Pinkbike Awards 2015 - Categories Announced

Dec 4, 2015

by Richard Cunningham

Announcing the Categories

Welcome to Pinkbike's 2015 industry awards, where we honor the most outstanding athletes, innovators, entertainers and philanthropists, as well as the most important products that were released throughout the year. Nominations will roll out in December, with the winning announcements following through December and January. As usual, selections, nominees and judging will be charged to Pinkbike's staff, and selected judges from within the sport. Pinkbike members will also play a hand in judging categories like "Photo" and "Video of the Year," where nominees will be voted in elimination rounds to determine the winners.

Pinkbike has also made some changes to the categories of the 2015 awards. This year, we combined all of the competition disciplines into "Male," and "Female Athletes of the Year" to acknowledge that excelling in each of sport's competition venues requires the same measure of commitment, performance, aggressiveness and creativity from its athletes. We also combine "Game-Changer" with "Innovation of the Year," to underscore the fact that innovation has always been the most influential driving force within our sport. We bring back "Video of the Year" by popular demand, and added "Best Gear or Accessory of the Year" to showcase innovative solutions within the sport's soft-goods and protection industries. Finally, to ensure transparency and to clarify the judging processes we use to select nominees and award winners, this year Pinkbike will post links in each category that outline the rules and list (when applicable) the judges who participated in that specific award.

No secret, 2015 was an exciting chapter in the book of mountain biking - one that gave judges much to argue about as we attempted to achieve consensus. But, we are not going to spoil it for you. While we prepare to roll out the nominees in the upcoming weeks, we leave you with a list of the 2015 categories and links to last year's Pinkbike Award winners:

Last Year's Award Winners

Competition

Female Athlete of the Year: Manon Carpenter
Male Athlete of the Year: Josh Bryceland (DH) and Brandon Semenuk (Slopestyle)
DH Race of the Year: UCI World Championships, Hafjell, Norway
Enduro Race of the Year: EWS Round One - Nevados de Chillan, Chile
Best Freeride Event: FEST, Aggy's Reunion
Highlight of the Year: Neko Mullaly's Chainless World Championship Race Run

Tech and Products

Bike of the Year: Santa Cruz Nomad (trailbike), Santa Cruz V10 (DH)
Best Suspension Product: Fox 36 160 FIT RC2 fork
Component of the Year: Bontrager TLR Flash Charger Pump
Best Value Product: OneUp Components' wide range drivetrain
Best Gear or Accessory: New Category

Media

Photo of the Year: Christoph Laue
Video of the Year: Back by popular demand

Industry

Comeback of the Year: Fabien Barel
Innovation of the Year: Canyon's Shapeshifter Technology
Advocacy Award: People for Bikes

Posted In:
Industry News

Author Info:

RichardCunningham
Member since Mar 23, 2011
974 articles

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113 Comments

227 7

Sshredder (Dec 4, 2015 at 12:32)

Best troll. Waki.

21 4

rickaybobbay (Dec 4, 2015 at 12:44)

HAHAHAAHA. not even. its Erich-Von-Cartmann

www.pinkbike.com/u/erich-von-cartmann

B-B-B-B-B-B-BAAAAAAN HAMMMMAAAA

29 0

ninjatarian (Dec 4, 2015 at 12:50)

Most banned- badbadleroybrown.

11 5

Fattymcbutterpants (Dec 4, 2015 at 12:58)

Actually, Cartmann was mostly right. The cool kid mentality gets pretty fucking old. Lots of guys on here who never quiet got over being popular in highschool.

92 1

Eddkilla (Dec 4, 2015 at 13:01)

Man of the year: Claudio Caluori

22 1

theedon FL (Dec 4, 2015 at 13:05)

Comeback of the year, Protour?!?! Where is he?? There's still time! Maybe a PB wall post off between Waki and Protour?

JoseBravo (Dec 4, 2015 at 15:24)

there where a few Waki vs Protour comment threads this year

Remmn (Dec 4, 2015 at 16:26)

Giant d bag

zede (Dec 5, 2015 at 1:51)

talking about trolls, what happened to team robot ? charlie disappeared quite some times ago, everybody is worried

SintraFreeride (Dec 5, 2015 at 3:25)

@TFreeman he has been banned for 22 years!!! lol

pancakeflatted (Dec 5, 2015 at 11:41)

Protour surely has another username by now....

pancakeflatted (Dec 5, 2015 at 11:50)

Gotta say though...@WAKIdesigns isn't really a troll.

pigit77 (Dec 5, 2015 at 11:51)

Rampage with most drama; 2015

madmon (Dec 5, 2015 at 16:10)

i got nuthin

111 3

rickaybobbay (Dec 4, 2015 at 12:51)

if highlight of the year isn't a chainless Gwinning run then i will be pissed and be unable to do anything about it

