Tech Randoms Part II: Lenzerheide DH World Cup 2023

Jun 8, 2023 at 14:21
by Nick Bentley  
The 2023 Downhill World Cup kicks off in Lenzerheide this weekend with one of the most picturesque pits that the teams visit all season. We spent some time heading around to have a look at what's new and what's going on ahead of a busy day of practice and junior qualification.

Pits with a view the Pits at Lenzerheide stretch along the road surrounding the lake so the mechanics do ing late nights at least get a good view .
Pits with a view. The pits at Lenzerheide stretch along the road surrounding the lake, so the mechanics doing late nights at least get a good view.

Lenzerheide in the sunshine has to be one of the most stunning places.
Lenzerheide in the sunshine has to be one of the most stunning places to be.

A nice touch from the Commencal Muc-off team I think everyone is missing pom pom at this round of the world cup
A nice touch from the Commencal Muc-off team. I think everyone is missing Pom Pon at this round of the World Cup

Some bright purple Hayes Dominion A4 brakes getting some attention in the continental Atherton pit
Some bright purple Hayes Dominion A4 brakes getting some attention in the Continental Atherton pit.

the purple continues on to the lever to
The purple continues on to the lever too.

a quite bike is a quick bike right the atherton mechanics add this little bit of foam to quieten down the brake hose on the fork
A quiet bike is a quick bike, right? The Atherton mechanics add this little bit of foam to eliminate any noise from the brake hose hitting the fork.

Schwalble have a new tyre that is on many of there riders bikes this weekend the Sharpie has been out over its name bit it looks ready to be released
Schwalbe have a new tire that is on many of their riders' bikes this weekend. The Sharpie has been out over its name but it looks ready to be released.

a closer look at the new tread pattern
A closer look at the new tread pattern.

whats not to like about a well organised foam cut tool box
What's not to like about a well organised foam cut tool box?

full service for these SR Suntour RUX forks
Full service for these SR Suntour RUX forks

Danny Hart on his way back from media duties .
Danny Hart on his way back from media duties

This is what you can win. Well if your are lucky enough to be racing world cups as a privateer and get selected for the Privateer project. Its a brand new full carbon GT Fury will full Fox factory suspension and continental tyres Crank Brothers wheels.
This is what you can win. Well, if you are lucky enough to be racing World Cups as a privateer and get selected for the Privateer project. It's a brand new full carbon GT Fury will full Fox factory suspension and Continental tires along with Crankbrothers wheels.

full Shimano Saint groupset to
With a full Shimano Saint group-set too.

this is the exclusive Privateer project colour way for the new Fury
This is the exclusive Privateer project colorway for the new Fury.

the cable rooting on the new GT Fury is interesting.
The cable routing on the new GT Fury is interesting.

brake bleed for Wyn Masters Privateer project rider here in Lenzerheide its safe to say Roger Vieria was pretty happy he didn t have to be working on his own bike and racing this weekend
A brake bleed for Wyn Masters' Privateer Project rider here in Lenzerheide. It's safe to say Roger Vieira was pretty happy he didn't have to work on his own bike as well as racing this weekend.

not all bikes in the pits are perfect.
Not all bikes in the pits are perfect.

the New GT Fury looks amazing
Thenew GT Fury looks amazing.

prepped and ready to go for a lower change.
Prepped and ready to go for a lower change in the Fox pits.

Fox had got though all there services before i made it to them in the morning just one lonly DHX2 left waiting to head out
Fox had got through all their services before I made it to them in the morning. Just one lonely Float X2 left waiting to head out.

A half-dressed Scott gambler.
A half-dressed Scott Gambler.

there was plenty of wheel building going on in the pits.
There was plenty of wheel building going on in the pits.

The brand new Giant Glory looking good in its bright paint job
The brand new Giant Glory looking good in its bright paint job.

Fresh lower seals heading into this set of current realise boxers.
Fresh lower seals heading into this RockShox Boxxer.

