Tech: Custom Bikes and Gear - DH World Championships Vallnord 2015

Sep 2, 2015 at 15:51
by Mike Levy  
Connor s Aluminium Operator.


Connor Fearon's Kona Operator

Kona's Connor Fearon has gone with an understated look for his 27.5" wheeled Operator, especially compared to some of the flashier bikes pictured below. The paint-less frame is no doubt lighter than it would be if it had been done up in a few layers of Australia's national colours, though, with only a few splashes of green, yellow and a bit of blue to be found. Fearon will no doubt be looking to carry some of that momentum from his second place in Leogang to the top step of the podium in Andorra.


Connor s Aluminium Operator.

Connor s Aluminium Operator.




Neko s Team America Gambler.


Neko and Brendan's Scott Gamblers

Neko Mullaly's Scott Gambler getting assembled in the pits. Check out how the brushed and clear-coated front end matches the bike's linkage, as well as the smaller details like the white star at the rear axle and the offset headset from Chris King that adds a bit of length to the bike's reach. Neko is also completing the Americana vibe with an impressive mustache - we can only hope that he races in a pair of mirrored aviator sunglasses as well. His teammate's bike is a bit flashier, with Fairclough going for a brighter red, white and blue motif, along with some old school typeface for his name on the top tube.

Neko s Team America Gambler.

America wants you... to grow a mustache for champs. Like Neko.
 wangit

Brendog joins Her Royal Majesty s Air Force.





Mike Jones fresh Nukeproof just like Sammy H s bike.


Mike Jones' Nukeproof Pulse

Mike Jones' Nukeproof Pulse is another bike that's running more under the radar than in your face, with him going with the same spec as his teammate Sam Hill is running. Nukeproof is also now offering a team replica bike that's essentially the same thing that you see here, and is claimed to weigh just 35lbs, although it won't come with a full compliment of titanium bolts and ceramic bearings like Jones' bike has.


Mike Jones fresh Nukeproof just like Sammy H s bike.

Mike Jones fresh Nukeproof just like Sammy H s bike.





Mat Simmonds Saracen Myst carbon in the brand new colors.


Matt Simmonds' Carbon Myst

We showed you Saracen's new Carbon Myst last month, but Matt Simmonds' team bike is well worth a second look. While Saracen dabbled with carbon back in 2012, they've gone all out for 2015 by going as far as using carbon for the bike's linkage. Both the swing link and the driving link are made from the stuff, although it's hard to tell if there have been any changes when it comes pivot locations that might alter the bike's travel, leverage rate, or geometry from what the team had been using for the aluminum bike. The new carbon frame is much sleeker than its aluminum predecessor, with Saracen doing away with the old bike's forward shock mount that connected the top and down tubes. The shock now simply bolts onto an extension formed out of the down tube. It also looks like Saracen have stuck with the oversized head tube that we spotted earlier this year on Matt Simmonds' aluminum race bike. The design allows riders to tinker with both head angle and top tube lengths by fitting different offset headset cups, which in itself isn't a new idea, but the keyed interface on the Myst does ensure perfect alignment and zero guessing.


Martin Maes the Maes-Dog is here and ready to lock horns with all the regular downhill juniors gunning for the rainbow stripes.

Martin Maes the Maes-Dog is here and ready to lock horns with all the regular downhill juniors gunning for the rainbow stripes.
Mark Maurissen was so happy with Martin Maes paint job he broke into the Belgium national anthem.


Martin Maes Custom Helmet & Fury Frame

It's easy to forget that GT's Martin Maes still races in the junior class when it comes to World Cup downhilling. The young Belgian ''Maes-Dog'' himself will be looking to put some of his Enduro World Series power down through the pedals of his much longer travel Fury DH bike, and he has to be on the short list of possible winners.


The ratmobile in scarlet and sky-blue Worlds uniform.


Josh Bryceland's V10

Bryceland prefers to fly high over the radar rather than under it, and he'll be doing exactly that aboard this wild Santa Cruz V10. It will no doubt be set up with a pair of matching wheels from ENVE as well.


Greg teaching Marshy how to put together his hot new V10 ride in Simba yellow ...think Lion King.


Minnaar's Lion King V10

Greg Minnaar's Lion King V10 that he'll be on come race day. A victory at the Lenzerheide World Cup back in July made Minnaar the winningest World Cup downhill of all-time this year, with eighteen Ws to his name. He's also won gold at the World Champs in 2003, 2012 and 2013, taken second in 2004, 2006 and 2009, and third in 2001, 2005 and 2010, all of which makes him one of the most consistent racers ever. Don't bet against the smooth South African this year, either.

