UCI World Championships Mont Saint Anne - What they are running!

 Really cool Tyler.

 Because of sponsorships you can never really tell what the riders like and don't like from these stats but it's still interesting.

I would like to see who's wear armor in general.

 Come race day, I say about 35% plus of the racers are wearing NO armour (besides Helmet) remember last world champs a lot of the contenders didn't even wear knee pads, now i know it was a pedalling track last year, but hey it's world champs people go to drastic measures for any leg up on the competition.
Thanks for the stats, cool idea!

 To ebehn- Yeah, most of these guys/ gals are paid to endorse certain products AND world champs racers are hardly the average rides. I thought this was pretty interesting to see, more stuff like this please pinkbike!

 Fox Racing Shox 43%
RockShox 43%

Hard to believe but true !

 Nobody is riding an ORANGE!!!

 Or a turner

 I really thought that more pros were on Sram X9/X0/XX stuff then Shimano but apparently not.. are most running a Saint drive train or XT/XTR?

 evil wins more than santa cruz??? yeahhhhh!!!!!!!!

 guess the 1% using continental is the athertons......NOT

 @avery25 : that was first thing i noticed too

 Was about to post that jhowlett !

 Loving the Sram/Shimano stats....

 Maxxis is owning everyone in the tire department, kenda isn't even close!

 Kenda Nevegrips?^^

 I'd like to know what percentage of bikes are under 40lbs. but I doubt you're gonna be able to find that out.

 I wouldn't be surprised if 100% of bikes are under 40 pounds. That's not a very high standard these days, especially at world cup level.

 i thought that there would be more manitou than that.

 no Rockgardn

 Damn, no Ellsworth eh.

 Its shocking there isnt a Morewood

 to smike - I read somewhere that most world cup DH rigs are between 38 and 42 lbs because they need such beefy builds.

 I find that hard to believe. At this level of competition, parts are pretty much disposable. Just look at the builds the top guys are running and you can immediately tell they're easily under 38 pounds. Carbon v10 with edge wheels? Sam hills been sporting custom ex1750's long before they were available in 12x150. A lot of guys running enduro wheelsets to save weight, definitely not for durability.

 Don't they run those because they are paid to?

 Whether they're paid to run that equipment or not is irrelevant. Fact is, that's what they're running because it's the fastest setup.

 I agree that it's irrelevant. On the weight topic though Fox and Saint isn't the lightest but most guys are running that.

 Majority of The bikes are sub 35pounds

 Proof? From what I've heard most wc racers have their bikes at 35-40lb

 Well, yes alot are running 35-40 but those are the heavier frames with a wet setup for most of the world cups this year cause there seemed to be a cloud of rain following them. But we are talking WORLD CHAMPS here, I am just saying that the bikes are extra light for that one run, I know the Trek session team is running around a 33-34, Santa cruz under 35 too a couple other company's are getting sub 35 too. How ever you put it these bikes are light.

 light bikes are not always faster than heaviers, it depends track, riding style... and more facts

 Smike, they don't run whatever is the fastest. The run whatever gives them the most money. Conti paid the Athertons for a long time before they actually started using their tyres. So what's to say they aren't running other parts that aren't the best? Otherwise surely everyone would be on the same bike with the same parts? Only one can be the best.

 I get dibs on Rachel
actually I don't know if I'd want a gf who can beat the crap out of me ^^

 labop, many of those girls without boyfriends... well, ummm, how do I put this? I'm sorry to say they already have partners.

 D: what are you saying ? Actually ,
what are you saying ^^

 Hi, I'm a rear mech and 10 speed was my idea!

 No it wasn't, Al gore invented 10 speed like a few years after the internet.

 Funny guy.

 From what I'd seen at Champery I was expecting more Giant!

 I wear an Omega brace. They are manufactured for motocross but I love it more than any Leatt or Alpine i have tried. Super comfortable and light. It would be cool to see the Omega make an appearance in WC racing.

 Oxford and Corratec both surprised me as I had not seen them previously. One Morewood in the pits, may be more, but not while we compiled stats. Pivot is here with 3 riders, but none practiced while we were gathering info. 85% + were matches front and back for suspension, it was too tough to gather the rear shocks too as riders passed us fairly quickly. Saw 2 Cane Creek and 3 Elkas, but there are more around. Braces were a mix of Alpinestar and Leatt and one that we did not know and the rider did not speak english, so we let him pass.