Tegan Cruz s session was in for some love on its black box suspension.
Tegan Cruz's Session was in for some love on its Black Box suspension

some new looking Boxers waiting to find a home on the front of some ones bike. interestingly the damper looks to be a charge 3 style with buttercups fitted.
Some fresh Boxxers waiting to find a home on the front of someone's bike. Interestingly, the damper looks to be a Charger 3 style with Buttercups fitted.

Plenty of forks to be serviced on practice day for the team at Rockshox
Plenty of forks to be serviced on practice day for the team at RockShox.

A quick fork freshon up
A quick fork freshen up

Ronan Dunne s bike getting a fresh bashgard
Ronan Dunne's bike getting a fresh bashgard

Not all tool boxes are show ponys
Not all tool boxes are show ponies

Nukeproof have been adding weights to the bottom of their bikes for a while so the team designed a 3d printed cover to house the weights
Nukeproof have been adding weights to the bottom of their bikes for a while, so the team designed a 3D printed cover to house the weights.

But Ronan Dunne left his off and went with some classic cable ties instead. you can just see the weights on the down tube.
But Ronan Dunne left his off and went with some classic cable ties instead. You can just see the weights on the down tube.

More Blackbox Boxxers with some shiny new Code brakes too. backing up the damper we sore at the RockShox pit to with buttercups installed
More BlackBox Boxxers with some shiny new Code brakes, backing up the damper we saw at the RockShox pit with Buttercups installed.

it was a busy morning for the Continental Nukeproof Mechanics
It was a busy morning for the Continental Nukeproof mechanics.

shall we build some fresh wheels or play some darts
Shall we build some fresh wheels or play some darts?

everything is pretty organised int he Cube pits all the Cube team were running termitary today
Everything is pretty organized in the Cube pits. All the Cube team were running telemetry today.

Pitts with a view and even a BBQ
Pitts with a view and even a BBQ.

INEOS Grenadiers Pauline Ferrand-Pr vot was pitting in with the SR Suntour team with her new Pinarello Dogma XC.
INEOS Grenadiers Pauline Ferrand-Prévot was pitting in with the SR Suntour team with her new Pinarello Dogma XC.

plenty of services under way by the SR Suntour Crew
Plenty of services underway by the SR Suntour crew.

more first ride Magic Marys in the FMD pits
More first ride Schwalbe Magic Marys in the FMD pits

The FMD racing team always have some of the best pain jobs in the pits.
The FMD racing team always have some of the best paint jobs around.

Brake bleeds going on pre-practice in the Dorval pits with some new-looking Schwalbe tyres fitted to
Brake bleeds going on pre-practice in the Dorval pits with some new-looking Schwalbe tires fitted too.

some times only a hammer will do
Sometimes only a hammer will do

The whole intense team are riding this new prototpye this weekend looks like another twist on the current trend of bikes we are seeing.
The whole Intense team are riding this new prototype this weekend. Looks like another twist on the current trend of bikes we are seeing.

Some fresh looking TRP cranks for the guys at Intense
Some fresh looking TRP cranks for the guys at Intense

So with all the big trucks in town its easy to forget the little guys but the Guys at Epic bike shop at the bottom of the Revier hotel put on a Privateer workshop. Makeing sure the privateers keep running all weeked
So with all the big trucks in town, it's easy to forget the little guys but the guys at Epic bike shop at the bottom of the Revier Hotel put on a privateer workshop, making sure the privateers keep running all weekend.

In this case a Fresh tyre and a quick bit of decontamination of the brake rotor and the bike was sort of back-rideable. all be it with a Mech that had seen better days
In this case, a fresh tire and a quick bit of decontamination of the brake rotor and the bike was sort of back rideable, albeit with a mech that had seen better days.

Not all the Specialised team were on the new prototypes there was still plenty of testing going on with the old Demo too
Not all the Specialised team were on the new prototypes. There was still plenty of testing going on with the old Demo too.

Fresh suspension this year up front to for Pinkbike Racing this year they will be running the Manitou Dorado
Fresh suspension this year upfront for the Pinkbike Racing team. This year they will be running the Manitou Dorado

Super high rise bars and a big old riser under the stem its not hard to guess who this V10 belongs to.
Super high-rise bars and a big old riser under the stem; it's not hard to guess who this V10 belongs to.

