Pit Walk: EWS Round 5, Aspen-Snowmass

Jul 28, 2016
by Matt Wragg  
Cody Kelley is making the switch from 27.5 to 29 this weekend - moving from his trusty SB6C to an SB5.5C.
Cody Kelley is making the switch from 27.5 to 29 this weekend - moving from his trusty SB6C to an SB5.5C.

Pit Walk EWS Round 5 Aspen-Snowmass
Pit Walk EWS Round 5 Aspen-Snowmass

This may not look to exciting here but this is one of the sweetest Di2 installs we have ever seen. Yeti mechanic Shaun Hughes got one of the guys at the factory to make him a plug for the headtube to store the battery there. Just behind it is a junction box epoxy d into the frame so when he whips the fork out he can simply unplug it at the junction rather than having to deal with the whole cable each time.
This may not look too exciting, but this is one of the sweetest Shimano Di2 installs we have ever seen. Yeti mechanic, Shaun Hughes, got one of the guys at the factory to make him a plug for the headtube to store the battery there. Just behind it is a junction box, epoxy'd into the frame, so when he whips the fork out he can simply unplug it at the junction, rather than having to deal with the whole cable each time.

Before parking up here all the teams have had to sign some pretty strict guidelines to help keep the bears away from the pits this weekend.
Before parking up here, all the teams have had to sign some pretty strict guidelines to help keep the bears away from the pits this weekend.

Miranda Miller is joining the SRAM Eagle programme this weekend.
Miranda Miller is joining the SRAM Eagle program this weekend...

Miranda Miller is more than happy to get stuck in with her bike setup.
And she is more than happy to get stuck in with her bike setup.

Curtis Keene is keeping his Vivid coil strapped on for here in Colorado.
Curtis Keene is keeping his Vivid coil strapped on for Colorado.

While Nico Vouilloz may be out ill his mechanic Mat Gallean is here with the team and sporting this prototype rear tyre from Michelin. He says it will be call the GripR and the profile is different from many intermediate tyres in that there is a pronounced channel between the centre and the sides which should help the rider know where on the tyre they are riding.
While Nico Vouilloz may be out ill, his mechanic Mat Gallean is here with the team and sporting this prototype rear tire from Michelin. He says it will be called the GripR and the profile is different from many intermediate tires in that there is a pronounced channel between the center and the sides, which should help the rider know where on the tire they are riding.

Maxxis deliveries were arriving for a number of teams in the pits. At Santa Cruz the boys received these largely unbranded DHFs in the Double Down casing with Aggressors to match for the rear.
Maxxis deliveries were arriving for a number of teams in the pits. At Santa Cruz, the boys received these largely unbranded DHFs in the Double Down casing, with Aggressors to match for the rear.

Mark Scott makes the switch - he is also running a new barely branded aluminium rim from SRAM that has a noticably wider inner profile than their current models.
Mark Scott makes the switch - he is also running a new, barely branded aluminum rim from SRAM that has a noticeably wider inner profile than their current models.

Iago Garay has always run large bikes but for his 29 Hightower he has recently dropped down a size to a medium saying he felt more comfortable on the slightly smaller frame.
Iago Garay has always run large bikes, but for his 29" Hightower he has recently dropped down a size to a medium, saying he felt more comfortable on the slightly smaller frame.

Canyon team manager Flo Goral has his shopping game on point here in Aspen.
Canyon team manager, Flo Goral, has his shopping game on point here in Aspen.

Joe Barnes has one of the neatest tyre plug solutions we have seen so far strapped to his top tube.
Joe Barnes has one of the neatest tire plug solutions we have seen so far strapped to his top tube.

If you look closely at the knuckle on Yoann Barelli s right hand you can see the mark the Megavalanche left. He says the bone is good so it should be ok to race but pointing in a straight line is no longer as easy as it once was.
If you look closely at the knuckle on Yoann Barelli's right hand you can see the mark the Megavalanche left. He says the bone is good, so it should be ok to race, but pointing in a straight line is no longer as easy as it once was.

Mckay Vezina is another rider rocking the coil shock for this weekend. After a solid showing last time out in La Thuile he could be one to watch this weekend.
Mckay Vezina is another rider rocking the coil shock for this weekend. After a solid showing last time out in La Thuile, he could be one to watch this weekend.

Josh Carlson s wheels get one last check before practice.
Josh Carlson's wheels get one last check before practice.

