GT Bicycles Announces New 2016 Factory Racing Program

 Freakin exited to see the #wheeliewednesday on a Fury!

 Possibly my new fav team, just imagine if Hill joined also- loose as f**k

 Dale and Masters literally look like twins!

 2 kiwi's and a caveman what's not to love!

 Wonder how much GT were thinking -"this'll make for some funny-as-f**k video content" as much as "We'll get some good results with this team".

I for one applaud that approach. Awesome news.

 They have a serious enduro team and a very un-serious dh team, love it!

 Fucking get in! This team is awesome as shit!

 Nice work GT! Got to be one of the radest teams out there, look at all those cheeky grins, the polar opposite of last year! This lot will make even the Syndicate look tame. Going to be some serious back wheel lovin going on! 50/01

 Surely people will get confused with two Aragorns on the same team.

 what aout laurie greenland

 Exactly the lineup GT needs to help them become relevant again.

 @Haddow-B was thinking the same thing, seeing orange and dirt have parted ways too am wondering if laurie is going to end up on orange... he deserves to be on a top notch team, not sure orange will do him justice...

of course orange is pure speculation...

 just imagine the parties !!! wooow

 This is both shaken and stirred at the same time. Like all hell just broke loose!!!!

 Can we just take a minute to appreciate sombrio supplying kits to a wc team.

 @ad15 orange dont have funding for a world cup team

 What a well thought out team, great assortment of characters ~ possibly the best thing to hit the WC scene ever !

Bring on April !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Chur Kiwis

 @elscotto: Dorel owns GT and Sombrio, so it seems like a bit of a no brainer.

 Ya gt has been pretty tight of late, stingy on discounts and such. ..looks like they're getn super loose now! Love that gt has hans Rey still adventuring the brand around too.

 It`s a bit like trek and gt are swaping cards. Gt: "Here, you can have the athertons." Trek: "Thanks, there you go with Bulldog."

 Haha, can't wait to see some of the Team engineers reactions to the first team trip. Its going to be alot different than the Athys!

 That's what people said when GT let Brian Lopes & Jill Kitner go. GT screwed up by taken on the Atherton's, and letting to World Champions go.

 I didn't mean that they screwed up. I more meant that the athertons are widely considered to be highly professional, and this crew,well... is a little more on the loose side!

 I can only think of a couple of times that I was more excited to see Gee's run rather than Brook's. Well maybe only once. GT now has a team full of badasses, can't wait for WC's to begin.

 +1

 except, not literally

 Yeah what happened with that @HardtailZero ? I know there was a fight at a World Cup but it got brushed under the rug pretty quick.

 @RLoganSx Ratboy gave Gee a cheeky bum hole flash. Gee wasn't all too happy about this and confronted Ratboy, prompting Sam to lay into Gee until they were broken up by onlookers.

 Of his team! Lol you guys!

 There was just too much Fury , I'll get my coat

 So now Sam Dale is wearing Gee's Tee...

 Apparently so but he'll be myst by Saracen

 so much love between the British downhillers. You won't see Americans fighting amongst themselves because theres only two on the whole scene!

 So true and its also funny that Brooke went from Trek to GT and Atherton's went from GT to Trek..

Thank you @LionSnoop, that shit is hilarious. Ohh Ratboy, the English really do have more fun. Euro Trip the movie was right again lol!

That wanker is wearing a frog football shirt! Let's give this nancy a Fu@k!ng good kicking! ahhhhhhhh!!!

 looks like a party ready to (maybe already) happening!

 Yep they've just Sanctioned one

 It's good to see wyn get on a proper team, I think we will see him right into to top 20 next season

 Wouldn't want to get in a fight with that team

 Me neither.....

 That's exactly what I though! While Sam and Wynn were pleasant surprises, I never ever would've though Anneke would part with Spesh. Something going on there we don't know about of course.

 Anneke obviously couldn't deal with too short chainstays anymore... backward axle path and horrible suing practices didn't help either. Specialized means Lucipherus in arameic

 She should have stayed with specialized! Just my 2 cents.

