39 World Cup Downhill Bikes - Pietermaritzburg World Cup

Apr 12, 2014
by Mike Levy  
There has been a lot of chatter about the bikes that the top racers would be aboard when the season kicked off in South Africa this weekend, with many people expecting to see a bunch of short-travel machines and a few dropper seat posts in the field. And while there are certainly a few lightweight specials on track, many racers have decided to go with full-on downhill rigs that have been fitted with fast rolling tires and air suspension. Notable exceptions include Sam Hill and his team mates on the Mega AM inspired bike that's sporting 165mm out back and 180mm up front, the Devinci team and their prototype short travel bike that we profiled last season, and finally Gwin and the Specialized crew on 650B wheeled Enduros. What rider and bike combination do you think will prevail come race day?


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  Manon Carpenter

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  Tracey Hannah

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  Tahnee Seagrave

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  Micayla Gatto

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  Casey Brown

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  Tegan Molloy

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  Emmeline Ragot

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  Fionn Griffiths

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  Morgane Charre

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  Emile Siegenthaler

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  Myriam Nicole

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  Luca Shaw

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  Loris Vergier

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  Taylor Vernon

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  Elliot Jackson

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  Nick Beer

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  Sam Hill

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  Matthew Simmonds

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  Matt Walker

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  Lorenza Suding

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  Greg Williamson

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  Johannes Fischbach

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  Faustin Figaret

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  George Brannigan

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  Neko Mulally

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  Jasper Jauch

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  Sik Mik

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  Sam Blenkinsop

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  Sam Dale

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  Connor Fearon

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  Wyn Masters

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  Steve Peat

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  Ratboy

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  Markus Pekoll

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  Greg Minnaar

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  Remi Thirion

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  Loic Bruni

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  Guillaume Cauvin

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  Gee Atherton


Author Info:
mikelevy avatar

Member since Oct 18, 2005
2,032 articles

133 Comments
  • 106 0
 Is the new norco that 'hush hush' that we can't even get a side on shot of it?
  • 33 1
 Seriously. It's not like the world isn't going to see it tomorrow anyways, right?
  • 46 3
 No idea why would the ladies want to keep their helmets on. I'm okay with the guys though.
  • 107 9
 I wouldn't be able to afford it anyways, but it's still cool to see new bikes.
It's like watching porn: you know your girlfriend will never want to try that position, but you can still fantasize about it.
  • 47 15
 who says things like that on pb?! ^
  • 14 83
flag DiamondHillMedia (Apr 12, 2014 at 3:19) (Below Threshold)
 @fabdemaere - what the actual f*ck does that have to do with anything?
  • 18 3
 fapdemaere apparently. but very true nontheless.
  • 6 1
 so many rock razors on the rears and bryceland's running the classic cut down wetscream. Seems to be working for him. Pin it dude!
  • 2 11
flag lyrill (Apr 12, 2014 at 3:59) (Below Threshold)
 trololol
  • 6 1
 My girlfriend prefers a status side pose.
  • 11 5
 I can see her bent over a status.
  • 16 8
 ^andddd you just took it a step to far.
  • 20 0
 ^aaaaand you used the wrong to/too/two
  • 2 2
 It looks like a trek session.. Big Grin
  • 1 0
 Its just a session anyways... like for real though, just a lower top tube
  • 43 1
 4 words: Sam Hill Flat Pedals
  • 28 4
 Flat pedals win the medals.
  • 6 8
 Nick Beer also uses flat pedals
  • 12 108
flag lyrill (Apr 12, 2014 at 4:03) (Below Threshold)
 only pussies with zero skill run clipless, I hate racing. There are many reasons clipless sucks but why would i waste time arguing with noobs. They are gonna say I suck cus I am not world champion. But screw yall cus sam hill owns your ass with a flat pedal any given day.
  • 28 0
 Seeping with anger.
  • 3 3
 Don't feed the trolls
  • 2 5
 So don't answer,idiot
  • 12 1
 Oh sh*t, I just got insulted over the internet D:
  • 1 13
flag lyrill (Apr 13, 2014 at 8:18) (Below Threshold)
 73 retards mad cus bad then downvote cus that's all they can do
  • 8 0
 James Doerfling runs clipless and flats, is he a pussy? On second thought, no one cares about the opinion of an a*shole.
  • 1 11
flag lyrill (Apr 13, 2014 at 17:04) (Below Threshold)
 yeah, I can see that, assholes needs downvotes, you proved your point. what's next.
  • 1 10
flag lyrill (Apr 13, 2014 at 17:05) (Below Threshold)
 as far as I am concerned anyone who cares or cares not to speak against clipless and for platform are assholes.
  • 1 13
flag lyrill (Apr 13, 2014 at 17:06) (Below Threshold)
 and FUCK spectator sport
  • 7 1
 I like bikes
  • 3 3
 @Lyrill, it's all good son. All that hate is bad for your constitution. Just lets and gets you down in the end.
  • 2 4
 preach it, brother
  • 28 0
 So after all the talk of people using "enduro bikes" because the tracks shit, virtually all of them have gone for a full downhill rig.
  • 4 0
 as one of those people yeah I am surprised actually how many have gone for the full rig. They made some changes to the track to make it rougher which is good.
  • 6 0
 I am surprised - especially that SC has the new nomad which is just between enduro and DH.
  • 5 0
 Exactly. Maybe the v10 pedals so well it's not necessary, but the new nomad looks absolute perfect for this race
  • 3 0
 Not enough time on the Nomads yet? Also, the course has changed
  • 2 1
 And the winner was riding Spec Enduro. Sorry for SikMik though...
  • 2 1
 Ok 650b none downhill bike won, can we now get over the 650b fight and accept this track still needs some work to make it more downhill?
That new rock garden is epic, love that addition really is going in the right direction. They cant really do much with that long pedal but that is the bit that is letting the track down.

