Video: Inside Specialized Racing: Ep. 1 with Aaron Gwin

Apr 16, 2014
by Scott Secco  


Video: John Lawlor

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Member since Sep 18, 2009
1,029 articles

109 Comments
  • 77 2
 Watched him do a run on the Friday on the PMB course, landed the jump into the finish and his shock (and mountings) exploded. Another dude fetched the spring and the bits. Surprised nobody else has posted on that because it doesn't exactly inspire confidence. That being said, WC riders aren't exactly your everyday consumer and have an otherwordly ability to break shit.
  • 23 3
 Cool story, always nice to hear these details from Spectators at the race.
  • 7 28
flag saint4life (Apr 17, 2014 at 9:47) (Below Threshold)
 If you look at the bikes they're riding they aren't the same designs at all as the Demo 8 - they're riding two rear stays in this race whereas the production bike and the staple Demo 8 is a triple rear stay setup. Might explain the explosion - not sure why they're riding such a different rear designed set up - it may be that's just how the 27.5 frame looks now...
  • 14 0
 @saint4life Gwin and Brosnan were riding 650b prototype Enduro Evos with DH forks.
  • 4 2
 Yes, they are riding one off prototype bikes for this race. I am not a big Demo fan, but those bikes weren't demos and all companies push limits with failures and success on prototype designs.
  • 17 0
 Everything breaks. Everything.
  • 5 0
 if its not breaking you're not riding hard enough!
  • 4 8
flag saint4life (Apr 18, 2014 at 0:35) (Below Threshold)
 Ahhh that makes sense now - what's with the neg props for thinking out of the box with the bike build?!?!
  • 2 0
 Anyone have footage of this?

