Winning Bike Check: Richie Rude's Yeti SB5.5 - EWS Olargues, France 2018

May 14, 2018
by Mike Kazimer  


Richie Rude stormed his way back to the top of the podium at the third round of the Enduro World Series in Olargues, France, his first victory since Whistler in 2016. He was aboard a Yeti SB5.5, and if this bike could talk, it would surely have some wild tales from those eight stages of hard racing.

DH casing tires and CushCore foam inserts were installed front and rear to help ward off any flats or rim damage, necessary steps on a rocky course like this, and when you've got a hulk like Richie steering the ship.

Are we going to witness Richie return to his former dominance? We'll have to wait until the end of June, when the EWS travels to Slovenia, to find out.
He doesn t say much but the smile says it all.
Richie Rude // Yeti/Fox Factory Team
Age: 23
Hometown: Redding, Connecticut, USA
Height: 5'10"
Instagram: @richie_rude1/

Richie Rude and his winning Yeti SB 5.5 C

Richie Rude s Yeti SB 5.5C
Yeti SB 5.5C Details
Frame: Yeti SB 5.5C, 140mm travel
Shock: 2019 Fox Float DHX2
Fork: Fox 36 Float GRIP 2
Wheels: 29"
Tires: Maxxis Minion DHF DH casing
Drivetrain: Shimano XTR
Brakes: Shimano Saint
Cockpit: Renthal bar, stem, Ergon grips
Size: Large
More info: www.yeticycles.com


Sanit DH Pedals
OneUp chain guides.
Shimano Saint pedals help keep Richie's feet in place, and a OneUp chainguide prevents the chain from jumping ship.

Backcountry Research Straps keep spares in check just in case
Luckily, Richie managed to avoid any punctures, which is no mean feat considering the number sharp and slippery rocks on course. Just in case, he was prepared with a spare tube and a Dynaplug Racer tire plug tool.

DHX2 is preferred over the coil on the SB 5.5
Richie prefers the feel of the Fox Float X2 over the coil shock on the SB5.5. The latest version of the X2 now has a progressive bottom out bumper, as well as a new air can that allows for higher air pressures.

Custom Buzzworls headset from Chis King.
A custom Buzzworks headset from Chis Kinng.

One beat up Maxxis Minion. 29 3C. He ran an EXO casing up front and a Double Down in the rear.
A DH casing Maxxis Minion DHF was the tire of choice this weekend.
Cush Core for when things go wrong
CushCore liners were installed to protect the rim and tire from damage when things don't go quite as planned.

Saint brakes slow the Richie Rude Train down
Some serious power is required to slow down the Richie Rude freight train, which is where Shimano's Saint brakes come in.

Well worn Ergon grips
Renthal cockpit
Richie's cockpit components consist of Ergon grips, a Renthal Fatbar handlebar, and a Renthal Apex stem.

XTR derailleur and XT cassette
A Shimano XTR derailleur is paired with an 11-46 tooth XT cassette.



