Cam Zink Joins YT Industries Factory Freeride Team

Jan 16, 2014 at 10:02
by YT Industries  
Cam Zink will be bringing his incredible skills and fearless riding style to YT Industries, joining Andreu Lacondeguy and Yannick Granieri to form a true Factory Freeride Team. But it wasn't just the massive backflip at this year's Red Bull Rampage that convinced YT Industries to sign Cam Zink to the team; it was his passion for the sport, and his dedication to having a great time both on and off of the bike that convinced them that Zink would be an excellent addition to the team.

photo
bigquotes If you have an opportunity to ride YT bikes why wouldn't you? Sickest bikes in the world and the only mountain bike brand that is run by a bunch of crazy misfits compared to the rest of the industry. - Cam Zink

Gotta love it when a Z-plan comes together. Zink hit his custom mini-kicker exactly as promised despite gusting wind and sailed into history once again for landing the most outrageous stunt ever before performed in competition.
bigquotesEven before his backflip at Rampage, Cam was already at the top of our list of athletes we wanted to add to the team, especially as an ambassador for the American market. Even though we are still in the planning and analysis phase for this step over the Atlantic, there was a short moment when we were able to get the chance to work with one of the most outstanding characters in the mountain bike circus. We decided to sign Cam to the team and will now be working to make our bikes available in the U.S. market. - Markus Flossmann, CEO and founder of YT Industries

YT riders

bigquotesAfter Andreu and Yannick this is a huge step for us, and I was excited when we managed to get Cam signed up to the team. He just fits in with YT; the way he sees mountain biking and his style are like the missing pieces of the puzzle. Cam will not just help us to develop the brand, he will also be a very important part of the development of new bikes in the future. Cam knows more about bikes, geometry and kinematics than most people would guess. - Florian Lehmann, Marketing Manager, YT Industries