EXT shocks this year for the Pinkbike Raceing team.
EXT shocks this year for the Pinkbike Racing team

Some fresh suspiciously blacked-out Michelins for Sam Hill. there are Michelins for sure though no sharpie here.
Some fresh Michelins for Sam Hill.

Sams Nukeproof Dissent is looking prime and ready to rock for the Legends return.
Sam's Nukeproof Dissent is looking prime and ready to rock for the legend's return.

The Gamux prototype is one wild looking bike
The Gamux prototype is one wild looking bike

With Pinion gearbox and belt drive at the heart of it.
With a Pinion gearbox and belt drive at the heart of it

Last minute gear tuning in the Commercial Muc-off pits
Last minute gear tuning in the Commercial Muc-off pits

Lachlan Blair is riding a toughened up Deviate Claymore this weekend it s been modified by the team at Deviate quite a bit with a change to some of the geometry and a different carbon lay up in the frame. the travel has been beefed up to now with 190mm of travel in the rear this is an enduro bike no more.
Lachlan Blair is riding a toughened up Deviate Claymore this weekend. It's been modified by the team at Deviate quite a bit, with a change to some of the geometry and a different carbon layup in the frame. The travel has been increased at the rear, and now sits at 190mm.

Any one want a bike there is always plenty of opportunity to have a look at some bikes at the top of the hill.
Anyone want a bike? There is always plenty of opportunity to have a look at some bikes at the top of the hill

This Steel Contra is a work of art. Its also sporting a pair of the newly realised DT Swiss 1500 Classic Downhill Wheels
This steel Contra is a work of art. It's also sporting a pair of the newly released DT Swiss 1500 Classic Downhill Wheels

We need more steel bikes racing at the world cup.
We need more steel bikes racing at the World Cups

Will we ever see what s under the cover on the new Specialized Demo
Will we ever see what's under the cover on the new Specialized Demo?


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118 Comments
  • 83 1
 Man...the GT looks sick. CAnt remember the last time I said that.
  • 8 0
 with the coil shock that is the dopest GT I have ever seen
  • 13 5
 Totally agree, the GT is amazballs…. Except for the orange, I like fox, but please stop with the traffic cone color
  • 4 1
 @Borealwoods: no other company would use that colour I think they want to own it..... even Manitou dropped it
  • 5 3
 After this race they are surprising all their riders with pink slips.
  • 3 0
 The new demo. Will be a 6- bar parallelogram bottom. its all the rage these days
  • 2 0
 Yeah it's riding sweetly, Ethan has been racing it in the UK earlier this year and is flying on it. It's a lovely looking thing.
  • 1 0
 But someone explain to me why the FMD pits have two rims laced to one hub on a trueing stand in the background!? Looks like a wild 90's experiment!!
  • 19 0
 @bunjiman82:
One of the easiest/ quickest way to do a rim swap is taping the two rims together and moving the spokes from one rim to the next spoke by spoke. If you know the spokes are good (recently built wheel) there’s no need to replace the spokes. You can swap a rim and get it pretty true in about 10 minutes if you do it that way.
  • 1 0
 @bunjiman82: quick rim swap on the wheel I expect, swap the spokes from one rim to the other.
  • 2 0
 @Verg: didn’t know that’s a thing, holy cow!!!
  • 2 0
 What's with the GT logos? They have one on the bike that looks like they didn't even pick a font, they just used the default that the design app opened with. And on the wall behind the bike, it seems like they just removed the IAN from the middle of the GIANT logo
  • 2 0
 @mountainsofsussex: Mirrors their old school logo apparently. A throwback to earlier days.

