Video: GT Muc-Off Racing Team Launch by Muc-OffCrew

45 Comments

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thelumberjack (Feb 18, 2013 at 13:43)

Standby incoming PB rant:

Abstract: I ride a bike with a RS Lyrik Attached BUT am bored of the anti XC riders vibe so often flung around

Essay: In response to those of believe those riders were not displaying the skills requisite of having 'shredded' and 'pushed the envelope of gnar' on those descents I would like to point out a few basic principles of physics, our sport, and equality. Those riders were riding down what is a bloody steep hill in parts with a greasy-when-wet surface (yes I have ridden there, more than once on a 'proper' bike) at speeds which though not flashy-for-the-camera as so often, and brilliantly, displayed by individuals such as Gas to Flat Brayton, when we condisder the limitations of their steeds - narrow bars for aero and cardiovascular reasons, thin, skinny, low profile tires for resistance and acceleration reasons, high standover's mitigated by designing a frame which is stiff, light, and yet strong enough to handle the abuse (yes I said it) handed out by a modern day XC racer, and other factors which we all know dont lead to a machine which is natrually shredable - long stems, relatively flexy wheels, high PSI is tires and shocks, short travel forks, steep head angles, and SPD's which are more akin to the restrictiveness and stiffness of a road pedal - not all SPD's are created equal after all - then I think they did pretty well. Especially as they can be at the bottom of the hill after run two before the uplift truck has finished loading 30 DH'ers and their bikes. I suspect 80% of mtb'ers could get away with, learn more, and dare I say go faster on a bike closer to what they ride than their current steed - especially in the UK. If anyone doubts any of what I say watch the UCI XC racing - I found it an enlightening experience to just how capable the modern MTB and more important a skilled MTB'er is.

Carry on.

Mircea88 (Feb 18, 2013 at 14:15)

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Gawdodirt (Feb 18, 2013 at 14:51) (Below Threshold)

Spandex is gay.

slimboyjim FL (Feb 18, 2013 at 14:53)

I've no doubt they are very talented, but I still didn't really 'get' the video - it lacked something... Speed, risk or excitement perhaps? I don't want to have a downer on them (they can clearly handle a bike and are fitter than I will ever be!) - it's not their fault but I just don't think xc is as involving to watch (for me). Perhaps I've been spoiled with all the usual PB vids!

I hope nobody thinks I'm criticising the riders or film - best of luck to all of them!

Ps. Seems an odd place to launch a xc team!

Protour (Feb 18, 2013 at 15:25)

Downhill has become such the media darling of mountain biking that XC is more challenging to market, especially in video. Maybe focus more on the personalities and less on the action. In some ways I sorta miss the spandex days because it is more comfortable for riding, especially the long hour xc rides. Now it seems it's only acceptable for racing and roadies, but someday it will come back, that's a cycle that will repeat.

matt5311 FL (Feb 18, 2013 at 16:06)

not the sort riding i do, tho i still have respect for them. fair play to them being able to handle bikes with that set up on those trails. reckon they would be faster than most people on bigger bikes by using the skills they have rather than relying on the bike. wouldn't mind trying out a full race spec xc bike tho, bet it would make the local trails bit more lairy

Spthomas (Feb 18, 2013 at 17:53)

I don't care what anyone thinks, cross country is tons of fun; and I'm glad to see this demographic somewhat accepts it. Mountain biking didn't start with 8" travel monsters that are as tough as trucks. XC riding may not be as technically involved as downhill or enduro, but mixing in technical sections with long tough climbs and 2 plus hours of riding and it can be just as fun and hard as our other forms of riding; and slimboyjim's point is great, if XC was more front page on pinkbike we would enjoy watching it more.

Mircea88 (Feb 19, 2013 at 2:18)

Must also take intro consideration that the riders are doing a "demo" run for the cameras and the sponsors. They roll slower, and care more for the image and less for the riding.
Also, there's a dude who says that it's their first run the new GT's.

If you wnat hardcore xc riding there's plenty of footage from world cup runs.

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rob-c (Feb 18, 2013 at 11:50)

Damn, GT sponsor so many riders this year, props

headshot FL (Feb 19, 2013 at 6:55)

Have a look at the PMB XC course from last years first round WC race. There was a super steep step section, a 1m drop and some serious rock gardens - not something I'd have ridden easily or at all on a dual sus or AM bike. The XC pro's generally have superb bike handling skills because they have to.

mattsavage (Feb 19, 2013 at 7:45)

www.pinkbike.com/photo/9229096

I think this was in Houffalize... Emily Batty was launching this! On her 29er hardtail...

finnrambo (Feb 18, 2013 at 15:26)

it's weird they weren't on dual suspension 26 for that trail, they'd probably descend faster on a 26, but if all the other courses they are hitting are better for 29 I can understand them trying to promote the 29 first

donpinpon29 (Feb 18, 2013 at 15:44)

