Finale Ligure, Italy
Bikes of the
Enduro World Series
WORDS Mike Levy
PHOTOS Richard Bord, Matt Wragg, Matt DeLorme
Hannah Barnes poses with her not so subtle 650B wheeled Orange Five. The bike is set up with a Fox 34 FIT CTD fork with 160mm of travel, and a Cane Creek DBair shock out back. Drivetrain duties are taken care of with a set of Shimano's XTR crank arms and an XTR derailleur, as well as a Straitline Silent Guide teamed up with a Hope's new IBR (
integrated bash ring) chain ring/outer guard combination. A set of Continental's 650B Mountain King 2.4" wide tires are mounted to Stan's ZTR Arch EX rims, with Hope's beautiful Pro II hubs at the center.
Manuel Ducci beachside with his Ibis Ripley 29er. While we've seen him aboard longer travel Ibis' throughout the season, he chose the spritely Ripley for the race in Finale Ligure, Italy, and rode it to the 2013 Superenduro PRO series championship. Suspension is a mixed affair, with a Trace fork from X-Fusion up front and a FOX Float CTD shock in the rear that looks after the bike's 120mm of travel. The same could be said of his drivetrain, with e*thirteen's 665 gram TRSr cranks, integrated ring/spider, and XCX guide, mated with a SRAM X0 derailleur and a set of Shimano pedals.
Joe Barnes and his 140mm travel Canyon Spectral. He runs a Fox 34 FIT CTD fork and Float X shock, SRAM XX1 drivetrain, and Mavic Crossmax Enduro wheels with the French brand's Charge and Roam XL tires. Note the Brit's RockShox Reverb dropper post with its "enduro collar" clamped at the top of the stanchion that prevents the post from lowering past where Barnes likes it. Slammed isn't always fast.
Martin Maes, junior EWS champ, with his 650B wheeled, carbon fiber GT Force. A 150mm travel 34 FIT CTD fork matches the bike's rear end with its Float X shock, both of which come from FOX's Racing Application Development program. GT's factory enduro team runs a full Shimano drivetrain, including the rare Shimano chain guide, XTR cranks, cassette, and rear derailleur, and Maes was running a 34 tooth Saint ring in Finale Ligure. Controls are mounted on a 760mm wide Atherton series handlebar from PRO, with a 50mm PRO stem sitting atop 15mm of spacers. The bike rolls on a set of un-labeled aluminum rims laced to Shimano XTR hubs with aluminum nipples, with the 650B rims likely from Stan's given that the GT team has used them in the past. New 2.4" wide Mountain King tires from Continental are run tubeless and at just under 30psi.
Giant team manager Joe Staub models Carl Decker's Trance X that American cross-country boss Adam Craig was racing on in Italy over the weekend. The carbon bike is sporting a full XX1 drivetrain, a Pike fork and Monarch Plus shock from RockShox, and DT Swiss' new Spline One wheelset in 650B size.
Alex Lupato was racing aboard one of the more interesting bikes that we saw over the weekend, with his 150mm travel Lapierre Spicy featuring a build kit that should make true bike geeks excited. Marzocchi's new 350 NCR fork takes care of front suspension duties, while the electronically controlled Monarch EI shock is used out back for its ability to increase compression damping on the fly without having to work any sort of remote lever. The carbon bike rolls on a set of FRM's exotic Urano Enduro Carbon wheels that weigh in at 1,630 grams. The wheels, which aren't available in the U.S., use a carbon rim and aluminum hubs that are both made in Italy.
Cecile Ravanel poses with her new GT Force. The race in Finale Ligure was her first event on the new bike - she spent all of the previous EWS races aboard the older aluminum version - and word is that her new rig is over four pounds lighter than what she was used to. Marzocchi suspension front and rear, and a KS LEV Integra dropper post to get her seat out of the way. Speaking of seats, check out how far back Ravanel's is slid on the post's clamp.
Cedric Carrez is the man behind the famous Enduro World Series backflip in Val d'Isere, France. His Intense Tracer 2 sports wheels and tires from Mavic, and a SRAM X0 single ring drivetrain and chain guide. Formula brakes slow him down, although word is that Carrez doesn't use them that often.
