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Tech Randoms: Lenzerheide XC World Cup 2023

Jun 11, 2023
by Nick Bentley  
With the Downhill racing well under way we took a trip round the XC pits to check out some of the best XC bikes and tech we could find. With plenty of exotic carbon bikes around if light weight super fast XC bikes are you thing your in for a treat!

The Bike Ahead composite wheels are really hard to ignore.
The Bike Ahead Composite wheels are really hard to ignore

Last minute bolt check before the Ghost team headed out for practice
Last minute bolt check before the Ghost team headed out for practice

It s hard to ignore this Specialized S-works Epic with this paint job
It's hard to ignore this Specialized S-works Epic with this paint job

Full shock rebuilds and custom tunes going on all day in the Sr Suntour pits.
Full shock rebuilds and custom tunes going on all day in the SR Suntour pits

SR Suntour s Kevin Allemand working his magic
SR Suntour's Kevin Allemand working his magic

Nino is running Rockshoxs new flight attendant equipped fork.
Nino Schurter is running RockShox's new Flight Attendant equipped fork

The new flight attendant Sid looks to use the same kind of design as the rest of the new RockShox forks when it comes to the lowers and crown
The new Flight Attendant SID looks to use the same kind of design as the rest of the new RockShox forks when it comes to the lowers and crown

Linda Indergand s custom painted Liv Pique.
Linda Indergand's custom-painted Liv Pique

Although the standard paint isn t to bad ether.
Although the standard paint isn't too bad either!

Fresh drivetrains for the Trek Factory Racing Team and one very nice toolbox.
Fresh drivetrains for the Trek Factory Racing Team and one very nice toolbox

A quick Dropper service and re fit.
A quick dropper service and re-fit

Cannondale Scalpel ready to go for practice.
Cannondale Scalpel ready to go for practice

It s not all fancy electronic groupsets in the XC Pits there s still plenty of Shimano XTR equipped bikes out there to

There is always something special about a lefty fork
There is always something special about a lefty fork

Some Continental prototypes on one of the many Pinarello Dogma s in the SR Suntour pits
Some Continental prototypes on one of the many Pinarello Dogma's in the SR Suntour pits

a Clean bike is a fast bike.
A clean bike is a fast bike

A nice Miche Pirelli combination
A nice Miche Pirelli combination

just a few parts missing from this Santa Cruz Blur
Just a few parts missing from this Santa Cruz Blur

Th mus maxon Swiss Mountain Bike Racings Th mus Lightrider Worldcup is a one clean looking bike
Thömus Maxon Swiss Mountain Bike Racing's Thömus Lightrider Worldcup is one clean looking bike

interesting cable rooting on the thomas
Interesting cable routing on the Thömus

Dt swiss s carbon D 232 ONE dropper post is just a little bit different.
DT Swiss' carbon D 232 ONE dropper post is just a little bit different

some more first ride Schwalbe tyres
Some more first ride Schwalbe tyres

one half built Superior
One half built Superior

brake adjustments happening in the JBBrunex Superior Factory racing pit
Brake adjustments happening in the JBBrunex Superior Factory racing pit

plenty of Rockshox Blackbox Sid forks around this weekend
Plenty of RockShox Blackbox SID forks around this weekend

A good view of the Procaliber shock
A good view of the Procaliber shock

I m really just adding this so you can all say how it s crazy they are not Bontrager tyres
I'm really just adding this so you can all say how it's crazy they are not Bontrager tyres

Fresh Pirellis on Evie Richards bike before practice
Fresh Pirellis on Evie Richard's bike before practice

Some Sid s getting some love at Trek
Some SID's getting some love at Trek

a quick wheel change in the Trek Future racing pits
A quick wheel change in the Trek Future racing pits

A stealth trek Supercaliber
A stealth Trek Supercaliber

the new sram Level brakes look so clean
The new SRAM Level brakes look so clean

Big car manufactures returning to be title sponsors of teams is a good sign for the sport and we get some cars to look at in the pits to.
Big car manufacturers returning to be title sponsors of teams is a good sign for the sport, and we get some cars to look at in the pits too

Full suspension bikes don t fully rule the roost just yet
Full suspension bikes don't fully rule the roost just yet in World Cup XC. There are still some hardtails out there

its good to see so many Manitou forks in the Xc pits
It's good to see so many Manitou forks in the XC pits

Sram Transmission Groupsets for Ford Rockrider
SRAM Transmission Groupsets for Ford Rockrider

along with TRP brakes
Along with TRP brakes

seems like the XC mechanics really go in for the rifle case tool boxes
Seems like the XC mechanics really go in for the rifle case toolboxes

final pressure checks before heading out
Final pressure checks before heading out