RedBurn (Dec 4, 2015 at 15:19)

we will have to vote I guess so no doubt it will be that

29 2

Trouterspace (Dec 4, 2015 at 15:20)

You can always comment how gutted you are.

shaun-ridefast-michael (Dec 4, 2015 at 15:51)

Remember the most commonly used comments. There's always "Gwin got robbed"

7 13

src248 (Dec 4, 2015 at 19:23) (Below Threshold)

Bruni's win was better

111 5

DGThree (Dec 4, 2015 at 12:50)

Most Overused PB Comments of 2015:
1. Looks like a session
2. 26" ain't dead
3. Semenuk, Zink, or Someone got robbed
4. Anything Chester related

4 21

Treze (Dec 4, 2015 at 12:59) (Below Threshold)

5. Norbs got robbed

15 2

J-A-S (Dec 4, 2015 at 12:59)

How does the mattoc ride?

Zimmer68 (Dec 4, 2015 at 13:17)

6. Let aggy in

9 19

WAKIdesigns (Dec 4, 2015 at 13:31) (Below Threshold)

7.TL;DR

jory666 (Dec 4, 2015 at 13:31)

Hahahaha......yup!

jesse-effing-edwards (Dec 4, 2015 at 13:33)

Put 26" based comments right at the top.

20 0

darren853 (Dec 4, 2015 at 13:44)

in 2015 *norbs got engaged

23 2

the11firm (Dec 4, 2015 at 13:50)

"Gutted"
Example: my favorite bicyclist didn't have the result I desired, I'm soooooo gutted

11 1

adpeters82 (Dec 4, 2015 at 14:01)

I now hate the word gutted, thanks to pinkbike

dropoffsticks (Dec 4, 2015 at 16:51)

Zink did get robbed tho..... THATS IT I SAID IT ITS OVERUSED BUT I SAID IT

10 1

kubaner FL (Dec 4, 2015 at 16:56)

Steezy If I hear another person say something is steazy I might snap... Don't do it

vic690 (Dec 5, 2015 at 5:31)

Got BOOST ??

rickaybobbay (Dec 5, 2015 at 9:32)

I don't say steezy. I say "that was dirty" or "that was filthy" or "that's just straight filth" hahaha

pancakeflatted (Dec 5, 2015 at 11:42)

I think the whole 'gutted' thing is Warner's fault.

10 0

SeanC1 (Dec 6, 2015 at 8:26)

"Red Bull should pay for everyone's injuries."

jervis FL (Dec 6, 2015 at 18:09)

Here's a future prediction. Most overused phrase to describe everything that is good in 2016: On point.

Zimmer68 (Dec 6, 2015 at 19:58)

That prediction is on point.

jervis FL (Dec 7, 2015 at 18:24)

Haha your reply is perfect Zimmer68, well played!

80 1

dawnchairy (Dec 4, 2015 at 21:54)

Still no Builder of the Year? Trail Advocate of the Year? Trail Association of the Year? These are the people our riding depends on. Recognize.

13 0

tripleaye (Dec 5, 2015 at 14:09)

This ^ pinkbike

55 2

THEBERMDESTROYER (Dec 4, 2015 at 12:34)

Can I have a participation award

28 35

therealtylerdurden (Dec 4, 2015 at 12:55) (Below Threshold)

Participation awards are the bane of today's society. They set kids up for failure, to never learn from mistakes, and to never truly push themselves. I wouldn't doubt they have at least a small reason behind the bullshit school rampages of late. Btw, I'm sure your comment was sarcasm; I'm not attacking you here. I always gotta get on my soapbox when I even just hear the vile, sickening words.

71 2

mrgonzo (Dec 4, 2015 at 13:10)

Well with that attitude you won't be getting any awards mister.

SJones11 (Dec 4, 2015 at 13:11)

I think that was implied with the joke....

jesse-effing-edwards (Dec 4, 2015 at 13:33)

How about most time logged in award (of shame).

22 0

LoganKeen FL (Dec 4, 2015 at 14:38)

someone never got a participation award...

Fattymcbutterpants (Dec 4, 2015 at 18:12)

Agreed

Dally666 (Dec 4, 2015 at 23:02)

mrgonzo- I needed a good chuckle. Best comment I've read in a while. Thanks man

pancakeflatted (Dec 5, 2015 at 11:44)

@LoganKeen hahahahaha

@therealtylerdurden

cuz everything is about winning, right?

