Testing With Team Specialized Gravity

Feb 4, 2016
by Dave Trumpore  



per·fec·tion // pərˈfekSH(ə)n

-The condition, state, or quality of being free or as free as possible from all flaws or defects

-The action or process of improving something until it is faultless or as faultless as possible



It is this pursuit that drives all aspects of competitive sports. Be it the push to improve one's own strength or endurance, to push further, faster & higher, or of the product engineer to create something lighter stronger & faster to complement the effort of the athlete, all involved are dedicated to the same end goal. To be the best, to win, to find perfection... And then to push the envelope even further. The idea that great is never good enough and that even if you are the best you can, and must, always strive to be even better.

This was the atmosphere I was lucky enough to witness when two separate camps joined forces for the first time and put their collective heads together in an effort to raise that bar of perfection just that little bit higher. On one side there was Specialized, one of the largest brands in cycling whose pedigree for innovation and winning really should need no introduction. And on the other the newly formed Team Specialized Gravity (formerly Lapierre Gravity Republic) and current World Champion, Loic Bruni.

A bike already proven to be the fastest in the world under another rider, and a rider also proven to be the fastest in the world, but on a different bike. Meeting for the first time to see how one could help the other to take things to the next level.

While the finer details and specifics of this meeting and the results it did yield are shrouded in secrecy for obvious reasons, both parties agreed to share just a glimpse of what goes on behind the scenes. Enough hopefully to give you, the race fan, a better understanding to the scope of effort that goes into chasing that ever elusive perfection.






DAY ONE:

SUSPENSION TESTING & DATA ACQUISITION






Specialized Gravity Team


Having already taken delivery of their new bikes a few weeks back, both Loic Bruni and Loris Vergier arrived in California with a good sense of what the Demo was capable of and how it related to their previous winning rides at Lapierre. Testing both stock setups as well as the modified frame used by Troy Brosnan and Aaron Gwin to give the suspension a different rate, both riders had already weighed in with their own preferences to the Specialized engineers. Most notably on suspension suspension characteristics and handling.

Before continuing I must first clear up one common misconception, the idea that if one rider makes a change to a "stock" design that there must be something inherently wrong with that design. In reality this could not be further from the truth. What works for one rider, especially at the sharp end of the sport, may not work for another. Or may just not work as well. And when you are chasing fractions of seconds there really is no room to compromise on anything. Even if the concept doesn't work out in the end, any rider looking to eek the most performance out of a product will at least give it a try during test sessions. Again, without going into too much specific detail, that is what went down here in California.


Specialized Gravity Team

Specialized Gravity Team


Loic and his mechanic Jack Roure have long worked with on-board telemetry to quantify and analyze what the suspension is doing, and to see changes as data rather than simply as a "feeling." With this approach in mind, the first order of the day was for Loic to get up to speed on a new trail using his current settings. That way all changes made through the day could be compared back to this baseline with a clear picture of how feel and performance intertwine. It is a system that works for Loic and has evolved over the years through his relationship with Jack, and while available to other riders on the team, you will see later that it isn't the only way to set up the bikes.



Specialized Gravity Team
It's the attention to details that matters, and Loic is acutely attentive at all times.







The first change of the day came when Specialized's head of suspension development, Brad Benedict, showed up with a shiny new link fresh off the CNC machine.

Even more exceptional was that the concept for this link was drawn up in a meeting with the team earlier in the visit and within hours it was designed, machined in house, hand delivered to the testing site and being ridden on dirt by a World Champ. Where some riders may wait weeks to get their hands on prototypes parts to test a concept, the team at Specialized is able to make it a reality, quite literally, on the spot. If that is not a commitment to racing and development, I'm not sure what is.


Specialized Gravity Team

Specialized Gravity Team
Specialized Gravity Team

Specialized Gravity Team
What was the result? We can't tell you in words, but all the data needed is right there on Jack's computer screen.

Specialized Gravity Team
Specialized Gravity Team



While Loic is much more reliant on the telemetry to set up his bike, Loris Vergier still prefers to go by feel. Again I must emphasize there is not one right or wrong way, just different approaches as a means to the same end. Where Loic might be confident on a bike that might not "feel" the best but has been set up using the telemetry info, Loris knows he rides fastest when he feels the best on his bike. At the end of the day it comes down to what gives the rider the most confidence and the least to worry about or question.


Specialized Gravity Team
Specialized Gravity Team


With only one link to share, Loris gets his chance to see how it performs once Loic has finished putting it through the paces. While Loic runs a coil spring, Loris has found that the airspring and likely its more progressive spring rate to be preferable on his Demo. Also of note is that Loic and Loris always go back to their base settings to close the session in order to fully understand the changes made. Sometimes for the better, sometimes not.