While X-Fusion may not come to these races often they have their pit setup pretty dialled.
While X-Fusion may not come to these races often, they have their pit setup pretty dialed.

Ibis team manager Mary Moncorge turned her hand to being team wrench today prepping the team s bikes as their mechanic doesn t arrive until closer to the weekend.
Ibis team manager, Mary Moncorge, turned her hand to being team wrench today, prepping the team's bikes as their mechanic doesn't arrive until closer to the weekend.

To Eagle or not to Eagle Yoann s face tells you his decision.
To Eagle or not to Eagle? Yoann's face tells you his decision.

Alex Cure managed to put 20 stitches in his arm while riding before this race. He s tough so we doubt it will slow him down too much.
Alex Cure managed to put 20 stitches in his arm while riding before this race. He's tough, so we doubt it will slow him down too much.

Alex is also another one of the riders opting for larger wheels this weekend - although his teammates are staying on the smaller wheels.
Alex is also another one of the riders opting for larger wheels this weekend - although his teammates are staying on the smaller wheels.


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136 Comments
  • 181 3
 The real heroes here are those buttons on Mary Moncorge's shirt.
  • 9 0
 OMG!
  • 29 1
 came here looking for this type comment..I too am not alone. ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
  • 15 1
 True. I definitely spent the most time on that picture, I thought if I stared long enough the buttons would fail.
  • 8 0
 amen. sweet jesus almighty...
  • 5 28
flag panzer103 (Jul 28, 2016 at 16:26) (Below Threshold)
 Heros? Or the biggest a*sholes on this photo article..
  • 14 1
 Boobies Smile
  • 6 1
 Don't they realize how juvenile we are? Gosh.
  • 9 1
 @panaphonic : welcome to the internet you must be new here
  • 2 1
 @ipedalhard: I am actually.
  • 5 0
 @panaphonic: you've come to the right site then. Enjoy your stay
  • 6 0
 @ipedalhard: I wonder if he knows about the pron?
  • 1 1
 Shit I thought I'd roll up in here, two weeks late & be the first to point out Mary's mammaries. Blank Stare

C'mon Mary, give us a suckle? Razz
  • 153 4
 Miranda Miller needs to do some drill safety lessons, or she'll be bald in no time if that pony tail gets snagged in the chuck.
  • 10 2
 ^ truth
  • 10 2
 Yep, Miranda if you are listening: being scalped is apparently not fun. Tuck the pony tail away!!
  • 22 2
 What is she drilling, an why ? I don't get it on the picture.
  • 3 1
 @evildos: Not sure either looks like she might be modding a garmin mount or something.
  • 4 2
 that's a horrifying thought! big time pain....
  • 3 2
 Wow, just got a very vivid picture of that outcome, ouch
  • 12 8
 I am sure she would release the trigger from the reaction and it will only make a mess of her hair. Now if it was a drill press, then it would be of concern for a real injury. In this case though, they will only laugh at her when someone is helping her cut her hair from the drill.
  • 14 2
 @pancakeflatted: it happens so quickly it doesn't really hurt that much I did it once because I'm stupid lol
  • 35 1
 Hey she has her helmet on, it's ok.
  • 5 2
 m.youtube.com/watch?v=6YCZ-IS6Aso
  • 2 1
 Meah, hair is overrated. But… I love these articles.
  • 7 3
 It's keyless, Chuck.
  • 6 0
 @mhoshal: having been scalped by a friend who thought pretending to drill into my head was hilarious: I disagree
  • 2 2
 @ScandiumRider: That looked painless, but as I stated, she is holding the trigger herself.
  • 2 1
 Wow. Scrolled down to type the same thing @bobtjustice. Good looking out.
  • 3 0
 @meesterover: No matter who is holding the trigger, there is no reason not to get your hair as far as possible from a drill.
  • 4 8
flag gabriel-mission9 (Jul 28, 2016 at 11:41) (Below Threshold)
 While I agree with the safety around power tools gist of this....its a battery drill. And if she knows what shes doing its gonna be set to pretty low rpm. Which means even if her hair does get snagged, it would take literally 5 minutes of continuous trigger holding before she was in any danger whatsoever. Im more concerned about the ton of swarf she is about to produce directly above her fork seals....
  • 4 0
 What is she even doing? I swear, she is the female Stevie Smith.
  • 2 0
 Im so glad you guys were on this one. I just scrolled down to mention the same thing
  • 5 0
 @gabriel-mission9: that drill is powerful enough to drive a lag screw into a 2x4 with no pre drilling and hits about 3000 rpm on the drill tip so yeah; good bye pony tail
  • 2 0
 @toddball: it was only a chunk outta the side of my head. I got off lucky I imagine if I caught more hair it could have been worse it more scared the shit outta me when my head suddenly jerk ed and smacked of the side of the drill
  • 2 4
 @FireBallDHR: I wouldnt be hitting 3000rpm drilling whats she's drilling. I know the drill is plenty powerful, and I know she could accidentally squeeze the trigger or whatever if her hair got stuck. I'm just saying at the speeds id be drilling that, I wouldnt be too concerned about shit going wrong quickly.
  • 2 1
 Looks like stripped or rounded HS bolt, or the threaded core of the star nut failed.
  • 12 6
 For a bunch of so-called HUCK YER MEAT!!! dudes, we sure are quick sound the Shop Teacher safety alarm bc a woman's (who obviously knows what she's doing) ponytail is somewhat close to a slow-moving drill. Kinda odd, don't you think?
  • 5 3
 @endlessblockades: no?
  • 3 0
 @mhoshal: Haha sounds like yours was worse than mine; I just lost a patch of hair around 3x4 cm off the top of my head. Stung pretty bad and sunburned, and being the bald kid in junior high was fun.
  • 12 3
 Boobies Smile
  • 5 1
 @endlessblockades: Do you "huck yer meat" without a helmet? Safety second, sure, but safety is still on the list.
  • 2 0
 @meesterover: a drill press? is that what you guys call a pillar drill?
  • 1 0
 @ScandiumRider: ba hahahahaha!!!
  • 9 2
 @knarrr: It's different. If you grew up using power tools, a cordless drill is nothing to be afraid of. It almost seems that because she is a woman, the men are suddenly Joe Safety up in here. Give her a break. It's ok to take a calculated minor risk. Mash that down arrow, IDK.
  • 1 0
 @ScandiumRider: this was the first thing I thought of. I'm suprised she didn't lose any teeth too.
  • 1 2
 @simooo: You safety bitches are idiots. It's a battery drill. They stop pretty quick when the trigger is let go. She's fine.