15 1

therealtylerdurden (Dec 5, 2015 at 12:43)

No, everything is about growth, progress, and pushing oneself to be better.. The whole "everybody's a winner, praise last place as equal of first place" mindset that's permeating schools these days doesn't give kids a reason to ask why they themselves didn't win, and the other guy did win. And because of that, it doesn't give them a chance for introspection, for real self-assessment, and therefore, real growth. Teaching "there are no losers" in a competitive game creates a generation of losers in adulthood, because there's no realistic competition in childhood. I dunno man, either my viewpoint isn't very popular, or I didn't explain myself very well. Either way, f*ck it haha.

35 2

luci1606 (Dec 4, 2015 at 12:56)

proposal
The most voted comment of the year 2015 on PB

))

ryan83 (Dec 4, 2015 at 15:38)

I just really hope 27.5 plus and/or anything eBike related grazes the list above for 2015. *orders 5 gallon tin of novelty popcorn in anticipation of reading the comment section

10 0

Treze (Dec 4, 2015 at 13:53)

Unexpected comeback of the year: Rob Warner

pancakeflatted (Dec 5, 2015 at 11:45)

good one. feelin the heat from Claudio methinks. He can still roll though...that's for sure.

11 1

EnduroriderPL (Dec 4, 2015 at 22:34)

Where is "Marketing bullshit of the year award"?!

lifted-d (Dec 6, 2015 at 9:29)

The dropper stem is a shoo-in!

Mattin (Dec 5, 2015 at 6:53)

Claudio should win an award too! Worth making a category for, something like "general awesomeness" or "funniest person in the industry". That guy deserves a medal for all the entertainment he provided.

shaowin (Dec 5, 2015 at 10:49)

MAN OF THE YEAR = Paul Bas.

For general badassery then showing us and him what and how a real man handles adversity.
#irideforpaul

Ziph (Dec 4, 2015 at 12:58)

If we're talking game changer in shocks then I'm saying that push deserve a shout out for the 11/6.It's a phenomenal piece of kit and step forward in that department regardless of cost.Definitely got my patrol to where I needed it to be.

ninerrider (Dec 4, 2015 at 17:44)

Push 11/6 - Suspension product of 2015

panaphonic (Dec 4, 2015 at 18:58)

I have a Patrol. Care to explain your reasons?

captaingrumpy (Dec 4, 2015 at 17:46)

I don't remember voting on any of this. WTF. We're supposed to just believe some central committee? I think the responses here are right on.

Without further ado: best component of the year: I'd like to nominate my Halo 2 Headband, has a bead of silicon to keep sweat out of my eyes. Was going to make one myself, I wasn't going to get it because it was $12 for a headband but wife talked me into it. Dag nabbit it really keeps the sweat out of my eyes.

FlawlessCowboy (Dec 4, 2015 at 18:06)

Photo of the year will be the toughest category to whittle down by far! The photography here is stellar, and the photo epics are my favourite part of the site. Don't know if it will go by sheer number of people who have favourited a pic,but I hope this one gets some consideration:

www.pinkbike.com/photo/12545339

AProulx (Dec 4, 2015 at 19:21)

You are missing the most fiercely battled category: Best new Standard.

Boost, 27.5+, PDent, Padloc, ... So many to choose from!

black-tusk (Dec 4, 2015 at 13:22)

Back on track - Vid of year

indobiker (Dec 4, 2015 at 13:37)

agree

Alias530 (Dec 4, 2015 at 13:06)

Best component of last year was a freaking bike pump?? "Bontrager TLR Flash Charger Pump"? Stupid

Trouterspace (Dec 4, 2015 at 16:59)

It's actually really innovative, for a bike pump..

BeerGuzlinFool (Dec 4, 2015 at 21:02)

You can do the same thing with a Coke bottle and save yourself $150.00

therealtylerdurden (Dec 4, 2015 at 23:13)

"You can do the same thing with a Coke bottle and save yourself $150.00"

That's what she said!

SickEdit FL (Dec 5, 2015 at 0:38)

Only advantage over a cheap compressor is that it doesn't need electricity

Alias530 (Dec 5, 2015 at 14:04)

@Trouterspace how so?

EKrum (Dec 4, 2015 at 13:17)

Advocacy Award goes to Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance FTW!!!

cogsci (Dec 4, 2015 at 16:49)

Jet fuel can't melt steel beams.

leftCoastBurn (Dec 5, 2015 at 6:47)

Company to pay pinkbike most money for positive press--tie between santa cruz and fox!

pancakeflatted (Dec 5, 2015 at 11:46)

effin SC. bikes are still too small.

multialxndr (Dec 5, 2015 at 12:19)

The chainless run was amazing, but you see through the speed trap he was up 5-6kph on the flat section with the wind behind him with no chain, while the others where pedaling as hard as they could and struggling to push through the head wind. Of course that was just one section and he was amazing everywhere else

jase111171 (Dec 4, 2015 at 12:38)

Thought canyon shape shifters fail all the time!

t-nutz (Dec 4, 2015 at 19:26)

We all know who's chainless run will win this year.

pinkdog321 (Dec 5, 2015 at 4:29)

2016- innovation of the year
26" wheels
Thank you

krankin FL (Dec 4, 2015 at 13:35)

That charger pump doesn't work that well. Buy a compressor or o2 cartridges

ajjrsons (Dec 4, 2015 at 18:14)

Gadget award goes to GoPro chest mount only that it allowed us feel Claudio's previews first hand.