MENTIONS: @yeticycles // @EnduroWorldSeries



Author Info:
mikekazimer avatar

Member since Feb 1, 2009
1,719 articles

204 Comments
  • 111 2
 Well kids, it looks like 29ers and SPD pedals win medals also Smile
  • 11 1
 Comment win sir!
  • 25 2
 Do you know that you can win without having a bottle inside your front triangle too.
  • 4 1
 @chyu: get out.
  • 2 0
 @chyu: don't try to get in my head
  • 73 1
 Great to see Richie back on the top step. It's been a while. Good job @yeticycles @shaun7005 and everybody else involved.
  • 76 3
 I think it cool that a ews race was won on a 140mm travel bike.
  • 73 36
 @reverend27: with switch infinity, it feels more like a 160 in the rear. Truely amazing linkage
  • 7 3
 If Richie finally hasnĀ“t get a flat in those hell of a rocky tracks.. you guys did it some how working with your brands, solve the puncture holy grail mess in MTBiking.
  • 19 14
 @SnowshoeRider4Life: No idea why you would be down voted for bigging up Yeti... I tried to counter it with an upvote though tup
  • 20 11
 @landscapeben: Thats just the mechanics in the room who have to replace Kashima linkages.
  • 18 8
 @YouHadMeAtDrugs: or the people who had to replace a broke swing arm...
  • 9 2
 @Grmasterd: first gen was a lot of broken swingarms. From what I see Yeti has addressed that for the most part.
  • 1 0
 @reverend27: The fork travel wasn't mentioned or I missed it.
  • 4 1
 @landscapeben: yeti is sick!
  • 1 1
 @jhtopilko: Pretty sure it's 160mm
  • 3 1
 @jhtopilko: it's always 170 these days, right?
  • 5 3
 @PauRexs: Using a 6 Ply DH Casing, and a big chunk of foam is always going to work... But I wouldn't say that turning your bike into a torture device any time the trail points upwards is the holy grail. Personally I'll risk a flat or two to enjoy my whole ride. Supergravity or Double Down tires are the smart compromise.
  • 3 0
 @nzandyb: Yes thatĀ“s the point. They found the balance with something between DD & DH Casing, some secret foam inserts models I guess, and still able to kill it in the trailpoins upwards... which they were many in this trails...
Yes you would risk a flat or too to enjoy a ride, but here we are talking about results in a pinacle competition and Richie Rock 90Kg and 100psi on forks...
  • 2 0
 @nzandyb: double down and procore, keeps the bead from burping, and you can still change a flat trailside if needed. Although with either system a tire plug will work most times.
  • 4 6
 @reverend27: He could win on a hardtail if he rode one ,
  • 2 2
 @SnowshoeRider4Life: to be honest I have a horse in the race in the form of my Intense Recluse.
  • 4 0
 @PauRexs: I think it depends on what you mean by balance. Seems like a safe guess that pedaling all of that uphill sucked the big one, but the top guys out there can pull it off because they put down literally twice as many watts as a normal human and can sustain that for a long period of time.

What you're calling a compromise I would probably end up pushing up a climb.
  • 2 1
 @YouHadMeAtDrugs: Ha! true, but soooo worth it... just keep your link well greased and your kashima sliders will stay silky smooth.
  • 2 0
 @taurausmountain: my goal in life is to spend as little time greasing up shafts as humanly possible.
  • 1 0
 @skibuilder: I'm pretty sure the rumors last year, were that the Yeti Fox boys had 170mm Fox36 29er forks, not available to the public custom stuff. Not sure about on the current bike though.

Also noticed that there are no colored logo's on the driveside of the rear tire. Makes one think that there is some prototyping going on with that one too, as a normal production DHF would have color logos on that side for the photos. Wonder if it's a new casing they are working on?
  • 2 0
 @YouHadMeAtDrugs: You can grease your shaft and you can shaft your friends, but you can't grease your friend's shaft. That's what I always say, this one particular time.
  • 1 0
 @MikeBuell: My DHR II 3C Exo only have markings on the non drive side.
  • 1 2
 @SnowshoeRider4Life: really!?
Really though...
What on Earth is the point outside of proprietary corporate willy waving? Is it like I drive 2.0 fixing problems that never existed by pushing stuff with string?

I couldnā€™t be more against it. It seems impossibly dumb.
  • 40 1
 What's custom about the headset ? Is it just special or is it adjusting the reach/angle ?
I'm kind of thinking the details are what we want in a bike check.
  • 6 2
 Wondering the same thing....
  • 29 0
 The Yeti doesn't normally use an external low cup, but Richie wanted a slacker bike hence the custom machined external lower headset cup.
  • 6 5
 @Matt-Mac: couldnā€™t just put 10mm extra on the fork for that?
  • 7 0
 @davetrumpore any details on what Richie has going on there?
  • 6 1
 almost looks like the lower crown is further back while the upper is central (steepset?) but my guess is he just rides a large with a negative reach adjust headset?
Ā£2.50 on that if youā€™re taking bets @brianpark lol
  • 2 5
 @ThomDawson: that wouldn't alter the distance between wheels and frame and therefore would not make the bike slacker.
  • 4 1
 @Mac1987: I donā€™t follow?
Edit: sorry what I meant was increase the travel by 10mm not just add 10mm spacer to the steerer.
  • 3 1
 That's a Rich headset
  • 6 0
 @Matt-Mac is right. It's a EC56 lower cup which no one currently makes. I looked for one myself last autumn to slacken my Patrol a little. Works Components 5mm reach adjust EC44/EC56 was my only option. I was shopping for a new fork at the time also and would have gone with the Works and a 160mm Lyrik but ended up finding a 170 Lyrik cheaper so got that and didn't have to buy and install a new headset. Pretty much the same effect with more travel.