www.bikegeardatabase.com/stories/vintage-biker/gt-zaskar.jpeg
  • 1 0
 @bunjiman82: The easy way to swap rims on the wheel
  • 2 0
 It looks so good! But their new logo is ugly af and sticks out like a sore thumb on it.
  • 2 1
 @mountainsofsussex: I agree. If I were fortunate enough to have a new fury, I would get an “old” GT decal and cover the new one. The old logo still looks good.
  • 32 8
 Who put all those bikes derailleur side down?? Bet those mechs looooove to see that…
  • 1 1
 Came here to say that,unbelievable!
  • 19 0
 downhill bikes with short cages dont get near the ground.
  • 6 0
 @hayden19: true, even with most enduro bikes as long as it's not in the largest cog you'd have to put the derailleur directly on a hug rock to hit.
  • 6 0
 It's srams new advertising for Transmission. "who cares about jumping on it, you can even lay your bike down on it!"
  • 4 0
 @hayden19: I might be the only one who's trail bike's long derailleur never gets near the ground either? 760 bars.
  • 9 0
 Can´t remember last time i saw a derailleur actually touching the ground when laying on the "wrong" side. Still a good thing to keep in mind, tho.
  • 3 0
 So what? Other side is the disc, which I would not like to bend as well. Additionally my deraillleur never touches the gorund laying down, pedal and handlebar hit the ground first
  • 2 0
 Maybe the chains are dripping with lube, so they want to keep it from getting on the rotors... :-P
  • 20 0
 Amazing that saint group set is used so ubiquitously on DH bikes and it hasn’t changed for years. All these new technologies and the popular group set is one that hasn’t changed a bit
  • 4 0
 A decade at the pointy end of racing!
  • 2 0
 Interesting too that SRAM hasn't pushed any of the new Transmission stuff into the DH field yet, not even the XO cranks, but then I'm not sure they come in 165?

I would have expected to start seeing AXS and short cage transmission drivetrains appearing long ago but so far Brandon Semenuk is the only one?
  • 1 1
 This must be new Saint crankset, it looks more sturdy BUT NOT Hollowtech as ribs can be seen on internal side of the left crank.
p.vitalmtb.com/styles/full_size_1600/s3/photos/users/94/photos/2023-06/Pivot%20Proto%21.jpg?VersionId=_o.xcGYozQUB6EKUDQijozVxT1q4krPH&itok=qylU-0ne

Entire Vital gallery:
www.vitalmtb.com/photos/features/pit-bits-2-2023-world-cup-downhill-lenzerheide/pit-bits-lenzerheide-world-cup-dh-pivot-prototype-downhill-bike
  • 6 0
 @fluider: Pretty sure it is an Race Face Atlas. It is written "Cinch" on the endcaps of the axle.…
  • 1 0
 @Alturis: I think you scrolled past the bike in question lol
  • 1 0
 @SonofBovril: the new Transmission stuff does have 165mm cranks available. Though I would be hard pressed to not just get a saint group on my DH bike even if SRAM did drop a DH group.
  • 19 0
 Great to see a few more Dorado's getting around this year!!
  • 18 0
 Broken Enve Bar. No surprise there.
  • 1 0
 scary stuff, that does not usually end well
  • 1 0
 There's a clip of another broken carbon bar on Vital Raw. Small tumble = bar breaks off
  • 2 0
 @TommyNunchuck: yeah but Enve…
  • 1 0
 Downhill racing is hard on components, who knew?
  • 16 8
 Fox techs, done replacing all the X2's with cracked bodies....except this one. Schwalbe, ready to release the new Puncture Pete with the easy deflate system single wall casing. Pinarello, bringing back the upward bowed top tube-because they hate cyclist's crotches.
  • 21 1
 What you talking about the new Schwalbes are bomber. Even the trail casing.
  • 10 1
 @norcalbike: yea, Schwalbe Super Downhill is considerably beefier than Maxxis DH casing. I'd even go as far as saying Super Gravity is comparable to a normal DH casing tire
  • 4 0
 Just looks to be a faster rolling Mary. You sir are misinformed. They are bullet proof
  • 9 4
 Is a Pinion really an advantage in a DH race? I ride one and I can't see how having something that weighs more, has finicky shifting, and has a wide ratio could be better than a tried and true derailleur.

Gamux needs to work on their website, more info on the bikes!

