Tech Randoms: Lenzerheide DH World Cup 2023

Jun 8, 2023
by Andy Vathis  
Long beaks if the weather decides to turn over at Specialized.
The long visors are ready if the weather decides to turn over at Specialized.

photo
photo

Pivot s prototype complete with two chains carbon and gussets.
Pivot's prototype complete with two chains, carbon, and gussets.

One of these things is not like the other - Service queue over at Sram.
One of these things is not like the other - service queue over at SRAM.

A look at the floating brake on the Cube bikes.
A look at the floating brake on the Cube bikes.

photo

Rear shock rebuilds and tunes in the Sram trailer.
Rear shock rebuilds and tunes in the SRAM trailer.

Fresh dust wiper ripe with oil.
Fresh dust wiper ripe with oil.

Kashima gold on standby.
Kashima gold on standby.

The good stuff stowed away for special occasions.
The good stuff stowed away for special occasions.

Describe the Lenzerheide track in three words.
Describe the Lenzerheide track in three words.

Sam Blenkinsop s yellow Crestline being freshly built.
Sam Blenkinsop's yellow Crestline being freshly built.

A look at Aaron Gwin s rig.
A look at Aaron Gwin's rig.

The new Giant paint job is looking proper.
The new Giant paint job is looking proper.

Data acquisition and steering damper on Troy Brosnan s Canyon.
Data acquisition and steering stabilizer on Troy Brosnan's Canyon.

Rachel Atherton s bike being reassembled.
Rachel Atherton's bike being reassembled.

Telemetry being mounted in the Santa Cruz tent.
Telemetry being mounted in the Santa Cruz tent.

Racer and mechanic Jackson Goldstone.
Racer and mechanic, Jackson Goldstone.

Myriam Nicole s bike on display in the Commencal bikes. She s out indefinitely taking her time with concussion symptoms.
Myriam Nicole's bike on display in the Commencal bikes. She's out indefinitely, taking her time with concussion symptoms.

photo

Finn Iles bike sporting polished Ohlins crowns.
Finn Iles' bike sporting polished Ohlins crowns.

Loic Bruni s bike uncovered..sort of.
Loic Bruni's bike, uncovered..sort of.

Proto Pirelli s in the Trek pits.
Proto Pirelli's in the Trek pits.

The Pinion gear system that belongs to the Gamux frame.
The Pinion gear system that belongs to the Gamux frame.

A bare Gamux frame.
A bare Gamux frame.

Ohlins rear shocks with different settings ready to test on Iles bike.
Ohlins rear shocks with different settings ready to test on Iles' bike.

Saracen s prototype race bike starting to take shape.
Saracen's prototype race bike starting to take shape.


Posted In:
Reviews and Tech DH Racing World Cup DH Randoms Lenzerheide World Cup Dh 2023


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Member since Jul 12, 2006
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170 Comments
  • 197 13
 It would be cool if ol Gwinner could kick some ass this season. The bike looks properly rad!
  • 159 334
flag TrevZ (Jun 7, 2023 at 18:15) (Below Threshold)
 He's incredibly talented and a natural world class rider but his whole jesus thing is a major turnoff to those of us outside the states. I don't want him to get injured or anything but I'm okay with basically seeing nothing of him this year.
  • 98 39
 @TrevZ: you think Christianity is only in the US? why don’t you just leave that whole remark out and keep it as you would like to see some good racing among the entire field.
  • 89 24
 @TrevZ: What does "Jesus outside of the states" have anything to do with "the states"? Even if you believe nothing, you believe that there is nothing and you share that belief somehow throughout your travels.