Specialized Gravity Team

Specialized Gravity Team
Specialized Gravity Team

Specialized Gravity Team

Specialized Gravity Team
Specialized Gravity Team


Specialized Gravity Team


What's that? You say you'd like to see how a bike performs with a different flex characteristic on the back end? One (or is that two) chopped chainstay coming right up. While possibly not ideal for all tracks and riding styles, if there were to be a time and a place for such a modification now the team has some data to back it up. This is not something you'd likely see being tried for the first time in the middle of the season, but in off-season test sessions it's just one of the many many stones not left unturned.


Specialized Gravity Team

Specialized Gravity Team

Specialized Gravity Team

Specialized Gravity Team


The majority of your race career has been spent aboard a Lapierre – are you nervous about making the switch to a different bike? How much time did you spend aboard a Demo before deciding that it was the right one?

Loris: The Demo has already been proven that it is up to the task by Gwin and Troy. I know if you have the skills then you can find the speed on this bike so it was not stressful to switch.

Finn: Honestly I'm not too nervous about switching bikes and since I've been on a new frame for the past four seasons it isn't really a nerve-wracking thing. I've ridden three days on the Demo and by the third day I really started to feel at home on it. With two weeks of testing and riding coming up I'll be dialed in no time.

How many years is the contract with Specialized for?

Laurent Delorme (Team Owner) : Loic is under contract with PureAgency for the next 3 seasons, and PureAgency is under contract with Specialized also for the next 3 seasons.
It was important for us to work on this period, that way we will have time to share our ideas and and put our heads together for the whole project in terms of development.

Loris: Just one year... For the moment.

Finn: I am signed for the next two seasons to race the World Cup season as a Junior.

Last year both Aaron Gwin and Troy Brosnan rode on modified versions of the Demo that were basically custom tailored to suit their needs. How much involvement will there be between the team and Specialized's designers and engineers?

Loic: I am always looking to improve, it's almost a constant process, but what was good for Troy and Aaron isn't necessarily good for me and my style. I have already tried their frame and tested different variations. I'm trying some changes and we are all working hard to find free speed. We have a little bit of time too since testing began early in the winter, and we are in constant contact with the engineers which is awesome. It's the beginning so we are learning from each other's point of view and It's definitely going on the right way. They push hard on their side for us which gives us the confidence we need to ride at 100%.


Specialized Gravity Team

Specialized Gravity Team
Specialized Gravity Team


Communication and teamwork is key when it comes to exploiting any and every advantage, and all adjustments and test runs are both cataloged on Jacks computer as well as in a journal by Loic and Loris. What this does is allow riders, mechanics, and engineers an ability to "look back" at previous settings of both this current bike and the Lapierre that Loic and Loris are coming off of. So if there was a setting that felt perfect at Mont Saint Anne in 2015, the team will be able to compare the computer data and riders feedback from that setup to what the are seeing in 2016 and adjust accordingly. Less guesswork and less time to reach that optimal setup mean more time training on track with a bike tuned to perfection.


Specialized Gravity Team






DAY TWO:

THE WIN TUNNEL






Specialized Gravity Team

Specialized Gravity Team

Specialized Gravity Team
Specialized Gravity Team


Likely the first thing that pops into most people's minds when they see a photo of DH bikes in a wind tunnel is that it is just plain silly or irrelevant. Or they fear DH might go "backwards" to the days of skin suits and peakless visors. But rest assured, in thinking that you'd be wrong on both accounts. While Specialized's own moniker of "Aero Is Everything" may not translate directly to DH racing, aero is still "Something". A very, very, very, big something.

If you could find a simple and easy change that would save you 0.10 seconds a kilometer on a track like Fort William or Mont Saint Anne you would most certainly take it, and if you really need any more convincing that aerodynamics matter, just take a moment to recall these three examples.

1. Neko Mullaly at World Champs in 2014

2. Loic Bruni at MSA in 2015

3. Aaron Gwin at Leogang in 2015


Specialized Gravity Team


Etienne Warner - Senior Mountain Bike Engineer, Jason Chamberlain - Principal Engineer-Creative Specialist, and Cam Piper - Aerodynamics R&D Technician, join the riders and staff of Team Specialized Gravity for a day of intricate and detailed tests in Specialized's in house Win Tunnel


Specialized Gravity Team

Specialized Gravity Team

Specialized Gravity Team


It was mentioned that another company offered more money to sign the team, but in the end the decision was made to go with Specialized. What was the reasoning behind this choice?

Laurent: It was a totally different type of project. We were supposed to be included in the whole project, but everything would have been defined for us, and it was really hard to be sure that all of our input and feedback would been truly valued and validated. Loic wanted to keep the same staff, with same possibility to work with his personal partners like 100% and One Industries, and it was also hard to find the good option matching with all the needs of this partner. We have a long time relationship in the team and with some sponsors, it was long and hard to create that, it is truly something special and we absolutely wanted to keep that. With Specialized this was all possible so the choice became obvious.

Loic: At the end of the day, these choices are always tough, but Laurent really involved all of us into the decision making and I chose the brand that made me dream. I was like a little kid, it's just insane!