Sick race, dissapointed for mik but still great points for the season. troy had a killer race, his a tech rider and to place 5th is a good sign for his season. loic bruni also was well up there. bruni and troy are on my watch list this season.

For a rider lower down im watching fischbach, he had a crash by the looks of it and flatted. but he was on a ok time. Ill be watching him to crack a top 20 this year.
  • 7 13
flag fecalmaster (Apr 12, 2014 at 7:57) (Below Threshold)
 The big contest this season will be the ugly design championships between Laquierre and Polygay.
  • 27 0
 Banshee Darkside looks so sick !
  • 1 0
 insane paint job
  • 1 0
 Yeah it does! Good stuff coming out from Banshee bikes, legend might need a revamp though...but still great bikes!
  • 14 0
 I miss the yellow dee-max everywhere
  • 12 0
 LorenzO Suding... LorenzA is for female!
  • 3 3
 hahaha stavo per scrivere la stessa cosa Big Grin
  • 4 3
 e speriamo che faccia bene...ancora mi ricordo l'anno scorso quando gli si è spaccato il telaio della GT secco in atterraggio da un salto...
  • 4 0
 Yeah right
  • 1 0
 whatever you say bro
  • 2 0
 come on guys give us italians a break...
  • 2 1
 @Bru, you'be been christened. PB comments: all attitude, all the time.
  • 11 1
 aarrgghh! STILL NOT SHOWING THE CARBON AURUM!!!
  • 8 0
 Love the way everyone has their proper name and then you get to ratboy!
  • 3 0
 and sik mik
  • 6 0
 Wanted to see Aaron gains specialized enduro evo with fox 40, and troy brosnan and the rest of the specialized lot, where are they
  • 7 1
 Seeing that Ghost reminds me good old times of Kona Stinky/Stab.... Smile

And WTH is that Wyn Master's rig?
  • 2 0
 It's a Bulls.
  • 3 0
 ^^...hit ;]
  • 1 0
 badpotato, is it no good? Never heard of it, it looks sweet, well I think so anyways
  • 3 0
 I don't know why so many people are scared of 650b. We used to smash about, ripping corners and airing stuff, on narrow bars and tyres and all sorts of fuctup geometry, but times changed. I tend to agree with themooreprgram, in five years I think mostly all high end (read: not halfords/walmart, that will take longer) mtbs will be 650b, except 29 for pure xc and 26 for dj/street and slalom etc.
  • 2 0
 Anyone else notice gatto is on the older proto Alu frame? Thought pivot had "hand delivered" the proto carbon frames? Either way sick looking bikes. Smile