These guys train harder in one week than most of us in all our lifes. Respect. Peace

windsurf (Feb 18, 2013 at 18:16)

People, we are all in a big family, I would have fun on those bikes no matter whether it is cool or not, respect to the XC brothers!

norton81 (Feb 19, 2013 at 17:14)

I started riding in 2001 and I rode XC. It was all that I had been exposed to. Maybe there were DH and DJ and full suspension floaty bikes to be had then but mine was a short travel hard tail Cannondale. This year I made the move to the road. That move also got my off road tires back onto my hardtail. I was excited to get back into the forest but now that I watch this video I really want to get out there. Hurry up spring, melt away this snow!! Great job selling XC to the masses again!

Saidrick (Feb 19, 2013 at 22:13)

I am old enough to remember when the Zaskar was your "one bike". That bike is a classic. The fact that it is still being raced means it is a great design.

I wish these guys good luck in their upcoming season.

marinlmasher FL (Feb 18, 2013 at 16:13)

surely a dropper seatpost would make xc racing so much easier. Sometimes its pretty cool to see guys with seats right up there arses riding jumps and doing whips.

larryssman7 (Feb 18, 2013 at 16:45)

When I whip my seat gets stuck behind my knee, the post is about 2' from my frame.

cebelar123 (Feb 18, 2013 at 12:07)

Muc-off team because you need lot of muc-off to clean those wagon wheels. Seems legit

MTB-Harry (Feb 18, 2013 at 13:16)

Well, they, um, 'ripped' and 'shredded' those decents

derpdownthehill (Feb 18, 2013 at 14:46)

They looked so uncomfortable on those bikes o.O

iamamodel (Feb 20, 2013 at 13:45)

It is SO hard to ride with your seat high. I have a dropper post on both my XC bikes and the difference in bunny-hopping a log or trying to pump a hump is massive between pedalling height and 'rip it' height.

benstrain123 (Feb 18, 2013 at 12:15)

respect to these guys, hope they do well

kylesligo (Feb 18, 2013 at 13:10)

Reverb seat post...that is all

BIGD11 (Feb 18, 2013 at 14:35)

Those bikes look pretty sick!

spiderlpus (Feb 18, 2013 at 14:05)

soooooo.... themuc-off works well....????? haha

dirtsMerchant11 (Feb 18, 2013 at 17:39)

XC is great for training, but boring as hell to watch

nwmlarge (Feb 18, 2013 at 11:51)

look like they are having fun good luck to them

finnrambo (Feb 18, 2013 at 18:17)

sponsored by sugoi, local brand represent!

konamat FL (Feb 19, 2013 at 11:28)

At least they were able to try the Muc Off stuff right away...

justshredit (Feb 19, 2013 at 15:20)

Awesome bikes, good to see some XC on PB

Bloghogs (Feb 20, 2013 at 10:42)

This is the real deal.Cheers to them!

maxram7 (Feb 21, 2013 at 9:37)

I'll take a wild guess that their bikes are never going to be dirty...

Sarahevoque (Feb 18, 2013 at 15:07)

mmm i dunno, i mean i hope i dont look like that riding my bike. all a bit sketchy

hoolydooly (Feb 18, 2013 at 17:17)

Good for them and all but those Jerseys look freaking ridiculous.

ashdamash (Feb 18, 2013 at 15:51)

Why do all XC riders generally look nerdy?

finnrambo (Feb 21, 2013 at 15:20)

lycra, weird position, narrow bars, disco slippers, riding glasses, sometimes visorless helmet, huge wheels... ya theres alot of reasons

ashdamash (Feb 22, 2013 at 15:38)

Haha! Thanks for clearing that up for me!

superbikes (Feb 18, 2013 at 12:19)

Hope cleaner

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klerric (Feb 18, 2013 at 13:07)

XC riders can't corner.....

Mad-Duck (Feb 18, 2013 at 17:12)

The seats are way up high with a steep seat tube angle, that puts the seat right in your way when you lean the bike over. You're stuck either steering with the wheels, or leaning your body over at the same angle as the bike, which isn't good technique. In this case it's more the bike than the rider keeping them from cornering well. A dropper post would fix most of that and generally allow them to flick the bike around more.

JonnyLotus (Feb 18, 2013 at 12:47)

sorry pinkbike but im pretty sure those were xc bikes

Tsoxbhk (Feb 18, 2013 at 13:52)

pretty sure pinkbike is a mtb site not a dh mountain bike site.

finnrambo (Feb 18, 2013 at 15:25)

*bike site, we have moto now and then and trials/bmx/dirtjumping

BreakOut13 (Feb 21, 2013 at 13:04)

My guess is he was being sarcastic. I thought it was funny.