Loris: For me it was easier because some negative points were involved with the other brand, not so much on the product but in the team structure. On the other hand Specialized was a respected brand and their bikes were already on the top step of the podium and we were able to retain the same structure within in the team so it really was all positive.

How particular are you about bike setup? Some riders are known for being incredibly particular and even superstitious, while others seem to be less concerned with their equipment. How do you see yourself in this regard?

Loic: I used to be not so picky on my bike, but year after year working with Jack I really got interested in how you can play with the settings and how helpful it can be to know what you can do on your bike. Now I'm quite difficult on the settings cause having such a big structure behind me made me a princess, haha. But I've come to know through experience when the bike corresponds to my expectations and if I can push or not with it. Telemetry helps also to understand the bike and improve it. In my head you can be really fast with "any" bike, but to win you have to have the bike set up perfectly.

Loris: I see myself right in the middle. My bike is special to ride because my suspension setup doesn't always correspond to everyone else's styles, but at the same time not really exceptional. Just my brakes angle is quite different to the others, they are almost flat.

Finn: I'm not super particular. I just know by feeling when a bike is set up in a way that is the best for me.


Specialized Gravity Team
Specialized Gravity Team

Specialized Gravity Team


Due to the massive expense of building an in house Win Tunnel, as well as the unique exclusivity for the riders to even be able to test in such an environment, sharing of the different variables tested and the results are strictly forbidden. That said, I can assure the doubters that gains indeed were made, some so unbelievable simple and profound that you likely wouldn't believe me even if I did tell you. Just more info to add to the little black book of knowledge, that combined as a total package with product and suspension testing will get the team one step closer to their elusive goal.

Also of note, and likely to everyone's relief, no tests were made with skin suits, modified jerseys, or peakless visors. All gains were made in existing kits that looks exactly the same as the kit we've all come to love for DH.






DAY THREE:

THE GRAND TOUR






One the team's final day in Morgan Hill they were finally joined by the third member of the team, Finn Iles, who had been delayed due to finishing up his mid-term exams back in Whistler. Lucky for him, the collaborative nature of the team means that everything learned by Loic and Loris will be passed alone despite his absence. And with another week of testing on the docket in Southern California he'll have plenty of time put different variables through their paces.

With the gang all assembled and in the same place at the same time since last August, it was time to finally take the grande tour of the truly living and breathing headquarters of Specialized. No cameras allowed, but if you close your eyes and picture Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory for bikes you'll have a pretty good idea of what we saw.




Specialized Gravity Team


Despite missing a bit of school to make the trip, it didn't mean Finn Iles got to cut any classes. Up first was a history lesson and Shaun Palmer's 1997 World Champs bike. A bike ridden by the legend himself two years before Finn was even born.


Specialized Gravity Team
Specialized Gravity Team


Social media photos leaked over the previous days let everyone at Specialized know the team was in the area, and everywhere they went employees and race fans were on the look out for photo ops and autographs. If there was any doubt in the riders mind as to the level of commitment to their cause by the brand and its employees, one lap of the lobby and lunch room was really all it took to put their minds at ease.


Specialized Gravity Team


Confident, energetic, and most of all humble at just 16 years old, Finn Iles knows he has an incredible opportunity laid out in front of him. The look on his face as he walked through the doors at Specialized for the first time says it all.


Specialized Gravity Team
Specialized Gravity Team


Champions don't become champions by sitting around, and even on this "off" day the crew made time for a rigorous gym session made up of interval training both on and off the bike, as well free weights and stretching. Countless hours spent exploiting all the benefits of the bike and your equipment are all irrelevant if you neglect the the hours of physical hard work to tune the body. To make things even easier, Specialized has a full service gym on site for employees and visiting athletes.


Specialized Gravity Team

Specialized Gravity Team

What does a typical week of off-season training look like for Loic Bruni?

Loic: Generally some school or currently my internship at 100% in San Diego. Then gym sessions, BMX track, intervals and I try to ride at least ride my downhill bike once a week.
Diet is important too but I get one day relaxed on the food so i can eat the sh*t I love.

Many DH racers cross-train on motos – is that the case for you as well? What other sports/activities do you do when you're not on the bike?


Loic: Yeah I ride a little bit of moto but I'm not really good. But you can feel that it's good training, holding to the bar and going fast into jumps. I wouldn't have been able to be pro in moto, not like Aaron or Blenky. Basically I only do things with two wheels, I hate running and swimming, because I can't do it properly! Though I do like paddle boarding in the summer and relaxing on the beach.

Loris: Yes, moto is a cool to ride and a good thing for training but I actually don't do anything particular apart from BMX, moto, DH, road cycling and gym. Just a good balance to keep things interesting. And also going to University full time.

Finn: I don't own a motocross so I don't use it as cross training, and since I live in Whistler the motocross tracks near my house is closed all winter long anyway. I mostly ski during the winter and I also really enjoy ping pong. (editor's note: Finn will crush you at ping pong)

How many times a week do you typically ride? What style of riding makes up the majority of your training (DH, trail, road, etc..)