I'm a huge fan of Gwinn, as he is humble, yet a great worker and advocate.
  • 135 75
 @TrevZ: the jesus thing is equally a turnoff to many of us IN the states.
  • 10 21
flag jrocksdh (Jun 7, 2023 at 19:00) (Below Threshold)
 But for the orange fork. Hideous
  • 143 4
 Not sure pinkbike is the place but as we are having the discussion,
As a European that's lived in the states for over a decade I would say outside of Catholicism, Christianity does have a different flavor in the States. Less "Jesus based", not as gentle and far more wrapped up in politics and hot button social issues.
I could see Gwins openness about his religion being a turn off to some. Many see it as a private matter and not something you should use celebrity to promote.
Rightly or wrongly it does grate on me a little but not enough to effect my opinion of Gwin who seems a very genuine guy and is obviously a huge talent. If he was openly commenting on controversial topics like abortion or homosexuality I'd feel different.
  • 40 10
 @TrevZ: who cares about what someone’s religion is based or gender , race, class or sexuality is when they do anything outside those aspects in their lives. I bet you say “oh my god” still when you almost crash Wink
  • 51 54
 @TrevZ: Admit it. You’re also a Gwin hater ‘cause he’s American…

As for Jesus, I think it’s pretty funny he triggers y’all so. Must be some power to the name that so many have such a strong reaction one way or the other. The original poster didn’t even bring it up — talked about the bike being rad. But oddly enough, that’s not what you zero in on. That’s pretty interesting.
  • 43 9
 @TheR: exactly. I’m a Christian and happy to be one, but despite any racer’s religious views I don’t care, I’m ready to see the athletes take to the tracks. I would like to think that is a common view amongst us all and that’s how we should comment. What brings us together, not divisions.
  • 49 0
 @ktmrider143: I like Gwin because of that chainless race.
  • 108 9
 @TrevZ: Jesus isn't to blame for the right-wing evangelical world view. That shit sandwich is purely an American conception.
  • 15 0
 Gwin’s definitely had time to develop the bike. I hope he can be competitive this year. Would be awesome to see him grab another overall or finally get a WC gold.
  • 56 5
 relegion is like a penis... It's great to have one but, keep it to yourself.
  • 39 58
flag Hookem34 (Jun 7, 2023 at 21:32) (Below Threshold)
 @TrevZ: oddly satisfying to me that so many people agree how polite, humble and genuinely nice Gwin is yet hate on him for bringing his faith in Christ to the scene. Maybe his persona is a gift of his Faith and more people could benefit if they also had Faith in Him….
  • 9 1
 @TrevZ: and most of us are probably just fine with you being an atheist or whatever you identify as.
  • 19 15
 @catweasel: Don’t look at his twitter then, and spare yourself the disappointment. He’s def a RWNJ Christian. It’s a, uh, dilemma—I actually really like his demeanor and the way he talks about racing. I just wish I didn’t know the stuff about him that I do.
  • 34 48
flag mdeppi (Jun 7, 2023 at 22:16) (Below Threshold)
 @TrevZ: The Jesus thing is major turn on for many of us outside of the States. I hope Gwinn finishes on top this year and then gives God the glory. Amen. Now go ride Smile Smile
  • 13 9
 @TrevZ: lol an idiotic comment from many different angles. Nice work.
  • 8 1
 @Otago: The dude that built that full size crazy Ark exhibit thing, Ken Ham, was an Aussie, go figure.....
  • 17 3
 @TrevZ: that’s a bit low my dudes , who cares what he’s into, he’s a great person and rider , take a chill pill my dawg
  • 12 10
 @Otago: I have lived in Europe for 5 years and I promise you the same right wing extremist are out here just as much as in the US. And the right wing extremism is the issue, not the Christianity...
  • 11 2
 @TrevZ: Don’t judge a man until you have walked a mile in his shoes, bru
  • 3 6
 @Otago: bingo. As a Jesus follower, it drives me bonkers.
  • 6 2
 @TrevZ: @TrevZ: to me, even not been christian, it´s cool to analyse how faith might affect a rider career and results in such a risky / lucky sport... And defenetly some of his results wouldn´t be possible without having this faith... have you ever realized that if you think you are going to crash you´ll crash? So when you´ve worked this confidence for so long, call it Jesus call it self confidence you´ve developed some how and then make it shine into the right moment it defenetly could be a turning factor beeing such a mental game this sport when is time to delivery full potential...
  • 9 0
 I hear El Niño is poised for a big season too
  • 9 2
 @Otago: You hit the nail on the head. I don't take issue with Gwin being open about his faith, but my guess is that the folks who do take less issue with Jesus/Christianity per se, but rather the "baggage" that's come to be associated with the American political right who often inject religious "morality" into secular matters.
  • 3 1
 @mdeppi: @hookem33: Yep. Stay strong, brothers.
  • 3 1
 @nvranka: My initial thought as well.
  • 7 8
 @BrambleLee: I don't care how much a fan of Jesus he is, but the retweets about the amazing power of hydroxychloroquine are definitely not good. Assuming it's actually his account, because he one I found is unverified.
  • 3 2
 Jesus wasn't a Christian and no one in the bible had one. The original message has been so co-opted that it turns a lot of people off.
  • 3 0
 @Otago: hahahaha shit sandwich spot on mate
  • 9 1
 " hate how Gwin has mentioned his Faith a few times so I'm going to endlessly bring it up in the comment section"
  • 8 1
 @TrevZ: I'm an atheist and have mad respect for him and his faith. Could care less what religion he believes in. He's a solid human being and that's all that matters. What's funny is your single comment shows the type of person you are and Thanks for clearing that up. You sound like a peach.
  • 6 2
 @ktmrider143: Exactly, I'm an atheist but have nothing but respect for peoples religious beliefs. I find it awesome that someone can devote there life to such things. But this isn't about his religion, @TrevZ is just a bad person without love in there life and obviously hasn't grown up yet.
  • 4 2
 @Tanglefist: Covid was such an unprecedented event that changed society as we know it for a while. Nobody had all the answers including governments and medical experts. I think we should just draw a line under what anybody said during this time and move on.
  • 11 4
 @catweasel: The problem is that during covid, government and medical experts enacted mandates that ruined peoples lives based on junk science or no science at all. People died alone in a hospital because they weren't allowed visitors. Mental health took a huge slide down and suicides a huge slide up. An entire generation of children have been set back in development from masking and social distancing. Hundreds of millions of people in developing countries were pushed back into abject poverty.