There's probably some reason RR has the external headset cup instead of just a longer fork. Could be a negative reach adjust headset (which needs to be external cup for a tapered steerer to fit) but doesn't look like it to me especially at the top cup.
  • 1 0
 @ThomDawson: ok that would have the same effect as long as the travel isn't used. Using the travel would partially undo the slackening.
  • 3 2
 @Lornholio: the question is: why add 10mm to the headtybe when you could very easily add 10mm to the fork?
I need to know damnit! Tell me now!
  • 1 0
 Must be bulletproof.
  • 7 0
 @ThomDawson: I would imagine itā€™s because adding 10mm to the fork travel only gets you an extra 7mm in ride height, once you account for sag (I assumed heā€™s running 30%). An increase in the fork travel would also change various other ride characteristics which maybe he isnā€™t after. Judging by how his bikes have been set up in the past, heā€™s most likely already over-forked up front and an extra 10mm of travel maybe wasnā€™t what he was after. This is a question which would be best directed at Richie or his mechanic
  • 7 1
 @ThomDawson: Maybe he wanted to increase reach and have the head angle and fork travel unchanged?
  • 1 2
 @ThomDawson: Richie's fork looks to be at least 160 as it is, which is what he ran on the SB5.5 in past years. If it's a 160, maybe a 170 fork throws off the suspension balance/feel. If it's already a 170, it's already at the max as fox does not make a 180.
  • 10 6
 @willbikeleeds: I doubt heā€™s got 30% sag on the front, probably closer to 10%. And even if it were 10mm the effect on the overal geometry is small (~0.5Ā° HA) and who even wants a slacker 29er they rise like poops McGee. I donā€™t believe heā€™s using an external cup headset in an effort to slacken the bike out. There are easier and more effective ways to do that. My point being I donā€™t believe heā€™s trying to raise the front end in any way. More likely a) that itā€™s an adjuster headset of some kind b) CK just need the real estate to print a logo and lustworthy ā€˜protoā€™ etching. Only half serious on that one.
I tried calling his mechanic but I wouldnā€™t answer my call. Left him a msg ā€œon behalf of Pinkbike I demand to know immediately why you are doing thisā€. Let you know when he gets back to me
  • 4 1
 @ThomDawson: The only adjustment you can get from that kind of headset is angle without going for two external headcups, I have tried to go down this route myself.

There is no room to move the upper bearing around inside of the headtube so it certainly cant be reach adustment - It also doesnt look like there is any change in head angle.

I think its the simplest explaination - He just wanted to raise the front end 10mm or reduce head angle a little but didnt want to increase travel, you say there are easier / more effective ways to do this but what would those be? - Offset bushings screw up kinematics and alter BB height too much, longer forks will alter the way the fork works / feel of the front end in different manner.