Tracy Moseley has handled the move from full-time downhilling to full-time enduro racing about as well she could have hoped, with race wins and an overall Enduro World Series championship in the its inaugural year. Her weapon of choice isn't the longer travel, 650B wheeled Trek Slash or the new Remedy 650B, but rather the 140mm travel Remedy 29er. Her Shimano XTR drivetrain makes use of a dual-ring crankset, a choice that allows her to keep her legs fresh regardless of big climbs in transfer stages, and a dual-ring guide from e*thirteen adds some security.
Is that lipstick on Cedric Gracia's cheek? More big wheels, this time on Cedric's baby blue Santa Cruz Tallboy LT Carbon. The 135mm travel rig has been fitted with an unlabelled FOX 34 FIT CTD fork, although we expect to see him on DVO's prototype single crown fork in the near future, and a RockShox Reverb dropper post is the only concession on an otherwise mostly Shimano spec'd bike. Like most riders who use Shimano brakes on their enduro bike, Cedric is running lightweight XTR Trail brakes rather than four piston stoppers from the Japanese company, with the lighter two piston brakes providing more than enough power for these mid-travel machines and the trails they're raced on.
Yet another Ibis, this one the Mojo HDR of Valentina Macheda. The black and yellow bike employs X-Fusion suspension front and back, and a SRAM X9 derailleur and cassette paired with e*thirteen's TRSr cranks, integrated ring/spider, and an XCX guide. Her DT Swiss Spline One wheels have been shod with an interesting combo of a Wild Rock'r from Michelin up front and an Onza Ibex out back. Like a lot of racers in Finale Ligure, she runs plenty of spacers under her stem in order to bring her bar height up a bit.
Did you catch Anneke Beerten's massive crash at the 4X World Champs in September? Things went south on a rather large jump, and Anneke's leg took the brunt of it. She's back in the game here in Italy, although she did admit that she has to look after the injury a bit. Her Specialized Enduro 29er is using a Pike fork and Monarch Plus shock, and is running a full XX1 drivetrain with Specialized's own chain stay mounted tensioner. Beerten holds onto a set of Lizard Skins' ultra-light tape-on DSP grips.
Another Enduro 29er, this one ridden by American Curtis Keene. Curtis has raced shorter travel bikes from Specialized at Enduro World Series events in the past, but opted for the more forgiving Enduro 29er for Finale Ligure's rocky trails. He also does a lot of development work for SRAM, so it's no surprise to see his bike kitted out with a mix of XX1 and X01 running gear, with a svelte upper guide for added security. Take note of his unlabelled carbon fiber rims from Specialized, and the older style G2 Cleansweep rotors that his X0 Trail brakes grab hold of.
Do bikes get any better looking than Nico Quere's Commencal Meta SX? The matte black and pink 26" wheeled machine is running FOX suspension, an XX1 drivetrain, and an e*thirteen chain guide and taco setup that's protecting what appears to be a massive chain ring. Maybe Nico spent the off-season doing squats and dead lifts? The bike's Easton wheels are fitted with a fast rolling tire combo: a Maxxis Larsen TT with a thicker casing out back, and a 2.4" wide Ardent with EXO casing up front.
Another fast Frenchman with another Commencal in the shape of Remy Absalon and his Meta AM 650B. Again, an XX1 drivetrain with a rather large chain ring (
maybe it's a French thing?) paired with an e*thirteen chain guide and taco setup. Remy is also running FOX CTD suspension, although his rear shock is controlled via a handlebar mounted remote. A set of mismatched tires - a Maxxis High Roller II and a 2.3" wide Mavic Charge - are mounted on unlabelled aluminum rims.
While there's no telling what could have happened, Nico Lau looked like he had a commanding lead until a one minute time penalty, incurred due to a missed time check, scuppered his chances at winning the final round of the series. His Cube Stereo uses 650B wheels and FOX's CTD suspension, with Nico running a 34 fork and a remote controlled Float shock. He is one of the few male racers to go with two chain rings, and he also has chosen to depend on his XTR's clutch function to keep his chain from derailing rather than run any type of guide. Notice anything interesting about his crank and bash guard setup? That ''bash guard'' is actually an XTR big ring with the teeth removed, making for a light and nicely integrated setup.
A little surprised to see a Larsen TT tire on Nico Quere's bike, gutta have some skills on the steeps with that rubber on the back.
PS I was making a joke, no need to fall on your face apologizing for Kind Shock.
