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

Aug 31, 2010
by Tyler Maine  
Today Co-Host Katie and I did statistics for a few hours during DH practice. We checked all the rider’s frames, tires, suspension, shoe/pedal combos, Neck Brace – Yes/No, Brand of Helmets, Brakes, and Drive Train (Shifter/Rear Derailleur Combos) that were also found on said bikes.

All the details are inside,Here are our findings after camping out for a few hours collecting data-

First up, what are the riders at this year’s 2010 World Champs here at Mount St. Anne rocking for frames?

Trek 10%
Specialized 7%
Intense 6%
Giant 6%
Evil 6%
Yeti 6%
Santa Cruz 5%
Lapierre 5%
Transition 5%
Kona 4%
Scott USA 4%
Commencal 4%
Tomac 3%
Sunn 3%
Solid 3%
Rocky Mountain 3%
Norco 3%
Devinci 2%
Cove 2%
Masi 2%
Oxford 1%
Ancilotti 1%
Banshee 1%
KHS 1%
Bergamont 1%
GT 1%
Zenith 1%
Xprezo 1%
Ghost 1%
Corratec 1%
Mondraker 1%

Now that we know what frames most riders are on, what suspension is on their bikes to tame the trail?

Fox Racing Shox 43%
RockShox 43%
Marzocchi 11%
Manitou 2%
BOS 1%

What tires are riders relying on to keep them tracking on this fast course?

Maxxis 67%
Schwalbe 18%
Hutchinson 5%
Specialized 5%
Kenda 3%
Continental 1%
Gazzalodi 1%

What brand of brakes are riders using to wear out those tires with?

Shimano 47%
Avid 29%
Formula 15%
Hope 6%
Hayes 3%

In order to get up to speed, what shifter and rear derailleur combo are riders rocking?

Shimano 52%
SRAM 48%

Who is clipped in, who is running flats?

Clipped in 61%
Flats and 510s 39%

What helmets are riders choosing to protect their domes with?

TLD 38%
661 15%
THE 15%
Fox 7%
OGK 5%
Kali 3%
TSG 3%
Giro 3%
Urge 3%
Bell 3%
POC 3%
Thor 1%
Unknown 1%

Who is adding the extra security of a neck brace these days?

Brace on 38%
No Braces 62%



How did you like these stats? Wanna see more? Let us know in the comments and we'll try to get you more details at this year's 2010 World Champs coming to you from Mont St.Anne.

Author Info:
brule avatar

Member since Mar 27, 2001
3,581 articles

157 Comments
  • 28 0
 Wow, interesting stats, laying it out like that takes away from what I thought was rather one sided for certain brands/manufacturers...
  • 8 0
 Really cool Tyler.
  • 21 0
 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.
  • 2 1
 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!
  • 8 0
 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!
  • 4 0
 Fox Racing Shox 43%
RockShox 43%

Hard to believe but true !
  • 14 0
 Nobody is riding an ORANGE!!! Frown
  • 5 0
 Or a turner
  • 4 0
 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?
  • 8 2
 evil wins more than santa cruz??? yeahhhhh!!!!!!!!
  • 14 0
 guess the 1% using continental is the athertons......NOT
  • 2 0
 @avery25 : that was first thing i noticed too
  • 1 0
 Was about to post that jhowlett lol !
  • 1 0
 Loving the Sram/Shimano stats....
  • 7 0
 Maxxis is owning everyone in the tire department, kenda isn't even close!
  • 1 7
flag vineet (Sep 1, 2010 at 10:04) (Below Threshold)
 I thought Kenda Nevegal was one of the most preferred! how did that happen?
  • 15 0
 Kenda Nevegrips?^^
  • 5 0
 I'd like to know what percentage of bikes are under 40lbs. but I doubt you're gonna be able to find that out.
  • 2 1
 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.
  • 1 1
 i thought that there would be more manitou than that.
  • 1 1
 no Rockgardn Frown
  • 2 1
 Damn, no Ellsworth eh.
  • 3 0
 Its shocking there isnt a Morewood
  • 3 0
 to smike - I read somewhere that most world cup DH rigs are between 38 and 42 lbs because they need such beefy builds.
  • 2 0
 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.
  • 1 0
 Don't they run those because they are paid to?
  • 1 0
 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.
  • 2 0
 I agree that it's irrelevant. On the weight topic though Fox and Saint isn't the lightest but most guys are running that.
  • 1 0
 Majority of The bikes are sub 35pounds
  • 1 0
 Proof? From what I've heard most wc racers have their bikes at 35-40lb
  • 1 0
 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.
  • 2 0
 light bikes are not always faster than heaviers, it depends track, riding style... and more facts
  • 2 0
 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.
  • 13 1
 Great info,thanks.
I want to know more stuff, like who is going to the toilet before his run. The girls who have boyfriend who doesn't, and the ones who doesn't ,what there phone number. You know give us useful information... :-)
  • 6 0
 I get dibs on Rachel Razz
actually I don't know if I'd want a gf who can beat the crap out of me ^^
  • 1 0
 labop, many of those girls without boyfriends... well, ummm, how do I put this? I'm sorry to say they already have partners. Smile
  • 1 0
 D: what are you saying ? Actually ,
Big Grin what are you saying ^^
  • 10 0
 someone made a good point about shimano and sram- its like the mac vs. pc of the mountain bike world
  • 10 0
 Hi, I'm a rear mech and 10 speed was my idea!
  • 5 1
 No it wasn't, Al gore invented 10 speed like a few years after the internet.
  • 1 0
 Funny guy. lol
  • 6 0
 interesting, not surprising. didnt expect trek to be so high above the others tho.
  • 1 0
 From what I'd seen at Champery I was expecting more Giant!
  • 2 0
 1) What are 'Oxford' bikes...anyone? Re-badged?
2) Corratec make DH bikes?
3) like @yshinots said...no Morewood? What?
4) No one running Cane Creek Double Barrel or Elka (after all the hype)?
5) Sad that Dainese helmets didn't make the cut...they're amazingly robust lids and as light as TLDs. Guess that's why they're stopping making them Frown
6) Neck braces...would like to know exactly what models are in use...is it all Leatt or Alpinestars, are there any others?
  • 1 0
 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.
  • 3 0
 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.
  • 2 0
 @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 Wink ! Just seen the Pivot bike shots...they look amazing! @DenverEliteDH, thanks for that...will check them out!
  • 3 0
 No one running Maguras? Too bad... It would have been nice to see how many riders with neck braces were running Alpinestars vs. Leatt.
  • 2 0
 What about the Cardboardtanium L33t Brace? I'm sure we'd see a few.
www.pinkbike.com/video/142601
  • 1 1
 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
  • 1 0
 Hello. For Fraktiv and blazebike, the "Oxford" brand is from Chile, South America, and that Oxford 1% in the stats is for our rider Kike Génova. He is using a bike that looks like the Solid Mission 9 model, but it has differences in some angles and parts of the frame. Anyway is a frame made on Taiwan, not in Chile. That's it. Probably it'll not be seen in the next round of the WC. Or maybe yes, it depends on the $ amount for rider support.
  • 1 0
 The Oxford frame name is OX7, here is a link with a report where the bike is tested, obviously is in spanish, but there are some pics of the bike/frame.