This really is going to be a simple case of an exernal 56mm headcup.
  • 8 1
 @Racer951: turns out I actually phoned a car shop in Bournemouth, not Rudes Mechanic. Worse than that is I stand to lose Ā£2.50
How can this day get any worse?
  • 1 0
 @Racer951:
A higher crown race would do the same
  • 2 0
 @emptybox: saved by the bell. Can I get favourable odds on a steep set?
  • 4 0
 @Racer951: I asked Richie on Instagram if he was running an angleset a few months ago to slack out his 5.5 because it is fairly steep(66.5)by todays standards, especially after riding the sb6 with a 170mm fork. He promptly replied back that he was running that larger ext lower cup. By my ignorant estimations, with a 160mm fork, his 5.5 now has close to a 65.5ish head angle.??
  • 2 0
 Somewhere between 65.5-66 degrees @Mtb4joe. 20-25mm extra height under the headtube changes the head angle by 1 degree. Too many variables to put an exact number on it.
  • 1 0
 @emptybox: True, but they be ugly as shit.
  • 6 0
 Last year it was just an aluminum sleeve in the headtube and a standard external cup to give a bit or ride height and a slacker head angle since Fox didn't have a 170mm 29er fork at the time. Shaun Hughes explains it to me in the video: www.vitalmtb.com/features/Richie-Rudes-Racing-a-29er-at-the-Aspen-EWS,1880 This one looks like the entire lower cup is designed to press in without the need for the sleeved insert. Fox does have 170 29er forks now though, so he could go a bit taller/slacker again.
  • 11 0
 @brianpark: Richie was looking for a little extra stack and a slightly slacker head angle than the stock setup. Perhaps to mimic the SB6 he often rides so switching between feels more consistent.
  • 1 0
 @davetrumpore: mystery solved!
  • 1 0
 @Lornholio: You can use law of cosines to get quite accurate results as the lenght between the rear axle and top of the qrown don't change and neither the angle. So a 10mm would give you 66.1 degrees and 20mm 65.6 degrees and your numbers were correct. It depends on the lenght of all the variables (fork, wheelbase...) as if it they are shorter a smaller change has a greater effect.
  • 2 0
 @davetrumpore: Nice to see from THE man himself that Yeti is ripe for some geometry update.
  • 1 0
 To clarify: I thought he meant using a longer steerer tube and adding a spacer on top instead of increasing travel.
  • 32 0
 I love bike checks for the pros but I remember when bike checks contained a lot of details like: weight of the bike, chainring size, air pressure and settings on the fork and shock (let alone fork travel), pressure in the tires, bottom bracket, dropper length, changes specific to the race, etc.

These pictures are great, but there isnā€™t anything in the text that you canā€™t see in any decent side shot of the bike. Hell, I had to look at the head tube shot to know the frame was a turq and not a standard c.
  • 4 0
 Agreed. Hang Scales are light and cheap. I think sometimes it's an issue of the rider/racer not really want to field a bunch of questions immediately after a race.
  • 5 2
 he probably rides a setup stiffer than some supercross guys. and probably more pressure than fox will warranty
  • 6 0
 That information doesn't sell anything.
  • 2 0
 >look at the head tube shot to know the frame was a turq and not a standard c.

I wonder if that's an out of the box frame though. Knowing Rude was going to be slamming that on EWS and only 140mm if I was Yeti I'd want to wrap a few extra layers on there. Maybe that would be too difficult but it doesn't seem like it would be much of a problem to specify a batch with a stronger layup. These frames are on the lighter side of Enduro bikes as it is.
  • 1 0
 @adrennan: or it's just one riders personal preference
  • 2 0
 @preston67: the team, incuding Richie are on stock frames that anyone can buy.
  • 1 0
 @adrennan Sorry that comment was meant for @jollyXroger
  • 10 0
 I remember racing against Richie nine years ago when he was still going around the local New England series. To call it a race in any way is a gross overstatement. I was four years older and consistently 2 minutes slower. Me and the other bozos would just stand on the side of particularly difficult sections and watch Richie rip through them. We'd look at each other and be like, "How did he just do that?" So happy he's on top and kicking ass. Such a down to earth and hard working dude. So deserved. Keep crushing it Richie.
  • 21 7
 Super tight technical riding. Yeah 29-ers suck for that....
  • 18 4
 Unrelenting chunky rock gardens like Losinj, yeah 27.5s suck at that.
  • 39 1
 Both of you shut up, that debates long over!
  • 6 0
 i love how in the past few races, everyone has said he should get back on the sb6, and on the rockiest most technical tracks he ends up winning it
  • 22 1
 @cliffdog: Hell no, it will deprive the us of the one dumb argument that has real longevity. Think about it - 31.8mm vs 35mm bars? That was over in like a day...Hardly anybody even raised an eyebrow when 12 speed became a thing. Heck, I've never even seen people come to blows over 31.6mm vs 30.9mm seatposts. If people aren't bitching about something on the internet, Al Gore will take it back from us.
  • 1 1
 @jackalope: LOL Right. So true.
  • 7 0
 @sosburn: i like how he even posted about thinking he should have been on the sb6 before the race
  • 1 0
 @cliffdog: I think they're still playing the let's pick a wheel size and be a dick about it game!
  • 13 0
 Surely this cannot be true without the beloved bottle cage?
  • 8 1
 Not to mention a 29" on rowdy, tight, trails.
  • 1 0
 @jclnv: Gotta roll over those rocks faster!
  • 15 3
 @SchleyerMedia: Did you see how tight and janky some of that shit was?

