Tech Randoms - Vallnord DH World Cup 2017
We've been dodging the rain at the top of the Vallnord WC track by diving in and out of the various tents and trucks to see what the mechanics are preparing for this weekend's racing. The venue in Vallnord is a weird one, with the pits based at the start of the track rather than the bottom, but that didn't stop the mechanics working flat out after a busy month of racing with both World Cups and Crankworx on the cards.
![The leading bike getting a little loving before chasing after the top step once again.]()
![A new touch of bling on the Trickstuff brakes in the Polygon pits.]()
![An illusive Box derailleur spotted on Mick Hannah s Colossus he ran it last week in Crankworx but is taking it off this weekend.]()
![Interesting decision from Graeme Mudd who has ditched the 29er in search of a little consistency from his racing this year.]()
![Graeme said he just felt at home jumping back on the 27.5 equipped session.]()
![Yes she is back. Rachel Atherton is back in the game and rocking a number board a tad lower than she is used too... How will her shoulder hold up]()
![Fresh frames for Matt Walker and Max Hartenstern this weekend.]()
![The Canyon squad have a fresh rig this weekend. Supercross anyone]()
![The new pits has given the guys a shed load more space than they had for the opening rounds.]()
![Maxxis Shortys are the weapon of choice for Troy Brosnan tomorrow.]()
![Loic Bruni s mechanic Jack Roure making everything s mm perfect after giving Loic s demo the Ohlins gold touch.]()
![A fresh colourway for Finn Iles this weekend he ll certainly stand out.]()
![A small streak of Canada aboard that fresh paint job of Finn Iles .]()
![Bikes will take a beating this weekend making sure bolts are torqued perfectly after each run will not be uncommon.]()
![A -0.75 angleset in Thibaut Ruffin s Commencal mechanic Damien said it was how he always runs it and not specific to the steeps of Andorra.]()
![The brake mount aboard the Commencal s is rather meaty.]()
![No semi slicks in sight this weekend spikes seemed to be the order of the day.]()
![The Kona boys ensuring there s not even the slightest scuffing of brakes.]()
![Dirty Dans ready to go on board the Norco of Sam Blenkinsop.]()
![Mechanics are taking no risks before sending their riders into the depths of Vallnord.]()
![Intense are really putting in the extra effort this year with fresh kits and colourways.]()
![Vallnord 2017 Intense]()
![Vallnord 2017 Intense]()
![Big rotors throughout the pits with the steep La Massana track placing a premium on brake performance and longevity.]()
![These look like they will come in very handy this weekend.]()
![Complete strip downs were standard after a busy few weeks many riders tackling Crankworx in between the WC rounds.]()
![Mike Jones is back racing this weekend after picking up an injury in Lourdes.]()
![There s no mistaking who s bike this is with a neat detail on the headtube.]()
![The copper detailing looks even better when viewed up close.]()
![Luca Shaw running the pins on his Crankbrothers almost flush with the body.]()
The leading bike getting a little loving before chasing after the top step once again.
A new touch of bling on the Trickstuff brakes in the Polygon pits.
An Box derailleur spotted on Mick Hannah's Colossus, he ran it last week in Crankworx but is taking it off this weekend.
An interesting decision from Graeme Mudd who has ditched the 29er in search of a little consistency from his racing this year.
Graeme said he just felt at home jumping back on the 27.5" equipped Session.
Yes, she is back. Rachel Atherton is back in the game and rocking a number board a tad lower than she is used too... How will her shoulder hold up?
Fresh frames for Matt Walker and Max Hartenstern this weekend.
The Canyon squad have a fresh rig this weekend. Supercross anyone?
The new pits have given the guys a shed load more space than they had for the opening rounds.
Maxxis Shortys are the weapon of choice for Troy Brosnan tomorrow.
Loic Bruni's mechanic Jack Roure making everything's perfect after giving Loic's Demo the Ohlins gold touch.
A fresh colourway for Finn Iles this weekend; he'll certainly stand out.
A small streak of Canada aboard that fresh paint job of Finn Iles.
Bikes will take a beating this weekend, making sure bolts are torqued perfectly after each run will not be uncommon.
A -0.75 angleset in Thibaut Ruffin's Commencal; mechanic Damien said it was how he always runs it and not specific to the steeps of Andorra.
The brake mount aboard the Commencal's is rather meaty.
No semi slicks in sight this weekend, spikes seemed to be the order of the day.
The Kona boys ensuring there's not even the slightest scuffing of brakes.
Dirty Dans ready to go on board the Norco of Sam Blenkinsop.
Mechanics are taking no risks before sending their riders into the depths of Vallnord.