We can't just "move on" from something like this. With all these bad things happening, we also saw the greatest upward transfer of wealth in human history. People need to be held accountable.
  • 14 1
 It's amazing how quickly an innocuous Gwin comment can turn into a total shit show on pinkbike. Imagine saying you didn't like a rider because they were a muslim or jewish. WTF man. Gwin's not even that open about religion either. Only seen him mention it once in a documentary where they dived in on his life. It's not like he's finishing a race then demanding a prayer.
  • 1 2
 @KingPooPing keep dreaming buddy. He only does this for the paycheck
  • 3 2
 @TrevZ: that's cool and all but nobody cares what you think the same way we don't care what someone's religion is...... . - Faster Canadian guy
  • 4 3
 @BrambleLee: Ah the ever tolerant left strikes again
  • 3 0
 AG took a pretty brutal slam in practice today and was holding his wrist.......hope he's OK. He's had a lot of bad luck with injuries.You can see the crash at the beginning of the Vital Elite practice RAW video.

Ok ya lazy dogs: youtu.be/V2OS0HDWyTE
  • 4 1
 @hamncheez: I was more referring to friends, family, coworkers, sportsmen who you admire....
I certainly think there should be independent assessments of both success, failure and lack of preparedness so we are better equipped for a similar event in the future.
As far as accountability, certainly China but how do you do anything about it without concrete evidence and global support.
It seems most of the world failed in the way they dealt with the crisis in one way or another so I don't see anything nefarious being at play.
Accountability for government and its appointees comes at the ballot box.
The exception I would make is any officials that made stock trades based on information that only they had due to their position. Those folks should have to walk the streets naked while we chant shame and throw excrement at them.
  • 3 4
 @catweasel: 100% there was nefarious stuff going on. China isn't the only one accountable, the Wuhan lab was USA government funded.
  • 2 2
 @catweasel: I feel like if you're retweeting shit defending the demon sperm doctor and her obvious grift, you get to be mocked for a while yet.
  • 1 0
 @TrevZ: Malfario!!!!!!
  • 4 1
 @DylanH93: Yeah, pretty wild. I appreciate people not putting up with it and calling people out. On a side note, when Gwin first showed up he thanked God on the podium quite often. I think he pulled back cause of douche bags with shitty comments.
  • 2 0
 This comment did not age well.
  • 3 2
 @mdeppi: this does not deserve the downvotes it has. Hating on someone’s religion is just as wrong as when a religious person hates on other peoples actions
  • 3 0
 @Otago: That shit has been going on for centuries brother. All across the planet way before America existed as a country. Religion has been abused and manipulated by those in power since people realized it could be used to control people's behaviors and ideas. Weather that's been for the good of humanity or not is debatable.
  • 2 3
 @MikeGruhler: you can SWOP the word religion by "SCIENCE" now... or a paid partial " scientific study said..."
  • 67 0
 Are we just going to ignore the fact that Sam Hill has just announced his return?