I'm of the opinion that 29" is always the right size.
  • 4 0
 Yeti gives no F's if you are thirsty. You'll get nothing and like it and if yr Mr Rude you'll win anyway.
  • 1 0
 @jclnv: Amen! It's the only size for me!
  • 1 0
 @hellbelly: Na the sb100 has a mount.. I personally believe going forward, that new yeti designs will incorporate the holder location.
  • 1 1
 @bohns1: I think they said in the release of the SB100 that wasn't the plan, sure would be nice though. Not that I can afford a Yeti anyway.
  • 1 0
 @briceps: Well, either way I dont need a holder.. I always have either a pack or hip pack hydration... I think finally I'm on the verge of being able to afford frame only... Haha took a few good years upgrading components on used frames to get to this point tho. Going to wait to see what they do however.. We gotta be on the verge of updated models.
  • 13 1
 Not sure why he has a tube with cushcores as there is no way you are removing the insert in a race.
  • 122 1
 Have you seen Richieā€™s forearms? If anyone can get a CushCore out, itā€™s going to be him.
  • 4 2
 slicing the cushcore with a pocket knife is a job everyone can do. I'm pretty sure you can cut it with only a flat screwdriver from a multi-tool.
  • 61 0
 @mikekazimer: Can you recomend any exercises where you can pump up your forearms in front of the computer?
  • 31 0
 @Boardlife69: not that does both at the same time.
  • 4 0
 Once you get the hang of it, cushcore is pretty easy to get in and out. Just cant be done in a rush... (tuck tuck tuck the tire into the rim channel, over and over)
  • 9 0
 @Boardlife69: i recommend to watch over the top with sly...build a similar device that he uses in his truck!
  • 2 1
 @funkzander: What videos do you recommend while pumping up your forearms? Devices? Sounds kinky.
  • 6 3
 @Zaff: speak for yourself "little man"!
  • 8 0
 Red tube will help you with the forearm building vids. Thing is do you have enough in the tank for a full work out..... @Boardlife69:
  • 4 0
 Why is your right forearm bigger than your left???
  • 1 2
 @timmy1701: Put this in capitals, bold and underlined. It's the difference between 'Oh, that was easy.' and 'This will never f******** go on, you c***!'
  • 3 0
 i think the tube is a last resort, since he has the dynaplug as well (and those work really well)
  • 11 1
 One-up chain doodads work well for me.
  • 2 0
 Oneup chainrings work well for me, not dropped a chain yet despite not turning the clutch back on after changing a flat mid-race.
  • 6 0
 Thatā€™s a bike, and I like bikes, so therefore I enjoy this type of content. Maybe next time some more in-depth measurements would be cool though!
  • 9 1
 More than you can afford pal... Yeti
  • 1 0
 Ferrari.
  • 8 0
 Whatā€™s the deal with the shock? X2 air can with DHX2 eyelet assembly.
  • 2 0
 or just a sticker?
  • 2 0
 Somebody put the wrong aftermarket decal on it?
  • 1 0
 I'm guessing a color way thing. The DHX2 off my Rallon as a Float X2 sticker but codes out to a 2018 DHX2 as it should so who knows???
  • 7 0
 You can almost hear it crying in some pics!! Can only imagine how hard Richie was smashing that thing!
  • 3 0
 Please specify which "Ergon Grips". Seems to use the Ergon GA2 grips (All Mountain Series) with some gaps cut in them? Interesting that even he is not using their GE1 (Enduro Grips Series). I tested both as well and felt that the GE1 are much slipperier than the GA2.
  • 11 0
 Grip model is the stock GA2 shape and texture, but with a prototype rubber compound and custom oil-slick clamps.
  • 3 0
 Size L 5.5: 442mm reach.