Some interesting details on the Rockrider.
Some interesting details on the Rockrider

Salvilia Blunk s custom painted Rockrider looks amazing.
Savilia Blunk's custom-painted Rockrider looks amazing

When your national champion you get some special treatment
When you're National Champion you get some special treatment

Even the training bikes get some love at a world cup
Even the training bikes get some love at a World Cup

Rebuild time in the Manitou pits
Rebuild time in the Manitou pits

The support offered to riders really is top-notch with all the big suspension companies on hand to keep riders running.
The support offered to riders really is top-notch with all the big suspension companies on hand to keep riders running

the new Ohlins XC suspension fitted to the BMC team bikes
The new Ohlins XC suspension fitted to the BMC team bikes

Red Pirellis to match the BMC colours.
Red Pirellis to match the BMC colours

Some of the New Ohlins XC suspension .
Some of the new Ohlins XC suspension

damper change for these Rockshox SID s
Damper change for these Rockshox SIDs

One Fresh Damper ready to go
One fresh damper ready to go

hammer time.
Hammer time

The Simplon look so clean. Well other than the dust from the prime track here in Lenzerhide.
The Simplon look so clean. Well, other than the dust from the prime track here in Lenzerheide

every gram counts riht
Every gram counts right?

DT swiss remote lockout
DT Swiss' remote lockout

a neat tucked away Dt swiss shock.
A neat, tucked-away DT Swiss shock

Its nice to see so many brands out racing at the world cup.
It's great to see so many brands out racing at the World Cup


Posted In:
Racing and Events Reviews and Tech Randoms XC Racing Lenzerheide World Cup Xc 2023 World Cup XC


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59 Comments
  • 43 1
 I know the Rockrider is a store brand (Decathlon) but they have built a _really_ good-looking bike.
  • 4 0
 Fr
  • 20 0
 That Simplon is a lovely looking thing
  • 7 0
 yeah, really simple
  • 23 6
 "Damper change for these Rockshox SIDs"

Because they have an afternoon of practice on them and are blown up?
  • 1 1
 That’s what I was thinking too, maybe is just for advertising.
  • 1 0
 Yep the "20 minuters" Easily fixed with new o ring in the top, atl east the new damper is coming to replace them!
  • 1 0
 @skelf71: hello, i am tired of sending my charger race day to rosckshox (6th return !) but i don't find information on your O ring fix. Do you have a link or some detailed tip to prevent those from leaking. Thank you.
  • 10 2
 "The new SRAM Level brakes look so clean">>> SO much disagree... that just looks weird, smashed, inverted...

Scroll down about 4 pics and compare to those TRP's. the angles there just looks so much better!!!
  • 7 1
 Just a question for the xc people. I know I don’t do enough stretching or mussel work but what tipe of exercising do you do to not get a sore back with a stem like that? My back herts just looking at it. I would like to go to a longer stem nothing close to xc standard but my lower back just gets to sore
  • 7 0
 I think hip, abductor and hamstring mobility are the key elements of being comfortable with a folded back
  • 3 4
 @lucaj: and a lower seat height than you would think.
  • 4 7
 Buy shorter cranks. shorter the better. . It will open up your hip angle so there is less stain on your back. you will have to adjust post height and saddle position. It will also make you look more aero. and may bring your weight forward depending on what you do with your saddle position. if you are a dentist, the yoga moves that look like sit ups will most likely make your back pain worse. Other yoga and Pilates and core strength is a great idea.
  • 6 0
 Lots of core work.
  • 2 0
 As ^ said, core. Good stretches include hamstrings, hip flexors, glutes/IT bands, and sometimes just good old quads. Hip flexors seem to be especially helpful to me.
  • 2 0
 Having a saddle with a LARGE perineal cut out also allows you to tilt hips forward more than other saddles. Small cut out will not work.
Make sure the saddle is wide enough so both sit bones are on saddle, otherwise you will be twisted and get pain, in back or hips.

