Tech Randoms - Lošinj DH World Cup 2018

Apr 18, 2018
by Ross Bell  
It's finally time to start World Cup Downhill racing in 2018! The riders and teams have rolled into the new coastal venue of Lošinj, Croatia where a fresh challenge lays in wait. Talk of wheel and tire torture has been abundant - will mechanicals play a part in the out come of the race? After a long winter of team changes in regards to both riders and components, there was plenty to snoop at in the pits of Lošinj. Scroll down and whet your appetite for racing on Sunday.


The YT of up and coming ripper Vali Holl who is one to keep an eye on this weekend and beyond
The YT of up and coming ripper Vali Holl who is one to keep an eye on this weekend and beyond!

There are plenty of the new Boxxers kicking around the pits
There are plenty of the new Boxxers kicking around the pits!

The SRAM factory riders all have a set of custom brake levers this weekend - including EWS champ Cecile Ravanel who is racing her second downhill world cup.
The SRAM factory riders all have a set of custom brake levers this weekend - including EWS champ Cecile Ravanel who is racing her second downhill world cup.
Brakes spares in the SRAM pits.
Brake spares in the SRAM pits.

Red calipers to match the red lowers of the new Boxxers.
Red calipers to match the red lowers of the new Boxxers.

The Session of Rachel Atherton will she be back to winning ways this year
Rachel Atherton's Trek Session. Will she be back to winning ways this year?

Trek have welcome Renthal on to their bikes taking care of the cockpit duties.
Trek has welcomed Renthal on to their bikes, taking care of the cockpit duties.

Hope have also joined the Trek Factory Racing s roster this year...
Hope has also joined the Trek Factory Racing's roster this year...
... Hope brakes cranks hubs and seat clamps are being used by the team.
... Hope brakes, cranks, hubs, and seat clamps are being used by the team.

Preparing for the onslaught - plenty of spare wheels are being readied.
Plenty of spare wheels are being readied in preparation for the onslaught.

Propain have a raft of new partners.
Propain has a plethora of new partners.

Formula s Nero R fork is being utilised by a couple of teams including Propain pictured and UNNO.
Formula's Nero R fork is being utilized by a couple of teams, including Propain, pictured, and UNNO.
Formula s Cura brakes are also being used.
Formula's Cura brakes are also being used.

The team is also running Extreme shocks on the back of their bikes.
The team is also running Extreme shocks on the back of their bikes.

Propain have welcomed Sixpack into their componentry lineup.
As well as Sixpack for a host of components on the bikes.

Vee tires are yet another fresh addition to Propain s specification.
photo
Vee tires are yet another fresh addition to Propain's specs.

Another new component manufacture joining the WC circuit is Promax who are supplying Polygon UR with bars.
Another new component manufacturer joining the WC circuit is Promax who is supplying Polygon UR with bars.
Polygon UR are also running SR Sunstour shocks on their downhill bikes this year.
Polygon UR team is also running SR Suntour shocks on their downhill bikes this year.

A fresh Radon Swoop coming together.
A fresh Radon Swoop coming together.

2.6 Schwalbe rubber on the Radon of Faustin Figaret.
2.6" Schwalbe rubber on the Radon of Faustin Figaret.

NS have also been working on a 29 frame...
NS has also been working on a 29" frame...

It s great to see Devinci back inn the game.
It's great to see Devinci back in the game.

The team was racing last weekend at the IXS in Maribor full strip downs were on the cards today.
The team was racing last weekend at the IXS in Maribor, full strip downs for the bikes were in the cards today.
The new Wilson 29er is making it s WC debut.
The new Wilson 29er is making its WC debut.

Commencal have fresh colourways for the season.
Commencal has fresh colorways for the season.

Making sure the setup in millimetre perfect.
Making sure the setup is exactly perfect, down to the millimeter.
Stack height of Thibaut Ruffin s Commencal.
Serious stack height on Thibaut Ruffin's Commencal.