www.yt-industries.com

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164 Comments
  • 372 10
 Team YT is now the most Gnarly bike team on planet earth.
  • 95 56
 Trek is still pretty sick. Same with specialized!
  • 165 14
 oh lets not count out knolly
  • 31 3
 Someone can be second.
  • 7 130
flag Lilshredman (Jan 16, 2014 at 16:25) (Below Threshold)
 First is the worst, second is the best!
  • 14 5
 When I debate over which team is best to ride for, I used to think Trek or Spesh. YT would've been sick without Zink, but with him, they'll be awesome. Who's next? Mike Montgomery?
  • 77 1
 I'm so glad he is off of the hyper team. YT is gonna be way better for him.
  • 13 0
 IMO, I think Zink is a great example of how the rider makes a bigger impact than the bike. However, YT should be sick for him, and I can't wait to see what he'll do for the company and vice versa.
  • 32 6
 if he pulls a gwin and does worse on the YT I'm going to laugh... and cry but let's not get into that now
  • 15 2
 sickest man ever on the best deal around. YT makes the sickest bikes, for a great price. More companies should follow their lead.
  • 9 12
 Sorry For Partying
  • 19 2
 Lacondeguy, Yannick Granieri and Zink. Is a webisodes dream team. If I had to pick any 3 riders I would have done exactly what YT did.
  • 13 22
flag mfbeast12 (Jan 16, 2014 at 18:22) (Below Threshold)
 NS has a stacked roster too, gotta say it.
  • 12 71
flag bOObdesign (Jan 16, 2014 at 18:35) (Below Threshold)
 YT is just cheap they are simply buying top riders
  • 2 13
flag yannickbisson (Jan 16, 2014 at 18:43) (Below Threshold)
 Love seeing my name in something besides hockey, Yannick Graniery is great. That is all
  • 7 33
flag Xterain6 (Jan 16, 2014 at 19:47) (Below Threshold)
 so why the YT walmart bike coming out!? hahahaha
  • 26 3
 Syndicate still carries that flag.
  • 3 26
flag maxbauerle (Jan 16, 2014 at 21:05) (Below Threshold)
 Hey guys lets not forget to leave out ellsworth....
  • 3 2
 I hope it's part of Zink's philosophy to help support off brands/smaller companies like this, cuz he at least deserves an offer and a cheque from one of the big brands! Dude is a baller, I'm not knocking the smaller brands or anything, but it would be rad to have someone with da cash/support to battle against Trek's big team in the FMB arena!
  • 5 8
 federal bikes have stevie churchhill dan lacey and bruno Hoffman u cannot beat that
  • 8 4
 And its a GERMAN brand!!!!!
  • 6 0
 YT bikes are insane, so good and the don't bend you over the table for the price either, their big rigs get thrown about in rampage, that's all the proof i need that i can trust their bikes also the lady who works for yt is pretty fit (got her own calender) Drool
  • 4 0
 As has been said, the team edits that will come from YT are going to be OFF THE HOOK!
  • 4 0
 whit granieri, zink and lacondeguy, YT will be a hell of a team, looking forward to see how this next FMB world tour goes
  • 2 0
 Yeah the C3 is pretty sweet.
  • 8 0
 I wonder who Zink will ride for next year......
  • 3 0
 ^ he'll be riding for Apollo Shockwave, how can you not fore see this?
  • 1 0
 Apollo Shockwave, heard they have some pretty good bikes as well as rider
  • 1 1
 The Dirt Farmer a.k.a Burger: "Spesh!"
  • 1 2
 I knew it wasn't going to be fun, dealing with freshmen on the internet.
  • 2 2
 Whatever that means...see you tomorrow burger....he he he
Moon Moon Moon Moon Moon Moon Moon Moon Moon Moon Moon Moon Moon Moon Moon Moon Moon Moon Moon Moon Moon Moon Moon Moon Moon Moon Moon Moon Moon Moon Moon Moon Moon Moon Moon Moon Moon Moon Moon Moon Moon Moon Moon Moon Moon Moon Moon Moon Moon Moon Moon Moon Moon Moon Moon Moon Moon
  • 94 5
 No more Walmart Bikes! Ya Zink! Well Deserved!
  • 5 1
 was thinking the same thing
  • 7 4
 I wonder who hyper is gonna sign?
  • 5 1
 no one thats who bmx riders only
  • 5 1
 What happens with the Zink edition bike then?
  • 60 0
 Odds are 99% of people who are buying a bike from Walmart don't know who cam zink is.
  • 2 0
 Stoked for him
  • 3 0
 They have Eric Carter.
  • 3 0
 whit granieri, zink and lacondeguy, YT will be a hell of a team, looking forward to see how this next FMB world tour goes
  • 6 0
 why does he have a comp model with avid's and descent cranks? this guy needs shit that hasnt even been invented yet! get this guy a unobtanium frame!
  • 1 11
flag F0reverY0ungXD (Jan 17, 2014 at 7:28) (Below Threshold)
 zink still owns hyper though. thats his company so for him getting out of the company, he is still just as much in it hah
  • 2 0
 whaT?, Cam doesn't own Hyper?, he was just sponserd but them, he may own the frames but nothing more..
  • 2 0
 @moth423 All of the 2014 YT Tues's have the same frame this year, so the comp frame is the same as the pro frame. Im sure YT will sort zink out with components of his choice!
  • 3 0
 think mr F0reverY0ungXD needs to get his facts right
  • 1 0
 Thanks buddy!
  • 61 3
 I remember Cam said 2 years ago that he sees himself with Hyper for the rest of his life...Well well well
  • 19 0
 internet makes things hard to forget for people Big Grin
  • 24 8
 I was hoping he was really going to work with the Hyper brand to bring lower priced "good" bikes to the market. I thought he was living the life with that fancy car he got from Hyper. But the Big Gurl back flip put him back under the spot light and the big bike companies want him to sell their bikes again. Truth is, the big bike companies are acting like whores. They never signed him before Hyper because I "suspect" they thought he was at the end of his career. They should have signed Zink while he was waiting around with no sponsor before going to Hyper. He has done enough for the sport to deserve "high end bike company" sponsorship, before hucking over the Oakley sender like a piece of meat with a back flip.
  • 6 1
 But Zink's not the one blowing it, the companies are
  • 8 0
 @Sithbike: YT is a compagny that bring lower priced ''good'' bikes to the market. They hame some of the best build kit on the market for the price and ride so good!
  • 2 0
 @rocnriderider
Maybe when he said he could stay with hyper for the rest of his career, they had just told him they are going to pay him what he is worth for the rest of his career. I would guess he would still be with them if they were willing to pay him what YT offered. He's a leader of our sport and deserves to be paid as such.
Same thing happened to Gwin I guess. He pledged allegiance to a team, they changed the deal, he didn't sign and then everyone thought he was an arse for trying to pay the mortgage.
  • 5 0
 @Sithbike, have you seen the price of YT bikes? they are the best value bikes out there and they are not a big company at all.
  • 5 2
 anyone think he's damaging himself as a brand/athlete slightly with all this flip flopping on bike sponsors? every year or two he bails and then professes his undying love for his new super-rad hardcore misfit hip dope bike sponsor that is totally gonna change the industry for the better... for my part, why do I believe what he says anymore? anyone wanna bet he's on a new bike in 1-2 years?
  • 6 0
 @powderturns It's pretty hard to say what's gone on behind the scenes... maybe Hyper scaled back their MTB effort because they realized it wasn't lucrative? Take Teva as an example, they put down the $$ to make a big splash in a new market, but the bottom line didn't add up, so they scrapped it.