Flipped stem and high rise bar doesnā€™t decrease reach like riser stem (or spacers under stem) and low rise bar. Lower headset spacer raises front end and makes the bike slightly slacker, but also slightly decreases reach in the process. Maybe he wants his bike a bit slacker and bars a bit higher without decreasing reach?
  • 4 0
 Interesting to see Rude riding on the narrower EX471 rims instead of the usual EX511...I wonder what the strategy is there? Keeping the weight down considering the added cush core?
  • 5 0
 Iā€™ve heard that when flatting is a high risk running narrow rims decreases the chance of punching... apparently it puts the rim wall under the tread so if you smash into something you have the added cushion of the tread to prevent a pinch
  • 2 0
 @levizbrown: Interesting... I guess it would also change the shape of the tyre, making the sidewalls stick out a bit less (wider rim = more balloon effect from a wider base of the tyre)
  • 14 0
 Richie clearly spends too little time on PinkBike to know that his rim width and reach numbers are no longer in fashion...
  • 4 0
 @VtVolk: He has been using EX511 exclusively for quite some time, and went back to 471 s just for this race...I m sure someone in the team (if not him) did some thinking behind the switch...
  • 6 1
 One thing Iā€™ve always wondered about yeti riders is where/how do they hydrate? No bottle cage, no backpack... is he wearing a storage bib under his jersey?
  • 1 0
 XC weenie
  • 4 0
 Sharp looking bike. And, to withstand the likes of Richie Rude on board - I'd say it's worth its salt.
  • 6 1
 Is he running the Minion DHF backwards on the rear?
  • 4 0
 Nope, the photo is taken from behind.
  • 8 0
 @davetrumpore: I think he's asking because there is not lettering on the driveside of the rear tyre.
  • 7 0
 @pyromaniac: it's hard to see but under the mud is a maxxis logo at 12 o'clock. The other details are not printed so possibly a prototype of some kind as well.
  • 4 1
 Seems like some sort of real shin protection should be back for DH/Enduro racing...
  • 2 0
 yeah, noticed his shins too! Brutal!
  • 4 0
 170mm fork?
  • 2 0
 Front tire graphics say EXO casing, while the rear one is blank (proto?). Sure it isnt just DH casing in the back?
  • 7 1
 The 29er DH casing is also an Exo. The rear one is installed backwards. Both are DH tyres.
  • 3 2
 @panaphonic: Why would he install the rear tire backwards?
  • 4 1
 @panaphonic: it's not backwards, the photo of his rear tire featured above is taken from the back and shows the tread going the proper direction.
  • 1 0
 It would be crazy to ride real rigid wire dh tyres on 29er plus cush core... mmm 2Kg for every rim ?? Plus 250 gr in the rim are like 1kg into the frame...
  • 3 5
 @YoungGun13: Not "backwards", just opposite. Front tire and rear tire are sometimes mounted in opposite directions because rear tires should be optimized for propulsion while front tires should be optimized for braking. I can't say if that's what's going on here but it's not uncommon. Some tires even have directional indicators printed on them showing different front and rear orientations.
  • 3 1
 @dfiler: they are facing the same way ;-)
  • 1 1
 @dfiler: But most tires also have been optimized for rolling speed as well as grip. Turning it backwards would ruin that effect
  • 1 0
 @davetrumpore: The model and casing info is visible on the front tire but not the back. Maxxis normally puts that info on the drive side of their tires. This suggests that the rear tire is reversed, is missing that info or it was printed on the non-drive side. My bet is either a prototype or the rear tire is reversed.
  • 1 0
 My guess is something unique or a one off to fit the rear triangle of the SB5.5. I doubt a 2.5 DH casing DHF would fit. Maybe a one of 2.3 or 2.4 DHF for Richie?
  • 1 0
 @Hill-Seeker: definitely not... A 2.5 fits just fine in that frame and is what the team has been using for quite some time. Nowadays the tire manufacturers have been testing all kinds of different casings trying to balance weight vs. reliability so...
  • 3 1
 The rear tire is identical to the front tire, it is not installed backwards, it is not a prototype, its simply a tire without the model names printed on it. Pro teams sometimes get these tires as they will not need to be sold in shops etc. There is not anything special about the rear tire, other than it just helped win an EWS...
  • 1 0
 Edit: Just checked who was posting. Wink