It would be interesting to see what happened.
  • 1 0
 time to start eating oats with peanut butter and bananas!
  • 39 1
 The more I hear Gwin talk and describe how he approaches things the more I am warming to him. As Waki said in another post, it is hard to like someone who wins all the time and generally people root for the underdog, but nevertheless I think the quiet, (non-stop winning) Gwin was a touch hard to get behind. It's great to hear him talking through his thoughts on the place, the runs, etc and not something we saw too much of in the past
  • 11 0
 Agreed. He doesn't talk smack. He is very put together for a 26 year old (I am 40). He just gets the job done. Quiet doesn't necessarily mean someone is a prick. Also, how can you not like someone who is just that good? Back in the 90's I was a huge Nico fan when he was winning everything in DH. Liking really good riders doesn't mean you DON'T like the underdog or other riders as well.
  • 2 0
 love or hate Gwin....he is pushing the sport and i think more than any one single rider, as fans we all want to see what these bikes can really do and we want to see progression. Stevie and Gwin are pushing DH MTBing the same way Anderson Silva and Johnny "bones" Jones pushed the level of skill and competition for the UFC. Cheers Beardless!
  • 5 0
 I love that Tomac and now Carter have put so much effort into helping Gwin. It's like he's bringing back American racing by channeling the last great American racers. P.S. I miss playing Eric carter on Downhill Domination.
  • 38 4
 GET IT THIS SEASON GWIN! YEW!!
  • 10 2
 he's back
  • 10 7
 Stoked for Gwin but way too early to say he's back. This time last year he won Sea Otter (not part of WC of course) while riding an Enduro and we all know what happened after that on steeper, rougher courses while riding a Demo. But... I hope you're right!
  • 16 1
 pfft, sea otter ain't no world cup.
  • 6 1
 I think he's back. He did in PMB what he used to do, get a huge gap at the beginning and then keep it all the way to the bottom. We'll see if he can do it on the technical tracks aboard a Demo, but for at least the next track I bet he stays on the 650 Enduro rather than go back to smaller wheels. Racing the Enduro certainly helped him get that gap at the beginning because of the better pedalling efficiency. The only thing that might keep Gwin from winning on the technical tracks might be his teammate or Bruni.
  • 6 1
 who is to say that Specialized doesn't have a 650b Demo for Gwin to race?
  • 4 0
 Exactly... Gwin still had the fastest top split and speed trap, despite a much more technical track than last year. He bested the full-on DH rigs on the part of the track they should have excelled on. Quite the opposite of winning Sea Otter ( on a 29'er mind you ) or Graves going from 24th to 3rd after the pedal last year at PMB.
  • 22 0
 Pretty inspired decision bringing in Carter as Team Manager. Seems to bring a wise head to the fold.
  • 9 0
 EC probably the best decision for a manager. He seems to inspire the riders.
  • 7 3
 His way of talking is a bit annoying for a reserved Brit and there's a few too many cliches in what he says but you can see that both Troy and Gwin were confident and focused going in to their runs and that must be in no small part to EC's constant motivation and help he seemed to be providing. Definitely seems like an inspired decision to get EC on board.
  • 4 3
 Yeah some of it is a bit cheesy but none the less, he HAS been there, done that.
  • 3 0
 He seems like a really good guy to have as a team manager, dude seemed really confidence inspiring as mentioned.
  • 4 0
 That kind of "cheesy" super positive attitude is infectious. This ain't football (our kind). You want a coach who can relax his people and put them in a good mood even if he has to be a bit over the top.
  • 14 0
 Awesome to see Gwin get his stride back again. Great guy and I wish he didn't get so much shit from the DH community, he shut alot of people up by winning.
  • 6 3
 But he hasn't shut up the Demo haters yet.
  • 7 1
 It's not the bike, it's the rider
  • 3 4
 I disagree,in those trails the bike have a big role.
  • 4 1
 I'd say to a point obviously it's a bike. But all of the bikes on the WC circuit are great. It's not like you can just hop on a Devinci and ride as fast as Steve Smith. I'm sure any WC rider is faster than any of us on a cheap bike.
  • 14 3
 Better stay on that enduro it's working for you !
  • 8 1
 yeah, that made me want to get an enduro.
  • 25 6
 Stay in PMB it is working for you!
  • 3 7
flag tobiusmaximum (Apr 17, 2014 at 2:01) (Below Threshold)
 Haha waki
  • 1 0
 Hilarious coming from someone named waki...
  • 7 0
 To anyone who feels the need to hate on Gwin.....Watch the interviews he gave with Dirt Magazine recently then watch the video above. If you can't respect Mr Gwin, then you have no business being a part of this sport.....FACT!
  • 6 0
 Class act! SO easy to root for these guys. Although most mountain bikers are pretty awesome people compared to other sports..
  • 3 0
 @bakalaka, interesting what you say. While watching the race I noticed how effing hard his rear suspension was! Maybe a reason for such explosion? It's well known Gwin does ride suspension pretty hard.

Would have liked to see a bit more about Troy on the video! The kid is shredding, just need to build a bit more muscle and then watch out!!
  • 6 3
 Im really happy for Gwin and Specialized...they both, im sure have put in crazy amounts of effort to accomplish this very cool win...But I really don't like the whole **one off** custom bike stuff for a particular track...I like seeing dam near production bikes that consumers can actually buy racing and winning on these tracks.. Hopefully for the rest of the season we can actually see some Demo 8's wearing the victory badge..
  • 10 2
 It's not a one-off custom, it's an Enduro, you can go buy one if you want.
  • 2 1
 Maybe i dreamt this, but is it not a 650b prototype?