www.rideandsmile.cl/mag/close-up-oxford-ox7

And here you can see one, with details:

www.terrabike.com/foro/index.php?showtopic=171703

As you can see, almost the same that Solid M9.
  • 1 0
 Hey man, thanks!
  • 7 2
 i wish more riders woud wear a brace
  • 3 1
 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
  • 7 18
flag joelNZdh (Aug 31, 2010 at 23:02) (Below Threshold)
 leats break collar bones Frown
  • 8 4
 go on a forum if you are going to bitch about neck braces.. mine works fine.
  • 2 1
 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
  • 18 1
 "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.
  • 5 1
 @ joelNZdh: I would rather have a broken collar bone then a broken spine if it where a choice, but seeing your age your excused.
  • 2 0
 @ joelNZdh: so do crashes in general
  • 3 3
 I would rather get an aplinestars brace and not break either!?
  • 2 2
 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.
  • 3 1
 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.
  • 1 0
 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.
  • 8 0
 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.
  • 4 0
 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................... Rolleyes
  • 2 0
 Spoony, you would rather have a toilet seat around your neck?
  • 2 0
 just dont brake. Wink
  • 1 1
 @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?
  • 2 0
 @ 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.
  • 1 1
 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!!!!
  • 1 0
 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
  • 1 0
 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.
  • 1 0
 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.
  • 2 0
 The alpinestars looks like a toilet seat, whereas the Leatt breaks your collarbone apparently.
  • 1 0
 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...
  • 3 0
 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.
  • 2 0
 @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 ?
  • 1 0
 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
  • 1 0
 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.
  • 1 0
 sorry meant " break your neck "