Stop bein' a bunch of egotard hero complex fvck bags, she obviously knows more about a cordless drill than any of you dumb shits.
  • 2 2
 Hey there @ScandiumRider bud, guess them chinks are as bad with drill/drivers as they are at being car drivers huh? Wink
  • 73 1
 Need a warning on that photo of Mark Scott not lining the Maxxis decal up with the valve stem, wasn't expecting to see such filth on a safe for work site.
  • 38 0
 I'll have to make sure he knows to line the first X up with the valve stem every time.
  • 1 0
 xxx
  • 26 1
 Downhillers moving to air, enduro riders moving to coil hahaha
  • 17 0
 Everything I read about dropper posts suggests that you shouldn't lift the bike via the saddle, but every pit lane that's ever pictured shows bikes being hung from the seat. Is this mis-information, or do the race team mechanics simply not care ?
  • 7 0
 Specifically this relates to the Reverb, and a few others, when the seat is below max extension. Can damage the IFP. Also a good reason to raise the seat all the way before putting it on a chairlift or shuttle.
  • 6 2
 To coil or not to coil. That is the question.
  • 1 0
 I've wondered the same thing.
  • 15 0
 you should not lift the bike by the saddle when the post is down but when it's fully up it's ok...
  • 6 2
 probably down to the fact they most likely are serviced and rebuilt every race id say.
  • 2 0
 I think it can be an issue if the post is not extended when you pick it up by the saddle. Manually pulling on the stanchion when it's not against a stop can cause cavitation- air can mix in with the hydraulic oil.
  • 1 0
 @acmilan1899: every race? I have no idea how these things work but that seems time consuming...dunno though! Smile
  • 2 0
 If the post is fully extended, it probably doesn't matter.
  • 4 0
 Everyone who said you can lift it by the saddle when it's fully extended is correct. The reason being that when the post is fully extended it runs into a mechanical stop, the post can psychically go no further, so it holds the weight just fine without relying on the stopping mech to hold the weight. If it's not in full extension and you're relying on the stopping mech to support the weight that's where you run into problems
  • 4 0
 @Scotty7447: I've heard that they are prone to having their psyche bruised at full extension.
  • 2 0
 And in which position should I keep the dropper for bike storage? I usually ride only during weekends... I leave my reverb fully extended, as it seems to be the less demanding position for it.
  • 12 0
 My post is always fully extended when I'm hung up by my seat. Wait - what are we talking about again?
  • 13 1
 So where are all of the 27.5+ bikes? The market has exploded with almost every manufacturing offering one, and people proclaiming their awesome traction and downhill capability. I'm guessing teams have tested plus bikes, anyone have any first hand knowledge?
  • 2 0
 i haven't seen them on the trails anywhere in NorCal, only in the bike shops.
  • 9 0
 they flat too easily for EWS riders. same goes for wide rims. Basically needs an improvement in tire technology. The market is also there for slower riders and less aggressive terrain
  • 5 0
 +bikes and EWS do not go together
  • 11 0
 Multiple reasons. They flat easy, they run low pressures and as a result have that vauge and floppy feeling while cornering which ultimately negates the traction benefit, since it's not as confidence inspiring and folding sidewalls will compromise traction outside of theory. They weigh more for similar sidewalls, or they have weak sidewalls, and fold over too easy. Ultimately, a beefy 'standard' tire performs better for guys at the limit.
  • 5 0
 The pros around here say they are super fun for some conditions but they don't rail. End of story as far as racing goes.
  • 7 0
 @atrokz: Tried them last weekend for the first time on a Mojo 3 and that sums up my thoughts very closely. I also thought the bouncy feeling of the tires really muted suspension settings; awkward feeling and unbalanced.
  • 2 0
 ^ my impressions as well. Fun in the rocks and roots, but start to lean on them as hard as you can and it feels like you're riding a nearly flat tire. No go for me, but can see how some people would like them.
  • 1 2
 Racers test in the off season with their sponsors on specific things like tires and suspension set ups. Once they nail down a few set ups they stick with it for the season.