www.instagram.com/p/CtNT5pPy92_/?img_index=4&igshid=YmQ5MjYyNzNkNQ=
  • 7 0
 Amen!!
  • 1 0
 YES!
  • 8 0
 I mean it's been pretty well publicised that he's been back on the Dh bike for a while - So hard to say it's been ignored, Awesome to see it happening though!
  • 5 1
 @Clifflane3: JESUS!
  • 4 0
 @PocoBoho: Praise the MTB gods!
  • 2 0
 @thenotoriousmic curious, what are you expectations on his results?
  • 2 0
 Months ago, actually.
  • 1 0
 @yakimonti: he’s still a top level rider and younger than Greg so will be interesting to see.
  • 1 1
 What happened to him? He qualified 120th
  • 1 1
 @MrRight: Greg never stopped racing. Sam stopped at the end of 2017, and in that season, his average finish was in the 30's, Greg was winning. Sam has not seen a podium in WCDH in almost 10 years. The greg comparisons do not hold water, in fact, its like using a spaghetti colander. The term "top level" means, ability to achieve the top, in this case means one can win; this will never happen, he does not have the speed. Legend for sure, game changer for sure, true icon---but this comeback should have been spun about fun and fun only, not about podiums and wins.
  • 58 1
 Really pulling for Rachel Atherton. Would be dope to see a mom win a WC.
  • 40 6
 Might want to rephrase that
  • 10 0
 @Otago: he's got his tissues ready.
  • 39 1
 Bernard's bike is making me moist in my mangina.
  • 31 0
 On Bruni's bike, what are the Red/Blue/Green buttons for? wrong answers only...
  • 46 0
 RGB lighting controls, obviously.
  • 27 0
 stop/cruize/turbo modes. hold em all down to go plaid.
  • 51 0
 Baguette ordering
  • 7 0
 Plot twist, the new Demo doesn’t use a shock, it uses a modified dropper post.
  • 8 0
 Roundhouse kick, pick nose, Hokie Pokie
  • 27 0
 Spesh is trying to hide a motor under all that camouflage, thinking no one will notice.
  • 3 3
 -1s / WoKE (Worldchamps Kill Engage) / summon union
  • 13 0
 @kabanosipyvo: he said wrong answers only though.
  • 12 0
 Turn off traction control/ turn off abs/ eject
  • 18 0
 Rockets, oil slick, moustache wax.
  • 10 0
 It's not hooked up to anything his mechanic just told him it'll make him faster
  • 7 0
 Just like corporate AC controls, they are not connected to anything, but somehow make Bruni faster.
  • 3 0
 3 different braking parachutes, like the space shuttles.
  • 1 0
 @kabanosipyvo: That's the only conclusion I can come to on wth that is
  • 2 0
 @derekbnorakim: it’s obviously a SWAT box.
  • 1 0
 @derekbnorakim: it’s obviously a SWAT box.
  • 2 0
 @FatSanch: Ha, I was watching Loic’s video on YouTube last night and thought “Man, these SWAT boxes are getting out of hand” :p
  • 24 0
 I have so many questions.
  • 15 0
 Same here. I feel like a pig staring at the Television: I see it, but I don't understand it.
  • 9 7
 Well, to answer your first one, when a man and a woman have special hug a little seed gets planted in the mommy and then 9 months later a little baby appears.
  • 23 0
 Lets talk about those Saint cranks on the pivot.
  • 14 0
 ahhh atlas cranks with decals
  • 1 0
 @senorbanana: Saint cranks wouldn’t be compatible due to their integrated spider. Same with Laurie’s Hope cranks to work with his O-chain
  • 27 5
 Downhill bikes truly are the F1 of bikes in the world of cycling.
  • 42 5
 …because no one watching will actually purchase one?
  • 7 7
 Heavy and slow to accelerate unless they are pointed downhill? Not really.