Treks look awesome in the red..
  • 2 1
 Might be a special edition with a little bit extra pedaling capacity just for pmb?
  • 1 0
 What I was thinking.
  • 4 0
 More of these articles please PB very cool to see all the riders with their bikes
  • 7 2
 that mondraker... eww
  • 4 1
 By the looks of it, it's a modified dune and will be for this race only...hopefully
  • 1 0
 Not attractive at all... prototype 650b Summum.. a step in the right direction ? NOT... i won't be trading my PT anytime soon...
  • 4 0
 what a hideous frame Mondrakers are getting uglier each passing year
  • 2 0
 Mondraker Summum, the Current World Champion of the UCI Ugliest Bicycle contest.
  • 5 0
 Those V10's..
  • 4 1
 The only thing I can say about Norco's carbon prototype is..... it looks like a Trek!
  • 2 0
 *double snare, high hat*
  • 1 1
 Wow amazing. Amazingly ugly bikes. Seriously what are some of these companies thinking more stickers will make it go faster. Sorry but the bikes are getting ugly. The only good looking bikes are the Liteville and the Devinci. And yes I know it's not about beauty but how fast it goes.
  • 2 0
 C'mon, the spesh & trek & scott & santa cruz & devinci dont look good? and i'm forgetting a few. on a side note... that Manon, oh my. Dont get hurt sweety.
  • 1 0
 Sadly, she's so quick she'd probably be saying that to you..
  • 2 0
 And me.
  • 3 0
 1) Pivot 2) Polygon 3) devinci
  • 3 0
 Banshee Darkside under Matt Walker - not so DARK!
  • 2 0
 What is Ratboy doing with the Wetscream? Is the tire cutting craze starting again?
  • 1 0
 I think it is for the dust. I also love the variety of forks being run this year, compared to boxxers and 40 from previous years.
  • 3 0
 Myriam Nicole looks sexy even with her helmet on
  • 2 0
 39 lush, fast and good looking bikes that make massive holes in our pockets
  • 2 0
 Where is Troy Brosnan's ride?
  • 1 0
 Where's the bulldog , I've only seen brook once and it was a pic of him on the ground
  • 1 0
 That well Carbonated V10... Liteville 901 thats quite rare... Summum proto looks like a moto inspired DH sled
  • 2 1
 Taylor Vernon is a fucking champ. So much abuse and he keeps comming back. Top shit
  • 1 0
 Pretty much Saracen, Santa & of course Zerode for me. The rest are all just gaudy lookin' concraptions.
  • 1 0
 The bikes of Nick Beer and Matt Walker looks really interesting! hope there bring it out quickly! I need a new bike!
  • 1 0
 Missing the Nicolai Bikes Ion 20 Effigear
www.nicolai.net/20-1-ION+20+Effi.html
  • 2 0
 When do we finally get to see the carbon Norco?
  • 1 0
 If i was pushed, maybe the Pivot might make it's way into my garage... (and not pushed that hard ;-))
  • 2 0
 I came on here to see Troy's bike only.....
  • 1 0
 no1 from men on Manitou forks? what happened? Im also not riding Manitou but wonder...
  • 9 8
 Such bike, very wheel sizes, much love
  • 7 3
 wow
  • 1 0
 Those Santa Cruz v10's. Now; who do I have to kill...
  • 2 0
 DIRT FANTISY LEAGUE
  • 2 1
 picture 1; I'd ride that!
  • 1 1
 Omg those Santa Cruz's. On another note woo Tegan Molloy & Connor Fearon. Kona wooo
  • 1 0
 Ratboy on a cut down wetscream on the rear?
  • 1 0
 What's was Aaron Gwin riding and enduro ?
  • 1 0
 I'm loving that Zerode G1, internal gearbox FTW!
  • 1 0
 Definetly weird to see Sam Hill in Royal clothes :S
  • 1 0
 Hard choice between Gambler and Fury for me...
  • 1 0
 Taylor Vernon - aka. Darth Helmet
  • 1 1
 Demo, v10 and the zerode is the one for me..... they just look soo nice compared to wagon wheels...
  • 2 0
 I miss YETI!!!!!
  • 2 1
 Hardly any emeralds - I'm shocked
  • 1 0
 26" will make one's chain fall off.

/s
  • 1 0
 The lapierre is my favourite out of that lot. I love those bikes.
  • 1 0
 too much pictures out of focus...
  • 2 1
 where's Specialized?
  • 5 3
 They are way too #enduro for a downhill bikes photo-shoot...
  • 30 0
 Too busy suing South Africa for using the letter S and having red on their flag.
  • 4 3
 180 mm ohlins sprung rear suspension dh fork and 65 ht angle is too enduro for downhill? I know its cool to hate on specialized right now but I think the enduro evo is the baddest bike around.
  • 2 0
 It goes to show that a good bike can win combined with an equally good rider.
  • 1 0
 @longlongpelaman, the bike is called an Enduro, so yeah, on technicality, it is 'enduro.' I'm not questioning it's credentials, just jumping on the "lets make fun of Spesh/Enduro/Anything-not-parked-in-my-garage" bandwagon.
  • 1 0
 Wheres the Turner?
  • 1 0
 Ratboy FTW
  • 1 0
 Lorenza - true rebel!
  • 1 1
 That devinci proto is definetly cursed jajajajajaja
  • 1 1
 gwin and brosnan bikes?
  • 1 3
 SUCK IT ambatt!!!! I TOLD YOU SOUTH AFRICA WAS A DH COURSE!!!!! Everyone is on full dh bikes..... EAT IT!!!!!
  • 2 1
 Except for Gwin on the enduro, Brendog on the scott, walker on the darkside, Beer on the devinci 6.3 bike, Hill with his custom mega, and I'm pretty sure that Jauch's Liteville is the 180 model as well.
  • 1 2
 Except for the fact they all used 200mm dual crown forks so.......
  • 1 2
 And I didn't mean to say FULL downhill bikes I meant just dh bikes bc like you pointed out they all aren't full dh bikes
  • 2 3
 New summum is great!
  • 4 0
 Not pretty though
  • 1 0
 Looks more like my old DH3...
  • 2 1
 Such a shame because the old ones were one of the nicest looking dh bikes imo
  • 5 8
 So much 650b, its hurting my eyes!!!!
  • 2 1
 Dammmm right....dont think of making a 700b just to be different mr.bike industry
  • 5 9
flag themooreprgram (Apr 12, 2014 at 3:33) (Below Threshold)
 get use to it days of 26 are over







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