! Thanks to John Lawlor for the epic hustle getting this one to us so quickly. Healing vibes to Lou Fergusson who crashed on the big step down, and spare a thought for the wheel builders who have their work cut out for them after half the field cased it as well. https://www.vitalmtb.com/videos/features/south-korea-vital-raw-world-cu….

Amazing Wyn TV

Absolutely this. Once you unleash a gaggle of hyper-loose DH pros on the track, it's a whole new ballgame. I for one think it looks great for racing...all that open space and tons of off-camber to separate the the riders, it'll be a lot harder than you might first think to put down a run at race pace here...

People said the same about Poland, but it really cut up and turned into a great track. This will probably shape up to be one of the most interesting races in modern DH. A new country, with a level playing field in terms of pit setup, on a track with more flat corners and tight tree line choice will mean we could see some dark horses really shine here. An unexpected good result at the first race of the season could really jumpstart the rest of their season and a career. That's what we all want, a cool story. Loic...