I'm not nitpicking, just genuinely interest to know...
  • 3 1
 Dunno. I know you can get Enduro 29ers, and the Stumpjumper will be 650b soon. But, for all the difference it makes who cares. It can be done easily from what I see singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/650b-specialized-enduro
  • 2 1
 I'm curious if it has a higher than normal BB from having a DH fork on it or if It's a custom frame designed for a DH fork.
  • 3 0
 the DH fork is only 180mm. The stock EVO comes with a single crown 180mm fork so the BB should be close. I have the 26" version and a Demo... the bb is lower on the demo with sag.
  • 8 5
 Now if we could just get Aaron to end sentences with something other than "so...yeah..." He has our So Cal speech patterns deeply ingrained. He is one of the most laid back, calm people I've ever had the fortune to talk with, but consequently, he is not a great conversationalist. Not a lot of small talk with strangers. As a rider - when he is on - he is devastating and I am hoping for that kind of a season from him. I hope Stevie is in top form when he returns, because I would love to see these two punch it out all season. Then I'd like to hear them do interviews together and have a "dialect" off... All of the Englishmen on this forum would cringe.
  • 8 0
 People signed him and other top level athletes, to be just that, athletes, he was not signed to do a tedtalk. People have no idea what it takes to be the best, it takes so much out of you, leaving little for the reality show moments.
  • 4 0
 Not all pro athletes can have all the same personalities. I'd like to hear herzalot do an interview, we all have faults. Easy to criticize behind a keyboard.
  • 4 1
 My commentary was not intended to be criticism, just observation. I think both guys are awesome, although I've never met Stevie. He seems as humble and genuine as a guy can be. We all speak with our own dialects - makes regional travel more interesting. I really would like to hear them together - the regionalism would be awesome.
I thought Aaron's interview on Redbull TV right after he won was one of the best post race interviews I've heard, giving props to the right people, humble, team oriented and thankful. @jaydawg - sorry, I don't think I'll ever be interviewed for my bike-riding prowess.
  • 5 0
 Yeahhh oats!! I've had porridge for breakfast every riding day for the past couple of years and it hasn't let me down!
  • 5 0
 Eric Carter as coach has to be a phenomenal asset to that team.
  • 7 2
 He will gwinning from ear to ear all season.
  • 5 0
 Waki is mildly amusing at widely spaced intervals!
  • 4 0
 John Lawlor made a great edit, better approach from last years content.
  • 5 4
 Can't wait till smiths back and we can truly see how the chips fall. I think it's gonna be a better season then how last season panned out with Atherton and Smith. This will have to be a season to remember!
  • 8 1
 It'll probably take Smith some ti:me to get back up to speed
  • 7 8
 It was GREAT to see Atherton throw a tantrum over Smith's win!!!
  • 2 0
 Eric carter seems like such a cool rad coach, im sure he knows what hrs doin an sayin! Still cannot believe gwin won, congrats........so sick.. keep it gwinin!
  • 4 0
 so much hate by some... sad really.
  • 2 0
 Saint4life, it doesn't have 3 stays cause it's not a demo. It's just an enduro evo with a float 40..... sick setup and one we saw at rampage with Montgomery and the dorado
  • 1 0
 Cool win for Gwin. Be interesting to see if he can be as consistent as a couple of years ago, it was basically the Aaron Gwin show.
  • 1 0
 Is the frame custom? Is it possible to fit 27.5 wheels on the 2014 enduro evo frame?
  • 2 1
 YEAH!!!
So, what bike are you planning on running the rest of the season??? Carbon Status?
  • 2 0
 Oooo... Carbon status! Is that on the cards or have you just imagined it? I want a carbon status. Coz I can't afford a carbon demo lol.
  • 1 0
 Would be great to see Troy take his first win next round. Good luck down under boys.
  • 2 0
 They misspelled Pietermaritzburg.... Sorry, had to say it.
  • 1 0
 Glad I'm making the Enduro Evo my next rig.
  • 1 0
 I like Mitch's Gopro mount under the visor.
  • 1 1
 Gwin and Troy are sound... but the specialized guy just sounds cold and harsh.
  • 1 0
 EC is a boss.
  • 1 0
 brosnan cheeky selfie
  • 1 2
 what are those trophies.. and true bout mr. smith ... gonna be a force out there
  • 1 0
 Sweet
  • 8 9
 Their all smiles now… until Stevie comes back with vengeance.
  • 20 19
 We're all smiles now.... but if/when Stevie comes back we'll all still be pumped because Canada is basically the 51st state...
  • 25 1
 Thats one way to piss off a whole bunch of Canadians.
  • 17 22
flag jdotr (Apr 17, 2014 at 1:16) (Below Threshold)
 If america isn't already big enough. Big as in large, large as in fat, fat as in obese. Obese well, as in murica
  • 27 3
 By the standards of behaviour of DH fans, Stevie is lucky to be injured, otherwise by the beginning of the summer he'd get as much internet hate as Hill, Gwin, Minnaar and Gee got in previous seasons. That is regardless of results. The underdog gets sympathy, the reigning champion gets crap. People want to see progression from Zero to Hero! And they love to turn a Hero to Zero.