 @WAKIdesigns ROFL!!!!

 I was in Demo last month and saw Keene out there filming. He said he was signed up for next year. When I asked about Beerten he just stayed quite while the rest of his crew stared at him. Guess this explains it.

 Give it a few more months and the whole world will be surprised with another bombshell.

 Oh yeah, got any hints? With the releases in the last couples months seams like we can expect anything.

 I'd like to give +10. That's soo true

 Go tuck yourselves (in), I saw him smile a lot. He smiled to me. Have you even met the guy in person? How often does Sam Hill smile? Or Bulldog? Or Mick Hannah? How often do you smile for forks sake? Are you a rad, likeable person?

If I was to use your attitude I could say that all I can see above is two nice ladies, one super talented shredder, one friendly troglodyte, then "who the hell is he" and two of biggest rednecks on WC circuit, how do you like that? You do the math who is who.

Why don't you all just leave Gee alone

 GT went from The Smiths to LMFAO...

 Gee didn't smile when I got my photo taken with him. Was wearing my Sam Hill shirt tho.

 One time I saw Gee, and he wasn't smiling. #sodisappointed

 So they went from great to shit is what you're saying?

 Yah leave Brintney alone.Really Waki!Gee=Captain Bummer.

 Gee didn't smile at you and now you're hurt? What are you, a 12 year old girl? You should maybe take your tampon out and go drink a big glass of manthef*ckup.

 I have to say I always took Gee's serious persona to be a reflection of an attitude that was perhaps too serious about racing. When I saw the helmet cam footage of the bail he had at World Champs, I was pleasantly surprised to see how composed he was when he got back on the bike and finished his run (in pain) rather than freaking out that he lost his chance to defend his jersey. I now just think he's a guy who loves to race but more importantly loves to bike. He doesn't need to shout "WIN OR LOSE WERE ON THE BOOZE" in order for you to understand that, he just lets his bike riding do the talking. No hate to Wyn either of course, and I'm hoping Eddie races EWS on a fat bike.

 I am just amazed that so few people appreciate diversity and looking at things in the whole picture... We have an old legend, next one is a Rockstar, gardener Apostel, then we have a few rednecks, a speech impaired retard, Gloveless dental disaster, a Golden boy, a Bulldog, a Jesus, the Arian glory, a student and other Frenchies - how does a Too Serious guy not fit in?

 I also want to say Sam Hill smiles a lot, so don't compare him to Gee. My favourite off bike moment of his this year was when we was calling the other riders pussies for not riding down the middle of the whoops at Windham, all with a sly grin on his face. I think the issue with Gee isn't just his seriousness, because as you said, many other riders are perceived the same way. It's his seriousness combined with his squeaky clean, ideal for a sponsor image. He's probably a great guy, but when all you can talk about is the many ways he has pleased his sponsors it shows that not a lot of his non-bike related personality is coming through.

 Well if we start talking psychology and persona... I want people to tell me why do they like Sam Hill... I am either an idiot or a genius, to be able to completely separate who does what in front of the camera, in public and who he is to his family and closest friends. One word from Gwin about God and people go ape shit. As if his faith was telling everything or at least tons of things about the man. Gee doesn't say Hi, maybe he cares about his mother more than some a-hole on the internet? Human personality is extremely complex and sorry but race recaps, photos and occasional meeting says little. I may prefer to follow a rad dude like Troy Brosnan or Ratboy (even though I do view him as an a-hole) but I'm not going to project my own shames on anybody. At the end of the day, as far as a completely remote person is concerned, all this FANBOIsm is a personal game of who you, yourself would like to be, and who you don't want to be. It is your own personal projection, so be careful how you paint people. That's my way of seeing this.

OK now I'm out.

 Perception is everything. For me Gee comes across as a snob. Yeah he loves to ride, but in his world it's all about Gee. He has no time for anyone outside of his little personal sphere. Of course anyone can bark that I'm being unfair, but in the dirty world perception is truth. It's more than likely that Gee knows how people feel about him and yet has done nothing to change that opinion. End of the day fanbase is just as important as podium results. You would either have to be pretty ignorant not to realise this...or possibly have a massive ego and not care.