From talking to one team insider the + tires were not an option when they did testing so riders are sticking to what they know at this point. Expect to see more of them testing the stuff after this season ends and we'll likely see it next season.

Makes sense to me.
  • 4 6
 @mikericci: ENVE is coming with a wide rim and then once all of the Santa Cruz guys start riding plus bikes and they get tires they feel comfortable on, you will see them everywhere.

I just did a week at Trestle in CO on my B+ set up and had no problems with the wheel choice.
  • 7 0
 @TuTh-rider: I will eat those plus size tires the day EWS racers start riding them.
  • 8 0
 @cmcrawfo: Enve is coming out with the new rim because there's a market for it, not because the syndicate is demanding + race bikes.
  • 5 0
 @atrokz: .. I suppose anything is possible ... but i wouldn't think the market for plus size bikes is racing. Even with wider rims, But then again I had initially thought that the whole 12 sdp Eagle as a hoax ... I am just glad I didn't wager that i would eat the cassette. Smile
  • 2 3
 @atrokz: When I received my Hightower, I was told that over 40% of these bikes being sold by Santa Cruz were sent with plus sized wheels. Also, I agree, I don't think the DH guys will be riding them, but as cmcrawfo said he would eat some tires when he seems them in the EWS, I will go the other way and bet that Santa Cruz puts out videos this winter of both the Hightower and Tallboy with B+ wheels under Rat, Greg, Peaty and Iago...They are coming...free your mind boys.
  • 1 0
 @cmcrawfo: I wouldn't be surprised seeing 2.5 tires with wide rims. it just needs a really solid side wall on the tire.
  • 6 0
 WE JUST NEED ONE ENDURO RACER TO RIDE + SIZE AND WE GET TO SEE SOMEONE EAT A TIRE! Come on guys, get on it! hahaha
  • 1 1
 @atrokz: www.pinkbike.com/news/jesse-melamed-maxxis-shore-video-2016.html
  • 2 0
 @shirk-007: race not ride Wink
  • 1 0
 @shirk-007: didn't Wade and Ken flat on their plus bikes on your fiver a month or so back?
  • 1 0
 @jaydawg69: Wade for sure. Jordan put down the fastest time on stage 3 on the Spec 6fattie. I think Ken was just on 2.5WT DHF's.
  • 5 0
 @atrokz: remy absalon raced + tires on his Scott genius last year at an EWS. I can't be bothered to find a pic but he did.

