Hitcase Announces World Class MTB Team

Mar 22, 2015

by Hitcase

HITCASE - The patented waterproof video case and mounting system that turns an iPhone into an action camera is taking its tag line “Ready for AdventureTM” to a whole new level. The unstoppable Vancouver based company has curated a powerful line up of the world’s most celebrated Mountain Bike (MTB) riders , all of whom are competing at CRANKWORX New Zealand, the first major MTB event of the season.

The 2015 Hitcase MTB Team.

Leading the team is two-time Free Mountain Bike (FMB) World Champion Brandon Semenuk. “Semenuk is one of the industry’s most progressive riders”, says HITCASE CEO Brooks Bergreen. “Brandon is a force to be reckoned with. His creative vision, leadership and love for the sport are exactly what HITCASE is all about.” Brandon will be looking to defend is 2014 FMB overall title as he kicks of with the first stop of the tour later this month in New Zealand.

"Excited to be working with HITCASE in 2015. Capturing my professional and personal experiences is important to me. HITCASE enhances every moment I point my iPhone at." Says Brandon.

In addition to Semenuk, Devinci Global Racing joins the HITCASE roster led by 2013 World Cup Overall Winner Stevie Smith. Smith, a Canadian superstar, along with teammates Mark Wallace and Dean Lucas look to dominate World Cup gravity podiums, using HITCASE to document their circuit tour. On the Enduro side, Damien Oton leads the Devinci/Alltricks enduro team after a stand-out rookie season on the Enduro World Series. Where he took his first EWS Victory in La Thuille, Italy. Oton and teammate Theo Galy have also joined forces with HITCASE, kicking off their 2013 EWS season in Rotorua. Additionally HITCASE brand veteran and Pro rider Andrew Taylor rounds out an impressive roster for 2015.

Cody Swansborough, HITCASE Athlete & Brand Marketing Manager says, “This is a huge win for HITCASE. We’ve built a team of the most amazing and passionate riders we could find who demonstrate excellence both in their sport and as human beings. We are excited to help make it easier for them to share and inspire both their fans and the world with their daily adventures.”

Don’t miss a moment from the HITCASE MTB team by following them on all social media platforms; find their Instagram handles below. #HITCASE

@brandonsemenuk, @Steviesmithdh, @markwalacebike, @deanos_machineos, @damienoton, @andrwtaylr

Mentions: @Hitcase, @StevieSmithDH, @brandonsemenuk

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Hitcase
Member since Nov 9, 2012
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38 Comments

78 4

pumptracker120 (Mar 23, 2015 at 9:40)

Cool idea, awesome team, but does anyone else feel wearing your iPhone is just going to make you look like a joey?

19 0

smillertime531 (Mar 23, 2015 at 9:56)

The HITCASE helmet cam..

17 0

PurpleNapalm (Mar 23, 2015 at 11:13)

Not if you equip it with aerodynamic fins pumptracker. Though I've been told that'll only work when riding park.

Hitcase (Mar 23, 2015 at 14:53)

No one says you have to wear it for your whole ride. Thats the beauty of the slide rail mount. You can get the shot you want and remove the case quickly so you can continue your ride without any mounts or devices in your way.

MortifiedPenguin (Mar 23, 2015 at 16:36)

To be honest though the chest mount looks about as sleek as a gopro would so I don't think it would be an issue

brapper (Mar 23, 2015 at 20:19)

I have one, really like it for getting wide angle shots or using to protect my phone while camping. It does have a few downsides though, you can't charge your phone while its in the Hitcase, and theres not a button to slide your phone into vibrate/ringer mode. Aside from those its kept my phone safe. Not an everyday item I use though.

freeride-forever (Mar 24, 2015 at 17:26)

Me myself personally, I think just using an iPhone at all, makes you look like a sHitcase, so........ I'm all for making any given device more versatile though. Like using Samsung phones for VR.

20 0

jaha222 (Mar 23, 2015 at 9:51)

joyride course preview is gonna look pretty bad then, iphone cameras are good but its just not quite gopro.

jaycubzz (Mar 23, 2015 at 10:17)

dont worry man, gopro is still an official partner for all of the crankworx events (nz, l2a and whis)

12 1

jaha222 (Mar 23, 2015 at 10:34)

still, if Semenuk films his rampage run with one of these...

danielstutt (Mar 23, 2015 at 13:38)

We will still be able to enjoy it. And anyway not all the good riders are using this Aggy and the others will still be using their gopros or whoever they are sponsored by.

imcusi (Mar 24, 2015 at 8:25)

Semenuk wont, he is a gopro athelete

jaha222 (Mar 24, 2015 at 9:26)

HITCASE turns your Iphone into a action cam

matthewreeves13 (Mar 24, 2015 at 15:34)

the iphone 6 has pretty damn good video and slo mo settings

10 2

samtomkins (Mar 23, 2015 at 10:16)

"Led by 2015 World Cup Overall Winner Steve Smith."

pretty sure that was 2013, unless we're looking into thw future, because I'd be stoked if that was true!