 I feel super old for getting the Smiths reference

 I love all the assumptions made about peoples personalities from seeing less than 0.0001% of their life time.

Judgmental little bitches that take offense to some one they have never met and have only seen in 30 seconds bites and not even in person.

And people think he should change just for them ? Get f*cking real and get on with your life.

 I think some of you could take an eye opener and watch a tribute to Robin Williams, and hear testimonies of world's best comedians, funniest people on earth, talking about their depression and own suicide attempts. Look at Wyn Masters, Rob Warner - do you think that entertaining clown is coming from nowhere? That he is just a rad dude? Do you think that they are super cool to live with everyday? The Clown or rather Joker archetype is a burden - always born and fueled by some sort of pain and strong complex. only an emotionally blind, news feed eater can't see it by taking all for granted, handled cheap stoke on plate, accepting only cookies, resenting any form of uncoolness and floating in common standards of appearance. I dig Rob Warner on the mic, on the screen, I loved Ed Masters on Enduro and on Fatbike - but I don't want any of those guys in any proximity of me. So yes you can be stoked by some dudes just because you don't see the dark side. Or rather because you don't want to see any dark side of anybody because for some reason you expect to be entertained. Gee is not entertaining, that's what you are really saying. It's not that you don't like the guy, because how can you not like him if you don't meet him. And in the same way the love of all fans for Hill or Masters is a fake emotion. A projection of what you miss in yourself.

If any of them suddenly died, you'd write an emotional text in comments under article and you'd live your life as it is 30 minutes later, feeling would come back every visit on the site for the following week and two weeks later you'd forget about the case. If you are a teenager then maybe you'd last a bit longer since 15-20 years olds have a self sustaining, chemical coctail in their brains making them experience emotions far more vividly. This would not be the case with any of your neighbors died because you'd get impulses more often by seeing his house/apartment door everyday. So there is a difference between love and respect. Gee or Aaron my not be easy to love but hell they are damn easy to respect and I guess it only makes things worse. They are not as likeable as Ratboy but they do have credentials. Anxiety comes from tension

 Wait...you said you were OUT.

 +100

 Yeah, tell me about it.

 From Team Anal to Team Rad, GT will be party central at world cups

 I thought Athertons were bloody cool. Thanks to them, GT looked like the most professional team on the circuit, they were going to the briefing straight after the race, it looked like a true F1 team. everyone is entitled to like whoever they want but some people really need to remove their analthorns

 Having competed in 100's of races where the Atherton's were also in attendance, it is very rare that I even got a reply to my 'hello' when passing in the pits or on track. Nearly every other top rider is as friendly as, Peaty, Ratboy, Smith, Minnaar Hill, Hart, Carpenter, Moseley, Nicole etc etc will hang around and chat with you about lines etc.

 Why would you like them to tell you hello? Where is that expectation coming from? because you are a fan? I just don't get it, how reality gets distorted - do you go out on the street and say hello to random people? How less random is Gee to you? You don't live next to the guy, you don't meet him everyday. What the hell gives you the right to expect anything? Do you at least ride a GT bike? It took me 10 minutes standing by Syndicate tent to get Peatys and Minnaars autograph, and I ride Santa Cruz bike. Am I pissed off? No, they were having fun, doing their thing - it's me that is an a-hole here. i can't express how embarassing is to see some of the fans, and how embarassed some guys are when asked for an autograph and have to hear all the story about inspiration. I saw Sam Hill once with face expression begging the guy to go, an adult guy, behaving like Taylor's Smith fanatics. That is the sincere reaction unless guy is a douche. Rob Warner told me "yea, yea" after I told him he does a great job. Nothing wrong with that! Nothing!