SOMEBODY EAT SOME TIRES !!!!!
  • 1 1
 Plus tires are the water wings of mountain biking
  • 10 0
 Please don't show another shot of Rude's Yeti. I already want all these bikes... but looking at his makes me have to face the reality that even with that bike, I'd be slow and style-free.
  • 30 0
 You may want to look away from the site later today then, as we have a full bike check coming...
  • 12 0
 @mattwragg: *Mashing of F5 commences*
  • 3 0
 I want everything related on psi and lbs as well.
  • 2 0
 @mattwragg: Fine. I'll just look at Kelly's, and have the same feelings of inadequacy and desire... and no sense of superiority for not riding a 29r.
  • 4 0
 @Zaff: I know - that Coleman sausage man is my new desktop background.
  • 4 12
flag preach (Jul 28, 2016 at 10:58) (Below Threshold)
 I know to each his own, but Yeti's choice of blue for their frame color is just ugly.
  • 2 0
 I know. To SB6 or to SB5.5. Too hard to decide!
  • 1 0
 @preach: not sure if just trolling...
  • 1 0
 @mattwragg: In the Rude Bike Check; it's mentioned him and Cody run mechanical drivetrains, yet Cody's bike is set up with Di2 here. What gives?
  • 1 0
 @Triber66: nope. Cant stand it.
  • 13 1
 That dude with the double chin was not taking his eye off that sausage.
  • 3 0
 .......wafer-thin mint!
  • 7 0
 Riders making the jump to Sram 12 sp Eagle. Lets see , if your sponsored by Sram and want to stay on the free stuff sponsor train your making the switch.
  • 6 0
 Luv this pit sh## ! riding a spec enduro 29 I was really worried about 29er enduros disappearing. But now they seem to become fashionable. Nice...
  • 4 0
 That s because they are faster
  • 1 0
 The Aspen courses are pretty smooth relative to what the ride the rest of the season. Shorter travel 29'rs will shave some seconds this weekend.
  • 2 0
 @salespunk: Most of those look like full travel 29ers, 5-6 inchers
  • 1 0
 @Jonzi: Hell yeah they are!
  • 2 0
 @panzer103: Very true. In my feeble mind 140 is short travel now!
  • 1 0
 @salespunk: it's got more to do with the openness of the course rather than the roughness.
  • 6 1
 LOL brilliant, it looks like Curtis Keene is using one of BikeYokes custom yokes to attach his Vivid Air!!!! Wonder what Specialized think of that?
  • 3 0
 Yeah, it sure looks like it, huh... ;-)
Was very proud to hear, that he really likes it.
You may also check for more picutres on his facebook.
  • 6 0
 I'm sure it's perspective but it looks like Alex is running a 96er.
  • 1 0
 69ers been done thanks to trek
  • 1 0
 @mhoshal: 69ing was done way before trek
  • 2 0
 I recently had a chance to demo a Yeti 5.5 on some of my local trails. It's a ripper. Stiff in a good way with excellent power transfer and a plush rear end that works very well. The bike handles great too and the out of the box spec is race ready. I was impressed and it helped me understand the allure of Yeti a bit better. Will it help Cody Kelly on the pedally Aspen courses? We will soon find out!
  • 4 0
 "Joe Barnes has one of the neatest tire plug solutions we have seen so far strapped to his top tube." -- Please tell us more.
  • 1 0
 I'd like to know what it is as well.
  • 1 0
 @von-rumford: it's a tubeless tire plug in a pen lid. I was looking at mine the other day think how can I have that on my bike and not stab me and well cheers Joe
  • 6 0
 ColoRADo
  • 5 1
 Seems like the 29er bashing is finally coming to an end now that the pros are riding them........... good to see
  • 2 0
 maxxis making dh casing for 29er minions.... how long before we see the first 29er dh bikes on the WC?. wasn't there a 29er fox 40 prototype somewhere?
  • 1 0
 Yes it is being raced here in Socal
  • 3 0
 Dh minion 29s have been avaliable for years now.
  • 6 2
 29er country
  • 3 0
 That's Mike Davis from X-fusion Smile ))
  • 2 1
 What is up with the rubber spacer on Mckay Vezina's vivid? Is it any good for DH?
  • 2 1
 It's funny that as dh moves to more and more air shocks, enduro moves to more coil shocks.
  • 1 0
 why is she using a drill for her top cap?
  • 1 1
 Computer mount?
  • 1 0
 I drill out my garmin top cap mount plastic insert so that the 5mm hex wrench goes through to tighten the top cap.
  • 2 3
 Eagle drive trains , 29 inch wheels.
Oh yeah these sponsored riders are so happy to have this new stuff!
Yes sir!Smile
Cut the b.s.
They are smiling for the $.
  • 1 0
 Where's the new enduro??
  • 1 0
 hmhmmm the managerrrr
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