So just to be perfectly clear here. Your anecdotal evidence is enough for you to say ALL of their posts have this defect. But Mikes anecdotal evidence doesn't matter at all. Super hypocritical.
This is the most cynical site I've ever been on in my entire life.
It still amazes me how inconsistent most dropper posts are, with three from any brand working flawlessly for months, then two more of the same model failing within days.
"It's not like those bikes just dissapeared (disappeared) either and all of a sudden people stopped riding." According to the study you provided, they did.
"That's a lie and you know it." I'm pretty sure I'm not lying when I say not liking wheels sizes is not due to insecurity.
"Oh no, those are perfectly fine, but wheels sizes? OH HELL NO." Actually, I don't like different standards in those as well.
"And they aren't insulting those who "dare question" (nice hyperbole) that it's not the way forward." I'm definitely guilty of hyperbole...nice word by the way.
For what it is worth, I don't think Mike Levy is corrupt, just mean. He has done some of the most objective reviews I have read from an advertising based journalism source. I believe he is in a position of power and abuses that when he insults people based on their comments. Let's respect different viewpoints.
As for you, I admire your wheel choice passion, respect your opinion and think we might have a great time riding together (just not at Mount Washington).
This is starting to get silly.
"What are those estimates based on? Where did they come from?" They came from the study you presented as "proof" cycling is growing. I don't know where they get their data from. Here is a Canadian study for our country with similar findings (sorry, it's a huge study). publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2013/pc-ch/CH24-1-2012-eng.pdf I can't speak for the rest of the world.
"That suggests people are buying up bikes, new and used." Buying bikes and riding bikes are different.
In a very serious way, I am not saying high prices are to blame for resorts shutting down. I am saying lower participation is causing that. I simply wondered if high prices and complexity was causing people to consider other activities. If you re-read my first post I posed it as a question. I was attempting to explain how not liking 3 wheels choices could be chalked up to more than insecurity.
My motivation for the comment was to keep things friendly, and have the Pinkbike staff consider the tone they use when responding to comments on their articles.
As well as Jr overall winner Martin Maes's bike: www.pinkbike.com/news/GT-Force-Enduro-World-Series-7-martin-maes.html
And the bike of Tracy Moseley, womens overall winner, is pictured above.
What will make the racing more exciting, isn't the different bikes used. It'll be the increasing number of riders and the competition learning and stepping up training and technique. The talent pool is very deep, and that's where the awesomeness is.
egourdin67. Bikers will always want to ride the same types and brands of bikes as the pros. They make the bikes look good with their skill and talent. We are always willing to part with cash to buy into that, to be or ride a little more like them. I wonder how many pros choose what they ride and how much pressure there is from sponsors to ride what they want to sell ? I dont know. To be honest I don't really care, there are so many good bikes out there to choose from in 26', 650b and 29'. As long as I can still get parts for my old 26' its all good.
cuban-b. No it didnt. There just seems to be most pressure to change in the AM/Enduro part of the market that this article is about.
Don't let your insecurity about wheelsizes ruin things for you. The fact is that all three sizes are being raced and it isn't changing anytime soon, so we'll continue to show 650B, 29", and even a 26" wheeled bike every now and then.
Not everyone likes having 3 wheels sizes. It is not based on insecurity. This summer Mt. Washington closed it doors to biking because of lower ridership. C.O.P. barely had a season, and it was pretty quiet. Is it possible that the high price of bikes, coupled with the ever-changing standards, are causing people to choose other hobbies? Perhaps ramming new technology down our throats as a rule, and then insulting those who dare question that is not the way forward.
You must be a lot of fun at a party...lol Mike's answer is great. People really need to stop whining about this stuff and just be thankful for all the great coverage.
In every article that even mentions 650b or 29" bikes the users here claim it's a conspiracy to steal their money, burn down their house, rape their families, and kick their dogs. They claim that the staff is paid to ignore 26" wheels. They claim the staff is biased. etc...etc... They just slam, and shit all over the staff CONSTANTLY. They have a god damn right to be defensive now. They kept quiet and put up with the shit that's thrown at them for a long god damn time. But this is just getting completely out of hand.
Every time people make those claims against the staff they provide evidence that proves them wrong. They show they are balanced, they spoon feed you guys proof of it. And yet every single day I come on here, it's just more and more of a bunch of people accusing them of being corrupt and whatever else the flavor of the month is.