Loic: I ride a bike at least two days a week. Like I said, BMX quite a lot, especially at home where the BMX track is really close from my house. Then not much XC, some enduro when a good crew is going, and some downhill. But I definitely need to ride more DH, I feel that I'm not riding enough and that's why going to New Zealand is amazing for me. I ride and train everyday on the DH bike, and am looking forward to heading there once again in March.

Loris: I don't ride a lot on a downhill bike in the off season so most of the time I go to the gym and to the BMX track.

Finn: I'm still In school so most of the time I can only ride twice a week but I try to ride when ever I can. I mostly ride trail bikes and some DH during the off season.

The Specialized Gravity Team, which consists of you, Loris Vergier, and Finn Iles, is a separate entity from the Specialized Factory Racing team that Troy Brosnan is on. Do you have an idea how this will work out at the races? Will there be two separate pit areas, or will there be a shared space?

Loic: There will be two different pits on the races, we are part of the same family but living in two different houses. Troy will stay in the Specialized Factory pits, but we now see one another as team mates I think and it's gonna be cool. I've been battling with Troy since the beginning in Junior and we are friends I'd say. Not really close ones because I've never spent a lot of time with him, but from not speaking English while battling in juniors without saying a word to him, we got along well. I have a lot of respect for him, he is cool and a incredibly fast rider and think it will be easier now to do some laps together... But I'm sure we both still want to kick each other's ass in the race though, haha.

Looking ahead to the upcoming Word Cup Season (racing begins on April 9th in Lourdes, France), what race are you most excited for? Is there any course on the schedule that you don't particularly enjoy?

Loic: Of course the opening round will be a great one as it is in France and I like the track. But my favorite trip is going over seas to Canada for MSA, so yeah, I'd say I'm excited a bit more for that one. I enjoy every race, maybe not too much the ones in the rain but these are the rules, and you can't control the weather.

Finn: I'm really looking forward to Valnord since I've never been there. So far, of the few tracks I have ridden I've enjoyed them all, so I don't really know which tracks I won't like just yet.


Specialized Gravity Team
And with a quick session on the pump track on the way out the door, the crew jumped in their new team truck and headed south to San Diego for another week of product testing and sponsor visits.



Specialized Gravity Team




MENTIONS: @Specialized / @davetrump / @finno / @SramMedia / @one-industries



Author Info:
davetrumpore avatar

Member since Feb 26, 2008
269 articles

204 Comments
  • 214 33
 Good for Specialized that they got rid of Gwin - now they can afford wind tunnel.

PS: what's with this unnecessarily big pictures?
  • 10 3
 made my day.. Big Grin
  • 147 21
 They got the wind tunnel from NASA after they sued them for unauthorized and excessive usage of "Brain" technology. Westboro Baptist Church will never get in such trouble
  • 22 2
 It's the "WIN tunnel". ;-)
  • 4 5
 @EnduroriderPL you nailed it
  • 21 9
 People are really going Alotta Vagina on Gwin's case...
  • 2 1
 They're after NASA's shuttle tech next...
  • 144 3
 @EnduroriderPL "unnecessarily big pictures" ? its a 'Pinkbike photo epic' article. High quality photography demands this layout. This isn't f*cking instagram.
  • 7 3
 @nickkk big picture are there so that nobody can see that they still have Gwin´s pictures on the wall.
  • 10 0
 I wonder if they kept Gwin's data to index against....
  • 8 30
flag EnduroriderPL (Feb 4, 2016 at 6:44) (Below Threshold)
 @nickkk photo epic MY ASS.
  • 55 12
 I can see why Gwin left.
Specialized: So we'd like to start wind tunnel testing, what do you think?
Gwin: Um I won a race last year without a chain maybe that money would be better invested in rider salary.

I've always thought, especially after that race, why not train without a chain doing laps on a short DH track. You can't always make up time by pedaling if you make a mistake but learning how to pump the bike over terrain can really save a few ticks.
  • 10 0
 I'll read the article this weekend.
  • 11 1
 They can't share any wind tunnel secrets lol. Uh just tuck like in the pic and that's 99% of it.
  • 30 0
 Why is everyone acting like they just recently built this wind tunnel? The novelty isn't that it exists it's that they are using it for DH bikes. They've used it for road bikes for years.
  • 21 4
 Gwin and Troy have both tested in the wind tunnel... There goes that theory @yeti951sd
  • 41 2
 @bartdm yup there's still pics of Gwin on the wall and no ones trying to hide them. There is also a room dedicated to Sam Hill right as you walk through the front door. Nothing but respect for Specialized for the riders who helped put them on the map, regardless of current team affiliations.
  • 32 6
 I'm really sorry for you Dave... such a great material and the reception is a load of complete crap from the people, just because it's the "evil Specialized". Fkless and rideless morons with scape goat complex.
  • 3 12
flag RedBurn (Feb 4, 2016 at 8:59) (Below Threshold)
 wating money all over the place .. the wind tunel is qui useless haha ......
  • 7 2
 It would be much more useful use of a wind tunnel session if the suspension was in the same position it is while riding downhill. The front end will be much lower of course. Not a big deal on road or TT bikes (which is where this no doubt sees most of its use), but not an ideal test setup for DH.
  • 6 2
 Are you saying compress the fork and shock or angle the bike? Cause it's not like the wind moves parallel to the ground when you ride downhill.
  • 6 0
 Gwind tunnel you say?
  • 1 0
 @davetrump I can imagine it is so! I have respect for all good (and not only) riders and specialized had lot of them. was just a joke about hiding Gwin´s pictures.
  • 5 0
 Jackson - the wind is parallel to the direction the rider is moving, which means there's no need to make special adjustments to the suspension position to get a reasonable measurement.