Not to say they aren't impressive.
  • 13 0
 Covered in adverts for cigarettes?



(I haven't watched F1 for a loooong time)
  • 1 0
 @sfarnum: I own two
  • 2 0
 @jimmythehat: There’s no accounting for the Brits. How many are Oranges?
  • 1 0
 @sfarnum: none
  • 17 0
 gamux is insane looking, wishing them well in getting past early adopter struggles. So sick to see gearboxes and them whacky frames on the pro circuit.
  • 13 0
 clear visors.. that we can paint ourselves like RC cars...... I smell a buiness opertunity
  • 13 0
 That yellow Crestline!!! Blenki is going to look fast and go fast!
  • 7 0
 That Gamux!! I would love to see a current top 5 or 10 rider just test some of these smaller/non mainstream brands and get their thoughts on them.
  • 5 0
 Dammit Intense, start selling us aluminium frames again! Their alu test mules almost always look better than the carbon production models - Gwin's rig looks way better than the M29, and I'll go out on a fairly safe limb and say it will look better than their next production DH bike...
  • 5 0
 There is just something about DH bikes. For us mere mortals who could never really need make proper use of one they always look proper and the never dent the desire to have one.
  • 4 0
 I never really noticed before. But does it seem like we’re seeing more and more shock tunnels lately?

The canyon, intense, specialized, crestline and Saracen are all sporting shock tunnels.
  • 1 0
 If you don't need to run a dropper post, go with a tunnel!
  • 5 0
 The "Fresh dust wiper ripe with oil." looks very much like a foam ring to me.
You don't want much oil on your dust wiper anyway, do you.
  • 10 6
 Jackson , what are you screwing there? Shock mounting bolt is placed little bit more back and up from the place you scratching your frame...
  • 7 0
 ...GoldStone on the Tools - Is there anything he cant do?
  • 7 0
 woosh
  • 3 1
 The new demo proto looks like it has a gearbox, odds the derailleur is just a decoy?? lols, and I reckon Brunis little traffic light button is to electronically controll the damper in his shock or something like that, or it would be sick if it was some form of wireless shapeshifter technology. (like what canyon has on their strive)
  • 2 0
 Perhaps it’s an ebike
  • 6 0
 Even the Athertons can't get Trickstuff brakes!
  • 5 1
 When is pivot gonna catch on and start selling their bikes with sponges and rubber gloves pre mounted in the headtube
  • 1 0
 Hopefully very soon
  • 5 0
 Pivot "Terminator" DH bike.
  • 5 0
 Hey Pivot, good LUG with the season...
  • 4 0
 "Kashima gold on standby."
A rare occasion where all have similar color tone.
  • 2 0
 I always wonder, why they travel to a race place and then service the whole bike, inclusive the suspension and components... wouldn't it be easier to bring along a fully service bike?
  • 1 0
 @TopherJones93: Where? Europe is a pretty big and certainly more diverse place than the U.S.. I'm sure rightwing extremism exists but thankfully not to the same extent or at least their not as vocal as their American counterparts
  • 3 1
 It's not much of an endorsement of TREKS factory line of Bontrager tires that they're contracting their team tire needs out to Pirelli.
  • 4 0
 Pirelli pays them or they have one less sponsor. Decisions.
  • 4 0
 @fruitsd79: I bet between new bikes and the amount that trek sells their tires to bike shops having the pirelli's on the race bikes doesnt hurt sales much
  • 2 0
 Also keep in mind Trek isn't a tire manufacturer, they subsidise the production. As such developing good tires with a powerhouse like Pirelli can be a good way to get some production slots with them and somewhat reap the benefits from the development currently underway.
  • 2 0
 Uhh floating brakes, i love them! Years ago i made a floating support for my Giant ATX One DH ... it worked very well but i have ended benting the chainstays
  • 4 1
 Rachel has got some purple dominions on… didn‘t they use trickstuff brakes before?
  • 4 1
 Yeah the Atherston's changed to Hayes
  • 1 1
 Atherton's are on Hayes for '23 forward
  • 2 0
 I'm surprised that no one has commented on the Bruni's bike. Sure looks like there could be more than just suspension hidden in all that plastic;-)
  • 3 0
 Some wild stuff going on with Loics left control. 3 compression settings?
  • 8 0
 Right
Wild!

