Bike Check: Julien Absalon's BMC Double Threat - Nove Mesto World Cup XC by RichardCunningham

71 Comments

98 9

antiglobeguy42 (May 22, 2015 at 21:04)

I find XC bikes interesting to look at, not fun, but interesting.

37 5

alexsin (May 22, 2015 at 21:21)

Not sure why that got downvoted. I feel the same way. I find their single-purposeness really cool. I would never ride a full-on XC race bike but it's interesting to see the lengths racers will go to fine tune their bikes nail a single situation.

25 0

sevensixtwo (May 22, 2015 at 22:23)

In all but the burliest terrain (lift-served, EWS racing) it seems like the fastest riders are on XC bikes. Here in NorCal, the Strava leaders are all on sub-5" bikes. Despite the majority of crowd being on longer travel bikes.

12 1

AMGoran (May 23, 2015 at 0:05)

I looked at these for another reason, how do they actually stand like that without falling?

fitbiker4130 (May 23, 2015 at 2:20)

Magnets

60 3

chriskneeland (May 23, 2015 at 4:54)

I find it funny that so many people ride 170mm "Enduro" bikes on trails more suited for XC bikes.

6 34

OffTrackBouncer (May 23, 2015 at 5:02) (Below Threshold)

The funny part is watch spadorks riding a sterilizer 29er rigid thru a rock garden. Then the insuing drippy ass juice disease after the race.

28 0

Twallywilly (May 23, 2015 at 7:19)

*ensue

Argument lost all validity when you spell things like that. Especially ass juice disease...wtf did that come from?

If you are over-biked for the trails (170mm bike on XC trails) then all you have to do is hold on and let the bike do the work. If you are under-biked for the trails (rigid 29er riding XC trails with rock gardens) then your line choice and technique becomes dialed like you wouldn't imagine. I ride my XC bike a lot because as soon as I hop on my enduro bike, I notice I am a lot more comfortable at higher speeds on faster terrain. I guarantee if you rode a rigid 29er for a season then switched back to a bigger bike you would be faster AND smoother.

13 1

zephxiii (May 23, 2015 at 8:25)

XC bikes like this are loads of fun, they are like wicked light, fast, and fun.

jfloren (May 26, 2015 at 20:24)

Most of us can't ride chunk every day so a light XC hardtail is just the thing for midweek rides after work; any suspension except very short travel is overkill and slows you down. I learned how to ride over obstacles on my trail bike, then I learned how to ride them well (sort of) on the hardtail.

AMGoran (May 27, 2015 at 7:53)

At the moment I'm riding with no suspension and sure I'm not fast but i learn a lot, as I'm still young i think i should learn some skills before i get a full sus, only then you can ride it to its full potential

20 6

dirtyknobbies (May 22, 2015 at 21:12)

As xc trails become technical expect to see more softails??? They died for a reason...it's called full suspension. I see as more xc wc trails get more technical Nino is going to continue to kick everyone's ass riding a full suspension 19 lbs bike and on cough cough 650b wheels. Like OMG!!!

bkm303 (May 22, 2015 at 22:05)

Seriously. Wrong direction for Absalon, IMO. He finally beat Nino after switching to FS last year, and now the softail? I just don't see that adding much on a race course. Maybe he'll prove us wrong.

20 2

badpotato (May 22, 2015 at 22:22)

They died, but now they are resurrecting to take all your money! #CashZombies

vRidge (May 23, 2015 at 3:13)

bkm303, I would assume Absalon will race with the bike that is the fastest for this course.

bkm303 (May 23, 2015 at 5:37)

I would have assumed that last year too, but he kept running the hardtail.... and losing out to Nino.

vRidge (May 23, 2015 at 7:06)

Good point. Hopefully he has learned his lesson from last year, and now has more confidence with both bikes.

bananowy (May 24, 2015 at 7:27)

He used the FS today, the course in Nove Mesto is no joke

bkm303 (May 24, 2015 at 19:01)

Saw that. Holy crap what a race today!!!! Looks like Nino should have run some knobbier tires.... not sure if I ever saw him clean that one techy climb. Not sure if it would have made a difference with Kulhavy's performance though.

bananowy (May 24, 2015 at 20:14)

Yeah, I think Kulhavy wasn't letting that win slip no matter what. As soon as he made the pass he was absolutely on fire, rode like mad man.