Yes, they are expected by their sponsors to smile and be rad. But that depends solely on their psychology. And sometimes you get a lying smile, and you like it? Gee didn't tell you to fk off did he? these are two different things. The value of a man measured by if he says Hi to a man he never saw before in the sea of people in the pits or on the hill when trying to focus on racing. He didn't reply Hi to me, bladi bla - you seem like a quite self important prick... don't worry you are not alone, there's always a positive side to everything.

In my experience Athertons are normal people, like everyone else. I did see some really shtty behavior from some of the Holy Cows of the DH WC road show. Should I judge them? I don't care, I see them once a fkng year at best.

 Apparently Waki is the number 1 Atherton fanboy.

 waki"I just don't get it, how reality gets distorted - do you go out on the street and say hello to random people?"

in france, yes, everyone says bonjour to everyone,, well they do here in the mountains anyway...

 I hung out at the GT tent after Windham, and Gee and Rachel were really cool, actually. They were taking turns manning the grill, handing out dogs and burgers. It was my only personal experience with them, so maybe I caught them on a good day... (or maybe it's because they'd had a few beers), but they're A-OK in my book.

 @tbubier - there can be only one!!!
@ad15 - I come from a traditional mountaineous area in southern Poland and just like Welsh folk, we have no elaborated manners like fine citizens of Paris who don't even fart. And if you do, it smells like Chanel and sounds like duo of Edith Piaf and Charles Trenet. We are damaged by sexual education where safe and respectful insemination methods are tested on sheep

 I'm with Waki on this. The Athertons are a class act. I've met them many times at races here in the states and they are cool to talk to and they'll take dorky fan pics with you, etc. When they are racing, it is game time and they are intense and focused. They train and sacrifice hours, actually years, of their lives to compete for just a few minutes. You would be pretty serious too I think. I guarantee you that if this new team is serious about winning, they'll be equally intense because that is what it takes. In any case, this new team is so exciting. Just awesome.

 Ha, WAKIdesigns - I speak as a fellow racer, who has met and talked to nearly all of the UK elite riders since the mid 90's and they know who I am since I have appeared on the podium in my Cat whilst they have been waiting for theirs. I know most of the parents of the current crop of racers, as I have sat in the pits having a brew with some of them whilst they were doing their race runs in Youth, Juvenile, Junior Cats in the 90's and 00's.

I come from a region in the UK known as 'Ooop North' and we say hello to anybody as we're 'reet friendly'. Ratboy, Peaty, Nige Page and Sam Dale for example are local to me to get an idea of the type of friendly folk we are

I don't expect anything from them, but just a reply to a greeting to someone they have seen around the race scene for as long as they have been racing isn't much to ask for?

I suppose when you're a superfan like you, hearing the true hurts sometimes?

 I can't remember your handle, as it is ridiculous, but come on. There is a difference between not being super nice, and being a dick. So Gee isn't the way you want him to be. Big deal. You should be that way, and that should make you happy. If he flipped the bird in your face, and spat at you, fine...total douche. He didn't though, so let him take his racing seriously. Not a fan boy, just someone who thinks alot of you should get over it.

 Waki, your comments make no sense but I always chuckle when I read them

 @s100mphplus - then you are a rare example unlike the rest of couch experts. I am not glorifying Athertons I just don't get the negativity comin from people obviously not having your experience. No smoke without fire in that case maybe, but I still have utmost respect to those guys. Same wave of unbased criticism hit Aaron Gwin while he is a man that brought back a lot of faith in humanity, just seeing him around for an hour. The whole Spec team is hated I don't know why, while in my view there's much more to like about them than about let's say Giant-Schwalbe or Syndicate.

Nevertheless I have noticed that more fan- factor there is to a spectator loving some athlete or team, the more sht he is willing to throw at the "opposing team" and behave like an absolute dick. So I am not buying any of this fans- vibe.

 Talked and hung out with Gwin while pitted next to him at a race. Super cool dude. Atherton team seems serious on paper but who knows when the camera isn't rolling. Who cares. Most everyone in this world deserves acknowledgement. And especially if you are an ambassador to the sport and fans are trying to reach out, the least you can do is acknowledge them. Or maybe I'm just a good person who expects to much out of humanity.