It seems strange that two tires are identical but have different markings. Thanks for the info.
  • 3 0
 Am I crazy, or the front wheel is bigger?
  • 2 0
 Why not an XTR cassette? Are they potentially fragile under RR's power? XT cassettes are pretty heavy.
  • 5 0
 XT goes to 46 tooth, Maybe that is it?
  • 1 0
 Wish they did XTR in a proper 11spd range but only XT does 11-42 and 11-46 in Shimano.
  • 2 0
 The only detail on the wheels is 29". I guess DT Swiss doesn't advertise on Pinkbike enough to get a mention.
  • 3 0
 Would love to know how often that 46 tooth ring gets used...
  • 3 0
 anyone know what chainring he's using?
  • 1 0
 @Silocycle: I think a year or two ago he said he switched between 34 and 36, but usually 36
  • 2 0
 Article says it's a Large, but with a special headset to increase reach.
  • 2 1
 That headset decreases reach lol
  • 1 0
 I wish these were mass produced. Extend reach without extensive wheelbase.
  • 1 0
 Iā€™d have thought it was to increase stack height, given the 55 runs a semi-integrated headset (56mm lower cup iirc) so is normally quite low at the front - I own one and itā€™s pretty much a zero-stack headset as standard.
  • 1 0
 @speedfreek: he has the stem slammed and ā€˜upside downā€™. I donā€™t think he want to increase the stack height.
  • 2 0
 @ThomDawson: Hmm... why would he be running a fairly high rise bar if that were the case?

At any rate, stack height and bar height arenā€™t really the same thing. Lifting the headtube further from the wheel will affect handling in a different way to simply changing the bar height, as it affects BB height and will have an effect on HA and reach too (albeit very minor)

The debate continues...
  • 1 0
 @speedfreek: you could be right. Would be an interesting setup if so. Appears to have the 30mm rise bar on there?
Possible he wanted to lift the front end without making the fork longer. 29er forks are already quite long I suppose.
  • 1 0
 Replied int he wrong place (delete).
  • 3 0
 @speedfreek: cause your bike rides se different w/ different height bars cause they act like a lever when you use your forarms to twist the angle. Watch bmx trails, when you want to drop the nose you twist forward & bring feet up. Short rise bars are less leverage = less control.

