Fresh off of a win at the Lenzerheide World Cup in Switzerland, Loris Vergier let us get close to his Trek Session for a better look. His mechanic Pierre-Alexandre, better known as PA, was kind enough to give us a few details, but kept some numbers guarded closely.
Like many top level downhill teams, Vergier and PA change the bike setup quite often, determined by the track's grade, length, and speed. In the early off-season they started testing with the previous generation Session before the new version was available.
Loris' senses are highly in tune to his bike's control and feedback. There are a dozen wheelset combinations ready to go between dual 29" and MX setups, each using different spoke gauges and tensions. Shocks are plentiful too, with a handful of different tunes on deck, plus two different frame sizes; R2 and R3 featuring reach adjusting headsets.
 | Everyone rides differently. At the end of the day, all of those guys are fast and can win any races. I don't think there are any magic numbers.—PA |
The difference between the R2 and R3 frame sizes can be just 5 mm with the offset cups. The progression chip is set to 25% for more technical tracks and 20% for faster, smoother tracks.
Loris positions his hands to comfortably deal with an old wrist injury, causing the levers sit at unequal angles and distances from the bar.
The idler has thirteen teeth, but a larger one can be used to make the suspension more supple. He sticks with a 34-tooth chainring for more ground clearance, even with the smaller rear wheel.
220 mm rotors and tire inserts at both ends of the mixed-size alloy wheelset
A steep saddle angle provides more clearance on the larger R3 size frame.
Mechanics never stop tinkering; speed holes, chain damping, and housing management.
www.vitalmtb.com/photos/features/WORLD-CHAMPS-BIKES-Loris-Vergiers-Trek-Sessions,13479/Loris-Vergiers-Trek-Session-for-World-Champs,147136/sspomer,2
www.singletracks.com/mtb-gear/new-michelin-dh22-mtb-tires-provide-unparalleled-grip-and-cornering-support-review
DanstonQ may be having a laugh
Got it, @jeremy3220? Minions are like opinions are like...Assegais
I’d be curious to jump on linkage design and see if anyone has transposed the new session into it yet to check kinematics.
Your comment reminded me of this vid from Steve though. In this case, he is probably isolating the bouncing and inertia of the chain, which is what a lot of people feel in there feet.
youtu.be/grNUgu0H9YA
Back to O-chain: in lowspeed scenarios kickback does happen on a lot of bikes, especially if you ride a relatively high pivot bike (without idler). Also when you lock out your rearwheel, there is no way the freewheel will cancel out kickback. ("Then dont lock your rearwheel noob - its bad technique anyway") Locking out the rearwheel -for a short moment- occures all the time while riding. Chainslapp overrides the freewheel a lot of the times (drop your bike and look at the cassette). Having seen vids of the drivetrain in rough terrain with and without o -chain, the drivetrain looks much more contolled with o-chain installed -how much this does to your suspension is hard to quantifie though, especially as i have not riddden a bike with o-chain installed.
Long story short:
- it clearly does not do nothing.
- be open for new stuff or chances are big you will be laughed at in a couple of years.
I
Good Grief no wander Jordie wanted to ring his neck ! LOL
Ridiculous,most other riders from abroad are not nearly equipped as this guy is with a warehouse of parts at his disposal!!
Isn't it the other way around?
www.vitalmtb.com/photos/features/WINNING-BIKE-Loris-Vergiers-Trek-Session,13462/Winning-Bike-Loris-Vergiers-Trek-Session-at-Maribor,146620/sspomer,2
Did I miss a new brand?