 The Athertons taking racing seriously, so that's uncool? If you want constant acknowledgement and "hugs", get a f*ckin dog.

 @SlodownU are you saying rossi doesn't take racing motogp seriously? or batboy, you don't think he takes it seriously? or steve peat?? taking it seriously doesn't shouldn't stop you smiling....or enjoying it...

 RATBOY... damnyouautocorrect

 Normally when people say hello I say hello back. wtf is wrong with people today? I guess to much time starring at your phone has made people forget manners or just being friendly. I get it when your in the zone or having a bad day its tough but when you have tons of people coming to events just to see you I would think you could at least say hello. without fans these guys wouldn't be shit.

 I love it how people endulge the institution of a scape goat. Just give them a target to throw sht at so that they can discharge their mental large intestine to feel better about themselves. Yes he doesn't lick your fan vagina, you deserve it for watching live streaming for free and reading articles on the internet for free. Yes you are moral: here's your medal!

 Just for some of you guys:
www.pinkbike.com/photo/12973259

 ....dude gets paid to ride bikes and represent his company. If no one watched events or payed for the shit his company sells he would be off doing construction or some shit. So yes he should smile and love every second of it. He may not "lick my fan vagina" but you sure seem to be riding his dick.

 and for all your hard work riding that dick gee probably doesn't say thanks or even smile when you finish him off. what a let down lol

 The guy puts bike on top of the podium, shows up on cameras and recaps with his sponsors names on the Jerseys, shows up on many super sick pictures, puts frickin rainbow stripes on Trek and Fox components, so does his sister, his brother initiated and organizes one of the sickest events out there (Hard Line), Athertons are the commonly recognized logo, related with nothing less than highest possible success ranks in Downhill mountain biking, few of the most recognizable victories (tripple in Andorra) - those people are one big success story, every company would kill to have them on board, it is them negotiating terms nd reaching out to sponsors - These are raw facts - and you think that your approval is worth something?

I am sick of it, it just disgusts me, fkng fans

 @nismo325 So you're saying back in 2013 when Gee and Rachel got back to back wins on the new Fury no one went out and bought one?

 I say hello to random people all the time #nz

 I don't, I live in a city. I wave and smile to car drivers who let me pass on my bike on the way to work. And I shout "Fk you!" to cyclists who ride a narrow cyclepath next to each other, taking the whole width, expecting others to move out of their way.

 christ, being a good person is defined by ones wllingness to greet random people... how superficial can one be?!

 Waki, stop wasting your time. I'm sorry, but complaining about who smiles, waves hi to you or not, is pretty f*ckin lame. This is just another symptom of the pussification of the entitled, self-absorbed, "look at what I did this weekend", generation. People at the top of every sport are warriors. I don't need them to smile or say hi. I just need them to kill it at whatever they're doing, that's my entertainment.

 Oh my god get over yourself. Getting podiums isn't everything when it comes to creating a fan base. Gee is in the public eye so yes he should make the fking effort to say hello to the fans. The first time I walked past Peter Jackson at work he said good morning to me - why is it a nob that rides bikes for a living can't say hi.

 He rides a bike you twat, he's not in the public eye. Did any of you dipshits ever think that he has fans because he is so serious? I honestly don't get all these expectations that we have of professional athletes. They're job is to excel at what they do, not sell puppies and rainbows. They're entertainers. You really need to go find your role models somewhere else. And who cares if you know Peter Jackson, you name-dropping a*shole. Tell him to go make more good movies, because that's what I want from him. I could care less whether he's nice or eats kittens for breakfast.

 @SlodownU Your right, they aren't supposed to sell puppies and rainbows. No kidding. They are expected to help sell bikes, jerseys, shoes, helmets, energy drinks, components, etc. They are selling products...or at least they are a major cog in the marketing machine of major companies. Part of that selling is the way they come across to fans and consumers. The fact that people recognize a difference in the ways that Ratboy and Gee carry themselves is good, because they would have to blind to not see the difference. I agree with almost everything you wrote, except about selling anything. Completely disagree.

