PB photographer Paris Gore snapped these photos in the Lapierre Gravity Republic pits of a Prototype 722 DH machine outfitted with a array of data acquisition devices used to monitor the suspension in real time during practice runs. Data-logging systems similar to what the Gravity Republic team were using are available
as kits (albeit, very expensive kits) and are used by top motorcycle racing enterprises to discover where the bike is performing well on the course and where it could use some help. The Information from each session is downloaded to a laptop computer and then compared to judge the effectiveness of various damping adjustments or apparently, in the case of Lapierre, the bike's modified suspension linkage.
Gravity Republic is sponsored by RockShox, and the telemetry was fixed to a 2015 Vivid RC2 coil shock and a charger-equipped BoXXer WC fork that do not appear to be different than what other RS-sponsored teams were sporting. The bike that was wired up had Sam Blenkinsop's number 6 plate, and coincidently, Sam took the top spot in yesterday's qualifying round. History may be repeating itself. Recall the introduction of the BOS Void air-sprung shock at the 2013 Vallnord World Cup, that saw Remi Thirion win after BOS used a
similar data acquisition rig to dial in his Commencal during practice. If Blenky does well in the main event, the blue glow of laptops may become as common as the smell of suspension fluid in the pits come next season.
Gravity Republic mechanic Jack Roure was the man who
instigated the team's data acquisition program.
| We were working with data acquisition since the end of last season. It was the choice of our head mechanic, Jack Roure and we are working with riders Sam Blankinsop and Loic Bruni. We have certainly one of the most efficient setups to ride, using the Lapierre frame and SRAM suspension. Both are coming from development programs - custom geometry for the frame, Black Box products for the suspension. We have to adapt these products to the feedback of the rider, to the track, and also to the info we get from this tool. About this tool - there is not a lot to tell, Sorry. - Laurent Delorme, Pure Agency: Gravity Republic Manager. |
Sorry you can't afford the expensive toys!!
Whiny mtb mammas boys haha your too funny your the typical keyboard jockey prob can't ride for shit and just talk shit good luck with that captain Joey!!
Ps. Gotta line the logos bman, it's good chi.
5lbs on a downhill bike is minor (like less than 10% of the bike weight)
The point is that they're faster overall with the 5lb penalty and a dialed suspension
Sunn/vprocess
Bos suspension on the commencial (i know the frames andorran)
And now on the lapierre frames.
I really do love those frames too. Definately my favourite on the circuit and after riding a 26" version i dread to think how fast the 650b bike is.
I'm pretty sure j-tech offer data logging days for anyone in the uk who wants to get the most out of their suspension
I'm obsessed with tyres
And the rockers allow to have a good control of leverage-rate curves for the engineers (they can do what they want as you can see on the last picture...)
As an engineer student I love take some time to understand the conception of the different bikes. That's really interesting, for anyone who practice mtb. Just try to go beyond that the commercial speech.
Do you really think that today, with lap times that are played on the tenth on 4-minute tracks that a simple pivot could win, even with the best pilot ? Not me.
With people like you, today we will still ride non-suspension mountain bike in DH.
But you're right on 1 point : if the technology can make you faster, it will not bring extra-smile on your face.
PS : I actually ride a simple pivot Morewood Izimu.