The air resistance mostly comes from the speed of the rider moving through the air (up to 40, 50 mph on typical world cup tracks), not the air blowing around the mountain (10-20 mph if its gusty).
  • 3 0
 That's what I'm saying yo. I though the guy above me wanted the bike angled downhill in the wind tunnel which made no sense!
  • 4 7
 @ yeti951SD

The whole Aaron Gwin NO CHAIN thing. The real question is whether or not he meant to have his chain break in that race? Maybe he did testing and knew he could go faster (at that race) with no chain? When Troy Brosnan went to chat with Aaron right after he crossed the finish line at the race Aaron said "the suspension works great without a chain". It did impress everyone and he did sign for more money.
  • 3 1
 @davetrump it was a joke. I'm sure Aaron and many DH racers before him have spent plenty of time in the tunnel. I don't really know how effective it really is aside from body positioning at speed. I get why roadies need it just seems a little much for DH. I mean if they're that concerned maybe we should go back to street bike helmets and skin suits. There are rules about how tight a kit can be so that's what seems a little counterintuitive to the expense of full blown wind tunnel testing.
  • 9 10
 RollinFoSho - seriously?! You need to see a doctor about that, it's called paranoia. Holy sht, Specialized and Aaron attract the biggest whackos. I was never aware of this side of MTB and I don't want to have anything to do with it... this gets dangerously close to football
  • 13 1
 @WAKIdesigns

Yes, totally serious. I wouldn't call it paranoia, just discussing a totally valid possibility.

re: paranoia
How could you possibly make a living (unless employed by pinkbike) to be able to spend so much time commenting on pinkbike? I'd love to see the stats, how many comments have you made on Pinkbike? 1000's ! You must be the record holder?
  • 3 0
 @RollinFoSho and furthermore his married with two young children you know.
  • 8 3
 Maybe there's more than one person? There's quite a lot of possibilities... Nothing's what it seems these days.
  • 4 2
 sometimes i upvote wakis comments before i even read them...
  • 1 0
 Maybe gwin won with out a chain because hey trained with the win tunnel.
  • 2 1
 Maybe he just wanted to save weight
  • 100 6
 “The Win Tunnel.” Could have been “The Gwin Tunnel.”
  • 119 1
 Scrolling for "Gwin Tunnel" comment...found it.
  • 4 0
 The G fallin off
  • 2 1
 Same.
  • 66 19
 can we all just forget about that one time they beat up on a shop owner and admit this is one cool-ass brand?
  • 37 9
 Every brand is going to have thing they want to hide, and lets be real - we all fuck up - business ain't no different. So, in answer to your question.. Yes. Yes they are.
  • 9 56
flag MojoMaujer (Feb 4, 2016 at 5:02) (Below Threshold)
 Hahhaha... Cool ass brand specialized?
Is just biber cool ass too?
Hahah....
  • 22 70
flag MojoMaujer (Feb 4, 2016 at 5:05) (Below Threshold)
 No they are not. They exist ONLY to make money. Produce as chap as possible. Spend money on advertising to brainwash people. Hire lawyers to destroy any form of competition. They are the worst business model. A company that never produced a single product in their own country.
  • 14 2
 its a competitive market. i dont know that there is any room at the top for the level of righteousness you are suggesting.
  • 15 45
flag SteveDekker (Feb 4, 2016 at 5:45) (Below Threshold)
 Theres nothing cool about Specialized.
  • 6 47
flag MojoMaujer (Feb 4, 2016 at 6:15) (Below Threshold)
 @trailriderdood
Really? I don't see any other companies, including the very big ones, being as "competitive" as specialized.
They are a lawyer run company, and it is back firing now.
I don't see trek, cannondale, etc suing mom and pop stores.
And trek is bigger than specialized and getting more market shares as small stores across Europe are dropping specialized.
  • 52 3
 @mojomaujer this is what, Your 7th negative comment slamming Specialized in the comments section of this article alone? You've said your piece now run along, and stop trolling the comments section with your nonsense.
  • 14 3
 @Mojomauer there isn't a company on mtb doing it for any reason other than making money. There are no charity bike brands. Also, I'm fairly sure they sued one mom and pop, and when the owner found put, he tried to make amends. Get over it bahd.
  • 17 2
 Dude I'll admit it... some of jbiebs new shit is uh pretty damn catchy.
  • 9 2
 @MojoMaujer name ONE company making bikes or any other consumer goods without a goal to make money. Walmart brands all the way up to high-end World Cup level bicycles. Every company selling bikes looks to make money. I am not defending the bike shop situation with Specialized nor any of their patent lawsuits. However, Mike Sinyard himself went and resolved the bike shop deal and admitted it was an overly aggressive attorney.
  • 3 28
flag MojoMaujer (Feb 4, 2016 at 10:56) (Below Threshold)
 They all want to make money.
Some want to make money so they can make the bikes they want to ride.
Or the best bikes they can make. The focus is the bike.