Either way, I would hope all of these guys have some clause in their contracts where they can get out if they get a much higher offer. Pro MTBers don't get paid nearly enough for the amount of risk they take and the short window in which they can stay at the top. More power to 'em if they get a better deal.
  • 1 0
 I hope that Cam will be with YT for a long time now!.
  • 39 0
 C'mon YT. Time to get product to North America.
  • 9 0
 It's too bad they're not yet, I would've bought one of their bikes...
  • 5 0
 me too. every time andreu posts about them on facebook it makes me mad i couldn't get one. they're kitted up so well straight out the box for a ton less than the big companies. plus i wanna endorse a company that hires riders who cuss and drink and party and have a bunch of tattoos.
  • 3 0
 Maybe signing Cam is the first step to getting their sleds to North America. Perhaps there are still some kind of patent issues happening.
  • 14 0
 Amazing what you can find you when you READ the article, "We decided to sign Cam to the team and will now be working to make our bikes available in the U.S. market. - Markus Flossmann, CEO and founder of YT Industries"
  • 4 1
 I'll ship you one. Bargain price of 4999 euros. You pay postage & taxes.
  • 12 3
 stuff a Romainian hooker in the box and you got yourself a deal.
  • 26 1
 I have a sneaky suspicion Andreu had a lot of Influence on these recent UPGRADES takeover upcoming, they are all badasses
  • 17 2
 Marketing doesn't work on me...but, in this case I know nothing about the bikes, see the team, and shamefully,regretably assume they must be AWESOME! damn it! It's working...
  • 15 0
 I have to admit I didn't ride one, yet. But YT won pretty much every award there is for being at least as good as the competition for like half the price. And that was even before they had anything that would deserve to be called marketing. It was about time YT got the attention they deserve with there products and those athletes are going to help big time. This move is definitely surprising, but still I would like to see a top notch DH racer on that team, too... Let's just hope YT won't let us 'consumers' pay them salaries.
  • 8 0
 I ride a 2012 Tues Ltd., and soon a 2014 Ltd., and I tell you - you don't wanna ride anything else anymore! You feel good on that bike instantly, it goes forward rapidly, it does exaclty what you want on the ground and in the air.

It's a dream team, yeah! But I agree - I'd really like to see someone racing the bike at UCI Worldcup! Who's crazy enough to fit the team? Steve won't leave Devinci I think. Brendog? Hart? Sick Mick? Or Fischi, our German hope? Wink
  • 5 0
 My Tues Comp arrives next week, and two of my friends have them. Great to support a small bike company, especially one that makes such awesome bikes!
  • 17 1
 YT going hostile takeover! !!
  • 10 1
 wow, Zink changes sponsor every year, not easy to associate him with a bike brand.
  • 2 0
 He's bounced around frame companies for sure...but he's always been with Deity.
  • 2 0
 Well, not really. He was riding Corsair, then Hyper bought its intellectual property and Cam went with them. So he stayed with his bike, but bike has changed its name.
  • 1 0
 Cam has definitely had some long term sponsors in place. Deity, TLD, Monster, etc.
  • 5 0
 Walmart bikes! No, sir `know-it-all` I ride my YT Noton 2011 (Enduro 170/170) now for 3 years - everywhere - home trails, big mountains and bike parks (including drops to 4 m) ... 'm really satisfied ... no defects or annoying things like a creaking framework! Good job YT (!) ensures that zinc remains!
  • 1 0
 Zink - sorry!
  • 9 0
 I wonder if we will get a YT Tues review now .....
  • 3 0
 So Dope. YT is legit, really hope they come to North America. Hyper was never going to go anywhere, they have their walmart money.
  • 3 2
 I saw Cam at the TLD store in Laguna yesterday picking up some gear, he had a stoked demeanor and this was what probably caused it haha. I didn't expect him to be so soft spoken in person but he seems like a cool guy outside of competing.
  • 1 0
 i acually really liked the looks of the new hypers he was riding and have tried many, many, many, many, many times to contact hyper bikes about when there mtbs would be available and also to see if they will be in canada for sale. i never get a response, i call them and tell me to send emails of people to contact but , still not even a hello back,

i wonder if TY will answer my emails when i tell them that i want to buy one of there bikes?