I've seen it happen, almost had it happen to myself when I was 12...
  • 1 0
 This is great information. There are many large races like the Ironman in Hawaii where people are paid by the industry to sit down and note every bike and running shoe and energy bar. They've been doing it for decades. I'm amazed that I haven't seen this done before in the MTB world. As has been noted above re Whistler, it would be quite good to be at a venue where the riders are all privateers, like club races and parks, though at a park I don't know how you'd stop double-counting - perhaps whack a small sticker on the bike.
  • 1 0
 While standing at the finish line at last weekends Windham WC I was suprised to see as many pro's wearing armour as I did. Many were barely visible unless you really looked. After seeing a couple of the crashes I can't believe more don't especially with back to back weekends of racing.
  • 1 0
 I can't believe that not one entrant team are using the mighty Michelin tyres.DH racing doesn't seem the same without them,they helped pioneer the DH movement,they have and do make some of the best rubber on the planet.Michelin make some of the best wet and dry condition tyres on the market and everything in between,so i could'nt believe it when i read what teams were running what on Tylers blog above.I thought Michelin would have been on a par with Schwalbe,Maxxis or Hutchinson.But hey,ya learn something new everyday.Ha-ha.
Gary.Beer
  • 3 0
 Very cool keep it coming. I was surprised to see that there were more Treks than the big S.
  • 3 0
 Really interesting to see the stats. Manitou isn't doing great in WC these days haha.
  • 16 6
 Yea I dont run manitou ,Mostly because I have a rare conditon where I have a penis ...
  • 12 2
 ooooh, a brand hater, how original.
  • 2 0
 what countries riders drink the most beer? and count gwin out he dosnt drink!
  • 2 0
 Obviously England we have peaty
  • 1 0
 yeah we win Big Grin
YES PEATYYY!
  • 1 0
 Lets see stats for podium finishes in the World Cup this year.
Who cares who's "racing" what, I want to know what wins races. that is the point, isn't it?
  • 1 0
 what a good piece, many thanks Tyler. It is great to be part of a sport with such a competitive and varied product market (thinking mainly about the bike brands).
  • 1 0
 Some surprising results there. Good to see Maxxis heads above the rest. It will be even higher when my new tire comes out. Wink
  • 2 0
 Really, there isn't even a half a % riding TURNER??
  • 2 0
 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.
  • 1 0
 How often do they change tires? How often do the rebuild the forks? How long do they ride the same frame?
  • 1 0
 There would probably be a variation due to the area. Whistler i bet there would be a few more demo's...
  • 1 0
 The title of the article is "world champs - what they are running".
  • 2 0
 These numbers don't show which are best or favourite products, it's all about sponsors.
  • 1 0
 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.
  • 1 0
 Sick stats! You should have these for every major race. It is cool to see who is rockin what.
  • 1 0
 How many bikes/riders were counted. 31 separate frames and more that were not counted.
  • 2 1
 Trek And fox Racing Shocks all the way Wish they had specs like most common model for that company
  • 1 0
 Suprised me that so many Shimano Brakes are running. Would have thought it was closer between Shimano and Avid !
  • 1 0
 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.
  • 3 1
 once you try shimano saint you don't want to go back to something else! amazing feeling and power
  • 2 0
 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.
  • 1 0
 that's really sweet to be able to see all those comparisons!! definitely some surprising ones
  • 1 0
 Interesting stats but only really tells you which companies are putting more money into sponsorship marketing streams.
  • 2 0
 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.
  • 2 0
 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..
  • 2 0
 Helmets 1% unknown ?? Someone in marketing isn't doing his job right Razz
  • 1 0
 cool stats! i'd like to see tubless vs. tubes stats.. a little trickier to observe i suppose.
  • 1 0
 fox maxxis and shimano babbby
  • 2 2
 Can I see stats on what maxxis tire they are running?
And what shimano brakes are most common?
  • 5 1
 ... saint and minions?
  • 2 0
 high rollers in there too?
  • 6 0
 sssshhhh.... that would make sense.
  • 2 0
 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.
  • 1 0
 Anybody running Saint Front Brake for power and XTR rear for weight!?
  • 2 0
 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.
  • 1 0
 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.
  • 1 0
 Cheers for the reply!
  • 1 0
 Did the orange team not show? I like the clip vs flats part.
  • 1 0
 At the Worlds it's not by team's but instead you represent your country.
  • 1 0
 Very interesting stats there....
  • 1 0
 very interesting stats, but really 10% on Trek? That seems a lot
  • 1 0
 how about morewood ??? really noone use ??
Unbelivable
  • 1 0
 None came through during the time we were there. I have seen one around the pits, but not while we gathered details.
  • 1 0
 Wow, the stats on neck braces are not what I thought they would be...
  • 1 0
 Great info-keep it coming
  • 1 0
 So many ride with Clip?
wow.... thought clipless would be higher
  • 1 0
 Those are some nice stats! Cool post!
  • 1 0
 Cove is slipping down the ranks. I'm sad.
  • 3 0
 they could always sponser me.. Big Grin i would love the purple shocker
  • 3 0
 I bet you would.
  • 4 0
 a purple shocker sounds like some thing you might get if you didnt 'bag up' your boy when you went to Ibiza
  • 1 0
 nice stats,love it,shimano!
  • 1 0
 Gazzalodi 1%

HAHAHA man i laughed hard at that.
  • 1 0
 HAAHAHH! I heard that name like decades ago!
  • 1 1
 My choice^^: Sunn, BOS, Maxxis, Hope, SRAM, Flat, POC, Brace on - any sponsors interested Wink
  • 1 0
 what guys think about spz tires, particulary the chunders SX?
  • 1 0
 Nice one Ty! Great to see the breakdown.
  • 1 0
 I cant believe that Maxxis is wining by sooooo much. What hapend to Kenda?
  • 1 0
 that was cool Razz
  • 1 0
 Nine infos! Congrats!
  • 1 0
 Cool write-up.
  • 1 0
 haha thats awesome!
  • 1 0
 Stats rule! More please.
  • 1 0
 very cool info!!!
  • 1 0
 yea...oxford???
  • 4 5
 Nothing avid has to offer can compare to a saint.
  • 1 0
 well said.
  • 2 3
 GIANT rules!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  • 1 0
 Computer says no...







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