Specialized and Selle Italia work well from experience.
SQlabs are meant to be good too.
found this interesting. www.sq-lab.com/en/ergonomics/sqlab-contact-points/the-pelvis/back-pain
  • 1 1
 Swimming is great for back pain and great for fitness as heart and chest muscles has to work against weight of water. Fittest I have been without altitude training. Jenny Rissveds does well with upright riding position.
  • 12 0
 Mussel work is best done at the beach.
  • 2 2
 We do lots of core exercise, but we still have a lot of back pain when racing XC
  • 9 1
 "One of the many SRAM transmission drivetrains throughout the XC field"
*shows us a full XTR group*
  • 6 0
 I’m surprised there was no mention of Jolanda Neff riding a Top Fuel instead of the Supercaliber.
  • 1 0
 came here for this. Have you seen pics of her bike anywhere?
  • 4 0
 Is Nino's Scott riding on prototype tires in those Flight Attendant pics? He used to run Aspens a lot, and those look close but definitely not regular Aspens. No sidewall names....
  • 2 0
 He's been running those since last year. I seem to recall an interview saying they might not be released to public? Not sure. I distinctly remember them on his bike in 2022 though.
  • 5 0
 They are the World Cup Aspen Pro tires, which you cannot buy. They are also 170 TPI. Rumor has it he doesn't run any sealant either. Nuts.
  • 5 0
 Those are Aspen ST tires, he's been on them for many years
  • 1 0
 @Supermoo: he runs Oko Magic Milk Hi-Fibre.
  • 2 0
 @eight-n-burly: They are the aspen ST's which have a file tread that looks like maxxis's cx tire the speed terrane. Sounds like they are maxxis's fastest xc tire. Not available to buy though ..
  • 5 1
 So many unique brands in XC racing, especially the frames. But many have very similar design que’s. Are these generic, open mold frames with funny European names?
  • 1 0
 They are similar because it's the best suspension layup out there
  • 4 1
 Look at the bikes in detail and they are all different, nothing generic. Open ya eyes.
You’d be pissed if an xc rider said all dh bikes are generic.
  • 6 0
 @NZRalphy: you mean if anyone made any comment regarding the similarities to a bikes design and a "Session"?
  • 5 0
 Is it only a chain guide on the Rockrider?
  • 2 0
 I was also hoping to find the answer to what that is in the comments. Maybe a chain guild mount?
  • 1 0
 I think it prevents the bolt to come loose. Smart idea instead of using glue…
  • 1 0
 I'd really like to know. It looks too far away from the ring to be a chainguide and the inboard bolt head almost looks like a suspension adjuster.
  • 1 0
 -Lots going on... LOVE the tech randoms posts. Keep them coming!
-No one piece Silverton SL carbon wheels for the Scott SRAM team anymore?
-Specialized still providing "their" riders with lockout shocks, but not "their" customers... Ugh... (Epic EVOs galore)
-Simplon bikes running DTSwiss forks, but KS dropper - This would make sense if they ran a dropper with actual "drop seeing that DT Swiss dont want to (cant?) make a worthwhile length dropper post? Why not use the DT post if you only want 80mm?
-There is never anything special about a Lefty Fork... Unless you want proprietary BS, and a damper that blows out quicker than a SID...
  • 4 0
 love to see the hardtails
  • 3 0
 Someone tell me about the gold bottle cage on that Wilier.
  • 24 0
 It was forged in the fires of Mount Doom, and has an operating frequency of 6.4Ghz. Hidden on the baseplate facing the frame is an inspirational inscription by Ruthie Matthes.
  • 6 0
 @thomasjkenney1024 exactly the info I was after thx
  • 2 0
 It's an Elite Prism, I think they did the gold ones as a limited edition.
  • 1 1
 I really wish DT Swiss would make a longer dropper. I've got an 232 on my gravel bike but want a longer stroke one for my xc/trail bike.
  • 2 0
 hard to ignore *two posts later* hard to ignore
  • 2 0
 Vittoria not popular this year at all.
  • 1 0
 It's been a minute since the last time i saw nokon cables on a bike, check out the remote lockout on the trek supercaliber
  • 1 0
 Are we just going to ignore the fact that the writer called the Supercaliber a Procaliber?
  • 2 0
 "A clean bike is a fast bike." Well that explains why I am slow then
  • 1 0
 Where's Jolanda's trail bike? ..it was in the background of one of the shots Wink
  • 1 0
 That Conti looks like a Ritchey MegaBite.
  • 2 0
 Looks like the regular XKing from the tread pattern but maybe they built it tubeless below 1000gr
  • 2 0
 @MrBergfexx: ?? My 29x2.3 Cross kings weighing at 670g a piece.

These look like they might be the 2.2 version tread depth on the 2.3 casing.
  • 1 0
 @UtahBrent: Was gonna say my 2.3's weigh bout same as yours!
  • 1 0
 How about the weird ODI grip warmers?
  • 6 0
 They actually aren't warmers but just slip on to avoid the mechanic compromising the grips while working on the bike with dirty hands Smile
  • 2 1
 "New Damper for these SID's" Thats because they last 20 mins at best!
  • 1 0
 That Liv paint job was sweet
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