Apple wanted to make good products–years ago.
Samsung just wants to sell. Get it?

OtherS spend more money on ads... and ads buy the press... and the press tell people what to think...
they make the cheapest product possible and sell it to the highest $.

I am not going into the legal etc. aspect because I would be waisting my time... but if you are a S dealer they pretty much force you not to carry any other brands. If you are a small-medium shop. However it is the shop decision.

It is the business model.
One is moved by making a good product to make money.
The other is moved only by making money.

Same applies to the rest of your life.

'Nuff said
  • 11 1
 Dude, you ain't making no sense @MojoMaujer.

Apple wanted to make good products? That's it? So the wealthiest company in the world is simply the biggest because they just wanted to make good products? Get the f*ck outta here. They're in it for the money! Sure, they make good products and based on customer demand, price it so that they get the highest margins possible. Quit thinking there are any companies out there that don't care about making money.

If you don't like Specialized, don't buy their products.
  • 5 1
 Id bet if Saint @MojoMaujer won a flashy new S-Works in some sweepstakes hed be just as proud as the rest of us riding it all over town showing off those most bling 6 letters in mtb
  • 1 1
 Mojomaujer@ Trek really. . . . . . Trek sued and ran Gregg Lemond out of business! Look it up! I could go on a Trek rant as their local dealer sucks. . . . .
  • 41 0
 Imagine what Loic could achieve if he rode at least three times a week?
  • 106 13
 It might not make a difference. I rode your mother at least three times a week but i still didn't really achieve anything.
  • 17 2
 Good one Trabek
  • 6 0
 I think you just can't ride DH at 100% that often without getting hurt, and pros aren't going to grow their skills by adding casual rides.
  • 7 3
 That's because my mother died four years ago.

I suggest you check out a user's age before you post a "your mother' joke.
  • 34 1
 classy move from specialized to pick these 3 as a team, and not a single person out of these three.
  • 11 68
flag germanrider77 (Feb 4, 2016 at 4:29) (Below Threshold)
 gay ass comment right here
  • 9 53
flag MojoMaujer (Feb 4, 2016 at 4:59) (Below Threshold)
 classy and specialized can not be in the same sentence. They HAD to get the team.
  • 2 28
flag Benito-Camelas (Feb 4, 2016 at 5:03) (Below Threshold)
 Oh sorry, didn't see your comment germanrider77 and wrote mine on the wrong place

has Pinkbike been acquired by OUT mag?
anyone knows?
  • 29 0
 Always find it interesting when pros say they only get out twice a week on the bike during the offseason (obviously excluding gym and diet) - kinda weird hearing that the pros ride less than some guys I know.
  • 9 0
 Quality over quantity. As a weekend warrior, this makes me feel alright.
  • 7 0
 That's what jumped out at me too. Apparently I need to rethink my excuses for being slow, because twice a week is pretty damn achievable.
  • 8 0
 DH bike, not bike/s, they are always riding something! DJ, Moto, Gym, Girls!
  • 24 0
 You killed it @davetrump. Beautiful work, as always.
  • 48 2
 Thanks.... Too bad winter has made all these angry trolls hungry though.
  • 3 0
 Agreed! Did they squeeze in the lunch ride?
  • 20 0
 "Basically I only do things with two wheels, I hate running and swimming..."
Amen, Brother.
  • 3 0
 I want to run, I really want to enjoy it... But I just can't. Wheels are the best!
  • 14 1
 Man, I love shit like this. It's understanding the work that goes on behind the scenes like this which really excites me (yeah, I'm cool.). I've always wondered why the downhill guys don't use data like we do in car racing.

Speaking of which, can someone invent a bar mounted lap timer with GPS in it? One of these, but for bikes. www.mychron5.de
  • 7 2
 Yes, the timer is called Strava.
  • 2 0
 On your handle bars on a downhill bike...?
  • 2 0
 garmin?
  • 3 0
 Garmin 520. Google it.
  • 3 0
 GPS device is called Garmin, the software is called Strava
  • 11 0
 they better sign loris up for longer than a year...that dude is about come good very soon
  • 9 1
 @davetrump - Great article! I really enjoyed reading it. The article doesn't seem to be getting the greatest reception, because Specialized... but I really enjoyed the insight into the very professional way they run the team. Love the details about one-off parts and returning to their personal configuration at the end of a data collection day for a final run.

