Sam Hill and Specialized are going their separate ways starting in 2013. All of us at Specialized would like to send our thanks to Sam. Thanks for the wins, time working on the bikes and equipment, and of course all the fantastic memories! Best of luck to him and his family next year and the years to come.
I dont know, i'm kinda glad they kept it that way I put it on 720p, fullscreen, and took a screen shot of it. Now i have a badass new background for my computer!
I know very well that it is two different bikes thanks reminding me I have a Sunday, but the phoenix is the only model that has been copied on the Sunday (thank you Dave Weagle) so there is a strong resemblance between the two even (read all previous posts, you will understand what I meant)
Right. The Sunday however was a 'Right' bike at a 'Right' time -- half any staying-power for a Bike Maker and Rider. So the Phoenix may appear similar to the Sunday -- it'll somehow always be another Bike. Even if Sam Hill suited up for Pivot, rawness of IH's Sunday is fin'. Not knocking the intent, Sunday's are like the first five Zeppelin Albums...
good call Forever Sunday. Sam Hill is Iron Horse, and nearly all his biggest wins came on an Iron Horse, except for his last World Championship win. I don't think Sam Hill ever won a World Cup race on a Secialized.
Specialized essentially bought him out him near the end of his peak-domination years, got some rainbow stripes from him and sold alot of Demo's, and now is obviously dumping him cause they don't think he can win anymore in the Gwin era. What else would you expect from Mike Sinyard, et. al? I'm surprised Sinyard isn't suing him for not winning enough or for getting injured, like how they tried to sue Volagi for selling red bikes. I hope Sam proves them wrong and wins again.
Protour, you must not like DH at all. Sam Hill totally raised the bar on the DH race scene with his determination to push himself and everyone else to ride faster. Iron Horse had nearly nothing to do with what he did on a DH bike. Without Hill, Iron Horse would have folded up long before they did.
Everyone had to step up their game, which they did when they realized from watching Sam what was possible on a bike.
Your hate for Specialized is uncalled for. The Specialized Demo is one of, if not the best DH bikes on the market. Without 10 years of dedication to raising the bar with Sam Hill, this never would have been possible. ALL DH bikes changed with the Demo. You have Specialized and Sam Hill to thank for the current crop of stable and fast DH bikes. Thank Mike Sinyard for his passion for riding and making quality bikes. Do you have any idea how Mike started Specialized? Do you realize that he still rides more than both of us combined? Say what you want, but until you create a brand from nothing that continues to give back to the riders, it would be very educated of you to keep the hate to yourself. I challenge you to think outside of the box. After I have experienced the high level of service and dedication to their customers and sport, I applaud you Specialized and Sam Hill for many years of success and the continuation of more success for years to come.
You're either a big liar or extremely delusional. Sam got specialized to to lower the you be high on the demo, but other companies had already done that for years, so Sam and Specialized didn't affect much in terms of frame design.
Sinyard may pay his racers well, but he has taken away from the sport by attempting to destroy small bike companies with his ridiculous lawsuits. I don't care if he rides, what does that matter if hes the A Hole nearly everyone says he is?
Not to take away from sam hill, the guy is a legend. i cant thank him for what he has done for our sport. The fact is specialized is the biggest marketing cycling company around. drink their magic kool-aid. im not buying it. they make good bikes but theres better ones out there imo. a few marketing bucks will make you believe what they want you to believe
Each to their own macaroni, after riding most brands bikes on the market I can easily say with confidence that Specialized makes the best bikes on the market, which others may be on par with, but certainly not better quality. They employ some of the best people in the industry, and provide customer service that is on the top level in this industry. Also, they are the leaders in technology. Nothing against other brands, I love seeing small companies make good bikes and service. Transition bikes are a great example of that.
A far more cynical view would be that it's a great video to remind everyone of the DH race credibility of Specialized despite hit and miss results of late
@St-PoK (not trying to argue because I also want to know why he is leaving) Are you saying it has to do with his family? Was specialized asking too much of his time?
From what I heard from various people, not official word (so I may be wrong but seems right), but lately his performance/wins ratio wasn't desirable compared to his sweeping past career for whatever reasons, personal or not. So Sam was being pressured to either start winning/take it up a notch or eventually be let go down the road. However, before anyone or his sponsor could make the decision for him, he took it into his own hands and with mutual agreement of both ppl, left, and CRC took him in.