18 3

ecrider (May 22, 2015 at 21:17)

Di2 is flat out awesome. Been riding it on my road bike for 3 years now and it works stupidly good. And I hate techno/electro stuff!

jaame (May 23, 2015 at 0:09)

I don't see any reason not to use it other than cost. I find the 2x11 with a single shifter option fascinating. If not for the cost, it should murder 1x11

hunterhartmann (May 22, 2015 at 21:35)

Wow Richard Cunningham sure does proof read his articles.

EvilGarfield (May 23, 2015 at 0:32)

What is the point of an electronical shifter for a 1x11 or 1x10 setup? I thought it was interesting with 2x or 3x setups where it can shift sequentially. Is it lighter? More precise? Or just to showcase high end material for the brand?

mauserr (May 23, 2015 at 18:34)

I think it slightly overshifts to ensure you always catch a gear then aligns properly. where a indexed shifter could get out of alignment. My best guess wouldbe reliability and there is less to focus on vs making sure your gear catches. or at least thats my take

sevensixtwo (May 22, 2015 at 22:55)

I would like to see WC trails get just a bit more technical. Absalon is riding Race Kings which is a technical tire by WC standards - which shows how watered down the courses are. Doesn't need to be Rotorua; it would just be cool to see these guys show off a bit more.

bananowy (May 24, 2015 at 7:34)

This particular course is really technical, far from watered down. Those guys just have to go for compromises between weight and handling, and just use their skill to compensate for such things as undergunned tyres.

steviethekiwi (May 22, 2015 at 23:05)

They had a di2 demo at crankworx. I was skeptical at first but it had a surprisingly nice feel. I don't think I'd ever get it but still some pretty sweet technology

AMGoran (May 23, 2015 at 0:07)

If it would become really cheep wouldn't you stil get it?

apprenticeshredder (May 22, 2015 at 21:07)

Never ridden trchnical terrain before, is that a new marketing slang?

11 0

p0g0 (May 22, 2015 at 21:18)

So difficult, you can't even read it

jclnv (May 22, 2015 at 21:53)

Hey Dirtyknobbies, you do know Absalon is the current World Cup champ and World Champion right?

poah (May 23, 2015 at 3:43) (Below Threshold)

who cares

richierocket (May 22, 2015 at 21:05)

XC aint my thing anymore but these machines are still impressive.

vl95 (May 23, 2015 at 7:50)

there is something I don't get about the mud foam. How does it work ? I mean how does it prevent the mud to stick , and doesn't work as a sponge ?

If someone has experience with it

big-G-84 (May 24, 2015 at 1:14)

Stops the mud getting into little places where its hard to get out again and building up weight.

Blawrence (May 23, 2015 at 13:31)

People are always really down on the Conti tires. Almost every review of a bike that comes stock with them criticizes the tires, but they're obviously good enough for Absalon, even if he is sponsored by Continental.

int3r (May 22, 2015 at 21:12)

weight?

RichardCunningham (May 22, 2015 at 21:16)

WC XC hardtails are under or at 9 kilos. add 500g for rear suspension. Of course, they can be heavier - or lighter - but nobody talks about it.

K4m1k4z3 (May 23, 2015 at 4:45)

The hardtail weights 8.89 kg including pedals.

Axxe (May 23, 2015 at 16:31)

Finally, people using metric units. Damn, how I hated MBA for that stupid insistence on using ounces for component weights.

fracasnoxteam FL (May 24, 2015 at 4:30)

@Axxe BFF
@K4m1k4z3 where does your info come from?

K4m1k4z3 (May 24, 2015 at 15:05)

@fracasnoxteam A Czech server MTBS.CZ did a bike check on some of the WC bikes:
mtbs.cz/clanek/zavodni-xc-stroje-zahranicnich-hvezd/kategorie/tech-news

fracasnoxteam FL (May 24, 2015 at 15:24)

@K4m1k4z3 thx

aks2017 FL (May 22, 2015 at 21:04)

Love the softail, but love the fs even more.

likeittacky (May 22, 2015 at 21:22)

Richard Cunningham, are you getting paid to write these articles?? If so please proofread before posting them and correct your misspelling of words.