Bdusty1 (Dec 5, 2015 at 7:31)

Best dam sport EVERRRRRR!

Bdusty1 (Dec 5, 2015 at 9:08)

What did the rear tire say to the front tire...? Geez, ur full of shit!!!

edgarhurtado (Dec 5, 2015 at 17:46)

There should be a '' Fail of the year '' contest... maybe next year

notsosikmik FL (Dec 4, 2015 at 12:46)

Also more kashima than any other shock. What else do I need to say.

jdendy (Dec 4, 2015 at 12:50)

Bontrager won a component of the year award?

pancakeflatted (Dec 5, 2015 at 11:48)

back in the day...

satchscratch (Dec 4, 2015 at 14:28)

Stoked to see video of the year make a comeback

wikenrider (Dec 4, 2015 at 20:02)

Best component per category ??

metong (Dec 5, 2015 at 10:50)

How about a "not so cool" award.

tommakin (Dec 4, 2015 at 14:14)

Gwin's chainless win?!

Deville64 (Dec 4, 2015 at 16:38)

Aaron Gwin clean sweep all categories

Below threshold threads are hidden

ericwahl83 (Dec 4, 2015 at 13:10)

Fox must have stepped it up with that fork. Been on marzocchi since 10 and the bit I've ridden on Fox since then left a lot to be desired!

pancakeflatted (Dec 5, 2015 at 11:50)

unless it has a coil I don't want it.

notsosikmik FL (Dec 4, 2015 at 12:35)

Fox Float X2. Suspension product of the year. Calling it.

theminsta (Dec 4, 2015 at 12:38)

Is it really any different to the DBA? I'm hoping it's a bit more supple/sensitive than the DBA

notsosikmik FL (Dec 4, 2015 at 12:43)

Had a dba air before and it feels much better. Also the ability to quickly add and remove volume spacers puts it on another level

rickaybobbay (Dec 4, 2015 at 12:45)

knowing PB... it'll either be something having to do with beer, or something no one really cares for.

notsosikmik FL (Dec 4, 2015 at 12:48)

My hope is that the suspension product of the year for 2016 will be consumer level data aquisition devices

R-P-S FL (Dec 4, 2015 at 13:06)

@mixmastamikal - If that were affordable it would be awesome.

randybadger (Dec 4, 2015 at 13:31)

Perhaps we need to better understand the technology we have

R-P-S FL (Dec 4, 2015 at 13:38)

@randybadger - I could be wrong here but I think he meant consumer products that would allow riders to collect and analyze bicycle performance data (ex. suspension performance - because that's all I can think of at the moment).

WAKIdesigns (Dec 4, 2015 at 13:40)

@mixmastamikal - I have a data acquisition device on my bike, o-ring on the fork stanchion or shock shaft - affordable, reliable and simple - yet there's enough head cases out there who cannot use it properly.

randybadger (Dec 4, 2015 at 14:39)

Which was what I was subtly getting at waki.
Subtlety doesn't work on the inter web

pancakeflatted (Dec 5, 2015 at 11:49)

@TFreeman
If it's not about beer....then does it really matter?!?!?!?

6 11

Matt76 (Dec 4, 2015 at 14:53)

The award for the person who hates all things carbon fibre on bikes goes to.......me!!

bishopsmike (Dec 4, 2015 at 17:43)

Haha, you gotta wear that proudly!

In all honesty, I'll be waiting for you to pass me that Race Face Next crankset when you win it tonight. I'll even pay for shipping + 1 pint. Much appreciated!

csquared253 (Dec 5, 2015 at 10:00)

thats weird because clicking on your profile, the very first picture i see is of a carbon downtube protector l

Matt76 (Dec 12, 2015 at 4:48)

Because carbon shatters upon impact thus sending the energy away and protecting the metalwork!

visser62 (Dec 4, 2015 at 18:36)

Also known as the "Sell-Out Awards."

2 12

teamweee (Dec 4, 2015 at 13:02)

WTF! MALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR LOIC BRUNI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

18 1

randybadger (Dec 4, 2015 at 13:30)

Read it again