Intense are really putting in the extra effort this year with fresh kits and colourways.
Big rotors throughout the pits with the steep La Massana track placing a premium on brake performance and longevity.
These look like they will come in very handy this weekend.
Complete strip downs were standard after a busy few weeks, many riders tackling Crankworx in between the WC rounds.
Mike Jones is back racing this weekend after picking up an injury in Lourdes.
There's no mistaking whose bike this is with a neat detail on the headtube.
The copper detailing looks even better when viewed up close.
Luca Shaw running the pins on his Crankbrothers almost flush with the body.
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Commencal team back on 27.5 this weekend, Myriam Nicole probably for good.
Mudd on 27.5, so with Gee out no Trek 29.
Bergamont back on 27.5, though there 29er isn't really that ready.
Brendog back on 27.5, sketchier but faster in testing.
Danny Hart back on 27.5 despite being 0.5 seconds quicker on 29 in testing, he feels more comfortable on 27.5.
Santa Cruz and Intense still running 29.
And Laurie Greenland running 27.5 but was faster on 26! in testing in Austria, but has no wheels or tyres in 26 (We know that feeling...)
www.vitalmtb.com/photos/features/2017-Andorra-World-Cup-Pit-Bits,11131/Commencal,116059/iceman2058,94
www.vitalmtb.com/features/Maybe-26-Aint-Dead-Is-Laurie-Greenland-Being-Serious,1853
#29aintdead
From the safety of my keyboard I imagine the DH wheel size debate will boil down to ride what suits you (body shape, riding style, type of trail). Given the size of the DH bike market, I think frames with adjustable geo that can run either wheel will be the way forward. Then people can choose their wheel size (and be a dick about it)
Its just a different tool for different folks rising certain tracks...but Pinkbike ( for a while at least ) and the MTB industry is trying to convince us they are always SOOO much faster than 27.5 ... which they clearly arent.
What tyres is SC going to run?
Can't see a reason Mondraker would be upset tho, everyone runs custom geo stuff, using the same bike, just the good old 26" wheels still on production by the sponsors shouldn't be an issue
So far the only one visibly faster on 29 is Moir.
Is the bike industry aboot to discover what those of us with common sense have known all along...........
29ers are more difficult to accelerate - it's the equivalent of a fat man running. If the track is full of obstacles that slow the tire, it will speed back up more slowly than a 27.5 (Which in turn would be slower down the hill than a 26).
I am also not trying to convince anyone that 29ers are better than anything else, full-stop. Suitability is determined by application.
Edit: I realize that on anonymous forums there is no way to determine truth from fiction other than popular opinion. But be aware that there is a reality here. 29ers are either better or worse depending on the nature of the specific track. Manufacturer behavior supports the hypothesis that smoother is better for 29ers.
As for Laurie's comments I'd like to see the data because it smells like BS.
_____
Teams need to throw a set of 26" crowns on their DH bikes unless FOX changed the 49 offset!
after being on super tacky for years, i can't believe how fast the single compound feels/is.
great on the fourwheeeeler.
Here's to hoping your 29'ers will be faster than my 650b'ers when you finally make it up to whistler.
I can't even source a fork for the frame because the mtn bike industry is so ass backwards. See the Transition article from a few days ago, NSMB has a video clip on their main page, C Porters article from a few months ago, and some Brits article on another site from a few years back.
Is it cursed? 2 hospitalisations in 3 races.
Danny doesn't look right on it and once a 29er gets out of control its hard to get control of again if its too big for you.
The 29er DH are just going to be for the really tall guys..... end of story...and thats why Trek are making both wheel sizes.
29 DH bike sales for Trek will suffer if none of their riders race them. Then again, DH bike sales represent a tiny portion of the market - expensive to promote with limited sales.
The 29 DH is proving to be a viable option. The way of the future will be adjustable geo frame/fork combos to accept both 27.5 and 29 wheels in order to cater to DH racer types and park riders as well.
I don't think you can compare an EWS bike which only has travel of 150mm at the rear against a DH with 190 to 210....its that difference that leads to wheel up the ass problems. Would Katy ride a 29er if she knew there was another 60mm to accommodate? I doubt it
I thought she would have had a carbon front end like the fellas
You see it on different teams with things like suspension, frames, this year wheel size and stuff like that at different round like the BDS, IXS, Crankworx, their home national series etc.
it might work
So, the star nut in this picture made me curious if this is actually a strip down or a new build because I've never heard of removing a star nut. Anyone know if this is actually a thing on the WC when checking over a bike?
What would you change?
www.youtube.com/watch?v=me92IvEFMa8