"Not everyone likes having 3 wheels sizes. It is not based on insecurity."
That's a lie and you know it. Not everyone likes having a million different suspension designs either, but do they flip out about that as much as wheel size? Or how about different travel lengths on forks? Or different rim widths? Or hub widths? Oh no, those are perfectly fine, but wheels sizes? OH HELL NO. Such hypocrisy it's disgusting. We have options for literally EVERYTHING that goes on our bikes. And all of that is totally fine, except wheel sizes.
Between 2011 and 2012 bike sales went up a lot. So no, it's not that. Want proof that you'll just ignore? Here you go:
Between 2011 and 2012 sales for 20" and above bikes increased 2 million. 2 DAMN MILLION. Overall bike sales increased 3 MILLION.
nbda.com/articles/industry-overview-2012-pg34.htm
It's not like those bikes just dissapeared either and all of a sudden people stopped riding. So again, let's take off that tin foil hat.
Ramming new technology down your throats? What are they supposed to do? NOT COVER THE NEW TECH? What news will they have then? Let's not forget they cover "old tech" all the time as well. But hey, no, let's just ignore that too because then that makes our ridiculous claims look bad.
Why are you so afraid of advancement in technology? And they aren't insulting those who "dare question" (nice hyperbole) that it's not the way forward. They are defending themselves against those who accuse them of being corrupt and biased EVEN THOUGH THERE IS EVIDENCE EVERYWERE THIS IS NOT TRUE AT ALL.
Oh, and this is all coming from someone who rides a 26" bike. I don't own a niner, and probably never will, and I haven't given 650b a chance yet because my 26" bike works just fine. Once it dies a warriors death, then it'll get replaced. By what? I don't know. But I sure as hell won't be crying over the fact I now have more options than ever to pick from. Because choice isn't a bad thing.
Jesus Christ.
I checked out the link to the study. Thanks! Lots of interesting info. I paid most attention to:
"39.3 million Americans age seven and older were estimated to have ridden a bicycle six times or more in 2012, according to the National Sporting Goods Association. This number was flat as compared to 2011. The peak participation year was 1995, with 56.3 million participants."
That is a drop of 17 million riders. 17 DAMN MILLION (sorry to mock you). Compare that to your 2 million more bicycles sold and it tells a very different story.
Also note that there was a 19% increase in used bike sales. That suggests people are more resistant to buying new bikes.
It should also be noted that 74% of sales are mass merchants (think Walmart). It doesn't really represent Pinkbike readership.
I've been in this sport for 23 years. I have watched it grow, and am now watching it shrink. Argue with me all you like. These are facts. Why it is happening is certainly debatable. It might have nothing to do at all with wheels sizes. I don't think the tone of Mr. Levy's comment is going to help increase participation, or is cool, given his position.
1. Those are estimates. I presented cold hard facts. What are those estimates based on? Where did they come from? What demographics were targeted? There's no hard evidence.
2. Yes, there was a 19% increase in used bike sales, IN ADDITION millions more in new bike sales. That suggests people are buying up bikes, new and used. But I won't state that as a fact, it's just what the evidence shows.
3. These numbers are just for the US alone. The sport has been growing practically exponentially outside of the US (and Canada) that is unbelievably easy to notice. I have witnessed here alone a HUGE influx of riders outside of North America.
I would also like to point out you're pointing the finger at high end bike prices yet completely ignoring the fact that companies offer a wide range of cheaper bikes for entry level riders to get into the sport. Bikes are only expensive if you BUY expensive bikes. There are sub 800 bikes from every company that would be more than adequate for those just getting into the sport. Everyone here complains about prices for the high end bikes we see here, well they're high end bikes. People just want the best for dirt cheap prices and that's not going to happen, in ANY sport.
In addition, you blame the industry for riders not going to resorts to ride, did you ever stop to think that maybe they're just riding their local trails because going to resorts is expensive to do? I hardly go to resorts to ride, most people I know don't go either, again because of the cost of the resort. Not because of bike prices.
As I said. I like my 26" bike. I didn't like niners, but that's because they don't suit my riding. Maybe 650b will, someday I'll find out. I have no issues with any wheel size. But that's because I just l like bikes. BMX, MTB, Road, heck, give me a kids mini bike and I'd still find some way to have fun.