Very classic scenario = Get big, face and reputation of company/sponsor, performance drops, sponsor tries to help & waits, nothing changes, sponsor gives ultimatum or pressures, at this point person can have various options but usually leaves before anything "Bad" happens. Sam will either get re-motivated and win a lot or his personal/family needs will outweigh his training/riding and nothing will happen.
If you knew in advance you were on the edge of being fired and there was a very high chance of it happening, wouldn't you leave and not tarnish your reputation?
@skierdud89 : I cant say, i dont know Hill much, in fact i dont know him at all, im only a rookie (wait, we turned to 2013, im not a rookie anymore) who saw the video and saying his opinion. maybe im wrong, maybe you're right. who knows.
you obviously haven't followed DH that long and don't know what sam hill and specialized means. First thing that pops to mind when you say demo 8, sam hill. Specialized, sam hill. Its just a HUGE deal. It's like when Roger Decoster switched from suzuki to ktm.
I don't understand this notion. If I automatically associate Sam with any bike, it's Iron Horse. That's where the most history is. No big deal, I'm just surprised that people seem to feel Sam Hill and Specialized separating is a huge deal.
My association for him was Intense. First photo I saw published was of him on an M9 riding some beat up old 5.10's in Australia with a note about how we'd be hearing more from the kid soon. I want to say he was even wearing full on spandex kit with a D2.
thats only because by the time sam got onto specialized he had already raised the game in terms of demand from a rider he hasnt gotten slower he has made the rest of the industry raise its game
I am thinking that this has been kind of Specialized plan all along, sign a top racer/legend, bring some street cred to the company and the Demo whilst tweaking some more. Then when Demo sales surge and it has been generally accepted as a good dh race bike let that racer (Sam) go since then he will probably cost more than what possible additional sales he could bring. While the reins of keeping a high level race prescence is handed over to some young hot shot (TB)
seems logical from a company perspective and why Specialized made this film to thank him, i mean Sam bascially put the big S back on the map of the market of big travel bikes. I wonder how much Demo sales went up his first year at Specialized
thank god i bought my Nukeproof earlier this season..........
Yeah ... honestly, nothing against Sam, Specialized or Nukeproof..... but there is no way Nuke is paying him more than Specialized was. Specialized trimmed him.
Signing Sam Hill means everything for a bike manufacturer. First off, the sales will increase like never before, seccond, the design will get refined and last but not least, podiums there will be.
Personnally, I am glad SH switched team. The NP bikes are WC worthy now. Hope to see great results from him on his new ride.
Eee... Demo wouldnt be what it is without Sam but Specialized on the whole has the biggest fleet of top riders from variuos disciplines: Hunter, Soderstrom, Berrecloth, Kulhavy, Sausser and more. No other company has such pro-diversity. You guys are speculating too much on reasons that none of us can have any idea about. Let's honour Specialized as a manufacturer of few of undoubtedly best bikes in the world and Sam as one of greatest Downhillers ever, and cease looking for stains. Im sure they will be both fine, Sam and Spec were awesome matches!
But if they get Gwin according to Team Rumors then huhuhuh... Sam and Aaron on one team could have been a best thing that ever happened to that sport, such rivalry in one team... It would be like Senna and Prost
Waki: "Lets honor Specialized...and cease looking for stains"
I'd rather honor Satan. If you can't figure out that this is Specialized way of putting a smiley face on a direct-performance-related-firing, then you probably thought Brett Favre being let go by the Packers was a mutual decision. Get a clue. Now that hes not wining anymore he has no value for Specialized. They are putting their bank behind young Brosnan.
Whatever Specialized, you have never developed a young racer into a champion, you just buy out others hard work and then just dump them by the wayside when they quit winning.
Protour I think you'll find specialized probably wanted to have Sam around after all he did a lot of work for them developing the demo. They probably also backed him to be on the podium soon after all he did have a couple seasons ruined by injury. So shut up and get back in your box. The world doesn't need armchair racers.
What are you like 9 years old? This is how business is done in the real world.
