When i looked it up she was 5ft 6 inch's and she's one of the best in the world pretty sure she knows whats best. Not to mention she's probably faster then must of us.
Smaller riders like smaller wheels... it's doesn't speak to her talent, just her size. A guy who's 6' 2" doesn't see 29" wheels as a whole lot more to manhandle riding down a track, a guy who's a foot shorter is going to have a much tougher time translating their skills to a bike with bigger wheels.
Having the 29-Inch question in downhill seems more to promote thoughtful discussion rather than rigidly setting body-proportions to that and this wheel. Any wheel will roll - I believe the majority Makers were satisfied stopping tests upon a new DH bike w/ 29" wheels. The one race there, on a Specialized... more amusing than a true forging-ahead of progression away from Trail Bikes of the past 25 Years. I believe that 27.5" wheel'd bikes will be awful common and an option for nearly any discipline. Not so much due to sheer rider size, but that the mechanical advantages of how the square of all things reacts upon it invites an altered skill set. One persons 'easier' can still be the other's 'lazy'... it's all good though. I'm looking for a Peace 9'R to build for trailwork/coffee runs, 27.5" may also do it though, w/o a poke to 29ers being poorly implemented.
Liming wheel size limits the evolution of technology in mountain bikes, if DH racing was all about "making it rough and challenging" why wouldn't you limit bikes to ridged steel frames with 16" wheels? And I'm all about a level playing field but not every rider isn't born the same size, an different rider size comes with it's own advantages and disadvantages (small riders are nimble, large riders have more pedal power) so why shouldn't bigger riders not be able to take advantage of larger wheels? If anything it will force bike companies into designing small sized 650b bikes that ride better.
I'm getting absolutely tied of everyone with this wheel size crap being an "evolution of technology," It's a f*****g wheel sz for christ sake. Just because it's a different wheel size rubber compound in tires is magicly going to get so good that we can ride up a seer face wall or suspension is going to take a dramatic leap forward that we nolonger need springs or air even, but a wheel that can conform to the surface it's traveling like a camelon, as if there were no obstacles in its path. If this statement was left where it should be and that's with rim technology I could tolerate it, but the last time I check 26, 27.5, 29 wheels all had spokes, nipples, and hubs. So please with this "evolution of technology" crap. Maybe "evolution of the sport!"
@DrthVadr... No it's actually no just a "f*cking wheel sz" actually. That was the approach companies took in the early days of 29'er and it produce bikes that suck. Since then, companies have gone back to the drawing board and modified their frame designs, geometry, and suspension platforms and layouts to maximize the advantages of bigger wheels while mitigating their drawbacks. The result is an evolution in technology because previous technology was not able to produce capable and playful big wheeled bikes until that technology EVOLVED. You also seem to be missing that bigger wheels has led to new approaches to wheel designs in trying to control the flex of the larger hoops... whether it's different flange designs like SRAM are employing or massively extended hub flanges like eThirteen are employing, technology is evolving because of the bigger wheels.
Also, just FYI... a chameleon does not "conform to the surface it's traveling" and it most definitely cannot walk up a sheer face wall.
PS- Spell check dude... spell check. You're making public schools look bad.
Sorry Leroy, but all the things that you named are all things that had taken place before 29 wheels exploded. The geometry and suspension is not an evolution of technology, the tech already existed, just the application needed to be modified. Everyone knows that a larger flange diameter on a hub makes for a stiffer wheel with less lateral flex, it's nothing new, just modified to fit the need. The companies that employee these so called "evolutions of technology" have been doing so for years without regards to wheel sz. If it makes you feel better to think that, more power to you, but the truth is that companies are finally doing so because the market no longer can be denied and the profit is there to justify re-tooling.
Just because you can hit spell check doesn't mean you have the wisdom to see the forest through the trees my friend.
There is always some ass hat that tries to belittle your point, a point that they clearly understood, by criticizing grammar errors to make their own point appear superior.
Are you f*cking retarded? Companies modified their frame & suspension designs to work with 29'ers before 29'ers? You apparently don't understand what "evolution" actually means... it doesn't matter if "everyone knew" what something did, no one was doing it stupid.
No... spelling doesn't mean anything about seeing forests, it means something about your intelligence. You come up with some ignorant assumption based post on your imaginary definition of 'evolution' and try to sound like you have a clue but don't even know how to spell, use grammar, or what the f*ck evolution even means apparently... So you can sit back with your stupidity and try to pump yourself up with jackass phrases, which you've also misused by the way, when the reality is you don't have the slightest clue what you're talking about.
I will admit that I did wrongly phrased evolution of technology in regards to geometry and suspension; which, by the way are evolutions of technology. It's just the application to 29ers is only a modification of that technology.
Retarded is no longer the correct nomenclature in today's society. Have some respect for others on this site that may have children, brothers, sisters, and friends that have downs syndrome, autism, TBI or other PDD's and say mentally challenged or cognitive disability.
The application of 29'ers is, by definition, an evolution... "The gradual development of something to a new form". We've seen 24's, 26's, we've seen the mismatched front rear wheels... all are evolutionary steps whether or not they're a good thing.