 Here's one, maybe he didn't hear him.

 Hey VW guy, when was the last time you bought a bike because of whatever pro was riding it? I have yet to ever meet a person who bought a bike for that reason. That model doesnt apply to bikes. 95%. Of people out there buy based on what the LBS carries, and brand loyalty.

 Pros provide exposure for a brand. That is one of the main goals, so that as many people as possible become aware of the brand. It also creates a subconscious yet clear message that particular bike is proven to be very good. Everyone follows racing to some extent thus sees the prevailing brands. A few believe that the winner could win on any bike IF that bike is setup correctly and he has enough time to get used to it. In MTB Rider is always closely related to the Team where bike maker is usually the title sponsor. Unlike Road Racing where title sponsors are huge brands like banks, by which a company like specialized is a shed manufacture paying pennies. A MTB company that is not visible in world racing formats or freeride competitions will never push through to the big table. Some companies don't care, can't care or pretend to not care due to limited resources for marketing or inability to find a good ripper that would race World Cups. Nobody knows what guys in Top 30 ride, no matter how cool they are. Wyn is top10 dude, all I know about his bro is that he can huck a Fatbike. Antidote or Salsa makes great bikes, probably better than most world cup winning machines out there. Still, without world racing team, flashy pictures and videos spiced with presence of an iconic athlete, they are doomed for being niche.

 @Slowdowns what model does apply to bikes? Supporting a race team for the warm and fuzzy feeling you get? Not a chance. Brand exposure and product development are the only reasons for WC race teams.

 Best reason yet! Well played!

 Downhill is niche. DH riders may be the only people who may ride a bike based on what a pro is riding. Otherwise, it's getting your product line in the right shop, in the right area, with the proper distribution. Any of the shop guys here want to weigh in on the last time a customer came in looking for a bike, naming a pro rider as the reason?

 @SlodownU I'm not name dropping because I don't know Peter and that's the point you moron. The crap that flows from your mouth is incredible. Feel free to print out Gee's face, tape it to a pillow, and get off on it. It's obvious you're in love with him. Bloody freak.

 @slodownU no one has claimed that direct of an action-response system. Take a deep breath, and reread the comments. Brand exposure is a more general idea of having your bike ridden during races, therefore it being "promoted" during race coverage. Besides, no adult experiences hero worship and buys the same bike as a result. Kids however, for sure! They will pester their parents for the bike they think is cool. If the bike is alright they develop brand loyalty and possibly reconsider that brand when buying another bike later in life.

 Totally correct SlowdownU - I was referring to "average Pinkbike user style demographics."

 I'll take a deep breath, because DH is so widely advertised and viewed that kids are pestering their parents for bikes. There is a core group of guys out there that are very loyal to the sport, that is the target audience. It's small, but that is who the bike companies are fighting over. The level of investment and ad-time, about 0 in mainstream media, reflects this. The only vehicle to advertise is online bike mags and actual events (hence their existence). And a small sub-group within the DH world are apparently a bunch of over-sensitive vag's that care about smiles and personal acknowledgement.

 @Slowdowns But come on, over-sensitive vags are the best kind! I'm going for a ride, have fun mashing keyboards bahd!

 Every year since the Fort Bill WC started the Athertons have been professional and very welcoming to my nephew, his friends and myself. We have photos with all three from nearly every year and every year they chat with us. Hell, Geeman even gave my nephew his race jersey one time! Just took it off after a photo, signed it and gave it to us with a smile. I don't see what everyones problem is with them. The guys a legend in Downhill. Rachel too.

 Haha mate, down propped you by accident, you read my mind and gave me a good laugh

 Haha! Gold

 Hobo alert! Love it!

 Mister Masters appears to have done NOTHING to prepare for this photo shoot. "Touch the beard and I'll cut you."

 There is so much gold in this, I'm gettin' the mining equipment

 Yeah that's pretty awesome.