You think between December 23rd when it was announce Hill was leaving Spesh and December 27th Specialized somehow miraculously convinced Gwin to leave Trek?
Grow up and put your big boy pants on. All these deals were done months ago. Hill was exploring his options to leave Specialized last year and with no guarantee he would resign for 2013, Specialized pursued signing Gwin and gave Hill the boot once they worked out a deal with Gwin. Good for Hill that he landed on his feet with CRC and Specialized let him exit gracefully.
That doesn't dimish the fact that Sam Hill is one of the greatest World Cup racers of all time, but this is what happens in the sports/racing industry when an athlete is percieved to be over the hill. (No Pun Intended)
These deals are worth millions of dollars to the teams and manufacturers. This is real big boy business, not making 2 minute bike edits to post on Pinkbike.
Well, here are a few folks who shaped the sport we love today: Minnaar - consistency Barel - professional training Peat - longevity Palmer - attitude Vouilloz - focus Gwin - mind power
But, As in technical abilities, I believe Sam is the best. Don't forget he was all the new school MOTO style! Yes, of course racing got more competitive, but I don't think people got faster, I believe Sam got slower. It was injuries, perhaps abit too much faime and status on his head, and lost it's focus and hunger. If he can focus, stay hungry, and pull his mental game together, you'll be seeing the old Sam back where he belongs. Don't forget, that allready, in this season, he had some: "He was the only one to hit that line". Val D'Isere, 6secs back with that crash in probably the worst place to have. Climbs, and flats afterwords... Well, in the end, racing is racing.
mitzule, good write up! however, Gwin probably has equal technical abilities and maybe quicker reflexes (microseconds here) due to more time on the MoTTo? than Sam and not least, better conditioning! Look at the time!!!!!
Good to see The big S give props where props are due. Sam helped them hugely and vice versa. Changing teams is part of the game. I expect Sam will still be a force to be watched for no matter what he rides. Great tribute video.
After a years worth of depressing videos by specialized this one looks like its put them over the edge! They should have put joy division on as the back ground music!
This is sad :/ I've always asociated Sam with Specilized and Specilized with Sam he brought so much to the brand and to the sport and so much development to an already amazing dh rig in the demo. It will be different without him on the monster energy Specilized team, but change has to come to us all...in time, best of luck on your new team and new journey Sam!!
This video is crap. Just a bunch of corporate hoo-ha. No one seems happy about it. They are saying nice things because they have to. Its just publicity folks.
Sam Hill is going to be riding with Nukeproof now! if you go onto their site I think they mention it. I got it in an e-mail, they hand out updates and they were pretty stoked to have a chance at the World Cup Overall title with him on board!
Regardless the video, it's nice to see people care for Sammie. There was a period when everybody was against him. Glad it's over now. Best wishes for next season
Sam and weegle made iron horse, they just had a big factory to make the frames at a reasonable price.
Spesh changed the geo to be competitive with SG racing and always where going to need to do that. Sam just was a face and some extra input in making it happen and making sure the public believed it was good. Before him the demo was a heavy duty FR bike, Sam just made sure the public looked at the frame in a new light. Spesh always knew how to make a successful DH frame.
It was a good partnership for those years, Sam was injured and had important stuff happening outside of DH racing. So soesh and Sam benefited.
Now he is in a great spot to attack for title its a good time for him to change things up and be in a team which will change to his needs quicker and easier than a huge company.
Sam hill is my favourite downhill rider I will miss those specialized race videos there great to watch. Hopefully after a 5th overall in 2012 you can build your speed to the ironhorse days with this fresh start at nukeproof. Best of luck Sam you legend!
Much respect for Sam Hill. Good farewell vid. Contracts end and riders and teams move on. I think one of the few companies that doesn't seem to switch up riders every three years is Santa Cruz. Trading places is part of the game. Always has been and probably more the rule than the exception. Thanks for the vid Specialized and good luck to them and Sam Hill.