ryan
  • 2 1
 Ya that's one of the first things I do when looking into a (bike) product.
Does their site work on my android? Do they return emails within 3 days?
  • 1 0
 I think this is going to open up the sport a lot. His Rampage flip was heard all around the world, making sites that have never posted anything about any kind of two-wheeled sport. So people see that, hopefully find out about his new deal with YT, realize they'll be available in the US soon for insanely low prices (considering how amazing they are) and maybe more people will start riding. Everybody wins in this situation.
  • 5 0
 Cam Zink / Lacondeguy / Granieri = DREAM TEAM \m/
  • 4 0
 ....I would be stoked to get a YT...they sure do spec them very nice! stoked for Zink!
  • 1 0
 Awesome move for can and yt. He gets a bigger ticket ride and becomes their globaln poster boy, they get a foothold in the US market. Their prices will go up, import and distro costs will see to that. And once they become more established they will begin to need a dealer network to support their volume and servicing and then their price competitiveness goes out the window. In two years they will be priced like every other brand, still awesome but no longer with a different route to market.
  • 1 0
 I am glad I see Zink on a more quality brand. But also enjoye seeing him slay some serious lines on a mediocre rig. Just goes to show thy we should all stop arguing about wheel size and suspension kinematic a and just go ride our damn bikes.

I also understand that Zinks Hyper bikes were clearly nothi that Hyper offered to the public...were they?...
  • 1 0
 in a way Cam is making a very important argument. he's telling us that the bike doesn't matter. he keeps changing sponsors, and keeps on winning and riding at a level beyond anyone else. that said, why do I want an evil, or a hyper, or a YT, or whatever else I'm missing here...
  • 3 1
 If I get a dime for every day that goes by before anyone at Walmart management realizes they're selling outdated products I will be a rich man.
  • 2 0
 Congrats on both ends for that pick up. Hope it's a secure set up for Zink with the new family and all. Good luck next season.
  • 3 0
 YT is looking strong, they can make a full big-mountain movie with their team
  • 6 3
 HYPER, HYPER, HEY GUYS, IM ON HYPER, IT ROCKS, HYPER, HYPER, HYPER GUYS LOOK, HYPER, LOOK LOOK. NAH NEVER MIND, YT
  • 2 0
 Yeah yt! Huge congrats, I'm so stoked yt is such a sick brand and it's from germany! Now they have one of the best freeride teams along wiz trek and spec
  • 3 0
 AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH I WANNA RIDE MY BIKE NOW!!!!!!!
  • 2 0
 I'm surprised one of the bigger companies hasn't grabbed zink yet considering how well known he is.
  • 1 0
 I have wondered the same thing.
  • 2 0
 Huge props to YT! I love my Tues 2.0, such a badass bike, and their new team kills it!
  • 10 6
 Cam-ptain America!!!!
  • 19 5
 that just makes him sound like a gay Mr America . ..ajhaha
  • 4 1
 Well, now YT is gonna be the house of RADNESS
  • 3 1
 So many cool bikes I can't easily have as an American. How do I get a Wicked to California?
  • 7 0
 And we can buy just about any bike we want here, but have no real mountains to ride them... oh the irony!
  • 1 0
 Maybe have someone buy it for you in euro then ship it to you...is that legal?
  • 2 0
 @jrocksdh yeah thats perfectly legal! its not like a car that has import bans cuz of emissions or safety. a bike can go wherever!
  • 4 0
 I propose a trade: I'll personally bring over any YT bike of your choosing to Cali. I'll even pay for it, no problem...