Ohlins is on another level at this point. No ones suspension on the circuit looks as properly good as Finn and Loics (prob Jordan’s too)
  • 2 1
 Seems the long offseason has delivered... Just about every team has a new bike? STACKED field Hill and Rach is back.. DH is stepping up this season, watch this space.
  • 1 0
 was there a mention of mondrakers data acquisition thingy on pinkbike? i thought it was cool and neat idear, maybe a test / feature coming up
  • 2 0
 plenty of data aquisition stuff about
www.rsrbikeworks.co.uk

That guy does the factory GT team and works for lots of people in the UK. We've had my lads DH bikes done by him previously the data is massively interesting if you're a bit of a suspension nerd.
  • 2 1
 so what's the deal w/ canyon? When are they going to release the new sender color schemes?
  • 1 0
 Nobody walks to see a 240lb man on a Pole, but can verify that chainstayless moto-style rear ends can indeed work very well.
  • 2 0
 Oh my, all that pict make my day.
  • 2 0
 "It looks like a demo" is the new "it looks like a session"
  • 1 0
 Finally somebody has made a longer peak for cr*ppy weather......! No more gaffer taped goggle lens add-ons!
  • 2 0
 Are Loic and Finn on DH e-bikes? /s
  • 1 0
 I can’t wait to see the “Super Enduro” version of that Pivot Phoenix.

…one can dream.
  • 1 1
 I get that prototyping in full carbon is retarded expensive, but why aluminum lugs with carbon? Why not just weld up some aluminum prototypes & mules?
  • 1 0
 Saracen Proto, new demo rear with old demo front triangles
  • 1 0
 Floating brake , kona Stinky deluxe early 2000s !!!
  • 1 0
 Stab, 222, Brooklin, and many more
  • 2 0
 Renthal Deathgrips
  • 1 0
 I've had my Judy butter for 16 years. Same tub.
  • 1 0
 I think these Öhlins crowns are titanium.
  • 1 0
 Brosnan's steering damper thing held on with cable ties!
  • 1 0
 Why does the V10 have downtube bosses?
  • 1 0
 I could see that Gamux frame snapping right in half under me...
  • 1 0
 Pivot Bike: I'm 2 Chainz, but I got me a few on.
  • 1 0
 Some really nice looking bikes this year!
  • 1 0
 Goldstone adjusting the paint ha ha!
  • 1 0
 Quack Quack
  • 1 0
 That visor right, looks like a beak
  • 4 5
 I just signed up for Discovery+ and I can’t find UCI or WORLD CUP anywhere.

Way to f*cking botch this Disco.
  • 8 1
 Haha I did the same thing and cancelled! It’s not in US. Need GCN+

They have tv apps and everything. It’s actually awesome and worth the money.
  • 8 0
 It’s not like Pinkbike hasn’t covered this multiple times recently.
  • 1 0
 I know!
  • 1 0
 That Pivot
  • 1 0
 Gwins bike lols sick
  • 1 3
 I don't think I've seen a floating brake for a few years, maybe more than 10?
  • 3 0
 A few teams have played with them on different race bikes in the last few years, Intense, Saracen etc. Even Orange had one on there EWS bikes
  • 1 0
 @CantQuitCartel: orange did it before most back on the 222
  • 1 0
 @Barrywillox: yeah the 90’s early 00’s were rife them. One of the orange team riders tried their dh bike with a floating rotor and an ochain for enduro last year which looked a pretty cool setup.
  • 2 0
 My question is, isn't Cube's bike a Horst link? What does it need the brake floater for?
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