Im noticing a lot of people are taking this as if losing Sam will destroy Specialized.... look around.... Sam was a huge part of the demo and what Specialized did in the world cup scene, but the coastal crew, darren barrecloth, mitch ropelato, troy brosnan, bran benedict, martin soderstrom, and other amazing rider are still with Specialized... I think they're gonna be fine... and on top of all that, sam hill was ironhorse as well when he was with them, this is just another change. Chillax pinkbikers!
its shows again how cruel is this sport ...sam crate the demo 8 as the best selling dh bike in the world before him specialized wasn't racing dh for years...and after a few bad seasons he had to give up his position and move on but for one thing i'm certain....
he will win races again!!!!!
Hill needed a fresh start i think and i think a new smaller team will bring sam back to focus and maybe to the hunt for the 2013 world champ for me its all about the rider, even tho i will keep on rideing me 2009 pitch, so good luck to sam in 2013 hope to see him SHARP just like he was on the mother f***** sunday!
Maybe its money, but maybe its more than that. Sam has to support his family, but maybe he doesnt want his career to be full of even more pressure than it allready is. This is a good change for Sam imo, he can do the family thing, but also do what he does best, and that is just ride bikes, without all the bullshit. I wish him well, he will be fine.
Hellll ya samm you killed it this year. Goood luck keeep up your hard work. Your one one the best out there buddy props I know he will come 10 x harder this up coming. Year
The demmo 8 is a benchmark to compare other bikes to. Sam Hill is bloody fast. His contribution to the demmo makes it even better. If that is possible. No matter what he rides next,expect him on the top of the podium.
PinkBike's Buy/Sell is going to be flooded with Demo 8s and the Scalp is going to have a major backorder...here cometh the followers on NukeProof Scalps!!!
Yeh , It would be foolish of Trek if it happened but I've a feeling he'd be tempted to at least try the bike and negotiate with them . He could like it better and if the money is right then we could see him on a Demo next year.
All this speculation is killing me! I want the 2013 season to start.
Dunno if Trek has much to say... Id rather say it up to Aaron himself and Martin Whiteley... but there would be lots of other sponsorship switches: Fox and Shimano to SRAM/ RS and that's big. Trek was cooperating with Japs and Kashimas before Gwin came along so it was lots of pieces coming together at TWR
Its obvious to see that specialized are gutted to see Sam leave, Crc have done very well and i really hope he does well there! This video was like watching foster parents send their kid to another family haha!
I don't know on facebook he was saying he was only riding his roadie at the moment but he might be right, just not up to race pace. But his got till June or something before the first world cup.
i dont understand how any one can say "Sam Hill is Specialized". What about Matt Hunter, Darren Berrecloth, Troy Brosnan, Mitch Ropelato, Curtis Keene, Brad Benedict and also young buck Cody Kelley! The list only goes on..
I think what people are saying is that both Sam and Specialized worked together to produce a stock DH bike with WC race ready geometry and parts to the masses (that can afford it of course). The Specialized Demo is most likely the top selling modern DH bike with race ready geometry due to their collaboration.
The Specialized team is stacked for sure as you point out. Many very influential top level riders too. Looks like Curtis Keene may have a huge influence on the Specialized Enduro as well.
Demo 8 S - WORKS: " SAM WORKS"..I thought he looked good with specialized. But on the other hand, Sam's first few races with the Demo had a lot of crashes. Sometimes I thought "dammit this bike is killing him!!".. I honestly think there was a serious difference in rider style and bike style that's why he was not winning enough. Maybe there is some magic to the split pivot types (DW, VPP, etc) that favors downhill racing.. That's just me though.. Stay healthy with Nuke Sam!! Looking forward to 2013!!
the magic was in the dw link and the more up in travel position which allowede sam to steer the bike better and get more out of the pedals when pedaling..the demo was a disaster for him..it led to injuries and few wins! burn your demos! get on with the scalp!
it seems like the video was trying to cover their big mistake of letting him go...I mean loosing him. Notice how sam was not even in it. It was actually 2 things 1. Straight biding war between CRC & specialized 2. Sam really wanted to make some changes to the Demo. Specialized said they don't see the point when the the demo was the most sold DH bike on the market. Specialized didn't even know they lost the bid until the post was on pink bike!!' Nice job sam
Who here would sponsor Sam £10/year? If all of his fans did, he could ride what he liked... *cough*... a Sunday... *cough*.... which is what he really wants to do I'm guessing.
haha