In return all I ask is that you bring over a real proper mountain to the Netherlands! ;-)
  • 4 1
 Team kick ass! I think Zink and I should be best friends..
  • 1 0
 I just want Cam to do whatever it takes so I can keep watching him ride, and more importantly, to keep him happy so he can live the dream that I can't.
  • 3 0
 Cam Zink riding my dream bike? What could get any better!
  • 3 2
 I am quite astonished how realtively fast YT has grown. All the best to Cameron and to YT - Thank you for giving us cool bikes, inspiring us and entertaining us! Cheers!
  • 1 0
 Ran into Cam at the Top of the World in Laguna Beach Wednesday. Still one of the nicest and down to earth guys on a MTB. Best of luck Cam.
  • 1 0
 You just need to add one great Canadian rider to the YT team and you have a dreamteam! So glad for YT and Cam!
  • 1 0
 That Cam is joining the YT is of course great but i hope it will not influence futrure prices of YT bikes, that would be Frown
  • 2 0
 My stoked level went insane when I found this out
  • 1 0
 So stocked to se yt taking on such a sick team for 2014 . This year will be awsome
  • 2 0
 YYEEEAAAAHHH !!!so stocked !!!so awesome !!!YT industries is doing right !
  • 1 0
 This year the sickest bikes in the world and next year is that another "best" company....
  • 2 0
 Does this mean were gonna get a new slopestyle bike from them???
  • 1 2
 Has anyone else heard about YT's frames breaking in half?... Serious question. I think it may have been a recall. I've seen pics I think too. I'm just curious because I'm seriously considering a YT if they come to US.
  • 3 0
 Chainstays of the first Tues, first series broke quite often. Never seen or heard of an broken Tues 2.0 They last and are Rampage approved. 2014 Bikes on their Homepage now as well.
  • 1 0
 As above, the first Tues had chainstay issues and they were all replaced. The current frame, Tues 2.0, is not known to have any defects. I've seen one cracked chainstay on a German forum but that's it.
Never heard of one breaking in half?
  • 2 0
 I just hope the price of YT bikes doesn't rocket now! Frown Props to Zink
  • 2 0
 Is it in his contract to get more tattoos? Andreu will sort them out.
  • 1 0
 Lets hope he doesn't have any warranty issues with his bikes.. Yt aint very good at responding to emails.
  • 1 0
 Zink,your new bike is so sick.See you in Turpan in the future with Lacondeguy.I know you wanna ride all the lines in Turpan.
  • 1 0
 I'm so proud to have a YT bike Smile
First Andreu, now Cam, I think I'm going to cry with joy
  • 1 0
 yes! the tues if by far the second prettyest DH bike around. especially raw.
  • 1 0
 I wonder if all 2014 YT bikes will come with sensus grips now? That would be a hell of a deal for zink
  • 1 0
 YES YES YES!! Two of my favorite freeriders!
  • 2 1
 awesome! that's nice for YT for getting the market to north america
  • 1 0
 So stoked! Good on ya Cam! hope you slay it in 2014!
  • 2 0
 team sensus
  • 3 3
 I look forward to some awesome team edits, that will hopefully rival those of the c3 team! Kill it guys!
  • 1 0
 I hope they can keep their competitive prizing in the American market.
  • 2 0
 awesome!
  • 2 0
 HOLY SHIT
  • 1 0
 I had the same reaction. Pretty sure my roommates hate me now
  • 2 1
 Why can't this guy seem to stick on a team for more than a year?
  • 2 2
 I wonder how long Walmart's Hyper Special's will be on sale for. Going to be seeing YT's at wally-world soon too? lol
  • 1 0
 Sooooo YT when are you going to push the North American market.
  • 2 0
 America you say?
  • 1 0
 It is the team of sleaves!
  • 2 0
 Good luck cam
  • 1 0
 hope this wave of new athetles doesn´t make YT bikes more expensive!!!
  • 2 1
 Dumb question but are these catalog frames, or are they designed in house?
  • 1 0
 Engineered in Germany...
  • 1 0
 Designed in Germany, manufactured overseas.. It's not a catalogue frame.
  • 1 0
 Does this mean YT is selling in the US?
  • 1 0
 Alright lets start Zink's 2015 bike sponsor rumors. Black Market? GT?
  • 1 0
 What about Simon Godziek?
  • 1 1
 he finally upgraded from a walmart bike!!
  • 3 3
 This week at Walmart : Hot deals on Cam Zink edition Hyper Bikes!
  • 5 0
 I'm pretty sure that any one buying a bike at Walmart has no clue who Cam Zink is....
  • 3 6
 Walmart bikes didn't last too long? Trololol
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