Looks like that Maxxis tire spotted last year has entered production - the name has been blacked out.
Looks like that Maxxis tire spotted last year has entered production - the name has been blacked out.

Custom insert in the tire of Loris Vergier...
photo
Custom insert in the tire of Loris Vergier...

How many of these wheels will survive the rocks of Croatia
How many of these wheels will survive the rocks of Croatia?

Cushcore going in the tire of Reece Wilson of the 100 Commencal team.
Cushcore going in the tire of Reece Wilson of the 100% Commencal team.

Data acquisition on the V10 of Greg Minnaar.
photo
Data acquisition on the V10 of Greg Minnaar.

Loris running XTR levers...
Loris running XTR levers...
...paired with Saint calipers.
...paired with Saint calipers.

A big change for the Giant team with a switch to DVO this year.
A big change for the Giant team with a switch to DVO this year.

photo
photo

Canyon mechanic Lukas gets to work on Aussie junior Kye s Sender.
Canyon mechanic Lukas gets to work on Aussie junior Kye's Sender.

Mark Wallace s Ergon saddle.
Mark Wallace's Ergon saddle.

Canyon are running their own G5 bars and stem this season.
photo
Canyon is running their own G5 bars and stem this season.


Author Info:
rossbellphoto avatar

Member since Apr 25, 2010
145 articles

133 Comments
  • 298 2
 So nice to see Devinci back on the WC!.... #LONGLIVECHAINSAW
  • 12 0
 @rcrdrvr: I'll never get tired of seeing that picture. Thanks for the flashback!
  • 13 0
 @southoftheborder: tears man...legend. He woulda tore this track up. Woulda made saw dust outta those rocks!
  • 13 0
 Still surreal he is gone....
#LONGLIVECHAINSAW
  • 9 0
 Man if he was still here for sure top 5 #longlivechainsaw
  • 4 20
flag chyu (Apr 18, 2018 at 23:24) (Below Threshold)
 Trek will be racing on their old bikes as per usual.
  • 74 1
 Ergon “Ribbed for pleasure”
  • 6 0
 Mud butt scraper?


but for real.. anyone know why those are there?
  • 1 0
 @kabaroo: I guess you have never ridden DH in the mud? They're there for keeping your butt on the seat when it's covered in mud.
  • 53 1
 For a niche sport, it’s a good thing that there are a lot of brands coming in to introduce world cup level gear. With competition and innovation, the consumer always wins.
  • 12 0
 The new Maxxis is called ASSEGAI Heres your link to them www.pinkbike.com/u/mikekazimer/album/MaxxisDH
  • 27 1
 @heavyp: surely that's not the name they're going to stick with when it goes into production... I don't want to tell people I'm running ass-guy tires
  • 2 0
 @heavyp: that word does have a meaning... It just Has nothing to do with traction or speed or f*cking anything else to do with bike tires...

"An assegai or assagai (Latin hasta, cf Arabic az-zaġāyah, Berber zaġāya "spear", Old French azagaie, Spanish azagaya, Italian zagaglia, Chaucer lancegay) is a pole weapon used for throwing, usually a light spear or javelin made of wood and pointed with iron or fire-hardened tip."

Theres gotta be a better name they could have picked... Lol
  • 5 0
 @LukeBurgie: quickly turned to assgay by some, no, this name wouldn't be a good idea. If it's too late Maxxis... well... what were you thinking?
  • 2 0
 @2bigwheels: "old French azagaie"? Just "sagaie"
  • 1 1
 @2bigwheels: Ya, just like "Minion" and "Magic Mary" and a good few others. You need to get your message across to the big brands. Its hurting their sales.
  • 4 0
 @2bigwheels: Agassiz
  • 1 0
 Maxxis Minion AT
  • 3 4
 Who the hell is going to race Vee tires? And isnt that dangerous?
  • 2 1
 @Boardlife69: hope to god they're on prototypes as I would not want to be riding the current stuff
  • 2 0
 @lewismurphy: - Have you not seen their latest tires - They are insanely good! - Everybody has to start off somewhere! Perhaps you should have a chat with Vinny T or Jordie Lunn about their tyre choice as they are both VEE Riders!