Author Info:
mikelevy avatar

Member since Oct 18, 2005
2,032 articles

140 Comments
  • 138 5
 Josh's V10 is a set bike. Im really liking the paint job this year
  • 25 6
 Yep, Ratboy's paint is soooo Radboy.
  • 16 0
 Yup, both those V10's are super hot! Also, I'm lovin the gold chain and cassette combos.
  • 10 38
flag Dally666 (Sep 2, 2015 at 19:29) (Below Threshold)
 Not to be disagreeable but I can't stand that color blue. Kills me every time. SCS are my heroes and when they bring those bikes to life it's all a blur anyway. Leave them spinning Ratty!
  • 19 2
 Has anyone looked close enough to notice everyone is running the old Avid Code design...?
  • 1 0
 ya Ratty's bike looks killer i would ride that till i dropped
  • 1 1
 Like Josh would say: F*cking A!
  • 2 0
 Can anyone tell me what brand that gold Chain and Cassette are on the Kona and the Nukeproof?
  • 5 0
 Sram, they are one-offs for sponsored riders in worlds
  • 2 0
 Anyone know what stems the Syndacate team is using???
  • 1 0
 what is with the avid CODES ? anyone know ?
  • 2 1
 they work?
  • 2 2
 Before Minnaar's Lion King V10, just the frame look like a Taxi..... after Minnaar's Lion King V10 Complete Bike looks so f*king beauty.
  • 1 0
 Get sum Ratty ,smash that gnaar ,Bosh !!!
  • 3 0
 this is our red carpet show ! but instead of dresses we appreciate bikes
  • 2 1
 nice v10´s, but i´d rather have that black nomad hiding in the back
  • 1 0
 Interesting, I'd expect them to be running the Enve carbon stem.
  • 3 2
 KMC X11SL Gold Nitrate
  • 2 0
 I've always liked santa cruz, but not enough to buy one. These paint Jobs make me change me mind...really hoping they start going this way on the future models
  • 1 0
 SRAM made special cassettes and chains for sponsored riders. Nor available to the public sadly
  • 77 1
 I wish we had Peaty's bike on the list too.. First time missing worlds for him since he started. Heal up Peaty!
  • 9 0
 I think he pretty much is, but he didn't do enough races to make the team this year, pretty tough to make the British World Champs team!
  • 5 0
 it is time to let the younger generations race. That one additional British kid that got the opportunity to run champs will be a great motivational experience to him and his friends to keep riding at the best of their levels. And that's how better riders come to be.
  • 1 0
 Fair enough Narro. I hope they make good use of it because Peaty's knee is back together and he'll be giving them a good go next year! Wink
  • 55 3
 I got to be honest, those Santa Cruz's look rad, but the first thing that caught my eye and got me excited was the threaded BB on them. It's come to this...sigh.
  • 8 0
 so true
  • 33 1
 I'm not usually a fan of bright colour schemes.... But Minnaar's v10 is the sex!
  • 1 0
 sooo pretty
  • 8 2
 It's nick name is "Cecil", he'll probably slay it this weekend...
  • 5 1
 I think minnaar was into clubbing in Manchester during early nineties: colour scheme is FAC51 Hacienda #Madchester #toponeniceonegetsorted
  • 17 0
 Brendog, maes-dog, smithdog, ratboydog, peatdog, minaardog, hilldog all the big names were there
  • 7 1
 Where the hell has Maes-Dog come from? That just doesn't work. Brendog is alright, kinda works as a word, but who ever though having Maes-Dog on a helmet would look good? Awful.
  • 1 0
 Thiri-Dawg MIA unfortunately... @pimpin-gimp I had the same thought, I hope its an ironic nickname but I fear it isn't..
  • 1 1
 Welsh thing?! Who knows.
  • 16 0
 I hate yellow, but Minnaar's ride is one of the prettiest damn bikes I have ever seen.
  • 18 1
 Reminds me of the power loader exo-suit from Aliens!
  • 1 0
 It would have been nice to see the fork get the treatment too. But, even without it, it is the standout.
  • 1 0
 Agreed. Colour matched forks are underrated. They look awesome.
  • 20 4
 But Nekos Gambler... Oh my.
  • 8 1
 @pinkbike can we have a side on of Brendog's please?
  • 2 1
 the chrome linkage is beautiful, but never noticed that the top tupe/seat tube junction looks exactly like an Orange
  • 14 3
 Nothing about the defending World Champ? Gee has won 2 world champs, been on the poduim 4 times, won the cup overall, and finished in the top 3 for the overall 3 times. Hes finished in the top 5 every year since 2004 until last year. Why does no one ever give him cred or even a mention?
  • 4 1
 agreed, I reckon he's sort of the Dani Pedrosa of DH now though...always a bridesmaid, never the bride.
  • 3 16
flag Ziph (Sep 3, 2015 at 2:59) (Below Threshold)
 Cos he reeks of corporate & seems far too serious for many peeps liking.Especially with the syndicateacting like rockstars the focus is more on them these days and the young blood coming through.
  • 3 0
 his custom Fury is on the 'trackwalk' feature. and nice it is too as is Brendog's Mod tastic frame
  • 16 0
 Wake up, every team is corporate, they are all trying to sell you their stuff, and all riders are paid to do just that. Every video the Syndicate put out, is done so in the interests of marketing and advertising, and every video is edited to create the image they want you to see, you don't see Bryceland training hard to compete, no he's out partying, or up to some knobbish antics. I'd consider Santa Cruz to be the top marketer/pusher.