And I don't give a good goddamn if you pansy ass bitches get offended by a term... I don't subscribe to political correctness for the sake of your delicate feelings. Retarded means someone who is less advanced, mentally or physically, than would be typical for their age. Developmental retardation... It's not an insult, it's an appropriately descriptive phrase and just because the liberal pussies of the world have decided it's suddenly offensive doesn't change its accuracy.
Girls/Boys, you've totally drifted from the point that 'Apparently Rachel likes it hard and rough'. I've yet to see any comment that categorically disputes this statement (as crude as it might be).
The seat tube bridge is the ugliest thing I have ever seen. WTF is wrong with the current Fury its a sweet looking bike. They started from the bottom with the new bike and went straight down.
As I am well aware this is a prototype and no where near the finished product (but still grotesque to look at) I came to the realisation, after reading your comment, that this could very well be of a great help to you: www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=douchebag ...........no offence
It's a proto type I'm sure there will be a few versions appear over the season and the final carbon version will look factory finished. Why do 90% of male bikers act like potential trail rapists over female riders you should have your balls cut off and used as valve caps.
Did anyone watch videos of gee and Marc riding this in Europe? Watching that and hearing gee say lower and slacker made me think If you couldn't see the bike their riding position seems very similar to other riders on a demo.
it's weird they want it longer, lower and more progressive (and slacker to I think), hate to say it but it's like the athertons still miss the commencal
I still wonder why they left, maybe commencal just couldn't pay their salary anymore but if I was them I'd never leave for GT but then again I own a commencal so I'm biased as hell against other brands
I'm curious to that too, from what I gathered it seemed they were not as happy with the new commencal than the older one, They seemed to say it was faster at home tracks but they never seemed as hyped about it at least from what I saw. Maybe the overall geo wasn't quite right and this is better.
They definitely seem way more excited about this than any other frame they have been on.
The other part I don't understand is that Commencal even made Atherton replicas available to the general public, where as there is nothing special about the Fury.
Because the Athertons still are not completely satisfied. Hopefully that day will come, and then - but only then - they will write their name on the frame.
Keep in mind Beaumont is on the team now, I think they also signed a junior, I doubt they will make a "athertons replica" they'd have to opt for a "team"
Well, they still have the 2male/1female icon. They are still "The Athertons" (athertonracing.co.uk). And while I indeed afgree this must be strange for Marc B and those juniors, The Athertons is a brand that makes sense to be carried.
Well it's a damn site better than the futurama-fury they used to have. It looks like it shouldn't of been released till at least 2025... Chuck the Athertons on a balfa BB7 and have done with it, best handling bike I've owned and Im still riding it now. What an animal!! Rachel gets dibz on test ride at Gawton and Gee I wana take you up on your 1.45 time at super-tavi
A) I wish DH racing was like WSB or Touring cars where the bike or car being raced also has to be available to the customer. That thing looks sex, but I can't get a hold of it!
You know, I'm sure GT has thought about things like this. Companies don't just bring out bikes without any thought. If Rachel, Marc and Gee haven't mentioned it, I think it's fine.
Yea it's funny when commenters worry about wether the bike can take enough abuse, as if they will ever ride the bike half as hard as Gee and Mark, who don't seem to be having any problems with it.
I believe that 27.5" wheel'd bikes will be awful common and an option for nearly any discipline. Not so much due to sheer rider size, but that the mechanical advantages of how the square of all things reacts upon it invites an altered skill set. One persons 'easier' can still be the other's 'lazy'... it's all good though. I'm looking for a Peace 9'R to build for trailwork/coffee runs, 27.5" may also do it though, w/o a poke to 29ers being poorly implemented.
Also, just FYI... a chameleon does not "conform to the surface it's traveling" and it most definitely cannot walk up a sheer face wall.
PS- Spell check dude... spell check. You're making public schools look bad.
Just because you can hit spell check doesn't mean you have the wisdom to see the forest through the trees my friend.
There is always some ass hat that tries to belittle your point, a point that they clearly understood, by criticizing grammar errors to make their own point appear superior.
No... spelling doesn't mean anything about seeing forests, it means something about your intelligence. You come up with some ignorant assumption based post on your imaginary definition of 'evolution' and try to sound like you have a clue but don't even know how to spell, use grammar, or what the f*ck evolution even means apparently... So you can sit back with your stupidity and try to pump yourself up with jackass phrases, which you've also misused by the way, when the reality is you don't have the slightest clue what you're talking about.
Retarded is no longer the correct nomenclature in today's society. Have some respect for others on this site that may have children, brothers, sisters, and friends that have downs syndrome, autism, TBI or other PDD's and say mentally challenged or cognitive disability.
And I don't give a good goddamn if you pansy ass bitches get offended by a term... I don't subscribe to political correctness for the sake of your delicate feelings. Retarded means someone who is less advanced, mentally or physically, than would be typical for their age. Developmental retardation... It's not an insult, it's an appropriately descriptive phrase and just because the liberal pussies of the world have decided it's suddenly offensive doesn't change its accuracy.
Also Beaumont said "Rounded Package"
B) Rachel is frackin hot!
Racheal Atherton YES! why increase wheel size to make MTB smoother? we do it because its rough!