I love Pinions, but I'd like to see someone do well riding a Pinion in the Enduro series.
  • 14 0
 Shifting while coasting is a big advantage.
  • 42 0
 A major advantage of any gearbox is removing the weight of the cassette and derailleur from the unsprung mass of the wheel. I'm surprised MORE DH bikes don't have gearboxes given this advantage, mass centralization, and the relatively less important pedaling performance to say an enduro bike/race.

Hell even Nukeproof above is ADDING WEIGHT to the center of their bike. Might as well get it off the wheel if you're wanting to improve the sprung/unsprung mass ratio....
  • 6 0
 No appendages to smash off on rocks and what others have said.

I was lucky enough to test ride the new Zerode G3 last weekend. I can’t comprehend how good the new dh rig is, it’s ridiculous. I’d love to see it on the World Cup circuit one day
  • 6 0
 no chain needed to win a DH race.
  • 1 0
 @madmon: but a belt might help
  • 4 1
 A 3 speed pinion would nearly be enough, a 5 speed for fussy folk. I ride single speed DH, have to walk bike to the lift and can be hard to start on flat but apart from that once rolling never need to change gear. I don't think that the concept for a gearbox has properly been explored for DH. I'd be happy with 2 gears, one for start hut and then just final drive for race.
  • 1 0
 I'm really curious of the shifter on that Gamux, it definitely looks like a paddle shifter and not the twist shift.
  • 1 1
 @chacou: I think you can run an archer wireless shifter with the Pinion
  • 1 0
 @wburnes: I recall reading that before, and that would make sense, it look like one in the photo (buttons vs. paddles)
  • 1 0
 @thisisme: Not gonna lie, I don't think the weight distribution makes that much of a difference on how fast the bike goes down the track. We're talking about what, 40lb bikes here? It doesn't seem to be worth the hassle of the different technology to overcome how good people are riding current bikes. Maybe... it's not even about the bike.
  • 1 0
 @A-HIGHLY-EDUCATED-PROFESSIONAL: some of them carbon race bikes are about 32lb now my old steel dark cycles is under 38lb singlespeed.
  • 1 0
 I just noticed there is no grip shifter on the Gamux! Looks like a trigger mounted to the bars…
  • 2 0
 @KonaMiniMula1: electric Smart Shift, more here www.vitalmtb.com/forums/hub/pinion-smartshift-gamux-prototype-dh-bike
  • 9 1
 Pinkbike racing team on yellow bikes?
  • 8 0
 GT Fury Sexy AF , especially in the two tone yellow !
  • 4 0
 All the new GTs look great, I'm so glad to see they're making a comeback my first mtb was a GT back in the day
  • 5 0
 A lot of very cool tech in here! Boxxer Butternutz and crown adjustment hashes, GT's cable routing and bump-stops, and a DH Deviate!
  • 6 0
 Super high-rise bars and a big old riser under the stem; it's not hard to guess who this V10 belongs to.

Aimi Kenyon?
  • 7 0
 2 different bikes with dorados?? Am I dreaming? So good!
  • 2 0
 The new Schwalbe tire is called the Tacky Chan. Seems that Commencal shipped a few of the new Supreme V5's with them this year? I've seen a few pairs at the bike park on Supreme V5 signatures, which list the tire as "Schwalbe First Ride" on the Commencal USA website
  • 5 7
 If that's legit I'm sure they'll have to change it because someone will say it's racist.
  • 4 0
 Is the privateer mechanic really using a blow torch to clean rotors? I've been using brake cleaner all these years. Anyone try fire?
  • 2 0
 Just needs to get hot. Ovens work too.
  • 2 0
 yeah I was scrolling for info on this too...guess it makes sense to just burn off oil, but I'd think that leaves residue. Surely isopropyl is easier?
  • 7 3
 Wow the specialized looking real special like maybe there is a motor under there
  • 3 6
 Def a shock.
  • 2 0
 Maybe a pull shock, just to make things interesting?
  • 1 0
 That chainstay is something as well.
  • 1 0
 A motor that doesn't need a battery even !
  • 1 1
 I doubt Specialized have any intention of releasing that bike - they are on the INTENSE program of "perpetual prototyping" to give their racers one off bikes specific to their needs.