Some seem to have had character assassination in for Gee, ever since he was competing with Stevie Smith for the overall.
  • 8 1
 He's hardly corporate, just mature professional.
  • 7 0
 Hmm. Take a look at his IG, tweets, Facebook he IS 'corporate'-whatever the f that really means to people, and certainly a mature professional. Why people take it and him so personally I don't know. Gee is a phenomenal athlete amongst several other gifted riders, and it just so happens his day job is being a brand ambassador for several companies that support him. He is an advert, and personally a damn good one for his brands. @zzRider is spot on. I always have time for Gee and we're lucky to have him in our sport. Would you rather he was a soccerist, cricketon or golfist? I sure as hell don't.
  • 3 0
 @nickkk or worse, and American football player?
  • 3 2
 @hamncheez I will take your word on that, but for me there's nothing worse than Cricket, soccer and Golf. In fact anything with a bat or a ball. Infact anything other than riding a bike in dirt. Its all s*it. There is no hope. The end. *takes a moment outside*
  • 2 0
 I feel my comments have been misconstrued, while I can't deny he's a phenomenal ahlete, he never seems very approachable or happy even.It's not like you ever see him smiling a great deal in fairness, how often do you see him on wyn tv for example? I just think if he chilled out a little bit then results might go his way again. Perhaps I'm just jealous of the fact he's hench as fook, a pro rider & has more jeeps than my local car dealers! Either way he's British so good luck gee!
  • 2 0
 I think there's some validity there @Ziph regarding his demeanour but I tell you - and this is a can of worms here- if its a contest between 'sulky stars of the sport' then if someone can find a picture of Mr Semenuk smiling then your a better man than me. That kid NEVER looks happy. Both are RedBull riders so... perhaps its something in the cans.. Wink
  • 3 0
 I had a beer with him and Minnar out side doping control after he won fort bill 2010 he was super chilled and chatted to me and a mate for 15 min while he waited to pee.
  • 2 0
 @experthucker nice would love to have done the same (meeting him not dope testing), to me he seems pretty cool-I've never understood the hate for him, although a bit of pantomime nonsense in sport never does anyone any harm. Everyone loves a villain..
  • 1 0
 Nickk, do you think he does the majority of his own facebook posts and twitter feed, I'd lay good money there's an Atherton family marketer that does all that jazz for all three of them. They might do a couple of snaps themselves.
  • 1 3
 "I don't always win the world championships, but when I do... its because Sam Hill crashes"
  • 3 0
 Well, crashes are part of the game... you overcook, you lose. Bruni deserved the win pretty much every race from day one in Mens, but that does not mean the actual win of each of those races was unjustified.
Gee bashing is just another trend like the most recent FOX bashing and the RockShox right bashing before that.
People who argue that Gee is too serious are f#cking retarded parrots. They should watch the Atherton project, which is by the way the godfather of edits like 'This is Peaty'. Also Minnaar and Gwin undoubtedly take their jobs every bit as serious as Gee does. And do you really think Stevie Smith got where he is now by being not 120% commited to his goals? Use your brains.
  • 2 0
 @sq225917 its entirely plausible that they might, but on the other hand the Athertons are not One Direction. It matters not who is responsible for their media image in any case, their credibility as top athletes is unquestionable. The tone of the vast majority of their IG content is certainly from their own personal pov in my opinion. They're not robots despite popular opinion..
  • 1 0
 I just noticed that his IG bio states ''motorcar enthusiast, keen cyclist, new to the instagram life'' so, to me, that's not the mark of someone who is struggling through doors with the size of his head. And regarding his posts, clearly he's not taking them all himself, many are shots taken of him by media photographers, but that doesn't mean a thing. Anyway, I'm done cheerleading for him! GO LOIC!!
  • 15 3
 Them Intense's look mighty fine.
  • 5 2
 Where are the Intense's Im not seeing them?
  • 9 0
 Shoulda gone to specsavers?
  • 1 0
 pancake break?
  • 7 0
 Bryceland runs a 70mm stem on a large size frame, amazes me as a rider I met at trailhead told me his 50mm stem was too long for aggressive trail riding.
  • 1 0
 You know what brand the 70mm stem is?
  • 4 0
 Josh uses a 70mm stem and doesn't use an xl frame? Wow. Maybe when he packs up Dh racing and takes up enduro he can just patent the idea and call it... Backward Geometry©?