www.mbr.co.uk/news/product_news/best-mountain-bike-tyres-323130

www.wideopenmountainbike.com/2018/01/first-look-review-rich-ts-vee-tire-flow-snap

ride.io/reviews/vee-tire-co-snap-flow-first-look

I have been using them now since last year & been blown away by how good they are.
  • 1 0
 @Boardlife69: Have you not seen their latest tires - They are insanely good! - Everybody has to start off somewhere! Perhaps you should have a chat with Vinny T or Jordie Lunn about their tyre choice as they are both VEE Riders!

www.mbr.co.uk/news/product_news/best-mountain-bike-tyres-323130

www.wideopenmountainbike.com/2018/01/first-look-review-rich-ts-vee-tire-flow-snap

ride.io/reviews/vee-tire-co-snap-flow-first-look

I have been using them now since last year & been blown away by how good they are.
  • 1 0
 @yoshikapur: I rode vee tires last year. They actually rode pretty well... for about 1 day then the knobs fell off. I would give them another chance if they can make then last longer
  • 1 0
 fotos.mtb-news.de/p/2259549 the name is Assegai
  • 1 0
 @LukeBurgie: - Fair Point, personally not had a problem, I like them and have been using them since 2015 and have watched the tyres get better and better, personally I think it is great to have a WC team developing the next range of tyres, everyone starts somewhere and Maxxis & Schwalbe had to do the same...
  • 1 0
 @LukeBurgie: www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCL0BgrLS9I

hahah I bet Ratboy will find it funny that this is the name of Minnaar's siggy tyre! #colonicirrigation
  • 2 0
 @2bigwheels: Sounds like "ass guy" and translates to "pole weapon" huh? Sure Maxxis isn't pulling one over on us?
  • 33 0
 I wish I had someone to install my Cushcores
  • 6 0
 I need new tires now and I really don't feel like wrestling with my CushCores again
  • 7 1
 they are sooo worth it though
spray bottle with soapy water
time and patience
weed/beer