 @brule, you and the team have done a great job compiling all that. Good to know there's some 'errors and omissions' that have crept in ! Just seen the Pivot bike shots...they look amazing! @DenverEliteDH, thanks for that...will check them out!

 What about the Cardboardtanium L33t Brace? I'm sure we'd see a few.
http://www.pinkbike.com/video/142601/

 Well the carbotitanium brace is (obviously) the best neck brace on the market, but the Download and p+p costs are just too confusing for the riders. Also ever since one of their users got Aids and their puppy died cos of the brace, noone wants them. All thoses things make the carbotitanium brace not worth it

 Hey man, thanks!

 Me too. It's a sad thing to see a guy/girl go to the hospital for a serious neck injury and never be able to ride again.

How about hubs ? Chris King ftw. lol

 go on a forum if you are going to bitch about neck braces..
mine works fine.

 i was surprised to see that so many of them are wearing them. its a shame there arent more but i reckon that by next season well over half of the people will have them

 "leats break collar bones" dude...a broken collar bone is a shit load better the having someone wipe your ass for the rest of your life.

 @ joelNZdh: I would rather have a broken collar bone then a broken spine if it where a choice, but seeing your age your excused.

 @ joelNZdh: so do crashes in general

 I would rather get an aplinestars brace and not break either!?

 It's true that leatt brace's break your collarbone. I've had some head first crashes with my leatt and my shoulders have hurted like hell after them. I've been lucky though and haven't broke any collarbones.

 My buddy broke his Leatt on the weekend in a nasty crash...his neck is fine. Wouldn't have been if he wasnt wearing the brace for sure.

 joelNZdh- WRONG. They have cut outs in the padding specifically so that they do not break collar bones. The Leatt Brace was the best invention ever.

 well, no... the helmet was

Im not against people wearing them, safety first after all, but it does seem to me that as soon as the leatt brace hit the market everyone started breaking their necks all of a sudden. Just the same amount of people broke their necks before the leatt was invented and nobody was so worked up about it then... I dont see why it needs to be such a big deal and why you people think there should be pressure on racers (many of whom raced long before leatt was invented) to use them. Also, Ive had countless headfirst crashes that I could easily have said "oh that would have broke my neck eh for sure" had I been wearing a neckbrace. my head is still attatched to my shoulders.

 DanB25: So what your sayng is there's no room for improvement or why bother making a sport safer hmmmm. Yeah your head is still attached for now but...................

 Spoony, you would rather have a toilet seat around your neck?

 just dont brake.

 @Rigaud backplates, chestplates, elbow pads, arm pads, shoulder pads even full shin pads make the sport safer but you dont see many people wearing them these days, why do we need to go inventing new safety precautions if were not going to use the ones available to us already?

 @ DanB25 I use them but then again I have been riding high end bikes almost 30 years now and learned a long time ago. Your 17 and I respect your opinion but you do have a long ways to go. Always room to learn.

 the leatt brace. the purple anodized bar ends of the new millenium.
if they had leatt braces back in the early 90's, greg herbold would have worn 3 of em.....at the same time!!!!

 joelNZdh ive broke my collar bone 4 times not once from my neck brace but i rather spend 3 months in a sling the sitting in a wheelchair and having some one feed me---than a boo boo on my shoulder

 i was just saying that id rather have alpinestar , an my mates been fukd cos his got shatterd into about 6 bits.not trying to make a bid deal over it.

 whats the fundermental differance between alpinestars and leatt braces. i want one, am attrected to the alpinestars bionic, but whats the differance. please don't say ones good and the others bad. sort of technical differances and the way they act when you crash, even down to preferances and why.

 The alpinestars looks like a toilet seat, whereas the Leatt breaks your collarbone apparently.

 A;pinestars has a longer back support, which will make it hard for mobilization...

Everyone I know that has them say they wish they had a Leatt instead...

 I have an Alpinestars and I don't really notice it when I'm riding. The fashion police on here seem to be having a massive go at me for not joining the crowd - but I actually bought the brace to decrease the risk of injury! (It would appear some people are completely unaware that they have practical functions!)

The only gripe I have about the Alpinestars is the straps it comes supplied with - it's definitely worth buying the addition "A-strap" to hold it firmly in place.

I've had a few crashes in it - fortunately none where "I would have definitely broken my neck without it" so I can't comment on the safety performance. I do however know that Alpinestars spent a long time (7 years I think) designing the brace to provide maximum protection against paralysing injuries. They say that you're most likely to brake your neck from compression injuries (i.e. Landing on top of your head - unfortunately like Dan Atherton did), so they designed their brace mainly to protect against these kind of injuries.