Or i made it up. Whichevers better.
  • 2 1
 Cushcore front and rear? guess he'd be leaving one trailside if he had to use that spare tube
  • 2 0
 So with all this talk of rude being a beast, what's his weight?
  • 6 3
 Iā€™d say somewhere around 14.5 stones.
  • 1 0
 @mikekazimer: wow, that is beastly for a cyclist, especially under 6'3".
  • 20 0
 @mikekazimer: stone? Geee, you don't have it in other convenient units of weight? Whats that in poods, shiploads or pennyweights?
  • 7 0
 @mikekazimer: that should be around 92kg and 177cm, ahh much better
  • 2 0
 @mikekazimer: What an absolute unit.
  • 2 0
 How do the Yeti pros race without either a water bottle or a pack?
  • 2 0
 They have a bib short with pockets on the back. Water bottle goes in there!
  • 1 0
 They have an ass flap and store it in their butt
  • 4 3
 11-46 cassete, but the market tells us we cannot ride (leave alone winning anything) with that little range!
  • 1 6
flag NotNamed (May 14, 2018 at 4:05) (Below Threshold)
 Eagle is for XC guys on Enduro bikes
  • 3 1
 no, they are saying that if you want wider range there is an option
sram didnt stop making 11 speed cassettes , did they?
  • 3 1
 @NotNamed: Or guys like me who live in Colorado front range and have 2000 feet of steep climbing at a very high altitude.
  • 4 2
 @bman33: Nah I ride 11-40 in Steamboat (with a 32). Just gotta leg up Smile
  • 2 1
 @Jvhowube: good for you. I have a 34 with a Eagle bail out cassette for the 'just in case'. More options the better for me. That said, I have ridden a few trails in Steamboat including Emerald, not as bad as front range since you are already up in the mountains. Seems everything here is straight up, straight down.
  • 3 1
 XT 11-42 + Wolftooth 49T is the tits. works so well. adds 100g tho.
  • 2 1
 @mm732: I used One Up cage and gear for a few years on XT. Solid conversion. Shop buddy got me a deal on Eagle XO1 and had to take it when I could.
  • 2 0
 @bman33: Eagle is lighter, yah? Been thinking of making the conversion myself eventually. Also make sure to ride Werner next time you're here - way more exciting than Emerald!
  • 2 1
 @Jvhowube: The cassette is crazy light. Honestly, I didn't weigh my XT cassette and OneUp conversion vs. the Eagle. Mike (used to work at Ski Haus, known him from Atlanta) gave me a smoking deal on the Eagle XO1 so I jumped on it. I have been a Shimano guy since the early 90's..but def digging the newer Sram stuff

I def need to check out Werner. I just bought little .75 acre over in Stagecoach so I will be up that way soon.
  • 2 0
 How much travel does the fork have?
  • 2 0
 And don't forget that 36t chainring...
  • 1 0
 Just great to see Richie back in the thick of things..
  • 1 0
 Is that blood running down his legs? Richie is a beast Smile
  • 1 0
 what is that cap on the crankset?
  • 1 0
 All-In multi-tool?
  • 1 0
 @AaGro: that was my guess, maybe a prototype 1Up version of the All-in? The bike seem to have the 1up tool in the steering tube.
  • 3 0
 its a sticker to stop mud building up....
  • 1 0
 i still think we need a bigger air can
  • 1 0
 Wtf -where water bottle holded?
  • 1 0
 Custom bar colour please
  • 2 1
 2019 shox in May 2018?
  • 3 1
 Gotta love the bike industry (and most industries tbh)
  • 2 1
 actually it is comforting me a bit because it shows that there is no new shox standard in 2019... because it is just a matter of time till someone comes with imperial-metric shocks, where e2e lenght is in fractions of inches but travel is in nice metric dimension (and 2 years later, it gets turned around, vice versa). And trunnion mount is on both ends. Just remember 28.99...
  • 1 2
 Thats a EXO DHF not Dh casing..
  • 4 0
 It is a DH casing. You can see it written on the sidewall. They don't make a Double Down DHF 29 x 2.5 so you have to run the DH one if thats what you want.
  • 2 0
 The new DHFs are marked EXO dh casing, I have one
  • 5 7
 Seriously? Love the article but might want to title it spoiler alert!
  • 9 0
 We stressed about this a little, but figured that by the time the full video comes out the results are pretty old anyway so we wouldn't be spoiling anything. We don't do this for DH when there's a replay available.

Thoughts?
  • 10 0
 @brianpark: Don't worry too much about it with EWS, anyone who is wanting to know is watching the live feed anyway, and the big enjoyable reveal of the summary vid comes out a few days after results are known anyway. Ritchie deserves his time in the spotlight while the win is fresh and everyone is celebrating it.
  • 1 0
 @brianpark: I just dont come onto PB until I want to know the result. I often get the result late because Im out riding whilst the race is on when its in Europe :-)
  • 4 0
 @brianpark: if someone is that worried, then avoid PB.....
  • 1 0
 @brianpark: Hey Brian, generally I tend to stay off pinkbike until I've seen the video. Unfortunately in this case google Now pushed it as content I'd be interested in, which did kinda ruin the suspense for me. So I guess I need to stay off all electronic devices for at least three days following the race!
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