  • 3 0
 Burgtec
  • 5 0
 JOSH'S BIKE LOOKS LIKE "IT'S ALIVE".
  • 5 2
 Pinkbike, do you have a list of riders? Would like to know who made the teams. Cheers.
Go Troy, Sam and Conner.
That's your podium right there!!!
  • 4 0
 full list of mens elite and jnr & womens elite and jnr riders grouped by country.
www.vitalmtb.com/forums/The-Hub,2/World-Champs-DH-Entries,8692
  • 2 0
 Awsome, thanks for the links.
  • 3 0
 Im just wondering but whats the deal with the gold chains?... and I don't mean like bling bling I mean the Sram chains they're running
  • 2 0
 It's gold anodized XX1 and X01 DH chains and cassettes.
  • 3 1
 You can't anodise steel, so are they aluminium chains? Or is it ti nit or something?
  • 4 0
 Ti nitride perhaps?
  • 4 0
 We have a winner! I run KMC SL series chains in Ti-Nitride. They have the same yummy gold colour.
  • 1 0
 I'm just here sitting like: ''Okay, I get it, you are a pro just because gold''
  • 2 0
 Ti-nitride. A little slipprier...a little more durable...like your drill bits.
  • 4 0
 I feel like I just had crack for the first time and I want more! MORE DAMMIT!!!
  • 2 0
 Yup more crack, $12,000 a hit, first taste is free...
  • 5 0
 Maes' helmet should read "Maes-balls" instead...
  • 1 0
 I like the Pulse. Would not mind taking it out for a day. Rat Boy's paint job looks too much like an old Trek color scheme that didn't appeal to me at all. With new chrome paint hitting companies, I'm surprised you don't see more chrome painted carbon bikes. Minnaar's bike is loud and proud.
  • 4 0
 Who should I call with this erection that has last well over 4 hours!
  • 3 1
 There's a new medicine called Argaiv - it does the opposite of Viagra. Or just do the ol' nurse's trick of hitting it with a cold spoon.
  • 3 0
 Is it just me, or do those stripes on the top tube of ratty's v10 not look completely finished?
  • 4 0
 Looks like sky and clouds?
  • 3 0
 Strange that connor fearon is running an alu frame as opposed to the carbon operator?
  • 3 1
 no, they don't make a 650b crabon fiber Operator. Most of these Worlds bikes are so custom it would probably be easier and less expensive to build 1 race only aluminum frame that's lighter than the stock carbon doe
  • 2 0
 This guy I know in Taiwan told me it's much cheaper to have a custom frame made than a custom tyre. Ally frame, that is. Fearon's bike looks sweet.
  • 1 0
 Any tyre will cost you 6k or more, ally frames cost little more than welding time as long as you want one smaller than an existing frame, they just chop and weld.
  • 5 1
 How come the SRAM riders are using old avid code brakes?
  • 3 0
 'cause they work great. Everyone sort of forgot that these brakes run really well...
  • 1 0
 I love world champs with all the custom bikes and kit! Half way through the season I reckon they should do a retro night like at the supercross imagine all the people anodising an neon pink!
  • 3 0
 Martin is racing in the junior cat? Kinda looks like Will Ferrell in Old School!
  • 5 2
 minnar is winning. what a beauty.
  • 4 1
 Those V-10s are the sickest ever! Imo, better than all.
  • 3 2
 Oh I see. Two completely different bikes though. Seen the new M16 carbon and the Sean Palmer addition at Intense yesterday. Pics don't do them justice. Bad ass bikes!
  • 7 4
 Saw*
  • 1 0
 I aint saw shit yo!
  • 4 1
 That an RAF symbol on brendogs rig? Nekos looks badass.
  • 9 1
 It's a mod thing. i.e mods and rockers - two rival youth subcultures of the sixties. It's funny cos while the RAF symbol was used by the Mods, Triumph motorbikes whose font is used for Brendogs name, were synonymous with the rockers. It seems Brendog is a little confused...
  • 7 0
 I'm thinking it's more just an iconic British symbol, the royal air force, and likely has little to do with mods an rockers. Quadrophenia is in my top 5 albums of all time btw.
  • 4 0
 well spotted whistlingcoyote. The RAF roundel was appropriated by the Mods in the sixties but is more just an iconic UK symbol now, as kmayHD said. I think Peaty might've used it on one of his helmet designs? or maybe not im not sure.
  • 2 0
 Fearon running DHR's in the front and rear
  • 2 1
 they brake better than the DHF. critical on a track like this
  • 1 0
 SantaCruz should offer all the new V10s with that color scheme from Josh's bike. Nailed it on the colors...
  • 2 0
 What cassette is on the nukeproof?
  • 5 0
 It's a gold anodized X01 DH cassette from SRAM.
  • 1 0
 Custom sram treatment. Just like the specialized team
  • 1 0
 It's a special edition cassette and chain from SRAM only for world champs. They'll be taken off after the race. XC racers with SRAM are getting them as well.
  • 6 1
 safe to assume its Ti-Ni?