Personally, I'm all for it Smile
  • 1 0
 in all seriousness based on the first round of pics they posted there's at least a gearbox in there.
  • 1 0
 It's probably a pull arm system, like on the Ancillotti bikes.
  • 1 0
 @bscic: They have been doing custom bikes for years. The Demo race bikes that Bruni, Iles and Williams are racing might look like the production Demo, but they are all custom sizes actually.
  • 5 1
 Noga Korem gets dropped by GT and suddenly GT have a spare frame with pink stickers #sus
  • 5 0
 Boxxer lookin thicc
  • 1 0
 Was thinking the same thing. Maybe 38+mm stanchions??
  • 1 0
 @noakeabean: yes they are 38mm stanchions
  • 5 0
 Forbidden pickled onions
  • 1 0
 Good to know I'm not the only one who saw that
  • 3 0
 Hey Schwalbe marketing, just name your next tyre the Sharpie. I'll take your check as payment, just DM me.
  • 1 0
 Colin Bailey will always say that foam is for pool toys, not tool boxes. And well, is think that guy knows what he's talking about. Reference minion...
  • 3 0
 Magic Mary rear version!
  • 2 0
 What’s the story on bike No. 17? Hope the rider is okay.
  • 2 0
 the crash is over on the Raw video from a certain other website.
  • 2 0
 That purple Nukeproof with the Zeb looks dope.
  • 2 0
 Both the Contra and Gamux look awesome!
  • 1 0
 Weird that nukeproof came out with a carbon dh bike and then put weights on it
  • 1 0
 I don't think it's about weight to go with carbon. More about stiffness and compliance.
  • 1 0
 @Alturis: You don't change stiffness or compliance by ziptie-ing small bits of metal to the downtube. I was wondering if there was a UCI rule for minimum bike weight like the roadies have, but I bet it's more likely to tune the sprung/unsprung mass ratio
  • 1 0
 @ROOTminus1: I believe he was talking about the decision to use carbon over aluminum being about stiffness/compliance rather than weight
  • 1 0
 Nah. Totally reasonable. This way, you can have the stiffness and strength advantages of carbon and also place the weight precisely where it gives you the biggest benefit while maintaining a low center of gravity.
  • 1 0
 That seems like a lot of Negronis in the Fox pits for first thing in the morning.
  • 1 1
 Whats up with the double rear wheel in the FMD pits truing stand? Curious if thats a travel setup or what?
  • 5 0
 inew rim, same hub. just transfer spokes over one by one, you won't mess up the pattern
  • 4 0
 It's a quick way to lace up a new rim on the old hub.
  • 4 0
 Line up valve stem hole, tape new rim to old busted rim, walk spokes over to the new rim one at a time. Fastest way to replace a rim with like for like.
  • 3 0
 they're replacing a toast rim using the old spokes and hub. You put the rim in the exact same position, undo one nipple at the time and move it into the hole right next to it. Saves time vs lacing from scratch
  • 8 0
 Just in case no one else has said it, it’s an easy way to transfer spokes from one rim to another without messing up the pattern.
  • 1 2
 @iiman: probably untension all the spokes beforehand mkay?
  • 1 0
 @Tigergoosebumps: that's for pussies lol
  • 2 0
 The DHX2 is a X2.
  • 1 0
 So everyone lays their bikes on their rear derailleur now?
  • 1 0
 Doesn't really matter with 800mm bars on flat ground.
  • 1 0
 Schwalbe Rippin’ Ronnies
  • 1 0
 was that Top Tube Cable Routing? - is it too soon.....
  • 1 0
 Love the "Commercial" Muc-off team
  • 1 0
 Giant Glory looks nice ! I'd prefer to see a red Boxxer there
  • 2 0
 Intense prototype #43541
  • 1 0
 Is that James Franco building wheels??
  • 1 0
 even loic dont know.. tha last advantage they could add is placebo..
  • 1 0
 super excited to watch this event!
  • 1 0
 is it me or does the new boxer fork look a lot more beefy
  • 2 1
 Looks like a fox 40 ad.
  • 1 0
 i>Testi>
  • 1 0
 (B) Test (B)





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