(Please note in the above statement at no point do I say anything about the Leatt - I have never worn one so I am not going to make comments, I am just saying I'm happy with my Alpinestars).


@DanB25 Your point about pads etc may not really be relevant since pads are unlikely to prevent major injuries - just reducing cutting/grazing/bruising etc - where as neckbraces should be viewed like helmets as they're (attempting) to protect against serious injuries (such as paralysis and death) much in the same way as helmets do... and when was the last time you saw somebody DHing without a helmet?

It only takes one crash.

 @DanB25

A friend of mine, who lives in Chilliwack BC, went to whistler for a fun day of riding, she had just gotten her Leatt. I think she told me that her third or fourth run down, she landed a little off on a jump, and boom. Over the bars and into a tree... Head first. Now, you may think ' oh big deal ' well, the Leatt saved her life as far as her dad is concerned. She was paralyzed for FOUR HOURS.

If that brace hadn't been around her neck, she might have died. And I woulda lost a great friend.

Leatt Braces, Alpinestars, they save lives. Would you rather be out say, 400 dollars ? Or be in a wheelchai/dead after one little mistake ?

 I see your point absolutely mate, Im not saying people shouldnt wear them at all. The only reason I dont own one myself is that £300 is a lot of money for a crash someone my speed is very unlikely to have. The thing that annoys me is that people talk about neck injuries like they are something that happens every day, or compares the benefits of a leatt to a helmet. The likelyhood of injuring your neck in a crash is nowhere near the likelihood of injuring your head (sans brace + helmet). It seems to me Leatt have had their marketing done for them free of charge

 Well...

Let's put it this way. Even if you're not going so fast, get squirrely, eat shit. Boom. Possible fractures. Been there, done that. You don't want it. Not only is it emberassing to crash and flip over at the speed, it's a kick in the gonads when you break your back.

I ask again. Would you rather pay out 300-600 dollars, and be alive, and have a broken collar bone, or possibly lose your mobility after a stupid little fall ?

It happens to the best of riders.

 sorry meant " break your neck "

I've seen it happen, almost had it happen to myself when I was 12...

 Yea I dont run manitou ,Mostly because I have a rare conditon where I have a penis ...

 ooooh, a brand hater, how original.

 Obviously England we have peaty

 yeah we win
YES PEATYYY!

 I was expecting Formula to be a little higher up there. There is not a performance downside to The One, maintenence is harder and price is higher, but usually racers aren't to worried about that.

 once you try shimano saint you don't want to go back to something else! amazing feeling and power

 It has to do with who they are sponsored by...I would guess most of the the Shimano racers are running shimano brakes and sram running avid...but that't just a guess.

 For the world champs i'm pretty sure you have to be picked by your country to ride so no turner riders must have been picked to race.

 The title of the article is "world champs - what they are running".

 These numbers don't show which are best or favourite products, it's all about sponsors.

 Yep in Whistler, these would all vary, just like all areas of the world. Cove has a big local presence in Whistler, as does all things SRAM. Worlds is about sponsors and the worlds fastest racers.

 If that was true then the the rs/avid and sram stats would match as nealry all rs sponsored riders also use sram and avid.

 oodboo's right, paid pros ride what there sponsored to ride, not by choice, intrested to see brands like transition pumping a lot money in to dh for such a small brand over say kona who dont have many top pro level riders to rep its frames no more..

 None came through during the time we were there. I have seen one around the pits, but not while we gathered details.

 ... saint and minions?

 high rollers in there too?

 sssshhhh.... that would make sense.

 id guess saint brakes and high rollers and minons unless it downpours then probally something differnt tire wise. Thats just what i would think not sure.

 Anybody running Saint Front Brake for power and XTR rear for weight!?

 Minion DHF 2.5s were like 90% of the Maxxis Tires and then some High Rollers. Shimano brakes were ALL SAINT and only one set of OLD SAINT, so all new.

 Wet screams cut down a centimeter would also be great. For mud of course because un cut wet screams a just too high and don't have the width to go with it unless you get 2.7s which they don't have its only 2.20s and 2.5s.

 Cheers for the reply!

 HAAHAHH! I heard that name like decades ago!

 they could always sponser me.. i would love the purple shocker

 I bet you would.

 a purple shocker sounds like some thing you might get if you didnt 'bag up' your boy when you went to Ibiza

 At the Worlds it's not by team's but instead you represent your country.

 Computer says no...

 well said.