16 0

cherouvim FL (May 22, 2015 at 23:15)

Yea, right. Enough is enough. I will too ask for my money back!!!

bicitechmtb (May 22, 2015 at 22:12)

Why use a GPS on a XC bike? The only thing I imagine is marking some waypoints, ie: start climbing or start descending... And at the end of the race compare speed, distance, etc... Not for mark the trail exactly (all trails are marked on a xc trail!)

16 0

tomcreber (May 22, 2015 at 22:59)

Garmins allow you to see things like your heart rate, speed, and power output (if you are using a power meter) all in one place, not just the route. It also allows you to see how far you have ridden. Its probably mainly for post race analysis that the pros use it for, although I know I personally do pay attention to my heart rate during races.

zephxiii (May 23, 2015 at 8:33)

yup, data collection is fun.

Mac-Aravan (May 23, 2015 at 11:59)

You can't Strava without GPS.

Dan278 (May 23, 2015 at 12:56)

thats some sexy lookin bikes! wouldnt say no if bmc would put me on one.

omelettedufromage (May 22, 2015 at 23:33)

What are the rims on absalon's bikes ? Looks like crest.

Jhou (May 23, 2015 at 8:14)

Maybe it's the new Valor carbon rims from Stans.

mahonlamont (May 23, 2015 at 19:30)

Not Valors they aren't deep enough

mudmandhbrazil (May 23, 2015 at 8:06)

Shimano is taking too long to do a DiH group

Kiwi19 (May 23, 2015 at 9:32)

Isn't Shimano embarrassed that their athletes don't trust XTR 1 x 11 to hold the chain? Not exactly the most positive message about XTR and by extension the new XT 1 x 11 is it?

Axxe (May 23, 2015 at 16:29)

No rings are drop proof. None. Shimano rings are steel and should last longer and run smoother. 50g for an extra guide if your race depends on it is not a bad idea.

zephxiii (May 23, 2015 at 19:43)

Ummm Nino Schurter has a chain guide on his SRAM 1x too sooooo...

Below threshold threads are hidden

5 10

mikelee (May 22, 2015 at 21:58)

29ers look so bad. I had one and it handled so bad in proper tech. Rolls fast obviously,but it really did suck. Oh and as I suspected I looked like a untc on it. I feel sick just thinking about it tbh. Bad times indeed.

sevensixtwo (May 22, 2015 at 22:51)

Tell that to Curtis Keene.

tomcreber (May 22, 2015 at 23:05)

You must have either had a shit designed 29er, or dare I say it, a bit of a lack of bike handling skills. A decent 29er is really not much different at handling then a comparable 650b or 26". Or perhaps your just jumping on the anti 29er band wagon?

mikelee (May 23, 2015 at 3:14)

Na was definitely shit! As for my handling skills I rode pro elite dh in the UK series so I ain't that bad. So in my opinion proper shit lol

ejmoto (May 22, 2015 at 22:01)

Why the effe does a xc rig, on a closed course, during a WC race, need GPS?!?!?

dmrrider95 (May 23, 2015 at 2:48)

In case he makes a wrong turn

Jhou (May 23, 2015 at 8:16)

Likely for post race analysis. Those aren't just for GPS location, but power output and HR. Also, they can compare data with his teammates on where times were lost and gain over the course.

zephxiii (May 23, 2015 at 8:35)

data collection man.

Also during the race it gives u a display so you can keep track of what you are doing and how much is left (when u don't know the course).

ejmoto (May 23, 2015 at 14:28)

But when these guys are removing mouting bolts on their rotors to save weight, maybe the gps should be in their back pocket instead?

zephxiii (May 23, 2015 at 19:39)

@ejmoto no because I bet they like to look at what's on the screen.

ejmoto (May 23, 2015 at 21:44)

They have time for that?

CaptainVonAwesome (May 22, 2015 at 22:16)

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!