 Yep. Think there are two stretches during the season with back to back enduro weekends that go straight into a dh world cup. Gonna be a manly undertaking

 Well as much as he doesn't look like he does or even portray they he does, Wyn actually trains like a beast and is much more of an athlete than anyone gives him credit for. Most just see the clown. I predict some top results for Wyn, he always did better than people gave him credit for...

 Yep, suddenly like GT a lot more

 I don't know about maes, he sure is fast, but he's still young and not consistent enough to win(at least in 2015), the mens field is way to tight. would be cool if I'm wrong though.

I agree about Anneke, I never expected GT, but come to think of it, it makes sense.

I'm also stoked about rachel moving to the EWS, hope she does good.

 I agree with Trudeez. But honestly, I don't know the back story to this. Was there an announcement prior to this about Anneke and Spesh?

 yeah there was, a couple of weeks ago.

 Couldn't agree more with Trudeez. Anneke was producing the best results while Curtis had a disappointing year. Wondering why she moved on, perhaps let go as Specialized spends money on a still to be released big name? Missed opportunity and I hope she shines at GT (sure she will).

 Very disappointed they let her go. Should be interesting to see how she likes the GT bikes moving from that big monster truck e29r

 She was riding the Enduro 650B, but yes very interesting to see how she handles a dynamically different bike.

 Wait, you're telling me it doesn't stand for Granny Transvestites?!?! Huh. Learn something new everyday.

 She's been with GT for a while now, if I'm not mistaken.

Edit: at least since 2014:

m.pinkbike.com/news/rider-profile-rachel-throop-2014.html

 I meant moving up to the factory level.

 Shes a lot hotter than the old one.

 GT reunited the 3rd Masters brother, Sam "Dale" Masters.

 @westeast Troops in real life is hot as f**k.

 This Rachel has a pretty famous boyfriend.. At least in the freeride MTB world.

 A beast to a boyfriend*

 Totally man! I really wish the U.S. had more of those boutique manufactures here. As much as people bitch about the prices tho, its no wonder we don't get different firms here.

 Sombrio is owned by GT's parent company Dorel Industries now (as a subsidiary of Sugoi). Still cool to see the brand back in the WC though, I agree.

 I agree, except for the Sam Hill part, now he is a fan favorite and no matter how it goes everyone is happy to see him shredding.

 I agree with you as well and I think this is down to two reasons.

One is that over time (where he got sustained a few injuries and also got a kid) he is back as one of the riders who could land on the podium and steal a win occasionally. People are back loving him for what they loved him in the first place, which is not necessarily the win but more about skill and style.

People are more aware of this negative behavior on the forums. They know how stupid it is and it won't receive any respect anymore. So hopefully it will be over someday. With Sam Hill it struck me for the first time how negative people on PB could get about him or Specialized bikes, I don't know whether it existed before that. Obviously Gwin had an amazing season so no negative comments recently but still I don't get why Gee gets so much disrespect for being professional and focused.

 Agreed , I just wander if (some) people that were potentially going to buy a session are now looking at the Fury. I seriously believe there will be some, rightly or wrongly it's their choice

 well played, sir.

 Where are you getting your info from?

 jared?? where'd you hear that. I don't see him leaving yeti any time soon to be honest.

 The guy from Yetifan said he is moving to Specialized a few months ago

 @enrico650, yeah I agree with that, I didn't really see it coming, I would've let Keene go before Anneke

 back in the mid 90ies they were one of the most desired bikes out there...zaskar & lts wet dream stuff

 Yup - I could only afford a lava red Karakoram back then...

 Came here to comment -- you'd think that their PR guy could do better....

 ask kyle strait

 HOT HOT HOT

 Kyle is one lucky dude.

 really? Kyle Strait?, dang man, lucky guy

 False. Dorel has been in a negative trend posting at ~ $28 a share.

 Somebody give brannigan a ride!! And greg Williamson while you're at it

 Well that is fantastic!

 Since Dorel owns Sombrio, I highly doubt it.