PurpleNapalm (Mar 23, 2015 at 10:22)

The combo smile-on-face+stache indicates we're looking into the future.

avsrolac (Mar 23, 2015 at 22:28)

From a budget perspective, in my opinion this is a good product. Using my son as an example who can't afford a Gopro, this is a good low cost alternative. And most kids have iPhones these days it makes sense for them to carry just one device. I have a Lifeproof case and regularly swap it when not riding. I don't need to listen to music while riding etc so not having a port for headphones isn't a deal breaker for me. I've been thinking about getting a Hitcase based purely on cost, protection and to carry only one device on my rides. But it's not going on my helmet.

thorsbane (Mar 23, 2015 at 12:30)

Personally I really want to like this; but I have yet to see any decent MTB footage produced by an iPhone 5 using this case. I have the feeling that it's going to make GoPro look stable in comparison. As an aside, I sold my gopro because it was too much of a pain to use and the results were, well, not so stunning (probably the rider's fault). I wouldn't mind recording my rides on my iPhone since I'm already suing it for Strava (no flames please!) but really want to know how well it works (in particular the iPhone for recording bumpy fast motion) before I take the plunge.

Hitcase (Mar 23, 2015 at 14:45)

It takes a while for people to warm up to the idea of using their iPhone as a camera, this is why we are stoked.
Your iPhone is a small computer with capabilities of streaming while (chest mount) riding to thousands of people who may want to tune in (Meerkat App).

Recording your ride with data overlay (Vidometer App) How fast your going, how many G’s your pulling, your location and the run you are doing (think google maps meets need for speed).
You now have the ability to record in 1080P at 60 FPS with image stabilization.

Yeah mounting on your head is not exactly pulling in steeze points, so chest mount it then.
We are trying to take the camera (iPhone) you have to a whole new level of capabilities and it’s working Our Team is stacked with Athletes who want to use their iPhone as a camera/editing suite/sharing device and we are STOKED to help them do this.

Mcfc1987 (Mar 24, 2015 at 9:31)

I'm stoked your stoked STOKED

thorsbane (Mar 24, 2015 at 12:35)

@Hitcase, can you point me to some MTB specific footage recorded using an iPhone 5 and Hitcase? I'm not talking about smooth pump track either. I'm talking in the trails going over roots and rocks and such.

sagalbot (Mar 23, 2015 at 18:52)

I hope the product has improved over the years. I bought one for my 4S a couple years ago and it was the worst case all around that I've had. The volume and lock buttons only ever worked when the phone was placed into the case with a magical touch. 9 times out of 10 the buttons did nothing. I only used mine a handful of times (because the buttons barely worked) before the case eventually cracked on the hinge. It still closes, but I'm sure it's not waterproof. I'm not sure how their warranty is because I didn't think it was worth it to replace it even if it was free to do so.

Mcfc1987 (Mar 24, 2015 at 9:29)

I suppose the best thing about it for these young'uns and there social media addiction is clip to instagram there and then, for that it beats anything GoPro have at the minute, couple of big jumps riding with your mates. slide phone in, ride, 30 seconds later its on facebook etc

NickBit (Mar 23, 2015 at 18:53)

It's cool to see more companies from outside the industry supporting our favorite riders.The chest mount is pretty cool, I think I'll check it out.

casualcyclist (Mar 23, 2015 at 10:30)

hmm..so wait.. I can't listen to my favourite music while riding since I use the phone as camera plus if someone is crazy enough to call me while I ride, the recording stops...
So why do I want this?

vhdh666 (Mar 23, 2015 at 10:56)

that's exactly what I would be concerned about focus on riding !!!!

10 1

benko (Mar 23, 2015 at 11:20)

airplane mode

its-chris (Mar 23, 2015 at 11:48)

It makes you fly further (proved)

Frilko (Mar 23, 2015 at 10:33)

Okay, bring on the comments about Brandon smiling.

jfkusa FL (Mar 24, 2015 at 15:00)

yea I have an iPhone, but it is a 16 gig and with apps and other things I have a gig left at most, so thats like 15 minutes of video. Good theory until you think about it.

MSVF (Mar 23, 2015 at 15:25)

Too bad, not available for iPhone 6 Plus....but anyway, I would not use such a expensive device as a action cam.

rydeen1 (Mar 23, 2015 at 16:09)

I bet a FAT endorsement check came along with this. Hard sell in my opinion to wear my Iphone on my head... I wonder if compatibility Android phones will be in the future?

talhaslam (Mar 23, 2015 at 11:37)

Who is ANDERW Taylor? This is a bush league ad

andersnormal (Mar 24, 2015 at 7:09)

Samsung phones???

Below threshold threads are hidden

rippersub (Mar 23, 2015 at 12:52)

I'd hardly call it a "team"... they just sponsored a couple of guys for a few free phone cases.

These two are on the trek/devinci "teams" not some plastic phone case.

Hitcase (Mar 23, 2015 at 14:54)

Devinci Global Racing and Brandon Semenuk, "just a couple of guys"

Haters gonna Hate

rippersub (Mar 23, 2015 at 15:33)

You've missed the point, you've claimed two world class/champion riders and made yourselves look like their primary sponsor. They're NOT "just a couple of guys" they are world class athletes, already on world class teams (trek and DGR) These guys are two of my favourite riders and I'd be pissed if I was being told I was now riding for "team" plastic iPhone case ..no hate for the riders, it just takes away from the real "team" they're being paid a lot of money to ride for.

Hitcase (Mar 23, 2015 at 16:07)

Hey Rob, Just to be clear we sponsor the entire Devinci Global Racing Team as well as the Devinci Alltricks Enduro Team, Brandon Semenuk and Andrew Taylor with Hitcase products. These are all athletes on our TEAM. The same goes for our Ski, Moto, Surf, Skate and Wake athletes. I'll leave you to do your own product research on our materials as well as speculate on our athletes personal opinions towards our Brand...