Shame you can't share more information about the wind tunnel, you have me very curious. The results are probably fascinating.

And as always, excellent photography...
  • 21 4
 @bernbern I'm sure lots of people are enjoying it. I would't gauge it's worth by the handful of internet trolls who think they are cool trendy and funny to bag on Specialized. Just like the Enduro and Gee haters, their shtik is really starting to get tired and old. It's a shame that the lowest common denominator of internet A-holes feel the need to speak about something they really have no understanding of.

It is disrespectful to the riders (one of which is the world champ), their mechanics and support staff as well as the brands who live and breathe for development and racing. Not to mention the people behind a website like Pinkbike and the contributors who work exceptionally hard to bring these kind of stories to the masses, and for free.
  • 2 1
 Ya, I feel for the behind the scenes guys who are just lumped in with "corporate" as they dedicate their lives to a sport they love and have a passion for...
  • 3 1
 @davetrump dude, this piece is awesome, really enjoyed it. Awesome insight and great photos to boot. No idea what's with the turds in the comments. Cheers.
  • 2 0
 @burnbern there's an entire series on YouTube focused on the 'win' tunnel on Specialized channel Smile
  • 8 0
 Further reading: Specialized team riders start to use "Aerodynamic fins on their Go Pros"
  • 9 1
 Wish the best to one of the friendliest team on the circuit! Come on Lolo 2016 is yours.
  • 9 1
 Finn is absolutely gunna kill it this year
  • 6 0
 A lot of respect for these guys being at the top of the game in mountain-biking and studying for degrees at the same time!
  • 7 0
 Turn the bike round 90 degrees for some Fort William wind testing!
  • 5 0
 Some great pics in there too...actually made me want to go ride some muddy loam! Yee HAWWW! (gotta wait for the ice to clear : (
  • 3 0
 Just a random thought that's floating around in my mind when looking at the telemetry kits of the bikes.

How much do these kits weigh ?

And do the settings found using the telemetry differ from the ones the riders will actually use due to the extra weight from the kit ?

Or is there some kind of formula ? Or am I just spouting useless thoughts from my half baked mind ?
  • 2 0
 That is the first thing that popped into my mind when I saw the second photo. But I am sure they have all that factored in...
  • 1 0
 Yeah I guess they did, but it would be nice to know exactly how they do it, might be a bit of a trade secret thing tho ?
  • 6 0
 EXTREEEEME CLOSE UUUPPPP!!!!!! WAAAAAAAAAAA
  • 2 0
 Thanks! This was an epic article. But, like was said, data is just data unless someone can extract what it really means in elapsed time. Don't think that Specialized was, or is, the only manufacturer to do this level of data acquisition. Although as in any form of racing, it all comes down to what the rider feels comfortable and can ride fast. As in motorsports, the fastest setup is only fast if it can be driven/ridden. Sometimes, the key to speed and winning is something that can't be quantified.
  • 7 1
 Thanks for the fantastic article @davetrump It was a great read.
  • 5 1
 Can't believe that there is so many haters in here. Most of them spouting on about things they know nothing about. Get a life.
  • 4 0
 I think this is one of the best write ups I've seen in a long time. Truly awesome read. Made me laugh and smile. Also the team van is absolutely stunning!
  • 4 0
 I feel like this wind tunnel thing has been done before.... www.pinkbike.com/forum/listcomments/?threadid=85381
  • 4 0
 Great article @davetrump! Can't wait to see this team in action on the WC.
  • 4 0
 Why bother with a wind tunnel if all you need is a little motor and battery?
  • 4 0
 I love these kind of PB articles
  • 3 0
 This was an amazing article Dave! Makes snowy days easier to cope with good content like this.
  • 1 0
 Good day @davetrump i am an aspiring photographer out of south Africa and is my dream to shoot wc what advice could you give me to get this going truly love your work, i would love to pick your brain on how you got started
  • 3 0
 @msvf both Loic and Loris were riding size large frames and are about 5'10" (or 178cm) tall.
  • 2 1
 Nice, I'm looking forward to the season and wish them the best.

Does anybody knows which demo frame size the three riders have chosen and how tall they are?
  • 3 0
 All that Tech and.. Vergier still prefers to go by feel. Hahahaha..legend!
  • 2 2
 All that time spent working with ohlins on building a bike around a shock.... and now there back the square one with rockshox suspension. The bike im sure works great with a vivid but come on guys!
  • 2 3
 They have to share one link? In all the time between losing gwin and gaining loic, they couldn't have machined another? Or was the link hot off the "press" and there really was no time? Seems strange and inefficient to have to share it.