and it wont be that bad
  • 2 0
 After a year long retreat in a CushCore shaolin temple, I'm now a certified CushCoreKiller. But on a serious note, I find it gets easier the more I've messed with them.
  • 1 0
 I want to get one for my rear tire, but I am so scared to do battle. They are too expensive to be able to give up on. Need to find a good deal to tempt me.
  • 36 4
 i am happy that the orange lowers are gone from the fox gear.
  • 24 2
 it's now replaced by the RockShox red
  • 43 4
 I liked the orange, but I'm certainly not going to miss everyone wingeing about them constantly.
  • 4 0
 @Vaclav: Well said
  • 24 0
 All those photos of the Propain team bikes and parts, and not one caption saying “Propain and Propain accessories”
  • 21 0
 Jefe, do you know what a plethora is?
  • 9 0
 I would just like to know that if a man tells another man he has a plethora that man knows what a plethora is!
  • 5 0
 @Vudu74 A community of 4-6 suckerfish that cleans your scales for you in the ocean
  • 1 0
 Best ever comment brudda
  • 14 0
 Wow those Extreme Racing Shox rear shocks are a work of art.
  • 14 1
 DH WORLD CUP SEASON IS HERE YIEEEEEEEEW!
  • 13 0
 That DVO fork is just throbbing.
  • 9 2
 Yeah now something else is throbbing
  • 2 0
 Cab I have a Diamond in that color please @dvosuspensions it would match my bike perfectly
  • 8 0
 So STOKED to see all these "exotic" brands flooding the pits. When I see the number of component and bike brands present which haven't been present in the past it makes me excited for what the future holds.
  • 8 0
 Ahhh downhill season. As someone who follows road racing, F1, MotoGP, WRC, WRX, Formula drift, XCO, track, NASCAR, WEC and cyclocross, the first round of DHWC always gets me the most stoked!
  • 1 0
 same...except for the Nascar part...ok maybe the road courses, maybe. trade the xco for some extreme skiing/boarding - www.redbull.tv/video/AP-1UD4YTBXS2111/finals-verbier-switzerland
and - yep the racing season is finally full swing.
  • 3 0
 You follow all that and you don't follow AMA Supercross and MX?
  • 1 0
 @juanpkumicho: watch most events...just not that familiar with the riders...love some hard enduro too!
  • 9 0
 That Ergon saddle does not look comfy Smile
  • 10 0
 Long balls Larry might enjoy it.
  • 2 0
 @DuelingBanjos: Curb your enthusiasm.
  • 9 0
 That Propain is on fire!!
  • 4 0
 Propain looks like a proper moto... i like it
  • 5 0
 Glad to see red brake calipers making a comeback. Used to want a set of Grimecas so bad, I knew they were garbage, but I needed them in my life.
  • 2 0
 Upppp!
  • 2 0
 hope has red ones
  • 6 1
 Those red Boxxers have been showing up on every DH team bike the past few months but they look more at home on those Devinci Wilsons than any other bike!!
  • 9 3
 Not really a "tech randoms" article so much as a "here's a bunch of brands and who is sponsored by who"
  • 5 0
 As true as they may or may not be I'll still take a gander!
  • 8 2
 Let's go Phil Atwill!
  • 4 1
 " Canyon mechanic Lukas gets to work on Aussie junior Kye's Sender." ..... Canyon Sender being ridden by Sender ... like the bike was made for him Razz
  • 2 0
 It's Kye A'Hern.
  • 4 0
 They should get Bender out of retirement just so people could call his bike Bender's Sender... the caption combinations could be all time. Mind you this is coming from someone who actually managed to get the caption "Muddy Muddy" into an article this year referring to Graeme Mudd after putting down a run in the wet.... i'll let myself out.
  • 5 0
 No comment about that strange insert from Loris bike?
  • 1 0
 Yeah it's strange. Would love to know more about it...
  • 4 0
 Glad to see Trek running a real brake with SS lines not no weight weenie stuff lol. J/K but for real.
  • 5 0
 I run xtr levers on my saints too. Pretty nice.
  • 3 0
 Have you compared them to using Saint levers and Saint callipers or even XT levers with the Saint callipers? I have read about people using these set ups, but no one has done a comparison.
  • 3 0
 @chadgmail: I run XTR Levers with different callipers (Saint, SLX and XT) and it always works fine. There's no real difference in braking power, but I prefer the shape and lever feel of the XTRs.
The 9020 levers also have carbon levers, which is quite cool when riding in winter as the lever blade doesn't get cold as the normal metal ones do.
  • 1 0
 @Mocope: Thanks. So essentially it just comes down to the lever shape/comfort, more than the amount of fluid being pushed down the hose (as in they all push the same amount/volume of fluid), when it comes to SLX, XT, XTR, Saint brake levers.
  • 1 1
 I have an XT (8000) lever with my saint caliper, works fine
  • 3 0
 Great to have the circus back!! Good to see some top British brands sponsoring some of the top teams too.....
  • 3 0
 Just found out that the tire will be called the "Assegai", named after a type of spear used by the Nguni and Zulu tribes in South Africa. It makes sense since this was developed with lots of input from Greg Minnaar.
  • 1 0
 @Verbl-Kint:

information source??
  • 3 0
 @Verbl-Kint: The latest DirtRag has a full page Ad. for the new Assegai tire. Only DH casing for now it seems, 2.5WT 27.5 & 29er.
  • 2 0
 @Verbl-Kint: "nice Ass Guys, feels very plush but with good grip".
  • 32 0
 Boobs are great, but I've always been a bit of an Assegai myself.
  • 2 0
 Looks strangely like an old Blue Groove
  • 1 0
 @Verbl-Kint: EPIC NAMING FAIL.
  • 4 0
 You wet whistle but you WHET your appetite. Just sayin
  • 5 0
 And you 'use' a fork, not 'utilize' one. I guess you could utilize a fork, say for a beer tap handle or macadamia nut whacker, but not as the suspension on the front of a bike.
  • 3 0
 At first, I thought the Giant mechanic was Finn Iles grown up.
  • 1 0
 @rossbellphoto sweet article mate always good to see whats new and looking forward to seeing some top action shots #panshotsforthewin
  • 4 0
 EXTREME SHOCKS!!!
  • 1 0
 haha just what i thought! X-TREAM !
  • 2 0
 Have you not shown the Syndicate bikes for a reason? That's Gregs worlds bike!
  • 2 0
 The other two have last year's world's bikes too.
  • 1 0
 @fussylou: Boo, no new bikes?
  • 3 1
 i sure hope that new rubber is called the CHAINSAW
  • 2 0
 i like the commencal color
  • 2 0
 Who's going to walk the course fastest then?
  • 2 0
 So rad to see Propain bucking the rear suspension trend... way to go!
  • 1 1
 Am I the only one who thinks the new red boxxer lowers are just a bit ugly? Idk maybe it's the shiny chrome sticker and red combo?
  • 1 0
 And those silver Code brake lever? Will they get in stock or they're only customs??
  • 3 0
 Whet
  • 3 2
 Nice of DVO to let SR put different stickers and anno bits on a Topaz shock
  • 1 0
 Seal head and the red knob look really similar to the dvo...
  • 2 0
 Who can sell me propain bikes in us???
  • 3 0
 Propain is a helluva bike!
  • 3 1
 I have no idea, but write them a mail and you'll get an answer. Their service and communication is a benchmark.
  • 2 0
 are those TrickStuff brakes on the Polygon UR????? siiiick
  • 2 0
 Yes. ~800€/$1000 for a pair Big Grin
  • 1 0
 its pretty trick stuff indeed
  • 2 0
 Commencal’s fresh new colourway is...

...beige?
  • 2 2
 i've never noticed the wilson's NDS stays. why hasn't specialized sued them yet?
  • 1 0
 anybody know what Stem Thibaut Ruffin is running?
  • 1 0
 Those Trek/Hope/Renthal pics had me.
  • 1 0
 Circus has arrived. Let's get it on! Yeeaaahhh!
  • 1 0
 Too much bike porn!!! 0.o
  • 1 0
 Bike Porn... BikeBonner! Mmmmmm
  • 1 0
 Atherton's on Hope!? Wasn't expecting that
  • 2 0
 Bout time they went more brit. Renthal too.
  • 1 0
 Isn't the name of that team Propain-DirtMag-SixPack? Just saying...
  • 1 0
 Corrected: Canyon ordered bars out of a catalog
  • 1 0
 Xtr too saint wow...
  • 4 0
 @dro-cfr: What are the benefits of this mix and match combo? Serious question, not trying to be a knob.
  • 4 0
 @pdxkid: not all xtr levers have servowave so you can end up with more modulation. Shimano xtr are also just nice levers as well, I know people who have swapped magura mt5 levers for xtr levers just for the ergonomics.
  • 1 0
 @pdxkid: probably.

getting rid of my shimano 9020s b/c theyre too wooden feeling. and im a huge shimano fanboy.
  • 2 0
 @dro-cfr: mine too. xtr with zee pots. cushty contact points, but bruisers at the business end!
  • 1 0
 Running the non-servo wave XTR race levers with the saint calipers has been a common enduro setup for a few years now. Supposedly better modulation.
  • 1 0
 Where the UNNO at?
  • 1 0
 and Unno ?
  • 1 2
 Same old same old then. No radical evolution or innovation as per usual in the mountain bike industry.
  • 1 1
 Im giddy!
  • 1 4
 The Giant Mechanic... Weird way to bleed that Shimano brake, I put the bottle on the lever, not on the caliper...







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