jdotr - by the statistics, the behaviour of Brits towards anything related to Aaron Gwin, is pathetic... so you may want to take the jam smudged "MURICAH" thumb out of your bum. This Wrold Cup bit with it's actors is nothing more than entertainment, you have nothing to do with DH racing on that level so just sit back and enjoy watching it unfold, you may learn something! If some of you actualy listened, you may hear that those great athletes are tired of the stupid hype and speculating around what they are doing. Gwin And Smith said it quite clearly in the interviews. Shut up, just watch and enjoy it.
  • 4 5
 Waki for president
  • 2 3
 I agree with that.. People keep saying to much things but they don't know that they are talking about.. AG is a awesome and proved he's the best rider of the world for 2011 and 2012. Hope he's really back this year. But, as AG fan I'm a little worried ( not about him) but about demo 8s =/ let's see it this year and hope I'm wrong
  • 9 7
 "Their all smiles now"? Who taught you English? They are = they're. Also, I never understand what Waki's points are in any of his comments. But then he is just a troll.
  • 6 7
 AndreLamanna - Aaron talked about Demo in the interview for Dirt, that he likes it and that it was not the bikes fault with his last year results - so a good thing we can do for the lad and probably ourselves is to believe him... apparently it is him riding the bike, so no other man can know better, even Specialized engineers. redrook - as far as my knowledge of Scottish culture goes, that I learned from the tales by Billy Connolly - you are clearly from Edinburgh...
  • 4 5
 It says that on my profile, but no, I'm not actually from Edinburgh. And Billy Connolly is not a reliable source of information.
  • 7 5
 redrook - never let the truth ruin a great story...
  • 6 5
 Waki rules
  • 3 1
 Waki owning owns
  • 4 0
 Waki is a troll, always has been.
  • 4 0
 Lol, what'r you guys on? Waki consistently posts the largest piles of bullshit ever seen on PB.
  • 1 0
 He was calling me out. My president comment was sarcastic
  • 1 2
 Was it Gwin, Eric Carter, or the bike? hmmmmm
  • 1 0
 Trifecta
  • 2 0
 Just gwin. EC has been with the team for about 5 seconds and he won on a trek last time.
  • 17 19
 26?? He looks about 50. Where was he brought up? Chernobyl?
  • 3 7
flag BeardlessMarinRider (Apr 17, 2014 at 2:07) (Below Threshold)
 I was thinking the same Smile Poor guy has 10 years more in his appearance
  • 10 5
 How about 27.5
  • 8 9
 Oh look out, the yanks have awoken.... I've gone from +5 to -1 in about 15 minutes!!!! Ha ha. You can't tell me you think he looks 26? My nutsack looks younger than he does.
  • 11 1
 and Danny Hart looks like he 16. Who cares.
  • 8 8
 Gwin's management should care- they're missing out on another potential sponsor... Nivea Q10.
  • 3 0
 Gavlaa that comment was priceless, gave me a laugh anyway!
  • 3 3
 I'm with Gavlaa, Gwin looks like he's been catapult-fed boiling rice.
  • 4 1
 lots of big talk from the internet... lets see your mug? Didn't think so.
  • 2 0
 I'm no oil painting. I have a face like fire damaged lego, it wasn't a judgement just an observation.
  • 3 0
 I'll happily admit I've a face like a bulldog licking piss off a stinging nettle but the way he talks and the overall maturity that comes across combined with how he looks would suggest someone ten years older. Not just a look thing, but part of an overall impression on the maturity beyond his years. I was genuinely surprised he is 26 and always thought he was early to mid 30's!
  • 1 4
 You are NOT 26! Stop pulling my leg!
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