Pretty cool article nonetheless. Thanks Pinkbike!
  • 8 0
 Maybe you should read the article again, or maybe twice more. Link was made in a few hours, they probably couldn't make two in so short time.
  • 2 2
 You are right, I did need to read it more carefully during my toilet time.
  • 1 0
 This write-up reminded me of the 2008 movie Speedracer, when Speed's family is given the tour of Royalton Industries racing program Smile
  • 3 0
 you can tell these kids are loving it at team Specialized !
  • 4 1
 Damn that's some serious Worldchamp material right there.
  • 2 0
 That wind tunnel... Didn't trek do that years back.. I rembered reading in dirt magazine once
  • 4 2
 So....the same gear and new team. 1 picture is enough.
  • 4 2
 Would have been great if gwinn stopped by to do some photo bombing.
  • 2 0
 I was pretty surprised at how little Loic rides in the off season
  • 4 3
 Anyone else think that Santa Cruz was the other brand that put in an offer?
  • 2 0
 It's not a skinsuit but is it tight enough? lol
  • 1 2
 " All gains were made in existing kits that looks exactly the same as the kit we've all come to love for DH "

So the aerodynamics of the bike play no part? Kind of a misleading comment.
  • 3 1
 these 3 kids are gonna fly on those bikes !! what a season coming!
  • 1 1
 You know there's some serious engineering happening when there's an ASUS laptop. They must be keeping the Mac in the "social media" room Razz
  • 2 0
 Jeez the negative internet trolls are out in swarms
  • 2 0
 I wanna challenge Finn to a game of Ping Pong
  • 2 1
 Just take them the fuc*in' chains away and you'll save hell lotta money on this hi-tech crap.
  • 2 0
 MTB is just a muddy Formula 1 these days- but they sound better.
  • 2 0
 Aero mountain bikes! Venge Evo
  • 1 0
 interested this season on how these boys go with the big S. Loic in NZed will be epic too, as always, great lad.
  • 1 0
 Formerly known as the GWIN tunnel... That's how he trained, for if he ever lost his chain...
  • 1 0
 If they want the suspension to work better then get rid of the rockshox and put some BOS forks and shocks on their.
  • 2 1
 I thought Loic only rode silver bars
  • 1 0
 I'm digging Palmer's ride!
  • 1 0
 I think Team Babyface would be more appropriate lol...
  • 2 1
 i looked at your story dont sue me
  • 1 0
 When did Finn sign with Specialized?
  • 1 1
 Wow. All this technology, yet they still put proprietary BS on their bikes. SMH.
  • 1 1
 Where is Willy Wonka. I see where this is headed - downhill races won by Oompah Lumpahs due to their aerodynamic efficiency.
  • 1 0
 Love the Article but can be better If they included videos Smile
  • 1 0
 I do Love the VW Microbus!
  • 5 5
 Looks like three schoolboys (no disregards for their skills). And spesh is so perfect... boring!
  • 5 6
 So are they gonna be allowed factory team status with those non matching outfits? Santa Cruz got burned last year for it or does specialized pay the uci way more
  • 5 1
 @adrennan the UCI has removed that rule for 2016 so trade teams can run whatever look they want
  • 1 0
 @davetrump how did specialized get away with it last year? That always confused me.
  • 5 0
 @adrenna, I believe the XC team not the DH team was registered as a trade team and therefore got all the perks in regards to pit size and placement. At WC's where both XC and DH were being held Troy and Aaron simply pitted out of the factory XC setup. Not 100% certain that's how it went down but definitely something similar.
  • 1 0
 You mean there won't be any #notatradeteam funnies this year? ohhh mannnn......
  • 1 0
 Why did this get down voted so hard? It is a legitimate question.
  • 1 0
 #specializedilluminati
  • 1 0
 Spec riders are so short now. Great bunch guys though.
  • 2 2
 Riding around in the woods in that ghastly kit is making the santa cruz mountain banana slugs retract their eye-stalks.
  • 1 0
 Sometimes I wipe the dirt clumps off my bike.
  • 1 1
 They just had to include a yoke on the suspension link didn't they?
  • 2 2
 ladies and gents your 2016 world cup champion
  • 3 3
 "Finn will crush you on Ping Pong" - I beg to differ.
  • 3 3
 Trek called. They want their wind tunnel marketing back from circa 2011
  • 1 1
 They are still missing the secret ingredient and it starts with an "Aaron"
  • 2 2
 Err....Still like Loic despite Specialized... the kid has a lot of moxy.
  • 1 2
 Okay I live right by Morgan Hill and I want to know what these trails are?!?! They look sick!
  • 1 0
 The Gwin tunnel
  • 1 0
 fuck
  • 1 1
 Rocky IV.
  • 1 1
 Good job Dave!
  • 3 4
 ...weird not to see Gwin in these pics but stoked to see those who are.
  • 2 4
 I was afraid mountain biking would come to all of this.
  • 1 1
 It was only a matter of time. Now the gap widens.
  • 2 5
 They are going to need more then a wind tunnel to keep up with Gwin this year.2016 is going to be off the chain.
  • 1 4
 Loic seems to be a very smart guy
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