i love Ti-Ni and black nitride. im a coating whore.
  • 1 0
 Unless it is actually just a gold anodised aluminium chain. It would be strong enough if they didn't pedal... which Gwin doesn't have to do. This track is super steep hey?
  • 2 0
 Is Fearon running a DHR on the front?
  • 1 0
 Does anyone know why Connor Fearon has been riding an aluminum Operator? Must be 27.5, and carbon frame isn't there yet??
  • 4 1
 Brendogs triumph awesome
  • 2 0
 we know where the extra cash we have to pay for bike goes...
  • 1 0
 Rachael Atherton has won 25 worldcup races. Doesn't that make her the most successful racer in history?
  • 2 1
 I'm digging on that Lion King V10. I sure looks majestic in the mountains.
  • 5 6
 So far i like what specialized and nukeproof did to their bikes.. V10 is a great frame but those paint schemes are killing it. I wonder how the treks will look like.
  • 2 1
 still drooling over Nekos gambler
  • 1 0
 Those golden chain and casettes what brand are they?
  • 2 1
 Ummmm bike porn!!
  • 1 1
 ....but is it on redbull.tv?
  • 1 1
 These bikes are all so good, this is great.
  • 2 2
 i just want to see these bikes ghost ridden down the mountain
  • 5 0
 I want to see you ghost ridden down the mountain
  • 2 1
 The nukeproof!!
  • 1 1
 The santa cruz @DylanDaSilva
  • 1 0
 Rattys bike is Chainless
  • 1 1
 Minnaar's v10 is bad ass.
  • 1 3
 Is the v10 really VPP?? or do they just use that because it is the S.C. design mantra.
  • 2 0
 It's definitely VPP. It has a rigid rear triangle with two short links attaching it to the front. Only difference to their other frames is the shock is driven off the lower link rather than the rear triangle.
  • 2 1
 Outland is the real VPP. Don't be fooled by all these multi-World Champ and Wold Cup winning designs. It's all hocus pocus millimeters don't matter, Virtual Pivot Point is Your GOD. OBEY OR PERISH.
  • 1 6
flag MmmBones (Sep 3, 2015 at 2:51) (Below Threshold)
 BTW you are both idiots, in case you didn't catch the sarcasm.
  • 1 2
 Those Scott's... Vom.
  • 1 2
 Want to see more bikes!!
Below threshold threads are hidden







Copyright © 2000 - 2024. Pinkbike.com. All rights reserved.
dv56 0.052933
Mobile Version of Website